Chapter four

The next day Joey and Mike were outside washing the car. Monica and Phoebe were talking in the kitchen.

"So, what do you think of Joey?" Phoebe asked. She had been hoping Monica would like him and maybe go out with him to help her get over Richard.

"He's hot!" Monica exclaimed blushing a little. She was attracted to Joey and hoped he liked her too. She knew that going out with him would definitely make her crush on Chandler go away.

"You like him! Yes!" Phoebe said. "He's really nice, and strong, and plus he's good to look at. He's perfect for you!"

"I just hope he asks me out."

*

Outside Joey and Mike had finished washing the car and were taking a break on the front porch swing. Next they would mow the lawn, water the plants, and trim some of the hedges on the bushes.

"So, do you like Monica? I heard you use your pick-up line in there yesterday." Mike asked.

"Yeah, man, she's hot!" Joey exclaimed. "Plus I bet she's good in bed."

"Joey!" Mike exclaimed then paused, "How do you know? Ahh, never mind! Are you gonna ask her out?"

"Yeah sure." Joey replied.

"When?" Mike asked.

"Right now." Joey said as he got up and walked into the house. He walked into the kitchen and heard Monica and Phoebe laughing.

"Hey, Phoebe, Monica." He said flashing Monica a smile. "Would you wanna go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"Aww, sorry Joey, I can't. You know Mike and I have dinner in on Tuesdays." Phoebe said thinking the question was directed at her.

"Okay, Umm, Monica, What about you?" Joey said giving Phoebe a weird look.

"Sure. If Phoebe wouldn't mind watching Alex and Allie for me?" Monica said looking pleadingly at Phoebe.

"Of course I'll watch them." Phoebe said smiling.

*

The next night was Joey and Monica's date. Joey took Monica to a nice restaurant, not too fancy. Monica, being a chef, knew what she wanted right away, but Joey, who usually ate at deli's and fast-food restaurants, didn't know what to order.

The waiter came and asked for their order. Monica was about to order, but was beat by Joey who asked for a few more minutes to look over the menu. He did that two more times. The waiter didn't look happy, Monica was starving, and Joey was embarrassed because he didn't know what to order. In the end Monica finally helped him pick out something, so they finally ate.

Monica liked Joey, but more as a friend than as a boyfriend. He was really nice, but a little on the slow side.

After dinner Joey asked Monica if she wanted to go for a walk in the park. Joey really liked Monica. She was hot, sexy, and smart. She was different from any other girl he had dated. That's what he liked.

As they walked silently through the park, Monica's thoughts drifted to Chandler. She wanted to be with him so badly, but knew that that was pretty much impossible. She could never be with Chandler, but she really didn't want to be alone. Joey voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I really like you, Monica. I hope we can do this again sometime and I really hope that we can continue to see each other. I can come up to New York on weekends." Joey said hopefully. Before she could answer he leaned down and kissed her.

'He's a good kisser' she thought. 'If I can't have Chandler, than I might as well have some one.'

*

Over the course of the week, Monica and Joey grew closer. Monica was really beginning to like him. She didn't think of Chandler as much anymore.

Monica, Alex, and Allie were leaving for New York that day. Joey, Phoebe, and Mike said a tearful goodbye. Phoebe and Mike probably wouldn't see them for a while. Joey was going to come up next weekend for a visit. Allie and Alex liked Joey a lot, but both liked Chandler a little better.

*

When Monica, Alex, and Allie got back two days later, Chandler was outside waiting for them. Monica thought that she was over Chandler, but as soon as he smiled at her, her heart melted. She quickly reminded herself of Joey and climbed out of the car.

"Hey, guys!" Chandler exclaimed giving Alex and Allie a hug. "Hey, Mon." Chandler said more shyly giving her a hug.

"Hey Chandler." Monica replied.

They went inside the house. Monica, Alex, and Allie headed upstairs to unpack immediately. After they were done, Alex and Allie decided they wanted to go swimming so they went over to the neighbors to ask if they could swim in their pool.

The neighbors were an older couple. Their youngest son was away at college, so they had a pool with no one to swim in it. Some times they swam in it, other times they let the kids on the street swim.

Monica and Chandler settled on the couch and turned on the TV. The news was on. "Richard Burke was murdered yesterday by collegue who wanted Mr. Burke's job. This convict has escaped from our guards and is believed to be some where in the tri-state area. If you have any information on the where abouts of this man" The news announcer showed a picture, "Then please contact the police."

Chandler shut off the TV and looked at Monica in shock. Monica was staring straight ahead.

'Richard's dead? What are the kids going to do when they find out? I can't believe he's dead' Monica thought. She knew she still loved him a little, but swore to herself she wouldn't cry.

To her and Chandler's surprise her lip started to quiver and she suddenly broke down in tears.

TBC please review! Tell me if you liked it, hated it. Be brutally honest. I might cry a little but I can handle it!