Wild Horses, Chapter Four
"Stolen Hearts"
Monica stood at the foot of her bed, gripping the bed frame and wincing, as one of the house maids tightened her corset from behind.
"OW!" Monica cried, as the maid yanked on the strings.
"One more deep breath Miss Monica," the maid said. Monica took a deep breath, and the maid yanked.
"AHHH!"
"Okay, all set," the maid said.
"Uh, these damn corsets," Monica grumbled, "I can hardly breathe."
The maid nodded then slipped out of the room as Monica finished dressing.
*
Peter Becker arrived at exactly seven pm. He chatted with Jack for an uncomfortable minute. Jack was never one to hide his feelings, and he made it clear just how much he disliked lawyers. Pete nodded politely, and hoped that Monica would be ready soon.
A few minutes later, Monica came strolling down the stairs, wearing a gorgeous green silk gown. Her long black hair was pulled up, and large curls cascaded from the top of her head.
"Miss Geller, you look stunning," Pete said, and kissed her hand.
"Why thank you Mr. Becker."
"Has Ross already left?" Monica turned to her father.
"He left twenty minutes ago to pick up Rachel. He said he'd meet ya there," Jack said.
"Okay," Monica turned to Pete and smiled politely.
"Shall we?" Pete extended his arm for Monica to take. She took his arm, all the while thinking that Pete Becker was the complete antithesis of Chandler Bing. He was charming, and polite, and...dull. Monica sighed, as Pete led her toward the carriage. It was going to be a long night.
*
"Ross, are you alright?" Rachel looked at Ross strangely, as their carriage rumbled down the road.
"Yes, I'm fine. I guess I'm a bit tired is all."
"You've been working way too hard," Rachel said.
"I suppose," Ross felt a wave of guilt run through him as the carriage passed the dance hall where he had been spending most of his evenings lately. He knew that word was bound to get back to Rachel eventually. He had to stop going to Phoebe, before he was caught.
The problem was, he didn't really want to stop.
*
The Mason Mansion was playing host to the Autumn dance, as it did every year. The back garden had been decorated with candles and flowers, and several tables encircled the large dance floor. As Peter and Monica entered the garden, they were immediately accosted by Rachel, who insisted that she talk to Monica in private.
"What is the big emergency, Rachel?" Monica asked.
"Nothing, really, Ross is just talking to his boring University friends. How is Peter Becker?"
"Stuffy, just as I expected."
"Uh! I've been at this dance for precisely twenty minutes, and I'm already bored silly! Do you think your friend Chandler will make an appearance?"
"I certainly hope not! He doesn't have the proper breeding for a party like this."
"Oh, please," Rachel sighed, as she adjusted her powder pink gown. "This place could use a little livening up!"
"Rachel, Peter is probably looking for me. You are just going to have to put up with my brother's boring friends for a while."
"Uhhh, Monica!!" Rachel whined.
Monica shook her head and made her way back out toward the dance floor.
***
"I'm tellin' ya Jonny, tonight is the perfect night to hit this town. All of the rich folk are at some mansion on the south end. We could make a bundle on that house alone!"
"I dunno, David, I mean--I don't like the idea of robbin townfolk. It's easier if we stay on the outskirts and hit the travellers."
"Jonny, this is a one shot deal. In and out and on our way to Sacramento before anyone knows what to do!"
"Alright, fine. But you'd better be right, cuz I ain't goin back to jail!"
"It'll be fine. Let's go!"
*
Rachel rolled her eyes as Ross launched into yet another boring story. What does a girl have to do to get a little excitement around here?
Seconds later, she would get her wish.
Two gunshots shattered the festivity of the night, as the band stopped playing, and made a futile attempt to hide behind their intruments, as two masked men on horseback made their way toward the middle of the dance floor.
"Alright, listen up!" one of the men said, as he swung his gun around menacingly. "I want all of your money and jewelry in this here bag, and I don't want no trouble--I shoot to kill!"
