Part 2 Talking it over Part 1

When the nurse brought Emily in, he thought he had never seen her look so awful. She was tired, pale and seemed smaller than he remembered.

I'm sorry Ross,' she said, close to tears, I wish I'd stopped, I really do.'

I wish you had too,' he said, trying to smile. Noticing that she was standing he said, Why don't you sit down?' She carefully sat on the edge of the chair as though she was afraid to touch anything.

I won't stay too long. I just had to see that you were awake.'

The nurse said you've been here the whole time.'

I couldn't go without seeing you.'

I was unconscious most of the time I wouldn't have noticed.'

I thought you were going to die,' she said and choked back tears. You've been so badly hurt.'

You packed quite a wallop at the reception,' Ross said, trying to lighten the mood, The minivan itself was just a scratch.' But this didn't raise a smile and Ross remembered the nurse telling her that Emily had seen him being hit. Come to think of it, he probably didn't look any better lying in the hospital bed than he had in the street. There was an awkward silence before Emily said,

Your parents will be here soon. They've been here every day. So has Monica and the others.' Suddenly Ross wondered exactly which others but now wasn't the time to ask. Phoebe sends her love,' Emily added. She's well.'

Oh that's good,' Ross said.

I don't want to tire you out,' Emily said after another long silence.

Wait Emily, listen, before you go, it wasn't what you thought, at the airport.' She froze mid rise from the chair. I was just feeling lost. I didn't know what to do and Rachel – ' Emily had sat down again and he saw a jolt shake her at the word "Rachel." She's an old friend who's easy to talk to. We often tell each other our problems. It just felt natural to go with her. I thought you weren't coming. I waited right until the last boarding call. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I've been upset too, you know and when I'm upset I don't make the best decisions, nobody does.' Emily looked at the floor. You don't have anything to worry about. Please Emily, I love you. You do believe me don't you?' She looked up at him then, troubled.

I believe you mean what you say Ross,' she said. You were the one who wanted to go ahead when I was the one wanted to postpone things.'

Because I love you.'

And I love you, but – '

There are no "buts"' Ross insisted.

- is one part of you telling you that you love me, while a deeper part that you're not listening to is telling you that you that you love her?'

You said her name, you didn't say Phoebe's or anyone else's,' Emily pointed out. She's not just a friend, she's an ex-girlfriend.' That Emily hadn't wanted to invite. Although he'd overridden her wishes, thinking her reasoning strange, he realised how much trouble would have been saved, even if Rachel would have been hurt by the exclusion. Why were things so difficult?

Rachel gave me a shock, I didn't expect to see her there, she'd said she wasn't coming. I just said the first thing that came into my head. I was nervous. Just because I've been married before doesn't make it any easier you know.'

I suppose not,' Emily said. I'd really better leave you now to get some rest.'

And you get some rest yourself,' Ross told her.