Description: My completely original version of how Pacey and Joey got together. Set after high school. Slight crossover with Pretty Little Liars, has nothing to do with -A though.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. The only thing I own is the original storyline.

Author's Note: Leave a review and I will update regularly.

Second Chances

Chapter #1

(Joey's pov)

" Potter?", I hear a voice call from behind me. Turning around hesitantly, I come face to face with none other then Pacey J. Witter. Wow, talk about a blast from the past. I haven't seen him since high school. We have known each other since the two of us were in diapers. Pacey used to spend his days tormenting me to no end. He found pleasure in both bickering with and torturing me mercilessly. What is he doing in Boston? Last I heard he had his own restaurant in Capeside that is quite successful.

" Witter? Hey!", I greet with a friendly smile. Caught off guard momentarily when Pacey lifts me up in his arms and swirls me around, I can't help but chuckle. Someone sure is happy to see me. Who would have thought? Pacey and I might not have been the closest of friends...in all honesty we despised one another...but he was always there for me. He seemed to always know when something was bothering me without asking. It was one of the things I both loved and hated most about him.

" If it isn't my old sparing partner, you're looking beautiful if I may say so Jo.", regards Pacey with a friendly hug and wink. There is the Witter charm, somethings will never change. It's nice to know after all these years apart things are still the same between the two of us. Pacey always knew how to push my buttons when we were growing up. It drove me beyond crazy how easily he was able to get under my skin. Jen used to joke that there was an unspoken sexual attraction between Pacey and I. She couldn't have been more wrong though, I loathed Pacey and he lived to torture me.

" Wish I could say the same for you Witter.", I tease with a playful laugh before grazing my fingertips across his scruffy cheek. Since when does Pacey have a beard? It suites him but personally I would much rather see his face. Still have no clue what he is doing here in Boston. If he is here to visit Jack and Jen, he's out of luck. Those two left for a trip to New York a few days ago. They won't be back until sometime next week.

" What? Come on, don't hate on the facial hair Potter.", jokes Pacey with a light nudge to my side. Settling into the seat beside me, he orders the two of us a drink. Well, I wasn't planning on having another but who am I to turn down a free beer? Besides, maybe Pacey can cheer me up. Ezra and I broke up last night. We had a huge fight and both said things that we shouldn't have. He was all but convinced I'd been cheating on him with Dawson over Thanks Giving while back in Capeside. When I tried telling Ezra that Dawson and I hadn't been together since our brief hook up in freshmen year of college, he all but called me a liar. I don't understand what Ezra is so insecure about. Does he honestly expect me to stop talking to Dawson? Aside from Pacey, he's one of my oldest friends.

" Sorry Pacey, but it has to go. I miss your face.", I proclaim with a smile before taking a sip from my beer. This is exactly what I need right now, a drink with an old friend. Pacey always knows how to cheer me up without trying. He's actually pretty amazing like that. When we were in high school and my mural was defaced, Pacey punched out the guy who ruined it. This guy bought me a wall and saved Bess and I from losing our home to foreclosure. Pacey put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making the Potter's B&B a reality. I'm in debt to him and to be honest I'm not sure how I'll ever repay him.

(Pacey's pov)

Ordering myself another pint of beer, I take a long drink from it," So you're admitting that you miss me? Never thought I would hear you utter those words Jo."

Biting down on her bottom lip, Joey glances down at her hands. Briefly caught off guard by her own admission, she recovers just as swiftly and quips," What can I say Pace? Nobody gets me riled up in an argument quite like you do."

" Aww, I'm touched Joey.", I gush with mock enthusiasm before giving Joey a bear hug. She laughs and attempts to break free from my light hold to no avail. Smirking in victory, I place a harmless kiss on Joey's forehead. Who would have thought Potter would ever miss me? I sure as hell didn't. Guess things will never change between the two of us. After all these years we're still bickering and arguing….she's just as beautiful now as she was in high school. No big surprise there though, this girl has always been out of my league. Hell, I remember the one and only time that I took a chance and kissed her. We had been working on a snail project together during freshman year of high school. We were supposed to observe the mating rituals of two snails, it was an extra credit project. When it was my turn to check on how things were moving along, there was still no change. We had been working on the project for a few days by then when I got the brilliant idea to try and speed things along. I had noticed a third snail all by her lonesome and decided to place it in with the two we had been observing. Apparently that wasn't the best move, as it turned out that snail had been in a separate container for a reason...it was a carnivorous snail and ate the other two. To say Joey was annoyed with me would be an understate, pretty sure that she wanted to kill me that day. Thankfully, I was able to calm her down and we went out in a row boat to find another two snails. ...Unfortunately, I had managed to forget to tie our row boat down. Needless to say Potter wanted to murder me at this point. We had to wade our way back through the swamp and by the time we both got back to my jeep, the sun was setting. At this point, we were both cold and damp with nothing to change into aside from two blankets. I remember catching a fleeting glimpse of Joey's bare back in the passenger side mirror and just smirking to myself. It was in that moment that I began to notice Potter as more than just the girl who lived down the creek, the one I had always chased around and picked on as a kid and continuously quarreled with and generally detested. Sadly the feeling was most definitely not a mutual one and I figured that out real fast the moment I took a chance and kissed her. Joey had all but laughed in my face; that hurt like hell too come to think of it. Who was I ever trying to kid though? The only chance I would ever have with her would be in my wildest dreams.

