Chapter 7
Rachel remained at Central Perk and helped Gunther close up. It felt like old times. As she climbed the stairs to her apartment, she realized she missed the days when the six of them were friends and nothing more. They could joke and laugh without the fear of hurt feelings and without worrying that one of them would accuse another of taking sides.
"I didn't take sides," Rachel grumbled when she reached her door. "I just happen to know something that no one else does."
"Who are you talking to?"
Rachel whirled around at the sound of Joey's voice.
"No one," she said quickly. "Just thinking out loud." She noticed his somber expression. "Honey, what's wrong?"
"You wanna come in for a minute?" he asked, his voice subdued.
"Sure. I didn't relish the idea of walking into my cold, dark place anyway. What's up?"
"I talked to Chandler," Joey said, when they had both been seated. "Something's wrong with him, Rach. He said he was in pain, and then the conversation ended. I yelled at him to call the doctor, but I don't even know if he heard me."
"Did you call him back? Did you find out what's going on?"
"No. I thought maybe the doctor was there or that he was sleeping. Do you think I should call him?"
"No, I wouldn't call him now. He probably is sleeping. I hope he's all right."
"Me, too."
"I wonder if Monica knows?"
Joey snickered. "I doubt it. I don't think Chandler would want her to know. You know why Monica was so upset with you, Rach? Because she's there with another man!"
"What?! No way. Joey, Monica is not with another man on that cruise."
"Oh yeah?" Joey challenged. "Try telling that to Chandler. He saw them together."
This was incredible. Mon, honey, Rachel thought, what are you doing?
"It can't be anything serious," she said aloud.
"It can't?" Joey questioned. "How can you be so sure?"
"Joey, c'mon, it's just a one-week cruise. Besides, Monica had very specific reasons for going on this vacation."
"Really?" he asked, suddenly interested. "What were they?"
"Joey! You know I can't tell you. I'm already in enough trouble with Monica. Do you want her to kill me?"
"No, you're right. I hope Monica forgives you, Rach. I don't believe you told Chandler to sabotage her trip."
"Thank you," Rachel said, relieved that at least one of her friends believed her. "And Joey, please don't judge Monica too harshly about this guy she's with, whoever he is. He can't be anyone important to her. He just can't!"
"I wish our friends weren't hurting so much. I hate this. First you and Ross, and now Monica and Chandler..."
"Please," Rachel said, "don't mention Ross' name to me."
"What happened now?" he asked in a plaintive voice.
"We had a fight after you and Phoebe left. He accused me of telling Chandler to stick it to him because I'm on Monica's side."
"Ross said that?"
"Yeah," Rachel said, her voice filled with sadness. "His remarks hurt. I like Chandler, and Monica is my best friend. I want them to work things out, I really do, but it's complicated. There are things not everyone knows."
"Like?"
"Joey! Look, I'm going to leave before I slip and say something else I'm not supposed to."
"Okay. I'm sorry. It's just that you have me very curious."
"I know," Rachel said, stroking his cheek as they stood near the door. "I wish I could talk with you about this the way we did when Chandler and Monica were keeping their relationship a secret, but I can't."
Joey nodded and captured Rachel's hand in his.
"I understand. Hey, if you happen to hear from Monica, please tell me."
"I will. I think you should call Chandler in the morning. If you talk to him, tell him I hope he's feeling better. And then tell me how's he doing, okay?"
"Sure. Will do."
"You're such a good friend to me," she said, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into an unexpected but pleasant hug.
Joey's surprise lasted only a moment and then he returned the embrace and enjoyed it. Rachel was the first to pull away. She found herself staring at Joey's mouth. He leaned in closer, and for a second, she thought he was going to kiss her. But the moment passed. He kissed her on the cheek instead.
"'Night, Rachel," he said and gave her a crooked smile.
"G'night, Joey. See you tomorrow."
As soon as the door closed, Joey scurried to his bed, not daring to let himself think about what might have been.
