A/N: Here's the first chapter, and the sentences in Italics are Chandler's thoughts. Enjoy!
That Thing Called Love
Chapter 1
Chandler tossed and turned around as his body became accustomed to the feeling of a much softer bed beneath it. Burying his face in the pillow, he became aware of a scent that was very familiar and yet very unsettling.
He opened an eye and saw that he was lying next to Monica, making his stomach do an involuntary flip. He opened his other eye too, and lifted his head to look around the room, seeing that their clothes were scattered all around it. Her dark red dress a bright contrast against the light blue shirt he was wearing the previous evening.
It was nearly 4.15 in the morning and he knew that he should get back to his own apartment, unless he wanted Joey to barge in, enquiring Monica about his whereabouts. They were just lucky to have escaped his attention even the previous evening.
Come on, who am I kidding? It's Joey! He'll never figure it out in a million years.
Besides, he must have been more concerned about our underfed poultry and his homesickness to have even noticed the absence of his best friend, he thought bitterly, even though he knew that he shouldn't be the one to complain.
He tried to get off the bed without waking Monica up, but failed in his efforts.
"Hey." Her sleepy voice made him look at her.
"Hey," he whispered back, bringing an automatic goofy grin to their faces.
God, she looks beautiful.
"Sleep well?" he asked, lying back on the bed, propping himself on his elbow to look at her. So what if he stayed there a few more minutes, it didn't appear like Joey was missing him.
"Not really." The blush spreading across her cheeks made her look even more beautiful.
Oh yeah, last night… Boy, was it hot.
He noticed that she was trying to cover herself up by clutching the sheets to her chest and realized that she wouldn't probably be comfortable with his nudity either, which made him check whether he was at least remotely covered at strategic places.
They both became aware of the awkward silence filling the room and he cleared his throat uncomfortably.
Okay, this 'staying back a few more minutes' plan isn't working too well…
"So..." they both began simultaneously and were interrupted by the shrill ring of the telephone, which scared them to death.
Who's calling at 4.20 in the morning?
"Hello," Monica answered tentatively on the third ring.
"Hold on for a second, Ross," she said, with a terrified expression on her face.
Ross? Did she say Ross? Because it definitely sounded like she said Ross. What is he doing calling up at 4.20 AM? Isn't he supposed to be on his honeymoon or something?
"It's Ross!" she whispered to Chandler, covering the mouthpiece with the palm of her hand, while he stared back at her with the same terrified expression. They both knew that their fear was just plain ridiculous, but wasn't exactly a turn on when the best friend, whose little sister you've just slept with, called early in the morning, totally out of the blue.
"Monica, are you still there?" They heard Ross' faint voice through the instrument. Realizing that her brother might find it weird that she hadn't spoken to him for a whole minute, Monica immediately put the phone on speaker and motioned for Chandler to be quiet.
Yeah, like I'd choose this moment to speak up.
"Yes, Ross. Sorry, just needed a moment to wake up. Is everything ok?" Monica asked, a little out of breath. Ross might have noticed that under normal circumstances, but something really seemed to be bugging him.
"Not really. Mon, I made a mistake. Did Rachel call you?"
Great, now we're expecting a call from Rachel, too?
"No, she didn't. Why, what's the matter? What did you do?" Monica asked, her face showing concern.
"It's just… Do you remember how I was telling Mr. Waltham that I'd be waiting for Emily at the airport, to go on our honeymoon?"
"Yeah…"
"While I was there, I saw Rachel. She was on stand-by for a flight to New York."
"Oh… Yeah. I totally forgot about that. Do you have any idea at time I should expect her here?" Monica asked as she met Chandler's eyes. He might have to leave soon.
"Lets see. It must be around 4. 30 on a Saturday morning in New York now, so… she'd probably be there by Friday", replied Ross, sounding guilty.
What? Friday?
"WHAT? Why, what happened?" asked Monica, obviously as confused as Chandler was.
This was when Ross presented them with the story of how he'd convinced Rachel to join him on his honeymoon and then left her on the flight to go after Emily. He sounded guilty, but then, it was Ross - he always found the necessity to defend himself, even when he knew what he had done was wrong.
"Ross, you abandoned Rachel on a flight to Athens? What were you thinking?" asked Monica, sounding pissed at her brother.
"Look, I did not abandon Rachel! I just did what I had to do, and I wasn't really thinking anything. I just saw Emily and went after her. You know what, Rachel might understand".
Dude, dream on!
"Did you at least catch up with Emily?"
