Thanks for the reviews! Enjoy!

Chapter 7

"Just half an hour," Ray whined.

"It's embarrassing, Abby's going to laugh at me," Neela moaned.

Grabbing her arm, he steered her back towards the flat. Dragging her heels, Neela tried to free herself.

He laughed, "you do realise I'll pick you up and carry you, if you say no," he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh no, you wouldn't dare, Ray," she giggled.

"Watch me."

He swiftly swung her up into his arms, forcing her to grab his neck for balance.

"Ray, put me down," she screamed.

"I told you, half and hour, then you can be Cinderella and totter off home." Pretending to drop her, he panted "Geez Neela, what have you been feeding yourself since I've been away? You do realise we have low fat beers in this country?"

Elbowing him in the chest she growled, "watch it Barnett."

Feeling her gaze on him, he turned to her grinning. She smiled back. His gaze dropped to her lips that were inches away from his own. They looked ripe and soft. His tongue darted out, slowly licking his lower lip. He felt her sharp intake of breath. Startled he looked up. Her eyes were pools of heat, thick with desire.

Unaware he had stopped walking, she huskily whispered, "I think you should put me down Ray,"

Unable to severe the eye contact, he gently lowered her to the ground, relishing the feel of her body as it rubbed against his own.

"Ray," she began.

Not wanting to ruin their tentative first steps to friendship, he released her hastily and began running ahead.

He laughed, "last one there has to make all the drinks."

Watching his retreating back she hollered, "you are such a child."

Reaching the door of Abby's flat, he shouted, "That's why you love me, "

"Yes I do, "she said quietly.

Half smiling she yelled, "in your dreams Barnett. "

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"She's nice, "

"I know?" Morris said, confidently resting his head back on the sofa.

"Yeah, don't think she's right in the head though," Neela said seriously, patting Morris consolingly on the shoulder.

"You think?" his head snapped up, "what's your diagnosis?"

Neela turned her gaze on Cassandra who was dancing energetically in the middle of the lounge. She was laughing gaily, as Ray expertly twirled her around the room.

"Well, she's intelligent, witty, considerate, bearing in my mind she's wearing that dress for you, and extremely attractive."

Confused Morris replied "so what makes you think she's mentally ill?"

Neela looked at him gravely and gently took both his hands in hers, "She's out on a date with you."

Snatching his hands out of her grasp, he said sarcastically, "funny."

Grinning, Neela picked up the empty bottle of wine and swung it in front of Archie's face. "I think we need a new bottle here."

"and that interests me because?" he stretched his legs out, crossed his arms behind his head and leant back.

"Well Chief," she said innocently, "Cassandra does know about your supernumerary thelium right?"

Shocked, Morris sat up, "That's a cheap shot."

Continuing to swing the bottle, Neela grinned as he leapt out off the sofa, and ran out the room.

Neela resumed watching Caassandra dance with Ray. They appeared to be lost in the music, giving Neela the chance to observe Ray unnoticed. The music was loud and fast. His body moved in time with the beat, he danced just like he sang, with passion.

It was funny how easily they had fallen into their old bantering routine. They had talked about starting afresh, but they knew each other too well, a year couldn't change that. She knew it was early yet but she felt relaxed and happy, like the last year of awkwardness hadn't happened. She sighed inwardly, well that wasn't completely true. She stared at him again, feeling the tell tale butterflies commence it's fluttering. He had said he wanted to be 'friends' but that definitely wasn't what she wanted, but was it worth breaking the shaky bridge they had started to rebuild?

"Hey," Ray said breathlessly dropping onto the sofa, "where was Archie running off to in a hurry?"

"Just getting us more wine," she looked away grinning.

Knowing the mischievous expression on her face, he gave her a stern mock glare, "Neela!"

She laughed "Ok I was threatening to tell Cassandra about his extra nipples."

He shook his head.

"I wouldn't have said anything!" she said defensively.

Sitting up Neela inspected the room. Not seeing what she was looking for she slid back into her chair.

"What's up?" Ray asked.

"Just checking if Tony's back yet."

Feeling him tense beside her, she turned towards him. His face had hardened, "Ray, what happened earlier between you and Tony?"

"He was trying to wind me up, "he replied coldly.

"What did he say?" she leaned forward.

Glancing at her, he slowly replied, "He said he was your boyfriend."

Ray watched her closely, gauging her reaction.

Neela sat back, digesting what he had said, "Look, sometimes Gates jokes around, he tries to be funny. He doesn't really know many people."

"and then, " Ray interrupted, "he was rubbing it in that you and I weren't talking," he paused, gazing at her intently, " he told me that I had been replaced by him, that you no longer wanted me in your life."

She was shocked, she could see the pain in his face that he was trying, but failing to hide. She had caused that. Impulsively she grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry." Entwining his fingers in hers, he casually stroked her palm with his thumb.

"Yeah well so you should," he grinned.

"I'm an idiot" she muttered.

"Hey don't blame yourself, you didn't tell him to lie to me," he said releasing her hand and giving her a hug,

"I know, but I shouldn't have agreed to come here with him in the first place," she mumbled into his shoulder.

"It's done, let's not talk about him. We're friends right?" they drew apart gazing at each other.

"Right."

"Well the night is young and so am I, lets dance," he said turning towards her and tapping his hand to the beat of the music.

Neela hesitated, "um I'm not the best of dancers."

Ray stood up, holding his hand out, "I'll teach you."

Looking uncomfortable, Neela ignored him, "you've just come back from dancing." She looked up, "surely you could do with a breather?" she said optimistically.

He didn't move," nope I'm fine, come on."

Crossing her arms and surveying the room she replied, "Ray, I don't think we should, it feels weird. Everyone's going to be looking at us and probably talking."

He sat back down next to her, his leg resting against hers, and stretched his arm behind the back of the sofa. Exasperated he answered, "Neela, people have been talking about us from the day we moved in together."

"I know," she nodded, "but it's just so public," she frowned.

"We're just two friends, who are making up on lost time." he stressed, "and even if they are talking, who cares?" Seeing the uncertainty on her face, he relented, "fine." He moved away slightly and picked up his half empty glass.

"Barnett, you'd better not trample on my feet."

Turning he saw that she had tossed off her heels and was heading to the centre of the room. He watched her hips sway seductively to the rhythm

Grinning he leapt up. "Can't dance my arse," he growled, putting his drink down and joining her.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gates put the crate of beer in the kitchen, cursing Abby when he saw another crate half full already sat there.

"Should have known," he mumbled.

Pouring himself a drink into a plastic cup, he left the kitchen and followed the music. He searched the room for Neela, eventually finding her in the living room. Seeing who she was with, he stopped and half hid behind a couple who were chatting. Sipping his drink he watched her unobserved.

She was dancing with him.

He finished his drink and commenced playing with his cup, throwing it from one hand to the other.

The music had slowed down, and she was swaying from side to side provocatively. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could see they were talking and smiling at each other.

"Damn," he muttered. He had really thought that Barnet had believed him. Ray and Neela were looking far too cozy. They weren't touching each other, but they might as well have been. Their body language was intimate. Whatever was going on here it needed nipping in the bud. Suddenly she stopped moving and said something to him. Ray laughed outloud and lunged for her, pressing himself up against her and forcing her to sway in time with him.

Gates crushed his cup and threw it on the floor.

"That's my cue," he snarled, pushing past the couple and heading towards the dance area.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Not many left now – I think, never thought I'd be writing this many! LOL!

As always let me know what you think. Am a reviews junkie!