So far…
Joey called the gang together to tell them some big news but he never showed up, Chandler went to his apartment to find him however he discovered a fire in the apartment.
Chandler and Joey were trapped in the burning apartment, Chandler's quick thinking got Joey out but before Chandler could follow he was overcome with smoke and collapsed in the bathroom, hitting his head in the process.
Monica called 911 and then the rest of the gang (including Mike) rushed up to the apartment where they discovered the only way out blocked by flames. As they started backing away Joey came running out of the apartment, Chandler never followed.
The fire department arrived, found and got Chandler out, however he's badly hurt and the medics are fighting to save his life…
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The gang, excluding Monica, stood around watching as the medics fought to save Chandler's life, tears streamed down their faces. Monica was on her knees sobbing, begging Chandler to fight, and pleading with his unconscious body.
"Dan, I've got a pulse! It's very faint though, and he's not breathing on his own we need to get him to the hospital now!" Said Sam, the medic.
"I need to be with him." Monica said as they rolled his gurney towards the ambulance.
Dan didn't have the heart to say no, plus she looked like she was about to go into shock so it was probably was a good idea taking her, as well as her husband and friend to the hospital.
"Ok but we need to move now." They put Chandler into the ambulance and led Joey in. Monica sat next to Joey facing Chandler. She couldn't even look at Joey right now, she knew that he would never put Chandler in harms way on purpose; they were brothers in every sense except by blood. But Monica was angry, angry that his irresponsibility had done this, questions flew through her mind. What happened to the fire alarm? Why did Joey let Chandler stay behind? Why did he leave Chandler like that, obviously he's hit his head, blood was streaming down his face, why would Joey leave him!
"Mon…" Joey started but Monica cut him off.
"Don't Joey, just don't, I can't talk to you right now. I know you never did this on purpose…"
"I never started the fire!" Joey protested
"No, I don't mean that, just…. " she sighed, "an hour ago I had the perfect life and now it's all come crashing around me! I just can't talk to you yet Joey, I'm sorry but I need to focus on Chandler." Well it was the half truth, she was focused on Chandler but that didn't stop her thinking about how this happened? How Joey could have prevented this.
They spent the rest of the journey in silence, Sam keeping a close eye on Chandler, checking his vitals etc. Monica's eyes not leaving Chandler's face, he looked peaceful and it scared her. FIGHT she silently screamed.
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The remaining 4 watched the ambulance drive away; they were frozen to the spot until the ambulance was out of sight.
"Ok lets go." Ross said, and started to push the twins towards his car. The others followed in stony silence.
They all got in the car and started towards the hospital.
Ross had never experienced something like this before, it was disturbing, it was like time was slowing down, to the point of stopping. It seemed like a lifetime before they got to the hospital.
Rachel and Phoebe tried to keep themselves occupied with looking after Emma, Jack and Erica. Completely unsuccessfully though, every time they closed their eyes all they saw was Chandler, lying so still, so lifeless. Blood down his face, covered in soot from the fire.
Even if Chandler is okay they knew that that sight would give them nightmares for a long time.
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The doors opened and Sam and Dan wheeled Chandler out towards to awaiting doctors. Monica jumped after and tried to run after them until she was stopped by Sam.
"We need to check you out too."
"What? Why? I wasn't in the fire; I just need to be with my husband!" She protested.
"You can't help him, the doctors are doing everything they can but what you can do is look after yourself. Let me check you out."
Monica begrudgingly let him lead her and Joey into the hospital; they split them up and were led into separate cubicles.
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The rest of the gang arrived at the hospital. Ross, who had taken charge, walked up to the receptionist.
"I'm here for Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani. They were bought in from a fire; my sister was in the ambulance, Monica Bing. Is she in the waiting room?"
The receptionist checked her computer.
"Okay, Chandler Bing is in ICU, 3rd floor; if you go up there the doctor should be able to tell you about his condition. Monica Bing is in room 219 on the 2nd floor, she is being treated for shock. And Joey Tribbiani is being treated for smoke inhalation, room 302 also on the 2nd floor."
"Thank you." Ross walked back to his friends. "Ok, she doesn't know anything about Chandler except that he's in intensive care."
They all looked distraught at this news.
"Mon and Joey are both in private rooms on the second floor…" Rachel interrupted before he could finish.
"Why has Mon been admitted?"
"Shock." Ross said quietly. He continued "and Joey is being treated for smoke inhalation."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Phoebe said as she made her way to the lifts.
"Wait Pheebs, who is going to see who?" Rachel asked.
"How about Mike and I go and see Joey, Rach you go and see Mon, take the twins, she'll want to see them. And Ross you go and find out about Chandler."
They all nodded in agreement and made their way to see their friends.
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Ross walked into ICU, worried that he was going to be given bad news. He walked up to a nurse and asked to see Chandler.
"We will have to get the doctor to talk to you before you see him I'm afraid," she said gently, "are you a relative?"
"He's my brother-in-law."
"Ok," she gave a warm sympathetic smile, "I'll page the doctor for you."
10 minutes of pacing later the doctor turned up. "Hi, Mr..?"
"Geller, Ross Geller. Chandler is my brother-in-law."
"Hi, I'm Dr. Acenseo and I've been treating Chandler."
"Is he ok?"
"I have good news and bad news Mr. Geller. Let's go somewhere more private."
Ross followed the doctor into a small room, dreading what he was going to tell him. He must be alive though, otherwise it'll just be bad news. Again time slowed down and the 30 seconds it took to walk to the relatives' room seem like to take years…
