The warm water pulsated over her naked body. She ran her manicured fingers over the wet skin. A few nights ago, she could just close her eyes and feel his touch. He would lift her up and then put himself in her , she would be pleasured over and over. She closed her eyes again and tears rolled down her face with the shower water. Abruptly ending the shower, she wrapped a towel around her body and waddled across the carpeting in her bare feet.

She looked into the lighted mirror, as she applied her makeup tenaciously. Her normally steady hands were shaking , with each stroke of the brush she could see the hurt etched into her face.She would close her eyes and then she would see it, two bodies writhing and sweating together. Moans of pleasure and pain. One body not familiar and one of the bodies all too familiar. With one swift blow, she threw the jars and bottles from her vanity with a scream.

Monica came running and saw the young girl crumpled in a corner and crying . She came over and embraced her, "It's going to be alright, " she whispered to comfort her. Monica knew this would put her in a position she did not wish to be in. She would be forced to take sides in a fight that she could not declare a winner. Family versus friendship. Everytime she heard the door, she prayed it wouldn't be him.

Ross looked at the monitor as the flight was coming in. He grabbed his shoulder bag and headed for the door. He had never done anything this hasty before, but he knew he had to flee. Lord only knows how his friends would feel toward him after they found out the truth. He hoped that male friendship would be the bond that would give him strength, but both of his friends, were also close with Rachel, so his friendships could all very well be in jeopardy.

"Sir, your ticket please." The airline rep said as he handed it to her. Smiling she handed it back. "Have a nice flight , sir." She said flirtaciously. Ross headed for the plane.

Her sunglasses in place over her tired eyes, she grabbed her bag and set out for the subway. Everywhere she looked were people , people who were happy, people who were in love, why did everything have to remind her of him.

As the flight attendant brought around the drinks, Ross looked out the window to see the lights of Manhattan disappear in the distance. He saw a couple in the back of the plane. He could tell they were very much in love as she sipped her drink from his cup and then they kissed and started to giggle. He knew he couldn't do this without another glass of courage. He signaled for the steward to bring him a glass of scotch so he could bear seeing this sight that reminded him of his happy life just a few short days ago.

In her Bloomingdales office, Rachel sighed and decided to throw herself in her work. She sat at her desk and began to sort through the purchase orders. Seeing the picture, she opened her drawer and put it in . She would deal with it later.

"Rachel," JoAnne said with her shrilly voice. "These papers are very important. I need you to make ten copies and our machine is being serviced. There is a copy shop in your neighborhood that I have called and they will extend us credit." Jo Anne had explained the importance of these papers. Rachel saw the address of the copy shop and her mouth dropped. She picked up the phone and dialed , praying that Monica would not have gone to work yet.

"Mon, hi, I am at work and I have to have some papers copied and faxed , could you meet me down at the copy shop on the corner. I can't go in there right now alone." Rachel hung up her phone and nervously took off to do her errand.

Monica stood waiting for Rachel, she checked her watch. Rachel arrived carrying a manilla envelope. "I can't believe my boss, sent me here." She said as she looked through the large front window. She was hoping that she wouldn't see her."Oh my God, there she is." Rachel exclaimed.

Chloe was wearing a beaded t shirt that in her true form, showed off the bright blue belly button ring. Around her hips were a tight pair of jeans . She seemed to be merrily filling orders and almost humming. Isaac just looked at her whistfully, hoping that someday Chloe would be with him too.

Rachel opened the door and then her and Monica walked in. Chloe, unaware of who she was, stepped up to the counter. "May I help you?" she said with a friendly tone. Rachel was not going to give her the satisfaction. "I am from Bloomingdales, my boss called and said that you would take care of this for us." Rachel said with a business like voice. Chloe grabbed the folder and went to work. Isaac starting staring at Rachel and then ambled over to where Chloe was standing.'

"Don't you know who that is?" Isaac asked. "That is Jasmine's friend , Phoebe, friend, Rachel. The chick from the coffee shop." Chloe looked over and then she dropped the stack of papers. "Oh shit , she muttered.

Rachel took a closer look at the girl. She had a fake beauty to her , almost a trashy kind. Rachel a girl of good breeding and education, was the opposite of this slut. He must have been hammered pretty good to want to bang her.

"She 's not even that pretty." Rachel said to Monica in confidence."That is the hot chick that those two have been talking about ?" Monica said as the two continued to stare at the girl. Rachel nodded. "Guys are stupid ." she agreed.

Chloe 's eyes widened. "Isaac, that is the girl that Dinosaur Guy was talking to me about. I was leaving when he found out she was coming over. Oh , she looks so sad, it's all my fault." Chloe felt a lump in her throat when she realized that this girl was the one her one night stand was in love with.

Chloe walked over to the two girls. "I am so sorry." She said."I know who you are." Chloe said with an almost doe like look. "You are Rachel, and I feel so bad about what I did. All he did was talk about how much he loved you. He was hurting so much and I just let him talk because that is what he wanted to do." She said sympathetically.

"Did he do much talking when he was fucking you?" Rachel said angrly.

"I didn't know , okay, I was trying to say I am sorry." Chloe said apologetically.

"It was our one year anniversary. I felt bad because I had to work but I was going to make it up to him. And then I find out he picks up some whore in a bar and bangs her ." Rachel said until she was rudely interrupted by Chloe.

"I am not a whore." Chloe screamed.

"I don't give a damn whether you are or not. It is over between us, you can have him , I really don't care. Now could I have my stuff so I can leave, so I don't have to see your trashy face ever again." Rachel took the papers from Chloe and her and Monica turned and went out the door.

Several hours later, Ross followed the head of the department around as he toured the campus. "I have read your resume and profile, and I am very impressed. Donald speaks very highly of you and I have read some of your papers ." The man extended his hand. "Welcome aboard Dr. Geller." Ross smiled as he shook his hand. "I only have a few loose ends to tie up at work and with my son, and I can start in a week."

Rachel had the day from hell at work. She opened the door and thanked the heavens that Joey and anyone wasn't home. She went into the bathroom and turned the faucet so the hot water would fill the tub . A good soak is what she needed, and a good glass of wine. Trying to find some relaxing music , she turned the radio on and then the words haunted her.

Being without you takes a lot of getting used to

Should learn to live with it, but I don't want to

Bein without you is all a big mistake

Instead of getting easier , it's the hardest thing to take

I'm addicted to you babe, you're a hard habit to break.

"Damn you Ross.' She cursed. She went over to the frame on the coffee table and picked it up. She slowly lifted it, as she was encumbered by the weight of the heavy gilded frame. Having being able to lift it, she hurled it at the wall and the force allowed to break into a million pieces. One of the small shards of glass pierced a small cut in her skin , but it went in deep enough to hurt. The blood poured out of her skin . She looked down at the cut. She wiped the red liquid with her hand. "Damn you." She whispered.

The words of the song are from the Chicago song Hard Habit to Break.