♡

THE ONE WITH LABELS.
EPISODE THREE.

♡

Zara loved poker nights; mainly because she always won and everyone ended up more terrified of her. Sitting on the sofa, Zara dealt the cards as Chandler entered the shared apartment.

"Hey," Chandler greeted everyone as they replied.

With the space free next to Zara, Chandler sat down as he popped a sweet, quick kiss on her cheek that almost triggered a smile.

"You won't believe who I saw," said Chandler, looking at Zara, but still addressing everyone as his arm fell around her, becoming comfortable with their relationship in the open now.

"Who?" Zara asked.

"Joan," Chandler answered. "As in my ex."

Zara frowned. "Oh?"

"The one with the big nostril thing?" Ross questioned.

"Yeah," Chandler nodded. "They were huge. I remember, when she sneezed, bats flew out of them."

"Oh, come on," Rachel said. "Surely they were not that huge."

"I'm telling you," Chandler insisted. "This one time, she leaned back and I could see her brain."

"You always reject perfectly fine women over the most superficial, insignificant things," Monica accused, remembering that was the very reason why Chandler had broken up with Joan.

At that, Zara's eyes fell on Chandler, having never witnessed him be in a relationship before herself (and they wasn't even in a official relationship). While they both had their insecurities and lack of luck with relationships, Zara found herself curious now.

"Hold on, hold on," said Joey. "I got to side with Chandler on this one. When I first moved to the city, I went out a couple of times with this girl. Really hot. Great kisser. But she had the biggest Adam's apple. Drove me nuts."

Zara's mouth had fallen open with a grin starting to emerge.

"You or me?" Chandler offered to Ross.

"Oh, this is on me, boys," Zara reassured them, twisting her body to face Joey. "Joey, honey. Women don't have Adam's apples."

Joey looked a little shocked for a second as his eyes lingered on Zara's throat, where she tilted her head upwards so he could see for himself. But, Joey simply wagged his finger at Zara with a laugh.

"You're just messing with me," Joey accused her.

"You know what," said Zara, deciding to keep the amusing fact just between the group. "I am, Joey."

"That was a good one," Joey laughed along with everyone else. "For a second there, I was like, whoa," his eyes popped wide, only amusing Zara more. "But, then it's just Zara being Zara."

They ended up in the kitchen with Chandler, Ross, and Zara sitting at the table as Phoebe brought over some beers for them. Zara picked at the chips on the table, already eager to return to the card game.

"Can you name one woman that you broke up with for an actual reason?" Phoebe asked Chandler, taking a seat opposite Zara as she reached for the bottle, unscrewing the top.

Chandler looked to Zara, a flare of anxiety appearing in his gaze.

"Please, go ahead," Zara insisted. "I'm curious to know, it's not like we're, you know, together, so why does it matter?"

But, deep inside, Zara felt like it did matter and maybe they should have the conversation of exes. After all, Zara's previous partners were a complete shitshow. With Derek, a ring had been hyped up, but Zara had been abandoned like she always was.

"Maureen Rosillo," Chandler answered.

"'Cause she doesn't hate yanni is not a real reason," Ross argued.

There was a knock at the door that alerted the group as they were all there (not like they knocked anyway). It was Monica who answered, where she revealed Mr Heckles.

"Oh," said Monica. "Hello, Mr Heckles."

"You're doing it again," Mr Heckles told them.

"We're not doing anything," Monica insisted.

"You're stomping. It's disturbing my birds."

"You don't have birds," Rachel stated.

"I could have birds," Mr Heckles insisted.

"Okay, Mr Heckles, we'll try to keep it down," Monica told him.

"Thank you. I'm going to rejoin my dinner party."

"Alright. Bye. Bye."

Finally, the door closed as Zara rolled her eyes at their neighbour before taking another sip of her beer.

"Janice," said Chandler as Zara swallowed her beer a little too aggressively, not liking how that woman popped up (or the fact that neither Chandler nor Zara still knew what had happened that night). "Janice. You gotta give me Janice. That wasn't about being picky."

Maybe Zara had been around for an ex of Chandler's — one she tried to burry.

"Yeah, I know," Phoebe agreed.

"We'll give you Janice," Ross said.

"Hello, Chandler Bing," said Phoebe suddenly in Janice's nasal voice.

"Oh. My. God," Rachel joined in as everyone laughed.

"Oh, Chandler..." Joey continued. "That's it. There. Faster."

Joey laughed as he turned around to face them with his sandwich, where they were all quiet as they stared at him.

"I could do Zara too," Joey offered.

"Please don't," Chandler told him.

"You're not familiar with the sound, Joey," Zara smirked at him. "Remember, all you could do was make me cry, and not in a good way."

Now, Chandler was scowling, along with Joey. Neither could say anything, though, as Mr Heckles used his broomstick against the ceiling as if they were being too noisy again.

"Stop with the broom!" Monica shouted to the floor. "We're not making noise!"

