Thank you for the reviews! You're all such lovely people. I hope you like this next chapter.

Erica happened to walk by the window when she noticed movement across the street. She paused, watching. It looked like they were moving with all the boxes everywhere. She remembered her Aunt Rachel and Uncle Ross used to live there before moving out to be closer to her parents. It was a nice place. She was pouring herself a tea when someone knocked on her door. She paused, wondering who it could be. She walked over to answer it.

"Hi!" her birth mom cried excitedly. Erica shrieked with joy and pulled her into a huge hug.

"What are you doing here?" Erica asked once they stopped hugging and laughing.

"I just had to come see your new place! I mean, I know I was already here, but that was so long ago," Erica Sr. "It looks amazing!"

"Sit, sit!" Erica Jr. gestured. "Coffee? Tea? Juice?"

"Oh my God you are so like your mother!" Erica Sr. laughed. "Monica was such a good hostess."

"So how are things?" Erica Jr. asked.

"They're great! I'm so busy with work, but I really wanted to see you guys. It's been too long," Erica Sr. said.

"Jack will love to see you! He's out with Lucy right now," Erica Jr. told her.

"Ooohhh! A girlfriend? He's such a cutie. I hope I get to meet her," Erica Sr. gushed.

"I'm sure you will. She's practically attached to his hip right now," Erica Jr. laughed.

"So what about you? Any prospects?" Erica Sr. prompted.

"Well..." Erica Jr. trailed off.

"There is! Who is he?" Erica Sr. demanded. "Is he cute? Is he sexy? Details!"

"He's all the above," Erica Jr. blushed. "He's the landlord here."

"Even better. Have you asked him over to 'help' with something yet?" Erica Sr. asked, giggling.

"No," Erica Jr. replied. "Emma is after him pretty bad too."

"Don't let her take him! You deserve a nice guy," Erica Sr. nodded seriously. Jack came bursting through the door then with Lucy. They had returned from their brunch.

"It's Mom number two!" Jack cried, coming over to hug Erica Sr. "Lucy! Meet my birth mom."

"Hi, nice to meet you," Lucy said, shaking her hand. "I didn't know Jack was in touch with you."

"Yea. We had an open arrangement where I could be involved if I wanted. We made it work," Erica Sr. shrugged. "I live in Ohio though, so I wasn't here full time. I haven't actually seen you guys in a few years."

"It's great to see you," Jack said. Erica Jr. nodded.

"I wish I could stay! I'm passing through. I have to be at a conference this afternoon, but I wanted to stop in," Erica Sr. said. She hugged them both again tightly.

"Come back soon," Erica Jr. said.

"I will. Absolutely. Gosh, you guys are so grown up!" Erica Sr. said, putting her hand over her mouth.

"Hey, have you guys seen...? Oh, hey," Joey said, stopping short after seeing Erica Sr. "Wow, I haven't seen you in...forever."

"Joey!" Erica Sr. cried. She hugged him tightly. "It's been too long, you're right! How are you? Still living the single's man dream?"

"Ah ha, yea," Joey replied nervously. He had always kind of had a soft spot for Erica Sr.

"Good for you! I'm living the same dream. Goodness, it's hard to find a decent guy out there! Anyway, I have to run, but it was lovely to see you all. Erica, keep me posted on that landlord!" Erica Sr. said, looking at her in mock sternness. Erica Jr. blushed. She didn't want Joey knowing about that.

"See ya," Joey said, waving as she left. He turned to Erica. "The landlord eh?"

"Don't even," Erica warned, turning to go back to her room. Jack guffawed.

"So have you seen my bat?" Joey asked.

"Why would I have your bat?" Jack asked back.

"I dunno. It's missing. I keep it for emergencies, like the time I thought your parents had been in trouble when they called me Bert," Joey explained.

"I don't understand..." Jack said.

"Oh. One time I tried to come in, and Chandler shoved me out the door and kept calling me Bert and telling me to go away. I thought someone was in here hurting them since our code word for danger was Bert, so I climbed up the fire escape with my bat. Turned out it was the social worker meeting with them about letting them be adopted parents, and I had slept with her and never called her back." Joey finished.

"Wow. Great story, but no, I haven't seen your bat," Jack said. "I have to get to work now, so I'll see you around." He grabbed his green apron and walked out with Lucy. Joey stood there thinking. Had he ever gotten his bat back? He was going to call Chandler and ask.

