A/N: Well, I'm on my high horse now. Thanks to those who reviewed, I'm glad that you're enjoying my little story. I will waste no more time with this Author's Note and will give the next Chapter right away. Please review and tell me how it's going so far, advice or ideas are welcome.
Ch 4
It had been a few minutes since any of them had spoken. They were exhausted. There had been squealing after Jen recovered, but Bessie had come in to warn them that there were guests and they had better not wake them up. Then they had spoken in hushed whispers for the next few hours discussing Jack's relationship with Doug Witter and now there was silence. Madison had fallen asleep hours ago and was quietly breathing on Joey's bed where they had laid her.
Jack stirred from his spot on the floor and stood up. The others tiredly watched him, waiting for him to announce what he was doing. Jack seemed to have no intention of doing so. Stretching he stepped over Andie and headed for the door. Jen groaned and rolled on to her side deciding to take initiative say something. "Where are you going?" she stifled a yawn.
"Kitchen," Jack responded.
"I'm coming," Joey lifted her arm limply rolling her head to the side so that she could see Jack completely, "I just need a little help getting up." Andie and Jen laughed as Jack made his way back across the room and lifted Joey to her feet.
"Me too!" Andie and Jen whined. Jack shook his head and made his way to both girls. The three women all stood almost lifelessly now in the room and Jack stared at them from the open door of the room.
"Coming or do I have to carry all three of you?" Jack questioned. The women grinned mischievously but Jack knew better than to wait for them to answer, he was already out the door. Slowly the three made their way to the door, taking longer than either of them would've expected.
"I don't think I can make it," Jen mumbled, "I'm too tired." Joey, who trudged beside her, grunted in agreement and Andie managed to mutter a 'yes'.
"I've got coffee!" Jack shouted quietly from the kitchen. The three seemed to perk up at the mention of coffee and looked between each other, each wanting to get the first hot cup of Java. A smile spread across Joey's face as she took off running. Jen and Andie muttered their protests as they sprinted after her.
They reached the kitchen in fits of laughter and Jack hushed them, reminding them of Bessie and the customers. The women covered their mouths to stifle their laughter as Jack made the coffee. Jen rummaged around and pulled out a deck of cards. As Jack handed out the cups of coffee, Jen dealt the cards.
Pacey Witter stood in the dark restaurant preparing to leave. He was always the last of the all the staff to leave and the first to arrive. This restaurant had become his life. He took a deep breath and locked the register tucking the key safely in its hiding place. The restaurant door opened smoothly and then shut again and Pacey looked up to see none other than Officer Witter standing there. "Ah, Dougie my favourite brother," Pacey greeted sarcastically, "What are you doing here?"
"Just checking up," Doug replied.
"You never just check up," Pacey pointed out, "What can I do you for?" Doug glared at him.
"Have you seen Jack lately?" Doug wondered. Pacey laughed knowingly.
"Yeah, he came in today," Pacey had found the perfect opportunity to torture Doug, "He wasn't alone either, had some hot date." Pacey watched smugly as his brother tensed up. He would leave him hanging a little longer before letting him on the fact that it was Joey Potter and not some guy. Watching Doug squirm was something Pacey enjoyed thoroughly.
"He did, did he?" Doug inquired stiffly.
"Oh relax," Pacey shook his head hopelessly, "It was only the lovely Joey Potter." Doug relaxed now, but Pacey knew that it was his turn to squirm he decided to get out as quickly as possible by adding, "If you want to find him, Andie's staying at the B and B. He could be there."
"I think I'll head over," Doug mentioned. Pacey looked at his brother oddly who didn't usually give up on an opportunity to get Pacey back for his relentless torture over the years.
"Mind if I come?" Pacey wondered, "Wouldn't mind seeing Andie's face when you show up looking for Jack." Doug glared once more at Pacey.
"Sure," he sighed. The brothers headed out of the restaurant and were met by a man slightly taller than Pacey with dark brown hair and eyes. He smiled at the two, and Pacey noticed that he seemed lost.
"Uh..." the guy rubbed his stubble on his chin, "I was wondering...do you happen to know where the Potter B and B is located." Pacey almost laughed at the man's manners but held himself back.
