Episode Four "Separation of the Sexes"
"I think he likes her." Jen looked up from her magazine and raised her eyebrows at the brunette sitting opposite her.
"Care to explain that statement." She said calmly.
"I think Pacey likes that girl…the one from the party." Joey explained, fidgeting in her seat. She had been tearing herself up over the possibility of Pacey liking this other girl all week and now she just had to get it out.
"Which girl? The only party we've been to was over a week ago, Joey."
"You know there was this girl at that party last week, she was talking to Pacey, and then I saw her dancing with him later on. Well I found out she goes to Worthington, but not only that, she's a close friend of the Deans and she was with his family for some of the summer."
"So?" Jen didn't see what the big deal was.
"That means she was with Pacey for some of the summer Jen! Which means they probably spent time together…" Joey rattled on.
"Woah! Slow down there Sherlock." Jen sat up giving Joey her complete attention. Joey just sighed.
"I know, I know I'm being irrational. I was upset enough when I saw Pacey dancing with her at the party, but now that I know all of this other information about her, it's made me go a little crazy."
"A little?" Jen laughed.
"Okay, a lot. You know I'm already finding it hard coping with this 'friends' deal, I don't need competition on top of that." Joey mumbled.
"You know you have no competition when it comes to Pacey's affections. I don't know why you're worried." Joey just rolled her eyes. "So is this what's been bugging you all week?" Jen asked. She noticed something a little off with Joey this week and had been waiting for the right time to bring it up.
"Well it's not like I'm dwelling on it. I just think he likes her." Joey stated.
"You saw him dancing with this girl…"
"Her name's Sarah."
"Fine, you saw him dancing with Sarah ONE time and you just jump to conclusions."
"I can't help it." Joey sighed, knowing she was being paranoid.
"How do you know her anyway?" Jen asked.
"She's in some of my classes. So I have to see her all the time, knowing that her conversations with Pacey aren't awkward, and she gets to hear his laugh and see him smile at her." Jen just sighed.
"Now you're being stupid."
"I know." Joey admitted. "What can I do? Pacey makes me do stupid things."
-&-
"Just when I stop thinking about you, you show up to annoy me." Jen sighed, walking into her room.
"I knew you couldn't stop thinking about me." Drue grinned, closing Jen's door behind him.
"In your dreams." Jen collapsed onto her bed and then scooted over knowing Drue would join her. They spent a lot of time just lying together talking. Sometimes they talked about the stupidest things, and sometimes they talked about important things, it didn't matter as long as they were together.
"Well actually my dreams involve a lot more than you just thinking about me." Drue grinned, lying next to Jen.
"Uggh. I don't want to know Drue." Jen pretended to be disgusted.
"I'm sure you don't." Drue whispered pulling Jen down towards him so that she was on top of him. He kissed her and it still felt like it had the first time they kissed.
Jen pulled away and sighed. She looked down at Drue and smiled. He just made her so crazy sometimes. She couldn't believe how much happier she had been the last few weeks just knowing that he was there for her. She rolled over so that she was lying next to him again and looked up at the ceiling.
"What'cha thinking?" Drue asked after a few seconds of silence.
"Nothing." Jen smiled and turned to Drue. "I'm glad you didn't give up on me." She said sincerely. Drue grinned. Jen didn't realize that he didn't really have a choice. Loving her was something he had always and would always do.
"Well you're lucky that I'm not a quitter. I usually get what I want."
"Really?" Jen challenged.
"Yeah." Drue said, turning on his side and kissing her nose lightly. He just stared at her as she lay next to him, smiling to himself.
"Hey, do you know anything about a girl called Sarah who goes to Worthington?"
"What? I don't know any girls except you and Joey. Who's been telling you things?" Drue joked.
"Haha. Though I know that's not true, I meant a girl that Pacey knows. Has he mentioned a Sarah to you?" Jen asked.
"No. But Pacey doesn't think about anyone but Joey."
"I know. I think he danced with this girl once at that party last week and Joey is just paranoid." Jen sighed. "You know what? I have the perfect thing to make her feel better."
"What?"
"Oh nothing. I just won't be able to go out with you tonight." Jen said already getting up, sure her plan would work.
"What? I thought we were going to the movies tonight." Drue sat up abruptly, not liking the plan already.
