Dreaming Big

Alely7

Summary: Joey gets his big break and then some great opportunities present themselves for another friend.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters and this is purely for enjoyment. No profits will be made.

Chapter 3: The Second Famous Friend

"Does everyone know what today is?"  Chandler asked as he sat sown on the couch in Central Perk.  The gang was there, minus Monica, but she hadn't been there for over three months.

"Yea, I have that big meeting with my agent," Joey said, although this was obviously not what Chandler was looking for.

"I have a few massages, nothing special.  Just an ordinary Monday," Phoebe replied, also failing to notice the real importance of this day. 

"No, you guys, Monica comes home today!  We're going to meet her at the airport.  Remember?"  Chandler said impatiently.  He had been looking forward to this day ever since she had left for California.  Things had been so different without her; he had become the one who took care of everyone else.  He had even learned to cook a few things, even though his concoctions were nothing compared to hers.  Monica and Rachel's apartment was no longer the place to hang out because it had gotten so messy.  Without Monica, Rachel just left things scattered and Chandler grew annoyed.  In essence, he had become Monica, an obsessive and neurotic neat freak. 

"Oh, shoot," Ross groaned.  "I forgot and I have a sonogram to go to.  I can't miss it otherwise Carol will get to do all of the stuff that I am supposed to do.  Sorry, man, as much as I missed my sister, I really can't go."  Chandler couldn't believe it; he had been counting down the days until her return and her own brother and forgotten.

"I'm sorry, Chandler, but I can't go with you either.  My Mom got me a facial with Lajorge for today.  You cannot even imagine how many strings she had to pull for that."  Rachel laughed while feeling guilty about forgetting Monica's homecoming.

"So, I am guessing you two are out?"  Chandler pointed at Phoebe and Joey already knowing the answer.  Ever since Joey's premiere, he and Phoebe had been going out.  They spent all of their time together when not with the gang or at work.  Chandler and Joey hardly even hung out anymore even though it didn't much matter because Chandler's new responsibilities took up most of his time.

Joey shrugged and answered in the negative.   He felt really bad about not being able to go to pick Monica up, but there was nothing he could do.  First he had the big meeting to discuss another possible movie and then he and Phoebe were celebrating their three-month anniversary at the new Esperanza CafĂ©.  Reservations were so hard to get there and he couldn't just back out.  But still, he had really missed Monica and her cooking; Chandler was nowhere as good as she was.  Phoebe felt horrible too.  She missed all of Monica's obsessions.  Without her here, everything was just a little dull, except for things with Joey, which were on fire!  Rachel missed her friend and her cleanliness.  At first she thought it was exciting because she didn't need to use the phone pen, but soon everything grew chaotic and no one could even find the phone underneath the piles of clothes.  Monica kept everything in order.  But no one felt worse than Ross, Monica's older brother.  He had really missed seeing her everyday, even though they talked twice a week on the telephone.   Now he was going to miss her arrival home.  Even though some of the gang had superficial reasons for missing Monica, everyone was excited about her homecoming, but it was just that the were so wrapped up in their own lives that they had little time for anyone besides themselves. 

Chandler sighed and thought about the past few months.  Everything had been pretty boring here without her.  She was the one who almost always appreciated his jokes.  She was the one who always helped with girl trouble.  While she had been gone, he had only been on one date, but she ditched him in the middle of dinner.  When Chandler had gotten home that night, everyone else was out and so therefore he was all alone.  Chandler felt as though he was the only one who cared.  He had collected all of her magazine covers and articles form newspapers.  He had taped all of her commercials and interviews.  Sure all of the others had looked on and watched, but Chandler had truly gone all out.  He was planning on meeting Monica at the airport and decorating his apartment for her "Welcome Home" party. Of course now, he would be the only guest besides the honoree.   After a few moments of reflection, he glanced at his watch and realized that her flight arrived in less than one hour.  He said goodbye to his friends and looked outside for the limo he had ordered.  It was a stretch because he had expected everyone else to come, but now it would be eerily empty.

