Part 6

Rachel woke up and found herself alone in the room. She slowly sat up and recalled the events the night before. She was definitely not a morning person after a night with alcohol, but that day, she managed to bring out a smile.

"Moooom!" Mattie screamed as he came in the room.

"Yeah sweetie?"

"Dad's downstairs. He's calling you!"

"Here? Now?" surprised, she hurriedly got out of bed and went inside the bathroom.

"Uhuh. He told me to check on you and tell you to go down!" he replied, eating the lollipop he was holding.

"Okay sweetie, tell him I'll be there in a while. By the way, tell someone to wipe the mess you made!" regarding his pool marks.

He innocently smiled, "Yes ma'm. I'll go back to the pool!" and rushed going down.

She found Ross downstairs, waiting.

"Hey," she greeted as she saw him.

"My plane leaves in a few hours, I just wanted to pass by and say goodbye!"

"Oh... when will you be back?"

"They said I only have to shoot for five days, so hopefully I'll be back by Sunday." Ross looked around and found no one in sight, "Maybe I can get a goodbye hug?"

Rachel smiled at him, and hugged him. "Thanks for last night. I had fun!"

"I had fun too," and kissed her on the nose, "I better get going. The kids are by the pool, right?"

"Yeah..." she pouted at him.

Ross looked around again and quickly kissed Rachel on the lips, "Bye!"

Rachel waved and smiled, then watched him leave.

"So you're telling me that you and Ross are working things out? As in you guys are together?"

"Shhhh Mon, you're the only person I'm telling this to so you better shut up!"

Shocked and astounded, Monica lowered her tone, "When and HOW did this happen?"

"Since you and Phoebe talked to me about Ross."

"Whoa!" she gladly replied.

"Mon, please, please don't tell anyone! I'll tell Phoebe when the time comes, but DO NOT TELL anyone... not even Chandler!"

"But Chandler is Ross' friend. I'm sure he'll know about it!"

"Then let Ross tell him first."

"Fine!" Monica smiled and giddily asked, "So, so, so? How do you plan to keep it from the world?"

"Well, one is NOT to tell anyone about it. The kids don't know either; we plan to tell them once we're assured things will work out between us."

"Do you think it'll work out?"

With that, Rachel was left silent. For the past few days, she concentrated on what her heart said... but this question made her think. 'Will it work out?'

Noticing her friend's sudden state of reverie, Monica shook Rachel to wake up. "What?"

"Rach, you still haven't answered my question."

"Yeah, I suppose." She paused, "I love the fact that he's there and I do love him. I've always loved him. And I definitely have sexual feelings for him!" she added.

"Oh please- he's my brother!" Monica reacted, covering her ears, "But have you forgiven him?"

Rachel was in a trance, she didn't know what to say. The only words that came out were, "I don't know..."

Monica looked at her friend, she seemed like a person in love but unsure- and she was right.

"I guess I'll learn how to put the past behind us," Rachel looked down.

Ross came home a day earlier than expected, and Rachel was surprised. It was 12am and her mobile kept ringing; when she saw that it was Ross, she immediately answered it. "Ross? Where?" she laughed, "Honey, I'm in my pajamas! Okay, okay... I'll see you tomorrow. I love you too!" That was something Ross would do- he used to surprise Rachel when they were still married. He used to go on business trips and come home a day or two days earlier. Rachel loved it, and now she was loving it all over again.

Justin, Mattie and Emma anxiously waited for their father by the door of the house the next day. Like always, Ross had presents for them- no matter where he came from. Rachel happily watched them from behind.

His red Mercedes Jeep drove upfront, and he exited with a few bags on his hand.

"Daddy's here!" Emma screamed. She opened the door and ran to him along with her brothers.

Ross hugged each and every one of them and handed them a plastic. As he entered, he saw Rachel smiling at him. He quickly looked around and made a sad face- his kids were still in the same room. He handed her the other plastic bag and teasingly smiled at her.

"Dad! What did you get for mommy?" Mattie asked.

Ross grabbed the bag from Rachel and immediately shoved it behind him. "Nothing, just a shirt."

