Chapter Five: Getting Drunk
Phoebe was sitting in her living room later that day, trying to think. She couldn't believe Joey had done this. He had always seemed like the best friend she had ever had. Now that they had tried to have a relationship, he had cheated on her. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to start over with him. Her phone rang, and she answered it. ''Hello, Regina Philangie here, Phoebe isn't in right now.'' She said, in case it was Joey.
It wasn't, it was Rachel. ''Hi, Regina. It's Rachel. How are you doing? You any better since this morning?'' She felt terrible for her friend.
Phoebe sighed. ''No. I still don't know what to do. Joey and I were kind of casual, but we still had an arrangement. Friday and Saturday nights were our nights. It hurts so much that he did this. What am I going to tell the baby if we can't fix this?''
Rachel said, ''You can fix this, Pheebs. Do you like Joey enough to try and start over? Joey likes you enough. He wants to start over with you. And maybe by the time the baby comes, you guys will be in love and committed and stuff.''
Phoebe said, ''I want to have what you and Chandler have with Joey. I really do. The two months we just casually dated were torture on me. I just, I don't know if I can forgive Joey for this. I really don't.''
Rachel was sitting on her own couch, in stockinged feet and pjammies. ''Pheebs, think about how close you guys are already. He's your best friend. And even though he's got Chandler, you're his best friend, too. You guys can tell each other stuff more easily than you can the rest of us. Like there's stuff I can tell Monica that I can't tell everybody else, except for Chandler.''
Phoebe sat up straighter. ''You can tell Monica stuff you can't tell me? I tell you everything, Rachel Karen Greene.''
Rachel said, ''Don't middle-name me! You tell Joey stuff that you don't tell me. Like, you didn't tell me that you made out with your best friend Leslie when you guys were teenagers.''
Phoebe gasped. ''You know about that? Did Joey tell you?'' She was shocked that Joey would just break her confidence like that, and then she realized that it was one of his dreams to see two girls making out, so she wasn't that shocked.
Rachel said, ''No, he told Monica, and she told me. But you still didn't tell me.''
Phoebe told Rachel she'd talk to her the next day, because she was getting tired and just couldn't talk about the Joey situation anymore. She hung up and went to bed.
Joey was sitting in his apartment, very down. He wanted so very much to fix things with Pheebs, but he wasn't sure how to go about it. He'd never wanted to be serious about just one girl before. He looked up as Chandler came out of his room, looking just as depressed as Joey felt. Joey asked, ''So, what's up, man? Why do you look so down?''
Chandler replied, ''I didn't get Rachel anything for our two month anniversary, and she's angry at me. I wanted to get something really special. There wasn't anything special enough. I love her too much to get her something stupid, like a sweater.''
Joey said, ''Well, you guys have already been into each other for so long, that I don't think you have to get her something so special. She already knows you love her. You could have gotten her a pretty little necklace or something.''
Chandler shook his head. ''You don't understand. She got me the most gorgeous watch I have ever seen. I don't know how she was able to afford it, unless she used her credit card and is going to pay for it for months. I wish I could help her get a better job somewhere else.''
His best friend got up to get a beer. ''She still doesn't know what she wants to do. She knows she wants to do something in fashion. But don't say anything to her. She would be angry, and she'll think that all you care about is where she works.''
Chandler moaned and sat down on the couch. ''Let's not talk about this anymore. What are you going to do about Pheebs?'' He wanted to give Joey his advice, even if he wasn't the expert on women he wanted everyone to believe.
Joey sighed. ''I don't know. I want to fix things with her, but I don't know how to go about it. I like her enough to be serious about her. I just don't know how I can make her feel better about what I did.''
While the guys were talking about Phoebe, Rachel and Monica were getting drunk in their apartment. Rachel was still upset about Chandler, and Monica was supposed to be helping her feel better. However, Monica felt bad about almost ending their relationship that morning, so she was just drinking. Rachel sighed. ''I know he loves me, Monica, but he didn't get me anything. I got him the most gorgeous watch that I will be paying for till I die unless I can get a better job. Does he not get how badly that hurts?''
