-/-Sunday on a park bench-/-
Chapter Two – TOW Chandler's cold
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Austria, 1st November 1932
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Pulsating in a rapid rhythm, Chandler's head throbbed with what he believed to be a result of laying it against the seemingly hard tiled wall. In truth, the pounding was a consequence of wild alcohol intake. Chandler's mind was awake, yet his body simply refused to respond, even his eyes mutinied against his brain. He was sweating. A kind of warm haze suffocated him and the sound of hammering water caused him to shake his head in confusion. Believing he had somehow wound up under some kind of waterfall, his eyes reluctantly obliged and opened.
They were in his bathroom. Monica was slumped against his left side, her head lolling on his chest and her hair tickling his nose. Her arms were stretched across his chest and their legs were entwined. Chandler's gaze reached Monica's feet and he silently laughed at his soldier boots swamping her delicate feet. His amusement was suddenly halted when he felt angel wings strapped to his back.
"What in God's na--…" Chandler mumbled before screaming at the top of his voice, his body vaulting from the floor in pure horror and his arms flying up to defend Monica.
Joey stepped out of the shower with a towel fastened around his waist.
"Whoa calm down Chandler, I was just taking a shower"
"With me in here! What the hell is wrong with you!" Chandler yelled, ignoring the thumping in his head.
Monica groaned and shook her head. "Shut the hell up" she slurred.
"Joe! Never ever do that again!" Chandler whispered.
"What wash? I really don't think the ladies would appreciate their Joey when - -…"
"No not that! Do not shower with me in the same room!"
A sudden quacking and a small yellow head popped around the shower curtain.
"Showering with the chick and the duck? That's, that…that's got to be illegal or
something!" Chandler shouted, mortified.
"Ok, ok, relax Chandler, it's not like you saw anything is it?"
"Well no, but it's the risk, I mean – Oh My God Joe! PULL THE TOWEL UP! PULL THE TOWEL UP!" Chandler howled, masking his eyes with his hand.
"Oh sorry" Joey chuckled sheepishly, re-adjusting his towel, scooping the poultry into his arms and leaving the room.
Monica heaved a long sigh and drew herself closer to Chandler. Completely aware that is was an incredible cliché, but Chandler could have sworn he felt his heart race. His mind was naïve as to where he should place his hands, but his body, as if familiar with this routine, rested them in Monica's hair. His fingers leisurely traipsed through her chestnut locks. Monica freed a soft moan, before looking up at Chandler, resting her chin on his chest.
"I am so glad you and I are best friends Chandler"
"Yeah - - yeah me too" Chandler coughed. He was determined to flush the rising lump in this throat.
"You know, I never really thought I could be this close with anyone" Monica smiled.
"Well I don't know. Possibly if you moved your leg there," Chandler point to the space between his own legs. "And your head here" Chandler gestured to his own cheek "Then we could be closer" he joked, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.
"What like this?" Monica whispered, repositioning her body to fit so perfectly with Chandler's. Monica knew what he had said had been another sarcastic quirk, but she could not help but feel the need to wind him up…just a little bit.
"Erm - - Er yeah…yeah" Chandler breathed. He was lost in her.
Monica manoeuvred her face to be only millimetres from Chandler's. "Are we closer now?" she grinned before sighing and resting her head once again on Chandler's shoulder.
His whole body was shuddering.
"Are you cold or something?" A typically concerned Monica asked.
Cold? More like absolutely, uncontrollably, slit-my-own-throat in love with you.
"Freezing" Chandler whispered.
-/--/--/--/--/--/-
Austria, January 1933
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The door rocketed against the wall as a distressed looking Phoebe stormed into the apartment 19.
"You know, after knowing you all of three months, I am so glad you feel comfortable enough to barge right on in here" Chandler quipped, his comment drenched in sarcasm.
"Yeah! Isn't it great?"
"Amazing" Chandler sighed.
"Look, I can't find Monica anywhere? Have you seen her?"
"Pheebs, its seven-thirty, a Monday, and we're talking about Monica…she's going to be at work" Chandler pronounced.
