We Can Work It Out

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. I didn't write the lyrics used at the start of the chapter. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Summary: Set after TOW The Jam. A mix up in paperwork leads to an unlikely pair having a baby.

Chapter 2 - Secret

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Got a secret,
Can you keep it?
Swear this one you'll save.
Better lock it in your pocket,
Taking this one to the grave.
If I show you then I know you
Won't tell what I said.

Secret – The Pierces

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"What are you going to do?" Rachel asked, shutting the door behind her as she followed Monica into the apartment.

"About what?" Monica replied, not turning around. She couldn't meet Rachel's gaze. She knew if she did she would fall apart, and she couldn't fall apart. Not right now.

"About what?!" Rachel exclaimed, "Monica, you are having Joey's baby. Joey is the father. What are you going to do?"

"Nothing Rachel. I'm not going to do anything," Monica snapped back. "What can I do?"

"When are you going to tell him?"

Monica sat down at the kitchen table slowly, holding her head in her hands. She had no idea what to do. This wasn't at all what she had planned when she decided to do this. "I'm not."

"What? You have to! Joey has the right to know he's going to be dad." Rachel replied, taking a bottle of water out of the fridge and turning around to face Monica.

"He's not going to be a dad Rachel. He was the sperm donor, that's all."

"That's not all and you know it!" Rachel cried out. "Are you going to let Joey live across the hall from his own child and never tell him? It isn't right Monica."

Monica slammed her hands down on the table in frustration. "Joey donated his sperm knowing that someone may use it to have a child. When he went in there he knew he may father a child he would never know about! Millions of men do it ever year. Joey donated sperm and I happened to use it. "

"That may be true, but he didn't know he was going to father a child that would grow up right in front of his eyes. A child that he would see and talk to and hold but never know was his," Rachel argued.

"Do you see Joey wanting to be a father Rachel? Do you see him wanting to change diapers and rock a screaming baby? How will he fit feeding time in between his girlfriends? It's better for both of us if he never knows and I try my hardest to forget it. I am having a baby, what I have wanted more than anything in this world. Right now I wouldn't care if Bill Clinton was the father," Monica said, reaching out and taking Rachel's hands. "Please, just forget about it. Promise me you won't tell Ross or anyone else Rachel, please?"

Rachel looked into her best friends eyes and saw the joy, confusion and fear in her eyes. "Okay. I won't say anything. I suppose your right. There is a difference between being a sperm donor and being a father."

"Thank you," Monica said, letting Rachel pull her into a hug.

"You are having a baby. You are going to be a mommy!" Rachel exclaimed, smiling for the first time since Dr. McCartney pulled out the donor information sheet.

"I know!" Monica exclaimed, smiling as she put her hand to her stomach. "Can you believe it?"

"I have to leave; I'm going to be late for work. Are you going to be okay?" Rachel asked, looking at Monica with concern in her eyes.

"I am fine. I'm going to go lay down for a little bit. I think I'm going to tell everyone over dinner tonight," Monica said, smiling again.

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Monica sighed and collapsed onto the couch as soon as Rachel left. She let the tears that had been about to spill over since she left the clinic roll down her cheeks. What was she going to do? She was pregnant; she was going to have a baby. She was going to have the one thing she wanted most in this world. The only problem was that she couldn't forget it was Joey's baby and she wasn't sure she would ever be able to forget, no matter what she told Rachel.

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"Okay now that we are all well fed, I believe Monica has an announcement to make," Rachel said, standing up and tapping her glass after they had all finished eating.

Monica smiled at Rachel before standing up and moving away from the table. "I went back to the clinic today. And, well…. I'm…. I'm pregnant!"

"Monica! That's wonderful!" Phoebe cried out, hugging her friend as the room erupted in noise.

"Congratulations," Chandler said quietly, giving her an awkward hug. "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you!" Monica said, smiling up at him.

"Mon! That's great. And I was there when the baby was made! "Joey exclaimed, reaching to hug Monica.

"Yeah Joe," Monica said weakly, hugging him back. Only Rachel seemed to notice that her smile had faded slightly.

Monica turned to face her brother. "Well?"

"I… I don't know what to say Monica. You are having a baby? Really? I am going to be an Uncle?" Ross said softly.

"Yes…" Monica replied.

Ross quickly crossed the room and hugged her. "I don't agree with how you do decided to do this, but I love you and if you are happy than I am happy for you. Besides, I get to be an Uncle now!"

"Hey…. Chandler and I get to be Uncles too, right Monica?" Joey exclaimed.

"Of course," Monica replied. "This baby is going to have the best set of Aunts and Uncles he or she could ever need."

"Oh, can you name her Phoebe?" Phoebe exclaimed with a grin.

"Her? What if it's a boy Monica, will you name him Joseph Junior?" Joey asked.

"Joe, it would only be Joseph Junior if it was your son. Monica's baby would just be Joseph," Chandler said, pinching his nose.

"Oh right," Joey said with a giggle. "What do you say Monica, little baby Joey?"

"Uh… I'll think about it," Monica said weakly.

"Monica, are you all right? You look pale." Ross said, taking her arm and leading her to a chair.

"I'm all right. I'm just tired. It's been a long day," Monica replied, ignoring Rachel's gaze.

"We should all get going. You need to make sure you get plenty of rest. And lots of water. And vitamins. Hey, why don't I have Carol call you? She could give you all kinds of advice." Ross said, grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch and wrapping it around her shoulders.

"That would be great. Thank you Ross, for everything," Monica said, kissing his cheek.

"Ross, I think I'm going to stay here with Monica tonight," Rachel said.

"No Rachel, I'm ok, go with Ross. I'm just going to go to sleep," Monica said quickly.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay here and talk?" Rachel said, staring at her friend.

"Nope, I'm just going to read a book and go to bed," Monica said.

"Well call me if you need me," Rachel replied, hugging her again.

"We should get going to," Chandler said, moving towards the door. "Congratulations again Monica," he called over his shoulder.

"Thank you, all of you." Monica said, smiling.

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Monica curled up on the couch with a sigh. Her apartment seemed so big when no one else was there. It was just her and her baby she thought to herself as she put her arms around her still flat stomach. Just her and her baby.