"Earth to Erica!"

"Huh?" Erica mumbled, looking up. She had fallen asleep on the kitchen table it seemed. Jack was standing there staring at her, having just come home from his shift.

"The bedroom is twenty paces that way," Jack said, pointing.

"Sorry. I just put my head down for a second," she responded.

"Don't apologize. I just figured the bed would be more comfortable than the hard table," Jack laughed, hanging up his apron. "Why so tired anyway?"

"Didn't sleep well last night," Erica lied. It was sort of true. She and Robbie had watched the sun come up while talking, and then she tried to stay awake for the day. She rubbed her neck absently. It was stiff from being at such an awkward angle by sleeping on the table.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with Robbie would it?" Jack asked over his shoulder, heading to his room.

"Fork," Erica muttered under her breath. How did he always know?

"Hmm?" he prompted, returning with his puzzle book.

"It's none of your business," she snapped.

"I'll take that as a yes," he nodded. He sat down on the couch. Erica got up and went to her room. She wasn't in the mood for her brother right now.

"Lucy's coming over tonight by the way," he called after her.

"Great," Erica sighed. Just what she needed right now. She looked at her phone and was surprised to see a message from Emma.

Sorry I was so stupid at dinner last night. Hope you can forgive me!

That was interesting. Emma rarely apologized to her for stuff. Erica debated responding, but she decided to let it sit for a while. She heard Jack turn on the television and sighed again. She missed the old way they would be with each other. She wasn't sure what was happening to their relationship, and it worried her. Her phone vibrated again.

Dinner soon? her mother had written. Erica smiled.

Sounds good!

Emma

She was so furious at Frank! How could he say those things to her?! Chad was NOT like that at all. Emma stormed around the clothing racks at work, yanking back shirts and trying to look like she was sorting or doing something work related. She couldn't really see anyway her anger was so blinding. Her life was her business. She tried to breathe deeply. She was supposed to meet Chad later, and she didn't want to be this worked up when she did. She definitely did not want Frank and his words in her head either.

Phoebe & Mike

"Next week," Mike was saying. Phoebe barely heard him. This was still all so surreal for her. "Phoebe?"

"Yea," she said.

"It'll be all right," he reassured her. He hugged her tightly. He didn't want her to worry. Phoebe clung to him, tears filling her eyes. She desperately hoped he was right because she couldn't do this life without him.

Channie

She was still feeling embarrassed from lunch that day, but she truly believed that Ben loved her parents, and it made her feel really good. He had to go help a friend that evening, but she was fine to be home in the quiet for once. It didn't stay that long, however. Frank came barreling in all red and out of breath. She looked up at him, concerned.

"Don't talk to me," he said, seeing her. Then he went into his room and slammed the door.

"Oookay," Channie muttered. That was a little odd. Then Leslie came in, and she was smiling so hard her face looked about to crack in two.

"You're in a good mood," Channie noted, making her blush. She hopped over to Channie and fell down beside her on the couch.

"I'm in love," she crooned.

"Really?" Channie asked, impressed.

"Yes! His name is Gus, and he's perfect."

"How perfect on a scale of one to ten?"

"A ten! He took me to a karaoke place after work tonight, and he has the best voice I've ever heard," Leslie gushed.

"You? In a karaoke setting?" Channie was surprised. Her sister was very shy usually.

"Oh, I didn't sing. He wanted me to, but I wasn't ready," Leslie laughed. "We had such a good time! I'm really excited about this."

"I'm so glad," Channie smiled. She hugged her sister. It was about time Leslie stopped pining over Jack Bing. Yes, Channie knew all about it cos her sister was a bit obvious about it. She looked over at Frank's door. If only she could get him to talk to her.

Five Days Later

Monica & Chandler

"This is so nerve wracking!" Monica moaned. She was pacing the living room while Chandler sat on the chair, watching. Mike had gone in for his coronary catheterization, and they were waiting to hear the news. Every time Monica's phone made a noise, she jumped.

