Simply Complicated~part 8

Grape Jelly and Jealousy

Hey, thanks so much for all the great reviews! I know it gets redundant when I say that every time, but it's just cuz I appreciate the feedback : ) So we went skating today for gym and I haven't been roller skating in…god knows how long. So, guess who was the first person out of 50 people to fall. Yep, I claim that title…there was pointing and laughing and applause…but then everyone else started falling and ya know what? *They* didn't get applause. So ha. But newayz, I've had an incredibly stressful couple of weeks…and I seriously need a break from...well, from life, pretty much, so I'll write. And I'm gonna dedicate this part to Mindy for listening to me freak out and rant and stuff every time I'm freaked out or am scared to death or have a bad day or whatever. Thanks. : )

"I'm fat," Monica sighed, sitting down on the couch at Central Perk.

"No you're not, you're beautiful," Chandler answered without even looking up from reading the paper. Joey looked at him, surprised that that had become his natural reaction.

"But I'm fat."

"No, and you're pregnant."

"And fat."

Chandler just sighed, knowing that she wasn't going to stop arguing.

Monica looked at Chandler expectantly. "Aren't you going to argue back?" she asked after a couple of minutes.

"Nah."

"Why not?"

"Am I gonna win?"

"No," Monica answered, and Chandler made a motion saying that was his point. Chandler picked up his coffee cup, taking a drink, and Monica sighed loudly. "So you're saying you think I'm fat, then."

"No! Whe-how did I say that?"

"It's not what you said, it's what you didn't say," Monica leaned back, crossing her arms against her chest. Joey watched in amusement, trying hard not to laugh.

Chandler sighed. "You're not fat," he finally said, and interrupted Monica as she was about to argue back. "No." Monica tried to argue back again, but he once again cut her off, "no."

Monica leaned back into the couch, once again crossing her arms in frustration. Chandler stifled a laugh, giving her about 30 seconds before she started arguing again.

"Well, I gotta go," he looked down at his watch before standing up. "See you guys later."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Monica watched him walk out the door before turning to Joey. "Where does he have to go?"

Joey shrugged, "How should I know?"

Monica paused a moment, not wanting to ask, but finally giving in. "Does he have a date?" she finally asked, playing with the edge of her shirt to avoid eye contact.

"Not that I know of," Joey picked up the newspaper that Chandler had been reading. "And if he did, wouldn't he tell you?" Monica shrugged. "Mon, he would. And I don't think that he does, anyway," Joey smiled at her, realizing something. "Are you jealous?"

"No!" Monica said defensively. "Well, um, I uh, I gotta go."

"Are you gonna go see where Chandler went?"

"No! I mean, I um, I have to, uh, grocery shopping," she finally said before getting up.

"Bye," Joey laughed, watching her leave. She was jealous at the thought that Chandler might, just might have a date. "Hey Phoebs," he smiled at Phoebe, who had walked in as Monica was walking out.

"Hey. What was that about?" she motioned to the door, referring to Monica.

"Oh, she thinks that Chandler might have a date and she's jealous."

"Does he?"

"I doubt it. I mean, he obviously still feels something for Monica. And after that, she must, too. I don't see why he doesn't just say anything to her about it so they can get back together because they obviously belong together," Joey said, and Phoebe just looked at him in amazement. "What?"

"Wow, that's deep, Joe."

"Yeah. And besides, I don't know what guy in their right mind wouldn't go for Monica if they had the chance. I mean, she is hot."

"Just like lightning," Phoebe mumbled, "One brilliant flash and then it's all gone." (LOL, my science teacher in 8th grade used to say that about this kid in my class…)

"What?" he looked at her.

"Um, brilliant plan!"

"What is?"

"Well, you should know, you were just telling me."

"I was?"

"Yeah. Don't you remember?"

"No," he frowned. "I must be hungry…I haven't eaten for awhile."

"Oh. Well let me know if you remember," she sat back, grabbing the newspaper out of his hands and leaving him confused.

~*~

Monica fumbled with the doorknob, trying to open it without dropping anything out of any of the sacks she was carrying. She'd actually gone to the store like she told Joey, knowing that if she went home and found out that Chandler did have a date that it'd kill her.

