February 2003-April 2003

She had spent so many years wanting to believe that it wasn't true. When Ross had been mugged when they were kids, he didn't want anyone calling the police. Back then, Laurie had been convinced Ross' mugger had been a girl. Monica wanted to believe otherwise even when all other signs seemed to point to the obvious. He had indeed been mugged by Phoebe who had used that money to go shopping at Rachel's store. Rachel's attitude towards Phoebe at that time would lead to Phoebe robbing the store but it was Phoebe who had mugged him.

"I just can't believe it...I just...I have spent the last twenty years really wanting to believe that Ross was not mugged by a six foot tall blonde," Monica said as she lay in bed with Chandler for one of their late night conversations. After quitting his job, Chandler had spent two months enjoying being unemployed, now he was doing an internship at Miller Benanti Advertising. He was doing advertising which he loved and Monica loved that he loved it as well, especially since he was now home.

"Phoebe is only 5"8," Chandler tried.

"He was mugged by Phoebe...G-d, she must have been scary."

"She wasn't scary when I met her. She looked a little dirty….and hungry, but it didn't occur to me she was homeless."

"How did it not occur to you?"

"'Cause she was cute and I was a fifteen year old kid attending an all boys school, if you had boobies, I liked you and you know, it didn't occur to me that insted of a movie, I should be offering her a bed and a warm meal."

"I remember that laugh. More than anything. I remember going to that soup kitchen with Rachel and-"

"How much help was Rachel?"

"None. She was there because she wanted to put it on her college application that she volunteered so she figured by just physically being in the building, she could say she volunteered and it wouldn't be lying because she was at the soup kitchen under the pretense of volunteering. She just didn't actually do that. She stood there and complained about how they all smelled."

"Nice."

"Although, that laugh….Phoebe's laugh. That...I remember Rachel and I just looking at each other and going who has a laugh like that and I remember Rachel saying that people who have laughs like that shouldn't die of drug overdoses and disease."

"Wow. Rachel was just a treasure," Chandler grinned.

"Yeah, she sucked," Monica agreed.

"I had fun seeing that movie with Pheebs. I asked her out. I bought her a lot of candy. She laughed at everything I said and….it was fun. I was pissed when she didn't give me her number."

"I can't believe she mugged people though. She mugged people, she robbed stores...she killed a guy in Prague-"

"Well, why wouldn't she? I mean, she had to survive somehow," Chandler shrugged.

"Why didn't she mug you?"

"I don't know….maybe she wanted to see a movie and I also wasn't alone with a wallet filled with hundreds. Look, she did what she had to do. It is pretty remarkable she's survived this long."

Monica let Chandler's words roll over in her head. It was strange what a different world Phoebe had lived. She and Ross and Rachel had grown up in comfort in Long Island, Chandler was a trust fund kid whose childhood home resembled a commune and Joey grew up modestly as well in Queens. None of them had to fight to survive, they were always well fed, well clothed, hell, Chandler had even gotten a brand new, right off the lot, Corvette on his sixteenth birthday. Phoebe's world was a world Monica never quite understood.

After hearing that Phoebe had taken Ross to the junkyard, Monica decided to pay him a visit. She wanted to check in with him. When Ross let her in, he looked a little sad. He was now living alone again after Rachel and Ross had tried to live together briefly but after a fight, Rachel took Emma and moved back in with Joey.

"Just wanted to check in," Monica said as she sat next to him.

"She took me to the junkyard. She told me what happened in Prague...I feel bad that I got mad at her."

"I know….why didn't you say it was a girl who mugged you. Laurie and Ellie have always kinda thought it was."

"Are you going to tell them they were right?"

"I already have. But why didn't you say that you were mugged by a girl?"

"Yeah, 'cause I wanted to humiliate myself more. She had a pipe and...and she was scared. I remember that. I remember she was shaking, terrified and then when Rachel said some hobos came in and bought clothes….I had a feeling it was the same girl and you know why she mugged me and bought clothes?"

"For her sixteenth birthday."

There was another knock and soon Rachel came in, holding Emma. Rachel handed Emma to Ross who sat the infant on his lap.

"Heard you got mugged by a girl," Rachel said.

"Thank you. Hey, she robbed your store."

"She did. How are you, Ross?"

"Alright."

Monica looked back and forth between Ross and Rachel. There was so much history, so much awkwardness between them. She felt sad for them, they had dated, gotten married, had a child, even tried living together but nothing worked.

