Hey! Thanks for the reviews!! Here we go again.....
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Invincible: The One Where They Make It, Chapter Eight
~Davis, California. UC Davis Medical Center~
"Poisoned?" Monica stood in front of the doctor, hoping and praying that she didn't just here what she thought she'd heard.
"I'm afraid so. It is a synthetic poison, which tells me that it was intentional. I am required by law to call the police."
"We already have the FBI working on something for us," Monica said slowly, "Let me call them."
"Fine," The doctor said. "You can see him, but he is not awake. Two at a time." With that, the doctor left the room.
"I can't believe this is happening," Ross whispered.
"How could this have happened?" Joey added.
"I don't know," Monica said, tears forming in her eyes.
Ross, Rachel and Joey each visited Chandler, while Monica talked with the FBI agents. They had already sealed off the venue, and the crew was being interrogated. Ross and Rachel emerged from Chandler's room, and the FBI agent asked to speak with both of them. Monica stood alone in the hallway for a moment, looking lost and confused. She turned, and saw Joey on a pay
phone, undoubtedly talking to Pheobe. Monica sighed and walked into Chandler's room.
The room was dark, much darker than Monica had expected it to be. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. She walked over to Chandler's bed, and clicked on a small desk lamp on the table next to the bed. Chandler was very pale, and dark rings lined his eyes. His mouth was turned downward, as though he was upset over something. Monica sat down and
sighed heavily. She took his limp hand in hers, and fought off impending tears.
"Chandler, I am so sorry," she whispered, as persistant tears made their way down her face.
"I promise we will find the person responsible for this...I promise."
Monica began weeping uncontrollably, her guilt and grief consuming her like a dark cloud. She put her head on Chandler's chest, and sobbed herself into an uncomfortable slumber.
****
"Poisoned? Joey, are you serious?" Pheobe's voice was trembling on the other end of the phone.
"Yeah. Something really weird is going on here Pheebs, and I can't help but to wonder if our friend Janice has something to do with it."
"Janice? Really?"
"Well, it makes sense. She loves Chandler, and he keeps turning her down. She goes to like, every show, and...I don't know."
"Wow, I can't believe this. What are the police saying?"
"I am not sure, but I am gonna go tell the FBI what I just told you. I think they need to talk to Janice."
"Joey, please be careful."
"I will, don't worry. I love you."
"I love you too."
Joey hung up the phone, and went to find the FBI agents.
****
Ross and Rachel sat in the waiting room of the hospital, both deep in thought. After a few minutes,
Rachel shivered, and pulled her knees up to her chest.
"Are you okay?" Ross asked.
"Yeah...no...I..." Rachel stammered, "I am so scared right now."
"So am I."
"Do you think Chandler is going to be okay?"
"I don't know," Ross mumbled.
"Who is capable of doing something like this?"
"That's what's so scary, Rach. Anyone is."
Rachel shivered again, and Ross walked over to her, and wrapped his arms around her.
"It's gonna be okay," he said, trying to convince himself as much as anyone else.
"I hope you're right," Rachel said into Ross' shoulder.
"Me too," Ross mumbled, and pulled Rachel closer. He rocked her in his arms until she drifted off to sleep.
****
~Davis, California, Two days later~
Monica was unconsciously humming to herself, as her left hand held Chandler's, and her right stroked the top if his head, his sandy hair sifting through her fingers. She was still consumed with guilt, totally convinced that she could have...*should* have Done Something. She refused to leave Chandler's side, leaving Rachel and Ross to pick up most of the slack. Rachel kept in contact
with the media, while Ross was the FBI's contact. A vigil outside of the hospital had grown to the point where fans were now covering half of the parking lot, causing problems for the hospital, and for Rachel, who didn't know what to tell the sobbing group of girls.
Monica stopped humming to kiss Chandler on the cheek, before standing up to use the restroom.
Chandler stirred, as the heavy fog that had taken over his mind began to lift. His eyes fluttered open, and his dry lips parted reluctently, sticking to each other stubbornly. His head was throbbing, and his body felt like it had been kicked around like a discarded tin can. He moaned softly, and tried to survey his surroundings. He was in a hospital. He was alone. He closed his eyes, as a searing pain shot through his head.
