Funny, The Things We Remember
Part 1

[This is the first part out of an unknown amount of parts. I'm pretty sure it should be more than one, though. However I want to get this done as fast as I can, because once school starts (Winter Break!) I'll be out of time, especially with finals and everything in about a month. I'm liking my idea, so far, so let's hope it comes out well. I think I read a fic that did parts of this that will be similar. Hope the author doesn't mind. It should only be a little thing that's the same, anyway.]

With his six year-old daughter running around and screaming, Chandler didn't notice that it was late. He didn't notice that Monica wasn't home. He didn't notice that she should have been home by now. All he noticed was that his daughter was full of energy, and making a mess throughout the house. He followed behind her, picking up what she left behind. He finally did notice, though, when he got her to sit down at the kitchen table to do her math homework. That was when he noticed.

He glanced at the clock, worriedly. Then he just figured that she had stopped by Ross and Rachel's to give Emma her birthday gift. Or maybe she was caught up at work. Or she could have stopped by a store to get a gift for the girl who was having a birthday party that weekend. But he knew that she would have told him if she was going to do any of that. He knew that she would call him if she was late.

Daddy, I don't understand this! He was jolted back to reality by his daughter's small voice.

What don't you understand?

It says ten minus twenty-three. How can you take three away from zero?

It's easy, Sweetie, look, he said, taking a pencil and a piece of scratch paper to show her how to borrow. He knew that Monica had just shown her that the other day. Although she had a habit of not paying attention to her mother when she tried to help her. And it was apparent that she had a habit of not paying attention to her teacher, either.

Just as he finished showing her how to do the problem, the phone rang. He knew he didn't want to answer it. He knew it before it rang. He heard it ring twice before he even moved for it. He swore that he walked to it in slow motion and that each ring was a minute long, louder than the last. He knew he didn't want to answer it, even as he picked it up and said hello.


Pulling out of Ross and Rachel's driveway, he knew that he shouldn't be driving. He wasn't thinking clearly. He had tried as hard as he could for the fifteen minute drive to Ross and Rachel's to not think about it. Not with the kids in the car. But now that he dropped them off with Ross and Rachel and it was only him in the car, his mind started to wander.

When he got to the hospital, he walked from the car to the fifth floor in a daze. He asked about Monica at the desk, and a doctor overheard him. He approached him to tell him about his wife. Holding his breath, Chandler waited for him to tell him what had happened. He had no idea what had happened, what had happened to her, anything.

Mr. Bing-

Is she okay? he interrupted her.

the doctor said. He let his breath out in a sigh of relief. Mr. Bing, your wife was in a car accident. She's physically fine. A few scrapes and bruises, but nothing broken and nothing else wrong. However-

Why does there have to be a however?

However, she hit her head pretty good. She's awake now. She just woke up a few minutes before you arrived. We talked to her, and asked her simple questions. Her name, the date, the president. It seems that she thinks it's early 1999.

Are you saying she has AMNESIA?

No, not amnesia, per say. Amnesia hardly ever happens. Only on soap operas and Lifetime movies.

But you said she thinks it's 1999.

Yes, but she knows her name. Well, I think. She says she's Monica Geller. I take it you weren't married in 1999?

No, not until 2001.

What she has is temporary memory loss, Mr. Bing. She knows who she is, she knows everything about 1999. She's just reverted back to then.

But why 1999?

Hard to say. Maybe something bad happened then? Something big? Something important? Or maybe she just liked that year. It could be anything.

Well, so what do we do?

We wait. It's temporary, in most cases.

So you're saying she might not ever get her memory back?

It's a small chance, but it could happen. But I'm sure it will come back.

Well, what do I say to her? Do we tell her it's not 1999?

You should. Otherwise, she's going to be confused when she finds out she's married to you. Let her in on things. Like that you two are married. Were you together at all in 1999?

Yeah, all of it.

Okay, then she knows you and knows you two are together. The marriage shouldn't shock her too much.

Oh, believe me. It will. You didn't know 1999 me.

Mr. Bing, just don't let her in on EVERYTHING. You know, your marriage, kids, big events, that's fine. But all the small things, let her remember on her own. We have to save something for her to remember.

Right, that makes sense, he paused. Can I see her now?

Yes. She's in that room over there, the doctor pointed at a door.

Chandler said. The doctor nodded.


He sat down in a chair next to her bed and took her hand. Her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn't asleep.

she said, opening her eyes at the feel of his hand.

