Disclaimer: I do not own Friends or anything affiliated with the show. I own no characters, except, of course, the ones I make up-if I do make any characters up.
On a side note, I want to say this isn't just a Ross and Rachel love story. This is also a friendship story. It's about life and exploring different opportunities. So with that note on with the story.
Ross and Chandler had finally arrived at their hotel about halfway to Florida. Since they had left an hour after Ross wanted too, they ended up at their destination deep into the night. But no matter, the drive tomorrow wouldn't be as long or as strenuous.
"I am exhausted. That was the longest drive of my life." Chandler stretched his arms out, taking in the night air. "It's freezing out here."
"You're exhausted. YOU'RE exhausted. You didn't drive at all." Ross looked defeated at his best friend.
"Hey now. I drove for..."
"For about thirty minutes. Thirty minutes Chandler. Out of many, many hours. Thanks a bunch. I appreciate your generosity immensely." Ross glared at Chandler, giving him a weak smile.
"Gees, man. Calm down. So I didn't drive that much. Is it really a big deal? We got here didn't we?" Ross contemplated this for a moment. They were safe. "And besides, I'll drive most of the way tomorrow." Chandler gave a half hearted attempt at recovery.
"A. We don't have much more to go. And B. I'd like to see you put your words into actions." Ross and Chandler snatched some of their belongings for the hotel and started to shift toward eternal bliss.
"I will. I swear." Chandler patted Ross on the back before entering the hotel. "You can count on me," he said putting on his best pitifully sad face.
"Yeah whatever. I am no longer interested in this conversation. Man, even the muscles in my mouth are tired." Ross strained to reach the end of the hallway where the door to sleep and recovery stood.
"Me too." Chandler acted like his lips had no feeling, bouncing them with his hand up and down. "They feel like they've had too much of that stuff dentists but into your mouth to make it numb."
"Chandler, your jokes seem to get worse as the day drags aimlessly along. And considering it's midnight, I'd say that one borders on lame." Ross retorted, looking at Chandler wearily.
"Normally I'd have a comeback for that remark, but my powers of sarcasm and my general joking defense mechanism self seem to be off tonight. So I will say F U," he held up his middle finger in Ross' face, "and goodnight." And with that, he walked into the bathroom.
Ross and Chandler always messed with each other as much as possible. But they had their moments when each knew it was going too far. And neither went that far. Both had an immense respect for each other. They were true best friends. It seemed nothing could break the bond they shared.
When Chandler exited the bathroom he found a passed out Ross strewn every which way on the bed. "He actually was very tired. Shouldha known." Chandler smiled to himself. He loved to tease Ross.
When he had crawled into bed he thought about how Ross was kind of a blessing in disguise. When he felt like nobody would befriend him, when he needed it the most, Ross was there. When he felt like the world was collapsing right down on him, Ross was always there to pick him up. To make him feel like he was somebody. Like he even existed. Ross was a once in a lifetime type of friend.
His true best friend.
"Dang, and I thought I was tired." Chandler found Ross pacing around the room gathering miscellaneous possessions.
"What time is it?"
"About nine. You sleep like a rock. Hell, you could probably sleep halfway through World War II." Ross chuckled at Chandler's mohawk shaped hair.
"Ross, you have no idea what I can sleep through. How do you think I got through my parents constant arguments. They didn't just fight in the day. I needed an outlet." Ross didn't have anything to say. The comment was out of left field.
They looked at each other awkwardly. This was a situation they had spoke about only when they were drunk or in a dark mood. When Ross was sober and happy this conversation seemed dreary.
Somehow Chandler let the mood slide off him like a kid down a water slide. "So breakfast?" He said, the aura in the room not affecting him in the least.
"Yeah, yeah. Sure. Breakfast." Ross looked at Chandler one last time, examining his facial expression.
Nothing.
Then he turned his back and finished his project of gathering his stuff. "Just as soon as you take a shower. The odor is killing me."
"Ha ha. Very funny." Chandler whipped his legs around to the floor and rested hands on his knees. He got up and rubbed his weak eyes, then retreated to the bathroom.
"Hey, Chandler, you said you were going to drive today. Should I believe this nonsense?" Ross inquired hoping for a rise out of him.
"Ross, for gods sake. I said I would, so I will. My back is killing me from you leaning on it. SO GET OFF IT!" Ross dropped the subject and went on with what he was doing. He had gotten his kick.
A little while later the men were out of the hotel toward sunny Florida. Where the beaches were warm and they could be as crazy as they wanted to.
