Part 8: Finding Hannah

[We're so close, guys. Just hang on until the end, you can do it! LOL. I am trying hard to finish this soon, because I have another idea, too, and I don't want to loose it. Well, here goes nothing. And for those of you who have seen the season finale, one word: WOW.]

Monica picked up the phone. The caller hung up, and Monica remembered the person who used to call and hang up a lot. Lisa had said in order for them to trace the call, it had to be two minutes long, at least. These hang ups were no where near that long. Frustrated, she hung up. She wished whoever was calling would stay on longer.

She and Chandler had been seeing a counselor, her name was Dixie Johnson. So far, they liked her. It had been a month since the almost divorce, and they had been seeing her twice a week since then. It was obvious that it was helping them, little by little. The fighting had stopped, and the tension was slowly being released.

The next time the went to see Dixie, she spent a lot of time talking about their relationship.

Dixie started. How long has it been since you two have slept together?

Well, since before Hannah, Chandler started.

How long ago was that? Dixie asked them.

Four months, Monica said, quietly.

But with Hannah being gone, and all the fighting, it just wasn't a good time, Chandler told her.

You two have been making a lot of progress. The first day you came in here, I figured maybe two, three months at the least until you got to where you are now.

And, where, exactly, is that? Monica asked.

Well, you don't seem to be fighting as much, true? They both agreed. And it's easy to talk to each other again, right? Again, they both agreed. So what's left is a feeling that you don't have a relationship anymore, right? For the third time, they agreed. And I think that maybe, being so long since you were together, is what might be the cause of that problem.

You want us to have sex? Monica asked.

I'm not saying that. If you think you're ready for that, go ahead. If not, don't. That's one thing I can't tell you whether or not you should do it, Dixie told them. But it's all your choice.

* * * * * * * * *

Monica said awkwardly that night. Chandler had just come into their bedroom after putting Abby to bed.

Chandler said. He knew that she was thinking about whether or not they should have sex. He was thinking about it, too, but he wasn't sure if they should or not.

You're thinking about it, aren't you? she asked him, knowing full well he was.

he told her. But I mean, this is dumb. We either know if we're ready or not.

You're right, she agreed. So, are we?

Monica, look at everything we've been through the last few months. First of all, our marriage almost ended. And even before that, our daughter was kidnapped. We aren't just not doing it for no good reason.

Well, our marriage is okay now, isn't it?

Well, it's sure getting better.

And Hannah's been gone for a while. It's not like we're sleeping together the day after she was kidnapped. And, it's been four months. That's a long time. Chandler, she may never come back. I've started to realize that. And if she never does come back, what, are we never going to sleep together again?

Chandler nodded. But are we ready right now to do this?

It's not like we've never done it before. We do have two kids.

You're right, Mon, this is us we're talking about, right?



So let's do it.

Are you sure?

Do you want to do this?

Yeah, I do.

Then it's now or later. It might as well be now. As long as you can handle it.

I think I'll be fine, Monica told him playfully.

Then, here goes nothing, he told her, as he made his way to her and kissed her. She knew right away that they were ready for this. Already, despite everything, it had been far too long.

I love you, he whispered in her ear. She smiled.

I love you, too. They kissed again, and Monica wondered how, just a few weeks ago, they had almost gotten a divorce. What if they had done it? It would have been the world's stupidest mistake.

* * * * * * *

Chandler said into the phone. It was three AM, and he wasn't sure who would be calling that late. No one said anything on the other end of the line. Chandler repeated again, tired. He had his arm across Monica's waist, and he could feel her turn, probably being woken up by his voice.

On the other end of the phone, someone said something to someone about playing with phones, and hung the phone up. He figured that it was a kid again, somewhere some kid had their phone number and liked to call it.

It was another hour and a half when the phone rang again. Once again, Chandler sighed, and picked it up. he asked, very tired.

a small voice said on the other end of the phone, sounding confused as to what to say. Chandler sat up suddenly in bed, taking Monica with him.

What's the matter?!?! she asked him. He didn't respond.

Chandler replied.

Who is this?

Who is this? he asked. Then they dropped the phone, but didn't hang up. In the background, he could hear some people talking, but not hear what they were saying. Then one of them laughed.

Who is it? Monica asked

I don't know. They dropped the phone, he explained. It went on like that for a few minutes, then someone apparently noticed the phone was off the hook and hung it up.



