by Tina
I'm back! I've enjoyed my time away very much, but I must admit I did miss writing... There were times I didn't have much to do and I longed for a computer! : But I had the chance to use a computer every once in a while, so I re-read this fic and gave it some thought. I wished I'd actually thought more about it, but I was too busy most of the time ;)
I intend to be back on full power again, however I'm still on vacation and I'm still planning on going away again. Plus, there are more stuff going on around here, but this fic is growing in me, in a way, so it's still one of my priorities ;) I hope you like this new installment and uh... keep those reviews coming, please? They make my day ;)
It was not untill that very moment Rachel completely realised how much she'd missed this. The glancing game, the well timed girlish laughs, the placing of a hand on the top of the table and the following wonderingments whether he'd pick it up or not.
He did.
They looked at each other and she smiled in a way she'd mastered over the years. Rachel loved flirting, only she'd forgotten how good it was like with strangers. The whole getting to know a new person was not hard for her, she was so good at it. Sure enough, the guy, soon known as Daniel, was head over heels for her by their 3rd date.
He was a sucessful lawyer, probably much too young for the position he took at the office where he worked. But he was hard working and commited to his job, which earned him a good reputation and a steady yet steeping professional ride. He was everything Rachel could ask for in a guy. Serious yet with a fine sence of humor, honest, respectful and smart. Not to mention the good looks. The smashing pair of blue eyes were only beat by the contrast they held against his tanned skin and blonde hair. He was not too built up, but somehow Rachel could deduce that underneath his Armani suit, he would not be a disapointment. At all.
They held hands across the table as they waited for desert. It was still early in the evening, but Daniel would have an early day. Still, nothing would get in the way of a lovely evening with Rachel. Lovely, that's how he'd describle his time with her. He was a very private person, yet somehow Rachel was able to penetrate the icy exterior. Her grace melted his neat posture and he felt comfortable around her, like there was nothing for him to prove.
But even though things were going well, they were going on a slow pace. If Rachel had met him in any other phase of her life, she would most likely be mentally planning their wedding day already. But not this time. She'd learned that sometimes things don't work that way and just didn't want to be let down like that again. It hurt too much.
So by their third date, they had not even kissed yet. Their caring gestures were summed up in looks, hand holding and innocent kisses on hands, cheeks and foreheads.
"Explain to me what you're doing tomorrow again"
"Well", he began "see, there's this plant that only grows in the dephts of the South American rain forest, right? It's very tasty, used for many economic profits, from the food industry to the beauty market. Now, what happened is that asian scientists took hold of that plant and have now registered it as an asian product. So if the south americans want to use it, they're gonna have to-" he trailed off when he noticed the look on her face and chuckled. "You asked!"
"I know, I was just now making a mental note to myself about that!"
The broad smile on her face made up for the embarassment he felt.
"Well, it's a way of living...! Besides, I quite like it, actually. The whole researching process, talking to people, going to court..."
"You're a geek, you know?" she said with a sweet voice.
He chuckled and then looked at her, serious.
"No one's ever said that to me in such a sweet way"
Rachel smiled back.
"Well, it's just your luck you turned out to be cute"
They locked gazes and Rachel knew what was coming. She loved first kisses. The anticipation, the curiosity for the unknown... Was he going to be good at it? What if she didn't feel the thing? All the usuall thoughts raced through her mind, but slowed down as both leaned closer and softly closed their eyes.
Rachel felt his lips meet hers. He placed them perfectly over hers, brushing softly yet powerfully. He kissed her lower lip and then both opened their mouths. Rachel could feel soft butterfly touches on the pit of her stomach, quickly intensified by his hand on her back, giving her goosebumps.
Yet somehow...
She pushed her thoughts aside. These things take time, getting over the past wouldn't happen over night.
There was a loud cracking noise near by and both praticly jumped out of the kiss. Looking around, they saw a messed up waiter apologising to a snotty looking woman soaked in wine. They couldn't help but chuckle. They looked at each other and smiled. He took her hand again, but before anything else could be said or done, their waiter arrived with their deserts.
Outside apartment 20, Daniel and Rachel were making their way up. He'd insisted on taking her up and, despite her initial protest, Rachel had to admit she liked being spoiled like that. As they stood by the door they simply looked at each other.
"Well, this is me"
"I guess so"
Rachel took some time to recall all of her old pick up lines, sorting out which one would be apropriated for this particular case. They were needless at the moment though, as she soon noticed he already had his hand around her waist and was getting closer. She smiled and leaned closer aswell.
