Just Friends - Mon POV


The wait is unbearable as I watch him from behind the couch. I just need a signature here, here, and here. What is so difficult about that? What doesn't he understand about paperwork?

His body is curled up on the side, his arms gripping the throw pillow under his head. He has the same clothes on from the night before as his shoes lie beside the coffee table where his wallet and phone sit.

He seems so peaceful; the world drifting from his memory...

I bang my foot against the back of the couch; reaching my level of patience. But he doesn't stir.

Leaning over - from the seat that I pulled from the kitchen - I watch for any movement. Notta.

With a deep sigh, I take my pen and I click it rapidly at his ear; hoping the sound will have some effect. But still, nothing.

Looking away, I try to control my urge. I should let him sleep, he doesn't have the most relaxing job in the world. He needs his rest.

"Get up!"

Chandler jumps up with a jolt.

Grinning, I walk around the side so he can see me "I'm sorry, did I wake you?" I ask, but don't expect a response. "Sign." I hold out the paperwork.

Chandler just looks at it before meeting my eyes "Whoa, hold on," He takes it from me which I am forever grateful. "Are you really sure you want this to end?" He sets the documents on the coffee table and I cringe. "You haven't even experienced my special breakfast frittata, yet."

"Yeah...look, I sat up all night waiting for you to sign these papers, so..."

"You didn't sit up all night-"

"Yeah, I did." I state

"You didn't sleep at all?" He questions

Rolling my eyes, I wave my hands "Well maybe I dozed off here and there, but-" Resting my hand on my hip, I lean against the couch.

Chandler continues to look up at me "So you're comfortable enough to doze with me?" A slight grin appears on his lips "That's beautiful, babe."

I take a step back just as my phone rings and I go to retrieve it from the counter. Looking at the caller ID, I pause. "Oh, God, it's my mother." The phone continues to ring.

"Oh, it's your mom." Chandler's excitement shows as he reaches over the back of the couch "You know what, she is going to be so excited we got married. Let me say hi."

I brought my mother into the office one time. Actually, I didn't even bring her, she just showed up for lunch. That one time was the longest, most excruciating 20 minutes of my life. We walked right past Mr. Bing's office heading towards the elevator when Chandler stopped me to ask about some paperwork I filed.

I didn't even get time to explain myself when my mother chirped in; saying how he was so handsome and young running a business all by himself. She practically was flirting; touching his arm and laughing at his stupid jokes. I swear I could have went to lunch alone and no one would have noticed I was gone. I had to peel her away from his arm. I should have just left her there because for the next hour all I heard was how charming he was and if he was single.

It's safe to say my mother will approve of this marriage.

"No, no, you can't say hi." I am panicking "And I can't say hi either, because she will sense in my "hi" that something is terribly, terribly wrong. Like, wake-up married." I can't breath, I seriously think something is wrong with the oxygen level in this apartment.

"Ooh, look at you. You're all feisty in the morning. I like that."

"Stop liking me!" I whine, the phone making its last ring before turning off. "Okay, look." I make my way back towards him "Here..." I pick up the documents "Just make you go away; right here." I point to the blank line awaiting his signature.

"I can't, Moni."

"No." I stand, distancing myself from him once again "Don't go having cute little nicknames for me."

"Okay...my little harmonica." He sings and suddenly my entire childhood comes rushing back.

"Alright, fine." I'm done, I've reached my mark "If you're not going to sign the papers for me, than just leave."

He slowly stands from the couch "Well, I kind of can't do that, either." He breaks it to me softly.

"Yeah, you can." I argue "You remember how you came in? Reverse it." One may think I'm taking this a little too harshly, but in this world you have to be rude to get what you want.

"Look, Monica, what can I say?" He sits back down where he was sleeping just minutes ago "Marriage is very important to me, okay?" He looks up to meet my eyes "My mom and dad were married 29 years. My grandma and grandpa, 68 years. And they're still in love. Mon, I wouldn't have married you if I wasn't sure you were the girl I could spend the rest of my life with."

My arms are crossed over my chest as I move my weight from one foot to the other. "That's very sweet, Chandler, really. But, uh, you see, people don't just get married after one night. They meet, they date, they woo."

"Okay, well," He stands back up "We can date, what are you doing tonight? You wanna woo?"

"Yeah, yeah, no ya see, that's not how it works." I wave him off, "'Cause you've got to pick me up from elsewhere. Which means you've gotta go elsewhere, so go elsewhere, go ahead elsewhere, bye." I try my best to push him towards the door but he's like a rock.

"God, I love how passionate you get." He pushes against me, stopping us from moving towards the door so he can grab his things by the coffee table. "I'm thinking Italian, but do you feel pasta?" He questions, his shoes in hand as he walks towards the door.

I open the heavy purple door for him and push him out "Pasta la vista, baby." I comment, before closing the door behind him.

At last, I'm alone in my apartment. It's so peaceful and quiet, nothing standing in my way, no one is on my couch, I'm finally by myself.

Gliding over to my sofa, I slump down and let my whole body fall into a relaxing state. I'm losing hope, I don't know what to do.