"Hey," Chandler opened the door for her.

"Hey," Monica smiled, relieved that he didn't have a date.

"I was thinking that you'd follow me back up here and keep arguing. I was starting to wonder where you were."

"Grocery store," she said, setting the bags down on the table.

"Did you carry all of that all the way back here?" he asked, concerned.

"Yes, I carried it all the way out of the store, around the corner, and into our building," she replied, starting to unload the contents of the bags.

"I can get that stuff," he grabbed a few things from her.

"That doesn't go there," she said as he put a cereal box in the wrong place.

"Where does it go?"

"Second shelf," he moved it. "Second shelf on the right," she corrected him, so he moved it again.

Monica sighed, picking up a gallon of milk.

"You carried that all the way home?"

"Yep. Just as far as everything else."

"You really shouldn't carry heavy stuff," he took it from her, going over to the refrigerator.

Monica sighed, watching him try to find a place to put it. "Top shelf behind the eggs."

"Right," he set it down there before turning around.

"I think I can get the rest myself," Monica said, but Chandler either ignored her or chose not to respond.

"Where does this go?"

"Oh my god, I don't think I can take three more months of this!"

"Of what?" Chandler looked at her, confused.

"Do you just not listen when I speak?"

"I listen!"

"Well I just said that I could get the rest myself and you completely ignored me!"

"I was just trying to help!"

"Well you trying to help just makes it more work!"

"Well, if you weren't so goddamn anal-retentive about everything it wouldn't be!"

"Well, excuse me for caring about things!"

"And when did I say that I don't?"

"You know what your problem is?"

"I suppose that even if I say yes, you're still gonna tell me…"

"That, Chandler, that is your problem. You're too immature. Everything wouldn't be so much more work if you weren't so immature."

Chandler just looked at her for a second before putting the cans he'd picked up back down. "Fine, do it yourself," he said quietly before walking out, letting the door slam behind him.

Monica flinched at the sound of the door slamming, closing her eyes as she unconsciously moved her hand to her stomach.

Chandler sighed as soon as the door slammed shut, trying to decide whether or not to go back in. He finally walked away, deciding to give both of them time to cool off before he went back to talk to her.

~*~

Chandler slowly opened the door, but Monica wasn't there anyway. He sighed, looking up at her closed bedroom door. He finally decided to sit and wait for her to come out. She had to come out eventually, and he'd apologize to her about earlier when she did. Chandler flipped on the TV, glancing once more at Monica's door before trying to find something to watch.

Two hours later, Monica finally came out, slowly opening her bedroom door. Chandler looked up at her, his eyes following her as she sat down in the chair. They sat in awkward silence for a couple of minutes, until Chandler finally broke it.

"Mon?" Monica looked up at him, but still didn't say anything. "Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I just…I'm sorry."

"Me, too," she smiled slightly at him. "Are you hungry?"

"Not really. Why, are you?"

"Yeah," she stood up slowly.

"Do you want me to make you something?" Chandler offered.

"No thanks, I was just going to make a sandwich," she opened the refrigerator, looking for a few seconds. "Crap."

"What?"

"I didn't get grape jelly and I really have this craving for a grape jelly and pickle sandwich," she sighed, digging around in the fridge.

Chandler made a face at the thought of that. "Um, I could run out and get you some," he finally offered meekly, not sure if he should offer to do anything else for her or not.

"Um, could you?" Monica asked just as meekly as Chandler had, closing the refrigerator door.

"Yep, no problem," he smiled, standing up and going to leave.

"Um, Chandler?" Monica said, so Chandler turned back around after opening the door. "Look, I'm sorry that I've been such a pain in the ass and that you have to put up with it…and just…I…well, thank you."

"Hey, I don't have to, I want to," he smiled at her. "And you're more than welcome." Monica smiled back, and they just stood for a few minutes, staring back at each other.

"Grape jelly," Monica finally said, bringing both of them back to reality.

"Right, grape jelly," Chandler repeated, smiling at her once more before turning to leave.

To

Be

Continued…