Just a little bit of history repeating?

Disclaimer: Pacey Witter, Joey Potter, Bessie, Doug and most of the inhabitants of Capeside that you recognise belong to Kevin Williamson and WB - people with money ya know? Jackson and Beth are my creations out of my head, as is their story.

Setting the Scene…

Imagine that Pacey and Joey are never to be reunited (a sad thought, I know), that they both left Capeside and went their separate ways. Pacey went west, I think, Joey perhaps not so far. Imagine further that Pacey has a son, that he is now about 16 years old, and that Joey has a daughter of around the same age. Imagine still further that they are both fairly attractive, quick-witted and both in Capeside for the summer. And there you have it.

--------------

"What the?" Jackson Witter returned to his uncle's pick-up truck he had parked outside the Capeside Store to find it well and truly blocked in. "You know, for a convenience store, this is pretty damn inconvenient," he pontificated to nobody in particular.

Dumping his groceries he headed back into the store in search of the driver who had boxed him in.

"Does anyone who's really bad at parking own that huge monstrosity out there?"

When circling the store gained him nothing but strange glances from the good shoppers of Capeside, he headed back outside to await his unknown captor. Pausing in the doorway, he caught sight of an attractive, dark-haired girl hurrying towards the row of parked cars. His mildly appreciative gaze soon turned to an angry glare as the girl headed directly for the car that was busy obstructing his.

"Hey!" He called out, jogging quickly over to the vehicle. "Wait a sec!"

He shot an arm out at the girl who was nearly inside the car.

"Hey, get off me!" A pair of angry blue eyes flashed level with Jackson's as the girl stepped up to him. Shaking her arm free of his light grip she looked pointedly at him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Jackson snorted. "Excuse me?" What am *I* doing? You're the one blocking three cars in."

"I think a minor parking misdemeanour is slightly less serious than attempted assault."

"Attempted assault? Lady, are you crazy? I was getting your attention so I could rip a piece off you for your shady disrespect to other road users."

"Verbal abuse next? You're a real charmer, aren't you?"

"Aren't you even going to apologise? I've been trying to get out for ten minutes."

Relenting a little, realising she was in the wrong, she attempted an explanation. "I was in a hurry. I was only a few minutes. I didn't think anyone around here would be in that much of a hurry to get anywhere." Then, still stinging from his aggressive attack added, "and it's your fault we're both still here arguing about it. We could both be on our separate ways by now. You've gone out of your way to be disagreeable here!"

The last comment just blew Jackson's already lighted fuse. "Oh, you really are a piece of work, but you know what? I already had a really crappy day so I really don't need Little-Miss-Attitude making it a whole lot worse, so why don't you and your ass get in your little car and get out of my life."

"Fine, if you'll do something for me," she responded slamming the car door as she got inside. Jackson turned and leant into the open passenger window. She glared at him. "Go back on whatever drugs you just came off of."

The tyres screeched as she pulled away.

_______________________________________________________________

Bessie Potter called out as her niece arrived back at the B&B.

"Did you get to the bank okay?"

Beth waited till she was nearer Bessie who was sitting on the veranda, before replying. "Yeah, just before it shut."

"No problems?"

Beth sat down next to her aunt. "No, at least, not at the bank."

"Oh?"

"Oh just some jerk at the store said I blocked him in."

"Did you?"

"Well, maybe. Either way he didn't have to overreact like that."

"Who was it?"

"How would I know?"

"It's just if it was someone from round here they probably would recognise you - you look so much like your mother."

"It was probably a tourist passing through. Whoever he was I am in no hurry to see him again."

_______________________________________________________________

"Uncle Doug?" Jackson called into the house.

The old Witter family house. Inherited by Doug Witter when Jackson's grandfather finally retired from the force and moved to an even smaller small town in which to enjoy his retirement.

"Uncle Doug?" Jackson called again, less loudly. Obviously no one was home. *Great* he thought to himself. *Dinner alone again.*

He was unpacking the groceries when the phone rang.

"Jackson? Hey!"

"Hey, Dad." Glumly.

"Whoa, steady on with the enthusiasm."

"Sorry, Dad, its just so much fun being here, I can't help it."

"Look, I know this thing wasn't your idea, but give it a go, yeh? I know Dougie's thrilled to have a summer companion."

"So thrilled I'm facing a third night alone. I could be doing this in Palo Alto, but with a decent CD collection instead of 'Diva's of the 20th Century'."

