Part 6

[Well, I got a lot of you interested now, eh? Well, keep up the interest, it's about to get good. I'm not modest, LOL. Ok, well, on with the show. If you want to talk to me about this fic, you can e-mail me. I'm not reading my reviews anymore. I decided the whole reason I wanted to write fics was for me, and so why should I worry about the reviews? Also, I'm gonna be spoiler free this season, I think, and some people purposely write spoilers in the reviews. So I have to prepare for when the spoilers come out next month :)]

Chandler and Laura ended up going out once. They hadn't had a bad time, but not a great time. He saw she had some pretty annoying habits, kind of like Janice did. Minus the laugh, anyway. He could see them as good friends, but not really much more.

Laura however, had had a great time, and really liked Chandler. She hoped he'd call her and they could go out again, but after a month, she decided he wasn't going to.

So when he called her a week after that, she was surprised. But she wasn't sure that he was asking her out. He invited her to come with him and his kids to dinner at a pizza restaurant. It seemed more of a thing, not a thing. Maybe he just needed more time to grieve over his dead wife. However, she agreed to go with them to get pizza.

Audrey was all excited about her first week of school. She had had some problems being in a new school the first day of school, but after that, she seemed to enjoy it. She had the same teacher as Sam had had, Miss Harris. After the first week, she was acting like she had been in that class forever. She and Sam were also taking swimming classes. They had been begging for a pool forever, and they were finally going to get one- as soon as they knew how to swim better. Every Memorial Day* they had a party. Mostly it was just the gang and some other people. Rachel had started it, but somehow convinced Chandler to let it be at his house.

*Memorial Day, here in the US, is a holiday when we remember all the people who died in the wars, etc. I dunno if any other countries celebrate it , but I know some DON'T. It's also the unofficial start of summer.

The night they were going to go out with pizza with Laura, Audrey was all excited. She had met Laura once, and liked her a lot. She also wished Laura would become her Mom. If Chandler talked to any woman who wasn't married, Audrey wanted him to marry her.

Things were going smoothly at first. Audrey followed Laura around the whole time. She sat next to her, she went to the bathroom when she did, she drank the same drinks as her. Chandler knew that at the end of the night she was gonna be asking him if he wanted to marry Laura.

It was towards the middle of dinner when Chandler made a joke which Laura thought was funny. She laughed, then leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Sam didn't like that. He was the opposite of Audrey; he still remembered his mom and didn't want to replace her. So when Laura did this, he reached across the table and knocked her glass of water into her lap.

Chandler said. Why did you do that?

Audrey whined. Now she's gonna wanna go hooooome.

he said, standing up. You can't be my Mom! Ever! he started to leave the table, but Chandler stopped him.

Sam, I want you to apologize to Laura. Right now.

Sam told him.

he said warningly. That was very inappropriate behavior. I want you to apologize to her now.

he mumbled.

I am so sorry, Chandler told Laura. I'm gonna take them home, and talk to him. He turned to Sam and Audrey. Let's go.

Awww, Daddy, Audrey whined. I didn't do anything! I like Laura!

he said warningly. She got up and headed to the door with them. Bye Laura! she yelled back.

Don't say good bye to her, Sam told his sister. She just ignored him.

Bye, Audrey. Call me, Chandler, Laura said, trying to dry off her pants.
Chandler didn't respond, just left.

* * * *

Okay, you two. We need to have a talk, Chandler told them later that night. They were sitting on the couch, and he was sitting on the table facing them.

But Daddy, I didn't do anything, Audrey complained.

You think, Chandler said.

I didn't poor water on Laura's lap!

I know that, Audrey. We need to talk about something else.



You'll see in a minute, he told her. Then he turned to Sam. So, why'd you do it?

She kissed you.

So, Sam? That's good. Maybe they're ready to ge married now! Audrey told him.

Audrey, that's the bad part! Sam complained

Audrey defended herself.

Sam, she only kissed my cheek, Chandler told him.

Yeah, today. Tomorrow she'll be kissing your lips. Then she'll kiss you like Mommy kissed you.



She'll never be my Mom. I STILL HAVE a mom.

I know you do.

I don't want her to replace her.

Oh, Sam, that's never going to happen. You'll always know you have a real mom. And no one can replace her, you know that. Especially with me. You think I'm gonna be able to marry anyone just like that? You guys, you mom was really special to me. I didn't marry her just to marry someone. I married her because I loved her. A lot. And I wouldn't count on me finding that again. At least anytime soon. But that still doesn't mean it's EVER right to throw a glass of water on someone's lap, Sam. You understand that?

Sam replied looking down at the floor.

