"Well, here are the keys." Nana pressed them into Monica's hand, her eyes still darting around the living room. "I'll call you when I get to Florida."

"All right." Monica reached out and hugged Nana gently. "Have a safe trip. Thanks for letting me stay here."

"You're welcome." Nana stepped back, a fragile smile on her face. "Enjoy this time of your life, my dear. Nature's first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold. No matter what anyone says about old age, these are your golden years, Monica. I so envy you for the journey you're about to undertake."

Monica blinked, unsure how to react to that. She grasped for graciousness. "Uh, thank you for giving me this chance to enjoy them, Nana. This apartment is wonderful, I know I'm going to have fun here."

"Good, I'm glad to hear that." After one last look around the apartment, Nana turned and left for the cab that awaited her downstairs.

Monica closed the apartment door and looked around the living room. Quite sparse now that Nana was gone. She'd have to get some more furniture. She'd need a couch first. And another chair. Or two.

Slowly, Monica walked out into the middle of the living room, looking around, taking it all in. This was her place. This was her apartment. Grinning, she walked over to the bay window and gazed outside, taking in her view.

Her eyes drifted to the open window of an apartment across from hers. A man walked past the window, and Monica's eyes bugged out. Oh my God, didn't he know everyone could see him? Monica shut her eyes and turned away. Stupid people trying to spoil her good mood.

She flounced over to the kitchen. The phone was on the counter and she picked it up, her fingers hovering over the numbers. Who to call? Ross was at work, and Monica really didn't know too many people in the city. Brightening, she opened her address book, found a number, and dialed it. It was picked up almost right away.

"Hello?"

"Rachel, hi!"

"Monica? Oh my God, hi! Oh, it's been so long."

Far too long. "So, how's it going with you and Chip?"

"Chip? Oh my goodness, we broke up ages and ages ago. I'm dating an orthodontist now."

"Oh." Monica couldn't help smiling. "So he's rich?"

"Oh Monica, you should see the car he drives."

"Is he good looking?"

"Uh, it's a Porsche, you'd love it."

Well. Rachel hadn't changed much; her priorities had remained exactly as Monica had remembered them. Which perhaps explained why well-connected social-climber Rachel hadn't really tried very hard to stay in contact with frumpy middle-class Monica who worked as a chef and lived with her grandmother. "So, I have my own apartment now."

"Oh? That, that's great! Where?"

Rachel's enthusiasm was painfully forced. Of course Rachel would rather die than live anywhere else but a beautifully-appointed house in a suburb. Monica was feeling more and more like this phone call had been a mistake. "Actually, my grandmother moved to Florida so I took over her place. Do you remember? We spent a week here during the summer in the eighth grade."

"Oh yes, it had the lovely bay window."

"Yes, that's the one."

"Well, isn't that fantastic! I, I should hold a housewarming party for you."

Monica waited a few seconds but Rachel didn't pursue the thought. Time to bring this all to a close. "Well, I have to get ready for work soon. Listen, if you're ever in the city, stop by and say hi."

"I will!" Monica could detect a hint of relief in Rachel's voice; she was equally eager to end the phone call. "And look me up when you visit your parents."

"Okay. Good-bye, Rachel."

"Bye, Monica."

The line went dead. Monica hung up the phone, her good mood thoroughly dissipated. Rachel had been her best friend for so long, nearly her only friend. Somehow they had managed to grow so far apart so quickly. Something had changed, and Monica wasn't sure who had changed and whether it was a good thing or not.

Monica grabbed her jacket and headed outside. She desperately needed to see a friendly face, and there was only one place she knew to go.

The door opened and a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiled widely. "Why, hello Monica. It's good to see you."

Monica laughed. "That's actually the words I most needed to hear. Mind if I come in for a minute?"

"Sure. My husband won't be home for an hour, though."

"That's all right." Monica stepped inside, looked around the apartment. "You have such wonderful taste in decorating, Carol, did I ever tell you?"

Carol closed the door. "Thank you. We should decorate your place now, shouldn't we? You need some new furniture."

