Thanks for all the reviews feels happy and warm inside.

ShropshireLass - yes they did know lots of people, but Monica was the only one in the building without an alibi, she was close to the group and, so the police believe, had a motive to try and kill them. All the witness was doing was saying the killer wasn't just a random gunman who burst in.

And just one more point, because I am sharing it with everyone! I got into my first choice uni!!! Sheffield here I come!

While You Were Sleeping

Part 13

"Ross! Ross!", Rachel shouted through their living room, towards the kitchen where Ross was making her breakfast. Ever since she'd come home he'd been practically walking on eggshells around her. Treating her as though she was made of glass, about to break at any time. She didn't mind it most of the time. Knew Ross held himself responsible for ... for what had happened. He was Monica's brother, the only one who wasn't shot. She understood his logic, but she couldn't blame him for Monica's behaviour. She must have been really ill to even think about doing something like ... well ... like shooting an entire coffee shop. Despite that though, Rachel still couldn't bring herself to believe Monica had done it. It just didn't sound like her at all. And she couldn't place her to the shooting. No matter how hard she tried.

"Hey Ross!" she yelled again, hoping he'd hear her this time, she couldn't stand shouting, "Ross!"

"What?!" came the annoyed reply

Rachel took a deep breath before ushering out her next sentence, "They announce the verdict in five minutes. It's all over the news ... "she heard him move about in the room next to her, but he didn't come through. Rachel assumed he didn't want to know. It wouldn't make much difference to him anyway. He'd cut Monica completely out of his life; if she was guilty then he had been right. If she was innocent then there was no chance of him apologising and welcoming her back with open arms. Rachel simply went back to reading her magazine, and waiting for her breakfast.

Ross eventually knew he had to enter the living room. Rachel wouldn't want cold breakfast. It didn't make it any easier though, knowing his sisters verdict was announced today. Had probably already been announced. He didn't know which was worse. He balanced the tray in his hands and pushed open the swing door, walking towards where Rachel was sitting.

"Here you go" he announced grandly as he set the tray down next to her, making sure she had a cushion on her knee before he placed it down, "Bon appetite"

"Ross, you know I won't suddenly keel over and die if you forget to fluff my pillow once you know"

"I know" he replied, fluffing her pillow, "I just like to, that's all". He knew she was about to come back at him, argue that she was stronger than he thought. That she could accept her child was dead, she'd never even realised at the time. She could come to terms with the fact that she'd never be a mother, that she could forgive Monica for robbing her of her womb, her child, her life. Tell him that she could grieve for Phoebe, and she didn't need him helping her every step of the way. Try and convince him that she would be fine for five minutes, that she didn't need a minder when he knew she did. Sensing the brewing argument he changed the subject quickly, "So, you wanna see what's on the TV?"

He grabbed the remote and pressed the first button his thumb found, Rachel realised a second before he did that this was a mistake. Suddenly the image of his sister flashed in front of him. He was momentarily confused by why it was there. He stared at it for what felt like an eternity before he turned his eyes down towards the headline at the bottom of the screen.

Monica Geller found ...

This was it. This was her moment. Her last moment of freedom, or her first of guilt. Whichever the twelve choose it would always be her moment. Nothing could change that now. Not her actions, or the beliefs of any of the twelve. They still hadn't reached a unanimous decision. The Judge had eventually told them to find one upon which ten or more of them agreed. Monica didn't like the idea of that. It meant people could believe her innocence and she could still be found guilty. It didn't seem to make any sense.

"Miss Geller, follow me please"

Monica followed the guard down the corridors she had become some familiar with. She now knew when to duck, or shift her weight to her left in order to avoid the uneven flooring. It was too familiar to her now. But she would be leaving there tonight. She would never have to see it again. She would either be taken home, if she still had a home, or to a maximum security jail across town. Monica didn't know which was worse.

Taking her usual seat opposite the Judge, Monica quickly scanned her eyes around the familiar room, looking for a face, any face. There was none. Even her parents weren't there. She knew why. They couldn't watch their little girl be sent to prison. If she was acquitted they'd be on the phone as soon as they could, telling her they were sorry and they loved her. If she was sentenced she'd probably never heard from them again.

"Monica Elaine Geller," the Judge began, "You have been charged with five counts of murder in the first degree, attempted murder, wounding with intent and false imprisonment. Do you understand the charges?"

Monica nodded.

"Mr Foreman, have the Jury reached a decision upon which ten or more of you agree?"

Monica held her breath as the foreman nodded, and then repeated, "Yes your Honour"

"How do you find the defendant?"

"We find the defendant ... "