After their second, no wait, third date, Joey and Rachel spent their entire weekend locked inside their apartment. You can already guess what they were doing. Not once did they leave the room to go out or even go raid Monica's fridge for food. Their friends were very worried but they refuse to check in on them, only because they were afraid to witness things they did not want to see.

Phoebe: "My God! It's already Monday, do you reckon we should go see them?"

Monica: "I am sure they will eventually come out, they both have to go to work don't they?"

Phoebe: "Yeah, you're right"

Chandler: "I'm quite glad there were minimum of noises these pass three nights"

Monica: "No. No, I think I did when I went out the other day"

Phoebe: "Seriously?! I had to block my ears before entering here"

Monica: "You know what, I think I should do that from now on"

Not long after Monica finished making breakfast for her fiancé and Phoebe, the door swings open. Speaking of the devil, it was Joey and Rachel. When their friends saw the couple, they could see that Rachel was on Joey's back, which was obvious he was giving her a piggyback ride. They were giggling and once they entered the room, Rachel hopped off Joey and gave him a kiss.

Chandler raised his voice and lowed his eyes onto the newspaper: "You know you're in the wrong room for that"

Monica lightly smacks Chandler's head, motioning him to be nice. However, Rachel and Joey ignored his comment, like they always do when he makes sarcastic jokes.

Rachel: "Hey guys!"

Monica: "So how are you vampires? Finally decided to come out and play?"

Joey: "Well we both have work, if not I wouldn't mind being locked inside that apartment with her" he said as he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist.

Rachel giggled to herself. Yep, she is definitely in deep trouble.

Phoebe: "So, you two hungry?"

Rachel & Joey: "Starving!"

Chandler: "How did you two manage to go two whole days without any meals?"

Rachel: "Well, Mr Bing there is a thing called delivery service"

Monica: "Ok, here are your breakfast, now eat up!"

What really amazed the three of their friends is how Joey and Rachel couldn't stop giving each other this look and constant touching. Now these touches were not inappropriate but they couldn't keep their hands to themselves. Even while eating breakfast they were holding hands. It was sweet they thought to themselves but was it very necessary every couple of minutes? They did seem like two strangers in the midst but still likeable only because they looked so happy together.

Rachel: "So what did you guys do the pass two days?"

Chandler: "Blocking our ears and staying at Central Perk"

Joey: "Seriously? We weren't that loud…" Rachel bit her lip. She thought to herself God she hoped she wasn't. Although during the past 3 nights she was too caught in the moment to even notice the noises both her and Joey were causing.

Monica: "No you guys weren't, but we were definitely worried!"

Rachel: "Sorry Mon, we were just really busy …"

Phoebe: "Busy having sex"

Rachel & Monica: "Phoebe!"

Phoebe: "What?" she giggled.

Rachel was a tad annoyed but it's Phoebe, she loved her either way.

Rachel: "Hey sweetie, what time do you have to go to the studio today?" she asked Joey.

Joey: "I think around 11.00, why?"

Rachel: "I was wondering if you want to go to Central Perk before we both head to work" she smiled at him.

Joey: "Sure!"

Rachel: "You guys want to come too?"

Monica: "Yeah of course"

Chandler: "Well, where else can we get our coffee?"

Rachel mocked Chandler quietly but then continued to speak: "Well then, I'm going to get ready. See you guys in a sec" she turned to Joey gave him a quick kiss and left. Joey kept looking at her until she was no longer in sight. When he turned around still smiling to himself, he noticed that the three of them were staring at him with big grin on their faces.

Joey: "What?"

Chandler: "Man, you are so in love!". Chandler laughed and he thought to himself. His best friend has finally grown up. He has finally experienced what love truly is – and no, Kate Miller does not count.

Phoebe: "So, how are you feeling Joe?"

Joey: "So great Pheebs! Oh you have no idea! Like every second and minute I am with her, it like a dream but then when I kiss her it's not!"

Monica: "Oh honey, look at you!" she ran over to hug Joey. "Look at you all grown up!"

Joey: "Aww thanks Monica!"

Phoebe: "We're really happy for you Joe, truly"

Joey: "Thanks Phoebe. I was a bit worried you know you guys judging me and with all the Ross stuff"

Chandler: "Hey now, it was weird at first and we were worried about you know the outcomes, but we're coping and look at you! You're practically glowing. We support you Joe."

