DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING
Monica walked into Chandler and Joey's apartment and found Chandler standing at the kitchen counter staring at a letter he had just received.
"Chandler? What's wrong?" Monica asked. Chandler didn't say anything he just stood there and handed her the letter. Monica read every word carefully, the letter said that they wanted Chandler to go and serve in the army. "Oh my g-d," Was all Monica could say before she walked up behind Chandler and rubbed his back.
"They are shipping me off to my most certain death, aren't they?" Chandler finally managed to say.
"Chandler we can't afford to think like that." Monica whispered, and began to break down.
"Mon please don't cry…" Chandler begged as he turned around to hug her.
"I can't believe I may actually lose you," Monica sobbed against his chest. Monica looked up at Chandler who was also crying. "W-when do you have to to leave?" Monica asked.
"A week from today," Chandler said.
"I am going to miss you so much," Monica said still sobbing.
"Mon, lets try not to think about it, ok?" Chandler asked.
"Ok,"
The next day Ross, Rachel, Joey, Phoebe and Monica were all sitting in the coffee house. Monica didn't want to bring anything up about Chandler having to serve in the army because, she would most likely break down again. Chandler entered the coffee house but something was different, the sparkle in his eye was gone, the corners of his mouth dropping and he lost all will to say anything sarcastic. Chandler didn't order a coffee he just walked over to where the rest of his friends were and sat down on the couch.
"Chandler what's wrong with you?" Rachel questioned.
"Nothing," Chandler lied, but his friends all knew him and they could tell that he was lying.
"Chandler," Rachel said again. Chandler sighed and pulled out the letter from his pocket, and handed it to Rachel. Ross, Joey and Phoebe circled around Rachel to read the letter. Rachel finished the letter first, and her hand flew to her mouth. Ross and Phoebe quickly did the same.
"Chan-Chandler you have to go to the army?" Phoebe asked. Chandler nodded and Monica rubbed his arm. "Huh… Chandler in camouflage… interesting," Phoebe said and began to zone out.
"Pheebs?" Rachel said causing Phoebe to come back to reality.
"So-so when are you leaving?" Ross asked.
"Six days," Chandler said.
"Wait where are you going?" Joey asked confused.
"Joe, Chandler has to go and fight for our country." Ross said.
"Ha, Chandler fighting." Joey said, this caused his five friends to glare at him. "What?"
Ross shook his head and looked back at Chandler. "How long do you have to go for?" Ross asked.
"About a year. They said if I don't go I will have to serve the time in jail, and lord knows I would definitely die in jail." Chandler said looking into his hands.
"Chandler, we are here for you, and we love you." Rachel said, and walked over to him and pulled him into a hug. Before Chandler knew it all of his friends were in the hug as well.
"I am going to miss you guys so much." Chandler said after the hug was broken.
"Hey, you don't leave in six day, we still have time to hang out." Joey pointed out.
"You're right… interesting." Chandler said and went into deep thought.
"Oh, Chandler will you get those t-shirts that say army on them?" Rachel asked.
"Yea, why?" Chandler asked.
"Oh its just that I used to date this guy who's dad was in the army and the he gave me one. Let me tell you those things are comfortable." Rachel said.
"Well let me tell you. When I get some I will send you some, Ok?" Chandler said trying to please Rachel.
"Ok!" Rachel shouted.
Before the six friends knew it it came time for Chandler to go. The six friends were all sitting in the terminal waiting for the call to say it was time to board. Chandler was sitting in the terminal biting his nails, he couldn't believe that he had to do this. This is the lesser of two evils Chandler thought. When the call came on and said it was time to broad Chandler got up and sighed.
"So this is it." Phoebe said.
"Were gonna miss you man," Ross said and hugged him.
"Do you have to go?" Joey asked like a small child watching his grandmother die.
"I am afraid so. Rachel I will send you some shirts soon," Chandler said and hugged Rachel. "Mon I will call you, Ok? I love you." Chandler said and hugged her as well. The group had one final hug together before Chandler boarded the plane and took off. The five friends watched as the plane took off and they all prayed that Chandler would return home safely in one year.
Chandler sat in the plane and thought about what 1996 had in store for him...
AN: TBC