There is a potentially triggering moment near the beginning of this chapter.

She was running for her life, heart pounding and mind racing. There was nothing but corridors and stairs, no exit from the building. She ran and ran and ran, hearing his laughter echoing off the walls.

"I'm gonna get youuuu!" More manic laughter.

Channie sat up boltright, gasping. Then she started crying and shaking. She hadn't had a nightmare like that for a while now, and she couldn't believe they started again tonight. Her life couldn't be better! She touched her stomach absently, running her finger across the scar she had memorized. Ben let out a snore beside her. She had went over to his place so he could make up bailing on her, and she ended up staying the night. She slid out of bed and padded to his living room, sitting on the couch. She wrapped her arms around herself and willed the nightmare away from her mind. She hadn't seen him, but she knew it was him that had been chasing her in the dream. If there was one thing she'd take back in her life, dating Jake was it.

"You all right?" Ben asked from the doorway. She turned to face him. "I felt you leave."

"Your snores would say otherwise," she joked. He came over and sat beside her.

"I'm a light sleeper all the same," he replied. "What's up?" He couldn't stop thinking that something had happened to Channie since the whole thing with Emma happened. He felt stupid for not thinking of it before.

"Just a bad dream," she said, smiling weakly. The city lights had the living room lit up a little, so she could see his skeptical look in return.

"Wanna tell me about it?"

She sighed deeply. A part of her wanted to tell him everything, but then the other part told her to bury it down so deep that it never escaped.

"I want to, but I'm scared of what you'll say," she finally said. He placed his hand on her leg, squeezing it.

"If I'm going to be in a relationship with you, then I'm going to be there for everything, and I mean everything," he emphasized. "There's nothing you can tell me that's gonna scare me." Channie took in a shaky breath. Here goes.

"I dated someone as a teenager who really hurt me," she started. "He was eight years older than me, so I never told my parents. I never told anyone. We dated in secret. We broke up and got back together a lot. He was into some things I wasn't, but I loved him, or at least, I thought I loved him." She paused for a moment.

"Is that it?" Ben asked. "I mean, Channie, I can handle a former boyfriend that you were in love with." He gave a small laugh.

"I'm not finished," she said quietly. He stopped chuckling.

"Okay." He felt worried now.

"When I was 19, I got pregnant," she said after a bit. Ben bit back his surprise. "I was on the fence as to whether or not I should be thrilled. I was trying to figure out my life, and Jake at that time was cheating on me. I knew he was. I wasn't stupid. I was more afraid of how I was going to tell my parents that their daughter, who's apparently never dated, was going to have a baby." She stopped, trying not to cry. It was all coming back now, and it was hitting her full force.

"What happened, Channie?" Ben asked. "Tell me." He took her hand in his.

"I told him I was keeping it," she whispered. "He said I could do what I wanted cos he was dumping me. I carried that baby for three months..."

"Chan?" Ben prodded when she stopped. "I'm right here."

"He came back," she said through her tears. She could see his eyes now. "He said no way in hell was he going to be a father. He...he..."

"He what?" Ben urged. He wanted to kill this guy now.

"My parents had no idea I was pregnant. I was getting ready to tell them, but in the end, I didn't have to," she sniffed. "Jake stabbed me in the abdomen, and I lost the baby."

"Oh my God, Channie," Ben said, pulling her into a hug.

"That's why I have this scar," she told him. "Not because I leaned over broken glass."

"I thought it looked a little severe for that," Ben admitted. "What did your parents say?"

"Well, I told them I was mugged. After all that time, I still couldn't tell them about Jake. I called them after I'd gone to the hospital and lost the baby. It was the worst day of my life, and I felt even worse for feeling relieved that I wasn't having Jake's baby after all. I'm such a terrible person," Channie cried.

"No, no," Ben soothed. "You aren't a terrible person."

"I should have felt more upset about losing my baby," she sobbed. "Why didn't I?"

"I...I don't know, Channie," Ben said truthfully. She wiped at her eyes.

