THE ONE WHERE CHANDLER'S INSECURE.
EPISODE ELEVEN.

♡

While Zara's deadline was coming up, she was working hard by trying to throw playing cards in a mug. Zara wasn't the only one: Chandler, Monica, Toby, and Rachel were trying too.

"Hey," said Joey, coming into the apartment quickly. "Check it out, check it out. Guess what job I just got!"

Zara turned to see for herself, where both Ross and Joey were standing next to each other with false smiles. The only difference Zara could spot was the blue blazar that Joey was wearing.

"I don't know," said Chandler. "But Donald Trump wants his blue blazer black."

Hearing that, Zara's head whipped around with her eye narrowing at her boyfriend.

"What?" Ross questioned.

"Blue blazar back," Chandler corrected his joke. "He-he wants it back."

"Wait, you said black," Rachel pointed out.

"I definitely heard black," Toby confirmed.

"Why would he want his blue blazer black?" Rachel asked.

"Well, you-you know what I meant," Chandler tried to save himself.

"No," Monica stood. "You've messed it up. You're stupid."

Chandler didn't look happy about that, but Zara couldn't leave it.

"Oh, sweetheart, it's alright," Zara teased, slipping into a sweet tone that kids were familiar with. "Everyone messes up now and then, but all that matters is that you tried, and you did such a good job."

Ignoring them all, Chandler was eager to move on. "So, what job did you get, Joe?"

"Oh, uh, tour guide at the museum," Joey told them. "Yeah, Ross got it for me."

"Well, how can you be a tour guide?" Rachel questioned. "Don't you have to be a dinosaur expert or something?"

"No, not really," Joey answered. "They give you all the information. It's, uh, it's like memorizing a script. Yeah. And on your left, you have the Tyrannosaurs Rex a carnivore from the Jurassic period."

They were all smiling brightly, cheering Joey on.

"Actually, Joey," Ross started to correct. "It's the Cretaceous period."

"Yeah, but I can pronounce Jurassic," Joey argued.

"Hey," Phoebe came in then as they were all quick to welcome their friend. "Guess what? Frank JR and Alice got married." There was a series of responses, all ecstatic for the two. "And they're having a baby."

Zara gasped, getting even more excited for them.

"And," continued Phoebe. "And they want me to grow it for them in my uterus."

That caused everyone to stare at Phoebe in silence.

"Oh my God," said Ross.

"Are you serious?" Monica questioned.

"Yeah," Phoebe answered.

"You're really thinking of having sex with your brother?" Joey responded, completely horrified, but confused as everyone looked at him.

"Ew! And, oh no!" Phoebe replied. "It's... they want me to be the surrogate. It's her egg and his sperm, and I'm-I'm just the oven. It's totally their bun."

"But that's still a lot," said Zara, still shocked. "Being just the oven."

"What did you tell them?" Monica asked.

"Well, they said I had to think about it first," said Phoebe. "But what is there to think of? I'm going to be giving someone the greatest gift you can possibly give."

"You're going to carry their child and get them a Sony Play Station?" Chandler questioned.

"Honey," said Rachel, catching Phoebe's attention. "This really is an incredible thing to do for them, but there are things to think about."

"Yeah," Monica agreed. "I mean, you'd be pregnant. I mean, pregnant."

"For nine months," Zara reminded her.

"I know," Phoebe told them.

"Pheebs, you're talking about putting your body through an awful lot," Ross said. "I mean, morning sickness, uh... labour. And it's all for somebody else."

"Yeah, what's your point?" Phoebe questioned.

"Well, the stuff I just mentioned," Ross replied.

"After all that," Zara said. "You'll have to give that baby to their parents."

"Pheebs," Toby joined in. "When I found out about my adoption, my parents told me that my birth mom struggled to give me up. That it traumatised her to have to give over her baby, but she didn't have a choice. Are you sure you want to face that?"

Even though the two had different birth moms, they were both in jail which summed up their birth dad's type pretty well.

"Yeah," Phoebe said, though there were a few cracks. "I'm sure."

"Wow," said Rachel. "I don't know if I could do that. You know, I just always figured the first time I had a baby, it would be with someone I love and that baby was, you know... a keeper."

Zara couldn't do it; the moment she had a baby, she knew she wouldn't ever give up her baby for the world, so Zara couldn't put herself through being a surrogate for someone else.

"You know, you guys were a lot more supportive when I wanted to make denim furniture," Phoebe pointed out as Chandler was sitting next to her on the sofa, reaching out to comfort her. 

"Pheebs, listen," said Joey. "If you decide to do this, we'll be supportive like crazy."

"Yeah," they all agreed.

"We just want you to think it through," Monica told her.

"Yeah, maybe you can talk to somebody who's had a baby," Rachel suggested. "Like your mom."

"My mom never gave birth," Phoebe reminded them. "Oh, but my birth mom did."

♡

The next day, Zara bought herself a coffee to go before she placed a kiss on her boyfriend's cheek, saying goodbye to everyone else. But Chandler followed, arms circling around her waist as Zara turned to face him, unable to hide her grin too.

"You know, I really got to go," Zara told him.

"I know," said Chandler. "My girlfriend's important."

"Not just important," Zara reminded him, smirking. "She's famous too."

Chandler chuckled. "You can claim that when you meet Stephen King."

"Oh, did I not tell you?" Zara questioned.

"Tell me what?" Chandler replied.

"Stephen King was at the office the other day," said Zara, talking about it so casually. "He's read my book and surprisingly loved it. I was shocked, but apparently, he was curious about the middle-grade book that was becoming competition."

"Well," said Chandler. "I guess you can make your claim now."

Zara smiled at that. "Remind me to tell your mom when I see her."

"Oh, I can't wait for that," Chandler told her.

Happy with that, Zara kissed him again, and then she was forcing herself to leave as she really couldn't be late for her meeting.

Chandler, however, stayed behind with a giddy smile on his face that Monica and Rachel caught. Ross and Toby were there too, sitting on opposing sides as they sipped at their coffees.

"I am so jealous," Monica told him.

"You guys are really just right there, aren't you?" Rachel questioned.

"Yes," Chandler instantly replied. "Right where?"

"The beginning where, you know, it's all sex and talking and sex and talking and..."

Toby frowned. "Can we focus on just the talking?"