Joey: "Thanks buddy!"

Monica: "Yeah, you, like all of us deserve happiness too" she smiled at him and patted his shoulder.

Monica: "Oh before I forget and since Rachel isn't here! Her birthday is coming up, so I was thinking of throwing her a party! As I always do!" she said beaming with pride.

Phoebe: "Sounds great! What are we doing?"

Monica: "Just a surprise party on the day and I was thinking we'll just have it at Joe's apartment"

Joey: "Sounds good to me"

Chandler: "Well then, before I go to this party, I'll need a list of what she wants so then she doesn't exchange it" he said while reading his newspaper.

Phoebe: "Yeah, you're right! God she's the hardest person to buy a present for!"

Monica: "Don't worry I'll ask her"

Joey: "You know what, I'll ask her Mon"

Monica: "That's nice Joe, thank you"

Joey: "No worries"

Rachel then enters the apartment and they were all so glad the topic about her party had finished. Monica quickly cleaned up their dishes and they all left to Central Perk happily.

When the gang arrived at Central Perk they found that Ross was already there, sitting on the orange couch drinking his cup of coffee. They all greeted each other and ordered the usual. In some way the other three were glad Ross was there. If Ross was in sight, there was good possibility that Rachel and Joey would be able to dial down their constant loving touches. However, with Rachel sitting closely next to Joey, holding hands and Joey's arm around her it still irritated Ross. Ross wasn't the only one there was also Gunther. When Gunther saw Rachel holding hands with Joey, his dreams was crushed into million of pieces. However, he did take his frustration in the backroom with some coffee mugs. Whereas Ross, he was trying to hold it in.

Ross: "So" he began to talk to keep his mind off Rachel and Joey. "How are you all?"

Phoebe: "Meh, the usual, you?"

Ross: "Yeah alright, oh I get Ben tonight. Should I bring him over Mon?"

Monica: "Uhmm yes! You know what, I'll bake some homemade cookies for him"

Ross: "Dinosaur shape ones?" he smiled widely.

Monica: "Fine"

Chandler: "Wait a minute, honey are you sure you're baking cookies for Ben or Ross?" The gang laughed except for Ross.

Ross: "Ha ha ha, anyways thank you Mon" he paused and he thought maybe he should make an effort to talk to Joey and Rachel. "So Joe how err, how's Days of Our Lives?"

Joey: "Oh, I'm still in the coma but it's going great. I'm meeting with the writers today and see what Drake will get into"

Ross: "That's great!" he smiled.

The gang continued to chatter away but one by one did they all left and eventually it was only Phoebe, Joey, Rachel and Ross.

Joey: "Hey Rach, I think I should go. I'll see you tonight"

Rachel: "Oh okay sweetie, I'll see you tonight" she gave him a kiss and Joey quickly got up and left.

Joey: "Bye Ross"

Ross: "See ya Joe"

Now, when Ross saw them two kiss for the first time he was rather heart broken. He hated to put himself through this and my God he was trying, trying very hard to be okay with it. When he heard Rachel's voice, he slowly came back to reality.

Rachel: "Hey Ross…Ross…Earth to Ross?"

Ross: "Oh, hey sorry I was just thinking"

Rachel: "Thank you Ross" she said quietly.

Ross: "For what?"

Rachel: "For giving Joey and myself a chance. You have no idea how grateful I am"

Ross: "Huh, well" he coughs "No problem Rach, I err, well I just didn't want to lose any one of you and I don't want to be the reason-

Rachel: "No I get it, and thank you. I owed you, big one" she said it sincerely and smiled at him.

Ross: "So, uhmm, how is-how is it going with him?"

Rachel: "It's going great, really great Ross. I never thought I would have this much feeling towards him and-

Before she could continue, Ross interrupted her. He was trying to stop her from continuing.

Ross: "Wow, that's great Rachel. I'm glad his making you happy."

Rachel looked at him. She had to admit, she really love Joey but if she were going to share everything to Ross, it would be unfair on him. She felt him becoming tense so she quickly asked him.

Rachel: "Are you ok Ross?"

Ross: "Hmm? Yeah, no I'm fine Rachel"

Rachel: "Are you sure?"

