TOW All the Stress
The girls rushed the cab driver as much as they possibly could, so they could get to the hospital faster. They finally got there, and Rachel held her breath, and prayed a silent prayer for all of her friends. She knew that they were all going to be in for a shock. She told the girls to wait and pay the cab driver while she found out where they were supposed to go. She flew toward the receptionist, and asked where the victims of the hold-up were being held. The receptionist's face told her that it wasn't going to be a pretty sight, but told her that everyone involved had been taken to the fourth floor, and took up over half of it.
The girls finally got back from the cab, and they all waited for the elevator. When the doors finally opened the girls got on, and Rachel realized that they still didn't know what was going on. She looked at them and said, "Mon, Pheebs, Ross is ok." They sighed with relief, but then Monica caught on. She said, "Chandler? Is Chandler okay?" Rachel started crying, and Monica knew what the answer was. It took Phoebe a minute, but then she got hysterical, "Rachel! Joey! Where's Joey? Rachel, tell me he's okay." Through her sobs, she told Phoebe that Joey was okay, physically, but they weren't sure how mentally stable he was. The elevator doors finally opened again, and the three looked around nervously, scared of what they were about to find. A few seconds later, Ross was turning the corner, and saw the girls looking lost. He shouted, "Rach! Over here!" And she ran to him for the comfort and assurance that he was really okay. She began to sob uncontrollably, and he just kept murmuring in her ear, "Rach, I'm really okay. I promise. It'll be okay. I love you." And she just looked up, and kissed him hard, like she was scared she would never have another chance.
Monica and Phoebe, on the other hand, had to find strength and comfort in each other. Monica walked down the corridor, and found the first availible doctor, and cornered him. She said, "Excuse me, sir, my husband was a victim of today's hold-up, and I was just wondering if he was alive or not." The doctor looked her square in the eye and said, "We've already lost almost half of the men that were shot, but a few are alive, Who's your husband?"
"Chandler Bing."
The doctor sighed, and said, "Well, ma'am, you're a very lucky woman, he's in surgery right now to repair the damage the bullet did. He came in unconscious, but he's been awake since then. He's going to be fine. It was just a flesh wound, and we figure he was unconscious because of all the mishaps that were going on."
"What mishaps?"
"Oh, my, you haven't heard yet? Oh dear, I really should get back to work."
"No, please, wait, please tell me what happened?"
"Okay, the mand that held-up the store was a big sicko. He molested many of the victims."
Monica turned white, and extended her hand, and said, "Thank you for telling me. Would you please let me know when my husband is out of surgery? My name's Monica Bing."
The doctor's eyes softened a bit, and he said, "Sure thing, Mrs. Bing."
Phoebe had never been more scared in her life. It was the first time she had ever felt this way about any guy, and now she wasn't even sure it was safe to be around him. Joey had always been her shelter, and she had grown dependent on him, and now he needed her -- badly. She wasn't quite sure how to handle that. She finally worked up her courage, and walked up to a police officer. She shyly approached him, and laid out her case, "Sir... my name's Phoebe Buffay, like you care, but still. I have two friends who were inside the store at today's hold-up, and I know that one was shot, and the other wasn't, but anyways, by chance, do could you happen to tell me where Joseph Tribbiani is?"
"Sure, Miss, he's down that hall, three doors down, to your left. He was just questioned, and he's feeling a bit better now that it's all over, but he's still shaken up."
Phoebe sighed with relief, and went to find her Joey. She walked into the room quietly, and saw him laying down, shaking. Joey was crying. Phoebe gathered every last ounce of courage, and walked over there, and sat down at the foot of the bed. He looked up at her, and started crying even harder. She did too, and she threw her arms around him, for they both needed the comfort. They finally broke apart, and Joey, very quietly whispered, "Thank God. I thought you'd never get here, Pheebs. It was just awful! I'm so sorry that you have to see me like this, but thank you so much for being here. You're an answer to my prayer, almost like my own personal down-on-earth guardian angel."
Phoebe just grinned, and said, "It was nothing. I love you too much to lose you."
"I love you too, Pheebs."
She hesitantly asked, "Joey, if it's okay, would you tell me what happened tonight?"
His eyes clouded over, but he knew she would find out anyways, so he figured it was best that she found out from him.
