Don't Turn Off The Lights, 1
[Okay, so I decided to write another series! It's a very mini- series, though. Two, MAYBE three parts. This one is a drama-ish type series, and C&M, but it's not agonizing drama, either. Here are some things you need to know to understand it. Ross and Rachel have Emma, just like they did on the show, but they're engaged, and she's about one. Monica and Chandler are married, just like on the show (so basically, it takes into account everything through episode 824) and have a four month old daughter, Elizabeth. Other than that, I think everything you either already know, or is self explanatory. I hope this isn't too hard to follow!
This is named after the song Don't Turn Off The Lights By Enrique Iglesias, cause I felt like it. I don't own that song, just thought it was a cool title for this. I got the idea for this from a movie on Lifetime. I'll credit it later, though, so it doesn't give the plot away in case you've seen it. I don't own the movie, or any of it's characters, and I don't own Friends, or Ross, Rachel, Joey, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, or Emma. I DO own Elizabeth, though =D. Finally, I own a character! ;).]
~*~*~
Hey, Mon, guess what? Ross asked, entering Chandler and Monica's apartment.
Monica asked.
You know Aunt Helen, the aunt we never met?
She's gonna come meet us this weekend.
Yeah. She's gonna be staying with me. She might stay a little into next week, too.
How come we've never met her again? I mean, Mom hardly ever talks about her.
Yeah, I know. Mom says that Aunt Helen was in some trouble or something a few years ago. So, you know, I guess they may have had a falling out or something.
Monica looked like she was about to respond when Elizabeth started crying from her bedroom.
Sorry, sorry, I've gotta go, Monica said, jumping up out of her chair. I thought she would sleep for at least an hour, she mumbled as she walked into the old guest room.
Hey, Sweetie, Chandler said to Monica when he came home from work that night. She was in the kitchen cooking dinner, Elizabeth sitting in her highchair. Elizabeth's face broke into a smile when she saw her father.
And hi Ellie Bellie, Chandler said, picking Elizabeth up. He kissed Monica on the cheek. You have no idea how glad I am to be home.
Nice to know that even after five years together, two of them married, that you still like to come home, Monica said.
Ah, it's not as fun as it used to be, Chandler joked.
If you weren't holding Ellie, I'd elbow you in the stomach, she told him with a smile.
Elizabeth saves the day again! Chandler said, kissing his daughter on the head, then putting her back down in the highchair. Can you even remember what life was like before we had her? Before you were pregnant? That just seems so......long ago.
I know, Monica said with a smile. I haven't had a good nights sleep since I was about five months pregnant.
Yeah, me, too, since you used to keep me up all night with you.
You better watch out, you don't have Elizabeth to protect you from me now, she joked.
You don't scare me, he stated.
Yeah, I know, unfortunately, she said with a smile. You've caught on to my tricks.
Yeah, most of them, anyway. And don't you forget it. She smiled at him and kissed him.
What would I do without you, huh?
Hopefully you'll never have to find out, he said. (AN: Yeah, yeah, I know you all know that's got a deeper meaning. But you all just wait!)
A woman asked, standing in front of the door that she had just opened.
Yeah, I'm Monica.
Oh, Monica, dear, I'm your Aunt Helen!
Oh! Oh my goodness! Hi! she said. Come in.
It's so good to finally meet you, she said, hugging her. I'd always thought it was a shame I didn't know my niece and nephew from Judy's side.
Yeah, yeah, it's great to finally meet you, too. Monica said. Oh! This is my husband, Chandler, she said.
Hello, Chandler, Helen greeted him. It's nice to meet you.
Yeah, it's nice to meet you, too, he said, shaking Helen's hand. Well, I just thought I'd come by and introduce myself. I also wanted to invite you two to dinner tonight with Ross and Rachel. Can you make it?
Oh, oh, I don't know, Monica said. We have to find someone to watch Elizabeth.....
