Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all the nice replies. I really, really appreciated it, especially since I didn't expect it. My other PJ short fic only got one reply, so if you would, please go to it and reply!! Thanks, it's called; Again I go unnoticed. pweeese review?? So sorry, I havent updated for a while, I had such a busy easter long weekend, its crazy. I promise I'll get the next chapter after this one out by the end of the week.. in a few days maybe, depending on the amount of reviews.. =D So here's the next chapter, its a bit angsty, but the next chapter will be *tres* fluffy, so you'll enjoy that. I hope you like this one though, and please keep replying!!!! Enjoy! ~Amanda

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Dawson's creek or any of the characters you recognize. The ones you don't recognize are probably mine.

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Chapter Two: Promises

"its been another day thinking what could have been/it gets so hard/but its not what it seems/what i wanted to be/did i try to hard/then i hoped for something much more /just before this youll have to/promise/we wont fall apart/promise/this right from the start/promise /on heaven that you won't make believe/yeah e yeah e yeah/promise /me/i dont understand what i did wrong/when the problem was you/what do i say/when everything is over/forget about you/then i hoped for something much more/just before this youll have to/promise/we wont fall apart/promise/this right from the start/promise /on heaven that you won't make believe/yeah e yeah e yeah/promise me/what will tomorrow bring when desiding the truth/it gets so hard/but its just a day/when everything went wrong/relying on you/thinking/what did i/searching /what to find /right now/as i say youll have to/promise/we wont fall apart/promise/this right from the start/promise /on heaven that you won't make believe/yeah e yeah e yeah/promise me/promise me..." -- Promises by Lillix

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The first morning of July was a beautiful one. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and cloudless, and the heat streak from the past few days was continuing as unbareably as ever.

Today, the True Love was docked in the medium-sized costal town of Beachwood, where they had been staying for the past week and a half doing odd-jobs to make money. Pacey was working as a fisherman of sorts, and Joey was working at a local elementary school, taking care of kids who had no place to go during the summer while their parents worked. The pay wasn't great, but Joey refused to try anything to do with fishing, which she couldn't stand--especially having to eat fish every single day for the past month, and besides fishing, watching children was the only other job available. Fortunately, the fishing job payed pretty well considering, so Pacey and Joey had so far been able to scrape by-- add to that, Pacey was actually good at fishing, and liked it--something Joey couldn't comprehend-- so it worked out well for them. Surprisingly, this morning Joey was in a great mood. She awoke, her sleeping bag laying beside Pacey's.. and this morning, Pacey was still there... that was a change. She rolled over, and laid close to him, rubbing his side and playing with his hair. His eyelashes fluttered and smiling at her broadley, without a word, grabbed her, and snuggled her against his chest. They lay, face to face smiling at each other, their arms wrapped around each other for a few minutes, when Joey broke the silence.

"What happened to work?"

"I get the morning off with pay, since I was the one who brought in the most fish yesterday." he said, proudly.

"Sounds good to me." Joey mumbled, snuggling closer, since she didn't have to be into work until 11. "What time is it?" she asked.

Pacey checked his watch. "10... why?"

"Dammit!" Joey got up with a start.

"What?" he asked. "You have to be at work by 11!!"

"I know, but I have things to do Pace. You understand." she pulled on a pair of jeans, and turning away, so her back was to Pacey, ripped off her t-shirt, and put on a spaghetti strap tank top.

Joey turned back to Pacey who was pouting. Of course.

"Hey, don't look at me like that!" Joey exclaimed. "I'm sorry, but I really have to go. Dinner tonight right? Pick me up after work?"

"Sure, sure." Pacey grumbled. "Can I have a kiss goodbye then?"

"Sure can." Joey smiled, grabbing Pacey, by the arm and pulling him up. He looked so.. gorgeous in his wife-beater and blue plaid boxer shorts. Her physical attraction to him was undeniable. She wove her long arms around his neck, and his hands cupped her tiny waist, leaning forward they kissed.

Magic and fireworks of course. It always felt like the first time.

