THE ONE WHERE IT'S BACK TO NORMAL...
EPISODE NINETEEN.

♡

Zara was dating — and by that, she meant she was distracting herself until any feelings for a certain two vanished. Most of all, it stopped Zara from making any more foolish mistakes.

"Oh, there you are," said Phoebe as Zara closed the front door, finding Phoebe, Ross, and Chandler sat together, crashing their place. "How was your date?"

"Really good," Zara told them, removing her coat as she hung it up.

"Is that why you're back early?" Ross questioned.

Zara's head turned to face him with a scowl. "It was really good."

Maybe it was obvious it was a lie, and her friends seemed to know her tactics now, but Zara didn't want to talk about it any further. Instead, she disappeared to her bedroom to drop off her bag, wishing she had thought to stay out a bit longer.

But the distraction was on Monica, who had returned from her date too.

"How'd the date go with Mr Millionaire?" Ross asked.

"Yeah, tell us," Zara said with a grin.

"Mr Millionaire, new from snooty playthings," Chandler said. "Third wife sold separately."

"He's great," Monica told them, coming over to the living area. "I mean, we have such a good time together. He's so funny and so sweet and I'm not attracted to him at all!"

"Still?" Ross questioned.

"No," said Monica. "It's driving me crazy. In every other way, he's like the perfect guy. He has everything. Plus, he actually has everything."

"I wonder what that's like," Zara murmured.

"Life-sized imperial storm troopers from sharper image?" Chandler questioned.

"Two," Monica told him.

"Wow," Chandler sat up at that. "Can Joey and I put them on and fight?"

"Oh, mommy!" Joey came in after that. "Oh, daddy! I am a big old daddy!"

That caused Zara's eyes to fall on him, wondering why she was finding it so hard to stop liking Joey Tribbiani, especially as he continued dancing, repeating the same words, and then he was closing the front door.

"I guess he must have gotten that part in that play," Ross said.

"Either that or Gloria Estefan was right," said Chandler. "Eventually, the rhythm is going to get you."

♡

Even if the attraction wasn't there, Monica was still trying. If Pete was invited to hang with them, then it obviously meant it was something. Plus, Zara was now intrigued too, practically buzzing as Pete had asked for a few advanced copies of Zara's book (for himself and his nieces and nephews).

A millionaire had read Zara's book — that was enough for Zara to explode.

"So, you're like a zillionaire," Phoebe said as they all (minus Ross and Rachel) sat in the coffee house.

Surprisingly, Zara was sitting at the table with Joey, who had joined her with a cappuccino that had a ridiculous amount of sprinkles on it, which had made Zara smile.

Pete shrugged at that.

"And you're our age," Chandler pointed out. "You're our age."

"You know what?" Phoebe said. "You should buy a state and then just name it after yourself."

"Like Pete Dakota?" Pete questioned.

"Yeah," said Phoebe laughing. "Or Mississipete."

That caused Pete to laugh.

"Oh, oh, I got it," Joey joined in. "Pete Chicago."

"That's not a state, Joe," Chandler told him.

"Oh, and Mississipete is?"

"Anyway," said Pete, changing the conversation as his eyes fell on Zara. "I read your book, Zara, and I got to say: wow. You know, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy reading about twelve years olds learning to be superheroes, but you got me."

"Really?" Zara responded, feeling all gooey. "I got you?"

"Yeah," Pete nodded. "And I'm willing to pay big to read whatever you have next for the second book."

"That's top secret I'm afraid," Zara told him, grinning brightly.

"Just tell me if Ruby makes it back to Haven to her real parents?"

Haven was the land where the school for heroes was located; Moorage was then the land where the school for villains were — in Zara's world that she had created, they were two make-believe lands that only those with powers could find, where they only left to protect those who needed heroes or perhaps even villains.

"We're all waiting to find out," Monica said to Pete. "Zara's being secretive about it."

"You can all read it once it's finished this time," Zara had decided.

After all, she had a publishing company now, who were there to support her with everything, so she wanted her friends to have that special first reaction.

"Put me down for an advanced copy for your sequel too," Pete told her. "For my nieces and nephews too, they love it. I now gotta find them a Ruby and Carlos costume."

