Monica awoke to voices outside her bedroom door. She eased out of bed slowly, remembering all the drinking and laughing she'd done the previous night. She opened her door and saw Rachel and Phoebe sitting at the kitchen table.

"Hey Mon," Phoebe said.

"Hey...," she mumbled, heading straight for the bathroom. Rachel and Phoebe exchanged a glance and smiled. A few minutes later Monica came out and came to the kitchen.

"Morning," she said solemnly.

"Monica is something wrong?" Rachel asked. Monica slid into a seat at the table and took a sip of coffee.

"Hmm.....nothing really. I just had a little too much to drink last night, and laughed way too much."

"Oh that sounds like fun!" Phoebe said. Monica just looked at her as she smiled, then returned it. "Actually it was." She began telling them what happened the previous evening and had them howling with laughter as she went into detail. "Also," she continued, "Chandler and I almost kissed."

"What!"

"Oh my God!"

"I KNOW!", Monica said. "I felt like we connected last night, and we didn't even touch each other. What do you think that means?"

"I think you should do it," Phoebe said. "Yeah, just jump his bones!"

"Phoebe my wanting to do that is what got me in this situation." Monica began to pace back and forth. "I think I should just break up with David. I mean, I can't do this anymore."

She stopped pacing and turned in their direction. "What should I do?" she asked softly. Phoebe and Rachel were silent.

"What should I do! What should I do!," Monica exclaimed.

"Oh-okay honey, just calm down," said Rachel. She guided Monica over to the couch and sat beside her. Phoebe sat down in front of them on the coffee table. "Mon, do you really see any type of future with David?"

"No."

"Then I think that's your answer," Phoebe said.

"Yeah. I know you're right. I guess I've just been avoiding the inevitable, but I know what I have to do now." Monica pulled them in for a group hug. "Thanks you guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably nothing," Phoebe said with a smile. Monica stood up. "Well I need to go get dressed so I can get this over with."

Monica did just that and left the apartment 45 minutes later, casually dressed for a break-up. She knew this would be especially hard because David really loved her. But Monica was surer about this than anything else in her life right now that breaking up with David was the right thing to do. She recited her speech in her head over and over on the ride to David's apartment, but her mind went blank when he opened the door with a big smile on his face. "Hi sweetheart! What a great surprise. Why didn't you tell me you were coming over?" David pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the neck. "Hmm you smell good," he smiled. Monica took his hand and guided him over to the couch.

"David, sit down with me, we need to talk." She cleared her throat. "Uh, I know you've been worried about what's been bothering me these past few months, and I apologize for not being honest with you, but its taken me this long to be honest with myself."

"Monica, what's going on? This seems really serious." Monica took a deep breath.

"David.... I don't think we should see each other anymore." Monica could have sworn she heard an echo as that sentence left her mouth. She watched David's face as he tried to hide his emotions. The seconds of silence seemed like an eternity. She reached out her hand to touch his and flinched as he moved away from her.

"David? Please say something." David rose from the couch and walked away.

"Why?," he asked softly.

"Because. Because you deserve someone who will love you, and I finally realized that it’s not me."

"Monica I know you care for me. I think you're just scared of loving someone." Monica shook her head. "No, that's not it."

"Well what is it?" David walked over to Monica and kneeled down in front of her. "I love you Monica. And I'm not just going to let you walk out of my life."

His words brought tears to her eyes. "But I don't love you." She sniffled. "I hate hurting you like this, and I can't do it anymore."

David walked away once again and sat on the floor against the wall. "Is there someone else?" Monica's eyes widened. She didn't know how to answer that. "What makes you think there's someone else?"

"Is there?" Monica sat silently, trying to think of how to answer his question. She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts she barely heard his derisive laughter. "What's so funny?"

"You just answered my question Monica. Your silence tells me more than an answer ever could."

"I have been such a fucking idiot!" David yelled out. Monica jumped at his outburst. She'd never seen him so angry, but then again she'd never broken his heart before either. "David, I am totally to blame. I am so so sorry....."

Monica stood up from the couch. "I think it would be best if I go." She walked to the door and turned around.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," he said, sitting on the floor.

"I'm sorry," she said one final time before walking out the door.

