I wrote this a long time ago. It is loosely based on the plot of Dirty Dancing but is not a cross over fic s the characters are all DC.

Please review - someone!

Chapter 1

The Leery's brand new car bumped along the highway at Mitch Leery's customary seventy miles per hour. Sitting in the back seat with Dawson, Joey was only half focussing on him as he animatedly told her about Breakfast at Tiffanys. She'd seen the film, she'd even liked the film, however, she didn't feel the need to sit and dissect the thing for nearly two hours - that joy was Dawson's prerogative.

Looking out the window Joey questioned Bessie's decision to send her away with the Leery's. Senior year had ended, shed gotten into Worthington, her dreams were coming true and her sister saw the vacation as a reward. The Leerys had offered more than once to take Joey away but this was the first time Bessie had ever agreed.

'Are you listening Joey?' Dawson tapped her on the arm. Looking back at him she smiled,

'Sure - but I can only agree so many times that Audrey Hepburn is a Goddess,' she sighed and rolled her eyes.

'That wasn't what I was saying,' Dawson protested.

'But it's what you should be saying - you're eighteen years old and you're allowed to notice girls!' she found conversations like this much more interesting than endless hours of film dissection.

'I do notice girls,' he gave her a pointed look.

'Dawson, we last dated two years ago I don't think I count anymore,' Joey almost laughed. She and Dawson had dated on and off through their sophomore year but it hadn't worked out. They were friends now, best friends, although simmering under the surface was always the question of it becoming something more.

'You'll always count,' he told her. Whenever he said things like that it surprised her. Sometimes she thought being with Dawson wouldn't be so bad, but then she thought being with him might be like spending her life with someone who was essentially her roommate - there really wasn't a spark.

'What's say we hold off on the film dissection and the relationship dissection for the next three weeks?' she asked feeling a little weary.

'I'll give you a couple of days,' he bargained with a sheepish smile.

'Sure but no movie mentions at all,' she emphasised.

'I can do that!'

'Sure,' she rolled her eyes.

'If I mention movies I'll buy you a dance lesson!' he suggested imagining waltzing with her on the dance floor.

'I don't want to learn how to dance,' Joey protested.

'Think about all those men up at Worthington - there'll be balls and everything and you'll tread on their toes,' he teased.

'You've never complained before,' she snapped before tucking her hair behind her ears and wishing they were there already.

Mitch Leery turned the car into the long sweeping driveway leading up to Kellertons, the holiday resort where they'd be staying for the next three weeks. Despite her apprehension Joey felt her heart jolt with excitement. On the lawn people were taking an exercise class whilst others played badminton. Mitch came to a stop and smiled over his shoulder at them,

'Well here we are kids,' he grinned as Gail jumped out and stretched.

'I have a good feeling about this trip Mitch,' she told her husband and smiled at Joey as she nervously got out of the car. Joey was a good girl and she was pleased Bessie had finally agreed to let her come away with them. If only she and Dawson would sort out their problems and get it together.

Joey stumbled over every dance step she tried to do, cringing with embarrassment. Nearby Dawson was clearly having the time of his life, whilst Mitch and Gail seemed to be practiced veterans. Joey looked at the tiny bombshell of a teacher and felt a surge of jealousy. The teacher was a little older than her and everything Joey felt she wasn't. She oozed femininity and grace. She was sexy and when she danced all the men in the room seemed drawn to her.

'Listen to the music,' the teacher told Joey but it was hopeless. She must have been born with two left feet because she and the teacher collided.

'Sorry,' Joey muttered under her breath.

'No problem sweetheart,' the teacher just laughed and carried on dancing.

'What am I doing wrong?' Joey asked Dawson, but he just shrugged, grinned and carried on dancing.

By the time they headed back to their cabin Joey was in a foul temper. Her feet were sore, Dawson was gloating and she wanted nothing more than to lie back on her bed and nap. Unfortunately Dawson had other ideas.

'Hey Joey, I'm going to write my script in your room - the view's better and it inspires me,' he said simply before sitting on the end of the bed, moving her legs out of the way in the process.

'Don't mind me, I'm not here,' she muttered.

'Why are you in such a bad mood?' Dawson accused, a wounded look in his eyes.

'I'm not,' Joey felt contrite, 'I'm sorry. I guess I need some air - too long in the car today. I'm going to go up to the main house to look around.'