Zara felt her heartbeat speed up. "Really? They loved it that much?"

"They won't stop talking about it," Pete reassured her.

There was a tiny smile on Zara's face, where she was in complete shock, having been frightened that no one would like her book, and now strangers were — even kids, Zara's main audience.

All of Zara's friends were smiling at her. It was both Chandler and Joey, who were dazzled, eyes so soft, revealing their hearts; Zara was oblivious, so smitten with her book.

"I gotta go," said Pete. "So, uh, I'll see you guys later."

"Okay," they all chimed as Monica stood up to see Pete out.

"You're our age," Chandler repeated again.

With the two gone, everyone was looking at Zara again.

"A millionaire likes your book!" Chandler exclaimed, but kept his voice quiet.

"Not likes," Joey said. "Loves!"

"I know!" Zara matched their energy.

Phoebe grinned. "This is so exciting!"

It was everything Zara wanted and she wasn't even officially published yet. The countdown had started, and everything was starting to become real.

They waved goodbye to Pete as Monica came back over to join them again.

"Okay, I'm running out of places I can touch him," Monica said. "I mean, is there something wrong with me? I mean, why am I only attracted to guys where there's no future? Either they're too old or they're too young and then there's Pete who's... he's crazy about me and he's absolutely perfect and there's like zip going on. I mean, seriously, does it sound like there's something wrong with me?"

"Yeah, kind off," Phoebe said.

"No," said Zara. "There's nothing wrong with you, Mon. I think, sometimes, uh... the attraction comes when you're least expecting it. You can have a bond first before there's anything else there. I mean, uh, that's how..." Chandler and Zara started.

But she couldn't bring herself to finish and it wasn't completely the truth. The attraction had been there, but they had been friends first before realising that anything more was there.

Two pairs of eyes were stuck on Zara, but she couldn't look at them.

There wasn't anything wrong with Monica, but there was something wrong with Zara.

♡

Zara had surprisingly finished early, where she was up-to-date with everything regarding her class. So, that evening, she planned on focusing on her writing, where Chandler, Phoebe and Monica were there.

Chandler was snoozing on the table while Monica was preparing dinner.

"Hey," Phoebe alerted them all as Zara looked up from her laptop. "Why isn't it Spiderman? You know, like Golman, Silverman?"

"'Cause it's-it's not his last name," Chandler told her.

"It isn't?" Phoebe questioned.

"No," Zara laughed. "That's like Ruby's superhero name being just Hart — that's awful."

"Exactly," said Chandler. "And it's not like Phil Spiderman. He's a spider...man. You know, like, uh, like Goldman is a last name but there's no Gold-Man."

"Oh, oh, okay," said Phoebe. "There should be a Gold-Man! Oh, Zara, write Gold-Man into your book!"

"Uh..." Zara said. "I'll think about it."

"Hey," Rachel said as the front door opened.

"Hey, Rach," said Monica. "How was work?"

"Oh, great," Rachel told them. "Although, I did sit down where there wasn't a chair."

"By the way, Ross dropped by a box of your stuff," Monica said.

"Oh, well, I guess I had that one coming," said Rachel, coming over to join the three in the living room as found the box. "I'm just going to throw it out. It's probably just a bunch of shampoo and..."

But Rachel had paused upon opening the box.

"Something wrong?" Monica asked.

Rachel held up a t-shirt with a sad smile on her face. "No, nothing."

Though, the three ended up at Chandler's place a little later, where Phoebe wanted to discuss the idea of Gold-Man more. Zara had agreed to consider adding the character to her book if Phoebe provided more details.

"So, what kind of powers would Gold-Man have?" Chandler asked her.

"Okay, well," said Phoebe. "He would turn things to gold."

"What about things that are already gold?" Chandler challenged.

"I like that," Zara said. "It complicates things."

"Ah, his work is done," Phoebe replied.

"Okay," said Chandler with his amused grin disappearing. "Let me come up with a character now."

"I'm not adding zombies," Zara told him again.

"Why not? They could make a cool villain!"

"It's a kid's book—"

"Kids love zombies."

"I like Gold-Man more," Phoebe decided.

"At least it has more potential than Joey's idea," said Zara, rolling her eyes. "He suggested a character who could eat without needing to stop."