Monica took a long walk after she left David's apartment and lost track of time. By the time she returned to her building it was after 8:00. "Rachel?," she called out as she entered the apartment. She checked all the rooms and saw that Rachel was no where to be found and decided to just relax for the evening. Monica changed into a tank top and pajama pants, put on a Sade CD and danced her way into the kitchen.

She was making popcorn when there were three loud knocks on the door. Monica rushed to open it, revealing Chandler on the other side. "Hi. What are you doing here?" Chandler walked in and closed the door. "David told me what happened. Are you okay?"

"I've been better, but I'll be fine." Monica walked back to the kitchen and resumed her task. "How is David?"

"He's not doing too well, but he's trying to hide it. I thought you may have been in worse shape so I came over to check on you. Are you sure everything's fine?"

Monica chuckled. "Yes Chandler. Thanks for checking up on me, it’s really sweet."

Chandler sat at the kitchen table. "So what happened?"

"Uh, you know. Things weren't working out. He wanted something that I couldn't give him." Monica looked at Chandler. "Did he say anything to you?"

"He was saying something. Were they words? That I couldn't tell you."

"Oh." Monica slid into the chair across from Chandler. "Can we talk about this later? I really don't want to discuss this right now."

"Sure. Whatever you want."

"Thanks," she smiled gratefully to him. Chandler smiled back and clasped his right hand with her left. They sat in silence for a few seconds and listened to the music.

"Chandler, why are you really here?" Their eyes met and they both knew they'd come to a crossroad.

"I came to see you," he said softly. Chandler stood up from the table and with Monica's hand in his, guided her over to the couch. They sat close together, her hand still in his. "We've never talked about what's going on between us. Those frequent almost-kisses. Please tell me I'm not crazy, and that I'm not imagining that you want me as much as I want you." Monica cupped his cheek in her palm and gave him a gentle smile. "No, you're not crazy and you're not imagining it."

"That's good to know," Chandler said smiling back and glancing at her lips. They looked so soft he wanted to touch them. Slowly he outlined her lips with his index finger, and then placed his lips softly on hers. He loved the feel of their lips pressed together and gave her a soft peck. Then he gave her another kiss, and another, each one becoming slower. Monica looked directly into his blue eyes looking into hers with intensity and passion. Chandler kissed her softly again. He cupped her face in his hands and entered his tongue into her mouth. Her tongue played gently with his as the kiss deepened. "Chandler, wait," she moaned and he broke the kiss.

He looked at her, hoping she wouldn't stop. "What about David?"

"Well I was kinda hoping this kiss could only involve the two of us," he said smiling.

"No not that," Monica laughed. "I don't want to ruin your friendship with him, and that's exactly what would happen if we got involved."

"Monica, I'm already involved and I want to stay that way. David is one of my best friends, but you.... I think I'm falling in love with you." Chandler wanted her so much. He loved kissing her, loved her taste and how she responded. Monica wanted him too, and right now she could not think beyond that. She licked her lips, tasting him on them, and brought his face to hers once again and kissed him with all the want and need that had accumulated since discovering her feelings for him. David was a distant memory for the both of them. They were so into each other nothing else mattered.

"Oh my God!," Rachel suddenly gasped, coming through the door. She stood in the doorway with her mouth hanging open, surprised at what she'd walked in on. "I am so so sorry, you guys. I should've knocked. Oh, I am so sorry!"

She backed away and was about to close the door when she turned back around. "You look so cute together," she said. Rachel gave them a quick smile and walked out the door, leaving them in total shock.

Monica and Chandler stared at each other before bursting into laughter.

"Oh my God!," she said, still laughing.

"I can't believe that just happened. She was so calm about it wasn't she?," Chandler asked sarcastically.

"Well she's had her hopes on us getting together," Monica laughed.

"Really? Seriously?" he smirked. "So you told Rachel you had feelings for me, huh."

"I may have," she replied. "But before you do your cute, yet rhythmless dance, you told Phoebe how you felt about me first."

Chandler's eyes widened. "How'd you know about that?"

"She may have mentioned it to me in passing." Monica laughed. "Chandler I would've found out sooner or later."

"You don't know that," he grumbled. Monica crossed her arms and gave him a look.

"Hmm... well the fact that we almost kissed more than once kinda gave you away."