"Got to go." Joey said suddenly, the spell that was cast over her breaking. "Later." she called, running out the cabin door, and down the dock.

Pacey watched her run, and chuckled to himself. He started to pick up the scattered clothes all over the boat, thinking to himself, 'How lucky am I, to have such a great girlfriend. She chose me-- the screwup, over Dawson, Mr. High-Achiever himself.' these thoughts cheered Pacey so much, that he began to hum as he plopped the dirty clothes into a large plastic basket him and Joey had purchased as a clothes hamper. This was like their little home, and he had to say that it was pretty cool that they we're living together, without any adults or other distractions--namely Dawson around. It helped build a strong foundation for their relationship. A foundation built with honesty, respect and trust-- wait. Pacey noticed a piece of paper lying on the ground, he picked it up figuring it was a flyer or something usless.

But looking at it closer, Pacey noticed it was a letter in Joey's writing.

To Dawson.

It read: "Dear Dawson.

I don't know what to say anymore. Pacey and I are together now, and you and I are not. It's hardly what I expected a year ago. If someone would have told me I'd leave you for Pacey then, I'd laugh. But I have no idea what's going on Dawson. I'm just following my intuition, and I have no idea where this whole thing with Pacey is going. As far as we know, it could just be a one-summer kind of thing, so I wouldn't worry. But I hope you'll be able to forgive me one day in the future, since I really do love you Dawson. I love you in a different way from anyone else. Remember that okay? Well I figure that you'll be too angry to talk to me, and I really didn't want to mess up and say the wrong thing, so I thought I'd write what im feeling in a letter and give it to you when I get back. Things are going good so far Dawson, and this thing with Pacey is--"

Joey stopped there. She obviously hadn't got a chance to finish her letter.

Pacey was speechless. If someone had told her a year ago that she'd be with him, she'd laugh? That hurt. And she thought that this was a one-summer kind of thing? He felt like it would be a lasting thing. Well obviously he was wrong. Well, maybe she hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him about her concerns from the letter. He'd give her a chance, and maybe she would.

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It was the Fourth of July-- Independence Day, and Pacey walked over to Hillcrest elementary school to pick up Joey from work (even though it was a holiday, parents still needed their children to be looked after, and Joey volunteered to work this day to make extra money) It had been three days and Joey hadn't mentioned or even hinted towards the letter, and Pacey hadn't had the courage to check to see if she had continued-- for the simple fact that he was afraid she'd say more hurtful things against him and their relationship. A sickening feeling prickled in Pacey's stomach, as he approached the building's door. He would have to mention the letter to Joey tonight-- their relationship was in risk, and he felt like he would burst if he kept it in any longer.

"Hey you!" Joey lit up when she saw Pacey. He smiled weakly at her, but she didn't notice, as she threw her arms around her neck, and kissed his cheek. She motioned to a friend that was sitting in the school cafeteria alone at one of the tables, with a smile on her face. The girl approached them, and Joey presented her friend proudly to Pacey. "I haven't gotten a chance to introduce you to my friend Jill who works with me. So Pacey, this is Jill, and Jill this is my boyfriend Pacey."

"Hi." Jill said shyly, as she reached over and shook Pacey's hand. "It's nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you."

However, Pacey was still in a grim mood, and not really in the best of moods for an introduction-- at least not one that he had to be friendly for.

"Likewise." he said, mustering up a smile, hoping that the wattage was great enough not to sway Joey's friend, who, he was sure, was very nice. "If you don't mind Jo, can we get going? We have reservations for five thirty."

"Oh," Joey was caught off guard, as she noticed Pacey's grumpy demeanor. "Sure thing. Bye Jill. See you tomorrow."

"See ya Joey. It was nice meeting you Pacey."

"Bye." he grabbed Joey's hand and dragged her out of the school. Suddenly he was feeling very claustorphobic. "Whats wrong?" Joey asked, pulling her hand away from Pacey's tight grasp as soon as they were out of school. "Whats the matter with you?" she asked, more with concern then anger.

"Nothing. I just kind of had a panic attack in there, like the walls were closing into me."

