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. During the same evening Chandler also visits Joey in a dream and tells him that it's not his fault. The next day Joey and Monica both decide to talk to each other.
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Ross, Rachel and Phoebe sat outside Chandler's room while Monica and Joey talked.
"Y'know," Rachel started, "I also had a dream about Chandler last night."
"Me too." Ross and Phoebe said at the same time.
They all looked at each other.
"In mine," Ross started, "We were back in college…"
FLASHBACK
Ross was tossing and turning in his sleep, he couldn't relax knowing that Chandler may never wake up. He got up and went to the bathroom; he opened his medicine cabinet and picked up a bottle of sleeping pills. He needed to sleep, he needed to be strong for Monica, he swallowed a pill dry since he couldn't be bothered to get a glass of water and then went back to bed.
Ross opened his eyes, he felt awake and refreshed; he stood up and got out of bed. It took him a few seconds before he realised he wasn't in his bedroom anymore, he was in his old college dorm room. He glanced over to the other bed in the room and noticed Chandler on it looking through pictures.
"Dude, can you LOOK more like a dork in this picture?" Chandler laughed holding out the picture he was looking at to Ross. It was a picture from their end of freshman year party. Ross walked over and took the picture in his hand and smiled.
"Well you don't look any cooler Mr Flock of Seagulls."
"Hey that was the height of fashion!" Chandler said in defence. He sighed, "I miss college at times, I mean not the lack of women and the boring studying but the carefree life. No responsibilities, no one to worry about except yourself." He paused, "we had a lot of fun didn't we?"
Ross smiled, "yeah, it was a blast." He trailed off thinking about the fun times.
"I'm sorry Ross." Ross was pulled from his thoughts by Chandler.
"What for?"
"For hurting Monica, I promised I would never let that happen and I know I haven't hurt her on purpose but I still have. Guess you want to kick my ass now, at least you don't have to track me down." Chandler tried to joke, "I'm standing right here, take you're best shot."
Ross wasn't amused, "Chandler I'm not going to 'kick your ass', I know I haven't really said this before but you are the best thing that ever happened to my sister. She's complete with you and I've never seen her happier."
Chandler smiled, "She has made me so happy."
Ross noticed the change in tense.
"Makes Chandler, she makes you happy, it's not over yet."
Chandler made a small smile and looked out the window. After a few minutes of silence he turned back to Ross. "Promise me something Ross."
"Anything."
"If I don't win this fight will you tell her I love her and that I'm sorry."
"Dude everything will turn out ok, you can tell her yourself."
"Please Ross, just promise me, and also make sure the twins know that I love them, very much. It doesn't matter that they aren't ours biologically. When I first held them I knew I could never let anything happen to them or screw them over like my parents did to me. I worship them, and Monica."
Ross saw the tears forming in Chandler's eyes and knew he needed to make that promise for him.
"I promise Chandler."
"Thank you, and thank you for being there for me over the years. You took me in from day one Ross and if you hadn't I wouldn't be the person I am today or have the wonderful life I have," Chandler said, "or had." Chandler commented quietly.
Ross ignored Chandler's last comment and just walked to him and engulfed him in a massive hug.
END OF FLASHBACK
"…and then I woke up." Ross finished telling Rachel and Phoebe about his dream. "Well how about yours?" He said to the girls.
"Well Chandler and I were fighting over cheesecake…" Rachel started her story.
FLASHBACK
"We are SO bad," Chandler said, "but this cheesecake is definitely easing the guilt."
"You're guilty about what?" Rachel asked, stuffing her face with a spoon full of cheesecake, she was too busy enjoying the creamy filling rather than paying attention to Chandler.
"Okay so I gather you are too busy stuffing your face to listen to me. Maybe I should take the cheesecake away; it was me who stole it. I think I should do the right thing and return it…" Chandler reached for the cheesecake but Rachel grabbed it away before he could get to it.
"Oh no no no no. You just want it for yourself!"
"Nuh huh!"
"Yuh huh!"
"Ok, ok we know how this ended last time so how about we promise to share this time, and eat it all in one goes now so there's no temptation." Chandler suggested.
"Are you suggesting we sit here and stuff a whole cheesecake down because we aren't adult enough to share?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
"No I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page."
They both sat down at the kitchen table (in Chandler and Monica's old apartment) and started to demolish the cheesecake.
"Y'know I miss this." Rachel said in between mouthfuls.
"What? Thieving from little old ladies?"
"No," Rachel laughed, "us hanging out, like when we went to the beauty parlour."
"Aww Rach, I thought we were NEVER going to talk about that."
"Oh Chandler going to a beauty parlour does not make you gay, we've been over that."
"But that doesn't stop people thinking it though." Chandler moaned.
Rachel laughed; she then remembered the Chandler's present situation. Chandler noticed her face drop.
"Whatever happens Rach, just remember our secret cheesecake."
Rachel met Chandler's eyes and gave a small smile.
"I'd rather remember it with you than without you."
Chandler walked over to Rachel and gave her a big hug.
No more words were needed.
END OF FLASHBACK
"What cheesecake?" Ross asked confused.
"I'm afraid that's me and Chandler's little secret." She grinned.
"Chandler and I were playing with the chick and the duck…" Phoebe started describing her dream.
FLASHBACK
"I don't get it Chandler." Phoebe said, playing with the duck.
"What?"
"How can you have a chicken and a duck as pets and then eat cook their relatives right in front of them?"
Chandler looked baffled. "How do you know they are related?"
"How do you know they aren't?" Phoebe said back. "How would you like it if I decided to cook your brother, for example, right in front of you."
"I'd say you'd have the wrong person because I'm an only child." Chandler threw back.
"Ok smarty pants, what about your mum?"
"Then I'd say good luck with getting any meat of her, she's mostly plastic now."
"Chandler!" Phoebe snapped
"Sorry, sorry," Chandler laughed, "but I'm Chandler, funny is all I have." Phoebe laughed back.
"Who is going to make us laugh if you leave us Chandler?" Phoebe said seriously.
"Pheebs, you of all people know that I'd never really leave, I'd have too much fun haunting you guys."
They both laughed and hugged.
"I KNOW!" Chandler said excitedly, "ok lets play the cowboy game!"
"Yeah!" Phoebe agreed, they both ran to a barcalounger each.
"You go first." Chandler said to Phoebe.
"Ok, are you ready you yellow bellied, stink invested, maggot… DRAW!" They both pulled the barcalounger handles together.
"I win!" Phoebe said.
"No way! That was a tie, let's go again!"
And so they played, just like the good old days.
END OF FLASHBACK
Rachel and Ross were laughing at Phoebe's dream.
"I never realised how important he is to us, not until the possibility he may not be there anymore." Rachel said sadly. Ross and Phoebe nodded in agreement.
They just sat there, the three of them, absorbed by memories.
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Author Note: Hey, sorry for the delay in updating this but I've had a busy week so far, work is mad, trying to organise my new flat and trying to gently breakup with my stalker of a boyfriend. So I'm pleased I've managed to get this up - but I found that once I started writing it it just flew out of me, hope you like this. Next part will be Mon and Joey's talk.