Chandler & Monica

"Yes, Joe, I gave you back your bat," Chandler said into the phone. He rolled his eyes at Monica, who laughed. Her phone buzzed, and she checked it.

BM Erica visited, Erica had written. Monica paused. Really? That was interesting. They hadn't really heard from Birth Mom Erica much lately.

M: Cool. Is she staying?

E: No. Only here for conference. Just wanted to say hi.

M: That was nice of her. How are you doing?

E: Great. Gotta go though. Lots of work to do.

M: Okay. Love you.

E: Love you too. BTW, people leaving Uncle Ross' old apartment. Maybe let Emma know?

Monica froze at this. She had forgotten to tell the twins about that.

M: Will talk to you later about it

E: K. Ciao!

"Good grief," Chandler said, hanging up with Joey. "I swear he's losing his mind sometimes."

"Why does he want his bat anyway?" Monica asked.

"He wants to play baseball," Chandler replied. "The guy can't hit anything or aim very well, so I don't know how that's going to work."

"Maybe it's a midlife thing?" Monica questioned. Chandler just shrugged. Joey had seemed aloof the last few times he had spoken to him. Maybe he was getting tired of the single life game and wanted to create a more settled lifestyle.

"Are we still on for tonight?" Monica asked, giving Chandler a look.

"Oh yes," Chandler agreed. "We are definitely, definitely still on for tonight." He came over and tipped her backwards, giving her a kiss and making her laugh.

"I'm bringing my A game," Monica warned.

"Oh, don't worry. My B game will be upgraded to an A game by tonight," Chandler promised. Monica laughed again. It was going to be such a good night.

Frank

He was trying to stack cans of tomato juice properly when he heard someone call out his name. He turned, bumping a can accidentally and sending it flying, but he managed to catch it somewhat awkwardly before it hit the ground. He saw the source of the shout.

"Emma!" he said, surprised.

"Yes! I got a job here!" Emma told him. "You were right. The clothing department desperately needs some revamping. They loved me."

"That's...that's great," Frank said, beaming inside. He was so glad he could have helped her. The smile on her face was the most rewarding thing he'd ever gotten.

"So, what do you do here?" Emma asked.

"Mainly stock shelves. I don't do the tills much. They like to keep me invisible," Frank shrugged. He didn't mention the hazing that was still happening. This morning he had been sent in to the back to clean up 10 cartons of broken eggs. It had been very sticky. He had to ask for a new smock because someone had written "Big Loser" on the front.

"Oh, well, that's good," Emma said, not sure of what else to say.

"Yea, it is. I should get back to work though or else I'll get in trouble," Frank told her. It wouldn't be the first time. He had been helping a customer when his manager came and said he was talking to people for too long and too often. Frank suspected another coworker made it up.

"Okay. I'll um, see you later," Emma said, smiling. She walked back to the clothing department, leaving Frank standing there daydreaming for a moment. Then he turned back to his work.

"Oops, sorry," his coworker said, bumping into the pyramid he'd been working on. Cans went bouncing. The coworker left, sniggering, and Frank heaved a big sigh and set to work catching the rolling cans before they took some old lady out and he got sued.

Channie

"So what are we doing tonight?" she asked Ben. They were on the phone.

"I'm taking you out to dinner to celebrate you passing your exams and graduating," Ben said.

"That sounds nice," Channie replied.

"Yea I thought so. I'm pretty awesome at these kind of things," Ben joked.

"Well, I can't wait," Channie said. She really couldn't.

"What did your parents say when you told them?" Ben asked.

"Mom cried and screamed with joy. Dad kept whooping and shouting, 'That's my girl! That's my girl!'" Channie laughed. "He gets so excited."

"Aw that's nice," Ben chuckled.

"I gotta go though. Les wants me to help pick out her outfit for tomorrow. It's a big moment," Channie explained.

"Ah yes. The approval of the dish by Aunt Monica and Tess," Ben said. "I'm sure she'll pass."

"If she cooks what she made last night, she'll blow their minds," Channie said.

"Okay, well, I'll see you later. Wish Leslie good luck for me," Ben added.

"Will do. See you later!"

