A/N, Yet again, thanks for the review JAS. I' glad you think it's moving in the right direction again (got a bit lost a while ago).
White flag.
Dawson rolled over in bed and instinctively reached out for Joey. They had spent most of night shifting around and trying not to touch one another, mostly out of the fear of what would have happened. Joey had lain awake almost as long as Dawson had but finally they both drifted off to sleep gently. Dawson opened his eyes to find that Joey had gone and he actually clutching her pillow. He smirked to himself, thinking that the pair of them hadn't woken up together since they were children. Joey always wanted to sneak out of the room before she woke him up and so grams didn't glare at her through the window in her kitchen as she descended the now legendary ladder.
She had left a note this time,
Hey Dawson,
I've got a few apologies to make, a few bridges to build.
I'm gonna be gone for a week but I will be coming back. I would ask you to join me on my groveling expedition but I think I need to handle this one alone.
As cheesy as this sounds, I'll call you.
Love Joey.
PS Get writing!
Dawson smiled as he read the note. She did have a lot of apologizing to do and he was sure that none of it would be easy. He got out of bed and walked over to his desk. Joey had opened his laptop and switched it on before she left, leaving a pen and pad of paper next to it. She was nothing if not insistent. She had left the number of her cell on the pad as well. Dawson shook his head and made his way downstairs for some coffee.
Joey, sitting on the train to New York, glazed over as she took in the few from her window. She was just coming into the city and had forgotten how different is was to Capeside and Verona. She had decided to make the trip partly on impulse, also because she was due to visit an art dealer in the city about her work. She sent samples to him before she left Italy and he was interested. When she called to let him know she would be coming to the city he was happy to meet with her. That was her first port of call, checking it off in her mental to do list. Next she wanted to visit Audrey and Pacey, who she knew would be at his restaurant. While her and Dawson caught up yesterday he had let slip Pacey owned his own restaurant and Audrey worked in it between shows. Once that was done she was going to see Jack and Jen at their apartment. She had sworn Dawson to secrecy about her return, not wanting to cause undue anticipation and resentment amongst her old friends. She knew that was going to happen anyway but she wanted to at least try. She had brought with her 2 paintings she had done, one for each couple. She figured she had to show them something as evidence to what she had been doing all this time.
She looked at her reflection in the train window and tried to pat her hair into some semblance of order. As much as her hair was romantic and feminine, it was a pain to keep in check. She had decided to go for smart casual for her meeting today, wearing a pair of smart dark blue jeans and a black shirt with a burgundy cord blazer she had from college. She finished the outfit with a long, thin scarf that she had brought back from Italy. Bessie said she looked like a boho chick but just about smart enough to pass.
She felt the train slow down as it finally approached the last stop, Grand Central Station. She collected her bag and two tightly packaged paintings and made her way to the exit, waiting for the door to open. She was excited but petrified at the same time. First stop though, her hotel to get checked in.
Dawson sat on the porch nursing his coffee cup thoughtfully. This time yesterday he didn't know where she was and now he had her back. Well, at least had contact back. She was so different. Her speech, her confidence, her amazing looks. Dawson shook his head and tried to wipe the images out of his mind. He had spent at least an hour watching her sleep. He wanted to concentrate; he really did, but was finding it impossible with her around. She was like a drug, intoxicating all his senses.
'So thinking again?' Gail interrupted his train of thoughts.
'It's my favorite pass time. You okay?' he said, patting the chair next to him.
'I'm fine honey. How are you?' Gail said, her obvious concern for her eldest son shinning through.
'I'm okay,' he said, considering the statement. 'Actually, I'm better than fine. I'm happy,'
'It is nice to see her again. And that painting...it takes my breath away,' Gail said, getting lost in the few from the house.
'I always knew she had something inside...I'm just glad she got to nurture it.' Dawson said, taking a sip of his coffee.
