Love is...

-Author's Note: First off, thank you so much for the reviews!! They make me feel really great and I'm glad you guys like the story. Please leave more when you're done reading this chapter!!

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Rachel was sitting on one of the chairs in the dressing room at Bloomingdale's, waiting for a client to come out. Of course, Rachel didn't mind waiting. She was wrapped up in her thoughts – all of them of Ross. Or, at least, in some related to him. His hair, his eyes, his smile, and well, you get the picture.

If someone had told her two days ago that she would run into Ross Geller and be going on a date with him, she would've said that they were crazy. But they were crazy weren't they? I mean, how often does an old high school friend come back after ten years, looking absolutely fabulous by the way, and ask for a date? It was unbelievable – and so was the outfit on the woman that just walked out of the dressing room. "Well, what do you think?" the woman asked.

Rachel stood up and brushed some invisible lint off of her skirt. After clearing her throat, she took a deep breath and looked up at the woman with a big, fake smile on her face. She said, "I think it looks wonderful." When in her head, she was saying, 'Oh, dear God! Did I actually pick that out? That outfit wouldn't even look good on a circus freak!'

The woman ended up buying that outfit, and another one that looked very similar to it; and before long, it was time for Rachel to go home.

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Walking down New York City streets during rush hour with something, or someone, taking over every conscious thought in your head wasn't the best idea. Rachel found herself apologizing to almost everyone she came across. If it wasn't for walking right into them, it was for stepping on their feet, or not walking fast enough across the street. But by the time she got home, she had the biggest smile on her face. She'd have to remember – thoughts of Ross seemed to perk her right up. She might be able to use that in the future.

She walked into the apartment and hung up her coat, still smiling. Monica was at the kitchen table eating a cookie and reading a magazine when Rachel sat down across from her.

"Hey Mon. How was your day?" Rachel asked politely.

Monica put down the cookie she was eating and closed her magazine, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. "Okay, you never ask me that. It'd be like asking Chandler to explain to you what statistical analysis and data reconfiguration was. Spill it, what happened to you today?"

Rachel looked up at the ceiling and said in an almost regretful tone, "I would like to learn about that one of these days."

"Big picture, Rach. Focus! Now tell me – what the hell happened to you today?"

Rachel smiled and sighed happily, "Ugh, I ran into –" Rachel thought for a second. Did she want to tell Monica that Ross was back or did she want to make it a surprise? 'I'll just let her find out for herself tomorrow. Besides, it will be better for him to tell her what's been going on in his life, not me.' She continued, "– someone today at work, a really great someone, and I have a date with him tomorrow night!"

Monica smiled and raised her eyebrows, impressed. "Wow! So, does this 'someone'," illustrating the quotes with her hands, "have a name?"

"Well, of course he does! But I'm not gonna tell you what it is...I want to properly introduce you tomorrow when he picks me up."

Monica thought this was a little odd, but she didn't push it. Instead, she got up to wash her hands and get a drink. "Okay, whatever...what time is he picking you up?"

"At seven."

"Alright, I'll make sure I'm here."

Rachel smiled. She knew that Monica would be thrilled when she found out that the guy was Ross. It had been really hard for her to lose her brother like that. Hopefully, seeing him again and knowing that he was here for good would help to heal the old wounds.

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Ross walked from one end of his closet to the other, moving hangers around as he went. He couldn't figure out what to wear – he had no suits because he ran into Rachel on that particular shopping trip and got sidetracked, not that he was complaining or anything. Either way, he figured a suit was too dressy. He was only taking her to a simple dinner and a movie. Nothing too fancy.

He stood looking at his wardrobe, taking it all in. After standing there about five minutes, he came out with nice khaki pants and a dark blue cashmere sweater. He got dressed and fixed up his hair. He made sure to bring enough money with him. If certain characteristics about Rachel hadn't changed, he would need the extra cash.

Confident that he wasn't forgetting anything, he sat on his couch and waited for 6:30 to come around. That way, he'd have plenty of time for the possibility of getting lost.

Checking his watch, wall clock, and VCR weren't helping much. As they say, a watched pot never boils. He had never been this nervous before a date with Carol, or anyone for that matter. Finally, his watch said 6:25, and figuring that it was close enough, he grabbed his keys and his wallet and left the apartment.

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Rachel was dressed in a beautiful lilac sundress with a matching cardigan. Her hair was in a loose French twist, allowing some strands to fall and frame her face. Her makeup was done, her shoes were on, and she was putting on her last earring when Monica came home.

"Hey Rach, I'm home!" Monica called out as she hung her purse up on the hooks by the door.

Rachel walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, striking a pose. "Hey Mon, does this look okay?"

Monica turned to look at her and her jaw dropped in shock. "Wow Rach, you look awesome! This Mr. "No Name" is gonna be floored when he sees you."

"Aww...thanks!" Rachel hugged Monica.

"No problem sweetie. I'm gonna go get outta these shoes, be right back." Monica walked over towards her bedroom.

Rachel heard a knock on the door and checked herself out in the mini mirror on the table by the bathroom before going to answer it. When she did, Ross was amazed by how wonderful she looked.

To Ross, her beauty was heart-stopping. The way her skin glowed, it was like a million angels shining their light on her. Her eyes were deep, never-ending pools of blue. The dress she was wearing brilliantly accentuated each and every curve of her body. She was unbelievable. "Wow – Rach, you look absolutely amazing!"

