A/N: Are you as happy that it's Friday as we are? LOL Stolen Kisses was one epi in particular where we imagined a lot of stuff happened off-screen. As such, lucky readers, we decided to go to town and dedicate more than one ficlet to this important epi. Anyone would think it's almost Christmas, eh? Heeee ;) Since we write the ficlets on a weekly basis, we haven't confirmed just how many we'll write focusing on this epi, but it's a given there will be at least two.
Hope you enjoy this week's offering. We always look forward to reading your comments and feedback, so please don't be shy. Kudos to the following for doing just this last week – thanks you guys! – pippiboo, nightshadowlife, and paceyjoeytruelove.
*Clutch *~
by M&M Works
"Almooost… Aha! Gotcha!" Pacey's tongue, which had been poking out over his lower lip as he fiddled with the wires, slipped back inside as he grinned widely, pleased with his handiwork. He fitted the front panel of the washing machine back in place and flipped the switch for the main fuse. The washing machine groaned as it came back to life and commenced its spin cycle. Pacey nodded to himself, happy the problem was resolved. Loose connection, simple as that.
If only everything in his life was as easily fixed.
He shook his head at that thought and dusted his hands on the backside of his jeans. He'd played the "if only" game a couple of hundred times in the past few days. It wasn't fun the first time and it hadn't gotten any more so, so he wasn't about to start again now, thankyouverymuch.
Pacey grabbed his corduroy coat from where he'd flung it on top of a pile of clean towels and shrugged it on. He opened the door and cautiously peered around the corner to scan the empty hallway, tilting his head to one side as he listened for any sounds of movement within the B&B. It was still early. He knew from speaking with Bessie that the B&B currently had no guests. Hopefully Joey was tucked safely in bed, sound asleep. He could slip out just as easily as he'd come in, Joey none the wiser.
This was the only reason he'd agreed to come over to take a look at their broken washing machine, picking such an early hour to do the repairs. That and the fact Bessie wouldn't take no for an answer; it was either fix the machine or find another handyman job.
He stepped out of the laundry room and tip-toed down the hallway, heading in the direction of the kitchen. Pacey hadn't been avoiding Joey per se; he'd simply been keeping a low profile since their last encounter, unsure of how to go back to purely friendly feelings for her when these more-than-friendly feelings were so strong.
Ideally, he wanted the first time they saw each other again to be in public, say at school with plenty of other people and distractions around, just in case – where, to clarify for argument's sake, the "just in case" referred to the fact that he wasn't 100% sure what would happen if they were to be alone. He might do something completely inappropriate, like tear off all her clothing and have his way with her.
Somehow, he didn't think Joey would go for that.
So, almost plowing into her as she exited the bathroom, dressed in nothing but a towel, her body still damp from the shower?
It's safe to say it wouldn't have been anywhere on Pacey's to-do list that day.
Yet that's exactly what happened.
*~*
Joey was pretty sure she wasn't dreaming; whether or not she was breathing, that was an entirely different matter.
When she stepped into the hallway, still in the process of tucking the end of the towel wrapped around her damp hair into place, Pacey's face was the last one she expected to see standing a mere two feet away. Like Pacey, this wasn't exactly the first encounter après convenience store for which she'd been hoping.
Though she could not have described what the "perfect" first encounter would have been, one thing about which she was absolutely certain, she had wanted to be wearing clothes.
Frozen in place, she could only stare dumbly back at him and blink. He seemed to be having just as much trouble as he stood as still as a statue, his eyes locked on the middle of her forehead.
"I was… er, I just…," Pacey started to explain, but gave up. It took all of his energy, not only to try to stop his blood from leaving his brain and flowing to a certain part of his body, but to also be a gentleman and keep his vision from dropping below her neck. The neck where it just so happened he could see in his periphery vision a water droplet snaking ever so slowly down…
So, so tempting… silky, soft skin… oh, sweet, sweet, gravity…
"Pacey!" Joey snapped, breaking him out of his trance. "What the hell?!" She dropped her hands from the towel on her head to the one covering her torso, snatching the top ends in a death grip.
"I was… er, I just…," Pacey eloquently tried again.
"Just what?!"
Unable to make his tongue work, Pacey simply pointed behind him, praying his aim was in the general vicinity of the laundry room. No way was he about to move his head to check if his aim was true. Because if he moved it, the only direction his head was going to go was south. Plain and simple.
Again, somehow he didn't think Joey would go for that.
