Coming Home (part 1)

The phone rang shrilly in the empty apartment, a total of six rings before the answer machine came on.

"Hi, this is Ross. Um, call me okay? The number's 1-458-238-0128. Bye."

Chandler was only half listening to his messages as he flicked through the TV guide. The first was from his work, telling him a report was due. Chandler glanced at it where it lay barely started on the kitchen table. He looked up when he heard Ross's familiar voice. He played the message again, then a third time.

Chandler hadn't spoken to Ross or any of the gang for five years. Something serious must have happenedto make ross call him out of the blue like this. Chandler wondered what was wrong. He knew Ross was as stubborn as his sister, and wouldn't have called him unless he had no choice.

Chandler listened messgae again, the he dialed the number. Rachel answered. Chandler raised his eyesbrows when he heard her voice. When he had left New York, Ross and Rachel had still been playing around, almost taking turns to love each other. But obviously things had changed.

"Hi Rach, its Chandler," he said, not sure how to act.

"Hi. did Ross call you?" she asked, sounding as awkward as he felt.

"Um, yeah, is he there?"

"Yeah, I'll just go get him." Rachel disappeared and a few minutes later, Ross came on the line.

"Hi, he said. Chandler recognised the 'down' tone in Ross's voice, like when he was depressed, usually over the sorry state of his love life.

"So, um, whats up?" chandler asked.

"Richard kind of died."

"Kind of?"

"okay, so he's dead dead."

"R, r, Richard's dead?" Chandler asjed. He tried not to be happy. Someone's dad, grandad. Husband. Had died. He shouldn't be happy, yet he couldn't help a hint of happiness creaping into his voice.

"Yeah. Heart attack," Ross said shortly. There was a silence, lasting just a few seconds.

"How's Monica?" Chandler asked nervously.

"She's...coping. I mean, she's really upset, obviously. But she'll be okay. In time."

"So why are you calling me?" Chandler asked.

"Monica asked me to. she said you might like to know, but she wouldn't call you herself," Ross said. Chandler could tell he thought Monica was being stupid, but had done as she asked because shewas his little sister, and because she had just become a widow.

"Why not?"

"I think she didn't want you to feel like you had to look after her or anything."

"Look, you called me. Do you think I should come back to New York?"

"I think Monica could do with someone who loves her. But not if you don't want to come. Dont' feel obligated to. But I think she really wants you to be here," Ross said carefully. he didn't want Chandler to come to New York. He wanted to look after Monica himself, with Rachel, Phoebe and Joey. They didn't need Chandler's help.

"I'll think about it," Chandler promised.

"Okay, thanks man," ross said.

"Hey, where do you guys live these days, in case I do decide to come?" Ross gave him an address, not too far from where they used ot live, which Chandler scribbled down.

After he hung up, Chandler started packing a bag. He had deliberatly not sounded to sure when he was talking to Ross, in case he chickened out in the end, but he knew he couldn't stay in Ottowa when Monica was upset. It had been five years since he had last seen her, but that didn't mean he wouldn't jump at the chance to see her again.

When she had run away, claiming she needed to think, he had decided not to force her to chose between him and Richard. He would try and be the bigger man for once, and not make it too hard for her. She obviously wanted to pick Richard, or else she wouldn't have needed to think about it for long, after all, she had been dating Chandler at the time, Richard had just turned up, and suddenly, everything had changed. That must mean she still had feelings for Richard, so he had got out of New York as fast as he could, not even stopping to go into his apartment for clothes or anything. He just wanted to get the hell out of there and try and forget all about Monica Geller. But over the last five years he hadlearned painfully that he couldnt' forget her. Everything about her, from the way she tossed her hair to the way she smelt. From the way she smiled when they made love, to the way she always brought him down to earth when he took a joke too far. Everything was still as clear now as it was back then. He didn't think he would ever forget.

Chandler boarded the plane at 9pm. It was the day after Ross had called, and he was on the first flight he had been able to get. He felt a sense of fear, at going home. When he left New York, he had taken the cowards way out, but that had been so long ago, he didn't know any other way to deal with it. And in an hour and a half, he would be back in New York, having to face everything he had run away from.

