Rachel watched Joey disappear to grab them a cab, and Chandler took the opportunity to slide up against her, their bodies connecting hips to shoulder.

"This is fun," he murmured against her temple. The collar of his shirt was loose, a bit of his collarbone showing. Her mark was still there, and her eyes were drawn to that magnetically, thinking about how she would like to get him alone and darken it. He saw where she was looking and grinned wolfishly at her.

"Hey, guys, we got lucky," Kathy interrupted. Rachel pulled back, surprised by how close she and Chandler were in public. She'd completely forgotten the woman was there.

Kathy was standing beside a server holding a full tray of tall double shots filled with white liquid. Kathy was grabbing some, passing the drinks onto their table.

"We didn't order those," Rachel said, blinking.

"It's on that guy," Kathy pointed. Someone was standing beside the door, head tilted back, screaming excitedly.

"I'm getting married!"

"The bride-to-be ordered for the entire bar," the waiter said with a wink, before leaving to distribute more. Rachel cocked an eyebrow at Chandler.

"High rollers," she said.

"I don't turn down free alcohol as a rule," said Chandler. Their faces were so close. His eyes dropped to her lips, then flitted over to Kathy sitting across from them. He sighed and reached out double fisting the doubles.

"Chandler!" cried Rachel, laughing. His cheeks flushed from the alcohol and he turned to her, shrugging and grinning. He was like a horny heater beside her, not that Rachel minded. Rachel felt a bit tipsy, but soon Kathy and Chandler were truly drunk.

Joey returned and was forced to hold onto both of their drunken friends, with Rachel on Chandler's other side, as they got into the cab and eventually stumbled up the stairway to their apartments.

Rachel could hardly think with Chandler's face constantly nuzzling against her neck or on her shoulder. It was driving her crazy, in more ways than one. When Joey turned back toward them in the cab, she'd had to slap his hands away. It was a miracle Joey hadn't seen anything.

"Rach, can Chandler use your shower? He reeks, and I've got to get Kathy into ours."

Kathy hiccupped with a cheer. Joey patted her on the head, and she leaned against his door.

"What was in those shots?" Joey mumbled to himself, watching his girlfriend struggle with the lock.

"Yeah, no problem," Rachel said.

"You can do Chandler, I'll just go to bed," Kathy slurred, grabbing onto Joey's arm, and Rachel stiffened.

"No babe, you really need to get clean. You'll feel better after a shower," Joey said in a gentle tone.

"Then I can use Rachel's," she said. "Chandler will be too tall for her by herself." Rachel wasn't sure what to say to that. Joey shook his head at her.

"I can't let you shower without supervision this drunk, honey. Chandler will be fine. Don't worry," Joey said, hoping the blanket statement would be enough for Kathy's drunk brain. He turned to Rachel.

"It's no problem," she said again, more quietly.

"Thank you. I can come over and help once Kathy is settled." Joey was so sweet trying to be responsible with the flush of alcohol still pinking his cheeks. Chandler briefly lifted his head from her shoulder, where he had been nuzzling throughout their conversation, shifting so he could look at Joey.

"Thanks man," he mumbled, and Rachel shuddered as his words breathed against her neck and over her chest. His body heat and breath were doing things to her, and she felt her nipples tighten against her shirt. Normally taking care of drunk friends was a chore but, her eyes dropped to his exposed neck, she wouldn't mind having Chandler all to herself.

"Joey, you've done plenty. I'll take care of it," she said. Chandler swayed a little on his feet, hands shifting over her powerfully as he maintained his balance. Rachel focused on holding herself upright.

"But if he needs help in the shower, you'll grab me?"

"Yes," she said, smiling innocently.

"Onward!" Chandler, lifted an arm, brushing clumsily against the front of her shirt. Not that she minded.

Joey directed Chandler into her bathroom, and then left to go tend to his girlfriend, giving Rachel a grateful smile.

"Okay, clothes off," Rachel said, leaning into the shower and turning on the water while Chandler swayed behind her.

"Yes ma'am," Chandler said gruffly, a slight slur in his words. Rachel stood too quickly and the room span a bit. The warm spray of the shower began fogging the mirror, and she turned to help Chandler over the lip of the tub.

He had stripped off his shirt, golden torso expanding with his breath while he struggled with his belt. Her heart warmed as she watched him, the rip in his pant knee adding a level of humor to his struggle.

