A/N: I hope this is all good so far. This chapter I'm going to introduce the young trouble-makers and explain why they enjoy the stories so much and Jen, Grams, and Madison will probably arrive. So, group reunion is possibly happening this chapter or the next. We'll see. Review and tell me what you think, please.
Ch 3
They pulled up at the restaurant fifteen minutes later. Neither of them had stalled long when they dropped off Dawson and Andie at their respective destinations. Pacey wondered slightly what was going through the other's heads right now, specifically Ms. Joey Potter who had remained awfully quiet since she had climbed into the passenger's seat after they had dropped Andie off at the High School.
Entering the restaurant Pacey was greeted by four teens already up to their task of setting up the restaurant for dinner. Smiling slightly at Kate's expression when she saw Joey enter behind him he cleared his throat to get their attention. "Alright," he began, "As Kate must've already told you we've got Ms. Potter here in the flesh. So, feel free to harass her for any story that you'd like while I get started on dinner."
"Pace," Joey hissed from next to him, "You're leaving me alone?"
"Relax Joe," Pacey smirked, "They're not going to eat you."
"Bite me!" Joey snapped. Pacey raised an eyebrow mischievously and Joey waited reluctantly for whatever comeback he was planning.
"I've already done that, haven't I?" he remarked. "Right about..." Pacey's hand traced along her body, sliding down her hips to her thigh where it stopped and his lips curled into a sly smile, "Here." Joey felt a tingle run through her spine.
"In your dreams," Joey quickly masked her feelings at that very moment, "Why don't you just scamper back to whatever hole you crawled out of." Joey noticed now that the teens watched their whole exchange, amused.
"Oh, but I'll be back," Pacey cautioned her, "I always come back Potter."
"Sorry Pace but that was one of the most lame attempts of scaring me with your own version of a movie line," Joey confided, "So, scamper along and cower in you kitchen now." Pacey winked inconspicuously at her and retreated to the kitchen leaving Joey with the four teens.
Joey examined the four carefully. Kate stood near the booth where Jack and Joey had had lunch, she was wearing a waitress' uniform and had her long blond hair tied back into a pony tail. Nearby was another girl who watched Joey closely as well, trying not to get caught at it. She had chin length brown hair and brilliant green eyes she too had on a waitress uniform. On the other side of the restaurant were two boys. One was taller than the other with shaggy brown hair and blue eyes; the other was slightly shorter with curly black hair and puppy dog brown eyes. Both had on uniforms similar to the waiters of that afternoon. They all seemed to stop working as they realized that Joey was watching them. Joey also realized that they were waiting, waiting for her to say something. Surprisingly it was not Joey who spoke first, but Kate. "That's Tara over there," She pointed out, "And the taller one of the guys is Dave and the other is Andrew. We all know who you are."
"So, what kind of stories has Pacey been feeding you four?" Joey wondered. The four teens shared a meaningful look before Tara took a step towards Joey, leaving her rag at the table behind her.
"Well, when we first met him he told us about his experiences as a teen causing some trouble with Dawson," she replied, "All their Mischief night pranks and all. Eventually we wanted to hear more. For once we felt like we found someone who understood us. Eventually he came to the topic of a girl named Joey Potter. Trust me; Pacey only had good things to say about you."
"Mostly," Dave coughed from his corner of the restaurant. Joey turned curiously towards the boy who was setting the forks and tables at their places.
"And what unflattering things did Witter tell you about be?" Joey questioned, pulling up a chair.
"That you were whiny, stuck up, and cynical," Dave responded, grinning from ear to ear. Joey chewed on her lip a second.
"Did he now?" Joey held back a laugh, "And did he tell you that he was an over-sexed, jailbait smart ass?" Both girls laughed at this comment and the boys held back their own laughter.
"Were you two really always like that?" Kate wondered, glancing towards the kitchen door where Pacey now resided, "The bickering and all?"
"Mostly," Joey nodded, "As I said Pacey was a smart ass."
"But he won your heart," Tara pointed out. Joey looked the four over again and realized that they didn't seem like such bad asses. Yet, Pacey hadn't really either. He just looked like a little kid stuck in an older person's body. That was always the way it had seemed for Pacey. He was smart but never really wanted to pay attention to school, or work. He always wanted fun. That was partly what Joey loved about him.
"He did," Joey smiled slightly, "But it wasn't that easy for him. Especially since he had to tell Dawson that he was trying to steal his soul mate."
"Man, you were broken up," Andrew finally spoke up himself, "I mean you have no claim on a girl once you've broken up. That Dawson dude had no right to get mad and turn away your friendships, whether or not Pacey was supposed to be looking out for you and not falling in love with you." Joey furrowed her eyebrows slightly at his comment. The kid was right, but by his tone Joey felt that there was something awry going on. That maybe these four could relate to their stories more than Pacey had let on to her.
"If you don't mind me asking," Joey began, "What did you guys do to end up at the police station?"
