I read that you really miss Chandler? I do so, too, so let's have a look how he's doing in Tulsa.

"Monica?"

Monica looks up at Simon. She knows he's been talking to her, but she hasn't paid attention. Her thoughts are on Chandler. She still can't believe that he just went to live in another state without even telling her. Why did he do that? She asked herself the question a thousand times during the last days, but couldn't find the answer to it. When she told him that she doesn't want to see him anymore, she assumed he would come to talk to her after one or two days. When he didn't come over she thought he's maybe still pissed, sitting in his apartment and pouting. Never in a million years had she thought that he just left without a word. Between all the sadness that's in her there is also anger. Anger, because he run away like a little child. She would love to yell at him, but there's no chance she can do that. She has talked to the girls about that, but they don't know how to reach him. And when she asked Joey for his phone number, he shook his head. Chandler didn't even give his best friend and roommate the chance to call him.

"Mon?"

"Sorry, what did you say?"

Simon sighs. He wasn't able to talk to his girlfriend normally since she found out that Chandler has left New York. She is always so deep in thought and doesn't pay any attention to him. Of course he knows that she is thinking about Chandler and he would totally be jealous if he didn't know that Chandler and Monica are just friends and nothing more. He didn't even know that two people can be as close as the two of them. To be honest, sometimes he feels a little jealous. And not because he wants a friendship like the two of them share. But because he can do whatever he wants, there will always be a guy that is as important to Monica as him. If not more important.

"I booked a table at your favorite restaurant tonight." He smiles. He has been the luckiest guy in the world during the last month. Sometimes he doesn't even believe it himself, but he and Monica are already going out for a month today. And he promised himself that he will do anything to make this one month-anniversary unforgettable for both of them.

"What's tonight?" Monica asks.

Simon huffs. It's hard not to get angry, but the expression on Monica's face tells him that she really doesn't know what is going on.

"Don't you wanna celebrate our one month-anniversary today?" He asks softly.

Monica blushes. "Oh, sorry. I totally forgot."

"Doesn't matter. Because I didn't and I'm really looking forward to take you out."

"Simon?" Monica asks cautiously. She knows that Simon doesn't have an easy job with her lately. And she tries to make it as easy for him as possible. But all she is able to think about at the moment is Chandler and she doesn't want to bother Simon with that. She wishes he'd understand, but either he isn't able to or he doesn't want to. "Don't get me wrong, I'd love for you to take me out, but I'm not really feeling like going out into public today. I'd rather stay here."

"Honey, I know that you are upset because Chandler left without saying anything, but don't let that ruin our anniversary. Please."

"I can't. I'm sorry, Simon. I can't go out with you today."

Simon takes a deep breath. "I hate that guy," he mumbles. "I wish I could just kill him."

"Simon! He is my best friend!"

"Apparently not anymore, Mon. He left. Without saying goodbye to you. He didn't even care enough to say goodbye. That's not what friends do."

"It's not his fault. I told him to leave and now I have to deal with it."

"Do you want me to leave?" Simon sighs. He thinks he already knows the answer to that question. It seems like Monica doesn't even want to be around him lately.

"No," Monica walks towards him and hugs him. "I don't want you to leave, Simon."

Simon has a small smile on his lips while he hugs her. As much as he loves spending time with Monica, if he would have known how close Chandler and Monica really are, he would have never gotten between them.

Whistling a song he heard in the radio this morning, Chandler walks up the stairs to his office. Chandler has worked at his new job for a few days now and he loves it. It's still a lot like his old job and he still can't imagine doing that forever, but he loves his office, which is bigger than the one he sat in in New York and it's all his, and his colleagues in Tulsa. They seem much nicer and more easy-going than the colleagues he had back in New York. And they eat lunch together almost every day and even invite Chandler, even though they weren't really thrilled when they found out that they get a team leader from New York City. Chandler didn't imagine the job in Tulsa being so much fun, but it really is. And he had a lot to do and couldn't think about Monica and his other friends back in New York often, which is really nice for a change. He can't imagine going out with another woman in the near future, but he also doesn't think about his dark-haired friend all day. It's different at night time. When he's lying in his bed and it's dark everywhere, he still thinks about Monica a lot and he can't count the times he woke up from a sexy dream with her. Or just a dream where the two of them enjoy and spend time together, for all that matters.

When he walks into his office, he sees the red light of the answering machine. No one calls him during his lunch breaks. No one, except for Ross. He gave him – and only him – his number for emergencies. And only for emergencies. At first Ross didn't call at all, but lately he has been talking to Chandler's answering machine a lot. The first time was right after Rachel told Monica that he works in Tulsa now. It was almost a week after he left and Chandler was really amazed at how long they were able to keep that from Monica. He always assumed his friends told her right after he left. Because, come on, it's really hard to keep a secret from Monica.

