True Love Really Doesn't Run Smoothly
Part 9: Everybody Hurts
A/N: I know, I know, I haven't updated this in like... 2 and a half months! Wow! That's way longer than I thought. I am very, very sorry.
Anyway, a bit of a gloomy chapter for you. I hope you don't ostracise me for this. But I know exactly where I'm going, and I love happy endings, so you piece it together.....
Thank you to every reviewer, especially the one who liked the last chapter so much they felt the need to review 9 times! I love you all!
One last thing.... if, when you finish reading this, you could just press that little button that says "go", type some nice words, and press another button, that would be great. See, I don't ask for much, do I?
Disclaimer: I don't own them. None of them. Isn't that sad? Hopefully, they'll sell them on EBay when they're done, though.
*****
"Come on."
Monica edged around the corner slowly, tugging a despondant Ross into view. The dull lights on the walls of the hallway cast dark shadows on the polished wooden floor, giving the building an eerie look. Monica shivered slightly, but continued to guide her brother to his door.
Ross had a rather glazed expression, as if his eyes weren't seeing anything, even though they had the appearance of being open. His feet dragged along the floor as Monica moved him along.
They reached the door of Ross' apartment, and Monica moved her hand to open the door, but then she realised that it would be locked and her arm retracted.
"Ross, I need the keys," she said, looking around at Ross.
His face didn't even register her movement.
"Ross?" said Monica. When Ross still didn't move, she sighed and stuck her hand into the inside pocket of Ross' jacket. She frowne as her hand passed through a sea of papers and coins, amazed about how her own brother's pocket could be so untidy.
Finally fishing out the keyring, Monica turned the correct key upwards and poked it into the keyhole. The lock clicked loudly as it unfastened, and Monica opened the door, sighing in frustration as she remembered to guide Ross in.
She flicked the lightswitch beside the door and the room lit up. Ross stood behind her, causing her to bash her head against his shoulder when she turned around.
"Ow!" she groaned, rubbing her forehead in pain. She grabbed Ross by his coat, and, having given up being gentle, dragged him to the couch and pushed him down. As she had thought, this change of mood had no effect on him whatsoever. He just stared into nothingness.
Monica moved over to the window to draw the curtains, but before s he could, she noticed the bright lights of her apartment opposite, and saw Chandler standing in the window. He waved at her and grinned cheekily.
Monica sighed as she drew the curtains, giving Chandler a weak smile, wishing now she'd taken Chandler up on his offer to help her get Ross to his door. But no, she could do everything herself....
she flumped down next to Ross on the couch, letting her head rest against the soft cushion beneath it. She felt like lying there forever. She was exhausted. She'd done her best to conceal it from all her troubled friends, but truthfully, she'd have been willing to bet that she was as exhausted as any of them.
She could have fallen into a deep sleep, there and then......
She sat up, shaking her head to wake herself up.
She had to get through to Ross to make sure it was actually safe to leave him.
She waved her hand in front of his face, even though she knew it wouldn't work. She looked around, searching for something that would get Ross to snap out of his daze.
Suddenly, a piercing ring split the air. Monica looked at Ross hopefully, but he hadn't moved. She retrieved her cell phone from her bag and answered it. "Hello?"
"Hi," said Phoebe.
"Oh, hi, Pheebs," said Monica, sneaking a glance at Ross.
She smiled to herself as Ross jerked foward. His eyes swivelled round to look at her. She still saw devastation in their depths, but life had returned to them, and he stared at her with hope at the front of his expression.
"What did you-" started Monica into the phone, but Ross grabed it from her hand and turned it to his ear.
"Phoebe?" he said, with an odd edge in his voice.
Monica watched as Ross' face took a downward expression again, and she knew the phone had gone dead.
*****
The lights of Joey and Rachel's apartment flickered into life when Joey clicked the light switch, and moved further into the room, Rachel supporting herself on his shoulder.
The door swung shut behind them. Joey helped Rachel ease herself down into the barcolounger, where she leaned her head backwards and closed her eyes.
Joey moved back over to the counter and took two glasses from the cupboard. He filled one with water, and walked back over to Rachel, who took it gladly. Then he poured himself a glass of wine and downed it in one, making it clear without having to speak to Rachel of his mood.
