Mr. Wonderful

 Part 4

by Jade

 

Disclaimer: Yada-yada-yada. Not mine but Kevin Williamson's, Columbia-Tristar, Sony Entertainment and Warner Bros. Please do not sue because I'm broke and I'm only writing this in good fun.

Author's note: I was just thinking about my favourite things in this world and I realise that many of them had a connection. So I would like to thank Canada, yes, the country, for giving us great singer-songwriters Jann Arden, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette; diva Celion Dion; the Toronto Maple Leafs; actors Matthew Perry (well, to an extent), Michael J. Fox and last but not least, Joshua Jackson =) Make me happy - write me and tell me what you think of this one.

"You're what?"

"I'm getting married in 10 days."

"You want to run that by me again?"

Dawson sighed. "Ally and I can't take any more of that big wedding preparation. We want to get married and soon. We're having the ceremony in our garden and only family and close friends are invited. We'll worry about the rest of Hollywood later."

"I guess it's best this way."

There was a moment's pause before he spoke again. "Joey, you would tell me if you were planning to sabotage the wedding?"

"Would I do something like that?"

"Joey." He was kidding at first but now, he wasn't too sure. In fact, he began to panic a little.

The severity of her tone dissolved into a giggle. "Dawson, you have turned into such a wuss."

He could recall the countless number of times he said that about her himself and smiled. "That's what falling in love does to you."

"You really do love her huh?"

"Yes, I do."

"Well then you're lucky. And I am sorry for having behaved like an ass before about all this."

Dawson chuckled. 

Joey smiled. "You don't have to agree, you know."

"That aside, Jo." His tone turned serious. "I hate to sound like I'm poking my nose into your business...but why does Rachel irritate you so much?"

"Miss Perfect? No! She doesn't get to me," she replied in sarcasm. "What in the world would make you think she does? Then again, forget what I just said. I know you Dawson, you're trying to get me to talk."

"What's so terrible about that?"

"Did he put you up to this?"

"Something is bothering you about this wedding," he confirmed. "And I have a strange feeling it's got something to do with our mutual friend Pacey."

She kept mum.

"Joey, you don't need me to tell you how stubborn you can be. You've always been afraid of loving too much and you cover that fear up with anger."

She remained silent for a few seconds, then said softly, "You try to change things too much and they fall apart. You just have to leave them be." Just then, a key turned in the front door. Before Dawson could get another word in, she interrupted, "Pacey's home. I'll pass on the phone."

Pacey walked in to find the telephone shoved practically under his nose. "Thanks," he said, taking the gadget from her as he watched Joey monopolize the length of the couch. He tried to push her legs to the floor in order to make space to sit down but she refused to budge from her comfortable position. So, instead he raised them into mid-air and settled them back on his lap after he managed to squeeze out a bit of room beside Joey, who was reaching lethargically for the newspaper he had in his other hand.

"Hello?" he said into the phone.

"Hey!"

Pacey was waving the newspaper away from her, beyond the edge of the sofa, so that she had to move and reach over him, just to get hold of it. "Yeah, I hear you, Daws."

She jabbed him in the rib with her right foot but he caught it and her left foot as well and held them down effortlessly. She gave up trying to wriggle them out of his grip and reluctantly moved her upper body to stretch across him and grab the newspaper. She smacked him lightly on the arm with it before settling back into her previous position.

Pacey didn't miss a beat. "Great news, Daws. When do you want me there for the fitting?" 

She reached for her orange juice without moving an inch, except for her arm and barely touched the tip of the straw with her mouth when Pacey took it from her hand, removed the straw, gave it to her and gulped the contents down in seconds, then handed the empty glass back to her.

Sorry, he mouthed.

She stared at him wide-eyed with her mouth slightly open.

"Close your mouth, Jo or you'll catch flies."

Throwing the straw back at him, she said, "You are such a jerk, Pacey."

He grinned at her. "Hmmm... I'm listening. Just trying to annoy the hell out of Joey at the same time."

She heard muffled laughter on the other side of the conversation. She sat up and flicked Pacey's arm with her forefinger with all the might she could muster. He yelped in pain and then she said loudly, "I'm not done with you either, Dawson."

The moment she got up to refill her glass, Pacey swooped in to take her place.

