Need to know:
An eighteen-year-old Monica lives with her parents and is close to all of the gang with the exception of Joey who she has met on a few occasions. Rachel is in the same situation.
A twenty-year-old Ross is close to every member of the gang. Lives alone.
Phoebe is close to Monica and Rachel. (18 years old) Lives alone
Joey is close to Chandler and Ross. He sees the girls occasionally. (20 years old)
Chandler is close to Monica, Rachel, Ross and Joey and has never met Phoebe. (20 years old)
Joey and Chandler are roommates.
/--/--/--/--/--/-
-/-Sunday on a park bench-/-
Austria, October 31st 1932.
Chapter One – TOW the warning
Monica had never felt more exhilarated. She was in a state of blissful euphoria, she was elated, she was in ecstasy, she was…cleaning. One hand expertly twirled a sopping mop across the ballroom floor while the other held a dribbling bucket.
"Pheebs! I'm all done out here!" Monica called to the kitchens. Her only response was the clattering and clanging of utensils.
"Pheebs!" Monica bellowed, running her right hand through her hair and steadying her left hand at her waist.
Phoebe's head was bowed backwards and her gaze skyward. Her head turned and twisted frantically.
"God damn it! Them voices are back again" Phoebe muttered.
"Pheebs! Over here!" Monica yelled; the last remnants of her patience shattered.
Phoebe's head snapped around to face Monica.
"Oh thank God it's just you. Look Monica, I'll be out to help in a mi - - whoa! Super Monica!" Phoebe laughed, bewildered by the gleaming ballroom.
"I know!" Monica screeched, pulling Phoebe to her to join her in her jubilations.
The duo had been employed by the ballroom's manager to maintain the sparkling appearance of the hall. With Monica's enthusiasm and Phoebe's eccentric methods, the pair were indispensable cleaners to the corporation. After ensuring she had received enough praise for her efforts, Monica led her friend to a nearby table just off the empty dance floor.
"Ok Pheebs, I need your help, what do I go as tonight?" Monica asked, her cerulean eyes widening unconsciously.
"I thought that you were going as Greta Garbo?"
"Rach said I can't because she's going as Garbo"
"So, who made her queen of the world? Oh! I would love that job!" Phoebe declared, her eyes illuminating with desire.
"Pheebs? Stay on track with me ok?" Monica giggled, interrupting Phoebe's dream-like state.
"Oh yes, sorry Monica, I am completely here with you one hundred percent…do you think Jack Hustow would make a good king?"
"Pheebs!" Monica growled. "Just be here at the ballroom for seven, ok? Oh, and make sure your in costume"
-/--/--/--/--/--/-
Lips curled, head thrown back and eyes twisted shut, Chandler allowed the very last out of key but all the same enthused note to bounce about the walls of the bathroom. Stepping out of the shower, Chandler shivered before draping a towel across his waist and walking into his lounge.
"I could hear you singing from out here! And you wonder why people think you're gay!" Joey laughed.
Chandler ignored the taunt, knowing that retorting would not be the best response when trying to persuade Joey to come to the Gellar party tonight.
"Joe, I don't suppose you have thought about coming to that fancy-dress ball tonight have you?"
"I don't know I mean Halloween can be a really scary time of year, I think I might just stay inside…" Joey began.
"Oh come on! Don't feed me that rubbish! Look, if you come, you get to wear that cowboy outfit I bought at Patterson's…" Chandler said, the pitch in his voice getting higher with each syllable, as if he was talking to an infant.
A smile played on Joey's lips…
"No! No, no, no! I have a date! I'm not giving up the chance of courting Sarah! Have you seen her legs?"
"No, Joe, look…"
"Oh well you really should they are amazing!"
Chandler heaved a long sigh.
"Joey…"
"Chandler, try to understand, this – girl – is – beautiful, or are you too gay for that to register" Joey joked.
"Joe, enough with the homosexual gags, ok? Look, I'll be on my own if you don't come, please…for me"
Joey inhaled deeply. "Will there be pretty girls?"
"Well its Jack and Judy Gellar's party, so unless you have a fetish for breasts that dangle past the knee…no."
Joey's expression contorted in disgust. "I thought Monica and Rachel were going?"
"Well yes, Monica and Ross have to go and being the loyal and lovely friends we are, we're coming along too. It's not as if we can exactly count them. I mean, Rach is Ross's girlfriend and well Monica is my best friend."
"Well, seeing as I don't know Monica too well, if I go, could I you know, show Monica a 'Joey good time'?" Joey asked, winking at Chandler.
"Erm, well, I would prefer if you didn't" Chandler muttered.
"Awwwww, it's because you are in lurrrve" Joey giggled.
