Description: this is a story I have been working on for a while. This is my first Dawson's Creek story so take it easy on me, I'm rusty on my characters.

Disclaimer: I may not own the characters but this story is original and from my imagination.

Author's note: this is my first try at a Dawson's creek story, be nice to me please. This is a Pacey/Joey fic, my version of how they got together. Enjoy and review thanks

Chapter #16

(Joey's pov)

" Do you regret it, Joe?", questions Pacey after a few minutes of silence. Do I regret what? Kissing you Pacey? In truth, no. I can honestly say that I don't I have no reason to. That was without a doubt the second best kiss of my entire life. The first was when Pacey took a chance and kissed me in the first place. That kiss was amazing. It was soft, sweet and filled with everything he'd been wanting to tell me but was unable to.

"...No.", I answer quietly before stealing a peek over at Pacey. The look on his face is one of relief. Guess he was banking on me saying otherwise considering how things ended up between the two of us. I'm not sure why I put the brakes on whatever it was that was going on between Pacey and I. I want to say its because I didn't want to hurt Dawson or Andie, but its really because I'm afraid of getting hurt.

" Then why are you sorry Joe?", asks Pacey with a tired sigh. He;s not going to let me go to sleep until the two of us hash things out is he? Great. Just my luck. I knew there was a reason that I didn't want to spend this trip sharing a tent with Pacey. Yet here I am, stuck in this very small tent, having this very awkward conversation with Pacey right now. Aren't I just so lucky, someone please shoot me.

" Because I let you think that kiss meant something when it didn't.", I confide before turning my gaze downward before he notices the look in my eyes and knows that I'm lying through my teeth. That kiss meant everything to me. I felt emotions that I never knew I was capable of feeling that first time Pacey kissed me. Then when I kissed him back? Those feelings only intensified.

Frowning to himself, Pacey shakes his head in disbelief," Why can't you just admit that you like me?"

Letting out a tired sigh, I run a hand through my hair," Its not that simple Pace."

" Yes it is, you're just afraid to take a chance Joey!", remarks Pacey in a loud voice that startles me. Staring up at Pacey, I open my mouth in protest only to shut it once more. He's right, I am afraid to take a chance. But only because I'm afraid of getting hurt. If Pacey and I were to break up, where would that leave me? The last thing I need is another failed relationship, I'm already two up. I don't need a third one.

" You're right, because I'm afraid of getting hurt! Happy Pace? Look, can we just talk about this in the morning, please?", I plead with a tired look in my eyes. Pacey's not going to let things go that easily. He's going to argue this out until we're at one another throats. Not that I can really blame him though. I hurt Pacey and he's looking for a reason why. Truth is, I don't really have a valid explanation other than the fact that I'm afraid.

Touching a hand to my cheek, Pacey leans down to kiss me," I'm tired of talking, Joey. I'm not going to hurt you, I want to be with you." … (End Joey's pov)