This is the last chapter of a new state of mind. I hope you have enjoyed this story and will enjoy its sequel The road led to you. I've had a lot of fun writing this story and I thank you for reading it. It really means a lot.

"Love? I love her?" Pacey said as he entered the bathroom to change.

"Yes, you love Joey," Doug said moving into the kitchen to get a glass of milk.

Pacey undid the last button of his shirt and stook his head out of the bathroom. "So you think that this monumental emotional state that YOU claim I'm in has developed out of nothing in the past three months?"

"No," Doug said from the kitchen, "I think you've always loved her. It just grew stronger in the past three months."

Pacey tied up his pajama pants and walked into the kitchen. "Do you remember what Joey and I were like when we were kids? I pushed her down, she hit me. Mortal combat isn't really a great foundation for love."

"I remember those days, but I also remember how inseparable you two were until you met Dawson."

"Doug, we were four. You can't really say that sharing blocks is a new way to express love," Pacey said as he walked back into the living room and started to open the pull out couch.

Doug followed Pacey and helped him. "But I also remember a little brother of mine who came home when he was twelve all beat up because he got in a fight for Joey."

"First of all, I had only some bruises, and secondly, the kid tore up her picture. Dawson would have done the same thing," Pacey said lying down and putting on the T.V.

Doug stood in front of the T.V., blocking Pacey's view. "Why won't you admit you love her Pacey?"

Pacey rolled his eyes, "I don't love her! Now will you stop? Doug, you really need to cut down on the soap operas."

Doug didn't move. He stood there, arms folded across chest, and stared observantly into his brother's eyes. "You're lying," he said shortly. "I can see it in your eyes."

Pacey's mouth fell open and he sat up. After a few seconds his mouth turned into a shameful smirk. Pacey shook his head. "You're right Doug, I love Joey. See, I already knew it. I've known it since before 'this bashing into my brain that I live her' you put on tonight. And you're right; I think I did love Joey before we started dating. The only difference between now and then is that now I know what I can't have. I was hoping to keep this certain predicament under wraps for a while."

"What's a while?"

"Um, till the day I die sounds good."

"You can't be serious! Pace, you'll always wonder what would have happened if you don't tell her. You need to tell Joey."

"Why? So she can tell me how she doesn't love me…a fact that I already know."

"You're so sure she doesn't want you huh?"

"Oh I'm positive. She told me earlier tonight. Besides, whatever she needs Dawson can give her."

"I thought she told him to step off?"

"She did but…"

"But nothing. See, she doesn't want him and do you really think Joey would have came back so many times if she didn't feel something for you too?"

"Yes! And if you say that I must be dumb to think that, I'll kick your ass because I know I am an emotional retard."

"But..."

"Don't!"

"Well you are dumb in more ways then one."

"Thank you Mr. fix it. Can you go away now because I'm NOT going to tell her."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next day…

Joey walked the short walk to Jen's house. There was a gloom about the path she took. The sky was a ghostly white, with a few gray patches splatted in the blankness. The trees had dulled to a grayish brown and the leaves that remained were a crispy amber. Grass was yellow, no longer the lively shade of dark green. A cols wind flew around, causing things on the ground to fly up. Joey clung to her coat and walked as fast as the wind would let her.

She reached Jen's house with a cold nose and red ears. The warmth that radiated from the house made a small smile on the frigid girl.

"Cold?" Jen said taking Joey's coat.

"It is definitely fall," Joey said taking a seat on the couch.

Jen took a seat next to her. "So how've you been Joey? I haven't you since last Sunday after you and Pacey…"

"Called it quits? I've been keeping busy all week. I haven't seen anyone so…"Joey said with a sad smile.

Jen put her hand on Joey's shoulder.

"What happened last week?"

Joey looked at Jen before tucking her hair behind her ears. "Um, after the contest, Pacey and I walked around for a while. He forgot his tie so he left me at the docks. When Pacey left, Dawson came. Dawson told me that he thought I was beautiful. I told him I didn't want him anymore and he said I shouldn't mess this up because of Pacey. I told him it had nothing to do with Pacey because I didn't have anything with Pacey anymore. Dawson said that Pacey couldn't care for me like he could. Some other things were said and Pacey must have come back because he heard most of the conversation. When Dawson left, Pacey asked me if what I said was true and I told him that all we had were some kisses in the back seat of a car. He said he could make me happy and I told him he could but I didn't want to get hurt. Then I ran off," Joey finished with a bite of her lip.

