A/N – thank you for all the lovely reviews they are such great motivation! You guys rock :o)

"What? That's crazy!" Joey exclaimed around a mouthful of pancake, "No way!"

"I'm telling you," Ross insisted from across the kitchen table, "there's a town in Turkey actually called 'Batman.'"

Only half paying attention to the random breakfast conversation, Chandler continued to read his paper. Turning to the next page, he was startled when he felt a swift hard kick aimed at his shin.

"Ow!" he complained.

Five pairs of eyes were on him; four looking confused and one pair opened wide. With a wince, he realized he probably shouldn't have reacted so loudly. He now had everyone's focus and he was pretty sure she had been trying to get his attention discreetly; he couldn't get over how freakishly strong the woman was.

"You ok man?" Joey asked.

"Yeeeah," he swallowed, searching for a plausible explanation to his little outburst. He settled on the easiest escape route, "Ross kicked me."

All eyes turned to Ross, who paused in the action of taking a sip of his coffee, "what?" he protested.

He noticed Chandler's apologetic eyes and then instinctively glanced to his sister, to find her with the same pleading expression. Great…this was really starting to get old.

"Why would you kick him?" Phoebe asked.

"It, uh, it was an accident," Ross lied, annoyed, tempted to kick him for real, "it was a reflex…I was stretching."

"Well, just be a little more careful," Monica said sweetly and he narrowed his eyes at her.

As the conversation returned to the Caped Crusader, Monica threw Chandler a pointed look and he subtly nodded in acknowledge. Leaving the table he joined her as she moved round the corner to stand in front of the bathroom.

"What's going on?" he whispered confused, "why'd you kick me?"

"Because I've been trying to get your attention for the last 5 minutes," she informed him, "ya know I should probably take offense at the lack of attention you pay me," she smiled showing she was only teasing.

Oh, opps. "I was engrossed in the world news," he informed her.

She threw him an amused look. She wasn't buying that for a second.

"Ok, fine, so maybe I was engrossed in the cartoons," he grinned back impishly, "so what did you actually want my attention for?"

She looked at him incredulously and gestured wildly at the kitchen area. He glanced back at the said kitchen and then back to Monica with a clueless expression. He really wasn't getting it, "what?" he shrugged.

She sighed shaking her head, "four friends all together and for once no dramas going on to interrupt us. We've been after this opportunity for a week. Let's take it."

Ah. Now he got it. Since they'd agreed to tell everyone Monica had been looking for that perfect moment but after a week it still hadn't presented itself. Either someone wasn't there, or they were rushing to get somewhere, or someone had dramatic news, which couldn't really be followed by their little revelation. So they'd been playing the waiting game.

"Now?" he questioned pulling a slight face, whilst glancing back at the occupants at the table.

"Why not?" she asked confused, "this is perfect."

"I guess," he agreed looking at her. He wanted to tell their friends, he wanted to openly be her boyfriend but at the same time he was really gonna miss it being their thing. He felt protected in their little bubble. He didn't want all the gossiping or questions that would come in the aftermath of their revelation. And, the thing he dreaded most was Rachel and Phoebe telling Monica that she could do better than him. He already knew that but could do without anyone pointing it out to her.

"Hey?" she asked softly sensing his tone, "have you changed your mind?"

"No," he promised. It had to happen sometime, "no let's just get this out of the way."

"Out of the way?" she queried, eyebrow raised. She wished that they were alone and she could offer him some tactile comfort. Anything from a reassuring hug to a soft kiss so she could try and work out what was going on in his head. But with the others right there she couldn't, them being caught in the act was not how she wanted to announce this to their friends.

"I didn't mean it like that," he assured apologetically, "I'm looking forward to not hiding this anymore and getting to be a couple…I really am. I guess, I'm just not looking forward to the weirdness bit where they scrutinize our every move."

She smiled gently, risking running a hand down his arm.

"I know what you mean," she promised, "but we have to tell them to get to the good bit."

"Yeah, you're right," he sighed with a slight grin. He so wanted the good bit.

"So we're gonna do it now?" she asked.

He could hear the excitement entering her voice. He knew he should flattered, or at least reassured that she was so eager to tell the others.

"Sure," he nodded, trying to look enthusiastic. Quick and painless like a bandaid.

She nodded stepping forward and then quickly stepping back, "wait, do you want to tell them or did you want me to?"

Huh. Maybe they should have rehearsed how they were going to do this.

