A touch that had not been felt in so long.
A smile almost forgotten.
A kiss that nulls the pain.

Ross opened his eyes to her angelic face, and gazed into her vulnerable crystalline eyes. Clutching his note, she cried. Rachel's fantasy became reality. Ross never stopped loving her. He hated every tear that stained her perfectly silked skin, no matter the means of creation, whether joy or pain. He watched the note passed between his friends, and was only reassured that his mission was only half-done. He declared his love for Rachel in words. Now, it was time to show it.

Rachel's hands dropped into her lap when she could hold it in no longer. Her feelings of bliss could not be more powerful. At least she thought.

As his friends began to sob gleefully at the words he had written, Ross lifted his arm with all of his strength. Despite the physical torture, it was nothing compared to the suffering he had just gone through, and the happiness that awaited him. He reached for her cheek, and laid his hand upon it, shocking Rachel beyond the point of dreaming. A single tear was caught, and wiped clear from her beauty.

Rachel's knight in shining armor would give it all he could to wipe his princess's tears away.

Her eyes rolled up, and caught Ross's, which nearly made her faint. His hand twitched from the pain that he wouldn't allow his face to show. Instead, he smiled. A smile which had not been seen in what seemed like forever. That smile that was made of the sweetest sugar, that always made Rachel crumble inside, like one of Monica's infamous casseroles.

With what little strength he had left, Ross ran his hand through the side of Rachel's hair. It was just as soft as he remembered, like touching grass from the Garden of Eden. He grasped her neck, caressing it as she remained there frozen, staring at him, admiring him.

As Ross's hand rested on Rachel's shoulder, she snapped out her reverie and instinctly grabbed Ross's hand. It was warm, it was at peace. Ross interlaced his hand with hers, and exhaled, angry that he couldn't speak. That he couldn't say he loved her. He hoped she could read his lips as he mouthed her name. 'Rachel'.

Holding back tears, Rachel whispered back. 'Ross'.

The group gathered around Ross. Monica grasped his other hand, and smiled as her brother recovered with the greatest medicine under the sun. Joey and Chandler fooled with the various machines, which Phoebe quickly discouraged.

Rachel stood up slowly, and inched closer to Ross. His head followed her motions in complete sync. Moving her hair from her face, she leaned down to Ross and tried to communicate with him.

"Ross, sweetie..." Rachel said, fluffing his pillow. "I love you so much. I'm so happy your okay."

'I love you too, Rach.' Ross mouthed.

"I don't care about what you did. There are more important things to worry about, like your life," Rachel looked into his eyes, saddened. "I promise to be a better girlfriend."

'I'm so sorry.' Ross blinked, shedding a tear.

"Don't be. We will work this out. Your my everything, Ross. Can I be your girlfriend again?"

Ross grinned. She should know the answer to that question by now.

Seeing his smile, she smirked back. "Thank you."

"And don't you dare scare me like that again!" Monica yelled, hitting him playfully in the shoulder.

Ross turned his head towards his sister and stuck his tongue out, which evaporated her anger instantly. Monica wasn't very good at being mad at her brother anymore.

Rachel placed her hand on Ross's cheek, pulling his head back towards her, where she planted a firm and loving kiss. The kiss to end all kisses, he thought. But he had no time to think, only love. Love the person he's loved for so many years, the love that would drive an ordinary man insane.

A spark of passion erupted when their lips collided, sending the force of a whirlwind through their hearts. The only way it could have been better is if Rachel was wrapped in Ross's arms, locked in an embrace that shut the world out. In their own personal paradise, a heaven that was made for them.

Rachel would see to it that Ross would become fully recovered. She would never give up. Their love would triumph over any challenge thrown at them.

As their lips parted, the gang decided to head on home to rest; Rachel decided to sleep next to Ross. As Ross drifted off to sleep with her holding his hand, Rachel began to daydream about a certain scene in the middle of Central Park.

I'm sorry this one ran a little short guys! It's 3:00 am and I haven't had my local dose of caffeine.

Anyway, I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, it is my first fic, I'm trying my best. Much love!