Oh, do you two have a daughter?? Helen asked.
Yeah, she's four months old, Monica said. You want to see her?
Monica took Helen into Elizabeth's bedroom, where she was asleep in her crib.
Oh, she's beautiful! Helen gasped.
Monica said.
She must look like you when you were a baby.
Actually, I think she looks more like Chandler did as a baby, Monica said. But she does kinda look like me, too.
I was kinda hoping she looked like you as a baby. You know, since I never knew you at this age.
If you don't mind my asking.....where were you?
Well, let's just say that I did some things when I was younger that your mother didn't agree with. In fact, I didn't really agree with them, either. They were just stupid, out of your teens, mistakes. Your mother forbid me to see you and Ross, though, after that.
Oh. I never knew that.
Of course you didn't. I better be going, though, she added as they walked back into the living room. Will you and Chandler be able to join us tonight?
Well, if Ross and Rachel are going, someone must be sitting for Emma. I'm sure they could watch Elizabeth, too.
Yeah, Rachel said that someone named Phoebe was sitting.
Oh, yeah, I'm sure she'll watch Elizabeth, too.
Great! You want me to come by here around seven-ish?
Sure, that sounds good, Monica said.
Okay, I'll see you two then.
Thanks so much, Phoebe, Chandler said. Phoebe had just come to pick up Elizabeth. She was going to be watching her and Emma at Ross and Rachel's apartment.
Sure, no problem, Phoebe said. I love Ellie, I love Em, I love them both even more together.
Are you sure it's not gonna be too much for you with both of them?
Monica asked, putting a back onto an earring.
No way! I've had them both before.
Yeah, true, Monica said. I just don't want to overload you.
Don't worry about it, Mon, she said. She picked up Elizabeth in her car seat carrier. You guys just have fun tonight!
Okay, we will. Thanks again, Monica said as Phoebe left.
I guess Helen should be here in few minutes, Chandler said.
Good, so I get a few minutes alone with you, she said, putting her arms around his neck. Which is rare nowadays.
Tell me about it, he said. But it's only because we have Elizabeth, and that's worth it.
Monica agreed. I can't believe how big she is.
I know, Chandler agreed. She'll be talking before you know it.
Don't scare me like that, Monica said.
Chandler said. But you know it's true. Monica stuck her tongue out at him.
Thanks a lot, she said, giving him a playful shove.
Outside in the hallway, Helen approached Monica and Chandler's apartment. She was about to knock on their door when she heard their voices.
Thanks a lot, yourself, Chandler said in a feigned serious tone. You just don't know not to mess with me yet, do you? I'm gonna have to punish you tonight, he said, jokingly, but in a serious tone.
Yeah, well, I may not be home tonight, Monica said, playing along, but also in a feigned serious tone. Because I just can't deal with you and your punishments for much longer.
See, you haven't learned. Saying things like that just gets you into more trouble.
she whispered, barely audible, into his ear. She smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder, and he smiled back at her. The phone rang and he answered it.
he said. he said into the phone, mouthing Ross' to Monica. She nodded and sat on the couch.
Nope, not yet, he paused as he listened to Ross on the other end. Soon, I guess, he replied. Yeah. Sure, he listened to Ross again. No. I could ask Hillary at work, though. He rolled his eyes at Ross. Yeah, Hillary is the one I'm sleeping with. Then Jessica is the one I'm dating. Oh yeah, and I almost forgot that I'm married to Monica, he said, rolling his eyes. Of course not, he said to Ross. Yeah, we'll be over soon, he said before hanging up.
Outside the door Helen gasped. This was all too much to take in. Chandler had seemed like such a nice man. But from what she had heard, he was abusive and cheating on his wife. With TWO women! Then he even had the audacity to say that of course Monica knew nothing about it. She quickly darted away from the apartment and to the stairs.
Hillary AND Jessica? Monica asked.
