Hi everyone,

so, here we go again. This is longer than usual.

Please tell me if you'd enjoyed it and review, please, to let me know that you're actually reading this.

So, on with the story,

Yours, Yana

On different ways

- Chapter 7 -

Joey woke after a far too short night. Sleepily she blinked her eyes open. Outside she heard kids laughing and voices, rattle of dishes and doors clicking. Slowly she stretched and yawned, rubbed her face and let out an unwillingly sound. This was far too early! Or rather, the night has been much to short.

She stayed in the homely bed a while longer, pulled her duvet up to her chin and let her eyes wander across the room. The bed stood beneath a roof pitch. There was a bedside table with an old-fashioned lamp on it, clearly it was out of the sixtieth or fiftieth, beige with a shade and a little white press switch on the stand.

Opposite stood an equally old wooden wardrobe with a huge mirror beside it on the wall. A window on the wall behind Joey's bed let the morning sunshine in and Joey smiled, as she became aware of the posters, that hung across the walls. Mostly bands out of the ninetieths. It was a nice room, surly her sisters old bedroom, she guessed.

After a while she stood and felt a bit dizzy, because of the lack of sleep. She grabbed yesterdays clothes and realized, that she hadn't had any fresh underwear, but decided that she could change in the CYC later-on and would for now just go with the old ones. Because – what option did she have, really?

She opened the door and flited into the bathroom she knew was opposite to the room she had slept in. A smile flew over her face, as she found Bessie had laid towels, a set of fresh underwear and a toothbrush out for her along with a little notice 'You can leave the toothbrush in the cub beside the sink, just in case you'll stay over again. Hope the panty fits. Bess.'

Joey sighed with relieve and stepped into the shower and found herself thinking about Pacey just again. Maybe she'd stay here, until he would come to get Daniel.


As she had finished her wash and clothing, she looked in the mirror and found what she saw very pleasing. She got some red on her cheeks, but not from make-up, her eyes were sparkling and her hair was glossy. She felt good. And instantly found herself thinking about Pacey once again. His eyes, his voice, the way he talked about things and the way he listened, how he looked at her and how he made her feel unintentionally. It was just unbelievable. And in that very moment there was no doubt left. She had fallen for him. Hard. Harder than she thought possible. And it felt divine, even if she didn't knew if Pacey would ever love her back.

So she got downstairs and found everyone in the front yard. The four kids were playing much like the day she first came here, sitting in the sandbox an baked some sand-cakes. Bessie sat on the bench and Bodie did some gardening.

'Hey! Good morning Joey!' Bessie said obviously surprised to see her up yet and Joey grinned.

'Morning.' She glanced towards the cup in her sisters hand. 'Is there a chance, I could get some coffee too? And, by the way, thanks for the lay out's, they were quite helpful.'

'Yeah, I guess...' Bessie smirked and linked her arm with Joey's. 'Come on, we'll get you some coffee and breakfast. Bodie made scrambled eggs with bacon and fresh baguette. But you can have a sandwich or jelly too.'

Joey shook her head. 'Please, Bessie. Don't always treat me like I'm used to always having everything. At home, I oftentimes didn't had have any breakfast at all. I ate an apple and drank a coffee and that was it 'til lunch. So a coffee, scrambled eggs and a slice of bread sound wonderful. Maybe an apple, if you have one and a glass of water. That's it. I'm pretty well taken care of.' She smiled and Bessie nodded.

Just as they were about head for the house, they heard Daniel.

'Joey!' he yelled and literally flew from the spot he had recently been sitting on right into Joey's arms.

'Whoa, Danny.' Joey smiled and lifted him up. 'Good morning, little man.' She smiled at him and her heart began to melt as she looked into his fathers eyes on his face. 'Did you sleep alright?'

'Yeah. Wanna built a sandcastle with me?' He asked grinning and offered Joey a red shovel, he held in his hand.

'Daniel!' It was Bessie's authoritative voice. 'Let Joey have a coffee first, okay?'

He pouted and Joey kissed him on the cheek, before she sat and placing the boy on her lap and tousled gently through his hair, smiling as sand began to rain down from it. 'Well, the way I see it here, Dan, you have exactly two choices. One, you sit here, listen to really boring grown-up-talking and watching me have some real late breakfast.' The boy listened with wide eyes and such a serious look on his face, it almost made Joey laugh out loud. Instead she smirked and said: 'Or, two, you take this yellow bucket over there,' She pointed at it. 'And start collecting some beautiful stones, maybe some sticks, leaves and some flowers if you like. But plenty of those. If you're lucky, maybe you'll even find one or two shells.'

