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.

Monica stays by Chandler's bedside and eventually falls asleep, Chandler visits her in her dream and tells her to forgive Joey.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joey tossed and turned, he couldn't sleep – he wanted too but he couldn't. The guilt was too much, it was like his body and brain fighting a battle, his body yearned to sleep, it needed rest but his brain was torturing him, not letting him switch off – maybe it was his brain's way of punishing him.

The doctor had given him the all clear and said he could go home tomorrow, at first Joey was pleased – he hated hospitals, but then he remembered that he didn't actually have a home to go to anymore. Rachel, Phoebe and Mike had stayed until visiting hours were over then they went in search for Ross to find out about Chandler. They all wanted to see him but they backed off for Monica's sake. Rachel had thrown herself into looking after Emma and the twins, Mike had focused on supporting Phoebe while Joey sunk deeper into the black hole of guilt.

He sighed and rolled over, glancing at the clock on the wall, 2.03am, he was so restless and every time he closed his eyes all he could see was fire and smoke – suffocating him and Chandler, then Chandler disappears.

He rolled over again and squeezed his eyes tightly shut – trying to block out everything. He was trying so hard that it was the last straw for his exhausted body and now brain, so he fell into a restless sleep.

Suddenly he was in the apartment again, but this time it wasn't on fire, Joey was confused. He was standing next to the kitchen counter looking around when one of the recliners spun around.

Chandler! He wasn't hurt, how is this possible?

"Hey man!" Chandler said, showing one of his silly grins.

"How… I mean what? Ok I'm confused." Joey said with a frown on his face

"Nothing new there then." Chandler shot back. "So, wanna watch some Baywatch?"

Joey decided that forget the horror that had just lived through and treasure this time with Chandler.

"Yeah dude!" He ginned back. Joey sat down in the adjacent recliner.

"Do we dare?" Chandler said, hand on the recliner handle.

"Oh I think we do!"

"Ready, on 3… 1, 2, 3." They both pulled the handles the leg rest came up.

"Ahhhhhhhhh…" They both said simultaneously. Next they leant back so the back reclined back too.

"AHHHHHHH" They both moaned in delight.

Chandler turned the TV on and they both started watching Baywatch, laughing, having a beer, ogling over Yasmine Bleeth, they were having fun like they did when they lived together, before Chandler and Monica, just like their old bachelor days.

Chandler stood up and picked up the phone. "Hey you want the Joey special?"

"Yeah, that'll be great." They smiled at each other then Chandler turned away to talk to the pizza people. This was great, Joey thought, it was just the two of them, having a good time, no fire, no smoke, no head injuries! No worries.

They were halfway through the second pizza when Chandler said, "Y'know I don't blame you Joe?"

Joey paused; he had a slice of pizza half way to his mouth. "But I do, you should have just left me Chandler, you have more to live for than me."

"Hey!" Chandler said sharply, "do NOT talk like that, you have everything to live for! But hey, let's not talk about it, we're having a great time, but I just needed to tell you that this is NOT your fault and Monica doesn't blame you Joey, not deep down. She's looking for someone to blame, I told her that this wasn't your fault, it was an accident. No one saw this coming, Joe."

"Doesn't stop me from feeling like it is my fault though."

"I know, I know which is why I'm here – I know you Joe, you're my brother, I would be thinking the same if it was you in that hospital instead of me! I just needed to tell you that, in case this doesn't have a happy ending."

"But you are going to wake up right?"

Chandler laughed "Joe, Monica asked me the same thing, I don't have any control over that. If I am meant to wake up then I will." He paused, "but I'm tired Joey," his eyes sunk a little, "so tired and I am fighting but I don't know if I'll win."

Joey stared deep into Chandler's eyes and said with complete conviction, "You will wake up, you have too." Joey turned back to Baywatch – determined to end this evening on a happy note. "Y'know I never told you my big news."

"Oh yeah, what is it?"

"I got an acting gig in LA, I'm gonna be moving there. I think a new start would be good, new opportunities – lots of them."

"Good for you man! Congratulations, remember us, the little people, when you win your first Oscar."

They laughed, clinked their beer cans in congratulations to Joey and again returned back to Baywatch. Forgetting reality for a while.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author Note: Ok another chapter up - I know I'm dragging this out, and I know how annoying it can be coz it winds me up when other authors post bitty chapters without actually progressing with the plot BUT I am updating everyday, sometimes twice a day. So I had 2 choices really, update with big chapter every couple of days or small chapters every day. I prefer the latter one obviously. Anyhoo, review please, the more I get the more I will update!