I know, I know, I'm spoiling you with these quick updates, but I'm away for the week now and I didn't want you to wait for so long. :) Also, this is gonna be the last - and by far longest - chapter to this fic. I wanted to write more, but somehow I think it's good like it is now. Thank you all for reading and reviewing and please let me know what you think about this one.

When Rachel and Phoebe walk into apartment 20 Monica is standing in the kitchen, stirring in a pot. But she isn't looking at the pot, she is staring into the distance, something she normally doesn't do while cooking.

Rachel sniffs. "Something smells really bad in here," she says to Phoebe.

Phoebe nods. "Mon, did you burn the sauce? Monica!"

It's only when Phoebe yells her name that Monica looks up at her two friends. "What?" She asks.

Rachel gets over to her and takes the pot off the stove. "Your sauce," she says.

"Oh God," Monica sighs. "How could that happen?"

"Well, your thoughts were somewhere completely else …" Phoebe begins, but stops when she sees tears in the corner of Monica's eyes. "What is wrong, Mon?"

Monica sits down on a chair and sobs. "I … all I wanted to do is cook some dinner for Simon and now I … it … everything is ruined. I ruined everything!"

"You didn't ruin everything," Rachel says. "You just burnt the sauce. That is not the end of the world, Monica!"

"But I'm a chef and if I can't even do that right, what else can I do?" The tears are now streaming down her face rapidly.

"Monica, it can happen to anyone. I'm sure Simon understands."

"I just ruined everything," Monica repeats. "Everything."

"What everything?"

"He is the most important person in my life and I ruined it!"

Phoebe and Rachel look at each other. They don't know what to say. It's obvious that it's not just the sauce that made Monica this upset, but they don't understand her. Of course Simon – as her boyfriend – is the most important person in her life right now, but it can't just be the sauce she ruined, can it?

Luckily Simon walks into the apartment at this very moment and rushes up to Monica immediately. He takes her in his arms and Rachel and Phoebe sigh relieved. They were worried that things between the two didn't go well anymore, but it doesn't seem like it.

Without saying anything Phoebe and Rachel walk towards the door. They don't want to disturb their friend and her boyfriend. Maybe Simon can cheer Monica up. Of course he can.

As the door closes Rachel turns to Phoebe. "What was that?"

Phoebe shrugs. "I have no idea. I have never seen her upset like that."

"That wasn't just the sauce. There must have been something else."

"I know, but what?"

"Maybe," Rachel begins. "Chandler knows more."

"Oh, you mean Chandler made her this upset again? Like a few weeks earlier?"

"No, Phoebe! Maybe she talked to him."

"Oh, that's possible too."

The first thing they hear as they walk into apartment 19 is Ross' voice coming from Chandler's bedroom: "No, Chandler! You can't do that! I forbid you to go."

Then they hear Chandler's dry and sad laughter. "Ross, you can't forbid me anything. I have to go!"

Rachel and Phoebe hurry towards the two of them. "What is going on here?" Phoebe asks as she sees Chandler putting his stuff into a suitcase.

"Chandler is leaving!" Ross says.

"What?"

"Why?"

"I'm not leaving. I got offered a job in Tulsa and it's a much better job than I have now, so I'm taking it," Chandler explains.

Rachel's jaw drops. "You are going to Tulsa?"

"Yes," Chandler mumbles. It was hard enough with Ross being here and trying to convince him to stay. But the two girls won't let go either, that's for sure.

"You can't just leave," Phoebe says and Ross nods. "I told him so."

"Guys, I'm old enough. And I've made the decision: I'm going to Tulsa."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"What?" Rachel gasps.

"But you hate your job!" Phoebe says at the same time.

"I know. But somehow I'm good at it. And the team leader job is so more suitable for me. I might actually really like going to work."

"But Tulsa is in Oklahoma. It's so far away," Rachel says, tears already in her eyes.

"You're going to be fine, guys. As soon as I'm sick of the job I'm coming back to you," he tries to crack a joke, but fails.

"Wow, it's gonna be weird without you here. And we can't convince you to stay?" Rachel asks.

Chandler shakes his head slowly. "No, can you understand at least a little?"

His friends nod reluctantly. "Yes, if that is what you want," Phoebe sighs.

"Thank you, guys." Chandler smiles and for the first time since this morning he feels like this is a real smile. Even if it's just a little one. Then he thinks of something. "Oh, could you do me another favor?"

"Yeah?" Ross asks, not sure if he wants to hear the rest of Chandler's request.

"Please don't tell Monica about it."

"What?" All three of them yell.

Then Phoebe remembers something. "Speaking of Monica. Do you know what's going on with her?"