'If you wait an hour I'll come too,' Dawson suggested.

'Don't worry Dawson - you've got a script to write - I'll just head up now and give you some peace and quiet,' she shrugged and he nodded nonplussed.

The main house was a large old manor house that stood out bright white against the green of the sweeping lawn. The house seemed to be deserted but Joey peered in regardless, marvelling at the warmth and wealth inside. Walking along side the dining room, just before the open door she realised some sort of staff meeting was going on. Pressing her back to the wall she listened. What the manager said made her feel sick. All these Harvard and Yale waiters hired to sweet talk the girls. She was so engrossed thinking up a snappy retort shed say if she wasn't hidden that she almost missed the commotion.

'Well if it isn't the entertainment,' the owner cooed in a sarcastic and patronising voice. Peering round the corner Joey saw a different group of guys to the waiters. Where the waiters were clean cut individuals the entertainment was anything but. As the owner went on and on about the rules and how they differed for this lower order of staff Joey watched transfixed.

Joey Potter fell for Dawson Leery hard during their freshman year but by their sophomore year her infatuation with him was spent. Since then she'd dated (much to Dawson's chagrin) but she'd not fallen for anyone. Staring at the tall muscular man, with his dark hair and his baggy slacks and Hawaiian shirt over a white wife beater Joey fell harder and faster than she'd ever fallen in her life. She was mesmerised by the glimpse of his ass in his slacks, by the smooth tan of his skin, by the way his vest clung to the muscles of his chest and they way he stood tall as the owner tried to put him down. As Mr Kellerton stormed off the guy shrugged nonchalantly. Joey doubted he felt as cool as he was acting.

As she watched the guy turned his attention to one of the waiters, having a hushed argument. As he left the room, Joey caught sight of his eyes and she wanted to sink to the floor - he was beautiful.

Joey couldn't stop thinking about the man with the blue eyes. Dawson was droning on and on about how he was going horse riding the following day but all Joey could hear was blah, blah, blah.

'Are you alright sweetheart?' Gail asked observing the girls distraction.

'Just tired Mrs Leery,' Joey shrugged.

'You know I think our waiter was flirting with you,' Gail told her conspiratorially hoping to get a rise from her son.

'Hardly mom,' Dawson gawped and tried to stop himself laughing. Joey just shrugged wishing Dawson didn't think it ludicrous that another man might give her a little attention.

'Isn't this fun Joey?' Dawson asked smiling down at her as they swayed to the music.

'Sure,' Joey didn't know what to say.

'You know you're the most beautiful girl here?' he told her but somehow it didn't feel like a compliment.

'Thanks,' Joey murmured and looked down, a change in the music regaining her attention. As she looked up she saw the crowd of dancers on the floor seem to split as the dance teacher from earlier and the man with the amazing eyes appeared on the dance floor, dancing so perfectly, so exquisitely together that she couldn't tear her eyes from them.

'I suppose that's supposed to sell dance lessons,' she vaguely heard Dawson mutter but she couldn't take her eyes from the tall man and dainty girl as they danced together.

Sitting outside Joey breathed in the fresh air trying to fight the wave of homesickness. She was lonely. High school had been a lonely experience, and save for Dawson she'd had no friends. People were so prejudiced it infuriated her. Firstly they shunned her because of her cheating father. Then they shunned her because of her incarcerated father and her dead mother. Then they shunned her because her sister's boyfriend was black. Then they shunned her because her sister was unmarried, living in sin and all this was with Bodie the black boyfriend. With reason after reason to shun her people just did so out of habit. Except for Dawson and his family. Whilst Joey and her family were poor, the Leery's were rich. Gail and Lily, Joey's mom, had been good friends and they kept an eye on the Potter sisters.

Opening her eyes she breathed in the scent of the grass in her hideaway out the back of the kitchens. Looking into the darkness she was surprised to see the flash of eyes watching her.

'Hello?' she called softly mentally calculating the distance between her and the door, or the nearest possible weapon.

'Hey,' the deep voice resonated in the calm summer night. The owner of the voice stepped forward and she was surprised to see the man whom she'd watch dance with the small blond dance teacher. The man who made her breathless, especially when she got to look at him up close. Truth be told, up close he was more perfect than ever. Joey averted her eyes from his and looked down. The man smiled in amusement. 'What are you doing out here? Dancing not your thing?' he asked watching her blush.

