Chapter XXII
"The One Where Ross Lost It"
Monday, January 10th, 2005
It's around 10 AM in the Green-Geller Apartment. Monica and Chandler came over to Ross and Rachel's apartment to discuss about the article on the tabloid involving Joey and Rachel. The four of them decided to take a leave at work to deal with this problem. Ross and Rachel sat on the living room's couch with Ross' hands around her waist. Rachel was biting her nails the whole time, contemplating. While Chandler and Monica sat on the floor in front of them as they watched the kids play.
"So, Ross, have you call Joey about all of these?" Chandler asked
"I did call him last night. He said he's going to make a statement denying the whole rumors this morning. But he hasn't called yet." Ross explained
"Are you okay, Rach?" Monica asked
"I don't know, Mon.. They're going to call me a crazy whore, aren't they?" She sighed and frowned.
Ross placed her heads on his chest and tried to soothe her.
"I'm confused. How did they know Rachel's initial in the first place?" Chandler asked
"Well, apparently, Joey confided to one of his fellow actor about Rachel while drinking. He said he was just talking to a friend about our fight and asked for an opinion. You all know, the one after the movie screening, where he accidentaly told us about his feelings for Rachel." Ross explained
"What? And that fellow actor of his said stuff to the media? Who's that actor? I'm gonna kill that son of a b-"
Before Chandler could finish his words, Monica stopped him with her hands.
"I know you're mad but please use kid's friendly words." Monica said
"Come on man, you're going to kill him?" Ross raised his eyebrows, doubting Chandler.
"YA AH!" Chandler shouted.
"Oh.. Please.. You cannot even kill a fly." Ross commented sarcastically
"I CAN TOO KILL A FLY." Chandler scoffed
Rachel burst into laughter. Then the three of them smiled knowing they can still cheer her up.
"You guys are the best. You know what? I could easily freak out right now if it's wasn't because of you guys. Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it." Rachel said to the three of them
"Of course, we'll be here with you. You are now not only my best friend, but you're officially my sister. We're all family." Monica said as she sat next to Rachel and gave her a hug.
Chandler started to sob before he muttered, "Oh my gosh! I cannot believe this happening to you guys! You're just getting married and having kids, finally happy, and this ruined everything."
"Oh God. Chandler! You're making things worst. Stop crying!" Monica yelled
"Good job man, you bumped her out again." Ross said
"I'm sorry.. I'm just so sorry for you guys.." Chandler wiped his tears
"You know what? Let's go to the park with the kids. I don't need this negativity right now. Or else I might call Phoebe's psychic to cleanse my aura anytime soon." Rachel said
"Are you sure?" Monica asked and Rachel nodded.
"She's right.. We need to get some fresh air. Alright, let's go. I'll go prepare Emma." Ross said as he stood up and changed Emma's clothes.
...
Later that night
Monica, Chandler, and the twins went home after they went to the park together. Emma is asleep in her room, while Rachel and Ross were laying down on their bed, cuddling.
"Ross, can I talk to you about something?" Rachel held her chin up and looked at him
"Sure." He smiled at her and brushed her hair gently.
"It's about Joey." She paused and hesitated
"It's okay.. What about him?" Ross asked
"It's just I felt bad for yelling at him yesterday. I mean it's Joey, he would've never do this on purpose."
Her eyes started to became teary.
"Hey... It's okay.. Anyone would be mad if they were in your shoes." He tried to soothe her by giving her a hug.
"I mean I have you here, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Mike. You guys have been really supportive since yesterday. He's all alone. I just felt bad for him.."
"I know.. I also feel bad for him for that.. But, Rach.. I'm sure Monica the other also cheer him up. They just don't bring it up in front of us. So, don't worry about him, he'll be just fine." Ross reassured her.
Rachel nodded then rested her head into his chest.
"Thank you so much for being here with me. I couldn't even imagine going through this without you." She said
"I will always be there for you.. For better and for worst, remember?"
"Yeah. For better and for worst."
She smiled at him and he gave him a soft kiss on her forehead.
Suddenly their doorbell rang. It was 10 PM in New York, they didn't expecting any guest that night.
"Someone is at the door." Rachel said
"I'll get that." Ross gave her a kiss then walked over the door.
He then opened the door and found Joey was standing in front of him.
