Ray leaned his head on the back of the couch and covered his face with his hands. This has got to be the shittiest day yet! He thought to himself. He forced himself to get up and pour himself a cup of coffee. One sip and he knew Morris had made the coffee. He rolled his head. "Problems?" Abby's voice caused him to jump.
"Just Morris' coffee." Ray spewed.
"Tough night?" Abby sat on the couch in the Staff Lounge.
"Yeah. Seems everything that can go wrong has." Ray leaned against the counter. "I'm half expecting Neela to show up with no arms and Kerry to be without a head and Kate with no legs."
Abby smiled. "Ever the optimist."
Ray sat next to her. "It's just that…I don't know. I've never really been affected by patients before and then this one…"
"You couldn't save him, Ray. He was practically dead when they brought him in." Abby soothed.
"I know, but there's still…"
"There'll always be a 'still'; a 'what if' and a 'shoulda, coulda, woulda', Ray." Abby patted his knee. "Look, when you're off in, oh, an hour, go home. Take a long shower and try to remember why you became a doctor." She got up to leave.
"Abby?"
"Yeah?"
"How'd you get so smart?"
"Just lucky, I guess." Abby smiled back at the smirking Ray.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now, get back to work." She closed the door behind her.
"So it's Abby that's giving me advice on how to handle it." Ray took a big bite of the waffles Kate made.
"I heard she's smart and knows everything."
"Pratt told me one time that Carter joked that Abby was the Yoda of all nurses. Learn from her I have." Ray smiled. "She just has…"
"I know. Kerry told me all about her. She's a good one to seek advice from. She gave you some good one." She leaned across the table. "Now, how about that long shower?"
Ray smiled. "Are you coming on to me, Dr. Newell?"
"Do you want me to?" She smiled back and sat on his lap.
"You can do whatever you want on me." Ray smirked. He cupped her face and kissed her. He swore as his phone rang. "Hang on." He fumbled around for it. "Barnett…yeah…okay. When?…NOW? I just got off, Dr…Okay. See you in a few." He hung up the phone. "Shit."
"What?"
"Clemente wants to see me." He buried his head in her chest. "Like this day could get any worse."
"You'd better go. I'll be here waiting for you." She kissed him. "If you have troubles, let me know and I'll take care of them, kay?"
"Okay." He stood up. "I'll be back when this is over. I promise."
"Then you'd better take a spare key. I've got some shopping to do and in case I'm not here." She handed him the spare key. "I know it's not protocol or whatever, but you know…"
Ray smiled. "Yeah, I know."
Clemente looked Ray up and down. "We've got a lot to talk about."
"Look, I've just gotten off shift and I'm really rather tired. Can we cut right to the chase?" Ray crossed his arms.
"Fine." Kerry's voice broke through.
Ray bolted up. "Dr. Weaver, I…I…"
"Save it, Barnett." Kerry sat down. "Before we do anything, I have to tell you, Kate's rather sweet on you." She tried to hide a smile. "But, the truth is, Morris' run as Chief Resident is nearing an end and we all decided to give you the shot if you want it. Thank Kate when you see her today. She's the one that strongly recommended you."
"Why did you wait until after I left to make me come back? Why not tell me while I'm here?" Ray didn't know how exactly to respond.
"I had to get a few things straightened out that weren't straightened out a couple hours ago." Kerry smiled. "Apparently, Kate thinks you're a good doctor and deserve this shot and to be honest, I couldn't agree more."
"I know I can't." Clemente chimed in. "We may have had our difficulties in the past, man, but you're a doctor that knows his shit and knows how to take care of the patient from start to finish."
Luka sat down. "Sorry I'm late, but Ray, I think this is an opportunity you should really take advantage of. You already have the support of the staff. They like you better than Morris anyhow."
Ray grinned. "I'll think about it."
Kerry smiled. "Fine. We'll let people know that you've accepted."
"I haven't, though."
"You will." Kerry's eyes sparkled. "Trust me, Ray. You're more than qualified for this and you'll be better than Morris."
I know I put it in another story where Ray becomes CR. But I think he's so suited for the role and wanted to do it again. This time with backing from Kate, who believes in him and this time without the tomfoolery of the first time I wrote it, huh? LoL Besides, I think ALL of Ray's fans want SOMETHING good for him, if he can't have Neela (at least not in THIS story! haahaa) Hope you enjoy!