Entertaining Angels – Chapter One

xx

Monica stared out the window at the falling snow, her eyes downcast. She tucked a leg beneath her on the window seat, and watched the descending snowflakes in the light of the streetlight, sadly. As pretty and crisp as the freshly fallen snow was, Monica couldn't find it in herself to appreciate the sight. Christmastime was supposed to be a happy, joyful time, but all she could think about was how the holiday was going to be no different from any other day of the year for her.

She lived alone, had few friends and no boyfriend. So, who was she going to celebrate with? Her family maybe, but that wasn't much of a celebration so much as self-inflicted torture. She'd never really gotten along with her mother. The rift that had formed in their relationship after she'd gained weight as a child had never really mended itself, even after she's lost the weight and years had passed. So much for time healing everything. And Ross, well he was a good guy, Monica knew, but he reveled in the attention his parents showered upon him, unwittingly forcing his sister to the side. The childhood rivalry had crept its way into their adult lives, and they'd spent as much time apart as they could. And her father, well, he just was. She was his little Harmonica and that's all there was to it. He stood up for her when he could, but his well-meaning statements were often unintentionally hurtful, and even when they weren't, they were hardly enough to outweigh her mother's criticisms and her brother's need for the parental spotlight to shine on him.

No, Christmas with family just wasn't an option. As pathetic as she knew it was, perhaps she'd call Rachel and see if she and Barry were willing to have her over for the holidays. Sure, she hadn't spoken to her friend in months, but it had to be better than waking up Christmas morning alone. Even if it did mean spending time with Barry, who was just as off-putting as he'd always been. When Monica had tried to tell Rachel of his inappropriate behaviour towards her, her friend had refused to hear her out, insisting that her husband would never do that. They were 'in love,' and Barry wouldn't dream of cheating. Monica hoped for the very sake of love that that wasn't it. She was a bit of a romantic, and the idea that what Rachel and Barry shared was true love was a horrific thought, not worthy of trying to comprehend.

Monica had other ideas. True love was wanting to spend forever with one person. Never forgetting to say 'I love you.' Never ceasing to be affectionate. Just wanting to do something special for them because you cared. Not the strained kind of love – if it could even be called that – that Barry and Rachel seemed to share.

Monica sighed, and turned away from the window, glancing around her apartment, settling on the small decorated Christmas tree. The obsessive part of her had ensured the tree was perfectly decorated with tinsel and baubles and candy canes. It was gorgeous, if she did say so herself. She only wished she had someone to share it with, to appreciate it with. Maybe even a little child to celebrate with. She would wrap all his or her gifts perfectly. Her husband would dress up as Santa, and place them all under the tree while the child watched through the crack in his or her bedroom door, unaware his or her parents knew exactly what was going on.

She smiled at the image, before she was hit with reality once again. She was still alone with her beautiful tree. Hopelessly romantic daydreams would do nothing to change that.

What she needed was a miracle.

xx

Chandler watched the scene sympathetically. "She looks so miserable," he commented sadly, watching as Monica traced a heart in the fog on her windowpane. "I wish I could do something to help her."

Phoebe nodded at him, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, "You can."

Chandler looked at her with wide eyes. "You're serious? Me?" he questioned, then more hesitantly, "Alone? Are you sure I'm ready? I mean, I've never gone on a mission alone! I've always gone with Joey…" he trailed off, his eyes begging for reassurance from his friend and mission supervisor.

"Chandler," Phoebe told him comfortingly, "You're perfect for the job. I've known you since you were born, an angel. You have a good heart. Trust me, you're ready. Monica needs you."

"I – I want to. Just, I've never – I don't even know," he fumbled, watching the pretty brunette straighten the ornaments on her tree sadly, "Just… what if I can't help? Look at her Pheebs, I don't want to screw this up because I'm a rookie. She deserves someone more experienced. She deserves to be happy."

Phoebe smiled at him in a maternal way, her glow seeming especially strong. "More experienced isn't always better. You care, Chandler. That makes you the perfect angel for this job. That's exactly what Monica needs. Not someone who will see this as 'just another mission.'"

Chandler glanced first at Phoebe, then at Monica, nervously, wondering uncertainly, "What would I even have to do?"

