True Colours
"Morning," Chandler said, as he wondered into Monica's and Rachel's apartment, everyone else was already there eating breakfast.
"Aren't you going to be late for work?" Monica frowned, looking at the time.
"Nah, I've called in sick," he explained, sitting down and pouring out some coffee.
"Again?" Ross glanced over at him, "that's like the third time this week."
"I know…." Chandler said, not really bothered about his job any more.
It had been two weeks since his Dad had shown up and after the meal, spent a lot of time together, trying to get to know each other again.
Sometimes they would just go down to the coffee house and talk or they'd go out somewhere, occasionally the others joined them but most of the time it was just the two of them.
"So, what you got planned for today? Can I come? I've got the day off." Joey asked eagerly, he like hanging out with Chandler and his Dad, they had such a great time.
"You always have a day off, Joe!" Phoebe pointed out.
"You can come if you like," Chandler shrugged, "Dunno what we're doing yet, though."
"Alright!" Joey grinned and then grabbed some more pancakes.
"Mon? You've got the day off, right?" Chandler looked over at her, with pleading eyes, "You wanna come?"
"Sure." She smiled at him. With Chandler spending a lot of time with his father and the fact that no one knew about their relationship they hadn't been able to spend as such time together as they did before, but she didn't mind because Chandler was happy and was getting along great with his Dad. She was also glad that he did make the effort to keep their relationship going and it showed her that she meant something to him.
"Great!" He grinned widely and then turned to the other three. "I guess you've got work.."
"Yeah, if we don't go in then we get fired!" Rachel said, slightly annoyed at how many days Chandler could take off without a problem.
"So, call in sick!"
"I can't!" She moaned, "I always get caught out or I'll say the wrong thing."
"Get someone else to call then.." Joey told her, with a mouthful of pancakes, "it also makes it look like you're to ill to use the phone."
"That's actually a good idea…" Rachel stated.
"You sound surprised!"
"Oh come on, its you…" Rachel laughed; Joey glared at her for a few seconds before nodding his agreement and continued to eat."You coming then?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah, why not!""What about you two?" He looked at Ross and Phoebe.
"Sorry, man…" Ross said, standing up, "I can't, not today."
"Awww, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee…"
"What you going to do anyway?" Ross asked, ignoring his begging.
"Dunno…probably go to the coffee house and the park, again…"
"Oh, fun!" Phoebe added, sarcastically, "Like we've never done that before?!"
"So, I'm guessing you don't wanna go then, Pheebs?" Rachel looked at her.
"Yeah, the park rules!" She threw her fork on the table, "But I've got clients all morning!"
"How about meeting us after then?" Chandler suggested.
"Yeah, I guess…" She agreed, standing up, "Now I've gotta go, to my stupid job!"
Chandler grinned at the others as Phoebe sulked as she left.
"I'll see you guys, later…" Ross said, also leaving.
As the other all said various goodbyes, Chandler frowned at Ross as he closed the door behind him.
Everyone had all been support about Chandler's newfound relationship with his father and made the effort to get to know him but Ross seemed to act differently from everyone else.
They all enjoyed spending time with Charles, except Ross, who rarely went out with them now.
Chandler decided he would talk to him later about and to just enjoyed the day with his Dad and friends.
XxXxX
"This sucks!" Phoebe moaned as she and Ross walked down the stairs together.
"What does?"
"Going to work when they're all having fun!""What? They're only going to the park…" Ross pointed out.
"Yeah so…its fun!"
"If you say so…"
"What is with you?!" Phoebe asked, as they stepped outside of the building.
"Don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh yes, you do…" Phoebe accused, "you've been weird for the last few days."
"No I haven't!"
"You have!" She insisted. "Has it got something to do with Chandler's Dad?"
"What?" Ross glanced at her, "What's he got to do with this?"
"It has, hasn't it!"
Ross sighed but stayed silent, he looked at Phoebe again before starting to work away.
"Why don't you like him?" Phoebe followed him. "He's really nice and Chandler's happy."
"That's it…" Ross told her, "That's why."
"You don't like him because he making Chandler happy?" Phoebe frowned.
"Yes…no…" Ross stuttered, "You won't understand."
"Try me." She told him, grabbing his arm and forcing him to sit down on a bench in central park.
