(A/N) hello all; BIG updates! first of all, sorry for the late-ish update - physics midterm kept me busy most of the week (yet I still bombed - doesn't that always happen? don't know why I'm a science major when I despise it! haha)
Secondly, I decided to go ahead and post the last chapter along with this one - hear me out! lol. I thought about it, and I realized leaving this chapter as so may leave some people uneasy or give others the wrong idea about where the last chapter will go... so yeah. Hope this double-post doesn't make anyone too sad (except for me! I'm devastated at not getting to write this anymore haha.)
Thirdly, thank yous to elizzabethavary, BluEyes, Champers, randler x, missdory, friendsfan101, BundyShoes, Laurie M (yay, you got that line! haha, I was wondering if it was too much of a stretch), and i-am-kelly! Your encouragement is so appreciated. Also, thank yous to those who have read this since the beginning chapter. It really means a lot to me :)
Now, onwards!
A short while later (and as time lost meaning for both, neither could say exactly how much time it was), Rachel and Chandler found themselves nestled in each other's arms on one of the pull-out beach chairs by the illuminated pool. Just sitting, enjoying each other's company – needing nothing else to be as blissful as they were then.
It felt familiar, as they had sat in that position many times in the past. In the past, however, there'd been inhibition – they'd both face forward, Chandler would only drape one arm lightly around her, or Rachel would keep both hands folded in her lap.
But now? Now was different. Now there was no inhibition whatsoever. Their faces touched, their hands were free, and every so often, they would surprise one another with a kiss ranging from light and sweet to urgent and heated. And kissing Rachel? Even better than Chandler remembered.
Yep, this part is new, Chandler thought with an amused smile, as Rachel bit softly on his ear. In every way, being with her was half familiar and half uncharted territory. It was comfortable, yet exciting. An absolutely perfect combination.
"Wait." Rachel suddenly pulled away, leaving Chandler mid-kiss. His lips were still comically puckered, eyes still closed.
"Chandler… before we go any further, can we address the elephant in the room?"
"No one's called Monica that since high school."
A disapproving glare. "You know what I mean."
"Ah, do we really have to?"
Rachel softened a bit and placed a hand on his cheek. "Yes. We both know this is just a one-time thing, right? Just to get it out of our systems? You have to promise me this won't mean anything to you."
"One time thing. System. Means nothing. Yep," he repeated, hoping that the faster this discussion went, the faster they could return to more enjoyable activities. "Now do that thing with your tongue."
"Chandler." Rachel's voice was tinged with warning.
He sighed and finally sat up in his seat. He looked Rachel in the eye and said, "Fine. Yes. I promise. Trust me."
And it was the truth. One last fling, just to get it out of my system. Just some meaningless sex.
Chandler had known all along that he wasn't going to sleep with Rachel. He couldn't even bring himself to think about it (well, that was a lie – he'd definitely thought about it. In detail. But not the idea in general) without feeling sick to his stomach. There was no way he could go through with it.
For one, oh hey, he was married. To a woman he loved deeply back at home.
Also, this was Rachel. One of his oldest friends, Rachel. Sure, they just happened to be insanely compatible, but he still couldn't bring himself to do that to her or to Ross (who, despite being with Charlie at the moment, would probably still kick Chandler's ass if he found out).
Mostly, Chandler couldn't think about sleeping with her because there just seemed to be such a… finality to it. Sex always seemed like the closure to, or at least the line between innocent fling and questionable relationship. Even in movies and books, it seemed to be the climax (no pun intended)of a couple's time together. The final stretch. Best it was going to get. There was nothing left in a relationship to build up to afterwards.
And Chandler couldn't bear the thought of ending what he had with Rachel any sooner than he had to.
And it's not going to be meaningless, he thought, as he lost himself in Rachel's eyes. There was no way it could be. It was Rachel. He would always love her, be it platonic or otherwise.
"Okay," Rachel relented with a sweet smile, placing her lips against his so softly that it took every ounce of restraint in his body for Chandler not to jump on her. She tortured him for a while with tiny, almost nonexistent kisses along his jaw line before she pulled away again.
"Chandler?"
He could've screamed. "For the love of God, what is it?"
Rachel laughed as she shifted in her seat to lay her head upon his chest. She ran her hand in a friendly fashion across his torso, underneath his still-wet shirt. "Tell me," she murmured, "why we'd be good together."
A smirk. "Is this your idea of dirty talk?"
"No." A smile and a shrug. "I just – want to hear you tell me."
Chandler found himself smiling back in spite of himself. He couldn't stop smiling, actually. The whole night had been so unbelievable, like something out of a movie. He never wanted it to end.
"Well, all right, then. Let's see." He repositioned himself so he had one arm clasped more comfortably around Rachel and she curled her legs to her chest. "You're funny."
"Huh."
Noticing Rachel's doubtful expression, Chandler clarified, "Not stupid funny or unintentionally funny like the others. You're clever funny. Sharp. Witty. And you don't even realize it sometimes." He squeezed her waist. "I respect that."
"Aw."
"Well, by respect it, I mean it really turns me on."
Rachel laughed. "Go on."
"Okay." Chandler thought about it. "We're the only two who wear suits to work."
"Well technically, Ralph Lauren lets me wear business casual."
"… Those bitches."
"It's okay," Rachel laughed and leaned in near his ear. "To be honest, I've always loved seeing you in your suit and tie. Something about it… makes me so hot."
Chandler raised his eyebrows. "All right, well that does it. I'm officially throwing out everything else I own."
"Oh, stop." Rachel patted him lightly. "What else?"
"Okay. I love how I feel when I'm with you. Relaxed. Easy."
"Mm."
"You're kind…" Chandler kissed her once on the top of her head – "dedicated…" – her forehead – "sweet…" – cheek – "caring…" – other cheek. "…beautiful." – at last, one softly on her lips.
"Okay, stop," Rachel grinned against Chandler's lips. This time, she deepened the kiss herself, running her hands from the base of his neck into his hair.
Yeah, it's not going to be meaningless, Chandler thought, pulling her even closer against him. But he had to try to make it as meaningless as possible.
For Monica – he would have to try.
(A/N) How was it? I hope you liked it! Usually here, I would tell you I'll update soon - but go ahead and read the final chapter! :)
