A/N Well we've reached the end! Yup, this is the last chapter, so please review and tell me what you think. Thanks for reading, and thanks to David for proofing and advising me the whole way though
Disclaimer: Yup… still don't own any of them. Oh and the song used is 'You're my home' by Billy Joel and I don't own that either. But I do own David, cos I claimed him -evil laugh-
The city had slowly been absorbed by the darkness, he watched as light filtered out through windows, like stars setting the city alight. He must have been staring out of this window for hours, but he couldn't bring himself to move, hypnotised by the moonlight, even blinking seemed to be a strain.
Just then the light flicked on in the apartment, and Chandler's eyes, used to the darkness, winced in pain. He didn't look round. Joey must be home. Chandler didn't want to talk to him. Or anyone.
"Chandler." A soft voice called from behind him, and his stomach flipped. He must be imagining it. He didn't want to look round, for fear she wouldn't be there, but yet knew he could no longer resist the chance to see her face.
"Hi," she whispered, tears in her eyes, as he got up and turned to face her.
He saw Rachel stood in the doorway. She offered him a slight smile before closing the door, leaving the two of them alone.
"You came back," he murmured, unable to take his eyes away from hers. "Why?"
"Rachel," Phoebe replied, and then let her gaze drop to the ground. "I talked to her for a while…"
"Oh?" Chandler said, his eyes flicking towards the door with interest.
"I'm sorry, Chandler." A voice, sounding so small, wafted into his ears, and he looked back at her, from beneath her folds of blonde hair, hanging in front of her face. He saw a small tear drop to the floor. It splashed as it hit the surface, scattering.
"What for?" he asked. "For mugging Rachel, or for lying about it?"
There was little anger in his voice, although it seemed more sympathetic, but the question hit Phoebe hard, she felt as though she had been slapped round the face.
She let out a small sob, and Chandler felt over come with guilt.
"Phoebe, listen to me…" he began, raising her head so his eyes met hers, "I know now… you don't have to lie anymore. Everyone knows…. We can move on."
"That's was what Rachel said," Phoebe murmured, as Chandler took a step towards her. "But… you have to understand…. I can't…" she stammered, her head pounding with pain as she tried to get her thoughts straight. She saw the moonlight glimmering across the couch, casting shadows around the room.
"Shhh," he comforted, his hand reaching for hers, their fingers entwining.
"I just want to forget…. forget it all."
"I know," he said, in a hushed voice. "But you can't expect to forget it all straight away…"
"Yeah, not straight away," she echoed thoughtfully. "About Rachel… you know I'd never… not anymore."
Chandler looked at her face, and felt that small doubt in the back of his mind fade away, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly into a smile, which spread across her face to her eyes. Staring at her, he knew she was telling the truth. She'd changed.
"Okay."
He mirrored her smile, and she leaned over, her lips meeting his, and for the first time in days Chandler felt a wash of happiness overtake him.
***
"Here you are, guys."
Gunther offered them their coffees as the six of them sat around at Central Perk.
The clouds were gathering outside, giving the coffee house a dingy feel, but as Phoebe sat nervously in the corner she hardly noticed.
Rachel gave her a warm smile, which meant more to Phoebe than the reactions of the other three put together, but still, the glimmer of hostility in Joey's greeting had dampened her spirits. She caught him sharing a look with Chandler, and Joey gave a nod.
"So I said to Carl…"
Ross was embarking on a story from work, and Phoebe watched, as Joey slumped down into his chair, his attention clearly elsewhere. Chandler was absentmindedly browsing a newspaper; Rachel and Monica raised eyebrows at each other, and seemed to settle down, as if knowing Ross was going to continue for quite a while.
Phoebe watched this with interest, the feeling of being an outsider starting to creep over her again, taunting her, when Rachel turned to her, and gave the smallest nod towards Ross, and a little roll of her eyes.
Such a small gesture; but Phoebe felt relief flood through her body. She was part of their lives.
She turned towards Ross, who was powering onwards with his story, seemingly oblivious to the fact his audience's minds were elsewhere; but Phoebe smiled, absorbing every word he said, but in the back of her mind one thought repeating over and over.
She was part of their lives.
***
They hurried into the apartment; dripping wet having only run from the coffee house to their building, but the rain was hammering downward. The lights still switched off, the dusky light from outside highlight Chandler's smile, as he wandered into the bedroom. Their bedroom.
The two of them got ready for bed in silence, words seem to be unnecessary, as Phoebe replayed the days events in her head, still finding it hard to believe they were true, but knowing, every time she caught his eye that they were.
"I love you," Chandler grinned, giving her a kiss, as she lay her head down on the pillow.
"I love you too," she murmured, and as Chandler drifted off into a doze she whispered, "More than you'll ever know."
***
She woke up quite suddenly, her eyes glancing around the room. They flicked towards the clock. It was five in the morning.
The storm had obviously passed, as the dawn sun broke into the room, she looked at him, an gave an inward smile, before returning her gaze to the window where she could see the sun bouncing off the buildings, darting happily around the city.
"What you doing?"
She heard his voice, and turned to see him watching her through bleary eyes, his hair messy he stifled a yawn.
When you look into my eyes
And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
It always comes as a surprise
When I feel my withered roots begin to grow
"Thinking," she smiled.
Well I
never had a place that I could call my very own
That's all right, my love, 'cause you're my home
"What about?" he asked.
When you touch my weary head
And you tell me everything will be all right
You say, "Use my body for your bed
And my love will keep you warm throughout the night"
Even as he spoke, his head was returning to the pillow, his eyes already shut.
Well I'll never be a stranger and I'll never be alone
Whenever we're together, that's my home
Phoebe smiled, his mind already drifting off to sleep. He barely heard her answer; but quietly it came.
Well I never had a place that I could call my very own
That's all right, my love, 'cause you're my home
"You."
