Chapter 3 - Pretense

Jen Lindley shuffled down the stairs in her slippers and skulked into the kitchen. She was still pretty wrung out from the bout of flu that had hit her, but at least her sinuses had cleared up and her headache was gone.

She pulled a mug down from the shelf and filled it with hot coffee from the pot. Despite herself, thanking God for small mercies. She glanced out the window, noting how quickly the beach was filling up. It was another perfect day and there wasn't a cloud in sight.

Taking a long draught of coffee into her mouth, she turned toward the table, then spat it out in a violent burst. She dropped the mug, shattering it.

"Hi," Oliver greeted her, calmly sipping from his own mug. Her eyes were wide in shock, and her heart was going a mile a minute.

"Wh... Wh... Wh... Wh... What are you doing here?"

Oliver grinned.

"Dawson was boring me to death so I ditched him first chance I got," he said, "Hitched a lift with the first truck heading south and all was hunky- dory until I learned that the 300lb truck driver was actually a performing transvestite who liked to be called Bernice on the weekend," he took a breath, "Needless to say I bailed out of that faster than you could say Ted Bundy. So I jumped into a station wagon piloted by a 60-year-old nun with a severe drinking problem. But, I figured the alcoholic nun was the lesser of the two evils so I stuck it out, driving through the night, just to come and see you."

All she could do was stare at him, mouth agape. His grin widened.

"Dawson and I decided to hell with the meeting, let's go to Florida," he said, finally.

"You scared the crap out of me, you know that?"

"Yeah, I got that impression," he replied, "Sorry. Didn't mean to. Just havin' some coffee."

Jen exhaled, trying to calm herself through sheer force of will.

"So," he flashed her a wolfish grin, "You miss me?"

-----

Pacey pushed open the door and stepped into the bedroom, careful to close it softly. Audrey was sprawled on her side, her head cupped in the crook of her arm and her long, golden hair rippled out like a halo. Wearily, he sat down on the bed next to her, sighing and running a hand down his face. Audrey woke up, then saw him and purred.

"Morning, my darling boyfriend." She ran her hand up his back, and rubbed his shoulders. "What's the matter," she asked, "You're all tensed."

Pacey sighed again.

"Dawson's here," he told her, "He ditched his meeting to come down and see Joey."

Suddenly, Audrey was wide-awake.

"What? Why?"

"The same age-old reason," said Pacey, flopping down beside her, "He's just a natural glutton for punishment."

"So has he seen her? Have they talked?'

"They're on the beach right now. God only knows how that conversation's developing."

"Well, there's nothing we can do until they come to us."

"Yeah, you're right," then, he leaned over and kissed her, locking his lips to hers, "Do you know you grow even more beautiful every morning?"

"Do you know you grow more charming every morning?"

"Well, yes I do, actually," Pacey grinned, "It's a gift."

"Hmm, more cocky too."

He grunted, then laughed and dove on top of her.

"C'mere gorgeous..."

-----

"Give me one good reason why I should stay."

He couldn't answer.

"Come on, Dawson. Give me one non-analytical, of the top of your head reason, why I should stay."

Still, he said nothing.

She sighed.

"Goodbye Dawson."

-----

"So this guy comes strolling up to the house. We all recognised him, but only in that, vaguely familiar way, you know?"

"So," said Dawson, "Who was it?"

"Chris Hartford."

"Chris Hartford," Dawson stalled their stroll down the beach, "Up-and- coming poster boy who can't seem to open his mouth properly when he talks?"

"The one and only," there was bemused smile on Joey's face, "Turns out he's Audrey's old boyfriend from high school."

"Ooh, how'd Pacey handle that?"

"Not so well at first, but he got it together eventually. Anyway, Chris invited us to an M2M concert down the beach."

They turned when they came to the path leading to the house, and headed towards it.

"Sounds like you're having a blast," he said.

"I am, I really am," she said, "And now you show up. Its like, the world's most perfect vacation."

He smiled, and opened the door for her. They went through into the kitchen.

"Hey guys," Jen greeted them, standing and giving Dawson a hug, "Dawson! Its so awesome that you came."

"Couldn't bear to be parted from you, Jen."

Pacey and Audrey came down the stairs and joined them.

"Dawson! Oliver!" Audrey hugged them both, "Welcome to the Liddel's little slice of paradise."

"Good to see you, Audrey," said Dawson.

Just then, Charlie made an appearance, and all eyes swiveled to fix on him.

"Hey, everybody," he waved a hand, but his eyes locked immediately on Dawson.

Joey went up to him, and tugged his arm playfully.

"Dawson and Oliver decided to join us," she told him, "Isn't that great?"

Pacey and Oliver shot looks at Dawson, who just shrugged.

"Yeah," muttered Charlie, "Great."

-----

"You know what?" Pacey began, "I think they really need to rethink the Florida state motto. I think it should say: "Welcome to Florida. Land of sunshine, palm trees, and the World's Worst Waiters!"

Dawson chuckled, "Calm down, Pace."

They were lounging about at a trendy beachfront cafe' after a strenuous day of sun tanning and volleyball, having sundowners.

"No, seriously," Pacey persisted, "I ordered a Bud. A Bud! B-U-D., its not that hard. Three letters, two syllables. I mean, for goodness sake, he remembered Jen's Long Island Ice Tea, but he can't bring me America's favourite beer?"

"Well,' said Jen, "That's because I'm a woman. He's a male waiter - I'm a woman. If I asked him for Hagendasch with chocolate sprinkles, no nuts, but pecan flavouring at the core he'll remember every detail."

Audrey frowned, "I don't know about that. He might forget the pecan. But only because you said the word 'nuts' just before that."

They laughed, but Pacey scowled. Eventually, the waiter brought him a Bud, which he accepted grudgingly.

"Seriously though," Jack interjected, "How cool is this? Look at where we are! We're young, on spring break, living in a gorgeous beach house. If these aren't the golden years then I don't think I'll handle them when they come."

Pacey, Dawson, Oliver and Charlie picked up their drinks and saluted him.

"Amen, brother!"

"What are we doing tonight?" asked Joey.

"Well..." Audrey played with her straw, looking guilty.

"What?" asked Pacey, apprehensive.

"There's a club not to far from here, its called 'Johns'. I always wanted to go, but never had anyone to go with, so..."

"So?"

"So, its sort of a girl club."

"What do you mean, a girl club?"

"I mean they have male strippers there, and if you guys really, really love us then you'll keep each other company tonight and let us girls go drool over the hunks."

"A guy's night out?" Dawson smirked.

He looked at Pacey.

Pacey looked at Oliver.

Oliver looked at Charlie.

Charlie looked at Jack.

Jack frowned and put a hand to his chest.

"Um, don't I go with the girls?"

"No!"

"But guys, male strippers..."

"No!"

"I think it's a great idea," said Dawson, "Let's give each other a break for one night."