"And I didn't even know you knew that" Joey whined as Chandler told the story of Joey having a threesome with a girl and a guy. All of them except Ross were in the Central Perk on a Saturday. Rachel sat in the big arm chair while Chandler and Monica besides each other on the couch with Phoebe next to Monica. Joey occupied one of the chairs on the table. It was a week before Rachel had to leave for Paris and they were just hanging out, kicking off the summer holidays.
"I wish I didn't" Chandler replied, making a face, making everybody laugh.
"Oh well, this stuff happens. It's pretty normal" Phoebe chirped in, sipping her coffee.
Chandler narrowed his eyes in a funny way only he could do before saying "Excuse me"
"Yeah, in my previous life it was a common thing" Phoebe said non chalantly "Even when I was a nurse during the second world war"
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that" Monica said rolling her eyes. Rachel laughed hard at that.
"Okay, you guys.. I gotta go. I have an audition for this really great play. Wish me luck!" Joey said as he got his jacket on. Everybody smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
"That reminds me, how's your job going?" Rachel asked Chandler.
"Eh.." Chandler turned away funnily.
"Hey everybody" They all heard Ross walk in through the door. He ordered his coffee at the counter. Rachel instantly smiled by his presence and got up from the chair "Hey Sweetie"
"Hi honey" They kissed.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I got called in for a meeting" Ross apologised.
"It's fine. Chandler told us about Joey's eventful night!" Rachel said, straightening his tie. Seeing him in those business suits always made her knees go weak. He seemed different to her, in a sexy way.
"Really? Nice!" Ross turned to Chandler as they did the lame cool guy handshake.
"Chandler, let's get going. I need to pick up some stuff from my dorm before we leave for Long Island" Monica said then turned to Ross. "You both coming with us?"
Ross looked at Rachel and said "You guys go ahead. We'll see you at dinner"
"I'll also go. I gotta take my grandma to the Vet" Phoebe got up from where she was sitting. As she put on her coat, she noticed four very curious pairs of eyes on her. "Trust me. That is the least of the weird things I do" Everybody looked at each other and nodded their heads. The three were off leaving the lovebirds alone.
"So.. what do you want to be doing before we have to leave for dinner at my parent's?" Ross asked playing with her hair.
"Well.. You know, I always get a turn on when I see you in one of these business suits" Rachel rubbed his shoulder to dust off the invisible lint. Then she got closer to his ear "..that I want to rip it right off"
"Let's get the check then" Ross rushed to the counter.
The doorbell rung at the Geller household and Judy opened to see her son and his girlfriend standing at the door.
"We're here" Ross announced smiling and kissed his mother on the cheek.
Her lips curled upwards when Rachel stepped forward to hug her "It's so great to see you. It's been a long time"
"Yes, Dear. You sure were missed around here" She pulled away from the embrace. "Come on in, dinner's almost ready"
Ross helped Rachel out of her overcoat and hung it along with his on the stand. They all walked into the house to see Monica yelling "Chandler! How many times do I have to remind you to use a coaster?" She kept a coaster for his soda at the table.
"Sorry Mon" He replied as he spotted Ross. "Hey Man"
Ross stepped forward and leaned down on the dining table where Chandler was sitting. "Try living with this 'take-charge-clean-freak attitude' creature for 18 years" Chandler laughed at this and Ross continued "Good luck for when your time comes" He smirked. Chandler got a look of fear on his face.
"Stop it, Ross" Rachel hit him on the arm. "Cut him some slack"
They all had a wonderful dinner together. Jack and Judy seemed really happy to see both their children so happy in their respective relationships. After the dinner, Ross offered to help Judy with the dishes while Jack went to watch some TV and Rachel, Monica, Chandler went upstairs to Monica's room.
"How are things at the museum?" Judy asked, handing him a rinsed plate to wipe.
"Things are good. They really appreciate my work. I couldn't get a better first job" He answered, smiling.
"That is great. We knew you'd make us proud" She said before continuing "How are you handling living alone?"
"I'm doing alright. I mean, I wanted to live alone because there comes a point when it is almost pathetic to have a roommate you know.." He trailed off.
"I know. I just don't want you to feel lonely"
Ross chuckled "No, no. It's nothing like that. Chan and Jo are right across the street so... In fact we always have dinner together"
"Yes. It does feel good to have friends for life" Judy said.
"Yeah it does" Ross said.