The elegantly dressed guests obliged immediately, stripping off diamonds and jewels and tossing them into the robbers open sacks.
"This is very exciting," Rachel giggled.
"Hush, Rachel," Ross whispered, as he pulled out his cash.
"Is there a problem here?" One of the men steered his horse toward Ross and Rachel.
"No! No problem here sir!" Ross said quickly, and handed over his money.
"Ain't you a pretty little thing," the robber said darkly. Before Rachel knew what was happening, the robber grabbed her, and yanked her up onto the horse.
"Rachel!" Monica cried out, as she bravely made her way toward the robber. The second robber, upon seeing this, cut Monica off, and pulled her up onto his horse.
"Let me go, you--you--"
"Shut up!" the man hissed into Monica's ear. The two men turned and rode off of the grounds, and toward the outskirts of town, with much more than they had come in for.
The men rode at full speed until they were a few miles outside of the town limits. Once they made their way into a small wooded area, they stopped the horses and slid onto the ground, pulling Monica and Rachel with them.
"You won't get away with this!" Monica cried, as she struggled to free herself.
"M'am, I strongly suggest that you keep your pretty little mouth shut!" the robber said, pushing her to the ground roughly.
Monica and Rachel watched the men nervously, as they analyzed the contents of their sacks. Monica noted that neither men seemed to know what to do about her and Rachel. She hoped that they would just leave them be. But she could see the way the dark haired robber was eyeing Rachel, and it made her nervous. She only hoped that help was on the way.
"What should we do with the women?" Jonny asked, as he thumbed through a wad of cash.
"I have a few ideas," David said, grinning.
Jonny looked at David nervously.
"David, we gotta get outta here. They're gonna send men out to look for those two."
"I think we've got a few minutes," David said, as he stared at the woman in pink.
The wind began to pick up, cooling the night air, and rustling the autumn leaves. Rachel and Monica huddled against a large tree, both wondering if they would be found.
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, echoing through the trees. The two robbers looked around nervously, as another shot rang out, this time the bullet hit the ground near Jonny's foot.
"AH!" Jonny yelped, and dropped his gun.
"Well, hell, I'd recognize that prissy little yelp anywhere! Jonny Abraham, when did they let you outta prison!"
"Wh-uh, Chandler? I, uh, I heard you was killed in Mexico."
"You heard wrong. Who's your buddy?"
"This ain't your business, Bing," David seethed.
"Well, David Montgomery, I shoulda known you'd be headin' out to get your share of the gold," Joey rode up behind Chandler.
"Joey--you still ridin' with this scum?"
"Absolutely," Joey said casually.
"As touching as this little reunion is," Monica cut in, "it's awfully cold out here, and Rachel and I would like to leave!"
Chandler looked over and Monica, then turned back to Jonny and David.
"That one's a real charmer," he said sarcastically.
"But the lady is right," Joey said, sliding off of his horse, "we are gonna hafta turn ya over to the sheriff."
Jonny and David nodded, both knowing that they would likely end up dead if they tried putting up a fight with these two.
Chandler and Joey tied Jonny and David to a nearby tree, before picking up the girls and heading back toward town.
"It looks like I'm gonna have to make a habit outta saving you, Miss Geller," Chandler laughed as they rode toward town.
"No one asked for your help, Mr. Bing," Monica said shortly.
Chandler and Monica rode in silence for a minute. Monica turned to see Rachel and Joey, having an animated conversation a few yards ahead of them.
"Rachel and Joey seem to be getting along," Monica noted.
"I guess," Chandler said casually.
"You disagree?"
"Not at all. I just hope Joey knows he's wasting his time, trying to charm your friend."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, Joey and me, ain't the kinda fella's you two should be seen with," Chandler laughed.
Monica didn't say anything for a minute. She wondered why this man was so obsessed with her status. As far as she was concerned, the entire class notion was ridiculous. Chandler moved to pull something from his belt, and brushed Monica's hand. It was accidental, but his touch was like fire. She felt her heart race, and realized that she was going to have to concentrate, in order to keep control.
