The 7th Friend

by pizzafan123

Casey McCoy has known Monica and Ross Geller since she was young. She lives with her best friend, Monica. She's friends with Chandler, Joey and Phoebe too. She's a history high school teacher, and things are normal, if excitable with her friends. Then an old friend of her's and Monica comes by from ditching her wedding and running from the alter. Then, things seem to be different.

1. Rachel's Arrival

The 5th Friend

Chapter 1

Everyday Lives and Rachel Arrival

Friends is an amazing show and I love it. I haven't seen a show to match it yet and I had this character in my head and it came to a story. I was just on vacation, so I finally get to write some.

This takes place right before the first episode of season 1 episode 1, before Rachel comes in to Central Perk.

I was sleeping in my room, in my three-bedroom apartment that I shared with my roommate. I slept on a king size bed that dominated half the room, my dresser by the door against the wall with my closet next to the bed on the right and my bedside table on the other side. I liked the extra space on the bed. The bed was soft and comfortable with fluffy pillow with a soft and warm blanket. It was almost regrettable getting out of bed.

I heard Joey and Chandler's loud voices. I groaned, rolling on my side and out of bed. I opened my door quietly, clad in grey sweatpants and a tank top, the type of clothes I usually slept in. I leaned on the doorframe to see Joey, Chandler, Ross and Monica at the kitchen table eating. I lived with Monica, but our friends usually came over every day.

Joey and Chandler were roommates from us across the hall. I blinked in surprise at the one missing. "Where's Phoebe?"

They all jumped and I laughed, amused. Chandler sent me a sarcastic look. "Thanks for the warning, I love it with my heart slams into my chest at 7:30 in the morning!"

I laughed again and he huffed before going back to his food. Ross was the one to answer me. "I think she's playing on the subway this morning."

I nodded, tiredly rubbing my face. "Ah." I walked forward, closing my door and slumped into a chair tiredly. I grinned at Monica when she looked over at me. She rolled her eyes, but gave me a plate of scrambled eggs and pancakes. She must have made them earlier and saved me some from the bottomless pit that was Joey. I nodded my head, already digging in. "Thanks."

As I ate, I snatched Ross' coffee mug, taking a drink. He called quietly with a whine. "Hey!"

I snorted, finishing my food, thinking about my day. I had to be at the school at 9. Looking at Chandler suit and tie (which always seemed to have a weird patterned tie), Monica's chef uniform and Joey's actor attire for when he was trying out for a part. I'd say they were all working except for Ross.

Ross moved from the table to the couch, flipping through the channels with a depressed look on his face. I grimaced at that, finishing my plate clean. He just had broken up with his ex-wife, apparently, she was a lesbian. The result was making Ross miserable. I offered 'talk' to her, but Ross begged me to leave it alone. I didn't mean I was planning on hurting her, I was just planning to show her how hurt my friend was. My friends don't call my angry talks normal.

I didn't care that she had a girlfriend, that has nothing to do with me, but she hurt my friend and that was not okay. I was protective over my friends.

As Monica told me. "You can't fight with people when they make you mad, you're an adult now with a good job."

I've known Monica and Ross all my life, since me and Monica were in elementary school, though I was more Monica's friend at first, than Ross'. Now we were roommates, so I knew her for a long time. The third bedroom we had was vacant and mostly filled with junk. It was mostly mine (as Monica was majorly OCD). I dropped my plate in the sink and I turned to go into my room and get ready for work.

Monica said. "Casey."

I turned to look at her. "Yeah?"

She looked toward the sink and I huffed with a grin. She then gave me a pointed look.

I groaned. "Yes, mother."

She glared and I laughed. "Fine, fine."

I cleaned up and Chandler came to my right side, leaning over my shoulder. He narrowed his eyes playfully as I looked at him when I finished. "I think you missed a spot."

I dried my hands, smacking his shoulder. "Shh! Don't let Mon hear you say that!"

He raised his hands in surrender, back up a step or two, smirking. "I was kidding."

I waved a hand in Monica's direction behind me. "And you think Monica cares?"

He opened his mouth and pointed a finger in the air. Then he looked to be thinking about it, then snapped his mouth closed, lowering his finger. "Ah, good point."

Monica rolled her eyes at the both of us. "Just because I like to keep things clean- "

I waved my hands in front of me. "Nope, not having this conversation." I cared about Monica like a sister, but I didn't want to have a talk about my less than stellar cleaning habits. "Got to get ready. It's…" I looked at the clock on the wall and my eyes widened. "Shit! It's 8:03! Gotta go!"

I ran over to my room and Joey said, walking toward the front door. "See ya, Casey. Off to look for a new show."

I grinned at him, facing him and snickering. "As long as it's not Anne…again."

That got laughs from the others, even if Ross' was a little depressing. Joey pointed at me. "That was one time!"

That just made me laugh harder. I noticed Monica laughing quietly by the sink and Chandler's face pressed in the couch cushion, his shoulders shaking. It was only so funny because we saw it performed. We usually went to all of the plays Joey was in. I snorted and nodded at Joey. "Okay, see you."

He huffed before smiling and walking out the door. He was a happy guy most of the time. He wasn't the smartest, but he had a kind heart where it counted.

Chandler sighed. "Well, I have to go crunch numbers."

I cleaned against the doorframe with a smirk. "And that's so important."

He sent me one of his 'Chandler' looks from where he was at the door, rolling his head to one side. "Yes and teaching high school kids about a past that they don't care about is?"

I scowled at him. "Ah, whatever."