Then, Monica stomped her feet when Mr Heckle's broom returned. The next time, Rachel joined in with Rache's feet slapping against the wood more than stomping. Again, Mr Heckle's retaliated that caused all seven to follow with the sound of silence following.

"We won," Rachel realised.

"We did?" Monica questioned.

The group cheered in response, though the sirens surprised them not long later. Mr Heckles body was removed from the apartment, where the group watched on in horrified silence.

"How did this happen?" Rachel asked.

"He must have been sweeping," said their superintendent. "They found him with a broom in his hand."

Zara pressed her lips together, unable to look at the others. Around them, there were a series of gasps, shocked at the news.

"That's terrible," Monica said.

"I know," the man agreed. "I was sweeping yesterday. It could have been me."

"Oh, you're so lucky," Zara told him, not being the only one to sarcastically agree.

"I know," he agreed.

♡

The next morning, Zara rolled over to find Chandler still snoozing. For a moment, she watched him sleep, thinking about his exes with the stupid reasons to break up with them. With Zara, there were perhaps a thousand reasons why Chandler would end things with her, but Zara kept reminding herself that they weren't really together.

"You're watching me," said Chandler, opening his eyes as he caught Zara. "Why are you watching me?"

"Am I not allowed to?" Zara questioned.

"You have that look on your face," Chandler told her, fingers rising as he gently poked the crease that had formed between her eyebrows, where the two lay facing each other. "It's cute, but scary too. What are you thinking about?"

Zara wanted to answer with the truth, but she was afraid it would trigger an unwanted conversation that would be enough for them to run. Instead, she looked down to the sheets, feeling Chandler's fingers on her cheek as he caught the strands of hair, tucking them behind her ear.

"Zara, tell me," Chandler encouraged. 

"Just about your exes," Zara told him. "And the reasons why you broke up with them."

"Oh," Chandler realised. "Right. That."

"We've always avoided talking about past relationships or even what this is," said Zara, trying to snatch what little bravery she felt. "Whatever this is, I don't want it to change, Chandler. As this is good. But... if it takes a silly reason for you to break up with a girlfriend, then...I guess I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop with us."

"Zara," Chandler said her name, causing her to look at him. "You're nothing like the girls I've been with in the past. If anything, I'm terrified you'll find a reason to leave."

If anything, Zara was finding more reason to stay, but those thoughts were too scary to fall into. Instead, she smiled, holding his stare.

"Our own way works, right?" Zara questioned.

"It does," Chandler reassured her. "Just us being together."

"Just us," Zara agreed.

Though, something was nagging at Zara, where she wondered if she wanted more than just them being together now. But, even just the memory of Derek, was enough for Zara to know that deep down, taking things further was only a promise that Zara would be left.

Chandler kissed Zara before the two got up for the day, eventually heading out to the living area with Joey, Ross, and Phoebe coming over to join the friends. It was a strange day for them after losing Mr Heckles yesterday.

"It's very faint," said Phoebe, joining them at the sofas with coffee mugs. "But I can still sense him in the building." Zara took a sip of her own coffee, not expecting Phoebe to raise her voice, causing her coffee to spill. "Go into the light, Mr Heckles!"

"Okay, Phoebe," Chandler said, sitting next to Zara.

"I'm sorry," Phoebe replied. "But, sometimes they need help."

There were a few scoffs of laughter at that.

"Here we go," said Monica.

"That's fine," Phoebe said. "Go ahead and scoff. You know, there are a lot of things out there that I don't believe in but that doesn't mean they're not true."

"Such as?" Joey questioned.

"Like crop circles or the Bermuda triangle," Phoebe answered. "Or evolution."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Ross responded at that. "What, you don't, uh... you don't believe in Evolution?"

"No," said Phoebe. "Not really."

Zara sipped on her coffee again, trying to hide her amusement.

Phoebe reached for a bread roll as Ross pulled the bowl away from her. "You don't believe in evolution?"

"I don't know," Phoebe told him. "It's just, you know...monkeys, Darwin. You know, it's a nice story. I just think it's a little too easy."

"Too easy? Too..." Ross struggled to process what Phoebe was saying. "The process of every living thing on this planet evolving over millions of years from single-celled organisms is, is too easy?"

"Yeah," Phoebe agreed. "I just don't buy it."

"Uh, excuse me. Evolution is not for you to buy, Phoebe. Evolution is scientific fact like, like, like the air we breathe, like gravity."

"Oh, okay. Don't get me started on gravity."

There was silence at that.

"You, uh... you don't believe in gravity?"

"Well, it's not so much that, you know, like I don't believe in it. You know, it's just...I don't know, lately, I get the feeling that I'm not so much being pulled down as I am being pushed."

Ross looked over to Monica, hoping for some help.

To their relief, there was a knock on the front door.

"Uh-oh," said Chandler. "It's Isaac Newton and he's pissed."

Monica opened their front door, revealing their superintendent with a man standing behind them. "Oh, there she is," he said, stepping into the apartment. "Right over there, that's the other two."

Hearing that, both Rachel and Zara stood, fearing that they were in trouble.

