A/N: Here we are again, Chapter 8 and I must admit I tend to write (by the seat of my pants) nothing is actually planned, such is the case in this story except for Chapter 12 (Which I am still working on at the moment) I also don't really edit too much, which I really should and if i thought about only publishing after a 3rd draft instead of the 1st...well it would never be put up here. So onwards, hope you like this chapter. I had fun writing it and you will notice because they did not know each other before this begins, much of the beautiful banter and sweet moments between them never really took place which is why I have included dialogue that did occur between them in other circumstances within this story ie: When Pacey kicked her out of the car.
Once again, thank you everyone for reading and for taking the time to review when you do. Means a lot to me.
Chasing Fire
Chapter 8
So I look in your direction
But you pay me no attention, do you
I know you don't listen to me
'Cause you say you see straight through me, don't you
And on and on from the moment I wake
To the moment I sleep
I'll be there by your side
Just you try and stop me
I'll be waiting in line
Just to see if you can
Did she want me to change
Well I change for good
And I want you to know
But you always get your way
I wanted to say
Don't you shiver, shiver, shiver
I'll always be waiting for you
So you know how much I need you
But you never even see me, do you
And is this is my final chance of getting you
And on and on from the moment I wake
To the moment I sleep
I'll be there by your side
Just you try and stop me
I'll be waiting in line
Just to see if you care
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Did she want me to change
Well I change for good
And I want you to know
But you always get your way
I wanted to say
Don't you shiver
Don't you shiver
Sing it loud and clear
I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you
For you I will always be waiting
And it's you I see, but you don't see me
And it's you I hear, so loud and clear
I sing it loud and clear
And I'll always be waiting for you
So I look in your direction
But you pay me no attention
And you know how much I need you
But you never even see me.
Shiver - Coldplay
Joey lay in bed unable to sleep, she knew she was being irrational but it didn't stop her from her silent freak out, she had returned home from work to find the porch light missing again, three times. Surely this couldn't be the work of bored teens and if it was, they had a more boring life than she did and that was certainly saying something. Joey had felt uneasy ever since she had arrived home, nothing she had done had improved that feeling, even now she kept the hall light on as well as the kitchen light on downstairs. She had double checked that all the windows and doors were locked and even checked them a third time. Joey had made sure her phone had full power and had it sitting on her night stand.
She was officially freaked out.
Joey lay in her bed with her covers pulled up under her chin, the slightest of noises keeping her on edge. Shadows moved across her bedroom wall and tree branches scraped against the window in the breeze that had picked up outside. Joey could feel her heart beginning to quicken, her breathing becoming erratic. A loud crash just outside tore at Joey's last thread, she reached for her phone and dialed the number she had recently committed to memory.
She knew it was late but she didn't care.
She waited for an answer, hoping he would pick up.
"Hello?" Came a sleepy voice.
"I know it's late and I am probably overreacting but...but, there are noises and shadows and the tree outside it scraping against the window and they stole my light again and I couldn't see my keys and it took me five minutes to find it and something might be out there but maybe not but I am not going out there and um, um you said to call you. So i'm calling you." Joey's voice came out in a jumbled mess.
"Joey?" Pacey rubbed his eyes and tried to adjust to the bright red gleam of his alarm clock. He had been asleep for about an hour.
"Oh, er yes." She laughed nervously. "I'm being stupid, i'm sorry to wake you. Go back to sleep." Joey quickly hung the phone up and threw herself back down on the bed.
She was overreacting and she knew it.
She was being such a girl.
Joey sighed and pulled the covers back up, she clutched her phone to her chest as she lay in the dark, her eyes darting across the room at every movement, every shadow that crept it's way across her room, Joey closed her eyes and pushed the heel of her palms against her ears to hold off the noises from outside.
Joey lay for hours, at least it felt as though it had been, perhaps in hindsight it really was only minutes. There was a knocking from down stairs, Joey opened her eyes, the knocking came again. Joey held her breath and sat up.