Monica slid her arm around Rachel's shoulders. ''You guys will get past this. I mean, it's you guys. You've been in love for a long time.'' Monica sighed. She was very drunk, and not feeling any better at all about anything. She was trying to get over Chandler, because her best friend was dating him, and that was very hard. She was trying her best. It was the hardest thing she ever had to do, besides getting over Richard.
Rachel slid her arm around Monica. She was suddenly seeing her friend in a new light. Monica was soooooo very drunk, but she was looking really sexy. It could be that Rachel was sooooooooooo drunk herself, but she wanted Monica. This was very unlike the time in college with Melissa. She and Monica were closer than she and Melissa were. She wondered how Monica would take it if she kissed her. She decided that she was sloshed enough to see. She kissed her best friend square on the lips.
Monica was surprised when Rachel's lips touched hers. She was surprised, but she didn't hate it. She gave in to the kiss, sliding her hands up into Rachel's hair. She had the softest hair. Monica very much wanted to make love to Rachel, right here and now. In the morning, it will have been a drunken mistake that they'll wish never have happened, but she still wanted her.
They looked at each other, and in one motion, they got up and placed their wine bottles with the other four on the table and went across the apartment to Monica's bedroom and closed the door. Rachel kissed Monica again in earnest, sliding her own hands into Monica's hair. Monica moved her friend's hands to her waist, and hugged her closer. Their breasts were bumping, and to both it felt heavenly. They hurriedly began taking each other's clothes off. Monica ripped Rachel's shirt as she was taking it off. Rachel shrugged. ''I got it on sale, three bucks.'' She laughed, and so did Monica as they removed bras. They slid onto the bed, caressing and kissing.
The next morning, Rachel woke up with the biggest hangover she'd ever had in her life. She looked to Monica, sleeping naked next to her. They had ended up making love three times. It had been the best sex Rachel had ever had. After Chandler, of course. Rachel gasped. ''Oh my God. Chandler!'' She thought, and ran her hands through her hair. She couldn't believe that she had done this to him. Admittedly, she had consumed a LOT of alcohol, but still. She had been lucid enough to know what she was doing. She had WANTED to do it. She knew Monica had, too.
Thinking of Monica, she woke up, and groaned. ''Bad hangover.'' She said, and then saw Rachel, sitting up in bed, breasts sticking out over the blankets. ''Hi.'' She said.
Rachel smiled weakly at her. ''Hi, lover.'' She teased, and despite herself, leaned over and kissed Monica good morning.
Monica again, gave herself into the kiss. ''Rachel, I thought this was going to be the worst mistake I ever made, but that was the best sex I have ever had. Now I know what Chandler's always going on about.'' She slid her hand onto Rachel's breast.
Rachel tried to keep her pleasure at this off her face. ''It was very good for me, too, but I'm dating Chandler. How could I do this to him?''
Monica said, ''You were sad, and you got very drunk. It was a mistake. A very good mistake, however.'' She licked her lips. ''Are you sure you don't want to do that again?''
Rachel felt herself smiling. ''No, I'm not.'' She turned and kissed Monica, and they slid under the covers.
Joey let himself into Rachel and Monica's, and as he was getting into the fridge, he heard noises coming from Monica's bedroom. He closed the fridge, and walked across the living room and stood outside Monica's bedroom. It sounded like someone was having some very good sex in there. Then he heard Rachel's voice saying that they would definitely have to make this mistake more often, and Mon's replying that that was the best idea she'd ever heard.
Joey gasped. Monica and Rachel had had sex! He couldn't believe it! It was this moment that both girls exited, wearing bathrobes. They both threw their hands over their mouths at the sight of Joey. ''So, girls, anything you want to tell me?'' He asked.
Rachel said, ''Joey, you can NOT tell Chandler. Monica and I got very drunk last night, and we did end up having sex. I don't want Chandler to be hurt. I still love him, however, I still like what I've got with Monica.''
