Here it is, the final chapter! I hope you all enjoy it. It's longer than most of the other ones because it finishes these storylines and sets up for the final fic of this series, In Conclusion. I can't think of much to say. It's been a fun fic to write. I hope everyone has liked it. And, without further ado, here it is.
It was too early for the phone to be ringing, but that didn't stop whoever was on the other side of the line from calling. Joey hoped they would hang up, and let him get back to them later, but it wasn't happening. Joey buried his head under a pillow, which caused a groaning Rachel to sit up in bed and find the cordless. "Hello?"
"Hi. I'm looking for Joey Tribbiani." The voice was very recognizable, it was Estelle, Joey's agent. The woman annoyed Rachel. It wasn't just her voice, but her constant neglect of Joey, she never seemed to be finding him any new roles.
Rachel sighed as she stretched and moved to lay back down, tossing the cordless phone to Joey. "Honey, it's Estelle." Joey didn't move. He seemed intent on going back to sleep, even if it was the pope on the phone. "Joey…"
"Ok, ok." He groaned and brought the telephone to his ear, praying that it was important news, for the caller's sake. "This is Joey."
"Joey! Darling! I've got some wonderful news. How would you like to have a role on a new sitcom?!" Joey's eyes shot open, she had to be kidding. He had gone to a million auditions lately and he couldn't remember a single one that went well. He couldn't understand how he got a part, unless of course, the sitcom was another show of the Mac and Cheese caliber.
"What's the show about?" Joey decided to play it cool, although everything inside of him was screaming "Say yes!"
"It's about an older Italian gentleman and three of his sons who all live together in Rome. They want you to play the oldest son. He's charming, handsome, and owns a flower store."
Joey tried not to let his excitement be heard, but he was sure it was obvious. "What network is it for?!"
"NBC has signed it for a 13 episode deal. It'll be a midseason replacement next winter."
Joey decided not to hide it anymore, he was going to be on a sitcom! A sitcom on a major broadcasting network! "Great! When does production begin?!"
"In a week, on location in Rome."
"Rome?" Joey's heart sank. Rome? He didn't want to have to leave New York. His friends were there, his other job was there, Rachel was there…They had just gotten together, officially, and life had been great. They clicked together in every possible way. They were best friends before anything ever happened, and it showed when they were together. They were so close because they knew each other so well. There were no limits, and there were no secrets. Joey didn't want to leave that. "I don't want to go to Rome."
"Joey…darling…listen…"
Joey decided it would be best that he didn't hear the rest of her sell. She knew it was a great opportunity, he knew it was a great opportunity, and she knew he knew. Estelle, as useless as she might have been before, was not going to let Joey just sit back and watch this chance at true stardom fade away. Joey knew she would go out of her way to convince him, and he was afraid she might succeed. "Just stop Estelle, I don't want to know anything else. If it's in Rome I can't do it."
"Al Pacino is playing the father." Joey's heart stopped, and his eyes widened. Why couldn't she of just stopped talking?
***********
Central Perk was the village's newest hot spot. Not only was it the same coffee hangout it used to be, it was also a mini-diner and amateur act establishment. The group had gotten together as a whole and discussed the things that they would like to see happen to Central Perk. Monica, of course, wanted to add food to Central Perk's menu. Phoebe wanted to expand the stage for all amateur acts, so people like her would have a place to be heard. After the six of them agreed those were the best changes, they got a loan, bought the lot next to Central Perk, and expanded the shop. It had only re-opened a week ago and people everywhere loved it.
Phoebe peaked her head into the back kitchen. "I need a x-ray, stethoscope, and a blood pressure reading, STAT!" Phoebe paused for a second. "Sorry…that was hospital talk…what I meant was I need a breakfast meal with the bacon, not the sausage and a glass of OJ on the double!" She smiled, and headed back out into the shop.
Chandler rolled his eyes. He was stuck cooking, and even worse, he was stuck in a room with his ex-wife. Granted, she had never been mean or rude towards him, but he didn't care. She broke his heart, for no apparent reason, and for that she would forever be a bitch in his book. He began whipping up the eggs Phoebe had requested, which caught the eye of Monica.
