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'Don't Give Up'
Ross sighed and leaned against the front door after closing it. It was an hour since they received the phone call from Chandler and Monica had called the police straight away. They had assured them everything was going to be fine but insisted a police officer stayed with them at all times just in case, which meant everyone had to stay together.
He could hear the TV in Emma's room on; she was trying to keep Amy and Tom happy. They were to young to understand and Emma decided to keep them out the way so they never noticed what was going on around them.
He rubbed his eyes before heading back into the sitting room to join everyone else. Rachel and Phoebe were sat with Monica, trying to talk to her but she said nothing and just stared into the space.
Daniel was trying to be strong and comfort Becky and Hayley. While Matt attempted to ignore the situation by concentrating on his Maths' homework but it wasn't working.
He smiled slightly at the young policeman, who had be left there looking around helplessly.
He moved into the kitchen and found Mike and Adam making drinks and snacks.
"Hey…so what's going on now?" Mike asked when he saw Ross enter.
"Well, that guy is going to stay here with us and there's going to be an un-marked police car outside." Ross shrugged, "We're not allowed to go anywhere on our own, all we can do is wait."
"Are they really going to come after us?" Adam asked.
"No, course they won't!" Ross reassured.
"Anyway, they wouldn't be able to…" Mike added, "not with all the police around."
Adam seemed to except this after a few seconds of thinking about it and Ross smiled gratefully at Mike for putting his son at ease.
"What about Uncle Chandler?" Adam broke the silence, "will he be okay?"
"Yeah sure…" Ross started before Adam interrupted.
"Dad, the truth…I'm not a kid any more."
"To be honest, I don't know what the truth is." Ross added, sadly.
Adam looked at him curiously before nodding then leaving the room with a tray of coffee.
XxXxX
Chandler glanced over at Ryan and noticed he was asleep; he looked down at his watch and noticed it was nearly 11 o'clock.
He rubbed his eyes, he knew he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight but was glad Ryan was.
He reached over for Ryan's bag, picking up and looking through it quietly. He slowly pulled out a notebook and took a pen out of his pencil case.
He flipped to a clean sheet of paper and began to write, letting his feels out.
XxXxX
"Mon, why don't you try and get some sleep?" Phoebe suggested.
"I can't…" She told her, quietly.
There was silence in the room again; Kaydan Amy, Tom and Matt all went to bed about 2 hours ago but everyone else stayed up. Eventually all the kids lost their battles with sleep but still lied on the floor.
Ross sighed as he stood up, "I'll put these lot to bed."
"I'll help you." Mike offered as he carefully picked up Adam while Ross took Emma.
"It'll be okay, you know." Rachel put a reassuring hand on Monica's shoulder.
"I know…" She smiled weakly at her.
"Ermm, I'll make some more coffee…" The police officer offered.
"That will be great, thanks!" Phoebe smiled at him gratefully.
He smiled back slightly before leaving the room, carefully closing the kitchen door behind him. He pulled at his mobile, hoping there was some kind of news.
"Hi, it's Tony Grove… Just wondering is there any news yet?" He asked hopefully, he sighed and listened to the other person on the end of phone, "None at all? Alright, thanks anyway…"
He shook his head sadly when he hung up. They had always told him not to get to involved with a family you're working with but he felt sorry for these people. He was told the story about their friend who was killed by a drug addiction nearly 18 years ago and he faintly remembered it being on the news and in the papers when it actually happened. He didn't know if he could handle one of his friends dieing right in front of him, let alone having the guy responsible come after you 18 years later.
One thing for sure was that he respected Chandler Bing a lot and he hadn't even met the guy.
When he walked back into the sitting room, the conversation stopped suddenly. He knew they were uncomfortable with him being there and that made him feel awkward. He cleared his throat and placed the tray on the coffee table, picking up two mugs.
"I'll umm…just take these to the guys outside…" Tony explained.