"You can do it," he said quickly.

"Ok," she nodded, patting his chest softly, "ok, this is it."

They shared a last reassuring look before Monica took his hand and headed back to the kitchen area.

"Guys, we have something to-"

"Crap!" Rachel exclaimed jumping up from her chair. "Is it really 8.00am? I have to be at work in like 15 minutes or my boss will kill me! No no no!"

They dropped their hands and watched in defeat as she ran to her room, grabbed her handbag, ran to the door, grabbed her coat and fled the apartment cursing.

Huh. So much for no dramas this morning.

"Were you gonna say something Monica?" Phoebe turned and asked.

"No," she said quickly, resisting the urge to look at Chandler for reassurance. They wanted to tell the whole group as one. They knew that much. It was just proving harder than they'd thought.

Phoebe easily shrugged and turned back to Joey and Ross, giving Monica an opportunity to share a rueful smile with Chandler. He offered a quick reassuring shoulder squeeze before moving back to the kitchen to finish the comic he'd been reading.

"Hey!" Ross called as he entered the girls' apartment several days later.

He paused as he took in the scene. Monica was in 'frenzy cleaning' mode. Everything was off the shelves in organized piles, more types of cleaning sprays than he even knew existed, were lined across the countertop alongside a variety of sponges, brushes and cleaning cloths. Yoink.

"What's, uh, brought this on?" he asked carefully, risking pulling out a kitchen chair to sit on, "everything ok with you and Chandler?" he prayed it was.

"Yes, no," she continued scrubbing. Hard.

"Mon?"

"We're fine," she turned to look at him, "we're more than fine, we're fantastic…"

"But?" he frowned.

"It's everyone else," she declared.

"Huh?" he asked confused.

With a sigh she removed the rubber gloves and joined her brother at the table, "we decided we wanted to tell everyone about us," she admitted.

"That's great!" Ross was relieved. He was happy to help them but he was starting to get a tad fed up with the excuses, "why is it a bad thing?"

"It's not," she insisted, "it should be great…it would be if we actually got the opportunity. See we really wanted to tell people before my birthday dinner."

"Your birthday?" he asked surprised, "but that's tomorrow."

"Ya think?" she shot back pissed. "We've been trying to tell people for almost two weeks…two weeks! For a group of six people that spend as much time together as we do, you wouldn't have figured that would be difficult, but no! There's always something going on in someone's life that's prevented us. It's so frustrating!"

"Oh." He frowned, he guessed there had been a lot going on recently.

"We're running out of time," she confessed quietly, she hating failing.

"Why does it have to be before your birthday?" he asked.

"Because," she shrugged slightly embarrassed, "we want to get to be a couple for my meal."

He nodded slowly, "I guess that makes sense." It did make sense. He knew they were finding it a challenge keeping their changing feelings hidden from the others. They'd find it even more difficult at her birthday, they'd be alcohol and dancing and he could understand them not wanting to have to hide. And they'd also be the awkwardness of Chandler's present, which was obviously not just from a friend…"wait, is this just so Chandler can show off the gift he got you?"

"Gift?" Monica asked, her eyes sparkling, "has he got me something nice?"

"Uh huh," Ross teased, "but I'm sworn to secrecy."

"Yeah?" she laughed excited, "will I like it?"

"I hope so," he mused remembering the price.

"Can you give me a clue?" she tried sweetly.

"Nope," he grinned, glad that he'd helped cheer her up, "besides, you only have to wait like a day so I'm sure you'll survive."

She stuck her tongue out at him; he of all people knew what she was like with surprises.

"So…" Ross continued, "if you're telling people before your birthday, I guess you're hoping to do it tonight?"

"Yep," she agreed, "providing everyone turns up as planned and stay long enough to let us do an announcement."

"Doesn't Joey have a date?"

"He always has a date," she rolled her eyes, "but he's not meeting her until 8, so that should give us plenty of time…I hope, but then looking at the luck we've had lately I'm not going to hold my breath."

He smiled suddenly making her raise an eyebrow at him, "what?"

"Nothing really," he shook his head, "it's just reminding me of all the trouble you guys faced trying to talk to each other, before you got together I mean."

"I guess," she shrugged in agreement.

