Six months. In another week they would arrive at the half year mark. Today they had already completed their 25th week together, which was unbelievable in itself (25 weeks!) but that that magic date, March 18th that meant that they had managed to keep their relationship going for exactly half a year, was getting so close now really threw her for a loop.

How had this happened? How could they have gotten so lucky?

Of course it hadn't been all luck. Just partly, but a lot of it had also been hard work and determination. And making all that sheer luck work for them. But still. Six months! Six whole months!

She wanted to jump and shout, scream it from the rooftops. She was in a relationship that had lasted for half a year now and was still going on strong, without flagging. If anything, they were doing much better than ever before. They had weathered all those beginner's crises, the tummy aches, the sleeping troubles, the diaper rashes and just lately, teething pains (and wasn't it really amazing how well that genius comparison of their relationship with a baby still worked?) and had entered what seemed to her to be a quiet phase, navigating calm and gentle waters of pure enjoyment and content. For weeks now there had been nothing to disturb their peaceful and loving companionship, no doubts, no annoyances, no insecurities or anxieties. Just … happiness, pure and simple.

It was almost eerie. She had never been this happy for such a long period before, let alone this relaxed and confident in a relationship, always knowing that her partner accepted her just as she was, without reservations or concessions, that she never would have to hide or gloss over anything with him. Even Richard hadn't been able to make her feel that completely comfortable. Though they had talked about her, well, quirks? Eccentricities? Alright, obsessions - she had always felt that they'd barely begun to scratch the surface before it was over. And though he'd handled it all pretty well up to then, who was to say if at some point it would have gotten too much if they had stayed together longer? Or if she herself would not have gone back to suppressing those particular aspects of her personality in her interactions with him purely out of fear of driving him away and losing him at some point?

And then there was the fun. She couldn't remember ever having so much fun while being with someone, and often with such mundane, everyday things. Like doing laundry, shopping for groceries and clothes, going for walks in Central Park if the eternal rain let up and the early spring weather turned milder for a day or two, or catching a movie and spending half the time fooling around in the last row if they could get seats there. One evening which they had spent clearing and reorganizing Chandler's dresser and that she had actually been rather apprehensive about turned out to be the best time ever when they'd spontaneously started to put that measuring tape to some unplanned and unforeseen uses. It had ended with the best sex they'd had in all that week too. Just thinking about how painstakingly and lovingly he had measured and recorded the distance between her nipples or between her navel and her clit, and how wide she could spread her legs in as many positions they could think of still gave her most pleasurable shivers, to say nothing of the boost in self-esteem it had given her. Him too of course, although he had drawn the line at their measuring his erect penis, claiming that it evoked too many embarrassing memories of his time in an all boys' school when such measuring rituals had occurred almost daily.

Eerie yes, and strange. It was almost as if she couldn't get used to it, or was afraid of what could happen when eventually it would get ordinary and commonplace for her - the idea that all that happiness and content was for real, that it was here to stay. She had even come to feel protective about it, forever afraid in an almost superstitious way that some action or even thought of hers could jeopardize it. So she kept pushing certain things to an undefined future date – things like making plans for anything farther away than say a month, like vacations, holidays and such. Or telling her parents.

It was stupid, almost childish, but there it was. She couldn't do it. Every time she resolved to get over herself and just do it, push her vague fears and superstitions away, she would hesitate and cave in at the last moment. The worst thing about it was that she couldn't even quite define why it was so hard for her. It shouldn't really be, on the contrary, under different circumstances it would have meant a definite achievement for her, a triumph even that she couldn't wait to announce to them – the fact that she finally had a boyfriend and was in a serious relationship. Especially since Ross wasn't. But deep down she just knew that her parents wouldn't see it that way, especially her mother who would with unerring certainty find her vulnerable points and weaknesses and pick on them, thus spoiling everything for her. And she needed it to be perfect so much that she just couldn't face anything that could mar and taint that happiness for her. Not now, not while it was still so – vulnerable. And she still hadn't gotten used to it, still treated it like something precious that had to be protected and safeguarded. And why shouldn't she enjoy it a while longer? Later at some point there still would be time enough to tell them. Later when she felt strong enough not to let her parents' opinion have any impact on her mood. Not now. Sometime after their half year anniversary - or even one year - would still be soon enough. But now was not the time. Now was the time of enjoying her happiness, taking pleasure in her achievement, not to trouble herself over things that would probably resolve themselves in time – any time but now.

So not now, and especially not today of course or sometime during this weekend that marked the completion of their 25th week together. They definitely had other plans for that, one of which was their agreement to spend the entire weekend at Chandler's place for a change, eating, sleeping and just hanging only there the whole time. She wasn't quite sure yet if she would really be able to use the guys' bathroom for anything other than maybe a shared shower or two with Chandler, but she was determined to give it a try. Including cooking there, and make an honest effort to get along with the birds.