"Even Monica seems to get along with Rachel. She's almost like a compensation for when she didn't have friends" Judy said recalling Monica's childhood. Ross smiled.
"Monica's at a good phase now. And I'm proud of her Mom. You should be too"
"Oh I am, Ross. I just want her to keep trying to get even better" Judy shrugged. Ross laughed.
"You know, it's reversed at Rachel's. She's always asked to compromise for her sisters' sake cos she's the elder one" Ross told her, shaking his head.
"That's new" Judy chuckled. "Speaking of Rachel..."
Rachel was coming downstairs to get a glass of water when she heard Ross and Judy talking.
"... how's it going with her?" Judy asked. Rachel stopped just behind the entrance.
"Everything's good. She's amazing" Ross said.
"I know that.. What I meant was, now that she's going to Paris, how is everything?"
"It's the same Mom. I mean.. Yes. We're gonna miss each other but, we have our whole lives ahead to be together. She can't let this opportunity pass her by. And even if she can, I won't let her" Ross said sternly to make his mother understand. Rachel leaned on the wall, making sure she could not be seen by either of them.
"And I'm proud of you to think like that, Ross. Just.. how do you know that, after every effort you put in this relationship, you both will be still together in the long run? Not that I doubt your relationship with her, I love to see you both together" Judy said consciously. Ross backed away and sat on the kitchen counter.
"Mom.. the risk of breaking up is in every relationship. If putting up an effort in our relationship now.. means we have more of a chance on being together for the rest of our lives then.. I'm happy to do that.. and so is she" Rachel smiled at his words, closing her eyes.
He continued. "If we don't put that effort now, we won't work. And I can't bear the thought of not having her in my life. I mean, I love her way too much to let her go" He spoke the last sentence softly. A tear dropped from Rachel's eye on hearing that.
Judy smiled at her son's devotion and felt proud that she raised him as a guy full of respect for his relationship. She kept her hand over his shoulder to let him know she understood. "I'm proud of you both that you're dealing with all these situations so maturely"
Rachel smiled to herself. Satisfied, she turned around going back upstairs, forgetting about the water.
"Do you need anything else, Rachel?" Sandra came inside her room and stood behind her. It was the next day and Rachel was packing for Paris. Knowing her, a week was less to pack for months but her classes did not allow her to go back to New Jersey. The dinner with the Gellers last night was a promise she made to Jack and Judy that she just could not break.
"No I guess I have everything under control" She answered rotating her eyes across her bed which was a mess right. She shook her head "I miss Mon" She muttered to herself before turning to her mother.
"You do know there's a weight limit, right?" Sandra chuckled.
"I know, I know. But I can't help myself. It's Paris" Rachel said plopping down on the bed.
"Well, that gives you more of a reason to take less things along" Like mother, like daughter. Rachel chuckled.
"Is Dad back?"
"No sweetie, not yet. But he will be back in two days. You know how those medical conferences are" Rachel smiled faintly.
"Okay sweetie, I'm going downstairs. Those sisters of yours sure know how to take advantage of their mom's open jewellery box" Rachel chuckled and Sandra continued "Let me know if you need anything alright?" Rachel nodded.
(...)
"Okay, now Ray Ray. Now that you are moving into the fashion capital, I would be expecting a new outfit every month" Amy ordered just like a sister would. Rachel just rolled her eyes on her younger sister's predictability.
"Amy, Rachel is going to study in Paris, not to roam around the streets of Paris. It would be better if you ask her to call you every day." Sandra said, while Amy made a face.
Just then, Rachel's phone rang, but before Rachel could even look at the caller's name, Jill grabbed it and got up from her chair. Rachel gasped and looked at her mother, not believing Jill's guts. Sandra could just put her hands on her forehead in frustration.
Amy just sat back and crossed her arms. 'Now this is going to be interesting' She smiled slyly.
"Oh, hey Ross" Rachel heard Jill say, and turned to give her a look full of anger. She stood up from the table, which made Jill around the dining area. The scene was no less than two kids running around, which would make everybody laugh.
"No she's not here right now, but I will give her the message, and you remember to get me a Burberry for my birthday, okay? Bye" With that she turned around and tossed the phone towards Rachel, which she was just able to catch.
"I cannot believe you!" Rachel looked at her youngest sister with the classic 'stare'.
"Jill ! Why are you being like this?" Sandra asked.
