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As Monica closed the door of her apartment behind her she was instantly aware of her roommate's eyes on her. She raised her head, seeking her out; Rachel was standing by the couch arms folded, staring at her. It kinda felt like she had missed her curfew and had pissed parents waiting for an excuse.

"What?" she finally asked, walking further into her apartment.

"What's going on?" Rachel asked, her mouth twisted slightly.

"With what?" she had never liked twenty questions. "What's the matter?"

"I was worried about you," she admitted, "and then I walk in on you and Chandler-"

"We were just sleeping together on the couch," Monica shrugged, hoping Rachel hadn't been present during the kissing session.

"What's going on with the two of you?"

"Nothing!" she said adamantly.

Rachel narrowed her eyes, despite Monica's and Joey's reassurances she knew something was going on. She knew her roommate was an adult, an adult that was more than capable of looking after herself, but she still worried. Monica was in a confusing emotional place right now. Rachel knew that- she'd been there.

"Talk to me Mon," Rachel insisted. "The night before last you were in here crying because he'd confessed his love for you out of nowhere and you didn't know what to do and then last night you spent the night with him. What's happened? Have you talked? Are you dating?"

"We talked," she finally admitted, "we cleared the air and had a really, really good talk and we're ok."

"Ok?" she frowned, "that's it?"

"Yep," she shrugged, turning to head towards her room to change into some fresh clothes.

"It's too soon Monica," Rachel said softly, causing her to pause and turn back to face her roommate.

"What's too soon?"

"I get that you know you made the right decision," Rachel promised, her tone softening slightly as she recalled her own memories. "I get that a huge weight has been taken off your shoulders because you no longer have to make any kind of life-changing decisions." Monica nodded slightly, "I get that the guilt and worry fast turns into happiness and relief, I totally get that, but you can't start dating Chandler already. Today was supposed to be the first day of being married to Pete, it's too early…"

"We aren't dating, Rach," Monica promised softly, coming to stand in front of her roommate, taking her hands. "I know it's too early and so does Chandler. We know that it's way too early to start anything, but at the same time we know it's gonna happen. At some point. We aren't going to hurry anything but the dynamics of our relationship have started to shift and...I'm excited by that."

Rachel pulled her into a hug, her eyes starting to well.

"I'm happy for you," she whispered, "I want you to know that but just take your time. He's not going anywhere and you need to completely get over this whole wedding ordeal...and that's what we're all here for."

"Thanks," she smiled sincerely, "for looking after me, you and Phoebe have been really great through all this and I appreciate it so much. But I can totally handle this, ok?" They hugged again. "I better go change because Joey's going to be over for breakfast soon and then I have to get ready to see my folks."

"Is Ross going with you?" she asked.

"No...just me," she smiled a little. "It'll be weird...but nice. I haven't seen my Dad properly for a while, everything was so hectic and he didn't make the rehearsal...so it'll be nice to talk to him; to explain."

"Jack won't need any explanations," Rachel promised. "He'll just want his little Harmonica to be happy. That's reason enough for him."

"I hope so," Monica offered her one last watery smile and a hug before pulling away and pulling herself together, ready for the day ahead.

As Monica opened her apartment door that evening she wasn't surprised to see all the gang in the livingroom. She doubted it was a coincidence that everyone was here and she appreciated them looking out for her.

"Hey," she called, getting various greetings in return.

"How'd it go with mom and dad?" Ross asked from the couch.

"Good," she smiled, shrugging off her jacket and grabbing a soda from the fridge. "They were actually very understanding and I kinda enjoyed myself. Is that weird?"

"A little," he teased, but he looked extremely pleased for her.

She walked over to the living room area and smiled as she noticed Chandler was in the overstuffed, oversized chair. His eyes were on her and he smiled, one of his special smiles he reserved just for her. She returned it as she approached the chair, nestling in beside him.

He shuffled slightly to accommodate her, his arm automatically going across the back of the chair, so she snuggled slightly into his side. She could feel everyone's eyes on them so she remained discreet, remembering Rachel's words from earlier. They probably all had the same questions and worries so best not to bait them.

"What have you guys been up to? How was work?"

"I got to massage a complete hottie," Phoebe gossiped. "He must live in the gym, he had muscles everywhere, like everywhere. He was so dishy."

With everyone's attention diverted to their blonde friend, Chandler risked moving his arm from the back of the chair to settle subtly onto her shoulders. A thrill went through her as the hand briefly stroked her hair, just a couple of times before falling still.