He snickered, waving his hand at all of us, walking out.

I knew most kids didn't care, I certainly didn't at the time. I tried not to think about it. I went in my room, showering and brushing my brown hair, it ended up in a short ponytail that was above my lower neck to keep it out of my face.

I changed it a light blue button-down shirt, black suit pants and my suit jacket over my arm. My feet were only clad in socks so I went to get my shoes from the living room. I went by the door and was about to shove my feet into my shoes when Monica said. "Casey?"

I turned my head toward her, where she was cleaning up bits of mess in the living room. "Yeah Mon?"

"Why are you wearing sneakers with a suit?"

My head dropped down to look. My right foot was halfway in my sneaker. I felt my ears burn a little red in embarrassment and sent her an awkward smile, shucking the shoe off. Monica shook her head at me and I put on the right shoes, dark brown dress shoes.

It was just me, Monica and Ross in the apartment and by the looks of it, Monica was leaving soon. I grimaced once again at Ross' look of depression. I knew I was going to regret this…

I walked over to Ross and sat on the arm of the couch. My jacket was still in my arms so I laid it on the back of the couch. "Hey, Ross."

He sighed in deep depression. "Hi."

I patted his shoulder. "Well, that sounded happy." He sent me an annoyed, dry look before sighing again and looking toward the t.v. I followed his gaze and felt like groaning. Seriously, this guy is a glutton for punishment!

It was some type of break up drama. The couple on screen seemed to be breaking up and to make it worse, the girl on screen was blond. I groaned, running a hand down my face. "Seriously, Ross!"

He ignored me, slumping into the couch cushions. I heard keys rattle and saw Monica by the door. She was sending him a worried look. I sent her a look saying, 'I have this handled'.

She was comforting him for the past couple of days. She sent one last worried look at her brother and a thankful look to me. She called. "Bye Ross, Casey."

I waved and Ross sighed. "Bye."

Monica shook her head, walking out. I snatched the remote.

Ross called, letting out a whine. "Hey!"

I rolled my eyes at him. "No wonder you're depressed, here."

I picked a random channel and looked to see a lesbian couple kissing and in some type of embrace. Ross dropped his head and let out a whine.

I jumped back in shock at the luck I had, fumbled with the remote until I changed the channel to what I knew as the Discovery Channel. "Ah, shit! No, wait, look."

It was a documentary on lions and their prides or something like that. I let out a cheer of victory. "Ah, ha! Here we go!"

He smiled a little, looking at the screen. "Thanks, Case."

I grinned at my round of good luck, patted him on the shoulder again. "No problem-o! Got to work in…" I looked at the watch on my wrist. I gaped in horror. "Now! See you, Ross!"

I ran off, shoving my jacket on and my briefcase over my shoulder, running out the door.

/ / / / / / / / / /

I drove to the high school I worked at, arriving at my classroom ten minutes late. I smiled at the students piled at the door. "Hello."

David Conway, a 15-year-old kid with light brown hair and eyes scoffed. "You're late, Teach."

I smirked at him. "Or you're actually on time?"

He grimaced and a couple of kids laughed. I wasn't an overly strict teacher nor was I a pushover. I was on pretty good terms with all my students.

I opened the door, sitting behind my desk as they all went to sit down. I had an old white computer covering most of the right side of the desk, the rest was covered in papers. I opened my roll book from my bag and only about three people were absent.

I then got in front of them, leaning on my desk. "Okay, so all of you know Christopher Columbus, right?"

I got mostly nods and some 'no duh' looks. I chuckled. "Yeah, I know. But before that, people lived in tribes, they were called Native Americans, what we call Indians. Anyone know anything about them?"

After getting some obvious answers like casinos, buffalos and other things like huts and fur clothes, I continued to go in depth with my lesson on the Native Americans.

/ / / / / / / / /

Soon enough, it was 3'oclock and I shoved my things into my bag, heading out. I should go to the Central Perk; the others are out of work by now and they might of came by. I drove over to the coffee shop, leaving my jacket and bag in the car, taking my wallet with me. I needed some good coffee right now.

I did wonder how Ross was doing and if he even left Monica's apartment or at least her couch.

I opened the door to see that Joey, Monica, Chandler and Phoebe were there. Chandler was sitting on the arm, Phoebe next to him on the couch and Monica sitting beside her also on the couch and Joey to her left on a chair.

I walked over, sitting on the other arm of the couch. "Hey!"

They all looked up. "Hey."

I faced them. "So, what are we talking about?"

Joey said from behind me. "Monica's got a boyfriend."

I raised my eyebrows. "Really? Who?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's no one! It's just some guy I work with."

I kept looking at her with an eyebrow raised. Joey scoffed. "C'mon! You're going out with the guy, there has to be something wrong with him."

I grinned, laughing at the annoyance on her face. Chandler asked. "Does he have a hump? A hump and a hair piece?"

I raised my hands. "Now, that's not fair."

Monica gave me a look of relief. "Thank you."

I smirked. "Their obviously something wrong with him mentally."

"Casey!"

I just chuckled at the dirty look I got. Phoebe asked. "Wait, does he eat chalk?"

I sent her a strange look, I knew the others were doing the same. I asked slowly. "What?"

She said. "Just 'cause I don't want her to go through what I went through with Carl."

I slapped a hand to my face and I saw Chandler blink in confusion. I stopped asking when it came to Phoebe sometimes.

My eyes widened when a thought came to me. "Does he have 16 cats?"

Monica shook her head. "No, why would he?"

I pointed at her. "Remember David."

