Neela leaned her head against the back of the staff lounge couch. That POUT! She screamed in her head. All he needs to do to get me…to get ANY of us women…to do ANYTHING is give us that pout! She threw a styrofoam cup at the wall in frustration. She didn't want to take his shift, but he gave her that pout and she was helpless. Ray Barnett had a way of making women do what he wanted and he didn't have to try very hard at it either.

Abby came in and looked at her. "Got you with his pout, did he?" She poured herself and Neela a cup of coffee and sat next to her former roommate. "What did he get you to do now?"

Neela took the cup of coffee. "Thanks." She took a sip. "He got me to cover his shift on Saturday so that he could get to his gig."

Abby laughed. "Nice to know he looks at this as a real job." She saw the look on Neela's face. "I'm sorry, Neela. Working a double on Saturday is going to be tough. At least Ray'll be happy."

Neela shot her a look. "How does he do it, Abby? How does he get us to do what he wants?"

Abby shrugged. "I don't know. He's cute and quirky and he is charming. Plus, that pout." She nudged Neela in fun. "I couldn't have resisted the pout either, so I'm not saying anything." Abby leaned back and thought a few weeks earlier when she succumbed to the power of the pout. Ray had a flight to catch and if he didn't leave right then, he'd miss his flight. Abby, at first refused, but Ray put on his soft puppy eyes and that pout, she knew she was covering the last three hours of his shift. "Damn that pout."

"Tell me about it. I have to live with it." Neela jokingly nudged Abby back.

"Don't envy you that." Abby smiled.

Sam opened the door. "Multiple GSW on the way!" She shut the door behind her.

Abby sighed. "Well, what do you say we get back to it?" She and Neela hesitantly stood up.

Ray came in the lounge. "Ah, good. Neela, I need to speak to you."

"Not now. There's a multiple GSW coming and…Don't give me that pout, Ray!" Neela threw her hands in the air.

"What pout?" Ray seemed oblivious.

Abby turned around and poked her head in. "The pout you always give us women when you want us to do something for you."

Still oblivious, Ray looked at Abby. "I don't pout." He looked at Neela. "I don't pout."

"Then what are you doing right now?" Abby crossed her arms.

"Defending my lack of a pout." Ray pouted.

"There it is!" Abby looked back. "Neela, GSW. Let's go!"

Neela looked up at Ray. "Sorry. Got to get to this." She rushed past him.

Ray looked at the vacant lounge. "Gee, Neela. I was wondering what you wanted for dinner tonight."