Three Days Later

Ben was making out with Channie and thoroughly enjoying it when his phone vibrated. He reached for it when Channie grabbed his wrist.

"Don't," she mumbled.

"'Kay," he said back, continuing to kiss her. Then it vibrated again and once more quickly after. He pulled away to look at it.

"Ben," Channie whined.

"Sorry. That many texts in a row usually indicates something is wrong," he said. He furrowed his brow. It was Emma. She didn't usually talk to him, but when she did, it was usually something important.

"Who is it?" she asked, leaning to look.

"My sister," he answered. "Something's wrong. I'm sorry. I gotta go." Channie pouted, making him laugh. "I'll make it up to you later, I promise."

"I'll hold you to it," she said devilishly. He gave her one last kiss for the road. Channie sat in the silence for a moment until her brother came bursting in. That's when it clicked suddenly. Frank avoided her gaze and marched to his room. Channie leaped over the back of the couch and put herself in the doorway so he couldn't get past.

"Move," he ordered.

"No," she responded. "This is something to do with Emma, isn't it?" The look on her brother's face said it all.

"No," he lied.

"Oh, please," she scoffed. "I know you better than that. Besides, Ben left here to go console her, so what happened?"

"Chad slept with her and dumped her!" Frank burst out. "I told her he was going to because I heard him bragging, and she didn't believe me and called me a liar. Now she won't talk to me."

"Okay, thank you for telling me," Channie said, taking his arm and steering him to the couch. "Sit."

"I don't know what to do," Frank lamented. "She's avoiding me, and I know it happened because Chad was going on about it to his buddies. She's hurting bad, and she won't let me help."

"That's because she's probably embarrassed," Channie told him. "Wouldn't you be?"

"I guess," Frank agreed.

"Give her some time, and I'm sure she'll come around," Channie promised.

"You think?"

I hope, Channie thought. Out loud, "Yes."

Emma

She was curled up in a ball on her bed when she heard Ben come in.

"Em?" he said, poking his head in. She started to cry. "Aw, sis, what happened?" He sat down beside her and put her head on his legs while rubbing her back like he used to do when they were younger and she was upset. Ben recalled that ever since the day she was born, he was protective of her. It didn't stop once they grew up.

"I slept with him, and he dumped me," Emma cried. Ben could hardly make out what she was saying through her tears, but he got the gist of it.

"Who?"

"Chad. He was so nice..."

"They're always nice," Ben said. "Where is he?"

"No, don't hurt him," Emma begged.

"I won't. I'll just have a friendly chat with him," Ben reassured her.

"No, don't. It will make it worse," Emma said. Then she cried harder.

"Don't beat yourself up, okay?" he told her. "You didn't know he was like that."

"I t-trusted him," she stammered. "H-he lied. How am I ever supposed t-to trust again?" Ben's brain flashed to Channie and her reluctance to be in a relationship. Had something like this happened to her?

"You will. Not every guy is an asshole like that," Ben promised.

"How will I know, though?"

"You just will. Trust me."

"Thanks, Ben," Emma said, sitting up. She smiled through her tears at her brother. He was always there for her.

Jack

He was frowning into his phone. Lucy had made yet another excuse as to why she couldn't come over. He didn't get it. Was it something he'd said or done? He wished he knew. He clicked his phone off as Erica came out of her room all dolled up for another date with Robbie. Jack felt a twinge of jealousy. He hadn't been on a date in almost two weeks. Lucy had bailed the night she was supposed to come over, and she'd been distant since then, even more so since three nights ago.

"I'll be out for a few hours," she said, grabbing her purse.

"All right," he nodded. Then she was gone. His mother had made him swear up and down he wouldn't interfere with Erica's dates anymore, and he was working on it. He didn't completely trust Robbie, and he didn't know why. He sighed. He didn't feel like being bored on yet another Friday night, so he grabbed his coat and keys and went out to hit the city.

Leslie

She was definitely getting used to singing on a stage. Gus had encouraged her to do her first solo that night, and she was trying not to be nervous. She pretended the room was empty, and by the end, she was practically roaring out the lyrics. The crowd burst into applause when she was finished.