'He's not doing it right…' She thought about it over and over…and she couldn't let it be. She walked over to him and cleared her throat. "Um, Chandler, how about I do that? You look like you could use a break." Chandler glanced over at her. He knew exactly why she was stopping him. He sighed, and handed her everything.
"By all means." He annoyingly took off the apron he was wearing and threw it on the rack before walking out the backdoor into the alley.
Monica smiled as he walked inside, unaware of how annoyed he was. She could tell he was a little irked, but she didn't think it was anything major. She could only think about how cute he was when he was annoyed. And how badly she missed him.
********
He stepped out into the alley, annoyed as hell. He couldn't believe she had the nerve to do that to him. He wanted to scream, and yell, and tell her everything that he thought about her. He felt a headache coming on, which steadily turned into a beat in his head.
You think you're special, you do
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it when you laugh at me, look down on me
And walk around on me
Just one, more fight
About your leadership
And I, will straight up leave your shit
Cause I've, had enough of this
And now I'm pissed…
He wanted shout out to the world how much he hated her. How mad he was at her, not just about the eggs, about everything, about what his life had become. But he forced himself to calm down, "Breathe Chandler. Just breathe."
I try to breathe
Memories overtaking me
I try to face them but
The thought is too much to conceive…
Chandler jumped and screamed. He hated his life. He was by himself, all alone, and he couldn't seem to face it.
Looks like I'm gonna everything myself
Maybe I could use some help
But hell, if you want something done right
You gotta do it yourself
Maybe life is up and down
But, my life's been what till now?
I crawled up your butt somehow
And that's when things got turned around
But sometimes, some things
Turn into dumb things
And that's when you put your foot down..
Why'd you have to go and be somebody like you
Why'd you have to go and hurt like somebody like me
How could you do somebody like that?
I hope you know that I'm never coming back
He leaned against the wall of Central Perk, his body slowly sliding down the concrete until he was on the ground. He buried his head in his hands as he pulled his knees to his body. If only someone understood the pain he was in. He had his heartbroken. And even worse he didn't know why.
I wanna run, just as fast as I can
To the middle of nowhere,
To the middle of my frustrated fears
And I swear, you're just like a pill
Instead of making me better
You keep making me ill
He groaned and threw his head back out of his hands, knocking it against the concrete wall behind him. It was a vain attempt to knock some sense into himself. Chandler knew he couldn't live his life the way he was. Everyday there was too much pain, too many memories, too many questions…
I only know that I can change
Everything else just stays the same
So now I step out of the darkness
That my life became 'cause…
He stood up, his hands in his pockets, his neck bent as he stared up into the sky. He was going to let it all out. He no longer wanted anything eating him up on the inside. He had to vent his anger. Even if he had to do keep doing it in song.
You had to go and make things so complicated
I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else
Gets me frustrated
Life's like this you, you fall and you crawl, and you break
And you take what you get and you turn it into
Honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fakin'
"What a crock of shit." Chandler sighed. All the promises, all the laughs, all the kisses, all the beautiful moments they shared, gone. He couldn't think straight. He wanted to move on, he wanted to let it all go, but his heart wouldn't let him. He moved to the door he had recently walked out of, and opened it. Glancing inside he saw her, smiling and chatting away with one of the assistants. He shook his head and closed the door.
I've been thinking about you, my love
And all the crazy things that you put me through
And I'm coming around, throwing it back to you
And I'll have the last laugh
When I see you walking some other guy
Cause I know you're gonna end up all alone
What I need now is some sweet revenge
To get back all that I lost then
I gave you all I had to give
But I could never reach you
Monica, I thought I knew you
Once again, You used me, used me
Monica, I should have left you
Long before, you used, used me up
That's exactly how he felt, used up. Chandler leaned against the door of Central Perk, his fists clinched inside his pockets, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew how things would end. He would either tell her what he thought of her, and get it all out. Or he would run away.
So take these words, some good advice
All you've done is gonna come back twice
You never cared how much it hurt
I really need to tell you…
He hit his fists against the concrete wall.
