Disclaimer: I do not own friends in any way, shape or form. I just own this story, that is all. And while I am writing this, my inspiration is coming from Why by Rascal Flatts, if you have yet to listen to that song, you really need too.

Warning: Self harm, suicidal thoughts and possible actions or attempt, so if you can't handle that, then turn back now. Otherwise, please read and review! I love reviews, they keep a story going. Thank you!

"Are you sure you're okay?" Rachel asked, resting a hand on his shoulder. "You don't seem like it anyways. Should I get you something to eat? Have you even had anything today?" She walked over to the refrigerator, and opened it. But it was actually empty for a change. She glanced back at him in confusion.

Joey was slowly backing towards his bedroom. "I'm fine, really. You should probably get back to Ross, he will be wondering where you are."

Rachel closed the refrigerator, then walked towards him. "He knows where I am, and he's okay with it. Look, I need to know that you're okay before I leave." She grabbed his arm, and pulled him towards the couch. "Come on, talk to me." She begged. "I want to help."

He shook his head. "You can't help with this, not this time anyways," he said softly. "I'm fine though, honest. You just get back to Ross." He pulled out of her grasp, and walked back to his room, closing the door behind him.

She watched him leave, and sighed. Why wouldn't he talk to her? She walked out of the apartment, and went across the hall. Monica, Chandler, and Phoebe were in there. "Hey, Mon.." she paused for a moment, before continuing. "Has Joey been here to get anything to eat recently?"

Monica thought a moment, but it was Chandler who answered. "No, why? Something wrong?"

Rachel fiddled with her hands in embarrassment. "Maybe its nothing. But he had no food or anything over there, and he was acting a bit weird." She just shrug. "Maybe I'm overreacting."

Phoebe looked nervous about something, but she didn't say anything. "I'm gonna talk to him," she said, standing up. She walked out of the apartment.

Rachel grabbed a bottle of water, then went over to join them. "Do either of you think I'm overreacting?"

Monica shook her head. "Of course not." She exchanged a glance with Chandler. "But he has been acting a bit off since you moved in with Ross." She said, hesitantly.

Phoebe walked into apartment 19, and went towards his bedroom, swinging it open. "Joey? We need to talk now." She said, sitting on the bed beside him. "Joe?"

He was laying down with his back to her, so she figured he was probably asleep.

The first thing she noticed was a few cuts on his arm, but she didn't think too much about them, while she pulled the cover back over him. "We will talk later." She whispered, standing up. She saw something shiny from under his bed, so she reached down to pick it up, and noticed it was a pocket knife. Was he hiding it or something? Then she remembered the cuts she had seen on his arm, and covered her mouth. She thought about waking him up to confront him about this, but decided against it. She shook her head as she went back over to Monica and Chandler's apartment. "Guys, I think we may have a problem." She said. Then as quickly as she could, told them about what she had discovered.

Rachel covered her mouth. "I want to talk to him, I need too."

Phoebe shook her head. "He's asleep right now."

Monica and Chandler remained silent in shock. Neither knew what to say. "We need to help him," Chandler finally said, breaking his own silence.

A few moments later, Monica had called Ross to tell him about this, Chandler and Rachel were pacing, and Phoebe chewed on her hair, something she always did when nervous.

Rachel finally couldn't take it anymore. "I need to talk to him, I'm going over there."

"I'm coming with you," Chandler spoke up.

Monica sighed. "Me and Pheebs will wait here for Ross to get here then." Phoebe nodded in agreement.

Joey groaned when he felt someone poking him, he rolled over to sleepily glare at whoever woke him up. He sighed when he saw Rachel and Chandler standing there. "What?" He murmured, sitting up on edge of the bed.

Rachel exchanged a look with Chandler, then they sat on either side of him. "We know what you have been doing," she said softly. "Why didn't you tell us?"

He looked confused. "What? What you are two talking about?"

Chandler sighed, then held up the pocket knife. "This, buddy."

Joey just stared at him for a moment, then snatched it from him. "You guys went through my stuff?" He stood up quickly, then went to pacing. "Ok, ok." He raised his arms in surrender, then backed into a wall, rubbing his face with his hands in frustration.

"Joe? What is going on here?" Chandler asked, standing up slowly.

Rachel walked over to him, gently resting her hand on his shoulder. "Joey?" She asked softly. "We are your friends, you can tell us anything." She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. "Please talk to us," she whispered.

Joey hesitantly pushed her away. "Want to know?" He glanced from her to Chandler and back again. "Its because of you," without waiting for an answer to that, he hurried out before they could further question him. He hurried into the bathroom, and slammed the door. He had disconnected the lock, so he had to push something in front of the door so no one could get in.

He paced around, fiddling with the pocket knife that was still in his hand. He walked over towards the sink. Rachel had left some things when she left. He shoved them off the sink, then sunk down to his knees.

Rachel knocked on the door. "Joey!" She called out, once again, trying to open it. She glanced over her shoulder. "Chandler?" She asked hopeful. Then Monica, Ross and Phoebe came in. "He locked himself in the bathroom." She told them, glancing back at the closed door.

Ross stepped forward. "Let me," he said, then rammed his shoulder into the door. "Ouch," he mumbled, stumbling back. "Joe, open up!" He called, then went back to ramming it.

Rachel felt relieved when the door was open enough for her to slip through, so she did. When she saw him in the floor, she ran over and wrapped her arms around him. "Talk to me," she whispered softly. "I want to help, we all do. Please?"

He shook his head, then pushed her away. "I have nothing to say to anyone," he said, his voice barely audible. He glanced at his shaky hands.

She sighed, then placed her hand on his. "Okay, then. Let's not speak, okay? We will just get you out of here, and get you something to eat. You can tell us when you're ready."

He thought about that for a moment. "Okay," he agreed after a moment's hesitation.

She smiled, then stood and helped him up. "Come on then," she said taking his hand in hers. She led him out of the bathroom to where the others were waiting.

Joey felt a bit better after eating a slice of pizza and drinking a nice cold beer. He was sitting in the barcalounger, listening to his friends talk, but he didn't attempt to join in the conversation. He leaned back and closed his eyes.

Rachel sat down on the chair arm beside him. "Joey, you going to be alright now?" She asked.

He glanced at her, and gave her his lopsided grin. "Yah, I'll be fine." He answered. "Thank you." He kissed her cheek.

She smiled back, then stood up and walked back over to Ross. "Ready to go home now? I'm tired." She said, kissing him.

Ross kissed her back. "Sure." He stood up and waved at everyone. "Bye, guys."

Joey sighed, watching them leave. He fiddled with his hands for a moment, but he remained silent, watching everyone else leave. He stood up from the barcalounger, then walked towards his room and closed the door. He opened the dresser drawer, then pulled out a different knife and stood there, staring at it.

"Why? That's what I keep asking.

Was there anything, I could have said or done.

Oh I had no clue you were masking

a troubled soul

Oh God only knows what went wrong

And why you'd leave the stage in the middle of a song."

Author's Note: Not sure if I will continue this or not, maybe if I can find inspiration. But anyways, I know that people have actually had these thoughts in real life, and if so, please get help.

Anyways, I really need to know what you think so please review! I love reviews, stories feed from them. :)

Tall, out!