Ross didn't want to answer that because the answer was pretty obvious. He loves Rachel and of course he wanted her to be happy, but he always thought he would be the one to bring her all the happiness she needed. Well it didn't work out too well 4 years ago, but he always have a spot for her in his heart.

Phoebe: "Hey guys, what you talking about? Oh did Joey leave?"

Thankfully Phoebe saved Ross from answering Rachel's question when she returned from the bathroom.

Rachel: "Shoot, I need to go now. See you Pheebs, bye Ross"

Ross & Phoebe: "Bye Rach"

Phoebe: "Have fun at work!"

When Rachel turned to leave, Phoebe looked carefully at Ross. She saw that he was gazing at Rachel who was walking away from them. Phoebe sighed.

Phoebe: "Ross. I don't understand. If it's hurting you so much why are you putting yourself through this?" He let out a small breath.

Ross: "Now's not the time Pheebs, I don't want to talk about it"

Phoebe wanted to tell him that Rachel truly loves Joey. Even if they have not been together as long as Ross has, Phoebe felt a strong aura from Rachel and Joey. She knew that Ross was hurting, hurting a lot, but if she told him the truth it would crush him. There was something that Phoebe saw this morning when the Rachel and Joey were having breakfast together but if she'll spill it, that's it for Ross. No more hope. She thought to herself, he'd heal eventually, I'm sure of it.

Joey quietly walked out of the room while making sure Rachel wasn't awake and quickly joined the other 4 to decorate the apartment. It was Rachel's birthday today. Monica made her favourite chocolate-chip pancakes. They also ordered her a big birthday cake, got the presents on the list and the most important people in her life were all present.

Monica: "Okay Joey, go" she said quietly.

Joey knocks on Rachel's door. They waited patiently for her to open it. When the gang saw the door open, they blow on the noisemakers and…

All: "Happy birthday!"

Rachel did not smile nor did she scream in excitement. She glares at all of them and quickly turns around and closes the door on them.

All: "Rach! Come on! Rach!"

Monica: "It's your birthday!"

Joey: "You know what? I'll go in and bring her out"

They all agreed and waited again.

Joey: "Come on Rach, it's your birthday! What's wrong?"

Rachel: "Before I go out there I need you to specifically tell them my ground rules" she clears her throat. "Number one, I would appreciate if they do not use the words old or downhill and number two, they still look pretty damn good"

Joey smiles widely. Rachel glares at him.

Joey: "Aww, come on sweetie, they do!"

Rachel: "Just go!"

Joey quickly walks out and repeated what Rachel said.

Phoebe: "Rachel! Come on out! Monica made breakfast!"

Monica: "Chocolate-chip pancakes!"

Still there was no response and Joey blows the party noise maker again.

Ross: "We've got presents!"

The door swings open.

Rachel: "Good ones?!"

Monica: "They all came from the list you handed to Joey two weeks ago"

Rachel: "Well, can I keep the presents and still be 29?"

Joey: "Come on Rach, turning thirty is not that big a deal"

Ross: "Oh really? Is that how you felt when you turned thirty?"

They all had a flashback when Joey had his thirtieth birthday party. He was screaming asking God why he broke the deal. Oh Joey.

Joey was embarrassed but that wasn't important.

Rachel: "Y'know I'm still 29 in Guam"

Ross: "Hey, 30 is not that old! Do you know how old the Earth is?"

Rachel: "Late thirties? Oh come on you guys! Is it just me? Am I overreacting to this?"

Chandler: "No Rach, it's not just you. My thirtieth birthday certainly wasn't that much fun. Neither did any of yours"

They all ate Monica's chocolate-chip pancakes but unfortunately Rachel was still down.

Joey: "Oh Rach, cheer up! You are the most beautiful person I have ever met and no matter how ol- what age you are, I will always love you"

Rachel: "Aww Joey" she was so touched. She quickly kissed him.

Phoebe: "Get a room!"

Ross ignored it and continued to eat off his plate.

Monica: "See you have Joey and us, thirty isn't so bad!"

Rachel glares at Monica but then she sighed and placed her chin on her hand.

Joey: "Come on, let's have some fun. Huh? What do you want to do today?"