I'm on the outside, I'm looking in
I can see through you, see your true colors
Cause inside you're ugly, ugly like me
I can see through you, see to the real you
He walked back into the coffeehouse, walking straight over to the rack where the aprons and coats were hung. He grabbed his coat and slipped it on. Monica noticed him putting on his jacket. "You leaving?" He ignored her. He simply grabbed his coat and walked out. He had to get out of that kitchen. Out of that shop. Out of New York.
It's been awhile, since I could,
Look at myself straight.
It's been awhile, since I've said I'm sorry
It's been awhile, since I've seen the way,
The candles light your face
It's been awhile, but I can still remember
Just the way you taste.
**********
Ross handed Joey a beer, and then sat down next to him on his couch. Joey arrived had arrived at his door a few minutes earlier, and wanted to talk about something. After being invited in and exchanging the usual pleasantries, Joey was ready to spill out what was bothering him. Ross sat his beer down on the table in front of them, "So what's bothering you?"
"Estelle called me today, and told me I got a part on a new sitcom for NBC…" Ross was about to jump in, but Joey shook his head to keep him from interrupting. "I would be playing the son of Al Pacino…"
No amount of head shaking was going to keep Ross quiet, "Joey that's amazing! This is like your dream come true!"
It was his dream come true. Al Pacino had always been his idle, and a sitcom on one of the big three networks was a huge opportunity. Al Pacino in primetime on the nation's biggest broadcasting company. It couldn't miss, and Joey knew it. "I know that Ross. But the problem is they don't want to film here in New York. They wanna film on location in Rome."
Suddenly, Ross understood the dilemma. He couldn't imagine being in Joey's position. It was an opportunity actors' wait a career for, but it meant leaving his home, his friends, and his girl. Ross, recently engaged, knew he would never be able to walk away from Phoebe. He was sure Joey felt the same way about Rachel. "What are you going to do?"
"I want to go Ross. I want to go so bad." Joey shook his head and took another drink of his beer, getting drunk suddenly sounded like the best option. "But I can't leave her. I've finally gotten her, I can't walk away from her now."
Ross nodded his understanding, and also took another drink of his beer. It was quite the predicament. "Joey, all I can say to you is I think it's an amazing chance for you. It's a tough decision, one I can't make for you. But I can tell you, that I'm one hundred percent positive, that if you tell Rachel about this, she's going to make you go."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
******
Monica stood on the opposite side of the counter of Rachel, relaying the events of the morning. "Why is it ok for him to be mad at me, but not ok for me to be mad at him? Why is he the victim?"
Rachel sighed, "Monica, if you want people to sympathize with you, you're going to have to tell them you're side of the story. All people know is that you got mad at Chandler, you went on a trip, and when you came back you wanted a divorce. You didn't even tell him why Monica. You said you fell out of love."
"That's what happened." Monica had gone through this conversation a million times with a million different people. She expected people to see her as the bad guy, but she knew if she told the truth, people would have seen her not only as the bad guy, but as an idiot too. When she made her decision, she kept telling herself it was for Chandler's own good. And now that her problem no longer existed, she wished she had chosen a different path.
"Monica, you don't just fall out of love with someone, there's always a reason. And until you tell people, including Chandler, what your reason was, no one is going to feel sorry for you. I'm sorry Mon, I love you, but this is something not even I can understand." Rachel didn't get it. How do you divorce your husband, and best friend, without giving him a reason. It was no wonder Chandler hated her. His heart was broken and he didn't know why. She was Monica's best friend, but even she had to take his side.
"I don't expect you to understand." Monica exhaled and ran a hand threw her hair. She'd give anything to have her life back to normal, to be back with Chandler, and to not have a dark cloud hanging over her head every hour of every day. But she couldn't go back. He hated her now, and even if she told him the truth, it wouldn't change his opinion of her.
"Then what do you expect Monica?" Rachel stood up from her seat on the stool and began pacing around her and Joey's living room. It didn't make any sense, but Rachel was still trying to figure it out. "Monica, I'm your best friend. I've been your best friend since we were six. I was your maid of honor." Rachel cursed at herself for mentioning their wedding, Monica had obviously winced at the memory. "Please, I'm begging you, just tell me what happened. Explain this whole thing to me, because I'm going crazy trying to understand it."
