Rachel carried Emma into Central Perk, sitting down with her in her lap on the couch. The little girl was fast asleep, with her head on her shoulder. They had just got back from Phoebe's place. Rachel hadn't heard from her since their conversation about Mike and Joey. Phoebe wasn't answering her phone, or speaking to anyone, so Rachel wanted to know what was up. She found Phoebe in her apartment, hiding under her duvet on her bed, which was covered in used tissue papers. She looked like she had been there for a while. Phoebe told her she didn't want to talk, at first. But Rachel had managed to coax everything out of her, as she had filled her in one Joey telling Mike about the wedding, and Mike leaving. After they talked for a good hour or so Rachel had tried to convince her to stop moping around and join her down at Central Perk, to get her out of the house, but it didn't work, and she was still up in her apartment, waiting for Mike to call or come home.

Rachel decided to go to the coffee shop, anyways. Ross would be home from work, soon and she thought maybe Monica, Chandler or Joey would be there, as she was curious of how Joey was taking all of this. Ross eventually did show up, stopping in after work, and Monica and Chandler, soon after, but no sign of Joey.

"Hey." they said, quietly, noticing Emma was asleep. They joined her on the couch, as usual.

"There's my girls! I missed you." Ross said, and bent down to give Rachel a kiss before he sat down beside her. He took Emma from her, careful not to wake her up.

"Hey guys," Rachel said to Chandler and Monica. "Where's Joey?"

"He's at our house, watching the twins. He didn't feel like coming." Monica said. "He seems really depressed about something. Do you think it has something to do
with him and Phoebe?"

Rachel turned to Ross, with a look of disapproval. "Ross, you told Monica? I told you about that in confidence!"

"Well, if it's any consolation, I told Chandler." Monica said.

"Great, so we all know." Rachel said. "But they don't know that we all kn-"

"Oh for the love of God, let's not do this again!" Chandler said.

"Ok, so..what do you guys think?" Rachel asked.

Monica shrugged. "I don't know, I mean...somehow I'm not all that surprised this happened. But for Phoebe's sake, I hope Mike doesn't
find out."

"Actually, he did find out.." Rachel told her. "I talked to Phoebe earlier today. Joey told him."

"Oh no, " Ross said. "How'd he take it?"

"Well, about as good as you'd expect. He got mad, they had a fight, and he left."

"You mean, left for good, left?" Chandler asked.

Rachel raised her shoulders. "I'm not sure. She just said he left, and he's been gone for two days."

"Oh..wow. Poor Pheebs." Monica said, shaking her head. "No wonder Joey's been so down lately."

"Yeah, Phoebe's not even speaking to him."

"She's not?" Chandler said. "But he's leaving for L.A. tomorrow!"

"I know.." Rachel sighed, resting her chin in her hand. "It's not right for him to leave when they're on bad terms. I mean, they're usually so close! Plus, I don't know if you guys know, but he's got it bad for Phoebe right now."

Monica raised her eyebrows. "He does?" she and Chandler exchanged a glance. "Well, he failed to mention that to us."

"Yeah..I feel so sorry for him." Rachel said. She stared off in thought for a moment or two, and none of them said anything else, but Rachel could tell they were all thinking the same thing. She decided to go right ahead and say it. "Hey...what do you guys think would happen..you know, if they ended up together?"

"Joey and Pheebs?" Monica asked. She pondered for a moment.

"Yeah," Rachel said. "Honestly, I think it would be great! All six of us, together, you know?"

"Well, I mean, I use to think they would have been a great couple, before she met Mike, to be honest." Monica said.

Chandler nodded. "They're children would be either very strange, or very slow.." Monica gave shot him a glare. "But I'm sure they'd be cute, none the less."

"You know, I'm with you, Mon. They would make a cute couple." Rachel turned to Ross. "Don't you think so, hon? I mean, Joey would be so good to her. I bet they'd be so happy together!"

Ross gave Rachel with a disapproving look. "Sweetie, you're not suggesting we set them up together, are you? Because I really don't think now is the time for that. You don't know that that's what they want."

"I wasn't suggesting that!" Rachel told them. "I was...kind of implying. You're right, though. But it would be nice if they were at least on speaking terms. I really do think they need to work this out. I mean, that we could arrange, right?"

Monica nodded in agreement. "You're right. They should at least talk it out. And I guess we'll see what happens from there. We could try and get them to talk. We just need to get them to run into each other some place. Like, say, here?"