Phoebe's planned interrogation was interrupted Joey stumbled from his bedroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Hey Pheebs" Joey yawned.
Joey had become accustomed to Phoebe's frequent visits and in the short time of three months, developed one of his most valued friendships. The duo had clicked. The simplicity of Joey ensured he could handle her wacky personality, whereas Phoebe had discovered someone who was actually willing to listen to her and, much to her liking, nodded his head in agreement. (In truth, it was Joey's way of pretending he understood the whole situation).
"Oh well bravo for putting some clothes on today Joe!" Phoebe praised, encouraging applause from Chandler.
"Sixth day's a charm" Joey beamed.
"Look, guys, you haven't read the newspapers or listened to the wireless today have you?"
"Like I said, it's seven-thirty" Chandler responded.
"Well, last night Hitler was made chancellor of Germany" Phoebe grimaced.
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The wind gnawed at his overcoat, causing Ross' hands to dig deeper in search of warmth. The snow crunched beneath his feet and his grip on the box tucked beneath his arm tightened as he slid on some un-gravelled ice. Ross stepped onto the familiar porch, fully aware of the raging party inside.
His hand wrapped around the large iron knocker and he beat it against the door.
Ross knew Rachel would answer the door. Every other Green in the household was occupied with celebrating Hitler's empowerment.
The door creaked open.
"Oh my God, Ross! What the hell are you doing here!" Rachel screeched.
"Who is it?" Leonard called form the lounge.
"It's – It's…" Rachel stuttered.
"Tell him it's Phoebe" Ross whispered.
"It's just Phoebe, Daddy!"
The unfathomable grunting from the crowded room encouraged Rachel to continue.
"Ross, look, this really isn't the night, surely you understand that?"
"Can I come in?" Ross laughed, strolling into the hall and darting upstairs to Rachel's room.
Rachel was paralysed with absolute amazement. Giggling she hurried after her boyfriend.
Entering her bedroom, she closed the door behind her and strutted over to Ross, who pulled her into a strong embrace. The couple tumbled onto the bed.
"I've missed you so much" Ross whispered, wrapping Rachel's legs around his abdomen and resting his head on her chest.
"You saw me like a week ago" Rachel laughed, kissing his hair.
"Yeah, but we used to see each other ever day. I mean you used to practically live at mine on weekends…" Ross sighed.
"Well things have changed, Ross"
"I don't want them to change"
Rachel kissed the nape of Ross's neck.
"How are you feeling about Hitler becoming Chancellor?" Rachel whispered, knowing it was best to discuss the inevitable immediately.
"To be honest, I really don't see how it can affect me. It's happening in Germany Rach, we're in Austria…"
"But!" Rachel cried.
"Look, Rach, after The Great War, an agreement…The Treaty of Versailles…was made. It states that Germany cannot build up their armed forces. Therefore, Hitler can't possibly invade Austria…"
"But what if…"Rachel started.
"Rachel, Great Britain and America will not allow him to do anything, ok?"
"Ok" Rachel nodded.
"Anyway, your dad scares me more than Hitler" Ross joked, turning around to face Rachel. "I have something for you" he continued.
"Oh! A present! I love you so much!" Rachel grinned, caressing his lips with her own.
Beaming, Ross pulled the box from the side of the bed and handed it to Rachel.
"This isn't another book on rocks is it?" Rachel asked, studying the flat shape of the box.
"Just open it" Ross sighed, slightly irate about the insult of his books. But still, his eyes were illuminated with excitement.
"Ok, Ok" Rachel mumbled, tussling Ross's hair and ripping the packaging open.
"Wow, it's a record…" Rachel started, obviously disappointed.
"It's one that I recorded myself"
"Well that will be…entertaining. But, oh wow Ross that is so sweet, thank you so much…" Rachel whispered, planting a lingering kiss on Ross' lips.
"Here, let me put it on"
Ross scrambled off of the bed towards Rachel's gramophone. Accompanied by only a violin, Ross' scratchy and rather unprofessional voice echoed around the room.