"Yeah," Chandler replied, sitting on the edge of the sofa. "You gotta love the talking."

Both Monica and Rachel looked at Chandler, not expecting that response.

"And the sex?" Monica pressed.

"Alright, we haven't had sex yet," Chandler announced. "Okay, but what's the big deal, you know? This is special and I want our love to continue growing before we move on to the next level."

"Oh, Chandler, that is so nice," Rachel replied. "But you guys have already slept together."

"That is really nice," Ross realised. "Lying."

"Yeah, come on, man," Toby said.

"No way is that the reason," Ross insisted.

"Why?" Monica questioned.

"Just because you're not mature enough to understand something like that?" Rachel demanded.

"No, he's right," said Chandler, sinking down onto the sofa. "I'm totally lying."

Ross pulled a face as Rachel made a hand gesture back.

"You and Zara?" Monica questioned. "Wow, you must be driving Zara crazy."

"That's nothing new," Chandler mumbled.

"I don't get it," said Monica. "What is it?"

"Well, the last guy Zara slept with was Joey," Chandler reminded them.

"And you're afraid you won't be able to..." Ross said. "Fill his shoes."

"I really hate this conversation," Toby told them.

"No, I'm afraid I won't be able to make love as well as him," Chandler confessed.

"Yeah," said Ross. "I was going for the metaphor."

"Yes, and I was saying the actual words."

"Well, big deal," said Monica. "So Joey's had a lot of girlfriends that doesn't mean he's great in bed."

"We share a wall," Chandler argued. "So, either he's great in bed or she just liked to agree with him a lot. And Joey's told me numerous times that being with Zara was the best sex of his life. I'm sure Zara's told you all about Joey too."

Monica and Rachel were quiet at those words, not making Chandler feel any better. 

"I'm learning too much about my sister," Toby complained.

"Sweetie, with you, it's different," Monica reassured Chandler. "You guys have already slept together; you have that history. Plus, it will be great this time as you guys know you are in love now."

"Yeah?" Chandler replied.

"Yeah," Rachel promised.

"Just go for it, Chandler," Ross told him.

The other two were eager to encourage him too.

Toby sighed. "Just make her happy."

"All right, all right," said Chandler, starting to stand up. "I'll sleep with my girlfriend. But I'm just doing it for you guys."

But none of them knew that was true.

♡

That night, Zara knew something was on Chandler's mind. It didn't help that eyes lingered on the two as they disappeared into Zara's bedroom for the night. Zara hadn't told them about their secret as she was afraid it meant that they had failed.

And Zara was terrified that everything would fall apart before they had a chance.

So, Zara knew that talk lingered, but she couldn't find the right words for it as she had never had this problem before. But they were facing problems together — they weren't running, so they needed to get through this.

"Chandler?"

Catching his attention, Chandler turned to face her as Zara sat down on the edge of her bed. Seeing the look on her face, he sunk down on the mattress too, fingers gently brushing against her thigh in comfort.

"You okay?" Chandler asked.

"That depends," said Zara. "Is there something wrong?"

"Wrong...?" Chandler questioned.

"We haven't had sex yet," Zara told him. "I don't understand why, and I've never had anything like this before, but it's okay, you know. If it doesn't work or—"

"Woah, don't say that," said Chandler. "Everything is working perfectly fine."

"Then, what?" Zara pressed, frowning. "Is it me?"

"You?" Chandler repeated, stunned. "Trust me, Zara, you're far from being the problem."

"But there is a problem," Zara noticed.

"It's..." Chandler sighed, new to talking through issues like Zara was. "I guess it's a little you, but not in the way you're thinking. You're very demanding, Zara — in the best way — so there's always that pressure that I might disappoint you. I guess with Joey being your ex I'm a little intimidated."

"Oh," Zara realised, where the thought had crossed her mind, but she had started to doubt herself instead. "I guess that makes sense."

"I'm not sure how to compete with Joey on this," Chandler confessed.

"But you don't have to," Zara told him, twisting her body so that she could be face-to-face with him. "What Joey and I had was something different. But, Chandler, you and I have a much deeper history. We've done it before. You know what to do. You know what I like. If not, then I could always remind you." 

Chandler swallowed thickly at that. "R-Remind me?"

Zara smirked, moving closer to Chandler as she placed her hand on his thigh. She was about to kiss him, but her lips gently touched his earlobe as she whispered something that only he could hear.

After that, their awkward phase started to crumble and the two sunk into it as they remembered what it was like to be with each other. This time, though, everything was golden with the mixture of love.

In the morning, Zara had her head rested on Chandler's chest as his arm was around her, fingertips dancing on her skin — something she didn't know she had missed so much until then.

"I missed sleeping naked," Zara told him.

"As much as I love it," said Chandler. "You do make it harder to get up."

"Then let's stay in bed," Zara suggested.

"Unfortunately, not all of us are able to work from bed," Chandler reminded her, lowering his head to press a kiss to her forehead as she smiled up at him. "And, anyway, you gotta get ahead of your schedule or we can't do that again tonight."

Zara sighed. "Monica will be a real mood killer if I fall behind."

"You'll do it," Chandler told her. "You always do."

That caused Zara to smile again, knowing she did have the time to write now since she no longer had her job. But, with the thought of work on their minds, Chandler was quick to get dressed to head back over to his apartment to get ready for the day.

Yet, walking him out, Monica and Rachel sat together at the table with massive smirks on their faces. Before leaving, Chandler kissed Zara again with a smile that seemed forever permanent.

"So, it sounds like you and Chandler finally had sex last night," Monica said as soon as the front door closed.

"You both knew?" Zara questioned.

"Chandler spoke to us about it," Rachel explained. "He seemed a little insecure."

Zara was still smiling, though. "He just needed a helping hand to get his confidence back."

"By the look on your face, the sex was good, then?" Monica realised.

"Yeah," said Zara, trying not to look at them. "I knew it would be once Chandler was confidence again."

"You're totally blushing," Rachel teased. "Oh my God, Zara Ellison really is in love!"

In response, Zara shot her friend a glare, but it was more playful, which only encouraged the two to laugh more. Maybe Zara was a little smitten with how things had turned out, which was still strange, but she was happy.

So far, Zara felt like a fool for originally running from something like this.