"Oh, well.. maybe its anxiety from work or something. Is there anything I can do?" she reached out and touched his arm.

"No!" he yelled. Joey looked taken aback at his outburst. "I mean, no thanks Joey. Please don't baby me."

"Uh, okay then." Joey mumbled, feeling hurt. "Should we get going then?" she asked, after a second of silence.

"Sure, sounds great." Pacey said quietly, feeling guilty for treating his girlfriend like crap. She did this to herself, he reminded himself. She should have talked to him about her problems in their relationship instead of penning them to Dawson. To Dawson! His rival for Joey's affections! Needless to say, this was making Pacey feel very insecure, just thinking about it. And when he felt insecure, he felt crabby.

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"Delcious dinner wasn't it?" Joey asked as they walked along the pier towards the 'True Love'.

"Yeah." Pacey mumbled, looking down at his shoes.

"Thanks for taking me there Pacey. I really appreciated it-- it was a nice change from fish don't you think?" she joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah." Pacey said again.

Pacey stepped onto their boat and went into the cabin to get a sweater, since it was getting a bit chilly out.

"Hey, Pace?" Joey asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothings wrong." Pacey lied automatically.

"There has to be!" Joey exclaimed, unable to contain her frustration any longer. "You've been cold and crabby all day-- you rushed out after meeting my friend, you won't let me touch you, you barely spoke a word during dinner, and the past few days you've looked like there was somewhere you'd rather be! So what is it Pacey?! Am I getting too boring for you?!"

"That's not it." Pacey said, looking away from Joey's face. He couldn't stand to see her upset.

And it was true that Joey looked upset. She looked like she was about to cry as a matter of fact.

"Then what IS it Pace?! IS there somewhere you'd like to be? Are you cheating on me or something?"

"What?!" Pacey spun around. He was flabergasted at Joey's accusation. "C-Cheating?! No! You thought I was CHEATING on you?!"

"Then what is it then?"

"You want to know what's wrong?" Pacey snapped. "You REALLY want to know whats wrong?" he continued yelling.

Joey just nodded, her chin trembling.

Pacey picked up a piece of paper off of the floor and flashed it in front of Joey's face.

"This LETTER is what's wrong! A letter to Dawson! You know what it says on it Joey?! It basically says how you didn't expect to be with me, since I'm such a huge loser, and that you only expect our relationship to last for the rest of the summer, anyways. And how 'special' your relationship with Dawson is, and how you love him differently from anyone else. Well you KNOW WHAT JOEY?! Why couldn't you just tell me these things to my face?! Why aren't you with Dawson since you feel so strongly about your 'connection'."

Joey grabbed the letter from Pacey. "You read the letter?" she asked, unable to believe her ears. "YOU READ MY PERSONAL PRIVATE LETTER?!" she exploded.

"Well, it was just lying there Jo, for anyone to pick up and read."

"Well as my BOYFRIEND you should know that it was private, and if I wanted you to read it, I would have shown it to you."

"Oh yeah, obviously you didn't want me to know what you were feeling, cause that--stuff in Dawson's letter-- you've never told me. How do you expect us to have an honest relationship if you don't tell me anything?!"

"How do YOU expect us to have an honest relationship if you don't respect my privacy?! This isn't about what's in the letter Pacey, it's about how you went behind my back and read it without my permission!"

"You know what?!" Pacey exclaimed. "I've had it! Had it up to HERE! I'm out of here.. find me if you want to talk about the real issues."

And with that, he stomped out, leaving Joey clutching the letter, tears rolling down her cheeks.

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Pacey sat on the edge of a dock on the beach, by some summer houses with his feet dangling into the cool water. He had been sitting here for almost two hours, hoping that Joey would come to find him, and apologize and then everything would be alright. But obviously she didn't care, because she had yet to show. He was just about to get up when he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey you."

Without turning around Pacey knew it was Joey. "Can I join you?" she asked, sounding calmer then when Pacey had left.

"Pull up a dock." Pacey mumbled.

"I wanted to give this to you." Joey said, handing Pacey a folded piece of paper.

He opened it up to see the letter Joey had written to Dawson.

