Beyond Friends Episode Thirteen - "It's all coming back to me now."
Guest Stars
DS - Ross

"Love on the rocks."

Rachel was trying on the new nightgown Ross had gotten her.Ross sat on the bed in the bottoms of a sleeper set.
"How do I look?" She asked modeling for Ross. She walked across the tattered rug like a run way model, nose stuck up in the air. As much as she looked so good in the gift he had gotten her, he couldnt help but laugh at her goofing off.She stopped in the middle of the room.
"Oh you are so funny." He said between guffaws.
"Thanks." She said and crawled up to him on the bed. "Funnier than Chandler?"
"uh..." Ross said quietly. Rachel crossed her arms and legs and looked at him. "Yes, but dont let Chandler hear that." Rachel smiled and kissed Ross, knocking him on his back.

Chandler rolled over and groaned as he tried to block the sound of the squeaking bedset next door to him. How can Rachel be so inconsiderate? This was just like the first night he over heard Joey and Kathy making love in the next room.

You're doing it again, his conscience told him in a firm voice.

You're thinking of Rachel in that un-roomate way, and I thought we made it clear to ourselves that Rachel was a friend.

Chandler had promised Joey he would let Rachel know of his feelings for her. But that was weeks ago and Ross and Rachel are really together now, and he was sure they would be that way for a long time.

Chandler put a pillow over her face and tried to go to sleep. He finally got to sleep around four in the morning.

Morning

Chandler got up and went into the living room. All was quiet so he assumed that Ross went home sometime after he had fallen asleep that night. Ross had his son to look after and a babysitter to relieve from her night duty. Chandler wandered around around making breakfast until he was fully awake. He went over to Rachels room and knocked assuming she was asleep. He paused before opening it, remembering what it was like when he walked in to the old apartment and seeing her naked. He moved his hand from the door knob and knocked at first lightly but then a little louder knowing what a sound sleeper she was.

No response. He slowly opened the door. He tiptoed in and looked around the door. She wasnt there. He exhaled a large sigh or relief and opened the door all the way. She probably went home with Ross that morning and then headed straight on to work. Didn't stop here to get her bag, it still hung on the doorknob. He watched it swing in the momentum that the door caused when it opened. Chandler decided to stop lollygagging around and got ready for work.

As he hopped in the car to drive to work Rachel again came into his thoughts. He decided, in lack of other things to do on the ride to work, to actually think about her instead of shooing her out of his thoughts. And when Chandler really thinks, he starts talking to himself.

"I have known Rachel all my life." He said. "I hung out with her and all the others when we at either central perk, my old apartment with joey, pretty much everywhere. Rachel always seemed to have a way of being everywhere I went. And I liked that I really did." He turned onto the freeway leading to his office. "But I always felt the same for her. I loved her as a friend." He sat and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "So with all our history, why do I choose now to fall for her, if thats whats really happening?"

He sat quiet again. His conscience spoke. "Well it could be because she has been living with you for a month or so now. And maybe also because you cant have her even if you wanted to."

"Thats true." He said outloud."Man I need a life, I gotta stop talking to myself." He remained quiet the rest of his way to work.


Later on that night.

Chandler was sitting on the couch when Rachel came home. He sat straight up when he heard her key in the lock.
"It's open Rach!" He yelled loud enough for her to hear him. The clicking sound in the lock stopped and she opened the door.
"Hi!" She said happily. "I hope I didnt spook you this morning by not being here. I know how you love driving me to work." Rachel put down her apron. "Ross says hi, by the way. And he wants his hair cream back."
"I didn't take it." Chandler lied as he pushed a small jar of cream under his barcalounger.
"Well, I said he probably used it all, and we yammered on about that for a couple of seconds, then we decided it was a non issue." Rachel stretched and groaned.
"Whats wrong?" Chandler said, suddenly taking note of his roomate in pain.
"Nothing." She winced. "I think I pinced a nerve or something when I lifted a heavy tray today." She reached back and tried to rub her shoulder. "Mon said I would feel this later and I laughed at her."
"Here," Chandler said walking over to Rachel. "let me." "Do you really want to?" Rachel said.
"I'm not taking no as an answer." Chandler said and guided Rachel to the sofa. "Sit."
Rachel reluctantly sat and Chandler took his position behind her. He rubbed his hands together.
"I think I saw this on the Karate Kid." He said, still rubbing his hands together.
"Wax on, wax off Chandler-san." Rachel smiled.
"Hey, that was good." Chandler said then stopped rubbing his hands and rubbed Rachels shoulder. She grunted a bit when she felt his hands. He must have hit the right nerve cause seeming she started to feel better.
Chandler hummed a bit as he rubbed and he seemingly went into a trance.
"Chandler, I have to tell you something." Rachel said as she put her hands on his.
"What?" Chandler said. Rachel turned around.
"I love you."
"What?" Chandler said slightly confused.
"I love you Chandler Bing and I know you very much love me as well." Rachel said holding his hands. She leaned in kissed him passionately on the lips. He was stunned by the sudden movement but soon kissed her back. He slowly wrapped his arms around her. They held each other in their arms in a kiss that seemed neverending.

"Chandler!" Rachel said pulling him out of yet another fantasy about him. "You can stop now, I'm not a side of beef you know."
Chandler looked down and saw what a firm grasp he had of her shoulder and let go. He blushed.
"Sorry Rachel." Chandler sat back. "How are you feeling?" She smiled. "You mean besides like a well tenderized steak? I'm a lot better." She kissed Chandler on the forehead. "You are a sweetheart, I'm glad youre my friend. No other guy treats me like you do, well maybe Ross." She got up and went into the bathroom to change for her date with Ross that night.
"I'm glad I'm youre friend too." Chandler said. "But why cant I be more?" He said quietly.
"What did you say?" Rachel said ducking her head out the door.
"Nothing. I hope you have fun." Chandler went into his room and closed the door. He leaned against the closed door. "Maybe someday." He thought as went to take a nap. "Anything is possible."