Episode Fourteen "Surfacing"

It was after midnight and the coffeehouse had been closed for over an hour. Joey and Steve were in the back, sitting on the floor. Joey lifted a spoon and then sighed.

"If I have to count one more piece of cutlery I think I might scream." Joey moaned and Steve just grinned.

"Well I have to say I'm enjoying this more than I usually do. Thanks for helping me out Joey." He smiled over at her as she turned to pick up another spoon. Slowly he moved closer to her.

"No problem. Glad I could be of service, now where were…" Joey stopped short as Steve pressed his lips against hers. As soon as she realized what was happening she pushed him away, standing up quickly. "What the hell was that?"

Steve looked up at Joey and sighed, he stood up taking in her unhappy face. She couldn't believe he just kissed her. That was so wrong. Everything had been going great for her, especially at work. She loved working at the coffeehouse and didn't want anything to spoil it.

"Well?" Joey put her hands on her hip, looking at him angrily.

"It was a kiss." Steve didn't know what else to say. He hadn't really thought before he kissed her, but now that he had he didn't want to apologize.

"I know what it was…I just don't know why you would..."

"I just…I thought we were having fun?" Steve stepped forward and Joey moved away quickly.

"Steve! No! This is not happening. You know I have a boyfriend."

"So?"

"So? Oh my God! You did not just say so." Joey turned away disgusted. "Look, you're a nice guy and fun to work with, but that's as far as it goes. I love my boyfriend." Joey sighed. "Look…I think you need to let me go home and we'll forget you ever kissed me."

"I can't Joey, I like…"

"No! No! Don't even say it. I mean, I'm flattered, but please don't make this awkward situation even worse. You have to get that thought way out of your head because it's not gonna happen." Joey turned to leave, not knowing what else to do.

"Joey!" Steve called after her but she just waved him off.

-&-

Jen and Drue were lying on Jen's bed talking as the radio played softly in the background. Jen was sitting up against the wall with Drue's head in her lap, stroking his hair lightly as he looked up at her. The phone rang, and Jen leaned over to pick up the receiver.

"Joey? Slow down girl. What happened?" Drue's smiled as he listened to Jen trying to understand Joey's ramblings. "He kissed you? Out of nowhere?"

"Well, I kind of had the feeling he was interested, but I didn't think he'd act on it. Like I need another thing to worry about," Joey moaned.

"Who kissed who?" Drue asked, suddenly interested.

"Steve kissed Joey," Jen told him.

"Thank you for telling the whole world," Joey complained.

"The guy she works with?" Drue interrupted again.

"Yeah." Jen said before motioning to him to be quiet and turning her attention back to Joey. "I didn't tell the whole world. I told Drue."

"I know." Joey sighed. "Just tell him not to mention it to Pacey until I have."

"Okay I will. So what are you going to do?"

"Nothing. I don't know. There's nothing I really can do. I'll tell Pacey just to get it out there. But now it makes working with him weird. And I feel really bad for Stacy. She really likes him."

"Are you going to tell her he kissed you?"

"I don't know."

"I think maybe you should."

"I don't want to ruin things for nothing. He kissed me. End of story. It doesn't change anything for her and Steve."

"I guess."

"You think Pacey's gonna try and kill him?"

"Oh yeah."

"That's what I was afraid of."

-&-

David stood outside Jack's room waiting for him to answer. He heard a sound and thought it would be Jack, but instead the room three doors away opened and David watched Drue step out.

Drue leaned forward and kissed Jen on the lips softly. "See you tonight?" he asked and Jen nodded.

"I guess so."

"Hey! Watch it or I may find something else to occupy my time."

"Don't listen to him. You know he's bluffing." David said, approaching the couple.

"Hey David. Aren't you supposed to be on my side?" Drue joked before turning to Jen. "I better go." He kissed her again before leaving. "See you guys."

Jen watched her boyfriend turn the corner before turning to David. "So, you were looking for Jack?" Jen guessed.

"Yeah."

"I think he said something about going to the library."

"Oh." David's smile dropped slightly before he smiled again.

"Anything I can help you with?"

"Nah. I'll just catch him later."

"Do you want to come in for a while? I think I have cookies somewhere."

"Ooh. How can I resist?" David grinned as he followed Jen inside. He sat on Jen's bed as she fished out the promised cookies. He smiled noticing the picture of her and Jack in a frame next to one she had of herself and Drue on her bedside.

"So Jen, you know Tobey pretty well, right?" Jen looked a little surprised by the question.

"Uh yeah."

"What's he like?"

"Didn't you meet him?"

"Briefly."

"Well Tobey's great. Jack really loves him. Don't you think they make such a cute…" Jen stopped suddenly, realizing the look on David's face. "Oh my God…I'm sorry."

"What?" David looked shocked, trying to cover himself.

"You…David, do you have feelings for him?"

"Tobey?" David laughed nervously.

"No. Jack."

"Feelings? For Jack?" David stalled. "Don't be stupid Jen. I was just asking about Tobey because I…" David looked at Jen and realized that she wasn't buying anything he was saying. "Jen you can't tell him."

"But…"

"He can't know!" He knew that Jen had guessed and he'd rather admit it and make sure that she didn't say a word to Jack. "Promise me Jen!"

"Okay. I promise. But I really think you should tell him. You have to give him the chance to choose."

"I can't. I can't because I know that he won't choose me and I would've lost the one friendship I really care about."

"You don't know…"

"Jen!" David's tone said it all and Jen knew not to press.

Jen took David's hand and smiled at him, feeling really badly for him. As much as she liked Tobey, she had also grown to really like David and she knew that her best friend deserved to have someone who was always there.

-&-

Pacey opened the door to his apartment and grinned at his girlfriend.

"Since when have you started knocking?"

"Since I left my keys in your pants." Joey grinned moving forward to kiss him passionately. As he kissed her back, she moved her hands around his pockets, reaching into the right one and pulling out said keys.

"Was that while you were trying to get in them?" Pacey's asked jokily.

"Quite possibly." Joey grinned, kissing him again lightly before pulling away and coming inside the apartment.

"So what brings you by so early? Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"Yes unfortunately. I've got about a half hour." Joey took a deep breath and continued talking really fast this time. "Actually I came to tell you that the guy I work with kissed me last night, it meant nothing, but I thought I should tell you anyway. Bye." She turned to leave but he quickly stopped her.

"What?" Pacey looked confused, still trying to decipher her ramble. "He kissed you? That Steve guy?"

"Yeah. But it didn't…"

"The little…I'm gonna kill him."

"Pacey!"

"What?"

"You know I hate the macho act."

"It's not an act."

"Look, I took care of it. It was a little slip on his part and I set him straight. I'm telling you because we don't keep secrets from each other. That's all."

"So you just expect to tell your boyfriend that some other guy kissed you and expect him not to do anything?"

"Yes. Because my boyfriend is very mature and knows his girlfriend would kick his ass if he did anything stupid." Joey moved forward, putting her arms around him.

"Well…Since you put it like that." Pacey smiled slightly and kissed her. "But you have to know how unfair I think this is. You didn't even let me beat up the last guy that kissed you."

"Good thing too because he ended up becoming your best friend."

"Still doesn't mean I wouldn't have enjoyed beating Drue up." Joey grinned. "What?"

"You didn't dispute Drue being your best friend this time." Pacey smiled realizing his slip.

"Yeah well…Just don't tell him."

-&-

"Why don't you just kick his ass instead of complaining to me?" Drue asked. He was sitting on his bed and Pacey was walking up and down, complaining about Steve.

"Because Joey made me promise."

"Cough-whipped-cough" Drue laughed.

"I am not. Look, I needed someone to vent to so just stop talking and listen to me vent."

"When have you known me to ever just sit here and listen?"

"True. I just can't believe he works with her every day. He better not try anything again."

"What's gonna stop him?"

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't exactly set him straight."

"Joey would kill me."

"You promised not to beat him up. Doesn't mean you can't let him know that if tries anything else you won't be so quick to let him off." Drue grinned as Pacey smiled.

"Yeah. I want to see this guy too."

"Joey's too nice. You gotta let him know you're not. And he's not allowed to mess with our girls." Drue said more forcefully and Pacey laughed.

"You wanna beat him up yourself, don't you?"

"Oh yeah." Drue grinned. "I would do anything to protect Jen and Joey. Joey in the most platonic way of course."

"Of course."

"I always wondered why you didn't say anything to me about our storage room kiss."

"Well, from what I heard you got beat up by a girl. So, I kind of felt sorry for you."

"Hey! I let her hit me."

"Yeah. Right. Whatever you say Drue."

-&-

"To what do I owe this pleasure." Drue smiled as the door to his bedroom opened. He was sitting on his bed reading for one of his classes and he hadn't heard Jen come in.

"Actually I came to see Pacey, but since he's not around I thought I'd come and see you too."

"Thank you so much. Pacey went for a walk, I think."

"Was he pissed about Steve?"

"Pissed at Steve. And pissed Joey won't let him beat him up."

"You boys and violence." Jen rolled her eyes. She walked further into the room and sat on the bed, getting cozy next to Drue. She put her head against his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her sensing something was wrong.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about Jack."

"What's wrong with Jack?"

"Well…David has feelings for him."

"And?" Jen looked up, shocked that Drue wasn't more surprised by this news.

"And? And he has feelings for Jack! And Jack's with Tobey!" Drue still didn't seem shocked. "You knew?"

"Well it's a bit obvious, Jen. Don't tell me you hadn't noticed."

"No, well I did. I just… Does Jack have feelings for David too? Am I just being completely blind?"

"No. I don't know about Jack. But I think there could be some feelings."

"Should I tell Jack? David made me promise not to. But I think Jack knowing would be better." Jen mused.

"I think if you promised David that you wouldn't then you shouldn't say anything. Just leave it to them, the truth will come out sooner or later."

"I can't believe I didn't notice before."

"It's okay, you were so distracted by your gorgeous boyfriend that you didn't realize there are other people in the world." Drue grinned.

"Right." Jen said sarcastically. "I guess this would make this all your fault then."

"I'll happily take the blame if I'm allowed to make it up to you." Drue grinned turning suddenly and kissing Jen hungrily.

-&-

"Pace?" Joey looked around Pacey's empty office and sighed.

"Hi, can I help you?" Noah said approaching the stranger.

Joey turned around and he smiled realizing who it was. She hadn't actually met Noah before but she had heard a lot about him through Pacey and had seen him around when she came to see Pacey.

"Oh hey, Joey right?"

"Yeah."

"Pacey just stepped out for a minute. I think he'll be back in a few. You're welcome to wait here, if you want."

"Okay, thanks." Joey looked around, wondering how long Pacey would be. "I'm surprised he left this place alone for a second. Not that he doesn't trust you in charge, he just loves his work." Joey added quickly. "So are you in college?"

"Yeah. I only work here part time." Joey smiled and then noticed Pacey approaching from behind.

"Whatever he said it's not true." Pacey said quickly.

"What makes you think we were talking about you?" Joey said, kissing him softly on the lips.

"Yeah. Actually, Joey and I have become wonderful friends in the two minutes we've been talking. We felt no need to talk about you."

"Sure."

"Although, I really do feel like I know you, Joey, since Pacey's always going on about you."

"Aww how sweet." Joey smiled at Pacey.

"Okay okay, that was supposed to be a secret. Now get back to work before I have to start acting like your boss."

"Yes sir." Noah saluted. "Nice meeting you Joey." Noah said before turning to get back to work.

"So." Pacey turned to Joey pulling her closely against him. "What brings you here?"

"I just wanted to see if my poor hard working boyfriend wanted some lunch. If you're a really good boy, you may even get some desert."

"Hmm, as tempting as that sounds." Pacey looked at her regretfully. "I already had lunch."

"Damn. How bout we skip right to desert?" Joey said slyly.

"Joey Potter! Are you propositioning me?"

"Are you complaining?"

"No. No. Definitely no complaints here."

"Well then?"

"Let's go."

"That's more like it." Joey grinned, taking Pacey's hand and pulling him away from the marina.

-&-

Joey came home later to find Stacy rummaging through her closet. She walked into her room and put her bag on the bed before walking over to her roommate who hadn't noticed her yet.

"What are you doing?" Stacy jumped at the sound of Joey's voice and turned suddenly.

"Joey! Jeez, sneak much?"

"Sorry."

"Oh no, don't worry. I just wasn't expecting you. Actually, I have been expecting you, where have you been?" Stacy asked, closing her closet and sitting down on the bed.

"Just had some business to attend to." Joey said slyly.

"Right. So, how is Pacey?"

"Good."

"You're lucky. I swear I wish I had a relationship like you and Pacey, I try to get Steve to open up to me, but I don't think it's working." Joey looked uncomfortable at the mention of Steve but Stacy didn't notice. "It's like sometimes I don't know why I bother. I think he just sees us as friends, you know? What do you think?"

"Huh?"

"Me and Steve? You think he likes me?"

"I think any guy would be crazy not to." Joey said, saving herself. She felt bad not telling Stacy about Steve kissing her, but she was sure he would be over her soon and then Stacy could have a chance with Steve.

"Yeah, he would, wouldn't he? I think I'm going to go down to the coffeehouse and make him notice me." Stacy stood up suddenly and Joey smiled.

"Now there's the Stacy I know and love."

"Right. So I'll see you later?"

"Sure."

-&-

Pacey walked into the coffeehouse and looked around. He spotted Steve cleaning a table near the back of the shop and walked towards him.

"Steve?"

"Yeah." Steve looked up and then realized who was standing in front of him. "Pacey."

"Yeah, Pacey. As in Joey's boyfriend, Pacey." He looked Steve up and down and was not impressed with what he saw. "Look Steve, Joey seems to think you're a decent enough guy so I'm not going to beat the crap out of you for kissing her. This time. But you try anything again and I won't be so quick to forgive if you know what I mean."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Let's just call it a warning. I really don't want to have to deal with you again, you catch my drift?"

"It's not my fault Joey wants a real guy." Pacey grabbed Steve by the collar and then stopped suddenly remembering the promise he made to Joey. He let go of Steve and took a deep breath.

"Look you little insignificant coffee boy. I know Joey a lot better than you do, and I trust her completely. Our relationship isn't affected by idiots like you who try to come between us. I just thought I'd come and warn you that next time you try anything I won't be so nice. Understood?"

"Yeah, understood." Steve said, not wanting to deal with a confrontation with Pacey.

"Good." Pacey smiled and then turned to leave.

Steve watched Pacey walk away and quickly straightened his shirt. He hadn't been expecting that. But it just made him more determined to make Joey see that he was the one for her. He knew that what Joey needed was some fun with a college guy, not someone as serious as Pacey.

"What was that all about?" Stacy said, coming up to Steve. She had been waiting to be served and witnessed the entire encounter.

"Nothing. It was nothing." He said before turning and going into the back.

-&-

David opened his door and smiled when he found Jack on the other side of it. After talking with Jen, he had been worried that she might have told Jack about his feelings for him and he was avoiding Jack just in case. He'd also spent the past few days convincing himself to stay away and to try to forget about his stupid feelings.

"I was starting to think you disappeared," Jack said.

"Nah." David moved so Jack could come in. "I've just been uh…busy." Jack looked around David's room, there were magazines on the table and the T.V was on, he didn't look very busy.

"Right. Busy. I thought you were going to come around last night."

"I was?"

"Remember, you said you'd come by after you handed in your paper?"

"Yeah, uh sorry. Something came up." David said off-handedly. Jack looked confused at David's strange behavior.

David sat down on his bed and Jack sat on the chair. They just sat for a few seconds before Jack realized the awkwardness between them and spoke up.

"So, anyway, I spoke to Tobey yesterday. Things seem to be improving a little and…"

"Actually Jack…" David quickly stood up. "Do you mind if we talk some other time? I've had a really long day and I'm kind of tired." Jack stood up, a little surprised, but nodded.

"Of course. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, fine. Just a bit tired." David said, walking towards the door. Jack followed, still feeling a bit confused.

"I'll call you later?"

"Yeah. Fine. Talk to you later Jack." David said quickly and Jack left.

"Bye."

David closed the door and sighed. He slid down the door dropping his head into his hands. Things were not going right, not right at all. He couldn't believe his life had become so confusing. He just knew that he had to make a decision soon. Either tell Jack how he feels or get over his feelings. He couldn't handle being friends with him like this. It was too hard.

-&-

"Joey!" Stacy walked into their room quickly, wanting to tell Joey about Steve and Pacey's encounter. She stopped as she noticed Joey sitting at her desk. "What are you doing?"

"Uh…studying. You know, you should try it sometime. It really helps you to get through college." Joey said sarcastically.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Actually I can't concentrate."

"See, you're just sitting there pretending to study when you could be out having fun."

"I've had enough fun today, and Pacey's at work."

"You know, you are capable of having fun without Pacey." Stacy pointed out. "And I saw him at the coffeehouse today."

"What was he doing there? He knows I'm not working."

"I know. He was talking to Steve. Or they were having some kind of fight. Steve wouldn't say." Joey's face dropped suddenly.

"They weren't actually fighting though, right?"

"No. But it didn't look like a friendly conversation." Joey smiled, a little relieved now. "So what was it about? I didn't know Pacey knew Steve."

"He doesn't. I don't know what it was about." Joey lied, feeling really guilty.

"Weird. Anyway, I sat in the coffeehouse for like half an hour and Steve spoke to me all of twice. Maybe I'm wasting my time…"

Stacy carried on talking about Steve and Joey was suddenly thankful that Stacy didn't ask many questions. She hated feeling awkward around her roommate and the person she worked with. Why did Steve have to go and mess everything up?

-&-

Jen sat in the window of a small café a few blocks from her dorm and sipped a Latte. She smiled as she spotted Jack entering. She waved at him and he walked over to her.

"So," she said as he took a seat opposite her. "What made you think of me today?"

"I always think of you," he smiled.

"Liar." Jen stuck her tongue out at him .

"I just thought we should catch up."

"David busy?"

"Kinda." Jen smiled and then Jack relented. "Not that I only called you because David was busy."

"Of course." She grinned and he could tell she didn't believe him. "So tell me," she said calmly.

"Tell you what?" Jack pretended that he didn't know what she was talking about.

"What's wrong? Isn't that usually why you invite your best friend out for coffee?"

"You make me sound so shallow," Jack said sarcastically.

"No, really it's good. You should be able to call on me when you need to."

"Nothing's really wrong."

"But something's not right?"

"I'm not sure."

"Is this about Tobey and/or David?"

"Tobey. And maybe David. Everything's fine with Tobey. It's just not great. I don't know. Maybe it's the distance thing. It just doesn't feel right anymore."

"Have you talked to Tobey about this?"

"No. I don't know what he thinks. What if I'm the only one having doubts? I don't want to screw things up."

"You won't." Jen put her hand on Jack's reassuringly.

"I went to talk to David about it today and he kinda brushed me off."

"What did he say?"

"Nothing. He practically kicked me out. Something about being tired."

"Maybe he was tired?" Jen tired.

"I don't think so." Jack sighed.

"Don't worry Jack, you'll work it out."

"I hope so."

-&-

Joey walked into work the next morning right past Steve who was already working behind the counter. She walked into the back and starting sorting out the supplies. Steve watched her walk into the back and sighed. How was he going to get Joey to like him if she wasn't even speaking to him?

"So, how you doing?" Steve asked, coming into the back where Joey was putting her apron on.

"Okay." Steve stood there watching her and Joey felt a little bad. "Listen, about Pacey coming to see you yesterday. I hope he didn't say anything out of line."

"Nothing I didn't deserve."

"You didn't deserve anything. You're a nice guy Steve and I don't want what happened the other night to spoil things between us."

"It didn't."

