If Love Is All We Have, Chapter Five
"Desperate Measures"
~New York City~
Monica jogged down the asphalt trail that lined the perimeter of Central Park. It was a cool, crisp New York morning, and Monica could not help smiling just a bit. The idea that they may be able to find Chandler again had put her in unusually high spirits. She jogged around a small bend in the path, and into a set of towering oak trees. The park was eerily quiet, and Monica could hear nothing but her own rhythmic breathing. Suddenly, Monica could hear another set of footsteps behind here, keeping an even pace. Monica thought nothing of it, since the trail was often used by joggers in the early morning hours. Before she knew what was happening, a large hand grabbed her arm, and a cloth covered her nose and mouth.
She suddenly felt all of her strength drain from her body, just as everything went totally black.
*
"Hey," Ross said, entering Monica's apartment.
"Hey," Joey responded through a mouthful of food.
"Where are the girls?" Ross asked, after Joey swallowed his food.
"I dunno. I think they went shopping," Joey said.
Just then, Rachel and Phoebe entered the apartment, carrying several shopping bags.
"Hey," they greeted Ross and Joey as they walked into the apartment.
"Hey," Ross replied, "Where's Monica?"
"I dunno," Rachel said casually, "She's not here?"
"No, I thought she was with you."
"No, I haven't seen her since last night."
"Hmm," Ross said, as his mind whirled. Something inside him was telling him that he should be concerned. Logically, it didn't make any sense to be worried, since Monica was probably just out running errands. But Ross couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He looked at his friends closely, and wondered if they were thinking the same thing.
*
~Prague, The Czech Republic~
Thomas paced back and forth nervously, waiting for Chandler to get back from his meeting with Frank. He knew he had to tell Chandler what he had done, but he was sure that Chandler would be beyond pissed with him for doing it. He jumped when he heard the door open, and he stopped pacing as Chandler walked into the room.
"Thomas, what are you doing here?" Chandler said.
"I uh...Chandler, are you okay?"
"Oh, you mean this?" Chandler pointed to his swelling eye. "Yeah, it's just Frank's little way of proving to me that he is 'in charge', that's all," Chandler sighed and plopped down on the bed.
"What did he want?"
"He wanted me to sign something. Why can't he get it through his head? I don't want his business! I don't want any part of him! He wants me to sell my soul to the devil, so to speak."
"Oh. Well, can't you just take over the businesses and then, just, um, sell them?"
"Nope. I looked at the contract, and I am bound to the company, IF I sign it," Chandler laughed.
"You didn't sign it?" Thomas asked, surprised by Chandler's tenacity.
"Oh, I signed it, I just didn't use my name," Chandler smiled, "Frank is now passing his company off to Mighty Mouse," Chandler laughed.
"Hence the shiner?" Thomas asked, pointing to Chandler's eye.
"Yup, and it was totally worth it," Chandler grinned, "He has to re-draw the contracts now."
"You know that you are just delaying the inevitable, right?"
"Yeah," Chandler sighed, his smile fading, "But the longer I put it off, the longer I can live under the illusion that I can get out of here and go back to my plain, old, ordinary, wonderful life."
Thomas watched as Chandler wandered toward the window, his mind apparently drifting back to better times. He sighed, and decided to leave his half-brother alone with his thoughts. Thomas closed the door to Chandler's room, and started down the hall. He needed to tell Chandler, but he found that he couldn't work up the nerve. Maybe it was for the best. If Frank found that Chandler had nothing to do with The Plan, he may actually listen to him. Thomas knew that he was taking a huge risk, but he couldn't see any other option. The Plan had already been set in motion--there was no turning back.
****
~Twenty Four Hours Later~
"Are you going to tell me where we are going?" Monica said, aggitated.
"For the last time, no. Now shut up!" the masked man said, and put a blindfold over Monica's eyes.
"Hey!" Monica protested.
The van pulled through the iron gates, and onto the gravel path. It came to a sudden stop at the back enterance of the building.
Monica heard the van door slide open, and felt herself being pulled out of the van, and onto the soft grass. The men picked her up, and dragged her into the building.
The men took her into a small, cold room, and pulled off her blindfold. Monica looked around the room, and tried to figure out where she was. They had flown over the Atlantic yesterday, which meant that they were somewhere in Europe. She peered out the small window, and saw nothing but trees. She sighed heavily, as the men untied her arms and ankles, and locked her in the room alone.
*
Chandler stood in front of the large mirror, taking in the reflection in front of him. At first glance, he seemed to be just a normal guy. Dressed in blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black v-neck sweater, he looked like an average guy, on an average day. He certainly didn't look like someone who was about to sign on to take over a mutli-billion dollar empire. His face gave the impression that he was calm, and in total control. But inside, he was screaming. He knew that he had to sign that contract today. The contract that would bind him to Frank for the rest of his life. It was the last thing he wanted. Chandler looked at his reflection more closely, and could see that his eyes revealed his true feelings. He sighed, and turned to leave.
