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 café. 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?"
"If you need me, I'm there, but I definitely need to get back to my apartment tonight. You can call me anytime, and I'll get right over to your place. Or, you can show up at my place, even if you just want a quickie. Okay."
"I--" Ross caught himself just in time. "I'll talk to you later. Bye."
Ross had been in love with Rachel, in one way or another, since the moment he met her, ten years previously, when she was sixteen. His affection for her only deepened with the years, even in years in which they hardly saw one another or even communicated.
Ross had nearly said, "I love you." He had a powerful urge to say it, but it seemed more likely that he would blurt it out inadvertently, as he had nearly done several times the previous night, when Rachel rescued him from an emotional crisis. He did not expect Rachel to reciprocate, at least not yet. Telling her prematurely would put both of them in a terribly awkward position.
Ross was surprised at how many of his favorite classic rock songs dealt with this very situation. A couple, with one of them in love alone. The agonizing decision of when to declare love. What to do if the beloved does not say it back. There were "Amanda" and "The man I'll never be" by Boston, and Foreigner's "I've been waiting for a girl like you." Ross bit his nails contemplating the problem. He remembered that Rachel hated this old habit of his. Now that she was his lover, he would probably have to give up biting his nails. He decided he would bite his nails until the next time he saw her, then go cold turkey.
Ross and Rachel communed by phone several times on Monday and Tuesday, without seeing each other. After 48 hours of abstinence, Ross could think of little else but sex on Tuesday afternoon. He had trouble controlling his erections. He resolved to wear a jock strap the next time he was away from Rachel for more than one day.
Ross needed to see Rachel Tuesday night, if only just for sex. Even though she had welcomed a visit from him just for sex, he knew doing so would make him feel like a bastard. He tried to think of an excuse to show up at Rachel's apartment. She hadn't left anything at his place. He had no reason to visit his sister unexpectedly. Finally, he hit upon the simplest idea of all, a dinner date.
"Rachel, it's me. How about I buy you dinner tonight? Somewhere close to your place, so it's convenient for you."
"That's a nice offer, Ross. Now tell me why you're really calling."