"You need to get some sleep," he said as he put the glass down.
Rachel looked at him. "So do you," she said, seeing the large, dark bags under his eyes.
Joey smiled. "I'm not the one who's pregnant."
Rachel smiled back. For a moment it remained deadly silent. Joey could hear Rachel's breathing, and a car zooming past outside. They looked at each other, both trying to find the answer to the question they didn't know.
Rachel moved suddenly, making Joey jump. "I'm gonna- gonna go to bed," she said slowly, watching Joey awake as though he'd been asleep. Maybe he had been. Maybe he'd been dreaming. Dreaming of none of this having happened. But it didn't work like that. They both knew that. But he had thought for a minute that it had.
*****
Chandler yawned and sat up. The bed clothes were in a mess, tangled up around him tightly. He looked to his side off the bed, and saw his pillow lying on the floor. He smiled, remembering what he and Monica had got up to last night.
"Hey, Mon-" he suddenly noticed she wasn't there. "Mon?" he shouted. There was no reply. "Mon?" he said, a little louder. This time, his yell was answered by the sound of someone vomiting. "Mon!" he yelled, leaping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom.
Monica was knelt over the toilet, looking rather pale. She looked up as he entered.
"Monica, what's wrong?" asked Chandler in concern, kneeling down next to her.
She wiped her face. "I don't know," she said. "I think it might have been that watermelon I ate yesterday. I told you that it looked off," she complained, before vomiting into the toilet again.
Chandler squirmed at the sight of his wife vomiting, but gave her a kiss on the cheek and helped her up at her signal. "You okay now?" he asked.
Monica nodded. "I think so," she said. "Could you make me some breakfast?"
"Wow, you want me to cook breakfast?"said Chandler in surprise. "You must be really ill."
Monica hit him lightly on the arm. "Shut up," she said. "Could you just make me some?"
Chandler smiled. "Sure. What do you want?"
Monica considered. "Just toast would be fine. I don't want you wasting any of that bacon."
Chandler was about to talk back when the door opened.
It was Rachel.
"Hey, Rach," said Chandler. "Mon was just insulting my cooking talents."
Rachel smiled. "Yeah, she did that to me all the time."
"Yeah, but there's a big difference here. I can actually cook," said Chandler, grinning at his joke.
Rachel glared at him. "Mon, I need to talk to you," she said, ignoring Chandler, who had burst out in a fit of silent laughter for no apparent reason.
Monica looked up. "You know what, now's not the best time. I think I need to lie down. Talk to Chandler about it. And Chandler, what is so funny?" she snapped.
Chandler straightened up. "Nothing," he said quickly. Monica looked at him suspiciously for a moment, then walked into the bedroom. Chandler sat down next to Rachel. "So, what seems to be the problem, Rachel?"
Rachel stared at him. "Well... are you sure I should be talking to you about this?"
"Why not?" said Chandler. "Is it about Joey?" he asked.
Rachel looked down. "Yes," she conceded.
"What about Joey?"
"I'm not sure whether I should stay with him or not," Rachel said slowly.
Chandler stared at her. "You don't wanna be with Joey anymore? But you're having his baby!"
"So? Loads of people aren't together when they have a baby. How would this be any different? It's not like we planned this, is it?"
"But Rachel.... are you sure you don't want him? I mean, do you know how difficult that would be? You'd never be able to be in the same room. You certainly wouldn't be able to live together. And do you really think you can raise this baby all by yourself?"
Rachel stared at him. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm incapable? I CAN do this myself, and I will. In fact, I'll go over there right now and tell Joey!" she said, half shouting.
Chandler stared at her as she stormed out.
"Chandler!" yelled Monica. "Where is my pillow?"
*****
Rachel stormed into her apartment and saw Joey. "Joey!" she exclaimed. "I need to talk to you."
Joey looked up. "Yeah?" he said.
Rachel opened her mouth to say it, but before she could, she saw the hope in Joey's eyes. She couldn't take that away. She couldn't see it vanish. She couldn't see him brake down. She couldn't do it. Not now.
"I just wanted to say.... I... good luck with your big scene today," she faltered.
He smiled. "Thanks, Rach. Hey, I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay," she whispered as he left.
