( TWO ) ICE CREAM FLAVORS.

AT THAT MOMENT, the intercom buzzed, drawing both Ana and Joey from their moment. Chandler was the closest, so he answered. "Please don't do that again. It's a horrible sound."

"Uh, it's, it's Paul."

Panic was written all over Monica's expression as she whirled towards the intercom. "Oh geez, it's seven thirty already? Buzz him in!"

"Who's Paul?" Joey questions.

Ana racked her brain for all the Paul's she knew before she came to a realization. "Omg, Paul! Your date is with Paul, the wine guy!?" The Latina walked up to the couch, giving Monica a punch in the arm. "He finally asked you out and you didn't tell me!"

"Ow!" Monica held her slightly throbbing arm. "I'm sorry!"

"I can't believe you." Ana pouted at her friend. Then, her demeanor did a whole 360 as she gave her friend a hug, smiling bright. "Ughhh, but I'm so happy for you! It's Paul, the wine guy!"

"I know right!" Monica cheered, returning her friend's hug. But then she gasped, just remembering her blonde friend on the couch. She turned to Rachel, concerned crosses her face as she remembered the things her friend experienced. "Rach, wait. I can cancel."

"Please, no, go. I'll be fine." Rachel waves her off.

Monica turns to her brother. "Ross, are you okay? Do you want me to stay?"

"That'd be good." Ross's voice choked up. He would enjoy the comfort of his sister after dealing with the process of Carol moving out today.

"Really?" His sister cried out, expecting him to wave her off as Rachel did.

Ana, who feigned searching for something by the siblings, gave a discreet stomp to Ross's foot. She would not allow him to ruin this opportunity for Monica. "NO! Go on! It's Paul, the wine guy." The man groaned.

Suddenly, a knock rapped on the door, announcing the presence of Monica's date. Everyone lined up in the kitchen, waiting to get a glimpse of Paul. Monica opened the door. "Hi! Come in. Paul, this is —everybody. Everybody, this is Paul." Monica introduced.

Everyone uttered a variety of greetings towards the man. Monica, then proceeded to usher Paul over to the living room to wait, while she freshened up and got her coat. The dark haired women rushed off to her room in excitement.

Meanwhile, Ana watched from her spot on the kitchen sink as Ross worked up the courage to talk to Rachel. Winning the argument with himself, Ross hovered over the blonde, giving her a tap on the shoulder. "Hey Rachel. You know, if you don't feel like being alone tonight, Joey and Chandler are helping me with my new furniture."

Ana's heart went out to her friend, despite how cute the brunette thought the two would look together, she knew neither of them were prepared for a relationship right now. Especially, Ross. So, she wasn't surprised when Rachel declined.

"Pheebs, Ana, you want to help?" Joey asked the two women.

"Oh, I wish I could, but I don't want to." Phoebe denied.

Ana contemplated. She felt the need to cheer up Rachel, but she also wanted to help cheer up Ross. Her mind battled in a quick debate of the subject. Considering, the circumstances — Ross needed her more. The man just lost the wife he was deeply in love with for four years, to someone he believed was just her best friend. "I'll help out." She agreed.

PIECING THE FURNITURE together was a breeze for Ana. Despite the fact that her back was sore due to the hunching and her hands ached, nothing could knock down her feeling of accomplishment. In front of her sat Ross's almost completed small coffee table. She finished screwing the third (out of four screws) in, before giving her hand a break.

Rotating to face Joey and Chandler, Ana glanced at their bookshelf. There was only one complete shelf that was attached, while the other two shelves sat unevenly on the bars. In conclusion, it didn't look remotely close to a bookcase.

Confusion was evident on both males face as they found another piece of what they would assume to be apart of the bookshelf lying around. "What's this?" Joey raised a brow at his male friend.

Chandler sighed, already giving up, "I have no idea."

The Italian peered over his shoulder to see if Ross was paying attention before tossing the piece into the plant pot. "Finished with the bookcase!"

Anastasia couldn't help, but tsk at the two. That piece could have been essential to the whole bookcase.

Her tsk caught the attention of the two males. Chandler whipped around, pointing his index finger at her with one hand on his hip. "Hey, don't tsk us! This instruction manual was not easy on us. It's not like you're—"

The blonde's whisper yells were shelved as he laid eyes on the coffee table that stood before the female. "How— how'd you do that?"

Joey answered for her before she had a chance. "She's Ana. She can do anything." The man shrugged like his answer was nothing, for he truly believe the woman could do anything she put her mind to. The Latina has shown him her fierce determination plenty of times before.

