Central Perk

Earlier in the evening, Chandler and Joey were at Central Perk.

It just doesn't feel the same,' Chandler said. He'd said that most evenings for the last three weeks.

I know,' Joey said. I hate Emily,' he said moodily. Chandler didn't bother to admonish him. At first he had thought Joey's attitude was unconstructive and unhelpful but now he didn't care. Nothing they could do could be constructive.

How can you tell someone who they can and can't see?' Chandler asked nobody.

You can't, you have no right, she has no right. He's just doing everything she says,' Joey said petulantly. Monica came in.

Hi guys,'

Hi Monica,' they said despondently.

C'mon,' she said, Cheer up.'

We can't. It's just not the same,' Chandler sighed. We miss Ross.'

Even if he is a – ' Chandler nudged Joey. Even if he's not being very nice at the moment.'

I know,' Monica said with a sigh. He's just trying to make his marriage work. He doesn't want another failure. You don't want him to have another failure. Think how bad that would be.' One divorce, maybe but two? And the second divorce after being married for a matter of weeks? That just couldn't be allowed to happen.

No we don't want his marriage to fail, but why does he have to do everything she says?' Joey asked.

We've been through this before,' Monica said, She wouldn't come unless he gave in. It's what happens when you mess up your vows like that.' Monica shook her head. She couldn't believe her brother had been so stupid – but she knew that he hadn't meant to hurt anyone. He was serious about Emily.

Can't you talk to him?' Chandler asked. I mean, she's here now so he can start relaxing can't he? You're not telling me that now she's here she'd going to jump on the next plane if Ross accidentally bumps into Rachel.'

Look guys,' Monica said, I can't interfere. This is Ross's life.'

But he doesn't want it to be like that,' Joey insisted, He wants to be with us. He loves hanging out here.'

We'll just have to wait until she's feeling a bit more secure,' Monica said.

Until she graciously says. Yes Ross I will allow you to see your friends,' Joey said in a particularly awful English accent.

Well she didn't actually say that,' Monica said, feeling that she had to be fair.

Same thing, really,' Joey said. If you exclude one person you exclude all of us.'

Can't you talk to her?' Chandler asked. You were friendly with her before and you're so good at this kind of thing,' he said. Something about the way he said it made her blush a little.

I've hardly seen her since she arrived, and she knows I'm Rachel's best friend. I don't know that she'd take anything I'd have to say well,' Monica said. This was something she'd already thought about but she'd hardly had the chance when she had seen Emily at her parents' house. Monica had felt a little out of place that evening. Certainly when everyone was celebrating the newlyweds no-one had been paying much attention to Monica, the unsatisfactory single daughter. Secretly otherwise but that was it, she and Chandler were a secret.

She had thought though, that Emily's attitude on that night had been dominated by the wish to please her parents-in-law, not that she had needed to do that. Emily had won them over long before just by being Ross's beloved but in between times when no-one was watching, Emily's face was anxious. So the fact that Emily didn't talk to her much didn't mean that she had taken against Monica for being Rachel's friend.

Phoebe and Rachel arrived, and after exchanging greetings, agreed with the idea that Monica should tackle Emily.

Can't you point out that Rachel has been encouraging Ross to do the right thing – that is, to do what whatever it took to get her back?' Phoebe said.

I'd say that if she asked me,' Monica said.

But she's not going to,' Joey said. She's got what she wants, why would she?'

I wish I'd never gone to that wedding,' Rachel said. It had all been for nothing. She had only caused him problems. That man on the plane had been right about her. When she had had the opportunity to tell Ross how she felt, it had done her no good.

You couldn't help it,' Monica said, squeezing her hand. If it's anyone's fault it's Ross's. At least she seems to have forgiven him for that.'

With conditions,' Rachel said.

Well she's scared of you,' Monica said, I suppose that's only natural.'

I am not going to steal Ross,' Rachel said crossly. I don't go round after married men.' Her thoughts about the situation when Ross had, most definitely married Emily, but before he had managed to track her down were confused and she didn't want to explore them now. That was just some aberration which no-one should be unkind enough to point out. She realised that everyone was looking. With married men who are still living with their wives,' she added severely. Well Ross hadn't been living with Emily when she'd told him she loved him. Thanks for the vote of confidence.'

Sorry,' they all said at once. Monica gave her a too knowing look.

Let's change the subject,' Rachel said, This is all we talk about these days.'