And Audrey, Chandler continued. You like Laura, I understand that. You want a mom, I understand that. You want a little sister or brother, I understand that. But you've gotta stop pressuring me to get married. Sweetie, you gotta understand that I can't just yet. And it'll take a long time before it happens if it does. You know I'd do anything to make you happy. BOTH of you. But that's just crossing the line.

Okay, Daddy. I'm sorry, Audrey said, giving him a hug.

Yeah, me too, Sam agreed. I'll never do that again, with the water.



Audrey asked.



Can I play Soccer?

Now? It's late, and it's dark outside....

No. I mean on that AYSO team. (AYSO is soccer teams for little kids, they usually play on Saturdays, I think.)

I guess so, he said, puzzled by the randomness of the question.

she said, and jumped up and headed towards her room.

* * * * * *

Not only was Audrey now playing soccer, but she had also joined the younger kids swim team where she took swimming lessons. Sam had felt left out because he did nothing. Ross said he should do Karate. (From his KaraTE days.) So he did. Soon, Audrey wanted to do that, too. Chandler told her they'd have to see.

* * *

Hey guys, Rachel said as she and Ross stepped into Chandler's house, around Toffee, who was barking and jumping up at them. Joey and Phoebe were also there.

Joey replied.

Guess what? Ross said.

What? That juggling monkey is back? Phoebe asked.

Ross said.

We're gonna have a baby! Rachel said. The room got silent at first, except for Toffee, then everyone started with the congratulations.

Wow, finally! Joey said, hugging them. I remember the day I found out Ross had a crush on Rachel. Back in the Paolo days, he reminisced.

Rachel said. Little Alyce, with a Y, or-

Sophie, Ross added.

Or Hunter, Rachel finished her sentence.

Or Maxwell, Ross added.

Well, I see they're agreeing on the names, Phoebe joked.

Big time, Chandler agreed.

Oh yeah, Joey added.

Hey, you're one to talk, Rachel told Joey. You always push for Joseph or Josephine.

Oh, hey, if it's a boy..... Joey started.

Ross and Rachel said together.

Maybe I'll name MY baby after Joey, Phoebe said. Everyone looked at her. Oops, I guess I let the secret out, she told them. Ah, well, She shrugged and went back to eating her bagel. Everyone was still staring at her.

* * * * * * *

Hey, Chandler,

Laura? What, what are you doing here? he asked, surprised to see her at Audrey's game.

Came to see Audrey play, Laura said, gesturing towards the soccer game going on. And maybe set up another date. No glasses of water to cut it short this time.

Look, Laura, I'm kinda glad it did cut short.

What? Why?

Look, Laura, you're really great. But I'm not in the place to have a relationship right now. I-

Chandler, you're wife died almost four years ago. Audrey was two. She's gonna be six.

Time doesn't mean anything. Sam's having trouble with all this. He's my son. He has to come before my dates. And, Laura, she may be dead, but I still love her. I'm still wearing my wedding ring. I CAN'T take it off. You want to have a relationship with a guy who still wears his wedding ring, and who's son will hate you because he doesn't want anyone to replace his mom?

But Chandler, we could have something special.

Could, Laura. Now is not the time.

Chandler, c'mon! Give me a chance! I kiss good. And Audrey loves me!

Laura, look,- he was cut off by Laura leaning in and kissing him.

she almost pleaded. Give me a chance. Give US a chance.

You'll make some guy very happy. But it's not me. With that, Laura huffed off in the other direction.

Goodbye, Laura, Chandler muttered. Hope you saw that, Mon. Four years and I still love you as much as before.

* * * * *

Daddy, did you see me score the goal today? Audrey asked excited, after her soccer game the next week.

I sure did, Auds. And I think we should go celebrate. Ice-cream sound good?

Audrey frowned for a minute. Auds? Audrey? he asked.

she asked, snapping out of it.

Are you okay, there?

Ice-cream for dinner, she said.

You want ice-cream for dinner? Chandler asked.

No. I, I remember that.



Mommy- Mommy saying you gave us ice-cream for dinner.

Oh yeah! Sam remembered. They day she left!

I remember, Audrey said.

Chandler put his arms around her shoulders. I'm glad you do.

Audrey smiled at him. Me, too,

Okay, so guys, what do you say? Ice-cream? Chandler asked.

They both loudly agreed.

