Girlfriend Material

A/N- A little two-part rewrite of the classic beach episodes. I know there's already loads of stories out there based on Montauk but I just love them! This idea popped into my head ages back and I hope it hasn't been done before!

Hope you enjoy :o)

"I'm never gonna find a boyfriend," Monica whined, "I'm gonna end up an old maid."

"No you aren't," Chandler tried to reassure her, gently nudging her arm with his. "Besides, if anything you'll be an old...spinster cook."

"Thanks," she laughed, rewarding him with a glimpse of that beautiful smile as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He loved being able to cheer her up, especially as she'd been so down lately about her break up with the stupid millionaire man. How could you choose ultimate fighting over this amazing woman? How could you choose anything over this amazing woman? The man was a complete douche.

He watched her as she tracked a couple walking passed their table, all coupley and sickeningly in love. There was such longing in her eyes and his heart went out to her.

"There's lots of people out there who would want to be your boyfriend," he promised softly, knowing it was unfortunately true.

A guy like him didn't stand a chance.

"Yeah right," she let out a derogatory scoff, "Who? I hardly see them queuing around the corner..." she sighed before frowning and then suddenly turning and looking directly at Chandler. A dangerous glint entering her eye.

He swallowed, his brows knitting together in equal measures of fear and confusion.

"What?" He asked both suddenly suspicious and nervous.

"You."

He blinked.

"Me what?" he asked slowly, still wary of her almost predatory look, debating just how fearful he should be right now. He knew that look well, too well.

"You could be my boyfriend."

He froze, his throat suddenly dry as thousands of thoughts crashed through him. Did she finally see him as more than a friend? Was it actually his time? He'd get the chance to show her how good they'd be together, a chance he'd dreamed of for so long...but then he caught her playful expression as his stomach dropped.

She was just joking.

Just playing a game.

It wasn't real.

Trying to mask his disappointment he coughed into his hand, "Yeah right," he mimicked, now his turn to scoff, "unlikely."

"Unlikely?" She challenged, a slight edge to her voice which he immediately picked up on.

Uh oh.

"Ye-ah," he laughed nervously. He needed to squish this and fast; try and end it with his dignity still intact but more importantly end it with her not seeing it as a challenge or rejection in any way, shape or form. "You being my girlfriend? I mean it's ridiculous really, if you think about it."

"Ridiculous? Why exactly?"

Crap, she sounded offended. Offended Monica led to defensive Monica, which led to obsessive, constantly challenging everything until she eventually wore everyone around her down and got her own way Monica. He didn't want that when about to spend the weekend with her in close quarters. Nope, time to nip this in the bud.

"Look you, uh made a joke, right?" he tried quickly, "so, I laughed, 'Ha ha'."

She shook her head, obviously not convinced.

"Come on, what is it, am I not girlfriend material or something? Am I not good enough for you?"

If only she knew the truth...

"Oh no no no," he shook his finger panicked, seeing the direction this was heading, "it's not that, um it's-" he stumbled, desperately trying to come up with something, some lie to cover his real feelings but keep her happy. This was dangerous territory. Very dangerous. He couldn't risk anything being revealed after he'd been keeping it a secret for so long.

Of course she was girlfriend material, he'd give anything for her to be his girlfriend and he knew they'd be great together, could picture it so perfectly...but she was just joking. He couldn't risk anything for the sake of a joke. Besides, now wasn't the time, she'd just broken up with Pete, she was lonely and vulnerable.

"What is it then, Bing?" her eyes narrowed, making her look anything but vulnerable; infact she looked a little scary.

Crap.

"You're...Monica," he finished lamely, praying it would be enough.

Her glare intensified; it clearly wasn't enough.

"That's it?"

"Yeah," he reached over and punched her arm lightly, getting a little desperate. "Monica."

"So, we've established my name twice and hit me. Come on, seriously? What's the problem with me? Is there something undateable about me? Am I not attractive enough?"

"Uh..." God yes, she was the most attractive person on the planet.