"It's just that if he leaves Chandler again then he's going to be devastated…"
"Yeah, I know that…" Phoebe nodded slightly, "But how do you know he's going to leave? He said he was moving back to New York permanently…"
"He's made Chandler a lot of promises in the past and let him down…" Ross scowled, "What makes you think he won't do it again?"
"If Chandler can trust when why don't you?"
"It just weird…" Ross admitted, "Chandler's always refused to talk about him and if he did say something, it would be how he never wanted anything do with him again or how much he had put him and his Mom through…"
"Yeah and now he's trying to make up for that…"
"I don't want to see Chandler hurt…" Ross told her.
"Ross just give him a chance…" Phoebe said softly, standing up, "for Chandler's sake."
Ross watched she walked out the park on her way to work. He sighed and knew that she was right.
XxXxX
"Oh Yay!" Phoebe exclaimed as she walked into the coffee house a few hours later, to see everyone there apart from Ross, "You're still here!"
"Yeah, we decided to wait for you…" Joey told her, glaring at Chandler and Monica slightly, unhappy about having to sit around waiting for her to turn up.
"Oh great!" Phoebe grinned, "Let's get going then…"
"Well, we thought we'd wait for Ross…" Rachel told her, "he'll be here on his lunch break in a bit."
"Yeah, we've got a picnic we can have in the park…" Monica pointed to the basket with the food she prepared earlier.
"Oh…I dunno if he's coming here today…" Phoebe said slowly, thinking about their conversation they had before.
"Why not?" Chandler frowned.
"Ermm…" Phoebe started.
"Hey, guys…" Ross interrupted her as he walked in, "good news, I've managed to get the rest of the day off."
"Really?" Chandler asked, surprised, he was beginning to think Ross had a problem with his father, "That's great!"
"Yeah, it'll be good to get to know you better, Ross…" Charles smiled at him, "I've seemed to spent more time with everyone else…"
"Mmmm…" Ross forced a small smile.
"Right, shall we go?" Chandler asked, standing up.
"Yeah!" Joey jumped up eagerly, reaching to the picnic basket.
"Oh, I don't think so…" Monica told him, taking it off him, not trusting him to carry the food.
"Here, Mon…I'll take it," Chandler offered.
"Thanks!" She smiled at him and handed it over.They exchanged quick looks and like normal the others failed to notice, giving Chandler the urge to laugh at their inattentive.
"Change your mind then?" Phoebe whispered to Ross as they walked a few feet behind everyone else, towards the park.
"No I haven't but like you said, it's for Chandler.""Well, I think you're doing the right thing…" Phoebe told him."Thanks," He told her, speaking quietly so the others couldn't hear, "I still think that Chandler's going to end up hurt, though…"
"Yeah, we'll see," Phoebe, told him, picking up her pace to walk with Rachel and Joey.
As she walked past Charles, he gave her a slight smile, which she returned. She, like everyone else liked him and thought it was good thing that Chandler was getting to know him again but there was a small part of her that agreed with Ross.
Charles glanced back at Ross, who was now walking alone. Charles had heard the conversation he had with Phoebe and didn't like the way Ross was talking about him. He had every right to get to know his own son.
"So, Ross…" Charles started, "Chandler tells me you have a son…"
"Yeah, he's name's Ben…" Ross told him, "He's nearly 4."
"Oh so you know what its like to be a parent."
"Yeah, I guess…" Ross said, suspicious to what Charles was trying to say.
"The best feeling in the world is to have children.." Charles told him, "I mean, I can't believe I was stupid enough to walk away from Chandler."
"Yeah, you were pretty stupid," Ross replied before he had chance to stop himself.
"I know that," He stuffed his hands into his pockets, "But not a day went by when I never regretted it…I made a mistake, which every father does."
"I would never do something as bad as that…" Ross muttered.
"You'll be surprise at what mistakes you'll make." Charles replied, harshly.
Ross was slightly taken back by his last comment as he watched him walk over to Chandler, Monica and Joey, saying something to them, causing them to laugh. Ross frowned, he though he didn't trust the man, he was stunned by what he just said to him. Ross closed his eyes when he realised that Charles wasn't that far ahead of him and Phoebe when they were talking and must heard what he had said. He just prayed that he wouldn't tell Chandler.
XxXxX
They found a nice spot to sit down; it was a quiet part of the park with a few trees around, so they could sit in the shade. Whilst the boys and Phoebe threw the football around, Monica and Rachel decided to set the picnic up. Rachel was only doing it because she knew they wouldn't give her the ball and just tell her to 'go long' and Monica helped because she didn't trust Rachel to do it by herself.
