Season 11
Episode 3: TOW Joey Moves Away
Another week had passed and Joey was packing up his things, stuffing boxes, and remembering the good times he had with Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Monica, and Phoebe. He also remembered all of the girls he had brought home. All of the women he had brought home seemed like a blur to him. This was a big change. Joey was leaving everybody he loved to help his career out. He was scared, but he knew it was for the best.
Chandler and Ross were helping their buddy pack up his things. Monica was pouring glasses of lemonade for the guys while Phoebe and Rachel played with the kids. Mike was sitting on the sofa trying to find a marker to label Joey's boxes with. They were all there in Joey's apartment. They had created their own microcosm. Everybody that Joey had gotten close to was in the apartment and he just couldn't believe that he was leaving the group.
It was the beginning of June. Everything had happened in May that left reason for Joey to stay. Emma had turned two, Ross and Rachel had gotten back together, Chandler and Monica's twins had been born, and the world seemed right. But nothing had happened to Joey and he knew that this was what was supposed to happen. Somehow, it was all supposed to happen this way.
The new chick and the new duck came waddling out of the bathroom. Joey smiled. He had bought those new birds for Monica and Chandler when the twins arrived, but Chandler had told him to keep them as a sign of their friendship.
"I can't believe you're moving away," Rachel said quietly.
"I know. You're Joey . . . you're not supposed to leave," Ross said, shaking his head.
"I know . . . it's so weird. It's bad enough that Monica and Chandler moved away, but you're going too?" Phoebe asked. "We'll never be the same again. You and I are the weird ones of the group, Joey. What am I gonna do without you?"
"Write a song," Joey suggested with a grin. "You're good at that." Phoebe frowned.
"I'm not in the song-writing mood lately. All of these changes have made my aura all floopy. I can't get creative."
"That's not what you said last night," Mike replied. Phoebe winked at him. Rachel and Ross looked at their watches at the same time.
"Hey . . . we have to get going. We have to meet with a wedding planner."
"So soon?" Monica asked.
"Yeah," Rachel replied. "We want to get the ball rolling. Joey, you can't leave until we get back because you have to say goodbye."
"Okay," Joey replied.
"Come on, Emma. We've got to take you to Grandma and Grandpa's."
"Joey . . ." Emma pouted. She walked over to Joey and hugged his legs. Joey sighed and picked Emma up into his arms.
"Hey Emma," he said. "I'm gonna miss you. I . . . I think I can do something I couldn't do before." He walked over to one of the boxes and pulled out Hugsy. "You take care of Hugsy until I come back, okay?" Emma nodded.
"Okay," she said softly. Joey kissed Emma and handed her to Rachel. Ross and Rachel left and Emma waved to Joey until they closed the door. When they were gone, everything got quiet again.
"We need to get going too," Monica replied. "We have to drop the twins off at mom and dad's too because Chandler and I are going away for the weekend. We'll come back to see you off." Monica and Chandler left with the kids and Mike looked at Joey.
"Is it alright if I used your bathroom?"
"Yeah . . . just make sure that you flush it."
"Joey, you haven't flushed the toilet since you moved here. Thank God for Chandler living here or you never would have learned." Joey got a look on his face and cringed because he forgot to flush earlier. Phoebe and Joey looked at each other for a minute.
"Pheebs, I can't believe it," Joey said.
"I know. But, you know, you're going to be so famous. You won't need me," Phoebe replied.
"Of course I'll need you. Phoebe, you have no idea how much you helped me. You helped me learn how to play the guitar, you helped me rehearse my lines and my auditions. Oh yeah, and you helped me learn French, which, might I add, I was a natural at." Phoebe looked away and stifled a laugh. But seriousness took over again and Phoebe and Joey realized that this was real.
"You'll call us when you get there?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah," Joey replied. The chick and the duck started to make noises so Joey picked them up and took them into his room to put them in their cages. "Guys, you'll like California. There'll be lots of other chickens and ducks for you to meet." Phoebe walked into the bedroom. She was about to see one of her best friends leave and she didn't want that. She walked over to him.