Mattie looked at him weirdly, "O-kay!" He ran back to his siblings and played with the toys they got.

Rachel shot Ross a look when he handed back the plastic bag, "What's in this?"

Ross smirked and said, "You look at it- then tell me the answer."

Rachel took a peek... she saw a beautiful, sexy top and a ticket to Bahamas. "Wow..."

"I was thinking, maybe we could go on a 'business' trip in a week or two?"

She smiled at him and hugged him, 'Typical Ross,' she thought. She missed Ross' overly romantic qualities, spoiling her all the time. "Maybe..." she replied and grinned.

Montage
Accompanied by the song "Secret Garden" by Bruce Springsteen

She'll let you in her house

If you come knockin' late at night

She'll let you in her mind

If the words you say are right

If you pay the price

She'll let you deep inside

But there's a secret garden she hides

Ross held Rachel's hand and walked with her through the shores of the Great Bahamas Island. Then he suddenly stopped her from her tracks and kissed her. They were the only two people on the island; luckily Ross was able to make arrangements for privacy.

Rachel traced his face with her fingers, "I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you more," he replied. He gently placed his arms around her and laid his head on her shoulder.

She'll let you in her car

To go drivin' round

She'll let you into the parts of herself

That'll bring you down

She'll let you in her heart

If you got a hammer and a vise

But into her secret garden, don't think twice

He wanted to hold onto her forever, he wanted to freeze that moment in time. Two days away from the world was not enough for them, but he had to make the most out of it. "Rachel," he said while lying down with her on the sand.

"Yeah, honey?"

"If I told you I'd leave everything just to have you, would you believe me?"

"I'd think you'd be doing that to get me to sleep with you," she joked.

Ross sheepishly smiled and moved closer. "Then let's see about that." He ran his fingers through her face, her neck, down to her flat and toned stomach.

Rachel stared at him. Slowly, their lips met...

You've gone a million miles

How far'd you get

To that place where you can't remember

And you can't forget

Rachel woke up and found herself wrapped in Ross' arms. She smiled and looked at him. He was soundly asleep. She stared at him for a while, but thought of something and frowned. She shook her head, kissed him on the lips and slept once more.

She'll lead you down a path

There'll be tenderness in the air

She'll let you come just far enough

So you know she's really there

She'll look at you and smile

And her eyes will say

She's got a secret garden

Where everything you want

Where everything you need

Will always stay

A million miles away

Ross and Rachel were parting ways in a hidden corner where their private plane landed. Both were disguised in clothes, avoiding any recognition from anyone.

"Bye," Ross sadly said.

"Thanks Ross, I had fun," she softly said.

Ross looked around once more and stole a passionate kiss. After breaking, Rachel touched her lips, kissed her fingers and placed them on Ross' lips. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," Ross gladly replied. Within seconds, Rachel disappeared while Ross waited for a few more seconds before disappearing as well.

A month had passed.

Sadly, Ross and Rachel hardly saw each other because they were hiding from the public. They only appeared together whenever the kids were with them. Apparently, someone was able to take a photograph of Ross with an 'unknown' woman with him before boarding his private jet going to Bahamas.

"Thank God I was wearing a ton of clothes," Rachel said.

"Sweetie, you were wearing a WIG!" Monica added.

It was an issue… but eventually, it died down.

"Mom! Dad's on TV!" Justin screamed one night while watching television on his mom's bed.

Rachel emerged from the bathroom wearing a robe; she obviously rushed out from the shower.

"What are you filming now?" the interviewer asked.

"I'm currently doing another film by Steven Spielberg. I guess that's all I can say as of the moment?" Ross said, dressed in an 'Indiana Jones'-like costume.

"Are you still single? Cause I heard girls are still running after you!"

Ross smiled and funnily looked at the interviewer, "Girls running after me? Where?"

"Okay Ross, I know I'm holding you but here's my final question- What are your comments about your leading lady?" the interviewer asked, pulling a lady from behind.

"She's pretty, she's lovely, and I'm glad I got to work with her!" with that, his leading lady smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Whoa!" was all the interviewer could say.

