Title: Bless the Broken Road

Author: lyricalpeach

Summary: Ray's conversation and situation with Katey started my brain turning. After that, it churned on its own, in and out of the gutter. Spoilers for S13, Heart of the Matter and Jigsaw, future speculation. No ER action.

Rating: FRM. (you can read pretty far down without hitting it though)

Disclaimer: Without Prejudice. All the ER characters are property of NBC. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are used here without permission. Please don't sue me. The other words are my own. Please don't steal.

Notation: Ray's thoughts 'Neela's thoughts' Abby's thoughts Katey's thoughts (I'm not going to put Gates' thoughts in here.)

Chapter 5

"Neeeelaaaa!" Ray called out from the bathroom.

"What?!" Neela was watching the Tivo, and paused it, irritated.

"Please get me a towel!" Ray stood shivering, his feet bouncing up and down on the freezing tile floor.

Neela observed the basket of unfolded laundry Ray had left near the front door. 'At least he did some laundry,' she thought. "Okay!" she called, "Coming!" She dug through some smiley-face boxers and a pair of sweats before finding a new, fluffy towel in the middle of the basket.

"Neeeelaaaa, I'm freezing!" came the voice from the bathroom, pleading… Neela thought of him shriveling in there and was about to knock when he opened the door a crack and snaked an arm out with a not-quite-grateful "Finally!" Neela made a face he couldn't see and went back to her poker game.

She heard the door open again and soft padding down the hall. Ray came back in a robe with his hair damp. 'A robe?! Since when does he wear a robe...' He sat down next to her and leaned back as she leaned in toward the TV, her eyes excited at the game. When the program finished, Neela gave a sigh and turned to Ray. "Thanks for taping it."

Ray didn't say anything for a moment, and then said softly, "I thought you knew - I just let it tape every week, in case you ever missed one. There's a month worth stored on there at least." Neela breathed deeply, leaning back onto the couch. 'He smells nice, all soapy clean.' She began feeling her cheeks flush and turned away to hide them.

"This couch is just too uncomfortable," she muttered, and thought 'At least we don't worry about it getting dirty or jumped on.' Ray ignored her comment.

"Why don't you go have a nice, hot shower? I've had mine," so I won't be joining you, Ray thought.

"That's a good idea, I think I will." Neela smiled and headed off to her room to get her things. She grabbed some cozy pajamas, her robe and a towel and some slippers and turned to go, but then stopped. Her mind started wondering what on earth Ray was wearing a robe for. She always wore one, but he didn't… That robe did look new… it was as fluffy as the new towel she'd found. Maybe she ought to grab something nicer than pajamas for a change, just in case a heavy makeout session was coming. They'd had plenty, but most days it was light and affectionate. Neela had a feeling he was hoping for more. She'd certainly been ready for some time. A soft, but strappy, cotton nightgown came along with the pajamas, just in case she changed her mind.

She tiptoed extra lightly down the hall to peek out at Ray. He was still sitting on the couch, with his head leaned back. "I'm not asleep," he said. The TV was off. What was he doing, just sitting there?

Neela shook her head and had a nice, warm shower. When she emerged, the pajamas and nightgown tugged at her. She made her decision and still in slippers and her furry robe, hair wrapped in a towel, she tiptoed out of the bathroom to check on Ray. He was still there. "Neela, I'm not asleep," he said. 'How can he hear me tiptoeing around? I'm not making any noise.'

She padded back to the bathroom to blow-dry her hair, since he had clearly articulated that he wasn't sleeping. Unbeknownst to Neela, a pizza was quietly delivered to the door.

Clean and warm, she padded back out to the couch in her slippers, but Ray wasn't there anymore. Looking around, she saw an oblong package wrapped, elaborately with red ribbons and chocolate brown polka dot tan paper, sitting on the table. Tied to the top with a satin red cord was a single long-stemmed red rose. Tilting her head, she thought how romantic it was, and wondered what it could be for a moment, and then blushed thinking of the color scheme.

Suddenly, Ray was there hugging her, breathing warmth against the back of her neck. "I wrapped it myself."

"I'm impressed, Ray." Neela smiled, hugging his arms to her. "Is that for me?"

"Open it."

Pulling Ray with her, Neela moved to the table, and noted the box top could even be lifted without destroying the wrapping paper and ribbon. "Wowwww.." she said, as she saw what was inside.

Ray kissed the top of Neela's head softly, smelling her clean hair. Neela was busy inspecting the contents of her gift:

1. the single long-stemmed rose on the top ("for effect," he said.) and inside in separate compartments,

2. a slice of pizza with double-anchovies ("you'll have to brush your teeth afterwards," he teased.)

3. two Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the same flavors Neela bought the morning she showed up at his door.

As Neela, suddenly hungry, lifted the snacks from the box, she turned around to look up at Ray. He looked at her tenderly, and smiled, "You've forgotten some things still in the box."

Neela turned back to the exquisitely wrapped package to see two things – an envelope with her name handwritten on it, and as she lifted it up, she saw the shirt she'd snuck from Ray's room to sleep in. She glanced back at Ray and caught a face filled with emotion just as he turned away to hide glistening eyes.

Neela opened the envelope.

Dear Neela,

I know your mind must be on that pizza, so don't worry, the rest of it is sitting in the oven, keeping warm.

Neela, honey, I've been in love with you for a long time. The fire built up so slowly, but before I could get the courage to tell you, it burned me, because I knew I could never have you as more than a friend. The night you left made life nearly unbearable. Living without your friendship drove me crazy, and I did and said some things I shouldn't have. It's nothing we haven't talked about – and now I have no more secrets from you.

