(My season 11 begins a few weeks after the final episode of season 10. Ross and Rachel are back together, Monica, Chandler and the newborns have moved and settled into their new home in Westchester, Phoebe and Mike are happily married and Joey…..well….he's still Joey.)
-The One With The New Beginnings-
Monica and Chandler where in their bathroom getting ready for their 'date night'. Sharing the mirror, she finished putting on her makeup while Chandler straightened his tie. "Why do I have to wear this tie? I look pretty dressed up as it is without it." Monica turned to face him. "True. But you have to wear a tie." "Why?" he asked her. "Does the restaurant have a dress code?" Monica smiled. "No but I do." Chandler rolled his eyes. "I am not dressing up for tonight! This is crazy. I was perfectly happy going to the "Meal Bin" for dinner tonight but no. You had to be the one insisting we go to Le Café!" Monica started to get annoyed. "Chandler look. It's the first time we've been out since we had Jack and Erica. I am so happy that they are apart of us now. I really am. But, I want to be with you. We haven't really had time to ourselves since we had them. Am I a bad mother for saying that?" Chandler hugged her tightly. "No. You're someone who is totally happy but would like to have time alone with her husband. After all…who could blame you? You are married to the Chan-Chan man!" Monica hugged him so tight that that he gasped. "Honey…...you're….hurting…...me." "Oh am I?" She asked. "So sorry." And on the inside, she and Judy were in the nursery. Jack had his arm around her while they were both looking at Erica. Sleeping peacefully, Judy couldn't resist touching her back. She whispered, "It doesn't get any better than this Jack. Look at her. And Jack. And Emma. This is what life is all about." All of a sudden, little Jack started to cry. "My turn Judy!" And the elder Jack walked over to little Jack's crib and picked him up. Gently putting him on his shoulder, the elder Jack was beaming from ear to ear. "What's a matter Jackie-poo? Are you hungry? Hmmmm….you just ate. So that can't be it. Maybe you have….." And right at that moment, the elder's Jack nose found out what was wrong. "Uhhhhh…..Judy….we have a red alert here." Walking over to them, she said, "Red alert? I haven't heard that since Monica was a baby." Grabbing little Jack, Judy started to laugh. Just then, Monica and Chandler walked into the nursery. "Hi honey. Hi son. Are you all ready to go?" The elder Jack asked them. "Oh yes Dad. I've been waiting all week for this." Monica responded. Chandler shook his head in agreement. "Tell me Dad…." Monica cut him off. "You're wearing the tie Chandler!" The elder Jack smiled. Judy finished changing little Jack and walked over to Monica and Chandler. "You kids better leave. We're here now. So go. Bye. Have fun!" Chandler and Monica said their goodbyes and left the room. The elder Jack looked at Judy and said, "There goes our little Harmonica and our Kazoo." Judy looked at him with curiosity. "Kazoo?" "Yea" he said. "Monica is our Harmonica and Chandler is our Kazoo." Judy shook her head. "Jack? Have you been taking your medicine lately? He chuckled. "Oh shoot! I just remembered that I need to google 'how to fix a leaky kitchen sink'. Do you think they would mind if I use their computer?" Judy was shocked. "Google it? You know what Google is? And I thought you knew how to fix our sink." Jack shook his head. "I thought I knew how too but I'm running into a problem. And yep. I know about Google. Ross has been teaching me all about it and computers. Did you know there was this thing called 'A Face-Book'? He's been telling me about that too. But I don't think it will catch on."
Chandler and Monica arrived at Le Café twenty minutes later. He parked the car and unbuckled his seat belt. Monica didn't move. "Hon? Are you ok?" He asked her. "Huh? Oh…I'm fine….I think." Chandler studied her for a minute. "Monica, what's wrong?" She looked at him. "I think we should go home." "What? Why?" He asked. "I feel guilty for leaving them Chandler. I know that sounds crazy but I do. And I know that my parents are with them and they are fine but they are my babies! How can I be selfish and be here with you? You're just my husband but they are my babies!" Chandler cleared his throat. "I love you so much hon! You just got the title of 'Wife of the Year' with that speech!" Monica leaned her head against the head rest. "I'm sorry. You know what I mean." Chandler stroked her cheek and said, "I know. It's ok. They're my babies too and I do feel a little guilty. But, like you said, we need time to be with each other." She kissed him and smiled softly. "Let's go eat." They both got out of the car and headed toward the restaurant.