"Okay, thanks," Ross replied, reaching for his own drinking, knowing that he felt out of place with them all.
"So, Mon?" Rachel sipped her coffee, "how you really feeling?"
"You really need to ask?" She replied sarcastically.
"Yeah, you're right…" Rachel said quickly, "I'm sorry."
"No, no..I'm sorry.." Monica sighed, "I'm so scared."
"We all are." Ross informed her, wrapping his arms around her. "But it'll be okay."
Monica nodded silently, letting a few tears roll down her face. She closed her eyes and Chandler's face appeared, smiling at her. His words from before echoing in her head;
"If something does happen to me.... I'll always love you... I'll look out for you and kids and everyone else...Tell them all I love them... tell them, I'm sorry..."
XxXxX
Sun light streaming in as the door to the van opened, woke Ryan up. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. Slightly confused to where he was but then he suddenly remembered.
"Raise and Shine!!" Hilton jumped into the back with a huge smile on his face.
"Look, this is stupid!" Chandler attempted to reason with him, "What do you want?"
"I've told you!" Hilton said, "I want you!"
"Well, the lets get on with it!" He demanded, "just let Ryan go!"
Ryan looked over at Chandler, ever since this had started, he'd never begged for his own release, just Ryan's. He had been so calm through all of this. Ryan knew that if it was he in his situation he would be begging for mercy but Chandler had seemed to accept the fact this guy wanted to kill him.
"All in good time…" Hilton replied smugly and then jumped back, slamming the doors shut again.
Chandler closed his eyes, as his heart began to beat faster with fear when he felt the van's engine start up and drive off. He knew he was in big trouble and he was scared to death even though he didn't show it, he didn't want to worry Ryan more then what he was already.
When he re-opened them, he saw Ryan staring at him, deep in thoughts.
"You okay, over there?" He asked causally, snapping Ryan out of his trance.
"Yeah, just thinking…"
"Anything you wanna share?" Chandler queried."Just thinking how much I admire you."
"Me?" Chandler frowned, "why the hell do you admire me?"
"I dunno…" Ryan shrugged, "just the way you've handle this situation…."
"I'm being held hostage in a back of van by a guy who wants to kill me," Chandler stated, "I've also got my daughter's boyfriend caught up in this mess! That's not handling it at all!"
"Yeah but you're not panicking, if it was me…I'd be a mess!" Ryan explained, "You've gone through a lot, I don't think I'd be able to cope with all that as well as this."
"I am panicking…" He informed Ryan, "I'm scared to death about what's going to happen."
"Yeah but you said everything will be okay." Ryan reminded him.
"I know.. They will be…" Chandler nodded, "for you!"
"Why have you given up?"
"I've haven't given up," Chandler sighed, "I'm just being realistic."
"That's the same!" Ryan scowled.
Chandler smiled slightly, "No its not… I'm trying to accept the fact I may never see my friends and family again, that's being realistic….but I'm going to do everything I can to get out of here… if I didn't, that would be giving up!"
Ryan rolled his eyes, he knew Chandler was right but didn't want to admit it.
"Can you do me a favour?" Chandler broke the silence.
"Sure…anything!" Ryan replied, eager to help anyway he could.
Chandler handed him a pile of papers, folded neatly.
"When you get out of here, give these out for me…" Chandler swallowed the lump that rose in his throat.
Ryan took looked down at them and then nodded slowly. He noticed there were 12 notes, addressed to each of his of children, 1 to Monica, 1 to Rachel, 1 to Ross, 1 to Phoebe, another to Mike and the last had all three names of his nieces and nephew.
"..You know, just in case…something happened," Chandler stuttered to explain.
Ryan looked up before stuffing them into his pocket for safekeeping.
"Yeah, no problem…" He stated, "I won't let you down."
"I know you won't!" Chandler patted him on his back, "listen, I know I've given you a hard time in the past but I only did that because Hayley's still my little girl…""Yeah, I understand!" Ryan told him, "I've got a sister a 2 years younger then me… I threaten any boy that looks at her!"
