Episodes: The One Where Rachel Finds Out (1x24) - The One With All The Poker (1x18)

This One Shot involves one of my favorite episodes EVER (TOW All the Poker), probably my fave episode of Season 1.

When I decided to write this ficlet, the only thing that wasn't clear was when I wanted this conversation to happen; but then I got this weird idea of merging the scene with another episode that I absolutely love (TOW Rachel Finds Out).

I hope you enjoy this blending!

Author Note: I just found out that in Episode 10x05 Rachel mentions that 'Nana' died seven years ago. So, being that episode at the end of 2003, this means she died in 1996, so a little later than what I made up in this fiction, probably around Season 2/3. I think Rachel was still with Ross when that happened. But, hey, if the creators can create plot holes, maybe I can too. XD

Ross and Rachel were walking side by side down the streets around the neighborhood.

Chandler's birthday was coming soon, and Ross had got this great idea of buying Pearl Jam tickets for the gang, considering that the six of them had become very fond of the band and Chandler always talked about their latest album, Vitalogy. Of course, Monica had embraced the idea so much that Ross had started to dislike it, even more when Monica had entrusted Rachel and himself with the primary task of buying their friend's gift. He knew that finding the tickets at the local music shop would be tough; they probably would need to wait in line for who knows how much time.

But Joey was out for an audition, Monica had to work, and Phoebe was with a massage client. Therefore, after collecting the money, Monica had invited Ross and Rachel to deal with the ungrateful assignment that very evening.

They were heading for a very famous music shop; all the people of the Village used to buy concert tickets there. Ross had already warned Rachel that this would probably be in line for a while. Rachel though was extremely excited; she had never bought tickets on her own, before. According to her, this would be the new monthly life experience.

"So, are you feeling nervous now that you're almost a dad?" Rachel asked, trying to keep the conversation up.

"Well, I usually try not to think about it too much, but then I realize that the due date is coming, and…I can't help it, I'm really looking forward to meet my little boy."

Rachel smiled tenderly, "I'm sure you will be an amazing father."

"You think?"

"Of course, Ross! You're the smartest person I know, and the only real grown-up man I've ever met."

"Wait, what about Chandler and Joey?"

Rachel pretended to be thinking hard, "Let me see…" She articulated every word. "Yesterday evening they rushed inside our apartment because they had run out of nachos."

"What did they need nachos for?"

"Chinese food night."

Ross shook his head, sure that he had misunderstood. "What do Nachos have to do with Chinese food?" he wondered.

"I was not allowed to ask."

Ross chuckled and he almost blushed as he noticed Rachel's cute smile.

"Well, thank you for what you said. It means a lot to me."

"Oh, you're welcome." She caressed his arm in a very friendly gesture, but that meant much more for Ross, obviously.

After a minute spent in silence, Ross finally glimpsed the shop sign, "Here we are. Ready for the longest queue of your life?"

Rachel didn't answer. Ross turned around and noticed that she had stopped in front of an Antique store. He walked back towards her, sensing immediately that something was wrong because she had tears at the corner of her eyes.

"Hey, what's going on?" he asked with a soothing voice.

"That pin…it just…reminds of something." She answered fast, trying to get away from the window.

"Hey" Ross grabbed her arm before she could leave, "Rachel, are you crying?"

"No…just a bit." She replied.

Ross waited for his friend to calm down; he knew she would give him an explanation as soon as she was ready. Rachel walked towards the window again, pointing at a classical brooch.

"When I was a little girl, Nana had a pin that looked like that one."

Ross smiled, "It's nice that you remember."

"Yeah." Rachel's eyes were sparkling now, full of childhood memories. "She used to make braids with my hair, and she sang for me. I loved spending time with her."

"Was she Dr. Green's mother?"

Rachel scoffed, "No, that's Grandma Ida. She is very funny, but she kind of looks like a potato."

Ross chuckled, glad to find out a new personal detail of her family. "So she is your maternal grandmother?"

"Yes." She sighed. "She got Alzheimer's disease. She doesn't even remember my name."

"I'm sorry, Rach."

Ross lifted his hand and touched her shoulder with a reassuring squeeze. He knew what it meant remembering a granny that you are fond of, having said goodbye to Althea only a few months before.

"Well…if you like that pin so much, why don't you take it?" he suggested.

Rachel laughed, "Yeah, sure, look at the prizes! With the money that I have on my bank account I can barely pay the rent. A cameo like that easily costs my monthly salary. Not a chance."

Rachel walked away, leaving a thoughtful Ross behind.

It wasn't fair.

He really wanted Rachel to have that pin.

But could he take it without any consequences?

Of course, he could enter that shop and buy it. He certainly could afford it more than Rachel did.

What he could not afford were the inquisitive questions that such a purchase would arise in Rachel.

The best idea was to come back later; even better, he would buy the pin for Rachel's birthday.

