A/N - I am posting more on this as I have been focusing mostly on this story and while I will be finishing least travelled it wont be very soon. Thank you for all of the reviews, please give feedback as I live for it!

Chapter 5

She closed the door

She hides behind the face nobody knows

She feels her skin touch the floor

She wants to fight

Her eyes are tired, nobodys on her side

She wants to feel like she did before

She looks into her mirror

Wishing someone could hear her, so loud

And I need love, to hold me closer

In the night, just enough

I need love to hold me closer

In the night, just enough

To feel my body come alive

When my bones start breaking, my heart starts shaking

I need love, need love

The coffee's cold

He turned around and said "I hope you know

You're beautiful, have you ever been told?"

She's a little shy

As he walks away, she slowly breaks a smile

The skies are blue, haven't been for a while

She looks into her mirror

Wishing someone could hear her, so loud

I need love to hold me closer

In the night, just enough

To feel my body come alive

When my bones start breaking, my heart starts shaking

I need love, need love

Oh, oh whoa

Oh, oh whoa

She closed door

She hides behind the face nobody knows

She feels her skin touch the floor

I need love to hold me closer

In the night, just enough

To feel my body come alive

When my bones start breaking, my heart starts shaking

I need love, need love

Mirrors - Niall Horan

Joey packed the last of her belongings and made her way down the stairs and out to Pacey's car. She hated she had to work that night, if she had it her way she would be returning to Boston with Jen and Jack instead of with Pacey who she had avoided for the three days after their argument on the dock.

Pacey had barely even looked at Joey, keeping his distance knowing he would say something to her to anger her further. He wasn't sure why but the comment from Joey had hurt him, while normally he would allow those sort of off handed comments roll off his back, it was different with Joey.

Pacey glanced up at Joey as she stood by awkwardly with her bag. Without a word Pacey moved and took her bag from her and put it in the back of the car.

They said their goodbyes to Jen, Jack and Grams and made their way back to the car in silence. Pacey glanced over to Joey and turned the engine over, he made his way out onto the street and headed toward Boston.

They had endured moments of silence before, this was different. They knew what it was like to have a normal conversation with the other instead of nasty quips exchanged and neither caring the other might be hurt by them. Joey sat, her teeth worrying her lower lip wondering if apologising to him would be well received or even acknowledged. Pacey quickly glanced over, he could tell she was thinking and maybe wanted to say something. He knew what he had said the few days before had hurt her, he didn't think she would get so upset over it though. One thing he had noticed about Joey was she always appeared unsure of herself, as though she lacked confidence. She wore loose fitted clothes, never wore make up; not that she needed to.

He wondered why she appeared as self conscious as she did, he wondered if she was always like that or if something had caused her to be.

They drove the hour it took to get back to Boston in silence, Joey sat for the entire drive with a perpetual scowl painted clearly across her face. Pacey would occasionally glance her way and roll his eyes or smirk in amusement. He did not dare speak however, knowing if he did it would surely end in her taking hold of the wheel and directing them into oncoming traffic.

Once the coastal landscape had given way to the urban cityscape of Boston did Pacey finally let out a breath of relief, knowing he could drop Joey off and relax.

He finally pulled along the kerb and got out, moving to pull her bag from the back seat. Joey quickly found her keys and looked at Pacey in curiosity as she held her hand out for her bag.

"I can be a gentleman Potter." He said as he made his way to the front door.

"I am more than capable of carrying my own bag Pacey." She snapped causing him to groan in exasperation.

"I didn't say you weren't." He shot back. Joey rolled her eyes and dropped her arm knowing it was futile and went to unlock the front door. Pacey sat her bag at the foot of the stairs knowing he would be looking to get a slap in the face if he suggested taking it up to her room, especially since he would more than likely offer some sort of lewd gesture along with it. Joey muttered her thank you. "Anything for a lady" He smiled, watching as she flushed and tucked her hair behind her ear, her eyes downcast shyly.

There it was again, the proof she was very self-conscious about her appearance, something he didn't quite understand. He was going to leave it, not say a word but then the Witter mouth took over.