Psychopathic murderers didn't knock right?
Joey silently slipped from beneath the covers and slowly tip toed down the stairs. She stood at the top of the landing, unsure of what to do next.
"Open the door Potter!" Joey let out a breath of relief and ran to the door, unlocked it and threw it open and with out further thought Joey hurled herself into Pacey's arms. Joey closed her eyes and pulled Pacey closer to her, she felt the warmth and security as Pacey, suddenly out of his daze to respond did so by enveloping her in his arms, holding her tightly against him. They stayed for a beat before Joey finally pulled back with embarrassment.
"You didn't have to come." She said sheepishly, her eyes dropping to the ground . Pacey chuckled and shrugged.
"You seemed pretty upset Jo, I figured I could at least humour you by checking under the beds and in the closets." He shrugged. Joey looked up to him and offered a half smile. Pacey looked down at her and noticed that with her sheep sleep shorts and pale yellow tank top she looked beautiful, even while her hair was mussed from sleep she was absolutely breathtaking. Pacey's eyes narrowed as he regarded Joey's wide eyes. He looked down to where she concentrated her gaze and found in the dim light of the hallway a single rose on the stoop. Pacey leant down to pick it up, he observed it with curiosity. Pacey looked to Joey and quirked an eyebrow.
"Secret admirer?" While he joked Joey took a deep breath and looked around them, she gripped Pacey's hand and pulled him unceremoniously into the house, firmly shut and locked the door. Pacey watched Joey carefully. Her face was visibly pale and Pacey could see the fear in her eyes.
"Jo?" He stepped closer and put his hands on her upper arms. Joey relaxed under the warmth of his hands as skin connected with skin, allowing her to soften enough to form a sentence.
"This isn't the first one" She said, making her way back toward the light of the kitchen. Pacey followed closely behind her.
"The rose?" He asked her, catching sight of a similar one on the counter, wilted but still recognisable. She only nodded. Pacey shook his head.
"How many?" He asked her.
"Three, before these" She said and sat herself on the stool, rubbing at her temples. Pacey sat the rose on the counter and leaned against it, his arms crossed.
"When did they start?" He asked with caution. Joey worried her bottom lip.
"Maybe around the time the lights started going missing." She said, Pacey cocked an eyebrow. "About the time I met Eddie." She added. Pacey took a breath.
"And you think these are from him?" Joey only shrugged.
"I don't know. I mean it was one date Pacey and, I have been avoiding him ever since. He hasn't called for days." Pacey nodded, trying to hide the small smile on his lips at Joey's admission, secretly glad nothing had eventuated between Joey and 'that eddie guy'. "I know i'm being irrational, maybe overly irrational and a bit of a -"
"Skittish kitten?" He smirked as Joey poked her lip out in petulance. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. Joey felt herself relax considerably and finally as the fear left her she realised she was sitting in her pajamas at almost three in the morning with Pacey who was wearing a black sleeveless undershirt and a pair of black and blue plaid sleep pants, Joey averted her eyes as he uncrossed his arms to place his hands on the counter behind him, his muscles in his arms and chest moving beneath taut skin. Joey's breathing quickened which had nothing to do with her recent adrenaline from her earlier fear.
Pacey looked around and rubbed his chin in thought, he moved through the house checking the window locks.
"Everything is secure Joey, you're safe." He noticed the trepidation painted on Joey face and yawned. "Maybe you should try to get some sleep" He said, Joey nodded her head as she chewed on her lip. "I'll sleep in Jack's room." Joey relaxed considerably and offered Pacey a smile.
"Thank you Pacey." He nodded and followed Joey up stairs to the bedroom.
"You okay now Jo?"
"Yes, much better"
Pacey nodded and entered Jack's room, Joey made her way to her own, feeling the anxiety she had felt most of the night slip away as she slid beneath her covers and closed her eyes.
