Luv Jones Epilogue
Okay, this final part should tie up all the loose ends from part 5. That was pretty bad of me to just leave the end like that, huh? Well there was just no way I could end it on a good note. To me, its just not that realistic to do so. I struggled on which direction to take. Should C&M end up together, apart, or should I leave it open? Well read it and find out, and please let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: You know the drill.. I don't own 'em.
Chandler entered The Rack Cafe and smiled at the sound of the cue sticks hitting the balls. Pool was one of his favorite games, besides foosball, and he'd played it since college. He spoke to a few people he recognized as he made his way to a table and a familiar face near the back.
"Hey," Chandler called out.
"What's up man. It's about time you got here," David replied.
"Sorry, but I actually had to work late. Can you believe it?"
David laughed. "Had you asked me that six months ago I would've said no, but now... I can believe it."
Have I changed that much in the past few months?" Within the last five to six months Chandler thought he sounded like a broken record. All of his friends and colleagues had commented on how he'd changed, but he never gave it much thought. And as always, he responded with the follow-up question.
"Yeah, you have Chandler," David said. "But you've been through a lot so it's expected."
"Well you're right about that. Talk about drama.." Chandler thought back to the climactic morning that never seemed to be far away from his thoughts, and altered his life.
[Flashback: 6 Months earlier]
Chandler walked briskly from the corner store to his apartment, hoping Monica was still asleep. He'd woken up earlier and wanted to prepare her breakfast in bed and couldn't wait to see her wake up. He was just about to enter his building when a man bumped into him, almost knocking him off balance.
"Hey!," Chandler said. He turned around and saw the familiar back of his friend and roommate. "David?"
David turned around and saw the last person he wanted to see at that moment. He thought back to what had just taken place in their apartment and his anger was renewed. He clenched his fists to his side in an attempt to control his temper.
"Look Chandler I can't talk right now."
"What are you doing here? I thought..." Chandler's voice trailed off as realization hit. "Shit," he said to himself. Chandler knew by the look on David's face that he'd seen Monica in the apartment.
"Yeah, I know what you thought!," David shouted. "Now, before I do or say something I'll regret, which would be hard to do right now, I'm gonna go."
Chandler tried to calm him down. "Look I know this is the last thing you expected, but it's not what you think. Why don't we just sit down and discuss this like adults."
"What do you mean it's not what I think? I just saw my ex-girlfriend, butt ass naked in YOUR bed! What else is there to think?" David paid no attention to the glances he received from passersby. He couldn't believe Chandler had the nerve, no the audacity to explain away his betrayal.
Chandler knew he didn't want to have a private discussion on the streets of New York. "Dave, man we need to take this.."
"And you know what else?," David interrupted. "I really had myself convinced that it was me. I was the reason she couldn't love me, when all along it was you... my back-stabbing best friend." He turned his back on Chandler, preparing to walk away.
"Look David it's not like that!," Chandler replied.
He tried to get David to turn around by grabbing his shoulder but was brushed off.
"If you would listen.." Chandler's sentence was cut off by a blow to the cheek. He held the side of his face, caught completely off guard.
"What the fuck was that!"
David glared at Chandler but remained silent. Chandler couldn't believe David punched him. Well maybe I deserved it, he thought to himself. But the more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
"Don't get all silent on me now!," Chandler said.
"Look, it was a delayed reaction or something, and I shouldn't have sucker-punched you. But I'm still pissed so I think the best thing for you, is to get away from me."
"The best thing for me?" Chandler almost laughed at the statement, but a part of him agreed with it. The last thing he needed was to get his ass kicked where everyone could see.
"Maybe you're right. I need to go check on Monica anyway." Chandler turned around to walk off when he heard David laugh.
"That slut has you wide open..."
Before David knew what hit him, he was being attacked by Chandler's fists to his face and abdomen. David got his balance and punched Chandler in his jaw, then tackled him to the ground. They fought for a few minutes before two men finally broke them apart.
"Our friendship is over Chandler! Over!," David yelled as he was drug to his feet.
Chandler looked on, knowing David was serious about what he said. He walked slowly into his apartment building, hoping Monica was okay.
Chandler opened the door and went straight to his room to find an empty bed.
"Shit!," he said. "No, wait. The bed's not made up.. she's still here."
A few minutes later Monica entered his bedroom wrapped in a towel. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. She stood in the doorway, not sure how to bring up the conversation she'd had with David. "Chandler," she called softly.
Chandler turned around at the sound of her voice.
"Oh my God!", they both exclaimed. They met each other halfway, speaking at the same time.
"Chandler what happened to your face?"
"Monica what happened to your face?"
Monica touched the side of his face and he winced. He had a cut on his lip and above his left eyebrow and his left eye was swollen. He looked as if he'd been smashed into the pavement.
"How did this happen?"
"I ran into David."
Monica gasped. "What part of him did you run into?"
"His fists, a few times." Chandler laughed at his joke.
"Chandler, now is not the time for your little jokes."
"You're right, I'm sorry. But what happened to you? Your eyes are swollen... Did he hit you?!" Chandler's eyes rounded and he clenched his fist. The thought of David putting his hands on Monica made him see red.
"No! Of course not. I must've got some shampoo in my eyes in the shower..." Monica knew there was no way she could tell Chandler what happened... not after this. They might kill each other.
"But enough about me," she continued. "How did the fight start? Don't tell me you guys resorted to adolescence and 'took it to the street'?," Monica chuckled.
"That's exactly what we did," Chandler said.
"What? Chandler I was only kidding."
"Yes, but I wasn't. Actually we ran into each other outside the building. He said some things and I said some things and before I knew it I'd punched him."
"Ugh! You need some ice on that punching bag of yours, I'll be right back."
Monica came back a few minutes later. "I couldn't find a first-aid kit, so this alcohol may sting a little."
"I can handle it," Chandler said. He held her hand at bay just as she started to clean his cuts. "Don't put too much on it."
Monica smiled. "I'll try not to." Once she was done she had Chandler lay down with the ice pack on his face. All the while she was in deep thought about what to do. She felt guilty about everything that had happened, and right now saw only one way to solve things. Monica begin getting dressed and tried not to disturb Chandler, but was unsuccessful.
"Hey, what are you doing?," he asked.
"Looking for my clothes."
"I think they're still in the living room from... you know.."
"Right," Monica said. "Oh, have you seen my underwear?"
Chandler looked on the floor and produced a pair of black panties. "Here you go."
"They're ripped! How did that happen?"
"Don't you remember last night? We came in here, and.."
"Oh, now I do!," Monica blushed. "Well I can't wear these now!" She went to a drawer and took out a pair of his underwear.
"That's really... sexy," Chandler smiled. "Are you sure you don't wanna stay a while?"
"God, Chandler, that's what got us in this situation in the first place."
Chandler tensed at her response. That was not what he thought she'd say.
"I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean it like that." Monica kissed him on the lips. "I've just got a lot on my mind. You know I'd love to spend the day with you, but I just remembered all this stuff I need to take care of at the apartment.."
"So let Rachel do it."
"Please," Monica scoffed. "Are we talking about the Rachel Green that lives with me? I don't think so." Chandler followed her into the living room as she finished getting dressed. "I'll call and check on you in a few hours, and I'll be back later, okay?"
"Okay," he said.
Monica kissed him again, this time longer than the first. "I love you."
"I love you too," Chandler said. He watched her walk out the door, wondering if her first time saying 'I love you' would be the last he'd ever hear.
[end of flashback]
"Chandler? Hello, anyone home..?"
Chandler snapped out of his daydream. "Huh? What?"
"Where were you? I've been calling your name for like, five minutes," David said.
"Just thinking about some things. So are we going to play this game or what? I haven't kicked your ass at pool since.."
"Never," David finished, laughing.
"Hey, you never say never my friend. Just rack 'em up."
Chandler was enjoying a competitive game of pool with David when the familiar chords of "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" by Lenny Kravitz came over the speakers. The song made him think about when things weren't so friendly between them. They'd come a long way in six short months, but so much had changed. He once again reminisced on that chaotic period in his life.
[Flashback: 5 months earlier]
It had been one month since Chandler last saw Monica. Two and a half weeks since he last spoke to her, and that was only because she happened to answer the phone. Chandler hadn't been this confused since he'd walked in on his father and the houseboy, but that was another story all together. The moment Monica walked out of his apartment, she'd walked out of his life. She called him later that day, as she'd promised, but didn't come by. One day turned into two, then a week, and now several weeks. He was beginning to think Monica had broken up with him.
Chandler went over that day in his head countless times, but was unable to figure out why Monica had walked out. Something had obviously happened between her and David, but neither of them would talk to him. With a determined look on his face, Chandler left his apartment in search of the truth.
Monica sighed as Rachel started on her once again about Chandler. She'd heard the opinion of all her friends on how stupid she was to just walk out on him. They didn't know that she forced herself daily not to call him, or show up at his door. And Monica wanted to keep it that way. I've caused enough trouble, she thought.
