Spago's was a place where million dollar deals were made and hearts were broken. The only thing that was more notorious than the name was its reputation. A place where Hollywood movers and shakers could dine and deal. Cell phones filled complimented the aviance as one ring brought the caller another million dollars.
This was a new and foreign place for Ross Geller. He was more used to coffee shops and family owned restaurants. He looked around and spotted faces that only his wife would know who they were. To him the world was a world of science, not a world of stars, at least not this kind of star.
"Dr. Geller, your party is here." A hostess said as she directed Ross to his table where Dee sat with her phone. "Eight O clock, Beijing." She was obviously talking about the trip. She smiled at Ross and motioned for him to sit down.
"Hated to give up that bad boy Jag to a valet." Ross smiled. For now it was a rental, but the network allowed him to pick a car while he was in LA.
Dee put down her phone. "Ross, it's happening like I said. The numbers that they got for last night were phenomenal . much more than a usual Discovery Channel show. The whole country is dinosaur crazy. You are on your way."
"I still can't believe it." Ross said as he eyed the ratings. "This is all for my show."
"Forty share is almost unheard of for our network." Dee said. "That is why we are flying you to China for your second show. There is an exhibition in China , headed by a well known paleontologist and we want to do a few episodes from this dig."
"Sounds good, but I wanted to talk to you about that. Is it possible that my wife and daughter will be able to travel with me? I really would like them to come." Ross said earnestly.
"Ross, we are a new show with a set budget. If it was a year down the road maybe. But we don't have the money right now. I am very sorry and my apologies to Rachel." Dee said sorrily. "Besides she will have business here in LA, you guys can't keep leaving in the hotel. You are going to have to find a house for you guys and she can do that while you are in China."
"She's not going to like this. " Ross said warily.
"I didn't say she wouldn't go at all. But wouldn't she rather go when we are shooting in Hawaii or Fiji.? Ross you are going to be an adventurer , climbing mountains or diving for fossils , all over the world. Kind of like a modern day Indiana Jones." Ross smiled at that.
"I will explain to Rachel." He said as he got up. "I know you want me packed by tonight. "
"Get Rachel a gift. You can afford it. Some nice little bauble will usually do it." Dee said as she paid her bill. "I'll let you know when we leave. Bye Ross." She said as she walked out the door.
Ross gave the ticket to the valet and waited for his car. Why not keep it? It was the kind of car that a celebrity would drive. He would lease it . He sped the car down Rodeo Drive to Tiffany's to get Rachel a gift . Going into the store, he asked the clerk to see a diamond tennis bracelet. He hoped the purchase would appease Rachel about going to China. The clerk wrapped it up and then Ross hopped into the Jag.
Monica and Rachel were sunning themselves by the pool. Joey took Emma in the pool and Chandler and Phoebe played with the twins in the kiddie pool. Ross was glad they were all there. He knew Rachel; wouldn't yell half as loud when she was in public. Noticing her daddy, Emma yelled. "Look Daddy, I can put my head in the water." She said as Joey dragged her along the side of the pool.
"Well Mr. Movie Star, how was the power lunch?" Rachel said as Ross leaned over and kissed her. "Honey, it was awesome. The network has big plans for Dinosaur Guy." Rachel smiled. "And when do we leave for China?" she asked eagerly. Ross didn't know how to answer this one.
"Well uhm honey, that's the thing, this trip , they want me to go alone." Rachel began to get an angry look in her eye. "Alone?"
"Rach, this is a new show and Dee said we'll be traveling all over the world for the show. They just don't have the budget for you and Em right now. Dee said that in the future you would be able to." Ross said sincerely. "But while I am gone, you are going to get to go house shopping. We need somewhere to live out here in LA."
"Can I get a hot poolboy?" asked Rachel. "For when my husband the star is out of town." She cooed.
"Careful Ross, that was the end of my parents marriage." Reminded Chandler.
Ross remembered the gift he had gotten on Dee's advice. "I did get my gorgeous wife a present." Smiling, he handed the small velvet box to Rachel.
"Oh my God. I never thought I would own jewelry like this." Rachel said as she put the bracelet around her wrist.
"Ross Eustace Geller, have you lost your mind?" reprimanded Monica.
"Hello Dr. Geller." Phoebe said as she came over to see the bracelet. "Wait a minute, Joseph , it's time for you to start spoiling your girlfriend."
Chandler examined the bracelet. "My dad would love this."
Monica examined the bracelet. "Easily eight karats, I hope you remember you have a sister too."
Rachel threw her arms around Ross' neck. " I am sorry for all the things I thought about you. I know that you won't fool around and that you will come home to me."
"It's only this trip, Rach. I'll be leaving tomorrow and I'll be back in a month. They want to do a few shows from this dig in China. It is even headed by a world famous paleontologist." Ross said. "It's only business."
Julie Wong shielded her eyes from the sun. It was great to be back in China. It had been almost ten years since she had been there in charge of a dig. Yes , she remembered that trip well. She was reunited and had a fling with a paleontologist from grad school. She actually thought that the relationship was going to be serious, until he realized the girl he was in love with wasn't her. It all started one night when they wanted to get a cat and then she found out that he had feelings and kissed a girl he had known for a while. Shortly after that, she dated Russ.
Russ didn't understand that she was missing her work, After all , she was a PHd and he was a gum doctor. She missed the travel and searching for fossils and bones. So Russ and her were separated. Russ had always been so sweet and kind, but so had the guy she was reunited with in China. Sometimes Ross did come into her thoughts, because she did have feelings for him. But surely by now, Ross was probably married , maybe even to the girl he kissed and compared her to.
"Dr. Wong, an American television series is doing a few episodes about the dig and they want our full cooperation." Her assistant said.
"What is the series?" Julie asked curiously.
"it is a new one about searching for evidence of prehistoric life. It is on the Discovery Channel and it is called the Dinosaur Guy." The assistant babbled on about her love of paleontologist.
"it is probably hosted by some game show host half wit." Julie said as she brushed it off.
"Oh that is the best part. A real paleontologist from New York University hosts it. He looks like a real hottie too." Her assistant was a young girl whose favorite movie was Jurassic Park and from then on she decided that she wanted to be a paleontologist.Dr. Wong was sort of a mentor to her as a female in this field of study. "He was on the cover of People this past week " Sandy handed Judy the magazine and when Julie saw it , she dropped it.
"Ross?" she said surprised. "Ross Geller is coming to China."
Rachel was behind the wheel of the Jaguar as they entered the departure area at LAX . Emma sat in the car seat in the back. Ross crawled out at the door of the terminal. "Now Rach, I know you have good taste, so find us a nice house. Have Joey or Bobbie help you." He got his garment bag and suitcase out of the small trunk. "I will call you when I get to China. I am going to miss you so much." Before he left, he reached in the back and gave his daughter a kiss. "Bye Emma wemma. Daddy loves you." With that Ross pulled down his sunglasses and headed into the airport.
Joey reached over and pulled the sheet over her silk like body. "You sure about this? I mean we have never had sex before." Joey said as he looked at Phoebe.
"I know we are crossing a line, but we do care about each other and if we are to become a couple, then we should have no problems." Phoebe said as she began to kiss Joey.
Joey began to nibble at her neck….. the line had been crossed.