"Chandler," Thomas said, entering the room that Chandler was about to leave.
"Thomas, what's up?"
"I gotta show you something," Thomas was grinning like a mad man.
"Can it wait? I have a meeting with Frank," Chandler said grimly.
"Nope, it can't wait," Thomas said, grabbing Chandler's wrist and dragging him down the hall.
Thomas led Chandler to an old, abandoned part of the building. They walked up a small flight of stairs, and down another narrow corridor.
"Thomas, what are we doing here?" Chandler whispered.
"Just come on," Thomas replied, as they approached the end of the hallway. Thomas fumbled with a set of keys, and unlocked a heavy wooden door. He opened the door, and entered the room. Chandler followed close behind, his eyes scanning the room. His jaw dropped when he eyes landed on the figure standing by the small window.
"Monica?"
*
Monica didn't turn around when the door opened. She did not want to talk to anyone, not until someone explained to her why she was brought to this...place. She heard someone enter the room, and still she refused to turn away from the window. It was then that she heard her name. She turned slowly, unable to believe what she had just heard. She saw him, and for a split-second she was sure that it was an illusion.
"Ch-Chandler?"
"Monica, what are you doing here?" Chandler approached Monica, pulling her into a warm embrace.
"I--I don't know," Monica said crying into Chandler's chest.
Chandler looked over at Thomas, who now had a very guilty look on his face.
"Thomas, what is going on?"
"Chandler, remember the back up plan I told you about?"
"Yes, and as I recall, I told you that I didn't want Monica involved in this! We're putting her in danger!"
"Chandler, what's going on? Where are we?" Monica's voice was shaking with emotion.
"We're in Prague," Chandler sighed, pulling Monica toward him again, "I can't believe you're here."
"Why am I here? Chandler, what is this place?"
Chandler pulled away from Monica, and leaned up against the wall. He didn't even know where to begin.
****
"Mr. Geller, please calm down," the uniformed officer said sternly.
"Calm down? My baby sister has been missing for two days, and you want me to calm down!"
"Ross, come on, this isn't helping," Rachel said, as new tears formed in her eyes.
"Mr. Geller, we are doing everything we can to help you. But we have very little to go on."
"I think this has something to do with Chandler," Joey said.
"Who?" the officer asked.
"Chandler Bing, Monica's boyfriend. He disappeared several weeks ago."
"Can you talk to our investigator's about this?"
"Yeah," Joey said. He really hoped that wherever Monica was, she had found Chandler. If they were together, then maybe they would be okay.
****
"So all of that stuff that you told us...about your parents, your childhood...that was all a lie?" Monica sat on the floor of her room, astounded by the story she had just been told.
"Believe me, Monica, I wanted to tell you the truth...and I very nearly did, once. But I had to protect myself. The last thing I wanted was to end up back here."
"So, is your name even Chandler?" Monica looked up at Chandler, as a single tear rolled down her already tear-stained face.
"No. I mean, it was, legally my name, when I met you. Nora helped me change it. But Frank has since taken care of that," Chandler sighed, knowing that no matter what Frank did to his identity superficially, in his heart, he would always be Chandler Bing.
"Wh-what is your name?"
"Mon, I am Chandler. I think of myself as Chandler. My brother calls me Chandler," Chandler motioned over to Thomas.
"Thomas is your brother?"
"Half-brother...I found out a few days ago," Chandler turned and smiled at Thomas, who sighed with relief. He was sure that Chandler was still angry at him for bringing Monica here. But he couldn't help but notice how Chandler's eyes lit up when he saw Monica.
"But--my birth name is Peter. Peter Barlow," Chandler continued.
"Peter," Monica whispered under her breath, as though it was a foreign word to her.
"Monica, I love you so much, and I want to spend my life with you--I really do. But being here is very dangerous for you. I have no idea what my father is capable of. Thomas--" Chandler looked over at his brother, grabbing his attention.
"Yeah?"
"Does Frank know about this?"
"No, not at all."
"Then we can still get her out of here?"
"Yeah. Francesco helped me get her in...he should be able to help me get her out."
"No," Monica protested, "I'm not leaving you, not now."
"Monica, it's not safe--" Chandler said slowly.
"I don't care. I am here now, and I am not leaving without you."
"Monica, please," Chandler pleaded.
"No. Chandler, you know I always win."
"Yes, I know sweetie," Chandler said, kissing her temple, then whispered to himself, "But this isn't a game."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Oooookay. Next part after I get back from New York City, BAYBEE!
