The Pact – chapter 1

Woopie, I'm back! I'm actually still away for 2 more days, but I have no life, even away from home, plus, I was sick, so I finally wrote a new fic. I've also been inspired to write ever since I wrote the last a/n for me and Yen's fic (it's called What's Love Got to Do With it? In case you're interested - Hey Yen!) Ok, I have to warn you all – this is quite unlike my other fics. How? One may wonder if they have no already figured it out. Well, it's not Chandler and Monica *hears collective gasps* I know, I know! *cries* I just couldn't do this to Chandler and Monica! Lol, kidding. I just had this idea that seemed "perfect" for the other four – and yes, I do occasionally care about the others! Ok, this takes place 10 years after 6th season (the "16 season" if you need to see it that way) and the friends are now 40 (ish). Remember in tow the proposal how Ross became Rachel's backup and Joey became Phoebe's? Well, now that they're all 40 and unmarried, will they go through with it? Please read and review. I'm incredibly nervous about this fic, since it's not C&M…I'm not sure how it'll be received. Please put me at ease!:)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, aside from Chandler and Monica's children…although only one of them is actually called by their name in this chapter. *gasps* who am I?! Oh, and Julie, the name is not Clay and Clay does not, I repeat, does not appear in this chapter. I know, I was upset, too *rolls eyes*

It was Rachel Green's 40th birthday, yet she tried her hardest not to think about it. How could she be 40 already?! She had a child who was only 8 years old…yet she was 40. She felt old. Perhaps, the age of 40 wasn't truly old, and sure, other women her age had children younger than hers, but it still seemed that way. She had always imagined she'd be married before she turned 30 – 10 years before this day. As much as she loved her daughter, Emma, Rachel couldn't stop herself from thinking, My kids should be in junior high now.  

Still, there was no time to sulk about her age. Instead, she plastered on her most false of smiles as she eased into the day with food, presents and chatting. Now, she was sitting around a rectangular dining room table with five of her closest friends, although no one was talking. The only couple in their close-knit group of friends – Chandler and Monica Bing– was holding her birthday party at their house.

Rachel had pleaded with Monica not to make a big deal out of such an insignificant (yet depressing) day in her life. However, Monica didn't see birthdays in the same light as Rachel. To Monica, it wasn't about getting older. Instead, they served as a chance for Monica to show off her 'amazing' (the others would argue, if they could) hosting skills. And, since they were the only ones who had moved out of the city, therefore owned a comfortable sized suburban home, Monica had ample reason to be the hostess.

Why don't I own a home? Rachel wondered bitterly. Ross should buy her and Emma one. No, he'd insist on living with them. She didn't want that...did she? She had tried not to think about it, but Ross was her backup friend. And, in case of a non-marriage disaster, (as her life was rapidly plummeting into) she could turn to him. Maybe she'd bring it up casually later…

She inhaled sharply as she was startled out of her depressed daze by a loud, childish screech from upstairs. Monica rose from her chair and Chandler cringed slightly, ready to help solve the problem. However, Rachel held her hand out in protest, claiming she would check on the source of the racket - anything to get out of the thick, awkward air of aging.

Ross Geller watched Rachel leave the table and couldn't help but envy her. They'd been sitting in an uncomfortable silence for…what was it? Ten minutes? Ross looked down at his watch. 12 minutes, actually, he realized dully. Twelve minutes of complete silence. What had happened to them? They used to always have something to say (whether or not it was important) to each other. It was as if they could never shut up. Were they growing apart? No, Ross decided, We're not growing. He looked away, Or are we? That was one puzzle he actually didn't feel like doing. The results would only depress him.

He looked over at Chandler, who was finishing up a piece of cake. Who would've ever thought that his geeky, former college roommate - the one who usually repelled women - would be the first of the guys to get married and actually stay married?! It was beginning to become shameful. Ross' mother actually gloated about Monica, instead of Ross, for a change! There was something very wrong about that.

It wasn't fair. He wanted a wife. Anyone would do at this point, as long as he wouldn't die alone. A thought struck Ross suddenly. Hadn't he made a pact – a while back – to marry Phoebe, if they both were 40 and single? He had…hadn't he? It was so long ago – too long ago – wasn't it with Phoebe? Oh no, it wasn't her. It turned out she had been double crossing him. He looked over at Rachel, who was now trekking down the stairs, holding a crying, 5-year-old girl. It was Rachel!

Joey Tribianni was bored. They had been sitting in silence for a while now. He was at the point in his boredom where he was ready to rip off his fingernail, just so he could shoot it at Chandler. Hell, that would give us something to talk about! Still, Joey restrained himself. From the looks of everyone else, they were in no mood to take part in his childish pranks. He didn't think they were childish, of course, but everyone else did. They also claimed that, at 41 years old, you don't build with the creamers at diners. He, on the other hand, didn't understand what was so wrong with that. They were 40, not 80.