"This is Mr Buddy Boyle, Heckles' attorney. He'd like to talk to you."

"What can we do for you?" Monica asked.

"All right, kids," the man entered the apartment with Monica closing the door as the attorney put his briefcase on the table. "Here's the deal. According to my client's will, he wants to leave all his earthly possessions to the, uh, 'noisy girls in the apartment above mine'."

Zara and Rachel had joined Monica at the table, where the three stood in shock.

"Surely that's a mistake," Zara insisted.

"What about his family?" Monica questioned.

Around them, everyone had stood to join them at the table, shocked at the news just as they were.

"He didn't have any," the attorney told them.

Zara felt that, thinking about how it was always just him alone in his apartment. If she died right now, then everything she owned would be left for at least her friends rather than strangers.

"Okay, so let's talk money," Rachel said.

"All right," the attorney agreed. "There was none. Now, let's talk signing. You be noisy girl number one. Then, you can be noisy girl number two. And, finally, noisy girl number three."

"I can't believe that this whole time we thought he hated us," Monica said. "I mean, isn't it amazing how much you can touch someone's life without even knowing it."

Though, when they finally got the keys to the apartment downstairs, it was clear to them that this was their neighbour's last act of revenge. The place was a dump with stacks of papers and clutter that left Zara feeling uncomfortable.

"Would you look at this dump?" Monica exclaimed. "He hated us. This was his final revenge."

"God, have you ever seen so much crap?" Rachel questioned.

"Actually, I think this apartment sullies the good name of crap," Chandler said.

Joey was grinning, having found a magnifying glass that was focused on his crotch. "Check this out. Can I have this?"

"Take it," Zara told him. "It'll come in handy for you."

Joey frowned at Zara, who was grinning as she ventured further into the mess to see what she could find. Even if it was all crap, Zara might find a few good things that she could sell to make some money.

"Hey, look at this," Chandler called their attention, returning from the bedroom with an old-bounded notebook in his hand. "My big book of grievances."

Sitting down, Zara moved to peer over Chandler's shoulder as he opened the book to see who Mr Heckles had written about.

"Hey, there's me!" Joey exclaimed, pointing to himself. "April seventeenth —excessive noises. Italian boy comes home with a date." Joey grinned at that. "Yeah. Hey, Chandler, look, you're in here too!"

"April eighteenth — excessive noise," Chandler read. "Italian guys gay roommate brings home dry cleaning. Well, that's excellent."

Zara laughed at that, hand falling on Chandler's shoulder.

"Oh, honey," she teased him.

"Monica... Zara," Rachel called out to them as Zara turned, spotting the interesting beach-themed lamp that Rachel had found. "Look at this lamp. Is this tacky or what? We have to have this."

"Oh, I love it," Zara decided.

"Uh, rach, I think we have enough regular lamps," Monica insisted.

"What? Oh, come on," Rachel said. "It's not like I'm asking for," she picked up an alarm clock with a naked doll, "for this girlie clock or anything, which, by the way, I also think is really cool."

"Both would look cool together," Zara said.

"Right?" Rachel agreed.

"Look, it doesn't go with any of my stuff," Monica told them.

"Well, what about my stuff?" Rachel asked.

"And mine?" Zara added.

"Neither of you has any stuff," Monica reminded them.

Zara frowned at that, knowing she had only come from Derek's place with limited stuff that was enough for her bedroom. Still, though, it was obvious that Monica did not want the stuff in the apartment.

"You still think of it as your apartment, don't you?" Rachel realised.

"Mmm...no," Monica insisted.

"Yes, you do," Rachel said.

"You really do," Zara agreed.

"You think of it as your apartment and I'm just someone who rents a room," Rachel said. "Okay while you 'mmm...' on that for a while, I'm going to go and find a place for my new lamp. Zara, maybe you'll find something you'll like too."

"Maybe I will," Zara decided.

Monica chased after Rachel, not wanting the lamp in her apartment. With that, Zara headed into the bedroom, wanting to find the worst (yet, best) possible piece to bring back to the apartment with her.

Chandler had remained in the living area with Joey finding Heckles old high school photo album. Sitting up, Chandler tried to get a better look.

"Wow, he looks so normal," Chandler said.

"He's even kind of cute," Phoebe added.

"Heckles, you crack me up in science class," Joey read out loud. "You're the funniest kid in school."

Chandler took the book. "Funniest? Heckles?"

"That's what it says," Joey insisted.

Flicking through the pages, Chandler continued to read. "Wow, Heckles was voted class clown, and so was I." Above them, the footsteps of Monica and Rachel appeared, echoing slightly. "He was right. Would you listen to that?"

"I'd call that excessive," Phoebe replied.

"Whoa," said Chandler, suddenly standing.

"What?" Joey questioned.

"Heckles played clarinet in band, and I played clarinet," Chandler continued. "And he was in the scale modellers club and I was... well, there was no club, but I sure thought they were cool."

"So, you were both dorks," Joey realised, shrugging. "Big deal."

