Description: My version of how Pacey and Joey got together, set in early season 2.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of this story except the original storyline.

Author's Note: please leave a review and I will update regularly.

Confused in Love:

Chapter #9

(Dawson's pov)

" Pacey we need to talk.", I remark once I'm sure Joey's gone. There is something that I have been meaning to talk with Pacey about. Lately I have been wondering if it's time Joey and I got back together. To be honest I'm not all that sure why we broke up in the first place. Alright fine, so maybe I do. What else was I supposed to do though? Joey's dad went back to dealing drugs, I had no choice. Surely she can't still blame me for ruining her family. That was how many months ago? Whatever resentment Joey's held toward me must have subsided by now…right?

" Yeah, there's something that I have been meaning to tell you.", confides Pacey in a hesitant manner. I watch him pace the room for a minute. What is the matter with him? Whatever he has to tell me can wait. There are more pressing matters to deal with. Right now the only thing I want to know is why was Joey dodging Pacey all last week? What could he have possibly done to have gotten on her bad side this time? What happened between them? They're fine now, but still I want to know what Pacey did.

" What has been going on with you and Joey? Why has she been running in the opposite direction whenever you enter the room?", I question with a frown before folding my arms across my chest. This causes Pacey to lower his head in shame. It's now that I almost start to feel the slightest bit sorry for him. Maybe I should cut him a little slack. Him and Joey do seem to have worked out their differences from what I can see. Still I need to know that if I get back with Joey those two aren't going to be at one another's throats constantly.

" That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about Dawson.", manages Pacey in a cautious tone before taking a seat on the couch once more. Well at least we are both on the same page. I just want to make sure that whatever difference him and Joey had are put behind the two of them. Pacey is one of my oldest friends and Joey is also. The last thing I want is for them to not be able to get along. I know they won't be the greatest of friends and will always bicker at times. But I would like for them to try and put their altercations aside and get along. I know that it's possible; I have seen them spend time together without arguing.

Pouring myself a glass of water, I take a few sips," Look Pace, I have wanted to get back with Joey for a while. But I can't do that if you two are fighting all the time."

At a loss for words, Pacey runs a frustrated hand through his hair," Wow, you just made what I wanted to say a hell of a lot harder Dawson."

" What do you mean Pacey?", I ask with a look of genuine confusion before shaking my head. How could the fact that I want to work things out with Joey make whatever he has to tell me difficult? Pacey is making absolutely no sense right now. Why does he look like he is going to be sick? There has to be something that I am missing. As soon as I mentioned wanting to work things out with Joey, Pacey all but tensed up immediately. What's his problem? I thought he of all people would be happy.

" I'm in love with Joey, I have been for a while. Last week…I kissed her. That is why Joey has been avoiding me, she wasn't sure what to think or how she felt.", reveals Pacey in a calm manner, his eyes never once leaving mine. His words hit me like a brick and I nearly choke on my drink of water. Did I just hear Pacey correctly? Did he just admit to being in love with Joey…MY Joey? What the hell is he talking about? This has to be his idea of a twisted joke. One look in his eyes tells me otherwise though.

" You're…in love with Joey? …With my Joey?", I demand with a scowl taking over my features. He can't be serious, and yet he is. What the hell? How does Pacey expect me to react? Does he honestly think I'm going to be happy with this news? Because I'm not, I am so furious I can't even put into words what I'm thinking. Pacey kissed Joey? How could he do that to me? I'm supposed to be his best friend and he went behind my back and made a move on Joey? Some best friend he is!

" Yes, I am Dawson.", is Pacey's only response. His admission sends me over the edge. I can no longer think straight. I'm rapidly overcome with jealousy as I regard him with a glare. Pacey is in love with Joey. Bull crap! I don't care what he says, I don't believe him for a second. He knows what Joey means to me. how the hell could he look me in the eye and say that he is in love with Joey? Friends don't go behind each other's backs and make moves on their friends ex-girlfriends. This is the lowest thing Pacey has ever done. I cannot believe him right now.

Unsure how to react, I take a seat across from Pacey," Pacey…what the hell? Since when, I want to know how long you have held feelings for MY ex-girlfriend."

Not sure how truthful he should be, Pacey scratches at the back of his neck," Well, I have always found Joey attractive. But I guess that I didn't really start to fall for Joey until we did our snail project together. …I kissed her that day too but she rejected me."

(Pacey's pov)

" You had to fall for my Joey?! Why not literally anyone else? Why her!", accuses Dawson loudly in an agitated manner. He can't be serious right now. Out of all people Dawson should know how easy it is to fall for Miss Josephine Potter. The girl is beautiful to say the least. How could a guy not fall for her? Should I have told Dawson how I felt sooner? Yes, but I don't think it would have made much of a difference. He would still hate me either way. I don't regret kissing Joey for a second. It was one of the best decisions that I could have made. That last innocent kiss on the cheek caused Joey to think about she felt for me. She must have felt something if she kissed me last night, that was amazing.

" It's not exactly something I planned Dawson.", I reason in as even a tone as I can manage. If thinks that I woke up one day and thought ' how could I hurt my best friend?' then Dawson is seriously delusional. The last thing I ever expected is that I would develop feelings for Joey Potter. These things just happen sometimes. It's like I told him, I have always found Joey to be attractive. Those feelings of simple attraction changed the day we did our snail project and I caught glimpse of Joey in that damn towel. That's when I knew, that I was a goner.

" Go to hell Pacey.", declares Dawson with a gaze of hatred in his eyes. Yeah, I saw that one coming; Dawson needs to know that I didn't intentionally set out to hurt him. It is killing me to have these feelings for Joey. What am I supposed to do, ignore them? If I were to do that it isn't like they are going to go away. If anything they would merely grow stronger. I don't know what I am supposed to say or do to make Dawson know sorry I truly am? With one glance I soon realize nothing I could say will matter much. In his eyes, I just proclaimed myself public enemy number one.

" Dawson…come on man.", I call after him with a sigh when he turns to stalk off. The last thing I want right now is for him to leave angry. He might hate me but that doesn't mean I want our lifelong friendship to end. What would I tell myself if that were to happen? I lost Dawson as a friend but at least I still have Joey? The thought of Dawson tossing aside a friendship like ours over Joey is ridiculous, yet it seems as though that is precisely what he intends to do.

Whirling around on me, without thinking Dawson punches me in the face," I don't want to hear it! …Our friendship is through Pacey."