"Joey . . ." she whispered. Joey turned around to see the sad look in Phoebe's eyes. He frowned and he took her into his arms and held her.
"Don't be sad, Pheebs. I'm only a plane ride away."
*~*
Ross and Rachel sat down on an incredibly large couch at their wedding planner's office. The room was filled with wedding music and patterns for wedding dresses and cakes. The wedding planner was running late so Ross and Rachel were trying to relax. Ross was drumming his fingers on his knees and Rachel was tapping her foot on the hardwood floor.
"You nervous?" Ross asked.
"Nope," Rachel said quickly. "You?"
"Nuh uh," Ross replied in a squeaky voice.
"Ross, we've been married before . . . we haven't even set a date for our other wedding. You've been married three times. This should be easy for you."
"You'd think," Ross replied. "But I've never loved anyone the way I love you so this is different, Rach." Rachel smiled and kissed Ross on the cheek.
"You're so sweet," Rachel said. Just then, the wedding planner walked into the room and Rachel's eyes went wide. She and Ross looked at each other.
"Oh my Gawd!" came Janice's nasal voice.
"Oh my God," Ross and Rachel muttered in unison. This was the first time they were meeting their wedding planner, and she was Janice.
"Ross and Rachel are getting married!" Janice exclaimed. "That is so awesome! The last timeI saw the two of you, you were having a baby! How is little Ella?"
"Emma," Rachel corrected.
"Right," Janice replied. "Well, it's about time you two got hitched!"
"So you're . . . you're a wedding planner, are you?" Ross asked. Janice laughed.
"Well, a girl's gotta have something to do."
"How's Sid?" Rachel asked, remembering Janice's practically deaf hubby. Janice sighed.
"He left me."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ross said. "Why?"
"I don't know! I mean I paid a hundred bucks for his hearing aides and once he could hear, he left me and the kids all alone!" She cleared her throat. "But anyway, I guess the first order of business is to talk about your wedding day." Ross and Rachel glanced side-ways at each other. Janice looked back and forth at them. "You have picked out a wedding date, right?"
"Actually . . . no," Ross answered. Janice shook her head.
"Well, that would be the best place to start. I think you better set a date first and come back later."
"Well, I've always wanted to try a summer wedding . . ."
"No," Rachel replied. "I don't want to be all sweaty."
"Winter?"
"No, Phoebe had a winter wedding."
"Spring?"
"We could do spring," Rachel answered. "Or Fall The leaves would be so beautiful."
"Either one is fine with me," Ross replied.
"But if we did spring, we'd have to wait until next year. I'd love the pastel colors."
"I don't want to wait that long."
"I can see that this is going to take you both awhile," Janice assumed. "I have another client that I need to attend to." Janice got up and left. Rachel stared at Ross.
"Oh God," Rachel said, burying her face in her hands. "I can't believe this!"
"Yeah. I know. Can you believe that Janice of all people is our wedding planner?" Ross asked. Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Not that, Ross! We have to make a huge decision!" Rachel exclaimed fretfully. "I don't want to go home and figure this out. I want to decide right now!"
"We'll decide now. How about next April?"
"No! I don't want to wait that long! Okay, I want a fall wedding. The leaves."
"We aren't gonna be married in the trees."
"Ross, if you aren't going to take this seriously."
"Rach, it isn't that big of a deal when we get married."
"Of course it isn't to you! You've been married three times!"
"Okay, how about this?" Ross asked. "Emma just turned two last month. How about we get married . . .on her third birthday?"
"But then she won't feel special because her mommy and daddy's anniversary will be on her birthday. I wouldn't do that to her," Rachel explained. Ross nodded.
"You're right. Then I guess we better make a decision and fast."
*~*
Monica and Chandler walked back into Joey's apartment. Mike and Phoebe were still there.
"Hey," Joey said. "You're all ready to go?"
"Yeah," Monica and Chandler replied. "We have to get going . . ."
"Yeah. Me too," Joey replied. Monica hugged Joey.
"I'm gonna miss you coming over to raid our fridge."
"Me too," Joey replied. He kissed Monica's cheek. Chandler looked at Joey.
