Few things:

1. To the reviewer who said that Joey would not say that he wouldn't want to sleep with a woman who got turned off by a kid, he did actually say that...and then added the joke about it being a challenge or they could just do it at her place
2. Please remember that while I will try to follow the storyline, there will be things that were not in the show. Stuff that I'm just throwing in for my own amusement-like Joey's ties to Tony Soprano or Chandler's drug addiction story. Also, there will be little changes...
3. Before I get any comments-Rachel's pregnancy on the show was about a year so it will be about a year in this story.
4. I will be doing the dreaded Joey/Rachel storyline because it was part of the show and a big part...but I didn't like it either, so hopefully I made it better. Please review...I'm feeling like this is the least popular story based on the review number! So review and make me feel better about myself! ;P

5. Also, I did not plan to do a True Story Series. Phoebe's was first, followed by Chandler, Monica and now Rachel...so while I tried to keep everything in line, I am aware that there are probably things that don't match up in all the stories! I apologize!

6. Please review...I'm feeling like this is the least popular story based on the review number! So review and make me feel better about myself! ;P

January 2002-May 2002

She was on a date with Joey. She had complained about not being able to date so Joey took her out. It was quite enjoyable. She loved seeing this side of him. She loved having this moment to try to get more information about his past.

"So okay….tell me more about your mafia ties," Rachel grinned as she snapped open a lobster. They were both eating steak and lobster and enjoying it quite a bit.

"I really can't tell you these things. You can get yourself killed," Joey said.

"They wouldn't kill a pregnant lady."

"Of course they would."

"Well, that's mean."

"And you know, they are known for being a kind-hearted group."

"Tell me something, Joe."

"Okay, I will tell you one thing."

"Oooo, what?"

"My cousins girlfriend is a good friend of mine. Her name is Adriana. She's hot and she confided in me that she may or may not be an FBI Informant. Her boyfriend is in the Sopranos. He's my uncle Tony's nephew."

"Oh my G-d."

"You can't say anything. I can't either. This is serious."

"I won't but what will happen if they find out."

"She...well, it won't be good," Joey said.

"So...okay. Your uncle is Tony Soprano."

"Yes."

"So you've met Tony Soprano."

"Many times. He's actually a really nice guy…..I mean, the whacking part aside. Definitely knows his way around a good BBQ."

"So you were in construction and the construction was a front."

"Yes."

"And you quit construction to be an actor and they let you quit? Just like that?" Rachel asked and Joey let out a sigh. He put down his lobster and looked at her. She found this so amazing, she wanted to know everything.

"Okay, Chandler is the only one that knows these things. Pheebs too. I was working in construction and I saw things and one day I….I saw someone get killed. I watched it. I watched this guy lose his life over...I don't even remember the amount, but I couldn't….I couldn't be part of that world. So I told my uncle and I told my parents that I couldn't be part of that. Watching someone lose their life right in front of me. I needed to leave. So I did. I moved in with Shane and some Swedish models and then I flew to Los Angeles and then….came home."

"Wow. I couldn't see you being part of that."

"Neither could I. Okay, because you're feeling depressed, I do have a secret for you. No one knows this. Not even Chandler."

"Oh my G-d. A secret Chandler doesn't know? What about Phoebe?"

"She doesn't know either."

"Oh my," Rachel said, kind of excited that she might know something that no one else did.

"Remember when Chandler hooked up with my sister and didn't remember which one?"

"Yeah."

"I wasn't honest with you about what actually happened after."

"What?"

"My sister was pissed and orchestrated a hit. My Uncle Tony called me to inform me of the hit because he knew I was living with Chandler and he knew how pissed I was after what happened with Shane. He told me it was being orchestrated. I had to go down there with my sister and get the hit called off. I told him, he's an addict. He just got cheated on and dumped...he's in a bad place. Let me deal with it."

Rachel's eyes widened as she stared at him. She could not believe what she was hearing.

"There was a hit?"

"Yep."

"Oh my G-d. Joey."

"I know but do not tell Chandler. I don't want him knowing that."

"You got it called off. I mean, you kinda saved his life."

"I still don't want him knowing that."

"I get it. You really love Chandler, don't you?" Rachel asked.

"He's my brother."

"It's sweet. I'm glad he's doing well. He's really trying."

"I'm happy….and I'm afraid if he found out how close he was to losing his life, he would fall off the wagon. He's doing too well."