"I was too afraid to press charges against Jake. I was so sure he'd find a way to kill me if I did. I just hoped he would go away on his own, which he did."

"I'm so sorry."

"So now you know," she said. "If you want to run screaming, you can." To her surprise, Ben laughed.

"I am not going anywhere, and you're gonna have to start learning that," he said once he stopped. "I love you, Channie, and I am not leaving you because of a shitty ex boyfriend and you losing a baby."

"Ben," she whispered, shocked.

"What?"

"Did you...did you just say you loved me?" They stared at one another for a second.

"I did," he answered.

"That's the first time you've ever said that to me," she pointed out.

"No," he said. "I'm sure I said it before."

"No, Ben. This is the first time," she confirmed.

"Well," he laughed. "Yes, Channie, I love you. Very much."

"Oh, Ben," she said, throwing her arms around him. "I love you very much too." It felt so good to finally say it out loud. They kissed and laughed for a bit before Ben grew serious again.

"Where is this guy? I want to kill him," Ben said.

"You can't."

"Why not?"

"He's already dead."

There was silence for a moment.

"How?" he asked.

"Overdose," Channie answered. She hadn't known what to feel when she had heard.

"Oh."

"He got what he deserved in the end," Channie said. "At least, that's how I feel about it. Maybe that makes me a bad person."

"I don't think so."

"Can we go back to bed now?" she asked. "I don't want to talk about him anymore."

"Okay."

He took her hand and led her back to bed where he held her for the rest of the night.

Phoebe & Mike

"Can I please have some real food?" Mike asked, complaining. "My heart is fine, remember?"

"I'm making sure it stays fine," Phoebe answered, handing him the plate with the blandest food Mike had ever eaten.

"I miss pancakes," he grumbled.

"I miss them too, but our hearts are more important than a food quickie," Phoebe stated. Mike groaned. His knife wouldn't even cut the...whatever it was.

"How is this good for me?" he asked, sawing at it. "I can't even cut it with a knife. How is my digestive system supposed to deal with it?"

"Your system has acid; your knife does not," she pointed out.

"My acid is making a run for it as we speak," Mike said. "It's not up to the challenge." Phoebe just laughed and stabbed at her food. She knew he was complaining now, but he'd be thanking her later when everyone else started dropping off like flies from heart attacks while they were healthy.

Frank & Leslie

"What are you so cheery about?" Frank asked, noticing that Leslie had a permanent grin on her face.

"I kissed a guy," she said. "And I liked it."

"Good for you," he commented. "Who?"

"His name is Gus. He works at the restaurant and sings at a karaoke bar. He's dreamy," she said, sighing with happiness.

"What happened to Jack?"

"What about him?"

"I thought you were madly in love with him?"

"H-how did you know that?"

"Oh honestly, you have to ask? You were practically swooning every time he came around!"

"If you must know, I am over Jack Bing," she said. "He can have his Lucy. I don't care. I have Gus."

"All right, if you say so," Frank shrugged. He still felt miserable.

"Just call her," Leslie said.

"What?"

"That's right. You're not the only intuitive one in this family. Make the first move. Don't be afraid to."

"She's scary when she's angry," Frank admitted.

"Oh, Frank. How do you know she's not sitting over there scared to make the first move herself? That she knows she was unfair to you and doesn't know how to come back from that, especially when you were right?"

"How do you know all this stuff?"

"Emma talks to Ben, who talks to Channie, who talks to me," Leslie shrugged.

"Emma actually told Ben that she wants to talk to me but is afraid to?"

"Well, no, but that doesn't mean it's not true," Leslie defended herself.

"Yea, okay," Frank scoffed.

"Whatever. Stay miserable then," Leslie huffed, grabbing her bag and heading off to work. Frank hung his head.

Erica & Jack

"I haven't seen Lucy around in a while," Erica noted as Jack tied on his green apron.

"Nope," he agreed.

"Everything all right?"

