The Musical

Written by: Gabe

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, but to Bright, Kaufman and Crane Productions and Warner Bros. Their use is not intended for profit, only for entertainment.

Author's Note: Some have read my fics before, and have not enjoyed the anti-cliché, slightly unbelievable, and semi-soap opera like story lines that I usually produce, but right here, is a fic that I think everyone can enjoy. It's something that I put a lot of time and effort into, and something I have a lot of faith in. I hope everyone who takes the time to read the story exits the page feeling his or her time was well spent. I have used a variety of songs, and tweaked some of the lyrics, just so they would fit better. Unfortunately, this is the eleventh episode of my alternate season 8, and for those of you who have not read the first 10 episodes, and don't want to take the time to do so, I will quickly bring you up to speed on everything that's happened. Look Below.

After Monica and Chandler's wedding, we learn that it is Phoebe who is pregnant, and not Rachel. Ross is the father. There are no romantic connections between Phoebe and Ross, it simply happened on a one-night stand when both were feeling lonely, much like R/R's baby now. Joey and Rachel slept together after a night of getting completely drunk. Joey fell in love with Rachel, and confessed his love for her to her face, twice. Both times, Joey was politely and sweetly turned down. Gunther won a million dollars, he sold Central Perk to the gang, and now all six are equal co-owners.

Everything else should be explained in the story. I hope you all enjoy - Friends, The Musical.

Chapter 1

Phoebe sat inside the dark office of her favorite psychic, Miss Cleo. It was time for her weekly appointment with the strange woman, and Phoebe looked forward to knowing what the week ahead had in store for her.

"So how does my future look? Am I still destined to become a lonely female truck driver in my next life?

Phoebe remembered her first visit to Miss Cleo, and how shocked she was to learn of her next life. She had always hoped that she could become some kind of animal in her next life…maybe a kangaroo or a llama. So every time she visited her psychic, the first thing she always asked was whether or not the future for her next life had changed.

A very noticeable grimace came across Miss Cleo's face, and Phoebe immediately braced herself for what she was about to be told. Miss Cleo spoke with a heavy Jamaican accent that always made Phoebe laugh inside, which was good on days like that, when she could tell she was going to need all the happy thoughts she could get.

"Oh my dear, I'm afraid you have more important things to worry about in this lifetime. I see great pain and suffering ahead for you and your friends."

"What? How could that be? Everything was just starting to get back to normal."

"I'm sorry honey, but it is here, in the cards, therefor it is certain."

"What's causing all of this trouble?"

"Love, my dear."

"Well is there anything you can do to help us?"

"Very little, often things like these have to be stopped a long time before they happen in order to be prevented."

"Well can't you bless us all or something?"

Miss Cleo smiled at her favorite customer, knowing of something that might help them through the rough patch of road that was ahead of them. She exited her seat and opened the door to a closet at the back of the room. Pulling out a few bottles of strangely colored liquids, she walked back towards Phoebe.

"What are you going to bless us with?"

"The gift of song."

OPENING CREDITS

Phoebe walked along the sidewalk of the busy New York City street, quickly making her way to her favorite coffeehouse, Central Perk. She thought about what Cleo had told her…love was about to cause all kinds of trouble for her and her friends. Thinking about the people she loved, her thoughts immediately went to Ross. They had grown so much closer over the last few months, supporting each other and confiding in one another as they looked towards raising a child as friends.

It was strange how it all came to be, a simple one-night stand turned into an activity that happened every night, and the idea of a child together really didn't bother either of them. Of course, it wasn't a planned occurrence, but it was not unwelcome. Phoebe had been aching for a baby of her own ever since she had the triplets for her brother and his wife. She anxiously waited the time when she would fall in love and be able to start a family. And even though Ross wasn't the man she pictured herself having a baby with, she knew she loved him just as much as she would love any guy that ever walked into her life, even if it was a different kind of love.

The thoughts of Ross took her over, and she suddenly found herself next to a payphone, fighting the urge to call him. Finally, she inserted the change and dialed his number. She waited anxiously for him to pick up…for some reason the sound of a ringing phone annoyed her.

"Come on Ross…. Pick up the phone…"

As she stood there, talking to herself, she heard the slight sound of music rising all around her. It was quickly increasing in volume, and she frantically looked at the people walking back and forth around her, checking to see if they heard it to. When no one showed any reaction, Phoebe began to get scared. Until, suddenly, without her even realizing it…she found herself singing.

We're on this roller coaster ride.

Hold on I'll stay here by your side.

We head up to the sky then we slide back down.

Upside down try to figure out.

Not sure if we could work it out.

I wanna be alone but you feel like home.

Answer! The phone, I know that you're home.

I wanna get you alone, and do it again, do it again.

***************

Ross was brought out of his dream by the insistent ringing of his phone. Another dream ruined. Another dream about Phoebe. He never thought he would find himself in a position like the on he was in, desperately in love with her, and no way to tell her about it. They had agreed from the start, just friends. Only friends. But the desire to cross the line from friendship to relationship was growing stronger every time his eyes caught sight of her.

