A/N: And hell has frozen over. ::says like Chandler:: That's right! I finally got another chapter to this story done. I'm just as surprised as you are I'm sure. This starts up directly after Chapter 2 so if it's been a while since you've read that chap I suggest you go back and read it or you might be lost. Oh and I'll be updating "Last Flight Out" in a coupla days.

If you must, Flame till your hearts content. Flames only fuel me.

Disclaimer: Nope don't own 'em. Only the ideas of this story are mine.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

©2oo2 Ash Matthews

~ Chapter 3 ~

"But Ross she needs her father"

"She'll have him. It just won't be me. It's better this way Rach. For her… for us. It's just easier"

"You can't sign over you're rights cause it's gonna be hard. That's bull shit Ross. Think about her, stop thinking about yourself and how you'll be affected!"

Ross sighed "I just… I don't know. I'll think about it ok? But I have to go"

A cab pulled up next to Ross, he turned and opened the door.

"Ross…" Rachel pleaded "Please don't go. Don't let this ruin our friendship and your friendship with Joey and the others. Don't let it ruin your relationship with your daughter." She was trying to stay cool but her anger at the way he was acting forced itself out "This is stupid. Stop acting like a child Ross. Grow up! Life's hard, you don't always get what you want and things don't always turn out the way you wanted them to. So me, you and Emma won't be a family, you're still her father! Suck it up and be a man!"

Ross turned from the door and looked Rachel in the eye. Then without a word he slid into the cab and shut the door telling the driver his destination. Joey walked up behind Rachel as the cab pulled away. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.

"What'd he say?"

"He's leaving…"

"What?" Joey asked pulling away from her turning her to face him

"He was offered a job at UCLA… he's taking it, he's leaving in a week"

"How's he gonna see Emma?" Joey wondered out loud

"He's not" Rachel said barely audible

"He what!" Joey yelled

"He's signing his rights over. He says it's too hard"

"But she's his daughter. What the hell's his problem."

"I don't know" Rachel sighed "I don't know"

Joey pulled her into a hug kissing her forehead

The years passed and no one heard from Ross. Monica only heard from him on holidays. Emma thought Joey was her father. She only knew Ross to be her Aunt Monica's brother, who used to be friends with her mom and dad. Rachel and Joey had planned on telling Emma about him when she was old enough to understand but when she said her first words 'Da Da' while she was in Joey's arms, they just decided that it would be better this way. Joey and Rachel had moved from their apartment, which Phoebe now occupies to be closer to the others. They moved to a bigger nicer apartment about five minutes away. Joey's job on Days Of Our Lives had grown, he's now featured in every episode. His character has become an important part on the show. His checks were getting bigger every week, so they were living a comfortable life. They had everything they needed, and a lot of what they didn't. As a set back Joey was hardly ever home. Rachel spent most of her time with Emma at Chandler and Monicas. When he was home him and Rachel were fighting. Fighting had become apart of their life. He'd get up before sunrise and he'd get home well after the sun set. He was only off on weekends and he'd sleep almost all weekend. He never saw the others either. He had no idea what was going on in their lives. He started drinking heavily after work so when he came home he could just pass out.

"Joey you said you were gonna be here" Rachel whined into the phone

"There's nothing I can do about it, you can take her"

"So you're not even gonna try and come, it's her first day of school!" It was 7 in the morning and he was already at work. Rachel couldn't understand why he couldn't have just gone in a few hours late, or why he couldn't just take an hour off.

"I know what day it is" Joey snapped

"I wanna talk to dad" Emma said tugging at Rachels shirt. Emma was wearing a little baby blue sun dress with pink flowers. Her book bag featured 'Bubbles' her favorite Power Puff Girl, it was slung over her shoulders.

"Give her the phone" Joey said

Rachel sighed and handed the phone to Emma "Daddy!"

"Hey princess" Joey smiled

"How YOU doin'?" she giggled

Joey laughed "No, no how YOU doin'?"

Emma giggled again "Are you coming home so you can take me to school? I start today!" she squealed with excitement

"I wish I could sweet heart but I have to work"

"Aww dad you're always working"

"I know" Joey sighed "I'm really sorry Emmers. But I promise that when I get home you can tell me all about it. Okay? And this weekend I'll take you to the park with your mom, Uncle Chandler, and Aunt Monica and Phoebe. We'll go shopping and you can get anything you want."

"Yeah!"

"I have to get back to work. Let me talk to your mommy really fast"

"Ok dad. I love you"

"I love you too baby. Have a good day at school"

"Mommy!" Emma yelled not moving her mouth from the phone making Joey's ears ring "Daddy wants to talk to you!"

"Go brush your teeth" Rachel said taking the phone from Emma "When I get off the phone we'll leave"

"Rach"

"What" she said aggravation clear in her tone

"God do you always have to be a bitch" he said referring to her tone "I'll be home early tonight. Around six, do you want me to pick something up for dinner?"

"No Emma's having a 'beginning of school' party at Monica and Chandlers. You would know that if you were ever home"

Joey shook his head "I'll be there. I promise. Let me tell Emma."

"Do me a favor. Don't make Emma any more promises cause all you do is break them. I'm not even gonna tell her you're coming, cause if you don't show up she'll be crushed."

"Fucking whatever" he slammed the phone on the receiver

Rachel hung up the phone "Are you ready?"

"Yep" Emma walked out of the bathroom and into the living room with makeup all over her face. Rachel had to laugh.

She took Emma's hand and led her back into the bathroom. She washed her face and put lip gloss on her. When she was done they left for school.

A/N: ok this isn't as long as I would have liked but I wanted to get it out. I'm gonna try and update on this story more often. Please Read & Review or Read & Flame.

I laid there quiet

Watched you have your way with me

I might have cried

But the tears were silent inside you see