Chandler woke up the next day once again gasping for air. His nightmare kept coming back, repeating the same thing over and over again. He would always start off with Joey, then he would be faced with Dead Chandler until he would lean in and kiss him. Right before their lips met, he would wake up like he hadn't felt oxygen in hours.

This can't be a good thing... Chandler thought. Maybe I should tell Joey about it.

Chandler got up, determined to tell Joey of his nightmare, and walked out of the room. When he walked out, what he saw was the absolute funniest thing he'd ever seen in his entire life.

Joey was currently standing hunched over on the kitchen counter glaring at a large silver bowl, covered in what Chandler guessed was pancake mix. "Joey," Chandler sniggered. "What did I tell you yesterday?"

"Shush!" Joey said. "The mix is going to tell me its secrets!"

Chandler lost it then. When Joey turned to him with a powdery grin, Chandler only laughed harder. "Jeez, Joe! You're killing me!"

Joey eyed Chandler up and down. "I'm killing you? With you dressed like that, you're killing me!" Then with what he thought was a sly grin, he said, "How you doin'?"

Joey's seduction tactic of choice probably would have worked if Joey didn't look so ridiculous. "Joey, go take a shower. I'll make the pancakes." Chandler laughed.

Joey huffed. "Fine..." He grumbled and walked to the bathroom, but not before leaning against Chandler and kissing him.

"Hey!" Chandler complained. "You got me covered in your pan-catastrophe!"

"That was a terrible pun, Chan," Joey smirked. "You need a shower? You can join me." He waggled his eyebrows.

"No," Chandler challenged. "You said we're taking this slow. I don't put out till the third date."

Joey nodded, this time leaning up to place a sincere kiss on his lips. "I know, babe."

Chandler suppressed a shiver at the pet name, finding he liked it a lot. "Go shower before you make me reconsider."

Joey laughed, but went into the bathroom to shower. Chandler smiled at the door before going to the kitchen and correctly making Joey's pancakes.

When Joey came out, he was wrapped in a towel. "I forgot my clothes..." He mumbled to himself before going to his room to change.

He came out in a pair of dark jeans and a red button-down shirt with a white undershirt beneath it. The shirt and jeans hugged him in all the right places. Chandler gulped. He suddenly felt inferior standing in the kitchen in his boxers and an old, white tank.

Joey didn't seem to mind, however, as he walked over to Chandler and placed a warm kiss to his lips. "Mm... Good." He said.

Chandler blushed. "What are you referring to? The pancakes or me?" He joked.

Joey smirked. "I'm sure you can figure it out."

On that note, Chandler served Joey some pancakes, making the man jump in excitement. Chandler sat down beside him and ate his own as they talked about what they were going to do that day.

"So, what do you think we should do today, Joe?" Chandler asked.

"Well," he said between bites. "You have a therapist appointment with Dr. Curitan, but afterwards, I was thinking we could go out somewhere."

Chandler smiled behind his glass of water. "What do you have in mind?"

Joey smirked. "It's a surprise."

Chandler nodded, wondering what Joey had in mind. "What time is my appointment again?" He asked as he got up and placed his plate along with Joey's in the sink.

"Eleven."

Chandler nodded. Looking at the clock, he saw that it was about ten. "I'm gonna get ready." He headed for the bathroom, but not before grabbing something to change into. He was going to close the door behind him, but his reflection in the mirror made him stop. He glared. "JOSEPH." He yelled.

Joey ran to the bathroom, thinking Chandler was in trouble. When he saw the look in Chandler's eyes, he realized just who exactly was in trouble. "Y-yeah, Chandler, babe?"

"Look at this," he pointed to his neck. "You let me go out in public yesterday with the darkest hickey in the history of hickeys? I was wearing a t-shirt! People are gonna think I'm a slut!" He said.

Joey laughed, honestly so used to the hickey being there that he forgot, but laughing was the wrong choice if he based it off the murderous glare Chandler was giving him. "I'm sorry, Chandler. Next time, I'll make sure it's darker."

Chandler hit Joey on the shoulder. "Get out, ass!"