And after that there were more messages from Ross. Some of them tell Chandler that Monica is not doing fine at all or that Simon is really pissed at him because he believes that Chandler is the one who is slowly but steadily ruining Monica and Simon's relationship. And some of Ross' messages are less important. Just two days ago he called very excitedly to let him know that Ben pulled himself up on the couch and is now very close to walking. Chandler had a hard time understanding his friend, because he was screaming very loudly, but he had a big smile on his face. Even though he gave Ross his number only for emergencies, he likes the fact that Ross wants to keep him up-to-date with the things that are going on in New York. He hasn't picked up the phone yet though. He has always let his machine answer the call. Chandler doesn't really know why he is doing that, but he feels like he is not ready to talk to Ross yet.

Taking a deep breath Chandler pushes the button to hear what Ross has to say today.

"Hey Chandler, it's me." Ross, of course. "I hope you are doing fine. Are your colleagues treating you well?" Ross always starts with this or a similar question. Chandler assumes that he wants him to call back, but he didn't do that yet. "Listen … umm, Chandler … she is not doing well. Not at all. I'm … we are afraid that she is going to ruin that relationship with Simon … she is … she doesn't want to do anything since you left. Could you at least call her, please?"

Chandler puts the phone back down and sighs. He doesn't want to know what is going on with her. He just wants her to be happy with Simon; that was always his plan. But apparently his plan is not working and he hates himself for putting her through this. He can live with the pain he feels whenever he is thinking about her and about what could have been, but knowing that she is hurting, too, - that is something he can't stand.

With his hands shaking he gets the phone and begins to dial. He doesn't know what to say to her, maybe he will just try to explain why he had to go. Well, he won't tell her the truth, because that would be too much to handle for her. But he can tell her a story of a once in a lifetime-experience with his job and … probably she will believe him. His other friends believed him as well, at least at first.

With his heart beating fast Chandler listens to the beeping tone and waits for Monica to get the phone on the other end of the line. He still doesn't know what to say. What if she doesn't even want to talk to him? Maybe she is going to put the phone down as soon as she hears his voice. Maybe she doesn't even pick up the phone. Or maybe – and even worse – Simon is answering it. What the hell is he going to say to Simon? This guy obviously hates him. And Chandler understands him. He is the guy who …

"Hello?" He hears Monica's voice on the other end of the line.

At the same time there is a knock at the door and one of his colleagues looks into his office. "Sir?"

Shocked Chandler puts the phone back down and looks at his colleague. "Yes?" His heart is beating fast.

"We would like to have your opinion on this idea we had."

"Sure, I'm coming." Chandler nods. With a last look at the phone he leaves his office. His colleagues need him. He can't just bring private things to his work. He is the boss here and has to be an example for his employees. Hearing Monica's voice was hard enough. He couldn't have said anything anyway.

The phone is ringing again. Monica sighs. What is wrong with this thing lately? Why keeps everyone calling her? Since the time that she answered the phone but no one was there, it rings a lot.

"Hello?" Monica says.

"Hello? Can I speak to Miss Geller?" Monica doesn't recognize the voice at the phone. Who could that be?

"I'm Monica Geller."

"I'm calling from Tulsa. Mister Bing had a heavy accident and he put you down as his emergency contact."

"Yes?" Monica is holding her breath. What happened? The voice of this woman doesn't sound happy, does it?

"I'm so sorry, Miss Geller. He didn't survive the accident. He is …"

She puts the telephone down and sinks down onto the floor next to the couch. It only takes a few seconds until everything goes black in front of Monica's eyes.

XXX

Okay, guys, I really, really wanted to stop here. I haven't posted a cliffhanger in a long time, but I just couldn't do it. You guys are so great and nice to me, so I decided to give you a little bit more.

XXX

Drenched in sweat Monica awakes. She wants to scream, but no sound escapes her mouth. Was that phone call real? Did he really … have an accident? No, no, it was just a dream. A terrible nightmare, but a dream. Chandler is save. Nothing happened.

But somehow Monica can't believe that. She has to make sure that he is okay. Slowly and quietly, so that she doesn't wake Simon up, Monica gets out of her bed and makes her way across the hall. She is lucky, because Joey and Chandler never lock their door, so she is able to walk in the apartment. Monica has her fingers crossed: Please let him be okay. Please don't let the phone call be true. Please, please, please.

She opens the door, hopes to see Chandler lying in his bed, but she stops in the tracks. No one is there. In fact, the room looks like no one lived in it for quite a while. And suddenly everything comes rushing back to her: Chandler left. He is not there, because he works in Tulsa now. He has left her here, all alone, and without even saying goodbye.

