The One With The President
Chapter Six
By: Jana~
*****~*****
--"Your 4 o'clock appointment has been moved to 3," Phoebe advised as she ran her finger over the pages of the agenda she balanced in her free hand, "Your 3 o'clock appointment has been moved to 2, your 4 o'clock appointment has been cancelled, and--"
The door flying open stopped Phoebe in mid-sentence, and caused Joey, who had been standing off to the side awaiting his turn to speak, to stumble a step or 2 sideways, all eyes immediately on the person storming into the room.
Phoebe forced herself not to laugh, having seen that expression on her friend's face a thousand times before. Ross was a very intense and uptight fellow, she thought, and with her laid back attitude, they often times clashed.
"Uh-oh," she teased, "It's scary advisor-man!"
Ross glared at her, continuing to approach Chandler as Joey chuckled at Phoebe's joke.
"It's in every paper," Ross announced, dropping papers one by one onto Chandler's desk so he could see each picture that was on the front page before dropping the next one.
Several papers, at least 7, had as its front-page picture, the president and Monica dancing from the party the night before. Chandler picked up one of the papers before Ross dropped another one atop it.
"The President," Chandler read the caption under the picture, "Danced with his date, Monica Geller," he smiled unknowingly as her name fell from his lips, "No relation to White House advisor, Ross Geller, as 200 guests watched and wondered: who is this mystery woman?"
Chandler chuckled as he tossed the paper back on the stack with the others.
"Ok, so, what about this has you all tense and looking like you forgot to eat your bran today?" Chandler asked with a smirk.
"This is no laughing matter, sir," Ross warned. "This is just the start! The more you see her, the more press it will receive!"
"So?" Chandler shot back. "Let the press talk about it! There's nothing wrong with what I'm doing!"
"Sir, you don't understand," Ross pleaded. "This is unprecedented! People will judge you now more than ever!"
"Ross," Phoebe interjected, "I think you're making too big a deal out of this," she informed. "All will work out."
"How do you know that?" Ross challenged.
"Because," she replied without a beat, "I'm psychic."
Ross rolled his eyes and turned back towards Chandler. "Sir, I really think you should stop seeing her," he advised. "At least until your numbers climb!"
Ross had started to raise his voice as Chandler shook his head at what his advisor had suggested.
"Nothing doing, Ross," he stated firmly. "We had the best time last night! And I'm not going to stop seeing her on the off chance that my numbers might climb if I do!"
Chandler raised his voice to stop Ross from interrupting when it looked to him like he was about to.
"I think the President and Phoebe are right," Joey added, interrupting Ross from beginning another rant. "He wants to date her! And she's a real nice gal! And it's not like he's doing anything wrong."
Ross sighed. "I didn't say he was doing something wrong!" he countered. "But the public might!"
"So," Chandler argued, "Why not wait and see what people think before getting all worked up!"
"Because by then," Ross replied. "It might be too late."
"Too late for what?" Chandler questioned him. "I already told you, I'm not running for re-election! That would be the only reason why the 'numbers' would matter!"
"But, if you change your mind--"
"No, Ross," Chandler interrupted. "I'm not going to be changing my mind! I've made up my mind! Just as I have made up my mind about Monica!" He poked his finger pointedly at the pile of newspapers, "If this doesn't bother her, then I am going to continue seeing her!" He stared Ross hard in the eyes. "Do I make myself clear?!"
"Crystal, sir," Ross replied, not able to hide his irritation from the tone of his voice.
"You have something you want to say to me," Chandler asked, challenging him.
"No, sir," Ross replied evenly, getting his tone in check.
Chandler said nothing else as he stormed out of his office, needing time alone to think.
Ross took a few deep breaths before turning to Joey. "Run the numbers again," he told him, then turned to leave.
"Shouldn't we ask Chandler--"
"That's 'Mr. President', Joseph," Ross cut him off, "And just do what I'm telling you."
Joey glanced at Phoebe before nodding. "Alright."
Ross stormed out much like Chandler had, leaving Phoebe and Joey alone.
