**The Next Day.**
**NYU Medical Center.**
"Hey, Chandler~"
"Are you okay, Chandler~"
Everyone gathered in the hospital room. They had already heard from Adam that Chandler was fine, and seeing that he looked in good spirits, they couldn't resist teasing him.
"Stop!"
Chandler, feeling embarrassed, wanted to bury himself under the covers. But when he saw Joey lifting the blanket to sneak a peek, he quickly pressed it down and scolded, "What are you doing?"
"What's wrong?"
Joey spread his hands innocently. "He's your brother. We're also brothers. So, in a way, that makes him my brother too. Isn't it normal for me to care about him?"
"Ugh~"
Everyone shuddered, unable to handle Joey's outrageous reasoning.
"Nice work~"
Ross and Joey stood together, giving Chandler pats on the shoulder and secretly giving him thumbs-ups, their faces full of admiration and mischief.
"Adam, how's Aurora doing?"
Chandler, reminded of the other person involved, asked with concern.
"They're arranging a more detailed examination," Adam explained. "As for the surgery, that will depend on the organ transplant center. Oh, by the way, Aurora's attending doctor, Dr. Leonard Green, is Rachel's father."
"Rachel's dad?"
Chandler looked at Rachel in surprise.
"I'll ask him about it," Rachel said, though she didn't sound very confident.
"Adam, can you take me to see her?"
Chandler pleaded, "She's in a foreign country with no one visiting her. I just can't stop worrying."
Their hospital rooms weren't together, and because Chandler's injuries were severe, he couldn't move much—not even sit in a wheelchair. The nurses were busy and had no time to help, so he hadn't had a chance to see her yet.
"Of course."
Adam smirked. "But she's not exactly alone. You'll see when we get there."
Chandler looked confused. As far as he knew, Aurora's husband and boyfriend were both back in Italy.
"I can help," Joey volunteered.
"You're going to carry me princess-style the whole way?"
Chandler looked skeptical.
"No problem," Joey said confidently, widening his eyes. "You gotta trust Joey Tribbiani! Just look at how much I eat—you know how strong I am."
"Alright..."
Chandler tilted his head, thinking about it. In his experience, Joey was always eating, so maybe he was stronger than he looked. He shrugged.
"Forget it, I'll do it," Adam interrupted. "Lifting you is one thing, but keeping you steady and not moving too much is another. You don't want to reopen your wounds."
"You think Joey Tribbiani can't handle that?"
Joey raised a finger, fired up. "Let's arm wrestle!"
Adam grabbed Joey's hand and applied a little pressure.
"Okay, got it. You're the better choice," Joey winced in pain before quickly conceding. His tone, however, was laced with resentment, making Adam's mouth twitch.
Did he really want to carry Chandler that badly?
Adam smoothly picked up Chandler, and the group made their way to Aurora's hospital room.
"Why are there so many people?"
As they approached, they saw a line of men coming in and out of the room, all carrying flowers and gifts. Among them were doctors and hospital staff in white coats.
"O~M~G~!"
Chandler let out an exclamation in the style of his ex-girlfriend, Janice.
If he hadn't figured out why Adam had been smirking earlier, he certainly understood now.
Here he was, worrying about Aurora, thinking she was all alone. But even though her husband and boyfriend were in Italy, she clearly wasn't lacking visitors.
"Are all these men her exes?"
Monica and the others were in awe, feeling both judgmental and envious.
Not one of these men was lacking in looks or physique, and some of them were even attractive doctors in white coats.
"Yes and no," Adam chuckled. "From what I know, at least one of the nurses and one of the doctors are new boyfriends she just met."
"She has a heart condition and still has the energy to find new lovers?"
Monica and the others were stunned.
"That's very Aurora, isn't it?"
Adam commented. "She and her husband play 'Crossfire' together. Do you really think a little heart disease would slow her down? As long as she's alive, the romance continues."
Just like that, Chandler found himself washed away like an outdated relic by wave after wave of new suitors.
"Still want to go in?"
Adam asked with a grin.
"No need. Who knows how long I'd have to wait for my turn," Chandler said bitterly.
"Probably for the best," Adam consoled. "You might run into her husband and boyfriend too, which would be even more awkward."
"Exactly," Monica agreed. "No matter how open-minded they seem, they're still men. They have to care at least a little."
Chandler stayed in the hospital for three days before quickly checking out.
Aurora's husband and boyfriend even visited him, as if they didn't care about his relationship with her or why he was hospitalized. But Chandler couldn't handle the awkwardness and discomfort.
"Guys! My dad is treating all of us to dinner tonight to thank you for taking care of me!"
Rachel excitedly announced.
Just as Adam had predicted, as the most beloved eldest daughter, all Rachel had to do was pout and act cute. Then, she brought up how her ex-fiancé had taken her maid of honor, Mindy, on a vacation—something she had long suspected meant they had been involved before she called off the wedding. That was enough to make Dr. Leonard Green forgive her completely.
"Dentists aren't real doctors! They're just failed surgeons who couldn't make the cut!"
That evening at dinner, Leonard sipped his whiskey and ranted, "When there's a medical emergency, and they call for a doctor, do you ever see a dentist step up? What are they going to do—check the patient's teeth? These failures don't deserve my baby girl!"
Monica and the others exchanged looks, secretly amazed at his bluntness.
"Dr. Green, that's an interesting perspective," Adam said with a smile. "Personally, I think among doctors, surgeons are the most skilled. And among surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons are the most exceptional and versatile."
Leonard gave Adam an approving look. "Adam, right? I remember Rachel mentioning that you understand medical terminology. Are you in med school?"
"I'm planning to be," Adam replied. "Ever since I was a kid, my biggest dream has been to become a surgeon and save lives. As I learned more about medicine, I set my sights on cardiothoracic surgery. Right now, I'm studying biology at Columbia, and after graduation, I plan to apply to Harvard Medical School."
"Broad vision, clear goals."
Leonard raised his glass. "I see a younger version of myself in you. These days, too many young people are lost, aimless, and lazy. It's rare to see someone as outstanding as you. Cheers!"
*Clink!*
Adam smiled and clinked glasses with him before downing his drink.
On the side, the group looked on with complicated expressions, while Ross, in particular, seemed about to turn into a jealous green-eyed monster.
*(End of Chapter)*