"Why do you do that?" He asked. Joey's eyebrows furrowed and she shook her head, having no clue as to what he was alluding to.

"Do what?" Pacey bit down on the inside of his lip, wondering if he should explain further.

"Get all uncomfortable when I say those sort of things to you." Joey frowned and shook her head. "You did the same in the cafe the first time I met you, when I said you were beautiful" Joey crossed her arms.

"If I remember correctly you also said it didn't make me special." She looked away briefly before turning back to him "Why wouldn't I feel uncomfortable?"

"Well I said that because I was being a jerk, not because it was true." He took a step towards her. "You do realise Potter that you are beautiful right?" He said. Joey's eyes dropped to the floor as she flushed. It was nice to hear and yet she knew it was untrue, she didn't deserve to hear such words from anyone.

"Yeah right." She said. Pacey shook his head at her in disbelief, someone really must have done a number on her.

"It's even apparent beneath all of this you wear." He said as Joey looked back up at him as he gestured to her baggy t-shirt and jeans, clothing which hid most of her body.

"It's comfortable." She said. "I'm not out to impress anyone" She said, her chin jutting out in defiance. Pacey's mouth turned up in amusement.

"Clearly" He retorted. "You know that you could though right, if you actually wanted to."

"Well, if I ever had occasion to dress up and try maybe I would." Pacey lifted his brow and smirked at her. He nodded and began to make his way to the front door. He looked over his shoulder to her.

"I just might hold you to that Potter." He laughed as she scowled at him and shut the door in his face.

Joey pushed through the large glass doors to find she was sharing her shift with Melanie, she smiled at the blonde and made her way behind the bar to where she stood, wiping the bar down. Joey looked around, a handful of regulars sat in various conversations at or around the bar.

"Busy?" Joey asked. Melanie shrugged.

"Not really, but it's not dead though."

Joey nodded, taking an apron from the back room and going through the motions of checking the stock in the cool room, a chore which usually took her over an hour to complete. She could hear the noise in the bar increase in volume as more patrons entered, finishing their shifts for another day.

Joey finalised her count and made her way back out toward the bar, she tore the sheet of paper from her notepad and placed it in the till for the morning shift to place the alcohol order for the following weekend. Joey sighed and leant over the bar, her chin in her hand and her disinterest apparent. Joey looked up once and scowled as a guy with dark wavy, unruly hair and lazy hazel eyes. He tapped a coin on the wooden bar top, gauging Joey's attention. Joey groaned and stood up, making her way over to him.

"What'll it be?" She asked, offering a smile. This guy was attractive in an off beat, dopey way. He grinned at her and ordered a bourbon. Joey nodded, aware of his eyes on her. She sat the glass down, took his money and sat his change down. Joey moved over to the other end of the bar to continue slumping on the bar.

She hadn't seen him for two days, it had certainly been peaceful.

Which was nice.

Joey's eyes flicked to the door which had opened, her heart fell when two women walked in and greeted two men already seated on the far wall. Joey sighed. Dopey slid down the bar slowly in Joey's periphery, she clenched her jaw a little.

"Another drink?" She asked. He shook his head smiling.

"No, I just thought you could do with some company." He drawled, smiling. Joey's eyes narrowed at him. "What's your name?" He asked her.

"Joey." She replied, eyeing him as he extended his hand, Joey took it in hers noting the clammy feel to it. "You?"

"Eddie." He replied, Joey smiled. He seemed nice enough, a little sleazy but nice. "So, you work here."

Nice yes. Smart?

Not so much.

"Why, did the apron and the fact that I was serving you give me away?" She asked.

"No, that would be the unmistakable surly wench attitude and the scowl to go along with it." Joey's head snapped up at his voice, she grinned in spite of her self.

"Bite Me." She sneered, although with humour behind it. He laughed as he sat down next to Eddie.

"Watch this one man, she's a live one." He chuckled as Joey slapped his arm.

"You come here to have a drink Pacey or to torment me?" She asked, raising her eyebrows at him. Pacey shrugged and leaned forward.