Monica looked away. Rachel was her best friend, and if she was going to tell someone the truth she couldn't think of anyone she would rather it be than her. But what would Rachel say? Would she tell her what an idiot she had been? Would she get angry on how greatly she underestimated Chandler, and his love for her? She didn't want to have to deal with that. She had been telling herself those things ever since her problem went away. "I can't."
Before Rachel could argue, Joey walked into the apartment. "Hey guys." Both Monica and Rachel said their helloes. Rachel was disappointed that their conversation had been disturbed, while Monica was happy that she was out of a compromising situation. "I just stopped by to pick up my bus pass," Joey grabbed it off the counter and held it up, "I have an audition across town." He kissed Rachel on the cheek and nodded at Monica as he went to exit the room just as quickly as he had entered.
"Joey hold on a second." Rachel caught him just before he closed the door. He poked his head back inside and raised his eyebrows questioningly. "What did Estelle want this morning?"
For an instant, he debated telling her the truth, but his heart got the best of him. She would make him leave, and he didn't want to leave her. "She just wanted to tell me about this audition." Rachel showed her understanding and Joey closed the door. He cursed at himself for lying to her, but he knew she needed him just as much as he needed her. He told himself it was for her own good. The same mistake Monica had made.
Back in the apartment, Rachel went right back to work on Monica. "Well you have to make a choice Mon. You have to either tell me what happened, explain to me what your reason was for ending your marriage. Or you have to quit complaining to me how unhappy you are, because I can't fake anymore sympathy for you. I can't pretend that I feel bad when in reality all I'm thinking is that you deserve it."
The words were harsh, and they stung inside Monica. "I can't tell you Rachel. It won't fix anything."
"Maybe not. Telling me probably won't help anything. But telling Chandler might help him move on with his life, and it might help him forgive you for breaking his heart. And he deserves that. So if you're not going to tell me what happened, at least reconsider telling him, because he deserves to know."
Monica knew she was right. Chandler, her Chandler, deserved to know why his life was the way it was. Why she had left him, and why it wasn't his fault. Monica grabbed her purse off the counter, "I have to go." She slung it over her shoulder and exited Rachel's apartment. At first her steps lead towards the stairs, towards Chandler's place, but they quickly turned, and she slipped into the unsafe confines of her apartment. An apartment they had once shared.
Monica fought back the tears that were crowding her eyes. So many memories, so many moments, so many wasted promises, because she had been afraid to tell him the truth. She was too afraid of what he would have to go through. Too afraid to see his face when she broke the bad news. Too afraid that he would have left her. So she beat him to the punch, and left him first.
*****
Rachel stared at the door Monica had just exited, and wondered what she was going to do. Chicken out, Rachel thought, she would definitely chicken out. Rachel's thoughts were disturbed by the ringing phone next to her. She picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hello. Is Joey around?" It was Estelle. Rachel wanted to hang up.
"No, he just left for an audition."
"An audition? What's he going on an audition for? Don't tell me he's not going to do the sitcom."
Estelle suddenly had Rachel's attention. Joey had mentioned anything about a sitcom. "A sitcom?"
"Yes! The sitcom in Rome with Al Pacino! Hasn't he mentioned it?"
Rachel's mind was almost smoking. Why hadn't he mentioned any of this to her? It seemed like a dream come true for him. She wanted to know more, "He might have. Can you refresh my memory? What's this sitcom about?"
******
Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face
Ross Gellar's hands moved gently over his keyboard. This song wasn't like any of his others. It had just come to him when he was looking at one of Phoebe's ultrasound pictures. His hands his the keys, and they moved freely on their own, as if they had played the melody a million times before. He didn't know how he knew the lyrics, but somehow, he did.
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
He didn't see her standing there in the doorway. Amazed by the movements of his hands, mesmerized by the sound of his voice.
Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life
She couldn't help but wonder how he had been so inspired. This wasn't anything like his previous songs. The helicopter noises, laser beams, and animal sounds. It was pure genius in Phoebe's opinion.
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Ross' mind was filled with images of the future. He, and Phoebe, and Ben, and his daughter. A house, a car, a dog, and a cat. Perfection.