"And you haven't spoken to Pacey all week?"

"No, I haven't really found a reason to."

"Oh…well I guess he will be back by summer."

Joey lifted up and eyebrow. "What?"

Jen put a hand over her mouth. "You didn't know."

"Know what? Jen? What are you talking about? Is Pacey going somewhere?"

Jen chuckled slightly. "He, uh, he's been offered the chance to go to Paris for the rest of the school year. I thought he would have told you."

Joey tucked her hair behind her ears. "Obviously he didn't."

"Joey I…"

"It's fine Jen. I knew he wasn't going to run to me with his news anymore but I didn't…I guess we really drifted apart.

"I'm um, going to get going. I need to clear my head," Joey said getting up and walking away."

"Hey Joey?"

"Yeah?"

"I think a stroll down Franklin Street might help you clear your head."

Joey smirked. "Thanks."

Here I am on the phone again and...
Awkward silence is on the other end
I used to know the sound of a smile in your voice
But right now (right now) all I feel (all I feel)
is the pain of the fighting starting up again

Pacey moved around the boxes in his garage. His mother said the suit cases were in there, she didn't say they were behind all of the boxes. Pacey only had twenty minutes to find the bags because Doug was coming to pick him up.

All the things you talk about you know they stay on my mind, on my mind
All the things we laugh about they'll bring us through it every time
after time, after time

Say anything came from the small radio that resided on the unused tool table. Good charlotte typically wasn't Pacey's genre of music. Pop rock wasn't something he glances at. He was more of a punk rock sort of guy. This song was different. There was a common ground. Pacey could sympathize with the poor guy; he was in the same boat. The words screamed Joey and that's what caught him.

Lately, Pacey and Joey's relationship, or lack there of, had been wearing thin. They hadn't spoken in a week. According to most, I.E. Doug, not talking to Joey was a big no-no. People told him all week to tell Joey he was going to Paris. He wanted to, but it's easier to just leave then go through the cliché of a good by scene.

Don't say a word, I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign, say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away, I know you wanna stay
If you just give me a sign, say anything, say anything

Pacey did wait. He waited for that sign. That sign that told him Joey wanted him too. He never got that sign and she never said a word.

But deep down he knew.

Some say that time changes, best friends can become strangers
But I don't want that, no not for you
If you just stay with me we can make it through

Even though Pacey wasn't Joey's best friend; she was his. Ever since they were little, Joey was the easiest person Pacey could confine in about big things. She was there when he was having family problems and she was there when his Grandmother died. Sadly, Pacey wasn't able to talk to her about leaving for Paris.

So here we are again
Same old argument
Now I'm wondering if things'll ever change you
When will you laugh again, laugh like you did back when
We'd make noise till 3:00 A.M.
When the neighbors would complain

It WAS always the same old argument. Most people don't have that problem, but Joey and Pacey did. They were always in battle whether or not they should be together, even when they were together. Still, there was always something between the two, a special connection of some sort. They were drawn together, like magnets, but yet they always forced themselves to part. This time, they parted completely causing them to wonder if there was enough "magnetic energy" to bring them back: back to how it used to be.

I'm fallin, I'm fallin, I'm fallin down
I'm fallin, I'm fallin, I'm fallin down
Down...down...down

That's exactly what Pacey did: fall. He fell flat on his face every time with Joey. He never got what he wanted with her. At the end of the day, Pacey always came back empty handed.

Don't say a word, I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign, say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away, I know you wanna stay
If you just give me a sign, say anything, say anything

(Please don't leave)
Don't say a word, I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign, say anything, say anything
(Please don't leave)
Please don't walk away, I know you wanna stay
If you just give me a sign, say anything, say anything

He always begged her to stay. He was tired of it. Pacey wanted to leave his troubles behind him. So when he was asked to go to Paris for the rest of the school year, Pacey couldn't have said yes faster.

Pacey was moving the last few boxes when he heard someone walk in behind him. He didn't stop what he was doing but talked to the person.

