### Episode 22: "The One with the Ick Factor"
*(Featuring Rosé's Expanded Role in the Group, Deeper Conversations, and Humor, Following the Original Plot Framework)*
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**Opening Scene: Monica and Rachel's Apartment – Morning**
The episode opens with Monica sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading a book titled *"The New York Guide to Cooking for Perfectionists."* She's fully engrossed, flipping through pages with a mix of concentration and excitement. Rachel walks out of her room in a rush, buttoning up her blouse and looking like she's running late for work.
**Rachel:** (frustrated) "Mon, have you seen my other shoe? I swear it was right here!"
**Monica:** (without looking up) "Try the bathroom. Last time I saw it, you were balancing it on the edge of the sink while you were trying to dry your hair and talk to your mom."
Rachel sighs and darts into the bathroom to retrieve her missing shoe. Monica smirks to herself, proud of her ability to keep track of everything in the apartment. Just as Rachel re-emerges, tying her shoe, there's a knock at the door. Both women exchange a look—they weren't expecting anyone this early.
Rachel, still hopping on one foot, opens the door to reveal **Rosé**, holding a small potted plant and wearing his usual effortless smile. He steps in gracefully, and both Monica and Rachel pause for a moment, internally bracing themselves for the inevitable flutter of excitement they feel whenever he's around.
**Rosé:** (smiling) "Good morning. Thought I'd bring a little something for the apartment. A new plant, to add some greenery."
**Rachel:** (grinning) "Aw, you're so thoughtful, Rosé."
**Monica:** (nodding) "Yeah, thanks. I'll make sure to water it... once I figure out which of us is worse with plants."
Monica exchanges a quick glance with Rachel, who smirks, knowing full well they've killed their last three plants. Rachel grabs her bag, preparing to leave for work, but not before casting a quick look at Rosé.
**Rachel:** (teasing) "I'd love to stay and chat, but unless I want to get fired for the third time this year, I've got to run. Have fun without me."
Rachel winks at Monica, clearly aware of the tension between her and Rosé, then dashes out of the apartment. As the door closes behind her, Monica turns to Rosé, trying to seem nonchalant despite the sudden increase in her heart rate.
**Monica:** (casual) "So... what's with the plant? Feeling like you need to do something with your hands?"
**Rosé:** (chuckling) "No, I just thought your place could use a little more life. Besides, I'm good with plants. They don't demand much—just a bit of care, attention, and patience."
Monica, sensing a deeper meaning behind his words, tries not to blush. She picks up the plant and places it on the windowsill, taking a breath to steady herself.
**Monica:** "Well, I'm glad someone around here knows what they're doing with plants. We're hopeless."
**Rosé:** (smiling) "I'm sure you're better at it than you think. Sometimes all you need is the right environment."
Monica smiles at the compliment, her mind wandering for a second before she snaps herself back to reality.
**Monica:** "So, what's up today? Anything exciting?"
**Rosé:** "Not much. I thought I'd stop by and see if you needed any help with anything. Or just hang out. I've got some time before I need to head to a meeting later."
Monica blinks in surprise. She's still not entirely used to how easily Rosé fits into their lives, always offering help and being present without ever feeling intrusive. She's beginning to realize how much she's come to rely on his calm presence.
**Monica:** (smiling) "Actually, I do need some help with something. I've been experimenting with this new recipe and I can't seem to get it right. Want to be my taste tester?"
**Rosé:** (grinning) "I'd be honored."
Monica feels her nerves ease a bit, her cooking obsession kicking in. She heads toward the kitchen, and Rosé follows. As they settle into the kitchen, the tension between them relaxes, and for a brief moment, it's just like old times—comfortable, familiar.
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**Scene Shift: Chandler's Office – Afternoon**
We cut to Chandler's office, where he's sitting at his desk, trying to focus on work but clearly distracted. His mind keeps wandering, and his fingers drum anxiously on the keyboard. He's still preoccupied with his recent discovery that **Aurora**, the woman he's been dating, has a husband and another boyfriend. And, even stranger, she's perfectly open about it.
