A Week Later

All was quiet in Monica's apartment. She opened her eyes. She had been awakened by something, something rather unusual for an apartment building. Listening hard, she decided it was nothing and closed her eyes again.

ErrrrEHEREHERRRRR!

She sat up boltright.

"Oh my God!" Emily's voice sounded through the wall. Monica cringed. Emily had come in late from her flight from England. She would have barely gotten to sleep. She heard Emily get up and march out of her room. Monica flung the covers back and hurried out to join her. Emily whipped open their door and took two steps over to Joey and Chandler's door.

"GET UP!" she screeched. "Get up! Get up! Get up! Get up!"

Chandler pulled the door open, his hair all disheveled.

"What the hell is that noise?" Emily demanded.

"You," Chandler said, gesturing.

"It's the chick," Joey said sleepily behind him. "She's going through some changes."

"Changes? What changes?" Monica asked, confused.

"The vet thinks she's a rooster," Chandler said, the bird crowing behind him again. "We're getting a second opinion." Emily stood there fuming until Monica tugged on her arm.

"Not much we can do about it right now," Monica said, trying to get her back inside.

"I can wring it's neck is what I can do," Emily snapped. She reluctantly allowed Monica to lead her back to her room. "Who the hell keeps a rooster in an apartment building?!"

"Chandler and Joey," Monica replied, smiling a little. She was trying not to think about how cute Chandler looked with bed head. She found herself thinking these random thoughts lately. Sometimes she had to stop herself from running her fingers through his hair whenever she passed. It was all so weird. She still missed Richard, and she knew she had loved him, but Chandler had been there for her so much afterwards that it made her realize how good of a person he was too. She remembered his confession of love on his computer and blushed. Perhaps that was still in there within him somewhere? She was definitely thinking about it.

"Well, I can't keep being kept up all night like this," Emily complained, jolting her back to the moment. "I'll never be functional at work."

"I'll talk to them," Monica promised. "Try to get some more sleep." Emily shut her door firmly while Monica stood in her living room, unsure of what to do next.

Later

Monica returned to her apartment with the groceries to find Ross, Rachel, and Phoebe in her kitchen with Emily making pancakes. Joey was hovering as usual, and Chandler was lounging against the back of the couch, watching. He smiled at Monica when she came inside, and her stomach did an odd tumble. Clearing her throat, she set down her bags.

"You're shopping early," Ross noted.

"We were up early thanks to someone's dumb ass rooster," Emily commented, slapping down pancakes onto a plate and handing it roughly to Joey. He didn't notice her annoyance. He didn't notice anything once food was in front of him. He sat next to Phoebe and tucked in heartily.

"You really shouldn't have those birds in the apartment," Phoebe told them. "It's not healthy."

"No, especially when we have a master chef and someone who knows how to wring a chicken's neck living across the hall," Emily said, looking directly at them.

"You wouldn't!" Joey said, horrified.

"She's bluffing," Chandler told him, narrowing his eyes.

"Am I?" Emily challenged. She made a wringing gesture, making him jump back, scared.

"Okay, it's time to go get Frank and Alice's embryos stuffed into me," Phoebe said, getting up. She resisted the urge to kiss Joey goodbye. She patted his shoulder instead. Monica observed this as well as the look on Chandler's face when she did so. It was intriguing. She made a mental note to ask him later, if she could even be alone with him. That was difficult to do lately. Her thoughts would go rampant.

"How will they know you're ready?" Ross asked.

"They are checking to make sure I'm thick," Phoebe replied. She looked at the others. "So think thick!" She went out, waving as she went.

"Good for her," Emily said, having just been told this news. "Now, I have to get to work. Don't do anything crazy while I'm gone." She grabbed her purse and headed out.

"She's cranky," Joey commented.

"She's tired," Monica corrected.

"How're them old lady underpants treating you?" Joey asked, smirking, as she went over to her laundry basket to start folding.

"Excuse me?" Monica asked, resisting the urge to cover her behind.

"Yea, what?" Ross asked, confused.

