When The Heart Rules the Mind….a Friends meets Sleepless in Seattle fan fic…these characters are the property of Bright Kaufmann and Crane Productions…
"Daddy why did Mommy leave us?" young Ben Geller asked his father.
But what do you say to a little boy? Ross Geller couldn't very well say the real reason, that his wife didn't love him anymore and now she was in love with a woman named Susan who traveled the world as a photographer. One day he came home from work and there was a note. The note said that Carol was leaving him and Ben to be with her lesbian lover. She explained that he would make a better parent than her.
Covering up his pain, he threw himself into work. He stayed till late every night at the Chicago Museum of Natural History. Ben would be watched by his Aunt Monica and Uncle Chandler until he was picked up by Ross.
"I know you have been hurt , but don't you think it's time to get back in the game?" said Monica one afternoon as she prepared supper.
"I am not ready yet, I'll know when it's time." said Ross.
Ross enjoyed spending time with Ben. He just hated coming home to their Michigan Avenue apartment at night. She was still there. Everywhere in Chicago reminded him of Carol, from Wrigley Field to the El. Rather than move, he just decided to come home late at night.
Several months had passed, and now it was Christmas time. One day Jonas called Ross into his office.
"Dr. Geller , we have noticed your dedication to your work. Don't think for a minute that it will go unrecognized. We would like to send you to Seattle to be the head of the paleontology department in the museum there. It will mean a raise and we will provide you and Ben with housing." Jonas said. "Trust me Ross you deserve this after everything you have been through.
Ross was speechless. Maybe this is what he needed. No it was what he needed, change. He needed to pack away Chicago and his memories of Carol.
"Thank you Jonas, I won't disappoint you." Ross said as got up to shake the man's hand.
"And I have to be in Seattle by the first week of January." Ross said as he watched his sister frost a cake.
"Well I think it 's great. You can forget Carol ,and Ben and you can have a fresh start." said Monica.
"And as your friend, I am going to take you out to celebrate this great news. "said Chandler. "You know have a few drinks, a few laughs, spend some time with someone older then ten." he laughed.
"I think it's a terrific idea." agreed Monica.
"Yeah what you need is some male bonding ." said Chandler.
Ross and Chandler drove downtown to a club. When they walked in , they were overwhelmed with the smell of cigarette smoke and cheap cologne. Sitting at the bar were a line of girls with low cut blouses and tight skirts.
"Check out the talent." exclaimed Chandler.
"May I remind you, you're married to my sister." said Ross.
"I was referring to you. How long has it been since you have been with a woman?" Chandler said.
"Actually it's been quite a while. Even while Carol and I were still together, we hadn't been intimate for quite a while." explained Ross.
"Then my friend I think it is time." Chandler said.
Ross looked over in the direction of the bar. There sat a redhead wearing a red satin tank top and a leather mini skirt. She seemed to be smiling at him. He had forgotten what it was like to wake up with his arms around a woman, to have her kiss him and tell him how loving he was. If it was only for one night, it was something that he needed.
"Yes, it's time." Ross nodded and headed for the bar. He smiled at the red head and extended his hand..
"Hi I'm Ross." he said as he introduced himself.
"I'm Mandy." said the red head. She paused to light a cigarette and took a sip of her cosmo.
Meanwhile at home, Ben sat on the couch listening to the radio. Monica was in the kitchen working on the preparations for Christmas dinner. On the radio was one of those talk shows.
"Hello America, this is the Love Line. Merry Christmas , tonight we are talking about when the heart rules our lives. So if you want to just talk or you're lonely , we want to hear from you."
Ben checked to see if his aunt was busy. He dialed the number of the lady on the radio.
Ross had started a conversation with Mandy. He found out that she enjoyed art museums and Chinese food. They really didn't have that much in common, but she was a beautiful woman and it was Christmas.
He walked over to Chandler with his arm around Mandy, "Could you and Monica watch Ben tonight? Daddy is going to give himself a Christmas present tonight." Ross said as he kissed Mandy on the cheek.
Chandler smiled as he left the bar, it was exactly what he needed. Or so he thought……..
Next chapter…A woman hears Ben's wish on the radio….
This story is dedicated to rrlove, DrKerryWeaver, melanie geller, exitanis, my lobster steve, and my fans at the friend board..