Rachel smiled, opening the door wider and stepping aside to let him in. "Thanks, Ross. You look great too."

Monica walked out of her bedroom. She chuckled, "Wow, Ross...I haven't heard that name in such a long ti—" Monica stopped dead when she looked up and saw her brother standing in the doorway. She clutched her chest as tears began to well up in her eyes. "Oh my God! Ross, is that you?"

Ross was staring at Monica. His little sister, who was not so little when he left, had grown into a beautiful woman. He swallowed and took a deep breath. "Yeah, Mon. It's me."

Monica was still having trouble comprehending the situation. Was this really her brother? Finally, she ran over to the door, hugging Ross tight as she burst into tears. Softly into his shoulder she said, "It's really you."

Monica and Ross stayed in that hug for a few moments before pulling back, taking a really good look at each other. "You look so great, Monica."

"You too." Monica was smiling, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Rachel was off to the side, letting them enjoy their moment. After a while of them just staring at each other, Rachel said, "So Monica...this is my date, Ross." This got laughs from both Ross and Monica. Then Monica walked over to Rachel and hit her playfully on the arm.

"I cannot believe you didn't tell me that my brother was your date!"

Rachel threw her hands up and screamed, "SURPRISE!"

Monica rolled her eyes, "You guys get going and have fun." To Ross, "You and me are going out to lunch tomorrow, okay?"

Ross smiled and hugged Monica. "I'll be there."

Rachel grabbed Ross's hand and led him out of the apartment.

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Ross took Rachel to a quiet family restaurant where they were able to talk peacefully. Rachel ordered a simple chef salad and Ross ordered a steak. They spent the evening talking, laughing, and having a blast. For a reason unknown to either of them, they felt so comfortable around each other. The conversation came so naturally and there were absolutely no awkward silences. After they paid the bill and left the restaurant, they walked in the direction of the movie theater.

They walked hand in hand at a slow pace, enjoying the moment. Every once in a while, Rachel would look up at Ross and find his gaze already fixated on her. She couldn't help but smile. He evoked such feelings in her. He made her feel like she was on top of the world, and she loved that. Not even Barry had made her feel like that.

Ross couldn't help but stare at her. She was just so...fascinating. That's the only way he could put it. It wasn't just her beauty that captivated him, though. It was also the way she carried herself. He could tell that she was the type of person that didn't care what anyone else thought of her. He loved that about her. He also loved how her smile seemed brighter than the sun; she just radiated happiness. When she rubbed her thumb in circles over the back of his hand, he got chills up and down his spine. She made him feel so...incredible. Suddenly, he got an urge...

Rachel felt him stop walking and she turned to look at him, confused. "What's wrong?"

He was looking at the sky, a smile on his face. "Nothing. Look at the moon. Isn't it beautiful?"

Rachel followed his eyes and looked up. It was beautiful. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the stars were scattered around, making the sky look more extraordinary than she had ever seen it before. She knew that part of it was because she was looking at it with him.

She looked back at him, part of her surprised to see him looking at her again, and part of her not surprised at all. "What?" she asked innocently. She was looking at him with her face tilted sideways, a shy smile on her face. God, he made her so nervous. His answer wasn't quite what she expected, and frankly, it wasn't what he expected either. He smiled, leaning in and gently brushing his lips against hers. She softly closed her eyes, putting her arms around his neck as she opened her mouth, wanting more of him as the seconds went by. Imagine if you will, the scene at the end of a sappy romantic movie. When the boy and the girl finally get together for that spectacular kiss where the camera moves in circles around them and you can see fireworks going off in the distance. That is what this kiss was like, in a way. So fast, yet slow and tender at the same time.

As they kissed, both Ross and Rachel had their feelings confirmed. There were so many sparks flitting between them, it was like Disney World on the Fourth of July.

Rachel, completely surprised at what had just happened, slowly broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against his, a very affectionate gesture. He smiled, looking right into her eyes as he whispered, "You're beautiful."

Rachel smiled and him and curled the hair on the back of his head around her finger. "You're my dream come true." Ross leaned in to kiss her again and this one was perhaps even better than the first one, if that was even possible. After a moment, they broke the kiss and continued walking. Every once in a while Rachel would give his hand a squeeze, laying her head on his shoulder as they walked. Not another word was spoken, but somehow they both knew that the movie was not happening. They were content with just walking around the city, enjoying each other's company.

Eventually, they found themselves outside of Rachel's apartment building. She turned to look at him and smiled. Ross did not want the evening to end yet, so he decided to do whatever it took to make it last. "I'll walk you up."

Rachel smiled more as they headed into the building. When they reached her door, she looked at him again. "I had a really great time tonight, Ross. Thank you."

Ross took both of her hands in his and kissed them, all the while looking right into her eyes. "No. Thank you. What do you say we do this again? How's the day after tomorrow?"

"Perfect."

"Just like you." Rachel smiled, her heart melting with every word that came out of his mouth. She pulled him close and kissed him tenderly.

"Goodnight, Ross."

He smiled, "Goodnight, Sweet Dreams." He watched her as she entered the apartment and closed the door.

Once inside, Rachel leaned against the door, smiling at the mere memory of her dream date. She sighed happily and walked over to her room to go to bed.

Sweet dreams indeed...

-Author's Note: Well...? I hope you guys liked it. I was really happy when I read all of your reviews and it motivated me to get this written and posted in one evening...I can't promise the same speed with the next one, but I'll do my best...please review!