Joey didn't understand what was wrong with Chandler! He had been acting so strange lately! He kindly asked if he wanted chicken when he walked on him in the bathroom. He was taking a bath with extra bubbles, candles and champagne! What the actual hell? He said he had a hard day but Joey has never seen him taking a bath before. He yelled at him to get out and then he asked for the chicken again, a lot of chicken for one person. Not for Joey tho' even if he liked the skin more. But Chandler wasn't the type of guy who ate much chicken. Still, he was a good friend and got what he wanted, Chandler was going to pay anyways.
As he walked to get the chicken, the dirty rice and beans on his favorite place he thought of Phoebe, maybe when he got to the apartment he could call her to come over and share a meal with him.
He kind of had some weird feelings for Phoebe lately, they were amazing friends but sometimes they flirted, it has never felt weird tho... He liked their relationship it was pretty perfect to him.
He couldn't deny that he had dirty hot dreams with all the girls of the group all of them were pretty hot so he couldn't blame himself for that. When he dreamed about Phoebe it felt different though, maybe because they shared a more special bond. Joey's best friend was of course Chandler, and his best female friend was Phoebe. He also knew that Chandler's best female friend was Monica and viceversa. Ross and Rachel... It was more complicated.
But Joey didn't know where to draw the line between friendship love and romanic love with Phoebe, he could do it with the rest of girls... But with her lately it had been more difficult. He couldn't let that ruin his bond with her, he was sure it was just something that would last a couple of days, maybe a week no more.
He was Joey Tribbiani. He didn't do crushes.
He arrived to the house with the food and dropped Chandler's order in the bathroom, he still was there just with less bubbles and less champagne. He looked uneasy but Joey ignored it. He could ask later.
He dialed Phoebe's number. It rang once, twice until she picked up.
"Hello?" She asked maybe a little confused cause she didn't recieve many phone calls, maybe just from Frank and Alice.
"Hey Phoebe, is Joey, How are you?" He asked with a smile as he sat on his barcalounger.
"Oh Hi Joey!" She said her voice getting a little bit higher with excitement. "I'm good, just pregnant, you?" she asked.
"I'm good, just got some chicken and dirty rice, I was wondering if you wanted to come, we can watch a movie maybe" He said expectant, it was weird... He really wanted her to be there with him.
"Oh I would love that! It's kind of late tho Joey... If I'm honest with you my feet are killing me" She said. Joey smacked himself mentally, he forgot that she would be having the kids anytime by now. He was disappointed and before he could think about it that much he blurted:
"I can come over if you wanna, honestly Chandler has been acting really weird, do you mind if I go to your place?" He asked. It seemed that Phoebe was surprised too, but he could hear her smile.
"Of course not Joey! I would love if you come over! I'm feeling kind of lonely, we can watch a movie here!" She said sounding pretty excited her voice getting higher again.
"All right! I will be arriving soon!" He said as he hung up. Not wanting to go into the bathroom again Joey talked to Chandler through the door.
"Hey man, I'm coming over to Phoebe's to be with her for a bit, see you later" He said loud enough for his roommate to hear.
"'Kay Joe, see ya" He answered eagerly. Something was really wrong with Chandler.
Joey took the food and went downstairs to go to Phoebe's place.
.:ooOOoo:.
Phoebe was really not expecting Joey's call. First sharing a meal? It wasn't that odd but it wasn't that common either.
Second, Joey offering to come to her place, she knew how much he loved being in his appartment with his chairs and TV. She smiled so much right now her cheeks hurt. She got up to make the place more comfortable, she was glad that Joey did not care about everything being tidy and in place, so she didn't need to make so much effort. She just brought more pillows, a blanket, some beers, she had everything ready to make popcorn when he arrived, everything seemed nice for an evening with Joey.
She heard him knock and went eagerly to open the door, before he arrived she put a little bit of perfume and brushed her hair. Although it wasn't really necessary... It was just Joey.
He arrived with the chicken and a smile on his face. Phoebe returned the smile.
"Hey Pheebs! I brought the food" He said excited to eat. Phoebe knew he should be starving by now.
"Come in Joey I've got everything ready for us to eat and watch some movies" She answered as they walked towards the couch.
"Awww Pheebs, you are the best!" He said as he saw the comfy pillows, the blanket and the beers.
Phoebe blushed a little by his comment but decided not to thought much of it.
