Here's the next part! I love all the reviews! Please keep them coming….Oh by the way…for the sake of this story…Chandler and Rachel never made out during college cos that just ain't right! Anywhoo…
Enjoy!
Brotherly Love
"Well, I guess I better get back…" Monica stood up. "You coming?"
"Nah, I think I'm going to hang out here for a while…" He looked down at his hands. "There's some stuff I need to work out…"
"Okay…" She nodded understandingly. "I'll save you some food for later."
"Thanks…" He glanced up, offering her a small smile. "And thanks for listening."
"No problem…" She smiled back. "I'll see you later."
"Okay, see-ya…" He watched her leave.
Monica sighed as she closed the door behind her, she paused before going back into her own apartment…thinking about what Chandler had told her…she couldn't believe it, she couldn't imagine what it must be like to find out something like that. She shook her head slightly before pushing open the door to her apartment, everyone fell silent and looked at her as she walked in.
"Hey, where's Chandler?" Joey asked, concerned for his best friend.
"Oh, he's at your place…" She informed, taking her seat again.
"Is he okay?" Ross questioned.
"Yeah, he's fine…" She assured them. "He's just having some family problems…"
"I wasn't aware he was in touch with his family…" Rachel frowned slightly.
"Maybe that's the problem…" Monica answered, quietly.
Leonard and Sandra exchanged looks that the others failed to notice but they reminded silent.
XxXxX
"Terry… I… I know that I haven't worked here very long, but I was wondering, do you think it would be possible if I got a 100 advance in my salary?" Rachel asked hopefully.
"An advance?"
"It's so that I can spend Thanksgiving with my family." She explained. "See, every year we go skiing in Vail, and normally my father pays for my ticket, but I sort of started the whole independence thing, you know, which is actually why I took this job."
"Rachel, Rachel, sweetheart…." He started nicely. "You're a terrible, terrible waitress. Really, really awful.
"Ok, I, I hear what you're saying…I'm with you…Um, but I, but I'm trying really hard. And I think I'm doing better. I really do…. " She replied, unsure about his comment. She turned to the customers. "Does anybody need coffee?
Everyone in the coffee house raised there hands, she turned and to look at him. "Oh, look at that."
Chandler, Ross and Phoebe watched as Rachel rushed around the coffee house, trying to get as many tips as she could so she could afford to go on the trip. Chandler couldn't help but feel guilty for not helping her out. She was his sister…. She might not know it…to her, he was just a friend…someone that she hadn't known that long…. But she was still his sister. He sighed loudly; he didn't know what to do. He suddenly had all these feelings, wanting to protect her, look out for her but he couldn't… people would get suspicious and she could never find out…
"Only 98.50 to go…" Rachel claimed, after picking up a small tip a customer had left.
A short while later, Monica and Joey joined them…Monica informing Ross about their parents going away for Thanksgiving and Joey telling them he got a new job as a poster model. Monica had offered to make Thanksgiving dinner, after checking that Joey was going home and inviting Phoebe around, she turned to Chandler.
"And I assume, Chandler, you are still boycotting all the pilgrim holidays…."
"Yeah…" He mumbled, not really paying attention.
"You okay?" She asked, concerned.
"Uh…oh yeah, sure…I'm fine…" He assured her.
"Okay…" She backed off but not totally believing him. "Rach, are you thinking you're gonna make it to Vail?"
"Absolutely. Shoop, shoop, shoop…" She told them confidently. "Only a hundred and two dollars to go."
"I thought it was 98.50..." Chandler looked up at her.
"Well, yeah its…I..uh I broke a cup…"
She was never going to make it, he thought…he felt his wallet in the side of his pocket…he was meant to go to the groceries store to get some food in but decided that could wait a few days. He knew he had enough money but he didn't know how to give it to her without her finding out it was from him. He considered just leaving it on a table but then anyone could pick it up and take it.
He sighed and half listen to Ross and Phoebe talking about inviting Carol over for Thanksgiving before Ross left.
"Right, I'm going too…" Monica stood up and Phoebe and Joey followed.
"Chandler, you coming?" Joey asked.
