" What do you mean, you can't see me today?" Chandler inquired, slightly irritated. After he'd just prided himself on plucking up enough courage to call Monica, he was mightily disappointed that she didn't appear to be available at all." Yeah, I'm so sorry, Chandler, but it turns out I have to replace someone at the restaurant. They only just called at the last minute," Monica apologized for the inconvenience.
" Oh, well doesn't that come in handy?!" her ex-boyfriend suddenly yelled, effectively scaring her a little bit.
" Chandler, no, look…"
" No, no, no, no. You know what: if you don't want to see me, you can just tell me as much. You don't have to make up some lousy excuse about working in your little restaurant!"
" Hey, I really have to go, okay! I can give you the number so you can see for yourself! I'm not making anything up!" Monica cried, now getting really frustrated with Chandler's whole: " I'm so pathetic"-attitude.
" Chandler?" she subsequently inquired, when he didn't appear to say anything anymore.
" Yeah… yeah, look I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I do believe that you're telling the truth. But, now that we talked, I really want us to meet up again. Do you have any other day in mind?"
" Well… how about next…" she paused for a bit to look something up in her diary, then went on: " Saturday, the 15th, does that sound good to you?"
" Sure, I'm still on leave, so I won't have anything better to do. When… in the morning, in the afternoon…"
" Doesn't matter, I'm free the entire day. You just call me when you feel like coming over, so I can clean this place up first, okay?"
" Fine, see ya then," Chandler retorted, slightly smiling as he imagined just how agitated she always felt, when someone came over without notifying her beforehand. Oh, how that woman loved to keep things clean.
" Yeah, bye again."
" Bye," he finished, before putting away his phone.
" Hey, you'll never guess what happened!" came a sudden voice from somewhere close behind, startling him immensely.
" Baah! God, Phoebe, I didn't hear you come in."
" Oh, oooh, were we making secret phone calls to the FBI again? Oh, oh if they should ask: just remember to tell them that I'm a "licensed" masseuse, okay?" Phoebe chirped, while making air quotes.
" No, no that wasn't the FBI, actually it was uh… well…"
" Monica?"
" Well… yeah," Chandler admitted shyly, as he felt a sudden, inexplicable feeling of guilt wash over him.
" Oh, well, what did she want now? Argue with you some more?" the blonde inquired, a hint of bitterness slipping into her tone in the process.
" No, no, what she actually wants is for us to… meet up again."
" Oh my god, the nerve! You didn't agree to it, I hope?" Phoebe asked, a small smile playing at her lips. It quickly faded, when she saw the serious look on her friend's face though.
" I uh… I did agree, Pheebs. I'm going over to talk to her next week."
" What?! No! Why?! You were doing so great without her, Chandler! You can't allow yourself to fall into her clutches once more! You do remember what she did to you, right? Heck, it wasn't even a full week ago," she went on, annoyed, as she took of her jacket and threw it on the table.
" Oh, well that's new. I didn't know we keep the jackets on the table nowadays. What's next: food on the coat rack?" Chandler joked lamely, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
" Chandler, don't change the subject, okay? Why do you want to put yourself through the trouble of seeing her? It's not like she was overly friendly to you the last two times," the masseuse protested, while going over to sit beside him.
" I don't know, she… really seemed to be genuinely sorry, Phoebe. She apologized for hitting you too, you know," ' the transponster' defended himself, looking straight at her.
" Oh, she did, did she?" Well how very big of her, give the woman an award," Phoebe threw back sarcastically. She wasn't one to forgive someone lightly, especially not if that someone had physically abused her. Then, there was a full-fledged silence, as she crossed her arms and turned away from her friend.
" Phoebe," Chandler began, but she just kept fixing her gaze on the wall opposite of them.
" Phoebe, I… I have to do this, don't you see?" he tried again, while placing a hesitant hand on her arm.
" No, no, I don't see, Chandler! I just don't want her to mess you up again! Don't you see THAT?!" the feisty blonde suddenly hollered, after abruptly shaking off his hand and jumping up from the couch.
" I'm not going to get hurt, we're just gonna go and have a good talk, is all! God, why are you being so difficult, Pheebs?! After all, it's still my life and my decision! You can't just fucking tell me what to do, because we happen to be roommates!" her friend shouted, right before getting up as well and running a hand through his already jumbled-up hair.
" Well, I am heartily sorry that I actually CARE about you, because you're my friend! You know what?! It's fine: go see her! But don't come bitching to me if it goes wrong afterwards!" Phoebe roared, right before snatching her coat away and storming over to the door.
