Author: Jen

Author's Note: Second story, Please Read and Review, I always appreciate Comments, thanks! This story will be rated T for future chapters.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own anything or any of the characters.

A/N: Season 7, A twist to TOW the Engagement Picture.

Excerpt: TOW the Engagement Picture- Episode 7.05

Rachel: (entering) Hi!

Joey: Hey!

Chandler: Hey!

Rachel: So uh, heard you had some fun with Tag last night.

Joey: Yeah! That guy's alright!

Rachel: Yeah and you had fun teaching him how to be all Joey.

Joey: What?

Rachel: Y'know, all the women.

Joey: Hey well, you can't teach someone to be good with women. Y'know, that's why I never had any luck with Chandler.

Chandler: (pause) I'm right here!

Rachel: All right, would-would you mind just not going out with him again? Okay, just the idea of you and him and all these women, it's just - And I know he's my assistant and I can't date him- but it just bothers me, all right?

Joey: Hey! No-no-no, you can't take him away from me! I got a great partner to pick up girls with! Finally!

Chandler: I'm still right here!

Rachel: All right, will you, will you at least tell him how hollow and unsatisfying this, dating tons of women thing is!

Joey: (shocked) What?

Rachel: I just don't want him to meet anybody until I am over my crush- And I will get over it. It's- it's not like I love him, it's just physical! But- I mean I get crushes like this all the time! I mean, hell, I had a crush on you when I first met ya!

Joey: I know, Monica told me.

7 Year Ago ~

A week to the day, the day I ran out on my wedding, that is. I can't believe I'm surviving at all. I'm living 100% on my own, they made me cut up my credit cards! I would call them mentally insane, but I know they're just trying to help. I even got a job, an actual job; at the coffee house, but it's something.

They all seem nice, Monica has always been. I know we haven't stayed in touch, but I still trust her. Her brother is nice too, Ross, he has always been "extra" friendly. A bit dorky, but kind. Then, there's Chandler who… well, might be gay, but hey he's nice too. Phoebe is… strange? I think I don't understand her yet, but she seems harmless. And, finally, Joey…he is exactly what you would expect by looking at him. A stud, player, the guy that will most definitely hit on you and he has, by the way. I'm not gonna lie, he is good looking, but what I found interesting is that I found out he has a soft side. Around his friends, he is actually sweet and considerate. It's quite endearing, but mostly surprising.

Recently, there has been a change, regarding Joey. He hit on me the first day he met me and would flirt with me almost whenever around me after that, but lately he just smiles or occasionally compliments me; no actual flirting anymore. Maybe he lost interest and is just being nice, but I swear there was an attraction once. Okay, the truth is I'm hoping there's an attraction because I've discovered I kind of like him now; I want him to be interested. I've decided it's a small crush and I'm not going to act on it, but if he makes a move, I'm letting it happen. Hey, you never know, it could be meant to be. I can't alter with fate.

One day, I am walking up the stairs to my apartment when I hear Joey and Monica talking the hallway.

"I'm sorry, Joey, but I can't; I have work. Try asking someone else", Monica explained.

"I have", Joey said hopelessly. I continue up the last few steps as Monica greets me on her way out. There Joey is, standing alone, in the hallway. Of course, he is looking damn good today; again. I'm admiring his wavy, black hair and how his long-sleeved, gray shirt is collecting around his nice arms and complimenting figure. I almost don't notice when he looks up at me.

"Hey Joey", I quickly state.

"Hey Rachel", he gives me half a smile.

"What's…uh going on", I refer to the conversation I just partly overheard.

"I was trying to find someone to rehearse with me. I'm gonna be in another play", he told me.

"Oh wow, that's great".

"Thanks", he said and then look troubled. He looked around as if making sure no one was around and then added, "Hey, would you mind reading line with me?"

"Me? Oh I'm not an actress", I said, feeling my heart start to race, unexpectedly.

"You don't have to be, just reading the lines will help."

"Okay", my voice agreed without my consent. We walk into his apartment and I sit down on the couch next to him. My eyes don't move off him, until I realize he is handing me a script, identical to the one he has. I steady it in my hands as my mind runs through countless possibilities that I am imagining happening.

"Okay, you have the first line", he says looking at me intently. I stare back before forcing myself to view my script.

"Oh, okay…uh…'Why did you call me back here, Max?'" I read.

"'I needed to see you. I'm not living without you because without you, there is no life for me'" he reads his line. A bit corny, I thought to myself.