Pacey Witter sighed at the other end of the phone. "I know you're not having much fun, kid, but you can't put all the blame on Dougie. Much as I hate to admit it, he *does* have a life of his own. He'll do some stuff with you when he gets the chance. In the mean time there's no reason for you to be home alone. Go out, meet some people. I phoned the Leery's and they said you'd be welcome anytime. They know everyone - they could introduce you to the whole town."

"Dad, I haven't seen them since I was ten years old."

"I know Capeside isn't exactly packed with things to do, Jackson, but it *is* tourist season. At least there are people there. I had to find eighteen years worth of things to do - you've just got three months."

"I know, Dad."

"It'd do you good to get out. What are the girls like out there these days?"

"Going on the one's I've met so far, rude, obnoxious and beautiful."

Pacey Witter laughed down the phone. "Sounds like they haven't changed much.

Jackson, please, will you try and enjoy yourself. For me?"

"Okay, Dad. But not because I want to have a good time or anything."

"That's my boy."

Jackson could see his father's grin. He missed him.

"Are you going to make it down for the boat race, Dad?"

"You try stopping me. The Witter boys own that boat race. You just make sure your Uncle Dougie knows one end of a boat from the other."

"Sure thing, Dad." Chuckling.

After he hung up, Jackson put away the final few groceries when he saw the note.

Jackson (it read)

I haven't abandoned you again - at least deliberately. Someone suspicious was hanging around the old man's boat, so I've gone to check it out and make sure everything's seaworthy. I could do with some help. Make your way down to the docks when you're ready. I'll get us some food.

Doug.

With a lack of anything better to do, Jackson thought he would.

_______________________________________________________________

"You would think today couldn't get any worse, but nope, just to prove you wrong - it does."

Jackson grumbled his way around Capeside docks. You would think he would remember where his grandfather's boat was kept.

"Do you always talk to yourself?"

He swung round to face the very same obnoxious beauty he had met that morning. Her mouth was twitching; she was laughing at him.

"It sounds like you're more polite to yourself than you are to other people" she observed.

She was about his age probably - tall, though not as tall as he was - and those blue eyes! They pierced right through you, contrasting so strongly with the dense dark hair.

"You should hear me when I'm mad at myself."

"I've heard you when you're mad at me. That wasn't too pretty."

"I'm sorry." Why was he apologising? She'd been the one in the wrong.

"Well, you did overreact. But then I guess I did as well."

"Yep, you sure did."

A minor tremor of a glare. How could anyone show so much by doing so little? A slight vibration of an eyelash, that's all. But he knew.

"So what are you mad about generally?"

"Huh?"

"That's twice I've heard you complain about having a crappy day. You've got me curious. What's been so bad about it?"

"Well, they cancelled the 'I Dream of Jeannie' double bill. Then I fell asleep and missed the last ever episode of M*A*S*H. Again. I burnt my lunch, got blocked in at the store by some moron with a Volvo then to top it all off I'm meeting my Uncle on his boat and I have absolutely no idea where it is."

She was smiling.

"You think that's bad? I tripped over the stairs and fell into Mr Trupplemeyer, dropped a whole plate of pancakes on the kitchen floor, got shouted at by some testosterone-driven idiot in front of the whole town - oh but I'm one up on you because I recorded the last episode of M*A*SH."

"Really? Well, you can invite me round to watch it."

"And top off an already lousy day? No thanks."

"You know, I was under the impression people were meant to be friendly in a small town like this."

"Well, I guess if I came from round here then I'd know that."

"Hey, Jackson!"

From some distance away came a voice calling. Turning round, Jackson saw the figure of his uncle coming towards them. He jogged the last few paces.

"Jackson," he breathed, panting slightly. "I've been looking for you."

"Sorry, Uncle Doug, I couldn't remember where the boat was kept."

"My fault, Jackson. I should have written it down. Who's this?" He added, seeing his nephew had a companion.

Jackson turned back to his the girl as he realised for the first time that he didn't know her name.

He introduced her anyway.

"Well, Doug Witter, this is Little-Miss-Attitude, right?" He asked her.

She turned to face his uncle. "No, actually I have a real name, Beth."

"What was that?" Jackson butted in. "Did you just say, 'My name is Beth and I very stupidly blocked your nephew in today at the parking lot, please accept my apologies, I really am a terrible driver and should have my license revoked?'"

" - No." she answered, not batting an eyelid. "I said 'My name is Beth, please save me from this mad lunatic who I feel sure has just escaped from solitary confinement. I'm sure if you take him to the proper authorities, they will know how to dispose of him.'"

Doug was looking at Beth carefully. Jackson felt he had been there long enough.

"Well, nice as this has been, ah, Beth, I think we gotta go now."

"Oh no, don't ruin my day like that." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Ooohh, you're a feisty young thing, aren't you?"