Another thing they had planned was sharing pajamas. The day before she had asked Chandler to choose some of the things for her to wear at night at his place (you mean for those ten seconds before I rip them off you again?) and during his meticulous examination of all those flimsy nighties and ridiculously expensive negligees that had accumulated during the past half year he had suddenly dug deeper and unearthed her old blue pajamas.

"Hey, whose are these?"

"What do you mean? They're mine!"

"But those look like men's pajamas." He shook out the top and held it in front of him for size. "Aren't they? They look a bit small for Richard though."

"No! Actually they're – well, I got them when I was fifteen. You know when –"

"Oh. Yeah, okay. But why did you keep them?"

"Well, originally they were for Ross, but he didn't want them because there weren't any dinosaurs on them. When I took them though, he didn't want me to have them of course, but I didn't give them back."

"Good for you! I wouldn't have either. They are really nice! What's that, a Martini glass?"

"I know! They're too big for me now, but I still like them."

"Hum." He shook out the pants and held them against his stomach, trying them on for size. "Maybe we could share them?"

"What?"

"You know, share them. You put on the top, and I wear the bottom." He grinned at her. "Maybe we'll even manage to wear them for a whole minute?"

So perfect, just like that. For a long moment she could only gape at him, until his grin started to fade, then she jumped at him throwing her arms around him to kiss him while he tried to steady them both.

"Yes! Aw, that's such a great idea!"

"Alright, great! Oh, how about I try this on too?" When he held out one of her black negligees she cuffed him, but couldn't help laughing. She never could, and it felt so good that she couldn't.

So here they were, late on Friday evening, sharing his Barcalounger, a bottle of wine and her pajamas and trying to solve a crossword puzzle together. Right there was another thing – she had never before been with a guy who liked crossword puzzles as much as she did. It also made her realize how much there was that she didn't know about Chandler - and on the other hand how much she did. The thought made her almost giddy. That and the way they snuggled together with her legs over his lap and his other arm wrapped securely around her holding her so close she could feel him breathing against her and their body heat mingling. It had been a long day, and she felt just the right amount of tired – not worn out or even exhausted, but pleasantly sleepy, the kind of sleepiness that still had room for a nice cozy and comfortable bout of love making with a bit of cuddling and spooning after as they went to sleep.

Yeah, life was good right now. So good. Now if they could only find that six-letter word for red, the one that would probably open up that last cluster of words they hadn't been able to crack yet. Crimson? Scarlet? Why did all the words for red have one letter too many? Or too few like rosy?

"Oh, maybe cherry? Um, no, doesn't fit."

"Nah, the last letter is definitely an 'n'." As they both frowned over the clues, Joey came in, heying them cheerfully. For a moment she was afraid that his presence would disrupt their peaceful companionship, but then she remembered that he'd spent the whole day at an audition and would probably go straight to bed.

"What are you guys doing up?" he asked as he headed for the fridge. Monica made a mental note not to use any of the skimmed milk he now took out for a swig straight from the carton – but then she usually avoided the guys' fridge anyway. God knew what lurked there in the vegetable crisper – she for one had no wish to ever find out.

"Oh, we wanted to finish the crossword before we went to bed." She felt Chandler kiss her hair above her temple and closed her eyes, smiling blissfully. "Hey, do you know a six-letter word for red?"

Joey's eyes went unfocussed for a second, then he snipped his fingers. "Dark red."

"Yeah, I think that's wrong, but there's a 'Connect the Dots' in here for you later." Chandler replied cheerfully, and she marveled once more how relaxed he seemed. "Hey, how about maroon?"

She checked and smiled at him widely before drawing his head down to kiss him. Her hero. "Yes, you are so smart!"

When she turned away from him again, Joey stood in front of their chair looking them over. His smile seemed a little uncertain or maybe just wistful.

"Aww, you guys are so cute!"

"I know!" Yes, they were. Finally, they were the cute ones, the couple everyone admired. It felt so good, even if it came from Joey. Or especially coming from Joey, considering how used he should have become to their being together by now.

Joey abruptly turned away and headed for his room. "All right, I'll see you in the morning."

Briefly Monica wondered if he was really that tired or just wanted to leave them alone, but decided it didn't matter and turned her attention to the puzzle again instead. "Ha, I knew it! That four letter musical is 'Hair' not 'Cats'!"

"Um, four-letter-musical? Sounds like that could be a new thing!" He grinned again and she cuffed him good-naturedly. Still grinning he pulled her close to him to kiss her, longer this time, and they snuggled together. When she drew back a little to look at him, she dimly registered some sounds from Joey's room as he kicked off his shoes and fell on his bed with a dull thud and groaning bedsprings but didn't really pay attention.