The incessant scratching of branches against the window pane pulled Joey from sleep, she looked around her. Shadows danced about the room, while Joey knew she was safe she could feel a foreboding begin to creep in, Joey pulled the covers over her, wondering why she was so anxious. She wasn't one to be scared of the dark, well not really. The feelings she was feeling now appeared to border on completely irrational. A car back fired, Joey yelped and jumped to her feet, scurrying across the hall to stand at Jacks open doorway.
"Pacey?" She whispered. When no answer followed she stepped further into the room "Pace?" Her voice was just above a whisper, laced with an anxious urgency. Pacey mumbled something. Joey stepped forward "You awake?"
"Nope" He said sarcastically as he rubbed his eyes, the light filtering through from the street lights allowed Pacey to see her, while not incredibly well, well enough to see the fear in her eyes. Her eyes were large and reminded him of a young child. Pacey found himself smiling. "Potter, what's wrong?" He asked her, rubbing his face.
"I'm kind of freaking out." She admitted and stepped closer to the bed.
"You think?" Pacey sighed. "You're safe Jo, I checked the locks." Pacey cocked an eyebrow as he watched Joey move to sit on the edge of the bed next to him.
"Can I just, can I sit here for a while Pacey?" She asked him, Pacey yawned.
"You need to try and go get some sleep." Pacey looked at the clock on Jacks side table, it had only been forty five minutes since they laid down. She nodded.
"I know, I will. I just want to sit here for a bit. You go to sleep." Pacey shrugged and yawned again, closing his eyes.
The sound of tom cats fighting in the street caused the bed to jolt beneath Joey as she yelped again, Pacey bit his lip trying to stop himself from laughing. The impeding laughter quickly left him once a slight panic overtook his body as he became aware of Joey scrambling beneath the covers and burying her head into his shoulder, her body pressed up against him so close he could feel her heart beating rapidly against his own, while her heart fueled by fear, the accelerated speed of his own having nothing to do with fear.
Pacey willed his body not to react to her closeness, instinctively he brought his arm over to drape around her protectively.
"Shh" He comforted her "Go to sleep Jo." Pacey kissed her softly on the forehead and they both closed their eyes and slipped into a peaceful sleep.
The morning sun streamed through the windows, bathing the room in light. Pacey's eyes fluttered as he began to awake, momentarily disoriented he attempted to sit up but failed to due to a weight on his chest. Pacey yawned and rubbed his eyes, slowly he opened them and looked down to find Joey's arm around his middle, her head on his chest. He smiled down at how beautiful she looked when she slept.
Pacey lay watching her sleep, content to lie there with her in his arms. Joey stirred and opened her eyes, the feel of Pacey's chest beneath her and his strong arms around her back helped her to feel the safest she had ever felt, she smiled to herself and slowly pulled away to sit up.
"Hey." Pacey smiled at her.
"Hey" Joey smiled sheepishly and stood up, looking everywhere but at Pacey, she could feel his eyes on her. "Thank you for last night." She said. Pacey nodded and stood up next to her, "i'll make some coffee". Pacey frowned as he watched her retreat quickly from the room, he scratched at his temple and shook his head.
Pacey made his way down into the kitchen where Joey was busying herself with changing the coffee filter, not once looking up to Pacey. He said on the kitchen stool and watched her carefully, finally he sighed.
"What's wrong Potter?" Asked Pacey, willing for her to look at him. When she didn't Pacey could feel his irritation begin to surface, he wasn't really sure why. " Okay then Joey, whatever. Why are you acting so uncomfortable around me?" He said standing up.
"I don't know." She said weakly, still not looking at him which began to anger him more.
"Hey well, don't think I ever cared here Potter, I was only doing Jen a favour" He said, his voice filled with hurt and bitterness.
"Jen?" Joey's eyes finally locked with Pacey's.
"Yes, Jen. You know looking out for you. She asked me to while she was away."
"So you guys just traded me off like some sort of baseball card?" Her voice raised above the usual conversation volume. "I need someone to babysit me, is that what this is about?" She said, her words sounding hurt as she spoke them.
"What?" Pacey shook his head.
