AN: Thanks for the reviews! Does anyone else think that the relationship between Doug & Carol is very similar to that of Ray & Neela's? I was watching reruns earlier and noticed that. Also, Susan & Mark? The "You're my best friend." reminds me of Ray & Neela, too. I'm think I'm starting to sense a pattern. Hmm, anyways, here's chapter 8. Complete & total filler. I just couldn't figure out what to write.

Chapter Eight

Hours later, Neela was finally on her way home. There had been a seven-car pileup on the highway, all major traumas, so Neela was forced to stay an extra hour and a half. It was just after four o'clock when Luka told Neela to leave.

"You've been here long enough, Neela. You did your share. Go on home. Thanks for staying." He said.

"Thanks so much, Dr. Kovac." Neela sighed and headed towards the doctor's lounge.

"Neela?" He called after her.

"Yeah?" She stopped walking and turned to face him.

"It's Luka."

Neela just smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Back at the apartment, Ray was sitting on the couch with his guitar. He had slept for a good four hours when he got home and was wide-awake now.

"Now I'm banging on the door of an angel, the end of fear is where we begin, the moment we decided to let love in." Ray stopped singing when he heard footsteps coming down the hall.

After quickly putting his guitar back in the case, Ray walked across the apartment and pulled the door open just as Neela was turning the knob.

"Hi." Neela was surprised. She wasn't expecting Ray to be waiting for her like that. "Were you waiting for me?"

"No, actually, I was just on my way out to meet my other girlfriend." He smirked.

"Oh, okay. Well, in that case, I'm just going to watch some TV then." She dropped her bag in the doorway, stepped out of her shoes and flopped down on her stomach onto the couch.

"Neelaaa…" Ray whined. "That was my seat."

"Too bad, I'm sure you're other girlfriend has room on her couch." She laughed, rolling onto her back and propping herself up on her elbows. "I'm hungry. Did you order anything?"

"I was going to order pizza but I wasn't sure if you wanted that or Chinese." Ray lifted Neela's legs up and slid underneath them. "It is only five, you know."

"I know, but I haven't eaten since… I don't remember," Neela moved her elbows and fell back. "You're right, if I eat now, I'll just end up hungry later on. Let's wait a little while."

"You're actually listening to me?" Ray faked shocked.

"Enjoy it, it won't happen again. I need to shower." Neela said as she sat up but fell forward. "Oops, too fast."

Ray just shook his head. He put his arms around Neela's waist and pulled her closer, her legs still across his lap. "You're right. You do kind of stink."

Neela pulled back and playfully slapped him. "Ray!"

"You brought that one on yourself." He laughed. "Now, go. I want to watch that movie. I'll order food in like fifteen minutes or so, how's that?"

"Sounds good."

"Chinese or pizza?"

"Hmm… Chinese." Neela responded.

"Okay, I'll do that. Go shower." He kissed her softly before letting her crawl off the couch.

Pulling out her elastic as she walked down the hall, she shook her head and let her hair fall in every which direction.

"Hey, Ray?" She called from her bedroom.

"Yeah?"

"Is my laundry out there still?"

"Um…" He scanned the living room for her peach colored basket before spotting it under the window. He grabbed it and carried it to down to Neela's room. "Yeah, it was out there."

"Thanks." She replied as he placed the basket on her bed.