Chandler's inner turmoil is broken when Joey barges into the office, looking like he's just heard the most amazing gossip of the year.
**Joey:** (grinning) "Dude! You'll never believe it! Aurora has a *husband* and another *boyfriend*?!"
Chandler rolls his eyes, sighing dramatically.
**Chandler:** "Yes, Joey. I know. That's exactly what she told me last night. And no, I don't think it's as amazing as you do."
**Joey:** (enthusiastic) "But think about it! She's juggling three guys and being totally honest about it. I mean, she's living the dream!"
Chandler groans, leaning back in his chair.
**Chandler:** "Yeah, Joey. I'm sure it's every man's dream to be... one-third of someone's romantic interests."
**Joey:** (seriously) "It could be, man! I mean, look at you—you've got all the benefits of a relationship without any of the commitment! No pressure to be her only guy, no 'where is this going' talks, nothing!"
Chandler leans forward, resting his head in his hands.
**Chandler:** "Joey, I'm not sure this is how relationships are supposed to work. There's supposed to be some level of... I don't know, exclusivity? Besides, it just feels weird knowing she's spending time with other guys."
Joey shrugs, clearly not understanding Chandler's issue.
**Joey:** "Hey, if it works for her, why not? I say go with it. Ride the wave!"
Chandler glares at Joey, clearly unsatisfied with that answer.
**Chandler:** (sarcastic) "Great advice, Joey. I'll be sure to tell my therapist that next time."
**Joey:** (grinning) "You should! She'd probably agree with me."
Chandler sighs deeply, turning back to his computer screen, still confused about what to do with Aurora.
---
**Scene Shift: Monica and Rachel's Apartment – Afternoon**
Back at the apartment, Monica is in full cooking mode, chopping vegetables and stirring sauces while Rosé sits at the counter, watching her with an appreciative smile. There's a lightness to the moment, and they chat casually about everything and nothing at the same time.
**Monica:** (teasing) "You know, if you weren't so mysterious, I'd probably have recruited you to help me run a restaurant by now."
**Rosé:** (chuckling) "Mysterious? Is that what you think of me?"
Monica shrugs, keeping her eyes on the pot she's stirring.
**Monica:** "Well, yeah. I mean, you're always so calm, you've lived all over the world, and you never seem to get ruffled by anything. It's a little... mysterious."
Rosé watches her for a moment, his expression thoughtful. There's a pause before he responds, and when he does, his voice is soft, almost introspective.
**Rosé:** "I suppose I've learned not to let the small things bother me. Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges at you, but I've found that staying centered helps you navigate them better."
Monica looks up at him, intrigued.
**Monica:** "How do you do it? Stay so centered, I mean. I freak out if I burn a batch of cookies."
Rosé smiles, sensing her genuine curiosity.
**Rosé:** "It's all about perspective. I've been around long enough to know that most things pass in time. The key is to find balance between what you can control and what you can't."
Monica pauses, absorbing his words. It's not the first time Rosé has shared his wisdom with her, but every time he does, it feels like she's learning something new about herself.
**Monica:** "I wish I could be like that. I spend so much time stressing about every little thing—whether my cooking is perfect, whether the apartment's clean enough... It's exhausting sometimes."
**Rosé:** (gently) "Maybe you don't have to be perfect all the time. Sometimes it's okay to let go a little."
Monica blushes slightly, trying to hide how much his words affect her. She busies herself with the food, but there's a softness in her expression now, a moment of vulnerability.
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**Scene Shift: Central Perk – Afternoon**
Meanwhile, Ross is at Central Perk, nervously fidgeting as he waits for **Phoebe** to join him. When she finally arrives, she's humming a cheerful tune and carrying her guitar case.
**Phoebe:** (smiling) "Hey, Ross. What's up?"
**Ross:** (awkward) "So, I need some advice... about Carol."
Phoebe sets down her guitar and sits across from him, looking intrigued.
**Phoebe:** "Sure! What's going on with Carol? Or is this more about Susan? Or... both?"
Ross groans, running a hand through his hair.
