I know it's been forever since I posted a chapter here! Sorry about that! Due to the lack of chapters over the past who knows how long, I'm gonna post two today…

Thanks for the replies all! Sorry to not reply to all individually, I promise I will soon!

Anyway, here's chapter four, five to follow!

Snowie

Chapter Four:
Reunions

THE NEXT DAY
Capeside Memorial

"Thanks for coming down," John Witter said. "Pacey seems to really trust you..."

"He trusts you too," Paul said. "But he also knows that you expect something from him. You can't help it."

Mr. Witter nodded. "I understand that. I just wish..." He stopped himself. "I guess that's part of the problem, huh?"

Paul looked at him sympathetically. "I don't know. Pacey really needs to see a psychiatrist. I wish I could help more, but all I can really do is look at this from an outsiders perspective. More than that..."

Mr. Witter nodded. "I talked to some of the doctors here. They all suggest someone who specializes in kids. Someone whose dealt with kidnappings before, but none of them can recommend..." He sighed. "I know it was stupid, but I just thought that it would be so easy. He's alive and he's back..."

Paul looked thoughtful. "I might be able to help you. I have a friend whose a child psychologist. He's semi-retired now, but I think that he'd be more than happy to help... Let me give him a call."

Mr. Witter nodded. "Thanks again Paul. You have no idea..."

"He saved my life Mr. Witter. Anything I do for him...It can never compare to that." Mr. Witter nodded and was about to say something further when Doug arrived.

"Dad!" Doug exclaimed, hurrying towards his father with Carrie at his heels. "Where's Mom? Is he...?"

"Your mother's in with Pacey," John said.

"Dad?" Carrie questioned. He held out his arms and gave her a hug.

"Where's Gretchen?" He asked.

"She wanted to come right away," Doug said. "But I convinced her to finish up her last few midterms before racing back here."

Mr. Witter nodded. "That was probably a good idea." He turned to Paul. "Doug, Carrie, this is Paul Andrews. Paul, these are my two oldest. Carrie and Doug."

"Nice to meet you," Paul said, holding out his hand which Doug and then Carrie shook.

"Dad told me all that you've done for Pacey. Thanks."

"It was my pleasure," Paul said. "Speaking of help, I'm going to go call David." He nodded to Mr. Witter and Doug and Carrie and then turned to find the payphones.

They watched him go for a minute and then Doug turned to his father. "Can we see him?"

"Come over here and sit down," Mr. Witter said. "There are some things that I need to tell you."

"What is it Dad?" Doug asked as they sat down. "Why is he in the hospital anyway?"

"He was shot, Dougie."

"What?"

"The woman who had him decided that Paul needed to be shot as an example. I guess Pacey thought that it was because Paul had talked to him, and it probably was. Anyway, he jumped in front of Paul and saved his life. They managed to get out of there, I don't want to go into how right now..." Mr. Witter shuddered, how they had gotten out still scaring him. "You need to know that...there's evidence of extensive and long term abuse, physical and mental." Mr. Witter took a deep breath. "She beat him. That..." He took another deep breath. "Bruises, new and fading. Burn marks, scars...He's going to need some time...He's distant. He's cold, but I know that it's because he's scared. I just don't know how to get through that barrier. Prepare yourself for meeting a Pacey different from the one who left..." They were silent for a few minutes.

"Can we see him?" Doug asked.

"In a little while."

Doug nodded. "Look, I promised Dawson and Joey that I would call them when he got back to Capeside." Mr. Witter nodded, glad that Doug had thought to call them. "I'm going to go do that. When do you think that they can see him?"

"Not for a while," Mr. Witter said. "We think leaving it at family is best for now."

Doug nodded. "I'll tell them."

Dawson's

Dawson looked up as Joey climbed through the window into his room. "Where've you been?" He asked.

"Around," Joey said. "Just walking and thinking." She looked a Dawson, a questioning look on her face. "Why, what's going on?"

"Doug called," Dawson said. "Pacey's in Capeside Memorial."

"Can we see him?" Joey asked, sitting down on the bed.