"Bite me."

"Yes! I knew it!" Both Jackson and Beth turned to face Doug whose face was lit up with some kind of revelation. "Tell me, Beth, is it? Are you related in some way to Joey Potter?"

Beth looked surprised. "Ye-es, actually, she's my mother. Her name's Andersson now."

"Well, isn't that something!"

Doug smiled at the pair. They were staring at him strangely.

"I'm sorry, guys it's just I knew Beth's mother very well. She and Pacey were - well they went out together. In high school. It was pretty serious there for a while. They used to argue all the time though, just like you two were doing. And that's what reminded me. Beth, you look so like her. It was kind of because of Joey that Pacey and I got close again."

"I'm sorry, I'm a bit lost. Whose Pacey?" Beth asked, confused.

Doug nodded at his nephew. "Pacey Witter is Jackson's father."

"Jackson?"

"That's me." Jackson pointed to himself.

"Oh. So your father and my mother..."

"Were love's young dream once," Doug continued. "They risked a lot to be together, but it was worth it. Of course they drifted apart later on. You two wouldn't be here if they hadn't. I always thought it was kind of a shame. They suited each other."

Doug seemed happy reminiscing about the past. He was way too sentimental to be a cop. Jackson decided to end the history lesson.

"Weird huh? Uncle Doug, I don't mean to sound rude but I haven't eaten in quite a while. You think we could serve up an intermission for refreshments?"

"Oh, sure, sure. Beth, would you like to join us?"

"Umm, no - thank you, Mr Witter, but I have to get back."

"Okay, well, nice meeting you. Say hi to your mom for me!"

"Sure." She smiled at Doug and nodded at Jackson before making her escape.

_______________________________________________________________

"Aunt Bessie?"

"Mmmhmm?"

"Can I ask you a question, about Mom?"

"Sure, what's on your mind?"

"It's just she told me some stuff, about when she was growing up, about boyfriends and stuff. But I heard something today." Cutting to chase she asked, "Do you remember a Pacey Witter?"

Bessie grinned broadly. "Do I remember Pacey Witter? Of course I do. How could you forget? Plus, he used to come back to Capeside and visit sometimes."

"I heard he and Mom used to go out."

"Yeah, they did, for quite a while. Took them sometime to get together. Your mother was so stubborn. She refused to admit for ages that Pacey meant anything to her."

"Why?"

"Because they were sworn enemies. And she thought she was in love with someone else."

"Dawson?"

"You know about him?"

"Yeah, I met him once."

"Well, Dawson and your Mom thought they were soulmates. Destined to be together. It hurt all three of them a lot when Pacey and Joey fell in love. But they got through that and were happy for quite a while. Everyone was sad when they broke up. They were always so happy together."

"I can't believe Mom never told me any of this."

"Well, she met your Dad, honey. And he was a real keeper. She probably thought telling stories of old boyfriends wasn't exactly the way to go."

"I can't imagine Mom being in love with someone else. What was he like?"

"Who?"

"This Pacey Witter."

Bessie grinned again. "Ask anyone around here and you'll get answers like cocky, smart-alec, impulsive, rude. But you still liked him. It was impossible not to really. Not when you could see how much he cared about Joey. And he had a few good traits I'll admit."

"Like what?"

"Oh he was funny, romantic so your mom said, honest, and he *was* very cute. Why are you so interested?"

"Oh, it's just, I met his son today."

"His son, you mean Jackson?"

"Yes, do you know him?"

"I used to see him when he was a kid. Pacey would bring him out sailing. I wouldn't say I know him. What's he like now?"

"Well, if you take all those bad things about his father and none of the good that pretty much sums him up."

"Oh. Isn't he even cute?"

"No, well, maybe...I didn't really notice."

Bessie just smiled and got up to find the old photo album she kept. Finding the picture she was looking for, she said nothing but handed it to her niece.

Beth had to do a double take. It was obviously her mother about the age she was now, looking just like her, but the arms wrapped around her belonged to a man bearing more than a passing resemblance to Jackson Witter. His father, Pacey. It could have been her and Jackson taken that evening on the dock. She gave a small gasp.

"What's wrong?" Bessie asked her.

She couldn't tell her. It wasn't that her mother had been in love before her father, could it be because the couple in the photograph looked so like herself and Jackson? So maybe the guy she had met was slightly taller than the guy in the photograph, with hair a shade lighter and eyes, she glanced more carefully, that were brown and not blue. But it was *him*. And that was *her*. And Bessie was right - they did look happy. And it was strange.

_______________________________________________________________

To be continued… Please read/review - I'd 'preciate it!