Rachel/Ross/Phoebe/Mike

"Oh, wow," Rachel was saying as she wandered around the apartment. "It feels like we never left."

"I know," Ross agreed. He had missed the place. Other than the fact Monica and Chandler were farther away and Emma missed her cousins, they could have stayed here. It was sufficient enough.

"Hey," Phoebe said. "Look what I found." She held up a piece of paper.

"What is it?" Ross asked.

"It's from you to Ugly Naked Guy complimenting him and talking about the apartment," Phoebe laughed. "He must have forgotten it when he left."

"Oh my God!" Rachel cried, snatching it from her. "Really? You wrote him a letter? Ross, you're such a nerd."

"Give me that!" Ross yelped, trying to get it. Rachel held it out of reach, still laughing.

"'Dear sir,'" she started reading.

"Rach, I'm begging you," Ross said.

"'I just wanted to give you these mini muffins and say that I have appreciated you being our neighbor across the street.'"

"Oh my God, Ross," Phoebe choked out through her laughter.

"'I really admire this beautiful apartment, and I was so hoping you would consider me to be the new owner,'" Rachel went on.

"Rach, please, stop," Ross begged.

"Keep going!" Mike urged. This was hilarious.

"'I have this feeling that it will create great memories and be the best place to call home. There's this girl I'm in love with, and I think she'd love to live here too one day...'" Rachel trailed off. She looked at Ross, who had covered his eyes by now.

"Go on," Phoebe said. "Who was the girl?!"

"'Her name is Rachel, and even though right now we're not together, I just know we will be. Call it a feeling, but it's also a feeling that this place will be where we decide to get back together. Maybe I'm crazy, but what is life without a little craziness? Please consider me. You won't regret it. Ross Geller,'" Rachel finished. She lowered the letter and stared at Ross.

"Wow," Mike said. "That's some letter." He took it from Rachel.

"Why did you write 'Freak' on the back?" Phoebe asked.

"I didn't," Ross replied.

"Oh," Phoebe said.

"Ross," Rachel started.

"Look, it was crazy," Ross said. "I really wanted this apartment, and I knew we would work out somehow. I just had a feeling."

"Yea, we got that," Mike laughed. Ross cut him a glare. Mike lowered his head and went to continue unpacking. Phoebe followed.

"But you said it would happen here, us getting back together. Ross, it did," Rachel said, thinking back to when she rushed inside from coming back from the airport and they professed their love for each other and decided to be together. "How did you know?"

"I didn't. That's what was so crazy," Ross said. "This place just gave me that feeling. I knew I had to live here."

"Wow. Ross, I love you," Rachel said, crossing the room and kissing him passionately. It was all so romantic.

"I love you too," Ross replied, hugging her tightly. Not a day went by where he regretted stripping down and hanging out with Ugly Naked Guy to get this apartment. It had started a chain of events that led him to where he was now.

Erica

"Hey," Erica said suddenly. Jack had popped up from work to grab a quick lunch. His head was in the fridge when she called out. He banged his head in response.

"Ow!" he yelped. He stood up, rubbing his head. "What?"

"That's Aunt Rachel and Uncle Ross," Erica said, pointing. "They're in the apartment across the street." Jack came over to investigate.

"It is," he agreed.

"But...?" Erica started.

"Whoa!" Jack exclaimed, seeing Phoebe and Mike appear beside them.

"When did they get home?!" Erica cried. She whipped out her phone and called her mother. There was no answer.

"Argh!" she said, annoyed.

"Guess it was a surprise?" Jack asked, shrugging. "I'm sure Mom will tell us what's going on eventually."

"I wanna know now!" Erica whined.

"Relax," Jack said. "We'll confront them later. I gotta get back to work. See ya."

"Bye," Erica called after him. She was confused as to why her mother didn't mention Phoebe's return in her texts earlier. Knocking interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in!" she shouted.

"Hey," Robbie said, opening the door.

"Oh!" Erica cried. She looked down at herself. Sweats and a ragged, paint splotched t-shirt. Awesome.

"Is this a bad time?" Robbie asked.

"Uhhh, no," Erica lied.

"You working?" he asked, gesturing to her shirt.

"Is it that obvious?" she laughed nervously.

"Kind of," he smiled. "You paint?"

"I do," she answered.

"Can I see?"

