Hi all,

Firstly, a huge thank you to those that have reviewed - I can't tell you how much that has motivated me on this manically busy day! I've wrapped, shopped, hosted and when I could snuck a moment to edit!

This story is not over complicated. It's supposed to be a bit of fun, a bit of drama and a lot of romance. I got the idea for it watching Love Actually. The bit where the character is in love with Kiera knightly and holds up the boards as a declaration. Thats why she's Dawson's girlfriend:-)

So a special thank you to: Ms Purchase, 1trueluv, Malin, guest and T80 - I really loved your PM and so a special thanks for making my day!

Green Christmas

Chapter 2

The first week that Joey stayed with him Pacey only saw her three or four times. She was always at the hospital, or sleeping. He heard the shower going, but would rarely see his new roommate. A couple of times they had breakfast together, a glass of wine another night and dinner he'd brought home from the restaurant another night. Quite honestly Pacey was relieved. It had taken his day of tour guiding on her first weekend for Pacey to realize he was in serious trouble. The wine with dinner, the witty banter, the amusing conversation had all brought about the same conclusion. Pacey was utterly smitten with Dawson's girlfriend. She was gorgeous, she was feisty, she was sarcastic and witty and interesting, and clever...she wasn't his type per say, as in he hadn't really known what his type was until she waltzed into his life. Now she was the very embodiment of his type. She was constantly on the move, constantly working, or about to work, her dedication captivating. Pacey's main solace came from the fact that the attraction wasn't based on much and he could in a way push it aside, which he did with gusto. She was awesome, but she was Dawson's awesome girlfriend.

It was ten days before they happened upon each other for any length of time. Pacey had worked early, creeping out whilst his roommate slept behind her closed door. He'd returned with still warm pastries and Joey, in the kitchen with coffee, had pounced upon them, her sigh of contentedness music to his ears.

'Did you make these?' mumbled through flaked pastry.

'Yes, and that's delightful,' he gestured to her full mouth.

'No, these are delightful,' she said with a wicked grin.

'I thought you might like them after all your crazy days.'

'I've never been so tired in all my life,' Joey admitted, clutching her coffee. 'I worked twenty hours straight and then there was an emergency.'

'I thought I hadn't heard you.'

'Will I be invading your space if I curl up and watch a movie?'

'You really are perfect for Dawson,' Pacey laughed but nodded to give his go ahead.

'I don't know. I know he's perfect but I don't think I'm as perfect as he thinks I am.'

'You seem pretty perfect to me,' Pacey said lightly, putting the remaining pastries on a tray and heading through to the living room with her. Together they flopped onto the couch and grabbing the remote Pacey flicked the tv on.

'I'm far from perfect,' Joey said seriously. 'I try telling Dawson that and he won't hear it.'

'He said you were his soulmate,' Pacey said as the flicked to the guide.

'Did he?' she shot him a sideways look.

'Yes. He said you were sweet, innocent and special.'

'Then he doesn't know me as well, as he thinks he does.'

'That's what I said to him,' Pacey chuckled. 'He said you had no cynicism.'

'Should I rethink our relationship?' She asked lightly, clearly a joke.

'Therein lies the appeal of our buddy Dawson. His head might be in the clouds, but he makes you feel as though yours is up there too.'

'I know what you mean,' she agreed with a nod. 'So you didn't think I could be as wonderful as he made out?'

'Nobody is,' Pacey explained simply, 'and that's where I have one up on Dawson. He expects perfection and I know there's no such thing, so when I do fall in love, I fall in love with reality as opposed to...' Pacey trailed off aware of the implied.

'The illusion,' she said but she didn't seem bothered.

'Something like that.'

'My aim was to never fall in love at all, but then I met Dawson and he's quite a force.'

'That he is,' Pacey agreed.

'Good choice,' Joey gestured to the TV where Pacey had put on American Ninja Warrior, 'but don't ever tell Dawson I like watching crap like this.'

'We have the same dirty little secret,' Pacey shrugged. 'You know I thought about trying out for this show,' he mused.

'Really?' Joey laughed and he loved it, her expression, the sound.