A sob escapes Monica's throat and she lies down on the bed. She buries his face deep in one of the pillows and takes a deep breath. If she really concentrates the pillow smells like him a little bit.

Oh Chandler, she thinks. Why did you have to leave me? With that thought she falls asleep.

Monica awakes the next morning and doesn't know where she is first. She hears screaming outside of her door.

"What if she did something to herself?" That is definitely Simon's voice. He sounds so worried.

"No, Monica wouldn't." Rachel. Worried, too.

"Let's just think where she could be," Joey. With a surprisingly awake voice. Monica looks at the clock. It's almost 9.30. She hasn't slept that long and well in years. And suddenly everything comes rushing back to her. The phone call, her fear for Chandler. Now she knows where she is. She is lying in Chandler's bed, couldn't go back to her own bed after she once again realized that Chandler is gone.

Monica gets up with shaking legs. "Good morning," she greets her friends and her boyfriend.

"Good morning," Joey says.

Simon reaches out for her and pulls her tightly. "Where have you been?"

Monica sighs. She doesn't really want to tell Simon the truth. She doesn't want to hurt him and the truth is most likely hurting him. But on the other hand, he deserves to hear what really happened. "I had a terrible dream last night and just wanted to make sure that Chandler is okay."

"And?"

"And he wasn't. Because he just left and I … I," Monica stops. She just can't talk about it.

Simon takes a deep breath. He has a serious look on his face right now. "Monica, we need to talk."

"O-okay."

"Come on, Joey, let's get some coffee," Rachel says.

"I don't really feel like …" Joey begins, but Rachel takes his arm and drags him with her.

"Let's go, Joe."

The door clicks shut after the two and Monica looks at Simon. He doesn't look happy at all.

"I don't think I'm the right guy for you," Simon begins and Monica looks at him in shock.

"What? No, you are. I've never been happier than I am with you."

"That's not true, Monica, and you know it. You've been anything but happy these last few weeks."

"Yes, but that's only because … because …" Monica tries to find a reason. She can't have Simon leave her as well.

"… because of Chandler?"

Monica nods.

"That's the problem, Mon. I'm not Chandler and I can't replace him for you. I love spending time with you, but I can't have my girlfriend loving another guy more than she loves me."

"I don't, Simon, I don't!" Tears are already waiting at the corner of her eyes and Monica hates herself that she starts to cry so easily lately.

"Okay, tell me one thing," Simon pleads. "And I want the truth, Monica. Who would you rather have here with you at the moment? Me or Chandler?"

Monica looks at the ground. She had a name right there on her lips. But she couldn't say it. She doesn't want to hurt Simon more than she already did.

"I'm right, right? You would give me up without a second thought if that means that Chandler would come back, right?"

Monica nods slowly. She can't deny it anymore. Simon is right and he has probably known that for a while now.

"See? That's why I'm not the right guy for you, Monica."

"I … I thought you are," she sobs.

"You're a great girl, but you have to wait for the guy that means more to you than he does. Then you'll know he's the right one."

Monica nods again. Her heart is breaking; she really thought Simon might be the perfect guy for her. But he's right. It's not fair to him and she's glad he's finally speaking about it. In the end it has to be the guy who is the most important to her. Even if she doesn't have a clue how she is ever going to find a man who is more important to her than Chandler.

"Goodbye, Monica," Simon whispers and gives her a quick peck on the lips. Monica pulls him in for a tight hug. She is not ready to let him go just yet, but knows that it has to be done. He deserves to find a woman who loves him with all her heart. And she can't do it.

Simon lets her go and walks towards the door. Monica watches him, the tears in her eyes blurring her vision.

"I hope he comes back to you," Simon says as he opens the door and turns around to catch one last look on Monica. "I really do."

Monica nods sobbing. So does she. And after she has Chandler back as her friend she is going to look for the perfect guy again. Even though she can't imagine finding someone who means more to her than Chandler.

The door closes behind Simon and Monica sighs. Suddenly the door opens again and Simon puts his head through it. "And Monica? Maybe, if you can't find someone else, it's because you already found the guy you love the most."

Monica wrinkles her forehead. What does that mean? She knows that there is some truth to what Simon has just said, but can't think about it right now. The door closes, for good this time, and Simon is gone. Sobbing Monica walks back into Chandler's bedroom and collapses onto his bed. Right now it feels like she lost everything that had any importance in her life.

I promise the next chapter will have a less sad ending!

I know some of you were waiting for Monica to realize that Simon is horrible, but I just never pictured Simon as a bad guy. He sure has some flaws, but in my head, he and Monica really fit together. He just wasn't the right one. We all agree on who's the perfect guy for her though, right?