Monica slid her arms around her. ''Yeah, ya do.'' They kissed, and Joey said, ''Yeah, baby.'' When the kiss broke, Monica said, ''Joey, we're serious, you can't tell Chandler. You can't tell anyone.''
Joey said, ''As long as you tell me every detail. A lot. I won't tell anyone.''
Monica looked at Rachel, who nodded. She would do anything to keep Chandler from finding out. This was very unlike her, but she couldn't help herself. Monica said, ''OK, now, Joey, you've got to help us. Keep everybody out of the apartment for now, 'cause Rachel and I want to take a shower together.''
Joey smiled. ''Yeah, baby. Just give me another kiss.''
Both girls rolled their eyes, but gave him what he wanted before heading to the bathroom. Joey left, locking the door behind him. He went back into his own apartment. Chandler had woken up, and was fixing breakfast. ''Hey, man.'' Joey said.
Chandler said, ''So, did you talk to Rachel?'' Joey had been supposed to talk Chandler up to Rachel.
Joey said, ''She was in the shower.'' It was only a small lie.
Chandler said, ''Well, I'll go make breakfast for her. Do you think Monica will care if I use her new teflon pans?''
Joey said, ''No, you can't go over there and make breakfast! I um, want to make you and Rachel breakfast here. Why don't you go shower, and when you're done, I'll have chocolate chip pancakes for you and Rachel.'' His best friend agreed with this, so Joey immediately began to find the stuff for pancakes. He left the apartment and got the stuff off Monica's shelves. Monica and Rachel were exiting, dressed in their robes again. Joey said, ''Rach, I had to get stuff to fix pancakes for you and Chandler. So you have to come over.''
Rachel said, ''OK. I guess that would be alright.'' She looked at Monica. ''I want to ask you to help me get dressed, but I'll probably never get into any clothes.'' They both laughed, and Joey was in heaven. Rachel went into her room, to get dressed. She was so surprised that she and Monica had gotten together. She didn't think of herself as a lesbian, and she guessed that she still wasn't, but she did like what she had done with Monica. She had done things that Chandler would never do. Rachel grinned to herself as she got dressed.
Monica went into her own room, and quickly pulled a pair of jeans and a tee shirt out of her closet. She didn't care what she wore, since she was going to have to practice keeping her hands off Rachel all day.
She exited her room, and decided that she and Rachel couldn't do that again. They would have to definitely stop. Monica wasn't going to be responsible for breaking up Rachel and Chandler. She resolved that she was going to tell Rachel that no matter how much they wanted to, they weren't going to have sex again. No matter what.
Rachel exited her own room, and smiled at Monica. ''Hey, sexy.'' She said, and went to kiss Monica.
Monica shook her head. ''No, way, Rach. We can't do this anymore. I don't want to mess up what you and Chandler have. It's just wrong. I hope you understand.''
Rachel said, ''Monica, I want to do it. I don't want to leave Chandler, but I don't want to stop doing this with you, either. Please, don't take this away from me.''
Her best friend refused to budge. ''No way, I am not going to. If you break up with Chandler, then it would be acceptable. But I won't help you cheat on him.''
Rachel sighed and left the apartment to eat breakfast with her boyfriend. She knew that she and Monica weren't going to be able to stay away from each other. She entered her boyfriend's apartment and smiled at Joey, who was busily working to make the pancakes. She straightened her plaid miniskirt and said, ''Hi, Joey.''
Joey said, ''Chan's in the shower. He'll be out in a minute. Sit down and wait just a minute.'' He was spooning batter into the skillet on the stove.
Rachel said, ''I'm going to tell Chandler about last night.'' She knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't.
Chandler was coming out of the bathroom. ''Hey, beautiful.'' He said, going to kiss Rachel.
Rachel shook her head. ''Um, no, honey, I need to tell you something. I got really drunk last night, and I slept with Monica.'' She hated what this would do.
Chandler didn't say anything, he just went into his room and slammed the door, leaving his girlfriend feeling guilty and ashamed.