"He is. I'm proud of him. I'm also happy he's not sleeping with fishes. Can I ask you something? Why acting? Was it really to get out of joining the mob?"

"I liked it. I liked being someone else. It seemed fun and you know, you get laid."

"Oh, Joey."

Rachel shook her head as they continued eating. Sitting there with Joey, it surprised her how much she truly enjoyed it. It was an amazing date. She had never really been out with Joey alone. She had eaten in front of the television with him, they were roommates but she really had never hung out with him without everyone else.

"Question," Joey began, "if all six of us were on a boat and you could only save one person-"

"Not a fair question, Ross is the father of my child. I love Phoebe and Monica more than I do my biological sisters. Chandler's my gossip/lunch buddy and you're my roommate. Let's discuss something else. You and Pheebs. Friends with Benefits?"

"You know the answer."

"I want it confirmed."

"Yes."

"So Phoebe has kissed Chandler, made out with Ross and had sex with you. Go, Pheebs," Rachel grinned.

"Is she the only one of you girls that kissed everyone?" Joey asked.

"Yeah. Well, I made out with Chandler once. You cannot tell Ross or Monica. Chandler will kill me."

"When?"

"College. It was really quick. Mon and I went to visit Ross and Chandler and Mon and I got so drunk and we were being really mean to Chandler and he went into his room and I followed him in because I wanted to continue being mean and we kissed. It was super quick but it happened."

"Whoa and I won't tell."

"Good….so if you could only save one of us-"

"Chandler," Joey said, grinning which made Rachel laugh.

"I am sitting right here."

"I know. Chandler."

Rachel simply shook her head as she continued eating. It was a surprisingly fun evening. She liked hanging out with Joey. He made her laugh. It felt kinda nice to see this side of him.

"You two really have a bromance."

"We do. Let me ask you something, why did you hate him so much? Chandler told me you guys used to just despise each other?" Joey asked.

"Long story. To be really honest. It wasn't anything he really did. He had really bad timing."

"Okay, you have to tell me the story."

"I had an abortion….when I was sixteen," Rachel said after taking a moment. Joey was the only one group who didn't know it seemed.

"Chandler got you pregnant?" Joey asked.

"No. Eww. no. My high school boyfriend, Chip. The guy I had sex with in your bedroom."

"Oh."

"A couple weeks after that abortion, I was cheering at the game and Chandler and his buddies heard the hermaphrodite rumor and came to see if it was true. He talked to me because he remembered me from camp, I remembered him too but I blew him off….he got pissed. I punched his friend Tyler in the face-"

"Then Chandler did that prank."

"Yep and that kicked off our mutual hatred of each other."

"Oooo."

"There you go….now everyone knows."

"Wait, am I the only one who didn't know you had had an abortion?"

"Of our group? Yes. Monica and Ross knew in high school, I didn't tell 'em but apparently they knew. But yeah….you're the last one."

"Why wouldn't you tell me?"

"Joe."

"What?"

"Come on."

"No. Why would you not tell me?" Joey asked.

Rachel smiled as she took a deep breath, "well...I mean, I love you but you….you're not known for your sensitivity."

Joey gave her a look and she could detect a wave of hurt across his face. She was slightly shocked by that. Had she hurt Joey?

"I see," he said, looking down at his food. She reached over and squeezed his hand.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"I get it. Although, I have seven sisters. I'm not a complete pig."

"I know. I know."

"I'm really not."

"I know. I'm sorry. I should have told you. It's just not something I enjoy talking about. It wasn't the best moment of my life. Aren't there things you've done that you just don't like talking about?"

"A few."

Rachel took a sip of her water as Joey continued eating. As the date continued, she felt like she was seeing him differently. He seemed sweeter to her. It was funny, she had never thought of him as someone she could confide in.

"I'm scared, Joe."

"Scared?"

"Yeah, I'm real scared. I haven't told anyone else that. But….I'm scared….I know you all say I'm not going to be alone, but we're all getting older. Monica and Chandler are married and are starting their lives and….and one day Pheebs will get married and you maybe and….and Ross...but then he'll divorce her but I can't help but think that at the end of the day, I'm going to be raising a child….alone."

"You won't be alone."

"Joey."

"Look, okay….right now, is Ross dating someone?"

"No."

"Are Monica and Chandler moving somewhere?"

"No….and I know you aren't getting married anytime soon and neither is Phoebe but-"

"And do you see any of that changing within the next year?"