"I'm sure it'll be good news," Chandler said, trying to sound more hopeful than he felt.

"I hope so," she said back. She hadn't told Erica or Jack. They didn't need to worry unless there was really something to worry about. She figured if it was bad news, she would tell them at dinner that night. After a few more minutes of pacing, her phone finally rang. She leaped on it.

"Hello?!"

"Mon, he's okay," Phoebe said, crying.

"Oh thank God!" Monica shouted. She put it on speaker so Chandler could hear too.

"I know. I'm so relieved. They only found one artery that needed a stent and put it in, so that's all for now. He has to take some medication, have a diet change and a better exercise routine, but he's fine!"

"We're so relieved, Phoebs," Chandler said. He hugged Monica to him. He really was relieved. He didn't know what he'd do if something had happened to Mike.

"I'll talk to you later. He's wanting to get out of here now that he's awake," Phoebe said.

"Okay. Talk soon!" Monica called. They hung up.

"Well?" Chandler asked. "Can I eat chips again?"

"No," she answered. "If Mike is going to have a lifestyle change, then so are we."

"All right," Chandler sighed. He looked at his watch. The kids would be there shortly. He couldn't wait to see them.

Frank

He knew. He just knew. One look at her face said it all. Chad had dumped her. Frank couldn't prove it for sure, but he did notice that Chad wasn't fawning all over her as much as he had been, not that Emma was at work much for him to observe. This was the first day he'd seen her since their big fight, and she was avoiding him. Frank had expected this, but it still hurt. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know how to reach out. She wouldn't give him the chance anyway even if he did. He tried to focus on his work, but it was difficult. Then he was suddenly rammed into by someone.

"Watch it, Sinatra," Chad snarled as he walked away. Frank wanted to punch him. He wasn't a violent guy, though, so imagining it was the best he could do. Frank turned back to his work, hoping that Emma would eventually talk to him again so he could make her feel better.

Ross, Rachel & Joey

"Is Emma talking to you?" Rachel asked Joey. They were at the Perk having coffee together. Emma was supposed to join them after work. Rachel had noticed her daughter wasn't as chatty as usual when they had talked earlier.

"Not really," Joey shook his head, biting into his muffin. "I think she's still embarrassed about the whole coming home drunk thing."

"Is she still dating Chad?" Ross asked. He didn't like that kid. He had seen him the other day when he was shopping, and there was just something about him that rubbed him the wrong way.

"I dunno," Joey answered. "I haven't seen him come around the past few days."

"You think they broke up?" Rachel asked Ross.

"Who knows?" Ross replied.

"She's been crying in her room a lot too," Joey added. Rachel and Ross both stared at him.

"That was useful information to know, Joey," Rachel said.

"Oh, yea," Joey said sheepishly. "Sorry."

"He's dumped her," Ross commented immediately.

"You went there awfully quick," Rachel said, squinting at him.

"Well, why else is she crying?"

"They could have just had a fight," Rachel said indignantly.

"True..."

"It seems bigger than that," Joey cut in. "Just a vibe I'm getting. Oh, there she is! Everyone act cool." He crossed his legs and looked up at the ceiling innocently.

"Knock it off," Ross said, bumping his shoulder into Joey's.

"Hey, sweetie," Rachel said when Emma approached and flopped onto the chair beside the couch. "How was your day?"

"Awful. People suck," Emma replied.

"That they do sometimes," Ross nodded. "What happened?"

"I got yelled at because I couldn't find a certain sweater that was on sale," Emma moaned. "Then the lady accused me of putting it away for myself. As if it was my style anyway!"

"I'm sorry," Rachel said, reaching over to rub Emma's arm sympathetically.

"How's Chad?" Ross asked, wanting to get to the point. Emma just looked at him.

"He's fine," she answered coolly. There was something in her expression that was off, though. Ross could tell. He didn't press the issue.

"There's a pizza with my name on it," Joey said, getting up to leave. He could sense a family issue coming.

"See you later," Rachel called after him.