Rachel turned her back on the TV and entered the bathroom again, annoyed. Justin watched his mom walk away. "Mom, is she dad's new girlfriend? Or is she just his 'special friend' like his other co-stars?" pertaining to Ross' numerous co-stars.

Rachel knew what 'special friend' meant... they were women he slept with. Justin's inquiry made her even more afraid than she already was- again.

Rachel considered herself fortunate for having her friends to run to. Monica and Phoebe always had constructive criticisms, and that helped her a lot.

"Rachel, if you can't get over what happened to you both, then this new relationship of yours won't work out at all!" Phoebe said.

Rachel had a dilemma. She was being bothered by her imagination.

"Rach, I don't think Ross will do that all over again. Come on, he has you. What else could he ask for?" Monica added.

"I just can't stop picturing him with Jenn and my mind just flips," she replied, "But when I look at him, it's as if everything's alright. Ugh!" frustrated, she rubbed her temples with her hands. "Why is it so hard to trust him?" she asked herself.

Monica and Phoebe couldn't answer Rachel's question, instead Monica replied with "I don't know sweetie, I really don't know!"

Rachel couldn't stop her mind from wandering. 'Why can't I just trust him?' she thought to herself. Trusting Ross wasn't as easy as she thought it would be. It was about to worsen when Ross told her he had to promote his movie in Europe. Of course he couldn't bring her, which meant he was going to be out of the country without her for quite a long time. Rachel also considered the fact that his leading lady, Kristin, would be with him all throughout the tour and she knew Kristin had a crush on her Ross.

"Rach, what's wrong?" Ross asked, after noticing her quietness beside him.

"Nothing," she simply replied.

"Come on, I know there's something bothering you. Did I do anything wrong?"

"No you didn't Ross- I'm just tired. That's all!"

Not believing, he told her, "You know what, we can just go out another time. Besides-"

"No Ross, I'm fine!" she assured, "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"My flight's at 9 am. You really can't come?" he pleaded.

"Ross, as much as I want to, I can't." raising her voice a bit.

"Okay, okay. We can bring the kids if you...?" sensing Rachel's annoyance, Ross stopped and looked down instead. "I'm sorry... I just want you to be there with me. A month and a half without you isn't easy."

"I know..." Rachel replied, sadly looking at him.

Ross cupped her face and gave her a kiss. Glancing at his watch, "Okay, we have 2 hours and 30 minutes left before our security service is over. I suggest that we eat now!"

Getting reservations at LA's premier restaurants weren't easy… but once they find out you're a movie star, it was easy. Dining was just sometimes impossible. In the case of Ross and Rachel, they hardly ate out when they were still married. It was a pain in the ass. They'd pay thousands of dollars just for security and privacy- not that money was a problem. But still, some waiters would tip news reporters just to earn extra income. This time around, Ross and Rachel had to pay even more, and disguise as other people… acting that it was a business meting and nothing more. They couldn't even walk near each other when they went to their private rooms. "Others can make millions seeing us together like this," Ross once said.

So far, only Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Joey and their assistants knew they were together- or so they thought. Some of their employees had hints that they were on the verge of getting back together- but of course they were scared to spill because they did not want to be fired. Ross and Rachel were very, very nice and generous.

Ross came over to Rachel's house, he had to say goodbye to the kids as well. Sadly, they couldn't spend that much time together. They had to make it look like they weren't together that night… that the dinner did not exist. Rachel came in first, changed her clothes, and then gave Ross a 'go' signal.

"Daddy!" Emma shouted from the stairs while Mattie and Justin were busy playing with their Play Station.

"Hi honey!" he greeted, hugging Emma.

"Daddy, where did you come from? How long will you be gone? Will you miss me?" What hindered them from showing their kids they had dinner together were their questions.

While Ross talked to his princess, Mattie entered the living room with a list of things. Ross was used to this kind of behavior- Mattie just adored toys... and not just simple, inexpensive toys.

Justin rolled his eyes upon seeing his brother hand his dad the things he wanted. "Dad, Mattie already has a gazillion toys, and he has most of those already."

Ross shot Mattie a look.

"But they're not the same!"

"Yeah, they're just different in color," Justin sarcastically replied.

