T.O.W. JOEY FALLS IN LOVE

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC and my weird imagination.

Note: Set after "The one where Mr. Heckles dies". Except for Ross and Rachel dating, the friends are all single. No Julie. But most importance is given to Joey and my OC.

Enjoy reading :)

….

CHAPTER-1

"Joey, everyone knows that you are only after hot women," Monica stated and took a sip from her coffee. Central Perk seemed quite that day, with few people and the gang.

"That is not true!" Joey protested again. But, just like the few other times, no one paid attention to that. This one time, Joey decided to stand his ground. "I don't only go for hotness; though it does play an important role. I see what a women is like…you know, her character."

"Then maybe you should start by remembering their names," Chandler said and immediately earned a glare from Joey.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" Rachel joined the group, taking a break from her shift at Central Perk.

"Joey here claims hotness is not the only quality he looks for in women," Ross said. Rachel burst out laughing and when no one else joined, she looked up at everyone and at Joey with a confused expression.

"W—what? You were serious? Come on Joey."

"Okay, tell me what I should do for you all to believe," he gave them a challenging look.

"Why don't you name the women you've dated in the last two months?" Chandler shrugged.

"That's easy! There is this women from work, Jamie…no, Jenny. Um, and the other one from the…uh, I don't remember where I met her, black hair, great body…Marie?" Joey looked lost.

"Merina. You gave me the job to tell her that she has to go and not to expect any call from you. She thought I had a crush on you and I was trying to get her out of my way," Chandler said.

Joey gave him a sheepish smile and sighed. "Does this mean I'll never find love?" he looked at him with a sad face. He was sure he'll die alone in his room in Chandler's apartment.

"No sweety!" Phoebe thought of something to say. "I have an idea." She turned around in the shop and found a women standing near the counter, talking to Gunther. They couldn't see her face. She had a baseball cap, her hair tucked in and a few strands of brown hair falling out.

A grey baggy sweater and loose work pants covered with paint splashes concealed her leaving everything to imagination.

"You see that lady," Phoebe whispered to the gang. "She looks a little miserable."

"How can you say that? You can't even see her face," Chandler asked incredulously.

Phoebe shushed him and continued, "My instinct says her boyfriend just dumped her because she is not hot. Now you go to her, talk and go on a date. Prove that you are not after hot women."

Joey looked at her and then back at Phoebe. "Don't you think that's taking too much trouble to prove something? What if she is u—" he stopped short and looked at the women glaring at him and corrected, "not hot!?"

"That is exactly what this argument is about," Ross explained.

"Is it?" he gave them an uneasy look.

"Joey!"

"Fine. Fine." He looked down and smiled as he got an idea. He began with excitement. "But what if, I save her all the trouble, and just kiss her? That would make her happy. A smart and hot guy just gave her a kiss!"

"Smart guy?" Monica cocked her eyebrow.

"So hot is true, right?" he winked.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Ross interrupted. "I mean kissing her all of a sudden—"

"Oh Ross, don't spoil the fun!" Rachel turned to give Joey a thumbs up.

He grinned and walked towards the counter. The gang crouched low and tried to look less suspicious.

Joey stood behind her, gave the confused Gunther a wink and covered the women's eyes with a hand.

"Um…I don't think I know anyone here…" the lady's voice sounded a little uncertain. Joey leaned closer to her ear and whispered. "You don't. But you will remember this for a long time."

He swiftly turned her and without sparing a glance, kissed her lips. A collective gasp from the friends was enough to make Joey smile. They thought he would back out. But no way. He was surprised at how soft the women's lips felt.

He felt her come back from the shock and with all the strength she could muster, she pushed him.

Joey let her go and she stumbled a little, her cap falling off.

Long brown hair got free from the messy bun and stopped at mid waist. Her almond shaped brown eyes were wide with shock and her pale cheeks were flushed.

"What…?" she looked at Joey, breathlessly.

He just kept staring at her. She was so damn beautiful. Chandler gave him a poke and he shook his head. "What the hell…you were supposed to be ugly!" he said, sounding helpless.

"Again…what!?"

…

The day couldn't get any harder. Crystal just finished painting her new apartment in the city along with her Father and brother; who just wanted something to eat. They were persistent on getting a break before they moved the furniture.

She walked into the coffee shop closest to the place and started talking to a person working there, trying to know more about the places around while her father and brother chose a place to rest beside a glazed window.

Of all the things she was prepared to experience in the new city, a kiss from a stranger was completely out of her league.

She could still feel the tingles on her lips while she tried her best to calm her nerves. The guy was still looking at her with astonishment.

"What the hell is going on here?" Mr. White came stomping and stood beside her daughter. He was a tall and heavy man known to intimidate people around him.

"A guy kissed Crytal!" the fifteen year old Jason was much interested to see some action than move furniture around all day.

"Run while you still can, Joey!" Chandler warned him and crouched further into his seat.

Mr. White was ready to punch Joey when Crystal piped in. "Oh, did I not tell you about Joey dad?" she gave a nervous laugh. "I thought I did. We—we are together!" That was the only thing she could think of to stop her father from punching the stupid guy. Conflict was not in her nature. She tried her best to avoid it.

"We are?" Joey said at the same time her father said, "You are?"

They exchanged confused glances before Crystal, trying her best not to pull her hair out in frustration, signalled the stupid guy to go along.

It took a few seconds for him to understand but when he did, he smiled at Mr. White and said, "Of course we are! Did my princess forget to tell you? That's too bad," he gave her a disapproving look.

If looks could kill, Joey would be lying dead right in the middle of Central Perk. Crystal hissed coming close to Joey, "Princess!?"

He gave her a sheepish smile and said, "I—I don't know your name."

"My brother just said my name!" she murmured, completely lost.

"Did he?"

She suppressed a sigh and plastered a smile.

"This is a big surprise! Come here man," Mr. White gave Joey a hug which he returned with an easy smile. "Take care of my daughter."

"You can leave everything to me, sir." Joey was enjoying the part a little too much.

"Oh, then I guess we are not needed anymore. I have work to do too. I'll be leaving then, dear," he gave her a kiss and stepped back looking at them with expectation.

"Um…okay dad. Bye," Crystal had no idea what to do.

Joey slid his hand around her waist, pulled her to his side and said, "Your daughter is in safe hands." He kissed her cheek and she stood frozen in her spot.

"That's all I needed to hear!" Mr. White and Jason left the coffee shop whispering to each other excitedly.

A few moments of silence passed before Joey whistled softly. "That was fun!"

He turned to look at the women beside him, who was red-faced. He slowly backed away from her and said, "Um…so, how you doin'?" he winked and leaned back on the counter.

Crystal gave him a look of disbelief, turned to Gunther and said, "I need a very strong coffee, please."

….

So, what do you think? Let me know if I should continue.

Have a nice day!

~ Vi.