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 #13

(Joey's thoughts)

Well, I'm sure to get an earful from Emily whenever I actually do make it back to the apartment and she's there. After leaving the docks, I did go home for a bit but I didn't stay long. I was only there long enough to grab a nights worth of cloths. At first I was going to stay the night with Jen and Jack but I decided it against it. By now they probably know that I kissed Pacey and knowing those two I'll never hear the end of it. There was a time in high school where Jen was all but convinced there was some sexual tension behind the near constant bickering between Pacey and I. To be honest, I have no idea what the hell I was thinking when I kissed him. For the first time in my life, I wasn't and it felt amazing.

Unfortunately for me, I just have the absolute worst luck not to mention timing. No sooner had my lips parted from Pacey's and our eyes met, I had the pleasure of hearing Ezra's voice from the dockside. Apparently when I left Hell's Kitchen with Pacey, he followed shortly after and my evening as I knew it just went straight to hell. Ezra looked like he had wanted to deck Pacey. To make things even more awkward, Dawson was right behind him and saw the whole ordeal too. Yeah, I really had to pat myself on the back for that one. Kissing Pacey like I had was not my smartest decision.

Ezra nearly went berserk with jealousy and Dawson...well, lets just say he was one of the last people I wanted to see Pacey and I kissing. The three of us have been friends our entire lives, Dawson and I dated off and on in high school as well. Now? It seems as though I have managed to wedge myself between Dawson and Pacey's life long friendship. It's all becoming just a bit too much to deal with. Am I into Pacey? Why did I kiss him? Is he even an option for me? These are all questions that I know Ezra, Dawson and Pacey are all going to want me to answer. Here's the thing though, I don't have an answer to any of those questions right about now.

The only thing that I know for certain is that this is not something I'm going to deal with tonight. It is for that exact reason that I now currently find myself back aboard True Love. I'm not even all that sure how I wound up here, it was not my intention to that much is for sure. To be honest this is sort of where I wandered to without realizing it. I'm not too worried though, Pacey won't be coming back here tonight. He's probably across town just headed back to his apartment right about now. He might have docked True Love here but he told me himself he hasn't taken her out in a while. The odds of Pacey coming back here tonight are pretty slim.

What I wouldn't give to just be able to sail away sometimes. Pacey did precisely that at the end of our junior year. He sailed True Love down to the Florida Keys and was gone all summer. Climbing my way below deck, I switch on a light. Kicking out of my socks and shoes, I lay on the lower of two hammocks. Reaching to turn off the light once more, I stop as my eyes catch hold of an old worn out book. Curiosity soon gets the best of me and I pick it up carefully to examine it more closely. Upon further examination of the cover, I smile at the books title. Pacey would have a copy of Moby Dick on his boat, of course, why wouldn't he? Sitting up with the book in my lap, I carefully thump through the first few pages and begin reading. …

(Dawson's pov)

" Sure you don't want to catch a taxi to your apartment Pacey? We could catch one together, your place is on the way to Grams.", I offer once I open the taxi door and climb inside. We spent the last few hours drinking. Neither of us are in the condition to drive, which is why I'm taking a cab back to Gram's. Pacey insists on walking since his boat is only docked a few blocks down. After a lengthy discussion, I decided that I can't hold the fact Pacey has feelings for Joey against him. He's my oldest friend and I'm not about to lose him fighting over a girl I haven't been with since high school. This fact aside, I actually feel sort of bad for the guy. Pacey all but admitted he's had feelings for Joey since way before the two of us ever got together. Not once had he ever confided this knowledge to me. Far as I knew, Joey was always public enemy number one in Pacey's eyes. The way he talks about her though? It's easy to see how badly the guy is in love with her.

" No, its alright man. I'll just stay on True Love for tonight, I have been meaning to clean her up. Thinking about sailing her along the coast this summer, it's been a while since I have taken her out in open water.", answers Pacey before waving me off. I'm not about to argue with him otherwise. Something tells me that there is a strong possibility he named True Love after Joey. I know for a fact it's not for Andie, those two broke up the beginning of junior year on the account that she had slept with another guy in the rehabilitation she was sent away to for the summer. Pacey had the misfortune of finding that out the hard way after he'd picked her up. At the time he seemed crushed by Andie's betrayal. Then before I knew it he'd saved True Love from being sent to the scrap yard and devoted all his time to making her seaworthy and look like new. Now that I think about it, Pacey had always somehow managed to coral Joey into lending a hand. I never understood it at the time, Joey protested at first but eventually always wound up caving. Is it possible that she has feelings for Pacey but never realized it? Guess only time will tell.

