Description: This is a post Joey/Pacey break-up fic. It is based five years after they parted ways that fateful night at prom. Two characters Ezra and Andrew are mine. Not a crossover fic though I borrowed Ezra from Pretty little Liars.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the original storyline and Andrew, he's of my own imagination.

Author's Note: Review and I will happily update often.

Unexpected Run-ins:

Chapter#3

(Ezra's pov)

" I'm sorry Jo, all I'm trying to do is make sense of everything. Much as you may want to, I'm not letting you go back home. Not to that prick of an ex of yours...not after he laid a hand on you.", I acknowledge in a stern manner. I'm not letting Joey leave, she doesn't get a choice. That bastard of a boyfriend or ex as of recently hit her, more then once. Joey is not going back to her apartment, not if he is there which I know that he is. She can argue and put up a fight all she wants but I'm not hearing any of it.

" Whoa, hold on. Are you saying this jerk hit her?", asks Andrew with a frown taking over his features. The look on his face is the exact one I had earlier. Andrew is about two seconds away from finding Joey's ex and pounding his face in. That is precisely what I nearly did when Joey came to me upset and crying. What kind of a guy puts his hands on a girl? One that wants to spent a few weeks in the hospital that's who.

" Joey?", questions Pacey before standing from his seat and grabbing his car keys. Crap, I know exactly what he wants to do. Pacey looks like he is out for blood right now. I'm not sure that I should have said anything. Poor Joey looks absolutely mortified right now. Her ex had no right to hit her though whether they fought or not. You don't put your hands on a girl, I don't care what the reason. It's safe to say the three of us all want to beat the hell out of this prick. The only thing stopping me from doing precisely that is Joey. All I care about is her, she's safe now and that's all that matters.

" ...I just want to go to bed.", pleads Joey with a huff before rubbing at her eyes. She looks beyond tired. Why did she even wake up in the fist place. If Joey felt guilty about taking my bed, she shouldn't. Honestly, I don't mind sleeping on the couch. More than anything I wish she would have just stayed in bed. A good nights rest is probably something she hasn't had in a while.

Placing a kiss atop Joey's forehead, I pull her in for a gentle hug," Go back to sleep Jo, we'll talk in the morning I promise."

Refusing to let me go, Joey grasps hold of my hand and gives a light tug," Not unless you come with me Ezra. I don't feel right kicking you out of your own bed."

" Joey, I don't mind...really.", I confide with a smile. It's the truth too, I want Joey to sleep in my bed. I'm not about to let her crash on the couch. If she won't go to bed without me though, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Something tells me Pacey won't be too happy with the idea of me sleeping with his ex. Speaking of which, could things get anymore awkward? Before I knew about those two, I all but admitted that I was into Joey. The last thing I want is to cause problems with Pacey. Not only is he my roommate, he's also a good friend of mine too.

" I know you don't, but I would much rather you come to bed with me Ezra...please?", adds Joey in a soft voice. There is a silent plea in her eyes and I know I'll probably wind up caving. Still I can't help thinking Pacey wants to kick the crap out of me right now. He probably thinks that I'm trying to move in on Joey. That is the last thing I want to do. While yes I'm very attracted to Joey, I'm not about to make a move on her now. Not when I know that she used to date Pacey. That would be breaking the guy code which is the last thing I want to do.

" ...If I do will you go to sleep finally Jo?", I find myself pondering as I all but cave. Who am I kidding? Joey is going to get exactly what she wants one way or another, there is no use fighting her. All I can hope is that Pacey knows I would never try anything. His friendship means way too much to me, I would never dream of jeopardizing it.

" Deal.", agrees Joey happily before nearly pouncing on me. Stumbling back a few steps, I quickly lose my balance. Falling backwards, I land on the couch with Joey on my lap. Laughing when she smothers me with kisses, I tense just as quickly when I notice the agitated look on Pacey's face. Not sure what else to do, I carefully remove Joey from my lap much to her displeasure. Sorry Jo but I don't want a black eye over you.

Clearing his throat to catch Joey's attention, Pacey folds his arms across his chest," You're not spending the night with my best friend Potter, it's not happening."

Whirling around on Pacey with a deadly scowl, Joey raises a defiant eyebrow," That's not your decision, Witter."

" You could always curl up next to me Joey.", jokes Andrew with a playful nudge and wink. Trying my best not to snicker when Pacey punches him in the arm, a chuckle escapes when I hear Andrew yelp in pain. Can't say the moron didn't have that one coming. What did he expect? He should know better then to hit on Joey right in front of Pacey. Apparently Andrew would rather learn the hard way. I don't care where Jo sleeps as long as I can go to bed.

" I'm not going to stand here and argue with you Pace, Ezra is my friend too. That said, I'll see you in the morning.", states Joey without hesitation. Stumbling forward when she yanks me from my seat, I nearly trip as Joey leads me toward my room. Well, I guess that is that. She certainly put Pacey in his place. Man, he is not happy with me right now? What does he want me to do though? I'm not about to get in the middle of those two. At the same time, if Joey won't let me crash on the couch there's not much else I can do. Pacey has to know I would never do anything with Joey, not now that I know they used to date. While he might know this that doesn't mean he wants me in the same bed as his ex.

" I'm sorry Pace, you know that I would never...good night.", I stammer nervously at the glower he's giving me currently. He does not look happy with me right now. Can't say that I blame him. If he took a girl to bed that I used to date, I would probably beat him senseless. Joey's not giving me a choice in the matter though. The girl is all but dragging me to the bedroom. Pacey knows that I would never try anything, or at least I hope he does.

" Night Witter.", calls Joey over her shoulder with a victory smirk before closing my bedroom door behind her. Watching as she climbs under the covers of my bed, I tense when Joey reaches for my hand. Not knowing what else to do, I eventually lie down beside her atop the covers. This girl is going to be the death of me. Aside from Pacey, there was a reason I offered up my bed to Joey with no complaints. I'm not all that sure I can last an entire night in the same bed as her without a pillow over my lap or lying on my stomach. This is going to be a long night...I hate my life sometimes. …