Disclaimer: I own jack.

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Ray couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face as he stepped into admit. It didn't matter what happened today he had spent all of yesterday with Neela, most of it in bed. Even if he got sacked today it wouldn't darken his mood, he could always find another job, he'd never find another Neela.

Abby looked up at him and smiled knowingly; Neela had been in early this morning.

"Hey lover boy, good to have you back" She laughed obviously Neela had told her plenty about yesterday.

He felt his face get warm.

"Oh my god. Ray are you blushing?" Abby mocked loudly causing more than a few heads to turn.

"Shut up Lockhart," he mumbled half-heartedly.

"Be nice I put a good word in for you with the boss" she laughed nodding towards Luka, who had just finished with a patient and was strolling purposefully towards them.

She winked at him, Although Ray knew Luka wouldn't want to fire him he also knew that the Croatian doctor was a consummate professional and couldn't do Ray any favours. Ray had attacked a colleague and even if it was that jerk Gates it was still wrong.

"Ready Ray?" Luka asked as soon as he was within range.

"Yeah sure" He looked around for Neela he really could do with a reassuring smile.

They were about to enter an empty room when He heard her familiar voice. "Ray" She called jogging up to where he stood.

She kissed him softly.

"Good luck" She smiled nervously up at him and he knew he couldn't get any lucky even if he was looking for another job tomorrow he was the luckiest guy he knew.

"Thanks" He smiled happily and kissed her on the nose reassuringly. Luka looked back at him with a slightly amused look on his face as he gestured for Ray to follow.

He caught a glimpse of Gates sneering at him from the other side of the ER and hoped that he had seen the whole thing.

Inside the empty exam room Luka pulled up a chair and gestured for Ray to do the same.

"Ray, you are a good doctor and I have seen you go from strength to strength, but this is a hospital. You have to be a professional" Ray met Luka's disappointed gaze and felt his stomach knot. He loved being a doctor and he loved County he didn't want to have to leave.

"I've discussed this with Kerry and she is in agreement…" Damn he was screwed there was no way Weaver would let him stay after punching Gates. "…This will be formally recorded on your record and if it ever happens again we will have no choice but to terminate your employment at County" It took a moment for the words to register; he wasn't getting sacked, he grabbed Luka's hand and shook it gratefully.

"Thank you Luka, it won't happen again I swear" He felt relief flood over him, he could stay at County.

He got up quickly needing to share his good news with Neela.

"Ray" Luka stopped him just as he got to the door.

"Don't let Gates get to you, he really isn't worth it" Luka advised him knowingly, no one had ever gotten under Ray's skin enough for him to want to hit them before and now that Neela had chosen him, he knew that Gates couldn't do it again.

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Neela was waiting anxiously outside for him and he went straight to her telling her the good news, earning himself a hug.

"Ray when your done celebrating you can get your lab coat on, we got a trauma coming, three minutes out" Abby called with mock disapproval.

He chuckled and pouted down at Neela. "I'll catch up with you later" he promised going to the locker room.

The ER was busy all shift and Ray relished the rush of doing the job he loved.

He'd even found himself paired with Gates on more than one occasion without incident. In fact Ray had found it easy to not care Gates no longer irritated him like before.

He even managed to suppress his grin when a huge drunk guy emptied the contents of his stomach all over Gates. He would however have to tell Neela all about it when he got home.