Rachel: "Nothing, I don't want to do anything"

Monica: "Well, doing nothing on your thirtieth is better than doing something stupid, like Ross"

Ross: "Hey! That was a practical purchase! I needed that car for transportation! Okay? I-I have a child!"

On his birthday, Ross brought himself a MGB but let's not get into much detail because it didn't end out too well for Ross. In fact, he had to return the practical purchase the next day.

They all tried to cheer up Rachel and even stayed to see her open her present but it all went down hill when she read Chandler's card.

Chandler: "Okay, read the card! Read the card!"

Rachel: "Okay" she opens the card and reads it out loud. "Happy birthday Grandma! It's better to be over the hill…" she starts to sob. "Then buried under it…All our love Monica and Chandler" next thing you know she was crying. "That's funny, yeah!"

Chandler: "No, no no no! That was the joke!"

Rachel still crying: "No I know! I get it! It's funny!"

Chandler: "No, because you're not a grandmother!"

Rachel: "No I know, because to be a grandmother you have to, you have to… I'm just going to go" she runs into her room still crying.

Monica: "All you had to do was buy the card!"

Joey: "Chandler!" he glares at him. "Rachel! Sweetie"

Joey grabs his present off the table and walks into Rachel's room. When he entered the room he found that Rachel on the bed, wiping away the tears from her eyes.

Joey: "Hey, hey don't cry Rach. You know Chandler didn't mean any of that on the card- you know what he is like with the jokes"

Rachel: "Joe, I know. God this party blows"

Joey: "Don't say that, hey listen. You opened everyone's present except for mine"

Rachel tried to smile. Joey handed her the gift and motioned her to open it.

It was a small box, wrapped in a tiffany blue paper with a white bow. She slowly opened it and found a necklace.

Rachel: "Oh Joey, that's so sweet. Thank you" she kissed him.

Joey: "You like it?"

Rachel: "I do, I really do"

The necklace wasn't just any necklace. On the necklace was a name. Joey.

Joey: "Hey look at this" he pulled his collar out and slowly pulled something out that was around his neck. It was a necklace. Rachel gasped. On the necklace was Rachel's name.

Rachel: "Joey, I don't know what to say" she hugged him and kissed him again. "You are filled with so much surprises"

Joey: "I'm never going to take it off"

Rachel: "Neither will I, can you help me?"

Joey: "Of course"

When he finished, he gave her a kiss and before she could return it, he began to speak.

Joey: "There's something else"

Rachel: "What is it?"

Joey: "Well, I got you something else" he quickly lifted the pillow he had laid on the night before and pulled out another wrapped present.

Rachel: "Joey, what? No you didn't have to"

Joey: "Just open it" he smiled.

Rachel was in disbelief, what else could he possibly get for her? When she finally unwrapped the paper, she saw a picture frame. There was no picture but a paper with words.

Joey: "It's your own star"

Rachel: "You named a star after me?"

Joey: "No, I thought about that, but then I named it Joey Tribbiani"

Before Rachel could ask why, Joey interrupted her.

Joey: "In my eyes Rachel you are star, and no matter what age you'll always shine brighter than anyone on Earth. So, I wanted to make sure that whenever you feel lonely or need someone you can look up at the sky and no matter where I am, you would know that I'm looking down on you"

Rachel stood there frozen. This man, he definitely filled with so many surprises. She couldn't understand how he managed to give her such a thoughtful and indescribable gift? For Kathy he couldn't even manage to get her a decent gift but her. She didn't have to think twice, this man truly loves her.

Rachel walked slowly up Joey and without a second thought she hugged him. She hugged onto him so tightly. She felt tears coming out of her eyes.

Rachel: "I love you Joey"

Joey: "I love you too Rach, always will"

He placed a gentle kiss on her head and held her closely to him.

Monica: "Rachel, Joey come on out!

Joey: "We're coming" He whispered to Rachel. "So do I get some good loving tonight?"

Rachel: "Hell yes, come on, let's go" she kissed him and led him out of her room. When they entered back outside the living room hand in hand, the friends were curious to see that Rachel was smiling. She was radiant in comparison to a few minutes ago. Ross out of the 4 was the most curious. How did Joey manage to do that?

Phoebe: "Someone's happy!"

Rachel: "Come on guys, let's go celebrate my birthday!"