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 #4

(Joey's pov)

" Joey? Hey you're home! I was starting to get a little worried about you. Where the hell have you...oh, hello.", I hear Emily stop mid-sentence after walking out from her room. Lifting my head from Pacey's shoulder, I glance back at her. Crap, I was not anticipating her waking up this late. I hope that she doesn't mind that I brought Pacey here. It was late and I didn't want him hailing a cab though. It's not like I had much of a choice. I'm sure that Emily will understand and be cool with Pacey spending the night.

" Hi Emily, what are you still doing up?", I ask while rubbing at my eyes sleepily. I'm so beat right now it's not even funny. A few more minutes and I would have passed out in Pacey's arms. Not that I would have minded all that much. I don't know what it is, but I feel safe when he is around. He has always had that affect on me. Pacey is always there when I need him to be, it's nice to know that I can come to him with my problems. He usually knows exactly what to say to make me feel better. Sometimes just sitting in silence with Pacey is enough to cause all my worries to dissipate.

" I have been waiting for you, what does it look like? You had me worried sick. Speaking of which, and not to be rude...but who are you?", interrogates Emily with her eyes on Pacey. Watching as she folds her arms across her chest, I sit up beside him hesitantly. She's probably thinking that Pacey is just some random guy that I met at the bar and decided to bring home. Doesn't she know by now that I would never do something like that? Can't Emily see that I obviously know Pacey? If I didn't, he would not be here and I would not be curled up in his arms. Speaking of which, why am I nuzzled up with Pacey?

" I'm Pacey. Potter and I have known each other since we were in diapers. We grew up together in Capeside, I used to chase her around and torment her relentlessly.", announces Pacey without a seconds hesitation. Glancing up at him with a frown, I slap his arm. Way to tell Emily our whole life story Witter. At least she doesn't look like she wants to kick him out anymore. Still have no idea what she is doing up. Did Pacey and I wake her? No...we couldn't have, we have the television down low.

Pouring herself glass of juice, Emily sits on the couch beside me," Nice to meet you Pacey. Thanks for leaving your phone home Jo, it has only been going off all night. Ezra is unrelenting, he simply won't give up calling you."

Lowering my eyes from Emily's, I shift uncomfortably in my seat," I know...kind of ran into him on the way back here Emily."

" How did that conversation go Joey?", wonders Emily aloud when curiosity gets the best of her finally. Ugh, did she have to ask? It couldn't have gone any worse. I was notexpecting to see him anytime soon. Ezra all but begged for me to take him back, which is something I know wasn't easy for him. It's not going to be that simple though. He can't accuse me of cheating on him with Dawson one week and thenplead for my forgiveness the next. That just isn't how it works.

" It was a complete nightmare, Pacey was no help either.", I groan in aggravation before sitting up beside Pacey. Of all the times to run into Ezra, it had to be while I was out having drinks with Pacey? It couldn't have been literally any other time? Our whole conversation was uncomfortable to say the least. Ezra wanted to apologize and get back together. While he might have been sincere, it doesn't mean that I'm going to take him back. Why should I? Ezra accused me of sleeping with Dawson while the two of us were together. If he thinks that I'm capable of doing something as hurtful and careless as that, he obviously doesn't know me.

" Hey don't go trying to blame me for anything, you're the one who kissed the guy Jo.", pipes in Pacey as he folds his arms across his chest in protest. What the hell?! Why, why would he bring that up? Great, thanks a lot Pace. Now I'm going to get an earful from Emily. She's going to want to know what the hell I was thinking. Truth is, I don't know why I kissed Ezra back. It was just a reflex, not like it meant anything to me. Emily should know by now that I have no intentions of taking Ezra back anytime soon.

" Joey, you kissed Ezra?! Why? Are you going to take him back? He broke your heart all because he couldn't deal with his insecurities, did you forget this?", lectures Emily with a shake of her head. How did I know this was coming? Oh that's right, Emily only had to bare witness to me bawling my eyes out for three days straight after Ezra and I got into our last big fight. When he broke up with me, I was devastated. We had been dating for nearly two years and then Ezra tossed me aside because he was afraid that I had betrayed him. That nearly killed me...I loved Ezra."

Glancing down at my hands sheepishly, I bite down on my bottom lip," I don't know why I kissed him, Emily. It was a reflex. Of course I'm not going to take Ezra back. He wrecked my heart."

Easing up on me a bit, Emily places a sympathetic arm around my shoulder," You'll be alright Joey, don't let him wear you down with sweet talk and romantic gestures."