"It's laundry day, and that means she's wearing her old lady underpants," Joey explained. "Simple."

"Yea. We have always known you and Rachel better," Chandler chimed in. "Like for instance, Rachel is wearing baggier pants. Could it be around that time of the month?"

"Chandler!" Rachel cried, blushing.

"He's right," Ross admitted. He earned a smack in return.

"You so do not know us better," Monica argued.

"Prove it," Joey urged. Rachel looked to Monica for help.

"I know!" Chandler exclaimed. "Ross, look in that grocery bag. I bet you there's a half eaten box of cookies in there." Ross reached in and pulled out a box of half eaten cookies, grinning. Monica felt embarrassed. Those cookies helped to distract her from thinking about Chandler for a little while.

"Dude," Ross said. "You're good."

"Ha," Chandler scoffed. "How many more items?"

"Five," Ross answered, counting.

"I bet you we can name all five," Chandler said smugly. "For ten bucks."

"How many guesses?" Rachel asked.

"Six," Joey suggested.

"Deal," Monica said. She and Rachel sat back while Joey and Chandler rubbed their hands together and got ready to guess.

"Apples," Chandler started. Ross pulled out a bag.

"Yogurt, tortilla chips," Joey added. Ross pulled them out as well.

"Orange juice," Chandler said.

"Nope! No orange juice!" Monica said gleefully. "Ha! We win!"

"They still have another guess, Mon," Ross told her. She deflated a little. Rachel patted her arm.

"We won that one," she smiled.

"Oh!" Chandler said, whispering into Joey's ear. He looked at Monica directly.

"Nope, not for another two weeks," he said, smirking. She gaped. He knew her cycle? Super creepy! Then why did she feel a little turned on that he knew her so intimately? Oh, the confusion.

"I got it!" Chandler cried. "Scotch..." he twirled his hand "...tape."

"Wow," Ross said, pulling it out. "How did you know?"

"We used all of it last night making scary faces," Chandler replied as if that was the most normal answer ever. Monica crossed her arms. She was ultra annoyed right now.

"Cough it up," Chandler said. "Ten bucks! Pay the piper. Tip the waiter. Gimme it." He held out his hand, wiggling his fingers. Monica sighed and slapped it down onto his hand.

"That doesn't mean you know us better," Monica said. "That was just groceries. I want a rematch."

"Yea, with real, personal questions," Rachel threw in.

"Winner gets a hundred bucks," Monica said, looking at Chandler. He gulped.

"Are you serious?" Joey asked, his eyes bulging.

"Are ya scared?" she challenged.

"No," Joey denied. His voice said otherwise. "Who's gonna make up the questions?"

"Ross'll do it," Monica answered.

"Oh sure, Ross will do it," Ross said. "It's not like I have a job, a wife and kid, or a life of my own."

"Ross," Rachel chastised.

"Fine, we'll get Phoebe to do it," Monica said.

"No, no, I wanna play," Ross told her, his voice like a small boy's. She made a face at him. He could be so childish sometimes.

Phoebe

She felt very nervous. This was Frank and Alice's only shot at having a baby. Talk about pressure. She stared at the embryos in the dish and wondered who they would become.

"All right, you guys," she said quietly. "You gotta take in there. We gotta give your parents some kids. Please do that for them. They deserve it." They didn't answer, but she believed they had heard her anyway.

"Ready?" the doctor asked, coming in.

"Hit me," Phoebe answered, leaning back. She closed her eyes. She tried not to worry about it.

Monica's Apartment

Monica could feel her heart pounding. This was the most fun she'd had since...well, in a long time. She had gotten carried away and bet the apartment if she lost. If they won, the boys would get rid of the birds. Rachel had screwed up an easy question earlier, which frustrated her. She had to win. Emily would kill her if they had to move.

"Okay, here we go," Ross said. Rachel was shaking beside her.

"Go," she nodded.

"What is the Joey special?"

"Two pizzas!" Monica shouted. Rachel pumped her fist. It was an easy one.