*****
Phoebe ducked. She watched Ross walk out of the coffeehouse and walk across the road, his jacket making him look like a puffball. She watched him turn the corner, then ran quickly into the coffeehouse.
"Hey, guys!" she said to Chandler and Monica, who sat together on the couch, cuddling warmly. Phoebe smiled wistfully.
"Hey," said Chandler, kissing Monica's hair affectionately. "Did you... did you see Ross?" he said cautiously.
"What?" said Phoebe. "No, I must have missed him. Oh well," she said, sitting back.
Monica looked at her. "Are you sure you weren't avoiding him, Pheebs?"
Phoebe laughed. "What? No, that's crazy. Why would I do that?"
Monica pretended to consider. "Erm, gee Pheebs, I don't know. Maybe because you kissed him, and then said you didn;t want him?"
"Hey, he kissed me!" shouted Phoebe. "And I am not avoiding him. No, I'm fine. Absolutely fine."
Chandler reached into his pocket. "Hey, Pheebs, want some gum?" he said innocently.
Phoebe gasped, and felt tears start to run down her cheeks. She ran out of the coffeehouse, and Chandler and Monica watched as she fled down the street.
Chandler sighed. "Wow. Aren't I glad that we don't have any problems?"
Monica nodded. "Tell me about it."
*****
It sat there in the dark, waiting. Waiting for the doom to descend.
It fluttered in the breeze, the moonlight shining through it, leaving ghostly imprints of it on the wall. Rachel's curly handwriting danced on the plasterboard, ready. Ready to hurt.
From outside came the sound of whistling. Joey strode in, a large smile on his face. "Rach?" he called out.
Then he saw it.
He picked up the paper which lay on the counter and read it. It was only short. Soon, a cry escaped his lips. He slowly sunk to the ground, sobbing wretchedly.
The darkness had overcome him. And now it moved onto the next one.
*****
A/N: Okay, a bit weird at the end there. But I think it shows just how devastated Joey is.
Review this, or I will hunt you down and kill you! I have Samantha Crumb on my side! (inside joke which only one person, who won't even read this, will get.)
Part 9: Everybody Hurts
A/N: I know, I know, I haven't updated this in like... 2 and a half months! Wow! That's way longer than I thought. I am very, very sorry.
Anyway, a bit of a gloomy chapter for you. I hope you don't ostracise me for this. But I know exactly where I'm going, and I love happy endings, so you piece it together.....
Thank you to every reviewer, especially the one who liked the last chapter so much they felt the need to review 9 times! I love you all!
One last thing.... if, when you finish reading this, you could just press that little button that says "go", type some nice words, and press another button, that would be great. See, I don't ask for much, do I?
Disclaimer: I don't own them. None of them. Isn't that sad? Hopefully, they'll sell them on EBay when they're done, though.
*****
"Come on."
Monica edged around the corner slowly, tugging a despondant Ross into view. The dull lights on the walls of the hallway cast dark shadows on the polished wooden floor, giving the building an eerie look. Monica shivered slightly, but continued to guide her brother to his door.
Ross had a rather glazed expression, as if his eyes weren't seeing anything, even though they had the appearance of being open. His feet dragged along the floor as Monica moved him along.
They reached the door of Ross' apartment, and Monica moved her hand to open the door, but then she realised that it would be locked and her arm retracted.
"Ross, I need the keys," she said, looking around at Ross.
His face didn't even register her movement.
"Ross?" said Monica. When Ross still didn't move, she sighed and stuck her hand into the inside pocket of Ross' jacket. She frowne as her hand passed through a sea of papers and coins, amazed about how her own brother's pocket could be so untidy.
Finally fishing out the keyring, Monica turned the correct key upwards and poked it into the keyhole. The lock clicked loudly as it unfastened, and Monica opened the door, sighing in frustration as she remembered to guide Ross in.
She flicked the lightswitch beside the door and the room lit up. Ross stood behind her, causing her to bash her head against his shoulder when she turned around.
"Ow!" she groaned, rubbing her forehead in pain. She grabbed Ross by his coat, and, having given up being gentle, dragged him to the couch and pushed him down. As she had thought, this change of mood had no effect on him whatsoever. He just stared into nothingness.
