I'll Be There For You

Chapter 2

Funny story. I turn on the tv after writing the last part, and, of course, Friends is on, because when isn't Friends on? And, it's TOW they're going to party, and Monica mentions going to cooking school. So, I answered my own question about that :) Just thought I'd throw that out there…

I'm still trying to decide if I want the background of having Chandler and Rachel making out. Can't decide how I feel on that one. Don't particularly like it, but I might use it. We'll see what happens.

Anyway I wanted to update this to prove that I am, in fact, continuing it. I'm trying to map out the whole rest of it, though, so that I have a definite timeline of my own done before I post anything else. I'll try to work quickly; I have it mostly mapped out in my head already :)

Oh, and thanks for the reviews! Man, what would I do without you guys??

_._._Spring 1989_._._

Chandler sat in his dorm room, attempting to write a paper due on Monday so he wouldn't have to worry about it over the weekend. He drummed his pen on his desk, watching out the window as people below walked by. It looked nice out. Of course it was nice out, he thought. It was spring. A couple getting a little too friendly caught his eye momentarily, and he laughed out loud at them, the guy sliding his hand up the girl's miniskirt as they made out in the middle of a crowded sidewalk.

Pulling himself away from the window, he then turned up the volume on their boom box, attempting to drown out Ross's air purifier. Maybe that was why he was distracted. Damn air purifier. He sat back down, again staring at a blank page.

Nope, not the problem.

Leaning his chair back on its back two legs as he stretched, he nearly fell over. Catching himself on his bed, he was suddenly thankful the room was so small. Composing himself, he then began to tap his pen in time with the song on the radio, humming along. He then grabbed another pen, drumming on his desk along with the song, eventually singing along, at first under his breath, but picking up in volume at the chorus.

"But, I'll be there for you; these five words I swear to you! When you breathe, I want to be the air for you. I'll be there for you!" He started to get more into the song, now using one of the pens as a microphone. The squeak of their cracked door opening the rest of the way went completely unnoticed. "I'd live and I'd die for you. Steal the sun from the sky to you!" He again leaned back in his chair, this time, actually falling over at the sight of Monica, surprised to have an audience. "M-Monica, hi," he stood up, picking his chair up as well. His elbow hurt from where it hit the floor, but his ego sustained much more damage. Monica stood by the door, arms crossed, looking very amused. "I-I was just writing a paper," he motioned to his desk, feeling his face and ears burning.

Monica laughed out loud, both at what she had walked in on, and his obvious embarrassment. "Well don't quit on my account," she smiled in amusement, dropping her backpack and sitting down on his bed behind him.

"So, what're you doing here?" He turned the radio down, still bright red. In the past few months, it had become a regular occurrence for Monica to visit, so it wasn't that he was surprised to see her, he was just…surprised she had witnessed what was sure to be his most embarrassing moment of the semester.

"Looking for Ross, I guess. Or you. Whatever," she sighed.

"Glad to know I'm at the top of that list," he smirked, but knew the opposite was true. At first, after Thanksgiving, she had started stopping by once a week or so, sometimes catching him, sometimes Ross. After a few weeks, though, she must have figured out their class schedules, because she usually came when he was there, regardless of Ross's presence.

"No, it's not that," she sighed again. "Rachel just totally blew me off-again!" she hit the bed in frustration. "For another stupid guy, too! Or a sorority thing. Or both, maybe," she sighed again, and Chandler moved over to the bed, beside her.

"Sorry, Mon," he offered.

"You're not the one blowing me off," she stated. "It's just…I think she liked it better when I was her fat friend. I could be sort of her wingman. Now I'm just…I dunno. Another girl to compete with for guys or something," she made a face, not really understanding her friend's current behaviors.

"That sucks, Mon," Chandler fiddled with the pen in his hands, not completely sure what to say. "But I can see why she wouldn't want you as competition," he added softly, looking at the ground.

Monica smiled. "Well, I do feel a little better now."

"Every once in a while I say something right," Chandler shrugged.

"No, I was talking about your little song earlier. Definitely cheered me up," she laughed, and he pushed her playfully, trying to force her off his bed. Monica laughed harder, but caught her weight and stayed in place.

"Well, Ross is in class right now, but you can hang out with me for awhile. If you don't mind me spontaneously breaking into song," he nudged her, and she again laughed.

"I might take you up on that. Maybe get some homework done while you 'work on your paper,'" she made air quotes before grabbing her backpack with a grin.

"What kind of homework do you have for cooking school?" Chandler made a face. "Like, practicing stuff?"

"Among other things," she nodded.

"Wanna practice stuff on me?" he asked. "I mean that in the least dirty way possible, by the way," he added quickly off her amused look.

Monica laughed. "Yea, sure. I actually have a couple of dishes I wanted to practice for next week. Ya know, get a head start," she added with a grin.

"So studious…"

Monica beamed. She was very studious. She had to be, though, in order to be the best. And she was the best. "Yep! Anyway, I was going to make at least one of them tomorrow, if you want to come over."

"Eh, I really don't think your parents like me very much," he shifted uncomfortably. "There's, um, a kitchen downstairs, in the commons," he offered, and was surprised when she actually nodded in response.

"Have plans tonight?" she asked, and he shook his head. Like he would have already made plans on a Friday night. If anything, he would attempt to tear Ross away from Carol to go find a party. Somehow, dinner with Monica seemed a bit more promising. "How does Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brocolli Rabe sound?" she read from the sheet in front of her, and Chandler shrugged.

"What the hell is that?"

"You'll like it," she promised. Jumping up, she grabbed his hand for him to follow.

"Doesn't sound like it's something you make in a dorm kitchen," Chandler speculated, but Monica brushed it off.

"I'll make it work. Come, buy food with me," she zipped up her bag and threw it over her shoulder.

"Whatever you say," he agreed and grabbed his keys, following her out the door. "I'm sure it'll beat the hell out of whatever is in the cafeteria tonight…"

to be continued…

_._._

This is the part that inspired my title, by the way. Since it's the song Chandler was singing. I had this part written before I posted the last, and was dying to find a title so I could post it, and decided, hey, why not?

Anyway, please review! The more inspiration I have, the faster I write :)