"So this is a first, fixing me up with a girl." Joey said as he and Ross walked along. Between his teeth, was a piece of wood.

"I just thought that you should meet a nice girl for a change. And she is pretty and an actress like you." Ross said as they walked into the entrance of the zoo.

"Okay college boy, if she is so damned terrific, than why aren't you going after her?" Joey asked point blank. He would never turn down a hot girl , he was just a little skeptical of a fix up."

"I told you before I am through with women, especially actresses." Ross said. The memory of Emily still hurt very much. Besides he needed to feel the pain to be able to write the songs for the musical. He was his most creative when his heart was broken. Rachel was approaching the two of them.

"Tell me again why are we meeting her in a zoo?" Joey asked confused. "Because she will know you are a sensitive and caring man rather than yourself." Ross answered. He raised up his hand and signaled her over. "Rachel ! Over here."

"Rachel Green, Joey Tribbiani." He introduced as she shyly smiled at Joey. "Joey , Rachel is the lead in "Lovers and Strangers." the show that I am scoring right now. And Joey…." Ross started.

"Oh you don't have to introduce me to this man. I scheduled my classes around Days . I am a huge fan." Rachel gushed.

Joey gave her the classic line. "How you doin?" Rachel gave him a look that basically said I can't believe you use that cheesy of a line."

Joey realized that Rachel was a special type of girl and that his usual moves wouldn't win her over. "I am sorry Rachel. Please forgive me for the lame lines. Would you like to get some coffee?' Joey said earnestly.

"That would be nice ." Rachel smiled ."Are you coming with us Ross?" she said . Ross knew they needed to be alone. "No I have to work on the first act. You two go and enjoy yourself." He stood and watched them walk away.

Early the next morning, there was a knock at Ross' apartment door. It was Joey.

"You do realize that it is six in the morning?" Ross said as he was unsure why his best friend was standing over him in bed so early.

"What kind of a crazy bitch did you set me up with? There wasn't a bar in New York she didn't want to go to. Why didn't you tell me that she was a drunk? " Joey cursed.

"She drinks?" Ross said surprised.

"It was like a scene out of Barfly. First she would yell then cry . It was embarrassing , you know I am a celebrity and I do have a reputation in this town. " he ranted. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Oh my God that's her." He yelled "Hide me." Joey opened the closet door and ran in. The incessant knocking made Ross jump out of bed and go to the door.

"I know that Joey has a reputation with being a womanizer, but he pushed the envelope for being a girl chaser tonight. He actually took me to a strip club. All of the strippers knew him." Rachel ranted.

"He didn't." exclaimed Ross.

"He did. Then he took me out in a and pushed a button and the roof opened up and he asked me if I ever did it in a limo." She said angrily. Joey popped out of the closet and screamed. "That is a lie.'

"He was here all along." Rachel screamed. "What couldn't find another conquest for the night?" "Couldn't you find a liquor store to knock off?' The both of them continued to argue and then they looked at each other and began to laugh.

"What in the hell is going on here?" screamed Ross. Rachel threw her arms around Joey. "Should we tell him love muffin?" Joey laughed "Yes cuddle bunny." They turned to Ross. "Joey and I are dating." Rachel said. "She's smart , she's funny and she is the best damn actress in the world." Joey said as he put his arm around Rachel's shoulder. "We put this whole thing together to play a joke on you." She laughed.

"And it was very funny. I am really happy for you." Ross said.

Rachel and Joey spent every waking moment together. He hung around the theatre and she stayed at his place. For the first time in his life , Joey was with one woman. He was happy and he was settled. Imagine Ross' face when Rachel came to rehearsal one day.sporting a two karat engagement ring.

"We're engaged." She smiled.