A/N: Okay, I can't say that I'm completely satisfied with the finale of Dawson's Creek. I mean, I loved the way it ended but they could've had Pacey and Joey finish their talk in the kitchen. All in all though I'm glad they ended up together but I'm sad that it's over. Well, on with the story! Um...yeah...I might be stealing a few lines from the episode, more specifically the scene where Pacey, Jen, Joey and Dawson are all in the hospital room together for the first time, with a few alterations.

Chapter 9

       The sun beated down ceremoniously on the wedding guests as they laughed and talked out by the creek. The wedding had been beautiful and Gale Leery couldn't have been more radiant than at the moment she had been pronounced Mrs. Thomas Marks, but to everyone she would still be Mrs. Leery. Now, they all danced happily with each other celebrating the day.

       Joey's head rested on Pacey's shoulder as they danced, her eyes closed, taking in the music and atmosphere. She could feel Pacey watching her as they swayed rhythmically to the music. It was their first song of the afternoon on the dance floor and it came without interruption from any of their friends or either of their feet. She breathed Pacey's scent hoping idly that the song would last forever. She felt so comfortable there in Pacey's arms, safe.

       The song ended though, but another started and the couple were torn apart by Jack hoping to have a dance with Joey. Pacey joked around before handing her over and sweeping Gale away from her husband for the first time that day. Joey watched as Gale laughed at whatever Pacey was saying before Dawson and Andie cut in on their dance. Jen Lindley was teasing Doug not far off and Joey and Jack waltzed over to them. "Hey," they greeted. The couple turned and Doug lit up when he saw Jack.

"Hey," he replied.

"Don't even think about it!" Jen warned seeing the looks on then men's faces, "I think I speak for both Joey and I that you are not dancing with each other until we both get our own male partners." Joey laughed in agreement as Jack gave Jen the puppy dog eyes. Finally Jen relented and handed Doug over to Jack.

"So much for stamina," Joey said as Jen began to lead both women, "I'm getting horrid teen flashbacks now."

"Tell me about it," Jen smiled, "All that's missing is Pacey and Dawson arguing over you two supposedly having sex and an instructor interpreting our dancing and we're fifteen again."

"You and Pacey also need to disappear into a coat closet and make out," Joey pointed out.

"Will you ever forgive me if I do?" Jen wondered. Joey rolled her eyes as Pacey and Andie approached them.

"I believe I owe Ms. Lindley a dance. Mind if I cut in?" Pacey asked. Jen shook her head 'no' and switched with Andie who laughed and joined Joey.

"Who leads?" she asked confused.

"Well Jen usually does," Joey responded, "But then again it's been years since we last danced together."

"I heard about that," Andie sighed, "You and Pacey were secretly helping each other out and Dawson and Jen followed you to ballroom dancing courses one night and it all turned bad." Joey nodded as the song ended and supper was announced. Andie and Joey headed back to the table they shared with Jack, Doug, Pacey, Jen and Dawson and sat down in their seats.

    The seating order was according to the couples that had arrived together with the exception of Jen. On Joey's left was Pacey and on her right Jen, beside Jen was Andie and then Dawson and finally Jack and Doug. They talked giddily as the waiter served the dinner to them and they all picked up their fork. Joey glanced around at each; they all had chicken except for her. Joey chewed her lip and reached over to Pacey's plate. "Hey!" Pacey protested as she quickly stuffed the bite of chicken into her mouth.

"What?" Joey batted her eyelashes innocently as Dawson and the others tried to suppress their laughter. Pacey glared at Joey and then returned to his plate of chicken. Joey took a few bites of her own choice of fish and then reached over to Pacey's chicken again.

"Potter do you want to switch?" Pacey asked annoyed. Joey pretended to consider it while Pacey switched their plates. Joey smiled triumphantly and continued to eat Pacey's chicken. A while later as everyone finished up Pacey pulled Joey back onto the dance floor.

"I can't!" Joey complained, "Pacey, I ate too much!"

"That's your own fault," Pacey shrugged, "Because whether you like it or not we're going to dance." Joey pouted but Pacey refused to let her out of this. A faster, swing, song started and Pacey began to direct Joey around the dance floor. Soon they were joined by Jen and Dawson as well as Andie and Jack.

   The three couples were soon joined by a lot of the bridal party and guests and as the song slowly reached its end Pacey held Joey tightly and looked straight into her eyes. Joey felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach as Pacey lips came nearer. The kiss was soft at first and then Joey deepened it. The song reached its final notes and Pacey dipped Joey as they continued to kiss. When he pulled her back up they pulled apart and remained silently looking into each others eyes. Their moment was interrupted by Dawson's panicked voice. "Whoa, Jen!" Pacey and Joey turned to see Dawson holding an unconscious Jen on the floor. Pacey immediately let go of Joey and ran to Pacey's side, Joey, Andie and Jack followed worriedly.

"What's going on?" Jack demanded as Grams handed Madison back to Gale.

"Someone get her purse, she needs her medication," Grams instructed.

