A New Thanksgiving

Chapter 2

"We- I- You know, I'm just going to go get some fresh air," Chandler says and heads towards the balcony. I watched him as he disappeared through the window and leaned on the balcony.

"Mon, I'm really sorry. We can leave if you want. We were just going to wait on Phoebe and Joey but we can go get them," Rachel says and walks towards me. I study her for a second but shake my head quickly.

"No it's fine. Don't go. They should be here soon and the turkey is done I think. Maybe someone should call them. I'll do it. Here Rach, finish filling in those eggs for me, will ya?" I hand her the spoon off the table and head towards my room.

I sit on my bed and stare at the door. Did that really just happen? Did Chandler and I really just kiss? I sit for a few more moments before picking the phone up and calling Phoebe.

"Hello?"

"Hey Pheebs, it's Monica."

"Oh hey quick question. Do I need to bring anything? I'll be there soon but I can stop by the store if you need."

"No that's fine. I was just making sure you would be here soon. Everything is finished. Just waiting on you and Joey."

"Okay, well I'll be there shortly."

"Alright. Bye."

"Bye!"

After hanging up with Phoebe I begin to dial Joey's number. Before it even starts ringing I hear my front door shut and Joey cry, "Mon, I'm hungry." I smile to myself and head to the kitchen.

"You can eat as soon as Phoebe gets here."

"Well where is she? Why isn't she here? Can I just have one bite?"

"No, Joey. Phoebe will be here shortly, she is on her way." I say and look towards the balcony. I see Chandler and Rachel standing there talking. I turn around and survey the room. Where's Ross?

~~~

I head to the balcony to ask but Ross walks out of the bathroom.

"Hey can I talk to you?" he asks.

"Yea sure," I say and look once more to the balcony before turning and following my brother to the hall.

"What's up?"

"So I talked to Chandler," he says and looks to the floor.

"About what?" I ask trying to keep the eagerness out of my voice but failing miserably.

"What was going on when Rachel and I walked in."

"And? Oh G-d. You didn't try to give him the 'big brother' talk did you?" I ask and roll my eyes.

"No!" he says and glares at me. "I just asked him why it happened."

"Well what did he say?"

"He-- Hey Phoebe!" he says and pushes me out of the way to give her a hug.

"Hey! Am I interrupting something?" she asks while returning Ross' hug.

"No we were just about to go eat. Weren't we Mon?"

"Yea sure."

Once inside Joey jumped off the couch and ran to Phoebe.

"What took you so long? I was starvin' and Mon wouldn't let me eat," he said he pouted in my direction.

"Oh shut up and go sit down. I'll go get Chandler and Rachel," I say and head towards the balcony.

~~~

"Well you have to tell her how you-- Hey Mon!" Rachel greeted as I stepped onto the balcony. I tried to make eye contact with Chandler but the floor must have become very interesting because he wouldn't look up from it.

"Hey I was just going to come out and get you two. Phoebe and Joey are here so we can eat now."

"Okay, we'll be out in a sec," Chandler said finally making eye contact with me. I stared at him for a few more seconds before nodding my head and leaving the balcony. I looked out the window and caught the two hugging before climbing back into the window.

~~~

"Mon, it was wonderful like always," Ross says and kisses my cheek. I blush a little and smile.

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright, bye."

"Oh Ross, wait. Are you leaving?" Phoebe says running out of the bathroom.

"Yea."

"Okay, let me grab my jacket and I'll with you out," she says while walking into Rachel's room to fetch her jacket. I smile at Ross and search for Chandler. I find him in the living room, sitting in the chair, and staring into space. I turn my attention back to the group once Phoebe comes out of Rachel's room and gives me a hug and a kiss announcing that she is leaving and will see me in the morning. While they're leaving Joey gets up and rubs his stomach.

"Well, I'm gonna go back to my apartment. Hey Mon, mind if I take one of these pies?" Joey asks and points to the fridge. I wave my hand gesturing that it's fine.

"Bye Joe," I say and shut the door on his way out. Rachel gets up and returns to her bedroom, not failing to give me a look on her way in.

"Hey Chandler, there's still a few beers left in here, want one?"

"Uh, yea sure." I hand it to him and take one for myself while sitting on the couch.

After a few moments of silence, Chandler says, "Look, about earlier, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did and I'm sorry." He sets his drink down on a coaster on the coffee table. I can't help but smile.

"No, it's fine. Really, it's no big deal."

"Okay good. But I have a question."

"Alright, shoot," I say before taking a swig of my beer and sitting it on a coaster.

"Why did you kiss me back? I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I was just curious as to why," he says while rubbing the back of his neck.

"I, um, well you see. I might have a little crush on you." I barely finish my sentence before I was cut off.

Chandler scooped me up into his arms and kissed me passionately. His hands finding the small of my back and pulling me closer. My arms snake around his neck as the kiss becomes deeper. Chandler lays me down on the couch and crawls on top of me continuing our kiss. His lips move to my neck and a tiny groan escapes my lips. I put my hands on his shoulders and push him away enough to look into his crystal blue eyes.

"As much as I want this to happen, it shouldn't. If we break up, our friendship will be ruined and I can't live without you. I'm sorry." I untangle myself from him and run to my room. I strip myself of my clothes and pull on something a little more warm. I stand by my door and listen to him get up and walk out of my apartment back over to his. As soon as the door closes I walk out to meet Rachel in front of my door.

"Come on. We need to talk," she says and pushes me back into my room.