Author: Jen
Author's Note: I always wanted to try writing a story in Joey's point of view, so here it is. If you like what you read, then leave me a Review!
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own anything or any of the characters.
A/N: F.R.I.E.N.D.S. minus Joey. This is set a year after the finale, except that Joey never met the gang. He is meeting Rachel for the first time when she's his boss at his movie's production company.
I sit down in one of the two chairs sitting outside the office door. This is the movie company's manager. I felt the nerves kick in even though this should be nothing more than a complimentary meeting. I finally got a lead role in an extremely anticipated film. I still couldn't believe it all and filming hadn't even begun.
The door opens and I look up. I can't move and I can't speak. It's not because of the nerves or the amazement of this whole situation, but rather the woman now standing in front of me. The manager of Slick Black Productions, the company producing my world known movie that is sure to be a smash hit, according to the critiques, now holds my total attention. Their manager, who I'm waiting to meet and discuss my role with has taken my breath away. She's beautiful; with long brown hair, dazzling blue eyes, and fair skin. Her body is tight and slim, almost to perfection. She is fashioning a long pants work suit accompanied with a long sleeves shirt and the vest over it. Not too much skin showing, but I can still admire her figure and face, which I am doing this whole time as she stares down at me. I don't think more than a few seconds go by before she realizes I'm not moving and she better get things rolling.
"Hi, I'm Rachel Green," she introduces herself with a straight hand out, ready for a standard handshake. Shake is what I do as I clumsily jump from my seat to greet her hand with mine.
"Hi," is all I respond with. Suddenly my other demeanor takes over and my raunchy smile overshadows my previous gawky behavior. I'm about to let a "How you doin'' slip when I realize this woman is important. She is basically producing my movie, she is one of the top guns around here. As much as it pains me, I can't hit on her.
I think the battle in my head shows through in my face because she flashes me a confused look before letting go of my hand and then inviting me into her office. We talk all about the movie, weeks of shooting, press, and anything related to the film at all. In this time, my excitement overpowers my attraction to her and I'm truly just fired up to get started. I leave her office full of ambitions and eagerness.
Finally, filming is starting. We've gone through weeks of table reads, rehearsals, wardrobe fittings and all the prep work. I can't wait to get on set today, I have to control myself from literally speeding to work. Getting held up with a ticket would really be a sore spot in this awesome day. I pull into my parking space, yeah I have one now, and start grabbing my stuff from the car. As I'm collecting everything into my backpack I hear voices behind me. I turn to see a few spaces down is Rachel, that productions manager, and a man. They are arguing over some dishwasher problem.
"Fine, we'll talk more tonight," the man says and then leans in for a small peck on the lips, which they share before he gets into his car and drives off. I don't realize I'm watching him drive away until I turn my head back to see Rachel has spotted me and is making her way over. I quickly look down at the book bag and script in my hands as if there was something there to keep me busy. I can see her feet has made their way right in front of me and I know it's time to look up. I hesitantly meet her eyes with mine, accompanied with a dorky smile.
"Hey," I foolishly wave the best I can with my semi free hand. She smiles a fake, I know you overheard, smile at me.
"So, ready for today?" I try and change the subject. Surprisingly it works.
"Well, you better be. It's a big day and an exciting one."
If only she knew there was no need to work on my enthusiasm for today.
I smile at her for real now.
"I'm so ready."
She smiles back at me too and I can tell its more of a genuine smile. It's a nice one at that. I haven't forgotten how hot she is. We start walking into the building together. I hurry ahead to hold the door open for her and she thanks me. As we step inside, she makes one last comment to me.
"By the way, that was my husband," she says and then turns the corner to her office. I watch her walk away, a little shell-shocked.
Married, she's married? Well, that blows. Then again I marked her as off limits anyway. I guess I was just hoping maybe after the movie was finished- no what if they offer me other roles? Yeah, I guess it's best and besides now that I think about it, there's no doubt she wasn't already taken.
Three weeks into shooting and I'm loving every second of it. This is just like "Days of our Lives", it's even better than I ever imagined it to be and I've also slept with five of the extras already. Some things just don't change.
After a long work day, I'm about to head home when one of the crew members tells me Rachel Green needs me for a quick wardrobe fitting. I make my way down to her office. She lets me in and goes to a closet. She takes out a tuxedo. I go try it on. When I come out, the look in her eyes boost my confidence by a trillion. I can tell when a woman thinks I look good and boy do I look good! I stare into the full length mirror, smoothing out the jacket with my hands. Rachel stands beside me, admiring my reflection as well. She dusts off one of the shoulders that couldn't be cleaner and I smirk.
"Why are you doing this anyway?" I ask her.
"What, wardrobe stuff?"
"Yeah."
"I used to work in fashion, I love it. So, sometimes I like to oversee the outfits and fittings. This was a last minute thing and they handed it to me anyway so I figured I would take care of it."
Her eyes hasn't left me and I can't help but take advantage of the situation, even if it is just for fun.
"I think this one's a keeper, don't you?" My grin gives everything away and she gives me a look. She looks away while shaking her head, which only enables my smile to grow bigger.
"Yeah, it's a nice tux," she responds.
"But it's even better on me."
She looks back up at me now with a smirk.
"Got some confidence there, don't you?"
"Maybe."
She looks down again with a smile, which again only urges me to keep going.
"I don't know, I never thought that you could just throw a tux on anyone and they would automatically look good. But this one really cleans me up nicely, don't you think?" I turn to her with a playful expression and take hold of the black jacket by it's collar.
"Why don't you go change. This suit isn't doing good things," she jokes to me, but points to the closet. I pout my lips at her and she immediately looks away, a sign they would definitely work on her. She doesn't even realize how much she is affecting me here. I step closer to her, not wanting to give up on getting some flattery out of her.
"If I change, I won't look like this," I flaunt again. "What do you think they'll do with my hair?"
She turns to me, actually considering this. She reaches her hand up and starts feeling my hair. I'm surprised at this action, especially when her fingers linger in my hair longer than expected. She seems to notice this too and withdraws her hand, quickly looking down at her desk behind us. I don't take my eyes off her though.
"I should change," I say before the silence becomes anymore deafening . I walk back into the closet and change back into my clothes. When I come out, Rachel smiles at me, completely refreshed and renewed as if nothing has happened. She takes the tux from my hand to hang it back it up. She walks back out and stops in front of me.
"Hey, you ever get that dishwasher fixed?"
Her eyebrows instantly knit together at my question.
"You and your husband were arguing that day-"
"Oh right," she chuckles. "I can't believe you remembered that."
"Well…arguing over a dishwasher isn't everyday chit chat. Besides it's the day I found out you were married."
"Is that surprising?" She reacts to the opposite side of my response.
"You being married? No, not after I thought about it- I should have known."
"Should have known, why?" she asks. I wasn't expecting these questions.
"Oh, well look at you."
She blushes at that one and her eyes avert again. I think that's the sign that she's flattered and doesn't know how to react to it. It's cute and I get to smile to myself every time she does it.
"Thanks."
"What, you don't get that a lot? Your husband not telling you everyday?" I say and then I realize I should stop being so flirtatious.
"Ross."
"What?"
"My husband's name is Ross and he's very loving."
"I didn't mean to insult him-"
"No, I know…you're sweet," she tells me. I get the feeling again I'm crossing some sort of boundary line here. I decide it's a good time to show myself out. I do just that and wish her a goodnight.
"Goodnight," she says and then turns away from me once more before I walk out the door.