A/N- Thanks for all the reviews everyone for all the reviews. I don't think I properly clarified last time that Monica does not know any of the other friends yet and Ross is not her brother. I don't think it matter for either the first or second chapter but I thought I better clarify to avoid confusion. Anyway! This chapter introduces Chandler a bit more and involves both characters. Again I apologise if I have rambled a bit.

"Chandler, Chandler Bing."

Monica trembled with shock and anticipation, people simply did not talk to her especially not people this. "Hi, erm Monica Geller," she managed to mumble, smiling faintly. Chandler beamed,

"Pleased to meet you Monica, I'm going to be working with you for a while. Just temporarily mind. I'm covering Miss Chapley's maternity leave." Monica simply nodded. "Erm, well I guess I'll see you around then." Chandler waited for a reply from Monica, who, rapidly blushing, turned her attention back to her keyboard and continued her frantic typing. Chandler walked away, dejected.

Catherine Sutton, a co-worker, accosted, taking him quite by surprise. "Hi!" she shouted overenthusiastically, "I'm Catherine Sutton, call me Kate- everybody does," she continued rapidly, over pronouncing every word and therefore showering Chandler in saliva. He retreated a little but offered his hand out of politeness, "Chandler Bing."

"Yes, yes I overheard you talking to sulky over there." Chandler looked on quizzically, desperately trying to avoid eye contact. His eyes landed once again on Monica's desk. "Don't worry about her, she's always like that. Not really worth bothering with. No one talks to her. Not like me though of course I'm a real chatterbox I mean you'll have a job shutting me up! I sorta have a problem, I just open my mouth and oops…"

"I can guess." Chandler remarked slightly sarcastically. His gaze now transfixed on the beautiful brunette at the lone desk in the corner. He watched intently as she tucked a strand of glossy hair behind her ears, a slight smile forming on his face as he noticed the adorable look of concentration on her face. He remained staring at her for numerous minutes unaware of Kate's rambling in the background.

"So, where would you like to go then? There's a really nice sushi bar round the corner, although we probably wouldn't have any privacy there it's very popular with the girls," she signalled to her work pals during a rare pause in her chattering, "Hmm oh I know do you like Chinese food? There's this really cute restaurant down the street, would be perfect. What do you say? Chandler? Chandler?"

"What? Oh sorry er ye sure," Chandler replied hesitantly unsure of exactly what he was answering.

" OK great, I'll meet you at the entrance then. I knock off at 6. Can't wait!!" and with that she flounced off to her desk, leaving Chandler stunned.

As the clock struck 5pm, Monica shut down her computer and packed away her things, preparing for her usual quiet exit. She usually just slipped away unnoticed. So stunned she was when she heard Chandler call out "Bye Mon" to her that she dropped everything she was holding. "Perfect" thought Chandler to himself as he rushed over to help her gather her things. "You Ok?" he asked.

"Uh-hu fine, fine, no problem. Just a bit a clumsy idiot." Monica gushed nervously. Chandler smiled widely and rose with Monica. "Er well night then." Monica said. For a second Chandler thought he would let her walk away but Monica was too beautiful. He reached out to stop her, his eyes meeting her deep blues as she turned around. He tucked her hair behind her ears as he had seen her do earlier and swallowed hard as he asked, "Would you, er, like to go for a drink." He immediately regretted it though on seeing the look of terror on Monica's face. She paled significantly and began to chatter nervously but Chandler was sure he saw a sparkle in those intriguing eyes.

Monica's mind was working overtime. Did a guy just ask her out? Did that man really just stand in front of her and flirt? Monica was terrified, stunned. She didn't have a clue how to deal with this; she'd never needed any social skills. Her hands were sweating and she was vaguely aware that she was sort of dancing nervously in the rain, hopping from one foot to the other. She looked up momentarily and attempted to meet Chandler's gaze but it was all too scary. His eyes were fixed on hers and she recognised the frightening realisation that for once in her life she had somebody's entire attention- a most wonderful and yet petrifying thing. Monica gulped, furious with herself for what she was about to do. She looked apologetically at Chandler, turned and fled.

XXX

Monica slammed the door shut and threw her coat onto the hanger, missing it entirely and letting it fall half-heartedly onto the floor. Her eyes followed its fall and she slumped dejectedly to the floor, sobbing tears of anger and frustration. Some one had expressed interest in her- a handsome and sweet man and she had run. Run away! She had turned and fled her dream. "Stupid, stupid, stupid woman!" she screamed, hating herself.

In the Chinese bar with Kate, Chandler replayed the day's events over and over in his head. Monica was stunning, she was fascinating and he had been attracted to her immediately. Chandler was no stranger to rejection probably because he found fault in everybody, for example Kate was a very pretty girl and clearly interested. She liked sport and beer, much to Chandler's surprise, but she talked too fast. Yep Chandler was a very picky person, he found fault in every girl. Not Monica, she was perfect but she clearly had issues.

A/N- I'm going to try and get the next chapter up as soon as possible, whilst I have the free time. Next: Monica takes the first step to overcome her problems when she opens up to Chandler and it turns out he has problems of his own. Please review. Thanks