"You two are ridiculous," Monica said. Both Ross and Rachel both stared at her, confused, "really, you both belong together. You both know that. Please do us all a favor….or do me a favor….and figure out a way to make your relationship work. Please."

Monica got up and walked out of the apartment to let them talk. Instead of going home though, she decided to take a cab to Phoebe's place. She was happy when Phoebe was home and she just wanted to talk to her old friend. When she got there, Phoebe let her in immediately and had wine ready for her.

"Perfect," Monica said as the two sat on the couch together, "so you showed Ross everything?"

"Yeah."

"Why are you friends with us?" Monica asked, which made Phoebe laugh. It was something Monica had been a lot, ever since finding out Phoebe had mugged Ross.

"What do you mean by that?" Phoebe asked.

"Well, okay, first of all...none of us have lived your life, none of us can relate to having to mug someone to survive and yes, Chandler may have been assaulted by Rachel's uncle when he was ten but you've been raped, tortured, you killed a guy...why are you friends with us?" Monica asked.

"Because you haven't lived my life. Because you guys have no clue and I love that. It's like Chandler saying how he always wanted normal. I love that you got mad at me for mugging your brother."

"I shouldn't have gotten mad at you though."

"It's okay. You don't see it...you don't understand why I would have to mug someone and I love that. I like being around people who don't know, it's good."

"How are things with Mike?"

"Really terrific. I like him so much. I like him...I like him more than I liked Duncan or David. He grew up like Chandler, super rich. He has a trust fund like Chandler but he gave it up when he stopped being a lawyer."

"I am so happy for you. If you get married to Mike, can I plan the wedding?"

"Do I really have a choice?"

"No….no, not really."

Phoebe laughed as the two hugged and continued sipping their wine and before she left, Phoebe gave Monica a six pack of Red Bull to give to Chandler. Seeing Ross and Rachel sit in awkward silence with each other or spending time with Phoebe began to make Monica feel guilty about her love affair with Westchester. How in the world could she possibly leave them?

Things were getting more and more serious between Mike and Phoebe and they had even decided to move in together which thrilled Monica. She even dug up the old wedding book she had from when she was planning her wedding and decided to give it to Phoebe as a housewarming gift.

But it would be a gift Phoebe would not get. Monica had heard rumblings that Mike did not want to get married again, but she had dismissed it. She should not have dismissed it. Her heart broke as she, Rachel, Joey and Chandler were carrying Mike's couch into Phoebe's apartment and watched instead as they broke up. It killed her. Phoebe had recently embraced that idea of marriage and Monica was ecstatic for her. Mike did not want marriage and that was where they broke down. It angered her. Phoebe had been through so much, she had survived so much, she deserved marriage. When Mike walked out, Chandler followed him out of the apartment just as Ross walked in and the group immediately ran to Phoebe, comforting her. Monica hugged her tightly as Phoebe cried on her shoulder.

"I wanted marriage. I wanted normal and….I should...I wanted to get married, why doesn't he wanna marry me?"

"Pheebs," Monica said.

"So that's Duncan….Mike...is there ever going to be a guy who wants to marry me?"

"Oh, honey, yes," Rachel said.

"I want what Monica and Chandler have," Phoebe muttered.

"We all do," Rachel said.

"Oh, no you don't. Please, you want to be married to Chandler?" Monica asked.

"Of course not….I just wanna be married to someone who loves me as much as Chandler loves you," Phoebe said.

"I'll marry you," Joey said.

"Joey, you're so sweet," Phoebe said.

"No, I'm serious. Let's do it," Joey said.

"Didn't you propose to me like nine months ago? Who are you now? Ross?" Rachel asked.

"Thanks, Rach," Ross said.

"You're welcome," Rachel grinned.

"Pheebs, you will find someone, I promise," Monica said.

"Hey, Phoebe," Chandler said. They turned to see Chandler walking back into the apartment.

"Where did you go?" Phoebe asked.

"It's...nowhere," Chandler said, as he placed his arm around Phoebe.

"Did I ruin your friendship with Mike?" Phoebe asked him.

"Don't worry about it, it wasn't much of a friendship. You know, I choose you," Chandler said as he hugged her, tightly, gently kissing her on the top of the head. Monica grinned, finding it very sweet. They were always going to have a connection, Chandler and Phoebe. A connection that the others wouldn't always understand.

"I found it," Ross said. Phoebe and Chandler stopped hugging and looked over at Ross who had walked towards the DVDs by Phoebe's television. He was holding up the Hot Dog Movie.

