Easy Lover – And I'm Just Trying to Make You See

A/N: I'm glad I'm not the only one who counts down the days until my graduation, lol.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story.

The next morning, Chandler timidly entered the studio. He was thoroughly embarrassed by his behavior the night before. Although he had gotten drunk when he was younger, he was at the point in his life where he was attempting to make a new name for himself. He wanted to be remembered by his co-workers in a dignified way, not as the guy who threw up in the corner of the bar. Still, he swallowed his fear and offered various members of the crew smiles of greeting.

As he continued down the corridor, his mind wandered back to Monica. That wasn't surprising by now, though. He was constantly bombarded by thoughts of her, although the feeling magnified due to the prior day's events. He was touched by her actions. She had stayed with him while he was drunk, after only having one conversation with him before that day. How did she know he wasn't going to take advantage of her?

He was thoroughly perplexed by her actions. Perhaps, driving him home was her good deed of the day – he could accept that as an excuse. But why did she stick around for so long? After all, she could have just dropped him at his door, instead of coming in, making coffee, and waiting until he fell asleep, before leaving.

Part of him was genuinely touched by her actions. They were so kind, so noble. Yet, the other part of him was angry. Why did she have to do something so great for him? Not only was he hopelessly in love with this woman who barely acknowledged him, but now he was also indebted to her, as well. Then again, did he really owe her anything? She was, after all, the famous Monica Geller. She was one of Hollywood's highest paid actresses; any director would die to her in one of their films. What could he possibly give her that she didn't already have?

And, as he walked onto the set, he was not surprised to find her sitting alone in the far corner. He attempted eye contact, and she avoided it. When they were alone, she seemed hospitable enough. She even made him laugh a few times. From what he saw, those two times, she had a personality to match her beauty. Then, why did she hide it? He shook his head, attempting to free himself from his complex thoughts, and walked over towards the snack table, where Joey and Rachel were congregated.

"I can't go through with this," Monica whispered, "I can't just change for you."

"I'm not asking you to," Chandler answered, in the same tone, "I'm just asking you to consider coming with me."

Monica shook her head. "No. Going with you would compromise who I am. I can't do that."

Chandler swallowed hard and slowly nodded. "Then…I guess this is goodbye."

"I guess so," she looked down.

Chandler placed a finger under her chin, lifting it, "If we are meant to be, then we will happen."

Monica nodded, holding back tears. "I know."

Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her small frame, bringing her closer to him. She reached up and hooked her arms around his neck, lifting herself closer to his level. He ran his hands through his hair, just as he knew he had to do. Carefully, their lips met in a slow, seductive kiss. Chandler's hands caressed her cheeks with his thumbs, as he became aware again of the fifty pairs of eyes on him. He remembered the falsehood of the situation, and the reality of his situation. They pulled apart, eyes locked, as Chandler slowly backed away. The director yelled cut. Reluctantly, Chandler tore his eyes from hers.

"Perfect!" Ross enthused, "Just perfect! You two have got this scene down - to - a science! That's it for tonight. Wow. I'm so happy I could…" he squeezed his eyes shut, "Yes!"

Monica looked towards Chandler and raised her eyebrows. He tried to laugh in return, but his chuckle, caught in his throat, sounded more like a cough. Monica looked away. Chandler resisted the urge to hit himself. She made him feel like he was a teenager again.

Someone tapped Chandler's shoulder, and he turned around. Rachel smiled at him, took a bite of a red apple, and then softly nudged him in the ribs.

"That was a great scene."

Chandler smiled. "Thanks."

"You know what?" Rachel asked, in between bites of her apple, "You two have some great chemistry."

"Really?" Chandler asked hurriedly.

"Um, yeah… Chandler, do you…still like her?"

"No," he shook his head, "No, of course not."

Rachel's scowl lingered. "Whatever you say, Chandler."

"No, really. Why don't you believe me?"

"I dunno, just…the way you look at her…"

"I'm an actor. My character is in love with her. I have to look at her like that when I'm in character. It's called acting."

"Really? Then, you were doing some amazing acting when we were eating lunch today…"

Chandler blushed, despite himself. "You…you saw that?"

"Chandler, the blind man saw that."

"Nah ah."
She rolled her eyes. "Come on."

"Well, okay, so I have a crush. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"No. It's just…you have a lot of competition. I don't want you to be disappointed."

"What? You don't think I'm good enough for her?!"

"Chandler, just calm down. I didn't say that."

