THE ONE WHERE JOEY'S IN LOVE.
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE.

♡

Exhausted after work, Zara, Rachel, and Monica were together in the apartment. Zara sat at the table, finishing up marking some of the children's work that day to hand back to them in the morning.

"Can you believe he just offered me a restaurant?" Monica questioned.

"What a jerk," said Rachel. "Want me to kick his ass?"

"I mean, Pete is a millionaire," Zara reminded her friend.

"I mean, this has been like my dream since I got my first easy bake oven and opened easy Monica's bakery," Monica told them. "I mean, I would kill for this job. I mean, I can totally do this job. And God knows, I've paid my dues."

With that, Monica removed her fake stuffed boobs.

"But Pete's just doing this because he has a crush on me."

"And you're still not attracted to him at all?" Rachel asked.

"No," Monica answered. "I mean, how can I accept a restaurant from him? I-I can't. I couldn't even accept a necklace from Stu Vincent in the seventh grade."

"But, Mon, that was totally different," Rachel reminded her. "He was your health teacher."

Monica scoffed, gently tapping Rachel's side as she cried out in pain.

"What, honey?" Monica questioned.

"What's wrong?" Zara asked, concerned herself.

"My side still hurts," said Rachel. "From when you crashed into me yesterday."

"Oh God, I'm so sorry," Monica said, hugging her friend, which only resulted in Monica hurting Rachel more.

"Hey, you guys," Ross greeted, coming into the apartment. "Guess what?"

"I don't know," said Zara, unable to look away from his awful white suit with a red bow tie. "You have a date with Mary Poppins?"

"Nope," Ross said.

"Got a job on a riverboat?" Rachel guessed next.

"You know what?" Ross said, unimpressed with them. "I didn't wear this suit for a year because you hated it. Well, guess what? You're not my girlfriend anymore, so..."

"Oh, I see," said Rachel. "So this suit is making a point. Now that you're on your own, you're free to look as stupid as you'd like."

"You guys like it, right?" Ross questioned.

"Better the white suit than a goatee," Zara mumbled, thinking of Chandler's new look, which Zara truly hated — if they were still together, then the goatee would be gone.

"Absolutely," said Monica. "I like it even more on you than I did on Colonel Sanders."

Ross was quick to turn away from them, eager to leave.

"Ross, Ross, I'm kidding," Monica cried out after him. "What were you going to tell us?"

"Yeah," Rachel said. "Was it how you invented the cotton gin?"

"Okay, goodbye," Ross decided as the three started to laugh.

♡

Opening the front door to the guy's apartment, Zara's eyes instantly found Chandler, still seeing the goatee on his face. However, there was also the chick that was chirping away in the little pen.

"So it's true," said Zara, lips twisting upwards in amusement.

Chandler sighed. "I'm not shaving—"

"Not that," Zara leant on the counter opposite him, peering down into the pen, where the fluffy yellow chick was. "I mean your little adoption. It's cute, by the way. You know, I never saw you becoming a parent, especially before me."

"Trust me, this was a surprise to me too," Chandler admitted.

Zara grinned. "Look at you growing up."

"I'm a changed man," Chandler said.

"I would say it's the best you yet," said Zara.

"Oh, no, I sense a but," Chandler replied.

"But," Zara felt her smile widen, meeting Chandler's gaze as her hand rose, touching the awful beard on his face. "This really has to go."

Chandler gently swatted her hand away. "You're not my mom."

Zara's nose curled upwards. "I'm probably the worst person to compare to your mom."

"Yeah, true," said Chandler. "You're not my girlfriend, then."

"If I was, then it would have been long gone by now," Zara told him.

"Well, sorry, but it's staying," Chandler stated.

"This is why we broke up," Zara said.

"I didn't have a goatee then," Chandler reminded her.

"I was seeing the future," said Zara. "Saving myself while I could."

"Right," Chandler said. "So, uh... tell me what the future would have been if you had stayed?"

The smile vanished from Zara's face, having not expected Chandler — especially Chandler — to act so boldly and smoothly like that. Holding his stare, Chandler seemed a little shocked himself too.

