A/N: We get this big confrontation here in a verbatim retelling of the famous scene in episode 7. Enjoy.

19: Letter 18

8 Hours Later

JANUARY 16

ROSS MENTIONS HIS UPCOMING VISIT TO SEE FRIENDS OF HIS FROM BROOKLYN HEIGHTS. WHICH OCCURS FEW DAYS BEFORE CARNIVAL.

PREVENT HIM FROM GOING BACK TO BROOKLYN

How can we, I mean I'm sure Rachel must have the same point in her letter. But its just a visit to see his old friends from the city, I'm sure that can't lead to his downfall.

"This has got to be a joke."

The text notification I would get on my phone 5 seconds later on the other hand, painted a different picture as in all Caps Rachel spelled it out clearly.

AFTER SCHOOL TOMORROW WE NEED TO TALK TO ROSS.

"Not a joke…. OK"

January 17

3:35 P.M.

Cleanup duty. One of Mr. Tyler's offputued ideas that rotates among 3 random students each day, figures him wanting to save on matinence for the school and of course today it happened to fall to Joey, Ross, and myself. Joey had gone to get the mop while I swept up under the desks but all I could see was Ross looking out the window, humbly he was humming to himself while I tried to keep focus.

"He could fly…"

"Ross…"

"Oh sorry Rach, I was just thinking…"

"What about…"

"Oh from that Justice League movie where Superman could fly…"

"Wasn't he dead that whole movie?"

"No not the last part of it where he could fly…"

I whimpered realizing what he was about to say next.

"What would Superman flying would get you to…"

"Well, my mom, I just figured If I had his power I could have flown her to the hospital maybe she…"

A small tear began to form but I kept my cool.

"The guys would want to…"

"Guys…"

"Oh, some friends I'm meeting Saturday back in Brooklyn, haven't been back in a while and they're inviting me into the city to hang out. Don't worry they're all guys."

I backed off and kept sweeping wondering how long to ignore the letter. But he just kept staring back at me.

"Rach, is…"

"Ross don't go this weekend…"

Now he seemed floored by my tonal change. "Rach what's wrong…"

"Just cause…"

It was nearly 45 seconds of silence between us and I could tell Ross was starting to get annoyed by my impatience.

"Rach, why not?"

My mind was drawing blanks, never figured I get this far but I heard something that would calm me down instantly.

"Ross, don't go back…"

Joey had now come back in the room mop bucket at the door and Garbadge can was in his hand. Ross now had a grimace in his face like he didn't want to bring this up to anyone else but me.

"Whats going on…"

"You can see them any time, just hang with us this weekend."

Now I could tell he was starting to be livid.

"Joe where is this coming from."

"Its from never figuring why you wont open up. Especially when we can tell that you're hurting."

"Hurting about…"

"Your own Mom Ross?"

Now he grimaced my way…

"Rach, you…"

"Ross, I…"

"She, told me yes, Ross…" This was not how even the letter was supposed to tell. How did his differ from mine and was he supposed to be this blunt about it. Ross dropped the broom and was all set to exit.

"You guys can finish this yourself…"

"Ross…" My whimper was obvious as he turned for the door. Joey grabbed his hand to pull him back our way.

"Hold up…"

"Joey let me…"

"Hear us out man…"

"I can't do this in front of you. You don't know how lucky I am to have you 5 as friends. I just want to be happy; I want to be able to laugh around you guys, that is just something I…"

"Ross, we can't do that, how can we laugh when we know how much crap your going through internally. What kind of friends would the 5 of us be for you."

Now he shook in disbelief. I approached him in a comforting tone and Joey turned him my way.

"Ross, you don't picture ending it all do you…"

"Every day since the start of the year…" I gasped in shock he is in much worse mental shape then even I fathomed.

"I had to always be by her side since I was born, and the one time I wasn't" His tears began to visibly flow. "This is my fault, I broke that, I broke my life…"

"Ross, Moms are supposed to be clingy, my own cant stop nagging me about wanting to be near her when its just us and not having to deal with my sisters. But there comes a point where you do need to man up, I mean the term Mamas boy exists for that reason. Ross, you need to not feel guilty about this I mean even she would have wanted you to live your life beyond her anyway."

Ross embraced Joey while I just stood stunned, I could hear him sobbing openly, a long dormant dripping faucet was just forced open.

"This isn't your fault Ross." Joeys comfort while embracing him echoed. "You just need to let the guilt go…"

Tears flowed in my eyes too, no matter what Ross thinks of me blabbing this, he needed to know the truth. That he does have more than he thinks in life, he needs to know that he is needed, by us.

"Ross, I don't want to lose you, please don't ever think like this." My wail was obvious and all I could think out loud was this one simple thing. "Ross I love you, please don't ever leave me…"

He sniffled hard, but humbly smiled. "Thank you, don't ever worry me like that I just makes me…"

"Me too…" Ross now looked at Joey as he just looked as sad as he was while all I kept thinking was his smile. The same one he flashed me that first day, despite the sadness within him he still smiled.

One of these days, like next year when we graduate, I want to see him smile again for real.

10 Minutes Later Outside The Door.

"How long do we have to stay like this Pheebs? My mood was nuts as we heard the whole thing.

"Monica, Our letters said not to interfere so…" Despite her misgivings we waited.

A/N: The leadup to and the start of Carnival day where well meet the gangs parents arrives in Chapter 20: Letter 19 As Always Subscribe for more.