Description: this is a story I have been working on for a while. This is my second Dawson's Creek story. I'll writing this as well as Conflicted Love on here now.

Disclaimer: I may not own the characters but this story is original and from my imagination.

Author's note: this is my first try at a Dawson's creek story, be nice to me please. This is a Pacey/Joey fic, my version of how they got together. Enjoy and review thanks

Chapter #10

(Jen's pov)

" Hey Pace, how did things go Friday night?", I ask when I run into him in the hallways. Alright fine, some maybe I didn't run into Pacey so much as stalk him down. I couldn't help myself though. He spent the night entire night with Joey on Friday I want to know everything that happened. One way or another he is going to spill the beans to me.

" They went fine. I helped watch Alexander, we ordered pizza, I put the little guy to bed and we watched movies.", informs Pacey with a smile on his face the entire time. Wow, he seems really happy. Maybe it won't be as difficult as I thought trying to extract information from him. I wonder if anything happened between the two of them. Did Pacey kiss Joey? Did she kiss him? Did they sleep together? Well, fine. I already know the answer to that last one. Joey's not the kind of girl to hop into bed with anyone. She still hasn't lost it yet. She's smart and waiting for the right guy.

" Sounds like you had fun Pace. Did you tell her that you like her?", I can't help but question as I wait excitedly for his answer. The roll of his eyes tells me exactly what I didn't want to hear. How could Pacey not have told her yet? What is he waiting for the right moment? There was no better time then Friday night! He was only alone with her all night long. What is Pacey waiting for? He has to tell her eventually.

" I did, but man is Alexander a handful. ...What makes you so sure of yourself Jen?",inquires Pacey after a moments pause. First of all, I'm never wrong about these kinds of things. Second of all, its the way you stare at her! How else would I know? I've never once seen him look at Andie that way. He looks at Joey as if he would do anything for her. And you know what? He probably would, the guys clearly got it bad for her.

Walking down the hallways with Pacey, I stop at my locker," I've seen the way you look at her Pacey. How quick you were to defend her when her mural was ruined and how easily you caved when asked to help babysit on Friday. You have it bad for Joey, try to tell me I'm wrong."

Rolling his eyes at me, Pacey leans against his own locker," Even if I do like Joey, it doesn't matter. She's with that AJ guy."

" Yeah, but thing have been rocky between them lately. Friday isn't the only day AJ has canceled on Joey. He's bailed on her a few times Pace. Its only a matter of time before Joey becomes tired of being stood up.", I comment truthfully as I gauge Pacey for a reaction. The one I find is one of jealousy and anger. Ha! I knew that Pacey had a thing for Joey. Why would he be this upset if he didn't? Normally if I told Pacey something like that, he wouldn't give a damn. Now I'm certain that he likes Joe, he can deny it all he wants. But I know the truth.

" What do you mean?….Really? I hate that guy. Joey played it off like it was no big deal Friday, but I saw the hurt in her eyes.", growls Pacey in a low voice before kicking at the ground in agitation. Oh my god, Pacey doesn't just like Joey. No, its much more than that. I think that he might actually be in love with her. How could this have happened? I mean, I'm not exactly shocked. I knew Pacey had feelings for Joey. But I didn't know how strong they were until just now. I'm not shocked though, there's something about miss Potter that seems to drive guys wild. I'm not exactly sure what it is though.

" Joey likes you too Pacey, she just doesn't know it yet.", I reassure him with a knowing smirk making its way across my face. Its not hard to see that Joey has feelings for Pacey as well. You don't hate somebody as strongly and those two used to hate one another and not like them just a little. Those two have been hot for one another for a while, they just haven't realized it until recently. My guess is Joey is still clueless to her feelings for Pacey. With hopes that will change sooner or later with a little nudge from Pacey.

" What makes you so sure Jen?", questions Pacey with a curious look in his eyes. What makes me so sure? How about the way Joey always seems to run to you for comfort these days Pace? Wouldn't that tip you off a little that there's a strong chance she likes you as well but just hasn't realized it as of yet. Come on, you had to have noticed all the times she's come running to you when things fell apart for her. Yours always so quick to help too. I think its really cute Pace, I hope things work out for you. You deserve to be happy for once and so does Joey. I think that you would do anything to make her happy because that's just the kind of guy he is. ….(End Jen's pov)

(Two weeks later)

(Pacey's pov)

" Hey Joe, haven't seen you around lately. You alright?", I question before walking up beside her when I spot her by her lonesome. Joey's been kind of distant lately. Is something bothering her that I don't know about? Why hasn't she mentioned anything to me if there was? Does she not want to talk to me about it if there is? If somethings the matter I want to know about it. I hate seeing Joey upset like this. She's not her usual self and I miss her.

" I'm fine Pace. Could you just leave me alone. Please?", asks Joey in a defeated tone before walking off in the opposite direction. No your not fine Joe. Why are you lying to me? I can see it in your eyes. Something is bothering you and I want to know what it is. Why doesn't she want to talk to me? Did I do something wrong? No, no. I didn't do anything wrong. Joey would have told me if I was the problem. She has a knack for saying whats on her mind. Its one of the things I love about her.

" You don't look fine, Joey. You're crying. I'm not going anywhere.", I reply with a stern tone. Trying my best to get Joey to meet my eyes, I sigh when she avoids my gaze. What could possibly be bothering her that she doesn't want to talk about? Did something happen that she'd rather I didn't hear about? She's driving me crazy right now. What am I supposed to do just let things go? That's not how I am, I can't let it slide that Joey's upset.

Swiping at her cheeks, Joey hugs her arms to her chest," I don't want to talk about it Pacey. ...Will you stay over? I want you to stay."