Ross, Rachel, Mike and Phoebe were all at Ross' apartment. Phoebe was playing with Emma while Rachel was sitting on the couch. Ross and Mike were out picking up dinner and a movie for all of them to watch later. "Emma! You're such a sweet little girl! I can't wait until I have a little girl like you one day!" Phoebe said to her. Rachel smiled. "When is that day gonna get here Pheebs? You'd make an awesome mom." Phoebe put Emma in her playpen and sat down on the couch next to Rachel. "Oh…about seven months from now." Rachel's mouth dropped open. "Honey! You're pregnant? Oh my god!" Phoebe was smiling so hard that her cheeks were beginning to hurt. "Yes. I am with child…again." Rachel hugged her. "Wait….." she said. "Again?" Phoebe nodded. "Yes. Remember I was pregnant before? When I had my brother's babies?" Rachel laughed. "Yes! I miss you saying that! Mike must be so thrilled!" Phoebe's smile vanished. "Uhhhh….actually….he doesn't know yet. I'm afraid to tell him." Rachel grabbed Phoebe's hand. "You're afraid to tell him? Why? He doesn't want children?" "Oh no no." Phoebe said. "He's just been under a lot of stress as of late. He hasn't been getting very many gigs to play. He's thinking about going back to being a lawyer. He wasn't happy with that but it is a steady job, steady income. I'm afraid that if I tell him we're having a baby, that might make him feel worse. It might make him do something he really doesn't want to do. Please Rachel…please don't tell him or anyone else right now ok?" Rachel hugged Phoebe again. "I don't agree with that but I promise I won't tell anyone."
"Now see….this isn't so bad. Nice place." Chandler said. Monica was looking around and saw that what he said was true. "Hey…there's a stage. I wonder what kind of entertainment they have here?" Chandler was looking at the menu. "Tonight they are having a singer by the name of 'Elizabeth Warren'. I've never heard of her. Have you?" Monica shook her no. "I wonder if she's good?" The stage was lit up and Chandler said, "I don't know but we're about to find out." The MC walked out onto the stage and the audience started applauding. "Ladies and Gentleman. Thank you very much for dining with us tonight. We here at Le Café pride ourselves on not only the best food in this city but also the best entertainment. And the beautiful lady that is here with us tonight will no doubt disappoint. Without further ado, would you all please give a warm welcome to Ms Elizabeth Warren." He walked off the stage as Elizabeth walked on. "Thank you for the nice introduction!" She said into her microphone. "This is my first time singing in public so please bare with me. I promise I will do my best if you promise you won't throw anything at me!" Some people in the audience laughed while others clapped. Chandler and Monica smiled and then something struck Monica about the singer. Music started to play and Elizabeth started singing along with it. Monica stared at her intently. Chandler didn't notice Monica staring. "Hey….she sounds pretty good. Although she only sang a few words….still not bad." "Chandler…does she look familiar to you? For some reason, I think I know her." "You know her? From where?" he asked. "I don't know." She answered. "Wait…..oh my God! That's Janice!" Chandler eyes opened wide. "Janice? As in 'Oh…..my….God Janice'"? She nodded. "Monica you're crazy. Besides, her name is Elizabeth Warren." Monica ignored him. For the rest of her performance, Chandler sat quietly listening to her while Monica stared at her. She knew it was indeed Janice. And she shockingly sounded great. But why is she now a blonde and Elizabeth Warren?
