Hello peeps! What's up? Thanks for the reviews. Here's the fifth
chapter. Hope you guys still want to hear more . . . cause you're getting
it! ;)
Also, the reason why I don't really spell out the "f" word in this chapter
is because I'd feel really guilty if I did. For some reason. Don't ask.
=D
Someone to Lean On Chapter 5: Dream On
Monica halted outside her apartment door, than spun around to face Chandler who was standing behind her. "Do we really have to do this? I mean, seriously. I could just move in with you - he probably wouldn't even notice I was gone."
Chandler smiled slightly, understanding exactly what she meant. He tucked a strand of silky hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. No words were needed for his reassurance.
She nodded, turning back toward the door. "Right, I know. I just . . . I'm worried about how he'll respond." Monica took a deep breath and carefully turned the knob, opening it slowly to prevent it from creaking.
Chandler put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as he followed her quietly into the apartment. After looked around the living room, Monica called out hesitantly, "George?"
Just a split second after her shout, and large muscular man with a beer bottle in hand strode out of the other room. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over-" he started, before finally noticing Chandler. "Who the hell is this?"
"This-this is . . . John Mills. He's a friend of mine." Monica had predicted that George would ask, so she had decided to give him a fake name, just in case he ever had a reason to come looking for Chandler. And she was sure he would find some excuse to do so.
George looked Chandler up and down, an angry scowl on his face. "How close of a friend is he?"
"It doesn't really matter, because, well . . . I'm going to have to ask you to move out." She bit her bottom lip, awaiting the man's response. Feeling the warmth of Chandler's body behind her gave her some courage, but Monica knew George well enough to take some of that courage away. She could already see the fury burning in his eyes, and could only slightly read what he was thinking.
"What?!?" he yelled. "What the f*** are you talking about?"
George was just what Chandler had expected. From listening to all of Monica's stories, his mind had formed an image of a man exactly like this one. A man who had enormous amounts of both physical and emotional strength, and a man who used that strength all too much. A man who believed he deserved power over all those around him, and who usually got it so he expected no less.
Chandler desperately wanted to say something to help Monica, but that need was won over be the knowledge that the less talk this event involved, the sooner it would be over with.
"We're in a relationship, Monica, so we need to live together." George's voice gradually softened throughout that sentence, and Chandler could sense that he was trying his best to throw a guilt trip.
"I-I don't want to be in a relationship with you, George. I'm just- I'm not happy and I think, I know that I would be if you just left." Monica's voice shook as she said the words, and her heart was racing. Why couldn't he let her go with a fight? It would be much easier on both of them. But George wasn't that type of guy. He made everything harder than it should be.
George once again looked at Chandler, than slowly shook his head. "It's because of this guy, isn't it? You've been having an affair with him."
It was then that Chandler started thinking that maybe it wasn't the best idea for him to accompany Monica here. He just hadn't wanted to not be there, in case George had refused to obey her order. He just hoped that being here wasn't causing any more trouble then usual.
Monica didn't deny a word George said, just pointed at the door and said firmly, "Get out, now. You can come back later and I promise you I will have all your belongings waiting for you outside the door in the hall."
"I can't believe this. I'm getting kicked out of my own apartment."
"I don't know if you understood the first few times I told you this, but I pay the rent on this place so legally, it's mine. If you don't leave now I can go ahead and call the landlord and let him know you are staying against my will." She hated to use the whole, 'if you don't do what I say I'm going to tattle' type of attitude, but she had learned from past experiences that it was the only thing that actually worked in a lot of situations.
George slammed his beer down onto the entertainment center and glared at Chandler and Monica menacingly. "This isn't over." With that he exited the apartment, making sure to slam the door hard behind him.
Monica watched him retreat, not knowing what to think of those last words. Tears sprang to her eyes. Why? She hated the guy, truly, deeply, hated George. So she didn't understand why his departure was affecting her like this. Monica turned to Chandler who was studying her with a worried expression on his face.
"Why is this so hard?" she asked him, frustrated, not really expecting an answer.
Chandler said nothing, just made eye contact with her as he wiped a tear gently from her cheek with his thumb, then wrapped his arms around her.
Monica finally lost control and began sobbing into his shoulder. She found it hard to believe that she had just done that - broken up with George. Just two months ago Monica wouldn't have been able to. She really had lost any hope of getting out and had begun to face the fact that she was meant to me a prisoner in her own apartment, maybe for the rest of her life. She would have never been able to accept it, but knew she needed to face it if she planned on getting through it alive.
But now here she was, free to do anything she wanted to do, and for some reason that hard to see, she was mourning the possibility that she had wasted the past six months.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"I've been in one place for so long, that I've forgotten how fun packing is," Chandler commented the next day while he helped Monica pack her dishes and many other kitchen things into cardboard boxes.