'I think I'd be pretty good. I did the Tough Mudder last year and if i can do that, surely I can manage this?'

'I so wanted to do the Tough Mudder. Anything on tv, then no way, but the tough Mudder definitely.'

'So why not?'

'Studying medicine, being an intern, it doesn't leave a lot of time for life. It's probably a good thing Dawson is in LA because he doesn't love it when I'm busy.'

'You met when you were still studying though?'

'Well yeah, but when it's all new you can accept things more I guess. Around the four month mark he began to complain, but then with finals out the way I had more time. I can't see him loving this new lifestyle of mine.'

'He works long hours. Surely he gets it?'

'You grew up with the guy, you know the answer to that!' Joey smirked.

'You're right. Apologies,' Pacey smirked back. Dawson might be his oldest friend but even he could criticize the guys ability to make it all about himself.

'I could train you for the tough Mudder,' Pacey suggested. 'We could do it together?'

'I honestly think this intern year might kill me and that's without training for something like that. I might train alongside you sometimes, but I can't give that kind of commitment. I just like the idea of being that strong, that capable.'

'You wuss,' he teased, punching her shoulder light heartedly.

'That's me alright,' she rolled her eyes.

'Hey, long time no see,' Pacey gave Joey a broad grin as he entered the kitchen.

'We spent the whole day together two days ago.'

'We spent the whole day watching tv and playing cards.'

'And talking, endless talking.'

'Followed by endless talking to your boyfriend,' Pacey smirked.

'I'm quiet, he's the talker,' Joey slurped on her coffee as Pacey joined her at the table.

'I find that hard to believe,' he scoffed.

'You are kidding me right? Dawson never shuts up!' she gesticulated to emphasize her point,

'I don't find that hard to believe, but the you being quiet bit, that is a stretch.'

'I think I'm offended,' she stated and glared.

'I hate to break it to you toots, but you were the gas bag on Sunday.'

'There was an equal level of gassing,' Joey defended.

'I timed one of your monologues - five minutes straight,' he peeled a banana and took a bite.

'Now there's no need to make things up,' she chastised. 'I just don't have it in me to keep going that long!' she smiled.

'Oh you do. The subject was the lack of nurse appreciation... You waxed lyrical and then waxed lyrical all over again...' he watched her expression gleefully as she was forced to admit defeat,

'Ok, so on that subject I can go on a little...'

'Or a lot,' he nudged her arm and she smiled before yawning widely.

'Why am I still sitting here Pacey? My shift starts in twenty minutes,' she dropped her head to her arms.

'Go brush your teeth and I'll drive you,' he offered.

'Really?'

'Really.'

'I know it's only a ten minute walk but I'm going to be on my feet for the next twenty four hours. Thank you,' she blew him a kiss and headed to the bathroom.

It was nearly two am when Pacey returned from the restaurant. He hadn't seen Joey for four days since dropping her at the hospital. The fact that he was thinking about when he had and hadn't seen his roommate was irking him somewhere around the fringes of his subconscious, but he didn't really dwell too much on the where's and whys. She was fun, gorgeous and she lived in his house - you look after the people who live with you because if you don't, who would? He'd had a long day but when he found Joey and a bottle of tequila in the living room, he forgot about bed and flopped onto the couch beside her.

'Pacey,' she leant her head to his shoulder in a semi embrace, 'I'm drowning my sorrows.'

'And whys that?'

'I killed someone today,' she gave him a somber look and took another drink.

'It sounded like you said you killed someone?' He took the tequila from her and took a drink, 'can I expect the police to be pounding down my door any moment.'

'No,' she shook her head and her eyes turned glassy.

'Hey,' his heart expanded at the sight, 'hey,' he repeated pulling her against him in a hug.

'It was stupid, so stupid but it happened and now it can never not happen...'

'What happened?' he ran his fingers soothingly up and down her arm.

'Oh, I was tired. I was so, so tired. I'd been there for thirty hours, but I felt ok. I made an error in numbers. I gave a guy too much of this drug, it...we'll never mind what it does. The guy was old and weak but he would have been ok if I hadn't...and now...'

