A/N Well, I know I only posted the last chapter tonight, like an hour ago (max) but I couldn't help it! I needed to write this next one, I mean I can't cope with cliffies either! So here it is, chapter 14... thank you for the lovely reviews I've already had, especially Sundas. You rock my socks! Hehe. This is for you my dear.
Oh and I'm sorry, but I don't know how to spell gurney... sorry!
Chapter 14- Ray
Neela and I were jogging down the stairs, trying to shove our arms into the sleeves of our coats. I'd phoned the ER and they'd said there'd been a massive pile up, 15 cars and nearly all the victims were headed for County. Our conversation forgotten we were both out of the apartment in less than two minutes. We sat on the El in silence, Neela's fingers were tapping against her legs, nervously. On impulse I reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it. She squeezed back and graced me with a smile. I'd missed her smile.
Before I had time to think about what I'd been about to say, what I'd been about to admit to her, we were there. We walked briskly to the ER, running passed an ambulance that was just pulling in. We gave nods to Kovac and Abby who were standing at the doors, waiting. Then we went to the lounge, pulling off our coats and on our lab coats. I got another brief smile before we went out to face the traumas.
"Barnett," Luka was wheeling a gurney into trauma one, I quickly followed him. It was a young boy, about ten, he was screaming in agony. I swallowed hard then stepped into the room. Soon I was so busy I didn't have time to think about anything else.
It was a long night, everyone was running to and from, shouting orders and each other, stepping on each other's toes. It was impossible not to, the ER was full on a usual basis, but I'd never been here when there had been so many traumas. I'd never experienced this many in my whole life. It was scary yet exhilarating too, seeing everyone working under immense pressure. I was walking along the corridor, looking for Luka, and I passed everyone working. I felt proud for some reason, of my friends and of myself. I'd gone to medical school because I wanted to help people, but I'd always thought I'd work on some ward, maybe be a paediatrician, mainly concentrating on my band. Then the chance had come to work in the ER at County. I'd been foolish enough to just think, hey that sounds exciting, I'll give it a whirl. But of course County had changed my life, I had new friends, a new perspective on my life. Sure, my band was still extremely important to me, but I don't think I'd be able to live without working here, pushing my limits everyday.
"Ray, get your ass in here!" I strode into the room when I heardLuka.Neela was trying to intubate but couldn't get passed the cords.
"Suction!" She shouted.
Luka looked at me, "Neela, let Ray try, you've been trying for a while now."
She glared at him, "I can do this. I just need some bloody suction."
"I'll do it if you want," I said, trying to help. Then she turned her glare to me, and I almost took a step back.
"Neela," Luka said sternly, "Step back and let Ray try. Now."
She stepped away and pulled off her gloves and gown, throwing them on the floor before striding out of the room. The doors banged as I put on a gown. "Ok..." I said, unsuredly, walking over to the patient.
When the guy was stable I went to look for Neela. She was in the doctor's lounge, her hands gripping the counter. She was breathing deeply, her eyes closed. I could tell how angry she was from the stiffness of her back, and the fact her knuckles were practically white she was holding the counter so tightly.
"Neela," I said, quietly.
"What?" She asked, almost growling.
"What's wrong?"
She turned to me, her eyes wide and angry. "You think you're so great don't you. I mean, you don't need to take this seriously, or work at it, you're just good at it, so who the hell cares?"
"Neela," I tried to interrupt her but she held up her hand.
"It doesn't to matter to you that some of this need this to work. I need this to work. I've worked so fucking hard, and I don't get anywhere. You, you just breeze in and out, doing everything right and you don't even care!"
"The fuck I don't care." I couldn't help but shout back, she thought she knew me so well, and I didn't think that at all. I didn't want to shout but I couldn't help it, couldn't help arguing with her.
"Yeah, it really seems that way. All you do is wheedle your way out of things, making out you're this great person. All you really care about is your band, this isn't just some fucking saturday job in a supermarket."
"Neela, what the hell is wrong with you? Why the hell would you think that I think that? I know how important this is. God, all I did today was help you out."