'So she's gone to New York then?' Gail asked. Dawson looked at her quizzically, how would she know? Gail recognized the look of confusion on Dawson's face. 'Bessie told me. She's my secret spy,' Gail grinned.
'Yeah, just for a week to catch up with the others. I might join her later but I think she needs time with them alone,' Dawson admitted.
'That's a good idea honey. In the meantime, you can help me find a place for this painting,' Gail stood up and reached out her hand to him. He looked at his mother for an instant and accepted. Gail grabbed his hand tightly and started to drag him in the house. 'It would give me a chance to talk to you about Steve...'
Joey left the gallery with a smile on her face. The samples she had sent them they had liked, preferring her more contemporary pieces to her landscapes. They had agreed to exhibit some of them to sell in the main space and if they sold they would take some more. Joey was thrilled, although disappointed they didn't like her paintings of Capeside. She hailed a cab, gave the driver the address for her first stop and sat back. This was the nerve racking part, meeting her friends again. The cab slowed down and stopped out side a small restaurant with little metal tables outside. 'Witter's place' was written over the entrance in italic writing. Joey grinned and paid the driver his money. It seemed to be busy, the tables outside were full of people chatting and drinking coffee. Joey took a deep breath in and walked inside. It was obviously an old bar once, the same booths and tables kept in place but Pacey had been careful with the decoration. The walls had been painted a dark green and were covered with black and white photos of New York, of Capeside and of LA. She could see Audrey's touch and she could recognize her hand writing on the special's board.
She lowered herself into one of the empty booths and waiting patiently for service, thinking she would ask who ever it was if she could speak to the owner. She glanced over the menu, considering eating but her nerves getting the better of her.
'Can I take your order?' the teenage girl asked her. She had black and pink hair, fingerless gloves and a wild assortment of jewelry around her hands and neck. Joey deduced that Audrey must have hired her.
'Mmmm yes. Can I have a coffee please?'
'Coming up,' she replied in a surly tone of voice. Joey could help but chuckle under her breath.
'Umm, can I ask you something before you go? Is Pacey or Audrey here?' she said, before the waitress could completely escape.
'Audrey no, Pacey yes. Do you want him?' she replied, exasperated by the unnecessary conversation.
'Yeah, I need to talk to him about...a business matter.' Joey lied; trying to restrain her self was smiling too much.
'Sure,' the girl walked away and leaned over the counter. 'Hey Witter, someone to see you!' she yelled into the kitchen.
Pacey's voice came echoing over the serving hatch, where he was busy helping the cook dispatch orders. 'Is it important, we are kind of in the middle of a rush here? And for the last time Jessica, it's Mr. Witter. I don't care what Audrey tells you.'
'Whatever,' Jessica said, twiddling her hair 'It's a woman over in booth 4. She says its business,' she walked off and poured Joey her coffee, muttering under her breath.
Pacey sighed and delegated the work to other people in the kitchen. He walked behind the counter and took the coffee from Jessica. 'Booth 4?' he asked, Jessica nodding.
He walked up from behind and saw the attractive woman sitting in the booth, looking at the pictures on the wall. She was dressed kind of casual for a business meeting but what the hey.
'Sorry about my waitress, she's being vanquished to another plain of existence tomorrow,' Pacey said, lowing himself in front of the woman.
'Well you did always have a way with the ladies Pacey,' Joey said smiling. Pacey looked up and saw Joey staring back at him. It took him a minute to realize who it was.
'Joey? Is that you?' he said, stuttering slightly.
'No. Figment of your imagination...' she giggled, examining how her old flame looked. He had grown into a handsome man, all stumble and curly locks.
'Oh my god,' he said, getting to his feet and pulling Joey to her feet. 'It's actually you,' he said, enveloping her in a huge hug, burying his head into her hair.
'I'm sorry Pacey,' Joey said. She hadn't meant to say it that way, as flippantly as it sounded. But she felt it was right.
Pacey pulled away from her and inspected her closely, her dark tan and long hair. If he had passed her on the street he wouldn't have a clue. 'No apologies. How are you? More importantly, where the hell have you been?' Pacey's voice took on a harder edge towards the end of the question.
'Well, have you got the time to catch up? I hear you pretty busy?' Joey smiled, keeping hold of Pacey's hands.
'I've always got time for you. God I've missed you.' he said, pulling her into another hug.
'I missed you too Pace,' Joey mumbled into his shoulder, trying not to cry but failing.
Audrey tumbled in through the front door, waving and blowing kisses at the regulars. She had been at rehearsal all morning and was coming in to help with the late shift. She dumped her bag on the counter in front of Jessica and smiled.
'Hello Kitten, can you pop that out back for me?'
'No,' Jessica said, not looking up.
'That's what I like about you Jessica, sheer rudeness and stubbornness. Where's Witter?' Audrey asked, pushing the bag into Jessica's hands so she couldn't refuse.
'Making out with the woman in booth 4,' Jessica said, grabbing the bag and dumping it un-ceremonially through the serving hatch onto the kitchen floor.
Audrey looked over at booth four and saw Pacey hugging a tall, dark haired woman and saw red. She marched over to the pair and tapped the woman on the shoulder.
'Excuse me, but that's my fiancé you're slobbering over,' she said, waiting for the opportunity to hit this floozy around the face.
'Audrey, you have got the wrong end of the stick.' Pacey began.
'I don't think I have Witter. I come home from a hard morning acting my ass off and there you are wrapped up a little miss long hair here. Who is she?' Audrey continued while Pacey smiled at her.
Joey turned around and smiled at Audrey. 'Geez, you think I want this bozo back? That's why I pushed him onto you,' Joey said with a smile.
'Bunny?' Audrey whispered. 'Bunny!' she then shouted, lunging at Joey for a huge hug. 'I didn't think I'd see you again.'
'Well that was the plan. For a while anyway,' Joey said into her shoulder.
'Don't ever do that to us again, you hear me young lady?' Audrey said, pulling away from Joey and waggling her finger at her.
'I promise Miss I would never do anything like that again.' She said, raising her right hand.
'Good.' Audrey pushed Joey into the booth and took a seat next to her while Pacey retuned to his seat opposite.
'So, how have you been?' Pacey started.
'Good. I was in Italy, painting.' Joey said, taking a sip of her much needed coffee.
'Wait, Italy as in Andie's Italy? Did you see her?' Pacey said, slightly confused.
'Well, actually I was staying with her. I made her swear not tell anyone.' Joey said, holding onto Audrey's hand.
'That would explain why Andie has been so strange whenever we mentioned you.' Audrey said. By now, Audrey and Andie had become firm friends, with them both visiting each other often.
'Well, I thought it would be better that way. I'm sorry if I hurt either of you. I would never want to do that,' Joey said, reaching over and grabbing Pacey's hand too.
'We knew bunny, we knew. How are you now?' Audrey asked carefully, glancing over at a worried looking Pacey.
'I'm wonderful. I was in the city to sell some of my work to an art dealer and he is going to exhibit it!' Joey said.
'That's great but I think Audrey meant yourself, not your career,' Pacey interrupted.
'Oh, well I feel much better. I found my path, like I said I wanted to do.' Joey said, unsure at what her friends were trying to find out.
'And what about 'he who shall not be mentioned'?' Audrey said
'Huh?' Joey said, completely confused.
'Dawson,' Pacey said simply, expecting a strained end to the conversation.
'He's great. We spent the day together yesterday and we had dinner last night. It was good to catch up.' Joey rattled off, taking another sip of her coffee.
'Really? It was that easy? No long, drawn out soliloquy about losing love or star crossed soul mates? Did you leave Joey in Italy?' Pacey asked.
'No,' Joey giggled 'It was just time to move on. Dawson thought so too and so we are getting to know each other again.'