" Oh don't worry, I won't! " Chandler threw back, his face now growing bright red with fury.
" Fine! And just so you know: if you end up doing something stupid again, I won't fucking save your ass this time around! I'll just leave you to rot!" his friend cried, regretting the words the instant they'd left her mouth. The truth was that she'd never ever leave him on his own, if he were to be in danger, but she was just so damn mad at him right now.
" Alright, whatever, see if I care! I don't need you! As the matter of fact: your constant presence annoys the shit out of me!"
" Oh… is that so?" Phoebe whispered threateningly, while squinting her eyes at him.
" Yes! I mean… no… oh god, no, Phoebe, wait! Where are you going?!" ' the transponster' begged desperately, feeling a sudden pang of remorse when he saw the flash of hurt in her green orbs.
" What the hell does it matter where I go? You don't care right," she retorted softly, before leaving the flat and slamming the door in her wake.
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Chandler sighed, as he was getting really, very worried about Phoebe. It had been three hours since their completely unnecessary, stupid fight and he hadn't heard from her since. He'd tried calling her, but she wasn't answering. ' God, what the hell is wrong with me? Driving away one of the few people that actually cares about me and what the hell for?' he found himself thinking, right before checking his cell for messages, for the gazillionth time that day. He'd already contacted both Joey and Ross to see if they knew where she was at: they didn't. He was just about to put it away, when all of a sudden it beeped and Ross' name appeared on the little screen.
" Hey, any trace of Pheebs yet?" the paleontologist asked, extremely concerned about his friend as well.
" No, Ross, none! Wherever can she be?! God, I'm such an idiot! I don't know why I said all of those things! I… I didn't mean any of 'em. I wouldn't… I wouldn't be where I am, if it wasn't for her! She saved my life! God, Ross and have you seen the weather outside?! I… really… I hope she's okay," Chandler rambled, knowing already that he'd never forgive himself, if something were to happen to her, because he'd spouted out some dumb shit in the heat of a foolish argument.
Just then, the door opened to reveal none other than Joey, still in his movie-attire.
" So, is Phoebe back yet?" he asked anxiously, a look of sheer sadness shining in his usually bright brown eyes.
Chandler quickly shook his head no, then motioned for him to sit down, before continuing his conversation with Ross.
" Yeah, Ross, I'm still here… Joey just walked in, that's why I got distracted."
" Well, here's a thought: maybe, we should just all go out and look for her. If we combine forces, we might be able to find her faster," the eldest of the Geller siblings suggested smartly.
" Yeah, that might work. Why didn't we think of that before, actually?"
" Uhm… I don't know. Because we were too busy panicking to think rationally, so okay: it's a plan. I'll meet you two at your place in a little bit. If anything, she can't be that far yet."
" Okay, deal… oh and Ross?"
" Yeah?"
" Please get down here fast, alright? We're climbing the walls up here."
" Sure thing, see ya soon," the paleontologist concluded, before ending the call.
" What is it? What did he say?" Joey asked agitatedly. He hated being left out of things, especially if Phoebe's wellbeing was at stake. She was still his best friend next to Chandler, after all. He couldn't imagine his life without her either.
" He uhm… he suggested we'd all go looking for her together. He's gonna come down here any second," Chandler explained, as he leapt off of the couch and started putting on his shoes.
" Well, he'd better hurry up, I really want to get cracking on looking for Pheebs! We have to find her, Chandler, we have to!" the actor suddenly yelled, while grabbing his friend by the collar and shaking him thoroughly.
" Okay, first of all can I just say: ouch and secondly: chill out, dude! You're going crazy!" the man in question declared firmly, as he slowly loosened himself from Joey's grip.
" Oh, I know, but I just feel so… so powerless, that's a word right? I mean… what is it with you people?! First Monica leaves, then you go all suiticidal… or whatever and now Phoebe is missing, gah! I don't know how much more of this I can take, Chandler! I… " the Italian ranted, nearly hyperventilating on the very spot.
" Okay, Joey, Joey, this is not gonna work if we're all acting like nervous wrecks, okay? Now, take a deep breath, breathe, just br…" Chandler began, only to get interrupted again instantly.
" Breathe, breathe, you go ahead and breathe! What good is breathing gonna do in a situation like this anyway, huh?! Phoebe is gone, she ran off and it is all YOUR fault, your fault, Chan! Why did you have to make her feel bad, when all she ever did was help you out, huh?!" his actor friend cried, as he began to pounce on him yet again.