Obviously Joey needed to brush up on her sign language skills - something he'd have to mention to her at a later date - for his pointing didn't seem to appease her, only aggravate her more.
"Pacey, I mean it, what are you…," She sucked in a rush of air and dropped her jaw, aghast. "Were you spying on me?!"
"What! No!" He squeaked, then sputtered, "I was… er, I just…"
Want to drop my eyes… oh, please… so very hard… must resist…
But Joey was unaware of Pacey's inner turmoil for she was currently in the midst of her own. Joey dragged in another deep breath, trying to calm herself.
She wasn't going to overreact. Nope. Not this time.
Overreacting was bad.
It leads to roller skating, feather boas, girl-talk and a queasy stomach.
So, she wasn't going to overreact.
Even if she had to stand in that spot all day, steadfastly ignoring her lack of attire and pretend running into Pacey like this was an everyday occurrence, just to prove her case.
Besides, Pacey had seen her in less, hadn't he? She was more covered up now than when she wore a one-piece, right?
And this was just Pacey. And they were just friends.
No big deal.
No overreacting.
Why is Pacey staring so hard at my forehead?
Joey started to raise a hand to see if she had something there, but immediately stilled, unwilling to relinquish her dual hold on her towel. Unexpectedly her thoughts changed direction; her present lack of clothing now drew her attention to the abundance of his.
She glared at the brown coat he was sporting.
He just had to be wearing that coat, didn't he?
She refused to acknowledge that her sudden hatred for this coat had something to do with the fact that it was the one that he'd been wearing when they'd kissed, correction when he'd mauled her. Or that it was the same coat that had played a key feature in her dream last night – the reason why she couldn't go back to sleep and was up earlier than usual - and she didn't care for the reminder.
No, it was simply that it was the wrong weather for it. Yep. That's all. And, so, she said as much.
"Isn't it a little too warm to be wearing that anymore?" She stated primly.
Pacey's face rearranged into a mystified "huh?"
She tipped her chin at his coat, tugging her towel up a little higher.
Pacey finally dropped his eyes from their sentry post at her forehead and looked deep into hers. "Potter," he said dryly, "now is so not the time to be pointing out who is wearing what."
Determined to hold her ground, Joey stole a breath to brace herself. "Why? I don't see a problem with what I'm wearing," she replied, putting in as much false-confidence into that fabrication as she was able.
Pacey barked out a laugh. "Y'don't?"
"Nope."
"Not feeling a little... I don't know… chilly?"
She shook her head. "Could stand here all day like this."
"Is that so?"
"Yep."
Their eyes locked in a stalemate.
Pacey couldn't believe that Joey could act so unaffected, when all he wanted to do was throw her over his shoulder and… well, at the risk of sounding redundant, have his way with her.
Unless… maybe, just maybe… she wasn't so unaffected.
"You know what? I am feeling a little… hot."
Joey's pupils dilated a little at the suggestive way he said "hot" but otherwise made no response.
"You're right; it is too warm to be wearing this coat."
Joey held her breath, waiting to see where he was going with this.
"I think I might take it off. Yeah. Maybe even remove a couple of layers while I'm at it." Keen to see how far he could push her buttons, Pacey's irises turned the color of slate as he goaded, "I think I saw some fresh towels in the laundry room. How's about I go change… so we… match?"
At last Joey lost her battle to control her blush; she opened her mouth to annihilate him when Bessie breezed around the corner.
"Oh, hey, Pacey," Bessie smiled at him. "Washing machine all fixed?"
"Y-yeah," Pacey cleared his throat and scratched his nose. "Loose wire is all. It's as good as new."
"Great! Thanks." Bessie's smile disappeared as she looked in turn to each of the teenagers, both of whom were standing awkwardly looking anywhere but at each other. "Everything OK?"
Joey pretended to look confused. "Hmm? No. I mean, yes. Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine."
Pacey bobbed his head eagerly in agreement and quickly added, "Yep. Nothing going on here."
Both of them began speaking at once.
"Pacey was just-"
"I was just-"
Joey curved her lips into what could be considered a smile, although her eyes held an entirely different expression when they briefly flicked over to Pacey before returning to her sister. "As I was saying… Pacey was just leaving. Isn't that right, Pacey?"
"Right. Uh-huh. On my way out now." Pacey politely brushed past Bessie and began walking to the front door. Just before he reached it he hesitated and turned around.
Even though he already knew what her answer would be, he had to ask. Because that's what friends did, right? And that's what they were now. Friends.
