Ross and Rachel sat in the reception room . Rachel looked down at the floor and Ross tried to lose himself in a magazine. As she looked around , she couldn't help to see what decorated the walls. There were posters of happy , smiling bald women who joined hands in celebration. Rachel ran her hands through her golden brown hair and then shuddered. Would she be one who would be next?

He was always the strong one. He had been through so much. A marriage that ended with a disclosure and a wife that left him for another woman. A tragic breakup that changed things forever. A whirlwind courtship and marriage that ultimately resulted in a divorce and losing his apartment and job. This was the worst of it, facing disease and possibly death. Emma and Isabella were at Mon and Chandler's . Both of them felt that they should tell their best friends because they did not know what was ahead , and this way they could have the support they needed. Monica hugged her in support and then the two women cried together. Chandler assured Ross they would not tell anyone until they were ready.

"We don't know anything yet. It could still just be a cyst ." the words came out of his mouth, but he was still trying to believe it. "We only told you guys because you are the ones we are the closest to. No sense in worrying Joey or Pheebs yet." He thought back to the conversation.

"Dr and Mrs. Geller, Dr. Cannon will see you now." The two got up and walked into the office. Dr. Cannon was a short woman with red hair and glasses that rested on her nose. "Hello Rachel, Ross, Please sit down. Now I see the mammogram and this is the spot that concerned Dr. Long and it concerns me as well. " Rachel strained her eyes , remembering her difficulty when she was pregnant with Emma. Ross could see it clearly.

"This spot seems to be larger than the other ones. It is also located near a duct, and it seems to be thicker according to the mammogram. The procedure I have in mind is very simple. We are going to numb a section of your breast and then take a needle. " Ross cringed at that , since he hated needles. "Draw the fluid out of it and have a section analyzed in the lab. Depending on what we find, then we will take the next step." Dr. Cannon said methodically.

"And when would you like to do that?" Rachel asked nervously. "I think we should schedule as soon as possible. Monday, sounds good." Rachel realized it was Friday. "Nine a.m." she announced. "Have her here at seven." Ross knew he would have to take another day off , but his place was there.He did not want to have to sit by himself as he waited for her. "How long should the procedure take?' he asked.

"Well it shouldn't take more than a hour. If there is something we would like to proceed and I would rather admit her , if we have to do a massectomy, so if she is up in surgery more than an hour , then you should have your answer." Dr. Cannon hated to give this kind of information. She was still so young and beautiful and he had such love in his eyes as he looked at her. She could see the tears forming as he looked at her.

They got up and walked slowly toward the door. "So I will see you two Monday morning early. Here is a paper to tell you what to do before the procedure. Rachel can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight on Sunday. She should also have water to cleanse her system." Dr. Cannon explained. " Nothing has been found yet, this is just what we suspect ." Then she shut the door.

On the ride home, the two of them sat in silence. Rachel looked down at the paper and then she folded it and put it in her purse. Ross placed his hand on the steering wheel and blew air out of his lips. They were avoiding each other and it. His eyes were covered with his sunglasses , mostly because he didn't want her to see his tearful eyes.

"Ross , please don't shut me out." She begged. "Now I need you more than ever."

"I just , I have never been able to deal with this kind of thing very well, I have always lived in denial when it comes to news like this." He stuttered nervously.

"Ross?" if I would have to have the surgery, the massectomy , "Would it change how you feel about me?" Rachel said nervously. Ross looked over at her . "Of course it wouldn't , you are the woman I love and married. I would not let this affect how I feel." Rachel heard the words , but it was yet if she believed it. With her , it was always about her looks. In high school , it was the way she filled out her cheerleading sweater. When the list was made, he said she was a little too concerned about her looks. Even the business she was in was fashion, had to do with appearance. Would this all change everything?

When they arrived at Monica's , Phoebe and Mike were there as well. Phoebe popped up from the couch and embraced her . "I am sorry, but I just thought it would be better if she knew , because you could use all the support you could." Monica admitted.

"I am going to cleanse your aura , so it will be clean for the operation." Phoebe said . "And here are some healing crystals , you should hold them ." Rachel put them in her hand and kissed Phoebe on the cheek.

"Where are the kids?" Ross asked. "Oh Chandler , took them for ice cream , we kind of thought we could talk while they were gone." Monica explained.

"So what did the doctor say?" she asked anxiously.

"Well they want to do a biopsy , and if they find anything , they want to keep me in and take care of it. " Rachel spit out the words.

"Mon , could you and Chandler come down with us on Monday? I don't want to have to sit in that waiting room with two kids by myself . And if she does have to , I just can't deal with this by myself." Ross admitted .

"Of course we will. Have you called Mom and Dad yet?" Monica asked.

"No and we have to call Rach's parents yet. And her sisters."

"My dumb sisters will probably think I am going in for a boob job." Muttered Rachel.

"I am coming too." Declared Phoebe. "You guys are family."

"I want Joey to know." Rachel whispered. "I just would feel better with all my friends knowing. " Ross ran his hand over her back as Monica looked on.

"Then Sunday, we will have an evening to take your mind off of it. I will make a nice dinner and play some games , watch a movie , stuff like that, we are going to be here for you , sweetie." Monica said. This made her feel so good.