"Oh, it's not done yet," Erica told him.

"Next time then," he winked. She blushed.

"For sure," she agreed. "What's up?"

"I was wondering how your bathroom tap has been working," Robbie started. "I remember it was acting up just before the other tenants were given the boot."

"Oh, it's...fine?" Erica finished. "You can have a look."

"Thanks," Robbie smiled. She sat there staring at the bathroom door. Did he really come here for that? Or was he making something up just to see her?

"Looks great," Robbie said. "Anything else need fixing?"

"Nope," Erica replied.

"Good. Okay, so I guess I'll see you around," Robbie said slowly. He lingered by the door.

"Did you want a soda or something?" Erica asked. She sensed it was what he wanted.

"Actually, yea," Robbie said. "I forgot to grab something to drink earlier." He sat at the table while she grabbed him a pop. She sat across from him while he drank it.

"So, the tap huh?" Erica asked. "That was the best you could do?"

"Damn it," Robbie winced. "Was I that obvious?"

"So very obvious," Erica laughed.

"Well, you caught me," Robbie smiled. They sat in an awkward silence for a moment.

"You wanted to see me then?" Erica asked.

"Yea. I mean, if that's okay. I'd really like to...um, go on a date with you sometime. If that's okay with you," Robbie added. "God, I suck at this."

"I'd love to," Erica answered.

"Great. That's...great," Robbie repeated. He winced again. "I really suck at this."

"I know this great Italian place," Erica said, reaching over and grabbing a pen. She started to write her number on his hand. "Call me when you make reservations." She added the restaurant name under her number. He stared at it for a moment.

"Thanks for helping me out," he laughed.

"Anytime. Call me," she smiled. He stood to leave.

"I certainly will," he promised. Erica blushed scarlet as he walked out the door. When he was gone, she couldn't help it. She squealed with excitement. She was going on a date!

Channie

"This is wonderful, Ben," Channie said as they sat down to dinner. "How could you afford this?"

"My story was a hit. I got a bonus," Ben shrugged. "But you deserve this, so I would have coughed it up somehow."

"So gallant," Channie teased. They were really enjoying themselves when across the room she noticed someone.

"What?" Ben asked.

"It's Aunt Monica and Uncle Chandler," Channie said. "They're so going to see us."

"And?" Ben asked. "What's the problem?"

"No problem. I just...am making an observation, that's all," Channie said.

"Nice coverup," Ben noted.

"Thanks."

Monica and Chandler passed them without seeing them. They were too into each other to notice anyone else.

"Oh, God," Channie said when they started making out.

"Yea," Ben winced. "That's a little much even for me."

"Let's just..." Channie gestured.

"Agreed," Ben nodded. They moved so their backs were to the couple. Ben shuddered. It was one thing to know his relatives did that kind of stuff. It was another to see it. They tried to not think about it for the rest of the meal. A banging sound made them both jump. Channie turned to see Chandler's face have an almost contorted look while Monica was looking sly about something and her hand was under the tablecloth.

"Can we...can we leave?" Channie asked. "I think she's giving him a...nevermind."

"Chan!" Ben yelped. "Don't tell me that!"

"Please?" she begged.

"After you," Ben gestured. They practically bolted out of the restaurant at high speed. Once they were outside, they burst into laughter.

"Shit!" Channie snorted. "That really ruined our evening."

"Not for me," Ben said, scooping her up into his arms, making her shriek with glee. He kissed her passionately.

"Let's get a room," Channie suggested.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Ben nodded.

Leslie

She was on her way to the Perk to sit and relax. Her nerves for tomorrow were sky high. She was almost frightened. What if she failed? This was her dream, and it was so important that she got this job. She shook her head, trying to eliminate the thoughts for now. She went to go inside the Perk when she saw Jack and Lucy standing at the doorway kissing. Leslie halted. It stung. It really did. She knew the whole thing was stupid. There was six years between them after all, but she couldn't change how she felt. She decided not to go in. She just didn't want to add that to her already tense feelings. Unsure of where else to go, she went to Erica's. At least there she could talk and get some reassurance.

Hope you enjoyed! I'm having so much fun writing this story :) I did the whole Erica Sr. and Erica Jr. thing cos I didn't know how else to write it, and apparently women can be called Sr. and Jr. if they wished. You learn something new every day!