"No problem. See Ross, Chandler, and me were out buying stuff to make you girls a dinner at Ross's place, and renting movies for afterwards. We wanted to surprise you because you all had been working so hard Rachel's wedding, and helping her get prepared for the twins, and Ross offered to pay. So we went in, and were picking out food, and movies and stuff, and we went up to pay, and we handed Ross the keys, and told him to go start up the car for us. So he did. The cashier was about to hand us the reciept, when this man dressed in black from head-to-toe came in and announced that it was a stick-up. Our cashier bent down and pressed the silent alarm, but the man caught him in the act. He took everyone in our line, including us, and lined us up against the magazines. We were all pretty silent, and there were only 3 lanes open, and only about 20 of us in the store. But he pulled out a gun, and told us that if we made any sudden moves, he would shoot this young lady who looked about 22 or 23. Chandler got so mad! But fortunately he wasn't the first to make a move, 3 other guys did, and they about died right there. Chandler was right behind them, and he was shot as well. He was still breathing and stuff, and I was thankful 'cuz he was conscious. I was scared out of mind, and I didn't dare move to try to help my friend. I'm so ashamed now.
Anyways, the man promised us we wouldn't get hurt, as long as we did what he wanted us to do. The 22-23 year old woman was the first he turned to. He told her to get naked, and she just screamed, "NO, NO, NO!" By then, the police had arrived, but they wouldn't come in for awhile yet. The man raped that pretty girl right there in front of us. I almost cried right there. Then he turned to the man whom the girl was with, and tried to rape him as well. The man kicked him, and he shot him. He turned to another man who was about 40 or so, and just molested him right there... Phoebe, it was so awful, you have no idea. He shot him after he was done. Then, he turned to me. I wanted to run, to jump out the window, anything! But I couldn't move. He did it to me too, Pheebs. I was molested by a man! I had never been more scared, ashamed, and embarrassed in my life. And Chandler saw it. He looked me in the eye, and then passed out. I can see why though. I would've done the same. And he turned to another woman, as two men came up from behind him and grabbed him. I ran out, screaming to the police. And then it was over. They brought me here, and questioned me. I was so hysterical though! I even slapped Ross! It's just, I was so scared..."
"Shhhh.... Joey, honey, it's okay now. I'm here with you, and I will be as long as you want me too. I promise."
"Phoebe, just stay here with me tonight. I love you so much, I need you here with me right now. Please."
"I promise."
So she stayed with him all night, just holding him, and letting him release all of his anger, fear, and hurt. He cried for hours, and she just rocked him, and tried to be as soothing as possible. He eventually fell asleep in her arms, and later on, she fell asleep too.
Rachel was scared to death for her friends. She had never seen Monica so panicked and Phoebe so distraught. It was all new to her. She was the one that usually was in need of a shoulder, the one that cried at the dumbest stuff, the weak one. And now it had switched, and she was the strong one, and she wasn't quite sure how to handle the role yet. She was more than thankful, though, that Ross was okay, and that he was there to help her. She didn't know if she could've handled the pressure without him there. He was very consoling and comforting, and just held her while she cried.
After a few hours of waiting, they decided that they should probably find the others, so they went searching for them. They found Joey and Phoebe in a room down the hall. Joey was still asleep, but Phoebe was awake, looking relieved and scared at the same time. She didn't even look up when Ross and Rachel went in. They walked over to her, and asked how Joey was. Her ashen face rose, and met their quizzical eyes. Phoebe looked pale, tired, and upset. But she also looked happy. She slowly replied in a whisper, "Well... he's going to be just fine now. Rach... he loves me. I love him too. Rachel... HE loves ME!" He told me so, himself. I know that it's cruel to be happy in a time like this, but he loves me! We're in love! Yay!" Rachel's somber expression lit up into a smile. She hugged Phoebe, and turned to Ross, and said, "Let's leave these two alone right now." Ross agreed, and they left them there -- alone.
Monica was in the waiting room, clutching her knees to her chest, when Ross and Rachel came around the corner. They didn't say a word, they just sat there, and stroked her hair and let her cry. She need to cry so badly, and it felt good to get it all out of her system. She went white when she saw the doctor whom she had spoken to earlier, he approached her with a grim expression, took his glasses off, and said, "Mrs. Bing... your husband is...." Monica went ballistic, she cried out, "He's dead isn't he? You lost him, didn't you? Why Chandler?!? WHY?!?" The doctor shot her a funny look, and said, "No, he's just fine. He just came out of surgery a couple hours ago, and is now off the anestesia. He's fine now, just stitched up a bit. And... he's asking for you." Monica's face brightened up, and she took off down the hall screaming cries of joy.