" Alright, I'll talk to you later man. Hey Pace, try not to beat yourself up about Potter. If it's meant to things will work themselves out.", I advise as an after thought while offering a sympathetic smile. Pacey was really torn over fessing up that he was into Joey. Guess he half expected me to never speak to him again. While I was upset at first, I'm alright with things now. Its not his fault that he just so happened to fall for the same girl as me. These things happen sometimes. Besides Pacey and I have been friends way too long to let Joey come between our friendship. While I might not be ecstatic at the thought of Pacey wanting to pursue things with Joey, who am I to hold it against him or tell him not to? ….

(A while later on board True Love; Pacey's pov)

Climbing aboard True Love, I make my way below deck. Alarmed when I see the lights are on, I proceed with caution. What the hell? Did someone rob me? Who the hell would break into my boat? There is nothing of value worth stealing. Looking around carefully, I notice nothing has been taken. It's not long before my attention is brought to none other then a slumbering miss Josephine Potter. This girl is out cold curled up in my hammock. What is she even doing here? Was Joey waiting for me? If this is the case, my only question is...why? Smirking to myself when I see my copy of Moby Dick resting on her chest, I hold back a chuckle. Potter sure is a beautiful mess right now. Deciding not to wake her, I lay a blanket over her sleeping form and place the gentlest of kisses atop her forehead. This seems to have roused Joey from her sleep as I see her yawn and reluctantly open her eyes. Joey's sleepy gaze eventually meets mine and she all but falls from the hammock. Not missing a beat, I catch her in my arms just as swiftly.

..." Pacey...what are you doing here?", questions Joey in a quiet manner, her eyes never leave mine. A million thoughts are running through my mind right about now. Joey is the last person that I expected to see. Here she is though, staring up at me with those breath taking brown eyes of hers. What am I doing here? Is she serious right now? This is my boat. If anything I should be asking her that question.

" I was just about to ask you the same question Potter.", I comment with an amused chuckle causing Joey to instantly blush. Guess she wasn't anticipating that I would come back aboard True Love tonight. Under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't have. But I'm a bit drunk and just wanted to pass out without fumbling for my damn keys. While I might not know what Joey is doing here, I'm not about to ask her to leave. Truth is, I was hoping that our paths would cross again sometime soon. Only thing is I had no idea they would do so tonight nor that Jo had sneaked aboard True Love.

" ...I'll leave, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be here Witter.", answers Joey in a hushed tone while attempting to remove herself from my gentle embrace. Holding her close against me, I nudge my finger tips against Joey's cheek causing her to glance up at me. Offering a weary smile, I place my hand lightly over Joey's. Telling her to go is the last thing on my mind. I don't care that Jo is here, I'm just curious as to why. That in itself is a simple and reasonable question.

" Jo, I don't want you to go anywhere. I'm just confused as to why you're here.", I reassure in a consoling manner. Bringing her to sit beside me on the couch, I watch quietly as Joey runs a frustrated hand through her hair. Even upset and agitated this woman still manages to take my breath away. I honestly do not know how she does it. Then again, it was never a contest. Josephine Lynn Potter has always held my heart in her hands whether I knew it or not. All those years I spent tormenting and harassing or chasing Joey around, it's a wonder that I hadn't fallen for her sooner. She honestly never had a clue how I felt about her even after all these years.

" ...this was the first place that I thought to go Pacey.", confesses Joey much to my surprise. I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to respond to this. Of all the places Joey could have gone and had a little time to herself, she chose my boat first? What exactly is that supposed to mean? This girl is slowly killing me right now. How am I supposed to react to this knowledge? What do I even say right now? Oh my God is it near impossible not to kiss Potter breathless right about now. She is driving me up the walls and has no idea.

" What does that even mean Potter?", I question with an exasperated breath. True Love is the first place she thought to go? Joey could have literally gone anywhere else yet she chose to stow away on my boat? Was she hoping that I would show up? Did she want to see me? Judging by the caught off guard expression on Joey's face, I'm going to take a wild guess and say no she was not expecting to see me anytime soon. I am at a complete loss of what to do right about now. Should I stay? Should I leave? Will Joey take off on me yet again? Considering she has yet to make a run for it, I'm assuming that Joey's not going anywhere anytime soon.

" Why does it have to mean anything Pacey?", counters Joey before brushing a stray strand of hair from her eyes. Thankful she has yet to break our close proximity, my heart triples its beat when I notice Potter bite down self consciously on her bottom lip. Does she even realize what she does to me? I'm fairly certain that if she had, Joey would have stopped her torturous ways long ago. What I wouldn't give to taste her lips on mine once more even if only for a second. Something tells me kissing Potter is not an option at this point and time. Not when I have no idea what she's doing here or what that first lip lock we shared even meant to her.

Offering an apologetic smile, I place a hand over Joey's in an effort to show her I meant no harm," It doesn't, I'm sorry Potter. Guess perhaps I was just hoping that it had."

Leaning back in my arms, Joey quietly plays with the hem of my shirts sleeve," I'll leave if that's what you want Witter."

