Ross sat in the parlor at the hotel in Paris. His wife was out shopping at one of the couturiers . He sat as he smoked his cigar and read of the news at home. An article came to his notice about how President Lincoln had discussed the abolishment of slavery. This was not a good thing and he had received regular correspondence from home about how a militia was being set up in anticipation of war.

His father told him that even though he was not a graduate of the military academies, he had mentioned to the group that Ross did have some business strategies and taken some military classes as well. Impressed with this, they had made him one of the leaders of the newly formed militia. This latest letter was requesting him to return to the States as soon as possible for war was no longer a premonition but a possibility.

Rachel entered carrying a bunch of hat boxes. She grinned with excitement as the bellboy carried her bags and boxes into the hotel.

"Rachel honey, I am afraid we will be leaving Paris." Ross said as he sat on the chair.

"Why there are so many wonderful parties and restaurants to visit yet. I have a dress that I was planning on wearing to the Count's party tonight." she wailed.

"War is very close and we must be prepared. I have asked to take a commission in the newly formed regiment of the State of South Carolina and requested to return to America." Ross stated matter of factly. "We will soon be at war with the North."

"Poor Monica, this will destroy her so," sighed Rachel.

"I know she loves Chandler so, this will make me and my best friend enemies…yet it will tear Monica apart because Father will never let her be with him now." Ross said as he hugged his bride.

"Well we have a lot of things to pack , so I will go and settle the bill and then make arrangements with the shipping company so we can get passage on a ship heading into Charleston." Ross said as he left the hotel lobby.

Several months later, it was now the Spring of 61. The ship pulled into the harbor as the Gellers embarked down the gang plank. Monica stood on the docks as her brother and sister in law walked toward them.

Monica had tears in her eyes as she held the note. Chandler was enlisting to help in the cause of Lincoln. He was so impressed with the man's plans for the nation that he ran right out to join the Union Army. He had a business to protect and a legacy to keep. Upon hearing this, Jack Geller forbid Monica to ever see him again. He could find his daughter a nice Southern boy, who didn't want to see slavery end.

"I am so sorry Monica. I know what this war is going to do to everyone . I wish I could understand why men choose to act this way. " she said as she looked at her husband.

"You like your clothes, and your jewelry , Mrs. Geller, well if this Lincoln gets his way, there will be no more of that. Our way of life will be destroyed ." Ross yelled at Rachel. "I am doing this for us, and for any children that we might have. It is important that we save the Confederacy at all costs."

"Confederacy?" Monica said surprised.

"Yes that is the name of the proposed states that wish to keep slavery. The Confederate States of America." Ross said.

Chandler couldn't believe the horrible conditions he was being subjected to as he trained for the Union army. His stipend would not have been enough to live on, if he was not of one of the richest families in New York.

He opened his pocket watch and saw her picture. There was his Monica. He knew once a war started , they would be no more. With a father who was a plantation owner and a brother to inherit it one day, they would see him as a Union sympathizer and the enemy. He had already received the letter saying she could no longer see him. That was one of the reasons he was in this tavern.

Drinking his beer, he saw a familiar face. The young man who he had met in Boston was now wearing the same uniform as him.

"Hey it's college boy," he said.

"Do I know you?" asked Chandler. "You look familiar."

"Joey, Joey Tribbiani, Boston?" he said.

"Oh yes, so you are in the army as well." Chandler said. "Beer?"

"Never turn down a brew ski," he smiled as he noticed a pretty bar maid walk by.

Joey smiled at the young girl and lifted his mug, "How you doin?" She giggled shyly and walked away.

"She'll be back. Now how about you, you look pretty down." he noticed.

"Well my comrade in arms, I have women problems." Chandler started. He took her picture from his watch and handed it to Joey.

"Her name is Monica Geller, and her father owns a plantation in South Carolina. Her brother, who was my roommate at Harvard stands to be one of the officers in the Confederate army. I am now considered the enemy." Chandler sadly said.

Joey looked at the picture,and whistled,"Hey she is gorgeous."

"And now she will never be mine." he said softly.

As the sun set on the harbor , a noise could be heard from Fort Sumter, the sky was lit up for miles. It sounded like a small explosion , the walls shook and fell down.

It was official, the Civil War had just started.

a note to any history buffs out there. I am not going for any special historical accuracy , so if dates or events are not as they should be , please remember this is fan fiction and it is my fictional account of a group of charcters that won't be born for a hundred years...

to my fans rr love, jeremiah the bullfrog especially...love you guys and have the best of 2005...and to the mondler and rr fans respectively, i have tried to make this story as exciting as possible using the best characterisitcs from all characters. I brought in Joey because Chandler needed a war buddy and Phoebe will soon be coming in as well. glad you are liking my story and don't worry there is plenty more ...