"Say I turned up for a blind date tomorrow night, got all dressed up and knocked at your door. What would your reaction be?"

That all his Christmases had come at once.

"Well, uh firstly I wouldn't answer as I'll be in Montauk all weekend," he pointed out, pleased at how he'd deflected the question.

"Chandler!"

"And if I were in, I'd be like 'hi Monica, why did you bother knocking?'"

"Chandler! I'm serious here!" she protested.

"Me too! You haven't knocked for 7 years."

Her glare intensified, her eyes becoming mere slits and he swallowed hard, beyond grateful that Joey chose that precise moment to round the corner. He was waving his paper bag around, which turned out to be his version of packing and not food as Chandler had hoped.

As the conversation moved from Joey's lack of luggage onto Rachel's stupidly large hat, he breathed a sigh of relief that Monica seemed to have dropped the subject and that he'd apparently survived unscathed.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

The car ride was full of little jibes and each time he bit his lips, trying to remain calm or at the very least change the topic.

It didn't work.

Four hours later as they finally left the small cab and got into the sand-covered beach house, Monica continued, much to everyone's annoyance.

"That reminds me, why can't I be your girlfriend?"

"Are you still on that?" he sighed, why had he awoken the beast? He'd been her best friend for years, he knew how competitive she was; why had he risked playing with fire?

"Uh, yuh huh, I want answers, Mister."

"Monica," Rachel complained. "Would you just let it go? Please?"

"Thank you, Rachel." He appreciated her support, even though he fully suspected she was only doing it for the sake of her own sanity.

"Besides," she continued, "You don't even like Chandler that way. Why would you care if he'd date you or not?"

"Again, thank you Rachel," Chandler grated out with a fake smile as his ego got even smaller.

"Ok then," Monica continued, completely ignoring her room mate, instead stepping closer to Chandler, "imagine there's just me and Rachel, you have to choose one of us."

"Oh no, don't drag me into this weird little game of yours," she protested.

"And why would he have to chose?" Joey gave them all a classic dirty look before loudly whispering in Chandler's direction. "Threesome."

All three wrinkled up their noses in protest and Ross whined as he passed them, "That's my ex and my sister, dude," he complained, walking away in disgust.

"I didn't say you had to join in," Joey protested following him up the stairs with Phoebe and Rachel close behind.

Realizing that left just the two of them Chandler tried to follow the others, hoping for safety in numbers, only to find a firm hand on his arm holding him in place

"You didn't answer," Monica pointed out and he resisted rolling his eyes as he freed his captured limb from her freakishly strong grip.

"And I'm not going to," he informed her sweetly.

He tried to move away but she pulled him back again, "Come on, there's a gun pointed at you. Me or Rachel?"

He swallowed, trying desperately not to get lost in her gorgeous eyes; it was kinda hard not to though when they were this close. Of course the answer would be Monica. It would always be Monica, every time, every choice.

"Well," he cleared his throat a little, "that depends, who's pointing the gun?"

"Chandler!"

He just offered her a cheeky lopsided grin, grabbing her suitcase with his free hand. Before she could protest further, he made his escape up the stairs taking both their luggage with him. She may not be his girlfriend but he would always do these little things for her, she was after all Monica.

A few hours had passed extremely slowly and Chandler would be the first to admit he was bored. Beyond bored. He sat crossed-legged on the floor, drinking his eighth or ninth margarita as he reluctantly watched Joey build a sandcastle with such care and concentration.

To make things worse the rain was pouring down outside, seemingly mocking them and showing no indication of stopping any time soon.

They were stuck here.

"What do ya think?" his room mate raised his head, looking excitedly in his direction.

"Looks good, Joe," he praised as one would a small child in need of approval.

"Thanks man! It's almost done. Say you know what we should play next?"

"I know what we shouldn't play next and it involves strip poker," Chandler dead-panned, knowing he'd been right on the money as his room mate's face dropped and he grumbled something in Italian.

The last thing Chandler needed was Monica trying to prove how attractive she was or for her to make a big show of stripping for him in front of everyone. He severely doubted he'd be able to deny her nor hide his reaction.