'Actually dancing isn't my thing - I'm not really very good at it,' she looked up at him.

'I saw you dancing with your brother,' he teased.

'He's not my brother,' she said without thinking.

'So I saw you dancing with your boyfriend you seemed to enjoy it,' he was beginning to annoy her. So much for good looks and a good personality. The guy was beginning to act like a jerk.

'Yeah well appearances can be deceptive,' she stated and he laughed annoying her more.

'Quite feisty aren't you kid?' he asked but Joey just looked back at the ground. 'So what you got against dancing?'

'Two left feet,' Joey muttered and he laughed again and peered at her feet.

'Incurable,' he shrugged easily.

'Thanks,' she scowled.

'Pleasure.'

'Are you always this nice to guests?' she asked sarcastically but coming across a little haughty taughty.

'My life's aim is to make special guests like you happy! Can't you tell?' he muttered darkly, his sarcasm even heavier than hers.

'Why don't you go take a long walk off that short pier over there,' she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

'Only if you go first,' he bantered back gamely, clearly not offended.

'Not going to happen,' she grumbled.

'Obviously,' he chuckled making her head snap up.

'Why obviously?' the question was loaded.

'You just don't seem like the… adventurous type,' he said simply causing Joey to fume.

'You don't even know me,' she managed to splutter.

'I tend to be a good judge of character,' he smirked.

'Actually you're an asshole,' she growled and stalked away.

'Seriously Dawson, I don't want dance lessons,' Joey moaned for the twentieth time.

'I lost the bet fair and square you have to have them. It's only an hour how bad can it be?'

'Terrible,' she grumbled as he said good bye to her at the foot of the stairs leading to the dance studio.

'Look I asked and everyone said Mr Witter is the best teacher.'

'Whatever Dawson, I'll see you later.'

Trudging up the stairs Joey stood in the doorway of the dance studio watching Mr Witter bend over the record player. She coughed to let him know she was there and he jumped. A grin of recognition spread across his face.

'J Potter,' he stated.

'Witter,' she acknowledged him with a cursory nod.

'And I thought you didn't like me,' he stated as Freddie and the Dreamers filled the room.

'I don't.'

'And yet you came to see me,' he stated simply standing in front of her.

'I was forced,' she snapped.

'Forced?'

'Apparently I need to learn to dance so I have some elegance with which to woo men,' she told him bitterly.

'Unfortunately dancing and personality aren't directly linked - if its charm you're after you've come to the wrong place,' he put a hand on her waist and moved her arms about watching her seethe.

'I can be charming, I just choose not to be when in the company of morons like you,' she recoiled as he touched her.

'Will you just relax?' he snapped.

'I'm trying but its hard when your teacher treats you like shit on his shoes,' she crossed her arms defensively but he just chuckled again.

'My my, don't you have a potty mouth,' he pulled her arms from across her chest and repositioned them.

'And why have you got such a bee in your bonnet about me huh?' she asked reluctantly allowing her arms to be manoeuvred.

'I know girls like you,' was all he said.

'Girls like me?' she pressed indignantly watching his eyes darken.

'Yeah, girls high on their own self-importance. I bet you have some place at a prestigious university and you're only here this summer because you spent last year in Europe.'

'Anything else?' she couldn't help the smirk.

'Sure!' Pacey realized it might be career suicide but couldn't seem to stop himself from rising to the bait as she stood before him with large flashing eyes, 'you're rich, you're mean and you think your problems are the biggest problems anyone on earth has ever had, but you know what? They aint. You've had it easy and you don't even understand the first thing about work, because you aint never had to work. I get the feeling you need to be brought down a eg or two,' he stated his body close to hers as if he were aware of how attracted she was to him. 'And bringing you down is promising to be especially good fun.'

His words caused a strange reaction in Joey. She appeared as though about to explode, but instead of a torrent of abuse she gave him a very stern,

'Screw you,' before marching out of the dance studio.

Joey flopped down into the seat next to Dawson. They were showing some film she couldn't name and it took moment for Dawson to realise she was there.

'Joey how was the dance lesson?'

'The teacher is a moron,' she informed him darkly.

'Are you sure?' he looked at her suspiciously.

'Yes Dawson I'm sure.'

