so opening my inbox was…interesting. *cough-peoplearewaytoointothisfanfic-cough* At least I know people are reading this lmao welcome to the pit of 'flames' linds…at least it was honest lol of course I knew I was going to get an reaction, and in a way I find it flattering that people are that into my writing! So…um…thanks! Keep it up! Haha (and yes of course I have a plan on how to end this)

On with the next chapter!

Second Chance

Chapter Nine – Manipulative Shrew

September 17th

Three weeks left. Those words clenched at Chandler's heart as though his insides were freezing. That first kiss with Cynthia a week ago had been one of the happiest moments of his life, and now it was all going to be taken away because of some stupid deal that couldn't be broken because of the 'rules.'

Since that revelation from Bob, Chandler had thought of many ways to break it to Cynthia that one morning he wouldn't be around. How could he though? It was going to break her heart…and his. The only way he could handle it was not getting too close to Cynthia when they were alone. If they took that final step in their new relationship, telling her was just going to be harder.

Then there was Monica. She seemed to be having a thrill that Chandler and Cynthia had yet to sleep together. It was though she was secretly challenging him to do it so that he could admit Cynthia wasn't as good in bed as she was. It was all turning into a competition with her.

And she was still trying to get him alone in the apartment to have another fling. That was beginning to annoy him. What had happened to the Monica he had known all his life? The old Monica would never try to steal him from Cynthia even if she was jealous.

Marrying Pete was at the bottom of this sudden personality change. She wasn't happy, so she was hell bent on taking it out on everyone else. Her tongue was sharper with her friends, she was sarcastic with Cynthia…and all because she knew she had lost Chandler.

Chandler wondered when she was going to appreciate that Pete even existed and when she was going to accept that he couldn't be there for her in that way anymore.

****

September 18th

The door of Chandler and Joey's apartment opened and shut hard. Chandler had to stifle a laugh. Cynthia was shivering by the door, her clothes and hair soaking wet, the big pile of folders in her arms damp and wrinkled. In her right hand, there looked like the remains of a torn umbrella and she looked like she was about to cry.

"Is it raining?" Chandler asked innocently, biting his lip to keep from laughing.

Cynthia glared at him and slammed down the folders on the foosball table. "It's not funny!" she exclaimed tearfully, "First the wind tore my umbrella to pieces, and then I dropped my folders into this puddle. Then this big truck swerved right into my path and sprayed up dirty rain water all up my clothes! I'm a mess, I'm miserable." She sighed, running a hand through her sodden hair. "Hug me," she begged him, holding out her arms.

Chandler let out a huge laugh, stood up and scooped her into his arms. "Eww," he wrinkled his nose, "I'm all wet now."

"Good," Cynthia mumbled, burying her head into his shoulder. She looked up into his eyes and kissed his gently, which he immediately returned. "This is what I need," she said, sighing contentedly.

"Hmm," Chandler mumbled, kissing her neck and beginning to roam his hands all over her body. Cynthia ran her hands through his hair and groaned with happiness.

Chandler froze. They were getting into it a little too much, and he was enjoying it. If they carried on for much longer, he wouldn't be able to stop. He couldn't let that happen.

The apartment door opened and Monica walked in. "Ohh," she said, "Did I interrupt anything?" she smiled at Cynthia in a way that showed she didn't really care either way.

Chandler pulled back from Cynthia and sighed. "No, no you didn't. What do you want?"

"Joey's in the coffee house all excited about his commercial," Monica said, smiling, "he said they've set a date on when it's going to air. October 12th."

A sad feeling washed over Chandler's body. He was going to miss Joey's brief, shining moment on the world's corniest commercial. That was another reason he didn't want to leave Earth, he was going to miss his roommate.

"Um…couldn't you have told us this later?" Cynthia asked, looking pointedly at Monica. Chandler glanced at Cynthia and understood that she knew Monica had interrupted them on purpose. Cynthia always arrived at Chandler's at this time of the day – straight after work.

"I thought you would like to know straight away," Monica said lightly, smiling widely at her.

Chandler darted dark looks at her. Stop it, he willed at her, go to Pete. Even go to Pete to tell him that you don't want to get married, just stop trying to ruin my time with Cynthia. Chandler didn't have to say anything; the expression on his face was enough to get Monica to smile tightly at the pair of them.

