If Love Is All We Have, Chapter Six
"Plans"
Chandler, Monica and Thomas headed towards Franks' office. While Thomas and Monica chatted, Chandler tried to figure out a way to get Monica out of there. He wondered how Frank was going to react to Monica's presence. Chandler sighed, and squeezed Monica's hand. He would do anything to protect her.
Anything.
*
"So, they are here right now?" Frank asked cooly.
"Yes. They brought the woman in last night. They want to try and sway you into thinking that Peter is better off with her."
"Oh, really? Well, Peter's plans are about to blow up in his face," Frank smiled.
"They are on their way to see you."
"Excellent. Get out of here before they see you. And find out what is going on with the merchandise. It should have been sent by now."
"Yes Sir."
Franks straightened his tie, just as Chandler entered with Thomas and Monica.
"Well, Chandler, who do we have here?"
"This is Monica, my girlfriend."
"Monica. What a beautiful name. I'm Frank, Chandler's father."
"I know who you are," Monica said shortly.
"Well, let me welcome you to my home. Can I get you anything? Wine? Some food, perhaps?"
"I'm fine, really." Monica was surprised at how gracious this man was. Chandler hadn't told her much, other than the fact that Frank had brought him back here, and that he had run off when he was thirteen. But he had yet to tell her *why* he'd run away.
"Chandler, why don't we move you and Monica into a larger bedroom. There's one in the North Wing that will suit the two of you much better," Frank smiled warmly, and Chandler was taken aback by his strange attitute.
"Wh-what?"
"I mean, unless you like the room you're in--I'll tell you what; Let's let Monica decide which room she likes best."
Chandler stood in front of his father, speechless.
"We can do that later. First, I think Chandler has something he needs to do. Come with me, son," Frank put his arm around Chandler's shoulders and led him to the adjacent room. After they left, Monica turned to Thomas.
"Chandler said that your father was--"
"I don't know who that guy was, but it wasn't our father, that's for sure," Thomas interrupted, laughing.
Monica shook her head. This just kept getting weirder and weirder.
*
"Okay, Chandler, you listen to me," Frank's tone changed once again, from hospitable to low and threatening, "You will sign these, not as Mighty Mouse, not as Chandler Bing, but as Peter Barlow, got it?"
Chandler nodded.
"Screw up my contracts this time, and I'll kill your pretty little friend," Frank grinned evilly.
Chandler shook his head and signed the papers. Frank was obviously suffering from some kind of multiple-personality thing. Chandler looked at the contract as he handed it to Frank.
"So I run the construction business--does that mean I'll have to run all your illegal crap too?"
Frank shook his head, "Peter, nothing I do is illegal--well, it shouldn't be, anyway. I am doing the world a service by getting those weapons out of all those former Soviet Republics--none of those places are very stable."
"Yes, smuggling them to the US and Mexico is certainly helping heal the world," Chandler retorted sarcastically.
"Shut up and get back out there. And, if you are a good boy and do what you are told, then your girlfriend will be treated like a Queen--if you try and screw me, she'll die. Got it?"
Chandler nodded and headed back into the office. He knew that Thomas' plan would only backfire. Frank didn't care that he'd had a life back in New York--he didn't care that Monica was probably confused and afraid, and--should she ever get out--a liability. But none of that mattered now. Chandler had to do whatever he could to keep Monica safe--even if it meant lying to her about what was going on. The less she knew, the better.
***
"Wow," Monica picked up the diamond necklace and looked at it in awe.
"Consider it a welcome gift," Franks said, smiling.
"I-I really shouldn't," Monica said.
"No, no, I insist. You are living in a society where you must look as rich as you are. And you are going to be marrying into a very wealthy family," Frank winked.
"Married? Oh, Chandler and I aren't engaged," Monica smiled.
"I know. But you will be married, eventually."
Monica's smile faded. Had Chandler said something? She doubted it. She knew Chandler, and he was not ready for marriage yet. While she couldn't see herself marrying anyone else, the fact that Frank had been so matter-of-fact about the issue alarmed Monica. She decided to shake it off, and try her best to fit into this weird little world, for now. What choice did she have?