He sat on the plane, listening to his disc-man, deliberately playing happy, up-beat songs, which didn't remind him of Monica. But somehow, he managed to find something that reminded him of her in every single song. He annoyed the people on either side of him by constantly twitching nervously and shuffling in his seat. They were all very grateful when they landed in New York and they could finally get rid of him.

Chandler however, didnt' want to get off at all. He had realised as the plane landed that coming back to New York was possibly the stupidest thing he could have done. He knew he could just get a flight back to Ottowa, since no one knew he was there, but he didn't want to do that either. That would be even more cowardly than going to Ottowa in the first place had been. Besides, he did want to see Monica. That was the only reason he got off the plane at all, just as it had been the only reason he'd got on it.

He managed to get a taxi to Ross's apartment, but waited around for ages in the lobby, unsure of whether to go up or not. Did he really want to do that now? But he soon realised he had no choice. He couldn't stay here all night, it was eleven o'clock now. He was spared from making a descision in the end, because a woman came out of her apartment and gave him a funny look.

"If you're still there in five minutes, i'm calling the cops," she said. Chandler could understand her fear. In New York, you were automatically suspicious of everyone, especially people who loitered around outside your apartment. Chandler hurried away, up the stairs, hearing the woman shout something after him, but not really paying attention. He reached the front door of Ross's apartment, but couldn't work up the courage to knock. He thought he was being rude, just turning up here, without calling, with an overnight bag, but he had no choice, if he loitered here much longer, he would get shouted at by someone else.

"Bye!" he heard a familiar voice shout from inside the apartment. He back away from the door, considering running away. He had known he couldnt' just walk back into his old life as if nothing had happened, but he hadn't thought it would be this hard. The door opened and Phoebe apeared. Chandler hid behind a pizza box that someone had left lying in the hallway, but of course, it didn't fool Phoebe for a second. She pulled it away from his face and blinked hard when she saw him.

"Chandler?" she asked quietly, wondering if she was hallucinating.

"No," he said.

"Chandler! Its Chandler!" she shouted. "Chandler's home!"

Within five seconds, Ross, Joey and Rachel had all gathered in the hallway to greet their old friend. Chandler had been afraid they would treat him differently, but joey broke the ice by hugging him hard.

"I really missed you man. Ross is no fun!" he said. Ross groaned.

"He just doesnt' find my rock theories interesting," he explained, as he too hugged Chandler.

"Does anyone?" Rachel asked. Ross shot her a loving look, and pushed her gently. "Missed you like hell Chandler," she said, ignoring Ross and hugging Chandler. Phoebe followed suit.

"So, where are you staying tonight?" Ross asked.

"Sweetie, he can stay with us," Rachel said.

"What about..?" Ross said in an undertone, nodding into the open doorway of the apartment.

"Oh! Well, i'm sure Joey'll be happy to have you," Rachel said cheerfully.

"Guys, whats going on?" Chandler asked suspiciously.

"nothing, its just Monica's staying with them," Phoebe said, then clapped her hand over her mouth, like she had said something she shouldn't.

"Mon, Monica's here?" Chandler asked quietly. Ross nodded.

"Sorry man, I'd lovefor you to stay here normally, its just, she is my sister. But you can stay with joey, right Joe?" Ross said.

"Sure, I still have the chick and the duck!" joey said. But the chick hasn't moved for a long time. I think they missed you."

"The chick's dead," Rachel whispered. "But none of us have had the heart to tell him yet." Chandler sighed and suppressed a laugh.

"Well, can I see her?" he asked shyly.

"Yasmine? Sure!" joey said enthusiastically.

"I think he means Monica honey," Phoebe said quietly. chandler nodded. None of the others would look at him or answer.

"For God's sake!" Chandler muttered. He brushed past them all and went into the apartment. Ross reached out a hand to stop him, but Phoebe held Ross back, letting Chandler go. "Monica? Mon? Monica?" he called. She wasn't in the livingroom, and a quick search told him she wasn't in the kitchen either. "Mon?" he called again. He approached the three doors he assumed were the bedrooms, and bathroom, but he didnt' dare open them, he didn't want to invade her privacy. But he didn't have to wait for long. One of the doors opened and Moncia emerged.

"Hi," she said softly.

TO BE CONTINUED...

I know this part was short, but hopefully the rest will be longer. Please review.