" Yeah, I know Emily. To be honest, I kind of just want to go to bed.", I confess with a tired yawn as I rub my eyes. I'm not sure that I can stay up much longer. Before Emily woke up, I was nearly passed out on Pacey's shoulder. The thought of changing into my pajamas, brushing my teeth and climbing under the covers is more then appealing to me. Not exactly sure where Pacey is going to sleep. Guess I should have thought this through a little bit before I invited him to stay the night.

" I'll see you in the morning, Jo.", remarks Pacey in a tired breath before kicking out of his socks and shoes. Watching as he takes his coat off and folds it into a makeshift pillow, I take a hesitant step toward Pacey. Perhaps I didn't think this through completely. The couch isn't the greatest place for someone to crash, it doesn't even pull out into a bed. I'm not about to let Pacey wake up in the morning with an achy back and stiff neck. Maybe I should offer him my bed. He walked me home, it is the least I could do.

" What are you doing Witter?", I inquire with a hand to his arm. Raising a baffled eyebrow in my direction. Pacey settles into his spot on the couch. He doesn't even seem to give a damn about where he sleeps tonight. Then again, he looks about as exhausted as I feel so why would he? Grasping hold of Pacey's hand, I give a light tug before pulling him up. This is ridiculous he can stay with me in my room. We used to have sleepovers all the time at Dawson's when we were kids. Why should tonight be any different from those?

(Pacey's pov)

" Jo, I was going to sleep. I'm tired and slightly hungover.", I complain yet allow Joey to pull me up from my spot. What does she want from me? I'm tired and still a bit hungover. Sleep is sounding pretty damn amazing to me right about now. Why is Joey giving me that look? God this girl is hard to read at times. If I'm not crashing out on the couch then where the hell am I sleeping? Does Potter have a spare room? Is she going to give me hers? I couldn't let her do that. Sleeping out here doesn't bother me, at least I don't have to worry about hailing a cab at midnight.

" I know...look Pace, we used to have sleepovers at Dawson's all the time. Stay with me in my room.", offers Joey much to my surprise. Is she being serious? Potter wants me to sleep beside her? This is certainly unexpected. Is it what Joey really wants or is she merely being nice? Either way who am I to protest or complain? I'll take a soft bed over a couch any day of the week. Just because Joey wants me to lie beside her, doesn't mean anything is going to happen tonight. She might be drunk but I'm fairly certain sleeping with me isn'teven in the realm of possibilities for Joey.

Letting Joey lead me to her room, I nearly stammer like an idiot unable to form words as I stutter, " You mean like in your bed, under the covers next to you?"

Disappearing into the bathroom briefly, Joey reappears a minute or so later dressed in pajamas," Is that a problem Pacey?"

" No, there's no problem. ...I just thought...you know...that you would at least buy me dinner first.", I manage to tease with a playful yet nervous grin. Joey shakes her head with a chuckle before whacking me with a pillow. Smiling in relief as the tension I had felt only minutes earlier melts away, I sit on the edge of Joey's bed. How did I end up here? I'm about to sleep with Potter...or well...fine so nothing is going to happen but still. How am I supposed to get any sleep tonight with Joey lying beside me looking the way she does? It's going to be torturous and impossible.

" Not even in your wildest dreams Witter.", retaliates Joey with a light slap to my chest. Holding my breath as she throws back the covers and waits for me to climb in beside her, I hesitantly lie on my back. Staring up at the ceiling, I attempt to calm myself to no avail. My heart feels as though it is pounding against my rib cage. Never once have I been so nervous in my life. Not exactly sure what I'm all wound up about. It's not as though Potter and I are going to do anything besides sleep. This girl has me all but climbing the walls and is completely clueless.

" Can't blame a guy for hoping, have you looked in the mirror Potter? You could take just about any guys breath away.", I confess before I have a chance to think twice. Realizing what I just said, I quickly lower my gaze at the look on Joey's face. She wasn't expecting me to compliment her, I suppose. To be honest, neither was I, but before I knew what I was saying the words just flew from my lips. God, I hope that I didn't make things awkward again. Joey is so hard to read right now, wish I knew what she was thinking.

" That has to be the nicest thing you have ever told me...how much did you have to drink Pace? Good night.", whispers Joey in a quiet voice with a sleepy smirk. Breathing a heavy sigh of my own, I shift around in my spot before settling on my side. By now Joey has her back toward me. I find myself wanting nothing more then to wrap my arms around her and bury my face in Joey's neck. Instead I run a shaky hand over my face and close my eyes. It's near impossible for me to fall asleep in the same bed as Potter though. Instead I listen as her breathing slows and observe Joey as she drifts off. This is going to be a long night, I can already tell. Might as well try to catch some rest. …