THE ONE WITH THE MISTAKE.
EPISODE THREE.

♡

Even though Zara still had a class full of kids, she had temporarily taken a break to focus on wrapping up her book tour. Though, with the pressure of the second book brewing, Zara wasn't sure how she was supposed to balance her two lives.

Now, Zara dropped a box of books off at Rachel's office for her colleagues and boss.

"Hey, Rach," Zara said.

"Oh, Zara," said Rachel, acting as if she had just been caught doing something as she lingered near a door with a key in her hand. "Hey."

"Where'd you want the books?" Zara asked.

"Uh, in Joanna's office," Rachel said, sharing a look with her colleague. "I was just about to check something..."

Zara raised her eyebrows, knowing Rachel was up to something, but she didn't question it. Already, Rachel's colleague had scurried off as if they had been caught. Rachel cleared her throat, using the key to open the office.

The two walked in to find Chandler handcuffed to the desk with his pants missing. While Rachel gasped from shock, Zara couldn't help but laugh. Chandler, though, looked horrified to have been caught — especially by them.

"Hi," Chandler said, panicking. "How are you?"

"I have so many questions, but I really don't want to know," Zara decided. "You're in the wrong place, though, you know that, right? You said you were gonna help me today."

"I'm a little trapped right now," Chandler told her.

"Fine," Zara replied, feeling smug as she couldn't resist the next words. "I guess I'll just have to ask Derek to help instead."

"No!" Chandler cried out, where the handcuffs rattled with his movements. "I'll be there."

"I'll see you there then," said Zara, grinning, before she turned to Rachel, who was still in shock. "Rach, don't let him out."

"What?" Chandler questioned.

But Zara was already closing the door, unable to resist the urge to torment Chandler a bit over it. Though, traumatising Chandler was enough to cover up the achiness that came with seeing him in a compromising position like that.

Maybe Chandler was moving on and Zara didn't like that.

Fortunately, Toby had found time to help Zara set up in the school gymnasium, which gave the two an excuse to do something together. While they were getting on well, Zara was still yet to find something in common with her brother — that and she wasn't too sure how she was supposed to act around him.

"So, who is coming this afternoon?" Toby asked.

"Everyone from the school I work at," Zara explained. "Obviously, since we're here. I've also reached out to charities to invite foster kids. It's become a bit of a big thing, so my agent is handling it all now. She'll be here soon."

Zara had invited all her friends too, but the majority of them were at work, and couldn't get the time off. So far, it was just Joey and Chandler (maybe) that were stopping by to help, along with Toby.

"Wow," said Toby. "That's really nice of you to do that."

Zara shrugged. "It's the least I can do, I suppose."

"What was it like growing up in foster homes?" Toby asked as Zara froze, holding onto her books tightly from where she had laid them out on the tables. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that."

"It's okay," said Zara. "It wasn't always bad, it just depended on where I was at the time."

"Did you have anyone?" Toby questioned.

"I had myself," Zara replied, offering him a smile. "Maybe then, it didn't seem like enough when all I wanted was parents, but... I've always been enough."

"You've clearly proven yourself," Toby told her. "I never thought I'd be related to a best-selling author."

"I never thought I would be successful or even have a brother," Zara confessed. "I have a habit of ruining things, so I'm still waiting for the shoe to drop with this." With you.

"Maybe everything's changed for the best," Toby suggested.

"It does seem like it," Zara agreed, finding herself smiling shyly. "Things have changed since I moved in with Monica."

Saying those words didn't make Zara feel any better, though. She was currently with Derek, who had been there before moving in with Monica, so wasn't she supposed to consider him as a good part of her life too?

"I suppose your friends are coming?" Toby realised, starting to set out the books again.

"Everyone has work," Zara told him. "I didn't want them dropping anything for me. Chandler insisted he didn't have work, but I know he did. Though, at the moment, he's handcuffed to Rachel's boss' desk."

"What?" Toby replied, surprised.

