Encore
An Alternate Universe Mondler Fan fiction
AN: So it is March 19, 2014 and I am starting the next chapter, though once again I do not know how long it will take. I'm honestly just lucky to have any free time to write.
Chapter 13:
Previously:
"Chandler, may I speak to you in the hall now?" she asked, though her terse voice and clenched teeth showed that it wasn't a request, it was a demand.
Chandler nodded, swallowing quietly as he stood up. He was well aware of the fact he had clearly pushed a bit too far, and he feared the "discussion" in the hallway would have a high chance of bodily harm; for him anyways.
Monica grabbed him by the elbow, squeezing just a bit too hard as she dragged Chandler out into the hallway and into apartment 19.
Chandler stifled his wish to express his pain and followed quietly, remaining frightened and stoic as he waited for Monica to speak.
As soon as the door closed behind her Monica spun to face Chandler, her eyes gleaming furiously.
"What the HELL are you doing?!" she exclaimed furiously.
"Making idle conversation?" Chandler suggested timidly, knowing very well that response would anger her more, but having no idea how else to respond.
"Well don't!" Monica snapped back, her eyes blazing.
Monica then started to pace in front of him angrily and Chandler shrank back, knowing he had woken the beast.
"You couldn't be bothered to get to dinner on time, and then you go and do this! The reason I wanted you guys there so early is so that I could warn you all that I really like Jake and I don't want you guys to make him uncomfortable or grill him."
Wow, Chandler thought, I'm really glad I wasn't on time then.
"S-sorry." Chandler murmured, more sorry about making her angry than how he had been acting towards Jake.
Monica sighed, "You know, I'm really beginning to wonder why I wanted you to come to dinner in the first place."
Fury surged through Chandler's veins and suddenly he felt less cowed by Monica's anger as the hurt caused by her words brought him to life.
"Well then consider me gone! I didn't even want to come in the first place! I have no idea how Joey convinced me to go over there and meet Hellboy anyway!" Chandler yelled before grabbing his coat as he stormed out of his apartment.
Monica stood where she was, frozen in shock as she watched the door slam shut. She was about to chase after Chandler and apologize before she realized the dinner was still going on across the hall. No matter how much she wanted to, she could not spend the night chasing Chandler through Greenwich Village.
Waiting a moment to calm down, Monica took a deep breath before pasting on a smile and walking back across the hall.
Chandler angrily thrust his arms into his coat sleeves as he sprinted down the stairs and out onto the cool Manhattan streets. The cold air bit at his skin but he hardly noticed it as he continued to run until his apartment building was out of sight.
Finally slowing down to catch his breath, Chandler continued to walk the streets, his feet unconsciously carrying him towards his favorite bar.
When he looked up he smiled as he saw the familiar sign. This bar had been his guilty pleasure throughout his early twenties. It was a simple, old fashioned bar with pool tables and a jukebox. It had none of the club atmosphere nor was it attached to a restaurant; it was understated and simple, just the way he liked it.
There he sat at the bar, sipping his beer while countless ideas flew through his head. At one point he had considered hooking up with a girl to make Monica jealous but had quickly dismissed the thought. He couldn't have one night stand; he would feel far too guilty. Not to mention the tabloids would have a field day with it once they inevitably found out.
A few minutes later it occurred to him that he had been planning to call his manager to ask for an extension on his break in New York. The more he thought about it the more he realized that he could not stay and watch Monica be happy with that Jake guy. Before he knew it he was on his phone with his manager.
"So, uh, Aiden, I was thinking I should probably fly out to LA soon to get to work. We don't want to fall behind."
"Glad to hear it Chandler, I'll get someone to book your ticket now and email it to you. When is the best time?"
Chandler swallowed thickly before he answered.
"The sooner the better."
The dinner had wound down to a stunningly slow pace, an air of awkwardness prevailing. Jake sat, completely confused by what had just transpired while the rest of the gang remained curious as to what was said during the pair's absence.
Finally the time came where the dinner was drawing to a close. Monica knew she had to speak with Jake alone, as he would inevitably have some questions.
Distributing hugs and goodnights, Monica ushered Ross, Joey, Rachel, and Phoebe out the door.
Exhaling softly Monica turned around to face Jake who was sitting on the couch. With a sigh she walked towards him, taking a seat beside him. The silence remained for a few moments before Jake spoke up.
"So uh, you seem to be a very interesting, close group."
"Yeah, we are. We've all been through a lot together." Monica replied.
"So, ehm, what was the deal with that Chandler guy? He seemed kind of…"
"Well, the two of us were best friends for many years. Then we started dating for about a year. Then, just over a year ago we broke up and he disappeared so that our friends wouldn't be torn like we were when Ross and Rachel broke up." She said with a sigh.
"If he disappeared then why did he come back?"
"He did not originally want to. He is-man he'll kill me for telling you this- he's a famous musician. He was booked to play Madison Square Garden some months back and the rest of the group went to see him and invited him to stay here over the break." Monica answered.
"And you guys went back to being friends?" Jake questioned.
"Not right away. I was being a bit snippy with him and it was just plain awkward to be around each other. But yes, eventually we went back to being friends."
"Well then I guess getting him to like me is a lost cause." Jake sighed.
"Why do you say that?" Monica asked, a slight frown causing the space between her eyes to wrinkle.
"First off, even if you guys were only ever best friends it would make him hyper-protective of you. Now, having dated jealousy is added to the mix. I'll bet you he already hates my guts."
"You'll be fine. Chandler's not the type of person to lash out because of jealousy." Monica said reassuringly, "Given some time I'm sure he'll warm up to you."
Jake smiled softly, kindly, before standing up slowly. "I should probably head home." He murmured.
Monica stood as well, looking up into his eyes before he planted a very short, gentle kiss on her lips before he walked out the door.
Monica sighed as she sat down on the couch, knowing she would not get much sleep tonight as she wrestled with her conflicting feelings for Jake and Chandler.
AN: Okay, I apologize again for the lack of Mondler, but after watching early season four episodes last night my fear was confirmed…I am a fan of emotional Chandler-torture. I'm taking into account what some people mentioned in their reviews. I'm trying to make Monica learn her lesson by having Chandler leave again. It is now March 31, 2014.