A/N: I promised I wouldn't take long! The alerts are still not working so here's my replies to all of my fabulous readers. And holy moly…! I can't believe how many more new people are now reading this! Thank you, thank you! Enjoy this next chapter!

WizMonCruWil- Fun fact, Brasserie 8 and ½ is an actual French restaurant in the Solow building that was used as the exterior shot for Chandler's job. Now, it's an Italian restaurant with a similar name. I totally agree we don't get the transition for Monica as she is losing weight in the show, and I wasn't going to miss that. Great question about the length of the story… I don't know. I didn't mark when a chapter ends or starts in my notebook as it was meant to be a lengthy one-shot (oh, well!). I still haven't finished the written part, but I'm almost done with the first notebook here. I don't think it will go 30 chapters though.

Triojediknights-

Chapter 6- My A03 handle is EriksTrueAngel without the apostrophe. I also recommend my Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from Jurassic Park fics on there. Most of them do not pass the explicit content test on this website, lol. Yes! The last chapter was inspired by TOW the Flashback. I did tweak the timeline just a bit but it's an AU so it works! I don't think this is going to take me a year or two to finish. I actually have the majority of the story written out in a notebook. I still haven't hand-written the ending but I'm going back and forth so I can have the end done before I start typing it. At least I hope I do!

Chapter 1- I purposely didn't go that route. I have my reasons but you will find out later!

Chapter 2- Yay! Glad you caught that. I have been purposely including moments of the present and the flashbacks where there is a connection/theme between them.

Chapter 3- I will check that song out! That's so sweet! I love it.

Chapter 4- I plead the fifth.

Katnibellamione- Thank you so much! I was only a kid during the 90s and I have been pulling from that and adding it into this story for the realism aspect. I'm glad it is meeting that nostalgia feel, which has been an aim of mine.

LawrenceDaddarioWatsonStewart- I debated on keeping that canon moment, but to me, it's still pretty funny because that would happen to Monica and Ross. It's not a spoiler to reveal that Chandler was the first and better kiss and Ross wasn't that night. Sadly, Monica doesn't know who it was. We will be revisiting that flashback a little bit later. I have a big reveal that includes that moment.

ClintonBush43Obama- Nope, Ross doesn't know that Chandler kissed Monica. I will even go a step further and add that Ross doesn't know period about any of the Mondler kisses. Muhahaha!

StarPotterTwilightHunger- You're correct about Monica, but which one? Gotta keep reading (evil cackle).

CaliforniaTexasNorthCarolina- I was pretty subtle there, but Monica did witness Rachel kissing Chandler. At the time, Chandler didn't notice her nearby because his focus was on Rachel when he realized she could be drunk. It wasn't until after the kiss that he noticed that Monica had a strange look on her face, but he didn't spend that much thinking what it could be and let's face it… our boy is clueless. The girls don't know anything about Ross and what he was doing at the mixer. Only Chandler was the one trying to keep an eye out for them since Ross (who should have been doing this) wasn't. As for Monica's feelings on it… sometimes the obvious can be right there and we don't see it for what it is.

Statetech0- I didn't think about it at the time when I wrote the first draft, but yes… it seems their kisses are happening when they are not fully cognizant. I promise it won't always be the case.

MarriedMatteney- Nice catch! Does Monica see Chandler as a big brother or not? Regarding Richard and Pete… some things are still meant to happen, and some are not. Just like Janice and Kathy. Maybe, maybe not.

PrincessMonica- That is hilarious! That is a good comparison about those two kisses.

HowlAtTheMoonOne- The toe loss was still going to happen! And that's right! Since canon had it happen with Monica trying to flirt with Chandler, she isn't here but it will be a Chandler move to play a prank and have it backfire. I will admit there isn't a flashback here, but I am toying with a sequel of sorts from Monica's POV.

Domineering Perr- YES! I love the shy and insecure Chandler, but when he has it in him to be assertive… whoa, mama!

Camynicol5- Aw, thank you! I love the Monica/Ross relationship and how they became friends when they got older. Ross and Chandler didn't have a falling out on their own, but I know Ross is still pretty confused about why Chandler did disappear. There will be more of that flashback… later. Hee hee. The Eddie arc was one of my favorites and in this AU… they were able to become friends.

