Chapter 27
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with friends.
Vixie tell your mum she's bad for not letting you go to the play :o(There really isn't anything that bad in it, just a little bit of swearing. If you're near London come with me in July :o) Loadsa love to the people who are reviewing, you have no idea how happy I am that you are enjoying this fic xxx
~*~
Ross hugged Rachel so tightly he practically suffocated her.
"Whoa, what's that for?" Rachel laughed at Ross' sudden burst of emotion.
"I just missed you." Ross didn't know why he had wanted to cuddle her so badly and never let go.
"Ross you only saw me 10 minutes ago" Rachel wasn't believing his excuse.
"Rach, can we go somewhere and talk?" Ross sound serious now.
"Yeah, sure we can," Rachel was puzzled, but kind of glad, there was a few things she wanted to say herself.
They broke apart their embrace and headed to where Ross had been sitting with Chandler and Joey. Ross took a seat on the old wooden bench and Rachel sat herself on a swing.
"Oh my God, I haven't been on one of these in ages!" Rachel squealed in delight and began to swing forcefully through the air, her hair hitting her face in the breeze, while Ross watched on, adoration in his eyes. She looked like a little girl, full of innocence.
"Rachel? Where are we going in this relationship? I mean, we have been dating again for a few months and it just feels like there is so much love, but no communication. Do you regret starting things up with me again?" Ross bowed his head and Rachel slowed herself down, dragging her feet along the ground. She entwined her arms around the swings chains, the fun draining from her face.
"Ross, I love you more than anything, of course I don't regret starting things up with you again. How could you think that? After all we have been through together." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts.
"The lack of communication is all my fault. I sill feel guilty about choosing my job in Paris over you. I should never have done that, I got my priorities all wrong and I realise that now. There's times when I can't even look at you, you look at me with such love and I hurt you. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that."
"Rach, don't shut me out, I've gotten over what happened, you have to as well. If our relationship is going to work, it's essential that you do. I understand how you feel, I was the same when I slept with Chloe, and I was racked with remorse. But I've moved on."
Rachel knew what Ross was saying was true, and she nodded, letting him know she understood fully.
"I have something to ask you?" Ross looked at Rachel, hoping her answer would be what he wanted to hear.
~*~
Monica rested her head on Phoebe's bed, quietly anticipating her return. She stared at the open door, looking out into the bare, clinical looking corridor. Her eyes rested on a poster for a cancer support group, she memorized the number and prayed she wouldn't have to ever use it.
She heard footsteps approaching, but didn't flinch to see who it was coming closer. The noise stopped and the bodies of Joey and Chandler stopped in the doorway.
Monica lifted her head from the bed and straightened out her crushed hair.
"Hey," Chandler spoke softly, as though awaiting a reaction from Monica, but suddenly noticed the emptiness of the room.
"Where's Phoebe?" Joey butted in before Monica had a chance to speak.
Monica sat up straight in the chair, and looked solemnly at her friends.
"They've taken her away to operate. There's a largish growth in her womb and they have to see what it is. It's not looking good." Monica sighed and sunk back into the chair, too emotionally drained to speak further.
Joey felt his heart sink; this couldn't be true, he thought to himself. What had Phoebe done to deserve the hardship she had long endured? She was too special to have so much sorrow.
"What kind of growth?" You could hear the fear in Joey's voice, like a child frightened to ask for something.
"They don't know Joe, that's why they have had to operate so soon. If its can," Monica paused, terrified of that simple word.
She started again, building up the courage to say it. "If it's Cancer, then they have to catch it as quickly as possible, to limit the chances of it spreading."
Joey swallowed hard at the sound of the word cancer, trying desperately to rid the ever-familiar lump that was forming.
"Cancer? No, she can't have that, people die when they have that! Phoebes not dying, is she Monica?" The swallowing had done no good; Joey was now in tears at the idea of Phoebe being taken from him again.
Monica rose from her chair and embraced Joey in her arms.
"It may not be cancer Joey. We have to be strong for Phoebe's sake until we know for sure. If it is cancer im sure she has a huge chance of survival! She needs us all to be there for her when she gets back from theatre. No more running away from things!"
Joey pulled away from Monica's arms and wiped away his tears. He could barely stand to look at Monica; she had read his thoughts like a book. She knew he was about to sprint from the room once again that day, yet again unable to deal with what he was being told. He wished he were a stronger man, the man everyone thought he was, but he couldn't see his precious Phoebe die, it was killing him along with her.
"Guys I have to go, ill be back soon," Joey lied about the last part. He had no intentions of returning to that room, ever again. He refused to watch the love of his life dwindle away in front of his eyes. not again, he couldn't take it.
As calmly and as quietly as he could he left. The feeling of his friend's eyes boring into the back of his neck washing over him eerily as he walked away. He didn't turn round. He didn't want any more memories of that part of his life. He was about to start afresh.
~*~
Rachel gulped down quickly, anticipating what Ross was about to ask her.
