The gurney was rolled in. "I have a thirty five year old male. Bullet wound to the abdomen and chest. " The EMT announced. Over his face, was an oxygen mask. Ross's shirt was getting redder by the second as the blood continued to gush. Still unconscious, he laid peacefully as around him , the world was falling apart.

"On my count." Dr. Lewis announced. "One , two three." The nurses and orderlies lifted him onto the table. One nurse was holding the gauze in place over the bullet wound. The doctor shined a light on Ross. "Okay , I want another unit of O blood and another IV started.Let's get him stabilized people." She shined a light into his eyes , then they closed again.

Outside the police talked with a nurse. "Any relatives?" she asked. The policeman smiled. "Yeah the robber dropped this." The nurse looked through the wallet for identification. She hated this part of the job, it looked like this man had a lot to live for. He had several pictures of a group of people in his wallet, then he was smiling with a baby in his arms, and then there was a lone picture of a woman. Finally the nurse came to what she was looking for. It was a medical identification card and on it was the number to call for emergencies.

Monica had everything she wanted. She looked down into her arms as she cradled the hours old baby. Little Jack was fast asleep as she sat in the rocker. It was one of the few things that hadn't been crated up for the move to Westchester. Slowly she rocked the baby back and forth and hummed in it s ear. Chandler was out in the kitchen holding his little daughter and warming her bottle. He smiled at the sight of Monica and his son. As the microwave beeped, Erica started to cry loudly. The noise had frightened her.

Chandler patted her tiny bottom. "There , there princess. Daddy's here . " he said softly. He almost had a tear in his eye as he looked down at this precious angel. Finally. He had someone else to love besides Monica.

At that moment, the phone rang. Chandler walked over and got it. He was secretly hoping that Ross was returning Monica's phone call . They all knew how trying this evening had been for him. Cradling the phone in one arm and Erica in the other, he said "Hello?"

The nurse cleared her throat and read from the card. "Is this Monica Geller? " she asked shakily.

"No , this is Monica's husband. Would you like to speak to her?" Chandler asked.

"Please . " said the nurse. Chandler handed the phone to Monica as she handed Chandler , Jack. "Hello, this is Monica Geller. " Monica said unsure of what this was and frankly scared.

All Monica needed to hear was "Do you have a brother named Ross?" Monica immediately thought he was in an accident or even with the events of tonight , he might have even tried to kill himself. Frightened Monica asked. "Yes, I do and what happened?"

Gathering up all her strength. The nurse continued. "About fifteen minutes ago, your brother was brought in here a victim from a gun shot wound. Apparently there was a robbery in some liquor store and he didn't get out of the store in time." Monica 's mind began to wonder again. Why was he at a liquor store this time of night? He was probably trying to drown his sorrows after Rachel broke his heart.

"How is he?" Monica asked in a daze. The nurse took another deep breath. "At the present time, not good. He has lost a lot of blood and we will be taking him up to the OR when he is stable." She stated. Many times Monica watched ER on television and heard these same words. She just couldn't believe they were saying this about her brother.

"I'll be right down." She slammed the phone down and then began to sob. Chandler laid the babies in their bassinets and hurried over and hugged her.

"It's Ross. He's been shot." She sobbed.

"What!" Chandler said in shock.

"That dumb brother of mine. He was at some liquor store when it was held up and the robber shot him twice. He's at NYU University Hospital." Monica cried. "It doesn't look good." She said softly through her tears.

Monica had no idea who to call first. Joey was out on a date they were told. Phoebe needed to spend some time with Mike , because of running out so fast tonight to get Ross to Rachel. She probably should call her parents. This would crush them. Ross had always been their favorite and that is why for so many years there would be so animosity towards him. When the two of them were adults, the animosity would grow into admiration and friendship. Other than Chandler, Ross was her best friend. Another person to call was Rachel, how would she get ahold of her though? At this moment , Rachel was on her way to Paris and wouldn't be landing until tomorrow. Monica thought Rachel would blame herself when she heard this. Then she thought of calling Carol, but not this late, Ben would hear in the morning how sick his daddy was. Her last thought was to the youngest victim, Emma. Her mother was now on her way to France and her father was lying close to death in the hospital. Emma was in Long Island staying with Rachel's mother , with the intention of flying out on Sunday. Monica got out her phone book and then started to dial her parents.

"Hey Mon." Chandler said. "There's somebody over at Ross' " Monica walked over to the window and saw the shadow in the light. The drapes were pulled so it was obvious that Ross had company. Rachel strolled by the window and peeked out. The sirens were now gone. She picked up the phone and dialed Ross number , all she got from his cell was his recording. She wondered where he was.

