Monica stopped short with Joey's terse exclamation, she turned to glance at the dark haired woman behind her and raised frowned slightly.

"Rosie? I thought you said your name was Lulu"

Rosie-Lulu looked down, an embarrassed blush on her face.

"Well, Lulu is my preferred name"

Joey stepped back into the apartment, one hand stretched toward his sister, eyes definitely bulging and a visible tick on his cheek. He swallowed, opened his mouth to say something, and then shut it and swallowed again. Finally he seemed to find his voice and vented out in a high-pitched rasp.

" W-wha-? Y-you- this is crazy"

And with that he stalked out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him so hard that it bounced back open. A crisp morning breeze blew in through the open window and the sounds of banging pots upstairs filled the awkward silence in the room for a few moments. Monica sighed and stepped out to the coffee mess and scattered paraphernalia on the floor, retrieved a few paper towels and began to clean up. Rosie watched her for a few minutes, and then spoke up.

"I'm sorry about all of this, it's all my fault. I just never expected you to be the Monica my brother always talked about, and I certainly didn't expect you to be roommates."

The latter looked up from her cleaning and casually.

"Oh well, it's not like I'm complaining or anything. I take it that you never told anyone in the family that you're a lesbian?"

Rosie shook her head and walked away from the door, coming to sit on a stool next to Monica.

"No never quite gathered up the courage to, you see my folks are quite the traditional types."

Monica was at the sink washing off when Rosie said that. She thought of her parents and her older brother, and a faint smile came to her face.

"I think I know what you mean"

Rosie sighed forlornly and looked down at her hands, and the other woman realized just how dejected she was.

"I was going to tell them eventually, but definitely not like this. I love my family and all but I have a right to be happy, but that was not exactly the scenario I had planned. It was supposed to happen over maybe dinner after everyone's gotten so boozed they'd probably not remember in the morning. Joey is my best friend and I'm afraid I've just made him hate me for life"

Monica shook her head and took Rose's hand.

"I don't think so, I mean look at me and we're best friends, roommates even. I'll grant it that it's a little of a shock to him right now but he'll come around, just give him a little time and don't beat yourself up about it"

She watched for a positive reaction from Rose and when the latter gave the tiniest of smiles, Monica grinned and opened the cupboard.

"I know from experience that emotional situations always work up an appetite, so how about I make breakfast? Don't worry, I'm a cook so you're safe with me"