Shaking his head at Joey he glanced over at Ross who was pretending to doze on the couch before his attention turned to the girls.

"There you go, Rach, all done."

"Thanks, Mon," Rachel admired her newly painted toes. "They look great."

"I know," she smiled back.

He chuckled at her classic response as he watched Rachel stand up, walking funny as if she had webbed feet as she wobbled passed him, haphazardly approaching Joey's masterpiece.

"Hey careful, woah!" Joey shooed her away and she glared daggers at him, before hurrying to make it to the man still pretending to be asleep on the couch.

"Hey Ross, check out these."

She was definitely flirting but Chandler wasn't sure why. Bonnie wasn't even here yet and Rachel had been the one to dump him. He didn't get girls. He shook his head, looking away as Ross started flirting right back. He didn't always get Ross either.

"Anyone want another cocktail?" Joey asked standing up, obviously satisfied that his sandcastle was no longer in any immediate danger of attack.

"No thanks," he'd definitely had enough for now.

"None for me either," Monica answered and he glanced over at her then froze.

She was looking at him.

Expectantly.

"What?" he queried already nervous.

Monica remained silent and just wiggled the nail varnish bottle at him. It only took seconds for him to connect the dots.

"Hell no."

"Come on," she wiggled her eyebrows as well this time.

"No way."

"Pleeeease? I'm boooored."

"I'm bored but not that bored, never that bored. I'm not my father," he pointed out.

"You'd let me if I was your girlfriend..." she argued.

"Doubtful and you aren't my girlfriend," he reminded her.

With a determined look in her eye, Monica stood up and started to walk purposely towards him. Not wanting to be trapped he stood quickly, leaving his drink behind in the sand; it was every man for himself as he took a few clumsy steps backwards.

"Mon-" he warned, trying to move faster than the sand would allow him as she approached, stealthily closing in on her prey. "Quit it."

She didn't.

She kept advancing.

Keeping his eyes on her he held out his hands in defence as she grabbed hold of him. He tried to jerk away from her strong grasp, taking another step back. He wobbled, his feet hitting something, causing him to trip and tumble, taking her down with him. The air was knocked from his lungs as he cushioned her fall, his back hitting the soft sand beneath him.

He swallowed hard, her face was hovering mere inches above his and her eyes were captivating as they stared down at him. Her body pressed against his, moulding into all the right places and the rest of the world vanished to just the two of them. If he just tilted his head up slightly he would be able to kiss her, taste the lips he'd been dreaming about for so long. Would she let him?

She hadn't moved either, infact she was staring back as if caught in the same spell. He'd never seen that look in her eyes, not directed at him anyhow. Lust winning over sense he started to tilt his head upwards seeking those...

"My castle!"

It was like icewater had been thrown over them. They looked away from each other embarrassed as the sounds and smells of the beach house came flooding back to his senses. Slowly she pushed off him, standing and then offering him a hand. Knowing she was freakishly strong he accepted, letting her help him up.

"Thanks," he grinned softly, his hand still holding hers, their fingers entwined.

"My fault," she shrugged sharing a final look with him before releasing his hand and turning to their friend, "Sorry about your castle Joey."

Chandler swallowed, his hand, hell his body still tingling from the contact. What had just happened? Had she felt it too? If Joey hadn't interrupted would they have kissed? Would they have-

"We should play a game," Ross suggested out of nowhere, interrupting his not so innocent thoughts.

"A game?" Rachel asked. "Like what?"

"I dunno," he shrugged just as Phoebe bounced through the front door.

The blonde was in high spirits which seemed to instantly lift the mood of the bored and trapped friends. After she'd filled them in about the other Phoebe and the hope that she'd have some more news to tell at dinner tomorrow, she was excited by the idea of playing a game.

Biting down his sarcasm, he watched amused as she spun around in a circle with her usual enthusiasm, declaring whoever she stopped at could pick the game. Chandler just prayed it wouldn't land on Joey. He hadn't wanted to play strip poker before and now that he could still feel her body pressed to his, he really didn't want to play it and risk seeing any flesh.