Dawson shook his head. "He said it's only family right now." He looked at her expectantly.

Joey looked torn for a moment. "Let's go."

Dawson smiled slightly. "You read my mind. What are we waiting for?"

Capeside Memorial

Joey and Dawson walked into the hospital and after questioning the nurse at the front desk, they were soon on their way to Pacey's room. As they rounded a corner, Joey came to a dead stop, causing Dawson to run into her. "What?" He asked.

"I'm not seeing that," Joey said, rubbing her eyes.

"What?" Dawson asked.

"That," Joey said, pointing to a girl of about their age, dressed in a candy striper's uniform.

Dawson's gaze followed Joey's finger and his mouth dropped open in surprise. "No way!" He said. "Hurry, let's..."

"Too late," Joey said resignedly as the girl caught sight of them and walked over.

"Josephine, Dogson. What are you doing here?"

Joey rolled her eyes. "We could asked you the same question, Abigail," Joey said sarcastically.

"Duh, I'm a candy striper," Abby said. "What, the uniform didn't clue you in?"

"I know what you're doing Abby, but I have absolutely no idea why you are a candy striper."

"I like to help people," Abby said. Joey scoffed and Abby's eyes narrowed. "Okay so it looks good on college applications. What's it to you?"

"Now that's the Abby I know," Joey said.

Abby glared at her. "Well, what are you doing here?"

Joey snorted again. "If you don't know then there's no way in hell that I'm going to tell you."

"Joey!" Dawson said, looking at her meaningfully.

"It doesn't matter Dawson. She's not what he needs right now."

"Shouldn't we let him decide that?"

"We will, but right now, I'm not going to tell her, alright? You can if you want to, but I'm leaving." She glanced at Abby, finding it hard to believe that there had actually been a time when she hadn't hated this girl and vise versa, but if their group had ever been a quad instead of a trio, then Abby had been the fourth member. Not as close as the other three, but she had occasionally tagged along on their adventures.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Abby asked, confused.

Joey looked at Dawson expectantly. "Well?"

Dawson looked torn for a minute and then sighed. "You'll find out soon enough," Dawson said. "See you later."

He and Joey hurried away, leaving behind a curious and puzzled Abby. She was about to follow them when a nurse called her over.

"Abby? I need your help." Abby gazed after Joey and Dawson for a minute. "Abby?" The nurse questioned again.

Abby let out an annoyed sigh. "Alright, alright. I'm coming."

Outside Pacey's Room

Joey and Dawson entered the hall where Pacey's room was and saw a group of people gathered to one side of it. They walked over to Pacey's family uncertainly, noticing the defeated cloud around them. Doug caught sight of them and waved. "Dawson, Joey," he said with a slight smile. "I guess I should have known that you guys would show up anyway."

"How is he?" Joey asked. "Is there any way that we can see him?"

Doug looked at his parents and Paul. "It might help him," Paul said. He turned to Dawson and Joey. "He's...He's having a hard time with this whole thing."

"Who are you?" Dawson asked, curious.

"My name's Paul," Paul said.

"He found Pacey," Mr. Witter said. "Paul, that's Dawson and the young lady is Joey. They're Pacey's best friends."

Paul nodded. "Why doesn't Dawson go in first." He turned to Dawson. "Don't push him. I think that he'll be happy to see you, but who knows if he'll show that."

Pacey's Room

Pacey sighed and leaned his head back against his pillow. Was it always going to be this painful? Each time his parents came in it was almost like it hurt more. The looks that they gave him. The expectation in their eyes. It was like they expected him to be the person he had been six years ago. The only problem was, he didn't know how to be that anymore. Doug and Carrie were the same way. And uncomfortable. Everyone was so uncomfortable. He wished that Gretchen was there. Somehow, he had a feeling that of all his family she would understand the most. Maybe she would be able to look at him without the expectation.

Pacey looked up as a knock came to the door. A blond boy about his age stuck his head in. "Can I come in?" He asked uncertainly.

