The Pact, Part Nine
"Where To Go When The Fog Clears"
Phoebe spotted Monica, Chandler and Elaina walking toward the food court, and waved them over.
"Hey guys," Phoebe said, waving to Elaina.
"Hey," Monica and Chandler replied simultaniously.
"Where is everyone?" Chandler asked.
"Mike is in the bathroom changing the Matthew, and Joey and Mark are getting food," Phoebe explained.
"They just couldn't wait, huh?" Monica laughed.
"It's amazing how much Mark and Joey are alike," Phoebe said.
"Well, they are at about the same maturity level," Chandler said, smiling.
Phoebe looked at Chandler, slightly shocked. It was the first sarcastic remark she had heard from him since his return. The visit home must have done him some good. Phoebe smiled.
Mike and Matthew came back minutes later, just as Joey and Mark arrived with a tray full of food.
"Geez, Joe, you didn't have to buy us all lunch," Monica said
"What are you talking about? This is mine," Joey said, digging into a basket of fries.
"Hey weren't Ross and Rachel with you guys?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, but they disappeared a few hours ago," Monica said, "I think they were arguing or something."
"Uh-oh, we may never see those two again," Phoebe said, shaking her head.
Just then, Ross and Rachel appeared, and greeted the gang. They took a seat, as far away from each other as they could. The others could feel the strange tension in the air, making them all feel as uncomfortable as they had been the day before at Central Perk. The silence was broken, when Chandler and Ross decided to go get something to eat. Phoebe joined them, and the others stayed behind.
"Rach, is everything okay?" Monica asked as soon as Ross was out of earshot.
"Yeah, it's fine," Rachel said quickly, in a tone that told Monica that she was far from fine.
"Rach, you have a twig in your hair," Joey said through a mouthful of food.
Rachel pulled the twig out of her hair, and turned beet red with embarassment.
"Rach, what's going on?" Monica asked.
Rachel looked at Monica, debating about whether or not she should tell her everything. Ten years ago, she wouldn't have had to think twice. But time, and distance changes everything...doesn't it? Judging from her and Ross' behaviour thirty minutes ago, time and distance may have nothing to do with anything.
"Rach?"
Rachel swallowed hard, not sure where to begin.
****
Ross, Phoebe, Chandler and Elaina stood in line at the hot dog booth, gazing at the menuboard.
"So, uh, guys," Ross started nervously, "I kinda have a problem."
"Oh, don't worry Ross, I can spot you for lunch," Phoebe said.
"No, no...uh...I kinda cheated on my wife."
"What?" Phoebe and Chandler stared at Ross, their jaws dropped in shock.
"You cheated on Emily? When?" Chandler asked.
"About, uh, 35 minutes ago," Ross said quietly.
"You mean you and Rachel?"
Ross nodded.
"Oh, my...Ross, what are you gonna do?" Phoebe asked excitedly.
"I don't know! I mean, I don't even know what happened really. One minute, Rachel and I were screaming at each other, and the next thing I knew, we were rolling around next to an empty bird cage," Ross shook his head.
"You had sex in the arboritum?" Chandler asked.
"No, we just...kissed...pretty much. But I don't know what to do! I mean, maybe it was just a spur of the moment thing, ya know? And if I tell Emily, she'll leave me for sure. And what if Rachel doesn't want to have anything to do with me? I don't want to wreck my marriage for nothing."
"But if it did mean something to Rachel...you would be willing to wreck your marriage?" Chandler asked gravely.
"I don't know," Ross shook his head.
"Sounds to me like you need to talk to Rachel. And to Emily," Chandler said.
Ross nodded. "Since when did you become the marriage expert," he laughed.
"Since mine fell apart," Chandler said quietly, as the group moved to the front of the line.
Ross looked at Chandler, and realized that he was right. He could never take back what happened today with Rachel, but he knew that he had to at least try to make his marriage work. He had made a committment to Emily, and that had to mean something.
No matter what he may still feel for Rachel.
****
The group left the zoo at dusk, exhausted from the day's events. Phoebe, Mike and the kids decided to call it a night, but promised to be at Monica's early the next morning for breakfast. Joey headed back to the hotel to make a few phone calls, and Ross and Rachel decided that they needed to talk. Chandler, Elaina and Monica headed back to Monica's apartment.