"No… Emily saw Rachel about to go in with me and took off. I am still searching for her. Ok, I've gotta go now. If Rachel calls, tell her that I am sorry. Bye." Ross hung up before he received any judgments about his actions from his sister.
Leave it to Ross to ruin all his chances with two gorgeous women on the same day.
Monica had a dazed expression on her face from all the information that she'd received in 5 minutes, but they both couldn't help but think, 'if Rachel was gone for a week, then…'.
The problem though was that they hadn't talked about this thing that had been going on between them and they didn't want to talk about it, either. It was all still unclear and fuzzy and they were treading a thin line between friendship and a relationship. It was too soon to call it a relationship and their friendship seemed to be too important to be thrown away just for the sake of a fling. They knew that they had crossed the line enough number of times to safely say that the thing between them was no longer 'just friendship' and never will be again. The classic FWB seemed to be a very attractive option, but they still needed to talk.
Oh, the awkward silence… I should probably offer to leave now. She might already be regretting doing this again.
Is this really the end? God, I hope not…
"I should probably get going. Joey might be up…," said Chandler, even though he knew that Joey wouldn't be out of his bed before 9 AM, even if it's the end of the world. His mind was begging her to tell him to not to leave.
"Oh… I was just hoping that you'd-" Monica's reply was cut off half way through as the phone started to ring again.
That didn't sound like a 'yes you're right, please leave now' speech!
"Hello," answered Monica, a little weary from being interrupted every time they tried to talk. She'd turned the speaker on again.
"Hey Mon, it's me," replied Rachel, sounding very dejected.
"Oh honey, how are you? Ross told me everything."
"Oh, he did, did he?" countered Rachel.
That's one very bitter woman. Good luck to you Ross!
"Yeah. Sweetie, I am so sorry. Where are you now?" asked a very concerned looking Monica.
It's sweet how she cares about us all so much. Chandler couldn't help but smile at her sweetly.
Even though preoccupied with the conversation with Rachel, Monica returned the smile, wondering what had brought it on in the first place.
"I am IN THEIR HONYMOON SUITE," replied Rachel, through her teeth. Just by hearing it, they could imagine her face.
"Anyway, I am drained out, Mon. I contacted the airport and there isn't a flight out from here till Friday. I guess I'll just have to stay here. I call you later. I just… I need to go. Bye." She hung up with that, sounding more despaired than ever.
Poor Rachel…
"Poor Rach," said Monica in a thoughtful voice, as their minds returned to their problem.
"Yeah… I should really get going now, Mon. It's nearly 5 o'clock." Chandler couldn't help but notice the wistful look that was directed at him, but Monica finally nodded her assent.
They both got up from the bed and began to get dressed, Chandler into his clothes, Monica into her robe. As they both left the bedroom, he turned around to face her.
Maybe I should kiss her goodbye… It wasn't this weird even in London. If only she'd say something.
"So, um…" he stammered, not knowing what to say and she seemed to be having some trouble with getting words out, too.
Not knowing what he was asking or why he was asking it, he blurted out, "With Rachel gone for nearly a week now, would you be alone here?"
For what did I ask her that?
"Only at night," she replied, a smile flitting across her face.
"Oh… right. Umm… So, I guess I'll see you at breakfast?" he asked, still looking a little nonplussed. She nodded again.
He turned to leave, but he heard her say, "Not if you come over at night".
"What?" He turned around, looking confused.
"I wouldn't be alone here if you come over at night," replied Monica, a shy grin spreading across her face.
There it is. The official invitation to continue what has been going on between us in two different countries now. The permission to continue being on London time. God, I hope my legs don't involuntarily do their 'happy dance'.
"At night or at nights?" asked Chandler, taking his steps toward Monica, his own grin uncontainable, sliding a hand around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
"At nights," she whispered, bringing her arms around his neck, pulling his face down for a kiss.
A soft kiss, turning more passionate as seconds went by, making them pass through the bedroom door, and fall onto the bed.
"Wait, don't we have to talk this through first?" asked Monica, breathlessly, pulling back from his kiss, pinned beneath him.
Talk? Now? Is she kidding me?
"Talking is way overrated, Mon," replied Chandler, pulling her up for another kiss.
"I know." She kissed him back with all she had, any thoughts of Ross, Rachel, Emily or Joey, flying right out the widow.
Not in New York Rule declared null and void.
~.~.~
A/N: Thank you for reading! OK, now that you've read the first chapter, please leave a review. I hate to beg, but I really need to know whether or not I should continue this story.