11 She said What? Interlude after the dinner

Chandler was helping Monica clear up after the dinner party and it was very slow going. Ross had left early because he had the furthest to go, and once he had left, Phoebe and Joey had left as well.

'Hey,' Chandler said, when Monica, who really wanted to get the clearing up done evicted him from the kitchen. 'Ross has left Phoebe's candle behind.' He had been wandering aimless around the room when he'd seen it, left on the couch.

'Oh no!' Monica said.

'No big deal,' Chandler shrugged, 'Why are you making a fuss?' Monica thought it would sound too weird to Chandler and just said,

'I just really wanted her to have it now.' She picked up the candle and looked at it, frowning.

'You can take it tomorrow if it's so urgent.'

'I can't,' Monica said. 'I'm busy, I've got to visit some restaurants…'

'The day after,' Chandler said, getting tired of conversation. He took the candle out of her hands and said, 'Come here.'

Rachel

Rachel was furious. She'd blow this act once and for all. Emily was not meek and mild. She might have fooled everyone else but she hadn't fooled Rachel. The very first time they had met, Emily had shown her temper, no matter how much people like Phoebe might excuse it. She still had a temper. People didn't just change. Rachel just needed to bring it out and then they'd see what she was really like. A witch. A something else. Ross had to be made to see what kind of person he'd married. Then he could stop going on about how perfect she was. He'd chosen her, fine, but he could put up with what he'd chosen. Whether he'd like it or not was his problem.

She was surprised when she got home to get a call from Joey, asking how she was and she vented her feelings.

'I just can't stand hearing about Emily. Emily Emily Emily. I'm sick of it.'

'I know,' Joey said.

'Oh you only care about your stomach. You're practically in love with her yourself now that she's fed you. You've changed, you said you hated her before.' As long as Joey still hated Emily, Rachel felt that she had someone on her side.

'But Rach, that was when she was ordering Ross around. She's really not that bad, not now that she's stopped doing that,' Joey said. 'She was okay before that too. You should give her a chance.'

'She's terrible, I hate her,' Rachel said, 'How can you be so stupid?'

'Yeah well, that's what everyone says,' Joey said, sounding uncharacteristically mild 'But I know it isn't really her you hate.'

'What?' Of course it was her.

'I mean it's the fact that Ross is gone that's the problem, not Emily. Emily could be anyone. You'd hate anyone who married Ross.'

'No I wouldn't,' Rachel insisted. 'It's her, she's loathsome.'

'He met her, fell in love with her and married her, almost straight away. Except for the wedding, everything's been perfect between them.'

'You're making me sound unreasonable,' Rachel said crossly. How dared he?

'No I don't think you're unreasonable exactly you're just hung up on Ross. Don't forget there's other guys out there,' Joey said.

'You're just as idiotic as the rest of them,' Rachel said, hanging up. She had counted on Joey for some support here and he'd let her down.

The next day she called around at Ross's apartment. She wouldn't think of it as Ross and Emily's. It's not going to last, she told herself, once I break up this act. Then Ross will… well their relationship was over, but he could find someone better. Someone Rachel could like. There were lots of women Ross might hook up with that Rachel might like.

She was greeted at the door by Emily who was perfectly dressed. Why was she wearing full make up at home? Rachel noticed the diamond earrings. Ross had given those to her, she was sure.

'Hello Rachel, come in, it's good to see you,' Emily said. Hypocrite, Rachel thought as she said,

'It's nice to see you too. I was wondering if I could see Ross.' Rachel wondered whether the act would be dropped at this request but Emily didn't show by the slightest hint that she resented this inquiry.

'Yes he is, I'll just get him.' Emily left her in the front room and went to get him. From the bedroom, Rachel wondered and then she remembered that Ross had said that he'd converted one of the bedrooms into a study. Emily returned with Ross.

'Hi Rach,' he said warily. She took a deep breath. Difficult as this would be, she'd have to do it.

'I've just come to say, to both of you, that I'm sorry for the way I acted. It was a wonderful dinner party the other night Emily and I should have thanked you properly. You did such a lot of work.' Your act was flawless, Rachel added to herself.

'That's all right Rachel,' Emily said. 'It must take a lot of getting used to.' Rachel had no intention of getting used to it. 'I hope we can be friends.'

'Thanks Rach,' Ross said gratefully.

'Would you like something to drink?' Emily asked. 'Coffee? Tea?' To get her out of the room Rachel said,

'Oh coffee please.'

'Brazilian? Columbian?'

'Whatever's easiest,' Rachel said, just wanting her to go. She did. She turned back to Ross.

'Thanks for coming over Rachel,' Ross said, 'You don't know what it means to me to have all my friends get on with my wife. She's trying hard on her side and it's good to see you meet her halfway.'

'Your friendship means a lot to me,' Rachel said. 'I don't want to be cut off from you.'

'And you won't be,' Ross said.

'I miss you Ross,' Rachel said quietly. 'Don't you feel it too?'

'What?'

'You said my name at the wedding, you can't feel nothing.'

'But that's over, I'm married, you've seen other people since we split up.'

'None of them meant anything,' Rachel said.

'I'm sorry Rachel,' Ross said, backing off, 'I told you how I felt, we've already been through this. You're one of my dearest friends but that's all there is. And it's not bad you know, friendship…' When she had embarrassed herself by declaring her love for him before he had got back in contact with Emily. He'd gently but firmly brushed her aside. She accepted that, hard as it was. She was not trying to convert him today.

'Come on Ross,' Rachel said, hearing Emily approach, 'Nothing's changed. You know it's me you really want.'

'Rachel, please stop it,' Ross said, trying to back away as Rachel tried to kiss him and to his horror he saw Emily return to the room.

'Do you want to be private or would you like me to join in?' Rachel spun around. Both of them stared at Emily who was holding a tray with coffee cups on it, steady as a rock. Emily's expression was mild. Rachel became aware with horror that she really meant it.

'There is definitely something wrong with you,' Ross said in horror.

'I only want you to be happy Ross,' Emily said with a bland smile on her face.

'What?!'

'If you want a threesome we could do it in the bedroom where it's more comfortable, but it's up to you.'

'I want the old Emily back. I don't care if we were having problems, I want her back now,' Ross said emphatically, while Emily stood there with the same blank eyed smile. 'Rachel, go, just go.' With another glance at Ross, Rachel left hurriedly. Emily wasn't putting on an act. She was out of her mind.