center
I'm tired from exploring youbr
I'm sorry you've had some scary daysbr
I'm lucky, they had me on a leashbr
Exposing, sometimes you frighten mebr
br
And it's too bad you're so sadbr
I wish you could have had what I hadbr
br
I'm loathing most of your historybr
Hesitation, but then you siphon mebr
Your potential, well I'll indulge in thatbr
Violent timing explains the aftermathbr
br
And it's too bad you're so sadbr
I wish you could have had what I hadbr
And it's so sad it's too bad br
Maybe I can make you feel betterbr
Oh maybe I'm supposed to make you feel betterbr
br
I want to comfort you br
br
Unlike you I had it easy br
You're dark blue Stained from previous daysbr
br
And you're so sad br
It's too badbr
I wish you could have had what I hadbr
And it's too bad you're so sad br
Maybe I can make you feel betterbr
br
I'm sorrybr
~Dark Bluebr
~No Doubt
/center
pJoey sat in the Icehouse, trying her hardest to keep her mind concentrated on doing the books. It
had been an entire month since she and Pacey had made their little pact, but the more she was around
him, the more she felt him staring at her with a longing she was becoming all too familiar with.
p
She closed the accounting book, and laid her head onto her folded arms. She was ready to be off work.
But she couldn't leave until Sarah came in, and she was always late. Joey sighed, she hated when she
needed a waitress so badly that she was willing to let them do whatever they pleased just so they
wouldn't leave her in a jam. Joey gathered her things up, the large leather bound book one of them, and
walked out to sit in the restaurant with the customers.
p
About ten minutes later, the blonde girl rushed in, tying her apron around her waist at the same time.
She put her purse behind the counter, looking at Joey with a pleading expression, hoping the older
woman wouldn't kill her. "I am so sorry. I got stuck at school."
p
Joey sighed again, "It's okay, just please try to hurry. If a teacher holds you or something, fine...but
call if you're going to be late again."
p
Seth walked out of the kitchen, "Joey, phone call."
p
Joey walked back to her office and picked up the phone, "Hello?"
p
"Hey."
p
She smiled at the sound of his voice, "Hey, I was just on my way to your house."
p
He was quiet for a minute, "We can't have dinner tonight."
p
She looked confused, "Why not?"
p
"Uh...Sam's...sick."
p
He was lying to her. She knew it. "Really? With what?"
p
He stumbled for answers, "Uh...her...uh...damn."
p
"What's going on? Why are you canceling on me?"
p
"I have to, okay?"
p
Joey was now aggravated. No it's not okay. She hadn't seen him all week due to her very hectic
schedule and tonight was going to be her only time to see him. "Pacey..."
p
"Joey, you know I wouldn't cancel on you if it weren't important..."
p
"Tell me what's going on."
p
He shook his head, "I will later. I have to go. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
p
"Pacey..."
p
"Bye Joey."
p
"Bye."
p
He hung up the phone and she felt like screaming. Actually, she felt like crying her eyes out.
Something was up and he was trying to hide it from her. She marched out of her office, picked up her
things, and went to her car. Noah was at the baby sitters since she and Pacey had planned on going out,
but those plans were canceled.
p
The plans were to originally go out to dinner, sit in front of him, and just stare at him the entire night,
making her completely content. But those plans were canceled, and now, she was determined to find
out why.
phr
p
Pacey sat on the edge of the couch, his head in his hands as he rubbed his forehead. She was mad, and
rightfully so. He'd not only lied to her, but canceled a date he'd really been looking forward to. And
she was going to wear that red dress that clung to her every curve that he loved so much.
p
But, when Kathryn showed up on his doorstep, he couldn't turn her away. He sighed and leaned his
head back. He only hoped that he could repair what had just happened on the phone. He heard a
person coming down the stairs and turned to find Kathryn walking towards him.
p
She smiled weakly, "Sam seems really happy."
p
He nodded, "She is."
p
"She kept talking about these two boys though, Joey and Noah. I think she has a crush on one of
them."
p
Pacey bit the inside of his mouth. "Noah would be my guess. I doubt it would be Joey."
p
She looked at him strangely, "Why is that?"
p
He smiled, "Joey is a girl."
p
Kathryn laughed, "Oh. So," she said as she took a seat next to him, "What's been going on with you?"
p
He sighed, "Been teaching, trying to keep my self occupied."
p
She nodded, "Good. So...what are the women like here?" she said with a smile.
p
"Kat, it hasn't been that long since I lost your sister..." he started but she cut him off.
p
"Come on, Pacey. Be honest with me. You are a very attractive man, with a very beautiful daughter,
and happen to be a widower. Are you telling me that you don't have women knocking down your
door?"
p
He thought for a minute. She did have a right to know, "Actually..." he started, but was soon cut off by
someone knocking on his door.
p
He stood and went to answer it, when he opened the door, Joey pushed past him and turned on her heel.
