Okay so I was thinking about changing my pen name since there are so many
"Victoria"s on this site. Actually it's not really changing, just adding
to it. How does Victoria Ann sound to you?
Thanks for all the reviews, and I'm sorry there've been so many long breaks between chapters.
Here's the sixth! Hope you enjoy!
Someone to Lean On Chapter 6: Out of Here
Joey was preparing his favorite sandwich when Chandler entered the apartment with a dark-haired woman following closely behind him.
"Hey, Joe," Chandler greeted his friend. "This is Monica. She-she's going to be staying with us."
"Wow!" Joey shouted in excitement. "Girl roommate?!" He looked at Monica. "How you doin'?"
Chandler knew where Joey was headed. "Don't even think about it."
"Okay, okay. So you two are like . . . a couple?" When Chandler nodded, Joey continued. "Why didn't I know about her before now?"
"Well, you did, kind of. Remember that one night when Janice and I got together and she left her bra here? And I made you swear to never tell anyone?"
"Which night?"
"The latest. See, this is Janice."
Joey looked at Monica, studying her features, and then finally looked back at Chandler quizzically. "That's ridiculous!"
Chandler sighed, and then explained the whole story, starting with that fateful night a little over a month ago. He told it with a lot of eye contact with Monica, his eyes searching hers. Joey had never seen his friend this in love. In the end Joey was a bit upset that he hadn't been told earlier, but agreed to let Monica stay there. He even offered to find his own apartment so that the two could be alone and have more privacy, but Monica and Chandler immediately interrupted and told him not to do that. Subconsciously they all knew that it was only the beginning of the relationship, and anything could still happen. Chandler hated to think about it, but he knew he had to consider it.
After that, the three of them headed across the hall to introduce Monica to Phoebe and Rachel. Since those two already were aware of the situation, this introduction took less time. They let Chandler know how proud they were of him for standing up for Monica and helping her face George, and how much they admired Monica for what she had gone through.
While the girls sat on the couch and chatted about various things, Joey dragged Chandler into the kitchen, saying he needed to talk to him in private.
"What is it?" Chandler questioned quietly, once they were standing near Phoebe and Rachel's refrigerator and out of the girls range of hearing.
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"It depends. What are you talking about?"
"Monica. You've only known each other for a month. Are you really ready to get into this serious of a relationship? What happened to the Chandler who had a huge fear of commitment?"
Chandler sighed and leaned against the counter. "I'm not sure what happened to him. I guess it's just . . . different with Monica. It's nothing like what it was with the other women. I can't really explain it, but I'm in love with her. Besides, moving in with me was one of her only chances to get away from George."
"Alright, I just hope you're not jumping into something that you'll regret later." With that Joey walked off, and Chandler was left standing in the kitchen alone, puzzled. He couldn't help but think that their conversation was a little deep for Joey. He looked into the living room at Monica, who was laughing at something Phoebe said. Chandler had to smile when he saw how happy she looked. He wondered when the last time was that she had actually been able to sit and talk to some friends. She looked happier than he had ever seen her before, and he was glad that he was most likely partly the cause of that.
Chandler finally shook off any doubts Joey had given him by telling him those things, and wandered over to Monica. Leaning down slightly, he gently kissed the side of her neck, causing a shiver to run through her body. She turned her head and smiled at him.
'Everything will be fine,' Chandler thought. 'See, Joey? The old Chandler isn't quite gone, but I'm working on it.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monica woke up late that night with the feeling that she was going to be sick. She jumped off of the bed and ran to the bathroom, leaning over the toilet. After a minute she felt a presence behind her and was able to turn around for long enough to see it was Chandler and to acknowledge him before she was forced to turn back to the toilet again. Chandler knelt down next to her, putting a hand carefully on her back and stayed by her, comforting her.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, which was a Sunday, Chandler woke on his bed with Monica huddled in his arms, her head resting on his chest, sleeping peacefully. He was surprised he had been able to fall asleep in an upright position, and still had been able to wake up without any neck pain.
The previous night was still fresh in his memory even though it had seemed like he had been sleep walking at the time. After Monica had been sick in the bathroom for several minutes, she had decided that was hopefully it. The two had cuddled in the bedroom, Chandler holding a cold washrag on her forehead, trying to calm her fever. He assumed they had fallen asleep like that because here they were, a few hours later at eight in the morning, still in the same position.
Chandler lifted his head from the wall where it had been resting, and put a hand lightly on Monica's temple. It didn't feel too hot at all so he smiled and gently kissed her cheek.
Monica slightly lifted her head, then realizing they were Chandler's arms she was in, relaxed again. "Is it light out already?" she asked groggily.
