Chapter 2: Family Reunion

The sun gleamed through the window of Pacey's bedroom. He pulled the cover over his head to block out the sun, but it was too late. He sat upright in his bed, tired and grumpy. His eyes partly open, he looked over at calendar on the wall. The blue ink scribbled on today's date read 'Joey's 27th Birthday." This made Pacey smile. Ever since Joey and him got back together, his life has been filled with hope and happiness.

As he hopped out of bed, he sighed. He always seemed to wonder why she chose him over Dawson. Growing up, Pacey took the constant flirting and hormonal tension between them for love. Maybe times changed, he thought. Still, he always had this reoccurring nightmare of Joey leaving him again for Dawson.

Walking downstairs, Pacey decided to make his first official duty of the day to make coffee. But between going from the hallway to the kitchen, he heard the phone ring.

Pacey picked up the cordless. "Hello?"

"Hey man," came a tired man's voice form the other end.

Pacey recognized the voice. "Dawson?"

Dawson chuckled on the other end. "Long time, no see," Dawson finally said.

Dawson and Pacey hadn't seen each other since Gale was married six months ago. Part of this was Pacey's fault. He though if he and Joey got friendly again with Dawson, Joey's old feelings for him would come back.

"What's up?" Pacey said with a sigh.

"Not much. I had my meeting with Spielberg this morning."

"How is your movie going?"

"Good. Him and I are going to co-direct the movie version based on The Creek."

Pacey moved into the living room and fell back on the couch. "Sounds like fun"

"It is. So enough about me. How have you and Joey been?"

Pacey sighed. He didn't want to tell Dawson that their relationship was doing great. But lying would just make it worse.

"Good, I guess. I am still running the Ice House. Business is going good. Just same old, same old. Moved into an house close to the Ice House"

"And Joey?"

Knowing he couldn't get around it, he answered. "She bought an apartment down here and is taking classes at the local community college."

"The relationship must be going good if she moved from Boston back to Capeside."

Pacey didn't respond. He now regretted picking up the phone.

"Look, man, not to be rude, but we haven been on speaking terms lately. Is there a reason you called?" Pacey finally responded.

"Actually, there is. I am coming down to Capeside for a couple of weeks. I was going to come down for Joey's birthday, but my plane doesn't leave until tonight."

"Why the sudden visit?"

Now Dawson laughed. "To see all my old Capeside buddies!"

Pacey suspected there was another reason, but didn't ask.

"Hey that's great! Where are you staying?"

"With my mom, step dad, and Lily."

"Great. Look, I have to run," Pacey said. He wanted to call Joey and wish her happy birthday before she left for school. "But call me at your mom's house when you get there, ok?"

"Can do. And look, Pacey, I really just want to be friends again. Like old times?"

Pacey doubted it would be like old times, but he really wanted them to all be friends again.

"Ok Dawson. See ya"

"Bye"

Pacey hung up the phone, and then quickly dialed Joey.

She picked up. "Hello?"

"Happy birthday, babe."

Joey chuckled. "Thanks Pacey."

Pacey laughed. "Pacey who? This isn't Pacey."

Now Joey laughed. "Stop it." She couldn't help but giggle a little bit. "So what's up?"

"Not much. Guess who just called?"

"Who?" Joey responded.

"Dawson"

Joey sat down. She hadn't seen or talked to him in over six months.

"What did he want," she finally said.

"He is coming down for a couple of weeks."

"When?"

"He said he was leaving tonight, so he should be here tomorrow. He is staying with Gale and Lily."

"Wow," Joey gasped. Finally seeing Dawson again could ruin the relationship her and Pacey had been working so hard on.

"Yeah. My reaction exactly."

"Look," Joey said, "I got to run. "

"Are we still on for dinner tonight?" Pacey asked.

"Ahh, my birthday dinner."

"Yep. I'm closing down the Ice House so we can have it all to ourselves."

"Sounds like fun. Cannot wait. Meet you there at…?"

"I'll pick you up at your apartment at six?" Pacey asked.

"Ok," Joey responded.

"Bye. I love you."

"I love you," Joey said.

After they hung up, Pacey sat down. How were him and Joey going to handle seeing Dawson? All he knew was that he needed to maintain firm grip on her.