Joey's comment left the golden beige women smiling and a bit flustered. "Not true, Joe. I actually just used the Spanish side of the instructions. They were completely understandable compared to the English side."

"Well— well you're not done!" Chandler pointed out.

"But actually," The woman paused mid sentence screwing the last screw in the table. "I am." She flashed Chandler a cheeky smile.

The tall man claimed his defeat with a shrug. "Yeah, ok."

The three were brought out of their conversation by the series of pained groans made by Ross. He walked into the small living area with a beer can in hand. "This was Carol's favorite beer," Ross said, holding up the can. "She would always drink it out of the can. I should have known." The sorrow in Ross's tone was evident. He was hung up bad, but it makes sense considering how long they've been married.

"Ross, let me ask you a question. She got the furniture, the stereo, the good TV. What did you get?" Joey asked.

"You guys."

Ana couldn't believe Carol left Ross like this. Her friend was in complete shambles, with no furniture and no wife. "Ross, I get that you and Carol were close," Ana started, putting a hand on his shoulder. "But she screwed you over."

"Badly." Joey and Chandler chimed in agreement.

"You know what the scariest part is? What if there's only one woman for everybody. What if you get one woman and that's it?" Ross sighed. The pessimistic thoughts taking over his mind.

Joey, who had went to the fridge to get himself another beer and Ana another water bottle, walked back to stand next to the woman with an appalled expression on his face. "What are you talking about? One woman." The man scoffed, handing Anastasia her bottle. "That's like saying there's only one flavor of ice cream for you."

The Italian began to list off different ice cream flavors and toppings. Chandler, who was on the other side of Ana gave her a nudge. "Are we still talking about ice cream?" He whispered to his friend with a confused gaze. Anastasia gave him a shrug in response.

"This is the best thing that ever happened to you. You got married, you were like what, eight? Welcome back to the world. Grab a spoon." Joey gave Ross a soft pat on the shoulder.

After Joey's speech, Ross gained a perplexed look. "I don't know if I'm hungry or horny."

"Stay out of my freezer." The disgust in Chandler's voice and on his face caused Ana to snort just as she was drinking her water. The liquid squirting from her nose to Ross' shirt.

"Ana, my shirt!" Ross cried.

The woman wiped the liquid from her face with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry!" She bit her lip, trying to contain her giggles as she thought about Chandler's reaction. "But did you see his face?" Her lip biting failed her as she convulsed with laughter.

The vigor of which she was laughing prompt the three boys to shake with laughter along with her. The apartment once filled with sorrow and dejection, now filled with joy.

THE NEXT MORNING, Anastasia had woken up earlier than expected. Due to having the most straightforward morning routine ever, the brunette had about an hour to kill before she was needed at work. She decided to head towards Monica's as Phoebe didn't have work until later, which meant she was sleeping now. Not to mention, Anastasia wouldn't mind hearing the details of Monica's date with Paul last night.

Finally, after all the morning traffic she endured Anastasia was at Monica's door. The Latina wasn't surprised when she was able to open the door with one twist of the doorknob. The youngest Gellar's door frequently seemed to be unlocked. The other day, Joey nearly gave the girls a heart attack when he bursted through the door, just to rummage through Monica's fridge.

Inside, she found Joey and Chandler seated at the kitchen table with Rachel scurrying around preparing something in the kitchen. "Morning." The curly haired brunette greeted.

Rachel froze, before sharply turning to face the woman, looking slightly startled. "So, that door is just, always open?"

"Yeah," The other three retorted in unison.

Noticing, the woman she was here for wasn't present, Ana sent a inquiring gaze to the men as Rachel went back to her work in the kitchen. "Monica's still sleep?"

Chandler was the one to answer. "Yeah. It's strange actually. She's up, like extremely early. All the time." The man stated as he tried to think of a morning the Gellar woman wasn't up early. "I'm honestly starting to question her sleeping schedule." Chandler concluded after moments of thinking.

Chuckling at her friend, Ana walked to the living room couch. Once seated, the woman snatched the remote off the coffee table, scrolling through channels. A goofy smile grew on her face when she fell upon her favorite show. Her plans to question Monica being immediately tossed to the back end due to the iconic duo that was Tom and Jerry, Ana's childish side reeling at the chance to watch one of her favorite cartoons.

As Rachel started to rant the curly haired woman's ears were more or less, mainly less, tuned in to the conversation.

"This is so exciting! I've never made coffee in my life!" The blonde declared, while shuffling around in the kitchen.