"Monica, I can't believe you're being so stubborn about this," Rachel said.
"Rach, can we drop it? My decision is made. It's not going to work, okay?"
"I don't believe that, and I don't think you do either."
"No, I think it's just you who doesn't believe it," Monica said.
"Ha ha.. did you pick up your sarcasm from Chandler?"
"I don't know.." Monica smiled. "He was pretty sarcastic wasn't he?"
"See, look at you!", Rachel exclaimed.
"What?"
"You are so in love with him! Mon, I know you miss him." Rachel hands her the cordless phone. "Just call him. You know you want to."
Monica glanced at phone, wanting more than anything to call him. She pushed that urge away and put the phone back on its base. "No thanks."
"Okay," Rachel said. "But the next time Chandler calls and I answer the phone, I won't lie for you."
"What? Rach, you're suppose to be my friend!"
"Mon I'm doing this because I'm your friend. I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy. Okay, things are not going as well as I'd like, but I'm coping. Hopefully Chandler will get the message that we weren't meant to be, and things will get back to normal."
Rachel wasn't convinced, but Monica seemed hell-bent on proving otherwise, so she dropped it. "Okay.. you're secret's safe with me. But I don't like it."
"Thank you," Monica smiled.
"Sure. Well if you're okay, then I need to get out of here. Ross hates it when I'm late. So I guess I'll walk slowly," Rachel laughed.
She opened the door and was surprised to see Chandler on the other side. She pulled him out in the hall so Monica wouldn't hear them talking.
"So you finally decided to drop by?"
"So you finally decided to answer the door?," he replied.
"Look I can't explain everything right now, but I had to do what she wanted."
"Are you going to do what she wants now?"
"No," Rachel said. "Just go talk to her, and let her explain, okay? You two can work this out."
Chandler nodded. "Okay, I will." He was about to walk through the door when Rachel called his name.
"Good luck," she smiled.
"Thanks." Chandler went inside and shut the door.
Monica entered the living room from her bedroom, assuming it was Rachel coming back in. "Rach, Ross is going to kill you for being..." Her voice faltered at seeing Chandler. They stood in a tense silence, with Chandler staring at Monica and she looking down at the floor.
"Well its great to see you too," Chandler replied sarcastically.
"Chandler what are you doing here?"
Hmm, I don't know. You won't return my calls, you're never at home, and you have your, no our friends lying to me."
"I'm sorry Chandler," Monica started, "It's just that.."
"It's a little late for sorry Monica," he interrupted. "Did you think you could just walk out on me and that I'd forget about you in a month or so? Maybe you can do that because you never really loved me, but that's not how I work."
"That's not true," Monica said. "I did love you. You think this is easy for me Chandler? You think I can just brush off the fact that I ruined a 10 year friendship as if its something I do everyday? I can't do that!"
"Is that what you think?"
"Of course. I can't live with that. As much as I love you Chandler, and I really do, it wouldn't feel right."
Chandler realized for the first time what Monica had been dealing with. They both avoided the situation when they first got together, as if it would magically go away. And now they were dealing with the effects and guilty feelings because of it.
Monica turned her back on Chandler, hoping maybe he'd give up and leave. A part of her wished she'd never met him under these circumstances, and another part of her just wanted to be with him and deal with their problems together. But that was in a perfect world, and things were far from perfect between them.
"Monica," Chandler called softly. She refused to turn around. "Monica," he repeated, reaching for her shoulder. He turned her around and wrapped her in a tight hug. Monica kept her arms at her side as Chandler hugged her more tightly. She finally gave into temptation and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his chest. There were no tears shed, just a simultaneous sigh of relief to be back in each other's arms.
Chandler knew things were still fragile between he and Monica, but he really wanted to kiss her. He decided to take things slowly, dropping slow kisses on her cheek. Monica lifted her head and kissed him on the cheek as well. Their lips came together hesitantly at first then became deeper and wetter. They kissed as if they'd been apart for a year instead of a month.
"God, Monica I missed you so much," Chandler mumbled.
Monica broke the kiss. "Me too," she replied. Before Chandler had a chance to kiss her again, she pulled him to the couch to sit down. She put a few inches of space between them, and he knew she was about to tell him something important.
"Uh, there's another reason why I left."
Chandler thought he misheard what was said. "Excuse me?"
"Besides feeling guilty, there's another reason I left. I should've told you when you came back to the apartment, but your face... and I got scared, and..."
Monica took a deep breath. Chandler could tell she was nervous and held her hand.
