Joey sat with Dawson as a nurse patched up his forehead. He had cut it
pretty badly and it needed two stitches. Dawson was silent and hadn't said
a word to Joey in the last hour. He was too busy thinking. Dawson felt as
if he were in the Twilight Zone. He still couldn't believe that he had
seen Joey and Pacey together. Also, he was having trouble grasping the
idea that Andie might die. Dawson couldn't help but blame himself. He had
been the one driving the Explorer. It was entirely his fault. The nurse
finished with Dawson's wound and went to fill out the paperwork. Dawson
watched the nurse leave and then turned to Joey.
"I feel like crap." he said.
"Well that's what happens when you're in a car accident. You're lucky to be alive."
"I know."
"What you did was stupid, Dawson."
"I know."
"How could you get drunk and think it was ok to drive?"
"I was hurting Joey. Seeing you and Pacey kissing wasn't exactly a highlight in my life. It's probably the most painful thing I've ever witnessed."
"That's still no excuse."
"I know."
There was a moment of silence. Joey fidgeted in her chair while Dawson felt his stitches. He sighed deeply and turned back to Joey.
"So what happens now?" asked Dawson weakly.
"I don't know Dawson. I'm not sure what you want me to say."
"I want you to tell me I was only dreaming, that today never happened."
"I wish I could but I can't. Today happened and now we have to deal with it." replied Joey, putting her hair behind her ears.
"I still want you Joey, more than I ever have. It's not too late to fix things."
Joey laughed ironically. She knew that Dawson still cared for her and she for him but times had changed. Things were different.
"We may be able to fix things one day Dawson but not now. Now we have to go our separate ways."
"And your separate way is toward Pacey?" asked Dawson sarcastically.
"I care for him Dawson and you're going to have to accept that."
"Not on your life Joe. I'll never accept it. It's not over between us." declared Dawson.
Joey sighed.
=====/////=====
Pacey had been sitting in the hospital waiting room for about an hour but time seemed to tick by slower than that. Jenn and Henry already went home and Dawson's parents were waiting outside. They appeared to be extremely upset. Mitch and Gale were dealing with the fact that they almost lost their only son. Meanwhile, Andie and Jack's father was on his way back to Capeside but was still two hours away. There was still no word on Andie's condition so Jack went for a walk to deal with the stress. He was completely distraught.
Doug had told all the kids to go home including Pacey, but Pacey wouldn't have it. He wasn't leaving until he knew for sure that Andie would be alright. The only person who seemed alright with going home was Matt Caulfield. The others were reluctant but they knew there was nothing they could do.
Pacey continued to think about Andie. His feelings were different toward her but he still cared for her dearly. He didn't want to see her hurt. Now Pacey was sitting and thinking, sitting and thinking.
"How's the eye?" asked Doug, handing Pacey a cup of coffee.
"Well, it hurts like hell. Dawson got a good lick in." replied Pacey, gingerly taking the hot mug from his older brother.
"Yeah, I can tell. It looks pretty swollen. You might want to have a doctor take a look at it." stated Doug, sitting next to Pacey.
"Naw, I'll be alright. I'll put some ice on it when I get home." replied Pace, sipping the coffee.
Doug nodded and took a drink of coffee as well. The hospital was empty and it gave off an eerie feeling.
"You were great tonight, by the way." informed Doug.
Pacey turned to Doug and raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure what Doug meant but it sort of sounded like a complement.
"What do you mean?"
"You saved lives tonight, little brother. You helped Dawson and may have saved Andie's life. You were great tonight."
"Well I don't think Dawson really gives a damn and we can't be certain that Andie's gonna live."
"Don't say that Pace. You got to have hope. You did your best out there and that is all anyone can ask. I know I hardly ever say this but I'm proud of you." stated Doug, with a cough.
Pacey smiled in spite of himself. Doug's words had actually gone to heart and Pacey was grateful.
"Thanks Doug." he replied, taking another sip of coffee.
=====/////=====
Jack, Doug, Pacey, Joey, Dawson, Mitch, and Gale all sat in the waiting room. It was early morning and there was still no word on Andie. Joey had fallen asleep in a chair and Pacey watched her sleep. Meanwhile, Dawson stared at Pacey in anger. Where do you get off loving her, he thought, you don't deserve her?
Pacey looked up at the wall clock and sighed. He was getting impatient so he decided to go for a walk.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to get something to drink." informed Pacey, rising from his seat.
