Description: New Dawson's Creek story that I have been working on. Its based before the shows high school graduation but post Joey and Pacey's break up at prom.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the original story.

Authors Note: if this story receives reviews I will update it regularly.

Special thank you: Mallory, thanks for the follow and placing me your favorites list. Violet1429, you have faithfully read and left reviews in my inbox for more than a few of my stories, on nearly every chapter including this one. For this I am deeply appreciative and grateful. It is my hope that you will continue to read and enjoy the rest of this story and any that I'll write in the future. 1trueluv, I am glad you are liking this story and Lost love Found. This story has another two chapters left to it while Lost love Found is complete, I'm unsure how much you have read of that story. I do hope that you are enjoying it though.

Consequences and Actions:

Chapter #18

(Pacey's pov)

" You really go straight for the jugular don't you Josephine?", I tease with a light nudge to Joey's side. The hurt in my voice is evident though I try my best to hide it. She sure knows how to wound a guy with words when she wants to. Did Joey actually mean what she just said? She doesn't want to love me anymore? That is kind of a cruel thing to say. Then again one could also argue that all of what I had uttered to Joey that night at prom was just as harsh and unforgiving if not more so. I was relentless that night. Something inside me snapped when I saw Joey dancing in Dawson's arms, she had a smile on her face. It was one of those rare ones that I hadn't seen on her face in a while; it killed me knowing Dawson was the one who provoked it and not me.

" After the way you treated me at prom, what do you expect Pacey! I'm afraid of getting my heart broken again.", disputes Joey in her defense. Is this how she really feels? She thinks since I already caused her so much pain once that I am just as likely to do so again? Guess that I'm not really in a position to dispute Joey's logic. I just wish there was a way that I could convince her otherwise. Sure I might have made more than a few mistakes in the past, but this isn't to say I haven't learned my lesson from them. I lost Joey, this knowledge haunts me. I am the only one who came between us this time, not Dawson or Andie…it was my doing alone.

" I don't know what you want me to say anymore Joe.", I explain before heaving a defeated sigh. Maybe there isn't anything more that I can say. Maybe what is done is done. Maybe this is as close as I will ever be to Joey again. Maybe she is through with me for good. Maybe all I will ever be to her now is the father of her child. ….Lowing my head in shame, I bite back the threat of unshed tears from falling. Man do I really know how to screw myself over without so much as trying.

Nuzzling up close toward me, Joey closes her eyes," I don't want you to say anything, just hold me Witter. …Promise me something though Pace?"

Placing kisses on Joey's forehead, I grin with content," I can do that, anything for you Potter."

" No matter what happens between us, if we end up together or not….always be there for the baby?", proposes Joey with a look of uncertainty glimmering in her eyes. Where else would I be? It is my child too after all. Joey didn't get pregnant alone, we are in this together. I want to be a part of this baby's life as much as she is. Does Potter honestly think that I would simply bail out on her if things got too rough? Well I won't. I may have abandoned Joey over my doubts about how she felt about me, but I'm not taking off on our baby. It is like I told Jo before, he or she isn't even born yet and I already love them. Nothing is ever going to change this.

" …Are you implying there is a chance we could end up together?", I pry with a hopeful glint in my eyes. Joey notices this and quickly averts her eyes from mine. Guess she hadn't realized her slip up. Was it just that, a slip of the tongue? Could there be more to it than this? Is there a chance I'm merely reading too much into things? God, I wish I knew what Joey was thinking.

Tracing the tips of her fingers across my chest, Joey peeks up at me with a look of hesitation," It is a possibility maybe…I don't know yet. Just promise, please Pace?"

Unable to resist anymore, I lean down to kiss Joey," I promise Jo."

" Good because he will need a father figure.", mumbles Joey with a sleepy yawn. Placing my arms securely around her, I rest my chin atop her head. This feels right. It is as though I'm where I'm supposed to be. Joey and I haven't been like this in a long time. Being able to have her so close to me is what I miss most about us. Could Joey miss this just as much? Seeing how she has yet to push me away tonight, perhaps there is a chance she could.

" Do you know something I don't Potter? You keep referring to our baby as a He.", I ponder with an arched eye brow. My full attention falls to Joey as I quietly await her response. This isn't the first time she has referenced our bundle of joy as a boy before. How could she know what we are having? Isn't it still a bit too early to tell? Is Joey hoping that we will have a baby boy? I always figured maybe she would want a girl. A boy would be kind of amazing though.

" We won't find that out for a while…guess I kind of want a boy.", reveals Joey before biting down on her bottom lip. I watch as she sheepishly avoids making eye contact with me. Well I'll be damned; could it be Joey is just as excited about our little one as I am? Wasn't it a few short weeks ago when she was mortified at the mere idea of being a mother? Maybe Joey is finally coming around. Maybe she is warming up to the notion of being called mommy. This sure is a pleasant surprise and a step in the right direction. I'm glad Joey is finally thrilled at the thought of becoming a mother, she should be.

" Yeah….yeah, a boy would be perfect Joey.", I agree before placing a soft peck on Joey's chin. This seems to catch her attention and she climbs into my arms. Pulling the blankets snuggly around the two of us, I hug her close. I could live with only being able to hold Joey for the time being. It is a heck of a lot better than nothing at all. Smiling at the sound of Potter's slowed breathing; I chuckle at the sight of her out cold in my arms. Poor thing must have been drained from all of today's events. Who could blame her? Joey was amazing up there at the podium as she gave her graduation speech. I have never seen her look so beautiful. This girl will never cease to astound me I suppose. …..