Joey could see the grin Chandler was trying to hide. "You're trying not to laugh!" He said in a sing-song voice. "I'm off the hook!"
"Before you go, ass," Chandler said, emphasizing the last word and rolling his eyes. "Am I allowed a razor? I need to shave this God-awful cat off my face."

Joey nodded. "I'll go get you one, but you have to shave after you shower so I can be in here too."

"Alright."

After Chandler was showered and clean-shaven, they left for Chandler's therapy appointment. They walked up to the receptionist, happy to see that Jessica was there once again. "Hey, Jessica," Joey said, smiling. Chandler wore a shy smile of his own.

She looked surprised. "Joey! Chandler! Hey! What're you doing here?"

Chandler smirked. "Well, it seems that depression cannot be cured with a single psychiatrist appointment. It appears that therapy is needed."

At her crestfallen face, Joey intervened. "Ignore him. He's always like this," he explained, glaring at Chandler.

"Don't ignore him. He's right." Chandler agreed. "I'm sorry for that..."

Jessica smiled. "It's okay," she said.

Chandler looked around, suddenly having a question pop in his mind. "So, Jessica. What made you want to work here of all places?"

Jessica was shocked at the question, wondering if she should share her story. Deciding to go for it, she said, "Well, I was offered a job here after my sister passed away..."

It was Joey who recognized that distraught look as he had that look a few days prior. "Did she..." He wasn't sure how to word it.

She smiled sadly. "Yeah. She killed herself a while back. She was here a lot, but it almost seemed like she got worse..."

"What was her name?" Chandler asked suddenly.

"Elizabeth."

Chandler nodded. "I-I'm sorry that happened..."

"It's okay," she said. "I miss her every day, though. The pain never goes away, you know. I always wonder if there was something I could've done, something I could've said to make her pain go away..."

Chandler shook his head, a haunted look in his eyes. "There was nothing you could have done, Jessica. When someone's suicidal, they'll do anything and everything they can to die. They won't listen to reason and they won't accept help because they don't think they need or deserve it." He looked away suddenly. "Trust me. I would know."

Jessica's eyes widened. "Chandler, I'm sorry! I didn't mean"-

He shook his head. "It's okay. I just hope that you understand what your sister went through. Coming from personal experience, she probably felt like she was beyond saving."

"But she wasn't. No one is beyond saving." Jessica said sincerely.

Chandler just nodded.

Joey then got Chandler's file, signed some forms, and they were on their way to the third floor. "See you, Jess," Chandler waved.

"See you later, guys. And Chandler?" When Chandler turned, she said, "Don't ever think you're beyond saving. Don't ever think you don't deserve to be saved."

Chandler just smiled and waved, her words hitting a chord within him.

In the elevator, Chandler was uncharacteristically quiet. "Chandler? You okay?" Joey asked.

Chandler nodded. Then, with a worried expression and a soft voice, Chandler whispered, "I don't know."

Joey was going to hug him, but the elevator door opened and the moment was gone.

They walked together to the office number they were given and Chandler walked in alone while Joey sat outside. Chandler gave Joey one last longing look before shutting the door behind him.

The office was large, though, it didn't look like an office to Chandler. It reminded him of a living room that a rich kid would grow up in. One thing he noticed particularly, however, were the vases of flowers that decorated various parts of the room.

Chandler's eyes flew to the man sitting in a chair, waiting for him. Dr. Curitan didn't look to be much older than Chandler. He was probably in his mid to late forties. He was blonde, but some grey hairs still came out in small patches. His glasses and casual outfit made him appear approachable. "Hello, Chandler. Have a seat."

Chandler obeyed. "So, let's just get this over with. I have a date tonight."

Dr. Curitan smiled. "Oh? Care to tell me about him?"

Chandler glared. "What makes you think it's a guy?"

The therapist chuckled. "Oh, come now. You don't expect me to believe that the man outside is not your date when you gave him that look."

Chandler was taken aback by his sudden forwardness. He stayed quiet.

When the quiet dragged on, the therapist spoke. "So what brings you to my office?"

"Like I told Dr. Ottinger – who is really creepy, by the way – it's in my file. I'm the crazy one they sent you."

