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 #11

(Joey's pov)

" Come on, Jo. You and I know that I could never sell this boat. She holds way too many memories for me." acknowledges Pacey with a slight smile taking over his features. Offering one of my own, I can't help but notice the hint of sadness that lies in his eyes. Guess I never actually thought about how much this boat truly meant to Pacey. He saved it from the scrap yard and worked on it nearly everyday after school our junior year. Pacey would never admit it, but I think fixing this up took his mind off Andie and their break up. Unfortunately for me, there were many a times where I was corralled into helping Pacey with repairs as well as sanding and painting. Looking back, I suppose it wasn't so bad. We passed the time with our usual bickering and bantering. I never understood why Pacey chose to Christen his boat as True Love, him and Andie never were able to work through their break up. It's a little sad to think that even today there's probably a part of him that still loves her.

" Yeah, I guess not. ...You must have really loved Andie a lot Pacey.", I find myself adding as an after thought. Walking towards the front of the boat, I lean against the railing momentarily lost in thought. Startled slightly when I feel Pacey walk up behind me, I peek over my shoulder at him. Smirking when he offers me a root beer, I gladly pop the top off and take a few sips. We stand in comfortable silence for a long while as we both stare out across the bay. I'm kind of glad that Pacey brought me here of all places, I could stay out here all night listening to the waves crash against the dockside.

" What makes you say that Joey?", I hear Pacey ask after about ten minutes of neither of us saying a word. Caught a little off guard by his query, I only offer a small shrug of my shoulders. Risking a brief glimpse back at Pacey, I once more return my attention towards the bay. It's such a clear night out, the sky is filled with stars and the moons reflecting a warm glow across the bay side.

" Well for one, you named a sail boat after her Pace.", I point out as if it weren't already obvious. Maybe it's just me but that isn't exactly something you do unless you love somebody. To be honest, I think it's probably one of the sweetest things Pacey has ever done. At the same time, I also find it to be a little sad. Andie was one of the first girls Pacey careda great deal for. When he found out that she had slept with someone else while in rehabilitation, it all but wrecked him.

" Fair enough, guess I could see how you would think that. True Love isn't named after Andie though, it's just an idea Potter.", discloses Pacey in a gruff manner from beside me. Not exactly sure how to respond, I instead choose to say nothing. Letting Pacey's words sink in, I mindlessly reach my hand up to tuck a few stray strands of hair behind my ear only for Pacey to beat me to the punch. A shutter runs through me when his hand brushes lightly against my jawline before falling to his side once more.

Glancing back at Pacey, I can't help but smile as I notice his hands resting in front of me on either side of the railing," Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm actually glad you're here Witter. We may not always get along, but I like knowing that you're there when I need you."

Tensing up at my admission briefly, with a slightly frustrated breath Pacey softly remarks," Could you please not say things like that Jo?"

" Why not? I don't get it Pace...it's the truth.", I admit in an all too quiet manner. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is, I was merely paying Pacey a compliment. Pacey is one of the only ones that knows exactly how to make me laugh when something is bothering me and I'm upset. He has always been there for me over the years, it's reassuring to know that I can rely on Pacey if ever I need to.

" Jo, when you tell me things like this I find it all the more difficult not to kiss you.", remarks Pacey in a low gruff voice. His words hit me like a cold splash of water, it's not long before goose bumps start to prickle along my arms. Raising my eyes to meet his stare, I lower them just as quickly. All too aware of our sudden closeness in proximity, I turn my back towards Pacey and instead gaze out across the bay quiet. Judging by the soft breathe I hear Pacey heave, I can tell he's not happy with me right now. This isn't exactly something I'm prepared to deal with though, not tonight anyway.

" You know, I haven't seen one cloud in the sky tonight Pace? Look at all the stars that are out. The moons reflection over the bay is kind of amazing, don't you think?", I point out with the hints of a smile making its way across my face. Knowing full well Pacey's eyes are fixated on me, I can't help but let out a shudder at the sight of his hands resting on either side of me. Jen used to always joke that there was something between Pacey and I. Over the years I have always blatantly denied even the mere possibility. But now, being here like this and having him so close? Part of me wonders if she could have been onto something… To be honest, the mere thought has me all but petrified.