She tried to hide her smile. She knew they weren't ready, she wasn't ready, but the excitement that went through her, the electricity that crackled between them at every look, touch, kiss...it was exciting.

"Well, I united a missing kid with her parents," Ross beamed. "She was crying and really shy but I cheered her up with some of my magic tricks."

Chandler cringed beside her, "what did you do?" he asked almost fearfully.

"A quarter behind the ear," he grinned proudly, "and the pencil in my ear, gets them everytime."

"That's not magic," Joey argued. "Unless you can make, like, a dinosaur disappear then no kid is gonna be impressed."

"Hey! She was impressed," Ross argued but Monica tuned them out, her body focussed on Chandler. The arm draped across her shoulder had tightened a little and his thumb was now gently stroking the top of her arm. Even through the material of her top it caused little goosebumps to prickle her skin and a delicious shiver to go through her. Not ready, she reminded herself, not ready.

God, she wished they were alone so that she could lean over and kiss him like she wanted to right now.

"You ok?"

She hadn't expected the hot breath against her ear and she closed her eyes shuddering at the sensations. What was the matter with her? Pete hadn't affected her like this. How could her body react to Chandler like this?

"Y-yeah," she swallowed, opening her eyes and turning a fraction to look up at him. His lips were so close, she could...no, no she couldn't, "I'm fine, really," she promised, aware that the others were focussing on them again. Damn. "Just enjoying everyone being here, relaxing, no wedding stress to worry about," she sighed, glancing up at Chandler again before looking at the other people in the room, "it's kind of nice."

"Have you heard from Pete?" Phoebe asked and Chandler instantly tensed beside her.

"No," she said honestly, "do you think I will?"

"I met up with Barry," Rachel mused, "to give him back the ring and stuff."

"You slept with him in his chair," Monica argued and Chandler tensed further. Out of habit her hand came to rest reassuringly on his knee, squeezing slightly.

"That was just a spur of the moment kinda thing," Rachel shrugged.

"Well I don't want any spur of the moment things with Pete," it was directed at the whole group but the meaning was solely for Chandler.

"What about the ring?" Joey asked, "you giving it back to him?"

"I guess," she frowned, out of habit her eyes fell onto her naked left hand. The ring may have only been there 6 months but she'd enjoyed the sparkle, and it had really sparkled. "I should return it to him, I'm assuming it was pretty expensive and I've got a few other things of his I should really give back to him."

She winced, not really liking the idea of having to go around there again. Seeing him now seemed more of a chore than an excitement. Still hopefully it would bring closure and draw the line under the whole wedding thing.

"Want us to come with you?" Ross asked sincerely and she shook her head.

"No," she sighed, squeezing Chandler's knee again, though if she was trying to comfort him or herself she wasn't so sure. "It's something I should do by myself."

"I could borrow my grandma's cab?" Phoebe offered, "I could drive you?"

"Maybe, ok, yeah. Thanks Phoebe that would be great," she smiled, "what day would suit you? I mean I have the next two weeks off work...oh god, I'm gonna have to find a new job," she sighed realizing her situation. "I can't work for Pete."

"You'll find somewhere," Chandler promised, hugging her a little closer to him in comfort, "you're a great chef."

"What if I have to go back to the diner like before?" she asked miserably her head resting against his chest, "I don't wanna have to wear wig and fake boobs again."

"It'll be different now," Rachel promised, "you have 6 months head chef experience behind you. That will count for something."

"I hope so," she sighed as Chandler pulled her closer.

"You'll be fine," he whispered into her ear, "I promise and if you need to wear fake boobs again, I'll certainly live with it."

She smiled, closing her eyes for a moment and nodding. Chandler had always been a calming influence for her in the past and as exciting as this new flirting behavior was, it was a great reassurance to know he was also still her safe, secure Chandler, her rock.

The next morning Monica sighed as she started the washing up. Everyone had been over again for breakfast, which had been a nice quiet affair, but one she was very grateful for. All of them hanging out together was helping this whole situation feel a little bit more normal.

She wasn't looking forward to today, however. She was obviously off work while all the others weren't, because she was supposed to be on her exotic honeymoon. She'd have to entertain herself for the whole day, and while normally that wouldn't be a problem, she just didn't want to be alone right now; not for that long.

She could do something practical and start looking for jobs or find the courage to try to call Pete to organize returning the ring and things….although she didn't think she was up for that just yet. She sighed heavily, starting to scrub the first dish.

"Hey," she jumped in surprise as her apartment door opened and Chandler stuck his head in, "is the coast clear?"