"No," Rachel whined which made Monica laugh.

"You got the DVD?" Chandler asked.

"It's got deleted scenes and extra footage," Phoebe said.

"Really?" Rachel asked.

"Oh, this is gonna be awesome. Will you sit with me?" Chandler asked.

"Yes," Phoebe smiled as the two walked over to the couch and plopped down.

"At least, can we make slow death punch?" Rachel asked and then there was silence as everyone looked at Chandler. Monica had not made the punch in a long time because she didn't want to tempt Chandler.

"Yes, you can make slow death punch," Chandler said.

"You sure?" Monica asked.

"Yes," Chandler said.

"I have Red Bull in the fridge," Phoebe said.

"You do?" Chandler asked.

"Of course...so when you come over, you always have something to drink," Phoebe said.

"You do like me," Chandler grinned.

"I do," Phoebe said as Chandler hugged her and placed his arm around her. Phoebe let out a sigh as she placed her head on his chest. Ross began setting up the movie as Monica and Rachel retreated to the kitchen to make the smoothies.

"Why did he have to see this movie?" Rachel asked as she grabbed a Red Bull from the fridge.

"Well, the way I look at it….it's basically soft core porn and he was a fifteen year old boy going to an all boy's school," Monica said as Rachel let out a groan. Monica laughed as Rachel walked to the couch, handed Chandler the Red Bull and walked back to the kitchen.

"I will say this though….he's really doing this."

"Doing what?" Monica asked.

"Sobriety. He really has not had any booze, taken any pills?" Rachel asked.

"Nope. It's been two years. I'm not counting the beer he had the night before our wedding."

"Wow. I think I'm actually in awe of him. Seriously, amazed."

"Me too."

"Still want this movie to die."

"Me too."

Monica made the smoothies while Rachel watched. She made them extra strong and handed them to the rest of the group and they all settled into watch the movie.

"You sure you're okay?" Monica asked as she sat next to him.

"Yeah, I got the Hot Dog movie, Phoebe doesn't hate me...Rachel's annoyed that we're watching this. Perfect," Chandler said.

"I think we'll have to watch this more than once," Phoebe said.

"Seriously?" Rachel asked.

"I'm in pain, Rachel," Phoebe said. Rachel let out an annoyed sigh as the movie began. Both Monica and Phoebe snuggled up next to Chandler as he held both of them. She began to second guess Westchester as she glanced at her friends. Joey was sitting on the floor, constantly looking up at Chandler and cracking jokes with him about the naked girls in the movie. Ross and Rachel were sharing the big chair in Phoebe's apartment, cuddled up together. Rachel was complaining about the movie while Ross was gently teasing her. They looked very sweet together despite all they had been through. Maybe they all would grow together? Maybe they could go buy a big house in Westchester and live together? She felt guilty about leaving, about contemplating a move.

That night, she lay there unable to sleep. She was feeling more and more guilty. She looked over at Chandler who was awake as well.

"I don't think we should go to Westchester," Monica said. Chandler turned and looked at her, confused.

"What?"

"Well, Phoebe is sad and Ross and Rachel have issues and I can't….we can't...Joey has a kid. Let's raise our kids here."

"But you loved Westchester?"

"Yeah but…"

"And I loved that 1920's theater."

"I knew you would….what if we bought a house with rooms for Ross, Rachel and Emma...and also Phoebe and Joey-"

"Hmmm, that sounds affordable," Chandler said.

"Or we stay here. Central Park is like a couple blocks away and…."

"Mon," Chandler said, holding her a little tighter, "is it possible that you might be scared?"

"No. You're scared."

"No. Not scared."

"If we leave...if we move, it means we're gonna leave them. You're okay with moving away from Joey?"

"Of course not. I'm assuming we'll bring him with us."

Monica laughed as she snuggled closer to Chandler. She did love Westchester. She loved the neighborhood, the schools but now just did not feel right. In addition to the issues going on with the rest of their friends, things were getting busy for Monica and Chandler career wise. Javu, where Monica was head chef, was getting busier and busier and Chandler had been promoted a junior associates position at Miller Benanti advertising. Things were finally looking up, career wise and Monica began wondering if it was smart of them to move.

