Easy Lover - She will play around and leave you

A/N: I'm so exhausted. I would sleep for days if I could ever fall asleep to begin with. :/ I've done so much math and physics this week that it's about ready to come out of my ears. The Physics paid off, because I finally got an A on a test in that impossible class, so at least something went well. Math…not so sure about. :/ There was no partial credit on the test! =-o My school's so messed up, though. The Valentines Day dance is tonight – a Thursday night. Now, obviously, I'm not going, but who would? It makes no sense. I can't go on a Thursday – it's Friends night. Plus, going to a school dance would get in the way of me showing no school spirit. :p Okay, I'll stop rambling. Thanks for all the great reviews. Please leave some more! (Yeah, I'm greedy like that.)

Disclaimer: Apparently, I don't own these characters. You have no idea how long it took me to spell "apparently". I know this is where I normally post a "Yen conversation" but since my stupid AIM stopped working, I lost my log manager that keeps all the conversations. Next time *sigh*. Pants ya, Yen!

"So, this is really it," Chandler remarks, while looking around the room, "This is the end of…well, everything."

"Yeah," Rachel replies sadly, "It feels like just yesterday it was our first day…I can't believe it's really over."

"You know what I can't believe?" Joey asks.

"What?"

"That Rachel actually made me wear a tux!"

He loosens the tie around his neck, soliciting a slap on the arm from Rachel. She begins to fix his bowtie, and he tries to wriggle out of her grasp.

"Guys…" Chandler attempts.

Joey stops and whines, "See, I'm gonna miss this!"

Before Chandler realizes it, he finds himself enveloped in a tight embrace from Joey. Smiling, he hugs Joey back, while Rachel joins them. He had not really considered the weight of this night before that moment. It marks, in essence, the end of the movie, although it technically ended as soon as the filming finished. They no longer see each other on a daily basis, nor do they spend late nights working together. Still, before tonight, nobody wanted to admit that it was, in fact, the end. They had formed a close friendship, and, while they were sure they would be able to preserve some aspects of the friendship, they knew that it would not be the same. Chandler appreciates the fact that they have become great friends, though. After all, they stuck by him, even after he abandoned them.

Well, apparently, no one else views his absence as abandonment, but he does, nonetheless. The memory still aches in his heart. As the door to this part of his life slowly close, the pain does not decrease. This is the last night, he tells himself, It's a time to remember the good things, not the bad. Yet, the bad things have a funny way of sneaking into the happiest of moments.

As the three of them release each other from the hug, they all have tears in their eyes. Chandler is sure they are thinking the same thing. Is it really over? As he studies the faces of his friends, he decides it is not. After all they have done for him, he owes them this in return. No, it will not be the end. No matter what happens, he will not let it be.

"So," Rachel begins, "What's there to do here?"

Joey looks around, "It's Ross' party. Do you really thing it's going to be fun? I mean, on the set, he wasn't exactly a fun person. Plus, I have to wear a tux!"

"Oh Joey, quit complaining!" she nags, "Look, there's Phoebe. I don't think she'll be impressed if you undress yourself!"

Joey shakes his head, "How do you think I get women?!"

"Eww, Joey!"

He laughs, while walking towards Phoebe, who is standing in the opposite side of the room. Chandler and Rachel watch him walk away, both smiling. Joey never fails to lift the awkwardness from a situation.

"So, do you think Phoebe's ever gonna go for Joey?"

Chandler studies the two of them as they talk, "Yeah, I think she will. When he puts his mind to something, Joey can be quite determined…especially, when it comes to women."

"That is true," Rachel pauses, "So, do you think everyone who worked on the movie's here?"

Chandler looks around, "Yeah, I…guess so."

"What about…Monica?"

He notices Rachel biting her lip anxiously.

"You can bring her up, Rach. I'm not gonna jump down your throat or anything."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Chandler continues to search through the sea of faces, "Well, I don't see her. She was never much for big parties…"

Rachel frowns, "You're not over her, are you?"

Chandler looks down at his shoes, "No. But it's okay. I mean I don't want to get hurt anymore. My mind knows that…it's my heart that's still the stubborn one."

"That's usually the way it works."

