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 6: Troubles

Monica was in the kitchen making herself a snack when the phone started to ring. "Hello" she answered "Oh hey Carol uh yeah I guess, no problem." she sighed as she hung up the phone. Carol asked if she'd pick Ben up from school. Ross had classes, she and Susan both had work. Monica didn't want to do it she hadn't been out of the apartment in nearly a week but she couldn't leave her 8 year old nephew all alone at school. She put her coat on and stood at the front door.

"You can do this Mon" she gave herself a pep talk as she slowly walked out the door. Ben's school wasn't too far way so she walked there looking behind her every couple of seconds. A man was trying to hurry past her but bumped into her instead causing her to fall. "I'm so sorry are you okay" the man asked offering her his hand to help her up. She looked at him with his hand out she began to tremble. Tears filled her eyes as she pulled herself up and ran the rest of the way to Ben's school.

A male teacher smiled "Hello ma'am " he greeted "Are you looking for a student" Monica looked at him but didn't respond she wrapped her arms around herself as she backed into the wall. The man looked at her with concern he was aboutto ask her if she was okay when Ben and his teacher walked toward them "There she is Ms. Boone" Ben exclaimed running over to his aunt. "Hi aunt Monica are you okay" he asked when he saw her near tears.

"I..I'm okay sweetie" she whispered. Ben didn't know what had happened to her, she didn't want to him to know. "Come on lets go" she said as they made thier way out of the buidling. Once again Monica kept looking behind her. They were almost home when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Memories of her attack flooded her mind "No!" she cried pulling away. "Ma'am its okay" a man stood there "You dropped this" in his hand was her purse the starp was broken. "Th...thank you" she whispered as she slowly took it from him.

Once they were inside the apartment Ben sat at the kitchen table to do his homework. Monica threw her purse and coat on the sofa and ran to herbedroom. She curled up on the bed sobbing into a pillow. Ben glanced at the closed door when he heard his aunt's sobs.

Chandler walked in from work he wassuprised to see Ben at the kitchen. "Hey Ben, where's your aunt" he asked his nephew. "Hey uncle Chandler she's in there" he pointed to the bedroom "I think she was crying" Chandler frowned he walked over to his bedroom door "Mon" he tapped lightly as he walked in. She was curled on the bed sobbing quietly. "Honey are you okay? Did something happen" he asked concerned sitting on the bed beside her.

Monica looked up when he sat down "Car...Carol called sh..she needed me to pick up Ben" she whispered "Yo..you went out" he asked supsrised. She nodded "A man bumped into me an..and I freaked out th..then a teacher at Ben's school said hello I...I freaked out an..and we were almost home wh..when a man put his hand m.. my shoulder to..to tell me I..I dropped my purse an..andI freaked out" she cried

"Oh Mon" he whispered slowly pulling her into a hug "I'm sorry you were so scared but you're safe now" he tighened his arms around her just a bit andlookedinto her tear filld eyes."I promise I won't let anyone hurt you ever again" he whisperd brushing a tear from her cheek letting his fingertips linger on her cheek. He slowly leaned in kissing her softly.

Monica was fine until she made the mistake of closing her eyes. She was no longer in her bedroom she was back in that dark cold alley and it was no longr Chandler kissing her, it was the monster who ruined her life. "No!" she cried out pushing Chandler away. "Mon" he looked at her sitting on the bed hugging her knees to her body fear in her eyes. "Oh God honey I..I'm so sorry I..I never mean to scare you" he whispered "I..I'm sorry I hurt you"

When she heard him say that she slowly looked up at him. Tears wet his cheeks, sadness and regret filled his eyes. It was then that she realised her friends were right she needed to get the monster who'd hurt her put away she couldn't let him win and she needed help, she wanted her life back. She needed to win, she always won.

Chapter 7: One Step At A Time...Monica startsto recover one step at a time...Coming Soon!