If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope she's not like me
I hope she understands
That she can take this life
And hold it by the hand
Ands he can greet the world
With arms wide open...
His fingers started to slow, and the melody started to fade. He stared blankly at nothing in particular, unsure of what had just happened, but sure it was something amazing. He moved slightly away from the keyboard, still in disbelief, lost in wonder. A voice caught his attention, "Wow."
He turned in his seat towards the doorway, where he was surprised to find his wife-to-be standing. "I don't know where that came from."
"I'm guessing your heart." She smiled and walked over to where he sat, getting comfortable in his lap. "You think we'll make good parents?"
"Definitely. I think our life's going to be great." Ross marveled at how life never turned out how you expected. He had been divorced three times, he had a son out of wedlock, he had made the monumental mistake of cheating on a girlfriend, and he had married a lesbian. And that was ok.
He had paid his dues, and it was time for Ross Gellar to be happy. He deserved it.
********
Chandler threw the empty bottle on the floor. It had been one long night, with five beers, and five beer bottles that were scattered across the floor. He didn't live with her anymore, he could be as messy as he wanted to be, even though he liked things clean too. He acted strictly out of spite. His continuing act of hate and drinking was disrupted by a knock on the door. Crankily, he picked his half-drunk body out of the recliner and moved it towards the door. The vision in front of him was surprising. "Monica?"
"Hi." She wasn't sure where to start. "You busy?" She looked away from him, her eyes not able to handle his image. He was a broken man, and it showed. Monica's heart broke from the knowledge of it all being because of her. She was the lone cause of it all. She hated herself for it. How could she have turned a man as lively, funny, and adorable cute as Chandler Bing into the mess that stood before her?
Chandler was in no mood for small talk, especially with her. "Why are you here Ms. Gellar?" The words were deliberate. She wasn't Mrs. Bing anymore. They were both convinced she never would be again.
She winced. The words cause a pain deep inside her chest. She wanted to defend herself, but didn't have the heart. "I want to talk to you."
"What about Ms.Gellar?" Chandler cocked his head awaiting her answer. It was amazing how different of a person he was, yet the sarcasm never left. Chandler Bing carried a cheap shot for everyone.
"Chandler! I want to clear the air here. Can you just drop the sarcasm and lower your defenses for one night?"
Chandler stared at her silently for a few seconds, her words registering in his mind. To her surprise, he stepped out of his doorway and cleared the way for her to enter. "You have an hour. Make it count."
******
Rachel sat alone in the recliner in the middle of their living room, still unsure of what to think. After Estelle explained their morning conversation, things hadn't been hard for her to figure out. Joey didn't want to leave her, and he figured it would be best to pretend the offer never existed.
He knew she would make him go. And she knew he knew.
She didn't want him to leave her, but she had to make him go. She'd never be able to live with herself if she kept him from his dream. Waiting for him in Rome was everything he had ever dreamed of. She refused to stand in the way.
Joey walked through the door looking exhausted. He threw his keys on the table and locked the bolts on the door. "Hey." He greeted her as he opened the fridge in search of a cold alcoholic beverage.
"You lied to me." Simple, short, and to the point. She had been thinking about it all day. She had no more patience left.
"What?" He closed the fridge door and sat his drink on the counter. He played dumb, one thing he was very good at.
"Rome. Al Pacino. NBC. Any of it ring a bell?" Her voice carried an edge. She wasn't mad at him, she understood her reasons, but she definitely didn't enjoy being lied to by the one man she trusted most.
He was caught, and he knew it. "Rach, listen…"
"You're going Joey. That's the bottom line." She stood from her chair and walked to the counter. "I won't let you stay here because of me. I'll dump you if I have to. You're going to Rome."
"I'm not leaving here." Joey shook his head. He refused to go. He had waited his whole life for something as wonderful as her. He had been though a million beautiful girls waiting for the perfect one. He had found her, and he wasn't letting go.
"Joey, I'll kick you out. This is too big to pass up, I won't let you do it. I know everything you've ever dreamed of is in Rome." She was going to win this argument. It would be hard, but she'd leave him if she had to. She loved him so much that she would let him go. For his own good. Everyone always acts for someone else's own good.
