Ray popped open a beer and turned on the stereo. He usually blared rock music after work, but tonight, he put on some jazz. He sat down on the couch, just as Neela came in. "So, how's the GSW's?"

Neela placed her bag on the table and took off her sweater. "They'll survive. It wasn't as bad as it looked. Very superficial wounds." She heard Louis Armstrong in the background. "Jazz? Ray Barnett listening to jazz?" She smiled.

Ray sipped his beer. "Yeah. Jazz can be soothing, you know, Neela. I don't always have to have rock music to relax." Ray stood up and took out something from the microwave. "I'd have gotten you something, but I didn't know what you wanted for dinner, so, I just got me something. Sorry." He said as Neela looked at him.

"Why didn't you ask me before you left?" Neela asked, exasperated.

"Everytime I went to ask you, you were with some trauma and then when I did manage to corner you, you and Abby started talking about my pout." He sat on the couch and dug into some macaroni and cheese. He held a forkful up to Neela. "Want some?"

Neela groaned and went back to her room. She paced back and forth in front of her vanity mirror. She had reached her point with Ray. That's it. I'm telling him to sod off. I can find my own place and not have to deal with that pout. She stopped in front of her mirror and looked at her reflection. "Oh, who am I kidding?" She sat on the vanity seat. "There is something irresistible about Ray and that pout. That pout is really rather kind of sexy."

"Thank you." Ray's voice caused her jumped. He noticed her glare. "Sorry. Your door was open and I heard you talking and, well, me being nosy and all, I had to…"

"GO AWAY!" She yelled as she slammed the door. She leaned against it, her cheeks flushed. There'll be no containing THAT ego after this! She thought as she hung her head. He'll NEVER let me live this down now.

"Abby!" Ray ran to catch up with her.

"What is it, Ray?" Abby sighed.

"I've a favor to ask." He walked beside her.

"No, Ray. No favors." Abby refused. I'm going to resist…I'm going to resist…She looked up at him. "No…" She saw the pout. "STOP THAT!"

"Stop what?" He asked.

Abby stopped and faced him. "Do you do this on purpose or have you always had the ability to make women do what you want by pouting?"

"I'm not pouting, Abby." Ray defended.

"You're pouting, Ray. I feel my knees and my heart softening, that means you're pouting."

"Abby…"

"Oh, alright, Ray. Whatever it is, alright." Abby gave in.

"Great. You will rob that bank for me then?" Ray looked serious. "OUCH!" He yelped as Abby hit him. "I was just kidding." He rubbed his shoulder. "I just wanted to know what to get Neela for being so nice and covering my shift."

Abby just stared at him. "That's it? No getting me to cover shifts or take a patient or sneak some medicine for you?"

"No." He hesitantly responded. "Is that what you thought I was…"

"Abby!" Luka ran out. "We need you now in Trauma 2!"

"Coming, Luka!" She yelled. "Give me time. I'll think of something for you." She ran inside.

Ray stood there, bewildered. Wow. If my pout, if I have a pout, really works that easily, why the hell didn't I use it as a kid?