Act Naturally
They all stood in silence, swapping looks ranging from confusion to shook. Dawson shook his head slowly, turning to look at Joey.
'What?' Pacey said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence.
'I...I love Dawson. I can't help it.' Jen said, stuttering almost every word she said.
'Well, that would explain a lot,' Charlie's voice sprang up from behind them. His face was red raw with the kisses he had obviously just got.
'I think you are in no position to talk Charlie,' Jen said coldly.
'That's it then. Bye Princess. Catch you around sometime...' He took Jen hand and kissed it lightly, before turning and walking back into the club.
'Well...at least that's one problem solved,' Pacey said under his breath. He knew he needed to go outside and make sure the drunks hadn't gone missing but he was sure that if he left the three of them alone that physical violence might occur.
'How long,' Joey said, quietly.
'What?' Jen answered irritably.
'Have you loved him? How long? Was the first time you slept with him behind my back? When you cheated on your boyfriend with him? What was it?' Joey voice had a hard edge to it that Pacey and Dawson recognised, both of them sharing a look of panic.
'You can't play that card Joey. You can't play the 'you're a slut and I'm a virgin' card anymore Joey. Can I just remind you that you slept with Pacey behind his back and then slept with my ex boyfriend as some kind of revenge!' Jen threw back, stepping closer.
'Okay ladies, we really need to...' Pacey began but was silenced.
'I slept with Charlie because I wanted to Jen, its true! And you know what, he told me earlier I was the best he ever had. Maybe that's why he was kissing that other woman.' Joey replied back spitefully. Both Dawson and Pacey took a deep breath. Dawson was getting more and more concerned with the tone of the conversation.
'Oh yeah, well at least I get to have a relationship for more than 3 months without my boyfriend running away and leaving me! How many is it now Joey, 2 or 3?' Jen said, not showing how hurt she was by her last comment.
'Well they all come running to you Jen, so you can enjoy my leftover's if you want,' Joey replied edging closer to the petite blond.
'Not to pick at your screwed view of history but I dated Dawson, Pacey and Charlie first. So that leaves Jack and he turned out to be gay! Good batting average Joey, you must be very proud.'
'The difference being is that Pacey loved me and Dawson loves...' Joey stopped and looked over at Dawson, his face unreadable.
'Who do you love Dawson? Come on, we are all dying to know here!' Jen said, walking towards his and pushing his chest.
'Jen, come on lets...' Pacey attempted again to move her.
'Get off Pacey. It doesn't concern you...not anymore' she threw back.
'You see, that's where you are wrong Lindley. It concerns me very much when my three oldest friends are attempting to kill each other and I have two others outside with alcohol poisoning.' Pacey said, grabbing Jen and holding her arms behind her back.
'Joey...it's always been Joey' Dawson said suddenly. Pacey felt Jen go limp in his arms.
'Look maybe we should just go home.' Pacey said, releasing Jen.
'Yeah...maybe that's...' Jen started.
Her eyes rolled to the ceiling and she slowly collapsed, he bag flying out of her hands and landing at Joey's feet.
'Jen...Jen!' Joey said, instinctively running to her friend's side. 'Jen, wake up, Jen!' she screamed. Pacey lifted her head onto his bent knees and tried to wake her by gently slapping her face.
'Jen, can you hear me? Jen!' he said, feeling for her pulse. 'I think we may need to get her to the hospital.'
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Our
little secret just might be the kind of thing that you can't
hide
It's growing like a tangled vine & rising like a river in
the tide
And everybody knew when you walked into the room
I was
just a fool for you, nothing I could do
Everybody sees you taking
control of me
Well I'm not begging for release
I'm just begging
darling please, please
Act
Naturally
Don't let our troubles show
Don't let anybody
know
Till we get it figured out
Don't give them anything that
they could doubt
Our
little problem doesn't seem to be about to go away
As far as I can
tell it's gonna keep on showing more with every day
And everybody
look, yeah, that was all it took
I can't help believing they can
read me like a book
So hide your feelings tight till we figure how
to make it right
I don't know what I should but I
Would do it
if I could
Act
Naturally
Just be you beautiful
Just be you casual
I'll be
me before the fall
You be you before this all came down
The hospital was eerily quiet at that time of night, no one about except stressed doctors and over worked janitors. Joey untied the last part of her hair and ran her hands through it, leaning back heavily in her chair. They had been there for almost two hours and no one had told them what was going on. Audrey and Jack were asleep across several chairs in the waiting room, Pacey leaning against Audrey also sleepy peacefully. It was just her and Dawson awake, although they hadn't said a word since they sat down.
