SORRY for my slow posting time!! I've been swamped!! But hopefully I'll
get this finished soon!! Thanks for the kind reviews on my last 2 parts,
they made my day!!
DISCLAIMER: You know what it is, so basically blah, blah, blabbity, blah, blah… Get the picture… good!! (
Guilt swept over Ross as he hastily threw on his pants. Why was he always so impulsive when it came to Rachel? He had cheated, once again, this time on his wife. During the moment it had felt so right, both of them needing comfort only the other could provide, both in dire straits over their daughter. Ross looked at his watch, 11:45, he knew that Grant got off his shift at Midnight, he wanted to be long gone before that happened. Ross did not want or need to fuel the fire under Grant's psychotic mindset anymore than was already done.
Rachel stirred on the bed next to him as Ross leaned over to tie his shoes. "Ross… where… where are you going?" She asked, wiping the sleep from her eyes.
"Rach, honey, it's quarter to midnight, Grant will be home anytime now." He stood, finishing the buttons on his shirt.
"Ross… I… I can't be here alone with him. Not after what I know… what you told me… please, Ross." She grabbed onto his arm her fingernails piercing his flesh.
Ross sat back on the bed, pulling Rachel closer to him as he wrapped his arms securely around her. She rested her cheek against his chest.
"Sweetie, we're gonna get him, but we can't let him on to anything. Everything has to be as normal as possible right now. But, you know what… here." He released one arm and grabbed a pen and pad of paper from the nightstand beside them. "I'm gonna write down my new pager number and if ever you feel unsafe or worried, you page me immediately, ok!"
"And you'll come right over?" She asked timidly.
"Hey, you know I will." Ross gave Rachel another quick squeeze and kissed the top of her head. Just before the door, he turned, looking back at the vulnerable woman on the bed. "Rach, be strong…. for Ems, ok?" Rachel let out a weak smile and slowly nodded her head.
*************************************
Ross eased the door open to his apartment, tip toeing, he entered, closing the door slowly behind him. A lamp flipped on and Ross swung around nearly running into a worried looking Mona.
"Where have you been!? I've been worried sick about you!"
Ross averted his eyes to the floor, setting his keys on the table he walked toward their room. "I was doing some research… looking through some old Police files, sorry I'm late."
Mona sighed. "Ross, would you just let the Police do their job."
Ross stopped, turning to face Mona, he spoke calmly. "Look, Mona, I'm sorry I was late, but until they find Emma, I'm going to keep searching… if that doesn't fit in with your schedule… then… then… maybe we shouldn't be together."
Mona crossed her arms against her chest, "You miss your daughter, Ross, I know that, but she's gone and I'm here! I don't think you quite realize that."
Ross bit at his bottom lip, trying to hold back the ever- present emotion that seemed to well up inside him. "No, Mona, I don't think YOU quite realize. You have no idea what it's like to have a piece of you gone. Missing! A helpless baby girl is out there with some psycho… MY baby girl. Until she's safe at home… my life is put on hold." A single tear rolled down his flushed cheek. Ross turned and walked into the bedroom. It hurt him to lie to Mona like that. He hadn't said a word to her about the confrontation he had had with Grant. In fact, since Emma's kidnapping, he didn't tell her much of anything anymore. More often than not he slept on the couch or in the little rocking chair in Emma's room. Mona seemed to just want to get on with life. To put the whole thing behind them and start all over. Ross could never do that, nor would he, even if it meant sacrificing his fourth marriage.
*************************************
The police told Ross he was crazy and laughed in his face. They all knew Grant and as far as they were concerned, he was a model police officer who was just as distraught over the kidnapping of his step –daughter as the biological mother and father were.
Ross left the police station in a huff, pausing just outside the door to kick a metal garbage can in frustration. "DAMMIT!!" He yelled, sitting on the hot concrete steps and running his fingers through his hair.
Chandler sat down next to him. "Did you break it?"
"What?"
"Your foot."
Ross rolled his eyes, "I'm not in the mood, ok?"
Chandler sighed, "I know, I'm sorry… Look, Ross, what did you expect them to say? You have no proof, no motive… NOTHING to give these people as evidence."
"Thank you, Chandler, I'm glad I brought you along for support." Ross stood, dejectedly and began walking.
"Ross… Ross… come on, Ross at least hear me out." Chandler had to run to catch up with Ross' brisk pace.
"I have a daughter to find… so why don't you take that clever, witty sarcasm of yours and just leave me alone."
"Ross, stop it." Chandler grabbed at Ross' arm, slowing his pace. "Look… what I am trying to say is… go out there, get them their evidence and bring it to them. They can't deny it when it's staring them right in the face."