Monica smiled, knowing his sarcasm was only used jokingly. She felt great today. After having the rest of the day yesterday and all night to think on what had happened, and also think on her and Chandler as a couple, she felt almost positive she had done the right thing.
There was a knock on the door, so Monica quickly handed Chandler some newspaper to wrap a bowl he had in his hands, and made her way over to the door. Checking through the peephole first, she was relieved to see that it was not George, but still felt a little nervous about confronting the person on the other side of the door. After hesitating, she finally opened it and greeted her brother with a bright smile. "Hey, Ross!"
Chandler looked up from a white Corel plate he was wrapping and at Ross. As far as he knew, Ross still wasn't aware of Monica and Chandler's relationship.
"Hi Mon. I just thought I'd stop by and see how my little sister's doing. And George, of course." Ross smiled back. He was definitely happy to be back at his normal museum job in New York. He had missed his family and friends so much.
"Thanks. I'm doing good. But one thing-I broke up with George," Monica decided to come right out and say it.
"Oh, really? I'm sorry, were things just not working out anymore?" Ross asked sympathetically.
"I . . . I guess you could say that." Monica turned away from Ross so he couldn't see her give Chandler a 'what was I supposed to say?' look. When she turned back to Ross, she noticed him regarding Chandler questioningly.
"Oh, and um, there's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Chandler Bing." She gestured at him.
"Wow! We've already met, haven't we?" Ross made his way over to Chandler.
Chandler smiled, standing up from the table where he'd been sitting. He shook Ross' hand, deciding it was a good act considering what he would soon learn. "Yeah, roommates in college."
"Right, right. It's great to see you again. And hey, I'm glad to see you got rid of the flock of seagulls hair cut."
Chandler grinned. "I figured it was a smart choice when I still had it in '96 and it had yet to come back into style."
Ross laughed, agreeing with him, than looked over at Monica. "So how did you guys meet?"
"Um, we ran into each other in Central Perk." Monica just now realized how confusing and how hard their situation was going to be to explain.
Nodding, Ross looked at the boxes on the floor. "Are you packing?"
"Yeah, kind of. I'm . . . I'm moving in with Chandler."
"What?! Why?"
Monica felt bad for not having told her brother sooner, but she had figured he'd respond like this no matter when she told him. "Well, we're . . . you know . . . in love."
Chandler walked past Ross and stood behind Monica, using her as a shield. He only had a few bad experiences with a girl's brother, and they weren't good memories. Like the time he had gotten drunk and fooled around with one of Joey's sisters. The worst thing about that was that he hadn't been able to recall which sister.
"Why?" Ross asked again. "You guys met, like, what? A week ago? I mean, it had to be after George moved out, right?"
"Actually, we met about a month ago. It was when George and I were still living together."
"You were cheating on George?!"
"I know it's a lot of information to digest Ross, but you've got to understand-George deserved it." Monica backed up a step, so she was closer to Chandler. She wasn't afraid of Ross, but she knew that he would be quick to fill his role as big brother. "I'm sorry I never told you before now, but he was abusive. I met Chandler and realized that I still had a way to escape."
Ross looked upset and defeated. "I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner. Didn't you know you could trust me?"
"I guess so, but you were in China, and I didn't want to bother you. Besides, I didn't want it to get back to mom and dad somehow."
Nodding slightly, Ross hugged Monica tightly. "It's okay, I can understand that part. I'm so sorry you had to go through that." Then he kissed her forehead and pulled away, making eye contact with Chandler. "You're in love with my sister?"
Monica took a couple of steps to the side, so that Chandler and Ross were standing face to face.
Chandler nodded, expecting Ross to lunge at him any minute now.
"Yes or no?" Ross asked.
"Yes."
"Are you going to take good care of her?"
"Yes, of course. I've never known anyone in my life that deserves it more than her," Chandler answered truthfully.
Monica felt her eyes water when she realized Chandler meant every word he said.
Ross nodded once again. "Okay, then you guys have my support, as long as you never, ever hurt her."
"I won't, I promise." Chandler's eyes met Monica's, and she smiled meaningfully at him, than kissed him as she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. He placed an arm around her and kissed back gently.
He really had meant everything he said. But he hadn't really comprehended how hard it would be in the future to keep that promise.
Every time I look in the mirror
All these lines in my face gettin' clearer
The past is gone; it went by like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way, everybody's got their dues in life to pay
I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it's everybody's sin
You got to lose to know how to win
Half my life's in books' written pages,
Live and learn from fools and from sages
You know it's true
All the things you do come back to you
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream comes true
Dream on, dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
~Aerosmith, "Dream On"
Okay everyone, I need you review the heck out of this chapter! Last time I didn't know whether or not to continue! I mean, I enjoyed the reviews I did get, but I'd really appreciate more! So please tell me if you want a sixth chapter! =)
Someone to Lean On Chapter 5: Dream On
Monica halted outside her apartment door, than spun around to face Chandler who was standing behind her. "Do we really have to do this? I mean, seriously. I could just move in with you - he probably wouldn't even notice I was gone."