Chandler closed the book, no longer wanting to read it, putting it down on the cluttered table. "I just think it's weird, you know. Heckles and me..." Again, the thumping continued. "Heckles and me...me and Heckles." Then, his voice rose, picking up the broom as he pounded on the ceiling. "Hey, would you knock it off!"

Turning back to his friends, Joey and Phoebe were both staring at him in shock.

Yelling in horror, Chandler dropped the broom.

It got worse with Chandler staying at Heckles all night. Zara had stayed up writing her book before she had fallen asleep, surprised that Chandler had not come. It felt like a crack, the doubt starting to flare up as she stared up at her ceiling, not wanting to be the one to chase him.

Though, downstairs the following morning, Joey found Chandler.

"Have you been here all night?" Joey questioned.

"Look at this," Chandler insisted, showing Joey a box of pictures, moving up so his best friend can sit next to him. "Pictures of all the women that Heckles went out with. Look what he wrote on them. Vivian, too tall. Madge, big gums. Too loud. Too smart. Makes noise when she eats." Each picture was thrown at Joey with Chandler becoming more hysteric. "This is... this is me. This is what I do. I'm going to end up alone just like he did."

"Chandler, you're with Zara," Joey reminded him as Chandler stood, clearly upset. "And Heckles was a nut case."

"Our trains are on the same track," Chandler exclaimed. "Yeah, sure, I'm coming up thirty years behind him, but the stops are all the same: bittertown, aloneville, hermit junction."

"Is this really about Heckles or Zara?" Joey questioned.

"Why would this be about Zara?" Chandler became defensive. "We're not together."

"Chandler, you're getting worked up over nothing," Joey sighed. "Even I can see that you're in love with Zara and you're just afraid, which is normal."

"No, no, no," Chandler quickly exclaimed, pointing at Joey. "Not that word."

"What word?" Joey asked, confused.

"The L word," said Chandler, eyes wide.

Joey's eyebrows furrowed. "Love?"

"Yes, that," Chandler wagged his finger. "That word is banned."

"Okay, fine, just calm down," Joey told him. "Do you want breakfast or do you want to talk about this? It's up to you."

But Chandler fell silent, not knowing what he wanted. Chandler sunk down on the sofa again, placing his head in his hands, starting to see his own denial too. "I don't want to end up like Heckles."

"Chandler, you won't," Joey insisted. "You have Zara."

"What if I mess it up?" Chandler questioned, unable to look at Joey.

"What if you don't?" Joey returned the question.

"Zara's too good for me," said Chandler. "Of all the Derek's in the world, why would she want to be with someone like me?"

"Because you're not Derek," Joey told him. "You're serious about Zara, right?"

"Yeah," Chandler realised, staying clear of that banned word. "I'm crazy about her, but I'm so scared."

"Then, you've already done it," Joey said, patting him on the back. "Dude, you're not alone and you're not Heckles. You have the girl, so don't let her go."

Chandler's heart felt full, but heavy — a feeling he was not used to. Maybe things between them were a lot more serious than they had anticipated, but Chandler couldn't shake the fear of taking that next leap.

♡

Zara had a frown on her face as she sat in the living room, keeping herself distracted by Ruby's heroic tales. It was coming to the end of the book, so Zara needed to focus on the action sequences, but all she could think about was Chandler.

"Oh, honey," said Monica, sitting down next to her. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?" Zara questioned.

Though Zara kept her eyes on the screen, she was very aware that Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe had all exchanged a long look. It left Zara on edge, not wanting to face the problem of a fading Chandler.

"Zara, is everything okay between you and Chandler?" Rachel asked, voice soft and sweet. "We've noticed he hasn't come over for a couple of nights now."

"And we're worried about you," Monica added. "You know, I can tell when you're upset."

"I'm not upset," Zara insisted.

"You can talk to us," Phoebe encouraged.

Zara sighed, closing down her laptop screen as she knew they would be persistent with it. Of course, it was obvious that something had happened as a divide had come up with Zara not understanding what had happened. They had been so careful with keeping things casual with no labels and the boundaries set, but yet...

...Zara still felt the sting of heartbreak.

"Have you heard anything from Chandler?" Zara asked them.

"No," the three answered.

"Chandler hasn't spoken to us," Monica added. "Did you have a fight?"

"No," Zara confessed, finally looking at Monica. "I don't know what happened... Chandler just pulled away, I guess. I mean, it's not surprising, but I guess I started to believe that Chandler wouldn't do this to me too."

"It doesn't sound like Chandler," Phoebe said. "I mean, he breaks up with girls over the silliest of reasons—"

"Phoebe," Monica hissed quietly.

"But that doesn't mean he would do it to you!" Phoebe quickly added.

"We're not even together, so he doesn't even have to find a reason to end things with me," Zara reminded them. "I guess just disappearing is enough."

"Oh, sweetie," Rachel reached forward, taking Zara's hand. "Did you want it to be more?"

Already, Zara felt the sting of tears as her heart had fallen into the trap when she had tried so hard to protect herself. Chandler had snuck in just to leave, where Zara was back to being heartbroken again.

