Part 9: Cherry Life Saver

[Well, this is the last part, then the epilogue. I hope you enjoy it!! I'd like to dedicate this whole series to Poppy....she's really liked it and probably the biggest fan of this series. Thanks so much to all the others of you who liked it, too, like Jana. The end of this is kinda based on I dream I had. Well, anyway, here it is, please enjoy.]

Joey had seen Hannah in the house with the man. Chandler freaked out, knowing that she was in there with a gun.

I'm going in there! he said

Uh, no, you're not! Monica told him.

Hannah's in there!

So, you can't get killed over it! Monica told him. Stay calm. We'll make up a plan.

Oooh, a plan. I'm intrigued, Joey said. It's like some spy movie. And hey, I AM and actor, after all.

Monica rolled her eyes at Joey, and helped them figure out a plan. The plan was that Joey would knock on the door and pretend to be lost. Then Chandler would go through the window and get Hannah. If at anytime someone coughed, it meant take Hannah and run. Monica was skeptical, being that there had to be a hitch in the plan somewhere. She was afraid Chandler, or even Joey was gonna get themselves killed.

Joey went and knocked on the door. Through the window, Chandler and Monica could see him rise to answer it.

When he got to the door, however, he had taken Hannah, and the gun with him.

When Hannah saw him, her eyes widened, and mouth opened to say something, but she thought better of it.

What do you want? the man asked.

Uhh, I'm lost, Joey muttered.

You're in Pague, the man said, giving the city's name. And you're on my property!!!

Joey muttered. He didn't know what to do now that the man seemed mean, and Hannah and a gun was with him, instead of inside.

Who's here with you? the man asked, suspicious.

No one, Joey said. I was just driving to my brother in-law's, and got lost. I don't live here. The man stared at him for a minute.

I don't like people bugging me, he said blatantly.

I'm very sorry, Joey said. Neither do I. And I don't like to bug people.

I don't believe you're here alone, he said.

Why not?

Just a feeling I get, he turned to Hannah. Do you know this man?

Hannah quickly shook her head. She did know him, but she didn't think she should say that.

she replied.

Joey was relieved when Hannah said she didn't know him. She was pretty smart, and had obviously caught on. Monica and Chandler were still under the window, but some bushes covered them. From where they were, they could see how long the path that led down from the house was. They could also hear Joey and the man at the door. When they heard Hannah's voice say no', it was a big relief.

Why are you still here? the man asked. I want you off my property.

I'm going. Sorry to bother you.

You should be, the man paused. Is someone in the bushes?

In the bushes?

Yes, in the bushes, the man said. They seem to be moving a little bit.

You live in the country. Maybe it's a squirrel, Joey said, trying not to sound worried.

Did I ask you, Nature Boy? the man snapped. Now, get off my property!

Of course, Joey said and turned to go, but went the opposite way they had come. He figured that he could hide over there somewhere in case he was needed. He hoped the man didn't use his gun for anything.

When Joey left, the man turned back to the bushes.

Whose in the bushes? he yelled, going over to check it out, dragging Hannah with him.

No one answered, but he decided to check it out himself. After all, he could defend himself if he had to, he had the gun.

Why, hello, the man said when he saw Chandler and Monica in the bushes. Care to tell me why you're on my property?

We're lost? Chandler offered.

Haha, nice try. I knew Nature Boy was not alone. Now, come out of the bushes, both of you.

They sighed, and did so. When Hannah saw them, her mouth opened again. She wanted to say something, but obviously, thought better of it. Instead, when the man couldn't see her, she smiled at them.

Now, why were you in my bushes? the man asked

Well, we uh, are homeless, Chandler tried again.

You don't look homeless, he noticed. Looks like you just got dressed and showered this morning.

Actually, we're just lost. You know, with Nature Boy. And we didn't want to bug you, so we decided we'd stay over here....

Well, you're bugging me now! he yelled. I'd like to say get off my property, but I have to kill one of you! Or both of you!

What? Why? Chandler asked.

I am a very private man. You might know my secrets. I don't want them out.