Phoebe was sitting in her living room later that day, trying to think. She couldn't believe Joey had done this. He had always seemed like the best friend she had ever had. Now that they had tried to have a relationship, he had cheated on her. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to start over with him. Her phone rang, and she answered it. ''Hello, Regina Philangie here, Phoebe isn't in right now.'' She said, in case it was Joey.
It wasn't, it was Rachel. ''Hi, Regina. It's Rachel. How are you doing? You any better since this morning?'' She felt terrible for her friend.
Phoebe sighed. ''No. I still don't know what to do. Joey and I were kind of casual, but we still had an arrangement. Friday and Saturday nights were our nights. It hurts so much that he did this. What am I going to tell the baby if we can't fix this?''
Rachel said, ''You can fix this, Pheebs. Do you like Joey enough to try and start over? Joey likes you enough. He wants to start over with you. And maybe by the time the baby comes, you guys will be in love and committed and stuff.''
Phoebe said, ''I want to have what you and Chandler have with Joey. I really do. The two months we just casually dated were torture on me. I just, I don't know if I can forgive Joey for this. I really don't.''
Rachel was sitting on her own couch, in stockinged feet and pjammies. ''Pheebs, think about how close you guys are already. He's your best friend. And even though he's got Chandler, you're his best friend, too. You guys can tell each other stuff more easily than you can the rest of us. Like there's stuff I can tell Monica that I can't tell everybody else, except for Chandler.''
Phoebe sat up straighter. ''You can tell Monica stuff you can't tell me? I tell you everything, Rachel Karen Greene.''
Rachel said, ''Don't middle-name me! You tell Joey stuff that you don't tell me. Like, you didn't tell me that you made out with your best friend Leslie when you guys were teenagers.''
Phoebe gasped. ''You know about that? Did Joey tell you?'' She was shocked that Joey would just break her confidence like that, and then she realized that it was one of his dreams to see two girls making out, so she wasn't that shocked.
Rachel said, ''No, he told Monica, and she told me. But you still didn't tell me.''
Phoebe told Rachel she'd talk to her the next day, because she was getting tired and just couldn't talk about the Joey situation anymore. She hung up and went to bed.
Joey was sitting in his apartment, very down. He wanted so very much to fix things with Pheebs, but he wasn't sure how to go about it. He'd never wanted to be serious about just one girl before. He looked up as Chandler came out of his room, looking just as depressed as Joey felt. Joey asked, ''So, what's up, man? Why do you look so down?''
Chandler replied, ''I didn't get Rachel anything for our two month anniversary, and she's angry at me. I wanted to get something really special. There wasn't anything special enough. I love her too much to get her something stupid, like a sweater.''
Joey said, ''Well, you guys have already been into each other for so long, that I don't think you have to get her something so special. She already knows you love her. You could have gotten her a pretty little necklace or something.''
Chandler shook his head. ''You don't understand. She got me the most gorgeous watch I have ever seen. I don't know how she was able to afford it, unless she used her credit card and is going to pay for it for months. I wish I could help her get a better job somewhere else.''
His best friend got up to get a beer. ''She still doesn't know what she wants to do. She knows she wants to do something in fashion. But don't say anything to her. She would be angry, and she'll think that all you care about is where she works.''
Chandler moaned and sat down on the couch. ''Let's not talk about this anymore. What are you going to do about Pheebs?'' He wanted to give Joey his advice, even if he wasn't the expert on women he wanted everyone to believe.
Joey sighed. ''I don't know. I want to fix things with her, but I don't know how to go about it. I like her enough to be serious about her. I just don't know how I can make her feel better about what I did.''
While the guys were talking about Phoebe, Rachel and Monica were getting drunk in their apartment. Rachel was still upset about Chandler, and Monica was supposed to be helping her feel better. However, Monica felt bad about almost ending their relationship that morning, so she was just drinking. Rachel sighed. ''I know he loves me, Monica, but he didn't get me anything. I got him the most gorgeous watch that I will be paying for till I die unless I can get a better job. Does he not get how badly that hurts?''