##

She had tried to be understanding. She wanted to be there for Phoebe, knowing Phoebe was going through a difficult time. In addition to breaking up with Mike, something had happened with her masseuse license and it was temporarily suspended but Phoebe was making it difficult. Phoebe had taken to playing in front of Monica's restaurant for extra cash and it was annoying customers and her. She had purposely not told Chandler that Phoebe had played in front of the restaurant because she knew Chandler would be upset, especially because the weekend that Phoebe had played in front Javu was the weekend that Chandler had planned a trip to Vermont for the two of them to celebrate his job promotion and Monica couldn't go and he had to take Ross. So Monica had planned to keep what had happened from Chandler. Phoebe had not gotten that memo.

They were all in Central Perk and Phoebe was telling the story of playing in front Javu. Monica kept trying to telepathically get Phoebe to be quiet but it wasn't working. She looked at Chandler who was getting more and more angry.

"Wait...you played in front of Monica's restaurant?" Chandler asked.

"She didn't want me to...but I did anyway," Phoebe said.

"Huh, when are you getting your license back?" Chandler asked.

Monica gently touched his knee as a sign to get him to shut up but it wasn't working.

"I don't know...soon, probably," Phoebe said.

"Hmmm, yeah, that was money well spent, right?" Chandler asked, grinning.

"Excuse me?" Phoebe asked.

"Chandler," Monica said.

"Wow...suddenly, I want a cookie," Rachel said.

"Me too," Joey said.

"I'm right behind you," Ross said.

Joey, Rachel and Ross got up and immediately walked towards the counter, leaving Phoebe, Chandler and Monica alone.

"What is your problem?" Phoebe asked.

"Nothing," Chandler said.

"Guys, you've been getting along so well...let's not ruin it," Monica said.

"You obviously have a problem with me," Phoebe said.

"I have no problem with you...and it doesn't really matter anyway because I know I'll somehow end up apologizing because it will be my fault," Chandler said.

"Chandler, I've had a very difficult few months. Mike and I broke up and..."

"I know...just...when I hear stories like how you got fired or you know...you got your license temporarily suspended...it makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside that I paid for your entire education using my money. Nothing makes me feel better or more appreciated," Chandler could barely control himself.

Monica cringed and looked over at Rachel, Ross and Joey who seemed very engrossed in finding a cookie. Chandler wasn't the type to explode so publicly and it worried her.

"Chandler, this has nothing to do with you," Phoebe said.

"It has everything to do with me," Chandler said.

"I tell you all the time that I appreciate what you did for me," Phoebe said.

Their voices were getting louder as people began to look at Phoebe and Chandler. Monica sunk deeper into the couch, her head in her hands.

"Show me," Chandler said. "Don't say it. Show me. Don't get fired or suspended-"

"Joey gets fired all the time and you pay for his stuff," Phoebe said.

"That's different. He's an actor, actors get fired from stuff and what I've spent on head shots and acting classes comes nowhere near to what I spent on you," Chandler said.

"I can't...you really are gonna hold the trust fund money over my head for the rest of my life?" Phoebe asked.

"If you keep fucking up like this I will," Chandler said.

"Chandler," Monica said.

"It's been a rough few months for me. I'd like some compassion," Phoebe said.

"I can't...I have to go," Chandler said, shaking his head and getting up. He began to walk toward the door.

"Oh, look...it's Chandler doing what he does best. Walking away and avoiding the problem completely," Phoebe said. Chandler stopped. Monica cringed. She was watching their friendship implode and wasn't sure what to do.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Seriously? This is gonna be my fault, again? I have been sober for twenty four months...which by the way, thanks guys and I am so sick of this. I have worked so goddamned hard to prove myself. I'm the only one of the six of us that has never been fired. I quit my job and somehow went from an unpaid internship to an associates job. So obviously, I am doing something right. I am sick of apologizing and Phoebe, this isn't my fault. You lost your job. You lost your career. I'm sorry about Mike, really I am...but you're gonna go in front of Monica's restaurant and try to make money by singing? You're gonna sabotage her career? Newsflash, Pheebs...your singing sucks. They didn't doctor your voice in the Smelly Cat video because you were Celine Dion."

"Chandler," Monica said getting up and walking towards him. Chandler ran his fingers through his hair as he shook his head.

"I have to go. I can't be here...everyone, enjoy your coffee. I need to go," Chandler said, walking out.

"Why? Pheebs...I was...why did you start?" Monica asked, without waiting for the answer. She ran out after Chandler and back into the apartment. She walked up to the roof where he was sitting and smoking a cigarette.

"Smoking?" Monica asked.

Chandler stared straight ahead as Monica sat next to him She smiled, knowing he was furious.

