(A/N) AHH! Here it is! Almost didn't make it! But here you go, enjoy!
Friends: The One With The Stuffed Bear
[Scene: Danielle's apartment building – hallway; Joey and Danielle are coming up from the hallway. Joey walks Danielle to the door of her apartment. He stops and smiles.]
Danielle: Joey, you know, you didn't have to walk me up to my apartment. I told you, this isn't a date.
Joey: I know, but it's late, and I didn't want you walking all by yourself.
Danielle: I've done it before...
Joey: Right...
(They both stand their awkwardly. Not sure how to say goodbye)
Danielle: Um, thanks for walking me home.
Joey: No problem.
(No one says anything)
Danielle: So... good night.
Joey: Yup. 'Night.
(They are both still standing there. Danielle looks at Joey, trying to prompt him to leave)
Joey: Yeah. I don't usually walk a girl home without kissing her. And, you know, me and you are friends... so I know I shouldn't kiss you. And that's why I'm just standing here...
Danielle: Oh, OK. Alright then.
Joey: ...Mm-hm.
(Joey looks around)
Danielle: ...Well, good night!
(Danielle opens the door to her apartment and walks in.)
Joey(nervously laughing): OK, good night.
(She shuts the door)
Joey: Good deal.
OPENING CREDITS
[Scene: Monica and Chandler's; Chandler is carrying Jack and Erica in their car seats. He is trying to maneuver around the living room to where the babies don't get knocked into anything. He's walking slowly and finally gets to the front door. He looks at both the twins and tries to figure out how to open the door since his hands are full. Chandler is about to put one down when Monica bursts the door open, frightening Chandler.]
Monica: Hurry up Chandler!
Chandler(sighs): Is this gonna happen every weekend?
Monica: Not every weekend. You know I can go without seeing them for more than a week. No hurry up! I haven't seen anyone in days!
(Chandler picks up the car seat and starts to walk out)
Monica: Hurry up! We're gonna be late!
(Chandler and Monica walk out)
[Scene: Central Perk; Joey is sitting at the table on the left, with coffee in front of him. Ross and Rachel are on the couch. Rachel is holding Emma and Ross's arm is around Rachel, and they're coffee is front of them on the coffee table.]
Ross: Where are they? They said they were gonna be here half an hour ago.
Joey: I knew it.
Ross: Knew what?
Joey: They forgot about us.
Rachel: What are you talking about?
Joey: Well, they have a great life now in Westchester, without us. With their new house, and their new babies, they forgot about us. And now their life is so much better without us and we're never gonna see them again!
(Chandler and Monica walk in with the twins)
Chandler: Sorry we're late everyone!
Joey: Oh thank God!
(Joey gets up and runs to hug Chandler)
Chandler: Hey, Joey. I missed you, too.
(Everyone else gets up and they all hug each other. They all sit back down where they were. Chandler and Monica sit on the couch next to Ross and Rachel.)
Monica: Finally! We're all together again!
(Monica looks around)
Monica: Wait, where's Phoebe?
Rachel: Oh, well since Mike broke his hands, Phoebe told Mike he couldn't take any more painkillers. So he's in a lot of pain. Phoebe's been doing stuff for him all day.
Monica: So, is she gonna be here?
(Phoebe walks in, exhausted. She sits at the chair on the right)
Monica(smiling): Phoebe!
Phoebe(tired): Yeah...?
(Phoebe looks over at Monica)
Phoebe: Oh, Monica, hi!
(Phoebe gets up to hug Monica and Chandler. She sits back down)
Phoebe: Ugh, I'm sorry, it's just. I mean you would think a person would be able to do a lot without their arms. But turns out, they really can't.
Chandler: Really?
Phoebe: Yeah! I mean how hard is it to go to the post office? Or make breakfast? Or go to the bathroom? I mean, sheesh.
(Everyone just exchanges glances.)
Ross: OK, um... Oh, hey, Joey, how did your date go last night?
Monica: You had a date?
Chandler: Aw, our little Joey's growing up.
Joey: No, guys. It wasn't a date.
Rachel: Wait, I thought you said Danielle agreed to go out with you?
Joey: Yeah, as friends. She's not looking for a relationship. And I'm OK with that, for now. But, you know, we still had a good time. I learned a lot about her and we had fun.
Rachel: So do you think she likes you?
Joey: I'm not sure. She was laughing at everything I said, and she was smiling. And it seemed like she was having a great time. But she kept talking about Hank.
