A/N In my plan, this chapter was labelled simply: "Roomie Fluff." I hope it lives up to it's title! Can I also add, I do NOT approve of drinking games. At all. But you know, for the purposes of staying in character... lol, you shall see what I'm talking about when you read. And no, I didn't actually try this. Btw.

Chapter 10- Ray

"I'm only dancing, She turns me on, But I'm only dancing"

-David Bowie "John, I'm only dancing"

"Hey Neela!" I said, cheerfully. I said it every single time I came into the apartment, not just a 'hey' that could be directed to anyone, but "hey Neela". Because it let me know that she was still here. She was living with me again. And I was so totally happy about it. I didn't care that she nagged me about the mess of the living room after Brett had been round, or that she cooked pretty badly. She was my Roomie, and I lo... liked her a whole lot. Slip of the tongue there, almost said that one word I could never say. Because no matter how long she was living with me, no matter how many nights we spent slobbing on the sofa, she was always off limits.

"Hi Roomie," she called back, from the kitchen. I went in, and she smiled at me from the cooker.

"Um... what are you... doing?" I asked, nervously.

She grinned and stepped to the side so I could see a pizza box in the oven. "I'm just keeping it warm, don't worry. God, your face."

"Don't scare me like that," I said, smiling.

She pouted playfully, "Are you saying my cooking scares you?"

"Yes."

She looked astonished, "Ray! That's when you're meant to say 'no of course not, it's great I just prefer take away'."

I shrugged, "Sorry, but I'm a bad liar."

She hit me on the arm, "Loser."

"Ow, that hurt," I said with a grin. She hit me again and I pinned her against the cupboard, "You better say sorry."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Tickle you, duh."

"I'd like to see you try," she said, squirming out of my grip and running towards the lounge. She turned round and stuck her tongue out at me.

"Are you drunk or something?" I said, following her.

She gave me a look, "No. Why? Am I only fun when I'm drunk?"

"Nope, but you're a hell of a lot more serious when you're sober."

"I'm guessing that's why you get so much beer when you're shopping then. I must be boring." She slumped onto the sofa, looking defeated. I wished I hadn't said anything now.

"Neela, I don't think you're boring. Would I have asked you to move in again if you were boring?"

"You felt sorry for me."

"God, what's up with you tonight?" I said, walking over and sitting next to her. I put my arms round her, "I do not feel sorry for you, that is not why we're room mates. That is not why I spend every night hanging out with you, messing about like the crazy fools we are."

She laughed, a little.

"See, I knew I could get you laughing."

"No you can't," she said, petulantly.

"Want to make a wager on that, Dr Rasgotra?"

"Yes, because I'd win."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

I pushed her over so she was lying on the couch and then began to tickle her. She clamped her mouth shut but was soon laughing hysterically and screaming. "Told you, take it back."

"Alright, alright, I take it back!"

"Say you are the best, Ray."

"Never," she said, squirming uncontrollably.

"Wrong answer!" I said, tickling her harder.

"Stop it!"

"You know what you have to say."

"Fine fine, you-are-the-best-Ray," she said, quickly. I sat back;

"See, that wasn't so hard was it?"

"I am so going to get you back for that."

"I think not."

"When you least expect it," she said with a smile. I grinned back, looking into her chocolate brown eyes. Oh god, she was perfect for me. We were interrupted by a loud beeping.

"Shit, the pizza!" She yelled, running into the kitchen. Smoke was pouring out of the oven and the smoke alarm was going crazy. I ran to the bathroom and grabbed a towel. Then I joined her, jumping up and down and flapping the towel crazily, trying to clear the air.

Finally it stopped beeping and we looked at each other. Both of us were worn out from our strange antics, and her hair had taken on a wild look. I burst out laughing, and before long so did she. My eyes were stinging from the smoke, and the laughing didn't help. Soon tears were running down my cheeks and I had to sit down.

"You can't even cook take out."

She spluttered, "Oh fuck, stop it, my stomach is killing me."

I laughed even harder. "What the hell would we have done if a fire started? Sorry officer, we were keeping a pizza box warm?"

She shook her head, "I can't bloody believe it. I should just stay out of the kitchen."

"But then I'd have no material to blackmail you with. Talking of which..."

"Oh no," she said, walking over to me and clamping a hand against my mouth, "You will not tell anyone about this Barnett."

I mumbled against her mouth.

"Nope, I am not letting go until you promise me."

