Alrighty, here is the fourth and final chapter. Thanks for all the reviews so far, I am so happy that guys have enjoyed it. I hope you all like the ending!
Monica and Rachel's Apartment
"You stay away from her!" Ross shouted suddenly causing everyone in the room to jump.
He looked around for a moment attempting to gather his bearings. The last thing that he remembered he was out in the hallway with Mark standing over him. Then there was a quick flash of pain and darkness. Now he looked around to find himself laying on the couch in Monica and Rachel's apartment with Rachel sitting on the floor next to him holding a bag of ice on his head. Pheobe was sitting in one of the chairs, and Monica was making tea for everyone. Joey and Chandler were nowhere to be seen.
"How are you feeling honey?" Rachel asked him sweetly. .
"Rach I am so sorry!" Ross said wincing a little from the pounding he was beginning to feel in his head.
"Ross, what are you sorry for? You didn't do anything except be a great friend!" Rachel said as she let the bag of ice rest on his head so she could run her fingers along his face.
Ross closed his eyes so that he could just enjoy the moment of closeness with her. He had missed these little touches, he had missed everything about her. His eyes snapped open again, he couldn't let himself get carried away, and let his hopes skyrocket only to come crashing down in flames. Rachel said it herself, he had been a good friend, it was obvious that was still how she looked at him, as a friend.
Rachel was also savoring this moment, she too had missed being able to touch him. She looked at him there, he seemed so peaceful at this moment. She knew a lot of people considered him dorky, and kind of awkward, but she couldn't help but see a truly wonderful man. A man who would do anything for her. Was she a fool for letting him get away? Yes what he did was horrible, but was it worth losing a million of these little moments? But what's done is done. She to had said some terrible things to him. She spent the last several months trying desperately to convince him that they were done...finished.
Joey and Chandler came walking back into the apartment. Chandler was out of breath and holding onto Joey's shoulder for support.
"Well we certainly chased him off." Chandler wheezed.
"What are ya talking about we!" Joey said while Chandler crawled to a chair. "You ran out of breath after the second block, and I had to come back for you."
"Well I think he had learned his lesson by that point." Chandler stated unconvincingly. "Besides we had to come back and make sure everyone was ok here."
"Yeah, whatever, you need to get to the gym more often my friend." Joey said as he sat down in a chair next to the table.
"Yeah, yeah." Chandler waved his hand in the air dismissively.
"So what happened, I don't remember anything after Mark hit me." Ross asked the group.
"Well, after he hit you Chandler grabbed him and Joey went over to beat him up." Monica said excitedly.
"So you beat the hell out of him Joe?" Ross asked with a grin.
"Not exactly." Joey said smiling over at Rachel.
"What? You hit him?" Ross looked over at Rachel. She held up her other hand to reveal a bag of ice sitting on her knuckles.
"Yeah, then Chandler let him weasel away, and the two of us chased after him." Joey looked at Chandler accusingly.
"What? He was very maneuverable!" Chandler tried to defend himself.
"It doesn't matter, thank God it's all over! Now who wants some tea?" Monica asked as she brought the mugs around to everyone.
While Monica was serving tea Ross looked back at Rachel. He stared long and hard into her eyes and smiled warmly at her. She returned the look of affection.
"Rach I am so sorry that this happened, and I am so sorry that I was the one that had to tell you. Believe me I didn't want to hurt you anymore..." Rachel cut him off by putting her finger to his lips.
"Ross please, I am the one who should be apologizing to you. I'm sorry I didn't believe you when you told me about Mark, I promise I will never think you are lying again." She smiled at Ross and He smiled back.
"I still can't believe you hit him." Ross giggled a little bit.
"Well, I couldn't have some bully beating up by boyfriend." Rachel said hopefully.
Ross stopped and stared at her.
Did she say boyfriend? Maybe Mark hit me harder than I thought. Could she really want to give us another shot?
Rachel sat waiting with a look of worry.
Oh did I just make a huge mistake? Does he still want anything to do with me after this whole Mark thing? Oh Ross please say something, cause I can't catch my breath enough to say anything else.
"Did you...um...heh... boyfriend?" Ross asked unsure.
"Uh huh?" Rachel said still not able to fully speak.
"Are you saying that you are willing to give us another shot?" Ross asked his spirits lifting.
"Uh huh!" Rachel nodded her agreement.
Ross wasted no more time, he lunged forward to kiss her just as she did the same, they bumped heads.
"Ouch!"
The smiled at one another, and slowly moved in for a kiss this time. It started soft, and gradually became very passionate. The rest of the group finally took notice of what was going on. They all smiled at one another.
Monica and Rachel's Apartment – Much Later
All of the lights in the apartment are off, everyone has gone home for the evening. The light in Monica's bedroom flicks on. Monica opens the door to go to the bathroom, and light floods the living room revealing Ross and Rachel still kissing on the couch.
"Oh my God! Haven't you guys even come up for air yet?" Monica asked loudly.
All she receives in return are muffled moans.
"Well Rachel at least move it to your bedroom for crying out loud!"
Rachel immediately pulls away.
"She has a point!" Rachel says with a grin.
"An excellent point." Ross agrees.
They both stand up and move towards Rachel's bedroom. Ross winces in pain, and Rachel grabs one of his arms to help him.
"Ross promise me one thing." Rachel said as she leads him to her room.
"Anything!"
"From now on you only do your copying at another copy place."
"But the nearest other one is..." Ross stops short seeing the look that Rachel is giving him. "Is... is so close how could I not go there!" Ross laughs nervously.
"Good boy!" Rachel says as she leads him into the bedroom and closes the door.
Ok, well that's it, the end of my first story. I hope everyone liked it, thankyou so much for the encouraging reviews, I will try to get working on another story soon!
