Description: My version of how Pacey and Joey got together. It is a total rewrite, not set in season three rather season one.
Disclaimer: I own the story not the characters in it.
Author's Note: Lost count of how many Dawson's Creek stories I have wrote, hope you like this and will review.
Love and Banter
Chapter #1
(Pacey's pov)
" Hey Potter, haven't seen you around lately.", I comment while seating myself at the counter in the Ice House. This girl sure has made herself scarce as of lately. It is no secret Joey is not particularly fond of Jen. She seems to have captured our dear friend Dawson's attention and affection. Joey is quite a bit resentful of this fact. Seems Dawson is all but oblivious to the fact that Joey is into him. Not matter how hard the poor girl tries he just never seems to notice her. I used to find Joey's resentment of Jen amusing, it pleasured me to torture her to no end with the knowledge that Dawson was chasing after another girl while she was pining away for him. These days though Joey hasn't been around nearly enough for me to pester. Much as I enjoy being third wheel to Dawson and Jen? Think I would much rather bond with Joey and get on her nerves instead.
" Have to, you just haven't been looking in the right places Witter.", answers Joey before making her way past me with a tray full of orders. I haven't been looking around in the right places? What exactly is that supposed to mean? This girl will never cease to amaze me. Swear I will never figure out what goes on inside the mind of miss Josephine Potter. The girl is a complete mystery. My guess? She hasn't been coming around as much so as to avoid having to see Dawson making a fool out of himself for Jen. Guess that would make sense. Usually when you got it bad for someone the last thing that you want to do is watch them pursue someone else.
" What is that supposed to mean Potter?", I question when curiosity finally gets the best of me. What exactly are the right places? Far as I know Joey doesn't exactly hangout with anyone aside from Dawson and I. Where else could she possibly be? Maybe she has just taken up extra shifts at the Ice House so not to have to hang around Dawson. That would make sense, Joey would have a reasonable excuse not to be able to spend time with Dawson were she to be busy working at the Ice House. Why didn't I think to look here sooner for Joey? It really would have been the logical explanation.
" It's not obvious? The Ice House is in desperate need of a wait staff these days, so I have been here covering shifts.", points out Joey and an annoyed manner. Following Joey around, I disappear into the kitchen with her. Well that much I sort of figured out. My only question is, how come Joey hasn't at least kept in touch with me? While I know we're not the closest of friends...are we not still friends? Call me crazy but I have gotten used to my daily love hate banter routine with Joey. These days though there has much playful arguing due to the fact that I have hardly seen Joey.
" Speaking of which, you're not supposed to be back here Witter. You talk you work.", informs Bessie in passing while tossing me an apron. Raising a confused eyebrow, I eventually tie the apron around my waist. Following Joey's lead when she begins to peel potatoes, I grab a knife and begin doing the same. Guess it wouldn't kill me to help out around here if my assistance is needed. Who knows it might even be fun. Joey and I on very rare occasions get along. Maybe this could serve as a bonding experience for the two of us.
" What are you even doing here Pacey?", asks Joey after a minute or two of silence. What, a guy can't want to see his friend? I really have to have an ulterior motive to want to spend time with Joey? As luck would have it, I actually don't have one. It has just been a while since joey and I have actually hung out. Is it so wrong to admit that I might actually miss our arguments? It sure was fun watching how riled up I could get Joey. She used to hate how easy it was for me to puch her buttons. Excuse me for missing our sparring matches.
" A guy can't want to spend sometime with his friend Jo?", I confide while helping peel the last of the potatoes. Joey and I might not get along but that doesn't necessarily mean that I don't enjoy her company. The two of us have fun together once in a while. There have even been times where I caught myself wanting to spend one on one time with Joey. Not for any particular reason, just because its nice to have someone to hangout with. I would never admit the to anyone but I actually miss the time Joey and spend together. Sure most of it is spent bickering, but there are times when Joey and I have out moments of truce. To be honest, I'm a little concerned about Joey. it's not exactly like her to be so distant.