We all looked at each other and grimaced, David was a guy I met at some teaching convention and he had 16 cats, it shocked the hell out of me when I went to his place.

Monica raised her voice slightly. "Everybody relax, this is not even a date. This is just two people going out to dinner and not having sex."

Chandler said. "Sounds like a date to me."

I nodded in agreement. "A boring one, but yeah a date. I'm gonna get coffee."

I got up, going to the counter and ordering an expresso. I needed to stay awake today and coffee was not going to do the trick. I paid and went back over. They moved as in Phoebe was sitting on the floor, Chandler was actually on the couch and Joey was sitting in a recliner.

I took a chair and put it by Phoebe, sitting on it backwards, my arms resting on the back. Chandler was telling one of his dream/stories. "-I'm standing in the middle of the cafeteria and I realize I'm totally naked." He smirked.

I shrugged, that happens in plenty of dreams. Chandler went on. "I realize there is a phone…there!"

Joey asked slowly. "Instead of…"

Chandler exclaimed. "That's right!"

I snorted. "That's a bit different."

The others agreed with me and Chandler said. "And all of a sudden, the phone starts to ring. And it turns out it's my mother. Which is very, very weird because she never calls me."

I laughed. "Maybe she will. When my folks end up in my dreams, that happens."

He rolled his eyes with a dramatic sigh. "I hope not."

I finished drinking my expresso and was going to get a second one. We've been here for a while. I also bought a scone and set it on the table. I went outside to my car and grabbed my bag. I came back in, sat on the floor by the table and started grading papers with a red pen.

I rolled my eyes with a sigh ten minutes later. "Listen to this, 'history is important because old people want you to learn about old stuff about as old as they are. Also, history is stupid and I hate it'. What the hell?"

Monica laughed. "No way does it say that, let me see."

Her eyes widened when I showed it to her. "Oh my God."

I grumbled, writing a big 'no effort' on the paper and going to the next one. "No respect."

Chandler scoffed. "And you respected your teachers at that age?"

I opened my mouth to say something, only to glare and say. "Shut up!"

He laughed and I saw Joey leaning over my shoulder. "Why'd you have them write that anyway. It was like one of the things I hated in school."

I finished checking off another paper, the stack was halfway done with. "Because history is important, I wanted to know if they knew the reason why."

Joey made a snoring sound and I threw a balled-up piece of paper behind me, hitting him. "Hey!"

I smirked, going back my work as Joey talked to them about the play he was looking into. Phoebe mentioning something about a song about her mother she was writing. Which was all kinds of depressing.

I looked up when I heard Ross' voice, small and depressed. "Hi."

I blinked at him. Joey said. "This guy says hello and I want to kill myself."

Ross was behind the couch, looking sad. Monica said, grabbing his hand. "How are you doing, sweetie?"

Ross said. "I just feel like someone reached down my throat, grabbed my small intestines and wrapped it around my neck."

Chandler raised a cookie dish. "Cookie?"

Monica said. "Carol moved her stuff out today."

My eyes widened. Oh, that's why he was depressed and where he was all day. I took a cookie from Chandler, saying. "Well, at least you don't have to look at her stuff and be reminded she le-ow!"

I rubbed my arm, where Monica hit me. She glared at me and looked up at Ross, who was looking worse. I smiled awkwardly. "Oops. You know I'm not good at the comforting thing."

Phoebe chuckled. "Oh yeah, remember Anna."

I wrinkled my nose. "That was an accident!"

It was silent for a moment, then it was broken by Monica getting up. "Let me get you some coffee."

Ross sighed, sitting on the couch. "Thanks."

Phoebe was then picking the air around him, throwing it past us if that was possible. "No, don't! Stop it, stop trying to cleanse my aura."

I chuckled as she continued and Ross waved his arms. "Stop, just leave my aura alone. Okay? I'll be fine. Alright? Really everyone, I hope she'll be very happy."

Me and Monica both said. "No, you don't."

He repeated after us. "No, I don't. To hell with her, she left me!"

Joey asked. "And you never knew she was a lesbian?"

Ross exclaimed. "No, okay! Why does everyone keep fixating on that?! She didn't know, how was I supposed to know?"

I raised my eyebrows. "Oh, I don't know. Was she looking at girls' asses lately?"

Ross sent me a glare. "What!? No!"

I said, smirking a half smile. "I mean because if you didn't know- "

"Casey!"

I flinched slightly in surprise as they all yelled at me. "What?"

They all said. "Shut up!"

I raised my hands and huffed. "Fine, I have to grade these papers anyway."

Chandler suddenly said. "Sometimes I wish I was a lesbian."

My head snapped up to look at him reading something on a recliner, my mouth dropped open and my pen dropped out of my hand and onto the floor. Chandler stared at all of us. "Did I say that out loud?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes, yes you did."

I marked off another paper as Joey said. "Alright Ross, you're feeling a lot of pain right now. You're angry, your hurt. Can I tell you what the answer is? Strip joint!"

I snorted loudly. Joey said. "Come on, you're single. Have some hormones!"

Ross snapped. "I don't want to be single. I just want to married again."

I shrugged. "I'm not married and I love being free."

Before anyone could say anything, the front door opened loudly. A familiar girl came in wearing a wedding dress, looking upset.

Chandler waved a hand toward the door. "And I just want a million dollars."

I shook my head, finally finishing the stack and shoving them back into my bag. I zipped it up and realized I was hungry again. I didn't want to get up. I looked at the girl. Why does she look familiar? I was drinking a regular cup of coffee, three sugars and two creams.