Ross and Mike returned with Mexican food, a small pizza for Phoebe and the movie, "Sweet Home Alabama". Rachel went into the kitchen to get napkins while Phoebe was looking at the DVD they brought back. "'Sweet Home Alabama'? Such a girly movie. I want action! Oooh! I know! How about Die Hard? It's an old movie but it's action packed!" Ross and Mike stared at her. "What?" She asked. "Is my chest uneven?" Rachel walked back into the living room and set the table so they could all eat. As all four placed the food on the table and sat down, Ross' phone rang. He leaned over and answered it. "Hello?…..Oh hey Joe. How did they audition go?….…..…..Oh tough break…..….Yea, Rachel, Phoebe and Mike are all here. Monica and Chandler are having a date night…..…..Tomorrow? at 2:30am?…...…uhhhhh…..….ok. I'll see you then." Ross hung up the phone and Mike asked, "Why are you going to see him at 2:30am?" Ross took a sip of his beer. "His flight gets in around that time. I'm going to pick him up. He didn't get the final call back so he's coming home tomorrow." "I feel bad for Joey. He's been having bad luck with auditions lately." Phoebe said. "Yea" Rachel agreed. "Poor guy. But I do miss having him around. It's been kinda quiet without him here." Ross shook his head in agreement. "I know. And food has been staying in our refrigerators all week. That's not…normal." All of a sudden, Phoebe jumped up from the table and ran to Ross' bathroom. Mike got up and followed her. Rachel smiled and muttered, "Ah. The joys of pregnancy." Ross heard what she said. "Phoebe is pregnant?" Rachel started to stutter. "Uhhhh….uhhh…..no. She's…she's…..uhhhh…..ALLERGIC TO CHIPS! THAT WILL WORK! Yea. She's allergic to the chips I bought. Stupid me! I forgot about that!" She turned her attention to her food while Ross was thinking about what she just said. "Rach? That whole thing doesn't make sense." "Yes it does Ross. I swear I forgot about her allergy when I bought them. As a matter of fact, I'll run right out and buy new chips! I'll be back soon!" Rachel jumped up from the couch, grabbed her purse off the table and headed for the door. Even though she was quick, Ross was able to catch her by her purse strap. He spun her around to face him. "First of all, Phoebe doesn't have any 'chip allergies' that I know of and second of all, I bought those chips. Not you. Now, why won't you tell me she's pregnant?" Rachel dropped her purse on the chair. "Damn it. Ok ok ok. Yes. Phoebe is going to have a baby but she made me promise that I wouldn't tell anyone. Since you forced it out of me, you better not tell anyone that she's pregnant. Including Mike." Ross was surprised. "I didn't force it out of you. Mike knows right?" "No" Rachel said. Just then, Phoebe and Mike returned to the living room. Phoebe sat down on the couch and Mike sat down next to her. "Phoebe….you've been doing that a lot lately. I think you better go to the doctor." She smiled. "I'm fine. I told you. I've just got a queasy stomach. I've had it on and off for years. It'll go away soon." "Pheebs. That doesn't sound good. I think you better go to the doctor. It could be a number of things wrong. Or….." Ross was in the middle of talking when Rachel smacked his arm. "OWWWWWW! That hurt!" He yelled. "Sorry" she said. "You had a mosquito on you." And she shot him a murderous look. Phoebe laughed. "The rarely seen aggressive side of Rachel. Sexy! I feel sorry for the mosquito though."
Elizabeth finished her performance to a loud, appreciative applause. Chandler liked what he heard. She was really good. And, after what Monica said, Elizabeth did look an awful lot like Janice. But Janice didn't sing. She didn't have blonde hair. And her name was Janice. Not Elizabeth. Not to mention her voice. Janice had a nasally voice. Elizabeth's was soft. Elizabeth disappeared through the curtain and Monica said, "Wow! She looks great. And singing? I didn't know she could sing!" Chandler looked at her. "If that is Janice, why is her name Elizabeth Warren? I can understand having blonde hair. Some women dye their hair. By why change her first and last name? Doesn't that strike you as odd? And she doesn't even sound like Janice. I think it's just the case of those two looking alike." Monica leaned toward him. "A lot of actors and actresses change their names. She did that too. Why? I don't know. How many other 'Janice Litman Goralnick's' can there be?" Chandler thought for a minute. Monica continued. "But I'm telling you, it's Janice. Anyway, I have to go to the ladies room. I'll be right back." Monica left their table and Chandler decided to call home to check up on the twins.
