The request for CM fits in well with this part of the story so happy to oblige. The next chapter will have JR (not romantic, yet)

6 Refusing to Go

Do you really think she means it?' Rachel asked Monica impatiently. After Ross had left Central Perk, they had also left for a coffee in less public surroundings. Rachel felt the need for some private conversation. Everyone seemed to be taking Emily's invitation at face value and Rachel was irritated. Couldn't they see what kind of person she was?

Why wouldn't she mean it?' Monica asked.

She can't really want me to be there,' Rachel said. How can she go from wanting to keep me out of Ross's life to inviting me to dinner? She made him throw out his furniture because I'd touched it! And now she wants me to sit on her dining room chairs.'

Well maybe she wants to resolve things. People do sometimes, you should be glad,' Monica said patiently. Rachel looked grumpy. Rach, you are over Ross aren't you? You do know that it is over? I mean after you – ' Yes, after she'd told him that she loved him and he'd brushed her off, ever so nicely. It was clear it was over for him. He'd agreed to Emily's conditions, another sign that he was over Rachel.

She was over Ross, sort of. She accepted that there was an ending between them of any relationship other than friendship. She wanted him to be happy and she would be happy if he was settled with anyone else, really she would. He deserved to be happy, with a long life with a woman who loved him. She just couldn't stand that it was Emily.

Yes I'm over Ross,' Rachel said, as Monica looked at her closely. But I just don't believe in her pretence that she wants me to come to dinner. She doesn't like me.'

Well you never really got to know each other before the wedding,' Monica said. When had there been time for that? She hadn't wanted to get to know Emily anyway. Most of the time she had thought that Emily would be going away for good. And if she doesn't like you it's not surprising.'

What?' Rachel exclaimed. Of course it was surprising that someone didn't like her! Everyone liked Rachel didn't they? What did I ever do to her?'

Well you did sort of ruin her wedding,' Monica said.

I did not!'

Well it was because of you that things went wrong with it. It was your name that Ross said and it was you that nearly went away with him to Greece so can't you understand that she might have a reason to think you did do something to her?'

Yes, well, so you put it like that. That just makes me want to know why she wants me to come to dinner.'

Probably she just wants us all to be friends,' Monica said.

Well I think she's up to something,' Rachel said. Emily couldn't mean it. This nice' act was just an act.

Why should she be up to something?' Monica asked.

Because I just don't believe in this.'

Rachel don't be silly,' Monica said, feeling a little impatient.

She's going to do something,' Rachel said seriously.

Rachel, she's not going to do anything to you at dinner,' Monica said.

No, because I'm not going to her stupid dinner,' Rachel said.

But you have to go,' Monica exclaimed.

No I don't, you guys can have the dinner without me. She'd like it better that way anyway,' Rachel said.

Rachel, you've been invited, you've got to go,' Monica said severely.

I don't have to go anywhere just because I'm invited. I mean if Hannibal Lecter invited you for dinner would you go?'

Rachel! That's terrible,' Monica said, now really angry. I can't believe you're acting like this. How can you compare Emily to – you know, you know something? If there are any problems between you and Emily it will all be your fault. You're the one causing trouble here, not Emily,' Monica said. Don't expect me to take sides with you on this one.'

You don't want to upset your new best friend Emily,' Rachel exclaimed. How could Monica not understand how she was feeling? Why did she believe Emily was being genuine? Why was she so willing to be understanding of her?

You're being totally irrational,' Monica said, Emily is my brother's wife not my friend although I would like one day for us to be friends. I'd like for all of us to be friends, but you're not even giving her a chance. You say you're Ross's friend. How can you be his friend when you talk about his wife like that? What did she ever do to you?'

She tried to keep me out of Ross's life!' Rachel said.

And now she's trying to do the opposite, so why are you so down on her? You're the one who's being unreasonable. Now you're the one who wants to split everyone up.'

I don't!' Rachel exclaimed. I am nothing like her, nothing at all!'

Why won't you come with us then?'

I don't want to.'

I don't believe you are over Ross, Rachel, but he's moved on so deal with it!' This was too much for Rachel.

I will! I'll go and find a friend to talk to!' Rachel slammed the door as she left.

Feeling low, Monica called Chandler who came over immediately. Delighted to find her alone, he greeted her with a kiss, and kicking the door shut behind him, started working a series of kisses down her neck, feeling her relax against him.

I miss you!' he told her opening the neck of her blouse.

I miss you too,' she said. It had been less than half an hour since they'd seen each other, but too long since they could be themselves.

She felt him pick her up and deposit her on the couch. His touch was making her feel so much better and she was happy to surrender to some very fine making out. She thought she had done a good job of pushing the quarrel with Rachel out of her mind until Chandler asked,

What's the matter?'

I've had a fight with Rachel,' Monica said.

Oh Monica,' Chandler said, giving her a kiss. It was all her fault hon,' he said.

Oh please,' Monica said, Don't say that.' She didn't need any more blindly biased opinions today.

It's true, it must be true,' Chandler said. How could you be to blame?'

No Chandler, you're just taking my side without knowing what went on.' He wasn't really listening to her and kissed her again. Chandler,' Monica said.

Mon?' He was holding her in his arms and was now listening. Was this a serious fight?'

I don't know. It was about Emily. Rachel doesn't want to go to the dinner.'

Oh,' Chandler said.

Yes, "Oh,"' Monica said.

Why not?'

She thinks Emily's going to do something to her – or so she says,' Monica said.

What? Why would she think that?' Chandler asked, surprised.

Rachel doesn't believe that Emily really has changed her mind.'

I don't know Emily that well but from what I've seen she's pretty direct. If she hated Rachel, Rachel would not be invited to dinner,' Chandler said.

I know,' Monica said. The truth is, Rachel just hates Emily.'

Well it wasn't nice being excluded, but that didn't last long. It's a bit extreme to hate her for that especially now that she's started being reasonable.' Chandler said slowly. It's not as though Emily didn't have issues with Rachel, even if it wasn't Rachel's fault.' Monica hadn't told him about Rachel's declaration of love for Ross and didn't say so now. It wasn't as if Emily knew about that anyway. I think it's quite a big step for her to do this,' Chandler continued, She's probably more nervous than we are. She probably thinks we've all taken Rachel's side.'

I'm sick of people taking sides!' Monica exclaimed. Emily had forced Ross to take sides – fortunately she'd thought better of it and had backed down. That had been bad enough. Now Rachel was at it. Chandler rubbed her back to soothe her. I just want everyone to go and make an effort. We can all get along if we try, and I for one don't see a problem if Emily's not going to try to control Ross.'

If Rachel doesn't want to go we shouldn't force her,' Chandler said. Maybe she just needs more time to get used to things, if she's not over Ross yet. You Gellers are probably a hard lot to get over.'

She says she's over Ross,' Monica said. She did get interested in that Danny guy.'

But she's done nothing about it after that last dinner we had together,' Chandler pointed out.

I just don't want her to spoil things,' Monica said. And I don't like it that she's mad at me, but what can I do? Being her friend doesn't mean I can agree with her all the time.'

She'll come round,' Chandler said, You're her best friend and she knows that.'