So I know that I have not updated this story in a while; I am struggling with finding the inspiration to write it. I know who I want to get together in the end (I am a huge Ross/Rachel fan if you didn't already know) but I don't know how to get them there. Any reviews, comments, or suggestions would be most appreciated, and it just may help me keep this story on track.

Charlie waved at Ross from the waiting area of the restaurant. "I remember you telling me that you liked Italian during our first afternoon together," she told him as the hostess brought them to their table.

"How was your first official day at NYU?" Ross asked as they took a seat.

"A little overwhelming," Charlie admitted. "It will take some getting used to, but I think I'll be really happy here."

"That's great." Ross and Charlie began to peruse the menu. "And you really don't have to worry about last night," Ross promised her.

Charlie sipped her ice tea. "So I missed you at the end of the party. What happened?"

"Oh I wanted to get a head start on some papers that needed to be graded."

Charlie and Ross quickly order their meals.

Charlie nervously twisted her hair around her index finger. "This might be a weird question, but I'm really curious…what is Joey like?"

Ross narrowed his eyes at Charlie.

"I mean, I spent one night with him, and he asked me out again – but I don't know anything really about him. You're one of his best friends – what can you tell me?"

Ross sipped his drink, contemplating on how to phrase his thoughts to Charlie. "I've known Joey for years – and he's a great guy," Ross promised. "He's always there for his friends."

Charlie nodded her head. "Has he had a lot of girlfriends in the past?" Charlie asked shyly. She felt like she was in high school all over again, talking about one of her little crushes in the locker room after gym class.

Ross let out a low chuckle. "I wouldn't call them girlfriends; - Joey likes to date – a lot."

Charlie tucked her hair behind her ear.

"But if he found the right woman – he could settle down and be a one woman man."

Then there might be hope, Charlie thought. She wasn't looking for a commitment after a harsh breakup, but she wasn't in the mood for a fling either – she wanted the possibility of something or someone.

"Anything else you want to know?" Ross asked as the waiter brought their meals.

Charlie placed a piece of food on his fork. "He lives that woman right – the blonde one?"

"Rachel," Ross said slowly.

Charlie nodded her head. The thought of getting involved with a guy who had a female roommate –especially one as beautiful as Rachel, was bit off-putting for the typically straight and narrow professor. "Are they close?"

Ross let out a short laugh. "Just friends," he promised. "We're sort of a little group; myself, Joey, Rachel, my sister Monica, her husband Chandler, and Phoebe."

"So you all go together," Charlie laughed.

"Yup – a total package," Ross admitted.

Charlie smiled, she liked what she was hearing, and wondered what it would be like to get to know Joey on a different level, beyond the bedroom.

"I think I'm really happy I moved to New York," she beamed, toasting her success with Ross.

"So you can forget anything I ever said about me and Joey," Rachel finished with Monica as she helped her put away the dishes in Monica's apartment. "Call it a brief moment of insanity."

"I told you," Monica smirked, pleased to be right. "You do not want to get involved with Joey. He's one of your best friends."

"But I got involved with Ross," Rachel said quietly, thinking about her night with him last night.

Monica placed a china plate on the highest cabinet. "Totally different," she pointed out. "You two had just gotten to know each other again – you didn't have the friendship history that you do with Joey."

"What about you and Chandler?"

Monica took a seat at the kitchen table. "It was different I guess," Monica admitted. "We both needed someone at the same time – and we happened to find each other." Monica beckoned for Rachel to sit. "You and Joey – you are roommates, think about what could happen…"

"If it didn't work out," Rachel finished with a sigh, knowing her friend was right. "Plus, after what I saw last night, Joey's got his eye on someone else."

"Who?" Monica asked. She had been so busy chasing soap stars last night that she missed half of the party.

"Ross' new friend at NYU."

"Get out!" Monica exclaimed. "This has to be killing Ross."

"I know," Rachel said quietly, wondering once again what Charlie had that made her so special and appealing to everyone.

Monica nodded his head. "He hasn't had the best luck with women these days; and now he has to work with that woman."

Rachel clenched her fist under the table. She had been so upset by what happened with Joey that she was now considering Ross' feelings last night.

"At least came to your senses with Joey before you did something stupid," Monica said comfortingly.

"Yeah," Rachel said, wondering if her quick rebound with Ross was a stupid mistake. They both wanted to be together, and after a rough night, it felt good to say yes to something so comforting.

"Rachel," Monica said, snapping her fingers.

"Sorry," Rachel said, "I was thinking."

"About Joey?" Monica said with a frown.

"No," Rachel said firmly, "It wasn't Joey."

"Was it another guy?"

Rachel opened her mouth. She wanted to tell someone about her and Ross, and Monica had always been one of the principle cheerleaders for their relationship to work. Yet Rachel paused, deciding that she needed to talk to Ross again first – before involving anyone else. "I'll tell you later," she promised as she got up to finish the dishes.

Monica nodded her head. "You want to join Chandler and me for dinner tonight?"

Rachel gave her friend a smile. "Can't," she said. "I have other plans."

"With who?"

Rachel opened her mouth to speak as Chandler came into the apartment.

Rachel mouthed 'later' as she turned to go, her thoughts consumed with Ross Gellar.