"Lets eat! I'm really hungry right now!" She said. Joey sat next to her but suddenly his face fell a little.
"It's okay if I eat? I mean... Chicken is meat too" He said kind of worried. Phoebe smiled, Joey has made a lot of effort, besides these children are coming out of me any minute now, she thought.
"Lets just enjoy this together" She reassured him with a smile. He smiled back she was truly the best.
They sat and watched the movie it was a comedy something lighthearted for the evening, Phoebe and Joey got under the blanket and cuddled. It felt really nice. Suddenly Phoebe noticed that Joey seemed distracted and his eyes reflected a little bit of sadness.
"Joey, do you want some popcorn?" She asked wanting to break the silence. Joey looked at her and smiled. "Sure! But you rest Phoebe I will make it" He said as he got up.
"That's really sweet of you Joey" She said with a smile. Some minutes later Joey came out of the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn on his hands.
"Hey Joey... what's wrong?" Phoebe asked directly. "Nothing, why?" Joey asked kind of confused.
"You seemed to not be really concentrated on the movie, are you upset over something?" She asked and saw the look of sadness washing over Joey's face again.
"It's nothing Pheebs..." He said softly but Phoebe didn't believe any of it. "Come on Joey you can tell me" She said with tenderness.
Joey gave up, he wasn't good at hiding his feelings. "It's just that I've realized that maybe I'm wasting my time as an actor... I'm not that good and besides... I'm not tall!" he said dropping his head back on the couch. Phoebe was looking at him intensely.
"Joseph Tribbiani! Don't say that again! You are a wonderful actor! You were Doctor Drake Ramoray! You are charismatic and sweet! And acting is your dream and you should follow it! The opportuniy will come, and screw being tall, be glad you aren't that short" Phoebe said strongly yet sweetly. Joey smiled.
"Phoebe... You always know what to say to make me feel better" Joey said touched by her words, He hugged her tightly. "You are my best friend, you know? Well, besides Chandler" Phoebe chuckled. "You are my best friend too Joey, now lets eat this popcorn and finish the movie" Phoebe said cuddling with Joey again.
The movie finished and both of them felt pretty sleepy. Joey looked at the hour, it was past midnight. He needed to be home soon, he didn't want Chandler to worry, but he reminded himself that Chandler was obviously hiding something from him.
"Hey Pheebs I gotta go, I had an awesome time! Thanks for everything" Joey said as he stroked Phoebe's head that was resting on his shoulder, she sat straight.
"All right Joey, thanks for coming over" She said as both of them got up, she walked him to the front door. "See you tomorrow, and goodnight, Bye babies" He said before he exit the apartment.
"Goodnight Joey! The triplets can't talk but they say goodnight too!" She said with a smile, Joey returned it before he left.
Phoebe went to sleep she was pretty tired, but she fell asleep with a smile on her face.
.:ooOOoo:.
Joey arrived to his apartment, the bathroom door was open so he figured it out that Chandler was already on his bed right now. Joey went to brush his teeth and then to his bedroom, he thought about the amazing time he had with Phoebe... She made him feel way better, he didn't focus on his feelings rationality right now, he just cared that what he felt was really good. He felt happy, and that was what mattered right now. He fell asleep soundly after that, happy thoughts on his mind.
.:ooOOoo:.
Phoebe arrived to Monica and Rachel's apartment really happy she was glad everyone was back and she had a funny story to tell about the cab she just took.
But it seemmed that everyone could just talk about London... All her good mood drained from her, she was mad because she had not been able to be there with her friends creating some memories, she was stuck in NY doing pregnant stuff that was the equivalent of nothing fun.
As Monica, Chandler and Joey talked about how funny London was. Ross arrived and Phoebe asked about Emily maybe to hear something more depressing than her right now. She noticed that Joey left to grab a beer at some British bar. She felt kind of sad for Joey not noticing her bad mood over stupid London.
Rachel finally arrived with a surprising good mood, that was until Ross left to get some flowers for Emily, then she released her bad mood towards everyone else! Saying the horrible time she had in Greece with all the hotel staff greeting her as Mrs Geller.
Phoebe was going to read her magazine after Monica decided to control Rachel's love life, which she found stupid, but she looked up when Chandler said he was going to work. To her and Rachel's shock
Chandler naturally kissed Monica goodbye, but it was not a friendly kiss! it was on the mouth! And it was not a peck it was a full kiss! And he did it like it was the most normal thing in the world, the strangest part was that Monica didn't even flinch at the unusual contact. Phoebe stared at them dumbfounded.
