Don't Turn Off The Lights
Part 2

[Okay, well here is the next, and most likely final part. This wasn't a series that could be really long like some of my others. I hope the other part wasn't too unrealistic. I didn't get to read reviews yet, so I dunno what you guys though. However, I'm finishing it anyway!]

Monica asked Helen. Had she just heard her right?

Chandler. He's dead, Helen repeated. I'm sorry, Monica.

Well.....what, what happened?

The police man said he was hit by a car. He died immediately.

This doesn't make any sense.... Monica said. Are, are you sure?
That's what the man on the phone said.

But... he can't be dead! Monica said, tears starting to flow. He was just here, like forty-five minutes ago!

That's how fast things like this can happen, Helen said.

Oh my God! Monica said, through her tears.

The police asked for you to give them a call when you could. They wanted to talk to you about Chandler. He said for you to call him as soon as he could. Officer Hecht or something.

Okay... okay, Monica said, trying to breathe properly. You think you could just, just take Emma back over to Ross and Rachel's? I don't want her to see me like this, and I need to be alone. Well, she didn't want this aunt she barely knew around trying to comfort her, that was.

Sure, I understand. She took Emma by the hand. You want me to take Elizabeth?

Oh, no. No. I need her here with me.

Okay. I'll come by to check on you soon.

Monica said as the door closed. She fell onto the couch, staring straight ahead, in a daze, until Elizabeth cried. She jumped, then got up and went into Elizabeth's room and picked her up. She needed her to be near her now. Her husband was dead, and all she had left was her four month-old daughter who wouldn't remember him.

The phone rang, making her jump again. Out of habit, she snatched it up, even though right now the last thing she wanted was to talk on the phone. The tears were still falling silently.

she whispered, barely being able to make her voice work.

Hi, um, is Monica there? the voice on the other end asked.

This is Monica.

Oh Monica! Thank goodness. This is Officer Hecht, a man said on the other line. Mrs. Bing, I'm glad to hear from you. Now just calm down, everything is fine.

What's the matter? she wondered.

Nothing's the matter, he said. I just thought that you'd like to know something about your husband.

Monica asked.

He's alive.

she asked.

Mrs. Bing. Let me explain. Your aunt, Helen, we've been watching her for a while. Ever since she supposedly sold drugs to teens. So I introduced myself to her as a man named Casper Randall. That's not my real name. I'm really Anthony Hecht. However, she thinks I'm Casper. And she thinks that Casper is a hit man. So she hired me to do away with Mr. Bing, here, but of course, I didn't. I'm an undercover officer, and once she pays me for supposedly killing your husband, we're going to arrest her.

Wait, wait, wait. So he's fine?



So why did you call me to tell me he was dead?

We weren't calling you to tell you he was dead. We were calling you to fill you in on the plan. But, I introduced myself as an officer, and Helen answered the phone, so I had to say he was dead so that she'd think her plan was carried out as planned.

Jeez, you scared me half to death! she said.

We're terribly sorry, Mrs. Bing.

So where is he?

He's here at the station with us. You are going to have to keep on pretending that he's dead around your aunt, though, okay?

Yeah, sure, Monica said. Just as long as he's not.

He's fine. I want you to know that. Everyone is playing along with us, Mrs. Bing. Even the coroner. He's supposed to tell your aunt that your husband's body is with him. So no matter what you hear, from who, it's not true. He's alive. Would you like to talk to him?

Ummmm, YEAH! Monica said. She was suddenly filled with relief that everything was okay. She looked down at Elizabeth in her arms and smiled. She would know her father after all.

Hi Sweetie, Chandler's voice rang out over the phone. Monica's face broke into a smile.

Hey you, she said. My God, you scared me! I thought you really were dead!

You can't get rid of me that easily, Chandler said with a smile on his face. Are you okay?

Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, now, Monica said. Just a little freaked out. And wondering why she would try to kill you!

Oh, yeah, she told Casper' that she wanted me dead because I was cheating on you.

Where would she get that ide- Monica stopped, remembering the conversation he had had with Ross on the phone last Friday. Oh my God, she heard you on the phone, didn't she! Monica realized.

Yeah, I'm guessing. She did come in not too long after that. She doesn't know you and me, and how we play like that.

But, she arrange to have you KILLED because of that?

Well, no. Apparently she thought I was abusing you, too.

Wait, what? WHY?

I don't know. Probably something else she heard that night.

Oh. Yeah. Remember when we were talking about pay back and punishment and all that?

And sounding serious?

Yeah. That probably did it. Oh, God, then you tickled me and I screamed...she probably thought that you were abusing me right then!
Most likely. She said she was afraid Elizabeth was next.

That BITCH! Monica said. How dare she try to have you killed?!?!!

Mon, it's okay. I'm not dead.

No, it's NOT okay! she said, rocking Elizabeth back and forth. If she hadn't sold drugs to teens, the police wouldn't have been following her, and you would've REALLY been KILLED!