"Chandler's hopeless when it comes to women," said Zara, rolling her eyes with an amused grin on her face. "Rachel's boss clearly wasn't his best choice."

"Because it's not you?" Toby guessed.

Zara sighed. "No, it's good it's not me."

"It's none of my business, but I don't think Chandler agrees with that," Toby said.

"Maybe not right now, but he will," Zara said, not looking at her brother. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"Nope," Toby said with a shrug. "I was in a serious relationship, but it didn't work out. I wanted more than what she was willing to offer."

"Oh," said Zara. "That sucks."

"I've realised love sucks," Toby replied.

Zara smiled, realising that maybe they had found something in common.

When Joey joined them, Chandler was still missing with Zara figuring that he wasn't going to make it. The thought was disappointing, but Zara still watched the clock, still hoping that he would come.

But, even as Chandler failed to turn up, Zara still had Joey and Toby with her. While there was a line of kids waiting with their parents to get their books signed, Joey and Toby were handing out copies of the book along with Zara's agent, who was ticking the attendees off from her list.

"So," said Joey towards the end. "Is your agent single?"

"Maxine?" Zara questioned, frowning. "No, she's seeing someone. It's very serious."

"Oh," Joey said. "Right."

Zara forced a smile, trying not to make it obvious that the words were a lie. While Chandler was moving on (and breaking up) with someone new, she wasn't ready to watch them both find someone that wasn't her, even if it was selfish.

"Where's Derek then?" Joey questioned instead.

"At work," Zara answered. "He couldn't get time off."

"Right," Joey said, where it became awkward again.

Zara's head turned, holding his stare as she got the impression that he was forcing himself to be here. "Joey, you don't have to be here if you don't want to be."

"What?" Joey replied, shocked. "Zara, of course, I want to be here. This is important to you, so it's important to me too."

"Really?" Zara said, failing to hide her smile.

Today had been more important to her than any other signing. The kids of her class were here to celebrate for Zara, but she had also given back to the foster system.

"Yeah," said Joey. "You know, I thought I would be jealous of you finding fame like this, but... I don't know, I guess I'm just so happy for you. You really deserve this, Zara."

"Thanks," Zara replied. "You know, you'll get there too one day."

"I'm not as talented as you," Joey told her.

"Just because I can write, doesn't mean I can act," Zara reminded him. "You're talented in your own way, Joe, and one day, the world will see that."

The pure joy on Joey's face came with love that Zara wished she was blind from seeing. Even just witnessing his reaction caused Zara's heart to pound, wishing that things could be different.

Chandler came running through the door then, completely oblivious to the fact that their gym was full of kids with their parents. "I'm here! I'm here! I made it!"

Zara was more relieved that he had his pants back on.

♡

EPISODE FOUR.

♡

A few mornings later, Zara was sitting opposite Chandler as they ate breakfast. Derek was in the shower, where everyone was starting to accept that he was back in Zara's life.

"Oh, hey, new wallet, huh?" Phoebe said, noticing Chandler's new wallet.

Zara didn't notice the wallet as she had been too caught up with Chandler in his work suit.

"Uh, yeah, it was time," said Chandler. "The old condom ring in the leather just doesn't say cool anymore, you know?"

"Mmm-hmm," Phoebe agreed.

"Oh, I don't know," Zara replied. "When you pulled out the condom the first time we slept together, I thought you were pretty cool. You know, the kind of move that reminded me of when I lost my virginity."

"I miss the teacher version of you in the mornings," Chandler confessed. "That Zara's a lot sweeter."

Zara grinned at that. "Well, looks like you're stuck with just me until fall comes around again."

"That's a real shame," Chandler muttered, sarcastically.

Phoebe started to laugh. "Hey, Zara, is Derek still here?"

Chandler and Zara were quick to avert their gazes from each other, knowing they were slipping into a dangerous territory that friends weren't supposed to cross.