Monica looked out the window of the plane and her stomach jumped with excitement.  She was finally going home to her own bed and all of her friends were going to be there.  It seemed as though she hadn't seen or heard from them in ages, even though she had talked to them fairly recently.  But when she considered it, she had really only talked to them in the beginning.  This past month, she had only talked to Ross twice a week, but she had talked to Chandler everyday. She wondered if everything was the same or if anything had changed since her departure.  She knew about Joey and Phoebe and Chandler had kept her posted on main events, but she still felt so out of the loop.  Monica grew even more excited when the captain announced their final descent. 

Chandler leaned against the limo with flowers in hand waiting for the plane to land.  His heart started beating faster when he saw her small plane come from behind the trees.  He stood up straight and adjusted the flowers to make sure it was all perfect.  His heart literally leapt when he saw her step onto the stairs from the plane.  She looked so gorgeous and she was exactly how he had remembered her.  He had never really known how much he cared for her until she was gone.  He thought about that saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." 

Monica stepped out of the plane and immediately saw Chandler waiting for her.  She was excited to see him, but where was everyone else?  She carefully climbed down the stairs and it seemed to take forever.  Chandler had started walking towards her and they met midway with a hug.

"Oh my goodness, Chandler!  How are you?  You look great."  She smiled while discreetly looking around for the others.  He really did look great though.  His hair was a little shorter and he had on khakis and a sweater, not a sweater vest. 

"Monica, you look great.  I'm fine, but I've missed you, and everyone else has too."  Chandler said and Monica realized he was the only one here, other wise they would have been out here by now. 

"Well, I can't wait to tell you all about it on the way home, but right now I just want to get home and get cozy.  Is that for us?"  She asked as she gestured towards the limo. 

"Oh, but of course.  Only the best for the beautiful Monica Geller."  He smiled and opened the door for her.  She entered and he followed.  He handed her the flowers and asked if she wanted something to drink.  He fixed her a scotch on the rocks with a twist, her drink of choice.  He then began to ask her about California and the high life.

"Chandler, really, it wasn't that great.  It was tiring and the whole time I was wishing you could all be there too."  She was serious.  It had been fun for a while, but pretty soon she got tired of press and photo shoots.  Sure, she had made loads of money as the new "IT" girl, but maybe it was too much too soon.  She was glad to have fairly long break before she had to start up again, but this time everything would take place in New York so she wouldn't have to leave home. 

"Well, we are all so proud of you."  He said as he took her hand in his.

"Chandler, not that I don't appreciate what you've done and it is so great seeing you here, but where is everyone else?"  It was the first time she had brought up the subject and her voice cracked a little when she asked him. 

"Oh, Monica, they really wanted to be here, but they had commitments they just couldn't get out of.  But trust me, they missed you so much."  He tried to comfort her but he knew he would have been devastated too.

"Oh, I see."  Monica tried to smile, but it was just too hard.  Chandler had probably gotten out of his commitments, but it appeared as though no on else had even bothered.  She wanted to cry, but she didn't want Chandler to think that she didn't care about his welcome home.  Seeing her disappointment, he placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close.  They spent the rest of the ride home huddled together not saying a word.

"Well, Mon, welcome home!"  Chandler shouted as cheerfully as he could while he opened the door to the apartment he shared with Joey and sometimes Phoebe.

"That one's mine," she said as she pointed to the apartment.

"Yea, well, I know that.  It's just, Rachel didn't ever really clean, so I thought you'd like to visit a non messy apartment first."  He knew his apartment wasn't up to her cleaning standards, but it was much better than the war zone across the hall. 

"Oh god," Monica said and rolled her eyes.  She knew her apartment would be bad, but not as bad as Chandler had just made it out to be.  She walked into the apartment to find a giant banner and loads of balloons, all Chandler's doing, but no people.  She dropped her purse and ran to hug him.  It was so sweet, but it was also so sad because no one else was there.  At least she would be able to spend the night with one person she knew who truly did care.

To Be Continued.  I know I made everyone else seem pretty mean, but they'll make up for it somehow.  Anyway, I hope you liked it and please review!!! Thanks

            -Alex-