"Jo, you, er, you need a ride? To, um, to school?"
"What?" Joey's eyes grew huge before remembering her sister was watching them intently and she checked her expression. "No. Er, no thank you, Pacey."
Pacey shuffled his feet. "You sure? I could wait 'til…" He dipped his eyes to her towel then immediately looked away and cleared his throat again. Still not looking at her, he waved his hand at her outfit. "…until you're, um, dressed…"
Joey fought to control her blush before it deepened further; otherwise there was no way she would get through this moment. "Nope. 'S'okay. I'm all set."
"Well, okay. I, er, I guess I'll-"
"Yep, see you later, Pacey." Joey cut him off. She flashed him a false smile and then quickly looked away.
Pacey's shoulders dropped when he was unsuccessful in catching her gaze. He attempted a small smile himself. His voice pitched at a low timber, he breathed out, "Yeah. See ya."
Then he nodded a goodbye to Bessie and shut the door quietly behind him.
Joey let one hand fall from her towel and pointed over her shoulder to her room. "So, I'm just gonna-"
"What was that about?" Bessie pinned her sister with her "cut-the-bull" look.
"What was what about?" Joey replied innocently.
"I thought you two sorted things out? That you were back to being friends."
Joey scrunched her face, insisting, "We have. We are."
Bessie raised her eyebrows. "Y'sure?" She studied her sister carefully. "You two seemed to be kinda… awkward."
"Bessie, please." Joey scoffed. "You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
"You are."
Bessie shrugged. Then she frowned as she gave Joey the once over. "You should be more careful, Joey. It's not very appropriate to walk around dressed like that. I know that we didn't have any guests last night, but you should get into the habit of wearing a robe."
"Ya think?" Joey muttered under her breath. Refusing to stand there any longer and converse while dressed only in brushed cotton, Joey sought her getaway. "Whatever, Bessie. Now, if we're all done here…" She spun around, heading straight to her bedroom, slamming her door behind her.
Bessie shook her head knowingly. "Sure I'm imagining things." Then sighed, "Teenagers."
*~*
A bright smile gracing her face, Andie leaned toward the small group seated at the formica-topped table in Capeside High's illustrious dining establishment, otherwise known as the cafeteria, and exclaimed, "Well, I can't wait! What about you, Jack?" Without waiting for his response, she continued, "This is the first time we've vacationed since… well, since forever it seems. Thanks so much for asking us, Dawson. When are we leaving? What should I bring with me? How much room will you have in the car?"
Laughing, Dawson replied, "Let's leave Saturday morning." He raised his heavy brows and looked around the group. "That okay with everyone?"
Nods from Joey and Jack indicated their agreement since there was no chance that they'd get a word in while Andie continued to express her enthusiasm verbally.
Jen frowned, stabbing at the small dish of coleslaw on her tray. "Damn, I have to work. I can't go."
Tray in hand, Pacey approached the table of friends, asking, "Go where?"
He maneuvered into the seat next to Andie, directly opposite Joey. He focused on freeing his sub from its wrapping but peered at her surreptitiously, only to catch her examining her Coke can as if it was suddenly the most interesting thing she'd ever seen.
See, this is more like it… plenty of witnesses around… no towels in sight…
Dawson was explaining, "You remember my Aunt Gwen?"
His mouth now full, Pacey nodded. "Your mom's sister," he said as he swallowed then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Haven't seen her since I was a little kid."
"We're heading to her place for spring break. Interested?" Dawson offered.
Joey's attention whiplashed from her Coke can to this unwelcome turn in the conversation.
Spring Break with Pacey?
Oh-ho nooooooooo!
How in the world would she endure that? Confined to a small space with no escape? Look what happened this morning for crying out loud!
Nuh-uh.
No way.
Pacey felt a sharp, unexpected pain radiate from the center of his shinbone. "Owww… What the…?" He glanced away from his conversation with Dawson to find Joey glaring at him.
"What's wrong, Pacey?" Andie inquired.
Jen's eyebrows rose toward her hairline as she guessed at the unspoken communication going on beneath the table. She hid a smile behind her napkin and caught Jack's eye as Pacey fumbled for an explanation. "I… um… I banged my leg on the crossbar under the table."
As he reached down to rub the throbbing ache, he brushed the sole of Joey's shoe and grabbed the toe, pinching it hard.
Joey snatched her foot out of his grasp and abruptly stood with her tray. "I need to see if there are any computers available in the computer lab before Mr. Maguire's class."
