Disclaimer: Friends does not belong to me. Anything that isn't known to be someone else's isn't mine. It starts before the series and continues on when the series starts. Rachel and Monica go to a party at Ross and Chandler's dorm. Rachel and Chandler end up kissing. A relationship follows. They date for awhile. It was a very serious relationship. Until they break up right before Rachel meets the others in the group. So read on! RANDLER FOREVER!
The One With the Randler
By Julia
Rachel Greene and Monica Gellar had snuck in Monica's older brother Ross' party at his dorm. They were freshman in college and Ross was a sophomore. Rachel wanted to hook up with someone. She hadn't really dated anyone since breaking up with Chip Matthews after her high school prom. She was tired of being cheated on. She saw Monica seperate from her and go over to the alcohol. Rachel had already consumed half a bottle of champagne she'd managed to swipe. She looked up as she saw someone she thought that she might know. He looked like that guy who was friends with Ross. She said, ''Do I know you?'' She asked, her words slurring a little.
Chandler Bing turned to look at her. He and Ross had just had a major fight because Ross had been kissing Missy Goldberg. Chandler knew this had to be Rachel Greene, Ross' huge crush. Chandler thought that this was an excellent way to get back at him. Plus, Rachel looked really hot. ''Yes, I'm Chandler.'' He said. ''I'm Ross' friend.''
Rachel nodded. ''Oh, yeah, at Thanksgiving.'' She wrinkled up her new nose. ''You're the one who hates Thanksgiving, right?'' She asked, a little disdain in her voice.
Chandler nodded. ''Yeah, but I'm a sophomore, and I play in a band.'' He took a sip of beer, waiting on tenterhooks.
Rachel thought for a moment, and then said, ''Yeah, OK.'' Then she crossed to him and they began making out. They fell onto the empty bean bag chair that Monica had vacated. It got heavy enough that Chandler took Rachel home to her dorm. She let him in, and they closed the door.
Chandler, breaking the kiss, said, ''So where's Monica? Doesn't she room with you?'' He asked.
Rachel was stripping off her clothes, and once she was down to her bra and underwear, turned to look. ''She does. She's probably still at the party. Don't worry, we're alone now.'' She stepped over to him, claiming his lips again. ''So, Chan, do you have the stuff?'' She asked.
Chandler fumbled in his pockets, searching. He couldn't find anything. ''Um, no?'' He asked apologetically.
Rachel looked at him for a second. She was pretty drunk, but she was thinking that this was still going to be a good idea. He was cute, he was a really good kisser, and he seemed so sweet. She decided to do it. She hadn't even really unless you count what she had let Chip do, and she's not sure that she did. In her drunkenness, she was forgetting about Billy Dreskin. She decided that once would be OK. ''Um, sure, OK.'' She said.
Chandler was shocked, but he went with it. Ross would completely flip. And he thought Rachel was totally beautiful. She was a good kisser, too. ''OK. You don't have to tell me twice.'' He said, as they came together on Rachel's bed to make love.
The next morning, Rachel awoke. She was very satisfied. She turned over to look at Chandler. He was still sleeping. He looked like a complete angel. Rachel was glad. Maybe they really could have something going here. She wanted to get to know him. He had been amazing the night before. She carefully climbed out of bed. Thankfully Chandler didn't move. Monica was lying in her bed, passed out. Rachel gathered up her things to go and shower. Maybe Chandler would want to go get a bite. She was ravenous.
After she had showered, she came back to the room in a towel, her hair wet on her shoulders. She got dressed, selecting black leggings, a long pink tee, a small jeans skirt, and a jean jacket. She then went to poke Chandler. ''Chan, it's Rachel. Wake up.'' She said, as she began to use a curling iron on her hair.
Chandler stirred on the bed, his hair all messed up. He looked adorable. He rubbed his eyes. He took a look at Rachel. ''Wow, you look amazing.'' He said.