"Uh, yeah I'll be up in a minute…" He told him.
"Well, I've got cups to wash…" Rachel sighed, before heading to the back. "I'll see you later…"
"Yeah…" He nodded, watching her leave. Once she was out of sight, he jumped up and headed to the counter. "Gunther?"
"Want a re-fill?" He asked, picking up a pot of coffee.
"No, no…I need a favour…" He told him, pulling out his wallet. "I want to leave Rachel a tip but I don't want her to know it was from me."
"Why not?"
"Because…. Just because…" He shook his head, handing him a pile off money.
"Wow, you must really like her coffee…"
"Not really…" He shrugged. "Just make sure she gets it okay?"
"Okay…" He nodded. "Uh, but what am I meant to say?"
"I dunno…just say…. Just say some guy you never seen in here before left it…"
"Oh, okay…" He nodded.
Chandler turned to leave but stopped and handed him another 20. "Just in case she breaks anymore cups…"
Chandler joined the others in the girls apartment, feeling good about him-self and even started joking around but putting a turkey on Ross' head so they could test whether or not a baby could hear inside a womb.
"Guys, guys…you're not going to believe this!" Rachel came running into the apartment.
"What?" Monica asked.
"Some guy left me huge tip!"
"Great! So how much do you need now?"
"No, that's the thing…he left me 120..." She held out the money to show them.
"Oh my god!" Phoebe exclaimed. "I need a job a central perk!"
"Who was he?" Monica questioned. "Was he cute!"
"I don't know…he left it with Gunther…" She told him. "Apparently he's a new customer."
Chandler stayed back from the group, watching with a smile on his face…glad to see her so happy.
"Must be pretty flashy if he leaves a tip like that…" Ross mumbled a hint of jealously in his voice.
"Yeah, he must be rich!" Phoebe added.
"I know!" Rachel grinned. "Isn't it great!"
"Yeah, honey…" Monica smiled. "I glad you got your money."
"Me too…I'm going to call my Dad now and let him know I can come…" She told them, picking up the phone. "Daddy….hi…."
Chandler's smile slowly faded as he listened to her talk. Even though he hated them for abounding him and he didn't want them to be his parents he still felt a little jealous that Rachel was able to go on holiday with them…
"I've got some work to finish up…" Chandler claimed, heading towards the door. "I'll see you all later."
"Okay, man…" Ross frowned slightly as he left.
"Do you think he's okay?" Phoebe questioned.
"Yeah, he'll be fine…" Joey told them.
"But he's been acting so weird…"
"It's Chandler and it's Thanksgiving…" Joey shrugged. "He'll be fine in a few days…"
XxXxX
Chandler slung his holdall bag over his shoulder as he stepped out into the hall, coming face to face with Leonard Green.
"Chandler…" He said slowly, staring at him. "How are you?"
"I'm fine…" He answered, looking down at the floor.
"Uh, I talked to that coffee shop guy…" He started. "I was worried about what kind of guy would leave someone over 100 for a tip…"
"Is this important because I have somewhere I have to be…" Chandler cut in.
"He told me it was you…" Leonard stated, before reaching into his pocket and taking some money out of his wallet. "Here, let me re-pay you…"
Chandler stared at the money that was being held out to him. He slowly looked up at him.
"I don't want your money."
"You don't need to pay for Rachel's trip…"
"I know, I don't…" Chandler claimed. "I wanted to…"
"Why?"
Chandler let out a small laugh. "Oh I don't know…maybe I need a good deed for my 'do one good thing a day' class…"
"Just take the money…"
"How do you think Rachel is going to feel if she finds out you paid?" Chandler asked. "She worked really hard to earn that money and she's proud of herself…just leave it!"
Leonard sighed as Chandler pushed past him and walked into apartment 20. He pocketed the money before following him.
"Dad?" Rachel looked at him surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd come and help you with your bags…" He told her, gesturing to the numerous bags at her feet along with her skis.
"Aww, thanks Daddy…" She hugged him.
"No problem, pumpkin…" He smiled; hugging her back he glanced over her shoulder to see Chandler stood glaring at him. "So, I guess we'd better get going…."
