Okay, another week went by without an update for this story. I am so sorry, but I'm really busy with my studies right now. I will definitely finish this story though, believe me! :) Thanks to those who review and also to those who silently read and enjoy this story. But, I have to say: Reading one of your reviews really makes my day and motivates me a lot, so keep them coming. :)
Pete and Monica are walking through the dark streets of New York City. Pete is now walking her home every day after work. Monica doesn't want to admit it, but she feels safe with Pete. After this frightening guy came back and talked to her, she really did get scared.
"I have to go to Europe for four days next weekend," Pete suddenly begins. "You should come with me, Monica. Get a few days off and spend a long weekend in Europe. Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona – we can go anywhere you would like to go. What do you say?"
At first Monica doesn't know what to say. Since she's with Pete they went on trips regularly. Sometimes it's just for a night, sometimes for a weekend. But right now Monica feels to recover her breath. She looks at Pete. "I'm sorry, Pete. You know, I love to travel to new places with you, but I … just can't."
"Monica, please …"
"Pete, listen to me," Monica interrupts her boyfriend. "I feel like all I do lately is working and spending time with you, away from New York. I … want to hang out with my friends again, I'd even like to see my parents again some time soon and … You know, I really appreciate you taking me with you, but … I just need a weekend at home."
Monica takes a deep breath and looks at Pete again. She hopes he understands.
"Well, but, you know I have to go, right?"
Monica nods. "I know, and I don't want you to leave. But, it's only for a few days, it'll be fine."
Pete sighs and puts an arm around Monica.
When they reach Monica's apartment, Monica gets out her key and opens the door. She wants to walk in but stops at the sight of a piece of paper on the floor. She bends down to pick it up.
"What is that?" Pete asks.
"I don't know. Someone must have slid it under the door."
Monica unfolds the paper and sees a handwritten letter. She doesn't recognize the handwriting and when she reads the text she begins to shiver.
Baby, I can't get enough of you. Every time I see you I know I have to have you. And I'm going to. You think this millionaire is making you happy, but he isn't. But until you realize how good I am for you, I just keep watching you. When you'll be ready for me, I'll be there.
Monica sinks down on a chair. A single tear is running down her cheek.
"Hey, Monica, what's wrong?" Pete is next to her in a second.
Monica just shakes her head and gives the letter to him. Pete skims the letter. His face is getting red, he jumps up.
"I'm gonna kill him!"
Monica grabs his arm. "Pete, don't."
"We have to go to the police!"
"And what are we going to tell them? We don't know if it's the same guy than the one in the restaurant. And we don't even have a name."
"You are right. But I just can't imagine … he can't do that. You are with me now and he has no right to …"
"Pete," Monica tries to calm him down.
Pete is now rushing through the apartment and running his hands through his hair. Then he looks at his watch.
"I have to go now, Monica. I have this important phone meeting with some work partners in Thailand."
"Sure, you can go. I'm … alright."
"I don't wanna leave you alone right now."
"Oh, I'm not alone, Rachel's probably in her room already sleeping. I'm fine, Pete."
"Okay," Pete presses a kiss on Monica's lips. "I see you tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Monica!"
"Bye Pete."
As soon as Pete has left the apartment Monica sinks down on the chair again. She hates that Pete always has to work. Being alone right now isn't what Monica wants to be. She doesn't scare easily, but right now she's scared as hell. Is this creep watching her right now? Maybe he saw her reading his letter. Maybe he saw Pete leaving. What if he decides to come get her right now? Monica jumps up from the chair, walking around nervously. She can't be alone right now.
She wants to knock at Rachel's door, but then she remembers how grumpy Rachel always gets when someone's waking her up. Rachel definitely needs her beauty sleep and wouldn't be happy at all when Monica wakes her up.
Not knowing what to do Monica falls down on her bed. But as soon as she closes her eyes, the guy from the diner enters her mind, smiling at her and Monica begins to shiver. It's not possible, she can't sleep like that.
Making a decision Monica gets up and sneaks out of her apartment. Maybe one of the guys is still up in their apartment and will talk to her for a little while. When she enters apartment 19 she sees that the tv is still on.
"Hey, Chandler," she whispers when she spots him on one of the Barcaloungers. But his eyes are closed, he's already sleeping.
Without thinking about it, Monica turns the tv off and crawls next to Chandler. There is almost not enough space for one person to sleep on the Barcalounger, but Monica cuddles close to Chandler. Half of her is lying on top of him, but she doesn't care because that's where she feels the safest right now.
Chandler sighs in his sleeps and tries to turn around. When he's not able to do that he wraps his arms around Monica and pulls her close. Monica closes her eyes and falls asleep in a second.