"She took it right after she finished eating," Pacey informed Grams, his tone resembling the old woman's, it held little hope.

"This shouldn't be happening," Grams covered her mouth, "Oh my baby girl."

"What's wrong with her?" Jack trembled from beside Joey.

"It's her heart," Grams cried, "It's her heart! Someone, get an ambulance."

"I'll go," Dawson announced, hesitating.

"Go!" Pacey demanded slipping Jen into his arms. He pulled her close to him and reached out to Grams. "It'll be alright," he said more to Jen that to anyone else, "It'll be alright."

    The waiting room of the hospital rang in a horrible silence. Pacey was comforting Grams while Dawson, Jack and Andie sat helpless, confused watching the door to Jen's room. A doctor approached and called Grams over and she obliged leaving Pacey to bury his head in his hands. He didn't know what to do. Jen had been fine up until the moment that she had fainted. The medication had seemed to be helping, but then this. Grams returned and Pacey looked up. Her face was red and devastated. "What's going on?" Jack stood up.

"It's her heart," Pacey explained, "Jen has a heart disease and her heart is failing. She might not make it." Joey and Dawson stared at him in shock and Jack moved over and pulled Grams into a tight hug while Pacey collapsed back into his seat. He hadn't wanted to be the one to tell them.

   A hand on his shoulder made Pacey look up once again to find a Joey, shoulders shaking from crying. Pacey pulled her down onto his lap and they hugged. Joey's warm tears dripped onto his neck. Pacey kissed the top of her head and looked over to Dawson who was hugging an equally sobbing Andie. Joey finally pulled away and took a deep breath before pulling out her cell phone. "Who're you calling?" Pacey managed to ask.

"Audrey," Joey hiccoughed, "She deserves to know."

"Want me to do it?" he asked. Joey shook her head and quickly dialled a number and pressed the phone to her ear.

     Three rings later an unsuspecting Audrey picked up the phone and Joey listened to her absently ask if anyone was there. She didn't know what to do. Pacey had stood up and reached for the phone but Joey pulled away. She couldn't let anyone else do this. Audrey needed to hear this from her. She deserved to hear this from her. "Ugh fine Potter be that way!"

"No, no I'm here!" Joey called out right before Audrey hung up.

"Gee who died?" Audrey asked.

"Don't," Joey felt another sob come on, "It's no time for joking. Audrey..."

"What is it?" Audrey now sounded concerned, "What's wrong?"

"It's Jen," a single tear escaped, "She's sick. She's got this heart problem. Audrey, she might die." There was complete silence on Audrey's behalf and Joey knew that it was sinking in. "I've got to go," Joey announced, "I really need to get back..."

"Go, and keep me posted," Audrey demanded, "Joey, call me as soon as anything happens."

"I will," Joey assured her friend and hung up, sticking her phone back into her pocket and going over to join the Grams-Jack-Pacey hug.

     Jen groaned as she opened her eyes to whiteness. She was in the hospital. She hated hospitals, even more she hated lying in bed being strapped to a bunch of machines. Turning her head slightly Jen smiled frailly at Jack who lying back in his chair was watching her tiredly. "Hey you," she whispered. Jack sat up straighter, his eyes were puffy and red from crying and his mouth managed to form a smile, but it quickly fell.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jack asked, "I'm supposed to be your best friend."

"Aw, Jack," Jen looked sadly at him, "You are, but I couldn't tell you. I thought if I did it would just make it more real. I mean, I planned on making it to Capeside and back without any major problems. I always planned on telling you before I left."

"Jen, I could've been able to help," Jack engulfed her hands in his, "And Pacey knew."

"Pacey found out, I didn't tell him." Jen informed, "And I was just so scared. I mean Jack, I have a daughter. I don't want to leave my daughter."

"You can beat this," Jack squeezed her hand supportingly; "We beat this together."

"No, we can't," Jen shook her head, "But let's make the best of out time. No crying. I don't want anyone coming in here crying. Laughs and jokes that's all. If you don't have a sense of humour you're out." Jack nodded in agreement. "But first climb in and let's talk about your date with Doug." Jack took a deep, uneven breath and climbed into Jen's hospital bed.

        Joey, Pacey, Andie and Dawson sat grievingly in the Ice House. It was dark in the restaurant and they had all sat at the long table they had used the other night for dinner, sitting in silence. Joey clutched onto Pacey's hand as she stared down at the table in front of her tracing the edges of the menu in front of her. The door opened and without looking up Pacey mumbled, "We're closed."

"I'd hope so," an all too familiar voice said, "I mean no one wants to eat in the dark." The heads of Dawson, Joey and Pacey all shot up and Joey's eyes widened as she jumped up and ran to the intruder enveloping her in a huge hug.

"Audrey," she smiled despite herself, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, if I remember correctly I need to kick your ass," Audrey joked.

"Uh-uh Liddell," Pacey shook his head, "You want to do anything to Potter you better take it outside of my restaurant." Joey hit Pacey playfully.

"Aren't you supposed to be on location with Todd?" Joey wondered, "In some exotic land?"

