AN: Here we go again... enjoy!

Chapter 12:

During the next couple of weeks things improved greatly between Ray and Neela. It seemed that Neela's dinner had done the trick in getting Ray to stop avoiding her. Whilst his feelings hadn't gone away, he had managed to subdued them somewhat and accept her friendship gratefully. Thankfully Neela had forgiven his recent strange behaviour. He pleaded temporary insanity. He just hoped she would ask no further questions.

It had been a stressful and long day at the ER for Ray and the night was not over yet. He had a gig to play at with the band he was surprised to find Brett at the apartment when he got home.

"What are you doing here?", Ray asked warily as he opened the apartment door to find Brett lounging on the sofa watching the tv.

"Hello to you too", Brett said grinning as he turned around, "Neela let me in. You haven't forgotten we have a gig tonight have you?"

"No, but that's not for another four hours", Ray said as he made his way over to the sofa and collapsed next to Brett.

"Yeah well I thought I'd grace you with my presence early", Brett said.

"You're so thoughtful", Ray replied, which earned him a jab in the ribs.

"So anyway speaking of Neela", Brett said suddenly after a moments pause.

"We weren't speaking of Neela", Ray said eyeing him guardedly.

"Well we are now!", he said brightly, "So have you told her that you like her".

"Could you say that any louder!", Ray hissed, looking nervously towards Neela's closed bedroom door.

"Ha! I knew it!", Brett yelled gleefully, "I knew you did!".

"What?! No…", Ray stammered. "I…"

Brett carried on his rant, "I told you, see I'm always right!".

"Look!", Ray interrupted angrily, "Fine! Ok I do".

Brett opened his mouth again to say something but Neela's door swung open and Ray stopped him with a glare.

Brett smirked as Neela came into the living room.

"Neela!", He called across the room as she came towards them, "I was just about to tell you to come and join the party".

She raised an eyebrow, "What, the party that is you and Ray?"

"Yup", he said grinning, "aren't we enough".

"Of course", she said.

"I thought I heard your voice", She said smiling and turning to Ray, "How was work?"

"Same old", he said looking up at her. Feeling a little embarrassed under Brett's scrutiny he quickly looked away.

"So Neela", Brett began slyly, "Are you coming to our gig tonight?

"Oh is that tonight?", she said glancing at Ray who nodded.

"Well I guess I have a late start tomorrow so why not!",

"Excellent!", Brett exclaimed. He smirked in Ray's direction. "It'll mean a lot to Ray to have you there".

Neela beamed at Brett's words but Ray didn't notice as he was looking angrily at Brett. I can't believe him he's so obvious. Idiot.

"Great! It'll give me a chance to wear something nice for a change!", Neela said happily.

"You always look nice", Ray said looking at her.

Neela cheeks coloured with pleasure. "Thanks Ray". Bless him, he's so sweet sometimes.

She walked towards the bathroom, "I'm going to have a shower so I'll see you later".


It was a few hours later and Ray was driving him and Neela to the club in his car. Brett had eventually left the apartment to get ready and he was meeting the rest of the band there.

Neela was bent over the car stereo flicking through the tracks on the CD Ray had in there.

Ray laughed as she skipped track after track, "I don't think you're going to find one that you like on there".

Neela sighed as she reached the end of the CD. "You're right. It's all rubbish", she said switching on the radio instead.

"Hey!", Ray said in indignation. "It's not rubbish. And keep in mind that you are coming to a place tonight where most of the music will be like that".

Neela clasped her hands over her mouth in mock horror. "Good God! You're right I seem to have lost my mind. You'd better let me out here." They had reached the traffic lights and Neela pretended to open the door.

Ray shook his head and glanced at her, "Nuh uh. You're mine tonight". He said smirking.

"Oh really?", she said raising an eyebrow at his choice of words.

"You know it babe", he said shooting a sexy smile at her.

Neela felt shivers shoot down her spine. How does he do that?! I think he got more then his own share of pheromones. She couldn't help feeling a warm tingle at their friendly flirting.

Once they had reached the club Ray had gone backstage with his band to set up while Neela went to the bar to get a drink. Whilst she was waiting for the bartender to serve her she had a glance around the room. It was a decent sized place with tables around the bar area and some funky sofas around the edges. There was a large stage at front of the room and there were already a crowd of people hovering around it as the first act was waiting to be announced.