"Joey . . . you've been my best friend for a long time . . . and I can't believe you're moving away," Chandler said, trying not to cry. He was trying to be macho, but it wasn't working. He cleared his throat when his voice started to crack. "Thanks for being my friend." The guys both got teary eyed and they shook hands. Joey pulled Chandler into a hug.
"I'll write every day. You have to take the fooseball table and play with Monica."
"Monica always beats me," Chandler replied.
"Then it'll be like you're still playing with me," Joey replied. Chandler rolled his eyes. "Take care of your family, Chandler."
"Hey, my family isn't complete without you. So you've got to come visit."
"I will. I'll be here every holiday . . . I swear it."
"Thanks," Chandler replied. Monica and Chandler both exchanged hugs with Joey again as Ross and Rachel came in.
"We made a wedding date!" Rachel announced. Everybody looked at them.
"You're stealing Joey's thunder," Phoebe replied.
"No they're not. When is it?" Joey asked.
"We're getting married . . . next week. We don't want to wait," Ross replied. "So Joey, you've got to fly back out here next week to marry us."
"I . . . I'll be here no matter what," Joey replied with a smile. He hugged Ross and Rachel and he grinned. "I can't believe it! Ross and Rachel are finally getting married! I knew it'd happen."
"We'll miss you, Joey," Rachel said quietly.
"I'm gonna miss you so much," Joey whispered. He kissed Rachel's cheek. He looked at Ross. "Take good care of her, man."
"I will," Ross answered with a smile.
"And good luck with that dinosaur thing." He hugged Ross and then turned to Phoebe and Mike.
"Mike, this is my Phoebe, so you have to make sure that she's happy and you have to give her everything she wants."
"Don't worry, Joey, I'll be good to her," Mike replied. Phoebe grinned and hugged Joey.
"And you, Pheebs, don't stop singing. You have to be the one to keep everybody happy."
"I will," Phoebe replied. She hugged Joey and he kissed her cheek.
"You're still my best girl, you know that?" Joey asked. Phoebe grinned and nodded. "Alright . . . I have to go. Don't follow me . . . it'll make it worse." Joey picked up his bags and headed out of the apartment. Everybody stood there for a minute, contemplating how different life was going to be now that Joey was moving on.
*~*
Later that afternoon, Monica and Chandler were heading out of town. Chandler was driving and Monica was staring out the window. Chandler noticed how quiet Monica was.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," Monica replied. "I'm just thinking about the kids. Do you think they're hungry?"
"I think your parents know how to feed babies," Chandler replied.
"Yeah, but . . . what if they're cold?"
"Monica, honey, the babies are fine."
"But what if they're not?"
"They are," Chandler replied.
"But . . . this is the first weekend I've left them with my parents. I'm worried."
"Don't worry, Mon. You left a list of all the doctors in the state. I think that they'll be fine," Chandler answered. "Just try and relax. This weekend is going to be filled with nothing but sex."
"I want the babies," Monica said softly.
"Don't worry, sweetie. Just put your mind at ease. The babies are fine." Just then Chandler's cell phone rang. He answered it.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Man! There is nothing to do on this plane!" Joey excliamed. "I tried to have sex with the stewardess and she turned me down!" Chandler rolled his eyes.
"Do you realize that it just cost you a fortune to tell me that?" Chandler asked.
"Oh . . . you mean I can't call you everynight and tell you stuff?"
"You can now because you're gonna be a celebrity."
"Great! Well, I have to go . . . that stewardess is giving me the eye." Joey hung up and Chandler shook his head. He looked at Monica who was staring at her photobook of the twins and he shook his head. He realized that this wasn't going to be a romantic getaway because Monica wasn't ready to leave the twins yet. He smiled and he turned down a road that would send him back to the city. He watched Monica for a moment and he knew that the only way she was going to enjoy the weekend was if she was with the two children she had fought hard for."
"Are we almost there?"
"Uh . . . no. I'm heading back. I think we forgot something at home."
"What?" Monica asked.
"The kids," Chandler replied with a smile. Monica gave him a big grin and hugged him. "Chandler Bing, you are the best husband in the world." She kissed him and that was all Chandler needed to make his weekend great.