"Well, even if you didn't say it, you sure as hell implied it!"

"Look, Chandler, don't make a scene, okay?! It's just…I don't think she's really the…settling down type of girl."

"How do you know that?!"

"Well, how many steady boyfriends has she had?"

"I don't…know."

"Look, I just don't want you to get hurt! I've only known you for a few weeks, but…you kind of feel…like a brother to me."

Chandler shook his head. "I don't need anyone to protect me."

"I'm not trying to protect you."

"Yeah, okay."

With that, Chandler abruptly turned and headed out the door, leaving a saddened and utterly baffled Rachel behind.

As Chandler walked through the lot, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his back pocket. Hastily, he flicked his lighter, and pushed the lit cigarette into his mouth. He inhaled deeply, before letting out a shaky breath. Why did he get himself into these positions? The minute he walked out of the studio, he knew he was overreacting, although he couldn't turn around after his big scene. After all, Rachel was just trying to help. But, if she really did care, then that was something foreign to Chandler. Many people had come and gone in his life. Even less had actually cared about him.

She was right, anyway. What kind of chance did he have with Monica? She was so far out of his league that she played a completely different sport. Yet, he couldn't help himself from wondering when he passed by her empty trailer. He went behind it, noticing that same abandoned warehouse that they had spoken in a few days before. He looked through the entrance, knowing Monica probably wasn't there, yet needing to look for reassurance.

But there she was – sitting on that same wooden carton, looking through that same tiny window that overlooked the lot. Chandler took another drag from his cigarette, before slowly heading inside. It was darker inside the warehouse this time. The rehearsal had gone later than the last.

When he finally reached the carton that he had sat upon last time, he cleared his throat. Monica turned towards him, completely unfazed by his presence. How she managed to always stay composed, he would never quite understand.

"I was hoping I would find you here," Chandler admitted.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I just…wanted to thank you for helping me yesterday."

"No need."

"No, I really just wanted to explain that I don't go around getting that drunk all the time."

"I understand."

"I just didn't want you to judge bef –"

She shrugged, "No one's judging. But those things," she pointed to the cigarette in his mouth, "Will kill you."

Chandler smiled, despite the situation. "Want one?"

"I think I'll pass."

"Yeah…so, uh, I just wanted to know…and if you don't want to answer, that's completely fine…why did you help me? I mean you could've just left…"

Monica didn't answer.

"Um," thinking she didn't hear, he began to repeat himself. Monica cut him off.

"I heard you. You said I didn't have to answer."

He chuckled. "Oh right. So, I did."

"Well, since you seem to really want to know the answer… I stayed because I was worried about you. You were really nice to me the other day. I appreciated it and wanted to return the favor."

"Well, um, thanks. There was no reason to, though…really."

She shook her head. "We're just gonna get ourselves into one big circle, aren't we?"

Chandler laughed. "Yeah, all right." He paused. "You know, you risked a lot. I mean if the press had found out –"

"Fuck the press."

Chandler was taken aback by her harsh words. "Um, I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "They can write whatever the hell they want and shove it up their asses. I don't care what they say about me. You shouldn't care either. Remember what when you become a big star."

Chandler laughed. "Well, I dunno about big…"

Silence filled the warehouse, as Chandler took a seat on the adjacent carton and continued to smoke his cigarette.

"When I left, you were arguing with Rachel…"

"Yeah, I was."

"Care to share?"

"Not particularly."

"Okay," she turned towards the window once again.

He studied her back. The light of the receding sun left only a soft orange glow around her body. At that moment, more than anything else, he wanted to hold her in his arms. She was his last ray of sunlight.

Suddenly, a crazy idea dawned on him. In fact, the idea was so impulsive that he barely knew what he was doing before he uttered the words.

"I was arguing with Rachel because she told me I didn't have a chance with you."

Monica turned around, a small smile residing on her pale lips. That smile made him nervous. Its beauty mocked him.

"What do you think?"

His breath was caught in his chest. What was the right answer to that question?! If he said yes, it would make him sound like a pervert. If he said no, it would make him sound utterly pathetic. However, if he said he didn't know, than she would think of him as indecisive. Why had he been stupid enough to ask such a question to begin with?!

His voice cracked nervously, "I hope so."

Monica's smile grew. "Me too."

With that, she stood up and turned away from his gaze. His eyes followed her as she walked into the shadows and out the door.

He was sinking so deep; he could hardly breath.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please leave me a review. :)