"Us. You and me." She gestured between them "I thought that..."
"You thought what?" His voice lowered and his eyebrows furrowed at her possible innuendo. She shook her head and turned back to the coffee machine.
"I guess I thought something else, Pacey."
Pacey left soon after, deciding to leave before he slipped into their previous routine of ornery insults, throwing them about without consideration. It was either that or he could do something far worse and more damaging;
Admit his growing feelings for her.
Joey spent the morning, stamping her feet and slamming things down in irritation. It was not as though they were the best of friends, but to know he was only spending time with her because Jen had asked him to made her feel terrible. Pacey clearly had better things to do then to baby sit her, Joey sighed.
Of course there was some other reason for him to see her all those times, just checking up on her to make sure she didn't burn the house down or get lost on her way home from work. She wasn't a child, she didn't need this.
By mid morning Joey was showered and dressed and was now waiting for Jen to arrive. Joey began to wonder if attending the ball with Pacey was such a good idea, was this another one of Jen's favours?
It had to be, Pacey could take anyone he wanted, so why would he want to take her?
She knew he cared for Jen and would do anything for her so if she asked him to he would take Joey to the ball without hesitation. Joey frowned, it certainly was not a good feeling knowing she was Jen Lindley's little charity case. The sound of Jack's car as it pulled up to the kerb pulled Joey's attention away from her thoughts of self pity.
"Hey Jo." Jen beamed happily, rushing to her friend to embrace her.
"Hey Jen" She smiled, looking around "Where's Jack?" She asked, Jen waved her hand around.
"Getting our bags" She grinned. "Good to be home." She said. Joey nodded at her friend.
"So you're not going back to Capeside?" Joey asked her as they made their way into the kitchen. Jen shook her head at Joey who smiled, inwardly relieved they were home. The last few nights had wreaked havoc on her emotions, the missing lights, the single roses left.
"I can handle only so many church groups Grams' hosts, besides Jack was ready to come home." Jen's eyes narrowed at Joey who was lost in thought "You okay Joey?" She asked her with concern, Joey shook herself out of her thoughts, a memory from a few years ago. The realisation of what it meant washed over her, she felt her heart begin to beat rapidly.
"Come on Joey, it's all in the spirit of the holiday" Anna Evans grinned at Joey with a mischevious glint in her eyes. Joey offered a nervous chuckle and looked up at the house. She followed Anna up to the porch of the old home of Mr Granger, Bellstons very own Ebenezer Scrooge. The old man who would yell at charity workers and snatch and stomp on cookies being sold by Girl Guides. "Besides we've already removed the light globes from every porch light in the street." She said. Joey rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" Came a voice behind them. Anna and Joey spun around. Anna chuckled while Joey's face softened.
"Hey Adam." She smiled walking over to kiss him lightly.
"I thought you two had gotten over Halloween pranks" He asked chuckling, his hand revealing what he had held behind his back. Joey accepted the single red rose, bringing it to her nose and inhaling the sweet scent. She murmured a thank you against his lips as Anna placed the globe in her large bag.
She handed Joey a roll of toilet paper and winked at her.
"Well we were just reliving our youth." She smiled.
A hand on her arm pulled her out from her brief journey to her past. Joey's eyes refocused on Jen, her eyes wide with the memory. Jen tilted her head to the side, regarding her friends expression. Joey smiled at Jen in reassurance, nodding her head.
"Yeah i'm. I'm fine." Her smile didn't reach her eyes and she hoped Jen would accept it. Jen nodded her head slowly and with apprehension. She knew there was something bothering her but chose to ignore it for the moment.
"Okay, so we had better get a move on Joey if we are going to find the perfect dress for the Auxiliary Ball." Jen beamed, the usual light which sparkled in her eyes at the very mention of shopping burned bright, Joey laughed and nodded, moving to grab her bag they left the house arm in arm, deciding on walking instead of taking the car.
As they walked Jen noticed Joey had slipped into a silence, she could almost hear the cogs inside her head ticking over.