Monica moved over to the window to draw the curtains, but before s he could, she noticed the bright lights of her apartment opposite, and saw Chandler standing in the window. He waved at her and grinned cheekily.
Monica sighed as she drew the curtains, giving Chandler a weak smile, wishing now she'd taken Chandler up on his offer to help her get Ross to his door. But no, she could do everything herself....
she flumped down next to Ross on the couch, letting her head rest against the soft cushion beneath it. She felt like lying there forever. She was exhausted. She'd done her best to conceal it from all her troubled friends, but truthfully, she'd have been willing to bet that she was as exhausted as any of them.
She could have fallen into a deep sleep, there and then......
She sat up, shaking her head to wake herself up.
She had to get through to Ross to make sure it was actually safe to leave him.
She waved her hand in front of his face, even though she knew it wouldn't work. She looked around, searching for something that would get Ross to snap out of his daze.
Suddenly, a piercing ring split the air. Monica looked at Ross hopefully, but he hadn't moved. She retrieved her cell phone from her bag and answered it. "Hello?"
"Hi," said Phoebe.
"Oh, hi, Pheebs," said Monica, sneaking a glance at Ross.
She smiled to herself as Ross jerked foward. His eyes swivelled round to look at her. She still saw devastation in their depths, but life had returned to them, and he stared at her with hope at the front of his expression.
"What did you-" started Monica into the phone, but Ross grabed it from her hand and turned it to his ear.
"Phoebe?" he said, with an odd edge in his voice.
Monica watched as Ross' face took a downward expression again, and she knew the phone had gone dead.
*****
The lights of Joey and Rachel's apartment flickered into life when Joey clicked the light switch, and moved further into the room, Rachel supporting herself on his shoulder.
The door swung shut behind them. Joey helped Rachel ease herself down into the barcolounger, where she leaned her head backwards and closed her eyes.
Joey moved back over to the counter and took two glasses from the cupboard. He filled one with water, and walked back over to Rachel, who took it gladly. Then he poured himself a glass of wine and downed it in one, making it clear without having to speak to Rachel of his mood.
"You need to get some sleep," he said as he put the glass down.
Rachel looked at him. "So do you," she said, seeing the large, dark bags under his eyes.
Joey smiled. "I'm not the one who's pregnant."
Rachel smiled back. For a moment it remained deadly silent. Joey could hear Rachel's breathing, and a car zooming past outside. They looked at each other, both trying to find the answer to the question they didn't know.
Rachel moved suddenly, making Joey jump. "I'm gonna- gonna go to bed," she said slowly, watching Joey awake as though he'd been asleep. Maybe he had been. Maybe he'd been dreaming. Dreaming of none of this having happened. But it didn't work like that. They both knew that. But he had thought for a minute that it had.
*****
Chandler yawned and sat up. The bed clothes were in a mess, tangled up around him tightly. He looked to his side off the bed, and saw his pillow lying on the floor. He smiled, remembering what he and Monica had got up to last night.
"Hey, Mon-" he suddenly noticed she wasn't there. "Mon?" he shouted. There was no reply. "Mon?" he said, a little louder. This time, his yell was answered by the sound of someone vomiting. "Mon!" he yelled, leaping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom.
Monica was knelt over the toilet, looking rather pale. She looked up as he entered.
"Monica, what's wrong?" asked Chandler in concern, kneeling down next to her.
She wiped her face. "I don't know," she said. "I think it might have been that watermelon I ate yesterday. I told you that it looked off," she complained, before vomiting into the toilet again.
Chandler squirmed at the sight of his wife vomiting, but gave her a kiss on the cheek and helped her up at her signal. "You okay now?" he asked.
Monica nodded. "I think so," she said. "Could you make me some breakfast?"
"Wow, you want me to cook breakfast?"said Chandler in surprise. "You must be really ill."
Monica hit him lightly on the arm. "Shut up," she said. "Could you just make me some?"
Chandler smiled. "Sure. What do you want?"
Monica considered. "Just toast would be fine. I don't want you wasting any of that bacon."
Chandler was about to talk back when the door opened.
It was Rachel.
"Hey, Rach," said Chandler. "Mon was just insulting my cooking talents."
