One Year Later

She played with the ring in her hand slowly, twisting it this way and that. The light bounced off of it like the sun on the waves. She felt sad inside, but she had made her decision.

"Miss?" the lady at the counter prompted, making her jolt back to the present.

"Sorry," she said, dropping the ring into the envelope and sealing it.

"Looked like a nice ring," the lady commented as she put a stamp on it.

"It would have been if he had been right for me, but he wasn't," she replied. The text messages she had seen burned into her mind. How had she been so blind? She had known better than to trust.

She turned and walked away, grabbing her travel case and carry on bag. She hailed a cab and got in while her things were loaded. She wasn't going to look back.

One Year Earlier

"My little sister is getting married," Frank beamed, hugging Channie. She laughed.

"I'm just as shocked as you," she teased.

Leslie entered the room then, looking at them hesitantly. Channie and Frank instantly knew something was up.

"You okay?" Frank asked her, concerned. Leslie's face broke out into a huge smile.

"I'm going to France!" she squealed, clapping her hands together. Both Channie and Frank stared at her.

"What?" Channie asked.

"Oh right. I haven't told you guys yet," Leslie said, realizing her stupidity.

"So tell us already!" Frank urged, feeling anxious. The thought of his sister so far away made his stomach hurt.

"Gus is going there for a culinary placement, and he asked me to go with him. I said yes," Leslie finished.

"Oh, wow," Channie said.

"My one sister is getting married, and the other is leaving the country. That's too much change," Frank said, sitting down and holding his head.

"You're getting married?" Leslie asked Channie, beaming at her.

"Yes. I didn't mess it up after all," Channie smiled.

"Oohh!" Leslie cried, hugging her tightly. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you. When are you leaving?"

"Two days," Leslie winced.

"TWO DAYS?!" Frank bellowed.

"Geez, Les, that's really short notice," Channie frowned.

"He didn't get the letter on time...it's hard to explain. I'm sorry, but I want to do this. I think he's my soulmate. I don't want to lose him. I also want to experience culture and new things. I really want to do this."

"We're not stopping you. We're just surprised is all," Channie told her.

"I'll miss you so much," Leslie said, her voice cracking. "But it's just a year. I'll be back."

"Unless you decide not to," Frank muttered.

"And if I didn't come back?" Leslie challenged.

Frank got up and went to his room, closing the door behind him.

"He's mad," Leslie noted.

"He's upset. He'll be fine. Give him space to process," Channie instructed. She put her arm around Leslie. "So, let's start packing."

Present

"Baha!" Frank shouted, making Emma shriek and throw the sock she had been trying to fold.

"Are you trying to kill me?" she demanded, clutching her belly.

"No. I'm trying to make sure our baby isn't deaf," Frank said seriously. "They say if you make sudden noises and they flinch, they're not deaf."

"Oh my God," Emma moaned. "That is something you do after the baby is born, Frank, not when the baby is still in my womb."

"Are you sure?" he asked, frowning.

"I'm positive, but on that note, do not shout at our baby after she's born," Emma warned, pointing her finger at him.

"You're certain it's a girl, huh?"

"I am," she said defiantly.

"We'll see," Frank smirked. Emma threw the other sock at him, making him laugh. She leaned back on the couch, sighing in content. She had moved in with Frank nine months ago when Channie had moved in with Ben. Leslie was in France, and Emma didn't want to live with Joey forever. She knew he missed his space. Emma smiled as she rubbed her belly. The baby had been a surprise for sure. Her parents were worried at first, but Frank grew on them. She thought back fondly on the day she had told him she had feelings for him.

One Year Earlier

Frank was stacking the boxes angrily, still furious that Leslie just up and left like that. They had thrown her a goodbye party. Their Aunt Phoebe definitely knew how to use cups and ice to make a party. Frank hadn't liked Gus that night. He was convinced the no good idiot was going to hurt his sister.

"So what did the boxes do to you?" Emma asked, startling him.

"They represent closed mindedness like my sister," he answered.

"Hmm, but you can open them, revealing an open mind and wonderful surprises," Emma said back thoughtfully.

"I can't believe she left."

"She is following her heart. Sometimes it works," Emma said. She looked at Frank then, knowing she had to tell him. She couldn't keep wandering around like a damn zombie consumed by thoughts of him.

"It's ridiculous," Frank snorted.

"Just like you having an all time crush on me and never telling me?" Emma asked, raising a brow at him. It was a huge shot in the dark, but she wanted to know before telling him. It was a protective measure.

"W-What? N-No," he stuttered, becoming anxious.

"Did you or did you not leave this for me?" she asked, pulling out the note. His eyes widened.

"How did you-?"

"Did you write this or not?" she interrupted. He swallowed hard.

"I did."

