A/N: We begin our road to the end as the group now gets on the same page in January. Enjoy.

17: Letter 16

January 10

"Monica and Phoebe confront you in the hallway…"

As I put on deodorant, I begin to ponder exactly what was going to happen next. Especially given my growing feelings for Rachel. The Letter specifically mentions that we end up together, when it wants to steer her and Ross to that hold. All I know is that somehow my obvious looks with her better cease and soon.

"Buck up Joe…."

The school was its mix of Winter flurry and activity. Of course on the 25th well be having the annual all school winter carnival. Yet somehow that is going to come to fruition about us 6 representing the Junior Class in the all school relay.

"Joey…"

Sure enough they're on the stairs right after Lunch. Monica looking peeved and Phoebe looking her chipper self. A little of my magic was needed here.

"How you doin…"

I could tell Phoebe was charmed but Monica snapped her back. The face sweat grew more and more palpable.

"You have something you want to tell us?"

I gulped now realizing what has to occur.

4:25 P.M.

"Monica gets off of Wrestling practice in a bit we were supposed to go to Ross to study." I was on the phone with Mom trying to figure what a great time was for coming back.

"8:45 would that work? Ok Love you to bye…"

Now I finally came around the corner as I saw Joey waiting by the door. Of course I was wanting to wait for Monica but if he's there somehow this is serious.

"Joe…"

He quickly popped a text on his phone before turning to see me. The winter jacket neatly accentuated his face with cheeks full of life.

"Oh Rach…"

"Hey I thought we were all meeting over at Altheas whats going on?"

"Rach…Is there something you need to show me…"

"I don't think so why?"

Slowly but surely Phoebe and Chandler I started to see pop around the corner, now the moment Chandler gave me a nod I began to realize what this is.

"How much do you know…"

Before he could respond someone else answered.

"Everything…"

Monica in warmup gear for wrestling was behind me nearly dropping me to my feet.

"What do you mean everything…"

The faces on everyone turned from serious to warm smiles as one by one I started to see them pull envelopes out of their jackets revealing the truth.

JOSEPH TRIBBIANI

CHANDLER BING

PHOEBE BUFFAY

MONICA COX

I hesitated as the others were waiting for me to get this over with. How did this happen and how much do they know about what's still to come.

"Rach…" Monica now reached her hand for my biology book and pulled out the envelope that I was using as a bookmark. Now it showed what the others already did. Monica's own hair shone in the light as she turned back to me pointing it with the others.

RACHEL GREEN

"Rachel….He's my brother isn't he…" She shed a few tears as I nodded but now wondered exactly how she knew the truth.

"My own letter said I confronted Dad on New Years Eve after finding a picture of him and Ross Grandmother. There was even a card from the funeral of Judy Geller. After giving in to my future self, he admitted everything how they split up before she found out was pregnant with him. How he had been sending her alimony payments. But the whole fact that the guy we've been hanging out with since September is my own family is one thing that I could never possibly forgive dad for keeping from me."

Now I shed a few tears of my own. "Monica I'm sure that…"

"You know I had feelings for him…" She shrieked in pain. "We all read ahead about how we lose him in April and how we want to prevent that from happening. But this is just not what I signed up for."

Joey now hugged Monica hard as she sobbed in his arms. Phoebe moved my direction and looked at the envelope.

"So everything this year, has been hinted at by your future self a decade from now?"

I shed a few tears of my own while nodding, but I was in pain from everything now being known by them all. "Phoebe, I love him why can't I admit that to him…"

"Cause you're not sure if we'll be able to save him…" Chandler now chimed into this. "Guys as much as we want this to not be what plays out, this is just even too much for me to believe. Changing the future, there's a whole reason they made an episode of Lost entitled whatever happened, happened. Now I know what he's become to all of us, hell I write in here personally that If I were to marry one of you 3 I'd want him as my best man. But in reality, I just don't think we want to change the future that these letters came from."

Now Monica broke from Joey and turned to Chandler. "So you're saying there's a chance?'

"You're Jim Carey Sucks…" I now chuckled in relief from what I had been feeling but this is crucial.

"Guys, if we save him then that future depicted in these letters never occurs." Chandler now again mentions Ironically saying verbatim what was in my own letter. "Although, I want to just say, screw it."

"So are we…" Phoebe got the ball rolling as her, joey, chandler, and I nodded in agreement. We tuned now to Monica who was still hesitant.

"My dad always taught me to help someone in need. And my brother needs us if he doesn't realize it yet himself. Let's do this…"

I smiled at last knowing what everyone likely had written down on their own letters won't be the same, but we now knew of our common resolve.

"We Will Save You Ross."

5:15 P.M. Althea Gellers House

"Ross, what time were they getting here…"

"Monica gets done with practice about now so within the next 3 minutes." I don't know why but having everyone over now just somehow does not seem like a good idea.

"I'll leave sodas out…" Grandma at her best knows when not to but in, with helping out Rachel as an exception. Doorbell noise followed suit as I cleaned up a bit. I could tell who was at the door first as Grandma went into a fuss, somehow Rachel and her have gotten close.

"Ross…"

I race and see her at the door with bag in hand smiling as the others followed suit behind her. But as I now helped the others get settled in, the last member of the group made her way inside and gave off quite the impression.

"You're Monica?"

I now saw Grandma turn in shock to Monica while everyone else stayed silent. Something was off, but Rachel quickly turned back my way.

"Ross, I've shared all our details, come on shes heard about Monica…."

After a minute of uncertainty they both chuckled which allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Lets get this started…."

A/N: We set up for the all school relay and the moment the gang truly becomes unified in Chapter 18: Letter 17 As Always Subscribe for more.