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Chapter 3

Joey ran into the hospital as quick as her legs could carry her, tears streaming down her face, flushed cheeks and windswept hair. She had caught a lift with a neighbour, after banging hysterically on their door for five minutes straight. Once they had got to near walking distance of the hospital, she hopped out the car and ran the rest of the way. This couldn't have come at a worse time, this god damn strike! She thought furiously.. furious with herself that she let him drive in a tired state. God, this was all her fault. What if he has died? Oh my god, she thought, I can't cope.

Joey ran to the front desk. 'Pacey Witter, my boyfriend, is he? Is he ok? Is he? Oh my god, I can't breathe' Joey sobbed at the desk. She put her head in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. 'Ma'am, calm down, I'll get his doctor, please calm down, I'll get you a glass of water.' All Joey could do was nod as she watched the startled receptionist wonder off for the doctor.

Joey slumped into the nearest chair, the thoughts swirling through her mind were devastating. She could only assume the worst, as she left before Dr Wakeman could put her mind at ease.

'Miss Potter?' Joey looked her and saw a tall, blonde woman look at her with a sad smile on her face and a glass of water. 'This is for you, please calm down sweetheart. I'm Doctor Wakeman. Mr Witter is absolutely fine. He was in a car accident, he had fallen asleep at the wheel and crashed into a car coming the other way. He has a few cuts and bruises, but other than that, he's just a little bit embarrassed and mortified for what happened. He's lucky that nothing else was injured or worse.'

Joey felt like giving her a hug. She was so happy that Pacey was ok, she suddenly felt overwhelmed with his love that she couldn't wait to see him, and got upset all over again. 'Can I see him?' she asked gently. 'Of course Miss Potter, he's in room 208. Please try and tell him to take it easy. He seems to be exhausted. I've ordered him to rest for the next couple of days.'

'I will do, I'll try my hardest anyway. Thanks Doctor Wakeman'. Joey rushed down the corridor to room 208. She hesitated before going in. She knew that she had to talk to him now about their arrangement. She was devastated that it had got this far, she had nearly lost him, and she felt partly responsible. Maybe she should have taken more trips to Capeside, anything to stop something like this happening. She pushed open the door, and saw a very pale, sad looking Pacey.

'Oh Pacey! I thought I had lost you' Joey sobbed at the sight of him, and sat next to him and grabbed onto his hand tight.

'Oh Potter, come here', Pacey gushed, tears forming in his eyes, moving over on the bed so she could join him. He was so angry with himself for falling asleep at the wheel. He knew he was tired, but didn't realise HOW tired he was. He was also angry at himself for putting Joey through all that worrying and upset, I should have been more careful, he thought as she climbed into his arms. 'Its ok Jo, I'm fine. I'm so sorry, I should have realised I was more tired,maybe I should have listened to you this morning and caught some extra hours. Silly for me to think that women aren't always right?'he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

'Pacey, I was so upset,I honestly thought I had lost you. Don't ever scare me like that again.' Joey cried into his arms, holding onto him tight, not wanting to let go. ' We need to talk', she continued.

'I know babe, I know. But not now ok? When we get home to yours, we can talk about it. Right now, I really just want to sleep', replied Pacey, yawning slightly. He wanted to talk , he really did, but right now the painkillers and the tiredness were too overwhelming, and it was a losing battle. 'Ok Pace, sleep, then we can go home and I can look after you there. I'll be right here waiting', she managed to get in, before sleep took him over.

Pacey walked through the apartment six hours later, with Joey by his side. Doctor Wakeman had come in to discharge him, and gave him some medication to take him, as well as advice to rest and not drive when tired. Pacey cringed at this, he knew he should know better, but there's nothing he could do now, at least no one was hurt. Joey rushed into the kitchen after telling Pacey to relax on the couch, and got him a glass of water.

She approached him with caution, as she knew they were about to discuss their situation. 'Pace..', she began, before he cut her off.

'Jo, I know what you are going to say. I've been thinking about this conversation for a while, and knew we had to bring it up sooner or later. Our arrangement was good while it started Jo, but I need to see you more than weekends. I want to live with you, properly , see you seven days a week and spend my life with you. I love you more than anything, and I know that we can work out something together. I've thought long and hard about this, but I've decided I'm going to sell the Icehouse and move out to New York with you. I love you Jo, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I don't want to lose you.' Pacey finished with a huge sigh, looking into her eyes waiting for her response. He was slightly nervous about her reaction, but he knew he was doing the right thing. He could give up his dream for her. Move to New York with her. Forget Capeside, Joey is his priority.

'I'm sorry Pace...that's just not good enough.' Whispered Joey, her eyes dark with tears. 'Whhaat?' stammered Pacey. Oh my god, she's giving up, he thought. She doesn't want to be with me. 'What do you mean Jo?'

'Pace, I know the Icehouse is your dream, and I can't let you give that up. I love you more than life itself, and today's accident made me realise that even more than I already knew. I can't live without you Pace, I want us to move forward together, in the right place, where we can both be happy ,and not have to sacrifice anything.'

'Why is my proposition not good enough Joey? What else can we do?', continued Pacey, desperate for answers. 'I'm moving to Capeside', replied Joey, with a strong, firm reassurance in her voice. 'You're what?' shrieked Pacey, 'No, Joey, you love your job, don't be ridiculous, what about your dreams?'.

'No Pacey, I love you. I can write and edit books anywhere. I'm not giving up any dreams to move to Capeside. I used to think that living in Capeside would be the worst possible thing in the world, but living in Boston , then here made me realised that there is no place like home. My dreams won't be forgotten Pacey, you are my dreams. My dreams are to be with you, love you with my whole heart and spend the rest of my life with you, where we are both truly happy and content. I know that will be in Capeside, with me by your side as you run the restaurant. I'm proud of you Pace, you worked so hard to make your life the best it can be, and I'm not about to let you give that all up when Capeside is the best place for us. Besides, I will get to spend more time with family, friends and I can get to know Amy alot better too, something which i've been regretting postponing for so long. What do you think Pace... Shall we do this?' Joey shook slightly with apprehension, not sure what Pacey would say, assuming he would again fight his corner and suggest moving to New York.

'Jo, you're amazing. Let's do it.' Joey had never seen Pacey with a bigger smile on his face than just now. That was it. She was moving back to Capeside.