"Why did you lie to me?"
p
"Joey?"
pShe didn't stop at his stunned expression, "I haven't seen you all week, and while we do have that
pesky little pact thing, I do miss you when I'm not around you and you canceling on me tonight was
okay, but you didn't have to lie to me if you didn't want to go out."
p
"Joey..."
p
"Let me finish. I know Sam isn't sick because I saw her this morning when I dropped Noah off at
school, so that lie didn't work. You could have just told me the truth...'Joey, I don't want to go out with
you now or ever'."
p
"Joey...breathe," he said smiling. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her so that she and Kathryn
were looking at one another. "Joey...this is Kathryn."
p
Joey nodded, not really sure why she was still standing in his living room. He'd found someone else
and he'd been keeping it a secret. "Hi."
p
"Kathryn, this is Joey."
p
She smiled, "You weren't kidding when you said Joey was a girl."
p
Joey felt like her world was caving in around her again. She felt the tears well up in her eyes and slid
out of Pacey's grasp and was quickly out the door. Pacey looked at Kathryn confused the followed her
out the door.
p
"Jo, where are you going."
p
She shook her head, "I thought you were different, Pacey."
p
"What are you talking about?"
p
"...I never thought you would hurt me like he did..."
p
"Joey wait a minute..."
p
She reached her car, but she had locked the door. She fumbled with her keys trying to get inside so she
could leave.
p
"Where are you going?" he asked.
p
"Home."
p
"Did I miss something?"
p
She shoved him back, "You lied to me."
p
"I know, I'm sorry."
p
"Why didn't you tell me?"
p
Pacey sighed, "She just showed up."
p
"So some woman shows up at your door and it's bye bye to Joey? Nice to know."
p
Pacey suddenly caught on and his eyes grew wide, "No..no..no..Kathryn is not what you think?"
p
"Oh, so you haven't been seeing her?"
p
"No."
p
She shoved him away from her, "Quit lying to me!"
p
"I'm not lying."
p
She shook her head as the tears ran down her face, "I thought you were different from Dawson.
I...thought...I thought wrong is what I did."
p
Pacey turned her around so she was facing him, and he tried to pull her into his arms, but she tried to
push him away. He fought hard, and she finally collapsed against his body. "I'm not cheating on you,"
he whispered. "Kathryn is Veronica's sister. She's in town to see us, and I canceled on you tonight
because I wasn't quite ready to tell Kathryn that I had found someone."
p
Joey's body relaxed in his hold as she continued to cry, "Joey, I could never do anything like that to you
or anyone else. It's just wrong. I want you to know that I will do anything to prove that to you."
p
"Why didn't...you..." she said as she continued to sob on his shoulder. "Why didn't you tell...me that on
the phone?"
p
Pacey shook his head, "Because I'm stupid and I'm a guy. I'm a stupid guy, Joey."
p
She pulled her head away from him, "I'm sorry I shoved you."
p
He smiled, "It's okay," he said as he smoothed down her hair. "I should have been honest with you in
the first place."
p
She laughed slightly, "Yeah...would have saved your sister-in-law from seeing the queen bitch herself."
p
Pacey laughed, "I think she was inside for most of that."
p
She leaned her head back on his shoulder. "I'm really sorry, Pacey."
p
"I know...but stop apologizing."
p
She pulled out of his arms, looking for her keys that she dropped on the ground. Pacey picked them up
and handed them to her. "So, are you leaving?"
p
She looked down at the keys in her hand, "You did cancel our plans...so yeah."
p
He sighed then ran a hand through his hair, "You can...stay if you want."
p
She bit her lip, "Are you sure?"
p
He nodded, "Yeah, it's been a while since I've seen you, and I just want to be close to you right now."
p
"Promise me one thing."
p
"What's that?"
p
"Don't let me kiss you."
p
Pacey laughed, "I'll try to keep you away from me."
p
She smiled, "That's not what I meant...I mean...never mind."
p
"I know what you mean...and you have my word." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Come
on."
phr
p
Joey sat in Pacey's living room, staring at her hands. Kathryn had gone into the kitchen with Pacey,
trying to get the scoop on why the woman in the room had just screamed at him.
p
"So...who is she?"
p
Pacey sighed as he pulled down a glass from a shelf. "She's...a friend. An old friend. We actually
grew up together and when I came back to town she was the only person I knew here besides my
family."
p
Kathryn looked out at her, she smiled, "She's pretty Pacey."
p
He turned around and caught a glimpse of Joey's profile as she picked at her nail. He sighed, "Yes, she
is."
p
"So, what's the deal? Are you guys dating, cause she was a little more than upset at you for canceling
your plans?"
p
Pacey looked at Kathryn, "We aren't dating...I don't think. I don't know what we are. All I know is
that...I love being around her."
p
She smiled, "Good."
p
"She makes me happy, you know? Just talking to her and telling her about how I feel about things and
I know I can say whatever I want to her and it never seems to make her want to just..."
p
"Just what?"
p
"It never drives her away. If anything, it brings her closer to me."
p
Kathryn looked down at her glass, "She knows about Ronnie, right?"
p
Pacey nodded, "Yeah. She's helped out a lot with Sam."
p
"How's that?"
p
"Joey...Joey lost her mom when she was younger. She suffered for years though, so Joey's experience
with her mother's death...it seemed to drag out."
p
Kathryn smiled, "Are you in love with her?"
p
Pacey crinkled his forehead, "Who?"
p
Kathryn rolled her eyes, "Do I have to spell everything out for you? Joey. Are you in love with Joey?"
p
Pacey shrugged, "I don't know what I am."
p
Kathryn nodded, "I understand that."
p
They heard Sam come bounding down the stairs and smiled when she saw Joey. Sam ran over to her
and jumped into her lap. "Hey Joey!"
p
Joey smiled, "Hey, what do you have there?"
p
Sam held up the pink bunny and held is out for Joey to get a better look, "This is Mr. Floppy. It's my
Aunt Kat's."
p
Joey smiled, "Really." Sam nodded, "Did you see my Aunt Kat?" Joey nodded, and Sam went on,
"She's got fun toys and stuff in her room."