Joey raised her eyebrow at him. "That is so childish."

He broke into an all-innocent boyish smile and batted puppy eyes at her.

She threw up her arms in exasperation. "Oh, whatever." She heard more laughter on the phone.

She walked into the kitchen and decided to make herself a sandwich. Calling out to Pacey, she asked, "You want something to eat?"

He gave her the thumbs-up. Cradling the telephone between his shoulder and his cheek, he continued to say, "Rachel's fine. She's on assignment in Paris this week and might not be in New York next week as well. I'm not sure she'll be able to make it for the wedding..."

Joey had her back turned and her head in the refrigerator, so Pacey missed the rolling of her eyes at the mention of his girlfriend.

Pacey listened to Joey's movements in the kitchen as he deliberated on whether it was an appropriate time to tell Dawson the news about Rachel and him. If he went to his room and shut the door, she was bound to get suspicious. He wanted to tell her only when he was ready and this wasn't the right moment. I'll call Dawson back at the office, he decided.

They talked a bit more before hanging up. By then, his conscience was creeping up on him and guilt was threatening to overflow. He had to let Joey know, sooner or later.

She handed him a ham and cheese sandwich and walked back into the kitchen.

"Jo?"

"What?"

"Maybe it's time we got another sofa. We're always fighting over this one."

Joey stuck her head back into the living room. "Oh, please Pacey, let's not go through that routine."

They had often talked about getting more furniture for the apartment but neither of them could ever be bothered to shop for it. All they did was procrastinate...for nearly five years now.

"No I'm serious. Let's do it today. How about now? Now's good."

Joey stared at Pacey. "Are you running a fever?"

"No, I'm perfectly fine. Come on, let's go." He walked over to her and pulled her by the arm as she sunk her teeth into her sandwich.

"Burrhhtt...Immm..." Her mouth was full.

Pacey had already taken her coat from the closet. She was still chewing.

"Geez, at least let me swallow first," she finally managed to say.

Pacey was holding out her coat for her. She gripped the remainder of her lunch between her teeth and slipped her arms into it. She took the sandwich out of her mouth. "What's your hurry?"

He practically pushed her out the door.

The door slammed behind them.

A few seconds passed before it opened again. Pacey walked in, grabbed his sandwich off the plate on the table and walked back out.

"All right, 72 hours to the big day. I'm on my way to the airport. Don't worry, your best man will be there."

Pacey was on the telephone with the bridegroom-to-be and throwing things into his briefcase. Glancing at his watch, he said, "I have to go. Joey will be here any minute. I'll see you in a couple of hours."

He grabbed his coat and ran to the elevators. He stepped out of the building just as Joey pulled up in a blue Toyota Celica they shared. The car they called "Lucy" was their pride and joy, especially for Joey. They had bought it at a bargain, from a secondhand dealer nearly 3 years ago and so far, it had run smoothly and had never been a source of major problems. Even with an increased pay check over time, neither of them had ever brought up the subject of trading "her" in for a new car.

"We're going to have to hurry," he said as he fitted his tall frame beside her and threw his belongings in the backseat.

"You're forgetting I'm a better driver than you." She stepped on the accelerator and told him, "Buckle up."

"Always."

Pacey leaned over to fiddle with the radio. They drove in silence for awhile. Joey had, more or less, guessed it but she was still dying to know for certain. "So?"

"So," he said as he continued to search for a traffic update. "I told him Chicago can wait. I'm staying."

She took her eyes off the road for a second. "What did he say to that?"

He found a radio station and settled back in his seat. "He asked me why, naturally. And I told him I had unresolved matters to see to."

"You sure about this?" Joey tried to sound nonchalant but her voice was laced with concern and a hint of pleasure at his decision.

"You're not getting rid of me that easy," Pacey teased.

"Oh I bet." She concentrated on making a right turn before adding, "I am serious, you know. No regrets?"

"There'll be plenty of opportunities..." He turned toward the window and caught sight of a couple, wheeling their baby in a pram. "...I'm sure."

Joey had packed the last of her clothes into her luggage when the phone rang. It's probably Dawson, checking to see that I haven't changed my mind, she thought. She hadn't been able to get away from work earlier and would only arrive in L.A. a few hours before the wedding. Of course, she also had to stay behind and await the delivery of their new sofa that was still wrapped up in plastic, sitting in the living room, waiting to be used. 