He then kissed Rachel leaving her puzzled and utterly confused. Phoebe then noticed him coming onto her but she was too shocked to do anything. Then he kissed her leaving her with wide eyes.
"Always a pleasure!" he said as he walked out. Phoebe contained her laughter by the oddness of the situation. It was surreal being kissed by Chandler Bing. He was not the confident kind of guy that would just kiss someone like that!
"Okay, what the hell just happened?" Rachel said frowning. Monica shrugged uncomfortable.
"I don't know..." She said looking down at her nails.
"Joey told me Chandler has been acting weird lately... But I didn't know it was that weird" Phoebe commented trying to analyze since when Chandler has been acting like this.
"Maybe he was just happy" Monica said weakly. Rachel gave her an 'are-you-kidding-me' look.
"Too happy for my taste" Phoebe said before returning to her magazine.
.:ooOOoo:.
Joey was sitting in the British bar drinking that delicious beer they had back in London. He thought about how upset Phoebe looked like, and besides he started talking about Angus. She must be really sad that she wasn't able to be there with them... Maybe he should check how she was later.
She didn't seem upset the day before, maybe because Joey didn't talk about London and just focused on being there with her, he had a great time! He smiled to himself.
"Hello" He heard a woman's voice with a heavy british accent. "Are you all alone?" She asked sitting next to her.
"Yes" Joey answered giving her his seductive smile. "How you doin'?"
.:ooOOoo:.
The next day Phoebe went to Central Perk to find all her friends there except for Ross. She sat seeing the single couch free since Rachel got up to talk to a guy.
"Hey" she said to everybody as she sat. Chandler, Monica and Joey said their usual "Hey Pheebs".
Monica seemed excited and showed Phoebe the pictures she just got from their trip to London "We got our pictures back from London, here is all of us at the tower of London"
Phoebe got upset again. "Oh yeah" She said grabbing the pictures carefreely. Monica flinched since she didn't grab it by the edges. "There we all are, Yeah, there's Ross, and Joey, and you, and..." She said before picking up a marker to draw herself on the picture "And me" She said mad. She knew it wasn't her friends fault, but she really felt left out.
"You know what, we have been talking about London too much, haven't we?" Chandler said apologetically. She felt the almost pity looks her friends gave her.
"No, I'm sorry, it's just cause I couldn't be there 'cause all I ever get to do now is pregnant stuff. It just bums me out" Phoebe said defeated. It wasn't their fault, she reminded herself. She just wanted to have the triplets to have her normal life again.
She gained "I'm sorry" from Chandler and Monica and a "Sorry Pheebs" From Joey, he looked pretty down by all of this. Phoebe even saw a little bit of guilt in his eyes.
Rachel appeared again telling everyone she got a date.
.:ooOOoo:.
After a while Chandler said he needed to go back to work, Phoebe turned her head so he could not be able to kiss her again, fortunately for her he didn't kiss anyone this time. Monica also excused herself and went to the apartment, Rachel said she wanted to go shopping for a dress for her date. Phoebe decided to go home, she didn't feel like being with anybody.
"I'm going home Joey, see ya" She said as she got up. Joey got up as well. "Let me walk you Pheebs" He said with a smile. Phoebe just nodded.
They walked towards Phoebe's apartment in silence until Joey spoke.
"I'm sorry for everything Phoebe, I know you must feel pretty left out" Joey said softly.
"No worries, it's just that I miss doing things with you guys" She said honestly.
"If it makes you feel better, I would have had a better time if you had been there in London" Joey said truthfully. Phoebe smiled feeling a little better.
"Aw thanks Joey..." She said grinning. "I hope I could do something to make you feel better" He said.
"You have already done a lot" Joey smiled to himself by her answer.
"Hey, I don't want you to be all alone and sad in your apartment, why don't we go to the movies?" He asked stopping hoping she would come. He didn't like seeing Phoebe all sad and depressed, she was joyful and funny most of the time and he loved seeing her like that.
Phoebe stopped and thought about it, she prefered being with Joey that all alone"Okay!" She said happily. Both of them turned around to walk in the direction of the cinema.
.:ooOOoo:.