'And why should I collect this stuff?' Daniel he scratched his head and ached a brow.

'Because', Joey poked her forefinger in his belly. 'You want to built a sandcastle with me and I demand, that I get to decorate it when it's done.'

The boy seemed to think about it. 'Okay!' He said at length, jumped off her lap and went to get the bucket, took Amy's hand and off they went collecting things.

'Well, that was kind of impressing.' Bessie chuckled.

'Well, yeah.' Joey shrugged and blushed a little. 'I'm happen to be good with kids.'

Bessie nodded. 'Apparently so! How come, you haven't one or two yourself?'

Joey swallowed and than looked defeated. 'I was pregnant, twice.' She took a deep, shivering breath. 'The first one was a real early miscarriage. The second, Heather, she was stillborn at 26 weeks. Afterwards we hadn't had the courage to try again.'

Bessie's face clouded over and she took her sister's hand. 'Joey, I'm sorry. I didn't meant to...'

'No, it's okay, really.' Joey shrugged and blinked away the sadness. 'It had been a few years since than and I'm really okay again. Even though you'll never get fully rid of the sadness and the hole left behind in your very soul. But I cope.'

'I guess!' Bessie nodded again and squeezed Joey's arm. 'So now, what about that hot coffee and some scrambled eggs?'

'Yes, please!' Joey smiled, thankful that Bessie hadn't asked more questions.


After the breakfast, Joey got inside to pour herself and her sister the third coffee in a row, they both found, they were in need of pretty much caffeine this morning.

'So, Bessie.' Joey stated, as she sat beside her sister on a blanket they'd lain out. The kid's were on another game and Daniel had agreed, they'd begin to build the castle after lunch. 'Mind if I'd ask you something?'

'Nope.' Bessie replied, while sipping on her coffee and caressing her daughters hair, who'd lain her head into Bessie's lap.

'I was thinking... Maybe I could rent a room here at the B&B? I like being around and maybe I could give you a hand sometimes or two?' She hesitated as Bessie didn't said anything at once. '0Only if it isn't a big deal, I can stay at the CYC as well...'

'Oh, no no. Joey, I just... Really?' She asked and Joey nodded. 'I would very much like that, Jo. But you won't pay anything. You're my guest. As for the hand – I could sure use this.'

Joey smiled brightly. 'Well than, we have a deal. I go get my stuff when you guys do lunch.'


And she did.

As she stood in the apartment, she almost couldn't believe, that this had been her life. Such luxury, when she really had been supposed to be raised by her sister in poverty. But she couldn't deny, that she liked it. It was her life and she liked not having to switch every coin twice, before buying something, not having to wonder, whether there's be food on the table or warm water in the shower.

She flipped her phone open and quick dialed a number.

'Hey Joey!' She smiled over her whole face, oh her voice was like soothing to her soul. And she took a deep breath.

'Hey Aud. Oh god, I missed your voice!'

'Yeah, I bet. So, what's on your mind. You sound like you need some good advice...' Joey smiled. Yeah, Audrey just happened to knew her inside out. She was the one friend Joey had known all her life and who never once had betrayed her. Whenever they saw each other or phoned, she happened to know instantly what was on Joey's mind.

Joey's parents hadn't supported the friendship, but Joey sticked with Audrey and was rewarded with true friendship. Now Audrey jetted trough the world, ever on the go. Recently she acted for Dawson's The Creek, but one could never know, where she would be the next day. And so they hadn't met in a long time.

'There is this guy, Pacey...' Joey began and Audrey laughed.

By the time they hung up, they had talked for almost two hours.

Joey checked out and couldn't help but look at the docks for Pacey. The sun was burning unyielding and she was grateful for the swingy skirt and the wide sun-hat. Than she saw him. His back was red from the sun and he was totally soaked in sweat. But, oh, it sends shivers through her whole body and her heart began it's crazy beating once again. If she'd ever thought she knew what yearning implied, she had been far off. This was yearning. Her whole being, soul, body and heart seemed to pine for him. At length she turned and walked towards her car.


