A/N: I know my writing for the characters isn't exactly the same. I am trying but since it's my perspective it's pretty hard to stay in character as the show (humour wise). So just bear with it yeah? Thanks - oh and pretty please review? x
Monica was on the phone with Ross. What she was hearing on the other side of the line was unbelievable! Joey and Rachel? How did this happen? When Ross finished, she didn't know what to say to him. She was having a hard time processing the information herself. She told Ross she'd be over to see him soon.
She hung up the phone and…
Monica: "CHANDLER! CHANDLER!"
Chandler: "What? I'm in the bathroom?"
Monica: " You would not believe what I just heard!"
Chandler: "Well, can you figure out what I am trying to do in here?"
Monica: "Hurry up Chandler"
Chandler: "What? Well I can't with you screaming and the little girl staring at me"
Monica: "What little girl?"
Chandler: "The girl on the toilet paper"
Monica rolled her eyes. Chandler shortly rushed out from the bathroom.
Chandler: "You would not believe what I just did in there, woo"
Monica: "Chandler, I was just on the phone with Ross –"
Chandler: "Did he give you a dinosaur lecture?"
Monica: "Stop, I'm being serious! Ross told me that Joey went to see him this afternoon, and wanted to talk to him"
Chandler: "Hmm, I'm listening"
Monica: "Well, you are not going to believe what I am about to say"
Chandler: "Is he breaking up with us?"
Monica: "Chandler!" Giving him the 'I will kill you face'
Chandler: "Sorry, I'm sorry Mon" he gave her a smile and mouthed I love you.
Monica: "He went to see Ross to tell him- tell him that he has feelings for Rachel"
Chandler's eyes grew wide open: "What?! Joey? Feelings for Rachel? What-what, how-when? Oh my god"
Monica: "I know! That's not all. He confessed that he kissed her and asked her out!"
Chandler: "Oh my god! That makes sense! Remember when he asked me about where to take out his date? It was with Rachel! Rachel!"
Monica: "Oh my god!"
Chandler: "And when I bumped into him outside in the hallway, he was holding lilies!"
Monica: "Lilies? Those are Rachel's favourite! How could you not pick that up?"
Chandler: "Hey, he told me he didn't know what to get for the girl so I didn't think about it"
Monica: "Oh this is unbelievable!"
Chandler: "So, how is Ross?"
Monica: "Well he's definitely not happy and by the sound of his voice he seems rather angry with Joey and I think with Rachel too"
Chandler: "So what do we do?"
Monica: "I don't know. I seriously don't know. But I think I should go talk to Ross"
Chandler: "Do you think I should go talk to Joey?"
Monica: "It might be good, I'll see you later ok?"
Chandler: "Alright, I love you"
Monica: "I love you more" she gave him a quick kissed and left to see Ross.
Back in apartment 19, there was nothing but silence. Joey quietly closed the door behind him but never took his eyes off Rachel. This is it, he thought to himself. For his friend's sake he will risk everything.
Joey: "Hey Rach" he said silently "well uhmm I went to talk to Ross"
Judging from his facial expression it wasn't good news at all. She honestly didn't want to hear it.
Joey: "So, he's not too happy about it. I told him everything, actually not everything-where we slept together, but er when I was about to tell him that I wouldn't go through with it, if he still has feelings for you, he told me to leave"
Joey felt like bullets were shot straight through his heart. That was it. No more turning back. He knew he could never have Rachel no matter how much he desires her. Rachel didn't know what to say. She was disappointed and angry. Angry at Ross but more angry at herself. How did she get into this mess? Out of all people why did she have feelings for Joey? Rachel was just about to-
Joey: "I'm sorry Rach, I'm sorry I got us into this mess. I'm – I'm just gonna, think it's best if I go. Think I need a rest"
Rachel: "No Joey, please don't go. Remember, what you asked me this morning?"
Joey nodded his head.
Rachel: "I am going to keep that promise. I will always be here for you Joey. Please. Don't forget that"
Joey was relieved because he was afraid that this would put her in an uncomfortable situation. He was afraid she wouldn't be able to live in the same apartment as him. Well, he'll just have to try, try and be her friend till the end. He knew it would be hard, but he needed her in his life. Even if he can't wake up next to her, tell her that she is beautiful everyday or ever feel her again on his lips, he was willingly going to sacrifice it all.
Joey: "I still need you in my life Rach, you will always be my hot friend Rachel and roommate I have ever had" He tried to give her a sincere smile but deep down he was dying.
Rachel: "Always. I will never leave you Joe" she smiled back but she too, was dying inside. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Chandler: "Hey, Joe it's me Chandler you there?"
