Rachel looked up into the persons face who helped her into the boat she had just fallen out of. Whoever had gotten into the boat had rocked it so she ended up in the dingy water of the tunnel of love. Rachel wiped wet strands of hair out of her face. Though she knew the voice it took her a few more minutes to fully recognize the person who had rescued her from her little dip.
"Thanks." She said.
"Your welcome." Chandler said.
"Why did you want to meet me here?" She asked him getting right to the point. "I knew from your handwriting that it was you that left me the note. And Ross hasnt been in the room long enough to even try."
"I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to know why you been so cagey around me for the last few weeks." Chandler said. "There is something going on with you and Ross isnt there?"
"Yeah." Rachel admitted as the boat moved forward. "Boy this tunnel is longer than I thought." Chandler gave her a look. "Ross wants to get married again."
Chandler thought for a minute. The woman Ross was talking to in front of the apartment a few weeks ago. The one with the envelope. "Ross was talking to a woman a few weeks ago and he gave her something."
"It must have been some kind of wedding planner." Rachel said. "He probably did everything himself. That would explain why this woman didnt call our home. At least not while I was around anyway."
"Do you want to get remarried to him? Think about it, its like the third or fourth time. I'm not surprised if started thinking weddings and marriage have lost all the thrill to it." Chandler said out loud.
"I don't know." Rachel said. "I'm still so unsure of myself."
"Do you know what you want?" Chandler asked as they passed a flower setting. The boat seemed to stop.
"No. But then again I always thought fate would point me where I was supposed to be. My fate has a broken compass!"
Chandler smiled. "If you want to, marry again, I'll support you. Just don't let me be best man ok? In fact it would be better if I wasnt there at all."
Rachel looked ahead. The boat was coming to the end of the ride. There was a slow bump as it came against the stairs to get off. Chandler got out first and extended his hand. Rachel took it and Chandler helped her out of the boat. She lightly kissed the air between her and his cheek. He lightly squeezed her hand in response.
"I'll see you later." Rachel said turning away from him. She brushed a damp hair out of her face.
"You too." He mumbled as she walked away. Chandler sat down on a bench near the ride and watched her go. She turned and looked at each other, eyes connecting for a moment. Then she smiled and walked away.
"Whats up?" Joey said as he sat next to her with a fried dough in his hand.
"Nothing much." Chandler said. "Wheres Greta?"
"Getting her beauty sleep. She oughta be up in a half an hour." Joey said. "I got news, we're going back early. My new soap job is gonna start earlier than we thought. We go back on a flight tonight."
"Great." Chandler said. "I'm all funned out anyway." He said remembering their talk in the tunnel.
The flight back
There was a switch, Rachel noticed. She had looked forward to seeing Chandler in the seat next to her but there sat Ross reading a Time magazine. He turned and looked at her coming down the aisle. He smiled and got up. She smiled back weakly.
"Hey. This is a surprise." She said as Ross stood up to let her in.
"Don't I know it? Chandler is a great guy. He switched places with me so I can fly back to New York with you." Ross explained as Rachel squeezed her way past. "I can hardly wait to get back." He said his voice growing serious. I need to talk to you."
"About what?" Rachel asked. Ross tilted his head at her. He put his hand under her chin and look at her face.
"You look so pretty."
Rachel looked uneasily into his eyes. Something was wrong.
"I'd rather not wait." Rachel said. Ross nodded.
"After takeoff, meet me in the bathroom. First class has a bigger one than coach."
"Ok." Rachel said as she buckled her belt. Ross returned to his magazine.
"Good article?" She asked in a low voice.
"Yeah." Ross said not looking up.
Coach
Chandler held his bag of airline nuts in his hand. He was about to toss them in his mouth when Phoebe spirited them away from him. She tossed them in her mouth and chewed contently. Chandler tossed his bag away when he saw the curtain ahead of him move. He was three rows from the front of the plane, the first class section. the curtain swayed open for a second as the flight attendant came through with coffee. He caught a glimpse of Rachel looking out the window. He couldnt really see her face but she looked really puzzled. She turned to the left and thought their eyes met for a second. Just as he was about to look closer the curtain closed.
First Class
Ross put his magazine away and walked up to the bathroom and opened the door. He ducked in and closed the door without really locking it. Rachel waited for a short count of 10 then followed him up. She opened the door, trying to draw attention, after she was sure she entered. Ross was seated on the sink.
"Wow, this is a lot bigger than first class." Rachel marveled.
"I know." Ross said. "I have something to tell you."
"What?" Rachel asked. "If its anything I've done I'm sorry. I just don't know what I've done yet so go ahead."
"We can't get married." Ross said.
"What?" Rachel asked.
"We can't get married." Ross said. "I've been crazy. I been thinking that I'm forcing you to marry me. Its like I'm trying to erase any kind of doubts in my mind."
"But you're wrong I want to marry you." Rachel said. "I still have the ring." She said.
"You dont want to really marry me." Ross said. "You probably want the same thing that I do, to bring this whole crazy mess to an end. I know its not me you want. I've known for a while now." Ross said and stood. "We can't get married. Not like this." Ross said. "Not now."
"I know. You acted really weird there for a while and it scared me." Rachel said.
"Well we have the chapel and everything, I guess we'll cancel." Ross said. "When I get back I will get it taken care of. Maybe I can even get the deposit back."
"Wait. I have an idea. We don't have to let this go to waste." Rachel touched his arm.
"Really?" Ross asked.
"Yes." She smiled.