" Please don't Jo?", are the only words I can seem to mutter as of currently. The last thing I want is for Potter to go. I have so many questions for her. The first being, why did she kiss me? Did Joey mean to or was it a mistake? Did the kiss mean anything to her as it had obviously meant so very much to me? My breath catches in my lungs as Joey places a soft hand to my chest. It's only now that I realize my heart is about to burst from racing a million miles a minute. I shudder when Joey's hand carefully finds its way toward my cheek. Tensing only briefly when her lips touch mine, I close my eyes afraid that I'm dreaming. Upon opening them once more, I nearly grin like an idiot once I figure out that I'm not.

"...Pacey, I'm sorry.", mumbles Joey in a saddened tone before peeking up at me. Taking a risk, I wrap Joey in my arms. Nipping softly at her bottom lip, I nudge my forehead against Potter's. Our eyes once more meet and I soon find myself lost in them. I'm not exactly sure what is going on right now, but I have learned not to question a good thing. Had someone told me that Josephine Potter and I would one day be making out, I probably would have sent them to the looney bin. Letting out a groan of defeat when our lips finally part, I sigh heavily when Joey lays her head on my chest. I'm not sure what is happening right now, but I am oddly alright with this knowledge.

" Potter, please don't apologize. I'm in love with you.", I all but plead before wrapping my arms securely around Joey's waist. At this point I am all but praying that she is not about to change her mind and walk away. The God's honest truth is that I have always been in love with Josephine Potter in one way or another. This girl has more then likely held my heart in her hands since before the two of us could even walk. Judging by the mere fact Potter has yet to pull herself from my gentle embrace, maybe I'm not alone in this. Could the feeling really be mutual? Could it be possible that miss Josephine Lynn Potter loves me every bit as much as I do her?

" Pace...I think that I'm in love with you too.", admits Joey in a low voice, her eyes never once leaving mine. My breath catches in my throat at her admission. Did I just hear Potter correctly? Could it be true? Could Joey actually return the exact same feelings for me? Oh man I hope that she is not messing with me right now. That would be one of the cruelest jokes to ever play on someone. Watching in awe as a slow smile makes it way across Joey's features, I all but grin as her lips meet mine once more. This girl has all but made my night right about now.

" You think, or you know that you are Jo?", I question in a tone just as quiet as Joey's. It's not enough for Joey to utter these words to me, I need to be absolutely certain she means them every bit as much as I do. It would kill me were Potter to one day change her mind had we gotten together. There is no one else for me, Joey's the only girl I see myself with. Until now, I didn't know a future with her existed. Now there is a chance that there very well could be one? For whatever reason it all just seems too good to be true. Happy endings never seem to pan out for me, case in point...Andie. That was the first girl that I ever gave a damn enough to try and become a better person for. What happened in the end though? I wound up alone with a shattered heart after having found out the one girl I cared for and loved had cheated on me.

Grasping hold of my hand in hers, Joey peeks up at me in a silent manner," ...I know that I am Pacey, and it has me all but terrified."

Wrapping Joey in my arms, I hold her against me before burying my face in her shoulder," Jo, I would never do anything to cause you heart ache."

" Promise Witter?", are about the only other words I hear uttered from Joey's lips. Holding her close against me, I place gentle kisses along her jawline and collar bone. Joey has to know that I would never dare break her heart. How could I? Hell, I have been in love with this girl for almost as long as I could remember. Not once were those feelings ever mutual on Potter's end. Now that they finally are? You can bet your ass that I'll never do anything to jeopardize my chances at a lasting relationship with Joey.

" Cross my heart Potter, I have only ever wanted to be with you.", I promise truthfully with a reassuring smile making its way across my features. This seems to comfort Joey a great deal as I soon hear her breathing start to slow. It's not long before she is fast asleep in my arms. I lay back on the couch slowly, careful not to disturb Joey. This is not what I had in mind for the rest of my evening. Things never turn out the way I expect them to. To think none of this would have ever happened had I not decided to open a second restaurant in Boston. Running into Potter at the bar the other night was possibly the best thing that ever could have happened to me. Dawson all but gave me his blessing to pursue Joey too. It's great to know that our friendship won't suffer a fallout due to the fact Joey finally realized her feelings for me. I did not expect Dawson to be so...well, calm about all of this. Guess a lot has changed since high school. I'm not sure what the future holds for Potter and I, but I am thankful to finally have my shot to attempt and make her happy. While I may not know what the future holds for the two of us, I do know that one intertwined with Potter's is the only one I ever imagined. Until only now did I ever think this dream would one day become a reality. All that I have to do is just not screw things up and maybe...just maybe Potter and I will get the happy ending we both deserve. ….

Author's note: This was the last chapter for this story, hope you enjoyed reading this as I enjoyed writing it.