Ray didn't believe the smile, but said nothing. "Look, you can talk to me if things aren't going well with Gates because I know someone who'd be..."

Neela laughed. "No more setting me up, thank you very much."

Ray feigned hurt, but laughed as well. "You're missing out." He nudged her.

"Ray?"

"Yeah, Neela?"

"Does it really feel like 5 years has gone by?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's been so long since we actually joked like this. Actually talked and yet, we're picking up right where we left off."

Ray glanced down at her. "I guess when two people are connected on a certain level, they could go years without saying a word to each other and then they meet up again and it's like no time has lapsed at all."

"That's what I mean." Neela sighed, trying to gather up the courage. "Look, Ray, there's something I've got to tell you."

"What?" They stopped in the ambulance bay.

"I have to tell you that..."

"HEY! RAY!" Jerry's voice echoed in the bay. "Weaver's looking for you in the lounge!"

"Thanks, Jerry." Ray laughed. He looked at Neela. "Look, I gotta go. We'll catch up later and talk, okay?"

"Okay." Neela sighed as she watched Ray walk in the doors.

"You tell him?" Abby's voice caused Neela to jump.

"Didn't have the chance." Neela looked at Abby. "She's gorgeous. Tall. Thin. Blonde. Perfect complexion."

"I know. We hate her." Abby smiled. "Look, Neela. If Ray loves you as much today as he did five years ago...Uh oh." Abby clamped her mouth when she saw Neela stare hard at her. "You didn't know?"

"No, I didn't. He simply told me I was the best friend he ever had."

"That's Ray code for 'I love you', Neela." Abby dug her hands deep into her lab coat pockets. "Talk to him, Neela."

"I will. Right after shift."


Ray slowly opened the door to the lounge, almost scared of Kerry Weaver. As he poked his head in, shouts of "SURPRISE!" nearly sent him back on his feet. He laughed at Kerry, in a party hat, hugged him. "Congratulations, Ray. You knew you couldn't escape here for your wedding and honeymoon without a party, right?"

Ray smiled. "Nah. I was hoping you would wait until after the honeymoon." He teased.

"It's great news, Ray." Sam hugged Ray. "The guys get a bachelor party for you later...but for now, it's the women's turn. So, sit down, relax and prepare to laugh your gorgeous little ass off." Ray looked at Sam, who was not acting her usual self. "Ladies, shall we?" Sam turned to Kerry, Lane and the newly arrived Abby. They formed a line in front of Ray.

Abby looked at Ray and hid a grin. "How we love Ray? Oh, let us count the ways."

Sam held up eyeliner. "For all the times he came in liner upon his lids. For all those times that wearing said liner, scared the little kids."

Kerry held up a Rolling Stones tee shirt. "For all the times at work, he'd dress like a rock star. Chasing a rocker's dream to one day go very far."

Emily Lane smiled, her turn next. "For all the times he took time to care for those who were in need. And for all the times he came with donuts, us hungry nurses to feed."

Abby smiled and looked intently at Ray. "For all the times he made us laugh and more times that he made us cry. Someone let Sarah know...she's marrying one hell of a guy!"

Ray laughed. "That was the oddest, strangest, yet most impressive thing yet. I didn't know you gals could rhyme." He ducked as Abby and Sam threw their papers at him. He held his hands up. "Okay! Okay! I surrender!" He laughed harder.

Neela only watched. She couldn't be a part of this. Her heart was being ripped out and she knew she only had herself to blame. She made her way to the roof, where she could watch the waves of Lake Michigan and forget that there was a party in Ray's honor in the lounge.