Description: Joey and Pacey never got together, set after high school.

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or characters only the original storyline.

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

Living Arrangements:

Chapter #3

(Joey's pov)

" Ben, do you think we could talk?", I question while poking my head into his room. Pacey left a while ago to pick up a few things at the store. I have sort of been avoiding him since this morning. That kiss might have been an accident, but I felt something when our lips met and it scared the crap out of me. Pacey and I have grown close over the years, he is always there when I need him to be and I like that. Do I see him as more then a friend though? Honestly the thought has never crossed my mind. Since the other night though I have been wondering otherwise. I'm torn at this point, I don't know what am I supposed to do. I'm not ready to confront Pacey about what is going on in my head because I'm not even sure myself.

" Of course, whats the matter Jo?", asks Ben before making room for me to sit beside him. Taking a seat I glance down at my hands. Not even sure what I am supposed to say right now. By now I know Ben and Wren know about the brief kiss Pacey and I shared. I overheard them giving Witter the third degree while getting ready to hop in the shower. Pacey has himself all but convinced there is no possible way I could be into him. I'm not so sure that is the case anymore though. There is no denying the spark I felt when our lips met. Whats worse is that I am almost certain he felt it too. Not exactly sure what any of this means though and it has me terrified.

" Its no secret Pace and I accidentally kissed last night. The thing is...I felt a spark I never felt before and it has me terrified Ben.", I admit in a quiet manner. This seemed catch his attention as he glances over at me and smiles. Seriously hope that he is not about to tease me because I will cause him bodily harm. Ugh, this is so confusing. Really I should be having this conversation with Pacey but if I were to say something whose to say he wouldn't just laugh it off? While I know Pacey is not that mean, I'm not ready to have this sort of a talk with him. So here I am, coming to Ben for advice because aside from Dawson and I he is one of Witter's closest friends. He might know something that I don't.

" Jo, if you're asking whether I think Pace is into you the answer is yes.", affirms Ben without so much as missing a beat. How can he be so sure? When him and Wren confronted him with the idea I might be into him, Pacey all but brushed the thought off. Not even sure what to think anymore. Only thing that I know is I don't want there to be any awkward tension between Pacey and I. He is only one of my oldest friends. These last few years, I have come to trust and seek him out whenever things aren't going my way. Sort of explains how I moved in here to begin with. I came to Pacey upset with whatever jerk I had been seeing and left and he asked me to move in without so much as a second thought.

Biting down on my bottom lip, I play with the hem of my shirt," How can you be so sure Ben?"

Giving an amused chuckle, Ben nudges my side playfully," Aside from the fact he has despised all of your boyfriends since I have known him? How about because he has yet to deny having feelings for you was my first clue."

" Well, what am I supposed to do?", I inquire with a heavy sigh. Moving to sit beside Ben, I lie my head on his shoulder. Out of instinct he pulls me into his arms. I'm not expecting Ben to have an answer for me, it would be nice for his advice though. I'm so confused right now. Is there a chance I am attracted to Pacey? Up until now, I never once considered the thought but now I'm not so sure. The spark was definitely there when our lips met. There is no denying that, what does that mean though? Is it possible I am reading too much into things? I don't think that I am but I really can't be sure.

" I think you should sit down with Witter and hash everything out. Know what you could always do? Make him a nice lunch...just maybe nothing that requires use of the stove Jo.", taunts Ben with a wink and playful shove. Rolling my eyes with a chuckle I pounce on him. We wrestle for a bit until I finally manage to pin him. Smirking in victory, I whack Ben with a pillow. Glad that I have him as a friend, Ben gives amazing advice. Bursting out in a fit of laughter, I squirm around as he tickles me gently. Oooh I am so going to murder Ben when I break free of his hold! He doesn't know it but this is war right now. In the end I will be victorious. It's great having someone to goof around with, I feel much better then before we had our talk.

" You're a dead man Ben, just wait. ...Ah! Ok, ok truce.", I relent once he continues his merciless attack on me. Relieved when Ben ceases tickling me, I bear hug him and we roll around play fighting once more. After a few minutes of rough housing around, I settle back against Ben once more exhausted. Lying in his arms with a sleepy sigh, I close my eyes for a bit. Before long, I catch myself starting to nod off. Thankful when Ben wraps the two of us in his blanket, I relax and drift off to sleep for a nap.