"Yes, believe it or not." Chandler smiled again. "How are you feeling?"
"I think I'm feeling a lot better . . . just tired"
"Understandable. I'm glad you're feeling better though."
Monica sat up, grinning at him. "Me too! Last night was not fun, at least on my part."
Chandler nodded. "It wasn't fun on my part either. But the cuddling was pretty enjoyable, do you agree?"
"True, that was nice. I really appreciate you staying up with me."
"It's no problem. Anytime."
Monica hesitated and then ran a hand playfully through his ruffled hair. "Nice hair."
"Really?" Chandler laughed, trying to smooth it out. "You like that?"
"Oh, definitely," Monica said, adding a jokingly seductive tone to her voice. "It's very . . . sexy."
Chandler smiled. "Actually I need to get it cut. Badly. A few months back it wasn't hanging in my face like this."
"It's not hanging in your face. Actually at the moment it's sticking straight up in the air." She winked and continued. "Besides, I like it longer like it is now."
"Well in that case the cut can wait." He smiled and pulled her gently into his arms again. After a few minutes' silence, he spoke up. "I like this," he murmured into her hair.
"I do, too. I'm so glad I can finally stay here for as long as I want without having to worry about getting back to my apartment on time."
Chandler nodded. "That reminds me, we've got some more moving to do today."
"Aw, forget it. I can buy new stuff." Monica smiled, only half joking. She really didn't want to return to that place, afraid that all the bad memories would come back. "We could go on a shopping spree instead, couldn't we? I mean, I do have a few hundred dollars in clothes to replace."
Smiling, Chandler said, "Sure, we could do that, after we empty out your apartment so that the landlord has nothing to complain about."
"Fine, you're right." Monica kissed him then stood up, happy when she did not feel a bit queasy from the previous night. She got dressed and readied herself for a long day.
~*~*~*~*~*~
* knock * knock *
"My god, I'm coming!" Rachel shouted when she heard the third knock on the apartment door. She rushed out of the bathroom where she had been styling her hair for the day, and went to the door. Opening it, Rachel said, "What?"
A tall black-haired man, who looked around thirty, smiled at her. "Hey, I'm Ross Geller. I'm looking for Monica?"
"Oh . . . sorry. What's you're relationship with her?" Rachel asked; weary that it might be George masquerading as a friend of Monica's just to get to her.
"She's my little sister. Well actually she's not my LITTLE sister, but you know. She's younger than me."
"Right." Rachel smiled. "She told me about you. Actually she's living right across the hall there." She pointed at apartment nineteen.
"Okay, thanks. And um . . . who are you?" Ross questioned.
"Rachel Green. I'm a friend of Chandler's."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Ms. Green." Ross held out his hand which she accepted, shaking it.
"Please, call me Rachel. I have a feeling we're gonna know each other for a while, seeing how close Chandler and your sister are."
Ross smiled. "I know. They really seem like they're meant to be together, huh?"
"Oh, yeah. They do. It's kind of amazing."
"I know." Ross began to turn to the other apartment when he stopped, getting an idea. He turned back to Rachel. "Hey, I've got kind of a crazy question. I'd understand if you said it's weird . . . but maybe I could take you out to dinner sometime, possibly?"
Rachel was taken off guard by the question, but she did find the man attractive. She contemplated saying no, though, because of Chandler. Then she realized that there was really not a good reason for him to not like that. Monica might, but Rachel decided she would understand. She grinned. "That sounds great. I'll give you my phone number." Rachel quickly scribbled it on piece of notepad paper, and handed it over. "I'll be looking forward to your call, Ross Geller."
He smiled and nodded, then said goodbye and went across the hall to visit with his sister.
~*~*~*~*~*~
TWO WEEKS LATER
Monica entered the supermarket, today being her designated grocery shopping day. She picked up a few fruits and vegetables then headed over to get some shampoo and conditioner. Once there, she was reaching for a bottle when she happened to glance in the opposite isles where the pads, tampons, pregnancy tests, and other things like that were.
She dropped the bottles in the cart then wandered over to that isle. She picked an item off a shelf, studied it. This might reveal the answer to why she had been feeling sick once in a while lately, but she wasn't sure she really wanted to know. Finally Monica placed the item into the cart.
~*~*~*~*~*~
That night, after waiting until Chandler was fast asleep, Monica slipped quietly out of bed. She crept to the bathroom, trying to prepare herself for the results of what she was about to do.
A half hour later, she stood in the room as silent tears rolled down her face. She wrapped something in a Kleenex and slipped it into her pocket. Monica had already changed into jeans and a sweater, and a note was awaiting morning on the kitchen counter.