"Hey, I can multitask with the best of em Potter." He smiled. Joey rolled her eyes and turned to grab Pacey's usual beer, she flipped the top off and sat it on the bar in front of him.

Pacey felt a warm arm around his shoulders and a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey there sailor boy." She grinned, placing empty bottles on the bar.

"Hey Mel. Oz on parent duty tonight?" He asked taking a sip from his bottle, he cast a sidelong glance over as Joey leant over the bar in discussion with Eddie. Melanie smiled, her blue eyes glistened with love for her husband and daughter.

"Sure is, i'm glad he's had a few days off." Pacey nodded.

"Well work is boring without him though." He smiled, Melanie nodded.

"Don't worry, Matt will be at work tomorrow." Pacey grinned, his attention pulling to look at Joey as she laughed at something Eddie said.

"Well I need to be off but..." Eddie reached for Joey's notepad and pen, handing the pen to her. "Maybe we could get dinner sometime?" He asked hopefully, Joey smiled sheepishly and nodded.

She quickly scribbled down her number and tore the sheet off for him.

Melanie watched Pacey in amusement as he rolled his eyes and scowled at the pair.

"Sure, bye Eddie"

"Bye Eddie" Pacey mocked sweetly, gaining the patented Potter scowl for his efforts. Pacey chuckled at her and grinned. Joey looked down at the slip of paper with his number on it and slid it into the pocket of her jeans. She made her way over to the end of the bar to serve a young couple.

"You seen that guy before?" He asked Melanie, she narrowed her eyes in thought.

"Yeah, that's Eddie Doling. A college dropout, bit of a sleaze." She shrugged her shoulders, pushing her way off the bar. "Tends to hand his number out a bit though. Don't know much else though why?" Pacey shook his head attempting nonchalance.

"No reason." He said, Melanie smirked knowingly. "What?" He asked her as she moved off shaking her head.

Pacey stayed for a second beer before decided to head back home, he left Joey and Melanie to lock up.

"You need a ride?" He asked them. "You shouldn't really be walking around at night." Melanie shook her head.

"I've got the car Pacey, I'll drop Joey home. Don't worry about her." She smiled, Pacey nodded.

"Well okay then" He said and left Hell's Kitchen, moving over the street casually. Melanie watched as Joey's eyes stayed on Pacey's retreating form, a small smile tugged at her lips. She felt piercing blue eyes on her and turned to Melanie.

"What?" Melanie chuckled and moved off to make the short walk to her car. Melanie unlocked her car and shook her head.

"Nothing." She smiled, seating herself behind the wheel. Joey settled in the passenger seat and looked at Melanie warily. Melanie started up the car and pulled out onto the street, heading toward Joey's place.

"How do you know Pacey?" Joey asked the blonde. Melanie smiled, shifted gear.

"I met him in Florida, the summer after my first year in college." She said. "He had sailed down the east coast on his boat, before he was to start senior year in high school. We became friends and well. Something more I guess." She winked at Joey who flushed slightly at the innuendo. "It was just a fling, we had the time of our lives. About eight months later I think it was, we crossed paths again. We hung out a lot as friends. He introduced me to my husband Matt." Joey nodded having met the man. "I fell in love with him instantly, must be the accent." She giggled. Joey smiled at her.

"So he sailed down with family?" Joey asked. Melanie shook her head, shifting down.

"Nope, Pacey had restored a boat completely, sailed the whole way on his own. He was getting over a really bad break up after she had cheated on him."

"Oh that's too bad." Melanie shrugged and pulled the car kerbside. She shut the engine off and turned to Joey, her face serious.

"Be careful with him Joey." She said, Joey opened her mouth to speak, she cut her off. "Because that girl, she did it twice to him. He gave her a second chance a couple of years ago and she broke him." Melanie sighed and started the car up. "Be careful with him Joey, he might act tough but he is broken inside."

Joey stood on the footpath, waving to Melanie as she turned off the street and disappeared, Joey worried her bottom lip and made her way to the door. The conversation playing over in her head. Joey shut the door behind her, greeted by a single light which illuminated the foyer, Jen was still in Capeside with Jack who had decided to cut his visit short and would travel home with Jen in a few days time. For now Joey was alone, she sighed and ambled her way into the kitchen, flipping on light switches as she went.