Monica emerged from the restroom, and walked back toward her chair. She sat down, and took Chandler's hand again. Chandler opened his eyes, and turned to see Monica, her head down, her shoudlers trembling.
"Monica?" Chandler whispered.
"Chandler? Oh, Thank God! How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been trampled by an elephant. What happened?"
"You...you were poisened."
"What?"
"That's what the doctor's said. Ross talked to the FBI this morning, and it looks like it was in your tea."
"I can't believe this."
"I'm gonna go get the doctor," Monica said, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Mon," Chandler said, as Monica got up to leave.
"Yeah?"
"Are *you* okay?"
"I am now," she said, smiling.
****
~One Week Later, New York City~
Chandler sat in his apartment, thumbing through another magazine. His own face was on the cover
of nearly every magazine on the stands-People, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Rolling Stone--so Chandler found solace in the one magazine that he knew he would not be featured in-Sports Illustrated. Monica knocked twice before walking into the apartment.
"Hey," she said quietly.
"Hey Mon," Chandler said, engrossed in an article on the NFL playoffs.
"How are you feeling?" she said, taking a seat next to him on the sofa.
Chandler folded his magazine and looked at Monica.
"Better," he replied. "Any news on the investigation?"
"Nothing new. They talked to Janice, and have pretty much ruled her out as a suspect."
Chandler shook his head. "Yeah, I don't see her doing something like this."
"It's just scary to think that it could be anyone," Monica said, her voice cracking.
Chandler scooted closer to Monica, and pulled her close to him. He wiped the tears from her eyes, and kissed her softly.
"It's gonna be okay," he said.
"How do you know? I thought that I had a handle on security. But I was so wrong."
"Monica, look at me," Chandler said softly, pulling her head up to meet his eyes.
"Up until a week ago, I really thought that this was not as serious as you were making it out to be.
And it's not because I don't respect you, it's just..." Chandler ran his hand through his hair, as
he struggled to explain himself. He began talking about himself in the second person.
"You get to a certain...I don't know, level of fame, and you start to think that you are invincible,
that nothing can touch you. So when these things started happening, I just blew it off, because, I thought, 'Nothing too serious can ever happen!' And then I wake up, half-dead in a hospital room, and I realize that I was being foolish. I am not invincible...and that scares me. It wasn't that you didn't have tight enough security, it's that...I never actually believed it could happen."
Monica nodded, and smiled slightly.
"So, then, you are not Superman? Is that what you are telling me?"
Chandler chuckled. "I guess I'm not."
"Well," Monica said, smiling, "Then I think we should see other people."
"What? You can't break up with me. I may not be invincible, but no one will love you like I do."
Monica laughed, and wrapped her arms around Chandler's neck.
"A little full of yourself, aren't you, Mr. Bing?"
Chandler nodded, and kissed Monica passionately. She pulled him closer, and he picked her up.
"Whoa," she said, pulling away, "Be careful. You don't have all of your strength back."
"Don't be so sure," he said, kissing her neck and carrying her to his bedroom.
(Yeah, use your imagination, cuz I don't do porn;-))
****
~Three Weeks Later, New York City~
"I can't believe you guys are going back out there," Pheobe said, as she walked with Joey to the bus.
"Well, The Feds aren't really getting anywhere, and it has been a month since Chandler was poisoned.
And besides, he's the one that insisted we continue the tour."
"I wish I could come with you," Pheobe moaned.
"Me too, sweetheart. But you will meet up with us in New Orleans, right?"
"Yeah," she said, kissing him softly.
"Great! I love you!"
"I love you too!"
"Okay, you two are a little *too* cute," Chandler said, as he and Monica approached.
"Well, you're just jealous cuz you don't have anyone as great as Pheebs," Joey gloated.
"Aww," Pheobe replied.
"I guess you're right about that," Chandler said sarcastically, winking at Monica.
"Let's get the hell outta here!" Ross said, poking his head out of a bus window.
"We'll, uh, give you two some privacy," Chandler said, instinctively taking Monica's hand as they
headed for the bus.
"Do you think there is something going on between Chandler and Monica?" Pheobe asked.