Monica slid her arm around Rachel's shoulders. ''You guys will get past this. I mean, it's you guys. You've been in love for a long time.'' Monica sighed. She was very drunk, and not feeling any better at all about anything. She was trying to get over Chandler, because her best friend was dating him, and that was very hard. She was trying her best. It was the hardest thing she ever had to do, besides getting over Richard.
Rachel slid her arm around Monica. She was suddenly seeing her friend in a new light. Monica was soooooo very drunk, but she was looking really sexy. It could be that Rachel was sooooooooooo drunk herself, but she wanted Monica. This was very unlike the time in college with Melissa. She and Monica were closer than she and Melissa were. She wondered how Monica would take it if she kissed her. She decided that she was sloshed enough to see. She kissed her best friend square on the lips.
Monica was surprised when Rachel's lips touched hers. She was surprised, but she didn't hate it. She gave in to the kiss, sliding her hands up into Rachel's hair. She had the softest hair. Monica very much wanted to make love to Rachel, right here and now. In the morning, it will have been a drunken mistake that they'll wish never have happened, but she still wanted her.
They looked at each other, and in one motion, they got up and placed their wine bottles with the other four on the table and went across the apartment to Monica's bedroom and closed the door. Rachel kissed Monica again in earnest, sliding her own hands into Monica's hair. Monica moved her friend's hands to her waist, and hugged her closer. Their breasts were bumping, and to both it felt heavenly. They hurriedly began taking each other's clothes off. Monica ripped Rachel's shirt as she was taking it off. Rachel shrugged. ''I got it on sale, three bucks.'' She laughed, and so did Monica as they removed bras. They slid onto the bed, caressing and kissing.
The next morning, Rachel woke up with the biggest hangover she'd ever had in her life. She looked to Monica, sleeping naked next to her. They had ended up making love three times. It had been the best sex Rachel had ever had. After Chandler, of course. Rachel gasped. ''Oh my God. Chandler!'' She thought, and ran her hands through her hair. She couldn't believe that she had done this to him. Admittedly, she had consumed a LOT of alcohol, but still. She had been lucid enough to know what she was doing. She had WANTED to do it. She knew Monica had, too.
Thinking of Monica, she woke up, and groaned. ''Bad hangover.'' She said, and then saw Rachel, sitting up in bed, breasts sticking out over the blankets. ''Hi.'' She said.
Rachel smiled weakly at her. ''Hi, lover.'' She teased, and despite herself, leaned over and kissed Monica good morning.
Monica again, gave herself into the kiss. ''Rachel, I thought this was going to be the worst mistake I ever made, but that was the best sex I have ever had. Now I know what Chandler's always going on about.'' She slid her hand onto Rachel's breast.
Rachel tried to keep her pleasure at this off her face. ''It was very good for me, too, but I'm dating Chandler. How could I do this to him?''
Monica said, ''You were sad, and you got very drunk. It was a mistake. A very good mistake, however.'' She licked her lips. ''Are you sure you don't want to do that again?''
Rachel felt herself smiling. ''No, I'm not.'' She turned and kissed Monica, and they slid under the covers.
Joey let himself into Rachel and Monica's, and as he was getting into the fridge, he heard noises coming from Monica's bedroom. He closed the fridge, and walked across the living room and stood outside Monica's bedroom. It sounded like someone was having some very good sex in there. Then he heard Rachel's voice saying that they would definitely have to make this mistake more often, and Mon's replying that that was the best idea she'd ever heard.
Joey gasped. Monica and Rachel had had sex! He couldn't believe it! It was this moment that both girls exited, wearing bathrobes. They both threw their hands over their mouths at the sight of Joey. ''So, girls, anything you want to tell me?'' He asked.
Rachel said, ''Joey, you can NOT tell Chandler. Monica and I got very drunk last night, and we did end up having sex. I don't want Chandler to be hurt. I still love him, however, I still like what I've got with Monica.''