"Sorry babe." Drue was about to start pouting but Jen held her hand up. "Come on. One Friday night without your girlfriend isn't going to kill you." Drue pouted some more. "I'll make it up to you I swear." Jen said kissing him thoroughly.
"I guess I'll find something to amuse myself with." Drue sighed getting up.
"Thanks. Call me tomorrow." Jen instructed.
"Will do." He kissed her one last time before grudgingly leaving.
The truth was Drue had been spending most of his time with Jen lately. He really hadn't done anything without her. Before he moved to Capeside, his free time was usually spent getting drunk while partaking in various illegal substances with so-called friends who were really just there for the same reason he was. But he gave that all up for Jen. She had changed in Capeside and so had he. He had realized that if he wanted to get Jen to notice him again he had to change, and so he did.
So lately his world had consisted of Jen, Joey, Jack and Pacey. And most recently, it had consisted solely of Jen. Now what was he going to do?
-&-
Jack was about to walk into the bathroom for a quick shower before class when the phone started ringing. He turned back and went to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Jack! Hey." Jack's face immediately lit up.
"Hey Tobey! Where have you been all week?" Jack exclaimed. He had tried to ring Tobey a few days after the party but Tobey hadn't been home each of the three times he had tried.
"I've been here. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me!" Tobey said, confused.
"I called you like three times this week. Didn't you get my messages?" Jack asked.
"No. Did you speak to my brother?"
"Yeah I think so." Jack said, trying to remember. Tobey laughed lightly.
"Well that would explain it. He's terrible at remembering things. I always tell him to write it down but…" Tobey stopped realizing he had been going on a bit. "Anyway how are you?"
"Good. I miss you." Jack's voice was filled with longing.
"Me too. So much." Jack smiled at the sincerity in Tobey's voice.
"I thought you might have found someone else." Jack joked.
"Someone who hates me as much as you? I don't think so!" Tobey laughed.
"Glad to hear it." There was silence for a few seconds while they both thought about how much this situation sucked. "I can't stop thinking about you. I wish there was some way for us to be together." Tobey had been thinking the same thing but he tried to be more positive.
"Hey it's only…4 and a half weeks till Thanksgiving."
"Ugggh. I can't wait that long." Jack looked at his watch knowing he should be leaving for class right now or he would be late, and his professor was particular harsh on tardiness.
"What is it?" Tobey said, picking up the tone in his voice.
"Class…" Jack muttered not wanting to go.
"Oh, you better go honey. I forgot what time you had class today, so I was just hoping to catch you."
"College is so busy." Jack sighed. "I'll call you tomorrow and we can talk longer. When will you be home?"
"I should be home about seven." Tobey informed him.
"Cool. Bye."
"Bye." Jack hung up and thought for a second. Every time he spoke to Tobey it made him feel happy and sad at the same time. He loved hearing his voice, but hated knowing he wouldn't see Tobey for a long time. Suddenly he realized he was late for class and quickly got up, he could think about this later.
-&-
"Trust me it'll be fun."
"Jen, the last time we had a girls night in we ended up ice skating in our pajamas." Joey admonished. She held the phone in the crook of her neck while flicking through her English book.
"But think of how fun it was. It got your mind off Pacey that night, I'm sure it'll work tonight." Jen assured her over the phone. "I've already cancelled with Drue for you."
"He must've been heartbroken." Joey laughed.
"He'll get over it. Now are you in or what? And don't go with the 'I've got work' excuse because it's Friday night." Jen warned. Joey just sighed.
"I don't see the point, we hang out all the time. This won't be any different."
"Jo you know I don't do all this perky girly stuff but without Andie here I'm trying my best. We're going to do all that girly stuff tonight, watch some Ryan Phillipe movies and get your mind off of Pacey." Joey sighed.
"As long as we don't have to do each others hair." Jen grinned.
"Great."
"Drue is really bugging you isn't he?" Joey laughed.
"God yes. I love Drue and everything but I need some girl time." Jen joked; not even realizing she said the 'L' word.
"Okay. Let's see if we can live without ours guys for one night." Joey grimaced. "Boy that sounded so pathetic. Pacey better leave me alone for one night." Jen laughed.
"That's the spirit. Now be here by eight tonight." She instructed.
"Yes m'am." Joey laughed. Maybe Jen was right, a girl's night in was just what she needed. Maybe one night away from Pacey, a night without thinking about him or worrying about what he's doing, or who he is with would do her good.