Joey spent the whole day at the B&B and instantly found herself build the biggest sandcastle anyone had ever seen. She was just grateful, that the sandbox was placed under a huge tree, so they had shelter from the sun. Later she was braiding Amy's hair in an artful hairdo an brushing Rebecca's, though it was to short for doing anything with it. At length she found herself playing princess with Amy and Daniel was the knight. The two little ones were supposed to be the mighty dragons, but they fell asleep in the middle of the game and so they considered it a victory and held a feast with ice-tea and some blueberry-muffins Bodie had made.

Daniel wore an old pot on his head for a helmet, Amy had one of Joey's pearl necklace as a crown in her hair and they'd made a really beautiful daisy chain for Joey. Amy wore one of Joey's summer dresses and they'd made a sash for Daniel, matched it with a wide black belt and found him a long stick for a sword. This was how Jack and Pacey found them after they'd finished work.

'Oh, hey guy's. Look's like fun!' Amy jumped to her feet and onto Jacks arm. 'Hey princess.' He said with a gentle voice and kissed her on the cheek, but she wriggled free. 'Nice dress.' He smiled.'

'It's Joey's. As is the necklace, but it isn't really a necklace, because it's my crown.' She said, somewhat dismissive. 'Far more important: I'm married. To Daniel. He's killed the dragons and freed me.' She said and her whole face seemed to be one big smile. 'Actually he wanted to marry Joey, but she said, he was supposed to marry me, 'cause I am the princess, and knights are supposed to marry a princess, right?' She asked, but clearly didn't expect an answer, because she just went on talking. 'And now we have a feast. Wanna join us? Please, please, pretty please!' She begged with large puppy eyes and Joey could see Jack melt quite literally.

'Sure, sweety. But at first I gotta say hello to Bessie and Bodie, okay?' Amy nodded and Jack placed her on the ground.

Joey found herself ridiculously captivated by Pacey's eyes, they looked at each other insanely intensive and she thanked god, she sat on the ground, because if she hadn't, her knees had gone weak for sure.

'Hi, Joey.' He said at length, his voice steady, but she was sure she saw something in his eyes that had given him away. Or at least she hoped she saw something.

'Hey Pacey.' She smiled as he knelt beside his son and rubbed his back.

'Hey Dan! Had a good day?'

'Yes, Daddy.' He grinned and Joey could surely tell, that he was his fathers son. His eyes were quite the same and she just knew, he could twist her around his little finger with one deep look out of those beautiful children's eyes. Not to mention, his father had this effect on her, without even trying.

'So.' Bessie appeared and gave a cough as she found Joey staring at Pacey.

'Hm?' Joey turned her head towards Bessie and blushed as she heard a deep chuckle from Pacey, obviously amused at the effect he had on her.

'Jack and I had been thinking about a barbecue. Are you in?'

'Yeah sure, great!' Joey nodded but saw Pacey flinch and lowering his eyes. Acting like he inspected the sandcastle, but really he wasn't.

'Great, than. I'm off getting some steaks, sausages and Doug.' Jack waved and off he was. 'Though he isn't for eating...'

Bessie knelt beside Pacey, one hand on his back. They spoke in low voices and Joey could see Pacey's eyes cloud over and he shook his head. Bessie just kept on talking to him and finally he let out a deep breath and gave a nod. Bessie smiled and patted him on the back.

Daniel had his eyes on his father the whole time and Joey's heart ached for the maturity she saw in his face, that wasn't supposed to be on a face of a four year old child, as he caught his fathers eyes. 'Are we leaving, Daddy?'

'No, Daniel. We stay and do some barbecue. I'm free tomorrow and the day after, so we don't have a rush.' His voice was hoarse.

'Oh, great!' Daniel jumped his father, causing him to hit the ground, because he had knelt on the balls of his feet. Daniel landed on his fathers belly. And Joey could tell the nearness between them. He looked at his fathers face from where he now lay and kissed him. 'Thank you, Daddy.' Another kiss. 'Thank you so so much!'

Pacey wrapped his arms around Daniel and held him tight for a long time. Whispering something into his hair above his ear. They stayed like this for a long moment and Joey just couldn't get her eyes off of them. It was a picture of such deep love and intimacy, really, that it touches something deep, deep down her soul and made her sad and happy all at one time. At length they sat and Pacey seemed more in control.

