Ross: Hey, Rach, come check out this documentary on prehistoric animals.

Rachel: (Pause.) Well, y'know, that sounds like a lot of fun, but I haven't eaten yet. I just wanted to see if Monica was here. Um, I'm guessing she's not?

Ross: Oh, no, she and Chandler went out.

Rachel: Is Phoebe here?

Ross: No, she's spending the week at Frank's, remember? She wanted to spend some time with the triplets.

Rachel: Ohh, that's right. So, you're just here? Alone?

Ross: Yeah.

Rachel: Uh, not to sound pushy or anything, but why aren't you at your apartment?

Ross: Oh, my building's cable is out and I really wanted to watch this.

Rachel: Oh, okay. Well, do you wanna come over to my place? That way you don't have to watch TV alone. You know, we can get pizza. Watch prehistoric animals.

Ross: Okay, thanks. That sounds good. I haven't had anything to eat yet either. Let's just wait for a commercial.

Rachel: (Mumbling.) Whatever.

Ross: What?

Rachel: I said, of course!

[Scene: Joey and Rachel's. Ross is there watching his documentary. Rachel is ordering a pizza.]

Rachel: ...apartment 19. Huh? (Listens.) Joey's not here. (Listens.) His roommate. (Listens.) Rachel. (Listens.) Can I just get my pizza? Thanks. (Hangs up.)

Ross: The pizza place knows Joey by name?

Rachel: Yeah, well, I'm not really surprised.

Ross: Where is Joey anyway?

Rachel: Oh, I think he had a date.

Ross: Oh. Think he'll bring her here?

Rachel: I dunno. Probably not. He had a girl here two nights ago.

Ross: It doesn't bother you that he does that?

Rachel: No, not really. It only bothers me when he asks me to break up with them for him or cook them breakfast. Sometimes he gets mad 'cause I scare some of them off when I talk to them about morning sickness and stuff.

(Ross laughs.)

Rachel: So, uh, how's your documentary?

Ross: Huh? Oh, it's cool. You wanna watch with me?

Rachel: (Mumbling.) Not really...

Ross: What?

Rachel: Yeah, sure! (Sits down by him on the couch.)

[Time lapse. Rachel and Ross are eating the pizza and watching the documentary. Rachel has an "I Could Not Be More Bored" look on her face. The cat, Ryan, comes out of Rachel's room and jumps up on Ross's lap.]

Ross: Oh, hey. You decided to keep the cat?

Rachel: Yeah. He's really sweet.

Ross: Remember when you bought that Sphinx cat for a thousand bucks?

Rachel: (Laughs.) How could I forget? Y'know, I think I still have a few scars from that cat.

(Ross laughs and pets Ryan.)

Rachel: Remember the time I lost Marcel and that animal control person shot Phoebe with the dart?

Ross: (Smiling.) Yeah. That was a long time ago.

(The documentary comes back on and Ross returns to watching it intently. Rachel continues to look at him.)

[Time lapse. Rachel has fallen asleep and Ross is still watching his documentary. Joey enters.]

Joey: Hey, Ross. What are you doing here?

Ross: Watching TV.

Joey: Oh, yeah? Whatcha watching?

Ross: A documentary on prehistoric animals.

Joey: Whoa. Lost you there after "documentary." Hey, pizza. (Grabs a slice. Suddenly notices Rachel sleeping next to him.) You were alone with Rachel?

Ross: Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised?

Joey: I'm not surprised.

Ross: Okay. You just sounded a little surprised.

Rachel: (Waking up.) Hmm. Oh, hey, Joey. How was your date?

Joey: Oh, it was okay.

Ross: (Checking his watch.) Oh, wow, it's getting pretty late. I better go. I have to work tomorrow. See you guys later.

Joey: Bye.

Rachel: Goodnight.

(Ross exits.)

Joey: Whoa, Rach, what was all that about!? You and Ross, alone!?

Rachel: It's okay, Joey. I didn't say anything. I just went over to Monica's and he was there alone. I just told him to come over and I'd order a pizza. I mean, he was totally immersed in that documentary anyway.

Joey: Well, still! You were alone together! It was a date!

