What if...

Prologue

Los Angeles, Jan 1996

"Thank you so much again for this amazing opportunity, Barry. I feel so humbled to be able to do this. I can't wait to meet everybody.... Goodbye!"

David's hand was shaking in excitement when he pressed the button on his cellphone to end the call, and he looked over to his friends who were laughing on the couch in Central Perk, taking a break from rehearsals.

He shook his head in disbelief over what had just happened when he walked back over to the gang.

Matt looked at him excitedly, filling him in on the current topic of conversation:

"Schwimmer, we were just thinking that when we go over to Europe on the break this spring..."

"Sorry, guys.... but it will only be the five of you.... I fear I will be busy...", he cut him off, still not able to process how lucky he was. This was huge, and even being considered for a thing like this...

The other looked at him confused, waiting for him to explain.

"You remember that Barry Sonnenfeld contacted me with this script he was directing... for Columbia... this adaption of 'The men in black'? Space comedy... I just agreed to do it.", he explained, looking off into the orbit.

"You mean this big ticket thing they wanted you for? The one with the weird story and the crazy budget?", Courteney asked?

"He just told me that Tommy Lee Jones was cast for playing the older lead... can you believe it? I will be doing an action comedy with Tommy Lee Jones?!?!", he said, now clearly excited.

All of the others faces lit up, and when he looked at Jen, he could see her eyes shine with pride and.... yes, love. There it was.

She was the first to get up and hug him, the rest following suit to make it a huddle. They were all in the same boat. Doing this show, rising to stardom quickly, being offered numerous movie roles on the side by now.

Somehow, this was different. For the largest part, it had all been smaller roles, smaller lead roles in comedies with a rather small budget, except for the part Courtney had landed on "Scream". But that had been an ensemble movie. And here he was, taking on a lead role in a large 90 Million Dollar production, starring opposite of a true Hollywood legend, and not as his sidekick, but as his equal.

When he felt the arms of his 5 friends wrapping around him, hearing them cheer him on and congratulate him, he felt more thankful than ever to be part of this. Even though he knew how much every one of the would have loved to have this opportunity themselves, they were honestly excited for him and there was not even a hint of jealousy in this. Plus, with their talent: he was sure it was just a matter of time until something like this occured for each of them.

Pressed closest to him, as she had been the first to get up, was Jen. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and pressed her into him. They had basically been dancing around each other since the very first day they met, both obviously feeling the draw to one another, but apart from innocent flirting and stolen kisses on the scenes, nothing had ever come from it.

For one, as is came to no surprise for him, this wonderful girl was taken, plus it had been made clear to them early on, the chemistry between them palpable, that they better not acted on that for the sake of the show. Still, he could not help it: he had fallen head over heels in love with her.

Now, her head pressed into the small of his neck, when she whispered into his ears: "I am so proud of you, Schwimmy!"

He sunk his nose into her hair, breathing out a "Thank you".

When he kissed her hair after that, he felt her grip on his back tighten even more.