"You're not crazy, Chandler."

Chandler smirked at the similarity between Dr. Ottinger and this guy. He decided to go with the same response. "Oh yeah? Prove it."

"Well, why do you think you're crazy?"
Chandler glared. "You obviously didn't read my file. I'm suicidal and, even after one attempt, I'm more than ready to give it another go and wow," Chandler said in amazement. He actually talked. "You're good."

"If it makes you feel better. I didn't read your file at all. I'd prefer it if you'd tell me yourself. I personally think it's rude when the psychiatrists send me all these evaluations of people before I've even met them."

Chandler nodded. This guy wasn't one of those fake people who were just in it for the money. He was honestly here to help.

"So, tell me about yourself, Chandler."

Chandler rolled his eyes. "I think I now know what it's like for all those interviewers I get."

"You work for HR in a company?"

Chandler shook his head. "I'm an IT procurement manager. I'm the person HR sends the final applicants to. I interview them and see if they're fit for the company."

Dr. Curitan nodded. "And do you like your job?"

Chandler shook his head. "No. I want to quit – Joey wants me to as well – but I can't. It's our only source of major income."

"Is Joey this mysterious man outside my office?" Chandler blushed but nodded. "What's he like?"

Chandler's subtle smile gave the doctor all he needed to know, but he let Chandler explain. "He's..." Chandler sighed, hanging his head. "He's too good for me," he admitted.

"Why do you think that?"

Chandler shook his head, waving his hand flippantly. "You don't need to hear about my very gay relationship. You probably don't want to."

Dr. Curitan shook his head. "I assure you, Chandler. I am certainly not uncomfortable with homosexuals," he said with a smile. "In fact, I bet my husband would be shocked if I was."

Chandler's eyes widened. "Your husband?"

The doctor chuckled. "He's a very kind man."

Chandler smiled. "Sounds like Joey." He sighed. "Joey's the sweetest man I know. He's sweet, caring, protective, and every other positive adjective you can think of. He's perfect in every way. I don't know why he's with me, to be honest. I'm honestly damaged material."

"How long have you two been together?"

"About three days."

Dr. Curitan's eyes widened. "With the way you two looked at each other, I would guess much longer."

Chandler laughed. "Yeah, well, we've known each other for years. Our friends have told us all about the repressed sexual tension between us. It was bound to happen."

"Why do you think you're not good enough for Joey?"

Chandler looked away. "He's perfect. I'm not."

"I don't mean to be forward, but I think Joey is a grown man. I think he knows what he wants – who he desires – and that he has every right to make that decision.

"Based on the look he gave you, I can see he wants to be with you."

Chandler had never thought of it that way. He didn't have the right to decide who Joey could be with. If Joey wanted to be with him, Joey could make that decision on his own. "But, what if another woman comes along and suddenly Joey wants to be with her?"

"Well, then you and Joey just weren't meant to be. Is there a reason for this fear? Has he been unfaithful?"

Chandler shook his head fervently. "No! Never. Actually, it's been the opposite. Do you know the receptionist downstairs? Jessica?"

Dr. Curitan nodded. "Yes, I do."

"Yeah, she was clearly interested in him, but he let her know he was with me in his own way." Chandler blushed at the memory.

"If you've seen firsthand what Joey would do if a woman came along, why are you so frightened?"

Chandler shook his head. "I don't know..." He thought he had a lot of solid logic, but it seemed that he didn't.

The doctor nodded. "It's okay, Chandler. Sometimes we are so focused on one thing that we don't realize that we aren't thinking straight."

Chandler smirked. "I doubt you and I ever think straight, doc."

Dr. Curitan laughed. "You are very funny, Chandler."

"So I've been told."

They chatted for the rest of the session. When it was over, Chandler didn't even realize how much time had passed.

They shook hands afterwards and Chandler turned to walk out. "Chandler, before you go, I have some advice for you." He took a breath. "I think you should talk to Joey about your fears. I think it would greatly help your relationship."

Chandler nodded. "Y-yeah. Thanks." He then turned back to the door before walking out to see Joey asleep on the chair. "Joey?" Chandler called in a soft voice.

