AN: One of my personal favorite DC characters get introduced in this chapter. I'm partial to this chapter because it has the whole Witter clan in it. And those kinds of chapters are always fun to write. Am I a bad person for getting enjoyment out of torturing Pacey? I don't think so.

Disclaimer: You guys know the drill. I don't own them. I just like to write about them.

Pacey sat silently looking out over the dashboard. He didn't know that his mother had invited them for Thanksgiving until the day before. Joey had made the plans but forgot to tell him because she had been working so much.

He hadn't been able to put up much of a fight. But if he'd had a little warning he would have been able to think of a way out of going. He was sure of it. Joey had gotten smarter with age. So smart that he sometimes wondered why she had chosen him.

Joey sat next to him reading a manuscript. Her glasses were close to falling off her nose making him smile. Pacey liked her best when she was relaxed. She hadn't been able to do that recently. She had come home with two armfuls of books a few weeks ago. She was finally on the last one.

Pacey would have forbid her to bring it if she hadn't been almost done. He turned on the radio as they passed the Massachusetts sate line. She closed the book with a sigh before pulling off her glasses. She raised her arms over her head letting out a grown.

"We're almost there."

"So that means we can't turn back around."

"It is never too late for that." He said turning to face her with a smile.

She returned his smile as she fell back against the seat silently. They road over train tracks as they crossed into Capeside twenty minutes later. Another ten minutes and they would be The Witter's House of Mayhem.

XXXX

Lily ran ahead of him down the isle. Dawson shook his head remembering what it was like to be eight. He pushed the cart around the corner colliding with someone. The other person dropped the bottle of soda they had letting out a surprised yell as the bottle exploded spraying foam everywhere.

"I am so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." Dawson said helping the person pick up the rest of their items.

"It's okay, I wasn't paying attention either."

Dawson looked up recognizing a voice he hadn't heard in eight years. She stood up sweeping her hair out of her eyes.

"Gretchen." He said standing up.

Her eyes met his in recognition.

"Hey Dawson." She said giving him a warm smile.

"It's been a while." He said moving around a store clerk who had come to clean up the mess.

Gretchen nodded as they walked away.

"How have you been?"

"I've been all right." She said with a sigh.

"Just all right?" He said with a laugh.

"I just got out of a messy marriage."

"Yeah, I head that you'd gotten married."

"For three years. But it's in the past. And now I can move on."

"That's a good idea."

"So how 'bout you? Other than the TV show?"

"I'm okay."

"Just okay?" She said teasing him.

He laughed nervously running a hand through his hair. Lily had caught up with them carrying an armful of cookies and cereal.

"Choose one of each and put the rest back."

Gretchen smiled watching them interact. Lily walked away again as they turned down another isle.

"You never answered me. I told you about me."

"My life is hectic. It's hard to have a relationship for longer than a couple of months."

"Your work comes first."

"Yeah. I guess I should work on that."

"I would say so."

"Where are you living now?"

"California, same as you."

"Oh yeah, where?"

"A few miles outside Palisades."

"I live in Palisades."

"Really?" She asked giving him a curious look.

"Yeah. Tell you what, give me your number. We should have dinner some time."

"Dawson Leery, are you asking me out?" She asked giving him a teasing smile.

"Just as friends." He said putting up his hands in defense.

Gretchen shook her head trying to hide her smile. Lily walked up to them with another arm full of groceries. Dawson looked them over before nodding his head. Gretchen wrote her number on his hand before waving goodbye. Dawson watched her walk away as Lily skeptically watched her brother.

"Who's she?" Lily asked breaking the silence.

"That is Gretchen Witter."

"Pacey's sister?"

"Yep. Come on, we need to get home before mom does."

Lily ran ahead of him to the check outs as he walked in a daze. Gretchen Witter. She was more beautiful than he remembered. It would be good to have someone to talk to and understand when he missed home. Which was happening less and less the longer he stayed away.