'Physically?' Audrey asked. Joey shot her a dirty look.
'No, you perv. We are just finding out about one another again. Anyway enough about me, what about you two? Fiancé?' Joey said, grabbing Audrey's right hand and inspecting the ring on her 3rd finger.
'Yup, 3 months now. It was so romantic Joey, he asked me on the beach in Santa Monica when we were on vacation and we then...' Audrey started to rattle on about wedding preparations, asking Joey to be her maid of honor. Joey just sat back and let it wash over her. She glanced over at Pacey who was studying her, smiling at his long lost friend. Joey smiled back. Happy to see him. Happy to see them both together and happy.
Suddenly a large crash and clutter brought them out of their conversation. The chef had dropped one of the orders when he tripped over Audrey's bag.
'Sorry Joey but we have to get back to work. How long are you in the city? Where are you staying?' Pacey said standing up and hugging Joey again once she had joined him.
'I'm in a small hotel on Lexington. I should be here for around a week. Want to meet yup tonight?' she asked, releasing herself from his hug and moving on to Audrey.
'That would be great. Come by here at 8? I'll make dinner. I'll ask Jen and Jack too' Pacey said, picking up Joey's bag and passing it to her.
'Actually don't, I'll make my way over their now.' Joey said. 'And I'll bring you your present,'
'Oh I love presents. What...' Audrey began, but a huge fight had broken out in the kitchen between everyone.
'Go, beat your staff. I will see you later,' Joey said, watching as the two ran into the kitchen and joined the raised voices.
She shook her head and made her way out of the door. She was glad the two were obviously very happy. Completely crazy but happy.
She hailed another cab outside and climbed in. Giving the cab driving the address of the school, she sat back and pulled her cell phone out. Resisting the urge to call Dawson, she just sent him a text message.
Two down, two to go. Are you writing yet?
She was surprised to get a response so quickly. Just as surprised as Dawson was to get a message in the first place.
Yes I am oh wicked slave driver.
Joey giggled and placed the phone back in her bag. They pulled up outside the school. It was almost lunch time, so she hoped she could catch one or both of them. She walked across the empty playground and could sense how rough it was. The metal detectors on the door helped to reinforce that.
'Excuse me, could you tell me where Jack MacPhee's classroom is?' she asked at the reception desk.
'Do you have an appointment? I can't let you through unless he knows you are coming.' the friendly yet stern receptionist said.
Joey thought for a moment and then decided to take a risk. 'I've not got an appointment but I'm his sister, Joey. I've just come back from Italy and he said to come here the minute I landed.'
'Have you got some ID?' the lady said. Joey passed her university ID she had stuffed in the back of her wallet.
'Says here you're a Potter, not a MacPhee.' The woman asked accusingly.
'Well...I got married in Italy. I didn't want to tell him over the phone. You understand?' Joey lied extensively.
The woman considered it for a moment. 'He's teaching English in room 425, 3rd floor.' She finally relented.
'Thanks you so much and Benedicali!' Joey threw the Italian in for good measure. She walked away from the desk and made her way around the school, finally reaching room 425. The room was quiet except for a small voice at the head of the class.
'How funny you are today New York,
Like Ginger Rodgers in Swingtime,
And St. Bridget's steeple leaning a little to the left.
Ah Mr. MacPhee this is shit!' the student stopped.
Joey stuck her head around the corner of the back door. A large boy in a football jersey was standing at the front of the class, Jack sitting in the seat he left.
'I'm sure that Frank O'Hara would be insulted, if we weren't dead. Why do you say that Randal?' Jack said.
'Cause, who the hell is Ginger Rodgers and why is New York so funny?' New York ain't funny man,' Randal carried on, throwing the book down on the desk.
'It can be though. This strop you're throwing now is funny to the rest of us,' Jack said, making the rest of the class laugh.
