A/N: Hey everyone sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I've been having a lot of personal problems and I haven't been able to get online for like a wk. I hope you all like this chapter I am hoping to get the next one out a lot sooner than it took me for this. Enjoy! Also if you follow my other story (My Story) the 3rd chapter will be up in a few days.

Disclaimer: must I tell you again? I unfortunately don't own them as said as that may sound. But if I did Chandler would be in love with me =) ………………ya I know I need help.

~ Chapter 2 ~

© 2002 Ash

"What are you doing here?" Monica asked bluntly

Ross sighed and shook his head. They stood in silence as he collected his thoughts.

"I honestly don't know"

Monica nodded her head knowingly

They made their way to a bench and sat down . Monica took Ross's hand. A slight smile graced his face, the first one in months. She always knew how to comfort him. He felt lucky to have her as his sister, his parents didn't give her enough credit.

They sat in silence. Monica waited for him to talk.

"It's just hard ya know?" his voice cracked

"I know honey"

Monica rubbed his back

"They're my best friends. I know I should be happy for them but … how can I be happy when he took her from me?"

His sadness quickly turned to anger

"I was gonna propose Mon. We had just had a baby, and he just whisked in there and proposed, with my ring!"

Many guests turned and looked at Ross. He glared at them and they turned back around.

Monica didn't know what to say, before she could think of something Ross spoke again.

"How are they?"

"Who?" Monica asked playing dumb not wanting to tell him 'They've never been happier'

"Rachel and… him"

"Ross that's not fair"

"I sure as hell think it is"

Monica gives him a look

"OK fine, Rachel and… Joey"

"They're good" Good was the understatement of the year and Monica knew it

"I'm happy for them" Ross lied

"No you're not" she sighed

"Your right I'm not, to hell with them, they screwed me over"

"Are you ok?"

She asks this every time she sees him and every time she gets the same response

"I'll cope"

She mouths it with him knowingly

"I don't believe you"

"I said I'll cope, I'll cope"

"You say that then I see you again and you're worse off than before"

***

"We should go talk to him" Rachel says

" I don't know Rach" Chandler counters

"He's still our friend"

"Who hates me" Joey finished

"That's not were I was going"

"But it's true"

Rachel leans in and gives him a passionate kiss

"I love you though"

"Damn you" Joey says through a smile "You know I can't say 'no' when you do that"

"I know"

They get up from the table, Joey gets Emma's' carriage. They begin to walk away when Joey stops and looks back.

"You guys comin' ?"

"Uh ya" Chandler answers

"Come on Pheebs"

Chandler walks up next to her and holds her hand

It took them 5 minutes to get to Monica and Ross because every other person would stop and congratulate Joey and Rachel.

***

Monica looked up to see Rachel, Joey, Chandler, and Phoebe heading towards them.

"Ross, um, I'll be right back"

She hurried over to them

"What are you doing?"

"We're coming to see Ross" Joey said unenthusiastically

"I don't think that's a good idea"

"What? Why?"

"He still… well he's pissed and I don't think he wants to see you guys yet" she explains

"Oh" Rachel said disappointed.

Even though she didn't have sexual feelings for Ross anymore she still wanted to see him, after all he was one of her best friends and Emma's father.

Ross walked up behind Monica not noticing the others

"Mon, what are you do… oh"

He looked up to Joey then to Rachel. He couldn't help but stare, she looked gorgeous. He had never seen her look better, and he hated it.

After an uncomfortable silence Chandler spoke.

"Hey Ross"

"Hey" he said taking his eyes from Rachel and redirecting them to Emma. As he looked at her he felt tears begin to sting his eyes "Mon I'm gonna go"

***

Ross was standing on the side walk waiting for a cab when he heard a voice behind him

"Ross wait"

He turned around irritated "What!… Rachel"

His anger drifted as sadness engulfed him

"Ross don't go"

"You look great" he said

"Thanks… look please don't leave…"

Ross cut her off


"I can't stay Rach. I have to finish packing"

"Packing?"

"Um…, ya see I'm moving in a week"

Rachel was taken aback


"Wha… I uh, I don't know what to say… Where are you going?"

"California"

"Ross that's all the way across the country!"

"I know, I received a job offer at UCLA and I'm gonna take it"

"How exactly are you planning on seeing Emma?"

Ross looked to the ground

"I'm not"

"What! She's your… our daughter"

"I'm signing my rights over to Joey, she needs a real family. Not two dads, in two different states that's too hard and I'd always be second in line she would know Joey as her father. I would just be the guy she came to see every summer."

A/N: 3rd chapter coming soon! I also have a few more stories I really like that I should be posting in the very near future. Also I have decided to make two versions of this (thanx to a reviewer!) a DRAMATIC version and a well NON-DRAMATIC one so be looking for the other version soon its to be called, Can Their Relationship Last? A Different Story, be sure to look for that!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S SEASON 9 PREMIER SEPTEMBER 26th!

P.S. I have a e-zine about F.R.I.E.N.D.S that I send out if you want to subscribe to it email me at psychobunny127@aol.com