Itsmeomg2218: Thanks for your reviews! Yes, I realize I haven't really described anyone (except Robbie...picture him as Robbie Amell cos I do lol). I found growing up when I was reading, I disregarded the author's descriptions of characters and made my own descriptions of them in my head. I have my own image of what these guys look like, and describing it in writing just doesn't do it justice. I encourage you to imagine what they look like and go with it. I won't be offended lol. If you really need a description of them from me, I will try my best in the next chapter.

Anyway, I haven't forgotten this story! Please enjoy the chapter :)

It was the usual kind of gang night. The friends chatted about their lives, work, and children. Monica was desperate to hear anything about Erica or Jack. They hadn't spoken to her very much lately, and she missed them.

"Erica and Jack are apparently fighting," Rachel said finally. Monica perked up immediately.

"About what?" she asked. "And how did you find out?"

"Gunther. He was in the back and heard them fighting this evening. Something about Robbie cheating on Erica?"

"WHAT?!" both Monica and Chandler yelped. They looked at each other.

"You can't be serious," Monica said after a second.

"He wouldn't dare. I'll pummel him," Chandler added.

"You almost peed your pants when we confronted Chad," Joey scoffed. "There's no way you're beating up Robbie." Chandler shot him a glare.

"We don't have the evidence, but apparently Jack saw Robbie hanging out with Lucy," Rachel went on.

"I thought Lucy was dating Jack?" Monica asked, confused.

"Not anymore I don't think."

"Why don't I know any of this?" Monica demanded. "Chandler!" She nudged him.

"What did I do?" he asked, incredulous.

"You're his father. You guys should be hanging out doing guy stuff and finding out information," Monica urged.

"For your information I...I already knew," Chandler said. Then he immediately regretted it. Monica was getting that look on her face that meant he was going to be in trouble.

"You already knew?" she asked, her voice dangerously low.

"He asked me to keep it between him and I. It was my first secret with him ever. I wasn't going to ruin it!" Chandler finished, his voice very high pitched now.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Monica screeched.

"Oh, like you tell me everything about what you and Erica talk about," Chandler snorted.

"I..." Monica trailed off, going quiet suddenly.

"I KNEW it!" Chandler cried.

"Girl stuff is different," Monica tried.

"How is it different?" Chandler challenged.

"I don't know. It's the law of nature," Monica said. Ross snorted in laughter at this.

"Can we get back to the real focus of this conversation here?" Phoebe asked. "Is Robbie cheating or not?"

"We don't know," Rachel confirmed.

"I'm feeling very Sherlock-y aren't you?" Phoebe asked Mike.

"Absolutely not," Mike shook his head. He preferred to stay out of the madness.

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun," Phoebe cajoled.

"No."

"I'll do it," Monica piped in.

"No. Uh uh. You'd give it all away," Phoebe said.

"I would not!"

"You guys!" Ross shouted, making them stop. "Why don't we just let Erica figure it out? Why do we have to get involved?"

"Because she's our daughter," Monica said. "Duh."

"You'll only make her mad at you too. I say leave it alone," Ross finished.

"Wimp," Phoebe threw in.

"I think Emma likes somebody," Joey tossed into the ring, desperate to change the subject. Rachel stared at him, as did Ross.

"What?" she asked.

"She's all googly and weird," Joey shrugged. "That usually is an indicator that she likes someone."

"Who?" Ross asked.

"I don't know, who. I just know she's thinking about someone," Joey replied.

"That is so incredibly helpful, Joey," Rachel said sarcastically.

"Well, we can ask her at dinner tomorrow," Ross suggested.

"And get me in trouble? I don't think so," Joey shook his head vehemently.

"I feel so left out of this conversation," Phoebe said to Mike.

"I know," he agreed.

"Leslie is dating Gus at work," Monica told her, hearing this. She knew the triplets were the closest thing to children Phoebe had.

"Really? Go on," Phoebe said, intrigued.

"She just started. I have no idea what base they're at," Monica finished.

"And what about Channie? She's dating Ben, so you guys must know something," Phoebe said to Ross and Rachel.

"She got a job at a walk in clinic for counselling," Ross said, reading Ben's text. "That's all I know."

"Oh, yay! She got a job. Oh, I'm so happy for her," Phoebe sighed happily.

"And Frank?" Mike prompted. He liked that kid even if he was a little socially awkward.

"No idea," Ross said. They all shook their heads in agreement. They didn't really know much about Frank at all.

"Guess I should make an appearance," Phoebe said after. "Visit with them a bit."

"Can we get back to Erica and Robbie please?" Monica asked. They all groaned.

Erica

She jiggled her legs anxiously at the dinner table. Robbie was talking about something, but she wasn't listening.

"Are you all right?" he asked her. "It's like you're not even here."

"I'm sorry. I just...Jack told me something, and I can't stop thinking about it," Erica confessed.

"What did he tell you?"

"He said he saw you and Lucy together," Erica blurted out. Robbie set his fork down.

"When?" he asked calmly.

"Earlier today."

"Ah. Well, I can assure you that there is nothing going on between me and that twit," Robbie told her.

"Really?"

"No!" Robbie laughed. "She threw herself at me a couple of times, and I humored her but made it clear I was not available. I told her she needs to talk to Jack and not just leave him hanging, but she won't listen to me. I'm sorry if your brother thought we were dating."

"I'm just so relieved," Erica said, feeling lighter already. Robbie took her hand.