Joey jumped at Chandler's voice. "Chan'ler..."

Chandler chuckled. "Yeah, Joe. It's me."

Joey jumped up and hugged him, pressing lazy kisses all over his face. Chandler allowed it, forgetting that Dr. Curitan's office door was open behind him. The doctor respectfully looked away, but from what he saw, Chandler's suspicions that Joey would cheat on him or leave him seemed far off.

"Joey, come on. You're entirely too affectionate when you're sleepy."

Joey grinned widely. "Only for you, babe."

By the time they reached the car, Joey was wide awake. "Chandler, you ready to go to where I'm taking you?"

"That depends. Do I need to look as good as you? If so, I'll never be ready."

Joey smirked. "Why, Chandler. Did you just make a pass at me?"

Chandler blushed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Joey."

Joey and Chandler got in the car and Joey drove to the opposite part of town and parked in a small parking lot. "Where are we?" Chandler asked.

"It's a surprise." He simply said.

Joey walked him into a small building. Inside was a tiny cabaret-like theatre, but instead of a stage, there was a movie screen.

Chandler smiled. "You're quite resourceful, Joey. When they say 'dinner and a movie,' they usually mean 'dinner and then a movie,' but you've successfully combined them into one. I have to say I'm impressed."

Joey shuffled from foot to foot, smiling. He placed a kiss to Chandler's cheek. "Only the best for you."

They sat down at a table and a menu was brought to them. They ordered their food and waited for the movie. Chandler watched as the lights dimmed down and the screen began to play something. Chandler's eyes widened and he looked at Joey when he saw the title go across the screen. "Y-you... I know you don't like these movies, Joey. You didn't have to..."

"Like I said, only the best for you."

Chandler smiled from ear to ear before reaching over the table and kissing Joey for all he was worth before sitting back down to watch Star Wars. As boring as these movies were for Joey, getting Chandler to openly kiss him in public was definitely worth it.

Their food eventually arrived, but neither of them seemed to care. Chandler was too focused on the screen and Joey was too focused on Chandler. It was amazing what a movie could do to Chandler. His eyes would light up at certain scenes when he was amazed. When it made him sad, his teeth would ghost over his bottom lip. When he found something funny, the corners of his mouth would raise slowly until his eyes shut and then he was laughing.

Sometimes Chandler would look his way and smile in a way that Joey couldn't read. The brunet put his hand on the table in a subtle attempt to get Joey to take it, which the Italian gladly took. When Chandler looked at him again, Joey pulled Chandler's hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. That time, Chandler bit his lip for an entirely different reason than before.

All in all, Chandler was much more interesting than the movie. Chandler was beautiful.

Once the first movie was over, they worked on eating their food. Joey even let Chandler take a few fries off his plate. Eventually, the entire trilogy was played and, once they walked out of the theatre, Chandler talked animatedly about the movies all the way home.

Once in the apartment, Chandler went on a mini-rant about Star Wars. "I just don't get why people don't like those movies! I mean, even you came, and you don't even like those movies! Everyone goes so how can they not like them?"

"Well, for the people who go to the movies even though they don't like them, I know why."

"Why's that?" Chandler asked, legitimately curious.

Joey stepped close to Chandler, his hands finding their usual place on Chandler's hips. "They take someone like you to the theatre. They don't need to watch the movie itself. They have a whole other show going on in the seat right next to them."

Joey leaned in and kissed Chandler, the brunet returning the kiss with equal ferocity. There was so much history between them, so much love that they had a hard time pulling away. They promised each other that they would wait. They promised that they would take it slow.

When they pulled apart, Chandler cleared his throat. "Thank you for tonight, Joey. It was wonderful."

Joey smiled. "I'm glad you had a good time. I did too."

"You didn't even pay attention to the screen." Chandler teased.

Joey smirked. "I think you put on quite a good show."

"Yeah, yeah." Chandler brushed it off, but his smile gave away how he truly felt.

As it was only about eight, they decided to stay up for a few more hours just playing some games and talking. Eventually, Chandler brought up his therapy session with Dr. Curitan.

