Monica let herself into her brother's apartment, saw the figure sitting forlornly on the couch; he had folded in on himself, sitting in the semi-gloom, staring at nothing.

'Hey.'

He didn't look up. 'Hey.' His voice was toneless, dull.

Monica flicked on a lamp, crossed the room and sat beside him. 'Are you okay?'

'I dunno...' He shook his head, roused himself, sat forward. 'I feel like such an idiot. I mean, I actually went to see Chandler, someone I could talk to, about Rachel and the whole time, the whole time, he was just sitting there and it was him. He's the one she's been... You know, I started making a list of all the ways that Chandler has let me down before this.'

'Okay. And, uh, how far did you get?'

His shoulders sagged again; he sat back. 'I didn't. I couldn't think of anything. He's always been a really ... a really great guy.' She laid her hand on his arm, squeezed it sympathetically. 'I hate that.'

Monica was silent. He turned his head slightly. 'Does everyone know?'

'By now, yes. Phoebe knew pretty much from the start, I think. I found out last night.'

He sighed deeply, sat back, his head falling heavily against the back of the sofa.

'Maybe,' Monica hesitated, carried on, 'maybe this is a good thing.'

'Oh yeah, this is excellent.'

A momentary impatience that she squashed down. 'I mean maybe now you can really move on, get over Rachel once and for all. Haven't you been trying to do that for, what, months?'

'I guess. But this ... this is Rachel. You know?'

'I know.'

'I just can't believe they'd do this - and behind my back.'

'They didn't want to-'

'-Hurt me, yeah, I know. They were both really clear about that.'

Monica watched him carefully. 'You know, Rachel told me that after you talked to Chandler last night he came over to break up with her.' She looked at him pointedly.

'You mean because...'

'Yeah, because he felt so guilty about you.'

'I don't-' Ross stared into the middle-distance, frowned, shook his head. 'I don't want to be that guy. Rachel said- She said she's in love with him. Do you think he's in love with her?'

Monica bit down on her lip. 'Yes. I really do.'

'Man... I don't want to be the reason they break up. Y'know, not if they'll still ... be ... in love. With each other.'

'And Rachel deserves to be with a great guy, doesn't she?'

Pain flickered across his face, then was swallowed. 'She does.'

'And Chandler's a great guy, isn't he?'

Silence.

'He's the best.'

'Well...' Monica, still sympathetic, squeezed his arm again. 'I think you should probably tell him that.'

ooOoo

Chandler replaced the receiver in its cradle, stood looking down at it thoughtfully.

'Chandler? Chandler.'

He started, turned, found Rachel looking up at him. She looked tiny curled up there in the Barcalounger's welcoming expanse of brown leather, a blanket pulled up to her chin.

'What did he say?'

Chandler ran a hand through his hair. 'I think, I think that Ross just sort of gave us his blessing.'

Her eyebrows went up. 'Really?'

'Yeah... It was weird. I mean, I'm glad, but ... still. Weird. But I think it's going to be okay.'

She smiled at him, all soft eyes and messy hair around her face. 'So... This is us.'

'Looks like. You, uh, you want to go out? Celebrate?'

Her head tilted. 'You know what? This has been one of the most emotionally draining days of my life; and all I want to do is curl up with my boyfriend and watch stupid movies.'

His lips curled into a smile. 'We can do that.'

She made room for him in the Barcalounger, giving him some of the blanket. He kept his arm around her shoulders, feeling her settle into him, aware of the contours that fit into his, astounded once more by the naturalness of it. He pressed his cheek against the top of her head, breathed in the scent of vanilla and coconut.

'Hey, Rach.'

'Uh-huh?'

'You know that-that thing you said earlier? To Ross?'

'I said a lot of stuff, sweetie.'

'I mean about ... about you being in love. With me.'

'Oh... Oh, yeah, that.' She kept her gaze on the screen, sounding casual.

'Well, I just wanted you to know... I wanted to say...'

Rachel turned inquisitive eyes to him, her face tantalisingly close. 'Yes?'

'I love you, too.'

She observed him for a moment. 'Good.'

They watched each other. Rachel brushed her lips lightly against his; they smiled. She settled back against him, taking her rightful place; his hold around her tightened slightly, keeping her head close against his heart.

The End