"Maybe I should go," she said sweetly, "have a nice time." She walked out of the apartment.

"She's not usually like that," Chandler said to Cynthia unhappily, "She has changed so much."

"Chandler, it's very obvious why she's behaving this way," Cynthia told him, stepping back from him slightly, "She wants you to herself…and she hates me for getting in the way of that." She looked down, "I don't want to compete. If you want to go out with Monica, I won't stand in your way." She added.

"Cynthia!" Chandler sighed and stroked her cheek, "I don't want to be with Monica. I want to be with you."

Cynthia smiled and leaned in to kiss him hungrily. "That's good to hear," she said softly, running her hands up his chest.

Chandler swallowed hard. He wanted this more than anything, but Bob flashed through his mind and he pulled away.

"Chandler…" Cynthia looked at him, confused.

"I've got a headache," Chandler lied, "I think I might take a walk."

"Oh, do you want me to come with you?" Cynthia took his hand and smiled.

"No, you take those wet clothes off and get in the bath," Chandler told her, steering her into the bathroom, "Maybe I'll join you later."

"Ok," Cynthia looked at him sadly and sighed, "Have a good walk."

Chandler nodded and walked out of the apartment. He stood out in the hallway and groaned softly. Cynthia was probably going to think he's isn't attracted to her, which isn't true at all. He stared at the door of Apartment 20 and frowned. Monica was causing one hell of a problem. He opened it and walked in. Monica was sitting at the kitchen table, looking through a magazine. She looked up and saw him.

"Chandler," she whispered, smiling genially at him. She walked over closer to him, "You came to see me. I knew you couldn't keep away for long." She smiled seductively at him.

Chandler stepped back from her and shook his head. "Monica, stop it," he said firmly, "What has got into you?"

"Nothing for a while," Monica said, smiling widely.

Chandler shook his head and grimaced. "Look, just because Pete isn't satisfying your needs, it doesn't mean you can turn to me."

"Oh Chandler," Monica said passionately, "if you didn't want me, why have you come over instead of spending the evening with Cynthia?" she stroked his cheek and ran her other hand up his thigh.

Chandler groaned. Even now, Monica could still have ways to attack his weaknesses. He shook his head and pulled back. "No, I came here to tell you to stop being awful to Cynthia," he said sternly, "Cut it out, she hasn't done a thing to you."

"Yes she has," Monica whispered, "she took you away from me."

Chandler sighed, "Cynthia didn't steal me from you…you pushed me away, how many times have I got to tell you?"

"I understand," Monica stepped back from him, her lip trembling.

"Don't start the tears," Chandler begged, and he frowned "don't make me stay to make you happy again. I can't do that."

The tears spilled down Monica's cheek. "Go if you want to." She mumbled.

"Oh for gods sake," Chandler sighed, pulling a tissue from out of his pocket. He passed it to her and she dabbed her cheek with it.

"Stay," she begged.

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"Just stay to talk to me!" she exclaimed. She looked at him with pleading eyes. "I won't do anything. I just want to talk to someone."

"Talk to Rachel," Chandler told her meekly, beginning to weaken.

"Please Chandler, stay."

Chandler looked at his watch. "Ok, but only for a while." He warned, "and it's just to talk."

Monica smiled with relief and sat down at the table. Chandler joined her. "Why are you acting like this?" he asked.

"I feel so lonely Chandler," Monica said quietly, "Pete is never around. We're supposed to be engaged but he's always working. Even at night."

"Break up with him! Why won't you listen to me?"

"I can't," Monica said fiercely, "It's too late."

Chandler groaned and let his forehead rest on the table. He looked back up at her and shook his head. "Monica, this is the rest of your life we're talking about. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life unhappily married?"

"It's better than not being married at all," Monica said, shrugging. "…and Pete is good to me most of the time."

"Oh my god, you're probably acting like how Rachel did when she was engaged to Barry!" Chandler exclaimed, "And at least she had the sense to not go through with it."

"Do not compare me with Rachel," Monica said firmly.

"Monica, go to the mirror and look at yourself," Chandler said, anger building up inside him, "You're a mess. This isn't the Monica I knew and fell in love with at one time. You've turned into the equivalent of a manipulative shrew."