Monica walked over in shock. "Rachel?"

I spit out my drink, getting it on the table and I was happy I finished with the work already. Chandler and Ross sent me a disgusted look, scooting away. I rolled my eyes, looking over by Monica. It was Rachel, she was, a couple years older, but still Rachel.

She hugged Monica. "Oh, thank God. Monica, hi!" She let go, sounding more upset. "I just went to your building and you weren't there and then this guy with a big hammer said you might be here and you are! You are!"

One of the waitresses said. "Can I get you some coffee?"

Monica said quickly. "Decaf."

I nodded my head, that was probably the best idea. Monica brought her over and I stood up. "Everybody, this is Rachel, another Lincoln High School survivor. This is everybody. This is Chandler, Phoebe and Joey and you remember my brother Ross and Casey from high school."

They went to hug/handshake, but he smacked into her with a umbrella. I chuckled. She turned to me. "Casey!"

I smiled at her, opening my arms and hugging her when she came over. "Hey, nice seeing you again."

She let go. "You too."

I lead her over to the couch, sitting her between Ross and Phoebe. I moved the coffee cups, sitting on the table.

Monica asked. "So, you want to tell us now? Or are waiting for four wet brides maids?"

She took a deep breath. "Oh, God, well, it started about a half an hour before the wedding, I was in this room where they were keeping all the presents and I was looking at this gravy boat. This really gorgeous gravy boat. When all of a sudden-sweet and low?"

I blinked at her, I hated it when people stopped in the middle of a story. She continued with her coffee in hand as Ross was putting the sugar in for her, staring at her while she talked. "I was more turned on by the gravy boat than by Barry. And then I got really freaked out and then that's when it hit me, Barry looks like Mr. Potato Head. I know, I mean, he always looked familiar, but…I just had to get out of there. And I started wondering, 'why am I still doing this and who am I doing this for'? And I didn't know where else to go. I knew the three of us drifted apart, but you two are the only people I knew who lived in the city."

Monica replied. "Who weren't invited to the wedding."

Rachel sighed. "I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be an issue. "

I shrugged. "I don't like weddings."

After talking for a little bit, we decided to go back to mine and Monica's place. I took my car with Ross and Chandler, because apparently, they both walked. Chandler was in the back, but leaning forward and was hanging on both of the seats with Ross next to me in the passenger seat.

Chandler asked. "So, who is she?"

I said, making a right. "A friend of mine and Monica from when we were kids. Haven't seen her a while, she's a rich kid."

Ross was just staring out the window. I said. "Hey, Ross?"

He turned to me. "Yeah?"

"If it gets you to stop moping, I will take to a strip joint myself."

Chandler burst into laughter and Ross sighed angrily. "Shut up, I don't want to go to a stripping place!"

"Hey, come on! The documentary didn't even work!"

Chandler asked. "It didn't?"

"Nope."

Ross sighed. "Casey- "

"Wow, look at that, we're here." I parked, waited for them to come out and locked my door. I unlocked the house and they were already there, watching a Spanish sitcom.

Phoebe was on the floor and Joey was on the couch facing the tv. Monica was on the one adjacent to it and I sat on the armrest of the couch by Phoebe and Chandler with Ross on the back of the couch. Rachel was in the kitchen.

She was sounding angry at him, speaking in Spanish. Monica said. "Now, I'm guessing he bought her the big pipe organ and she's really not happy about it."

I shook my head. "Or she's unhappy that it's not for her and he's having an affair."

Monica sent me a look, but seemed to be thinking about it. Rachel was on the phone behind us. "Daddy, I just…I can't marry him, I'm sorry. I just don't love him. Well, it matters to me."

The scene moved and the woman from before and another lady was there, who I guessed the affair was with were on the stairs. Chandler said. "Oooh, she should not be wearing those pants."

I sent him a dry look. "Thanks, fashionista Chandler."

He made an over dramatic face at me. I just grinned. Joey then said. "I say push her down the stairs."

They were yelling rapid Spanish on the screen. We all seemed to agree with Joey. We chanted. "Push her down the stairs!"

She did and I laughed as we clapped as she fell. Sure, it sounds mean, but that's what we did when we watched Spanish sitcoms, we tried to guess what was going on, not understanding what was said. I took French in college, not Spanish.

Rachel said. "C'mon, Daddy, listen to me. It's like all of my life everyone has always told me, 'you're a shoe', 'you're a shoe' and you're a shoe'. And today I just stopped and asked myself, 'what if I don't want to be a shoe?' What if I want to be a purse or a hat?"

I blinked, stopping from looking at the tv and turned to look at Rachel, holding on to the back of the couch so I wouldn't fall off. I could tell the rest of them were looking too.

Rachel exclaimed. "No, I'm not saying I want you to buy me a hat! It's a metaphor, Daddy!"

Ross said. "You can see where he'd have trouble."

I snorted, I kind of understood what she was saying, but I wouldn't use that metaphor to explain my point.

Rachel sighed. "Daddy, it's my life. Well, maybe I'll just stay here with Monica and Casey."

I squawked. "What!?"

I turned to looked at Monica with everyone else. She said with an annoyed look. "Well, I guess we established who's staying with Monica and Casey."

I shook my head and said with a slight whine. "No, Mon, do something."

She leaned forward and hissed. "What do you want? Tell her to live outside."

I smiled pleadingly at her. "Please."

She snapped, still in a whisper. "No!"

I huffed. "I don't want to share, everyone always comes and goes."

