Disclaimer: ER and all related characters do not, unfortunately, belong to me. If they did I could visit the studio and get to know all the actors... but I can't alas.
A/N Hey there! I have newly discovered the gloriousness of the ER category, here at FF. I tried a little one shot, and then I had to try and branch it out, because I loved the category so much. Unfortunately they were all relatively plot-less and I didn't really like them so I thought I would throw caution to the wind, delete that story and begin again with my own fic! I have no idea where this will go, but expect lots of fluff, because I'm a romantic. It's set in the ER (obviously) but not in relation to the series so I believe that is an AU. Expect appearances from old characters! But the main premise of the fiction is a Reela. I can't help it, I love 'em! The rating is currently T but I'm not sure whether it might go up to an M. There will be swearing and "adult themes" please tell me what you think the rating should be! Now, enough of my rambling, please read and review, any constructive comments welcome! Or just praise if you really want... hehe!
Chapter 1- Neela
"Ray!" I shouted into the depths of my apartment, the one I shared with fellow doctor and the bane of my life, Ray Barnett. It seemed I had also acquired new room-mates in the shape of 3 passed out members of Ray's band, a drum kit and two blonde girls who were making pancakes in the kitchen.
My elusive room-mate stumbled out of his bedroom, looking a little worse for wear but no doubt better than I looked, after finished a double shift. His brown hair was sticking up, as usual, and he ran his hands, with their black painted finger nails, through it -to no avail.
"Neela, what's up?"
"Ray, what the hell is going on?" I said, my voice clipped. God, sometimes I really sounded like my mother.
"Sorry, we had a gig last night, you know how it is."
"No, I don't actually." I sighed, "Are they planning on leaving any time soon?"
"Um..." he replied, with a casual shrug.
"Fine!" I said, moodily, before storming into my room. Half an hour later I had changed into my pyjamas and crawled into bed. Unfortunately I had no hope for sleep because all I could hear was shrill giggling and -just to scar my mind more than it already was- moaning. Not the best lullaby for anyone. I got up again, pulled on a trench coat that had been hanging forlornly in my wardrobe and headed out the door.
"Tell him I've gone to Abby's!" I shouted, before slamming the front door.
The trench coat was no match for the freezing Chicago winter, and I arrived at my friend's apartment looking dreadful. I knew, I'd passed my own reflection in shop windows and been scared. Abby opened the door and I collapsed into her arms, sobbing.
"Neela, what's happened? Is it Michael?" Michael Gallant was my sort-of boyfriend, who was off fighting for his country in Iraq.
"No, it's Ray, I'm so tired!"
"Tired of what? What happened?" She asked, leading me into the apartment. We passed through the living room and into her bedroom, where she sat us on the bed. "Neela, come on... what's wrong?"
"He's so inconsiderate, they were all there, giggling, and..." My eyes were heavy and sore, from crying and being sleepy. I cuddled against her warmth and took comfort in her stroking my hair.
"It's alright, just lie down, we'll talk later ok?" I nodded and did as she asked, laying down on the blissfully soft bed. I was asleep before I could even think of the day's previous events.
I woke up and found myself in a strange room. It took me a minute to get aligned with my brain, and remember everything that had happened. As soon as I had remembered I blushed, even to myself. I was so embarrassed, I must have looked like such an idiot. I got up, took of my trench coat and wandered into the living room, in my pyjamas. Abby was sitting on the sofa, flicking through the channels on t.v.
"Hi," I said, softly. She turned and smiled.
"Feeling better?" She asked.
"Yes, thanks for the bed. Sorry... I was extremely tired and..." Before I could begin my rambling apology she patted the space on the couch beside her. I trotted over obediently.
"It's alright. So, what happened?"
I took a deep breath, and explained; "I finished a double shift and came home to utter chaos, there were guys and girls everywhere... well, there were quite a few of them. Making pancakes actually... anyway I couldn't get to sleep because I could hear," I stopped and pulled a face. Abby rose her eyebrows but said nothing, "And then I stormed out. I was just too tired to face it."
"Ray can be a jerk sometimes."
"Yeah... I guess that's it. It's just sometimes he's so sweet, and then he goes and does this and I think I can't hate him more. Then he's all sweet and suave and we're friends again. It's extremely annoying."
She nodded, knowingly, "I understand."
I narrowed my eyes, "Understand what?"
"Oh... nothing," she said, with a smile.