He let out a sigh of relief as she stopped on Monica, expecting some kind of cleaning or reorganizing the kitchen cupboards game which would admittedly lose the potential for any 'fun' within minutes but at least it would be safe.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

"Strip poker?" he asked shocked as the others left to set up the table and find cards, "What the hell made you choose that?"

"I figured I owed it to Joey after destroying his sandcastle," she shrugged before grinning coyly. "What's the matter, afraid you're gonna see something you can't handle?"

He swallowed, part of him desperate to see more than he could handle but another part reminding himself that this was probably still just a game to her. There was a teasing glint back in her eyes and any traces of what had happened between them moments ago seemed to have gone already. No, he couldn't risk it, couldn't fall for it or let his guard down, not again. She'd notice. He was lucky she hadn't already called him on it.

No, he had to be more careful.

"Remember 'handle' is the middle of my first name," he joked, going for his safest defence- humor.

"Of course," she grinned, "And you remember I'm the one only one that knows your actual middle name."

Damn.

"That a threat, Geller?"

"Maybe. Maybe I could use it to blackmail you into admitting I'm girlfriend material," she laughed at his look. "I'm kidding, would I be that mean Mr Chandler M Bing?" she asked innocently as she walked away a little smile on her face.

He sighed quietly, a rueful smile touching his own lips; this playful banter, their moment on the squished sandcastle, all just proved to him how good they would be together and made him want her even more. If only she actually wanted to date him for real.

"Chandler? Hurry up!" Phoebe called excitedly and reluctantly he joined the others around the kitchen table.

"Happy Days?" he asked unimpressed, "We're playing strip Happy Days?"

"It was that or strip knitting," Joey defended.

"If you collect five cool points you get to make someone take off an item of clothing," Ross informed him with a grin.

"Great," he muttered, taking the empty seat next to Monica.

The game began and Ross nominated Joey to lose the first piece of clothing. The others caught on quickly all also nominating Joey, apart from when Monica gained her first five points.

"Chandler," she announced, her eyes sparkling in mischief as his widened in surprise.

"What?"

"Come on, take something off," she challenged with a wide smile. "It's the rules."

"Yeah!" Joey grinned, pleased that someone else was getting picked on besides him.

"Fine," he grouched, narrowing his eyes and pulling off a sock which he threw at her for good measure. It didn't wipe the smug look from her face, instead she stuck her tongue out at him.

It was soon his turn again and people's eyes were on him, waiting to hear his decision. Take Joey's pants or revenge on Monica?

"Monica," he announced with his own little smug grin.

To his surprise she simply shrugged unperturbed, she wasn't wearing socks, something Chandler hadn't calculated on. She stood up, her hands slowly pulling off her pants, revealing her perfect legs inch by painful inch. Once completely free of her pants, she sat back down next to him before she slowly crossed her smooth legs, his eyes tracking every movement until he was able to forcefully rip his gaze away.

Closing his eyes he cursed himself and his weakness. Was this part of her ploy? Had she wanted him to choose her?

He had his answer when she slowly leaned over, her lips close to his ear, too close.

"Still not attractive enough to be your girlfriend?" she whispered, her breath tickling his sensitive skin sending shivers through him.

Damn her.

He moved away, composing himself the best he could, trying not to look in the direction of her or her legs. He focussed instead on the game at hand and when he made it to 5 points again he purposely chose Joey this time, ignoring the muttered 'wuss' she shot at him.

However, when it was Monica's turn she didn't let him off, forcing him remove his other sock.

Like with most games she became scarily good scarily fast and before he knew it she was forcing him to remove another item of clothing. Pants or shirt? Which was the lesser of two evils? He eventually settled on pants, sliding them off under the table, ignoring his friends' cat calls and wolf whistles.

Luckily Joey was in a much worse state than him and had soon lost the round.

"Anyone for more drinks?" Chandler asked, slipping his pants back on before grabbing the empty cocktail jugs.