"So do you think Rachel will tell anyone?"

"Oh yeah," she laughed. "Everyone will know by morning. Rach is a great friend and I love her, but she can't hold water."

"And are we okay with everyone knowing?"

"By everyone you mean....?"

"Ross, Joey, Phoebe and Rachel. Definitely not David, of course," he chuckled dryly.

"Of course," she replied. "Oh my God!"

"What? What?"

"What are you going to do about Shelby? I cannot believe I forgot you had a girlfriend!" Monica began to pace the same area she had earlier that day.

"Monica," Chandler called out. She ignored him and continued to pace.

"Monica," he repeated. He rose from the couch and blocked her from moving.

"Listen to me. Shelby and I aren't together anymore."

"What?"

"You're not the only one who ended a relationship today." Chandler pulled Monica closer to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Well technically I didn't end it, she did. She told me that it wasn't working because my nose was wide open for some other woman." Monica laughed. "Did she really say that?"

Chandler smiled. "Yes she did, and she knew you were the other woman."

"Was she upset?"

No, not at all. She encouraged me to tell you how I felt. Besides, it was time for it to end anyway."

"Why? Because you no longer had feelings for her?"

"Yeah, that and because none of my relationships have lasted longer than a couple of months. But I hope to change that." Monica smiled and caressed his cheek. "You are so sweet."

"No Ordinary Love" came over the speakers and Chandler pulled Monica closer to him. "Dance with me," he whispered in her ear. Monica laid her head on his shoulder as they slowly moved in rhythm to the song. "What song is this? It's really nice, kinda mellow."

"It's called No Ordinary Love by Sade," she said softly. "I love her music because it has a jazzy/R&B flavor."

I gave you all the love I got

I gave you more than I could give

I gave you love

I gave you all that I have inside

And you took my love

You took my love

Didn't I tell you

What I believe

Did somebody say that

A love like that won't last

Didn't I give you

All that I've got to give baby

I gave you all the love I got

I gave you more than I could give

I gave you love

I gave you all that I have inside

And you took my love

You took my love

I keep crying

I keep trying for you

There's nothing like you and I baby

(chorus)

This is no ordinary love

No ordinary love

This is no ordinary love

No ordinary love

When you came my way

You brightened every day

With your sweet smile

Didn't I tell you

What I believe

Did somebody say that

A love like that won't last

Didn't I give you

All that I've got to give baby

(chorus)

I keep crying

I keep trying for you

There's nothing like you and I baby

(chorus)

Keep trying for you

Keep crying for you

Keep flying for you

Keep flying I'm falling

I'm falling

Keep trying for you

Keep crying for you

Keep flying for you

Keep flying I'm falling

I'm falling

Chandler and Monica danced slowly to the music, holding each other closely. Monica felt safe in his arms, like she belonged there. She kissed Chandler on the neck, not believing that she was actually dancing in her living room with him.

"It feels so good being in your arms," she whispered. Chandler returned the kiss on her neck, followed by a kiss on the lips. She responded, immediately opening her mouth for his tongue. Chandler's hands moved from her waist down to her butt. He squeezed it with both hands, pushing her pelvis into his and Monica couldn't help but feel his manhood harden. The kiss deepened and Chandler became harder. Monica moaned, loving the feel of him outlined against her.

"Whoa... wait a minute," Chandler said, suddenly breaking the kiss and backing away. "What?," Monica asked in a daze.

"I think we should stop before things get a little out of hand. I only have so much self control."

"Well I'm not asking you to be in control," Monica replied with a grin.

"Yes, but I want our first time to be special."

"Aww, Chandler... that's so sweet." She kissed him on the lips. "I'm sure our first time will be well worth the wait," she said, looking at him below the waist. They shared a long look and Chandler knew if he didn't get out of there then he wouldn't be leaving until the next morning.

"You'd better go Chandler. I don't know how much self control I have."

"I know exactly what you mean. I'll call you when I get home, okay?" Monica nodded and they shared one final kiss before Chandler walked out of the apartment.

"Aarrrgh!" Monica let out a frustrated growl as soon as the door closed. She ran into the bathroom and shouted, "Damn you chivalry!", as she turned on the cold water to take a shower.

I've decided to end it here because I'm sleepy. Please review, otherwise how will I get better?