"So, basically Joey then," Chandler summarised.

"Yeah, pretty much," Zara agreed with a smile.

♡

EPISODE TWENTY.

♡

"There's something wrong with me," Joey announced.

Zara was out (Joey knew this) — out on a date with some other person. Now, he was frantic as he sunk down on the kitchen table, unknowing what to do or what to even say.

"You've only just realised this?" Chandler questioned.

"Zara's broken me," Joey said.

"Oh, boy, I don't know if I want to be here for this," Chandler said.

"Only one person has rejected me before and that's Zara," Joey explained to them. "Recently too. Now, the next girl I like after Zara, doesn't like me too."

"Oh, honey," Monica sympathised.

"So, what has Zara done to me?" Joey demanded, panicking eyes falling on Chandler. "Is this what it's like to be you?"

"You're really crazy about her, huh?" Monica said.

"Which one?" Joey questioned.

"The actress," Chandler quickly cut in.

"I don't know, you tell us," Phoebe grinned. "To me, it sounds like Zara might be the one that's getting you a little worked up. Sorry, Chandler."

"No, no, I'm good," said Chandler, but no one believed him.

Joey was aware that Chandler was there and he didn't want to say anything that would result in hurting Chandler again. For Joey, he was crazy about a certain dark-haired girl, and hope Kate was enough to move on.

But, at this point, it would take a miracle for anyone to make him stop thinking about Zara Ellison.

"No, it's definitely Kate," Joey lied (terribly), feeling all eyes burning into him. "I mean, come on, when we're on stage I get to kiss and touch her, so how could I not like her? But then she goes home with the director and it's like somebody's ripping out my heart."

"It's so great to see you feeling like this," Phoebe said.

Joey stared down at the table, not seeing how feeling like this could be so great.

Kate could easily help Joey get over Zara, but then again, Kate was not Zara.

Maybe Joey really was broken.

♡

Zara came home from work to find the dollhouse from Monica's Aunt Sylvia had turned up. The house was a lot bigger than Zara was expecting, where she now had a bright smile on her face.

"Look at it," Monica exclaimed, wanting to show them all the house. "Oh, wallpaper's a little faded. That's okay. Carpet's a little loose. Hardwood floors!"

"Oh, it's exactly like the house Bethany had!" Zara said, getting excited.

"Who's Bethany?" Ross asked.

"Some girl who used to play with me," said Zara. "She had everything from this dollhouse to ballerina slippers. One day, she invited me over to play, and I could only play the dog."

"The dog?" Chandler repeated.

"Yeah, because I wasn't allowed to touch the house," Zara explained. "So I had to be the dog that wasn't allowed in the house. Can I touch your house, Monica?"

Chandler's eyebrows rose. "I didn't expect this."

Phoebe opened the front door then, where they greeted her with Monica ignoring Zara's question. "Oh," said Phoebe, spotting the house. "Oh, Monica! It's so beautiful!"

"I know!" Monica cried out.

"So I'm here, ready to play," Phoebe announced.

"I want to play too," Zara told them.

"Okay," Monica agreed.

Leaving her work stuff on the table, Zara was quick to sit on the floor near the house, thinking about Bethany's dollhouse all over again.

"I brought a bunch of stuff for the house," Phoebe said, reaching into her box.

"Oh, I should get Brodie!" Zara decided.

"No!" Chandler and Monica cried out together.

Zara frowned. "What's wrong with Brodie?"

"That thing used to watch me sleep," Chandler said.

"I still have nightmares of it from college," Monica agreed.

"Oh, I want to see Brodie," Phoebe said. "He could be friends with my dog. Check it out."

Reaching into her box, Phoebe pulled out a large dog that she was excited about. The dog was placed outside the house, where it was bigger than the first floor.

"What's this?" Monica asked.

"It's a dog," Phoebe answered. "Every house should have a dog."

"Not one that can pee on the roof."

"Well, maybe it's so big because the house was built on radioactive waste."

"That would make sense if Brodie's around," Chandler said.

Zara's head twisted around to glare at Chandler. "You told me you loved Brodie when I first showed you him."

"Yeah, 'cause I wanted to have sex," Chandler told her.