"Which of Joey's sisters did Chandler make out with?"

"Mary Therese!" Rachel cried.

"Nope. Mary Angela," Ross corrected.

"Damn it," she muttered. "There's too many of them!"

"Focus, Rachel!" Monica shouted. She was anxious now. That was two Rachel had cost her.

"Joey had an imaginary friend. His name was..."

"Maurice!"

"Occupation?"

"Space cowboy!" Rachel yelped. Joey bounced up and down on the couch, grinning.

"What is Chandler's job?" Ross asked. Both Monica and Rachel froze.

"Oh...oh my God," Monica stuttered.

"Ten seconds. You need this to win the game," Ross told her.

"Um, something with numbers?" Rachel said, wringing her hands.

"And processing," Monica added.

"He has a briefcase."

"Something to do with transponding," Monica started.

"He's a transpondster!" Rachel shouted, pointing.

"That's not even a word!" Monica practically shrieked at her.

Ross stops the clock, giving them a sad look.

"NOOOO!" Monica screamed.

"YEEAAH!" Chandler and Joey shouted, bumping their chests against each other. Monica dropped her head into her hands. Emily was going to be so upset with her.

Later

"What's going on?" Emily asked, coming back from work and seeing Phoebe sitting upside down in the chair and Monica packing their stuff up.

"Well, um, we sorta lost the apartment," Monica said sheepishly.

"How?" Emily asked. Chandler and Joey rode in on their white dog on wheels just then. She stared.

"I can't believe you're making Monica do this," Rachel said, shaking her head.

"Hey, don't play the game if you can't handle losing," Chandler snorted. "You would have made us get rid of the birds."

"Nooo," Monica lied.

"I'm so lost," Emily said, looking at her. "What happened when I was gone?"

"We played a trivia game to see who knew who better, and I got carried away, bet the apartment, and then lost," Monica explained. "Not my proudest moment."

Emily looked at her for a second before bursting out into laughter. Monica felt relieved.

"Well, I'm sorry I missed all the excitement," Emily said. "How can I help?" Monica handed her a box. She guessed she hadn't given Emily more credit for possibly being more laid back about this whole thing.

A Few Hours Later

"I'm pregnant!" Phoebe shrieked, running out of the bathroom. Everyone turned and faced her.

"YAY!" Alice yelled. Frank hollered in excitement.

"Congratulations," Emily beamed at them. They all pulled Phoebe into a group hug.

"Oh, I don't think this is good for the baby," Phoebe said. They all pulled back and then hugged each other without her. Phoebe caught Joey's eye, and she knew he was happy for her. She hoped it wouldn't change anything.

A Few Weeks Later

"What are you doing?" Emily asked. Monica turned to look at her.

"I'm trying to figure out what this switch is for," she replied. Emily furrowed her brow.

"I don't think it does anything," she noted.

"It doesn't," Joey chimed in. He was chowing down on the breakfast Monica had made. They had been living there for a while now, and despite the odd gross thing they had found, it wasn't the end of the world. Monica had done a deep clean and made it nicer, which made her feel better. She still missed her old room, though.

"Didn't that drive you nuts knowing you had a switch that did nothing?" Monica asked Joey.

"I know what it did," he argued. "Nothing."

"It shouldn't be there if it doesn't do anything," Monica said, getting frustrated. "How can you not care?"

"Like this," Joey shrugged.

"Hello," Chandler said, coming in behind Rachel. Kathy was holding his hand. Monica felt one of those twinges she had started getting a couple of weeks ago.

"Guess what we got Chandler to do?" Kathy bragged. She held up his finely manicured hands for everyone to see.

"He even blew on his fingers!" Rachel laughed.

"You promised!" Chandler cried.

"Sorry," Rachel said, not sorry at all.

"Well, it's been a lovely morning, but I'm off to work," Kathy said, giving him a kiss before leaving. Monica looked away.

"How are things between you two since...?" Emily trailed off. Two weeks ago, Chandler had believed that Kathy was cheating on him. In the end, it had been a whole misunderstanding and confusion mostly caused by Joey.