♡

At the coffee house, Phoebe had a puppy that her birth mom had temporarily given her, where she had to return it once her mom arrived. Zara, Monica, and Rachel had come to be with her, wanting to support Phoebe with whatever decision.

"My mom's going to be here any minute," Phoebe said. "I can't do this. I can't give him up." Then, she sighed, internally debating it. "Yes. No, I can. I don't want to. But I can. No."

"Oh, I can't watch this," Rachel said. "It's like Sophie's Choice."

"You know, I never saw that," Monica replied.

"Oh, it was only okay," Rachel told her.

Phoebe groaned. "I can't do this. My mom was right: if I can't, if I can't give him up then... there's no way I can give up a little baby."

Zara smiled sadly, knowing it was a difficult choice.

"Oh, God," continued Phoebe. "Frank and Alice are going to be so crushed. Wh-what else, what else can I give them? A kidney!"

"Hi," Alice came in to join them with Frank following. "Oh, we were just in the neighbourhood, so..."

"So we just thought we'd stop by," Frank continued. "And let you know there's still no pressure."

Zara tried not to cringe, feeling all the pressure for Phoebe.

"None," Alice added. "But if there was something you wanted to tell us, we're just going to be right over there having coffee."

There was awkward laughter as Phoebe agreed, having no decision for them.

"Oh, who's this little guy?" Frank asked, spotting the puppy, where he was eager to hold him. Holding the puppy up, both Frank and Alice were cooing over him. "Oh, he's so cute. He reminds me of my old dog, tumor. Oh! Oh!"

"You are so precious," said Alice. "I could just take you home."

"Hey, why don't you?" Phoebe suggested.

Hearing that, Zara's eyes snapped to her blonde friend, shocked but not surprised.

"Are you serious?" Frank replied.

"Uh-huh, yeah," Phoebe said.

"Oh... thanks!"

"What are you doing?" Monica questioned as the other two were distracted by their new dog.

"No, I'm really okay about this," Phoebe reassured them. "You know why? 'Cause look at them. Look how happy they are... and I made that, so, you know... I know it's going to be, like, a million times harder giving up a baby, but, maybe, it's going feel, like, a million times better, right? I want to do this."

As Phoebe stood up, Zara's eyes followed her, completely seeing it was the right choice for Phoebe to make.

"I want to carry your baby," Phoebe told them.

"Oh," Alice replied, overwhelmed by the words, and then she didn't hesitate to hug Phoebe with her gratitude. "Oh... thank you so much! You don't know what this means to us."

"Oh my God, I think I'm going to cry," Frank said before he was hugging his sister. "Oh my god."

"It's going to be so great," Monica said as they stood too to support her.

Zara shared a smile with Phoebe, so happy for her.

"Hi. What's going on?" Phoebe's mom asked, joining them.

"Oh! I-I gave them the puppy," Phoebe told her. "And it made them so happy that I decided I'm going to carry their baby."

"Oh, Phoebe..."

"No, no, I know," said Phoebe. "You and I are totally different people, though. And this is a totally different situation. And I know that I am not going to regret this."

"Oh, I understand all that," Phoebe's mom continued. "It's just... that was my puppy."

At that, Phoebe's hands cupped her face in shock as they all looked at the puppy, who was happy with his new owners.

♡

EPISODE TWELVE.

♡

As the rooster cried out, Zara let out a huff from Chandler's bedroom. Even Chandler groaned next to her, finding the sound disturbing despite it being his bird.

"We should have stayed at mine," Zara mumbled.

Zara felt Chandler sigh against her neck as the rooster crowed again. Sighing too, Zara turned around in his bed to face him, spotting his askew hair. Smiling, she sorted it out for him as Chandler opened his eyes to look at her.

"Not again," Chandler told her.

Zara laughed at that. "I wasn't even thinking about—"

"Yes, you were," said Chandler as his hand wrapped around her waist. "You're always thinking about it."

"Well, we lost so much time," Zara reminded him. "So we're up now — thanks to that annoying bird — so I'm irritable, and when I'm irritable—"

Chandler cut Zara off with a kiss, knowing exactly what she was like. However, before anything could ignite any further between them, there was a pounding on the door.

"Ignore it," Zara insisted.

But the sound of Rachel's angry voice, along with her constant pounding fists against the wooden door, caused the two to share a scowl before they were rushing to get up. Chandler threw his dressing gown at Zara before quickly pulling on his pants and a red jumper, hurrying out to get the door.

As Joey joined them, Zara tried to offer him a cheery look, but she was suddenly conscious that she was just in a dressing gown, and he was quickly averting his gaze.

Chandler opened the front door, shooting Rachel a look.

"What is that noise?" Monica demanded.

"You," Chandler told her.

"It's the chick," Joey explained. "She's going through some changes."

"What kind of changes?" Monica questioned.

"Turns out she's not a chick," Zara answered.

"The vet seems to think that she's becoming a rooster," Chandler further explained.

To prove the point, the chick (rooster) started to crow again with the sound agitating them all further.

"We're getting a second opinion," Chandler reassured them.

It was obvious a second opinion wouldn't change anything, but it was between Chandler and Joey to figure out what to do. After — once Zara pulled Chandler back to his bedroom eager to return to what they had been starting — Zara then headed back to her own room to change for the day.

To her surprise, she found four guests in their kitchen: Chandler, Phoebe, Ross, and Toby were reading the morning paper while eating breakfast. Seeing them, Zara instantly perked up as she offered them all a smile.

Chandler's face brightened as she kissed his cheek.

"Oh, this makes me so happy," said Phoebe. "Look at you all in love, Chandler Bing."

"I know," Chandler replied. "I'm all grown up now. Who'd have thought it was possible."

"You're making me regret our talk," Toby said.

"Talk?" Zara questioned.

"Oh, the talk," Ross realised.

Zara's eyes flickered between all three guys as her eyebrows started to raise, eyeing her brother suspiciously as she had known of his intentions to scare Chandler a little bit. "What talk?"

"Toby tricked me into getting a beer," Chandler told her. "And then he threatened me."

At that, Zara started to laugh. "I bet you were terrified."

Chandler frowned. "Not at all."

The slight change to his voice was enough for Zara to know that Chandler was a little scared of her brother, which only made it funnier. Though, deep within her heart, she found it glowing with the disbelief that Zara finally had everything she ever wanted.