CC's Miscarriage- You are the first to reference that snapshot flashback Chandler had at the bar. Very interesting theory about Monica and Chandler. Very interesting, indeed.

DareYouToMove- That's an excellent question. We will see!

Newreader81- Thank you so much! More on that later!

Guest (Chapter 6)- Thank you so much! I actually liked the Eddie character, but I know we had to get Joey back into the apartment and the only way to do that was if Eddie went off the deep end. At least here… this isn't the same situation, and the outcome is different! We will see more of Eddie in this story.

Chapter 7

"Chandler! Guess what!" Monica burst into his office, her eyes gleaming with excitement and her teeth shining brightly from her smile.

He looked up from his computer as she leaned her arms on his desk. Her entire body was vibrating with joy that he was certain she was bouncing on her heels.

"Well?!" she gazed at him expectedly for his response.

It had been a few days since meeting up with Ross at the bar, and for Chandler's inadvertent trip down memory lane. That Monday morning, he greeted Monica as usual and was quite glad that his earlier anxiety didn't get to him. She might not have been part of Ross's remark about the bar resemblance to their old hangout, but if she had noticed on her own… would she have reacted as he did? Would she have been plagued with the same memory?

Yet, Monica gave no indication whether or not she thought the same.

All for the best, he concluded. Now on the present, Chandler tapped his chin pensively. "Taco Tuesday is officially declared a national holiday?"

Her lashes fluttered as she rolled her eyes. "I have an interview!"

"What? That's great, Mon! Fantastic!" He leapt to his feet to congratulate her.

"I know!" she exclaimed. "But… it's at four today and you have that meeting at—"

"Monica," he interrupted. "I wasn't kidding when I told you I wanted you to look for a chef's job. Don't worry about me or here. Go. I'm putting my foot down as your boss."

She pursed her lips together, and it was clear she didn't revel in the idea of shirking a responsibility (even if the job wasn't as serious to her), but there was no denying or ignoring how big this was to her to receive interest at last.

Chandler grinned. "Go to it, Monica. I promise I won't let the meeting fall apart. Besides, this is what you always wanted. You can't turn your back on that opportunity."

"You're the best!" The outburst couldn't be contained as she quickly went around his desk and hugged him. He was happy to return it and was about to comment with some witty quip about the interview and how she was going to slice and dice the questions when he felt a light pressure of her lips on his cheek.

It was quick, a brushing graze.

And she had turned on her heel to leave as swiftly as she entered, leaving him standing there to numbly process what just happened.

Slowly sinking back into his chair, Chandler gingerly touched the spot on his face where she left her imprint. It was a spontaneous reaction… she was overjoyed with gratitude, and she probably did it unconsciously without thinking about it. It wasn't inappropriate… Maybe not something an assistant would do for her boss, but a friend?

Were they friends at that moment? Or just a grateful employee?

Granted, Howie didn't react the same way when Chandler gave him the time off to help his marriage, and probably for the best. He wouldn't want the other man to kiss his cheek. That would be loads of awkward, and yeah… no.

I'm reading too much into it, he thought. It was just a friendly peck on the cheek. Nothing to get worked up over. You remember how affectionate she could be with her friends. It's practically second nature to her. She was super thankful for the permission to go to the interview. That's all.

But he could pretend… even for a moment that she didn't completely hate his guts, and this was a sign that this budding friendship was on the right track. It was what he wanted after all. As long as he and Monica could continue to get along on friendly terms then no one would be none the wiser that they had a past. Not here at the office or Ross whenever they get a chance to hang out again. It would be completely water under the bridge.

Maybe after some time both could effectively shove it far in the back that it would no longer exist between them.

As it were, Chandler couldn't get rid of her warmth. It stayed with him for the rest of the afternoon and even when she eventually left for the interview. He managed to mumble out some words of encouragement and good luck before she went. Monica gave him a departing smile, her blue eyes shining so brightly… as if hope was restored. Perhaps it was. It was her dream after all. What she always wanted, what she always chased.

And like he promised, the meeting didn't fall apart. It was merely a progress meeting and Chandler convinced the others it could be done via conference call rather than in person. This way he didn't have to explain Monica's missing presence. It worked out perfectly. Of course, he had to pay attention to what was being discussed and he couldn't tune out like his wont if it dragged out. Monica wasn't there to take notes and he started to feel her absence.