"What? That's an awful thing to say! You don't mean that…you don't mean that." Monica scooted nearer to him and stroked his hair. "You don't mean that, take it back."

Chandler pulled away and stood up. "I do mean it. You've changed."

"So what if I have?" Monica demanded, also standing up, "Oh look at me, it's perfect, reliable Monica Geller! She never takes risks! She gets the blame for ruining the thanksgiving dinner when the apartment door key is forgotten! Monica Geller, who gets yelled at for even considering dating Chip Matthews a few months ago! Good old dependable Monica who is always there for her friends when they're moaning about their lives! Well, I've got needs too! I want to be noticed for a change!" she burst into tears.

"Is this what it's been all about?" Chandler whispered, shocked at the outburst, "You think you're being taken for granted?"

"Yes," Monica said tearfully, looking at him miserably.

"Monica, when have I ever taken you for granted?" Chandler asked softly, "I would never do that."

"Look it isn't just you, it's everyone. Look at the guys I've dated! Jason Hurley, who slept with Phoebe just hours after breaking up with me…, Paul the wine guy… look what happened with him. Even Pete only wants me around when's he's not busy! Well, I'm sick of it! Sick sick sick!"

"Ok, ok," Chandler sighed and pulled her into a hug, letting her cry into his arms. "Geez, I had no idea. No idea at all you felt like this. Go on, let it all out."

"Chandler, I am so sorry I messed you about and played around with your head, and for not being nice to Cynthia. I've been such a bitch." Monica mumbled into his shoulder, "I'll try harder from now on. I promise."

Chandler pulled back and smiled. "It's ok. I totally understand now, but it's not me you should be apologising too." He said meaningfully.

Monica nodded at him. "I'll talk to Cynthia tomorrow morning," she promised.

"Good…does this mean I have the old Monica back?" Chandler asked hopefully.

Monica gave him a little grin and wiped her eyes. "Yes, maybe." She told him.

"Ok, and please talk to Pete about how you're feeling. I'm not saying you should stop the wedding, but maybe he'll pay more attention to you…and maybe you'll appreciate him a little more."

"I'll try."

"Great," Chandler grinned at her, and stepped back to the apartment door. "Now, I've got to get back to a very impatient woman covered in bubbles."

"Ok, I won't keep you," Monica said, laughing.

Chandler smiled and walked out. What a night. The emotions that could run through someone's head like that were just unbelievable. And it was also obvious that he couldn't keep his own emotions bottled up either.

Chandler may only have three more weeks, but he was going to make the most of it in the best way possible. He walked into his apartment and made his way into the bathroom, where he saw Cynthia lying sleepily in a mass of bubbles in the bath.

"Hey," he said softly.

Cynthia looked at him and smiled. "Hey to you too!" she greeted.

"God I have been such an idiot lately," he told her, sighing. "You probably thought I didn't want you and didn't love you anymore or something, but it's not true, I just have a lot of crappy issues. I am so sorry…"

"Shut up and get in the bath." Cynthia interrupted, grinning at him.

"Excuse me?"

"Get in the bath," Cynthia repeated. She reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him nearer.

Chandler smiled softly, took off his shoes and socks and climbed in, fully dressed. He leaned in and kissed her, softly at first, then passionately.

"I have waited for so long," Cynthia muttered at him, undoing his soaking shirt.

"You won't have to wait any longer," Chandler told her, smiling and pulling her to him, kissing her again.

****

"Are you sure you can't change the deal?" Ernie asked, smiling wryly.

Bob glanced at him and shook his head. "I'm still holding out for Monica," he told him.

"You're making a mistake…"

Bob sighed. "Look, we saw that conversation Monica and Chandler had, didn't you see anything there?"

"No, I saw two estranged friends finally understanding each other."

"Ok, but what if Monica did tell him she loved him and is willing to call off the wedding?" Bob pointed out, "don't you think Chandler would want to choose her over Cynthia?"

"In my experience, love conquers all so…" Ernie shrugged and gestured to Chandler and Cynthia.

"Then we shall see what Chandler decides," Bob said, "But I'm not changing the deal. It's really against the rules."

"Do you really want a 27 year old man up here in heaven just for the sake of some rules?" Ernie asked.

End of Chapter Nine

:yeah I loved that 'love conquers all' quote lol please review!: