Chapter 2

The ski trip was an absolute bust. Since Ross dropped the bombshell of moving out of New York, none of them knew where he was moving to or how is he about the recent changes which happened since he and Rachel broke up. Rachel was a total mess since the moment she heard that Ross was moving away from her. Even though, she was angry with him, she regretted the fact that she failed to acknowledge his insecurity of seeing her with Mark or basically never trying to quell out his fears and deep down, she really never wanted to let him go. And she was a complete mess since the moment she slapped him in front of their regretted that part of slapping him and humiliating him

"Rachel, this would be the one last time you are going to see Ross." Monica warned Rachel

Rachel's voice was choked." I don't want to come Mon"

"Do you want to end things with him like this?" Phoebe questions her

"I don't know Pheebs." Rachel started.

"We don't want to force you Rach. It's all your choice." Phoebe assures her

Rachel was left thinking. She finally made up her goes into her room to get her jacket. But Phoebe leaves

...

As Monday rolled out, the other four went to Ross's place to assist him in the packing knocked the door of his looked through the peephole. The apartment was completely packed. Except for the couches

"Come on in." Ross gestured." Make yourselves comfortable."

"Which place are you moving to bro?"

"Dallas. I got a job offered in University of Texas, Dallas as a paleontology professor and they are providing me a fully furnished house in Fort Worth.

Joey was confused." What the hell is Fort Worth?"

"See Joe, like here we have some neighborhoods like Manhattan, Greenwich Village,West Village, Queens and Brooklyn, the same way, Dallas has its neighborhoods like Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington and Grapevine and more. My house is in Fort Worth."

Everyone were happily talking or joking or sharing anecdotes from the past. Everything was fine up to the moment all of them were keeping their thoughts aside from each other until Joey couldn't take it anymore

"Ross, please don't leave man."

Ross sighed sadly." See Joe, I got this opportunity in UT Dallas and its one of the best place to teach and I can basically focus on my publications."

Even Phoebe couldn't control sensed that he was moving because of other reasons." Ross, please don't leave. "

"See Pheebs, I got this opportunity to teach in this university and I want to do it. I am seriously interested to do this and basically if I'm doing great, It'll be good for my career." Ross lied

Monica sensed that there was a reason why he wanted to move. She asked him this question at this penultimate moment." Are you moving because of Rachel?"

Ross was scrambling for answers."Okay guys, do you want to know the truth?" Ross questions them." Yes, the truth is I'm moving because of Rachel." As if though fate presented, Rachel heard the truth from the door. It hurt her. She felt as if she was hit by a truck.

Phoebe was furious."Why Ross? Why do you want to hurt yourself and hurt Rachel in the process?"

"See Pheebs, its complicated." Ross started."It's Rachel and the truth is she hates me that she doesn't want to see me and you clearly saw how she hated me." Ross reasoned

"Still I suppose you got time." Monica tried to reason

"No Mon, I am joining from Tuesday. That's why I leave tonight."

Phoebe was growing angry." You are hurrying Ross."

Ross sighed."See guys, up to a few weeks ago, I was contemplating to take up this job until we were happy. But I am assuming that you knew what happened and now I've made up my mind. I've already accepted the offer, so I cannot reject it." Ross sadly stated

Monica was so angry that she wanted to hit him so badly." Ross, why are you doing this. Why do you want to hurt yourself and hurt her?"

"Monica, I guess you don't know what does it mean to have a broken heart. In fact, Rachel was right by slapping me and I assume that she would be happy without me." Ross felt a lump forming in his throat.

He was unable to control his emotions. He remembered the night when they all watched the prom video and she had forgiven him for the list and the kiss they shared was the best kiss they shared and vowed not to hurt her. But alas, he did hurt her

"I don't know. Maybe or maybe not. The point is I loved her and due to my jealousy, I was the one who blew it. " Ross broke down. " I still love her." Rachel was surprised to see tears rolling down his face."I can't even look at her eye to eye. I just can't see Rachel like that". Monica rubbed his back

Phoebe was surprised."Maybe you should tell her how you feel." Phoebe suggested

"She clearly hates me and I have seen it in her eyes." Ross tells her

"Ross, she doesn't hate you. She is angry about it. This too shall pass." Monica tells him

Rachel was openly crying now. She had lost him forever. The guy who treated her like a goddess is now leaving her and worst of all, she made him to take the blame entirely while she was equally at fault. She wasn't unable cope up with having not see him anymore.

Ross cleared his throat. " Monica, promise me one thing. I know Rachel can be stubborn sometimes, please take care of her and be with her at every step. Help her and take care of her."

"I promise Ross."Monica assures was unable to control and Ross hug each other." I love you bro. I'm going to miss you."

"Me too." Ross replied emotionally. He breaks the hug with Monica

Phoebe also gives him a hug."I hope you don't forget me."Phoebe's voice choked

"Yea sure Pheebs." Ross tried to lighten the mood to an already gloomy atmosphere.

Joey and Ross looked at each other. At first,they stood gives him a hug. "I'm going to miss your boring stories man."

And coming to Chandler, they both hugged each other for a long time. After all, they were college room mates and old was the one who could share his emotions with.

"I'll miss you man. Take care." Chandler controlled his emotions.

"You too." Ross advised."I'm going to miss your jokes though."Ross joked

Monica choked." Promise me that you'll stay in touch with us."

"Yeah Mon. Why would I not want to be in touch with my baby sister?" Ross tried to joke

"I guess this is it." Phoebe gleefully tells

"Yeah." Ross goes into the room and gets an envelope."Give it to Rachel." Ross hands the envelope to Monica.

"Take care bro.I'll miss you" Monica cried. Ross hugged her and he also felt his eyes wet. During childhood, they used to fight like cats and dogs, but growing up, they were each other's support system.

Ross got emotional."I'll miss you too."

Everyone share a group hug for the last time. Rachel was missing this but she didn't want to be a part of it.

...

The guys are at JFK Airport to give a final send off to finally headed into the plane to basically start off afresh, from all the pain he caused for himself and Rachel and finally give himself a change of environment and basically redeem was hopeful that Rachel would be fine from this all heartbreak as she doesn't have to see him anymore.

Later, the guys reach Monica's apartment. Rachel was completely feeling desolate.

"Sorry Rach, we tried to stop him, but he didn't listen." Monica tried to console Rachel

Rachel dried her tears." I miss him Mon.I just can't believe that he is leaving because of me.I wish I never slapped him. "Rachel's voice was raspy yet it was regretful

Monica pulled her into a hug and rubbed her shoulder. She later puts her to bed.

Later, Phoebe and Joey came in Monica's apartment. Chandler was taking it hard too. Ross was the only best friend he had in college. He had Joey with whom they did weird stuff, Chandler truly shared his feelings and thoughts with Ross. But he was not expressing it. He did his best to conceal his emotions but deep down, it him hard too.

"Guys, will you be a part of Rachel Green Emotional Support Task Force?" Monica asks Phoebe and Joey

"Yeah, anything for you Mon. We would be glad to help her." Phoebe accepted.

"We will Mon." Joey assured." We need to get Chandler also to express out himself."

It was going to be a difficult road for the gang without Ross. But Monica was hopeful that no matter what, they will all support each other. It was the beginning of a new long road which was going to be difficult emotionally for everyone.