"Well, it worked out well for you both then," he reassured her, "and it will work out again, this time. You'll get tell people tonight. I'm sure of it…"

Ross took another worried look at his watch as he debated what to do. It was late, he desperately wanted to go home to bed…it had been a long week and he was very glad tomorrow was Friday. But tomorrow was also Monica's birthday deadline and they still hadn't told everybody. As Monica had predicted it hadn't gone to plan, with Phoebe running late and arriving only after Joey had already left for his date.

He felt himself stifle another yawn before deciding he had little choice but to risk his sister's wrath…Chandler he wasn't scared of.

"Right, I'm gonna head home," Ross declared, shooting his sister an apologetic look as he awaited her reaction.

"Already?" Monica sighed knowing that the chances of being able to tell everyone tonight were slipping away, "but I think Joey will be home really soon."

She'd told him that half an hour ago.

"I better go too," Phoebe announced standing up, to which he silently thanked her. Monica couldn't get mad at him if their eccentric friend was also leaving. "Oh, and Mon, happy birthday for," she glanced at her watch, "like 40 minutes time."

"Thanks Pheebs," she murmured in defeat, throwing a small smile to her brother to show no hard feelings, "night guys, see you tomorrow."

She resisted the urge to sigh in frustration as she leaned slightly against Chandler where he sat beside her on the couch. It was just them and Rachel left now. Typical. She felt Chandler's hand discreetly find hers and give it a little squeeze in sympathy, which made her relax slightly. The lack of opportunities had been frustrating on him too but at least they had each other.

"I guess I better go turn in," Rachel decided standing up, "today was manic and I don't think tomorrow will be much better. Workwise obviously…your birthday meal will be amazing. A perfect way to relax after this week from hell. I'll see you guys later."

"Night Rach," Chandler waited for Rachel to close her bedroom door before he placed his arm over Monica's shoulders and pulled her tighter to him. "Are you ok?" he asked softly, placing a little kiss on the top of her head. He knew how much she'd wanted tonight to be the night.

"Yeah, I guess," she sighed, just trying to enjoy his embrace and forget about their failed mission.

"You know," Chandler started conversationally as he stroked her hair, "I'm actually kinda glad it's gone like this."

"What do you mean?" she asked glancing up confused. He'd been the one to suggest telling people before the meal.

"Well," he admitted with a slight blush, "this way I get you all to myself for one more night and not just any night. When you sneak over later it will officially be your birthday and we can have our own private celebration," he winked cheekily, "then, when everyone meets up here tomorrow night, before your meal, we can tell them all then."

"Ok," she considered.

"It's perfect," he assured her, "as it's your birthday you'll be center of attention, so no one else is allowed to have any dramas going on…and even better, no one can get mad at us."

She chuckled liking his logic as she snuggled further in his embrace, loving that he pulled her even closer to him.

"So, am I coming over to yours then for our final tete-a-tete?"

"Yes please," he requested with a smile, "I'll make it worth your while…and I might even have a surprise for you."

"Really?" she smiled, "what's the surprise?"

"Well, I'm not telling you otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise," he retorted with a laugh as he leaned forward to place a quick kiss on her lips.

"Wait…you're not just going wrap a ribbon around…him," she gestured to his crotch, "cause that's really not as sexy as some guys think."

"Noooo, the thought never crossed my mind," he tried to keep a straight face but knew he was failing.

"Chandler?" she laughed.

"I've got you a real surprise, I promise."

She reached up to playfully kiss him again, her hand finding his cheek and caressing it. He beamed down at her and she smiled back happily. She was so content. How had she been so lucky to fall in love with Chandler Bing?

"As Rachel's already asleep and Joey's still out, do I have to wait until 2am? Couldn't I just sneak over with you now?" she used her seductive voice, one hand slipping down the lightly stroke his thigh.

"As tempting as that sounds, and believe me it's very tempting," he admitted, his hand coming down to capture hers and end the torture, "but Rachel's probably not actually asleep yet and Joey could return home any minute and…if you come over now you can't have your surprise as it's not your birthday."

"Fine," she chuckled, "but I better like this surprise."

"You will," he smiled, almost smugly. He was pretty confident had this birthday in the bag.

TBC…

A/N - I'm pleased to say that due to the crappy British weather this weekend I was able to get a lot of writing done (even with losing an hour with our clocks going forward for BST). My muse actually cooperated for once! Yeh! So I was able to pretty much finish this monster of a fic. Just got to give each chapter a good read through but updates should be fairly quick. There's just 3 more chapters after this one.

Let me know what you thoughts :o)