Somehow, life has given us another chance, and I promised myself if anything like this ever happened, I'd never give you up.

You are more precious to me than anyone, or anything else. I thought I'd been to hell and back until I lost you. But now, you're here with me, and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. I want to be with you forever. Just thinking about forever used to be scary, but if it's with you, I'm ready for whatever comes.

You're the only woman I'll ever want, the only woman I'll ever need, and the only person in this whole world that I can't live without. I know this in my heart.

Please turn around and look at me.

Love,

Ray

As Neela finished reading the letter, she realized Ray was no longer standing behind her. He was kneeling.

Ray took her hand, the other lingering in his pocket. The robe pocket didn't go unnoticed by Neela, who had fallen silent and was in just a bit of shock.

"Neela," he began, "you are an amazing, incredible woman. I've never known anyone as beautiful as you, inside and out. I love the way your eyes are fiery when you're angry, this intensity you have, your compassion. I love how you let me tease you because I can. I love how you forgive me for it. I love the way your lips move when you talk. I love every moment I'm with you. I love that it's impossible for me to control myself when I'm around you!" he laughed.

"I love who I am when I'm with you. You've made me a better man. Nobody else could have stood up to me all those times and brought out the gentle, tender side of me. Nobody else knows me like you do."

"I love you, Neela." Ray choked out. "I can't live without you."

"Marry me, Neela. I want you forever." Ray pulled out his other hand, and in it was a small box, wrapped with a mini-version of the same paper and the pretty red cord.

Neela couldn't control herself anymore. She fell to her knees and looked up at Ray, taking his hand with the box in hers and closing her hands tightly over it, kissing them softly.

"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, Ray. I want you forever." Ray's other hand gently pulled Neela's head toward his and he touched his forehead to hers to gaze penetratingly into her eyes. Closing his eyes slowly, he bent down for a kiss. As his soft lips touched hers, her eyes fell closed, and her heart pounded. Ray slowly wriggled his hand free from her grasp and she suddenly pulled back. "Ray?"

"Don't you want to open it?" Ray smiled.

Neela accepted the box and gently pulled off the lid – the same careful wrapping as the big box sitting on the table above them. She realized now what a delicate job he had done – no tears in the wrapping meant she could keep the boxes forever, although the big one might smell a bit fishy… suddenly she gasped at what she saw.

"Do you like it?" Ray asked, grinning.

"Ray, were you spying on me?" The ring was one she had admired while shopping last month with Abby… so that's how he knew… she'd thank Abby later for sharing that tidbit.. and ask her just how long she'd been kept in the dark by the both of them. Neela smiled. "It's beautiful!" she breathed. Ray gently took the ring out of the box and held Neela's hand in his.

He slipped the cool ring onto her finger, a perfect fit, thanks to Abby's snooping.

Neela stared at it, turning her hand round and round… and didn't notice when Ray pulled out another small box, unwrapped. This one he opened himself and pulled out a shiny chain, another Abby snoop job. He undid the extra-secure clasp and touched Neela's hand to get her attention.

She looked up and caught sight of the necklace. "It's for work," he said as he put it on her. "This is so you can still wear your ring when you need to take it off your finger."

Neela smiled. "Thank you." She reached for him with both arms, and he held her tightly. At the same time, they pulled their heads away just far enough to kiss deeply. This time, their lips stayed in contact for what seemed like forever… soon they were parting only to come up for air, each tender kiss followed by a more passionate one, their hands starting to roam as they fell to the floor. Which seemed unusually warm to Neela…

"Ray, is the floor warm?" she got out between kisses.

"I put a new rug in," he answered, breathless. "You like?"

In answer, Neela rolled him over and sat on him. An evil grin came over her face as she pulled his robe open a little to study the narrow part of his firm body that was now exposed. He was wearing silk boxers… he didn't usually wear silk ones… She began moving her hips ever so slowly, grinding gently, holding herself up. She felt warm head to toe and the soft rug was sooo nice…

Ray was getting pleasurably worked up. He pulled Neela down to him as the pressure became harder to bear – he'd be panting in a moment at this pace. Kissing her, he rolled her over to her back, and took a turn on top. Resting on his hands and knees, his robe now wide open, he started moving his kisses to her forehead, her nose, her ear, back to her soft, pink mouth… dough-Neela-nut, he thought, and trailed down her cheek to her neck.

Neela started moaning a little – Ray knew how to guide her senses gently, one kiss at a time. She wanted to turn him over, but she was caught up in what Ray was doing to her and banished the thought for this round. 'Mmmm… Ray,' was all she could think of. Words escaped her.

Pulling her robe open at the top, he saw the nightgown where pajamas usually were. Exposing only one shoulder at a time to keep her warm, he licked and bit gently, kissing the light marks as he left them. Now at her collarbone, he realized the nightgown would be in his way. Working back up to her lips, Ray saw a disappointed Neela opened her eyes as if to say 'Why are you stopping?'

"The nice nightie is in the way, baby." Ray gave her a look that said he wanted it off, NOW.

"Ohhh," Neela sat up. Distracted for a moment as they sat there with their robes still on, but loosened, Neela pondered about Ray's new robe. "Ray," she started, "why do you suddenly have a robe, anyway?"

Ray grinned. "I needed a big pocket, something boxers don't have," he laughed.

Scooping Neela up, he said, "Your room or mine?"

Neela was surprised, thinking he'd prefer not to waste time moving from their nice soft spot, "What's wrong with the rug?"

"Nothing," Ray mumbled, then grinned. "It just doesn't bounce…"

Neela pretended to looked shocked, and then said, "Mine. It'll be more comfortable after we fall asleep."

"Who says we're going to sleep?" Ray said mischievously.

000