"They're better," Chandler said. "She knows I'm a bonehead."

"Right," Emily nodded. She looked at Monica carefully. She also knew her friend was developing feelings again for Chandler, and she didn't know how to help.

"Did you flush?" Monica demanded when Ross came out of the bathroom.

"Y-yea," he said, taken aback.

"Okay, then who is not flushing when they're over here?" Monica asked, glaring. Joey looked away, trying to act casual.

"Hey, you guys," Phoebe said, entering.

"Hi," Joey said. "How is the baby?"

"Good. I can't wait until it starts moving," Phoebe smiled. Emily noticed a look between them, and she noticed Chandler trying not to watch them. She wondered if it had something to do with how late Joey got home last night. Emily had heard him sneeze in the hallway as she got a drink of water around two a.m.

"Off to work," Rachel sighed. "I wish it wasn't so painful. I mean, sorting coat hangers? Helping old ladies put on thongs? I'm going out of my mind! There is this one guy who comes in, Joshua. He is getting an entire wardrobe. If I wasn't married, I'd probably be trying to date him."

"But you are," Ross reminded her, looking slightly alarmed.

"I know, sweetie," Rachel teased, rubbing his arm. "Very happily married." He gave her a kiss.

"We'll see you later," he said as they walked out together.

"I sometimes can't believe they are married," Chandler said. He reached into the fridge and grabbed the juice jug, pouring himself a glass.

"I know," Monica agreed. Then she went to her bedroom to change.

"Are you two sleeping together?" Emily asked Joey and Phoebe. Chandler spewed his juice everywhere.

"W-w-what?" Joey asked, frightened. "N-n-no."

"Oh God no," Phoebe denied.

"You need to work on your lies a bit better," Emily told them. "That and Chandler looks like he's going to have a stroke."

"Am not," Chandler argued. He was yanking at his collar.

"Okay, okay," Phoebe hissed, pulling Emily closer. "But you can't tell anyone, got it?"

"I swear," Emily promised.

"Come on," Phoebe said to Joey. Once they were gone, Chandler jumped for joy.

"I'm so glad I'm not the only one anymore," he said, excited.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Since before Ross and Rachel's wedding."

"That long?! Wow. You poor thing," Emily empathized.

"What's going on?" Monica asked, returning. In fact, she had heard everything. She felt a little hurt that Phoebe didn't trust her enough to tell her, but it made sense now. If Phoebe didn't want her to know, then she would pretend not to know. For now.

"Chandler was just saying how long it's been since he's slept with Kathy," Emily said smoothly. "Three weeks? That's torture." Chandler shot her a dirty look, but he had to admit, she was good.

"Ouch," Monica laughed. Even though she knew it was a lie, she felt smug for some reason. If she was with him, she wouldn't hold out for three weeks on him. This thought took her by surprise again. Why was she thinking like this about him? She avoided looking at him, suddenly embarrassed.

"If you'll excuse me," Chandler said. "It seems I have some ass kissing to do with my girlfriend." He set down his glass and stalked out. Emily and Monica burst out laughing as soon as he was gone.

A Week Later

"Buh bye," Kathy said, rubbing noses with Chandler before leaving. Everyone tried not to stare, especially Monica.

"You guys are really getting along, huh?" Ross asked.

"Yea. We are. Actually, really well," Chandler answered, sitting down.

"Aren't you ready to have a freak out yet?" Rachel questioned. Chandler made a face at her.

"The baby wants meat!" Phoebe declared, coming into the apartment. Joey looked up from his sandwich.

"What?" he asked.

"The baby wants me to eat meat. I can't do it, but everything else makes me nauseous," Phoebe whimpered. She eyed Joey's sandwich.

"You have a lovely glow about you," Joey tried.

"That's from throwing up all day," Phoebe complained. She watched him add more meat to the pile that was on his bread.

"So, do you think she's the one?" Ross asked Chandler, getting back to Kathy. Monica rolled her eyes. Rachel noticed.