Rolling her eyes, Zara focused on the house again instead of bringing up the past with Chandler. Back then, Zara remembered he had found her childhood teddy adorable, even if it did frighten him.

"There you go, Zara," said Monica. "Instead of Brodie, you can be the dog."

Now Zara frowned at that. "I'm getting Brodie."

While Phoebe was running them through with the ghost for the attic, Zara disappeared into her bedroom to get the only saved item from Zara's childhood. It was terrifying, more like a voodoo doll than perhaps a normal cuddly bear, where it had one eye missing as well as an ear. When Zara had been small, Brodie had been torn in half, where another kid in the foster home had performed life-saving surgery.

So, Brodie had been through it, but he had survived. Just like Zara.

"What is that?" Ross demanded when Zara returned with Brodie.

"It's Brodie," Zara held him up.

Chandler shivered. "Brodie's good friends with Chucky."

"Oh, I like Brodie!" Phoebe said. "He's got so much character."

"I don't want Brodie," Monica decided. "Or a ghost."

"Well, nobody wants a ghost," Phoebe replied. "But you've got one because the house is sitting on an ancient Indian burial ground."

"Perhaps the house is cursed too," Chandler suggested. "By Brodie." 

"Brodie can be the dog's friend outside," Zara suggested. "But I like the curse idea."

"The curse came from the ancient Indian burials!" Phoebe said, getting excited.

"Wait a minute," said Ross. "The house was built on radioactive waste and an ancient Indian burial ground, as well as being cursed by Brodie, who looks like that because of the radioactive waste."

"Hey, Brodie's survived a war," Zara defended her bear.

"Anyway," Ross continued. "That would never happen."

"Okay, obviously you don't know much about the US government," Phoebe told him.

The front door opened to reveal Rachel. "Hey!" Hearing her, they were all quick to greet her with Phoebe and Zara trying to play with the house again. "I need to talk to you."

"Sure," Ross instantly replied. "What's up?"

"Oh, sorry," said Rachel. "I meant Chandler."

"I-I know. Well, if something comes up..."

"Well, I'm glad you guys have passed that little awkward phase," Chandler told Rachel as she pulled up a chair close to where he sat on the sofa.

"Okay, my boss, Joanna," said Rachel. "When you left, she started asking questions about you."

Hearing that, Zara looked up from the house as her eyes briefly fell on Chandler with a frown. Chandler was smiling cockily at Rachel's words.

"Oh, liked what she saw, huh?" Chandler replied. "Dug my action, did she? Checking out the Chan-Chan man!"

But Zara cringed at Chandler's awkwardness.

"That was... surreal," Rachel summarised. "Okay, what do you think? You interested at all?"

Zara's eyes were stuck on Chandler, wanting him to say no.

"Yeah, she seemed cool, attractive," Chandler said instead. "I'll do it."

"Oh, thank you, Chandler," Rachel replied, happy with that. "This is so great, she's going to love me."

"Hey, dinosaur attack!" Phoebe cried out, catching Zara's attention again as she returned to the game. "Quick, everybody into the house! Ahh!"

Stuck with the dog (again), Zara barked (along with Phoebe's dinosaur) as she hurried her two characters towards the house.

"All right, you know what? That's it," Monica decided, confiscating the dinosaur, and stopping Zara from letting Brodie touch the house. "That's it. No dinosaurs, no ghosts, and no... teddies. No giant dogs either. Okay? They're not the right size. They're not Victorian and they just don't go."

"Wow," said Zara. "You're such a Bethany."

"Okay," Phoebe replied, packing up her belongings again. "Fine. Come, dinosaur, we're not welcome in the house of no imagination."

"Pheebs, while we're hovering around the subject," said Ross. "I just have to say that dinosaurs they don't go woof."

"The little ones do," Phoebe insisted.

♡

Though, the fun was not over for Zara and Phoebe. That night, they had worked on creating their own dollhouse together, which Phoebe was bringing over that morning. When she appeared, Zara faced her with a grin.

"Look, everybody!" Phoebe called out. "Look at mine and Zara's new dollhouse!"

Rachel came over to have a look with Ross, where Monica lingered in the living room with her posh Victorian house.

"Look, look!"