"Oh yeah, sure…" Rachel nodded reaching for her bags. "I'll see you guys when I get back…"
"Okay, have a great time…" Monica hugged her.
"I will…" She replied and hugged everyone else goodbye when she got to Chandler, she noticed his bag. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Uh, oh yeah…" He nodded. "I'm going to Vegas…"
"Vegas?" Joey repeated. "Why are you going to Vegas?"
"I'm going to see my Dad…" He told them. "I called him earlier, we got talking…he invited me over…"
"Your Dad?" Ross looked at him curiously.
"Yeah…"
"So, let me get this straight…for years, you avoided everything to do with Thanksgiving because of him and now you've just decided to go down there?"
"I'm not a kid anymore…I can't act like that, I need to grow up…something I should have done a long time ago…"
"No, Chandler…I've seen how all this have effected you…" Ross continued.
"Ross, maybe you should just leave it…." Monica attempted to stop him from continuing, knowing he didn't know the full story.
"No, Chandler I've seen lock yourself in your room during holidays and not come out until they're over…I've seen you burn letter that he's sent without you even opening them…."
"So, what?" Chandler asked. "He's still my father!"
"I just don't want to see you get hurt!" Ross claimed.
"Look, Ross…I know you're only looking out for and I'm grateful, I really am but I need to sort some stuff out with him…"
"But…"
"No…" He shook his head. "There's some stuff that happened, which I blamed him for…but it wasn't his fault…"
"Then who's was it?" Joey joined in, curious to what was going on.
Chandler eyes fluttered to Dr Green for no more then a second.
"It's not important…" He told them. "What's important is that I've gone all these years ignoring my father… hating him when I should have been hating someone else…someone who is really at fault."
There was silence in the apartment; no one knew what to say to that.
"Come on, sweetie…" Dr Green broke the silence, trying to avoid Chandler's eyes. "We'd better get going."
"Okay…" She nodded, she said bye to everyone again before leaving.
"So, I better get going too…" Chandler after a few more minutes of silence.
"Call if you need anything…" Monica moved forward to hug him.
"I will…"
"And I'm glad you're working everything out…" She smiled slightly at him.
"Thanks…" He returned the smile.
XxXxX
A few days later, Chandler returned, happier then ever. His Dad and him had talked a lot, sorted everything out. He told him about Rachel and meeting his birth parents again…he was able to let everything out and his Dad had listen and then give him some advice. He decided that he was going to try and concentrate on being Rachel's friend and not her brother.
It was the day after he got back and was hanging out with Joey and Monica when he started to think about Ross and Monica's relationship, how they use to hate each other and fight when they were kids but now were close friends, relying on each other whenever they need help. He didn't have any of that with Rachel or his other sisters…he hadn't even meet Jill or Amy.
"Chandler…Chandler!" Monica slapped him lightly.
"Huh?" He glanced at her. "What?"
"You weren't listening to a word I was saying!" She looked at him.
"I was…"
"Oh really? What did I say then?"
"Uh…."
"Thought so…" She smiled smugly. "Anyway, I asked you if you wanted to watch a movie or something?"
"Oh, yeah sure…" He nodded, looking and noticed that Joey had left. "Where's Joey?"
"He left about 10 minutes ago!" She looked at him, slightly concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, sure…just thinking…" He nodded.
"About what?"
"Just stuff…"
"Okay…" She stood up and picked a movie before joining him back on the couch. "So, things really went well with your Dad, uh?"
"Yeah…" He nodded. "We talked and sorted everything…next thing is to talk to my Mom about it all.."
"Oh right, when are you going to do that?"
"Well, she's coming by New York in a few weeks…" He told her. "I called her…she's going to be on Jay Leno too."
"Oh my god! That's cool…"
"I guess…" He shrugged, but couldn't help but smile as well.
"I'm so proud of you…"
"You are?" He looked surprised.
"Yeah, I mean you've handle all this so well…" She told him.
"You didn't see me when I first found out…." He joked. "No, seriously, I want to thank for helping me and keeping it to yourself…"
"No problem…that's what friends are for…"
"Best friends…" He corrected her.
