Author's Note: Lauren, take it wherever you want to. The ball's in your court.

Lauren's Note: Now there's a ball?

Author's Note: Ball's flying all over the place.

888

Rachel felt the water wash over her, and was pretty sure that she could just stay here forever. The shower was too comfortable, and hot, and she knew that the minute it was over she would remember and be brought back down to reality. Back to the reality that Ross and Rachel would never be Ross and Rachel again. That devastated her.

Eventually, she gave in, and exited the warm waterfall. She turned off the faucet and slid a towel around her. She left the bathroom and went to her bedroom. She slipped into a baggy sweater and some shorts and went out into the living room.

Turning on the television, she began to scan the channels. Damn it! Nothing was on! Oh, life hated her… Before she knew it, her eyes began to pull down… 'No,' she told herself, 'I will not go to sleep… I will not…', and suddenly everything went black.

"Monica! Monica!" An angry voice entered the apartment and slammed the door behind them. Rachel sat up instantly.

"I did not fall to sleep. I didn't fall asleep. I was no not sleeping…" For some reason, Rachel's tongue didn't seem to be agreeing with her. "Chandler?" She squinted her eyes and looked at her fuming friend.

"Monica!" He ignored Rachel and went into Monica's bedroom.

"She's not here…" Rachel sighed, and Chandler stormed back out.

"Well, where the hell is she?"

"I don't know…" Rachel shrugged and yawned.

"Well…" Chandler struggled for the right words. "You should."

"Good comeback, Chandler." She stood up and went into the kitchen. She opened their fridge and began scanning for something to drink. She settled on a can of diet soda, and sat down at the table. "Why so anxious, hon?" she asked, and Chandler shrugged.

"Nothing…" He looked down at the floor.

"Really? Nothing?"

"Yes. Nothing." He looked at her. He was lying so much that it was painfully obvious.

"Why don't you tell me what's going on?" she suggested. Chandler sat across from her, and seemed hesitant to start.

"Why don't you tell me what happened with you and Ross," Chandler retorted smugly. Rachel raised her eyebrows.

"Touché," Rachel laughed. Chandler sighed.

"Do you think I'm boyfriend material?"

"What?"

"Would you ever date me? If I wasn't Chandler, the goofy guy that you always make fun of?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Come on." Chandler picked a grape from the centerpiece on Monica's table. "You always start stuff…"

"I start stuff?"

"Well, not you, per se, but like everyone as a whole. It really sucks."

"I'm sorry," Rachel said. Chandler shook his head.

"Don't be. I've got other things on my mind. I just realized that I'm not good enough to date any girl that's actually worth it."

"Honey, don't say that."

"Why not? It's true. It's like I'm one big giant walking idiot with the word 'loser' tattooed across my forehead. And let me tell you, it's really not good for my sex life."

Rachel laughed, but stopped short as soon as she noticed Chandler frowning at her. "Don't laugh – I actually have the tattoo. Why does everyone have to laugh when I'm being serious?"

"Hey, don't get all defensive on me," Rachel told him. "I'm just the innocent victim in all this. I thought this was between you and Monica."

"Monica?" Chandler laughed nervously. "This has nothing to do with Monica, ok? I don't care about Monica's opinion. Monica can just… go to hell." He tried to sound careless. It didn't work.

"Sweetie, Monica didn't mean to offend you, I'm sure."

"I know that." Chandler placed his head in his hands. "She just told me what I knew all along. I'm useless. I'm sad and pathetic and miserable."

"Honey…" Rachel left her seat and went around the coffee table to place a comforting arm around Chandler. "Monica was stupid. Of course you're boyfriend material!"

"Really?" He looked at her hopefully.

"Yes. Really. You're way smarter than I'll ever be. And funny, and sexy, and an all around good guy. I would so be lucky to end up with a guy like you. Plus," Rachel added loudly as an after-thought, and Chandler jumped.

"What?"

"You've got magnificent fashion sense."

"Really?" Chandler looked down at his shirt.

"Totally…" Rachel nodded.

"Thanks, Rach." Chandler stood up and wrapped Rachel into a full-fledged hug. "You're so sweet. You know just when to lie…"

"Lie?" Rachel pushed him off. "I wasn't lying."

"It's ok. It made me feel better."

"But sweetie, I meant everything I said. You're a really great guy."

"O-ok." Chandler scoffed. Rachel slapped him on the arm. "Ouch!"

"Stop doing that. Taking everything I say and asking for more pity. You don't need pity. You're a great catch…"

"No, I'm not. I'm just Chandler. I'm just an-" What Chandler was never got said, for in that instant, Rachel kissed him. Rachel kissed him for several reasons. The main one being so that he would shut up and realize that he was a good guy. The second was because she wanted him to feel better about the Monica thing. There were more, but the instant she kissed his lips, all those thoughts seeped away. She was incapable of humane thoughts, and realized something with horror. She liked the kiss.

Chandler pushed her off a few minutes later, and looked down into her green eyes. "Please don't think I'm the kinda guy that doesn't like beautiful women throwing themselves at me or anything, but what the hell are you doing?"

"I don't know." Rachel squeaked.

"You're Rachel. Ross's Rachel. Ever since I've known him he's had, like, a claim on you."

"Uh-uh." Rachel said. Her head was buzzing. She felt like she was wasted. "I think," she managed to mutter. "I needa sit down."

Chandler grabbed her arm, and sat her down in the chair he had vacated earlier. "So…" Chandler smiled nervously, and sat down eye-level from her.

"So…" Rachel replied.

"That was weird." Stated Chandler. Rachel nodded dumbly.

"Really, really, weird." She sighed, and then began to rub her head. "I don't know why I did that. I mean, I'm still in love with Ross…" She sighed.

"I think I have feelings for Monica." Chandler sighed as well, and the two friends looked at each other awkwardly.

"We have to keep this a secret, you know." Chandler said, and then stood up from his kneeling position. Rachel nodded dumbly. Chandler continued; "Imagine Ross's response if he knew I liked his Monica and kissed his Rachel."

"I'm sorry." Rachel stood. "I shouldn't have done that, but you kept saying those ridiculous things-"

"It ok, Rach. I understand." Chandler nodded. "We're cool."

"Are we?" Asked Rachel.

"What does that mean?" Asked Chandler.

"We kissed, Chandler."

"I know that Rachel, I was there." Chandler replied, obviously annoyed. "But there's nothing we can do about it. We can't go back in time and erase it."

"You slipped me your tongue."

"I repeat: beautiful woman threw herself at me."

"What about Ross? What about Monica?"

"We don't tell them." He shrugged.

"I can't do that! Every time I see you, I'll think…"

"What?"

"I want to kiss you again." Rachel whispered. Chandler looked shocked, and then said just as quietly as she did;

"I want to kiss you again, too, Rach, but…" Chandler paused, looking for words, gave up, and left the apartment.

Rachel threw herself down on the sofa and broke into tears. Everything she knew, she didn't really know anymore.

TBC

(Like the drama, Lauren? Something's not right… I know it. Please fix and add whatever you want to. This can be both of ours…)