'Hey...I mean it's gonna happen right?' he slid to the floor beside her and wrapped an arm around her.

'But not to me, I didn't want it to happen to me...' she looked at him, her words slurring, her eyes wide.

'I'm a chef,' he began.

'I know,' she bent her head and rested it on his shoulder.

'Yeah, but I'm a freaking good chef. I'm amazing. But every now and then I make a mistake. Something burns, I forget to add something I meant to and something is spoilt.'

'And?'

'Nobody dies,' Pacey tried to explain.

'This isn't helping yet,' she sniffed, her eyes locked on his. Pacey couldn't help but chuckle, but then he turned serious,

'We all make mistakes Jo, just in your job the mistakes have a higher cost. Human error. Think of all the lives you have saved, all the lives you will save. This error has happened early in your career when mistakes are forgivable and knowing you I'm pretty sure it will never happen again. There may be a different mistake, a different error, but not the same one...'

'That's true,' she sniffed.

'Doctors deserve the big bucks Joey because they take big risks...'

'You mean to their emotions?' she nestled a little closer.

'Yes. This has happened and you have to get right back on with it,' his fingers stroked the soft skin on her shoulder.

'Thank you Pace,' she said at length.

Time began to pass and neither Joey or Pacey mentioned her finding alernative accommodation. The truth was they liked living together, they enjoyed the company and particularly the lively but caring nature of their friendship. It wasn't like they saw all that much of each other either - they both worked long hours and over the course of a week they would see each other for breakfast a couple of times, dinner maybe once or twice, and occasionally relax on the couch for a few hours of down time. Pacey took to bringing leftovers home for Joey so she could eat something healthy. It seemed like a nice thing to do, the thing a good roommate would do. Occasionally Pacey heard her talking to Dawson behind her closed door, or umming into her cellphone as she prepared coffee, or pulled on her shoes. She'd always end the call with a 'you too' which Pacey figured was her response to his declaration of love.

'So Dawson wants to visit soon,' she stated one morning about five weeks into her internship.

'I'm surprised he hasn't been before now,' Pacey teased and truly he was. If Joey was his girlfriend Pacey would definitely have visited. He stared at her, looking at the way her lips closed around her cereal spoon and feeling a flush of hormonal lust, that he knew was just plain out of order given that she was Dawson's girlfriend and his friend. Pacey realized he needed to get laid. He hadn't been with a woman since Joey's first night and that had to change.

'He's been busy,' she shrugged easily.

'As have you,' he smiled.

'Yeah,' she yawned and he laughed.

'So when is the love in planned for?'

'In about four weeks, if that's ok of course?'

'Of course,' he nodded.

'Great. Thank you Pace.'

'Not a problem,' he smiled at her indulgently and tugged on her messy ponytail.

'You wanna go to the movies tonight? I mean provided my shift ends when it's supposed to? I feel like getting out but I'm not sure I can muster the energy for conversation,' she asked.

'Sure,' Pacey agreed readily forgetting his earlier decision to get laid if at all possible. 'Text me when you're done and I'll pick you up at the hospital.'

'Great... And Pace?' she fluttered her eyelashes subconsciously and he melted a little.

'Yeah?'

'Can I beg a ride?'

'If you're ready in five,' he nodded.

'I'll be ready in five.'

'So what do you want to see?' Pacey shot a sideways glance at Joey who was staring at the list of movies and show times.

'Hmmmm...Dawson recommended the critically acclaimed one of course,' she pointed.

'And you really want to see?'

'The Hunger Games?' she gave him a hopeful look and he swung an arm causally across her shoulders,

'The thing about me Potter, is if you want to watch just about any movie I'm happy. Add a good looking girl to the cast and I'm even happier. Sit me next to a beautiful girl and well you don't even have to ask. Now let's choose candy, get popcorn and get some awesome seats.'

'You're a goof,' she giggled and rolled her eyes. 'I'll get tickets and go claim seats, you do refreshments.'

'Deal.'

'What is that, the extra grand size popcorn?' Joey's eyes were saucers as she took hold of the napkins he passed her and then balanced the enormous box on her knees.

