Rachel got on the elevator at the same time the other woman did. She was a blonde just a little taller than her. She had a weird little smile on her face. One of those smiles that often betrays you and tells other people what you are thinking. Rachel looked at her as the elevator went down to the lobby.
Rachel looked at the woman.
"You look happy."
"I am." Stacy said. "I'm dating a wonderful man. I'm on top of the world. I'm peeing off the hoover dam!" She got a weird look from Rachel. "Great. You don't get it either."
"I'll have to meet this man that makes you so happy." Rachel said as the door opened.
"You might. Here he is." Stacy said. Chandler turned to the door. Rachels mouth popped open.
"Chandler?" Rachel said.
"Hey Rachel. I see you met Stacy." Chandler said.
"Yeah." Stacy said. "Its hard not to seeing shes right here with me on the elevator."
"I know." Chandler said. "See you later Rachel?" He said. Ross walked by. They exchanged a look.
"Hi honey." Ross kissed her on the cheek.
"That was Stacy." Rachel said.
"Wow." Ross said. "She looks like someone I knew somewhere. Come on, I have the car parked out here."
Central Avenue
"What do you think of Rachel?" Chandler asked as they walked.
"Seriously?" Stacy said. He nodded. "Honestly shes the biggest drip I ever met." She said. "And that goes for the guy she was with. Mr and Mrs Drip." She smiled. "Yeah. Thats what I'll call them."
"I dated her once." Chandler said defensively. "And hes my best friend."
"I'm sorry but thats the impression I got from her." Stacy said. "We only talked for twenty seconds. Maybe next time I will leave with a better impression."
"Great." He kissed her on the cheek. "Maybe we ought to get going. The movie start any minute now."
"Thanks." Stacy said, "I am sorry about that comment. Sometimes I will say things that I'm only supposed to be thinking."
"I know how you feel." He said. "There are times I wanted to take back stuff myself."
"Great." She kissed him on the cheek. "Whos in this movie?"
"I dunno, a couple of drips." He cracked.
Stacy laughed.
Later
Rachel sat across an outdoor table from Ross.
"What do you think?" He said. "Do you think you're ready to come home yet?"
"I don't know." She said.
"Why not?" Ross said.
"If I stay another week, I will have a full collection of Star Trek Movies." Rachel smiled.
"Star trek?"
"Yeah. I'm waiting for The wrath of khan. The movie Spock dies in. No collection is complete." She said.
"But you don't like Star trek." Ross said.
"Neither do you." She reminded him. "But it might make a good gift for someone at christmas."
"Come home." He said. "I want you to."
"Ross."
"Forget Spock. I can get you that video at any Blockbuster in the area." Ross said. "I've never known how much I've needed you till you were gone." He took her hand. "Here you are, and you are somehow just beyond arms reach for me." He said.
"I miss you too." Rachel said going to him. She kneeled next to him.
"I miss you more." He said. "I need you to come home. Without you I feel like part of me is lost, like in a storm. With no umbrella even." He kissed her on the head.
"I wanna come home." She said.
"And you will." He said.
"Let me get my things." She said.
"I'll drive you." Ross said. They rose together.
"I'm so happy." She said.
"Good." He said. "Cause I like to see you with a smile."
Chandlers place
Chandler popped open a wine bottle.
"How did you like that movie?" Chandler asked.
"It was okay." Stacy said. "I can never really sit still in a movie." She said looking around. "You have a nice apartment. Seems like you've had the womans touch."
"Thats really from my fathers side." He said.
"You said Rachel lived with you for some time. It seems like shes still here." She pointed out. "These curtains don't exactly scream macho, you know."
"Gimme a break." He said. "Mauve is very in this year."
"I know." She said, taking the wine glass he offered her. "Hmm, a excellant flora." She sniffed it.
"Wow, you know wine?" Chandler said.
"No, I know how to sound snooty and refined and ultra bitchy. Its one of my traits." She said taking a gulp. "Hmm, delicious. What are we gonna do? Get drunk and end up in bed?"
"Unless you got another thing in mind." Chandler said.
"If we were gonna hit the sack, I'd rather do it sober." She kissed Chandler on the lips.
"Mmm." Chandler said. "You got spinach in your teeth." He said picking something out.
"Oh my god!" She said, making a blech face. "Wait a minute. I had no spinach."
"Must be mine then."
"Ewww." She said covering her mouth. "Go wash your mouth out buster. If we're going where we think we're going, I want a spinach free romance area."
"Yes ma'am." He said going into the bathroom.
Hours later
Stacys prediction had been right. They did end up in bed but didnt fall asleep. She had to go to work the next day. Chandler woke Stacy and drove her home. As Chandler was leaving the hotel he heard his name being called.
"Chandler!" He heard.
"Rachel?" He turned. He looked at her. She had her bags with her.
"Going somewhere?" He asked.
"I'm going home." She said proudly. She had a video tucked under one arm.
"Star trek?" Chandler said.
"I was making a whole collection. You get one every other day. This is the one I was missing. They keep running out of the Wrath of Khan. Part two." She explained.
"I had no idea you liked Star Trek." He said.
"We dont. But it will make a good gift." She said.
"I already know. It can't be me." Chandler said.
"Star trek, the whole enriching experience." Rachel said. "We could give it to Joey. Give him William Shatner lessons." She said.
"Anyone could do Shatner." Chandler said. "Not that big an acting challenge."
"How is Stacy?" Rachel said. "I'll walk out with you."
"Pretty good." Chandler said. "What are you two doing next week?"
"Nothing." She said.
"How about a double date? Me and Stacy, you and Ross. What do you think?" Chandler asked.
"Couple dates?" Rachel asked. "The last time we did that we ended with our dates marrying each other."
"Trust me, with Ross and Stacy there is no chance." Chandler said.
"We'll see you next week." Rachel said as they reached Ross's car.
"Till we meet again." Chandler kissed her on the cheek.
She got in the car, Ross looked at him. He waved. Chandler smiled and waved. All was well in the world and Chandler Bing was in love. What could happen now?
