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.

Consequences and Actions:

Chapter #20

(Jack's pov)

" So I hear you were cozied up with Joey.", I greet with a chuckle when Jen walks in the diner with Pacey not far behind. This elicits an annoyed groan from him and smirk from Lindley. Leave it to her to be the one to broadcast Pacey and Joey's business like it is front page news. She sent me a text not soon after she had arrived at Doug's place. The text was short and to the point, it read 'Pacey is snuggled up with Joey!'. This was definitely unexpected news to me. I had on fairly good authority that Joey wanted nothing else to do with Pacey outside the fact that she's carrying his baby.

" You have a big mouth Jen.", grumbles Pacey before pulling off his coat and taking a seat. Well he isn't wrong. Jen is known for blabbing her mouth and putting her nose where it doesn't belong. This is something that I love and hate about her at times. In Pacey and Joey's case maybe her needling and nudging is exactly what those two need. They have barely addressed the topic of them as of yet and it's been almost three and a half months since prom. That is three months they haven't been together when they could have just as easily worked things out. It is obvious Pacey wants to be with Joey aside from merely a part of this baby's life once in a while. What could be preventing her from taking the poor guy back? Is she fearful of getting hurt again? I could understand it if Joey were. Pacey said some pretty unforgivable things to her that night.

" What? You were Pacey.", offers Jen in her own defense with an innocent smile. She is quite the little vixen when she wants to be. Oh I cannot wait to hear Pacey attempt to explain his way out of this. It sure is fun watching others squirm under Jen's inquiry. I have been on the receiving end of her interrogative questions more than once, it isn't pleasant. One way or another Jen always gets the answers she seeks. The girl in pretty damn persistent and relentless when she needs to be, always has been.

" Are you two back together?", prompts Dawson as he asks the question on everyone's mind with not even the slightest bit reluctance. Taking a drink from my coffee, I study him carefully. After about a minute or so, I come to the conclusion that Dawson's inquisition wasn't one of envy or jealousy. This is a relief. Joey has been a wedge between those two ever since she chose to go after Pacey last summer and maybe even before. For a while things were strained between the three of them. Could all that be in the past? I hope so. It would be nice if everyone got along once again.

Picking at his breakfast that's been placed in front of him, Pacey eats a piece of bacon," I don't know what we are."

Taking a sip from her drink, Jen arches an eyebrow," Do you want Joey back?"

" You know that I do Jen.", is Pacey's only response. He has such a defeated appearance. One can easily see Pacey meant every bit of what he said. It is weird; since he ended things with Joey he's seemed almost…broken without her. The guy knows he made the worst error in judgment and now he is forced to live with the consequences. I truly hope those two reconcile, they were great together. Looking at them anyone could tell they were in love, hell Pacey would have done just about anything for Joey. Part of me knows that he still would too.

" Then do whatever it takes to get her back Pace." I encourage with a light nudge and a smirk. If Pacey could somehow prove to Joey he's willing to do this, perhaps she'll give him a second chance. It is obvious she wants to be with him. If she hadn't, Joey wouldn't want Pacey in any part of their child's life. This isn't the case if she has asked him to accompany her to every doctor's appointment she's had thus far. Which…fine has only been two but still, this has to count for something right?

" It isn't that easy, Jack. Joey doesn't even know if she wants to be with Me.", disputes Pacey while breathing a frustrated sigh. With a shake of my head, I cover my mouth to keep from laughing. Is he serious? I don't know who is more dense Pacey or Joey. Before they ever started dating, almost everyone except Jo could tell he had it bad for her. Now he can't seem to realize that contrary to what she may say, Joey still wants to be with Pacey. Those two are meant for one another, they're both clueless to what the other wants.

" She still loves you Pacey.", acknowledges Jen as she touches a reassuring hand to Pacey's arm. He glances up with a bewildered look and reluctant shake of his head. How can he not believe this? Joey spent the night with him at Doug's for Christ sake. Sure, they may not have been anything but this has to tell him something. If Joey wanted nothing to do with Pacey, she is more than capable of making herself scarce. After Dawson found of those two had something between them, she practically went out of her way to avoid running into either of them…mostly Pacey.

Finishing the last of his breakfast, Pacey pushes his plate away," I know that she does…wait Joey told you this?"

Leaning forward in her seat, Jen only offers a knowing smile," No, but she didn't have to Pacey. It is obvious by the way Joey held onto you this morning."

(Dawson's pov)

" If Joey does take you back, you had better not be reckless with her heart again Pacey." I warn in a serious tone with a look that lets him know I mean business. I have long since come to terms that all Joey and I will ever be is friends. I'm fine with this knowledge. Am I upset at the thought of us never getting back together? Sure. But I am slowly coming to terms with this fact. Looking back it was foolish of me to think Joey would take me back simply because she weren't with Pacey anymore. He was the one who had broken up with her. To assume their parting ways was a mutual choice would be far from the truth. Joey was in love and happy with Pacey, anyone could have seen this…I did.

" If you do, you will have to deal with me.", seconds Jack in a stern manner. Glad to see that I am not the only one who doesn't want to see Joey end up burned again. The look in her eyes that night as Pacey lashed out on her…it is one I will never forget. She was completely caught off guard and shattered. Pacey didn't hold back either, he unleashed everything that he had bottled up. When Joey ran off crying, it was all I could do not to clock him right in the jaw. Instead I decided to chase after her. Joey didn't want to talk with me or anyone else though, she flat out refused to. At the time all she wanted was to be left alone. It killed me not to be able to console her. Looking back I'm not sure if would have made much of a difference either way.

" I will kick your ass Witter.", states Jen in a threatening voice before revealing the smallest hint of a smirk. Pacey is a lot of things but he is far from stupid. He knows better than to make the same mistake twice if he wants to keep Joey this time. While he might not need us to remind him not to screw up again, it doesn't hurt to give a friendly threat as a reminder. I honestly hope those two are able to resolve their issues. They are about to have a child together after all. This knowledge alone should be more than enough for them to want to give things another try.

" Alright, I get it. You have all made your point.", assures Pacey in a gruff tone with a grateful nod. Guess he knows that we mean well and are merely looking out for Joey. If she is happy with Pacey, than I have no choice but to accept this. I can't change how she does or doesn't feel about me. Hell if I could have things my way, Joey would be with me…but sadly I can't and so she isn't. I'm slowly coming to terms with this, I might not entirely want to but I am. Much as I may still despise Pacey, he and I can't allow Joey to be the reason for our fractured friendship. It isn't fair to her and it never was. What is done is done. The Sooner Pacey and I can get past our disagreements and resentment toward one another, the better. I can say this much about the guy, he certainly stepped up. Most guys in Pacey's position would have taken off, not him though. One might go as far as to say that Pacey was ecstatic with news. Sure at first he might have been a little scared, but he didn't let this stop him from being there for Joey. … (The End)

Alright this was the last chapter for Consequences and Actions. I know I know some of you are wondering why I ended here when I could have written so much more. When I first wrote this on paper months ago, it seemed logical to leave it at this…mainly because I had no idea what way I wanted the storyline to develop. In short I couldn't figure out if I wanted Joey to take Pacey back or not so I decided to leave it open to interpretation that she had. Make sense? Hope so. More stories are to come, I promise (: