An ER future fic. Set during Chicago City Marathon.

Disclaimer: Most Characters in this story are the property of NBC and producers of ER. This particular story is however my own as is the character Jake.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When he came round after the procedure, Neela was at his bedside. She stood and asked.

"How are you?"

"I'm not sure." He mumbled.

He was in a semi-sitting position. His head, face neck and shoulders felt really uncomfortable but the awful pain had subsided. He was not sure if that was due to his jaw alignment or the pain meds. The wires on his teeth were really tight. It felt like his face was in a vice grip, he really had not expected he would have so little movement. He consoled himself with the fact that he'd gotten used to worse. This was only temporary after all and he knew he'd get used it fairly quickly.

"Are you finished for the day?" It was difficult to talk clearly when your teeth were clenched together. Not to worry, he'd get used to that too. His face and lips were still numb but that would wear off eventually.

"Yes I just got off a few minutes ago."

"What time is it?"

"Its just gone six. Dr. Barnes will be round later to check on her handy work."

He smiled.

His mouth was really dry. It was really weird not being able to lick his lips and run his tongue round his gums and the outside of his teeth. He coughed and tried to clear his throat and he felt a red hot dart of pain. Every part of his face hurt and he could feel himself starting to choke. He closed his eyes and swallowed.

"Are you alright?" Neela asked anxiously.

He grimaced.

"Mmmm just hurt myself a little. I'll be fine. My mouth is really dry, could I have a drink?" he asked through thick lips.

"Stay there, I'll get you something."

A few minutes later she was back with a paper cup of water and a straw.

He sat up and sipped carefully. Then he took another mouthful and swilled it round his mouth before he swallowed. He leaned back on the pillows and continued to take small sips every now and again.

"Thanks! he smiled, "that feels much better. At least my tongue doesn't feel like paper."

"They're going to keep you in over night."

"Good. I'd hate to have to move right now. By the way Neela," he said plaintively.

"Yeah."

"Has anyone contacted mum?"

"Not unless Jake did."

"No. He doesn't have her number. Would you mind?"

"Not at all. What do you want me to say?"

"Downplay things please."

She laughed, "There's no need to downplay anything, you've only fractured your jaw."

"Yes. But the last time someone phoned to say I had an accident was pretty dramatic, so this is going to bring back memories. Tell her I'll phone tomorrow. Hopefully by then she'll understand what I'm saying over the phone."

"You'll have more movement in your lips and face tomorrow."

With that, Neela went off to phone his mother. Ray leaned back into the pillows and closed his eyes. This was not quite the reunion he had planned with Neela he thought ruefully. But at least the awful tension that had been there when they visited Boston was gone. It was good to have some of the Roomie camaraderie back. He wondered, not for the first time why she had cancelled their last two reunions. She had refused to explain any time he had broached the subject. He knew they had to have a fairly serious conversation. Maybe it was time to make decisions about their respective futures.

--------------------------------

He must have dozed off. He stirred when he heard the door opening. Archie was coming into the room.

"How are you feeling?"

"I've been through worse." he mumbled stoically. "Mind you, I did not think it would feel as if my face was in a vice grip. But at least I know this is only temporary. Are you off for the evening?"

"No. I'm on until eight. I escaped to check on you while there was a lull. You certainly caught us by surprise today.

So a marathon runner?

You've certainly amassed some new interests.

What next?"

"Who knows? Variety is the spice of life."

"I really admire the way you've gotten on with your life."

"Gee thanks." he said cynically.

" I mean it Ray, you really are an inspiration."

Ray noticed Archie's eyes glaze over. It reminded him of his demeanour earlier today in the ER and he was prompted to ask,

"Archie, tell me, why was everybody so antsy earlier?"

Archie looked at him earnestly and shook his head.

"You've no idea, do you?"

"No idea about what?"

"The day Pratt died.

When Sam and Gates got to the scene, they met Pratt walking from the rig. His only apparent injury was a fractured jaw and what looked like an open leg fracture. He started to spit blood at the accident site but nobody was particularly worried. He was still issuing orders when he arrived in the ER. Then six hours later, we were pronouncing him."

"Shit. I .. I never heard any details of the accident. I was in hospital having grafts at the time so I never really talked with anybody about what happened. All I ever knew was that he had been blown up in an ambulance."

"I met his ambulance that day. Seeing you sitting up in the stretcher as the ambulance doors opened transported me back to that day. It was the same scene just a different person in the stretcher. Sorry if we freaked you."