Pacey studied him for a minute, the face familiar, but it was hard to believe... "Dawson?" He questioned. The boy nodded. "My god! Come in!"

Dawson entered the room slowly, studying the boy in the bed. He stuck his hands in his pockets and stood next to the bed, rocking from side to side a little uncomfortably. "Sit down," Pacey said, motioning to the chair beside the bed. Dawson sat and then took a deep breath.

"So," he said.

"So," Pacey said.

"This is a little weird, huh?" Dawson said. "I have so many things that I want to tell you but I don't even know where to start..."

Pacey shrugged. "Well, how about...How's Joey?"

Dawson smiled. "You'll get to ask her that yourself," he said softly.

"She's here?" Pacey asked, surprised.

"Right outside, waiting her turn. They're only letting us in one at a time you know."

"So are you two...?" Pacey asked looking at Dawson meaningfully.

Dawson's eyes opened wide. "Nope. For a little while. It didn't work. We were never meant to be anything more than friends."

Pacey nodded, digesting this. When he had thought about his friends and what they would be doing with their lives, he had always pictured Dawson and Joey together. Always together. To find out that they weren't was a bit of a surprise. "Girlfriend?"

"Andie...Andrea McPhee. She moved here during sophomore year."

Pacey nodded again and studied Dawson for a minute...And there it was again. That expectant look. That hope...Pacey closed his eyes and sighed, fighting back the desire to cry.

Dawson looked at him uncertainly for a minute, sensing his withdrawal. "You look tired. Do you want me to..."

Pacey opened his eyes. "Yeah...yeah, I think so. I...It was great to see you again, Dawson."

"You too Pace," Dawson said softly. "Do you want me to tell Joey...?"

"No," Pacey said. "No, I'd...I'd like to see her for a minute."

Dawson nodded. "I'll send her in."

"Thanks Dawson." Dawson nodded again and left the room. He went over to where Joey was talking with Pacey's family. They looked at the almost defeated expression on his face and sighed.

"He was so distant," Dawson said. "Interested but...so far away."

"Don't take in personally Dawson," Doug said softly. "He's like that with everyone..."

Dawson nodded and turned to Joey. "He said that he was tired, but he does want to see you for a minute. You feel up to this?"

Joey nodded. "I want to see him," she said. "I'll see you guys in a few." The others nodded and watched as she approached Pacey's door and knocked before entering.

Pacey looked up as a beautiful brunette entered his room. He studied her for a minute, searching out the child that he remembered in the beautiful young woman in front of him. "Jo," he said softly.

"Pacey," She said, a smile lighting up her face. A smile that he couldn't help but return. Joey studied him in surprise. That one change in expression did wonders for him. The shadows disappeared and she was somewhat surprised to find that he was not only cute, but incredibly handsome.

Pacey watched her as she studied him and saw the expression start to grow and his smile faded. "Not you too," he whispered softly.

"What?" Joey asked.

"Nothing," Pacey said.

"No. Really," Joey said. "Not me too what?"

Pacey looked at his hands for a minute and the raised his head, his eyes boring into hers. "Don't look at me with that expectation. Like you expect me to suddenly morph into the eleven year old Pacey from the days of yore. Like I'll suddenly be him instead of this stranger. I've already had enough of that from my family and Dawson."

"You think that's what we expect?" Joey asked, surprised.

"Either that, or that I'm going to suddenly sprout a second head. I haven't quite decided yet."

Joey laughed. "How about if I swear that all I expect from you is that you remember me? And that we can go from there. Learn about the people that we are now instead of the ones that we were then?"

"Well, if you swear," Pacey said in an amused voice. Joey laughed again and Pacey felt himself relax. A relieved smile spread across his face. This was better. Not so uncomfortable. Joey returned the smile and Pacey found himself staring at her in amazement.

Joey noticed and began to feel a little self conscious. "What?" She questioned softly.

"Nothing," Pacey said shaking his head. "It's just..."

"What?" Joey asked uncertainly, biting her lower lip.

"You're so beautiful Potter. Absolutely gorgeous." Joey blushed and looked down at her hands. "What?" Pacey said, an amused look on his face. "Certainly you must know that you're beautiful?"

