This story takes place in the beginning of season 9. Chandler and Monica have been married for little over a year. Chandler is working in Tulsa and they've just started trying to have a baby. Rachel is still living with Joey but she is dating Ross. Emma is a few months old. Joey and Phoebe are single.

Disclaimer: All Friends characters belong to Bright, Kauffman and Crane.

Title: You Are Not Alone

Summery: Monica's life is changed in a matter of minutes.

Rated PG-13 for violence and mild cursing.

Chapter 3: Safe In Your Arms

Chandler raced home from the airport to find his apartment and Joey's apartment empty. He saw the lights on across the way at Ross's. He called him and found out that Joey and Rachel had taken Monica to the hospital. He left his apartment and headed to the hospital.

A little later he raced through the double doors and up to the admit desk. "I'm looking for Monica Bing" he told the woman behind the desk but she was too bust talking on the phone to answer him. Phoebe had seen him come in. She walked over to him. "Chandler" she said softly. He turned to see Phoebe standing there.

"Where is she Pheebs is...is she okay" he asked. "She's pretty banged up" she whispered. "Oh God its my fault I...I should have been here with her not in Tulsa" he whispered. "Its not your fault Chandler and all that matters is you're here no" she said hugging him. "She's in exam four with Rachel, now go on, go be with her" she said.

Chandler hugged her "Thanks Pheebs" he said as he ran down the hall. He stopped outside exam room four taking a deep breath as he pushed the door open and walked in. Monica was laying in bed sleeping and Rachel sat beside her on a chair sleeping. Tears filled Chandler's eyes as he looked at his beautiful, strong, sweet wife. Her face was covered in bruises, her hair matted and stuck to her forehead, and more bruises along her arms and legs.

Rachel stirred. She opened her eyes and saw Chandler standing there with a few tears running silently down his face. "Chandler" she whispered. "Did...did you just get here" she asked. "My God Rach what kind of husband am I, I left her all alone I should have been here, I should have protected her." Rachel stood up and pulled him into a hug. "You're a wonderful husband Chandler you love her so much, what happened was in no way your fault" she said softly. "Who...who did this to her, Rach please tell me they caught him" Rachel shook her head. "I'm sorry hun I don't know she just told us it was some guy" she whispered.

Monica began to stir. She opened her eyes she got scared when she saw Rachel's empty chair . "Rachel" she cried out. Rachel went back over to her. "Its okay Mon I'm right here and so is Chandler" she said looking over at him. Monica looked over and saw Chandler standing there. She burst into tears. "I...I'm sorry Chandler" she cried. "Its...its my fault, I...I shouldn't have walked home" she whimpered. "I...I should have fought harder, I...I'm sorry I cheated on you" she sobbed.

Chandler walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He wanted to hold her and rock her but the last thing he wanted to do was scare her. "Mon, sweeite calm down its okay, it wasn't your fault and you didn't cheat on me" he said softly. "I..I'm damaged goods yo..you won't want me anymore" she cried "Mon that's not true you're not damaged good and I'll always want you, I love you" he said softly

Dr. Lewis came into the room. "You're awake are you feeling any better" she asked. "I...I just wanna go home" she whimpered. "Well your test results all came back negative so if home is where you want to be then home is where you should go, but if you have any questions of any kind I want you to call me" the doctor said. "Okay" Monica whispered. "Since we had to take your clothes here's some scrubs you can wear home." The doctor handed her a pair of scrubs. Monica quickly changed into them.

A little later Chandler and Monica walked into their apartment. Monica saw Chandler's suitcase thrown in the middle of the living room. "Honey that's not where that goes" she said softly. "I...I'm gonna go take a shower please put it away" she said as she headed top the bathroom. "Yes dear" he said picking it up and taking it to the bedroom.. Monica turned on the shower. She stripped out of the scrubs and stepped into the tub. She stood under the hot stream of water. She burst into tears as she slid down in to the tub and wrapped her arms around her knees.

Chandler put his suitcase away and sighed as he sat down on the sofa. his eyes were fixed on the closed bathroom door. He could hear Monica's sobs mixed with running water he wantedt ogo in there and comfort her but he knew that would scare her. If he ever saw the man responsable for hurting her, he swore he'd kill him.

After spending nearly half an hour scrubbing her skin she decided to get out of the shower. No matter how many times she washed or how hard she scrubbed she'd still feel that monster's touch on her skin. She wrapped a towel around her body and opened the bathroom door and saw Chandler sitting on the sofa. "I..I couldn't clean" she whispered "I..I can still feel him on me" she began to cry.

Chandler hated to see her cry he wanted to jump up and wrap his arms around her but he knew he couldn't do that. "I know Mon" he said softly "It'll get better in time" he promised. "Why don't we get ready for bed" he stood up and walked over to her offerng her his hand. Just having him near her scared her she began to shake a little. "It's okay" he whisperd "I'd never hurt you" she looked at him and then his hand. She slowly reached out and took his hand.

They went to their bedroom. Monica letgo of Chandler's hand and walked to his dresser taking his sweatpants and t-shirt to ware. "Ca..can you not look" she whispered "No problem honey" he turned around. Her hands trembled as she removed the towel and started to get dressed.a few minutes later she was dressed in his clothes. "O..okay you ca..can look now" she whispered

Chandler turned around he smiled when he saw her in his clothes.He always thought she looked cute in his clothes because they were so baggy on her. "You know my clothes look better on you than they do on me" he said with a small smile. "Thanks" she whispered as she sat on the edge of the bed. She slowly got under the covers. Chandler took off his glasses and placed them on the nightstand. He turned off the light and laid down beside her. He wanted to hold her but he kept his distance.

Monica laid on her back staring at the ceiling. She never could sleep very well with out Chandler's arms around her. She needed to feel safe. She needed him. She took a deep breath. "Chandler" she whispered nervously. "You okay sweetie" he asked when he heard her whisper "Will you...will you hold me" she asked. "Mon, honey are...are you sure" he asked knowing howthat might scare her.

"Ye..yes" she whispered. "I'm scared an..and I always feel safe in your arms" she said. "Please Chandler, I...I need to feel safe" she said beginning to cry. "Shh its okay" he whispered as he gently and slowly took her in his arms. "I love you Monica" he whispered placing the softest kiss he could on the top of her head. "I...I love you too Chandler" she whispered as she laid her head on his chest and silently cried herself to sleep.

Chapter 4: Living In Fear...Monica is living in fear can her husband and friends help her?... Coming Soon!