**
"I thought I might see you last night," Daniel said to Monica the next morning, when they met for breakfast in the dining room.
Both had decided on the early seating; they had the table to themselves.
"I considered it," Monica admitted, "but I know I wouldn't have been very good company."
"Chandler?" Daniel asked.
Monica nodded. "I did a lot of thinking last night, and I realized this isn't fair to you. You should be enjoying this cruise with someone who doesn't come with so much baggage."
Daniel silenced her by placing his index finger to her soft lips.
"I told you I don't care about other women. I'm enjoying my time with you."
"I don't see how you could be."
"We dock this afternoon at St. Croix. You're still planning to sightsee with me, right?"
"Yes, but..."
"No 'buts'. Please. Let us just enjoy each other's company."
Monica nodded.
"I have a surprise for you, too."
"Really? What?"
"Last night, I checked around and discovered this ship has an 'Internet Cafe'. I went online and look what I booked for us."
He produced two printouts and handed one to Monica. She gasped when she saw what he had done.
"This...this is a first-class ticket to Paris!"
"Yes, it is. Monica Geller, I am officially offering you the position of head consultant for our restaurants. Our hotel in Paris desperately needs your help."
Speechless, Monica stared from the ticket to Daniel and back to the ticket.
"I...I can't give you an answer right now," she stammered.
Daniel gave a soft laugh, and after cupping her chin with his fingers, turned her head so she would look at him.
"I wasn't expecting one," he assured her. "But I needed to make the offer, and I needed you to know I'm serious. Paris awaits, for you and me."
Monica thought back to the plans she and Chandler had made long ago.
"I-I'm not sure I could go to Paris."
"Think about it," he said, pulling her in close for a kiss. "That's all I'm asking."
**
Before Joey could call Chandler, his phone rang. Relief washed over him when he heard his best friend's voice.
"Dude, what happened?"
"Sorry about last night, Joe."
"That's okay, but are you better? Did you call the doctor? What did he say?"
Chandler appreciated his friend's concern. "Yeah, I called the doctor. He thinks what I have is stress-related. I finally slept last night, and I do feel better today, so..."
"I'm glad to hear that. I was so worried, but I wasn't sure what to do. Do you have to stay in bed?"
"No, I don't think so. The doctor is coming by this afternoon to check on me. We're making a stop in St. Croix. I hope I feel up to leaving the ship. I'd like to get out of this room."
"What about Monica?"
"She knows what happened to me. We spent some time together last night."
"That's good, right?"
Chandler sighed. "I don't know. I guess. She was on her way to see that other guy when she found out about me."
"And she stayed with you? That's a good sign, man!"
"It was still early when she left me. I have a feeling they saw each other."
"Do you think she'll check on you today?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
"Well, if she does, tell her why you're there, Chandler. Talk to her. Take advantage of the opportunity."
Chandler ended their conversation knowing his friend was right. He had to talk to Monica.
**
Alone in her room, Monica gathered what she would need for an afternoon and evening of sightseeing on the island of St. Croix. Her eyes fell to the printout of the ticket to Paris, and she let her mind wander to a better time.
**FLAHSBACK - AUGUST 2000**
Chandler walked into the apartment he shared with Monica and saw the kitchen table littered with wedding pamphlets.
"You look happy," he said to his intended, after they'd shared a kiss.
"I am. Everything is falling into place. Life couldn't be more wonderful."
"I like it when you're happy," he said, taking a seat next to her. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Well...um, okay. How about this?"
She pulled three colorful brochures from the "honeymoon" tab in her binder and spread them out so Chandler could review them.
"Tell me which place you'd like to go to for our honeymoon."
"These are my only choices?" he asked, not wanting to be difficult but wanting more of a selection. Or a say.
"Did you have your own ideas of where we should go?"
Chandler's face lit up. "Actually, I did."
"Oh...then, of course, you should tell me. I want to know where you pictured us honeymooning."