"Yeah, good idea." Rachel agreed. "I tried to talk Phoebe into coming here earlier, but she wouldn't. Ross, she might listen to you. Why don't you go get her, while I put Emma to bed." she stood up, taking Emma from him.

"What am I supposed to say?" Ross asked, nervously.

"Just make up something good! And while you're doing that, Monica and Chandler can go and try to convince Joey to come down here."

"Which will be pretty easy." Chandler pointed out. "We'll just tell him that it's raining pepperoni or something."

Monica stood up, and clapped her hands in determination. "Ok, you guys. We can do this! Their friendship depends upon us!"

"Yes, Go team go! Listen to Coach Monica!" Chandler said, pumping his fists in the air. His smile faded as Monica gave him her usual unimpressed look she always did when he made fun of her.

He followed everyone out the door.

It was raining, and Phoebe had been in such a rush that she ran out the door without her jacket. This was an emergency. Ross had shown up at her apartment, frantically telling her that there were some kids out on the streets near Central Perk, shooting at small animals with a sling shot. Without a second of hesitation, Phoebe had ran out of her building, and ran all the way to Central Perk to stop those little jerks.
She stopped in front of the doors of Central Perk, out of breath, but she saw no kids. No dead or injured animals. "Damn.." she muttered, thinking she must have been too late. She looked around and shivered. She decided that now that she was here, she might as well go in and get something warm to drink before she headed home again. When she turned around, she saw Joey walking towards her. He didn't seem to notice her at first, but when he did, he stopped dead in his tracks, a few feet away from her. Neither of the spoke for a few seconds. Seeing him just brought up a lot of feelings that Phoebe didn't want to feel right now. She turned around to leave, when he grabbed her arm. She turned her head away, refusing to address him. One thing she had always been good at, was giving people the silent treatment when she was angry with them.

"Phoebe, wait...Look, I get that you don't want to talk to me right now. But I really need to talk to you, so please, just listen to me for
a second, ok? Please.."

Phoebe reluctantly turned to face him, giving him a chance to say what he needed to say, but saying nothing. He put his other hand on her other arm.

"God, you're freezing! Here, come inside." he said, and opened the door to Central Perk. She followed him to their usual spot on the couch.
It occurred to her that this would be the first time they had sat on this couch and talked in what felt like a life time. She realized how much she
missed this. Reminding herself to stay mad at him, she crossed her arms, and waited for him to speak.

"Are you ok, now? Do you want my jacket?" Joey asked her. He sighed when she didn't answer. "Alright, look, Pheebs...What I did was wrong. I know that now. But I was only trying to do what I thought was best for you and Mike. I just wanted to help, that's all. I mean I kinda figured he was going to be mad, but...I thought that he loved you enough to want to try to fix things with you. But I guess..." he paused, shaking his head. "I guess I'm just a big, stupid jerk, huh? I'm sorry, Phoebe. About everything. I wish things weren't so messed up for you right now. And I really am sorry about...you know.. what happened at the wedding. I wish it had never happened." he stopped to correct himself. "Well...not that it was bad. I just mean..all the other stuff. I mean, if it wasn't for the fact that you're married, it would have been perfect. Because I really do love you, you know? I love you so much that it hurts. And I wish that you loved me back, but I understand that you can't.." he let out a deep breath, and put his head down, staring at the floor. "Well...anyways, that's it. I just
wanted you to know that, before I leave tomorrow. If you're still mad at me, well..I understand."

As he was talking, Phoebe could hear the sincerity, as well as the pain in his voice. She couldn't stand not speak to him any more.

"Mike wants a divorce.." she said after a moment.

Joey looked up at her. "Oh God, Pheebs...I'm sorry." He said, softly.

"He, uh...we talked." She went on, recalling the painful conversation she had earlier today, when Mike showed up at the apartment to get the rest of his stuff. It had been shortly after Rachel left. "But it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. He said that before we met, he was single for a long time, and that getting married was kind of scary for him at first. He also said that...he thinks that I have feelings for you. He thinks
that I have for a long time. He says that we seem to have some sort of connection, you know? He's always noticed it..the way we are with each other. He thinks that we understand each other better than him and I ever have. And he said that he wants me to be happy. And he doesn't think he can make me as happy as he knows that you would. So..we're going to file for divorce, and that's that."

She paused, to catch the about-to-cry feeling that caught in her throat all of a sudden. This was really hard. Somehow, she had always known that her and Mike weren't perfect for each other. But she always wanted to believe that they were. She really had been trying so hard to keep their relationship held together, but now the fight was over, and she felt both relieved, and saddened. She realized Joey was still looking at her, with anticipation.