Episode 3: TOW Joey Moves Away
Another week had passed and Joey was packing up his things, stuffing boxes, and remembering the good times he had with Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Monica, and Phoebe. He also remembered all of the girls he had brought home. All of the women he had brought home seemed like a blur to him. This was a big change. Joey was leaving everybody he loved to help his career out. He was scared, but he knew it was for the best.
Chandler and Ross were helping their buddy pack up his things. Monica was pouring glasses of lemonade for the guys while Phoebe and Rachel played with the kids. Mike was sitting on the sofa trying to find a marker to label Joey's boxes with. They were all there in Joey's apartment. They had created their own microcosm. Everybody that Joey had gotten close to was in the apartment and he just couldn't believe that he was leaving the group.
It was the beginning of June. Everything had happened in May that left reason for Joey to stay. Emma had turned two, Ross and Rachel had gotten back together, Chandler and Monica's twins had been born, and the world seemed right. But nothing had happened to Joey and he knew that this was what was supposed to happen. Somehow, it was all supposed to happen this way.
The new chick and the new duck came waddling out of the bathroom. Joey smiled. He had bought those new birds for Monica and Chandler when the twins arrived, but Chandler had told him to keep them as a sign of their friendship.
"I can't believe you're moving away," Rachel said quietly.
"I know. You're Joey . . . you're not supposed to leave," Ross said, shaking his head.
"I know . . . it's so weird. It's bad enough that Monica and Chandler moved away, but you're going too?" Phoebe asked. "We'll never be the same again. You and I are the weird ones of the group, Joey. What am I gonna do without you?"
"Write a song," Joey suggested with a grin. "You're good at that." Phoebe frowned.
"I'm not in the song-writing mood lately. All of these changes have made my aura all floopy. I can't get creative."
"That's not what you said last night," Mike replied. Phoebe winked at him. Rachel and Ross looked at their watches at the same time.
"Hey . . . we have to get going. We have to meet with a wedding planner."
"So soon?" Monica asked.
"Yeah," Rachel replied. "We want to get the ball rolling. Joey, you can't leave until we get back because you have to say goodbye."
"Okay," Joey replied.
"Come on, Emma. We've got to take you to Grandma and Grandpa's."
"Joey . . ." Emma pouted. She walked over to Joey and hugged his legs. Joey sighed and picked Emma up into his arms.
"Hey Emma," he said. "I'm gonna miss you. I . . . I think I can do something I couldn't do before." He walked over to one of the boxes and pulled out Hugsy. "You take care of Hugsy until I come back, okay?" Emma nodded.
"Okay," she said softly. Joey kissed Emma and handed her to Rachel. Ross and Rachel left and Emma waved to Joey until they closed the door. When they were gone, everything got quiet again.
"We need to get going too," Monica replied. "We have to drop the twins off at mom and dad's too because Chandler and I are going away for the weekend. We'll come back to see you off." Monica and Chandler left with the kids and Mike looked at Joey.
"Is it alright if I used your bathroom?"
"Yeah . . . just make sure that you flush it."
"Joey, you haven't flushed the toilet since you moved here. Thank God for Chandler living here or you never would have learned." Joey got a look on his face and cringed because he forgot to flush earlier. Phoebe and Joey looked at each other for a minute.
"Pheebs, I can't believe it," Joey said.
"I know. But, you know, you're going to be so famous. You won't need me," Phoebe replied.
"Of course I'll need you. Phoebe, you have no idea how much you helped me. You helped me learn how to play the guitar, you helped me rehearse my lines and my auditions. Oh yeah, and you helped me learn French, which, might I add, I was a natural at." Phoebe looked away and stifled a laugh. But seriousness took over again and Phoebe and Joey realized that this was real.
"You'll call us when you get there?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah," Joey replied. The chick and the duck started to make noises so Joey picked them up and took them into his room to put them in their cages. "Guys, you'll like California. There'll be lots of other chickens and ducks for you to meet." Phoebe walked into the bedroom. She was about to see one of her best friends leave and she didn't want that. She walked over to him.