"Okay," Chandler said, excited, thinking he'd finally have a chance to contribute something to the plans. "I thought it would be nice to go to Paris."
At Monica's less-than-thrilled look, Chandler knew he'd said the wrong thing.
"Not Paris," he concluded.
"Not for our honeymoon, sweetie. I want it to be somewhere romantic and exotic and tropical."
"You don't think Paris is romantic?"
"Sure, but it's not tropical."
"So, you want a water-related honeymoon?"
"Look at these brochures. Don't these cruises look wonderful? We could go to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico..."
"These all look fine," Chandler said, his enthusiasm gone. "You pick where you want to go. Whatever decision you make will be fine."
Chandler left the table and then plopped himself down on the white sofa. He turned on the TV and began to channel surf. After a few minutes, Monica joined him.
"I love the idea of Paris," she said, running her fingers through his sandy brown hair. "I'll look into it tomorrow."
"Don't," he said, his eyes fixed on the TV screen. "I know it's not where you want to go. I told you I'd be fine with any place you choose."
"And I'm choosing Paris."
Chandler looked at her then. "Against your will."
She shrugged. "Maybe a little, but it's not because I don't want to go there."
"Then what is it?"
"Sweetie, I know you want to see Paris. I always thought, when you and I were ready for a change, maybe we could take a year off and spend it there."
"A year?"
"Yeah. I could learn a lot about cooking there, and you would finally have the time you need to work on your writing. I always pictured us there, Chandler, just not for our honeymoon."
"Spending a year in Paris with you sounds heavenly," he said, his irritability dissipating.
"Same for me," Monica said, moving closer to him. "So, how about if we spend a week in the Caribbean next May?"
"I can do that," he said, right before he pulled her on top of him and smothered her with kisses.
**END OF FLASHBACK**
What would have happen, she thought, if she had agreed to the Paris honeymoon? As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she knew it had been much more than that which had caused her to end up on her honeymoon cruise without benefit of the wedding ceremony.
Rachel remained at Central Perk and helped Gunther close up. It felt like old times. As she climbed the stairs to her apartment, she realized she missed the days when the six of them were friends and nothing more. They could joke and laugh without the fear of hurt feelings and without worrying that one of them would accuse another of taking sides.
"I didn't take sides," Rachel grumbled when she reached her door. "I just happen to know something that no one else does."
"Who are you talking to?"
Rachel whirled around at the sound of Joey's voice.
"No one," she said quickly. "Just thinking out loud." She noticed his somber expression. "Honey, what's wrong?"
"You wanna come in for a minute?" he asked, his voice subdued.
"Sure. I didn't relish the idea of walking into my cold, dark place anyway. What's up?"
"I talked to Chandler," Joey said, when they had both been seated. "Something's wrong with him, Rach. He said he was in pain, and then the conversation ended. I yelled at him to call the doctor, but I don't even know if he heard me."
"Did you call him back? Did you find out what's going on?"
"No. I thought maybe the doctor was there or that he was sleeping. Do you think I should call him?"
"No, I wouldn't call him now. He probably is sleeping. I hope he's all right."
"Me, too."
"I wonder if Monica knows?"
Joey snickered. "I doubt it. I don't think Chandler would want her to know. You know why Monica was so upset with you, Rach? Because she's there with another man!"
"What?! No way. Joey, Monica is not with another man on that cruise."
"Oh yeah?" Joey challenged. "Try telling that to Chandler. He saw them together."
This was incredible. Mon, honey, Rachel thought, what are you doing?
"It can't be anything serious," she said aloud.
"It can't?" Joey questioned. "How can you be so sure?"
"Joey, c'mon, it's just a one-week cruise. Besides, Monica had very specific reasons for going on this vacation."
"Really?" he asked, suddenly interested. "What were they?"
"Joey! You know I can't tell you. I'm already in enough trouble with Monica. Do you want her to kill me?"