Zara frowned, shooting Phoebe a warning look, but everyone (other than Chandler, Joey and Zara) was busy trying to hide their amusement. Phoebe looked a little proud of herself as she tried to hide it while eating her breakfast.

From the sofa, Joey peered at the two, where Zara couldn't bring herself to see his reaction. Already, Zara's cheeks were a bright red as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

It was even worse as the shower tap had turned off, and Derek soon appeared with a white towel around his waist. Around them, all four girls were a little dumbfounded, spotting the six-pack that glistened from Derek being wet.

"Morning," Derek greeted them all.

His eyes fell on Zara, offering her a wink as Zara resisted the urge to follow her boyfriend into the bedroom.

"Well," said Rachel. "I can certainly see the appeal with Derek now."

"Just 'cause he has abs," Chandler scoffed. "Big deal. I'm yet to be impressed."

Zara sighed, looking away as she caught Joey watching her. The jealousy was clearly there as Zara felt like disappearing, wishing everything between them would just vanish too.

"Rachel," said Monica, standing up from where she sat at the table. "You just put an empty carton back in the fridge."

"Yeah, I know, but the garbage was full," Rachel replied.

Monica chuckled at that. "Have you ever taken out the trash?"

"Well, I, uh, thought you guys liked doing it," Rachel confessed.

Zara started to laugh as Rachel accepted the garbage bag, moving to leave with all of them shocked to see her do the chore. But, as she turned back, Monica and Zara realised that she was clueless to where it was.

"Third door on the left," Monica explained.

"Oh, Rach," said Zara. "Do you need some help?"

"Right!" Rachel said. "No, I've got this."

"You sure?" Zara questioned, teasingly.

But Rachel left, determined to do it without any of them helping her. By the time she came back, Derek had come out of the bedroom dressed in his suit for the day. He wasted no time kissing Zara before he helped himself to breakfast.

"God, if you're gonna cry about it!" Monica responded, noticing Rachel's tears.

Rachel started to sob as Monica took the garbage, going to do it herself. Though, as Monica returned, Rachel told them what had happened.

"Whoa, whoa," said Joey. "Treeger made you cry?"

"Yeah," Rachel confirmed, still crying. "He said really mean things that were only partly true."

"I'm gonna go down there and teach that guy a lesson," Joey decided.

"You and me both," Zara announced, standing. "How dare he make you cry!"

"Uh, please don't do that," Monica warned them. "I think it's best that we just forget about it."

"That's easy for you to say," Rachel replied. "You weren't almost killed!"

"Alright, that's it," said Joey. "School is in session!"

Zara moved to leave with Joey, determined to give Treeger a piece of her mind. However, Derek's hand caught her wrist, where his grip tightened, stopping her from leaving.

"Babe, come on," Derek told her. "You don't need to get involved."

"Uh, I do, if one of my best friends is upset," Zara clarified.

"No, you don't," Derek said again, voice stern as if Zara was a child.

Zara frowned, feeling all eyes on her as she suddenly felt embarrassed.

"Hang on now—" Chandler started, where his sudden anger shocked them all.

However, Zara's head had twisted around so quickly, irises wide as she silently begged him to stay out of it. Seeing her face, Chandler fell silent, conflicted himself on what to do.

But, of course, there was Monica too.

"Maybe let go of Zara and let her decide, Derek," Monica told him, eyes narrowing at him.

Derek flashed an innocent smile. "I'm just looking out for my Zara."

"I can look out for myself," said Zara, snatching back her hand from Derek's grip. "And my friends too."

Yet, Zara felt frozen in her chair as if she was trapped. It wasn't Derek himself that kept Zara glued to her seat, but the thought of the scene he could cause if Zara annoyed him.

Zara was supposed to be in control.

"Let's just move on," Zara suggested, practically pleading for Monica to change the conversation.

"Oh, is this a gym card?" Monica said, spotting the first thing, which had been Chandler's gym card that had been left on the table.

"Chandler, going to the gym?" Zara started to laugh, using it to distract herself too, and it was working. "I don't believe that."

