Eclipse

A/N: Okay, um...not sure how in-character they are here! Actually, that's not true...I know JOEY is in character...I think I wrote him very well. Chandler is a bit more difficult and I think he's a little off, but it's not TOO bad, I don't think. Chapter One was easier since the whole first part is a scene from TOW The Monkey, so it was kinda hard to mess it up, you know? Let me know how I did with this chapter! Oh and if you leave an e-mail with your review, I respond to them and also alert to updates. Please rate and review...they make me SOOO happy!!! ~ FA

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Joey rushed into the hallway, stopping when he saw Chandler leaning against the wall, a sulky pout on his face. He walked over and touched his best friend's arm. “Um, Chandler, are you mad at me?”

“Mad? Am I mad?” Chandler shot Joey a look. “Why would I be mad, Joe?” Joey winced as the biting sarcasm in Chandler's voice registered. “It's not bad enough that people have thought I was gay my whole life; you just had to kiss me in front of everyone?”

He shoved away from the wall and stormed into their apartment, sinking sulkily onto the couch. Joey followed quietly, afraid to say anything. After several long, silent minutes, he said. “But...but it wasn't even a kiss!”

Chandler shot Joey an incredulous look. “It wasn't?” When Joey nodded, looking pleased with himself, Chandler ran a hand through his hair and snapped. “Then what the hell was it, Joe? 'Cause is sure seemed like a kiss from where I was standing!”

“No, no, no...” Joey protested, trying to explain. “It...it was a peck. Not a kiss, just a peck. You know, nothing you wouldn't give a friend. It doesn't mean anything.”

Chandler frowned. It didn't mean anything...and that was true. A quick peck didn't mean anything. It didn't. The fact that his lips tingled...that did, though. The heat he felt low in his belly thinking about Joey's warm, firm mouth touching his...that did, too. He flicked his tongue across his lips and nearly groaned out loud. The fact that he was disappointed that he couldn't taste his best friend on his lips...well, that meant something. The fact that he wanted it to mean something...well, that in and of itself definitely meant something.

And Chandler knew it, even if Joey didn't. Even if Joey never would.

“Right.” Chandler stood up and headed for the door. “I'm going to go buy cigarettes. See you later, Joe.”

“What?” Joey ran after him, grabbing Chandler's arm just as he started up the hallway towards the stairs. “Chandler, no! You can't start smoking again just because I kissed you!”

Chandler rolled his eyes. “I thought you said it wasn't a kiss.”

Joey nodded. “I did. It wasn't. Which means I didn't kiss you, which means you have no reason to smoke!”

“Yes, I do.” Chandler replied, staring hard at Joey. “Now let go of my arm.”

Joey made a small, frustrated noise and tightened his hold on Chandler's arm. “But I didn't kiss you!” He insisted stubbornly.

Chandler debated internally for one, long moment. Then, with a silent 'What the hell.' he said quietly. “Exactly.”

He waited; watched as first confusion, then sudden understanding, and finally shock slid across Joey's expressive face. He felt Joey's grip loosen, then disappear completely as the Italian's hand fell limply at his side. Eyes wide, his mouth moving soundlessly, Joey simply stared. Chandler debated about making a joke; something smart and witty that would effectively rebuild the wall he'd just demolished. He shook his head and decided he really wanted that cigarette now.

“Sorry.” He muttered, turning away and taking a single step towards the stairs.

He felt a hand grab his arm; felt himself being whipped around. He felt the hard wall of the hallway hit his back, his head snapping quickly back from his momentum and his eyes closing swiftly. And even as Chandler felt the dull pain throb to life, radiating out from the back of his skull as it collided sharply with the wall a mere second after his back had, he braced himself for the fist he knew was coming. Would it hit his face? Or maybe his stomach? Maybe both...who could say how many times he'd get hit, after all.

Dimly, his brain registered Joey grabbing both of his upper arms. Even more dimly, it registered the feeling of a hard, hot body pressing him more firmly into the unyielding hardness that was the wall behind him. He squeezed his eyes shut even tighter, trying to prepare himself for the pain he knew was coming. He, of all people, knew how strong Joey was...and how well he could fight.

His eyes opened quickly when Joey's mouth touched his. He stood rigidly within Joey's grip, unsure why he was being kissed. Those firm lips pressed a bit harder against his own, parting slightly. He felt Joey's warm tongue flick over his lips and, in that moment, Chandler was lost. With a quiet whimper he parted his lips and eagerly sucked Joey's tongue into his mouth.

'Ohgodohgodohgod...' Chandler thought as that talented tongue explored his mouth, making him feel hot and shivery and like his legs had turned to jello. Joey ran his hands up Chandler's arms, then cupped his face in his hands like he had earlier. Chandler brought his hands up by Joey's stomach and grabbed his shirt, fisting his hands in the soft white cotton of his turtleneck and sort of melting into the kiss.

Joey pulled his mouth away from Chandler's and smiled down at him. Chandler blinked slowly up at him. Joey's grin widened and he nodded at Chandler, murmuring. “How you doin'?”

Chandler didn't know why, but those words snapped him out of his stupor. Unfisting his hands from Joey's shirt, he shoved the slightly taller man away from him. Surprised, Joey staggered back a few steps, staring at Chandler in confusion. Chandler was panting. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides and his face was pale, his features tight.

“Chandler?” Joey asked, his voice low and confused. “Is everything okay, buddy?”

“I'm not gay.” Chandler squeezed his eyes shut and wrapped his arms around his stomach, doubling over as if in pain. “I'm not gay!” He said it louder that time...more insistent.

He opened his eyes and stared at Joey; there was an almost crazy look on his face. His eyes literally burned into Joey's. It scared Joey a bit, how intense his best friend appeared in that moment. “I. Am. NOT. Gay.” He said each word firmly, as if doing so made them more real than the erection Joey had felt against his leg only a moment ago.

“Um, Chandler...” He said softly, reaching out his hand, about to point out that he hadn't been the only one actively kissing another man just now, but he never got the chance.

Chandler slapped Joey's hand away and snarled, “I'm not gay!” in a low, dangerous voice.

He stared, bewildered, as Chandler ran down the stairs and out of the building. He shook his head slowly and walked the few steps back into the apartment. It was obvious Chandler needed some time to calm down and Joey would just wait to talk to him until he got home. And, he decided, he wouldn't even yell if Chandler came back with cigarettes. After all, if there was ever a time when it was okay for Chandler to smoke...tonight was definitely it.