Screaming Infidelities – Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I don't own any of them. It's a sad fact of life.

A/N: Thank you all for the great reviews! It means a lot to know what you think about this. There's gonna be more R&R in this chapter, just like I promised. It's after Christmas, I know, but I really, really, really wanted to write a Christmas chapter, so here it goes!

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It was the morning before Christmas Day, and Joey awoke to the snow falling lightly outside his window. It was the first time he had ever spent the holidays away from the rest of his friends. He could picture Monica, decorating her apartment, placing each perfectly wrapped gift under her tree. Chandler would be cast to the sidelines or given a small assignment such as folding the napkins or setting the table. Phoebe would be working on yet another holiday song for her gig at the coffeehouse. Mike would be by her side, cheering her on as she played the song she would tribute to her friends. Ross and Rachel would be celebrating their first Christmas as a real family. Unbeknownst to Joey, they would be doing this thousands of miles from home.

Joey was beginning to feel homesick. He had to remind himself why he came here. He was still new to town, but he found his way around. With the help of a new friend. Kendall.

The two of them hit it off extraordinarily well. They stayed up to the wee hours of the morning, talking, learning as much as they could about each other. Falling more in love with every encounter. He was amazed when he learned of the events that took place throughout the year. A marriage. A murder. He never met the man they called Michael Cambias, but he despised him. He became a good friend with Kendall's half sister, Bianca Montgomery. That was when he learned about the rape. And the pregnancy.

It happened in Bianca's adoptive grandmother Myrtle's own home. Michael, the vicious monster he was, forced himself on a struggling Bianca. She couldn't overpower him. Following this horrific was learning she was pregnant. Believing the child would be labeled as a child of rape, she told everyone she had decided on an abortion. That was what she told them. That wasn't what she did. With the help of Dr. David Hayward, the support of her best friend Maggie Stone, she spread the word she was getting an abortion, but got a sonogram instead.

As for Kendall's problems… She was acquitted of all charges and the real murderers were caught. The drugs Jackson was accused of stealing from the Pine Valley PD's evidence room really belonged to Michael. He was involved with the Calatravos and double crossed them. They supplied the goods and Michael sold them, but he broke his end of the bargain by keeping a little extra profit for himself. They put an end to his sorry excuse of a life, and tried to frame Kendall. Thanks to the ever handsome Juan Pablo, the truth was uncovered and Kendall was a free woman.

None of this mattered to Joey. He knew Kendall for the goodhearted person she was, he didn't care what happened in the past. To him, it was just an earthquake that shook up the lives of the people in Pine Valley. Now they were cleaning up the mess and moving on. He was glad he could help her with getting back to normal. Not that she needed it.

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Rachel was now in the driver's seat, Ross sleeping soundly in the passenger side. Only a half hour left. It was silent the majority of the trip, excluding the radio and Emma pulling off her classic wailing act, signaling it was time for a diaper change.

Fortunately at the moment, Emma was sleeping like the little princess she chose to be every once in a while. She wasn't talking in full sentences yet, but she could recite a few words here and there when she felt like it.

Rachel thought to herself how lucky she was. She has the most beautiful daughter one could ask for, friends who are there through even the worst circumstances, and she has Ross. Granted there are times when they don't exactly get along, but they work at making their relationship worthwhile. Some days they work harder than others, but the point is they made it this far, they should be able to make it for many years to come.

But that was what worried her. Recently they hit a rough spot, one that seemed even too tough for them to manage. That was why they were going on this trip in the first place. They needed time alone to solve their problems. Where better to do it than thousands of miles away from home. This way they could make their decisions on their own. There wouldn't be Monica or any of the others trying to persuade them to think one way rather than another.

If this weekend goes as planned, they will be closer than they are now. If something were to go wrong, it could possibly put a rift between them that can't be replaced.

The sun was beginning to shed its light on the southern fields on either side of the highway. Dawn was breaking, just as their destination loomed up in the distance. Emma was going to love it here. She could play with the animals and watch the horses as they graze in the pastures.

