Disclaimer: I don't own the characters and plot of "Friends" or the song "Can't Let Go" by Mariah Carey.

Rachel was in her room when she overheard Ross telling the others the news.

"Emily and I….we decided to….get married."

Rachel slowly walked out of her room. She was stunned. She didn't want Ross to get married. He was hers. Well, not really, but it was Ross.

There you are
Holding her hand
I am lost
Dying to understand
Didn't I
Cherish you right
Don't you know
You were my life

"He's not your boyfriend anymore" Rachel told herself. "It's been ages. You've both moved on. Just be happy for Ross, he has every right to get married to a woman he loves. Why should you care, you don't even have feelings for him!"

Even though I try
I can't let go
Something in your eyes
Captured my soul
And every night
I see you in my dreams
You're all I know
I can't let go

Everyone else had gone to London. It was just Rachel and Phoebe left in the apartment. Rachel tried to explain why she didn't want to go the wedding, and ended up realizing the truth that she wouldn't admit to herself.

"I still have loving feelings for Ross. Yeah! But, I have, I have continuing feelings of love, but that doesn't mean that-that I'm still in love with him. Y'know? I-I have sexual feelings for him, but I do love him—Ohh! Oh my God! Oh my—why didn't you tell me!"

Rachel went to London to tell Ross that she still loved him, but when she got there she saw Ross and Emily kissing…

Just cast aside
You don't even know I'm alive
You just walk on by
Don't care to see me cry
And here I am
Still holding on
I can't accept
My world is gone

Rachel took a deep breath and said to Ross, "I just came to tell That wasn't what she truly wanted to say, but how could she ruin his wedding day for him? She couldn't. But now it would be even harder for Rachel, knowing that she loved Ross, but just sitting back and watching him marry Emily.

Do you even realize
The sorrow I have inside
Everyday of my life
Do you know the way it feels
When all you have just dies
I try and try
To deny that I need you
But still you remain on my mind

Rachel sat near the front of the chapel and watched as Ross and Emily said their wedding vows.

"I Ross," Ross began,

"Take thee, Emily…" the Minister said.

"Take thee, Rachel," Ross said. Rachel's eyes widened. Had Ross just said her name? What did that mean? Did that mean he loved her too?


No I just can't get you out of my mind
I never can say goodbye
'Cause every night
I see you in my dreams
You're all I know
I can't let you go
Even though I try
I can't let go of something that I need so badly
You're all I know
I can't let go

Rachel still loved Ross. She knew that. But she also knew that Ross really wanted to make things work with Emily, and she would, as his friend, have to support him in that. As much as Rachel dearly wanted to tell Ross she loved him, she knew she couldn't. But she knew that at least for now, she couldn't let go of her feelings. Not yet.