I don't dislike Thanksgiving.

I've always liked holidays in general, and I especially appreciate how they bring family together, and all the cooking I get to do.

This year, however? A whole other story. Not only has Chandler spent most of it in a box, I also invited Tim to dinner. Tim Burke. As in, my ex's son.

I hope you can believe even I understand why this is an awful idea.

Everyone came around eventually- it wasn't easy,but in the end they all accepted that I'd invited him, no matter how weird they found it (I can't really say I blame any of them, really).

In the end, it just worked out for the worst: Tim turned out to be way too… familiar, and I do mean that word in its most disturbing meaning, and in the end the only reason I invited him was to get over the idiot in the box.

Better yet: the idiot who was spending Thanksgiving in a box, but now is in his apartment celebrating the fact that he has a girlfriend. If I weren't too worried of sounding like him, you can swear I'd be saying Thanksgiving sucks.

Wanna know the weirdest part? Truth is, that while the idea of spending the day in a box is... bizarre to say the least, I love how much he values his friendship with Joey, and I love that he was willing to do anything to earn forgiveness.

Not even anything within reason.

Anything.

He probably sees himself as a loser sitting on cardboard, but to me, he's just the sweetest guy in the world, willing to go through any kind of ill-fitting punishment to show how much he cares.

I can't help but roll my eyes at myself. I got it bad.

"Mon, need help with those plates?" My brother asks, his fight with Rachel obviously not completely worn off yet.

I'm about to protest, but he is the only one who has stuck around after dinner, and I know if I say no, he'd probably just leave. And at the moment? I'm kind of desperate for company, so I nod.

"Not a good day for the Gellers, huh?" I shake my head in shock, then realise he's talking about the Tim fiasco, and I sigh in relief.

"Eh, you guys were right from the beginning. It was a stupid idea. If any of you had done it, I would have judged you as well."

"We weren't judging you, Mon! Listen, I know I gave you the hardest time out of everyone, and I also know this probably means nothing to you now that it's over, but we worry about you, just as much as you worry about us." He says, and I'm glad to notice he means i truthfully.

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm a big girl. I can make my own decisions." I reply, but he scoffs "I didn't say they were smart decisions!" I add.

"Mon, you're the one who worries the most! I see how this thing between Chandler and Joey is eating you up, even if they can't."

I shrug simply, trying to seem detached "I care about them."

"Exactly! Just as much as we care about you! We all do, from your big brother, to the guy across the hall who just got himself a girlfriend, but kept asking if you were ok!" He drops a cup in the sink, then rests a hand on my shoulder "I know it came across as if we were all being unsupportive, but we all really love you. We don't want to see you hurt."

I find myself smiling, and it's hard to tell if it's because of my brother –these few heartfelt moments we share are the reason I'm glad I'm not an only child- or the fact he mentioned that Chandler cares about me as well. Deciding it is probably a combination of both, I say "I'm sorry I pointed out that you married a lesbian again."

Ross laughs, and drags me closer to him, pulling me into a hug "Eh, It's fine. I did marry a lesbian. You okay?"

"I'm going to be just fine." After a beat, I add "How's Chandler doing?"

"He's fine really. As I said, when I went over, he asked if you were okay, and he seemed happier than I've seen him in a while. Joey seemed to be alright with the whole situation as well, so I think that problem's solved."

"You think they're going to be okay?"

"Of course they are! It's Chandler and Joey!" he smirks "Joey wouldn't be able to hold a grudge against him if he really wanted. I know there was a moment when it felt like he was too mad to forgive him, but they're almost brothers at this point."

"I hope this thing with Chandler and Kathy works out" I say, amazed at how sincere I sound, only to realize… I am sincere. If nothing else, at least one of us is happy now.

"I do too. With all he's gone through for her, it would be really anticlimactic if either of them were to mess up"

You know when they say time heals everything, you just have to wait and move past your problems?

That's bullshit.

It's been weeks, and my feelings are growing stronger and stronger. The look on Chandler's face is not helping at all.

He looks happy. And the thing is, I am happy for him, absoutely. And on the one hand, I hope it all works out, because his smile is enough to light up entire rooms lately, and God knows he does deserve a bit of luck, but on the other hand, it's a constant reminder that the person making him happy isn't me.

Not that I really need a reminder. It's in everyone's face, all the time, they're in love and they're together. It affects friendship, just as much as you'd think.

And our boundaries changed.