Monica cooked some soup for dinner, but Elaina was so exhausted, she could barely keep her eyes open at the table.
"I'll be right back," Chandler said, picking up his half-conscious daughter.
Monica nodded, and watched Chandler carry Elaina into the guest room. She sighed heavily, and began to clear the table. If some stranger were to peer in on them right now, they would think that they were looking at a family. Monica smiled at the thought. Her smile faded, as she remembered that Chandler and Elaina were going to be heading back to Philadelphia, and that she would once again, be alone. Chandler came out of the guest room, and plopped down on the sofa. Monica grabbed two cups of coffee, and joined him.
"So, is Elaina excited about going home?"
"No. I think she is having way too much fun here. We never do anything at home, and I really don't have any friends, so she never sees people."
"Why don't you move back to New York?" Monica had meant it to be a lighthearted question, but feared that her voice may have betrayed her. There seemed to be more desperation in her voice than she had intended.
"I've thought about that, but then I wondered what I'd be coming back to. I didn't know who was still here, and I figured you all probably hated me for taking off anyway."
"You make it very difficult for anyone to hate you, Chandler," Monica said quietly.
Chandler smiled, and leaned back onto the sofa. He tilted his head back, and closed his eyes.
"Now that I know you're here, maybe we will move," he smiled slyly.
"Oh, don't do me any favours," Monica laughed.
Chandler opened his eyes, and looked at Monica intently. "I've really missed you, Mon."
"I missed you, too."
Chandler sighed, and sat up. He looked at Monica, and for the first time, felt an overwhelming urge to tell her everything that had been on his mind since he landed back in New York.
"Do you want to know why I left nine years ago?" he asked quietly.
"I though you got a job in Philadelphia," Monica said.
"No, Philadelphia was just the first flight out of New York the day I decided to leave."
"What?"
"I couldn't stay here. After you got married, we never saw you. You moved upstate, and everything changed."
"You moved because I moved?" Monica looked confused.
"No, I moved because you got married." Chandler finally said.
"Wh-what?"
"I moved because I finally admitted to myself that I wasn't okay with you marrying Richard."
"You wanted me to stay single and miserable?" Monica said, suddenly feeling annoyed with Chandler.
"No, I wanted you to be happy, but I wanted..." Chandler shook his head.
"What?" Monica moved closer to Chandler, and took his hand. She gave it an encouraging squeeze, willing him to continue.
"I wanted you to be happy with me," Chandler finally finished.
Monica stared at Chandler in a stunned silence. Her eyes softened, and tears threatened to fall, as Chandler continued.
"I was so in love with you back then, but I refused to admit it. Then you got married, and everything in my life fell apart. That's why I moved."
Monica felt warm teardrops slide down her cheeks, and she sniffled loudly.
"I had no idea," she said softly.
Chandler looked at Monica, and wiped away the tears that were staining her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," Chandler whispered.
Monica laughed, in spite of herself.
"What's so funny," Chandler asked. his forehead crinkling in confusion.
"I just can't believe you are telling me this. Especially since..." Monica shook her head, laughing again.
"Since what?"
Monica stopped laughing and looked at Chandler. She placed her hand on his face, and fought back anotheet of tears.
"Since I have found myself falling for you," she whispered softly.
Chandler's eyes widened in surprise, then softened as he took in exactly what it was Monica was telling him.
He smiled, and leaned toward her, closing his eyes.
Monica closed her eyes as she felt Chandler's lips on hers. She sunk into what was easily the best kiss she had ever had. She felt Chandler's arms wrap around her, and she pulled him closer. She felt teardrops run down her cheeks, but it took her a minute to realize that they weren't her own. She pulled away from Chandler, and saw that his eyes were wet with tears.
"So," Monica grinned, "Why don't you move back to New York?"
"Mmm, I think we may just have to. How do you feel about dating a single father?"
Monica smiled, and pulled Chandler in for another kiss.
So this is what she had been missing.
Okay, this one's short, but stay tuned. Everything is not cut-and-dry for Chandler & Monica, and Ross has to make a huge decision. Part Ten soon!