"So...what did you say?"

"I said that, um...that maybe he was right."

She watched his expression drop as he tried to process this. After a moment, he finally spoke. "So...are you saying that you...have feelings for me, too?"

Phoebe thought for a moment. "Yeah...I guess I am."

"Oh. Uhm...ok. Wow. So...you're not mad at me, then? I mean, we're cool, right?"

Phoebe smiled. "Yes, we're cool, Joey." she said.

Joey's eyes lit up with excitement. He grinned. "Wow...Phoebe, this is...you have no idea how happy it makes me, hearing you say that!"

Phoebe's smile disappeared. She suddenly felt sad again. Joey asked her what was wrong.

"I don't know. I'm happy, too, but...at the same time, I still feel bad for Mike, I guess." she told him. "Joey..don't take this the wrong way, but..I'm going to need some time to get over him."

Joey nodded. "Yeah, totally. I get that. He's your husband."

She took a deep breath. "I'm gonna miss him.."

"I know you are." Joey said. He put his arms around her and pulled her in for a hug. He just held her close to him. The same way he did when David left her, and Phoebe just let him, resting her head on his shoulder. It felt so nice to be in his arms. She felt so safe, and loved. This was meant to be, she thought.

"Joey?" She said, still holding him. "Don't move back to L.A., ok? I mean..unless you really want to."

"Don't worry." he kissed her on the top of her head, before he let go. "I'm not going anywhere. Not now, anyways."

He hesitated for a few seconds before he put his hand on hers, squeezing it gently. He placed his other hand on her jaw line, and looked into her eyes. Phoebe's heart fluttered when he did. And even more when he kissed her, very softly. It was still pounding when he rested her forehead on hers for a moment, and pulled back. He cleared his throat, moving his hand off of hers.

"Sorry, I just...I really wanted to do that." He said.

Phoebe grinned. "It's ok. I kinda wanted you to."

Joey smiled back. "Well," he said after a few seconds. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving. You wanna go grab some dinner somewhere? I'll pay." he added. "For yours too, I mean."

"You mean like a date?" Phoebe asked.

"Yeah...kinda."

"Alright."

As they started to get up, Phoebe turned around and saw everyone. Ross, Rachel, Monica and Chandler, huddled together and smiling through the window. They all quickly scattered when they realized Phoebe and Joey could see them.

"Huh." Joey said. "I guess they know."

"Yeah." Phoebe agreed. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think they set this up."

"Our friends? Naahh..." Joey smiled.

When they went outside, they were still there, standing around, trying to act inconspicuous.

"Hi, guys." Joey said, over his shoulder.

"Hi!" they all answered.

Phoebe could still feel their eyes on them as they walked away. She folded her arms over herself, shivering slightly. She had already forgot how cold it was outside. It wasn't raining anymore, but the chill it left had settled into the air.

"You sure you don't want my jacket?" Joey asked her.

"No thanks, I'm ok." she said. "I'm used to the cold. I use to live on the streets, remember?"

But Joey didn't buy it. He stopped, took off his jacket and helped her into it.

"But now you'll be cold." Phoebe pointed out.

"I'll be ok." he assured her.

Phoebe smirked. It's ok for me to enjoy this./she told herself. I mean, at least it's better than feeling sad..

They reached an intersection and had to stop at the crosswalk. As they waited for the light to change. Joey turned to face her. "So where do you want to go? We can go anywhere you want."

Phoebe hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure she should do this, but something inside of her kept telling her to. She reached out and took his hand. Joey smirked, automatically locking his fingers between hers. Wow, this feels so perfect. she thought. She smiled as she looked up at him.

"Mhmm, I dunno. You pick." She said, with a smile.

"Well, I don't really care, as long as it's with you. And as long as there's food. Do you wanna go to the Iridium?"

"Ooh! Yeah! Let's do that!" Phoebe agreed, with excitement, because this was the place they use to meet up on the weekends to talk and hang out.

"Alright, let's do it." Joey said. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "You and me." he said, giving her a wink.

Their light finally changed, and they walked across the street, towards the subway station.

This is so great. she thought to herself. All things considered, she was so happy at that moment. She knew how dangerous it would be to rush into something with Joey so soon, but this just felt so right. So perfect. She knew that it wouldn't be long before they were more than friends, and she was perfectly ok with that. So far, anyways...

A/N: More to come soon. Please let me know what you think of this chapter, I'd really appreciate it! :)