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Ross smiles at Rachel as they watch Emma walk around his apartment. Ross and Emma had spent the morning together and now the three of them are about to go to Monica and Chandler's house for Emma's party.

"Wow." Ross says. "She's really gotten better at walking since you guys left."

Rachel nods, still looking at Emma. "Yeah. Soon she'll be able to walk everywhere."

Ross picks up Emma and smiles when she squeals and then starts giggling.

"Well," Rachel says. "We should probably get going. You know how Monica gets when we're late."

Ross is borrowing a car from his friend so they can drive to Monica and Chandler's. It's easier than trying to fit Emma's car seat in a cab. The drive is spent in a slightly awkward silence. Rachel looks like she wants to say something but she stays quiet.

When Ross found out that Rachel was coming home for Emma's birthday and that she had told Monica she wanted to talk about what happened in Paris, he was dreading it. He came up with a bunch of excuses to not talk with her that he could use. The plan was to avoid her as much as possible. To not give her a chance to start the conversation. And not give himself a chance to tell her about his feelings. That was the plan.

But now that they are alone together, with their daughter, sitting in silence, all he wants to do is talk to her. The truth is, as much as Ross wants to avoid Rachel and pretend he doesn't love her, all he wants is to be around her. To talk to her about anything. And he wants her to know that. He wants her to know how much she means to him.

But he can't tell her. He can never tell her that he feels anything more for her than a friend would. And they are friends. Close friends. And he needs that. If there is even the smallest chance that telling Rachel how he feels could ruin that, then it isn't a chance he can afford to take. And so, he really shouldn't say anything to her. Nothing that would give her any ideas about his feelings.

But he does say something. He doesn't know why. Maybe something about watching their two year old daughter blow out her candles triggered it. The two of them made a person together. And they're raising her together. He just wishes there was a world where they could be together. And so on the drive home, with Emma asleep in the backseat, Ross starts talking.

"So Phoebe's pregnant."

Rachel looks a little taken off guard that Ross is speaking to her. The awkward tension that's built up since Rachel got to New York has kept them only talking to each other when nessesary. But she looks over at him with a (slightly forced) smile. "Yeah. Isn't it crazy?"

Ross nods. "It seems like just yesterday we found out we were having Emma."

Rachel laughs. "Oh yeah. Fun times." She says with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ross asks. He says it as if he's offended but they both know he's not.

Rachel rolls her eyes. "Well, I mean, you were so shocked you couldn't even speak for the first five minutes after I told you! And then instead of talking about it you called the condom company to complain!"

Ross laughs. "And then you left!"

"Well, what was I supposed to do? Just sit there awkwardly until you were absolutely sure that the condom people understood just how upset you were?"

"I guess you're right." Ross laughs. "I acted pretty stupid. But at least we got Emma out of the whole thing."

"Yeah." Rachel agrees. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Ross goes home that night with a warm feeling inside. Maybe he doesn't have to hide his feelings from Rachel after all. They had such a nice time talking on the way home from Emma's party. Maybe she really does feel the same way and all he has to do is tell her how he feels. Maybe the only reason she hasn't said anything is because she doesn't know that he feels the same way. That thought comforts him as he takes off his shoes and walks into the bathroom to get ready for bed. And then there's a knock at the door.

Ross slowly makes his way over to the door and opens it. On the other side of the door is Phoebe. She looks upset.

"Hey Pheebs. What's wrong?" He asks.

"Well, you know...It's just that...I just...And I know it's late...But I just felt so bad...You know?" Phoebe manages to get out.

"Phoebe." Ross says, trying to comfort her. "Calm down. You aren't saying full sentences."

Phoebe seems to have calmed down a bit after a minute and she tries again. "I have to tell you something, Ross."

"What is it?"

Phoebe takes a deep breath."Rachel knows how you feel about her."

Ross feels a mixture of emotions hit him. "What? How?" Is all he can manage.

"The other day, at Joey's, Monica, Rachel, and I were talking and I accidentally mentioned it. And I'm so sorry. Maybe it's 'cause I'm pregnant or something. I don't know. But it just slipped out. I'm sorry. But at least she knows now! We don't have to keep it a secret anymore! It's all out in the open!" Phoebe tries to smile, clearly trying to make Ross feel better.

But Ross only has one thing on his mind. "What did she say?"

Phoebe pauses like she's not sure what to say. "Well, I'm not really sure. She mostly seemed confused. She said she needed some time to think and she didn't really know how she felt."

Ross doesn't really know what to do with that. "Do you think I should say something to her?"

"No!" Phoebe insists. "She'll talk to you when she's ready. If you say anything now she'll feel pressured.

"I guess you're right." Ross sits on the couch. "I just wish I knew how she felt."

Phoebe puts a hand on Ross's shoulder. "I know."