"If we were still together," Zara tried to speak casually, ignoring the rapid beating of her heart. "Then you wouldn't have this," perhaps brave too, Zara's fingertips brushed lightly on the sharp hair on Chandler's face again, knowing it was crossing a line now. "And you would be wearing your sweater vests more."

The front door opened with Zara's hand falling, standing straight as her head turned to see that it was Joey who had come in. Zara offered him a smile before the two guys were greeting each other, a little tensely.

"How's she doing?" Joey asked, coming over to stand next to Zara.

"She?" Chandler questioned.

"Well, yeah," said Joey. "Don't think you think it's a she?"

"I don't know," Chandler said, picking the poor chick up to see for himself as he blew the fluffy feathers away. "I can't tell. Whatever it was went back in too quickly."

"Well, anyway, I got to go change," Joey told them. "I'm meeting some of the cast for drinks."

"Excuse me?" Chandler questioned.

Zara's eyebrow arched upwards as she pressed her lips together, trying to hide how amused she was by the whole situation.

"What?" Joey asked.

"I stayed home from work today while you were at rehearsal," Chandler told him. "So somebody could be here with our chick."

"Hey, who was up from two this morning until five this morning trying to get her back to sleep?"

"You don't think I get up when you get up?"

"Oh, here it comes," Joey replied.

"Wow," said Zara. "You're both seriously having a domestic."

At least they weren't arguing over Zara this time.

"Yes," Chandler exclaimed. "Here it comes! I'm stuck here all day. And then you come in and spend two seconds with us... and then expect to off gallivanting with your friends? Well, I don't think so, mister."

"You know," Zara whispered to the chick. "This is kind of your fault."

"Hey, I need to relax!" Joey replied. "Okay? I was working all day."

"And you don't think taking care of our chick is work?" Chandler argued.

"That's not what I said," said Joey. "Okay? I just meant—"

"I know what you mean!" Chandler shouted.

"I think I'm gonna go," Zara decided. "I'm intruding, so you dads need to figure this out for your chick."

Zara needed to go anyway as she had a date that evening, where she hoped it was someone who was attractive enough to make her forget about the two who were currently fighting over a chick.

♡

The following evening, Zara wasn't expecting to find a duck with a chick. Zara had tried finding the two to watch their weekly shows together, but she was surprised to find them in the bathroom.

"What are you doing?" Zara questioned.

"Having a swim," said Chandler.

In the bathtub, there were rubber ducks, but the real-life duck was happily swimming. There was an amused smile on Zara's face as she shook her head at the growing family.

"You know," said Zara. "This would make a cute story. Two guys, a chick, and a duck."

The two turned to look at her, not completely thrilled with the idea. Zara thought it was sweet, but their reactions only fuelled her desire to write it.

"One day," Zara promised. "I'm going to write it for you both."

"Can the chick swim?" Joey questioned.

"Chicks don't swim," Chandler said.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Zara insisted.

"Shall we try?" Chandler questioned.

"No," said Zara. "Please don't try."

"What's the harm?" Joey replied.

Zara sighed, watching as Chandler picked up the poor chick before dropping him gently into the bath water. The poor little thing started to flail, chirping louder.

"See? I told you, they don't swim."

"Wait, wait," Joey caught Chandler's arm. "Give him a minute."

"No, get him out now," Zara urgently told them.

Chandler scooped the poor chick out of the water, where he started to comfort him. Zara sighed, feeling for the chick and duck already.

"This," said Zara, still in shock that they had almost drowned the poor animal. "Won't be making it into the book."

♡

EPISODE TWENTY-TWO.

♡

"Oh, Phoebe, are you still on hold?" Rachel complained. "I was supposed to call my dad back like two hours ago."

"Oh, yeah, he clicked on," Phoebe said. "He said to call him as soon as you get a chance. He's at Flimby's."

"What's Flimby's?" Rachel questioned.

"Oh, yeah, that's the word I use when I can't remember the real thing."

"Okay, hang up," Rachel decided. "That's it. Come on."

Zara moved over so Rachel could sit next to Phoebe while being careful not to knock her laptop over. She was trying to concentrate on getting some of her writing down before they went and saw Joey's play that night.

