A/N - Thanks again for your reviews on the last chapter. More from me in the A/N at the end of the chapter...

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There You Are

Chapter Four

"I'm sorry we don't get to spend as much time together as a normal couple," Monica apologized as she and Chandler walked hand in hand through Central Park one evening.

"Don't apologize. You've got more to think about than me," he replied and squeezed her hand gently. "Besides, I really enjoy the time we do get to spend together."

"Me too," she smiled over at him. "I probably enjoy it a little more than I should."

"What does that mean?" Chandler asked as he led her to a vacant park bench to sit down.

"Well... I've really enjoyed the time we've had together over the last couple of weeks, Chandler. I've enjoyed it a lot... But, in the back of my head, there are all these reasons why I shouldn't be with you."

"Such as?" he prompted.

"For one, Emily. I love her more than anything, and I feel like all my time should be devoted to her. That's what a good mother should do, right?" she asked.

"Monica, you're an excellent mother, so don't ever doubt that. And, yeah, a mother should spend time with her children, but she also needs to be happy. Mon, if you're not happy, Emily won't be happy."

"Yeah... Yeah, you're right," she agreed.

"Okay. So, what are those other reasons?"

She hesitated for a moment, looking down their interlocking hands, then she looked back up at him. "Chandler, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, because you've been wonderful. You're such a great guy, and I'm lucky to have found someone like you," she smiled, then returned her gaze to their hands. "It's just... The few guys I've managed to meet since Emily was born haven't stayed around for long - only long enough to make it seem that they weren't leaving because they found out about her. And I'm so afraid that you're going to do the same thing," she admitted.

"Oh, Monica," he said quietly. He reached over and gently tilted her chin up until her eyes met his. "I'm not leaving," he stated firmly. "If you want me to leave, you're gonna have to make me," he teased.

She smiled weakly and touched his cheek gently. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," he replied as he reached up to brush her hair away from her face. "You know, I'd really like to kiss you right now," he said quietly.

"I'd really like it if you would," Monica said softly.

Chandler leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then pulled away to look into her eyes.

"Wow," she uttered, smiling at him.

He grinned and leaned in to kiss her again. Once the kiss was over, they pulled away from each other and just stared at one another for a few seconds. "I think I'd have to agree with your first impression," he smiled. "Wow."

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"Thank you for understanding. About Emily, and...the other things," Monica said to Chandler one evening as they talked over coffee in Central Perk.

"Stop thanking me," Chandler chuckled. "I should be thanking you - for having the nerve to put up with me as much as you have."

She laughed. "You know, you're right," she teased.

"Hey. You were supposed to say that I'm a delight to be around and that I'm an interesting and charming gentleman."

"I was supposed to say all that?" Monica smiled. "You really think highly of yourself, don't you?"

"Come on! What is this? Pick on Chandler night?" he said, pretending to be hurt.

"Why not?" Monica smiled. He smiled back at her and reached over to take her hand. "Chandler, seriously, it means a lot to me. We don't have a lot of time together because of Emily, and I'm glad that you understand why I don't want you to spend a lot of time with her right now." She'd already told him that she didn't want him to spend a lot of time with her daughter until they knew what was going to come of their relationship. There was no point in letting Emily get attached to someone who might not be around for long.

"It's not a problem, Mon. For what it's worth, I really think we're going to make it... And I'll wait as long as you want for me to get to know her. I don't think she's going to be that difficult to get along with... As for the other things... Not a problem. I admire you for wanting to wait."

"It's just... After what happened the last time, I'd like to know that I'm with a guy who's going to stick around before we get into a situation that might leave Emily with a little brother or sister," she smiled slightly. "And with Emily around, I don't think I'd feel comfortable having an overnight guest unless I was married to him."

"I understand. I just want us to spend time together. At least this way there's no pressure on either of us when it comes to that part of the relationship. No worrying about it," he smiled.

"Right... You're such a great guy, Chandler," she said sincerely. "I didn't think men like you existed, and then I'm sitting here one night and look up from my reading, and there you are. Standing right in front of me."

Chandler just smiled at her and squeezed her hand gently. "I'm glad I met you... You're a pretty incredible woman yourself, you know."

"Oh, I know," she teased, then leaned over to kiss him tenderly. "I should get home to Emily."

"Yeah... Good night," he said and kissed her once more.

"Good night," she said quietly once the kiss was over. "I'll see you soon."

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"Hey, Joe, could you hurry up in there? My date's supposed to be here in about five minutes and I kinda need to get in there before she gets here," Chandler yelled through the bathroom door in the apartment he shared with his best friend, Joey. Chandler and Monica had gotten to know each other rather well in the last few weeks. They'd been spending several evenings together each week, whenever Monica was able to leave Emily with her brother. Chandler had never enjoyed his time with a woman the way he enjoyed his time with Monica. They fit together perfectly. It was like they had known each other for years instead of mere weeks. He looked forward to spending time with her - and he was ready to spend a little more time with her, if Joey would just get out of the bathroom.

"Come on, Chandler. You don't have to yell," Joey said calmly when he exited the bathroom.

Chandler sighed. "Yeah. Fine," he said before closing the bathroom door behind him.

Once his roommate had stepped into the bathroom to prepare for his date, Joey stepped into the kitchen to make himself a sandwich. Just as he finished putting it together, there was a knock at the door and he carried his snack with him as he went to answer it. He opened the door and his freshly made sandwich dropped to the floor when he saw who was on the other side.

"Joey?"

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A/N - Ooo... Anyone know what's goin' on? This one isn't my best work, although there is a bit of a cliffhanger, I suppose... Can't really say much about that until the next chapter, but boy do I have a lot of stuff to say about it. No turning back now... Anyway... Please let me know what you thought.