No Replacing You: Joey & Monica
It starts a few days before the wedding, these long looks that she knows means something but she can't quite figure out. He used to look at her like this awhile back, when he was having those dreams and wishing for a long-term relationship. Monica eventually helped Joey figure out what those sleepless nights meant, but she hasn't found that same sense of logic in their predicament now. It's only after he walks out on a full plate of fully cooked lasagna that she takes action.
"Joseph Tribianni, you look at me right now!" she insists as she bursts into his apartment, sending the door slamming behind her with a hollow thud. The Italian's dark eyes are wide but steady as he looks in his fridge for something. "I mean it, Joey, look at me."
He pulls out a half-eaten sandwich and sits down at the bar before looking up at her. "Oh, hi, Monica," he says nonchalantly, as if just noticing her for the first time. "Did you need something?"
The cold and disconnected tone is completely new for Joey, and that shakes Monica to her very core. Tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear, she sits down on the green velvet stool next to him. Joey stares blankly ahead at a picture of a rocket ship hastily drawn on the Magna Doodle. "Joe, did I do something?" she asks him carefully. He is still quiet but shakes his head to answer her question. "Then what is going on? This isn't like you."
Joey finally sets down his sandwich and turns to her. He studies her face for a moment before reaching for her hand. His fingers brush over her engagement ring, sending a small chill up Monica's spine. It isn't from attraction but fear because she knows whatever is coming is big. "Just tell me, Joey," she implores him softly. "Is something going on with Chandler? Whatever it is, I just need to know. Please, Joey."
"I've been thinking a lot about the wedding, Mon," he tells her seriously, a small wrinkle forming in the middle of his forehead. It's all that Monica can focus on as she peers up at him. "Chandler means a lot to me. I've got seven sisters, but he's the only brother I'm ever going to have. I need you to promise me that you're not going to break his heart. Let's face it, we both know you're way out of his league, and he got pretty lucky landing you. I need you to promise me that you're going to leave him when you realize that maybe you could do better…because let me tell you, you'll never do better than Chandler Bing."
She knows that she could take it as an insult, but Joey's small speech comes from a place of goodness. "You're right, Joey, there is no one better for me in this world than Chandler," she told him. "And I appreciate you sharing your best friend with me. I know it's not always easy not being first, but I think that we do a pretty good job sharing that place. I'm going to do my best not to hurt Chandler, but I feel better knowing that if something happens, you'll always be there to help him through it."
Joey grinned at her in that way that is so uniquely him, proud at himself for being a good friend. "And I guess I feel the same way, you know, glad that you're around to help him out if something happens with me," he offers up before squeezing her hand. "You've been really good for him, Mon. You make him happier than either of us could have ever imagined. I know it's going to be a little difference once you're married and stuff, so I promise not to get in the way."
"You get in the way all you want, Joseph Tribianni," she says before hugging him tightly. "Chandler isn't the only one who is lucky to have you in their life. You've been a good friend to me. There is no replacing that."