p
Kathryn walked into the living room, "Not any more, I got rid of them Sammy."
p
Sam crinkled up her nose, "Don't call me that," she whined.
p
Kathryn and Joey smiled. Joey lifted Sam off her lap and set her on the couch. "Pacey, I have to get
going."
p
Pacey walked out of the kitchen and followed Joey out of the door. Sam watched as her father
followed Joey. "You know what, Aunt Kat?" She shook her head and sat next to the little girl, "I think
my Daddy likes Joey."
p
Kat tilted her head, "And how do you know that?"
p
She started laughing, "Me and Noah saw them kissing."
p
Kat smiled, "You did." Sam nodded, "Were they kissing like your Daddy kisses you on the cheek kiss
or were they kissing like your Daddy and Mommy used to."
p
Sam thought for a minute, "Kind of like Daddy and Mommy...but it was different," she said squinching
up her nose.
p
"Really? How?"
p
Sam shrugged and began messing with the bunny's nose. Kat rubbed Sam's hair and laughed when she
squeezed the stomach of the bunny and it began playing a song and Sam jumped.
phr
p
Joey sighed as she leaned against her car, "I need to go get Noah."
p
Pacey placed a hand on each side of her, pinning her against the car, "So, how jealous were you
earlier."
p
Joey blushed, "I wasn't...jealous."
p
Pacey laughed, "Back up Josephine Potter, you might get hit by lightning."
p
She smiled, "Okay, so I may have been a...little jealous."
p
Pacey nodded, "Yeah...more than a little. I believe you shoved me."
p
She sighed in frustration, "I said I was sorry."
p
"I don't know if I forgive you, though."
p
"Pacey..."
p
"But...there may be a way I can forgive you."
p
She smiled, "And how's that?"
p
He moved in closer, "You could kiss me."
p
Joey's head dropped, "Pacey..."
p
"You aren't really going to stick to this stupid no kissing thing are you? Cause I'd really rather you
didn't."
p
She lifted her head to look at him, "I've done it for a month."
p
He smiled, "And how much time have we actually spent with each other over this...month?" He moved
in to kiss her, but Joey turned her head, the kiss landing right below her ear.
p
"Pacey...I can't. And you know why."
p
He sighed and rested his head on her shoulder. Her hands went up to his hair, running through the soft
short strands. "I hate this."
p
She nodded, "Me too." She took a deep breath, then pulled out of his grasp. "I should really go pick up
Noah."
p
He nodded, "Yeah. Call me when you get home, okay?"
p
She climbed into the car, "If I think about you."
p
"You are an evil woman, Potter," he said as he shut the door.
phr
p
Joey arrived home fifteen minutes later, Noah bounding into the house before her. "Noah, go upstairs
and wait in my bathroom for me."
p
The phone started ringing, and she lifted it to her ear, "Hello?"
p
"I thought you were going to call me when you got home?" he said smiling on the other end.
p
She laughed and walked up the stairs. "Don't you have anyone else you can annoy?"
p
"No. Besides, you're my favorite person."
p
She walked into her bedroom and kicked off her shoes, then went into the bathroom with Noah. She
stared at the boy, wondering how he could get so dirty in one day.
p
"Noah, did you roll around in the mud?"
p
He shook his head, "Dirt."
p
Joey rolled her eyes, "I take it Noah is disgustingly dirty."
p
"Yeah. How is it that little boys can get so dirty?" she said into the phone as she turned the water on,
then started helping Noah get undressed, throwing his dirty clothes into the hamper. He climbed into
the tub and the water started turning brown. "Pacey, let me call you back when he goes to bed."
p
"Ah...want to talk dirty on the phone and don't want your son to hear it, huh?" he said smiling.
p
She laughed, "I'll call you back. Bye."
p
"Bye."
p
She looked down into the tub and let the water drain out, "You my boy, are very very dirty."
p
Noah smiled and nodded, "Yep. Why do I have to take a bath?"
p
"Cause I don't want you looking like one of the Garbage Pale Kids."
p
Noah crinkled up his forehead, "Who are they?"
p
Joey shook her head and smiled, "Never mind." She picked up the clear pitcher that sat on the side of
the tub and filled it with running water from the faucet. She leaned Noah's head back and slowly
started pouring it over his hair. "Noah, you have dirt caked into your hair."
p
He smiled up at her and she smiled back, "What am I going to do with you?" she said taking his chin in
hand. "Lean your head back again," she said as she started rubbing shampoo into his dirty blonde hair.
She spiked it all to where it stood straight up and he giggled as it started to fall.
p
She finished giving him a bath, looking at the tub as he got out. She sighed, thinking about how long it
was going to take her to get it back to looking white instead of the brown it was now. She wrapped
Noah in a towel and carried him like a football into his bedroom, Noah giggling the entire way.
p
She sat him down and began drying him off. She pulled his pajama shirt on followed by his underroos
and pajama bottoms. She toweled his hair off, then helped in him climb under the covers of his bed.