"Come're," she said, laughing. She pulled his belt undone and began running it through the loops. The leather slid loose and fell to the bathroom floor. Her breath was coming a little heavier now, but she tried to stay focused on the task at hand. He really would feel better after a shower. Chandler was still, quietly watching her from inches away. She could feel his breath ghosting over her face.

"You do stink," she said softly, trying to dispel the tension with a joke.

"Sorry," he said, voice gravely. He leaned toward her, putting a hand on the wall beside her head to hold himself up. Rachel was crowded against the wall, and she lifted her eyes to his, then dropped them to his mouth.

She grabbed him by the waistband, unbuttoning and unzipping his pants. The sounds were sending her mind… places. Chandler was leaning over her, the heat of his body and gaze meant it wasn't just the alcohol making her feel flushed. He again dropped his head to her shoulder, his soft tongue languidly tracing her skin.

"You should get in now," she said. He stayed, head in the crook of her neck for a few beats, then pulled back, taking off his pants and boxers. When he stood, she couldn't take her eyes off of him, beautiful and naked and hers.

His blue gaze held her in place.

They were both panting, steam had completely filled the bathroom.

"Join me," he said.

Rachel nodded. Chandler climbed into the tub and stood beneath the spray, and she unclipped her hair, letting her golden tresses fall loose against her shoulders.

She slowly slid her shirt off, the fabric peeling down her arms, damp with steam, so the white cotton clung to her skin. She wiggled out of her pants and panties, letting them pool on the tile beneath her. Chandler watched and waited, shrouded in steam and looking hungry.

His long legs were tanned, long fingers glistening in the water. His blue eyes were smoky with desire. She watched the droplets clinging to his eyelashes, running down the panes of his chest and arms. His shoulders were so wide compared with hers, enveloping her. Consuming her. He reached out a hand and she took it.

She was hungry for him. She stepped into the shower, and in a way, it felt like stepping into a cage with a tiger.

He slid against her, letting her body feel the form of his, slippery skin against warm, slippery skin.

"Wait," she rasped, and he paused, confused.

She turned to the edge of the tub, bending to make sure he had an excellent view, and came up with shampoo and soap. Judging from his groan when she bent over, he had had an excellent view.

"First thing's first," she said with a grin, popping the cap off. Chandler looked up at her from under his lashes, almost pouting, and she laughed.

She lathered up her hands and plunged them into his hair, enjoying the way he looked with his thick, fluffy hair white from shampoo. She used the soap to lather up his chest, leaving a soapy trail as she ran her hands down and around his torso. He hissed when her hand made its way lower, over his hips. She teased him, moving her hands to the muscle of his ass, down the backs of his thighs, then finally forward where he obviously needed attention.

He moved and pinned his forearms to the wall on either side of her. He was being awfully domineering today. She liked it.

She gripped him, letting him thrust up into her hand, watching the flush spread over his face, his eyes fluttering, his shoulders rolling as he groaned. Her free hand traced the muscle of his chest. She leaned forward and licked his neck, before regretting that. Soapy. His head was back in the crook of her neck, and she could hear him, moaning her name, sucking on her neck. His tongue was like molten lava against her skin, his teeth scraping deliciously. His voice sent a thrill straight through her.

Not content to be the only one enjoying himself, Chandler pulled back. She knew that must have been painful, but he quickly grinned, rinsed off, bubbles trailing down his body, then pulled her back against him. She lapped his chest, now far better tasting, and nibbled his hickey, toying with one of his nipples.

He turned her so her shoulders were against his chest, and she heard the noise of a bottle opening and closing.

She yelped with surprise that quickly turned into panting as lathered hands gripped her, digging through her hair, giving an excellent scalp massage before rounding and trailing up her stomach to her breasts, and down, gripping her hip. His hands were so large, completely covering her. She loved how long and powerful his fingers were. She made pleased sounds as his hands roved over her and she felt like he was touching her all over.

Something in her broke sweetly.

Chandler kissed the base of her neck, folding over her from behind while he explored her body. She felt him. He hadn't come yet. She ground her ass against him, and he bit down gently on her shoulder and twisted her nipple, using his other hand to palm her between her thighs. His fingers were so long and…useful. She arched back with a surprised moan, and he thrust forward between her ass cheeks.

They were a panting, tangled mess, and his soft lips were against her, his tongue tracing that sensitive spot behind her ear.