Phoebe and Joey were walking towards Monica's apartment after the movie. They met Rachel at the entrance, the three of them chatted a bit as they walked up stairs. When they opened the door of the apartment they found Monica and Chandler in what could only be described as a 'Make out session' shocking the three of them.
They quickly broke the kiss when they felt the door opening. "Thanks for having me over" Chandler said out of breath. Monica seemed speechless.
"Rach" He said as he kissed Rachel very passionately, although it wasn't like it was with Monica.
"Pheebs" He said walking to her and trying to find an angle to kiss her, that it was actually difficult since she got that big belly between them. He managed to kiss her and she could not even move. It felt really out of place kissing Chandler Bing.
As he walked out Joey quickly got out of his way "See ya" He said totally shocked.
"What the hell was that?" He asked pointing towards the door. "Probably some European Good-bye thing he picked up in London" Monica tried to explain. It didn't ring any bell in Phoebe's head. People in London were pretty distant.
"That's not European" Rachel said with a frown turning around to look at the rest.
"Well, it felt French" Phoebe said with honesty, it wasn't disgusting but she didn't like it anyway. Joey seemed pleased, he would have liked greeting his female friends like that. He did not appreciate Chandler kissing Phoebe though, less in her pregnant state, at least that's what he told himslef.
.:ooOOoo:.
A Picnic at Central Park? Really? That was the great trip they would have together? Sorry but that idea sucked! Phoebe thought it wouldn't be special at all! She goes there almost everyday! It wouldn't be memorable as London! She found cute what the gang tried to do for her but the idea was awful! They spent like 5 days in London it wouldn't be near the same as one day at Central Park... She didn't want the gang's pity, she wanted to have fun, and take pictures, and funny stories that would happen there, she wanted laughter, maybe a little drama, a little romance, she wanted something to remember... Something everyone could remember.
The gang was reunited again, all except Phoebe.
"So... I think the Central Park idea blew, huh?" Joey said. "Chandler, your idea sucked!" Rachel said looking at Chandler who seemed affected.
"Hey! At least I said something!" He replied annoyed. "Look guys, we need a new plan" Joey said. He wanted Phoebe to have a great time with everyone.
The gang looked at each other expectant.
"Maybe we could go to Las Vegas" Monica threw the idea there.
"She is going to have those babies anytime now Mon" Ross said as a matter-o-fact.
"Why don't we go to London again?" Joey said like it was the most amazing idea ever. Everyone looked at him like 'Really Joe?'.
"What?" Joey asked puzzled not getting everyone's reaction.
"I think we could go to Atlantic city for the weekend" Ross suggested. Everyone agreed it was actually a nice idea.
"Okay! We just need to tell Pheebs!"
.:ooOOoo:.
Phoebe was so excited now!! Atlantic city baby!! A whole weekend with her friends that sounded really good. She was glad for Ross's idea, although It was Joey's idea to have a new plan. She thought it was so sweet! Everyone seemed excited especialy Joey! Phoebe knew how much he wanted to make her feel better and have fun.
"Oh Joey Tribbiani you will be the death of me!" She thought with a smile. She haven't worried too much about her crush for Joey, she thought it was just a feeling and after the triplets were born it would just go away. (She blamed the hormones again) Still the crush made her feel good because it was like having a first crush again, with the butterflies in her stomach, and dizziness, it was wonderful! She looked forward to spent this whole weekend with the gang and specially Joey.
After everything was packed she took a cab to Monica's place the girls were there with everything ready they greeted her with joyfull smiles. Suddenly the guys made an entrance all looking very happy and excited.
"Atlantic city baby!" Phoebe said blissfully. She was absolutely sure everyone was going to have an amazing time.
An amazing time indeed.
That was until she high-fived Joey. She felt leaking all over. It was time. The babies were coming! But she didn't want the weekend to get ruined, so she decided to act like nothing had happened.
But then everyone got excited because of the babies, and she was sure the gang will remember this time as a happy one! Everyone started to high-five each other. Phoebe got so happy because she finally was going to be the center of attention and a part of the adventure.
"Hey! Remember when my water broke?" More high-fives were given and everyone quickly went to the hospital. Ross was walking behind her with Rachel and Joey closely behind, that was until Joey got to her side and squeezed her hand in his.
"The time finally arrived Pheebs!" He sounded so ablazed. Phoebe walked hand in hand with him as Ross got a cab for them. Phoebe was happy that she would be able to share this important moment with all of her friends.