Chandler and Monica came over after a lot of screaming on Monica's part and a lot of pleading and apologizing on Chandler's part which was quite audible even from across the hall. "Hey, Joey, I'm so happy for you and Rachel. I'm glad we could help!" She tried to sound genuine but it just wasn't working.
"Mon, we heard you across the hall", Joey said.
"Well, I was just trying to be nice", she said snobbishly, wiping the phony smile from her face.
After about twenty minutes, Rachel walked out in a short black, sleeveless dress. Joey looked at her and all he would say was "I…Uhhh…you…wha….ha…wow."
"Ahhh, thanks, Joey. You're so sweet", she mocked. He just smiled. He had had a crush on her for over a year now, and he honestly never thought he would be lucky enough to be with Rachel. He always thought she was too good for him. He thought he might actually be in love with her. He had been with a lot, A LOT, of girls before, but nothing. With Rachel, there was definitely something.
Through about half of dinner there wasn't much conversation, other than 'so how's work going' or…no wait, that was about it. The whole point of a first date was to get to know the other person better. They were best friends, room mates. They knew everything about one another that there was to know. "Yep, I should have definitely gone for a movie", Joey thought. They were both uncomfortable, both frantically searching their minds for a topic of conversation., without luck. They both secretly had a crush on the other, but was afraid to say anything. Neither was sure if the other considered this a serious date, or a casual dinner between friends. Finally Rachel worked up her courage.
"Joey, is this 'something'?"
"What do you mean?", he said hesitantly.
"Are we just friends or are you feeling something going on here?"
"I don't know, are you?", he asked nervously, trying to avoid an actual answer…and eye contact.
"Maybe…" she said indefinitely.
"Okay, look, Rach. I'm going to be honest with you", he said trying to ignore his uneasiness. "I have been wanting to go out with you for over a year but I…"
"Oh, my God!", she said, shocked. "Really?"
"Yeah, but I understand if you don't feel the same way, I just had to tell you and…"
"Joey, it's okay. I actually have been trying to tell you the same thing all night", she smiled, relieved. He just looked at her. He had dreamed about this for a year, and it was finally happening. His jaw dropped and he was speechless, excited. "I just didn't want to say anything, because of the kids, I didn't want you to think 'oh, poor pregnant Rachel is looking for someone to support her kids'".
"Rach, I would never think that about you, ever." She smiled, finally that he was sensitive and sweet. "I just thought that us going out would ruin our friendship if we ever broke up, and I could live without having you as a friend. That's why I'm so scared about this", he said sincerely, grasping her hand. Rachel saw how much she really meant to him which brought her almost to tears.
"Joey, we will always be friends, no matter what. I promise you that.", she said looking into his eyes. They were so caught up in the moment, they didn't even hear the waiter come by. "Your check, sir. Sir? Excuse me. I have your check", he became impatient. Finally, they ripped from the romantic stare.
"Oh, sorry, thank-you", Joey apologized. "So you want to get out of here."
"Yeah", she smiled. He politely helped her get her coat on and they left.
It was storming as Joey stood outside trying to hail a cab while Rachel stayed safely inside the restaurant. Of course, once they finally got one, there was a major traffic jam, and they were stuck there for 20 minutes. Rachel was now exhausted from the long day with the kids and fell asleep, lightly resting her head on Joey's shoulder. Joey wrapped his arms around her as he noticed she was shivering and wet.
When they finally got to the apartment and Chandler and Monica had left, they decided to watch TV for a while/ Rachel almost immediately fell asleep on the couch. Joey found a blanket and began to cover her up. As he did, Rachel woke up and looked at him. She smiled. He smiled. There was a long pause and Joey leaned in and kissed her gently, but passionately, holding her in his arms.