Funny. Even on the rare occasions when Mrs. White was out, Chandler never noticed her absence. Things carried on and if Chandler missed something… Well, there wasn't any crisis. But it felt different now.

It was the damn kiss.

He couldn't stop thinking about it. How could he? He felt the ghostly outline of her lips, burning and searing him.

Why? Why!?

It meant nothing. After all, Monica breezed out of his office afterwards. Then when she returned from the interview, she didn't seem different. No… the better word was she wasn't affected. Clearly, she wasn't spending the day thinking about the fact she had kissed his cheek.

She sat across from him to tell him how the interview went (she was upbeat and confident in how it went), and she was certain the dish she prepared… the techniques and flavors demonstrated her expertise.

"All in all, it went really well. At least I'm sure it did. I won't know for sure until later. There's a few more chefs to interview before a decision can be made. Anyways, how did the meeting go?"

Back to work, back to business. That was Monica Geller all right.

They talked shop as it were and later insisted, she would type out a copy of the notes he shared. Before they had left the office, Monica had fulfilled what she promised by handing him the minutes from the meeting she hadn't been present for. He did a quick perusal and his brow rose in astoundment. Chandler knew he hadn't been that descriptive or detailed, but no one would have known that Monica had missed it.

Once more, he was struck by how impressive she was. How she managed to continue to exceed expectations… But Monica Geller never did things in halves. Or quarters. She was all in—completely and wholly.

"That's that," Monica said, waking him from his reverie. "I'll see you tomorrow Chandler. Good night!"

"Night." He was still looking down at the meeting minutes in his hands when he heard her clearing her throat.

"Sorry. Are you seriously going to stay longer than necessary?"

He grinned. "Nope." Chandler placed the papers on his desk and grabbed his briefcase. He pushed the memory of her kiss on his cheek away. It wouldn't be a good idea to keep thinking about it as he stepped into the elevator with Monica.

Instead, he found his thoughts drifting to the faint notes of her floral perfume. It wasn't the first time he pondered what kind of flower it was. Chandler was careful not to breathe too deeply or make it appear he was trying to inhale the sweet notes with the barest hint of coconut… maybe peaches.

The elevator doors opened, and they were on the main floor. Monica glanced back to give him one more smile.

He figured out after she hailed a taxi that the flower was gardenia.

His eyes widened as he murmured, "Oh, fuck."

xxXXxx

When it came to women, Chandler had his clueless moments. Interest was sometimes misconstrued as friendliness or the one time he thought a woman's eye twitching was due to a fallen eyelash when she was flirting with him. Or his inability to speak to a very attractive woman meant he could only be a mute and when he did find his words… she was pissed that she made him believe otherwise.

Then there were moments when he was on his game. He could read the signs and engage in a friendly flirting banter that might lead to getting a phone number or a date.

And then there were the moments where it could be serious. Where he could almost imagine a future or possibly having deep, real feelings for a woman. Until the very likelihood of a commitment would result in a fearful state for him, wanting to jump overboard and get away as fast as possible.

It was a paradox all right. Chandler wanted a relationship but also didn't want a relationship.

In his youth, Chandler had a bad habit of falling in love too quickly. This was part of his clueless folly where if a pretty girl even looked at him then she must be interested in him. That was how he eventually landed his first girlfriend at summer camp. He thought Julie was looking at him, she said she wasn't, and he asked her to be his girlfriend, and she shrugged and replied okay. Julie was pretty and he was infatuated, but the romance didn't last long. Simply put, he freaked out. Even at the ripe age of thirteen, he was afraid Julie would want more from him. He was petrified she would expect a proposal of sorts. Ridiculous as they were only kids. But he didn't know how to end things and the summer was over. He thought that was it. Their relationship was done until the next summer, and she was at camp again, expecting to pick up where they left off.

Chandler had no way of telling her he wasn't interested, but he didn't want to be alone. Then they kissed again, and he was head over heels once more. That helped him through that second summer together until the romance fizzed out. The following summer Chandler didn't want to be Julie's boyfriend and he wasn't sure how to break it off. Well, she had put on a lot of weight, and she kissed him, but Chandler didn't fall in love like he had done last summer.

