A.N----okay, I still think that most people just really don't like this series, but I decided to keep writing it for the people that do like it cause you guys have all been super nice J

*New York, 6 months later*

Chandler and Monica were still going strong, despite the occasional major fight here or there. Chandler had decided against telling Monica about what he really did. He figured it wouldn't do her any good to know, his family had known and it sure as hell hadn't helped them. Monica loved being with Chandler, she was sure that she was in love with him, but had decided against telling him for fear he wouldn't return the sentiment. They had decided to continue living together, they figured it would just be easier that way. It wasn't that Chandler didn't love having Monica around, but her being in the apartment had caused a couple of problems. Only a month into their relationship Monica found one of Chandler's guns and had freaked out. He tried explaining to her that he needed it for protection but she forced him to get rid of it. Chandler hid the rest of his pistols later that week so Monica wouldn't find them. They had also had several spats about him traveling all the time on such short notices, but that too was resolved. Chandler was lucky he was a quick thinker. He felt bad lying all the time, but he refused even thinking about telling her. Chandler wasn't only concerned with her being in danger, but he was suddenly hit with the thought that she would think less of him if she knew what he did. Chandler didn't want the woman he cared for most thinking that he was a monster.

It was a Friday, and Chandler and Monica were preparing to meet Monica's family for dinner. Chandler was extremely nervous, from what Monica had said about her mother Chandler had deduced that she was over critical.

"Are you ready?" Chandler asked for about the billionth time it seemed. He was sitting in the living room and wringing his hands nervously.

"Yes, now I am," Monica said, emerging from their bedroom. They had decided it would be stupid for them to keep separate bedrooms, so they just kept Monica's as the guestroom.

"You look." Chandler started, searching for a word fit to describe her, "gorgeous" he said, finally settling on a word that he felt still didn't fit.

"Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself," she said. She loved the way he looked in a good suit. She made her way over to where he was standing and leaned in to give him a kiss which lasted for several minutes. "mmm" Monica said softly pulling back, "we need to get going,"

Chandler groaned in protest, "Why do I need to meet your parents and your brother, I'm not sleeping with them," he said planting soft kisses on her neck.

"No," Monica said with a soft laugh, "but they're important to me and so are you, so it's important that the four of you at least know each other." She said. "C'mon, we'll be late," Monica added grabbing his hand and leading him towards the door.

*****

Chandler and Monica arrived at the restaurant to find that Ross and her parents hadn't arrived yet. Not long after they ordered their drinks Monica spotted them making their way through the crowded restaurant. Both Monica and Chandler stood as they approached the table. Kisses and hugs were quickly exchanged and Monica introduced her parents and her brother to Chandler. It wasn't long before Judy began interrogating Chandler.

"So, Chandler," she began after they had ordered their meals, "tell us, where did you grow up?" she asked.

"I grew up in a suburb just outside the city," Chandler answered honestly.

"What did your parents do for a living?" she asked, finding his last answer acceptable.

"Well," Chandler started somewhat panicky, "my father worked in computer technology and my mother was a homemaker," he answered, hoping his answer didn't sound too delayed or fake.

"Well I look forward to meeting them, perhaps we could all get together for dinner some time," Jack offered politely.

"Actually, dad," Monica started, "Chandler's parents live in Europe now, they retired several years ago," she explained for Chandler, hoping he wasn't overwhelmed by her mother's nosy attitude.

"Well, what do you do for a living Chandler?" Judy asked, not giving her husband a chance to show that he was impressed.

"I'm a data processor," Chandler informed, remembering his lie that he told Monica.

"How exciting," Judy replied mundanely, showing that she was unimpressed.

Monica quietly sighed. She gave Chandler a reassuring smile to show that she didn't care whether or not his job was boring. Surprisingly enough, Chandler didn't seem to mind her mother.

"What do you do Ross?" Chandler asked, trying to include Monica's brother in on the conversation so maybe her mother would let up on him.

Until then Ross had remained quiet, Chandler seemed nice enough and he wasn't really sure why he had been asked to go to dinner with them in the first place.

