STATE INTERVENTION

With sirens blaring and blue lights flashing, an ambulance pulled up in front of Monica and Chandler's house. The paramedics burst through the front door loaded first aid kits and a stretcher. Shoving past Chandler, they crouched on the floor, surrounding the limp bleeding little girl. The paramedics bandaged Emma up, taking pains not to touch the knife, which they left impaled in her midriff.

Slipping the stretcher underneath Emma, they gently hauled her into the ambulance. Lifting his children into his arms, Chandler stumbled after the paramedics, ready to climb into the ambulance with Emma. The paramedics stared at Chandler warily, whispering urgently to each other. A paramedic hopped off the ambulance and hastily blocked entry into the vehicle, eyeing Chandler coldly.

"I think it best you stay put. We've got it from here," the paramedic said coolly.

The paramedic climbed into ambulance, slammed the door shut, and the ambulance sped off. Once out of the driveway, the paramedic called the police to report a suspected murder attempt. Chandler stumbled back into the house. His knees gave way, and he collapsed onto the living room floor. With shaky hands, he dialed Rachel's number. Anxiety washed over Rachel when she heard Chandler's subdued sobs.

"It's Emma, she's impaled with a knife, the paramedics rushed her to St Vincent's-"

Rachel dropped the phone out of her hand, leaving it dangling by its wire. Chandler could hear rustling paper, the hasty shuffling of feet and the slamming of a door. Chandler hung up, and dialled Ross's number. Rachel snatched her handbag off the table, and raced out of the office, stumbling on her black stilettos. Shoving her perplexed colleagues aside, she ran out onto the street and leaped in front of a speeding cab. The cab screeched to a halt, inches away from hitting her. The driver unwound his window, eyes wide with shock.

"You fucking insane, lady? I could've killed you!" the cab driver roared.

Rachel leaped into the cab, stating the address. Seeing Rachel's pale frightened face, the cab driver knew instantly it was an emergency, and accordingly, hurried off. In the cab, confusion swilled through Rachel's mind. Impaled with a knife? When? How? Why? She understood nothing, and hadn't the time to ask. Knowing her child's welfare was the only thing she could afford to think about right now, she set her mind on survival mode. Questions about Chandler would have to wait.

Goddamit, why wasn't Monica picking up her phone? Pick up, for Christ's sake!

Chandler slammed the phone down for the umpteenth time, and redialed. He had notified Ross and Rachel, and both were now well on their way to the hospital. He needed desperately to talk to his wife, because right now, slumped against the couch, cradling his children, his shirt coated in dried vomit and a sticky layer of Emma's blood, he felt he had a very tenuous hold on his sanity, like he would very soon die of the panic attack that was rising from the pit of his stomach.

Oh God, what if she dies? What if I've killed her? What if?

The thought threatened to consume him. Jack and Erica cuddled up to Chandler. Sensing their father's distress, they were quiet, subdued, and visibly anxious. Jack sucked his thumb nervously. Erica buried her face in Chandler's blood soaked shirt.

The twins burst into terrified wails as two police officers kicked the front door down. Marching up to Chandler, the police pried the twins out of Chandler's arms. The twins grasped tightly onto Chandler's shirt, screaming hysterically as the officers pulled them away from their father. Officer Lam held onto the twins as they thrashed about in her arms. She rocked them gently back and forth, trying to calm them down.

Officer Healy hauled Chandler to his feet, stating curtly, "You are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you at the State's expense."

"You've got to contact my wife, I need to see her! She's at work right now. She's the Head Chef up at Javu, her work number is 212-564-5380. Please, you've got to call her," Chandler pleaded with Healy.

"You got that number down, Lam? You go call the wife. Woman to woman, you'd do a better job talking to her than I would," Healy barked condescendingly.

With two screaming toddlers in tow, Officer Lam scribbled Monica's number down. Healy handcuffed Chandler's wrists, led him out of the house, and into a police car. Chandler pressed his nose against the window watching the policeman try in vain to quell Erica and Jack's crying. Curious neighbours peered furtively over their fences, stunned to see apparently friendly, law-abiding Mr Bing get arrested.