Disclaimer: I don't own Friends.

A/N: Wow. I'm just in shock by all these reviews. I thank you all, especially those of you who have specified what you've enjoyed. It helps me see what you all like, so I can attempt to write stuff you'll all want to read.

Oh, and, I'm glad my cliffhanger/dragging-the-relationship-out for Ross and Rachel is working just how I wanted. I'm evil, no?

XXX

Rachel stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror hanging on the inside of her bedroom door. Her reflection stared back.

She'd been standing in front of the mirror for forty-five minutes, modeling the outfit she'd put on that she was planning to wear to the Geller's party this evening. It was a simple sky-blue dress that hung by thin straps on her shoulders, and went down to the top of her knees. It was perfect for the occasion.

However, Rachel was preoccupied with more than just wondering if the dress was perfect for the occasion. She was still caught up in what had almost transpired between she and Ross the day before in his apartment.

She was scared. Rachel knew she'd probably never say those words out loud, but she was petrified by her feelings, and the fact that she was almost positive Ross felt the same for her. Sure, she'd told Monica she wasn't worried or anything, but in truth, she was frightened beyond comprehension.

Rachel turned slightly, and the dress followed, though it swished out a little at the bottom.

Her birthday was only a few days away. She wasn't even twenty-one yet. And though that seemed like something others would find trivial, to Rachel it was one of the biggest factors into her scared state.

She'd always had a commitment phobia. Ever since she'd cottoned on to the fact that Chip was cheating on her, and her parents weren't happy, and that the divorce rate seemed pretty high, she'd felt better if she distanced herself from any guys she dated. Rachel had decided, upon entering college, that she would follow this pattern until she found the guy she knew was going to be it.

And there was the largest reason for her anxiety. It was becoming glaringly clear that Ross had a lot of potential to be… it. And she wasn't even out of college!

"Rachel, dear, are you coming?" Sandra called from the hallway, snapping her daughter out of her daze.

"Oh, uh, yes!" Rachel responded, giving herself a final once-over in the mirror, finding the woman looking back much more composed than she'd thought she looked just moments before. Her eyes betrayed her, however.

She grabbed her purse from off the bed and joined her mother in the hallway. Sandra shot her daughter a smile.

"I love that color on you, honey, it really brings out your eyes." Sandra nodded. "Who knows? Maybe a nice young man will take notice at the party." She winked.

Rachel's smile faltered, and her thoughts immediately flew back to Ross. "Yeah. Maybe they will," she agreed slowly.

It was going to be a long evening.

XXX

Monica smiled at the guests milling around her parent's yard as she made her way through the crowd. Chandler was just a step behind her, and both paused when they found Ross by the drinks.

"Still not here?" Chandler questioned carefully as Ross looked sadly into his plastic cup.

"No," Ross replied miserably.

Monica gave her brother a half-smile. "She's coming, don't worry."

"Ah, Sandra! Rachel! So good you could come!" Judy gushed at her place by the driveway, making the three young adults turn and watch. Ross' heart seemed to stop beating for a second when he caught sight of Rachel.

"Wow, she looks really good," Chandler commented.

Monica slapped him on the arm, hard. "You're taken, buddy."

"I was just saying!" Chandler called as his girlfriend retreated and he followed.

Rachel glanced over towards the drinks and her eyes locked with Ross'. The intense look gave her even more butterflies in her stomach.

She took only one step towards him before she was intercepted by a neighbor who asked her so many questions that by the time she got away, Ross was gone.

Ironically, it took them another two hours to even greet each other. It was nearly dark by then; the tiki-torches stuck in the grass were lit, the colorful lanterns were glowing, and music was blaring from a table by the driveway, which was being used as a dance floor.

"Uh, hey there," Ross started, leaning against the garage beside Rachel, who was watching the festivities with unseeing eyes.

She started suddenly, turning her head to look at him for just a moment, before looking down. "Hey, Ross."

"Quite a turnout, huh?" he asked, watching his father twirl his mother.

"Yeah, you guys sure do know how to throw a party," Rachel said.

"So… we haven't really seen each other yet, before now," Ross stated. His palms were sweating, which was making it difficult for him to hold his plastic cup.

Rachel nodded, still not meeting his eyes. "There are a lot of people here," she pointed out. She was finding it harder to breathe normally as each minute ticked by. Being this close to Ross, now that she really understood her feelings…

"How's the museum?" she finally queried, keeping the conversation neutral.

"Oh, uh, good," Ross informed her, finally deciding to set his drink down on the ground. "Still kind of learning the ropes, but it's a, uh, job, and I'm doing something I love, so… uh, it's fine."

"Good," Rachel replied honestly, lifting her eyes to study Ross' face.

The silence between them became heavy with tension very quickly.

"Listen, Rach," Ross began, turning to face her, so now they were both examining the other. "Yesterday… I didn't mean to bait you."

Rachel took a deep breath, attempting to calm her nerves. "I… I didn't have a right to ask," she said quietly, then added, almost as an afterthought, "did I?"

Ross took his time before replying. He knew this was it. He just had a feeling that this was it; no interruptions, no storming out, nothing to get in the way. "You've always had the right to ask, Rach," he said in a voice that sounded more like it belonged to a teenager than a twenty-two-year-old.

"Really?" Rachel questioned, almost disbelieving, her voice also hushed. "But I was acting so… jealous." Only after the words were out of her mouth did the full effect of them hit her.

Ross went un-phased. "I know."

"I'm not sure what to say." Rachel had moved her eyes to the ground, but brought them back up, locking gazes with Ross.

He found that the light from one of the nearby torches was giving the illusion that her blue eyes were glowing, and Ross had to admit to himself that he'd never thought they were more beautiful.

"Your dress… really brings out your eyes," he stated, almost in a daze.

Before either could even stop to say anything else or think or even breathe, Ross took the boldest step he ever had.

He kissed her for all it was worth.

XXX