"Was that so hard?" she asked.

"It's stupid. I know you just want to be friends..." he started.

"Do I?" she cut him off.

"Um...I don't know, do you?"

"Frank, it's come to my attention recently that I might just be crazy about you too," Emma said. Frank stared at her, and for a moment, she worried he was having some kind of stroke by the way his face was twitching.

"Frank?" she prompted.

"Are you serious?" he finally asked. The sweat on his forehead was starting to bead. He wiped at it.

"I am."

"Oh my God..."

"So are you gonna ask me out on a date or not?" she asked.

"Um, okay."

"I'm waiting," she said, laughing a little.

"Oh, you mean right now?"

"Yes! Ask me now," she answered, nudging him.

"Wow, okay. Um, Emma, will you go out with me?" He had been dying to say that sentence for a long time. He couldn't believe it was happening now.

"Sure, Frank. I would love to. Pick me up at seven," she smiled, turning to go. Frank wasn't sure what made him do it, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him, kissing her. Emma was shocked at first, but she kissed him back. It was way better than she had ever imagined.

"See you at seven," he said after, shocked at his own daring.

"Okay," she answered, walking away on weak knees.

Present

"Come on, come on, come on!" Erica shouted. Jack came out of his room tucking his tie.

"Does this look okay?" he asked.

"You're fine. It's an art show not a royal gala."

"Well, you never know..."
"Jack, please. I can't be late to my own show!"

"All right don't get your panties in a twist."

"Comment on my panties one more time and your tightie whities are gonna be so far up your ass you'll have to have surgery to remove them," Erica warned.

"Oh, so it's okay for you to comment on my underpants but not the other way around," Jack scoffed.

"Move your ass," Erica ordered, shoving him towards the door. She was nervous. It was a small show. She had done five paintings, and Robbie's friend had discovered her talent. She was working towards art school and learning new talents.

"What if Robbie is there?" Jack asked.

"I'll be fine," Erica answered.

"Why did you two break up again?"

"We just got too busy with life."

"That's a lame excuse."

"Oh, and you pining after a woman isn't lame?" Erica challenged.

"I'm not pining," Jack argued.

"You are so."

Jack didn't engage. He went out the door with Erica behind him. He had tried at least, but Leslie had shut him down.

One Year Earlier

"Hey, stop eating the cupcakes," Monica said to Joey, smacking his hand away. She had worked overtime getting them perfect for Leslie's goodbye party. She was proud that she had accomplished it in one day's notice, not that anyone seemed to care.

"But isn't my eating them showing you how good they are?" Joey asked.

"Nice try. Save some for the others," Monica said, shoving him into the direction of the crowd.

"Fine," he grumbled. He made his way over to Chandler, Ross, and Mike, who were gathered across the room. Phoebe was wearing a cup hat and doing a dance to the music. He passed a desolate looking Jack standing in the corner.

"Hey, you all right?" Joey asked. He looked to see what Jack was staring at, and he was surprised to see it was Leslie. She was laughing and touching Gus's arm.

"Just fine," Jack answered sullenly.

"You're just gonna let her go, huh?" Joey asked. Jack scoffed.

"Why would she stay for me?"

"Because she was into you," Joey answered. Then he clamped his mouth shut, eyes wide. Jack stared at him.

"What did you say?" he demanded.

"Nothing," Joey answered, hurrying away. He ignored Jack shouting after him.

"What did you do?" Chandler asked him.

"I accidentally pulled a Rachel," Joey answered, wincing.

"Hey, that's my wife," Ross said. "What did you do?"

"I told Jack that Leslie used to be into him."

"Oh, yea, you totally pulled a Rachel," Ross agreed, bobbing his head up and down.

"Oh, man," Chandler said, looking at his son. He knew Jack would be feeling a lot of emotions right now.

...

Jack caught her in the hallway. She was leaning against the wall.

"Fun party," he commented, joining her. He could feel the warmth of her skin beside him.

"I just got overwhelmed," she smiled. "It's hit me that I'm really leaving."

Jack sucked in his breath. It was now or never.

"Don't go," he said.

"What?" she asked, laughing.

"Don't go," he insisted. "You have a life here. Your family and friends are here. You barely know this guy. You're just gonna go live with him in a different country and pretend you trust him?"

Leslie stared at him, stunned. How dare he challenge her.

"Since when do you care?" she asked. "And yes, I do trust him. He's an amazing guy who saw me and noticed me. He sees my talent and my potential. I believe I'm gonna marry him one day."

"Oh, please," Jack snorted. "You're in the gaga stage of a relationship. That will fade."

"Why are you trying to hurt me?" Leslie asked, trying not to cry.

"I'm being honest with you. If it hurts, I'm sorry."

"You're an ass," Leslie said, wiping at her face and moving to go inside.

