Joey smiled the biggest grin Phoebe had ever seen

"Its things like that that make me love you" he blurted out quickly before he realised what he had just said. Phoebe looked visibly shocked. "You love me?" There was so going back now, he had to tell her everything.

Disclaimer: Still not owning friends :o(

This part is dedicated to starfriend and Kerop who gave me very first reviews :o) This chapter is quite small, but leads up to the next chapter, which is longer.
~*~

Phoebe listened intently to what Joey had to say for an hour. She didn't once interrupt him; he was too deep in his thoughts. She couldn't wait for him to finish.she wanted him; she needed him. Too often she had lay awake, fantasizing about him. Sometimes it was just sexual, but more often than not it was about her and Joey having a house in the city, kids running around the living room as Joey chased them.

Joey was in mid sentence when Phoebe got up from her chair and walked away from Joey's sight. His stomach dropped. The only person he had ever loved had just rejected him in the cruellest way possible. He hung his head in shame at being as stupid to think she would want him. He sat, inches away from crying when he heard her voice. He turned around slowly to see her sitting on the bed, staring straight at him. "Phoebe, I'm." "Shh" she said as she motioned him over to her He got up and walked towards the bed not knowing what to think. He stopped in front her. He looked down to see her reach for the top of the towel. She gently unhooked it and let it slip around her, never taking her eyes from Joey. She wanted to savour his reaction, never to forget it.

~*~

Chandler had been sleeping for just 20 minutes when he awoke. He opened his eyes and stared at the wall trying to gain some vision in dark. He shut his eyes again, trying desperately to get back to sleep, but after just a few seconds he knew it wasn't going to happen. "I'll get a drink," he thought as turned to reach for the glass he had left of his nightstand. As he placed out his hand to grab the glass he looked up.someone was standing over his bed watching. He jumped back as their eyes met. "Monica? What are you doing here"?

~*~

Ross had been asleep for 20 minutes too.but unlike Chandler he had no problem. He was deep in sleep, dreaming of saving Rachel from a huge dinosaur. "You're not even a meat eater, put her down, don't kill her," he mumbled incoherently with slight desperation in his voice. He was running with Rachel now, but he could hear the loud banging of huge feet chasing after them Bang, bang, bang, bang.. louder and less rhythmic. He jumped and sat up straight in bed. The banging wasn't in his dream; it was coming from his room. It took his a few seconds to register where the noise was coming from. It was his room door. Someone was chapping it furiously. "Who the hell is it at." he stared down at his alarm clock. "3:42" he finished as he switched on his light and headed for the door. He opened it to see a quivering mess in front of him.

"Rachel" he gasped

~*~

Back in Phoebe's room, Joey lay cuddling into her. Their smiles so big it looked like their jaws may break. "So how did it feel to have some Phoebe love?" Phoebe giggled. "Wow!" was the only word Joey could muster. "Much better than Joey love!" "Oh I don't know about that," Phoebe giggled again.

His arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, he was afraid to let go for fear that he would never get to be near her again. She slid down the bed and faced towards him, his arms never loosening their grip. Neither had to say a word, their faces said it all. Phoebe reached over and switched off the light before turning back to snuggle tightly into Joey. She shut her eyes as she drifted into sleep, the smile never leaving her face.

Joey watched her for 20 minutes, as she breathed in and out in slow, steady breaths. She looked so beautiful and peaceful. Her eyes flickered slightly. He knew she was dreaming and he just hoped it was about him, and not what had happened to her earlier.

This was just how he had pictured it, Phoebe in his arms as she slept, his strong arms holding her securely. Poor Hugsy he laughed as he thought of his bedtime penguin pal. Relegated back to the wall shelf. He didn't need his substitute any more; he had the real thing right next to him.

~*~

I hope this chapter was ok. It was a bit short, but there's plenty more to come. Also, more Mon/Chandler Ross/Rachel stuff in the next few chapters :o) Please leave me a review if you enjoyed it, I love feedback. If anyone has any ideas suggestions let me know and ill see about fitting them into the story. (((Hugs)))