Monica went silently back into the bedroom and kissed Chandler gently on the cheek, careful not to wake him. She walked back to the door, turned around. "Thank you," she whispered, and then she left the room; the apartment; the city.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Chandler woke early in the morning and went to wrap his arm around Monica, but realized she wasn't there. He opened his eyes and searched the room. She couldn't already be at work, usually she left after him and he didn't have to be at work for another hour and a half.
He got out of bed and looked for her throughout the rest of the apartment. There was no trace of Monica except for her clothes in her dresser and her beauty supplies and bath robe hanging on the door in the bathroom. Chandler was about to exit the place and go across the hall to check there when a white piece of paper lying on the counter top caught his eye.
Chandler reached for it and unfolded it. As he read, he felt his heart start pounding and he suddenly had trouble breathing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Chandler,
Thank you for everything. For rescuing me, for caring for me. I'm so sorry but I have to leave now. Don't try to find me. It doesn't have anything to do with you. Find someone else who deserves you and live out the rest of your life in peace and happiness. Please, do that for me.
Monica ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She said "I'm fine, I'm okay," cover up your trembling hands
There's indecision when you know you ain't got nothing left
When the good times never stay
And the cheap thrills always seem to fade away
When will we fall
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
Been too, too long this time
Jump back, got to get out of here
When will, when will we fall down
She hates her life, she hates her skin, she even hates her friends
Tries to hold on to all the reputations she can't mend
And there's some chance we could fail
But the last time someone was always there for bail
When will we fall
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
Been too, too long this time
Jump back, got to get out of here
When will, when will we fall down
When will we, when will we fall down
When will we fall
When will, when will, when will we fall
She said "I'm fine, I'm okay," cover up your trembling hands
There's indecision when you know you ain't got nothing left
For the last time conscience calls
For a good friend I was never there at all
When will we fall
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
Been too, too long this time
Jump back, got to get out of here
When will, when will we fall down
When will we, when will we fall down
When will we fall
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter! You probably know what's happening already, but I decided to leave it at a cliffhanger anyway. PLEASE REVIEW!! Tell me if you like!!!!!
Have any of you seen the Lifetime movie "Deadly Relations"? A couple weeks after I started this I saw that movie and noticed that Matthew Perry's character is named George on that. Lol, oh well?
Also, farewell to BluEyes!
Thanks for all the reviews, and I'm sorry there've been so many long breaks between chapters.
Here's the sixth! Hope you enjoy!
Someone to Lean On Chapter 6: Out of Here
Joey was preparing his favorite sandwich when Chandler entered the apartment with a dark-haired woman following closely behind him.
"Hey, Joe," Chandler greeted his friend. "This is Monica. She-she's going to be staying with us."
"Wow!" Joey shouted in excitement. "Girl roommate?!" He looked at Monica. "How you doin'?"
Chandler knew where Joey was headed. "Don't even think about it."
"Okay, okay. So you two are like . . . a couple?" When Chandler nodded, Joey continued. "Why didn't I know about her before now?"
"Well, you did, kind of. Remember that one night when Janice and I got together and she left her bra here? And I made you swear to never tell anyone?"
"Which night?"
"The latest. See, this is Janice."
Joey looked at Monica, studying her features, and then finally looked back at Chandler quizzically. "That's ridiculous!"
Chandler sighed, and then explained the whole story, starting with that fateful night a little over a month ago. He told it with a lot of eye contact with Monica, his eyes searching hers. Joey had never seen his friend this in love. In the end Joey was a bit upset that he hadn't been told earlier, but agreed to let Monica stay there. He even offered to find his own apartment so that the two could be alone and have more privacy, but Monica and Chandler immediately interrupted and told him not to do that. Subconsciously they all knew that it was only the beginning of the relationship, and anything could still happen. Chandler hated to think about it, but he knew he had to consider it.
After that, the three of them headed across the hall to introduce Monica to Phoebe and Rachel. Since those two already were aware of the situation, this introduction took less time. They let Chandler know how proud they were of him for standing up for Monica and helping her face George, and how much they admired Monica for what she had gone through.
While the girls sat on the couch and chatted about various things, Joey dragged Chandler into the kitchen, saying he needed to talk to him in private.
"What is it?" Chandler questioned quietly, once they were standing near Phoebe and Rachel's refrigerator and out of the girls range of hearing.
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"It depends. What are you talking about?"
"Monica. You've only known each other for a month. Are you really ready to get into this serious of a relationship? What happened to the Chandler who had a huge fear of commitment?"