"Joey . . ." she whispered. Joey turned around to see the sad look in Phoebe's eyes. He frowned and he took her into his arms and held her.
"Don't be sad, Pheebs. I'm only a plane ride away."
*~*
Ross and Rachel sat down on an incredibly large couch at their wedding planner's office. The room was filled with wedding music and patterns for wedding dresses and cakes. The wedding planner was running late so Ross and Rachel were trying to relax. Ross was drumming his fingers on his knees and Rachel was tapping her foot on the hardwood floor.
"You nervous?" Ross asked.
"Nope," Rachel said quickly. "You?"
"Nuh uh," Ross replied in a squeaky voice.
"Ross, we've been married before . . . we haven't even set a date for our other wedding. You've been married three times. This should be easy for you."
"You'd think," Ross replied. "But I've never loved anyone the way I love you so this is different, Rach." Rachel smiled and kissed Ross on the cheek.
"You're so sweet," Rachel said. Just then, the wedding planner walked into the room and Rachel's eyes went wide. She and Ross looked at each other.
"Oh my Gawd!" came Janice's nasal voice.
"Oh my God," Ross and Rachel muttered in unison. This was the first time they were meeting their wedding planner, and she was Janice.
"Ross and Rachel are getting married!" Janice exclaimed. "That is so awesome! The last timeI saw the two of you, you were having a baby! How is little Ella?"
"Emma," Rachel corrected.
"Right," Janice replied. "Well, it's about time you two got hitched!"
"So you're . . . you're a wedding planner, are you?" Ross asked. Janice laughed.
"Well, a girl's gotta have something to do."
"How's Sid?" Rachel asked, remembering Janice's practically deaf hubby. Janice sighed.
"He left me."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ross said. "Why?"
"I don't know! I mean I paid a hundred bucks for his hearing aides and once he could hear, he left me and the kids all alone!" She cleared her throat. "But anyway, I guess the first order of business is to talk about your wedding day." Ross and Rachel glanced side-ways at each other. Janice looked back and forth at them. "You have picked out a wedding date, right?"
"Actually . . . no," Ross answered. Janice shook her head.
"Well, that would be the best place to start. I think you better set a date first and come back later."
"Well, I've always wanted to try a summer wedding . . ."
"No," Rachel replied. "I don't want to be all sweaty."
"Winter?"
"No, Phoebe had a winter wedding."
"Spring?"
"We could do spring," Rachel answered. "Or Fall The leaves would be so beautiful."
"Either one is fine with me," Ross replied.
"But if we did spring, we'd have to wait until next year. I'd love the pastel colors."
"I don't want to wait that long."
"I can see that this is going to take you both awhile," Janice assumed. "I have another client that I need to attend to." Janice got up and left. Rachel stared at Ross.
"Oh God," Rachel said, burying her face in her hands. "I can't believe this!"
"Yeah. I know. Can you believe that Janice of all people is our wedding planner?" Ross asked. Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Not that, Ross! We have to make a huge decision!" Rachel exclaimed fretfully. "I don't want to go home and figure this out. I want to decide right now!"
"We'll decide now. How about next April?"
"No! I don't want to wait that long! Okay, I want a fall wedding. The leaves."
"We aren't gonna be married in the trees."
"Ross, if you aren't going to take this seriously."
"Rach, it isn't that big of a deal when we get married."
"Of course it isn't to you! You've been married three times!"
"Okay, how about this?" Ross asked. "Emma just turned two last month. How about we get married . . .on her third birthday?"
"But then she won't feel special because her mommy and daddy's anniversary will be on her birthday. I wouldn't do that to her," Rachel explained. Ross nodded.
"You're right. Then I guess we better make a decision and fast."
*~*
Monica and Chandler walked back into Joey's apartment. Mike and Phoebe were still there.
"Hey," Joey said. "You're all ready to go?"
"Yeah," Monica and Chandler replied. "We have to get going . . ."
"Yeah. Me too," Joey replied. Monica hugged Joey.
"I'm gonna miss you coming over to raid our fridge."
"Me too," Joey replied. He kissed Monica's cheek. Chandler looked at Joey.