"When David found me, he was so.. angry. And we had a few words, and he told me that if I cared anything for you, I'd end it."
"What?!," Chandler exclaimed.
"He said that was the only way your friendship would continue, was if I left the picture."
Chandler clenched his teeth. "That bastard!"
[end of flashback]
Chandler's painful memory gave him the fuel to sink the eightball hard, winning the game. "And that's what I call the Chan Man special." He grinned as David cursed him.
"Damn you Chandler," he said.
Chandler walked around the table boasting of his win to the amusement of the people around them. "That's right folks, I am the greatest!"
"How about another game?," David asked.
Chandler paused. "Sure. If you're ready to lose again, then bring it on."
"Whatever man," David said. He looked at his watch. "But you know what, our dates should be here soon so..."
"Oh I get it," Chandler smiled. "You don't want your girlfriend to see you lose."
"Man you are so full of it! I can beat you with my eyes closed, plus.." David was about to finish his sentence when a familiar face caught his attention.
Chandler followed David's eye direction and saw a very attractive woman with short brown hair. She made her way over to David and they shared a hug and kiss.
"You guys having a good time?," she asked.
"Eh," David said. "It's more fun now that you're here." The woman laughed then turned her gaze to Chandler.
"Hey Chandler."
"Hi Chelsea. I see you're by yourself."
"Oh, she's on her way. There was a semi-emergency."
"Semi-emergency?," David asked.
"Don't ask," Chelsea said, looking at the entrance. "Here she comes."
Chandler's face broke into a wide grin at the dark-haired woman coming this way.
"Look at him, he's so in love... it's sick," David said laughing.
Chelsea elbowed him in the side. "Shut up. I think it's cute."
Chandler and the woman met each other halfway and shared a tight embrace.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you," he said before kissing her deeply.
"Wow. Maybe I should spend the whole day away from you more often," Monica smiled.
"I don't think so," Chandler said. He kissed her again, happier than even he imagined he'd ever be at this point. Just six months ago he thought he'd never be with Monica again, and he'd definitely lost his friendship with David. But things got better with time and hard work.
Monica smiled at Chandler as they joined David and Chelsea. She couldn't believe the three of them were in the same room and in each other's company. She knew things weren't great, and that David and Chandler would never be as close as they once were, but she was happy that they all were at least making an effort to be friends.
"Monica what took you so long?," David asked. "You know how helpless Chandler gets when you aren't around."
Monica tensed at the question. She knew David was only kidding, but he couldn't hide the slight bitter edge to his voice. It was no secret that David was still a little uncomfortable with them being a couple.
Chelsea gave Monica an encouraging smile. "Uh, well we were at the apartment, and Phoebe came by insisting on cleansing my aura... and Chelsea's too." Off everyone's laugh she continued, "So my excuse was valid. It's Phoebe.. need I say more?"
"So, Monica.. Chandler.. what do you guys have planned for us since it's our last night in town?," Chelsea asked.
"I don't know," Monica said. She looked at Chandler. "Honey?"
"I was thinking maybe, that is if Dave doesn't mind losing again, we could play a few games of pool... I mean since we're here."
"That was a cheap shot Chandler," David said.
"Sweetie, you lost?," Chelsea asked. She turned to Chandler. "How about we play teams. David and me against you and Monica."
Everyone looked at Monica. "Sure, I'd love to play." She turned to Chandler. "They are so gonna lose!," she whispered.
Chandler and Chelsea set up the table while David and Monica went to the bar to place their drink orders. They sat in an uncomfortable silence waiting on their order.
"So, Monica.."
She looked at him. "Yes?"
"I uh, I know its probably a little late, but.. I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"For everything." David paused. "This hasn't been easy on any of us, especially you, and I haven't made it any easier."
"David, it's okay. You had every right to be angry and hurt, and I apologize for being the cause."
"I appreciate it. And you're right. I was pissed and hurt and because of that I said and did some things I'll never be able to take back. I'm not trying to excuse my behavior, but I want you to know that I am sorry for it."
Monica smiled at him. "David, that means a lot to me, and Chandler, to hear you say that. I'm glad you've realized it."
"Chelsea is the reason. When I met her, I had just moved to D.C and I had so much anger in me. But she helped me see that I wasn't the only one who got hurt, and that I wasn't completely innocent. She was also the one who encouraged me to call Chandler."
"Then you're a very lucky man David."
"Yeah I know," he laughed.
They were quiet a few minutes before David broke the silence again.
"There's also something else. I hope what I'm about to say doesn't undermine my apology, but I want to be honest with you and Chandler if we're going to be friends."