"Uh, I dunno," Chandler said, scratching his head.

"He totally knows," Phoebe commented, still watching Joey. When he was done and about to eat it, she launched onto the other end of it.

"Whoa!" he yelped. "What are you doing?"

"The baby needs meat," Phoebe replied. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I can make you your own," he offered.

"No. It's so bad. I mean, I'll be killing so many cows," Phoebe said, tearing up.

"How about if I cut back?" Joey asked. "Then you could eat my share. That way it's even."

"You'd do that for me?" she questioned, her eyes shining. He smiled.

"Of course," he replied. "I'd do anything for you." She refrained from kissing him since everyone was watching.

"All right, all right," Chandler caved, changing the subject to get the attention off of them and their obvious romantic tension. "Yes, I think she's the one."

"Dude!" Ross cheered. Monica felt sick inside, which was the theme of her reactions towards Chandler and Kathy's relationship the past week or so. How could Kathy be the one for him? Sure, they got along, but she just didn't see that they would get along forever.

"I, uh, have a ring," Chandler admitted. There was a stunned silence in the room. Phoebe stopped chewing.

"What?" Monica asked. She felt her throat tightening. As hard as she did to deny it all week, she felt herself starting to have feelings for Chandler, and finding out he was going to propose to Kathy was like a bat to the head and then the stomach. And then maybe another shot to the head after that.

"Yea," Chandler nodded. He pulled it out to show them. Rachel was on it immediately.

"Oh my God," she gasped, taking it from him.

"Congrats, man," Ross said, clapping his back. "Bing is growing up!"

"I gotta go buy some food," Monica said, getting up and rushing out. Rachel was not far behind her.

"Mon? What's going on?" Rachel asked. Monica stopped on the stairs.

"Nothing," she lied. "I just need food."

"Okay," Rachel said, unsure. Phoebe came out just then.

"Secret meeting?" she asked.

"No. I think Monica is bothered by Chandler proposing to Kathy," Rachel explained.

"Oh, that again," Phoebe nodded.

"What again?"

"Oh...uh..." Phoebe stalled. Damn her mouth sometimes.

"Does Monica like Chandler?" Rachel demanded.

"Nooo."

"Did she like him before?"

"Noooo."

"Phoebe!"

"Okay, so Chandler had the hots for Monica but she was with Richard, and then they broke up, and she found out he had feelings for her, but then he got with Janice, and Monica said she didn't think she had feelings for Chandler in return, so she never pursued it," Phoebe said all at once. Rachel gaped at her.

"Are you serious right now?"

"Totally."

"What are we going to do?"

"Nothing," Phoebe said emphatically. "Because Chandler loves Kathy. We are not going to ruin that for him."

"But..."

"No!"

"Okay, okay," Rachel huffed, crossing her arms. She felt very sorry for her best friend. What a predicament to be in.

Three Weeks Later

Phoebe, Monica, and Emily

"I have an idea," Emily said, coming into the apartment. "My uncle gave me these, and I think we can use them to get our apartment back." She showed Monica the Knicks tickets. Phoebe looked over her shoulder.

"Whoa," Phoebe said. "Season tickets? Right on the floor? Joey will roll over and show his tummy the second you show him these."

"I think we might actually have a shot," Monica agreed. Emily beamed.

"All right," she said. "Let's go make the trade." She marched over to their old apartment, Monica at her heels. Phoebe followed closely behind.

"Hey," Joey said, seeing them come in. "What's up?"

"We just wanted to come and tell you all about our Knicks tickets," Emily said, waving them in her hand. Joey was immediately transfixed. Chandler looked over at them from his chair, mildly interested.

"Season tickets! Right on the floor!" Joey cried, finally seeing them.

"That's right," Emily nodded. "And you can have them if you give us our apartment back." Joey retracted his outstretched hand, looking at Chandler for guidance.

"No," Chandler shook his head. "No tickets are worth this apartment."

"But," Joey started. "Season tickets!"

