Meanwhile in Greece, Ross was strolling around with Emily and a random guide, as they neared the Acropolis. " And here we are at the shrine of Athena Nike. This impressive work of art, was built between 427 and 424BC," their monitor brought out enthusiastically, but Ross was only barely listening. Even though the temple was very beautiful and majestic in its own right, he could only think about one thing. Well, one person to be more exact and that person, was Rachel.
She hadn't sounded too happy on the phone, she'd only acted as if she was. He knew Rachel well enough, to know exactly when she was pretending. The only thing he could ask himself was: why? Why wasn't she happy? It couldn't be because she still had feelings for him, surely. They had both moved on, right? That's what he had always assumed. He'd seen the way she constantly flirted with men, after her and Joshua broke up. Heck, she was even dating someone new.
Still, he had the distinct feeling that there was something wrong with her. He just couldn't shake it off. He only became more worried, as he suddenly recalled the way she'd behaved in the moments preceding his wedding ceremony. Right before they hugged, he'd gotten the impression that she wanted to tell him something else than just: congratulations. She'd given off this certain vibe.
But wasn't it rather selfish of him, to just assume that she was acting weird because of him? Maybe, she just had some other personal problems, that he didn't know about. He then shook his head, quickly dismissing that thought. She'd always come to him with her troubles in the past. No, it definitely had to be about him, this time around.
" It so happens that Nike means victory in Greek, and Athena was therefore worshipped accordingly, as the goddess of victory in war and wisdom. The members of the community, prayed to the goddess in hope of gaining victory in the Peloponnesian war, fought on the continent, as well as on the ocean, against the Spartan enemy," Ross suddenly heard someone say. He slowly focused his gaze back on the view before him, only then seeming to remember where he was, and who was talking. It really wasn't that difficult to start zoning out, as the guy's voice was really monotone and boring.
" This temple is also unique, in the way that it was the first fully Ionic sanctuary on th… are you feeling alright, sir?" the middle-aged, bald man, suddenly asked, turning his gaze to Ross and placing a hesitant hand on his shoulder.
Ross shook his head, blinked a few times and then replied: " Uh… no not really. I'm sorry, but I think I'm feeling a slight headache coming up."
The man nodded emphatically, then smiled. " Oh, there's really no need to apologize, sir. There are lots of tourists who succumb to a faint sunstroke, on their first day here. In fact: I wouldn't take the slightest offence, if you decided to go back to your hotel right this minute. "
" Thanks. I think that's exactly what I'm gonna do," Ross retorted, before turning to Emily, who had been watching the whole scene in concern. " You want to come with me, honey? I mean: I'd perfectly understand if you'd like to stay here and do the rest of the tour on your own. I know how excited you are about Greek mythology."
" Oh no, I couldn't possibly go on without you. I'd be too worried about you. If you're leaving, so am I," Emily declared, while grabbing a firm hold of her husband's hand.
" Are you sure?" Ross asked, secretly hoping she'd say no this time around. He had been kinda hoping for some alone time, to think things over.
" Yes, I'm sure. Now come on, you need to be in bed," she stated in a strict fashion. Then, she turned back to the guide. " We are truly very sorry, Mr. Petrakis."
" That's okay, Mrs. Geller. I can only hope for the best for Mr. Geller. Get well soon, sir!", the man retorted kindly, as he perched his sunglasses back onto his tanned nose.
Back in New York, Joey, Rachel, Phoebe and Monica, were enjoying a quiet morning in Central Perk. They were just having a casual conversation, about their favorite flavor of coffee, when Chandler walked in. " Well, hello children!" he greeted the rest of the gang enthusiastically.
" Oh, don't you dare hello me, Mr.. Where the hell have you been all night? I was worried sick about you," Joey declared angrily, while glaring daggers at his best friend.
" Well, let's just say, the Chan-Chan man got a little lucky with the ladies," chandler boasted, as he went to sit down next to Phoebe, with a huge smile.
" Really, who was she?" Phoebe asked, as she turned to her friend, with an expectant look in her eyes.
" Well, I'm sorry, Pheebs, but I'm not one to kiss and tell," Chandler said smugly, as he began fumbling with his tie, seemingly uninterested.
This statement, was quickly followed up by a series of frustrated groans, which prompted him to start talking again. " What I can tell you, is that her name is Maureen, and that she's amazing in all kinds of bedroom activities."
" Oh well, good for you, sweetie. You got yours!" Rachel cheered, as she reached over to pat Chandler on the arm.
" Thanks, Rach."
" Hey, what's her last name?" Phoebe joined in.
" Uhm… Maureen G… Kirkpatrick," her friend brought out, quickly changing the first letter, when he saw Monica fiercely shaking her head. Luckily, none of the others had noticed her doing so.
" Pff… such a stupid name," Joey scoffed, as he threw Chandler another dirty look.