I'll say, Monica agreed. Wasn't someone talking to you for a while there, though?

Yeah. A little kid, Chandler said slowly.

A little kid? A kid on the phone at 4 AM?

Uh huh. Weird, isn't it?

Do you think....

I don't know, he cut her off. It may be. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

* * * * * *

Lisa looked up the call from the night before, and told them that it came all the way from Maine. She gave them the more approximate location, and told them they'd check it out in a few days. They had started to give up on Hannah's case, because there had been a woman murdered a few days ago, and the killer was still on the loose. She felt bad making them wait a few days, but she was getting close to finding the murderer. And she told them that it was probably only some kid playing with a phone when he couldn't sleep at night.

Rachel said. Anything on that phone call yet? she was bouncing Jamie up and down.

No. They aren't gonna even check it out for a few days.

That sucks, Rachel said. If it were Jamie, I'd be in Maine by now. After she said it, she realized that it wasn't too good of a thing to say, and they'd probably want to do that.

I know, Chandler agreed. I was about to go there myself.

Maybe we should! Monica said She's there, maybe, and we aren't even doing anything about it.

No, Mon, look, she might not even be there. And if she is, what are you guys gonna do about it anyway? Go knock on the door and ask for your daughter back? Rachel said, realizing how dumb it was to have made her earlier remark.

I don't know, Monica agreed. She was silent for a minute, obviously thinking about Hannah and whether or not she was in Maine. Then Chandler stood up.

Where are you going? Monica asked him.



WHAT?!?! Chandler!!

I'm going to Maine. If she's there, I'm gonna get her. If she's not, then we haven't lost anything. I'm not gonna wait a few days, though!

You're not going anywhere without me!

Oh, no way, Monica. I'm not going to let you get killed!

Well, I'm not gonna let you get killed!

How romantic, Rachel said sarcastically, upset that her comment had been taken seriously. You guys, one of you has to stay here! Abby's here! If you both get killed, Abby would be an orphan!

We're gonna be fine, Monica said.

You're gonna be fine. Because you're staying here, where it's safe!

Monica argued. I'm not staying here! Chandler sighed, knowing there was nothing he could do. Monica was extremely stubborn, and if she wanted to go, she'd get her way in the end, anyway.

Okay, fine, Chandler agreed, reluctantly. But you're not going anywhere where it's dangerous.

Monica agreed. What about Abby?

Rachel sighed. Don't look at me. I'm going out of town on business tomorrow, remember? And Robert will be working. Jamie's gonna be in day care.

They ended up getting Phoebe to agree to watching Abby until they got back. They didn't tell her where they were going, knowing she'd object. Joey heard from Rachel about the plan, and insisted on coming, too, just for back up. They agreed to that. All three of them left for Maine that night. Luckily, the flight weren't too booked or anything.

When they got to Maine, they found a hotel close to where Lisa had said they call came from. There weren't many houses in the area, only one or two or so. And they were very far apart. All around the homes where trees and hills. It seemed like a very secluded place to live. It also seemed perfect for a place to keep a child you'd kidnapped.

You think she's here? Joey asked the next morning when they were at the house where the call had supposedly come from.

I don't know, Chandler admitted. We might only find a house with a family and a little kid who likes playing on the phone.

Joey nodded in agreement. But I hope she's here.

So do we, Chandler said. Believe me.

There was a pathway leading up to the house. It was kinda long, but the only other way up there was to drive around and find the road that would take them there. And they didn't have a car.

When they got up to the house, Joey peeked in a window. Nothing looked too out of the ordinary, at first.

Anything interesting? Monica asked. Once again she had talked Chandler into letting her come with him, even though he didn't want her to, afraid something bad could happen.

I see pretty normal stuff. There aren't many kids toys or anything, though. If there was a family, wouldn't there be toys?

Maybe they're just really clean. Like someone else I know. I mean, Monica spends all day picking up toys from the living room and putting them in Abby's room, Chandler noted. He joined Joey at the window.

Oh my God!

Monica and Joey both asked him.

There's a gun in there!

Joey asked. Chandler pointed it out to him.

Oh my God, there is! Joey agreed. Monica came over to look. I wonder if she's here? Joey asked.

I hope not, with a gun in there! Monica said.

Someone's coming! Joey said. They ducked down under the window. They heard someone moving around the living room, and then Joey decide to take a chance and look.

Oh my God! he whispered to them.

they both asked.

Hannah is here.