Whoops! Maybe I'd better just stop making allusions to NY, as I obviously can't pull it off…I meant the tallest APARTMENT building on 5th avenue, I guess…ANYWAY, please review!

Chapter 2

"Monica?" Chandler whispered.

Monica stared at him in confusion. "I'm sorry…do I know you?" She looked him up and down. Chandler noticed her eyes linger on his smudged hands and worn clothes.

"I…I…" Chandler could not get words out.

"Monica, who is it, dear?" Footsteps approached, and Judy Geller appeared beside her daughter. "Yes, what do you want?"

Chandler couldn't believe she didn't recognize him. All he could do was stare.

The open door was causing a disturbance by this time. Two more people appeared, and this time they seemed to acknowledge that they had once seen Chandler before.

"What are you doing here?" asked Ross.

"Um, Judy, I think the food table is running low," said Rachel quickly.

"Oh, I'd better go fill it," said Judy distractedly, running off. Ross and Rachel breathed a sigh of relief.

"So what are you doing here?" Ross asked again.

"I told you not to come!" moaned Rachel.

"You guys know him?" asked Monica.

"Oh, let's go out in the hall," said Rachel. The other three stepped outside with Chandler and shut the door.

"Seriously, who are you? Have we met before, because I think…" Monica began.

"This is the guy from last night, Monica," Ross explained. "The guy who saved your life?"

"That was YOU?" exclaimed Monica, looking at Chandler again. "But Mom told me it was one of the Backstreet Boys!"

"Well, Mom lies," Ross muttered.

"Yeah, she could have had better taste anyway," agreed Rachel.

"I don't believe it," said Monica.

Chandler finally found his voice. "It was."

"Well…" Now Monica was at loss for words. "Well, thank you then!"

"Yeah, now I'll say it again…WHAT are you doing here?" Ross asked for the third time. Chandler had no answer.

Rachel thought she knew what was going on in Chandler's head, and she felt sorry for him. "You guys, that's not important. Look, it's late, why don't we go back to the party? Chandler can stay in one of the spare bedrooms tonight," she suggested.

Ross nodded in agreement. "There's plenty of room, and Dad won't mind."

"What about Mom?" asked Monica.

"Who cares?" said Ross and Rachel together.

"It's fine, I really don't have to-" Chandler started.

"Oh please, we can't let you go all the way back home tonight," said Ross. "Come on."

Rachel opened the door and they walked back in. The room was full of dressed-up people talking and laughing. They all smiled at Ross, Rachel and Monica, and stared curiously at Chandler as they walked past. Ross led the group down a hallway, through a door, and down another hallway before stopping at a door.

"This is one of the smaller rooms, but it's probably more private," he said, opening the door.

Chandler gasped. The interior of the room was well furnished and comfortable looking. It was also huge – this one room was bigger than the entire place that he shared with Phoebe and Joey. "It's great," he managed to stammer.

"If you need anything, let us know," said Rachel. "We really should go back, our parents are going to freak out if we don't get there soon," she added, rolling her eyes. Monica nodded in agreement.

"You guys go ahead, okay? I'm going to help Chandler settle in," Ross said. Rachel nodded. Ross kissed her briefly, and they smiled at each other. Chandler remembered what Phoebe had told him about the tabloids doubting the reason for Ross and Rachel's engagement. "Most definitely love," he thought.

Monica smiled at Chandler. "Thanks again," she said. "I really appreciate it. I hope we can spend some time together while you're here," she added. Chandler managed to nod, and the girls left.

"Mom'll love that," Ross commented. "Look, Chandler, we need to talk."

"What's up?" asked Chandler, more at ease now that Monica was in the room.

"You like my sister."

"Is it that obvious?" Chandler grinned. "Well…who wouldn't? She's beautiful, and nice, and smart, and sweet-"

"Yeah yeah," said Ross impatiently. "Listen, you have to get over it. Nothing can ever happen between the two of you, you know? My mother would freak…Monica would probably be like disinherited or something."

"I don't care, Ross," said Chandler softly.

"I can see that." Ross sighed. "Well, whatever. I have to go back now, I'll see you later."

