I've been reading Waiting For Godot at school and was suddenly struck with inspiration during a lesson when I read the words "Was I sleeping while the others suffered?". T'was most inconvenient. I originally wrote it with a different storyline involving Monica and Richard but then changed it when I realised I didn't want to just write about Monica again. I wanted the rest of the guys in there! Well, I hope you like. Please tell me what you think.

While I lay sleeping

The group making their way through the turrets of leaves littering the New York pavements were indistinguishable from the millions of others enjoying the early Autumn sunshine. There was nothing to set them apart from the crowd of people surrounding them. No distinguishing marks, no real clues as to what was to come. Those who saw them that day, laughing and joking as only the best friends can, never expected, never even contemplated, waking up to their faces the following morning. Staring up at them from their morning paper.

"Monica! Monica come on!" Ross shouted back to his sister, even at seeing the back of 30 he still felt like a twelve year old when he was around Monica. Teasing, competing, joking with each other. It just seemed so natural. "We're going to be late!" Glancing at her again he was faced instead with a beautiful young woman. Her arms entwined with Chandlers, their eyes staring only at each other. Ross doubted if she'd even heard him. Laughing he focused his attention back onto Rachel. She was walking slightly in front of him , her golden brown hair tumbling down past her shoulders as she giggled with Phoebe. One hand rested protectively over the rounded shape of her body and Ross found his heart skip a beat. Even now, with Emma at pre-school, their wedding arranged and the nursery painted, Ross still couldn't believe that they were finally together again. Slipping up behind his fiancée, he placed his hands protectively around her waist fitting them together effortlessly.

Chandler glanced at Monica before leaning in and gently kissing her forehead. Smiling down at her he felt a sudden rush of love. The same rush he felt every time he looked at her. The same rush he always though he'd missed his chance at ever feeling.

"You sure you don't want to come?"

"Chandler it's coffee. I have coffee with you guys everyday. I'll be fine"

Chandler starred back at her, unconvinced, "Are you sure?"

"It's a headache Chandler, not the plague!", before he could protest again Monica quickly cut him off with a kiss, "I'll be fine. You just go and get yourself some coffee. I'll see you later!" Walking back towards their apartment, comforting herself with images of warm baths, quilts and painkillers she suddenly paused and turned towards Chandler just long enough to shout, "I love you ... "

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A shout. A scream. A struggle. A life.

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Monica slowly made her way out of the steaming bathroom and, after pausing to place her neatly folded clothes in the laundry basket, walked into her bedroom. Wincing slightly as she waited for the painkillers to take effect, she felt herself begin to involuntarily think. Her and Chandler would be moving out soon, ready to start a family. She'd have to say goodbye to it all. To this room, the room where so much of her life had taken place. She loved this room. She loved the smell of the curtains and the way her bed fitted perfectly in-between the two drawers.

Sinking into the warm, comforting feeling of the freshly washed duvet, Monica felt herself slipping restlessly into sleep. Into the free world of dreams.

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Was I sleeping while the others suffered?

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"Ross! We're in public!" Rachel screamed as once again Ross leaned forward to stroke her stomach and gently brush his lips against hers.

"So?! That's my baby in there. My little Gus ... "

"Seriously? Gus Geller?"

Looking at each other, their faces relaxed and trying to control the inevitable smile, it was plain for all to see how in love they were. They were made for each other. This baby was just God's way of making it all official.

Suddenly they were all aware of a shadow lurching over them, frozen. Phoebe glanced around and seeing the familiar face, smiled as the tension in her body released.

"Hey – "she never finished her sentence. The scream she felt escaping from her own mouth abandoned all other words.