"Joey . . . you've been my best friend for a long time . . . and I can't believe you're moving away," Chandler said, trying not to cry. He was trying to be macho, but it wasn't working. He cleared his throat when his voice started to crack. "Thanks for being my friend." The guys both got teary eyed and they shook hands. Joey pulled Chandler into a hug.
"I'll write every day. You have to take the fooseball table and play with Monica."
"Monica always beats me," Chandler replied.
"Then it'll be like you're still playing with me," Joey replied. Chandler rolled his eyes. "Take care of your family, Chandler."
"Hey, my family isn't complete without you. So you've got to come visit."
"I will. I'll be here every holiday . . . I swear it."
"Thanks," Chandler replied. Monica and Chandler both exchanged hugs with Joey again as Ross and Rachel came in.
"We made a wedding date!" Rachel announced. Everybody looked at them.
"You're stealing Joey's thunder," Phoebe replied.
"No they're not. When is it?" Joey asked.
"We're getting married . . . next week. We don't want to wait," Ross replied. "So Joey, you've got to fly back out here next week to marry us."
"I . . . I'll be here no matter what," Joey replied with a smile. He hugged Ross and Rachel and he grinned. "I can't believe it! Ross and Rachel are finally getting married! I knew it'd happen."
"We'll miss you, Joey," Rachel said quietly.
"I'm gonna miss you so much," Joey whispered. He kissed Rachel's cheek. He looked at Ross. "Take good care of her, man."
"I will," Ross answered with a smile.
"And good luck with that dinosaur thing." He hugged Ross and then turned to Phoebe and Mike.
"Mike, this is my Phoebe, so you have to make sure that she's happy and you have to give her everything she wants."
"Don't worry, Joey, I'll be good to her," Mike replied. Phoebe grinned and hugged Joey.
"And you, Pheebs, don't stop singing. You have to be the one to keep everybody happy."
"I will," Phoebe replied. She hugged Joey and he kissed her cheek.
"You're still my best girl, you know that?" Joey asked. Phoebe grinned and nodded. "Alright . . . I have to go. Don't follow me . . . it'll make it worse." Joey picked up his bags and headed out of the apartment. Everybody stood there for a minute, contemplating how different life was going to be now that Joey was moving on.
*~*
Later that afternoon, Monica and Chandler were heading out of town. Chandler was driving and Monica was staring out the window. Chandler noticed how quiet Monica was.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," Monica replied. "I'm just thinking about the kids. Do you think they're hungry?"
"I think your parents know how to feed babies," Chandler replied.
"Yeah, but . . . what if they're cold?"
"Monica, honey, the babies are fine."
"But what if they're not?"
"They are," Chandler replied.
"But . . . this is the first weekend I've left them with my parents. I'm worried."
"Don't worry, Mon. You left a list of all the doctors in the state. I think that they'll be fine," Chandler answered. "Just try and relax. This weekend is going to be filled with nothing but sex."
"I want the babies," Monica said softly.
"Don't worry, sweetie. Just put your mind at ease. The babies are fine." Just then Chandler's cell phone rang. He answered it.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Man! There is nothing to do on this plane!" Joey excliamed. "I tried to have sex with the stewardess and she turned me down!" Chandler rolled his eyes.
"Do you realize that it just cost you a fortune to tell me that?" Chandler asked.
"Oh . . . you mean I can't call you everynight and tell you stuff?"
"You can now because you're gonna be a celebrity."
"Great! Well, I have to go . . . that stewardess is giving me the eye." Joey hung up and Chandler shook his head. He looked at Monica who was staring at her photobook of the twins and he shook his head. He realized that this wasn't going to be a romantic getaway because Monica wasn't ready to leave the twins yet. He smiled and he turned down a road that would send him back to the city. He watched Monica for a moment and he knew that the only way she was going to enjoy the weekend was if she was with the two children she had fought hard for."
"Are we almost there?"
"Uh . . . no. I'm heading back. I think we forgot something at home."
"What?" Monica asked.
"The kids," Chandler replied with a smile. Monica gave him a big grin and hugged him. "Chandler Bing, you are the best husband in the world." She kissed him and that was all Chandler needed to make his weekend great.