The Unseen Obstacle CH.10

I Disclaim

Two Months Ago

"Potter." Joey almost dropped the book she was placing in her locker, and quickly turned and expecting to see Doug, but was slightly disappointed when she just saw Pacey. "How is my favorite Ice Queen?"

"Busy Jailbait."

"Seriously Joey." Pacey leaned against her locker and gave her a small smile." Remember how we're and friends look out for each other and do things together." "In that spirit what do you say we check out the movies this evening, it's always been fun."

"Since when have the movies been fun?"

"Since it's doesn't include an opinionated blonde or his nerdy role model Spielberg."

"Oh you mean that one time when we went to see Dumbo."

"Yeah."

"Pacey…" Joey started to let him down easy and give an excuse of having a paper to write, but then she caught sight of another familiar yet in her opinion annoying blonde. Andie McPhee was just up ahead of them flirting with some guy that Joey had never seen before, and suddenly all the pieces fit. "Sure why not, I get to see a movie, have a great meal, make you pay for it all, what's not love."

"Alright Potter, I'll pay but you better put out."

She gave him a serene smile, right before she jab him in the stomach with her fist." Or you could pay, and I won't tell anyone how you cried all through Bambi."

"I was eight."

"Yeah the first time, explain the other five times."

"You are an evil wench."

"Oh admit it Pacey, deep down, don't you really like abusive woman."

"Shut up Potter, and tell when to pick you up."

"Uh… how bout I meet you at the theater, at six, I have to go do something really quick, but at six I'm all yours until the money runs out."

"See ya then Potter."

Joey waved o Pacey before shutting her locker and heading out, wondering how exactly she was going to get out of her plans with the other Witter she was suppose to see.

Doug watched the woods surrounding the Potter B&B, what were the chances that the one day he needed to head out early would be the one the day that someone besides him and Joey were in the woods actually making out." Don't these people have homes to go to?"

He left his cruiser and the partially hidden path that let to the old shack located deep in the woods. He had to make this fast, get the kids out, and then be on his way, he had a romantic night to plan for and horny high school punk was messing up his plans.

He stopped about three feet from the shack and checked the road; sure enough there was a car, a blue late model cavalier. "Blue Cavalier." Like Paul Baine drove, suddenly Doug felt very weary going up to the shack, he knew it wasn't Joey in there with him, cause loved him , of that he was certain, but the idea that he might find Jack McPhee in there was appealing at all. "Suck it up Doug." Stepping just outside the door, knocked on the door of the shack." Alright you two break it up this is private property, come on out."

He lent against a tree and waiting he could hear the rustling of clothes, and whispered words, but when he looked up he got the shock of his life. It was indeed Paul Baines but it wasn't Jack with him, it was Andie Pacey's ex that followed behind the halfback. She noticed him and quickly dropped her eyes to the ground. "Ah like I said private property and you two are trespassing, so I need you to clear out."

They both moved toward the car, but Doug stopped Paul and moved his head to the side, the kid followed and Doug just stared at him. "Do you remember me?"

"Ah yeah, you're Witter's brother."

"Yeah Deputy Witter, I was your wake up call at Jack's bout two months ago." Doug scratched his chin and shook his head." Now call me crazy but weren't you with another girl then."

"Huh." The blonde halfback furrowed his brow obviously deep in thought." Oh you mean the Potter chick, naw man she's too much work, I had to tell her I was gay to even get her alone." "Don't get me wrong she's hot as hell, but she got more issues then I like in a girl I'm just trying to score with, know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I know." Being naive was no one on the list and for the first time in an hour Doug's smile was genuine." Look ah… what's your name."

"Paul Baine."

"Here's the thing Baine, there are cameras in the trees, watching this place to prevent trespassing, and since you got caught on camera, I have to fine you for trespassing." 'And trying to sleep with Joey' "Now here's we I do you a favor Paul, the trespassing fine is a grand."

"Dude."

"I know it's unfair." What was really unfair was that he couldn't pop this kid, and get away with it." But cause you know my brother, I'm going to slash that in half and make it only five hundred." Doug took out his notebook and started writing the ticket, it was a massive abuse of power but after years on the straight and narrow he felt he was owed a little compensation." Here you go Paul, not on private property okay? Bye."

Doug swaggered off whistling under his breath, and feeling happier then he had in hours. By the time he reached his car, he knew two things, one was he couldn't tell Joey that Paul Baine wasn't gay, two was that he couldn't let Pacey find out that Andie was Paul's new conquest. He had just settled into his cruiser when he felt a pair of eyes on his back. "Josephine you got a death wish."

"If I said yes, would you use the hand cuffs?"

"Joey…." He groaned, before turning to look at her in seated in his back seat." What are you doing here; I thought we were meeting at my place later."

"Yeah." Joey bit her lip and moved her hair behind her ear." I don't think I'll be able to make it, tonight."

"What, why?"

"I have a friend in crisis, and they need me tonight, so can we reschedule or maybe I could see you later on tonight?"

He wanted to refuse, he had been waiting all week to spend some time with her, but she wouldn't be the woman he loved if she didn't put her friends first." Sure, call me when you're free and we'll work something out."

"See, I knew there was a reason I loved you, I kissed you but …"

"Yeah, I know." They were parked to close to the road, and anyone driving by could see them, and them getting caught meant more then just the secret coming out. "See ya later."

"Just try to stop me." Joey gave him a wink, and then ducked down sneaking out of the car, and heading toward her house.

"That was a god awful movie, Pacey." Joey pushed through the double doors of the theater, and glared at her friend." I can't believe you took me to see Van Wilder."

"What I thought you would want to laugh."

"And you thought that movie would do it." He shrugged his shoulders and keep walking his head was hanging low, and." Pacey what's going on?"

"Nothing just two friends getting together for a movie and some dinner."

"Pacey, be honest with me." Joey moved toward the wall and pulled him back there with her, so that other people could move past." Friends tell each other things."

Pacey looked at her out of the corner of his eye." You know she's back don't you, that's why you said you come, I know you were going to turn me down Potter."

"Well that before you offered to pay." She took in his posture, and his lowered head, and silently damned Andrea McPhee, if there was ever someone she was going to make pay it was that girl, it wasn't enough that she had to try to change Pacey when they were dating, but she also had to break his heart. "Pacey?"

"Yes?"

She turned toward him and gave him a very unJoey like smile, before she hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek." I love you Pacey."

"Thank you Potter." He threw his arm over her shoulder, and began leading toward the dinner on the corner.
" Come on maybe if I feed you, you won't talk so much."

Joey elbowed him in the gut and laughed at the face he made." Big baby." She wrapped her hand around his arm and stayed by his side, knowing he needs the comfort and glad she could give it.

So focused on helping Pacey deal, she never noticed Doug Witter leaving the bookstore just across the street, staring at them like he never seen them before, and never noticed how right they looked together.