" Hey guys, the car is parked nearb… Joe, hey what the hell are you doing to him, man?" Ross inquired, upon seeing one of his best friends seemingly attempting to strangle the other one.
" Well, let's just say that he's trying to kill me… kill me in an alien suit at that. Please get him off me, Ross! He's hysterical!" Chandler shrieked, while Joey continued to manhandle him in a sheer frenzy.
Not hesitating for even a second longer, the eldest of the Geller's quickly rushed over to his side and gently pulled Joey away from him.
" Now, there, Joey… nice and calm, alright? It's gonna be okay, we'll find her, I promise."
" I hope so, I really… really hope so," the actor finally uttered faintly, after he'd somewhat regained his composure.
" So do I, Joey… so do I," Chandler chimed in, while placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.
" I'm sorry, Chan. I didn't mean to attack ya just now," the Italian then stated sincerely, while sending him an apologetic smile.
" I know, it's fine… now, come on, let's get down to business! Ross, go start up the car, we have a mission, gentlemen!"
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" Okay, we went to the massage parlor, to Central Perk, to Central Park, we even went as far as contacting Mon… and still, nothing. I have a bad feeling about this, guys," Ross muttered quietly, as he pulled over. They'd been on their little trip, for over two whole hours and as more time went by, they only got more freaked-out.
" Oh, I know… hey, hey wait! I just thought of something, yes that's it: Madison Square Park…" Chandler chirped, only now remembering the story Phoebe had told him this morning, about the favorite spot she used to have, while she was still living out on the streets.
" What about it?" Joey asked curiously, his words only faintly discernable through the mask he was still wearing.
Chandler subsequently sighed, then said: " Will you take that thing off: You look ridiculous and I can barely understand what you're saying."
" Fine," his friend huffed, while reluctantly complying to his request and lowering the green cloth. " But if I suck during next week's rehearsal, it'll be your fault for not giving me a chance to practice enough! Now, what were you saying about a park?"
" Yeah, that's what I'd like to know," Ross added, as he gave a nod in Chandler's direction.
" Well, let's just say I might have an idea where Phoebe is. Earlier today, she was telling me all these things about her past, while she was still roaming the streets and she told me about her favorite spot, under an oak tree in Madison Square park!" the man in question explained enthusiastically, quite pleased with himself.
" Oh, okay and you think that's where she's gone?"
" I can only hope so… I mean think about it : we already looked about everywhere for her, right? Don't you think that the possibility that she went back to the place that gave her a feeling of comfort and happiness exists?"
" Yeah… yeah, you might be right, that's a good point. You're sure it was Madison Square park, right?"
" As sure as I am about the fact that five added to five makes ten."
" Man, what are you going on about? Five added to five doesn't make ten," Joey scoffed, causing the other two men to send him questionable looks.
" Uh… yes it does, Joe," Ross stated matter-of-factly.
" It does… wait… wait," his actor friend announced, as he began counting on his fingers.
" Oh, that's right it does, I forgot about the nine again… it's a tricky little bastard that nine," he laughed, right before moving forward to nudge Ross in the back.
" Well, what are you waiting for, man?! Drive to the damn park! It might be our only shot!"
" Relax, relax… I'm going… or… not," the paleontologist muttered ominously.
" What… what are you talking about?!" Chandler shrieked, while staring at his friend with wide eyes.
" I… the car… it's not starting, goddamn it!"
" What?!" Chandler squeaked, nearing a definite state of epileptic shock.
" The subway… come on, quick!" Joey suddenly yelled in a rare moment of brilliance, as he threw open the door and urged the others on to follow him.
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There it is, the third tree on the left!" Chandler yelled abruptly, upon entering through the gates of the park.
" Hey hold on a minute, guys. I think I see something… feet, oh my god," Joey announced, when they'd come up closer to the row of the trees.
" What? Are you sure?" Ross inquired, in a bit of a panic, as he couldn't really see much anymore through the growing darkness and the pouring rain.
" Yeah, oh my god he's right. That's a person under there," Chandler mumbled, while cautiously approaching the huddled heap of limbs. The others remaining where they stood, as they experienced a growing sense of dread. Joey had a faint feeling he'd seen that pair of boots somewhere before…
When his friend subsequently leaned over to examine the body from up close, he gave out a little yelp.
" Phoebe… Phoebe, oh no, no this isn't happening… Phoebe, Pheebs, answer me, please. Guys, get down here! It's her… it's Phoebe!"