They had been driving for nearly two hours with no conversation and Chandler couldn't take it anymore. This was boring.
"So Ross. You know what we should have on the car?" Chandler waited for an answer.
"I don't know. Something you're going to suggest is my best guess." Huh, that kind of rhymed.
"Well that's a pretty general statement. Want another try? No. Okay. I think we should get one of those signs that says 'if you can read this, you're too close, so back off!'." Wow, if that's not the dullest sentence to strike up a conversation, I don't know what is.
Ross signed heavily. "And Chandler gets the award for worst conversation starter." Ross threw up his hands and clapped excitedly. "What has he won Bob?"
"Okay Ro..."
"No wait." Ross continued. "He's won some brand new pick up lines. What a deal." Ross' face fell and he turned toward the window and rested his elbow on the seal.
"What the hell was that man. All I did was try and start a freaking conversation and you had to put me down like that. This isn't like you." Chandler's anger was rising increasingly faster.
"I don't know. I just got a call from Rachel a little while ago. I guess her and Chip are getting back together for the baby's sake. Whatever that means." Now, while Ross' anger increased, Chandler's softened considerably. "That guy is no good for her. How I wish I could give him a piece of my mind."
"Well considering your IQ level I am sure he could use it. But wouldn't you much rather give him a swift blow in the mouth?" Chandler tried to lighten the mood with no avail.
"Chandler I am really not in the mood for jokes right now. I am really in a rut. My body is drained. I mean here I am helping Rachel more than anyone else and the most I get is a pat on the back while this Chip character is getting everything. I don't get it." Ross' face showed signs of great distress.
Chandler was never very good at giving advice sense he was always the one that needed it. But he needed to say something. "Look Ross, Chip is the father whether you like it or not. And sorry to say but if he's willing to make an honest effort then I think you should give him that. Granted he's a hack, but the decision is up to Rachel and Rachel alone." Good, straightforward but concerned.
"I know. You're right. I shouldn't be so selfish. Rachel's having a baby and all I can think about is myself." Ross slumped down in the seat and laid his head down on the cushion.
"Chandler." Ross turned his head slightly towards the driver's side of the car.
"Yeah?"
"We're best friends right?" Ross asked knowing the answer, but needing assurance for what he was about to tell this man.
"Definitely. To the end." Chandler said confidently.
"That's how I feel also. So best friends can tell each other everything?"
"Ross for the last time you're not gay. I don't know why you're so concerned about it." Ross was turning into red Ross.
"Chandler!" Ross whined.
"Sorry, sorry. You know how I don't like sentimental moments. For some reason they make me feel weird. Specially when they're with guys." Chandler was stating a strong fact about himself.
"But we're best friends. Can you just here me out?" Ross was pleading with a half interested Chandler.
"Yea okay. Give it to me."
"Thank you." Ross shook off the hidden nerves and proceeded to explain himself. "This may seem weird, but in some sense I wish Rachel's baby was mine. So then maybe she'd pay more attention to me. In a boyfriend type way." There he had said it. That wasn't so bad.
"Ross I don't really know what to say to that. But I will say this. You and Rachel have something most people don't. You're best friends. You can tell each other anything."
"So, you and Monica are best friends. I never thought I'd say this but I want what you have." Ross shuttered at the thought.
"Oh thanks for the confidence and support." Chandler retorted slightly disappointed.
"Come on you know how I feel about you. Lets not get into that conversation."
"Okay. Ross, yes Monica and I are best friends. And yes we tell each other everything. But the thing you have with Rachel is that you can talk about other relationships. She's the one that comes to you for support and sympathy. Not anyone else but you. That's more than Chip or her family or anyone affiliated with her could ask for. Cherish that."
Chandler seemed to have an excellent point. Rachel and him did have something know one else had. It wasn't like Chandler and him or Monica and Rachel. It was him and Rachel. They had that friendship between a man and a woman. Sure each would have their own relationships with other guys and girls, but they would always be there for each other. Through thick and thin. That's more than he could ever ask for.
It was odd that Chandler was giving him advice. It was an ironic twist to this whole situation.
"So is that it lover boy. Because I am running out of sympathy and gaining sarcasm. I need to balance them out." Chandler looked at his friend questioningly.
"I guess we are done. Thanks a lot. That really helped." Ross was deep in thought about the relationship he shared with Rachel.
It was one that could never be broken. Never. It was a strong word to use.
But never seemed to fit perfectly.
To Be Continued...
Now I know I said there would be more Ross and Rachel, so there will. I have a small surprise coming in the next chapter. Please leave a review. They're what keeps me writing.