***
Chandler sat in the darkened room, trying his best to stay awake. The room was filled with shady-looking characters, obviously Frank's contacts. Frank was introducing them to his son, promising them that 'Peter' would be as reliable as Frank had been all of these years. Chandler pasted on a plastic smile, shook all of their hands, and backed-up Frank's promises. He left the room three hours later, loosening his blue silk tie, and pulling off his black Armani jacket, before heading back up to the room he shared with Monica. He walked in, hoping to spend some alone time with her. But once again, Monica was gone. Frank had given her the run of the house, insisting that she decorate the house any way she chose. Monica was thrilled with the idea that she'd be able to decorate an entire *house* as opposed to her tiny apartment. Since the "house" had somewhere along the lines of 85 rooms (that he knew of), Chandler figured Monica would be busy decorating for about twenty years. Chandler sighed, and plopped down on the faded green sofa that sat in the far corner of the room. Their bedroom was ridiculously huge. Along with the sofa, there was a bar, a fireplace, a gigantic bathroom, and *four* closets. What the hell are you supposed to do with four closets? Chandler had asked that question aloud a few nights ago, only to be met with a loud laugh and Monica's shaking head. Apparently, it was a stupid question. A large window lined one wall, and a set of French doors opened up to a large veranda, complete with an iron table and matching chairs, and an herb garden--something that just thrilled Monica. Chandler made his way out onto the veranda, and stared blankly at the enourmous Japanese-style garden that grew below him. He couldn't believe that this was his life again. He was knee-deep in illegal weapons trading, and living with a man he had spent the better part of his life despising. But, Monica was with him, and somehow, that just made everything better. Monica seemed to be adjusting to this strange new world well--much better than Chandler thought she would've. He sighed. It was a surreal experience, having the woman he loved with him in the world he had left behind so long ago.
***
Frank sat in his office, trying to come up with a use for the woman that Peter and Thomas had forced into his life. While Frank knew how to charm women very, very well, he despised them--they were too much of an emotional investment. Frank had married Peter's mother only because he'd gotten her pregnant--but got rid of her as soon as he could. The same held true for Thomas' mother. And while this Monica woman was not his emotional investment, he knew that she would only distract Peter from doing his job. He would use Monica until Peter was so totally entrenched in the trade that he had no choice but to stay. Then he would get rid of her--unless...Frank smiled. He could use a grandson to ensure that the business stayed in the family. He'd make sure that Peter got Monica pregnant before the year was out. There was no way Monica would be allowed to live here much longer than that.
The plan was perfect.
******
AN: Just for the record, I know next to nothing about illegal arms smuggling from former Soviet Republics, I just know it happens. So, for all you smugglers that are reading this right now--uh, sorry.
"Plans"
Chandler, Monica and Thomas headed towards Franks' office. While Thomas and Monica chatted, Chandler tried to figure out a way to get Monica out of there. He wondered how Frank was going to react to Monica's presence. Chandler sighed, and squeezed Monica's hand. He would do anything to protect her.
Anything.
*
"So, they are here right now?" Frank asked cooly.
"Yes. They brought the woman in last night. They want to try and sway you into thinking that Peter is better off with her."
"Oh, really? Well, Peter's plans are about to blow up in his face," Frank smiled.
"They are on their way to see you."
"Excellent. Get out of here before they see you. And find out what is going on with the merchandise. It should have been sent by now."
"Yes Sir."
Franks straightened his tie, just as Chandler entered with Thomas and Monica.
"Well, Chandler, who do we have here?"
"This is Monica, my girlfriend."
"Monica. What a beautiful name. I'm Frank, Chandler's father."
"I know who you are," Monica said shortly.
"Well, let me welcome you to my home. Can I get you anything? Wine? Some food, perhaps?"
"I'm fine, really." Monica was surprised at how gracious this man was. Chandler hadn't told her much, other than the fact that Frank had brought him back here, and that he had run off when he was thirteen. But he had yet to tell her *why* he'd run away.
"Chandler, why don't we move you and Monica into a larger bedroom. There's one in the North Wing that will suit the two of you much better," Frank smiled warmly, and Chandler was taken aback by his strange attitute.
"Wh-what?"
"I mean, unless you like the room you're in--I'll tell you what; Let's let Monica decide which room she likes best."
Chandler stood in front of his father, speechless.
"We can do that later. First, I think Chandler has something he needs to do. Come with me, son," Frank put his arm around Chandler's shoulders and led him to the adjacent room. After they left, Monica turned to Thomas.
"Chandler said that your father was--"
"I don't know who that guy was, but it wasn't our father, that's for sure," Thomas interrupted, laughing.
Monica shook her head. This just kept getting weirder and weirder.
*
"Okay, Chandler, you listen to me," Frank's tone changed once again, from hospitable to low and threatening, "You will sign these, not as Mighty Mouse, not as Chandler Bing, but as Peter Barlow, got it?"
Chandler nodded.
