Chapter 30

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with friends.

~*~

The visitor's room was dully lit, one singular light bulb dangling from the cracked cream ceiling. Monica followed Dr. Phillips in and shut the door behind her.

Neither bothered to take a seat, comfort was the last thing on their minds.

~*~

Just a few feet away Chandler paced the corridor, awaiting Monica's return. He was nervous about everything that had just happened in the last 10 minutes. What Phoebe's outcome would be and how his kiss with Monica would pan out. What if it was just a one-time thing? Monica was low; maybe it was just a bit of comfort to her? She couldn't possible see ME as anything more than a friend, he wondered.

He ran is hands through his hair, going out of his mind with pointless questions. He continued to walk the length of the corridor, until he felt a hand on his shoulder for the second time and span around to see who was there.

Monica threw her arms around him before he could object, and held him tightly. It took Chandler a few seconds to assimilate what had happened, but instantly responded to Mon's embrace.

"Mon what is it?" Chandler felt fear at Monica's sobbing, what had she just been told? It couldn't have been good news if she was in such a state? There was no answer from her, just continual jerking of her shoulders as she cried.

"Monica, talk to me please you scaring me. Is Phoebe ok?" He let go of her so he could see her face.

She dried her eyes with the backs of her sleeves, and rubbed her hands over Chandler's shoulders.

"She's fine. It was just non-malignant tumours! Its not cancer." She burst into tears again. It was the only outlet for her emotions to pour out. She had tried to be strong all those months, but now she could let it all out, she didn't have to be anyone's rock anymore.

Chandler let out a deep breath and burst into relief filled laughter.

"You have no idea how much you frightened me there!" He threw his arms back around her, and instantly removed them, wondering if he should be so forward with her when he had no idea how she really felt.

Her crying subsided, but the tears continued to fall as she starred up at him glazy eyed. "Why did you let go of me?" Her wet eyes looked back at him, hurt.

"Hmmm, I don't know," he lied, looking down at his feet, shoving his hands awkwardly into his jeans pockets.

"I guess I just didn't want you to think I was coming onto you too strongly, after we had kissed and all. Your emotions are all over the place, I understand. I'm sorry if I abused your trust by taking advantage when you weren't thinking straight." He was about to continue rambling on when Monica reached up, her hands running over his face, which was still pointed to the ground.

"Chandler, look at me," She smiled at his sensitivity.

He gazed at her longingly as she planted a kiss on his lips.

"I love you too. I always have. If you hadn't ran away at the gift shop you would know this already!" She giggled as Chandler gawped at her, too astonished to say a word.

Monica grabbed a hold of his hand and led him back into Phoebe room. His mouth was still wide open, his body still in shock from Mon's revelation.

"We need to let her know she's in the clear. It not fair to leave her hanging on like this."

Both crept into her room, not wanting to wake and startle her, but to their surprise she was already conscious.

"Mon, did you see the Dr. yet?" Phoebe asked, terrified of the answer.

"I've just spoken to him sweetie, you're going to be just fine. The tumours were non-cancerous." Monica sat down on Phoebe's bed and pulled her gently into her arms. Both sobbed openly, as Chandler watched on, tears building in his own eyes.

"They had to give you a hysterectomy Pheebs. Dr. Phillips said it would have been too dangerous not too have done it. There's less risk of tumours reappearing that way."

Phoebe nodded slowly, slightly shocked. It would mean she would never have any more children. But if it meant she was alive to see the daughter she already had grow up then that was all the mattered to her.

"Monica, Chandler, thank you for everything you have both done for me, you don't know how much it means to me."

"Shh, you don't have to thank us Pheebs, its what friends are for. Unconditional love." Chandler moved from the chair and placed himself down on the bed next to Monica. He rubbed her back as he did so and placed his free hand on Phoebes arm.

All three smiled the biggest grins they had in Months.

Finally everything was falling into place for them. And it wasn't just them that things were working out for. Across town a very busy Rachel was putting the finishing touches to her preparations.

~*~

"Where did Gunther keep the lighters?" Rachel thrashed around the open drawers in Central Perk, desperately trying to locate some kind of lighting device.

"I should really have listened during my training. Oh, matches!" She shut the drawers back over and set off to the coffee table in the middle of the couches the group often frequented.

The table, which normally housed a few magazines and lots of coffee cups was now scattered with rose petals and lilac candles.

Rachel lit each candle, trying unsuccessfully not to burn her fingers in the process.

After each one was aflame she placed the matches into her pocket and looked at her watch. It read 8:50. She had just 10 minutes before Ross was due to meet her.

She lifted her purse from the couch and headed for the door. Now on to the second part of her plan.

~*~

Ross looked at the clock that placed on the wall behind him.

He had 10 minutes to get to Central Perk, plenty of time he thought.

He lifted his jacket from the chair and reached into the pocket for his keys. Once he had gathered everything he needed he set off.

The walk only took him a few minutes, making him slightly early.

He wondered why Rachel had requested to meet him at this time. Central Perk was always closed by 9pm. There had to be some explanation, and he knew it wouldn't be long until he found out what that was, so he let the curiosity wash over him.

He cautiously pressed his hands against the wooden door, and let himself into the coffee house. All the lights were off and no one was around. The place was bare looking, apart from the numerous candles which were strategically placed all over the table in the middle of the room.

He looked around him, wondering where Rachel was. She had to be around, after all, who else would have set up the candles?

He plonked himself down on the sofa, placing his feet carefully onto the table, making sure he didn't knock anything over and start a fire.

15 minutes passed and there was still no sign of Rachel anywhere. He had searched all over for her, but the coffee house was empty apart from him. If this is her idea of a joke then its not funny, he said aloud to himself, looking a little pissed off.

He was just about to leave again when he noticed a white envelope lying right in front of him, underneath a large church candle.

He bent down and lifted it from the table, opening it to read.

"Dear Ross," He read aloud.

"As you have probably noticed I'm not here. I'm sorry if it's taken you a while to find this letter, but I placed it in the only place I thought you would see it.

Please don't be angry with me. Not until you have at least heard me out. Meet me at the museum planetarium when you read this. All my love,

Rachel."

"What the hell is she playing at!" Ross looked cross, but also extremely curious, as he set off to find out what Rachel had in store for him.