The Familiar Stranger
Hey, here's yet another series!:) I can't believe I'm working on three at once. I'm so stupid. Well, technically, I'm not working on one of them anymore. I just have an epilogue left to write; and I'm saving that till, I guess, winter break. This was actually supposed to be only one part, but I'm using a hell of a lot more detail than I originally planned, so it's gonna be longer than that. Well, only if people like it, and want me to continue. Otherwise, I'll just drop this. This idea has been floating around in my head for like two weeks now. Uch…I have too many ideas in my head…I need to shut off my damn imagination! Lol. Anyways, what u should know about this fic is that it's like the beginning of what would technically be 4th season. It's C&M and after Pete and Janice, but no Kathy. It's an alternate Monica and Chandler hookup. I know that there are a billion of those out there, but here's the billionth and one! Oh, and if I messed up the narration, I'm really sorry, but this is probably the first story I've ever written in first person. I hope it works out okay, and I didn't use "she" instead of "I" too much. But if I did, please don't hold it against me! Ok, please read and review, b/c I wanna know if I should continue or not. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, except for Lauren, I guess, but she's not important…
It's the night before my wedding now. I should be sleeping, but I can't shut off the one memory floating in my mind. That memory began the life I know and love today. I was just lonely and looking for a single night of passion. Never did I think that I would take away the love of my life, from just one night.
It all started on Halloween. A friend of mine, Lauren, from a former job was having a Halloween party, and she invited my five closest friends and me. I guess that she wasn't really a friend. She just wanted to hook up with one of my best friends, Joey. Of course, it ended up that he went home with one of the waitresses there, and not my friend. But anyway, my friends all came to the party. I remember distinctly that Joey was dressed as batman, Ross a dinosaur, Phoebe as a Greek goddess, Rachel was a princess, Chandler was dressed as a surgeon, and I was a porcelain doll. That night, my friends went to the party without me because it turned out that I was held up at work. I told them that I would meet them at the party later on.
On my way there, I couldn't help, but feel dejected. It was nearing the end of yet another year, and I was again lacking a boyfriend. I assume that my bad mood was due to an earlier conversation with my mother, but to tell you the truth, I pretty much blanked out the events leading up to the party. While wallowing in self-pity, I made my way into the party. I spotted my friends scattered around the room, but didn't feel like going up to them. Also, none of them recognized me, due to the white makeup completely covering my face and the blond, curly wig. I was glad that no one could recognize me because I had a plan that I thought would help me feel better. Since my friends did not know I was there, I could find a man to share a night of sex, no strings attached, without my friends attacking my debatable decision. One-night stands were not my type of thing, and to quell my nerves, I downed a few drinks, making myself a bit tipsy. However, I was still aware of my actions, and remember them distinctly.
I waited for a guy to approach me for close to an hour, but to no avail. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. No guy even wanted unattached sex? At that realization, my emotions rocketed. Since I was feeling down on myself, I decided to find my friends and go home. I scanned the room and found Chandler. However, I watched him before I went up to his side. He was trying to hit on a girl. I was finding it quite amusing, so I watched silently from the safety of distance.
"Hey," he greeted the woman in a nurse's costume, "Ya know, we're in the same field."
"What?" she questioned.
"Well," he explained in a deep voice, "We both work in the medical field. I'm a surgeon and you're a nurse."
"I'm not really a nurse, you know…"
I giggled at that comment. She was obviously a ditz.
"I know! I just…uch, never mind," he told her and then left to walk over to the bar near me. He ordered a beer and downed it, obviously bored to tears. I sat down next to him, about to reveal my identity, when I realized something. Chandler could be my one-night stand! He didn't recognize me with the makeup on my face, and so he wouldn't feel weird afterwards. After all, If he knew it was me, he would've turned me down, knowing that sex was not what I needed at that time. And I was sure that he would want it, too. He hadn't had a date in a long time, just like me. I was sure he would want me just as much as I wanted him at that moment. I finished my drink and turned to face him.
