Okay I didn't update as soon as I said I would. I am so sorry. For those of you who didn't give up, thanks a lot. My exams are finally over!

Disclaimer: Hey, if I owned them, I'd be a billionaire!

CENTRAL PERK

"That has got to be the worst color combination I've ever seen!"

It was a week later and the gang was painting Central Perk. Well, the gang except Ross. And somehow, Rachel didn't mind so much. It was almost like old times, hanging out with the guys. If Ross wanted to sulk, fine.

Joey looked around. That really was bad piece of work. Bright orange and baby pink. Trust Phoebe to do something like that. It seemed like they were scraping off more paint than actually putting it on.

Amanda was bent over double laughing. Rachel smiled. In the few days she'd known Amanda, she'd realized just how great she was. Joey was lucky to have her.

Rachel giggled. Joey and Monica were chasing Phoebe around the room. Phoebe refused to give their paintbrushes back. She insisted the colors looked great.

Chandler had finally had enough. He strode up to Phoebe and yanked the brushes away. "You were giving me a headache!"

"Alright, break time!" Amanda brought in some coffee.

The place was really a mess. Paint dripping off walls, chairs upturned, plastic cups and plates everywhere.

Chandler grimaced. "Maybe you should just leave it like this, man. You know, the lived in look."

Rachel shook her head. Chandler was right. It was going to be awful cleaning this mess up. And they had only finished painting one wall. Heaven knows how the place would look after the whole place was done. Suddenly she frowned. There was something familiar about this.

"Rach?" Monica was waving a brownie in front of her face. "Do you want one?"

She forced a smile back on her face. If it was something important, it would strike her sooner or later.

Three hours later, Joey stepped back to admire their handiwork. Well, it wasn't all that bad. They'd only done two walls but still…They'd finally convinced Phoebe that cream was the color. Well, vanilla cream to be exact. Damn, he was getting hungry just looking at the paint. Well, it would probably boost sales.

He glanced over at Rachel. She was showing Amanda a catalogue. When he had asked her for some help on painting the place, he wasn't sure if she would accept. But she had. She had gone all out for this project. She'd bought catalogues for paints, furniture. She had some really great ideas. He was glad. Last week, Rachel was desolate. But now…something of the old Rachel was coming back.

Chandler and Monica were putting their coats on. "It's getting late. I think we're gonna go home and hit the sack." Chandler yawned. "See you tomorrow."

"I think I'll stay here and clean up a bit." Rachel really didn't want to go home. She'd had such a good time here. She really didn't have to leave early. Emma was at her mom's. She didn't want to face Ross. He really disapproved of what he believed was fraternizing with the enemy.

Joey looked around doubtfully. "I guess I'll help too."

"Okay, don't be too late, honey. I'm too tired to even think of cleaning." Amanda waved goodbye and fairly ran out, Phoebe in close pursuit.

Rachel and Joey stood in the middle of the room.

"I have no idea where we're gonna start!" Rachel exclaimed.

Joey grinned. "I do. I'm going to sit on that couch and put my feet up and relax."

"Definitely the best thing to do."

They flopped down on the couch. It was nice. This past week Rachel had felt so relaxed. She was finally living again. In the past, it was for her daughter. But now, it was for her. And it was all because of Joey. He could always make her happy. She hated the years away from him.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I was just thinking how nice this week was." She scowled. "It's gonna end soon."

"That doesn't mean we can't hang out together. I really missed you, Rachel. I don't want to wait another six years to see you."

See, that was it. Joey could always make her feel like she was special. Even when he seemed to be mad at her, he could do that. She remembered that day when she came back from the hospital, after giving birth to Emma. He had tried to decorate her apartment as a surprise. And that's when it hit her.

This place reminded her of that day. The apartment had been a mess.

Joey sat up in sudden concern. She looked like she had seen a ghost.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just remembered I forgot to send in this report for work. I'll just call someone."

She rushed to a phone booth outside. Joey sat in confusion. That was strange.