Halting the flurry of good-byes, Jack mumbled through a full mouth. "You know, I think he's gay."
All eyes turned to Jack as he was assaulted by a cacophony of questions and exclamations.
"What makes you think that?"
"Did he hit on you!?"
"Nooooo… really?"
Pacey used the diversion to slip away from the table unnoticed and, dumping the trash from his tray in the nearest receptacle, he made a beeline in the direction Joey had just taken.
*~*
"What the heck was that about?" Pacey flapped his arms in exasperation.
"Wha… what? What was what about?" Joey stuttered a bit, looking up at him from behind the bright blue Apple, tucked in a quiet corner of the computer lab.
"You. Kicked. Me," Pacey accused heatedly.
Joey shook her head, her glossy brown tresses catching the light from a nearby window. "What? No, I didn't!" she refuted indignantly. "Why would I do that? Wait! Is that why you pinched me?" she hissed at him.
"Josephine Potter, you did too kick me! And I want to know why!" Pacey's outrage was growing. He stood across the desk, arms akimbo, daring her to deny it again.
Joey shrugged. "I didn't kick you, Pacey. What do you think? We're five? You probably just bumped my foot under the table. What's the big deal, anyway?" Her tone took on that of one speaking to a child. "Is Pacey hurt? Does poor little Pacey need to go to the ER?"
She resumed a normal tone of voice, one dripping with sarcasm, complete with an eye roll. "It doesn't seem to be broken, you big baby. Now, if you don't mind… I have to work on this paper before the bell rings." She returned her attention to the screen in front of her and began typing, studiously ignoring him.
Pacey stood there for a moment, stunned at her capacity to twist what was clearly a well-aimed kick to interrupt his conversation with Dawson into something accidental.
Wait a second!
…to interrupt his conversation with Dawson…
His eyes, stormy gray with irritation, became clear cerulean as he realized that was exactly her intent.
He shook his finger at her. Astonished, he said, "You don't want me to go to Aunt Gwen's!"
Joey continued to ignore him.
"So, all that stuff you said about the events of weeks past being no big deal; it was a big deal!"
Despite the fact she didn't want him to go on their trip, a part of him was delighted that their kiss had affected her enough to cause this reaction. This morning was proof enough that she still affected him; it was good to finally know he wasn't alone.
"Well, shoot, Potter!" His voice raised an octave. "Why didn't you just say so?!" He beamed at her. "If you can't… restrain yourself enough to be around me, I can understand that." He edged a little closer to her, making his way behind the desk to tower over her.
Joey's head snapped up and she whispered loudly, "Pacey Witter, get over yourself. I just think it would be best for both of us if we didn't spend all of spring break in each other's back pocket."
"But, Jo, if we're only friends, what difference does it make?" He sing-songed, expertly playing his voice like an instrument to dip high then low. "We're all friends. We're all just hanging out together on spring break. As friends do." He spread his hands and shrugged in nonchalance, his eyes daring her to contradict him. "C'mon, Jo. Think of all the fun we'll have." Then he leaned in closer, deliberately taunting her about this morning's little incident. "I'll even let you give me some more… fashion tips."
Joey's shoulders slumped in defeat. She peered up at him, her eyes impossibly wide. Lowering her voice even further, she whispered, "Please, Pacey?"
Pacey gazed into those big brown eyes, her plea tearing at his heart, and immediately backed down. He fought the urge to reach out and touch her, to smooth her hair behind her ear, to trail his fingers through its luxurious length.
Stepping back with a sigh, he conceded, "Yeah… sure, Jo. Whatever you want." When he cleared the edge of the desk, he turned and made his way out of the lab.
Joey watched his broad back as he walked away, a sense of loss once again nagging at her. She struggled with the impulse to call his name, to apologize, to take it back but resolutely resisted.
In order for them to remain friends, she needed a little time and space to regain her equilibrium. She and Dawson would spend time with Andie and Jack at Aunt Gwen's and by the time they got back, the insane craving to touch Pacey every time he was near her would dissipate.
Wouldn't it?
Then everything could go back to the way it was before.
Back when she wasn't clutching at straws.
*~*
"Clutching At Straws" ~ Andrea Parker
Knowing ourself
Who we think that we are
Constantly changing
Constantly changing
So near and so far
Knowing ourself
Who we think that we are
Constantly changing
Constantly changing
So near and so far
Who we think that we are
Who we think that we are
*~*