"No, that's what they want me to do," Phoebe said. "My warranty expires tomorrow. If I don't get through, they're not going to fix my crappy, broken phone for free. We cannot let them win. It's us versus them."

"Yes!" Chandler exclaimed in agreement.

"Hey," Joey came into the apartment, greeting them as they all replied. "Uh, listen, I got to double-check for tickets tonight. Who got what?"

"I have one," Zara, Rachel, Phoebe, and Chandler said.

"I need two," Monica announced. "I'm bringing Pete. My boyfriend. I have a boyfriend now."

"Two it is," Joey agreed before turning to Ross, who was sitting at the table. "Ross, how about you?"

"Uh, yeah, I, uh... I also need two," Ross confessed.

Zara heard that loud and clear (like the rest of them), but she couldn't bring herself to look at Rachel.

"Really?" Monica replied. "Who's number two?"

"Who's number two?" Chandler repeated. "One of the more difficult games sewer workers play."

"You just couldn't resist, could you?" Zara said.

Chandler shrugged. "It's number two."

"No, it's just this person," Ross told them.

"Like a date type of person?" Phoebe questioned.

"Yeah, kind of," said Ross as Rachel was busy reading a magazine next to Zara. "It's this woman from work. I hope that won't be too weird. Will it, Rach?"

"No," Rachel turned to tell him. "No, not at all. I was actually going to bring someone myself."

"But you said one ticket," Joey pointed out.

"I meant me plus one," Rachel clarified.

"Okay, did you guys mean you plus one?" Joey questioned.

That question left Zara feeling very single.

"All right, I'll see you tonight," Ross said.

"Okay," said Joey.

"Okay, bye-bye," Rachel added, waiting until Ross left before she was standing. "Okay, I need a date."

"Oh, hey," said Joey. "You guys are finally going to get to meet Kate."

"Oh," said Zara. "Great."

The hint of jealousy was there — Zara was very aware — but she was trying to ignore it, wanting Joey to be happy with someone else.

"I borrowed some of your cologne," Joey told Chandler. "I hope she likes it."

"Joey, what are you doing?" Monica questioned. "This is never going to happen. She's seeing somebody."

"Yeah," Chandler agreed. "And I don't have any cologne."

"Green bottle next to the shaving cream?" Joey questioned.

"Oh, worm medicine for the duck," Chandler told him.

Joey touched his skin, horrified with himself.

"So," said Monica later that evening. "I couldn't help but notice your reaction when Kate was mentioned."

"Who's Kate?" Zara questioned, not looking at Monica.

"The girl Joey likes," Monica reminded her.

"Oh, her," Zara shrugged. "I don't care."

"I think you do," Monica said.

"You totally do," Phoebe added with the phone still held to her ear.

Zara frowned, not looking at either of them.

"It's okay, you know," said Monica. "You like Joey, Zara."

Zara was afraid to admit that it was deeper than that now.

"Oh," Monica realised, seeing her face. "Zara, do you—"

"Please don't say it," Zara pleaded.

Phoebe gasped. "You love Joey!"

"I don't know," Zara replied. "Maybe. It's confusing. And complicated. Really complicated."

Complicated as in Zara was certain she was still in love with Chandler too. So, right now, her heart was split in half for two guys, who happened to be best friends and roommates.

"Your life has become a triangle," Phoebe noticed.

"What?" Zara replied.

"A love triangle," Phoebe explained with a smile. "But, it's okay, as I know who you're gonna end up with."

"How do you know that?" Zara questioned.

"I just do," Phoebe said.

"Well, your wrong," Zara told her. "Sorry, Pheebs, but I'm not doing this again. Whatever I feel doesn't matter as I won't be acting on it — with either of them."

Phoebe laughed. "Right."

"Honey, maybe you should tell Joey," Monica suggested. "Or Chandler."

"No," Zara stubbornly decided. "It's not happening."

Not wanting to talk about it anymore, Zara returned her laptop to her bedroom. On the bedside table, she spotted Brodie, who was back together again as she smiled, thinking about Joey again.

But, they were friends, and Zara was determined to keep it that way.

Zara concentrated on getting dressed to go, where by the time she was ready, Phoebe was making a fuss. Both Zara and Monica hurried out to her, finding Phoebe struggling with the jumper as her head seemed to be in a hole for an arm.

