"Welcome to an adult relationship!"

Monica reached out to Chandler, but he hesitated. "We're in a relationship?" he asked.

She smiled sympathetically. "I'm afraid so." This time, Chandler allowed her to pulled him into and hug and a kiss. Then she felt him begin to crumble in her embrace. He let go and doubled over, his hands on his knees, breathing audibly. "You okay?" she asked. He nodded, unconvincingly. "Chandler, what's going on?"

This time, he shook his head. "Nothing," he panted.

"That doesn't look like nothing." she replied, guiding him to the couch. She ran to the fridge and grabbed a bottled water. He accepted it gratefully and drained half of it while she rubbed his back.

After he seemed more settled, he looked at her and grinned sheepishly. "Well, that was embarrassing."

Monica cocked her head to one side. "Want to tell me about it?"

He shrugged and looked down at his hands. "I'm not supposed to go weak in the knees."

She smiled. "I should be flattered by that."

"Are you?"

"Yeah, I think I am. Makes me feel all powerful."

He rolled his eyes. "I guess...I came over here fully prepared to be rejected as usual, and instead you tell me we're okay. I don't know what to do with that."

"Sorry to disappoint you." She took his arm and draped it over her shoulder, then snuggled into him. He pressed a kiss to her temple and sighed contentedly.

Monica found herself rethinking the whole interaction, Chandler's look of apprehension when he first came in, followed by confusion, and finally relieved elation. And all because of her.

Realization came over her in waves. She hadn't added up until then just how much Chandler took his cues from her. Why hadn't she seen it before? How many times through they years had he come to her for guidance? And she reveled in helping him. Only this time, she was playing the dual role of girlfriend as well as mentor. He already trusted her implicitly and was watching her for signs of what to do next. Suddenly, the weight of her influence over him felt heavy. He might do just about anything for her, simply because he believed she was wiser.

Excitement thrilled through her. This was a project unlike any she had ever taken on. Neither Richard nor Pete were one tenth as open to suggestion. Here she had the chance to mold this relationship into something spectacular. She could outdo herself, a prospect that always appealed to her.

Then images of Ross and Rachel's failed relationship flowed through her mind, and one theme stood out: the fact that the other four of them were often caught in the middle, either as unwilling spectators or unwitting participants. Every time they analyzed the relationship, or tried to give advice to either Ross or Rachel, they contributed to a growing dysfunction until finally they were the captive audience for the longest, most painful breakup any of them had ever experienced.

Monica's mind was racing. Now it all made sense. On instinct, she and Chandler had kept their trysts a secret, and she felt determination growing to protect them at all costs. Chandler especially would crack under the stress of constant observance from their well-meaning but interfering friends and their relationship wouldn't stand a chance.

The beginnings of a plan formed in Monica's head. Hers would be a delicate balance, but so far she had done it without even realizing it. Chandler needed security but without pressure. Big steps had to come from him, but she had to let him know that she would accept his advances without suggesting them herself. It would be tough, but she looked forward to the challenge eagerly.

She almost congratulated herself as she thought back to their return from London. When he left to unpack, she almost followed him, but something held her back, in case he turned her down. Thankfully, he hadn't made her wait long before proposing the idea of London time. She was smiling now. Even without conscious thought, she had known what had to be done.

Later, she'd let Chandler be the one to bring up the idea of being exclusive while they waited for Phoebe's babies to be born. That had been a big gamble, and she knew it even at the time. She knew his self-esteem was such that under ordinary circumstances, he would never have attempted to compete with someone like Dan the nurse man. It was a testament to how strongly he felt about her already that he tried at all.

Now here they were, having survived their first big fight, and he was still here, his arms wrapped around her, looking for all the world like this was the only place he wanted to be.

He interrupted her runaway train of thought. "Where did you go?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just now, you look like you've been all kinds of other places, except with me."

"Oh no, no. I was just thinking about us." And it was the truth.

"Yeah? Anything you care to share?"

She smiled up at him. "Have I told you how cute you are?"

Monica decided then and there that she would never tire of his heart-meltingly adorable grin. "You know," he said. "I'm not totally sure. You'd better say it again just in case."

She reached up and kissed him. "You are so cute!"

Later that evening, Monica raced after Chandler and Joey, panicked at how much Joey had really pieced together and how she and Chandler would handle it. Instead, she watched in amazement as with one simple word Chandler admitted to Joey the truth of their situation. She couldn't be prouder. He had taken the first step toward an overt relationship and she hadn't pushed him at all. She eagerly crossed the room into Chandler's arms and, despite Joey's protests, let every ounce of what she felt show in her kiss. This was the start of something beautiful for all of them.