Sorry again, that last chapter was just an intro for this major one. This one shapes things up. Sorry it took me so long to update on it... I had it almost done. Almost right. Almost isn't good enough for me.

P.S.- Still don't own RFR, it's characters or affiliates.

Lily spins around to find 'him' slouched on some lockers,

"Ray, I thought you weren't coming ?"

He lifts his head to look up at her and says,

"Well, you know... I was kind of in the neighborhood."

Lily manages to get out all of an, "Um-hum..." as surprise finds it's way into her voice.

Ray pushes his one elbow off of the locker, and makes his way closer to where she is,

"As I was saying, since I was in the neighborhood, I just wanted to stop by and see what elegantly-beautiful, Chinese-print dress you'd be sporting..."

"Ray, how did you..."

"I know everything about you, Lil. Elegant and beautiful don't just apply to the dress either, you know, more so to the wearer."

"Still, how did you know, Ray I'd be wearing something like this..." Lily asked with a smile.

"Well, you love wearing exotic clothes and Chinese-style is your favorite... Your fav fancy shirt, the uh- black and red-trimmed one, well you wore that on your first date with Lee Johns and again when you dragged me to Mickey's to hear Jack play on Open Mike Night..."

"Ray, since when did you become so fashion conscious," Lily asked intrigued.

"Ever since, I noticed you Lil. I take every little thing about you in." Ray responds.

Lily starts, "Ray, why are you..."

Ray interrupts, "I'm saying all of this to make a point, maybe even impact you a little bit if I can manage. By the way, Purple is so your color."

Lily giggles, "Ray, if you have a point, I'd sure wish you'd get to it. I have a dance and boyfriend to get back to you know."

Ray looks down, "Yeah, I know, believe me I know."

Lily looks at him almost encouragingly, "Well..."

"Well, Lily... That um "date" shirt you wore with Lee Johns and Jack, I'd like to see you wear for me one day..."

"Ray, I can't... I don't get..."

"You, can't what Lil? Get why this is so important to me. That much should be obvious by now. Otherwise, I'd be wasting my time. If you don't want me to keep going, just stop me, but til then..."

Lily starts to tear up, "Ray, I do get why... You have a special, reserved place in my heart, you always have, you always will. I know we're supposed to share our lives in some way... Soul-mates do that you know... What more do you want from me?"

"Lily remember what we ended up doing after you date with Lee Johns, when I went to check up on you and grovel..."

Lily smirks, "Yeah, I remember... A game of Chose."

"Lil, I want you to chose me. Above anyone else. Let me be the "One." I know it's A LOT of pressure, but I think it is worth it. Besides, I have no choice..."

Lily smiles as soft tears roll down her face, "No choice, huh? I know the feeling Ray... I told Parker the same thing about you once, right before Sound Wave."

Shocked, Ray asks, "Why didn't you tell me"

"Because I thought by then, it'd be too late..."

"It should never be too late, Lil."

Another voice comes into play, "Sweets, I've been looking all over for you... I think we should get back to the dance."

"Yeah, let's go River. I'll be right in, behind you."

River turns giving "Brennan" a death stare, cold as ice.

But Ray didn't care about him, he had bigger things to worry about.

Lily has her hand on the door handle. She doesn't look at him as she says, "Ray, maybe this time it is too late..."

With that. She disappears behind the safety of the gym doors.

Ray looks at the doors disbelieving, almost like a lost puppy. Expecting them to open back up any minute now.

They don't.

Ray can't breathe. He needs to get out of there. Away from the spot where his heart broke for good.