Joey had gotten a call from his agent. He had been submitted for a guest starring role on CSI. She had told him that he had to go to Los Angeles immediately. He felt bad because he had planned to spend the day with Rachel. Of course, she understood. Joey than suggested that she give Ross a call.
Ever diligent, Ross was at the piano composing. He took the pencil from his mouth to write on the staff paper. While it was in his mouth, the phone rang. "Hello." He mumbled as he answered it. Realizing it was in his mouth. He removed it. ""Hello?" he repeated.
"Hey Ross, I 'm calling from JFK , gotta fly to the coast. Just wanted to tell you that tonight might just be the night." Joey said. Ross just sighed. "I told you , I am not going to do this." "I told you I have to find out. I have been making you look good, so the way is clear. And if you don't do this, I will find someone else who can." Joey said into this cell phone. "I gotta go, I'll be back in a few days. " then he hung up.
Coincidentally the phone rang, and it was Rachel. "Ross, Joey and I were going to do something, but he had to go to LA, maybe I could come over and you can show me the new songs for the second act?" she said. Ross started to get nervous . "Of course." He smiled. "Maybe later we can grab a bite to eat?"
"Sounds good. I'll see you in a little while." Rachel said as she hung up. For some odd reason, she was really looking forward to this. Ross was such a sweet guy and they always laughed together at rehearsals. They would eat together, get coffee together, and just enjoy each others company. Of course , she had Joey.
After sitting at the piano for about an hour, Rachel got up and grabbed her coat. "What are you doing?" Ross asked. "Come on, it's a beautiful day. Let's go somewhere." She squealed. Within a few moments, the two of them were on the subway.
"I haven't done this for so long. I love Coney Island and I was just in the mood to go." She smiled. "I think we have earned a break don't you?" Ross knew he shouldn't do it, but he kept looking at the way that Rachel smiled. Right now, she reminded him of a little girl the way she went on about the amusement park. She couldn't have been any more beautiful than she was at the very moment.
Arriving at their destination, Rachel grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the entrance.
"Oh look there it is." She squealed. "I love roller coasters." They stood in front of the Cyclone. It was magnificent , the way it towered up eight five feet and it s dips and turns. It was still the white color it always was despite its age of almost sixty years. Purchasing their tickets, Ross and Rachel got in the coaster car.
"Here we go." She squealed with a smile on her face. Ross had been a little bit apprehensive as the car started to climb the first hill. Looking over he saw her face, at least she was enjoying it. The car slowly climbed the eighty five foot hill and then dropped quickly at a sixty degree angle. As the speed picked up, the car began to twist and turn and there were eleven more drops. Finally he smiled as the ride progressed , but all too soon the ride was over.
"That was fun." She smiled. Ross agreed. "Yeah we'll have to do it again. Later. Together they walked around the park and got on other rides and played games. Ross tried to win her a doll, but he claimed he had never been that athletic. Rachel threw the ball and with luck she knocked over the dolls at the Throw Game. The man in charge of the game handed her a teddy bear. Carrying her teddy bear , her and Ross walked over to the beach and looked at the blue ocean.
"You know this is the most fun that I have had since I got to New York. Joey just wants to go to clubs and fancy restaurants, and sometimes I think that just isn't me. " Rachel said.
"Well it is this crazy business that we are all in. You know go somewhere to be seen, make deals, it's all part of show business." Ross replied.
"I am a private person and sometimes I just want to sit at home and rent movies." " she confided to him.
"I feel the same way sometimes , or while I watch a movie I like to do crossword puzzles. " Ross felt comfortable around Rachel right now. Maybe just a little too comfortable. He slowly started to put his arm around her as they walked along. Then he remembered his friend , Joey and removed it. Rachel wondered why he had done this. All of it felt so comfortable . Before Joey left, it was as if he was doing a commercial of how considerate Ross was , how much fun he was, what a great guy he was. Rachel thought back on her conversation with him.
"It is just a shame about Ross , he is such a great guy and any girl would be lucky to have him."
Was Joey getting tired of her? Or was it just the fact that he was not the type of man who had ever settled down? Rachel kept looking at him and wondering what was hidden deep in those pools of brown. Why had this woman hurt this man so when all he wanted to do was love her? His pain was reflected in the music he wrote, and though it was beautiful , it was also tragic.
"I'm hungry , let's get a hot dog." Said Rachel as they walked toward Nathan's Famous. "Two please. " Ross paid the girl and the two of them walked over and sat down. "Wow big spender ." she laughed. He blushed. "That's okay. You can't go to Coney Island without getting a Nathan's hot dog.." she said as she munched on the bun and even got a little mustard on her chin.