"Nah, they've always been like that." Joey replied, as he kissed Pheobe goodbye.
"Hmph," Pheobe said, not quite convinced.
****
~Miami, Florida, Three days later~
"You guys sounded great!" Rachel exclaimed as the band walked into the dressing room.
"One of your best shows," Monica chimed in.
"Thanks, ladies," Ross said, as he plopped down onto the sofa.
"Mon, where did these come from?" Chandler was holding a vase full of flowers.
"I don't know," Monica replied.
Chandler set down the vase and fingered through the bouquet, looking for a card. He finally pulled
out a tiny envelope, and saw his name scrawled across the front.
"They're for me," he said casually, though his heart was beating a million miles a minute.
After all that had happened, he was paranoid that every gift was a deadly one.
Monica watched with bated breath as Chandler opened the card. She was fully prepared to clear the room, and call security, if necissary. She took a long, shaky breath and tried her very best to stay calm.
Chandler pulled the card out of the envelope, and silently read the words written on it. A sharp
pounding on the door caused everyone in the room to jump. Chandler took a deep breath to calm his jagged nerves, and opened the door.
"Everything okay in here, Miss Geller?" asked an armed security guard on the other side of the door.
Monica looked at Chandler, who nodded.
"Yes, everything's fine," she said.
"We are gonna do a perimeter check before the band leaves," he said, and left.
Chandler closed the door behind the guard, and sighed.
"The flowers are from my Dad," he said, "He's gonna be in New Orleans on Friday."
The band and the girls sighed a collective sigh of relief, and went about their business.
Monica walked into the back room, her fists clenched and her jaw tight. Chandler watched her
and decided to follow her.
"Mon?" Chandler said as he entered the room. Monica was faced away from him, and did not answer when he called. He walked over to her, and grabbed her shoulders. He turned her slowly toward him. As he suspected, she was crying. He silently wrapped his arms around her, and let her collapse into him, shaking as she sobbed.
****
Rachel sat down next to Ross, who was fidgeting with his guitar strings.
"How are you feeling, Rach?" Ross said, putting down his guitar.
"I'm okay," Rachel said softly.
"Kinda crazy, all this stuff, huh?"
"Yeah."
"You wanna take a walk? I need some air."
"Sure," Rachel replied, and smiled as Ross took her hand, and led her out the door.
****
"My flight comes in at 9," Pheobe said on the other side of the phone
"Great! Oh, I can't wait to see you!" Joey exclaimed.
"I love New Orleans!" Pheobe said, before getting off the phone.
Joey smiled. He hoped that after what he had planned, Pheobe would love New Orleans even more.
****
"I'm sorry," Monica croaked after a minute of silence had passed.
"Why?" Chandler asked looking at her.
"I don't know why I am crying. I guess all of this is so overwhelming."
"Well, those *were* some scary flowers," Chandler said, smiling slyly.
Monica laughed, and playfully slapped Chandler on the chest. "It's not funny," she said.
"I know," Chandler replied, and took Monica's face in his hands. He dried the tears that had been
falling from her eyes, and kissed her gently. Monica sunk into the kiss, immediatly forgetting about all of the stress and pressure she was under. She felt totally safe in Chandler's arms, and she wished he could just hold her, forever.
****
~New Orleans, Louisiana, Saturday night~
"I thought we'd eat in tonight," Joey said, as he and Pheobe made their way up to the hotel suite.
They had spent the entire day exploring New Orleans, and were both exhausted.
"Sounds great to me," Pheobe said, rubbing her neck.
Joey opened the door and allowed Pheobe to enter. She gasped when she saw the room. It was
filled with roses and lit candles, and champagne was sitting in a bucket of ice on the table.
"Joey!" she said, and turned to face him.
"Wow, what happened here?" he joked, and wrapped his arms around Pheobe.
"What is all this?"
"I wanted you to know how much I love you, and how much you mean to me." Joey swallowed hard, and pulled back to look at Pheobe. "I wanted to tell you that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I know we've only been together a few months, but I can't see myself with anyone else."
With that, Joey got down on one knee, as Pheobe gasped again.
