TOW The Key--epilogue, part one
Okay, So I decided to extend this one. I am calling it an epilogue, but really, it is just another part....or parts.
To understand this, you obviously need to read the first 6 chapters. I own none of the "Friends" Characters.
**Where we left off in Chapter 6;
Chandler was holding Monica in his arms, overwhelmed with emotions. He didn't know what to say next,
but he knew that if he tried, he'd start crying again. So he just reveled in the moment.
The moment ended, however, when his daughter started squealing. Chandler reluctantly released Monica,
and walked to the guest bedroom, where he had laid baby Monica hours earlier. He picked her up and
cradled her in his arms. He looked at her, as he rocked her back and forth, trying to console her.
She looked so much like her mother. Chandler thought about Chelsea, and wondered how she would feel
about him running back to Monica this way. He suddenly felt incredibly guilty. She had been gone
more than a year, yet Chandler still wondered if he was somehow betraying her. But at the same time,
it wasn't really him she was married to, it was Jason. He closed his eyes, and realized that all
of this was too confusing to think about this late at night. His head was throbbing, and baby Monica's
fussing wasn't helping.
Monica appeared in the doorway of the guest room, and watched Chandler sway his daughter from side to side,
whispering and singing to her. He was such a cute father. Her smile faded, when she thought about
all of the years they had lost, and all of the children they could have had.
*
Chandler and Monica had decided to put off getting married. They both had a great deal of healing to do,
and decided that they needed to resolve their own issues before jumping back into marriage.
For Monica, she simply had to adjust to being happy again. She had spent so many years being miserable, that she
had nearly forgotten what happiness was like. She also had to deal with the fact that the Chandler that was returned to
her was not the Chandler that left all those years ago. This Chandler was more mature, more serious, and seemed
a bit sad. Monica could tell that he was happy to be back, but every once in a while, she could see that there
was something wrong. The glimmer that once shone in his bright blue eyes had faded, and Monica
wasn't sure how to bring it back.
*
The call came late on a Monday afternoon. Chandler picked up the phone, hoping that it was Monica. It wasn't.
He was actually very surprised by the call. It had been 9 years since that fateful day in San Francisco.
But when they called, everything came flooding back, as if it had happened yesterday.
Chandler put down the phone, and sunk into the sofa. He raised his arm, and felt the small bump
on the back of his head. The scar was a constant reminder that the men that had attacked him that day
had taken away much more than his belongings; they took a part of him, and a part of his life he will
never get back.
Monica walked into her apartment, surprised and pleased to find Chandler sitting on the sofa, waiting for her.
"Hi sweetie," she said warmly, and kissed him.
"Hey," Chandler replied quietly, though it was evident that his mind was elsewhere.
"Where's the baby?"
"With Rachel and Phoebe."
Monica looked at Chandler. He looked sadder than usual, and his eyes were red as though he'd been crying. She sat down
next to him and took his hand in hers.
"What's worng?"
"The police called."
"Why would the police call here?"
"The San Francisco Police."
"Oh. Wh-what did they want?"
"They caught one of the guys that...one of my attackers," Chandler stated flatly.
"That was 9 years ago! How did they...?"
"The guy murdered someone. They raided his place, and as it turns out, he still had a few of my things.
Apparently these guys kept certain personal effects from every person they robbed, as some sort of trophy or
something. Anyway, the police are contacting all of the victims...I guess there are hundreds..."
"Wow. What else did they say?"
"They want me to go back to San Francisco and identify these guys. I guess one of them is dead, but the other
is still at-large. They want me to talk to the DA about possibly testifying. Something about building a history on his character."
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
"No. I don't really think I do. But I feel like maybe I should. I don't know." Chandler sighed heavily.
"You don't have to."
"But maybe I need to." Chandler's hand went back to the scar on his head.
"I want to go with you."
"Mon," Chandler started to protest.
"I want to be there for you Chandler."
"I don't want to take baby Monica with me....I was hoping you could take care of her."
"Ross and Rachel can do it....and Joey and Pheebs. C'mon Chandler."
"Well," Chandler said, smiling shyly, "I could use the company."
*
A week later, Chandler and Monica were in San Francisco. They checked into a hotel, and Chandler took Monica to his
favourite spot in the city-Ocean Beach.
A long stretch of beach on the western end of Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach was rarely crowded. That night, with the exception of
a few dog-walkers and dedicated surfers, Monica and Chandler had the beach to themselves.
"It's lovely here," Monica said quietly.
"Yeah, I used to come here a lot to clear my head."
Monica paused to catch her breath. She had forgotten that Chandler had had an entire life here in San Francisco. He had a wife,
a house, a job, other friends...it was so strange. She looked around at this city, a place she'd never been to before,
and wondered if Chandler felt at home here.
