THE PARTY

Story started May, 2002

By Moonshadow

-Chapter 1-

'Joey" Jen called up the stairs. "You better get your butt down here. Dawson will be here any minute!".

"I'm coming, I'm coming" Joey called down hurriedly, giving her hair one last quick brush. "How do I look?" she asked after presenting herself in frontof Jen a few minutes later.

"What does it really matter? Dawson hasn't seen you in months. He's not gonna care what you look like."

"Well, maybe Dawson's not the only one coming here today. There will be other people." Joey said primly.

"Since when do you care if you're your make-up isn't just right? What did you do with the Joey I know ?"

"Since she found out that Anderson was coming" Jack supplied as he cruised by, his arms laden with dips and chip bags.

"Toxic waste" Jen wrinkled her nose in disgust at the goodies.

"Nectar of the gods" Jack shot back over his shoulder as he headed outside.

Jen turned her interested gaze on Joey. "Anderson, huh? I thought you were two were just friends."

"Thanks a lot" Joey called out sarcastically to Jack's back as he left. "We are" she told Jen. "I just want to look nice is all. Is that a crime?"

Jen assessed Joey critically. "I thought we both agreed to not base our worth and self-perception on the opinion of the opposite sex."

"I know, I know. Sheesh. All right, I'll go wash my face off and mess up my hair if that will make you happy."

"No, that's okay" Jen said with a smile. "Just checking." The two girls smiled at each other. "You look nice Joey." Jen said sweetly.

"Thanks, so do you."

"So, what other boys…excuse me…young men, will be here today?" Jen asked, linking her arm with Joey's as they headed outside.

"Aren't you going to ask about the girls?" Joey asked with a straight face, humor glinting in her eyes.

"No, I think we'll start with the boys." "…just to avoid any confusion about the guest list." Jen added hastily, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Oh, well, if it's purely a matter of organization, then by all means, let's start with the boys." Joey teased with a grin.

"Let's see. There's Pacey and a few of his friends from the restaurant and his rather bohemian social life, about 4 boys and 3 girls, depending. You know Pacey. He could bring half of his apartment complex without a second thought, just expecting enough food to magically appear" Joey said affectionately. Jen smiled in fond agreement. Pacey was still Pacey, and they loved him for it.

"Oh, and maybe a few deckhands from that last boat trip he crewed." Joey added.

"Salt of the earth and hippy musician wanna- bes" Jen commented humorously. "Next."

"I really only invited a few people from my writing group."

"Highbrows and intellectuals." Jen quipped.

"Jack invited a few of the volunteers from the Boys and Girls club, and a few friends from school." Joey continued. "I think maybe even a few people from his gay and lesbian group, but unless you are looking to start a Will and Grace fan club, I don't see much possibility there." Joey gave a wicked little grin. It was a running joke in their little group of friends. Jack and Jen's close friendship seemed set in stone.

"Okay, this sounds a little better." Jen said, ignoring Joey's comment. "Idealistic do-gooders. I can live with that."

Since Dawson is coming from Colorado, he's going to come alone, unless he brings his girlfriend." Joey said calmly.

Jen gave Joey a serious glance. "Are you okay with that?" she asked with gentle concern, giving Joey's arm a light squeeze.

Joey shrugged. "I guess…of course…I don't know. I guess it's always going to be a little weird seeing Dawson with someone else, but there is no reason why it should be." "It might just take a little practice, that's all" she added with a smile.

"No time like the present" Jen encouraged.

"Right" Joey said resolutely.

"And I'm here to help."

"Right"

"And…Anderson" Jen said with an amused and smug smile on her face.

Joey blushed a little.

"Why Miss Potter, I do believe you are blushing. Could it be that the gallant young gentleman has stolen the fair maiden's heart?"

A short burst of laughter escaped Joey. "I'm not sure he'd appreciate being called a gallant gentleman- too old-fashioned- and lets see…I'm not sure I would still qualify as a maiden."

"Well, if you aren't sure maybe you better get a hold of Pacey and make sure he does a better job of it this time." Jen said crisply, and disengaging her arm from Joey's with a smirk, she set off to greet the first arrivals, leaving Joey standing open-mouthed on the lawn.

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