"If you feel the need to make a western omelette or something," Joey's suggestive tone being heard miles away. Gulps of what the woman would assume to be their coffee were discerned, but they were soon followed by the sound of liquid being quietly spat out. "Although actually, I'm not that hungry."

"Ana, do you want anything?" Rachel questions, in the mood to attempt cooking for anyone.

Turning around to face the three in the kitchen, Anastasia could see both Chandler and Joey mouthing no with extreme vigor. Deciding it was best to take their advice, she declined. "Oh no, I'm good. Thanks Rachel." The Latina confirmed, glad that she fed herself before she came to Monica's.

Just then, Monica walked out her room. "Morning."

"Morning." The others in the kitchen chimed except Anastasia, who sent a simple wave her way, her attention already back on the entertaining cartoon.

Then, to the suprise of everyone in the apartment, Paul walked out of Monica's room while putting on his jacket. The man slowed with an awkward smile once he noticed everyone in the apartment. "Morning."

"Hi Paul." Everyone, except Chandler replied, while Ana just gaped in shock.

"Hi. Paul, is it?" Chandler joked.

Monica walked Paul to the door. Joey and Chandler lifted up the kitchen table to move closer to the door in order to listen with Rachel following closely behind, and Ana leaning over the side of the couch.

Monica and Paul were whispering. The four couldn't hear much of what was said, but they saw them kiss. They all quietly awed. Afterwards, Monica walked back in with a dazed look on her face.

"That wasn't a real date." Joey teased, mocking what the Gellar woman said the previous day.

The tawny-brown haired woman finished his statement, resting her chin on the couch. "What the hell do you do on a real date?" Ana gave Monica a knowing look, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Shut up and put my table back." Monica barked at the Italian. She turned to Ana on the couch, pointing a finger at her. "And you, watch your cartoons."

"Yeah okay." Joey and Ana replied simultaneously. They both then proceeded to do what the woman asked of them.

Chandler gets up declaring his haste to get to work, but freezes when Rachel begins to speak. "So, you all have jobs?" The curiosity in her voice evident. Rachel never had a proper job, her parents always provided her with everything she needed.

Monica gave the blonde a sarcastic smile. "See, that's how we buy stuff."

"Yeah. I'm an actor." Joey smirked proudly.

"Wow. Have I seen you in anything?" Rachel asked, strolling over to sit in the chair Chandler had just gotten up from.

"Probably not. I do mostly regional work." Joey sighed.

"Yea, only because people can't see real talent when it's shoved in their face." Ana chimed from the couch, tearing her attention away from the television towards her friends in the kitchen. "But they'll see, it just takes time is all. Sooner or later, you'll be going big time."

The man had real potential and she could understand how frustrating it could be for him to be stuck doing regional work, so she took it upon herself to always encourage him when he's down about it.

"Thanks, Ana." Joey brighten up at the brunette's statement, appreciating her support.

"Anytime." Ana grinned.

Rachel couldn't help, but admire the two friends interaction with each other. She honestly didn't mind being friends with people like this."So, what do you do, Ana?" Her eyes curious as she noted the white athletic leisure the Latina bore.

Anastasia's outfit consisted of white sweatpants that hugged her hips, but fell loosely around her legs with a white Puma tank and a white Puma sweatband wrapped around her head to match. It wasn't unusual to see the woman in such clothing considering her position. Ana smiled, she would never object to chatting about her job as she did something she enjoyed. "Oh, I'm a dance instructor. I teach classes at NYSA."

"Omg, New York School of Arts? That's the best dance school in New York! I've heard some of the best dancers started their career there." Rachel gushed.

"Yeah, it's an amazing institute." Ana stated, her eyes falling on the time on the clock. "Anyway, we have to go to work." She headed out the door, whilst grasping on Joey and Chandler's shirts. "See you later." The apartment door shut, right after the two female's inside uttered their farewells.

"Uhh honey?" Chandler queried in a honeyed tone."Where are you going? I thought your classes didn't start for another thirty minutes?"

"Oh, it doesn't," Anastasia nodded in confirmation. "But, I'd rather be there early, then be here when Monica realizes Rachel touched her kitchen."

Coming to the same discernment, the two man winced in unison, picturing the fit the youngest Geller would throw.

"IS IT ME? Is it like I have some sort of beacon that only dogs and men with severe emotional problems can hear?" Monica's emotional rant being the first thing Ana heard as she walked into Central Perk.

"Alright, come here, give me your feet." Phoebe demanded, beckoning Monica over to the couch, where she started to massage her foot.