"Actually, I need used and very cheap furniture." Monica sat on the couch. "I'm going to be using just about every penny just to pay the rent."

Carol sat next to her, an easy smile on her face. "Oh, I know what that's like. Ross and I had trouble making ends meet until he got his job at the museum. His mother actually helped us with some furniture."

"Of course she would." Monica snapped her mouth shut, not wanting to involve Carol in unnecessary family squabbling. "If I asked my mother to buy me some furniture, she'd want to buy things that suited her taste rather than mine. I definitely don't want that."

"I guess I understand." Carol reached over, clasped Monica's hand. "Have you considered a roommate? That would help you cover expenses."

Monica blinked. "Actually, I hadn't. My grandmother just moved out today. I, I think I want to be by myself for a bit first."

"Good, that's good." Carol's smile dimmed. "Sometimes being by yourself can be a blessing."

That sounded odd. Monica frowned slightly. "Is... is everything all right?"

"Oh?" Carol seemed to shake herself. "It's fine, it really is. Did Ross tell you about his family plans?"

"No, but I can guess." Monica grinned. "He wants you two to start having babies?"

"Well, I'd be the one having them, but yeah. I told him it's a bit too early for that." Carol smirked. "He's doing his best to be persuasive."

Monica laughed. "Which means he's annoying the hell out of you?"

Carol chuckled. "It's good to talk to someone who understands Ross."

"He's very sweet, he just gets... fixated sometimes."

"Yes, well, I can deal with him. I haven't established my practice yet, that comes first."

"Of course." Monica sighed, feeling comfortable. Ross's wife was a kind person, very easy to talk to. Monica would have to make an effort to come over and talk to her more often.

The sound of keys in the lock made Carol look up. Monica found herself still looking at Carol as the door opened. The light seemed to drain from her face. It became cold and expressionless as Ross said, "Hi! I'm home early."

Monica looked up to see her brother holding a bouquet of roses. His eyes met hers. "Hey, Mon. Did Nana get away all right?"

"Yes. She said she'd call when she got down to Florida."

"Good." Ross looked back over at Carol, who hadn't moved from the couch. He held out the roses. "These are for you."

"Well, I'm glad they're not for your sister." Carol released Monica's hand and stood up. Monica found herself carefully watching Carol's face, and to her eyes it looked as if the smile Carol gave Ross was completely forced. "Thank you, they're beautiful."

"Not half as beautiful as you." Ross leaned in.

Carol leaned slightly back but then let Ross kiss her. She quickly released the kiss and took the flowers. "Let me put these in some water." She turned and went into the kitchen.

Ross looked after her, looking slightly forlorn, and Monica felt entirely out of place. Whatever was happening between Carol and Ross, Monica's presence wasn't going to help matters. She stood up and told the same lie for the second time that day. "Well, I have to go and get ready for work. Stop by sometime, Ross, if you ever want to see how it looks now."

"Uh, sure." Ross wasn't even looking at her, still fixing his eyes on Carol as she arranged the flowers in a vase.

Carol looked over at Monica and smiled. "It was good to see you, stop by again."

Monica smiled politely in return. "Goodbye." She fled the apartment.

The late-afternoon air had a definite chill and Monica hugged herself as she made her way back home. That wasn't the first time she'd seen Ross and Carol involved in some problem but it was the first hint she'd gotten of how serious it was. Hopefully they'd work it out. They'd both looked so happy at the wedding.

Monica sighed heavily. Yet another example of how life was determined to keep her unhappy. This was supposed to be a good day for her - a chance to be truly independent. Instead she was discovering there was a fine line between being independent and being alone without help.

With a monumental effort Monica fought off the depression that threatened to overwhelm. She broke into a brisk jog, deciding to eschew the subway ride home. She just needed to recapture the euphoria of heavy exercise and not worry about everything else. For now.

Increasing her pace, Monica sprinted back towards her apartment.

(to be continued)

Author's Notes: This will likely be Rachel's only appearance, as I can't really include her without major continuity problems with the show. I may have her make a few phone cameos despite that, since I like writing about Rachel. ) We'll see; I'm still debating that in my head.