The others all murmured in agreement so he padded barefoot into the kitchen, placing the jugs down onto the counter.

"Hey," Joey joined him, wearing an unbuttoned shirt and his boxers.

"Hey," Chandler greeted easily, searching for the cocktail mix.

"So...?"

Chandler paused, turning to look at him over his shoulder, "So...what?"

"What's going on with you and Monica?"

"You'd have to ask her," he insisted, trying not to sound too defensive. "She started it all."

"Yeah, but you're totally flirting with each other."

Him and Monica? Had he seen Ross and Rachel?

"No we aren't," he protested, "she just got all weird and all Monica because I joked I wouldn't date her. It's just her being stupidly competitive; that's it, end of story."

And hopefully the end of this conversation.

"Nah, it's more than that," Joey accused shaking his head much to Chandler's annoyance. "The way you keep looking at each other and you were practically humping when you squished my castle."

"We were not humping," he protested quickly, praying that the others couldn't hear them.

"There's definitely chemistry there," his room mate continued. "It's obvious. Ya know, thinking about it you guys would make an awesome couple together. Yeah, I can totally see that."

He spluttered slightly, panicked, "No we wouldn't."

Joey stared at him then as if he were some kind of complex puzzle; despite feeling very uncomfortable Chandler tried to remain calm, changing his face to a more neutral expression.

He failed miserably.

"Wait...you know you'd be great together don't you?"

"No, don't be ridiculous," he denied.

"But if you know why do you keep turning her down?" He asked confused. "Why don't you just agree to go out with her and then-"

"Because this isn't real, Joe," he hissed, ensuring the others at the table were still distracted. "She is just playing a damn game, don't you see? It's all just a joke to her, just a way to entertain herself this weekend. Nothing more."

"But it's more to you isn't it?" Joey realized, his eyes widening as realization struck. "You like Monica?"

"Shh," he scolded, shooting a worried look over at the table. "It doesn't matter, nothing's ever going to happen between us."

"It might," he said softly, "why don't you tell her? Use this weekend to-"

"To make a fool out of myself?" he challenged, "To ruin a great friendship? Have everyone pity me and risk screwing up the group even more than Ross and Rachel's current antics?"

"Noooo," he frowned. "But-"

"Can we please drop this?" he requested quietly trying to keep the sudden sadness from entering his voice. "Please."

A moment of silence stretched between them.

"Chandler-"

"Seriously, Joe. Please just drop it."

Joey was thankfully prevented from continuing the conversation as Bonnie chose that moment to burst through the front door, wasting no time in whipping off her top to 'catch up', which much to Chandler's relief caught his room mate's attention.

"Alright, fine, I'll drop it for now," Joey muttered as he hurried back to greet the new arrival, practically drooling over her.

With a sigh Chandler started preparing the drinks. Joey didn't know what he was talking about; sure they'd make a great couple and yes she was flirting with him but it wasn't real, none of this was. She was on the rebound and enjoying being able to have a little fun with someone 'safe'. She didn't really feel that way towards him so he couldn't act on anything even if he wanted to.

He glanced up as the woman at the center of his thoughts came up beside him, resting her arms on the kitchen island as she stared forlornly at the gang. She looked pensive and he frowned, she'd been so playful and happy earlier.

"You alright?" he ventured carefully.

"What does my brother see in her?"

"Seriously?" Chandler asked with a laugh, which he covered quickly when he realized she was being serious and looked even more depressed; depressed like she had been back outside Central Perk. "Hey, what's going on with you?"

She looked down for a few moments before sighing.

"If all men want someone like her I'm never gonna get a boyfriend," she confessed quietly.

"Hey," he soothed, moving to be next to her, his elbows on the island to mimic her position as their shoulders touched. "All guys don't want that."

"Pfffft."

"Seriously, someone like Joey might want that and Ross for like a few weeks but not everyone."

"Not you?" she asked and he debated how to answer, trying to be sincere but not start her game going again.

"No, not me," he finally confirmed.

"So, if it was me or her and no gun being pointed at your head...?" she asked quietly.