She decided the phone could wait and let the machine handle it.

"Mr. Witter, it's James Carter from Sunvine Realtor..."

Joey's hand stopped in mid-air as she reached for a book on her shelf.

"...I've tried Ms McGillis at the office but they say she's away. I need you to call me, with regards to that apartment we viewed last week, as soon as you get this message..."

Her ears had to have been playing tricks on her. Why in the hell would Pacey need a new place?  She walked out to the living room and played the message again. Picking up the phone, she dialed the number left by the estate agent and heard it ring twice before a friendly but tired voice answered.

"Mr. Carter?"

"Yes, this is James Carter. How may I help you?"

"Mr. Carter. My name's Joey Potter and I'm Pacey Witter's roommate. I heard the message you left and I was wondering..."

"Oh yes, about the apartment. Another client has shown a great interest in the place and I need a reply from Mr. Witter sooner than expected. I apologize for the inconvenience but I really need to speak with him. Do you know where I can reach him?"

"He's gone to L.A. but I'll be sure to pass on the message," Joey hesitated only a second before she asked, "Mr. Carter, you mentioned Ms McGillis just now. Is she the one buying the apartment?"

"Oh no. Mr. Witter will be co-owner and by the looks of it, wedding bells will be ringing soon."

Joey shut her eyes against the sudden wrenching pain in her gut. She felt as if someone had just knocked the air out of her. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Carter." And then she hung up.

The weather was perfect for a wedding but Joey hardly noticed as she made her way toward the exit, where she was met by Dawson's driver and ushered into a Mercedes Benz. She laid her head back against the seat and watched the rows of big houses and greenery go by as the car sped past them.

She hadn't slept a wink the night before and it would have shown if not for the wonders of make-up and sunglasses. By the time they arrived at Dawson's mansion, she felt ready to explode with all the hidden anger and hurt inside her.

"Joey!"

A familiar voice called out her name and she looked to the source.

"Jen," she said, before her arms went round her friend for a hug. "It's great to see you."

"You too. Let me take a good look at you." She held Joey at arm's length and noticed the look in the latter's eyes. "Something wrong?" she queried worriedly.

"No, I'm fine. I didn't get enough sleep last night, that's all."

"We'll go tell Dawson you're here and then I'll take you to your room."

Jen glanced at Joey's profile as they made their way to the house but didn't ask any more questions.

Pacey was reading the morning paper and having breakfast, in view of the garden. He caught sight of Joey and Jen and opened the front door before any of them had a chance to.

"Hey Jo."

He was greeted with a cold stare.

"What's wrong?" He looked to Jen but she just shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm just tired," Joey muttered.

"Joey-"

"Joey!" They were interrupted by a shout of excitement as Dawson spotted her from the top of the stairs. He made his way down quickly and made a few quick strides across the room for a hug. 

Joey breathed in the familiarity of her other best friend and whispered, "I'm glad to be here."

Dawson was grinning from ear to ear as he looked from one friend to another. "It's been too long for all of us."

Joey turned her face slightly but not before Pacey caught an expression of pain flash across her features. What's going on, he wondered.

She didn't need to look to know that Pacey was watching her. "So, Dawson, where's the lovely bride?" she asked in a bout of cheerfulness that she scarcely felt.

"We aren't allowed to see each other before the wedding. Tradition!" he scoffed at the word. They're hiding her somewhere on the other side of the house."

Jen was looking from Pacey to Joey and back. Dawson was too pre-occupied to notice but something was definitely wrong. The tension was getting so thick, she could cut it with a knife, no, make that a cleaver. This can't be good, she thought. She stepped in.

"I'm sure Joey's exhausted. We should let her rest before the wedding." Jen linked her arm with Joey's. "Let me show you to your room."

"Great idea. I'll see you later then, Jo." Dawson leaned over to give her a quick peck and sent them on their way. He turned back to Pacey and noticed the former's distraction as he watched the two women go up the stairs. "Anything wrong?" he asked.

Pacey shook his head. "Nah, I'm sure everything's fine."

To be continued...

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