"Oh that's it… and where am I going to get that. Let's see… oh I KNOW. Maybe if we ask Grant nicely he'll turn himself in and bring Emma home." Ross rolled his eyes once again and quickened his pace.
Chandler paused, a slow smile spreading over his face. "OR… I have a plan."
Ross halted, abruptly, knowing that he was leaning on the edge of desperation and that any so- called 'plan' would be better than doing nothing at all. Without turning around, Ross answered. "What is it?"
**************************
"So, you can do this… right, Rach?"
Rachel paced the living room floor of Chandler and Monica's apartment, nervously twisting at the wedding ring on her finger. "What if I can't."
"Rachel you can… you have to! He doesn't like any of us… and you're the only one he wouldn't suspect." Chandler pleaded.
Ross took Rachel's hand as she passed by, stopping her in front of him. His expression somber, he looked into her eyes. "Do it for Emma."
Rachel gasped, somewhere in his eyes was a reflection of her baby. The resemblance took her aback and a new resolve washed over her being. "Ok… let's do it."
********************************
"So… do you think he can he see it… can you see it?"
"Not unless he frisks you for it."
"Rach, I can't see it… don't worry so much… it's very small."
Rachel stood before a mirror, adjusting her shirt to conceal the tiny microphone that hid beneath it. "Ugh… maybe I should wear a jacket over it."
"No… you're fine, come on, he'll be home any time now."
Rachel breathed in deeply and slowly let the air out. "Kay… so… you guys are gonna be close, right?"
"Just outside in that beautiful rented van across the street." Chandler pointed out the window to a large, dilapidated van tucked in an alleyway.
"Hey, don't be makin' fun of my dad's van, that baby's a piece of history." Joey pouted.
"Yah, you're right Joe, considering we practically had to push the van here, it sure is a piece of cra… I mean history." Chandler sneered.
"Ok, guys… are ya' done. We have 5 minutes to get out of here." Ross said as he pushed the guys toward the door.
"Kay, Rach… good luck." Chandler smiled giving Rachel a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Yah, you can do it, Rach." Joey said, hugging her lightly.
Ross waited for Chandler and Joey to exit and turned back to Rachel. He took her hands in his, intertwining their fingers. "You know how proud I'm going to be of you?" He whispered, pulling her closer.
Rachel smiled lightly and sighed. "Don't say anything yet… so far all I've done is strap on a recording device and get dressed."
Ross laughed, letting go of her hands, he pulled her into a tight embrace. "Be careful."
She gulped trying to swallow the forming lump in her throat. Ross pulled away, he tucked a stray piece of hair behind Rachel's ear and leaned in, placing a light, lingering kiss on her lips. When he parted she smiled, grabbing his hand and reluctantly letting it fall as he walked out the door.
**********************************
"There's nothing here… NOTHING." Ross sighed hitting the rewind button on the tape recorder. Monica rubbed his leg, reassuringly.
"Ross, calm down, we just laid the groundwork last night. Over time he's gonna cave. He's got to." Chandler reasoned, taking a sip of coffee.
Rachel stood walking into the kitchen. "I can't listen to this anymore. What kind of a horrid mother am I!! Saying things like that!"
Phoebe followed, laying an arm across Rachel's shoulder. "We know you don't mean those things, Rach… but Grant has to think you do."
"And you did an excellent job… all those free acting lessons I gave you worked wonders." Joey smiled, proudly. He thought for a minute, the corners of his mouth turning into a frown. "Yah, you're gonna have to pay for those."
Ross hit play on the recorder once more, turning up the volume and listening intently:
(On the Tape)
Rachel: "You know, honey… I never thought I'd say this… but… it's been kinda nice not having Emma around."
Grant: "What… I mean what do you mean?"
Rachel: (a bit shakily) Well… you know… a child's a lot of responsibility… I mean… now, I don't have to worry about who's going to watch her while we're at work… or… or… what to feed her… or how to get her down for a nap…"
Grant: "…And have you noticed how quiet it's been around her lately, I've actually been able to get a full night's sleep."
Ross stopped the player, "Ugh… I hate that guy!"
There was a knock on the door. Monica rose to answer it, "Ross, are you expecting Mona? We need to tell her she shouldn't have to knock anymore." Swinging the door open, Monica paused
"Is a Ross Geller here?" A tall, lanky man asked, he flipped open a black wallet, revealing an officers' badge.
Confused, Monica stepped aside, revealing the group sitting in the living room. "Uh… yah, he's… he's… right there." She pointed to where Ross was, now standing, looking just as bewildered as Monica.
The tall man walked toward Ross, followed by a shorter, stockier man, in Police uniform. He pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs, manipulating Ross' hands behind his back and securing the cuffs into place.
"Mr. Geller, you are under arrest… anything you say or do will count against you in a court of law..."
