Ray had been pacing the floors of the ER for hours, waiting for Neela to walk through those sliding doors. She wasn't supposed to be there for another ten minutes, but ever since yesterday the man wanted to see Rasgotra and apologize over and over.

'I should never have said any of that. I am such an idiot.'

If Ray could take it all back, he would. He definitely would. But since the cruel words had already been said, Barnett could only apologize. A lot. Hearing Neela's laughter, the man thought that he was imagining things, as his ex-roomie hadn't laughed like that in months. But when the laughter reached his ears a second time, Ray turned around to see Neela walking into the ER. Unfortunately she wasn't alone. Oh no, that would have been too perfect. Gates had his arm slung casually around the woman's shoulders, and when they had to go in different directions, he leaned in to kiss Neela on the mouth. Ray suddenly felt a bit hollow, and very helpless. He should have gone after his friend yesterday; he should have tried to make everything better. If he had, then she never would have been with…that.

Right then Barnett wanted to be alone more than anything, to think things through. But he knew that if he didn't make up with Neela, then he would be completely incapable of functioning for the whole day. Running after his friend, Ray waited until they were both safely in the locker room before he called out "Neela".

She turned around surprised, not realizing that Barnett was there, "Oh. Ray. Hi."

Once up close Ray was able to get a better look at the woman. Her hair was slightly mussed up and her shirt looked to be buttoned incorrectly.

Cocking his head, he stated, "You're all ruffled up."

Neela looked at herself in the mirror and nonchalantly remarked, "Oh yeah, I was in a bit of a hurry this morning."

The truth was, Gates had insisted on taking a taxi to work, and had also insisted on fooling around in its back seat. Neela just didn't want Ray to know such personal information. But he wasn't stupid, the man saw right through his ex-roommate's lies, lies that he had used before.

Barnett, instead of accusing her of fibbing, gave a dejected "Oh." Neela fixed herself in front of the mirror, quickly unbuttoning and rebuttoning her shirt. Before she could full button up her top though, Ray caught a glimpse of her body and his breath hitched. She was just as perfect as he had always imaging. And Ray had imagined her body too very much.

Neela had adjusted herself all too quickly and the man was forced into reality. "Uh…um…um Neela, I just wanted to saw sorry about yesterday, it was all completely uncalled for. Just…just forget that I ever said any of that."

Ray had a longer apology in mind, with several 'I love you's in it, but Neela cut him off before he could continue.

"Ray, it's all right. I actually should just tell you now, Tony and I are involved. No more secrets, ok?"

The man couldn't believe his ears, but was at least happy that he wasn't getting the cold shoulder. There was one more thing he had to say though.

"I am so sorry for bringing up Michael. That was about the bitchiest move I could have made."

Silence. Then Neela held Ray's arm and said "Ray. Trust me, it's ok. Now promise me, no more secrets, ok?"

Smiling slightly, Barnett nodded in confirmation. He received a grin in return, "Great, but I need to get to work. I'll see you later."

Thoughts whirled around in Ray's head, but only one surfaced consistently, 'No, I just have one more secret.'