"Ross is a paleontologist," Judy answered proudly for her son, "he works at the museum among many other respected scholars," she added, making sure that Chandler would be impressed.

"Wow," Chandler replied not really knowing what to say, it sounded boring to him, "so you study dinosaurs?" Chandler asked, taking a sip of his wine.

"Among other things, yes," Ross answered politely, slightly beaming from his mother's praise.

Monica rolled her eyes, he didn't realize it yet, but Chandler had just unlocked a door. Monica knew that the rest of the night her mother would be devoted to praising Ross. Monica didn't care though, at least she would lay off Chandler.

Monica was right, the rest of the night was spent devoted to flattering Ross. Chandler didn't mind much but he was running out of responses to all of Ross' accomplishments, you could only say 'wow, no kidding,' so many times without feeling repetitive.

In the middle of dinner a waiter approached the table, "excuse me, Mr. Bing," he said with a thick French accent.

"Yes, that's me," Chandler answered looking up at the waiter.

"You have a phone call," the waiter said.

"Oh, if you'll excuse me," Chandler said politely standing up. He then followed the waiter to the telephones.

Once she was sure Chandler was out of earshot, Judy began to lay in, "So, Monica," she began, "how much longer do you plan on staying with this one?" Judy asked

"What?" Monica asked, she knew it was coming as soon as Chandler left the table, but she liked to pretend that her mother would be decent at least once.

"Well, what I mean is, how long do you actually expect this relationship to last?" she asked, laughing slightly at her daughter's confusion.

"I don't know mom, awhile," Monica answered slightly annoyed.

"Well, I think he's a nice young man," Jack said, always trying to lighten the tone.

"Oh no, he's very nice," Judy agreed, "Its just." She started.

"Its just what?" Monica asked playing along with her mother's game.

"Well, it's just, he seems a little boring, a little dry," Judy said.

"Would you rather his father be gay and his mother be some, I don't, exotic romance novelist?" Monica challenged her mother, knowing that she would find a fault in anything Chandler mentioned.

"Of course not dear," Judy laughed, "forget I even said it." She added.

Monica sighed knowing that her mother did not actually expect her to forget it. Monica tried not to let it bug her, she knew that this would happen anyway.

*****

Meanwhile, Chandler followed the waiter to the phone, "thanks," Chandler said as the waiter handed him their phone. "hello?" he said into the receiver.

"Chandler," Joey said. "how come you haven't been answering your cell?" he questioned.

"Oh, I turned it off," Chandler replied.

"Yeah, well next time just put it on vibrate or something, I've called like twenty restaurants tonight trying to get a hold of you." Joey complained.

"Why what's the matter?" Chandler asked somewhat alarmed.

"We have a problem," Joey stated.

"Who is it?" Chandler asked, already knowing the answer.

"It's the Black Stars," Joey replied, referring to a ring of extremists who had been attempting to sway European politics towards extreme right wing ideals for the past twenty years. Chandler's team had been working on their case for almost a year after information that they were illegally trafficking drugs and guns among other weapons. They were strategically located in five different locations in Europe, five separate sectors for each point on a star.

"I'll be right there," Chandler replied hanging up the phone. He went back to the table with a troubled mind. "Monica," he said as he reached the table.

"Chandler, what's wrong?" Monica asked, noticing the sudden change in his demeanor.

"I have to go," Chandler said quickly.

"What?" Monica asked, "what's going on?"

"I'll have to explain later," Chandler said, not knowing how he would explain it. "Mr. and Mrs. Geller," Chandler said, turning his attention, to Monica's parents, it was a pleasure to meet you, sorry I have to run out like this," Chandler apologized, shaking their hands, "Ross, it was nice meeting you," Chandler added to Ross who also stood to shake his hand. "Monica, I'm so so sorry, but I gotta go," he said, and with that he was gone.

"Well," Judy began after Chandler's abrupt exit, "I have never." She started before Monica interrupted her.

"Mom, don't start," Monica warned, "not now." She added, obviously upset. "I think I'm going to go," Monica said standing up. Her family watched her leave the restaurant and wondered what was going on.