-&-
Jen walked into her dorm and was surprised to see her roommate lying on her bed with her eyes. She had just popped out to get some supplies for tonight and didn't expect Brenda to be there. In fact Brenda hadn't come back to their dorm for the past three days.
"Uh…hi." Jen said hesitantly. Brenda quickly sat up startled.
"Hey. I thought you were at class." Brenda explained. Jen looked puzzled. Brenda was acting as though it was wrong for her to be in her own dorm.
"No. I just popped out to get a few things." Jen noticed that Brenda's make up seemed to be running, and it looked like she had been crying. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." Brenda said a little too quickly. She turned away from Jen and started looking through her drawers for something.
Jen didn't know what to say. She had been looking forward to having a roommate when the idea of college first came around. And when she met Brenda the first time she thought she had lucked out with a nice normal girl. But instead Brenda had been closed off, spent many nights somewhere else, and hardly said two words to Jen.
But looking at the girl now Jen suspected that it wasn't that Brenda was strange; something seemed to be going on. But Jen had never been one to pry into other people's problems when she wasn't wanted.
"Are you going to be home tonight?" Jen had assumed Brenda wouldn't be home when she had made her plans with Joey. Brenda looked up. "It's just that I invited a friend over to hang out tonight…"
"Oh. No I'll be gone tonight." Brenda hoped that Jen wouldn't ask where and Jen could tell.
"Okay. Well I have some more things to get. Maybe I'll see you later?" Jen said hesitantly.
"Sure." Brenda smiled slightly and Jen realized that was the first time she had seen her smile since they had arrived.
-&-
Jack lay on his bed after sitting through two hours of boring classes. It was only mid-afternoon and he was already tired. Probably because he couldn't get his mind off Tobey all day. Who would have thought this long distance relationship stuff would be so hard.
The phone ringing pulled him out of his daze and he quickly answered it hoping it was Tobey. He hadn't wanted to end their earlier conversation so quickly.
"Hello?"
"Jack. Hey man, it's Dawson."
"Dawson!" Jack sat up quickly. "Hey. How are you? Long time no speak."
"I'm good. Things have been kind of crazy here. They really make you work here at USC."
"I bet. But, you got to put in the work if you want to be the next Spielburg." Jack joked.
"I suppose. So how's everything there?" Dawson asked. He loved USC, but he missed his friends. However much he had hoped, they hadn't stayed in that much contact. There had been phone calls every few weeks and some emails but that was about it.
"Good. College is so different but good too."
"How's everyone? How's…" Dawson trailed off.
"Joey is fine." Jack grinned, knowing what Dawson was asking.
"I haven't spoken to her for a few weeks." Dawson mentioned. At first it had been so strange to not have his best friend there whenever he wanted, but as he got more involved in the work and met new people it didn't seem so bad. That was until he had heard Joey's message last week. It hurt him to think that Pacey had been in Boston for weeks and no one told him about it. It hurt more to think that Joey blamed him for the things that went wrong between her and Pacey.
"What's wrong Dawson?" Jack said, breaking the silence.
"Oh, uh nothing. I heard Pacey is there." Jack hit his head. He hadn't thought about telling Dawson that Pacey was in Boston. He felt kind of bad that things were changing, and Dawson was left out of it.
"Uh…yeah, who told you?"
"Joey mentioned it in a message she left me." Dawson said, not elaborating. Jack thought better than to ask about it.
"Oh. Yeah he's been here for about a month. I'm sure he meant to call…"
"That's okay. I know things are weird between us. But since everyone is making fresh starts I think we should too. Do you have his number?" Dawson asked.
"Sure. It's 617-555-9324. You know he's living with Drue right?" Jack laughed at the thought.
"No. How'd that happen?" Dawson was surprised.
"Long story. Oh and I wouldn't say anything bad about Drue because Jen is dating him." Jack filled in. Dawson couldn't believe how much had changed. Jen was dating Drue? Pacey was in town? Pacey was staying with Drue? But more than confused he felt a bit sad that he was being left behind.
He had known that going to USC while all his friends went to Boston would be hard but he didn't think about the fact that they would all grow closer and things would change without him there.