Rachel: It was not a date.

Joey: It was a date!

[Scene: Monica and Chandler's. The next morning. Monica, Chandler, and Rachel are there. Joey enters.]

Joey: Morning.

All: Hey.

Rachel: (Standing up.) Okay, I have to get to work.

Chandler: Y'know, I admire you, Rach. We all have jobs, yet you're the only one that really goes to work every day.

Joey: (To Rachel.) Oh, hey, did you tell Monica?

Monica: Tell me what?

Rachel: Nothing!

Monica: Tell me what!?

Joey: That Rachel was on a date with Ross!

Chandler: Really?

Rachel: No! It was not a date, okay?

Monica: What was it? What happened? Tell me!

Rachel: Okay! I came here last night looking for you and Ross was here watching TV...

Monica: Why was he watching TV here?

Rachel: Oh, the cable in his building was out. Anyway, I invited him over for pizza, y'know, so he wouldn't have to watch his documentary alone.

Monica: Oh my God! That's a date!

Rachel: Wh- no, it's not! It's having dinner and watching TV with my friend! Look, I really have to go to work. See you guys later.

All: Bye.

(Rachel exits.)

Monica: It was a date.

(Joey and Chandler nod.)

[Scene: Rachel's office. She is sitting there not really doing anything. She picks up the phone and dials.]

[Cut to Monica, then back and forth as they talk to each other.]

Monica: (On phone.) Hello?

Rachel: Hi, it's me.

Monica: Oh, hey! What's up?

Rachel: I need help.

Monica: Oh no, what's wrong?

Rachel: I can't stop thinking about Ross.

Monica: Oh, that is so sweet!

Rachel: What? Why is that sweet? It's not sweet! It's pathetic.

Monica: Oh, it's sweet because you're thinking about him! Especially after your date last night.

Rachel: It wasn't a date! Look, Monica, I can't be thinking about him! You gotta help me! I haven't been able to get any work done.

Monica: Why don't you just leave early? We could have lunch. That'll take your mind off him.

Rachel: Yeah, okay. I was gonna leave early today anyway. So, I'll see you in a little while. (She hangs up.)

Monica: (Hangs up.)(To herself.) Yeah, we'll take your mind off him. Or think of ways to find out how he really feels about you. Same difference.

[Scene: Ross's office. He is on a break between classes.]

Ross: (In his head.) I had a lot of fun with Rachel last night. I was surprised she enjoyed that documentary so much. Okay, back to work. (He starts grading papers.) Rachel has always been the most supportive of my interests in science. She really liked my paper on sediment flow rate. I gotta finish grading these. (Starts grading them again.) I wonder what Rachel's doing right now. God, why can't I stop thinking about her?

[Scene: A restaurant. Monica and Rachel are there.]

Monica: So, uh...have you decided what you're going to do about Ross?

Rachel: What!? I thought we came here to get my mind off him!

Monica: I know, but I'm dying! I gotta know! Are you gonna tell him? I mean, it would be so great if you got together, y'know? You'd be having a baby together. Maybe you'd get married! Oh! We'd be sisters-in-law!

Rachel: Okay, one thing at a time, Monica! I don't know what to do. I guess I just want to see if he feels the same way first.

[Scene: Monica and Chandler's. Chandler is there as Monica and Rachel return.]

Monica: Chandler, you have to talk to Ross and figure out if he loves Rachel.

(Chandler looks at her and pauses.)

Monica: Okay?

Chandler: Yeah, yeah, of course! What do you want me to say?

Monica: I don't know, just find out!

Rachel: Make sure you don't tell him that I love him.

Chandler: Why not? That'll make it so much easier.

Rachel: Because! When he hears that I want it to be from me!

Chandler: But...

Monica: Chandler!!!

Chandler: (Scared.) Okay, I won't tell him!

[Scene: Ross's apartment. Later that night. Ross is reading something as someone buzzes him. He gets up and walks over to the door.]

Ross: Hello?

Chandler: (On intercom.) Hey, Ross, it's me.

Ross: Come on up.

[A few moments later Chandler knocks and Ross lets him in.]

Ross: What's up?