"Pacey..." Joey started.

"Jo, you've always been beautiful. I knew even way back when that you were going to be a hottie. But even what I imagined didn't come close..."

"Could we maybe change the subject please?" Joey begged, her face bright red.

Pacey smiled, willing to do anything, say anything, as long as that look didn't come. "Sure," he said. "Why don't you tell me what you've been up to. Friends, lovers, enemies...Speaking of friends, what's up with Abby and Will and the others. Are they still around?"

"Will moved," Joey said. She bit her lip uncertainly.

"And Abby?" Pacey prompted.

"Oh, Abby's around," Joey said noncommittally.

Pacey nodded, something coming to mind. "And you guys hate each other now."

Joey nodded. "Pretty much."

"And you would describe her as?"

"Heinous bitch generally, but don't let that influence you Pace. If she wants to, and is capable of being, your friend, then I don't want to get in the way of that."

Pacey nodded. "So any friends besides Dawson?" He asked with an evil grin.

"Hey!" Joey said, glaring at him. "I'll have you know that I have plenty of friends." Pacey raised his eyebrows. "There's Jen Lindley," Joey said. Pacey looked blank. "Mrs. Ryan's granddaughter." Pacey nodded, looking at Joey questioningly. She seemed to sense what he was asking. "Sentenced to the wilds of Massachusetts from New York City thanks to wild behavior. She's cool. And the McPhee's. Andie and Jack."

"Ah, Dawson's girlfriend," Pacey said nodding, watching her carefully to gage her reaction to that title. She just nodded and smiled, not disturbed in the least that Dawson had a girlfriend other than her.

"Yup. That's our group." She looked at Pacey for a minute. "You're going to join, right?"

"What?" Pacey asked, confused.

Joey rolled her eyes. "Our 'group' of course." Pacey looked uncertain and there was a pause. "Pace?" Joey said, realizing that she had probably gone too far too fast. "I didn't mean to push. I just..."

Pacey smiled softly. "It's alright Jo. I'm glad you want me too, but I think that...It would just be better to wait and see what happens." Joey nodded. She watched as Pacey closed his eyes and shifted in position. He looked so tired!

"Oh, damn," she said softly, suddenly angry with herself.

"What?" Pacey said.

"Dawson told me that you were tired, and here I am..."

"It's alright, Joey," Pacey said. "I like talking to you."

"Well we can talk tomorrow," Joey said. "You need sleep."

"Thanks for coming," Pacey said softly. "It... It was great to see you again."

"I'll be back tomorrow," Joey said, taking his hand. "And the only expectation that I'll have is that you'll be somewhat happy to see me."

"You can count on it," Pacey said giving her hand a squeeze.

"Bye Pace."

"Bye Jo." Joey smiled at him one last time and then left the room. Pacey watched her go, a smile on his face. It faded as the light that she had brought into the room left with her, his mind straying back to all the other people in his life. He sighed and closed his eyes, allowing himself to slip into sleep, deciding that he could worry about that later.

Outside Pacey's Room

Joey approached the group in the hall with a small, almost sad smile on her face. The others looked up as she approached. "How did it go?" Dawson asked.

"Good," Joey said with a smile. "We talked...Not about anything too deep, but...he didn't push me away." She looked at them. "He only does that because he thinks that you're expecting something of him. I don't know if you actually are..."

"What did he say exactly," Paul asked.

"He said that everyone looks at him like they're expecting him to suddenly morph into the eleven year old Pacey from the days of yore instead of the stranger that they see."

"And you said...?"

"I asked if that was actually what he thought we were expecting."

"And?"

"And he said, 'Either that or they're expecting me to suddenly grow a second head. I haven't quite figured it out yet.'" A half happy, half sad sound broke from Mrs. Witter and Joey nodded, knowing where it had come from. It was such a Pacey-like statement. "He's still there," she said with a smile. "He might not be the Pacey he was six years ago, but that boy is still a part of him. You just have to let him be this Pacey too."