Chandler: Who's Hank?
Joey: Oh, Hank is her roommate. Yeah, they've known each other for awhile and they work together. But they've never dated, so I don't know. I think she has feelings for him, though.
Monica: Is he dating anyone?
Joey: Yeah. For a long time. Danielle thinks he might move out soon. So, you know, I still have a chance. But I gotta tell ya, this whole "being friends first" is killing me. Like, last night, I wanted to kiss her so badly. But I couldn't because she doesn't want a relationship. This is gonna be so hard...
(Everyone looks solemn because they feel bad for Joey. Joey looks around)
Joey: Oh, sorry. Um... so Monica, Chandler, what's new with you?
Monica: Nothing really, it seems like all we've been doing is taking care of the twins. And I've been looking for a job.
Joey: Oh, any luck?
Monica: No! None! And I doubt I'll even be able to find a job that I actually enjoy while still having time to care of the twins.
(Rachel gasps and everyone looks at her)
Ross: Rachel, what is it?
Rachel: Um, hey, Ross? Remember how I got fired from Ralph Lauren and then got a job in Paris?
Ross: Ha, yeah...?
Rachel: And remember how I wouldn't be able to stand not being with you, so instead of going to Paris, I got off the plane to be with you?
Ross: Yes, I vaguely recall.
Rachel: Thus, that would mean I don't have a job and therefore no income?
Ross: ...Oh, right...
Chandler: Wait, you haven't looked for a job yet?
Rachel: Well I forgot!
(Rachel sighs)
Rachel: That's why I had so much extra free time...
(Phoebe's phone goes off and she looks at the caller id. She groans)
Joey: What is it Pheebs?
Phoebe: Ugh, it's Mike. I have to go. I'll talk you all later.
(Phoebe sighs. She grabs her purse and stands up)
Phoebe: Bye Monica!
(Phoebe leaves and Chandler looks over at everyone)
Chandler: Do you think Phoebe even knows I'm here?
Rachel(ignoring Chandler): Oh, hey, so Monica, what's the new house like?
(Chandler sighs)
Monica: Oh my God, you guys should see it! It is so beautiful! I love it! There's so much room. And it's a new house, so it's clean!
Chandler: Yeah, you guys should really come over some time to see it.
Rachel: I wish we could, and we would definitely come over a lot if it wasn't so far away. I mean, two hours. Doesn't that seem like a long time?
Chandler: Oh, hey, come on. It might sound like a long time, but it's actually a lot less time than it seems. You know, with Monica constantly critiquing your driving, and the twins crying so loud you need to pull over and spend ten to fifteen minutes to put them back to sleep; the time just flies by.
Ross: Oh right. The twins. How are you guys getting any sleep with the twins crying all the time?
Monica: Oh, they're actually not that bad. They've been pretty good, we haven't had a problem with it yet –
(Monica is interrupted by Erica, who begins to cry, Jack starts to cry shortly after)
Monica: OK, never mind!
Rachel: Come on, let's go upstairs and see what's wrong with them!
(Monica grabs Jack and Chandler grabs Erica. Ross gets up and pays for the coffee. They all stand up and start walk out. Joey is walking behind them)
Joey: Hey, I'd love to help you guys out, but I have no experience with babies, so you're all on your own, OK? OK! I'm gonna go see Danielle! Bye!
(Joey walks out ahead of everyone else)
[Scene: Phoebe and Mike's apartment; Phoebe walks in and Mike is on the couch staring at the beer in front of him. Mike looks over at Phoebe.]
Mike: Oh! Phoebe! You're here! OK, I need your help with something.
Phoebe: What?
Mike: Can you, uh, open that beer for me?
(Phoebe looks over)
Phoebe: Why couldn't you do it?
Mike: Well, with the cast it kind of makes it hard to get a good grasp on the bottle opener...
(Phoebe sighs and walks over to open the beer)
Phoebe: You do know you called me right when Chandler and Monica came to the coffeehouse?
Mike: Oh, I did? Sorry, I thought they weren't coming until later...
Phoebe: No, they're all hanging out at the coffeehouse. Without me.
Mike: I – I'm sorry...
Phoebe: That's the second time this week, Mike!
Mike(reasoning): Hey, come on, Phoebe. Calm down.
Phoebe(in her stern/angry-Phoebe voice, not sure how to explain it but you know what I'm talking about :P): Hey, don't you tell me to calm down!