"Did you like him?" Joey asked.

Chandler nodded. "Yeah. He was a cool guy. Easy to talk to. He was totally fine with us, too. He's got a husband."

Joey smiled. "I'm glad you like him."

Chandler nodded, then, "Listen... Curitan and I... We talked about something, and I really don't feel comfortable telling him and not telling you about it."

Joey shook his head. "Chandler, that's what he's there for. Don't think you're keeping secrets. You'll tell me when you're ready."

"Thank you for being so understanding, but," he leaned over and pecked Joey on the cheek. "I want to tell you.

"It was a fear I've had for a while. I... I've been worried that you..." He trailed off. "Wow, actually, now that I'm sitting here trying to tell you this, it sounds entirely rude."

"It's okay, Chandler. I won't be offended."

Chandler nodded. "Well, I've just wondered why you're with me and that, if another woman came along, you would leave me for her." He looked away at the last part of the sentence.

Joey looked confused. "Why would I leave you?" He asked, like it was the strangest thing that had ever come out of Chandler's mouth.

"Well, you've always been with women, so... I thought that you would see someone who is infinitely better-looking than me and go be with her. She would be better for you. She can take care of you instead of you taking care of me..."

"Chandler, you might as well stop while you're behind. I'm not going to leave you for some woman. Yeah, the women I've been with in the past have been good-looking, but they don't even hold a candle to you. You're not... pretty like they are; guys usually aren't pretty. But you're beautiful. You are the most gorgeous person I've ever been with. You probably don't see it because you see yourself every day, but everything about you is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. When you have a shy moment, the way you look down and blush is the cutest thing I've seen. And the way your eyes glisten when you're angry... turns me on like nothing else. And your smile! It could light up a room"-

Chandler was blushing furiously. "Okay, okay! I get it. You're attracted to me..."

Joey smirked. "That's the biggest understatement I've ever heard in my life."

"Well, excuse me!" Chandler glared.

"See? There you go getting angry. You're so hot, Chandler."

"Sh-Shut up..."

After he stopped laughing, Joey continued with responding to Chandler's worries. "I could never leave you, Chandler. I don't have it in me to leave you. I would be leaving my whole world. As for taking care of you, you've been taking care of me for years. You pay my bills, buy and cook my food, encourage me when I get down on auditions. You've done so much for me. The least I can do for you is take care of you.

"And I want to. I want to help you through this because if you don't get through it, I'm not sure I can either..." Joey admitted.

Chandler looked away. "I'm sorry."

Joey made Chandler look at him. "Don't be. One of these days, you're going to look at me and tell me that your life means something to you. When you're ready to face that, I'll be here for you. I promise you. Until then, I'll be helping you get there."

The brunet nodded. "I... I don't know if I'll ever get there... I'm trying, Joe..."

Joey nodded. "That's all I'm asking for. Once you give up... It's all over."

They then changed the topic, talking about anything and everything under the sun. Eventually Chandler started to yawn and Joey led him to his room. "Goodnight, Chandler."

Chandler kissed Joey softly. "Goodnight."

The next three weeks went by uneventfully. Joey and Chandler went on regular dates; they even hung out with their friends, which they hadn't done in a while. Chandler went to therapy, he was taking his medicine, and his attitude was starting to pick up.

It wasn't until the beginning of the fourth week that things started to go bad.

Chandler was asleep, once again trapped in his nightmare. However, tonight, it changed. Tonight Dead Chandler was after Joey and, though Chandler tried to stop it, Joey couldn't hear his cries for Joey to run. Eventually, Dead Chandler spoke to Joey and Joey, thinking it was him, kissed Dead Chandler.

The dead version of himself then dropped Joey's cold body onto the floor and turned to Chandler. "This is what you're doing to him. This is what will happen to him if you stay with him. End it. End it now."

But Chandler was too focused on Joey's cold body. He screamed Joey's name over and over until his throat started to hurt.

Chandler's vision suddenly came into focus and he realized he was sitting up in bed, covered in sweat and screaming his heart out, and Joey was in front of him. Tears were falling down his face as he cried out, "Chandler, come on. Wherever you are, you're not there. You're here, with me. I'm here."

