The Unseen Obstacle CH.20

I Disclaim

"So how exactly is this grand opening going to work?" Jen said from on top of Joey's desk as the brunette got ready for Bodies' big night." I mean I get that we're opening the Tanner Fish & Chips, but how are we doing this when one owner's son is the enemy of the other owner's sister?"

"We're not enemies, we're just not friends."

"That's bull, Joey you told me what he said, I told you what he said, we both know what he said, and he's treating you like some mental patient that can't make a decision." "Jack's right he's a tool."

"That maybe the case but he's not my enemy, for that to occur I would have to care, and I don't anymore, Dawson can do what he likes, think what he likes, it's not my concern anymore."

"Can you really do this Joey; just cut him out of your life after all these years of friendship?"

She turns from the mirror, and looks at Jen with sad eyes." Was it?" "Was it a real friendship, could I be myself, could I make a mistake, was I allowed room to grow." "Pacey made some sense when he said that it wasn't a real friendship, you and me, you and Jack, me and Pace, the four of us, we have a real friendship." "I know because that thing with you know who was stupid and reckless and could have ended much worse then it did, but you all forgave me…"

"Joey there was nothing to forgive…"

" Wasn't there, you guys have been there for me when others just bailed out , and I lied to you, no one you came right out and asked me about it, but I still never opened up on any of the dozens of times you asked me what was going on, " " You forgave me for not being honest and he wouldn't have done that, if he knew he would turned you know who in, turned it into some major drama about me betraying him, " " I can walk away cause I know now that I'm not walking away from a friendship, I'm leaving a movie that I've seen too many times, and I just can't keep watching this bad storytelling."

Jen nodded." Good I just wanted to make sure."

"Trust me; I know it should hurt more, but that fact that it doesn't tells me that it's the right thing to do."

"You're getting wiser."

"Yeah well getting dumped by someone you think you love teaches you a lot."

"So you only think you loved him?"

"It's hard to explain, it's like I know it couldn't have been was I thought if it's so easy to end, if it's so easy to forget, and that's what happening a month ago, I could vividly remember every detail of every meeting we ever had, and now I just remember some things, like our first kiss, our first date, and I think of them as nice memories but they don't hurt as much anymore."

"Does Pacey have anything to do with this?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean and don't hit me for suggesting it, but could you be feeling that way because of the increased amount of time you spend with Pacey, and your relationship."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Forget it, if you don't see, we'll just let it be a surprise."

Gayle walked into her son's room, and watched s he struggled with his tie, just like his father he refused to admit he needed help with something." Let me get that for you." She walked over and began fixing his crooked tie. "Okay now I don't have to tell you how important his night is for me and the restaurant, so it goes without saying that I need you on your best behavior."

"I know, Mom."

"Good, then I won't be subjected to any scenes with you Pacey or Joey."

"No, I'm allowing Joey to self destruct on her own for awhile, we'll be together when she realizes the truth."

Gayle tightens the tie around his neck causing his to jump." And what is the truth Dawson?"

"That Pacey Witter is a hopeless case, and he can only bring her down." He stepped away from his mother and looked at his image in the mirror. "Joey has moments of recklessness but her self-preservation will kick in soon and she'll realize she's making the same mistake her mother made and with a man good enough for her."

"Dawson, what happened, when did Pacey go from your best friend to the villain of your piece?"

"He stole Joey from me."

" Really it was my understanding that you gave Pacey the job of being there for Joey, and that she developed feelings for him while you were taking your space, which in simple turns mean that she started dating someone else when you were broken up."

"Pacey knew I needed time."

"Then maybe it was Joey that decided your time was up." She steps behind him and brushed lint off his shoulder." It doesn't matter what reason you have for this, all that matters is that you recognize her choices even if they take her away from you."

Dawson raises his eyes and meets his mother's gaze in the mirror." You don't understand, but then I guess you've never loved anyone like I love Joey."

Gayle gave a bitter laugh and began walking to the door looking at him one more time." You're right Dawson I loved like Joey, but apparently just like me she learned better." "Remember what I said, no scenes, just stay away from them tonight."

Mitch grabbed her hand as she walked toward the stairs, a concerned look in his eyes." I'm sorry about what he said, I'll talk to him." "You're right it's like he's directing some movie and not acknowledging reality."

"The time for talking is done Mitch; if he starts anything tonight then I'm getting him therapy."

John grabbed the ringing phone and sighed into it. "Hello."

"Dad."

He sat up in his chair at the sound of his oldest son's voice." Douglas?"

"Yeah, how it going?"

John stood and moved into his den closing the door behind, him, he didn't want Pacey to know about the call. He had been on the receieving end of glares and heated looks of hatred since he let Doug run off, and all convestaion about his brother was meant with a scowl. " I should be asking you that, how's the training."

"It's good, I can't wait to come back and tell you guys what I learned."

"That's great Doug; this will go along way when it's time for you to run for election."

"Yeah…how is everyone at home?"

"Everyone goods, your sister Gretchen changed majors again, but the other two are doing well, Carrie went back home."

"Pacey?"

John walked to the window at the sound of the Wagoner starting, and looked out, Pacey was dressed up and mostly likely heading over to pick up Joey for the opening of Gayle Leery's restaurant." Pacey is …"

" Angry at me?" He sighed. "I can handle him being angry or him hating me, but is he watching out for her?"

John paused at the question, should he explain to Doug that Pacey was now dating Joey, that he was rarely home and hardly left the girls side. The worst part was he knew that like his eldest, his youngest had also fallen for Lillian's daughter. It seemed to the weakness in the Witter DNA to stand up to the lure of those Taylor women. "Yeah he is, Pacey's doing a real good job."

"Have you seen her?"

"No but I ran into Bessie the other day, she says that Joey was offered a full ride to Stanford, so that's good, she'll probably take it, I can't see her being strong enough to win a fight with Bessie over this."

"Oh, that's good then."

"Yeah, it's still the right thing to do, Son."

"It hurts Dad."

"I know, but one day you'll see her and how happy she is, and you'll know you did the right thing."

"Okay, I got to go, give everyone my love."

"I will." John hung up the phone and searched the bottom of his desk for his old Deputy badge, and found the photo tuck behind the silver. He noticed for the first time how much like her mother Joey looked, he had seen this same smile on the young girl before. Unfortunately for Doug that last time he saw that smile it was direct toward Pacey.