*
"I sure do appreciate all of your assistance tonight, Mr. Tribianni," Rachel whispered.
"Please, M'am, call me Joey."
"Okay, Joey. But you have to call me Rachel, and not 'M'am'," Rachel laughed.
"Joey," Chandler called out, as he slowed his horse.
"Yeah?"
"We'd best leave the ladies at the outskirts of town. Ridin' in with us is bad for their image."
"Would you please stop saying things like that?" Monica said irritably.
"Things like what? The truth?"
Monica shook her head, and slid off of Chandler's horse, wincing as she hit the ground. Damn corset.
"I am free to be seen with whomever I choose," Monica said indignantly.
"Well, I hear you 'chose' Peter Becker," Chandler said bitterly.
Monica looked at Chandler in shock. "Where did you hear this?"
"From Mr. Becker himself," Chandler said slowly. "C'mon, Joey, we've gotta go fetch the sheriff."
Joey nodded and helped Rachel off of his horse.
"Pleasure meetin ya M'am-er, I mean, Rachel," Joey tipped his hat, and followed Chandler toward town.
"The pleasure is all mine," Rachel muttered, as Joey rode off.
*
"Monica, what are you doin'?"
"I don't wanna go home jus' yet."
"You are gonna try to find Chandler, ain't ya?"
"What makes you say that?"
"I see the way you look at him when he ain't lookin'. You like him, admit it."
Monica shook her head. "Let's just go home."
Rachel laughed, and followed Monica into town, and toward the Geller home.
"That Joey is so sweet! And handsome as a devil!" Rachel giggled giddily.
"Be careful Rach, you never know about those type of men."
"Oh, please! He is sweet as can be!"
"Is that what you are gonna tell Ross?"
"No. We'll just tell Ross that the robbers let us go," Rachel grinned.
Monica shook her head. She did not like where this was headed. Not at all.
~*~
"Stolen Hearts"
Monica stood at the foot of her bed, gripping the bed frame and wincing, as one of the house maids tightened her corset from behind.
"OW!" Monica cried, as the maid yanked on the strings.
"One more deep breath Miss Monica," the maid said. Monica took a deep breath, and the maid yanked.
"AHHH!"
"Okay, all set," the maid said.
"Uh, these damn corsets," Monica grumbled, "I can hardly breathe."
The maid nodded then slipped out of the room as Monica finished dressing.
*
Peter Becker arrived at exactly seven pm. He chatted with Jack for an uncomfortable minute. Jack was never one to hide his feelings, and he made it clear just how much he disliked lawyers. Pete nodded politely, and hoped that Monica would be ready soon.
A few minutes later, Monica came strolling down the stairs, wearing a gorgeous green silk gown. Her long black hair was pulled up, and large curls cascaded from the top of her head.
"Miss Geller, you look stunning," Pete said, and kissed her hand.
"Why thank you Mr. Becker."
"Has Ross already left?" Monica turned to her father.
"He left twenty minutes ago to pick up Rachel. He said he'd meet ya there," Jack said.
"Okay," Monica turned to Pete and smiled politely.
"Shall we?" Pete extended his arm for Monica to take. She took his arm, all the while thinking that Pete Becker was the complete antithesis of Chandler Bing. He was charming, and polite, and...dull. Monica sighed, as Pete led her toward the carriage. It was going to be a long night.
*
"Ross, are you alright?" Rachel looked at Ross strangely, as their carriage rumbled down the road.
"Yes, I'm fine. I guess I'm a bit tired is all."
"You've been working way too hard," Rachel said.
"I suppose," Ross felt a wave of guilt run through him as the carriage passed the dance hall where he had been spending most of his evenings lately. He knew that word was bound to get back to Rachel eventually. He had to stop going to Phoebe, before he was caught.
The problem was, he didn't really want to stop.