Walking up behind Joey, I touch a hand to her shoulder," We won't talk then Joe. Ok, I'll stay Potter. If that's what you want."

Trembling in my arms, Joey buries her face into my chest," AJ broke up with me."

Startled when Joey walks into my arms, I place my arms around her," I always knew that guy was an idiot."

….(End Pacey's pov)

(Joey's pov)

" He said the traveling back and forth was becoming a real hassle.", I explain with tears in my eyes as Pacey hugs me close to him. Yeah, fine so maybe the two of us always driving back and forth was becoming a hassle. That's no reason to break up with me though. I would have been joining him at Boston University in a few months anyway. Guess I wasn't worth the wait though. Maybe I should consider going to Worthington now, I was accepted. Sure its a little more expensive, but I could work a side job to help pay my tuition.

" So he just dumped you, Joe? You're better off without him then, trust me.", comforts Pacey with a sad smile. I wouldn't say he dumped me so much as he said that he didn't want to be with me anymore. This sucks. Why is it every time that I meet a nice guy, and thing are going great everything eventually falls apart. First Jack, then Dawson and now AJ? Why do I even bother putting myself out there? I always wind up hurt in the end.

" Well, no. It was a mutual break up, but I didn't have much of a choice in the matter. What if I'm not meant to be happy Pace?", I question before glancing up at him with a sigh. This seems to be the story of my life these days. Something good happens to me and then, my mom dies, or the Ice House burns down, or my mural is defaced, or whatever guy I'm with decides that they want to break up with me.

Rubbing my back gently, Pacey rests his chin atop my head," Don't you think that you're overreacting Joe?"

Nudging my face into Pacey's shoulder, I cry to myself," I'm serious, Pace. First Dawson leaves me to find himself, and now AJ decides I'm not worth the driving distance."

" You deserve better than them, Joe.", points out Pacey before placing a kiss on my forehead. I deserve better than them? Well, yeah obviously. I deserve a guy that's not going to run out on me at the first signs of trouble. That's not asking too much of a guy is it? I don't really think that it is. I think that's actually very little to ask. But then again I am the one who was just tossed aside once again so what would I know?

" Like who Pacey? Throughout my entire life, there has only been two people that's ever really known me. Dawson and...", I start but quickly stop when I realize what I'm about to say. Oh my god, I was about to admit that Pacey knows me better than anyone else. You know what? Its the truth though, he does. I have been friends with Pacey since we were four, I've known him since before Dawson. He's my oldest friend. Wow, weird how Pacey knows me more than anyone else, especially considering how until just recently we couldn't stand one another.

Interrupting me before I have a chance to finish, Pacey shakes his head with a sigh," Do not say AJ, that guy did not know you Potter. If he did, he never would have let you go the way that he did."

Swiping at my eyes, I glance up at Pacey quietly," Actually, I was going to say you, Pace."

….(End Joey's pov)

(Pacey's pov)

" What is that supposed to mean? You can't say things like that Joey, its not fair.", I frown before pacing back and forth. Joey thinks that I know her better than anything? How can she say a thing like that and not expect me to take it the wrong way? She's driving me up the wall right now. All I want to do is kiss her. I'm running out of reasons why I shouldn't. If she doesn't explain herself soon I just might.

" Nothing, just that you know me Pacey. And why not? Its the truth. I don't see what is so wrong with that.", confides Joey with a look of confusion. You don't find anything wrong with that? That's funny because I find a lot wrong with that. Joey, you can't say things like that to me and assume that they mean absolutely nothing.

Letting out a frustrated huff, I run a nervous hand through my hair," You can't say things like that and expect me not to care, Joe."

Stumbling back when I kiss her, Joey shoves me away," Pacey, what the hell! Why would you kiss me?"

" I don't know, it just felt right Joe. Look, I'm sorry. It will never happen again.", I explain quickly when Joey takes a threatening step toward me. Nearly tripping over my own two feet, I throw my arms up in defense. Uh oh, looks like kissing Potter was a bad decision. She is not happy with me right now. Joey looks like she is about to kill me. What the hell was I thinking? I'm such a moron.

" It just felt right? God, I can't believe you Pacey! You're damn right it won't, how could you just kiss me?", yells Joey with an angry scowl. How could I just kiss you? I don't know. Probably because it is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time and I just couldn't help myself anymore. Do I regret it? Hell no. that was the best kiss I have ever had. I just wish Joey weren't about to kill me for it.

Wincing When Joey slaps at my chest, I try to block her hits with little success," I thought that you wanted me to Joey."

Glaring up at me, Joey pounds on my chest with her tiny fists. Grabbing her wrists gently, I manage to stop her. With a frown she exclaims,"Why the hell would you think that Pacey."

" I don't know, will you stop hitting me Joe? It really hurts, I'm sorry. What do you want me to say?", I ask desperately before chancing a look into her eyes. I sigh when I find, anger, hurt, betrayal and confusion staring back at me. Maybe I didn't fully think things through. What if Joey never speaks to me again now? I don't know what I would do without Joey in my life. I hope that she doesn't hate me, that's the last thing that I want. Why can't she feel the same about me as I do for her? Would it really be so much to ask for? I don't think that it is.

" You're sorry? That is all you have to say? You kissed me and you're sorry? I don't want you to say anything, Pace! I want you to think before you act, is that too much to ask?", inquires Joey in irritation before turning and stalking off in the opposite direction. All that I can do is watch her leave. I know going after her isn't an option. If I went after Joey, we would only argue until one of us said something that we didn't mean. That is the last thing that I want to happen. All I can hope is that Joey won't hate me forever now. ….(End Pacey's pov)