* * * * * * * * *

Six months later, Audrey had gotten her wish, and was doing karate. Along with swimming and soccer. She and Sam had both done well in their swimming lessons, so, as promised, they had gotten a pool. Ross and Rachel were still arguing over the baby's name, Alyce or Sophie, for a girl. Rachel had changed her number one boy's name to Trevor, instead of Hunter, but now Ross liked the name Hunter better than Maxwell. She was eight months pregnant, and it was clear, the name thing was gonna be a problem. Annabel was pregnant again, too. Ashley was almost one, and Jake was almost five. She was six months pregnant, and saying a very small MAYBE to Josephine for a girl.

It had almost been four years since the plane crash Monica was in. Everyone on the island was thinking pessimistically by now. They thought they may as well be planning on living here forever.

Natasha had gotten very ill and passed away. It was very sad, and everyone realized just how dangerous life was here. They didn't take it well. Since then, emotions were rising on the island.

*

Brenda Martin had just started her job working for Discovery Channel. Her job was to think of things to do documentaries on. She decided, for the upcoming four year anniversary of the plane crash to do a story on it. There had never been any survivors or bodies found, so it would be of interest. They could interview the families, stuff like that. The ones who agreed, anyway. They could also fly over the crash site. For a dramatic appeal at the end of the show.

She set up a crew to go get the footage of the area surrounding the crash. She didn't know it at the time, but she was about to uncover a much more interesting story.

* * * * * * *

Rachel had the baby. It was a girl.

The name arguing went on for a week. Alyce or Sophie - or Josephine. (Joey's suggestion). Finally, Ross gave in, and she was Alyce Sophie Geller. Phoebe had her baby, a boy, and named him Houston. The father didn't want to be involved.

* * * *

Monica was noticing things again. This time it was the one month until the four year crash anniversary. Four years ago in May. It seemed so much longer.

It was later that day when she thought she heard an airplane or helicopter. But she figured it was probably her imagination. Like that time Alan saw a boat. But then Kathy and Simon heard it. Then Alan heard it. They all started jumping up and down and or screaming, even though they couldn't see the plane yet. When they did see it, they noticed it was flying low and slow. It seemed to be taking pictures of something.

* * * * *

Can I make a polite request? Alan asked. They were on the plane. It seemed like a dream. Like airplanes had been a million years ago. It was hard to believe they were finally rescued. The pilots had told them the whole documentary story.

What's that? The pilot asked.

Don't publicize our being home. Yet, anyway. Don't tell the news.

Sure. But why not? the pilot asked, curiously.

We want to surprise our families, Kathy explained.

Sure then, the pilot agreed. Why not?

* * * * *

They were dropped off at a shelter, where they could shower and get clean clothes. There was a lady there who did all their hair. Most of them had taken care of it partially with a brush they had found, but it was pretty dirty. By the time they were done, they all felt better than they had in a long time. Clean and back in civilization. But now was the real part Monica was afraid of. Going home. She was afraid a lot of changes might have gone on there.

She took a taxi to where she used to live, after sharing emotional goodbyes with all her castaway friends. She was afraid that maybe Chandler had moved after she died'. But she had to try. Most likely, he wouldn't of. She knew Sam would be eight by now, and Audrey six. She was pretty sure she was gonna be forgotten. By at least Audrey, and probably Sam, too. She worried the whole way there. When she got there, she paid the taxi driver with money she had gotten at the shelter she had been at.

She felt a really nervous feeling in her stomach. She walked up to the door, and stopped nervously. What if some other family lives here? She thought. Or he's married with a baby? She was about to turn and leave, when she stopped. She had to know. She had been waiting for this for four long years. Before she could change her mind, she knocked on the door. Oh, what if he's married, what if he' s married? she wondered. She looked at her hands. Her wedding ring! Even after all the years on the island and the crash, she still had her wedding ring. It was just about all she had anymore, she figured. If he was married, and she still wore her wedding ring, he'd feel sorry for her. She didn't want that. She put her hand in her pocket, trying to slip the ring off. She was so busy worrying with the ring that she didn't plan on what to say when he opened the door. A few seconds later, she heard footsteps coming to the door. Then she heard things moving around and someone mutter something about Audrey and burglar traps. She was still trying to slip the ring off when the door opened. As soon as it opened, she pulled her hand out of her pocket, the ring still on.

Chandler had gone to the door expecting Phoebe or a salesman. When he opened it, he just about died. Seriously. He's first thought was that someone who looked exactly like Monica was on his doorstep. Then he realized. It WAS Monica. Monica, dead Monica. Or, apparently, not so dead Monica. He covered his mouth with his hand.

Oh, oh my God, was all he could manage to say, his mind still trying to figure out what happened. Monica felt her heart skip a beat when she heard his voice.

Yeah, ummmm, hi, Monica told him. Chandler's stomach dropped as he heard her voice. The voice he had thought he'd never hear again.

was all he could say.