Phoebe grinned, pleased. "Ah, good! You're going to accept the mission!"

"I didn't say that!" Chandler was quick to reply, his voice tinged with panic, "I just want to know what my job would be if I did!"

"Well, if, you did," Phoebe drawled mockingly, making it clear she knew he would accept the position, "You would be sent to earth, as a human. You would have to win her trust and respect and prove to her that she isn't a hopeless case, that she's worthy and deserving of love. Give her a reason to hope."

"But?" Chandler asked, knowing there was always a catch to these kinds of missions.

"You'd have until Christmas," Phoebe added sheepishly, her tone implying it was no big deal.

"Christmas!" Chandler exclaimed, "That's two weeks away! You expect me to reverse this woman's entire upbringing and self-esteem issues in 14 earth days? Are you nuts?"

"You're an angel, Chandler," Phoebe told him, as if he didn't know.

"Yeah!" he scoffed, "But I'm not her fairy godmother! I can't wave my magic wand and make her all better!"

Phoebe waved her hand dismissively, "This is nothing! I'm 100 years old, Chandler. They're going easy on you young ones. You should hear about what I had to do for my first solo mission!"

Chandler looked dubious, but was curious anyway. "Yeah? What was that, Pheebs?" he asked, knowing her statement was a cue for him to ask her to tell the story.

"Well, it was 1945, and I was sent to Germany, to where three American soldiers were stranded after they were ejected during a plane crash. My mission was to get them to stop blaming one another for the accident and make them realize that their fighting was self-destructive. After getting them to reconcile, I had to help guide them back to a friendly platoon. All without making myself visible to them."

Chandler listened to the tale with wide eyes. "And did you?" he wondered.

Phoebe scoffed, "Of course! Why do you think I'm in charge of deciding missions for other angels now? I'm good at my job! I know what it takes to get a mission done!"

Chandler nodded, asking in a small voice, "I trust your judgment, Pheebs, more than anyone I know… but are you sure I'm the angel for this one?"

Phoebe grinned, "Of course I am! Would I send you down to earth if I didn't know with absolute certainty you were capable of this? I'm a Prudence Angel; knowing is what I do. I know you were meant to be a Solace Angel, Chandler. I could have asked dozens of other angels to fill this position. But I chose you, because I know you're the one for this job."

Chandler grinned at her, pleased with the revelation. "You mean, you're making me a Solace Angel?"

Phoebe nodded, answering, "Yes, if you decide to take this mission, you will officially have the title of Solace Angel. Reassuring humans of their position in the world is the purpose of Solace Angels. But before you make a final decision on the matter, it is my duty to let you know the requirements."

Chandler raised his eyebrow questioningly. "There are requirements?"

"Yes. Just as different angels have different jobs, we all have different requirements to meet. As a Solace Angel, you will have direct contact with humans, since your job as an angel is to essentially bring comfort to them. They will be able to see and touch and hear you. For all intents and purposes, during the course of your mission you will be human. You may visit heaven whenever you are not needed around the humans involved in your mission. Once your mission is successfully completed, or you reach your deadline, you will be able to return to heaven permanently."

"Okay," Chandler agreed easily, "That sounds pretty straight-forward."

Phoebe nodded in agreement, "It is. There's more. As a Solace Angel there are three rules you must follow. One, you must never tell any of the humans involved in your mission that you are an angel. Humans need to have faith, to believe in things that cannot be proven. Telling them we exist is counter-productive to cultivating hope. If you violate this rule, you will immediately be returned to heaven and stripped of your title as an angel."

"I know that, Pheebs," Chandler scoffed, "That's like the golden rule for all angels, no matter their job or position."

Phoebe smirked, shrugging. "It's my duty as your mission supervisor to make sure you know" she explained, "Rule two, if a human is watching, you must act human," she looked at him pointedly, "This means no flying. I know about the mission training accident with Joey! You're lucky that that was training!"

Chandler huffed. "Why do I always get blamed for that, just because I was with him? It was all Joey! Why don't humans fly, anyway? They have legs just like us, don't they? It's so much faster! Walking sucks."