"I might be an ass, but I'm bonkers for you," he said, making her stop short.

"Excuse me?" she asked, looking at him.

"I'm crazy about you. I don't know why I never noticed you before, but I do now. Please don't go. Give us a shot," he begged.

Leslie couldn't believe her ears. She had been waiting for him for so long to notice her, and now it was too late.

"You're too late," she said, opening the door and going inside. She felt shaky and sick as she made her way over to Gus, who took her hand in his and squeezed it hard. She wasn't into Jack anymore. She wanted to be with Gus. She looked at the door, but Jack didn't come back inside.

Present

"I'm so proud of her," Monica said as they went inside the building where Erica's art was on display.

"She's very talented," Chandler nodded. He was proud of her too.

"Hey!" Rachel cried, waving her hand. She was with Ross, Emma, and Frank. Ben was off to the side texting on his phone but turned to greet them too. Chandler watched him carefully as he went back to his phone, smiling.

"Isn't this great?" Monica asked, hugging Rachel.

"It's amazing. Erica is going to go far."

"This food is amazing," Joey said, joining them. Phoebe and Mike were across the room examining one of Erica's paintings.

"Good to know you're doing well, Joe," Chandler said, clapping his friend's back affectionately.

"It's a shame about her and Robbie," Rachel said sadly.

"I still don't know what happened," Monica shook her head. Robbie had been a very sweet, loving guy. Monica felt her daughter had gotten afraid and bailed. She wondered if he would be there tonight.

"I'm sure he's still in love with her, and vice versa," Rachel said. "I mean, look at me and Ross." She chuckled.

"If it takes 10 years for them to figure it out I might die," Monica groaned.

"Don't judge," Ross said, overhearing them. Monica just patted his arm and smiled back.

"Where's Channie?" she asked, looking around and only seeing Ben.

"She wasn't feeling well," Ross answered.

"Oh, that's too bad."

"I worry she's getting cold feet," Rachel whispered. "Their wedding is in two days."

"No," Monica said. "Really?"

"She just hasn't seemed herself," Rachel shrugged.

"Oh, I hope Ben has better luck than Ross with women," Monica sighed.

"I'm going to pretend that didn't hurt," Ross commented.

"I think we should go before we get more collateral damage," Chandler suggested. Ross shot Monica one last look before following Chandler over to Mike and Phoebe.

"And how are you doing?" Monica asked Emma.

"Tired. Swollen. I'm okay, though," she answered.

"You're seven months along right?"

"Right."

"Getting closer!"

"We're very excited," Emma smiled, tucking her hand into Frank's, who was blushing. Rachel smiled at them, hoping her daughter would be happy. She wanted Frank to propose and soon damn it! They were adorable together. She was glad Emma had become more mature and grown up. She gave Frank a little credit for that.

"Well? What do you guys think?" Erica asked, approaching them and beaming.

"It's all gorgeous, cuz," Ben said, hugging her as he slid his phone away. Monica hugged her next.

"I'm so proud of you," she told her.

"Someone actually wants to buy one," Erica said giddily.

"That's amazing!" Rachel cried.

"Congratulations," Emma smiled. Monica hugged Erica again.

"Hey, Ma," Jack said, joining them and hugging Monica.

"You're so handsome," Monica said, tucking his collar down.

"Well, I'm gonna head home," Ben said suddenly. "It was great seeing all this, Erica."

"Your friend is gonna write an article on it still, right?" Erica asked worriedly.

"He's right over there," Ben laughed, pointing.

"See you all later!" Erica said, rushing away and over to the man.

"Big day soon," Jack said to Ben.

"Yup. You're still my best man, right?"

"Of course." Jack was annoyed that Ben had asked Gus to be in the wedding too. Jack hated that guy. He knew they were coming the next day for rehearsal.

"Good. See you later," Ben said, waving as he walked out. Monica turned back to the others and chatted animatedly. Their worry about Channie faded away.

...

"I still think Gladys should be here," Phoebe commented. Mike shuddered. Joey looked around wide eyed for the monstrous picture that he had been tortured with by Rachel.

"I think that Original Buffay would have put Erica's work out of the spotlight, you know?" Chandler commented. "I mean, you wouldn't want to steal the limelight, would you?"

"Oh, no. I love Erica and wouldn't do that to her," Phoebe shook her head. She felt smug, though. Original Buffay still had it. Wait til everyone saw Glenda. Phoebe smiled just thinking about it.

Ross felt his phone vibrate then, and he looked at it, frowning. Then he went white.

"Your future self told you that you're bald, didn't he?" Chandler asked, keeping a straight face. Ross looked at them then.

"Channie's gone," he said hoarsely. No one moved or spoke. Everyone felt terrible for Ben. What was he going to do now?