"Where To Go When The Fog Clears"
Phoebe spotted Monica, Chandler and Elaina walking toward the food court, and waved them over.
"Hey guys," Phoebe said, waving to Elaina.
"Hey," Monica and Chandler replied simultaniously.
"Where is everyone?" Chandler asked.
"Mike is in the bathroom changing the Matthew, and Joey and Mark are getting food," Phoebe explained.
"They just couldn't wait, huh?" Monica laughed.
"It's amazing how much Mark and Joey are alike," Phoebe said.
"Well, they are at about the same maturity level," Chandler said, smiling.
Phoebe looked at Chandler, slightly shocked. It was the first sarcastic remark she had heard from him since his return. The visit home must have done him some good. Phoebe smiled.
Mike and Matthew came back minutes later, just as Joey and Mark arrived with a tray full of food.
"Geez, Joe, you didn't have to buy us all lunch," Monica said
"What are you talking about? This is mine," Joey said, digging into a basket of fries.
"Hey weren't Ross and Rachel with you guys?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, but they disappeared a few hours ago," Monica said, "I think they were arguing or something."
"Uh-oh, we may never see those two again," Phoebe said, shaking her head.
Just then, Ross and Rachel appeared, and greeted the gang. They took a seat, as far away from each other as they could. The others could feel the strange tension in the air, making them all feel as uncomfortable as they had been the day before at Central Perk. The silence was broken, when Chandler and Ross decided to go get something to eat. Phoebe joined them, and the others stayed behind.
"Rach, is everything okay?" Monica asked as soon as Ross was out of earshot.
"Yeah, it's fine," Rachel said quickly, in a tone that told Monica that she was far from fine.
"Rach, you have a twig in your hair," Joey said through a mouthful of food.
Rachel pulled the twig out of her hair, and turned beet red with embarassment.
"Rach, what's going on?" Monica asked.
Rachel looked at Monica, debating about whether or not she should tell her everything. Ten years ago, she wouldn't have had to think twice. But time, and distance changes everything...doesn't it? Judging from her and Ross' behaviour thirty minutes ago, time and distance may have nothing to do with anything.
"Rach?"
Rachel swallowed hard, not sure where to begin.
****
Ross, Phoebe, Chandler and Elaina stood in line at the hot dog booth, gazing at the menuboard.
"So, uh, guys," Ross started nervously, "I kinda have a problem."
"Oh, don't worry Ross, I can spot you for lunch," Phoebe said.
"No, no...uh...I kinda cheated on my wife."
"What?" Phoebe and Chandler stared at Ross, their jaws dropped in shock.
"You cheated on Emily? When?" Chandler asked.
"About, uh, 35 minutes ago," Ross said quietly.
"You mean you and Rachel?"
Ross nodded.
"Oh, my...Ross, what are you gonna do?" Phoebe asked excitedly.
"I don't know! I mean, I don't even know what happened really. One minute, Rachel and I were screaming at each other, and the next thing I knew, we were rolling around next to an empty bird cage," Ross shook his head.
"You had sex in the arboritum?" Chandler asked.
"No, we just...kissed...pretty much. But I don't know what to do! I mean, maybe it was just a spur of the moment thing, ya know? And if I tell Emily, she'll leave me for sure. And what if Rachel doesn't want to have anything to do with me? I don't want to wreck my marriage for nothing."
"But if it did mean something to Rachel...you would be willing to wreck your marriage?" Chandler asked gravely.
"I don't know," Ross shook his head.
"Sounds to me like you need to talk to Rachel. And to Emily," Chandler said.
Ross nodded. "Since when did you become the marriage expert," he laughed.
"Since mine fell apart," Chandler said quietly, as the group moved to the front of the line.
Ross looked at Chandler, and realized that he was right. He could never take back what happened today with Rachel, but he knew that he had to at least try to make his marriage work. He had made a committment to Emily, and that had to mean something.
No matter what he may still feel for Rachel.
****
The group left the zoo at dusk, exhausted from the day's events. Phoebe, Mike and the kids decided to call it a night, but promised to be at Monica's early the next morning for breakfast. Joey headed back to the hotel to make a few phone calls, and Ross and Rachel decided that they needed to talk. Chandler, Elaina and Monica headed back to Monica's apartment.