" Since when are we friends Pace?", cracks Joey in a sarcastic manner. Alright, ouch. While it may have been meant in harmless fun, that stung a bit. Does Potter honestly not consider me to be a friend of hers? How many years have the two of us known one another? Hell, I know that I might not be Joey's favorite person, but I always thought we were at the very least friends. Could I have been wrong? To Joey am I merely the guy who annoys her and nothing more? Well, that's a little bit hurtful.
" That's cold Potter, even for you.", I remark in a hurt manner before taking off my apron and tossing it aside. To think I came here with good intentions too. You see Dawson one but concerned with Joey's lack of presence? My mistake for giving a damn I guess. Not even all that sure why I bothered. Obviously coming here was a mistake. Not sure why I felt the need to check up on Joey in the first place. She obviously seems to enjoy not having me around to bother her. I was stupid to believe she might actually want to spend time with me to begin with. it's not as though Potter and I ever particularly got along or liked one another.
" Wait, Pacey. ...I'm sorry. Please don't go?", I hear Joey all but plead with me. Startled when her hand reaches out for mine, I glance back at Joey with a look of confusion. Is she being serious right now? Joey actually doesn't want me to leave? This is a first. She apologized and looks like she is being sincere. Guess maybe I could stay. it's not as though I actually wanted to leave to begin with. I enjoy spending time with Joey, out playful banter has always proved to be nothing less then entertaining at the least.
Stopping in my tracks, I glance down at Joey's hand in mine," You're asking me to stay Jo?"
With a slight nod of her head, Joey offers an apologetic smile," Yeah, I am Pace. Will you?"
" I suppose...if you insist.", I relent with a light nudge to Joey's shoulder. Laughing when she returns the gesture, it's not long before the two of us are back to work. This time we are prepping some chicken. Guess coming here was a good idea. Jackie and I have never actually spent quality time along together. Usually Dawson is always accompanying the two of us. Maybe Potter and I are finally turning a new leaf. You know, one where we don't need Dawson to spend time with one another. One where we hangout together like normal friends? Anything is possible after all right?
" If you tell anyone I ever told you this, I will deny it and then kill you...but I'm glad your here Witter.", confesses Joey have a few minutes of silence. My heard snaps up immediately at her confession. Jackie is glad that I am here? What the hell is that supposed to me? Is this her way of telling me that she enjoys my company? I'm not sure how to handle this news. Joey and I don't exactly get along but we don't hate one another. From what it sounds like, Joey all but admitted to liking my company. This is funny considering I had it under good authority she despised me.
" I'm not sure how to respond to that Potter...thanks? Guess hanging out with you isn't so torturous.", I confide with a smile and a light poke to Joey's side. Laughing when she slaps at my chest, I toss a kitchen towel at Joey. This is new territory for me. I'm not used to Joey and I actually getting along. Guess we have learned to put our differences aside through the years. It would be nice to be able to hangout with Joey and have more then just our usually song and dance banter routine. These days Dawson has been too caught up with Jen to hangout with either Joey or I. It would be nice getting some one on one time in with Potter. Why can't the two of us become better friends over time?
" Shut up and get back to work Pacey.", orders Joey with a roll of her eyes and a smile. Tying my apron back on, I follow Joey around the kitchen. Yeah, guess I'll be spending more time at the Ice House with Joey these days. Who knows, maybe Bessie will like my work and hire me then I won't have to work at the movie store anymore. Spending time with Joey isn't so bad, we have our days where we get along. Seems as though today just happens to be one of them. Glad she finally admitted that we're friends. It's nice to know I'm more then just someone Joey despises.
" Yes Joey, as you wish.", I remark with a smirk before splash some dish water her way. This earns me a deathly scowl to which I grin at. Yeah, this is something that I could definitely get used to. Potter and I spending quality time together? What is there not to love? I should probably be careful though, if I'm not Joey could very very kill me. The girl is crazy and I would not put it past her that much is for sure. …