Joey: "Yeah, come in buddy"
Joey was relieved that someone was here to interrupt this conversation.
Chandler: "Oh hey Rach" He paused and took a few seconds before starting again. "So, well uhmm, so Ross called."
Rachel froze. Oh crap. Now that everyone knows. This is going to be a very long night.
Rachel: "He did huh? So then, you know?"
Chandler: "More or less, yeah. Monica too"
Joey: "Chandler, I know what you're going to say. It's not going to happen, don't worry. Rachel and I already-"
Chandler: "Joey, no, no I just wanted to make sure you're okay. Yeah I was shocked at first but hey look at Monica and I. That was a surprise for all of you, well especially you two" He tried to give a small laugh just to brighten up their mood again.
Joey laughed: "Yeah, well the sex made everything easy for you and Monica"
Chandler: "Hey, shut up! Ok, yeah it did" he laughed again.
Rachel pretended that she was interested but really she was not. She wasn't happy at all. She gave out a small sigh.
Chandler: "Soooo, how about some foosball buddy? Rachel, want to play? I'll go easy on you"
Rachel: "Oh, I don't think I'm up for a game. I think I might just go and err, do some reading."
Chandler: "Oh, ok then, so how about you Joe?"
Joey watched Rachel walked back into her room and once she closed the door, he sighed and turned back to Chandler.
Chandler: "Dude, are you okay?"
Joey: "No. Let's just play," he said trying to change topic.
Chandler: "Hey if you need to talk I'm here for you Joe." Joey nodded his head but he just didn't feel like talking.
After a game or two, Joey was getting really tired. He wanted to have some time alone. Unfortunately, Phoebe arrived.
Phoebe: "Hey guys! No one was across the hall what's going on?"
Chandler: "Monica went to see Ross and Rachel's in her room"
Phoebe: "Oh".
Phoebe slightly turned her head to see Joey. When her eyes fell upon him, she felt something wasn't right. The room, it was like somebody die in here. Joey's aura wasn't looking too great either. It was very dark and rather cold. Oh wait, he must have talked to Ross. No wonder he looked rather down.
Phoebe: "I'm going to see how's Rach" But before she left, she took the opportunity and quickly spun one of handle. One point for Phoebe Buffay!
Chandler straightened his back and stood in disbelief: "Man, we have got to find a new game!" Joey couldn't care less but agreed with Chandler. Man, he hoped that Rachel was ok and Ross too. He didn't want to lose either of them.
Phoebe: "Rachel, it's Phoebe"
Rachel: "Oh, come in Pheebs"
Phoebe: "Hey, how you doing?"
Rachel: "Not so great" she sighed and sat up from her bed.
Phoebe: "So how did it go with Ross?"
Rachel looked at Phoebe.
Phoebe: "I figured. Joey's aura. He didn't look too happy. What did Ross say?"
Rachel: "What I gathered from Joey, don't think Ross is too ecstatic about it"
Phoebe: "Hmm, so what's going to happen between you two?"
Rachel: "Well, I guess we have to compromise and continue being friends?"
Phoebe: "You know very well that's not going to work"
Rachel: "Pheebs, there's nothing else I can do! He needs me and I need him. We are going to have to try. Maybe along the way we'll both be healed and things will be normal"
Phoebe: "I am going to have to disagree but I do hope you two will work it out" she smiled and reached out to hug Rachel. Phoebe then pulled something out of her bag.
Phoebe: "Cookie?" she smiled widely.
Rachel: "Thanks Phoebe"
She was so grateful that Phoebe was here with her right now. Phoebe always knew how to cheer her up. It was just like the time Phoebe told her Paolo made a move on her but instead of acting upon it she comforted Rachel and never left her side. Thinking more about what Phoebe have just said. She was right. It's going to be very difficult and she wasn't even sure if things would ever go back to normal.
Monica: "Ross, open up it's me!"
Ross opened his door and left it there so Monica could let herself in.
Monica: "Hey"
Ross: "Hey"
Monica: "How you holding up?"
Ross: "Not so great – I can't believe it. Joey and Rachel I mean it's…It's like you and me going out, only weirder!"
Monica: "All right, I know you're hurting and I want to be supportive, but don't ever say that again."
Ross: "Oh my god! What if – what if they get married?!"
Monica: "Honey, you don't know for sure. What did he say when he talked to you?"
Ross: "Well, he said he didn't want to hurt me which is why he had to tell me but before he could finish I told him to leave"
Monica: "I think you need to really talk to him. It's Joey. I don't think he even is thinking about going after Rachel."