Chandler smiled slightly, understanding exactly what she meant. He tucked a strand of silky hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. No words were needed for his reassurance.
She nodded, turning back toward the door. "Right, I know. I just . . . I'm worried about how he'll respond." Monica took a deep breath and carefully turned the knob, opening it slowly to prevent it from creaking.
Chandler put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as he followed her quietly into the apartment. After looked around the living room, Monica called out hesitantly, "George?"
Just a split second after her shout, and large muscular man with a beer bottle in hand strode out of the other room. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over-" he started, before finally noticing Chandler. "Who the hell is this?"
"This-this is . . . John Mills. He's a friend of mine." Monica had predicted that George would ask, so she had decided to give him a fake name, just in case he ever had a reason to come looking for Chandler. And she was sure he would find some excuse to do so.
George looked Chandler up and down, an angry scowl on his face. "How close of a friend is he?"
"It doesn't really matter, because, well . . . I'm going to have to ask you to move out." She bit her bottom lip, awaiting the man's response. Feeling the warmth of Chandler's body behind her gave her some courage, but Monica knew George well enough to take some of that courage away. She could already see the fury burning in his eyes, and could only slightly read what he was thinking.
"What?!?" he yelled. "What the f*** are you talking about?"
George was just what Chandler had expected. From listening to all of Monica's stories, his mind had formed an image of a man exactly like this one. A man who had enormous amounts of both physical and emotional strength, and a man who used that strength all too much. A man who believed he deserved power over all those around him, and who usually got it so he expected no less.
Chandler desperately wanted to say something to help Monica, but that need was won over be the knowledge that the less talk this event involved, the sooner it would be over with.
"We're in a relationship, Monica, so we need to live together." George's voice gradually softened throughout that sentence, and Chandler could sense that he was trying his best to throw a guilt trip.
"I-I don't want to be in a relationship with you, George. I'm just- I'm not happy and I think, I know that I would be if you just left." Monica's voice shook as she said the words, and her heart was racing. Why couldn't he let her go with a fight? It would be much easier on both of them. But George wasn't that type of guy. He made everything harder than it should be.
George once again looked at Chandler, than slowly shook his head. "It's because of this guy, isn't it? You've been having an affair with him."
It was then that Chandler started thinking that maybe it wasn't the best idea for him to accompany Monica here. He just hadn't wanted to not be there, in case George had refused to obey her order. He just hoped that being here wasn't causing any more trouble then usual.
Monica didn't deny a word George said, just pointed at the door and said firmly, "Get out, now. You can come back later and I promise you I will have all your belongings waiting for you outside the door in the hall."
"I can't believe this. I'm getting kicked out of my own apartment."
"I don't know if you understood the first few times I told you this, but I pay the rent on this place so legally, it's mine. If you don't leave now I can go ahead and call the landlord and let him know you are staying against my will." She hated to use the whole, 'if you don't do what I say I'm going to tattle' type of attitude, but she had learned from past experiences that it was the only thing that actually worked in a lot of situations.
George slammed his beer down onto the entertainment center and glared at Chandler and Monica menacingly. "This isn't over." With that he exited the apartment, making sure to slam the door hard behind him.
Monica watched him retreat, not knowing what to think of those last words. Tears sprang to her eyes. Why? She hated the guy, truly, deeply, hated George. So she didn't understand why his departure was affecting her like this. Monica turned to Chandler who was studying her with a worried expression on his face.
"Why is this so hard?" she asked him, frustrated, not really expecting an answer.
Chandler said nothing, just made eye contact with her as he wiped a tear gently from her cheek with his thumb, then wrapped his arms around her.
Monica finally lost control and began sobbing into his shoulder. She found it hard to believe that she had just done that - broken up with George. Just two months ago Monica wouldn't have been able to. She really had lost any hope of getting out and had begun to face the fact that she was meant to me a prisoner in her own apartment, maybe for the rest of her life. She would have never been able to accept it, but knew she needed to face it if she planned on getting through it alive.
But now here she was, free to do anything she wanted to do, and for some reason that hard to see, she was mourning the possibility that she had wasted the past six months.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"I've been in one place for so long, that I've forgotten how fun packing is," Chandler commented the next day while he helped Monica pack her dishes and many other kitchen things into cardboard boxes.