"Thank you!" she called, blowing kisses. That's when she saw Jack standing there clapping and watching her in awe. Her heart did a funky swoop, and she almost stumbled off the stage. What was he doing there?

"Well done!" Gus cried, picking her up and swinging her around. Leslie giggled with pleasure. She was hoping tonight would be the night they kissed. She was all for going slow, but she was definitely ready for that first step.

"I didn't know you could sing like that," Jack said, coming up to them. He was smiling at her. She brushed her hair out of her eyes.

"Yes, well, there are lots you don't know about me," she replied.

"Who's this?" Gus asked, looking at Jack.

"He's my friend's brother, Jack," Leslie said. "You remember I was talking about Erica?"

"Yes, of course," Gus smiled. "Nice to meet you!" He shook Jack's hand heartily.

"Likewise," Jack nodded.

"This is Gus," Leslie told Jack. She felt awkward suddenly and didn't know why.

"Boyfriend?" Jack asked her.

"Um," Leslie blushed, looking at Gus.

"We haven't discussed that yet," Gus answered, giving her a shy look. "But I think we'll be talking about it real soon."

"Cool," Jack said. He didn't know why he felt strange inside. Of course Leslie would date other guys. Why wouldn't she?

"My song is next," Gus said, gesturing. "Stick around, Jack. Maybe you'll sing with us?"

"Oh no," Jack said, shaking his hands. "Not me. I don't sing."

"Your loss," Gus joked. He pecked Leslie on the cheek before going on stage, and Jack saw her face go scarlet in the low lighting.

"He seems nice," Jack noted.

"He is," Leslie answered quickly. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I was just wandering New York and thought I'd check it out," Jack shrugged. "I heard Erica talking about it from her trip here with Robbie."

"No Lucy tonight?"

"No. She's busy."

"Well, her loss," Leslie said, shrugging. "Anyway, I should..." She pointed.

"Yea, okay. I'll see you around," Jack said, getting her meaning. He slid back into the crowd and watched as Gus sang a song about being born to love you. He noticed Gus was looking at Leslie while he sang.

Erica

The apartment was empty when they arrived back from their date. Erica hesitated at the door.

"I don't want to rush things," Robbie said, sensing what she was thinking. "I am fine with just watching a movie."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," he laughed at her relieved face.

"Okay. It's just...well I...I've never..."

"Erica," Robbie stopped her, making her look at him. "I've never either."

"You...really?" she asked in disbelief.

"No. I'm saving it for someone I'm in love with," he said.

"So am I," she whispered.

"Well, since we're in agreeance, let's just enjoy a good movie, okay?"

"Okay," she smiled. He bent down to kiss her. He really could feel himself falling for this girl, and he had an idea that the feeling was mutual.

Monica & Chandler

"Do I look old?" Monica asked Chandler suddenly. They were sitting in the living room together. Chandler looked over at her.

"Do I look stupid?" he countered.

"No, come on, seriously. Do I look like I'm 54?" she prompted. He gave her a look.

"Mon, you are beautiful. Please don't make me answer a question that's going to get me killed," he said. She laughed out loud.

"All right," she agreed. He patted her leg. Monica couldn't help but look at this man she had married and love him even more than she had when they started dating.

Ross & Rachel

"We gotta teach this guy a lesson," Ross fumed, pacing. Ben had come over to visit and told them about Chad and what he had done.

"Honey, I don't think that's a good idea," Rachel pointed out.

"You're right. I'm terrible at that stuff. I'm calling Joey," Ross said, picking up the phone. Rachel pulled it out of his grip gently.

"No, you're not. Emma is an adult, okay? How many times did we get hurt and have our parents intervene for us?" she asked. Ross thought about it.

"Okay, the fact that you have to think about it scares me a little," Rachel said.

"They didn't," Ross argued, blushing a little.

"Let me handle it," Ben said.

"Absolutely not," Rachel told him. "You stay out of it."

"Well he can't just get away with it!" Ben said, outraged.

"Emma will deal with it," Rachel promised. "I know her. I know she will."

"Okay, but if it fails, then can we do something?" Ross asked.

"We'll see," Rachel answered.