"Pheobe, will you marry me?"
******
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Invincible: The One Where They Make It, Chapter Eight
~Davis, California. UC Davis Medical Center~
"Poisoned?" Monica stood in front of the doctor, hoping and praying that she didn't just here what she thought she'd heard.
"I'm afraid so. It is a synthetic poison, which tells me that it was intentional. I am required by law to call the police."
"We already have the FBI working on something for us," Monica said slowly, "Let me call them."
"Fine," The doctor said. "You can see him, but he is not awake. Two at a time." With that, the doctor left the room.
"I can't believe this is happening," Ross whispered.
"How could this have happened?" Joey added.
"I don't know," Monica said, tears forming in her eyes.
Ross, Rachel and Joey each visited Chandler, while Monica talked with the FBI agents. They had already sealed off the venue, and the crew was being interrogated. Ross and Rachel emerged from Chandler's room, and the FBI agent asked to speak with both of them. Monica stood alone in the hallway for a moment, looking lost and confused. She turned, and saw Joey on a pay
phone, undoubtedly talking to Pheobe. Monica sighed and walked into Chandler's room.
The room was dark, much darker than Monica had expected it to be. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. She walked over to Chandler's bed, and clicked on a small desk lamp on the table next to the bed. Chandler was very pale, and dark rings lined his eyes. His mouth was turned downward, as though he was upset over something. Monica sat down and
sighed heavily. She took his limp hand in hers, and fought off impending tears.
"Chandler, I am so sorry," she whispered, as persistant tears made their way down her face.
"I promise we will find the person responsible for this...I promise."
Monica began weeping uncontrollably, her guilt and grief consuming her like a dark cloud. She put her head on Chandler's chest, and sobbed herself into an uncomfortable slumber.
****
"Poisoned? Joey, are you serious?" Pheobe's voice was trembling on the other end of the phone.
"Yeah. Something really weird is going on here Pheebs, and I can't help but to wonder if our friend Janice has something to do with it."
"Janice? Really?"
"Well, it makes sense. She loves Chandler, and he keeps turning her down. She goes to like, every show, and...I don't know."
"Wow, I can't believe this. What are the police saying?"
"I am not sure, but I am gonna go tell the FBI what I just told you. I think they need to talk to Janice."
"Joey, please be careful."
"I will, don't worry. I love you."
"I love you too."
Joey hung up the phone, and went to find the FBI agents.
****
Ross and Rachel sat in the waiting room of the hospital, both deep in thought. After a few minutes,
Rachel shivered, and pulled her knees up to her chest.
"Are you okay?" Ross asked.
"Yeah...no...I..." Rachel stammered, "I am so scared right now."
"So am I."
"Do you think Chandler is going to be okay?"
"I don't know," Ross mumbled.
"Who is capable of doing something like this?"
"That's what's so scary, Rach. Anyone is."
Rachel shivered again, and Ross walked over to her, and wrapped his arms around her.
"It's gonna be okay," he said, trying to convince himself as much as anyone else.
"I hope you're right," Rachel said into Ross' shoulder.
"Me too," Ross mumbled, and pulled Rachel closer. He rocked her in his arms until she drifted off to sleep.
****
~Davis, California, Two days later~
Monica was unconsciously humming to herself, as her left hand held Chandler's, and her right stroked the top if his head, his sandy hair sifting through her fingers. She was still consumed with guilt, totally convinced that she could have...*should* have Done Something. She refused to leave Chandler's side, leaving Rachel and Ross to pick up most of the slack. Rachel kept in contact
with the media, while Ross was the FBI's contact. A vigil outside of the hospital had grown to the point where fans were now covering half of the parking lot, causing problems for the hospital, and for Rachel, who didn't know what to tell the sobbing group of girls.
Monica stopped humming to kiss Chandler on the cheek, before standing up to use the restroom.
Chandler stirred, as the heavy fog that had taken over his mind began to lift. His eyes fluttered open, and his dry lips parted reluctently, sticking to each other stubbornly. His head was throbbing, and his body felt like it had been kicked around like a discarded tin can. He moaned softly, and tried to survey his surroundings. He was in a hospital. He was alone. He closed his eyes, as a searing pain shot through his head.