…

(Wren's pov)

" Hey man, you know where Potter is? she's not in her room.", I hear Pacey call after putting away the last of the groceries in the kitchen. Last I saw of her, she was rough housing around with Ben. Seems Jo went to him for advice on what to do with Witter. From the little I overheard, sounds like the girl is definitely into him. Witter should consider himself lucky at this point, Joey sure is a catch. What guy wouldn't want to wake up beside her every morning. With hopes he won't be an idiot and try to hide how he feels for Joey if she confronts him. If Pacey wants to be with her then he needs to make it known. While I don't think Ben would ever try to move in on her, its not hard to see the guy is into Joey also.

" Check Ben's room, the two of them were hanging out and goofing around earlier.", I offer while making myself a sandwich. It is a little after lunch time and I am starved. Really hope everything will work out between those two. It is clear Joey is conflicted about how she feels for Witter, but the girl is smitten. Pacey can deny how he feels all he wants, Ben and I aren't idiots though. The both of us have seen the way he looks at Jo. The guy all but hates every guy Joey has ever seen. He can call it being protective of her all he wants, Pacey is only fooling himself in the end though.

…

(Pacey's pov)

" Hey Ben, is Potter in...oh, I see.", I mutter in a tense manner upon noticing Joey curled up in Ben's arms fast asleep. For his part Ben was about to nod off as well until he heard my voice. A brief look of panic takes over his features. Carefully sitting up so as not to wake Joey, he throws his hands up in surrender. By now it is probably obvious that I am about two seconds away from decking Ben square in the jaw. He had better not of made a move on Potter, I will not hesitate to send him to the emergency room. For all my persistent denial, Ben of all people should know that I am into Joey. This said, what the hell is he doing in bed with her? Did they sleep together? ...Well, fine I know the answer to that. Joey is not that sort of girl, she's never gone that far with a guy before. This doesn't explain what the hell she is doing asleep in his arms though. Ben had better explain and quick.

" Dude, I promise it is not what you're thinking Witter. You're my best friend, I could never stab you in the back like that man.", promises Ben without even missing a beat. Much as I don't want to, I believe him. Ben has no reason to lie to me, I just wish it were me holding Potter and not him. Watching as she stirs from the sound of our voices, Joey's eyes flutter open reluctantly. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, Joey climbs out of Ben's light embrace and reaches for my hand. Tensing briefly when she walks into my arms, I stand there unable to move as Joey hugs me tight. Well, this is an unexpected surprise. Does this mean Potter is no longer mad at me? Something tells me if she were, there is no way she would let me hold her like this.

" Hey Pace, Ben was only giving me advice. Then I kicked his butt in wrestling and wore myself out. Nothing else happened, I promise.", assures Joey with a soft peck to my lips. That was unexpected, what was that for? Am I supposed to kiss Jo back? Does she want me to? I know that I want to. What does any of this mean? Could Potter want to be with me? Dear God, I hope so. Not knowing what else to do, I place a gentle kiss on her forehead. Not sure what is going on here but Joey is making me wonder if she could like me just as much as I do her. If she only knew how long she has drove me up the walls without even trying. Maybe this is my opportunity to ask Potter out finally. I am not about to waste it if that is the case.

" That is completely false Joey! ...Ah, ah! Alright you have made your point, I cave.", yelps Ben in retreat when Joey manages to twist his arm behind his back. I can't help chuckling at the pained look on Ben's face. He should know by now Potter is more then capable of kicking the crap out of the three of us. Why else would I never dream of getting on her bad side? I once witnessed Jo deck a guy in the face for spreading a rumor they had slept together. The girl has one hell of a right hook that I do not want to be on the receiving end of. It is no wonder that I am in love with Joey, the girl is amazing. Huh, never thought that before. Without a doubt I know it is the truth though, I am in love with Joey. One day, if she is ever mine I promise to tell her exactly how much I care for her.

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