Strangers

Part 3

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! I am really liking this story so far! Well, this will be the final installment of Strangers, although if I get good reviews I will add an epilogue later on. Nothing much to say right now, so just read and review for me!

Summary: When Miranda suggests that she can donate one of her kidney's to Monica, everyone's hope soars through the roof, especially Chandler's. As they all finish visiting with Monica before she is whisked off to surgery, Monica meets Miranda for a brief couple of minutes. But what everyone doesn't know, is that that would be the last time they see one of them. Whether it's Monica or Miranda, nobody knows.

"Chandler, your wife and I have the same blood type!" He didn't seem to comprehend. She made a frustrated noise before walking over to him. "I can donate one of my kidney's to her!"

Chandler could have sworn his heart literally stopped. His hope soared, and the only thing he felt he could do, was stand up, and wrap his arms around Miranda. He hugged her tightly, and tried desperately to hold back his tears. Just as he finally let go, there was a knock at the door. Miranda smiled at him, before gesturing towards the door.

Chandler carried his jello-like legs over to the door, and opened it, revealing an extremely worried Ross.

"Is… is she awake yet? Everyone wants to see her…"

"No, she is still sleeping, but I have the best news… Here, why don't you all come in…" He opened the door wider, and let the gang in. One by one they looked over at Miranda, and being the courteous young lady that she was, she stepped back into the bathroom to give them privacy.

"Hey Chandler, who is that girl?" Joey asked curiously. Everyone had managed to find a seat around Monica's bed, and were all gazing upon her sleeping form as if she were already dead.

"That, my friend, is a miracle…" Chandler said, his voice ripe with emotion. "Her name is Miranda, and she just told me that she is willing to give up one of her kidney's to save Monica's life." Everyone gasped, and Rachel began crying softly. Ross simply hugged her, and she soon stopped.

"You're… you're kidding! That's… oh my god… She willingly said that? How can you be sure they are the same blood type?" Rachel exclaimed.

"Well, she was put her because her mom beat her, and I guess they had to draw her blood for some reason or another, because she knew it. I still can't believe this is really happening!" Chandler grinned, and gazed down upon Monica.

"When are you going to tell the doctor?" Phoebe asked.

"Well, I want her to wake up and know what's going on first. I would rather her hear it from us first." Chandler replied. Joey sighed, and rubbed his forehead.

As if on cue, Monica began to stir, and jumped slightly when she saw Phoebe, Joey, Ross, Rachel and Chandler huddled around her. "Guys? What happened?" she moaned.

"You were in a car accident. The doctors have stitched you up, and you needed a minor surgery on your ankle. You have a concussion, and a fractured wrist." Ross stated. Monica groaned, and started crying.

"I am so sorry, Chandler… I didn't get your birthday cake… I just HAD to crash on your birthday! I've ruined everything!"

"Monica, come on! This is NOT you're fault. You were smashed by two cars. You had nothing to do with it. As for my cake, I could care less. I am worried about you, that's all. Let's just pretend today isn't my birthday, okay? We will celebrate it when you're better…" Monica seemed to consider this, then careful not to reopen her cuts, she wiped away her tears.

"Also, Monica… there's something else…" Rachel said slowly. She gave Chandler a stern look, before looking back at Monica. Chandler sighed.

"Monica… when you were in the accident, somehow, something in the car punctured your left kidney… They… The doctors did everything they could, but seeing as though you only had one kidney to begin with, this didn't leave them many options…" Chandler was struggling with his words, and the more words he said, the more terrified she became.

"I don't like the way this is going, Chandler…" she rasped, her eyes as big as goldballs.

"I'm sorry, baby, but they said if they didn't find you a match in time, then you would… you would…"

"I get it… well, did they find a match? God, Chandler please say they did!"

"They didn't, but I did. Joey, go find the doctor and explain the situation, Phoebe, can you go get Miranda?" They both nodded and headed off.

"Monica, there is someone I would like you to meet. Her name is Miranda. She has offered to give you one of her kidney's, because you have the same blood type." Monica gasped when she saw her coming out of the bathroom. Before Phoebe brought her over, the two started a quick discussion right outside the bathroom door.

"Chandler! I've… I've seen her before! In a dream, once! I know that sounds ridiculous, but I have! She was our daughter, like, 15 years from now! I swear! I had that dream a week ago, do you remember be telling you?" Monica was breathless, and Chandler only looked confused.

"Honey, I remember you telling me about it, but that can't be the girl from your dream. Our dream daughter was made up. You can't make up a dream person, and meet them later on!"