"No, Joe. I'm not moving," Chandler said, crossing his arms firmly. Monica wanted to go over there and make him uncross those arms. She blinked, trying to clear the image of her sitting on his lap out of her mind. He still hadn't proposed to Kathy, and it had been three weeks. Perhaps he wasn't going to. Maybe he didn't want to.

"Offer holds until this afternoon," Emily said. "Think about it." She walked back to their apartment, and Monica hovered while Phoebe went to use the washroom.

"You're meaner than I thought," Joey commented.

"Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do," Monica shrugged. When Chandler didn't look at her, she left. He seemed preoccupied with something. Maybe he and Kathy were breaking up!

Later

Emily was sulking. They had gone with the old card game of the highest card gets all, and they had lost, so the boys were currently at the game. Phoebe was watching and getting an idea.

"You know," she said. "There's nothing stopping you guys from moving back in there while they're gone." Monica perked up, as did Emily.

"You're right," Emily gasped. "Why didn't we think of that?"

"No idea, but let's move, move, move!" Monica shouted, leaping into action. They started throwing things into boxes and hauling stuff across the hall. Rachel came and found them dragging one of the boys' chairs through the doorway.

"What's going on?" she asked, peering into Monica's original apartment and finding it a mess. She looked at Joey and Chandler's old apartment and saw it was a mess too.

"We're taking our apartment back," Monica replied, wiping her brow.

"Ooohh I'll help!" Rachel declared. She grabbed a box, and Emily showed her what to pack. Phoebe was lugging all the bedspreads and sheets from the beds over to the boys' apartment.

"You realize they could do this when you two are gone," Rachel commented.

"We know," Monica sighed. "We're thinking of a back up plan."

"You two could kiss for one minute," Phoebe suggested, not looking up. Monica and Rachel stared at her.

"What?" Rachel asked.

"Yea!" Phoebe exclaimed. "They'd love it. Guys like that kind of stuff."

"Should of thought of that before all this even happened," Emily said.

"Let's not go there," Monica urged. Emily nodded in agreement. They kept packing and moving as quickly as they could. The game would be over soon.

Later Still

"Totally worth it," Chandler said, walking back into their apartment.

"Yup," Joey nodded. Chandler couldn't stop thinking about it. He was feeling slightly jealous that Monica was making out with Rachel. He'd always wanted to know what kissing Monica would be like. Granted, the two didn't look entirely comfortable doing it, but it still looked nice. He shook his head. What was the matter with him?! He had a dinner date with Kathy, and a very big thing planned.

"Well, I'm off," he said to Joey, who was now sipping a beer and eating pizza in front of Baywatch.

"Later," Joey grunted. Chandler felt nervous but also excited. It was going to be a night to remember.

Ross & Rachel

"You kissed my sister?" Ross asked, incredulous.

"To get her apartment back," Rachel shrugged. "It was nothing. Also, it was weird."

"Okay, good," Ross said, "I think I would start questioning myself if two of my wives turned gay."

"Oh, Ross," Rachel laughed. "I am absolutely, positively, not gay."

"Oh yea? Prove it," he challenged. She grabbed him and pushed him down onto the couch.

"You're on," she grinned. He pulled her down and kissed her hard. So far, she was proving it very well.

Chandler

He had waited three weeks after showing his friends the ring. Three weeks to come up with a perfect way to propose to his girlfriend. Three weeks to wonder why Monica seemed upset at his decision. He shoved it out of his mind. Monica was not into him like that. And he loved Kathy. Simple as that. Now, he was sitting across from Kathy in a fancy restaurant, and he was about to get on one knee. He felt shaky, but he knew he wanted to do this. It felt right.

"Hey, Kathy?" he asked, stopping her mid-sentence.

"Yea?" she said, looking concerned. "Are you all right? You're sweating."

"I'm more than all right," he said, smiling slowly. He got off his chair and bent on one knee. Kathy covered her face with her hands. "I love you. I know we haven't been dating long, but this just feels right. I would be so happy if you would be my wife."

