"Son of a bitch…" Michael says again as both Ray and I spring from the couch, my heart pounding in my chest even harder then before. Was my dream coming true? Had Michael come here to kill Ray and I? I swallow and cut Ray off, as he was about to speak, Michael reaching into his pocket and pulling out the gun.

"Michael…" I say, fear in my voice now, memories of the dream coming back into my head, filling me with panic. "Nothing will come of you shooting us…you still won't have me…and you will go to jail for the rest of your life…"

"You could get the chair man…who would that help?" Ray chips in, moving to stand in front of me, as he had in my dream. "We can handle this rationally like adults…"

That word brought even more fear into me…adults…I could clearly see the gun, Michael's finger on the trigger…the sound of it going off…

"NOO!" I shout attempting to shove my way in front of Ray, not knowing if the shot I heard was in my mind from the memory of the dream or in the reality that was happening now.

"Neela!" Ray shouts, turning to grab me and push me out of the way. I close my eyes as I hear the bullet connect, but open them as I don't feel it…as my shirt was splattered with blood… "Neela…" Ray says again, this time his voice sounding pained and hoarse. I look down at him, his hand was on his chest, and the blood was already flooding from the wound.

I attempt to hold Ray up, but he began to get incredibly heavy and within seconds, both of us were slumped on the floor, his head rested on my lap, my arms reaching to his wound, putting as much pressure as I could. What had I done? Was I not allowed to have anything? To be happy with a man who I loved, and who loved me in return more then anything else? Tears begin to fall from my eyes now and I look up at Michael, trying to look angry, trying to look anything but what I was… a scared, heartbroken little girl. "Are you going to shoot me now too?" I ask him through tears "Because please, do it Michael…I can't…I can't be with you I can't…go on without him in my life so you'd better just shoot me too…"

He shakes his head, eyes fixated on Ray, his face hard and emotionless. "I could never hurt you Neela…" he says in a low whisper "I love you…I just want…" he stops and looks away, swallowing, slight fear in his eyes now.

"If you really love me Michael, if you care at all you will kill me right now. Aim the gun at my head and blow my brains across the fucking wall…it will be the best thing you could ever do for me…" my tears fell harder then before as I cradle Ray's head in my lap now, hands covered in blood, smearing it on his face and hair. I wasn't even thinking of the face he may not be dead yet. All I could think was my dream, lying there helpless on the floor, Ray's life fading with each passing second… "JUST DO IT!" I scream "Michael 

please just…do it!"

He shakes his head again, pain and fear covering his face now, replacing the stone soldier look. He looks away from me, walks to the opposite wall and leans against it, slamming his fists hard into it. I wished right then I could know what he was thinking, hoping he would finally do the right thing and end me now so Ray and I could be together…he turns back to me just as I had looked back down at Ray, his eyes were closed, his breathing was slowing…it wouldn't be long now. Everything I had learned as a doctor was gone from my head. All I could think about was him, my dream his eyes drooping…my eyes close again, and I lean my head down onto Ray's chest. I can hear Michael crossing the room but I ignore it, and just lay there quietly waiting and preying for death to come to me as well…so I could be with Ray again…

"If we get him to the ER now they can save him." Michael's voice came from above me, causing my eyes to open and my head to rise. He bends down and places a thick towel over Ray's wound. I open my mouth to speak but all that emerges is a tiny squeak. "You love him Neela…I didn't see it before…I couldn't…I just want you to be happy…"

I swallow "What? What are you saying?" I ask, unable to believe what it was he was saying "You want to help us now? You just shot him Michael and now what you're going to treat him?"

Michael shakes his head "No, I'm going to help you get him to county where they will treat and save him...and then leave you alone forever…I just want you happy Neela and if Ray does that…I shouldn't stand in the way…"

I sit there staring up at him dumbfounded, even as he lifts Ray from the ground and begins to carry him to the door. I get to my feet quickly and follow him like a zombie, not having any clue what else to do…what to think…

Not too long later, we arrived at the hospital, Michel lifting Ray from my lap in the backseat, me once again shuffling behind him quietly, not speaking barely blinking or breathing. Ray had to be all right...Michael gave us his blessing…we could be together…

"GSW to the chest…he's lost a lot of blood we need some help!" Michael calls as we enter the ER, causing several people to rush towards us.

"Oh god Ray…" I hear Sam speak, and my eyes shift to her, guilt suddenly filling me. She was with him…and I snuck him out from under her…Sam and I were never really close but we were co workers…I should have tried to speak to her before…no, it didn't matter. I loved Ray, and he loved me. Sam would just have to understand that.

"I…I want to go with him…to the room…" I squeak out "I…I can't…" I can't help the stutter now, my thoughts so jumbled, too much was shooting through me all at once and I was beginning to feel 

incredibly light headed.

"No Neela you need to get looked at…" I hear Luka say, as he approaches me, setting a hand on my shoulder to steady me as they set Ray on a gurney and wheel him off.

"I'm fine he…took the bullet he jumped in front I didn't want him to I tried to stop him…" I say wavering slightly, my eyes drooping as my body begins to relax

A shot from just ahead jolts me out of my stupor and I push away from Luka and rush to the sound…only to see Michael laying on the floor, one side of his head missing, blood pooling everywhere. I fall to my knees and vomit, closing my eyes, wishing now I could wake up again, on the couch cuddled close with Ray after a wonderful evening…

What Had I done? The floor comes at me fast and soon I am confined into blackness…