"I went easy on him," Toby reassured them all, though it didn't make Chandler feel any better. "Told him, if he broke your heart again, I'd break his nose."

"That's easy?" Chandler questioned. "I don't want to know what hard is."

"Lucky for you, I don't think you'll ever get to know," Toby told him.

"You're so scared," Zara teased her boyfriend.

"Of Toby, yeah? He works out. I've seen him throw a punch," Chandler said, catching Toby's grin across the table, who was the most athletic out of the group. "But, I'm not scared as he'll have no reason to break my nose."

Zara knew what he was saying as she felt a soft smile on her face. It was crazy: when they had first started, they had both been terrified of even having labels on what they had, and now, here they were embracing it in their own way. Neither had said that this was final between them nor had they spoken about the future, but Zara had a feeling deep within her heart that it was something worth working for.

Even now, Zara wasn't sure if she believed in soulmates, but she felt certain that there were those great loves in your life; Zara had been lucky enough to have two and now she was certain that she had found the one.

"That's good," said Zara, placing a hand on his back. "As I don't want Toby to break your nose."

Chandler shared a knowing smile with her, likely thinking the same she was.

"Ugh," Phoebe said. "Stop. You guys are too cute."

The front door opened then with Rachel returning home despite it being so early in the morning. She already had a shopping bag as they all greeted her.

"What are you doing shopping at eight in the morning?" Ross questioned her.

"Well, I've been up since six," said Rachel, sounding bitter still. "Thanks to somebody's dumb-ass rooster."

"Guys, you really should get rid of those animals," Phoebe said. "They shouldn't be living in an apartment."

"Yeah, especially not with all these knives and cookbooks around," Rachel continued.

"Or," Zara reminded Chandler. "I might just write that book about two dads raising a chick and a duck together."

"All right, I'm going to go to the fertility doctor," Phoebe told them, starting to stand. "And see if I'm ready to have Frank and Alice's embryo transferred into my uterus."

"Now, how will they know if you're ready?" Ross asked.

"Oh, they're just gonna see if my endometrial layer is thick," Phoebe explained.

"Well, I can, uh, check that for you," Chandler offered.

"Are you going alone?" Zara questioned. "I can go with you if you need someone for support."

"I'll be okay," Phoebe reassured. "Everyone, think thick."

"Good luck," they all told her.

As Phoebe opened the door, Monica and Joey were coming in with Phoebe asking them to wish her luck again.

"And I'm still right," Joey said as he closed the front door.

"That is so not true," Monica complained.

"What?" Rachel questioned.

"She's mad because I know today's her laundry day and that means she's wearing her old lady underpants," Joey told them.

"Well, I can check that for you," Chandler joked again.

"I just can't believe that you think that you and Chandler know me, Zara, and Rachel better, then we know you," Monica said.

"Uh," said Chandler. "One of those happens to be my girlfriend, believe it or not."

"Yeah," Joey replied. "And Zara's my ex."

"So by that logic, that means I know you both pretty well too," Zara reminded them. "You can't possibly know us more than we know you."

"Well, we do," Chandler insisted, pointing at Zara first. "Zara, honey, you like sleeping naked, but you have to be covered or you can't sleep."

"Everyone does," Zara argued. "You do; Joey does. That's not anything to do with just me."

"Okay," said Chandler. "Then you only drink chocolate milk when you're feeling sick."

"It makes me feel better," Zara defended herself.

There was so much more Chandler knew about her — from her birth parent's past to her childhood — but Chandler never exposed those private parts of her life. Zara knew everything about him too, so perhaps they really did know each other the most.

"You only eat Tic Tacs in even numbers," Chandler told Monica, continuing on to prove their point.

"Yeah, what's that about?" Joey questioned.

"And you..." Chandler's eyes fell on Rachel. "Ross, I believe if you check Rachel's bag you will find a half-eaten box of cookies in there."

Reaching into the bag, Ross pulled out exactly that.

"You're good," said Ross before he bit into a cookie. "These are not."

"So not impressed," Rachel said.

"I'm impressed," Toby replied.

"Everybody snacks when they shop," Rachel defended herself.

"Oh, yeah?" Joey continued. "Ross, how many items are left in that bag?"

"Six," Ross told them.

"Okay, ten bucks says that we can name every item in that bag," Chandler started.

"How many guesses do you get?" Rachel questioned.

"Seven," Joey decided.

"Challenge extended," Ross said.

Monica offered her hand, eager for it. "Deal."

"Challenge accepted," said Ross, bringing the bag over to the table as Zara lingered closer, really hoping that the two guys didn't guess correctly.

"All right, we'll start with..." Joey said. "Apples."

"We'll be starting with apples," Ross confirmed.

"I think we got that, Ross," Toby told him.

"Stop that now," Chandler added.

From the bag, Ross pulled out a bag of apples.

"Okay, uh, tortilla chips, yoghurt..."

"Diet soda," Chandler added.

All items were pulled from the bag, shocking the rest of them.

"Orange juice?" Chandler guessed.

"Oh," Rachel quick to point out. "There's no orange juice in there! We win!"

Monica grinned at that, but Zara folded her arms across her chest, not accepting the win until they failed again.

"They have another guess," Ross reminded them.

"Okay, well, we won that one," Rachel said, calming herself down.

"Well, let's go with the easy one," said Chandler. "Zara's writing today, so she likes those animal-shaped cookies."

Zara felt a frown stitched upon her face as the box of cookies was pulled from the bag as she had asked Rachel to get them for her while she was out. If Zara was having a focused day on writing, then she liked to snack.

"Okay, the last thing is..." Joey continued.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Chandler repeated before whispering in Joey's ear.

"No. No," Joey replied. "Not for like another two weeks."

At that, Rachel's face screwed up as all three women looked at him in shock.

"I got it," Chandler decided. "Scotch... tape."

"Scotch tape?" Toby repeated, laughing.

However, from the bag, Ross pulled out the exact tape that silenced her.

"How did you know she would buy scotch tape?" Ross questioned.

"Well, we used up theirs last night making scary faces," Chandler explained as the two guys started to laugh together.

"Oh, man," said Monica.

"All right, ten bucks," Chandler told them, walking over. "Fork it up. Cough it up. Pay the piper. Give me it."

Zara was silent, hating to lose.

