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 #12

(Pacey's pov con'td)

" That's what I would like to know. I can't believe you Joey. Taking me back after I all but beg for your forgiveness isn't an option but clearly this guy is?!", snaps Ezra loudly before throwing his hands up in frustration. Just exactly what is that supposed to mean? Suddenly I'm not good enough for Joey? ...Fine, while that might be partly true I don't need this prick reminding me. To my amazement, Joey has yet to let go of my hand. This has to be a good sign right? To be honest, I half expected her to take off quicker than she had this morning at the diner. Guess whatever happens, we're both in this mess together.

" Either of you want to tell me just what the hell is going on here?", questions Dawson as he folds his arms across his chest. Personally, that is precisely what I would like to know. The last thing I ever anticipated was Josephine Potter catching me off guard with what quite possibly may have been the best kiss ever. Our lips might have only touched for a brief moment, but it was enough to send me reeling and render me completely confused. Watching Joey lowered her head in guilt at Dawson's enraged outburst, I decide to take the fall. Why should Dawson hate the both of us?

" Look, Dawson. If you're going to be upset with anyone, it should be me. You want the gods honest truth? Well, here it is I guess. I'm in love with Joey, I always have been man. No matter how hard I tried I never was able to get her to notice me. Unfortunately, I always seemed to be the one left to pick up the pieces when you or any other guy was stupid enough to let her go. Do you know how frustrating it is to always be the guy Joey seeks out as a source of comfort whenever you or someone else messes up?", I disclose without so much as a second thought. My admission seems to have caught Joey's attention, I catch her staring at me in disbelief. This wasn't the ideal way I had wanted to put myself out there, but at this point what do I possibly have to lose? This guy Ezra looks as though he wants to fight me, as for Dawson? Well, it's safe to say our friendship is in question right now.

" ...Pacey.", I hear Joey all but whisper from beside me. Risking a glance, I notice a mixed look of both terror and utter shock in her eyes. It is only now that I begin to feel the slightest bit guilty, my admission all but put Potter on the spot. That was not my intention, she deserves to know the truth though. Dawson has no reason to hate me, I haven't done anything wrong. Potter kissed me, it wasn't the other way around. Should I have told Dawson how I felt about Joey the moment I knew? Yeah, I probably should have. The only reason that I didn't is because I knew doing so would only manage to put a wedge in our friendship. Guess in a way I just did.

Interrupting Joey before she has a chance to say anything else, I let out an exhausted sigh," Jo there's no need to say anything, really. Dawson, I'm sorry that I never told you sooner man and I really hope this admission won't affect our friendship. You're like a brother to me man, that's partly why I never said anything in the first place. Ezra, what the hell were you thinking when you let Joey slip through your finger tips?"

Regarding me with a hateful glare, Ezra shakes his head with a bitter laugh," I was beginning to ask myself the exact same question, now I'm not so sure why I even bothered. Glad to see just exactly how much I meant to you Jo, sure move on quick don't you?"

" I'm not going to sit here and let you pick another fight with me Ezra, not when you are the one who ended things with me. I'm tired of the two of us always having the same argument over and over, it's exhausting. Not once have I ever given you a reason to distrust me. How is it my fault that it took you shattering my heart to finally realize that I was telling you the truth all along? Ezra, the only reason we're not together is because your jealousy of my friendship with Dawson drove us apart. Dawson, I'm sorry. You weren't meant to see me kiss Pacey. To be honest I'm not even all too certain why I did. It just….happened I guess. That's no excuse, I know. Please don't ask me what the hell I was thinking, because I honestly don't know. For the first time I wasn't and it felt amazing if I'm going to be honest. These last few months, I have exhausted so much energy fighting with Ezra and pleading my case to him that there was nothing between you and I anymore. As if that weren't enough, since last Christmas I had been all but avoiding you. It had gotten to the point where if there was a family or group gathering that I knew there was a chance we would run into one another, I would make up reasons not to go or to leave when you arrived. It was never because I didn't want to see you, keep in mind, it was simply the easy solution to avoid yet another shouting match with Ezra. Pacey...I'm sorry. I wish that I had a reason let alone an explanation for my actions, I don't. Please don't hold this knowledge against me?", apologizes Joey in a hurried manner, it's then I notice the few stray tears that managed to escape her eyes. Watching them as they roll down her cheek, out of reflex or maybe force of habit I find myself reaching up to swipe them away. Just as quickly I stop myself once I remember we're not alone. It is tearing me apart inside not to be able to pull Joey into my arms and comfort her. I don't know why Potter kissed me, or even what it meant. While I might be dying to find out what was running through her mind when our lips met, I know now is not the time to ask questions.

" Even if I wanted to, which I don't, I would never do that Potter.", I reassure without the slightest bit of hesitation. This seems to comfort Joey a great deal, I notice her flash me thankful smile and offer an understanding one of my own. Who am I kidding, even if I wanted to I couldn't bring myself to resent Potter. While I might not know let alone ever find out what that kiss meant, at this point it doesn't even matter. All I want is for Joey to be happy. It's not like I ever expected her to notice me as more then a friend. Potter has enough to deal with right now, she doesn't need me asking questions about a kiss that for all I know probably meant nothing to her. Saying a quick and awkward goodnight, I watch Joey step off of True Love and onto the dock once more. Without so much as another word she wastes no time making her way past both Dawson and Ezra. The voice in the back of my mind is screaming at me to go after her, my heart is telling me to give her time though. ….

