A/N Hope you like this next chapter, I did edit it, it could use more work but... hope you like any way. I hope to finish another chapter before posting the next one, this is a little shorter than some. Please R&R because I live for it!

Chapter 11

Gray, quiet and tired and mean

Picking at a worried seam

I try to make you mad at me over the phone.

Red eyes and fire and signs

I'm taken by a nursery rhyme

I want to make a ray of sunshine and never leave home

No amount of coffee, no amount of crying

No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine

No, no, no, no, no,

nothing else will do

I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.

The road gets cold, there's no spring in the meadow this year

I'm the new chicken clucking open hearts and ears

Oh, such a prima donna, sorry for myself

But green, it is also summer

And I won't be warm 'til I'm lying in your arms

No amount of coffee, no amount of crying

No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine

No, no, no, no, no

Nothing else will do

I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you

I see it all through a telescope: guitar, suitcase, and a warm coat

Lying in the back of the blue boat, humming a tune...hmmmmmmm

No amount of coffee, no amount of crying

No amount of whiskey, no wine

No, no, no, no, no

Nothing else will do

I've gotta have you, I've gotta have

No amount of coffee, no amount of crying

No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine

No, no, no, no, no

Nothing else will do

I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.

I've gotta have you, gotta have you

I've gotta have you

Gotta Have You - The Weepies

The home of Boston's current Mayor, Henry Ballard was large, luxurious and completely out of budget for a man employed by the government. Truth was; Henry came from money. Pacey looked around at the grounds as he, Joey, Melanie and Matt made their way through the foyer. Joey gasped in surprise, feeling herself incredibly out of her depths and completely drowning. Her hand gripped the inside of Pacey's elbow nervously, he smiled at her and rested a hand over hers to reassure her. Joey chewed on her lip as she surveyed the room and it's guests. Matt and Melanie looked at home, Pacey had explained Melanie came from money herself but had more or less had herself thrown out of the family when she married Matt.

Pacey chuckled as they both made their way into the ballroom. Joey gave him a scowl to which his grin only widened.

"You're grinning like an idiot" She said to him, Pacey chuckled and nodded.

"Yeah, I know, I can't help it." He said, his hand softly caressing hers as they moving further through the ballroom entrance.

"Why?"

"Because... I'm the only guy at this soiree who gets to walk in with Audrey Hepburn on his arm" Joey's face looked to him in surprise, her face softened and she smiled back at him, shyly and uncertain. Pacey still couldn't understand why she had no idea just how beautiful she was, how smart and sweet and perfect she was.

Joey had started to relax as the night continued, smiling and conversing with people Pacey would introduce her to. She watched in amusement as Pacey hid from Lacey.

Pacey smiled and shook his head at a guy blatantly hitting on Joey, something she appeared completely oblivious to.

"Hey there loser." Pacey's head snapped up to find his sister making her way over to him.

"Gretch, what brings you here?" He asked her, Gretchen too a sip from her champagne flute and glanced around the room, she then waved her hand in the direction of a tall, handsome blue eyed made who was making a beeline for Joey and Melanie. Pacey narrowed his eyes and watched. "Really, seems a little pathetic if you ask me." He grumbled. Gretchen rolled her eyes at her little brother, knowing exactly where the hostility was coming from as he watched Joey like a hawk.

"He didn't want to come here alone and be the pathetic loser who got dumped seconds before proposing." Pacey snorted at her admission and shook his head, still keeping an eye on Joey.

"Come on loser, dance with me." Gretchen pulled Pacey onto the dance floor.

Joey watched while Pacey was dragged onto the dance floor by a beautiful brunette woman, Joey bit down on her lip hard. She and Pacey were nothing more than friends, she knew this. She also knew Pacey was not attracted to her and he went for the seductive, self assured women he was dancing with now.

Joey had been introduced to the tall, handsome blue eyed man who stood beside her. Melanie had stated simply his name was Doug. No more to it than that before she took Matt's hand and lead him to the dance floor.

Doug held his hand out to Joey and gestured to the dance floor.

"May I?" He asked. Joey took a breath and nodded, her face beginning to flush. There was something familiar about Doug she could not quite grasp. Doug noticed Joey looking over to Pacey and Gretchen, he smirked. "So, you and Pacey huh?" He said, Joey's eyes narrowed at him as they moved together.

