AN: Well, I was going to make the last chapter the end and write an epilogue, but I wanted to add this part as well. It's kind of the second part of the previous chapter. I think I'll have an epilogue up soon.
Monica sighed as she sat at the table at Tony's, doing her best to keep a happy face for Phoebe's sake. It was her birthday after all. She glanced over at the door to the restaurant for the millionth time, hoping to see Chandler walking in the door. They had for an hour before ordering, but Chandler had never shown up. Monica knew they had all given up hope that Chandler would show up, but she still had a little left. Their fight that morning hadn't been that big a deal. He shouldn't still be too upset to come to dinner, should he? Even for Phoebe's birthday? Monica shook her head, sadly. She was becoming slightly annoyed that he hadn't shown up. Even if he was mad at her, he should have come for his friend's birthday. She was also annoyed that he wasn't answering his cell. He had turned it off, probably so he wouldn't have to talk to her. She sighed once more before forcing herself to focus on the conversation.
Phoebe glanced over at Monica. Monica had briefly discussed her and Chandler's fight earlier, but it hadn't sounded that bad. She couldn't understand why Chandler hadn't shown up.
"Why don't we go out to a bar for a bit?" Phoebe heard Ross ask. Everyone seemed to agree.
"Wait, what about Chandler?" Joey asked. "What if he shows up?"
"Jo, it's been three hours. I don't think he's coming," Ross said.
Phoebe noticed Monica's expression sadden. She knew Monica had been keeping up a brave front all evening. On the way out the door, Phoebe caught Monica's arm. "Mon, why don't you head home and talk to Chandler?"
Monica looked at Phoebe in surprise. She hadn't realized Phoebe could tell she was upset. "Oh, Pheebs, I don't want to leave on your birthday."
Phoebe smiled. "Don't worry about it. You can make it up to me. Now go, and make up with Chandler."
"Are you sure?"
Phoebe nodded. "I'd rather have you miss a couple hours of my birthday than see something happen between you and Chandler. You two give the rest of us hope."
Monica tilted her head slightly, fighting back a tear. "Thanks, Pheebs. I owe you." She gave her a quick hug before waving down a cab. Monica sat down and gave to cab driver directions.
"Another curious onlooker?" He asked.
"I'm sorry?"
"You wanna go see the fire?"
Monica felt her blood run cold. "What fire?"
"The one at the building we're heading towards." He glanced back in the rearview mirror and saw the look on Monica's face. "Oh, you didn't know. Do you know someone who lives there?"
Monica nodded. "Yeah, I do."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Are you sure it's this building?" She asked, but she didn't need to. They were quickly approaching it and she could see people scattered around watching the commotion. She could only hope Chandler was among them. She got out of the cab as soon as possible and ran the remaining distance to the taped off area.
"Chandler!" She began screaming. "Chandler!" She saw many curious people staring at her as she dashed through the crowd. Many wore sympathetic expression, as if they knew she had lost something she would never get back. "Chandler," she cried out again, this time much quieter. She got the attention of a policeman, who informed her that no one above the second floor got out. The fire had spread too quickly. He was very sorry for her loss.
Monica refused to give up hope. She glanced through the crowd once again, but didn't see his familiar face. She felt a sob release from her mouth and she felt the tears begin to flow. She knew he had left his office, she had called and asked. He couldn't have gone to the restaurant, it was too late. He was gone.
She felt the tears increase as she realized she had been mad at him for not showing up. She had thought of all sorts of thing she could say to him for not showing up to Phoebe's birthday. Waves of guilt and remorse swept through her body. She collapsed against the building across the street, Ross' building. She pulled her knees in to her body and cried. How could he be gone.
After a few moments she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and dialed.
Rachel smiled as she glanced around the small pub they had found on the corner. Joey was sitting beside her on a barstool, hitting on women as they walked passed. She laughed as she watched Ross and Phoebe fumble around on the dance floor. Phoebe had somehow managed to convince him to dance with her. He looked awkward dancing in his traditional way while Phoebe was dancing in a not-so-traditional way.
Rachel jumped as she felt her phone begin to vibrate in her pocket. Joey gave her an odd look when she jumped. Rachel rolled her eyes and pulled out the phone.
"Hello," she said into the receiver.
"Rach," she heard a timid voice say.
"Monica?" She asked.
There was no reply, but she could hear Monica crying.
"Monica, are you okay? Did something happen between you and Chandler?"
The crying increased at the mention of Chandler.
"Monica, please say something."
"He's dead," was all she heard.
"What?" Rachel asked, shaking her head. She must have heard wrong.
"He's dead, Rachel. There was a fire." Monica trailed off into more tears.
"Oh my God," Rachel whispered, feeling tears come to her eyes.
"What's wrong?" She heard Joey ask from beside her, but she waved him to be quiet. She noticed Ross and Phoebe approaching them, as they had sent he look on her face.
"Monica, I'm so sorry."
"I can't do this, Rach. How can he be gone? I love him so much. So much."
"I don't know what to say, Monica. Where are you? Are you still there?"
"Yeah."
"We're on our way."
"Okay."
Rachel hung up her phone and was immediately in motion. "We're leaving," she announced.
"Rachel, what's wrong?" Ross asked, very alarmed by the tears streaking down Rachel's face.
"I'll explain on the way."
They went out the door of the restaurant. Rachel saw a commotion down the street, so she didn't bother hailing a cab. They would never get there. The street was blocked and it looked like someone had been hit, but she didn't have time to think about it.
"Rachel, you have to tell us what happened," Ross said, as they rushed down the streets towards the apartment.
"There was a fire. Chandler was in the apartment."
"Oh my God, did he get out?" Joey asked.
Rachel stopped, and subsequently so did everyone else. "No he didn't Joey," she cut in before he could say anything. "But we can't dwell on that now. We need to be there for Monica."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They continue their run, and rounded the last corner. It was an awful sight. The building was almost gone, only a heap of burnt material was left. They all began searching for Monica and it was Phoebe who spotter her first, crouched into a ball against the wall. She immediately rushed over to her, the rest of the gang at her heels.
"Oh, Monica," she whispered as she pulled her into a long hug. Monica's body was trembling and her face tear streaked. "I'm so sorry."
Monica was aware of her friends surrounding her, but she couldn't feel anything. The only thing she could think about was that he was gone and she would never see him again.
Monica jolted awake from her dream, panting heavily. She sighed sadly as she felt the all too familiar tears come to her eyes. She had this dream all the time, and it never got easier when she woke up, because it was her reality. She breathed in and out a few times, trying to get a hold of her nerves. It was at that moment she realized she was not in her room, and she was not alone in the bed. All of the events of the passed weeks came rushing back to her and she almost cried again, this time with relief. Chandler was okay, he was alive, fast asleep beside her.
Monica lay back down and snuggled in close to Chandler. Even in his asleep state his body responded by pulling her in close. Monica fell back to sleep wrapped tightly in Chandler's arms with the knowledge that she would never have that dream again.
AN: I found out something cool. I checked the date I became a member here and it was exactly one year ago today. I thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, let me know what you think.