Dawson got up as well. He was in fresh clothes that his parents had brought him and despite his whole ordeal, he seemed to be doing better.
"I'll go with you. I need to stretch." said Dawson, with a straight face.
Pacey looked at Dawson in disbelief. He turned to Doug, who shrugged. Dougie seemed just as confused as Pacey. Mitch and Gale were distant and hadn't noticed the strange gesture. However, Gale turned to Dawson in worry.
"Alright honey, but don't stay gone for too long." she said.
"Ok mom." replied Dawson.
Pacey and Dawson stepped outside and took in the fresh air. There was an intense friction between them and neither one spoke. At first, Pacey actually thought that Dawson was going to be kind but he could tell by the look in Dawson's eyes, that he was still furious. Pacey stared at him and sighed.
"Alright Dawson, go ahead. Do what you itching to do..again."
"What are you talking about Pacey?" asked Dawson coldly.
"Go ahead. Hit me. Take a poke. Save yourself the inner desire and just get it over with. You were drunk the first time and weren't in the right frame of mind. You're head has cleared and I'm sure you want to do it again sober. I saw the way you were looking at me. Hit me."
"Don't push me Pacey or I just might."
"Why did you come out here Dawson? Go back inside and continue to pine over Joey. Give me some space."
"I've had it with you Pacey. I've had it! You act like you're some kind of big shot. You have Joey and you think you're untouchable. Face it Pace, you're time to shine is fleeting. Someday Joey is going to realize you are waist of time and eventually come back to me."
"Watch your words Dawson. I owe you one. Don't make me collect."
Both boys faced each other with their fist clinched, and their eyes were burning red.
"You make me sick! You turned your back on me for a girl. My girl at that!!!" yelled Dawson.
"Joey is not your girl. I didn't steal her away. She was already away. You let her go!"
Dawson stepped up to Pacey. Their faces were mere inches away and their eyes were locked in fury.
"I didn't let her go. You stole her from me and we both know it."
"Believe what you want but I'm sick of this! I'm going back inside." replied Pacey, heading back toward the sliding doors of the hospital.
Suddenly, Dawson's hand lashed out and clasped onto Pacey's arm. Pacey turned to Dawson with contempt. Both boys were fuming in anger.
"You're not going anywhere. We're going to settle this here and now." shouted Dawson.
Pacey jerked out of Dawson's grip and straightened his shirt coolly. Both boys circled each other outside the hospital. Pacey sized Dawson up like a matador to a bull. If Dawson wants to act big, then so be it, thought Pacey firmly.
"I don't want to fight you Dawson. You're still my best friend."
"I'm having a little trouble comprehending that right now. I'm not sure you were ever my friend." replied Dawson sternly.
"You think I actually meant to hurt you?"
"I THINK. I can't stand you! Out of all the girls you could have had, you went after Joey. You knew I was crazy about her!"
"I'm sorry Dawson. Is that what you want to hear? I'm sorry. If I could turn back time, I'd take it back." stated Pacey, pain searing his heart.
"I don't even know why I'm surprised. All you care about is sex. Joey is just another girl you can screw."
Dawson's words hit Pacey like a bullet and that was the straw that broke the camels back. Acting completely on instinct, Pacey reared back his fist and nailed Dawson right in the mouth. The punch was solid and it sent Dawson spinning. He twirled backwards and hit the concrete hard.
"You've gone too far Dawson! I care about her more than I care about myself! You think you're her soul mate. Big deal. We have true love!" declared Pacey, before stomping off to his vehicle.
Dawson brought his fingers to his busted lip and it stung. Blood dripped off his finger tips. Dawson watched as Pacey got into his station wagon and sped off. Oh God, he actually loves her, thought Dawson in fear.
=====/////=====
Andie's doctor entered the waiting room and everyone stood up. It was early morning, close to 5:00. Everyone was tired but now fully awake. The doctor held a metal clipboard and put it under his arm. He turned to Jack, his expression unreadable.
"You're Andie's brother?" asked the doctor.
"Yes. Is she going to be alright?" asked Jack fearfully.
"She's in a coma and on life support. Whether she lives or dies is up to her. This week is extremely critical. If Andie doesn't start breathing on her own or wake up soon, she'll more than likely die." informed the doctor sadly.
