Chapter 2: Aftermath

Rachel pulled the blanket covers over her body to shield her from the sun pouring into the bedroom. She slowly turned over, hoping to find Ross next to her, disappointed to find his side of the bed empty. Grabbing her bathrobe, Rachel headed for the door. "Ross?"

"Hey," Ross said with a nervous grin from the kitchen, pointing to a bag of bagels he picked up from a nearby deli. "I thought you might want some breakfast."

"Sounds great," Rachel smiled, reaching for a blueberry. "Is Joey home?" she asked, pouring a glass of orange juice.

Ross shook his head. "I never saw him."

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief.

"Rach, about last night," Ross began, searching for the words.

Rachel was about to open her mouth when Joey came into the apartment. "Ooohh breakfast," Joey said, eying the bagels. Ross halfheartedly tossed him the bag. "Rachel, you must have left the party early last night."

"I had a lot of work to catch up on," Rachel said dully, avoiding eye contact with Joey.

"Oh well you missed one great party," Joey laughed. He turned to Ross. "Hey, that girl that you brought – Charlie, were you two together or anything?"

Ross fumbled with his glass of orange juice and shook his head. "No Joe, I think we're just going to be coworkers for now."

"Great man." Joey slapped his friend on the back. "I am so glad that you introduced us. She is like the first really smart woman that I've ever been interested in."

"You spent one evening together," Rachel cut in, trying to hold back her disgust.

"And tomorrow night too. She wants me to show her around the city."

"You two have fun," Ross said as he headed for the door.

Rachel motioned for Ross but he didn't notice her wave as he closed the door behind him.

"Thanks for breakfast man," Joey waved, then turning his attention to Rachel. "So you left the party for a work thing?"

"Is that so unbelievable?" Rachel asked, taking a seat at the counter.

"Well you were just so excited over this party – and you had phone numbers from all of those guys, I figured you would end up going home with one of them."

Rachel shook her head. "I guess soap stars aren't as fascinating up close." Joey coughed at Rachel. "Present company excluded of course," Rachel said with a half smile.

"Well I know of lots of guys that will be disappointed when they find out that you won't be calling," Joey winked.

"I'm sure they'll be fine."

"So what are you going to do today?" Joey asked.

"Late afternoon meetings at Ralph Lauren." Rachel narrowed her at Joey as she walked towards Emma's room. "So you and Charlie really hit it off huh?"

"Oh yeah," Joey added. "Last night was amazing. She took me to her apartment in the city – I figured I'd stay with her rather than bring someone here."

"Thanks for being so considerate," Rachel grimaced. She sighed as Joey went into his bedroom to get dressed. She had to talk to Ross about last night.

******

Ross Gellar shuffled through various papers in his office at NYU, unable to concentrate on his work. All of his thoughts went back to Rachel. His thoughts often went to Rachel. She was his high school crush. And when she moved to the city after leaving Barry Fauber at the altar, all of his old feelings came back – they never left. It didn't matter who Ross was with at the time, Rachel was always on his mind, always in his life. He wondered if he would ever be free from her, or if he even wanted to be.

A sharp knock at the door disrupted Ross work. Charlie Wheeler walked into the room with a small smile on her mouth. "Hi," she said softly.

Ross stood and greeted Charlie with a nod of the head.

Charlie blushed as she took a seat across from Ross. "I lost track of you at the party last night."

"Well a lot of things happened," Ross blandly joked.

Charlie nodded and fiddled with her dark locks. "I feel like I owe you an apology for what happened last night." Charlie coughed and looked into Ross' eyes. "You gave me a wonderful tour of the city, invited me to this great party, and then I go off with some other guy – which is something that I never do," Charlie insisted quickly. "I am not the type of girl to make out with random guys at parties – especially guys like Joey." Charlie paused to catch her breath. "Not that Joey isn't great, but he really isn't the type of guy that I usually date. I date scientists, professors, really intellectual men." Charlie gave Ross a smile. "And I don't want you to think any less of me because of what happened."

"I don't think less of you," Ross assured her.

"Good," Charlie laughed. "Because you are one of my few friends in the city, and I'd hate to lose you." Charlie stood up. "Are you doing anything for lunch today?"

"Lunch?" Ross asked.

"My treat," Charlie smiled. "To make up for what happened last night."

Ross looked at Charlie and forced a small smile. "Sounds great."

"I'll stop by your office at noon," she waved, closing the door.

Ross sighed and went back to his work. At least she wants to be friends, Ross thought to himself, pulling out a red grading pen. Ross was poised to write when another knock was heard at the door.

"Come in."

Rachel walked into the office, wearing a white floral print dress and sandals to match. "Are you busy?"

Ross shook his head, pushing his papers aside. "I was hoping to talk to you."

Rachel nodded her head. "About last night."

"Yeah," Ross continued.

"First I wanted to thank-you for walking me home last night."

"It wasn't a problem," Ross promised. "We were both upset and things got a little crazy."

Rachel let out a slight laugh. "I'm glad it was with you and not someone else."

"I know what you mean," Ross laughed. He and Rachel had been through a great deal together over the past ten years, the bond that they shared – the closeness, was something that he didn't share with any other member of their group. Next to Monica and his mother, she was one of the most important women in his life.

"I just couldn't handle being alone."

I felt the same way, Ross thought to himself, recalling how dejected he felt when Charley picked Joey over him. "I'm glad I could be there for you," Ross told her, not wanting to tell her that he needed her just as much as she needed him.

"You are so great," Rachel smiled, giving Ross a hug. "Sometimes I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Hopefully you'll never have to find out," Ross joked.

Rachel nodded her head. "So I was wondering, I have a really slow morning at Ralph Lauren and was going to take an extra long lunch – would you like to join me?"

"Lunch?" Ross asked, remembering his lunch date with Charley. "Sorry Rach, but I already have plans."

"Oh, okay." Rachel folded her hands together, trying to keep disappointment from seeping in.

"How about dinner?" Ross offered."

For one brief moment their eyes locked together. "Dinner sounds great."