Chapter 7: Torn Apart

Disclaimer: I don't own Friends.

Thank you to dancer cherrybug and hugefriendsfan00 who took the time to review! Thank you!

The whole gang were at Joey and Chandler's getting ready for their day trip.

Patricia smiled at the gang. "You really didn't have to take your Friday off just to bring me around New York."

"Hey it's our pleasure." Ross said.

"You guys just wanted the day of, didn't ye?" Patricia queried and there was chorus of yes'.

"So where would you like to go first?" Phoebe asked.

"Central Perk!" Patricia said jokingly.

"Yeah, like you haven't been there before." Chandler replied.

"Ok so maybe we do some shopping then some sightseeing and then we grab a bite to eat. And then we do it all over again." Monica suggested.

"Sounds like a plan." Rachel agreed.

There was banging on the door and Monica went to the peephole to see Frannie angrily knocking her apartment door.

"Quick Patricia go to Joey's room." Monica told her.

"Do I have to?" Patricia responded.

"Your mom is here." Monica said and Patricia darted to Joey's room and Rachel and Joey went with her. They closed the door.

Monica opened the door and went out into the hallway. "Em Frannie?"

Frannie stopped her outrageous knocking and turned around. "Hello Monica."

The coldness of Frannie's tone sent shivers running up and down Monica's spine. She looked down at Frannie's hand to see there was speckles of blood on her finger nails which made Monica cringe and instantly made her fear for Derek.

"Hey Frannie!" Monica said forcing a warm smile.

"Where is she?" Frannie asked gritting her teeth.

"Where is who?"

"Don't play dumb with me Monica!"

"Huh?"

"She's in there isn't she?"

Frannie pushed passed Monica and entered Joey and Chandler's apartment to see Phoebe and Chandler on the couch and Ross on one of the stools.

"Hi Frannie! What a love-" Ross was cut off by Frannie.

"Cut the crap Ross! Where is Patricia?!" Frannie yelled at him.

"I'm not getting friendly vibes." Phoebe whispered to Chandler.

Phoebe and Chandler sat there fearing for Patricia. They both knew the story of Patricia's runaway but they knew there was more to it and the both hoped it wasn't what they thought.

Patricia lay in between Joey and Rachel on Joey's bed. Patricia was snuggled into Joey's chest and he had his arms around her tightly and secure which made Patricia feel safe. Rachel lay on her side, gently stroking Patricia's arm in a comforting manner.

Patricia was frightened for her life. She had never felt fear so strongly before except for a few times when she did something wrong and she'd be left anxious wondering what would her mother do.

The word mother was starting to lose all meaning to her. The word mother meant a woman who provided love and care for their children which her mother did not.

It made her felt sick in her stomach to think of what her mother would do if she found her.

Flashback

Last Thanksgiving

Patricia walked into the dining room to see the preparations for their Thanksgiving dinner was underway. The table was covered with their beautifully prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Her mother was looking over the caterers as they worked while her dad and brother played a bored game.

She went over to the table and took a bread roll. She took a small bite.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Frannie hollered approaching her daughter.

Patricia looked up at her innocently. "Em I was hungry -"

"That's how dogs eat!" Frannie snatched the roll out of Patricia's hand harshly. "If want to eat like a dog then eat like one."

"What?" Patricia asked quietly and unsure.

Her mother grabbed her by the back of her white flouncy dress and pushed her into the kitchen. She pushed her down on the cold, hard tiles so Patricia was on all fours. The dog's food bowl was right in front of her.

"Eat!" Frannie screamed.

Hot tears streamed down Patricia's face she was frightened for her life. Her mother pushed her face into the bowl and Patricia started eating the dog food.

Sometimes punishments could be more physical and could leave Patricia with bruises for weeks.

"Oh it's going to be ok." Rachel whispered and wiped away Patricia's tears. Rachel was on the verge she couldn't think of losing Patricia.

"How can you say that Rachel?!" Patricia whispered/yelled. "This isn't a fairy tale, there isn't always going to be a fairy tale ending!"

"I know." Rachel replied. "But there isn't always a sad one."

"I can't imagine losing you guys." Patricia choked.

"We can't imagine losing you." Joey told her and wiped her tears and kissed her temple.

"Monica will you just give it up!" They heard Frannie's voice boom.

Monica rolled her eyes at her cousin and stood her ground alongside Ross. They were practically fighting for their rights for Patricia with pretending they had no idea where she was.

"Give what up?" Monica questioned, folding her arms and staring straight into Frannie's cold-hearted eyes.

"Where is she?!" Frannie roared, her face turning red from her rage.

"We don't know." Ross replied. "We'll help you find her."

"But right now I think its best you leave." Monica told her, getting straight to it.

"Yeah, you're right." Frannie nodded and picked up her bag and headed for the door. "Bye and I'm sorry."

They said their byes and Frannie left. Monica let her tears of relief flow from her eyes and sighed happily.

Rachel, Joey and Patricia emerged from Joey's bedroom and Patricia ran into Monica's open arms. Monica cradled her like she was a three year old instead of a fourteen year old. They're silent for a while, lost in their own thoughts but it's warm, familiar, comfortable. Patricia can feel the body heat radiating off of Monica and she likes that, carves it even.

They whole gang join in the hug and they all smile, laugh and even shed a few tears that are wiped away by someone else.

"Looks like you get to keep living her Patricia." Joey smiled and the door flung open revealing Frannie looking pissed of big time.

"Get your hands off of her!" Frannie roared and marched over to them. Monica and Patricia held onto each other with great grip and held on tighter when Frannie tried to tear them apart.

"You can't take her away from me!" Monica cried.

"I wanna stay with Monica." Patricia whimpered.

"You'll do what I say!" Frannie bellowed and give one finally tug and got Patricia out of Monica's grip. Frannie clutched her daughter to her chest and started to back away slowly there was a struggle with her daughter's protests and the gang's pleads. Frannie won and brought her daughter back to Long Island.

Monica bawled her eyes out and screamed out 'no' repeatedly and Chandler pulled her into a hug.

"I never thought it be this hard." Monica whispered.

A/N: Hey guys! I hope you liked that. I'm open to constructive criticism and please review! I'll try to update soon!

Peace out ~ Mystery Girl 911