Monica cooked some soup for dinner, but Elaina was so exhausted, she could barely keep her eyes open at the table.
"I'll be right back," Chandler said, picking up his half-conscious daughter.
Monica nodded, and watched Chandler carry Elaina into the guest room. She sighed heavily, and began to clear the table. If some stranger were to peer in on them right now, they would think that they were looking at a family. Monica smiled at the thought. Her smile faded, as she remembered that Chandler and Elaina were going to be heading back to Philadelphia, and that she would once again, be alone. Chandler came out of the guest room, and plopped down on the sofa. Monica grabbed two cups of coffee, and joined him.
"So, is Elaina excited about going home?"
"No. I think she is having way too much fun here. We never do anything at home, and I really don't have any friends, so she never sees people."
"Why don't you move back to New York?" Monica had meant it to be a lighthearted question, but feared that her voice may have betrayed her. There seemed to be more desperation in her voice than she had intended.
"I've thought about that, but then I wondered what I'd be coming back to. I didn't know who was still here, and I figured you all probably hated me for taking off anyway."
"You make it very difficult for anyone to hate you, Chandler," Monica said quietly.
Chandler smiled, and leaned back onto the sofa. He tilted his head back, and closed his eyes.
"Now that I know you're here, maybe we will move," he smiled slyly.
"Oh, don't do me any favours," Monica laughed.
Chandler opened his eyes, and looked at Monica intently. "I've really missed you, Mon."
"I missed you, too."
Chandler sighed, and sat up. He looked at Monica, and for the first time, felt an overwhelming urge to tell her everything that had been on his mind since he landed back in New York.
"Do you want to know why I left nine years ago?" he asked quietly.
"I though you got a job in Philadelphia," Monica said.
"No, Philadelphia was just the first flight out of New York the day I decided to leave."
"What?"
"I couldn't stay here. After you got married, we never saw you. You moved upstate, and everything changed."
"You moved because I moved?" Monica looked confused.
"No, I moved because you got married." Chandler finally said.
"Wh-what?"
"I moved because I finally admitted to myself that I wasn't okay with you marrying Richard."
"You wanted me to stay single and miserable?" Monica said, suddenly feeling annoyed with Chandler.
"No, I wanted you to be happy, but I wanted..." Chandler shook his head.
"What?" Monica moved closer to Chandler, and took his hand. She gave it an encouraging squeeze, willing him to continue.
"I wanted you to be happy with me," Chandler finally finished.
Monica stared at Chandler in a stunned silence. Her eyes softened, and tears threatened to fall, as Chandler continued.
"I was so in love with you back then, but I refused to admit it. Then you got married, and everything in my life fell apart. That's why I moved."
Monica felt warm teardrops slide down her cheeks, and she sniffled loudly.
"I had no idea," she said softly.
Chandler looked at Monica, and wiped away the tears that were staining her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," Chandler whispered.
Monica laughed, in spite of herself.
"What's so funny," Chandler asked. his forehead crinkling in confusion.
"I just can't believe you are telling me this. Especially since..." Monica shook her head, laughing again.
"Since what?"
Monica stopped laughing and looked at Chandler. She placed her hand on his face, and fought back anotheet of tears.
"Since I have found myself falling for you," she whispered softly.
Chandler's eyes widened in surprise, then softened as he took in exactly what it was Monica was telling him.
He smiled, and leaned toward her, closing his eyes.
Monica closed her eyes as she felt Chandler's lips on hers. She sunk into what was easily the best kiss she had ever had. She felt Chandler's arms wrap around her, and she pulled him closer. She felt teardrops run down her cheeks, but it took her a minute to realize that they weren't her own. She pulled away from Chandler, and saw that his eyes were wet with tears.
"So," Monica grinned, "Why don't you move back to New York?"
"Mmm, I think we may just have to. How do you feel about dating a single father?"
Monica smiled, and pulled Chandler in for another kiss.
So this is what she had been missing.
Okay, this one's short, but stay tuned. Everything is not cut-and-dry for Chandler & Monica, and Ross has to make a huge decision. Part Ten soon!