"J-Joey?" Chandler called hesitantly, his throat hurting from all the screaming.

Joey gripped him into a tight hug. "Jesus, Chandler. You scared the shit outta me."

Chandler returned the embrace, needing the comfort that Joey was here and alive. He sobbed into Joey's shoulder until he could produce no more tears.

Eventually Chandler explained the nightmare to Joey. "It's been the same nightmare I've had since I woke up in the hospital."

Joey was shocked. "Have you talked to Dr. Curitan about this?"

Chandler shook his head. "It wasn't that serious until now."

"I think you should talk to him. He might be able to give you some insight onto what's going on."

Chandler nodded. "I'll talk to him when I see him next week."

Joey nodded his approval. He was going to get up to leave, but Chandler grabbed his arm. "Stay?" He said, suddenly unsure.

Joey smiled softly, his voice barely a whisper when he said, "Okay."

When they crawled into bed together, and Joey wrapped his arms protectively around Chandler's body, the brunet fell back asleep rather quickly. He fell asleep to the steady rise and fall of Joey's chest against his back. For the first time in a month, he didn't have a nightmare.

And when he woke up lying on Joey's chest, feeling his slow breathing and his steady heartbeat against his cheek, he simply thought, I could get used to this.

Chandler was sitting at Monica and Rachel's with Joey when he started suspecting he was actually going crazy. He was just talking to Monica when he saw something in the corner of the room. He looked over and, to his horror, he was staring at himself – the one from his dreams. Dead Chandler was smirking at him. Then, as if he were there, he said, "You don't deserve to be their friend. You're nothing. You're pathetic. Leave. Go off yourself you piece of shit."

Chandler's eyes widened and his hands began to shake. He's not real. He's not real. You're not getting enough sleep...

When Chandler opened his eyes that he hadn't realized he'd closed, Dead Chandler was gone, but Chandler couldn't shake the feeling that he was still there somewhere, watching him.

Joey noticed Chandler's sudden fear spike and was worried. He gave Chandler a look, but the brunet just shrugged his shoulders then he was talking again and Joey shrugged, thinking Chandler would tell him later.

But he never did and he just forgot to ask.

That night wasn't much better. It was after their date to a restaurant when they were walking to their apartment. Joey was opening the door and, when they walked in, Dead Chandler was standing in the kitchen. The real Chandler gulped heavily, but walked into the apartment, intent on ignoring the obvious hallucination.

"So," Joey said. "Did you have fun?"

Chandler nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah! It was a lot of fun. I'll never get over you and spaghetti, Joey." He chuckled.

"Hey! I'm Italian! It's in my blood to like the food!"

"Yeah, but I think the sauce really liked your face. I was kind of jealous, what with the way you were practically showering in the sauce. Are you trying to replace me?" Chandler asked, feigning offense.

Joey smirked. "Well, the sauce is rather tasty, but I can think of someone that tastes better."

Chandler blushed and of course Dead Chandler had to make a comment. "Oh, gross. You look like a dying tomato. He doesn't want you and don't think for a moment that he does. Your trash. He's just using you. He's waiting for you to cave and have sex with him, then you'll just be another tally."

Chandler winced at his words and Joey noticed. "Are you okay, Chandler?" He asked, worried about his boyfriend.

Chandler nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired," he lied. No need for Joey to actually realize I'm insane...

"Well, let's get you to bed then."
Chandler took his medicine and went to bed shortly after that. Every time he'd get close to falling asleep, however, Dead Chandler would whisper in his ear to wake up. Chandler resisted his words and forced himself to ignore him, but he knew it would only be so long before he couldn't take it anymore.

It went on for another week.

Because of the severe lack of sleep, he had started lashing out at everyone, including Joey. It was getting to a point where he couldn't function. Eventually, Joey forced Chandler to speak to Dr. Ottinger about whatever was going on, saying insomnia could be a side effect of his Zoloft. Chandler didn't even make a fuss about it, either. He even admitted to the psychiatrist that he was having hallucinations, but Dr. Ottinger just said to keep taking the medicine and that he would get better.