"We're just friends." She spoke, shrugging and looking back over to him, frowning to herself.

"Yeah, sure."

Pacey and Gretchen continued to dance, Pacey also decided he would make a night of shooting death glares at his brother. Gretchen watched with amusement, at first. Then it simply became pathetic. Ignoring Pacey's need to lead, Gretchen eventually maneuvered them closer to Doug and Joey.

"May I cut in?" Gretchen smiled and before a word of protest could be uttered she had whisked Doug away. Pacey laughed nervously as they both stood still in the middle of the dance floor. Joey looked around them and flushed with embarrassment. Pacey smiled and reached out for her.

Joey slid into his arms effortlessly slipping a hand in his and the other rest on his shoulder. Pacey smiled and brought his hand around to rest on Joeys lower back. His eyes widened in surprise as the tingling of electricity soared from his fingertips throughout the rest of his body. Pacey realised he was touching her bare skin. Joey noticed the strange expression cross Pacey's face and lifted an eyebrow in question. Pacey grinned at her and shook his head.

"What?"

"Nothing." His voice was strained. "Nothing at all" He smiled at her, hoping to regain some composure. He could do nothing but think of how soft and smooth her skin felt beneath his hand, of how good she smelled. "You're almost as tall as me in those heels." Pacey mused, having no idea why something so inane would escape his lips. Joey took a breath, willing herself not to think of Adam and all the things he told her.

"Too tall right?" She spoke. "I know, guys hate women who are too tall."

"No, not too tall..." Pacey watched as tears glistened in her eyes. "Jo?" He asked her, unsure. She sniffled and cut eye contact. Pacey noticed the double glass doors which lead out onto the courtyard, he slowly took Joey's hand and lead her out, seeking privacy. "Joey, what's wrong?" He asked her once they were in the courtyard. Joey pulled away, hugging herself and looking down at her feet.

"Nothing Pacey, it's okay. I'm okay." Joey sniffled before lifting her face. Pacey could see the hurt in her eyes, he shook his head and moved closer.

"Joey, you can talk to me." He said, dropping his voice low. "Is it about Adam?" Melanie had spoken to him before they had picked Joey up, he had told himself he was not going to mention it, seeing her obviously upset was enough for him to break that promise to himself. He wanted to make sure she was going to be okay, that if she needed someone he would be there for her.

Joey let out a breath and looked to Pacey, her shoulders slumped and she sighed. Pacey reached for her hands, gently rubbing the pads of his thumbs over the back of her hand in encouragement. Joey wasn't surprised he knew, she expected Melanie to tell him as she had witnessed Joey's break down over seeing him.

"I don't know what he wants" She whispered "I don't know why seeing him had such an effect on me." She said, searching Pacey's eyes for an answer, hoping to find it in his eyes. Pacey bit the inside of his cheek and let out a breath, toying with the words to offer her.

"Because Jo, you thought he loved you."

"He did Pace, Adam loved me." She said to him. Pacey shook his head at her with a small smile.

"Joey, that was not love. He treated you terribly, he used you and made you feel like you were nothing. That's not love."

"It's what I deserved" Joey's voice was soft, meek and lacking any strength. Pacey hated Adam, he wanted to hunt him down and beat the shit out of him for making someone as amazing as Joey doubt herself. Joey allowed her head to drop, her eyes resting on the terracotta tiles below them. Pacey rested his finger beneath her chin and slowly brought her face up so their eyes locked.

"Joey, you deserve the truth." Joey rolled her eyes and gave a small smile at Pacey.

"And what's the truth Pacey?" Pacey licked his lips with nerves and took a breath. It was now or never.

"You are so beautiful, that every time I look at you, my knees tremble, my heart just melts and I know right then and there, without any reservation; that there is order and meaning to the universe." Joey stood, her mouth open and her eyes wide, Pacey Witter the arrogant asshole with the nasty tongue had rendered Joey speechless. Not with insults or acidic banter but with words of complete sincerity, which were romantic and sweet. Never had she had any one speak to her as he had. Joey's mind spun out of control as she tried to reply. Before a thought had attempted to materialise in her fogged up brain she felt the softness of Pacey's thumb as he traced over her lower lip while he moved closer to her. Joey held her breath for a moment and swiftly Pacey's thumb was replaced with his mouth, the feel of his lips as they pressed against hers was something she had never before felt. Pacey's hand moved from beneath her chin to slowly move behind and cup the base of her head. Joey allowed a moan escape her lips as she opened her mouth to his, her hands sliding up over his jacket to move up and tangle in his hair. She could feel the heat from his fingers as his hand moved around to rest on the small of her back, as the kiss deepened he pulled her close to him, their bodies perfectly fitting together.

