AN: So, I got this e-mail this morning from someone who asked me why all of my fics are so dark, when Friends is supposed to be a comedy. (They also said one of my plots wasn't plausible but whatever, lets not focus on that, as none of my stories are, really, lol) So here's my answer: Because I'm the writer, that's why!
Actually, I don't write comedy because comedy is hard to write. While most of my friends consider me to be "annoyingly funny" (in a Chandler kind of way), writing that type of humor is difficult, and so I leave it to the professional show writers to handle. I, meanwhile, will continue to torture Chandler and Co. as I see fit, because it's easier, and I am lazy.
Sorry for the long AN…on with the story.
Kissing a Fool
Four: Stand By Your Man1996
Maggie really did it up…she made everything beautiful.
"I hate this movie," Monica sniffled, and blew her nose into a crumpled white tissue.
"Then why are you watching it?" Rachel sighed from her spot at the kitchen table.
"Because…it's so beautiful! I mean look at them! They don't even know each other, and they are so in love! Well, he doesn't know she exists yet, but when he finds out…he'll forget all about his dead wife and love her!"
"I think you've seen this movie too many times…and I think you're reading too much into it, too," Rachel replied dryly.
"I wish I could be in love in a movie," Monica whispered, Rachel's comment intentionally ignored.
Rachel opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," she said instead, as Monica turned back to the television.
She swung open the door to reveal a slim, nervous-looking brunette who looked vaguely familiar, and for a split-second, Rachel was sure that she had gone to high school with the mystery woman. She shook off the notion, and smiled casually.
"Can I help you?"
"Um, I…your neighbor let me in…he was…going out and I…I hope I'm not intruding, but I was looking for Monica Geller?"
"Oh, um, okay…Come on in," Rachel furrowed her brow, and allowed the trembling woman to walk through the door.
"Mon, someone's here to see you," she called, never taking her eyes off of the peculiar woman.
Monica turned her head, and immediately her eyes flashed in recognition.
What was Kathy Scott doing in her apartment?
She stood up slowly, and smiled coolly, as she walked into the kitchen.
Kathy stood in the entry way stiffly, her eyes following Monica as she made her way into the kitchen. Monica was gorgeous; Kathy could see why Chandler was attracted to her. She swallowed down the thick lump that had formed in her throat, and smiled as warmly as she could.
"Monica, I'm Kathy Scott, I'm a…a friend of Chandler's," Kathy extended her hand, and Monica shook it limply.
"You were on the show with Chandler," Monica said slowly, her eyes narrowing somewhat.
"Yes…um…" Kathy pulled at her sweater sleeve, and felt her knees weaken slightly, as the courage she had mustered earlier seemed to drain from her, "Do you mind if I sit down?" she whispered.
Monica shook her head, and she and Rachel sat at the table with her. The three women were silent for a heavy moment, before Kathy finally took a deep breath and looked up at Monica.
"Chandler is still…upset, and he doesn't know that I'm here, but I—I think we need to talk," Kathy twisted her hands nervously looked down at the table, and bit her bottom lip.
"He hates me, doesn't he?" Monica whispered sadly, causing Kathy to look up at her again.
"No…he hates what you did but…he loves you, Monica. He loves you more than he's ever loved anyone, and he's totally miserable, and I just…I just can't watch him be miserable anymore. He's…he deserves better than that."
Monica nodded slowly, a realization dawning on her. She looked up at Kathy, and frowned slightly.
"You love him, don't you?"
Kathy felt her heartbeat quicken, and she unconsciously dug her nails into her hands. She took a shaky breath, and felt tears welling up in her eyes. She had to tell them the truth now—because it was written on her face.
"Of course I do," Kathy sputtered, the tears falling freely, "but he loves you, and all I want is for him to be happy."
"He won't talk to me," Monica whispered, as Rachel walked into the bathroom to retrieve a box of tissues.
"He will…he wants to. He'll be home later tonight…you should go to him."
"I…I don't really understand why you're helping me," Monica said after a short pause, "I mean, if you love him—"
"He doesn't love me," Kathy said with heartbreaking honesty, "And that's just…the way it is. That's the way it's always been."
1986
Kathy slumped into the corner of the room, and crossed her arms angrily. Chandler, who she had assumed she was dating, was across the room, making out with some actress who worked in the studio next to theirs.
Well, she thought, that's what you get for assuming, dumbass.
Kathy rolled her eyes, and stormed out of the club, and into the cold LA night. She stomped her way down the street, catching her heel on the curb as she stepped off of it. She went careening to the ground, arms and legs flailing, and landed unceremoniously on her backside, arms akimbo, and her brand-new designer dress hiked up to her waist.
It took her a moment to notice the flashbulbs, and suddenly, everything was happening in slow motion. She struggled to stand up, but her ankle was throbbing, so, instead of making a (relatively) graceful retreat, she was forced to hobble toward her car, her tears flowing freely as she clambered behind the wheel.
An hour later, she was laying in bed, replaying the painful evening in torturous detail. At that moment, she wasn't sure what hurt more, her ankle or her heart.
*
Chandler shuffled into the studio, his head pounding, and sighed heavily when he noted that the table reading had already begun. Running a hand through his matted hair, he shook his head, and strode to the table, and set his jaw defiantly. He wordlessly plopped into the only open chair at the table, and picked up his unmarked script.