"No I mean, I don't think so but-"

"If I've learned anything in my life, worry about today. Right now, you're not alone."

"But you have to plan….look for the future."

"You can. You can also live your life."

"I can."

She let that sink in. He did have point. She knew that for the time being she would be okay. Monica and Chandler would be next door, Ross across the street and Joey was her roommate. She would be okay. For now, she would be okay.

This was the doctor's appointment she has been waiting for. She would find out the sex of the baby. Ross was with her as he had been at every doctor's appointment. He would hold her hand and be gentle with her. She loved how kind he was being and listened to her as she rambled and asked questions and he seemed to be trying so hard to let her make the decisions, such as finding out the sex of the baby or naming the baby.

"Brian. If it's a boy," she said, laying there waiting for the doctor. Ross sat next to her and brushed the hair out of her face.

"Brian?"

"Yeah. I miss my friend. He would be….he'd be amazed at what I've become," Rachel said.

"He'd be proud of you."

"You think?"

"Yeah."

"You would've liked him. He was a lot like Chandler."

"Oooo, one of Chandler is more than enough," Ross joked.

"True...although, the more I think about it, the two of them together….they'd be constantly trying to top each other to see who could out-joke each other. They'd be nuts and Brian loved hockey at the same level as Chandler."

"Did he sit during games and stare intensely at the ice and not speak to anyone until it was done?" Ross asked.

"Yes! Why does Chandler do that?"

"I don't know. One time, Joey and I kept throwing popcorn at his head to try and break him and he took our popcorn away and smacked us both upside the head."

"Awwww," Rachel said.

"Yeah, he's weird….and he still didn't look away from the ice."

"I never realized how similar they really were. Kinda weird. Brian passes away and a little over a year later, my friendship with Chandler started. It's like I traded one for the other," Rachel said, feeling rather sad all of the sudden. Ross leaned in and kissed her. She shook her head, not wanting to be sad at that moment.

"So what if it's a girl?" She asked.

"Jurassica," Ross said. "Or wait….Diannasaur."

"Think some more," Rachel said, laughing.

"Tyramysaurous or Stegaphanie…saurous."

"We are not naming our child after our a dinosaur."

"You have no imagination."

Rachel was going to say more when the doctor walked in. She lay down as the examination began. Ross held her hand. It was so real now, looking at the images on the sonagram. Everything was moving forward, everything changing. She was going to be a mother….to a little girl. That thought excited her. She would have a little girl. She could imagine dressing her and playing with her. She would make her strong. Her daughter would not be weak and afraid like she had been. Her daughter would know who the friends were that mattered.

After the doctor's appointment, she and Ross walked for a bit, strolling down the street while she marveled in the fact that they were having a girl. She couldn't stop talking about how amazing it would be to have a little girl.

"I think I need to try and design baby clothes. I've never designed clothes for kids. I think I need special stuff. I have to shop. I'm going to teach her to be nice and embrace being nice and-"

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Ross asked, which brought Rachel back to the present. She had been rambling so much that she had almost forgotten Ross was even there.

"Yeah."

"Look...I've been thinking and I know it's us and there's probably going to be drama but….you're having my child and I don't….I don't like that you live across the street. I missed a lot when Carol was pregnant and now I'm gonna miss a lot...again-"

"I don't wanna get married."

"I know but would you wanna move in with me?"

"What?"

"I can talk to Joey or...I don't want...I wanna be there more….I wanna be there for you and our baby."

"But Ross, it's us. I mean...what's gonna happen after the baby is born or what if you date or I do...I just-I-isn't it going to be weird?"

"Maybe or maybe not. Joey knows everything that's going on because he's there and-and Monica and Chandler live across the hall and they know more. I wanna be there. We should be living together."

Rachel looked at him, practically pleading with her. She hated to leave Joey. She loved living with him, loved living in that building so close to Monica and Chandler but maybe it would be a good thing to be with Ross. It would be good to live with him but she knew it would hurt Joey. They had gotten so close in the last few years that telling him, she thought would hurt him.

"I'll break it to him," Rachel said.

"Okay….so it's a yes?"

Rachel nodded as she leaned in and gave him a kiss before they continued to walk off. She felt bad leaving Joey but perhaps it was the right thing to do. She needed to be living with Ross and maybe by living with Ross, she could figure out how to be with him.

