Title: Never Let Your Guard Down.

Author: Simple Plan Rulz

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own ER etc etc

Authors notes on the chapter: Although I originally wasn't going to manage to update this for a while, because I have loads of coursework and I'm going to California next week for the Easter hols (yay!) I managed to find some time, mainly because I really cannot be arsed with computer studies coursework and so I'm doing this instead. Oddly enough the first part of this chapter was inspired by a discussion between me and my friends during computer studies.

I must say a big thank you to Unconscious Regret for helping me come up with ideas for this chapter, and also for all her encouragement!

By the way, I'm only justwatched 'split decisions' so this may be a bit out of date for all you American ppl. I decided to have a bit of luby in this chapter, as like a tribute to the show!

Chapter 19: Luka vs Ray: Right vs wrong?

"Me, Pratt, Luka, Morris or Clemente," Ray said as he sat down in front of Abby and Neela, at reception.

"Who out of those five would you sleep with, throw of a cliff or marry?"

Abby laughed, "What are you doing?"

Ray shrugged, "I dunno, its just this silly game this kid in 3 was telling me about, so come on, who?"

"Err, well I throw Morris off a cliff!"

Neela laughed "Harsh," she then paused to think, "but yer, I totally do that too!"

"And obviously," Abby smiled, "I'd marry you!"

"But who would you sleep with?" Ray asked.

"Well you!"

"No, no, it has to be someone else, like someone you would have a one night stand with!"

Abby was suspicious, he was clearly trying to check if he'd cheat on her, and who with, she was too good for these silly mind games, "But I'd be married to you, and I would never cheat on you," she said smiling, as that was the answer she thought he wanted to her.

"What?" Ray shook his head, "No, no, that's not what this is about, just say who you would sleep with!"

"Okay okay, fine," she stopped to think, "Luka."

"Knew it!" Ray yelled.

"Abby what's the problem?" Luka came striding over, obviously having heard Abby call his name.

Abby looked stunned, "Oh errr, I was wondering, err, what I should do with this patient?"

Abby gave him a random chart from the top of the pile.

Luka studied the chart, "Abby, the woman has a cold, just send her home." He gave Abby a weird look wondering why she was enquiring about a cold.

"Oh right," Abby nodded, "Yer, I just thought I'd check."

Ray burst into laughter.

"Do you have a problem, Dr Barnett?" Luka turned to look at Ray.

"No," Ray replied, as he bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.

"Good well then I suggest you get back to work," Luka turned to look all the three residents, "all of you."

"Abby," Luka called Abby into the staff room, "Abby can I talk with you for a sec?"

"Sure," she strolled in.

"So listen what was up with you this morning?"

"Oh nothing it was just Ray being stupid."

"Oh," Luka seemed to contemplate this for a second, "so how are things with him anyway?"

"Strange," Abby sat down on the sofa next to Luka, "not like bad strange, just our relationship seems to be drifting along, like it's not much work."

Luka laughed.

"What?" Abby asked innocently, "after you and John, I've learned to expect relationships to be hard."

Luka shook his head, "We we're great though, weren't we?"

Abby nodded, "I suppose."

"But otherwise all is good?"

"Yer it's great, but it's all just so calm, too calm."

"You're worried something will go wrong." Luka finished off her sentence for her.

"Yer, basically."

Luka shook his head, "In life, there are good times and there are bad times, everyone knows that, but rather than worrying during the good times what's gonna happen to make it all go wrong, you should just enjoy it. Or you'll end up all old and bitter."

Abby laughed, "Oh how very philosophical of you!"

Luka smiled.

"And he just so young and vibrant, so full of energy!" Abby continued.

"And you're old and withered?" Luka added.

"Well yer," Abby laughed.

Luka shook his head, "No worries,"

"You sound like the warthog off the lion king!"

"Hukuna matata!" Luka laughed, "Well he was right you know."

Abby nodded, placing her head onto Luka's shoulder.

"You know, you and I should go out grab a beer" he paused, "I mean coffee, sometime, and you know catch up."

"Like AbbyLuka time," she snuggled up to him some more.

Luka laughed, "Yer, just like that."

Abby laughed, "Ray won't be to happy, even though he's always going out for drinks with a bunch of girls, the second I wanna have coffee with some guy, it like 'oh my god, you're cheating on me!' its so annoying."

Luka laughed, "He just doesn't want to lose you,"

"I know, I know," Abby began to fiddle with Luka's tie and Luka tilted his head so it was resting on top of Abby's. The two of the sat there silently bonding, until Ray walked in.

Luka snapped his head back upright, "Ray!"

"Oh…err…hey guys, what going on?" he was staring Abby, wondering what she was doing with Luka.

She sat up. "Hey Ray, me and Luka were just talking."

Ray nodded, "great," he whispered to himself as he walked out the room.

Abby shook her head, "Oh no. Off he goes, in a strop."

"Well, what would you have thought, if you walked in and seen him with some girl lying all over him?"

"I would have slapped her…and him, but besides, its totally different from that. And I was so not all over you!"

Luka shook his head, "Hows it different?"

"We're old friends!" Abby protested.

"Okay, okay, whatever you say." Luka sighed.

(A few days later)

"So listen, I'm going out to get some coffee with Luka, that okay with you?" Abby asked Ray, who was sitting on the sofa of there apartment staring intensely at the TV, which was switched off, Ray did this whenever he was trying to think.

Ray turned to look at Abby, "You and Luka been spending a lot of time together lately,"

"That bother you?"

"Well yer."

"Well it shouldn't, it's just the same as if you and Neela went to go get coffee together!"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am, why don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"Then why are you making this into such a big thing?"

"Why are you making this into such a big thing?"

The two stood there, staring straight into each others eyes.

Ray looked away, "Go." He whispered.

"What?"

"Go."

"Ray are you sure?"

"Yer. I mean its just Luka." He walked over to the window and stared out.

"Ray…" Abby followed after him, "what's up?"

"Well that's the thing though isn't it? It like Luka and Abby, like some couple from a TV show who are just so meant to be it makes you sick! And everybody always tells you, 'oh aren't that Luka and Abby such a good couple' or 'oh I'm so glad that Luka and Abby got back together' or 'oh aren't they just perfect for each other!'" he paused, "and it like Abby and Ray, is so odd, the couple that people go 'why on earth are they together? They weren't made for each other!' you know, that sorta thing."

"That's because people don't realise that sometimes it's the couples that weren't made for each other, who were meant to be."

Ray smiled.

"But you're right me and Luka would make a good couple," she laughed, "but you and me, we make a great couple."

Ray smiled and put his arms round her, "you think?"

"Yer I do, and besides who cares what people think, I mean I wanna be the minority, I don't need there authority, down with the morale majority cause I wanna be the minority!"

Ray laughed, "Abby, have you been listening to my Green Day CD's?"

Abby laughed, "Yer there good I like them. Why do you ask?"

"Well its just funny to hear you recite their songs!"

"Oh was it that noticeable?"

Ray laughed, "Yer, it was."

Ray started to kiss Abby, when all of a sudden Abby stepped back and looked at her watch, "oh shit, I'm gonna be late."

Ray grabbed hold of her arm, "Do you have to go?" he whined.

Abby nodded, "Fraid so, but when I get back, we can continue this!"

Ray laughed, "Good!"

And he watched Abby as she ran of down to the coffee house.