She got her drink and made her way through the crowd that had gradually been building. She bumped into a few of Ray's friends that she had met before and spoke briefly with them before Ray's band came on stage and began playing. Neela heard the familiar tunes that she had heard blast through the apartment but somehow seeing Ray perform them on stage was different. He was singing with his eyes closed and with all his soul. Neela could tell in that moment that it was something he loved with a passion.

After the band had played their set Neela made her way back to the bar to get herself another drink.

"Well here's a familiar face", she heard a voice say behind her. She turned around and found herself facing the cute guy that she had met at Nick's party all those weeks ago.

"It's Neela right?", He said smiling at her.

"Yes", she said a little surprised that he remembered. "And your…" She quickly racked her brain for his name, "…Ash!", she said triumphantly.

"Yeah that's it", he said smiling, "I didn't think I'd see you again after that party. You kinda disappeared".

Neela looked apologetically at him as she remembered how she had left without saying goodbye.

"Yeah I'm sorry about that my roommate wanted to leave and I couldn't find you to tell you I was going", she said.

"Ah its ok", he said shaking his head, "but its good to see you again".

"You too", Neela said smiling at him glad to see he hadn't been annoyed. He had been good fun to talk to at the party and at least he was someone to keep her company at the bar. Ray no doubt was being pawed at by one or more of the girls who had been drooling over him whilst he was on stage. This thought for some reason sat uneasy with her and she pushed it out of her mind.

Ash insisted on paying for her drink and they chatted pleasantly for a while. She was having a good time talking to him when Ray came up behind her.

"Neela!", he said gazing at her intently, "enjoy the show?".

"Ray!", She said smiling widely at him as she turned around. His hair was all messed up and he was still wearing his black eyeliner and stage clothes. Neela had to admit that he looked really hot. She was surprised to see him alone and not surrounded by a throng of women.

"You were amazing!" she said admiringly.

He grinned, "I'm glad you thought so".

"Oh hey this is Ash", she said realising how rude she was being having a two way conversation with Ray.

"Yeah I know", he said eyeing him suspiciously. He had seen Neela talking to Ash Barlow from a distance as he made his way over. "How're you doing man?", he said tight lipped shaking his hand.

"Good", Ash said smiling widely, "That was a great set you played!".

"Thanks", Ray replied.

"Do you guys know each other?", Neela said looking between the two of them.

"Oh yeah we've known each other for years", Ash replied cheerily. "Chicago band circuit and all".

"Ah that explains it", Neela said smiling.

"But how do you two know each other?", Ash said looking confused.

"We're roommates". Ray said slinging his arm around Neela's shoulders.

"Ah I see", A look of understanding dawned on his face. "Well I met your gorgeous roommate at Nick's party a few weeks ago". He said smiling at Neela.

Neela blushed at his words, much to Rays annoyance.

Ash carried on, "Yeah it would have been criminal to let such a stunning girl stand by herself".

Ray scowled at him. Oh come on! Could he be any more of a loser, he thought irritated. He tightened he grip on Neela's shoulders, "Yeah well it's a good thing I'm here now then".

Ray glared at him hoping he would take the hint. Ash looked at him a little surprised and muttered something about the toilet and left.

Although Neela was a little surprised at his sudden departure she didn't really care. Neela smiled up at Ray and turned towards him again, "You really were great out there tonight", she said gazing into his eyes.

Immediately Ray felt his irritation melt away as he stared into her lovely chocolate brown eyes. "Thanks", he replied.

"I thought you'd be off with some groupie by now", she teased him. Although she said this lightly, Neela felt her heart clench with an odd feeling.

"Actually, I don't really think that's my thing anymore", Ray said softly unconsciously running his fingers through her hair. He knew he was on dangerous territory but he couldn't help himself.

"Really", Neela whispered her heart racing. For some reason she felt relieved at his words. She had the sudden desire to feel his lips upon hers. He was gazing with her with such intensity in his eyes and the gap between them was inching away by the second. For one glorious second she thought it was going to happen but then…

"Ray!", a voice called out from somewhere behind them causing them to jump apart.

Ray cursed under his breath looking around, ready to tell whoever it was who had interrupted them to go to hell.

His jaw dropped open when he saw the culprit standing there.

"Melissa?"