Disclaimer: I do not own Friends.

Considering my other story, "Unpredictable Love," I don't think this story will be many more chapters. Probably only three at the most. Sorry, but I just want to focus on one story right now. Maybe later I will make another, but for now I am going to stick with one. Anyway, hope you're enjoying this one.

"Well R-Ross, my name is Phoebe." She extended her hand, looking curiously at Ross. He met her hand with his. Just from a simple handshake he could feel the electricity pulsing through his body.

"Um Ross, you gonna be okay?" She let go of his hand and straightened herself out.

"Yeah." Was all he could say. He was speechless. Why do I feel this way?

Phoebe giggled at Ross' obvious nervousness. "Yeah. Short and simple. I like that." She flashed a warm smile at him and he almost melted.

"So Ross, thanks again for breaking my fall. I would have fallen flat on my face." She smiled again and picked up her belongings. Once again Ross felt his heart bounce rapidly. What the hell is going on?

"So maybe I'll see you around sometime." Phoebe looked into Ross' eyes trying to see what he was thinking. Sometimes she could tell considering her "psychic powers."

"Yeah, a, may-maybe." That was the last thing he said. He couldn't figure out what the problem was.

As she walked off all he could do was stare. What was happening to him? This was unreal. Feelings for another woman. He tossed off the thought and continued his journey to eat with Chandler and Joey.

Once he had arrived at Sorentino's he ordered immediately. He was very hungry.

"So how do you like your meal?" Chandler inquired trying to strike up some kind of conversation.

"It's amazing. The food tastes and smells like home. It's weird, but at the same time so good." Ross could barely bring his head up to answer the food was so good.

"That's right, Monica was an amazing cook. Every dish seemed to be cooked to perfection." Chandler mentioned, thinking of the wonderful meals he enjoyed at the Geller house.

"You remember that?" Ross asked leaning his head to one side.

"Are you kidding. I lived at your house." The end of the sentence trailed off as Chandler reminisced about childhood memories and that terrible night.

Ross read Chandler's expression and tried not to rehash the memory. It was too painful.

December, 1996.

"Ross I saw the letters. Looks like you got into all your colleges. Even the U. Of C. in Berkeley." Ross saw the obvious sadness written all over Monica's face.

"Yeah. Pretty cool huh?" Ross said happily.

"Yeah it is. Are you going to go to California?" Monica was pleading with Ross to stay in New York.

"I don't know yet. It depends on the academics. We'll see."

About two hours later Ross and Monica left to go hangout with their friends. Sometime later when Ross was bored and tired he returned home. Driving down the street he new too well he heard the sound of sirens whistling in the night sky.

Coming closer to the noise he noticed it was protruding from his house. Panicking, he retreated his car and ran quickly inside the house. However, before he could enter he felt a strong hand push him back.

"What are you doing? This is my house!" Ross declared, waving his hands frantically in the air.

"Sir, the house is completely on fire. We can't allow you to go in there." The fireman was stern.

"Damn it, my parents are in there. Let me go!" Ross tried to get past the policeman and fireman but they wouldn't budge.

The fireman sighed and looked into Ross' eyes. "I am so sorry sir. Nobody survived." Ross felt his whole body weaken. He fell to the ground, crying hysterically. His heart had been ripped into thousands of little pieces.

He stood up and ran to the door. He had almost reached it when several policeman and fireman bounced on him, trying to pin him down.

Yelling and crying he called out, "My parents are still alive! I know it! Let me go!" He fought and he fought trying to erase this moment.

An hour later Monica arrived to find Ross huddled around several people and an ambulance closing its doors and speeding off.

She ran towards Ross. We can't hear the conversation, but we see Monica collapsing on the grass. She is hugging Ross and they are crying together.

The next few days were very hard. They found out from the arson investigator that the fire had been started from a candle still lit. It had fallen from the coffee table to the carpet. No one in the house had realized anything wrong until it was too late.

Monica and Ross held a funeral for their parents. They moved in with their Aunt a few blocks over. Ross and Monica were left with plenty of money for college and used it wisely.

Once high school had ended for Ross he decided he needed to leave these bad memories. One night Monica entered looking depressed as always.

"Hey bro. Planning on taking a trip?"

"Mon, I'm not very good at goodbyes. So I am going to be to the point. I need to get out of here. I am going to California. They already know I am coming. And no, you can't change my mind." Ross continued packing what little things he owed and walked out of the room.

"So that's it. You're just going to leave. How can you do this?" Monica was bordering on tears, fear in her eyes.

"Look Mon there's too many bad memories for me here. I need to start a new life. It's not like I won't see you again."Ross declared solemnly.

"You know what. If you walk out on this family..."

"What family, Mon? Are parents are gone. You'll be fine on your own. You're the strongest woman I know."

Even know the sentiment was there Monica couldn't get over the thought of Ross just abandoning her. He had always been there for her. Always.

"Ross, I am begging you. I love you so much. Please don't leave me. Please!" She ran over to him and hugged him tightly.

"Monica, I love you too. So very, very much. But this is something I have to do." He looked into her eyes and felt himself tear up.

"Fine," she loosened her hug and backed away from him. "Go. If you don't have the courage to stay, then I don't even know you anymore." She lowered her head and gently cried into her hands.

"Monica you don't mean that. Don't leave it like this." Ross' heart was filled with guilt and sorrow.

"No, no. This is your choice. Your choice! You remember that. You remember how you abandoned your sister. Your town." With that she ran inside the house.

He debated going back inside the house. But right now it was useless.

After getting settled into the University of California, Monica and him started talking on the phone sometimes. The sometimes became rarely, until their conversations where terminated.

Their lives where never the same.

Present day.

"Ross, Ross. You okay man?" Joey grabbed Ross' shoulder, shaking him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get out of here. Have a night on the town." The guys agreed and they all stood up, paid the check, left a big tip and starting walking out.

As they were walking out Ross noticed he had left his watch on the table.

"Wait, I forgot my watch on the table."

"Why would you take your watch off. Is it easier to read on the table." Chandler chucked at his lame joke.

"Dude that's a lame joke, even for me." Joey rolled his eyes at Chandler.

Ross also rolled his eyes and turned to recover his watch. Upon entering the dining room, he noticed someone coming out greeting the people. I know that person.

When it had finally processed in his head he said, "Monica."

To Be Continued...

Hope you like the cliffhanger. Since I got more deep and branched out, there will be more chapters. Hope you like it.