Description: My completely original version of how Pacey and Joey got together. Set after high school. Slight crossover with Pretty Little Liars, has nothing to do with -A though.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. The only thing I own is the original storyline.

Author's Note: Leave a review and I will update regularly.

Second Chances

Chapter #8

(Dawson's pov)

" Joey? Hey! I was hoping that you would come out for breakfast. Look, I have been thinking a lot about last Christmas...and I have been wanting to apologize for well….everything to be honest.", I confide without hesitation as Ipull Joey in for a light hug and leave a harmless peck on her forehead. Relieved when she returns the gesture, I sit back down beside Jack and Jen in the corner booth I saved for all of us. Got to admit, I half expected Joey not to come to breakfast this morning. Last Christmas did not exactly leave the two of us on the best of terms. From what I am told, since I don't remember much, I all but told Joey there was still a part of methat had always hoped we would work things out. Apparently after that I had made an attempt to kiss her. It wasn't until the next morning when I was sober that it was brought to my attention she'd had a boyfriend. Needless to say I felt like a complete jerk. Joey had taken off before I ever got the chance to say I was sorry. We hadn't talked much since for obvious reasons...she has actually been dodging my calls.

" Dawson, it's okay really. We all had a little too much to drink that night, things happen.", reassures Joey before taking a sip from the drink she'd ordered. She may have said the words but I can tell that Joey doesn't fully mean them. There was a hesitancy in her voice and an almost disheartened look in her eyes. Was it something that I said? No, no. How could it have been? All I did was offer an apology that should have been given little over a year ago. Something else is the matter with Joey and for the life of me, I have no idea what it is. The two of us hadn't really talked much since last Christmas. The few times I had attempted to reach out to her, Joey either dodged my calls or made an excuse to leave when she was home visiting Bessie in Capeside and I dropped by. I don't want this to be how things are between the two of us anymore. ...I miss Joey. I can respect that she's seeing someone, I'm actually happy for her believe it or not. But does that mean the two of us can never hangout and catch up? I would like to hope that it doesn't.

" You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that Jo, had I known you were seeing someone I never would have tried to kiss you that night. From what Jen and Jack have both told me, this guy, Ezra? He seems like a really great guy. I'm actually looking forward to meeting him one day.", I acknowledge while taking a bite from a piece of toast. This must of caught Pacey's attention as I notice him steal a glance in Joey's direction. For her part, Joey's gaze is currently downcast and there's an unreadable expression on her face. Was it something that I said? Maybe now wasn't the best time to apologize, not in front of the rest of the gang at least. Something tells me that I should have pulledJoey aside or asked if I could talk with her for a few minutes once we had all parted ways once more. It's obvious this conversation is making Joey a bit uncomfortable which was never my intention. My only question is, why does Paceyseem to care? Does he know something that I don't? Now that I think about it, I noticed Emily shoot almost the exact same glimpse in Joey's direction as well. It can't just be a coincidence, something tells me not to pry too much though. Guess maybe I'll just pull Pace aside after we all leave and ask him what was up.

" I can't deal with this right now, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, but I need to go.", announces Joey before taking off without so much as another word. She could not have taken off fast enough either. Jen and I both stand to go after her, but Pacey stops us just as quickly as Emily instead rushes out to try and catch up with Joey. Taking a reluctant seat once more, we both turn our attention to Pacey. Alright what the hell was that about? Obviously, he knows something the rest of us don't. Pacey had better start talking, I don't know about the other two but I for one would love to know just what the hell is going on.

Staring in the direction Joey took off in seconds before, Jen's attention, as does the rest of ours, immediately falls to Pacey," Care to fill the rest of us in on what the hell that was about Pace?"

Knowing we're all waiting for an explanation from him, Pacey scratches at the back of his neck before hesitantly offering one in a gruff manner," It's not my place to say anything...but from what I got out of Potter when I ran into her last night at a bar, she and that Ezra guy broke up about a week or so ago."

(Jen's pov)

" Are you serious? She never mentioned anything to me or Jack.", I exclaim in confusion as I try to wrap my head around things. This would certainly explain why Joey wasn't exactly looking forward to breakfast this morning. Here I thought she was uneasy at the thought of seeing Dawson, obviously now I know there was a bit more to it than that. I don't understand what could have happened. While Joey and Ezra may have had their fair share of fights, it was obvious she loved him. What the hell could have possibly happened? More importantly why didn't Joey tell Jack or I? Whether we were in New York when those two broke up or not, she should know that the both of us would have been there for her in a heart beat. Whatever the case may be, right now Joey is evidently upset and hurting right now. Maybe that is a big reason as to why she wasn't too thrilled at the thought of seeing Dawson today. Joey probably didn't want to deal with him trying to patch things up with her. Dealing with one heart break is difficult enough, no body wants to be reminded of another.

" It's not exactly something she really wants to talk about Jen. Can't really say that I blame her. Hell, Potter didn't even want to tell me whatwas the matter when I bumped into her last night. Itwas more then apparent something was bothering her though so I eventually coaxed it out of her.", explains Pacey before pushing his now half eaten plate of eggs and bacon aside. For Joey to be out drinking by herself, let alone at all, things must not have ended well between her and Ezra. Guess that it makes sense that she wouldn't want to mention anything to us. Potter never was one to really open up to others much about what was bothering her. Jack, Pacey, Dawson and I always did have our ways of getting her to talk though. Especially if we knew that something was bothering Joey. Could this be why she never bothered to say anything? Guess perhaps Joey didn't want us asking any questions or trying to make her feel better.