Chandler had forgotten how much he loved the Pacific Ocean. Walking around the city, the memories of his life here
came flooding back. He was overwhelmed with memories of Chelsea, and his old friends. It was so strange, having two lives.
When he lived here, he had no memories of his life in New York. Now he had memories of both lives, and both were causing
him pain. He needed to find some closure, and he hoped that talking to the police would help do that.
The next day, Chandler woke up early. He was having trouble sleeping, and he decided that he may as well give up
and go for a walk. He slipped out of the hotel room and wandered down the street. He loved San Francisco in the morning.
Before long, he found himself on Market Street, near the corner where he was attacked. He stopped and looked across the
street. He crossed and stood in the alley where he was found 9 years ago. It was so strange. He must have walked past this
same spot a million times, before his memory came back. He looked down, and saw that his hands were shaking.
He felt sweat forming on his palms. "This is stupid," he thought to himself, "it was years ago."
He closed his eyes, as the events of that day came flooding back. He caught his breath, remembering that first punch.
It was his last memory as Chandler Bing for the next several years. He opened his eyes, as tears ran down his face.
He turned, and ran at full speed back to the hotel.
*
Monica awoke to find the hotal room empty. She looked at the bathroom door, hoping that Chandler was in there. But the door
was ajar, and the bathroom was dark. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. It was only 7.30. Where could he have gone
so early? She pulled herself out of bed and decided to take a shower. Maybe by the time she finished getting dressed, he'd be back.
Chandler walked off of the elevator, still struggling to catch his breath. He leaned against his hotel room door and slid down to
the ground. He hugged his knees and bowed his head. His hands were still shaking, and Chandler couldn't understand why.
He had to regain some kind of control. His head was spinning. He heard movement in the room behind him. "Monica must be awake", he thought.
He stood up and slid his card-key into the door.
"Chandler," Monica said as he walked into the room.
"Hey," he said quietly.
"Where were you?"
"I went for a walk." Chandler tried to cover the fact that he was still trembling by walking slowly to his bed.
Monica sat on her bed and faced Chandler.
"What happened?"
"I found the place where I was attacked....it was the first time I'd seen it as...well, me."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah....no. I don't know." Chandler buried his face in his hands.
Monica sat down next to Chandler, and pulled his hands from his face.
"What can I do?"
Chandler sighed heavily. "I don't know."
Monica looked at Chandler sadly. There were things going on in his head that she couldn't even begin to understand.
She wanted so badly to help him, but didn't know where to begin.
Okay, it's ending abruptly because i need to go to sleep....please review!
Okay, So I decided to extend this one. I am calling it an epilogue, but really, it is just another part....or parts.
To understand this, you obviously need to read the first 6 chapters. I own none of the "Friends" Characters.
**Where we left off in Chapter 6;
Chandler was holding Monica in his arms, overwhelmed with emotions. He didn't know what to say next,
but he knew that if he tried, he'd start crying again. So he just reveled in the moment.
The moment ended, however, when his daughter started squealing. Chandler reluctantly released Monica,
and walked to the guest bedroom, where he had laid baby Monica hours earlier. He picked her up and
cradled her in his arms. He looked at her, as he rocked her back and forth, trying to console her.
She looked so much like her mother. Chandler thought about Chelsea, and wondered how she would feel
about him running back to Monica this way. He suddenly felt incredibly guilty. She had been gone
more than a year, yet Chandler still wondered if he was somehow betraying her. But at the same time,
it wasn't really him she was married to, it was Jason. He closed his eyes, and realized that all
of this was too confusing to think about this late at night. His head was throbbing, and baby Monica's
fussing wasn't helping.
Monica appeared in the doorway of the guest room, and watched Chandler sway his daughter from side to side,
whispering and singing to her. He was such a cute father. Her smile faded, when she thought about
all of the years they had lost, and all of the children they could have had.
*
Chandler and Monica had decided to put off getting married. They both had a great deal of healing to do,
and decided that they needed to resolve their own issues before jumping back into marriage.
For Monica, she simply had to adjust to being happy again. She had spent so many years being miserable, that she
had nearly forgotten what happiness was like. She also had to deal with the fact that the Chandler that was returned to
her was not the Chandler that left all those years ago. This Chandler was more mature, more serious, and seemed
a bit sad. Monica could tell that he was happy to be back, but every once in a while, she could see that there
was something wrong. The glimmer that once shone in his bright blue eyes had faded, and Monica
wasn't sure how to bring it back.
*
The call came late on a Monday afternoon. Chandler picked up the phone, hoping that it was Monica. It wasn't.
He was actually very surprised by the call. It had been 9 years since that fateful day in San Francisco.
But when they called, everything came flooding back, as if it had happened yesterday.
Chandler put down the phone, and sunk into the sofa. He raised his arm, and felt the small bump
on the back of his head. The scar was a constant reminder that the men that had attacked him that day
had taken away much more than his belongings; they took a part of him, and a part of his life he will
never get back.
