The following afternoon all of the paleontologists were gathered. Ross had chosen a tan suit with a purple tie and shirt. His forehead was sweating and so were his palms, there was one big difference though, now there was someone there for him.

"Emma, Mommy loves you too, yes here's Daddy . He wants to talk to you before his speech." she smiled "Here your daughter wants to tell you she loves you." Rachel said as she handed the phone.

"Emma -wemma , are you being a good girl for Grandma? You are? Well then I am gonna have you give you kisses when I get home.Daddy is going to have to go now, so Daddy loves his little Emma.Bye." he said as he hung up.

"You're going to do fine. I am so proud of you." Rachel smiled.

"It's just going to make me feel better that you are out there." he said. "Last night was incredible. It was almost like out of a dream."Ross said.

"More like something out of one of Joey's pornos." laughed Rachel. "I do believe they are waiting for you." she said motioning to the door.

"May I have a kiss for luck?" he shyly asked.

"I don't think there is any reason to be shy after last night at all." Rachel said as she put her arms around his neck and proceeded to kiss him. "How's that?" she said as she broke the kiss.

Monica and Chandler were already seated when Rachel sat down next to Joey.

"Hey it sounds like someone got a little action last night." Chandler said.

"Let's just say a good time was had by all." smiled Rachel.

"Oh we could tell. Those walls are paper thin." Chandler said.

"Your brother is incredible Monica." said Rachel enthusiastically.

"Eww I don't want details." said Monica with a face.

"I heard, I heard, the lobsters are back together." squealed Phoebe as she entered holding on to David. "And so are we." she said with a smile.

"That's great Pheebs, but Ross' speech is about to start." said Rachel.

Charlie came in and sat down by Joey. "Sorry everyone I was late. One of the seminars just got out." She coiled her hand around Joey's as she sat next to him. "The cocktail party is after this, then we can be alone." she said.

"Ah if it's nice, I want to dig my hole." Joey said. "Unless Monica , gets stung by another jellyfish." he laughed.

"Is that ever not talking about it again?" said Chandler.

"Am I going to have to come over and separate you two?" said Monica sternly.

"You guys it's starting.' said Rachel as she straightened her outfit and focused her attention on her man.

A man got up and walked to the front of the dais. "Good afternoon, fellow paleontologists and guests. Today we have with us one of the new up and coming experts in our field. Ladies and gentleman, I am proud to introduce our keynote speaker from New York University , Dr. Ross Geller."

Ross got up and walked over to the podium. Rachel was watching his every move. Her heart was pounding and she casually threw a kiss to him before he even started. When he began, she was mesmerized by every word. Rachel was more adept when it came to fashion , but maybe it was just the speaker that fascinated her so.

"Homo erectus." giggled Joey.

"Joey, grow up." said Rachel , annoyed at him. She further turned her attention back to Ross as he explained all this stuff that days ago didn't enthrall her at all.

Finally the speech ended, and everyone came to their feet to applaud the young professor.

"We came all this way for that?" said Chandler.

"If youre not nice to him, I won't be nice to you tonight." said Monica.

"Well everyone what did you think?" said Ross as he joined the group.

"I think it was insightful and dynamic and gave everyone something to think about. I was kind of mouthing the words as you said them." admitted Charlie as she still hung on Joey.

"I thought it was a brilliant subject and totally understood the concepts." said David. "Well done."

"I just knew it was about dinosaurs, but it sounded really smart.' said Phoebe.

"I learned some things I didn't know before." said Monica. "And I was proud of my big brother."

"Yeah man good job." said Chandler as he shook his hand.

"Homo erectus." Joey said as he giggled.

"And what did you think?" he said as he walked over to Rachel.

"I think that it had to have been one of the best speeches about dinosaurs I ever heard. I was so proud of you." she said as she kissed him.

"Well it's unanimous I was a big hit." Ross said. "Now is the cocktail party where I get to hear how great I was from my peers." Offering his arm to Rachel, "Shall we go?" he said.

As they walked away, everyone watched.

"Do you think it's going to last this time or is it just because of them being away?" asked Monica.

"Hard to say with them."said Chandler.

Charlie had decided during the speech that her and Joey were just not working out. Before this cocktail party, she wanted to let him go.

"Joey, let's go somewhere and talk." she gently said. They walked away. "Joey, you and I have had a lot of fun together. But we really don't have a lot in common. I don't see us going anywhere and I think we should move on." Charlie admitted. "I need someone who will be my intellectual equal."

"You've already found someone . Haven't you?" asked Joey angrily.

"Maybe," she said as she eyed Ross talking to one of the other paleontologists.

Rachel stood with her drink in her hand. "Yes she was definitely in love. And nothing was going to change that.

Once again guys thanks for the reviews……I have to have a little tension sorry…glad you are liking the story..some of you said this is better than the show..hey maybe I should have been one of the writers lol. Keep reading and enjoying.