:I watched The Sixth Sense on Sunday night. It is a really good film and I recommend it to anyone. It gave me the creeps a few times though…*shudder*.
Here is part nine. Enjoy and please review!:
TOW The Reunion
PART NINE
Ross had to blink twice to believe it. In another cab going in the opposite direction was Julie. He frantically waved and banged on the window to get her attention, but she was long gone. "Stop the car!" Ross yelled at his driver. The driver put the brakes on and the car skidded to a halt. Noises from the horns of other cars behind could be heard as Ross leaped out of the cab and ran to catch up with Julie.
"Hey!" his driver yelled out of the window, "You owe me money!"
Ross ignored the driver's shouts and carried on running.
****
Monica and Chandler sat up from the table and rearranged their clothing. "Never done that before!" Chandler commented, pulling his shirt back on. He turned to look at Monica who was smiling at him lovingly. He leaned in to kiss her and they ran their fingers through each other's hair. They broke apart and looked in each other's eyes.
Monica stroked Chandler's cheek and, tearing her eyes away, stood up and picked up the food from the floor. She felt Chandler's arms wrap around her body. "We can't right now." Monica muttered at him as she felt his hands stroke her back. "Wow, you're good at that." She murmured, turning around to face him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"You look wonderful tonight!" Chandler sang softly. He leaned his forehead against hers as they started to dance slowly.
"Now where have I heard that before?" Monica whispered.
~~~~~Flashback College Prom~~~~~
"I'm planning on getting very drunk tonight!" Kip announced as the band started to play music.
"You're always getting drunk!" Chandler scoffed, grinning at him.
"Oh you know me so well…" Kip murmured. He pointed over to the dance floor where Rachel and Ross were dancing up a storm to a fast song. "They've started partying before me!" he exclaimed in mock dismay.
"You'd better get over there quick!" Chandler commented, "You can't let a guy who is taking palaeontology as a dare outperform you!"
Kip laughed, "I can't believe he took that dare of mine seriously!" he shouted. He ran over to the dance floor to join Ross and Rachel.
Chandler chuckled as he watched Kip break dance, catching the attention of everyone in the room.
"He'll do anything for attention," he heard a familiar voice behind him. Chandler turned around and saw Monica gesturing at Kip. They looked at each and giggled.
"I wondered where you gone," Chandler told her. They walked arm-in-arm around the dance floor, watching everyone partying the night away.
"There's the happy couple!" Kip yelled across the room pointing towards Chandler and Monica.
Chandler glanced at Monica and rolled his eyes. They both started to giggle. "Let's really give him something to shout about," Chandler whispered to Monica. He leaned in to her and gave her a quick, friendly kiss on the lips.
"I knew it!" Kip shouted delightedly.
"That's my line Kip!" Chandler shouted back, winking at Monica.
The fast music abruptly changed to a slow melody. Everyone smiled as they recognised the tune to You Look Wonderful Tonight. An idea thought of by Kip, each time the song was played at the college parties the guys must grab a girl and dance to it. The last guy to find a partner gets thrown in the swimming pool outside. A mass frenzy immediately started as the men grabbed a girl. Chandler felt Monica grab his arm and he glanced at her, smiling. The two always danced to the song together, and it was something that Kip hoped for when he thought of the idea.
"You look wonderful tonight." Kip sang as he danced with Rachel.
"You look wonderful tonight." Chandler hummed as he wrapped his arms around Monica and moved to the music. He smiled at Monica.
"I love this song." Monica whispered, smiling gently at him. She hesitated for a second before leaning in to kiss him. She pulled back and blushed at Chandler who was staring at her in shock. His disbelief turned into a smile and he leaned in to kiss her back… only to be interrupted by a loud laugh coming from Kip's direction.
"Well, well." Kip commented, pointing across the room at something. "Guess who hasn't got a partner!" Everyone glanced in the direction of his outstretched hand and saw Ross trying to sneak out of the room.
"It's pool time!" Kip yelled. He and a group of guys ran over to Ross and grabbed his legs and arms. They carried him outside, and the whole crowd from the party followed.
"Poor Ross," Monica giggled, as she watched her brother get thrown in the water.
"I'm going to get you Kip!" Ross yelled, spluttering. He pulled himself out of the pool and started to chase Kip across the grass.
"If you want to get me, you've got to catch me!" Kip called, sprinting in the direction of the campus bedrooms.
The crowd laughed as Kip outran a wheezing Ross easily.
Chandler glanced at Monica, who was avoiding his eyes. "Hey Mon, it was just a kiss." He told her, "It doesn't have to mean anything if you don't want it to."
"Yes." Monica whispered. She looked into his eyes briefly before starting to walk to the campus.
"Hey Mon!" Chandler called. She turned around and he grinned at her. "You look wonderful tonight!" he sang loudly.
Monica laughed and waved, "Good night Chandler!" she called. She walked away.