"Oh, yeah," said Chandler, forcing himself to carry on as if nothing had happened. "Gym member. I try to go four times a week, but I've missed the last... twelve-hundred times."

"So why don't you quit?" Ross questioned.

"You don't think I've tried?" Chandler replied, standing as he walked over to where Ross sat in the living room. "You think I like having $50 taken out of my bank account every month? No, they make you go all the way down there. Then they use all these phrases and peppiness to try and confuse you. And then they bring out Maria."

"Who is Maria?" Ross questioned.

"Oh, Maria," said Chandler, clearly thinking about her. "You can't say no to her, she's like this Lycra, spandex-covered gym treat."

"Don't quit," Derek told him. "I can get you into shape if that's what you want."

"Or," Ross cut in, seeing Chandler's fear. "Do you need me to go down there with you and hold your hand?"

"No," Chandler answered.

"Alright," Ross replied. "So you're strong enough to face her alone?"

"Oh, no," said Chandler. "You'll have to come."

Zara wanted to offer that she could go for him, but she was afraid to say anything with Derek there. Already, she could feel Monica and Phoebe's stare, knowing her friends would be talking to her about it.

But everything was supposed to be good; Derek had come back wanting Zara, so this was supposed to be her finally finding happiness — even if it was forced.

Fortunately, for them, Derek was leaving as he kissed Zara again.

"You know I love you, right?" Derek told her.

Zara forced a smile. "I know."

Then, as he left, Zara sighed.

"Zara..." Monica tried.

"Not now," said Zara, suddenly conscious of them all. "I mean it, okay? I don't want to talk about what just happened."

Everyone looked torn about that, where they all had something to say, but knew now wasn't the best time to bring it up. Instead, they moved on with the conversation again, trying to ignore it.

"Oh, please," said Phoebe. "Somebody tell me I don't have to go to work today."

"What's the matter?" Monica asked.

"Uh, my first massage is this incredibly gorgeous guy and every time I see him, I just want to do things to him that I'm not allowed to charge for," Phoebe told them before standing up.

They all exchanged amused expressions.

"So do them for free," Monica suggested.

"Yeah," Zara agreed. "Do the massage, then when you're done, what's stopping you?"

"Oh, no," Phoebe replied. "It is forbidden. No, no, huh... Mrs Potter fires people for messing around with clients. And it's against my oath as a masseuse."

"They make you take an oath?" Ross questioned.

"No, I made myself take one," Phoebe explained. "Yeah, no fooling around with clients and, um, always be prepared. Yeah, that one's actually from the Boy Scouts, but it just makes good sense."

"Why don't you just give him to somebody else?" Chandler suggested, though he was still confused by Phoebe's words like the rest of them.

"No, I can handle it," Phoebe decided. "No, I'm a professional."

"Oh, Pheebs," Rachel pointed at Phoebe's ankle as she walked past to leave. "Is that a new ankle bracelet?"

"Wow, and you got a pedicure," Monica noticed. "Your feet are all dressed up."

"Because that's the only part of you he can see when he's on the table," Chandler realised.

"You're gonna do some feet flirting!" Monica accused.

"You're totally gonna sleep with him," Zara added, impressed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Phoebe said with a forced chuckle.

"Then how do you explain the toe ring?" Ross demanded.

"Because it's Arabian princess day at work, okay?" Phoebe told them. "Leave me alone!"

Even though it ended up being just the three of them, Rachel was getting ready to leave for work, sparing Zara from being ambushed. While they were at work, Zara planned on spending the day writing before she figured out what she was going to do about her teaching job.

The front door opened with Joey coming back into the apartment, where Zara's eyes fell on him, noticing something was wrong.

"Oh, my hero!" Rachel cried out, spotting him. "What happened?"

"Well, uh, I went down there and told him no one treats my friends like that," said Joey. "And he better come up here and apologise. I'll see you later."

As Joey was quick to leave, Monica called out after him. "What a minute! What did he say?"

