The One With The Uninvited Dinner Guest
Chapter 12
Continued from: 'TOW The Palm Reading'
By: Jana~
*****~*****
--"I don't know why I go through the effort…" Monica complained as she busied herself with the preparations for dinner, rushing about the kitchen as Chandler watched from the safety of the couch…
"I don't either." he replied casually, his quip meant to lighten the mood.
She stopped her busy movements, her attention firmly planted on her boyfriend… "What's that supposed to mean?"
Chandler was confused by her angry tone and question… "What?"
"You heard me!" she snipped… "Exactly what did you mean by that wisecrack? Are you trying to say I can't cook?"
"No! No! That's not what I meant!" he replied frantically, jumping up from the couch and approaching her…
"Uh-huh! Right!" her tone was dripping with sarcasm, "Then, exactly what did you mean by that little remark, hmmm?"
"Monica, just calm down, ok? I just meant-- that our friends aren't like connoisseurs of great food or anything." he explained, "You could probably get the same result with sloppy joes."
"Well, excuse me for wanting this night to go well!"
"Monica, honey, it will go well, ok?" he shook his head, "Just… chill out, before you bust something."
Monica scowled in response… "You know what would make me 'chill'? Not having this dinner at all! That's what!" She slammed a pan on the stove for emphasis, then stormed off into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her once inside.
Chandler stared at the bathroom door for a moment, then his gaze dropped to his feet as he kicked at the floor,
"Well," he sighed, "So much for that."
--When Monica exited the bathroom a few minutes later, she looked around to find that Chandler was gone.
"Chandler?" she called his name, but she knew he wouldn't answer. She knew he wasn't there…
--"Hey, Mon?" Phoebe asked as she entered the livingroom from her bedroom, "I think I feel up to taking a shower… do I have time before dinner?"
Monica stared off into space, in a daze, but snapped back to reality at Phoebe's question, "Uh, sure. Yeah…"
Phoebe could tell she was upset… "Something wrong?"
Monica looked from the front door to Phoebe… "Yeah, I think I upset Chandler."
"Well, he isn't one to hold a grudge," Phoebe informed, "I'm sure everything will be fine…"
Monica shook her head, then nodded, "Yeah. Towels are on the top shelf…"
*****
--"Wow! Dinner smells great, Mon!" Rachel exclaimed as she entered her old apartment with her husband in tow…
"Yeah it does!" Ross agreed, "Are we the last to show?"
"Yeah, about that," Rachel interjected before the question could be answered… "Sorry we're late." She smiled sheepishly, "We were kinda… busy." The implication was clear.
"It's fine," Monica assured them, "We're still waiting on Chandler."
Phoebe smirked… "And you'd think he of all people would be here by now."
Monica glared discreetly at a grinning Phoebe… "I'm gonna go see what's taking him so long."
--She walked across the hall, poised to knock on his door, but stopped short. Instead, she reached for the knob, quietly turning it before pushing the door open slowly. What she saw, she was not prepared for, and her mouth dropped open in pure shock…
"Kathy?"
Chandler jumped at the sound of Monica's voice…
"Mon! I can explain!"
She glared before storming out, an apologetic Chandler following frantically…
"Mon, please! I didn't invite her! She just showed up!"
She spun around to confront him, still in the hall between her apartment and his… "She just happened to show up hours after we have an argument?! And tell me, did she put a gun to your head and force her way into your apartment?"
She turned on her heel and marched into her apartment, slamming the door in his face as she did.
He instantly opened the door and walked in… "Would you please just let me explain?!"
Monica stopped and turned… "Fine then! Explain!"
"I didn't invite her in! She pushed her way in!"
She exhaled sharply, "Why is she even here?!"
"She came to tell me that she wanted me back. That she'd made a mistake. I told her it was too late, Mon. I told her I had moved on."
"Had?!" she repeated… "As in past tense?!"
"No!" he snapped, irritated by her insinuations, "That is not what I meant!"
"This is about the argument we had earlier, isn't it?"
He shook his head, "It wasn't exactly an argument, was it? I just-- I hated seeing you so stressed out."
"You implied I couldn't cook!" she barked…
"No I didn't! You assumed I was saying that!" he barked back…
"And then you left!" she pointed at the door… "I thought it was because you were mad at me!"
"I left cause I thought you were mad at me!" he shot back, "You said you didn't even wanna have this dinner anymore!"
"That's not what I meant!" she sighed, exasperated…
"I thought that was it for us." He admitted, his tone calmer, almost sad…
She scoffed, "Over a fight?"
He shrugged in response then he looked around him. It was then that both Chandler and Monica realized… they had an audience.
They stood silent as they looked at their shocked and confused friends… neither knowing what to say at that moment.
"I think I can explain this." Phoebe offered, "You see, Chandler and Monica are dating. They're a couple!" she announced excitedly…
"Phoebe!" Monica scolded, wanting to be the one to share the news…
"Sorry," Phoebe apologized, "Was that not helpful?"