"Oh let me." Ross said as he took a napkin and wiped her chin. He looked at her for one brief moment and then his lips had a mind of their own. They softly brushed hers and instead of backing away, hers reciprocated.Now it wasn't just their mouths, but their tongues engaged as she closed her eyes and just enjoyed the kiss.
"You know what? I need a drink." Rachel said as she bolted from him and ran toward the subway platform. Ross could have kicked himself for what he did. But it was happening, he was finally over Emily. He was falling in love again. Why did it have to be to his best friend's fiancée?.But he could also see that Rachel and Joey didn't belong together. When they got back to Manhattan, they went into a bar and he ordered a beer and she ordered a cosmopolitan. She also ordered a few shots to take the tension off of the two of them. When Ross tossed back his shot, he couldn't believe his eyes. There was Emily.
"Hello Ross." She coolly said. She moved her long fingers down his back and it was obvious she was drunk. He couldn't believe he was actually looking at the woman he proclaimed his love to and also the woman who broke his heart. Rachel could see who it was and then she put the biggest kiss on Ross' lips right in front of the vicious British bitch.
"Rossie, honey, who is this?" she cooed sweetly. "Why this is Emily, the girl I told you about honey." He was more than happy to play alone with this little game.
Rachel put her hand out. "Hi I 'm Rachel . Ross fiancée. See . " Rachel put her hand out and showed Joey's ring , pretending it was Ross' "It was kind of sudden, but you know once the test is positive , you don't have much time for plans." She held her stomach to pretend she was pregnant.
"You mean you had to get married?" Emily asked with shock. Rachel looked at her and then smiled. "Well Em, I don't have to tell you what a stud Ross is in bed." Emily was shocked and surprisingly took a second look at her ex. "It was good to see you again." She said as she slowly backed away.
"Thanks so much for doing that." Ross said as he hugged her. "Did you see the look on her face?" he laughed. "She couldn't get away from me fast enough."
"I can't believe you ever feel for a woman like that. You are much better than her." Once again Rachel started to look into his eyes. "Would you like to dance?" she asked him. "That would be great ." he smiled. The two of them began to sway to the music and once again , Ross felt feelings he shouldn't have. He knew what he had to do.
"I had a great time today Ross." She said as he walked her back to her and Joey's place. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, then she turned away. Ross' cell began to ring. The voice was very familiar . "Hello Ross, it's Emsy, " Emsy was a pet name he had for her when they were living in London. "I need to see you. I am staying at the Waldorf , Room 1220." Her voice sounded ominous. He looked up at Rachel's window and then ran back to his own apartment.
Putting on his Van Morrison cd, he took a shower and then changed. He threw on a clean blue shirt and a pair of khakis. He sprayed himself with the last of the cologne that Emily bought him at Harrod's . Hopping in a cab, he was sure he was doing the right thing. When he got to the hotel, Emily was wearing a black negligee and smiling. "I knew I hadn't lost you." She said as she ushered him in the door. She threw her arms around him and then started to kiss him. "I missed you my big strong Yank. I missed you too , Emsy." He said as his lips were mashed against hers. Emily went into the bedroom to get something she said. When Ross turned around, a figment of his imagination was sitting in the chair. The figment was Rachel.
" Ross , remember how this woman treated you. I am the one that you love . " she said as she was perched in the chair. Ross face was filled with questions . Why was this happening to him? Then in the chair next to her was Joey, "No No Pal, this isn't going to work. You go back to the Queen Mary over there , cause Rachel is mine." Ross had a feeling that Joey wasn't going to honor his own promise. He knew he had a chance and he had to talk to Joey.
"Emily, it's over and it has been over. " he said as he put his shirt back on and headed out the door. Emily sat on the bed and picked up the phone. "Hello is Jean Claude there?" she shrugged her shoulders and poured herself a drink. She could always find a man.
Ross dialed the number in LA and waited for Joey to answer. "Hey Bud, what 's up?" Joey said. Ross shook his head . "I can't do this man, I can't , I am falling in love with your fiancée." Joey stood up. "You slept with her didn''t you?" he said with anger. "No I can't do that to you." He cried. At that moment, Ross heard a female voice coming from the shower. "Who is that?" Ross asked , knowing the answer that he would get."It's it's the maid." Joey lied. "Hey lover that was great, let's get some sushi." Joey put his hand over the mouthpiece ,"Will you shut the fuck up, I am on the phone." He said to the blonde in the shower. Ross had it, "You know what man, you are an asshole." Then he slammed down the phone. He knew what he had to do. Joey would expose himself, but he had to tell Rachel how he felt.