'Yeah, that's a wonderful idea!' he thought. 'She will be so thankful that she might realize about my true feelings, without the need to tell her!'

"Ross? Are you coming?" Rachel yelled. She had already arrived at the music shop.

He nodded and joined her.

Once they were inside, they saw a very long line of people in front of the shop girl assigned to tickets sale, so they immediately took their place at the end of the queue.

"Check your time." Ross recommended. "I bet it'll take us around…35 minutes."

"Ok. Are you sure that you're still willing to bet against me?"

Ross made an annoyed grin, "Yes, I think I'll take my chances."

Rachel smiled back at him, giggling in delight.

"Rach, about the whole poker thing…I'm sorry for my behavior. I was such a jerk."

"Ross, don't even think about it. I wasn't pleasant either. I kept calling you petty names and I was very rude."

"A bit, yeah." Ross agreed, nodding with an amused smile on his face.

"I was just…pissed off for my job interview. I really thought it was getting somewhere."

"I'm sure that your moment will come, Rachel. Sooner or later someone will understand how passionate you are and they will give you a chance."

"Passionate?" Rachel asked, surprised by Ross's choice of words.

He blushed a little bit, moving his fingers in the air, "I just mean...You are amazing, you put so much effort in everything you do, and you learn new things so fast! I have no doubt that you'll get your chance."

Rachel looked at him with the loveliest smile on her face, almost picturing that moment.

"I know it's not easy when you stuck in square one, and it can be tough to build a career in the City when you don't have any experience. I mean, there are many people looking for a job…"

"Yeah, I got it, Ross, thank you." the spell was broken, but Rachel laughed.

"You're welcome!" Ross replied, laughing along with her.

Rachel got pensive for a few seconds, and then she blurted out, "You really are a good friend, Ross."

A friend.

That word hit Ross more than a knife in the back. How many times had he heard it, already? And how many other times he would, in the future?

"I still can't believe I beat you the other night!" Rachel shook her head, remembering the full house that had made her win the game.

Ross's lips turned into a secret smile. She still did not have a clue of what had really happened…

"What do you mean, you fold? Hey, come on! What is this? I thought that 'once the cards were dealt, I'm not a nice guy.' I mean, what, were you just full of it?"

Ross stared at Rachel, pondering his possibilities. The only thing that came through his mind right then was how beautiful she was when she acted so determined.

She looked back at him with a serious gaze, probably trying to figure out Ross's next move.

All Ross wanted to do was knock over the table, walk straight to her and kiss her, but of course, he wouldn't.

In addition, he couldn't retreat like that, because Rachel would eventually understand that he was hiding something, and probably the other girls, too.

To be honest, since he had witnessed that phone call, Ross had started to forget about that stupid game. He felt terrible for Rachel, all his feelings for her had come back in a rush, screaming from underneath that it wasn't fair to go on and play.

And yet, he couldn't lose the façade he had built, he had to behave again as Mr. Not-a-Nice-Guy, raise the bets and keep playing with her.

Because that was what she needed right then.

Ross touched his nose with his fist and smiled. He coughed as he finally sat down again.

He took his five cards and announced, "I'm in."

"How many you want?" Rachel asked.

"One."

Ross threw his card on the table, trying to calm his emotions. He was still angry, and yet so fascinated by Rachel at that moment. He had already made up his strategy: he would raise the bet as much as he could, trying to understand if Rachel got a better hand than his.

"Dealer takes two." Rachel said, dealing herself two cards.

Ross looked imperceptibly at his cards, noticing that he had a straight flush in his hands. Now he was sure he could easily win.

"What do you bet?" Rachel asked, with a somewhat softer smile on her face.

"I bet two dollars." Ross answered, smiling himself. It was weird, being there, playing with Rachel for money, knowing that she probably didn't have any to lose.

Was he really going to take everything from her?

"OK... see your two... and I raise you twenty." Rachel announced.

Phoebe exhaled an astonished "Wow" and Chandler focused his attention on Ross, not knowing what his friend would do. Ross loved poker, and he also loved winning, but he was a terrible loser.

"I see your twenty, raise you twenty-five." Ross commented, throwing his fish in.

Monica was stunned, and Joey started to feel hot in that room.

"See your twenty-five..." Rachel began "And...uh, Monica, get my purse."

Monica stood up and did what her best friend asked, but Rachel's purse was empty. "Rachel, there's nothing in it."

Ross smiled at this, but Rachel wasn't over yet.

"Ok, then get me your purse."

Both Monica and Phoebe looked for money in their wallets and pockets.

"Ok, here you go. Good luck." Monica gave her a few dollars.

"Thank you." Rachel took the money and counted it. "I saw your twenty-five, and I raise you...seven."

"…Teen!" Phoebe shouted, putting a ten-dollar bill on the table.

Ross took his own wallet, but he only had two dollars, not enough to cover Rachel's bet.

"Joey, I'm a little shy." He told his friend.

