Description: My version of how Joey and Pacey collide, set after high school.

Disclaimer: I only own the storyline not the characters.

Author's note: If anyone reviews, I will update.

Missed Opportunities

Chapter# 2

(Clay's pov)

" Hey Potter, you ready to leave?", I call as I walk up behind her. Watching in amusement at the sight of Joey taking a shot, I laugh when she turns toward me. She is a little unsteady on her feet so I place and arm around her. Leaning Joey up against the bar, I wrap my arm securely around her. Thankful when I do this, Joey lightly clings to my arm. Damn exactly how much has this girl had to drink? She is definitely not stable on her feet. I'm not about to drive Joey home when I live right up the block. She can take my bed and I'll unfold the cot. Wonder what could have Joey so upset? Not once have I ever seen her like this. Bet this has something to do with that idiot boyfriend of hers. Seriously hate that guy. How did he end up with Joey and not me?

" Sure thing Clay, I just have to pay the bartender.", reveals Joey in a distracted manner while attempting to rifle through her purse. Taking out my wallet, I hand the bartender a fifty dollar bill. He give a nods indicating that should cover it. Turning my attention to Joey once more, I carefully guide her outside. Making our way to my car, I open up the rear door. Helping Joey into the back seat, I lie her down carefully. Shutting the car door once more, I climb into the front seat. There, the hard part is over. All I have to worry about now is getting Joey back to my place, and settled in for the night. This shouldn't prove too difficult considering I have Witter to help me carry Joey to my bed.

" Hey, Clay you didn't have to do that. I had the money….Pacey?! What the hell are you doing here?", I hear Joey all but yell in shock at the sight of Pacey. Wait, hold on a second. How does Joey know Witter? Neither of them once mentioned knowing one another. Are these two an old flame? Dear God, I hope not. There would go my one chance with Joey. For the life of my I have no idea how these two could possibly know one another. Judging by the look on Pacey's face, there is no denying he knows Joey. From the looks of it she is the last person he planned on running into anytime soon. This should be an interesting story to say the least.

" Well, I could ask you the same thing Potter. Clay, what the hell?", questions Pacey before folding his arms across his chest. Whoa, what the hell is he looking at me for? How was I to know that he knew Joey? These two have not once mentioned one another to me. How am I suddenly the bad guy? Last I checked, I was texted for a ride. At this point I would just like to be clued in on what the hell is going on. Neither of them seem to be paying me any attention anymore. Pacey is staring at Joey while she averts her eyes to the floor. There has to be something that I am missing. Guess there is nothing for me to do but see how this plays out.

" Don't look at me, Joey texted me for a ride. How was I supposed to know you knew her? Speaking of which how do you know Joey?", I add in as an after thought. This question catches Joey's attention and her gaze shoots toward Pacey. Whoa, what was that about. Alright now I really want to know what is going on here. Were these two really once an item? They had to have been right? What was that look Joey threw in Pacey's direction just now? Really hate being out of the loop. Someone had better cough up an explanation sometime soon. Why do I have the funny feeling that I somehow placed myself in direct competition with Pacey for Joey's attention. Something tells me this very well could be the case. Watching the way he looks at her, something tells me Joey might be Pacey's girl who got away.

Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, Joey bites down on her bottom lip," Witter and I grew up across the creek from one another. He was the boy who loved to torment me."

Letting out an amused laugh, Pacey can't help smiling in agreement," That I was Jo, that I was. Did not expect to run into you again anytime soon."

" Neither did I, what happened with us? We all but drifted apart senior year Pace.", remarks Joey with a hint of sadness in her voice. So these two grew up together? This is how they know one another? Did they used to date? It doesn't sound as if they did. This should be a good sign right? Then again, something tells me my hunch about Joey could be right. There is no denying that Witter is into her. Unfortunately for him Pacey is in my position where Joey hasn't the faintest clue. This would be my luck. I am not about to turn this into a competition for Joey's courtship. Guess maybe I'm not supposed to get a chance with Joey. Seems like all the two of us will ever be is friends.

" You went off to Worthington Jo, we were bound to lose touch. Looks like we're home, come on lets get you inside.", reminds Pacey with a shrug of his shoulders. That was not the case at all. My guess? It more then likely killed Witter to be around Joey knowing he would never have her. Suddenly now I understand his reluctance about bringing up Joey. Wow, I almost feel for the guy. If I were into Joey every bit as much as I think Pacey is, I probably would feel bad for Pacey. Seeing as how I long for Joey's attention also? Not so much can't say that I sympathize for the guy. He had how long to figure out a way to show Joey how he felt? Now all I want is my shot. Is that seriously asking for so much?

(Pacey's pov)

" We both still keep in touch with the rest of the gang on a regular basis. Why isn't this the case between us though Pacey?", asks Joey in a low voice, its not long before I notice a wounded look in her eyes. Why should it matter to Potter that the two of us lost touch? From what I remember the two of us could hardly stand one another. At least that was the case with Joey, things changed for me somewhere down the line. Potter might want answers but this isn't exactly something that I would like to discuss. I'm not about to explain to Joey how I somehow developed feelings for her over the years. Why would I ever want to do that? If I thought there were a chance Joey liked me, I would tell her how I felt. This simply is not the case though.

" It's late Jo, you should get some sleep.", is about my only response to Joey at this point. Helping Clay place Joey into bed, I carefully tuck her in. This girl is the last person I was expecting to run into. Since when does Joey get drunk? This is not like her one bit. My guess is that something or someone is on her mind. Joey all but has a knack for falling for the wrong guys. Wonder how the moron screwed up. I'll try getting Potter to spill the beans to me after breakfast tomorrow. Right now all I want to do is wash up, brush my teeth and climb into bed. Who am I trying to kid though? With Joey in the next room there is no way I'm getting a wink of sleep tonight.