"I can only hope we won't be interrupted this time"
Rachel chuckled.
"This is actually not the best place if you're looking for privacy" she said as she recalled being caught many times in this very same hallway "...but let's hope"
He chuckled and kissed her.
It was just as soft and intense as their first kiss. But soon it grew deeper and they wrapped their arms around each other. He stroked her hair softly with one hand while the other slowly ran through her back. Hers were lightly cupping his face, her thumbs stroking his cheeks.
Breathlessly, they parted after a good minute. He gave her one more peck and they just stood there, smiling, dazed, holding hands.
"Hm" Rachel's voice was soft "Would you like to come in for a minute?" she smiled at his aproving expression "I can't promise you we'll have privacy there either, but..." she trailled off.
"I would love to"
She smiled and opened the door with one hand, the other still glued on his.
Monica and Phoebe were having dinner at the table, while Chandler and Joey were watching t.v.. All heads quickly turned to the door.
"See, I told you" she quickly said to Daniel. Then, outloud, she spoke again "Daniel, these are my friends. Guys, this is Daniel."
Monica's eyes were fixated on their hands, which soon let go of each other's as Daniel shook hands with Joey and Chandler.
"This is Joey and that's Chandler, they live across the hall"
"Hey, what's up?"
"Nice meeting you"
"You too"
"And that's Phoebe, she used to live here with Monica and that's Mon herself, my roommate"
"Yes, those are the girls you were with that night at the bar, right?"
"That's right" Rachel said.
"Nice meeting you"
His smile was still broad, he was so polite and looked so thrilled to be there, meeting her friends. Rachel was beaming with pride.
"Would you like anything? Phoebe and I are still having dinner, it's nothing special, but it's good"
"No, thanks, Rachel and I just had dinner"
"We went to Le Bistr" Rachel hinted.
"Uh, really? I've always wanted to go there, but it's just so hard getting reservations" Monica whined.
"A friend of mine owns that place. Call me whenever you need a table, I'll be pleased to get it for you." the truthfullness on his voice only earned him more points.
Daniel reached for her hand again and smiled. Looking around though, she sensed the nervourness on the air for the first time. He looked around and saw a familiar jacket on the back of the couch, where toys had been placed. Monica noticed the way Rachel's eyes were wandering.
"He's putting Melissa down in my room"
"Oh, alright"
Having realised what this was about, Daniel tensed up a bit. Rachel hadn't told him much about Ross, but he did know they were together for three years and just recently broke up. The ex's presence is never a good thing to hear of.
Eaves dropping the conversation with his ears glued on the thin door, Ross knew he couldn't keep hiding anymore. She knew about his precense, so it would come off as even worse if he didn't show up to meet Daniel. Her new boyfriend.
She had a new boyfriend..
And from the little he could hear, he was a really nice one. Ross' eyes quickily filled up with tears. Rachel had finally met the person she deserved, someone who was good enough for her.
He walked back to the playpen he'd recently had to move from Rachel's room to Monica's and watched Melissa sleeping untill he could come out without raising suspections.
When he did, sure enough all heads quickly turned to him. Joey and Chandler looked back and forth around the room, as if trying to foresee what was going to happen next.
"Hey" was all Ross could say. But even though he was breaking down inside, he voice came out cooly.
"Hi", Daniel replied first.
Rachel looked nervous. But seeing Ross, specially under the circunstances, brought up more than nervousness.
"Hm, Daniel, this is Ross. Ross, this is Daniel. My, hm, my friend."
They politely shook hands.
"Nice meeting you" Ross beated him, saying it first.
"Same to you"
And suddenly a thick tension fell on the apartment. Mere seconds went by before Daniel spoke up again, but it felt like centuries.
"Well, I should get going now, got an early day tomorrow. But it was very nice meeting all of you. Monica, I mean it, you can give me a call about those reservations" Monica smiled politely. "Rachel, tomorrow night, right?"
"Right" her voice was a little faded and it worried him.
"Well, goodbye you all" he walked towards the kitchen door while everyone said goodbye back. Rachel walked him to the door.
"See ya" she smiled weakly.
He smiled back and quickly leaned in and kissed her softly. Ross, upon watching this, looked down, a sharp and growing pain starting on his chest and taking over his entire body. The kiss was short, so soon he looked at her one last time and left the apartment. Rachel stood by the door for one more second, knowing this probably wasn't easy on Ross.
"Goodnight everyone, I'm going to bed already" was all she said as she made her way into her room.
I'll try to have a new chapter coming later on today! :) Don't forget to review me, that'll sure get me to write quicker!! :D