Yeah, ya know. Ross asks Who's Hillary? Are you cheating on Monica?' so I decided to freak him out by adding Jessica in there.
Like you could get Jessica, Monica joked. Maybe Hillary, but never Jessica.
You're one to talk, he said, bending down to kiss her. No one in their right mind would've ever thought that I could've gotten you. He held up his left hand with his wedding ring on it. But I did, didn't I? He paused, thinking. Of course, you were drunk....
I wasn't that drunk, she said with a sly smile.
So if I got you, then I should easily be able to get Jessica.
Why's that?
Because she's nowhere near as beautiful as you, he said. She smiled.
Besides, I don't really want her. With you I know exactly where you're ticklish. He said, pushing her down on the couch and tickling her. She screamed, then covered her mouth.
she said with a laugh, smiling at him.
On the stairs, Helen heard Monica scream. What was that man doing to her now? She had better hurry and get in there soon so that he'd leave her alone. She picked up her cell phone and dialed a number.
She asked. It's Helen. I found one for you. Yes, of course for that! What else could I have in mind? His name's Chandler. Chandler Bing. Abusing his wife and cheating on her, too. MY NIECE! Plus he has a little daughter, too. Four months old. MY great niece. She's so adorable.....I'm afraid she's next. Yes, get to it as soon as possible.
She hung up, then headed back to the door of the apartment. She knocked on the door, and was surprised when Monica answered with a smile on her face. She was good at hiding the pain. This must've been going on for a long time, if that was the case. Maybe since before they were even married.
[***AN: Just for the sake of clarity....Chandler is not cheating on Monica, nor is he abusing her. Obviously. I just wanted to make sure that everyone got that. It was just Helen hearing things and taking them the wrong way. Just thought I'd say that in case you're skimming the fic and only reading bits and pieces.***]
Good evening, Monica. Helen said.
Hey, you're here, she said. Are you ready?
I sure am, Helen said.
Sweetie, you ready? Monica asked Chandler.
Yeah, let me just turn off the light in the bedroom, Chandler said, disappearing into their bedroom. Helen gave Monica a sympathetic look.
Monica asked.
Nothing. I just want you to know, Monica, even though I've only known you for a day, you can talk to me. If you have something you need to say.
Oh, okay, Monica said, confused. Thanks, I guess.
Chandler came out of the guest room, and Helen watched how he interacted with Monica. He smiled at her and took her hand. She couldn't believe that she was going to let him hold her hand after he had just been beating her! And threatening her with a She must be confused.' Helen thought. But I'm gonna see to it that Casper changes that.'
They arrived at the restaurant and were seated.
Oh, Mon, Chandler, Rachel said. Ross and I wanted to know if you'd maybe want us to keep Ellie tonight. Since by the time we'll get home, she's gonna already be asleep. Besides, you guys could have some alone' time.
Oh, I dunno, Rach... Monica said. She was always apprehensive about leaving Elizabeth.
It's only the difference of about eight, nine hours? Ross said. She'll be fine with us. She's just across the street.
Are you sure you want to keep her ALL night? Monica asked.
You guys kept Emma a few times for us. Just think of it as repaying the favor.
Alright, sure, thanks, Monica said. Helen was surprised she had agreed to it. Now she was going to be alone all night with Chandler. No baby to distract her, no baby that he would want to avoid waking. Or maybe it was because she wasn't going home tonight? Hadn't she said that earlier?
So, Helen, Rachel started. Tell us about yourself.
Well, I'm a writer. I like reading, writing, all that. She paused, wanting to say something to scare Chandler. I'm dating a police officer, she said. And, uh, he's very big on enforcing laws regarding Domestic Violence. To her surprise, Chandler didn't give her a second look, and Monica didn't show any sign of uneasiness. She really was good at hiding this. And, uh, I have a cat, she finished.
I'm allergic to cats, Monica said.
Oh, what a shame. Cats are such good company. They'd never be disloyal or hurt you. Unlike men. Monica smiled and nodded. She wasn't really sure how to react to that.