"Right, I think that's it, all finished. Are you ready for bed too?"

She smiled tenderly at him when he waggled his eyebrows suggestively and slipped an inquisitive hand under her pajama top.

"Mmmh … I take that as a yes? Umm … I just need to brush my teeth. And clear those away –" indicating the wine glasses. Chandler sighed and leaned forward so they could get off the chair.

"Why don't I do that whilst you brush your teeth, then you can check everything whilst I brush mine?"

"Aww!" She wanted to cuff him again, but held back when she realized that this was indeed the fastest - and most efficient – way. "Okay!"

.

When she finally entered his room, he had already taken off all his clothes except the pajama bottoms and was lying on the bed on his side, supporting himself on one elbow and smiling at her expectantly.

"All secure? Everything ship-shape?" When she started to take off her sneakers, he got up on his knees and drew her to him. "Nono, let me do that … umm … and I was thinking, maybe we could leave those pajamas on for now …?"

Her breath hitched when he slid his hands under the top and quickly loosened her bra, then rubbed across her nipples with the tips of his thumbs and kissed the place where her neck joined her shoulder at the same time. Instead of an answer she wrapped her arms around him and ran her hands up and down his naked back, growling appreciatively.

"I take that as a yes – whoa!" She had pushed against him so hard that he toppled backwards on the bed, taking her with him so that she ended up on top of him. As they kissed hungrily she kicked off her sneakers while he tackled the button and zipper of her jeans and tugged them over her hips and buttocks. Then he slid his hands under her panties, pushing them away and cupping her buttocks at the same time, his erection already straining against the pajama fabric. Panting she groped for his penis through the slit, for once fiercely glad that the pajamas were indeed men's – a fact that had always stopped her from wearing them anywhere else but at home in private – and closed her hand around it, pushing the tip against her clit. As soon as her legs were free of the jeans and the panties, she drew up her knees and straddled him, moaning when he slid two fingers into her. When she felt that she'd had as much foreplay as she could take she straightened up and got off him, then lay down on her back and spread her legs wide while she held out her arms for him. Chandler heaved himself up and crawled over her, not even taking the time to wriggle out of the bottoms, but gathering her to him and entering her with a deep heartfelt groan as she clasped him to her, wrapping her legs tightly around his pajama-clad hips.

.

When they finally emerged from Chandler's room again on Saturday morning after showering together and getting dressed, they were surprised to note that Joey had already left. Even more puzzling was the fact that he had made an effort to clear up after himself, or at least tried to – the cereal bowl and spoon were in the sink, and he had put the cereal back in the cupboard, but apparently forgotten to return the milk to the fridge. The door to his room was open and when Monica peeked in, only the birds were there – the chick busy with cleaning his plumage on the bed and the duck investigating a laundry basket with clean clothes on the floor next to the door. When she picked it up to put it on Joey's dresser out of reach, she noticed a very familiar fabric.

"Hey, aren't those your pajamas? The ones you wore in London?"

Chandler grinned at her as she held out the pajama jacket with the rodeo scenes on it. "Oh, right, he borrowed them from me a while ago."

"Joey? Joey borrowed pajamas from you?"

"Yeah, for when he spent the night at his parents. His mother hates it when he sleeps naked. He promised to have his grandma clean them – hey, they're ironed too! Hey, what do you say we share these tonight like we did yours?"

"Oooh! Well, if the pants are in there too – yeah, here they are. Hey, isn't that sweater yours too?"

Chandler frowned uncertainly at the light blue sweater she had found. "Could be. I'm not sure. If there isn't one like it in my dresser –"

"There isn't. Do you think I could borrow this for now?"

"Aw, are you cold?" He put his arms around her. "No, I'm sure Joey won't mind. Though I guess it's high time we did some laundry, if there are no sweaters left." He grinned suggestively while helping her put the sweater on. It was just what she wanted, warm and soft, with the exact right color shade for her. She could not remember ever having seen it on Joey, but it didn't matter anyway.

"Laundry?" She teased. "Our kind or for real?"

He enfolded her in his arms and molded his body against her. "Why not both?"

.

.

.

A/N: Yeah, I know, I know, it's been too long. Sorry about that. I don't know why it took so long for this episode to shape itself into a chapter in my head and for a long time I couldn't even think of anything to add to the canon story and round it out. But I guess sometimes a field has to lie fallow for a while until it can produce a good harvest again. Anyway, the wheels are turning again and I hope with a little more speed now too. For all those who have waited so patiently, thank you for holding still - I really appreciate it!