"Trust me, there is no one else I'd rather be with," he said.

"Okay," she blushed. She believed him. She knew that Robbie wouldn't lie to her.

Emma

She heard the knocking as she was finishing drying her hair.

"I'm coming!" she called, hustling to the door. When she opened it, there was nobody there. Puzzled, she looked down the hall both ways. Nothing. Then she noticed something at her feet. She knelt to pick it up. It was a card. She went back inside and closed the door, turning it over in her hands. There was only her name on the front, so it definitely wasn't something for Joey. She opened it, sliding out a card with two hearts on it. Inside it read:

I admire you from afar

I know who you are

I wish you could see me too

After all, I'm crazy about you

Emma felt puzzled. Who left this for her? She couldn't think of anyone that knew where she lived other than...

"Frank," she said out loud.

Leslie, Frank, and Channie

"Do you suppose we're getting roasted over there?" Channie asked Ben. They all were aware of the dinner Monica was having that night. They also knew that they were being discussed in great detail. It was the nature of things, being someone's child, niece, or nephew. Ben sipped his beer, smiling at Channie. She was flushed with happiness, and he couldn't help but be thrilled for her.

"Smells amazing, Les," Ben called over to Leslie. Gus was assisting her, and he could tell they were really into each other.

"Yea, I need something to wipe off my drool over here," Frank teased. Leslie threw a tea towel at him, laughing.

"It's almost ready," she reassured them. She was making a pasta dish with chicken and spinach in alfredo sauce. The bruschetta was baking, and it was making them all starving.

"How's your article coming?" Frank asked Ben. He started setting the table.

"It's good. I'm almost done. It's been exhausting, but I think it's going to be a hit," Ben answered. "Need some help?"

"Nah, I'm good."

"What's it about?" Gus asked, curious.

"I'd rather not say until it's published," Ben winked.

"You're terrible," Channie said, shoving him playfully.

"Knock, knock!" Alice and Frank Sr.'s voices called from the hallway.

"Oh boy," Leslie gulped. She was nervous for Gus to meet them, but he smiled at her reassuringly.

"It'll be great," he said, pinching her bottom in a teasing way. She blushed.

"Hi, guys!" Alice called, swooping in. She hugged Channie hard first. "Oh! I'm so proud of you!"

"Yea! My daughter the therapist. Who knew?" Frank Sr. laughed.

"It smells wonderful, Leslie," Alice said, coming over to hug Leslie. "Oh! This must be Gus. So nice to meet you!"

"Likewise," Gus nodded, smiling. She gave him a hug too. Frank Sr. shook his hand.

"You're treating her right, eh?"

"Dad!" Leslie admonished.

"I'm treating her like gold, sir," Gus told them.

"Good," Frank Sr. nodded.

"You two are so cute!" Alice gushed.

"I appreciate that, Mrs. Buffet," Gus said. Alice laughed her awkward laugh when she was embarrassed. They all herded towards the table, and Channie came up to Leslie.

"It'll be fine," she encouraged. "They did this to Ben, and he loves them."

"Really?"

"Yea. Gus is a special guy. Don't lose him," Channie told her, giving her a sideways hug.

"That means a lot," Leslie said.

"Now, can you dish up? I'm going to pass out," Channie laughed.

The Next Night

Rachel was hurrying around making sure everything was in order. Ross was putting the finishing touches on the table. Emma arrived first.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi, honey," Rachel said, rushing to hug her. "How are you?"

"I'm good."

"Hey, Emma," Ross said.

"Hey, Dad. Oh, thanks for getting rid of Chad by the way," Emma said. "Work has been a lot better since."

"I'm glad."

"You were scared weren't you?" she asked, teasing.

"No," Ross lied.

"Hello!" Ben called, coming in. He was alone.

"Where's Channie?" Rachel asked, disappointed.

"She started her first shift today. It's until 8," Ben replied. "She really wanted to be here, though."

"Are you guys getting along all right?" Ross asked.

"Never better. In fact," Ben paused, reaching into his pocket. "I am going to ask her to marry me." Rachel and Emma both gasped at the same time.

"Seriously?" Ross asked. "How long have you been dating?"

"Long enough to know I love her and want to be with her forever," Ben answered.

"Let me see it," Rachel demanded, moving in closer to the ring. He pulled it out for her.

"Oh my God," Emma breathed. "It's beautiful, Ben."

"Thanks," he said proudly.

"When are you going to ask?" Ross questioned.

"After I talk to her Dad. We have lunch tomorrow."

"That's daunting," Emma chimed in.

"Eh. I really like him, and I think he likes me. I think it'll be all right," Ben told her.

"I'm so excited!" Rachel squealed.

"Keep it between us, all right? No telling Aunt Monica," Ben warned.

"Oh this would kill her," Rachel mused.

"Don't even," Ben said sharply.

"I won't say anything," Rachel promised.

"Dad, watch her," Ben urged.

"He's just as bad," Rachel scoffed.

"It stays in the vault, son," Ross promised. He shared a look with Rachel. They didn't want to admit that they felt a little uncertain about Ben jumping into an engagement so quickly. As Ben chattered on, Ross tuned him out. He couldn't stop thinking about the time he and Emily had jumped into marriage so fast. It didn't end well. He didn't want that for his son. He hoped Ben knew what he was doing.

I wonder how Channie is going to react because after all, Ben did say they would go slow!