Monica smiled, knowing his sarcasm was only used jokingly. She felt great today. After having the rest of the day yesterday and all night to think on what had happened, and also think on her and Chandler as a couple, she felt almost positive she had done the right thing.
There was a knock on the door, so Monica quickly handed Chandler some newspaper to wrap a bowl he had in his hands, and made her way over to the door. Checking through the peephole first, she was relieved to see that it was not George, but still felt a little nervous about confronting the person on the other side of the door. After hesitating, she finally opened it and greeted her brother with a bright smile. "Hey, Ross!"
Chandler looked up from a white Corel plate he was wrapping and at Ross. As far as he knew, Ross still wasn't aware of Monica and Chandler's relationship.
"Hi Mon. I just thought I'd stop by and see how my little sister's doing. And George, of course." Ross smiled back. He was definitely happy to be back at his normal museum job in New York. He had missed his family and friends so much.
"Thanks. I'm doing good. But one thing-I broke up with George," Monica decided to come right out and say it.
"Oh, really? I'm sorry, were things just not working out anymore?" Ross asked sympathetically.
"I . . . I guess you could say that." Monica turned away from Ross so he couldn't see her give Chandler a 'what was I supposed to say?' look. When she turned back to Ross, she noticed him regarding Chandler questioningly.
"Oh, and um, there's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Chandler Bing." She gestured at him.
"Wow! We've already met, haven't we?" Ross made his way over to Chandler.
Chandler smiled, standing up from the table where he'd been sitting. He shook Ross' hand, deciding it was a good act considering what he would soon learn. "Yeah, roommates in college."
"Right, right. It's great to see you again. And hey, I'm glad to see you got rid of the flock of seagulls hair cut."
Chandler grinned. "I figured it was a smart choice when I still had it in '96 and it had yet to come back into style."
Ross laughed, agreeing with him, than looked over at Monica. "So how did you guys meet?"
"Um, we ran into each other in Central Perk." Monica just now realized how confusing and how hard their situation was going to be to explain.
Nodding, Ross looked at the boxes on the floor. "Are you packing?"
"Yeah, kind of. I'm . . . I'm moving in with Chandler."
"What?! Why?"
Monica felt bad for not having told her brother sooner, but she had figured he'd respond like this no matter when she told him. "Well, we're . . . you know . . . in love."
Chandler walked past Ross and stood behind Monica, using her as a shield. He only had a few bad experiences with a girl's brother, and they weren't good memories. Like the time he had gotten drunk and fooled around with one of Joey's sisters. The worst thing about that was that he hadn't been able to recall which sister.
"Why?" Ross asked again. "You guys met, like, what? A week ago? I mean, it had to be after George moved out, right?"
"Actually, we met about a month ago. It was when George and I were still living together."
"You were cheating on George?!"
"I know it's a lot of information to digest Ross, but you've got to understand-George deserved it." Monica backed up a step, so she was closer to Chandler. She wasn't afraid of Ross, but she knew that he would be quick to fill his role as big brother. "I'm sorry I never told you before now, but he was abusive. I met Chandler and realized that I still had a way to escape."
Ross looked upset and defeated. "I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner. Didn't you know you could trust me?"
"I guess so, but you were in China, and I didn't want to bother you. Besides, I didn't want it to get back to mom and dad somehow."
Nodding slightly, Ross hugged Monica tightly. "It's okay, I can understand that part. I'm so sorry you had to go through that." Then he kissed her forehead and pulled away, making eye contact with Chandler. "You're in love with my sister?"
Monica took a couple of steps to the side, so that Chandler and Ross were standing face to face.
Chandler nodded, expecting Ross to lunge at him any minute now.
"Yes or no?" Ross asked.
"Yes."
"Are you going to take good care of her?"
"Yes, of course. I've never known anyone in my life that deserves it more than her," Chandler answered truthfully.
Monica felt her eyes water when she realized Chandler meant every word he said.
Ross nodded once again. "Okay, then you guys have my support, as long as you never, ever hurt her."
"I won't, I promise." Chandler's eyes met Monica's, and she smiled meaningfully at him, than kissed him as she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. He placed an arm around her and kissed back gently.
He really had meant everything he said. But he hadn't really comprehended how hard it would be in the future to keep that promise.
Every time I look in the mirror
All these lines in my face gettin' clearer
The past is gone; it went by like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way, everybody's got their dues in life to pay
I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it's everybody's sin
You got to lose to know how to win
Half my life's in books' written pages,
Live and learn from fools and from sages
You know it's true
All the things you do come back to you
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream comes true
Dream on, dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
~Aerosmith, "Dream On"
Okay everyone, I need you review the heck out of this chapter! Last time I didn't know whether or not to continue! I mean, I enjoyed the reviews I did get, but I'd really appreciate more! So please tell me if you want a sixth chapter! =)