"Phoebe?" Monica questioned.

"What? Monica? I'm scared!"

"Honey, honey, that's a sleeve," Monica told her. "Okay. And we also have a speakerphone."

"You're going crazy over this phone call," Zara pointed out.

"You've got to hang up," Monica said. "We're late."

"Thank you for your patience. You're the next caller."

"Yes! Yes!" Phoebe exclaimed. "I'm the next caller! You were going to have me hang up."

"But we gotta go," Zara reminded her.

The front door opened and Zara turned to find Chandler holding the chick and duck.

"Hey," said Chandler. "Can you take a duck and a chick to the theatre?"

"Of course not," Monica said.

"No," Phoebe and Zara followed.

"Okay," Chandler said. "I just wanted them to hear it from someone else."

♡

Maybe Zara did care about Joey and Kate.

Usually, she found Joey's plays amusing, where it was easy to laugh and poke fun while appreciating her friend's hard work. But, this time, all Zara could seem to focus on was them. Every touch, every kiss, even though they were acting, left Zara wondering how much of it was really acting.

Afterwards, they all gathered for the after party with Joey being last to join them.

"There he is," said Chandler, pointing to Joey.

"There's our star," Monica said, accepting a kiss on the cheek from Joey.

"So, so, what did you think?" Joey asked, greeting them.

"Almost as good as the play with the two naked girls on the see-saw," Chandler said.

"I wasn't in that," Joey told him.

"I know," Chandler replied.

"Oh, hey, hey, Kate," Joey said, catching the attention of a pretty woman. "Listen, I want you to meet everybody. Everybody, this is Kate."

"Hi," Kate greeted them.

Zara forced a smile.

"Excuse me, excuse me," said a man, cutting through the group as he cupped Kate's cheeks. "Sweetheart," he kissed her with Zara's eyebrows rising. "Come."

Poor Kate was dragged away without a choice.

"So that's the girl you like," Chandler noticed.

"With a dramatic version of Derek," Zara whispered to Monica.

Monica's nose curled upwards. "Did I tell you, I hate your ex?"

"Ouch," Chandler muttered before Ross was pulling him away from the group.

"Hey, Zara," said Joey, capturing her attention. "What did you think?"

"You were great, Joe," Zara told him.

"Really?" Joey questioned. "Nothing mean to say?"

"The chemistry between you and Kate wasn't the best, I suppose," Zara said.

Joey chuckled at that. "That's not true."

"I wish it was," Zara mumbled.

As she looked over, Joey had stopped laughing, having heard with it becoming awkward between them both. Feeling bad, Zara placed a hand on his arm. "You were amazing," she reassured him. "Seriously. I loved it."

A little bashful, Joey's smile was small but soft.

Though, Zara briefly disappeared to help herself to a drink. A curly-haired woman walked up to Zara as she turned, realising it was Kate.

"Zara, right?" Kate said.

"Yeah," said Zara.

"I guess Joey wasn't exaggerating when he told me how pretty you were."

That caused Zara to feel a thousand things.

"He said that?" Zara questioned.

"Joey never stops talking about you," Kate confessed. "It drives us all crazy."

"Oh," said Zara, not sure what else to say.

"I know Joey likes me," said Kate. "But... it's obvious he's in love with you."

"I don't know about that," Zara said with an awkward laugh.

"You know, before we went on stage tonight, all Joey wanted was for you to like the play," Kate told her.

And Zara had told him that she had loved the play.

Now, her eyes fell on Joey again, seeing him standing with Estelle as they spoke to the group. Feeling her gaze, Joey looked up as he caught Zara staring, and he offered her a smile.

"See," said Kate. "I'm stood here with you, but all he sees is you."

The words sunk into Zara, knowing they were true. Even with them ignoring their feelings, they were still obviously there for them both to see.

"Here we go, people," said the director, holding up the newspaper as Zara moved through the crowds to stand with Joey, sharing an excited grin with him. "Boxing Day. The Lucille Lortel theatre...budda, budda, budda...a-ha! Joey Tribbiani gives an uneven performance."

Surprising them both, Zara's fingers interlinked with Joey's, squeezing his hand in support.