"Yes, we do," Dough nodded, "Actually; we're heading there right now. Why don't you follow us?"
"Thank you," The man smiled appreciatively as he headed back to his rental car. Pacey climbed into the passenger's seat of Doug's squad car as they pulled of the parking lot and headed towards the Potter's place.
Joey made a face. She had just lost another game of Poker. She had never been good at this game. She smiled faintly as she remembered the game of strip poker at Jen's un-birthday party. She had been drunk and caught Pacey playing and decided that she was allowed to join in too. Pacey had carried her out to his car and drove her home. Joey was then reminded of the pact that she, Jen and Andie had made on that night. The pact that had never been fulfilled two years ago when it was supposed to have been, Joey couldn't remember the date.
Jen sat quietly looking at her cards. She had won the first three games but lost the rest. She was happy to be here, sitting in the kitchen of the Potter B and B playing cards with Joey, Jack and Andie, but she was easily reminded of what she would have to do before she left. A knock on the front door gave Jen a reason to get up. She was the closest to the door after all.
As she swung the door open Jen smiled brightly at the faces that were revealed behind. A very serious Doug Witter stood beside a smug Pacey Witter who embraced her as soon as the door was wide open. "Lindley," he ginned as he let go of her, "You're only supposed to be here tomorrow."
"I know," Jen responded, "But I couldn't wait."
"Where's Mads?" Pacey questioned.
"Where do you think?" Jen raised her eyebrow and Pacey understood. Then, turning to Doug she knew why he was here. "Jackers!" she called out sneakily, "Someone is here to see you!" The curious faces of both Andie and Jack appeared now. Andie grinned delightfully as Jack blushed.
"Well, looks light I'm too late for first reactions," Pacey sighed, disappointed. Then, he remembered the stranger standing behind him and Doug, "Hey, Potter!" he exclaimed, "You've got someone here looking for a room."
"Pacey Witter if you think that I'm going to let a vermin like you sleep here when I know perfectly well that you have your own place your..." Joey trailed off as she joined them at the door. They all looked at Joey confused as she stared speechless at the stranger. "Chris..." she managed to whisper.
"Joey," he nodded.
"What...What are you doing here?" she stumbled on her words, "You're supposed to be in New York getting ready to go to China."
"Well, you're supposed to be home staring at the invitation changing your mind over and over again," Chris pointed out, "So, you can imagine my surprise when I came home early to a note saying you were here. I just had to come to Capeside to find out what it is about this town that seemed to have drawn you here."
"That would be me," Pacey joked. His humour earned him a patented Joey Potter glare.
"Chris, the jailbait with the horrid sense of humour over there is Pacey Witter," Joey introduced, "Beside him is Doug, the tall dark man is Jack, beside him is his sister, Andie and the blonde who let you in is Jen. Guys, this is my boyfriend Chris."
"Nice to meet you," Chris nodded. There was a chorus of 'you too' from her friends before Pacey spoke up.
"Boyfriend, huh Joe?" Pacey sneered, "You never mentioned that when you were all over me in the storage room of the restaurant."
"Bite me Pace," Joey snapped.
"Didn't we go over that this afternoon?" Pacey shot back, a smile spread wide on his face. Jen, Andie and Jack shook their head at the hopeless pair while Chris seemed confused.
"Don't mind them," Doug instructed, "If they weren't bickering I would be worried. Pacey has a tendency to bring out the worst in Joey."
"He had a tendency to bring out the worst in everyone," Joey corrected Doug.
"And you're a saint Potter," Pacey retorted.
"How about we let everyone into the house?" Jen suggested, "Before these two wake Bessie up with their banter."
"Fine," Joey grumbled going back into the kitchen. The others were close behind.
Dawson Leery was in his childhood bedroom laid back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He had been reflecting on his day for the past hour or so. The day had been busy preparing for his mother's wedding and hadn't had until this moment to think about how he felt about Joey Potter being back on Capeside. In the past hour he still hadn't come up with a clear decision. It didn't help that Pacey had known and not told him, prepared him. Dawson refused to over-react. He and Pacey had had a good talk due to Joey four years ago. He knew that he wouldn't let his feelings for Joey get in the way of his friendship with Pacey. At least, he hoped not.
