Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last fanfic. I really appreciated it. And, BTW, I guess I forgot to mention Rachel was pregnant and, as for Ross... well, ok I goofed a bit there.

Summary: Phoebe is given something, which changes their lives forever.

Note: Rachel doesn't know that Joey loves her. This fic is based on the story, 'The monkey's paw' by W.W Jacobs.

Disclaimer: I don't own friends or 'The monkey's paw'. I'm just a poor student with a LOT of free time. So don't sue me.

 TOW THE MONKEY'S PAW

It was the perfect day- the kind of day when everything is right with the world. Who would have thought that in just a few hours their world would be shattered?

Phoebe rushed into central perk. "Hey guys! You're not going to believe what happened today. Its unbelievable!"

Ross looked skeptically at her. In his experience anything that got Phoebe this excited, was bound to be trouble. "What is it?"

"Well, I was giving this real weird guy a massage today. And he liked my work so much that he gave me this." She held out her hand. Something brown and shriveled lay in it.

"Ewww! What is that?" exclaimed Rachel. The others looked at it curiously.

"It's a monkey's paw." The gang looked really grossed out.

"He gave you an animal's paw because he liked your work? Man, I'd hate to see what he'd give a person who he was upset with," quipped Chandler.

"Anyway," Phoebe continued, "so this guy said that it has mystical powers. It has the power to ... grant 5 WISHES!" She looked around expectantly.

Chandler was the first to break the silence. "Well, it's about time! I really was worried I was going to die without wishing on the magical monkey paw. How would that look on my tombstone?"

Ross rolled his eyes. "Phoebe, that is ridiculous!"

Joey seemed to be the only one who was excited. "That is so cool! So can I wish for something?" He looked at Rachel longingly. ' Maybe I can wish for her to be mine,' he thought

"You guys don't believe me? Well, why don't we wish for something and I'll prove it to you."

"Lets wish for Yasmeen Bleeth to show up here..." said Chandler. Monica looked at him, "...for Joey! I have the most beautiful woman as my wife. Why would I want her?"

Monica smiled. "Thank you, honey."

"Good save, pal," grinned Joey.

"So who wants to have the first wish?" asked Phoebe.

"Give it to me. I'll show you how silly this is," said Ross.

"Ok. You hold it in your right hand, close your eyes and wish."

Ross took the paw. "Fine. I'll wish for something simple." He held it in his right hand, closed his eyes and wished, "I wish I could have a copy of the new 'Dino' magazine for free." Ross opened his eyes and looked around. "What did I tell you? Now do you believe me?"

Suddenly there was a loud crash from outside. Everyone ran outside. A car had crashed into a newsstand opposite Central Perk. Magazines and newspapers were flying everywhere. A copy of 'Dino' fell at Ross' feet. He picked it up and looked at in disbelief.

"I think I'd better return this," he said. He walked over to where the newsstand vendor and the driver were arguing. "Excuse me but..."

"Can't you see I'm busy!" yelled the vendor.

"But this magazine..."

For heaven's sake just keep it!"

"Oh my god! Ross, your wish came true," exclaimed Joey.

"It was a coincidence. That's all."

"I can't believe you blew a wish on a dumb magazine. Are you crazy?" yelled Chandler. He stopped. "What am I SAYING?"

"Well! Now do YOU believe me?" smirked Phoebe.

"I really don't believe that the paw had anything to do with it," said Ross.

Suddenly Rachel gave a yell. They were late for her doctor's appointment. Ross caught a cab and they left.

"So," said Phoebe, as they walked back into Central Perk, "what else can we wish for?"



Later that day, Rachel had just got back from the hospital and was lying on the couch at Monica's place. Phoebe was at the dining table with Monica, helping her peel potatoes. The door burst open and Joey rushed inside. "The VCR isn't working! It's a tragedy. I can't record Baywatch!"

Rachel was amused. "Wish I could help you, sweetie. But Monica's kept the VCR hidden ever since she caught Chandler recording Baywatch. She believes it's an unhealthy obsession."

Joey was shocked. How could anyone think Baywatch was unhealthy? The greatest show on the planet? It was unthinkable. He looked at his watch. He was going to be late for dinner at his parent's home. He looked beseechingly at Monica. "Monica, I'm begging you. Please just this once!"

"No. It's going to stay hidden and that's final," glared Monica. She got up to get a bowl from the kitchen cabinet.

Phoebe held out the monkey's paw. "Here, Joey. Why don't you wish for a VCR?"

Joey looked unsure. It was true that Ross' wish had come true but at the cost of something else. Phoebe urged him on. She seemed to know what was holding him back. She pointed out that they were in a safe place so nothing bad would happen. He finally shrugged and took it. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and wished.

Monica had her hand on the glass bowl, in the cabinet. Rachel was sitting up on the couch. Phoebe stood next to Joey, waiting. There was absolute silence in the room.

The door opened slowly. No one noticed it. They were all staring at Joey. He opened his eyes. There was no VCR! He sighed in disappointment.

"Hey guys," Chandler came into the room, startling everyone.

"Aargh!" yelled Monica as the heavy bowl crashed onto her foot and shattered. She abruptly fell to the floor. Chandler rushed to her side. Her foot was bleeding profusely. Phoebe rushed and got the first aid box. Her foot was bandaged. Chandler carried her downstairs and rushed to the hospital.

Rachel was trembling. Joey gave her a hug. "She's going to be okay. It's just a cut." He led her to the sofa and sat her down.

Phoebe noticed a few plates in the cabinet, which were on the verge of falling. She was about to put them back in when she noticed something. There was something else in there. Phoebe took the plates out. She could see what it was now. She gasped. Joey and Rachel looked at her enquiringly.

She then reached in and pulled it out ...Rachel blanched. "It's...its the VCR."

"Your wish came true, Joey" whispered Phoebe.

Ok so that was the first chapter. Not really good, I know. The romance will come in later chapters. But there'll be more chapters only if I get enough reviews. So R & R, please.