Finally feeling as though he could release all of his built up feelings and emotions in that kiss, Pacey didn't want for it to end.

As all living things need to breathe Joey and Pacey, reluctantly pulled apart and ended the kiss. Joey's knees felt weak and her brain was far more fuddled than ever.

"What was that?" Joey breathed, her fingers touching her swollen lips in surprise. Pacey chuckled nervously, wondering if she thought it was a mistake.

"I-I'm sorry" He apologised, mistaking Joey's silence as a negative sign. "Jo i'm sorry, just forget about it. It was a mistake." Pacey thrust his hands into his pockets, took a step back and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Finally finding her voice Joey spoke.

"What?" Pacey's voice showed irritation, at himself. Why would he use a moment when she was obviously vulnerable to maul her. Pacey silently berated himself.

"Do you really think it was a mistake?" Joey asked stepping closer to him. Pacey's eyebrows knit, not understanding what she wanted from him.

"Umm- well..." He wasn't sure what to say. What did she want him to say, if he said yes then they could put it down to a hormonal meltdown or glitch on his part. But if he told the truth... then what? "I don't want you to feel as though I took advantage of you in...er- an emotional state." Pacey scratched at the side of his head having no idea what he was saying. "I mean, what I mean is that...I-err"

Joey stepped forward, a smile on her face and a mischievous glint in her eyes, before Pacey could get out what he was trying to say Joey pulled his face down to hers and brushed her lips against his. Pacey responded with both of his hands gripping at the delicate skin of her back as his tongue delved into her mouth, he moaned into her mouth and pulled her against him. He could feel the soft swell of her breasts against his chest.

Pacey's lips moved to her jaw and made their way down the side of her neck, her intoxicating scent of vanilla and sandalwood caused him to grip her tighter while his mouth nipped at the smooth length of her neck. Joey's breath hitched in her throat before she spoke in short breaths.

"Pace." She spoke, a distracted mumble left his lips "Pacey." Louder and with more conviction than she thought capable Joey gently pushed him away, she looked around with embarrassment; the courtyard of the Mayor's house was not the best locale for making out.

Pacey chuckled at Joey, who stood awkwardly with a lopsided smile gracing her features., he reached his hand out to take hers and leant in to give a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Perhaps we should...er" Pacey motioned to the glass doors for them, Joey squeezed his hand and nodded.

Gone was the awkwardness in their dancing, they looked and felt more at ease with the other. Joey smiled up to her partner and he locked his eyes with hers, everything else around them inconsequential. They danced well into the night, Joey excused herself to find the bathroom, she looked behind her and scowled as the brunette from before swept Pacey up and dragged him to the floor to dance.

Gretchen grinned up at Pacey.

"You kissed her" She stated with a grin, Pacey, trying to suppress a smile shook his head.

"I really don't see how that's any of your business." He said, looking over to the hallway for her return. Gretchen snorted and shook her head at her younger brother.

"You have got it bad Pace." She smiled, Pacey could only nod in acquiesce while he waited for Joey to reappear.

Pacey was startled by Matts hand on his arm, he was accompanied by a middle aged woman who looked disheveled and panicked.

"There's a fire." Matt said, his words confirmed by the woman nodding furiously. Pacey's eyes widened.

"Where?" He asked. Matt's chin jutted to the back.

"Kitchen." He replied simply, Trent made his way over to them as they moved off the floor and huddled together.

"Okay, Trent can you get onto evacuating the guests?" Pacey asked, Trent nodded curtly and moved off. Gretchen looked to Pacey with worry. "Gretch, can you tell the Chief and then get out of here, make sure you get Joey and Mel out." He said and looked to Matt.

"This place is huge Pace, the guys are on their way but I think we need to make sure everyone is out, not trapped in any rooms in the back or up stairs."