Ross looked at Rachel, who was crying of relief. He held her close to him, and said, "Rach, honey, I'm going to go see Chandler now, okay? You stay here and wait for Pheebs. I just want to be there while the police question him. Okay?" Rachel looked relieved, and said, "Yeah, Ross, you go ahead." And he did.
Rachel just sat down, and thought for a long time. Then she did something she hadn't done in a long time. She looked up at the heavens, got down, and gave thanks to God for saving her best friends' lives and sanities. It never occurred to her that she was a factor in helping them remain calm. It never occurred that now she was going to be a rock upon which they all depended. But that was okay. She just knew that her friends were okay, and that was enough for now. It just seemed ironic that the spoiled, afraid, little girl that had fled her own wedding had grown into a humble, confident, strong women who never thought of herself anymore. The one thing in life that she should have been proud of, she was totally clueless about. But her friends knew it, they could see it, and now more than ever, did they need her. Rachel thought for a few minutes, and then looked down at her slowly growing stomach, she rubbed it, and said, "Hey, there little babies. It's your mommy. I don't know who your daddy is, but it won't matter who it is, because your mommy, and Ross and Joey, and Aunt Monica, and Aunt Phoebe love you two more than you'll ever know. :) I'm going to marry Ross, kids, and you know what? I love him so much already, I've never been so ready for anything in my life."
Ross, was watching the humble scene take place after he went in to check on Chandler, who was doing fine, and he let a few tears fall. He walked over to Rachel, got on his knees (eye-level w/ her tummy) and said, "Twins, I love your mommy just as much as she loves me, and if in fact, she'd let me, I'd marry her tonight. She... she... Rachel, you... You complete me." Rachel looked at him with wide-eyes, and said, "We could get married tonight?" He replied, "If you wanted it." Rachel shrieked with happiness, and said, "No, not tonight, after Chandler is released, we'll get married immediately, let's say in a month. Ross looked at this newly grown woman with amazement, and took her into his arms, and kissed her. And said, "Okay, Rachel Karen Green, a month it is!" And her eyes sparkled divinely.
The girls rushed the cab driver as much as they possibly could, so they could get to the hospital faster. They finally got there, and Rachel held her breath, and prayed a silent prayer for all of her friends. She knew that they were all going to be in for a shock. She told the girls to wait and pay the cab driver while she found out where they were supposed to go. She flew toward the receptionist, and asked where the victims of the hold-up were being held. The receptionist's face told her that it wasn't going to be a pretty sight, but told her that everyone involved had been taken to the fourth floor, and took up over half of it.
The girls finally got back from the cab, and they all waited for the elevator. When the doors finally opened the girls got on, and Rachel realized that they still didn't know what was going on. She looked at them and said, "Mon, Pheebs, Ross is ok." They sighed with relief, but then Monica caught on. She said, "Chandler? Is Chandler okay?" Rachel started crying, and Monica knew what the answer was. It took Phoebe a minute, but then she got hysterical, "Rachel! Joey! Where's Joey? Rachel, tell me he's okay." Through her sobs, she told Phoebe that Joey was okay, physically, but they weren't sure how mentally stable he was. The elevator doors finally opened again, and the three looked around nervously, scared of what they were about to find. A few seconds later, Ross was turning the corner, and saw the girls looking lost. He shouted, "Rach! Over here!" And she ran to him for the comfort and assurance that he was really okay. She began to sob uncontrollably, and he just kept murmuring in her ear, "Rach, I'm really okay. I promise. It'll be okay. I love you." And she just looked up, and kissed him hard, like she was scared she would never have another chance.
Monica and Phoebe, on the other hand, had to find strength and comfort in each other. Monica walked down the corridor, and found the first availible doctor, and cornered him. She said, "Excuse me, sir, my husband was a victim of today's hold-up, and I was just wondering if he was alive or not." The doctor looked her square in the eye and said, "We've already lost almost half of the men that were shot, but a few are alive, Who's your husband?"
"Chandler Bing."
The doctor sighed, and said, "Well, ma'am, you're a very lucky woman, he's in surgery right now to repair the damage the bullet did. He came in unconscious, but he's been awake since then. He's going to be fine. It was just a flesh wound, and we figure he was unconscious because of all the mishaps that were going on."