"Can we?" he asked.

She didn't know why he bothered asking. She needed him inside her right now. She nodded and thrust back in response, and he gripped her shoulder, bending her forward. She could feel him adjusting himself behind her, and watched the hot spray of water rising the soap down the drain.

This felt good. And new. How was it possible that every time with him was getting better, while also feeling like the first time she'd ever been touched?

He pressed against her entrance for one breathless eternity, and then he was inside her. They both groaned at the friction. It felt so right to be locked together like this, connected at that sensitive part. She wondered when she'd felt like this with a man before, and found to her surprise that she couldn't remember ever feeling this good. She looked back at him, pressing her palms against the tiles. He was standing over her, glistening in water, his eyes closed in concentration and pleasure.

He slammed forward once. Open them. He slammed home again, and her knees weakened. Open… He slammed home again and she moaned, forced to face the wall so she could keep standing.

His grip on her shoulder tightened, and he began a punishing rhythm that immediately sent her over the moon. His fingers had brought her so close already, and now she was sailing upward. His free hand snaked around to her front, pressing her clit with punishing circles.

"Chandler," she breathed. It was a plea.

He pulled her back against him so she was pressed to his chest while their hips worked.

"Chandler," she whined again, eyes fluttering closed, her head tilting back to rest against his shoulder and turn toward him. When she opened them, she met gorgeous blue eyes, inches from her. It halted the breath in her chest. He looked at her like he was burning, and she was the Amazon, his eyes not breaking contact with hers. His lips were parted, water running off his nose, but those eyes… the look was intense, but she didn't know what it meant.

He spun her, pressing her back against the cold tile, and entered her from the front, maintaining eye contact. They both groaned as they rejoined. He melded their lips together, tongue delving behind her full lips, panting against her skin, hands on her waist, pleasuring her body, a wanton grind slowly increasing to a punishing pace. She felt her orgasm but still wasn't prepared when her knees gave out beneath her. Chandler caught her, one arm around her waist, the other lifting her knee so her legs were spread for him.

She screamed and he came like a thunderbolt, continuing to pound into her, nails sinking into her ass as her lips met his shoulder. She felt like she was sinking through the floor, and he continued to hold her, crumpled against his chest.

She was gently righted, and Chandler cleaned them both, eyes fixed on his cleaning work while she watched him.

His blue eyes flickered over her, his sandy hair slick against his forehead. She pushed some of the hair back, and he paused, meeting her gaze. She pressed a gentle, chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth. He chased her lips, and planted a fuller kiss of his own.

There was something different in his look that hadn't been there before.

Rachel gently dried them both off with a towel, then guided Chandler back into their living room, debating showing him the couch, or back to his room.

"That was fun," she said, smiling up at him. He was being strangely silent. She chocked it up to the drinking, and tried not to think too hard about what it could mean. "Well, the couch or your bed, hon?"

"Bed," he said, nodding, the hint of a slur in his words.

"Okay," she said, a little disappointed. She directed him across the hall, and they ran into Joey in the living room.

"Oh good," he said. "I was on my way over. How are you, buddy?"

"Clean and ready for bed," Rachel said, smiling up at him.

"I'm good, squeaky clean," said Chandler.

"Thanks again, Rach," said Joey, shifting his arm under Chandler's to support his weight. He disappeared back into his room, Chandler protesting loudly about being put to bed like a child.

Rachel smiled, listening to him bitch.

"How was the shower?" came a slurred, feminine voice. Kathy was standing in Joey's doorway, wet hair combed back, giving her a strange look.

"It was fine," Rachel said. "Easy in and out."

"Really… why is your hair wet?"

Rachel hadn't been expecting that. She blanched, and Joey chose that moment to renter the room, closing Chandler's door behind him, and grinning at her.

"He's out. He was always a lightweight, but that shower did him in." Joey noticed his girlfriend and crossed the room to her.

"He splashed me," Rachel said. Joey looked at her, confused. "My hair is wet because he splashed me." Joey shrugged.

"Okay, well let me know if you need help drying off." He waggled his eyebrows and Kathy slapped his arm, laughing. "Goodnight, Rach."

Back in her apartment, Rachel changed into her pajamas feeling physically satisfied, but off in a way she couldn't quite articulate. She went to bed and dreamed about snow and a giant fox chasing after her.