"Todd got me onto a jet right after I heard. Just the perks of having a director boyfriend," Audrey shrugged, "You should try it out. Anyway, I have more important places to be. Like, here with my friends when they need me. Dawson, Todd said his best regards."

"I'm sure," Dawson laughed as he pulled the blonde into a hug. Andie watched from afar.

"So, I'm guessing the other blonde is Andie?" Audrey enquired, "Joe, I don't know how you ever managed to get onto Pacey's radar. The only thing he seems to go for is blondes."

"Watch it Audrey," Pacey joked, "I just might have to remind you of Alex."

"Come on Pace," Audrey laughed, "The psycho bitch who broke us up and then tried to kill you?"

"Oh, yeah," Pacey reminisced the horrid experience when the mentally unstable new owner of the last restaurant he had worked at had tried to kill them both by driving at break neck speeds. Wasn't something he really liked to think about.

"Well McPhee it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Audrey smiled, "So, where's Jackers?"

"Probably at the hospital with Jen and Grams," Joey replied, "I don't think he's left her side since they let him in." Audrey nodded and then yawned, jetlagged.

"How about we walk over to the B and B and see if we've got another open room?" Joey suggested, "We'll stop by the hospital tomorrow and surprise Jen." Audrey nodded once more and the two waved good bye to the others and headed to the B and B.

    It had been a long, horrible night and they were all back at the hospital. Audrey, Andie and Joey all arrived together along with Madison. Peaking in Jen's room they noticed Grams sleeping soundly in a chair and then looking over to the seats in the waiting room they found Jack spread out on two chairs, rather uncomfortably. Audrey smiled and snuck over, kissing Jack quickly on the lips. Jack opened his eyes and sat up. "Audrey, hey!" he greeted getting up and hugging her, "I thought you'd be off watching Todd."

"Well, there are more important things than Todd jumping into the sack with the lead actress," Audrey informed him, "Like Jen."

"How is she?" Andie asked. Joey stayed silent between her two friends.

"She's stable," Jack sighed, "But the odds are against her." Joey closed her eyes and took a deep breath to keep from crying. She then felt two very different hands on her shoulders. Opening her eyes and turning she saw that Pacey and Dawson had both arrived. Handing Madison over to Jack, Joey turned and hugged both Dawson and Pacey.

     Grams emerged from Jen room a minute later and Jack, along with Madison entered. They stood quietly waiting for something, anything to happen. Jack exited again and turned to the four standing, watching him curiously. "Alright," he sighed, "There are a few rules you all need to follow before you go in there. First, Jen doesn't want anyone to cry. If you cry I have the power to ban you from the hospital."

"That's not fair," Joey mumbled miserably.

"It's what she wants," Jack gave Joey a pleading look, "And second you must all have your sense of humour."

"Do we all go in at once?" Pacey asked.

"I...I think we should go one at a time," Jack suggested.

"Who's first?" Pacey enquired. They all turned to look at him. "Send in the clown," Pacey sighed and pulled open the door to Jen's room.

"So, they're sent you first huh?" Jen smiled, Pacey forced himself to smile back at the frail looking girl in front of him, this woman wasn't Jen. "Come on Pace," Jen pleaded, "Wipe that fake grin off, please. I don't need pity smiles."

"Sorry," Pacey smiled sincerely.

"Better," Jen patted the space on the bed next to her, "So, how's it going?"

"Well, you're dying," Pacey pointed out, "But other than that things are great." Both burst out laughing as Pacey took his seat next to her and the two chatted quietly for a minute or so. Finally, Pacey stood up and exited the room to get the others. Andie, Dawson and Joey all entered next. Jack was busy talking quietly with Sheriff Doug who had just arrived.

"Hey guys," Jen greeted. Pacey took the spot on the bed once again.

"What's wrong with these guys?" Pacey nodded towards the three standing awkwardly by the door.

"Yeah, what's wrong guys?" Jen wondered, grinning, "Who's dying?"

"That's not funny," Joey grumbled, shifting in her place sadly.

"Yes it is," Jen took deep breaths, "It's very funny."

"Some would say fatally funny," Pacey continued cracking a grin. Joey, Andie and Dawson still seemed uncomfortable but Audrey, who had just entered, chipped in.

"Come on guys, it's just a little dead humour," she joked popping over to Jen's bed.

"Audrey!" Jen exclaimed, her smile grew wider, "How'd you get here?"

"I hopped on a jet last night after Joey called," Audrey informed, "And let me tell you I'm dead tired."

"Stop," Joey pleaded.

"No, this is the way it has to be," Jen notified, "I don't want anyone to be upset, it has to be funny or else I'll get angry and I don't want to get angry."

"No one likes a grump on her death bed," Pacey pointed out, still slightly humorous.

      Joey didn't know what to do. She stared at Jen lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to a bunch of machines as she joked with Pacey and Audrey and she didn't know what to do. The humour wasn't funny to her, it was just exploiting the fact that Jen would die. Jen couldn't die. She was young, healthy and she had a daughter. Yet, Jen was going to die and it only made Joey realize how short life really was.