Rachel blushed. She wasn't even finished with her hair. ''Aw, thanks, Chandler.'' She paused, and then said, ''Do you want to grab a bite to eat? Or do you want to go and shower first?'' She had never liked a boy like this before. He was a little awkward and geeky. In a way, that was what turned her on to him. He may treat her better than Chip or any other boy had.
Chandler thought for a moment. He really liked Rachel. He had had an amazing time with her. Ross was going to be angry if he began dating Rachel. Ross loved her. Although, he kept talking about that Carol girl that he had met. Maybe he'd be OK. Chandler figured he'd date her in secret for awhile before he said anything. Rachel was into him. Ross would just have to understand. ''Sure, let me go get ready and I'll come back in about an hour. We'll go get breakfast.''
Rachel grinned her happiness and gave him a kiss as he let himself out. She finished her hair as Monica was waking up. ''Hey, Mon.'' She said, as she sat down to work on her makeup. She wanted to look as pretty as she could.
Monica squinted as she slid out of bed. They were only rooming until Rachel got into Kappa Kappa Gamma. Then she'd stay in the sorority house. ''Was that Chandler, Ross' friend?'' She asked. She didn't like him. He had inspired her to lose weight, though.
Rachel couldn't help grinning. He had really swept her off her feet. She said, ''Yeah, Mon. I know you hate him, it's OK. I can't change that. He's so amazing though. And he was good in bed, too.'' She grinned as she put on lip liner and took a look at the lipsticks she had.
Monica was jealous that Rachel had found someone. She wanted to find her someone. She'd at least lost her virginity. And someone had kissed her last night. Right before she had left. She just didn't know who it had been late and dark. ''I'm happy for you, though, Rach. I can try to like him for you.''
Rachel was glad that Mon was willing to try. She hoped that they wouldn't drift apart. She'd always been one of Monica's only friends. She knew it would be easier for Monica now that they were in college. She'd make some more friends. Friends were important. ''Thanks, Mon, that means a lot.''
When Chandler got back to his dorm, Ross had just gotten up. ''Hello, Ross.'' He said, going to the closet to pick out something to wear.
Ross just sat up, running a hand through his curly hair. He had gotten somewhere with Carol the night before. They'd done some things. It had excited him. He'd pretty much given up on Rachel. He had decided to see what happened with Carol. ''Where were you, Chan?'' He asked.
Chandler almost froze. He wasn't sure what to tell him. He couldn't tell him that he'd been with Rachel, Ross would have a cow. ''I was with a girl. I got laid last night.'' He said. He'd have to try to get to Rachel, make sure she told Monica not to say anything.
Ross said, ''Good job, Chan. At least one of us isn't a virgin anymore.'' He was actually a little jealous. He wondered where Monica and Rachel had gotten off to. He had not gotten anything going on with Rachel. He was glad that she'd shown up, even though he had decided to try and see what happened with Carol. Rachel would be hard to get over.
Chandler knew that Ross was thinking about Carol and Rachel both. He knew Ross felt a little guilty about liking Carol. He must feel like he was betraying Rachel, even though he'd never spoken up to her. It was his fault that he didn't have her. ''Yeah. Headed out to get ready so we can go to breakfast.'' He said, gathering up clothes and a towel and heading off to the showers.
About an hour later, he was arriving at Rachel and Monica's door. He was happy. He'd worn large jeans and a tee shirt. He felt it was best to be comfortable. He figured since it was just a breakfast date that was all that was required. He figured they were going somewhere like Waffle House or something. Poor college student thing.
Rachel opened the door almost as soon as he knocked. ''Hi, Chandler. Where do you want to go for breakfast?'' She asked, grabbing a purse off the chair by her desk and her keys off the desk, slipping them in her pocket.
Chandler closed and locked the door for her. ''Um, do you like Waffle House? It's not very expensive. I like it, too.'' He fully intended to pay for Rachel. His parents were paying for his college, but he had gotten a job on campus so he could pay for things.