She leaned against the wall. Why should that image haunt her? Why was it so disturbing? She could see it so clearly. The mess, the fallen cake and Joey…Joey sitting there with his head in his hands. He looked like he'd been crying. Why? Some friend she was. She hadn't even bothered to find out. She had pushed it away to the back of her mind. Why had it come back?

Joey gazed at his watch. She was out there for a long time. He hoped nothing was wrong. Another five minutes and he'd look for her.

Two minutes.

One minute.

The door opened and she strolled in.

"It took longer than I thought. Sorry for rushing out." She looked strained.

He frowned. "Rach, what is wrong?"

She swallowed. "Joey, for the last time, nothing. Now let it go." He clearly didn't believe her but she didn't really know what was wrong. She didn't know how to express it. She just had this uncomfortable feeling…

He heaved a sigh. If she didn't want to talk about it…

Rachel picked up a catalogue. "I think we should have one of those chairs shaped like a hand. It'll be so cute."

She was changing the subject. Oh well, he'd go along with it. "I guess. Though they are a bit uncomfortable."

Rachel looked at him questioningly.

He smiled ruefully. "I'd got one a few years back. I don't if it was too small or if my butt was too big but it was tight."

Rachel erupted into giggles. The picture was just too hilarious.

"Joey, you crack me up."

"I always was good at that."

She smiled. Yeah, he was. Even after all these years, he still was. It was amazing.

"You should have seen some of the stuff I got. There was this toy parrot that repeated everything that was said. Chandler and me gave it a fitting goodbye. We threw it off the roof."

She laughed. "You always did have weird taste. Remember that huge dog statue? I swear it was so tacky."

"That wasn't half as bad as this desk shaped like a cow. Now that was bad!"

An hour later, Rachel was wiping the tears from her eyes. She hadn't laughed like that for a long time.

Joey was beaming. He always felt like he was given a medal or something when she laughed. It made him feel good.

Rachel looked around. "You know, we haven't even started cleaning."

Joey shrugged. "Let the others do it. We'll say we cleaned it up and a hurricane hit the place."

She smiled. "Oh yeah. They'll so believe that."

Without even thinking about it, he reached out and traced her smile with his fingers. "You look beautiful when you smile."

"I don't otherwise?" She was pouting. She had no idea how adorable she looked.

He wanted to kiss her more than ever. Something must have shown in his eyes because she suddenly stopped smiling. The friendly banter was over. The air around them seemed to be charged.

She looked up at him, confusion clouding her beautiful eyes. Joey was gazing at her with that same intensity he had a week ago. It was scary. She didn't know how to deal with it. She knew she should leave but she couldn't. She was rooted to the spot.

He was drawn to her. This was wrong. He wasn't supposed to be doing this but…he bent down and kissed her. A soft gentle kiss.

She felt herself responding. It felt so right. Kissing Joey. Joey was…oh God! No!

He felt her pulling away.

She looked at him with disbelief. "What the hell was that?"

"I don't know. I…" Suddenly, he couldn't lie anymore. Even if it was the stupidest thing, he had to tell her. Even if it was the wrong thing to do. "I've wanted to do that for the longest time."

Rachel gasped. "You're married! So am I."

"You don't love him, anymore."

She was shocked. "So? That doesn't mean I'll kiss the first man I see. Besides, you love Amanda."

The minute those words left her mouth, she knew. He didn't love Amanda.

He didn't look into her eyes. He'd figured she'd guess the truth.

She was furious. "I thought you changed but you're the same womanizing jerk! You have problems with your wife? Work it out! Don't try to ruin my life as well as hers!" With one final look of disgust at him, she sprinted out of Central Perk.

Joey groaned. What had he expected? That she'd just fall into her arms and admit that she felt the way he did? That all their problems would disappear? That was a dream.

In reality, if Amanda found out, she'd be hurt. And Ross would probably come after him with a gun. And Rachel hated him.

This was reality. A nightmare.

Well, I've finished another chapter. I don't think it's that good but I wanted to get something out. I don't know if there's anyone still reading this …but if there are, please R&R!