Just finished reading The Lovely Bones, gosh I've never known a book to be so heart-wrenching! I thought Red Leaves would only have that affect on me! It's going to take a few hours to get over that story. Wow. Thank you for lovely reviews! And that includes for 'lovestruck' – though I choose to ignore one of them for that fanfic because it is just plain rude, insulting and should be reported. Anyway, forget about that saddo, please keep reviewing!
Second Chance
Chapter 6 – Finding Solace
September 6th
A week had passed since the conversation between Chandler and Monica and nothing had changed. To Chandler's constant frustration, Monica was still in denial about the true meaning of their 'relationship'. The wedding was still very much on.
Even though his heart told him differently, in the end Chandler concluded that Monica had been using him…that their liaison had been nothing but a 'fling' to her to take her mind off the pressures of her up-coming nuptials. It still didn't change his feelings though, he was still hopelessly in love with her.
And the clock was still ticking. The days were running out.
Once again, Chandler found solace in drinking. He went back to the bars and, by coincidence, met the last stripper he had slept with a month previously.
"Hi Chandler," the pretty blonde smiled shyly at him at the bar.
Chandler furrowed his brow. He couldn't quite place this woman who was smiling at him in a way he hadn't seen in a while. Monica didn't count…she didn't let herself look at him like that.
He smiled back, desperately trying to remember the woman's name. God, was this the life Joey really lead? He felt disgusted with himself.
"So…how've you been?" the blonde ventured.
Chandler swallowed hard. "I've been fine," he lied, "You?"
The blonde shrugged and grinned, "Ok," she replied.
Chandler ran a hand through his hair, realising he was still sober enough to be nervous around a pretty woman.
"I've got a confession to make," the blonde finally said, breaking the awkward silence.
Chandler blinked. "You're not pregnant are you?!" he blurted out, widening his eyes in a panic.
It was the blonde's turn to blink. Her lips twitched for a second and then she burst out laughing. "God no!" she gasped out. She smiled. "I was actually going to say I'm not really a stripper, but your way sounds so much more interesting."
Chandler blushed. "Sorry, I'm not really in control of my mouth." He mumbled.
The blonde giggled. "Don't worry, I completely understand," she assured him, "after all, the last time you saw me, I was wearing a lot less clothes and you were suffering from a severe hangover."
"I wasn't that bad!" Chandler said indignantly.
"Don't worry, I'd had a few myself," the blonde confessed, "It's just…I've never really done that before…going home with someone I don't know. My friends the next morning were like, 'Cynthia what the hell were you doing?!' "
Chandler laughed at the story and felt relief flowing through his body. At least he knew her name now. He studied Cynthia for a second. This woman was beautiful…objectively beautiful. He didn't need half a bottle of vodka to tell him that. And she was funny. Chandler felt the need to get to know this girl.
"So, if you're not a stripper, what do you do?" Chandler asked cheekily, as they made their way to a table at the corner of the bar.
"Systems Analyst," Cynthia confessed, smiling sheepishly, "Not the kind of career you tell a guy in a bar. Although if I had been sober, I don't think I would have been telling you I was a stripper either."
Chandler laughed, "Before I quit, I used to be a data processor," he told her.
"So, you lied about your career too huh?" Cynthia asked, smiling wryly.
"Oh come on, do I really look like a fireman to you?" Chandler asked, standing up to show off his body.
Cynthia studied him critically. "Maybe not," she said, smiling.
"Hey, that hurt," Chandler said good-naturedly, sitting back down.
"It doesn't mean that you don't have a good body," Cynthia said hurriedly, "I mean, if I recall correctly, your legs were really something."
"I've been told I have the legs of a dancer," Chandler joked.
Chandler and Cynthia looked at each other silently for a second before bursting out laughing.
****
Chandler returned from his night at the bar, a happy glow filling his broken heart. The chat with Cynthia had been good for him. Looking back, Chandler couldn't believe he had managed to get through a whole night chatting to a beautiful woman without making a complete fool of himself.
As Chandler arrived outside his door, he slapped his hand to his forehead. "I didn't even give her my number," he moaned.
Then he remembered Bob, the deal he made and the fact he was technically dead.
That brief shining moment in the bar evaporated, and looking at the closed door of Apartment 20, he was painfully reminded of Monica and her big, fat wedding.
He walked into his own apartment and, seeing the scene before him, immediately shielded his eyes with his hand.
"Joey!" he freaked, turning his head away, "What are you doing?"
Apart from wearing a pair of boxers, Joey was naked. His right leg was stretched up on the foosball table, revealing an area that Chandler didn't really wish to see. In Joey's hands were a razor and a bottle of leg wax.
"Er hey, Chandler," Joey greeted, smiling uncomfortably, "Back so soon?"
Chandler checked his watch. "Yes, coming back at 1am is early for me," he deadpanned, still averting his eyes from the position Joey was in. "You still haven't answered my question," he added pointedly.
"I got the 'antiseptic cream' commercial," Joey explained, lowering his leg from the table, "You can look at me now."
Chandler turned his head to face Joey and shook his head. "Still more there than I wanted to see," he said, grimacing, "but no matter. What was that about the commercial?"
