Title: Ross and Rachel...Or Not?

Author: Vegas

Summary: A J/R fic. After Ross confesses his love to a stunned Rachel, she turns to the person who means the most to her. I'll give you one guess, considering what shipper this fic is. :)

Rating: PG-ish

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"Rachel!" He cried desperately. "I love you!"

Rachel turned around slowly, on her heel. "What?" She trembled softly.

He stalked towards to her confused figure and held her hands in his. "I love you, Rachel."

She bit her lip to keep the tears from falling. "What are you talking about?"

"I love you, Rach. I want to be with you, and our baby."

Instinctively, Rachel's hands weaved their way out of Ross's and flattened them protectively over her stomach. "I don't know what to say." She replied.

"Say that you love me. Say that we can be a family." Ross pleaded, his dark eyes pouring into hers.

"I-I..." Rachel tousled one her hands through her hair.

Ross peered at her, his eyes silently begging for an answer that would tell him that she loved, too.

"I can't." Rachel answered before fleeing the hallway, leaving a bewildered Ross alone.

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Ross's knees gave way and he collapsed onto his sofa. What was he thinking?

Irrationally, was one. He loved Rachel, he did, but it was a different love. A love that was defined by friends that have each other's babies. Granted, it was weird and the feelings between them were according. The line between friends and lovers was fuzzy.

There was a time when he loved her. High school, college and his mid-twenties. When they were lovers, Ross felt as if Rachel was the only other person in the world. He believed they had the most profound love in the universe. Hell, there was awhile there when thought he invented the term 'true love'. But things had changed over the years; relationships had evolved, feelings had dissipated. And then they slept together. That night would change their and their friends lives' forever. Afterwards, Ross had though about it. He hadn't been wishing for it, but he'd taken it as a blessing. Now, maybe their leftover feelings would ignite, they'd be together and it would be like it was before. Funny thing is, it wasn't like that. What happened between them that day- it was purely physical. Ross didn't feel love and he was pretty sure Rachel didn't either. So they went on with their lives, they ignored that one-timer and got on with it. Until Rachel discovered she was pregnant. When he caught wind of the news, he froze. He waited for the huge epiphany of love, the rekindling of their illustrious love, but it never came. A few days, the days became weeks and the weeks became months. Soon enough, Rach began to show, crossing into a territory of pregnancy but the platonic feelings remained platonic. After awhile, it began to unnerve him, and after the torment he couldn't stand it. So he convinced himself. 'You love Rachel' became his mantra. And now, he just told her did. But he didn't.

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Rachel pounded on the door. Where was he?

"Rachel?" Joey rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "It's late. Shouldn't you be--" He didn't end the sentence. It hurt too much.

"I should, but I wanted to come over. I-I wanted to talk." Rachel said, her voice muffled.

Joey opened his door, "Come in."

Rachel slipped in and Joey followed her, he took her in.

"Hey." He said.

"Hi." Rachel replied meekly.

"You want something? Milk? Advil? Bathroom?" Joey offered.

Rachel shook her head and smiled. When had things become so awkward between them. She opened her mouth to comment on their current situation, but shut it before the words came out. Rachel crossed her legs. She uncrossed them. "You know what? A cup of tea sounds really great." She huffed.

"Okay." Joey nodded. He got up off of the arm of the couch and started fixing some tea.

Rachel sighed. Now that he was doing something, she would have time to construct some sort of conversation. Anything would do. Rachel just needed something to spill.

"Ross loves me!"

Startled Joey dropped the mug he had so meticulously poured the sugar into. "What?" He exclaimed.

"I just came here from his apartment. He told me he loved me." Rachel repeated. She pulled down the hem of her skirt over her knees.

Joey's eyes widened. "Wow." He breathed. He trailed over to the couch. "Are you sure I'm the person you should be telling this to?" Joey asked. "I mean, after what I feel--"

"I'm sure." Rachel cut him off. "You're the only one I could imagine telling this too."

Joey puffed up with momentary pride.

Despite the feelings she knew he harbored for her, Rachel grasped his hand and held on tight. She almost forgot how great he was.

"You still want that tea?"

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Whachya think? Continue? Don't? Please R&R.