No, he foolishly fell in love multiple times. In college, he lost count of how many times. Why? His parents set a bad example. Other than the dramatics, the lovers, and accusations flying between them… love was fast and hard. Even though his mother was a romance novelist, she could fictionalize love that kept her readers wanting more. In reality, she often confused love and lust and once the candle was burnt out… love was gone.

Chandler didn't have much experience with what love should be or what it should look like. So, it was no surprise he would end up falling in the same pattern as his parents did without realizing he was. Even more so, why he was also afraid of what a serious relationship could entail. It always came back to Charles and Nora Bing.

Dear God, he was screwed up so badly.

It took him longer than he would have liked to have this epiphany. What he really wanted in the end… Chandler didn't know. He wasn't going to swear off all women. He still craved intimacy and part of him (perhaps, naively) thought this fear he had would go away when the right woman came around.

Despite recognizing his tendency to fall hard and fast, Chandler still found himself repeating the same behavior. It was almost like it was against his will when this happened and always the same. It would start with noticing the small details and obsessive thoughts.

The gardenia perfume and kiss on the cheek.

He couldn't have a crush on Monica. Not… He couldn't. For so many reasons, it was a bad idea. He needed to put the brakes on whatever this could turn into. He couldn't let it go that far.

Monica would… Chandler didn't want to think what her reaction could be. For one, it wouldn't be well-received, and she had every right to walk out and never come back again.

So, it was best for him to keep quiet and let it go away. He figured if he kept repeating that hope that it would become truth. Of course, he could no sooner fool his masseuse than himself.

And Phoebe Buffay was a dangerous woman to get a whiff of anything remotely that you would want to be quiet.

Sometime ago during a massage, she commented that Chandler seemed a lot more tense and knotted than ever before. She had immediately jumped to the conclusion it was a woman.

"Or a man," she added as an afterthought.

Chandler should have known better. Phoebe's source of entertainment was to pry into her client's business, and once she was onto something, she sank her fangs and claws into it. It was after Monica had walked into his office for her interview. He wasn't going to admit she was right.

So, he denied it. The latter most vehemently. But she was persistent. Next, she claimed his aura changed, though that wasn't going to make him fess up either.

To say Phoebe Buffay was quirky was an understatement. There needed to be an entirely new word invented to describe the blonde. She was a stereotypical New Age hippie with incense and candles always burning and various gems and crystals scattered around her apartment along with other questionable (and homemade) artwork. Plus, she was scarily uncanny in her blunt assessments.

The first time Chandler went in for a massage, he almost walked out. She came highly recommended from a co-worker and she wasn't what he expected. Peeking into her apartment was enough to send "crazy" vibes and to say forget it, he didn't need a massage that bad. However, her voice—abrupt and in a no-nonsense way—she ordered him to get inside, change into a robe, and get on her table. He left an hour later feeling refreshed and lighter than he had ever felt. Since then, he had a standing every other week appointment.

Over the years, he and Phoebe did develop a friendship of sorts. He knew she had a twin who was a waitress and an evil being. He also gathered from her odd bits of wisdom and life experiences that she had been homeless for a long time and self-taught her way to play guitar and give massages until she saved up enough to attend classes and earn her license. She believed in psychics, aliens, and astrology. And she could read tea leaves. Furthermore, she didn't believe in evolution or gravity (it was a rabbit hole he didn't want to fall in when she revealed that tidbit). She was also somehow fluent in French.

As bizarre and eccentric as Phoebe was, Chandler did find her amusing and she was a miracle worker for his achy muscles. But since Monica returned to his life, he didn't want to confirm Phoebe's suspicions as to what led to all these new changes to his aura.

Yet, it didn't stop Phoebe from poking around, prodding to find out what caused his spiritual changes or the stiffness in his muscles. He stubbornly refused to say, and thus, began her endless line of theories that ranged from ridiculous to outlandish. Until one day she successfully elicited a reaction from him. Then she became like a dog with a chew toy.

"C'mon, Chandler! Tell me about this woman. I know she has made a difference in you. There's no point in keeping it to yourself. Sharing is good for the soul. Unburden yourself!"

He sighed, grateful his face was in the pillow, but also cursing himself for not paying better attention to what Phoebe was saying that he had slipped up. "Look, she's just a friend."

"So, it is a woman," she said cheekily. "I was rooting for the man. Something unpredictable. Well, go on. Tell me more about this friend."