"That's ok, Ross, you can ask me. What?"

Ross put his hand on his eyes; he still could not believe Joey's naïf dumbness at times.

Chandler stood up to help him, "What do you need, what do you need?" he questioned, the wallet already open in his hands.

"Fifteen." Ross said.

"Alright, here's ten." Chandler gave him the money.

"Here, I got five, I got five." Ross took money from Joey too.

"Thank you."

"Good luck." Chandler patted him.

Ross coughed again, the typical sign of his nervousness. "Ok, I am calling your seventeen. What do you got?"

He took his cards and finally looked back at Rachel, who was staring intently at her cards, her best friends standing behind her chair for support.

She looked tentatively at Phoebe, almost searching for reassurance that she was doing the right thing.

Ross, though, could not keep his eyes off Rachel. He was studying her, but he was also trying to figure out what to do. He had a straight flush, and it was a tough hand to beat, he knew it.

Rachel smiled and laid her cards down on the table, "Full house."

Monica and Phoebe were already celebrating, sure that Ross wouldn't have a better hand.

Rachel waited for him to reply, hopeful and worried at the same time.

Ross's expression changed. He did not look angry, not even resigned. Rachel thought it felt more like sadness and acceptance.

On the other hand, Ross kept rubbing his cards. He still wasn't sure about his decision.

He had a straight flush. Five cards of hearts.

It was almost like a sign, because he could feel his own heart beating so fast that he thought it might explode. How could he confess this and destroy Rachel's hope to win all that money?

She needed so much to conquer something after that phone call.

She needed to know that she could make it.

If Ross told her the truth, he would become the bad man who had taken this tiny little ray of hope from her.

No, he couldn't do it.

A full house was a very good hand, Rachel might believe that she had won.

He rubbed his nose once more and finally said, "You got me."

Ross put his cards on the table, careful not to show what he actually had.

All the three girls screamed in delight for Rachel's victory while Joey and Chandler yelled, incredulous and shocked. Ross folded his arms under his shoulders, still feeling his heart beating fast as he looked at Rachel enjoying herself, please for what she had just achieved.

As the girls took a bottle of wine from the sideboard, the guys licked their wounds.

"Ahhh, that's alright. Y'know, that's a tough hand to beat." Joey tried to comfort Ross.

Chandler was much more disappointed, "I thought we had them!"

"Oh, well, when you don't have the cards, you don't have the cards, you know."

Ross's eyes turned to Rachel, standing at the opposite of the table. She was glowing.

"But, uh...look how happy she is."

Ross pointed at Rachel as he said that, smiling proudly for what he had just done.

Joey and Chandler realized at once what had happened. They stared at Ross with comprehension – but this lasted less than five seconds – then all the three of them jumped on the table, trying to catch Ross's cards that still laid on it.

Monica saw the boys fighting against something, "What's going on?" she asked them.

Chandler and Ross stared at each other with fear in their eyes. They knew very well that they couldn't let the girls find out what was going on.

Chandler and Joey moved from the table; in the mess, Chandler found himself with two cards while Ross had the other three.

"Nothing, nothing…Chandler and I just need to settle, that's all."

"You've got nothing more to settle, duh!" Phoebe noticed.

"Joe, didn't you want to order a pizza?" Chandler asked his friend, impatient to change topic.

"'T was about time!" Joey yelled, moving away to catch the telephone.

Chandler and Ross walked away from the kitchen, stopping in front of Rachel's bedroom. They were glaring at each other, almost like in a Western movie.

Chandler looked down at his two cards and whispered, "Show me those cards."

"No!" Ross silently screamed back.

"Show me!" Chandler asked with authority, getting closer to Ross.

"No way, no!" Ross waved his hand to push Chandler away.

Chandler sighed, "The other night you told us that you were over her, that you didn't have feelings anymore. Now I want to see your cards, Ross. Not only you bet your money, you also used Joey's and mine. You owe us."

Ross sighed, too. He didn't want to appear more pathetic than he already felt.

"Listen, if you bet our money and lost it fair and square to try and beat the girls to keep up men's honor, it's acceptable. But if you did this to let Rachel win because you love her…"

Ross looked at his friend, waiting for him to finish his line.

"Oh, well, it's acceptable anyway."

Ross nodded, feeling Chandler's hand patting on his back. He slowly delivered his three cards to Chandler.

His friend turned them and realized that the five cards together gave Ross a straight flush.

Chandler smiled, shaking his head.

"What?"

"You are so hopeless. A lost cause."

"I can't help it, man."

"Could you BE any less over her?"

Ross chuckled. He stared back at Rachel, who lifted her wine of glass and smirked in his direction.

"I so am not." Ross admitted.

Ross came back to his senses, noticing that the line of people had moved a little bit.

"Yep, you won fair and square, Rachel."

She smiled, "We should play again sometimes, it was fun depriving you of all that money!" she giggled, shoving gently at him.

If only you knew.