*
The Mason Mansion was playing host to the Autumn dance, as it did every year. The back garden had been decorated with candles and flowers, and several tables encircled the large dance floor. As Peter and Monica entered the garden, they were immediately accosted by Rachel, who insisted that she talk to Monica in private.
"What is the big emergency, Rachel?" Monica asked.
"Nothing, really, Ross is just talking to his boring University friends. How is Peter Becker?"
"Stuffy, just as I expected."
"Uh! I've been at this dance for precisely twenty minutes, and I'm already bored silly! Do you think your friend Chandler will make an appearance?"
"I certainly hope not! He doesn't have the proper breeding for a party like this."
"Oh, please," Rachel sighed, as she adjusted her powder pink gown. "This place could use a little livening up!"
"Rachel, Peter is probably looking for me. You are just going to have to put up with my brother's boring friends for a while."
"Uhhh, Monica!!" Rachel whined.
Monica shook her head and made her way back out toward the dance floor.
***
"I'm tellin' ya Jonny, tonight is the perfect night to hit this town. All of the rich folk are at some mansion on the south end. We could make a bundle on that house alone!"
"I dunno, David, I mean--I don't like the idea of robbin townfolk. It's easier if we stay on the outskirts and hit the travellers."
"Jonny, this is a one shot deal. In and out and on our way to Sacramento before anyone knows what to do!"
"Alright, fine. But you'd better be right, cuz I ain't goin back to jail!"
"It'll be fine. Let's go!"
*
Rachel rolled her eyes as Ross launched into yet another boring story. What does a girl have to do to get a little excitement around here?
Seconds later, she would get her wish.
Two gunshots shattered the festivity of the night, as the band stopped playing, and made a futile attempt to hide behind their intruments, as two masked men on horseback made their way toward the middle of the dance floor.
"Alright, listen up!" one of the men said, as he swung his gun around menacingly. "I want all of your money and jewelry in this here bag, and I don't want no trouble--I shoot to kill!"
The elegantly dressed guests obliged immediately, stripping off diamonds and jewels and tossing them into the robbers open sacks.
"This is very exciting," Rachel giggled.
"Hush, Rachel," Ross whispered, as he pulled out his cash.
"Is there a problem here?" One of the men steered his horse toward Ross and Rachel.
"No! No problem here sir!" Ross said quickly, and handed over his money.
"Ain't you a pretty little thing," the robber said darkly. Before Rachel knew what was happening, the robber grabbed her, and yanked her up onto the horse.
"Rachel!" Monica cried out, as she bravely made her way toward the robber. The second robber, upon seeing this, cut Monica off, and pulled her up onto his horse.
"Let me go, you--you--"
"Shut up!" the man hissed into Monica's ear. The two men turned and rode off of the grounds, and toward the outskirts of town, with much more than they had come in for.
The men rode at full speed until they were a few miles outside of the town limits. Once they made their way into a small wooded area, they stopped the horses and slid onto the ground, pulling Monica and Rachel with them.
"You won't get away with this!" Monica cried, as she struggled to free herself.
"M'am, I strongly suggest that you keep your pretty little mouth shut!" the robber said, pushing her to the ground roughly.
Monica and Rachel watched the men nervously, as they analyzed the contents of their sacks. Monica noted that neither men seemed to know what to do about her and Rachel. She hoped that they would just leave them be. But she could see the way the dark haired robber was eyeing Rachel, and it made her nervous. She only hoped that help was on the way.
"What should we do with the women?" Jonny asked, as he thumbed through a wad of cash.
"I have a few ideas," David said, grinning.
Jonny looked at David nervously.
"David, we gotta get outta here. They're gonna send men out to look for those two."
"I think we've got a few minutes," David said, as he stared at the woman in pink.
The wind began to pick up, cooling the night air, and rustling the autumn leaves. Rachel and Monica huddled against a large tree, both wondering if they would be found.
