Chapter 3

Battling for baby

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

~~*~~

"Phoebe, what are you doing at an abortion clinic?" Joey held his quivering, hysterical friend in his arms protectively as if both their lives depended on it.

"Please don't judge me Joey, I couldn't stand it if you thought badly of me," Her words were barely decipherable as she choked on her tears. A sudden release took over her body as she let go and sobbed for what seemed like forever to her. Finally she had a friend there to hold her, and tell her what she was doing was right. But would he be understanding of her situation?

Joey looked down at the wreck that he had once deemed so strong and felt for the first time a fear and a love that he couldn't explain.

"Pheebs I would never judge you, but you have to talk to me. I don't understand all this, what's going on? Are you pregnant?" It was a pretty obvious question considering where they were currently standing, but he had to hear her clarify it, for his own peace of mind.

She tried to answer but her crying disabled her ability to talk, so she nodded into his chest instead. This was enough for his heart to break in two. His worst fears had been confirmed, and he didn't know how to react.

The Phoebe he knew adored children, so why was she on the verge of killing the one thing she had always dreamed about having? It must be bad he thought to himself as he tried to find the words of comfort he knew she would be seeking at this very moment.

"Pheebs? Is it Mikes?" His voice was hushed and calm as he questioned her gently so as not to freak her out more than she clearly already was.

Again she nodded into his chest unable to say a simple yes or no.

If he was confused before this just made it worse. Mike was he boyfriend, a man she had been in love with for over a year, and here she was about to abort his baby? None of this made sense, even although he had thought of every possible reason why.

"I need to go," She pulled herself reluctantly away from his body and wiped away the few remaining teardrops that ran down her cheeks like condensation descending a windowpane.

"My names been called and im already late," Her words were so monotone and nonchalant he could hardly believe he was talking to the same person he had only days ago been playing quick draw on the recliners with. A game they often played when no one else was around to mock them for participating in such a childlike game. But it was one they loved and enjoyed, despite what the others said. It gave them time to spend time together alone, a thing that was a rarity what with the 6 of them always living in each others pockets.

He let his arms drop to his side having let her go, but somehow they felt empty without her in their wide expanse.

"Goodbye Joey," She turned to her left and tried to ignore the fact he hadn't moved, or tried to drag her back and stop her, something that deep down she was wishing he would do.

Her pace slowed to a near stop as she walked the length of the corridor to the room where her life would take a 360-degree turn. The whole while she could feel Joeys eyes boring into her back as he watched her intently, still trying to get the whole thing right in his head, but he couldn't. It was all too complicated and she hadn't explained enough for him to see the entire picture. And as far as he could see she was in no fit state to talk about it at great length.

She got to the door and halted abruptly, looking at its gold number plate as though in a trance she reached out for the handle.

"PHOEBE NO!" Joey screamed at the top of his lungs, not caring if he disturbed the clinics silence. He couldn't let her do this, not until he knew the full story at least. If she was truly happy with this then he wouldn't stand in her way, but in his heart he knew this wasn't the case.

Her hand paused on the handle and she froze. Had he really shouted on her? Was it a figment of her imagination? Was it her delusional mind playing tricks on her? No. He was running towards. He had her in his arms once again. He had saved her from her worst nightmare.

"Don't ever let me go Joey!" She cried freely as she bundled her up and stroked her hair like she was a child in pain.

"I'll never let you go, I promise," He said it, and he meant it from the bottom of his heart. She needed him, and he would be there for her, no matter what it took.

He felt her chest heave next to his and her shoulders rise and fall as she fought for breath through her tears.

"I nearly killed my baby Joey! What was I thinking?"

"Shh, honey its ok. I know you better than anyone, and I know you must have had a pretty good reason for wanting to do it. This isn't you. The Phoebe I know would never do a thing like this for nothing. Come on, im taking you home where its safe and you can tell me all about it there if you feel in the mood." His hand held the back of her head tightly as she rested it on his shoulder. He felt her nod once again and he walked her carefully out to the street, her body still securely wrapped around him it was almost like she didn't want him to detach from her. And he had no plans to either. He had meant it when he said he would be by her side, and he was sticking to his word.

~~*~~

"Stay here sweetie, I'll be right back." He propped her up next to a lamppost on the sidewalk and watched her for a moment to make sure she would be ok without him there to aid her.

"I'm just going to tell my Dad that I'm leaving and we will get a taxi home ok?" He spoke to her like she was 5 years old, but only because she looked so fragile like a child.

"Ok," She nodded and sniffed back more tears. The look on her face that of a broken woman.

"DAD!" Joey looked up to the skies, where his Father was on top of the roof fixing the loose tiling.

"DAD!" he called again, louder this time, but still got no response. He knew it was a waste of time to try and shout any more as there was no way his voice would carry all that way up and over the noise of various electrical equipment that was roaring in the backgroud.

He removed the tight tool belt from around his waist and laid it on the ground beside him before he began to ascend the fire escape up the 8-storey building to the roof, only turning back once to check Phoebe was still where he had left her, which she was.

"Dad," he called again, this time much quieter as his Father came into view.

"Yeah? What's up Joe?" He removed the protective goggles covering his eys and downed tools.

"I'm really sorry for leaving you in the lurch but I need to take Phoebe home. I met her downstairs and she's in a bit of a mess. I need to be there for her to make sure she's going to be alright."

Joseph sighed ever so slightly at being let done, but he knew there was very little he could do by complaining. After all, he would have done the same thing himself if he had a friend in need.

"Ok son. Don't worry about it. Just call me if your not gonna make it tomorrow either." He gave Joey Jr a smile and returned his plastic glasses over his face.

"Thanks, I knew you'd be cool about it." He returned his fathers smile and turned to climb back down the 8 flights of unsteady stairs. But as his hands grasped the first rung of metal he heard a scream that was loud enough to be heard over the drone of his work mates tools, a scream that sent shivers down his spine.

As he looked down to the ground his worst fears were confirmed.

"PHOEBE!"