'So, what's the game?' He asked Joey and she caught his eyes flicked towards the plate with the muffins.

'In fact, as Amy said, we had a feast, because this mighty knight here,' she pointed at Daniel. 'Has slain these dangerous, bloodthirsty dragons over there.' She pointed at the twins, who were fast asleep. 'And as a gift, he was to marry this very beautiful and kind-hearted princess.'

Amy bowed and Pacey nodded while he grinned.

'Did you enjoy the game?' He asked with a chuckle and Joey crinkled her nose.

'It was nice to be careless for a while. And I guess the kids like me and the feeling is mutual. I've got a huge amount of time, so I played along, but enjoyed...' She smiled loop-sided and rolled her eyes. 'I need a shower, because I have sand everywhere...' and she instantly blushed as she became aware of the implication and Pacey's laughing proved he had the exact same thought.

'Yeah, I bet...' He smirked.

'Okay, so... Care to join our feast?' Joey asked him playfully in an attempt to change the subject, offering him the plate and a glass of ice tea, full well aware, that he wouldn't ask anyway.

'Yeah sure.' He grinned and grabbed a muffin and took the glass. 'To the bride and groom.' He stated and emptied the glass with one swallow.

They sat a while, Pacey ate two more muffins and they joked over this and that. Finally they heard a car arriving and Joey stood. 'I'll ask Bessie, if I could be of any help inside. You have a look on these two?'

Pacey nodded and stretched out on the blanket in the half-shadow. 'Will do.' He said, but Joey was pretty sure, he would be asleep the moment his eyes fell shut. He seemed totally exhausted and she wondered for the umpteenth time, what heavy burden he was doomed to carry.

'Hey Bess.' Joey poked into the kitchen to found Bessie chopping some vegetables for the barbecue and Bodie was outside, firing the barbecue. 'May I help you with anything?'

'Care to do the salad?'

'Sure'

The two of them chopped and chatted and at length Joey laid her knife down.

'Bessie – why is it, that Pacey wasn't here yesterday?'

Bessie sighed and wiped with the back of her hand over her forehead.

'He was here, Joey, he...' Bessie sighed and looked at Joey with sad eyes. 'Please don't make me tell you things, I'm not supposed to share. Let's just say, he wasn't well. It's been tough this last year and things aren't going to get better anytime soon. He just needed a night off.'

Joey nodded and her gaze swifted to the window and out in the garden, where Pacey lay as she'd left him. Fast asleep, as she had assumed. She wondered if she might be able to lift his burden from his shoulders. If he would let her help him. Because she was more than willing to.


After the barbecue Daniel sat on Joey's lap and played sleepily with one loose strand of her brown hair.

'So, buddy, what'd do you say? We'll take a leave?' Pacey looked at his son, but the sleepy kid got a stubborn look all over his little face.

'Only if Joey comes a well.' Joey could see many emotions wash over Pacey's face.

'No.' He shook his head. 'No, Daniel. I'll carry you.'

'No! I want Joey to carry me.' He said unrelenting and clenched onto Joey's jacket.

'Daniel, please...' Pacey begged and Joey could tell, he was uncomfortable with this.

'Okay, Danny. What about this,' Joey offered in a gentle voice. 'I got you to your Daddy's bike and the two of you drove home, get a good nights sleep and maybe we can meet at the park in the morrow?' She looked at Pacey now and could clearly see his face easing, but sensed Daniels resistance.

'Hey, Danny. This is a good deal, I'd say.' Joey tried to affirm her offer.

'Yeah Daniel, I wouldn't pass it, for sure.' Pacey insisted and Joey shot him a surprised look, but he shrugged casually. 'It's not every time, that some beautiful woman invites you for a picnic in the park.' He said it casually, but Joey's heart skipped a beat. His eyes were fixated on his son and it leave her wondering, if he meant it as a compliment. If her inviting him to a picnic implied Daniel or himself and referring to her as beautiful was meant from his point of view or from his son's. Oh, it confused her and it left her a little frustrated.

'Okay, so we do it.' Daniel gave in.

'Great.' She smiled and whispered in his hear. 'I'll bring a big picnic to remember, I promise.'

She stood and carried the child to Pacey's bike, where she placed him on the ground and Pacey handed him his helm.

