Disclaimer: I don't own Joey, Rachel, Emma, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Ross, Mike, Charlie, Gunther, or any other characters you see on the show.  However, any other characters are mine.

Its Joey and Rachel story and it begins after the gang comes back from Barbados.  Emma, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Ross, Mike and Charlie are also a huge part of this story.

The first few chapters will be short and awkward but be patience with me and you will be awarded.

Thanks

Joey: *opening the apartment door* We are back apartment! *dropping his suitcase by the foosball table* Oh how I missed you.

Joey takes off his black jacket and tosses it onto the barstool

Rachel walks in with her three suitcases and shakes her head at Joey

Rachel: Joey its just an apartment not some long lost buddy you found.

Joey takes Rachel's suitcases for her and takes it to her bedroom door

Joey: *shrugging his shoulder* The apartment and I have been through a lot especially the bedroom area.  We are *thinking briefly* are like one soul.

Rachel closes her door and takes off her white coat and tosses it on top of Joey's jacket.

Rachel: *laughing* Now you just sound like Pheebs.  And I don't need to know what you and your bedroom went through.

Joey sweeps Rachel into his arms and kisses her with passion and zest

Rachel returns the kiss with equal passion and zest before pulling herself away from Joey.

Then Rachel goes and picks her coat and turns toward her room

Joey: *smiling coyly* So Emma is not here…just us two…

Rachel turns to Joey with sparking eyes but at the same time her eyes has determined look

Rachel: *in firm voice* No, Joey there will be no action tonight until we talk this thoroughly more and after you or we talk to Ross.

Rachel blows Joey kiss before going in her room with her suitcases and coat.

Joey: Damn.  I knew I should I have gone with my trademark.  How are you doing line never fails.

Next morning; 10:00 AM

The sun is shining with birds chirping.

 Joey is standing in the middle of the kitchen deciding between which cereal he will eat: Trix and Coca Puff.

Meanwhile Rachel in her room wakes up and puts on her robe and brushes her hair.  Then she opens the door and walks out toward Joey.

Joey smiles brightly when he see Rachel and they share a morning kiss.

Rachel: *in bright and happy voice* Good morning sweetie.

Rachel pulls out the barstool and perches herself upon it while Joey is looking back and forth the two cereal

Joey: *in a gloomy voice* Help me, Rach.  I can't decide with cereal to eat.

Rachel is thumbing two weeks of mail while they were in Barbados.

Rachel: *laughing* Have both!

Joey face lightens up and starts to pour himself some cereal.

Joey: *in awe voice* Oh wow, that is a great idea.

Rachel tosses the mail aside and smiles at Joey

Rachel: *laughing* Glad I can help you.  *clearing her voice* Joey about last night…

Joey stuffs a spoonful of cereal of voice while silently asking Rachel if she wants some.

Joey: Rachel…about last night…

Rachel silently shakes her head no to Joey's offer of cereal.

Rachel gets comfortable in her seat and perches her head into her palms and gaze into Joey's eye

Rachel: *in solemn voice* I would have loved to spend last night with you.  But if we are going to be more then friends, we are going to have some boundaries.  I want our relationship to be more than about sex.  I care about you Joey and I want our relationship to be different from any past relationship.  I am not ready for marriage but I am done with relationship that centers around sex.  I am ready for something deep. 

Things are quiet while Joey munches on his last drop of cereal and Rachel just continues to gaze into Joey's eye.

Joey: *in serious voice* I understand and respect what you are saying.  You want to give us a real chance.  *smiling with understanding and support* I can do that.

Joey puts his cereal bowl and spoon into the sink awhile Rachel gets off her seat and comes to Joey for a hug and kiss.

Rachel: *in teary voice* Thanks and we will have sex but just not yet…

Joey caress Rachel's face and they stare into each other as millions of understanding, hope, and promises fly into each other eyes.

Rachel kisses Joey on the lip before walking toward the door

Rachel: *opening the door* I am going go across for some breakfast.  Want to come?

Joey laughs and walks toward Rachel

Joey: Of course.  When do I turn the offer down for food?

Joey and Rachel walk out the door and Joey closes the door

Rachel: You never turn down free food

Rachel and Joey is still holding hand when Rachel knocks at Monica and Chandler's apartment

Chandler opens the door

Chandler: *noticing Rachel and Joey holding hands* Ahh…look who is coming through the door.

Pheebs is sitting at the table while Monica is by the stove.  There are plates, cups, napkins, OJ, etc. on the table.

Chandler returns to the table.

Pheebs is drinking OJ while Chandler is reading the newspaper.

Pheebs: *laughing* So how was your night because your aura looks good.

Joey pulls out the chair for Rachel (I know its odd…but go with it).  Rachel sits down and then Joey takes his sit at the table.

Rachel: Everything is going great.

Monica: I can't believe you guys are together and even harder to believe you guys are having sex.

Monica hands Rachel and Joey each a plate with omelets and bacons.

Joey: We didn't have sex.

Joey stuffs himself with omelet but Rachel drinks her water before gently putting a piece of omelet into her mouth.

Chandler: *puts his newspaper with disbelief* No sex for Joey?

Joey chugs down OJ before nodding his head yes.

Joey continues to eat while Rachel explains

Rachel: Its possible.  Joey and I had a talk about our relationship. 

Joey: *with a mouthful of omelet and bacon* Its hard but its worth it *smiling at Rachel*

Monica finally sits down after doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen.  Chandler lost all interest in his paper and Pheebs it smiling like an idiot at Joey and Rachel.

Pheebs: I was wrong.  *nodding her head* Ross isn't your lobster Rach.

At Pheebs last statement Ross walks in Emma.  Monica showers Emma with kisses before Rachel takes Emma from Monica.

Ross sits down Emma's bags before sitting himself.

Ross: *sadly* NO I never was and will be Rach's lobster *sighs*

Ross gets up from the table and starts walking toward the bathroom

Ross: *heading to the bathroom* I need to pee.

Rachel is hugging and kissing Emma while Joey is admiring Rachel and looking at her with love.

Rachel notices that Joey is looking at her.  Rachel smiles at Joey and squeezes his hand, which Joey returns.

Rachel: *with joy* How are you doing my baby?  Did you have fine time with Daddy? 

Chandler: *looking wryly* Probably got overexposed to dinosaurs

Everybody looks at Chandler and gives him the look

Chandler: *looks innocent* What?

Rachel turns to Joey to have a little talk but of course it is not going to happen because the whole gang is there

Rachel: *in wondering tone* I wonder what Emma will say to us about going out together.

Monica gets up to clean the table

Monica: She will be happy for both of you because…

Phoebe: *butting in* …because both you finally found a serious relationship that doesn't involve around sex.

Monica and Chandler looks at Pheebs

Monica and Chandler: Phoebe!!!!

Joey and Rachel just laughs and Emma just coos along.

Chandler: *chuckling* Its Ross we should worry about.

Meanwhile…

Ross is standing outside by the bathroom door and heard Rachel asking Joey what Emma will think of them going out together.

Ross: *in shock* It can't true?!?!?

Ross just stands there in shock.