"Uh..." Joey paused, turning back to face them again. "Well, he said that he wasn't gonna apologise because you guys are living here illegally. So, instead, what he's gonna do is have you evicted. I'll see you later."

"Joey!" Zara shouted at him.

"You got us evicted?" Monica and Rachel exclaimed.

"I told you not to go down there!" Monica added, voice loud and angry.

"What? He made Rachel cry!" Joey reminded them.

Zara let out a huff. "I should have gone with you!"

"Rachel always cries!" Monica shouted.

Rachel started sobbing again at that. "That's not true!"

"No, Joey," said Monica, pointing a finger at him. "You go down there and you suck up to him. I mean, you suck like you've never sucked before."

"Alright, I'll try," Joey told them.

"No, you will do it," Zara corrected him. "Because you're not gonna fail, Joe."

"If I can't," Joey cut in. "Then you can stay with Chandler and I till you get settled."

Zara was not doing that.

♡

"Honey, we need to talk."

Hearing those words, Zara groaned as she knew what was coming. They had found Zara in the coffee house, where Rachel and Monica were now sitting on the sofa with her, where their faces were sympathetic.

"I don't think we do," Zara told them.

"I know you want to avoid what happened," said Monica. "But, Zara, you don't deserve to be treated like that."

"Yeah," Rachel agreed. "That wasn't right, Zara."

"It was just the one time," Zara insisted. "Derek's changed."

"I don't think he has," Monica said, voice gentle that made it worse for Zara. "I know you think choosing Derek is sparing you from whatever you feel for Chandler and Joey, but how is this any better Zara? You're not happy with Derek."

"It's okay to admit you've made a mistake," Rachel added.

"I could be happy with Derek," Zara said. "This could still work out."

But maybe Zara was in denial.

Plus, they had bigger issues right now if Joey didn't fix them from being evicted. Fortunately, Joey spared Zara from any more talk about her boyfriend as he came into the coffee house, updating them about the eviction situation.

"His dancing partner?" Monica summarised.

Zara couldn't help but laugh. "You? Dancing?"

"Yeah," Joey said. "There's this superintendents' dance, the Super Ball."

The three exchanged a look, unknowing what to think.

"And he wants to impress Marge this lady super that he's got a crush on," Joey explained.

"Why doesn't he just practice with a girl?" Rachel questioned.

"Maybe Treeger actually likes Joey," Zara suggested, smirking at him.

"No, he likes Marge," Joey told them. "And he's too shy. He doesn't think he's good enough to dance with girls yet."

"Yeah, right," said Rachel. "He almost danced me right down that garbage chute."

Monica sighed. "Would you let it go already? You're fine!"

Rachel started crying again, which was starting to scare Zara.

The two guys came in then, not looking particularly happy as Zara's eyes fell on Chandler. Already, he was looking at her, irises wide with concern as Zara quickly looked away.

"Hey, so did you quit?" Rachel asked Chandler.

"No," Chandler answered. "I almost did. Couldn't leave Ross there without a spotter."

"Wait, now, so you joined the gym?" Monica questioned her brother.

"Oh, I should have gone with you," Zara said, unable to hide her laughter.

Even Rachel was laughing, which didn't impress Ross.

"And that's funny, why?" Ross questioned.

"Oh, uh," said Rachel. "I was just, you know, picturing you working out and um... oh, that's it."

"We're doomed, okay," Chandler said. "They're gonna take fifty bucks a month out of our accounts for the rest of our lives. What are we gonna do?"

"Well, you could actually go to the gym," Monica suggested.

That caused Chandler and Ross to share a look before they burst out into laughter.

"Or," Ross said. "Or we could go to the bank and close our accounts and cut them off at the source."

"You're a genius," Chandler realised.

"Oh, man," said Joey. "But then we won't be bank buddies."

"Now there's two reasons," Chandler said.

"Well, if your genius plan fails," said Zara. "Then, I'll go to the gym with you."

