Chapter 3

I was born to love you

Disclaimer: I own anything to do with friends...yet (Evil laugh)

A/N: I finally got round to typing this chapter up, I'm so lazy these days! I'm still trying to get my body re-used to daily updates! (That day will come soon I hope! :o) ) I have the second chapter of "accidents happen" (for those of you who are reading it), the next chapter of this story, and a whole new story written. So watch out for updates in the next few days. Ok you can go read now (especially Sarah) xxxxx

Dawn began to break through over the hushed Manhattan streets and Phoebe sat in her usual spot watching it, alone, basking in its beauty and peacefulness. She could feel the powerful rays of the new morning sun beaming down on her face while at the same time feeling the freezing, gusty winds hit her body, prickling like a million tiny icicles.

She hadn't gotten any sleep in around 30 hours, but she felt wonderfully refreshed and upbeat despite her unexpected bout of insomnia. In fact, she felt so amazing she doubted she would ever need sleep again.

"Man its cold out here!" Joey rubbed his hands together vigorously, occasionally blowing some hot air from his lungs into the clenched fists as he emerged from around the corner of the buildng they were currently proppng up.

"Its no good peeing in the streets in mid winter at..." He looked down at his watch to confirm the time and finish his sentence, but was stunned at the result.

"Damn, it's nearly 5am! I'm late on set!" He scrambled around quickly and clumsily in his pockets and yanked out his cell phone, hastily dialling the number of his new director.

"Hello? Bob? Yeah, it's Joey Tribianni. Listen, I've had a bit of an emergency here, and I'm supposed to be on set in 30 minutes..." Phoebe watched on, amazed at how calm he was remaining while under a great deal of pressure. To her this was just a small taster of his acting talent, which she was sure after this performance was out of this world.

"No, it's nothing too serious." He gave Phoebe a thumbs up and a smile which she eagerly returned.

"No, I didn't get that message. Well, I haven't been back to the hotel, I, erm had to stay with my girlfriend." He looked over at Phoebe, locking eyes with her at the precise moment he said the word girlfriend and her heart skipped a beat.

It was obvious to her that he was only tying to bullshit his boss, but to hear him say that word while gazing over at her with his large brown puppy dog eyes made her stomach flutter uncontrollably.

"Delayed filming? For how long? Indefinitely! But...yeah, that's fine. I'll stay on in New York for the time being. Sure, see ya Bob."

"Is everything okay?" Phoebe could see Joey was visibly upset and now extremely deep in thought.

"Yeah, I think." He sat himself down and stretched his legs out in front of him in a lazy, laid back pose.

"The filming has been delayed for the time being. Some stupid problem with the funding"

"I'm sorry," She felt silly offering condolences, but what else could she say? She had no idea how he was feeling so trying to comfort him when he was down was a real effort for her.

"No, don't be. It's ok, really. This kind of thing happens all the time with movies. It's just one of the downsides of this business. Anyway, looking on the Brightside, with all this free time it means I can spend some quality time with my friends and family. I'm out of town so much filming I hardly get to see them. This is probably a blessing in disguise. I should be happy!"

"Hmm, yeah," jealousy panged at her, and she hated herself for it. She had known it was only a matter of time before he would be leaving her to carry on with his life, which was evidently hectic. He had better things to be doing than wasting valuable time with poor little her. She had been fooling herself these last few hours. Fooling herself into believing she finally had a friend in this big, bad world that had for as long as she could remember treated her so roughly.

As much as she tried to take the pessimistic view on things she knew that deep down that just wasn't her. No, she had to stay positive. After all, if this life had taught her one thing it was that you never knew what was just around the corner. In this world anything was possible. Maybe they could be friends after all?

"Well, I suppose I had better get going," Joey lifted himself off the sidewalk and brushed himself down, wiping away the excess dust and grime that had built up on his clothes. He rested his eyes once again on the grubby, yet beautiful female he had befriended. To get one last look at her, and commit her image to memory before he departed.

As he studied her, he couldn't help but notice the sparkle in her once vibrant eyes had died in that very instant, returning to the sorrowful stare that he remembered from when they first met, a few hours previous.

Guilt pulled at his heartstrings. He was about to leave her here, alone again on the street corner to fend for herself while he sauntered off to his ritzy 5 star hotel where there were people on hand to answer his ever beck and call, waiting on him hand and foot.

He reached deep into his trouser pocket and wrapped his fingers around the bulky leather wallet that rested there. He began to remove it slowly, but after some deliberation he let it drop back down into its cloth net.

Giving her money was the easy way of easing his guilty conscience, not to mention humiliating to Phoebe, who would more than likely decline it. She had told him herself that her dignity was all she really had in this world, and taking a cash hand out would be a sure fire way to lose that. Had the tables been turned he was positive pity was the last thing he would want to be given.

What Phoebe needed was a warm shower, a good feed and most importantly tender, loving care. All of which he planned to give her, no matter what the consequences would be.

Suddenly he felt the excitement bubble inside him. He was going to be the mysterious stranger who would turn this down and out into a princess. It was just like one of his films, unbelievable, but possible.

This was his one chance to do good...and show Rachel that he did have a heart when it came to others and didn't just think of himself 24/7 like she had insinuated.

Before he had a chance to change his mind he blurted out what was in his head.

"Phoebe? Would you like to come back to the hotel with me?" Her eyes crumpled with confusion. What exactly did he mean by that? Did he want her to have sex with him? Had he only humoured her these last few hours because he thought she was easy, like a 10 a penny hooker ready to make fast, uncomplicated money. Hadn't he listened to word she had said to him? She was homeless and poor, but she wasn't desperate. She had survived 4 years alone, doing things her own way, hadn't she?

In the split second after he had made her his kind offer he saw her face contort in shocked anger. It was then he realised how his question had sounded, and it wasn't the way he intended it to be.

"Its not what you think, come to get some food and a warm bed...to sleep in! Nothing else, I promise!"

Her face softened as she ran over his suggestion n her head for a second time, this time with all the facts and it did sound promising. A bed! To sleep in! She cast her mind back, closing her eyes to create a better picture of the small bedroom she once shared with her twin sister. The two single beds slotted symmetrically into each corner of the wall, separated only by a meagre wooden bedside cabinet which her mother had picked up at some shabby flea market.

It was pretty bare and cold at times, but the memory of climbing into the cosy bed made her grin from ear to ear. It had been so long since she had any home comforts like this.

"Sure, I'd love to come with you!"

She didn't know what she was getting herself into, but it was sure to end in disappointment. But who would be the one left broken hearted? Only time would tell.

A/N: This chapter is in two parts, and I'll get the next instalment up tomorrow :o) Please leave me a review. Thanks guys xxx