Monica emerged from the restroom, and walked back toward her chair. She sat down, and took Chandler's hand again. Chandler opened his eyes, and turned to see Monica, her head down, her shoudlers trembling.
"Monica?" Chandler whispered.
"Chandler? Oh, Thank God! How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been trampled by an elephant. What happened?"
"You...you were poisened."
"What?"
"That's what the doctor's said. Ross talked to the FBI this morning, and it looks like it was in your tea."
"I can't believe this."
"I'm gonna go get the doctor," Monica said, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Mon," Chandler said, as Monica got up to leave.
"Yeah?"
"Are *you* okay?"
"I am now," she said, smiling.
****
~One Week Later, New York City~
Chandler sat in his apartment, thumbing through another magazine. His own face was on the cover
of nearly every magazine on the stands-People, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Rolling Stone--so Chandler found solace in the one magazine that he knew he would not be featured in-Sports Illustrated. Monica knocked twice before walking into the apartment.
"Hey," she said quietly.
"Hey Mon," Chandler said, engrossed in an article on the NFL playoffs.
"How are you feeling?" she said, taking a seat next to him on the sofa.
Chandler folded his magazine and looked at Monica.
"Better," he replied. "Any news on the investigation?"
"Nothing new. They talked to Janice, and have pretty much ruled her out as a suspect."
Chandler shook his head. "Yeah, I don't see her doing something like this."
"It's just scary to think that it could be anyone," Monica said, her voice cracking.
Chandler scooted closer to Monica, and pulled her close to him. He wiped the tears from her eyes, and kissed her softly.
"It's gonna be okay," he said.
"How do you know? I thought that I had a handle on security. But I was so wrong."
"Monica, look at me," Chandler said softly, pulling her head up to meet his eyes.
"Up until a week ago, I really thought that this was not as serious as you were making it out to be.
And it's not because I don't respect you, it's just..." Chandler ran his hand through his hair, as
he struggled to explain himself. He began talking about himself in the second person.
"You get to a certain...I don't know, level of fame, and you start to think that you are invincible,
that nothing can touch you. So when these things started happening, I just blew it off, because, I thought, 'Nothing too serious can ever happen!' And then I wake up, half-dead in a hospital room, and I realize that I was being foolish. I am not invincible...and that scares me. It wasn't that you didn't have tight enough security, it's that...I never actually believed it could happen."
Monica nodded, and smiled slightly.
"So, then, you are not Superman? Is that what you are telling me?"
Chandler chuckled. "I guess I'm not."
"Well," Monica said, smiling, "Then I think we should see other people."
"What? You can't break up with me. I may not be invincible, but no one will love you like I do."
Monica laughed, and wrapped her arms around Chandler's neck.
"A little full of yourself, aren't you, Mr. Bing?"
Chandler nodded, and kissed Monica passionately. She pulled him closer, and he picked her up.
"Whoa," she said, pulling away, "Be careful. You don't have all of your strength back."
"Don't be so sure," he said, kissing her neck and carrying her to his bedroom.
(Yeah, use your imagination, cuz I don't do porn;-))
****
~Three Weeks Later, New York City~
"I can't believe you guys are going back out there," Pheobe said, as she walked with Joey to the bus.
"Well, The Feds aren't really getting anywhere, and it has been a month since Chandler was poisoned.
And besides, he's the one that insisted we continue the tour."
"I wish I could come with you," Pheobe moaned.
"Me too, sweetheart. But you will meet up with us in New Orleans, right?"
"Yeah," she said, kissing him softly.
"Great! I love you!"
"I love you too!"
"Okay, you two are a little *too* cute," Chandler said, as he and Monica approached.
"Well, you're just jealous cuz you don't have anyone as great as Pheebs," Joey gloated.
"Aww," Pheobe replied.
"I guess you're right about that," Chandler said sarcastically, winking at Monica.
"Let's get the hell outta here!" Ross said, poking his head out of a bus window.
"We'll, uh, give you two some privacy," Chandler said, instinctively taking Monica's hand as they
headed for the bus.
"Do you think there is something going on between Chandler and Monica?" Pheobe asked.