"What mishaps?"
"Oh, my, you haven't heard yet? Oh dear, I really should get back to work."
"No, please, wait, please tell me what happened?"
"Okay, the mand that held-up the store was a big sicko. He molested many of the victims."
Monica turned white, and extended her hand, and said, "Thank you for telling me. Would you please let me know when my husband is out of surgery? My name's Monica Bing."
The doctor's eyes softened a bit, and he said, "Sure thing, Mrs. Bing."
Phoebe had never been more scared in her life. It was the first time she had ever felt this way about any guy, and now she wasn't even sure it was safe to be around him. Joey had always been her shelter, and she had grown dependent on him, and now he needed her -- badly. She wasn't quite sure how to handle that. She finally worked up her courage, and walked up to a police officer. She shyly approached him, and laid out her case, "Sir... my name's Phoebe Buffay, like you care, but still. I have two friends who were inside the store at today's hold-up, and I know that one was shot, and the other wasn't, but anyways, by chance, do could you happen to tell me where Joseph Tribbiani is?"
"Sure, Miss, he's down that hall, three doors down, to your left. He was just questioned, and he's feeling a bit better now that it's all over, but he's still shaken up."
Phoebe sighed with relief, and went to find her Joey. She walked into the room quietly, and saw him laying down, shaking. Joey was crying. Phoebe gathered every last ounce of courage, and walked over there, and sat down at the foot of the bed. He looked up at her, and started crying even harder. She did too, and she threw her arms around him, for they both needed the comfort. They finally broke apart, and Joey, very quietly whispered, "Thank God. I thought you'd never get here, Pheebs. It was just awful! I'm so sorry that you have to see me like this, but thank you so much for being here. You're an answer to my prayer, almost like my own personal down-on-earth guardian angel."
Phoebe just grinned, and said, "It was nothing. I love you too much to lose you."
"I love you too, Pheebs."
She hesitantly asked, "Joey, if it's okay, would you tell me what happened tonight?"
His eyes clouded over, but he knew she would find out anyways, so he figured it was best that she found out from him.
"No problem. See Ross, Chandler, and me were out buying stuff to make you girls a dinner at Ross's place, and renting movies for afterwards. We wanted to surprise you because you all had been working so hard Rachel's wedding, and helping her get prepared for the twins, and Ross offered to pay. So we went in, and were picking out food, and movies and stuff, and we went up to pay, and we handed Ross the keys, and told him to go start up the car for us. So he did. The cashier was about to hand us the reciept, when this man dressed in black from head-to-toe came in and announced that it was a stick-up. Our cashier bent down and pressed the silent alarm, but the man caught him in the act. He took everyone in our line, including us, and lined us up against the magazines. We were all pretty silent, and there were only 3 lanes open, and only about 20 of us in the store. But he pulled out a gun, and told us that if we made any sudden moves, he would shoot this young lady who looked about 22 or 23. Chandler got so mad! But fortunately he wasn't the first to make a move, 3 other guys did, and they about died right there. Chandler was right behind them, and he was shot as well. He was still breathing and stuff, and I was thankful 'cuz he was conscious. I was scared out of mind, and I didn't dare move to try to help my friend. I'm so ashamed now.
Anyways, the man promised us we wouldn't get hurt, as long as we did what he wanted us to do. The 22-23 year old woman was the first he turned to. He told her to get naked, and she just screamed, "NO, NO, NO!" By then, the police had arrived, but they wouldn't come in for awhile yet. The man raped that pretty girl right there in front of us. I almost cried right there. Then he turned to the man whom the girl was with, and tried to rape him as well. The man kicked him, and he shot him. He turned to another man who was about 40 or so, and just molested him right there... Phoebe, it was so awful, you have no idea. He shot him after he was done. Then, he turned to me. I wanted to run, to jump out the window, anything! But I couldn't move. He did it to me too, Pheebs. I was molested by a man! I had never been more scared, ashamed, and embarrassed in my life. And Chandler saw it. He looked me in the eye, and then passed out. I can see why though. I would've done the same. And he turned to another woman, as two men came up from behind him and grabbed him. I ran out, screaming to the police. And then it was over. They brought me here, and questioned me. I was so hysterical though! I even slapped Ross! It's just, I was so scared..."
"Shhhh.... Joey, honey, it's okay now. I'm here with you, and I will be as long as you want me too. I promise."