Rachel didn't mind paying for her own breakfast, her father was a very sucessful doctor. She and both of her sisters had a lot of their own credit cards that their father paid without complaint, usually. She said, ''I know you're the guy, but I really don't mind paying for my own breakfast. I got a lot of credit cards. My daddy is a sucessful doctor.''
Chandler liked her independence, (well, it sort of was) but he wanted to pay. It was his job as the man. But he was glad that she offered like that. ''No, it's OK, Rach, I got it. I know you like to be independent, I can tell, but I like to take care of my dates. It's a man thing.'' It stemmed from his father being gay but there was no need to discuss that. He didn't need her knowing about that. Not yet. She needed to fall for him first. Then she could find out all the secrets.
It didn't take them long to get to Waffle House. Chandler held the door open and let Rachel go in first. He asked, ''Where do you want to sit?'' He hoped it was somewhere by a window.
Rachel did choose a seat by a window and they sat down. They both got out the menus as a waitress hurried over. She took their drink orders and disappeared again. Rachel smiled at Chandler. ''I had fun last night.'' She said. She was really really starting to like him.
Chandler nodded. He totally was liking Rachel, too. ''Yeah, I did, too. You were really good.'' He said, giving her a smile.
Rachel blushed, that was good to hear. She added, ''You were good, too.'' She knew he'd appreciate hearing that. She totally thought it may have been the best sex she'd ever had.
Chandler grinned at her. He was glad to hear that. He'd been worried. He'd always thought that he was completely inadaquete. He was glad Rachel had been satisfied. ''I'm glad.'' He said, and then changed the subject. ''So how was it, going to high school with Ross and Monica?''
Rachel shrugged. ''I was best friends with Monica, but I didn't have a lot to do with Ross. He was older than Monica and I. Monica and I hung out a lot, but I was still pretty popular. I had a pretty good time in high school. What was your time in high school like?'' She asked.
Chandler shrugged as the waitress came back with their drinks and took their order and disappeared again. He said, ''I went to an all boys school. The worst time ever. My dad insisted I go.'' He added without thinking.
Rachel took a sip of her drink. She was surprised. ''Why did your dad make you go?'' She asked.
Chandler shrugged. ''I think he just wanted to keep me away from girls, so one couldn't get pregnant.'' He said. It sounded reasonable.
Rachel seemed to accept this and changed the subject. ''So how do you like college?'' She asked.
Chander said, ''I like college a lot. There are girls. I may have been striking out until you, but at least they were there.'' He smiled at her.
After they ate breakfast, he took her back home. He had some studying to do. He wanted to hang with her all day but he had to pass his classes. He stood with her in front of her door. He held her hand, admiring its softness. He slowly leaned in and kissed her. It was sweet and tender. He asked, ''So, can I call you?'' He blushed a little.
Rachel nodded as she pulled her keys out of her purse. ''Yes. Call me later.'' She kissed him again and opened her dorm room door, slipping inside.
When Chandler got back to the dorm, Ross was waiting angrily for him. ''Chandler.'' He said, as he took his coat and dropped it off on the desk chair. ''You're dating Rachel, aren't you?''
Chandler groaned. He had hoped that Ross wouldn't find out just yet. ''Yes. It only happened because you were kissing Missy Goldberg. But now I really like her.'' He said.
Ross got up and said, ''Chandler, you know how long I've liked her. How could you do that? I thought we were friends.'' He cried.
Chandler said, ''Look, Ross. Rachel wants to be with me. You are just going to have to deal with that. You can't control what Rachel wants!'' Ross stormed out.
Four years later, Chandler was standing eagerly outside Rachel's father's house, waiting for her. They were going to go meet his friends. He and Ross had finally patched things up a year ago, and he'd never really taken Rachel to meet the others. Ross had still had trouble adjusting to the fact that Rachel and Chandler had been together for four years. Now was the time. Chandler was going to ask Rachel to marry him, too. He hoped she'd say yes. She had been very quiet lately. He was hoping that she wasn't going to break up with him. She'd been so off lately.