"I don't know," Zara admitted. "Maybe, but it's pointless. When things get serious, it just ends badly."

It had happened time and time again — even if Zara had no romantic feelings towards someone, they still ended up leaving. Zara's own parents had left, no one had cared enough to want her longer than a handful of months, and no partner had ever chosen her. In the end, Zara had always ended up by herself, and she had come to accept that.

Keeping Chandler at an arm's length had been easy in the beginning. Yet, the more time she spent with him, the more she tumbled into the dark zone that she had forbidden herself from again.

And now Chandler was vanishing, where Zara had lost control of the situation again.

"Zara, there's got to be an explanation," Monica insisted. "I've known Chandler for years and I've never seen him like this with anyone."

"Give him time and he'll come back," Phoebe told her. "I have a good feeling about you both, like a really good feeling."

"He'll come round," Rachel agreed. "That man is crazy about you."

But Zara could not trust in their words. Instead, Zara ended up hiding in her bedroom (though, she did agree to go out for dinner with them later on). Right now, she just wanted to hide and focus on her novel, using it to distract herself.

Sometime later, Zara heard a smash as she hurried from her bedroom, seeing the lamp Rachel adored was on the floor and broken. Monica stood close to it, struggling with her jacket, staring at the broken lamp with a look of horror.

"Monica, you didn't," Zara gasped.

Rachel hurried from her bedroom. "Oh!"

"Okay, all right," said Monica. "It was an accident, I swear. All right? I was putting on my jacket and the thing... and—and the lamp and it broke."

"Oh, please, Monica," Rachel replied, not believing it, where she seemed as if she was about to cry. "You've always hated my lamp. And now, all of a sudden, it's just, magically, it's just broken?"

"Phoebe, tell her!" Monica insisted.

"Okay, I didn't see it 'cause I was putting on my jacket," Phoebe decided. "But, um, I want to believe you."

Rachel was frowning as she picked up the lamp, walking towards Zara, who smiled sadly at her.

Then, the front door opened and Zara looked up to see Chandler. His eyes were already on her, seeming tense, yet focused. Zara wanted to melt, but she felt her face harden, arms folding across her chest.

At his arrival, there was silence.

"Maybe Joey can fix your lamp, Rach," Monica decided. "Shall we go see? Phoebe, you should come too."

There was a chorus of agreements from the two as all three hurried to leave the apartment. At the door, Monica shot Zara a look before smiling, silently encouraging Zara.

After that, Zara's eyes were back on Chandler, watching as his hand cupped the back of his neck. The silence hung between them, where it was thick and awkward — Zara hated it.

"What do you want, Chandler?" Zara demanded.

"I don't want to die alone," Chandler announced.

Zara's eyebrows furrowed at that. "Okay... does anyone?"

"Mr Heckles, maybe," said Chandler before sighing, stepping closer to Zara. "I don't want to be like him, Zara."

"Mr Heckles?" Zara questioned, confused.

Chandler nodded. "I don't want to end up alone and bitter like Mr Heckles."

Zara paused at that, unknowing what that meant. This would be the moment when Zara was always left with her partner searching for someone better. A warning had echoed, where Zara wanted to run, but she felt stuck, holding Chandler's stare.

"What do you want, Chandler?" Zara asked again, the words softer, full of fear, but hope too.

"I want us," Chandler confessed, where Zara could see that he was terrified, eyes wide and palms most likely sweaty. "I want you." There was silence, where Chandler found a flare of bravery for a moment. "If there's a someone out there for me, then I have this feeling that someone is you."

"Then why avoid me?" Zara demanded, not trusting it.

"Because I'm so scared, Zara," Chandler told her. "With every other girl, I've always found some stupid reason to break up with them. But, with you, it's different. I'm afraid to lose you more. I'm so sorry for disappearing, but I want this, Zara."

Zara felt her heart sore, but her stomach tightened. "You want to stay?"

"Yeah, I do," Chandler said. "Do you, uh... want to?"

If Zara listened to what her head was telling her, then she would end things here before they ended up burying themselves alive. Zara hated that she doubted Chandler — she hated Derek and every other person that came before him. But, if anyone was going to stay, then it would be Chandler.

"I want us too," Zara confessed, choosing to take the risk.

Chandler grinned at that, closing the distance between them as his hands were quick to pull her towards him. A single kiss caused Zara's fears and doubts to melt for a second, finding that she was smiling too.

Maybe Chandler had left for a moment, but he had come back.

Chandler had chosen Zara.

♡

Downstairs, everyone had finished packing up the last of Mr Heckles belongings. Eventually, the newly formed couple headed down to join them. Chandler had his arm around Zara, grinning brightly with his joy.

"Yay," said Phoebe. "You figured it out."

"Actually, we figured a few things out," Zara confessed.

"You did?" Monica questioned, smiling.

"We've decided to make things official," Chandler announced. "So I can now say that Zara Ellison is my girlfriend."