"But Mr Tribbiani is not the worst thing in this production."

"Yes!" Joey exclaimed, letting go of Zara's hand just as quickly as she had held onto it.

"Kate Miller's awkward and mannered portrayal is laughable."

As the director continued, Zara noticed Kate disappear, feeling bad for the poor woman. Worst of all, Kate's own boyfriend had read the review without even a second thought for her.

"The direction by Marshall Towned is..." Whatever was written, obviously wasn't very good as the paper was scrunched up and thrown on the floor. "Thank you, boys and girls. You've ruined my life. Please stuff your talentless faces with my mother's crab cakes. Excuse me!"

The director pushed past them as he was quick to leave while Joey picked up the newspaper.

"Does anyone mind if I save this?"

At the end of the night, Zara and Monica headed to the bathroom together before they were getting ready to leave. Though, upon leaving, Joey found them.

"I'm gonna find Pete," Monica decided, practically running away from the two. "You know, my boyfriend."

"What was that about?" Joey questioned.

"Monica has a boyfriend now," Zara reminded him. "You know, she's gotta tell us at least fifteen times and she can't go longer than five minutes without seeing him."

But, in all honestly, Zara knew Monica was meddling so that they could be alone together like this. And Zara hated but loved Monica for it.

"So, your review was not so bad," Zara commented.

"Not so bad?" Joey repeated. "Did you not hear? I'm not the worst part!"

"I did, that's really something, Joe," Zara told him, enjoying his enthusiasm. "You should have the article framed."

"I don't know," said Joey.

"Why not?" Zara questioned. "You worked hard, so you should have something to show for it."

"Yeah," Joey said. "I did work hard."

Zara smiled warmly. "You know, for what it's worth, I'm proud of you."

Then, Zara rose her tiptoes to brush a kiss on Joey's cheek, letting him have his moment.

♡

The next morning, Zara was out shopping with Rachel for her book launch party that was coming up too quickly. While they were out, Monica and Phoebe were still home when Joey came into the apartment.

"Monica," whispered Joey, urgently. "Is Zara here?"

"No, she's out with Rachel," Monica told him.

"Okay, good," Joey said, where his face finally cracked with the panic showing. "Because you gotta help me."

"With what?" Monica questioned.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" Phoebe added in concern, but not enough to hang up the phone.

"You were right," said Joey, sitting down at the table as he put his head in his hands with Monica moving over to place a comforting hand on his back. "I'm in love with Zara."

Phoebe gasped, beaming with a smile. "You are!"

"Hey, Pheebs," Joey said. "Where were you anyway?"

"No, no, that doesn't matter," Monica waved a hand, cutting Phoebe off from speaking anymore. "Joey, are you serious? What made you realise?"

"Just last night," said Joey. "I don't know, I guess I didn't realise that the one person I wanted there the most was Zara, and she loved my play."

"Oh, does everyone else just fade away and all you see is Zara?" Phoebe asked.

"Kind of, I guess," Joey replied, still smiling. "And she kissed my cheek."

"That's a big win for Joey," Monica commented.

"But it's not a win," Joey argued, starting to sink again. "I can't be in love with Zara as Chandler's still not over her, and I've already been an awful friend. I don't want to hurt Chandler again."

"What if ignoring this is hurting you and Zara?" Monica questioned.

"Yeah," said Phoebe. "Like, Chandler and Zara broke up over a year ago, Joey."

"Do you want to be with Zara?" Monica asked.

"I do, I really do," said Joey. "But I don't know if Zara even wants to be with me as she's made it very clear that we're just friends. But she does keep giving me these signals that maybe we're more than friends. I don't know. I'm confused."

"Oh, honey," Monica sympathised, rubbing a hand on his back. "Do you know what I think you should do?"

"What?" Joey questioned, looking up at Monica with wide, pleading eyes.

"I think you should talk to Chandler and tell him how you feel about Zara," said Monica. "That way, all he'll want is for you both to be happy."

"But Zara—"

"Zara has a habit of pushing those she loves away when she's scared," Monica told him. "I think you should talk to her after Chandler."

"Yeah, okay," Joey said, but he was afraid too.