Monica slid her arms around her. ''Yeah, ya do.'' They kissed, and Joey said, ''Yeah, baby.'' When the kiss broke, Monica said, ''Joey, we're serious, you can't tell Chandler. You can't tell anyone.''
Joey said, ''As long as you tell me every detail. A lot. I won't tell anyone.''
Monica looked at Rachel, who nodded. She would do anything to keep Chandler from finding out. This was very unlike her, but she couldn't help herself. Monica said, ''OK, now, Joey, you've got to help us. Keep everybody out of the apartment for now, 'cause Rachel and I want to take a shower together.''
Joey smiled. ''Yeah, baby. Just give me another kiss.''
Both girls rolled their eyes, but gave him what he wanted before heading to the bathroom. Joey left, locking the door behind him. He went back into his own apartment. Chandler had woken up, and was fixing breakfast. ''Hey, man.'' Joey said.
Chandler said, ''So, did you talk to Rachel?'' Joey had been supposed to talk Chandler up to Rachel.
Joey said, ''She was in the shower.'' It was only a small lie.
Chandler said, ''Well, I'll go make breakfast for her. Do you think Monica will care if I use her new teflon pans?''
Joey said, ''No, you can't go over there and make breakfast! I um, want to make you and Rachel breakfast here. Why don't you go shower, and when you're done, I'll have chocolate chip pancakes for you and Rachel.'' His best friend agreed with this, so Joey immediately began to find the stuff for pancakes. He left the apartment and got the stuff off Monica's shelves. Monica and Rachel were exiting, dressed in their robes again. Joey said, ''Rach, I had to get stuff to fix pancakes for you and Chandler. So you have to come over.''
Rachel said, ''OK. I guess that would be alright.'' She looked at Monica. ''I want to ask you to help me get dressed, but I'll probably never get into any clothes.'' They both laughed, and Joey was in heaven. Rachel went into her room, to get dressed. She was so surprised that she and Monica had gotten together. She didn't think of herself as a lesbian, and she guessed that she still wasn't, but she did like what she had done with Monica. She had done things that Chandler would never do. Rachel grinned to herself as she got dressed.
Monica went into her own room, and quickly pulled a pair of jeans and a tee shirt out of her closet. She didn't care what she wore, since she was going to have to practice keeping her hands off Rachel all day.
She exited her room, and decided that she and Rachel couldn't do that again. They would have to definitely stop. Monica wasn't going to be responsible for breaking up Rachel and Chandler. She resolved that she was going to tell Rachel that no matter how much they wanted to, they weren't going to have sex again. No matter what.
Rachel exited her own room, and smiled at Monica. ''Hey, sexy.'' She said, and went to kiss Monica.
Monica shook her head. ''No, way, Rach. We can't do this anymore. I don't want to mess up what you and Chandler have. It's just wrong. I hope you understand.''
Rachel said, ''Monica, I want to do it. I don't want to leave Chandler, but I don't want to stop doing this with you, either. Please, don't take this away from me.''
Her best friend refused to budge. ''No way, I am not going to. If you break up with Chandler, then it would be acceptable. But I won't help you cheat on him.''
Rachel sighed and left the apartment to eat breakfast with her boyfriend. She knew that she and Monica weren't going to be able to stay away from each other. She entered her boyfriend's apartment and smiled at Joey, who was busily working to make the pancakes. She straightened her plaid miniskirt and said, ''Hi, Joey.''
Joey said, ''Chan's in the shower. He'll be out in a minute. Sit down and wait just a minute.'' He was spooning batter into the skillet on the stove.
Rachel said, ''I'm going to tell Chandler about last night.'' She knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't.
Chandler was coming out of the bathroom. ''Hey, beautiful.'' He said, going to kiss Rachel.
Rachel shook her head. ''Um, no, honey, I need to tell you something. I got really drunk last night, and I slept with Monica.'' She hated what this would do.
Chandler didn't say anything, he just went into his room and slammed the door, leaving his girlfriend feeling guilty and ashamed.