"I am not in love! I don't even like Monica in that way!" Chandler argued.
"I'm not that stupid Chandler! You are always touching and hugging…you are always together! You even just said you think she's pretty!" Joey justified.
"It's not like that! We are just best friends, you know? I can tell her anything, anywhere any time, she's just…" Chandler began, his voice softening at each word.
"Oh! Is that how it is? I thought we were best friends!" Joey yelled.
"We are! We are Joe, just...look, I have to get ready, are you coming or not? I think Monica said she's bringing a girl from work…she could be gorgeous."
"Sorry, but no"
"Well look, I'll be back before midnight, don't wait up" Chandler sighed, knowing he had been defeated.
"Don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight anyway, if you know what I mean" Joey chuckled.
Smiling, Chandler entered his bedroom and flopped onto his bed.
-/--/--/--/--/--/-
Ross' feet thundered down the cobbled pavement as the rain battered against his umbrella. The puddles only added to the difficulty of his quest to stay dry and he cursed as they deepened when he turned into Parakanaur Road. Reaching the Green household, Ross was thankful for the shelter of the porch and knocked on the tall red door. The door was flung open immediately.
"Hi, ok let's go!" Rachel chattered, grasping Ross' hand and dragging him into the downpour.
"Whoa Rach what's the hurry? I mean why don't we wait for the rain to calm a bit? You didn't even give me a chance to tell you how beautiful you look" Ross whispered, pulling Rachel into a passionate kiss.
Rachel pulled away beaming and gazing into Ross's eyes. Understandably, her expression changed to somewhat amused.
"You look…nice,too" Rachel giggled, eyeing the Albert Einstein wig strapped to her boyfriend's head.
"But we really must be going, come on Ross, please" Rachel's desperation was voiced in her plea.
"Why, what's wrong?"
"My dad is due back any minute"
"And that matters how? Your dad knows we're courting"
"Ross, just trust me, his coming back from a rally" Rachel mumbled.
"What type of rally?" Ross questioned, his forehead creasing and his eyes searching.
"He was in Germany for the weekend, you must have heard of the - - the extremist parties over there…"
"Yeah… how does that affect me?
"Ross it- - it was a Nazi party rally" Rachel stammered.
Ross's expression was unreadable, it was flat it was…dead.
"Surely- - Surely your father doesn't agree with…he can't possibly think that…"
"He does Ross. It is all he talks about, he believes that Jews are one of the main reasons for the depression in Germany. My grandparents are living over there at the moment and he cannot stand to see them living in such a horrible place. The Nazi party are offering a reason behind it. They say that they will end unemployment."
"This is ridiculous! How! How can anyone...what is - -.."
"Ross, try to understand. My dad is a German. He adores his country and he hates to see it so humiliated. He says that the moment the Nazi's come to power, one thing they will do is unite Austria and Germany."
"You can't possibly be serious…"
"Hitler believes that the Aryan race is superior over all others. He - -.."
"That must be the stupidest thing I've ever heard! Well why don't I get on my knees to you now!" Ross shouted. He was utterly seething as he bent to his knees.
"Ross! I don't agree with it! Not at all so don't you dare raise your voice to me! And for Pete's sake get up!" Rachel screamed back.
"Oh come on Rachel! We all know that is you had to choose between me and your dad's approval that your father would win every time!" Ross cried, rising to his feet.
"That's not fair Ross! You can't make me choose between you and my dad!"
"I won't but I could bet my life that your dad will!"
Rachel broke into a tearful fit of sobs. "Don't you think I know that? But the truth is Ross that I can't bear to lose you"
Ross pulled Rachel to his chest and stroked her hair.
"Hey Garbo, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell."" Ross soothed.
Rachel managed a weak smile. "It's ok weird crazy-haired man"
"It's Albert Einstein Rach" Ross muttered, unable to prevent himself from correcting her.
"Yeah, whatever" Rachel whispered, pulling Ross into a sweet, tender kiss.
-/--/--/--/--/--/-
Chandler stood in complete awe of the ballroom. The gold gilded ceiling boasted carvings of angels and held a grand chandelier. Chandler found himself lost in counting the gleaming crystals of the ornament.
"Chandler, hey!" The voice floated to him.
He slowly brought his head downward, a small smile creeping across his face in knowing Monica desired his attention and company.
Chandler felt his breath hitch. Feathered wings towered over Monica, her raven hair hung in tight curls and a long, trailing, white dress hugged her body. She radiated beauty and Chandler was bewitched.
"No date then Bing?" Monica beamed.
