Encore
An Alternate Universe Mondler Fan fiction
Chapter 7:
Once Monica gave in, Chandler stood frozen for a second, not quite sure how to proceed. Finally he sat down across from her, resting his face in his hands for a moment before looking back up. He took a deep breath before starting to speak, his voice soft and hesitant.
"I, uhm, I just, I have to say how miserable I've been. Not to guilt you or anything, because I chose to leave all my friends behind, but, you know. I was miserable because I had absolutely no one. I was miserable because I knew I had lost you. Whatever you think happened didn't. I never would hurt you like that, and I always thought you had known that."
Monica shook her head, her voice still slightly angry, "Chandler, she came up to me specifically and told me all that had happened between you two. She told me how long you two had been having the affair, and that you never told her you were dating someone."
Chandler groaned with annoyance, "That woman I only ever saw at work. Her name is Caitlin. This is hardly the first relationship she's broken up. She is one of those people who loves to stir the pot then disappear into the background to see the fall out. We became her target because of the high stakes and how close we were. She was jealous and she liked the challenge. Apparently it wasn't so much of a challenge," his voice started to shake, "All she had to do was tell you I was cheating on you and make the two of you seem like the victims. You never even heard me out."
"Why should I believe that over a year later when you didn't even fight for us?" Monica retorted, clenching her fists with irritation.
"Hmm, let me think about that for a moment…If I had been in your situation and was told by a complete stranger that my girlfriend had been cheating on me with him for lord knows how long, OF COURSE I'd believe the stranger over my girlfriend who had been my best friend for years. That makes sense. Why bother letting her defend herself or give her side of the story hmm? It would be pointless, because I have the word of a complete stranger…It's perfect logic!" Chandler sarcastically responded, eyes blazing.
Monica stood up abruptly, looking furious. It didn't matter that about a week ago she had been blaming herself completely for their break up. Now her competitiveness and pride were coming in to play, and she was not going to admit defeat. She glared at him, her voice spitting venom. "Just go. We've talked, so go."
If eyes could kill… thought Chandler, shaking his head as he stood up. "You know what, I'm sorry I came over. I'm sorry I tried to clear things up. I'll just leave you be." He said icily, spinning and walking out the door, slamming it behind him.
Now Monica was furious at both Chandler and herself. She had won, but at the cost of a possibly mendable friendship. She sighed and wandered into her bedroom, collapsing on her bed.
Chandler stormed back across the hall and into Apartment 19, charging past Joey watching Baywatch without a word and slamming his bedroom door behind him. He removed his electric guitar from its case, and plugged it into a small portable amp. He strummed a chord, looking as though he were about to go into war.
He strummed until he found a chord he liked. He was ready to let loose. He had a feeling he wouldn't have to adjust the lyrics of the song when he was done. He was about to enter his zone and free all his emotions.
I woke up today sinkin' like the stones that you have thrown
Wounded by the same old shots you take
It's easier to kick me when I'm low
And I just thought that you should know
I've been holding on while you've been letting go
Well, it's not too late to say it right this time
'Cause I know I said I'm sorry but that's not what I meant to say
I'm strong enough to say
That I don't wanna take the high road now
So typical of you to walk away
When your perfect little world is burning down
And I just thought that you should know
I've been holding on while you've been letting go, can I be so bold?
'Cause all this sucking up to you is just getting old
Well, it's not too late to say it right this time
'Cause I know I said I'm sorry, but that's not what I meant to say
What I really meant to say with every little breath I take
I'm not the only one who makes mistakes
Just think of all the ones you've made
And I just thought that you should know
I've been holding on while you've been letting go, can I be so bold?
'Cause all this sucking up to you is just getting old
Well, it's not too late to say it right this time
'Cause I know I said I'm sorry, but that's not what I meant to say
Not what I meant to say
Can I be so bold?
'Cause all this sucking up to you is just getting old.
Well, it's not too late to
Say it right this time
'Cause I know I said I'm sorry,
But that's not what I meant to say
Joey just sat in his chair, Baywatch forgotten, as he heard his friend sing out his sorrows from his room. What the heck happened over at Monica's? He turned off the TV, considering walking into Chandler's room before thinking better of it and walking across the hall, hoping for some clue of what happened.
Chandler fell back on his bed when he finished singing, exhausted from his confrontation with the still love of his life. Sighing deeply he closed his eyes, drifting into a light and fitful sleep.
Monica sighed and rested her face in her palms. Why the heck do I keep doing that?! Why couldn't I just let him speak? Why couldn't I just tell him that I regretted how I treated him? Yet you went and treated him the exact same way again. Her subconscious reminded her.
A knock on her apartment door startled her from her reverie, bringing to mind a time when not one of her friends had worried about the courtesy of knocking. She rose to her feet, reluctantly going to answer the door.
She opened the door to see Joey on the other side looking a mixture of a curious and melancholy.
"What the heck did you say to him?" Joey asked immediately, slight anger lying below the surface.
"I may have been a bit cold and harsh." She replied somewhat sheepishly, "Why?"
"Let's just say he, within a few minutes, has written a new song for his album and it's hardly a lullaby." Joey responded, sounding slightly cynical.
"I'm aware this is the wrong thing to focus on, but people keep mentioning an album, and, quite frankly, I have no idea what they're talking about." Monica said, with a questioning inflection.
"Seriously Mon? I know you had essentially locked yourself in here for a year, but did you not even watch any TV? Chandler's possibly the biggest star in the world right now. He is THE music sensation of the past year and his popularity is still growing. He just finished playing at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN! I'm surprised he even had the energy to confront you after that venue…It was insane!" Joey replied.
"So, he's famous?"
"Yeah, pretty much. His debut album topped the charts for about four weeks straight and is still in the top ten. He's just finished his first tour and now is getting a 'break' for a few months before he starts working on his sophomore album. Of course, he is already writing songs for it." Joey responded, obviously having kept up with the stats.
"Okay, well, that makes a bit more sense. So, he can write and sing…how did we never know this about him?" Monica asked.
"I don't think he even knew. Anyway, I think you should do some major damage control for whatever you just said to him, because, let's be honest, you were a wreck without him around. If you're not careful you may lose him completely." Joey said pointedly.
"Yeah, I get it."
"Good. Now that that's taken care of…do you have any of that casserole left?"
AN/Disclaimer: Okay, so I thought I'd leave it there with a little comic relief. I'm so sorry this took so long, but I'm having major issues writing this story now…I know where I want it to go, and I have some major twists and plotlines for it, but I don't know how to get there…
Anyway I don't own Daughtry or F.R.I.E.N.D.S
I would encourage everybody to actually listen to the songs that I post on here; Daughtry has a very unique sound with some honestly good and meaningful lyrics. The song used was What I Meant To Say by Daughtry.