After they had finished, they both stood on the side of the pitch and watched the game that was taking place. Chandler and Joey together VS Ross, Phoebe and Charles.
Chandler and Ross were the captains and Ross had chosen Phoebe first, to have the chance to talk to her about what Charles had said. He presumed that Chandler could chose his father but he picked Joey instead, claiming he wanted to win, causing Charles to throw the ball at him, playfully.
Monica and Rachel decided to be cheerleaders for each team; Monica cheering on Joey and Chandler, while Rachel was Ross' team.
While the girls tried to out cheer each other, Chandler had hold of the ball, while faced with Charles.
"Come on, then old man…" Chandler teased, stood a few in front of him, trying to decided which was the best way to go.
"This old man has been playing football since before you were born!" Charles replied, ready to tackle his son, once he made a run.
"Really?" Chandler questioned, "I thought you'd be more interested in ballet.."
The comment distracted Charles and whilst he tried to think of a come back, Chandler ran straight past him.
He watched his son as he sprinted to the other end of the field, he laughed when Chandler turned around and ran backwards, grinning at him.
"Woooooo!" Monica cheered as Chandler scored, "Go Chandler!!"
"Yeah, baby!" Joey yelled, running over to congratulate Chandler, "We're winning!"
"No, no…" Monica cut in, "You've won."
"What?" Ross looked at her, "The game isn't over yet!"
"Yes it is…" Monica told him, "the food is ready…"
"But…" Ross attempted but was stopped again.
"Its over Ross.." Phoebe told him, following the others over to the picnic.Ross sighed in defeat; at least he didn't have to be on the same team as Charles now.
"Tricking your own father…" Charles looked over at Chandler, "that's just not right!"
"Hey, I thought you were playing football since before I was born…" Chandler mocked him.
"Very funny, smart mouth…" Charles said, teased.
"Hey, I get it from you!" Chandler stated.
Charles shook his head and hit Chandler playfully, while the other smiled at each other, watching 'father and son.' All except Ross who was he watching Charles curiously."Alright, who's up for another game of football?" Joey asked, holding up the ball after they had all finished eating and everything was cleared away.
"Nah…" Rachel sighed, pulling a magazine out of her bag, "You guys go ahead."
"Okay then, why doesn't Monica just join me and Chandler?" Joey suggested, throwing the ball to Chandler.
"Actually, I've kinda planned something else…" Charles told them.
"What?" Chandler asked, passing the ball back to Joey.
"I've booked some tennis courts for a few hours," Charles informed them.
"Tennis?" Chandler frowned; he hadn't played in years, he use to love the sport."Yeah, I thought it would be fun," His father shrugged, "but if you guys don't want to then it doesn't matter.""No, no.." Rachel jumped in eagerly; tennis was actually something she would be able to play.
"Yeah, why not.." Monica smiled at him.
"Whatever," Joey replied, not really caring, "I'll still whoop, your butts."
"Alright then…." Charles grinned at him, "Lets make it more interesting…"
"I'm listening," Joey leaned in closer.
"How about we have a tournament," He suggested. "We each put $10 in and the winner get the money."
"Eh, I've never played tennis before," Phoebe stated. "I'm out."
"Aww, come on, Pheebs," Monica looked at her, "it'll be fun!"
"Oh yeah, only because you'll win." Phoebe predicted.
"Oh please…" Monica looked away, "I'd win either way!"
"Okay, I'm out to.." Ross informed them, "I'm not going through the whole 'thanksgiving football game,' again…"
"Wuss…" Rachel said, coughing.
Ross glared at her, any other time he would take them up on the competition but he was worried that Charles would say something to Chandler, he didn't want to upset his best friend and he knew that if Chandler did find out what he had said, he would take his father's side.
"Yeah but now there's not fair people," Monica pointed out.
"Hey, don't worry about it.." Charles assured her, "I can't play anyway, got a bad knee… old dancing injury."
"So, its just the four of us then?" Chandler asked, looking around at them.
"Cool," Joey nodded, "right, so me VS Chandler and Mon VS Rach…"
"Hey, hey…" Monica stopped him, "Why do I have to play Rachel?"
"Don't you wanna play me?" Rachel looked hurt.
Monica just rolled her eyes at her before turning back to Joey, "What? Don't you think we're good enough to play you?"