"That does not mean you know us better," Monica insisted. "I want a rematch."

"Yeah," said Zara. "A real game this time."

"And none of these stupid grocery questions," Rachel added. "Real personal questions."

"Yeah and the winner gets a hundred bucks," Monica escalated things.

"Are you serious?" Joey questioned.

"Are you scared?" Monica teased him.

"Worried you'll lose?" Zara questioned, pouting as she mocked him.

Joey stood straighter. "No..." With that, he moved closer to Chandler. "Okay, who makes up the questions?"

"Ross'll do it," said Monica. "With Zara."

"What?" Zara exclaimed. "I'm playing!"

"Oh, sure, Ross'll do it," Ross said. "It's not like has a job or a child or a life of his own."

"Well, fine," Rachel said. "Zara and Toby can do it together."

"Oh, now I'm part of this," Toby said.

"You're not part of this," said Monica.

"I could help with the questions or tell the guys everything about you from when you were a kid," Toby offered. "Did they ever hear about how one year for Halloween you dressed up as—"

"Okay," Monica cut in as they all became curious. "You can help come up with the questions with Zara."

"I want to play," Ross insisted.

"I want to play too," Zara protested, sounding like a child.

Monica looked at Chandler. "You can tell her."

"Why me?" Chandler demanded.

"Your girlfriend," Monica reminded him.

Zara's arms were folded across her chest with a look of glower shot towards the two. Forcing a smile, Chandler looked at her, trying to soften the blow.

"Honey..." 

"Don't honey me," Zara snapped.

"You can't play because..." Chandler said. "Because there's no game if you're involved; you know everything about us and we know you."

"It's not fair to us if you play," Monica added. "But we'll still win."

Zara frowned, still not happy with that. "Sounds to me I could win this for us, but whatever. I guess it's an easy win if you have me."

"Exactly," Monica said. "We got to give the guys a chance."

"Fine," Zara sighed.

Though she knew the main reason was that two guys knew everything about her, which was a risk, Zara supposed but she loved competition. 

"You still love me right?" Chandler questioned, moving to comfort her.

"That depends," said Zara. "You better lose, Bing."

♡

The three ended up disappearing into Zara's bedroom to prepare the quiz-like game. Of course, she was still sulking about being reduced to being a games master, but she was happy to still be involved.

"The test is ready," Ross announced.

Everyone else, who had been waiting at the dining room table, was quick to cheer as they scrambled to the living room. Toby had pulled up a chair as Ross leant the board against it with the colour post-it notes brightening up the room, drawing everyone's attention.

"Okay, each team will answer ten questions," Ross told them. "The first team to answer the most questions wins. The categories are fears and pet peeves, ancient history, literature, and it's all relative. All of these questions were put together by the three of us."

"And don't worry," Zara reassured the two guys with a smirk. "I've kept your secrets."

"This is why you're not playing," Chandler told her.

"Hey," said Zara. "You know a lot of my secrets too."

"We get it, you guys are together," snapped Monica, impatiently. "Can we play now?"

"Now, the coin toss to see who goes first," Ross continued, holding up the coin.

As he throw it, they all watched it land, where they remained in silence. Afterwards, the four looked up, waiting for something.

"Oh, I'm learning so much today about you all," Toby said with a smile.

"Okay," Ross picked up the coin. "Somebody call it this time."

"Tails!" Rachel cried out as the coin was tossed.

"Heads," Ross told them.

"Yes, it is!" Joey exclaimed with Chandler cheering too.

"Gentlemen, pick your category," Ross advised.

"Fears and pet peeves," Chandler decided.

It was Zara who pulled the blue post-it note from the board, being the co-host with Toby while Ross was the main host.

"What is Monica's biggest pet peeve?" Zara questioned.

"Animals dressed as humans," Joey instantly answered.

"Yeah," Zara confirmed. "That's right."

"Ladies?" Ross asked them.

"Same category," Monica decided.

This time Toby pulled a post-it from the board. "According to Chandler, what phenomenon scares the bejeezus out of him? Now, this answer better be me."

Rachel and Monica whispered together before Monica cried out: "Michal Flately, Lord of the Dance!"

"That is correct," Toby realised as the two girls cheered.

"The Irish jig guy?" Joey questioned.

"His legs flail about as if independent from his body," Chandler defended himself, still afraid.

"Joey, you gotta watch it with him," Zara said, grinning.

"Gentlemen, your pick," Ross told them.

"It's all relative," Joey decided.

Picking up the pink post-it note, Zara read: "Monica and Ross had a grandmother who died. You both went to her funeral. Name that grandmother."

The question was met with deep thought as the two guys turned to each other, trying to remember.

"Nana?" Joey guessed.

"She has a real name," Chandler told him.

"Althea!" Joey suddenly cried out.

"Althea?" Chandler was loud too. "What are you doing?"

"Althea?" Zara repeated, nose screwing up to mess with them.

"I took a shot!" Joey shouted.

"You took a shot with Althea?"

"Oh, Joey," said Zara with a sigh as she enjoyed seeing their panic. "That's correct!" 

"Nice shooting!" Chandler shouted at his friend.

"We'll take literature!" Rachel's voice was louder too, not giving Ross a chance to ask them.

"Every week, the TV guide comes to Chandler and Joey's apartment," Toby read. "What name appears on the address label?"

"Oh!" Rachel was quick to stand. "Chandler gets it! It's Chandler Bing!"

"No!" Monica cried out, standing too.

"I'm afraid the TV guide comes to Chanandler Bong," Toby finished, almost cracking up with laughter.

"I knew that!" Monica argued. "Rachel, use your head!"

"Aw, looks like you guys needed me," Zara told them.

"Actually, it's Miss Chanandler Bong," Chandler corrected.

As they continued, Zara was enjoying the competition, even if she wasn't allowed to really be a part of it. Though, even standing aside, she still wanted the glory of winning through Monica and Rachel.

"All right," said Ross. "The score is nine to eight in favour of the guys. Ladies, if you miss this, the game is theirs. Pick your category."

"It's all relative!" Rachel shouted, standing on the sofa.

"You don't have to shout everything," Ross told her.

"I'm sorry!" Rachel still shouted.

"Okay," Toby said, picking up the last card. "What is the name of Chandler's father's Las Vegas all-male Burlesque?"

"Viva Las Gaygas!" Monica shouted.

