The first Monday of their relationship was kind to Ross and Rachel. Rachel found that she had forgotten nothing of importance, so she did not have to make an emergency run to her apartment before work. They got ready for work, and had breakfast at a nearby cafΓ©. They kissed, and went to work in opposite directions. They both made it into work in plenty of time.
Ross called Rachel mid-morning, saying, "I'm just checking in, can you talk?"
Rachel replied, "Yes, I'm good here. How do you feel?"
"Great. You?"
Rachel said, "Also great, but everyone asks me how my weekend went, or God forbid, asks me what's new. I don't know what to tell them."
"Same here, Rach. I mean, were not keeping this a secret or anything, but it seems a little early to be telling co-workers, 'Yeah, I started a new, ultra-serious relationship on Saturday. It's going great, so far!' I think if anyone asks specifically if I'm seeing anyone, I'll tell them I recently started dating someone I've known for a while. How does that sound?"
"That sound perfect, Ross. I'll do the same, but that's only for people who aren't close friends or family. For the people who already know us both, let's stick with 'We're on the same page.' If they ask if its serious, 'We're on the same page.' If they ask if we're sleeping together, 'We're on the same page.' Like that."
"That's good. Obviously, there is a third category, being our very closest confidantes. Monica, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe, maybe our parents."
Rachel was mischievous, "Uh-huh, and what did you tell the guys yesterday, Ross?"
"I was very discrete, Rachel. They wanted all the gory details--no, make that the beautiful details, but I didn't give them much. They knew we'd spent the night together, of course, so I couldn't pull the wool over their eyes, entirely." Ross was talking faster and faster. Rachel smiled, knowing that Ross was struggling to withhold information from her. It was against his nature to deceive. She let him run on. "I mean, they knew we were together all night, so I couldn't very well say we didn't make love, right? They just wanted to know how many times, and what does that matter, anyway, right?"
Rachel felt that Ross had incriminated himself enough. She interrupted, "Ross, you told them everything, didn't you?"
"Oh, no, no. God no, not everything. Some of it...much of it...most of it, maybe." There was a pregnant pause, and he concluded, "Okay, almost everything, Rachel. I'm so sorry.'
Rachel laughed, "I knew it! Not only did I know that you told them everything, but I knew you couldn't keep that fact from me. It's fine, dear, I told Monica everything."
"Ewwwwww, she's my sister!"
"And my best friend, and your closest confidante all your life. Face it, Ross, we're living in a fishbowl. Everyone has x-ray vision. Apart from all that, how do you feel?"
"I feel good, I really do. You saved me from a night of misery last night, Rachel. I can't thank you enough."
"It's my new job, Ross. I've gotta go, though."
"Will I see you tonight?"