"Okay, Jo. What's on your mind?" She asked her. Joey looked down to her friend in surprise.
"What do you mean?" Jen only gave her a pointed look in which Joey responded with a heavy sigh. "I know all about the friend-swapping arrangement." She said to Jen, who furrowed her brows trying to recollect what Joey could be referring to. She then recounted the call she had put into Pacey not too long ago.
"Joey, that's not how it was and you know it." She said.
"I know that I don't have a social life out side of you and Jack but I never asked for your pity." Joey said, her voice was soft although it held a small amount of bitterness within it, she knew it wasn't about Jen but about Pacey and his reason's for them spending time together.
"It wasn't, it wasn't about pity Jo. I wanted you to have someone you could turn to. I couldn't be there for you. Now tell me where's the harm in that?"
"Well it just would have been nice if that someone could have metered a shred of genuine concern, Jen."
Jen shook her head as they continued on their way. She huffed out an exasperated breath and stopped, her hand on Joey's arm stilling her in her forward momentum.
"Jo, I know that you don't know him very well but if you did you would know that Pacey doesn't do things unless he wants to. It's obvious by his actions that he's got a hell of a lot more than a shred of concern. Why are you doing this?" She asked her. Joey shook her head.
"Doing what?"
"Casting aspersions on people, he's obviously enough of a friend to you to want to be there for you Joey, just like me. I don't know why you close yourself off to people." Joey frowned at Jen's words, she knew she was right.
Most of her life was spent with only Anna as her friend and then Adam, but after everything feel apart with him she just couldn't get close to another person. It took her sister Bessie a lot to get Joey to open up to her and when she did it wasn't for very long, Joey usually retreated back into herself.
Joey sighed, nodding her head as they began walking once more.
The cool salted air coming in from the harbour came to rest against the girl's heated skin. They made their way into another over priced boutique, Joey was certain it was the twentieth place they had visited, all of them stocked with the most hideous attire ever known to a woman with sight. Jen however said Joey was being far too fussy and was really using it as an an excuse to weasel her way out of attending.
Jen and Joey stood either side of yet another clothing rack laden with beautiful, elegant dresses. Joey's scowl told Jen if they didn't find a dress and soon this was all going to be abandoned very quickly.
"This" Jen spoke, pushing a hanger with a long, simply designed blood red evening gown at Joey. She looked to Jen with wide eyes.
"Oh I don't think so Jen, this is a little...I don't think so." Joey regarded the gown with fear, she would never wear something like what Jen was offering. A fitting dress with a slit up the side which travelled almost to the hip. Joey shook her head.
"It's very sexy Jo, you will turn all heads if you arrive in this" She was grinning, a twinkle of mischievousness in her bright hazel eyes. Joey shook her head, put her head down trying desperately to find another, less revealing gown. "Try it on at least." She smiled. Joey gulped audibly and chewed on her lower lip, before she knew it she was nodding her head and moving to the back toward the dressing rooms.
Jen tapped her foot while she waited for Joey to finish.
"How you going in their?" She smirked as she heard the barely audible grunting and expletives slipping forth from Joey's mouth. Joey sighed, scrutinising her reflection in the full length mirror. She shook her head, it was extremely snug, not tight but certainly snug. Never in her wildest dream would she ever think to wear something like this. She slowly pulled the door back to Jen, who 's eyes widened in shock before a slow grin crossed her head and she nodded to her friend. Joey shook her head.
"I can't wear this Jen" She choked out "It looks like someones poured me into it and forgot to say when." She frowned, looking at herself in the mirror and tugging at the plunging neckline so as not to reveal too much cleavage. Jen swatted her hand away and readjusted the dress.
"Oh this is it Jo, this is definitely it." She smiled, nodding her head enthusiastically. Holding up a pair of strappy red heels "And to finish him - er it off" She grinned, Joey quirked an eyebrow at her friends slip up and sighed. "Pacey's tall, so you can definitely get away with heels this height." Jen said handing them over to her.