"Unfortunately, that is correct," Chandler said.

"Yes!" The two girls cried out.

"All right," said Ross. "We have a tie. Luckily, I've prepared for such an event."

"We, Ross," Zara reminded him. "We."

"Right," Ross agreed as he started to open the envelope. "The lightning round!"

"Oh!" They all replied, suddenly eager.

"Thirty seconds," Ross explained. "All the questions you can answer."

Monica walked closer to Ross, pointing a finger at the two guys with a bright grin on her face. "You guys are dead! I am so good at lightning rounds!"

Chandler stood up in denial. "I majored in lighting rounds, all right? We're going to destroy you!"

"Oh, want to bet?" Monica replied.

"I'm so confused," said Chandler. "As to what we've been doing so far."

"How about we play for more money?" Monica challenged. "Say 150?"

"One hundred and fifty dollars," Ross confirmed.

"Say, 200?" Chandler countered.

"Two hundred dollars!"

Monica turned to her brother in frustration. "You're doing it again."

"Excuse me," said Ross, stepping backwards.

"Monica, I don't want to lose $200," Rachel told her.

"We won't," Monica insisted. Then with that, she rounded on the guys with crazy eyes. "300?"

"Monica!" Rachel protested.

"You guys wouldn't let me play, so I'm not paying," Zara told them.

"I'm just trying to spice things up," Monica insisted. "Zara, you don't have to pay anything as we won't lose."

"Okay, so then play for something pepper," said Rachel. "Stop spending my money."

"I got it," Monica replied, eyes stuck on the two guys before facing Rachel again. "How about if we win they have to get rid of the rooster?"

"Oh, that's interesting," Rachel replied, not eager for it as she faced their opponents.

"Hey, no way," Joey complained. "That Rooster's family."

"I'm in," Zara decided, knowing it was for the best. "The rooster needs to be rehomed."

"Throw in the duck too," Rachel decided.

"What do you have against the duck? He doesn't make any noise!" Joey protested.

"Well, he gets the other one all riled up," Rachel argued.

"Look, we are not—"

"All right, hold on," Chandler cut in. "If you win, we'll give up the birds."

Joey gasped, completely horrified.

"But if we win... we get your apartment."

Joey seemed happy about that.

Zara's eyes were wide, looking at Monica and Rachel in horror as she knew what was coming. Even though she wasn't playing, Zara's own home was about to be gambled.

Monica's hand shot out to shake Chandler's. "Deal!"

Both Rachel and Zara pulled Monica away from the guys, who were setting up for the final round. This was serious now: they were risking losing their apartment to a smaller place.

"Monica, betting the apartment?" Rachel demanded. "I don't know about this."

"Yeah," Zara agreed. "You didn't even let me play and now you're risking the apartment?"

"I have not missed on questioned the whole game," Monica reminded them. "I own this game! Look at my hand."

Holding up her hand, the two looked to see that she was calm, which wasn't exactly reassuring.

"Why are the answers written on there?" Rachel questioned, eager to check.

"No!" Monica replied. "Steady as a rock. Now, are you with me?"

"All right, let's do it!" Rachel exclaimed.

"I swear if you lose, I might just kill you, Mon," Zara told her.

They headed back over with Zara knowing she could be a little crazy when she got competitive, but Monica was on a whole new level.

"All right, gentlemen, you're up first," Ross told them as they stood at the front with Toby and Zara now sitting out of the way, simply watching the chaos. "You have thirty seconds. The lightning round begins... stop it."

At that, Chandler stopped jumping on the spot from the anticipation.

As the thirty-second round started, the guys flew through the questions. Zara leant forward, feeling her stomach churn in fear, where they seemed to know everything. Joey even managed to have a lucky guess in the end, getting that extra point as the timer went off.

"All right, that's four for the guys," Ross said. "Ladies, you're up!"

They stood up, doing inappropriate hand gestures to the guys as Zara forced herself to sit still, deciding to believe in Monica's determination to win.

"Thirty seconds on the clock," said Ross. "Five correct questions wins the game. The lightning round begins... now."

As the timer started, Zara held her breath. Like the guys, they were quick with the answers despite getting one wrong.

"What is Chandler Bing's job?" Ross suddenly asked.

That caused the two to freeze, causing Zara to feel the cold chill of fear creep back at her again.

"Oh gosh," said Rachel. "Does it have something to do with numbers?"

"And processing," Monica quickly added.

"And he carries a briefcase," Rachel noticed.

"Ten seconds," said Ross. "You need this or you lose the game."

"It has something to do with transponding," Monica thought out loud.

"Oh, oh, oh!" Rachel cried out. "He's a transponders–transponster!"

"Rachel!" Zara exclaimed.

"That's not even a word!" Monica shouted. "I can get this! I can..."

But the timer beeped, signalling that they had lost. Monica screamed the word no with the sound rumbling. Next to Zara, the two guys were quick to jump up with their glee.

"You should have let me play!" Zara shouted, angry with them for losing.

♡

Zara was sulking, refusing to pack. There was no way she was moving, but she wasn't too sure about the idea of stubbornly staying to live with Chandler and Joey. As much as she loved Chandler, it was a step neither of them was ready for.

But, the guys were too eager as they carried the foosball table into the apartment.

"I call Monica's room," Joey decided.

"You can't just call Monica's room," Chandler argued.

"Sure I can," said Joey. "Standard shotgun rules. I'm in sight of the room and I called it."

"If you're about to shotgun my room, Chandler, then I wouldn't bother," Zara told him, refusing to look at her boyfriend.

Chandler sat down on the sofa next to her as Zara stubbornly turned away from him.

"Hey, come on," said Chandler, placing his arm around her shoulders. "There's only two of us and three of you; you can keep your room, Zara. You never made the bet, and you know," she turned to face him, seeing that sweet soft look on his face that always made her melt. "I love you, so I wouldn't make you leave."

But Zara wasn't sure what to say, not wanting to voice what she was fearing. It felt like it was on the edge of crossing that line when they were not ready — and that's when things went wrong.

"Instead," Zara suggested. "You forget the whole thing and no one moves."

"Don't fall for that, Chandler," Joey warned him. "We won the apartment fair and square."

Zara shrugged off her boyfriend's touch as he sighed.

