Author: Jen

Author's Note: This idea is taken from the storyline when Rachel is working at Ralph Lauren and hires Tag as her new assistant. Instead of Tag, it was Joey who came in for the interview. Joey never met the gang or moved in with Chandler. The rest of the gang still know each other and have the same past.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own anything or any of the characters

A/N: Joey meets the gang when he becomes Rachel Green's new assistant.


I walk into the office that reads "Rachel Green" on the name plate outside and the last thing I'm expecting to find is a gorgeous brunette in a smoking hot, leather skirt. I stop for a moment, staring, but then she spots me.

"Hi," I smile probably too broadly.

"Oh, hi... the models are down the hall," she directs me, assuming I'm in the wrong place.

It makes me grin even wider. I should tell her the same thing and I almost do, but I realize I can't flirt with my, hopefully, soon to be boss.

"Oh, no I'm here for the assistant job," I clarify.

I walk into the room and offer her my resume.

She pauses while tilting her head unexpectedly at this revelation, but then quickly accepts the paper from my hand.

"Oh, wow - I mean, of course - hi, I'm Rachel Green," she stumbles a bit, which I only find adorable.

She extends her hand out to me and I take her hand.

"Joey Tribbani."

"Please, take a seat."

I sit in the chair across from her desk and she sits back down while reading over my resume. I know my experience is not great, I'm already preparing to simply charm my way through this and hope she takes a huge chance on me because I need a job... bad. I've been hurting for money lately as I haven't gotten any gigs lately.

"Huh, so you are an actor?" she confirms in a overly optimistic voice because we both know acting isn't going to help me get this assistant job.

"Yes, but I've also done a few waiter jobs and a phone salesman once - also, I'm really great at listening and writing lists," I add enthusiastically.

She instantly smiles - that's a good sign.

"I'm sure you are," she chuckles lightheartedly at my new additions.

She looks down at my resume again, this is where all the people interviewing me contemplate whether to seriously consider me as a candidate or simply ask me to leave. I think I have an advantage here being that Rachel is young and attractive and I'm pretty sure she finds me attractive too.

"I know I don't have much assistant experience, but I think I could do a really great job," I press.

"Oh, what are you talking about? I'm sure acting has helped your interpersonal skills!" she surprisingly encourages me.

My eyes widen, is she actually considering me? I get excited until I quickly get lost on how to answer her.

"Yes, interper— um... what was that?" I whisper nervously.

"Interpersonal skills, like people skills: communication, listening - which you already told me you're great at," she explains with another promising reassurance.

"Yes, I am definitely listening - do you want me to start a list?" I ask eagerly.

She laughs at this request, I'm not quite sure why, but she's still smiling so I'm thinking it's a good thing.

"Well, Joey, you're honestly not as qualified as some of my other candidates..." she begins and I immediately frown.

I start to get up, assuming she's about to cut this interview short.

"I'll go," I sigh.

"Wait, Joey no I was going say..." she jumps up with me, but pauses before finishing her sentence.

I wait wondering if she's about to make a bad decision right now.

"I was going to say, when can you start?" she smiles at me.

My face lights up. Wow, she really did make a bad decision, she must really find me attractive.


I accept the job offer and I can't believe I'm actually going to be able to pay rent this month.

I start the very next day and when I arrive at the office, Rachel shows me my new desk which is in the hallway, right outside her office.

While she's showing me my desk and computer and the rest of the boring office supplies, I'm just staring at her. God, she's hot.

I know you're not supposed to sleep with your boss, but I never really understood that rule.

Luckily, she doesn't notice I'm not paying attention and continues to pull out a piece of paper from a folder she's holding.

"So, here is your list of to-dos for today - I know you love lists," she grins at me.

I match her smile right back.

Does she like me? She hired me for a job when I had to be the least qualified and now she made me a list. And don't even get me started on how much she smiles at me. Man, she really is so hot. Are people sure you're not supposed to fool around with your boss? I really need to ask someone about that.

She hands me the list.

"Thanks," I say, accepting the piece of paper.

"It's pretty basic stuff, but let me know if you have any questions," she says.

Yeah, are you single? Do you want to hook up with your new assistant?

I don't ask anything and nod my head.

"Will do, boss," I state.

She chuckles again and then heads back to her office.


I'm working my way through Rachel's list and it's really easy things: getting coffee, checking messages, organizing fabric samples, and other menial tasks.

I'm sitting at my desk in the afternoon when a man walks into the hallway and stops before Rachel's door, which is closed.

"Hi, can I help you?" I ask the stranger nicely.

The man turns around and looks at me with an unhappy expression.

"Who are you?" he inquires with distaste.

"Joey, I'm Rachel's new assistant," I respond with a friendly smile even though this guy is being rude.

"Oh, hrm," he makes a dissatisfied sound.

What is this guy's problem?

"Can I help you with something?" I repeat my question.

"I need to talk to Rachel, I'm her... good friend," he tells me.

"Well, she's on a call for the next ten minutes, can I get your name?" I inquire and I'm so proud of how damn professional I sound.

"Ross," he says.

I write down Ross and then look up at him, waiting for his last name.

"Geller - she knows who I am," he argues.

"I will tell her she has a Ross Geller waiting for her, after her call. You can wait here if you want," I declare and point to two chairs placed by the door to the hallway.

Ross again looks disgruntled with this direction, but decides to go and sit in one of the chairs.

When Rachel's call is done, I page her phone and tell her that a Ross Geller is here to see her.

She thanks me and tells me to send him in.

Ross gets up and begins walking right into her office before I even direct him. I sit back down, annoyed this guy won't let me do my job. I'm about to walk downstairs to get another coffee for myself when I hear Ross's voice again. I look back at Rachel's office, but the door is still closed. Then, I hear Rachel's voice and realize the button on her phone must be stuck and I can hear their entire conversation from the speaker on my desk phone.

I go to try and turn off my phone or page her back to tell her, but then Ross mentions me and I freeze over my phone.

"So, what's that out there? You hired that guy Joey as your assistant?" he questions her.

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" she questions him back.

"What happened to Olga, she seemed like a great candidate," Ross presses.

"She was seventy-five Ross," Rachel pushes back.

"Well, this Joey seems a bit too young don't you think? And a bit too good-looking, is he even qualified?" Ross tests her.

I roll my eyes at Ross's interrogation.

"Look Ross, it's none of your business who I hire. What do you want?" Rachel fires back in my defense and I can't help, but beam at this.

I really think she likes me and I would really like to know what she looks like naked, so this is looking like another step in the right direction.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I just came here to talk about last night. We never discussed anything and...well, I really enjoyed last night," Ross continues.

Oh no, this doesn't sound good.

"Oh, well, I...um enjoyed it too," Rachel responds with the last thing I wanted to hear her say.

"Maybe, we could try this again?" Ross says.

No - say no Rachel - sleep with your assistant Joey instead!

"Give us a try again?" Rachel clarifies.

"Yeah, why not?" Ross asks.

I'm shaking my head, praying she's about to turn him down.

Instead, she does the opposite.

"What the hell, right?" she breathes.

I drop my head in sorrow. There's goes my hot boss hook up.

The next thing I hear is Rachel softly moan and I scramble for the off button.

I can't figure out how to turn it off on my end since it's her button that must be stuck, so I yank the cord and unplug the entire phone.