'Thanks, I guess.' Pacey said with a warm voice, that made her shiver despite the warm night.

'You're very welcome, Pacey.' She said in a low voice. 'Good night, I guess.' She looked down.

He placed his helm onto his head an got on his bike. Oh, he was sexy on this thing and she could feel the longing spread through her whole body. She wished, he had at least so much as touched her, but he kept his distance pretty carefully.

'Night.' He nodded, closed the front of his helm and drove off with a big cloud of sand behind him. Joey couldn't help but stand there, even as they were long gone. Wondering if some day she might get a kiss before goodbye.


The next day, Joey packed a big basket with everything imaginable for a !br0ken! Sandwiches, sliced apples, muffins, some meatballs Bodie made, pasta salad (also made by Bodie), some cookies, water with apple-juice and a thermos jug with hot coffee and other stuff Bessie put in the basket. Than Joey added plates, cutlery and three cups – and of course a big blanket. She also packed a ball and a Frisbee.

As she was done, her cheeks were burning with excitement and Bessie gave her a look.

'Am I done? Have I forgotten something?' Joey looked at her sister a little breathless.

'No...' Bessie shook her head. 'I was just wondering, if you'd go for a picnic or for a vacation...' She laughed and Joey ginned a little embarrassed.

'Do you think, I am overdoing here?'

Bessie shrugged casually. 'A little maybe. But I don't think any of them will mind.'

Joey took a deep breath and than she hesitated.

'Bessie? Mind if I ask you something?'

'Just spill it, Jo!'

Joey remind silent. She wasn't sure if she wanted to ask, but than again, not to ask wasn't an option either. She felt her heart beat fast and she bit her lower lip. She felt all uncertain, but she had to ask, she just had to. She took a shivering breath, found herself biting her lower lip again and kited her hands.

'Do you... Do you think I would... I mean, possibly... hypothetically... stand a chance... with Pacey?'

Bessie looked at her, her jaw fell open. 'Are you serious here, Joey? After all I told you yesterday?' Joey just nodded.

'You see, Bess. Like I said - I just can't think straight when he's around, my heart beats like crazy and I feel, like I'm a total goner for him. See, Benj – he was sweet and caring and real kind but he never gave me butterflies or made my heart skip a beat, just by looking at me or made me want him with all of me, just by being in the same room as I was...'

'So, you really have fallen for him.' It was more like a declaration than a question and Joey sighed. She knew it to be stupid, but she couldn't change it. And so she nodded. 'Afraid so...' Her voice was low and so was her look, fixated on the ground. 'I don't know how to explain, but he just wrecked me, Bess. In the very moment I first looked into his eyes I wasn't able to think about any other thing.'

'So, Joey. I don't know if there is a chance for you here to be honest. Like I said, Pacey hadn't allowed anyone to come to close to him. After Andie he needed an awful lot of time and Sarah didn't help to make it any better. So my advise, like I said yesterday, just don't rush things, Joey. Let him come to you.' She laid a hand on her sister's arm. 'Stick around. If you like somebody, proximity is a good thing, Jo. Be there. Be around if he needs somebody. And if he doesn't, be there although. Be a friend to him and maybe he'll find something for you in his heart, too.'

'Yeah, maybe...' Joey couldn't help but sound sad. Than her eyes switched at the clock on the wall and she gasped.

'Oh my, this late already and I've not even changed...' She looked down at herself, in short jeans and black a belly top, with a mustard-yellow blouse casually over her shoulders, her hair in a messy bun and barefoot in sandals. She hadn't even done make-up. It was undeniably comfortable, but she couldn't possible go outside like this.

'It's perfect, Joey!' Bessie nodded and just as Joey was about to protest Bessie smiled softly at her. 'Hey, do you want to win him over or not?' Joey gave a faltering nod. 'So, you better take my advise, stay like you are, take my bike and get you sweet little behind to the park. Now!'

Joey looked at her sister somewhat funny and than burst into loud laughter, before playfully saluting. 'Yes, Ma'am! Of course Ma'am! At once!' She winked, grabbed her sunglasses, the blanket and that ridiculously full basket placed a kiss on Bessie's cheek. 'See you later, sis.'

'Yeah, later Joey. And take care.' But Joey didn't hear it, because the door clicked shot behind her.

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