Whew! I continued pretty fast! *pats self on back*

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Well, the little voice in my head thinks I do.



Chapter 3

Three days had passed since Chandler and Monica's confrontation, and still there was no resolution. They were both civil enough to sit in Central Perk together; however, they would not sit close to each other, and would not allow themselves to look at the other. It was over, and they had to accept that.

Chandler, after a long day at work, walked into the apartment that was formally shared by Monica and himself. He was hoping she would be out because all he wanted to do was pack his things. He didn't want to fight, and every time they were alone together, that was just what they would do. Monica would argue that she was confused, and Chandler was still accusing her of cheating. The way they saw it, unless one of them let their guard down, a friendship would not even be possible between the two of them. Unfortunately, when Chandler set foot into his old bedroom, he found Monica on the bed looking depressed. Her eyes seemed as though they had been raining out tears. The pain was there. Both of their pain filled the room. There was tension; however the pain was stronger.

"I was just getting my things," Chandler explained. He hated this. He wanted to think that he was ok with this break up, but the truth was, he missed her. He missed being with her, laughing with her, opening up to her. He had never loved anyone like he loved her. Loved? Oh, who was he kidding? He was still deeply in love with her.

"Ok," Monica choked out. This was for the best, she thought. She was hurting, but she was sure that one day the pain would end, hopefully. "Where are you staying?"

'With Ross until I find a new place," replied Chandler while ripping all of his shirts from the closet aggressively.

"You can stay here," Monica offered. "The guest room is free."

"It's too hard to be around you, Mon," said Chandler avoiding eye contact at all costs. He wanted her back, and if he were to be living with her, it would just be that much harder to let go.

"I'm sorry," whispered Monica.

"So am I," replied Chandler softly, yet there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "So, are you seeing him again?" Chandler asked not really wanting to know the answer. Ok, he was dying with curiosity.

"Yes, I am," Monica replied in a faint whisper. This must be hurting him so much, she thought.

"That's good," Chandler commented forcefully. "I hope you'll be happy with him," Chandler again commented while finishing the rest of his packing.

"No, you don't," corrected Monica still in a small whisper.

"You're right, I don't. Well, it looks like I am done here. I'll get the rest later." Chandler said loudly as if he was relieved. "See you around, Mon." As he finished saying her name, he walked out of the bedroom. He slowly walked through the apartment absorbing all of the past memories. That's all they were now, memories.

"Wait!" Monica yelled running out of her bedroom.

"What?" Chandler asked annoyed with her. She was ruining his mood.

"Uhh.. What should I do with the chair?" Monica asked wanting him to stay a little longer.

"Joey will be picking it up. It should be with it's match. We all should be." On that note, Chandler stormed out of the apartment leaving Monica surprised by his words. She stared at the door for what seemed an eternity. He was gone.


Monica arrived home from her second date with Greg to find both Rachel and Phoebe in her apartment arguing over how many more divorces Ross will have in his life time. When they noticed that Monica had entered, they quickly stopped their chattering and turned their attention to their frowning friend.

"How was the date?" Phoebe asked in an uncaring voice. She wondered how Monica could move on so fast while Chandler was at Ross's playing with his dinosaurs figurines. God bless his soul, Phoebe though to herself.

"It was.. good." Monica replied, yet it was obvious she was lying.

"So it stunk?" Rachel cut in.

"Oh yeah. He's great and sweet and funny. He's perfect for me. He likes to keep things clean, and he's not witty like Chandler. He's smooth and sophisticated. Every thing I thought I wanted in a man." Monica sighed.

"Thought?" Phoebe asked referring to the past tense Monica had used.

"Yeah, I realized, I want the witty guy, the big kid. I ruined it." Monica smiled through tears as she sat on the couch with her two friends. "Chandler was what I wanted, and I didn't even realize it. Greg was my dream guy from when I was a girl. That perfect guy."

"So you're going to patch things up with Chandler?" Rachel asked hopefully. Almost sounding like an over enthusiastic teenager, but she didn't care. She wanted to see her best friend happy.

"No," Monica replied, "it's definitely over." Monica pointed out softy still with tears in her eyes.

"It doesn't have to be," Phoebe stated.

"She's right, Mon. It's just a rough patch; you'll work through it."

"I don't know you guys. I really miss him, but it's too complicated now."

"It doesn't have to be!"Phoebe yelled. " If you let your pride stop you from being with the man you love than you'll regret it! You will! My friend Tabitha went through the same thing, and now, she's a nun!"

"Whoa, Pheebs calm down." Rachel said soothingly as she rubbed her friend's arm.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. Oh wait, it was Abby who became the nun."

"So then what happened to Tabitha?"asked Monica skeptically. Did she really want to know the answer to this?

"Tabitha....oh! She opened a Salon in Canada" Phoebe said as her memory came back to her.

"Well, that's not so bad," commented Rachel.

"No, I guess not. Well, I guess it's ok if you and Chandler never get together again," Phoebe said. "But I still don't like it."

"I know. Well, I am tired, so I think I am going to turn in." Monica yawned. "Tomorrow is another day."

"Yes, it is, hun. You'll get through this."Rachel comforted.

"Thanks,"Monica replied and left the two. The cliche must be true, she thought. 'You never realize how much you love something until it's gone.'Maybe it won't be gone forever, Monica thought hopefully.