"I was just baffled by all the scary stares. But you forget, I've been here before and last time was a lot worse. I'm used to self-diagnosis and this time I knew that I had not done any serious damage. But at least I know now why y'all were so upset."

Archie sighed, stared at his hands continued,

"We worked on him in Trauma 1 for over two hours. At first it was just a simple broken jaw, the bone in his leg was from one of the poor unfortunates in the back of the rig."

"That's gruesome."
Archie nodded, started into space and continued.

"Within minutes of arriving in Trauma 1, things took a more sinister turn and soon we realised we were fighting a losing battle. I can honestly say, it was one of the most awful experiences of my life. Until we got the results of the autopsy, we were all afraid we had done something wrong."

"And?"

Archie shook his head,

"We did nothing that killed him. He died as the result of an air embolus."

"A consequence of the blast?"

Archie simply nodded. After a long silence he continued.

"The experience has made us all wary when dealing with facial fractures. We're more aware of just how much can go wrong, from clots to torn arteries."

"Then I really was in the best hands today. You guys handled my care with kid gloves." Ray assured him. They sat in silence for a while then Ray decided to change the subject.

"Archie, could I ask you a favour? Would you look after Jake for the evening, he's never been to Chicago before and I had intended showing him a good time this evening."

"Are you expecting him back here?"

"Expecting who?" Neela asked as she walked back into the room.

"Jake."

"I just phoned the hotel. He's on his way over." She said as she sat on the chair nearest Ray and clasped his hand. Unconsciously they were moving closer.

"I told him I'd bring him to Ike's. Will you join us Archie?"

"Yes. I could do with some company after the day I've had."

"You and me both."

"My heart bleeds for you both!"

"Hey Neela, it looks like, thanks to that knock on the chin your lover has developed a sense of humour, albeit a black one."

Archie noted with amusement that neither responded to his quip about the lover.

Ray turned to Neela.

"How was she?"

"She was cool, she took it in her stride. She said to take care and not to attempt to drive back until you're up to it. I can't believe you drove from Baton Rouge."

"It was fine. We took our time and did it in stages. We had so much equipment, it was an easier option than flying. Anyhow, I would not trust my state of the art cheetahs to airline luggage handlers. Incidentally, where are they? Are they damaged?"

"Jake brought them back to your hotel. He checked them and apart from some scratches said he can see nothing wrong."

"Well that's something at least."

Just then Morris' pager went.

"Whoops, got to go. Ray, I'll catch you tomorrow and I'll see you in Ike's later, Neela."

---------------------------------------

After Archie left, they were quiet for a few minutes. Then Ray spoke.

"Neela, I'm sorry you got such a fright today."

"It wasn't your fault. It was just seeing you like that brought back some bad memories."

"I know. Archie filled me in. Because I was in hospital at the time, I never heard the full details of how Greg died so I was oblivious to what was upsetting you all so much."

"I hope we didn't worry you."

"Not at all. I knew I was fine. I've been through far worse and survived."

He reached up and stroked her hair.

"I've missed you, you know."

She smiled and caught his hand but before she had a chance to respond, Jake arrived.

"Hey everybody. I've brought some essentials to aid Ray's escape." With that he presented Ray's prostheses and a change of clothes.

"Thanks man, but I won't be escaping just yet, they're keeping me in for the night but Neela and Archie have pledged to take care of you."

"How are you feeling?"

"Not bad, all things considered. Mind you I'm starting to feel a bit peckish."

"I could run to the jumbo mart and get you a milk shake or a smoothie if you like." Neela offered.

Ray grimaced.

"Ray," Neela said, "you do realise you are on a liquid diet for the next four weeks."

"I was aware, but I've only just realised exactly what it means"

"You'll just have to get inventive with soups and purees."

"I guess so. But for now a milk shake will be fine."

"Chocolate?"

"Please."

"OK. I'll see you guys in a few minutes."

After Neela left, Jake turned to Ray.

"So, she knows your favourite."

"We know each other's favourites." Ray smiled.

"She's really great. I can see what attracts you to her. You know man, you need to start moving this relationship along. You can't afford to waste any more time."

"You're right." he smiled.

With that Ray changed the subject and asked Jake to pass him the icepack.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was meant to be a one-shot but has taken on a life of its own. Hope you're enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying writing. I'll try to keep it concise. M