Author's Note: So, I didn't do the whole disclaimer thing for the earlier chapters. My mistake. I don't own ER or any of the characters. Although, I wouldn't mind Shane West. ;) Anyways, here's chapter three and thanks for all of the reviews! I really appreciate them. I have a few more chapters written, but I haven't quite figured out a way to end it yet. Sorry if it drags, there really isn't much of a plot. Just some Ray/Neela time.  Again, thanks!

Chapter Three

Six hours later, the ER was still slow. There hadn't been one trauma, just a case of the flu and a broken ankle so far and the staff was getting antsy.

"All right. That's it. I'm sending people home." Morris announced. "Sam, send a few nurses home. Rasogtra, since I can't take any more of your peppiness, you're free, too."

Neela didn't even wait for Morris to finish talking before she took off running down the hall to the lounge. Once inside, she threw her stuff into her locker and pulled out her coat. After quickly bundling herself up, she grabbed her purse and ran out the door, leaving the remaining staff of the ER bewildered.

As she walked to the El stop, she pulled her cell phone out of her purse and dialed Abby's number.

"Hey, Morris let me go early." She said.

"Okay, come on over. We have some work to do."

"I'll be there in twenty minutes." Neela told her as she ran down the stairs, just making it onto the train as the doors were shutting.

Just as she had said, twenty minutes later, Neela was walking down the hall to Abby's apartment. When she reached the door, she let herself in. She never knocked anymore, and Abby never knocked at her place.

"Abby?" She called out as she shut the door.

"In my room!"

Neela walked down the hall into Abby's room and stopped at the sight of it. When she had talked to Abby a couple hours earlier, she didn't realize the mess she had made was this big.

"I told you it got a little hectic. I've been trying to put together some great outfits." Abby laughed.

"I see. What have we got?" Neela sat down on Abby's queen size bed and surveyed the room. Clothes and shoes were everywhere.

"It's nothing fantastic, but I'm sure it will be different than what you have in your closet."

"That's very true." Neela's closet consisted of mostly jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Nothing fancy at all. "I am not wearing that orange top, Abby. Don't even try."

"I didn't think you would, but that's okay. The stuff on the bed is the more favorable stuff. See anything that interests you?"

"I'm not sure but I think I'm going to take a shower first. You can keep working, I'll be back soon." Neela walked down the hall and grabbed a towel out of the linen closet, taking it into the bathroom with her.

Back in her room, Abby looked around. She had made a mess, but it was worth it.

Twenty-five minutes later, Neela walked back into the room, wrapped in a towel, her wet hair falling in every direction.

"It's cold. I need some clothes. Let's do this fast." She shivered. Abby nodded and tossed her an old t-shirt. "Thanks."

"Well, we've only got forty-five minutes before you need to go anyway." Abby said. "These are my top three. What do you think?"

"I think I'll probably freeze my bloody ass off in that one." Neela pointed to the brown skirt and pink top. "Besides, I don't think pink is really my color."

"Very true." Abby agreed, throwing that outfit onto the floor. "Try these jeans on." She handed a pair of dark blue, low-rise jeans.

Neela dropped the towel on the floor and quickly pulled the jeans on, not really embarrassed to be seen in only a t-shirt and thong. It was just Abby after all.

"What do you think?" Neela frowned, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She wasn't used to seeing herself in such tight jeans.

"Those are perfect. I think they'll be much better than this pair." Abby said, throwing the other pair of jeans into a pile on the floor.

"Are you sure, Abby? I mean, they look kind of tight." Neela was starting to worry.

"Neela, stop. I know it's different, but I mean it when I say those are perfect. They look great." Abby told her. "I just decided that we're going on a shopping spree next week. I'll teach you what else you need to know."

"Thanks, Abby." Neela replied gratefully, turning to face her. "Which top?"

"Okay, this is where it's gunna get tricky. My personal opinion is that you should wear this one, but that's just me." Abby pointed to the black halter and white sweater. "Which do you like better?"

Neela looked at the tops on the bed: a black halter and a white zip-up sweater or a tan V-neck tank top under a white pullover sweater.

"I think I like the black better too." Neela agreed.

"Okay, that's that then." Abby opened one of her drawers and tossed her black strapless bra. "I'm gunna assume you don't carry one of those around with you."

Neela laughed. "No, I definitely don't."

"I have to use the bathroom. You finish getting changed and then we'll work on your hair and such." Abby told her, walking out of the room.

Neela quickly pulled on the black halter but stopped when she saw her reflection in the mirror. The sight shocked her. She looked different and she wasn't sure that it was bad. She definitely saw potential to dress like this more often.

"Hey." Abby appeared in the doorway. "Ready to do your hair?"

"I was thinking about just leaving it down. I remember Ray mentioning that he liked my hair down." Neela said, pulling on the sweater.

"Good idea. Let's just dry it and leave it."

The two girls walked into the bathroom and set to work. Ten minutes later, Abby had just put on the finishing touches. They had decided that there really was no need for any makeup, but ended up agreeing that a small amount of mascara would look nice.

"Okay, let's grab some shoes and we'll be finished." Abby said, leading her back into the bedroom. "I think something simple would be best. Let's see…" She started digging through her closet. "Ah ha!" She stood up and revealed a pair of simple knee-high boots with a three-inch heel. "These are perfect."

Neela slid them on under her jeans and stood up. Her outfit was complete.

"What do you think?" She asked.

Abby just stood there in awe. "Neela… you look beautiful."

"Really?" She blushed.

"Yes, really." Abby smiled. "Ray is going to go crazy when he sees you."

"You think so?"

"I know so. Now, come on. You need to be at the El stop in ten minutes or you'll be late."

They headed out to the door, grabbed their coats and left.

As they waited for the train to arrive, Abby could tell Neela was getting nervous.

"You're going to be fine. I promise, just remember what we talked about. Be honest and it'll be okay." Abby reassured her, taking her hand in hers.

"I know." Neela inhaled deeply as the train pulled to a stop.

"You can do it." Abby told her.

Neela exhaled slowly. "I can do it."

"Are you coming by tonight?" Neela nodded and Abby gave her a quick hug before she jumped on the train. "Good luck!" Abby yelled as the train pulled away.