He's sweet, he's caring, he's charming and gorgeous, but I dreamed of finding Mr. Right all my life. And this is not what I pictured. We were to meet, flirt, date. I would meet his parents 3 months into our relationship when things just started getting serious. He'd make the most amazing proposal when I least expected it. We'd get married, have kids, grow old together...

This is not how this was suppose to happen.

The door to Rachel's room opens and she peaks through before fully coming out. She grips her robe closed as she makes her way next to me and slumps down.

It's silent for a while. Just the sound of morning traffic is heard from the New York street below.

"Are you really going to end it this soon?" She asks softly

"Not you too." I roll my eyes, bringing my feet up to rest on the coffee table in front of me.

"I'm sorry, Mon, but you have to look at it as a whole." Rachel turns to face me "Yeah, it's sudden, I'll give you that. But when you're done looking at it as a disappointment to your mother, you'll see that he is the guy you want to be with." I shake my head, but she goes on "From what I've noticed, Mr. Bing is-"

"Hot, spicy, the fruit of your loins, your chimney sweeper...hold your breath, Rache. I know what he means to you." I snap, instantly regretting it as I stand to grab a coffee.

"No, Monica." She snaps back, and I don't have to turn to know her eyes are on me "He's sensible, reliable, quirky when he wants to be and dammit he's in shape." I cradle my mug as I lean my back against the teal counter top. "If you want to end this, than fine. But at least look at him outside of being your boss."

Taking a sip, I take in Rachel's words. She has a point, I'll give her that. The reason I want to end this is because he's my boss. I am the only woman in the office that doesn't find him attractive in the "I wanna slap that" kind of way. He's my boss, the person that handles my paycheck! You aren't suppose to discuss finances until at least the 10th date.

"Look, all I'm asking is think about it." She rises from the couch "Don't do anything you might regret." And with that she heads towards the bathroom.

I sit there for a while just pondering the wise words I never thought I'd hear from someone like Rachel.

As much as I'd like to fight the accusations of this marriage, I consider Rachel's idea. Besides, how difficult can it be to be the wife of Chandler Bing?

"Knock, knock, anyone home?" I look over to find Ross opening my front door and sliding in.

"Hey." I greet from the kitchen, finally allowing my coffee mug to leave my grip.

"Hey, just the person I wanted to see." He steps in further, but remains by the door "Guess who I bumped into downstairs?" I don't have time to process who it could possibly be when none other than my college boyfriend steps in.

"Hey, Monica."

"Alan!" I exclaim, "Oh my gosh, it is so good to see you." I glide over to exchange a formal greeting despite the fact I'm still in the clothes I had on the night before. "How have you been? How's your mom?"

"I've been great." He smiles "Mom's great too, she just moved upstate to a new ranch off the lake. She misses you." His mom always liked me.

"Aw, that's sweet. And I'm sorry to hear about your father." I rub his arm consolingly, remembering his dad's obituary from the paper.

"Thank you."

"Anyway." Ross chimes in, completely left out of the conversation we just exchanged "I told Alan about your annual Halloween party you throw every year." He explains, closing the door behind them.

"I hope you don't mind one extra Vampire in attendance?" He dips his toes in the water.

Alan has always been a polite guy, making sure he's not too forward and everyone remains comfortable.

"Not at all. The more the merrier." I smile

"Great, well it was nice seeing you guys again but I have an errand to run." He looks down at his watch.

Ross moves to reopen the door as Alan moves closer to the exit.

"Is there anything I should bring?"

"Just yourself." I assure.

With a final goodbye, he's out the door.

"So, where's Rache?" He questions, taking off his jacket and hanging it up.

"Shower." I answer simply. "She should be out soon. But in the meantime, I need to get ready so-"

"You're not ready?" He questions, looking down at my appearance.

"No, I wore this last night." I tell him, and before he has a chance to raise his eyebrows, I continue "It's not like that. It was just a long night. I didn't get much sleep."

Sitting down at the table, he helps himself to my morning paper "Are you sure you're up to host a party tonight?"

"Oh, yeah," I assure him, clearing my dishes "Nothing a warm shower can't fix."

"Hey, Mon?"

Turning from the sink, I grab the towel to wipe my hands. "Hmm?" I face Ross, letting him know he has my full attention.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

My heart stops. Oh, God, he knows.

"Yeah." I carefully refold the towel and place it next to the sink. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know, you just seem a little...distracted." he comments

I chuckle, pushing in my chair as I look back at him "Ross, I'm fine." We hear the shower turn off and not long after the door opens to let out the stem.

"Hey," Rachel appears wearing only a towel.

I'm about to slip in there when she stops me. "Seriously?"

"Sorry," She sincerely apologizes.

I roll my eyes "I don't care, anyways. A cold shower will release the tension in my muscles."

"Mon-"

"I'm fine Ross." I snap, the emotion too heavy to hold back any longer. I saw the hurt and concern in his eyes so I repeated it more softly this time. "I'm fine." Only this time I wasn't sure if it was more for his reassurance, or mine.