When Chandler awoke the next morning he couldn't control the large smile that crept across his face. Waking up to Monica in his bed two mornings in a row was something a man could get used too…even if he shouldn't. He had to remember that nothing was set in stone yet and he shouldn't get his hopes up. It was easier said than done though, as so many things were starting to point in his favor.

He allowed himself a few moments of just drinking in the sight of her, before quietly climbing out of the bed and leaving the room. He used the bathroom, grabbing some painkillers before heading over to the kitchen to fill a glass of water for her. She hadn't been that drunk last night but she may be a little delicate this morning.

Creeping back into his bedroom, he placed his offerings on the bedside table nearest her. With just the slightest bit of hesitation, he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He resisted running his hands through her hair for fear he'd wake her. Gazing at her once more committing it all to memory, he left the room and closed the door softly behind him.

Would she want breakfast? If she wasn't too hungover then a cooked breakfast may even help her, or would the smell make her ill? He wanted to do something that would prove he was boyfriend material. Deciding he couldn't go wrong with toast, he headed over to the girls' apartment to grab some bread. What Monica didn't know, wouldn't hurt her.

Opening the door to number 20 he blinked in surprise. The usually neat and clean apartment looked trashed; it must have been some girls' night. There were cushions and blankets on the floor, discarded video tapes, leftover popcorn with used jugs, bowls and cups littering the surfaces. If he wanted to prove he knew Monica, then cleaning this mess would be ideal.

Grinning, he walked further into the living-room realizing this was probably the first time in his life that he'd actually looked forward to cleaning. Shaking his head he started folding up the blankets and rearranging the cushions on the couch. He knew it wouldn't be to 'Monica' standard but at least it would be a vast improvement on the room's current state...not that that would be difficult.

At least she would know he tried.

Next were the video cassettes being placed back in their cases and piled in front of the tv. He shook his head at the choice of movies; he may never understand women. Then came the sticky used cocktail making equipment. He gathered up the numerous glasses, bowls and cocktail shakers- for 3 people they had used a lot of stuff. He started filling the washing-up bowl and squeezed on the rubber gloves and got to work.

"What are you doing?" Rachel complained as she dragged herself out of her room and into a kitchen chair.

"Trying to score some Brownie points with Monica," he grinned gesturing towards the gloves and apron.

"Want to score some brownie points with me? Stop this damn headache."

Smiling he went to the fridge, grabbed her a bottle of water, opened it and placed it in front of her, "here, you want any toast or anything?"

"No, water's good," she muttered, drinking it gratefully, "how's Monica?"

"Still asleep," he shrugged, "I didn't want to disturb her."

She nodded gingerly, her attention going to Monica's door where Phoebe emerged.

"Hey!" Phoebe greeted them brightly, "Wow, Chandler, Monica has you well trained already!"

He grinned as Rachel frowned, "how are you so…chirpy?"

"I had my hangover last night," she smiled happily taking a seat across from Rachel, "besides it takes a lot of alcohol to affect me and we didn't drink that much."

"The washing up says otherwise," Chandler pointed out.

"My hangover says otherwise," Rachel agreed miserably.

"So what happened last night?" Phoebe asked Chandler excitedly, "after Monica went to yours?"

He smiled despite himself but shrugged trying to look nonchalant, "not much."

"Oh, please," Phoebe grinned wickedly, "look at you – you're sooo smitten."

He was.

He ducked his head slightly, "no comment." He went back to the washing up.

"She really likes you too," Phoebe continued, causing him to turn back around.

"Yeh?" He asked hopefully.

"Yeah," Rachel moaned, drinking more water, "you're pretty much all she would talk about last night."

That had to be a good sign…right?

"Really? Did she talk about good things...or reasons not to be with me?" He asked curious.

Chandler wished he could have been a fly on the wall last night. Getting to hear all her thoughts and druken musings; he was sure it would have been an interesting experience.

"Mostly good," Phoebe reassured him, "she's scared though and that's the only thing holding her back."

"Scared of what?" he frowned.

"Losing you," Phoebe admitted, "if it goes Pete Tong,"

"What?" He frowned.

"You know, 'it's all gone Pete Tong'…a bit wrong…British rhyming slang?" she seemed exasperated at his lack of knowledge.

"Right…I'm, uh, down with that…," he muttered, "so, uh, did you guys manage to reassure her?"

"We tried our best," Phoebe shrugged.

Nodding he turned back to the washing-up, pleased to see the level was decreasing despite how it felt. Behind him Phoebe read a magazine and Rachel clutched her head occasionally muttering. He'd just finished the last glass when Monica crawled in.

"Hey," she blinked taking in the scene in front of her, "did you wash-up?"

"Uh huh," he smiled, "and tidied too."

Her eyes moved from him to survey the living-room before going back to him, "wow…thank you; that's sweet of you."

He smiled proudly at the praise as he removed his gloves and apron. She came up to him and they stood awkwardly for a moment by the sink, both very aware of the other girls' presence.

"That's really sweet of you," she corrected softly smiling, her eyes looking into his.