So many thoughts swirled through her head so she decided she would have a coffee as sleep would prove elusive anytime soon. Joey's mind wandered over the few arguments she had with Pacey over the couple of months she had known him, she felt her stomach twist as some of the hurtful things she had said to him must have been taken, how she had let slip about Audrey being unfaithful and how she had stated how his women cheated on him. She really couldn't blame him for kicking her out of the car that day. Hell she wouldn't have blamed him if he hadn't come back now that she thought about it in hindsight.

Had Melanie been talking about Andie?

Grams had said that Pacey and Andie had dated, maybe she was the one who had broken him, twice. Joey frowned, if she had why did Pacey have a look of guilt on his face when she first noticed him at her funeral?

Joey finished making herself a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen counter thinking back to her conversation with Melanie, she had certainly shed some light on part of Pacey's past, Joey wondered why Jen had never said anything to her about this, it would have been information she would have liked to have knowledge of before she shot her mouth off. Maybe if she had known he wouldn't dislike her so much, before their talk on the docks the night they first returned to Capeside Joey would have thought Pacey hated her, now she was certain it was downgraded to large dislike, that was better right?

The smoke billowed through the broken windows as Pacey pushed his way through the front factory entrance, the lights flickered momentarily before enveloping the interior in darkness, he could barely hear the muffled cries over the loud beating of his own heart and the laboured breaths as he exhaled oxygen through the tank. Visibility was close to zero as he fumbled his way through the long corridor to the first main factory floor.

A head count had revealed most of the workers were evacuated but there were at least a dozen still in the building. Pacey looked around, Matt close behind him as they made their way further into the rabbit warren of a building, where corridors branched off to secondary corridors in a ll directions. Matt slapped Pacey's arm, signalling he would go left and Pacey to take the right, Pacey nodded in the affirmative and the pair broke off in search of stray employees.

It was the look of terror in the woman's eyes Pacey noticed well before her desperate gasps for clean air. Pacey pushed his way through fallen debris to crouch by her side, taking a small handheld oxygen tank her gingerly placed the mask over her and checked her body for signs of injury quickly, knowing he needed to get her out. The heat of the fire had become intense as the hellish flames had begun to close in on them.

Pacey lifted her effortlessly and made his exit through the doorway he had came through.

"I don't want to die" The woman said coughing, Pacey tried to reassure her everything was going to be okay, moving through the corridors slowly. After what felt like it could have been forever, Pacey pushed his way out into the night air. He carried her to the nearest stretcher and lay her down. Pacey pulled his mask off and gulped greedily for cool air, he looked down at the woman whose body now lay limp, her skin and clothes coated with black, contrasting against the bright white of the sheets below her, which glowed beneath the moon. "I don't want to die" She gasped. Pacey looked down at her when she clutched at his hand weakly, hoping he could offer her more strength than she possessed. Pacey felt his stomach lurch as his eyes caught the intense brown of hers. "Please Pacey" She whispered, her final breath caught in her throat as she spoke her last word.

Pacey bolted up in bed, sweat dripping from his body, the lights from the city filtered through his room, casting shapes along the opposite wall, elongated and ominous. Pacey rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hands.

"Joey." He choked out.

The dream itself was not new, he'd been having them most nights since the factory fire, that night a woman had been dying in his arms as he tried desperately made his way out, her face had haunted him even in waking. Never had another face had been substituted until now. Why now, why Joey and more importantly; did it mean anything.

Pacey sat and waited for his breathing to return to normal and his heat to slow, he mused in the stillness of the night he may have finished the therapy sessions too early. Maybe the events of the fire was affecting him more than he was willing to admit.

Pacey slowly lowered himself back onto the bed, now wide awake he glanced over to the clock on his side table. An hour before sunrise, Pacey groaned and decided while he didn't think he could get back to sleep he didn't want to risk it and have her haunt his dreams again.

It seemed completely irrational he would be dreaming of Joey, especially in such a horrific way. This had never happened in the past, he had never had these type of dreams of Andie, even when she had been in danger. It's not that he thought it was somehow precognition, but it certainly was curious to say the very least.

