The Life and Death of it All

by ynnej2198

An alternate version of the series finale where Pacey's beating is more serious than it was on the show and he ends up in the hospital, where Joey realizes she's still in love with him just as he's decided to let her off the hook and live for himself. (Oh, and Jen doesn't die.)

4. Chapter 4

Joey awoke to sunlight seeping through the window blinds of the waiting room. She blinked a few times to orient herself to the unfamiliar surroundings. Glancing around the room, she saw Jen asleep on Jack's shoulder, Andie standing by the desk talking to one of the nurses, and Dawson getting coffee out of the vending machine. Pacey's parents and Doug were sitting in the corner quietly conversing. Kristi was nowhere to be found.

Dawson came back and handed Joey one of the cups of coffee he'd been carrying. "So, Andie found out Pacey's been moved from recovery to the ICU."

Joey's heart leapt a little, "That's good news, right?" she asked as she took a sip of the terrible stuff.

"Yes and no. His vitals are stable and the bleeding hasn't re-started, but he hasn't woken up." Dawson nodded to Pacey's parents. "They're worried. They sent Kristi in to sit with him about an hour ago in hopes that she'd inspire him to wake up."

"Have any of you been in to see him?"

Dawson shook his head. "No. They haven't let us in yet because we aren't family."

Joey got angry. "But neither is Kristi, so why is she in there?"

Jen, who was now awake, chimed in. "Because they consider her to be family, ring or not, apparently."

Joey rolled her eyes. "So what are we? Chopped liver?"

Jack smirked briefly, then got serious again. "Pacey's parents won't put us on the visitor list. Doug has been trying to get them to relent, but they won't."

Joey was just about to comment about how unfair it was, when she felt her heart sink. She looked at her friends worriedly. "Something is wrong. I can feel it."

Andie, who'd just come back over from talking to the nurse, sat down. Face grim, she relayed. "They're really concerned that he hasn't woken up yet. The anesthesia wore off hours ago, but there's been no change."

Joey stood up. "I'm going to see Pacey. Now." She had to. She could feel him slipping away from her. "To hell with what his parents want. Pacey would want me - and the rest of you - to see him."

Andie stood and blocked her. "Joey, you can't just go charging in to the ICU. They won't give you access unless you're family or have permission."

Joey stepped around Andie and walked over to Doug and declared. "I'm going to see him, so either you put me on the list or I bust down the doors. It's your choice."