Once again, here is another belated update lol. The good news is that I have finally finished writing the story and just need to go over the next few chapters. I should have the entire story up and finished within a week or so. To everyone who read and commented on my story, I thank-you ever much. :)

Rachel Karen Green scanned herself in the mirror once more. She was a firm believer that clothes made the first impression – it was the first thing a person noticed about you, before you even opened your mouth. She was wearing a sleek and silky spaghetti strapped dress that went just to her knees. She wore a silver necklace around her neck – it had been a gift for Ross on their very first Valentines Day together as a couple, and it was one of the few gifts that she never tried to return and exchange. That was a huge deal for her, a woman who would often barter, trade, and exchange gifts from well-meaning friends and family members for something that she deemed to be more desirable. There were a few different reasons that she kept Ross' token of affection. The easiest explanation was that she truly loved the necklace; but deep down, below the surface, this piece of jewelry was treasured not for its beauty, but for the person that gave it to her, and the things that he told her that night. He had told her he loved her for the very first time, and it shook her to the core. Dozens of people that had entered Rachel's life at one time or another told her they loved her: family, friends, boyfriends, boys in general – but with Ross it was different. When he said it – there was an intensity that she had never seen before, an earnestness in his voice. He said it because he meant it. He didn't say it because he wanted her in bed, or because she was pretty and popular, or because he was family – the words were true with him, and his genuineness made her feel special.

Rachel had no trouble choosing which perfume to wear that night. She picked up a beautiful blue bottle, containing a simple flowery scent – it was Ross' favorite. Rachel felt confident as she sprayed herself in her designated points. She wanted tonight to go well – to go beyond dinner, and she wasn't afraid to let Ross know that.

"Hey," Joey admired as Rachel stepped out of her bedroom. He gazed at her appreciatively. "If I wasn't going out with Charlie tonight I'd take you out myself."

"Thanks Joey," Rachel said with a small smile, grabbing a stool by the counter.

"So who are you going out with tonight?"

Rachel fumbled with her fingers, wondering if she should tell Joey who she was seeing when a knock came at the door. Saved by the door again, Rachel thought to herself, not caring when she saw that Charlie Wheeler had arrived for Joey's date.

"Rachel you look amazing," Charlie gushed, feeling out of place next to Joey's beautiful roommate.

"Rachel has a date too," Joey said, taking Charlie's arm as he guided her to the door. "See you tonight," Joey called as they went down the hall.

Rachel drummed her hands on the counter; she knew that it shouldn't bother her to see Joey with Charlie. Joey was free to see whoever he wanted, and Rachel was convinced that any romantic feeling she had for Joey was misplaced and unnecessary. She loved her living arrangement at the apartment; it was close to where she worked, close to Monica – and close to Ross. Rachel decided that though she may be getting over Joey, it would be harder to get used to be around Charlie, which could present a problem given Joey's immediate interest in her. Rachel didn't know what it was, but there was something that irked her about the new girl. Maybe it was the fact that she had ditched Ross for Joey last night, or that she was working her way into the group so quickly, or it could even be the fact that Ross saw something in her, that he was attracted to her as well.

"Hi Rach," Ross said, standing in the threshold of the apartment. Joey hadn't bothered to close the door on his way out. He held a bouquet of lilies, Rachel's favorite flower.

"Hi," Rachel beamed, suddenly breaking into a smile. "The flowers are beautiful," she said, finding a vase for them in the cupboard.

"You look so….wow," Ross stammered as he tried to find the words to describe Rachel's beauty. He took her hand in his and twirled her around to get a good look at her.

"You look pretty great yourself," Rachel commented on Ross' blue dress shirt, black slacks, and a black coat.

Ross offered his arm to Rachel as they headed for the front door. "I thought we'd do a little walking tonight," he told her. "The restaurant isn't that far from the apartment building, and it's a beautiful night."

Rachel couldn't help but agree as she snuggled closer to Ross on the sidewalk. The stars were beginning to come out as if to greet all of the people in New York. They stopped in front of a beautiful building called Annisa Restaurant.

"Ross," Rachel gasped, "I read about this place in the paper."

"I thought it'd be fun to try," Ross offered as the maître d' showed them to the table that Ross had reserved for them.

"Wow," Rachel murmured at the open bottle of white wine at the table. The gentleman quickly poured two glasses for Ross and Rachel and excused himself while they looked at the menu.

"I remember you saying that you wanted to come here," Ross recalled.

"That was over a month ago," Rachel smiled, surprised to notice that Ross remembered the conversation.

"We haven't done anything special just the two of us in a long time, and I thought we both deserved a break."

"I will drink to that," Rachel agreed. The two sat together, talking about life and work. Rachel was surprised at how little time she had spent with Ross over the past few months. Other than talking about Emma, the two were rarely alone anymore. Rachel extended her leg so that it grazed against Ross' in a subtle hint that she was more than happy to be with him.

The food came shortly and the conversation continued. Ross was still enamored with Rachel. He had known it for months; ever since she had moved out after their fight over a misplaced message – which seemed so trivial now. Ross was hoping that he would be lucky enough to be given another chance with Rachel – one that he would not mess up with his insecure behavior like he had done before. As he gauged Rachel's body language, he was getting the feeling that she was just as interested in him as he was in her. At least is isn't one sided he laughed to himself.

As dessert came and went, Ross took Rachel's hand and led her out of the restaurant. "Were you in any rush to get back to your apartment?" Rachel asked as they stood in front of her building.

"What did you have in mind?" Ross asked.

Rachel leaned into Ross' ear and whispered as she pulled him into the building. She was banking on the fact that Joey would be out all night with Charlie – preferably at her place. Rachel fumbled with the key as she slid open the door. Ross wasted no time in pulling her into an all consuming kiss.

"Ross," Rachel murmured as they walked backwards to her bedroom.

Ross lifted her into his arms and placed her on the bed. "All of this time that we wasted not being together."

Rachel let out a sigh as Ross began to unzip her. "No more wasting time and no more talking," she whispered as she turned out the light on their evening together.