"Night," Chandler said softly.
"Oh you look wonderful tonight!" Kip mocked, standing beside him and shaking his head. "Will the two of you just get it over with and stop messing around!" he added, grinning.
Chandler blushed and hit Kip lightly on the shoulder. "Shut up." He said.
They walked back to the campus. "You look wonderful tonight!" Kip sang.
"I'm getting worried about you more and more Kip," Chandler commented, shaking his head, "Are you sure you're straight?"
"Oh yes." Kip replied. "I met a girl in Science yesterday…"
~~~~~~~Present~~~~~
"Yeah I think we got it over with." Chandler chuckled. He stroked Monica's hair.
Chandler and Monica broke apart just in time before Phoebe walked in. "Hey," she said. She walked over to the couch and flopped down on it.
"Hey Pheebs." Monica said worriedly, "What did the doctor say?"
"I've got a temperature of 98 degrees and he told me to get in bed straight away."
"Ninety eight?!" Chandler exclaimed, "You should be delirious by now."
"I think I already am." Phoebe muttered, "You've got two heads." She yawned and fluttered her eyes hazily. "The doctor said if my temperature isn't down by tomorrow you should call him."
"Ok…" Monica glanced worriedly at Chandler and then turned back to Phoebe. "I think you should go to sleep in my bed for now and I'll sleep on the couch."
"Ok." Phoebe muttered, stepping off the couch. She walked into Monica's room and shut the door.
"You don't have to sleep on the couch." Chandler told Monica, smiling suggestively.
Monica shook her head. "Too risky." She said regretfully, "What if Phoebe came out here in the night asking for me?"
"I suppose you're right." Chandler agreed, sighing. He kissed her on the forehead and walked towards the apartment door. "I'm going to see where Ross went." He added. He blew Monica a kiss before leaving.
******
"Julie!" Ross yelled, watching his girlfriend get out of the cab outside the same hotel he was staying at. She looked up and broke into a smile as he ran up to her, panting.
"What…what are you doing here?" Ross wheezed.
"I missed you." Julie replied simply, "So I thought I would just come to see you." She kissed Ross on the cheek.
"That's…that's great." Ross said quietly. He couldn't go to look for Rachel now, not while his girlfriend was around.
"Well I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm than that!" Julie joked, "I've been on a plane for hours, I can't remember my way around the city and I haven't slept in ages!"
Ross grabbed Julie's bags and carried them into the hotel. "Come on." He said comfortingly, "Let's get you to my room."
"So, how was the funeral?" Julie asked.
"It was sad." Ross admitted, "Kip was so young…so full of life. It's still kind of hard to believe he's gone."
"I know." Julie said quietly, giving him a hug. "It's going to be hard for a while, but I'm here now to help you through it."
"Yeah." Ross whispered.
"Well I can't wait to meet your friends," Julie announced suddenly, "You've told me so much about them."
Ross broke into a smile. As much as he wanted to make up with Rachel, he was pleased to see Julie again. He had missed her liveliness and enthusiasm while he had been here. "Well, let's go and see them now!" he exclaimed, grinning. They dumped Julie's belongings in the hotel room and walked back outside.
"Hey Ross!" they heard someone yell, "Ross!"
Ross and Julie turned around to see Chandler running up towards them. "There you are." He panted, looking at Ross, "What happened to…oh." He stopped his sentence, glancing at Julie.
"Chandler this is Julie." Ross introduced, "Julie this is Chandler."
"Hello Chandler. It's great to meet you at last." Julie greeted, holding out her hand.
Chandler shook it, briefly glancing questioningly at Ross. "Well it's great to meet you too!" he told her, grinning.
"Hey Julie," Ross interrupted, "Why don't you go and unpack and I'll see you in a minute." He suggested.
Julie rolled her eyes. "I see you two want to have a man-to-man thing. I'll see you later." She kissed Ross quickly on the lips and went inside the hotel.
"What is she doing here?" Chandler asked in disbelief.
"I just found her now!" Ross exclaimed, "A surprise visit!"
"Well she seems nice enough," Chandler commented, "What happened to Rachel?" he asked.
Ross sighed. "She's gone home." He explained. He frowned suddenly and stared at Chandler. "I suppose you got my message."
"Um…yes." Chandler said hurriedly, "Um…Monica told me."
"Well why didn't she answer the phone?" Ross demanded.
"Um…well she does that all the time!" Chandler exclaimed, chuckling uncomfortably. "She has this thing…this um… screening process. If she answers the phone all the time she… um …well she thinks people will wonder why she's home all the time! No life, you know…" Chandler stopped and ran his hands through his hair nervously.
Ross rolled his eyes. "Why did I ask?" he muttered. "So anyway, I've got a serious problem Chandler." He added, abruptly going back to the more important conversation.
"Oh yeah, the Ross, Rachel and Julie love triangle!" Chandler announced, chuckling softly.