Mike: Look, I'm sorry. I didn't know. And I feel really about having to keep tearing you apart from your friends, but I'm your husband and I need you right now. And... you don't have to hang out with them all the time.
(Phoebe looks down, thinking. She hands Mike the beer)
Phoebe: Why do you even need a beer right now anyway?
Mike: Well..
(Mike grabs the beer)
Mike: It numbs the pain...
(Phoebe sighs and Mike takes a sip)
[Scene: Romantic store in the mall, Joey is enters and looks around. He walks over to the lingerie. He takes one off the rack and looks at it.]
Joey(smiling): Ooh, hey this is nice.
(Joey looks it over and comes to a realization)
Joey: Oh right. Just friends. Just... friends.
(He sighs and walks over to flowers. A clerk comes up to him)
Clerk: Hi, can I help you anything?
Joey: Uh, yeah actually. Do you have anything here that says: "I think I love you, but I'm not sure you love me back, and since you don't want to be in a relationship right now, let's just be friends for now?"
(The clerk stares at him)
Clerk(smiling): Yeah, we have something that says exactly that!
[Scene: Danielle's apartment building, hallway; Joey walks to Danielle's door with his hands behind his back. He knocks on the door, and behind his back he is holding a big stuffed teddy bear – about the size of Huggsy, actually – that's holding a heart that says: You're A Beary Great Friend! Danielle opens the door. Danielle has a big binder and stacks of paper. She looks flustered.]
Danielle: Joey, why are you here?
Joey: Oh, well, I kinda wanted to give you something...
Danielle: Can you give it to me later? I'm really busy. Hank just called and he said the editor made a mistake. I need to go down there right now.
Joey: Oh, maybe I can come with you...
(Danielle grabs a rolling cart full of papers and magazines)
Danielle: No, you really don't have to. I have a lot to do in a short time, and you'll just get in the way. I'll go by myself.
Joey: You sure?
Danielle: Yes, I'll go by myself. It's fine! I just really have to go!
(Danielle walks out into the hallway and Joey moves out of her way. She shuts the door)
Joey: Well, can I at least give you your –
(Danielle walks down the hallway and turns the corner)
Joey: – present?
(Joey sighs)
COMMERCIAL BREAK
[Scene: Joey and Rachel's building, hallway; The twins are still crying. Monica walks up the stairs carrying Jack and walks over to the door to her old apartment. She grabs the doorknob and tries to open it but it's locked. She keeps trying to open it. Chandler walks up behind her. Monica looks at Chandler.]
Monica: Chandler, why is our door locked? We never lock it!
Chandler: Really, honey? Really?
(Chandler stares at Monica until she gets it)
Monica: Oh. Right...
Chandler: There you go.
(Monica walks across the hall and opens the door to Rachel and Joey's. Monica and Chandler walk in and Rachel walks in, holding Emma, and Ross walks in behind them and shut the door)
Rachel: You can put the twins in my room for now.
(Monica opens up the door to Rachel's room and gasps)
Monica: Rachel! You still haven't unpacked?
Rachel: Mm-hmm, yeah, because I don't care.
(Monica gives her a disapproving look and she sets Jack down in Rachel's room. Chandler follows her and sets Erica down)
Monica: OK, I'll take care of Erica and you take care of Jack.
(They both grab the corresponding babies and start gently rocking them to sleep. Erica stops crying, whilst Jack still is)
Monica: I still got it.
(Monica looks over at Jack. She goes to set Erica down and grabs Jack from Chandler to rock him to sleep. He's still crying)
Monica: What's wrong? Why is he still crying? This always works!
Chandler: Maybe he's hungry? Or... he needs a diaper change. I did it last time! It's your turn! It's your turn!
Monica(groans): OK, OK. Wait... no it isn't!
Chandler: Darn, I thought you'd fall for that. OK, Rachel, where's the changing table?
Rachel: My room.
Chandler: OK, I shall be back.
(Chandler takes Jack and goes into Rachel's room. Rachel sets Emma on the couch)
Rachel: Hey, Ross?
Ross: Yeah?
Rachel: Can you set up a coloring book and some crayons for Emma?
Ross: Yeah, sure.
(Ross goes to grab a coloring book and some crayons and sits down next to Emma. He opens it and scoots in closer so Emma can see)
Ross: Alright, now we don't know what color dinosaurs were. And that's the beauty of it. You can color these any color you want!