"Everyone's left if that's what you mean," she said, intrigued, as he nodded and the rest of his body entered, closing the door behind him. "What's going on?" she smiled as possibilities ran through her head. Had he stayed behind just so he could kiss her goodbye? A little shiver ran through her at the idea.

She ditched the gloves quickly and couldn't help the smile on her face as he came closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He stared into her eyes for a moment, just taking her in.

"Can I get a good morning kiss?" he asked endearingly and she was taken aback at just how cute and sweet he was being.

"I think that can be arranged," she chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her body up against him as she reached up and met him halfway.

It was weird how natural this all felt. Weird that it felt so good but so familiar. Lips caressed lips and he groaned softly, his arms tightening around her. Her hand cupped the back of his head, holding him in place as she deepened the kiss, thrills rushing through her.

Eventually they pulled apart, slightly breathless and he smiled down at her, "I like being 'good friends' with you," he smiled softly, "it comes with lots of perks compared to when I was just a friend."

"That makes no sense," she pointed out, placing a quick peck on his lips, "and as much as I appreciate all of this, aren't you going to be late? You don't wanna get in trouble at work, can't have both of us unemployed…"

"I'm only late if you've already planned something."

He enjoyed the cute frown, "have you been hit on the head?"

"I don't think so," he chuckled, looking a little smug, "I took the day off work."

He watched as the confusion turned to shock and then settled on a beaming smile.

"Really?" she asked, "why?"

"I thought you might like some company today," he shrugged a little and she couldn't believe how amazing this man was, how well he knew her. Her other friends were great, she loved each of them, but not one of them understood her like he did.

She pulled him into a hug before pressing her lips to his again, "thank you," she said, suddenly a little overwhelmed that he'd do this for her.

"You're more than welcome," he promised, his hands came to gently frame her face as he leant down to place a soft, slow kiss to her lips.

"So, uh, what do you want to do today?" she asked, swallowing.

He shrugged a shoulder, "I've got some ideas."

"Well, a day with you sounds great," she told him smiling. "I'm game for pretty much anything."

"Good to know," he wiggled his eyebrows, "alright then. Go get dressed."

She took a step back from him, looking down at her own wardrobe, "I am dressed," she deadpanned.

"And you look great," he said, sensing the tone in her voice, "but you may not wanna wear a skirt to…" he grinned, "you just need some pants on, trust me."

Her blue eyes met his teasing ones, "What are you up to? Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

"Chandler…"

"Just put on some jeans, please?"

She sighed, defeated. "Fine. I need to finish these first, though," she gestured to the remaining dirty dishes.

He rolled his eyes, looking down at his watch, "Mon, it's already past 9 and we have a cab arriving in 20 minutes...can't the dishes wait until we get back?" He could tell by the look on her face that it was not working, "It will give you something to look forward to," he tried.

She laughed, "Nice try but come on, have you met me before?" Picking up the yellow gloves, she turned back to the sink, "I'll hurry."

She paused when she felt his hands on her hips; her breath catching in her throat in anticipation. He pulled her body up against his, moving her long hair away from her neck so that he could kiss it softly. She moved her head to the side and put her ungloved hand on the back of his head. He kissed the soft skin of her neck, moving up and down on the exposed flesh, unable to resist wanting to kiss every inch of her that she'd allow.

She moaned just a little as she felt his lips on her; she had no idea that this man behind her could make her feel like this. "Ch-" she was unable to finish his name when he hit that spot below her ear that she considered her weakness. "Chandler," she breathed, her eyes fluttering closed and her nails scraping his scalp as she enjoyed the sensations for just a moment, "this is delaying the dishes getting done, you know."

He chuckled, his oh so soft lips not moving from her skin, "you're right." He kissed the spot he now knew as her favorite, pleased when it made her moan again, "maybe we should just cancel that cab and stay in." Forget not dating or moving too fast. If she'd stay in with him, he would make it worth her while.

Monica was eventually able to pull herself away from him enough so that his lips didn't have contact with her neck anymore. She turned around, his arms still locked behind her, "that's probably not a good idea."

He nodded, a smile creeping on his face, "you're right again." He pulled the yellow glove off of her hand, putting it on the counter next to her, "I'll do the dishes, now will you please go put on those jeans that fit you just right?"

A cheeky smile formed on her face, "I'm not sure I know which jeans you're talking about."

He smiled back at her, "yes, you do."

God, she was loving flirting with him so much; it felt so right, everything did. She leaned in pretending she was going to kiss him again, but backed away just before his lips touched hers, "make sure that water is hot, and make sure each dish gets 3 minutes of scrubbing time, minimum," she walked away from him, and she liked the feeling of his eyes on her.