"I don't want to see this." he said with disgust, trying to give her back the letter.

"No, I finished it. Read it, please."

Sighing, Pacey unfolded it, and with closer inspection saw that Joey had indeed finished it. He took a deep breath, and started to read from the beginning again.

It read: "Dear Dawson.

I don't know what to say anymore. Pacey and I are together now, and you and I are not. It's hardly what I expected a year ago. If someone would have told me I'd leave you for Pacey, I'd laugh. But I have no idea what's going on Dawson. I'm just following my intuition, and I have no idea where this whole thing with Pacey is going. As far as we know, it could just be a one- summer kind of thing, so I wouldn't worry. But I hope you'll be able to forgive me one day in the future, since I really do love you Dawson. I love you in a different way from anyone else. Remember that okay? Well I figure that you'll be too angry to talk to me, and I really didn't want to mess up and say the wrong thing, so I thought I'd write what im feeling in a letter and give it to you when I get back. Things are going good so far Dawson, and this thing with Pacey is weird. Really weird. But in a nice way. I know I can tell you this because you're my best friend, and I probably won't end up even sending this to you so it doesn't matter what I say. I feel this connection with Pacey that I've never felt before with anyone. Even you. With him, it's like it doesn't matter what we do, we still have so much fun together, and I care about him so deeply. Actually, scratch that thing I said before about the one-summer relationship. I think it might last for a while, to tell you the truth. Hey, Dawson... maybe I shouldn't be telling you this, but I had to say it to someone. I think I may be falling in love with Pacey. And it scares me.. but in a good way. Like riding your favourite rollercoaster, or going on stage. It's this amazing rush of adrineline.. and I never want it to end. I hope it won't, at least. Well, time to go spend time with my boyfriend. See you.

Love always, Joey."

Pacey looked up from it, a smile widening on his face.

"I'm sorry." Joey said hopefully, looking into his big blue eyes.

"No, I'm sorry Jo." Pacey said with a sigh. "I should have never looked at that letter."

"It's fine... I'm over it. Let's just agree to be honest with each other from now on."

"Sounds good to me." Pacey grinned.

He leaned over, and brushed his fingers over the warm, soft skin on her face. She smiled shyly and kissed him slowly and softly at first, but then brought her hand over behind the back of his neck, and pushed his face closer to hers, and then they were kissing.

Who knows for how long.

The funny thing is sometime in the midst of their kisses the 4th of July fireworks started going off above their heads.

Corny, but true.

They looked up and laughed at the fireworks, lighting their faces in multi- colours.

"I feel like we're in a movie." Joey laughed. Pacey chuckled, and stopped watching the fireworks for a minute. Instead he watched Joey, as she looked up into the sky, a soft summer wind blowing locks of her glossy brown hair, her eyes twinkling, and a smile spread across her face.

He was entranced.

Joey caught him looking at her, and blushed.

"What?" she asked nervously.

"Did you mean what you said in the letter?" Pacey asked hopefully.

Joey shot him a coy secret smile.

"Every word."

"Well then," Pacey picked up the letter... "are you even going to send this to Dawson? I mean, it might break the poor fellow's heart."

"Oh yeah, like you'd be crushed by that." Joey laughed. She snatched the letter from Pacey. "Nah, I never planned on sending it to him anyways."

"What are you going to do with it then?" Pacey asked.

"This." Joey dropped the cursed letter into the ocean.

Pacey and Joey laughed, as they watched the paper float away somewhere deep in the depths of the ocean. Their words dissapearing, but the meaning remaining.

They had soaked themselves into the mindset and memory of a couple, back on the dock. And there they would stay forever.

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Hope you guys liked! Please please remember to reply, and check out my other story. Toodles! ~Amanda

"So why do we choose the boys that are naughty?/ I don't fit in so why do you want me?/I can't help it, you're my kinda man/ Why do the good girls always want the bad boys?" -- 'Bathwater' by No Doubt (a kick ass song)

Next chapter: 'Girlfriend'-- Pacey surprises Joey with a romantic day full of fun and lots of cute fluffy romance.