Sweetie, calm down. Just be glad that it worked out okay, okay?

Yeah, okay, she said. So when are they gonna arrest her? When can you come out of hiding?

Officer Hecht's going undercover for the payment tonight. So hopefully I'll be home tomorrow.

Okay, good, she said.

Where's Elizabeth?

She's right here, Monica said, smiling at her daughter. Look, someone's coming, it might be her. I gotta go.

Okay, Sweetie. I love you. Kiss Ella for me.

I love you, too. I will, she said, before hanging up. A few seconds later there was a knock at the door, which meant it must be Helen. She went over and answered it, putting on her best upset and sad face.

Monica, Dear, Helen said, giving her a hug. She had apparently ditched Emma somewhere....like with Joey. This really has you upset?

Of course it does! she practically yelled. This was my husband that I loved very very much.

Monica, it's going to be okay, Helen said. You and Elizabeth.....you'll be better off this way.

She'll be better off without a father? Monica asked.

Helen said.

She's not gonna have any siblings now, either! Monica said.

Monica, you never know. There's other men out there. Wonderful, caring men.

Chandler was caring, Monica snapped. I don't want any of the other men, anyway, she said. Ella will just have to be an only child.

That girl sure does have a lot of nicknames, Helen said.

Yeah. Ella, Ellie, Liz, Lizzy, Eliza, Beth, Monica said. She was going to be just Ella at first. But then we thought Emma and Ella were too close for cousins. And we wanted another classic name like Emma, so the family would all fit. So we used Elizabeth, which we both loved, and that way we still had the nickname Ella available. We wanted all our kids to have classic names....none of that Riley and Ryan on a girl trendy stuff that's going on nowadays. Those are boys names.

Those are becoming unisex now, though.

Just because a lot of people name their daughters boys' names doesn't make them unisex. Names are unisex by ORIGIN, not popularity.

When did you become an Onomatologist? Helen asked. Monica smiled weakly.

When I was pregnant with Elizabeth, Monica said, I had to find the most perfect name. Elizabeth Shea seemed to be it. She paused, acting more upset. I always passed over names that I liked, thinking Maybe next time.' I guess now there is no next time.

Never say never, Monica.

You didn't know me, Aunt Helen. You didn't know him. I was never really in love until him. We were just....perfect. I always wondered what I'd do without him. Now I guess I'm gonna find out.

Monica, maybe this is for the best.

How would you know? she asked, still rocking Elizabeth. You've known me what, three days? How the HELL would you know what our relationship was like? He was my LIFE.

Monica, I think you're confused.

I'm not confused, Aunt Helen. If you can't see that, then maybe you should go.

I'm gonna give you some more time to be alone, she said quietly, and slipped out. When she was gone, Monica smiled. She looked at Elizabeth and played with her hand.

I love it when Daddy and I have a secret no one else knows, she said. Elizabeth responded by smiling. Monica told her.

It was nearly six that night, and Monica was clueless as to how no one else in the gang seemed to think Chandler was dead. Although none of them had been home all day. Unless Helen told them, how would they know? Because in all reality he wasn't.

Monica figured that Helen was getting ready to go meet with Casper.' She had dropped by a few minutes earlier....the first time she had seen her since her outburst that morning, and said she just wanted to see if Monica was doing okay before she went out.' Monica said she was fine, but she was thinking that she'd really be fine once Helen was arrested. Some AUNT! Her mother must've been right about her.


You're late, Helen said sharply as Officer Hecht, disguised as Casper, got in the car she was waiting in. He was wired, and his collages were in a van near by, getting evidence on tape.

he said.

So, the job got done? dhe asked. He nodded.

Yes M'am.

Good. I believe you because I got a call from the police. Plus I called the coroner and he confirmed it.

I guarantee it, it's done, he said.

Did you get rid of the evidence? The car, the clothes you were wearing?
This is not my first job, M'am. I know how to do it.

Okay, sorry. I just want to make sure it's done right.

It's done, he said. Everyone should be happy.

Yeah, except for the one who died.

Look, am I gonna get paid here or what? Officer Hecht asked. He had gotten what they needed.....her admitting to someone being dead.

Okay, here's the money. She held up a few stacks of bills. But first, are you sure that you've covered yourself? Cops are sneaky.

Did you ever know a cop?



Well, now you do, he said, pulling out his badge. [AN: Okay, that last line came EXACTLY from the movie, but I loooooooved it.]

Wha, what?

NYPD, M'am, and you're under arrest. Police officers appeared from the van to back him up.

She said. Damnit, damnit, damnit!!

Nice knowing ya, Officer Hecht said as one of his co-workers put her in the back of a police car. You're gonna finally get what you deserve.


Hey Babe, Chandler said, walking through the door of their apartment that night. Monica hadn't expected him home until morning. She had put Elizabeth to bed and was brushing her teeth when he came in.

she said. I thought you weren't going to be home until morning?