" Pacey...stay.", I hear Joey call out. Stopping in my tracks, I tense up immediately. Did I just here Joey correctly? She seriously wants me to stay? This girl is killing me right about now. First of all this isn't even my room, it's Clay's. Secondly he currently looks as though he wants to clock me one. How is this my fault? Joey is the one who asked me to stay. If anything Clay should be angry with her. What am I even supposed to do at this point? The thing is, I really want to stay. Then again I don't want to cause tension between Clay and I. I'm not an idiot, I know the guys like me and crazy for her.

Glancing back at Joey, I scratch at the back of my neck," Stay? Joey, this isn't even my room."

Trying his best to remain calm, Clay grabs his extra cot," No it's alright Witter, stay. Joey wants you to."

" Funny, no. Potter, I'm not going to stay. I'll see you in the morning.", I relent in a gruff tone. This girl is going to be the end of me. If Clay weren't a factor, I could stay in a heart beat. The thing is he is though and I do not want to lose a friend over a girl. While Joey might not be just any girl, I could never wedge her between Clay and I. What right would I have? Whose to say she is even into either of us. Clay does not look thrilled with me right now. The guy is looking at me like I'm trying to move in on Joey. That is clearly not the case though. I have zero intentions of making my feelings known to Potter. Not that it would matter either way, I'm not much competition for Clay.

" Pacey...", I hear Joey all but plead. What does this girl want from me? How can she not take notice to the fact that Clay is staring daggers at me. Something told me that I should have just gone to bed. Did I though? No, I chose to go for a ride with Clay. What am I evening still doing here? I should have just kept walking and gone to bed. That isn't what I want to do though. What I want is to climb in bed beside Joey and hold her close. It would be my luck that Clay would catch feelings for Joey. At least he doesn't have to worry about me standing in his way. If he wants to take a risk on Joey he can go right on ahead.

" Just stay Pacey, I don't care.", mutters Clay in an agitated manner. Soon after he takes off for the living room. Following after him, I pour myself a glass of water. It is obvious the guy hates me right now. Not sure what he really wants me to do. Not like I had a clue Joey was the girl he had been talking about. I'm not about to argue with Clay right now. For all I care he can go lie beside Joey. I'll be damned if I am going to let Potter come between the two of us. He can try his hand, I'm not about to stop him. All that I want is to go to sleep, that is not asking too much. Regardless I'm going to make it clear to Clay I'm not a threat when it comes to Potter.

" Come on, Clay. It is not like that man. Believe me when I tell you that I have no intentions of spilling my guts to Joey, ever. Go for it Clay, seriously.", I reassure with a heavy sigh. This is the truth too. There is no way I am about to put myself out there for Potter and wind up rejected. Long ago I accepted the fact the Joey and I were not meant to be. Had I had things my way? Joey would be mine and I wouldn't ever let her go. Clay has no reason to hate me. I'm not going to stand in his way. He can go after Joey. It is not like I have any sort of a claim on Potter. The thought of Joey winding up with Clay isn't a pleasant one but there isn't much I can do.

" Why the hell not man?", demands Clay with a frustrated breath. Wait, what? Clay wants me to be upfront with Joey? Why would he want that? Last I checked, he was all but hoping to ask Joey out. It doesn't even make sense for me to ask Joey out? What would I want to do that for? The girl would more then likely laugh in my face. That doesn't rank high of my list of accomplishments. The only thing that would come from me confessing to Potter is an awkward tension and the two of us drifting further. Sort of the last thing I would ever want to happen. If Clay is worried I'll grow to resent him, I assure him that won't be the case.

" For the simple fact that no good would ever come from me telling Joey Potter that I'm in love with her. I'm not about to stand in your way if that's why you're worried Clay.", I remind in an exhausted manner. Rubbing at my eyes, I hold back a yawn. If we are done here, sleep is sounding good right now. I'm not about to stand here and let Clay pick a fight with me. There is nothing to even quarrel about, I meant it when I said I'm not putting myself out there for Potter. Clay can do his best to sweep the girl off her feet. He will have no arguments from me if he chose to. He might not like me a whole lot right now, but Clay will come to his senses in the morning. With luck Joey won't wake up with a hangover, those are never fun to deal with.

"...Hey Clay, I never got to thank you for picking me up tonight.", declares Joey while making her way from his room. Walking into Clay's arms, Joey hugs him tight. Leaning up she places friendly peck on his cheek. Startled briefly, Clay eventually returns the gesture. He reluctantly removes his arms from Joey. Turning to walk off, I halt when a hand reaches for mine. This girl is not giving up anytime soon. Something tells me that I already know what she is going to ask. Not sure if I have the strength to say no a third time. Last thing I want is to give in. for what? The chance to have Joey in my arms one night? If I had her in my arms I would never let go.

" I'll see you in the morning Potter, I promise.", I acknowledge with a sleepy smile and a nod. Letting Joey's hand fall from mine, I turn and walk away without another word. It is killing me to do so currently. I can all but feel the confused and hurt look in Joey's eyes at this point. The last I wanted to do was upset her but I wasn't given much of a choice in the matter. I was not about to have Clay ticked off at me. Changing into a t-shirt and boxers, I throw the covers back on my bed. Climbing under them, I stare up at the ceiling. How is it possible after all these years, I am still head over heels for Joey? Guess feelings that strong never fade. ...