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, echoing through the trees. The two robbers looked around nervously, as another shot rang out, this time the bullet hit the ground near Jonny's foot.
"AH!" Jonny yelped, and dropped his gun.
"Well, hell, I'd recognize that prissy little yelp anywhere! Jonny Abraham, when did they let you outta prison!"
"Wh-uh, Chandler? I, uh, I heard you was killed in Mexico."
"You heard wrong. Who's your buddy?"
"This ain't your business, Bing," David seethed.
"Well, David Montgomery, I shoulda known you'd be headin' out to get your share of the gold," Joey rode up behind Chandler.
"Joey--you still ridin' with this scum?"
"Absolutely," Joey said casually.
"As touching as this little reunion is," Monica cut in, "it's awfully cold out here, and Rachel and I would like to leave!"
Chandler looked over and Monica, then turned back to Jonny and David.
"That one's a real charmer," he said sarcastically.
"But the lady is right," Joey said, sliding off of his horse, "we are gonna hafta turn ya over to the sheriff."
Jonny and David nodded, both knowing that they would likely end up dead if they tried putting up a fight with these two.
Chandler and Joey tied Jonny and David to a nearby tree, before picking up the girls and heading back toward town.
"It looks like I'm gonna have to make a habit outta saving you, Miss Geller," Chandler laughed as they rode toward town.
"No one asked for your help, Mr. Bing," Monica said shortly.
Chandler and Monica rode in silence for a minute. Monica turned to see Rachel and Joey, having an animated conversation a few yards ahead of them.
"Rachel and Joey seem to be getting along," Monica noted.
"I guess," Chandler said casually.
"You disagree?"
"Not at all. I just hope Joey knows he's wasting his time, trying to charm your friend."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, Joey and me, ain't the kinda fella's you two should be seen with," Chandler laughed.
Monica didn't say anything for a minute. She wondered why this man was so obsessed with her status. As far as she was concerned, the entire class notion was ridiculous. Chandler moved to pull something from his belt, and brushed Monica's hand. It was accidental, but his touch was like fire. She felt her heart race, and realized that she was going to have to concentrate, in order to keep control.
*
"I sure do appreciate all of your assistance tonight, Mr. Tribianni," Rachel whispered.
"Please, M'am, call me Joey."
"Okay, Joey. But you have to call me Rachel, and not 'M'am'," Rachel laughed.
"Joey," Chandler called out, as he slowed his horse.
"Yeah?"
"We'd best leave the ladies at the outskirts of town. Ridin' in with us is bad for their image."
"Would you please stop saying things like that?" Monica said irritably.
"Things like what? The truth?"
Monica shook her head, and slid off of Chandler's horse, wincing as she hit the ground. Damn corset.
"I am free to be seen with whomever I choose," Monica said indignantly.
"Well, I hear you 'chose' Peter Becker," Chandler said bitterly.
Monica looked at Chandler in shock. "Where did you hear this?"
"From Mr. Becker himself," Chandler said slowly. "C'mon, Joey, we've gotta go fetch the sheriff."
Joey nodded and helped Rachel off of his horse.
"Pleasure meetin ya M'am-er, I mean, Rachel," Joey tipped his hat, and followed Chandler toward town.
"The pleasure is all mine," Rachel muttered, as Joey rode off.
*
"Monica, what are you doin'?"
"I don't wanna go home jus' yet."
"You are gonna try to find Chandler, ain't ya?"
"What makes you say that?"
"I see the way you look at him when he ain't lookin'. You like him, admit it."
Monica shook her head. "Let's just go home."
Rachel laughed, and followed Monica into town, and toward the Geller home.
"That Joey is so sweet! And handsome as a devil!" Rachel giggled giddily.
"Be careful Rach, you never know about those type of men."
"Oh, please! He is sweet as can be!"
"Is that what you are gonna tell Ross?"
"No. We'll just tell Ross that the robbers let us go," Rachel grinned.
Monica shook her head. She did not like where this was headed. Not at all.
~*~