"There's no 'love triangle'." Ross snapped, scowling at him. "There's just a 'problem'."
"Yes two women love you…what a horrible problem that is." Chandler deadpanned, rolling his eyes.
"You…you think Rachel loves me?" Ross asked in shock.
"Well let's look at this logically." Chandler continued, "Rachel was only supposed to come to New York for one night. Instead, she stays here for nearly two weeks and spends nearly the entire visit with you. Now, realising her feelings for you, she has got scared and gone back to Barry before it goes any further."
"You…you think that's why she's gone away?" Ross stuttered.
"Either that, or she really hates Phoebe." Chandler replied, laughing.
"Ok, I see." Ross said thoughtfully. He frowned in confusion. "Who the hell is Phoebe?" he asked.
"Ok…you are going to love this…"
******
The next morningAfter waiting hours for a flight, Rachel finally arrived back in Florida. She stepped out of her cab into a private neighbourhood that was only a minute's walk from the beach and walked up the long driveway to her house. She opened the door and dumped her bags in the hallway. "Barry!" she called, "I'm home!"
She heard a thump from upstairs and a door opening. Barry appeared at the top of the stairs. "Hey Rachel!" he said in surprise, "I wasn't expecting you back for a while."
Rachel frowned. "Well, I'm here now." She said. She started to walk up the stairs. Barry blocked her way.
Rachel sighed, "Barry…what are you doing?" she asked. "I'm really tired. I just want to get into bed and fall asleep."
"Are you sure you don't want a cup of coffee first?" Barry suggested brightly. He hurried Rachel back down the stairs and into the living room. "I'll make it. You just put your feet up."
Rachel stared at him suspiciously and sat down on the couch. "You never make me coffee." She told him.
"Oh come on Rach…never??" Barry laughed, "I make you coffee all the time."
"No you don't." Rachel said slowly, "The only time you ever make me coffee is when you have something to hide and that hasn't happened since…" she stopped and watched Barry shuffle his feet uncomfortably on the floor. "Wait a minute…" she stood up and walked out of the room and towards the stairs.
"Rach…Rachel…where are you going?" Barry asked nervously, running after her.
Rachel ignored him and ran up the stairs. She pushed open her bedroom door and what she saw made her scream in anger. In the corner of the room with just her nightgown on was her best friend Mindy. "Get out!" Rachel whispered.
"Rachel…" Mindy whispered, "I can explain…I'm so sorry."
"Get out." Rachel repeated loudly.
"Rachel I think we need to talk…" Barry said, touching her on the shoulders.
Rachel shoved his hands off and turned to face him angrily. "How dare you!" she yelled.
"Rachel…"
"How could you?" Rachel whispered, tears running down her cheeks. She ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
"Rachel, where you are going?" Barry shouted, following her.
Rachel picked up her bags, opened the door and stepped outside. "Away from you." she said bitterly. She slammed the door behind her and ran down the driveway. She stopped and collapsed on to the ground, sobbing hard.
*****
Joey switched off the TV and stared at the number Rachel had given him. He so badly wanted to talk to someone and he knew somehow this woman would be able to help him.
He picked up the receiver and slowly typed out the number. He listened to the ringing for ages and he was just about to give up before someone answered.
"Yes?" a male voice snapped, "What do you want?"
Joey swallowed hard. This man sounded angry. He didn't quite dare to ask if Rachel was there. He replaced the receiver and buried his head in his hands, the memories of Kip still haunting him.
~~~~L.A Four weeks ago~~~~
"What a party!" Kip yelled, pouring vodka into his mouth.
Kip and Joey walked along the street, singing merrily. "Oh I love this place Joey!" Kip said drunkenly. He tripped over an empty drink can and fell down, laughing hard.
"Heya Kip…" Joey slurred, "You ok?" he bent down and pulled Kip up.
"Yes my friend," Kip replied, "I'm ok!"
"That was some gig we went to!" Joey added, "I can't believe you threw a bottle of beer at that movie star!"
"Yeah…" Kip murmured, "What was her name again?"
Joey frowned a little, confused. He shrugged. They burst out laughing, intoxicated by the drink they had consumed.
"Hey look at that!" Kip yelled, pointing towards a sports car parked on the side of the road. "That is a beauty!"
"That's mine!" Joey exclaimed.
Kip looked at the car closely and broke into a grin. "Oh yeah…" he said, realising. "I didn't know we drove it!"
"I can't remember either!" Joey added, chuckling.
"Do you wanna go for a ride?" Kip suggested, staggering over to the car. He got into the driver's seat.
In the back of Joey's drunken mind there was a little voice telling him to say no, but the power of the liquor was confusing his brain and he nodded slowly at Kip's suggestion. He walked over to the car and got into the passenger seat.
~~~~~Present~~~~
"You should have said no," Joey moaned, "You should have said no…"
END OF PART NINE
:more coming soon!: