A/N- thanks again for all the reviews guys!

"Hey," Chandler greeted as he walked into the girls' apartment a while later, freshly showered and more than a little nervous. He was going on a date with Monica.

His eyes automatically searched for her but sadly with no success. Instead he found all the others staring back at him eagerly. Just great. Man, he wished this was still a secret; he was nervous enough as it was.

"You all ready?" Phoebe asked excitedly.

"Sure," he shrugged, gesturing to his bag containing the neatly rolled picnic blanket…one that he'd 'borrowed' from Monica last summer and had conveniently forgotten to return.

"That's all you're taking?" Ross asked with a frown.

"Ye-ah," Chandler answered with a slight frown of his own. He had a small something up his sleeve but he didn't want to tell them all the little details. He was determined for some things to stay private.

"What about food?"

"I thought we'd grab some sandwiches from a deli or something," he offered, his frown deepening at Rachel's scoff. "What?"

"Sandwiches?"

"Nothing wrong with sandwiches, buddy," Joey backed him up.

"Thanks -" he was interrupted by Ross.

"What about flowers or chocolates?"

He blinked, "what?"

"Oooh chocolate," Phoebe joined in, "you can never go wrong with chocolate,"

Chandler frowned worriedly, really wishing that the others weren't there. They really weren't helping his anxiety levels right now.

"It's low-key," he protested weakly, "I don't need chocolates."

"It's your first date," Ross pointed out, "it never hurts to try and woo the woman."

"Woo?" Chandler paused surprised, "really? Just what century do you think we're living in? Look, it's a nice, relaxed picnic in a nice relaxed park- no 'wooing' needed."

Ross rolled his eyes, not looking convinced.

Chandler sighed, heading over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water, needing to get away from them. He was fed up with having to constantly justify his choices. He was pretty confident it would be a good date for the pair of them, despite what the others thought.

Moments later Monica emerged from her bedroom and he'd never been more grateful to see her in his entire life.

"Hey," she smiled brightly at him and he couldn't help but return her smile.

"Hey," he replied taking her in. She had dressed casually as instructed but the shorts showed off a lot of leg and her strappy top hugged her curves. She was gorgeous.

A collected, "ahhhh," came from the gang and he couldn't help but chuckle at Monica rolling her eyes. She threw her handbag over her shoulder, plucked her sunglasses from the coffee table and then purposely walked over to him, grabbing his hand.

"Let's get outta here," she suggested to which he simply nodded, more than happy to comply. "See you guys later," she called, pulling him from the apartment and shutting the door on their protests.

Safely shielded from prying eyes, Monica stopped suddenly and answered his questioning look with a smile. Tugging him to face her, her arms slipped around his neck, "sorry for that," she apologised looking into his blue eyes, "I had to get out of there, they've been doing my nut in."

He chuckled, nodding slightly in agreement as his hands lightly gripped her hips, his thumbs drawing little circles, "I know," he murmured, enjoying her embrace. "So much for not going down the public entertainment route, huh?"

"Well," she smiled almost seductively which caused him to swallow hard, his throat suddenly dry, "it's a good job they can't see through closed doors."

With that she gently pulled his head towards hers and pressed her lips to his. He closed his eyes savouring the kiss as his fingers tightened their hold on her, bringing her even closer to him. Her lips felt amazing under his and he deepened the kiss unable to get enough of her. He wondered if he'd ever get used to how amazing it felt to kiss her, to hold her like this. He prayed he'd be allowed the opportunity to get used to it.

Eventually they pulled apart, smiling widely as they looked at each other. Part of Chandler desperately wanted to ask her if this meant that she'd made her decision, but the other part of him didn't want to risk ruining the moment. There was still a slight chance she hadn't completely made up her mind and he should be treasuring these moments.

"So where are we heading?" she asked still smiling, still keeping her arms around his neck.

He wished he could pull off a sexy, 'to bed babe' and walk her backwards into his apartment but he couldn't picture that going down well. She'd probably just laugh at him.

"Well, I'll give you a clue," he grinned, wiggling his eyebrows, "I didn't find your picnic blanket just to return it to you."

"A picnic?" she grinned back, "That sounds perfect."

Chandler let out a relieved breath; thank god. He hadn't wanted to admit it but the others had started to worry him enough to give him doubts.

"Really?" he asked, just to make sure, "cause we can do something else if you'd prefer?"

"No, I'm sure," she promised, leaning forward to place a peck of a kiss on his lips, "let's go."