Happy New Year!
"Desperate Measures"
~New York City~
Monica jogged down the asphalt trail that lined the perimeter of Central Park. It was a cool, crisp New York morning, and Monica could not help smiling just a bit. The idea that they may be able to find Chandler again had put her in unusually high spirits. She jogged around a small bend in the path, and into a set of towering oak trees. The park was eerily quiet, and Monica could hear nothing but her own rhythmic breathing. Suddenly, Monica could hear another set of footsteps behind here, keeping an even pace. Monica thought nothing of it, since the trail was often used by joggers in the early morning hours. Before she knew what was happening, a large hand grabbed her arm, and a cloth covered her nose and mouth.
She suddenly felt all of her strength drain from her body, just as everything went totally black.
*
"Hey," Ross said, entering Monica's apartment.
"Hey," Joey responded through a mouthful of food.
"Where are the girls?" Ross asked, after Joey swallowed his food.
"I dunno. I think they went shopping," Joey said.
Just then, Rachel and Phoebe entered the apartment, carrying several shopping bags.
"Hey," they greeted Ross and Joey as they walked into the apartment.
"Hey," Ross replied, "Where's Monica?"
"I dunno," Rachel said casually, "She's not here?"
"No, I thought she was with you."
"No, I haven't seen her since last night."
"Hmm," Ross said, as his mind whirled. Something inside him was telling him that he should be concerned. Logically, it didn't make any sense to be worried, since Monica was probably just out running errands. But Ross couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He looked at his friends closely, and wondered if they were thinking the same thing.
*
~Prague, The Czech Republic~
Thomas paced back and forth nervously, waiting for Chandler to get back from his meeting with Frank. He knew he had to tell Chandler what he had done, but he was sure that Chandler would be beyond pissed with him for doing it. He jumped when he heard the door open, and he stopped pacing as Chandler walked into the room.
"Thomas, what are you doing here?" Chandler said.
"I uh...Chandler, are you okay?"
"Oh, you mean this?" Chandler pointed to his swelling eye. "Yeah, it's just Frank's little way of proving to me that he is 'in charge', that's all," Chandler sighed and plopped down on the bed.
"What did he want?"
"He wanted me to sign something. Why can't he get it through his head? I don't want his business! I don't want any part of him! He wants me to sell my soul to the devil, so to speak."
"Oh. Well, can't you just take over the businesses and then, just, um, sell them?"
"Nope. I looked at the contract, and I am bound to the company, IF I sign it," Chandler laughed.
"You didn't sign it?" Thomas asked, surprised by Chandler's tenacity.
"Oh, I signed it, I just didn't use my name," Chandler smiled, "Frank is now passing his company off to Mighty Mouse," Chandler laughed.
"Hence the shiner?" Thomas asked, pointing to Chandler's eye.
"Yup, and it was totally worth it," Chandler grinned, "He has to re-draw the contracts now."
"You know that you are just delaying the inevitable, right?"
"Yeah," Chandler sighed, his smile fading, "But the longer I put it off, the longer I can live under the illusion that I can get out of here and go back to my plain, old, ordinary, wonderful life."
Thomas watched as Chandler wandered toward the window, his mind apparently drifting back to better times. He sighed, and decided to leave his half-brother alone with his thoughts. Thomas closed the door to Chandler's room, and started down the hall. He needed to tell Chandler, but he found that he couldn't work up the nerve. Maybe it was for the best. If Frank found that Chandler had nothing to do with The Plan, he may actually listen to him. Thomas knew that he was taking a huge risk, but he couldn't see any other option. The Plan had already been set in motion--there was no turning back.
****
~Twenty Four Hours Later~
"Are you going to tell me where we are going?" Monica said, aggitated.
"For the last time, no. Now shut up!" the masked man said, and put a blindfold over Monica's eyes.
"Hey!" Monica protested.
The van pulled through the iron gates, and onto the gravel path. It came to a sudden stop at the back enterance of the building.
Monica heard the van door slide open, and felt herself being pulled out of the van, and onto the soft grass. The men picked her up, and dragged her into the building.
The men took her into a small, cold room, and pulled off her blindfold. Monica looked around the room, and tried to figure out where she was. They had flown over the Atlantic yesterday, which meant that they were somewhere in Europe. She peered out the small window, and saw nothing but trees. She sighed heavily, as the men untied her arms and ankles, and locked her in the room alone.
*
Chandler stood in front of the large mirror, taking in the reflection in front of him. At first glance, he seemed to be just a normal guy. Dressed in blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black v-neck sweater, he looked like an average guy, on an average day. He certainly didn't look like someone who was about to sign on to take over a mutli-billion dollar empire. His face gave the impression that he was calm, and in total control. But inside, he was screaming. He knew that he had to sign that contract today. The contract that would bind him to Frank for the rest of his life. It was the last thing he wanted. Chandler looked at his reflection more closely, and could see that his eyes revealed his true feelings. He sighed, and turned to leave.
