The Pact – Chapter 6

A/N: Hey, back again! Thanks for all the great reviews. This will probably be my last update before…before…school starts! *sobs* Unlike some Yennish type people, I am not looking forward to it at all. Oh well, I had a hell of a lot of time off to do nothing, and now, I havta spend my last days of freedom doing SAT work *coughs*likeanhourofit*coughs* and beginning to choose…colleges! AHH! I'm not old enough, damnit! Haha, if this is me at the very start of Jr. year, can u imagine how I'll be at the end of it?! Anyways, I probably gave away too much about this story, but whatcha gonna do? I seemed to be doing a lot of talking I should've had done last week. Oh, and for those of u who have been asking for more Monica and Chandler moments, I really would include them, but I don't want to drag this fic out. I hate when fics are dragged out. I'll try to include them more, but I just couldn't fit them in. Anyways, on with the show. Please read and review, thanks!

Rachel returned to her apartment feeling more confused than ever. Not only that, but all the confusion was eating away at her so much, that it came off as anger within her. Everything in her life was backwards! She had a child before she got married, but after she broke up with the father of her child. Then, she finally got married, after longing for it for so long, and now, she wasn't even sure if that was what she wanted, after all.

Then, there was Joey. The man had been in love with her for so long – or so he claimed. But, if that were the case, then why would he turn her down? Loyalty to his friends, a voice in her head answered, he turned you down because he cares about Ross and Phoebe – and you should, too. She knew it was true. Under any other circumstance, Joey most likely would have jumped at the chance of helping her figure out her feelings, especially if there was a chance it could end happily for him. Still, when their best friends were involved, Joey stuck to his morals and continued to be the good friend to everyone. She loathed him for that. She didn't think she would've have done the moral thing, otherwise.

Rachel entered her apartment, heading straight for her bedroom. She noticed Ross out of the corner of her eye, but pretended she didn't. She was in no mood to talk to him. If she did, she knew she would snap at him. Still, he was able to tell she was feigning ignorance, and stood up in front of her, blocking any chance of passage.

"Ross!"

"No, I'm not moving until you tell me where you've been."

Rachel laughed sardonically. "You can't tell me what to do."

Ross didn't answer, but shot her a piercing, unwavering glare.

"I'm not going to tell you, so why don't you just let me through. Save yourself a lot of time and energy."

"No," he paused and continued softly, "I don't understand why you won't just tell me. Is it something you shouldn't be doing?"

"Are you accusing me of cheating?!"

"You said it, not me."

"You two timing, double crossing –"

"Hey, I didn't say it!"

"But you were thinking it!"

"Oh, and now I'm not allowed to think anything?!"

"Not when it comes to this!"

"You know what, Rachel, go ahead! Go do whatever the hell you want, I don't give a damn!"

"Thank you!"

Ross moved to the side of the doorframe, and Rachel stormed past him wordlessly. She then entered her room and slammed the door shut, the entire floor vibrating with its force. Ross slowly moved to the couch, his body quivering with pent up anger. He sunk down to the couch and let his head fall backwards limply. He didn't know how much longer he would be able to put up with Rachel's constant irritability. It was as if no matter what he did or said, he would upset her, almost as if she was deliberately finding reasons to become enraged by him. 

Was she cheating on him? That thought had entered his mind before Rachel said it, too, but he had never actually dwelled upon it. He figured, considering how angry she had become with him after becoming convinced that he had cheated on her, (although I did not, he argued in his mind) that she would never do that to someone else. Then again, since she thought he had cheated on her, maybe she justified her actions upon that.  Perhaps, she was fighting fire with fire. Ross felt a scouring pang of jealousy shoot through his body. He would find out who she was cheating on him with, if it was the last thing he ever did.

Before he could dwell upon his newfound revelation, he was brought back down to reality by a small voice calling him. He turned around and noticed Emma, just as she hopped upon his lap. She was wearing a pink Barbie doll nightgown, and was hugging a small, brown bear to her chest. Ross put his arms around Emma, and held her protectively. She knew that her parents had fought again, but she also knew better than to ask. After all, she would receive no true answer. Instead, she held onto her father and allowed his gentle humming to lure her back to sleep. He would protect her. He would make everything right again. They were both sure of it.

Phoebe watched Joey finish his breakfast, as she brought an occasional forkful of pancakes to her mouth, and forced herself to nibble at them slowly. She couldn't eat anymore. She couldn't eat anything anymore. What was the point of eating, anyway? It didn't seem logical to eat just to keep her alive in this pool of wretched misery she called life. Everyday, it became harder and harder to keep her head up. With every passing moment, it became more and more difficult to feign happiness. She was trapped in a corner she couldn't remember ever getting into in the first place.

She continued to watch as Joey shoved the last half of his fifth pancake into his mouth, and then threw his dishes into the sink. After that, he said goodbye, kissed her on the cheek, and left the apartment. Normally, Phoebe would ask why he had become so distant all the sudden. However, at that moment, she had little right or reason to care. If he was distant, than she was a million paces behind him.

Chucking her full plate into the sink, Phoebe headed towards the exit of the apartment, forcing herself to leave for work. However, she stopped in the middle of the room. What was the point of going to work, anyway? It was just one big commercial industry, feeding on worthless souls, like hers. Still, she used to love it. The peace she brought upon people with her magical hands made her feel useful; made her feel special. However, now, she just couldn't care anymore.

She threw down her purse and hopped onto the kitchen counter. After rummaging in a high cabinet for a few moments, she jumped down, bottle of alcohol in her hands. Then, she plopped down on the floor, right in the middle of the apartment, and took a swig of the drink. The familiar burning sensation passed through her throat and down to her stomach, and she felt the one thing that made her life bearable begin to kick in. The fire of passion she once carried in her eyes was finally extinguished.

Rachel paced the length of her living room a few times. What had she done? She was crazy. What would she do now? She couldn't believe what she about to do. She wanted to make herself stop – to grab a hold of her impulsive side and shake it out of her…yet, she couldn't. She had to do this. She would never forgive herself otherwise.

There was a soft knock on the door. Rachel stopped pacing and froze in her spot. It was time. She was going to do it. She had to do it. There was no time to think anymore, no time to worry about repercussions - just time to grab a hold of this opportunity. With a shaky hand, she gripped the cool, brass doorknob and turned it, swallowing that lump that formed in her throat.

"Hey, Rach," Joey began, as he walked inside "You said you needed me for someth -"

Rachel cut him off by kissing him hard on the lips. He fell backwards onto the closed door out of shock. After a moment, her lips left his and she stepped back and stared at him. Then, she looked away sharply upon noticing the reproachful look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Joey," she mumbled, "It's just…"

She stopped talking when she noticed him studying her intently. He seemed to be taking in every little detail about her, like a sponge on a droplet of water. She looked up at him with curious eyes.

Joey licked his dry lips and spoke in a nervous, raspy voice. "Just this once?"

"Yes," Rachel answered urgently.

"Okay," he replied, before grabbing her by the waist and kissing her deeply.

Dun dun duuuuuun. Sorry, don't mind me, I've been wanting to do that for a while now.;) Oh, and Yen, hem hem, I'm almost done the book!;) I'm gonna miss my summer of the Harry Potters. (read all 5 for the first time in the past 2 months) Haha, anyways, please leave me a review, thanks!