TOW A Twist of Fate
Chapter Five
After spending the evening alternating between Monica's pensive silence and nervous activity, Rachel was ready to pull her hair out. She felt like she was about to explode from the tension that filled the apartment, and she was on the verge of calling Phoebe and having her come over and cleanse Monica's aura. She giggled at the thought, knowing that in Monica's state of unrest, it would turn into a battle of wills – and it was hard to say whose would be stronger. Deciding there was a much more rational way to bring her roommate some peace, Rachel finally spoke up softly.
"Mon…look. As soon as Ross gets back, we'll explain everything to him and get him to set up a meeting. Then you'll know if it's him or not, and you won't have to keep on wondering. And if it's not him…then you can quit worrying about it."
Monica looked up at her, her face unreadable. Then she dropped her gaze back to her lap and spoke softly.
"I just…I just can't imagine that it will be that easy. If it's not him, then…well, what then? I'll still be living with all these unanswered questions that I can't seem to let go of. How am I supposed to move on when I can't…forget." Monica paused and quickly wiped one hand across her eyes. Rachel couldn't tell if the gesture was meant to sweep away tears, or just a sign of frustration.
"And if it is him…" Monica continued in a shaky voice, "maybe that's even worse. What am I supposed to say? Hi, remember me? What if he doesn't? Why should he? What more can I possibly be to him than just a woman he met one night, one that kissed him and then walked away…one he never saw again? He could be married, Rach. With kids, or… And even if he's not, what right do I have to him? I'm the one that walked away that night, Rach. It was me, not him. I don't have any right to even think of him like…I do."
"So…what? You just want to let it go?" Rachel asked in disbelief. This was so unlike her strong-minded best friend…to just walk away and try to forget. Then and there she made the decision that she wouldn't let her. She could always coerce Ross into bringing him by the apartment one night without telling Monica about it first.
"No…" Monica answered, her voice a whisper. "I can't just let it go."
"You want me to call Ross?" Rachel asked hesitantly, not sure if Monica was ready for this tonight. Still, she wasn't sure either one of them would be able to stand the suspense for much longer.
"No, not yet. I think – I need to be alone for a little while, Rach, okay? I think I'll go get coffee." Their answer for all of life's ills, Monica thought ruefully, but left the statement unvoiced.
"Sure you don't want some company?" Rachel asked her, concerned.
"I'm fine. Really," she assured her at Rachel's doubtful face. "I won't be gone long."
"Okay," Rachel agreed reluctantly, watching Monica shrug into her coat and grab her purse. "Bring me back a cappuccino, 'kay?"
"Okay," Monica promised, giving Rachel a smile as she headed for the door. Just before she shut it behind her, she turned back to her roommate with a mischievous grin. "And when you call Ross in about three seconds, tell him I said hi."
They left the restaurant and wandered down the street, neither sure what they should do next. Chandler felt that he should bid Ross goodnight and head on home, but was stopped by two things: The thought that Joey would undoubtedly have his date in their apartment – and maybe the friend that had been meant for Chandler, too – and Ross's suggestion that they stop for coffee. Deciding that coffee with his old friend was a more attractive option than the alternative, Chandler agreed quickly.
"Sure, sounds good. Any particular place in mind, or you just want to stop at the nearest Starbucks?"
"Hey, we can go to this place near my apartment!" Ross exclaimed, suddenly excited. "We hang out there all the time…you'll love it. And the girls live right upstairs – I'll call Rachel and get them to come and join us."
"Um…okay," Chandler agreed apprehensively, not sure he really wanted to take part in a group gathering. Especially not with Ross, his girlfriend, and his little sister. Talk about an outsider.
They walked on in silence for a couple of blocks, Chandler busily trying to think of an excuse – any excuse – to bow out without disappointing Ross. Before he could think of anything more plausible than an early meeting at work, Ross was announcing that "it's right up there on the corner".
Chandler glanced up, surprised to find the surroundings vaguely familiar. As they stopped in front of the coffeehouse, Chandler almost gasped out loud.
This was it – the restaurant Joey had told him about…the same place where he had arrived promptly at midnight, hoping to find Monica waiting inside. Central Perk.
"Hey, why don't you go in and grab the couch," Ross was saying. "I'll go upstairs and get Rachel and Monica."
The name registered, but Ross was already gone. Stunned, Chandler made his way into the coffeehouse, his mind swimming. Suddenly feeling an urgent need for caffeine, he managed to get to the counter and put in his order, then leaned forward as he waited for his coffee, trying to make sense of his thoughts.
Ross had said Monica. Monica…his little sister. Chandler knew it couldn't be…but if it was, he would at least have to credit Fate with a sense of humor. A good one.
Looking back, she would marvel that it was just like her dreams – down to the haze that seemed to erase everyone else in the room from her vision.
She walked into the coffee house, not noticing that she had passed her brother in the midst of the crowd on the street, and started for the counter, trying to decide what kind of coffee she needed in her present state of mind. But she stopped in her tracks, her eyes on the back of the man leaning against the counter. There was something familiar…
Gunther handed him his coffee and he turned away from the counter, his profile confirming her suspicions even before his eyes met hers. She saw the flash of surprise on his face, but what amazed her the most was that he seemed to be expecting her. She was positive that she was dreaming again – this was the way it always happened in her dreams. He always looked at her like that and then smiled like that, and she would whisper his name…
"Chandler?"
"Monica." His voice sounded just as surprised, and she was afraid for a moment that he would drop his coffee.
"Is it really…" she began, her voice shaking. She was unable to finish the sentence, but he understood. He simply nodded, then put his coffee down on the table before he crossed over to her. He stopped just in front of her, gazing down at her in amazement. Then he grinned and reached out to stroke her hair behind one ear, letting his hand rest on her cheek.
"You're late," he told her in a whisper, and Monica just nodded, her own smile playing around the edges of her mouth as she finally let herself believe that it was real.
That was exactly what he was supposed to say.
Sorry it was short…but again, a good place to leave off. I promise – next chapter ASAP!