"Man I'm so out of the loop." He sighed, feeling a weird sense of displacement. He was having a great time at USC but having the whole gang be so close and be changing together while he hardly spoke to them made him feel a little unusual.
"I'm sorry Dawson." Jack didn't know what else to say. "I guess it's harder to stay close to people when you're so far away." Jack's voice was filled with meaning, which Dawson picked up on.
"How are things with Tobey?" He asked.
"Okay. Actually they're good. It's just hard living far away. People drift apart."
"I know how that is."
-&-
"Come on McPhee. Don't tell me you have something else planned." Drue sat on Jack's bed and looked at him. Jack was sitting at his desk not looking impressed.
"Why aren't you going out with Jen tonight?"
"Uh. Her and Joey are having this girls night in thing. I think it's to get Joey's mind off Pacey, which is stupid because Joey's always thinking about Pacey. The only thing this does is keep me away from Jen."
"Maybe she needed a break from you." Jack suggested.
"No way. That girl loves me." Drue joked.
"I'm sure she does. After all you're so smooth when it comes to the ladies." Jack's voice was laced with sarcasm.
"You know it." Drue grinned, ignoring the sarcasm.
"So where do you want to go?" Jack asked, giving up trying to do some work and looking at Drue.
"I don't know. Let's just hit the town tonight. I already told Pacey."
"And he agreed?" Jack looked skeptical.
"Of course. The man knows how to have a good time." Jack rose his eyebrows. "Okay I went on about him being a boring whipped guy who still doesn't have any fun even though he's not dating anyone, for about two hours before he agreed."
"I thought so. Even Pacey, the king of fun wouldn't give himself up to a night on the town with you so easily."
"I'm not that bad." Drue muttered, pretending to be hurt.
He sat on the bed while Jack put his notes away, and got ready to go out.
"Do you know anything about a message Joey left for Dawson?" Jack asked after a few minutes.
"What?"
"Dawson called me today. Apparently Joey told him that Pacey was here by leaving him a message. I thought that was odd." Drue shrugged.
"Nope. Joey didn't say anything to me. To tell you the truth I hadn't really thought about Dawson."
"I feel bad for him because I think we've all kind of lost touch with him. I know Jen and me don't speak to him very often. And if Joey is leaving messages to tell him something like that she obviously isn't speaking to him that often either."
"To tell you the truth I'm kind of glad. Dawson always thought he was the center of everyone's universe, especially Joey's. It'll do him good to live on his own a bit."
Drue had never liked the way Dawson seemed to control a lot of what went on around him in Capeside; especially Pacey and Joey's relationship. Drue had always stirred about that because he found it so strange that someone had so much control over a relationship that should have had nothing to do with him.
He was glad Pacey and Joey were getting a chance without Dawson there to ruin things. He knew that if Dawson were here now, things would definitely not be how they were at the moment. He liked how he had become friends with everyone and how they were all relaxed with each other. And he definitely liked dating Jen.
"Sorry. I know he's your friend and everything…" Drue trailed off.
"It's ok. I know what you mean." Jack understood exactly what Drue was thinking, and he kind of agreed.
-&-
"Okay, I'm here ready for our oh-so-girly night in." Joey muttered when Jen opened the door.
"Oh quit your bitching girl." Jen smirked, pulling Joey inside. "Tonight will be fun. And then maybe you can tell me what's bothering you besides the obvious Pacey issue."
"The not so obvious Dawson issue." Joey mumbled. Jen quickly turned to face the girl.
"What? Since when was Dawson an issue?" Joey rose her eyebrows. "Okay so Dawson was always an issue with you. A very big issue. But we've hardly spoken to or about him in over a month."
"I know. That's part of the problem."
"You want to talk to him more? Be closer?" Jen asked, confused.
"Well yeah. But that's not it." Joey laughed at Jen's utterly confused expression. "Maybe we should relax a bit before I delve into this." Jen grinned.
"Sure, we have all night. I think we'll start off with a nice facial." Jen left to go into her bathroom to collect some things.
"Are you sure you haven't been abducted and replaced with a much girlier version of you?" Joey called from the room. Jen came out of the bathroom, a range of different products cluttering her hands.
"I'm sure. I'm not girly. I'm just a girl. I just never used to be happy enough to have girl's nights in and facials." Jen explained. "And now we can. I thought all the tom-boy in you had disappeared by now."