"Rachel everything I've ever dreamed of is standing right in front of me! I'm not leaving it. I'm not leaving you. I refuse to spend nine months a year a million miles away from you. It won't happen." He knew why she was doing what she was doing, and he wasn't going to buy into it. He would argue with her all night if he had to, but he wasn't going to Rome.
*******
An hour later the argument was over. Joey was going to Rome.
They both sat in the recliner, Rachel in his lap, his arms wrapped tightly around her. She agreed to visit often. He would come home during his months off. They would make it work.
His flight was booked. Tomorrow morning, at eleven AM, he would be boarding a plane for Rome, much to the delight of Estelle. Some major commission was about to come her way.
He lifted her off his lap, and slowly got out of the chair. She narrowed her eyebrows and stared at him, "What are you doing?" He kept walking towards the fridge, not looking back at her.
Go on and close the curtains
All we need is candlelight
You and me
And a bottle of wine
Hold you tonight, oh yeah
Well we know, I'm going away
And how I wish, I wish there was a way
Take this wine, and drink with me
Let's delay our misery
Save Tonight
Fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone
Save Tonight
Fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone
He grabbed a bottle of wine from the kitchen as Rachel turned down the lights. She closed the curtains, and lit a few candles as he poured them each a glass.
There's a log on the fire
And it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes
With one desire
To take me away, it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
But darling please
Don't start to cry
Cause girl you know I got to go
And lord I wish it wasn't so
The recliner had been moved out of the way, and a blanket had been spread out across the floor. If it was their last night together, it was going to count. Neither would spare any expense. It would be fairy tale, it would romantic, it would be as perfect as a goodbye can be.
Save Tonight
Fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone
Save Tonight
Fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone
Silence surrounded them. For just a little while, they were the only two people on Earth.
Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I, that I could stay
But girl you know I got to go
And lord I wish it wasn't so
Save Tonight
*******
Monica laughed and sat her empty bottle down on his coffee table. "And my mom thought you were staring at her breasts!" They both erupted in laughter again. They had spent the last few hours reminiscing about old times. Thanksgivings, Christmases, even anniversaries. They had both put their guard down, and for the first time in quite awhile, they were having a good time.
But after awhile, the laughter faded, and Chandler had to ask her the question he had spent the whole night avoiding. "Monica, we've talked about everything there is to talk about. I'm wondering if you're going to tell me the one thing I really want to know." His eyes found hers. He needed answers, and she was the only one that could provide them.
"Chandler…tonight has been perfect. Let's not ruin it with a conversation about our divorce." She picked her drink back up, and prayed he would drop it. She didn't want to lose the aura that surrounded them. It felt just like it did when they were first dating, keeping everything a secret from everyone. The rush felt all too familiar.
"So what do you want to do Mon? Walk out my door not having accomplished anything?"
"Maybe…I don't know Chandler." She stood up and walked across the table to where he was sitting. She pulled his chair out away from the table, with him still in it. As she looked down at him, he noticed the change in her eyes, a change he had seen many times before. She lowered her body down to his, straddling his lap. "Just for tonight, can't we just pretend things are normal again."
He could never resist her. Not once since they first got together in London had he ever been able to say no to her. "Mon…" She kissed him briefly to silence him, before her pleading eyes found his again. His brain was shouting, "Don't give in Chandler, don't give in Chandler, don't give in Chandler…"
He gave in.
His lips found hers again as he stood up from the chair. Her legs locked around his waist and his hands fell below her waist to hold her up. Their bodies smashed together in the same way they had a million times before as Chandler led them towards his bedroom. He lowered her down on to the bed, his body quickly landing on top of hers, his lips crushing into the side of her neck. He had longed for her for far too long.
Her hands moved to the hem of his shirt, starting to lift it above his head. Halfway up his chest his hands took over, and he backed slightly away from her body as he discarded the shirt into a pile in the corner. As his body turned back towards hers, their eyes met, and Chandler stopped moving.
"What's wrong?" Monica was afraid to ask.
Chandler shook his head, and backed off of the bed. "I can't do this Mon. Not without answers. I can't." His hands ran through his hair as he began to pace across his bedroom. Why couldn't she just ease his pain? Why couldn't she just tell him?