Rachel would be able to relive some childhood experiences. It had been so long since she felt what it was like to ride the back of a horse galloping in the breeze on a cool day. Back in the city it was snowing like crazy, but out here there wasn't much of the white stuff to be seen for miles around.

Rachel pulled into the long driveway and stopped outside a shed near the white farmhouse. After turning off the engine, she nudged Ross, who awoke with a slight grunt. She then got herself out of the car, stretching from so many hours without much movement. Opening the back door, she unbuckled Emma, who was just like her father when it came to rising early. They didn't throw a big fit like Rachel, they went with the flow, but it didn't mean they enjoyed it.

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Joey got up and dressed a lot earlier than usual. It was Christmas Eve, meaning if he wanted to get some of his last minute shopping done, he would have to be the early bird who catches the worm. He had already bought gifts for both Kendall and Bianca, but he wanted do something special to maybe win their mother over. Erica was wealthy, but Joey was determined to find something to suit her tastes. Given his super soap slaray, he sure could afford it.

The store was packed, but not as bad as it would be later in the day. There were people fighting over limited edition toys, which were in short supply, this close to Christmas. Others were arguing over who was in line first, while in the next aisle two people were rushing to be the first in line.

Joey just grinned to himself at how immature even the smartest people would act on certain occasions. He found his way to the women's section without much hassle. He looked at many blouses, remembering he didn't know what size to get, then wandered over to the jewelry counter.

There was an array of exquisite gems in many different colors. He spotted a diamond necklace worthy of royalty, faceted with rare sparkling pink diamonds. He knew it could possibly take a lot more than this to impress the great Erica Kane, but he was willing to give it a shot. After all, it is the thought that counts.

The cashier rung up the necklace, which was marked down ten percent from its original price. Joey took the bag, thanked the clerk for her time, and went on his way back to the motel without any trouble from the mindless holiday shoppers trying to beat the rush and fulfill their needs.

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Ross and Rachel were nearly unpacked when Emma awoke from another nap needing her breakfast. None of them had eaten yet, and she was getting restless. Ross picked her up to quiet her as Rachel went to the kitchen to fetch a bottle.

"Shhh, it's all right Emma. Daddy's here, and Mommy's gonna be back soon with your bottle."

She stopped crying at the sound of his voice. She looked into his deep brown eyes, almost identical to her own. A smile spread across her face. Relieved, Ross talked some more in order to keep her quiet and the rest of the household happy.

"You know what day it is, sweetie?" She giggled and Ross went on. "It's Christmas Eve! That's right. This will be your second Christmas, and it's going to be absolutely perfect." Her smile grew wider and he lifted her higher into the air. "And your Mommy and I have some special gifts just for you!"

"I don't want to spoil this moment, but Mommy's back. And look what she has!" Emma's face lit up when she saw the bottle Rachel held out at arm's length in front of her. Emma reached for it and Rachel came closer, handing Ross the bottle so he could feed her.

"That's my girl." Rachel sat on the bed and sighed.

"What's the problem?" Ross asked, trying to get her to open up to him. He didn't want her to be a closed book like she was when they were dating.

"It's just… This is the first Christmas I've ever spent so far from home. I never imagined I'd be saying this, but I want to be back home helping Monica decorate. I want to get together with Phoebe and search Monica and Chandler's apartment for our gifts. I just want it to be like it always is…" She placed her head in her hands, elbows rested on her lap.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. But this will be good for us. We can get used to being on our own. I mean, we're married, we have a family now." Ross shifted Emma in his hands as he sat in the plump chair next to the bed they were going to share.

"Yes, I know. But I still miss everyone. Later tonight I'll give them a call," she said, trying to suppress the tears she didn't want to shed. This was supposed to be a happy occasion, why did she feel so depressed?

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A/N: Next chapter will have the events of Christmas Day. I wanted to fit it all into one chapter, but I also wanted to get this up before it got too far after Christmas. So the second part will be up shortly, unless something unforeseen happens and I can't get around to it. Also, if anyone is really confused about the AMC stuff, email me or let me know in a review and I'll try to clear some things up. Leave a review, let me know whether I've been good or bad this year! If you do, I'll give you joy!