"No. I just hide it better."
"Well then. We'll have to hide it completely tonight." Jen grinned, picking up a facial product and showing it to Joey.
-&-
"You know I have to work tomorrow. I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Pacey complained as he, Drue and Jack walked down the street.
"Oh quit your bitchin'. I thought you were supposed to be a fun guy Witter?"
"I am. I'm just not used to going out on the town with you without protesting some." Pacey grinned.
"I think you've protested enough. Jeez you act like I'm going to take you to hell or something."
"We never can tell with you Drue." Jack joked, smiling at Pacey. Drue just rolled his eyes.
"I swear Jen and Joey are more fun than the two of you."
"Hey, we're fun."
"Prove it!" Drue challenged. Pacey rose his eyebrows. "You have to spend one night having fun and not thinking about the consequences. And that includes not worrying or thinking about Joey. And you," he turned to Jack. "You have to do the same and not think about Tobey all night."
"I think I can manage that." Pacey agreed. Drue looked at Jack.
"I think the real question is whether you can have any fun without Jen by your side." Jack said pointedly.
"Hey, I haven't forgotten to have fun since I've been with Lindley." Drue argued. "So it's agreed, no thinking about significant others."
"Fine."
"Fine."
They all looked at each other not really knowing what to do now.
-&-
"Okay we've watched a movie, had our facials, relaxed a bit but you still haven't told me what's bothering you." Jen turned the TV off and looked at Joey.
"I called Dawson last week."
"I thought you called Dawson all the time." Jen rolled her eyes.
"No, actually I don't. Kinda well…Basically since I knew Pacey was here I haven't really spoken to Dawson much. I haven't called him and when he calls me every few weeks I cut the conversations short. I email him more because I just don't want to talk about Pacey with him and it's easier to do that through email."
"Why don't you want to talk about Pacey? Dawson still doesn't know Pacey is here, does he?"
"No, well yeah he does now. I'm getting to that." Joey sighed. "I didn't tell Dawson about Pacey because I wanted to keep Dawson and Pacey separate in my mind. I didn't want Dawson's opinions clouding my judgements. I love Pacey and I didn't want anything Dawson might say to make me doubt that. But then Dawson is Pacey's friend too so it's not really fair to Dawson that he doesn't know Pacey is here."
"I think whether Pacey tells Dawson he's here or not is up to Pacey. And it's been over a month since he's been here, so I'm guessing he's not ready to talk to Dawson yet."
"Well it's a bit late for that." At Jen's look she continued. "I left Dawson a message on his answering machine last week. I was drunk and jealous about Pacey talking to other girls and I just told Dawson that Pacey was here. I told him that I didn't tell him sooner because I blamed everything that went wrong between me and Pacey on Dawson."
"Ouch."
"Exactly. I feel really bad."
"Is that what you really think though? Do you blame Dawson?" Jen asked.
"Yes. No. Dawson was always this big part of my relationship with Pacey, but only because I let him be. Sure, he could have made things a bit easier on us and taken the news of us a little better but he reacted in a typical Dawson fashion. I should have been able to show Pacey that he was the one I really loved."
"So basically what's bothering you is that you were a little too harsh on Dawson?"
"Yeah. That and this being friends with Pacey deal is a lot harder than I thought."
"You'll wear him down sooner or later." Jen grinned.
"I doubt that."
"You're not still worried about that other girl are you?" Jen sighed, frustrated.
"Maybe. A little. I think it just made me realize that Pacey will date again. He's made it clear that we can't be more than just friends." Jen gave her a look but she quickly continued. "Sure I know Pacey will always love me in some way. But I hurt him too much for him to just forget that."
"I think you should be happy with the way things are going with the two of you. You've managed to get past some of the things that went wrong last year and get back into some sense of normalcy. It's only been a month Jo. Even though it seems like an eternity to you, in the long run it's better to wait and do it right, rather than jump back into it too fast."
Joey listened and took in Jen's advice. It made sense in her mind. It was her heart that had problems understanding. Sometimes just the want and need she felt for Pacey consumed her. Every time she saw him, she needed to touch him, or have him touch her. She wanted to be able to tell him how much she loved him, and show him how much she cared.
"So you think I should continue like normal?" she asked.
"I think the way you guys are now is okay as long as you've made it clear to Pacey that you still love him. When he's ready he'll come to you."