"'Max, I thought you understood, I can't be with you…not anymore'".

"'Renee stop, I don't care what any of them think. What if this is true love. Are you just gonna let this pass by?'"

He was getting into it and was, in fact, quite good. I was watching him, unaware he was waiting for me. He looked up.

"Rachel…" he reminds me in a soft voice, out of character, now.

"Oh right, sorry", I say, searching my script for my place. "' If I wanted this, then it would happen, if I wanted it, I would be thinking about you all the time and be wondering if you're doing the same. I'd be thinking of you every time I see a purple sky or hear a plane flying by. I would run up to you and kiss you, put my arms around you and never let you go'", I read the speech pretty plainly. I see below the speech, the script reads: [Renee is chocked up and on the verge of tears] I feel stupid for being so bad at this and wonder if Joey is thinking I am just pathetic, but I can't know as he moves on to the next line.

"'Well, I want this, I'm never not thinking about you. And Renee…'" Joey paused after that. I look down at the script. It reads: [he pulls her close and kisses her passionately.]

"Uh, we can just skip that", he tells me shyly. I have a new feeling in my stomach and soon understand it is me wanting to kiss him.

"Well, I mean, I don't…mind", I say to him. He looks at me and seems nervous to speak.

"Oh, we really don't have to", he continues.

"Well, I just thought you wanted to practice. You know, get everything out of it", I add a playful tone to my voice to lighten the mood.

"Uh…we probably shouldn't. I don't really need to anyway", he flashes a fake smile, trying to get me to move on in the script. I give him a confused look. Oh no, what, is he disgusted with me? Does it bother him that much to kiss me, what is wrong with me?

"Why, am I really that bad?" I speak my mind. He looks regretfully at me.

"Oh no, no! I don't mean… I mean", he takes a second and then continues, "Rachel it's not that I don't want to, I … can't".

"Why?" I wonder aloud. He is hesitant to tell me at first.

"It's just…Monica", he finally says. I have another uncertain look on my face.

"She told me not to do anything with you because you're really vulnerable right now".

I take a sigh of relief and appear happy at his reasoning. I guess I appear too happy because he looks at me strange.

"Yeah…good thing?" he pretends to agree, still not understanding my joy completely.

"No, I'm just happy you aren't repulsed to kiss me", I chuckle.

"Oh, no…definitely not", he tells me sincerely. I smile at him. After a few more seconds I decide to try to change his mind.

"So, since I'm okay with it, want to really rehearse?" I ask. He still seems unsure.

"I do, but…" He is trying to resist temptation. I figure I'll make it easy for him and begin to slowly lean in. Right before I'm about to meet his lips, he pulls back. I frown at him and wait for an explanation.

"I'm sorry, I…promised Monica", he softly states. I am disappointed, but respect his loyalties.

"Okay, let's move on to the next line", I say. I look down and we read on through the rest of the scene.

I can only think, one day I hope to have a friend as trustworthy as Joey.

A couple of weeks later, I am over my crush and we begin to become closer and closer as friends.

End Flashback~

The memory streamed through my mind like a film strip playing back the past. I hadn't thought about my crush on Joey in years. It was ironic how I was jealous that all the friends were so close and were so loyal, now I am one of them. I do have a friend as trustworthy as Joey; it is Joey.

I was fascinated in that moment with how grateful I was to run out on my wedding and find these new people; that's something you don't hear everyday.

"Did you have a crush on me, when you met me?" I suddenly heard someone say. I look up and realize it was Chandler. I came back to reality and remember what we were talking about.

"Yeah, sure", I lie. Joey gives me a look and shakes his head no and I give him a small smile. I look at him and wonder why it was so easy to get over my attraction to him. As he gets older he seems to be getting better looking with age. I am studying his face when they begin to wonder what I'm doing.

"Rachel, are you okay?" Chandler asks me and walks up, next to Joey. I blink and then realize how weird my staring must have come across.

"What, yeah I'm fine".

They don't know what to say and are looking at me as if they are not sure if I am ill.

"You know what, forget what I said, I don't have to hang out with Tag anymore", Joey offers, to make me feel better.

"Really?" I say, more pleased that Joey is still so sweet rather than the fulfillment I would have felt a few moments ago when I was focused on Tag. Suddenly, Tag doesn't seem to interest me anymore. I am feeling confused and need time to think. I excuse myself and go to my room, leaving Joey and Chandler still puzzled.