She tucked him in, placed a kiss on his head, and left his room, turning off the light and closing the
door, leaving it open a little bit when she left.
p
She went back into her room and pulled her clothes off, going back to the bathroom and turning on the
shower into the tub. She the took the adjustable head and made sure all the dirt was gone from the
sides and the bottom of the tub. She then put the head back on it's hook, took her clothes off, climbed
into the tub, closed the glass door behind her and relaxed under the hot spray of water. She washed her
hair and body, letting the steam from the shower fog up her bathroom. She finished her shower then
climbed out, wrapping her robe around her body, and a towel around her head.
p
She carried the phone with her into her bedroom. She placed it on her night stand as she reached for
her hair brush and began brushing out the tangles. She then got dressed and relaxed on her bed as she
picked up the phone and dialed the number she knew by heart.
p
"Took you long enough," he said when he answered.
p
She smiled, "I don't know why I put up with you."
p
He smiled on the other end, "I'm irresistable to women."
p
"Oh, is that it? Well, that's answers everything, doesn't it?"
p
"Do I sense sarcasm, Josephine?"
p
"Do you? And don't call me that."
p
Pacey rolled his eyes, "Why does that name bother you so much? I happen to think it's beautiful."
p
"You would."
p
"No...it is. Just like you."
p
It was Joey's turn to roll her eyes, "Okay, what do you want?"
p
"What are you talking about?"
p
"The corny line, you want something."
p
Pacey sighed, "I believe what I want is what you are keeping me from having."
p
"No...that's you remember. You are the one who needs closure."
p
Pacey leaned back against his head board, "And why do you think I need this?"
p
Joey took a deep breath, "Because...you can't kiss me without thinking about her, Pacey. And I don't
want to get to that...point in our relationship where you happen to say her name at the wrong time, and
then I have to kill you, I get sent to prison and there is no one to raise our kids. Do you want that to
happen?"
p
Pacey laughed, "Not really. I do like the thought of getting to that point though."
p
She smiled, "Me too."
p
"Think it will ever happen?"
p
"If you get your ass in gear."
p
He grinned at the thought entering his head, "I could really say something right now..."
p
"Keep it to yourself, please."
p
"Oh, but it might make you all flustered, and I love it when you get flustered."
p
She rolled over to lay on her stomach, "You do, do you?"
p
"Mmmm hmmm. Your face gets all red, you can't really talk, and your body gets all tense."
p
She shivered, the sound of his voice causing her body to react. "Pace...you have to stop that now."
p
"I didn't do anything."
p
"Sure you didn't."
p
"I didn't. I just happened to tell you what you do."
p
"What about what you do?" she said softly.
p
"What do I do?" he asked, his voice almost dropping to a whisper.
p
She started slowly, "You get this hazy look in your eyes, and you start chewing on the inside of your
mouth, then you shove your hands into you pockets..."
p
He smiled, "You've been paying attention Jo?"
p
"More than you think."
p
Pacey cleared his throat, "You're right, we need to stop this. With the 'no kissing rule' in place, this is
becoming too much."
p
"You started it."
p
"I know, and now I'm stopping it."
p
"Okay, so let's change the subject."
p
"Kat is very interested in your role in my and Sam's life."
p
"She is?" she asked, not a all surprised.
p
"Yeah, wants to know things like 'are we dating?' 'Am I in love with you?'..."
p
"What did you say?"
p
"I said I didn't know if we were dating..."
p
She shook her head, "Not to that one, the other one."
p
Pacey smiled, "Oh...that one. What was the question again?"
p
"I hate you!"
p
"Fine...hate me. But if you hate me you won't know what I said."
p
"What did you say, and don't sit there and go round and round with me..."
p
"Potter, take a breath. I told her...I didn't know. Because I don't. You know that." He heard her let out
a breath, "But if it makes you feel any better, the more I'm with you the more I don't ever want you to
leave."
p
She smiled, "Really?"
p
"Really."
p
"What else?"
p
Pacey laughed, "No...that one was for free, the next ones are going to cost you."
p
She started to grow aggravated, "You know, the second I think I can have a decent conversation with
you, you start acting like a kid."
p
"Potter, are you frustrated?"
p
"Emotionally or sexually?" she said before she had time to think about what she'd just said. She
covered her mouth, "I didn't just say that did I?"
p
He smiled, "I do believe so. So, which one is it? Emotionally or sexually?"
p
"Both."
p
His grin grew wider, "Really...I could probably help you out with one, but not so sure about the other."
p
She buried her head in her pillow. "Because of one is why the other exists."
p
Pacey laughed, "Potter, you crack me up."
p
"I'm glad you think it's funny, I have haven't had sex in two and a half years, so you can shut up now."
p
Pacey tried to control his laughter, "Sorry."
p
"Yeah, well, it's frustrating...you know? What am I saying, of course you don't. You at least had your
wife, while I on the other hand..."
p
Pacey smiled, "I think I like where this conversation is going."
p
She rolled her eyes, "You would. But, seriously, it's very hard to be around you sometimes."
p
He nodded, "I know what you mean. I keep thinking that I want you so badly I can almost taste it, you
know."
p
She nodded, "All too well."
p
Pacey smiled, "What do you say, that the when I get...closure, that you and I find someone to watch
Sam and Noah and we spend the entire weekend in a bed somewhere and..."
p
She closed her eyes, "Oh please do not put that thought into my head. I will really have to stay away
from you."
p
"Well, I can't have that, because as you know, I hate being away from you."
p
She shook her head, "Okay, I have to hang up now, or I will be banging down your door."
p
"Okay, I'll talk to you tomorrow, right?"
p
"Yeah. Maybe your sister-in-law can watch Sam and you and I can go out tomorrow night."
p
"Sounds like a plan. Goodnight, Jo."
p
"'Night Pace."
p
They hung up and Joey set the phone on her night stand. She rolled over, staring at the ceiling.