Chandler: Oh, nothing much, I just thought I'd come over here and see my good pal Ross! Oh, and Monica wanted me to give you these pictures.

Ross: (Taking the pictures.) What are these?

Chandler: She said they were a few from when you were kids. She said she felt bad about keeping all the pictures and wanted you to have some.

Ross: Oh, that's nice of her.

(They sit down on the couch and Ross starts looking through the pictures. He stops as he comes to one of him and Rachel.)

Ross: What's this?

Chandler: Oh, that one must've accidentally gotten in there. Here, I'll take it...

Ross: No, wait.

(Chandler looks pleased.)

Ross: This is from when Rachel and I were dating. (Ross looks at the picture for a while.) You know, sometimes I really miss those times.

Chandler: Well, why wouldn't you? You two were really happy back then.

Ross: Yeah...

Chandler: In fact, I don't think I've ever seen you that happy since you broke up.

(Ross just nods and looks at the picture some more.)

Ross: Can I tell you something?

Chandler: Sure.

Ross: Well...lately I've been thinking about Rachel a lot. Like today at work. I was grading these papers and I couldn't stop thinking about last night when she invited me over to her place for pizza.

Chandler: So, you think it means something?

Ross: I don't know...well, yeah, I guess I do. I think I'm falling in love with her again, Chandler. I mean, I've been thinking...maybe I never stopped loving her. I want to tell her so much, but I don't think she feels the same way...

Chandler: Well, Ross, you'll ever know if you don't ask.

Ross: Yeah, I guess you're right.

Chandler: (Getting up.) Well, I just wanted to drop off those pictures and say hello. You think about what you wanna do about Rachel, okay?

Ross: Yeah, I will. See you later.

Chandler: Bye. (He exits, still looking pleased with himself.)

[Scene: Monica and Chandler's. Rachel and Monica are looking out the window into Ross's apartment.]

Rachel: Can you see anything?

Monica: No. Do you think Chandler's still there?

Rachel: I don't know.

(They continue peering out the window. Chandler enters behind them and they don't notice. He walks up behind them.)

Chandler: See anything?

Monica and Rachel: No.

Rachel: Oh!

Monica: Oh, hey, Chandler. We weren't spying.

Chandler: Right.

Rachel: Did you find anything out?

Chandler: Sure did. (To Rachel.) I believe his exact words were, "I think I'm falling in love with her again."

Monica: Oh my God!

Rachel: Really!?

Chandler: Yep. I believe I deserve a thank you.

Rachel: Oh, thanks, Chandler. (Kisses him on the cheek.) Thank you so much. Monica! What should I do!?

Monica: Okay, okay, slow down. Let's think about this. It has to be perfect. Well, look, it's late. We should all get some sleep and then we'll figure it out tomorrow.

Rachel: Oh, but I have to be at work at noon.

Monica: Well, that's okay. We can think about it during the day and discuss our ideas later.

Chandler: (Walking towards his and Monica's bedroom.) I'm expecting a thank you from you too, Monica... (He goes in.)

Monica: (To Rachel.) See you tomorrow. (Runs into her room.)

Rachel: Oh my God, ew! (Rushes out.)

[Scene: Ross's work. The next day. Ross is grading papers again.]

Ross: (In his head.) A...C...A...B...I wonder what Rachel's doing...No, no, I can't think about that. D...A...She's probably at work. She's probably not thinking about me. God, what if she is? That would be so great. Chandler's right. I should tell her. (He picks up the phone and dials.)

[Time lapse. Scene: Rachel's office. She is just arriving and she sees a flower on her desk.]

Rachel: (Reading the card to herself.) Rach - I need to talk to you. Meet me at Central Perk at 8:00 tonight. I hope you like the flower. Love, Ross. (Out loud.) Ohhh. (She grabs the phone and dials.)

[Cut to Monica, then back and forth as they speak.]

Monica: Hello?

Rachel: Monica, it's me.

Monica: Hey. What's up?

Rachel: Ross sent me a flower with a note saying he needed to talk to me and to meet him at Central Perk at 8:00 tonight.

Monica: Oh my God!

Rachel: I know!

Monica: Well, you're gonna go, right?

