Encore
An Alternate Universe Mondler Fan fiction
AN: So it is officially March 3, 2014 and I'm only now starting the new chapter. I get a burst of muse then I get in front of the computer and it leaves…I just don't know what to do about it. Anyhow I appreciate the reviews and the favorites/follows, they mean a lot. I have plenty of ideas for this story, I just don't know how to get them down. For all of your sakes I'm trying though.
Chapter 12:
Time had sped by for Monica. While she had intended just to date Jake to urge Chandler forward, she was now in a relationship of three months with him. Jake was mature, funny, intelligent, and kind. He obviously genuinely cared about her and she was growing quite fond of him.
As Monica and Jake grew closer, she found that Chandler was withdrawing more from her. He had become a recluse, coming from his room only when necessary to eat and go to the bathroom. Apparently he spent time with the rest of the gang, but ever since she and Jake grew serious she saw him progressively less.
It was not uncommon to hear the soft strumming of Chandler's guitar and his gentle, melodic voice floating out of his room.
As her relationship with Chandler deteriorated more and more, Monica found herself missing his friendship. If nothing else Chandler had always been her confidant. Rachel and Phoebe were great for the gossip sharing of the relationship, but if she had questions or worries about a relationship, Chandler had always been the one she went to.
Later that night, Jake was coming over for dinner so he could officially meet her friends. Joey had passed on the news that Chandler planned to be there. What he didn't add was the obvious reluctance Chandler had done so with.
It was now 4:30 P.M. and Monica was putting the finishing touches on her house salad while the Lasagna cooked in the oven.
Satisfied with her work, Monica headed into her bedroom, searching through her closet frantically for something to wear. After discarding multiple outfits she found a beautiful strapless red dress that cascaded down from her shoulders, flowing outward at the very end just below her knees.
Happy with her decision Monica made her way to the bathroom, deciding to prepare her hair and make up before dressing. She curled her ebony hair in ribbons, pinning the upper half of it up over her ears, allowing the remainder of her medium length hair to fall freely over her shoulders. Now with her hair and make up all done she completed the ensemble with a pair of pitch-black stilettos.
She then returned to the kitchen, noting that the Lasagna was done. Walking over to the oven she turned it off, but left the food in to keep it warm.
The first to arrive was Rachel, wearing a dark black dress with strappy heels. She sat down on the couch as they waited for the others to arrive.
Next was Ross, wearing a navy blue sweater over a white collared shirt. He gave Monica a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting down on the couch beside Rachel.
A good twenty minutes went by and Chandler and Joey were yet to appear.
"Where are they?!" Monica snapped.
"What's wrong with them being late? Jake's not due to be here for another twenty minutes." Ross asked.
"Because I want to give you all the run down and the rules for tonight." Monica replied, obviously anxious.
"Relax Mon, we know the rules, we'll be good." Rachel assured her.
Another ten minutes went by and finally the door opened revealing Joey practically dragging a reluctant Chandler in.
Joey wore a dark black suit jacket, a white collared shirt, and beige slacks. However, it was to Chandler that Monica's eyes were immediately drawn. Chandler wore a deep blue collared shirt that accentuated his eyes gloriously, with dark blue jeans, and rounding off the ensemble he wore a slate gray blazer that fell over his frame perfectly.
Chandler gave a brief, courteous nod to Monica, still as uncomfortable if not more than when she had first started dating Jake. He quickly made his way over to the plush off-white chair in the living room, doing his best to try to ignore the context of the dinner and the fact that HE would be arriving soon.
Not long after, the buzzer sounded. Monica happily made her way over to the speaker and buzzed Jake in. When Jake knocked on the door Chandler's chest constricted and when Jake greeted Monica with a kiss, just like Chandler used to, the big green jealous beast in Chandler was woken and in a rage.
"Guys, this is Jake. Jake, this is my brother Ross, and my friends Joey, Rachel, Phoebe, and Chandler." Monica introduced.
With stiff legged reluctance Chandler made his way over to the man whom he already hated with his entire heart and soul.
Curtly Chandler shook Jake's hand, muttering a greeting before dropping Jake's hand like a hot coal and fighting from making his "lemon eating" face of disgust.
Jake, though rather disconcerted by Chandler's rather cold greeting breezed past it and turned his attention to the other four people who had greeted him.
Rachel smiled as she addressed him. "So Jake, Monica tells us you two met at her restaurant when you came back to compliment the chef."
Jake showed great relief and immediately relaxed now that Rachel had initiated the small talk.
"Well, yes, that's how we met. Even though she was frantic, sweaty, and running around she was still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I knew I just had to ask her out." Jake said, a winsome smile lighting up his face.
Chandler, to his credit tried to hide the gag he made to himself at those words. Never mind the fact he had often thought and said the same thing to himself. The mere idea of anyone else entertaining such thoughts about Monica was enough to make him sick.
"Aw, sweetie," cooed Monica, rising up on her tiptoes to kiss him.
Bile rose in Chandler's throat as he abruptly stood up from his seat on the couch to get a water bottle from the refrigerator to soothe his suddenly dry throat, doing his best to inconspicuously avoid looking at the sickeningly happy couple.
"Hey Mon," called Chandler, "I think the Lasagna is ready."
"It's been ready for a while Chandler," Monica said with a smile, "But I guess we can eat now."
Jake cast a glance at Chandler, not sure whether to feel threatened by him. Sighing quietly to himself he quickly took his seat next to Monica's as she started serving the Lasagna and the salad, giving Joey a triple portion.
Chandler, choosing the seat furthest from the couple quickly formulated a plan.
"So, John was it?" he asked.
"Jake, actually." Jake responded, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Meanwhile both Joey and Ross picked up on what Chandler had done, trying their best not to laugh.
"Right, Jake, sure why not." Chandler responded, stifling a grin of pride, "So what is it you do?"
"Well, I'm an artist-"
"Rather girly isn't it?" Chandler interjected.
"AND I'm a plow operator in the winter."
Chandler smirked to himself, this was too easy he thought.
"So then you'd be depending on Monica for a lot of the income if you two lived together, huh?"
"I suppose." Jake responded, "but I wouldn't be against getting another job to help."
Monica abruptly stood up, deciding to stop Chandler in his tracks right now.
"Chandler, may I speak to you in the hall now?" she asked, though her terse voice and clenched teeth showed that it wasn't a request, it was a demand.
Chandler nodded, swallowing quietly as he stood up. He was well aware of the fact he had clearly pushed a bit too far, and he feared the "discussion" in the hallway would have a high chance of bodily harm; for him anyways.
Monica grabbed him by the elbow, squeezing just a bit too hard as she dragged Chandler out into the hallway and into apartment 19.
Chandler stifled his wish to express his pain and followed quietly, remaining frightened and stoic as he waited for Monica to speak.
AN: Okay, I decided to leave it here and get started on the next chapter where it will continue. And considering I've still got a mild case of writer's block (no where near as bad as it was before) I would like to give myself a pat on the back as the story part of this chapter is 1,311 words long and it only took 16 days. Please, please, please review. Reviews are the only things that keep me writing and posting on a somewhat consistent basis. So yes, I am desperate, I'm begging you on my knees to review continuingly, even if it is only a short one (though the long detailed obviously thought out ones are beyond appreciated), just review.