After looking at him for a minute, he noticed my glance and turned my way. He didn't make a move though, and I decided that it was because he did not want to face any more rejection. But I wouldn't reject him. I smiled at him, flirtatiously, and he smiled back.
"So," I began, disguising my voice, "Would the surgeon care to perform surgery on me?"
He eyed me suspiciously for a moment. Chandler wasn't used to girls being so forward with him. When he realized I wasn't joking he answered confidently, "Of course I would. Can I buy you a drink?"
"Sure. Scotch on…" I began, but stopped suddenly, realizing that he knew my favorite drink, "Just plain ol' scotch."
"Coming right up…"
He ordered the drink for me, and Chandler struck up a conversation.
"So…what job do you have?"
"Well, I'm in between jobs, but I'm a chef." I decided to answer honestly because there were plenty of people who were chefs around. Besides, I thought that he would assume that I knew Lauren because we were in the same field. That way, I could avoid having to make up some more lies.
"Interesting. I have a friend who's a chef. Perhaps you know her."
I smiled inwardly, knowing he was referring to myself. I was touched that he would mention me to someone, especially a girl that he was flirting with.
"Yeah? What's her name?"
"Monica Geller."
"Oh…no I don't know her. But, I'm sure she's a great chef."
He smiled, "She is a great chef."
Again, I was touched by his words. He was complimenting me to a stranger. Well, a person who he perceived as a stranger, anyway.
We continued a conversation for another twenty minutes or so, before he asked, "Would you care to dance?"
"Certainly," I replied as I took hold of his outstretched hand.
He held me close to him as the slow music played. I breathed in his scent—something that was very familiar to me. It was a sweet mix of his cologne and his shampoo. Smelling it put me at ease a bit and I smiled as he held me tighter. At that moment, I realized how relived I was that I wasn't going to be sleeping with some stranger off the street. At least I knew Chandler, even if he didn't know who I was.
After a few more dances and exchanging of words, I was becoming restless. I wanted to be with him so badly. It had been so long, since I had last had sex, and I was being blindly driven by passion. It didn't matter to me that I could hurt Chandler and completely ruin our friendship if he ever found out that it was me. I just wanted to have sex. Take my mind off of all my troubles and heartaches. Feeling brave, I leaned forward and began sucking on his neck. Since I normally am somewhat of a private person, it was unlike me to be so forward in public. However, it didn't matter to me. He responded favorably to my affection, and reciprocated by running his hands up and down the side of my body, slowly and suggestively.
"Would you like to get out of her?" he suggested, "Maybe go to…"
"You're place," I interrupted, not wanting him to suggest going to mine, "Sure!"
With that, the two of us made our way to his apartment.
As soon as he opened the door, we fell inside of it, kissing deeply and greedily. We were both in a place where we were trying to get over past heartbreaks, which was exactly what our night was about. He led me to his bedroom, where I immediately laid down on his bed, as he got on top of me. Hastily, we stripped each other of clothing. His hands roamed my body, and his soft touches were electrifying. That night, we made love four times. It was incredible—better than any other experience I had ever had in bed. All of my desires and frustrations erupted during that night, leaving me blinded of anything but the taste of Chandler's tongue and the way he felt.
Once it was all over, Chandler fell asleep soon after. I, on the other hand, waited until I could make my escape. It would be disastrous if I were still in his bed in the morning. He would be able to tell it was me in the light of the morning sun. I assumed that my makeup had washed off with the sweat that covered my body, and my wig was off of my head. In addition, Rachel would worry if I never got home that night. I knew that I couldn't wait it out any longer. Carefully, I got out of his bed and found a pen and a piece of paper lying around. Quickly, I scribbled a letter to Chandler, apologizing for my absence and slipped from Chandler's room unnoticed. I hastily made my way across the hall, and sighed when my mission was accomplished. However, I could not quell the pang of guilt I felt for leaving Chandler without a proper goodbye.
TBC…hopefully.
So, is it worth it or should it just be flushed down the crapper? Any constructive criticism is welcome. Please nothing mean though. And, again, sorry if I messed up the narration. Ok, please leave me a review. Thanks for reading!;)