Always Forever

***Chapter 3-Head Over Feet***

Rach..." he said. "I think I'm still...still" Ross stuttered. ‘Oh my God, I can't do this!' he thought. "What, Ross?" Rachel asked, leaning in and listening attentively. "Um, I'm still...um...thirsty." he said finally, kicking himself inwardly for freaking out and jumping up and going into his room, slamming the door. ‘I can't tell her! There's no way she loves me back.' thought Ross as he collapsed onto his bed. ‘I just need to get up the courage...' "Weird" Rachel said meanwhile, settling down on the couch with the latest issue of ‘Fit Pregnancy'. About ten minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. She got up to answer it. "Hey Rach" said Joey when she opened the door. "Listen, you wanna down to the coffee shop and get some coffee...well, tea for you?" he asked. "Um, sure" said Rachel as she grabbed her coat and followed Joey outside. "Listen, Rach. There's something we need to talk about" he said as they entered the shop a few minutes later. He sat Rachel down and went to the counter to order. He came back to the table. "How do you know what I want?" Rachel asked, smiling. "I know everything about you, Rach" replied Joey, looking into her eyes. "I know what you can and can't eat. I know your favorite soda, your favorite pizza toppings, you favorite authors, even your favorite baby name..." Joey began, but Rachel interrupted. "How do you know my favorite name? I haven't told anyone!" she said. "Rach, I told you I know everything about you." Joey answered simply. "OK, what's the name?" challenged Rachel. "Madison Anne (AN That's the name of my new baby cousin!)" said Joey. Rachel just stared at him. "Joe, hon, you're really starting to freak me out" Rachel said. "Rachel..." Joey said, taking her hands in his. "I think I'm in love with you" he said, just as Ross barged into the coffee shop yelling the same thing. "Wha...what?" Rachel asked, dumbfounded. "I'm falling in love with you" Joey said. "And I'm still in love with you, Rach" said Ross. Just then, Gunther came over. "Get out, both of you" he fumed at Ross and Joey. Ross gave Gunther an icy stare, and he backed off. "Oh...my God..." she said. "Listen, Rachel. If still have feelings for me, I need to know" Ross said, as Rachel sat down on the couch. "And if you still love him, I'll back away. I just need to know if you feel the same way" said Joey. "Wow" said Rachel, unsure of what to say. "Well, um Ross, listen. We've had an amazing eight years. On again, off again. Now this" she said, gesturing to her large belly. "But Ross, sweetie, I'm not in love with you. After you cheated on me with Chloe, after that whole break thing...don't say it!" she shouted as Ross opened his mouth to protest. "We're best friends. I think it should stay at that" she said, starting to cry at the look on Ross' face. He looked so sad, so hurt. "But just give me time to think about it" she said, taking his hands in hers. "And Joey. Oh, Joe, I had no idea. I am truly honoured. But at this point, I'm just trying to get through pregnancy. I'm not ready for any kind of relationship right now." she said, patting his knee. "Yeah, I understand, Rach" he said, and got up and left, followed by Ross. Rachel sat, stunned, not sure what to do. She knew she wasn't in love with Ross, but Joey! She'd had no idea he liked her, let alone loved her! Her mind all messed up, she left the coffee shop and headed to Monica and Chandler's. "Monica" she called a few minutes later as she stood outside the apartment. Monica came to the door. "Hey, what's up?" she asked Rachel, seeing her best friend's bewildered face. "Can I sleep here tonight? I don't really feel like going back to Ross' right now." she said. "Rach, what happened?" asked Chandler from his spot on the couch. "Ross told me he still loves me" said Rachel as she sat down at the table. "What?" asked Monica and Chandler in unison. "Yeah, and so does Joey!" she said. Monica looked uncomfortable and Chandler avoided Rachel's eyes. "You guys knew didn't you?!" she demanded. "Well, not about Ross!" Monica said stubbornly. "The question is, do you like them?" asked Chandler. "I don't know. I know Ross is just a good friend, you know? But I've never considered Joey!" said Rachel, getting up and pacing. "Well, I dunno what I'm going to do. I'm just gonna head to bed, ok?" she said. With that, she went to the spare room and went to bed. "Well, this is one awkward situation" Chandler said. There was a long pause. "Wanna go do it?" Chandler asked after a while. "OK (AN a la Monica)" shouted Monica, and they hurried into their room. A half hour later, Rachel knew she would never sleep with the noise the newlywed couple were making. She went into the kitchen for a glass of juice. Still unable to avoid the noise, she went out into the hallway. She sat down on the floor and before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep, leaning up against the wall. She didn't know how long she slept. She just remembered hands lifting her gently up and a voice saying "A princess like you shouldn't be sleeping like this" and a soft pair of lips on her forehead. The next morning she woke up snuggled down in a comfy bed, not remembering the incident last night until she realised where she was...

 TBC...OMG who carried her in? Whose house is she in? AHHH THE SUSPENSE!!!