They untangled themselves but as they headed for the stairs she silently laced a hand through his. He glanced down at their entwined hands for just a moment before smiling and giving her hand a brief squeeze. As they descended the stairs and walked onto the street Chandler couldn't help but appreciate how natural her hand felt in his. Sure, they were close friends and had held hands on numerous occasions but never like this. This made them feel like a couple. Her hand warm and comforting yet somehow new and exciting.

"What do you fancy eating?" he asked her as they leisurely strolled along the Manhattan streets. Both were enjoying the sun and the company so they weren't in any rush. "Anything you want, my treat of course."

"Such a gentleman," she teased.

"I aim to please," he quipped and she chuckled in response. "Just yell if you see a deli you wanna stop at, unless," he glanced over to her, "you're still feeling rough? We can always forgo the food."

"I'm fine," she promised, "I think Rachel drank most of it, I was just a little tipsy."

He snorted and she whacked him playfully, "hey!" he protested good-naturedly, "I didn't say anything."

"You snorted."

"I exhaled," he defended, "besides…you're a cute drunk."

To his delight she blushed slightly, turning her face into his chest. He chuckled releasing her hand in favor of placing an arm over her shoulders and hugging her to his side. He couldn't resist placing a kiss in her hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. God, he hoped she'd made her mind up as otherwise this was pure torture.

Her arm came around his waist and they continued their walk, oblivious to the numerous New Yorkers that went about their daily business around them. A moment later he felt her pause and glancing down at her he followed her eyes to a hotdog cart and grinned.

"You want one?" he asked quietly.

She glanced at him guiltily then shook her head, "it's not very first-datey," she sighed.

"It's our first-date," Chandler pointed out, "it can be as first-datey or non first-datey as we like; there aren't any rules. If you want hot dogs then we'll do that."

He watched her as she struggled with her internal debate.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm game if you are," he grinned cheekily, never one to turn down fast food, "come on." He steered them towards the street vendor, "We can do the classy-date another time."

He hoped there'd be another time anyhow. He definitely wanted to take her out on all sorts of dates, from silly ones to fancy ones. He wanted to experience them all with her.

He ordered a couple of hot dogs, declining any onions and bought a couple of juice cartons. Handing Monica hers, they entered the park and searched for a spot to settle in and call their own for the next few hours. It was fairly busy given the weather and the fact it was a weekend, but it didn't take them long to find a quiet little corner.

"Here, hold this a sec," Chandler instructed handing her his food.

He then dug out the blanket and spread it out across the ground. She was about to sit down when he stopped her with a raised finger. He looked mightily pleased with himself and she raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Wait a minute," he grinned, digging around in the bag some more. She watched amused as he pulled out a small empty glass coke bottle and waved it at her with a mischievous grin.

"What are you up to?" she asked confused as he placed the bottle in the centre of the blanket.

With a flourish he produced a slightly squished single rose from a side pocket and placed it in the make-shift vase.

"Aww," Monica laughed, "that's soo sweet."

And it was. It was such a simple silly gesture but at the same time the sentiment was so romantic that it filled her heart. She was loving getting to see this side of him. How had she gotten so lucky to have a guy like Chandler fall in love with her?

With no more surprises coming, they settled on the blanket and tucked into their not so classy lunch. They shared numerous glances and secret smiles. Monica laughed as he got some sauce on his face, leaning over to wipe it off with her thumb.

"I'm having such a great date," she announced a little while later, her eyes sparkling. She looked relaxed and happy; it was a good look on her he decided.

"Yeah?" he murmured, his slightly uncertain tone causing her to look up at him. "I'm glad. I, uh, I know none of its anything fancy and the rose is hardly a grand gesture…but I wanted to do something nice. Something that's us but nothing too..." he trailed off not quite finding the right words.

"I love it all," Monica promised softly, reaching a hand out to rub his thigh, "it really is perfect, Chandler. You know, this morning I was worried you'd try to take me to some fancy restaurant and I'd be all blah."

He chuckled, meeting her eyes; he couldn't imagine her ever being blah.

"Really?" he asked and she nodded. "Then I'm very pleased you approve," he smiled, starting to feel a smidge proud.

"More than approve," she corrected, "you got it spot on."

He beamed happily, "I told you before," he pointed out nudging her foot with his, "I know you Miss Geller."

She looked at him then, really studying him and he swallowed nervously but let her have her fill. "You do," she eventually said quietly, a hint of seriousness entering her voice.

His heart sped up, instantly noticing the slight change in her tone. Was this it? He watched as her free hand bridged the gap between them and loosely took his. She idly played with his fingers for a moment as she contemplated her next words.

Eventually, she looked and met his eyes and smiled, still keeping her fingers interlocked with his, "it's been a surreal weekend," she finally started.