He reached over to his side table and picked up the phone he kept there. "Hello?"

"Hey." The sound of Phoebe's voice brought an immediate smile to his face.

"Hey Pheebs, what's going on?" His voice sounded slightly concerned. They didn't call each other that often…probably because they spent almost every waking moment together…but whenever they did it was usually something important.

"I was just wondering if maybe…I could stop by for a little while?" She felt kind of silly bringing it up…but it really wasn't uncomfortable ground between them. Most of their time alone lately had been spent doing the same thing.

"Sure," he smiled, happy that she was coming over and that he would get to see her. Sometimes it really bothered him that their get together meant so much more to him than they did her, but other times the urge to just be around her was so bad, he didn't really care about anything else.

"Great. I'll be over in about 15 minutes."

**************

Joey sat at the kitchen counter eating a bowl of cereal with some strange cartoon character on the front of the box. He was trying his hardest to work on the word scramble that was on the back of the box, but his mind kept wondering back to Rachel. Twice, she had turned him away. Twice she told him she loved him, but not like he wanted her to.

His thoughts were finally taken off her when his best friend, Chandler Bing, came walking into his apartment. "Hey Joe."

"Hey. Why are you up so early on a Saturday?" Chandler always slept late on the weekends; it was a habit that not even his beautiful wife could seem to break.

"Monica is getting ready for her convention up in Connecticut. She's done packing, and now she's busy making a 30 page list of everything I need to do while she's gone."

"Oh."

Chandler eyed his friend, trying to figure out why he was getting such limited reactions. "You ok Joe?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…Just still trying to deal with this Rachel thing."

"What Rachel thing? I thought there was no more Rachel thing."

"There isn't. At least to her there isn't," he sighed and dropped his spoon in his bowl. "She's just hard to get over."

"I know it's tough man…I was screwed over by a lot of girls when I was single…but you get over it, trust me. The day's gonna come when you're going to fall in love again."

"I don't believe in love," Joey's voice was cold. Like he fully believed what he said…as if he had no doubt that love did not exist.

Before Joey could elaborate on his comment, he heard music start to rise from somewhere around him. Wondering if he was the only one hearing it, he turned to Chandler, but he too was searching for the where the music might be coming from.

Chandler glanced all around the living room, checking under a chair and then under the couch. The music was quickly rising in volume, and before he could open his mouth to inquire Joey about it, he heard Joey's voice.

You don't need to hear it

But I'm dried up and sick to death of love

If you need to know it

I never really understood that stuff

All the stars and bleeding hearts

All the tears that welled up in my eyes

Never meant a thing to me

Read 'em as they say and weep

I've never felt enough to cry

I used to be the main express

All steam and whistles heading west

Picking up my pain from door to door

Riding on the storyline

Furnace burning overtime

But this train don't stop,

This train don't stop,

This train don't stop there anymore.

Chandler could see his friend's heart breaking. He never knew Joey felt this strongly. And now, his once lovable and out going best friend seemed to be a broken man. Chandler slowly started to walk towards his friend, but before he could try to comfort him, he moved away. Chandler kept his voice low, trying to calm him down…he knew he was feeling a hundred different emotions at once…and he just wanted to help.

"Joe…falling in love is a wonderful thing. And yeah, sometimes, it doesn't work out in the end, but that doesn't mean you'll never love again. Falling in love isn't only about finding someone to spend your life with…sometimes it's just about finding someone to give a piece of your life to. Sometimes it's just meant to set your life off in a new direction, and sometimes it's just there to teach you something about yourself. Hell Joe, sometimes it's just an adventure." He sat down on the stool, facing the living room where Joey was still pacing the floor. "Falling in love is supposed to make you feel alive. And even though you got hurt in the end…wasn't it worth it? I mean think about it Joey. Have you ever felt more alive than you have these last few months? Wasn't falling in love the time of your life?…It should have been…Because if it wasn't…You didn't really fall in love." Chandler waited a moment, giving his words time to soak in.

Joey was still pacing the floor. He didn't want to hear what Chandler was saying, much less try to believe it. But before he could really think about his situation, the sound of Chandler's voice caught his attention.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.

Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.

So make the best of this test and don't ask why.

It's not a question but a lesson learned in time.

It's something unpredictable, but in the end there's right.

I hope you had the time of your life.

Chandler places his hand on his best friend's shoulder, and gave him a reassuring nod. "You're gonna be fine Joe." And with that, he walked out of his apartment.

***************

Rachel had been interviewing potential managers all day. As if she didn't already have a job, now she was in charge of finding someone to take Gunther's place as manager of Central Perk. The group had purchased the place from Gunther, and as far as she was concerned, it was the greatest thing they ever did. They all loved this place, and now they all had a piece of it. And the best part was, they got to be apart of it together.

