Well everybody, this is it. Thanks for reading.

Hope there was not too much sacarine. As I said, Valentine's weekend has conspired against me. It beat my cynical heart into submission.

Once again, I would welcome constructive criticism, i.e. what you liked but what you thought did not quite work. I even welcome comments re: spelling or grammar errors. I just want to improve.

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The next two days flew by in a bit of a blur.

After Jake and Morris arrived at Neela's, it took about ten minutes for Jake to spot Neela's ring. Then, all hell broke loose.

"When did you plan to tell us?" Jake asked.

"I guess if you hadn't spotted in the next hour, one of us would have weakened and told you." Neela said.

"From first base to final hurdle in two days, that's some marathon!" Morris commented.

"Morris, I think our feelings have been brewing for a little longer than two days." Ray said with a laugh.

"Well, you know what I mean. Have you guys even?" his hand gestures left nothing to the imagination, "you know?"

"Morris!" Ray and Neela responded in unison.

"I was just asking."

"That's none of your business." Neela responded sharply.

"Ha! I knew it! You haven't!"

"Morris, pu-lease. We're changing the subject now." Ray said sternly.

"OK, OK," Morris replied.

"Sorry!" he said rather sheepishly. "I guess I got a bit carried away. It's just, this is really great news. I'm really happy for both of you, but the speed is a surprise after all of the false starts and delays."

"All the doubts and worries are gone Morris, this is just our way of confirming our commitment." Neela smiled as she looked at Ray and said with tears in her eyes, "We both know this is it this time."

"Yes," Ray said, "putting distance between us has not worked or rather it has worked. It simply has not quenched the flame. We now know, we want to do whatever is necessary to stay together. The glue is just too strong, I guess."

"I'm happy for you guys."

"Me too," exclaimed Jake.

"So how are you planning to celebrate?" Morris asked with a grin.

"We were thinking about Ike's tomorrow night."

Morris' face fell.

"Looks like I'll have to skip then, I'm on the graveyard shift tomorrow night."

Ray and Neela looked at each other. They both shrugged, then Ray said.

"We couldn't celebrate without you Archie. If you can get the message out, we could do it tonight instead."

"Guys, there's no need."

"Archie, there's every need. It's four now, so lets say Ike's at eight-thirty. OK? So get the word out there. Whoever can be there will be there.

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Later that evening, more than thirty friends gathered to celebrate with Ray and Neela. It was a fun, happy gathering, just a group of friends celebrating the good fortune of two of their friends.

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The following morning Ray phoned John Carter to try and arrange a meeting with him before he headed back to Baton Rouge. Carter agreed to see him on Wednesday morning.

At the meeting Ray explained his current situation and how he was hoping to move to Chicago in March. John promised to keep him in mind for any locum hours.

"By the way Ray, Morris told me what happened to you before you left Chicago. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. I've adapted. Physically, I can cope with most problems that present themselves and I've learned to accept my limitations."

"Does it ever impact on your ability to do your job?"

Ray shook his head.

"I can't believe, you've asked me that," he said in horror.

"Sorry, I did not mean to offend you. I simply asked out of curiosity and concern."

Ray sighed then responded sternly.

"Provided I pace myself, I'm fine. If I know that I cannot manage something on my own, I simply ask for help."

John smiled.

"So, the gung-ho young intern has grown up. I can't think why I imagined otherwise."

He raised his hands and continued with a genuine smile.

"Look Ray, I know that you would be an asset to any team you belong to and certainly if any positions come available over the next few months I'll be in touch. I have no concerns about your ability to do the job and that was not the reason I asked about your disability. It would be a pleasure to have you back on the team here. Can you forward me an up-to-date copy of your CV and any other relevant paperwork?"

"Ah, S-sure, Ray answered in surprise."

"I mean it when I say, I'm sorry if my line of questioning caused offence. I was asking out of concern for the person, not to catch you out professionally."

"It's fine. I guess it is important to know if I realise the limits of my ability."

"Like I said, that really was not the reason I asked."

Ray smiled. "Look, there's no offence taken." he said extending his hand.

"So, when are you heading back to Baton Rouge?"

"I'm on my way. We're hitting the road as soon as we've had breakfast. My friend Jake and I are taking turns driving. We're meeting Neela for Breakfast, then we'll hit the road. We took two days on the way up but we may drive straight through. We should be home by two or three in the morning at the very latest. Then we have all day tomorrow to recover."

"You're driving to Baton Rouge?" Carter asked in horror.

"We had so much equipment, it was the easiest way to travel.

"What about your broken jaw?"

"That's just a minor inconvenience." Ray said with a smile. "I'm fine, really."

"You're tough Dr. Barnett."

"I'm fit Dr. Carter and I know my limits always."

"Like I said, an asset to whatever ER you are working in. It really had been great to catch up. I look forward to seeing you again soon. When are you planning to visit again?"

"Well, with any luck Neela will get to visit me for Thanksgiving. Then I'll come this direction for Christmas. But that really depends on our respective schedules."

"And you're planning to move up in February."

"Yes. Probably the end of February."

"OK Ray", John said extending his hand. "We'll keep in touch. I'll mention you to my colleagues round the city. If there's nothing here, there's bound to be a vacancy in one of the other hospitals and I have no problem recommending you. Have a safe journey."

"Thanks."

With that Ray stood and left Carter's office. When Ray arrived on the surgical floor, Neela had just finished rounds. She caught his hand and said,

"Come on quickly, I've only got a half an hour before my first surgery."

They headed for the lift. Ray pressed the button for the roof.

"I thought we were heading to the jumbo mart for breakfast." Neela said.

"I want to head up here first." Ray said with a smile. "It will be our last chance for some time alone."

When they reached the roof it was deserted. Ray turned to Neela and asked.

"No regrets?"

"My only regret is that we will be spending so much of the next five months apart."

"Yes. But we're meeting in New York in five weeks, then there's Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year to plan for. Before you know it, I'll be packing my bags to move up."

"How did things go with Carter?"

"Really well, who knows I may even have a job when the time comes to move."

With that she reached up to kiss him.

"You're still sure, you're doing the right thing?" she asked.

"Absolutely. I can hardly wait until we're roomies again. I cannot wait until I'm able to make mad passionate love to you whenever and wherever I want to." he said with a raised eyebrow, as he surveyed the roof.

Neela threw back her head and laughed.

"Just not right now I'm afraid. Come on Ray, I'm starving."

With that they headed to the Jumbo Mart to meet Jake.

Twenty minutes later, Neela's pager went.

"Ooops, I'm running late. She caught Ray by the hand and led him out to the street to kiss him goodbye."

He held her in his arms and kissed her gently.

"I'll really miss you Dr Rasgotra. Now off you go and save some lives. I'll send you regular progress reports by text and if it's not too late, I'll phone when I get home."

She kissed him tenderly once more.

Then she said.

"I love you very much Ray Barnett."

Then she turned and ran across the street to the hospital.

Ray watched his fiancée disappear into the hospital.

He smiled as he realised that it did not matter from now on where he lived as long as he could be with her.

He could not wait for the next five months to be over so that they could really start building a life together.

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The End.