'I'm a hungry boy,' Pacey gave her his best impish grin and plopped the decidedly heavy bag of candy on her lap whilst he got comfortable.

'I doubt that. If I were surrounded by your cooking all day I don't think I'd ever stop eating.'

'Awww, you say the sweetest things,' he mocked as he grabbed a handful of popcorn, moving the box so he had the job of holding it. 'So how's life with the other interns?'

'Jen and I are actually getting closer,' Joey admitted with a blush.

'You mean she's not the shallow bitch you originally thought she was?'

'Haha, I didn't think she was shallow...we just approached things differently. She's enviably relaxed...I admit I can be a little uptight.'

'Did she manage to convince Jack into sex in the on call room?'

'Didn't I tell you? Jacks gay!'

'Is he single?'

'What, you run out of women?' she asked with a cheeky smile.

'Haha, I was thinking we could throw a party and I could invite my brother.'

'Your brother Doug, right?'

'You got it.'

'Doug's gay?'

'He only recently came out. He needs someone with a bit of know how and confidence to ease him into being out and proud.'

'Then Jack's your guy. He came out back in high school apparently.'

'Then we must arrange a party. You must be making friends now?'

'Well yeah - I spend nearly all my time with people from the hospital. Jen, Jack and I have lunch everyday. Drue, the other intern...he's, well, deep down I guess he's ok.'

'He the tall guy acting like I was some guy collecting you for a date and he had to get all over protective?'

'Yeah,' she grinned.

'Well I think that's my role now so he better back off,' Pacey grinned.

'I hardly think you need to run that routine. Dawson is your best friend and there is only Dawson.'

'You're a beautiful girl, I think there'll be other guys sniffing around,' he shrugged and delved for popcorn at the same time as Joey, their fingers tangling together momentarily. He was embarrassed by the blush, but doubted she could see in the dark.

'I'm not so beautiful in scrubs, nor after a twenty hour shift.'

'Stop protesting, you're always beautiful,' Pacey chided glibly.

'Well thanks,' it was her turn to blush which he only saw because the screen came to life.

Over the following four weeks it seemed their schedules coincided a lot more, and baring emergencies at either of their works they were colliding either in the morning or evening and on occasion both. Pacey enjoyed coming home more now there was company, and laughter and general frivolity. Joey had dragged Jen and Jack home on occasion for drinks when drinks were called for, or if Pacey text and said he was bringing home "lots" of leftovers she'd drag her two new best friends home. Pacey found a kindred spirit in both Jack and Jen, and took to running with Jack when possible which wasn't as often as either would have liked. More often than not they played wii in Pacey's living room. A new evolution in life was the way Jen, Jack and Joey would call into Sophie's a couple of times a week at the end of their shift. More often that not their drinks were free, or the meal was free, or Pacey would slip into the seat next to Joey and join them, but unlike the first few weeks of living together, their lives had actually melded together.

'So when will we get to meet this beau of yours?' Jen asked Joey as they supped back a glass of wine in the living room of Pacey's brownstone. Pacey looked at Joey who shrugged a little,

'I'm not really sure. He gets here tomorrow,' her eyes flittered across the room and caught his.

'He and I are hanging out Saturday because Joey's working.'

'Dawson wants to catch up properly on Sunday,' Joey dipped her head, her eyes falling away from Pacey's.

'Of course he does,' Pacey murmured, 'he'd be a fool not to want to whisk you away.'

'What about Friday?'

'He suggested dinner at Sophie's. He said he's never been?' Joey arched inquisitive brows at Pacey.

'Come on Pacey, surely your best friend has been to your restaurant?' Jack whacked Pacey on the arm.

'Unless you're just best friends who never see each other?' Jen added.

'Or was Sophie some girl Dawson stole off you?' Jacks eyes shone gleefully.

'Really,' Pacey scoffed, 'she'd be a girl I stole off him.' Joey laughed,

'So was she?'

'Contrary to all the rumours Sophie's is not named after an ex girlfriend.'

'So how come Dawson has never been?' Joey stared at him and he faltered under those eyes.

'Dawson thought I should have used the money differently.'