(Emma grabs a red crayon)
Ross: OK, I don't think they would be that red...
(Emma keeps drawing. Ross sighs)
Ross: But go ahead.
(Ross gets up and walks over to Rachel)
Rachel: OK, I need to look in the newspaper for a job...
Monica: Oh, me too!
(Monica grabs two different newspapers and hands one to Rachel)
Monica: Do you think there will be something in here that's around Westchester that I love to do and still have time to be with the twins...?
Ross: Probably not.
Monica: Gee, thanks for all your support. Means a lot.
Ross: I'm just kidding you'll find something. Hey, wait a second, why don't you try catering again?
Monica: Hmm, I never thought about that.
Ross: Yeah, yeah. It's perfect. You can make your own schedule, it involves cooking, and you'll love doing it!
Monica: Yeah! But... I haven't catered in like... 8 years. And, I also don't have a job and I don't have enough money to buy catering supplies...
(Monica sighs and everyone sort of looks away and pretend to be invested in something else. Monica sighs louder. No one says anything)
Monica: Oh, Monica, you know what? Because you're my friend, and I love you, I'll give you the money I'm not using so I can help you be happy.
(No one says anything)
Monica: Really guys?
Rachel: Well...! I would! But I don't have a job, either. And I have a baby!
(Monica looks at Ross)
Ross: And... uh, well. I – I don't want to...
Monica: Ross!
Ross: Monica!
(Monica stares at him)
Ross: Fine, OK, OK. I'll give you some money.
Monica: Thank you, Ross! I promise to pay you back!
Ross: Yeah... whatever.
(Chandler walks out)
Chandler: OK, both babies are fed, changed, and are sleeping. High-five!
(Chandler high-fives himself. Monica walks over to Chandler)
Monica: Chandler, guess what?
Chandler: What?
Monica: I have found a solution to my work situation. I can do it close to home, it's something I love to do, and I'll still have time to be with you and the twins!
Chandler: Really? What is it?
Monica: I'm gonna be a caterer! Again!
Chandler: That's great!
Monica: Yeah, Ross said he would buy me all the supplies I needed!
Chandler: Thanks Ross!
(Rachel looks at everyone)
Rachel: Hello! I still don't have a job yet!
Monica: Oh don't worry, you'll find something!
(Rachel has a shocked expression. She sighs and looks at Ross. Ross smiles and looks over at Emma. Emma got down from the couch and started writing on the walls)
Ross: Uh, Rach...
Rachel(exasperated): Yes?
Ross: Emma's writing on the wall!
Rachel: What?
Ross: The wall! She's writing on the wall!
(Rachel gets up and runs over to Emma. She takes the crayon away from her and picks her up)
Rachel: No! Emma! We don't do that!
Monica: Oh my God, it's all over! Rachel, where are the emergency cleaning kits I gave everyone before they left?
Rachel: Under the sink!
(Monica nods and goes to get it so she can clean the crayon off the wall)
Rachel: Ross, why does Emma keep doing stuff like this?
Ross: What do you mean?
Rachel: Well, she kept refusing whatever we gave her to eat. She's coloring on the walls...
Ross: Oh, come on Rach. It's no big deal. They do that all the time when they're this age.
Rachel: Really?
(Ross nods)
Rachel: Oh, thank God. I thought we'd have to take her to obedience school!
(Ross just stares at her when Phoebe walks in)
Phoebe: Hey guys!
(Phoebe looks over at Monica, who's frantically cleaning off the crayon)
Chandler: Don't mind her. Just normal Monica stuff.
(Phoebe smiles and sits down)
Ross: What's up, Pheebs?
Phoebe: Well, I just came back from my place. And Mike and I got into a huge argument!
Ross: What, really?
Phoebe: No, it was sort of a heated debate. Minus the debate...
Rachel: Well, wait, what happened?
Phoebe: Nothing really. It's just that Mike has been bothering me all day, asking me to help him with stuff and it's exhausting. And, it's not like I mad at him for that. But I haven't seen Monica or Chandler for, what seems like, a long time.
(Everyone nods)
Phoebe: And it's not that I don't want to be with him, but he always needs something.
(Everyone nods)
Phoebe: But, you know, I have to do it, because I feel guilty. You know? I'm partly responsible for him breaking his arms, so I do owe it him.
(Everyone nods. Phoebe looks at everyone)
Phoebe: I'm done...