"Later." Chandler sighed and flopped down onto the enormous bed.

The next few days were a dream come true for Chandler, and, although he did not know it, Monica as well.

Chandler's door creaked open around two A.M., and someone whispered his name. He sat straight up in bed, but it was only Monica. She sat beside him on the bed, and they talked for hours.

They went out the next morning for bagels downstairs. Monica listened intently as Chandler shared stories of the things he'd done with Phoebe and Joey.

They went to a karaoke bar that night. Monica marveled at the voice Chandler had – for someone with no training, it was practically perfect.

Monica snuck out of her own room and spent the night beside Chandler that night. For two strangers that had only known each other for a few hours, they had grown incredibly close, much to the guilty delight of Ross and Rachel.

"If my mother finds out, she'll kill us all," Ross muttered. "Especially considering the circumstances."
"But it's so sweet!" argued Rachel. Ross had to agree.

And finally, as was typical in the Geller household, it was time for another party.

This time Chandler agreed to come too. Even though Monica offered several times to borrow clothes for him from Ross, he refused and wore exactly what he had come in.

Just when the guests began to arrive, Judy called Monica into her room.

"Wait with Ross and Rachel, okay?" she whispered to Chandler. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Chandler nodded.

"Be right back," Monica whispered. After hesitating for just a second, she kissed him quickly and left.

"What is it, Mom?" she asked, walking into the room.

"Zip me up, dear," Judy requested, turning her back to her daughter. Monica walked forward obediently.

They stood in silence for a few seconds. "Monica, I've been hearing things from friends," Judy finally said.

"Oh? What things?" Monica asked, only mildly interested.

"Things about you and that boy," Judy said flatly. "Several people have seen you together downtown."

"Really," said Monica lightly.

"Yes, really," said Judy. She turned toward her daughter. "How long do you think you'll be playing this game?"

"It's not a game mom," said Monica, annoyed.

"Oh please, dear. Surely you can't believe it's real?"

"Mom, I love Chandler!" Monica snapped.

"I don't care, dear," Judy said calmly. "You are a Geller. You must do what people expect of you."

"What if I don't LIKE doing what people expect of me?" Monica asked. "When I'm with Chandler, I feel like I can be myself. I don't always have to have my back straight and my shoulders back and my chin tilted up. I don't have to worry about what I say and who I say it to. Chandler knows the real me, and he LIKES it."

"Yes, dear," said Judy. "But I'm afraid there's simply no future. Your little fling can't last much longer, you have more important things to do than run around with the likes of him."

Then she left.

"Well HELLO, Richard!"

Ross and Rachel and Chandler could hear Jack's voice from across the room. Ross and Rachel glanced at each other worriedly, but Chandler merely smiled at a returning Monica. "You okay?"

"Fine," said Monica, forcing a smile.

"Hello, everyone!" A tall man with a moustache walked up to them.

"Hi Richard!" said Ross and Rachel, smiling brightly. The band finished their song and announced that they would welcome requests.

"Chandler, you should sing!" Monica said quickly. Ross and Rachel agreed, having heard from Monica what an amazing voice Chandler had.

"Oh no, I couldn't," Chandler answered.

"Come on, please?" Monica begged.

"Yes, go ahead, Chandler," said Richard, sneering slightly as he looked over Chandler's simple clothes.

"Well…" Chandler hesitated. "All right, fine," he said finally, looking at Monica.

"This should be good," muttered Richard as Chandler walked up and requested a song. Monica glared at him.

Everyone who had previously sneered at Chandler stood staring as he sang. He honestly had a wonderful voice – not that anyone but Ross, Rachel and Monica would admit it. They stared all throughout the song, making Chandler very nervous. As he finished, all rolled their eyes and pointed at Chandler, once again gossiping amongst themselves. Ignoring them, Chandler made his way back to Monica.

"You have a very strong voice, Chandler," Richard said as he approached. He put his arm around Monica. "I only hope that you will sing at Monica's and my wedding."

TBC

Heheheh. Hopefully, no one saw that coming…aw, poor Chandler! And it only gets worse! Ah well, please review, and, as the holidays are coming up, I'll hopefully get another chapter up soon! Thanks!