'This mysterious windfall of yours?' Joey probed.

'That one.'

'And will you ever tell us where it came from?' Jack asked.

'Jackers, as much as I love you guys, I've only known you four weeks. Let's give it some time,' Pacey smirked and Jen and Jack grinned.

'He'll cave,' Jen stated.

'I don't know,' Joey pursed her lips. 'You know I could always ask Dawson.'

'She could always ask Dawson,' Jack's smile grew.

'But she won't,' Pacey shrugged, 'because Joey's the kind of girl that respects privacy.'

'Usually,' she smirked.

'I can kick you out?' he teased but she just laughed,

'As if you would.' And it was true - Pacey had no intention of asking her to leave, or prompting her to look for elsewhere.

'So it has been a long time, how you feeling about seeing Dawson?' Jen asked and in unison all of them turned to look at the sultry brunette.

'I...Honestly?'

'But of course,' Jen encouraged.

'Nervous. It's been...eight or nine weeks and yeah we speak on the phone, but our lives are so separate now. I'm sure it'll be ok. I want it to be ok.'

'The guys head over heels for you,' Pacey hastened to reassure.

'He was,' Joey admitted, 'He really was, but now...I don't know... He's been talking about how hard this is. And it is hard, but we were in love. It was pretty amazing those first six months together...' she trailed off.

'The truth is the first bit together is always pretty amazing. It's how we respond to the tough bits, the realities. You know living together. But you guys can't do that because he's there and you're here,' Jack mused and Jen and Pacey both nodded their agreement.

'You see I don't know that,' Joey admitted, 'I'm new to relationships. Dawson is the first boyfriend I've had.' Jen scoffed at that,

'I'm sorry but look at you! That can't be true,' she laughed and Joey blushed,

'I've dated guys, but not got to the relationship bit, you know the bit where you're not trying so hard.'

'And you got their with Dawson?'

'Dawson sees the best in people, the best in situations. It makes it easier. Perhaps not real but easy.'

'I'm sure he's gonna turn up and you're gonna be back in the magic land of love Jo. Your real side is pretty nice so you don't need to worry,' Pacey told her in a serious voice.

'I hope,' she gave him a smile.

The morning of Dawson's arrival Pacey was due at the restaurant, but his feet felt sluggish and his mood a little somber. Cursing a night of insomnia, a night spent thinking about what Dawson might tell Joey, he made coffee and drank it staring out at the overgrown backyard.

'Morning Pace,' Joey sang from behind him,

'Oh hey,' he gave her a nod but resumed staring at the jungle.

'You ok?' She asked at length.

'Thinking is all.'

'You want to talk?'

'I was thinking I should sort out the garden.'

'Sort out the garden in spring,' she shrugged. 'It's not so bad anyway. We can chop it back a bit.'

'I...' Pacey trailed off. 'Dawson and I fell out. Two years or so after high school. Stuff happened and well...we had a period of coolness. Things are good now. Like they were, but he didn't like me very much for a long time. I didn't like me very much and well...my success... He didn't like that either,' he turned to look at her. Her expression was open, accepting.

'What did you fall out over?'

'That... That's the thing...' he stopped talking. 'I don't talk about it. Not to anyone,' he stated, 'but I don't know how Dawson will take us being friends, and I just wanted you to know that we are friends, that I... I don't want to lose that.'

'My friendship with you is nothing to do with Dawson,' Joey stated but Pacey gave her a look, the sort of look that said really she knew different. 'Ok I'll rephrase. We are friends now and that friendship is important to me to.'

'Good,' Pacey nodded. He wanted to say more. He wanted to tell her about Sophie, about the argument, about everything but he didn't know whether he wanted to tell Joey because she was Joey or because Dawson might tell her. If it was the former he should speak now because the latter was likely to occur.

'I should head to the store,' Joey said squeezing his arm.

'Wait,' Pacey placed his hand on hers. 'Just a second,' he stared at his hand on hers, his fingers wrapped around hers. 'Sophie was a little girl,' he looked down and took a deep breath, several in fact.

'Was she your daughter?' Joey asked gently.

'No...not mine. But she was in my car the day she died.'