Chapter 29 – Bloody Snow

"Go away, Jo...It's too early." Pacey groaned, pulling the comforter over his head.

"Pace, we need to leave soon if you want me to move in with you before New Year's" A fully clothed Joey took the sheets covering her fiancé, forcing him to wake up.

"You already up." He mumbled sleepily.

"Up and packed…and by the way, don't get used to me packing up for you, Pacey. It took me twice as much time that it did to do my own. Now rise and shine sweetheart, because you will have a lot to do today." She stated.

"Too bossy, Potter." He muttered, pulling her onto the bed. "I love you being bossy." He whispered, kissing her. "Good morning, baby."

"Morning, Pace. I know it's too early, but I'm kind of anxious to get done with this moving." She replied, putting her arms around his neck.

"Can't wait to have your hands all over me all the time, huh?" He asked, detangling from her arms and leaving the bed.

"Yeah, right." Joey lied chuckling, leaving the bed, too, patting his butt on her way out. "Don't primp so much, Teddy." She called from the door, closing it seconds before being hit by a pillow.

Dawson walked through the snow-covered streets of Capeside, a bottle of vodka already in his system, his numbed mind working slowly. He already had everything he needed for his plan. What was the plan again? Right, to get his storyline back on track. He was the hero, he couldn't be delegated to the sidekick role. As he was also the writer and director, the only thing he really needed was to get rid of the impostor, the one who should never have left his shadow place. He chuckled to his thoughts. Get rid of him and everything will fall into order and perfect sense again. He patted his pocket. Yeah, that would be an easy task, he thought, heading to the Potter's B&B.

Dawson watched from afar as Pacey loaded his car's trunk. It would be perfect, and too easy. He was alone; no one would ever be suspicious. Set to fulfill his plan, his move was interrupted by the tall brunette, his leading lady, coming after Pacey like a guardian angel. Cursing under his breath, once more forced to rewrite the script in his head; his mixed and distorted feelings of anger, hurt, betrayal, possession, and forced love for her cruising through his veins, strengthening his resolve. What were seconds to who was waiting for so long.

"Pacey! You forgot your books." He turned smiling to see Joeys flushed face, a soft pink coloring her cheeks from both the cold and the running she did after him.

"You're starting to sound all wifely, Jo." Pacey circled her waist, bringing her closer. "I like it."

"Look, Witter, if you're starting to make any sexist comments…" she started, her words getting caught by his mouth in a long kiss.

Dawson watched the couple's exchange, grimacing, the last shreds of reality overruled by the false belief that Joey would understand, would finally be his, urged him on to stepping out of his hidden place.

Joey and Pacey broke the kiss, staring at each other's eyes smiling, the proximity of their bodies protecting them from the cold. They were about to kiss again when their former friend's cold slurring voice stopped them.

"If it's not my favorite people in this world…my two best friends."

"What do you want, Dawson?" Pacey asked sighing, protectively tightening his arms around Joey, who placed her head on his shoulder, definitely not interested in talking to Dawson.

"I don't want anything, just talk. How are you, Joey? Still with the loser?"

Her head shot up, she was so ready to give him a piece of her mind when she felt the squeeze.

"Dawson, we have nothing to talk about, and if you excuse us, we're already late." She replied as calm as possible, truly annoyed with his words but wanting nothing more than climbing in to the car and leave the town, irritated with Dawson's behavior.

"But we're just starting here, Joey." He started rambling and pacing around. "You know, I've always wondered how to get my life back in track. And last night I had this epiphany."
Pacey observed Dawson, his movements were frantic, restless, his clothes were crumbled and the left side pocket had a familiar bulge. His father's figure in mind, a Hip Flask hidden in his uniform. Joey's eyes were also following Dawson's pacing form while she placed her head back on Pacey's chest. The blonde was sure testing her patience.

"Yeah, I had an epiphany. You see, the only way I figure to bring this storyline back to its perfect sense is to get rid of some undesirable guest appearances."

Two pairs of eyes starred at him. Joey was faster with responding.

"Dawson, it's time to get home – for you to write your remarkable story on paper," adding in her mind 'before it gets lost in the depth of your booze numbed mind' "and for us to get moving. On that note, bye Dawson." Joey had already moved out of Pacey's embrace and was now on her way along the passenger side while Pacey turned to walk to the driver's door, sending a "Bye Dawson" over his shoulder.

Pacey startled when he heard a very familiar noise for someone who grew up in a Sheriff household. He yelled at Joey to lay down while he dived under the car turning to get a glimpse of Dawson's figure. A confused Joey crawled to his side, following his gaze to see Dawson waving around with a gun. Shocked she reached for Pacey's hand, desperately forcing herself to stay calm.

"Josephine, Josephine, Josephine. You should accept that your place is with me. All this is your fault. You shouldn't wear his ring, pretending you're going to marry him. You should have told him, you are mine and mine alone. You are destined to marry me, the golden boy, not some fucked up loser. I'm generous enough to oversee that scum touched you, you are dirty, white trash. You'll be pure again. I just have to erase the sorry excuse for human being and the spell you're living in is broken. The sidekick who's wasting space on earth will be gone to hell where he belongs and we'll get the happy every after as it should be. Bliss, blessed, beautiful. Soul mates, Joey."

Each word lifted a weight from Dawson shoulder, convincing him that he was doing the right thing. Pacey listened knowing that, in the insane state Dawson was, their lives were in danger, praying for someone, anyone to arrive.

Bending his knees, so he could look under the car, he smiled lovingly at Joey "It's time to come home, Joey – for you to be with me" turning his gaze to Pacey, immediately cold, filled with hatred "for you to go to hell, bro".

"Not today!" with those words, Dawson was knocked cold, the gun accidentally firing as he hit the ground.

A scream, an anguished cry for help was heard.

And a red, warm color tinting the snow on a beautiful winter's morning.