XXXX

Thanksgiving was a lot more hectic than it had been last year. Gram, Jack and Andy were staying with Dawson and his family. They made the best of things as Andy and Gail made dinner. Jack sat at the table watching Amy color from her high chair. He hadn't talked to Doug in a few days. With the first nine weeks ending he had to prepare for exams.

It wasn't like he hadn't tried to call him. They kept missing each other. He had promised that he would have desert with the Witter's. Since Doug had promised this mom that he would help Pacey with dinner.

Andy watched him from the island. She was glad that he was finally happy. But he was spreading himself too thin. She needed to have a talk with him before she went home.

XXXX

Pacey woke u p on Thanksgiving morning to find his nephew staring at him from the foot of the bed.

"What Brian?"

"Uncle Doug's waiting for you."

Pacey blinked trying to make his eyes focus on the clock on the wall next to him. It was almost ten. He threw back the covers then pulled on a pair of sweatpants.

When he walked into the kitchen Joey was standing at the sink while Doug stood at the stove. Joey said something and Doug threw his head back in laughter. Pacey stood behind Joey and wrapped his arms around her waist. She looked up at him giving him a smile.

"I offered to help him until you got up."

"I can take over." He said taking the knife she was holding.

Doug's cell phone rang making him reach into his pocket.

"Jo can you help him? I need to take this."

"Sure."

"Thanks."

Joey stood at the stove stirring the pot.

"How'd you sleep?"

"All right. I guess Gretchen stayed up until one."

"What did you talk about?"

"She said she ran into Dawson yesterday. And she wanted some advice."

"About what?"

"They don't live far from each other apparently. So he asked her to dinner just as friends."

"He did?"

"That's what she said." Joey said looking at him.

He met her gaze as a loud bang echoed from the hall. One of his nieces yelled for help making them break eye contact. Pacey walked out of the room to see what he could do to help.

Joey grabbed hold of the counter with one hand and rant he other through her hair. She wished that Dawson wasn't such a sore subject between them. He was just as much a part her past as Pacey was. She never got jealous when he brought up Andy or Audrey. Maybe guys weren't as mature as girls were.

XXXX

Andy helped Gail and Grams clean up after dinner. Jack had left half an hour ago to go to the Witter's. H had asked Andy if she wanted to go but she had turned him down. Dawson was in the living room with Lily and Amy. Jack had surprised everyone when he asked Dawson to watch her. It was a step in the right direction.

Andy dried her hands as the last of the dishes went into the dishwasher. Gail put a hand on her shoulder making her look up.

"You should have gone with your brother."

"I'm fine Mrs.--"

"Gail."

"Gail, I wanted to stay here. I don't get to see you all that often."

"When was the last time you talked to Pacey?" Evelyn asked from the table.

"The day after Jen died. He thought I would want to be at the funeral. And I did, but I had school and work."

Which was true. Pacey had come to see her once a month until he moved to New York. He had kept her sane, now that responsibility was placed on her boyfriend.

Gail wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. Andy lay her head on her shoulder leaning against her. She had missed her friends. They were the closest thing she had to a family ever since her dad had moved out of the country. She and Jack only had each other.

XXXX

Jack sat on the front porch at the Witters. A cup of coffee kept his hands warm as the wind blew from off the creek. The front door opened making him look up. Joey silently closed the door behind her balancing two plates on one arm. She handed one to him then pulled a fork from her pocket.

"I didn't get a chance to talk to you earlier."

"You were busy." He said taking a sip of coffee.

"I always have time for you." She said putting a hand on his arm.

"How have you been?"

"Good. Busy, but good."

"Pace hasn't driven you crazy yet?"
"No." She said with a laugh.

"It's funny how things change don't they?"

"Yeah it is."

They sat in silence listening to the ducks by the water. The door opened again and Doug walked out. Joey stood then kissed Jack's cheek before walking away. Doug took Joey's seat not sure if he should say anything.

Jack took hold of Doug's hand tracing circles across his palm. Doug squeezed his hand letting him know that he appreciated that he was there. They rocked in silence taking in the night. They didn't do that often, but Jack made a mental note to do it more often.