Phoebe sighed in relief as she stepped out in to the cool night air. She was frightened that Chandler wouldn't have made it, but he did. Everything was coming together now. But if only they would be able to convince the others.

She couldn't see any cabs around and decided that as it was only a few blocks to her apartment anyway. She began to think about what the future could be like, although she knew she shouldn't. if there was anything that she had learned during the last year it was not to plan too far ahead. Plans had a nasty way of turning bad.

But whatever happened it would all turn out fine. Even if their friends couldn't be involved. But why wouldn't they? She knew they weren't the sort to have loose morals but still, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

She stopped suddenly as she felt someone grab her arm. Without thinking she struck out to free her arm from the assailant. But they refused to let go. Somewhat reluctantly she turned around.

'What do you want Gareth?'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

'You'd better tell me everything Chandler. You have no idea how hard this was for me.' Monica cried. Chandler took a hesitant step towards her, when she didn't back away he took it as a good sign and reached out his arm towards her, placing it gently just above her elbow. She made a vain attempt to shrug it away but didn't do anything else.

'Why don't you tell me then?' He asked. Monica took a shuddering breath and turned to sit on the couch, and Chandler followed.

'I was happy, for the first time in a long while. And it was all because of you. You had made me happy.' She turned towards him as he sat next to her. 'After the break-up with Richard, and then with Pete, I felt as though I could never be the most important person in anyone's life. But then you came along, and told me you loved me.'

She turned away from him, refusing to look in his eyes.

'Monica-' Chandler started. Monica stood up and cut him off.

'You made me feel loved and special, as though I was the most important person in the whole world and nothing else compared to me. I thought our relationship was going so well, you were taking all these big steps and being so grown up. And all for me.' Tears started to fall from her eyes and she brushed Chandler's hand away as he reached up to brush them away.

'But then you just… disappear! You don't even say goodbye, nothing!' She screamed at him. He recoiled at her tone and looked in to her eyes, and this time she didn't turn away.

'Monica, baby I'm so sorry. I really am-'

'And if that wasn't enough the same day you mysteriously disappear so does Phoebe. I mean, what am I supposed to think about that! Come on Chandler, tell me, what do you think I thought about that?' She challenged him.

'Y-You thought I had run off with her?' He stuttered. For some reason her tone was making him nervous. She crossed her arms and stared at him and he realised she wanted more. 'And that I was in love with her? And we had run off to be together?'

Monica turned away, covering her mouth with her hand, trying to stifle the sob that was threatening to come out.

Chandler stood up and walked right next to her.

'Monica, I'm not in love with Phoebe, I never was, I'm in love with you and always will be.' Chandler wrapped his arms around her shoulders and grinned inwardly with relief when she didn't pull away. Instead she rested her head against his chest and they stood there.

'Why did you leave?' Monica asked finally. Chandler closed his eyes, he knew that this was coming.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

'What have you done with the money?'

'I don't know what you're talking about.' Phoebe lied and turned to walk away. Gareth grabbed for her arm again but she managed to shrug it off this time. She walked quickly, trying to get away from him. But he walked faster to keep up with her.

'You know exactly what I'm talking about. I want to know what you two did with the money right now!' Gareth demanded.

'What money? You keep harassing me about this money but I have no idea what you're talking about.' Phoebe exclaimed. He had been on her case all the six months they had known each other.

'The five million. And don't you say "what five million" I know you know where it is now tell me the truth!'

'Gareth! I'm telling you the truth when I say this; I don't know where the money is!' Phoebe shouted. It was late at night and Phoebe thanked God that no-one was around on the streets. Gareth grabbed her shoulders and looked deep in to her eyes. She stared straight back, resisting the urge to kick him and run as fast as she could.

'I'm telling the truth ok? I swear I don't know where the money is.'

'But your friends Chandler does.' Gareth stated, still staring in to her eyes, Phoebe could help it this time, if she lied he would be able to tell, her facial expression, however slight, would give her away. Gareth smiled and let go of her shoulders.

'Well I think I might pay your friend a little visit then. Maybe he can be more helpful.' He turned to walk back to the apartment he now shared with Joey. Phoebe watched as he walked in the streetlights.

He wasn't a particularly tough man and he looked pretty normal, dark hair, brown eyes and medium build, not someone would look twice at in a crowd. But there was something about him, a sort of 'quality' about him that made him intimidating.

Phoebe knew that when Joey had offered Gareth, a fellow actor,  the spare room in his apartment he was looking for some sort of replacement for Chandler. He had truly believed that Chandler had gone with Phoebe and that whenever she returned then so would he. But Phoebe had returned without Chandler and with no news of him for over a year Joey had tried to move on, to recreate a new best friend to be close with.

But Gareth was far from that. He hardly hung out with the group and had never been in the coffee house once, only going over to Monica's if Joey dragged him over there, or if there was a party he stayed for the shortest time he could before making an excuse and leaving.

But Phoebe knew he knew something about what she and Chandler had done. And she knew she had seen him somewhere before.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monica lay in Chandler's arms in bed. It was the next morning and all of her frustration and hurt had gone and, for the moment at least, all she felt was contentment. Her lover was back and he was making her feel like the most special person in the world all over again.

She knew that it could all fall apart again, but it felt worth that risk if she could just have a few more days with him.

She felt Chandler stir as he began to wake up. She turned around to face him and smiled when she saw him. His face was still in a sleeping state and his hair was dishevelled and overall he looked cute. The way she remembered him.

'Hey beautiful.' He whispered in her ear and her smiled got wider. She leaned in to kiss him, losing herself in him again, as she had done last night. She knew it wasn't a good idea, he hadn't said if he was staying. She still didn't even know where he had been. They had given up talking long before that.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Phoebe woke up in a cold sweat. She couldn't remember the dream she had been having but she had been left with a bad feeling. Things hadn't been right for the last eighteen months, but now she had a feeling things were going to get even worse.

She reached for the phone, she had to call Chandler, to find out what had happened to the money.