Breaking Away Chapter 1: The Aftermath

Disclaimer: Yada yada I don't own any of these characters they belong to Bright Kauffman and Crane

Premise: Set immediately after the S9 finale. An R/J fic with maybe other couplings ahead. Depends I haven't made up my mind.

A/N: I don't want to turn into that writer that was so bad that a bunch of you writers rebelled against him. (Jean-Paul I think his name was) This is just a way to pass the time. If it's horrible, just let me know as nicely as possible.

The knocking at the door shook Rachel out of her reverie. As she lifted herself from the bed, desperately trying to get control over herself, a control that she thought she wouldn't ever get back, the knocking became louder "Dammit, I'm coming" she yelled angrily. She definitely wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone right now. She reached the door and opened it.

A powerful jolt surged through her body, a mixture of surprise, hope and regret, as she saw Joey standing in front of her. His eyes, so often filled with a mixture of conflicting emotions were clear. Hope and love burned through them. Without a word he drew her to him and gave her a searing kiss that electrified every nerve of her body. Reflexively her heads wrapped around his back, as his hands gently glided across her neck. The room began to fuzz around the edges as Rachel lost herself in the moment, all conflicting emotions gone. Joey kicked the door closed with his foot.

The sound of the door closing shook Rachel out of the dreamlike trance she had been in. Without even realizing what she was doing she tore herself out of his embrace, backpedaling rapidly. Joey looked at her inquisitively. "What-what was that?" Rachel asked, her voice cracking slightly. Joey looked confused and then broke into a rueful smile. "Well Rach, if I have to tell you, then I guess my technique isn't what it used to be." Rachel blushed and said "What about Ross?" Joey again looked confused and then gradually his eyes darkened and look of reluctant understanding crossed his face. Rachel immediately realized what he was thinking, and rushed to say "I mean what made you change your mind." Joey's expression cleared. "I saw him kissing Charlie in the hotel lobby."

"Oh" said Rachel. "Don't you see? That means I can be with you. Ross broke the code first, not me." With that Joey moved closer to Rachel and once again kissed her. Rachel struggled with her desire to give in to temptation and the knowledge that this blissful feeling wouldn't last. "Joey stop" she said, gently pushing him away. "What?" he asked. "I'm sorry-God you don't know how sorry I am- but honey, this won't work. It will shake up the entire group. Ross-""Why is it always about Ross? Why can't it just be about us for a change?" "Because of Emma." Rachel said simply.

Joey realized she was right. The exact same expression of hurt and betrayal that was on his face was the exact same expression he had worn after he had revealed his feelings for Rachel last year. A mixture of hurt, betrayal and loss. And it broke Rachel's heart to know that just like last time; she was the cause of it. "Joey" Rachel started to say, reaching toward him. "No" Joey's voice softer than usual, a voice of a wounded animal, assaulted her. "Just don't" Joey fumbled for the doorknob, opened it and left. Rachel stood there, sobs cascading silently down her cheeks. She ran toward the open door, calling after Joey. But he ignored her and disappeared down the hallway toward the elevator. Rachel managed to close the door before she collapsed in sobs.

A/N the second: Yeah Yeah I know not funny. Well it's mostly a drama but I'll try to interspace a comedic chapter in here and there. (Assuming you like it, of course)