(Dawson's pov)

" What am I supposed to do here Pacey? I mean, are you honestly going to stand here and tell me that you're into Potter?", I question once Joey is out of ear shot. Since when does Pacey have a thing for Joey? Not once has he ever said anything to me about liking her. Hell, last I checked those two were still sworn enemies. Joey and Pacey could never stand to be in the same room together without slinging snide remarks or sarcastic comments at one another. What could have possibly changed between the two of them, more importantly when? Joey and this guy Ezra only broke up not even two weeks ago. Hell, before the other night when they ran into one another at a bar by chance Pacey mentioned the two of them hadn't seen let alone spoken to one another since the last time we all had a get together. There has to be something that I am missing here. Am I upset with Pacey? Honestly, no. How could I be? Joey is the one who leaned up and kissed him, she all but admitted to this. At this point I'm not even sure what to think.

" I don't know what you want me to say here Dawson. Of all people you should know how easy it is for a guy the fall for miss Josephine Potter. Have you looked at her man? I mean...look at her Dawson, she's a freaking goddess.", acknowledges Pacey as he points in the general direction Joey took off in just minutes earlier. Did I just hear him correctly? Is Pacey telling me that he has feelings for Joey? ...My Joey? Well...fine Jo hasn't exactly been mine since high school. Much as the two of us tried we just could not make things work. At the end of our junior year Joey and I both came to the conclusion that we were better off as friends. We had a brief slip up our freshmen year of college but it didn't last long, Joey was settling into Worthington and I was accepted into film school in California. Not once has Pacey ever mentioned that he saw Joey as more than a friend. If he has had feelings for her all these years, why am I only just finding this out? Was he afraid of how I would react? Is there a possibility Joey could have feelings for Pacey too? This is all too much for me to take in right now.

Tensing up at Pacey's admission, Ezra regards him with an agitated scowl," Who the hell are you anyway man? That's my ex girlfriend you're talking about."

Turning his attention to Ezra, Pacey takes a minute or so to calm his nerves before bothering to answer," Ezra, Potter and I have been friends since before the two of us could walk. Ever think if you had just believed her when she told you there was nothing between her and Dawson that you and Joey might still be together right about now?"

" Alright, Pacey how's about you and I grab that drink before things get out of hand. Ezra...wish I could say that it was nice to meet you man but I would be lying. This is actually against my better judgment...but your welcome to come with us.", I wisely intervene as I block Ezra's path when he takes a menacing step towards Pacey. The last thing I feel like doing is driving this idiot to the hospital for attempting to pick a fight with Pacey. I saw what he did to Matt Caulfield after finding out he was the one who defaced Joey's mural junior year. Ezra is barking up the wrong tree right about now. If he knew what was good for him, he'd walk away. Pacey does not look like he is in the mood. You know, now that I think about it how could I have not put two and two together? Joey and Pacey might have had their differences, but he was always a bit protective of her even when we were kids. Pace always did enjoy tormenting Potter to no end, soon as someone messed with or made her cry though? He was quick to make them regret it. ….

(Ezra's pov)

" Tempting as that sounds, I think I'll pass.", I all but sneer in response as I regard Dawson and Pacey with a look of resentment. The last thing I want to do is hangout with the likes of these two. Dawson is a big part in why Joey and I are no longer together. This other guy...Pacey or whatever has all but moved in on her. Joey might have kissed him, but I'm not an idiot. He's probably banking on the notion that his role of the 'understanding friend' will land him a shot with Joey. I wasn't exactly born yesterday, the moment I first laid eyes on this guy I knew it was probably only a matter of time before he made a move on her. Maybe instead of being caught up on worrying about Dawson, I should have had a tighter hold on Joey. Thanks to my own damn stupidity, I may very well lose her to this guy Pacey. ...I hate this guy so much right now, picking a fight with him won't help me get Joey back though.

" Suite yourself man, see you around.", mutters Pacey in a dismissive tone as him and Dawson take off in the opposite direction. God, I really hate that guy. If I didn't think Joey would never speak to me again, I would deck him in a second. Could she really be done with me? Joey once told me that she loved me. While I know that I have caused her a lot of unintentional pain and heart ache, could she really want nothing to do with me? The thought of Joey moving on with some other guy, let alone this prick Pacey...it is killing me. I'm at a loss right now, nothing that I say or do seems to make a difference. Countless times, I have begged and pleaded asking for Joey's forgiveness and another chance. She has made it more then clear that just is not going to happen though. I don't know, maybe this is truly the end of us. The worst part is I'm the reason that we're no longer together. I pushed Joey away, I accused her of cheating, I refused to believe her when she promised there was nothing between her and Dawson, I am the one who picked countless arguments with her over my own damn insecurities, I am the reason that we are no longer together. Our entire damn break up was my fault and now it seems that it just may be a little too late to ask for a second chance. ….