(A/N I cooked this story up last night, before I passed out. It's a variation of Ross and Rachel's last scene in The Last One, from Ross's POV. I know the show did one up until Rachel came in, but I have to get this down, or the plot bunny won't stop bugging me. I hope you enjoy it.)

"He went home, he didn't wanna see anybody," said Phoebe sadly, as she addressed her friends in the kitchen of Monica and Chandler's apartment. Just remembering the pain on Ross's face after Rachel boarded the plane, and on the ride home, was enough to make Phoebe want to cry. Instead, she turned to Monica and Chandler. "Do you two need any help loading the boxes?"

Ross slowly walked down the hall of his apartment complex. He barely heard the greetings from his neighbors, and only replied with one-word replies, if he acknowledged them. His movements and actions were those of a man in shock. Reaching his apartment door, he mechanically dug out his keys, and slowly opened the door. As he walked in, his mind began to wander back to the airport. His thoughts kept revolving

(I love you)

around one person. He had tried so hard to reach her before she left

(do not get on this plane)

for Paris, and to make her understand how much he still wanted to be with her. The devastation he felt inside when she decided to reboard the plane

(I'm so sorry)

was a hundred times worse than what he felt on her prom night, when Chip had finally shown up to get her. And even worse, she was taking their daughter with her. Ross looked over at the answering machine as he threw his keys on the coffee table. The light was flashing on it, but he decided not to play it. It was probably Monica, wanting to talk to him. And he wasn't in the mood just then to speak to anyone. As he stood in the middle of his living room, Ross looked around and began to wonder why he was bothering with his life. True, he still had Ben, but Ben spent most of his time with Carol and Susan. Monica and Chandler were moving with Jack and Erica to Westchester, Joey had announced he was considering leaving for Hollywood, and Phoebe and Mike had each other. He had someone

(Rachel)

so many years ago, but thanks to one drunken incident with a copy girl named Chloe

(we were on a break)

he lost her. A mistake he had never forgiven himself for. He had spent years after that trying to get her back, and ultimately failing. And now, she was leaving him forever and taking their daughter with her. There was really no point in continuing on.

Like a man sleepwalking, Ross went into the bathroom and came back out with a bottle of Tylenol. Standing behind the couch, he stared at the bottle in his hand for several minutes. Suddenly, like a man awakening from a nightmare, Ross realized what he was about to do. Screaming, he threw the bottle across the room, as hard as he could. It hit the wall with a dull thunk, and fell to the floor. Ross stared at the bottle for a few seconds, before the enormity of the night's events suddenly hit him. Ross buried his face in his hands, and started crying. Great, heart-wrenching sobs that tore deep inside him. They were the sobs of a man whose soul had broken. He hadn't felt this sad since the night

(This can't be it)

of their break-up, all those years ago. Ross kept crying, trying to let as much of the hurt out as he could. He wasn't aware someone else had walked in, until he felt two small hands wrap around his wrists, pulling his hands away from his face, and heard his name being spoken by her.

"Ross."

Ross pulled his hands free to wipe at his eyes, not sure if he was hearing things. He looked over, to see her standing right in front of him.

"…Rachel?"

She nodded, her own tears falling from her eyes. "Please don't cry, Ross," she said, her own voice wavering. "I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere ever again."

"But…I thought you were leaving for Paris," he replied. "And taking Emma-"

Rachel shook her head, as small sobs began to escape her. "I can't leave behind my friends and family. Or the man I love." She wiped at the tears on her cheeks. "I never meant to hurt you like I did. I'm so sorry." The last word was almost unintelligible, as Rachel started sobbing. Ross immediately grabbed her arms, and gently pulled her into a hug.

"I love you, Rachel. All these years, all the people we dated, and it was only you that I ever wanted." He gently rubbed her back.

Rachel leaned back to look into his mesmerizing brown eyes. "I never stopped loving you," she said. "And I don't want to be with anyone else, Ross, except you."

"I'm never going to let go of you again," he whispered, as he leaned in to kiss her. It had finally happened. After all the years, the heartbreak, the struggles to overcome what drove them apart, they were reunited. They were complete. They were

(lobsters)

together again.