Thinking about spending the weekend in a bed with Pacey was almost more than she could handle. She
turned off her light and climbed underneath the sheets. This was going to be only sleepless night.
p
centerEnd of 14/center
I'm tired from exploring youbr
I'm sorry you've had some scary daysbr
I'm lucky, they had me on a leashbr
Exposing, sometimes you frighten mebr
br
And it's too bad you're so sadbr
I wish you could have had what I hadbr
br
I'm loathing most of your historybr
Hesitation, but then you siphon mebr
Your potential, well I'll indulge in thatbr
Violent timing explains the aftermathbr
br
And it's too bad you're so sadbr
I wish you could have had what I hadbr
And it's so sad it's too bad br
Maybe I can make you feel betterbr
Oh maybe I'm supposed to make you feel betterbr
br
I want to comfort you br
br
Unlike you I had it easy br
You're dark blue Stained from previous daysbr
br
And you're so sad br
It's too badbr
I wish you could have had what I hadbr
And it's too bad you're so sad br
Maybe I can make you feel betterbr
br
I'm sorrybr
~Dark Bluebr
~No Doubt
/center
pJoey sat in the Icehouse, trying her hardest to keep her mind concentrated on doing the books. It
had been an entire month since she and Pacey had made their little pact, but the more she was around
him, the more she felt him staring at her with a longing she was becoming all too familiar with.
p
She closed the accounting book, and laid her head onto her folded arms. She was ready to be off work.
But she couldn't leave until Sarah came in, and she was always late. Joey sighed, she hated when she
needed a waitress so badly that she was willing to let them do whatever they pleased just so they
wouldn't leave her in a jam. Joey gathered her things up, the large leather bound book one of them, and
walked out to sit in the restaurant with the customers.
p
About ten minutes later, the blonde girl rushed in, tying her apron around her waist at the same time.
She put her purse behind the counter, looking at Joey with a pleading expression, hoping the older
woman wouldn't kill her. "I am so sorry. I got stuck at school."
p
Joey sighed again, "It's okay, just please try to hurry. If a teacher holds you or something, fine...but
call if you're going to be late again."
p
Seth walked out of the kitchen, "Joey, phone call."
p
Joey walked back to her office and picked up the phone, "Hello?"
p
"Hey."
p
She smiled at the sound of his voice, "Hey, I was just on my way to your house."
p
He was quiet for a minute, "We can't have dinner tonight."
p
She looked confused, "Why not?"
p
"Uh...Sam's...sick."
p
He was lying to her. She knew it. "Really? With what?"
p
He stumbled for answers, "Uh...her...uh...damn."
p
"What's going on? Why are you canceling on me?"
p
"I have to, okay?"
p
Joey was now aggravated. No it's not okay. She hadn't seen him all week due to her very hectic
schedule and tonight was going to be her only time to see him. "Pacey..."
p
"Joey, you know I wouldn't cancel on you if it weren't important..."
p
"Tell me what's going on."
p
He shook his head, "I will later. I have to go. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
p
"Pacey..."
p
"Bye Joey."
p
"Bye."
p
He hung up the phone and she felt like screaming. Actually, she felt like crying her eyes out.
Something was up and he was trying to hide it from her. She marched out of her office, picked up her
things, and went to her car. Noah was at the baby sitters since she and Pacey had planned on going out,
but those plans were canceled.
p
The plans were to originally go out to dinner, sit in front of him, and just stare at him the entire night,
making her completely content. But those plans were canceled, and now, she was determined to find
out why.
phr
p
Pacey sat on the edge of the couch, his head in his hands as he rubbed his forehead. She was mad, and
rightfully so. He'd not only lied to her, but canceled a date he'd really been looking forward to. And
she was going to wear that red dress that clung to her every curve that he loved so much.
p
But, when Kathryn showed up on his doorstep, he couldn't turn her away. He sighed and leaned his
head back. He only hoped that he could repair what had just happened on the phone. He heard a
person coming down the stairs and turned to find Kathryn walking towards him.
p
She smiled weakly, "Sam seems really happy."
p
He nodded, "She is."
p
"She kept talking about these two boys though, Joey and Noah. I think she has a crush on one of
them."
p
Pacey bit the inside of his mouth. "Noah would be my guess. I doubt it would be Joey."
p
She looked at him strangely, "Why is that?"
p
He smiled, "Joey is a girl."
p
Kathryn laughed, "Oh. So," she said as she took a seat next to him, "What's been going on with you?"
p
He sighed, "Been teaching, trying to keep my self occupied."
p
She nodded, "Good. So...what are the women like here?" she said with a smile.
p
"Kat, it hasn't been that long since I lost your sister..." he started but she cut him off.
p
"Come on, Pacey. Be honest with me. You are a very attractive man, with a very beautiful daughter,
and happen to be a widower. Are you telling me that you don't have women knocking down your
door?"
p
He thought for a minute. She did have a right to know, "Actually..." he started, but was soon cut off by
someone knocking on his door.
p
He stood and went to answer it, when he opened the door, Joey pushed past him and turned on her heel.
"Why did you lie to me?"
p
"Joey?"
pShe didn't stop at his stunned expression, "I haven't seen you all week, and while we do have that
pesky little pact thing, I do miss you when I'm not around you and you canceling on me tonight was
okay, but you didn't have to lie to me if you didn't want to go out."
p
"Joey..."
p
"Let me finish. I know Sam isn't sick because I saw her this morning when I dropped Noah off at
school, so that lie didn't work. You could have just told me the truth...'Joey, I don't want to go out with
you now or ever'."
p
"Joey...breathe," he said smiling. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her so that she and Kathryn
were looking at one another. "Joey...this is Kathryn."
p
Joey nodded, not really sure why she was still standing in his living room. He'd found someone else
and he'd been keeping it a secret. "Hi."
p
"Kathryn, this is Joey."
p
She smiled, "You weren't kidding when you said Joey was a girl."
p
Joey felt like her world was caving in around her again. She felt the tears well up in her eyes and slid
out of Pacey's grasp and was quickly out the door. Pacey looked at Kathryn confused the followed her
out the door.
p
"Jo, where are you going."
p
She shook her head, "I thought you were different, Pacey."
p
"What are you talking about?"
p
"...I never thought you would hurt me like he did..."
p
"Joey wait a minute..."
p
She reached her car, but she had locked the door. She fumbled with her keys trying to get inside so she
could leave.
p
"Where are you going?" he asked.
p
"Home."
p
"Did I miss something?"
p
She shoved him back, "You lied to me."
p
"I know, I'm sorry."
p
"Why didn't you tell me?"
p
Pacey sighed, "She just showed up."
p
"So some woman shows up at your door and it's bye bye to Joey? Nice to know."
p
Pacey suddenly caught on and his eyes grew wide, "No..no..no..Kathryn is not what you think?"
p
"Oh, so you haven't been seeing her?"
p
"No."
p
She shoved him away from her, "Quit lying to me!"
p
"I'm not lying."
p
She shook her head as the tears ran down her face, "I thought you were different from Dawson.
I...thought...I thought wrong is what I did."
p
Pacey turned her around so she was facing him, and he tried to pull her into his arms, but she tried to
push him away. He fought hard, and she finally collapsed against his body. "I'm not cheating on you,"
he whispered. "Kathryn is Veronica's sister. She's in town to see us, and I canceled on you tonight
because I wasn't quite ready to tell Kathryn that I had found someone."
p
Joey's body relaxed in his hold as she continued to cry, "Joey, I could never do anything like that to you
or anyone else. It's just wrong. I want you to know that I will do anything to prove that to you."
p
"Why didn't...you..." she said as she continued to sob on his shoulder. "Why didn't you tell...me that on
the phone?"
p
Pacey shook his head, "Because I'm stupid and I'm a guy. I'm a stupid guy, Joey."
p
She pulled her head away from him, "I'm sorry I shoved you."
p
He smiled, "It's okay," he said as he smoothed down her hair. "I should have been honest with you in
the first place."
p
She laughed slightly, "Yeah...would have saved your sister-in-law from seeing the queen bitch herself."
p
Pacey laughed, "I think she was inside for most of that."
p
She leaned her head back on his shoulder. "I'm really sorry, Pacey."
p
"I know...but stop apologizing."
p
She pulled out of his arms, looking for her keys that she dropped on the ground. Pacey picked them up
and handed them to her. "So, are you leaving?"
p
She looked down at the keys in her hand, "You did cancel our plans...so yeah."
p
He sighed then ran a hand through his hair, "You can...stay if you want."
p
She bit her lip, "Are you sure?"
p
He nodded, "Yeah, it's been a while since I've seen you, and I just want to be close to you right now."
p
"Promise me one thing."
p
"What's that?"
p
"Don't let me kiss you."
p
Pacey laughed, "I'll try to keep you away from me."
p
She smiled, "That's not what I meant...I mean...never mind."
p
"I know what you mean...and you have my word." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Come
on."
phr
p
Joey sat in Pacey's living room, staring at her hands. Kathryn had gone into the kitchen with Pacey,
trying to get the scoop on why the woman in the room had just screamed at him.
p
"So...who is she?"
p
Pacey sighed as he pulled down a glass from a shelf. "She's...a friend. An old friend. We actually
grew up together and when I came back to town she was the only person I knew here besides my
family."
p
Kathryn looked out at her, she smiled, "She's pretty Pacey."
p
He turned around and caught a glimpse of Joey's profile as she picked at her nail. He sighed, "Yes, she
is."
p
"So, what's the deal? Are you guys dating, cause she was a little more than upset at you for canceling
your plans?"
p
Pacey looked at Kathryn, "We aren't dating...I don't think. I don't know what we are. All I know is
that...I love being around her."
p
She smiled, "Good."
p
"She makes me happy, you know? Just talking to her and telling her about how I feel about things and
I know I can say whatever I want to her and it never seems to make her want to just..."
p
"Just what?"
p
"It never drives her away. If anything, it brings her closer to me."
p
Kathryn looked down at her glass, "She knows about Ronnie, right?"
p
Pacey nodded, "Yeah. She's helped out a lot with Sam."
p
"How's that?"
p
"Joey...Joey lost her mom when she was younger. She suffered for years though, so Joey's experience
with her mother's death...it seemed to drag out."
p
Kathryn smiled, "Are you in love with her?"
p
Pacey crinkled his forehead, "Who?"
p
Kathryn rolled her eyes, "Do I have to spell everything out for you? Joey. Are you in love with Joey?"
p
Pacey shrugged, "I don't know what I am."
p
Kathryn nodded, "I understand that."
p
They heard Sam come bounding down the stairs and smiled when she saw Joey. Sam ran over to her
and jumped into her lap. "Hey Joey!"
p
Joey smiled, "Hey, what do you have there?"
p
Sam held up the pink bunny and held is out for Joey to get a better look, "This is Mr. Floppy. It's my
Aunt Kat's."
p
Joey smiled, "Really." Sam nodded, "Did you see my Aunt Kat?" Joey nodded, and Sam went on,
"She's got fun toys and stuff in her room."