Chandler groans and looks to the ground. "We had a fight," he mumbles.

"I knew it wasn't just the sauce," Rachel shouts out.

"The sauce?" Ross wrinkles his forehead.

"Well, she burnt the sauce when we came to see her," Rachel begins to explain, "and suddenly she broke down and cried and wouldn't tell us what has happened."

"Chandler, you should go see her," Phoebe says.

But Chandler shakes his head. "No, I can't. That … it wasn't like any other fight. She … she asked me to stay away from her and that's what I'm going to do."

"That's why you are leaving?" Ross cannot believe what he has just heard.

"Yeah, before you are starting to convince me otherwise, try to understand me: I can't be happy for her and Simon right now. I tried, but I can't. So if I stay I'm making her sad and insecure. I have to go so she can enjoy her time with Simon."

"But why do …"

"Stop, Phoebe, please. Don't ask any questions. Let's enjoy the night together, okay?"

"Okay," Rachel mumbles. She knows that Chandler has already made the decision and can't be convinced otherwise.

"Thanks. You should definitely think about how you protect me from Joey. He's gonna be mad when he finds out I'm leaving." Chandler laughs.

Ross, Rachel and Phoebe smile, but their smiles don't reach their eyes.


"Monica?" Simon asks and Monica has no idea what he said. She hasn't been listening to him for a while now. After she told Simon about her plan to cook him something nice and the terrible incident that she burnt the sauce, he wasn't angry at all. He just shrugged and decided to order some Chinese food. That's what they are doing now: Sitting on the couch and eating the food. And Simon talks. He does that a lot. Monica didn't really realize that in the beginning, but now when she thinks about it he has always talked that much. And she remembers the time she picked Chandler up from his office to go out for lunch. He was annoyed of Simon because he wouldn't stop talking to him. Chandler. And he's exactly the reason why Monica can't concentrate on Simon at all today. Because Chandler is everything that is on her mind. He was totally behaving weird. She has not seen him like that before. And he hasn't talked like that before either. That's what made her angry. He was the one who confronted her with the fact that she doesn't have a boyfriend. And now that she has one – that he chose, by the way – he talks bad about him. She has every right to be angry. His anger and his aversion for Simon are totally unreasonable.

"Monica? What's wrong?" Simon asks again and Monica startles up again. She can't think about Chandler now, she has to concentrate on her boyfriend right in front of her.

"Nothing," she says.

"Don't tell me that there's nothing. What is going on?" Simon asks stubbornly.

"I … well, I had a fight with Chandler," Monica mumbles quickly. She hopes that Simon lets it go immediately and doesn't ask any questions.

But Simon just shrugs again and says: "Oh, I thought it's something big."

If she wouldn't be so sad and angry, Monica would laugh. Simon has a disappointed look on his face. Of course Simon wouldn't understand. He doesn't know how important Chandler is to Monica. How good of friends they really are. He might not even have experienced a friendship like theirs himself. Because most people haven't. Monica would have never thought that one time Chandler would be the one who stabs her in the back like that. He was always the one she would trust the most. Maybe she overreacted. Maybe she shouldn't have yelled at him like that. No, she had the right to do that. He was being unreasonable and if he wants to be grumpy it's none of her business anyway. Chandler hasn't been in a very good mood lately and she tried to cheer him up. But he doesn't want to be cheered up – or at least not by her – so she has every right to stop trying. Simon is looking at her curiously. He doesn't get why a fight with Chandler makes Monica feel low like that.

"Well, it kinda is, we never had a fight like that," the words just fall out of Monica's mouth. She didn't want to tell him that, but she has to talk to someone and Simon is there and she trusts him. "I yelled at him and told him that I don't want to see him again. I … I never did that." Monica tries to hold back the tears, but almost fails.

"Oh, Monica," Simon looks at her helplessly. Then he reaches out for her and pulls her into his arms. Monica starts to sob. "I didn't know you guys were so close," Simon mumbles.

"I'm closest to Chandler. He's my best friend and now … I ruined everything," Monica can no longer hold back her words or tears now.

Simon doesn't know what to do. He was never good with crying women and has no idea how to cheer her up. He didn't know her and Chandler were so close. He always wondered why Chandler set her up with him and didn't date her himself. Simon just assumed that they maybe aren't that close and Chandler didn't know her that well. But now Simon is puzzled. Because once you really get to know Monica, you can't help but fall in love with her, right? Maybe Chandler hasn't realized it yet. And that's good for Simon. Because Chandler wouldn't have set them up if he would feel differently for Monica. Monica is still crying and Simon just keeps on stroking her back. He still doesn't know what to do and thought that that will calm her down. And it helps. She is much calmer already.