As she changed clothes, she tried to think back to the beginning of hers and Pete's relationship. She tried to remember if he made her feel this good and this happy, if she wanted to constantly be around him like she did with Chandler, if she couldn't wait until their next kiss, if his touch made her tingle like Chandler's suddenly did, and if Pete would take the day off just to spend with her and make sure she was okay.

She came up with nothing.

Pete was a great guy, that she was sure of, but she found herself questioning if he loved his work more than he loved her at times. Not that it mattered now. Pete was gone, apart from returning a few bits, and Chandler...he was just out there, waiting for her, with those gorgeous baby blues and amazing lips...

The thought made her shiver, and she pulled on a new shirt to go with the jeans.

Chandler stood at the sink, whistling a tune he'd heard yesterday on the TV, thinking it was about the time he needed for each dish. He put the clean plate on the other side and grabbed the next, restarting his tune.

It was hard for him to believe that he and Monica were okay after everything that'd happened in the last week. In fact, they were better than okay.

They were fantastic.

He thought after the kiss, after the 'I love you' thing, after the wedding, that she'd never want to speak to him again. But she wanted to see him, she wanted him to hold her, kiss her on the lips, be with her. And he was definitely okay with that.

Two more dishes to go to sweet freedom.

He picked up the next one and started his tune again. He felt her eyes on him, and he whipped his head around to look at her. She giggled and walked over to him, "you are so cute in those yellow gloves."

"And you look cute in those jeans," she'd worn the ones he'd hope she would, and he swallowed,"Now see? You messed up my three minute tune thing I had going on."

She smiled at him and began drying the dishes he'd already finished, "you've got a minute fifty left."

"You just have an instinct for these things or…"

"Yes," she put the plates in the cabinet and got the next one Chandler finished, "you don't like me as much now, do you?" She asked wincing, knowing that not everybody had these rules with their dishes.

He smirked again, "you might've lost a couple of cool points," he said to her, and she tried to fight the smile that came across her face, "but my feelings for you won't ever change, besides I knew about your freaky...I mean...special quirks before I fell in love with you."

She grabbed his arm and laid her head against it, while he washed the last dish. His words echoed in her head. She knew Chandler loved her, but there was something about it when he said it to her. Her whole body tingled now, something she'd never expected from her 'friend' Chandler. It was way too soon to admit to him, or herself for that matter but she knew she loved him on some level. They had been friends for so long and she'd told him before that she loved him. The thought of telling him one day that she 'loved him' loved him made her tingle again, so she tightened her grip on him. She stood up straight again when he finished the last dish, removing the gloves. He rubbed his hands together with excitement, "dishes done, let's boogie."

The duo walked downstairs and into a waiting cab, Chandler determined to keep their destination a secret, whispering it to the man behind the wheel. He settled in the backseat next to her, laying his arm across her shoulders. She closed her eyes and tried to ignore that feeling she got again.

Why hadn't she felt this way before about him? She'd known the man for so long; had share numerous cab rides back together, often with them sat closer than friends technically should.

She grabbed his hand, intertwining her fingers with his to catch his attention, "so, can I ask you something?"

He smiled down at her, "of course you can, anything."

Monica looked down at their entwined hands, idly playing with his fingers as she tried to ask the question on her mind.

"Mon?"

"This isn't a date, right?"

He put on a closed smile, "Nope."

"Because...we're not dating?" she wet her lips, risking a look at his face.

"Right."

"So, is this something you would do with Phoebe, Rachel, Joey or Ross?"

He looked up at the ceiling of the cab, "eh, maybe, but they'd have to pay their own way."

She chuckled, "So this is a date?"

He shook his head again, "Nope, we're not dating, you're paying your own way too" when she looked up at him, he chuckled and kissed her cheek, "I'm just joking, it's my treat. We may not be dating, but we are friends. Good friends."

"Is this something you would have done with me before?"

He nodded, "yes."

"Not a date then."

"Correct," he squeezed her shoulder and it was silent again. But only for a beat...

"Would you take me here on a date?" She fought the smile that crept on her face.

He thought about that for a second, "yes...if you let me"

"So, it's kind of a date."

"Mon…" he laughed again, "what's up?"

She smiled at him, "Nothing. I'm just...happy to be with you."

Chandler leaned down and kissed her, "right back atcha,"he promised as she rested her head against his shoulder. No matter where they went or what they did, he would always be happy if he was with her.

A comfortable silence fell between them as the cab continued its way to the secret destination of their not a date date.