Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, lines from the episodes, storylines or settings. I have no affiliation with the WB network. So don't sue me 'cause you won't get anything!

A/N: Hey! Sorry for not updating last weekend. Again… school was killing me. I really appreciate all the reviews I've gotten and I want to thank superfan24 for her ideas. She has helped me in all of my stories and I really appreciate her help. Thank you. :)

And I would also like to take a moment here to just pray or whatever… just think about the people who are suffering in Louisiana, Mississippi and now Texas (and also Arkansas and all the other states that have been affected by these events). This has been a horrible month for them and I just want everyone to really acknowledge their situation. This has been the worst hurricane season since the forties or even ever. So just don't them escape your thoughts… they never escape mine. But I'm lucky… I'm on the west coast so I don't have to worry about hurricanes… but apparently we're due for a major earthquake… which scares me a bit. But this isn't about me… it's about them. So just again… take a moment and just think about them and think of what you can do to really help them. Thank you.

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Ch.7 – Cry Me A River

Pacey was wandering around in his car for a while until he finally stopped at a place he didn't intend. He parked the car and walked up the familiar steps to their front door. He just stood there for a while… thinking about his decision. He finally knocked on the door and waited for the door to be answered. His hands shook… he really had no idea what he was doing here. The door finally swung open.

"Pacey? What are you doing here?"

They were caught off guard as Pacey answered.

"Hey Mitch. I was just wondering… is Dawson here? I really need to talk to him."

Mitch eyed Pacey and finally decided to let him in.

"Yeah. He's up in his room but I don't think it would be a good idea to go up there. He really doesn't seem to be on the best of terms with you right now."

"I don't care. We need to talk. And we need to talk now."

And with that Pacey stormed up the stairs to Dawson's room. He was about to open the door but he heard some yelling so decided to listen in instead of break up the argument.

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"Dawson why the hell did you kiss me!"

Joey screamed at the top of her lungs trying to understand why he would do something like that.

"You ruined what me and Pacey had. You ruined it! I hate you so much Dawson! You made me actually rethink who I wanted! And for that you really are a heartless bastard."

Joey awaited a response from Dawson who was standing by the edge of his bed very amused.

"Is it really a surprise that I kissed you?"

"Yes!"

"And why is that Joey? You know that I still love you. Don't you?"

He moved closer to Joey as her eyes bulged a bit. She didn't know what to do… she was powerless around him… she couldn't think… move… or do anything.

Dawson moved ever closer to Joey as he was mere centimeters from her face…

"Do you love me Jo?"

Joey looked up at Dawson and nodded slightly.

"Good."

He smiled before kissing her again. Joey's eyes closed trying to enjoy his kisses. But it just wasn't working. She pushed him back and he was a bit confused.

"No Dawson. I love you… I do… but not like that. The only person who I love like that is Pacey. He let's me be myself and there is no hidden agenda lurking the darkness with him. He just loves me for me… you don't Dawson. You may think you do… but god… you don't."

Joey was shaking her head to the floor as her mini speech came to a close.

"Well I guess we'll just have to change that."

Dawson moved closer to Joey and kissed her again and again. Joey kept trying to push him away but he just kept coming back to her.

"Dawson STOP! I don't want you! I WANT PACEY!"

"No you don't. You just haven't admitted it to yourself yet."

Dawson began to unbutton Joey shirt and she began to squirm.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING DAWSON!"

He pushed her down on the bed and went to her neck as he caressed her now bare stomach.

"I'm doing something that we've been waiting a long time to do."

Joey had tears in her eyes now as she whispered.

"No… I don't want this… I don't want you…"

She took a deep breath before screaming…

"NO! PACEY! PLEASE!"

It felt like someone up there really liked Joey because right after she screamed an enraged Pacey barged in a ripped Dawson off of Joey before punching Dawson a few times until he finally passed out. After Dawson was just lying on the floor unconscious Pacey finally made his way over to a shivering Joey… still in the position he found her in when Dawson was on top of her.

"Are you okay Joey?"

Joey finally recognized that this wasn't a dream and lunged into Pacey's arms…

"Pacey! I was so scared!"

She sobbed into his shoulder.

"I love you so much Pacey… thank you…"

She whispered her last words… she was so shocked that speaking would be too hard to do.

"Shhhhhhhh. I'm here now Jo. You don't have to be afraid anymore.

Pacey caressed her hair as Joey just lay there in his arms. Awhile passed before Pacey finally realized where they were.

"Hey… Jo?"

She moaned a bit at being awakened.

"We should probably go now… I don't think we really wanna be here in boy wonder over there wakes up."

Joey's eyes widened as the realization of where they were hit her as well. She tightened her grip on Pacey and he could feel her insecurity. She shoved her head into his neck before whispering…

"Will you carry me Pacey? Please?"

"Of course I will Potter."

"Thanks."

Pacey then put his arms under her leg and held her head as he lifted her off the bed. She clung to him for dear life as he made his way out of Dawson's room and down the stairs.

Mitch was still by the door a bit shocked when he saw Joey in Pacey arms with her unbuttoned shirt flailing about. He decided not to ask… he just nodded to Pacey who nodded back. Mitch opened the door for them and then closed it again. He was about to have a serious talk with his son.