"What?!" Joey asked in shock, "Oh my God! Are you serious?!"
Rachel, the news sinking in, started to squeal… "Oh my God! This is so great!" She threw her arms around a tense Monica and hugged her…
"You and Chandler?" Ross asked softly, his voice almost not being heard over the din of confusion and happy chatter…
"Congratulations!" Rachel shrieked as she hugged Monica, then she moved to hug Chandler… "Congratulations, Chandler!"
He hugged back reluctantly, one eye, so to speak, still on Ross, who just seemed in a daze…
"My baby sister and Chandler? My best friend?" Ross muttered to himself…
Monica eyed her brother warily, watching him for his reaction… "Ross?"
He looked at her, mouthing the word 'you', "And Chandler?" he added with a faint voice…
"Ross," her tone was almost scolding, "Don't get all big brother-y on me, ok?" Monica told him soft but firm, "I'm happy! You should be happy for me!"
"Ummm… yeah, but- cause- I, ummm- uh, why?" Ross stammered…
"Why am I happy?" Monica asked, trying to understand what he was asking…
"Now, sweetie," Rachel cooed, wrapping her arms around his neck, "We were friends at first too, remember?"
Ross moved his gaze from his sister to his wife, "But, what about the 'guy rule'?"
"Guy rule?" Phoebe questioned…
"You don't date your friend's old flames or relatives…'
"Or relatives of old flames." Joey added, "That gets real sticky."
"That's why you're all squinchy?" Phoebe asked, ignoring Joey's comment, "Because Chandler is your friend and Monica is your sister?"
Ross shrugged, "It breaks the rules." he reiterated.
Monica rolled her eyes and Rachel scoffed, "Sweetie, your little 'guy rule' is stupid."
"Hey!" Joey announced, "The 'guy rule' is NOT stupid!"
"No Joey," Rachel replied, "For YOU, the 'guy rule' is NOT stupid."
"When? When did this happen?" Ross asked, ignoring the banter between Joey and Rachel…
Chandler took Monica's hand in his and squeezed… "London… officially."
"London?!" Joey repeated, "Dude!" He gave Chandler a congratulatory smile and nod…
Ross shook his head, "During my wedding?"
"Not during," Monica clarified, "Before and after."
"Is that why you were in Chandler's room?"
"No," Monica shook her head, glancing at Chandler, "I was drunk. He was a perfect gentlemen."
Ross just scowled as he digested all that was being said… "Ok, so, now, what does this mean?"
"It means," Chandler replied, "That I care very much for your sister, and now, we are going to be dating."
Ross nodded, "Ok."
"Ok?" Monica repeated, "You mean you're ok with it?"
"Would it matter if I wasn't ok with it?" He asked, his tone challenging, but a smile quickly followed, "Yeah. I'm ok with it. I mean, it's kinda weird, but kinda neat too. And if you're happy, then, I'm happy for you…" He glanced at Chandler… "Both of you."
Chandler grinned, "Thanks, man."
Monica threw her arms around her brother, "Thank you Ross."
"Ok, so, was that it?" Joey asked, "Cause, I'm hungry and the food smells really good."
"Yes, Joey," Monica murmured, placating him, "That was it. We can eat."
"Good to know as long as there's food, Joey is flexible." Chandler quipped…
Monica leaned in, "Just so you know," she whispered, "This isn't over."
Chandler groaned, "Yes dear."
*****
--"Oh! And speaking of news," Rachel exclaimed, the dinner eaten and the group of friends sitting around the livingroom casually talking, "Ross and I have news."
"You're pregnant!" Joey guessed…
"No!" Rachel shot back…
"You're getting a divorce?" Phoebe offered…
"What?!" Rachel asked, shocked…
"No, it's just cause, that would be big news, right?" Phoebe justified her guess…
Rachel shook her head, "No, we're not getting a divorce," she assured them, "We're moving!"
"Moving?" Joey asked, his tone sounding worried…
"To where?" Monica inquired, her expression showing concern. She didn't want her brother and sister-in-law moving away…
Rachel smiled at Ross before answering, "Across the street!" she exclaimed excitedly, "Ugly naked guy is moving out!"
"He is?" Monica asked as she jumped up and headed for the large bay window, peering out across the street…
Chandler followed, then so did the rest…
"See?" Ross pointed out the apartment, "Boxes. He's moving out."
"How did you find out about this?" Chandler asked curiously, "The ad in the 'ugly naked guy' newsletter?"
Ross smirked, "No. I found out from a guy at work who put in for the apartment as well. Him and about a hundred others. But, ugly naked guy liked me better." he announced proudly…
"Really?" Joey asked, "How come?"
"Yeah. How'd you get picked over so many applicants?" Phoebe wondered aloud as well…
Rachel nudged him, "Go ahead, sweetie, tell them."
"It's no big deal." he dodged the request…
"Tell us!" Phoebe demanded…
"Yeah, c'mon!" Joey whined, "Tell us!"
