A/N: I'm completely overwhelmed by the response my last chapter, I got even more reviews than for the first! That definitely helped in motivating me to get this chapter up a little sooner than I thought I'd be able to. I'm not sure this one quite lives up to it, but I gave it my best shot – although I have an overall idea of where this story is headed, I hit a bit of a block regarding what to do in this one. I hope it's okay, anyway. And we're back to Chandler, this time!

Disclaimer: The most daunting part about writing fanfiction, I've decided, is trying to come up with new ways of saying this… I don't own them...

I wake up, slightly hungover and confused at my unfamiliar surroundings, to the sound of clattering in the kitchen and an empty bed, which leaves me cold. It's only a second before I'm hit with the memory of last night, and I groan, silently reprimanding myself as I recall how badly I failed at handling 'casual'. Monica probably thinks I'm desperate and clingy, especially after the melodramatic eye contact and lip touching, acting like we're in some Shakespearean forbidden love tragedy or something.

I sigh. I know that I probably ruined my chances at turning this into any sort of ongoing thing, but I can't say that I regret it. In that moment, I reached out to her, and we connected.

It was… incredible. Like, I had no idea sex could be that good. Sure, with Kathy it had been nice, with Janice – I shiver as the memory triggers her signature cackle to invade my thoughts – it had been… the most tolerable part about our relationship, but Monica was something else. It had been mind-blowing, life-altering, like all the sex I'd ever had had just been preparing me for her.

For us.

I remind myself that for her, I'm just another client. She was just doing her job, and soon enough, all she'll have to show for our encounter is a nameless, faceless stack of dollar bills.

I haul myself out of bed, knowing that I have to face her sooner or later. I pull on yesterday's clothes, grimacing when I catch a glimpse of my dishevelled appearance in the mirror and attempt to tame it. Taking one last glance over the room, I decide to make the bed after noticing the covers still draped messily, figuring it to be the respectful thing to do.

Reluctantly, I make my way out of the bedroom, my breath catching when Monica comes into view, her back turned to me as she busies herself in the kitchen.

"Hey," I greet her softly, not failing to pick up on the way she jumps slightly at my sudden appearance.

"Good morning," she replies stoically, still not turning to face me.

I stay silent for a few moments, walking towards the kitchen, contemplating my next move. I clear my throat, wondering if that will get her attention.

No such luck.

She keeps on, scrubbing away at the dishes in the sink, probably the ones we used last night. I smile to myself, feeling proud how I had apparently distracted her enough to make her forget about the pending kitchen duties.

I decide to just go for it, take the plunge, and talk to her about what we did. I don't think anything could be worse than her ignoring me in this way.

"So, uh… last night was…"

"Don't go there, Chandler," Monica interrupts, her voice calm, but the way her body spins round in a flash to face me suggests she feels otherwise. Her eyes are piercing, sternly meeting mine. Perhaps she's angry, or disappointed even. I'm sure that with my substandard bedroom skills, and all the other lovers she's had to compare me to, there's no way the experience was mutual. I'm an idiot to think our night made an impression on her.

"You don't even know what I was going to say!" I point out. "Maybe I was going to say, 'last night was… only so-so'," I finish lamely.

"I don't care what you were going to say. I didn't ask for an evaluation, okay?" she snaps coldly, tearing her eyes from mine.

"Well then that's good, because this conversation is quickly knocking stars off of what was a glowing review!" Only I could let slip how much I actually enjoyed our night together in an attempt to be insulting. I loathe myself.

She looks back at me hesitantly.

"I'm glad my services were… satisfactory," she admits quietly. It's such a goddamn understatement that I can't help but protest, determined to make her feel as good as she made me feel, even if not in the way I hoped.

"Mon, they were… they were more than that. The things you made me feel, I've – I've never…" I don't finish my thought, not wanting to freak her out. "What I'm trying to say is, is there any chance we could maybe do this again?" She goes to speak, but I indicate that I'm not done. "Don't freak out, don't freak out! I'm just saying, it was fun… and well, I don't have a lot of fun going on in my life right now," I say, which sounds self-deprecating and endearing in my head, but only when I say it out loud do I realise how truly pathetic and self-pitying I seem.

"Chandler, don't get me wrong, it was…" she blushes, biting her lip, "let's just say, you definitely don't give yourself enough credit." I could've done my celebratory dance right there and then, had it not been for the 'but' that I sensed was coming.

"But?" I prompt for her.

"But, long term isn't really my thing. It's too time consuming, too complicated… not to mention the fact that it never ends well," she says, and I wonder if she speaks out of common sense, or from experience.

"I can pay more," I try, wincing at the implication but at a loss for other ways I can convince her.

"That doesn't change anything, Chandler. And hey… you don't need me, anyway, okay? I think you're gonna be just fine. I showed you it can be good with someone else, other than Kathy, didn't I?" she asks with a raised eyebrow and a smirk as I try and restrain myself from telling her that she showed me it could be better. Instead, I just nod. "After all, that's the whole reason you came in the first place, right?" she continues, suddenly preoccupied with the dishes again.