"Okay I'm not buying all of these. You better pick one or two," Ross sternly told his son.

Mattie sighed and got the list from his dad. Mattie wasn't exactly spoiled- he was just the middle child. Ross and Rachel knew from the start that Mattie was most likely to turn out that way. "Just like my sister Amy..." Rachel once explained. But of course, they didn't want him to be too materially spoiled.

Ross and Rachel weren't exactly exposed to poverty. They both grew up in well-off families. Although as parents, they didn't want Justin, Mattie and Emma to grow up as spoiled brats.

Money is always a topic when it comes to celebrities. A show once documented Ross and Rachel's earnings as a couple... yet they failed to estimate it. Of course, each got an ample amount when they separated. From having 2 mansions in LA, one in Hollywood Hills, a beach house, a country house, a private jet, millions of dollars worth of cars, so on and so forth, the couple never quarreled about finances. They mostly quarreled about time and spoiling their kids... and in their current relationship, the matter of trust.

"Who answered the phone? Why is she there?" Rachel asked Ross on the phone, deeply upset. She continued, "I don't know, Ross. It's not like I'm there right?"

Monica was in front of her, listening.

It's been a two weeks since Ross left and they've been quarrelling already. Rachel called him and, unfortunately, a girl answered his phone. Annoyed, Rachel simply said, "I gotta go. Bye!" and shut off her mobile.

"What happened this time?" Monica asked.

"A girl answered his phone," Rachel replied. "Ugh, I just can't get over it. This whole situation's eating me alive. Every time I'm not with him, my mind wanders. It's annoying because I can't do anything to stop it!"

Monica sipped her tea. Rachel was having a difficult time, she knew that, but she also knew that Ross wouldn't do anything to hurt her again. "It's tough being in the middle," she told Rachel.

"I'm sorry. I know he's your brother-"

"And you're my best friend." Monica added, "for the Nth time Rach, I know."

Rachel's mobile rang; she picked it up and answered it, "Yeah? No. I'm not mad- I just don't understand why you can't answer me properly. You don't have to scream, Ross. Okay fine. Bye."

Monica looked at Rachel; she looked like she wanted to cry. "What's wrong?"

"Your brother," she replied.

"What happened now?"

"He just told me that things won't work out if I'm like this," she said, on the verge of tears.

"Rach-"

Practically crying, Rachel added, "I know that. It's just that he can be so insensitive sometimes. I'm just scared."

Monica hugged her... she knew her brother too well, and he is insensitive at times. He must've snapped and raised his voice while talking to her.

Another week had passed... and this time, things have gone from worse to WORST. Rachel saw a few magazine pictures of Ross and his leading lady in Europe all cuddly. Of course, Ross told her it was all a publicity stint.

"Ross, I didn't see it in a tabloid… I saw it on People! That's a respectable magazine." she told him.

It was a cycle- Rachel would see or hear something and be insecure and jealous. Ross, annoyed by Rachel's insecurity and jealousy, would snap and get angry.

"I'M NOT GONNA CHEAT ON YOU, OKAY?" he replied walking around his hotel suite. "Rachel, please. I won't cheat on you. Why can't you just trust me on this?"

For the past three weeks, Rachel just kept on thinking about everything. What she feared the most was true- she found it too difficult to trust Ross... she couldn't trust him- yet?

"Rach, can't you just trust me?" Ross repeated. "Rach?"

In her room, Rachel began to sob, "I- I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? Rachel..." Ross asked and nervously sat on the bed.

"What if I can't?" Rachel answered, sitting on her bed as well.

"You can't?" Ross said, crying as well.

"Ross, I love you- God, I love you. But you're right; this won't work out if I stay this way. This isn't a relationship anymore. I tried. You tried. Maybe trying isn't enough?"

By then, both were breaking down on the phone. Ross couldn't contain himself. He began pounding his fist on the bed, "No, no Rach. We can't just end this."

Rachel lay down on the bed and quietly said, "I'm tired of hurting and hurting you, Ross. What if- What if we should?"

Ross leaned his forehead on the phone, crying.

Rachel looked around her room...

Ross said good bye and hung up.

She thought to herself, 'Could this be the end of something so good?'