"Maria will get to you too, Zara," Chandler warned her.

Zara smirked. "I'd like to see her try."

"Hey," Phoebe greeted them, coming into the coffee house as they were all quick to greet her. "Oh, you guys. Remember that cute client I told you about? I bit him."

"Where?" Rachel questioned.

"On the tushy," Phoebe said.

"Did he like it?" Zara asked.

"And that's not against your oath?" Ross demanded at the same time.

"No, I know," Phoebe answered. "I–I'm sorry, but the moment I touch him, I just want to throw out my old oath and take a new dirty one."

"Well, next time you're massaging him, you should try to distract yourself," Monica suggested.

"Yeah, yeah," Joey agreed. "Yeah, like, when I'm doing something exciting and I, I don't wanna get too excited, I just, uh, you know, I try and think of other things like, uh, sandwiches, and, uh, baseball, and, uh..." He turned, hooking a thumb towards Chandler. "Chandler!"

"Thank you, Joey," Chandler said, unknowing what else to say.

"Oh, no," said Joey. "Thank you."

Chandler's face screwed up, but Zara's mind was stuck on the two of them like usual.

♡

Zara ended up at Derek's that night, wanting to bring up what had happened, but she wasn't sure where to start. Derek greeted Zara, offering her that pearly smile as his hands pulled her closer towards him with a lingering kiss.

"Wait," Zara told him. "Don't do that."

"Do what?" Derek questioned.

"Distract me from what I want to say."

"I can't help but kiss you, though."

"Stop," said Zara again. "Derek, this morning... you were out of order. You had no right to tell me what to do or to grab me like that. I'm not going to be with you, Derek, if you're gonna start acting like that again."

"Babe, I was just looking out for you," Derek reassured her. "If you're caught starting fights, it's not gonna help your book now, is it?"

"But that's not your decision to make," Zara snapped at him.

"Alright," said Derek. "I won't help next time then."

Zara had expected him to argue back — defend himself, at least — but he gave in with Zara wondering if it was a trap. Pressing her lips together, her eyes narrowed at him, watching as his smugness returned.

"Come on, Zara," Derek said, letting his fingers disappear underneath the hem of her top as he tried distracting her again. "Don't be mad at me."

"I don't want to be mad at you," Zara told him. "But you embarrassed me, Derek. You made me feel like crap."

"I could make it up to you," Derek offered, pulling Zara closer to him. "I'll get on my knees for you if that's what it takes."

"Just don't do that again," Zara told him.

But, like always, she gave in as she let Derek pull her under his spell.

♡

The next day, the guys had come home from the bank with permanent scowls on their faces. Zara found it hilarious, knowing they were making things worse for themselves.

"So, you didn't leave the bank?" Monica summarised.

"No," Ross answered, unhappily. "And somehow, we ended up with a joint checking account."

"What are you ever going to use that for?" Rachel asked.

"To pay for the gym," Chandler said.

"You guys are complete idiots," Zara told them. "That does it, I'm going to the gym with you both, and then we're going to the bank after."

Though, Phoebe came in then, gaining everyone's attention.

"Hey, so I had a great day," Phoebe told them. "Rick and I really hit it off and we started making out and then my boss walked in and fired me for being a whore."

"What?" Zara exclaimed along with everyone else as they all hurried over to comfort her.

"Oh my Gosh," said Monica.

"It's so weird," Phoebe continued. "I have never been fired from anything before."

"Sweetie," Rachel hugged her.

"I just, I just started walking around not knowing what to do next, you know? I–I started asking people on the street if they wanted massages. Then these policemen thought I was a whore too," Phoebe told them. "It's really been a bad day, whore-wise."

"Oh, honey," said Zara as Phoebe sat down.

There was a knock on the door as Chandler hurried to answer it, revealing Treeger in a bow tie to match his fancy suit.

"Joey," Zara turned to him with a grin. "Your dates here."

"Hey, duck," said Treeger. "Is chick here?"

