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. Sort of a crossover fic though it's A/U and -A doesn't existed. I borrowed Ezra from Pretty little Liars, Emily might make an appearance. Not sure yet, if she does it will be as Pacey's ex.

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#8

(Pacey's pov)

" I'll do whatever it takes Potter.", I promise with a sad smile. It's the truth too. All I want is for things to go back to the way they were. Not having Joey by my side is no longer an option. At this point I'm willing to do just about anything not to lose her again. If she wants the two of us to start all over, I'm fine with that. Joey means everything to me, she always has. When we broke up because of my doubts about how she felt, not a day went by I didn't kick myself. If Joey lets me, I'll spend the rest of my life proving I'm worth a second shot.

" I know that you will Witter.", confides Joey in a whisper. Wiping the last of her tears away, I take a risk and press my lips to Joey's. To my shock she eagerly kisses me back. Running my hands down her arms gently, I lean my forehead against hers with a shy smirk. Joey has yet to pull away but I'm not a moron. I know a mere kiss isn't going to magically solve everything. If Joey is willing to take a risk on me, I'm not about to let her get away again.

" Do you think that I could take you to dinner sometime?", I question hesitantly as I kick at the ground. It's a long shot I know but if putting myself out there is what it takes to get Joey back, I'm alright with that. We're not in high school anymore. There's nothing between us now. I know now that all my reservations and insecurities about Dawson were completely unfounded. Joey never once gave me reason to believe that she was going anywhere. She was happy with me; I was just too stupid to see how lucky I was. Joey chose me all those years ago because I was the one she wanted to be with, not Dawson. Why I ever saw her friendship with him as a threat is beyond me. I'll be damned if I'm going to make that mistake twice. If Joey tells me that there is nothing between her and Ezra, I have no reason not to believe her.

" I'd actually like that a lot Pacey.", allows Joey with a light chuckle and peck to my cheek. More than a little relieved with her answer, I let out a breath I had no idea that I was holding. This is great; for once everything is finally falling into place. If I can just manage not to mess up Joey and I might just get back together after all. Never in a million years did I think I would get another chance. Now that I finally have one I'm not about to blow it. However slow Joey wants to take...whatever this is, that's more than fine with me.

Making a plate for the both of us, I set them on the table before pulling out a chair for Joey," Don't take this the wrong way Jo, but you may have just made me the happiest man alive."

Taking a few bites of her pancakes, Joey pushes a piece of hair behind her ear," Try not to make me regret this Pacey."

" That's the last thing I want to do, trust me Joey.", I quickly reassure Joey before placing my hands over hers. It's not hard to see Joey is more than afraid that I'll break her heart again. One way or another I'm determined to prove her wrong. The last thing I want is to lose Joey forever. To be completely honest, one day I want to marry her. Joey's the only girl that I have ever wanted. Sure, just a few short weeks ago I might have been trying to put the pieces back together with Emily. But now that Joey has deemed me worthy of another chance, I'm going to take it.

" Great, because they'll never find your body if you do Pace.", states Joey in a serious tone yet with a smile that lets me know she's kidding. There's the girl I fell in love with. This is the Josephine Potter that I missed most. There was a time when the two of us spent our days bickering, trading insults and tearing into one another. Joey was once public enemy number one. Then one day everything changed for me and I saw her in a new light. Hell, I would have done just about anything to spend time with Joey and get her to notice me.

" I believe you.", I joke as the both of us share a laugh. Taken by surprise when Joey moves to sit on my lap my arms instinctively wrap around her waist. This is how it is supposed to be with us. It has been years since I have held Joey. The feel of her silky skin against mine is slowly driving me wild. More than anything I just want things to go back to the way they were between Potter and I. I'm not dense though, I know it's going to take some time before she'll even remotely trust me again. At this point I'm more than willing to do whatever it takes to make Joey happy, she's worth the wait.

" Hey, Pacey?", questions Joey while taking a few bites from my plate. Frowning when she finishes half my eggs, I shake my head in amusement. Yeah, this is just like old times. Leave it to Joey not only to finish her plate but to poke at mine as well. Can't really say that I mind all that much, I didn't make plenty to eat. Bringing my gaze to meet Joey's, I can't help noticing a curios look in her eyes. Uh oh, should I be worried? What if Joey wants to have a serious talk about what's going on with us? While I knew it would only be a matter of time before she did, I didn't think it would be so soon. I'm not even sure if she wants to get back together. The only thing I know for certain is Joey no longer hates my guts.

Deciding not to get ahead of myself and panic, I instead place a few soft kisses on the back of Joey's neck," Yeah Jo?"

Turning to face me now, Joey plays with the hem of her shirt before glancing up at me," When did you know?"

"...What do you mean?", I ponder with a baffled look. When did I know? Sorry Jo, you're going to have to be a bit more specific. Not exactly sure what it is she's asking? At least this doesn't sound like the start of a tension filled conversation. Then again I never could tell with Joey. Something still tells me that I should proceed with caution. The last thing I want to do is back myself into a corner or start a shouting match. Neither of those scenarios would end well for me. Joey always did know how to keep a guy on his toes that much is for certain.

" Nothing...I just...forget it Pace.", mumbles Joey with a shake of her head. Sighing to myself when she lays her head on my shoulder, I rub Joey's back softly. Judging by the hesitancy in her voice, I know that it was more than nothing. Something has been plaguing Joey for a while. For the life of me, I have no idea what though. Studying her carefully, I soon find myself wondering what's going on inside Joey's head. This girl has always been so easy for me to read. But right now, I'm completely stumped.

" It wasn't nothing Joey, come on. This is me you're talking to; I know when you're lying. Ask me anything and I'll answer truthfully...I promise.", I affirm without pause. Joey should know by now that she can ask me whatever she wants. I don't have anything to hide from her. Something is on her mind and bothering her, that much I know. What it could possibly be though is beyond me. The last thing I want is for Joey to just completely shut me out...not when we were finally beginning to make some progress.

" When did you know that it was over? What was the final nail that made you want to break up with me?", searches Joey in a saddened voice unable to meet my eyes. Her words cut me like a knife. I'm not sure what to say or how to react. Joey all but thinks our break up was because of something that she had done wrong? She couldn't be more wrong. We broke up because I couldn't deal with my doubts and jealousy when it came to Dawson. There was a time when I had all but convinced myself that Joey didn't want to be with me anymore, that I wasn't good enough for her and she deserved better. Our break up had nothing to do with anything Joey had done or didn't do. We broke up because of my damn insecurities, nothing else. For Joey to think she'd done something to make me leave...its killing me to know she's lived with this notion all these years.