'Then you won't be happy that I've booked you in for a lesson everyday,' Dawson looked apologetic.

'You did what?'

'A lesson everyday!'

'I'm not going,' she fumed.

'I paid and it's non refundable so it would be a waste,' Dawson beseeched.

'You should have told me or asked me even,' Joey could barely contain her rage.

'I just thought you'd enjoy it,' he shrugged.

'No you thought you were protecting me from making a fool out of myself at Worthington,' she glared.

'I just wanted to dance with you properly when I went to dances with you,' he admitted.

'Who says you'll be going to dances with me?'

'And who says I won't?' Dawson asked pointedly.

'I…' Joey began but fell silent as a body blocked their view. 'You,' she scowled.

'Yeah me,' he scowled back.

'Who?' Dawson asked.

'We didn't finish your dance lesson,' the man stated.

'I don't want to finish my dance lesson, Witter,' she said his name like a swear word.

'Everyone I teach learns to dance,' he explained.

'Well add one to the list of those who don't,' she told him.

'I'll be nice,' he promised.

'As if you know how,' she growled.

'You're Mr Witter?' Dawson clearly wasn't expecting the brooding young man.

'Yeah...'

'I booked Joey in for the lessons - Dawson Leery,' Dawson stuck his hand out and the man shook it,

'Pacey Witter,' he stated still looking at Joey.

'He's a jerk Dawson,' Joey huffed.

'You must excuse my friend - she thinks everyone's a jerk,' Dawson told Pacey with a grin. After assessing the man's threat status he'd decided that he was in no way Joey's type and even if he was Joey clearly hated him. Also the guy was older.

'Most people are,' Joey concurred.

'Look man I was trying to teach her and she just snapped,' Pacey began watching Joeys mouth fall open in shock.

'Why doesn't that surprise me,' Dawson grumbled. 'Please Joey go enjoy yourself. I didn't ask you here so you could mope around. Just let loose!'

'And get myself ready for the college boys?' Joey asked with a twisted smirk.

'Joey if I could I'd keep you as far away as possible from those college boys but I feel certain you have the same faith in us as I do,' Dawson looked at her with wide eyes.

'Fine,' she stood up and stalked out without a backward glance. Pacey walked alongside her.

'That was touching,' he gave a fake sniff.

'Bite me,' she spat at him hating him more and more.

'Ask nicely.'

'Grow up,' she told him.

'That's rich when I'm not the one throwing tantrums like a five year old.'

'That's because I'm not as obnoxious as you,' she stated sweetly.

'Oh I beg to differ.'

'Look,' she stopped walking and faced him angrily, 'What's say we just pretend to do this dance lesson thing and stay the hell away from each other?'

'Nice idea toots but your little boyfriend is going to notice something's up when you still can't dance.'

'Well then let's make a deal not to talk!'

'That I like,' he smirked.

Joey could feel her body respond to Pacey despite her minds repulsion. He held her tightly as he showed her simple steps talking in a low voice about each movement. If she was honest, when he wasn't being a complete jerk he was quite fun, dancing with him was different to dancing with other boys. With him, her two left feet miraculously turned into one right and one left foot.

'Hey Pace,' a voice from the doorway called and both Joey and Pacey looked up in surprise from where they were dancing slowly.

'Jen,' Pacey dropped Joey like the proverbial hot potato and gave the small blond woman a hug. Joey watched feeling a sudden surge of unexpected envy and jealousy. Jen was beautiful, dainty and buxom, with such fashionable clothes. She had style and Joey knew that she did not.

'I didn't realise you were in a lesson I can come back,' Jen rushed,

'We were just finishing,' Pacey explained realising he'd overrun.

'Yeah,' Joey murmured. 'So I'm going.'

'And Ill see you tomorrow,' Pacey grinned.

'I suppose.'

'You did well today,' he assured her, suddenly kind.

'You don't have to be nice to me just because you're girlfriend's here,' Joey snapped suddenly furious with him and furious with herself for feeling so green eyed.

'You should have said sooner,' he winked at her.

'Yeah well we had a deal to dance and not talk,' Joey fumed watching Jen arch her eyebrows in amusement. Stalking down the stairs she thought she heard Jen murmur,

'You so have a thing for her!' but the pounding of blood in her ears was so loud she wasn't sure.