" It pales in comparison to you.", I hear Pacey whisper in my ear, a spark of electricity jolts through me when his hand clasps over mine. Knowing better than to do so, it's not long before I find myself leaning back into his arms. I'm not even all that certain what the hell is happening. Am I attracted to Pacey? How is that even possible? This is Pacey Witter that I'm talking about, there was a time where he was public enemy number one. Could Jen have been onto something? Closing my eyes for a few minutes, I relax into Pacey's arms. It's not long before a flood of memories flashes through my mind of the two of us through the years. The day my mother passed away, Pacey was the first to come see me. He was the only one who never asked if I was alright because he knew that I wasn't. The day Jen moved in next door to Dawson, he practically pushed those two together even though he knew full well exactly how I felt for Dawson. Could he have had an ulterior motive that he never had the chance to act on? When the Ice House burnt down, it was not only his suggestion but hard work and volunteered labor that helped Bess and I get the Potter's B&B up and running. The bed and breakfast critic he tracked down to stay at the B&B put us on the map. Pacey did what Dawson wasn't patient enough to do, he taught me to drive stick shift. I don't know how many times I stalled out before finally making it down the dirt driveway from my house. The day Matt Caulfield vandalized my mural, it was Pacey who nearly got him expelled and himself nearly suspended for picking a fight with him. The wall that he bought for and encouraged me to paint...the wall I left unfinished. With all these memories racing through my mind, I soon find myself wondering just how blind I could have been. All these years, through every rough patch I have ever experienced...it's always been Pacey whose been there.

" Pacey, please don't make things more complicated for me then they already are?", I all but beg of him as I turn around in his arms and my eyes nervously meet his finally. By now it's fairly obvious that Pacey's gotten under my skin. I'm not too certain when it happened but this morning when the two of us were lying in bed, his arm brushed against mine and I felt it. This is what has me scared the most, if I admit that I have feelings for Pacey then I might as well wedge myself right between him and Dawson. While we might not have been a thing since high school, I somehow doubt Dawson will just stand by and let his two best friends figure out how they feel about one another.

Offering a mere nod of his head, Pacey lowers his gaze from mine to hide the rejection that lies just behind his eyes," Yeah…yeah, you're right. I'm sorry Potter, it won't happen again.

Taken back when he breaks the once close proximity, I find myself instantly regretting that I pushed Pacey away. Placing my hand in his, I bite down on my bottom lip when his eyes catch mine once more," No, I'm sorry Pace. It's just...well, I'm not exactly positive whats going on here."

(Pacey's pov)

" You think that I do Jo? All these years and I never could get you to notice me. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to watch you try and make things work with Dawson time and again? Or to watch you fall for a guy who clearly doesn't deserve to be with you and broke your heart?", I reveal with a defeated shake of my head and an exasperated sigh. It's not easy watching someone you care about trying to put together the pieces of a failed relationship. Guess that I can't exactly hold this against Potter though, how was she to know how I felt? All these years, it was never exactly something that I told her. Then again, how could I? Every chance that I ever had Dawson was always in the way or Joey was seeing someone. Sure, I might have kissed Jo a time or two but I never truly laid it all out on the line for her. Maybe if I had things would be very different between the two of us today.

" ...No, I suppose that I don't Pacey.", answers Joey in a mere whisper, her eyes never once meet mine. Reaching up, I touch my thump to Joey's cheek and swipe away a few stray tears. Stumbling back a few steps when her lips touch mine lightly, I shake my head in confusion. That is not something that I was expecting from Potter anytime soon. Judging by the flustered look that's taken over Joey's features, its obvious she wasn't either. This girl is always throwing me curve balls. Just when I think that I have Potter all figured out, she does something like this that completely throws me off guard. Not positive what I'm supposed to do right now. Every fiber in my being is screaming at me to kiss Joey senseless.

" At least now, I know where you took off to. Guess maybe it's not Dawson that I should have been worried about.", I hear Joey's ex boyfriend Ezra accuse as he regards both Potter and I with an envious glare. Startled quite a bit by the sound of his voice, I watch Joey immediately tense up. Thrown when I feel her hand grasp hold of mine, instinctively I touch a reassuring hand to her waist. Well, isn't this just dandy. Go figures, Joey finally shows the slightest bit of interest in me and her ex is right there to ruin it. This should be fun, judging by the look on this guys face? He is about two seconds away from knocking my lights out. I'm not all too worried, fairly confident I could take this guy if I had to. Lets hope no punches are thrown.

" ...What the hell is going on here?", exclaims Dawson as he walks up behind Ezra. Seriously? What the hell, this would be my luck. Guess that I could kiss my friendship with Dawson goodbye. How? How the hell do I manage to get myself into these situations? Something tells me that I should have just kept on walking when I heard Potter call out my name. If I had, I probably wouldn't be in the awkward and tense situation I seem to have landed myself in currently. Here is the thing though, I technically didn't do anything wrong. Joey is the one whose lips met mine, she made a move on me. Somehow I doubt any of this will make a difference to this Ezra guy let alone Dawson. Congratulations Witter, you're an idiot. ….