I am back after a looong hiatus. I just miss writing and reading fanfics. I don't know if any of this fic's original readers are still around but I feel like I have to finish this story. If my writing is not like it used to be please bare with me because it's been a while since I've written a fic.

Enjoy!

One year later.

A week or so after the funeral I went to his office to collect his things and I talked to his receptionist. She admitted to me that her and Richard were having an affair. Yes I was just as shocked as you are. Supposedly it was going on for a month. She felt so guilty about it that she had to tell me to 'free her soul.' I should have seen the signs: him working late, becoming distant and trying to be extra nice to make up for it. Then again I was in my own little world. I was angry with him for cheating on me, never admitting this to me, making me feel guilty while I was dreaming about someone else, and leaving me alone with a child to raise. Although I was angry, I still missed him. I don't know what I missed more, him or the idea of him. I see him in Tom but I miss having that someone to hold me at night, to listen to me complain about my day, to be a father figure to Tom and the list goes on. The emptiness that I felt when I was with him has intensified with his absence.

As far as the rest of the gang's lives, they seem to be running smoothly. Rachel found out she was pregnant and Ross took on the role of the neurotic expecting father. Joey and Michelle got engaged and have bought an apartment in New York. Phoebe got back together with David but it didn't work out. Then she started seeing a guy named Mike. Chandler…was still Chandler. However he did seem to be more content than he used to. The topic of 'us' hadn't resurfaced. We were focusing on rebuilding our friendship. I must admit that when I was with him I ached to be more that just friends and I knew he felt it too. I guess the timing was just not right.

"Hey Mon." Rachel broke my train of thought as she walked in to the apartment and headed to the fridge. " You alright?"

" Yeah, I was just thinking."

" Oh, I knew tonight would be tough for you." Yes it was New Year's Eve. Since we got together, Richard and I always had a New Year's party. One of the days of the year to remind me that I was alone.

" I'll get by."

" It's good that you have to work, you won't be moping around here by yourself. Even your son has plans."

" Yeah about that, are you sure you can drop him off to my parents' house, I don't want to delay your own plans with Ross."

" It's no problem, we're happy to do it. Don't worry about a thing."

" Great thanks."

Three hours later I found myself at Alessandro's stirring garlic into a broth.

" Here's the order for table three."

" Thanks." I picked it up but felt a pair of eyes still on me. " Yes?"

" Why don't you take the night off, you've been working all week and you're the boss, you can do anything you want."

" No Tina, it's fine. I like working that's why I've been here for so long. Besides, if I look tired it's because stirring a broth isn't the most exciting thing to do."

" I just think you need to relax. You're clearly overworked and you must have a lot on your mind."

" I'm fine. Can you pass the barely?"

" Do you really want to start the new year off working?"

" Why not, you are."

" Yes but involuntarily."

" Visitor here to see Monica Burke." A waiter yelled out. Just then I saw Chandler walk through the double doors with a handful of roses and a sly grin.

" Hey. How's it going?" My heart leaped.

" What are you doing here? I thought you had a date?"

" That was just some friend of Michelle's that Joey wanted me to take around town. She cancelled on me. You look really busy but I was going to ask if you had time to go on a break."

" Actually, I just went on-,"

" But she can go on another one and this time for an hour and a half." Tina chimed in, practically pushing me towards Chandler.

" Alright, where to?"

" I figured we could just go for a walk if you all ready ate."

" A walk sounds good" As I took off my hat and grabbed my coat, I turned to Tina who wore a huge silly grin on her face.

As we walked, we engaged in typical 'small talk'. When that was over, an awkward silence came over. With Chandler that never happened unless there was something he was reluctant to get off his chest.

" So, how are ya these days? This year hasn't been the best."

" I've been good. Tommy's doing better and I…well I've been counting my blessings. What about you?" He sighed.

" I've been good in that sense. I have my health, good job, and good friends but I feel like there is something missing and I think…that thing is you." There it was. " Okay here goes. I know that I said my feeling would never change and that I would wait until your ready but I have to know what your thinking and how you feel. I can tell you that I love having you as a friend again but I miss being with you."

" I miss you too Chandler. I've found myself thinking about you more and more. My head is telling me that it's too soon and I will just end up getting hurt or hurting you. But my heart…"

" What is it saying?"

" It's telling me that we never really had a chance to make it work and this could be the best thing that ever happened to either of us. I've spent most of my life listening to my head except for the times that I have been with you. Those are the times that I have felt most alive. I want to feel alive again Chandler." He grabbed me and kissed me in a way that I have missed deeply. That familiar rush moved through out my body. I reluctantly pulled away and he gave me a puzzled look.

" If we're going to do this, we have to keep it between us. The others can't know yet because they'll complicate things and I don't know how Tom will react to seeing his mother with another man."

" Sure, but I want you to know that I am in this 100."

" 10..9..8..7" countdown could be heard from a near by party. "6...5...4...3...2..1 Happy New year!" The music started to play and I smiled to Chandler. He smiled back at me in a way I haven't seen in ages.

" I can tell that this is going to be a very good year."

" Happy New Year Monica. I love you so much."

" Happy New Year Chandler."

It's short but tell me what you think. The next chapter coming soon.