A.N. Hi everyone! Thanks for all the great reviews, it really means a lot to me. And thanks for being so patient, I know I'm a little slow on updates (what else is new). Okay cutting this note short because I'm late (again, what else is new?!) Read, enjoy, review!! Thanks!
-Maddy.
And the feeling, that it's all a lot of oysters
But no pearls….
Chandler dug his hands further into his pockets and snuck a glance at Monica. They were both walking ridiculously slow, acutely aware that in the short distance of six houses was their destination, and upon reaching it, decisions would have to be made, and things would have to be said. Deciding that the four remaining houses between the Green's and the Geller's homes would be more agonizing in silence, Chandler said the first words they'd spoken to eachother since their make out incident nearly ten minutes earlier.
"So, are you going to talk to me, or…"
She looked up at him, startled that he was speaking. "Are you?"
"I am. You're the one who can't stop staring at your shoes."
She shrugged. "What do you want me to say?"
He looked at her incredulously. "I don't want you to say anything. Say whatever you want to say."
"Maybe I don't know the answer to that yet," she said sharply.
He sighed. "Why are we fighting?"
"I don't know," she admitted, running her hands through her hair.
"Listen," he said, halting them on the sidewalk, and taking both her hands in his. "I don't want this to be a problem, okay? So, if it is, and you hate me now, can we just forget it happened? Please?"
"I don't hate you. And the only person this stands to be problematic for is you."
"Meaning?"
She looked at him pointedly. "Meaning your cell phone doesn't stop ringing just because you're here with me and she's in another state."
"Is that what you think this was? Convenience for me? You being here, and her being away?"
Monica evaded his gaze and shrugged again. "Truthfully? Maybe. I don't know."
"Well, thanks for your confidence in me, but I'd like to think I have a little more character than that."
"Well, what am I supposed to think? I'm one of the boys at school and then we leave and come here, and all the sudden you're kissing me?"
"That kiss felt pretty mutual to me," he said, raising his voice.
"Yeah, well, you're the one who always felt platonically about this friendship! I never have," she argued. He stared at her, and her hand flew to her mouth when she realized what she said.
"What?" Chandler asked in disbelief.
"Nothing. Nothing, let's go," she muttered, walking ahead of him. He caught up with her and grabbed her by the arm.
"No, explain that. What are you saying?"
"God, Chandler, it doesn't even matter, okay? So I've kind of had feelings for you, big deal! I dealt with them, it's not like I've been pining or anything, so don't worry about it. Let's pretend none of this ever happened and I can go back to being the little sister you never had, okay?"
"Not okay, Monica, not okay. I don't know what kind of relationship you have with Ross, but I don't think I should be feeling this way about a sister."
She looked up at him. "Really?" They began walking again.
"Yeah. Listen, maybe you're right, I did look at you as one of the guys a lot, at school. But if I did, it was only because if I looked at you any other way, bad things would happen," he said.
"Bad things?" she echoed.
"Yeah. Like tonight."
"Tonight wasn't bad," she noted.
"I loved kissing you. And that's scary, and that's bad, because I have a girlfriend, and you have a brother that would probably be unhappy, and there are all these complications-"
"I don't care," she said.
"But, I can't even promise you that I'd-"
"I don't care. I'm not looking for a ring, here, okay? I felt something for you, I kissed you, I have no regrets. No matter what happens, that was a really great kiss. So let's just leave it, for now."
"Why are you so cool about this?" he asked incredulously. "How can you be so casual when it's taking every ounce of self control I have not to be all over you right now?"
She smiled. "Because I know that we're going to be fine either way."
He took her hand as they approached the front door.
"So… we're okay, for now?"
"Fine," she assured him, dropping his hand to unlock the door. He rubbed her shoulder affectionately, and felt her freeze as she walked into the house.
"Evelyn… hi…" she stammered. Chandler followed her gaze to see Ross, wrapped up in a blanket, and Evelyn seated on the living room couch.
"Hello, Monica," she said coolly.
"Ev… what… what are you doing here?" Chandler asked, trying to sound happy. Ross shrugged apologetically from where only Chandler could see.
"I felt horrible about our fight… and I missed you… I'm so sorry. I wanted to come see you in person, and to give you this," Evelyn said, walking towards him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Ross made a puking gesture to Monica jokingly, but was surprised to find his sister's face ashen, and not amused.
"Happy New Year, baby," Evelyn cooed as she released Chandler.
"Uh, Happy New Year," he said uncomfortably. Monica refused to make eye contact with him, stepping instead towards her brother and handing him the cookies she had taken home with her from the party.
"These are for you, hope you're feeling better," she said tightly. "I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."
Chandler watched her hurry up the stairs helplessly, joining Ross in calling "Goodnight" after her.
Monica collapsed on her bed fighting tears. She was not going to cry about this. It was so stupid. So they kissed, big deal. It wasn't like he even cared, judging by the way he kissed Evelyn back. She didn't care either, not at all. He could do whatever he wanted. But God, she hated that bitch.
An hour later, after tossing, turning, and analyzing the situation to death, Monica was finally about to drift off to sleep when a light knock came at her door. She stood reluctantly and straightened her tank top and shorts before answering the door.
"Hi," Evelyn said, looking past her into the dark bedroom. "Were you sleeping?"