Zara rolled her eyes at him, but she was smiling too. "You're still pulling, Bing."

"Don't I know it," Chandler agreed.

Though, for their friends, there was a series of celebrations with everyone happy for the two. For the two, it was a massive deal that they didn't want anyone adding to the pressure of it, but still hearing about their friend's happiness made it all the sweeter.

For the first night as a couple, they were tying the bin bags, finishing up Heckles place. Though, Zara was happy to wait as they had booked a weekend away for Zara's birthday the following week (so, yes, maybe they were already acting like a couple before things were official).

"Oh, what you go there?" Rachel questioned Monica. "Something else that's not yours that you can break?"

Looking up, Zara spotted the doll clock. "Oh, the doll clock! I thought it was gone!"

"No," Monica answered Rachel as Zara stood up, standing with Rachel. "Actually, I know you both like this, and I want you to have it. I think it would look good in our apartment."

"Thank you," Rachel said.

Zara too was touched. "Thanks, Mon."

Rachel moved as the doll started to whistle, shaking her hips. It caused both Zara and Rachel to laugh, truly adoring the doll.

"That's fine," Monica insisted.

Zara smiled, feeling that maybe moving in with Monica had truly been the best decision she had ever made.

♡

EPISODE FOUR.

♡

Truly the impossible was happening: Zara and Chandler were in a relationship, but the real shock was that Phoebe had a husband. After work, they had all gathered together, completely surprised by the news.

"This is unbelievable, Pheebs," Joey insisted. "How can you be married?"

"Well, I mean, I'm not married married, you know," Phoebe explained. "He was just a friend, and he's gay. And he was from Canada, and he just needed a green card."

"I can't believe you married Duncan!" Monica exclaimed. "I mean, how could you not tell me? We lived together. We told each other everything."

"I'm sorry, Monica," Phoebe apologised. "But I knew if I told you, you'd get really judgemental and you would not approve."

"Of course, I wouldn't approve! I mean, you were totally in love with this guy, who hello, was gay. I mean, what the hell were you thinking?"

"You see, and you thought she'd be judgemental," Ross said.

"Okay, I wasn't in love with, and I was just helping out a friend," Phoebe told them.

"Please," argued Monica. "When he left town, you stayed in your pyjamas for a month. And I saw you eat a cheeseburger."

Everyone gasped at that, knowing Phoebe had to have been really low for that.

"Well, didn't you?"

"I might have," Phoebe confessed.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me!"

"Come on, like you tell me everything?" Phoebe challenged. "Or what about Zara? You were oblivious to Chandler and Zara sneaking around for months."

"Don't bring us into this," Zara said.

"What have I not told you?" Monica questioned.

"Oh, I don't know," said Phoebe, walking towards the window as she pointed outside. "Um, how about the fact that the underwear out on the telephone pole is yours from when you were having sex with fun Bobby out on the terrace."

"What?!" Everyone exclaimed.

"Monica!" Zara laughed, though she already knew.

They hurried to the window, needing to see the nickers again.

"Who told you?" Monica demanded before she figured it out, pointing at Chandler. "You are dead meat."

Chandler held onto Monica's finger, pouting. "I didn't know it was a big secret."

"Oh, it's not big, not at all," said Monica. "You know, kind of on the same lines as, say, I don't know, having a third nipple!"

Everyone gasped again, hurrying to Chandler, who had become still.

"You have a third nipple?" Phoebe questioned in disbelief.

Zara couldn't believe no one knew. "No one knew that?" 

"You bitch," Chandler responded, holding Monica's glare.

"Whip it out! Whip it out!" Ross encouraged, bouncing on the spot.

"No, come on," Chandler complained as everyone chimed in, wanting to see. "There's nothing to see. It's a tiny bump. It's totally useless."

"Oh, as opposed to your other multifunctional nipples," Rachel said as Chandler had moved away from them.

"I can't believe you," said Joey. "You told me it was a nubbin."

"Joey, what did you think a nubbin was?" Ross questioned.

"I don't know," Joey answered. "You see something, you hear a word. I thought that's what it was. Let me see it again."

"Yeah show it to us!" Everyone chimed in again, pressuring Chandler.

"Joey was in a porno movie!" Chandler shouted.

The attention switched from Chandler to Joey. Even Zara gasped at this reveal, not being able to resist laughing as she tried to imagine Joey Tribbiani in a porno movie.

"If I'm going down, I'm taking everybody down with me," Chandler decided.

With that, everyone hurried to Joey, questioning him.

"All right, all right, all right," Joey said, hands wide as if to calm down the crowd he had gathered. "I was young, and I just wanted a job, okay? But at the last minute, I couldn't go through with it. So, they let me be the guy who comes in to fix the copier, but can't because there's people having sex on it."

"That is wild!" Monica decided.

Joey chuckled in response, but the attention had returned to Chandler again.

"So, what's it like?" Ross questioned.

"Is there a hair on it?" Phoebe asked.

"What happens if you flick it?" Joey added.