Jack covered his chest and wept openly. Mitch and Gale went to him and held him as he cried. Dawson entered the waiting room, stilling nursing his lip. He watched as Jack cried and a massive wave of guilt hit him. This is all my fault, he thought.
Joey covered her mouth and tears fell from her eyes. This was easily one of the worst day of her life. The cold hard reality was the Andie McPhee may die.
To Be Continued....
"I feel like crap." he said.
"Well that's what happens when you're in a car accident. You're lucky to be alive."
"I know."
"What you did was stupid, Dawson."
"I know."
"How could you get drunk and think it was ok to drive?"
"I was hurting Joey. Seeing you and Pacey kissing wasn't exactly a highlight in my life. It's probably the most painful thing I've ever witnessed."
"That's still no excuse."
"I know."
There was a moment of silence. Joey fidgeted in her chair while Dawson felt his stitches. He sighed deeply and turned back to Joey.
"So what happens now?" asked Dawson weakly.
"I don't know Dawson. I'm not sure what you want me to say."
"I want you to tell me I was only dreaming, that today never happened."
"I wish I could but I can't. Today happened and now we have to deal with it." replied Joey, putting her hair behind her ears.
"I still want you Joey, more than I ever have. It's not too late to fix things."
Joey laughed ironically. She knew that Dawson still cared for her and she for him but times had changed. Things were different.
"We may be able to fix things one day Dawson but not now. Now we have to go our separate ways."
"And your separate way is toward Pacey?" asked Dawson sarcastically.
"I care for him Dawson and you're going to have to accept that."
"Not on your life Joe. I'll never accept it. It's not over between us." declared Dawson.
Joey sighed.
=====/////=====
Pacey had been sitting in the hospital waiting room for about an hour but time seemed to tick by slower than that. Jenn and Henry already went home and Dawson's parents were waiting outside. They appeared to be extremely upset. Mitch and Gale were dealing with the fact that they almost lost their only son. Meanwhile, Andie and Jack's father was on his way back to Capeside but was still two hours away. There was still no word on Andie's condition so Jack went for a walk to deal with the stress. He was completely distraught.
Doug had told all the kids to go home including Pacey, but Pacey wouldn't have it. He wasn't leaving until he knew for sure that Andie would be alright. The only person who seemed alright with going home was Matt Caulfield. The others were reluctant but they knew there was nothing they could do.
Pacey continued to think about Andie. His feelings were different toward her but he still cared for her dearly. He didn't want to see her hurt. Now Pacey was sitting and thinking, sitting and thinking.
"How's the eye?" asked Doug, handing Pacey a cup of coffee.
"Well, it hurts like hell. Dawson got a good lick in." replied Pacey, gingerly taking the hot mug from his older brother.
"Yeah, I can tell. It looks pretty swollen. You might want to have a doctor take a look at it." stated Doug, sitting next to Pacey.
"Naw, I'll be alright. I'll put some ice on it when I get home." replied Pace, sipping the coffee.
Doug nodded and took a drink of coffee as well. The hospital was empty and it gave off an eerie feeling.
"You were great tonight, by the way." informed Doug.
Pacey turned to Doug and raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure what Doug meant but it sort of sounded like a complement.
"What do you mean?"
"You saved lives tonight, little brother. You helped Dawson and may have saved Andie's life. You were great tonight."
"Well I don't think Dawson really gives a damn and we can't be certain that Andie's gonna live."
"Don't say that Pace. You got to have hope. You did your best out there and that is all anyone can ask. I know I hardly ever say this but I'm proud of you." stated Doug, with a cough.
Pacey smiled in spite of himself. Doug's words had actually gone to heart and Pacey was grateful.
"Thanks Doug." he replied, taking another sip of coffee.
=====/////=====
Jack, Doug, Pacey, Joey, Dawson, Mitch, and Gale all sat in the waiting room. It was early morning and there was still no word on Andie. Joey had fallen asleep in a chair and Pacey watched her sleep. Meanwhile, Dawson stared at Pacey in anger. Where do you get off loving her, he thought, you don't deserve her?
Pacey looked up at the wall clock and sighed. He was getting impatient so he decided to go for a walk.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to get something to drink." informed Pacey, rising from his seat.
Dawson got up as well. He was in fresh clothes that his parents had brought him and despite his whole ordeal, he seemed to be doing better.
"I'll go with you. I need to stretch." said Dawson, with a straight face.