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Pacey carried Joey to his car and opened the passenger door. But he couldn't get her in since she was still clinging to him like if she let him for one second he would be gone. He stroked her hair before murmuring

"It's okay Jo. Nothing is gonna happen. I'm here now. You're okay."

He felt Joey nod into his neck before she finally let him go and settle into her seat. He closed her door and climbed in on his side. He started up the car and began to make his way to the B&B.

The whole trip was silent. Once they stopped in the driveway Joey grabbed Pacey's arm and looked at him in sheer hope.

"Pacey… I don't want to stay here tonight. Can I just stay with you?"

Pacey didn't want to deny her since she had obviously had a traumatic night. She could deal with Bessie's screams in the morning… but not tonight… tonight she needed someone who would just hold her in their arms and comfort her to no end. She needed him.

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Pacey pulled up in his assigned parking space in the apartment complex and stopped the car. He got out and made his way to her side of the car. When she didn't move he decided to help her out. He reached across her lap to undo her buckle. When his hand lightly caressed her legs she screamed. He backed away and spoke to her.

"Jo. I need to unbuckle your seatbelt. Which means I will have to reach across your lap. Can I do that?"

Joey began to nod but then shook her head furiously.

"I'm not going to do anything Jo. All I'm gonna do is unbuckle your belt, carry you up to Douggie's apartment and hold you in my arms for the rest of the night. That's it. I swear."

He whispered his last words just like he had at the grocery store when he said that he didn't have any feelings for her. He chuckled slightly… that sure was a long time ago. At least things were a lot more different then. Pacey was still trying to deny his feelings for Joey. Which seemed harder than he thought. But she finally gave into her feelings too and then somehow they just ended up here. A nodding Joey knocked him out of his reverie. She looked at him with sealed lips and tear stained cheeks. She trusted him. She trusted that he wouldn't do anything to her.

Pacey smiled and began to move his hand slowly over her lap. Joey pressed her eyes closed in distress at the feeling of anyone touching her. He finally got the buckle undone and she sighed knowing the worst of it was over. She quickly fell into his arms and he protectively put his arms around her. They were just holding each other in silence until Pacey finally picked her up and made his way to his brother's apartment. It was late so Douggie shouldn't be up bombarding Pacey with questions about what Joey was doing there and why she was there in her current position.

They managed to finally get inside of Doug's apartment and Pacey set Joey down on the couch. He went to get his blanket that Doug had put in the linens closet like always. That really annoyed him… every night he would have to grab his blanket out instead of just having it there waiting for him.

He got his blanket and made his way back to the living room where a shivering Joey sat. She still hadn't buttoned her shirt back up. It would make sense that she wouldn't though. Anything touching her there might be too traumatic for her.

He sat down on the couch and just looked at Joey. He was admiring her beauty and thanking god or whoever that was up there that they made it so that Josephine Potter loved him. Joey looked over at him and smiled. She looked down at her unbuttoned shirt and then looked back at Pacey.

"Will you please button my shirt back up?"

That question caught Pacey off guard. If she had squirmed from him unbuckling her seatbelt how would she react if he was actually touching one of her most intimate places. He looked at her a bit trying to make sure she meant it. Joey took his hand and placed it by her heart. Pacey breath caught at the feel of her skin underneath his.

"I need you to do this Pacey. If I'm ever going to let myself trust you or any other guy for that matter then you have to do this. Please."

Pacey gulped and nodded. He slowly made his way down her chest to her waist where the shirt first comes together. One-by-one he buttoned up her shirt. He could see Joey's eyes shut tight trying to hold back her urges to brush him off. When he made it up to her breasts Joey's breath got caught in her throat. Her breaths became short and shallow… which didn't make things any easier for Pacey. But he finally made it up to her neck and kissed her cheek.

Joey opened her eyes and sighed knowing that nothing had happened. She took his hand and kissed its palm until she finally pulled him into a tight hug. Pacey sighed knowing himself that he had finished his task successfully. They were there hugging on his couch for a long time until Joey pulled Pacey down with her so he was laying on top of her. He could sense Joey's insecurity but just moved behind her and placed his arm around her protectively so they were now spooning. Joey placed her hand on his and pressed it into her stomach more before she whispered…

"I love you Pacey…"

She quickly fell asleep after that. She had had a rough night and she needed all the sleep she could get. Pacey pulled the blanket up over them both and nuzzled his face into her neck and whispered back…

"I love you too Potter…"

He sighed as he could feel sleep coming upon him too…

"I love you too…"

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Reviews are very much appreciated! If you have any questions or anything I'll answer them in the beginning of the next chapter! Also I would really appreciate some constructive criticism (if you have any that is). THNX FOR READING MY FIC!

So did you guys enjoy this chapter? What do you think will happen? Will Dawson ever get into his head that Joey and Pacey are together? Speaking of Joey and Pacey… what do you think will happen with them? Will they let Dawson tear them apart? Will there happy moment last… or will it get torn away from them in one instant? THANKS FOR READING MY FIC! Also don't forget about the Gulf Coast. They need all the help they can get. Thank you for caring. :)