Rachel could not help but burst out in laughter.
"Hey!" Ross cried.
"I am so sorry Ross" Rachel sniggered, settling herself and listening intently.
Evening shadows make me blue
When each weary day is through
How I long to be with you
My happiness
Every day I reminisce
Dreaming of your tender kiss
Always thinking how I miss
My happiness
A million years it seems
Have gone by since we shared our dreams
But I'll hold you again
There'll be no blue memories then
Whether skies are grey or blue
Any place on earth will do
Just as long as I'm with you
My happiness
A million years it seems
Have gone by since we shared our dreams
But I'll hold you again
There'll be no blue memories then
Whether skies are grey or blue
Any place on earth will do
Just as long as I'm with you
My happiness
Her tears fell incessantly as he pulled her too him.
"That has got to be the worst voice I ever heard but god damn was it lovely" Rachel sobbed.
-/--/--/--/--/--/-
Chandler lay upon his antique sofa; his legs perched upon Monica's knees. Joey and Phoebe were sprawled upon the single chairs and as the wireless broadcast ended they all chorused in a long and heavy exhale.
"Well wasn't that just lovely" Chandler quipped.
"I want you to know Monica, it doesn't make any difference to us" Phoebe soothed.
"Damn right too!" Monica retorted, typically unfazed.
"Look Mon, I have to go, but I want you to know that whatever happens I'll be here for you" Joey whispered, striding over to Monica and kissing her forehead before exiting.
Chandler's legs curled ever so slightly.
"Oh Monica why are you blushing?" Phoebe taunted, her voice reaching a new high pitch.
"I'm not blushing! It's just really very hot in this room"
"We are in the middle of Austria, in January and have no fireplace… sure… it's toasty" Chandler muttered.
"Oh my God! You like Joey!" Phoebe cried.
"Whoa! No! Monica does not! You don't fancy Joey, do you? I mean his…his…Joey! It's like; it's like…fancying a puppet, cute but no mind whatsoever!" Chandler screeched.
"Well if you let me talk, maybe you'd get your answer" Monica retorted.
Chandler glowered at her.
"Well, if by fancy you mean I think his handsome, then yes I do…but it's completely physical" Monica smiled." It's not like I am in love with him or anything but you can't say his isn't absolutely gorgeous" Monica laughed.
Phoebe nodded, "His just like an angel".
Chandler stared at Monica in disbelief.
Chandler swallowed. "You, you like Joey?"
His voice was a croak and he scolded himself for being so careless in his disguise.
"Well if he offered me one of his 'An hour of love with Joey' coupons…I'm not going to say no, believe me" Monica giggled.
"Oh I believe you" Chandler muttered, thrusting Monica's knees with his legs, standing and walking towards the bathroom.
"I just got to use the toilet"
"What the hell is up with him?" Monica wondered as Chandler slammed the bathroom door.
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Chandler's fist smashed into the wall… now two things were broken.
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Well thanks to our reviewers:
LupinsMoon12391 – Ah my favourite person right now lol RooRoo…We felt so privileged you reviewed our fic, because we love yours! Remember…Billy Jo genes meet Matthew Perry genes most gorgeous man ever. Thanks again AJ…xxxx
LucyGoose – Awwwww that made us so happy :D And we do like to know what you like best! We really do! We love 'Broken'! Gets out sign…Thanks Lauren xxx
Kellocfan1 – We are so incredibly flattered by the review, and your right, it was long…but that's how we like them lol Sorry but neither of us watch the O.C…it isn't really big in England…but we'll try and give it an read anyway :P just for you… lol thanks xxx
Chan4mon4eva4eva – The shortest of reviews but to hell was it effective! Thanks so much. It made us so happy that you thought that… Thanks xxx
Please Read and Review…preferably on GreenFloydPinkDay copy…just easier as Roo has only one fic.
Thanks xxxx
Lyrics are My Happiness by Elvis Presley …don't own him…wish I did…he originated from Scotland…muahahaha he is claimed by the UK…you can have the Beatles… lol (apart from McCartney)