"Right," I confirm, swallowing.

She nods, remaining quiet.

"Well, I – I should get going," I announce. "I guess I'll see you around," I finish, knowing that I probably won't.

She gives me a small smile.

"Bye, Chandler. And… thanks."

Determined to leave on a good note, I resist the urge to ask Monica to clarify what she meant by her last comment, and instead give her one last look before dragging my eyes away from hers and slipping out the apartment. The next thing I know is I'm looking at the closed door, my eyes glued to the number '20', wishing for some reason that I was still on the other side.

After leaving Monica's, I head to Central Perk, having judged it as being too soon – and too early in the day – to drown my sorrows in alcohol again already. This time, however, Kathy isn't the reason for my misery – I know that I should still be hung up over her, and I wonder what kind of fucked up person is more upset over a one night stand with a prostitute ending than a year long relationship with the love of their life.

I head up to the counter, deciding that even if alcohol isn't a good idea right now, caffeine just might be.

"Hey, dude!" comes a recognisable voice behind me. I turn around to give my friend a brief hug.

"Hey, Joe," I reply, expecting the grin I give him to feel forced, and I'm surprised when I realise how happy I am to see him. We've not been friends long, and I don't see him often, due to his busy schedule as an actor, but when we do get together, it's a blast.

"So, what's going on with you?" he asks. "You look down, man."

Joey isn't well known for his intellectual abilities, but he can be surprisingly in tune with other people's emotions.

Naturally, I only divulge part of the truth.

"Uhh, do you remember my girlfriend, Kathy?" I begin, proceeding when he nods, "well, she cheated on me and we broke up."

He looks taken aback.

"I'm so sorry, Chandler. And I'm sorry to Kathy too, for missing out on such a great guy."

I can't help but smile – Joey has always been my number one fan.

"It's fine, don't worry about it. Oh, what's new with you?"

"Well, I'm hungry and I'm debating whether to order the brownie or the muffin." I look at him, disbelievingly. "So you think both too?" he perks up.

"I mean in life, Joe. You know, relationships, careers… all that fun stuff," I finish maybe a little too bitterly.

"Oh! Well, I'm going to be starring in my own off-Broadway play, so I've just rented out an apartment in the Village."

The comment reminds me of my own living situation, and I plant my face in my palms as I remember how I'm technically still living with Kathy – her place, officially, so I probably won't be staying there much longer.

I'll be effectively homeless.

How that pressing issue slipped my mind is beyond me.

"Chandler, are you okay?" Joey shakes me from my thoughts.

"Shit, Joey, I'm sorry. I just realised, with Kathy and I breaking up… I don't have anywhere to live anymore."

His jaw drops, an expression of appal written all over his face.

"Dude, she cheats on you and now she's going to kick you out?! I mean, what kind of monster does that?!" he exclaims, and I guess I'm touched that he's so outraged on my behalf, despite how he completely misses the point.

"No, Joe, but I'm not exactly going to live with her anymore, am I? She betrayed me! We're no longer together!" I cry, pleading with him to absorb the severity of the situation.

I watch as his eyes widen in excitement, and prepare myself for what is no doubt going to be a million-dollar idea.

"You could live with me!" I frown, confused and a little alarmed by his proposal.

"I'm serious, Chandler. I could do with a roommate – I've got the space, and having someone to split the rent with would be a huge help. Off-Broadway isn't even real Broadway, apparently, and it sure as hell doesn't pay the same!" he mutters, annoyed.

I take a moment to deliberate, but I know that as it stands, I don't have another option.

"Are you sure?" I eventually ask.

"Is that a yes?!"

I nod reluctantly.

"Oh, man, this is gonna be great!" he pauses for dramatic effect. "You know, we are gonna have a blast, you and I!" I chuckle nervously as he pats me on the back, before he mumbles something enthusiastically about showing me the place and I allow myself to be guided out of Central Perk, sans coffee order. Dammit.

I feel a strange sense of déjà vu creeping up on me as Joey leads me up the stairs of his apartment building, but I can't put my finger on why. Where have I seen this place before?

It's only when we come to a halt between two opposite apartments that it strikes me – the apartment to my right, Joey's place, reads number '19' on the door. And to my left…

Apartment 20.

Monica's place.

I groan inwardly. Nope. Nuh-uh. There's absolutely, no freaking way this is happening. What are the honest-to-God to chances?

Joey doesn't observe my change in demeanour, and instead invites me inside, opening two beers and cracking on the TV.

We spend the next hour or so watching 'Baywatch', but for perhaps the first time ever, my mind is too preoccupied elsewhere to fully enjoy it. Luckily for me, Joey is the complete opposite – I'm getting the impression that few things come between him and hot, sweaty ladies, and once he gets into the programme, he's too engrossed to interact with me, save for the occasional remark about aforementioned hot ladies that under any other circumstances I would most likely join in with. Instead, I remain quiet, battling with my inner conflict.

I have to see her.

It'll be awkward and probably get me even more into her bad books, considering how much she already doesn't want to see me, but I know that there's no way we can avoid each other forever. It feels deceptive to move in right across from her and not warn her about it.