"Yes, you can! And I did!" Ross, Rachel and Chandler all shared looks before greeting Miranda as she joined them.

"Monica, I'm Miranda. It's really great to meet you." She smiled her 1,000 kilowatt smile.

"Miranda, that's a beautiful name… It's so great to finally meet you, too. I mean, not finally meet you, but… you know what I mean. I… You really don't realize how much this means to me. I really, really appreciate it. After all, it's not everyday you give someone one of your kidney's, ya know?" Miranda giggled.

"Well, let's just say I know how much you mean to all these people, especially your husband." She gave him an understanding look. "I have always loved helping people… I feel some sort of connection to you and Chandler, I just… I don't know. If there is something I can do to save you, I feel as if I have to. If I don't, I would have lived my life selfishly, almost." Phoebe, Ross and Rachel's jaws dropped. They had never heard a 14 year old speak as maturely as Miranda had. Chandler, on the other hand, knew very well this was no ordinary 14 year old.

"Its not that I am ungrateful or anything, because I am so thankful to have you right now, it's just… why would you do something like this for a total stranger?" Miranda sat in thought for a moment, before she smiled sadly at Monica.

"Because, that is what this world needs. If people like me were to do such drastic things for other people, I really think it would be a better place. And as cliché as this sounds, there's a first time for everything. I haven't been given too much love in my life, so I might as well share what I have." A single tear fell from both Monica's and Miranda's eyes as she said this. When Dr. Barnette and Joey came into the room, both women wiped their cheeks.

"Okay, I assume you have been briefed about the situation, Mrs. Bing?" Dr. Barnette asked. The five friends plus Miranda stood up, and back away slowly to give the doctor some room.

"Yes, I have. And I want you to take very good care of that girl, okay?"

Dr. Barnette smiled. "Of course we will. Now, if you will excuse us, we need to prep you both for surgery. The gang nodded, and said their farewells to both Monica and Miranda as they were whisked out the door. Chandler smiled. Maybe today won't be so bad after all…he thought.

5 HOURS LATER

Rachel was asleep on Ross's shoulder, and Ross was asleep on Rachel's head. Phoebe was curled up, asleep in one of the chairs, and Joey was in the cafeteria getting coffee. They were, once again, the only ones in the waiting room. Chandler, on the other hand, was pacing back in forth so quickly, it was like watching a tennis match. The air in the room was tense, and had been like that all five hours they were in surgery.

Why the hell are they taking so long? They should have been done by now! Chandler wondered. If anything happens to them…

"Chandler? I got you some coffee. It's not that good, but it should do," Joey said. He briskly walked over to Chandler, handed him the coffee, and began pacing himself.

After a few minutes of pacing together, each one getting more annoyed by the second, Chandler lost it.

"God damn it, Joey! I can't take this! I just can't! I know this surgery was supposed to go okay, but I feel worse than I did before! Something is terribly wrong, Joe… I just don't know what it is yet…" He stopped pacing, and sat down a few chairs away from Phoebe. With a distraught look on his face, Joey followed him.

"Look, I don't know anything about surgery and stuff, but the doc said it himself this should be a successful surgery. It's just cold feet, nerves, whatever the hell you wanna call 'em. Okay? Why don't you try and get some rest or somethin'?"

"I can't, Joey… That's my sweetheart in there… I want to be alert if anything happens… I want to be the first to know." Joey nodded, showing he understood, and sat down by Phoebe, leaning his head against hers. Chandler looked up to the ceiling, and he felt it. Something was horribly wrong.

1 HOUR LATER

"Mr. Bing?" Dr. Barnette called. Half asleep, Chandler bolted up from his chair and practically ran to the doctor.

"What is it? Is she okay? Did the surgery go alright?" he was trembling. The others were still sleeping, and Chandler wanted to keep it that way until he knew what was going on.

"Well…"

"God, damn it! IS SHE OKAY!" Dr. Barnette sighed. He just didn't know how to tell him. Chandler closed his eyes for a brief moment, and all he could see was Monica's angelic face.

A/N: Okay, cliffhanger alert! The next chapter, if there is one, will be the epilogue. The only thing I can tell you to look forward to, without giving anything away, would be this:

1. Phoebe and Joey are married, Ross and Rachel are married, too, and have a little boy on the way. Just to let you know, I don't think I mentioned this, but this whole time Emma was at Ross's mom's house visiting. I won't say what happened to anyone else, just read and review!