Don't get me wrong, I don't resent him- or even Kathy- for it, really. Your best friend gets a girlfriend, boundaries change: it's an unspoken rule, but a really clear one nonetheless. It means no more cuddling on the couch at all times, no more sharing the last muffin, and, of course, no more late night chats.

And the thing is, I know how uncomfortable significant others get at the idea of such a tight group of friends, but I never thought I'd have to worry about that with Chandler. For all her flaws, Janice had actually fit in the rest of the group quite well, and seemed to be confident enough not to be jealous.

As for the people I dated, they were often too preoccupied about Joey's flashing smile and charming attitude to even worry about Chandler at all.

Talk about irony.

Add that to the fact that I have very little money, sparse catering jobs, and that I'm stuck deciding if I want to keep catering or if I want to work in a restaurant, and you'll understand how I feel.

Still lost in my thoughts, I walk into Central Perk, just to find Chandler sitting on one of the chairs.

Talk about the devil.

He's drowsy and quite obviously tired, but I'm really glad someone's here.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" He asks, as I sit on the couch.

"I could ask you the same question" I reply "Weren't you and Ross going to party with that Gandalf guy?"

"He canceled on us, so we went out with Joey instead. Turns out, we're not as good at partying as we were in college."

"As someone who recently went out with a guy who was mentally stuck in high school, let me tell you, that's not necessarily a bad thing." I assure him.

He smiles, then speaks up again "You still haven't answered me. What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for Phoebe. I wrote a list of jobs she could do without me." I say. Honestly, the list is not that good, but I do hope Pheebs likes at least one of them. I really do want to work in a restaurant again.

"Can I read it?"

I pass it over, and he starts reading quietly. After a few seconds, he starts laughing.

"Start a band? Really?"

"What? She plays guitar!" I defend myself lamely "They all suck, don't they?"

"Well, if I'm being honest, they kinda do. But hey, you never know with Phoebe. She might actually like some of these. And there's quite a lot I can see her considering. She's definitely done weirder stuff."

"You think so?"

"Sure." He says, leaving the chair to sit next to me on the couch. "And if nothing else, she's going to appreciate how hard you tried."

"I hope so."

"She will! Soon enough, you'll be a chef again!" He hugs me, and suddenly my worries about boundaries are out of the window. Kathy's not here, and he's my best friend. And I've never been one to turn down a display of affection. I'll worry about it when she comes back.

And even then, I'll give up everything but the hugs.

"I'm sorta hungry." He says suddenly "What do you say we go upstairs and order pizza?"

I just nod, my arm still draped around him. "Make it a Joey special."

I swear, Joey's got a superpower.

We'd only been home for about thirty seconds, and he entered my apartment just as Chandler dialed the pizza place. Food attracts him like nothing else.

The three of us are munching on it, and I'm pretty sure he just ate a whole pizza by himself.

I wonder how he's not overweight.

"The thing is, everyone at the restaurant is related to the guy I got fired, so I hope they don't end up hating me. I mean, it's not like I fired him, you know?"

"Oh, definitely. I'm sure they'll like you, don't worry." Chandler says, as I stroke his arm for comfort, and Joey nods in agreement.

"You really think so?'"

"Of course I do! I cannot believe that in a room full of people, no one would notice how great Monica Geller is." He elaborates, and I instantly put my elbow on the table to rest my chin on the back of my hand.

"Is that so?"

He rolls his eyes at my antics, then continues "I mean, I'd think so. I've been hanging out with you for the last ten years, you must be doing something right."

I reach for my hair and smile as he gets up to get a beer. I feel Joey's eyes on me, but he says nothing, so I pretend I don't notice.

"I hope they see it the same way. I'm kinda nervous." I confess to them both, and in a way, to myself as well.

"You have no reason to be! And you know what? Even if they do end up disliking you, so what? You're the head chef, they just have to accept you're working with them."

Well, that's actually a step back "I don't want them to dislike me! I hate it when people don't like me!" I whine, pulling at the hem of his sleeve.

"I'm not saying they will dislike you, I'm just saying, it shouldn't matter. I do believe that they'll love you, though!"

"Yeah?"

"Of course." Joey interjects "I can't see why they wouldn't."

I grin at both of them "Thanks, guys."

Chandler kisses my forehead and I can feel myself literally beaming at him "Anyway, I gotta go. I have to pick up Kathy at the airport first thing in the morning"

My smile suddenly disappears "She's coming back tomorrow?"

"Yes!" He replies, his smile getting bigger. "That was the longest week of my life!"

I fake a giggle, hoping he'll buy itand it looks like he did. "Excited for her to come back?"