Hey Babe. Thanks for the scare.

she said.

Don't be sorry. You're fine. Look, you didn't even break anything.

She smiled weakly. They said I was in a car accident. I don't remember it, though.

Well you must've been to get yourself here.

I guess, she shrugged.

How do you feel?

she said. Confused, mostly.

You're gonna be fine, Sweetie, he said as he kissed her on the head.
You look different somehow, she said.

Okay, Sweetie, I know this is gonna confuse you even more....

Oh, no.

I was talking to your doctor outside. He said you think it's 1999.

Well, yeah. Because it IS, she said.

Monica, it's not.

What do you mean it's not?

I mean it's not 1999. You hit your head in the accident, and they think you've suffered memory loss.

Now is not the time to joke with me, she said.

I'm not joking. Wouldn't that explain why I look different?

Well....I guess. But it's impossible, I KNOW it's 1999.

It's 2010.

she asked. So you're trying to tell me that I just forgot eleven years of my life? He didn't answer her, only pointed to the calendar on the wall. She followed his hand and gasped.

You're telling the truth, she said. It's really 2010?



But what.....how....when....I just forgot eleven years?

It's going to come back to you, Mon. Just give it time.

Time!? I forgot eleven years of my life! Don't you think that's enough time?!

Sweetie, you have to calm down. This isn't good for you.

You're right. It's just....UGH! She laid back on the bed. Well? Whatever happened to....you know....you and me?

What do you mean?

When did it end? How did it end? Are we still friends? Or did you hear about this and come and see me and it's the first time in eleven years you've seen me?

I saw you this morning, he told her.

So we are still friends, she said. But, what happened to us?
He held up his left hand which contained his wedding ring. This happened.

Oh my God, she said in a whisper, her hand flying to cover her open mouth. Oh my God, oh my God. She looked down at her own hand. Oh my GOD! she said, looking at the ring that was still on her left hand.

I don't know how to take it that you're freaking out this much.

We got married?!? she asked in a whisper.
Most definitely did, he said.

So this is like, a husband finds out his wife was in an accident and comes to see her thing??

Ummm, yeah, that's about right, he said, confused.

I missed our wedding! I mean, I forgot our wedding! she whined.

Mon, c'mon, relax.

Relax? You weren't the one who just forgot our wedding! And engagement! And everything else that I can't remember to tell you that I forgot!!

Sweetie, this isn't good for you, he said. I know it's frustrating. I know it sucks, but you have to relax. You have to not worry about this now.

But Chandler.....

he said, giving her a look.

she said.



Since when did you become so forceful?

It's been there a while, now, he said. Thanks to Natalie- he stopped mi-sentence.

Natalie? Who's Natalie? she asked. He looked away and didn't know what to say. He knew this was going to hurt her even more than finding out about the wedding. She's our daughter, isn't she? she asked in a low whisper, so low that he could barely hear it. He only nodded, and looked into her sad, scared, confused eyes. How old is she?



Do, do.....do we have more kids? she asked, slowly. He nodded.

You have to tell me about them, she pleaded.
Natalie is the oldest. She's six. Then there's Lauren who's four. And the youngest is Jack. He's just one.

Two girls and a boy, she said, sadly. My dream family. And I forgot them. Why did we name him Jack? she asked, curiously.

Well, it's not really a great story.

Chandler Bing, you tell me right now!

Well, when you got pregnant with him, your dad got sick. He died just minutes before Jack was born, and we named him after your father.

My dad died?

Sweetie, I'm sorry....

No, it's okay, she said. I just....I don't get it. Hours ago, I knew all this. I could describe our kids to you. Now I just found out that I had them and that I'm married.

You're gonna be fine. I'm sure it will all come back to you in a few days.

What if it doesn't? she asked, with a look that said she was scared.

It will, Monica. It will, I promise. Only this time, he worried that he wouldn't keep his promise.


Three days later, the doctor said that Monica was showing signs of a full recovery, except for the memory part. He said that it could take just a few days longer, or months longer for her to get her memory back. He told Chandler that he was going to release her.

Good news, Babe, Chandler said when he walked into her hospital room. He had just dropped Natalie off at school, and Lauren off at pre-school. He had left Jack with Phoebe, he was afraid of bringing the kids to see Monica just yet.

You found my meomory and the doctor's are going to surgically give it back to me?

Okay....I have news. Your doctor said you can go home.

she asked. Then she frowned.

What's the matter.

It's just....where's home?

