Behind Ross & Rachel

The one where Rachel finds out (1x24)

Jen stood on the balcony set, glass of whine in hand, the guy playing her date Carl in this episode standing opposite of her, David hiding in a dim corner, invisible to the camera and the live audience.

David.

God. She did not even have words to describe the man.

When she had first come in for the first table read, she had been amazed by the talented people she was allowed to work with on the show.

She even begged the producer of the other show that had just hired her to let her off the hook as she was so head over heels in love with this project.

When she read the names of her colleagues when she got the first briefing, 2 names stuck out to her.

Courteney Cox obviously, because she already had some parts connected to her name, and was probably the best-known among them.

And David Schwimmer.

Because she had seen a play with him in the lead a few years ago when she visited her friend at Northwestern, and that guy had stuck to her. Not only because she found him attractive, of course she did, but because he had a certain aura and presence on stage and had really upped that play.

So she could not have been more excited when she saw his name in the briefing she had received. And not only was he to be part of this, he was going to be the person out of the group that could possibly turn out to be her love interest.

On her first day when meeting the others, she had been even more nervous than she had been before. But there had instantly been a understanding between all of them that had her feel at home.

And David... man, he was not only gorgeous and an extremely talented actor and comedian, but he was also one of most pleasant people to be around: he was smart as hell, funny, charming and eloquent, but he also cared deeply about the people around him, to a level that he always out his own interest behind that of others.

She had always thought that she would be the one crushing on him, secretly admiring him from a distance. But some weeks ago, when they had filmed some scenes at a laundromat, she suddenly had realized that there seemed to be something from his side, too.

Ever since then, they had been flirting briefly with each other, acting like buddies, even cuddling occasioanll, but unable to adress the touchy subject that was their feelings.

Nevertheless, she was sure that even if they did, that this really would not change anything about their situation. What should they do? Risk this incredible opportunity they both worked so hard for over something that probably would never last given their young age and their circumstances?

So, it probably was for the best never to go there. And there were always other guys. She had a fantastic boyfriend to come home to after work, what more could she possibly want?

Focus, Jen, Focus....

The camera began to roll, she as Rachel stood on the balcony, whine glass in hand and pretendet to be listening to the man opposite of her ranting about "electric cars" and "shooting himself".

Things got interesting when David stepped out next to the guy, beginning to make fun of him.

There he stood, saying his lines, more David than Ross in this scene, oozing confidence and shining like never before.

She did not have to act her confusion, not because she, like Rachel, was not expecting him to be there, but because she was taken aback by the effect he had on her in that moment. Somehow, she managed to remember her line.

Flicking her attention back and forth between both men, David now standing beside her to discuss "Carl" with her.

She felt electricity on her skin as the fabric of his shirt lightly brushed against the bare skin of her arm.

She could hardly concentrate inhaling the comforting, fresh smell of his cologne, standing so close to her.

When "Carl" was finally allowed to officially disappear from her mind, she became unsure if this were still Ross and Rachel discussing Rachels insecurities or her and David discussing theirs.

She had a hard time to stay in character and not just give in to him and sink into his arms listening to his comforting words of how other people's feelings and all the "what ifs" did not matter if they both wanted this. That all that mattered was the electric connection between them.

It cost her every ounce of strength to mutter her line.

"I don't know, I guess I never looked at you that way."

Because, well, she had. Looked at him EXACTLY that way. From day one. Even though she knew she was not supposed to.

"Well, you better start looking" David replied, closing the distance between them, taking her face into his hands and landing her soft lips on hers for a short, but sweet kiss.

God, she just wanted to sink into this body, open her lips and deepen the kiss. Just forget about this and let everything fade away. How good of a job was this really?

Fortunately, David remained the professional, pulling away and stepping off, leaving her just as shocked and confused as she initially was to act.

What a coincidence!

Her attention slowly faded back to reality (god, hopefully everybody thought she really WAS a brilliant actress instead of the fool she was) and back to "Carl".

She got her act together, and managed to finish the scene like she was supposed to.

She stepped back into the living room, wobbly knees, afraid to fall, when she heard "cut".

Things are REALLY getting complicated here...

AN: please also head over to MeganPerk89 s account to check out our new Collab, the ultimate Jenvid coming out two-shot❤❤❤