**Ross:** "It's both. Carol invited me to dinner with her and Susan tonight, and I don't know what to do. I mean, I want to go, but it's still... weird, you know? Eating dinner with my ex-wife and her... girlfriend."
**Phoebe:** (thoughtfully) "Yeah, that's a little weird. But if it's a peace offering, maybe you should go. You guys are co-parenting soon, right? So maybe it's good to have some dinners where you're not throwing awkward glances at each other."
Ross slumps back in his seat, clearly conflicted.
**Ross:** "Yeah, but every time I see them together, it's like... I don't know. It just reminds me that Carol moved on, and I didn't."
Phoebe nods sympathetically, resting her chin in her hands.
**Phoebe:** "Well, you did kinda move on, Ross. I mean, you dated Julie... and then that other paleontologist... What's her name? Lydia?"
**Ross:** (groaning) "Yeah, but none of them worked out. And now I'm stuck going to dinner with Carol and Susan, where I'll probably be the third wheel."
**Phoebe:** (brightly) "Or, you'll be the *fourth* wheel. The stable one. The wheel that holds everything together!"
Ross gives her a look, and Phoebe just shrugs, smiling.
**Phoebe:** "Hey, just go and have a good time. What's the worst that could happen? Maybe you'll finally get some closure."
Ross sighs, clearly unsure, but nods.
**Ross:** "Yeah. I guess you're right."
---
**Scene Shift: Monica and Rachel's Apartment – Evening**
It's now evening, and the group has gathered at Monica and Rachel's apartment for dinner. Monica is nervously pacing around the kitchen, finishing up her meal prep while everyone else is seated at the table, chatting. Rosé is helping her with the final touches, and their teamwork in the kitchen is seamless—almost like they've done this a hundred times before.
**Rachel:** (smirking) "So, how was your day with Mr. Zen over there?"
Rachel tilts her head toward Rosé, her voice teasing but playful. Monica shoots her a quick glare but doesn't deny the chemistry.
**Monica:** "It was fine, Rachel. Nothing happened. We cooked, we talked. That's it."
**Chandler:** (raising an eyebrow) "Is it me, or is Monica's voice going up three octaves when she talks about Rosé?"
Monica throws a dish towel at him, but she's laughing.
**Monica:** "Shut up, Chandler."
Joey, already digging into the appetizers, looks up with a grin.
**Joey:** "Hey, if you guys cooked together, does that mean there's more food? Because this is amazing."
**Rosé:** (chuckling) "There's more coming. Patience, Joey."
As Monica and Rosé bring out the food, the group settles into an easy rhythm, the usual banter flowing. The lighthearted atmosphere is interrupted only when Chandler checks his phone and groans.
**Chandler:** "Oh God, Aurora just texted me. She wants to know if I want to meet her... and her husband... for dinner."
The group erupts into laughter, and Chandler drops his phone onto the table in defeat.
**Rachel:** (laughing) "I'm sorry, but that's just... *weird*."
**Chandler:** (groaning) "Tell me about it. Why do I always attract the weird ones?"
**Phoebe:** (innocently) "Maybe you give off 'I'm open to polyamory' vibes?"
The group laughs again, and Chandler buries his face in his hands, clearly overwhelmed.
---
**Closing Scene: Monica and Rosé in the Kitchen**
As the night winds down and everyone says their goodbyes, Monica and Rosé are left in the kitchen, cleaning up. The air between them feels lighter now, though there's still an undercurrent of something unspoken.
**Monica:** (softly) "Thanks for helping out today. I don't know what I'd do without you."
**Rosé:** (smiling) "Anytime, Monica. You know I'm always here."
Their eyes meet for a moment, and Monica feels a rush of warmth. She quickly looks away, focusing on drying a plate, but the moment lingers in the air.
**Monica:** (nervously) "You make it sound like you'll always be around."
**Rosé:** (gently) "I will be. As long as you need me."
Monica smiles, feeling her heart race a little faster. There's something comforting about Rosé's presence—something that makes her feel like everything might just be okay, even when things are chaotic.
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