He stood up, walked over to her nervously and took her hands in his.
"Oh God," she thought, "Please don't let him propose again, not now!"
Rachel looked up at his, awkwardly shifting back and forwards on her feet. Only stopping once to flash him a painted on smile.
"Rachel. Will you move in with me?" Ross blurted it out as speedily as he could manage. Desperate, but scared at the same time.
His anticipation level grow as Rachel dug a hole into the ground, shifting the residue sand around with her foot, deliberating just what she was going to say.
"Oh Ross," She started and let Ross interrupt her.
"Is that an Oh Ross I'd love to move in with you, or an Oh Ross, you're making an ass of yourself again.
Rachel grabbed his hands pitifully, already feeling sorry for him.
"We agreed when we started dating again that we were going to take things slowly. You know how I feel about rushing into things. I don't want things ruined by making hasty decisions we may both regret in a few months."
Ross let his hands drop to his side.
"So that's a no then," His puppy dog eyes drooped, sorrowfully.
"I'm not ready for such a big step like that, im sorry honey, I don't want to waste what we have already."
"No hey, listen its ok, I get it. I'm not good enough for you. It's always been the same. I just don't meet your requirements in the boyfriend stakes. Lets just continue this casual "relationship" that we have. Sex and occasional idle chit chat. That's all you're looking for right?" Ross stormed off, hitting the automatic doors lightly in frustration as he entered the hospital. He didn't take rejection well at the best of times, least of all from Rachel.
Rachel stood in amazement, still trying to get her head around Ross' comments. His words pained her. It wasn't just about sex, not to her anyway. It was about love, and not losing that love. But she wasn't making a very good job of it, she noted to herself. She was going to have to make a huge gesture to make up for this, but what?
~*~
Joey had only been home a few minutes. The walk back from the hospital that he had hoped would clear his head had taken longer that anticipated.
He threw his keys down onto of the foosball table, lifted the portable telephone from its holder, and plonked himself down in his barcalounger. He looked at the phone in his hands intently, twiddling it around erratically, pondering his next move.
He dialled a number and held the phone to his ear.
"Ursula? It's Joey. Can I come over? There's something I need to ask you."
~*~
Ok peeps that's it for chapter 27, but I promise there's more to come shortly :o) I'm going to try and tie up the chan/mon, Rachel/Ross stuff in the next part then move into the good Phoebe/Joey stuff :o) I'm still having a bit of a moral dilemma with Phoebe's situation, to kill or not to kill, what do you think? Come on help me out :o)
Xxxx
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with friends.
Vixie tell your mum she's bad for not letting you go to the play :o(There really isn't anything that bad in it, just a little bit of swearing. If you're near London come with me in July :o) Loadsa love to the people who are reviewing, you have no idea how happy I am that you are enjoying this fic xxx
~*~
Ross hugged Rachel so tightly he practically suffocated her.
"Whoa, what's that for?" Rachel laughed at Ross' sudden burst of emotion.
"I just missed you." Ross didn't know why he had wanted to cuddle her so badly and never let go.
"Ross you only saw me 10 minutes ago" Rachel wasn't believing his excuse.
"Rach, can we go somewhere and talk?" Ross sound serious now.
"Yeah, sure we can," Rachel was puzzled, but kind of glad, there was a few things she wanted to say herself.
They broke apart their embrace and headed to where Ross had been sitting with Chandler and Joey. Ross took a seat on the old wooden bench and Rachel sat herself on a swing.
"Oh my God, I haven't been on one of these in ages!" Rachel squealed in delight and began to swing forcefully through the air, her hair hitting her face in the breeze, while Ross watched on, adoration in his eyes. She looked like a little girl, full of innocence.
"Rachel? Where are we going in this relationship? I mean, we have been dating again for a few months and it just feels like there is so much love, but no communication. Do you regret starting things up with me again?" Ross bowed his head and Rachel slowed herself down, dragging her feet along the ground. She entwined her arms around the swings chains, the fun draining from her face.
"Ross, I love you more than anything, of course I don't regret starting things up with you again. How could you think that? After all we have been through together." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts.
"The lack of communication is all my fault. I sill feel guilty about choosing my job in Paris over you. I should never have done that, I got my priorities all wrong and I realise that now. There's times when I can't even look at you, you look at me with such love and I hurt you. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that."
"Rach, don't shut me out, I've gotten over what happened, you have to as well. If our relationship is going to work, it's essential that you do. I understand how you feel, I was the same when I slept with Chloe, and I was racked with remorse. But I've moved on."
Rachel knew what Ross was saying was true, and she nodded, letting him know she understood fully.
"I have something to ask you?" Ross looked at Rachel, hoping her answer would be what he wanted to hear.
~*~
Monica rested her head on Phoebe's bed, quietly anticipating her return. She stared at the open door, looking out into the bare, clinical looking corridor. Her eyes rested on a poster for a cancer support group, she memorized the number and prayed she wouldn't have to ever use it.