"Chandler, please, just get into the bed."
No I would not sleep, in this bed of lies
So toss me out, and turn in
And there'll be no rest, for these tired eyes
I'm marking it down, to learnin'
I am
His hands fell into the pockets of his blue and black pajama bottoms. His head was shaking negatively and he continued to pace in front of the bed. Monica simply stared at him.
I don't think that I could take another empty moment
I don't think that I could fake another hollow smile
It's not enough just to be lonely
I don't think that I could take another talk about it
He couldn't be with her if it meant nothing to her. He had been with her to many times when it meant everything. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his eyes tearing through her, begging for answers. Pleading for the truth.
Just like me, you got needs
And they're only a whisper away
And we softly surrender
To these lives that we've tendered away
But I would not sleep in this bed of lies
So toss me out, and turn in
And there'll be no rest, for these tired eyes
I'm marking it down, to learnin'
I'm marking it down to learnin'
Cause I can
Monica wanted to tell him. She wanted to grab him, quiet him, and tell him the truth. She wanted to tell him everything that had happened. Everything she had been through, every lie she had told him, every poor choice she had made, every event that was out of her hands…she wanted him to know it all. He used to know everything about her. He practically knew nothing now.
But she couldn't bring herself to do it. "Chandler, I'm sorry…"
He knew what was coming, and he didn't want to hear it. "Fuck you Monica. Fuck you." He grabbed his shirt from the corner, just so he would have something to squeeze. "I wasn't doing very well, I know that. But how dare you walk into my home and give me hope that things might get a little better, when you had no intention on fixing things."
"I can't fix them Chandler. I wish you could just…"
"Get out Monica."
"Chandler, just listen…"
"Leave my apartment. Now. And don't come back." Chandler stormed out of his own bedroom, locking himself away in his incredibly small bathroom. He leaned against the counter that surrounded the sink and stared into the mirror. He wished the man looking back at him wasn't such a stranger.
*********
Joey's eyes slowly opened, and he was happy to see it was still dark outside. His time with Rachel wasn't up yet. She was awake, sitting on the couch, staring out the window. He knew it had to be killing her as much as it was killing him. "Rach…Come back over here."
She lightly rested her head against the glass window. She didn't take her eyes off the world outside.
If this life gets any harder now
It ain't no never mind
Ya got me by your side
And anytime you want
Yeah we can catch a train and find a better place
Yeah... a cuz' we won't let nothin' or no one keep gettin' us down
Maybe you and I can pack our bags and hit the sky
Then fly away from here
Anywhere yeah I don't care
We'll just fly away from here
Our hopes and dreams are out there somewhere
Won't let time pass us by
We just fly
Do you see a bluer sky now
You can have a better life now
Open your eyes
'Cuz no one here can ever stop us
They can try but we won't let them... no way
Maybe you and I
Can pack our bags and say goodbye
Then fly away from here
Anywhere a honey I don't care
We just fly away from here
Our hopes and dreams are out there somewhere
Let's just fly…
Joey stood up from their makeshift bed and walked towards the window she was looking out. He took her hand in his, but before he could speak, she spoke. "I'm going with you Joey."
*********
They stood silently in line to board the plane. It seemed pretty crowded, Rome was a popular place. They had said goodbye to Monica, Ross, and Phoebe a little over an hour before. Chandler was no where to be found. They had left him a message on his machine, but little did they know he was way to drunk to get it in time to meet them at the coffeehouse.
Rachel had convinced herself she was making the right decision. She was following the man she loved to one of the most romantic cities in the world. Rome was a city of fashion after all, it couldn't be a better fit for a fashion executive. Her arm was clung tightly around Joey's. Their carryon bags draped over Joey's opposite shoulder.
"I'm coming with you guys." Both bodies turned to find Chandler Bing, two bags resting on his shoulder, and a completely serious look on his face.
"What?" That was all Rachel could muster. It was a word more than Joey, who stood silently confused.
"I'm going to Rome." Chandler took a step back and glanced at the people who were in line waiting to board the plane. "Excuse me! Ladies and gentlemen! This flight is sold out, and I need to get to Rome. In my hand I have five thousand dollars, which I will pay one of you for your ticket. That's the cost of the ticket plus a lot more. And you'd be doing me a huge favor. Any takers?"
