Author's Note – I've finally got an update for you's. Thanks for the reviews I appreciate them, they make me smile :)! More Chandler angst coming up – I have an illness, I can't help it, I love making him suffer lol! Just a warning that these chapters are a bit dark. But other than that I hope you enjoy and please review!

'Hey Chan.' Joey said knocking on Chandler's bedroom door. 'We're all heading to Central Perk – you coming?'

No reply.

'Chandler?' Joey asked again. 'I know you're in there, you can't avoid us forever.'

Still no reply. Joey frowned. He knew something was wrong but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. Chandler hadn't been himself for a while, but when Joey had mentioned it to the others they'd just said he was depressed about his break up with Janice and he'd be back to his normal self soon. Joey had this feeling that it was more than that though. He knew he could be a little slow on the uptake sometimes but when it came to his friends; things were crystal clear. He could read them like books and he just knew that there was something wrong.

'Chandler will you please just come out with us.' Joey said.

Chandler opened the door and looked at Joey. 'I haven't been avoiding you.' He stated.

'Uh, yeh sure you haven't.' Joey said rolling his eyes.

'I haven't.' Chandler reiterated.

Joey sighed. 'I know there's something wrong with you, would you just tell me what it is already.'

'There's nothing wrong with me.' Chandler shouted. Joey physically flinched; he was hurt; he was only trying to help. Chandler knew it and immediately felt bad. Joey didn't deserve that but Chandler had been so sure that he'd been doing a good job of covering up his feelings. He should have known he couldn't hide anything from Joey, he just knew him to well.

'I'm fine.' Chandler said smiling to try and prove his point.

Joey looked wary like he didn't quite believe it.

Chandler looked at him and cracked a joke, albeit a lame one by his standards, but it made Joey laugh and drop the interrogation. Chandler sighed as he followed Joey out of the Apartment, things were getting too complicated and he didn't know how much longer he could keep up the pretence…

'Hey guys.' Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Monica said as Joey and Chandler entered Central Perk.

'Hey.' Joey replied. Chandler just nodded and sat down. Joey frowned at him as he sat on the couch with Monica and Phoebe. Ross was sat in a chair with Rachel on his lap.

'So you know how I told you about that customer at work.' Monica started.

'Yeah.' Everyone answered.

Chandler drowned them out, the chat was so mundane and he had bigger problems. He didn't want to be sat in the stupid coffee house pretending everything was fine when it wasn't - but he had no good reason to not be there; not one he could give them anyway.

Joey noticed Chandler's lack of interest in the conversation and kept looking at him. He glared at him wondering why he was being so hostile.

Finally having enough Joey turned to Chandler whilst the others continued talking.

'Hey.' Joey whispered.

'Huh?' Chandler replied uninterested not even looking at him.

'Dude what is up?' Joey asked.

Chandler rolled his eyes. 'Nothing.' He huffed.

'Seriously there is, stop lying to me, I want to know what's bugging you.'

'There's nothing to tell.' Chandler hissed.

'Chandler.' Joey insisted.

Chandler looked at Rachel and Ross who were kissing and Monica and Phoebe who were smiling and laughing. He felt sick and uncomfortable. He never used to feel this way, but he couldn't even be around his friends anymore. It killed him that he wasn't the person who he used to be. It killed him that he couldn't feel happy anymore. Chandler quickly blinked back tears. The action did not go unnoticed by Joey.

'Chandler are you ok?' He asked full of concern.

'For god's sake will you just leave me alone!' Chandler snapped.

The others all looked up at the sudden noise; expecting an explanation. They didn't get one. Chandler just got up and ran out of the coffee house not being able to deal with all of the staring. Joey shook his head.

'Now do you believe that this isn't just about Janice?' He said worriedly. The others all nodded sombrely and followed Joey who was already running after Chandler…