Hey everyone! I've been meaning to write this fic for a long time…I had the idea in my head for around 3 months. It's a j/r fic. I'm still a shipper even though I know its never gonna happen (sobs).

Disclaimer: I do not own friends. Isn't that miserable?

She looked so peaceful in her sleep. He smiled. She was amazing. He'd never known a woman quite like her. And she loved him. He didn't think it was possible for a girl to love him the way she did. She was the best thing to happen to him.

It was better this way. He had done the right thing. But…it hurt. After all these years, it still hurt. And no matter how much he tried to forget it, it always came back. To haunt him. To torment him. He couldn't escape it.

He looked at the alarm clock. Three thirty. It had been a tiring day. He suppressed a yawn. He glanced at his beautiful wife lying next to him. Amanda- she deserved more than he could give her, he thought before he drifted off to sleep.

****

"Joey! Wake up!" Joey felt a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes.

Amanda was staring at him with that adorable smile. "Sleep well, honey?" Amanda asked.

"Yeah," he answered sleepily

She walked out, saying that breakfast would be ready in 5 minutes.

Ten minutes later Joey was in the kitchen.

He peered over her shoulder. She was frying bacon. On the table were eggs, toast and a box of Cap'n Crunch cereal. He took in the appetizing smell of the food. However screwed up his life may be, there was no need to sacrifice food. He sat down at the table and helped himself to toast.

The phone rang. It was Phoebe.

"Hey Joey! Just called to ask what time you'll be reaching Emma's birthday party, tomorrow."

He frowned. "I wasn't invited."

Phoebe groaned. "Oh come on! Is that still going on? The only way to put an end to this crap is if you came along with me. So I'll be at your place at 7pm tomorrow."

"But…"

"Monica's making the birthday cake. Her secret recipe."

Joey felt his mouth watering. He loved that cake. Should he… if he didn't he'd miss that cake. And besides, it was time to settle this. He made his decision. "Ok. See you tomorrow."

Amanda looked at him questioningly.

He went up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Hope you don't mind but we're going to Emma's birthday party tomorrow."

She looked excited. "I've heard so much about her and now I'll finally get to meet her."

Oh well, at least Ross wouldn't kill him with Amanda by his side.

****

Rachel added some tomatoes to the assortment of vegetables in the pan, on the stove. There was a sizzling sound as the tomatoes cooked. Over the years her cooking skills had improved. While not in Monica's league, she liked to think she wasn't too bad.

Emma came in running, followed by Ross. Rachel smiled. Emma was a wonderful child. True, she was more mischievous than Rachel could sometimes handle but… she was hers and she loved her dearly. Well hers and Ross'.

She looked at her husband. They had finally done it…again. They were married six years ago, when Emma was just 6 months old. The ceremony was perfect…almost. She had never seen Ross so angry. He seemed ready to murder Joey. And Joey had calmly walked out. She hadn't seen him since then. She still missed him.

They had moved to California, where Ross had had a great offer to teach. Rachel had got a pretty good job. They did visit New York a few times but Ross made sure Joey wasn't on the stopover list. After years of lying to themselves, they finally admitted they missed their friends and family. So they moved to a place not far from New York. They'd been here for 2 months now.

Ross kissed her on the cheek, snapping her out of her reverie. She turned to face him. "Well, how's the decorating coming along?"

Ross grinned. "Emma wanted to help. And I think she does a better job than I do."

****

Joey was in his dressing room, when Chandler arrived. "Hey man. What's this one about?"

Joey grinned. "Well, it's a romantic comedy." Chandler rolled his eyes. He knew Monica would pester him to see the movie.

Joey had finally become famous…or at least he was touted as the next best thing. Days of our Lives had opened many doors for him. He was in a quite a few good movies. And last year his movie had turned out to be a surprise blockbuster.

"So what time am I gonna see you guys at the party tomorrow?"

Chandler's eyebrows shot up. "You were invited?"

"Who could resist the Joey charm?" At Chandlers look of skepticism, "Ok… Phoebe thought it would be better to end the alterca… atlerca… fight now."

Chandler shook his head. This was going to be trouble.

****

"Emma, your friends are going to be here soon. Stop fiddling and get into your outfit."

Rachel held it out for her daughter. Ross and Emma had gone shopping for a new dress for the party. And came back with this… a vampire costume. Emma was adamant. It didn't help that Phoebe had come over and said that it was the coolest outfit. So there was her little girl looking like something out of a bad horror movie. She sighed. Her baby was growing up.

Then she grimaced. Ross was at it again. He was being too solicitous. It irritated her. He'd been acting like that for a while now. But it seemed so phony. Like he was doing it just to get rid of a guilty conscience.

The doorbell rang. She plastered a smile on her face. Time to get the show on the road.

****

"Where's Phoebe?" It was 8:10pm. Rachel was worried. Emma wouldn't cut the cake without Phoebe. Just then, the bell chimed. Emma rushed to open the door. Phoebe came in followed by … JOEY!

Rachel dropped the cup she was holding. Ross stared at her for a long moment before striding towards Joey. Rachel knew she should go and stop Ross from doing something stupid but she couldn't move. Monica rushed to Ross.

"Ross, don't make a scene. You'll spoil Emma's party."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Emma staring at him. She looked confused. Monica was right. He couldn't do anything to mess up this party. He made an effort to calm himself and extended his hand.

Joey watched the emotions flit across Ross' face. After all these years Ross still hated him. It pained him. He had lost one of his best friends.

He shook Ross' hand. "Long time, Ross."

Ross stared back at him with barely concealed hate.

Well that's the first chapter. If you wanna know what happened 6 years ago please R& R! Pretty please?