Chandler's eyes surveyed the crowd in search of any volunteers. "You can have mine." Chandler's eyes flew the crowd in search of the voice. When his eyes located what his ears had heard, his jaw dropped.
As did Joey's. He looked at Rachel, his eyes wide, "What? I thought you were coming with me! If you're not going I don't want to go."
Rachel shook her head and stepped away from the line. "I can't do it Joey. I thought I could but I can't. My job is here, my home, Monica and Phoebe and Ross…" She trailed off, her head still shaking.
Chandler approached the two of them, unsure of what was about to happen.
Rachel turned and handed her ticket to Chandler. Joey stared on at a loss for words, he wanted to object, but he was falling short on breath. Rachel pulled him out of line, as Chandler saved their spot. She led Joey over to a window that overlooked the runway, and with tears in her eyes, she hugged him.
And if the darkness is to keep, us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back, oh no, be strong
The attendant opened up the line for boarding, and people slowly began to move forward. Chandler kept his eyes glued on the two of them. But he was going to Rome with or without Joey.
Walk on, Walk on
What you got, they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, Walk on
Stay safe tonight
She began to lead Joey by the hand back towards the airport terminal.
You're packing a suitcase for a place, none of us has been
A place that has to be believed, to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird
In an open cage
Who will only fly
Only fly for freedom
Joey was speechless. Rachel pushed him into line next to Chandler, and the crowd of people was slowly pushing him toward the terminal. They were slowly pushing him away from the love of his life.
Walk on, Walk on
What you got, You can't deny it
Can't sell it, or buy it
Walk on, Walk on
You stay safe tonight
The crowd pushed them to the edge of the terminal. The attendants snatched the tickets from their hands. Joey stared back at Rachel. She stood there alone, tears in her eyes, nodding him on.
And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
You can only take so much
Walk on
Joey managed to mouth 'I love you' to her before being engulfed in the crowd of anxious people. She didn't move from the spot where she stood. "Goodbye Joey."
********
"How did my blessing work out for ya dear?" Miss Cleo questioned Phoebe as she sat down for her visit.
"It was great. I'm going to miss breaking out into song all the time."
Miss Cleo laughed her trademark laugh. "Well dear, good things never last forever."
Phoebe nodded, she certainly believed that. "Yeah you're right."
"Of course I am dear." Miss Cleo reached below the table and pulled out her famous cards. "Should I go ahead and see what's in store for you and your friends?"
Phoebe was about to say yes, when something struck her. An idea, a belief, a feeling…"No, actually, don't." She smiled and stood up. "I think I'm just going to leave everything to chance from now on." Miss Cleo smiled as Phoebe picked up her purse and walked towards the door.
Phoebe paused at the door, shooting one last glance back at Miss Cleo. "Actually, before I go, could you check that female truck driver thing one more time?"
THE END
There you are, it is done. But, as some of you are probably thinking, it can't end there. And it won't. In Conclusion, the final fanfic of that series will have it's first chapters posted soon. So this particular series will consist of:
My Alternate Season 8
Friends ~ The Musical
In Conclusion
None of my other fics apply to that series. This was a lot of fun to write and I hope everyone enjoyed reading it. And I hope everyone is still curious to know what exactly went wrong with Monica and Chandler, and what will happen with Ross and Phoebe's family, and if Joey and Rachel will find their way back to each other. In Conclusion will be out soon, I promise.
Songs featured in this chapter of Friends ~ The Musical:
Chandler's Rock Medley-
My Way, Boiler ~ Limp Bizkit
Fade, Outside, It's Been Awhile ~ Staind
Just Like A Pill ~ Pink
Complicated ~ Avril Lavigne
Adrian (Monica) ~ The Calling
Other Songs-
With Arms Wide Open ~ Creed
Save Tonight ~ Eagle Eye Cherry
Bed of Lies ~ Matchbox 20
Fly Away From Here ~ Aerosmith
Walk On ~ U2
Be a Friend! Drop a Review and let me know if you enjoyed the fic!