Chapter 13

Pacey was worried about Lawrence's phone call. He sounded elusive and mysterious. He cancelled his mid morning appointments much to the frustrations of Penny, to whom he shrugged his shoulders and smiled, and raced off to Lawrence's penthouse. The ride up to the penthouse seemed to last an eternity. Finally the doors opened, he greeted Reginald quickly but politely and walked briskly into the sitting room, "Lawrence what's wrong? I came as soon as I could. Are you alright?"

Lawrence smiled and broke into a cheeky laugh, "Oh dear boy I'm fine."

Suddenly Pacey's face grew puzzled and angry, "You know I have a busy schedule...don't play games with me Lawrence." Pacey failed to notice Jen sitting behind him.

Lawrence extended hi hand and pointed to Jen, "You are already acquainted with Jennifer." Pacey turned on his heels..oh she had come to complain...great!

"Yes hello again Mrs Maddsen," he said dismissively and feeling rather put out then turned to Lawrence obviously frustrated, "So?"

"Oh Tom you can be impetuous at times, sit down we need to talk," said Lawrence. Tom did as he was told but he couldn't shake the annoyance he felt. "Tom you need to relax...you'll be here for a while, Reginald bring Tom a scotch and the bottle, he's going to need it," said Lawrence mockingly catching Jen's smile.

Pacey was unhappy but he took the scotch and unbuttoned his jacket, "I'm playing now...what's the go?"

Lawrence gestured to Jen, and Pacey turned to face her, "Jennifer has some startling information that might interest you Tom..."

Pacey smirked in annoyance and said, "Really..."

"...about your past!" finished Lawrence taking immense pleasure at Pacey's shock reaction, "Now pick up your jaw, be a gentleman and listen."

"About my past! What on earth does she know about my past? Anyway didn't we agree to let it go Lawrence. It's been so long that it doesn't matter anymore...I don't have time for this," he said. Pacey was feeling ganged up on. They knew something, they shared this secret and he was left hanging. He didn't want to know. He was finally content and life was good. Goodness knows what skeletons this woman was going to dredge up. No, he didn't want to hear. He got up, placed his glass on the french-polished side table, did up the buttons on his jacket and started to leave, "Now if you'll excuse me."

"Young man sit down now! In these 15 years I have taught you how to be a gentleman, respectful and polite. Jennifer has some information, let her speak then if you are still too pig-headed to accept it, you can go," blasted Lawrence. Pacey froze at his outburst. Lawrence never ever raised his voice and this rocked him to the core. He felt embarrassed and berated, he looked at Jen who smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry." Lawrence made eye contact with him keeping his stern face and Pacey sat down.

The air in the room was tense and Jen was the first to speak, "Tom I'm sorry for keeping you from your work but I think what I have to say will interest you." Tom's face was unreadable and cold. Lawrence seemed annoyed. "When I came to your office and saw you...I thought I had seen a ghost. 15 years ago I lost a very good friend in a sea storm. He was declared dead 8 years ago and his body was never found," explained Jen, then she pulled a photo out of her purse, and handed it to Pacey, "this photo was taken before you left."

Pacey's eyes sprung open. It looked exactly like him and the story matched. He looked up at Jen and said nervously, "So you think I might be him...?"

"Yes I do. His...your name was Pacey Witter and these people were your family, your best friends. That's me of course, that's Jack, Andie, Dawson and Joey," her voice hung on the last syllable hoping that name would bring a reaction, but it didn't. "Do recall anybody here?"

Pacey was lost in his thoughts. He had friends, close ones apparently but he didn't remember them, he couldn't remember them. He gave the photo back to Jen and stood up walking towards the window, one hand on his back and the other scruffing his hair, "Tom?" called out Lawrence.

He swallowed, turned trying to hold back his emotions, "You see this is how it begins. This is what I want to avoid. I may be this person, but I don't remember. I see hope in Jen's eyes and the expectation that I will suddenly recall my memories of her and the others, that I will resume being...what...Pacey was it? Then when I don't, I'll see betrayal and hurt. I don't want to hurt anybody let alone people I don't know. I can't do this Tom...I just can't!"

Lawrence could see Pacey's point of view and empathised completely, "I understand kid, I truly do. But you owe it to yourself to explore your background, to see your past and understand what made you who you are." Pacey stared at him whilst he processed everything, then Jen's voice broke his trance.

"Tom...your fears are real and I can't guarantee that people won't be hurt. But it's not your fault, this whole situation is nobody's fault just a cruel twist of fate. Also, we are all adults, you are not responsible for us...but then again this whole guilt thing, is so Pacey...always bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. Let me tell you about who you were and about your family and friends. You were and are still are very much loved. You're always in our thoughts. Speaking for myself, I'm just happy that you're alive Tom and just being in your presence, hearing you speak is heaven. I just want to hold you. Then if one day your memories return, you'll know where home is," said Jen smiling and crying, pleading her case.

Lawrence was so moved by the situation he had gone very quiet. Tom focussed on Jen. He saw everything in her eyes, he saw the love she was talking about and saw the joy. He nodded defeatedly and sat next to her, he put his elbows on his knees whilst his head hung low. Jen grabbed his hands in hers. Pacey turned his head, his cheeks stained with tears, "Trust me Tom, trust me." That's all she needed to say. The next few hours were spent with Jen talking, laughing and joking, whilst Pacey listened and smiled, asking a few questions here and there.

