Thank you for the wonderful reviews, I'm glad you like this story. To tell the truth, I was thinking that no-one would, when I first wrote it. But hey! I'm not a mind reader, so I'm glad I wasn't right :D

Disclaimer; I don't own them

Picking Up the Pieces

Chapter 12.

Ashley looked at the clock once again and sighed.

"Don't worry honey," Monica said, "She'll be back soon."

"But it can't take that long to talk!" Ashley said.

"I don't know." Monica said, padding her hair, "They're probably just making up, working on everything."

"No they aren't." Ashley said.

"How do you know that?"

"Because I do." Ashley said, deciding to do something, "My dad is not nice. He's hurting my mom."

"Hurting?" Monica asked, her ears ready for information.

"Yes." Ashley said, "Did my mom fall through a glass door?; no, I don't think so. My dad pushed her. Did she fall down the stairs?; no again. My dad beat the crap out of her."

"What?" Monica asked.

"Yes." Ashley said, finding the letter in her pocket, "She wrote this. To give to you or Ross. She said that if I hadn't heard from her in two days, I should give this to you. But I think, I feel and I know, that it's important that you read this now. I don't know what's happening to her, and that scares me." Ashley said, tears in her eyes, "She's the only one I've ever had."

"Shh, sweetie." Monica said, embracing her in a hug, "Let me get this."

Ashley handed her the letter and Monica took it, opening up the envelope.

She sat down at the kitchen table, reading it.

Dear Monica or Ross.

If you are reading this, that means I'm dead. That means you'll never see me again, that Barry killed me. Beat the hell out of me. I'll tell you all about my marriage. Because it sure wasn't a very happy one. After Barry and I got married, we soon turned in to be unhappy and I turned in to be Barry's maid. I did everything he asked me to. I did all he wanted me to. When I sometimes didn't want to – he slapped me. Once in a while. And when he got jealous, which he did a lot, he would also slap me across the face. He got jealous about everything. When I talked to a guy. A clerk in a store. Even when there wasn't anything to be jealous about, he was. Then we got Ashley. She was the light I needed. She made my day. But it really didn't fit with Barry to get a child, definitely not a girl. He wanted a boy, someone to carry on the family name. And after that, he got more angry, he hit a lot. Sometimes he kicked, though he would never do anything to Ash. He got more violent, and I ended up in the hospital quite often after that. I lost a baby a couple of times too, because he'd hit me or kick me in the stomach. But I loved him, I really did. And I depended on him, so did Ashley. Well, he also cheated on me a lot, but I really didn't care. Now, he found out about Joey and I. Joey really was the only time I've ever cheated on him, but he's crazy. He wont forgive. He wont let me live. And I can't turn him in. I love him too much.

But anyway, now that you're reading this, I'm dead. Barry promised to kill me and he did. I wrote this letter to let someone know what it's been like, because Barry sure wont tell you. And I need someone to take care of Ash. I want you to do it. I know she'll be safe and taken care of. And also, maybe Barry will go to prison if the police will ever find out who killed me. I don't know. But please, as a last beg from me, take care of Ashley. Give her a home.

With love, Rachel Farber.

Monica looked at the letter, tears streaming down her face.

She had to do something.

Maybe it wasn't too late?

--

Joey and Chandler rushed around the city, looking for Rachel and Barry's apartment.

"When are we there?" Chandler yelled, fear rushing through his body.

"Now!" Joey said, parking the car on the street. He didn't bother to do anything.

They ran out of it, and up the stairs. They'd been afraid that they wouldn't be able to come in, but luckily enough a young woman was coming out of the door, right there.

They rushed up the stairs. It was only the 3rd floor.

When they reached the apartment, they didn't bother knocking.

They just rushed in, searching the apartment.

They didn't need to search long though, they found her on the floor in the living room, covered in her own blood.

"Rachel?!" Joey yelled, throwing himself next to her, "Can you hear me?"

She didn't answer.

"Chandler?" Joey said, "You need to call an ambulance. Now!"

Sooo sorry about the short chapter, I really am. But the next will be here soon, I promise :d Leave a review. Thanks, Stessa.