Behind them, Monica started to cough as Chandler disappeared back over to the kitchen. "Man, I feel like I'm coming down with something. Bet you can't guess what colour my tonsils are! I'll bet the apartment!"

"Oh, I would never bet this apartment," Chandler said. "It's too nice."

Fortunately, Phoebe came back then as they all greeted her. Hearing her, Zara was motivated to forget about the fact that she was sulking for a moment as she walked over to the kitchen.

"Oh, Pheebs, are they in there?" Joey questioned.

"Um, yeah," said Phoebe. "Uh-huh, I'm implanted."

"How do you feel?" Monica asked.

"Well, freaked," Phoebe confessed. "It turns out the odds are like, really sucky, and this is Frank and Alice's, like, only shot. They are, like, literally putting all their eggs in my basket."

"Oh, honey," Zara sympathised.

"Yeah, but I bet it works," Chandler said.

"Really? How much?" Monica questioned, desperate.

That shocked them all as they all looked at her.

"All right, I'm going to go take a pregnancy test right now," Phoebe decided.

"Wow," said Joey. "You can tell this soon?"

"Well, the doctor says it takes a couple of days," Phoebe explained. "But my body's always been a little faster than western medicine, so..."

Phoebe disappeared to the bathroom as Rachel came out of her bedroom, scoffing at the sight of the guy's foosball table.

"Oh my God," said Rachel. "I can't believe you guys actually think you're moving in here."

Chandler was bouncing on the spot again in excitement. "Believe it, baby!"

"Well, I-I, I'm not moving," Rachel decided.

"What?" Joey exclaimed.

"No," Rachel protested. "It was a stupid bet. We were just playing a game."

"You can't just ignore the bet," Joey argued. "It's a bet. You bet on a bet, and if you lose, you lost the bet."

"Rach, Zara, we have to move," Monica told them. "If we lost, we would have made them get rid of the birds, right?"

"You guys didn't even let me play!" Zara argued, frustrated. "Why should I move?"

"I've already told you: you don't have to move," Chandler reassured her.

But that didn't make Zara feel any better either.

Rachel scoffed again. "No."

"All right, look, I hate this as much as you guys," said Monica. "But... if it makes you feel any better, this is all your fault, Rachel."

"What?" Rachel demanded, horrified.

"Chanandler Bong!" Monica exclaimed. "Come on, we steal that TV guide every week."

"I knew it!" Chandler shouted.

"I don't care," Rachel decided. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Cool," said Chandler. "Girl roommate."

Zara let out a huff, rolling her eyes at that.

Though, Phoebe came out of the toilet, where Zara was more concerned about her.

"Well?" Monica questioned.

"No," Phoebe answered. "Not knocked up yet."

"All right, well, it's only been a couple of hours," Monica reassured her. "So, just give it some time."

"Yeah, you still might be," Zara added.

"Yeah, all right," said Phoebe. "In the meanwhile, I'm going to do whatever I can to help this, so, I'm just going to, you know lie in your chair, okay?"

By lying in the chair, Phoebe meant being upside down with her langs dangling down the back.

"You know, just... yeah, good," Phoebe continued. "I'm going to let gravity, you know, do its job."

♡

They were packing up the boxes as Zara felt sick about it all, having had everything, and now she was terrified it was all slipping through her fingers.

"Zara, why are you freaking out?" Monica questioned, seeing her face. "You don't have to move."

"Either I move or I'm living with Chandler," Zara pointed out.

"Oh," Monica realised, putting down the box. "You're freaking out about that."

"I'm not ready for that," Zara confessed. "We haven't been back together long and it's taken us ages to even get to this point. Now Chandler's suggesting I stay here, and I know I'll have my own room, but it's still technically living together."

"You guys spend every night together anyway," Monica reminded her.

"Yeah," said Phoebe, who was still upside down. "It's not like it'll be much of a difference for you guys."

"But it is a massive difference," Zara argued. "And Chandler seems so calm about it. I don't want this to ruin us."

"So talk to him," Monica told her. "Zara, sweetie, if you want this to work this time, you need to be open with how you feel to each other. You gotta communicate."

Zara knew Monica was right (like always), and to get over their fears, they needed to face them. So, with that, Zara sighed as she headed over to the apartment, needing to bite the bullet before she freaked out again.

In their apartment, they were throwing random items into boxes that were so chaotically messy compared to Monica. Seeing her, Chandler's face lit up in hope, where they had been a bit distant from each other today as they both knew Zara was a brewing storm over the move.

"Chandler," said Zara. "I need to talk to you about the move."

"Monica and Rachel lost the bet—"

"I know," Zara sighed, impatiently. 

Yanking at his arm, Zara pulled her boyfriend into his bedroom with the door closing shut behind them. Sensing her panic and fear, Chandler's hands caught her arms.

"Hey," said Chandler. "It's okay, Zara. You don't have to move."

"That's the thing," Zara said, trying to keep hold of his stare. "If I stay that means we're living together, Chandler."

"Oh," Chandler realised as the words sunk in, reflecting the same hysteria as Zara now. "Oh."

"Exactly," Zara told him. "I... I'm not ready for that."

"Neither am I," Chandler said honestly.

Zara felt herself relax slightly. "Really?"

"Maybe one day, but what we have right now is good," Chandler said. "I never imagined anything like this before, Zara, so it's okay if we're not ready."

"Yeah?" Zara agreed. "I-I was worried that this would be the pressure that ruins us again."

"No, as we're doing it our way, right?" Chandler reminded her. "It's just us, Zara, and we'll figure this out together. If I'm gonna get over my fears, then it's going to be with you."

Zara felt herself at ease at that, hopelessly melting into him as her head fell onto his chest, letting his arms wrap around her. "It's going to be with you too."

Chandler placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"So, I guess that means..."

"You're kicking me out of my own home," Zara finished with a sigh.

"Boyfriend of the year," Chandler joked.

"I'm gonna hate you a bit for this," Zara told him.

"I don't believe it," said Chandler.

"Fine," Zara said, taking the shot that Rachel had suggested she tried to see if they could keep the apartment. "But don't expect me to stay over with you; I'm not doing that to Monica and Rachel. And you can't stay here either, so... you better rethink the bet, Bing. Stay here and you get sex. Move and you're on your own."

"I don't believe that," Chandler told her with a knowing smile. "You always come back to me, Zara."

