Big News!
Our FRIENDS are returning to television for four one-hour episodes, coming in 2007. Read more of it at my FRIENDS fan site: Note: Okay, you may have read the little "preview" in the last chapter of the 1st part, well… just to tell you… it doesn't start out that way in this chapter. Well, please enjoy the story anyways. Btw, all my other fanfics are on hiatus at the moment… I'm really into this one. I really love The Beginning of a New Era because, I don't know… I JUST DO! Oh, and sorry for any mistakes.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bright Kauffman Crane Productions, or Warner Bros. Domestic Television, or NBC, or any of the characters… except Gladys. I do however own this title and this plot. Thank you for reading.

The Beginning of a New Era, The Sequel

Joey and Gladys were hanging out in there apartment… as they heard something outside.

"What's that?" Joey asked Gladys.

"As if I know! I've been with you the whole time!"

Joey put a smirk on his face and headed for the door. When he opened it he found a French 30-something moving into Monica and Chandler's old place.

"Hello, I was, uh, moving in next door… and was wondering if a strong man could help me with some stuff? Like, eh, you?"

"Yeah. How you doin'?" Joey asked.

"Good. You?" The French girl flirted back.

"He's doing fine… and he's having loads of fun with his fiancée!" Gladys told her as she slammed the door in her face. "…and you! I am ashamed of you!" Gladys walked away and slamed the door behind her.

"No, I was just pretending-playin' around! Oh, c'mon… Gladys!"

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
CLAP
Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love-life's D. O. A.!
It's like you're always stuck in second gear…
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year,
But…
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you
'Cause you're there for me too.

Ross walked into his apartment with a ring around his left hand's finger; it shone, even in the dim light. He stopped in his tracks as he saw his wife already there sitting on the couch… her eyes watery as if something terrible had happened. He discovered her face, fair-skinned, dirty blonde, unattainable… and somehow he had ended up with her. He sat next to her without saying a word and wrapped his hand around hers. He kissed grazed her face, pushed her hair back, and looked into her beautiful green eyes and with this he coughed-up a word.

"Honey?" He asked in a simple tone. Nothing major, no sounds… just that. She looked up at him and starred for a few moments as if he had said nothing. "Sweetie, what's wrong?" Ross asked again. In attempt to find out what was wrong with her.

"It's my dad." Rachel said faintly and yet so profoundly. "My dad – heart attack." Rachel could hardly get the words out of her mouth.

"Again?" Ross asked.

"Yeah. Yes." Rachel's eyes began to run with water as she could hardly explain what had happened. "It's just that, my father… he's really-really-really not well this time. He c-c-c-could…"

"'Could…' what, Rach?"

"He could probably pass away this time. I need to go down there. I really do."

"Yeah, yes, of course! I'll go with you!" Ross told her with a very calm tone.

MONICA & CHANDLER'S PLACE

"Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! I'm going insane!" Monica told her husband as she tried to put on the twins' pampers.

"Yeah, I think they're against us…" Chandler told Monica as he let Jack down from the crib. Jack began running all around the place and Monica and Chandler's face expressions where everything but happy.

"I still can't believe they're walking! They're only a year-and-a-half old!" Monica ended the statement with a heavy sigh.

"God! I need a vacation!" Chandler screamed at the top of his lungs, because the twins were being too loud. "Wait, a vacation! Oh, that's a great idea."

"What?" Monica asked.

"We should go on vacation! No! A second honeymoon! We should go on a second honeymoon! I mean, it's been four years since we've been on one. What d'you say?"

Monica seemed pleased with the idea, but or grin turned into a frown rather quickly… "Who's gonna take care of the kids?" She asked with disappointment.

"Damn kids!" Chandler yelled.

"Hey? Those are our children!" Monica disciplined.

The twins began to yell bloody murder…

"Oh, never mind… DAMN KIDS!"

JOEY & PHOEBE MEET AT THE COFFEE HOUSE

"Hey Pheebs…" Joey greeted his beloved friend casually.

"What's up Joey?"

"Oh, there's this cute French girl moving into Monica and Chandler's old place and-"

"What?" Phoebe yelled, "You can't do anything Joey! You know that, right? I mean, you're engaged to Gladys. The 'love of your live' according to you. Okay?"

"Yeah, I know… it's just that…"

"No! You can't even kiss her! No!"

"You kissed David while going out with Mike, hell the same day you guys exchanged keys!"

Phoebe felt a little embarrassed. "Yeah, well… yeah, well…" she stuttered, "This isn't about me! It's about you. So don't do anything to jeopardize what you have with Gladys, okay. This is the first person you actually went out with. You're engaged! YOU! I mean, she got you to settle down. Isn't that what you want?"

"Yeah…"

"Then, don't do anything."

"I guess you're right. So, where are the twins… and Mike?" Joey asked as he spotted the baby-bag.

"Oh, my Gods! I left Mike with the twins… at… OH GODS!" Phoebe said as she ran out of Central Perk.

AT THE HOSPITAL, WITH ROSS & RACHEL

Rachel sat impatiently, waiting for the doctor. As soon as he came out, she jumped up and waited for him to say something.

"Dr, Dr, what-what-what… My Father!"

"Yes, Ms. Greene…"

"Mrs. Greene."

"Oh, Mrs. Greene, um… Your father."

"Yeah?" Rachel asked. Ross stood up at this moment and began to hold Rachel's hands.

"Mrs. Greene, your father has…"

Rachel listened intently.

"He has…"

Executive Producers

Kevin S. Bright

Marta Kauffman

David Crane

ORIGINAL THEME SONG & CREDITS

BRIGHT

KAUFFMAN

CRANE

PRODUCTIONS