Steadfast Soldier (2/3: Second-Best)
Angelus angelus1317@hotmail.com
See first chapter for disclaimer, etc.
Author's Notes: I have only seen a limited number of DC episodes. I called Joey's sister Bessie, but I'm not sure if that's her name or not, and I didn't even try and guess the name of the black boyfriend in the first episode. In fact, I don't even know if they're still together, or living in Capeside. For my sake, though, let's just pretend they are, huh?
~*~
Pacey wandered aimlessly through Capeside. He still wasn't sure what he was doing back here. Coming to Capeside sort of implied that he was going to tell Dawson about the Stepatech stock, but he was nowhere near ready for that: he was nor longer the fearless, tell-it-like-it-is Pacey of yesteryear. It was funny, he mused. He'd taken more hits after he'd left Capeside than he had when he was still there, despite how determined he'd been to get out.
Stepatech, his life's savings, Dawson's life savings, Dawson's trust in him, Joey, Sadia...all gone. His world had suddenly crumbled around him and he hadn't seen it coming. Just a few weeks ago, he'd been cuddling with Joey in his big, fancy apartment, his job perfectly secure and promising great things to come.
On second thought, maybe he *should* have seen this coming. After all - him in a suit, raking in cash like it was water? Please. No matter how much he tried to grow up, to play corporate games with the big kids, inside he would still always be awkward, insecure, class clown Pacey Witter.
And then there was Joey. His whole life, she had belonged to Dawson. Even after their time together, when he'd thought he'd finally found all he needed, she'd gone back to him. But then for her to show up in his life again when things already seemed so perfect? She was just the last straw before the scale tipped - he should have known that.
But who was he to resist her? How could he? It wasn't like he'd ever been able to before. He couldn't help it; he was weak for her. All she had to do was smile at him and he fell. Every time, like clockwork.
And this last time, it hadn't even been Dawson; it had been Eddie what's-his-face who'd already left her twice before, yet still she was falling into his arms and leaving Pacey in the dust. Maybe it was just time he accepted it once and for all - no matter how hard he tried, he was never anything more than second-best.
And yet still, her he was. Wandering had inevitably led him here, to the Potter's house. He could always go in, he supposed. Say 'hi' to Bessie. But that would probably look a bit too pathetic and stalkerish. So instead, he settled for sitting on the dock, looking out into the clear, undisturbed waters that had been the background for his childhood.
And then he saw the familiar, rickety old canoe, paddles still in it. He could almost picture Joey in the front seat at fifteen years old. That's what he'd do; he'd take a ride down the creek, past his house and the Leery's, and maybe have a better idea of where to go and what to do in this miserable, practically abandoned town.
He was already in the canoe, oars in his lap, about to untie the rope, when he heard the voice behind him; her voice. He didn't even have to turn around; he'd recognize it anywhere.
"Mind if I join you?" She asked. Then he did turn around, with a wide grin on his face despite it all, because if there was ever anyone ho could make him feel better, it was Joey Potter.
"Of course," he replied.
Angelus angelus1317@hotmail.com
See first chapter for disclaimer, etc.
Author's Notes: I have only seen a limited number of DC episodes. I called Joey's sister Bessie, but I'm not sure if that's her name or not, and I didn't even try and guess the name of the black boyfriend in the first episode. In fact, I don't even know if they're still together, or living in Capeside. For my sake, though, let's just pretend they are, huh?
~*~
Pacey wandered aimlessly through Capeside. He still wasn't sure what he was doing back here. Coming to Capeside sort of implied that he was going to tell Dawson about the Stepatech stock, but he was nowhere near ready for that: he was nor longer the fearless, tell-it-like-it-is Pacey of yesteryear. It was funny, he mused. He'd taken more hits after he'd left Capeside than he had when he was still there, despite how determined he'd been to get out.
Stepatech, his life's savings, Dawson's life savings, Dawson's trust in him, Joey, Sadia...all gone. His world had suddenly crumbled around him and he hadn't seen it coming. Just a few weeks ago, he'd been cuddling with Joey in his big, fancy apartment, his job perfectly secure and promising great things to come.
On second thought, maybe he *should* have seen this coming. After all - him in a suit, raking in cash like it was water? Please. No matter how much he tried to grow up, to play corporate games with the big kids, inside he would still always be awkward, insecure, class clown Pacey Witter.
And then there was Joey. His whole life, she had belonged to Dawson. Even after their time together, when he'd thought he'd finally found all he needed, she'd gone back to him. But then for her to show up in his life again when things already seemed so perfect? She was just the last straw before the scale tipped - he should have known that.
But who was he to resist her? How could he? It wasn't like he'd ever been able to before. He couldn't help it; he was weak for her. All she had to do was smile at him and he fell. Every time, like clockwork.
And this last time, it hadn't even been Dawson; it had been Eddie what's-his-face who'd already left her twice before, yet still she was falling into his arms and leaving Pacey in the dust. Maybe it was just time he accepted it once and for all - no matter how hard he tried, he was never anything more than second-best.
And yet still, her he was. Wandering had inevitably led him here, to the Potter's house. He could always go in, he supposed. Say 'hi' to Bessie. But that would probably look a bit too pathetic and stalkerish. So instead, he settled for sitting on the dock, looking out into the clear, undisturbed waters that had been the background for his childhood.
And then he saw the familiar, rickety old canoe, paddles still in it. He could almost picture Joey in the front seat at fifteen years old. That's what he'd do; he'd take a ride down the creek, past his house and the Leery's, and maybe have a better idea of where to go and what to do in this miserable, practically abandoned town.
He was already in the canoe, oars in his lap, about to untie the rope, when he heard the voice behind him; her voice. He didn't even have to turn around; he'd recognize it anywhere.
"Mind if I join you?" She asked. Then he did turn around, with a wide grin on his face despite it all, because if there was ever anyone ho could make him feel better, it was Joey Potter.
"Of course," he replied.