Chandler smiled, knowing Daniel was the same when it came to his sisters, as Ryan already knew.
"Anyway, I'd just want you to know that Hayley couldn't find anyone better."
A grin lit Ryan's face, "Thanks!"
"You just look after her!" Chandler said in a mock stern voice, "Because dead or alive, I'll come after you…"
"Wow, you sound like Phoebe!" Ryan quipped. He had only meet Hayley extended family about 4 months ago but he'd gotten to know them well and was very aware of Phoebe's beliefs of the afterlife.
"Ohh, nice come back!" Chandler told him, smiling, "but now you're sounding like me!"
Ryan laugh slightly before turning seriously, "I will look after her, you know…"
"Yeah, I know!" Chandler said genuinely.
They both fell silent again, not knowing what to say. Chandler looked to the note pad he was using earlier; he had used a page for little doodles. There were heart all over the page, some with his and Monica initials inside, some with Ross' and Rachel's and some with Mike's and Phoebe's. He didn't know why he did it; he had done it without thinking. He took a deep breath when he re-read the statement he wrote at the bottom.
'We've been through think and thin, we've lost and we've won…nothing last forever, except this friendship.
Chandler Bing
Monica Geller-Bing
Ross Geller
Rachel Green-Geller
Phoebe Buffay
Joey Tribbiani
'Friends forever and a day'
Ryan frowned wondering what he was looking but decided to keep quiet when he noticed Chandler slip the paper over and began to write.
They sat in silence for another 20 minutes while Chandler wrote and Ryan played with the silver chain that hung around his neck. He took it off and stared at it. His father had given it to him on his 13th Birthday, the day he became a teenager. It was a 'St Christopher' and had 'always have a safe journey home' inscribed on the back.
As he read the inscription repeatedly, he thought about his parents. They probably know what has happened and were worried sick but Ryan, himself felt safe with Chandler with him because he knew he would protect him.
He snapped out of his thoughts when the van came to a halt. Both him and Chandler looked at each.
Chandler broke the glance by folding up the paper he was writing it on and quickly passing it to Ryan.
Ryan looked confused at first but then shoved it into his pocket along with the others.
"Take this…" Ryan said, holding at his chain.
"What?"
"It's a ST Christopher…" Ryan explained, "it will guide you back home safely…"
Chandler looked unsure at the chain that was dangling in front of him, he had never really believed in God or was religious.
"Please…" Ryan begged, "This is special to me…it'll really mean a lot to me if you take it."
Chandler smiled slightly before reaching and taking it from him.
"Thanks…."
Before anyone could say anymore, the doors swung open.
"You!" Hilton pointed to Ryan, "Out!!"
Ryan looked at Chandler, his eyes asking for help. Chandler nodded, knowing that nothing was going to happen to Ryan.
Ryan stayed there for a few seconds before climbing out. The sunlight blinded him and he rubbed his eyes but then stopped when he heard the van roar off. He watched as the van disappeared out of sight, with Chandler still in that back.
XxXxX
Phoebe walked quickly to her destination, every now and then looking around to make sure no one was following her. She knew the others would be sick with worry, she hadn't told them she was going out, she just left.
She wrapped her coat around her more tightly as the cold wind wiped around her. When she stopped, her eyes immediately were caught by a bunch of brightly coloured flowers, resting on the floor. She slowly looked up from them…
"Joseph 'Joey' Tribbiani. Beloved son, brother and friend. May you rest in peace.'
She'd ever really come to the graveyard to thank about Joey or to talk to him. She insisted that he was always with them, wherever they went.
Phoebe sat down on the grass, not caring that it was slightly damp. Her eyes blaring into the headstone, she didn't know what to say, she didn't know what to do.
