A/N: In response to the review that this is too sad, it is quite downbeat, but hang in there I'm not dragging it out too much but it has to be realistic, they wouldn't get together straight away,. Please review! Oh and sorry it's short but that felt like the right place to leave it.

She used to walk around all day. She was a wanderer, she didn't like to settle. But not anymore. Phoebe sat, huddled in a small blanket, shivering. She hadn't eaten for a few days, and she knew that she needed to get some money. Fast.

Her body aching, she shuffled to the end of the alley, leaning out into the street. She was suddenly blinded.

The sun was beating down on New York un-relentlessly, but to Phoebe it was a welcome change from the months of wind and rain. She tilted her head upwards, letting the warmth rush over her face, releasing her from the feeling of numbness she had grown so used to.

With an enormous effort she lifted herself from the ground, stepping out onto the sidewalk, allowing herself to be fully absorbed in the light. Spring was here, and Phoebe searched desperately to find the hope she had lost, praying silently that it would return with the sun.

However, there was a still a thought, nagging deep inside of her, that the sun didn't bring food, or money, and that was what Phoebe really needed.

There was only way she knew to get money, something she hadn't done in years. She hated herself for doing it, but she was running out of options.

She had no choice.

***

"Yep," Rachel replied, down the phone. "They want me to stay late, I won't be home till about seven. I'll catch a cab."

"Ok, see you then sweetie, love you," Ross said.

"Bye honey."

Rachel put down the phone, turning her attention to the window of her work at Bloomingdales, annoyed that the sun was shining and she was stuck inside till seven. She turned away from the glass and back to her computer.

"Time to get on, I guess," she murmured with a sigh.

***

"Any luck sweetie?" Monica asked, as Chandler entered her apartment.

She was worried about him, his eyes withdrawn, and his face pale. She had lost the Chandler she once knew, and only one person could help her get him back. Phoebe.

"No... she's left the park. I waited all day; she must have gone somewhere else."

"I'm sure you'll find her. Just... keep trying."

The words sounded pathetic even as she said them, for she knew as well as Chandler did, the chances of him finding her were practically non-existent.

"Sure," Chandler said after a pause. "Just keep trying..."

***

She stepped out onto the sidewalk, her eyes surveying the street in front of her, which was basically deserted.

"Not a cab in sight," she said quietly to herself, before finally walking off. It was only a few blocks away, and she might as well walk.

***

Finally she saw someone, a woman, about the same age as herself.

Perfect.

Her grip tightening around the cool metal in her hand, her knuckles turning white. She willed herself onwards. She had to do this. She had no choice.

Just as the woman approached her alleyway, she stepped out, her face hidden by her hood.

"Give me your money," she said in a low tone, trying to avoid the woman's eyes, for fear of backing out.

"Oh my god," the woman finally breathed out, she grabbed for her purse, hands shaking. "Hang on. Please, don't hurt me. Oh god!"

Finally the woman found her money, giving it over; Phoebe grabbed it and ran off.

Pausing as she dodged round the corner, Phoebe opened her hands, and examined the contents. $24.00 lay there, staring her in the face. This could get her food, she knew that, but even the sight of it disgusted her.

What had she done?

***

"Ross?" Rachel cried as she ran into his apartment, bolting the door shut after her. "Ross? Oh god!" she said, out of breath having run the last few blocks. She fell into his arms as he came out of the bedroom.

"Rach? What's wrong?"

"I... I was..." She burst into tears. "I was just mugged."