"No, you're right. I hope Monica forgives you, Rach. I don't believe you told Chandler to sabotage her trip."
"Thank you," Rachel said, relieved that at least one of her friends believed her. "And Joey, please don't judge Monica too harshly about this guy she's with, whoever he is. He can't be anyone important to her. He just can't!"
"I wish our friends weren't hurting so much. I hate this. First you and Ross, and now Monica and Chandler..."
"Please," Rachel said, "don't mention Ross' name to me."
"What happened now?" he asked in a plaintive voice.
"We had a fight after you and Phoebe left. He accused me of telling Chandler to stick it to him because I'm on Monica's side."
"Ross said that?"
"Yeah," Rachel said, her voice filled with sadness. "His remarks hurt. I like Chandler, and Monica is my best friend. I want them to work things out, I really do, but it's complicated. There are things not everyone knows."
"Like?"
"Joey! Look, I'm going to leave before I slip and say something else I'm not supposed to."
"Okay. I'm sorry. It's just that you have me very curious."
"I know," Rachel said, stroking his cheek as they stood near the door. "I wish I could talk with you about this the way we did when Chandler and Monica were keeping their relationship a secret, but I can't."
Joey nodded and captured Rachel's hand in his.
"I understand. Hey, if you happen to hear from Monica, please tell me."
"I will. I think you should call Chandler in the morning. If you talk to him, tell him I hope he's feeling better. And then tell me how's he doing, okay?"
"Sure. Will do."
"You're such a good friend to me," she said, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into an unexpected but pleasant hug.
Joey's surprise lasted only a moment and then he returned the embrace and enjoyed it. Rachel was the first to pull away. She found herself staring at Joey's mouth. He leaned in closer, and for a second, she thought he was going to kiss her. But the moment passed. He kissed her on the cheek instead.
"'Night, Rachel," he said and gave her a crooked smile.
"G'night, Joey. See you tomorrow."
As soon as the door closed, Joey scurried to his bed, not daring to let himself think about what might have been.
**
"I thought I might see you last night," Daniel said to Monica the next morning, when they met for breakfast in the dining room.
Both had decided on the early seating; they had the table to themselves.
"I considered it," Monica admitted, "but I know I wouldn't have been very good company."
"Chandler?" Daniel asked.
Monica nodded. "I did a lot of thinking last night, and I realized this isn't fair to you. You should be enjoying this cruise with someone who doesn't come with so much baggage."
Daniel silenced her by placing his index finger to her soft lips.
"I told you I don't care about other women. I'm enjoying my time with you."
"I don't see how you could be."
"We dock this afternoon at St. Croix. You're still planning to sightsee with me, right?"
"Yes, but..."
"No 'buts'. Please. Let us just enjoy each other's company."
Monica nodded.
"I have a surprise for you, too."
"Really? What?"
"Last night, I checked around and discovered this ship has an 'Internet Cafe'. I went online and look what I booked for us."
He produced two printouts and handed one to Monica. She gasped when she saw what he had done.
"This...this is a first-class ticket to Paris!"
"Yes, it is. Monica Geller, I am officially offering you the position of head consultant for our restaurants. Our hotel in Paris desperately needs your help."
Speechless, Monica stared from the ticket to Daniel and back to the ticket.
"I...I can't give you an answer right now," she stammered.
Daniel gave a soft laugh, and after cupping her chin with his fingers, turned her head so she would look at him.
"I wasn't expecting one," he assured her. "But I needed to make the offer, and I needed you to know I'm serious. Paris awaits, for you and me."
Monica thought back to the plans she and Chandler had made long ago.
"I-I'm not sure I could go to Paris."
"Think about it," he said, pulling her in close for a kiss. "That's all I'm asking."
**
Before Joey could call Chandler, his phone rang. Relief washed over him when he heard his best friend's voice.
"Dude, what happened?"
"Sorry about last night, Joe."
"That's okay, but are you better? Did you call the doctor? What did he say?"