p
Kathryn walked into the living room, "Not any more, I got rid of them Sammy."
p
Sam crinkled up her nose, "Don't call me that," she whined.
p
Kathryn and Joey smiled. Joey lifted Sam off her lap and set her on the couch. "Pacey, I have to get
going."
p
Pacey walked out of the kitchen and followed Joey out of the door. Sam watched as her father
followed Joey. "You know what, Aunt Kat?" She shook her head and sat next to the little girl, "I think
my Daddy likes Joey."
p
Kat tilted her head, "And how do you know that?"
p
She started laughing, "Me and Noah saw them kissing."
p
Kat smiled, "You did." Sam nodded, "Were they kissing like your Daddy kisses you on the cheek kiss
or were they kissing like your Daddy and Mommy used to."
p
Sam thought for a minute, "Kind of like Daddy and Mommy...but it was different," she said squinching
up her nose.
p
"Really? How?"
p
Sam shrugged and began messing with the bunny's nose. Kat rubbed Sam's hair and laughed when she
squeezed the stomach of the bunny and it began playing a song and Sam jumped.
phr
p
Joey sighed as she leaned against her car, "I need to go get Noah."
p
Pacey placed a hand on each side of her, pinning her against the car, "So, how jealous were you
earlier."
p
Joey blushed, "I wasn't...jealous."
p
Pacey laughed, "Back up Josephine Potter, you might get hit by lightning."
p
She smiled, "Okay, so I may have been a...little jealous."
p
Pacey nodded, "Yeah...more than a little. I believe you shoved me."
p
She sighed in frustration, "I said I was sorry."
p
"I don't know if I forgive you, though."
p
"Pacey..."
p
"But...there may be a way I can forgive you."
p
She smiled, "And how's that?"
p
He moved in closer, "You could kiss me."
p
Joey's head dropped, "Pacey..."
p
"You aren't really going to stick to this stupid no kissing thing are you? Cause I'd really rather you
didn't."
p
She lifted her head to look at him, "I've done it for a month."
p
He smiled, "And how much time have we actually spent with each other over this...month?" He moved
in to kiss her, but Joey turned her head, the kiss landing right below her ear.
p
"Pacey...I can't. And you know why."
p
He sighed and rested his head on her shoulder. Her hands went up to his hair, running through the soft
short strands. "I hate this."
p
She nodded, "Me too." She took a deep breath, then pulled out of his grasp. "I should really go pick up
Noah."
p
He nodded, "Yeah. Call me when you get home, okay?"
p
She climbed into the car, "If I think about you."
p
"You are an evil woman, Potter," he said as he shut the door.
phr
p
Joey arrived home fifteen minutes later, Noah bounding into the house before her. "Noah, go upstairs
and wait in my bathroom for me."
p
The phone started ringing, and she lifted it to her ear, "Hello?"
p
"I thought you were going to call me when you got home?" he said smiling on the other end.
p
She laughed and walked up the stairs. "Don't you have anyone else you can annoy?"
p
"No. Besides, you're my favorite person."
p
She walked into her bedroom and kicked off her shoes, then went into the bathroom with Noah. She
stared at the boy, wondering how he could get so dirty in one day.
p
"Noah, did you roll around in the mud?"
p
He shook his head, "Dirt."
p
Joey rolled her eyes, "I take it Noah is disgustingly dirty."
p
"Yeah. How is it that little boys can get so dirty?" she said into the phone as she turned the water on,
then started helping Noah get undressed, throwing his dirty clothes into the hamper. He climbed into
the tub and the water started turning brown. "Pacey, let me call you back when he goes to bed."
p
"Ah...want to talk dirty on the phone and don't want your son to hear it, huh?" he said smiling.
p
She laughed, "I'll call you back. Bye."
p
"Bye."
p
She looked down into the tub and let the water drain out, "You my boy, are very very dirty."
p
Noah smiled and nodded, "Yep. Why do I have to take a bath?"
p
"Cause I don't want you looking like one of the Garbage Pale Kids."
p
Noah crinkled up his forehead, "Who are they?"
p
Joey shook her head and smiled, "Never mind." She picked up the clear pitcher that sat on the side of
the tub and filled it with running water from the faucet. She leaned Noah's head back and slowly
started pouring it over his hair. "Noah, you have dirt caked into your hair."
p
He smiled up at her and she smiled back, "What am I going to do with you?" she said taking his chin in
hand. "Lean your head back again," she said as she started rubbing shampoo into his dirty blonde hair.
She spiked it all to where it stood straight up and he giggled as it started to fall.
p
She finished giving him a bath, looking at the tub as he got out. She sighed, thinking about how long it
was going to take her to get it back to looking white instead of the brown it was now. She wrapped
Noah in a towel and carried him like a football into his bedroom, Noah giggling the entire way.
p
She sat him down and began drying him off. She pulled his pajama shirt on followed by his underroos
and pajama bottoms. She toweled his hair off, then helped in him climb under the covers of his bed.