I didn't have a problem with Rachel and I loved being with my friends, but we had no room. And I really didn't know how much the bills were going to rise. I knew Rachel was used to a richer lifestyle.

Rachel then said. "Well, maybe that's my decision. Well maybe I don't need your money! Wait, I said maybe!"

Monica then smiled brightly at me. I backed from the couch end and toward the kitchen. "I don't like that look."

She moved from her seat and kept on smiling. I went to the fridge. "I really don't like that look."

She said. "Casey…"

I pointed a finger at her. "I don't like the way you said my name either."

"Since Rachel needs a room to stay in, you have to clean the spare."

I gaped at her. "No!"

Monica's face relaxed. "Why not, she needs it?"

I whined again. "I don't want to."

She rolled her eyes and I looked toward our friends. "Help me."

Chandler raised his hands and Joey said. "No getting in the middle of that." Chandler, Ross and Phoebe nodded in agreement.

I huffed. "Fine, but I'm not happy about it."

I went inside as they talked, cleaning the room of my computer, files and old things I forgot about. I just stuff it all in boxes and tossed them in my room. I grimaced. "Now my room is cluttered."

Monica called. "You'll have to clean that!"

"Leave me alone!"

I heard Joey and Chandler's laughter from the other room. Everything was on the floor. On the sides of my bed and in front of it. I looked it over, deciding everything was fine. I heard the buzzer.

I was then shoving as many of the boxes as I could on the floor in my closet when I heard Ross say an hour later from when I started. "Paul the Wine Guy, Paul?"

I blinked in surprise, sticking my head out from my room. "Really? You got with him?"

Joey asked slowly. "Wait, your 'not a real date' is with Paul the Wine Guy?"

Ross asked. "He finally asked you out?"

She grinned and he hugged her, kissing her on the forehead. Chandler said with a smirk. "This is a dear diary moment."

Monica said. "Wait, Rachel, I can cancel."

Rachel waved a hand. "Please, no, go. I'll be fine."

Monica turned to Ross. "Ross, are you okay? Do you want me to stay?"

Ross said lowly. "That'd be good."

Monica sounded down. "Really?"

"No, go on! It's Paul the Wine Guy!"

Before Monica could look for another one of us to stay with, I said with narrowed eyes. "Monica go, stop worrying about us for once and go have fun."

She saw I was serious and grinned happily at me, going to answer the door. We all quickly moved forward, in front of the door. They were all piled close on the right of the door and I was at the left of it. "Paul, this is…everybody, everybody, this is Paul."

We all said hi to him. Chandler said. "Sorry, didn't catch your name, Paul, was it?"

I grinned falsely. "What my friend means to say is, you hurt our friend, you die…tragically…and painfully."

Monica smacked my arm. "Casey!"

I sent her a look of confusion. She knew how I was. Paul's smile vanished for a moment, but came back a second later. Paul went to sit on the couch.

Phoebe said. "I pulled out four eyelashes, that can't be good."

I went in the fridge and grabbed a bowl of grapes. I ate a couple. "I think that means you get four wishes or something."

Ross asked. "So, what are you up to tonight, Rachel?"

"Well, I was supposed to be headed to Aruba on my honeymoon. So, nothing!"

I put the grapes back. "Hold on a sec, be right back."

I went into my room and changed into blue sweatpants, a tank top and zip up jacket, I was hanging here for the night anyway.

I opened the door and went back to the fridge. I opened a can of Cola. Ross turned to me. "Ah, Casey. Want to help me with putting together my furniture. Joey and Chandler are coming."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why would I?"

"I'll get you a burger at your favorite place by Central Perk."

I said quickly. "Deal, let's go."

Chandler and Joey laughed. I scoffed. "Like you wouldn't agree to the same thing."

Joey nodded. "True. Hey, I want to get something too."

Chandler waved a hand at me. "See, what you started."

I shrugged. "I love food. He loves food, we get each other."

We followed Ross out and to the burger place and then to his apartment.

/ / / / / /

Two hours later, I was helping Ross while Joey and Chandler were doing their own thing with fixing stuff. I was sitting on the floor surrounded by instructions, tools and parts.

Joey and Chandler were across the room, building a shelf, which they were almost done with. I ate my burger when I first got there, so I had to stay and do this. Ross was holding the instructions. "I'm supposed to attach a bracket-y thing to the side thing using a bunch of these worm guys." He moved the paper away and said. "I don't have any bracket-y things and I see no worm guys what's so ever. And I cannot feel my legs."

I groaned, throwing down the pieces I was comparing. "Neither can I. I can't make whatever the hell it is."

Suddenly Joey cried. "Done with the bookcase!"

I looked over and cried out. "No fair!"

Chandler grinned. "All finished."

I sighed and ignored them, picking up the…table? It was barely finished and I was getting frustrated. I read over the instructions again. I smiled to myself when I found a match, screwing two pieces with what was supposed to be a bracket. I tightened it with a smirk.

Suddenly, I heard Ross say sadly. "This was Carol's favorite beer. She always drank it out of the can, I should've known."

I said. "Hey! I drink it out of the can."

Ross nodded. "Yeah, but you're Casey, it's expected."

I blinked at him. "Thanks…I think."

I stood up, went to his fridge and grabbed a can of beer, cracking it open and drinking some. Joey asked. "She got the furniture, the stereo, the good tv. What did you get?"

Ross looked over at us. "You guys."

I grimaced. "You got played bad."

Really, she known his for years, she couldn't have left him some of the things there? Joey nodded in agreement. "You got screwed."

Chandler gaped. "Oh my God!"