He offered her a lopsided smile, nodding, "you're telling me."

"There's been lots to think about," she continued, "stuff I really hadn't given much thought about before. Starting a relationship with you would be life changing."

"I know," he confessed softly. It would change both of their lives. He knew if she gave them a chance that they'd never be anyone else for either of them. This would be it. It was as exciting as it was terrifying.

"It's a big risk, Chandler and I won't lie, the thought of losing our friendship still terrifies me."

He nodded remaining silent.

"But it terrifies me more to think about missing out on the chance to be part of something amazing because I was too scared…"

He was holding his breath, desperate to hope she meant what he thought but not daring to. Life never went his way and he was hesitant to start believing otherwise, despite all the signs. He needed to know for sure, "what are you saying?"

She swallowed, her fingers tightening on his as she looked into his gorgeous eyes, "I want there to be an 'us'," she confessed.

He let out the breath, his body physically relaxing in relief as a huge smile broke his face into two. "Really?" he asked unable to quite believe it.

"Uh huh," she promised, his smile contagious, "I think we could be really good together."

He squeezed her fingers.

"We would be…will be."

He was certain of that.

"I wouldn't mind taking things slow," she admitted, "you know get used to it a little."

"We can go as slow as you need," he assured earnestly.

She smiled, scooting closer towards him, facing him, their bodies touching. They just stared happily at each other for a moment basking in the excitement of the promise of what was to come. Slowly, as if drawn to each other they both leaned forwards. They met half way, coming together as their lips brushed against one another's. It was slow but intense, filled with promise and hope.

When they pulled away, Chandler couldn't stopped smiling, his eyes memorizing every inch of her sun-kissed face.

"I can't believe we're doing this," he admitted quietly. "I'd really hoped that you would but I didn't allow myself to believe it. I've wanted to be with you for so long Monica that I just…I…" he trailed off, too many emotions fighting within him stopping his words from forming.

Understanding, she placed her hands on his cheeks, framing his face as she offered him a watery smile, "I know," she promised as she kissed him again, "and I'm sorry you went through all those months without telling me, having to keep it all inside."

"I'm just glad you know now," he whispered, "and that we're gonna actually do this."

Grinning she kissed him again, confident that she'd made the right decision. Pulling away she rested her forehead against his. She closed her eyes, just needing to be close to him. She felt his breath against her cheek as she gently caressed his face. Loving the connection; their connection. It felt so right.

They were eventually pulled out of there little bubble as a nearby child started throwing a tantrum. Chuckling they pulled away, still smiling stupidly at each other. Chandler lay back down on the blanket, encouraging Monica to join him. She did, rolling on her side so she could lay an arm across his chest and they both sighed contently before chuckling at the timing.

As he lay there, Chandler couldn't remember a time when he'd felt this content. He hadn't had many moments in his life where he'd wanted to freeze time so he could memorize every little detail, but this was one of them.

"I could stay here forever," he heard her sigh, as if reading his mind, "although I think the others might come looking for us if we don't come back."

"Oh the others," he sighed, he'd momentarily forgotten about them, "do you think we could bluff them? Tell them we're just staying friends and then secretly meet up for some night time tete-a-tetes?"

"Tempting," she chuckled, "though I doubt we could get away with it. They'd be watching us like hawks and I'm pretty sure this permanent smile I'm going to have plastered on my face would give us away."

He smiled, liking that he was responsible for that smile and pretty sure he'd be wearing a matching one.

"I guess," she continued, "we'll have to just put up with their well-intended relationship advice," she half-shrugged, hugging him a little closer.

"They'll calm down eventually though, right?" he asked.

There was a long paused before she spoke, "sure."

He was pretty certain she was just humoring him.

"Maybe we could just run away together?" he suggested, tugging her tighter to him.

"To a land far far away?" she giggled, her hands stroking the front of his t-shirt.

She'd stopped believing in fairytales a long time ago but as she lay here in his embrace, the sun warming them on this lazy afternoon, she was starting to believe she had found her prince and quite possibly her happy ever after.

"Can't we stay a little longer?" she pouted and he chuckled, rolling over to face her.

"Sure," he promised, "we can stay as long as you like."

He leaned forward capturing her lips and she returned the kiss with fever. Her fingers lacing through his soft hair causing shivers to race through his body.

He wasn't sure how he was going to manage taking things slow with her but he would...if she was the reward he'd go as slow as she needed.

He was officially dating Monica.

All was officially right in his world.

A/N - ok, so originally this was gonna be the last chapter but when I reread it felt a little unfinished. So I'm currently writing another chapter that should hopefully round it off nicely :o)