Phoebe shrugged, "I don't know. I guess no one has ever taught them how?" They both paused to ponder the thought, before Phoebe cleared her throat, continuing, "Anyway, the third and most important rule for Solace Angels; you cannot tell a human you love them. As a Solace Angel you are meant to be a guide, not a source of love. If you do tell a human you love them, you will become a human yourself. You will not be able to reverse the change."

Chandler looked at her with wide, indignant eyes. "You can't help who you fall in love with! That's not fair! Who made that rule?"

"We're angels, Chandler, not deities. We don't make rules, we follow them. Love is more powerful than we are. We must surrender to it, just like everyone else. The rule is a blessing, from love itself. If you fall in love you should be able to be with the one you love. The purpose of the rule is not as a restraint, but as an enabler." Chandler's eyes softened in understanding.

Phoebe looked at her friend and student questioningly, "So, what do you think? Do you want to be a Solace Angel?"

Chandler glanced at her hesitantly, before averting his eyes. He knew his answer would change the entire course of his lifetime as an angel. He peered down at Monica, one last time, watching as she prepared for bed. Even brushing her teeth, her worry lines refused to disappear. Chandler knew he needed to help make them go away. "I want to help," he told Phoebe resolutely.

Phoebe nodded, a smug all-knowing grin tugging the corners of her mouth. "I had a feeling you would. Now, before I send you down to earth, here's how it's going to work…"

xx

Monica dragged herself into work, her mood from the previous evening had not improved in the least. She had hoped a goodnight's sleep would make her feel better, but she'd rolled around in bed all night, unable to sleep, the stifling sense of loneliness the season always brought weighing heavily on her mind. Now instead of just depressed and hopeless she was depressed, hopeless, tired, cranky and had massive bags under her eyes. God, she missed just being depressed and hopeless.

She cautiously approached the kitchen after hanging up her coat and purse in the small staff room, not in the mood to deal with her co-workers heckling her. An incident from the week prior shooting into her mind, she snatched the hat she had just stuffed on her head off, relieved to see nothing written on it.

Still distracted with returning the hat to her head, she was surprised to be greeted by several of the wait staff as she entered the kitchen. She looked at them nervously, wary of another prank. The closest one, whom she vaguely remembered being named Tony, acknowledged her, a little less coldly than she was expecting, given his recent behaviour towards her. "Hello Chef Geller," he said shortly. "Allesandro has hired another waiter to accommodate the Christmas rush," he informed, gesturing towards another man that Monica didn't recognize, "This is Chandler."

Monica glanced at the man shyly, as the other waiters disbanded, leaving her alone with him. He smiled at her, and Monica couldn't help but smile back. He was cute… maybe he would be the one to... No. She wouldn't let herself think it. She was well aware that the other waiters would probably have him hating her soon enough. She couldn't let herself get invested only to have her hopes shattered. She might as well enjoy the niceness while it lasted. But that was it. "Hi, Chandler," she greeted, wringing her hands nervously, "You can call me Monica, if you like."

He smiled at her brightly. "Nice to meet you Monica. Tony tells me you're the head chef here?" Monica nodded self-consciously. "You're an awesome chef. The food here is great. I've been working here for less than three hours and I cannot tell you how many compliments I've received on the cuisine!"

Monica flushed. "Thanks. I try my best. I better get to work, though. Food doesn't cook itself," she said flustered, trying not to let it show how much she liked him.

Chandler flashed another bright smile. "Okay, I'll see you around, Monica."

"Okay," she agreed quietly, watching as he turned on his heel and practically floated towards the dining area. Monica watched him go, a small, unconscious smile on her face. There was something different about him she couldn't put her finger on... it was like he seemed to glow from within.

She shook her head, deciding she was acting crazy, a side effect of the restless night. She hurried towards the stove, pushing all thoughts of Chandler and his glow away.

Don't get invested, she reminded herself, you'll only get hurt.

xx

Yay, you've discovered my Mondler Christmas story! :)

Since it's only a little more than a week until Christmas, this story is going to be far from monumental, though it will hopefully be continued, if there is any interest in seeing more. I know the idea is a little out there, but it's Christmas, miracles are allowed!

For those of you waiting on Listen to Your Heart, sorry, I don't think that one will be updated until at least after Christmas. I'll get back eventually, though :)

Merry Christmas, guys! I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think in a review :)