From the house, the front fell forward to reveal the rooms of the house. There was currently a Phoebe and a Zara in their bedrooms while a Santa and a cow were down in the living room.

"This is our house of fun," Zara told them.

"What's this?" Ross asked.

"Oh, okay, it's a slide instead of stairs, look," Phoebe explained as she showed them.

"Oh!" The two cried out in response.

"Very interesting," Monica commented.

"And look," said Zara. "There's also a firepole that goes all the way downstairs."

Again, that received the same response.

"What's this?" Rachel asked.

"The liquorice room," Phoebe answered. "You can eat all the furniture! And when guests come over, they can stay on the tootsie roll-a-way bed."

"But they won't need to sleep," Zara added. "As they'll be dancing all night with our disco ball that lights up."

As Zara clicked a tiny button, the disco ball started to spin with the multicoloured lights flashing.

"This is the coolest house ever!" Ross exclaimed.

"Hey, does anyone want to join me in the aroma room?" Phoebe questioned.

"All right," said Rachel.

"I would!" Ross agreed.

Phoebe had lit the aroma with the house starting to smell as good as it looked.

"Hey, guys," Monica called out. "Guys, did you see my new china cabinet?"

"Uh-huh," they all replied before focusing on the fun house again.

"Watch, watch," Phoebe encouraged. "The lights get better."

From a light switch on the back, Phoebe turned on the fairy lights that made the house seem brighter, impressing Ross and Rachel.

"And! And!" Phoebe continued, flicking another switch for bubbles to come out of the chimley.

The front door opened as Chandler came into the apartment, spotting the fun house. "Hey, my father's house does that."

Rachel chased after Chandler, wanting to find out all about the date as Zara kept herself busy with the house. There was no way she was jealous or even cared, so Zara decided she wasn't going to take any notice.

To move on, they all needed to be dating anyone else other than each other.

So, Zara did not care.

♡

There was a wide grin on Joey's face as he came into Monica's apartment, relieved to see it was just her and Ross. He greeted them, hoping that whatever came out of his mouth, it would remain happy.

"What's up?" Monica asked.

Joey wrapped his arms around Monica, giving her a hug as she tried to pour some milk into her coffee. Then, he walked around to Ross, doing the same for him too.

"It's a little early to be drinking," Ross said.

"No, no," Joey replied. "Things, uh, finally happened with Kate."

"Oh, you're kidding," Monica said, all happy, but confused too. "That's great. But what about Zara?"

"Who?" Joey questioned, keeping his face blank.

Monica raised her eyebrows. "Zara your friend."

"Oh, Zara," said Joey, trying to act casual about her. "Well, I have Kate now, so Zara's not on my mind anymore. I mean, Kate's not Zara, but she's Kate."

"Huh," said Monica, sitting down.

"So, Zara's not on your mind, but you're comparing Kate to her?" Ross summarised.

"No, because I'm not thinking about Zara anymore," Joey reminded them. "No one's like Zara, so if Kate's not enough, then I've realised it's impossible."

"So, you're not thinking about Zara," Monica summarised. "But you've been thinking about how Kate's not Zara?"

"Why are you getting so confused about this?" Joey questioned. "Kate is my way of getting over Zara, who I'm not thinking about."

"Right, we're with you now," Ross replied, sharing a look with Monica.

"Joey, I know Zara just wants to be friends, but are you sure about this?" Monica questioned. "I know things got a little messy, but you clearly have feelings for Zara."

"Yeah," Ross agreed. "Joey, it sounds like you might be falling—"

"No, no," Joey cut in with a laugh. "I told you, I'm over Zara. I have feelings for Kate now and Zara's dating whoever. Everything's as it should be."

"If that's what you want," Monica said.

"It's exactly what I want," Joey replied.

But, as Zara came out of her bedroom, Joey's eyes were instantly on her with his irises lightening up, feeling a gooey smile appearing. Wishing them a good morning, Joey was the first to reply, before Zara disappeared into the bathroom to shower.

"Oh, yeah," said Ross. "You're definitely over Zara."

♡

Zara bumped into Phoebe on the way up to the apartment after work. However, as the two came through the door, Monica was quick to stop them.

"We tried to reach you at work," Monica told them, hands falling onto them both in comfort. "There's...been a fire."