"What is up with him?" Joey asked.
Phoebe shrugged. "He just wants what's best for Chandler," she replied. "Unfortunately, he thinks what's best for Chandler is to stay president."
"I don't think that's what Chandler wants," he speculated, causing Phoebe to chuckle.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" she teased him, then laughed at the confused expression that followed. "You're right, Joe, he's not interested in staying in office.
Joey smiled, having no real idea why Phoebe was laughing. "You think I oughta run the numbers like Ross asked?"
She nodded. "Yeah. You probably should. That way," Phoebe added as they both headed for the door, "He won't explode."
*****~*****
--"I still can't believe you didn't wake me up when you got home," Rachel scolded as she assisted Monica in the large catering company's kitchen.
"I told you," Monica smirked, "It was late and I knew you had to work today."
"So?!" she screeched in a whisper. "A good night's sleep is second to a good romance story!"
Monica chuckled. "Read a trashy novel then! Stop trying to weasel details about my dates out of me!"
"Fine," Rachel huffed good naturedly, "Be that way!"
"Thank you," Monica teased, imitating Rachel's tone of voice, "I will! Now, be a doll and fetch me the salmon out of the freezer, please?"
Rachel snapped Monica quick with a hand towel, then scurried off towards the large walk-in freezer before her friend could reciprocate.
"Monica," Kathy called to her as she entered the kitchen, "You have a visitor."
Monica spun around, surprised to be seeing Ross standing there.
"Mr. Geller," Monica acknowledged his presence. "What are you doing here?" Fear shot through her suddenly. "Is Chandler ok?"
"Yes," he replied stiffly, then looked at Kathy as if to say he wanted time alone with Monica.
Kathy huffed and marched away, obviously irritated.
"What's going on?" Monica questioned, then turned to tend to her cooking, one eye still on Ross.
"Have you seen the papers?" he asked.
"Which one?"
"Any of them," he replied, then took one from his suit jacket and unfolded it, extending it towards her.
She scowled as she took it from him, shocked to see a picture of her on the front page. She glanced up at Ross before looking back to the newspaper. Silently, she read the caption under the picture, then the first few sentences of the article before turning back to the food she was preparing.
"Why did you come here to show me this?" she asked. "Is Chandler upset about this or something?"
"No," Ross told her truthfully, "But I am."
"Why?" she questioned.
"His numbers haven't been very good, Monica. May I call you Monica?" he asked, and she nodded 'yes'. "I think there is a potential problem with you dating him."
"Chandler didn't seem to think so."
"Chandler is being naïve," he replied. "If his numbers don't start to climb soon, he will ruin his chance at re-election."
"I thought he didn't want to run for re-election."
Ross sighed. "He is having doubts, but I think once he sees that the American people like him and trust him, he'll change his mind."
Monica turned the heat down and faced Ross, a hint of a scowl on her face. "Does Chandler know you're here?"
"Monica," Rachel came out of the freezer shivering. "I found the salmon, but the expiration date says--" She stopped abruptly when she saw that they were not alone. "Sorry," she apologized, looking from Ross to Monica, then back again.
Monica took the fish from Rachel's hand, skimming it for the date. "It says 'sell or freeze by', Rache. It's fine." She turned away, knowing the two were still staring at each other. "Rachel Green, Ross Geller. Ross, Rachel."
Rachel moved to shake his hand, but when he reached out, he turned her hand and kissed her knuckles instead of shaking hands with her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Ross said with a slight smile, and Rachel felt herself blush.
"I've only ever seen that in movies," she admitted, smiling.
"Look, Ross," Monica interrupted them, "I appreciate that you just want to do what's best for Chandler and his position, but we've had this discussion. And unless he tells me he wants to cool it while he figures out his popularity polls or whatever, then I'm afraid I can't help you."
Ross hung his head and nodded. "Alright," he muttered, then looked back up at Rachel. "I guess I should probably go then. You seem busy." He directed the last sentence more towards Rachel.
"Well, actually," Rachel quickly responded, "I was just about to take my coffee break." She smiled as she headed for the door. "Would kinda like some company though," she flirted not-so-subtly.
