Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and most of the plot was thought up in the sixth season (end of 'The One Where Ross Hugs Rachel'). Still, I hope you like it!

Phoebe was waiting for Ross, her hand deep in the pocket of her overcoat. She had used to wear clothes tighter than her skin but three marriages and countless miscarriages had left her body worn and marked and saggy. She covered up now and was not sorry when, as Ross walked in he looked her up and down with a gaze so full of loathing that she wanted to shove her head under her coat as well.

'I heard you married Joey,' he breathed, his lip curling up at the last word.

'As if I had a choice,' Phoebe muttered, her eyes fixed firmly on the floor. 'I promised myself to him. Joey Tribbiani is a violent man if he doesn't get his own way.'

'Joey?' Ross scoffed.

Angrily, Phoebe yanked away her collar so he could see the trail of bite-marks like a necklace under her chin. 'What do you think these are? Self-inflicted?'

'I wouldn't put it past you,' Ross spat. 'You were always attention-seeking.'

At that Phoebe's head jerked and for the first time she looked straight at him. 'I suppose that's why you fell in love with me?'

Caught off guard, Ross faltered. 'I – I didn't.'

'Then why are you here? Joey will be home soon and you know as well I do that he is not one to be crossed. Not since he discovered alcohol.'

'I thought Rachel was the one –'

'He fabricated that to gain custody of the children. Turns out he's a much better actor when under pressure. He made her fetch the beer bottles for him, wore gloves as he drank and then shoved them under their bed and showed them to the police when he called saying that he feared for his children.'

'And how did you get rid of Chandler?'

Phoebe's breath caught. 'You don't know?'

'I've been away, as you know.'

It was true. Ross had left when she'd married his best friend. It hurt him too much too see the woman he loved in the arms of a man he loved more. And Phoebe reciprocated that love a hundred times over. But she needed the money and Ross had next to none. As with Joey, she'd simply had no choice.

But it still shocked her that Ross didn't know. 'Ross…Chandler died.'

Ross staggered back, nearly falling. Phoebe started up and reached for his arm but he pushed her sharply away. 'You – you killed him!'

'Ross, I –'

'You took his money, you took his health and you killed him you…you bitch!'

His words hurt Phoebe more than as if he'd taken a knife and stabbed her in the heart. And it hurt much more than when he started to hit her. She was used to it by now. Chandler had been a sweetheart but Joey had always had it in his head that Phoebe was his and he made that clear by the bruises he left on her body every time they met and inevitably slept together.

Chandler had caught them together and had a heart-attack. Monica had come to his funeral with one of the three toyboys she'd adopted after she'd divorced him and taken her share of the cash they'd earned through investment. They were all old now. Much too old for this game.

Phoebe would never know what became of her when she rose up. Crushed and suffocated ever since she'd walked down that stupid aisle with Chandler Bing she couldn't take it anymore.

That must have been what she was thinking when she slammed Ross's head against the wall.