"Where are you going?' Chandler asked as she put on a coat. "I am going over to find out what is going on?" Monica said determined. Chandler put himself in front of the door. "What if he has a girl over there , to comfort him?" he asked bluntly. "I don't think that Ross would pick up some slut and bring her home on the night he declares his love for Rachel. " Monica argued. Chandler put his hand on her shoulder. "He was in bed with Chloe , one hour after he thought him and Rachel were through." Monica stopped. "What if there is a burglar there?" she asked bluntly. "It is my duty to protect his stuff." Monica was obviously not thinking clearly and it was up to Chandler to protect her. "Okay Mon, let's go." He resigned. They both packed up the babies and put them in their stroller. Rolling out the door, they arrived at Ross' door.

"It's open." Exclaimed Chandler.

"You see." Said Monica as she carefully pushed it open. Rachel came from the bedroom draped in his robe.

"You certainly took your good sweet time." She said sexily as she walked out of the bedroom. "Monica!" she exclaimed.

"Rachel?" Monica was now more confused then ever. "I thought you were on your way to Paris?"

"I came back." She simply said. "Monica, I realized no matter how much history was between us , I will always love your dumb brother." Monica felt so bad, because now she had to tell her the bad news in person.

"Rachel, sit down." Monica said tenderly. "I am so glad you are back , she hugged her and then began to sob again.

"Monica, I know so much has happened tonight. The babies and Ross and I getting back together. I am a little overwhelmed myself." Rachel said sweetly.

Monica didn't know how to start. She was telling her best friend that the man she gave up her dream job for was fighting for his life right now. Rachel had already visited her father in the hospital after his heart attack and that was trying enough. This was going to be very hard.

"Rachel, I want you to promise me you are going to be strong." Monica started.

Rachel put her hands to her mouth. She had a feeling that she knew what she was going to say. "Oh dear, it's Daddy isn't it?" she started to cry. "No your father is fine. It's Ross." Monica said. "He's been shot and is in the emergency room right now." Rachel 's eyes popped wide open. "Oh no, not Ross." She exclaimed. She ran to the bed room and pulled on the same outfit she was going to be traveling in and arrived wearing when she came back hours ago. Within minutes, Chandler , Monica, Rachel , and the babies were in a cab and were on their way to the hospital.

At the hospital door, everyone got out and Monica rushed to the counter, "Ross Geller?" she asked. The nurse picked up a chart. "Yes, he has finally been stabilized and has been taken upstairs to the OR. Surgery waiting is on the eighth floor." The nurse announced methodically.

The elevator ride was slow and no one wanted to speak . They all just looked at each other. The babies had finally fallen asleep. Chandler had a very worried look in his eyes , he had a feeling this was going to be one of the most trying nights in their lives. Monica 's eyes were red from crying and she had her arm around Rachel. Rachel's eyes still were spouting little teardrops. As the door opened, they saw the sign. SURGERY … Rachel's stomach dropped. Chandler put his arms around the two ladies as Monica pushed the carriage. Chandler found them a place to sit on the couch and then went to get them all some coffee.

Meanwhile in the operating room, the surgeon was still trying to remove the bullet from Ross' stomach. Everytime he touched it, it seemed to spurn another leak. Another unit of blood was hung and some more suction was needed. The doctor had the nurse wipe as he tried to stop the bleeding. It became worse and worse.

Suddenly the anesthesiologist heard the heart monitor beep loudly and long. "We're losing him , doctor." The nurse said. "Okay, this is what I want you to do. Hang another bag and then I want you to bag him." The doctor commanded. He also started pumping his chest. Nothing. Finally the doctor grabbed the paddles."Okay, clear." The doctor pounded the paddles on Ross' chest, sending about two hundred units into his body hoping that his heart would start again. The doctor stopped and then looked at the monitor. Still nothing. He picked up the paddles again. Another hundred volts and then still nothing. Ross pressure began to drop further down.

"No pulse." The anesthesiologist announced. The whole surgical team looked at him. He took a breath and then sighed. "Time of death, 3:15.a.m." Pulling down his mask, he walked out of the doors angrily. It was always a bastard when death won. It was especially the case when it was someone who had years to go. Someone who was young and taken in their prime. He strolled down the hall in his blood covered scrubs and walked over to the reception desk. The volunteer pointed to the doctor who he needed to talk to.

Monica had an idea. She got up slowly. The whole thing seemed to her like it was a scene out of a movie. The doctor talked to her , but she wasn't even listening. It was almost as if she was underwater and moving so slowly and not being able to talk. The doctor put his hands on hers and then she looked up into his eyes. Two words could be heard. "I'm sorry."

Rachel didn't even have to hear the doctor. All she had to do was look into Monica's eyes. And then with one fatal scream, forgetting this was a hospital , she yelled with all her might.

N O !

I heard that Billy's fiancé

Got a letter how he died that day

He died a hero the letter said that

She should be proud he that way

I guess she threw the letter away..

From the song Billy Don't be a Hero…