"No, what's up?"
"Ross told me I should sleep in here," she said flatly.
Monica tried not to look as dismayed as she felt. "Why?"
"Chandler doesn't feel comfortable being in the same room with me in your parents' house," Evelyn said, and Monica thought she saw her roll her eyes.
"Okay. Yeah, that's fine," Monica said, opening the door wider and letting Evelyn drop her suitcase on the floor.
"Uh, how was your flight?" Monica asked, trying to maintain some kind of politeness.
"Fine. How was your party?" Evelyn asked with sarcastic sweetness.
"It was okay."
"I'll bet it was," she muttered under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing. Goodnight."
"Night," Monica replied uncomfortably, unable to comprehend the irony of the fact that she was about to spend a night sharing a bed with Chandler's girlfriend. Sometimes she really didn't appreciate life's kind of humor.
The next morning, Monica woke up early and slipped out of her room. She headed downstairs, where her mother was having coffee and reading the newspaper.
"Good morning, you're up early," Judy said, surprised.
"Couldn't sleep. How was your party?"
"It was fun, we had a good time. How was yours?"
Monica stiffened while pouring herself a mug of coffee. "What party?"
"Monica, I'm your mom, but I'm not stupid," Judy said with a smile.
"It was fine. It wasn't really a big deal. You're not going to tell her parents, are you?"
"Tell Sandra Green anything after the way she behaved at your graduation party? Please. So what's with the sour-puss who was sitting on our couch when we got home?"
Monica rolled her eyes and sat down next to her mom. "That's Evelyn."
"I know that, we were somewhat introduced by Ross."
"Chandler's girlfriend. She surprised him."
"She really doesn't seem like a match for Chandler," Judy said. "She's not very friendly."
"That's an understatement. I can't believe she's here."
"Was Chandler happy to see her?"
"I don't know. I guess," Monica said, tracing the rim of her mug.
"But you weren't?"
"We're not exactly close," Monica replied dryly.
"Well, I hope she's not staying long, because I don't like her."
Monica smiled. Rachel burst through the front door.
"Mon? Hey, I got your messages- I can't believe that bitch is actually- oh, hi Mrs. Geller," Rachel finished sheepishly, walking into the kitchen.
"Hi, Rachel. Are your parents enjoying their vacation?"
"Yes, they are."
"Good. If you and your sisters want to come over for dinner tonight, the three of you are more than welcome."
Monica snorted. "That would be an interesting group. You, Dad, me and Ross, Rachel, Amy, and Jill, Chandler, and Evelyn."
"Ew what is she doing in our state?"
"Try my bed," Monica groaned.
"All right, I'll let you girls gossip. Just keep your voices down, we don't want to appear inhospitable."
Monica rolled her eyes and whispered "Heaven forbid we look inhospitable," as her mother walked out of the kitchen.
"I can't believe she's here, Mon, that's totally the most horrific case of bad timing I've ever heard."
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? You're telling me after half a beer you don't remember being wedged between Chandler and a wall for like fifteen minutes last night?"
Monica gasped. "Shh! You saw that!?"
"Who didn't see that? People were maneuvering around you! You are so lucky Ross was sick."
"Okay, Rach, please, please, don't mention this again, okay? Please?"
"Why? Because of Evelyn?"
"Yes, because of Evelyn! She's upstairs!"
"Okay, okay, don't hyperventilate. We'll just talk about this later. Coffee, please?"
Monica poured some for her friend. Chandler came into the kitchen while she stood with her back to the door, and when she turned around to see him standing there she jumped a little bit.
"Sorry, I didn't meant to scare you," he said.
"It's okay." She set the drink down for Rachel.
"Have fun last night?" Rachel asked innocently. Monica glared at her.
"Yeah. It was fun. Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" Chandler asked in Monica's direction.
"Sure," she said. "Be right back."
They went out to the porch and sat on the front steps.
"First of all, I didn't know she was coming," he began defensively.
"I know."
"Okay. And I'm sorry about the kiss."
"Ours?" she asked icily. He looked at her and shook his head.
"No, you know that's not what I meant. I'm sorry about us kissing in front of you, making you uncomfortable."
"You didn't seem too sorry about it," she said, staring out at the street.
"What was I supposed to do? Push her off of me? She's my girlfriend, Monica."
"I know that," she shot back.
"Well, then what do you want from me?" he asked, frustrated.
"Nothing. I want nothing from you," she said, standing up. "Oh, actually, that's not true. I want you to figure out new sleeping arrangements, because her staying with me is not gonna work."
"I'm sorry, that was Ross's plan, I tried to stop it-"
"Just figure something out," she said. She reached for the door.
"Mon…" he began. She paused and turned to look at him, trying to avoid melting under his blue gaze.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," he offered weakly, not knowing what else he could say.
"Yeah," she said quietly before she went inside. "You keep saying that."
Okay that's it! Oh, and a couple things. First, I know I'm making Judy totally unlike her character on the show, but I have my reasons… basically, I really hate the way she is in a lot of fanfics, I feel like it's sort of exaggerated meanness, and plus for the purposes of this fic the relationship between Monica and Judy really isn't central so in my opinion it might as well be whatever I want it to be. And second, don't worry, Phoebe and Joey are coming soon. Please review!!! Thanks!