Chandler appreciated his friend's concern. "Yeah, I called the doctor. He thinks what I have is stress-related. I finally slept last night, and I do feel better today, so..."
"I'm glad to hear that. I was so worried, but I wasn't sure what to do. Do you have to stay in bed?"
"No, I don't think so. The doctor is coming by this afternoon to check on me. We're making a stop in St. Croix. I hope I feel up to leaving the ship. I'd like to get out of this room."
"What about Monica?"
"She knows what happened to me. We spent some time together last night."
"That's good, right?"
Chandler sighed. "I don't know. I guess. She was on her way to see that other guy when she found out about me."
"And she stayed with you? That's a good sign, man!"
"It was still early when she left me. I have a feeling they saw each other."
"Do you think she'll check on you today?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
"Well, if she does, tell her why you're there, Chandler. Talk to her. Take advantage of the opportunity."
Chandler ended their conversation knowing his friend was right. He had to talk to Monica.
**
Alone in her room, Monica gathered what she would need for an afternoon and evening of sightseeing on the island of St. Croix. Her eyes fell to the printout of the ticket to Paris, and she let her mind wander to a better time.
**FLAHSBACK - AUGUST 2000**
Chandler walked into the apartment he shared with Monica and saw the kitchen table littered with wedding pamphlets.
"You look happy," he said to his intended, after they'd shared a kiss.
"I am. Everything is falling into place. Life couldn't be more wonderful."
"I like it when you're happy," he said, taking a seat next to her. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Well...um, okay. How about this?"
She pulled three colorful brochures from the "honeymoon" tab in her binder and spread them out so Chandler could review them.
"Tell me which place you'd like to go to for our honeymoon."
"These are my only choices?" he asked, not wanting to be difficult but wanting more of a selection. Or a say.
"Did you have your own ideas of where we should go?"
Chandler's face lit up. "Actually, I did."
"Oh...then, of course, you should tell me. I want to know where you pictured us honeymooning."
"Okay," Chandler said, excited, thinking he'd finally have a chance to contribute something to the plans. "I thought it would be nice to go to Paris."
At Monica's less-than-thrilled look, Chandler knew he'd said the wrong thing.
"Not Paris," he concluded.
"Not for our honeymoon, sweetie. I want it to be somewhere romantic and exotic and tropical."
"You don't think Paris is romantic?"
"Sure, but it's not tropical."
"So, you want a water-related honeymoon?"
"Look at these brochures. Don't these cruises look wonderful? We could go to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico..."
"These all look fine," Chandler said, his enthusiasm gone. "You pick where you want to go. Whatever decision you make will be fine."
Chandler left the table and then plopped himself down on the white sofa. He turned on the TV and began to channel surf. After a few minutes, Monica joined him.
"I love the idea of Paris," she said, running her fingers through his sandy brown hair. "I'll look into it tomorrow."
"Don't," he said, his eyes fixed on the TV screen. "I know it's not where you want to go. I told you I'd be fine with any place you choose."
"And I'm choosing Paris."
Chandler looked at her then. "Against your will."
She shrugged. "Maybe a little, but it's not because I don't want to go there."
"Then what is it?"
"Sweetie, I know you want to see Paris. I always thought, when you and I were ready for a change, maybe we could take a year off and spend it there."
"A year?"
"Yeah. I could learn a lot about cooking there, and you would finally have the time you need to work on your writing. I always pictured us there, Chandler, just not for our honeymoon."
"Spending a year in Paris with you sounds heavenly," he said, his irritability dissipating.
"Same for me," Monica said, moving closer to him. "So, how about if we spend a week in the Caribbean next May?"
"I can do that," he said, right before he pulled her on top of him and smothered her with kisses.
**END OF FLASHBACK**
What would have happen, she thought, if she had agreed to the Paris honeymoon? As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she knew it had been much more than that which had caused her to end up on her honeymoon cruise without benefit of the wedding ceremony.