A/N Hey there! Thank you for your reviews, I'm glad you like this so far, and are giving it a chance! Anyway, a quick question about the rating, I'm not sure whether this should be an M? It's a T at the minute because there's only been minor swearing, but there will be more and also "adult themes" (hehe). So please tell me what you guys think in a review. If anyone thinks T is too low I'm happy to put it higher. Basically the content will be the same as ER, you get me? Lol.
Chapter 3- Neela
"Ray, we need to talk," I said, walking into our shared kitchen. My room-mate was leaning against the counter, with two cans of beer, wearing a black t-shirt with some band on it and a pair of sweat pants. He threw me a can.
"Yup, ground rules right?" I nodded in reply and we went into the living room. He flopped onto the sofa, lying sprawled out. I pushed his legs off and sat next to him.
"Alright," I said, pulling out a pad of paper, "So, if we write down our schedules, and what we both want to do on certain nights we can come up with a compromise of who gets the apartment and when." I turned to him, and saw him covering his mouth trying to stop laughter. "What?"
"Your taking this a bit seriously aren't you?" He said and a laugh escaped.
"Fine, well I'm going to go out looking for another apartment right now then," I said, getting up. He pulled me back down.
"Aw, come on Neela. Right, I'm serious, I have band practise on Tuesdays and Thursdays so the apartment is free for you then, to bring over your boyfriends or whatever."
"I don't have a boyfriend!"
"What about Michael?"
I grabbed my can and opened it, downing it in one. "That tastes disgusting, can't we get some nice alcohol for once?"
He gave his cheeky smile, "I do believe Dr. Rasgotra just ignored my question by drinking a can of beer. Nice, classy indeed!"
I hit him with a cushion, "Now, if we can get over my love-life, or the lack of it, let's continue."
"Fine, give me the paper." I gave it to him, he promptly threw it over his shoulder. I was left staring at him, open mouthed.
"Ray!"
"If we're going to be proper roomies, with rules and all that shit, we have to at least get to know each other." He held out his hand and put on a cheesy smile, "Hi, my name's Ray Barnett and I'm a wannabe musician slash doctor," he said in a cheesy-chat-show-host voice.
"I'm Neela Rasgotra, and my room-mate is an idiot," I said, but I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. He pouted at me;
"Play properly Neela."
I sighed, "Fine, I'm Neela, I'm a doctor too, wow don't we have so much in common! I enjoy poker, beer and playing the key board."
"You play keyboard?"
"No, well, a little. I can play the Titanic theme," I said, raising my eyebrows, "I'm very multi-talented."
"Ok. So, love life?"
I took a deep breath, considering. "I have an on/off boyfriend who is fighting in Iraq. But I'm not quite sure where that's going, or even where I want it to go. You?"
"Ah, I am also multi-talented. Many..." he paused, "One night stands... groupies etc." He shrugged, "I'm a musician, it's part of the life style."
"How... nice for you."
"Oh yes," he said with a sly nod, "It's very nice."
"Shut up."
"Alright, serious Ray now, so what about Michael, do you love him?" He asked.
"I don't know," I replied after a moments pause.
"If you love someone, you know."
I scoffed, "And how would you know, man of one night stands and groupies?"
"That's what they say in the movies is it not?"
"Yes, I just don't know how we're meant to build a relationship when he's fighting in a war a million miles away."
Ray looked serious, "I think this conversation needs more beer."
"Me too."
I woke up the next morning, at least I assumed it was morning because of the light pouring in through the window, with a killer headache. I sat up and saw beer cans littered around. I was still on the sofa. I'd not been so drunk that I couldn't make it to bed since... well, ever. I looked over at Ray who was sleeping peacefully on the carpet, his t-shirt hitched up so I could see his tanned back. I nudged him with my foot, he moaned.
"Ray!" I said, my voice croaky. "Get up, you oaf!"
"Shut-up," he mumbled, "You're the oaf."
I sighed and got up, heading to the kitchen. I got a quick glance at the clock, it was half eleven, before nausea overwhelmed me and I had to run for the bathroom. When I came out Ray was standing at the sink with a pint glass of water. "I feel like shit," he muttered.
"You're not the only one. I just threw up." He cast me a sympathetic glance and nodded at the glass of water on the side.
"For you."
"Thanks." I took a tentative sip. "Are you working today?"
"Not till later, thank the lord."
"I'm late, Weaver is going to kill me."
"Pull a sickie and spend the day nursing me," he said with a wry grin.
"How can you still joke with a hangover like this?"
"I'm used to it. Sorry, I'm a bad influence on you, perhaps you should... look for another place."
I shook my head, "Too much trouble, and besides I'd spend too much money on nice beer instead of that crap you buy."
He nodded and handed me the phone, "I'd go for the flu, I'll play it up when I go in tonight."
I hesitated, I'd never called in sick when I wasn't before. I dialled the ER, Jerry picked up, "County Hospital, Emergency Room."
"Hey Jerry," I croaked, feeling incredibly guilty, "It's Neela Rasgotra, I've got some sort of flu, I'm not going to be able to come in today."
"Make sure you stay off until you're over it, I don't want your germs, bye," he said cheerfully, before hanging up. I handed the phone back to Ray.
"That was... surprisingly easy."
He grinned, "Of course, you have me as your mentor." He gave a bow.
I laughed then covered my mouth, "I'm going to be sick again!" I shouted before running for the bathroom.
A/N Hope you liked it, please review!