When Chandler wakes up the next morning he moans. He fell asleep in the Barcalounger again. That happens often lately. But unlike the others times he doesn't feel bad this morning. He feels totally comfortable and doesn't want to get up. Suddenly he feels someone move on top of him and opens his eyes. He looks at Monica, who is watching him closely.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Chandler asks. Because it is still early in the morning and he is shocked to see Monica there his question turns out a little grumpier than he wanted it to.
Monica sits up. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to … sorry …"
"Mon, it's okay," Chandler smiles. "I was just surprised to wake up with you next to me. You don't have to feel sorry. What happened?"
Like always Chandler knows immediately that something is wrong with her. "Nothing happened. It was, because Pete had to work and I felt very lonely and couldn't sleep, so I came over here to talk to you and you were already sleeping so I decided to …" Monica doesn't want to tell Chandler what happened when she came home after work yesterday. She hasn't told any of her friends about that weirdo at the diner. She certainly doesn't want to let Chandler know, because he would only worry about her all the time and it's enough to have Pete worrying about her. "You don't have to worry about me!" She adds.
"What's bothering you, Mon?" Chandler decides to not let her go that easily. He knows that something is wrong lately. "I'm already worrying and it would be a lot easier if I'd know what is going on."
"There is nothing, Chandler."
"Is Pete …"
"No, Chandler!" Monica interrupts him. "There is nothing wrong. Not with Pete either."
Chandler sighs. She isn't going to tell him, that's for sure. And maybe she's right and everything is going well. He just has the feeling that there isn't. And he can't do anything against the urge to try to protect Monica even though she doesn't need protection.
"So, are you still making breakfast?" Chandler asks, deciding that it would be best to change the subject.
Monica smiles. "Yes, of course. I'm starting right now."
On the orange couch in the coffee shop Monica snuggles up to Pete. He's leaving for Europe tomorrow. He is only away for five days, but Monica doesn't want him to go anyway. Sometimes she even thinks she should have decided to come with him. She loves Europe and would be able to see so much. And she wouldn't have to say Bye to him for four days.
"So, do you think one of your friends could pick you up from work as long as I'm away? It would really make me feel a lot better," Pete begins cautiously. He knows that Monica won't be thrilled by that idea, but he doesn't want to imagine what could happen to her while he's in Europe.
Monica looks at him. "I don't know…"
"Mon, I don't want you to walk home by yourself. This … guy might be dangerous, we don't know!"
"Come on, Pete," Monica sighs. "You can't be with me twenty-four hours a day. Some time soon I have to walk home by myself again."
"I don't know …"
"Pete, please."
"I love you, Monica."
"I love you, too." Monica gives Pete a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back in a minute." She stands up and walks towards the restroom in the back of the coffee shop.
Just then Chandler enters the coffee shop. He sees Pete sitting where normally his friends would sit and wants to turn around, but Pete has already seen him.
"Chandler! Can I talk to you for a second?" Pete shouts, looking towards the restrooms to see if Monica is still in there.
"What's up, Pete?" Chandler falls down onto the couch. Talking to Pete is the last thing he wants to do right now. He's only listing to Pete with half an ear.
"I'm going to Europe this weekend and Monica wants to stay here, even though I offered to take her. I was wondering if you could pick her up after her shift and walk home with her. She doesn't want to ask any of you, but I'm really worried about this guy …"
"What guy?" Now Chandler is fully awake.
"Hasn't Monica told you?"
"What? No! What?"
"There is this customer of hers that is always trying to hit on her. He also tried to touch her and … well, he told her he will wait outside the diner to take her home. That's why I always pick her up, because as long as someone is with her he won't do anything. But last week we found a letter that he wrote to her and I think that really scared her. I couldn't stay with her that night, but I was worried sick. I don't want to leave her alone this weekend, but I have to go. You picking her up would make me feel a lot better about this situation. I can't believe she hasn't told any of you guys!"
"I can believe it," Chandler mumbles. Monica always wants to be strong and admitting that something scares her isn't something she likes to do.
"So, would you do me this favor?" Pete looks desperate.
"Of course I'll do that for her," Chandler says, emphasizing that he is doing it for Monica, not Pete.
In that moment Monica comes back.
"Hey, honey, I just asked Chandler. He's gonna pick you up from work the next days."
Monica's jaw drops. "What?" Her eyes fall on Chandler, who is looking at her with a sad look in his eyes. Then she turns back to Pete, who is still smiling, really happy about his idea to ask her friend himself.
Chandler gets up and scuffs towards the door.
"Pete, I have to go talk to him!" Monica jumps up as well and follows Chandler.