"This and that," both girls shrugged, evasive. Joey sensed that they didn't want to talk about themselves that was why they came here.
"We were friends before all the 'stuff' happened," Dave clarified, "One night we decided that we were old enough to go out on our own. So, we did. We snuck into movies, stole some stuff from stores, and vandalized people's property, mostly Officer Witter gave us warnings. The last straw was when the day Drew turned thirteen we headed to the station toilet papered it and spray painted Officer Witter's police car pink."
"They caught us," Tara continued, "And Pacey just happened to be along at the time to visit Officer Witter. He got Officer Witter to let us off as long as we promised to help him out at the newly opened Ice House every day after school."
"Eventually he started to tell us about your lives," Kate cut in before Tara could continue, "For once adults didn't seem so perfect. They had problems like we did. It just helped us to know that we weren't exactly screw ups."
"He's cool," Andrew took over, "He knows better than to put anything over on us. When we ask questions he doesn't avoid them, or change the subject. He comes right up and tells us what we want to know and if he doesn't want to tell us he let's us know it's touchy for him."
Joey smiled at their explanation. It sounded a lot like Pacey and yet it was hard to believe that it actually was Pacey. These kids were fifteen, almost sixteen, and they seemed older and less naïve than Joey had been at their age. She now noticed that Pacey had returned into the restaurant. He was leaning against the door leaning to the kitchen wearing and apron and a cut little chef's hat, he held a towel in his hands and was drying them slowly. "What back already?" Joey tucked her hair behind her ear and sat up in her chair. The four teens turned confusedly towards Pacey and then relaxed.
"Well, I was just making sure that you weren't eating them," Pacey countered. Joey made a face at Pacey,
"Is it just me or are you getting worse at this banter thing?" she implored.
"If I am it's only because you've been away so long Potter," Pacey shot back, "After all I'm out of practise. Who else am I supposed to torture? Dougie's not nearly as fun now Jack's led him out..." Pacey trailed off and Joey looked at him oddly, unsure of what he was talking about. Pacey had a pained expression on his face a second before it disappeared completely. Joey understood by the look that it was better not to question it now with the four teens there. Before she knew it Pacey had ducked back into the kitchen.
Pacey felt horrible. He had nearly let lose a secret that his brother and Jack had trusted him to keep. No one in Capeside, or the world for that matter, other than Pacey had been let in on their secret and he had nearly betrayed their trust. He had felt special because not even Jen Lindley, Jack's best friend, knew what he knew. He had seen the look on Joey's face, the look that told him this was not over. He listened as either Kate or Tara asked Joey a question about him but he was unable to hear Joey's muffled response. Defeated Pacey tried to take his mind off of things by cooking the meals for the night but not even that seem to calm his feelings of remorse.
Jack McPhee stared in utter shock. Standing right there in front of him was his sister Andie, his sister whom he had not seen in so long. She looked wonderful, of course but Italy and LA seemed to have done Andie plenty of justice. She seemed healthier, happier, but there was still that flicker of sadness in her eyes that never seemed to go away. He had been leaving, heading home to finish grading the papers he had received when she appeared in front of him smiling that bright Andie smile he had so missed.
Normally he would have driven home, but today he would rather walk. Walking always seemed more of a sensual thing to do. It was also less stressful than driving. Andie agreed and walked giddily right along side of him talking a mile a minute. Jack hadn't realized until that moment how much he had actually missed Andie. He'd had Jen there to take care of him once Andie was gone, but now she was back. His Andie was back. Two in one day, Jack mused. He had gotten Andie and Joey back on the same day. "So Professor McPhee, how are the teens treating you?" Andie wondered.
"How did we treat teachers when we were their age?" Jack countered.
"Well depends on the person," a smile grew on Andie's face, "We treated them with respect while Pacey either slacked or slept with them." Jack laughed despite himself. Although he and Andie hadn't been around at the time of Pacey's renowned affair with Ms. Jacob they knew enough details.
"Well, we all deal with things our own ways," Jack shrugged and Andie gave him a sad look.
"That's true," she nodded and quickly changed the subject, "So, everyone was very skimpy on the details of my brother's love life. So, any special someone make their way into your life?"
"Uh..." Jack hesitated. Only Pacey knew of his 'secret' relationship and although this was his sister Jack was still reluctant to let anyone else in on his secret.
"There is," Andie bit her lip excitedly, "Who, who? Do I get to meet him this weekend?" Jack should've known better than to try and hide anything from Andie.
"There is," Jack nodded slowly, "But only Pacey knows about this now and..."
"It's not Pacey is it?" Andie cut him off.
"No," Jack replied, "It is a Witter though. Remember Deputy Doug, Pacey's brother?" Andie's mouth dropped open and she stared at her brother in shock.
"This is the same Doug Witter Pacey tortured about being gay?" Andie wondered, "The same guy who refused to be shaken by it, saying he was 'safe' with his sexuality and liked women?"