"Well to be honest Jen" Her brows furrowed "I'm more concerned with wearing these and not breaking my neck"
Jen only chuckled at Joey as she chewed on her lower lip in contemplation before a final nod and moving to place the items on the counter to be rung up by the bored assistant, who stood, scratching at her newly painted nails. She looked up in mild reproach while moving with exaggeration to punch her purchases into the til. Once Joey paid for her dress and shoes, she and Jen found themselves on the busy sidewalk, the sun shone high above them, the breeze did nothing to remove the stickiness from their skin. They made their way through the sea of moving bodies on their way back home. Initially Joey felt brave, purchasing the gown with false gallantry, which appeared to be fading quickly and she now began to question her state of mental health.
Joey looked up from clearing a table to watch as Dawson moved into the bar to sit alongside Jen and Jack later that evening, she offered him a small wave of her hand which he returned with more enthusiasm then she had witnessed in the weeks after Andie's death. She was relieved to find along with Jack, Dawson appeared to be trying to find his way back out of the despair he had found himself in. Joey and Dawson were not close by any means but she had found over the months she had known him they were beginning to talk a lot more with one another, feel more comfortable. Possibly even become friends instead of a friend of a friend. Certainly he would never be that person she would divulge her deep thoughts or insecurities to, that it would only ever be light hearted on the surface discussions, nothing personal at all.
She had those with Jen, Jack as well to a certain extent. She was beginning to have that with Pacey, to be honest she had told Pacey more about herself in the time she had known him than she had to Jen. When he had revealed to her he was looking out for her as a favour to Jen it had felt like a kick to the stomach, that he was not the friend he purported himself to be. He was really just her temporary keeper until Jen had returned, while Jen had attempted to quash her insecurities on that issue she really didn't know what to think seeing as he had not done or said anything to make her think otherwise. She hadn't seen or spoken to him since he had left in a huff that morning.
Joey frowned, lost in thought. Jen made her way over to the bar to say good night to Joey, she and Jack had decided to catch a movie.
"You want me to swing by after the movie and pick you up after your shift?" Jen tilted her head to the side, asking Joey. She shook her head.
"No, i'll be fine." She said, although the last few days had made her feel on edge she could hardly expect her friends to drop everything to give her rides home from work. Jen clucked her tongue, thinking it over before she nodded.
"Okay, well make sure you don't walk Jo." She said, Joey offered her a roll of the eyes, nodding her head.
"Yes mother." She smirked.
It was close to midnight when Joey realised the lights shone from Pacey's apartment windows, she absently chewed on her lip wondering if she should go over after her shift to apologise for her part in the argument earlier in the day. Joey's head snapped up at the sound of breaking glass and frowned, Dawson had chosen to stay at the bar in lieu of attending the movie with Jack and Jen. He swayed dangerously on his bar stool despite Joey having cut him off over an hour previously after he had picked a fight with two men who were far bigger and more sober than he. Joey sighed and moved to clean up his mess.
"Oh so sorry Joey" He slurred, staggering as he removed himself from the stool, his eye lids heavy and his eyes unfocused. Joey waved him off and shook her head.
"Maybe i'll call you a cab Dawson?" She asked him as she moved to serve a couple sitting at the bar. Dawson grumbled something beneath his breath and sat down on his stool heavily. Joey sighed, wondering how easily it was going to be to get him out of the bar when it was time to close which was within the hour.
Joey glanced up to notice a scowl firmly painted on Dawson's face, his bleary and unfocused eyes still managing to recognise the tall figure as he made his way into the bar. Joey turned her gaze to the door and noticed the hateful scowl on Pacey's face as he looked to the drunken blonde swaying on his stool. Joey swallowed with apprehension, knowing there was a great amount of acrimony between the two men, not having any idea as to why.