I considered for a moment, then licked her hand. She pulled it away.

"That is bloody disgusting!"

I grinned, "Sorry, but I can't promise not to mention gold like this."

"You bloody will."

"Stop swearing, it's not right in a young lady like yourself," I said, getting up. I needed to be prepared to run.

"Shut up!"

"Make me!" I said, before darting to the living room. I jumped onto the couch but slipped on the t.v guide. My feet went out from under me and I ended up on the floor. All I could hear was Neela laughing hysterically behind me.

"Oh I can't wait to tell Abby about this!" She said.

Later that night I was getting laughed at by a large and varied mix of people. It wasn't particularly my idea of fun, but Neela and I had had equally embarrassing stories, and since I couldn't resist telling everyone about her "cooking" fiasco, I suppose it was only fair she told them about mine. We were out with the band, plus various members of their entourage, as well as Abby, Sam and Chuni. Neela had been going out with the three others, when I'd invited her to my gig. They'd all been interested in coming -for some reason- so now we were all out, having beer. And laughing at me...

"I bet you're going to have a bruise tomorrow, Barnett," Abby said, grinning.

"God, are you lot ever going to get over this?"

"Nope," Brett said, with a wide smile. He moved closer to Smith. "So, what's your first name?" I heard him say under his breath, "Our Ray's bad at introductions."

I guess Callie was old news.

I turned to Neela, "You're so dead."

"Payback, I told you I'd get you back."

"For what?" Abby asked.

"Oh he tickled me to death, and made me say he was the best."

"You two are so childish," she said, shaking her head.

Neela looked outraged, "It's him that's childish!"

Abby raised her eyebrows, "You're both as bad as each other!"

I laughed and stuck my tongue out at her. She poked hers back then laughed, "Alright, I guess I am."

I took a swig of beer, "Ah sweet nectar."

"It's rank," she said.

"It's so not. You just can't handle it."

"I could drink you under the table."

"That sounds like a challenge," I said, grinning smugly. "And I think we both know who would win."

"Yes, me."

"No way, I've had more practise than you."

"You think so?" She said, raising her eyebrows, "You don't know me at all Barnett."

I laughed, "Oh tough talk, but I think you're bluffing."

"Would you two shut up? God!" Abby said.

Neela and I shared an oh-moody-or-what?-look. "Fine we shall continue our conversation at the bar."

I got up and followed her through the club. "You know I'm going to win, you may as well give up now before you embarrass yourself."

"Wanna bet on that?"

"Two beers please," I said to the bar guy. "No, I don't want to take your money as well as your pride."

She grabbed her beer, "Bring it on, Barnett."

"Two more beers," she slurred, half an hour later. I'd lost count at how many we'd had. We were both stubborn but there was no way I was letting her win.

"Give up now," I said, trying to keep my eyes in focus. I grabbed the bottle and took a swig. We'd been "trash talking" all the way through our little challenge, but I had a feeling we were repeating ourselves a hell of a lot.

"No... way," she said, downing her bottle and then slamming it on the bar. "Ha!"

I downed mine too, "Two more please."

"I think you two have had enough," the barman said.

We looked at him in astonishment. "But how will we know who has won?" I said, speaking slowly.

He shrugged, "The hell if I know." He walked away to serve someone else.

Neela looked at me, her mouth open in shock. "Who won?"

"Me."

"How?"

"Because."

"Shut up."

"Dance with me."

"Alright."

Beer was a good thing, it took away your inhibitions. Although, I guess when you're in lo... like with your married room-mate, inhibitions were sometimes a good thing. We walked out onto the dance floor and she collapsed against me as someone tried to get passed. I laughed and held onto her.

"You can't even stand up."

"Can too." We were dancing now, just swaying a little, moving back and forth to the beat. I was a musician, even when I was completely out of it, I could find the beat. I put my hands on her hips and closed my eyes for a minute, savouring the moment. God, I wanted to do this more often. I wanted to do so much more than just dance with her. I opened my eyes and looked down at her. I smiled, I wanted to tell her how I felt. But I couldn't.

"Ray..." she whispered, I could barely hear her over the music.

"I know. I'm sorry," I let go of her, "We should get back to the others." I spoke clearly, I felt pretty sober all of a sudden.

"Yeah," she said, following me through the crowd. I sat down on my stool and almost fell off, I guess I wasn't as sober as I'd thought.

A/N Hope you liked this! Tell me all in your lovely reviews!