" Well, did she at least tell you what happened between the two of them Pace?", wonders Jack before finishing the last of his coffee. He asked exactly what I was thinking too. Whatever it was, it had to have been something pretty bad if those two broke up over it. Joey was practically over the moon for Ezra. Those two actually made me nauseous with how meant for one another they were. To be honest, it was great seeing Joey so happy. After all she has been through, Jo deserved a tiny bit of happiness in her life. One way or another Pacey is going to tell us exactly what he knows. I'll make sure of this if I have to. He should know by now that I won't stop until I have answers.

" As a matter of fact, yeah, she did. Seems This guy Ezra all but accused Joey of cheating on him with Dawson.", confides Pacey with an irritated shake of his head. He has got to be kidding me right now. Ezra seriously suspected Joey of going behind his back with Dawson? Please, the thought alone is ridiculous! Joey made itmore then clear to Dawson after he confided that he had always hoped they would work things out that she was seeing someone and very much in love with them. For Christ sake, Joey was so afraid Ezra would break up with her once she told him about Dawson and how he had kissed her. Jack and I suggested that she not even mention anything to him, but Joey felt guilty and wanted to finally be honest with Ezra. He didn't exactly take the news well, while he didn't hold anything against Joey since she hadn't been the one to kiss Dawson, I guess he didn't like the idea they were still close friends. What did he honestly expect though? It's not like Joey could just never talk to Dawson again, they have been friends since they were basically in diapers. Hell, they grew up together. For the life of me, I don't understand why Ezra felt so threatened by Joey's past with Dawson. So what if they once had a history together. Joey wanted to be with Ezra, she was in love with him. If she wanted to work things out with Dawson and be with him, I'm fairly certain that she would be.

Arching an eyebrow at mention of his name, Dawson sets hisempty coffee cup aside before reaching for his wallet when the waitress brings us our bill," Wait, hold on. What the hell do I have to do with anything exactly? Joey and I haven'teven spoken to one another since last Christmas and that was a little over a year or so ago."

Standing from his seat with the rest of us, Pacey throws on his jacket and zips it up. In a gruff manner without hesitation, he reminds," Are you kidding me right now? Dawson, do you remember what happened last Christmas? Joey all but made it sound like the guy didn't like the fact she was still friends with you to begin with. According to Emily after their break up, Potter was left completely shattered. She still must be and to top it off? I had the pleasure of meeting the prick last night since Jo and I had the misfortune of running into him while I walked her home from the bar. Talk about awkward and uncomfortable."

" Well, what am I supposed to do about this? I mean, I should do something right?", inquires Dawson as we walk out of the diner together. Is he kidding me right now? What could Dawson possibly do to fix things? Ezra won't want to hear anything he has to say, even if he did I'm fairly certain that conversation would not end well. I almost wish Pacey hadn't of said anything. It's not exactly a secret Dawson still has feelings for Joey. Now that he knows she's not with Ezra anymore, I'm getting the feeling it's only a matter of time before he makes his intentions to attempt and work things out with Joey once more clear. Personally, it wouldn't phase me in the least. By now, I'm well aware of the duo of Dawson and Joey. In high school they were a sort of on again off again, freshman year of college they had a slip up too as did Dawson and I shortly after his father passed. Neither of which lasted long. I'm not all that sure what Dawson is expecting to happen but, from what I can tell? It looks as though Joey has moved on. One look and anyone could see how so absolutely in love with Ezra she was...from the looks of how she took off just before? I would even go as far as to say that she still is in love with Ezra, even after the moron destroyed her heart. Much as I want to make sure Jo is alright, I think maybe its best to give her a little time.

" Look, Dawson. I know that you mean well man, but its probably best just to leave this one alone. Joey's hurting and I doubt at this point there ismuch any of us could say that is going to change that.", advises Jack before opening the jeeps passenger side door for me. Arching an eyebrow in his direction, I fold my arms across my chest before holding my hand out. Um, sorry Mcphee it's my turn to drive since you drove all way home last night from New York. Gladly taking the keys when Jack hands them to me, I smile in victory. Huh, I wonder if these two idiots are up to anything for the rest of today? Might be nice for the four of us to catch up some more since we hardly got to over breakfast. Besides, with Dawson occupied at least I won't have to worry about him taking off after Joey and possibly making things more complicated than they already probably are for her.

" Seriously Dawson, Jack is right. Joey probably just wants to be alone at this point right now, it's best to just give her some time and let her come to us when she's ready. You know how Joey is by now, come on.", I second with an acknowledgment of my own. While sure Dawson may mean well, something tells me his intentions aren't nearlyas earnest as they may seem. I'm fairly certain the last thing Joey wants is Dawson to put his nose where it doesn't belong. Besides, I can all but see the wheel churning in Dawson's mind right about now. It's practically written all over his face that he sees this sudden turn of events as an opportunity to make an amends with Joey. Something tells me it's not just about their drifting friendship these last few years either. Honestly, I'm not all that sure the feelings would be mutual on Joey's part. Hell, Jack and I both saw the way she looked at Ezra when they were still together. The poor girl was head over heels for him. I think it's best Dawson just left the past right where it belonged, in the past. …