Yep. Real helpful. Chandler had thought sarcastically.

It was three in the morning and Chandler was wide awake. He couldn't sleep. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't scream. He couldn't move.

Dead Chandler was there. He was always there.

He spoke to Chandler. It wasn't always directly. Sometimes he would hear him in the back of his mind, but he was always there. Dead Chandler was trying to hurt him. He was trying to kill him.

Chandler fought against those cold hands on his throat, eventually escaping and running to the bathroom, hiding from something that he was too scared to realize he couldn't hide from.

"You think you can run, but you can't. I'll always be here. I'll never let you go. I'll never stop until you end it. End it, Chandler."

"Get out of my head!" Chandler screamed at him, but Dead Chandler just smirked.

Chandler yelled and punched the mirror in their bathroom, the shards breaking and digging into his hand.

Then, looking at a large shard that had fallen in the sink, he saw it.

Another opportunity.

"End it, Chandler. Take the glass and do it. Cut your wrist until you can't tell there was ever skin. End your pathetic excuse for a life."

Chandler picked up the glass shard.

Meanwhile, Joey heard Chandler's screams. He got up from his position and ran as fast as he could to the bathroom, praying that he wouldn't find Chandler like he had found him before.

He opened the door to find the mirror shattered and Chandler curling in on himself in the corner between the tub and the toilet. He could see that Chandler's hand was bleeding profusely. He had to get him to a doctor quickly. "Chandler!"

But when Chandler looked at him, he didn't see Joey. Dead Chandler was looking at him instead. The terrified man screamed. "Get away from me!" He yelled, taking the glass shard he had kept in his hand and attempting to stab the thing haunting his dreams as well as his waking life.

Joey quickly dodged, but he still got hurt in their tiny bathroom. There was a deep cut on his forearm, but that wasn't on the forefront of his mind. Chandler was seeing something else. He could tell by the fear radiating from his entire being. He had to get Chandler to see him.

"Chandler, it's me, Joey."

Chandler shook his head, his eyes a puffy red from either lack of sleep or crying. Maybe both. "Don't fuck with me," he threatened, his voice cracking at the end.

"Chandler, whatever you're seeing, it's not real," he took a tentative step forward, but Chandler held up the piece of glass and Joey backed off. "Can't you tell it's me? I doubt whatever you're seeing is as pretty as me considering it's got you so scared." He said, trying to joke. Chandler's hallucination wanted to hurt him, not joke with him. Joey figured this might get him to see him instead of the hallucination.

Chandler blinked, not understanding why Dead Chandler was joking with him. "I said don't fuck with me, dammit!"

Tears were streaming down Chandler's face. Joey found that he was crying as well. "Chandler, look at me," he pleaded.

Suddenly Chandler blinked through his tears, the familiarity of the phrase allowing his vision to clear of the hallucination only to reveal a bleeding Joey. "J-Joey?"

"Yeah, Chandler. It's me. I promise. Please, come back to me..." He said, his voice barely coming out.

Chandler, upon realizing who was in front of him, fell to the ground in a sobbing mess. Joey grabbed a towel and immediately wrapped it around Chandler's hand, said man wincing when the glass shards in his hand moved. "Joey... Your arm!" He cried when he noticed the wound on his boyfriend's forearm.

Joey shook his head. "It's fine. No worries."

Chandler's skin paled. "I-I did that?"

"Like I said, I'm fine. You didn't mean it, Chandler."

But Chandler wasn't listening. "I could've... I could've killed you!"

"But you didn't," Joey said simply.

"Joey! This is serious! I can't be here. I don't want to be here if I'm going to kill you! God, Joey! I feel like I'm trapped in my own mind! I just want it to end! I just want it to fucking stop!" He was sobbing and hyperventilating again.

"Shut up, Chandler!"

Chandler closed his mouth, attempting to control his breathing while Joey helped him up and silently dragged him downstairs to the car. They drove in silence all the way to the hospital.

Once in the ER, Chandler had to speak. "Joey, I-I'm sorry for making you mad... Please don't be mad at me."