By Sunday afternoon, everyone knew, Judy had even told her that Richard had sent over a doctor in case they wanted a second opinion. That of course, made Chandler nervous . But then Leonard came over unexpectedly,

Rachel was sitting in the chair when he came in. "Pumpkin, I have been talking to my friends. Dr. Cannon is one of the best." This was a man who was a doctor himself and he never showed his truly feelings . His worry could not be shown in his face. Ross came from his study where he was grading papers. "Oh hello Dr. Green." He said. Emma and Isabelle ran to him . "Grandpa.!' They screamed. He loved his only grandchildren very much. "And how are Poppi's little darlings?" He opened up his wallet and gave them each a ten dollar bill.

"Daddy ,we agreed , no more spoiling them." Rachel said . "I am sorry sweetie , but they are my only grandchildren. God only knows if those two others will ever settle down." He said. "Geller, I hope you are taking care of my pumpkin."

"I am going to be there with her tomorrow morning." Ross assured Leonard. "From the time they take her to surgery."

"Well I can't be there , so I want you to call me when she is out of surgery. Think you can do that , Dr. Wethead?" he said.

Ross was getting tired of the insults. He had never been the favorite of Dr. Green, mostly because of the whole break incident and then not marrying Rachel after she got pregnant with Emma. But by now , you would think that he would actually have a little bit more respect since they had gotten married and had another child. "Dr. Green, there isn't one person that means more to me than your daughter. I may have made some mistakes in the past, but I made a promise that I would love her in sickness and in health. I made that promise in front of God and our friends , and I am a man of my word , I will not leave her and I will be there for her , every step of the way." Ross said forcefully.

"Glad to hear that." Dr. Green shook his hand. "Honey, it's all going to be alright." He came up to Rachel and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Keep good thoughts." He said as he left the house. Emma and Isabelle stood as their grandfather left. Ross knew he had to tell them .

"Girls could you come over here. " he said. He put Emma on his lap and then Isabella on the floor. "Now Emma, Mommy has to go somewhere tomorrow. We are going to get up real early and drive into the city because Mommy is going to the hospital ." Emma got excited. "Is Mommy going to have another baby?" she jumped up and down.

"No, she is going to have the doctor do some tests on her. She may have to go away for a while too." Ross felt bad about having to tell their four year old about this. Isabella was of course too young to understand any of this.

Rachel took another bite of the cheesecake. It was delicious and Monica had ordered it especially from Mama' Little Bakery in Chicago. She had also made lamb and red potatoes , all of her favorites. She washed it all down with a bottle of water . As the evening progressed, everyone sat down and watched Weekend at Bernies and then played Scene It. Finally it was midnight, and the party stopped.

"I think we should be going. After all, we have to be up early."Ross said. "I will see you guys at the hospital tomorrow." Rachel ran to hug all her friends and then she gathered up the kids stuff . She put Isabella in her carrier. Ross put a sleeping Emma over his shoulder and the two left.

After the children were asleep, Rachel crawled into bed where Ross patted her side of the bed and she smiled. She knew what he was up to . He pushed her hair to the side and then began to bite her neck. She began to moan with pleasure. His hand then moved down her straps and he nuzzled her skin. She knew what was next. "Ross what in the hell are you doing?' she screamed as she pulled away.

"I was just trying to make you feel good." He said innocently.

"How do you think that makes me feel? I am going to have surgery tomorrow and you start to touch me there. " Rachel protested. "Do me a favor Ross, just leave me alone right now." She said as she turned over and pulled away from him. She closed her eyes and ran her hand down her breast, wondering if she would have it tomorrow and if it would affect them.

Rachel sat in the wheelchair as the admitting clerk typed out the information. Ross stood behind her as he opened his wallet and took out his insurance card and then hers as well. The kids were with Monica getting some breakfast while they were admitting Rachel.The nurse took the bracelet and wrapped it around her wrist. She looked down at it.

The orderly pressed the button marked ten. "Ten is oncology." He announced. Rachel remembered what that meant and then burst into tears. He leaned his head down to hers and for the first time they cried for the unknown.

Rachel had her hair tucked under the cap as she was put on the gurney. The orderly took the iv hose and hung it on the hooks. She looked so tiny and small under that sheet and he could feel her hand shaking . He looked down with tears in his eyes as they walked slowly to the elevator.The doors closed and then they arrived on the eighteenth floor. A sign said surgery and then the gurney was rolled up to the massive doors. Earlier they had signed a paper that if the situation merited it, to go ahead and take off the breast. Reconstructive surgery would be done at a later date. If there was indeed cancer and it was serious enough , to go ahead with the surgery to remove the breast. The gurney stopped as the orderly pushed a button and the doors opened. "Afraid that is all the further you can go. " the nurse said. "We'll take it from here." Ross leaned down and kissed Rachel. "I love you and nothing is going to change that." He said tearfully. She looked up to him and smiled as the orderly rolled her through the doors .

Monica sat with her children and her brothers. Chandler was watching Live with Regis and Kelly on the television. Ross came out from the door and then he put his head in his hands. Monica got up and came over and gave him a hug.

"She has to be alright, I will never make it without her." He cried as he melted into his sisters arms.