Monica walked into her apartment, surprised and pleased to find Chandler sitting on the sofa, waiting for her.
"Hi sweetie," she said warmly, and kissed him.
"Hey," Chandler replied quietly, though it was evident that his mind was elsewhere.
"Where's the baby?"
"With Rachel and Phoebe."
Monica looked at Chandler. He looked sadder than usual, and his eyes were red as though he'd been crying. She sat down
next to him and took his hand in hers.
"What's worng?"
"The police called."
"Why would the police call here?"
"The San Francisco Police."
"Oh. Wh-what did they want?"
"They caught one of the guys that...one of my attackers," Chandler stated flatly.
"That was 9 years ago! How did they...?"
"The guy murdered someone. They raided his place, and as it turns out, he still had a few of my things.
Apparently these guys kept certain personal effects from every person they robbed, as some sort of trophy or
something. Anyway, the police are contacting all of the victims...I guess there are hundreds..."
"Wow. What else did they say?"
"They want me to go back to San Francisco and identify these guys. I guess one of them is dead, but the other
is still at-large. They want me to talk to the DA about possibly testifying. Something about building a history on his character."
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
"No. I don't really think I do. But I feel like maybe I should. I don't know." Chandler sighed heavily.
"You don't have to."
"But maybe I need to." Chandler's hand went back to the scar on his head.
"I want to go with you."
"Mon," Chandler started to protest.
"I want to be there for you Chandler."
"I don't want to take baby Monica with me....I was hoping you could take care of her."
"Ross and Rachel can do it....and Joey and Pheebs. C'mon Chandler."
"Well," Chandler said, smiling shyly, "I could use the company."
*
A week later, Chandler and Monica were in San Francisco. They checked into a hotel, and Chandler took Monica to his
favourite spot in the city-Ocean Beach.
A long stretch of beach on the western end of Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach was rarely crowded. That night, with the exception of
a few dog-walkers and dedicated surfers, Monica and Chandler had the beach to themselves.
"It's lovely here," Monica said quietly.
"Yeah, I used to come here a lot to clear my head."
Monica paused to catch her breath. She had forgotten that Chandler had had an entire life here in San Francisco. He had a wife,
a house, a job, other friends...it was so strange. She looked around at this city, a place she'd never been to before,
and wondered if Chandler felt at home here.
Chandler had forgotten how much he loved the Pacific Ocean. Walking around the city, the memories of his life here
came flooding back. He was overwhelmed with memories of Chelsea, and his old friends. It was so strange, having two lives.
When he lived here, he had no memories of his life in New York. Now he had memories of both lives, and both were causing
him pain. He needed to find some closure, and he hoped that talking to the police would help do that.
The next day, Chandler woke up early. He was having trouble sleeping, and he decided that he may as well give up
and go for a walk. He slipped out of the hotel room and wandered down the street. He loved San Francisco in the morning.
Before long, he found himself on Market Street, near the corner where he was attacked. He stopped and looked across the
street. He crossed and stood in the alley where he was found 9 years ago. It was so strange. He must have walked past this
same spot a million times, before his memory came back. He looked down, and saw that his hands were shaking.
He felt sweat forming on his palms. "This is stupid," he thought to himself, "it was years ago."
He closed his eyes, as the events of that day came flooding back. He caught his breath, remembering that first punch.
It was his last memory as Chandler Bing for the next several years. He opened his eyes, as tears ran down his face.
He turned, and ran at full speed back to the hotel.
*
Monica awoke to find the hotal room empty. She looked at the bathroom door, hoping that Chandler was in there. But the door
was ajar, and the bathroom was dark. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. It was only 7.30. Where could he have gone
so early? She pulled herself out of bed and decided to take a shower. Maybe by the time she finished getting dressed, he'd be back.
Chandler walked off of the elevator, still struggling to catch his breath. He leaned against his hotel room door and slid down to
the ground. He hugged his knees and bowed his head. His hands were still shaking, and Chandler couldn't understand why.
He had to regain some kind of control. His head was spinning. He heard movement in the room behind him. "Monica must be awake", he thought.
He stood up and slid his card-key into the door.
"Chandler," Monica said as he walked into the room.
"Hey," he said quietly.
"Where were you?"
"I went for a walk." Chandler tried to cover the fact that he was still trembling by walking slowly to his bed.
Monica sat on her bed and faced Chandler.
"What happened?"
"I found the place where I was attacked....it was the first time I'd seen it as...well, me."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah....no. I don't know." Chandler buried his face in his hands.
Monica sat down next to Chandler, and pulled his hands from his face.
"What can I do?"
Chandler sighed heavily. "I don't know."
Monica looked at Chandler sadly. There were things going on in his head that she couldn't even begin to understand.
She wanted so badly to help him, but didn't know where to begin.
Okay, it's ending abruptly because i need to go to sleep....please review!