"Phoebe, just stay here with me tonight. I love you so much, I need you here with me right now. Please."
"I promise."
So she stayed with him all night, just holding him, and letting him release all of his anger, fear, and hurt. He cried for hours, and she just rocked him, and tried to be as soothing as possible. He eventually fell asleep in her arms, and later on, she fell asleep too.
Rachel was scared to death for her friends. She had never seen Monica so panicked and Phoebe so distraught. It was all new to her. She was the one that usually was in need of a shoulder, the one that cried at the dumbest stuff, the weak one. And now it had switched, and she was the strong one, and she wasn't quite sure how to handle the role yet. She was more than thankful, though, that Ross was okay, and that he was there to help her. She didn't know if she could've handled the pressure without him there. He was very consoling and comforting, and just held her while she cried.
After a few hours of waiting, they decided that they should probably find the others, so they went searching for them. They found Joey and Phoebe in a room down the hall. Joey was still asleep, but Phoebe was awake, looking relieved and scared at the same time. She didn't even look up when Ross and Rachel went in. They walked over to her, and asked how Joey was. Her ashen face rose, and met their quizzical eyes. Phoebe looked pale, tired, and upset. But she also looked happy. She slowly replied in a whisper, "Well... he's going to be just fine now. Rach... he loves me. I love him too. Rachel... HE loves ME!" He told me so, himself. I know that it's cruel to be happy in a time like this, but he loves me! We're in love! Yay!" Rachel's somber expression lit up into a smile. She hugged Phoebe, and turned to Ross, and said, "Let's leave these two alone right now." Ross agreed, and they left them there -- alone.
Monica was in the waiting room, clutching her knees to her chest, when Ross and Rachel came around the corner. They didn't say a word, they just sat there, and stroked her hair and let her cry. She need to cry so badly, and it felt good to get it all out of her system. She went white when she saw the doctor whom she had spoken to earlier, he approached her with a grim expression, took his glasses off, and said, "Mrs. Bing... your husband is...." Monica went ballistic, she cried out, "He's dead isn't he? You lost him, didn't you? Why Chandler?!? WHY?!?" The doctor shot her a funny look, and said, "No, he's just fine. He just came out of surgery a couple hours ago, and is now off the anestesia. He's fine now, just stitched up a bit. And... he's asking for you." Monica's face brightened up, and she took off down the hall screaming cries of joy.
Ross looked at Rachel, who was crying of relief. He held her close to him, and said, "Rach, honey, I'm going to go see Chandler now, okay? You stay here and wait for Pheebs. I just want to be there while the police question him. Okay?" Rachel looked relieved, and said, "Yeah, Ross, you go ahead." And he did.
Rachel just sat down, and thought for a long time. Then she did something she hadn't done in a long time. She looked up at the heavens, got down, and gave thanks to God for saving her best friends' lives and sanities. It never occurred to her that she was a factor in helping them remain calm. It never occurred that now she was going to be a rock upon which they all depended. But that was okay. She just knew that her friends were okay, and that was enough for now. It just seemed ironic that the spoiled, afraid, little girl that had fled her own wedding had grown into a humble, confident, strong women who never thought of herself anymore. The one thing in life that she should have been proud of, she was totally clueless about. But her friends knew it, they could see it, and now more than ever, did they need her. Rachel thought for a few minutes, and then looked down at her slowly growing stomach, she rubbed it, and said, "Hey, there little babies. It's your mommy. I don't know who your daddy is, but it won't matter who it is, because your mommy, and Ross and Joey, and Aunt Monica, and Aunt Phoebe love you two more than you'll ever know. :) I'm going to marry Ross, kids, and you know what? I love him so much already, I've never been so ready for anything in my life."
Ross, was watching the humble scene take place after he went in to check on Chandler, who was doing fine, and he let a few tears fall. He walked over to Rachel, got on his knees (eye-level w/ her tummy) and said, "Twins, I love your mommy just as much as she loves me, and if in fact, she'd let me, I'd marry her tonight. She... she... Rachel, you... You complete me." Rachel looked at him with wide-eyes, and said, "We could get married tonight?" He replied, "If you wanted it." Rachel shrieked with happiness, and said, "No, not tonight, after Chandler is released, we'll get married immediately, let's say in a month. Ross looked at this newly grown woman with amazement, and took her into his arms, and kissed her. And said, "Okay, Rachel Karen Green, a month it is!" And her eyes sparkled divinely.