He chewed his lip and quickly considered his options. There was a lot on his mind about Monica and maybe sharing with an impartial person would be for the best. It couldn't hurt to bounce his thoughts off another person, and he wasn't going to be stupid and share anything personal like Monica's name. And Phoebe was a woman, and she might have some insight… Well, Chandler didn't know what insight he might want, but it was better than the alternative and kept it all bottled up inside.

"I've known her a long time."

"Uh-huh."

"…I haven't seen her in years until she showed up at my office to apply for a job. To be my assistant, in fact."

"Uh-huh." Her voice lilted, a smile in her tone.

"Anyways, I hired her, and we've been working on renewing our friendship."

"Uh-huh." This time there was a suggestive tone. "I do love office romance! Are you going to ask her out?"

"Pheebs, we're friends," Chandler said, emphasizing the word. "Well, we're almost friends. Remember, we hadn't seen each other in seven years."

"Almost friends? What does that mean?"

"We were best friends. Then we weren't. Now, we're getting to know each other again."

"That's not what your color is showing. You like her."

Chandler's heart skipped a beat. He was just glad to be in the donut pillow so Phoebe couldn't see the color rising. Besides, the last thing he wanted was that idea in his head. He needed to deflect.

"I wouldn't be friends with her if I didn't."

"Yeah, but you like her," Phoebe said, dragging out the syllables. "It's like a movie! Two people who haven't seen each other are now working closely together. Tension is building. The unresolved sexual tension growing and growing—"

"Whoa, whoa!" He twisted his head to glare at her. "There's no unresolved sexual tension growing! We're friends. Just friends!"

"Not almost friends?"

He swore and dropped his face back into the pillow.

"Don't lie to me, Chandler Bing. I can tell. I'm never wrong." There was an intake of breath. "Okay, sometimes. But not about this."

Chandler groaned. "It's nothing. Now, can you let it go?" Bad idea, Bing, he thought. You should have kept your mouth zipped. You reap what you sow.

"Sounds to me that you have feelings for this friend—almost friend."

"Even if I did (and I don't) then nothing would happen. She's my assistant and I'm her boss. It's an HR issue alone. But more to the point, I did something stupid and I'm lucky she wants to work for me and wants to be friends again. I'm not going to jeopardize that for anything!"

He should have known Phoebe wouldn't hear reason. "Oh! A past between you! What did you do?"

"Phoebe," he warned.

"You said it's been seven years. Whatever it was, it must not have been a big deal if she's in your life again. Destiny is sending you a message."

"I doubt it," he muttered. "Porn might help. It's too much to ask if she could forget… OW!"

She pinched his side. "Chandler, let me tell you something about women. We don't forget anything when men are involved." She added afterwards, "Porn is unrealistic and won't help."

"No one watches porn for realism."

"Anyway," she continued. "We've known each other for a while now. I've seen all various shades of your aura. This… This is different. This is bordering on ultimate happiness. Whoever she is, she has left a mark on you. If you feel this strongly, then I bet she feels the same. You should ask her out before you lose her to someone else."

xXx

"Chandler, can I ask your advice on something?" Monica asked. She was sitting on her brother's bed, her ankles crossed over and swinging.

Chandler was at his desk and swung his chair around to give her his full attention. "Sure. What's up?"

"Prom's coming up in a couple of months. I really need a guy's perspective."

"Lucky for you, I happen to be a guy," he joked. It didn't escape him to see a blush steal across her nose. It also didn't escape him that his thoughts were flying rampant a mile a minute.

It had been over two months since the mixer and when he had kissed Monica. It was an impulsive move on his part to help make a horrible night better for her. He had been anxious that she would find out it was him, and he was anxious if Ross found out. But the rest of that weekend had passed without issue. Even Rachel was nonplussed over her actions and not a word was said about her drunken kiss with him. Her aloof disregard towards him confirmed her indifference.

Since then, Monica had become a frequent guest. Part of it was for her to get away from her mother, the other was because the Gellers insisted, she visited. Apparently, they asked her to make sure Ross was all right and to let them know of any "funny business." It didn't make sense to her after they had visited their son one weekend, and Ross was too flustered to explain.