I hopped up on the counter and took a long drink. Ross said. "What if there is only one woman for everybody- "

I raised the half empty beer toward him. "Or one man."

He sent me a glare. "Or in your case, one man-what if there is one person and then that's it. Unfortunately, in my case, there was one woman for her."

I snorted in disbelief. "No way." He's thinking in a soulmate kind of way and I don't believe in that.

Joey exclaimed. "What are you talking about, one woman?! That's like saying there is one flavor of ice cream for you. Let me tell you something Ross, there are a lot of flavors out there. There's Rocky Road, Cookie Dough and Bing Cherry Vanilla. You can get them with jimmies or nuts or whip cream. This is the best thing that ever happened to you. You got married, you were what, eight?"

I snickered at that, grinning. I looked toward his freezer, now I wanted ice cream. Joey said, smacking him on the back. "Welcome back to the world, grab a spoon."

Ross said. "I honestly don't know if I'm hungry or horny."

Chandler sent him a look. "Then stay out of my freezer."

I sighed. "Now, I want ice cream. You have any, Ross?"

He nodded and I finished my beer, grabbing a spoon and was happy to see vanilla in a carton in the back. I sat back on the counter, grabbed a new beer and opened the carton, eating.

Ross stared at me, drinking his beer. "Did you just come here to get food from me?"

"Hey, I helped a little! I just taking a break."

Chandler nodded his head sarcastically, looking at his wrist. "Yes, your fourth break of the evening."

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up."

After a little while, I was working on the table from before, a third beer opened up in front of me. Ross was sulking and drinking, leaning on the window with half the blinds covering him. Joey and Chandler were laying around.

Ross whined. "Grab a spoon. Do you know how long it's been since I grabbed a spoon? Do the words Billy don't be a hero mean anything to you? You know, here's the thing, even if I could get it together enough to ask a woman out, who am I going to ask?"

I stopped working on the table, sharing a tortured look with Joey and Chandler. There is nothing wrong with being single. I knew he was with her for a while, but still…

I then decided to finish the table for him. I grinned proudly an hour later when I finished.

I drained my third beer and said. "Okay, time to go home. We ain't getting anymore done here."

Joey and Chandler nodded in agreement. "See ya later, Ross."

He sighed. "Bye."

Joey and Chandler then drove me home as we lived in the same apartment building. I was tired, so I went to bed, a little tipsy from drinking.

/ / / / / / / /

I woke up, gotten dressed and changed into something similar from yesterday, except this time I was wearing a green button down instead. I yawned, walking out.

I tiredly took Chandler's cup of coffee and took a drink and spit it right back in the cup when I still tasted the coffee grounds. I stuck my tongue out and flexed my jaw in reaction to trying to get the taste out of my mouth.

I saw Joey pour his in the plant on the middle of the table and I quickly did the same. I sent him a look. He whispered. "Rachel made it."

My eyes widened and Chandler snickered, saying lowly. "It's what you get for always steeling our coffee and food."

It was true, when I woke up, I usually took whosever coffee I managed to pass. I was surprised to see Paul, the guy she dated here. I muttered. "I guess the date went well."

Monica was at the door with him and they scooted the table toward the door, Rachel following with it. I walked with them, curious.

Monica said. "We'll talk later."

They kissed and grinned at each other before Monica came inside with a wider grin and shut the door. I smirked at Chandler and Joey, who smirked back.

Joey said. "That wasn't a real date. What the hell do you do on a real date?"

I snorted. "I guess your 'not date' wasn't boring after all."

She said. "Shut up and put my table back."

Joey moved it back as Chandler stood up. He better move it to where it was, he knows how Monica gets with her stuff.

Chandler said. "Well, kids, I have to get to work. If I don't input those numbers…it doesn't make much of a difference."

I chuckled, remembering of conversation from yesterday. Rachel asked. "So, like you all have jobs?"

I stared at her strangely and Monica answered her. "Yeah, we all have jobs. That's how we…buy stuff."

Joey said, pointing at himself. "Yeah, I'm an actor."

I smiled. That was exaggerating a bit. Rachel walked over in awe. "Wow, would I have seen you in anything?"

Joey shook his head. "Oh, I doubt it. It's mostly regional work."

Monica let out a little laughing, coming over. "Unless you catch the Wee Ones production of Pinocchio."

Chandler said mockingly. "Look, Pacheco. I'm a real live boy!"

Joey walked toward the door. "I will not take this abuse."

Chandler raised a hand. "You're right, I'm sorry." But from the look on his face, I knew he was going to do something. Chandler started dancing toward the door. "Once I was a wooden boy, a little wooden boy…"

I laughed, leaning against the fridge, where I was going to grab some food. After Joey sent me a glare, he walked out. I looked at my watch and saw I had to leave now. I'll just eat on the way.

I shrugged on my blazer. "I gotta go, see you later."

"Oh, Casey."

I looked over. "Yeah, Rachel?"

"What kind of job do you have?"

I smiled slightly. "I'm a teacher."

"What?! You hated teachers!"

She was genuinely surprised at my answer. I nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I like history so…"

Rachel smiled. "Oh, I remember that. A lot of times you used to sprout random history facts."

I flushed slightly at the memory, I knew how annoying I could get.

Monica laughed. "Used to?"

I glared at her. "I know where you sleep. I really have to go, see you."

They both said bye and I got in the car, driving to the nearest McDonalds drive thru. Getting pancakes, eggs, a biscuit and actually good tasting coffee, I went to work.

The class was just like yesterday. Only this time I went more in detail about the Native Americans, including the reason why they were called Indians by most people.