"What are you doing here? Didn't I make myself clear? You shouldn't be here right now." Ross said to him angrily but also maintaining his tone as he didn't want Rachel to hear them.
"Look, I'm sorry, I just couldn't sit around and wait." Joey explained
"Ross, who was it?" Rachel yelled from the bedroom.
"Okay Joey, wait downstairs. I'll be out in a minute." Ross said to Joey
Ross then closed the door, walked over their bedroom and explained it to Rachel
"Oh it's the pizza guy, wrong address." He lied to her
"Okay. I'm sleepy, let's sleep." She said as she slightly tapping the bed, telling him to join her.
"Uhm, actually I'm gonna go to get some fresh air."
"Ross.. Is everything okay?" She asked, concerned
"It's fine. I just need to get some air." He explained
"Okay, do you want me to come?" She asked
"Nah, you look tired, besides Emma is sleeping."
"Okay. Just don't go too long, it's late." She said
"Okay, I'll be back in a bit."
Ross then gave her wife a kiss on her forehead and head downstairs.
...
Joey saw Ross walking down the stairs and waved at him.
"Ross, right here." He said as he waved his hands
Ross didn't wave back and just walked over him quietly
"Joe, did you not take this seriously?" Ross said to him
Joey can sense his anger from the way he speaking to him.
"Of course I did! I'd never hurt you guys purposely."
"Yes, exactly like she said." Ross mumbled to himself
"What?" Joey asked
"Nothing. So why are you here?"
"I wanted to tell you that my agency just released the statement."
"And you cannot do that over the phone?" Ross raised his eyebrows
"Uhh..Actually, Ross..I wanted to meet Rachel in person." Joey couldn't even make an eye contact to Ross and staring at the ground the whole time.
"You want what now?" Ross raised his voice
"I wanted to see her, Ross. I want to apologize to her."
"Oh my God, Joey. I cannot believe you!" Ross yelled at him
Ross then took a deep breath and continued
"Do you know what she said to me earlier?" Ross asked him
"What did she said?" Joey asked curiously
"She was worried about you and felt sorry for yelling at you. She is hurting, yet she's still worried about his best friend."
"Why? Why would she worry about me? She should worry about herself." Joey looked at him puzzled.
"That's exactly what I thought. Joe, I don't think now is a good time for you to see her." He explained
"But, Ross.." Before Joey could finish his words, Ross cut him off.
"Look, Joe. I'm sure you didn't do this on purpose. But you did it anyway, and it's too late to take it back. I'm sorry but you hurting her feelings, and I just cannot stand seeing her like that. So, please stop coming here. I just want her to feel better, then maybe. Maybe then you can see her and apologize to her."
"Okay, but what about you? I think I owe you more than an apology."
"Well, Joey, I'm sorry, if that what are you looking for, I don't think I can give you any. I don't know if I could ever forgive you. All I know is that I cannot forgive you right now. It's not about me anymore, it's about her, Joey. It's just too much for me seeing her like that."
"Look, Ross. Please. I knew I should not say something about my first love, about her. But I swear I didn't know things could be this bad. I just blurted it out without thinking." Joey explained
"Well, that's sounds exactly just like you." Ross said sarcastically
"What?" Joey slightly raised his voice
"That's typical you, Joe. You said things without thinking it thoroughly. Isn't that why they fired you from 'Days of Our Life' in the first place?"
"Hey! That is not the same!" Joey defended himself
"Oh yeah.. That's right.. Things were bad for you because you got fired after said stuff before, but now. Now, your fans worship you. They're basically call my wife a crazy whore but made you sounds like a romantic character straight out from a stupid romance novel! You must be happy about that!" Ross snapped at him
Things between them heated quickly and soon they were both staring at each other with anger and resentment.
"That is so unfair ! You know what Ross? I did everything I could. I was stupid, I admitted it, I apologize to you dozens time, I even cancel my works to come all the way here. But since you clearly didn't appreciate it, I think I should just go." Joey stormed out and left him alone
"You know what Joey? That is fine by me!" Ross yelled as he watched Joey leaving.
After Joey left, he sighed and then sat on the nearest bench, thinking.
Things just get a lot worse, the anger he kept for the past few weeks finally blew up in front of Joey. Ross just couldn't take it anymore.