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. The doctor explained to Ross that Chandler was in a coma and it is possible that he may never wake up.

Ross breaks the news to the gang and Monica is obviously distraught and blames Joey. Monica now sits by her husband praying that he'll wake up.

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Monica refused to move from Chandler's side, she sat there the rest of the day and through night. Exhaustion finally got the better of her so she crawled onto the bed with Chandler and gently wrapped her arms around him without disturbing the tubes and wires monitoring his health. In five minutes she was fast asleep.

"Mon"

The familiar voice was soothing; she opened her eyes and looked up. She found herself looking into Chandler's blue eyes.

"Chandler?" She whispered. "You're awake?" He lifted his hand and placed a finger on her lips to stop her talking.

"Don't talk." He said, pulling her closer. "Just enjoy the moment, I wanna just hold you, remember this moment forever."

She sighed contently and held him tightly. Her eyes glanced around her and she immediately became confused, they weren't in the hospital room anymore, they were in their bedroom in their house. She turned her head back to Chandler.

"This is a dream isn't it?" She said sadly, "you're not awake, I'm just asleep."

"Then it's a good dream," Chandler replied kissing her tenderly. "I love you Monica, with all my heart."

"Are you saying goodbye?" She asked, worried.

"Can't a husband tell his wife that he loves her?"

They stayed silent for a couple of minutes.

"Please don't leave me Chandler." She said, tear ducts opening again.

"I won't, not willingly anyway, I don't think I have much of a choice anymore. Guess it's up to the man upstairs."

"Don't make jokes about this Chandler."

"Sorry," he said, playing with her hair. After a moment Chandler sat up, pulling Monica up with him. He leant over to their bedside table and picked up her brush. He turned her around and gently brushed her hair. Monica loved it when Chandler did that, it was such an innocent gesture with so much love behind it. She knew that Chandler loved her, but moments like this – they made her feel like a Queen.

They sat in silence, Monica in between Chandler's legs, leaning back on him silently as he continued to brush her hair. After about 10 minutes he put the brush down and started to massage her shoulders. He was so tender and giving, most of her ex's only paid this much attention when they were after sex but not Chandler. He did this because he wanted to – he worshipped the ground she walked on and she felt exactly the same.

"You have to forgive Joey." Chandler said, breaking the silence.

Monica sighed.

"This isn't his fault and you know it. I know you're angry but it isn't his fault, it's my fault. I should have left with Joey rather than making him go first. If anyone is to blame it's me."

"No Chandler, you're a hero, this isn't your fault."

"Then how is it more Joey's fault than mine?"

"Because he was irresponsible! Why didn't the fire alarm go off? How did the fire even start? He probably left the stove on or something else Joey-like."

"But you don't know that? It could have been an electrical fault; the fire alarm could have been faulty. Look we can speculate but we don't know the truth, not yet, so you can't blame Joey. I know that if it had been me in there Joey would have done the same. I know that and you know that."

Monica sighed again and turned around to look Chandler in the eyes.

"I know, but I can't loose you. And the twins need their daddy."

"I know Mon; I don't want to loose you or the twins either. We both have to be patient. Wait it out. But Mon, if the worse should happen you know that I'll always be watching over you – protecting you, Jack and Erica. I may not be there physically but nothing will stop my soul from being with you. Just like now."

They leant back on the bed, and fell asleep in each other's arms.

When Monica woke up it was morning and the early morning sun shone brightly though the window. She sat up and turned to Chandler. Her smile turned to a frown when she clicked that last night was definitely a dream, he was still laying there, hurt, tube down his throat, skin ghostly pale.

She wondered how many mornings she would have to wake up without him, without his smile, without his arms around her. She stroked his face gently and laid back down – if she was asleep she was with him and he wasn't dangling between life and death.

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Author Note: I know it's short but I have ideas for the next few chapters, not sure how long this is going to be. I originally wanted it to be 5 chapters but my chapters are a little short so that's why there are more of them. I hope you are enjoying it so far:-)