After dinner that night, Helen was talking to Rachel about Monica and Chandler. She was trying to figure out how Monica could hide the abuse so well. All night at dinner, she and Chandler were smiling at each other, or holding hands, or giggling, like......people in love. Much like Ross and Rachel did. She knew that there was one difference between the relationships, though. Ross was not an abuser.
They seem happy, Helen said to Rachel, testing her to see if she knew anything.
Oh, they are, Rachel said. I only hope Ross and I can be like them. They're always like that when we go out to dinner. Actually, I think they've always been like that, anywhere. Jeez, and sometimes they're all over each other. It's died down, though, the longer they've been together. But I swear, sometimes you can't tell, they act like they're only dating.
Helen sighed. She decided that Rachel knew nothing. And Ross wouldn't let his sister be in a relationship like that, so he must not have know, either. It was all up to her now, to save her niece and her great niece.
Helen, Ross and Rachel got back to their apartment about eleven. Ross and Rachel started talking to Phoebe, and Helen opened the curtains. She wanted to see if she could catch Chandler beating Monica, then she could show the other three, and she wouldn't be the only one who knew anymore. However, their apartment was dark when she looked out, and after a few minutes of watching, she was pretty sure it was going to stay dark. She was probably already in the bedroom being punished for whatever it was she had done to him earlier. Helen cringed just thinking about it. How could no one else notice??
Monica smiled as she closed the bedroom door. She was in the middle of kissing Chandler, and closing the door wasn't easy that way. Once she finally untangled one arm from him to push the door shut, she went back to kissing him, until he laid her back on the bed.
I keep thinking Elizabeth's gonna cry, Monica told him. Then I remember we're alone.
Yeah, and the last time someone else had her for the night, we weren't really in the mood.
You and I are always all over each other after we leave restaurants, she said.
Yeah, because you keep putting your foot places it shouldn't be, He said, kissing her.
Hey, my foot wouldn't be there if your hand wasn't doing things it shouldn't be doing in public.
So that's how you work, huh? Revengeful much?
Oh, shut up, she said. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him again. He let his hand drift to her side, where he poked her, causing her to giggle.
Hey, c'mon, he said, trying unsuccessfully to act serious. You're SUPPOSED to be being punished. You can't be laughing and having fun.
She smiled and held back a laugh. You're right, sorry, she said, clearing her throat to stop a laugh. He looked at her and smiled.
I love you, you know.
Yeah, I know, she joked. Then she turned serious. I love you, too.
Monday morning, Helen dropped by.
Hey, Aunt Helen, what's up? Monica asked.
I just wanted to see what you two were up to for today, she said.
Oh, I'm gonna be here with Elizabeth, and Chandler's going to work. Monica told her.
Just curious, dear. I better get back over to Ross and Rachel's. I'm baby sitting Emma for them today.
Oh, great, have fun. She's a great kid.
Yeah, she is. So is yours, though. Helen said with a smile before she left.
When she got out into the hallway, she pulled her cellphone from her purse.
Casper? Are we set? she asked. she replied when he apparently said they were. He's going to work today. You should be able to see that it's done there, she said. She told him where Chandler worked, information she had acquired from Rachel, and hung up. Hopefully Monica and Elizabeth were going to be safe from his harm soon.
Helen took Emma over to Monica's that afternoon. She knew a call would be coming, and she thought she should be there. When the phone rang, and Monica was in the bedroom with Elizabeth, she offered to answer it, and Monica told her to go ahead.
Uh, Monica, Helen called. She appeared in the doorway of Elizabeth's bedroom. It's about Chandler.
What about about him? Monica asked.
Monica.....Chandler's dead.
To
Be
Continued
Sorry to leave you hanging there, but you guys always do that to me, so now it's pay back time! Hehe. Anyway, I'll hopefully have the next part done really soon! Thanks for reading.