"Well done, Joe…" Chandler muttered.
"What?!" Monica turned to face him.
"Nothing, nothing…" He held his hands up in defence. "Look, does it matter? I mean, you play Rach in the first round and then me or Joey in the next…"
"Alright…fine…" Monica said, after thinking about for a while, "But after that, we're playing some doubles… Girls VS Boys."
"It's a deal!" Chandler grinned.
"Okay, now that's sorted, lets get going!" Joey yelled, standing up.
An hour later, they all stood watching the match between Chandler and Joey. Rachel was sulking after losing her game moments before while Monica was next to her, beaming with happiness about it.
Ross watched as his best friends knocked the ball back to each other, he wasn't really paying attention to the game or what anyone else was saying, just deep in thoughts about what he would say to chandler.
Charles watched, annoyed as Joey whacked the ball right over chandler's head and out of the court, causing before of them to laugh. Neither of them were taking the game seriously, unlike the girls, Monica because she had to win at everything and Rachel because she wanted to be the first to beat Monica.
Chandler didn't care about winning or losing, he just wanted to have fun, Whilst he was in High School he played for the school and was always in tournaments or matches, putting pressure on him to win.
Joey was glad to see Chandler not playing competitively because tennis was a lot harder then he thought and it was fun just mucking around, even though he was losing.
After another 15 minutes of playing Chandler finally scored the winning point and Joey throw his racket down in mock frustration.
"Come on then Bing…" Monica called over to him as they both walked off the court in laughter, "You ready to loss…"
"Oh, that's what you think…" Chandler replied playfully, he grinned when Monica stuck her tongue out at him.
"Chandler?!" Charles said in an irritated tone, "Can I have a word?"
"Emm, Sure.." Chandler frowned at his father's change of mood; they walked a few feet away from the others, "What's up?"
"What the hell were you doing out there?!"
"What?" Chandler asked confused, "We were playing tennis."
"Oh come on, Chandler!" Charles started, "You weren't playing properly, you're much better then that!!"
The other 6 exchanged looks, hearing the conversation they were having.
"It was only Joey…" Chandler pointed out.
"Yeah but you need the practice!"
"Why?" Chandler was baffled by his father's behaviour.
"I've signed you up for this tournament," Charles told him, "It's only in a couple of weeks, you need all the training you can get!"
"Excuse me?" Chandler asked, "You've done what?!"
"I know I should have asked you first…"
"Damn right, you should have!" Chandler cut in sharply.
"But I missed out on all your matches when you were in High school…" Charles continued, "you Mom would ring me and tell me how they went and I was so proud at how good you became but I wish I was there to see it."
Chandler was silent for a few minutes, trying to decide what to say. He hadn't played in a long time and the reason for that was because it wasn't fun to just be in it to win. Although he could still remember how it felt to come first and how his Mom would be there every game cheering him on. There were a lot of times when he would wish that his father had been there and was always disappointed to only recognise his Mom in the crowd.
"Alright, I guess it couldn't do any harm." Chandler smiled slightly; he wanted his Dad to be proud of him.
"Good, Lad!" Charles grinned at him.
"So, Chandler, we playing or what?" Monica asked, walking over to them.
"Yeah, lets go…" Chandler said slowly.
As they both took their positions on the court the others all smiled at each, knowing Chandler would go easier Monica because of her competitiveness and they knew he wouldn't want to bring that side of her out.
They were all surprise then they saw Chandler serve the ball to her, hitting with speed, making it land expertly in place scoring a point.
Charles applaud his son as they others stood in shock, Chandler gave his father small smile. He didn't want to beat Monica, not only because she was his girlfriend and he cared a lot about her but because he knew how much she liked to win. Before, whenever they were playing any sort of game he would let her win or go easy on her even before they got together. He was worried that she would upset if he beat her but he didn't want to disappoint his father either.
After a while Monica gave up, there was no way she would be able to win. Chandler was amazing, she never knew that. Normally she would have been upset about losing but because it was Chandler, she didn't seem to mind. She could tell he was worried about it and decided to wait till later to assure him, she was fine with it. She didn't want her friends becoming suspicious of their relationship.
XxXxX
Later that day they all sat around in Central Perk, no one really talking. Rachel and Joey both were confused about why everyone had fallen silent and tried unsuccessfully to make conversation. Ross was still curious about Charles, Chandler was worried about what Monica was thinking and she was doing the same. Phoebe's doubts about his Dad were beginning to grow when she heard the way he treat Chandler after his game with Joey.