"Yeah," Jack nodded 'yes'. Andie continued to stare in shock. Eventually, it wore off.
"Wow," she sighed, "Is it serious?"
"We're talking about moving in to his place," Jack confided. Andie managed to grin now.
"Wow," she repeated, "My Jackers is all grown up."
Joey Potter glanced at her watch. It was now six and the dinner crowd was starting to rush in. The teens had stopped talking to her and started working and soon Pacey re-joined her, his apron stained with food. "You going to eat?" he asked. Joey shook her head. After lunch she was still full. "Then, we need the table."
"Are you kicking me out Witter?" Joey inquired.
"Sorry Joe, but no food no table," Pacey looked at her regretfully, "Sorry."
"I understand," Joey felt no need to bother Pacey about this, "I'll just head back to the B and B."
"Bye Joe," Pacey waved.
"Later Pace." She smiled as she walked out of the restaurant. She had had a somewhat pleasant afternoon with the kids and Pacey. She just wished she had gotten a chance to re-talk about her and Pacey's date to the Leery wedding.
Arriving back at the B and B Joey found that Andie had returned with Jack and the two were sitting at the kitchen table with some of the other guests talking. When Jack and Andie noticed Joey enter they excused themselves and approached her. "So, where have you been all afternoon?" Jack asked, "Andie and I got here a few hours ago and have been waiting for you to arrive."
"I was with Pacey at the restaurant," Joey admitted, "Kate and her friends were there and we had a chat about 'The Capeside Crew' as they call us."
"Well, I found out some interesting things about Jackers here!" Andie exclaimed. Jack groaned. Although both girls hadn't seen each other in so long at that moment they seemed to have forgotten that, acting like they had never lost touch. They were already gossiping about him and Jen wasn't even there yet.
"Really?" Joey inquired.
"Yes," Andie nodded, "It seems that Jack has a boyfriend." A strange look crossed over Joey's face as she waited for Andie to continue and tell her, but Andie waited.
"Really?" Joey repeated.
"Yeah, and it's a secret relationship that until now only one other person knows about," Andie continued.
"Pacey," Joey mumbled inaudibly before speaking up, "With whom?"
"Doug Witter," Andie finished. Jack had shrunk back into his corner. Realization took over Joey who remembered Pacey's look when he mentioned Doug and Jack, almost revealing a secret that he knew.
"Who would've guessed," Joey feigned surprise, "Doug Witter actually being gay." Before they could continue there discussion the front door to the B and B swung open and the three friends turned to see their new arrival. Joey's fake surprise became real.
Jen Lindley stared at her old friends shocked faces. She was shocked too. She hadn't expected them to be there. She knew Jack was in Capeside, she had come to visit him plenty but here in the B and B with Joey Potter and Andie McPhee was the last place she expected him to be on this very night. Madison ran past her towards Jack who recovered quick enough to scoop her up into his arms before she tumbled to the floor. Although she walked and ran steadily Madison was still clumsy on her feet at times. "Hey," Jen finally managed, breaking the silence.
"Four," Jack counted. The three girls now looked confusedly at him. "I'm counting how many of my girls I got back today," Jack clarified, "Four. Joey, Andie, Jen and Madison." The women still were confused.
"We're your girls Jack?" Joey finally grinned.
"Well, somebody has to look out for you," Jack stated.
"Are we like you Angels?" Jen teased, "Except one of us has a kid."
"Jack's Angels," Andie tested, considering it.
"Alright, are you done?" Jack wondered. The women thought a moment and then nodded before running up to each other and hugging. Then, there was a rush of words and Jack couldn't tell who was saying what.
"It's been so long."
"She's so adorable Jen."
"I've missed you guys!"
"Why didn't you tell us you were coming tonight?"
"Where's Grams?"
"IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!"
Finally, when they all settled Bessie gave Jen the two rooms she had reserved and Grams finally joined them. The four adults, minus Grams, filed into Joey's room after that and got comfortable. Madison was still in Jack's arms, cuddling. The four old friends reminisced. "We're having dinner at the Ice House tomorrow," Jack mentioned to them, "Pacey's closing it and letting us have the whole place for ourselves. He's cooking but we still have to pay."
"Well, it's understandable," Jen shrugged, "After all he is losing business."
"I can't believe you didn't tell us you were coming early!" Andie exclaimed.
"You didn't tell us at all," Jack accused. Andie nodded, defeated.
"Ooh! We forgot one thing!" Andie recovered from her defeat quickly remembering what she and Joey had been discussing."
"Oh, great," Jack muttered. This comment piqued Jen's interest.
"If Jack's groaning this must be good," she grinned. Joey and Andie nodded.
"Jack has a boyfriend," Andie burst.
"And you'll never guess who it is," Joey added. Jack pretended to ignore them again.
"Who? Who?" Jen bounced in her place.
"DOUG WITTER!" both girls shouted and now Jen was shell shocked once again.