On the day of her wedding, she cried so much because Joey wasn't there but Chandler had reassured her, telling her, he was everywhere. He said Joey was their very own guardian angel, looking out for them all. Then while she was stood at the alter, saying her vows, she could feel Joey's sprite, right there next to her and she couldn't help smiling slightly, as she pictured his face.
"Some guardian angel you turned out to be!" Phoebe muttered, being brought back to the present. "Chandler did everything for you!! How could you let this happen!?"
She wasn't expecting a respond but it made her fell better to blame someone. She knew deep down it wasn't Joey's fault…there was nothing he could do.
"I believed in you!!" Phoebe spat angrily, tears being streaming down her face, "I believed that you would help us…If you hadn't been so stupid in the first place, none of this would have happened!!!!!"
She dropped her head into her hands and broke down. It was bad enough losing Joey, but not Chandler too. He had been through so much in his life and he had always managed to survive. This wasn't fair, he should be happy.
After 5 minutes of crying, she felt a few raindrops hit her head. She brushed the rest of the tears out of her eyes and then stood up. She read the description again and a few more tears burned in her eyes causing her to turn and hurry away. She had to get back and let everyone know she was fine.
The rain fell harder and she looked at the sky, wondering if it was some kind of sign. She shook her head and glared at the pavement, she felt terrible about the things she had said but she need to let out some of her frustration out on someone…she knew Joey would understand.
XxXxX
Pain shot through his ribs and lower back, as kick after kick smashed into his body. He let out a small scream when he felt the wood of a baseball bat connected with the side of his head. Everything went black as his eyelids slowly closed but he forced them open a minute later.
'Don't give up…" He told himself silently, 'don't give up!'
He moved his arms up to protect his already battered head while blood spilled from his mouth, nose and his forehead.
He cried out when he felt his bones break when more kicks were aimed at his ribs again. He couldn't help moving his hands down to cradle them, trying to stop the pain but it left his head un-protected.
The bat moved down on his head twice and he finally lost his battle with consciousness.
XxXxX
When Phoebe let herself into Ross' and Rachel's house she could hear the others crying. She swallowed nervously, wondering if there was some news, good or bad.
Before she had chance to move from the door, Ryan appeared from the sitting room.
"Oh my god!!" Phoebe yelled, happy to see him unharmed, "Are you okay…"
"I'm fine…" He replied quietly.
"Where's Chandler?" She asked excitedly.
"Umm…He's…" Before he could say anymore the police officer, who had left yesterday came up behind him.
"Come on…we've gotta get you home…" He told Ryan, placing a hand on his shoulder, guiding him towards the door.
Phoebe moved out the way so they could get past, she frowned when Ryan looked down at the floor as he left, not once looking at her.
When the door closed, she quickly headed to join the others, she noticed that none of the kids where in there.
"Phoebe!!" Mike cried out, noticing her first, "Where the hell have you been!?"
"I needed some fresh air.." She told him, looking around the room, "Where's Chandler?"
"He's not here…" Ross told her, quietly.
"What?" Phoebe turned to face him, "I just saw Ryan…"
"They let Ryan go…" Rachel explained, "They took Chandler though…"
"Oh my god…"
Everyone fell silence, letting the news of Ryan's release and Chandler's situation settle in.
Monica clutched onto a cushion, trying to seek some kind of comfort from it as tears ran freely down her face but she knew all she wanted to be in the arms of her husband.
"Umm, Ryan left these…" Ross said slowly, picking up some papers, "he said they're from Chandler."
Everyone looked around at each other as he gave them out.
XxXxX
Chandler lied still, he was semi-conscious, only vaguely aware of his surroundings. He was back in the van as it drove along and he could feel blood running down his face.
He tried opening his eyes, but his eyelids felt like weights and when he tried to move pain blasted through his body.
He gave up in defeat, he knew it was over.
"NO! Don't give up!" A voice in his head told him, repeatedly, the more he heard it; the more it started to sound like Joey.