"So…" Joey started to talk again, "anyone want a coffee or anything?"
"Yeah, Joe…" Chandler spoke up, "can you get me a chocolate chip muffin?"
"Erm, I don't think you should have that?" Charles cut in.
"Why not?" Chandler frowned, looking around at him.
"You're in training," Charles reminded him, "You've gotta eat right."
"You're going to stop him from having a muffin!?" Phoebe asked, seconds by seconds disliking him more.
"No, Pheebs…" Chandler told her, "He's right…"
"Right!" Charles grinned, "also you need to get into shape…you've can go jogging in the morning and at night…. Starting tonight."
"But we were going to rent a movie tonight…" Joey said, he hadn't ages since him and Chandler spent time together.
"You can do that anytime." Charles informed him, "Chandler's got to work hard if he wants to win."
Chandler looked around at his friends, Monica and Rachel sat side-by-side, not really sure what to do or say. Joey stood next to them, looking disappointed at Chandler but it Phoebe's and Ross' expressions that surprised Chandler the most, they were sat glaring at his Dad.
He sighed, they didn't understand how hard this was for him, he had to make a decision between pleasing his Dad, which he wanted to since he was a little kid or staying in with Joey, sometime which he had done for the last 6 or so years.
"Can we do it some other time, Joe?" Chandler asked him hopefully, "We can rant Die Hard…?"
"Yeah sure…" Joey smiled, trying to hide his disappointment but Chandler still noticed and felt terrible.
'Great, first I upset Monica and now Joey!' He thought silently.
XxXxX
Chandler stopped outside of his apartment door, bending over his knees, trying to get his breath back after his run. After they had returned from the coffee house he and his Dad worked a fitness routine. Chandler wiped the sweat from his forehead, convinced that all this was going to kill him.
After he heartbeat began to slow and his breathing returned to normal, he stood up straight and knocked once of Monica's door before walking in.
"Hey…" She smiled at him.
"Hi," He couldn't help smiling back at her, "where's Rachel?"
"Oh she went over to Phoebe's…" Monica told her, "They had to talk apparently…"
"Oh right, so I can do this then?" He walked towards her and kissed her gentle.
"Well, if you can do that, then I can do this…" Monica said before kissing him again.
After a few minutes they reluctantly parted, knowing that one of the others could walk in at any moment.
"So, you're not made at me then?" Chandler said, sitting down.
"Why would I be mad at you?""About the tennis earlier.."
"Course I'm not mad!" She reassured him, grinning, "I'm surprise at how good you are, though!"
"You're really not mad?" Chandler asked."I'm really not!" She gave him a quick peck on the lips.Chandler grinned again and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him. He couldn't image what he would do without her and didn't want to found out what it would be like either.
XxXxX
"Is Breakfast done?" Was the first thing Joey asked as he walked into the girl's apartment the next morning.
"No, I've gotta take a shower!" Monica snapped at him, walking into the bathroom, "Rachel's been hogging it all morning!"
"Awww man…" Joey sulked, sitting down in a chair.
"Morning, Joe…" Rachel said cheerfully walking out her room, ready for work.
"Hey, Rach," He replied, reaching for the cereal.
"Can I ask you something?" Rachel asked slowly, sitting down opposite him.
"Sure." He wasn't paying much attention to her.
"Phoebe said something to last night that got me thinking…."
"Yeah?" Joey said, still not looking from his food.
"What do you think of Chandler's Dad?"
"Chandler's happy…" Joey shrugged, "Its been fun hanging out with him too…"
"Huh, that's what I said…" Rachel told him.
"But?"
"But… I am beginning to change my mind."
"What's going on, Rach?" Joey looked up for the first time.
"It's just Phoebe thinks Chandler's going to end up hurt again or something…" She said, "and its not just Phoebe…Ross does too."
"So? Just because they think that doesn't mean it's going to happen."
"I know that what I told Phoebe!" Rachel stated, "But thinking about it, I've realise Chandler's beginning to change."
"What?!" Joey put his spoon down, "You crazy? Chandler hasn't changed?!"
Joey stared at her for a moment, deep in thoughts, he sighed when he realised that she was say was true.
"Is that a bad thing?" He asked her.