Ross smiled. "I would love a cup of coffee right now."
Monica rolled her eyes. "Oh, for Pete's sake, just go! All this flirting is making my soufflé fall and my stomach turn!"
*****~*****
--"You're throwing these games when you play with me," Chandler asked as he and Joey played foosball, "Aren't you?"
Joey's expression showed worry and concern. "No, sir," he lied.
Chandler chuckled as he retrieved the ball from the score pocket. "You are a terrible liar, Joe."
"Hey!" Joey was all prepared to be insulted, but then it dawned on him what Chandler had said. "I guess that's kinda like a compliment!"
Chandler nodded. "Sure. Ready?"
Joey nodded, then Chandler threw the ball back into play. "Just play the game, Joe. I'll never get any better if no one challenges me."
"You sure?" Joey asked to be certain.
"Yep. Positive."
Joey shrugged. "Alright." He stopped holding back, and within seconds, scored a goal. "Sorry," he apologized.
"Don't apologize, Joe. It's ok if you win," Chandler assured him.
He grimaced, "If you say so."
Joey got a little more aggressive in the game, winning goal after goal easily, getting a bit cockier after each score.
"I am so gonna mop the floor with you!" Joey exclaimed, his mind on winning and no longer on the position the man across the table from him held.
Chandler just chuckled.
"Sir?" Phoebe addressed him as she entered the rec room. "Hey, Joe," she smiled at Joey, making a little kissy face at him before continuing. "You asked me to remind you to call Monica."
"Oh!" Chandler startled, quickly looking at his watch. "Thanks, Pheebs."
"So, who's winning?"
"I am!" Joey announced, smiling broadly.
"Really?" she asked, glancing at Chandler out of her peripheral vision.
"He told me to stop throwing the games!" Joey explained. "I'm just doing what he told me to do!"
"Is it like an unwritten rule that everyone is supposed to throw the games so the president can always win?"
Phoebe shrugged. "Pretty much, yeah."
Joey nodded.
"Well, stop it!" Chandler demanded, then picked up the phone. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
"Yeah, you just don't want me to humiliate you with my 21-to-3 victory!" Joey taunted, forgetting momentarily who he was talking to.
"No," Chandler replied, "I want to call Monica now. We can pick the game up right here later if you want."
Joey flashed his little lopsided grin and chuckled slightly. "Yeah, sure. Sorry about that."
Chandler smiled as he waved. "Bye-bye now."
"C'mon, Joey," Phoebe said as she took him by the arm. "Ross is looking for you anyway."
--Chandler shook his head as he dialed Monica's number, smiling as he waited for her to pick up.
"Hello?" Monica answered the phone in standard fashion.
"It's me," Chandler replied, and she instantly smiled.
"Hey. I'm glad you remembered to call."
"I couldn't wait to call you," he muttered softly, truthfully. "How was your day?"
"Oh, pretty good," she sighed. "Oh, hey," she suddenly recalled. "Did you know Ross came to see me today?"
*****
--"These are today's numbers?" Ross asked as he looked over the poll Joey had just handed him.
"Yeah," Joey replied, pointing at the paper. "See the date?"
"The numbers are up," he muttered, surprised. "Granted, not by much, but still! They're up!"
"See? I told you you were worrying over nothing," Phoebe said with a smile.
"Hey," Ross defended himself, "I just have his best interests at heart!"
"I know, Ross," Phoebe reasoned, "But you have to stop forcing what you want on him. You want him to run for re-election, but he doesn't."
"I'm just trying to look at the bigger picture," Ross sighed. "If he decides he doesn't want to run again, when the time comes, I'll respect that! But, it's too soon to make that decision! And if he changes his mind later, I need to make sure I've done all I can so that running a successful campaign is possible."
"Ross?" Chandler's voice caused the three friends to jump. "A word?"
TBC
Ok, you know the drill by now! Reviews make my world go round! So, please leave feedback! I don't know what you're thinking, I'm not a mind reader!
Please leave a review!