"Now Doug, before you say anything about the music, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking 'Damn, my little brother has gone mad because he's listening to pop rock,' of course in your closet case cop lingo though. Well, I have gone mad. You've seen me gone mad plenty of times in the past short months but I'm really out of it now. I know you can't understand how someone can like a song for its words rather than its sound but I can relate to the pop. I just wanted you to know that before you made fun of me, Doug."

"I'm not Doug, Pacey."

Pacey stopped and turned around. Joey Potter stood in front of him, hands in pockets and bottom lip between teeth.

Pacey's eyes got wide.

"Joey, uh, Hi. This us a…surprise."

Joey rocked on her feet.

"I know. I just…wanted to drop by."

There was an awkward silence. They just look at each other. Joey flinched and cleared her throat.

"I've heard you've been asked to go to Paris," Joey said.

"Um, yeah. For the rest of the school year. I should get my ticket on Monday."

Joey lifted up her eyebrows. "So you're going?"

Pacey nodded his head. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity Jo."

Joey sat down on the nearest box. Her eyes glazed over and she let out a sigh.

"Are you okay?" Pacey asked coming to her.

Joey looked up at him and smiled.

"Yeah, I just wish you would have told me sooner. I need to adjust to losing my best friend."

"Best friend?"

"Yeah Pacey, my best friend. I know I always seemed to get along better with Dawson but I have always considered you my best friend. You were the one who always comforted me. When I lost my toys, you were there. When I got picked on, you were my defender. Pacey, when my Dad left my Mom, you came by my house everyday for three months. I can always count on you. When you leave, I'll be losing my partner in crime, my verbal sparring partner…my best friend."

Pacey felt a smirk dance across his face. He looked at Joey for a second. She gave him this look, a look he was waiting for…now all he needed was her to say it.

Pacey stood up. "I would have told you sooner Jo, but I thought I would avoid that cheestastc cliché."

Joey smiled at Pacey who was moving more boxes. She crossed her legs and rested her chin on the back of her hand.

"And what cliché are you referring to, Mr. Witter?"

Pacey turned to her and rolled his eyes. "Why the most played out of all the clichés Ms. Potter: the goodbye scene."

"Yes, that one is played out."

"I didn't find any use in one. We confront about me going to Paris. You ask me about the trip, I tell. We have some conversation, all the while never really discussing what needed to be discussed…"

"It sounds like we're in the goodbye scene, Pacey."

Pacey sighed and turned away. "And you leave after giving me a reason to stay."

He looked down at his hands.

"See, that's what makes now different, I don't have a reason to stay, right Joey?"

Pacey closed his eyes and held his breath waiting for her answer. When Joey didn't answer, he opened his eyes and turned around. Joey was holding her own breath.

"Jo?"

Joey released her breath and looked at him.

"Um…"

Before Joey could say anything else, Doug walked into the garage. He looked up and noticed the two starring at him. "O…Joey, hi. I'll be outside," he said before turning away.

"No," Joey said standing up. Doug turned back around. "I'm going to get going anyway"

Joey turned back to Pacey. "I'll let you get back to uh…"

"Looking for the suitcases to leave," Pacey said.

Joey bit her lip and looked down.

"Right, so I'll go, "she said before walking away.

"Don't I get a goodbye?" Pacey asked.

Joey sighed and didn't turn around.

"Goodbye Pacey," she said before walking out.

Both of the Witter's watched as she left. Doug turned and looked at Pacey.

"Why was she here?" he asked pointing to the door.

Pacey let out a sigh.

"She found out about Paris."

"Who told her?"

"Who else? Jen."

"O."

Pacey shook his head. "You know, Joey has some nerve coming down here. She knew I didn't tell her because I didn't want her to know and yet she still asks me about it. Did you know she called me her best friend? Yeah BEST friend. Does she WANT me to feel worse about leaving for Paris?"

"Pace, calm down…"

"No I won't calm down! You saw how I had to ask her to say goodbye. She barely gave me that! And before, I asked her if I had a reason to stay and she didn't say a word! She wouldn't even give me a no…"

"How do you know she would have said no?"

Pacey froze and looked at Doug.

"What?"

"How do you know she would have said no? She must have cared about you leaving if she came and talked to you about it. Maybe she didn't answer your question because he she didn't know what to say and maybe she didn't say goodbye voluntarily because she didn't want to say goodbye."

"There were no signs that she was going to say yes…"

"But…"

"But what?"

"But there was. What did she do?"

