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.
Chandler is rushed to the hospital, the gang follow. Once at the hospital Ross goes to find out how Chandler is while Rachel goes to Monica and Phoebe and Mike go to see Joey. The doctor tells Ross he has good and bad news…
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Ross sat down while the doctor closed the door.
"Mr. Geller," started Dr. Acenseo, "we've managed to stabilise Mr. Bing and treat the smoke inhalation. Does Mr. Bing smoke?"
"He used to, not for years now, although I'm sure he sneaks one every now and then."
"Well because of his smoking his lungs will take longer to heal but apart from that there isn't any lasting damage."
"Is that it? Is that the bad news? You had me worried." Ross said relieved.
"No Mr. Geller, that was the good news," he paused and took a deep breath. "Mr. Bing has a serious head injury; he is currently in a coma." He paused to let this new information sink him.
Ross sat there in silence, not sure what to say. He could tell by the tone of the doctor's voice that this was very serious, and Ross wasn't naïve, he knew head injuries were serious.
"So, err… well will he recover?" Ross asked bluntly, he had to know.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that. He may wake up in an hour, a day, a month or maybe never. Right now there is some swelling around his brain. Once that has gone down we can do some more tests to see if there is any brain damage but right now I'm afraid we are just going to have to be patient."
Ross didn't know how to react; he couldn't believe that this was happening to Chandler, his brother-in-law, his best friend. They had known each other for many, many years, they had had many firsts together, their lives were so intertwined, he was married to his sister, and Chandler was his children's god-father as well as uncle. Ross was devastated, and he knew that what he was feeling now was nothing compared to how Monica was going to feel when he broke the news. Then it hit him, HE was going to have to tell her, he was going to break his little sister's heart – tears filled Ross's eyes when that sunk in, but he pushed it aside, one thing at a time.
"Can I see him?"
"Of course." Dr. Acenseo said sympathetically, they stood up and walked out.
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Rachel entered Monica's room; she pushed the twins alongside Monica's bed then pulled up a chair. She sat down with Emma on her lap and looked over to Monica. The first thing that hit Rachel was how pale Monica was, literally all the colour had dropped from her skin; she was practically white, like a china doll.
Monica was half-asleep when Rachel entered and she woke up completely when she heard Rachel move the chair to her bedside.
"Rach," Monica whispered weakly, "how's Chandler, I need to know, no one will tell me what's going on."
"Honey I don't know, Ross has gone to find out. How are you though?"
"I'm fine; I just need to know about Chandler."
Rachel tried to smile reassuringly, "I'm sure he'll be fine."
"Don't lie to me Rach, please don't, I need to know the truth."
"Mon, I really don't know, look try not to worry, rest, you've got 2 beautiful babies who need their mum."
"They also need their father." Monica said, fighting back the tears.
Rachel knew that there wasn't anything she could say to comfort Monica, so she just got onto the bed next to her, set Emma down on the chair and just held Monica – rocking her back and forth while she cried.
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Phoebe and Mike found Joey's room and quietly opened the door. Joey was sound asleep, an oxygen tube in his nose and a drip in his arm. Phoebe sat down while Mike stood behind her, hands on her shoulders as a sign of support.
They stayed like that, in silence for about 10 minutes before a nurse entered.
"Hello there, visiting Mr. Tribianni? Well of course you are, isn't it weird that Dr. Drake Ramoray is actually in this hospital – and I," the nurse stressed the I, "am looking after him." Phoebe was disgusted, here they were, Chandler and Joey hurt and this nurse has the cheek to make light of the situation. Phoebe tensed, fighting back the urge to shout at the overly-cheery nurse.
Mike sensed Phoebe tense up and changed the conversation before Phoebe said something.
"Can you tell us how our friend is doing?"
"Oh he should be fine, he's here for precaution, should be able to go home tomorrow or the day after. The doctor will be around later, he'll be able to tell you more." She threw another overly-cheery smile, checked Joey's drip and oxygen then left.
"Insensitive bitch!" Phoebe broke the silence.
"Phoebe!" Mike said in shock.
"Yeah Pheebs, don't insult the hot nurse." Joey whispered.
"Joey!" Phoebe exclaimed, pulling him into a fierce hug. "Oh my god Joey we were SO worried."
"How's Chandler," Joey asked, that being the only thing on his mind at the present. He needed to know that Chandler was going to be ok, he HAD to be ok. It was Chandler.
"We don't know yet Joey, Ross has gone to check." Phoebe replied as she released Joey.
"He's gonna be fine." Joey said, more to himself than to Phoebe and Mike. "He has to be."
They stayed silent, contemplating Joey's comment.
It was Chandler; of course he'll be ok, won't he?
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Ross sat down next to Chandler, not that he had much of a choice, he was so shocked by how Chandler looked that if he didn't sit down he'll fall down instead.
He was very pale, had a horrible looking tube down his throat and lots of beeping machines around him. He was so still it was unnerving, in all the years he had known Chandler he had always had this nervous energy, he could never sit still. Even when he was asleep, which he discovered when they roomed together in college. He had a horrible black/blue bruise on the side of his head; a small cut was in the centre, which had been stitched up. He couldn't believe how that small cut had produced so much blood and had caused so much damage.
He leant forward and gently took Chandler's hand and held it tightly, he closed his eyes and sat there, he knew he needed to go and see Monica but right now, right this second he needed to be there, with Chandler, willing him to wake up so he didn't have to break his little sister's heart.