"You think?"
"Oh yeah. Definitely."
-&-
The guys entered a dimly lit, smoke filled club, and looked around, taking in their surroundings.
"How did you know about this place?" Drue asked Pacey, who had suggested the club, creatively named "The Sugar Shack".
"One of the guys I worked with over the summer recommended it to me. His Dad owns it." Pacey explained. They went over to a free table and sat down.
"What are you supposed to do in a club when you have a girlfriend?" Drue asked jokily. He had never really had a proper girlfriend before, and the purpose of going to a club had always been to find someone for the night. Now he felt guilty looking at the other girls, not that it really stopped him.
"Beats me. There weren't any clubs in Capeside to get us experience."
"Okay fellas. Since I can't actually partake in any mixing with the opposite sex…."
"Too scared your girl will find out." Pacey mocked.
"Actually I was going to say I don't want to upset her before I get laid but considering you guys are her best friends I probably shouldn't." Drue laughed to let them know he was kidding.
"Right because you followed Jen around all summer because you just want sex." Jack rose his eyebrows.
"Well…"
"Actually," Jack held his hand up. "I don't want to know any of the sordid details of your and Jen's sex life."
"Me either." Pacey agreed.
"We don't have one." Drue sighed. The other two gave him a look and he quickly continued. "Not that I'm complaining or anything."
"Right."
"Anyway. I was going to challenge you guys. I want two phone numbers from each of you."
"If you're getting out of this because you're already attached, I should get out of it too." Jack complained. Drue thought about it.
"Okay. Pacey?" He said, turning to him.
"What?"
"You going to partake in a little fun?"
"No thanks. I'm quite happy sitting here drinking my beer. Oops wait a minute, we didn't get a chance to get any before Drue started getting us into trouble." Jack grinned at Pacey.
"I'll go get them." He walked off leaving Drue and Pacey together.
"Well?"
-&-
"So what about Dawson?"
"What about him?" Jen asked.
"Well you had words of wisdom for the Pacey situation. What about Dawson?"
"Well there's nothing you can do about that really. You said something you regret and..."
"I don't really regret it. I just don't want him to hate me for it."
"That's you're problem Jo. Always worried about what Dawson thinks or feels. I thought you learned to not do that anymore."
"Sorry, old habit."
"Well get rid of it." Jen ordered. Joey just laughed. "What?"
"I don't know. I was just thinking that I really love college. We're only a month or so into it but it's been so great. There's only ever been one person who held me back in life and that was Dawson. Even though he is my friend I actually feel happy now that he's not always here telling me what I should do or think or feel." Joey paused. "I feel…"
"Free?"
"Yeah." She laughed nervously. "It's weird to think that I was locked up or something but in some ways Dawson always made me feel wrong. Like doing what I wanted to do was wrong."
"It's not, believe me."
"I know." Suddenly Jen got up and started putting the various things they had been using through the night away.
"What are you doing?" Joey asked.
"The whole point of tonight was to forget about all the guys in our life, and we've done nothing but talk about them all night."
"So what are you doing?"
"We're going out."
"Where?" Joey rose her eyebrows.
"Leave that to me." Jen smirked before going into the bathroom.
-&-
"I'm quite content sitting here thank you." Pacey assured Drue for the millionth time.
"Oh come on, you're being boring. How am I supposed to entertain myself?"
"Why don't you go and dance with them?" Pacey asked, pointing in the general direction of several girls.
"Can't. Jen. You on the other hand are completely single. Remember? Joey isn't your girlfriend."
"I know that thank you very much." Pacey was started to get pissed so Drue shut up for a second. He looked to his right and saw Jack talking to a girl. "Even Jack's getting more action here and he's gay."
"Well I don't feel like it."
"Really? Who's Sarah then?" Drue asked. Remembering his earlier conversation with Jen.
"Who?" Pacey asked, not remembering.
"Some Worthington chick I heard you were very intimate with at the party last week." Drue exaggerated. Pacey's eyes narrowed and then widened as he remembered who Drue was talking about.
"I was not intimate with her. Who said that?"
"It doesn't matter. Who is she?"
"Oh just some girl I spent some time with in Miami over the summer. She was visiting the Dean and we met at a party."
"Joey thinks something's going on." Drue stated flatly.
"Joey thinks too much." Pacey said calmly, although the idea of Joey getting jealous made him smile.
"You know she still loves you." Drue's tone turned more serious and he noticed Pacey tense. "How long are you going to play the friends game?"
"I'm not playing a game."
"Could've fooled me."
"I love Joey. But sometimes that isn't enough. I can't afford to lose myself in her again because I'll just end up getting hurt." Pacey looked at Drue and was surprised to find him listening, really listening. It was still weird for Pacey to be talking to Drue about this, but they had become friends in the short time they had been living together.
"But you can't keep denying your feelings either."
"I know." Pacey sighed, knowing how true Drue was.
"So what are you going to?"
"I don't know."
-&-
"The Sugar Shack? What kind of name is that?" Joey groaned as Jen pulled her towards the club. Both girls were looking very different to their prior relaxed state. They were wearing stunning dresses and looked gorgeous.
"Stop your bitching Jo. I heard this place is really good. You have to try out the night life sooner or later."
"Fine fine." She mumbled as Jen pulled her through the crowd.
"I'm going to get us some drinks and we're going to loosen up and dance." Jen instructed.
"I don't think Drue would approve of you dancing with other guys." Joey smirked. "Remember how jealous he got over Paul last week."
"Yeah." She smiled. "It was quite sweet. It's so weird when Drue does stuff like that. Not that I want an overly jealous boyfriend but it was sweet to see he cared."
"You know he does."
"Anyway I don't plan on dancing with other guys. We're going to show everyone how it's done." Jen pointed to the both of them.
"Me?"
"No. Us. Come on." Jen turned and walked towards the bar, Joey trailing behind grumbling.
-&-
"You know, it's hard being so good looking." Jack walked over to the other guys looking slightly amused.
"What?"
"I just had to tell about four girls that I'm gay. Of course after that they abruptly stopped talking to me." Drue laughed.
"What did you expect? Girls don't come to clubs to find nice gay best friends. No offense."
"None taken. I was having fun anyway. It's good to get out." Jack looked at Drue and Pacey who had been sitting at a table the majority of the night. "Having fun?" Jack asked sarcastically.
"Oh yeah. So much." Pacey answered sarcastically. It wasn't that bad though, he did enjoy the break from work.
"I hate to say this but I miss Jen." Drue admitted. Jack didn't answer Drue because he was too busy trying to look at someone far across on the dance floor. "Jack? What you looking at?"
"I…I think someone may have just answered your prayers." He said offhandedly, motioning for the guys to follow him on to the dance floor.
-&-
Jen was moving her hips, getting into the music. If living in New York had taught her one thing, it was how to dance. She just moved to the music, getting lost in the beat.
Joey didn't have much clubbing experience, but she looked like a natural. She moved her body in time with the music, forgetting the self-consciousness she usually felt around people.
Jen smiled, knowing Joey would loosen up if she went out. She just wanted to have fun. She laughed, noticing people around them watching their intense dancing. But however good a dancer she was, she kind of missed having a partner. Just as the thought crossed her mind, she could have sworn she saw Drue. She stopped suddenly and realized it was actually Drue standing behind her.
Joey stopped dancing, turning to see who Jen was looking at. She was surprised to see Pacey standing there watching her as well as Drue and Jack.
"What are you doing here!" Jen shrieked, hugging Drue quickly.
"Obviously nothing as interesting as you guys. What happened to 'girls night in'?"
"We got bored." Jen stated, looking at Joey. Joey nodded slightly, looking at Pacey for a second.
Her self-consciousness was back as the thought of Pacey watching her set in. While she had been dancing she had been thinking Pacey was there with her and seeing him just reminded her that he wasn't with her. He was standing about two feet from her, looking awkward.
"I'm gonna get a drink." Joey said, walking towards the bar.
Jack walked off as well, leaving Pacey with Drue and Jen. Pacey looked at Drue and Jen who had already started kissing, and then looked towards the direction Joey had went and sighed, following in Joey's footsteps.
-&-
Just as he was approaching the bar, Pacey felt his mobile vibrating in his pocket. He quickly moved outside the club and looked at the number, he didn't recognize it but he answered it anyway.
"Hello?"
"Pacey! Is that you?"
"Dawson?" Pacey was surprised to hear his ex-best friend's voice. He hadn't even spoken to Dawson in over four months. He moved further away from the club so that he could hear a little better.