"I have no idea. She's not talking to me. I can't figure out what I did," he told her.

"She seemed like the type that hardly anything could make her annoyed," Erica said truthfully.

"I just wish she'd end it so I'm not left sitting here wondering what the hell is going on," Jack said angrily.

"I'm sorry," Erica sympathized.

"Whatever. It's her loss."

"That's right," Erica nodded. He waved goodbye as he went out the door. Erica took her mug of coffee and sat on the couch, leaning back and daydreaming about Robbie.

Monica

"So, you and Gus, huh?" Monica asked Leslie as they prepped together side by side. Leslie went a shade of scarlet. Monica laughed.

"Is that okay?" Leslie asked. "Is there a rule about dating coworkers here?" She looked genuinely worried.

"Not at all," Monica reassured her. "Just make sure you keep it professional."

"Oh, yes. We will," Leslie nodded vigorously. Gus wasn't in that day, but it didn't stop Leslie from daydreaming about him.

"Hey, Mon?" Tess asked, popping her head around the door. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure." Monica followed her out, and Tess started wringing her hands. "What's wrong?"

"Well, I...I've decided I want to leave the culinary field," Tess answered sheepishly.

"Oh," Monica said, surprised.

"Yea. I was surprised too. Monica, I want to travel. I want to live my life," Tess went on. "I have loved being your partner, but I want to try something different."

"It's okay," Monica reassured her, laughing a little. "You don't need to explain anything."

"Cool," Tess said, sighing in relief. "Besides, I think you've got a little chef in the making in there, and she will make up for me being gone."

"I'll miss you," Monica said, moving in to hug her friend.
"I'll miss you too," Tess said, patting Monica's back.

"Send me postcards," Monica ordered.

"Will do," Tess laughed. She looked somber suddenly.

"Is everything all right?" Monica asked.

"Mmhmm," Tess replied. "I'm just gonna miss this place."

"You can always come visit," Monica smiled. Tess gave a small smile in return.

"Yes, and I will," she promised.

"Aunt Monica!" Leslie called.

"Duty calls," Monica said, gesturing.

"I'm still here til the end of the week," Tess said. "I'm not leaving right now."

"Oh! Okay," Monica said, relieved. She rushed back to Leslie to help her with a problem she was stuck on. Monica didn't want to think about running this place without Tess, but she knew her friend needed to spread her wings, so she made a promise to herself to not be too upset when her last day arrived.

Joey, Chandler, & Ross

"That's him?" Ross asked, a hint of fear in his voice. The guy was huge! Joey had taken Chandler and him down to where this Chad worked because the guy didn't come and apologize to Emma last night. Joey was all in a twist about it, so they agreed to help him deliver the punishment. They still weren't sure exactly what the punishment was. Joey had said something about mayonnaise, but Ross didn't think that was right.

"Yup, that's him," Joey confirmed, crossing his arms. This guy was gonna pay.

"You, uh, really need us huh?" Chandler asked. His legs felt wobbly. When two other guys came up beside Chad, Chandler felt even more unable to stand.

"This guy is getting away with being a douche," Joey said. "We gotta make him apologize!"

"We should've brought Ben," Ross muttered to Chandler, who nodded animatedly.

"Come on," Joey said, surging forward. Ross and Chandler skittered after him nervously. Chad looked up when they approached.

"Well, if it isn't the goon squad," he sneered.

"More like Ghost Busters," Joey shot back. Chad snorted in laughter.

"Come to make me eat mayo have ya?" he asked, jeering. "Not gonna happen." The two boys beside him cracked their knuckles.

"That's your punishment?" Ross asked Joey, incredulous. Joey didn't answer him.

"Listen, fellas," Chandler said. "We don't want any trouble here. We just want an overdue apology for our niece."

"Pfft, you're not gettin' one," Chad snarled.

"Joey, I think we better go before we get our asses kicked," Ross muttered to Joey.

"You are not gonna get away with this," Joey said.