Rachel smiled. "Yeah, she did that to me all the time."
"Yeah, but there's a big difference here. I can actually cook," said Chandler, grinning at his joke.
Rachel glared at him. "Mon, I need to talk to you," she said, ignoring Chandler, who had burst out in a fit of silent laughter for no apparent reason.
Monica looked up. "You know what, now's not the best time. I think I need to lie down. Talk to Chandler about it. And Chandler, what is so funny?" she snapped.
Chandler straightened up. "Nothing," he said quickly. Monica looked at him suspiciously for a moment, then walked into the bedroom. Chandler sat down next to Rachel. "So, what seems to be the problem, Rachel?"
Rachel stared at him. "Well... are you sure I should be talking to you about this?"
"Why not?" said Chandler. "Is it about Joey?" he asked.
Rachel looked down. "Yes," she conceded.
"What about Joey?"
"I'm not sure whether I should stay with him or not," Rachel said slowly.
Chandler stared at her. "You don't wanna be with Joey anymore? But you're having his baby!"
"So? Loads of people aren't together when they have a baby. How would this be any different? It's not like we planned this, is it?"
"But Rachel.... are you sure you don't want him? I mean, do you know how difficult that would be? You'd never be able to be in the same room. You certainly wouldn't be able to live together. And do you really think you can raise this baby all by yourself?"
Rachel stared at him. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm incapable? I CAN do this myself, and I will. In fact, I'll go over there right now and tell Joey!" she said, half shouting.
Chandler stared at her as she stormed out.
"Chandler!" yelled Monica. "Where is my pillow?"
*****
Rachel stormed into her apartment and saw Joey. "Joey!" she exclaimed. "I need to talk to you."
Joey looked up. "Yeah?" he said.
Rachel opened her mouth to say it, but before she could, she saw the hope in Joey's eyes. She couldn't take that away. She couldn't see it vanish. She couldn't see him brake down. She couldn't do it. Not now.
"I just wanted to say.... I... good luck with your big scene today," she faltered.
He smiled. "Thanks, Rach. Hey, I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay," she whispered as he left.
*****
Phoebe ducked. She watched Ross walk out of the coffeehouse and walk across the road, his jacket making him look like a puffball. She watched him turn the corner, then ran quickly into the coffeehouse.
"Hey, guys!" she said to Chandler and Monica, who sat together on the couch, cuddling warmly. Phoebe smiled wistfully.
"Hey," said Chandler, kissing Monica's hair affectionately. "Did you... did you see Ross?" he said cautiously.
"What?" said Phoebe. "No, I must have missed him. Oh well," she said, sitting back.
Monica looked at her. "Are you sure you weren't avoiding him, Pheebs?"
Phoebe laughed. "What? No, that's crazy. Why would I do that?"
Monica pretended to consider. "Erm, gee Pheebs, I don't know. Maybe because you kissed him, and then said you didn;t want him?"
"Hey, he kissed me!" shouted Phoebe. "And I am not avoiding him. No, I'm fine. Absolutely fine."
Chandler reached into his pocket. "Hey, Pheebs, want some gum?" he said innocently.
Phoebe gasped, and felt tears start to run down her cheeks. She ran out of the coffeehouse, and Chandler and Monica watched as she fled down the street.
Chandler sighed. "Wow. Aren't I glad that we don't have any problems?"
Monica nodded. "Tell me about it."
*****
It sat there in the dark, waiting. Waiting for the doom to descend.
It fluttered in the breeze, the moonlight shining through it, leaving ghostly imprints of it on the wall. Rachel's curly handwriting danced on the plasterboard, ready. Ready to hurt.
From outside came the sound of whistling. Joey strode in, a large smile on his face. "Rach?" he called out.
Then he saw it.
He picked up the paper which lay on the counter and read it. It was only short. Soon, a cry escaped his lips. He slowly sunk to the ground, sobbing wretchedly.
The darkness had overcome him. And now it moved onto the next one.
*****
A/N: Okay, a bit weird at the end there. But I think it shows just how devastated Joey is.
Review this, or I will hunt you down and kill you! I have Samantha Crumb on my side! (inside joke which only one person, who won't even read this, will get.)