"Mon," he protested but as he turned he saw a rare show of vulnerability in her eyes and he swallowed. He knew she needed to hear it. "You," he finally admitted, offering her a lopsided smile as she turned to him in surprise. "Happy now?"

"So I am girlfriend material?" she teased, a glint coming back into her eyes.

"I didn't go that far," he teased right back, moving away and finishing the drinks. "Here," he thrust a full jug at her. "Carry."

"Why not? Am I too independent? Too strongwilled? Is it my towel categories?" she continued as they joined the others back at the table.

"Towel categories?" Bonnie asked confused.

"Please don't get her started," Chandler deadpanned as he reclaimed his seat, nudging his knee with hers to show he was joking.

She smiled back at him, her bare foot nudging his under the table and he grinned happily as he settled back into yet another round of strip happy days.

"Ooooh I'm doing his breasts," Phoebe insisted, pushing Chandler aside to start sculpturing his passed-out room mate's new sand body.

"Be my guest," he shrugged a single shoulder, collapsing back onto the floor, his side pressed against Monica and his back against the wall.

"Think he'll be pissed at us?" Monica asked with a cheeky grin.

"I doubt it, he's getting a free boob job. It's like his best dream ever coming true," he quipped, his own eyelids growing heavier.

"You're doing a good job there Phoebs," Monica praised before sipping some more of her cocktail through her pink straw.

"Well, it's not my first time," she said cryptically causing Monica and Chandler to share a confused look. Sometimes it was best not to ask, especially not this late at night.

They quietly watched as Phoebe happily carved away at her sculpture. Once she finally sat back to admire her handi-work Chandler took that as his cue.

"Right, I think it's time for me to pass out now," he slowly stood, grabbing the wall for support as his tired limbs straightened out. "Night children."

He heard a chorus of goodnights as he wearily climbed the stairs. Giving Ross and Bonnie's room a wide berth, he used the bathroom before entering his and Joey's empty room. He'd barely shrugged on his tee and stripped to his boxers before there was a soft knock at his door and Monica crept in quietly.

"Hey," he greeted confused, "You ok?"

"Yeah," she promised softly, looking down at the floor.

He watched her, waiting, knowing her too well.

"Can I sleep here?"

"Because?" He frowned, if this was still part of her game he was way too tired and not in the mood.

"Because Joey is sleeping downstairs and Phoebe and Rachel have taken the beds. I either squidge into a single bed with one of them or take the couch which didn't look that comfy so..."

"You can sleep here," he mumbled, "Just no funny busy," he warned with a smile as he lifted the covers.

"Thanks Chandler," she smiled back sleepily, climbing in next to him and shutting off the bedside lamp.

It was silent for a while but he could tell she wasn't asleep yet.

"You sure you're ok?" he asked softly, keeping his gaze on the darkened ceiling.

"Yeah," she said softly.

"Mon?"

She sighed heavily, "I'm just thinking about everything that's happened these last few months. I mean just a month or so back I thought Pete was actually going to propose to me! And now here I am back at the start, single and jobless and old."

"Would you have wanted to marry Pete?" he asked quietly, knowing what he wanted to hear but knowing she just needed to talk to someone.

"No," she eventually admitted. "It was too early in our relationship, we were still getting to know each other, it would have been stupid."

He smiled a little in the darkness, relieved.

"It'll happen for you and when it does it will be with the right guy. You'll know for sure...it will feel right."

"You think so?" she asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I really do," he promised honestly. "Just wait a little longer. It'll be so worth it."

"Thanks Chandler," she sounded more positive as she yawned and stretched, "you may think I'd make a crappy girlfriend but I'm thinking you've certainly got the potential for good boyfriend material. Night."

"G'night Mon," he murmured, a soft smile on his face.

TBC...

A/N- yeah I know it's another Chandler has a crush story...I promise I do have some other types of stories I'm writing...it's just always these ones that seem to get finished.

Anyhow, I would love love love to get your feedback to help motivate my Mondler mojo! Part 2 should be up soon :o)