Zara rose on her tiptoes to kiss him, but it was the kind of kiss that Chandler wouldn't forget about. As his body moved backwards to hit the bedroom door, Zara knew her touch was enough to get under his skin.

And when his hands were gripping on her waist, she knew she had him wrapped tightly around her finger.

So, Zara pulled away with a grin. "Not until you give us the apartment back."

Chandler was so shocked until he started to laugh. "You're cruel."

"I can be meaner," Zara told him, relieved that their talk was brief and didn't come between them.

And, honestly? Zara liked the hint of a brewing game for the apartment brewing between them alone — it was teasing and tempting.

"I know," said Chandler. "But, I'm not scared. I know you too well, Zara, you'll give in too easily anyway, so there's no real threat from you. You can't seduce me into giving you the apartment back. And I bet this was Rachel's idea."

Zara groaned in frustration. "Wanna bet?"

"Isn't this a result of a bet already?" Chandler pointed out.

"Maybe, but I wasn't playing and now I am," Zara told him. "I won't be having sex with you until you give us our apartment back."

"Okay," Chandler said. "You better go pack then."

"Fine," Zara replied.

Then with that, Zara was moving to open the door, but Chandler's hand was quick to catch her wrist, turning her to face him. His hands were back around her waist again, fingers already finding the exposed skin beneath her top.

"We're still good, though, right?" Chandler questioned.

"Yeah, we're good," Zara told him.

"And I haven't exactly moved into the apartment yet, so, at the moment, it's still technically yours..."

Zara was already beating him to it as she threw himself at him, arms looping around his neck, letting herself give in to Chandler Bing for the last time before he kicked her out of her own home.

♡

Rachel was furious that Zara had ended up having sex with Chandler, but she insisted it had been the final time. To get to Chandler, she had to give him a real taste of what he would be missing — at least, that was Zara's argument.

Still, Zara still felt upset as she packed up her bedroom, completely clueless about how they were going to fit everything into their tiny apartment. Though, Zara was relieved that she and Chandler were on the same page and it was better to communicate about it, than to let it brew until something exploded.

As Zara moved another box from her bedroom, Monica returned home.

"How'd it go?" Rachel asked, sitting up from the sofa in hope.

"I lost our mattresses," Monica told them.

Rachel put the towel back on her face, completely stressed again.

"Zara, are you sure you can't talk to Chandler again?" Monica questioned.

"He won't budge," said Zara. "But a week with no sex and he'll be fumbling."

"And how are you going to cope with that?" Monica challenged.

"If it gets us the apartment back, then it'll be worth it," Zara reminded her. "Plus, Chandler made me wait for ages anyway."

Though, it would be a lot harder now as their last time together had certainly left a permanent mark on each other.

As they were finishing packing, Phoebe was writing a song, where she still remained upside down in hope for the baby. Seeing it was them, Phoebe was moving back to being upright with them all.

"Oh, hi," said Alice quickly. "Phoebe, um... we were just at the drugstore um, so we got you a little present."

"Um, it's a lollipop and, uh, a home pregnancy test," Frank told her.

"Pheebs, don't miss those up," Monica advised her. "You could really ruin that lollipop."

"So, um... you feel like taking a test?" Alice asked. "There's only one question."

"All right, I will," Phoebe decided. "But, um, you know, just remember that it's still really early. So, if it says that I'm not pregnant that doesn't mean I'm not going to get pregnant. Okay? And, and just please, just so I don't go completely nuts, just try not to put all your hopes on this."

"Okay," they both replied, sounding anxious, but optimistically excited.

"Great," said Phoebe, disappearing to the bathroom.

Zara really hoped for Phoebe's sake she was positive.

Though, the front door opened again, where Ross and Toby were first to enter before Chandler and Joey were sliding in on that giant white dog. Seeing them, the three were frowning, knowing it was time.

"You know what?" Rachel exclaimed. "You are mean boys who are just being mean."

"Hey, don't get mad at us," Joey told her. "No one forced you to raise the stakes."

"That is not true!" Rachel argued before pointing to Monica. "She did! She forced me!"

"Hey, we'd still be living here, but you got the question wrong," Monica reminded her.

"Well, it was a stupid unfair question!" Rachel protested.

"Don't blame the questions," Ross' voice rose.

"And you didn't even know your own friend's job," Toby reminded her.

"If I was playing," Zara added. "Then I would have gotten it right."

This time, she knew what job her boyfriend had.

"Would you all stop yelling in our apartment?" Chandler shouted. "You are ruining moving day for us!"

"Will you stop calling it your apartment!" Rachel snapped at him.

"It is our apartment!" Joey yelled back.

Everyone's voices started to raise in an argument about it. However, Phoebe was quick to leave the bathroom, holding a pregnancy stick.

"You guys, you guys," cried out Phoebe, ignoring her friends arguing. "You're going to have a baby! They're going to have a baby!"

That caused them all to stop arguing as Zara smiled brightly, so happy for the three of them. While Frank and Alice were getting everything they wanted, Phoebe had the chance to give that to them.

"My sisters going to have my baby!" Frank screeched.

With that, they were all quick to hug Phoebe as a group.

"Okay, but this can't be good for the baby," Phoebe told them.

They all sprang apart before cheering and hugging Frank and Alice this time with Pheobe on the outside, smiling brightly with so much joy.

Though, later on, when Chandler was moving the last of the boxes for her, she lingered at her empty bedroom with a sad look. Finally, Zara had found a home, and now she had no choice but to leave.

Chandler's hands wrapped around her waist, resting his head against hers.

"You know," said Chandler. "You could still stay the night with me."

Zara felt his lips press gently against her neck.

"I'll only stay if you give us the apartment back," Zara reminded him.

Chandler sighed, knowing Zara would be stubborn enough to stick to that promise. But, when it came to sex, Zara was also impatient and easily frustrated if she didn't get what she wanted.

So, as Zara twisted around to face him, Chandler smiled at her.

"I'll see you tonight," Chandler told her.

"No you won't," Zara promised him.

"I guess we'll see then," Chandler said.

The challenge was set between them and Zara was determined to win.

♡

Sorry for the late update! I've been busy playing hogwarts legacy and this was a really long one! Chandler and Zara have honestly grown so much and I'm so happy for them. Looking at them communicating and being happy!