Monica and Chandler then joined the 'tell us' brigade…
"Fine," Ross cut them off, "Fine. I-- I, kinda got… naked."
"What?!" everyone asked, almost in unison, shocked…
"It's no big deal, ok?" Ross downplayed it…
"Right," Chandler agreed, "It's no big deal… for prison inmates!"
Ross rolled his eyes at Chandler's quip…
"Just how far would you have gone to get that apartment?" Joey chuckled…
"Look, all I did was chat with him and eat mini-muffins while naked, ok? He's a nudist! I was trying to bond!"
"And just how much bonding was going on over there?" Chandler asked, struggling to keep a straight face…
Rachel came to his rescue, "Look, guys, enough razzing, ok? I really wanted the apartment, so he did what he had to do… that's all. And hey, it worked, right? Cause, we got the apartment!"
Monica shook her head and smiled, "Well, it's great! We'll be so close!"
"When do you move in?" Phoebe asked…
Ross sighed, glad to be moving on past his nudist adventure, "Next week."
"And we'll be needing some help." Rachel added…
"Busy!" Joey quickly spouted…
"Busy!" Chandler followed a second later…
Rachel glared at both of them…
"But, we'll put it off and help you guys," Chandler promised, "Right Joe?"
Joey scowled…
"Right Joe?" Chandler repeated…
"Alright," he whined, "I'll help."
Ross acknowledged them with an up-nod, "Thanks guys."
"I'd help," Phoebe interjected, placing her hand on her flat stomach, "But I'm still recovering from having three babies."
"Yes Phoebe," Rachel put her arm around her, "You're excused."
*****
--"I know I committed faster to Kathy than to you, Mon, but that wasn't because I loved her more than I love you."
Monica wasn't going to let the 'Kathy' thing go, Chandler could tell. He wanted to just get passed it, make up and maybe have sex, but Monica wanted to have an in-depth conversation about his past relationship with the woman she obviously felt threatened by.
"It killed me seeing you with her. After all you said about being afraid to commit, and then there you were! Committed to her!"
"I wanted to prove I could do it." He explained, her odd expression pushing him to elaborate. "I wanted to see if I could make a relationship work without destroying it." he sighed, "I failed miserably."
"You didn't do anything wrong." Monica reminded, "She cheated on you."
"Because I accused her of it! I drove her to do it!"
"That's ridiculous! She didn't have to sleep with that guy just cause you accused her of having an affair!"
Heavily, he sat on the edge of the bed… "She obviously thought she did."
She paused, sighing before continuing. "Can I ask you a question?"
"If I say 'no', you're just gonna ask it anyway." When she glared at him for his smart-ass remark, he gestured for her to ask the question…
"Did you love Kathy?"
He shrugged, "I don't know, I think part of me did on some level, but, I kept thinking about you! I mean, how much could I have actually loved her if I kept thinking about you all the time?"
"So, if you kept thinking about me, why not just date me?"
His face fell into his hands and he sighed, "We've been through this Mon. Over and over. I was afraid, ok? I love you, but I'm scared. Scared of losing you. She was… safe. If I lost her, I wouldn't be destroyed emotionally."
"Still, you must've cared something for her." Monica continued to push the subject…
"Cared, Mon," he sighed, "Past tense. Kathy means nothing to me. I didn't ask her to come over and I didn't ask her to come in."
She looked around her bedroom, the room familiar, yet not as she viewed it through the tears pooled in her eyes… "But to see her standing there…"
"Look, Mon, I know if the tables were reversed and it was Richard standing in your apartment talking to you or whatever, I'd be upset too, but, believe me when I say, I made everything perfectly clear to Kathy. I told her I was in love, and it wasn't with her, and any chance at a reconciliation was just never going to happen."
"I'm sorry," she apologized weakly, "I'm not the jealous, mistrusting type usually…"
"I know that. You were already wound up cause of the dinner and because of the argument before the dinner." he reasoned, "I understand."
"It's no excuse." She shook her head, "If we're gonna make this work, there needs to be trust."
He nodded, "And do you trust me?" he asked, standing and facing her…
"Yes," she nodded, "I trust you."
Smiling, he wrapped his arms around her… "So, all is ok then."
She grinned, "I guess so."
"So, we've had our first fight as an actual couple, and we're none-the-worse-for-wear." He started to lean in for a kiss…
She moved slowly to meet his lips… "Looks that way." she muttered against his mouth…
His smile faded as he kissed her, one hand moving to her hair, holding her passionately to his lips, the other wrapping around her waist…
She knew what he wanted, and she wanted it too. She inched towards the bed and he followed her lead…
"Make love to me Chandler." she whispered as his lips traveled to her neck,
"Yessss." he hissed in response, his lips missing her as she moved to climb into bed. Once settled, he climbed in after her, his lips melding to hers once again. He hummed in response…
They stared deeply into each other's eyes, his hands touching her intimately, their gaze linking them emotionally as their bodies linked physically.
TO BE CONTINUED…