"I dunno, Joe…"
They dropped the conversation when everyone started to arrive; including Charles who Monica insisted came over every morning instead of eating hotel food alone.
"Where's Chandler?" Phoebe asked looking around, noticing he wasn't there.
"Oh, he went for a run…" Joey told her, stuffing some pancakes in his mouth.
As if on cue, the door opened and Chandler walked in before collapsing on the couch on exhaustion.
"You okay, Man?" Ross asked, slightly amused.
"I think I'm dieing…" He muttered, rolling over to get more comfortable.
"Oh come on," Charles looked over at his son, "It can't be that bad."
"You go jogging first thing in the morning then!" Chandler muttered.
The others all quietly laughed at the state he was in but he didn't care he was use to it. He'd even be doing the same if it were Ross or Joey instead of him.
He smiled gratefully when Monica handed him a glass of water; she could always make him smile.
"What time do you start work today?" Charles queried.
"Yeah right…" Chandler said sarcastically, "Like I'm going into day…"
"Hold on," Charles stopped, "haven't you already had 4 days off?"
"Yeah, so one day more won't matter…" Chandler sat up slightly, "They won't even miss me!"
"What if they do?" He asked, "What if they fire you?!"
"I hate that job anyway…" Chandler mumbled, sipping his drink.
"So? If you haven't got a job how are you going to support your family?" Charles continued, "Your wife and Kids…"
His last comment startled Chandler, causing him to choke on his drink and spitting water everywhere.
"Kids?!" He squeaked, "Wife?!"
"Alright, so you're not ready yet but you will be son!"
"Kids!?" He repeated, this time looking around at his friends for help, "Wife?!"Joey laughed, "Like Chandler would get married!"
"Yeah…" Ross joined in, "Mr Commitment Freak, over there!"
"Well, if he would quit being the joker and grow up then maybe he'd have that!"
Everyone stopped laughing and looked over at Charles.
"Right, umm…" Chandler cleared his throat, causing everyone's attention to be turned back to him, "I've better get ready for work…."
They all watched as he stood up and headed out the door, surprised that he was actually giving and going to work; even before Charles had turned up, Chandler always had a lot of time off.
"Well, I've got to go too…" Charles told them, standing up to, "Thank you, again for Breakfast Monica, it was lovely."
Monica gave him a small smile before turning and going to her room to finishing getting ready for work.
"Rach…" Joey said, once they before had left, "I don't like him…"
"Nor do I!" Rachel added, "Who the hell is he to treat Chandler like that?"
"He's his father," Phoebe shrugged.
Just as Chandler reached his bedroom, he heard the front door open. He turned around, expecting to see Joey stood there but instead it was his father.
"Look, Chandler…I'm sorry about what I said…" He said quickly, "I shouldn't have said it!"
"Hey, no..it's okay.."
"No, no..I was out of line!" Charles cut him off, "Do you forgive me?"
"Yeah, course I do…" Chandler grinned at him. He couldn't deny that the comment had surprised him and hurt slightly but it didn't matter no more.
"Good," Charles smiled back, "Now go on, don't wanna be late for work."
Chandler nodded and headed into his room, happy with his life.
XxXxX
Monica sighed in happiness as she leaned back into Chandler's arms. They both had the afternoon off and decided to spend it together, knowing the others wouldn't barge in on them.
"So, shouldn't you be down at the courts, training?" Monica broke the silence; it had been two weeks since he had started playing tennis and spent most of spare time training for the tournament, which was next week.
"Suppose so but I wanted to be here with you," He told her.
"Aww, you're so sweet…" Monica kissed him on the cheek.
Chandler grinned and pulled her closer, he knew his Dad would be annoyed that he missed training, only a week before the tournament but he didn't care. He had been working hard all day then training really hard at night, he needed a rest, and he needed to spend some alone time with Monica.
Monica was deep in thoughts, thinking about what the others thought about Chandler's Dad. They had asked her on her options on him and she told him she liked him. They all insisted that he would hurt Chandler and she didn't see why they couldn't trust him. She knew that he could sometimes push Chandler a bit hard when it came to the tennis or his work but most parents did that and Chandler didn't seem to mind. She told them just to be happy for him and they reluctantly agreed but she could still see the un-trusting looks they gave him.
They jumped apart when they heard the door beginning to open, a few hours later.
"Hey, guys.." Rachel smiled at them as she and Phoebe walked in.
