The list: The alternate version
Rated T
Disclaimer-I don't own Friends. I wish I did though, this story is set when Ross makes 'the list' what would happened if Rachel had called Ross and not the radio station and the song had actually finished.
I wrote this because i thought it was unfair that Ross didn't have a chance to explain himself. As the law goes in the UK, Everyone is innocent, until proven guilty and everyone is entitled to a say in their actions.
XXX
The next song is dedicated to Rachel from Ross, Rachel; Ross is deeply sorry for what he did and hopes you can find it in your heart to forgive him.
Rachel sighed as the song started…
See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you
With or without you
With or without you
Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
As the song played, Rachel stared at the phone thinking about Ross.
Then she slowly went and picked up the phone.
Monica watched her smiling.
Rachel dialled Ross's number and Ross answered with a sad, "hi"
"Hi." Rachel replied just as sadly.
"Rachel, hi!" Ross suddenly perked up when he heard her voice, he hadn't expected her to actually ring.
Rachel held the phone close to her ear as she tried hard not to cry at the memory of what Ross had done.
"Hi, Ross listen, I'm going to come over so we can talk, ok?"
"Ok Rach."
Rachel got up still listening to the song as it played away as she began to get changed.
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
My hands are tied
My body bruised, she's got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live with or without you…
Ross heard a knock on his apartment door about 5 minutes after the song had finished.
He opened the door to see Rachel stood there, dressed in a thin white top and her demin dungarees, her eyes filled with tears; she hadn't been able to contain herself and broke down halfway to Ross's apartment. She whispered a muffled "hi" through sobs.
Ross went to hug her but
"Sorry" he said as he looked down then stepped aside for her to enter.
Rachel walked in and sat down on the couch.
Ross stood in front of the TV facing her and took a deep breath.
"Rach, the list thing wasn't even my idea."
Rachel was shocked at this. "What?" she asked confused.
"Ross sighed and explained. "It was Chandler's idea. I couldn't decide between you and Julie so Chandler came up with this idea, I know it was stupid of me and I shouldn't have done it and I wish now that I hadn't but I REALLY couldn't decide. Chandler asked me about Julie's con side and all I could say was 'she's not Rachel.' but stupid Chandler spelt it wrong so you misinterpreted it as me using a fancy word that you couldn't understand.
"And the chubby ankles, that was Joey." he said as he held up his hands in his own defence.
"But Ross, that doesn't change what you think of me."
"Rachel, -he sighed again- I think your perfect and I want to be with you even with all that, Rachel I've wanted to be with you since 9th grade."
"Please, just give me another chance."
"Ross…"
What will she say, read and review?
TBC