Pacey smirked slightly.

"She gave me this look, Doug. This look like…"

"Like she really didn't want you to leave."

"Yeah, like that. And then when I asked her if I had a reason to stay, she held in her breath like she was going to say something but she stopped herself."

Doug smiled. "Pacey, ever since the hurricane, we have grown a lot closer. I would never want you to get hurt but I think you need to tell Joey you love her."

"Doug I…"

"Pacey, there is a chance that she might not feel the same way about you. But there is a greater chance that she may feel exactly the same way you feel about her. Is being with Joey not worth the chance? Besides, if she doesn't feel the same, at least you'll know and can move on to Paris."

Pacey thought about it and nodded his head.

"I'll tell Joey tonight."

Joey walked into the house quietly, not wanting to be bothered. She closed the front door with a soft click.

"Joey girl, is that you?" Lily said form the kitchen.

Joey rolled her eyes. She walked the short hallway to the kitchen and took a seat at the table. She looked at the table and played with the plastic that covered it.

Lily stopped what she was doing and faced her daughter. "Why didn't you answer?"

"I didn't want to state the obvious Mom."

"Having a bad day?"

"Yes, no, I don't know. It was okay and slowly descended into a long drawn out awkwardness consisting of discussion of weeks past, worn out clichés and Paris, France. All to end with me, sitting here, more confused than ever, wanting to fell into a deep DEEP hole."

"Care to explain this mumble Jumble?"

Joey sighed. "Eh, I don't really want to talk about it."

Lily rolled her eyes. "I hope you're nicer to your father tonight."

Joey sat up straight. "What? Why do I have to see HIM?"

"HE is your father and this dinner was planned for months now. Since you're late because you were god knows where, you need to take the bus instead of the train because you missed it. He'll meet you in Stucky when you get there."

Joey stood up. "You mean I have to go to his bimbo girlfriend's house? I won't go!"

Next thing Joey knew, she was on the bus to Stucky. She waited for her father but he never came. Joey walked to the house and banged on the door.

The door opened and Mike Potter was on the other side with his cell phone. He smiled and told Joey to wait for him in the dinning room before walking away. Joey walked through the big house and up the staircase to the dining room. Cindy, Mike's girlfriend, was already sitting at the table when Joey walked in.

"Oh Josephine, I expected you earlier. I wish you would have called if you were going to be late," Cindy said with a flick of her blonde hair.

"I wouldn't have been late if my FATHER picked me up."

Cindy giggled. "Josephine, how funny you are. Mike is a busy man and can't worry about silly things like picking YOU up. Still, you should have called."

Joey was about to say something back, when Mike walked in. Cindy left.

"Jo- Jo I'm sorry I didn't pick you up. I had some work I couldn't get out of. How was the walk?"

Joey put on a fake smile.

"It was long but manageable."

"Okay," he said not really listening, "Did you eat?"

"No," she said shortly.

"Oh, we already ate Jo- Jo, but I can get you something…"

"No, it's fine."

Mike sat down. "So, How are things Jo-Jo? Are you still dating Pacey?"

"Everything is good Dad. We aren't living in a box yet. I'm not with Pacey anymore but we're still friends…and aliens took over my body," she said looking at her Dad.

"That's good," Mike said looking through his papers.

Joey rolled her eyes. "How's Work?"

Mike smiled wide. "I love it! It is easily the best thing I have ever done."

That was it.

Joey squeezed her hands and shot up.

"What a bastard you are! I can't believe you just said that being the damn mayor of Boston is the best thing you've done. What about us? Huh Dad? What about me and Bessie? Does it ever register that we're your children? What about Alex? He's over a month old and you've seen him once. I haven't been dating Pacey for a month…A month Dad! Of course you wouldn't know that because we haven't spoken in over four! You didn't even come and pick me up from the bus station…"

"I said I was sorry!"

"That's all you ever say! I'm tired of it. I want you, not your apologies; you are never there, not since you left when I was twelve for this bimbo you started shaking up with. You are a bad father!"

Joey walked out and out f the house. Mike followed her. Once he was outside he made sure to keep his distance.

"I don't want you to hate me Jo-Jo," he said.