Not that Ross was around a lot. He and Carol were spending a lot of time together, but Ross hadn't told his family about her. Carol was insisting they were friends, but Ross was certainly treating it as if they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Ross begged Chandler to keep it a secret. Monica was no fool and she didn't buy her brother's ruse or his roommate that he was spending a lot of time in the science lab.

She promised not to tell their parents as long as Ross promised not to tell them about the culinary schools she was applying to. The Geller siblings made their pact, and both were holding their end of the bargain.

On this particular visit, Ross was gone (no shock with Carol), and this meant more time for Chandler and Monica to hang out.

Now this prom business. His curiosity was piqued.

"It's a couple things actually." She hopped off the bed to grab her backpack and pulled out a catalogue. "I'm torn between dresses. I would ask Rachel, but she and Chip are back together again, and she's been pretty busy."

"What is this like the third time for them?" The sarcasm dripping out. He never knew someone who broke up and got back as much as Rachel and this Chip. "They do know that the third is a strike out?"

She shook her head, biting back a grin. "What do you think of this red dress or pink one? Which one looks mature? Like a grown woman would wear?"

"Wait, you're serious on asking me about dresses?" His brows arched. "I thought this was a guy's perspective you need. Newsflash: I don't wear dresses. But you might be able to get away with asking my dad, which I recommend you don't."

"Yes, I'm serious! C'mon, Chandler. I just need to know which dress a guy would appreciate. Just look at them." She shoved the open catalogue in his face.

Chandler took it and gazed at the pictures she had marked. The pink dress was pale with wide short sleeves and lots of ruffles and bows. The red dress was more of a burgundy wine with long sleeves and gold dots from the top to the waist with a sash cinched like a belt and a dark red flower pinned to the side and a long skirt that flared out.

He tapped the red picture. "That one definitely. The other looks like a deranged Bo Peep."

Monica's countenance beamed. It seemed he made the right choice. "That's what I thought! Okay, this settles the dress question."

"What's the other?" He wiggled his eyebrow. "A date for the prom?"

Her face reddened. Whether he was serious or not, Chandler wasn't sure himself. It just sort of came out. But Monica giggled. "Oh, I have a date for prom. His name is Roy Gublik. He saw Star Wars three hundred seventeen times! Isn't that impressive?"

Chandler bit his tongue as a funny feeling settled in his stomach. Why… he didn't know. Just like his question about the date for the prom. "I saw it ten times," he mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing. So, Roy Gublik, huh? Sounds like a big nerd."

"Takes one to know one."

He smirked. "Okay. What is it?"

"It's…" Now, Monica became nervous as her voice became softer. "I don't have a lot of experience… I mean, I haven't had a boyfriend before. And—and there's no way I can ask my brother, but you're my friend, Chandler. I trust you."

Those three little words. It was a serious disclosure, and it was something not easily or freely given. He knew that better than anyone. Whatever she was going to ask, he had to make sure his response wasn't a joke or a sarcastic comment. He didn't want to risk telling her something that would backfire. Personally, Chandler hated giving advice. He avoided it. If Ross did, then he would keep making jokes until Ross dropped the subject. But he couldn't do that to her.

Nodding, he motioned for Monica to continue. She swallowed hard. "What do guys expect on prom?"

He felt his ears burning. He wasn't expecting that kind of question. She was staring at him in earnest, and he knew he wouldn't do her any favors by sugarcoating anything. "Um, some guys would expect a kiss, but mostly sex."

Monica gulped and blushed hotly. "Oh. Did you…?"

Chandler's neck tickled him as he looked at his hands. "Honestly? Yeah, I did expect it, but I was so nervous and things got awkward real quick."

"But did you?"

His lips were pressed thinly together and shook his head. "I wasn't ready, and neither was she."

Truthfully, his date left with another guy, but Monica didn't need to know that. It was true he had been nervous thinking that was how the evening would end. He couldn't stop thinking about it and his preoccupation led him to step on her feet once too many times that she was done with him.

"Do you like this Roy?"

Monica shrugged. "He's nice and he picked me."

"Yeah, but do you like him?" Chandler repeated his question.

She pursed her lips. "I don't know."

"Well, if Roy is a nice guy, he won't push or pressure you if you're not ready. Remember, you don't have to unless you want to and not because someone says so."

A ghost of a smile flickered on her. "I don't know if I am."