"Yeah," she said, her voice suddenly at normal volume, but I could still sense the anger. "You're always there when I need you. Poor little Neela can't do anything for herself can she? Lucky she has good old Doctor Ray to look out for her."
"I've never thought that Neela! You are the most independent, intelligent, wonderful woman I've ever met. You don't need anyone. In fact sometimes it seems like you don't even fucking want anyone. I've only tried to be your friend. And that's what friends do, they look out for each other."
"I don't want you to be my fucking friend!" She shouted. I clenched my jaw.
"Fine." I turned and began to walk out. I didn't know what the hell was wrong with her but I could take a hint. Suddenly I felt her hand on my sleeve, tugging. I turned round to face her. She stood there, so much smaller than me, looking up at me with big brown eyes.
"I don't want you to be my friend," she said, quietly.
"Neela," I began, she interrupted me by going on tip toes and kissing me. I was caught completely by surprise. Whatever I'd thought she was going to do, it sure as hell wasn't that. It was only a quick touch, barely a kiss at all.
She pulled away, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have,"
This time I interrupted her by kissing her, fiercely. I grabbed the back of her coat to pull her closer to me. And she was kissing me back, finally, after so long, I was kissing her. I felt like I could melt right then and there. All the anger she'd been feeling before seemed to go into this kiss as she pressed her whole body against me. She ran her hands through my hair and I delighted in that small touch. We explored each others mouths, hands running everywhere as if neither of us could let go, as if we needed to drink our fill of each other. It was as though both of us were worried this would never happen again, I know I was.I'd never thought Neela would feel this way about me, that she'd ever want me to touch her like this. I'd never known...
I pulled away and she pulled me back, but I resisted. I picked her up and carried her to the side, sitting her on the counter top. I grinned at her, "Stiff neck."
She smiled, and leaned towards me again. As she kissed me she pushed my lab coat off my shoulders so it lay in a heap on the floor. Irealised she'd already shrugged hers off before.She ran her hands under my t-shirt and made my breath catch in my throat. My hands were cupping her waist and I slipped my fingers under her shirt, tracing circles on her back. She began tugging my t-shirt up, and over my head. It was soon on the floor with the lab coats.
Just that moment the door began to open, "Hey Ray have you seen..." It was Morris. He stood in the doorway gaping. I jumped backwards and Neela slid off the counter.
"Um." I said.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were er..." he said, nervously, backing out of the door. It closed behind him.
I grinned at Neela. "I'm not going out first."
She smiled back, but looked mortified. "Me either. Let's just lock the door and stay here."
"Fine with me," I said, wiggling my eyebrows.
"Shut-up." Then she added, "And put your shirt back on."
"Why, am I too irresistible?"
"I said shut-up, Barnett!"
I grinned again, and put my t-shirt back on. I stroked it fondly, "I'm never ever washing this shirt. I'll pin it up on the wall over my shrine of Neela."
"Ew. That is just wrong."
I chuckled and put my lab coat on and handed hers to her. "You better get out there."
"I'm not going out there."
"We'll never get home if you don't," I said, seriously.
"And why would we want to get home so quickly?" She asked, coyly.
"Wouldn't you like to know," I said with a grin.
"I'm still not going out first."
"Well, what'll you do for me if I take your place on the firing line?"
She went up on tip toes, but rather than kissing me, she ran her tongue along my lips, I parted them but she pulled back. "Wouldn't you like to know."
I shook my head and walked towards the door. "I'll see you at the end of the shift, Roomie."
"Not if I see you first," she called back, childishly.
I grinned and stepped out. I walked to reception and saw Morris furiously whispering something to Frank. Gossip queens. I walked passed and smiled to myself as I felt their eyes following me. I didn't really care about what they had to say, I was still on a high. Wow, was the only word I could use for what had just happened and that seemed so high school. Nonetheless is was true. A-fucking-mazing was another descriptive that came to mine. Suddenly, as much as I loved working here, I couldn't wait to get home.
A/N Do I need to say anything? No, me thinks not. This was the chapter I think you've all been waiting for, but did it reach your standards?I'll only know if youreview, please!
