Standard Lines

Chapter One: Eastern Standard Time

~.~

The first part of this scene blatantly stolen from canon, and obviously not mine.

~.~

Chandler and Monica looked awkwardly at one another, the aloneness they had been searching for since Ross's wedding finally finding them.

"We certainly are alone," Monica forced an awkward laugh.

"Yea, good thing we have that, 'Not in New York Rule,'" Chandler replied, just as awkwardly, not meaning a word of it. This wasn't supposed to be awkward.

"Right," Monica agreed. "Um, listen, since we're-we're on that subject, um, I just wanted to tell you that uh, well, I-I was going through a really hard time in London, what with my brother getting married and that guy thinking I was Ross's mother…"

"Right," Chandler laughed.

"Well, an-anyway, I just—that night meant a lot to me, and I guess I'm just trying to say thanks."

Chandler smiled sincerely, taking a step closer. "Oh. Y'know, that night meant a lot to me, too, and it wasn't because I was in a bad place or anything. It just meant a lot to me, 'cause…you're really hot," he grinned, causing them both to laugh. "Is that okay?"

Monica laughed, nodding at him. "That's okay."

Chandler leaned forward. "And, I'm cute, too," he prompted her.

"And you're cute, too," Monica laughed.

"Thank you," Chandler smiled, giving her a hug that definitely qualified as friendly more than anything else. "All right. I gotta go unpack."

"Okay."

"Bye," Chandler looked back at her with one last smile before walking out the door. Monica thought for a moment before following after him, hesitating at the door as she thought better of it as she turned around. When the door opened quickly behind her, she nearly jumped. "I'm still on London Time, does that count?" Chandler asked, and Monica nodded, Chandler wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.

Monica eagerly kissed back for a moment before realization set in. "Chandler," she shook her head, pulling back.

"What?"

"I just, I-I don't think," she shook her head. "I mean, we said it would just be in London. And I don't, I don't think…"

"You don't think what, Mon?"

"I don't think you can be on London time and New York time at the same time. I mean, that's a five hour difference. There's an ocean in between. It's not physically possible. You're either on London time, or you're on New York time. It's-"

"Okay, I get it," Chandler backed up and away from her, trying to hide how hurt he actually was by her stopping the kiss. "I get it," he repeated, softer.

"Chandler," Monica sighed at his hurt demeanor. "I just, I don't think it would be a good idea for us," she motioned between them, "to…ya know? I just don't want to ruin what we have…."

"Right," Chandler nodded, feeling stupid for even considering coming back and kissing her. They had agreed it was just a one-night thing. He had almost forgotten she didn't think he was boyfriend material, or at least her boyfriend material. He was stupid for thinking that night in London was anything more than that: one night.

"Chandler," Monica stepped towards him, reaching out to touch his arm, feeling like they should talk more, but he shrugged away from her touch, heading towards the door.

"You're right," Chandler nodded. "It would be a bad idea," he added, trying to make himself believe it. "I'll see you later, Mon," he added before walking out the door, closing it slowly behind him.

Monica again sighed, staring at the door. She just made the right decision, right? They couldn't sleep together again now that they were home, because now that they were home, it had an entirely different connotation than when it happened at her brother's wedding.

It was a bad idea. They were too good of friends to let it go any further. They would turn into the next Ross and Rachel.

It was a bad idea. A really, really bad idea.

And maybe, if she repeated that thought enough times, she would actually believe it.

~.~

Um…sorry so short. In all reality, the first three chapters of this could all be one chapter (excluding the prologue), but…I don't have the time to get it all written. It's all written in here, though (You can't see me, but I pointed to my head). Short, frequent updates, or long, sporadic updates-- which is better? That wasn't rhetorical :)

Review, please and thanks! I'll update as soon as I can!