"The choice was drinking or smoking. I chose smoking. Sobriety wins again, mother fucker," Chandler said, staring straight ahead. Monica let out a laugh as she shook her head.

"Chandler."

"I am not apologizing."

"I know, you don't have too."

"I have worked so hard, Mon. I've..."

"I know, you have. I've noticed and I'm so proud of you."

"She played in front of your restaurant. She got her license suspended...how come no one yells at her for the stuff she does?" Chandler asked.

"I did. I got mad."

"When can we move? I hate everyone here except you."

"Even Joey?"

"Of course not...I wanna move to the suburbs with you and Joey. We can put Joey above the garage of our house-"

"Well, what about Lizzie? He's been talking to her a lot lately...and Lauren."

"We can make it a two bedroom apartment above the garage."

"Just as I've always dreamed," Monica mused, "to live with my husband, his ex girlfriend...and Joey. Look, Chandler...forget them and you know what? Phoebe did not almost wreck my career. I have a pretty solid reputation and-"

"I hate that I held the money over her head but it's..."

"Maybe you have to stop looking at it like you paid for her education? You paid for her to have a life and she got one because of you...and me."

"I guess," Chandler said as he took a long drag on his cigarette and continued to stare off. Monica had to resist the urge to extinguish that cigarette for him, but she'd let it go one time….or not.

"If we do move to Westchester, you will have to stop smoking."

"I will smoke you," Chandler said, glaring at her which made Monica laugh. She couldn't help it. She leaned back and stared off into space with him. She knew she would have to talk to Phoebe though, it was important.

The next day, Monica told Phoebe to stop off at Javu's. The two sat across from each other at a table. She had heard that Chandler had tracked Phoebe down at the junkyard that Phoebe had at one point called home and had talked. So she wanted to have her moment, this needed to end. The tension between Chandler and Phoebe needed to end.

"It did end, we talked," Phoebe explained.

"I know….it's….you have to be nicer to him. I get that he has done a lot of stupid things but I'm his wife and if I can forgive him then so can you."

"I do."

"Also, you can't say that he walks away from his problems. He's not doing that anymore and it's actually...what he's been doing is amazing. He has been sober and clean for two years, all he's been doing is facing his problems."

"I know."

"He really is convinced you hate him and I love you, Pheebs, I do but he's my husband and I think I got a pretty good one."

"You know why I loved Mike? He reminds me of Chandler. Funny, smart, protective, they both grew up in extreme wealth and neither one care that much. I do like Chandler. Those first five months when we hung out all the time, those were the most fun five months ever. I don't hate him, I just got mad. He is doing better and it is astonishing what he's done. He's completely different. I mean, I remember when we spent Thanksgiving together and he kept saying how he wasn't ready for marriage or anything and now….he's married and wants kids."

"He changed."

"He did and I am amazed by him. I shouldn't have said what I said," Phoebe said. "I don't want to lose him as my friend. He did everything for me, Mon. He taught me to drive, he showed me how to open a bank account, he paid for my education, I don't wanna lose him and I kept….we almost did lose him. Twice in the time that I've known him and that thought scared the hell out of me and that….upset me and I hated that he tried to sabotage things, like the walking out before the wedding or even going to Tulsa while you're trying to have a kid and I just got angry at how self absorbed he was being….how he seemed so blind to how much we all love him."

Monica nodded as she got up and walked towards Phoebe. The two women shared a hug. She understood Phoebe completely, understood why she was so mad at him, so angry. So many times, she had been angry at Chandler too.

"Come with me tonight," Monica said.

"Where?" Phoebe asked.

"I've gone to those Al Anon meetings over the past two years. Well, more in the beginning. I went to a couple of them. Come with me. I go when Chandler goes to AA."

"I'll go. Should we tell the others?"

"Okay."

Phoebe and Monica hugged again and Monica decided at once to make plans. She had only been to a few meetings over the past two years and she hadn't really invited the others. They had just been for her but maybe she needed to include the others. That night when Chandler went to his AA meeting, Monica went with Phoebe, Joey, Ross and Rachel to Al Anon. Monica was fascinated by this and it seemed like everyone else was too. During the meeting, she noticed Phoebe tearing up.

"You alright?" Monica asked.

"Yeah," Phoebe said as Monica put her arm around her and hugged her. She loved when she went to these meetings. It made her understand Chandler so much more and hopefully it would help the others understand him….mainly Phoebe, maybe this would put an end to the tension.