"I figured you may be a little delicate this morning," he murmured back, his eyes returning her gaze before they shifted briefly to look at her lips. God, he wanted to kiss her; he wanted their good morning kiss a second morning in a row.

She came a little closer, and he watched her swallow. She wanted it to.

"For God's sake just kiss," Phoebe ordered.

Smiling softly he glanced at Monica, raising an eyebrow at her in question. She nodded slightly and needing no further permission he closed the gap between them and his lips touched hers. They were as soft and wonderful as he remembered and his arms snaked around her waist pulling her gently to him. He felt her arms move around his neck, a hand in his hair. He kept it soft and light very conscious of her probable hangover...and their audience. It was still amazing though and after it ended he smiled down at her.

"Morning," he greeted in a hushed tone, blue eyes sparkling.

"Morning," she whispered almost shyly, caught in the same spell.

"Awww," they heard from behind them, "you guys are so cute."

"I know," Monica smiled sweetly. Her eyes never left his and Chandler just wanted to explode with happiness.

"So, how are you feeling?" Chandler asked gently, keeping his arms around her. She didn't seem in a hurry to leave his embrace either.

"Not too bad," she shrugged, "thanks for the water and painkillers and sorry for last night."

"Why? What happened?" Rachel asked, "you didn't throw up on him did you?"

"Noo!" she complained to her roommate before looking quickly back at Chandler, "I didn't right?"

"No," he laughed, "you were the perfect house guest, you should stay over more often."

She blushed slightly and Chandler hoped he hadn't embarrassed her too much. He wished he knew for sure her decision and that the others weren't there so he could reassure her with another cheeky kiss or two.

"So what did you do to be sorry for?" Phoebe asked.

"I just meant coming round so late and being drunk," Monica confirmed, despite the fact that the apology had been to Chandler and not for them.

"It wasn't a problem," he promised. "I'm very very glad you came round - it made my night," he grinned cheekily. "Say, are you still on for lunch? Cause we can always postpone it if you aren't feeling great?"

"No, no, I wanna go," she reassured quickly her hands resting on his tee, "I'll be fine after a shower."

He tried to reign in his smile for the risk of looking foolish but he knew it wasn't working. Having her wanting to go on a date with him, having her in his arms and her hands branding his chest, he knew just how badly he wanted a relationship with this woman. Not just the kissing or sex, which he was sure would be beyond fantastic, but all the little day-to-day wonders that came with being involved with her.

Joey and Ross entered the apartment and Chandler automatically released her, not comfortable holding her like that in front of all of them, especially not Ross.

"Morning," they greeted.

"Where's breakfast?" Joey complained, noticing the severe lack of preparation.

"Urgh," Monica complained, "you'll have to make it yourself."

"What?" Joey whined.

"I can make you toast," Chandler tried to compromise to which Joey frowned but eventually nodded.

"Just don't eat it over here," Rachel warned.

"Hungover?" Joey asked sympathetically.

She glared at him in response.

"I'm gonna grab that shower," Monica announced, glancing again at Chandler who smiled back shyly.

He watched her disppear into the bathroom and held back a sigh; he had it bad.

"So where are you taking her for lunch?" Phoebe asked, causing Chandler to blink, realizing he was still staring at the bathroom door.

"Huh?" he asked somewhat sheepishly.

"Where are you taking Monica?" she repeated somewhat amused; the man had it bad.

"Oooh there's a new place on 3rd that looks fancy," Ross offered.

"Or Benny's Burgers are doing buy two get two free," Joey put in oh-so-helpfully.

"Eew, stop talking about food," Rachel protested.

"Whilst they are both very good suggestions," Chandler lied, "I've decided on something a little more low-key."

"Pizza?"

"No Joey, not pizza."

"Then what?" Phoebe prompted, enjoying seeing this shy, romantic side to him. It was quite the eye-opener and she had a gut feeling that him and Monica were onto the start of something really special.

"I thought a picnic in the park," he shrugged self-consciously.

"For a first date?" Ross protested with a slight frown.

"Yes," Chandler answered slightly annoyed, "she's a little hungover and won't want to go anywhere fancy. I'm not trying to impress some stranger…it's Monica; she knows me and I'm not gonna try putting on an act. I just wanna show her we can have a good time together. Besides it's Sunday lunch, it's sunny out, it'll be fun," he shrugged.

"I think it's lovely," Phoebe reassured him, shooting a look to Ross, "just perfect. Monica will love it."

"Yeah," Rachel agreed, although Chandler wasn't sure if she was agreeing just to annoy her ex. "It's called being romantic, Ross."

"Hey," Ross protested, "I was romantic with you."

She scoffed.

"I-"

It looked like it was going to turn into a full blown Ross/Rachel argument, especially with Rachel hung-over. Chandler didn't want to hang around and really didn't want anything to dampen his mood. He had a date to prepare for.

"I'm gonna go grab a shower myself and get ready," Chandler interrupted them. "Just do me a favor and don't tell Monica where we're going, but tell her to dress casual."

With that he walked out of the girls' apartment whistling.

Life was good.


Thanks again for all the reviews. I'm glad people are enjoying this :o)