Rachel came to the door, tears falling from her eyes and slipping down her face. ''Chandler.'' She said.
Chandler reached out to put his arms around her, but she tried to stop him. ''No, Chan, I need to say this. Daddy is making me choose between the money and you. I tried to tell him I loved you and I would never leave you, and he told me that he'd kick me out.''
Chandler watched her. She was crying, she had no bags. She was at least considering it. ''Are you serious? Well, we can figure something out. I love you, Rachel. I don't want to lose you.''
Rachel wiped tears off her face. ''Chandler, he's my daddy. And maybe I'm not ready for how serious this relationship has gotten. I'm only 22 years old, Chandler. I just need us to be apart for awhile. I love you, Chandler.'' She kissed him and went inside.
Chandler felt his heart break into a thousand tiny pieces. He stood there for a moment and then headed to his taxi he'd had waiting. He just wanted to die.
Another couple of years later, Chandler was sitting with Ross, Monica, his roommate Joey Tribbiani, and Phoebe Buffay. Then Rachel came in, crying and wearing a white wedding dress. Chandler's heart stopped again. She couldn't be lost to him forever. Chandler sat up straight, and watched as Rachel walked past him and headed to the counter of Central Perk, to talk to Jasmine. Chandler got up, and said, ''Rachel.''
Rachel turned around. She was wet from the rain outside. She was surprised to see him. She'd thought that he and Ross had stopped talking. She said, ''Hi, Chandler.'' She said, this while her voice was shaking.
Chandler went behind the couch to be closer to her. He said, ''What are you doing here? Did you really get married?'' He asked.
Rachel shook her head. ''I actually left him at the altar.'' She said, blushing to the roots of her light brown hair.
Monica watched this exchange, hardly daring to believe it. She had been surprised to learn that Chandler and Rachel had dated that long. She had never thought that Rachel would be into a guy like Chandler. ''Rach, are you really here to see Chandler?'' She asked.
Rachel wished she could say yes, but getting back together with Chandler right now would be a bad idea. ''No, actually. I was looking for you.'' She said.
Monica was surprised at this. ''Really? You're here to see me? Why?'' She asked. She was mostly surprised to hear this because she and Rachel hadn't talked in a couple of years. It didn't make sense that she'd be looking for her.
Rachel nodded. ''Yeah. I left my fiance at the altar, and my parents cut me off. I need a place to stay and you were the only person I knew in the city.'' She pointedly ignored Chandler. It would have been stupid to stay with Chandler. And it would have hurt to be around him like that.
Monica took a glance at Chandler before she turned back to Rachel. ''So you want to stay with me and I wasn't even invited to the wedding.'' She wanted to give her a little crap.
Rachel blushed again. ''I'm sorry. I know that that wasn't cool of me. But we're old friends, Monica. And I would love if we can reconnect. Really. I'm not just saying that.''
Chandler took a breath. He lived across the hall from Monica, with Joey. Rachel was going to be so close. It was totally great. It made him very happy. Maybe it would give him the oppurtunity to start things back up with her. Ross was still with Carol, so hopefully that wouldn't stop him. He said, ''Yeah, Mon, you should help her out.''
Rachel looked at Chandler, looking at his hopeful face. She knew he had to be thinking that they could get back together. She had to admit it wouldn't be a bad thing, she really still loved him. She regretted that they'd broken up. She missed him a lot most of the time. She looked at him without saying anything for too long and blushed again. She turned to Monica. ''Well, we know what Chandler thinks.'' She said.
Monica could think of no reason not to help her out. And she knew that it was pointless to ask Chandler to put her up, Rachel was iffy about him, she could tell. She said, ''Yeah, I guess that's fine. Let's go up so you can change your clothes.'' She got up to take Rachel upstairs.
Chandler stood up as they left, earning glares from Ross and Joey. He'd made them look like less of gentlemen. He sat back down, watching the door, which the most beautiful girl he had ever been with walked out of. He had to get her back. And he would, no doubt about it.