Like that you stole that little girl!?! Chandler snapped. After he said it, he knew he shouldn't have, but it was too late. He looked at Monica, with a look saying he was sorry he said that, but she didn't seem to care that he had.

I didn't steal her.

YES YOU DID!! Hannah yelled. You're not my family! That means you stole me!

Shut up, little girl, or you're next to go.

You touch her, and I swear, I'LL kill YOU, Chandler said.

Shut up! the man ordered. I give the orders! Now, who should be the first to go?

If you're gonna kill anyone, please, kill just me! Monica said. Kill me and leave them!

Chandler yelled. What are you doing?? he turned to the man. Kill me, not them. Kill me and let them go.

Monica yelled. No, kill me, fine, but don't touch either of them!

Don't listen to her! Chandler said. If you must kill someone here, kill me, understand?

No! Kill me!

Put a sock in it! he yelled, dropping Hannah's wrist to fool with his gun. Now, someone's gonna die here, and I am gonna decide!!

Okay, fine, but you better not touch them! Monica told him.

Shut up!! I would kill all of you, but if I did that I would have no kid to get paid for kidnapping, and if I let one of you live, you'll suffer! Now, it seems if I kill either of you, the one who dies will be happy. So what if I kill the girl?

Hannah, run, Monica thought. Get out of here when he's not looking!

Chandler was thinking the same thing. He didn't know where Joey had gone to, but he decided his next plan couldn't hurt. He coughed twice. Monica bit her lip, knowing what that meant, and afraid of what might happen if Joey came.

The man walked closer to them, not too worried about Hannah. If she tried to run off, he could easily shoot her. And he had been watching her for months, he knew she knew better than that. He pointed the gun at one, then the other.

Eeeny meeny, miny, mo, he said, as if trying to decide who to shoot. Who will be the one to go? Joey quietly snuck up behind him, and grabbed Hannah.

she whispered, extremely glad to see him.

Shh, it's all gonna be okay. Now we gotta get out of here, he told her as he turned and went back to where he came form. The man heard some footsteps on the dry leaves and noticed Hannah was gone.

he yelled. Damn, Nature Boy, come back here!! he shot his gun a few times, but Joey and Hannah were no where in sight. He turned back to Chandler and Monica. You idiots!! he yelled angrily. I was being paid to make sure she didn't get away! Now what am I gonna do? I'll have no money!

You could get a job, Chandler told him.

Shut your mouth, Funny Man. Now that she's gone, one of you two are gonna have to go! The other, well, you'll never be able to find me. Now who should I kill?

they both yelled.

The man laughed. Yeah, haha. I'm still gonna decide. I just wanted to hear that once more for old times sake.

You don't even touch her! Chandler said. Do whatever you want to me, but let her go!

Why should I?

No, don't! Let him go, kill me! Monica said. It'll be better for you!



I don't know. Just don't kill him.

Monica! Stop! Chandler told her. Let him kill me!

If I have to tell you two to quiet it again, you'll both go! Now, the lady obviously wants me to kill her, so let's just get it over with. He pointed his gun toward Monica.

Don't do it!! Chandler said.

Watch me! the man laughed, and pulled the trigger to his gun. Chandler reacted without thinking, and pushed Monica down to the ground. The bullet hit him in the shoulder, but it missed Monica.

OH MY GOD! Monica said. I told you to let him kill me!

We'll talk about this later, he's still got the gun, Chandler said quickly, and, pulling her with him, rolled down the path way towards where they had been before. He shot after them, but they were too hard to hit moving. His gun ran out of bullets, and he yelled angrily, storming into the house to get more, and yelling I WILL GET YOU!

When they got to the bottom of the hill, they fell into a ditch.

Where the hell are we? Monica said. Your shoulder! Is it okay?

It hurts, but it's better than you being dead! We're in some kind of hole, by the way.

So I see.

I guess we should stay here, you know, maybe he won't find us. Because if he does, we're dead.

But your shoulder!

Don't worry about it. At least Hannah's safe. She's with Joey.

Right. True.

Well, that was.....interesting.

