The Unseen Obstacle CH.6

I Disclaim

Four Months Ago

Stepping from behind the pillar he steps in the Library, and spots her immediately sequestered at a small table in the corner surrounded by books, and chewing on her pen in an irritatingly adorable fashion. He shook the thought from his head, things like that keep him in trouble.

But the truth was Joey Potter was what keeps him in trouble, her and her long legs, big brown eyes, and very kissable mouth. Remembering his focus he stealthy walked over to her table, coming up behind her. "Joey."

She looked up from her book and rolled her eyes. "Doug."

"Can we talk?" He looked around the room, he was noticeably uncomfortable.

"Depends, do we need to go to a secure location, or will right here do if I promise to use your codename." Joey held back the chuckle, he was searching the room as if he suspected the CIA to jump and grab him at any time. "Sit down and talk Doug, or shut up and leave."

" Are you always this pleasant, or is it that time of the month." He said even as he did in fact sit down across from her.

She dropped the pen down on the table and looked at him with shock and anger. " Are you actually suggesting that there is no other reason for me to be upset with you other then my menstrual period, cause if you are, then you're a bigger tool then I ever imagined."

"Look Joey…"

Joey closed her notebook and glared at him." Let me guess… Joey I've been thinking about how wrong this is, how young you are and how old I am, and how impossible this situation is, that I'm violating the trust of Bessie and even Pacey." She reaches across and places a hand over his." I think it's in our best interest if we don't see each other again." She dropped his hand and picked up her pen opening the notebook again and starting to write." How'd I do?"

"I'm serious Joey."

"So am I." She closed the book again." Do I look like I need this?"" Seriously do you really think I enjoy spending half my time making out you, and the other breaking up with you, cause I don't."

"Joey this was doomed from the beginning."

"Yes it was, and now I 'm through, there will be no run ins, no more meetings secret or otherwise." She began to pack up her books." You may be under the impression that I don't understand what's happening but I do, I'm aware of all the possible consequences of this, and I don't care, but I'm also tired of being the only one that seems to admitting that there's more here then just some hurried make out sessions in your cruiser." Snapping her back pack closed, she gave him a smile that sent chills down his spine." So for the first time in whatever the hell this is we're doing, I'm dumping you, Bye Deputy Doug."

She moved away from the table with her head held high, but inside she was hurting, for some unknown reason she actually liked Doug Witter and was starting to develop something deeper for him, but as usual she was destined to end up alone.

"Joey."

She turned and smiled at the only man she was sure would be termed her favorite ex. "Jack, hey how's it going?"

"Good, I'm doing well, I haven't seen you in a, well out side of school that is, movie nights haven't been as much fun since you stopped coming."

Joey smiled and shook her head." You can't fool me Jack, movie nights were never fun, just something to do in between parties."

" True, but still the fact remains that it just not as much fun listening to Pacey trash Dawson's obsession as it was listening you two do it in the middle of you or your knock down drag outs."

"Well I haven't been in the mood lately, but you know what things are looking up, I think I'm getting that social bug that causes me to leave my cave, and pretend to be a normal teenager again."

"Really, because your bug just happens to coincide with a very promising party."

"A party when like tonight?" At his nod, she smiled. "Now who is stupid enough to chance a party midweek?"

"That would be me." Nodding he continued." With Andie back in the treatment center and my father overseas for the month, and me at Gram; I thought I have an empty house full of liquor what better use for both then a large party bound to get out of control, and bring nothing but trouble."

"Well at least you're aware of the follies of your plan."

"Of course, I have no illusions. This will end in some kind of disaster, but as a wise man once said 'Sometimes you just got to say fuck it.'"

Joey nodding and seeing Doug over Jack's shoulder, she agreed." You're right, so what time should I be there, so that I can enjoy myself before the doom sets in."

"8 but brings cloths I figure we can crash after the party, and if we're still alive in the morning just head out from there." Jack started moving toward the exit and when he passed Joey he took her book bag from her before he went to hold open the door for her.

" Okay, but I have to warn you, if I get really drunk, I'm not going to school."

Jack followed her and laughed." See I always knew you had it in you to be a wild and reckless delinquent."

"Jack you have no idea."

The party seemed to be done by the time Doug got the call and managed to come over. Just pulling up into the drive way he could tell this was going to be messy; cars littered the front lawn along with beer cans, liquor bottles, clothes, and even some teenagers. "Christ."

Checking the mailbox, he knew he was in for more trouble 'McPhee', Pacey's friends, which meant Joey's friends. Well at least he knew she wouldn't be at a wild party on a Wednesday night, she'd be holed up in her room study for some class that she was already weeks ahead of , or watching E.T. with Dawson.

Preparing himself for anything h could find he gave his best 'cop knock' on the door, and waited for an answer. A minute of banging around and glass breaking the door was pulled open and he was meet with nothing, until he looked down, and saw Jack McPhee on the floor with Jen Lindley sprawled on top of him, seemingly have passed out after their long trek to the door. "Great."

Stepping over them he walked further into the house and gazed at the destruction. Like outside the inside was plastered with remnants of alcohol, clothes, drunken teens, paintings and pictures half of the walls, and dishes everywhere. His brother was sleeping on the piano bench, one teen was folded up and asleep in the fire place, and if he was mistaken that was Dawson Leery sleeping on the kitchen table, he was amazed anyone could sleep with the sound of Aerosmith going full blast. "ALRIGHT EVERYBODY UP." When that didn't work he walked over to the stereo and turned it off, which at least got some of them moving. "WAKEY WAKEY."

Pacey was the first one up, he lifted his head off the bench, and had a slice of pizza stuck to his face, as he tried to focus on his surroundings. "Doug what you doing here?"

"There was a compliant from the neighbors." He helped his brother to his feet, and shoved in the direct of the front door." Now go start waking your friends, and get them out of here, but you leave McPhee to me."

That done Doug started up the stairs a little afraid of what he would find considering what he'd seen so far. He was relieved when he realized he had one door to go, and found the upstairs relatively untouched. He opened the last door and was just too stunned to move.

There in the master bedroom lying over a half naked spread eagle boy he had never seen was Joey Potter.

Forty Minutes later

Doug sat in his cruiser a few feet away from the Potter B&B, just starting at the house.

"Hey Doug." Bessie watched him jump and gave a delighted chuckle." Is there a reason why you're parked outside my house?"

He rolled down the window, and smiled at his old friend." Hey Bessie, I'm hear because there have been reports of some teenagers skipping school in the woods back here probably using the old shack of Dawson and Pacey's as a make out spot." He noticed that she had Alexander and that they were on their way somewhere." Where are you off to, don't you have guest for the week?"

" Yeah, but Joey came home from her overnight at Jack's sick as a dog, so she's staying home from school, and while she's semi conscious I thought we get some errands done."

"Oh what do you think she has?"

"Truthfully." At his nod she gave the Potter Grin." A hangover, but she's been pretty quiet since Dad went back to jail, so I'm cutting her some slack." She checked her watch and gave him a small wave." I have to go, be careful Dougie, those teenagers can get wild."

Watching Bessie pull away with Alexander, he let his eyes go back to the house." Trust me I know."