Well, Helen was in custody, and they had nowhere for me to sleep, so... here I am. She smiled at him for a second before hugging him long and tightly.

I've never been so scared as I was this morning, she said.

I know, Sweetie. But I'm here.

Thank God, she said. She gave him a long kiss, then smiled as they looked into each other's eyes. She ran her hand over his shoulders and arms, almost amazed that he was fine. I love you. \

I love you, too, he told her. But your aunt...

Monica giggled. Yeah, I know.

So I see you got ready for bed without me, he said, gesturing to her attire: a pair of his boxers and a t-shirt.

Yeah, sorry, she joked.

Oh, I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry that you're gonna have to take them off.

She raised her eyebrows. Why's that? she asked.

C'mon, Monica, he said, kissing her. By now you really shouldn't have to ask that.

She smiled, then turned her face serious. Okay, yeah, I should've asked before I wore these, she said, pretending to be serious and go back into the bedroom. He stopped her and spun her around.

Silly Monica, he said. Why would I want to wear those after you've been wearing them? She frowned and playfully slapped him. Now, see, I really don't get how I'M the one accused of abusing YOU when YOU hit ME.

No, you see, I just get away with things. No one expects the woman to be hitting the man, she paused, then turned serious. I'm sorry about all this. I feel terrible. I mean, you could've DIED, just because you and I were being you and I and goofing around. If I remember correctly, I WAS the one who pushed you first and started it all. It was all my fault.

he said, putting his arms around her. It wasn't your fault, Sweetie. That's just you and me. Besides, she got the impression that I was abusing you, and she was hearing me, not seeing you.

The strangest thing was the whole time she was with me today, she kept dropping hints to me about how you were abusive, and I just couldn't picture it.

Yeah, that's because you know that if anyone hurts anyone in this relationship, it's gonna be you hurting me, he joked.

Oh, come on. You say I'm freakishly strong', but you're not so bad yourself sometimes. She thought for a second. But really. She kept saying all this stuff, and how there were other men who care, but I kept thinking that if there was anyone in the world who did care about me and wouldn't hurt me... it was you.

I'm sure there's other men out there who wouldn't hurt you, he said, before she started in on a panic.

Yeah, maybe physically, she said. But emotionally, every other man I've ever had a relationship with has hurt me. But not you.

Yeah, and I never will, Mon. You know I love you, he said. And I promise you... you'll never be hurt if you stick with me. She smiled at him and hugged him.

I know. Too bad this wasn't the conversation she decided to eavesdrop on, Monica said.

Yeah, true. But this way I got to be part of an undercover police investigation.

You're too optimistic sometimes, she said with a smile.

Okay, then, he said. Damn you, damn your aunt. I could've died. I'm leaving you and taking Elizabeth.

She rolled her eyes. Well, maybe optimistic is better than you hating me.

So if now you think I hate you, maybe I should show you just how much I like you.

Can you do it with the boxers on? she joked. Cause I just put these on.

Sorry, Mon, he said, scooping her up into his arms. No can do.

Fine. But only because I feel sorry for you, what with your wife's aunt trying to kill you.




Well, she's out of here! Chandler said to Monica the night of Helen's trial. She had been found guilty, after Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, and some other people Helen knew had testified. Ross and Rachel had Elizabeth for the night so that they could celebrate' Helen getting what she deserved.

Thank God! Monica said. You're safe now.

Yeah, from her. I still have to deal with you.

Oh, haha, she said, laughing. She leaned in and kissed him, the kiss ending up being longer and passionate than it was intended to be. She pulled away from him and smiled. You know, when they asked me on the stand if you ever hurt me and I said no... I kinda lied.



Yeah, remember that time when you picked me up and carried me out of the apartment, and hit my head on the door?

When we were secretly dating?



Some things I'll never live down.

That was fun, though, she said.

Hitting your head was fun?

No... the secret dating.

Yeah, it was. And then when you were pregnant with Elizabeth, no one knew for a while. That was our own little secret, too.

Yeah. I think we need a new secret, she said.

I've got one, he said.



I love you.

That's not a secret! she said.

Well, maybe not. But it's true.

She shook her head and smiled. I love you, too, she said.

Shush, someone might hear the secret.

She rolled her eyes at him. Well? Now what?

We're supposed to be celebrating, he said. And usually when we celebrate, you know what we do.

She giggled. Are you sure you're not worn out from Jessica and Hillary? she asked with a giggle.

he said. I didn't see either of them today.

I love you, she said with a giggle and a smile that was only for him.

I love you, too, he said. But, like I said, that aunt of yours...



THE END.
Yeah, the ending kinda sucked, but that's okay! Anyways, this is dedicated to my bestest friend ever, the only person who calls me sweetie. :-) I don't know what I'd do without her. =D.

This story was based on the idea from the movie Mother Knows Best on Lifetime. I have nothing to do with either Friends or the Mother Knows Best, I simply took their idea (and a few lines) and plugged it into Friends. Please, no suing me. All I have is pocket change, anyway. ;-).