Hoisting himself off his bed Dawson strolled over to the window and pulled back the curtains on the window, looking off onto the Creek. So many years had passed since they had all been here together. In the distance Dawson was sure he could see a light still blaring at the Potter's Bed and Breakfast. Dawson wondered what would be keeping anyone up on a calm night light this, but he was almost sure that it was Joey Potter. Climbing out of the window Dawson stepped down onto the ladder. After they wrapped the shooting of the movie a little over four years ago he hadn't had the heart to bring it down again.
About half hour later Dawson's little rowboat reached the dock that he had once been very familiar with. Climbing out, he headed towards the porch and knocked on the door. To his surprise it was not either of the Potter women who answered the door, or even Body, but a laughing Doug Witter. Dawson furrowed his eyebrows as Doug stepped out of the door way and allowed Dawson into the house. "Looks like we have another guest," Doug called out heading towards the Potter kitchen.
Dawson's mouth fell open as he saw the crowd in the kitchen. Coffee was scattered around the table where they sat and Joey, Jack, Andie, Jen, Pacey and some guy Dawson did not know stared back at him. Jen got up and raced over to him, enveloping him in a large hug and pecking him on the cheek. "It's Dawson!" she exclaimed and Dawson had a sneaking suspicion that they had spiked their coffees.
"Hey!" the others exclaimed.
"Oh!" Jen grabbed Dawson's hand and led him to the table, "It's a good thing you're here. See, we've discovered much tonight. Like, Jack and Doug are dating!" Dawson noticed Jack and Doug both bow their ends at this not, "AND, Dawson, I don't believe you've met Chris. Chris is Joey's boyfriend from Boston. Chris that is Dawson Leery, director extraordinaire and producer of the hit show The Creek."
"Thanks for the very unnecessary intro Jen," Dawson told Jen and nodded his 'hello' to Chris who returned the gesture. Dawson's gaze shifted over to Joey who was jabbing Pacey in the ribs for something or other he was whispering to her. Dawson sighed, some things never changed.
Joey had finally gotten away for a minute by excusing herself to get some air. Of course, it was a lame excuse to get away from the room housing her ex-flames and boyfriend but it had worked. Although she had received some looks from Andie and Jen on her way out Joey ignored them. Now, she sat out on the dock listening to the quietness of the night that was only interrupted by the rhythmic 'thump' of Dawson's rowboat colliding with the dock. She breathed in the fresh air, clearing her mind. What was she supposed to do? She had spent the day with Pacey and she couldn't deny that she had felt something between them, even in their banter.
Footsteps approached her and Joey turned to see Pacey standing behind her. Joey sighed and leaned back against the wooden rail. "Stalking me now Pace?" she wondered.
"Just worried about you," Pacey shrugged, "You didn't seem all that thrilled that your boyfriend is here."
"I came to Capeside not only for Gale's wedding," Joey explained, "I also came because I needed to sort some things out. See, I was doing laundry early this morning before I came and I found a ring in Chris' drawer."
"He was going to propose?" Pacey questioned. Joey sensed the sadness in his voice.
"Yeah," Joey nodded, "But I don't know if I want to marry Chris and now that I'm here I'm even less sure."
"You know what I think?" Pacey posed. Joey shook her head. "I think you already know the answer to that question."
"I do?" Joey looked up at Pacey curiously.
"There shouldn't be any doubt in you mind when you're with the right person," Pacey responded, "If you really wanted to marry Chris you wouldn't be here talking with me, you would be in New York engaged. Or inside there laughing and talking, but you're not. You're here listening to me tell you what you already know."
"Words of wisdom from Pacey Witter," Joey mused, "Wow, I'm surprised. You actually know how to be sincere."
"There's a lot of things you don't know Potter," Pacey stood next to her now. Joey nodded and leaned in to Pacey who wrapped her arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head lovingly.
"I guess I know what I have to do," Joey sighed, sadly and Pacey drew her closer to him hugging her tightly.