Chandler extended his hand and squeezed hers. "There's your answer. You should have sex only if you have no doubts."

"And I won't disappoint Roy?"

"If he is then that's on him, not you," he said resolutely.

Monica exhaled loudly as if it was relieved. "Thank you, Chandler. That helped." She removed her hand from his and ran it through her hair. "Rachel said something else, and I just didn't feel right about it."

Somehow, that didn't surprise him. "Rachel isn't always right."

"I know. Well, I'm starting to see that. I don't know if I could keep going back to Chip if he was my boyfriend."

"You shouldn't. A boyfriend who cares for you wouldn't keep looking at other women."

Monica nodded, her features brightening. "You're the best!" She hugged him.

Chandler returned it, but the odd feeling in his stomach now moved up in his throat.

xxXXxx

Chandler couldn't get Phoebe's words out of his head. Maybe if everything was hunky dory… maybe if the last seven years didn't happen… Maybe, maybe!

Phoebe's advice was kindly meant, and if the circumstances were better… Would Chandler be able to ask her out? Did he want to ask her out? Should he ask her out?

He knew the answer was complicated. Correction: it was complicated. And he already resolved to put an end to any possible flaring emotions regarding Monica. That was another complication that neither of them needed.

And yet…

On his way back home from his appointment at Phoebe's, Chandler's mind flashed back to the conversation with Monica in the breakroom. The one where things got awkward between them. They had been talking about her mother's complaint about her being single and this ex-boyfriend (a name sounded too much like a pet's name). Then she asked him about his situation.

Relationships.

They didn't broach the topic again. It was that unspoken understanding that they weren't going to open that door. Chandler had no idea if Monica was even available. Their conversation from before implied she was single, but then again, she was a beautiful woman. Smart, funny, kind… she could have her pick of any man to be her boyfriend. Hell, she could have a date every Friday and Saturday night. Maybe it would lead to a relationship, maybe not.

He didn't think about it again until Howie came back to work. Chandler was glad that his friend took the necessary time off to try and save his marriage. Unfortunately, it was for naught. Mary didn't want to reconcile, and Howie exhausted his patience. It was heartbreaking to have a marriage end in a divorce. He could clearly see the pain on Howie's face each time he came to work. On one hand, it was a relief that the uncertainty was over. No more guessing if Mary was going to walk out again or if she was going to come back. On the other, a relationship was over and Howie was mourning that.

Howie needed support and Chandler gave him what he wanted. Howie needed to dive into work, so Chandler obliged. Of course, he wasn't the only one. Other people in the department were there to help Howie too. A friendly or encouraging word, help with the WENUS, buying a drink after work, etc. It was good to see the supportive environment being shown.

Then there was Monica.

When Howie was feeling down, she managed to make him smile. Chandler didn't know what she said, but he could see the tautness around his eyes loosen and his lips visibly relaxed. She also brought him some brownies she baked to cheer him up, and he did hear Howie rave about them. And there was one other thing that Chandler overheard at Monica's desk when Howie asked her about that number she mentioned about her brother.

Ross. He had been divorced.

Naturally, Monica would want to be helpful. And it was Monica who insisted Howie talked to Chandler about his marital troubles. That was her being friendly and caring and benevolent.

But Chandler wondered… could there be something more? If so, it wasn't his business. They were both adults. Well, company policy does frown on it, but if they wanted to get together after work… there was no stopping them. Although, if things went south, then that could be a problem within the workplace. Indeed, it would be a bad idea and he told himself he was keeping a close eye on both Monica and Howie's sake. He debated bringing it up and didn't want to appear to be a busybody boss.

In the end, there was nothing to it. Monica and Howie would talk to each other just as she would talk to anyone else. Chandler knew he was being irrational, and he wasn't jealous. Not at all. He was a concerned friend and boss—no more, no less.

Though, that wasn't all.

Ever since Monica was hired, there would be (on occasion) other male colleagues hanging around her desk. The tech support guys could barely speak to her, yet it wouldn't stop them from passing by and asking if her computer was running all right. It was a sad sight, if Chandler was honest. A bunch of grown men becoming tongue-tied as if they had never been around a woman before.

Okay, he wasn't one to talk about being tongue-tied.