TO BE CONTINUED…
Sorry guys, I'm really hoping to end this with one more part, two at the most!! Please review! :o)
DISCLAIMER: You know what it is, so basically blah, blah, blabbity, blah, blah… Get the picture… good!! (
Guilt swept over Ross as he hastily threw on his pants. Why was he always so impulsive when it came to Rachel? He had cheated, once again, this time on his wife. During the moment it had felt so right, both of them needing comfort only the other could provide, both in dire straits over their daughter. Ross looked at his watch, 11:45, he knew that Grant got off his shift at Midnight, he wanted to be long gone before that happened. Ross did not want or need to fuel the fire under Grant's psychotic mindset anymore than was already done.
Rachel stirred on the bed next to him as Ross leaned over to tie his shoes. "Ross… where… where are you going?" She asked, wiping the sleep from her eyes.
"Rach, honey, it's quarter to midnight, Grant will be home anytime now." He stood, finishing the buttons on his shirt.
"Ross… I… I can't be here alone with him. Not after what I know… what you told me… please, Ross." She grabbed onto his arm her fingernails piercing his flesh.
Ross sat back on the bed, pulling Rachel closer to him as he wrapped his arms securely around her. She rested her cheek against his chest.
"Sweetie, we're gonna get him, but we can't let him on to anything. Everything has to be as normal as possible right now. But, you know what… here." He released one arm and grabbed a pen and pad of paper from the nightstand beside them. "I'm gonna write down my new pager number and if ever you feel unsafe or worried, you page me immediately, ok!"
"And you'll come right over?" She asked timidly.
"Hey, you know I will." Ross gave Rachel another quick squeeze and kissed the top of her head. Just before the door, he turned, looking back at the vulnerable woman on the bed. "Rach, be strong…. for Ems, ok?" Rachel let out a weak smile and slowly nodded her head.
*************************************
Ross eased the door open to his apartment, tip toeing, he entered, closing the door slowly behind him. A lamp flipped on and Ross swung around nearly running into a worried looking Mona.
"Where have you been!? I've been worried sick about you!"
Ross averted his eyes to the floor, setting his keys on the table he walked toward their room. "I was doing some research… looking through some old Police files, sorry I'm late."
Mona sighed. "Ross, would you just let the Police do their job."
Ross stopped, turning to face Mona, he spoke calmly. "Look, Mona, I'm sorry I was late, but until they find Emma, I'm going to keep searching… if that doesn't fit in with your schedule… then… then… maybe we shouldn't be together."
Mona crossed her arms against her chest, "You miss your daughter, Ross, I know that, but she's gone and I'm here! I don't think you quite realize that."
Ross bit at his bottom lip, trying to hold back the ever- present emotion that seemed to well up inside him. "No, Mona, I don't think YOU quite realize. You have no idea what it's like to have a piece of you gone. Missing! A helpless baby girl is out there with some psycho… MY baby girl. Until she's safe at home… my life is put on hold." A single tear rolled down his flushed cheek. Ross turned and walked into the bedroom. It hurt him to lie to Mona like that. He hadn't said a word to her about the confrontation he had had with Grant. In fact, since Emma's kidnapping, he didn't tell her much of anything anymore. More often than not he slept on the couch or in the little rocking chair in Emma's room. Mona seemed to just want to get on with life. To put the whole thing behind them and start all over. Ross could never do that, nor would he, even if it meant sacrificing his fourth marriage.
*************************************
The police told Ross he was crazy and laughed in his face. They all knew Grant and as far as they were concerned, he was a model police officer who was just as distraught over the kidnapping of his step –daughter as the biological mother and father were.
Ross left the police station in a huff, pausing just outside the door to kick a metal garbage can in frustration. "DAMMIT!!" He yelled, sitting on the hot concrete steps and running his fingers through his hair.
Chandler sat down next to him. "Did you break it?"
"What?"
"Your foot."
Ross rolled his eyes, "I'm not in the mood, ok?"
Chandler sighed, "I know, I'm sorry… Look, Ross, what did you expect them to say? You have no proof, no motive… NOTHING to give these people as evidence."
"Thank you, Chandler, I'm glad I brought you along for support." Ross stood, dejectedly and began walking.
"Ross… Ross… come on, Ross at least hear me out." Chandler had to run to catch up with Ross' brisk pace.
"I have a daughter to find… so why don't you take that clever, witty sarcasm of yours and just leave me alone."
"Ross, stop it." Chandler grabbed at Ross' arm, slowing his pace. "Look… what I am trying to say is… go out there, get them their evidence and bring it to them. They can't deny it when it's staring them right in the face."
"Oh that's it… and where am I going to get that. Let's see… oh I KNOW. Maybe if we ask Grant nicely he'll turn himself in and bring Emma home." Ross rolled his eyes once again and quickened his pace.