"Yeah, bunny-rabbit," Chandler replied, confused.

"So you, uh, ready for our last practice?" Joey asked Treeger.

"Yeah, but you know, I think the reason we're not getting that spin right is because my apartment is too small."

"Oh, you wanna use our place?" Joey offered.

"No, uh, I had another idea."

"Oh, can I come watch?" Zara asked.

"No," Joey was quick to answer, shooing Zara a look. "Definitely not."

Whatever that idea was, Zara was clueless as to what it was that was disappointing. Instead, Zara ended up drifting from her friends as she sat out on the balcony, finding the noisy city comforting from her chaotic mind.

Deep down, Zara knew she had made a mistake, but she was too stubborn to confess to it.

"Hey," said Chandler, poking his head out of the window. "You okay out here?"

"Yeah," Zara reassured him, turning to face him with a forced smile. "I'm all good."

"I've known you for how many years now?" Chandler questioned, climbing out of the window to join Zara. "I know you're not okay."

Zara looked away from him, smiling sadly as she knew she wasn't, but here was Chandler again, proving just how much Derek sucked.

"Talk to me," Chandler suggested, sitting down next to her.

That caused Zara to laugh. "I don't think you want to hear what's going on inside my head right now."

"Probably not," said Chandler. "But I've got some idea. Zara, about Derek—"

"Do we have to talk about him?" Zara snapped in frustration, which was followed by a sigh.

"Yeah, we do," Chandler said, surprising Zara. "You deserve better than Derek, Zara. The way he spoke to you — the way he touched you. Why would you want to be with someone like that?"

"That wasn't so bad," Zara reassured him.

"Oh, wonderful," Chandler replied, sarcastically. "Because that makes it better. I know we never really spoke about our exes much when we were together, but you never mentioned Derek being like this. You can choose Derek if you think he's the one for you, but I won't sit there and let him treat you like that again."

While it was a serious conversation, Zara couldn't help but find an amused smile on her face. "I guess you'll need your gym membership then if you're planning on fighting Derek."

"Zara, I'm serious," Chandler told her, though she knew it. "Don't yet get it? I lo—I care about you too much."

Hearing his slip up, Zara felt her heartbeat become still, where she was too much of a coward to look at him. Yet, hearing those words, Zara knew the truth.

"Before you, I thought Derek was what I deserved," Zara confessed to him. "I didn't know what it was like to have someone love me, so I thought that's it — that's how love is supposed to be. And then I met you."

"Me? Chandler Bing, who's hopeless at love?" Chandler questioned, laughing at that.

"I didn't expect to fall in love with you," Zara told him, still unable to look at him. "But you showed me how I should be loved — you all did, really — and it terrified me. Now I realise that maybe getting back together with Derek was a mistake."

There was no easy choice, Zara realised, but meeting Chandler had complicated everything for Zara. Maybe, Zara deserved someone better than Derek.

But, even with the two there, she was still afraid to make that choice.

"You know, I had the same realisation with Janice," Chandler tried being that little bit brave too. "After being with you, no one could quite match what we had."

"We thought it was hard, but it was easy," Zara said as her head turned, sharing a sad smile with Chandler. "And now... everything is so complicated, Chandler. I don't know what I want."

"Whatever you decide, I'll always be here," Chandler reassured her.

"Even if it's Derek?" Zara questioned.

Chandler frowned at that, triggering a small laugh from Zara. "Maybe I should keep my gym membership then," he told her. "As much as he terrifies me, I'll face him for you."

"My hero," Zara teased.

That caused Chandler to smile, which was enough to cheer Zara up.

As she eventually headed back inside, it ended up being just Monica and Zara in the living room. The two were on the sofa watching the television, but Zara's mind was elsewhere.

"Monica?" Zara questioned.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I could be happy?"

Monica's head turned, offering her friend a smile. "I think you could be, but not with Derek, Zara. I know you were hoping he'd be a distraction from your feelings, but I can tell you were also hoping he'll surprise you with a love you think you deserve."