"Screw up my contracts this time, and I'll kill your pretty little friend," Frank grinned evilly.
Chandler shook his head and signed the papers. Frank was obviously suffering from some kind of multiple-personality thing. Chandler looked at the contract as he handed it to Frank.
"So I run the construction business--does that mean I'll have to run all your illegal crap too?"
Frank shook his head, "Peter, nothing I do is illegal--well, it shouldn't be, anyway. I am doing the world a service by getting those weapons out of all those former Soviet Republics--none of those places are very stable."
"Yes, smuggling them to the US and Mexico is certainly helping heal the world," Chandler retorted sarcastically.
"Shut up and get back out there. And, if you are a good boy and do what you are told, then your girlfriend will be treated like a Queen--if you try and screw me, she'll die. Got it?"
Chandler nodded and headed back into the office. He knew that Thomas' plan would only backfire. Frank didn't care that he'd had a life back in New York--he didn't care that Monica was probably confused and afraid, and--should she ever get out--a liability. But none of that mattered now. Chandler had to do whatever he could to keep Monica safe--even if it meant lying to her about what was going on. The less she knew, the better.
***
"Wow," Monica picked up the diamond necklace and looked at it in awe.
"Consider it a welcome gift," Franks said, smiling.
"I-I really shouldn't," Monica said.
"No, no, I insist. You are living in a society where you must look as rich as you are. And you are going to be marrying into a very wealthy family," Frank winked.
"Married? Oh, Chandler and I aren't engaged," Monica smiled.
"I know. But you will be married, eventually."
Monica's smile faded. Had Chandler said something? She doubted it. She knew Chandler, and he was not ready for marriage yet. While she couldn't see herself marrying anyone else, the fact that Frank had been so matter-of-fact about the issue alarmed Monica. She decided to shake it off, and try her best to fit into this weird little world, for now. What choice did she have?
***
Chandler sat in the darkened room, trying his best to stay awake. The room was filled with shady-looking characters, obviously Frank's contacts. Frank was introducing them to his son, promising them that 'Peter' would be as reliable as Frank had been all of these years. Chandler pasted on a plastic smile, shook all of their hands, and backed-up Frank's promises. He left the room three hours later, loosening his blue silk tie, and pulling off his black Armani jacket, before heading back up to the room he shared with Monica. He walked in, hoping to spend some alone time with her. But once again, Monica was gone. Frank had given her the run of the house, insisting that she decorate the house any way she chose. Monica was thrilled with the idea that she'd be able to decorate an entire *house* as opposed to her tiny apartment. Since the "house" had somewhere along the lines of 85 rooms (that he knew of), Chandler figured Monica would be busy decorating for about twenty years. Chandler sighed, and plopped down on the faded green sofa that sat in the far corner of the room. Their bedroom was ridiculously huge. Along with the sofa, there was a bar, a fireplace, a gigantic bathroom, and *four* closets. What the hell are you supposed to do with four closets? Chandler had asked that question aloud a few nights ago, only to be met with a loud laugh and Monica's shaking head. Apparently, it was a stupid question. A large window lined one wall, and a set of French doors opened up to a large veranda, complete with an iron table and matching chairs, and an herb garden--something that just thrilled Monica. Chandler made his way out onto the veranda, and stared blankly at the enourmous Japanese-style garden that grew below him. He couldn't believe that this was his life again. He was knee-deep in illegal weapons trading, and living with a man he had spent the better part of his life despising. But, Monica was with him, and somehow, that just made everything better. Monica seemed to be adjusting to this strange new world well--much better than Chandler thought she would've. He sighed. It was a surreal experience, having the woman he loved with him in the world he had left behind so long ago.
***
Frank sat in his office, trying to come up with a use for the woman that Peter and Thomas had forced into his life. While Frank knew how to charm women very, very well, he despised them--they were too much of an emotional investment. Frank had married Peter's mother only because he'd gotten her pregnant--but got rid of her as soon as he could. The same held true for Thomas' mother. And while this Monica woman was not his emotional investment, he knew that she would only distract Peter from doing his job. He would use Monica until Peter was so totally entrenched in the trade that he had no choice but to stay. Then he would get rid of her--unless...Frank smiled. He could use a grandson to ensure that the business stayed in the family. He'd make sure that Peter got Monica pregnant before the year was out. There was no way Monica would be allowed to live here much longer than that.
The plan was perfect.
******
AN: Just for the record, I know next to nothing about illegal arms smuggling from former Soviet Republics, I just know it happens. So, for all you smugglers that are reading this right now--uh, sorry.