Chandler paused, a slow smile spreading over his face. "OR… I have a plan."
Ross halted, abruptly, knowing that he was leaning on the edge of desperation and that any so- called 'plan' would be better than doing nothing at all. Without turning around, Ross answered. "What is it?"
**************************
"So, you can do this… right, Rach?"
Rachel paced the living room floor of Chandler and Monica's apartment, nervously twisting at the wedding ring on her finger. "What if I can't."
"Rachel you can… you have to! He doesn't like any of us… and you're the only one he wouldn't suspect." Chandler pleaded.
Ross took Rachel's hand as she passed by, stopping her in front of him. His expression somber, he looked into her eyes. "Do it for Emma."
Rachel gasped, somewhere in his eyes was a reflection of her baby. The resemblance took her aback and a new resolve washed over her being. "Ok… let's do it."
********************************
"So… do you think he can he see it… can you see it?"
"Not unless he frisks you for it."
"Rach, I can't see it… don't worry so much… it's very small."
Rachel stood before a mirror, adjusting her shirt to conceal the tiny microphone that hid beneath it. "Ugh… maybe I should wear a jacket over it."
"No… you're fine, come on, he'll be home any time now."
Rachel breathed in deeply and slowly let the air out. "Kay… so… you guys are gonna be close, right?"
"Just outside in that beautiful rented van across the street." Chandler pointed out the window to a large, dilapidated van tucked in an alleyway.
"Hey, don't be makin' fun of my dad's van, that baby's a piece of history." Joey pouted.
"Yah, you're right Joe, considering we practically had to push the van here, it sure is a piece of cra… I mean history." Chandler sneered.
"Ok, guys… are ya' done. We have 5 minutes to get out of here." Ross said as he pushed the guys toward the door.
"Kay, Rach… good luck." Chandler smiled giving Rachel a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Yah, you can do it, Rach." Joey said, hugging her lightly.
Ross waited for Chandler and Joey to exit and turned back to Rachel. He took her hands in his, intertwining their fingers. "You know how proud I'm going to be of you?" He whispered, pulling her closer.
Rachel smiled lightly and sighed. "Don't say anything yet… so far all I've done is strap on a recording device and get dressed."
Ross laughed, letting go of her hands, he pulled her into a tight embrace. "Be careful."
She gulped trying to swallow the forming lump in her throat. Ross pulled away, he tucked a stray piece of hair behind Rachel's ear and leaned in, placing a light, lingering kiss on her lips. When he parted she smiled, grabbing his hand and reluctantly letting it fall as he walked out the door.
**********************************
"There's nothing here… NOTHING." Ross sighed hitting the rewind button on the tape recorder. Monica rubbed his leg, reassuringly.
"Ross, calm down, we just laid the groundwork last night. Over time he's gonna cave. He's got to." Chandler reasoned, taking a sip of coffee.
Rachel stood walking into the kitchen. "I can't listen to this anymore. What kind of a horrid mother am I!! Saying things like that!"
Phoebe followed, laying an arm across Rachel's shoulder. "We know you don't mean those things, Rach… but Grant has to think you do."
"And you did an excellent job… all those free acting lessons I gave you worked wonders." Joey smiled, proudly. He thought for a minute, the corners of his mouth turning into a frown. "Yah, you're gonna have to pay for those."
Ross hit play on the recorder once more, turning up the volume and listening intently:
(On the Tape)
Rachel: "You know, honey… I never thought I'd say this… but… it's been kinda nice not having Emma around."
Grant: "What… I mean what do you mean?"
Rachel: (a bit shakily) Well… you know… a child's a lot of responsibility… I mean… now, I don't have to worry about who's going to watch her while we're at work… or… or… what to feed her… or how to get her down for a nap…"
Grant: "…And have you noticed how quiet it's been around her lately, I've actually been able to get a full night's sleep."
Ross stopped the player, "Ugh… I hate that guy!"
There was a knock on the door. Monica rose to answer it, "Ross, are you expecting Mona? We need to tell her she shouldn't have to knock anymore." Swinging the door open, Monica paused
"Is a Ross Geller here?" A tall, lanky man asked, he flipped open a black wallet, revealing an officers' badge.
Confused, Monica stepped aside, revealing the group sitting in the living room. "Uh… yah, he's… he's… right there." She pointed to where Ross was, now standing, looking just as bewildered as Monica.
The tall man walked toward Ross, followed by a shorter, stockier man, in Police uniform. He pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs, manipulating Ross' hands behind his back and securing the cuffs into place.
"Mr. Geller, you are under arrest… anything you say or do will count against you in a court of law..."
TO BE CONTINUED…
Sorry guys, I'm really hoping to end this with one more part, two at the most!! Please review! :o)