A/N: The song is "Crowded Room" by an amazing band called ADELAYDA. If you haven't heard of them you might be able to download the song from kazaa or something like it—it's worth the try.
SUNRISE, Tuesday
Joey woke up to her sister's insistent voice. "Joey! C'mon, I need you to drive Alex into to to pick up stuff for dinner!"
"Make the kid walk!"
"Joey!"
"Fine!" Joey yelled throwing the covers back and putting her feet on the floor.
Alex and Joey closed the doors to the truck and stood in front of Witter's Supper Club. Alex walked through the front door and called the hostess by name. Half the waitstaff seemed to know the ten year old. Joey stood behind her nephew and soaked up the simple, homey décor. It brough back so mane memories of The IceHouse that she had to smile. Suddenly she remebered and her eyes met the twinkling in Alex's eyes. "His day off."
"hmm?" Joey questioned with a raised brow.
"Oh," the hostesses nodded. "Mr. Witter takes Tuesdays off."
"But he's here today-- meeting the bride for that wedding." A passing waiter put in.
"Oh! Well, wanna see him, miss?"
"No!" Joey all but yealled over her shoulder as she dragged Alex out the front door.
"Wimp." The young boy accused.
"Yeah." Joey confirmed.
"Chicken."
"Bock-bock."
"It's all right you'll see him at the rehearsal dinner for sure—he's a groomsman."
"Of course." Joey nodded climbing back in the truck. "I have to shower then meet Jen for my dress fitting."
Alex looked back across the street and Joey followed his gaze.
Back inside the waiter who'd said Pacey was in the kitchen returned to the hostess's booth. "He's not here. Tell her I'm sorry, but the show went late and he cancelled his morning meeting."
the Hostess shrugged. "She left."
Pacey Witter rolled out of bed groaning. His back and legs screamed from standing through the Adelayda show at Witter's the night before. The up and coming band had brought the house down with their first song and continued to rock for over three hours. After another hour of hand shaking and album signing it had been nearly 2 am before Pacey could lock up. He sighed standing at the window wearing only his PJ pants. He looked toward the water and watched as golden rays bounced off its surface. He turned the CD case over and over in his hand. One of the more popular songs the band had played ran through his head. The lyrics brought back so many memories from his years as Capesides High School Bad boy—and the years he'd spent loving the elusive Josephine Potter. He put the CD in and skipped to track 3 before stripping of his PJ pants and heading for the shower.
Two heads on a pillow sharing the night
There's nothing I can do or sing now,
Nothing's gonna make this right
God knows I want to hold you until night turns into day.
But I can't even touch you—you're so far away...
And I see you and me together
Living in a crowded room for two.
I see you and me together,
living a crowded room...for two.
So tear down the walls now
You can let me in
You should know that I won't hurt you--
I'm not like him.
I see you and me together
Living in a crowded room for two.
I see you and me together,
living a crowded room...for two.
Ypu can believe you mean the world to me...
That's how we seem...I can't let it go....
I see you and me together
Living in a crowded room for two.
I see you and me together,
living a crowded room..Living in a crowded room...
We're livin in crowded room--
The CD continued into the next song, but Pacey heard little of hit as the shower washed away some of his melancholy. Half an hour later he headed toward Formalities for his tux fitting.
"Dawson! Wait up, man." Pacey called and saw the slightly younger man halt and smile a wlecome.
"Hey, Pace, what's up."
"Tux fitting." pacey rolled his eyes.
Jen and Joey turned the corner headed towards Formalities when Joey stopped in her tracks. Looking ahead Jen shook her head, "Joey."
"Jen, this is not how Pacey needs to find out I'm home."
Jen sighed and pulled Joey into the video store. "Right."
Joey watched intently and Dawson and Pacey strolled by them laughing and talking alternately about a movie they'd both hated. The connection between them was there again and it made her heart leap for joy and ache uncontrollably to see them that way. Watching the men round the corner Joey stepped out of the video store. "Let's get this dress fitted."
"Let's." Jen agreed.
"You will love the dress." Jen said with a smile. "Every one else will be in these, she held up a sleek dress whose middle section was swath of beautiful cerulean fabric.
"Jen." Joey sadi wondering what her dress looked like.
"And You'll be in this one..." Jen held up a cerulean dress cut in the same sleek lines as the others and sparsely beaded in vibrant orange, yellow and pink.
"Jen, it's gorgeous." Joey reached out to touch the fabric.
"C'mon."
The nexthing she knew, Joey was letting the sales lady zip the top of the dress. For a moment she simply stood there admiring the simplicity of the cut and the intricacies of the scant beading. She ran a hand through her hair before swinging the door open and stepping out—and right into Pacey Witter.
"Sorry." She looked up—going from apologetic to stunned in no time at all.
"Jo?" for a moment Pacey thought he'd been thinking about her so often that he was hallucinating her now.
"Pace?"
Smiles broke across their faces like rays of sun after a dark storm. They walked into a fierce embrace.
"Hi," she said still hugging him.
"Hi, yourself." He echoed not wanting to let her go.
They look a pair Jen though watching her beautiful Maid of Honor and the handsome groomsman cling to one another.
"Should I have that dress fitted to accommodate both of you?" Jen joked sweetly.
Pacey ran a hand down Joey's hair and she trembled at the touch of his hands as they continued down her arms to her hands. He stepped back smiling as still holding her hands.
"Hi." she repeated herself.
He leaned closed to her face and smiled. "We already covered that."
"You're still beautiful." He said quietly as he straightened up and looked her over.
"Six years and you're still trying to charm me."
"Is it working?" he grinned. She just smiled in answer. "So, you're the Mystery Maid?"
She turned and looked at Jen and rolling her eyes turned back to Pacey. "I guess so."
"I'm an usher."
"Groomsman." Joey correted with another roll of her eyes.
Pacey nodded at the salesman who was bringing his tux over. "Oh, dinner!" Pacey said loudly and surprised himself.
" What is a late afternoon or early evening meal!" Joey cried with a chuckle.
"Funny, Potter."
"I want you to see--"
"The Supper Club."
"Yeah."
"Alex and I had to pick up the fish for dinner at the B&B tonight. It's amazing, Pace."
"Ah, so Bessie's at it allright then?"
"Did she ever stop?"
"No. But i would love to have dinner with you."
"Good." he said starting to slide past her. Then he stopped. "I've missed you, Jo."
"7?" She smiled up at him.
"7." he nodded.