…

"Do you have any eights?" Rachel asked.

"No, I have gin," said Phoebe with a cheer, laying her cards down face up and clapping.

"Oh… well." Rachel frowned, she'd thought they were playing Go Fish. "Then how about some coffee?"

"Yes, please! I haven't had any yet this morning and I'm feeling kind of edgy."

Rachel stood stretching with her hands on her lower back. She was a bit sore from the other night, and she hadn't slept well at all. Curling between the shower wall and Chandler's chest had been completely worth it, but in hindsight, uncomfortable. Monica walked into the living room, tossing her purse on the table.

"Mon, you wanna go for some coffee?" Rachel asked, crossing into the kitchen. Monica fixed her with a devious look, and Rachel fought the urge to take a step back.

"Sure, hon," she said, then she pulled Rachel to the side, her eyes sparkling. She leaned in and whispered, "Then maybe you can tell me about last night."

Rachel frowned. "We all had a good time, but why are we whispering?"

"All?" Monica looked like she might swoon with shock. She shook her dark head. "Wait what are you talking about?"

"Joey, Kathy, Chandler and I had a good time at the bar last night…" she said, confused, matching Monica's soft tone. Monica laughed.

"I was talking about whoever you had over in the shower," she teased. Rachel paled. "I heard you going at it and practically had to run to my room before you and Prince Charming came out."

Rachel thanked her lucky star that Monica was so polite. Joey or Phoebe might have waited around to see who it was.

"Oh, it was… me. It was just me in there." Monica gave her a look, and Rachel relented, mind racing. "Okay, I'm seeing someone from work, he stopped by."

"Is it that cute guy from the downstairs office?" Monica whispered excitedly.

"What are we whispering about?" Phoebe asked, her purse slung over her shoulder and a jacket over her arm.

"W-" Monica began.

"Monica met someone at work," Rachel said. Her brunette friend gave her an odd look.

"Ooh, good for you, Mon." Phoebe nudged her friend's shoulder, and Monica pretended to smile, shooting Rachel a pointed stare when Phoebe looked away. But Rachel couldn't have perceptive Phoebe putting two and two together, and Monica's Chandler-crush radar was non-existent for now.

"Lets go talk about it over coffee," she said.

"Ooh, yes please. I'm ready," said Phoebe, raising her jacket.

"Yeah…" said Monica, shooting her another confused glance. Rachel made gestures that hopefully indicated 'I will tell you later.'

The three of them walked downstairs into Central Perk, chattering about this year's thanksgiving meal. Monica was, as usual, hosting their group. She mentioned Kathy would be a likely addition this year, Joey had already asked for an extra place for her.

Phoebe went to the counter to order coffee, and Monica yanked Rachel to her side.

"Why can't Phoebe know about work guy?" Monica asked.

"I don't like sharing all my shower trysts," she said with a blush, "and I am keeping this guy on the down low."

"Oh… Why?" asked her best friend, arching an eyebrow. "Is it going well?"

"Yes," Rachel thought back to Chandler's staring the other night, "Last night was… intense, I don't know what it means. I'll need to wait until I see him today."

"You're seeing him again already? Wow," Monica teased. Rachel blushed. Of course, she saw Chandler every day, but she'd have to structure lies more carefully if she was going to work this secret boyfriend angle.

Phoebe returned with their drinks, and sat with a smile. The girls chatted about a new song Phoebe was working on, and more about the holidays.

"Things with Kathy must be getting serious if he invited her. It's still a week away," Monica said.

"He does seem smitten doesn't he," Phoebe hummed. "And what about Chandler?"

"What about Chandler?" Monica asked.

"Doesn't he seem… different lately?"

Rachel perked up her ears at that.

"Yeah, like I was talking to him the other day and-"

Before she could spill anything good, Joey and Kathy walked it, waving and coming to sit beside them.

"What are we talking about?" Joey asked, sliding with Kathy into a seat.

"Chandler," Monica answered.

Phoebe nodded, continuing, "Doesn't he seem different somehow? I was just saying-"

"He certainly seems to be aching this morning. I think the shower at your place last night didn't assuaged his hangover at all," Kathy interrupted, speaking to Rachel with a sympathetic laugh and wince as her own hangover twinged.

Phoebe hated being interrupted, and tried to continue her sentence, but Rachel couldn't hear.

Monica's blue eyes were wide and fixed on her.