Rachel: Yes, of course!

Monica: Oh, that's so great!

Rachel: Oh my God!

Monica: What? What is it?

Rachel: What am I gonna wear!?

[Scene: Time lapse. Rachel's office. Rachel and Monica are there. Monica is reading the note.]

Monica: Oh, I bet he's gonna tell you he's still in love with you!

Rachel: Really? Really? You think so?

Monica: Yeah, definitely!

Rachel: Ohh, what am I gonna say?

Monica: Don't worry. I'm sure you'll know when the time comes.

Rachel: Okay, what do I wear then?

Monica: Well, not a dress, that's too fancy, then he might get the wrong impression. Not pants, that's too casual. So, how about you borrow my black skirt and wear it with that white top?

Rachel: Oh, yeah, I like that. That's good.

Monica: This is so exciting!

Rachel: Yeah! Oh, we better go so I can get ready.

Monica: It's only 1:30.

Rachel: Have you not seen me get ready for a date?

[Scene: Monica and Chandler's. Monica enters with Rachel, but sees Ross there and pushes Rachel back out the door.]

Monica: (Loudly.) Ross! What are you doing here?

[Cut to Rachel in the hall, looking around frantically, then rushing into her apartment.]

Ross: I was actually waiting for Chandler.

Monica: Oh, um, well, Chandler's at work. Yeah, he, he said he'd be working late.

Ross: Oh.

Monica: Is something wrong?

Ross: No, no.

Monica: Come on, tell me.

Ross: Well...the other night Chandler came over to drop off those pictures, you know? Well, there was one of me and Rachel in there and I was just looking at it for a long time. The night before I'd had dinner with Rachel. I mean, it was just pizza at her place and we were watching a documentary...but then at work I couldn't stop thinking about her...and I told Chandler I think I'm falling in love with her again.

Monica: (Acting like she didn't know.) Oh, that is so sweet!

Ross: I sent her a flower and asked her to meet me at Central Perk tonight at 8:00 so we could talk. Do you think she'll show up? I mean, maybe she got the wrong impression with the flower, you know? I don't know what I was thinking...

Monica: Yes! Of course she'll show! Look, you gotta leave now, though. You, uh, you gotta go get ready!

Ross: That takes me, like, two minutes.

Monica: Okay, well, just go. I, I'm gonna clean!

Ross: Okay, I'm gone.

(Ross exits. A few minutes later, Monica peers out into the hall. Seeing that he's gone, she runs over to Rachel's apartment and knocks.)

Rachel: (Opening the door.) Is he gone?

Monica: Yeah, come on.

(They go back into Monica's apartment.)

Rachel: What did he say?

Monica: He told me everything Chandler said he told him. It was so sweet! He said he couldn't stop thinking about you.

Rachel: Ohh!

Monica: I know! Huh, you're so lucky. Chandler's not romantic like that at all.

[Time lapse. Rachel has now put on her designated outfit.]

Monica: Oh, that looks great. Not too dressy, not too casual. Now, what about your hair?

Rachel: Ross always said he liked it when I left it down.

Monica: Okay, problem solved! Go put your make-up on. Go, go, go! We're running out of time!

(Rachel looks fearfully at Monica and rushes back into her room.)

[Time lapse. Rachel is leaving for Central Perk.]

Monica: Okay, right on time! It's 7:45. You'll be there by 7:55.

Rachel: Monica, relax. I'm the one that should be nervous.

Monica: Oh my God, are you nervous?

Rachel: I am now.

Monica: Oh, you'll be fine. Just go! Tell me everything when you get back.

Rachel: Okay, bye Mon.

[Scene: The hallway. Rachel is about to walk down the stairs and Joey comes up.]

Joey: Hey, Rach. Where ya going?

Rachel: I'm gonna go see Ross.

Joey: You have a date with Ross!?

Rachel: Well, first of all, that's not even close to what I said. Second of all, yeah, I kind of do. Ross asked me to meet him at the coffeehouse.

Joey: Oh, do you think he's gonna...

Rachel: I hope he's gonna.

Joey: If he does, are you gonna...

Rachel: Yeah.