Chandler sighed and leaned against the counter. "I'm not sure what happened to him. I guess it's just . . . different with Monica. It's nothing like what it was with the other women. I can't really explain it, but I'm in love with her. Besides, moving in with me was one of her only chances to get away from George."
"Alright, I just hope you're not jumping into something that you'll regret later." With that Joey walked off, and Chandler was left standing in the kitchen alone, puzzled. He couldn't help but think that their conversation was a little deep for Joey. He looked into the living room at Monica, who was laughing at something Phoebe said. Chandler had to smile when he saw how happy she looked. He wondered when the last time was that she had actually been able to sit and talk to some friends. She looked happier than he had ever seen her before, and he was glad that he was most likely partly the cause of that.
Chandler finally shook off any doubts Joey had given him by telling him those things, and wandered over to Monica. Leaning down slightly, he gently kissed the side of her neck, causing a shiver to run through her body. She turned her head and smiled at him.
'Everything will be fine,' Chandler thought. 'See, Joey? The old Chandler isn't quite gone, but I'm working on it.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monica woke up late that night with the feeling that she was going to be sick. She jumped off of the bed and ran to the bathroom, leaning over the toilet. After a minute she felt a presence behind her and was able to turn around for long enough to see it was Chandler and to acknowledge him before she was forced to turn back to the toilet again. Chandler knelt down next to her, putting a hand carefully on her back and stayed by her, comforting her.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, which was a Sunday, Chandler woke on his bed with Monica huddled in his arms, her head resting on his chest, sleeping peacefully. He was surprised he had been able to fall asleep in an upright position, and still had been able to wake up without any neck pain.
The previous night was still fresh in his memory even though it had seemed like he had been sleep walking at the time. After Monica had been sick in the bathroom for several minutes, she had decided that was hopefully it. The two had cuddled in the bedroom, Chandler holding a cold washrag on her forehead, trying to calm her fever. He assumed they had fallen asleep like that because here they were, a few hours later at eight in the morning, still in the same position.
Chandler lifted his head from the wall where it had been resting, and put a hand lightly on Monica's temple. It didn't feel too hot at all so he smiled and gently kissed her cheek.
Monica slightly lifted her head, then realizing they were Chandler's arms she was in, relaxed again. "Is it light out already?" she asked groggily.
"Yes, believe it or not." Chandler smiled again. "How are you feeling?"
"I think I'm feeling a lot better . . . just tired"
"Understandable. I'm glad you're feeling better though."
Monica sat up, grinning at him. "Me too! Last night was not fun, at least on my part."
Chandler nodded. "It wasn't fun on my part either. But the cuddling was pretty enjoyable, do you agree?"
"True, that was nice. I really appreciate you staying up with me."
"It's no problem. Anytime."
Monica hesitated and then ran a hand playfully through his ruffled hair. "Nice hair."
"Really?" Chandler laughed, trying to smooth it out. "You like that?"
"Oh, definitely," Monica said, adding a jokingly seductive tone to her voice. "It's very . . . sexy."
Chandler smiled. "Actually I need to get it cut. Badly. A few months back it wasn't hanging in my face like this."
"It's not hanging in your face. Actually at the moment it's sticking straight up in the air." She winked and continued. "Besides, I like it longer like it is now."
"Well in that case the cut can wait." He smiled and pulled her gently into his arms again. After a few minutes' silence, he spoke up. "I like this," he murmured into her hair.
"I do, too. I'm so glad I can finally stay here for as long as I want without having to worry about getting back to my apartment on time."
Chandler nodded. "That reminds me, we've got some more moving to do today."
"Aw, forget it. I can buy new stuff." Monica smiled, only half joking. She really didn't want to return to that place, afraid that all the bad memories would come back. "We could go on a shopping spree instead, couldn't we? I mean, I do have a few hundred dollars in clothes to replace."
Smiling, Chandler said, "Sure, we could do that, after we empty out your apartment so that the landlord has nothing to complain about."
"Fine, you're right." Monica kissed him then stood up, happy when she did not feel a bit queasy from the previous night. She got dressed and readied herself for a long day.
~*~*~*~*~*~
* knock * knock *
"My god, I'm coming!" Rachel shouted when she heard the third knock on the apartment door. She rushed out of the bathroom where she had been styling her hair for the day, and went to the door. Opening it, Rachel said, "What?"
A tall black-haired man, who looked around thirty, smiled at her. "Hey, I'm Ross Geller. I'm looking for Monica?"
"Oh . . . sorry. What's you're relationship with her?" Rachel asked; weary that it might be George masquerading as a friend of Monica's just to get to her.
