Joey does a favor for a friend …. As the midnight hour approaches .. Joey realizes where his heart is… A Joey fan fic….

These characters are the property of BKC and Bright San Productions….

He couldn't believe it . He was standing in the middle of the courtyard as the snow was falling. It didn't happen too much in his life but when it did , it was special. He didn't want to fall or admit he had feelings for her, because he didn't want to ruin the friendship. After all , he had fallen in love with a friend before and it was just too painful. But now he was wiser. He opened the door to Alex's apartment and then he stood still. Alex was kissing his buddy…. His pal who had sworn that marriage and commitment was dumb and that the single life of a bachelor was the only way to go.

Buddy? He had buddies. He had the best pair of buddies ever back in New York. Two guys that even if there was a girl , friendship would always win. They were like three brothers. Joey was the ladies man. Chandler was the funny man and Ross was the brain. In fact, it was a certain piece of paper that made Joey realize that Alex may be what his life was missing.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Miss Rachel Karen Green to Dr. Ross Geller.

Joey was happy for his friends, because this is what should have happened a long time ago. But as he headed toward thirty six, he realized that his two best friends in the world had everything he had secretly wanted. They both were with the women they loved and they were always now both called Daddy by their kids. Joey loved kids and wondered if he would be the perpertual uncle.

Now he was starting to have feelings for Alex, and seeing her hurt very much. The ironic thing is he was hurt seeing Alex kissing that guy. Joey was beginning to love his friends in LA, especially Zach and Howie had kind of a sweet geeky quality. Michael was his nephew , but he idolized Joey, and Joey thought more of him as a buddy than a nephew. Joey was reminded of something when he saw Alex kissing. It was a memory of a few years ago. He was kissing Rachel, everything was feeling right and he couldn't believe that his friend and roommate who he was in love with a year before was finally going to be his. There was only problem, and the main obstacle had just opened the door holding her daughter. His friend, Ross.

"I'm sorry Joey." Gina said as she rubbed her brother's shoulder. "I tried to stop you because I didn't want to see you hurt." Joey actually had tears in his eyes and walked up the stairs to his bedroom. He laid down on the bed and held his Hugsy. It didn't feel like Christmas anymore and he even picked up the card that Alex had given him with his Christmas surprise.

"Here 's Hoping for Everything You Ever Wished For." Love Alex…

There were other cards in his room. One caught his eye as he picked it up. He smiled as he saw Chandler dressed as Santa and Monica as Mrs. Claus and little Erica and Jack were wearing little reindeer ears on their heads. It said Merry Christmas from the Bings…

Joey sighed. He would love to get on a plane right now and head east and stay there until he felt better.

He picked up the picture from his stand. His friends could always make him feel better. Al the times he didn't get roles and even the times when he got roles , they were in the audience or they watched the show he was on. Other than his family, they were his biggest fans. They were his family though. His three sisters and his two brothers. He may have called Zach his closest friend in California , but to Joey there would only be one best friend who he would think of like a brother .

"Joe, Mom wanted to know if you wanted something to eat." Michael said as he came up the stairs. "I said that was a dumb question, but she was worried about you.'

Joey sighed again. "Don't feel like eating right now. Save it for about a half hour, then I 'll eat." No matter what happened Joey always had his food , nothing would change that.

He took his food out into the courtyard suddenly he saw Alex and she was alone. She had a certain lilt to her step and she seemed very happy. "Hi Joey." She smiled.

Joey wanted to tell her how she hurt him . How hard it was for him to admit he had feelings for a girl . And how once again, it kicked him in the crotch. But he didn't want Alex to know he had seen her kissing his pal. He wasn't going to be the jealous freak that he had seen his friend become so many times.

"Hi Alex, what's up. I wanted you to come to the party." He smiled at her. After all he is an actor.

"I told you I had made other plans." She insisted. "Did you get my present?" she asked almost scared to hear what he was going to say.

"Yeah I did , it was really special. Made me think of home." Joey said.

"I know how much you love New York and miss it and all of the great friends you left behind. I had an idea, you have this big beautiful new house and New Years is next week.Why don't you invite them to a real Hollywood New Year's party with gowns and tuxes and a caterer. Show them what a big man you are now." Alex suggested.

"I did want to show them my house. That sounds like a great idea and I can get my mind off." Then he stopped himself.

"Off what Joey?" Alex asked curiously.

"Off of me being homesick. New York holidays are the best." He exclaimed cheerfully.

"And me and Zach, and Howie , and Gina and Michael can help. I am really looking forward to this. This was going to be my first holiday with out Eric and I wasn't looking forward to New Years, even though Eric always had to work that night. I have heard so much about this gang of yours, that I can't wait to meet them." Smiled Alex.

"They are the best. Especially my best friend , Chandler. But they are all great ..Phoebe is a little off the wall, Monica is the best cook in the world, Rachel is so much fun , you kind of remind me of her, and Ross, well Michael reminds me a lot of him , they are both really smart and talk about things I don't understand ."

"So it's settled. We're having a party for New Years and it is going to be great." Alex kissed Joey on the cheek. Joey held it after he was sure she was out of the courtyard. How could be with her if he felt something and she no longer did.

Alex looked out the window and sighed. She tried to forget him. She tried to move on and have fun. But it was no use, he was so sweet and he was handsome and besides that she had so much fun with him. She hated herself for kissing that other guy. For now there was only one guy for Alex Garrett, and his initials were JT.