"It's different this time," said Zara, thinking about her conversation with Chandler. "Really different."

"That's because you found the right kind of love after Derek," Monica reminded her. "But now you're too afraid to realise who that is with."

Zara sighed, knowing it had to be the truth if Monica was seeing it too. Everything was still complicated when Zara tried so hard to make things simple.

"And Toby?" Zara questioned, trusting Monica's judgement as clearly Zara had made a foolish mistake, so she was afraid that everything else was too. "Should I be concerned that you don't like him too?"

"Don't tell Toby, but I do like him," said Monica. "As much as I hate him for how mean he was to me when we were younger, I don't think he's a bad person. You know, I used to have a crush on him."

"I could tell you both had something," Zara said with a tiny smirk.

"That was in the past," Monica insisted. "But I think he'll be a good brother to you."

"You really think so?" Zara replied. "I'm worried that it's not going to work out how I want it to." Like Derek. "I tried not to care, but I do. I just don't know how to have a brother."

"You'll figure it out," Monica reassured her.

"Even if we have nothing in common?"

"Ross and I don't have a lot in common," Monica pointed out. "But, we're still close."

"You know," said Zara. "I do want what you and Ross have. I want a lot of things, but I'm too afraid to get them."

"I think you're starting to face your fears," Monica said, offering her friend a smile. "Just give it time and you'll see too."

Zara wasn't sure if Monica was right, but she hoped she would be. As Zara went over to the guy's apartment shortly after to find Joey, she found him sitting in his chair.

"So, the dancing is all done?" Zara questioned.

"Yeah," said Joey, though he looked disappointed. "You guys won't be evicted."

"Then why aren't you happy about that?" Zara asked.

"I guess I kind of enjoyed it," Joey confessed. "But, you know, Treeger has Marge now, so I have no one to dance with. I never got to dance with a girl."

The way he said that, sounded like a kid at a school dance as it made Zara's lip curl upwards into an amused smile. While she had been mad at Joey for almost getting them evicted, she was grateful for him now for saving them.

"I came over to tease you relentlessly," Zara confessed. "But, you can have one dance, Joey. One dance to say thanks for saving us."

Joey's eyes were wide as they landed on her. "Y-You want to dance with me?"

"One dance," she reminded him again. "So you better show me your best moves."

That caused Joey to grin in excitement as he was quick to stand, scrambling to find the practice music that he had been using with Treeger. Zara knew she was being foolish, but she couldn't stop herself, not when it had made Joey so happy.

As his hand fell onto the small of her back and his other clasped onto her hand, the two found themselves close together. Chest to chest, Zara felt her heartbeat quicken as her eyes drifted upwards, suddenly feeling very close to Joey Tribbiani.

Joey was a surprise to dance with. Every step was in time with the music, where he even showed Zara his best moves. His hand gracefully rose, starting to spin Zara around as she found herself smiling — a giddy, excited one.

Come to the end of the song, Joey dipped her as the two were breathless, caught up in the moment. Joey's eyes were on Zara's face as a thousand thoughts and emotions echoed deep inside her.

Zara's eyes flickered to Joey's lips, but he had helped her stand again. They were still close — still had their chests pressed together. Looking up again, Zara caught his stare, completely clueless as to what was about to happen next.

"I can't stop loving you," Joey told her. "I'm trying, but it's impossible. I still love you."

At the words, Zara felt herself pause, suddenly breathless.

As she pulled away, Zara felt the desperate final touch of Joey's fingertips as he tried to keep hold of her hand. Zara left the apartment with her heart beating rapidly and her mind completely scrambled.

Zara couldn't stop loving him either, but she was completely lost on what to do.

While Derek had been a mistake, there was also still Chandler too.

What was Zara supposed to do?

♡

Trouble is for sure coming!! I've honestly been waiting so long to write these chapters and I'm so excited to see it all unfold! I better start planning my other story as I feel so bad for the one Zara doesn't pick!