ALTERNATE ENDING

A/N: You didn't think I'd leave you brokenhearted, did you? I couldn't resist the happy ending for PJo, too… Enjoy!

Five years later….

Joey Potter was in love with her best friend. As she watched Pacey converse with Jack and Jen at Gail's wedding, she marveled at the amazing man he'd become. After quitting the brokerage, he spent some time in Boston working at a private equity job he got thanks to one of his former clients. After saving enough money, he moved back to Capeside and re-opened The Icehouse, which he owned free and clear. In addition, he owned a condo near the beach and a new boat, which was docked at the marina. Whenever everyone was in town, which was surprisingly often now that Jack was teaching at the high school and Grams had bought her house back, they all went sailing together.

"Hey," Joey said as she walked over to him.

He smiled. "Hey."

She cleared her throat. "So, I've been meaning to ask you something all afternoon… Would you like to dance with me?"

He nodded and reached for her hand. "Yes, I believe I would."

They took their place on the floor. As Have a Little Faith in Me played, they swayed to the music. "So what's going on, Pace?"

"Hmm… What's going on? What's going on is that I forgot how much fun I have when I'm with you. That's what."

Joey chucked. "Me too."

As Pacey's hand brushed the wedding band on her finger he asked, "So, how's married life?"

She shrugged. "It's good. He works a lot. Almost as much as me, so we don't see each other like we should. But, I guess that's part of it, huh?"

"Yeah, I suppose. After a while, it becomes more about quality than quantity, especially with a toddler who demands constant attention."

"Gee, I wonder who she takes after there," Joey joked.

"Me?" When she nodded, he pulled back. "No, she is her momma's daughter through and through. Which can be exhausting for me, to say the least."

Before Joey could respond, Jen and Dawson sidled up next to them. Brightly, Jen asked to switch because Dawson won't let her lead. Despite not wanting to cut their dance short, Joey went along with it. It felt amazing to be alone with Pacey in his arms, even for a short time.

Her dance with Dawson was slightly strained. He'd never gotten over the fact that she'd married someone who wasn't him. While she'd always love him and be connected to him, she wasn't in love with him. They'd never gotten back together after their disasterous one night stand. Joey was relieved when Jen asked to switch back.

Joey had only just barely gotten settled in Pacey's arms again when she heard Dawson shout Jen's name and saw her collapsed on the dance floor.

Soon thereafter, she, Pacey, Dawson, Jack and Grams waited impatiently in the waiting room for news from the doctor. As they waited, Doug showed up to pay his respects to Jen, but she and everyone else knew it was really to support Jack, with whom he'd been in a secret relationship with for six months.

"Jennifer Lindley family," a doctor called out.

They all stood anxiously. "Yes?" was the collective question.

"She is awake and stable. She has asked to see you all. While I've advised against so many visitors at once, she insisted. She wants to tell you what caused the collapse herself."

After the doctor left, Doug took a seat in the room while the rest of them went to see Jen. Grams took a seat in the chair while Pacey perched on one side of her bed and Jack on the other. Joey and Dawson stood by the foot.

"So, what the hell is going on, Jen," Jack demanded. "The doctor wouldn't tell us."

"Calm down, Jackers. I'm fine. The collapse wasn't caused by my bum ticker."

"So the surgery is still successful?" Grams asked.

"Yes," Jen replied. "My fainting had nothing to do with my heart condition."

"Then please enlighten us, Lindley." Pacey directed.

"I was just dehydrated from the heat. They're keeping me overnight to give me fluids and I'll be released in the morning."

At that, both Pacey and Jack hugged her tightly. They then got up so Joey and Dawson could hug her, too. After wishing her a speedy recovery, Joey quietly pulled Pacey to the corner by the door.

"Thank God it wasn't her heart again," Joey whispered with relief.

"I know," Pacey agreed as he ran a hand through his hair. "I couldn't imagine losing her after the scare we had when Amy was born."

Joey pulled Pacey into a hug. He'd become especially close with Jen and her daughter after she moved home to Capeside after getting knocked up and left by her loser boyfriend Errol. He and Jack stepped up to be surrogate fathers for the little girl while Joey had become even closer to Jen, so close in fact that they had opened a coffee shop and bookstore together. Jen ran the coffee shop while Joey managed the bookstore.

After their hug, he told the group they needed to get going to pick up Meg from Bessie's. After saying their goodbyes, they walked hand-in-hand to their SUV.

Pacey opened the door for her, but she paused before getting in. "Witter?"

"Yeah?"

"Despite all the excitement, it was nice spending time alone with you today. I've missed that."

In response Pacey leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "Me too, Potter. Me too." Then he stepped back and smacked her on the butt. "Now get in so we can pick up your exhausting little mini-me from Bessie's."

Joey rolled her eyes and then got in and waited until Pacey was inside. Then she leaned over the console and pressed her breasts against his arm as she laid a hand on his upper thigh. "Did I forgot to tell you that Meg is sleeping over at Bessie's tonight?"

Pacey didn't say anything. He just reached over and placed his hand at the nape of her neck to pull her into a scorching kiss. When they finally came up for air, Pacey nuzzled her neck and then whispered, "Then we'd better get you home and out of these clothes as soon as possible."

Joey simply moved her hand up farther and smiled wickedly, excited to have a night alone with her husband for the first time in ages.

She was so glad she was in love with her best friend and that he loved her back. After his fallout with Dawson five years ago, she had put Pacey and their relationship first and she never once regretted it or the life they'd built together since.