Ok, this chapter is done and the next one will be up tomorrow, maybe even later tonight. P.S don't hate me.

Chapter 4

Ray moodily swirled his drink in his glass, watching the amber liquid dance in his glass. He had sought sanctuary in the kitchen for solitude after being ousted from the bathroom unceremoniously by Luka. He just needed some time to think and collect his thoughts; to rebuild the wall he had hastily demolished after his conversation with Abby.

Looking at his watch, he noted the time. It was still early, too early to leave unnoticed. However, the thought of Gates pawing Neela all night was enough to make Ray reconsider 'being polite' and go home to the safety of his apartment.

Hearing the door open, Ray looked up to see the figure of Tony Gates leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, lazily observing him with an amused expression.

"I think you might be lost," Ray growled at Gates.

Gates slowly surveyed his surroundings before letting his gaze rest on Ray. "Nope, I'm in the right room."

"Is there something you want?"

Closing the door behind him he answered, "now yesterday I might have said 'yes' to that question, but tonight I can honestly say I think I've got exactly what I want."

Eyes narrowing Ray rasped, "and what might that be Tony?"

"Well isn't it obvious? I have the girl," He laughed, "you know, the girl that you used to live with. Hey didn't you two go out once?"

"You know we didn't."

"Of course silly me, you wanted to but she didn't want to have anything to do with you, right?"

Quelling the anger that was bubbling to the surface, Ray took a slow sip of his drink and carefully put his glass down.

Looking at Gates square in the face he eventually replied, "my relationship with Neela, is none of your business."

"What relationship? As far as I'm aware you need to actually TALK to a person in order to have a relationship with them," Gates sneered.

Forcing his face into a smile Ray replied scathingly," that's where you're wrong Tony, you see we lived together, she used to talk to me about everything, we're friends, the best of friends."

"Yeah well, you don't seem to be the best of friends at the moment?"

Remaining stoic, Ray continued, "but we have been and we will be again…soon."

Gates took a couple of steps forward, "well that's the problem I have you see, I find that even your silent brooding presence is irritating and more importantly upsetting to my girlfriend."

Digesting Gates' revelation, Ray controlled the feelings of anger and pain and took another long mouthful of his drink. Gates looked on, assessing Ray's reaction to his comment but failing.

"Well then I'll happily keep out of her way…."

Looking pleased Gates made to turn away, " well I'm glad we had this little conversation and I…"

Ray interrupted, "….when she tells me that's what she wants."

Tony's eyes darkened, "She doesn't want you around, she told me. We're a couple; didn't you see us holding hands?"

Ray fell silent.

"Exactly, we're together, so get used to it."

Gates turned towards the door.

"Gates," Ray whispered, forcing a curious Tony to turn around. Ray was leaning back on the counter arms crossed. His face looked calm, controlled, except for the tell tale pulse at the base of his neck that was beating rapidly, "If you hurt her, I'll kill you."

Gates slowly smiled, before shutting the door quietly behind him.

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Neela took a large swig of her beer and walked towards the balcony. The view of Chicago was amazing. Looking down she saw a couple in another identical balcony, arms wrapped around each other, not taking any interest in the city sky line. She felt a pang of jealousy.

How easy life must be for them. She couldn't remember when life had got so complicated, was it before or after Michael dying? She thought back to when she was at her happiest……… in their flat. Ray playing his guitar, making a mess, hiding behind a pillow while watching a scary movie. Ray, Ray, Ray. She missed him so much; just thinking about him was painful. Now they barely spoke to each other, it was just uncomfortable and it was all her fault. She often wondered what life would have been like if she had never hastily married Michael, where would she be? Who would she be with? Who was she kidding, from the first moment she had seen him, she had known he was the one. She had settled for Michael and had loved him, but he wasn't the man to set her heart racing at the briefest glance, or touch. Her heart had always belonged to another……..as it still did.

Sighing she took another swig of her beer.

"Fancy some company?" Abby asked, joining her on the balcony.

Neela smiled, "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really," Abby replied.

Neela propped her elbows on the balcony edge and looked out at the city.

"Gates' is looking for you," Abby said hesitantly.

"I know," she sighed. "He hasn't left my side since we got here, he had to pop out to get some more alcohol, apparently Luka needed someone reliable to do it for him." Neela looked knowingly at Abby.

"I thought you could do with a break?"

Neela turned to Abby and grinned. "You knew?"

"Hey, what are friends for." Abby smiled back, before turning her attention to the skyline.

They stood side by side lost in their own thoughts.

Abby broke the comfortable silence, "Neela, what were you thinking bringing Gates as your date?"

"We're not on a date, I just said I'd come to the party with him, he doesn't know anyone, thought I'd be helping him out." she said defensively.

"Even if it meant hurting Ray in the process?"

"You don't know what you're saying." Neela replied angrily, her voice rising slightly.

"Have you even spoken to him?" Abby asked gently.

"No, I, uh, things are just too difficult between us," she murmured.

Abby grabbed Neela by the shoulders, "Go now" she urged "he's in the kitchen."

Momentarily surprised by her urgency she replied, "I can't, I," she broke off looking downcast at the floor.

Shaking her slightly, Abby firmly said, "you owe it to him to be honest. Just talk to him."

"What if he doesn't want to talk to me?" she answered sadly.

"Then you make him talk to you," she replied sternly. "Go on," she urged giving her a push, "It's only Ray," she said gently.

Neela lifted her head, her eyes brighter, "You're right, I'm being a coward and it's only Ray, my friend," she answered slowly.

"Exactly." Abby smiled at the sudden determination on Neela's face.

"But before I go," Neela said looking at Abby suspiciously and lifting an eyebrow, "how long is Tony going to be gone for?"

"Oh, don't worry about him, he's got a long list of drinks to pick up, trust me," she chuckled.

Well, here goes nothing," grinning back, Neela took a deep breath and headed in the direction of the kitchen.

Abby watched her go and smiled to herself. From the corner of her eye she saw Luka making his way towards the bathroom, she quickly shouted, "Hun, you couldn't open that crate in the study, I think we're running out of wine!"

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Ok don't hate me for not having Ray and Neela talking yet, but remember this fic is over one night and it didn't seem right to add the next scene which involves them talking, onto the end of this chapter. You've got to have build up right? Anticipation? You'll see why when you read the next chapter, I'm halfway through writing it so it will be up tomorrow at the latest. Please be patient…. only one day left and then lots of Ray and Neela bits that I know have been lacking.