Pacey looked at Dawson in disbelief. He turned to Doug, who shrugged. Dougie seemed just as confused as Pacey. Mitch and Gale were distant and hadn't noticed the strange gesture. However, Gale turned to Dawson in worry.
"Alright honey, but don't stay gone for too long." she said.
"Ok mom." replied Dawson.
Pacey and Dawson stepped outside and took in the fresh air. There was an intense friction between them and neither one spoke. At first, Pacey actually thought that Dawson was going to be kind but he could tell by the look in Dawson's eyes, that he was still furious. Pacey stared at him and sighed.
"Alright Dawson, go ahead. Do what you itching to do..again."
"What are you talking about Pacey?" asked Dawson coldly.
"Go ahead. Hit me. Take a poke. Save yourself the inner desire and just get it over with. You were drunk the first time and weren't in the right frame of mind. You're head has cleared and I'm sure you want to do it again sober. I saw the way you were looking at me. Hit me."
"Don't push me Pacey or I just might."
"Why did you come out here Dawson? Go back inside and continue to pine over Joey. Give me some space."
"I've had it with you Pacey. I've had it! You act like you're some kind of big shot. You have Joey and you think you're untouchable. Face it Pace, you're time to shine is fleeting. Someday Joey is going to realize you are waist of time and eventually come back to me."
"Watch your words Dawson. I owe you one. Don't make me collect."
Both boys faced each other with their fist clinched, and their eyes were burning red.
"You make me sick! You turned your back on me for a girl. My girl at that!!!" yelled Dawson.
"Joey is not your girl. I didn't steal her away. She was already away. You let her go!"
Dawson stepped up to Pacey. Their faces were mere inches away and their eyes were locked in fury.
"I didn't let her go. You stole her from me and we both know it."
"Believe what you want but I'm sick of this! I'm going back inside." replied Pacey, heading back toward the sliding doors of the hospital.
Suddenly, Dawson's hand lashed out and clasped onto Pacey's arm. Pacey turned to Dawson with contempt. Both boys were fuming in anger.
"You're not going anywhere. We're going to settle this here and now." shouted Dawson.
Pacey jerked out of Dawson's grip and straightened his shirt coolly. Both boys circled each other outside the hospital. Pacey sized Dawson up like a matador to a bull. If Dawson wants to act big, then so be it, thought Pacey firmly.
"I don't want to fight you Dawson. You're still my best friend."
"I'm having a little trouble comprehending that right now. I'm not sure you were ever my friend." replied Dawson sternly.
"You think I actually meant to hurt you?"
"I THINK. I can't stand you! Out of all the girls you could have had, you went after Joey. You knew I was crazy about her!"
"I'm sorry Dawson. Is that what you want to hear? I'm sorry. If I could turn back time, I'd take it back." stated Pacey, pain searing his heart.
"I don't even know why I'm surprised. All you care about is sex. Joey is just another girl you can screw."
Dawson's words hit Pacey like a bullet and that was the straw that broke the camels back. Acting completely on instinct, Pacey reared back his fist and nailed Dawson right in the mouth. The punch was solid and it sent Dawson spinning. He twirled backwards and hit the concrete hard.
"You've gone too far Dawson! I care about her more than I care about myself! You think you're her soul mate. Big deal. We have true love!" declared Pacey, before stomping off to his vehicle.
Dawson brought his fingers to his busted lip and it stung. Blood dripped off his finger tips. Dawson watched as Pacey got into his station wagon and sped off. Oh God, he actually loves her, thought Dawson in fear.
=====/////=====
Andie's doctor entered the waiting room and everyone stood up. It was early morning, close to 5:00. Everyone was tired but now fully awake. The doctor held a metal clipboard and put it under his arm. He turned to Jack, his expression unreadable.
"You're Andie's brother?" asked the doctor.
"Yes. Is she going to be alright?" asked Jack fearfully.
"She's in a coma and on life support. Whether she lives or dies is up to her. This week is extremely critical. If Andie doesn't start breathing on her own or wake up soon, she'll more than likely die." informed the doctor sadly.
Jack covered his chest and wept openly. Mitch and Gale went to him and held him as he cried. Dawson entered the waiting room, stilling nursing his lip. He watched as Jack cried and a massive wave of guilt hit him. This is all my fault, he thought.
Joey covered her mouth and tears fell from her eyes. This was easily one of the worst day of her life. The cold hard reality was the Andie McPhee may die.
To Be Continued....