Not yet, anyway.

Oh no, they were really getting older now! At least at 35, he could cover up the few strands of hair that fell out of his head, but now – well, now his hairline was obviously growing thinner. Some days, he'd stare at the mirror for hours on end, just gaping blankly at his reflection and waiting for the day he no longer had any hair to look at.

But, it wasn't only the hair. Women were harder to get now. Twenty year olds refused to date him anymore! He wasn't sure why, but he remembered Chandler saying something about older guys only getting younger women if they had loads of money to throw around. Well, Joey had a good amount of money, although it was getting harder to find jobs ever since he was fired off Days of Our Lives for 'misconduct with string cheese'. Chandler was probably wrong about the money attracting girls, though. Chandler was wrong about a lot of things, although he never thought he was.

Guess it's all part of getting older, Joey thought with a sigh. There was no use denying it, like he had every other year. They were, in fact, growing older. It was time to face the facts. He looked at Phoebe as she yawned. Wasn't he supposed to marry her or something? He had this vague recollection…

Phoebe Buffay yawned and stretched. This party sure wasn't any fun. She would have to think of an excuse to leave early soon or else she might die of sheer boredom. Was it just her imagination or were her friends getting more boring by the year? She glanced at Chandler, who was snoring lightly, and rolled her eyes as Monica poked him in the rib, causing him to jump.

Still, they were happy together – Chandler and Monica. Phoebe had predicted the couple would be divorced by now. Well, she couldn't be right all the time, now could she? Yet, she couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of their marriage. It wasn't that she wanted to get married. Well, not badly, anyway. After all, she had ended things with Mike four years ago because they were getting too serious. She regretted that, but the gravity of their relationship had scared her. If he had asked her to marry him now, would she have declined? Probably not…

She was lonely. That was the main problem. She hadn't felt lonely before. In fact, she rather enjoyed living alone. But now…now she was feeling scared and vulnerable – like a child without his safety blanket – and it was all because she was alone. What could cure that - A roommate, perhaps? Yeah, but who wants a 41 year old roommate?! She thought bitterly. The truth was, the only way she'd be able to finally break free of her solitude would be though marriage.

Chandler stood up, stretched his legs for a moment, and then began to clear the table of the dishes. Monica, who was holding their youngest daughter, Allison, in her arms, rose a few moments after him, muttering something about getting the kids to bed. And it really was getting late. The other four friends saw this as their perfect excuse to finally leave.

"Mon," Rachel began slowly, "We really should get going."

"Yeah, it's late," Ross continued, "Emma needs to get some sleep, and so do your kids."

"And Chandler," added Phoebe.

"Yes, and Chandler!" Chandler agreed, as he re-entered the dining room, wearing plastic yellow dish gloves.

Monica frowned. "But we hardly ever get together anymore…"

"Yes, but we've been together all day!" Ross complained, "And my head really hurts."

"I have Advil," Monica muttered.

"Come on, Sweetie," Chandler persuaded, "We can have them over again soon."

Monica looked at Chandler and smiled slightly, while the rest, standing behind her, shook their heads violently. Chandler stifled a laugh.

"Okay…"

"Tha'da girl."

The four friends quickly exchanged good-byes with Chandler and Monica, careful not to wake their three sleeping children, and left the house. When they began walking down the street, Rachel let out a huge sigh.

"Is anyone else ecstatic to get outta there?"

The other three mumbled yeses and laughed.

"I felt bad for Monica though…she really misses living near us."

"Yeah, but I mean she and Chandler are happily married. She'll get over it," Phoebe reminded Rachel.

"True."

"I wouldn't worry about Monica," Ross comforted, carrying Emma as she dozed lightly on his shoulder.

"Yeah, but I kinda miss having Chandler around," Joey added.

"I miss Monica, too," Rachel lamented, "Guess things just…aren't the same anymore, huh?"

The crowd mumbled yeses once again, this time, however, not laughing. They had all been thinking the same. Silence overtook the small group, as they continued to walk down the block. It wasn't as uneasy as it had been at the party, but the silence still was thick. It definitely was not the ambience of four young, careless best friends, anymore. After five minutes, Phoebe cleared her throat, breaking the dreary mood. Everyone looked at her expectantly, hoping she would say something to end that ongoing silence.

"So, does anyone else remember how we decided on backups the day Monica and Chandler got engaged?"

The crowd mumbled collective yeses yet again, although, this time, slightly nervous. None of them, aside from Phoebe, had the courage to discuss it, although they had all been thinking of it. Silence fell once again, as the rhythmic sounds of shoe soles hitting the ground filled the air. 

"We weren't serious," Rachel wondered aloud, "Were we?"

The gang stopped and exchanged glances. Had they been serious?

Well, there's the first chapter. Should I continue? Does anyone care? Please review, thanks! (Gosh, I'm nervous)