Though, as Zara sighed, the questions did not stop as they ended up in the coffee house. Zara sat next to Chandler with her laptop on her lap and his arm around her shoulders. Chandler was holding a printed copy of her chapter, reading through it for her.

"So, uh, does it do anything, you know special?" Ross questioned.

"Why, yes, Ross," said Chandler, fed up. "Pressing my third nipple opens the delivery entrance to the magical land of Narnia."

"You know," Julie spoke up next to Ross. "In some cultures, having a third nipple is a sign of virility. You get the best huts and women dance naked around you."

"Huh," Chandler liked the sound of that, looking at Zara. "You think you could do a little dance for me?"

"Finish reading that chapter, and we'll see, Bing," Zara told him.

Chandler's mouth hung upon, lost for words. "Uh, r-really?"

In response, Zara kissed him, deciding not to answer. Though, Chandler was suddenly focused on the chapter that caused Zara to smirk. But the concentration lasted perhaps a minute as Phoebe came in, truly enchanting them with her appearance.

"Foxy lady!" Joey exclaimed.

"Go on, Pheebs," Zara encouraged.

"Where are you going?" Julie asked.

"Um, I'm going to go meet Duncan," Phoebe decided. "He's skating tonight at the garden. He's in the Capades."

"The ice Capades?" Joey questioned.

"No, no," Chandler asnwered. "The gravel Capades. You know, the turns aren't as fast, but when Snoopy falls — funny."

♡

That night, they ended at Ross' for dinner with Monica bringing a pie and Zara the alcohol along with Chandler. Though, they walked in on Julie and Ross caught up in a moment that Chandler sarcastically jumped in response from.

"Uh, Julie?" Chandler said.

The two pulled apart. "Yeah?"

"Sorry. You had a Paleontologist on your face," Chandler told her. "But it's gone now. You're all right."

At that, there was a chorus of greetings as Zara pushed her boyfriend towards the kitchen before he could embarrass himself anymore. From the hole in the wall that led to the living room, Zara saw Ross and Rachel talking, still seeing the spark between them.

"I'll be back," Chandler told Zara, kissing her cheek, and then he was heading towards the restroom.

Monica smirked. "You guys are too cute."

Zara rolled her eyes, opening the bottle of wine. Not long later, Zara sat down with a glass of wine, handing the spare one she had to Joey before sitting with Monica.

"What is this in my pocket?" Chandler questioned, returning to the room. "Why, it's Joey's porno movie!"

"Hey, pop it in," Ross told him.

"I'm fine with it," Joey insisted, trying to show that he didn't care. "I mean, if you're okay watching a video filled with two-nippled people."

Chandler was silent at that, choosing to put the tape on instead.

"Great," said Rachel. "People having sex. That's just what I need to see."

"What's wrong with people having sex?" Ross questioned.

Rachel cleared her throat. "Well...well, um, you know... these movies are offensive...and, uh, degrading to women...and females...and uh, and the lightings always unflattering. And...Monica, help me out here."

"Hell, I just want to see Joey," Monica exclaimed.

Zara smiled at Rachel. "Honey, you just need to get laid."

Then, with that, Chandler was sitting down next to Zara as the movie started. Zara found herself swaying to the music with Chandler as Monica clicked next to them. Already, there was a grin on her face, excited to see Joey.

"So, is there like a story or do they just start doing it right..." At those words, the moaning on the screen started. "Oh, never mind."

"Okay, now wait a minute," said Chandler. "That is the craziest typing test I've ever seen!"

"All I say is, she better get the job!" Monica added.

"Oh, she'll get the job," Zara decided.

"Looks to me like he's the one getting the job," Ross said.

Joey hushed them. "Okay, here I come. Here I come. See, I'm coming to fix the copier. I can't get to the copier. I'm thinking what do I do? What do I do? So I just watch them have sex. And then I say, that's my line..."

"You know, that's bad for the paper tray."

"Good job," said Monica.

"Nice work, my friend," Chandler added.

Zara cringed. "God I must have been so drunk to sleep with you."

"This is acting, Zara," Joey insisted. "It's different."

"Right," Zara agreed, eyes wide.

"Wait, wait, wait, you see me again. Hang on. The guy's butts blocking me. There I am. There I am. There I am. There I am."

Zara had honestly forgotten about Joey, eyes lingering elsewhere. Though, Joey was very proud of his little role with the friends happy for him. Afterwards, Monica had headed to the bathroom with Zara finishing her last glass of wine.

"You know, it still smells like monkey in there?" Monica told her brother.

"Well, that saves us a conversation," Julie said, agreeing with Monica.

"Well, listen this has been great," said Chandler, patting Zara's knee before standing, offering his hand to help her. "But I'm officially wiped."

"Me too," Joey decided.

"Yeah, we should go," Zara agreed.

"No!" Rachel exclaimed, hurrying to them. "I mean... no. Come on, you guys. I mean...come on, look, it's only eleven-thirty. Let's just talk. We never just hang out and talk anymore."

"Rachel," said Monica. "That's all we do."