"You should call him!" Simon suddenly says. He didn't even know that he is thinking that, but apparently he did.

"What?" Monica asks. She is as confused as himself.

"You should call Chandler and talk to him."

"Simon, he lives just across the hall. I have never called him."

"Then you should go over there and talk to him."

"But he was totally unreasonable. He should come and apologize."

"But it's eating you up and you might not even fall asleep if you keep on thinking about it," Simon insists.

Monica shakes her head. "Let's talk about something else!" She really doesn't want to talk to Chandler right now. It might be good for both of them if they have a little bit of time to think about what has happened. It's good to have a night to sleep over everything. Even though they have never done that. Going to sleep without apologizing to each other. Chandler totally deserves to be left in the dark for a little bit.

With that thought Monica turns to Simon. "How about we go to the bedroom and forget about everything?" She gives him a seductive wink.

Simon laughs. That's much better than his suggestion. He lifts Monica up and carries her to the bedroom.


"Are you sure, Mr. Bing?" His boss looks at Chandler. He has just told him that he is going to Tulsa today and that he has his bags already with him.

"Hey, you wanted me to go today," Chandler says, a little bit offended. Yesterday his boss told him that he would need to go today and today he is questioning his decision?

"Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy about it. I just want to be sure that you thought about it properly."

Well, Chandler can't say anything now without lying. Of course he hasn't been thinking about it properly. He decided it not even 15 hours ago and here he is, with his bags already packed. He didn't have the time to think about it properly. And he might have lost four very good friends of his. Well, in fact he probably only lost one of them. And he lost her even before the whole Tulsa-thing came up. He lost Monica the minute he fell in love with her. He didn't lose Phoebe, Rachel and Ross. They were actually really supportive when he told them that there is no way he could stay. So he still has them. Joey … it's different with Joey. He was angrier than he has ever been before. When he came home last night and Ross, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel were sitting in the apartment, all sad, he didn't notice it first. Of course, because he is Joey. Chandler told him about his plan very cautiously, but only by mentioning Tulsa Joey totally lost it. He interrupted Chandler and just walked into his room. Joey didn't come out of his room for the whole night. Before Chandler left in the morning, he knocked at his door. He was already leaving without saying goodbye to Monica, a thing he never thought he'd do, he at least wanted to say goodbye to Joey. At first he thought Joey is already gone, but when he asked him to come out for the third time, the door opened and Joey hugged him tightly. He wasn't saying anything, but he hugged him. And Chandler then knew that they are going to be fine. Joey might be angry now, but he will always love Chandler, that's for sure.

"Are you sure, Mr. Bing?" His boss asks again. He has a serious look on his face and Chandler knows that it seems to be very important to him that he's sure.

"I'm very sure, Sir. A few things in my … umm … personal life aren't going as I want them to, so I'm glad to get some distance. I already brought all my stuff so I can go as soon as you want me to."

"I'm so happy to hear that, Mr. Bing. I really wanted you to go because you are our best employee. Thank you so much. My secretary will book your flight and call you a taxi as soon as she knows when you're flying out."

"Thanks, Sir." Chandler still can't believe that his boss thinks of him as the best employee. He never thought that will be possible.

"I wish you all the best in Oklahoma, Mr. Bing. And call me if you need any help."

"I will do that, Sir. Thank you."

Chandler takes a deep breath as he walks out of the office. He is really doing that. He is leaving his home. He is trading New York City for Tulsa. He is sure he is the first human being to do so. No one would ever do that voluntarily. This is one of the things only unrequited love can do to you.

With his legs shaking Chandler sits down at his desk. Well, it's not his desk anymore. From now on his desk will be in Tulsa. In a city he doesn't even know. He doesn't know anything about Oklahoma either. He hasn't even been there yet. Maybe it's really terrible there and his boss is only offering him the job because no one else wants to go there. Maybe, the air in Oklahoma is health-damaging and he will die after living there for a couple of years. Maybe his boss only calls him his best employee because he wants to butter him up. Because no one would ever go to Tulsa voluntarily. Maybe there is a black hole that is going to eat him u…

"Chandler?"

Chandler has never been happier to see Simon standing in front of his desk. His thoughts were going crazy. He knows that Tulsa is neither health-damaging nor is there a black hole that eats up people. He just couldn't stop his thoughts.

"Simon," Chandler tries to sound enthusiastic.

Simon seems to believe his fake enthusiasm, because he smiles. "What is going on with you? You don't look very well!"

Chandler sighs. Obviously he didn't look very well. His thoughts were running through his mind like crazy and he felt like throwing up.