I know you don't know this home as home, but maybe it can help you remember things. You know the house that you know but you don't know.

I can only hope, she smiled. But, Chandler, wait about--

I'm gonna talk to them tonight. Natalie and Lauren will be good. But you're gonna have to remember that Jack isn't gonna understand.

Good, that's okay, she said. At least I'll know they really are my kids if one of them isn't being all careful around me.

They all miss you so much, so you can't expect them to totally be careful. Lauren is really attached to you.

To me?



Well, I just figured they'd all be attached to you, not me.

They love you very much, Mon.

I know. That's what makes me feel so guilty and terrible.


Okay, girls, Chandler said that night. He sat on the coffee table facing Natalie and Lauren. You know I told you how Mommy was in a car accident and she was getting better in the hospital?

Natalie said. Lauren nodded.

Well, her doctor said she can come home.

Natalie asked.

Tomorrow, Sweetie. But.....

Awww, don't say but, Daddy! Lauren whined.

Look, girls, I know this is going to be hard to understand....

Is Mommy missing an arm?! Natalie asked.

No, Natalie....

A leg???





I could have told you by now, Chandler said. Natalie shrugged and closed her mouth. Look, Mommy hit her head really hard when she was in the accident. It made her forget things.

Like on TV? Natalie asked. Like on Uncle Joey's show?!?

Yeah, kinda, Chandler said.

Oh, like the woman who fell in the ditch and got Manesia? Lauren asked. She thinks her name is Helen now!

Kinda like that. It's AMNESIA, and Mommy doesn't have that. She still knows her name and my name, and everything that happened until 1999. She forgot everything after that.

So she doesn't remember anything abut us? Natalie asked.

No. And it's not because she doesn't want to, she can't help it. She's really upset that she forgot so much. And she's VERY mad at herself for forgetting that she had kids.

But it isn't her fault! Lauren said.

Right. So we have to make her feel better. Just be careful what you say to her. Remember that she's really confused.

Will she ever remember? Natalie asked.

Yes! She will. Soon. Just don't tell her too many things she's forgotten. Tell her things that she needs to know, but not things that she doesn't need to know. That way she can remember them on her own.

Like that the neighbors' dog is named Trigger? Natalie asked.



But we tell her about Emma? Lauren asked.

Chandler said. He realized that no one had mentioned eight year-old Emma to Monica. Ross and Rachel had visited a few times, but hadn't mentioned their daughter to Monica. Yeah, Emma's okay.


Natalie, hurry up! Chandler yelled up the stairs the next morning. Lauren was sitting in the chair next to the door, ready to go. He was holding Jack, who was sleeping in his arms.

Natalie said. When she didn't appear a minute later, Chandler looked at his watch and sighed.

Natalie, right NOW! We're late. She ran down the stairs a second later. It was her new thing to get her clothes just right in the morning and make sure everything matched.

Lauren screeched as they were about to go out the door.



My jacket! she said. She ran back inside and up the stairs to get her jacket.

Mommy always did this part best, didn't she? Natalie asked, reading his thoughts. He looked down at her and nodded as Lauren ran back out the door.

Okay, that's the last call. Everything else in the house stays in the house! he said, pulling the door closed behind them.


He walked into the hospital with Jack. He hadn't told Monica that he was going to bring Jack with him, and he hadn't even known he was going to until that morning. He decided he should ease her into the kid thing.

He knocked on the door to her room.

Come in! he heard her yell. He gently pushed the door open, and looked in.

Since when do you knock? she asked. She was out of bed and getting ready to leave. She had just taken a shower and gotten dressed in clothes he had brought her a few days ago.

Well, I kinda didn't want to just rush in here today, he said. Jack was still hidden by the door. Since I brought someone with me. He said, coming in and closing the door. She whirled around and saw Jack in his arms.

Oh my God. She said. That's....that's Jack?

The one and only, he said.

Her eyes filled with tears. My.....my son?

Sure hope he's yours, he joked.

He's gorgeous. Monica said. He looks like you.

I know, Chandler said.

Can I.... she asked, holding her arms out. Chandler nodded and let his sleeping son go into her arms.

How could I forget this? Monica asked, breathing in the scent of Jack's hair. How could I forget my son? How could I forget this feeling? This is definitely the best feeling, ever.

He doesn't spark any memories? Chandler asked. He had kind of been hoping the kids would help her to get her memory back.

She said in a whisper. That's the worst part.


!!!To be continued!!!
I know it was semi-short, but, it was was to get you in the mood!