Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not own Dawson's Creek in any way shape or form. Just my own ideas.

AN: This is the second part of my apology for taking a long time to update. I really hope you enjoy this. I think I was having a bit of writer's block, but I think I'm better now. Have a wonderful day lovely people.

~ Joey ~

Dawson shot a disheartened look my way, "Joey don't say things like that to me. I know you're with Pacey now, but that doesn't mean I don't still love you."

I sighed knowing I should have never said anything to begin with, "Dawson, I love Pacey in a way that I never loved you. I'm sorry, because I know how much that hurts you. Dawson, I loved you like the way anyone loves their childhood. They look back on it fondly, but never want it back."

Dawson groaned, "But you really love Pacey I suppose. Joey did you ever stop to think that you've barely been with him for a month. Besides, where is he right now? He must know you've been alone all week. What kind of boyfriend leaves you alone in a massive storm?"

I groaned aloud, "Pacey and I had an argument before the storm. A few hours ago, actually, and I told him to go home. I didn't want to see him, and that's why he's not here right now. Otherwise, I know he would be."

The boy I once loved so much rolled his eyes at my words, "Whatever Joey, it's not like anything I say will ever change your mind about me now that you're with him."

"Dawson, if you're just going to pick at me about Pacey then I suggest you shut up right now before I throw you out on your ass in the middle of the storm. Besides, even if I wasn't with Pacey at all, I wouldn't be with you. We don't work as a couple, and that's never going to change."

Dawson sighed getting up and heading for the kitchen. I stayed put by the fire, while he stayed in the kitchen for a long time. Neither of us said anything to one another, silently I was hoping the storm was coming to an end quickly so Dawson could go home. Shortly after Dawson and I split up there was a knock on the door. I had no choice but to answer it in this weather.

When I opened the door, I was shocked to see a soaking wet Pacey standing on my porch nearly being blown away. I pulled him inside quickly closing the door behind me. Dawson poked his head in from the kitchen, "Oh great."

Pacey rolled his eyes in Dawson's direction before he slipped back into the kitchen. Pacey then turned to look at me, "What is he doing here?"

I grabbed some towels I had out on the couch handing them to Pacey, "I was outside putting everything away when Bessie called. When I didn't answer she called Dawson to come check on me. We finished boarding the house then came inside to dry off."

Pacey shrugged out his soaked sweater, and now was left in his slightly soaked t-shirt. He shivered and I sighed, "Go down to my room. I'll get you some dry clothes, just let me deal with Dawson first."

Pacey nodded kissing my forehead on the way by. I slipped into the kitchen sitting down with Dawson, "I would tell you it's alright for you to leave, but it's a disaster out there so stay. You can stay in the kitchen or go by the fire. Pacey and I will stay out of your hair."

Dawson nodded looking more at the table then at me. I took the silence as a good answer, as it was not another argument.

I slipped into my bedroom with some clothes that Pacey had left in the bathroom this morning. I tossed them at his shivering body,

"Here Pace, you left those here this morning anyways. What are you doing here anyways? Did you walk all the way from Doug's?"

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Pacey changed. I was still angry with him for lying, but there was something so irresistible about him. I saw him smirk when he caught me. I sat on my bed looking at the blankets in front of me. Pacey sighed sitting beside me,

"I was really worried about you. You never called once the storm hit or anything. I figured you would have at least called me."

I shrugged, "I didn't think you'd come if I asked anyways. I said some really nasty things to you earlier."

Pacey wrapped an arm around me pulling me into him. I snaked my arm across his waist feeling good that he wasn't mad. He sighed, "Joey, I was the one who fucked up earlier. I'm sorry I tried to avoid telling you Tamara showed up and tried to kiss me. Honestly, the second I realized what was happening my heart started to break because I didn't think you'd ever forgive me. That would be the worst part."

I pulled myself as close as I could get to him, "Pacey, I wasn't mad that it happened. I was mad you tried to hide it from me. I just want honesty from you Pace, that's all."

"I know Jo, I promise I'll never lie to you again," He said in a remorseful tone. He sighed kissing the top of my head, "I love you Joey."

I looked up at him connecting my lips with his, "I love you too Pace."

He hugged me tightly while never moving his lips away from mine. I pulled away after a few minutes, "Pacey, Dawson's in the kitchen. We cannot make-out in my bedroom right now."

Pacey smiled, "Dawson won't know, besides I heard you tell him we'll stay out of his way until he's able to leave. Did you two talk before I arrived, or was he always sulking in the kitchen alone?"

I sighed resting my head on his chest, "We started talking, and it was going relatively well until I asked if he was also ready to forgive you for whatever he thinks you did."

He sighed defeated, "I take it that was a big 'ole no."

I nodded, "I'm sorry Pacey, I tried really. I would love for us all to be civil again, but I doubt that's happening right now. He told me he still loves me."

Pacey looked down at me, his eyes filled with sadness and worry, "What do you have to say to that Jo?"

"I told Dawson that I didn't love him anymore, and that we never would have worked as a couple anyways. Then I told him that I love you in way that I could never love Dawson, or anyone else, he wasn't pleased with the thought. I ended with telling him that even if we weren't together, I couldn't be with him anyways."

"Wow, that must have taken a lot of guts Jo, I'm proud of you," Pacey said with a thoughtful tone.

"What are you thinking about Pace?" I asked quietly.

He shrugged beneath me, "What do you mean when you say you love me like you could never love Dawson?"

I turned to look at Pacey completely, "I guess I meant a lot of things. I meant that I never wanted to be around Dawson constantly, like I want to be by your side every day. I also never wanted to be with Dawson in that way, and with you I seem to crave it. I also never wanted to share my whole life with Dawson, but I guess for a long time he really was my life. I guess I just want all of you, and I want you to want all of me."

Pacey grinned from ear to ear, "Josephine Potter, I love you more than words could ever express. By the way, I do want all of you all the time my love."

I kissed him sweetly on the lips before dragging us both of out bed. We slipped into the living room with some crackers from the kitchen cupboard. Dawson sat exactly where I had left him when Pacey arrived. He barely looked up when we walked in.

With Pacey leaning against the couch near the fire I laid with my head on his lap beginning to feel exhausted from the day. Pacey played gently with my hair, and I could feel myself falling asleep. He never made me move, and when I woke up Dawson was suiting up to leave.

"Is it safe for you to go Dawson? There are enough rooms available," I said with sleepy eyes. Pacey sat back without a word.

Dawson nodded, "Yeah Joey, the worst is over. I promise to be safe all the way home. Thank you, Joey." With that he left closing the door tightly behind him. It was late, I could tell from lack of light in the windows.

Pacey stood helping me up as the fire was nearly out now. He locked the door tight leading us down to my room. We undressed to a certain extend before crawling into bed.

I yawned with my head resting comfortably on Pacey's chest, "I love you Pace. Thank you for coming to check on me in the middle of all of this."

Pacey sighed a content sigh, "I love you too Joey, and I would do anything for you Sweetheart."

I snuggled into his chest allowing myself to drift back to sleep. It came quickly, and despite the heavy rain and gusting winds I slept all night long. Something about being in Pacey's arms that never seized to put me to sleep happily.