Disclaimer: I don't own ER, etc, etc

Note: Thanks again everyone for the reviews, it keeps the dream alive :D, lol. Sorry for the delays both here and in 'Dance'. My new job takes up all weekdays for time being so updates will be reduced to the weekend so will endeavour to do both stories at same time.

"Hic…hic…"

Ray tried to stifle his guffaw but the anguished expression on Neela's face only made it worse. They had been in the bar for a good while as the line of glasses testified and the large number of ribs she had consumed had started to make themselves known.

"Stop it…hic...it's...hic…not funny…hic-hic…ow…" Neela pressed her hand against her side as she felt the stitch getting more painful. The attack of hiccups had been going on now for 20 minutes and they showed no sign of abating. All the various traditional remedies had been tried, drinking water backwards out of a glass, holding her breath, spoonful of sugar, getting a fright although the last was probably the least successful as Ray had decided to tell her about the state of global warming and the effects of pollution rather than taking the usual 'Boo!' option. Moreover, they had served only to entertain the victim's friend rather than provide any real relief.

"You know," began Ray thoughtfully, "I think the world record for hiccups was about 60 years."

His statement was met by a baleful glare. "Not helping…hic…Ray…hic… Not…hic…helping."

Biting his lip to stop another laugh, he cleared his throat and passed her another shot of tequila. "Here, try this. If it doesn't kill you, it'll cure you."

Neela had reached the stage where she would try anything and without any ado, she tossed back the liquor and grimaced as she felt the burning heat spread down to her stomach. Waiting several moments, she blinked a couple of times and beamed at her roomie. "I'm cured, it's a miracle! This calls for a celebration." Waving over the bartender, she ordered a couple more beers and vodka chasers to go with them.

As the night wore on, the alcohol appeared to re-vitalise Neela. "Let's hit a club, I wanna go dance."

"Neela, I don't think that's such a hot idea, I'm working tomorrow and don't you have an early shift?" It had been some time since either of them had burned the candle at both ends and Ray wasn't at all sure that they were up to doing that anymore.

"Bah! What happened to the rough-and-ready that I know and love?" Her dark eyes glinted, challenging.

Know and love, eh? Ray's spirit lifted and well, he had never been one to turn down a challenge.

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"Neela," Ray shouted above the music. "Are you ok here? I need water." After seeing her smile and nod in acknowledgement that she had heard him, he made his way to the bar and gasped his request for refreshment. He had no idea where she got her energy from, an hour of non-stop dancing had his body crying for his bed but she showed no signs of flagging. At least with the band, there were breaks and a lot of the time, it was about hanging out with the guys and whatever girls and associated friends were around afterwards.

He watched the slim form of his beautiful room-mate sway and turn on the busy dancefloor, long black hair swishing in time to her movements. As he watched, he also saw several guys take notice of her and one in particular quickly move quickly over to her, take her hand and draw her close to him. Ray's brain went to red-alert and gulping down the water, he got back to the dancefloor in two seconds flat and with a firm shoulder and warning look at the usurper, he took his place next to Neela and enjoyed the feel of her body moving next to his.

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Neela was happy to keep dancing while Ray took a rest and she was flattered when the cute guy in the dark jeans and shirt began to dance with her, his gray eyes never breaking contact with her. However, she was not displeased when her partner suddenly changed to someone altogether more familiar and Neela felt a delicious thrill travel down her back as Ray remained so close to her that she could feel the heat of his body and her flesh tingled whenever the bare skin of his arm brushed against hers.

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It was coming on 3.0am, nearly closing time, and in the way of most places, the music had begun winding down to the slow tunes where most of the people still remaining where couples making the most of the slightly more intimate atmosphere. Ray had been keen to get away before now as he had never been comfortable at this stage of the night when he wasn't with a girl in that way. Neela, however, was determined to stay on 'til the bitter end and whether it was the alcohol that dictated what she did next, she didn't know but at the final tune, some cheesy 80s hit from a film, her arms lifted and linked around Ray's neck and her head rested against his chest. She was secretly delighted when his arms circled her waist and rested at the base of her spine.

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Ray was sure she could hear his heart thumping wildly against his ribcage but he was delighted to have the girl he wanted in his arms and he wanted to freeze this moment in time

Good, bad or ugly? you know what to do x