"Yeah…"

"Do you, uh, want a drink?" Rachel persuades, "I was just thinking of going over to the bar…"

"No, it's all right. I think I'm gonna go out and get some fresh air."

She nods. They walk in opposite directions.

Chandler lights a cigarette out on the balcony, steadily breathing in the smoke. He looks out upon the vast land of the hotel. Although it is dark, he can still make out the shadows of the trees against the moonlight, reflecting off of the small pond. His hair ruffles slightly in the light night breeze. He leans on the railing. The night is so beautiful. It's almost perfect, but something is missing. Chandler just cannot put his finger on what that something is.

Suddenly, Chandler has the feeling that he is not alone. Upon seeing a figure out of the corner of his eye, he turns and faces her. He is not surprised. After all, finding an escape from people is something that she excels in. She nods at him and he all but ignores the skipping of a heartbeat at the sight of her dark hair sparkling in the moonlight. She looks back out into the night. He feels like he should say something to break the silence, but knows he should not, just the same. This situation feels all too familiar.

Monica sneaks glances at Chandler. Why is he standing out here, alone? Doesn't he have those friends of his – the ones that know how to be a friend, unlike herself? He seems pensive. It's as if he barely even notices the cigarette in his mouth. She wishes she could find out what he is thinking about.

They haven't actually talked, aside for a few sporadic words, since she had come to his house a few weeks before. Perhaps, it is better this way. She takes a long look at him – an indulgence within itself. He hates her; she knows it. Even if he said that his disappearance was not due to her actions, she can't help but think that they are connected. She didn't consider that she was hurting him before, but once he left, she began to doubt that. However, since he said that it was not her fault…she should just believe that. Shouldn't she?

"So," Monica finally began, the silence making her feel uneasy, "What are you doing out here?"

He removes the cigarette from his mouth, "Getting some fresh air."

She nods, "Me too."

"Uh-huh."

"Look, Chandler…if you're upset because of me…"

"I'm not upset."

"You - you're not?"

"Nope."

"So, why haven't you been talking to me lately?"

"Why haven't you been talking to me lately?"

"I – I…don't know. Because I thought you weren't talking to me?"

He shrugs, "Well, I guess we cleared that up, eh?"

"Yeah…"

Monica still feels uneasy, even now that the silence has been broken. His casualness seems forced, which is not something she is used to. "I'm really gonna miss working with you."

He turns to her, slightly shocked by her words, "Rea – really? Yeah, I'm, uh, I'm gonna miss working with you, too."

"Maybe for Ross' next movie…"

Chandler chuckles, "One can only hope."

Silence unfolds as the two of them redirect their attention towards the night. Chandler unwillingly notices how her skin seems to glow. The memories flood his mind, like the warm feel of her flesh beneath his fingers. Monica looks over towards him, and for a moment their eyes catch, shimmering.

"I think I'm gonna…head back for the night."

"I'll walk you to your hotel room," Chandler whispers, the warnings going off in his head like sirens.

"Great, thanks."

They begin to walk through the hotel. In the elevator, Chandler merely stares at the lights as they switch off at each floor. Monica softly grasps his hand and chills run down his spine. When they arrive at her room, Chandler leans over to open the door, his breath dancing across her bare neck. Her heart skips a beat.

"Well, I'll see you," Chandler whispers.
"Yeah," she replies uneasily, "See…ya."

Chandler turns to leave.

"Unless, you want to come in."

He stares at her for a moment, feeling bombarded with the all-familiar desire. He nods his head slowly, knowing exactly what was coming next. Quickly, his lips find hers in a passionate kiss, as the two stumble into the room. He isn't going to fall for her trap again, though.

It is still dark in the room, as Monica groggily opens her eyes. She stretches her arms slightly, in an attempt to wake up. Suddenly, she sits up, her body rigid in shock. The opposite side of the bed is cold and empty.

A/N: Yeah, I know, how could Chandler be so blind as to get back into bed with her? I would justify it more, but if the next chapter doesn't' convince you, then I don't know what to say. I finished writing this fic last weekend. There are 3 chapters left, methinks…or maybe it's 4. I can't remember, nor can I bring myself to check. Please leave me a review…and some caffeine. Thanks. :)