There was one instance of another man that would spend a lot of time around her. Bob from the sixth floor would visit Monica for one thing or another. It might be donuts or bagels he bought. Another was pens and staples. Or it was to tell a mediocre joke or story after a weekend passed. Sure, he was a nice enough guy. Affable, well-liked. Chandler didn't mind him but there was a misunderstanding that arose with his name. He would admit he didn't correct Bob right away when he had called him "Toby" (embarrassingly it was over a donut that Chandler wanted). In fact, Chandler didn't realize he was Toby until he heard Bob call him that in the hallway.

Initially, it didn't bother Chandler. They worked on different floors, different departments, and frankly, didn't cross paths as much. And when Chandler began moving up the ladder, he had forgotten about Bob altogether. That was until Monica came along. Being in a top position, one would assume Bob would have realized his mistake about Chandler's name.

Nope!

He still called Chandler "Toby" and it was Monica who set him straight. That did earn Chandler some looks, but he didn't care. There was no confrontation or anything. Still, Bob showed up and hung around Monica's desk when he had the chance. Chandler would hear them talking and laughing, and one time he had heard Monica snort after Bob made her laugh so hard.

Phoebe's words came hurtling back at him: "You should ask her out before you lose her to someone else."

It hadn't seemed possible until he heard that laugh. It was a sound he relished when he made her do so.

Then Bob asked her out to dinner.

Chandler tried to not let it mean anything to him. Or so he claimed as he stood close by to his office door to hear her answer. If anyone caught him… Well, Chandler wasn't exactly proud of himself in that moment or how he was hovering. Even so, he kept insisting it was nothing other than looking out for his friend—almost friend—no, friend.

Well, Monica turned Bob down gently. After that, Bob didn't stop by as much.

Phoebe would tell him this was a warning. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew she was right. If Bob asking Monica out could happen, then another person could easily do the same thing, and her answer might be different.

Still, he didn't do a thing.

At the same time, he had the two guys in his head bickering over it. It had been a while since they made themselves known. The one—the basic, primal—side wanted him to throw caution to the wind and ask her out. His argument? She's hot! She tolerated him and he hadn't had sex for over a year.

The other guy was a little more sensitive. He argued the importance of their tentative friendship and what happened between them years ago.

"Let's say she did forgive you. What makes you think she would want more after what you did?"

Chandler was torn. He could try to defend himself to himself that he was young and foolish, and he freaked out. I did the right thing then. As much as it hurt… it was the right thing. Whether Monica would agree, he couldn't say. In the moment, probably not. But now? Well, Phoebe did say that a woman never forgets when a man was involved. Never did those words sound more ominous than it did.

Nevertheless, Chandler knew he was the problem. Even if he wanted to risk her wrath in asking her out, there were new complications presently. Namely, he was technically her boss. Until Monica found a job elsewhere, it would not look good if they did pursue something. And that is assuming she would go out with him. He could not—no, refused—to be forced into a position where she would get hurt.

"Then you have your answer," Guy #2 said.

I guess so, he thought glumly.

xxXXxx

Chandler rubbed his eyes after sitting in on another pointless meeting. He was strongly considering having a migraine and calling it a sick day. Then his stomach grumbled.

Maybe after lunch.

Monica wasn't needed for the meeting, so he was on his own going back to his office. He figured he would ask if she wanted to eat out.

Chandler came to a grinding halt when he saw his assistant wasn't alone.

It wasn't Bob (now Chandler would say his presence would be welcoming), it wasn't Howie, and it wasn't any of the tech guys. Hell, it wasn't anyone Chandler recognized!

The man was perched on the edge of her desk, leaning towards her. He had short, dark brown hair, a muscular build, and a mega-watt smile that would make a Hollywood star jealous. Chandler detected a distinct New Yorker accent though it wasn't too grating on the ears.

Whoever he was, Monica knew him well from the looks of it. She didn't seem to mind he was in her personal space. Why should she? The guy was handsome, and he clearly worked out. Why, oh why couldn't this guy have some kind of funny features or a bulge around the middle!

Then it hit him.

Maybe he was her boyfriend!

As Chandler watched, he couldn't help but think they looked good together.

Both guys in his head patted his back sympathetically, assuring him it was for the best. Well, Guy #2 believed that. Guy #1 was cursing him to hell for missing out on potential sex to end his dry spell.

TBC…