"I got the job," Joey explained, "but the director said my legs were too hairy…I'm gonna be appearing in this commercial practically naked."
"So, you're waxing your legs." Chandler said dryly, "at 1am."
"Well, it's embarrassing!" Joey protested, "This is a private thing. I figured you'd be out all night."
"You call waxing your legs in the living room, against the foosball table, private?" Chandler asked incredulously.
Joey smiled sheepishly, "Not a lot of space in the bedroom."
"And what about that magical place called the bathroom?" Chandler demanded.
"The duck is in there."
Chandler rolled his eyes and walked to his bedroom. "Night Joey, happy waxing."
****
September 7th
"You're getting paid $50,000 for a commercial?" Ross asked in amazement.
Joey nodded proudly, "Yes."
"but…but that's insane," Ross breathed, "It's going to be probably like, what…20 seconds long?"
"Yeah, they're going to have me applying antiseptic cream to my legs in this 'bathroom'." Joey said, "And I get one line."
"What's the line?"
" 'Lycox's Antiseptic Cream is that good, I might crash my bike all over again.'" Joey quoted proudly.
Chandler and Ross exchanged amused glances, and a muffled laugh could clearly be heard from Gunther behind the coffee house counter.
"Joey, sweetie," Rachel said from her position on the couch, "Are you really going to say that on national TV?"
"Why not?" Joey demanded, "It's better than the milk carton opener commercial the year before!"
"Yes because nothing can top that." Chandler commented, smiling.
"I agree," a familiar voice said behind him. Chandler turned around and smiled at the source. It was Cynthia.
"Hey Cynthia!" he greeted enthusiastically, giving her a big hug. He introduced her to Ross, Joey and Rachel who all smiled politely at the new face.
As Chandler gave Cynthia his seat, he caught Joey's eye who was staring at him open mouthed. Chandler ignored him, not wanting any hints about Monica.
"So…um…where did you guys meet?" Rachel asked, smiling at Cynthia. She cocked an eyebrow at Chandler, "You're a big secret keeper," she commented.
"I'll say," Ross said, staring at Cynthia in awe. Rachel scowled at him.
"We met…" Cynthia paused and glanced at Chandler.
"Last night!" Chandler finished, smiling knowingly at Cynthia. Cynthia grinned.
"And we're not dating," Chandler added hurriedly, for the benefit of Joey's suspicious glances.
"You're not?" Ross squeaked, his eyes never leaving Cynthia.
"Is there something wrong with your voice Ross?" Rachel asked bitter sweetly. Ross glared at her.
"So if you're not dating…" Joey let the question hang in the air, staring at Chandler in confusion.
"We're friends," Chandler told him, rolling his eyes. Seeing his friend's expression, he shook his head. "Yes, a man and a woman who meet in a bar can just become friends."
"Not in my experience." Joey commented airily. He winked at Cynthia, "How you doin'?"
Cynthia threw back her head and laughed. "That's got to be the worst line ever!" she told him.
Joey blanched. He got up from his seat. "I'm just going to get some coffee." He managed to gasp out, walking up to the counter.
Chandler glanced at Cynthia in amusement. "You shouldn't have said that." He told her.
"Oh, was he being serious then?" Cynthia asked, wide eyed and grinning.
"Oh yeah, he was totally coming on to you then." Ross answered, smiling wryly.
"Beware of the spectre of Joey," Chandler advised, "If he starts talking about giving you a coupon, run."
"I don't even want to contemplate what the coupon is," Cynthia said, laughing.
"Wise woman," Chandler told her, grinning. Joey came back to the table and rolled his eyes at him.
The door to the coffee house opened and in walked Monica. "Hi guys…" she stopped and stared at the new arrival. "Hi, and who's this?" she asked, grinning. "Joey's latest conquest?"
Cynthia, Ross and Rachel laughed loudly. Joey scowled and Chandler swallowed nervously. Monica stared around at them all, not getting the inside joke.
"No, no, this is Cynthia, a friend of Chandler's." Rachel corrected her, calming down. "Cynthia, this is Monica."
"A friend of Chandler's?" Monica asked slowly, glancing at Chandler. Chandler smiled at her uncomfortably. She gave a forced smile to Cynthia. "Nice to meet you." She said.
"Chandler and I only just met recently," Cynthia said cheerfully, smiling at Monica.
"Really?" Monica asked, a little too sweetly for Chandler's liking. He glanced at Joey, who rolled his eyes at him as if to say here we go.
Cynthia obviously didn't get the sarcasm behind Monica's voice and carried on. "Yeah, then we just saw each other again by chance a few minutes ago. It's really funny, I mean we had only seen each other last night…"
"Hey…um…not meaning to sound rude or anything, but that's my usual seat." Monica told her, pointing to the area in which Cynthia was sitting at.
"Oh…I'm sorry." Cynthia mumbled.
"I think somebody is jealous," Rachel mumbled under her breath, Chandler being the only one who heard her.
Monica sat down in Cynthia's seat.
Cynthia smiled lightly at Chandler. "Listen, um…I'd better get going," she told him.