"Yeah. How are you?" Dawson asked, not knowing what else to say.
"I'm good." Pacey was till a bit dazed.
"How was your summer?"
"Good."
"I… Since this is a long distance call I don't think I'll beat around the bush."
"Go on."
"I know you're in Boston. And I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're back on your feet and doing well. However much you may doubt it, in my heart I always knew you would."
"Uh…thanks Dawson." Pacey was surprised by what brought this on.
"And I know Joey still loves you. And I just wanted to say I'm sorry for making things difficult between you guys. I really hope you get your second chance together."
"What brought this on?" Pacey asked, surprised at Dawson's sudden behavior.
"Well it took me a little call of reason to make me realize that I had acted like a bit of an ass last year and it was time to get over it. Plus I know how much Joey loves you and I want you to have your second chance. I'm not saying that you need my blessing or anything. I just wanted you to know that I hope it works out for you." Dawson paused, not sure what more he wanted to say. He wasn't even sure why he called. Joey's message had just made him realize that maybe he had caused Pacey and Joey's break up or at least helped it and that meant he was responsible for their unhappiness. "Well…um I better go."
"Uh. Ok. Thanks for calling." Pacey said clumsily. He hung up, feeling confused.
Seems like even Dawson had moved on. Maybe he and Joey finally did have their chance without Dawson getting in the way. Pacey just wasn't sure if he was ready for that second chance.
He wasn't sure when he would be.
-&-
"I knew you couldn't resist me Lindley." Drue grinned, pulling Jen close to him. They had managed to find a relatively quiet space to sit together near the back of the club.
"I had no idea you were going to be here. I was trying to get away from you." Jen insisted, smiling as Drue kissed her neck.
"Whatever you say." He kissed her, moving from her neck to her ear.
"Stop that." Jen hit Drue lightly, but not enough to convince Drue she really wanted him to stop, which she didn't. "So how was your night? Have fun?"
"Not as much fun as I'm having now." Drue grinned, kissing Jen on the lips and then pulling away. He loved how he could just cuddle up with Jen. It felt like she fit so perfectly with him. "You?"
"It was okay. Joey and her usual issues. Do you know she called Dawson?"
"Jack mentioned something."
"Jack?"
"Yeah, Dawson called him. He took Pacey's number."
"I wonder if he'll call."
"I think he feels left out." Drue guessed.
"Probably. I should call him."
"Whatever you do don't let him convince you I'm bad news." Drue joked.
"I don't need Dawson to convince me of that, I can see it for myself."
"But you love the bad guys." Drue grinned.
"That I do." Jen smirked, pulling Drue down for a kiss.
-&-
"Hi, I couldn't help notice you sitting here on your own looking so fine. Can I buy you a drink?" Joey looked up at the young man looking down on her. She wanted to laugh at his lame pick up line but smiled instead.
"Sure. We can discuss how you really need to get some new pick up lines." She laughed lightly. "Pacey please tell me you didn't use those on a real girl!" Joey laughed at her 'friend'.
"So you're not real huh? I knew that there had to be some surgery involved in you looking that good." Pacey joked, but Joey blushed at the compliment.
"Excuse me, I'm 100 real. Thank you very much." Pacey smiled to himself. He ordered a drink, watching Joey as she drank her own.
Her features stood out more in the dimly lit room, her eyes shone brightly. He couldn't help but stare.
"What?" Joey asked finally, feeling his eyes on her.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." Joey looked confused. "Something's been bothering you." He said calmly, and she looked surprised he could tell. "You forget that I know you so well Joey." He smiled, happy in the fact that he did still know her that well.
"What if I say nothing's wrong." Joey challenged.
"I won't believe you." Joey didn't say anything. She couldn't tell him about her stupid fears of him moving forward. Mostly because she was scared he already had. They sat there, both not talking, both thinking about each other.
"I wasn't lying when I said I'd love you forever, you know." Pacey said suddenly. Joey turned to him, shocked. "I'm not going to stop loving you that easily. I need a lot more time to figure out how to do that." Pacey sighed.
"I don't want you to."
"No?" Pacey sounded unsure.
"No." She looked down. Pacey placed his hand on hers, not knowing what he was really doing. She looked into his eyes, unsure.
"Good. Because I don't see it happening anytime soon."