" Not a compliment, Witter. It's kind of nice to see a friendly face though...even if it has to be yours.", taunts Joey with a playful shove at my shoulder, " What brings you to Boston anyway Pacey?", she eventually inquires when curiosity finally gets the best of her. She must not know that I live here now. Then again, how could she? Joey and I haven't really kept touch. We're lucky if we see one another on holidays when she comes home to Capeside. I have only been here for a few weeks. I'm still settling in, calling Joey had crossed my mind a few times but I just hadn't had the time to. How lucky is it that we ran into one another. Maybe, if I play nice, I can convince Potter to catch a movie or grab a bite with me sometime. It would be great to catch up with her and spend some time together.

" Actually, I live here now. Moved here a few weeks ago.", I inform before setting my empty pint aside. Joey wastes no time in ordering another round for the both of us. Wow, I have never seen her drink much. Since when did Joey learn to let loose and have fun? I should probably be careful not to let her drink too much. Last thing I want is a drunk Joey that can barely walk. Something has to be bothering her, the question is what. Asking Joey won't do me any good, she will only play it off like nothing is wrong. I'm not dense though, I know when something is up with Joey that she doesn't want to discuss. I'll figure out what is the matter sooner or later, I always do, I have my ways.

" Wait, you live here now? What about your restaurant in Capeside?", ponders Joey while glancing over at me in confusion. What about my restaurant? I still own it, only difference is I let Bodie manage the place now. Truth is, I needed a change of scenery. So, I came to Boston in hopes of opening another small restaurant. Right now, I'm just looking at a few vacant places and getting settled in. I'm not too worried about money since I still take a weekly paycheck from owning the Ice House.

Ordering a plate of fries, I share them with Joey," I still own it, Jo. But I needed a change. I'm actually letting Bodie manage it while I scout out a location for another small restaurant."

Picking at a few fries, Joey gives me a light nudge," Does this mean that you're here to stay and I'm stuck with you Witter?"

" I'm afraid so Potter.", I tease in return with a smile, she makes a face right back at me before hugging my arm gently. Huh, this is new. Joey has never been this friendly toward me. Maybe she's just happy to see a familiar face for once. For the most part Joey's on her own out here except for Jen and Jack. After graduating Boston University, Jen and Jack high tailed it to New York for a while before eventually winding up back in Boston. They got a place a maybe a half hour or so from here and try to meet up with her as often as possible, but I guess it's not the same. She sure does look glad to see me. I would be lying if I were to say I hadn't missed Joey. Hell, I only spent all of my free time torturing the girl.

" Isn't that just my luck.", remarks Joey as the two of us share a laugh. At least she is smiling. I'm not fooled though, I know something is wrong. If only there were a way I could broach the topic without Potter completely shutting me out. Startled when I realize Joey is still hugging my arm, I place a hesitant hand around her waist. This is a first, I had it on fairly good authority that Potter despised me, that doesn't seem to be the case tonight. I'm not an idiot though, Joey is clearly intoxicated. If she weren't, there's no way that she would be anchored to me the way she is.

" Sorry, you're stuck with me now Potter.", I point out before poking her side softly. God, Joey is more beautiful than ever. The thought of kissing her senseless has crossed my mind more then once tonight. Not sure that is a good idea, Joey might be glad to see me but I doubt sharing a lip lock with the likes of me is on her mind. This girl has me all wound up and is completely clueless. I'll bet she has a boyfriend. How could she not? Guys probably trip over themselves vying for Joey's attention, I sure did. Never was able to get her to notice me the way I had hoped she would.

" Guess having you around won't be so bad, you could scare off the creeps that are always hitting on me.", confides Joey with a roll of her eyes and a chuckle. What does she expect? Joey is a freaking goddess, a guy would have to be blind not to try his luck with her. I have to admit the thought of scaring a few idiots straight does sound appealing to me. If it means that I get to have Joey on my arm in the process, I'm alright with that. ...