The One Where Chandler Finally Experiments

By: Jana~

Chapter Fourteen

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--Joey paced the small room, too much alone time lending to his current state of panic. Rachel told him he couldn't see Chandler before the ceremony. That it was bad luck. If not for that, he would've been out the door in search of him long ago.

Unable to stand it any longer, Joey grabbed the doorknob and turned, marching out into the hall, only to run, literally, into Rachel.

"Where are you going?" she asked. "What's wrong?"

"I have to talk to Chandler," Joey told her, his tone of voice showing the urgency he felt.

"Ok, slow down," Rachel advised him, steering him back towards his room. "What's the problem? Why do you look like you're ready to explode?"

"It's just," he said frantically, "What if this is a mistake, huh? What if later, it all goes to hell? What if-?"

"Joey, calm down," Rachel instructed, cutting in. "It's normal to get cold feet," she reasoned with him. "That's all this is, ok? You love Chandler! You want to do this!"

Joey almost seemed confused for a moment, before telling her, "I know I do, it's Chandler I'm worried about!"

It took a second or two, but Rachel caught on. "Oh, I get it!" she exclaimed. "You're worried about whether or not Chandler has changed his mind!"

"Yeah! I mean, he was so reluctant, admitting he was gay!" he announced as he started pacing again. "So reluctant to tell everyone! What if later, he changes his mind? What if while up at the altar, he says he can't go through with it?"

"Honey," she said, trying to reassure him, "He's not going to do that. He loves you! And," she added, "I just saw him ten minutes ago! He's not looking to run!"

"How do you know?" he challenged her. "Did he say that? Did you ask him?"

"Well, no," she admitted, "But, I ran out on my wedding, remember? I know what wanting to run looks like, and he doesn't look anything like that. I mean, he looks nervous, but-"

"Oh, man," Joey interrupted anxiously. "I gotta talk to him, Rach, ok? I gotta know!"

"Ok, ok, Joe, settle," she told him firmly, stopping him from taking another nervous lap around the room. "I'll go see what we can work out, alright? You stay here and wait for one of us to come get you."

"Ok," he agreed. "Thanks."

She smiled, hugging him supportively. "You're welcome. Just, sit tight for now, and stop thinking so much!" she added with a laugh.

***

--Spotting him, she headed for him like a woman on a mission, and as she approached, the smile he had plastered on his face faded as he noticed the serious expression she wore.

"I need your help," Rachel told Ross, pulling him slightly aside.

"Why?" he asked, concerned. "What's going on?"

"It's Joey," she informed him. "He's freaking out."

"Joey?" Ross asked, surprised. "I would've thought Chandler faster than Joey-"

"Yeah, well, it's not what you think," she explained. "He's actually freaking out about whether or not Chandler is freaking out."

Ross rolled his eyes, asking, "Well, did you tell him that Chandler is fine?"

"Yes," Rachel semi-snipped back. "It didn't help. He wants to talk to Chandler."

"Isn't there a whole, bad luck to see the groom before the ceremony thing?"

"Yes," she answered, starting to walk away, Ross following along. "Seeing is bad, but talking… there's no rule against that."

"Ok, so, what's the plan?"

"Well, off the top of my head," she said as she continued for a destination unknown by Ross, "I'm thinking either phones, or a hanging sheet of some kind, separating them."

***

--Rachel grumbled as she hurried down the hall, mumbling, "No one will lend me their stupid cell phone! Stupid, distrusting, rude, insensitive-" She stopped her near-whispered rant as she knocked on Chandler's door.

He smiled at her as he opened the door, but was immediately aware that she did not look happy. "What's up?" he asked, a frown replacing his smile.

"Everything is fine," she assured him before telling him, "But something is up."

"What is it?" he asked, gesturing for her to come in.

"Joey is a little bit freaking out," she told him, but before she could further explain, he interrupted.

"What? Why? Why is he freaking out? Has he changed his mind?"

She could hear the panic rising in his voice. "No!" she exclaimed. "That's not it at all!"

"Then," he asked, calmer, "What is it?"

"He thinks you might be rethinking this decision."

Chandler sighed. "Why would he think that?"

"I think I'll let him explain all that," she answered. "Ross is bringing him here now. He insisted on talking with you."

"I thought we weren't supposed to see each other before the ceremony?"

"You're not supposed to see each other," she said with a smirk. "There's no rule against talking with one another beforehand."

Just then there was a knock at the door. "Ok," she instructed, "Turn around and face away from the door." Chandler did what she asked of him. "Now, you can't turn around, ok?"

"Ok," he agreed, listening as she moved away and opened the door.

Ross stood with Joey, Joey's back to the door, Ross guiding him slowly into the room. As soon as Chandler and Joey stood inches apart, back to back, Rachel reminded them, "No turning around guys! Promise!"

"We promise," they both said in perfect unison, and Rachel nodded triumphantly as she stepped away.

"What's going on, Joe?" Chandler asked, his tone of voice soft and soothing.

"I just," Joey answered, hesitating, "I just need to know that this is what you really want. That you don't feel pressured into this at all…"

"I do really want to do this, Joe," Chandler told him sincerely. "And how exactly would you be pressuring me?"

"Because, I, sorta talked you into the whole, experimenting thing in the first place. And I was the one that insisted we come out to everyone! And I'm the one that proposed to you!"

"And I said yes, Joe!"

"But, did you just say yes cause I proposed in the restaurant, in front of all those people? Like, you didn't want to embarrass me by saying no, so, you just said yes?"

"Um, no! Joe! I said yes because I want to marry you! If I'd said yes just to spare you embarrassment in front of a room full of strangers, I sure would've said something long before now!"

"Really?" Joey asked, sounding hopeful. "So, you really want to marry me?"

"Joey," he sighed, shaking his head, "Of course I want to marry you! I love you!"

Ross and Rachel smiled at one another as they remained quietly out of it.

Relieved, Joey exhaled sharply. "I love you, too," he returned. "And I'm sorry for being all weird," he apologized. "Nerves got the better of me."

Chandler backed up a few steps, till his back touched Joey's, then reached for his hand. As fingers laced together, he whispered, "Well, I want to forgive you, but, I just may need some convincing. Tonight, when we're alone. Get my meaning?" He smiled when Joey leaned his head back, to rest on Chandler's.

"Oh, I'm so gonna convince you to forgive me tonight-"

"Ok!" Rachel quickly interrupted, "All is good now, so, let's get this wedding underway!"

TO BE CONTINUED…

Ok, so, I lied. There will be one more chapter after this one. Still wanting reviews on this story (and on all my stories, if I'm being honest), so, please be so very kind as to leave feedback.

Thanks so much, and MTLBYAKY