"I'm okay, Simon. Thanks for asking."

He hopes that Simon takes this as a sign for him to leave, but his colleague is not moving. He is impatiently hopping from one foot to the other and obviously thinking about asking Chandler a delicate question.

"Umm… does it have something to do with the fight Monica and you had yesterday?" Simon asks quickly as if he wants to be done with the question as quickly as possible.

Of course Monica has talked to her boyfriend about their fight. She has every right to do that. But Chandler doesn't like to hear that. He doesn't want to know that Monica trusts Simon enough to tell him about her friend. He doesn't want her to confide in Simon. He wants to be the only one she tells everything to. But who is he kidding? Simon is her boyfriend and he has lost the right to know everything after he fell in love with her and ruined their friendship. How could he have been so stupid?

"Umm, no," he says slowly, desperately wanting this conversation to be over.

"Okay, sorry for mentioning it. I was just wondering, 'cause Monica was really down because of that. I didn't know what was wrong with her and suddenly she started to cry and tell me everything. I was shocked. I didn't know you two were so close and I …"

Chandler can't listen to Simon anymore. Monica cried because of their fight? And he wasn't there to cheer her up? Well, she wouldn't have wanted him to be there anyway. Maybe he should have listened to his heart and went after her right away to apologize. Maybe he shouldn't have gotten into the huff and just leave, but try to talk to her. She's still Monica and he was always so good in talking with Monica. Maybe he shouldn't just leave, but fight for her. Like Ross told him to. Maybe Ross is right for once. But he already told his boss that he is going to Tulsa and besides, there would still be the problem called Simon. He would still be Monica's boyfriend and Chandler can't see the both of them together. He just can't. That's why he has to leave. Cheering Monica up is now someone else's job. Simon's. Speaking of Simon, he is still taking to him. Chandler should definitely start listening to him again.

"… but I made her forget everything that has happened … in her bedroom." Simon gives him a wink. "If you know what I mean."

And Chandler wishes he wouldn't have listened to the last part of Simon's story as well.

"I know," he groans. His head is already hurting again by just talking to Simon.

"So, are you gonna apologize to Monica? She really deserves an apology."

Who does this guy think he is? Why does he think he knows what Monica deserves? Chandler knows what's good for her. Who is good for her. And it isn't Simon. It's clearly not Simon.

"Actually, I'm kinda busy Simon, because I'm moving to Tulsa today."

"What? You really took that job?" Simon seems to be taken by complete surprise.

Chandler nods. "Yes. It's a huge opportunity for me."

"I … I can't believe that," Simon stutters.

Chandler frowns. "You've got a lot of time to get used to." Simon is definitely going to save a lot of time by not having Chandler to talk to every day.

"Does Monica know?"

Chandler sighs. "No," he shakes his head. "Not yet. And I'd appreciate if you wouldn't tell her. I'll call her from Tulsa."

Simon's jaw drops. "O-okay," he stutters. "I'm not going to tell her."

Chandler knows what he is thinking. He just found out how close Chandler and Monica are. Were. How close they were. Chandler really has to get used to using the past tense. Otherwise he'd never get over Monica. Simon just found out how close Chandler and Monica were. And now he is telling him that he'll call her once he's in Tulsa. Simon must suspect something.

But luckily he doesn't say anything. He smiles instead and lifts up his hand to shake Chandler's.

Chandler accepts his hand.

"Have a good flight, Chandler. And if you'd ever need help, you have my number. I still owe you a lot," Simon smiles and Chandler once again wonders how the impression he has of Simon can change so quickly and often.

Later that day, when Chandler is sitting in the airplane and listening to the flight attendant with half an ear, he knows that he is doing the right thing. Simon is a great guy after all and Monica deserves him. She deserves to be completely happy and Chandler would only disturb her in her happiness. He knows that and he loves her enough to put her happiness above his own. As they say: If you love someone, set them free. Chandler knows that there is a second part to the quote. Something about coming back. And maybe, maybe he can come back some day and work things out with Monica. For now he just needs distance. Distance to sort out all of his feelings towards her. Distance to forget about the crush he has. For now he has to concentrate on the part with setting her free.

The flight attendants sit down as well and the plane starts to move its way to the runway. Chandler takes one last look at New York City, then he closes his eyes. He doesn't want anyone to see the tears that are hiding in the corners of his eyes.

Damn it. If only the setting her free-part wasn't so damn hard!

You know I was just kidding with this being the last chapter, right? Because I could never do that to Monica, Chandler or you. ;) There is still a lot to go through before a happy ending, which will happen, I promise! :)