After a week in Aruba, Carol had settled into married life. Unfortunately that meant a husband that was either at work or the library working hard on his masters. It got to be that the only time she would see Ross was in bed at night. There was only one thing on his mind, to start a family. Sex was enjoyable and one night they managed to thrill each other five times. That night would forever be known as the "Night of Five Times."

There was just one thing that bothered Carol. In conversation at Monica's , there was a certain name that would come up in conversation , Rachel Green. Now Carol had met Rachel when they first started to date. She was pretty and had that cheerleader/sorority girl look to her. Carol never claimed to have that look and sort of looked down on the Greeks at NYU. But what struck Carol , was how uncomfortable Ross was when her name was mentioned. Why did this girl threaten him and what was the reason he could never discuss her with Carol?

One afternoon at Monica's , she decided to find out. Monica was being the ever charming hostess and serving ice tea and a new cookie recipe.

"So how are they?" chattered Monica.

"Delicious." said Carol as she chewed them. "Monica, you and are sisters right?

"Yep and it is so cool to have a sister in law. We can do stuff and talk and things." Monica smiled.

"So then can you tell me something? Tell about your friend Rachel." she asked.

Monica didn't know how to answer that. Rachel, one day by accident she found Ross talking to his roommate about Rachel and how he wanted to ask her out. Monica laughed at that. Rachel was the most popular girl at Lincoln High and Ross was well , Ross. Finally it began to dawn on her. Why did it always seem like he was around the corner when Rachel came over? He was always so nice to her and talked to her during dinners. He liked her.

"Well Rachel and I have known each other since we were about six. She is, well was , my best friend in the world. We kind of lost touch after we graduated. I went to school and she went to school and then she joined a sorority. Then we both kind of went our own ways. My mother tells me she has been dating an orthodontist." Monica said.

"So then she is with someone." Carol said relieved. "Mon, I thought she was one of his ex girlfriends and he still had a thing for her."

Monica started to giggle. "Rachel and my brother? That is really funny. Carol, she was a cheerleader and he had his dinosaurs. I don't think the two ran in the same circles. Plus there was this friend of his , Will Colbert and our foreign exchange student from Thailand. They would come over to our house and meet in secret with the door closed."

Carol was curious. "What did they do?"

"Who knows. What is this about Rachel? " Monica said as she moved closer to her sister in law.

"I just noticed that whenever you guys talk about her , he gets a funny look on his face. Kind of a goofy one. The kind guys get when they think about someone they love." Carol said.

"As far as I know, you were his first girlfriend. He really wasn't that confident around girls. He would have much rather had his nose in a book, then look at girls. " Monica giggled again. "Although one day in his room, I did notice a lot of Playboys hidden in the back of the closet. I was looking for something and found them by accident."

"His first. Wow. I knew he had never." Carol started to say.

"Never what?" Monica was now curious.

"I was the first girl he had ever made love to." Carol said sweetly.

Monica had a look on her face. "Too much information." she exclaimed.

Carol was embarrassed, "Sorry, but I was an only child and I didn't really have that many people to talk to when I was growing up. I just think it is great that now I do and sometimes I may get a little too chatty.

"No problem."

"We're trying." she said sipping her tea.

"Trying what?" Monica said.

"To have a baby. I know that is what Ross wants so much, to be able to start a family.'" Carol said smiling.

"Well that is how we were both brought up. When we grew up , we would get married and then have kids and live in a house in the suburbs. Ross is the lucky one, he found someone to do it with first. I don't know if I will ever find that special person." Monica said as her head dropped.

"You will , Monica , you will. You are so sweet and funny. There is a guy out there who is going to love you and have kids with you. It will happen." Carol said as she put her arm around Monica's shoulder. Monica smiled at her. It was so great that she could find someone to replace the closeness that her and Rachel once shared.

"Hey Mon, Hey Carol." said Phoebe as she entered the door. "Cookies." she exclaimed.

"Over the sink." corrected Monica. "Crumbies, remember." Phoebe lowered her head as she was chastised like a young kid. "She kind of made a mess last week. I can trust you." she smiled at Carol.

Phoebe looked over at Monica. She knew this wasn't working out. Monica was a great person. She just had too many hang-ups. Phoebe was a free spirit and wasn't used to so many rules. Recently she found out her grandmother was also living in the city and her visits to her were becoming more frequent.

Phoebe walked over to Carol and put her hand on her stomach. "Nope ,.not yet." she said. Carol eyed her as she did it. Phoebe was definitely one of a kind.

So Mrs. Geller , how's married life?" she asked as she cupped her hand under the cookie so she wouldn't drop crumbs.

"It is so great Phoebe. There isn't a better feeling in the world then sharing your life with someone. We talk , we watch shows on tv, and we have such a connection." Carol thought in the back of her mind. "If he was ever home."

Carol carried the bag of cookies with her as she walked through the living room. Monica had sent some home with her for Ross when he finally did get home. It was dark and somehow the apartment was even more dismal when she was alone. She walked to the couch and picked up their wedding picture.

If marriage was supposed to be the ultimate goal, then why was she so unhappy yet? Was this the way it was going to be the rest of her life? She would work at her teaching job, come home to take care of a screaming baby , and then be expected to keep this picture perfect showplace of a house.

The clock ticked and he still wasn't home. Well the NYU library didn't close until 11. His paper on Mesozoic Species was due by Friday. Carol went to the bedroom and picked up a book to read. Tired from all her thinking, she finally laid down and went to sleep.

He slowly opened the door, well aware of the time. Ross took off his book bag and laid it quietly on the table. Walking to the bedroom , he noticed the light was still on. He stared at her and then smiled. Tonight he would just slip into bed and then go to sleep.

Finally settled in, he put his long arms around her body. Usually he would hug her until she fell asleep. The minute that she would dose off, he would give her one more hug and then roll her away from him. He was a man who needed his space when he slept. For some reason tonight, he just wanted to be near her.