" Joe, are you still mad at me?" Chandler inquired softly, his tone something akin to how someone would address a five-year old.
" Of course, I'm still mad at you! You left me all alone, in that big apartment! When I have sex, I at least have the decency to do it in our own home," the hot-headed actor said, before taking a large sip off his latté, hereby drastically burning his tongue, as well as his esophagus.
" Goddamn it, why is this damn thing so hot?!" he wondered aloud, after spitting out the coffee.
" Uhm… I don't know, maybe because it's coffee?" Chandler suggested, hereby only getting his best friend more worked up.
" Damn it, Chandler, this is all your fault!" Joey shouted, as he got up and started making his way over to the door. Then he added, in more of an indoor voice: " Do you have any idea how scared I was?", before continuing his journey.
" Oh come on Joe, stop it. What do you have to be scared about, anyway? You're a muscled, huge guy," Chandler tried, as he got up and followed his friend to the door.
" Leave me alone, Chandler. You're a big, fat abandoner. I'm going to go to that audition for the cereal-commercial, now. You know, the one I told you about, before you went about abandoning me," Joey announced, before walking out the door.
" Well, I guess he told me," chandler muttered to himself, before dejectedly strolling back over to the couch, sitting down and placing his head down in his hands.
" Oh, don't worry, Chandler, he'll get over it," Phoebe reassured him, as she rubbed his back gently.
" Well, Chandler you sure got yourself into some trouble, huh? First Monica, then Joey," Rachel stated casually.
"Monica? What'd you mean, Monica?" her friend asked, in confusion as he lifted his head back up again.
" Well, you remember, Chandler! That whole business with my phone pen!" Monica yelled, faking rage.
" Monica, please. He's already bummed enough about Joey. Cut the man some slack!" Phoebe shrieked, in a high-pitched voice, hereby scaring both Rachel and Chandler.
" Jesus, Pheebs. I nearly dropped my cup," Rachel reprimanded, after regaining her composure.
" Ooh, oh, you nearly dropped your cup. Well, I've got news for you, Rachel Karen Greene: the world doesn't revolve around you!" the other blonde shouted, before also getting up and leaving, for no apparent reason.
" Hey! Get back here!" Rachel cried, as she ran after her.
This of course, only left behind Chandler and Monica, who were now gazing at each other with pure desire in their eyes.
" Well, that was weird," Chandler finally said, as he turned to look at the door. " Don't you think?"
" Eh… it's Phoebe, she's always acting weird," Monica retorted, dismissing the previous actions, with a gesture of her hand. Then, she suddenly threw her new boyfriend an annoyed look.
" What? What did I do now?"
" Maureen G… Kirkpatrick," she mocked, imitating him. " Way to go, Chan-Chan man."
" Hey, I'm sorry. I'm not really that subtle. It's me."
" Eh, I forgive ya. After all, you did say I was amazing at all kinds of bedroom activities."
" That's right, you are," Chandler said with a small smile, before leaning in to kiss her.
Monica quickly pushed him away, though. " Not in here, you goof."
There was a long silence, before she spoke again. " Hey, Chandler?"
" Yeah?"
" Do you think, that I'd still be good at bedroom activities, outside the bedroom, let's say in like a closet?"
Chandler smiled mischievously, then asked: " Are you suggesting, what I think you're suggesting?"
" I don't know. What do you think I'm suggesting?" Monica asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
" I don't know, what do you think, I think you're suggesting?"
" What?"
" Nothing, nothing. Can we just go and have sex now, please?"
" It'll be my pleasure," Monica smiled, before grabbing a hold of her boyfriend's hand and dragging him into the closet.
At 6 o'clock in the evening, Ross was still lying on his bed, thinking about Rachel. He had to admit, it was way easier to think about her, when Emily wasn't around. She'd loyally stayed by his side for a few hours, but then had gotten tired of lying around and doing nothing. Emily never was the kind of a woman to just stay still. She needed to move around, she had too much energy, to do otherwise. So she'd gone sightseeing, leaving Ross to soak in his pool of inner thoughts.
It wasn't right: here he was, on his honeymoon with Emily, and he still found himself thinking about Rachel twenty-four-seven. He just didn't get it. All this time he'd thought he was finally over her. Now he knew, that he wasn't though, not after hearing the sadness in her voice over the phone.
He just wanted her to be happy. Why couldn't she just move on and live her life? Why did she have to keep thinking about him? He knew for a fact, that that was what she was doing: thinking about him. He sighed, cause he suddenly realized, that he'd been doing the exact same thing, for the past 8 hours. He'd been thinking about her and he would no doubt, keep thinking about her, till morning came. And maybe… just maybe, even after that.
He was pulled from his thoughts again, when the door flew open. " I'm back!" Emily yelled, as she strode over to him in quick steps.