Joey sighed. "I'm not mad at you, Chandler. I was scared and I lashed out. I'm the one who should be sorry."

"I hurt you," Chandler said as the nurses pulled glass out of his hand and Joey received the last of his stitches.

"It wasn't your fault. You were seeing something else. What were you seeing?"

Chandler looked away. "I saw the thing I want to become," he said simply.

"And what is that, exactly?"

Chandler smiled sadly at him. "Dead."

Joey's expression fell. "You saw... A dead version of yourself? Isn't that the same thing you've been seeing in your nightmares?"

Chandler blinked. "I forgot I told you that."

"Listen, I'm going to find out why this is happening. I'm going to see if that doctor is here somewhere."

Ten minutes later, Joey had found the doctor that had treated Chandler before. "Mr. Bing," the doctor said. "Explain to me fully what has been going on."

Chandler nodded and explained his nightmare to the doctor. He was uncomfortable, but if sharing his story could help prevent him from killing Joey, he would share his darkest secrets with a complete stranger.

The doctor listened intently. Then, out of the blue, he asked, "What medicine are you taking right now?"

Chandler's brow furrowed in confusion. "Zoloft, why?"

The doctor's brow furrowed as well. "Have you told your psychiatrist about this?"

Chandler nodded. "I went to see him a week or so ago, and I told him my nightmares were getting pretty vivid, to the point I was seeing things while awake, but he just said that I would get better if I kept taking the medicine."

The doctor shook his head. "This shouldn't be happening. He should have taken you off the medicine the moment you said you were hallucinating."

Joey glared heavily at the doctor. "What the Hell are you trying to say? Cause it sounds to me like you recommended a psychiatrist that doesn't know what he's doing!"

"Joey, please. Calm down." Chandler pleaded.

"Mr. Bing, who is your psychiatrist again?"

"Dr. Ottinger." He answered.

The doctor shook his head. "I didn't recommend you to him. That business card was for Dr. Stephens."

Chandler's eyes widened. "What?"

The doctor's expression changed from shock to a barely restrained look of rage. "I assure you Mr. Bing, Mr. Tribbiani. I will personally get to the bottom of this. I'm sincerely apologize for this. There was most likely a mix up at the Office of Psychiatry.

"Tonight, however, I want you to stay in the hospital, Mr. Bing. I want to be sure that the Zoloft is out of your system."

"I'm not leaving him here alone," Joey said, honestly worried for what was coming.

The doctor nodded. "I can pull some strings and let you stay in his room with him."

"Thank you," Joey said sincerely.

"Am I going to be put in a psych ward?" Chandler asked, blushing at his outburst.

The doctor shook his head. "I know we agreed that you would be put in one if you had another episode, but this one was not of your own doing. I do not think you have anything to worry about."

Chandler sighed in relief. "Thank you..."

The doctor smiled. "No problem. Now let me go make some phone calls."

They watched the doctor walk away and then they were taken to a room with two beds pushed right next to each other. Chandler huffed, asking the nurses why they assumed they were together.

The nurses looked scared of Chandler, but Joey just looked at him and said, "But we are."

Chandler waved him off while glaring at the giggling nurses, saying, "That's not the point. What if I was homophobic? They could've made a really bad accusation."

"You were homophobic." Joey said.

"Ah, but here I am, with you."

Joey pulled Chandler close and kissed him. The nurses giggled some more when Chandler glared but didn't pull away. "Indeed you are."

They eventually crawled into bed after they were given scrubs to change into. "Joey?" Chandler called.

"Hmm?" Joey said, half asleep.

"Am I going to be okay?"

"Of course."

"How are you so certain?"

Joey opened his eyes and stared at Chandler, making the man feel as if he was staring right into his broken soul. His sad expression hurt Chandler in a way he couldn't describe. "Because I don't think I could handle the alternative."

Chandler just nodded and turned his body so he could sleep comfortably.

But he couldn't sleep. Why did he care if he was going to be okay? He wanted to die, didn't he?

He didn't have a desire to live, so what was that?

His finally fell asleep when the sun began to rise, exhaustion and confusion overwhelming him. Hopefully everything would be figured out tomorrow.