"Watch me," Chad laughed.

"I will pay you 50 bucks to apologize," Joey went on.

"I am not one to be bribed, by friend," Chad said. Joey held up his hands. The two friends moved in closer, feeling like they needed to.

"You sure?"

"Well, if you're just giving it away," Chad said, snatching the 50 from Joey.

"Ross, Chan, give him some money too," Joey ordered.

"Are you nuts?!" Ross exclaimed.

"Yea, are you?" Chandler yelped.

"Just do it," Joey said. "This guy needs encouragement."

"I like you guys already," Chad smirked. "Hand it over."

"All right," Chandler said, thrusting a 20 into Chad's outstretched hand. Ross did as well.

"Just take the money," Joey said. "Don't hurt us."

"Wimp," Chad sneered, grabbing their money too. Joey recoiled and turned to run. Ross and Chandler were right behind him.

"Dude, you didn't even get an apology! You made us pay him for nothing!" Chandler yelped.

"That's what he thinks," Joey said, going over to a manager. "Excuse me? Yea, your box boy just mugged me."

"Excuse me?!" the manager squawked. His eyebrows went up to his hairline.

"Yea. Me and my friends were just asking where to find the mayonnaise, and suddenly he demands we give him our cash or else he and his friends will hurt me and my friends. It was really scary," Joey said, whimpering for effect. Ross and Chandler couldn't believe what he was doing and that it was working.

"Show me who," the manager demanded. Joey pointed, and the manager stomped over to Chad and his buddies.

"You are a genius man," Ross said in awe.

"How did you think of that?"

"The customer is always right," Joey said. "It's us three against those three, and the camera will show them being threatening and us giving him money."

"Wow. I give you more credit in life," Chandler commented.

"That was your last chance, Chad!" the manager was roaring now. "You too, Jamie and Dean! You're all outta here! And give those men back their money!"

"No way!" Chad was shouting. "They gave it to us willingly!"

"Why would three customers tell me a lie like that?" the manager demanded. Joey was barely keeping his laughter in. Ross nudged him hard to stifle the sniggering

"Because...because..." Chad trailed off. How was he gonna say why? It wasn't believable.

"Because you're a bully, that's what," the manager snapped. "I've had complaints about you before. You're done here. Hand over the money, NOW!" Chad met Joey's gaze, and he simply winked back. Chad slapped down all the money into the manager's hand, and he took off his apron along with Jamie and Dean, who were looking very angry as well. The manager came back to Joey, Ross, and Chandler.

"Here you are. I'm so, so sorry about that," the manager said. "Here's some coupons on the house. Please come back in the future."

"Thank you," Joey said, accepting the money and the coupons. He distributed the cash to Ross and Chandler.

"Are we gonna go now?" Chandler asked, wanting to leave before Chad and the Bullies came back off the clock.

"Just a sec. I really need some mayo," Joey said, rushing to grab a jar.

Emma

She shook her head as she watched her crazy uncles and father take off like they were being shot at. She had witnessed the whole thing, and she had tears in her eyes over the way they cared about her. Even though she didn't get an apology from Chad, it was so much better seeing him get fired along with Dean and Jamie. Maybe Frank's life would be a little easier now. Frank. Emma winced inside. She didn't know how to talk to him. Almost as though she conjured him, there he was, standing in the nearest aisle stocking a shelf of cereal. She took a deep breath. It was now or never. She walked over to him hesitantly. He froze at the sight of her.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," he replied.

"I'm sorry," she blurted out. "I should have listened to you. You were right."

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you how to live your life. It wasn't my place."

"But you knew what he was going to do. I shouldn't have called you a liar. I was just upset and thinking you were trying to break us up," Emma explained.

"Can we just forget about the whole thing?" Frank asked. "Friends again?"

"Yes," Emma smiled. "Friends again." They shook hands. Things were definitely looking up.

I have to say I enjoyed writing that con job so much. Joey deserves more credit than is given to him sometimes haha