She tucked him in, placed a kiss on his head, and left his room, turning off the light and closing the
door, leaving it open a little bit when she left.
p
She went back into her room and pulled her clothes off, going back to the bathroom and turning on the
shower into the tub. She the took the adjustable head and made sure all the dirt was gone from the
sides and the bottom of the tub. She then put the head back on it's hook, took her clothes off, climbed
into the tub, closed the glass door behind her and relaxed under the hot spray of water. She washed her
hair and body, letting the steam from the shower fog up her bathroom. She finished her shower then
climbed out, wrapping her robe around her body, and a towel around her head.
p
She carried the phone with her into her bedroom. She placed it on her night stand as she reached for
her hair brush and began brushing out the tangles. She then got dressed and relaxed on her bed as she
picked up the phone and dialed the number she knew by heart.
p
"Took you long enough," he said when he answered.
p
She smiled, "I don't know why I put up with you."
p
He smiled on the other end, "I'm irresistable to women."
p
"Oh, is that it? Well, that's answers everything, doesn't it?"
p
"Do I sense sarcasm, Josephine?"
p
"Do you? And don't call me that."
p
Pacey rolled his eyes, "Why does that name bother you so much? I happen to think it's beautiful."
p
"You would."
p
"No...it is. Just like you."
p
It was Joey's turn to roll her eyes, "Okay, what do you want?"
p
"What are you talking about?"
p
"The corny line, you want something."
p
Pacey sighed, "I believe what I want is what you are keeping me from having."
p
"No...that's you remember. You are the one who needs closure."
p
Pacey leaned back against his head board, "And why do you think I need this?"
p
Joey took a deep breath, "Because...you can't kiss me without thinking about her, Pacey. And I don't
want to get to that...point in our relationship where you happen to say her name at the wrong time, and
then I have to kill you, I get sent to prison and there is no one to raise our kids. Do you want that to
happen?"
p
Pacey laughed, "Not really. I do like the thought of getting to that point though."
p
She smiled, "Me too."
p
"Think it will ever happen?"
p
"If you get your ass in gear."
p
He grinned at the thought entering his head, "I could really say something right now..."
p
"Keep it to yourself, please."
p
"Oh, but it might make you all flustered, and I love it when you get flustered."
p
She rolled over to lay on her stomach, "You do, do you?"
p
"Mmmm hmmm. Your face gets all red, you can't really talk, and your body gets all tense."
p
She shivered, the sound of his voice causing her body to react. "Pace...you have to stop that now."
p
"I didn't do anything."
p
"Sure you didn't."
p
"I didn't. I just happened to tell you what you do."
p
"What about what you do?" she said softly.
p
"What do I do?" he asked, his voice almost dropping to a whisper.
p
She started slowly, "You get this hazy look in your eyes, and you start chewing on the inside of your
mouth, then you shove your hands into you pockets..."
p
He smiled, "You've been paying attention Jo?"
p
"More than you think."
p
Pacey cleared his throat, "You're right, we need to stop this. With the 'no kissing rule' in place, this is
becoming too much."
p
"You started it."
p
"I know, and now I'm stopping it."
p
"Okay, so let's change the subject."
p
"Kat is very interested in your role in my and Sam's life."
p
"She is?" she asked, not a all surprised.
p
"Yeah, wants to know things like 'are we dating?' 'Am I in love with you?'..."
p
"What did you say?"
p
"I said I didn't know if we were dating..."
p
She shook her head, "Not to that one, the other one."
p
Pacey smiled, "Oh...that one. What was the question again?"
p
"I hate you!"
p
"Fine...hate me. But if you hate me you won't know what I said."
p
"What did you say, and don't sit there and go round and round with me..."
p
"Potter, take a breath. I told her...I didn't know. Because I don't. You know that." He heard her let out
a breath, "But if it makes you feel any better, the more I'm with you the more I don't ever want you to
leave."
p
She smiled, "Really?"
p
"Really."
p
"What else?"
p
Pacey laughed, "No...that one was for free, the next ones are going to cost you."
p
She started to grow aggravated, "You know, the second I think I can have a decent conversation with
you, you start acting like a kid."
p
"Potter, are you frustrated?"
p
"Emotionally or sexually?" she said before she had time to think about what she'd just said. She
covered her mouth, "I didn't just say that did I?"
p
He smiled, "I do believe so. So, which one is it? Emotionally or sexually?"
p
"Both."
p
His grin grew wider, "Really...I could probably help you out with one, but not so sure about the other."
p
She buried her head in her pillow. "Because of one is why the other exists."
p
Pacey laughed, "Potter, you crack me up."
p
"I'm glad you think it's funny, I have haven't had sex in two and a half years, so you can shut up now."
p
Pacey tried to control his laughter, "Sorry."
p
"Yeah, well, it's frustrating...you know? What am I saying, of course you don't. You at least had your
wife, while I on the other hand..."
p
Pacey smiled, "I think I like where this conversation is going."
p
She rolled her eyes, "You would. But, seriously, it's very hard to be around you sometimes."
p
He nodded, "I know what you mean. I keep thinking that I want you so badly I can almost taste it, you
know."
p
She nodded, "All too well."
p
Pacey smiled, "What do you say, that the when I get...closure, that you and I find someone to watch
Sam and Noah and we spend the entire weekend in a bed somewhere and..."
p
She closed her eyes, "Oh please do not put that thought into my head. I will really have to stay away
from you."
p
"Well, I can't have that, because as you know, I hate being away from you."
p
She shook her head, "Okay, I have to hang up now, or I will be banging down your door."
p
"Okay, I'll talk to you tomorrow, right?"
p
"Yeah. Maybe your sister-in-law can watch Sam and you and I can go out tomorrow night."
p
"Sounds like a plan. Goodnight, Jo."
p
"'Night Pace."
p
They hung up and Joey set the phone on her night stand. She rolled over, staring at the ceiling.
Thinking about spending the weekend in a bed with Pacey was almost more than she could handle. She
turned off her light and climbed underneath the sheets. This was going to be only sleepless night.
p
centerEnd of 14/center