(Monica finishes cleaning the wall and sits down)
Monica(sighing): I'm sorry, Rach, but that's as good as it's gonna get.
(Everyone looks at the wall. It's perfectly white)
Rachel: Monica, the wall is spotless.
Monica: I know!
(Joey opens the door and walks in. He's whistling and sets the bear on the counter. He walks into his room without acknowledging everyone else. He shuts the door. Everyone else exchanges glances. Joey opens the door)
Joey: Um, why are you all here?
Rachel: Monica moved out, so this is the new hangout spot I guess.
Ross: Hey, why can't the new hangout spot be my place?
Rachel: Shh, so, Joey? Um... what's with the bear?
Joey: Oh, I was actually gonna give it to Danielle.
Everyone: Awww.
Joey: Yeah. But she was apparently really busy, so I wasn't able to give it to her.
Chandler: Where is she?
Joey: Oh, she's at work.
Ross: Well why don't you go down there and give it to her?
Joey: Ssss, ooh, I'd rather not.
Ross: How come?
Joey: Well, last time one of us went to someone's work to give them something, they ended up breaking up shortly after.
(Ross and Rachel look at each other)
Ross: In my defense, it was a picnic, OK?
Rachel: Yeah, and we ended up getting together 7 years later, so everything turned out all right.
(Joey looks at them)
Rachel: I'm sure it'll be fine. She'll love it!
Joey: I dunno, she seemed really busy when I went to give it to her. She seemed kind of angry, too. I want to get her to like me, not, you know, NOT like me...
Rachel: Yeah, I know.
Phoebe: Just be really quick. Don't waste her time or anything. Just give it to her and apologize for wasting her time.
Joey: OK! OK, alright. I'll go.
(Joey goes to grab the stuffed bear and everyone wishes him luck)
Everyone: Bye! Bye, Joey!
[Scene: Danielle's office (it's sort of a combined office like Rachel's at Bloomingdale's, but with three desks); Joey walks in. Two of the desks are empty. Joey walks up to the girl who's sitting at the third desk]
Joey: Um, where's Danielle Pearce?
Woman: Why? What do you need?
Joey: Oh, I'm her friend. I was just gonna give her this.
(Joey shows the woman the teddy bear)
Woman: Oh, why did you get her that?
Joey: I dunno, just 'cause I guess...
(The woman smiles. She extends her hand out)
Woman: Oh, sorry. I'm Audrey. And you are?
(Joey shakes her hand)
Joey: I'm Joey.
Audrey: Oh, yeah. Danielle's talked about you.
Joey: She has? Good stuff?
Audrey(smiling): Yeah...
Joey: So, uh... where is she?
Audrey: Oh, she left a little while ago. Her and Hank went out for a late dinner. Do you know Hank?
(Joey frowns)
Joey: Yeah, mm-hmm, I know Hank.
(Audrey frowns)
Joey: You know what, why don't you just, uh. Can you give this to her? Tell her it's from Joey Tribianni?
Audrey: OK. Sure.
(Joey hands her the bear)
Joey: See you later, I guess...
Audrey(frowning): Bye.
(Joey waves and puts his hands in his pockets. He sighs and leaves)
END CREDITS
[Scene: Joey and Rachel's apartment; everyone is still there doing what they were doing earlier. Phoebe's phone beeps. She sighs]
Phoebe: Ugh, how much you wanna bet that's Mike?
Chandler: 10,000 dollars!
(Everyone stares at Chandler)
Chandler: What? Too much?
(Chandler looks around)
Chandler: OK, fine... 35 cents...
(Phoebe rolls her eyes and looks at her phone)
Phoebe: It's Mike.
Chandler: Yes!
(Phoebe opens the message and reads it)
Phoebe: Oh... oh no.
Monica: What?
Phoebe: It says, "Sorry for bothering you Phoebe, I'm gonna stay at my parents until my arms heal. Have fun with your friends."
(Phoebe sighs)
END
(A/N): Thanks for reading! And I know this chapter is a little scattered and not as long as the other two, but I wrote this in two days. My marking period ends next Thursday so I've been scrambling to get my grades up and I've been really busy. But don't worry! I got it to you! :D Also, don't forget to review. The story can't get better unless you give it the medicine only you have: Constructive Critisiscm. It's very rare, and only you have it. So please, spare some. This fic thrives on it and it's not feeling well right now. Ha, anyway, please review! Thanks! :D