She slowly placed herself in bed and stared at the empty space beside her. Tears starting forming in her eyes, then dripping down her face, then turning into sobs. Monica couldn't help it. She couldn't hold back her tears. She just cried letting out all of her guilt and pain. Finally, the non-stop sobbing had exhausted her, and she had drifted off into a deep dreamless sleep.


Chandler sat up in bed reading his Archie comics hoping to smile at one of the lame jokes, but he couldn't. Smiling went against his heart. He was broken. He was lost. He couldn't show anyone the pain he was feeling because they would think he was weak. Well, they already knew he was weak; however, they would think he was weaker. In frustration, Chandler threw the book down and walked to the living room. Ross was out on a date, so he had the apartment to himself. Chandler flicked through the channels not really wanting to watch anything. He just wanted something to take his mind off the woman who lived across the street. Suddenly, a show caught his eyes, Family Matters. Steve Urkel could always make him smile, he thought. Coincidently, the show's theme was breaking up. Both Steve and the police man after Rachel were deep into song. They were belting the famous words to "Breaking Up is Hard to Do". The tune was a little off, but it didn't matter because Chandler was hypnotized by this song, and by the emotions behind it. One thing was for sure, breaking up was, in fact, hard to do. Chandler started to sing along, "Girl there's just no living without you. Don't take your love away from me. Don't you leave my heart in misery.." This was when Chandler broke down and started to cry. Why did it have to be so hard?


Monica awoke, her eyes were tear stained. Her pillow was wet. Whether it was from drool or tears was undetermined, but either way, she didn't even want to clean it. Was she getting sick? Yeah, of love. When she walked out of her room, she saw four of her friends waiting impatiently for their breakfast. "Just eat some cereal," Monica said sadly as if she was fighting the urge to cry. Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom.

"Is she going to be ok?" Joey asked worriedly.

"I don't know," Rachel replied while staring at the bathroom.

"Come on guys, they'll get through this." Ross said cheerfully. He wasn't cheerful at all.

"I hope so," Joey said sadly. "Where's Chandler?"

"Checking out apartments," Ross answered. "He saw some ads. One of them is on the other side of the city."

"Is he trying to distance himself?" Joey asked not wanting Chandler to be so far. He would kick out Janine just to have him close by.

"I don't know. He said that was all that was available." Ross replied sadly. He didn't want Chandler to leave the group.

"Now, I get what you guys were saying about being the middle," Rachel said. Not really knowing where that thought came from, but it seemed to fit.

"Yeah, that was hard." Phoebe agreed.

Monica then entered the kitchen and went straight to the cupboards. "Can you guys not get cereal out?! I mean you get up, you open, and you take down. Is that so damn hard?!" Monica snapped. She was not mad at them, but she had to let out her anger.

"Good Morning to you too, Mon," Rachel said dumbfounded by her friends outburst.

"You expect me to do everything, and sometimes I can't do that! Now, to get out the milk, you open the fridge. Ohh, look at that! And then bowls and spoons. Can you handle that?!" She again snapped. She couldn't hold it in.

"Yeah, I think so," Joey said slowly not wanting to anger her any further.

"Good! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready or work!" Monica then stormed into her room slamming the door behind her.

"What's gotten into her?" asked Phoebe a little frightened.

"I don't know..Excuse me for a sec," Rachel said getting up and quickly walking to her friends room. When she walked in, she saw her friend, a sobbing mess, crying into her pillow. "Oh, Mon..." Rachel said rushing to her side hugging her.

"I miss him, Rach. He doesn't even come over anymore.." Monica said through sobs.

"Shhh.. It's ok sweetie." whispered Rachel soothingly rubbing her back.

Monica softly pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm ok now."



"Mon.." Rach said almost accusingly.

"Ok, I'm not, but please let me pretend." Monica pleaded. She was sick of this hurt, and she thought she was getting bored of Chandler. How wrong could she have been? She was just loving him more. "I need to get ready now." Monica said sternly and with a little power in her voice.

"Ok, I am here for you, Mon. Don't forget that." Rachel reminded as she was walking to the door.

"I know and thanks," Monica smiled. She was lucky to have such great friends.


The real estate agent was politely showing Chandler the apartment. Chandler had to admit, it was beautiful. Freshly painted white walls gave the room a nice tone, the kitchen had nice oak cupboards, the hard wood floor was beautiful, and the bedroom was spacious. He could really see himself living here. The only problem was that it was so far from his friends. From Monica. Maybe distance was what he needed to get over her.

"So?" the woman asked smiling as she saw her customer's face in awe of this great place.

"Ummm.." Chandler contemplated. However, before he could say what he wanted to, his phone rang. "One second... Hello," Chandler greeted.

"He's what?! Uh huh.. Oh, that's too bad. Yeah, I know. Uh huh. Ok, expect me there. Alright, love you too, bye." Chandler walked away from the person and slumped to the floor. "I can't believe it. . ." He said.

"Sir, are you taking the apartment or not?" The woman asked frustrated. She had other places to show off.

"Oh yeah, I'll take it." Chandler said still in shock.



TBC- Ok, I thought this was an interesting cliffhanger, and no, this is not turning into a melodramatic Monica got hit by a bus, so don't worry about that. :p Anyway, tell me what you think.