Ana stopped just behind the couch where Monica and Phoebe sat. "What happened?" She directed her question to the rest of the group as Monica was too busy wallowing.

After Joey relayed the situation to Ana, she was right by Monica's side, sitting on the arm rest of the couch, rubbing her shoulder. "Forget about him Mon, he's just a jerk that couldn't get a woman being who he is, so he had to lie instead."

"Yeah, but I thought he was nice, you know?" Monica frowned, running her hands along the wool of the couch. She couldn't believe she was gullible enough to believe his lies.

"I cant believe you didn't know it was a line." Joey chuckled after the moment of silence. Ana rolled her eyes, before sending the man a sharp glare. "Sorry." The man coughed as he looked away.

The bell of coffee shop's door jingled, announcing someone's presence. "Guess what?" Rachel inquired, happily strutting into the shop with bags in her hands.

Ross immediately perked up at the sight of the blonde. "You got a job?"

"Are you kidding? I'm trained for nothing," Rachel laughed. "I was laughed out of 12 interviews today." She explained with a smile on her face.

"Yet, you're surprisingly upbeat?" Chandler points out, confused. Anyone else would probably be experiencing a breakdown or be humiliated after getting laughed out of a dozen interviews.

"Well you would be too, if you found Joan and David boots on sale, 50 percent off." The blonde then presenting the Joan and David shoe box to everyone.

The man deadpanned at the reply. "Oh, how you know me so well." Chandler sarcastically drawled.

"Their my new 'I-don't-need-a-job, I-don't-need-my-parents, I've-got-great-boots' boots." Rachel explained, admiring the boots and their detail.

"How'd you pay for them?" Ana demands, while crossing her arms.

"A credit card." Rachel aimlessly replied, tucking the boots back into their shoebox.

"And who pays for that?" Monica asked with raised brows.

"Uh, my—" Rachel visibly faltered at the inquiry. "My father." She muttered, fiddling with a lock of her hair.

AFTER RACHEL'S ADMITTANCE, the group decided it was time for an intervention. They finished off their drinks before heading to Monica's (and now Rachel's too) apartment. Everyone was crowded in the kitchen. Rachel seated at the middle of the table with the six friends hovering all around her.

"Come on. You can't live off your parents your whole life." Monica urges after dropping the scissors on the table.

"I know that," Rachel whined. "That's why I was getting married."

Phoebe held her hand up to halt Monica in her lecture. "Give her a break. It's hard being on your own for the first time." Phoebe interjected.

"Thank you." Rachel grinned weakly in appreciation.

"Your welcome. I remember when I first came to this city. I was 14, my mom had just killed herself and my stepdad was back in prison," Phoebe ranted. "I got here and I didn't know anybody. And I ended up living with this albino guy who was like, cleaning windshields outside port authority and then he killed himself and then I found aroma therapy. So, believe me I know exactly how you feel." Phoebe grabbed Rachel's hand with a smile, before getting up, leaving Rachel to stare at her spot in horror.

Recognizing that Phoebe's speech did nothing, but frighten Rachel more, Anastasia chose to give her a heart-to-heart. She sat in Phoebe's previous spot, capturing the blonde's attention. "I believe what Phoebe failed to mention in her— uh speech, was that it can be difficult at first," Ana thought back to the time when she first came to the city — her emotions ranging from loneliness, fright, and determination.

Subsequently, the memories of when life in the city became simpler for her emerged. "But things will soon become easier and you'll be proud to admit you didn't need your parents help." The Hispanic woman clutched Rachel's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "And if you have any troubles, well, you have us."

"Okay. I think I'm ready to cut." Rachel announced, feeling a sudden urge of determination and confidence within herself.

The soft beige skinned woman couldn't help, but feel pride swell within her. Rachel was gonna do just fine. Yeah, it may take time, but she was a strong and determined woman. Those two traits on their own can get you to many places.

Ross handed Rachel the cards as she cut them, one by one with the orange scissors. Not pausing until all five were sliced in half.

"Yeah!" The friends celebrated, happy for the big step Rachel took.

"Welcome to the real world. It sucks, you're going to love it." Monica smiled excitedly, hugging the blonde.

word count: 3546
here's a long chapter for you all, it was a lot of hard work, but i'm proud of it for the most part. i put some moments in there where you could see ana's relationship with almost everyone, so enjoy that. also nysa is not an actual dance school, i made it up bc i didn't feel like finding a dance school that was famous and popular during that time period. please share your feedback and vote!