Another thing about the way I teach, if I'm teaching about something interesting, my tone and mannerisms get more animated.

/ / / / / /

Soon enough three o'clock came around and I was about to leave, but a 12th grade student came to my desk. It was a girl with green eyes and long blond hair, she was fidgeting nervously. I just finishing teaching about the Great Depression and handed out progress reports in the beginning of class.

I looked up from my bag. "Yeah?"

She said a moment later. "Ms. McCoy, I have a question?"

I eyed the paper in her hand and could guess the problem. I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms across my chest. "Let me guess, extra credit."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "U-uh, yeah."

I then leaned forward with a smile. "Okay, tell me this. Give me a good enough reason why I should and I will, if not, you'll have to bring it up like everyone else."

She looked at me nervously. "My parents are very strict. They expect the best of me, Ms. McCoy."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

She nodded. "Yes, and after this year, I'll have college."

I asked. "Let me see your progress report then."

I took it from her and blinked in surprise. "This isn't bad at all." She had a 78, wasn't the best, but wasn't even close to the worst in this class. "Fine, you won't have an 'A' by winter break, but I'll bring you up to a B before then. Here." I wrote what I told her on the paper, signing my name. She was a hard-working student; my guess was she didn't try harder with some of the work. I did grade harsher with certain things with 12th graders than I with the lower grades.

She smiled in relief. "Thank you so much!"

I nodded at her. "No problem, though I expect this will be a onetime thing, right?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, Ms. McCoy, this will be the last time, I promise."

I grinned at her. "Great, try to relax a little bit, okay?"

She nodded, taking her report back and leaving. I sighed to myself, groaning, now I had to think of something to give her for extra credit. Maybe a project. Yep, that sounds like a good idea. Well, the Great Depression unit was just closing, maybe I'll have her do something on that.

Finally, after inputting some grades in my book and then taking about an hour for the grades to enter the school slow computer it was about 6 o'clock. I decided to grab dinner and go to Central Perk.

I parked the car by the Perk and went to a street vender, grabbing and paying for a hot dog with ketchup and sauerkraut. I finished it in a couple of bites and saw it was around seven and it was already dark, well the winter was coming soon.

I walked in the Perk to see the whole gang there, except for Rachel. I waved at them as they said 'Hi' and went to grab a drink from the counter. I said. "Coffee, 3 sugars and 2 creamers."

"Coming right up, ma'am."

I grimaced, that made me sound way too old. I was only in my mid 20's. "Thanks."

A couple of minutes later and I heard. "Of course it was a line!"

I looked over at Joey. I put a dollar in the tip jar. "Just have someone bring it to me."

"Why? Why would someone do something like that!?"

Ross raised his eyebrows at his sister. "I assume we're looking for an answer more sophisticated than…to get you into bed!"

I walked over and sat on the couch. "What are you guys talking about?"

Joey told me, sitting on the arm rest of the couch. "Remember Paul." After my nod. "Well, to sleep with Monica, he told her he couldn't get off in 2 years."

I gaped in disbelief, blinking a couple of times before setting my coffee on the table and bursting out laughing. "But…wait, you- "

I turned to Monica. "-you, believed him? Seriously!?"

Monica threw her hands up from behind the couch. "It can be believable!"

I rolled my eyes. "A guy can't last a couple of days, forget two years."

Joey, Chandler and Ross said. "Hey!"

I waved a hand. "With Joey, come on, we don't need to go there."

The guy had a girlfriend every couple of days and that was putting it lightly. It was just the way he was and I didn't care, but I was making my point. Joey shrugged, seeing my point.

Monica sighed. "Is it me? It is that I have a beacon that only dogs and men with severe emotional problems can hear?"

Ross was sitting in the armchair with a book, Chandler in a seat next to the couch and Phoebe under my feet, by the table. Speaking of Phoebe, she said. "Alright come here, give me your feet."

I grinned and moved closer to the other side of the couch, giving Monica room as Phoebe massaged her feet. We all looked on in amusement, Phoebe was a little strange sometimes, but she was our friend.

A waitress came with my coffee. I took it. "Thanks."

I took a sip. I sighed. "Ah."

Monica sighed to herself. "I just thought he was nice, you know."

Joey snickered after a moment. "I can't believe you didn't know it was a line!"

Monica got annoyed and threw him off the couch. I laughed. "He's right, though. I said I'd hurt him, but this is gold."

She gave me a warning look and I chuckled a little more, raising my hand in surrender. Just then Rachel came in with a bag in her hand. "Guess what?"

Ross perked up. "You got a job?"

Rachel laughed in disbelief, coming over to us and standing behind the couch. "No! Are you kidding, I'm trained for nothing! I was laughed out of 12 interviews today."

Chandler raised his eyebrows sarcastically. "And your surprisingly upbeat."

I tilted my head back to look at her in confusion. "Why are you happy?"

She grinned, reaching in her bag. "Well, you would be if found John and David boots on sale, 50% off. "

Chandler quipped. "Oh, how well you know me."

I raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of my coffee and putting my head forward. "Well to be fair, you were interested in that actress' pants on t.v yesterday."

Ross laughed as Chandler sent me an annoyed look. Rachel went on saying happily. "These are my new, 'don't need a job, I don't need my parents-I got great boots' boots."

Monica smiled tightly at her. "And how did you pay for them?"

Rachel said nonchalantly. "Credit card."

Monica asked her. "And who pays for that?"

I turned to frown at her when she was silent. "You do know that credit cards aren't free money, right?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "Of course I do!" At all of our expectant looks, she muttered. "My father."