"So we're still friends, right?"

"Friends." Steve repeated. "Right."

"Good." Joey smiled and went into the back.

Steve watched her until she disappeared behind the doors and then smiled. "Hopefully we'll be more than friends pretty soon," he said to himself.

-&-

"Honey, I'm home." Drue walked into his apartment and shouted loudly. Jen came out of his bedroom and smiled at him.

"How did you know I was here?" She asked, walking up and kissing him softly.

"Just wishful thinking." He grinned, dropping his bag and putting his arms around her.

"Yeah well I guess today is your lucky day." Jen grinned, kissing him again.

"Ooh, is that a promise?" Drue laughed picking Jen up into his arms suddenly.

"Drue! Put me down! You know I hate it when you do that." Drue laughed and kept hold of her, heading for his bedroom.

"What? Don't you trust me?" Drue joked.

"Of course I do." Jen said softly. "I just don't want you to hurt yourself."

"I think I'll survive." Drue told her. He walked into his room and slowly put her on the bed, falling on top of her softly.

Jen kissed him hungrily and he moaned in her mouth. She pulled away and he rolled off her so he was lying next to her on his back.

"Did you talk to Jack?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"I think everything will work out soon." Drue smiled and then turned so he was facing Jen. He ran his fingers across her face, moving a stray strand of hair out of her way.

"What?" Jen asked.

"Nothing."

"Why are you looking at me funny?"

"I just…I really love you. You're always thinking about everyone else."

"Just one of my many qualities." Jen joked.

"Yep, just one." Jen smiled, realizing how lucky she was to have someone like Drue. She smiled, putting her arms around him, snuggling as close to him as possible.

-&-

"Peace offering." David said, holding out something for Jack to take. Jack smiled and then moved to let David into his room.

"Aren't these the notes you were supposed to give me back, like, last week?"

"Uh…yeah." Jack smiled. "I didn't say the offering wasn't yours already."

"Of course."

"I just wanted to apologize for the other day. I just had a shitty day and I just needed to sleep."

"Okay."

"Really," David stressed.

"Okay," Jack repeated.

"You don't believe me?"

"Of course I do," Jack lied.

"I know you McPhee, you can't lie to me."

"So what makes you think you can lie to me?" Jack countered and David sighed.

"I just had some stuff that I had to deal with…and I've dealt with it now."

"You know, I'm always here if you need someone," Jack said sincerely. "You don't have to deal with things on your own."

"I know." David smiled. He had decided that he had to move on with his life and accept that he and Jack couldn't be more than friends. He had to stop avoiding Jack or he could lose someone he had come to depend on lately.

"So how 'bout I get changed and we get out of here?"

"Sounds like a plan to me."

-&-

"Guess who?" Joey put her hands over Pacey's eyes as she approached him from behind. He was sitting at his computer going through some accounts.

"Hmmm? Who could it be? One of my many girlfriends of course. Mindy? Sandy? Mandy?"

"Hey!" Joey let go and turned Pacey in his chair.

"Oh! It's Joey!" Pacey grinned, pulling her into his lap.

"Yes, it's Joey." Joey pretended to be angry.

"I thought I was coming to see you tonight?"

"You were. But I couldn't wait. I came straight from work." Joey raised her eyebrow and Pacey winced.

"Uh yeah…so I'm guessing Steve told you I came to see him."

"Actually, Stacy told me."

"Stacy?"

"She was there."

"Oh. But you can't say anything because I didn't hurt him. And he's a jerk anyway. I still don't see why you have to work with him."

"Relax Pace, I wasn't going to say anything. In fact I thought it was kinda cute."

"Really?" Pacey smiled.

"Well, not cute. But kinda noble, you protecting my honor and all."

"Of course. Very noble. So I'm thinking that since I'm such a noble guy I should get a reward."

"Don't push it." Joey stuck her tongue out at him but then leaned in and kissed him.

"So, you're not mad?"

"Nope."

"Good." Joey just looked at Pacey and then smiled

"I love you." Pacey grinned and then kissed her passionately, his kiss telling her how much he returned her love.