"The whole story seems straight out of a teen drama novella...so Joey had always truly loved Pacey?" asked Pacey.

"Love of her life Tom, but she was lonely and Dawson loved her. It was inevitable that they'd marry," said Jen matter of factly.

"How do you think everyone would react?" asked Pacey coyishly.

"Shock I think at first...remember my reaction, but then happiness and curiosity," concluded Jen.

Pacey breathed in and stood up, stretching his back. He turned to Jen, "I don't think I could face the whole town. I'm not sure I can face anyone really but I should...I know that."

Jen nodded, "I understand...listen what if I give you my address and number. Come to Capeside when you're ready, bring Lawrence if it helps, and stay with me and we can do it slowly, Tom. Until then I won't tell a soul, I promise!"

That sounded great...it really did. He had to face up to his past and this sounded like an excellent method, "OK...deal!"

Jen got up and left, saying her goodbyes, "Who would've thought that this day would've turned out like this!"

This left Pacey and Lawrence, sitting quietly. "So...you seemed a very interesting and a precocious fellow Pacey...16 and doing the teacher!" smirked Lawrence.

"My name is Tom and I don't have any intention of changing it...and yes, I like myself already," he smiled, "I need a drink!"

"Yes, me too...so why don't you go this weekend. See your past, experience it and try and make some sense out of the whole thing," said Lawrence enthusiastically.

Careful not to burst his bubble, Tom said, "I'll think about it."

The work day was nearly over and Tom knew he had so much to finish before he could go home. "Thanks for everything Lawrence...and the drink. I've got work to finish up. I'd better be going," said Pacey as he stood up and suddenly the room started to spin. He dropped his glass having missed the table, spilling the reminder of scotch on the floor, "Gee...it's true what they say, never drink on an empty stomach." The room continued spinning as he grabbed the arm of the chair in which he had been sitting.

Lawrence became alarmed, "Tom...Tom." He got up and moved as quickly as he old frail body would take him. He grabbed Pacey by the shoulders to steady him. Pacey placed his right hand on Lawrence's shoulder and suddenly found the room coming to a stop. Lawrence lifted Pacey's chin and looked at him with great concern. Pacey's eyes were glazed over, he was panting and his scar stood out starkly against his pale skin. The episode was coming to an end as Pacey's breathing slowed and he started to straighten up. Lawrence relented his hold on Pacey when suddenly a deafening scream erupted from Pacey's mouth as he pushed Lawrence away and grabbed his temples. Lawrence finally found his footing and moved over to Pacey again. He couldn't help him. The young man was so strong. Lawrence yelled for Reginald. He came running in to see Pacey collapse on the floor. The thud was sickening. Lawrence looked in horror. Reginald didn't waste anytime and called 911. A grief-stricken Lawrence went over to Pacey and bent down. His aged hands, moved nervously towards Pacey's cheek. Meanwhile Reginald was down assessing Pacey's condition. Lawrence sat back and watched. Reginald tapped Pacey's face, "Mr Roberts...Mr Roberts can you hear me?" There was no response. Reginald checked his breathing...he was breathing. So he placed Pacey in the recovery position until the EMTs arrived although continued to try to rouse Pacey. "Mr Roberts, Mr Roberts!" said called shaking his shoulders.

A moan was heard, "Goodness man...he's waking," said Lawrence.

"Mr Roberts can you hear me?" asked Reginald. Both men looking intently searching for signs of life. Eyes fluttered and a groan escaped his lips, "Oohhh...my head!"

"Tom, Tom are you alright?" asked Lawrence. Pacey blinked a few times trying to focus on the 2 men kneeling in front of him, then clutching his head he tried to pull himself up. Reginald grabbed him under the armpits and helped Pacey into a sitting position.

"Yeah...thanks Reggie. What happened?" asked Pacey.

"You lost your balance and then your head started hurting and all of a sudden you lost consciousness, Tom," explained Lawrence trying to hide his concern, "The ambulance is on its way. Sit still!"

Pacey stared at Lawrence and continued to rub his temples, "I'm OK now...maybe it was drinking on an empty stomach." Reginald helped Lawrence up and Pacey started to get up, when his legs gave out from under him, "Oops!"

Lawrence could hear the sirens, "Stay down...the EMTs are here. Reginald please show them in."

Pacey gave Lawrence a look. This scared Pacey and it scared Lawrence too.

The EMTs rushed into the room. "Sir, can you tell me what happened?" asked the female EMT, whilst the younger male EMT started compiling Pacey's vitals.

"Umm...?" mumbled Pacey.

"It seemed that he lost balance and couldn't stand, then when he finally stood he was assaulted by a fierce head pain and then he lost consciousness," said Lawrence.

The female EMT looked at Lawrence and took in what he had said, "Are you sure he lost consciousness?"

"Yes," replied Reginald, "I'm trained in CPR and First Aid. I conducted the DRABC and he was unresponsive for at least 10 minutes. He continued breathing throughout the whole event. He only just regained consciousness."

The EMTs conducted their assessment when the female stood up and spoke to Lawrence, "He needs to go to the hospital for scans and tests. His blood pressure is quite high and his pupils are still sluggish in the responsiveness. I can't tell you what happened Sir."

Lawrence nodded, "Fine...I'll follow in my car," then turning to Reginald, "Have Oscar bring the car around." Reginald nodded. Again...was the only thought running through Lawrence's mind. The hospital again. This young man had come into his life, opened up his heart, gave him hope and it always seemed that it came at a cost.

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