"Chandler, thank you for gracing us with your presence," David said flatly, his eyes never leaving the script.
Chandler shrugged, and looked over at Kathy, the only person he felt he could trust on the set. She looked up at him, and he winked at her, only to receive a death stare and an insolent hair flip in return. Furrowing his brow, Chandler made a note to corner Kathy later that day.
"Chandler, if you are actually here to work, we're on page 97," David sighed.
Chandler turned his head and glared at David, before flipping through his script reluctantly.
Why did he get the feeling everyone, including Kathy, was out to get him today?
"Kathy, wait," Chandler called, as Kathy limped toward her dressing room two hours later. She sighed heavily, and spun around on her good heel.
"What?" she said coldly, her eyes narrowing.
"Can I copy your script notes? Hey, what happened to your ankle?"
"Why do you care?" Kathy crossed her arms, and willed herself not to cry.
"I—"
"Look, steal your notes off of someone else…I don't really feel like being around you right now."
"Kathy, what's going on? Are you mad at me?"
"Oh, why would I ever be mad at you?" Kathy snarled in a saccharine tone.
"What did I do? I…I tried to find you last night, but you—you disappeared!"
"Yeah, right," Kathy scoffed, then walked into her dressing room, and tried to close the door on Chandler. He stopped the door with his foot, and pushed the door open.
"Kathy, what is your deal?"
"Look, why don't you go get notes off of your new girlfriend Aurora," Kathy yelled, as Chandler pushed his way into the dressing room.
"Is that what this is? Aurora and me? Jesus, Kathy," Chandler shook his head, and let out a loud chuckle.
"You weren't even gonna break up with me? You were just gonna go off with that…whore, and not even say anything?" Kathy felt tears lining her eyes, and she wiped at them irritably.
"Oh, come on! I thought we were just…you know, screwing around? I never said you were my girlfriend, ya know!"
"No, you're right, you didn't," Kathy cried, her voice and body trembling, "but I…I don't want t-to screw around with you anymore, so just…just lea-eave me a-alone!"
"Aw, Kathy, come on, don't be like this! I—"
"Mr. Bing," a young woman poked her head into the room and looked at Kathy sympathetically, "Aurora Jones is here to see you…she said you were taking her to lunch?"
Chandler glared at the intern, then looked back over at Kathy, who was staring at the floor.
"Tell her I'll be right there," Chandler said to the intern, without taking his eyes off of Kathy.
"Kath—"
"Just go, Chandler. If that's what you want, just go," Kathy's voice was small and quiet, and Chandler had to strain to hear her.
"I—I'll talk to ya soon, okay?"
Kathy shrugged, and Chandler turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Kathy took a sharp breath, sank into her chair, and sobbed.
1996
Chandler paced the living room floor like a caged animal, his anxiety overwhelming him. He started gnawing on his fingernails, and told himself that he didn't need a drink.
He just needed to talk to her.
The front door opened, and Chandler looked up nervously, his hands instinctively finding their way into his pockets. He let out a nervous breath, and straightened his shoulders.
"Chandler, what are you doing here?"
"We-we need to talk," Chandler rasped, and swallowed hard.
"I-I thought you were going home tonight…I mean, I told—"
"Kathy, I—I heard what you said to me this morning."
Kathy started, and made a conscious effort to close her hanging jaw.
"What are you talking about?"
"The thing is, Kath, I've been thinking about it, and—and I love you too. I always have. You are the only person I can trust, ya know? And when I think about you and me…it just…it just makes sense. We make sense."
"Chandler—"
"I know you love me too, and I know we can make this work. It won't be like last time!" Chandler crossed the room and pulled Kathy toward him, before wrapping both arms around her lovingly.
Kathy bit her lip, and slowly, reluctantly pulled away. She averted her eyes away from Chandler's crestfallen expression, and took a step back.
"Chandler, you don't want me, you want Monica."
"No, I don't—"
"Yes, you do," Kathy placed her fingers over Chandler's protesting lips, and shook her head, "You love her, and she loves you, and she is totally miserable, just like you are. She made a mistake, Chandler, but all of us make mistakes. Lord knows we've both made enough to last a lifetime," Kathy laughed sadly, and Chandler smiled.
"I love you, so much, but I've been thinking too, and I just…I don't think that this is a good idea. I'm part of your past, Chandler, a past you are still struggling to overcome. I will always be your friend, but…Monica is your future. Maybe she did watch you when she was a kid, so what? She loves the man she knows, not the boy she thought she knew. She'll make you happy, Chandler. And all I will do is remind you of what once was, and we'll both be miserable.
"I saw her today. I told her you would be home later tonight. I told her to go see you, and to make it all better. I…I think you should go to her, Chandler. I think you need to go," Kathy wiped the tears from her face, and let out a short sob when Chandler gathered her in his arms, and hugged her fiercely.
"I don't deserve you," he whispered distantly.
"No, you really don't," she said into his chest, and laughed. She pulled back, and he kissed her tenderly, before picking up his coat, and walking to the door. He turned back and looked at her face, his heart breaking.
"I do love you, Kathy," he whispered. She smiled faintly, and watched, as he turned and walked out the door.
"I know," she whispered to an empty room.