A/N Thank you to everyone who reviewed this story, and wished me luck -it must have helped, I got really good results! I love you all, and you all rock in your equal ways! THANK YOU!

p.s As I always seem to, I feel I should explain the song bit. This song is really good, and I just love this versey bit, it's so lovely in a completely... not fantastic way. I mean, it's not roses and chocolates and "I love you"'s, but it's pure sweetness anyway! I mean "you're the leaky sink of sentiment"? Pure genius! I have just been waiting to put this in a Reela fic, because I think it's pure Ray!

Chapter Nine -Ray

"You're the echoes of my everything

You're the emptiness the whole world sings at night

You're the laziness of afternoons

You're the reason why I burst and why I bloomed

You're the leaky sink of sentiment

You're the failed attempts I never could forget

You're the metaphors I can't create to comprehend this curse that I call love"

"Hold Me Down" Motion City Soundtrack

I awoke with the light and checked my watch. I was going to be late to meet Brett. Not that it mattered, he was always late. I was glad he was coming with me, to say goodbye. I couldn't have asked anyone else.

I took one last look at her, the woman I loved. It was hard, seeing her sleeping there, to remember why I was leaving.

Maybe she was right, maybe all I needed to do was stay and everything would work out...

No, I had to go. I had made a decision and I had to keep to it, no matter what happened.

I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. One last kiss. Then I picked up my last box and headed out of the door.

Of course, it was raining. It had to be. I got soaked in an instant, because my coat was over my arm and I couldn't put it on because I was carrying a cardboard box which was also getting soaked.

I made it half way along the street before I heard her.

"Ray!" I turned and saw her, rain dripping down her face, her hair drenched. She looked so beautiful. "Weren't you even going to say goodbye?" She said it so calmly, but I knew that wasn't how she was feeling, I could see it in her eyes. I didn't know if she was actually crying, the rain hid that, but I could see that she at least wanted to.

"I... didn't want to wake you."

"How many girls have you left without saying goodbye? Hmm?" she asked with a smile.

"That I didn't want to leave? None, except you."

"Charmer."

"I do try... I'm going to miss you Neela."

"Hopefully we'll see each other soon, if this Zen works."

I laughed, then looked down at her seriously. "It isn't a fairytale, this might not all work itself out. Are you seriously going to wait for me? Some loser who isn't even brave enough to try?"

"You're brave enough to walk away. Staying, even though you know you shouldn't, that would be the easy thing."

"You... understand then?"

She smiled, "Yeah. I hate the look in your eyes, that look of sadness. When you come back I want to see those eyes shining again."

"I might not be back."

She shrugged. "I think you will be."

"What if there is no happy ending with us?"

"You can believe that, if you want, but it'll only get you down."

"I never had you pegged for a romantic," I said with a smile.

"Don't tell anyone," she said, winking. She wiped the rain out of her eyes, or maybe it was tears. "I really will miss you." She went on tip toes and kissed me gently on the lips. The she said with a small smile, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too... Bye Roomie." I turned and began walking away.

"Hey, Barnett!" I heard from behind me. I turned my head to see her standing in the rain, so small, so perfect. "You'd better hurry back, otherwise I might have to phone that cousin of yours up!"

"Don't you dare! Anyone but him!" I called back, smiling a little.

As I walked away, I hoped the rain would disguise my tears.

"And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?"

-"Fix You" Coldplay

A/N Ok, before you start hurling the cyber-fruit, let me explain. I couldn't help it! This story was begging for an unhappy ending. And it is Reela-ish... but! (Yes there is a but) I have already in my planning files (ie my brain) plans for a one-shot that is set after this, and also a sequal! I hope you'll all read it! And yes... I'm pretty sure that those will be my um... last ever fanfictions...

I hope you enjoyed this story!