He looks at Joey before answering, probably trying to figure out whether he's okay with him talking about Kathy. "I am" he says in the end, trying to sound cool.

He shuts the door closed behind him, and I can finally acknowledge that Joey hasn't stopped staring at me.

"What?"

"What was that about?" He asks.

"What was what about?"

"The shameless flirting" He states simply.

I think I'm about to panic, and try to come up with an excuse off the top of my head. But then, I realize Joey is being ridiculous. Sharing your fears about a new workplace definitely doesn't count as 'flirting'. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He shakes his head at me "I know you didn't know you were flirting, but you were! You were batting your eyelashes, and you stroke his arm while he spoke, and you were totally playing with your hair! Hell, you were reaching for him! Did you honestly not notice?"

"I wasn't doing any of that! And I was definitely not flirting! Joe, it's Chandler! He's my best friend, we're close!"

"Mon, I know flirting when I see it!" he says, then adds "Really, what is going on?"

Desperate to change the subject, I make a sound at him "You do not know flirting! The first time I offered you lemonade, you took it as an invitation to undress!"

He seems to consider the thought, but just when I think I have him off my back, he chuckles "Yes! But you had a crush on me back then!"

I stare at him, and when I see his eyes growing wider I know now is the time to panic . "Oh no. No- Joey, don't..."

"You have a crush on Chandler!" He cries out, pointing his finger at me.

"Joe, I know this seems like it's a huge deal..."

"BECAUSE IT IS!"

"No! Joey, it's not! I'm trying to get over it, okay?" I explain, calmly "I will get over it, just please don't tell anyone?" I ask, trying to sound as collected as possible. Last thing I want is him spilling the beans because he's overwhelmed by the news.

He shakes his head "Mon, this is perfect! The two of you are meant to be together!"

"No, Joe, we aren't. He has Kathy. And I guess I just miss having a boyfriend? There's nothing more to it, I swear."

He laughs at me, and it takes every ounce of self control i possess to not just tell him everything and get it over with. "Don't try it with me! You don't miss having a boyfriend! You didn't have a boyfriend for a whole year at times, and this never happened before!"

I shrug "Whatever. Chandler has Kathy, and he's in love with her."

Joey just stares at me, and the smirk on his face disappears " I guess he does have Kathy. You're really not gonna do anything about it?" He asks, his voice hopeful.

"There's not much I can do, is there? I mean, I'm not going to mess with his life over a… crush."

He makes a face, and it's obvious he doesn't believe me. "Right. I guess there isn't."

His questioning look is making me uncomfortable, so I settle for looking at my feet. "I'll get over it, Joe, really! But since I'm not going to do anything about it, I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone."

"Fine" He conceeds "Are you really not going to tell him anything?"

I exhaled loudly in frustration "Of course not! Why would I?"

"...So that he would know?"

"I don't want him to know! Stop trying to make this into a big deal!"

"It is a big deal! I mean... it's great!"

Now it's my turn to stare at him. I cannot believe my own ears "How is this great?"

"Mon... I know you're saying it's just a crush, and maybe it is! And I admit I'd never thought about it, but now that you mention it? It makes total sense! You and Chandler make way more sense than any other relationship the two of you ever had!"

I smile at the sentiment, then shake my head "That's really sweet, Joe, but we both know it's not going to happen. He has a girlfriend."

Joey sighs loudly, then stands still, silent, as if taking in the information "Are you gonna be alright?" he asks finally.

I grin, happy I convinced him. "Of course. Can I count on you to keep it a secret?"

"I will. For what it's worth, I really meant what i said. About the two of you making sense."

"I know you do. And thank you."

He makes a move towards the door, but I stop him. "Joe?"

"Yeah?"

"Am I really that obvious? I mean, you don't think he noticed as well, right?"

He seems to actually consider the possibilty before answering "I don't think he did. You're pretty lucky, Chandler is pretty oblivious to this kind of thing."

I nod. Man's got a point. "Right. Thanks."

He smiles as he leaves, and when he does, I feel a sudden wave of relief. I still have unrequited feelings for my best friend, but at least now, I know I don't have to face them all by myself.

XXX

Mmm, soooo… based on this and Beauty and the Slob, who can tell what my fave friendship for Monica is? ;) This is like…. Super duper late btw, but I had a major case of writer's block, so I just hope I didn't disappoint all of you! Btw I know this is moving veeery slowly but I promise I know where it is going, so bear with me!

As always, feedback is not only appreciated, but also my biggest motivation!