okay....im gonna need you guys to review the heck outta this chapter! im really not getting a ton of reviews, so im not sure it's worth continuing....but if it is, please review and let me know! thanks! and thanks for my other reviews!

Part Seven

Dear Monica,

Hey! I know it's been awhile since I've last written, but it's been a busy time, you know? Dad's crazed with work.he's hardly had time to breathe, and when he's not working, he's chauffeuring me around, from track practices to play rehearsals to parties and such. He's constantly talking about getting a housekeeper or something, but he never does it. Honestly, I think it'd just be better if he got remarried, but he hasn't so much as gone on date since my mom died.

Anyway, in general, life is pretty good. I'll be glad when the academic part of the school year is over, but otherwise I'm not looking forward to it. My best friend is going off to boarding school next year and it's doubtful I'll ever see him! His school's not too far away, but he doesn't have Saturdays off, so he can't come home for the weekends. It sucks, but that's life, I guess. Anyway, I've gotta run. Homework calls!

Love,

Alana

Alana grinned as she hit "Send". She'd tried to place hints about her dad in the e-mail, but as she reread, she realized she still had a great deal to learn about subtly. But apparently Monica hadn't noticed the hints, or she at least wasn't saying anything about them.

Dear Alana,

That does suck about your best friend. But here's a suggestion-if the school's nearby and he at least has Sundays off, maybe you can try to go down then and see him. It's worth a shot. Remember, nothing's more important than friendship. Try not to lose him.

Sounds like you're getting pretty busy. Then again, this time of year is always crazy. But it's usually a good crazy-hope it is for you. Anyway, sorry this is so short-things are crazy at the restaurant and I've got to run. Hope to hear from you soon!

Love, Monica

Alana smiled as she read Monica's e-mail. Though she hadn't said anything about Chandler, the e-mail truly showed what a good person Monica was. Alana's spirits rose as she realized the advice Monica had given her was probably advice her mom would have. "If I can't have a mother," Alana decided, "Monica's the next best thing."

Alana's growing attachment to Monica only made her more and more anxious to reunite her with Chandler. Hadn't Monica said that nothing was more important than friendship? Alana still hadn't called Rachel back, as she was still contemplating what to do. She wasn't sure if Rachel would be on board to help her or not, but she wanted to have a full-fledged plan before she pitched ideas to Rachel.

"The real problem is location." Alana thought to herself as she sat in her bedroom, brainstorming ideas. "Monica lives in New York City. And there's not really any reason for her to come out to Seattle...or any reason for Dad to go there."

Alana spent a few more days mulling over the locations, until one day, it seemed her problem was solved.

"Alana?" Chandler shouted as he entered his home, "Alana, come here, we've got to talk about something!"

Alana obeyed her father, "What, Dad?" she asked, coming out her room. He motioned for her to sit down, and she did.

He began, "Well, it looks like we're taking a trip. My office is setting up this conferences in big cities all over the US. New York, Chicago, San Francisco..."

But Alana had stopped listening as two words echoed in her brain. New York! Maybe they were going to New York! But her hopes were dashed a few seconds later as her dad said, "Anyway, they're sending me to San Francisco for the weekend. I'd like you to come along. Could be fun.weekend at the beach and all." Chandler looked down at his daughter and saw the disappointment on her face. "Something wrong?" he asked.

"No, no, nothing!" Alana said quickly, "No, uh, California sounds great, Dad, but I've gotta make a phone call."

Once upstairs, Alana collapsed on her bed. "So close!" she muttered. "Unless..." and suddenly a idea sprung into her head. If all the conferences were the same... Alana grinned as she headed towards her phone.

"Hello, Mr. Winters?" Alana said over the phone.

"Alana Bing?" Chandler's boss marveled, "Well, I haven't heard from you in ages!"
"Yeah, I know," Alana said. When Alana had been younger, Chandler had brought her to work all the time. Consequently, she'd gotten to know his boss quite well. She'd never thought that would come to her benefit, but now she found herself in a situation where it just might.

"Well, what can I help you with?" Mr. Winters asked.

"Well, it's like this, Mr. Winters. You know the conferences coming up?"

"Of course."

"Well, I was wondering. Are they all the same? Like the ones in San Francisco and New York, they're the same?"

"Basically, yes."

"So, really, you could send my dad to either one, right?"

"I suppose."

"Okay, well, see, it's my dad's birthday that weekend, and one of his friends is throwing a big surprise party in New York City for him. Now, I checked the times and everything and it really wouldn't interfere with the conference at all. So she asked me to ask if you could switch Dad to the New York conference. But the thing is, you can't tell him why. Because it's a surprise and all." Alana paused as she finished her carefully rehearsed lie.

Mr. Winters was silent for a bit. "Well." he finally said, "I suppose that would be fine. I'll come up with something to tell your dad, Alana."

Alana grinned, "Thanks, Mr. Winters. Thanks a bunch!"

Mr. Winters chuckled, "Well, I must say, I've never quite had an employee's daughter call me and beg for a conference change. I'm quite touched."

Alana's grin widened and she said good-bye. They were going to New York!

It was Rachel who Alana called next. She told Rachel about their visit to New York and asked if she could help her get them together. "I'll get Dad to bring me to dinner someplace. And.maybe you and Monica could be there. Are you still in contact with Monica at all?" she asked.

"Well, we meet for lunch and stuff occasionally."

"Can you meet for dinner this time?" Alana asked eagerly.

"I suppose," Rachel said, and agreed to help. By the time Alana hung up, she had her entire plan-from the date, times, place. Now all she had to do was hope and pray that it worked.

sorry the e-mails were a bit corny...i just wanted 2 show the relationship! anyway, please review.....otherwise i wont continue!