'Yeah, whatever man,' Randal said, puffing himself up.
Jack stood up and let Randal sit down. 'He's right though. New York isn't funny all the time. Sometimes it tragic and romantic and angry and happy. But that's where you come in. Everyone has to write a poem about New York, about the emotions it makes you feel. I want it by next class and we can all share it. Randal can go first,' the class resumed its giggles and the bell went.
All the students hurriedly left, scrapping desks and bumping into one another, fighting for the door at the head of the class. Jack turned his back and started to sort out the papers on his desk, saying goodbye to the odd student who came up to him. Joey made her way through the back door and took a seat in the middle of the class. She raised her hand and spoke.
'Mr MacPhee, I don't quite understand. Could you explain it to me?' she said in a fake New York accent.
Jack took a deep breath. 'It's not that difficult to...' he stopped when he saw who was sitting at the desk. 'Miss Joey Potter, as I live and breath,'
'What, I don't get an explanation of the assignment? I wouldn't want to fail. Especially your class. You're my favorite teacher.' She smiled, getting to her and feat and walking over to his desk. They stood there looking at each other, Jack reaching over and grabbing Joey's hands in his.
'Well that's good to know Miss Potter. However, I think I can let you off this assignment. Just don't tell the other kids, they will expect the same special treatment.' He smiled, a tear rolling down his cheek.
'How you been Jack,' Joey asked, reaching over and wiping the tear away.
'Good. Would have been better if I knew where you've been all these years.' Jack said, slightly too bitterly for Joey's liking.
'Well I think we would all have been worse off if you all knew where I'd been. Especially you. You would have been caught right in the middle of it,' she said, her forehead resting against his.
'Damm you and your practicality. I missed you,' Jack said, pulling her into a full hug.
'I missed you too Jackers,' she giggled.
Jen walked into the classroom, expecting to find Jack alone and finding himself work as he always did during lunch. 'Come on MacPhee, I need to get out of this....Joey?'
Joey looked over Jack's shoulder and saw Jen. 'Jen? Jen!' Joey let go of Jack and moved onto Jen, enveloping her into a hug. 'How you been?'
'Ummm. I'm good. Wait a second, as much as I would like the skirt around the issue and make pleasantries, where have you been?' Jen said, trying to conceal her anger. As much as she was pleased to see her, she was also slightly angry at what Joey did. Running away for a while after the big fight they had all had, she could understand. Leaving without a trace and not giving anyone any clue of where she had gone, Jen considered selfish.
Joey pulled away. 'I'm sorry, I've been in Italy. I've been at University in Italy painting. I didn't mean to hurt you Jen. I didn't mean to hurt any of you,'
'I know. Just...god I was worried about you. We all were.' Jen said, pulling her back into a hug, tears running down her face.
'I'm so sorry Jen,' Joey was shocked. So far she had been the only one who had been angry with her about her disappearance. She had expected it from Dawson but when he didn't get angry she thought everyone would be fine.
'It's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout.' Jen said, kissing Joey on the cheek and grabbing Jack to join in the hug. They just stood there for a while, holding each other, the odd tear escaping.
Finally, Joey spoke. 'You know, if any of your students see us, you'll never hear the end of it.'
The three pulled apart quickly and laughed. Joey looked at them both. Jack hadn't aged at all, his hair less funky then it was when she last saw him but he was still the good looking man he always was, dressed like a old gap advert. Jen looked tired. Tired but radiant, he hair shoulder length and in her signature ringlets. She was dressed smartly for work, a nice shirt and plain black trousers. Jen and Jack were doing the same thing to Joey, eyeing her up and down and noticing the changes in their friend.
'So, anyone want lunch? It's on me' Joey said, holding both Jen and Jack's hands.
'Who can resist that offer?' Jack said, picking up his brief case and jacket.
'Joey Potter buying lunch? What's has happened to the world.' Jen said, as she followed the two out of the room.