"Oh, Chandler," she said, her eyes wet. "Of course. Yes!" She fell down to her knees and hugged him tightly. Then he slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. Everyone around them clapped and whistled. He blushed. He had done it! Why then, was he imagining Monica standing in front of him instead of Kathy?

Monica

"We're engaged!" Kathy shouted as they burst through the door. Monica struggled to keep a hold of the dish she was drying. Emily choked on her water. Joey and Phoebe stared at them from their card game. Ross and Rachel were not there.

"C-congratulations," Monica stuttered. Her hands were shaking. Even though she knew Chandler had that ring, she honestly didn't think he'd go through with it since three weeks had gone by. Kathy was beaming, so happy.

"We're gonna get married in London," Chandler went on. "In a month."

"A month?!" Phoebe spluttered.

"Why London?" Emily asked, curious.

"I have family there," Kathy answered. "And it's beautiful there. I was wondering if you knew of any places that would host a perfect wedding?"

"Uh..." Emily trailed off, looking at Monica. Helping Kathy seemed like a betrayal to their friendship. Monica conveyed with her eyes that it was okay. "I...I suppose I know of some."

"Great! I'm so excited!" Kathy squealed. She kissed Chandler heartily. "I gotta call my mom. I'll see you in a few minutes." She squeezed his butt energetically. Monica bit back a snort.

"Well, I should do...something," Chandler said, gesturing back to his apartment. Monica's stomach clenched. Engagement sex most likely. She felt nauseous.

"Are you all right?" Emily asked Monica.

"Why would I not be all right?" Monica questioned, her voice a little higher pitched than usual. Joey gave her a concerned look.

"Could you get me some ice cream?" Phoebe asked Joey suddenly. He turned to look at her, confused as to why she would interrupt.

"Now?" he asked.

"Yes. Now. Right now. The babies need it," Phoebe added.

"But," Joey started.

"Go! Go, go, go!" Phoebe shouted. Joey leaped to his feet.

"I'm on it," he said, charging out the door. It sure came in handy, Joey being willing to do anything for the babies. Once he was gone, she turned to face Monica, who was now crying.

"I knew it," Emily sighed, moving in to hug her. "What can we do?"

"Nothing," Monica choked. "He loves her. They're getting married. I'm happy for him."

"Save your lies," Phoebe said. "They suck anyway. Mon, why didn't you tell him?"

"Because I thought it was just a rebound thing from Richard dying," Monica confessed. "I didn't think it was serious. Now, now I know it's definitely serious."

"You can't let him marry her," Emily said immediately. "Not without him knowing."

"I can't," Monica said sadly. "It would make him so conflicted, and the last thing I want to do is hurt him."

"You're being ridiculous," Phoebe pointed out.

"Maybe so, but at least I'm not hiding my relationship," Monica said, glaring at her.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Phoebe stuttered.

"Oh, please. You and Joey look at each other so much it's almost painful, and the way you look at each other it's like you can't wait to rip each other's clothes off. I'm not stupid," Monica added.

"I'm actually kind of relieved," Phoebe said, sighing. "It's been hard keeping this a secret."

"So, are you going to tell everyone else then?" Emily asked.

"Oh, no, not yet," Phoebe shook her head.

"Phoebe!"

"Sorry! I just don't want Joey to freak out. He doesn't even know that you two know. He just thinks Chandler knows. I feel like more people knowing will make him rethink this whole thing."

"Really?" Monica asked. She didn't picture Joey as being like that.

"I just don't want to jinx it," Phoebe begged.

"Okay. It stays between us," Monica said, patting Phoebe's arm reassuringly.

"So what are you going to do about Chandler?" Emily asked.

"Nothing. I will watch him get married and be happy. That's what best friends do," Monica answered. She ignored their exasperated looks. She was not going to ruin Chandler's happiness. She was pretty sure he had moved on from her long ago anyway.

Maybe 6 months after Richard's death is too soon for Monica to start having feelings for Chandler, but I'm not going to dwell on that. Don't forget she kind of had feelings for Chandler before she got with Richard. Anyway, I'm going to stop justifying my story now lol.