I'll say. It feels like some action/adventure movie.

I know. Thank God he didn't get you.

I told you to let him kill me!I couldn't live knowing I let him kill you and not me!

And you think I could?

Monica shrugged, and they were silent for a few minutes. Then she spoke again. You know, if it weren't for you, I would've been dead. I would've just stood there and let him kill me.

I know. That's why I did it.

Thank you. What about your shoulder?!?

Monica, don't worry about it. Sure, it hurts, but you and Hannah are alive. That's a whole lot better.

I guess. But I don't like your shoulder...

It'll be fine, Mon, he said. She smiled and gave him a small kiss.

I love you. Thanks for saving my life.

I love you, too. And it's in my job description, you know, he said with a smile. She smiled back at him.

Once Joey had taken off with Hannah, he went to the nearest house and called 911. The police arrived and found the man inside the house, which he had returned to to get more ammunition. The police went in and arrested him, for attempted murder, and kidnapping. The went looking around the area for Chandler and Monica. They found them the next morning, and took Chandler to the hospital for his shoulder. Monica went with him. They had to do minor surgery on him, so while he was in the operating room, Monica went to get Hannah. Joey had her with him at the hotel. She knocked on the door to the hotel room, and Joey opened it.

Monica! You're okay! Where's Chandler?

Oh, he's okay. He's having surgery, he was shot in the shoulder. He's fine, though, don't worry.

He's in surgery?!

Yeah. It's very minor, though. Where's Hannah?

In the bathroom.

When she came out of the bathroom, she saw Monica, and her face lit up.

she squealed and ran to her and gave her a hug.

Hannah, oh, Sweetie, are you okay? Monica, asked, hugging her and checking her all over for any damage.

Yeah. I missed you, though, she said, her blue eyes shining with happiness and relief.

Oh, I missed you, too! So much! Monica said. What happened? No, you know what, tell me later, I'm just so glad to see you!

Me, too! Hannah said, still hugging her. Where's Daddy? Where's Abby?

Daddy's at the hospital, he's fine, though. Abby's with Aunt Phoebe in New York.

We're not in New York anymore?

No, Sweetie. You're in Maine, Monica told her.

Really? I've never been out of the state before!!

Oh, my God, I can't believe you're here! Monica said, crying. I was so worried!

I'm so glad you're here, Mommy. I thought I'd never see you again!

I love you, Hannah. So much.

I love you, too, Mommy, she said with a smile. Monica picked her up.

You wanna go see Daddy? she asked.

Hannah said, happily.

Joey, thank you so much. I mean, without you.... Monica started to say.

Monica, I know. You don't even have to say it.

Okay. But thank you so much.

You're so welcome.

You wanna come with us? she asked.

No, I think you guys should be alone. I'll come by later.

Okay. See you. Thank you so much.

Sure. Bye guys.



Bye Joey! Hannah said, happily.

* * * *

When they got to the hospital, Chandler was out of surgery, and in his room. Monica opened the door, still carrying Hannah. Chandler had his eyes closed, but Monica knew he was awake.

Hey. Someone's here to see you, she said. He opened his eyes, and smiled at Hannah.

Hi, Daddy!!!! Hannah said.

Hannah! You're okay! Oh my God, you're here! We missed you so much!

I've heard, she joked, using Chandler's sarcasm again.

Come here, you, he said. Monica put her down on the bed, and he hugged her. Thank God you're okay.

You, too! Is your shoulder bad?

No, it's fine, you and Mommy worry too much.

We can't help it, Monica said

Hannah agreed.

Daddy saved my life today, you know. He's a life saver.

Like the candy?!?

Monica laughed. I guess.

What flavor are you, Daddy?

Chandler laughed. Well, I always did like the cherry ones the best.

So then, it's settled. You're a cherry life saver, Monica joked. The best kind, you know. Cherry.

I love you guys, Chandler said, hugging Hannah, and kissing Monica.

I think you showed us that today, she said in a whisper.

* * * * *

Hannah was asleep in the chair next to the bed. Chandler was going to be able to get out of the hospital the next morning, as long as he took care of his shoulder.