He managed to move his hand slowly; he tried to feel where the wound that was causing the blood to flow down his face was.
He had brushed against something cold, hanging around his neck. He then remembered the 'St Christopher' Ryan had given him. He wondered if Ryan was okay, hoping that Hilton and his thugs had just abounded him and not touched him.
Thinking about Ryan made him think about his own children. Daniel, making him so proud by staying clear of drugs and achieving some much more at school.
Hayley and Becky, both growing up to be intelligent, beautiful and wonderful young women. Hayley having inherited Monica's obsession with cleaning and had got his ability in Maths. While Becky received his sense of humour and Monica's competitiveness, not always a good combination as they all have found out.
Matt was the best tennis player in his year and Chandler was so pleased. Tennis was the sport he loved when he was a kid but decided not to inform his family, not with Monica and Becky around anyway. Even though his was shyest out of all his kids, Matt was one who always came up with a smart come back first and learnt that sarcasm was the best way to wind up his family. Of course, Monica blamed it on Chandler but he couldn't careless, he found his son hilarious.
His youngest son, Tom was so easygoing and carefree. Never really, let anything bother him. Instead of screaming and shouting at his siblings or parents, he would just walk away instead, leaving everyone calm down. Most of the time, this irritated Becky more; she didn't like someone turning their back on her before she had time to win the argument first.
Then there was Amy, only 3 years olds but always managed to bring a smile to his face, not matter what kind of mood he was in. She was so cute, sweet, funny and such a 'Daddy's girl,' even more then the twins. Whenever she was upset or hurt herself, she always insisted on having Chandler comfort her and would scream her head off if anyone else tried but it didn't matter, she was his baby.
She wasn't going to be the baby of the family any more, now though and Chandler was terrified he wasn't going to get to meet his baby son or daughter.
He lightly gripped onto the silver chain, determined not to give up.
XxXxX
No one spoke; they just looked down at their names scrawled onto the pieces of paper in their hand. Ross had given them out and placed the ones addressed to the kids on the coffee table. They had managed to convince them to go to go to their grandparents house, where they knew they'd be safer.
"There's one left…" Rachel pointed to the last one.
Ross picked it up and then began to open it when he saw there was no name on it.
"What is it?" Phoebe peered over his shoulder curiously.
Ross smiled slightly, seeing Chandler's doodles and the hearts with their initials inside. The same fade when he read the bottom statement.
"What? What is it?" Rachel asked.
"We've been through think and thin, we've lost and we've won…nothing last forever, except this friendship;
Chandler Bing
Monica Geller-Bing
Ross Geller
Rachel Green-Geller
Phoebe Buffay
Joey Tribbiani
Friends forever and a day." Ross read out slowly, causing silence again.
"There's something on the back.." Mike told them.
Ross turned the page over and read what it said, with a confused look on his face.
"Its just names…" Ross frowned.
Everyone looked around at each, wondering what why were. Monica took the paper from him and looked at it. A small smile played on her lips when she saw the page had been divided into two and in one column; there were girl's names and boy's in the other.
"Do you understand this?" Rachel indicated to paper.
"Yeah, I do…" She nodded slowly.
After a few seconds of silence, they realised that she wasn't going to explain it to them so turned their attention to their own letters.
XxXxX
Chandler moaned in protest as he felt his body being dragged out the van and across cold and dump grass.
He rolled away in attempted to protect himself once they stopped pulling. He tried not to scream when he felt them start to kick him again but was relieved when they stopped after a few seconds.
Chandler managed to open his eyes half away and looked around. He recognised where he was straight away, he saw the familiar headstone and the bunch of flowers that he had brought a few days earlier
"I told you, you would pay…" Hilton hissed in his ear before lashing out once more.
He's eyes feel on the headstone once more before darkness took over once all over again.
Hilton and his gang roared away in the van, leaving Chandler's body, lying motionlessly onto of the ground where his best friend was buried.
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