Joey wiped away her tears and turned to him. "I don't hate you. I'm just frustrated. I'm sorry I went off like that…When you left, I was torn apart. I loved you, I trusted you, and you just left. After that I didn't let anyone get close to me. But then Pacey and I changed and started something. He was the only boy I allowed myself to let in. what we had was amazing…and I got scared. He already got so close. I couldn't give him anymore so I broke things of. I wouldn't let another man get in my heart and leave. Now he's going off to Paris and I don't want him to go but I can't stop him," Joey turned back around.

Mike smiled at his daughter, walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"He did get in, didn't he Jo-Jo? You love Pacey."

Joey lowered her head. "Yeah Dad, I love Pacey. Too bad he's leaving."

Mike turned her around. "I want you to leave Joey. If I only get one chance to be a good father, let this be the time. I want you to go back to Capeside and tell Pacey you love him. I know he loves you too. When I saw you before you two were dating, I knew he loved you by the way he looked at you…he looked at you the way your mother use to look at me. You don't let a love like that leave on a plane."

7:30 and still no Joey. He was tapping his fingers on the counter when she walked into the Icehouse.

"Joey," he said with a smile.

Joey's mouth fell open. "What are you doing here?"

"I uh, I just wanted to clear some things up."

"Like what? She said approaching him.

"The last time we talked didn't go exactly as I hoped. I didn't want you to leave. I'm going to get to the point. Joey, I want you…"

Joey shook her head. "I…"

He placed his finger on her lips. "Tell me in a different way," he aid before replacing his finger with his own lips. He pressed firmly on her mouth. Joey lifted up her arms and pushed him away. She wiped at her mouth.

"What the hell are you doing?" she yelled.

"I just thought…" he began.

"No, you weren't thinking. How dare you. If you ever…"

"I won't! I promise."

"Good, now I want you to leave," she said pointing to the door.

He left, passing Jen on the way out, without any objections.

Jen walked in.

"What happened between you and Dawson right now?" Jen asked.

"He was just being stupid," Joey responded.

Jen looked at Joey oddly.

"What?" Joey said.

"Dawson kissed you, didn't he?"

Joey looked down. "Yes."

"I thought he did."

"You know, Dawson was right; Pacey could never care for me like he can…Pacey cares so much more…and now I need to tell him I love him."

Joey walked around the small town for an hour. She looked everywhere for Pacey. When Joey passed the beach, she saw him sitting in the sand looking to the water.

"I see you have your pal Jack Daniels with you, "Joey said sitting next to him and smiling.

Pacey looked at the bottle then back to the water. "I haven't gotten to it yet."

Joey looked at Pacey. He had a cold expression on his face and didn't look at her.

"You sure are hard to keep track of," Joey said trying to lighten the mood.

"My brother says the same thing," he said turning to her, not being able to stop himself.

"Where've you been?"

"Around you know…here, there…the Icehouse."

"The icehouse? I um, I didn't see you there."

"I didn't think you could, kissing Dawson and all."

"Pace, let me explain…"

"Why? We aren't anything? You can kiss whoever you want. Actually, I should be happy for you. You finally go together with the right guy. After years of yearning, you finally got the one you want…Dawson."

"That's not true Pacey…"

"It doesn't matter Joey. I lost. Period. I've lost you. The worst part is that I love you."

"You do?"

"Oh, big shocker there. Yeah, I love you. I am head over heels madly in love with you. I think you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen Jo, and I would do anything for you. I have thought hours on how to make you happy if only to see you smile for a minute. I love the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you smile, the way you bite your lip, the way you smell…the way you taste, I love everything about you. I even love the imperfections that make you perfect. All I can think about is holding you, kissing you and telling you how much I love you

But all of that doesn't matter because you don't want me. You have Dawson for all those things."

Joey looked into Pacey's blue eyes. She could see the hurt. Joey smiled and stroked his hair with her hand.

"I love you Pacey. I want you to know that. I don't want Dawson. What happened earlier was Dawson being a little forward, that's it. You are the only one I want to love and be loved by. You're right…I don't want you Pacey…I need you. I know we don't have the best track record and we're probably going to unintentionally hurt each other, but I'm willing to love you as long was you are willing to love me back."

Pacey smiled and wrapped his arms around Joey.

"I'm more than willing. I love you Joey."

"I love you too, Pacey."

Their lips came together for a kiss.

Love can seem like something out of the ordinary, but it truly is only a new state of mind.