Pacey swung his legs over the side of the bed, the bedroom felt suffocating, he wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the dream he was still reeling from or the early summer temperature beginning to warm up. Given Boston was never anything over mildly warm especially at such an early hour, Pacey guessed it was the aftermath of his dream. He stood and made his way to the window, opening it halfway, trying to stir the air inside his room enough to feel as though he would not be gasping for breath.

Pacey stands for a time, taking in the early morning and sighing when he realises he needs to walk away to get ready for work, any more moments lost in thought and he will either be late for work or go insane at the overly analytical thoughts spinning through his head.

Matt waved to Pacey as they walked to each other an hour later out side Boston Fire House, Pacey notes Matt's relaxed expression, guessing the few days off have done him good. Pacey wished the days he'd had off had helped, instead they seem to have started some serious issues for him. It couldn't have helped he had spent them in Capeside where most of his issue lay, never too far to encroach on daily life yet not buried either that they couldn't.

"How was time away with the family?" Pacey asks, slapping his friend on the back while they make their way inside the large brick building, Matt grins and wags his eyebrows. Pacey groans and suddenly misses Audrey, or any warm female body for that matter.

"How about you mate?" Matt asks his friend. Pacey shrugged.

"Same business as usual." He says, throwing himself down on a chair in the common room. Matt snorts in disbelief and shakes his head at him. "What?" Matt only offers a roll of his eyes and leans forward against the hard plastic table.

"Mel mentioned you've been spending every night your not working propping up the bar at Hell's Kitchen." Matt raised a brow, waiting for confirmation or in Pacey's case, out right denial.

"Pfft, no. I have not been spending every night there and besides that, how would Mel know. She hasn't worked every night in the last week." Matt chuckled at Pacey's admission.

"Really?" He smirked.

"No at least I haven't -" Pacey frowned. "Oh fuck off Oz" He scowled. Matt sat back in his chair in satisfaction and folded his arms to look at Pacey.

"So, this got something to do with her?" He asked him, Pacey shrugged, feigning ignorance.

"Huh, who?"

"Legs" He said simply.

"Legs?" Pacey closed his eyes briefly, which was the worst thing he could have done, as Joey's long lithe jean clad legs flooded his mind. "No!" He said hastily. Matt laughed as Trent Darkins sat down the other side of Pacey. Both men looked to the new candidate and greeted him.

"So what's happening?" He asked.

"We are just discussing a certain leggy brunette in Witter's life." Matt unfolded his arms and leaned forward. Pacey shook his head vehemently.

"No, we weren't, you were making shit up in that head of yours Hastings." Pacey sighed, happy for his cell to cut off their conversation, grinning at the number displayed. "Hey Lindley." He grinned.

"Hey Pace, keeping out of trouble?" Pacey laughed at her and shook his head.

"You know me Jen." Before Pacey had a chance to protest or move away, Matt snatched the phone.

"Hey Jenny baby, hows Capeside?" He asked her, Jen laughed through the phone.

"Great Matt, how's that gorgeous baby of yours?" Matts eyes lit up.

"She's growing big Jen, you should see her now." Matt noted the scowl on Pacey's face and Matt grinned back cockily. "So, answer me this Jen, what's up with Witter and Legs?" The melodic sound of Jen's laughter sounded through the phone, Pacey dropped his head to the table in defeat. What the hell was Matt talking about, he could barely stand the woman. They were not even friends much less anything else, the idea was absolutely ridiculous. Pacey shut the rest of the conversation out, knowing it was at his expense until Matt handed the phone back to him.

"Hey." He said, Jen sighed getting over her last bout of laughter, she took a breath and began with the reason for her call.

"Boss man from work rang me, he needs to fix a few things up for the health inspector's visit so I have a few extra days off."

"And?" He asked in apprehension.

"Can you just check up on Joey while i'm away, in the house on her own and everything I worry about her is all." Pacey groaned, why were the fates so cruel to him, had he done something so terrible in a previous life that he was paying for all of past life's sins now in this life?