Joey: Alright! Good luck.

Rachel: Thanks!

(She leaves.)

[Scene: Central Perk. Rachel arrives and sees that Ross isn't there yet. She sits down on the couch.]

Gunther: Can I get you anything, Rachel?

Rachel: Oh, yeah, coffee please, Gunther.

(Gunther goes off to get her coffee. Rachel looks at her watch.)

Rachel: (To herself.) Ten minutes early. That's the last time I let Monica tell me when to leave.

(Gunther returns with her coffee.)

Gunther: Here's your coffee, Rachel.

Rachel: (Taking it.) Thanks.

(Ross enters, walks over to the couch, and sits down next to Rachel.)

Ross: Hey, Rach. Thanks for coming.

Rachel: Oh, hey, no problem.

Ross: Okay, well, there's something I wanted to tell you.

Rachel: Yeah?

Ross: Okay...okay...I don't know why this is so hard...so I'm just gonna say it...okay...Rachel, I'm still in love with you. I guess I never really stopped loving you.

(There is a crash in the background.)

Gunther: I'm okay.

Rachel: Oh, Ross...I love you too.

Ross: (Obviously surprised.) What? Really?

Rachel: Oh, yes. I was dying to tell you, but I wasn't sure if you felt the same way or not.

Ross: Oh, wow. I didn't think you felt the same either...this is so...so...

Rachel: Good?

Ross: (Smiles.) Yeah.

(He leans in the kiss her, but...)

Rachel: Wait, Ross. Before anything starts here, I need you to know something. I need you to know that I forgive you for what you did and that you were right. It did take two people to break up our relationship. I apologize for my part in that. God, I've wanted to say that for so long.

Ross: Oh...I forgave you so long ago, Rach. And I want you to know that I'm sorry too. I love you.

Rachel: I love you too.

(We hear the infamous "With or Without You" play and fade out as they kiss.)

Ross: I had hoped that this would be a little more romantic. I mean, it's just the coffeehouse.

Rachel: It doesn't matter where you say it. Just what you say. I think this is extremely romantic.

(They kiss again and Phoebe walks in, returning from her visit with the triplets.)

Phoebe: Hey you guys...oh! Oh my God! Oh! You were kissing! Oh! Did you get back together? Oh my God!

Rachel: (Standing up.) Yes!!!

(Phoebe and Rachel scream and hug each other.)

Phoebe: Oh, oh! This is so great!

Rachel: I know!

Ross: And I guess I have no part in your girly moment.

(Phoebe and Rachel each take one of his hands and pull him up. They start screaming and hugging again, Ross included.)

[Scene: Monica and Chandler's. Monica and Chandler are waiting to hear from Rachel.]

Chandler: I'm bored, Monica. Wanna...

Monica: No. We're waiting up for Rachel.

(Chandler sits back, defeated. Just then, Ross and Rachel enter hand-in-hand with Phoebe following them.)

Monica: Oh! You got back together!

Rachel: Yes!!!

(There is another fit of screaming and hugging between Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe.)

Chandler: (To Ross.) We don't have to do that, right?

Ross: Right.

Chandler: Good. Congratulations, man.

Ross: Thanks.

(Chandler gets up to hug him, thinks differently, and shakes his hand.)

[Scene: Joey and Rachel's. Joey is there watching the Discovery Channel with Ryan. Ryan is Joey and Rachel's cat, in case you didn't read my previous fan fiction or you forgot.]

Joey: (To Ryan.) Whoa, this is kinda cool.

(Rachel and Ross enter and see Joey watching the documentary.)

Joey: Whoa, that thing is huge. Whoa! Did you see that...

(Rachel drops her keys loudly on the counter. Joey slowly turns around.)

Joey: Hey... (Turning back to the TV.) ...Whoa, what is this? The Discovery Channel? Ew!

Rachel: Goodnight, Joey.

Joey: Goodnight.

(They exit into Rachel's room. Joey sits still for a moment, then flips back to the Discovery Channel.)

Joey: Whoa! This is awesome.

- End -

I want feedback! E-mail me at [email protected]. Please read the continuation of this one, TOW The Holiday Bonus.