"Hey.."
"How come you're not training?" She asked Chandler, surprised to see him, they didn't see a lot of him lately.
"Took a day off," He shrugged, reaching to the remote.
"Oh right…" Rachel put her bag on the table and started to tell them all out her day at work. She was half away through when a knock at the door interrupted her.
"Is Chandler here?" Charles asked, when she opened it.
"Umm, yeah.." Rachel said stepping back to let him in."What the hell are you doing here?!" Charles asked his son.
"Just watching some TV…"
"Don't get smart with me!" Charles cut him off, "You know you're meant to be training."
"Why do I always have to train!?" Chandler jumped up, suddenly angry at his father's attitude. For the last 2 weeks he had been training none stop for something he didn't really want to do.
"So that you can win!" Charles yelled.
"Maybe I don't wanna win!" Chandler raised his voice too, too much the girls' surprise, none of them had seen him really angry before, "Maybe I don't wanna even play!!"
"I think we should go somewhere and talk!" Charles said slightly calmer after a few seconds of silence.
Chandler sighed and walked out of the apartment and into his own, with his Dad following.
Even with the doors closed the girls could hear the heated argument-taking place in the apartment opposite. After about 15 minutes everything went quiet and they expected them to come back in, being best friends again, like they always did. Charles had an amazing way of getting Chandler to forgive him after every argument and each time it made the others even more uncertain of him.
This time though it was only Chandler who returned.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Monica asked when he walked but then gasped when he looked up at him to see he had a spilt lip.
"Chandler?! What happened?!" Rachel asked, as all three of them rushed over to him.
"Nothing..it's no big deal." He told them.
"Did your Dad do this?" Phoebe asked.
"It was just an argument," he sighed, "he said some things, I said some things… but its over, it doesn't matter."
"Chandler he hit you!" Monica stated, "Of course it matters!"
"Has he ever done this before?" Rachel asked, curious to why Chandler wasn't bothered about it.
"When I was a kid…"
"When you were a kid?!"
"Oh come on, it wasn't as if he beat me or anything, just a light slap here and there," He told them, "Every parent does it."
"I was never hit!" Rachel told him.
"Nor me.." Monica and Phoebe added.Chandler stared at them for a minute, trying to think of a comeback.
"Yeah but you're girls…" He said slowly, "it wouldn't be right to hit girls…"
They all rolled their eyes are him.
"Ross was never hit!" Monica stated.
"But he also couldn't do nothing wrong to get hit for!"The girls looked each other, hoping one of the others could think of something to say to prove to him that he wasn't right.
"Hey…" Joey said as he walked.
"Oh Hey, Joe, when you were little did your parents ever hit you?" Phoebe asked quickly before anyone could say anything.
"No…never…" He told them.
"See!"
"So you guys were never hit?" Chandler asked, he thought it was normal to be hit when you did something wrong.
"No, the worst thing I can remember is when I swore once and my Mom threatened to wash my mouth out with soap…but she never did." Rachel told him.
"My Mom, did that and then sent me to my room!" Joey stated and then paused to think, "No no, wait I was sent to my room because I ate the soap!"
"You ate the soap?" Chandler frowned.
"Well it smelt like cherries so I thought it might taste like it…"
XxXxX
The next day, the gang found themselves sat in restaurant. It was Charles' idea, to make up for hitting Chandler and like before Chandler accepted his apology and acted like nothing had happened.
"Right, I think you should know the reason why I brought you here…" Charles said as they ate. "Ever since I was in college I've always dreamed about travelling around Europe…."
The others exchanged looks, wondering if this was Charles' way of telling Chandler he was leaving him again.
"And I've decided I'm going to do that now…" He confirmed their thoughts.
"What?" Chandler asked, in disbelief, "You're leaving?"
"Yes…"
"I don't believe this!" Chandler started angrily, "You're just going to leave me again!"
"No, Chandler you don't understand!" Charles tried to interrupt.
"What's there to understand?!"
"I want you to come with me….." He told him.
Chandler stared at his father unsure if he heard him right… he wanted the two of them to travel around Europe?
The others looked panicked at each other, knowing that there was a good chance Chandler to would agree and leave.
Monica felt her heart break, she didn't want Chandler to go, she didn't know what she would do without him. The others wouldn't understand, they didn't even know about them.
Chandler slowly turned his glaze away from his Dad and looked at the others, wondering what he should do.
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