When she and Ross arrived back at her apartment, Chandler and Joey were playing video games and yelling at each other about something. She loved watching them play. Monica and Phoebe were sitting on the couch, watching them and talking about something.

"How was it?" Monica asked as they walked in.

"Good, good….um, we found out the sex of the baby," Rachel said.

"Really?" Monica asked as she and Phoebe and got up and walked towards them. Joey and Chandler stopped playing and joined them as well. She was excited to tell them, she kept looking at Ross though. He let out a snort and shook his head.

"You tell them," Ross said.

"We're having a girl," Rachel said. Monica and Phoebe immediately began hugging her which made it hard to tell them the next part of her news, she needed to break this, "and I'm moving in with Ross."

"What?" Joey asked. That last piece of news caused a silence to fall over the group.

"You're moving in together?" Monica asked.

"Well, I just….it's easier," Rachel said.

"Nothing for you two is easier," Phoebe said.

"True," Rachel said.

"You're moving out?" Joey asked.

"I'm sorry, Joey," Rachel said as she hugged him. "You understand, right? I mean-"

"Look, I wanna be there for Rachel. I wanna be there for the whole pregnancy. Everything I didn't get to see when Carol was pregnant. I want to be there this time," Ross said.

"I understand," Joey said.

"I think that's great," Monica said as she approached Ross to hug him. Rachel noticed a change come over Joey though. She noticed Chandler give Joey a look and pat him on the back as if comforting him. She suddenly felt this overwhelming sense of guilt, like she was hurting him but this was good, what she needed to do. She had to move out, had to move in with Ross and let Joey live his life. She was going to be a mom and while Joey was being wonderfully supportive, she knew it was for the best.

A few months after moving in Ross, she had her baby shower planned by Monica. Rachel knew she wouldn't have to worry that Monica would invite of her old friends with the exception of Melissa. She did want to invite her old college friend, she had always liked Melissa and she was glad they had renewed their friendship again. In addition to Monica, Phoebe and Melissa, there were also her favorite work friends: Chelsea, Emily and Laura Jean. It was the perfect group. Her sisters, of course, could not make it which even though she figured would happen, hurt her a little.

"Mom, they're my sisters," She complained over finger sandwiches and tea which Monica had made. Her favorite girls were all chatting around her and she sat with her mother on the couch in Monica and Chandler's apartment.

"Honey, they're busy and-"

"Doing what? It's my baby shower. Shouldn't they be here? It's…"

"Honey."

"Fine. Never mine," Rachel said, looking away. She felt her mom lift her chin towards her and gave her a warm smile.

"You're going to be a terrific mom."

"Really?"

"Yes….and I hope your daughter drives you as nuts as you drove me," Sandra said.

"Yeah, but of the three of us…."

"Ehhh, you were alright," Sandra said.

"You know mom….maybe I should tell you this. I've been pregnant before."

"I know."

"How did you know?" Rachel asked.

"Your sister paid for the abortion on her credit card."

Rachel's mouth dropped. At the time, it hadn't even occurred to her to think about how Amy paid for it. She had apparently paid using a credit card….a credit card that their parents paid the bills for.

"She's an idiot."

"Well, when I got the bill….and be happy your father didn't get that bill."

"Oh, more than you'll ever know."

"I called her and she told me and she said not to say anything. I wanted to but I didn't. Should I have?"

"Probably. Everyone seemed to know. Does daddy?"

"Really?"

"I guess the fact that I'm still alive is my answer," Rachel mused. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you. Look what you've done."

Rachel nodded as she leaned into hug her mother. It had been strange to tell her parents she was pregnant. She had told her father first and he was upset, even calling Ross and yelling at him. Her mom was more understanding. It really had been terrifying. Her dad still did not know about the abortion and that she would forever keep to herself although she did think about confronting Amy, but decided not to...after all, she had a baby to worry about.

After the shower, she wanted to check in with Joey. He had had an audition for a game show and after the audition she wanted to talk with him. Ever since she had moved out, he had been acting a little strange and distant. She needed to talk with him and she had her moment while Ross and Chandler went to play basketball and Monica and Phoebe were cleaning up after the shower. She walked in as he was sitting in his chair, glancing through a script.

"Joe?" She asked as she walked in. He looked up and smiled at her.

"How was the shower?"

"Good. How was the audition?"

"It was alright."

"Hey….can we talk?"

"Yeah."