As Joey prepares to depart for work, I make a quick phone call to Kathy, in which I tell her I'm moving in with Joey and will need to go over to hers in a bit to collect my stuff. She's thankfully understanding, and says she'll make herself scarce once I'm nearly there, leaving the place unlocked for me. What's surprising is how quickly Kathy leaves my mind after the conversation ends.

I tell Joey I'm sticking around to get acquainted with the apartment and he leaves me a key before heading out. A few moments later, I do the same myself, and find myself confronting the same door that I was staring after longingly only hours prior.

In an uncharacteristic display of courage, I knock on the door before I can change my mind. Anxiety bubbles within me as I wait for a reply.

Sure enough, the door bursts open and there she is, in sweats and rubber gloves, still stunning as ever.

"Cha-Chandler?" she whispers, stunned, and I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding, thankful that she hadn't instantly gone to the yelling place. "What are you doing here?"

I sigh, deciding to cut to the chase.

"Do you know Joey Tribbiani?" I ask, and she looks at me quizzically.

"Umm… Italian guy, late 20s, always got a girl round," – oh, that's just what I need – "lives over there?"

I nod, "that's the one."

"What about him?" she says, still looking bewildered at my presence.

"I'm moving in with him."

"What?!" she bursts out, and I shrug.

"I can't keep living with Kathy, can I? Joey offered me a place to stay, and so I took it."

She looks at me like I've just confessed to committing double homicide.

"Well, you can't move in across from me!" she declares.

I scoff.

"Excuse me, your highness?!" I snap, starting to wonder what her problem with me is, before deciding against opening that particular can of worms.

"Chandler, you – you just can't," she repeats, but sounding considerably less convinced herself this time at her lack of reasonable argument.

"Why? You scared you won't be able to resist me, living just a few feet away?"

She laughs humourlessly.

"Dream on, buddy."

"You're not denying it."

"Oh, I so am," she insists, frustrated.

"Prove it," I say, feeling bold as I meet her eyes.

"Are you challenging me?" she inquires, and I'm sure we're standing closer than we were a moment ago. "I hope for your sake that you're not, because I don't lose, Bing."

Oh, it's so on, Geller. I feel myself inadvertently being pulled towards her, before I suddenly jerk back, knowing that two can play at this game.

I try and think up a joke to break the tension, but nothing comes to mind.

"Looks like I'll catch you later then, neighbour," I say awkwardly. She looks seriously depressed at my reaffirmation, and I frown sadly, not enjoying seeing her so unhappy.

"Mon, I'm sorry… I have nowhere else to go," I admit softly, and it's not really a lie – I don't have any siblings, and my relationships with my parents are dysfunctional at best. Joey is one of my own only friends who I didn't meet through Kathy, and a far more economical option than staying in pricey Manhattan hotels for a while or getting my own apartment.

She nods in resignation, and I smile gratefully.

"Well, then… since you're here, do you want to… I don't know, come in for a drink, or something?"

I raise my eyebrows, surprised at her sudden change in tone.

"Oh, I can't – I mean, I want to, but I'm actually on my way over to Kathy's to go and collect my stuff."

"You're seeing Kathy?" she asks, nonplussed, and do I detect – dare I say it – jealousy?

"Well, she won't technically be there. Maybe I could come over tonight?" I instantly regret asking it, realising how it sounds, and I don't expect her to say yes.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea… I have a… well, y'know," she stumbles over her words, failing to meet my eyes.

Oh.

I feel a pang in my chest. I obviously knew she had other clients, and I don't know what it is about her saying it aloud that makes me feel like complete crap.

It's now completely awkward, and for once, I don't think there's anything I could say that would change that.

"Well, I guess I'll be off," I blurt out, and flee from the apartment, not taking a second to look back at the woman I've left behind me.

A/N: Sorry if that ending with Chandler moving in across from Monica seems a little cliché (it is cliché), but I needed a way to pull them closer geographically, in order to keep the story moving, but not too quickly. I can't resist a good slow-burn. And honestly, once I made the decision to do that, I got out of my writing rut and it was like the rest of this chapter (and probably more or less the rest of the story) fell into place, so I can't apologise for it.

If you don't buy the fact that Chandler didn't recognise it was Monica's apartment block straight way, it's because he was so enamoured with her the previous night (and lets be real, a little drunk – only 'the perfect amount', obviously) that he wasn't really concentrating on his environment. There wasn't so much Mondler in this one, but I hope you enjoyed Joey's entrance! I'm thinking about bringing in Rachel, too, so let me know what you think about that – probably no Phoebe and Ross in this story, though.

As always, please keep the feedback coming! I'm trying my very best to update regularly, but with my exams starting in three weeks time, I have a sinful amount of work and revision to do, so please bare that in mind! But don't worry, I should be updating at least once a week, and I'm not the kind of person who could leave a story unfinished even if I wanted to – it would bother me too much. So yeah, reviews put a huge smile on my face – a huge thank you to everyone who's read and reviewed so far!