After the 7th failed interview, she took a lunch break. The events of weeks passed clouding her mind. She wasn't going to lie to herself; she had fallen in love with Joey. But she was just too afraid to fall in love with one of her friends. She couldn't lose Joey. He meant too much to her, and she just wasn't willing to take the risk.

She had fallen in love with a friend once, Ross. And it ended badly, dragging on for years and years because even when they weren't dating, they were together. They're group was close, and a breakup wasn't going to damage their friendships as a whole. She was so afraid the same would happen with Joey.

She kept picturing herself giving in to him, allowing them to be together. But in every scenario she could come up with, she still had doubts. Joey was a womanizer, he always had been. And now, he was asking her to trust him, to trust that he would never cheat, that he would never be unfaithful. And as much as she loved Joey, she found it too hard to believe. She never thought Ross would cheat on her, and Ross was the least womanizing man she had ever met.

But she still couldn't put it all past her. The image of Joey was still in her head. She sighed and walked to the window, staring out at the busy street that ran in front of their apartment. She glanced around the coffeehouse, glad that no one was around. As she heard music rise in the background, she began to sing.

If in my world
If it should all fall down
Will you be there?
Be there to turn it around
Will you still care
Can I depend on you to see me through this life?
And if it all goes wrong
Will you still make it right?
It's easy to be there through the good times
But when the times get hard
Will you still be on my side?

Are you gonna be there when the rain comes?
Are you gonna be there with a warm touch?
Can you swear you'll be there with a real love?
Are you gonna be there?

Will you stand by my side through the bad times?
Through whatever we'll be will you still be mine.
Will you stay in my life for a lifetime?
Are you gonna be there?

When I need someone beside me
Someone there for me
Are you gonna be there?

She kept asking those questions to Joey in her head. And she kept picturing him saying yes to every single one. And she kept picturing herself not believing it.

**************

Chandler strolled into his apartment, hoping that he would be able to get his wife out of the bad mood she had been in all morning. That was why he went over to Joey's so early…but the heartbroken aura around his pad just didn't suit Chandler. "Honey, I'm home." He gleefully informed her, after closing the door behind him.

Monica was busy writing on a pad of yellow legal paper. "Oh joy," was all she responded, the sarcasm overwhelmingly obvious in her voice. She hadn't been happy with him the last few days. He knew how important this meeting in Connecticut was, and he still made no attempt to help her get anything done. He went on with his life as if she wasn't going to go anywhere. He was taking her for granted.

"What's wrong with you?" He bit back. He understood she was stressed, but he was in no mood to be treated like that.

"Whatever do you mean dear?" She questioned him, sarcasm overflowing the room.

"What's with the attitude?"

Monica was ready to scream. How dare he walk in here and start giving her more things to worry about? She felt like screaming…so she did…in the form of a song.

Well I'm sorry about the attitude

I need to give when I'm with you

But no one else will take this shit from me

Chandler looked on in shock as his wife continued to scream/sing at him. He had no idea where the music was coming from…and he had no idea how Monica had come up with these lyrics.

Oh god I shouldn't feel this way!

Reach down your hand in your pocket

And pull out some hope for me, it's been a long day

Always, ain't that right?

And no lord your hand won't stop it

Just keep you trembling

It's been a long day, always/

Ain't that right?

She was so frustrated with him; she couldn't look at him anymore. She sighed and walked towards their bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Leaving a wide-eyed Chandler Bing to look on in absolute shock.

*******************

There they were, wide awake, lying wrapped up in one another, just enjoying the feel of being close together. Both of them loved one another, yet neither of them had the courage to say it. They were both afraid that the other was looking for something different, for someone different. For someone that wasn't them.

Ross ran his hand over her bare stomach, feeling where she was just starting to show. Somewhere inside her was a living being, half him and half her, and he couldn't have been happier about it.

Phoebe turned back to him, and noticed the bright smile on his face. "What's that huge smile for?"

Ross just smiled. He tried to find the words to explain to her why he was so happy. "I don't know…" He smiled again, and started to sing.

It's the perfect time of day To throw all your cares away Put the sprinkler on the lawn And run through with my gym shorts on Take a drink right from the hose Change in to some drier clothes Climb the stairs up to my room And sleep away the afternoon

It's like a dream you try to remember but it's gone Then you try to scream but it only comes out as a yawn When you try to see the world beyond your front door Take your time, 'cause the way I rhyme's gonna make you smile When you realize that a guy my size might take a while Just try to figure out what all this is for

Pinch me.

I must still be dreaming.

To be continued…. REVIEW PLEASE!

{Featured in Chapter 1 were the following songs.}

Answer the Phone ~ Sugar Ray

This Train Don't Stop There Anymore ~ Elton John

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) ~ Greenday

Are You Gonna Be There ~ Nsync

Long Day ~ Matchbox Twenty

Pinch Me ~ Barenaked Ladies