"Are you sure it's just work?" Ross asked Emma. "You seem down."

"It was just a bad day, okay? Please don't push the issue," Emma said curtly. Rachel and Ross shared a look with each other.

"You want to get some dinner?" Rachel asked.

"No. I just want to be alone," Emma answered. She got up and went to hug her parents. "I'll call you later."

"All right," Rachel agreed. Then Emma was gone. Ross got to his feet immediately.

"Where are you going?" Rachel asked.

"To find that Chad," Ross sneered. "He thinks he can hurt my little girl he can think again!"

"Ross! She said things were fine, remember? Let it go."

"I'm sorry. I can't let this one go," Ross said. Rachel stood and grabbed his arm.

"Well you're gonna have to. I won't let you humiliate her anymore than she already is," Rachel told him.

"I'm saying okay only because your death grip is hurting me," Ross said. Rachel released him.

"Thank you," she said. Besides, she wanted to get to Chad first if he did indeed hurt her Emma.

Erica & Jack

"You'll bring Robbie next time, right?" Monica asked once she and Erica were alone in the kitchen cleaning up. Chandler and Jack were watching the football game in the other room.

"I can," Erica smiled.

"I'm so glad things are working out," Monica said, hugging her daughter.

"Me too! He wants to see me again tomorrow night," Erica said.

"Yay!" Monica squealed.

"Can you tell Jack to stop hassling me about Robbie? He is being super protective and weird, and it's getting on my nerves," Erica added.

"I'll talk to him," Monica promised. Secretly she was glad her son was looking out for his sister, but she understood some limits needed to be set in place.

Emma

She was so depressed. Chad wasn't calling her. She had spent a wonderful night with him five days ago, and now he wasn't calling her. Frank had been right, but she couldn't believe it. She sat on huddled on her bed, crying. She felt so empty. Chad had seemed so genuine. How could she not have seen this coming? She blew her nose into a tissue. She couldn't tell Frank he was right. It would be so embarrassing. She was contemplating quitting her job so she wouldn't have to face him. She had already taken the last two off when she knew he was working. She couldn't do that forever. Emma sighed and closed her eyes. How had things gotten so messed up?

Robbie

He was slipping a note under Erica's door when a woman walked up to him.

"What are you doing?" she asked. He looked up at her, startled.

"Leaving a note for someone," he answered. "Who are you?"

"I'm Lucy. My boyfriend lives in there," she said, gesturing.

"Oh. They're not home," Robbie told her, feeling obvious.

"I see that," she smirked. She eyed him up. He was really cute. Robbie felt uncomfortable suddenly. He stood up.

"Nice to meet you, Lucy," he said. "I have to get back to work now."

"Okay," she nodded. "Don't work too hard." Her tone was unsettling, and Robbie left as quickly as he could.

Channie

She was so relieved her uncle was okay. She had invited Ben over to celebrate, and she was waiting for him now. Frank came bursting in while she was making dinner.

"You've got to talk to me!" she shouted as he rushed past. His door slam was the only response she got. He was doing that all week, and it was annoying her to hell. She would make him talk eventually. She knew Frank, and she knew he needed to let out what's been bothering him sometime.

Leslie

Gus had taken her to the karaoke bar again that night, and she was actually going to sing! She was so nervous. Leslie looked around at the crowd, getting jittery. Then Gus took her hand.

"It's a duet," he said, smiling. "You didn't think I'd let you do your first time alone did you?" Leslie breathed in relief. Gus truly was amazing. He winked at her as the song started. Leslie grew brave standing beside him, and she let her voice fly. From the look on Gus' face, he was stunned by it.

"Wow," he said after. "You were...wow. There are no words to even describe your singing!"

"Oh stop," she blushed.

"You could go pro," Gus went on. "You could be famous!"

"Gus!" she laughed. He started laughing too, and she realized then she really wanted him to kiss her. She hoped he would do it soon. She never thought she'd be this happy with someone other than Jack Bing.