"Ok," Chandler told her, avoiding Monica's eyes staring at him. "I'll call you later."
"I'm in the book," Cynthia told him, "Cynthia Stevenson." She left quickly.
"She seems nice Chandler," Rachel told him in a teasing tone, "Are you going to see her again?"
Chandler grinned bashfully. "Rach, must you see everything as lust?" he joked. His eyes flickered over at Monica again who was methodically ripping up sachets of sweet 'n' lo's into her coffee.
*rip*
"When it's a woman as hot as Cynthia…yes," Ross told him, wide eyed.
*rip*
"Hey guys!" Phoebe called, walking into the coffee house. "Who's that woman I saw leaving just then?"
"Cynthia," Joey explained, "The hot 'friend' of Chandler's."
*rip*
"Mon? Don't you think you have enough sugar in that mug?" Ross asked, eyebrows rising.
"What do you think of Cynthia Monica?" Joey asked pointedly, frowning at her.
*rip* "I thought she was a little…sparky," Monica replied. Chandler could almost hear the teeth gritting with each word she spoke. He couldn't see what right she had to be uncomfortable. It was her own fault for saying 'yes' to Pete's proposal and going through with this sham of a wedding. It wasn't Cynthia's fault that Monica didn't love Pete and couldn't admit to Chandler about her feelings…if she had any. After the way she had treated him, what right did she have to criticise a new friend of his?
"Sparky?" Chandler asked now, frowning mildly at Monica.
"Well yeah…she just seems so…"
"Seems so…what?" Chandler asked, tension rising.
"She doesn't seem to be your type." Monica said stiffly.
"Oh I see," Chandler laughed a little, "You think she's dumb, don't you?"
"Well, she did seem a little…bubbly." Monica snickered.
"Well I guess that honours degree in Computer Science was a little wasted then." Chandler said grimly.
The smile faded from Monica's face.
"I didn't think she was bubbly," Rachel said, staring at Monica in surprise. "Just…friendly and…and funny."
"Oh what do you know Rachel?" Monica snapped, grabbing another sweet 'n' lo."
"Ok," Rachel said, wide eyed.
Monica's cell phone rang and she grabbed it out of her bag. She glanced at the caller ID and lifted it to her ear. "Hello Pete." She said over cheerfully, "Uh-huh…yeah…oh that's so sweet...oh I love you!"
Chandler scowled, knowing that all the lovey-doveyness was just for his benefit. Well, he wasn't going to put up with Monica's games any longer.
****
A few nights later…
"Chandler, Chandler, Chandler." Bob said, shaking his head.
Chandler glared at his assessor and folded his arms sullenly. "It's not my fault this time." He mumbled.
"No," Bob conceded, "Monica is acting like a jealous biii…I can't say the word. It's against my oath of conduct, but you know what I mean." He smiled wryly.
"You guys have an oath?" Chandler asked incredulously.
"Oh yeah," Bob said, "No swearing at all. It's tempting though, especially when I deal with cases like you." He rolled his eyes.
"I thought we agreed this wasn't my fault?"
"Yes we did agree that, but come on, see it from the biii…sorry Monica's point of view for a second, how did you expect her to react to Cynthia? Only a week previously you were declaring your love for her and now all of a sudden you're flaunting this beautiful woman in front of her eyes!"
"I was not flaunting!" Chandler said indignantly, "I didn't know Cynthia was going to be in the coffee house and I was only introducing her around to my friends. It wasn't like I had her pinned down on the couch making love to her…though that wouldn't be bad." He grinned, but then he caught the look on Bob's face and hastily added, "Not that I would want to of course."
"Hmm…really," Bob said, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, I think it's time for some damage control with Monica, don't you?"
"Look I'm not going to stop hanging out with Cynthia just because Monica doesn't like her," Chandler said firmly. "She's becoming a good friend."
"I never told you to do that," Bob said, exasperated, "You just need to tell Monica that's all that Cynthia means to you…a good friend. At the moment, Monica's thinking the worst…that you're dating Cynthia."
"That's ridiculous," Chandler snorted, "We've only talked on the phone a few times."
"Yes…interesting chats you two have, don't you?" Bob commented, smiling wryly.
"What do you mean?"
"The records show today that you two were talking on the phone for nearly an hour this morning." Bob told him, tapping some files on his transparent desk.
Chandler's cheeks flushed. "We were only talking about a movie we both saw on the TV last night." He mumbled.
"And yesterday you two were talking for half an hour over your favourite books…" Bob glanced at Chandler knowingly.
"So? Is talking about books erotic now?" Chandler asked, smiling.
"You have a connection with this Cynthia though, don't you?" Bob asked gently.
Chandler shrugged, "We have a few things in common…yes."
"Hmm…ok." Bob studied Chandler's face for a second. "Ok, that'll be all for tonight Chandler. Off you go."
After Chandler disappeared for Earth, Bob lifted a transparent phone off its hook and spoke into it. "I think we have a problem, assessors…" he said, sighing wearily.
End of Chapter Six
:hoho another twist for you people! I'll get the next chapter done as soon as you review!: