The Pact, Part Five
2007
"Mon, that was one of your best meals ever!" Joey exclaimed.
"I have missed this food," Ross chimed in.
"Thanks guys," Monica said, smiling broadly. She was truly happy for what seemed like the first time in a
very long time. She knew that it was because her apartment was bustling with friends again.
The group moved to the living room. Chandler, Monica and Rachel took the couch, with Elaina on Chandler's lap.
Ross and Emily took the chair, and Joey and Pheobe took the floor. Monica smiled. Although her furniture was different,
her obsessive-compulsive side meant that she had set up her living room exactly the same. Consequently, her friends moved
into their familiar spots. Monica's thoughts was interrupted when Pheobe's cell phone rang. She stood up, and took the call in
the kitchen.
"So, Joey, are you dating any famous actresses?" Ross asked.
"Nah, actresses are too spoiled," Joey replied. "But I am seeing this production assistant. Man, she is hot!"
Ross laughed. "Why didn't you bring her?"
"She's working on the new Keanu Reeves movie," he said non-chalantly.
"Oh, no, are they making another Matrix sequel? Because 'Matrix 3' kinda sucked," Rachel scrunched up her nose.
"No, it's some romantic comedy, I think," Joey said.
"Monica," Pheobe interrupted, "Do you mind if Mike drops the kids off here?" Pheobe knew her husband had to work, but she
wasn't ready to leave her friends.
"Not at all, Pheebs," Monica replied, "But first you have to tell us about this husband of yours."
2003
"I can't believe you are going to Hollywood!" Pheobe exclaimed. She, Ross and Joey sat in the terminal at LaGuardia airport,
waiting for Joey's flight to be called.
"I know! Our group is shrinking so fast!" Ross added.
"Maybe it won't be forever," Joey said optimistically.
"Aw, you'll move to California, and you'll forget all about us," Pheobe said.
"Pheebs, that would never happen. I'm not gonna pull a Chandler," Joey said bitterly.
"Or a Monica," Ross added.
"Or a..." Pheobe stopped before saying Rachel's name, and glanced apologetically at Ross.
Suddenly, a muffled voice filled the room.
"Flight 895 to Los Angeles is now boarding at Gate 51."
"That's me," Joey said, hugging his friends. "Don't worry. I'll be back!"
Pheobe watched her best friend board the plane, knowing in her heart that it would be a long time before she saw him again.
2004
Pheobe lost contact with Ross soon after Joey left. It seemed that they just had no common links anymore. Everyone else was
gone. Eventually, Ross had met a girl in Central Park, and had just stopped calling altogether. Pheobe decided it was time to make
contact with her family. She set out to find her father, by hiring a private investigator.
"Miss Buffay?" said the short haired receptionist.
"Yes," Pheobe said nervously, as she followed the receptionist.
They walked through a narrow corridor into a small, cramped office. A man in jeans and a dark
shirt was standing in the office, his back turned to the door, as he fumbled through a filing cabinet.
There was no air conditioning, and consequently, there were three fans blowing in different directions
through the tiny office.
"Mike, your 2:30 is here," The receptionist said, and left before he replied.
Mike slid the cabinet shut, and looked at Pheobe. Pheobe was taken aback by how good-looking the
man was. Mike stared back at Pheobe, obviously in awe of what stood before him as well.
After a short moment, Mike finally spoke.
"Uh, Miss Buffay, is it?"
"Pheobe."
"Pheobe. Hi, I'm Mike Martinez. I um, understand you are looking for your father?"
2007
"So, Mike helped me track down my father and my half-brother, and when we finished working together,
he asked me out!"
"Aw," Monica said dreamily.
"So, do you keep in contact with your father then?" Chandler asked softly.
"No, he turned out to be not so nice. But I still talk to Frank Jr.--my half-brother."
"What about Ursula?" Rachel asked.
Pheobe winced. She had few regrets in her life, but one she did have was that she never reconciled
with her sister.
2006
"Honey, it's for you," Mike said, carrying Mark, his five-year-old son from a previous relationship
back into the kitchen.
"Thanks," Pheobe said, putting down her 3 month old baby and walking to the phone.
"Hello? Yes, this is Pheobe Buffay. Yes. What? Oh my...yes, I'll be right there!"
"Pheobe, what's wrong?" Mike called out from the other room.
"It's my sister. She's been hit by a car. I have to go to the hospital," Pheobe said, her voice shaking.
"Okay, um, I'll watch the boys. Don't worry sweetie, I'm sure she'll be fine."
2007
"Ursula was dead by the time I got there," Pheobe said quietly.
"Oh Pheebs! That's horrible!" Joey said.
"I'm so sorry, honey," Rachel said.
"Well, Mike was great, you know? I mean, he really helped me through all of it."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Monica got up to answer it. She opened
the door, and saw a good looking man, and two kids on the other side.
"Uh, Pheebs?"
"Hi honey, come on in!" Pheobe said cheerily, though it was evident in her eyes that her thoughts
were still with her sister.
"Hi babe, sorry to do this, I got a call on a case."
"No problem. Hi Mark," Pheobe said to the six-year-old.
"Hi Mom," he said, looking around at the group that stood behind Pheobe.
"Guys, this is my husband Mike, and this is Mark and Matthew."
"So, Luke and John are in the hall, then?" Monica joked.
The group laughed, and introduced themselves to Mike and the boys.
Once Mike had left, the group settled back down in the living room.
Mark stared curiously at Elaina, who was clinging onto Chandler as though her life depended on it.
"She's not used to all of these people," Chandler explained, looking at Mark's puzzled expression.
Mark nodded, but continued to watch Elaina closely.
Pheobe held Matthew in her arms, and noticed that Monica was watching her, an unconscious look
of longing in her eyes.
"Do you want to hold him?" Pheobe asked.
Monica's eyes lit up, and she smiled and nodded. Her smile faded, when she realized that she
may not ever have a baby of her own, and she looked at Matthew sadly.
Two hours later, the children had all fallen asleep, and Chandler looked as though he was halfway
asleep as well. The group agreed to meet for breakfast the following morning. Pheobe picked
up Matthew, and Joey picked up Mark, offering to help Pheobe get home. She smiled, happy that
she would have an opportunity to visit with Joey alone for a while. She had missed him dearly.
They said their goodbye's and walked out to catch a cab. Ross and Emily left a few minutes later,
promising to stop by first thing in the morning.
Once they had left, Rachel turned to Monica.
"Well, that was totally uncomfortable," she sighed.
"I'm sorry Rach," Monica said, squeezing her friend's arm.
"Oh, no, it was great seeing you guys, it really was. I guess I...I never really got over Ross."
Monica nodded. "I know, sweetie. To be honest, I wonder if he ever really got over you."
"Well, he got married, didn't he?"
"Yeah," Monica relented.
Rachel sighed heavily. "I'm gonna go," she said quietly, and grabbed her coat.
"Rach, where are you staying?" Chandler asked.
"Just down the street, why?"
"I need to go book a room. Elaina and I came straight here from the airport."
"They may be full already," Rachel said, "If so, you can stay in my room."
"Why don't you just stay here?" Monica suggested. "I have a spare room."
"That may be easier," Chandler sighed, as he looked over at his sleeping daughter.
Rachel nodded. "So, I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow morning."
"Okay. 'Night Rach."
"Good night," Rachel called, closing the door behind her.
Once in the hallway, Rachel sighed. Every instinct she had was telling her to jump back on a
plane to Italy. She shook her head. Tomorrow was going to be a very interesting day.
review please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Part Six soon.
