So here it is, the last chapter of this story. Hope it ties up a majority of loose ends. It's been great writing a Friends story for the first time, and I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me during this story through reading and reviewing. I'm not done writing for these characters, especially Ross and Rachel, and I'm even writing another story for Friends. This story is going to be more of a 'group fic' including all six major characters plus more. It won't be posted for a while; writing is a long process for me, and I want my readers to have the best. As a quick question, if anyone would know the answer I would be very grateful, where do the Geller's have their summer home? It will be key in the next story and I would appreciate any feedback on that. Until the story is posted, I'll post short stories or one-shots. Happy reading everyone. :)

Ross arrived at the apartment at noon sharp. Always on time, Rachel thought to herself as she opened the door. She was lucky enough to spend the rest of the morning alone in the apartment, with Joey and Charlie off exploring the city.

"Hi," she said brightly.

"You're in a better mood," Ross commented as they walked out the door and to Monica's car, which she had loaned Ross earlier that morning.

"I am," Rachel nodded as she climbed in front. She didn't say a word about Ross' slow and overly cautious driving on the roads, not wanting to pick a fight with him. "So I'm interested in you," Rachel blurted as they got out of the city limits.

Ross stopped as they approached a red light and turned to Rachel. "Okay," he stammered, waiting for Rachel to continue.

"So I need to know if you want to start things up again," Rachel added, "Because there are some other things that I'd like to tell you, but I need to know what you think of me."

Ross lifted his foot off the brake as Rachel turned her eyes expectantly toward him, waiting for his answer. "I have spent a majority of my life being in love with you Rachel," Ross began. "Ever since high school I was convinced that you were the perfect woman."

"And now?" Rachel asked.

"You may not be perfect to everyone – but you're pretty spectacular to me." Ross reached for Rachel's hand, "And I've wanted to get back together with you ever since you gave birth to Emma."

"It's been that long?"

"Every time I tried to tell you something got in the way – our parents, our friends, Gavin…"

"Charlie," Rachel interrupted. "You were interested in her Ross, I know what I saw. She's your type, smart, polished, attractive…"

"She isn't you," Ross insisted. "At the end of the day, no other woman can ever compare with you."

Rachel leaned into Ross' free arm. "Is it too late for us?"

Ross squeezed her shoulder. "As long as we're alive, there is no too late for us." At the red light, Ross tucked his index finger under Rachel's chin and gave her a kiss. Rachel leaned into Ross' touch, oblivious of the stares from passersby.

Rachel let out a sigh as Ross continued down the road at a green light.

"So what did you want to tell me?" Ross asked with a grin.

Rachel nodded her head, her smile slowly fading. She was going to tell him the truth, even if it killed there. There weren't going to be any more secrets between them. "When you were with Charlie – when I thought you were with Charlie, I thought I was having feelings for someone else."

"The Ralph Lauren guy," Ross answered.

Rachel shook her head. "There was no guy at Ralph Lauren," Rachel said softly. "That was a lie, because I didn't want to tell you the truth."

Ross said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"Nothing happened between me this person – I want to make that clear to you before I tell you who it is." Rachel twittered her fingers on the side of the car – she knew she was stalling. "It's Joey," she said in a low voice as a bus of screaming school kids drove past them.
"What," Ross asked, unable to hear over the din. "Who is it?"

"JOEY!" Rachel shouted, raising her arms in the air out of fear and desperation.

Ross immediately pulled into the nearest parking lot, turning the car off.

"Joey Tribbiani?" he asked, unable to look at her.

Rachel nodded her head and murmured yes. "Nothing happened," she insisted.

"How long have you been interested in him?" he asked, refusing to meet her eyes. Rachel waited several seconds. "How long?" he demanded, somewhat harsher.

"A little over a month," Rachel whispered. "Can you at least look at me?" she pleaded.

"This little crush of yours just ended?"

Rachel nodded her head. "It ended the night you walked me back to my apartment after the roof party. I knew that Joey wasn't the one for me."

"Because he was with Charlie instead," Ross countered.

"No," Rachel insisted. "Because I saw that you were the better guy – I lost sight of that earlier." Rachel took a deep breath. "Joey and I wouldn't have lasted in the long run – we both knew that." Rachel touched Ross' shoulder. "Why do you think we have so many failed relationships?"

"Because I have a penchant for getting divorced and you go after the first guy that looks at you?" Ross joke bitterly.

Rachel shook her head. "We belong together – you said it yourself earlier." Rachel crossed her arms. "I'm tired of chasing the wrong guy, I'm tired of being alone." Rachel looked Ross in the eyes. "All I want is you."

"All I want is you too," Ross echoed.

Rachel took Ross' hand. "So we're doing this?" she smiled.

"Looks like it," Ross agreed, a smile forming on his mouth. He put the car into drive and went back on the road. "Why did you tell me about your feelings for Joey?"

"I didn't want any more secrets," Rachel said determinedly. "I want a fresh start with us, and my crush on Joey would have burned a hole in me if I kept it to myself, and if you were to find out, I'd want to be from me and no one else."

Ross nodded his head. "No more secrets between us. Does Joey know how you felt about him?"

Rachel rested her hand under her chin. "No, and I'm not planning on telling him." She paused. "Do you think I should?"

Ross chuckled and shook his head. "Let him be happy with Charlie."

Rachel snuggled up to Ross. "When should we tell the others that we are getting back together?"

"Well – we could start with my parents this afternoon," Ross jokingly suggested.

"Why don't we save that little tidbit for our next visit?"

"Deal," Ross affirmed. "For now, we can just enjoy being together."

"Sounds great." Rachel inhaled Ross' cologne. After months of feeling alone and empty, she finally found the one person to fill the void, and she wasn't going to let him go. Two people, who had spent a lifetime looking for the right person, finally found each other; after being apart and together, the two finally became one, for life.