Disclaimer: No, I do not own these characters.

Chapter 1

"God, it's been such a long week" sighed Chandler. He had just returned from work on Friday. He couldn't focus on anything but whole London situation. He let his thoughts go back one week ago - who could believe it's been just one week - to the time he, Monica and Joey came back from London. He remembered the last conversation in every single detail. Joey and Phoebe had finally left home and at least they had a chance to talk about the whole thing.

"Well, we certainly are alone" Monica said.

"Yes! Good thing we have that, 'Not in New York' rule" Chandler smiled. He felt somehow different. He knew it's not what he would want to say or do, but then again, he wasn't really sure what does he want.

Monica returned his smile. "You know, maybe it's a good thing we only had that one night, I... I mean it was really great and all, but it's you and me, y'know... It would be awkward keep doing it here."

Chandler felt as if she would have thrown a glass of cold water at him. It wasn't weird for him to be with her and no matter what, he'd never call what they did or could possibly do again awkward. He was going to tell her that, but instead he heard himself laughing and telling her, that it sure would've been strange. He gave her a friendly, or so he hoped, hug, said "Bye" and left to his apartment.

"Definitely weird" thought Monica. "Sure, it was great, but it's just Chandler..., and though I really would've liked to do it again, it's better like that". And with that she finally went unpacking, without even having any second thoughts.

Now a week later, Chandler was alone in his apartment - Joey obviously was with the date - and he kept thinking if it would have made a difference if he'd told her the truth. And the truth was that he wanted to try. He wasn't sure where would it take them and if this would possibly work out, but he would do anything at least to try. As soon as he realized that, he decided it might not be too late, after all it's just been a week and it still might work out.

Chandler stood up from his barcalounger and with all the guts he had went across the hall to tell Mon he wants to try. As always, the door was open and as soon as he walked in with all the line prepared, he froze not wanting to believe what he saw. There she was, all beautiful and sexy and he felt his heart skipped a beat. The world has faded and he felt weak and all so stupid. He slowly walked out the door painfully noticing she didn't even notice him. No, she was too busy kissing Richard.

Chandler went back to his apartment, feeling he might throw up. Everything seemed somewhat blurry except the image he saw in his head. "Mon... and this big tree!!!! Oh, come on, he already had his chance!! What the hell was he doing here?" Chandler started to feel anger growing inside him. "It should be me there, not that huge mustache man!!" And all of the sudden Chandler realized that anger was not the only thing he was feeling. He felt hurt. And betrayed. He knew it didn't make sense, Mon and he was never a couple or something, but he couldn't help feeling lonely and dumped. He sat down feeling if he won't then he'll just fall down. He started to breath slowly, trying to calm down and make this sharp pain go away. And as he sat there the door opened. He turned straight away hoping to see Monica, but there was Rachel, who apparently just got back from Greece. She went in, looking all miserable and faintly smiled at him.

"Do you mind me staying here for a while?" she asked "Mon is kind of busy at the moment, and I don't wanna disturb her right now."

"Sure, come in" Chandler smiled. "Are you just back from the airport?" he asked "do you want something? Tea, coffee, beer, whiskey?"

"Yeah, I need a drink. Whiskey will be fine. A double one. No ice." Rachel nodded. "And I don't want to talk about the damn London and the fact I'm absolutely stupid"

"Join the club" murmured Chandler while pouring her and himself huge portions of whiskey.

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked. "Who are you talking about?"

"No one" he replied. "I just don't want to talk about that too. I know it doesn't make much sense to you, but believe me, you're not the only one who got all stupid in London. Cheers!" he lifted his glass towards her and drank the whole thing at once.

"Whoa" Rachel gasped. Then she thought for a moment and finished her drink along with him.

"So, how are you doing?" asked Chandler and poured them another drinks. "What's new, what's bad?"

"Oh well, you know all the same stuff - I'm stupid, Ross is married and my life is a disaster" Rachel laughed, feeling miserable. "And on top of that, there is one happy couple in my apartment - you knew Mon back with Richard again?"

"Yeah, I saw them" - Chandler replied, trying to be as much indifferent as he could. "Good for them" he added, feeling he's heart is breaking. It must've been something in his voice, because Rachel gave him a strange look.

"Are you okay? I mean you seem strange."

"I am perfectly well!" he answered finishing his drink. "I'm actually glad you came over. It's nice not to be alone, y'know" he smiled at her.

Rachel saw something really bad happened to him, but she didn't want to question him. After all, he was all nice and didn't make any stupid jokes nor was he asking about the things Rachel wasn't ready to talk about. Besides, she understood him perfectly, she didn't want to be alone tonight and to be honest, she was glad it's him she was with. Monica would get all judgmental and later protective and now Rachel only wanted to be with a friend, the one who would not ask things and would simply be there. So she stood up and went to sit with him on the barcalounger. Chandler moved a little and so Rachel sat down and hugged him.

"I'm glad you're my friend, y'know" she said. "And I'll be there for you when you need me"

"Thanks, Rach" he smiled at her. "But if you'll keep being so nice and all, I might just throw a stupid joke or something"

"Shut up." Rachel gave him a small smile and put her head on his shoulder.

Chandler hugged her and for the first time this long long week he felt okay. They just sat there, without talking, just sipping their drinks, each in their own thoughts but happy they were not alone.

Next morning, after Rachel had gone home, Chandler decided that he can't do anything else, but face Monica. She thought nothing happened and they were just friends, so he couldn't keep avoiding her or she would realize something was wrong. Besides, although deep down he knew that seeing her will hurt him, he couldn't stop wanting to see her, to at least be close to her. So he gathered all the courage and went across the hall.

"Hello children" he said entering the apartment. A second later all he could do is just keep smiling in order not to let anyone know the way he was feeling. She was there, of course, but so was he.

"Hi Chandler" Monica answered softly and smiled at him. "How you've been doing? I haven't seen you for all week. Oh, by the way, you do remember Richard, don't you?"

"How could I forget!" he answered. "Hi Richard, so, you're back. How's life, children, retirement?"

"Chandler!" Monica looked at him with anger in her eyes. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Oh, come on, I'm just kidding."

"Well it's not funny!"

"Sorry" he looked at her. He knew it was not Richards fault, but he just couldn't help it.

"Oh, hi Chandler!" Rachel greeted him entering the room. She softly smiled at him, then came closer and hugged him. "Thanks for last night" she whispered and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "Do you want some breakfast?"

Chandler returned her smile and felt he was getting a little better. "No, thanks. Besides, I don't think I'm welcome here at the moment." he gave her a boyish look. "Sorry once again Richard, I didn't mean to offend you. See you later guys." He waved at them and left. He closed the door to his apartment and sighed loudly. "Oh my God!" he thought. "I'm not gonna be able do this for a long time."

Rachel entered his apartment and looked at him curiously. "What's the matter? Are you okay?" she asked worrying.

"I'm fine" he smiled. "Don't worry."

"No you're not fine! Come on Chandler, it's me, you can talk to me."

"Oh, alright, then how about we talk about you and the entire London thing?" he asked sharply.

Rachel looked at him painfully.

"Sorry, Rach." he apologized. "I didn't mean that. Sorry. I'm in a bad place right now and I don't want to hurt you too. I think it would be better if I'd be alone for a while."

"It's okay. I understand. If you want, we can not talk about the stuff bothering us, but there's no way I'm leaving you alone" she shared a little smile.

"Thanks, Rach, you're the best".