Ross: "You reckon?"
Monica: "Ross, Joey always put his friends first before himself. You do need to talk to him. He might think you hate him"
Ross: "I don't hate him. It's just its Rachel, y'know?"
Monica: "I know this is very hard for you, but I don't want to see you losing both Joey and Rachel. I think he really needs a friend, especially you."
Ross: "I guess you're right. I'll talk to him"
The next morning Joey was drowning his sorrows with a bottle of orange juice. It was too early for beer so juice it was. Rachel had left for work not long after he woke up. They greeted and wished each other a good day. They were both trying, trying very hard to make it work.
Ross was making his way upstairs to see Joey. He actually didn't have a goodnight sleep. He was thinking all these scenarios of Joey and Rachel together. He also did thought about whether he was being unreasonable. After all, they haven't dated for 4 years. Yet there was this history between them two and did hung onto the idea that he will win her back. Ross let out a short breath. Ok, it's time.
Joey answered the door. He was surprised to see the person on the other side was Ross.
Joey: "Hey"
Ross: "Hey"
Joey: "Look, I understand if you came by to hit me, I deserve it"
Ross: "No, I don't want to hit you"
Joey: "Oh what then? Kick me?
Ross: "No."
Joey was getting worried: "Bi-Bite me?"
Ross: "No Joe, I don't want to do anything to you. All right? I just want to tell you that I'm not mad at you and, if you think I hate you, well I don't. I just, I just came here to talk to you"
Joey: " Oh well then, come in"
Ross: "Uh, yeah thanks"
Joey: "Do you want anything to drink?"
Ross: "I'm fine"
Joey: "Are you sure you're fine?"
Ross: "Joey, I – look the reason I overreacted because you know it's Rachel. Rachel and I do have a history together so it was hard to grasp the idea of you two, you and her, together"
Joey: "No, Ross listen. I understand that. You have no idea how sorry I am. But uh, look you need to understand something okay? I uh… I am never going to act on it because I don't want to jeopardize my friendship with you" He paused. "I told Rachel I will not put myself through it if it will hurt you and ruin our friendship"
Ross: "Thank you Joey"
Joey: "It's just going to take some time well for myself and Rachel to get over this. I'm not even sure how, I am trying. It's just I never been in love or have these crazy feelings before so…"
Ross: "Wait what? You love her?
Joey suddenly realised what he have just said. For once in his life he had finally discovered he had fallen for someone hard and it was Rachel. "Uhmm, well as actors we tend to be overdramatic with our words"
Ross: "You love her?" he asked Joey again.
Joey hesitated. He didn't want to admit his feelings to Ross only because he hasn't even dared say it to the person who should hear it.
Joey: "Hey, you know me" he nervously laughed "you know…"
Ross: "Joey."
Joey couldn't lie to him: "I'm crazy about her"
Ross: "What about her? Does she feel the same way?"
Joey: "I don't know Ross. I think so? There are feelings but we haven't quite grasp it just yet y'know?"
Ross sighed. He thought to himself he was being rather unreasonable, maybe he should give them a chance. But somewhere at the bottom of his heart, he thought maybe they wouldn't last?
Ross: "Joey, you should go for it."
Joey: "What? That's the beer talking"
Ross: "No, Joe. Do you see me drinking any beer?" He paused. "I'm being serious and I am being unfair. I think you should go for it"
Joey: "Are you sure?"
Ross: "Yeah. Look, Monica told me she didn't want to see me lose both of you and she's right. I don't think I can stand to see you both upset and pretend nothing had happen. I don't want to be the reason why you two can't be together."
Joey: "Wow" he felt his heart lifted. It was like God had lighted his heart and giving him hope.
Ross: "In some way, if she's gonna end up with somebody else, the truth is she couldn't find a better guy. So…" He lifted his shoulders and smiled at Joey.
Joey: "Hey Ross, thanks" he returned the smile.
Ross: "It's ok. Well then, I'm going to head to class. I'll err, I'll see you soon Joe"
Joey: "Right, have fun with your class! And hey Ross, thank you" He smiled at Ross to show that he really really meant it.
Ross: "No problem Joe, see ya"
When Ross was out of the apartment. He felt like he was a changed man but somewhere between the words he told Joey, he meant only half of it. He knew how much Joey was hurting but for his sake he didn't act upon it. Joey still showed loyalty and Ross was pleased. Joey was a great friend but maybe as a boyfriend he wasn't too sure. So this led to Ross hanging onto the idea that maybe, just maybe Joey and Rachel wouldn't last. He was intrigued to find out what will happen. Maybe there will be hope for him if things don't go to well.
