~Epilogue~

Chandler signaled the bartender with a simple flick of his wrist, "can I get another one over here?""

The bartender simply nodded and poured another scotch for the man propping up his bar. He looked vaguely familiar but he couldn't quite place him.

"It's a girl right?" he asked as he handed Chandler the requested drink.

"What's a girl?" he asked, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"It's a girl that's got you smiling like that," he stated taking in the happy content air that the man had around him. It wasn't the usual demeanor of someone drinking here alone. "When guys come in here looking that happy, it's usually to do with a girl, or occasionally a guy…?"

Chandler narrowed his eyes jokingly as he took the glass from him. He lifted it, listening to the light clink of the ice cubes before he took a large mouthful enjoying the novel taste. Scotch wasn't usually his choice of drink but today it was symbolic.

"It's a girl," he admitted grinning, "I could talk about her for hours but I won't subject you to that."

He really could talk about her for hours and not get bored. It seemed like even after all this time, most of his thoughts were still about the woman that had taken over his life. She'd taken over his life, stolen his heart and he was the happiest he'd ever been.

"Whatever you say buddy," the bartender shrugged, "say I recognize you from somewhere and it's bugging me. You been here before?"

"Yeah," Chandler smiled, he couldn't believe how much had changed since the last time he was here. "I'm Chandler," he stretched out his hand across the bar, "Ross Geller's friend".

"Oh right," Marc shook his hand easily, "the guy suffering from unrequited love over Ross' little sister. He's kept me up to date by the way, so congrats, I hear it's all going well."

"It is," Chandler nodded, "the best."

"I'm glad you took my advice," Marc stated.

"What advice?" he frowned.

"About talking to her," Marc persisted.

"Aw," Chandler apologized with a wince, "I can't remember much about anything from that night."

"Oh," Marc tried to recall the night in question, "you were quite hammered," he mused, "so why are you here by yourself?"

"Well, it's actually our year anniversary," he said trying to hide how proud he was of that fact, "and we wanted to come by to tip our hats to this place. If I had walked into any other bar that night, I wouldn't have bumped into Ross and it may have never happened."

"Fate," Marc informed him confidently.

"If you say so," Chandler shrugged taking another swig of his drink.

His fingers were playing with the glass as he heard the door open and he looked up, a huge smile lighting up his face as he spotted her.

"I take it that's her," Marc commented but he didn't get a response as Chandler was already up off the stool and greeting her.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," Monica apologized, kissing his cheek.

"No problem, I was just reminiscing with the bartender," he confessed, "you look incredible by the way."

"Thanks," she smiled at the compliment, placing a firm kiss on his lips. "So this is the famous bar?" she asked looking around as she took the stool next to his.

"Yep," Chandler assured, "I had to get Ross to tell me where it was and believe me that wasn't easy." Ross had wanted to keep it his secret escape but once Chandler had explained the reasons he'd reluctantly handed over the information, "we're banned from coming in here unless it's a special occasion," he informed her remembering his promise to her brother.

"O-k," she shrugged, ordering a scotch.

The bartender slid the glass over to her, "Marc," he greeted to which she smiled politely.

"Monica."

"Ross has told me a lot about you," he informed her.

"Really?" she frowned.

"He was the bartender that looked after me a year ago," Chandler told her with a smirk.

"Wow," she smiled, it seemed fitting that he was here today on their anniversary.

"It's nice to finally meet you," Marc confessed, before leaving to serve another customer.

She turned to her boyfriend of a year and smiled at him, her hand patting his knee, "I can't believe it's been a year."

"I know," he admitted, "and we owe it all to this place…and Ross."

She held up her glass, "to random bars, drunken confessions and meddling brothers."

Laughing he tapped his scotch glass against hers in agreement.

"So where are we going for dinner?" she asked.

"It's a surprise," he told her glancing at his watch, "but we need to make a move so drink up."

They finished their drinks and stood up. Taking one last look around the bar that had changed their lives.

"See ya Marc," Chandler offered a short wave.

"See ya," Marc bid them farewell wondering if he'd see them here next year.

He watched them from behind the bar as Chandler paused and grabbed her hand, pulling her in for a quick kiss. He heard her rich laugh and watched as she kissed him back happily. She slipped an arm around his waist and Chandler's naturally went over her shoulder.

If anyone was to look at them now they'd never know the heartache that Chandler had gone through. Hell, it was hard to believe that this was the same guy that had come into his bar so desperate a year ago.

He smiled as he watched them walk out of the door onto the street, still happily wrapped in their embrace.

He often got sucked into his customers' drunken stories. He'd spend hours listening to their dilemmas and offering his two cents worth. He did it knowing that he'd probably never see the person again or rarely find out how the story had panned out.

He was glad that they come into the bar tonight.

He was glad to be a part of their story.

It was nice to know that out of all the midnight confessions he heard, at least one had a happy ending.

A/N – thanks for everyone that read and reviewed! It really helped me keep going as this is easiest the longest story I've ever written. I hope you enjoyed it! I must admit it's gonna be a little strange not working on this fic anymore…

Thanks again :o)