"Jen, really?"

"Pacey, please?" Pacey groaned but agreed to check on her when he could, saying it was a favour for Jen which must be paid back in full. Jen laughed and rolled her eyes when he suggested reciprocation in the salacious variety would certainly be more than acceptable.

He had also found himself agreeing to keep up the weekly lunch with Joey in lieu of Jen, while Pacey argued she would not even consider lunch with just him he decided there was no harm in agreeing. With Jen's mind put at ease and Pacey's stomach in knots they both said goodbye and promised to get together when she and Jack returned for drinks.

Pacey had suggested Hell's Kitchen because that was where he drank.

Joey worked there, but it was convenient for him.

It wasn't as though she would be working the night they'd meet up.

Pacey lived right across the street. It was a no brainer and Jen and Jack could just crash at his place if the need arose.

While Pacey knew he was simply fulfilling a favour for Jen, Matt watched him with a smirk on his face. Trent shrugged, not privy to the details of interactions between Pacey and Joey. Pacey sighed, knowing whatever his motivation to look in on Joey and to have lunch with her, Matt would not doubt draw his own inaccurate conclusions from the gesture.

Joey smiled to herself as she flipped her phone closed, Eddie had called her and they had arranged to meet up the following night for dinner, while Joey didn't find him unbelievably handsome, intelligent or charismatic, he did appear to be nice enough and she had not been on a date with anyone for over a year. Joey locked up and set off down the street.

It wasn't relatively late when Joey had finished her shift at Hell's Kitchen, after deciding to walk the few blocks back to her place while the weather was a mild temperature she had made it a block and a half when she became aware of a car slowing down alongside her. Her initial reaction was to run and hope she could find someone along the street to allow her refuge from a crazy, murderous stalker following her. Just when she was deciding upon fight or flight the window wound down and a familiar, irritatingly sexy voice called to her.

"What the hell are you doing Potter?" Joey turned to Pacey, her eyes narrowed.

"I am leisurely placing one foot in front of the other in a forward motion; generally called walking." She quipped.

"Really?" He spoke "Why?" Joey rolled her eyes at him. "Get in the car." He said not wanting to hear some feminist excuse for why she chose to wander the darks streets of Boston. Joey opened her mouth to speak when Pacey held his hand up. "We've done the whole argument of will she or won't she get in the car and to be honest Joey, I could just as soon as skip it. I'm tired and I want to get home and relax so..." Joey sighed and moved to the side of the car and got in.

"Thank you." She smiled. Pacey grinned back at her.

"You're welcome." Pacey maneuvered his mustang through the streets on Boston as he made his way to Joey, Jack and Jen's house. He glanced at Joey before clearing his throat.

"I take it Jen mentioned she has a few more days off?" Joey nodded slowly at his words "And lunch?" He asked her. Joey's eyebrows knit not quite understanding where he was going with his question. Pacey nodded and pulled the car along the kerb.

"Jen's want us to have lunch without her, you working tomorrow?" He asked her, Joey frowned.

"You want to have lunch with me?" She asked incredulously, Pacey shrugged.

"I don't have plans, I work night shift tomorrow." He said, Joey rolled her eyes. "Hey I promise not to insult you." He held his hands up in defense, narrowing them as she snorted in disbelief. "Okay, well, I promise not to insult you on purpose. That's the best I can do Potter so what do you say" Pacey held her gaze expectantly. Joey tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and nodded sheepishly.

"Okay sure."

"Well alright then." He nodded once, watching her as she exited the car, she turned back and smirked.

"Hey Pacey, just to warn you. I am making no such promises." Joey flashed a smile, her tongue peeking through her teeth mischievously. Pacey chuckled and called out good night, watching as she unlocked her door and let herself inside before he pulled away and back onto the street towards his apartment.

Pacey wondered if it was possible for he and Joey to co exist without the need to insult the other at every chance they got. Pacey noted there did appear to be a certain amount of playfulness between them and it was much better than his initial desire to gag her when they first met. He supposed she had been right, working from assumptions certainly was no way to base things off of.

Whatever this was between them.