Pacey and Matt moved together while they checked the top floor for anyone who may be left. The smoke was beginning to fill the halls and by the time they made their way to the front of the house the visibility was virtually zero.

"We gotta get out, we don't have the equipment." Pacey coughed, Matt agreed and they exited the Mayor's, gulping at fresh air as their feet moved across the gravel in the drive. Guests stood around, their expressions fearful.

The trucks had arrived and Pacey and Matt found spare gear in the cab. They had not checked the rooms in the back yet. Pacey could hear his name being called, he spun around to find Melanie and Gretchen running toward him.

"She's still in there!" Melanie shrieked, panic in her voice as she clutched onto Matt. Pacey shook his head.

"Who?"

"Joey" Gretchen added.

"What?"

Pacey took off at a sprint, his body taking over. Matt followed close behind. The smoke was thick, while most of the attention was on the fire on the east side of the house Pacey and Matt made their way to the south. Pacey moved with deliberate steps, his heart thumping wildly against his chest, the sound of blood rushing through his ears as he strained against the smoke to see. He could see movement up ahead, a vague shadow moving toward them, holding itself up by the wall.

"Jo?" Pacey called out, the shadow stopped. "Jo?" He called again, moving faster toward the figure.

"Pacey?" Pacey felt a wave of relief wash through him and the death grip around his heart loosen. Joey began coughing as she slumped against the wall.

"Where'd you go?" Matt asked her as Pacey pulled out the small portable oxygen tank for Joey, She gulped in fresh air, looking around her to settle on Matt.

"Bathroom. There's a woman in the, she's hysterical. She wouldn't come with me I said I'd send someone in I-" Joey broke into a coughing fit once again. Matt turned to Pacey.

"Get her out and seen to Pace." He said "I'll find the woman." Pacey nodded and helped Joey to her feet, holding her tightly as he guided her out of the building. Pacey insisted Joey seek medical attention, he turned wanting to go back in to assist. Joey gripped his hand and his heart swelled as he looked down at her, knowing he couldn't go anywhere.

Pacey stayed with Joey along with Gretchen and Melanie.

There was speculation about faulty gas pipes in the kitchen, the men worked tirelessly to gain control of the flames which had spread throughout most of the east and south of the lower building. Pacey checked his watch knowing Matt had been inside for a good fifteen minutes.

Pacey's head snapped up at the sound of muffled yells, men evacuated the building. Pacey could feel his body begin to relax at the sight, but the feeling was only momentary. The fire was not out, it didn't look to be completely under control either. Joey's eyebrows knit as Pacey released her hand and walked closer, his eyes scanning the area for Matt.

He wasn't there.

He was still inside.

The thundering sound of twisting metal and falling plaster penetrated the din outside. Silence overtook the guests, firefighters and those from the local TV stations. Pacey lifted his mask back onto his face and ran toward the building. The feel of Trent's hand on his shoulder stilled him.

"Matt's still in there" He supplied, Trent offered a curt nod and followed him into the building.

Joey, Gretchen and Melanie watched as men disappeared into the building, their hearts beat wildly in their chests as they waited for them to reappear. Joey's breathing coming in ragged breaths, her throat raw from the smoke, her eyes stung and yet she could not tear her eyes away from the front door. Loud crashing sounded once again, this time smoke and dust billowed out from the door in a rush.

It happened in that moment, silence washed over the gathering, everyone held their breaths, waiting. The fire was out and all that remained was sodden plaster, charred furnishings and part of the exterior appeared intact they all knew differently.

Eyes looked about, at each other searching for answers until finally there was movement, men began to exit the building. Air rushed back into every ones lungs with relief. Joey still searched the firefighters, watching as they took their helmets and face masks off, slapping each other on the back. She shook her head, unable to see Pacey. Melanie looked at her, panic in her own eyes as Matt was yet to return.

"Quick, get a medic" A lone voice screamed through the smoke. In a frenzy, paramedics rushed to find a man carrying his fallen comrade over his shoulder. He laid him down gently before being pushed to the side. Joey and Melanie rushed over, tears in their eyes.

The three of them, shortly joined by Gretchen and Doug stood watching as the paramedics worked tirelessly to get him stable enough for transport.

The sickening feeling in every ones stomachs at the thought he would not make it, that this was serious.

It was too much for him to pull through.

He had to.