Joey

He was prowling around the store where he knew that bastard Chad was working. He had overheard Emma telling Ben about it, and he wanted to deal with it. No guy was gonna hurt little Emma. Not on his watch. He spotted the jerk laughing and guffawing with his friends, so he approached. He saw Chad swallow hard as soon as he saw him. This made Joey feel confident.

"You and me are gonna have a little chat," Joey said.

"You need help?" the one guy asked Chad.

"No," Chad answered. "I got this."

"Oh, you think you 'got this,'" Joey laughed. He waited until the other two left before grabbing Chad by the ear.

"OW!" Chad yelped.

"Listen and listen good," Joey said. "You are gonna apologize to my niece, you got that? You are gonna fix this because if you don't, I'll come back here and make you eat every single jar of mayonnaise that's in this place. I'm an actor, I can afford to buy them all."

"And if I don't?"

"I just told you what would happen," Joey frowned. "You're gonna eat mayonnaise." Was he stupid?

"You can't make me do anything," Chad sneered. Joey twisted his ear a little harder. "Ow, ow, ow!"

"I'll follow you on every single date you ever go on. I'll make your life so damn miserable you'll wish you were dead," Joey growled.

"Okay, all right. I'll apologize," Chad said. "Please let go." Joey released him reluctantly. People were giving them looks now anyway.

"I'll see you tonight," Joey said, making the "I'm watching you" gesture.

Later-Emma

She answered the door and found Jack standing there.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure," she answered, moving to let him past. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just super bored," he replied. He fell onto the couch. "Also, Erica is in there with Robbie."

"Oh," Emma said. It stung a little. She didn't know why.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"I guess."

"When a girl starts avoiding you, is she cheating?"

"Um, I don't know," Emma answered.

"I thought you might know since you're a girl and all," Jack sighed.

"Well, I don't. Sorry."

"It's okay. I know I gotta talk to Lucy, but I'm dreading finding out the answer."

"You might as well know now," Emma pointed out.

"Yea. You're right."

"Hey, you two," Joey said, coming in. "Any visitors?"

"Nope," Emma replied. Joey's face grew dark for a second.

"Really."

"No. Why? Were you expecting someone?"

"Sort of," Joey answered. Chad really was stupid.

"Wanna watch Die Hard?" Jack asked hopefully.

"All right!" Joey exclaimed. He hurried to put it on. Emma rolled her eyes.

"If you'll excuse me," she said. "I'll be in my room."

"But this is a great movie," Jack argued. "Come on. Watch it with us."

"Yea, you can pretend the bad guys are all Chad," Joey added. Emma narrowed her eyes. "I mean, since you have been crying and he hasn't been around, I assumed you weren't together." Joey hoped she bought it.

"I'll pass thanks," she said, going into her room. These damn walls were just too thin.

Frank

He kept looking at his phone and debating about texting Emma. He wanted to make sure she was all right, but he didn't know how to cross the line that had been drawn. He missed her. He wanted things to go back to normal. He wanted Emma to realize that he cared about her. He just didn't know how to do it.

Leslie

"Well, this is me," Leslie said once they were at her door. They stood there feeling awkward for a moment.

"I had a great time," Gus said, smiling.

"Me too," she responded. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me! she wanted to scream.

"So, I'll see you at work tomorrow," Gus said. Nooooo! Kiss meeeee! she shrieked.

"All right," she nodded. Do it, do it, do it!

"Good night," he said, going to move away.

"Gus?" she said before he got too far.

"Yea?"

Without thinking it through, she threw herself into his arms and planted a kiss on his unsuspecting lips. Thankfully, he returned it with full gusto. Once it was over, she felt embarrassed.

"I don't usually do that," she said, blushing.

"It's okay," he grinned. "I wasn't sure if you were ready for that."

"Oh, I was," she laughed.

"So, are we...you know...boyfriend and girlfriend? I was afraid to ask, but since you want to kiss me, I'm assuming you like me," Gus said.

"I would love to be boyfriend and girlfriend," she smiled.

"I'm so glad," he said, beaming. He kissed her again. It was like an explosion of feelings she'd never felt before.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, breathless.

"Yes," he agreed. Then he was gone. She wanted to sing at the top of her lungs. She was so happy. She didn't even have any thoughts about Jack and why he was at the bar that night. Life was good.