"What?" Phoebe exclaimed first.

Zara's eyes were wide as she spotted their homemade dollhouse, seeing that the bright colours were now replaced with thick black ash. It was devastating to see, where Zara's stomach twisted, unknowing where Brodie was, who had a large room to himself.

"What happened?" Phoebe demanded.

"Where's Brodie?" Zara echoed.

"Well, we believe it originated here," Ross pointed towards the aroma room that had been next to Brodie's room. "In the aroma room."

"Did everyone get out okay?" Phoebe questioned.

"Well, the giraffe's okay and so is the pirate," Monica reassured them.

"Where's Brodie?" Zara asked again.

"What is this?" Phoebe questioned, pointing to the white sheet.

"No, don't look!" Ross told them. "You don't want to see what's under there."

Phoebe pulled back the white sheet as Zara gasped, her hand covering her mouth from shock. There was Zara's Brodie, who was now missing a leg due to the flames, and his stained fur was now charred black and missing even more in places.

"Oh, Brodie," said Zara.

Phoebe gasped. "The foster puppets!"

♡

That night, Zara had a box together as she went over to the guy's place, hoping they would help her out with Brodie's recovery. Though, when she got there, it was just Joey who was there as he had a phone book open and the phone in his hand.

"Who are you calling?" Zara asked.

"All the women I've slept with," Joey told her. "Oh, instead of giving you a call, I might as well do it in person."

Zara's eyebrows furrowed at that. "Uh... what is it?"

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry," Joey said. "I should have considered your feelings that night and I should have not run on you."

"Joey, we've been over this," Zara reminded him.

"I know, but I know what it's like for someone to sleep with me and it means more to me than them now," said Joey. "So I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven," Zara told him. "If you quit apologising to all your tragic flings and help me."

"They're not all tragic," Joey defended them. "There were a, uh, few special ones."

Zara's breathing tightened at that, but she placed the box on the table. "Just a few?"

"Just the one," Joey corrected himself.

There was a tiny smile on Zara's face that she hoped was hidden. Nervously, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling her cheeks bright and warm. The warmth reminded her of why she was there in the first place, so she tried to concentrate.

"What do you need help with?" Joey asked.

"With Brodie," said Zara, pulling out her poor teddy from the box as even Joey flinched at the sight of Zara's teddy. "He ended up hurt during the fire, but he's not gone yet."

"Zara, what is that?" Joey demanded.

"Brodie," Zara repeated with a frustrated sigh. "Look, he's all I have from my childhood, so he's important, okay? Brodie's never left me, so I'm not losing him now."

"How, uh, are we supposed to help him?" Joey questioned.

Zara grinned, taking that as confirmation that he wanted to help. "I brought a teddy that's somewhat similar to Brodie, so we're gonna give Brodie a new leg and redo his stitches here that is keeping him together. The fire damaged them a bit, so I don't want him falling apart again."

"You want to operate on a teddy bear?" Joey summarised.

"Forget it," Zara said, picking up the box again to leave. "It's stupid, I just thought you'd like to help."

"Wait—"

Joey caught Zara's arm. "I'll help. After all, I am a doctor."

"You played a doctor," Zara reminded him, finding her lips curl into a smile again.

"Who happened to be a neurosurgeon," said Joey, which only caused Zara's smile to widen. "Let me get what I need."

As Joey came back wearing his Dr Drake Ramoray costume, Zara started to laugh, having not known he had taken it from the set. Then, with that, Joey helped Zara patch up her old bear again, even pretending to almost lose the patient throughout it.

When the front door opened, Chandler caught Zara removing the leg from the new bear while Joey was replacing Brodie's stitches with hear bear currently open on the countertop.

"I don't want to know," Chandler decided.

"Chandler, quiet, I need to concentrate," Joey told him. "I have the patient's intestines in my hands."

The door closed as Zara started to laugh.

But, all she could think about was Joey as her eyes were on him, glossy with amusement, but Zara could feel her heart thundering. No matter how hard she tried to stop it, Zara was falling in love with Joey.

♡

I think that end practically confirms Joey's in love & it's so sweet, bless him! Sorry, this ended up being a little filler, but it's building up for the end of the season!