"Nah, they've always been like that." Joey replied, as he kissed Pheobe goodbye.
"Hmph," Pheobe said, not quite convinced.
****
~Miami, Florida, Three days later~
"You guys sounded great!" Rachel exclaimed as the band walked into the dressing room.
"One of your best shows," Monica chimed in.
"Thanks, ladies," Ross said, as he plopped down onto the sofa.
"Mon, where did these come from?" Chandler was holding a vase full of flowers.
"I don't know," Monica replied.
Chandler set down the vase and fingered through the bouquet, looking for a card. He finally pulled
out a tiny envelope, and saw his name scrawled across the front.
"They're for me," he said casually, though his heart was beating a million miles a minute.
After all that had happened, he was paranoid that every gift was a deadly one.
Monica watched with bated breath as Chandler opened the card. She was fully prepared to clear the room, and call security, if necissary. She took a long, shaky breath and tried her very best to stay calm.
Chandler pulled the card out of the envelope, and silently read the words written on it. A sharp
pounding on the door caused everyone in the room to jump. Chandler took a deep breath to calm his jagged nerves, and opened the door.
"Everything okay in here, Miss Geller?" asked an armed security guard on the other side of the door.
Monica looked at Chandler, who nodded.
"Yes, everything's fine," she said.
"We are gonna do a perimeter check before the band leaves," he said, and left.
Chandler closed the door behind the guard, and sighed.
"The flowers are from my Dad," he said, "He's gonna be in New Orleans on Friday."
The band and the girls sighed a collective sigh of relief, and went about their business.
Monica walked into the back room, her fists clenched and her jaw tight. Chandler watched her
and decided to follow her.
"Mon?" Chandler said as he entered the room. Monica was faced away from him, and did not answer when he called. He walked over to her, and grabbed her shoulders. He turned her slowly toward him. As he suspected, she was crying. He silently wrapped his arms around her, and let her collapse into him, shaking as she sobbed.
****
Rachel sat down next to Ross, who was fidgeting with his guitar strings.
"How are you feeling, Rach?" Ross said, putting down his guitar.
"I'm okay," Rachel said softly.
"Kinda crazy, all this stuff, huh?"
"Yeah."
"You wanna take a walk? I need some air."
"Sure," Rachel replied, and smiled as Ross took her hand, and led her out the door.
****
"My flight comes in at 9," Pheobe said on the other side of the phone
"Great! Oh, I can't wait to see you!" Joey exclaimed.
"I love New Orleans!" Pheobe said, before getting off the phone.
Joey smiled. He hoped that after what he had planned, Pheobe would love New Orleans even more.
****
"I'm sorry," Monica croaked after a minute of silence had passed.
"Why?" Chandler asked looking at her.
"I don't know why I am crying. I guess all of this is so overwhelming."
"Well, those *were* some scary flowers," Chandler said, smiling slyly.
Monica laughed, and playfully slapped Chandler on the chest. "It's not funny," she said.
"I know," Chandler replied, and took Monica's face in his hands. He dried the tears that had been
falling from her eyes, and kissed her gently. Monica sunk into the kiss, immediatly forgetting about all of the stress and pressure she was under. She felt totally safe in Chandler's arms, and she wished he could just hold her, forever.
****
~New Orleans, Louisiana, Saturday night~
"I thought we'd eat in tonight," Joey said, as he and Pheobe made their way up to the hotel suite.
They had spent the entire day exploring New Orleans, and were both exhausted.
"Sounds great to me," Pheobe said, rubbing her neck.
Joey opened the door and allowed Pheobe to enter. She gasped when she saw the room. It was
filled with roses and lit candles, and champagne was sitting in a bucket of ice on the table.
"Joey!" she said, and turned to face him.
"Wow, what happened here?" he joked, and wrapped his arms around Pheobe.
"What is all this?"
"I wanted you to know how much I love you, and how much you mean to me." Joey swallowed hard, and pulled back to look at Pheobe. "I wanted to tell you that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I know we've only been together a few months, but I can't see myself with anyone else."
With that, Joey got down on one knee, as Pheobe gasped again.
"Pheobe, will you marry me?"
******