"Okay, maybe that's all we do," Rachel insisted. "What about Julie?"

"What about Julie?" The woman questioned.

Zara suppressed a sigh, knowing this was Rachel losing control of her feelings for Ross. Chandler's hand was on her back, sensing her frustration.

"Well, you have been in our lives for nearly two months now," Rachel said. "And we don't really know you. I mean, who is Julie? I mean, what do you like? What don't you like? We want to know everything."

"Well, that could take a while," Julie replied, a little overwhelmed.

"So?" Rachel questioned, looking up to the others. "I mean, who here does not have the time to get to know Julie?"

With a question like that, they had no choice.

"I've got the time to get to know Julie," Chandler decided, pulling Zara back to the sofa with a smile for her. "We can't stay, right, Zar?"

"I got time," Joey added.

"Yeah, okay," Zara agreed.

"Um, Rach," Monica cut in. "I know her pretty well. Can I go?"

Rachel simply stared at Monica.

"That's fine," Monica realised, perching on the end of Joey's chair.

Honestly, from the moment Rachel had started questioning Julie, Zara had tuned out with her head falling on Chandler's shoulder, knowing it was going to be a long night. Zara was certain that if Rachel was just honest with Ross, he would choose Rachel, but then again, Rachel should respect that they were together too.

Zara, though, had fallen asleep.

"We're going home," Chandler suddenly announced, startling Zara.

That caused Zara to wake up quickly as Chandler was pulling her upwards by the hand, where the two were eager to leave. Chandler kept his arm around her, supporting each other as they were truly exhausted.

"That Julie's a talker, huh?" Joey questioned.

"Goodnight!" Ross called out after them.

Back at home, the two had ended up laying down on Chandler's bed, but they were too tired to even start anything. Everything had been a little chaotic: the two becoming an official couple, a weekend away, and now long nights. Zara was staring back at her job soon, but she was also finishing up her novel.

There was so much happening, yet Zara still had a smile on her face.

"What are you smiling about?" Chandler asked, keeping his arm wrapped around her as Zara's head tilted upwards, catching his gaze.

"Oh, you know," said Zara. "Just how things seem to be good right now."

And hopefully, it would stay good.

"Yeah?" Chandler questioned. "What's good?"

"A few things," Zara said, not wanting to spill everything. "Mainly, us, I guess."

Chandler's lips were briefly pressed against the side of Zara's forehead, where she felt his smile too. Maybe their fears were starting to vanish.

"I guess labels aren't so scary after all, are they?" Chandler said.

"Still scary," Zara confessed, rolling onto her tummy, so she could look at her boyfriend. "But a good kind of scary, you know?"

"Yeah, I know," Chandler agreed, hand raising to brush the dark strands of hair away from Zara's face. "Who'd have thought me out of everyone would be the one in a relationship?"

"You?" Zara laughed. "Chandler, I had sworn off everyone."

"I guess I'm an exception to that," Chandler said.

"A surprising exception," Zara agreed. "But maybe you were what I needed."

Chandler smiled at that, fingers gentle as they ran through Zara's hair, eyes lingering on her as she pressed her lips together. "I'll forever be amazed," Chandler decided. "Zara Ellison, my girlfriend."

Zara laughed at that. "Chandler, I'm nothing special."

While Zara was confident with the way she looked, there were still insecurities there that had formed as a result of failed relationships and from her childhood. Not even a pretty face could guarantee that people would stay.

"You're nothing special?" Chandler repeated; though she could tell he knew how she felt — after all, he was the only one that knew about her past. "Seriously, Zar, you're everything. I'm not joking when I said I was so startled the first time I met you. You're so beautiful, but so incredible too. I don't know anyone else who can be so sweet, yet so adorably grumpy and mean too — a little scary too sometimes. I guess I'm the lucky one that gets to be with you; everyone else has missed out."

Zara felt the blush on her cheeks, finding the words sinking deep inside her.

"Is Zara Ellison blushing?" Chandler questioned, grinning.

"No," Zara insisted. "I'm not. It's just hot, okay?"

"You're blushing," Chandler teased.

"If you tell anyone, Bing—"

"I'm dead," Chandler guessed, laughing. "See, a little scary."

"Thank you, though," said Zara. "Seriously. I hate being the sob story, and I don't want to talk about it, but no one's ever felt lucky to be with me before."

"Yeah, well, don't forget, I'll be dating a best-selling author soon too," Chandler reminded her, changing the conversation to ease Zara, knowing how she was feeling as his past wasn't pleasant too — together, they were taking small steps. "I can see it."

"You can see it?" Zara challenged, amused.

"I can see it, but I know it, Zara."

Zara shook her head at him, failing to hide her smile.

♡

Nah they're so in love but in denial. I just love the character growth as they're really trying despite their fears and insecurities😭. If these chapters didn't take so long to write, I would be updating this story weekly!

I'm still torn on what direction to go lol. So, I've decided I'm just gonna go with the flow and decide who Zara ends up with at the critical decision moment.