We all shared a look, we knew we had to help her. Otherwise she wouldn't change from going back to her father and considering her age, she needed to grow up and live for herself. She grew up differently then I did, I learned that money was important, but hard earned. That's why I shocked myself by getting a bachelor's degree at 22 and didn't work a back breaking job.

We took her back to the apartment in our cars, surrounding her at the table. She was seated. We had her grab all the cards out of her wallet, laying them out on the kitchen table. Joey was sitting on her left, Phoebe on her right, Ross behind her, me standing between Chandler and Phoebe and Monica next to him, she laid scissors on the table next to the cards.

Monica said. "Come on, you can't live off your parents your whole life."

Rachel sighed. "I know that. That's what I was getting married."

I furrowed my eyebrows, muttering. "What kind of logic is that…"

Chandler nudged me. "Shh."

I never stopped myself from saying that was on my mind, sometimes I was too blunt in situations where I shouldn't be.

Phoebe said. "Give her a break, it's hard being on your own for the first time."

Rachel looked at her in surprise. "Thank you."

Phoebe smiled at her. "Your welcome. I remember when I first came to this city. I was 14, my mom had just killed herself and my stepdad was back in prison. I didn't know anybody and I ended up living with this albino guy who was cleaning windshields outside Port Authority. And then he killed himself. And then I found aromatherapy. So, I know exactly how you feel."

Rachel stared at her horrified and I couldn't even state how different their circumstances were. I slapped a hand to my forehead and mouthed, 'oh my God'. Phoebe got up to go deeper in the kitchen and I coughed loudly. Ross said, catching my lead. "The word your looking for is…anyway."

I nodded in agreement, rubbing my forehead. Monica said, holding the scissors by the blade. "Alright, you ready?"

I took Phoebe's vacated seat, sick of standing. Rachel shook her head. "I don't think so."

I sighed and Ross said. "Oh, come on! Cut!" He was holding out the card for her.

They chanted after him and I shrugged, might as well, I joined them. She used the scissor, cutting one of the cards. She cut the other one too. We cheered. Monica hugged her. "Welcome to the real world, it sucks, you're gonna love it."

I shook my head with a grin. "Well, that's that. I'm hungry."

I went in the fridge, pulling out food for a ham sandwich. Joey stood up. "Oh, I want one too."

I handed him two pieces of bread and together we made our sandwich. Mine had ham, cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion.

Chandler said. "Bye, see ya."

Joey waved, walking out with his sandwich. "Night."

We waved at them and Phoebe said. "I have to go, I have to go somewhere early."

She left and it was just me, Monica, Rachel and Ross. They were sitting on the couch, watching t.v. I said, after making a small pot of coffee. I had a mug in my hands. "I'm gonna be busy and probably not come out until tomorrow, night."

I passed Ross and hugged him with one arm around his shoulders. "Hang in there, she ain't worth it."

He smiled at me, hugging me back. "Thanks, Case."

I nodded, patting Rachel on the shoulder. "I think you'll have to sleep out here tonight, but me and Mon will try to get you a bed soon."

She nodded. "Thank you, both of you for this."

I walked inside, changing into my normal sleeping clothes. I set up my old computer in the corner of my room and starting it up, typing up on what her project had to be like and then faxing it to my printer in my classroom so I could get it tomorrow and give it to her.

I went to put the cup in the sink after I shut off my computer and I locked the door, sliding the chain over the lock on the wall. Also, I went to the fire escape and made sure to lock that door too. Monica always called me paranoid, but I always remembered to lock both.

Then I went to bed. Since tomorrow was a half day, I would be getting out at the same time, but going in late.

/ / / / / /

We all let at the Central Perk in the morning, since I was dressed, but didn't have to be in till noon, Chandler was off, Joey had nothing, Phoebe was done with her thing, Rachel went somewhere, Ross didn't work till later too and the same went for Monica.

I sat between Monica and Chandler on the couch, Joey was in a chair, Phoebe on the floor like she usually was and Ross in the armchair again. We were drinking coffee, but I was drinking expresso.

Joey was saying. "I can't believe what I'm hearing here."

Phoebe sung. "I can't believe what I'm hearing here!"

I felt my eyebrow twitch, please tell me she's not starting that again.

Monica said. "What? I said you got a- "

Phoebe chimed. "I said you got a- "

Monica gave her an annoyed look as I drank my expresso, ready for another one. Monica said. "Would you stop?"

She blinked at us. "Was I doing it again?"

We all said exasperatedly. "Yes!"

Suddenly I heard. "Would anybody like more coffee?"

I looked to see Rachel holding a coffee pot. I muttered. "I've tried your coffee." I was elbowed twice by Chandler and Monica. I rolled my eyes.

Chandler asked. "Did you make it or are you just serving it?"

I wrinkled my nose, why do they get mad at me for speaking my mind, Chandler does it enough.

She looked confused. "Serving it."

They all gave her their cups. I angled my cup toward her. It wasn't expresso, but I didn't feel like grabbing another one.

Chandler said, going into his 'story mode' face. "Kids, new dream. I'm in Las Vegas. I'm Liza Minelli and…" He then goes on to talk about his dream, which got weirder and weirder.

I checked my watch, it was about 11. I had about a half an hour till I had to leave. I sighed and closed my eyes, I had a day ahead of me, time for another expresso.

Wow, that was long, longer than I thought it would be. Tell me how you like it. Friends has such a small fandom for such a long and wonderful, I wanted to contribute.