"I don't know. I just thought about Rachel being away for half a year, so I wanted her to leave with these memories-"
"Memories where I hate your guts!"
"No.. this. Us. As the typical 'Greene Sisters', fighting but still caring, not balling our eyes out" And this softened Rachel. She could not believe her ears. She felt really proud of her sister, this could not have been put in a better way. So she stepped forward and hugged Jill, with Amy soon joining them. Sandra just smiled at her three beautiful girls.
"I'm gonna miss you so much" Ross whispered in her ear, hugging her tightly.
The Greenes and Ross were all at the airport to wish Rachel good luck and goodbye for Paris. Leonard and Sandra were standing next to each other with their hands wrapped around each other's waist. And Amy and Jill, well, as expected, they were waiting for the drama to get over. So they just stood their with their feet tapping.
"I know" They cried freely, not wanting to let go off each other. Rachel pulled away to look into his eyes, and caressed his face with both her hands "Me too" She kissed him softly on the lips "I love you"
They kissed.
"I love you more"
She chuckled. They turned away from each other when they heard the final announcement for the flight to Paris.
She looked at him again.
"I really have to go now"
He nodded and kissed her forehead. He picked up her cabin bag from the seat and helped her hold it.
The group of five watched her go for the check in and disappear into the door. Ross just stood there with his arms crossed across his chest, tears all dried down but the trail still visible. He felt sad beyond known, that he was not going to see her for five months. Now he knew how Rachel felt when he left for Cairo. But he felt it ten times worse because he had already made her feel like this before. And God knew he always wanted her to feel happy. He was sure of one thing though, all these distances that came between him and Rachel every now and then, would all be worth when they would end up together.
"Up for a drink, Ross?" He heard Leonard from behind. For a minute, he forgot where he was, reflecting upon his relationship with Rachel.
He turned around and forced a faint smile.
It was almost midnight. Leonard and Ross were in a local bar in New Jersey. It was saturday night afterall, Ross did not need to report to work.
"So what are you gonna do now, huh Ross?"
"Excuse me?"
"About your relationship? About Rachel?" He took a sip of his bourbon.
"Is this a test?" Ross said confused.
Leonard chuckled. "I'm just curious. 5 months is a long time, you know" His speech slurring a bit.
"Oh I'm gonna focus on my research while she's gone. That would, you know, make it better.." He looked down. "I guess" He finished softly.
Leonard kept his hand on Ross' shoulder which made him look at him. "You're a good guy, Ross. I'm glad Rachel is with you"
Ross smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Sir. Your words mean a lot" At that instant, he recalled the new year's party at the Greene Mansion where Mr Greene was all drunk and behaved properly with him. This made him chuckle to himself. Getting him drunk does great wonder, he thought.
"So how's Paris?" It had already been a week since Rachel went off. Ross was on the phone with his girlfriend while typing on his computer.
"Oh it's beautiful. I still cannot believe I'm here, you know" Rachel said with excitement visible in her voice. This made Ross stop typing.
"Well that's great. You sound happy" He failed to hide his misery.
"Yeah.. but I would be happier if you were with me" He remained silent, so she continued. "I'm serious, Ross. The other day, I was sight seeing and my aunt took me to the river, all I thought about was you" He smiled contently.
"Really?" He said softly. And Rachel's heart broke a little. How could he not know?
"Ofcourse. Don't you believe me?" He could sense the concern in her voice.
"Wha-Sure I do, Rach. It's just.."
"I know" Rachel knew what he meant.
"Anyways.." Ross decided to change the topic. "You talked to Mon yet?"
"No.. why?" Rachel asked.
"Nothing really.. Just that, Chandler and Monica are moving in together"
"What? Really? That is so amazing" She said all happy. "But isn't it a little too early? I mean.. she hasn't even graduated yet" She pointed out.
"Yeah that's true. But.. apparently they both have come up with some routine as to how it's gonna work" He explained. "By they, I obviously mean Monica"
Rachel chuckled. "Man, I wish I was there to see Mon and Chan living together"
"Well, hopefully they'll be still together when you come back"
"Here's wishing" Rachel replied while taking a bite from her sandwich.
"Okay Rach, I gotta go now. Got an important meeting today about my research budgeting" Ross said standing up from his chair and packing up his things.
"Good luck, sweetie" Rachel wished him.
"Thanks. I need that"