"Yeah, best friends…" She repeated, smiling at him. "And I'm still proud of you."
He was slightly surprised when she leaned up and kissed his cheek before cuddling up to him as the movie started.
"What?" She asked a few moments later, after seeing him watching her.
"Nothing…" He looked to the TV, quickly but tightening his arm which was wrapped around her, pulling her closer to him.
XxXxX
Chandler looked up when he heard someone come running in…he hadn't really been paying attention before then. He wanted to have dinner alone with his Mom so they could talk about she invited everyone else, who immediately accepted, everyone except Monica who guessed what Chandler wanted but reluctantly agreed to go when it was obvious that they all were going.
He glared angrily when he saw Rachel and Paolo stood there, quite flustered.
"Hi! Sorry- sorry we're late, we, uh, kinda just, y'know, lost track of time…" She weakly explained.
"But a man can change…." Ross stated, gesturing to Nora to pour him a shot of tequila as jealously rose inside of him.
Chandler knew he decided to act only as a friend around Rachel but he couldn't help but hate Paolo, he didn't trust him and it came to the point where all he was doing over dinner was glaring at him.
"Do you have to do that!" Chandler snapped as he watched Paolo licking Rachel's hand.
"Oh…uh sorry…" Rachel quickly pulled her hand away, looking embarrassed.
The others looked confused by his behaviour; he had been acting weird all night. Monica put it down to the fact he didn't want them to be there, he wanted some time alone with his Mom so she decided not to say anything.
They continued to eat their meal, Nora telling them how she writes her books before excusing herself from the table to check her phone messages.
"You okay?" Monica whispered, moving into the seat Ross had vacated to go to the bathroom.
"I'm fine…" He stared down into his glass.
"Look, I'm sorry we ruined your night…"
"It doesn't matter…" He assured her. "It's not your fault…"
"Well, as long as you're okay…"
"Yeah…" He nodded, standing up. "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back."
"Yeah, me too…" Joey stood up too. "Everything okay, man?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" Chandler asked as they walked together.
"No reason, you've just be quiet tonight…" He shrugged.
"I'm fine…" He insisted, stopping dead when he saw them.
"What is it?" Joey frowned slightly before following Chandler's glaze, his eyes widened in shock.
Nora and Ross jumped apart when they heard Joey's voice.
"Oh my god…" Ross mumbled seeing Chandler stood there.
"Chandler…" Nora moved towards him but before she had chance to get to him, he stormed off back to the table.
"Chandler?" Monica asked, when she saw him.
He didn 't reply, he just grabbed his jacket and threw some cash on the table.
"Chandler…" Nora ran up to him. "Please let me explain."
"Explain what?"
"Chandler, man…" Ross and Joey joined the table again. "I'm so so sorry.."
"Honey, it was a mistake…" Nora assured him.
"One night…" Chandler said quietly.
"What?"
"Just one night…" He looked up at her, hurt filling his eyes. "I just wanted one night to talk to you…"
"Chandler…" She whispered, feeling tears burn in her eyes.
He shook his head before turning and leaving the restaurant. Nora waited a moment, wondering what to do before gathering her stuff and following him.
"What the hell was that!" Phoebe asked.
"I need a drink…" Ross mumbled, heading towards the bar.
"Joey, what happened!" Monica demanded.
"Ross and Mrs Bing…" Joey started, slightly stunned by what he witnessed. "Uh, they kind of…"
"They were what?" Rachel asked impatiently.
"Uh, they were kissing…"
"KISSING!" Monica exclaimed, loudly.
"Oh my god!" Phoebe covered her mouth. "Wonder Chandler flipped!"
"Is that what's been up with him lately?" Rachel asked. "Are Ross and Nora having a thing or something?"
"What!" Monica looked at her. "No!"
"Okay, then what is it?" She questioned. "I mean, you do know…don't you?""Maybe but I can't tell you…" She told them, looking worriedly at the door where Chandler and Nora had gone through.
XxXxX
"I knew you'd be here…" Nora whispered, coming up behind Chandler as he sat on a swing the park.
"Why'd you come?" Chandler asked quietly.
"Because I wanted to explain…" She told him, sitting on the swing next to him. "Because I was worried about you…"
"Why?"