Monica sensed what he was going to say, but remained silent.
"I'm still not all that comfortable with you two being together." David looked at Monica. "But I'm sure you already know that."
"I know its going to take some time before that happens," Monica replied, "But I think it'll happen eventually. And if it doesn't, you'll only see me during the holidays or something."
David laughed. "So you plan on being around for a long time?"
"As long as I can. I do love him, David. You may not understand that now, but hopefully you will soon. We didn't try to intentionally hurt you, but we wanted to be together."
Before David could respond the bartender gave them their order. By the time they'd gotten back to their table Chandler and Chelsea were ready to get the game started.
"Well this is it," Chelsea said. She and David were getting ready to board their train back to Washington, D.C.
"You got everything, right?," Monica asked.
"Yep. Except my boyfriend," she said, glancing over at David and Chandler. "I wonder what those two are gossiping about."
"Probably something they should've discussed a long time ago."
Chelsea smiled. "Oh, right."
"Well my man, this is where we part ways," David said. "Thanks for the invite. You know you shocked the hell out of me when you asked."
Chandler laughed. "That makes two of us, because I wasn't expecting you to call."
"That's me... full of surprises. You should come down to D.C. next month and visit." David glanced towards Chelsea and Monica. "You, and of course Monica."
"Are you serious? You mean you'll be okay with that?"
"Seriously, no. I mean I not dancing for joy, but I'm getting used to it. Monica and I had a talk last night and.."
"Whoa, wait a minute," Chandler interrupted. "You and Monica, actually had a conversation?"
"That's right," David said.
"So hell has indeed frozen over," Chandler said to himself.
"Anway, look.. I want you to be happy, and I know she makes you happy. She loves you, and I respect that."
"That's great. Okay then, so I'll talk to Monica about it."
"Yeah, but make sure it's a month or more from now. I'm still adjusting," David said.
"Okay man," Chandler laughed.
"So you'll come down in two weeks?," Chelsea asked.
Monica hesitated. "I'm not sure about that. I mean it's great David and Chandler are speaking again, but that's a little soon."
"Come on Monica, it'll be fun. And don't worry about David.. I know how to handle him."
"Okay then, I'll talk to Chandler about it."
"Great," Chelsea said. She smiled as Chandler and David made their way back over to them. "You ready to go?," she asked David.
"Yeah, ready as I'll ever be." David hugged Chandler goodbye, but hesitated when he turned to Monica. He gave her a light hug then quickly stepped away, and then Chelsea hugged them both.
"Oh, wait!," Chelsea exclaimed. "I wanted to get some pictures."
"That's a great idea. I wish I'd brought my camera," Monica said.
David looked down at his watch. "I don't think we have time for that."
"Come on David! Now go stand in between Chandler and Monica."
They posed for pictures and even got someone to take a picture of the four of them. David finally took the camera from Chelsea, insisting they were going to miss their train. They were finally about to leave when David turned towards Chandler and Monica with the camera in his hand.
"I need to take one more picture," he said.
"Oh, okay," Monica said, stepping out of the way.
"I can't get a good picture with you two so far away from each other, now can I?," David asked.
Monica smiled in surprise and they posed for the camera with Chandler hugging her from the back.
"That's a great picture," Chelsea said.
David snapped the photo. "Yeah it is. Some of my best work."
And with that last remark, David and Chelsea boarded the train. Monica and Chandler stood in shock at David's gesture to accept them being together.
"What did you say to him?," she asked.
"Nothing. At least I don't think I did."
"Oh." She watched the train take off then faced Chandler again. "You ready to go home?"
"Yep." They join hands as they start walking. "Hey, you think it's too soon for us to be living in such close quarters?"
Monica laughed. "Chandler, it's not like we're living together! You stay across the hall."
Chandler grinned. "I know, I just like how you freak out when I say that."
"You are so full of it," Monica said.
"Hey," he said wrapping his arms around her waist, "You can be full of something too if we hurry home."
"Ooh, I hope that's a promise," she said giggling. "Because I have a jones that needs to be satisfied."
Chandler kissed Monica on her neck. "A jones?"
"Yeah, it's a word Phoebe uses. It's kind of like a strong sexual attraction, and it basically means..." Monica whispers in his ear, "I want to make love to you, right now."
"Well if you want to satisfy this jones, I want to be supportive of that."
Monica laughed and dragged Chandler out of the train station, and they spent the entire even working on their love jones.
The End
Thanks for reading my series, and a big thank you to all those who reviewed it. Check out my other fics, visit my websites, and email me with any comments.