Joey took a deep breath and looked around. 'Do you want a drink?'
'No thanks.' Dawson said, slightly shocked at hearing her voice.
'I wonder what is taking so long,' Joey mused out loud.
'I'm sure they just have to check she's alright,' he said, leaning across and placing his hand on Joey's bare knee. She felt sparks from his touch, but was too wrapped up in panic and guilt to treasure them.
'I felt awful about all the things I said to her. Do you think it was my fault?' she said, tucking her hair behind her ears.
'Of course not. Don't feel too bad, she said some pretty horrible things as well.' Dawson said, massaging her knee.
'You must love this, too women throwing themselves at you,' Joey said, smiling.
'Usually yeah, but not when it's ended up with us in hospital,' Dawson said ruefully.
'For the record, I didn't want it to be like that you know...'
'What?'
'Telling you I loved you. Not in the middle of a heated argument with your ex-girlfriend.' Joey said, blushing at the memory.
'The last time you told me you loved me you dumped me straight afterwards so it's a step in the right direction,' Dawson smiled, moving his hand to Joeys and gripping it tightly.
'Thanks. So what now?' Joey said, looking down the long hallway.
'I think we continue to take it very slowly, baby steps. Nothing drastic, no dating. Just us being us. Then, we can see where it takes us,' Dawson said, resisting the urge to sweep her up and out of the hospital.
'Deal. But can I ask one thing?'
'Sure,'
'Can I at least kiss you,'
Dawson looked into her eyes and moved his head towards hers, she could feel his breath on her face.
'Hey guys,' Jen's voice appeared just as their lips were about to touch.
'Jen, oh ,my god are you alright,' Joey turned and jumped to her feet, hugging her tightly. 'I am so sorry, I shouldn't have...'
'Let's just not... I'm sorry to.' Jen said, returning the hug and closing her eyes.
'What did the doctor say,' Dawson said, standing up and leading Jen to a seat.
'Well, it's the funniest thing. Considering I am a guidance councillor and I spend ever day of my life trying to get the kids in my school to be safe and not to do stupid things like have unprotected sex or take drugs, I didn't listen to my own advice obviously. I fainted because I am 3 months pregnant,' Jen said, her brown furrowing at the realisation of the words. '...and pregnant bodies on the whole do not enjoy tequila slammers and heated arguments.'
Joey and Dawson exchanged looks and then both looked at Jen, trying to read her expression. 'Are you okay? Are they sure,' Dawson said, rubbing her back protectively.
'Well, considering the doctor I saw wasn't wearing a plastic stethoscope and a red nose, I think he would have the right idea. Here the picture,' she held up a small picture of a tiny grey blob.
'What are you going to do...is Charlie the...' Joey started, watching Dawson as he looked at the picture.
'And that there is the worst thing about this. I don't know who the father is. I had a one night stand with a guy in the club around the time I would have become pregnant. I hadn't seen Charlie for that whole month,'
'So what do you want to do?' Dawson asked, passing the picture to Joey.
'I would really like to go home and go to bed. It's been a long day.' She said, standing up and clutching the bag of vitamins and pamphlets her doctor had given her.
'Okay. I'll wake the others,' Dawson said, moving towards the three sleeping bodies.
'You know I will be here for you Jen, we all will,' Joey said, placing her hand on Jen's shoulder.
'I know. By the way, the whole getting knocked up by a man I don't know really outs the being in love with Dawson thing into perspective. I mean, I can't really chase after him while being the size of a whale,' she said, placing her hand over Joey's on her shoulder.
'I don't know, he might go for that,' Joey said smiling.
'I'm sorry Jo,'
'Apology accepted, I'm sorry too,' Joey leant forward and cuddled her tightly. 'Lets get you home,'