Pacey stood just inside the doorway, his hands clenching into fists by his sides, his chest heaved in anger as he desperately attempted to reign in the growing emotions at seeing Dawson. Pacey let out a breath and allowed his eyes to move across the interior of Hell's Kitchen until the rested on Joey's form leaning over the bar. His face softened and he made his way with hesitation over to Joey.
Joey's mouth tilted up at the corner to offer him a small, sheepish smile.
"Hey" Her voice was barely above a whisper and filled with apprehension. Pacey sat down on the stool opposite her.
"Hey" He replied, biting the inside of his lip he sat regarding her for a beat before speaking. "I'm sorry." He said softly, his blue eyes locked firmly on her, the sincerity in them easing Joey's mind. Joey opened her mouth to speak, her head snapping up at the bitter voice as it cut through their connection.
"You broke her, you know that right?" Pacey's eyebrow quirked up as he slowly turned his head to find Dawson wobbling on unsteady limbs behind him. Joey's brows knit at his statement, she noticed the clenching of Pacey's jaw and his shoulders begin to tense.
"Back off Dawson." Pacey spat and turned back, his eyes which had previously showed her a softness in them now only portrayed a deep and unyielding stormy ocean. An intensity so strong Joey cringed inwardly as alarm bells went off in her head, wondering if she was going to be able to get these two men out before any blood was to be shed. Dawson fueled by alcohol and misplaced bravado continued with his angry tirade.
"She was always so sweet and loving, but you...you bro-"
The stool crashed to the floor as Pacey stood up abruptly and spun around, towering over Dawson, while in height he had a few inches over the other man, in build and certainty of self he was much bigger. He shook his head, his eyes dark with rage as he looked down at Dawson.
"What the fuck do you think you are doing Dawson?" Pacey's hands were beginning to clench into fists at his sides, his looming build tense and unwavering. Dawson blinked, his demeanor faltering while he took in the unmistakable look in Pacey's eyes. Knowing he had a propensity to allow his mouth to shoot off words he physically was unable to deal with if things moved to that point he opened his mouth to speak.
"You are not going to bring up past vendettas here" Joey had found herself standing between the men, a hand on each of their chests, desperately trying to keep them away from the other. She had no idea what these two had against the other and at the moment she didn't care, she didn't need a fight to break out. She turned to Pacey, her eyes hard as she pushed at him.
"Pacey, leave."
"What?"
"Just leave please."
Joey's deep brown eyes looked to him with pleading, Pacey opened his mouth to speak, he quickly clamped his lips tightly shut and gave a wry smirk, shaking his head in disbelief while he turned to leave without a word. It would certainly figure, Dawson Leery would get the sympathy, the grieving boyfriend while Pacey would remain the heartless bastard.
At least it was what he figured how Joey saw him. Pacey made his way to the door, he glanced briefly over his shoulder and found Joey and Dawson talking in hushed tones. He laughed to himself, pushing the door open with more force then he intended on.
"Joey watched Pacey walk across the street to his apartment before Dawson's voice brought her attention to him.
"He's an insensitive prick, if it weren't for him she'd still be here." He sneered, Joey's eyes narrowed at Dawson. "I can't be angry at her because she's dead, but i can still be angry at him, i can because he doesn't matter. She did she meant everything." Dawson sniffled and slumped onto the bar stool with defeat. Joey frowned and pulled her phone from her pocket to call a cab for Dawson to get home.
Joey shut the door to the cab and waved to Dawson as he sat in the car on his way to his apartment. She turned to move back through the entrance of Hell's Kitchen, thankful for the end of her shift. Joey moved to lock the night's takings to the safe in the back room, she turned the lights on and locked the door behind her. Joey turned and looked up to the window of Pacey's apartment, she sighed. She had to talk to him, to apologize for pushing him away earlier and to have a conversation about earlier in the day.
Joey took a breath, pushing her hands into her back pockets, taking a step off the curb towards his apartment she stopped, her face falling as the lights were distinguished in his apartment windows. Joey frowned, stepping back up onto the sidewalk and turned towards the opposite direction, a glance over her shoulder of regret as she moved off down the dark street.
