"Oooh, look Mon! Pete's on TV again!"
Against her better judgment, Monica put down the furniture polish and turned to look at the TV. She winced at the bruised and bleeding face of her ex-boyfriend that filled the television as he woozily answered questions about the fight and then quickly looked away, hating the sight.
"You'd think they'd get tired of interviewing him every time he loses…" she commented to Phoebe, managing to make herself sound indifferent in spite of the knot in the pit of her stomach. She kept telling herself that Pete had brought it on himself – and besides, it had been three months! - but it didn't keep her from wanting to rush over to him with band-aids and rubbing alcohol.
"Well, he is getting better…no body cast this time," Phoebe reported as she settled in to watch the next round. "Maybe they just like seeing someone with so much money and power get beat up." The tone of her voice implied that the sportscasters weren't the only ones intrigued by Pete Becker's continuing lack of success in the ring.
"Well, I don't like it," Monica said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "I just don't understand why he keeps putting himself through that."
"Eh, what else do you do when you're a billionaire? He's just killing time."
Monica rolled her eyes, stealing a glance at the television and sighing with relief when she saw that the next match had started and Pete was safe – for the moment.
"Yeah…most people play video games for fun, but Pete – he has to go for the real thing." In her frustration, Monica accidentally slammed a cabinet door, getting Phoebe's full attention. She turned around, studying Monica intently as she scrubbed intently at an invisible water ring. A grin spread across Phoebe's face as she realized why Monica was so jumpy.
"You want him back!" she accused triumphantly, her voice daring Monica to contradict her.
"No, I…" Monica paused and stood up, lifting one hand to rub her neck as she reluctantly turned to face Phoebe. "I don't want him back. At least I don't think I do. I mean, Pete was great, but he's…I just don't like seeing him all…bruised and beaten up like that. That's all."
"Oh, come on Monica. You said yourself that you would have said yes if he proposed."
"Well, he didn't, did he? So what's the point in speculating?"
Phoebe raised her eyebrows at Monica's defensive tone and decided to back off. There was no point in getting Monica all riled up. Still, it wasn't her nature to let it go without one last comment.
"Well, I thought you guys were a cute couple. And if Fate wants you together, there's no point in "fighting" it," Phoebe finished, giggling slightly at her silly pun. But her words made Monica freeze, her breath catching in her throat as memories came flooding back. Then she shook her head, determined not to let herself think about what might've been's.
"I don't believe in fate," she said firmly, then put an effective end to the conversation by going into her bedroom before Phoebe could begin to protest.
"Chandler, come on! It's one date. What's it going to hurt?"
"Joey, do you remember what happened the last time you set me up on a blind date?"
Joey grinned and shrugged sheepishly. "Her name's not Janice. I checked! 'Sides, don't you think you should get out more? All you do is work and sleep, man. It's not healthy."
Chandler bit back a retort about the 'healthiness' of his best friend's lifestyle, and simply shrugged.
"Thanks, Joe, but I'll have to pass tonight. I have – "
"Chandler, it's been two years," Joey cut in before he could finish. "Look, I know you really liked the girl, but come on. Can't you just accept that it wasn't meant to be and move on?"
"Don't you think I've tried?" Chandler questioned him, his voice rising in irritation. "I know it's been two years, Joey, but that doesn't stop me from hoping that I'll just happen to run into her on the street one day, or that I'll stop by that ATM to get some cash and she'll be in there…Besides, remember what happened the last time I "moved on"? You weren't too happy then, were you?"
"That's not fair, Chandler – she was my sister! Look, I'm sorry that you never found Monica. I really am. And I wish I could've met her, because God knows I'd like to meet the woman who wrapped you around her little finger all in one night." Joey's voice softened, and he leaned forward in an effort to catch Chandler's gaze – but Chandler kept his eyes on the floor. "But you didn't find her, Chandler. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life just waiting for a miracle?"
"No…I think I gave up hope for a miracle a long time ago."
Joey paused, wondering how long he should remain silent before repeating his offer. He counted slowly to ten, then spoke up with a hopeful tone.
"So you'll come with me tonight?"
Chandler looked up gave Joey a tiny grin.
"No, Joey, I can't. That's what I was trying to tell you before you brought up Monica," he informed him, a note of reproach in his voice. "I already have plans. I ran into my old college roommate at the museum the other day, and we're getting together tonight."
"Roommate?" Joey asked, raising his chin suspiciously. "I've never heard anything about this…roommate. Have I ever met him?"
Chandler almost laughed at Joey's obvious jealousy, then shook his head slowly.
"No, you haven't met him. He's kind of a geeky scientist guy – nothing like you." Chandler assured Joey, laughing to himself at the very thought of comparing his suave roomie to the awkward guy Ross had been in college. "His name is Ross. Ross Geller."
To Be Continued… Sorry for the short chapter, but that just seemed like a good place to leave off for now. =)