"Erm – well, you know how it is, I am so irresistible that I don't want to hurt all of them women out there that are so in love with me. I could cause some severe psychological damage by bringing a girl tonight" Chandler justified, carefully disguising his shaking hands.
Monica laughed.
"I like your costume, never really thought of you as the soldier type of guy though"
"Are you joking? Have you not seen my amazingly toned body? I tell you Mon, I am the fittest man in here. I have to say though, Monica you really do look amazing, like beyond beautiful" Chandler blushed.
Monica planted a soft kiss on Chandler's cheek in thanks. Chandler was suddenly aware of the rising temperature of the room.
"I would like to introduce to someone, this is Pho - -…"
"You will address me as either 'Your Majesty' or 'Queen Phoebe'" Phoebe interrupted, thrusting her hand in the direction of Chandler.
Monica raised her eyebrows. "Just ignore her"
"Be quiet or I'll have you locked in the tower" Phoebe snapped, her crown falling lopsided from its throne upon her head.
Chuckling, Chandler took Phoebe's hand and kissed it. "Such an honour Queen Phoebe" Chandler giggled, bowing to add effect.
"Oh! I like this one Monica! His one to keep!"
"I would love to see you two in a fight" Chandler mused, only to be responded with a stern face from Monica and a threat of 'Off with his head' from his new acquaintance.
-/--/--/--/--/--/-
The couple glided across the dance floor, the music of the Big Band suffocated by their thoughts. Ross' body swayed automatically as he contemplated the inevitable confrontation with Rachel's father. His grip on Rachel's waist tightened.
"Look, Rach, I don't think that I have ever told you that I love you. I just want you to know that I do…more than anything" Ross whispered into Rachel's ear.
Rachel sighed into his chest. "I know"
The entrance doors were hurled against the wall causing a haunting thunder of bangs. The party halted and disguised faces turned to face a distressed father standing between the doors.
"Rachel Karen Green! Get here now!" he bellowed, panting from his journey to the hall.
"Oh my God! Daddy! What the hell are you doing here?" Rachel exclaimed, lifting her dress so she could run to her father.
"Come here we're going…" Leonard Green began, grabbing his daughter's arm.
"No I want to stay" Rachel argued, thrusting outward as to shake his grip.
Leonard hauled her to him. "Listen Rachel," he started, whispering in the now silent hall. "These – these people caused the downfall of Germany. They are the reason that so many are starving, why …"
"Could he be more talking shit?" Chandler yelled from the back of the hall, alcohol now in full control of his actions.
The crowd turned to the sprawled figure lying in Monica's lap.
"Daddy, I am staying here. These people are my second family, and…and I love them all so much"
"You can't possibly love these parsimonious…"
"Stop it! How can you say that? You have been best friends with Jack for so many years, how can you - -…"
"But like you Rachel, I was not aware of the true colours of the Jewish man, oh no…."
"I am fully aware of 'their true colours' and I can tell you now that I have never known such loving and caring people in my entire life!" Rachel screamed, beginning to sob.
"Hear, Hear!" Chandler called, causing a drunken Monica to chuckle.
Ross manoeuvred his way next to Rachel and clutched at her hand.
"Mr Gellar, I would appreciate it if you left. You are really disrupting the - - …" Ross mumbled.
"Get your god damned hands off of my daughter!" Leonard roared.
Accompanied by three friends, Jack Gellar hoisted Leonard out of the entrance and steered him to his car.
"Leonard, please be reasonable, for old times sake - -…" Jack began.
"Your son can have the company of my daughter for one last night but over my dead body will she ever be associated with the likes of you again" Leonard spat, slamming his foot against the accelerator.
Watching the vehicle speed away, Jack turned to his helpers.
"Well that was a bit of a mood killer!" Jack laughed.
"It's not funny Jack. We were going to tell you later but now we are alone…well…" Alfie started.
"Spit it out!"
"Look, the Nazi party is the largest in the Reichstag. I know it is unlikely that Hindenburg will ever allow Hitler to be chancellor, but if he did and he fulfilled his aim of uniting Austria and Germany…well, being Jewish we could face major persecution. Oliver, James and I are taking our families and leaving for England in two weeks. We think it will be for the best if you came with us." Alfie pronounced, his eyes searching Jack's face for an answer.
"That's rather drastic don't you think? I mean in the last counts the number of Nazi seats had actually fallen…"
"We know, but - -…"
"My family and I refuse to be frightened by this crazed lunatic. We will remain here. We will be fine."
-/--/--/--/--/--/-
Thanks to Originalofthespecies for letting me use the idea of friends facing the Nazi regime. This will be extremely different to "Being the Minority"…again…thanks babe!
Please read and Review it is my first fanfic.
RooRoo xxx
