End of an Era

AN: Part 3 below…

Disclaimer: I don't owe the Friends etc etc etc…

Thanks to all the reviews…

SFGrl: Thank YOU for letting me continue your idea, I'm glad I've done you proud.

SpaceMonkey69: Glad I make you go eiik! Here's more Chan-angst for ya, now get back to Smoke & Mirrors like a gud gal 

Bingaling3: Your waiting is over, so please let MY waiting be over and post chapter 14 of I've Been Better 

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As Joey walked into Chandler's hospital room he gasped, his friends had warned him but he didn't imagine it could be this bad.

He looked dead – that thought struck him like a punch to the chest; it actually knocked the breath out of him. His hand flew to his chest; he slowly shuffled forward until he was next to Chandler's bed. He was so still, his skin was very pale, and there were dark purple bruises covering the majority of his face and neck. Joey knew that there were more hidden under the hospital gown and sheets.

He sighed and took Chandler's hand, when the doctor said that only one of them can go in at a time, Joey insisted that he was going in first. In Joey's mind HE was responsible for this; HE should have been there to protect his best friend.

But Joey was selfish.

He wanted to move, Chandler had taken care of him for years and this is how he repays him? By abandoning him? By letting some thugs beat Chandler up? He SHOULD have been there!

Joey became overwhelmed. He started to cry, breaking down under the weight of the guilt.

She stood there, peeking through the crack in the door, not knowing what to do, she, of all people, should know what to do. She watched him break down, he blames himself, and she knew he did.

If only he knew.

If only he knew that it was HER fault. She should have checked on Chandler the night before, SHE abandoned him, not Joey.

She pushed the door open and slowly walked up to him. She wrapped her arms around him, comforting him.

"It's not your fault Joey." She whispered.

He turned around and looked in her tear-filled eyes – she thinks this is her fault.

"Monica…" Joey tried to protest.

"No." Monica stopped him. "You weren't even there Joey!"

"Exactly!" Joey said getting angry and raising his voice. He paused and took a deep breath. "Look Monica, if I hadn't moved out then this would never have happened!"

"Joey.."

"No Monica, I just…." Joey paused and sighed. "I need to go."

He looked down at Chandler; he gave his hand a squeeze, turned around and walked out of the room.

The tears that had formed in Monica's eyes finally started to fall. She sat down on the chair next to Chandler's bed and slowly ran her hand through his hair.

"Oh sweetie, how could this have happened to you?"

Her question lingered in the air, awaiting an answer that was not to come. Her other hand took Chandler's hand; she laced her fingers through his.

"I'm not letting you go!" She said confidently, "I know you can hear me Chandler, I can't loose you, you're my best friend."

She rested her head on his chest.

"Y'know it was hard for me moving to the city, I didn't have any friends, I had trouble finding a job, and the only people I knew were you and Ross. Ross had Carol so I didn't see him that much, so you were pretty much the only person I knew in New York. I guess at first you were kinda forced to hang out with me, y'know for Ross, but who was I to complain." She started to cry, "you listened to me, and you helped me survive in the city." She laughed suddenly. "You kept me laughing!" She paused. "You keep me sane Chandler. I know I don't say it enough and I know that when Rachel moved in I confided in her a lot as well but Chandler, you stopped me from falling."

She lifted her head and stared at his face.

"And I'm so sorry I wasn't there to catch you when you fell, I wasn't there to protect you." Monica's voice was shaking. "Please come back to me Chandler, to us, and I promise to do….." Monica didn't know what to say. "I promise to do anything, anything to bring you back."

She touched his face. "I want to see your beautiful blue eyes Chandler." She hung her head, she sat the defeated. A few minutes passed when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head and saw her brother standing behind her.

Ross helpless stood by as Monica sprung out her seat and ran out of the room crying. He turned to Chandler and shook his head.

"How did we not hear anything?" Ross mused sadly. "Man, I can't begin to express how sorry I am. Monica wanted to check on you but I thought you would want a bit of space." He paused. "I spoke to your doctor; he says that you need to fight Chandler, only you can bring yourself back."

He turned and went to leave the room; he couldn't stand to look at his best friend like this; all battered and bruised, and on the brink of death. He was about to walk out the door when he heard a faint groan, his head whipped around quickly, he strained his ears as he slowly walked back towards Chandler.

Everything hurt, he wanted to scream but he couldn't find his voice, all he could do was part his lips slightly and let out a pathetic faint groan. He managed to open his eyes in slits but everything was blurred. Where was he?

Ross saw Chandler moving and yelped, he moved closer to Chandler.

"Chandler can you hear me?"

TO BE CONTINUED…

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AN: I'm evil I know but I actually want to do more with this story now and I don't want to rush it so while I'm contemplating the next part you guys can review this bit 

Oh and FYI the more reviews I get then the quicker I'll write the next part. I'm just a bit fic-ed out today.