This will have some JR groundwork — no romance yet but romance has got to come out of something.

7 Other Friends

Rachel stormed into Central Perk where she found Joey and Phoebe, looking as though they hadn't moved since she'd left.

Hey Rach!' Joey said. I didn't think you'd be back again this evening. Need more coffee huh?'

I just needed someone to talk to,' Rachel said. She looked at them both, feeling dissatisfied. It wasn't the same as having someone like Monica to talk to, she thought, her heart sinking. There was only one Monica.

Oh Rachel, you're all tense,' Phoebe said with concern, Come over here.' Rachel had chosen to sit apart from them, tense and angry, but at Phoebe's bidding, went to sit next to her. Phoebe started rubbing her neck and Rachel knew that she ought to be enjoying it. Instead she felt indifferent to the attention. Rachel, you really are tense,' Phoebe said, Do some deep breathing for me.' The rubbing in her neck was painful but she knew that Phoebe was pressing the tension away tension that was caused by Emily. Rachel!' She'd tightened back up again. What's the matter?' Phoebe asked.

Yeah,' Joey said, finally noticing something was wrong, What's up Rachel?'

I've just had a fight with Monica,' Rachel admitted. She felt so bad — Monica couldn't see what the problem with Emily was and instead had gotten angry with her. Was she going to lose Ross and Monica?

Oh, you'll make it up,' Phoebe said, giving her a hug. You two are the best of friends. You'll make it up and then you'll laugh all about it, you'll see. Sometimes you know you can't agree on everything, it happens, that's just life, it would be a boring old world if we agreed about everything.'

I don't know,' Rachel said despondently. This wasn't just an argument about shopping or housekeeping. She and Monica could cope with those kinds of differences.

Of course you're going to make it up. You're going to be her surrogate mother if she needs one,' Phoebe said. Not that she's going to need one of course, I'm sure she's going to be healthy but you know, a pact is a pact.'

She might end up asking Emily,' Rachel said, adding, If that's a risk she'd want to take.' Maybe too much tea in early pregnancy could harm the baby.

Oh this is about Emily,' Joey said. How come?'

I just can't believe she's really changed,' Rachel said in frustration.

Well I couldn't believe it either,' Phoebe said, She was so nice before she went away. I'm glad she's back to normal.'

Normal! You think this is normal?' Rachel turned on her.

Well,' Phoebe said, shrinking back, She was nice before andShe was not nice before,' Rachel interrupted, The very first time I met her she was a bitch. You heard what she said to me. That wasn't nice.'

Well it's not surprising she wasn't nice then since you stood her up and she was soaking wet and — ' Phoebe said.

I don't believe this!' Rachel said, getting up, What is the matter with you?' she demanded of Phoebe. Did pregnancy do something to your brain? You're taking her side!' Phoebe protested,

I'm not I — ' but it was too late. Rachel stormed out of Central Perk and Phoebe looked at Joey. I didn't take Emily's side did I?' she appealed.

No,' Joey said.

I was only saying that Emily had a reason to be — ' but she knew Joey wasn't listening to her. He looked at the door that Rachel had just exited. He said,

I'd better go after her. It's a bit late for her to be wandering around alone when she doesn't even know where she's going.' Phoebe smiled in resignation. Joey had offered to walk her home to protect her from things in the dark. But then Phoebe could look after herself. She said,

You go, she could get herself into trouble.'

Rachel walked furiously along. The wind whipped through her hair intermittently blocking her vision. That was okay, she had no idea where she was going anyway and she didn't care. Her usual caution about walking around alone at night was suspended. Any mugger who took her on was going to be unpleasantly surprised, but she wasn't thinking of potential muggers.

She fumed, thinking about the others. They were all fooled, all taking things at face value. Were they all going to suddenly make friends with Emily just because she was putting on a nice act and Ross was walking around with a stupid grin? How could he be so easily duped, Rachel wondered. Just because Emily was giving him a good time he thought she was wonderful. That was men for you, thinking with only one thing and that thing not being the brain.

Rachel was piqued. She had given him a good time in the past and she was sure he hadn't gone as stupid as that over her. No he'd saved the head over heels crazy in love stuff for Emily whom he'd married in a matter of days — oh well weeks — without having the slightest idea about her character or anything. Whereas Rachel, well with Rachel he'd felt compelled to make a list.

Rachel shook her head. That was in the past. Her problem now was that if they were all going to run off to Emily's, where would that leave Rachel? She couldn't believe Emily meant to include her, no matter what she was told, so it would be just like with Kip — one would be in and one would be out. They couldn't both exist within the circle of friends and the others looked like they were choosing Emily. She'd lose her friends and she'd have to make her way again

She had heard the footsteps behind her but she hadn't paid much attention until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She screamed.

Rachel!' It was Joey.

Joey! Don't do that!' She hit him for giving her such a shock, and maybe also because she felt like hitting someone. You scared me.'

Sorry,' he said, sounding out of breath. I just wanted to make sure nothing happened to you out here on your own. It's dangerous walking around on your own.'

I don't care if anything happens to me,' Rachel said wildly, None of my friends would care!'

I care,' Joey said.

You're all ready to run over to Emily's, just as soon as she calls you,' Rachel said resentfully.

It's Ross's place too,' Joey reminded her. And you're invited.'

I don't want to go,' Rachel said mulishly. Joey frowned.

Rachel, I thought you were upset because Emily was excluding you. Now that she's including you, you're still upset. Now you want to exclude yourself.' So that didn't sound quite sensible.

Oh shut up,' Rachel snapped irritably. It was irritating that Joey was the one to point out the logical flaw. Well she just didn't care.

Don't you think you'd hurt Ross's feelings if you didn't go?' Joey asked.

Why should I care about Ross's feelings? He doesn't care about mine,' Rachel said.

Yes he does. You know he was having a hard time when Emily told him that he couldn't see you again. He'll be hurt if you won't go to dinner with him,' Joey said. You think so?'

I know so. So go to the dinner,' Joey urged. Rachel felt like she ought to hold out a little longer but the sight of his pleading face made her relent.

All right Joey but on one condition.'

What's that?'

If I want to go early, you'll go with me,' Rachel said.

Sure,' Joey said, and she was relieved that he accepted her condition so readily. As long as it's after we've eaten.'

Oh Joey,' Rachel said in exasperation.

Well I want to see what's for dessert — oh okay,' he said at her frown. Now how about I walk you home?' Rachel nodded and they fell into easy conversation about other things until he left her at her door.

Thanks Joey,' Rachel said and gave him a hug. He'd really made her feel better.

Any time Rach,' he smiled.