"Why am I worried about you?" She questioned. "Well, because you're my son and because I love you…"
"Do you?"
"What? Of course I do!" She insisted. "Chandler, what's going on?"
"Why did you invite everyone, Mom?" He looked at her for the first time… first spilling from his eyes. "I really wanted to talk but you invite everyone…"
"I'm sorry…" She moved forwards to hug him tightly. "I'm so sorry….I got scared…"
"Scared?"
"When you phone you told me you wanted to talk…. About your birth parents…" She said slowly. "I thought…I thought I was losing you…"
"What?
"You're my baby boy…I can't handle losing you…" She cried. "Not now…"
"Mom…you're not going to lose me…"
"But you said you meet them again…"
"I did…" He nodded. "But not by choose…"
"What?" She frowned slightly. "How?"
"Rachel…. she's uh…she's…she's there daughter…" He admitted quietly.
"Rachel? The same Rachel that…" She started shocked. "Oh my god…"
"She's my sister, Mom…I can't…I can't do anything that will let her know…" He rambled. "And then there is Ross…he's always talking about her and its killing me to hear that kind of stuff about…. And I hate Paolo…. I mean I really hate… I hate this…I hate everything…"
Nora immediately wrapped her arms around him as he broke down; she rocked him back and forwards, whispering assurance that everything would be okay.
10 minute later, he calmed slightly and noticed for the first time it was pouring in rain and they were both soaked.
"Listen, you go home and have a shower and then I'll come straight around once I've sorted some things…"
"What things?" Chandler questioned.
"Oh, I'm just cancel my appoints in Lisbon…"
"What?" He looked surprised. "You can't do that…. Its important…"
"You're most important…" She smiled at slightly. "Now get yourself home before you catch a cold."
"Okay…thanks Mom.." He kissed her cheek.
"No problem, sweetie…"
"Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you…"
She smiled again. "I love you too…"
XxXxX
When Chandler got back to the apartment, they were all there waiting for him.
"Chandler, are you okay?" Joey asked.
"Yeah, I guess…" He shrugged, tiredly.
"You're soaked!" Monica stated, taking his jacket off him.
"Man, can we talk?" Ross asked.
Chandler looked at him for a moment. "Not tonight…"
"Please, Chandler…"
"No, Ross…." He held up his hand. "I've so much other stuff on my mind…I can't deal with this now…"
"What other stuff!"
"Just stuff…" He answered.
"That informative!"
"I don't tell you anything, okay!" Chandler snapped. "I'm having a shower…. I'd really like to have some time alone for a while…"
With that he stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Joey sighed. "Can I hang out at your place for awhile…give him some space."
"You sure he should be left alone?" Rachel asked.
"He knows were will be…" Joey shrugged.
They all sighed and headed out…. Giving Chandler the time alone he needed.
Chandler exited the bathroom 30 minutes later to find that he was actually alone.
"Look, man…we really need to talk…" Ross claimed.
"Ross, leave me alone!" Chandler told him.
"No I want to know what's going on with you!"
"It has nothing to do with you!"
"I think it has!"
"Why, just because you play tonsil hockey with my Mom!"
"No, because of Rachel!"
Chandler froze. "What?"
"I knew it…" He stated when he saw Chandler reaction. "Man, I can't believe this!"
"Ross, I don't know what you know or think you know but…."
"I should have worked it out earlier…" Ross continued. "All the looks and glares…. Sticking up for her…. Being nice…"
"Ross…"
"So how long?"
"How long?" Chandler repeated.
"How long have you been in love with her?"
"What!" Chandler felt like laughing. "I'm not in love with her!"
"Oh come on, Chandler…" Ross glared at him. "I know you are!"
"I love her, yes…but I'm not in love with her!"
"Admit it!" Ross demanded. "All those times you've told me to get over her…to move it…what was it? Just a plan to swoop in there?"
"What! No!"
"Oh come on…give me one reason why I should believe you!"
"BECAUSE SHE'S MY SISTER!"
TBC
Come on, I gave you nice long chapter….with a nice cliff-hanger! You've got to review! Please…