Only One

-1- Rousing Feelings

When it comes down to it, there's only one person you really want, you really need.

My first Joey/Chandler slash. Starts out with CM, but definitely isn't by the end. Keeps pretty true to Friends scenarios and humor. Cleaned this up a bit as of 8/5/07
R&R, please!

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They had planned it out perfectly. One weekend, Chandler was going to a business conference in New Jersey, while Monica was going to a culinary fair there. They even reserved an ocean-view suite. They could also stop making lame excuses to their friends. It was going to be the most romantic getaway. However, once they got there, everything started going wrong.

Monica's obsessive-compulsive side kicked in, and it seemed no room could match her cleanness standards. Not the room they booked. Or the one after that. Or that. Or...

Chandler, on the other hand, could have cared less. He really just wanted to watch the high-speed car chase on TV.

Monica wanted to switch rooms. Chandler wanted to watch TV. So they compromised and switched rooms 10 times. Monica finally found a satisfactory room, but the mood was ruined. Plus Chandler was still bitter he missed the car chase. An argument ensued.

"Can we turn the TV off? Okay? Do we really want to spend the entire weekend like this?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I getting in the way of all the room switching fun?"

"Hey, don't blame me for wigging tonight!" Monica retorted.

Chandler wasn't about to lose the fight. "Oh, who should I blame? The nice bell man who had to drag out luggage to 10 different rooms?"

"We're supposed to uh, be spending a romantic weekend together, it-it, what is the matter with you?"

"I just want to watch a little television. What is the big deal? Jeez, relax Mom."

"WHAT did you say?"

"I said, 'Geez, relax Monnnnn.'"

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They returned home very unhappily, barely on speaking terms.

Of course, their friends had no idea, and kept asking for details about their "trips".

Chandler retired to his apartment to drown his sorrows in some beer.

Late that night, Joey returned to find a very drunken and hysterical Chandler on the couch.

"Dude, something wrong?" he asked as he sat down and patted Chandler on the shoulder.

"Ohh, everything. The conference was a bust. I had a fight with... my co-worker."

"I'm sorry man. You wanna talk it out?"

"Nah, I'll be alright. It's just... It's just... I thought th-this co-worker was going to be the one relationship I got right, and I messed it up. Screwed up royally."

"You sure about that?"

"Our relationship is over as I know it. I can't believe it, but I might as well start trying to."

"I don't know if I should say this now, when you're all, you know. But it's just one goddamn co-worker. So you can't get along with one colleague. You only see them at work anyway. Sure it might be awkward at first, but it'll get better. And who's to say tomorrow there won't be someone new to bond with? You're charming enough. You'll find someone else." Joey was actually rather confused why a work relationship mattered to Chandler so much, but he still tried his best to comfort Chandler.

"Thanks. That helped." Chandler was smiling - a good sign.

"No problem. And, just so you know, I'm always here for you. Whatever problem you have, I'll try to help with. Just ask." Joey patted him on the shoulder at first, but embraced Chandler firmly after deciding it was more of a hugging moment.

"You're so great. I love you."

"Right back at ya." Joey pulled away from Chandler to see how he was doing.

"I mean it. I love you the most."

"Oh, well you know who I love the most?" Joey decided to humor his ultra-sentimental, ultra-drunk friend.

"No..."

"You!"

"Ohh... you don't get it."

Before Joey could ask exactly what he didn't get, Chandler passed out. Joey carried Chandler to his bedroom, and put him down gently on the bed. Joey undressed him down to his boxers and tucked him in. Seeing how disheveled Chandler's hair was from lying on the couch, Joey ran his fingers through it to straighten and smooth it out a bit. Deciding his work here was done, Joey got up to leave.

"Could you stay with me a bit?" Chandler sniffled. Joey jumped a little, not realizing when Chandler had awoken.

"Sure. Of course. Need anything?" Joey sat by him.

"Well, there is something I want," Chandler slurred.

"Just name it."

"You." With that, Chandler moved to plant a kiss on Joey's lips that was a lot hotter and wetter than the one Joey had given him at New Year's.

Totally unprepared, Joey was too stunned to move for a few seconds. After coming to his senses, Joey pulled away.

"Whoa... How much did you have to drink?"

Chandler had very little tolerance for alcohol, so it didn't take much to get him drunk. But this time he drank even more than usual, and now all his inhibitions were all gone. even the ones he didn't know about before. "Come on. I know you want me back. What was that before, with the hair-tousling?"

A little embarassed his friend had noticed his rather intimate gesture, Joey blushed. "Well, ah, um, you know me... Big on the affection... Nothing really. My whole family does it... S-Some sort of Italian thing..."

Chandler had never found embarassment more attractive. "It's okay... It's okay... really... Just relax." He leaned in and kissed Joey again.

It wasn't just a passionate kiss. It woke a part of Joey that had been dormant until now. The part that liked the kiss. That part that liked Chandler more than just a best friend. The part that took control and parted Joey's lips to welcome a symphony of tongues.

Joey noticed that Chandler pulled away, with regret. His kissing was... addictive. Yes, that was the word for it.

"So..." Chandler breathed, sending tingles down Joey's neck.

Joey didn't understand these feelings. He didn't understand himself at all. Chandler had always been just a friend, nothing more. So where did these desires that were seeping through his entire body come from? Joey didn't think any further than that. Whatever the feelings were, they were there, and they felt amazing. That was enough.

Joey answered Chandler's question wordlessly. But he knew without a doubt Chandler preferred his assertive kiss over any other response. They were best friends. That's how he knew.

The rest of the night was a blur, a beautiful blur.

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Today is the beginning of the rest of your life.

More chapters to come, but please R&R!