"Oh, this is wonderful!" Phoebe exclaimed. "Finally, another relationship in the group again!"

♡

While Zara was shopping, Rachel headed back to the coffee house to meet up with Tommy (the guy she went on a date with to the play). Zara didn't mind being alone, where she was happy enough to sink into the moment of what she was shopping for.

By the time she came home, everyone (but Joey) was home. The new guy Tommy was with them too, which surprised Zara, but perhaps it was going well for him and Rachel.

"Did you find the dress?" Rachel asked Zara.

Zara smiled. "I did."

"Oh, Rachel described it to me," said Monica. "You have to show us."

"I didn't realise the book launch was a fancy event," Ross said.

"It's being hosted at a bookshop, right?" Chandler questioned.

"It is," Zara told them. "I'm not expecting you guys in tuxes, though I would appreciate it. Chandler, I'm at least expecting the goatee beard to be gone."

Chandler frowned at Zara, which only made her smile widen, knowing she would get her own way.

"Hey, mind if I use the phone?" Tommy asked, coming out of the bathroom.

"Oh, I..." Phoebe mumbled, exhausted. "But I... and I have to wait..."

"Why don't you use our across the hall?" Chandler suggested. "Because she... has problems."

"Thanks," said Ross.

Ross almost walked into Tommy as Zara's eyebrows furrowed together, believing it looked like he had done it on purpose. "Whoa! Whoa! Sorry, Tommy. I almost spilled this hot coffee on you."

Tommy laughed, not bothered. "Yeah, but you didn't."

"No, but it's..." Ross continued after Tommy left. "It's... It's hot."

Ross turned to them, frustrated again.

"Ross, would you just stop it?" Rachel told him. "It's getting really old."

"What was that about?" Zara questioned.

"Ross thinks Tommy's mean," Chandler explained. "That he has a tendency to shout."

Zara laughed at that. "That guy? Really, Ross?"

"I can't believe no one believes me," Ross complained.

"I do," said Phoebe." I believe you."

"You do, Pheebs?"

"Yeah, but I also believed her when she said I was next."

Though, Ross was proved right about Tommy as they caught him shouting at the chick and duck. They all hurried over to the apartment, in complete shock. Even Phoebe had joined them with the phone to her ear.

"Step away from the duck," Chandler told him.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Tommy continued. "Little Mr Chickadee. Sorry with doody in my hand!" Then, Tommy left the apartment and they all took a step back as he paused before Rachel. "Well, I guess we're not going out anymore. Man!"

Zara's hand covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

"You know what, Rach," said Zara after. "You've dated worse."

♡

The next morning, Zara woke to find Joey at the kitchen table, having helped himself to breakfast like he usually did. Hearing Zara, Joey looked up at her with a smile.

"We ran out of milk," Joey confessed.

"Like you need an excuse," Zara told him.

"That's true," said Joey.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Zara asked, sitting down next to him.

"How do you know something's wrong?" Joey questioned.

"I can just tell," Zara said. "Did last night's show not go very well?"

"Kate's gone back to LA," Joey confessed with a shrug. "I don't care, but... I liked her — not in the way I thought I did, but I'm still gonna miss her."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Joe," Zara apologised, reaching over as she placed her hand on top of his. "Kate seemed nice."

"It's okay," Joey said, keeping his eyes on their hands as Zara still hadn't pulled away.

"You sure?" Zara questioned.

"Yeah," Joey realised, meeting her stare. "It didn't work out for Kate and I, but she helped me realise something, so I'm gonna be okay."

Zara smiled at that, but her heart was twisting, thinking about what Kate had said.

"I'm stood here with you, but all he sees is you."

Zara wasn't blind to it, but she wished she was.

"What did you realise?" Zara asked, unknowing if she would regret the question or not.

"It's a secret right now," Joey told her.

"Oh, but now I want to know," Zara complained, playfully tugging at his hand. "Tell me, please."

It caused Joey to smile, which was a win for Zara.

"I might tell you soon," Joey promised her.

♡

Zara's head is scrambled and I can't blame her. Be warned: chaos is to come in the last 2 chapters for this part!! I'm so excited that I'm most likely gonna write them this weekend! Any predictions?