Is it really okay? Monica asked. Your shoulder, I mean.

Yeah, hardly hurts at all. Of course, it might be the pain killers.

You never stop with the jokes, do you?

Apparently not.

She smiled and laughed. So, I wonder who that guy was. Who kidnapped her.

I guess we'll find out. I wonder what Lisa and Zaun are gonna think about us doing this?

Who knows. But at least she's okay, sleeping right here.

And that you're sitting right here.

Monica smiled. And that you're here.

* * * * * *

The man that had been keeping Hannah and shot Chandler was Arthur Douglas. He had been one of the three men who broke into Chandler and Monica's house and kidnapped Hannah. He was the only one who lived out of state. He came a long to get Hannah and bring her back to his cabin in Maine. One of the other men was an accomplice of his, and the third man was the one who organized it. Gregg's friend Rocko. He had been tired of hearing Gregg complain about Richard, and figured that if he took away a kid, Richard may go back to live with them, and he wouldn't have to hear about it anymore. They had actually wanted Abby, but took Hannah when they found her in the living room. Turns out Rocko was a little crazy. He was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. Arthur had told on him, and by doing that, it lessened his sentence to only ten years. The other man also got twenty-five years.

Lisa and Zaun freaked out when they got a phone call that Monica and Chandler Bing were in Maine, had gotten Hannah back, and Chandler had been shot in the shoulder. At first they were upset that they decided to take it into their own hands, but then Lisa felt guilty for ignoring the lead. They were just happy that it a ll turned out ok.

* * * * * *

Monica, Chandler, and Hannah got back to New York two days later. Hannah had hugged Abby, and said she looked a lot bigger. Abby seemed glad to see Hannah, too, even though she was so young. Then she told the story for the others to hear.

The wind was bothering me one night. I decided to go downstairs to sleep, because the trees don't bang the windows there. There was three guys there. They took me and told me not to make any noise. Then this one, that one Mommy and Daddy saw, took me on an airplane, and to that house. It was a very weird, but boring house. Once in a while, they'd leave me alone, and I'd try to call for help. But I'd always forget to dial the area code. By the time I remembered, the phone would ring a few times, and I had to hang up because the man would be back. He was always afraid I'd get away, so he never left me for long. One night, though, I didn't hang up, I just dropped the phone, and then a few days later, Mommy and Daddy and Joey came! I even had to plug the phone in, because he unplugged it. I remembered how Uncle Ross had showed me to plug a phone in in case of emergency. And that's all.

Phoebe said I'm so glad you're okay!

Thanks! Me, too! Hannah smiled.

Thanks, Ross. For teaching her that. We may have never found her otherwise, Monica said.

Sure. I thought it may be useful, just in case. Carol taught Ben that, and I figured, why not?

* * * * * *

That night, Abby and Hannah were asleep, and Chandler and Monica were lying in bed.

Well, she's back, Monica said.

Thank God. Both of them are here, safe, Chandler said.

What would I do without you?

Well, that I don't know. We're all okay again. Hannah's back, alive, Abby's getting better, nightmare wise, you and I are still married. I think we did okay.

Yeah, we did better than okay. We did great.

You're right. Great, he said. He smiled at her, one of those smiles that always gets her.

I love you, she whispered. So much.

I know you do. And I love you, too. More, he joked.

No way, she said. And I'll prove it to you, she added suggestively.

You will, will you? he asked. She nodded and kissed him. She stopped when she thought of something.

Are you sure your shoulder is okay? she asked. He didn't answer; just rolled her over and kissed her again.


[THE END. THAT'S ALL THE PARTS! IT GOT A LITTLE ACTION/ ADVENTURE-ISH THERE FOR A WHILE, BUT HEY, WHY NOT? THANKS TO A DREAM FOR THAT IDEA, LOL. I THINK I'LL WRITE AN EPILOGUE SOON, BUT NOT RIGHT AWAY. LOOK FOR PART 1 OF MY NEXT FUN (DRAMA) SERIES SOON!]