"She's my little sister. Well actually she's not my LITTLE sister, but you know. She's younger than me."
"Right." Rachel smiled. "She told me about you. Actually she's living right across the hall there." She pointed at apartment nineteen.
"Okay, thanks. And um . . . who are you?" Ross questioned.
"Rachel Green. I'm a friend of Chandler's."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Ms. Green." Ross held out his hand which she accepted, shaking it.
"Please, call me Rachel. I have a feeling we're gonna know each other for a while, seeing how close Chandler and your sister are."
Ross smiled. "I know. They really seem like they're meant to be together, huh?"
"Oh, yeah. They do. It's kind of amazing."
"I know." Ross began to turn to the other apartment when he stopped, getting an idea. He turned back to Rachel. "Hey, I've got kind of a crazy question. I'd understand if you said it's weird . . . but maybe I could take you out to dinner sometime, possibly?"
Rachel was taken off guard by the question, but she did find the man attractive. She contemplated saying no, though, because of Chandler. Then she realized that there was really not a good reason for him to not like that. Monica might, but Rachel decided she would understand. She grinned. "That sounds great. I'll give you my phone number." Rachel quickly scribbled it on piece of notepad paper, and handed it over. "I'll be looking forward to your call, Ross Geller."
He smiled and nodded, then said goodbye and went across the hall to visit with his sister.
~*~*~*~*~*~
TWO WEEKS LATER
Monica entered the supermarket, today being her designated grocery shopping day. She picked up a few fruits and vegetables then headed over to get some shampoo and conditioner. Once there, she was reaching for a bottle when she happened to glance in the opposite isles where the pads, tampons, pregnancy tests, and other things like that were.
She dropped the bottles in the cart then wandered over to that isle. She picked an item off a shelf, studied it. This might reveal the answer to why she had been feeling sick once in a while lately, but she wasn't sure she really wanted to know. Finally Monica placed the item into the cart.
~*~*~*~*~*~
That night, after waiting until Chandler was fast asleep, Monica slipped quietly out of bed. She crept to the bathroom, trying to prepare herself for the results of what she was about to do.
A half hour later, she stood in the room as silent tears rolled down her face. She wrapped something in a Kleenex and slipped it into her pocket. Monica had already changed into jeans and a sweater, and a note was awaiting morning on the kitchen counter.
Monica went silently back into the bedroom and kissed Chandler gently on the cheek, careful not to wake him. She walked back to the door, turned around. "Thank you," she whispered, and then she left the room; the apartment; the city.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Chandler woke early in the morning and went to wrap his arm around Monica, but realized she wasn't there. He opened his eyes and searched the room. She couldn't already be at work, usually she left after him and he didn't have to be at work for another hour and a half.
He got out of bed and looked for her throughout the rest of the apartment. There was no trace of Monica except for her clothes in her dresser and her beauty supplies and bath robe hanging on the door in the bathroom. Chandler was about to exit the place and go across the hall to check there when a white piece of paper lying on the counter top caught his eye.
Chandler reached for it and unfolded it. As he read, he felt his heart start pounding and he suddenly had trouble breathing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Chandler,
Thank you for everything. For rescuing me, for caring for me. I'm so sorry but I have to leave now. Don't try to find me. It doesn't have anything to do with you. Find someone else who deserves you and live out the rest of your life in peace and happiness. Please, do that for me.
Monica ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She said "I'm fine, I'm okay," cover up your trembling hands
There's indecision when you know you ain't got nothing left
When the good times never stay
And the cheap thrills always seem to fade away
When will we fall
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
Been too, too long this time
Jump back, got to get out of here
When will, when will we fall down
She hates her life, she hates her skin, she even hates her friends
Tries to hold on to all the reputations she can't mend
And there's some chance we could fail
But the last time someone was always there for bail
When will we fall
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
Been too, too long this time
Jump back, got to get out of here
When will, when will we fall down
When will we, when will we fall down
When will we fall
When will, when will, when will we fall
She said "I'm fine, I'm okay," cover up your trembling hands
There's indecision when you know you ain't got nothing left
For the last time conscience calls
For a good friend I was never there at all
When will we fall
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
Been too, too long this time
Jump back, got to get out of here
When will, when will we fall down
When will we, when will we fall down
When will we fall
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter! You probably know what's happening already, but I decided to leave it at a cliffhanger anyway. PLEASE REVIEW!! Tell me if you like!!!!!
Have any of you seen the Lifetime movie "Deadly Relations"? A couple weeks after I started this I saw that movie and noticed that Matthew Perry's character is named George on that. Lol, oh well?
Also, farewell to BluEyes!