"Chandler," Thomas said, entering the room that Chandler was about to leave.
"Thomas, what's up?"
"I gotta show you something," Thomas was grinning like a mad man.
"Can it wait? I have a meeting with Frank," Chandler said grimly.
"Nope, it can't wait," Thomas said, grabbing Chandler's wrist and dragging him down the hall.
Thomas led Chandler to an old, abandoned part of the building. They walked up a small flight of stairs, and down another narrow corridor.
"Thomas, what are we doing here?" Chandler whispered.
"Just come on," Thomas replied, as they approached the end of the hallway. Thomas fumbled with a set of keys, and unlocked a heavy wooden door. He opened the door, and entered the room. Chandler followed close behind, his eyes scanning the room. His jaw dropped when he eyes landed on the figure standing by the small window.
"Monica?"
*
Monica didn't turn around when the door opened. She did not want to talk to anyone, not until someone explained to her why she was brought to this...place. She heard someone enter the room, and still she refused to turn away from the window. It was then that she heard her name. She turned slowly, unable to believe what she had just heard. She saw him, and for a split-second she was sure that it was an illusion.
"Ch-Chandler?"
"Monica, what are you doing here?" Chandler approached Monica, pulling her into a warm embrace.
"I--I don't know," Monica said crying into Chandler's chest.
Chandler looked over at Thomas, who now had a very guilty look on his face.
"Thomas, what is going on?"
"Chandler, remember the back up plan I told you about?"
"Yes, and as I recall, I told you that I didn't want Monica involved in this! We're putting her in danger!"
"Chandler, what's going on? Where are we?" Monica's voice was shaking with emotion.
"We're in Prague," Chandler sighed, pulling Monica toward him again, "I can't believe you're here."
"Why am I here? Chandler, what is this place?"
Chandler pulled away from Monica, and leaned up against the wall. He didn't even know where to begin.
****
"Mr. Geller, please calm down," the uniformed officer said sternly.
"Calm down? My baby sister has been missing for two days, and you want me to calm down!"
"Ross, come on, this isn't helping," Rachel said, as new tears formed in her eyes.
"Mr. Geller, we are doing everything we can to help you. But we have very little to go on."
"I think this has something to do with Chandler," Joey said.
"Who?" the officer asked.
"Chandler Bing, Monica's boyfriend. He disappeared several weeks ago."
"Can you talk to our investigator's about this?"
"Yeah," Joey said. He really hoped that wherever Monica was, she had found Chandler. If they were together, then maybe they would be okay.
****
"So all of that stuff that you told us...about your parents, your childhood...that was all a lie?" Monica sat on the floor of her room, astounded by the story she had just been told.
"Believe me, Monica, I wanted to tell you the truth...and I very nearly did, once. But I had to protect myself. The last thing I wanted was to end up back here."
"So, is your name even Chandler?" Monica looked up at Chandler, as a single tear rolled down her already tear-stained face.
"No. I mean, it was, legally my name, when I met you. Nora helped me change it. But Frank has since taken care of that," Chandler sighed, knowing that no matter what Frank did to his identity superficially, in his heart, he would always be Chandler Bing.
"Wh-what is your name?"
"Mon, I am Chandler. I think of myself as Chandler. My brother calls me Chandler," Chandler motioned over to Thomas.
"Thomas is your brother?"
"Half-brother...I found out a few days ago," Chandler turned and smiled at Thomas, who sighed with relief. He was sure that Chandler was still angry at him for bringing Monica here. But he couldn't help but notice how Chandler's eyes lit up when he saw Monica.
"But--my birth name is Peter. Peter Barlow," Chandler continued.
"Peter," Monica whispered under her breath, as though it was a foreign word to her.
"Monica, I love you so much, and I want to spend my life with you--I really do. But being here is very dangerous for you. I have no idea what my father is capable of. Thomas--" Chandler looked over at his brother, grabbing his attention.
"Yeah?"
"Does Frank know about this?"
"No, not at all."
"Then we can still get her out of here?"
"Yeah. Francesco helped me get her in...he should be able to help me get her out."
"No," Monica protested, "I'm not leaving you, not now."
"Monica, it's not safe--" Chandler said slowly.
"I don't care. I am here now, and I am not leaving without you."
"Monica, please," Chandler pleaded.
"No. Chandler, you know I always win."
"Yes, I know sweetie," Chandler said, kissing her temple, then whispered to himself, "But this isn't a game."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Oooookay. Next part after I get back from New York City, BAYBEE!
Happy New Year!