"Okay….alright, this is hard but lately….are you okay? Ever since I moved out, you've been acting weird. Is something going on?"

"I'm fine."

"Joey, I know you. What's going on?"

Joey let out a sigh as he put the script down and looked at her. He looked like he was thinking something over and let out a sigh.

"Alright, Rach….this is tough but ever since our date, I've been….I've had...I've had feelings for you."

"What?" Rachel asked, letting that sink in. He had feelings for her? When had that happened?

"I know….it's dumb but I don't know and I guess when you moved out, I felt sad and-and I shouldn't because you should be with Ross and live with him and it's weird and-"

"Oh, Joey….Joey, I love you so much but not-"

"I know."

"Not in that way. But you're sweet and I loved our date and I love getting to know you. Really getting to know you. I love that. I will always love that but I'm having Ross' child and at the end of the day….somehow, I do believe Ross and I are going to find our way back to each other and I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, Rach."

"Really?"

"It's fine."

"You're not going to orchestrate a hit on me?" Rachel asked, grinning at him.

"No. No...I won't. Look, I'm gonna get back to memorizing lines."

"Joey."

"I'm okay, Rachel."

Rachel nodded as she leaned and hugged him. He hugged back. She could feel herself starting to cry as he held her. She did love him, she was crazy about him but in the same way she was crazy about Chandler. It was not romantic at all and it made her feel bad that he felt he was falling for her.

"Does Ross know?" Rachel asked. "Does he know how you feel?"

"No, no….only Chandler knows and Monica, probably."

"He tells Monica everything."

"So she knows….and I told Pheebs. So Ross is the only one who doesn't know and I don't want him knowing."

"Okay. I won't tell him."

"Thanks. I'll get over it," Joey said.

"I love you, Joe. I do."

"I know."

Rachel hugged him again. She would keep it from Ross, of course. Maybe she could discuss it with Chandler? She could bring it up with him at their next lunch. She felt horrible hurting Joey like that and maybe Chandler would be the one to talk to.

It was now a few weeks before her due date and she was eating bacon cheeseburgers and fries with Chandler. She wanted to bring up Joey's crush but she kept getting sidetracked, listening to Chandler. Apparently, one of Chandler's co-workers had brought her young daughter, Amy, to his office and he kept talking about how much he enjoyed playing with her. It was so sweet, so cute and it dawned on Rachel that Chandler had reached another milestone no one would have seen coming.

"You want kids?" Rachel asked.

"I don't know," Chandler said. "Amy was so cute and tiny...and she had little pigtails...what the hell is happening to me? I mean, I'm married. I'm sober and clean...I want children."

"I am so happy. You want kids?"

"I...well, Monica was really cute when she was little. I mean, I've seen pictures. Having a kid that looks like how Mon looked when she was younger...that would be cute."

"You were a cute kid too, Bing. I have seen pictures of the bowl cut...and the one where you're eating a rock."

"I can't believe my mother showed you guys that," Chandler shook his head.

"You were cute...and so sweet looking. I think you and Mon having a kid, that kid would be gorgeous."

"I'd be a horrible dad."

"No, I'd think you'd be an awesome dad. I do."

"It would be kinda awesome. I think I'm there. I mean, I never wanted kids."

"I know."

"I don't hate them, I just...I mean, it's just...I thought...my childhood was so screwed up and I thought I'd have no clue how to...but maybe..."

"Just 'cause your childhood was messed up doesn't mean you'll be a sucky dad. Hey, I don't know how to be a mom and I'm gonna have to learn fast."

"I can't wait to see your kid...hmmm, so how you doing though?"

"Ehhh...I'm still mad at you."

"Why? I didn't get you pregnant."

"You should have told me about Joey's crush on me."

"I didn't know," Chandler tried.

"Please," Rachel said, knowing he was lying.

"Okay, I knew but...I can't tell you what Joey and I talk about. I don't tell Joey what you and I talk about and that was something he needed to tell you."

"I felt bad."

"I know."

"Joey's sweet but...it...I don't know. When things get so complicated?"

"I don't know...I now wanna have children, apparently."

Rachel laughed as Chandler took a bite of his burger. Things truly were starting to get more complicated. She and Ross, Monica and Chandler, even Joey and Phoebe. They were all definitely getting older, reaching to steps in their lives and for the first time, she began to wonder how much longer they would be able to hold on to each other? Would they all have to eventually let go of each other? She couldn't imagine that. That would break her.