Cold Open – Chandler’s Apartment
Chandler’s in a yoga pose on the floor. Ross is stretching him aggressively while Monica records it.
"Ross, I said I wanted balance, not trauma." Chandler said
"You can’t spell “namaste” without “stay still while I fix your posture!" Ross told him
Cut to Ronnie walking in, raising an eyebrow at the sight.
"What fresh cult is this?" She asked
(Cue theme song.)
---
– School Courtyard (Lunchtime)
Ronnie and Jake sit on a bench. He’s sketching absently in a notebook while she stares at her juice box like it holds cosmic meaning.
"You okay? You’re quieter than usual. Which is saying something." Jake asked her
(after a pause)
"You never asked about that night. The overdose." She told him
(softly)
"I figured you’d tell me when you were ready." He said
"I wasn’t going to. But... you stayed." She said
Beat. She doesn’t look at him. Her voice stays low and steady.
"It wasn’t like I planned it. I just didn’t want to feel anything anymore. And for a moment, I didn’t. And then Chandler found me. And I realized I was still breathing. And I hated that. And then I didn’t."she said
(quietly)
"I’m glad you didn’t disappear. I would’ve kept looking for you anyway." He told her
She finally looks at him. There are no tears — just understanding.
"Thanks. For waiting. And not needing it to be pretty." She said
---
– Central Perk
Phoebe is playing an off-key song about “stretching the soul.” Joey walks in looking confused.
"Okay, so turns out that grief group? Not about speed dating." Joey said
"What gave it away?" Rachel said
"The crying. And the lack of hors d'oeuvres." Joey said
"Did you at least stay and listen?" Monica asked him
(pauses)
"Yeah. Some lady talked about her cat named Soup. I think I get it." He said
---
– Ronnie’s Therapy Session
Ronnie is back with Linda. The space feels safe. Quiet.
"You told Jake?" Linda asked lightly
"Not everything. Just enough. It wasn’t a confession. More like... a translation." She said
"How did it feel?"
(shrugs)
"Like setting down a backpack I forgot I was carrying." Ronnie said
---
– Chandler’s Apartment (Night)
Ronnie walks in and finds Chandler attempting yoga again. He’s stuck in a pretzel pose.
"Call the fire department. I’ve folded in on myself like a guilt-ridden napkin." He told his sister
(grinning)
"This is why I worry about leaving you unsupervised." She said
"So… I heard you opened up to Jake.
That’s... huge." He said
"I didn’t tell him everything. But I told him enough." She said
(soft)
"That’s healing." He told her
She helps him unfold gently.
---
– Ronnie’s Journal
She writes quietly at her desk.
> “I didn’t tell him because I needed to explain.
I told him because I wanted to stop hiding.”
“And he stayed.”
---
– Group Game Night
The gang is playing Pictionary. Ronnie and Jake are on a team. Ronnie draws something unrecognizable.
"Is it a bat? A sad muffin? An abstract commentary on taxes?" Jake asked her
"It’s Jake." She said
(proud)
"She nailed it."
---
YOU ARE READING
After The Silence
Fanfiction(season 1-10) --- Ronnie Bing was never supposed to be noticed. But after a breakdown, an overdose, and a silent goodbye, she's learning what it means to stay alive. This is her story - the quiet kind of survival. Mature contact s6-7-8-9-10
