"Rachel Green's office."

"Rach? It's Mon."

"Hey. What's up?" Rachel became concerned. Monica hardly ever called her at work. Monica looked down at Ross, who had woken up and was panting heavily. Tears silently streamed down his face as he frantically took in his surroundings. Monica squeezed his hand.

"Just come to Ross', Rach." Now Rachel was really worried.

"Oh, God. Okay, I'll be right there." The words were immediately followed by a click on the other end. Monica hung up the phone and looked at her brother. He was staring off into the diatance with a lost expression and tears glistening in his eyes.

"Sweetie, it's okay. It was just a nightmare. Rachel's coming, everything will be okay." She continued to hold his hand and stroked his hair. After a few minutes, he sat up and wrapped his arms around his shivering form. Monica placed her hand on his shoulder, but he abruptly moved away.

"They're not going to go away, are they, Mon? You told me they would. You lied to me!" his voice cracked as he began to sob. Monica drew her brother into a hug, ignoring his momentary resistance. He finally caved and allowed himself to cry in his sister's embrace.

"I'm sorry," he sobbed. "It's just, I-I hate them. They're ruining my life and now h-hers,... too."

"Shh, shh, no, sweetie, you're not ruining Rachel's life. You're well being is what matters to her more than anything." she soothed. Ross continued to cry, and Monica tried her best to comfort him. Even by the time Rachel had arrived and opened the door, Monica was still attempting and receiving no avail. When Rachel saw her fiancé, she immediately went to sit beside him on the couch.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?" she questioned, placing a hand on his back. Ross pulled out of Monica's arms and left for his bedroom in tears, shutting the door behind him. Rachel exchanged a surprised, concerned glance with Monica.

"What happened?" she asked her friend warily.

"He had another nightmare," Monica responded solemnly. Rachel's face tightened in empathy.

"Poor thing, he's been having them all week."

"I know. He told me. He also thinks he's ruining your life." Rachel became visibly upset.

"Oh, my God. I should go be with him. He's doing anything but that, Mon, I swear." She started to get up, but Monica grabbed her arm.

"No, Rach. He's a huge mess, and if you go in there, it will only make him more upset. He doesn't want you to see him like this anymore." Rachel wasn't fazed.

"But Monica, I love him and he's hurting. He needs me to be there now more than ever. I'm going to be his wife and I promised to take care of him. There's no way I'm going to just stand here with him sobbing in the next room and let him think he's a burden to me." Monica looked at her best friend, moved by how much she cared for her older brother. She was forever touched and loved her for it.

"Oh, Rachel, wow," Monica was at a loss for words. "I know I've said this before, but you're absolutely the only woman I trust to be right for my brother. I've never seen him so happy with anyone else. With you as a wife, he'll get through this and be just fine."

"Oh." Now Rachel was speechless. Her eyes shone with touched tenderness and she hugged Monica tight.

"You have my word," she whispered. "I'll always love him, and I'll never leave him like the others. I also promise to be better than that third woman he married." Monica chuckled lightly and broke the hug.

"I do think you should go in, just give him a few minutes to calm down. I gotta go, the twins have an appointment. I think Chandler's still in shock that there are two of them." Monica hugged her friend again and left.

Rachel got up from the couch and walked over to the door of Ross' room. She rapped on the wood lightly so she wouldn't startle him.

"Sweetie?" she called. There was no answer. "I'm coming in, okay?" Again, the only response she received was dead silence, not any words, movements, or even crying. Rachel carefully pushed open the door to see Ross lying on the far side of the bed with his back to her. She was unable to tell whether he was sleeping or ignoring her.

Rachel settled herself on the vacant side of the bed and reached over to stroke Ross' hair. He flinched at her touch and she moved her hand to his back, which she rubbed gently.

"Honey," Rachel said softly. "Please look at me." After several seconds of delay, Ross turned himself around, and Rachel fought back a wince. His eyes were so red, she could barely see their pupils.

"Oh, baby, come here," she said, and positioned herself up against the headboard, opening her arms. Ross shifted into to them, laying his head on her shoulder. He tentatively rested a hand on her stomach, and she covered it with hers.

"Don't ever think you're a burden to me," Rachel commanded softly. "I love you so much, Ross, and you'll always be my top priority. I would quit my job and waitress at Central Perk again if it meant I was doing good for you. Trust me, sweetie, you always come first." She kissed Ross' temple and settled her chin on his head. She had forgotten over the years how perfectly he fit in the space of her arms. Ross swallowed audibly before speaking.

"I don't know what to say, Rachel. You're just the best. I don't know what I would do without you." He paused and started to cry. "See? How can you even want me anymore? All I ever do is cry and feel sorry for myself." He struggled to control his sobs, but still quaking whimpers escaped and his breathing was hitching and uneven.

"Honey, stop," Rachel said softly. She brushed the tears from his face with her thumb. "Sweetie, you lost your first-born child, and I would be even more worried about you than I already am if you weren't like this, as much as I hate seeing it. Ross, I love you so much and I want you to be open and comfortable to express what you're feeling at all times. And that means if you're hurt, I want you to come to me for comfort. I'll always be here, sweetie. I want to do whatever it takes to make you okay."

"Now I won't be able to stop," Ross said through tears. He turned his face into her shoulder and sobs continued to pour from him. Rachel only held him closer and tighter.

"Shh, honey, it's okay. I'm here. Just let it out." Rachel kissed the top of his head and rocked him in her arms.

When there were no tears left, Ross turned his head so his cheek rested on her shoulder. The material of her shirt was wet against his skin from his own tears. Rachel kissed his hair again.

"Feel better?" she asked and felt him nod.

"Thank you, Rachel. Thank you so much." Ross whispered, his voice raspy and thick with emotion.

"You're welcome, sweetie," she replied, rubbing his back. "You're always welcome."