She heard footsteps approaching, but didn't flinch to see who it was coming closer. The noise stopped and the bodies of Joey and Chandler stopped in the doorway.
Monica lifted her head from the bed and straightened out her crushed hair.
"Hey," Chandler spoke softly, as though awaiting a reaction from Monica, but suddenly noticed the emptiness of the room.
"Where's Phoebe?" Joey butted in before Monica had a chance to speak.
Monica sat up straight in the chair, and looked solemnly at her friends.
"They've taken her away to operate. There's a largish growth in her womb and they have to see what it is. It's not looking good." Monica sighed and sunk back into the chair, too emotionally drained to speak further.
Joey felt his heart sink; this couldn't be true, he thought to himself. What had Phoebe done to deserve the hardship she had long endured? She was too special to have so much sorrow.
"What kind of growth?" You could hear the fear in Joey's voice, like a child frightened to ask for something.
"They don't know Joe, that's why they have had to operate so soon. If its can," Monica paused, terrified of that simple word.
She started again, building up the courage to say it. "If it's Cancer, then they have to catch it as quickly as possible, to limit the chances of it spreading."
Joey swallowed hard at the sound of the word cancer, trying desperately to rid the ever-familiar lump that was forming.
"Cancer? No, she can't have that, people die when they have that! Phoebes not dying, is she Monica?" The swallowing had done no good; Joey was now in tears at the idea of Phoebe being taken from him again.
Monica rose from her chair and embraced Joey in her arms.
"It may not be cancer Joey. We have to be strong for Phoebe's sake until we know for sure. If it is cancer im sure she has a huge chance of survival! She needs us all to be there for her when she gets back from theatre. No more running away from things!"
Joey pulled away from Monica's arms and wiped away his tears. He could barely stand to look at Monica; she had read his thoughts like a book. She knew he was about to sprint from the room once again that day, yet again unable to deal with what he was being told. He wished he were a stronger man, the man everyone thought he was, but he couldn't see his precious Phoebe die, it was killing him along with her.
"Guys I have to go, ill be back soon," Joey lied about the last part. He had no intentions of returning to that room, ever again. He refused to watch the love of his life dwindle away in front of his eyes. not again, he couldn't take it.
As calmly and as quietly as he could he left. The feeling of his friend's eyes boring into the back of his neck washing over him eerily as he walked away. He didn't turn round. He didn't want any more memories of that part of his life. He was about to start afresh.
~*~
Rachel gulped down quickly, anticipating what Ross was about to ask her.
He stood up, walked over to her nervously and took her hands in his.
"Oh God," she thought, "Please don't let him propose again, not now!"
Rachel looked up at his, awkwardly shifting back and forwards on her feet. Only stopping once to flash him a painted on smile.
"Rachel. Will you move in with me?" Ross blurted it out as speedily as he could manage. Desperate, but scared at the same time.
His anticipation level grow as Rachel dug a hole into the ground, shifting the residue sand around with her foot, deliberating just what she was going to say.
"Oh Ross," She started and let Ross interrupt her.
"Is that an Oh Ross I'd love to move in with you, or an Oh Ross, you're making an ass of yourself again.
Rachel grabbed his hands pitifully, already feeling sorry for him.
"We agreed when we started dating again that we were going to take things slowly. You know how I feel about rushing into things. I don't want things ruined by making hasty decisions we may both regret in a few months."
Ross let his hands drop to his side.
"So that's a no then," His puppy dog eyes drooped, sorrowfully.
"I'm not ready for such a big step like that, im sorry honey, I don't want to waste what we have already."
"No hey, listen its ok, I get it. I'm not good enough for you. It's always been the same. I just don't meet your requirements in the boyfriend stakes. Lets just continue this casual "relationship" that we have. Sex and occasional idle chit chat. That's all you're looking for right?" Ross stormed off, hitting the automatic doors lightly in frustration as he entered the hospital. He didn't take rejection well at the best of times, least of all from Rachel.
Rachel stood in amazement, still trying to get her head around Ross' comments. His words pained her. It wasn't just about sex, not to her anyway. It was about love, and not losing that love. But she wasn't making a very good job of it, she noted to herself. She was going to have to make a huge gesture to make up for this, but what?
~*~
Joey had only been home a few minutes. The walk back from the hospital that he had hoped would clear his head had taken longer that anticipated.
He threw his keys down onto of the foosball table, lifted the portable telephone from its holder, and plonked himself down in his barcalounger. He looked at the phone in his hands intently, twiddling it around erratically, pondering his next move.
He dialled a number and held the phone to his ear.
"Ursula? It's Joey. Can I come over? There's something I need to ask you."
~*~
Ok peeps that's it for chapter 27, but I promise there's more to come shortly :o) I'm going to try and tie up the chan/mon, Rachel/Ross stuff in the next part then move into the good Phoebe/Joey stuff :o) I'm still having a bit of a moral dilemma with Phoebe's situation, to kill or not to kill, what do you think? Come on help me out :o)
Xxxx
