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 #18

(Pacey's pov)

Scratching at the back of my neck, I let out a long huff," I still am, Dawson. Come on, man. You of all people should know how easy it is to fall for Joey Potter."

" I'm finding that a little too hard to process right now, Pace. What, are you going to try and tell me you're in love? Is that it Pacey?", retorts Dawson in a bitter voice with a roll of his eyes. Why is that so hard for him to believe? It wasn't too long ago that Dawson found himself in the same predicament I'm currently in. unfortunately, Dawson was a moron and let Joey slip out of his hands. Given the chance, I would never let that happen. If I were ever able to hold onto Joey, I'd never let her go.

" Is it that hard to believe?", I ask with a frown rapidly taking over my features. I know that Dawson is hurt and feeling very betrayed right now. But that is no excuse for him to question how I may or may not feel for Joey. Truth be told, I've been feeling differently towards Joey for a while now. Ever since Dawson asked me to watch after her last spring, I've slowly come to see Joey in a new light. When I look at her now, I no longer she the annoying, complaining girl that I once knew and loved. Now, I see a grown, breath takingly beautiful young women. Its taken all my will not to completely kiss this girl senseless.

Shaking the tenseness from his shoulders, Dawson turns his attention to Joey," Do you love him, Joey?

Waiting quietly for Joey to respond, I raise a curious eyebrow," Aren't you going to answer Joe? I'd kind of like to know too."

" You two can't be serious, how am I supposed to know if I love Pacey? I'm still trying to figure out whats going on between us.", states Joey in a tone of agitation once she realizes she's been put on the spot by Dawson and I. Groaning to myself when she takes off running toward the docks, I want nothing else but to go after her. I'm not stupid though. I know that Joey needs to be alone right now. The last thing she wants is me or anyone else bothering her with unneeded questions. Its better just to let her be for right now. She'll come around when she's ready. It was wrong of me to pressure Joey into answering Dawson's question. But it would be kind of nice to know if she loves me as much as I do her.

...(End Pacey's pov)

(Dawson's pov)

" You know our friendships over Pace.", I remark with a frown as I watch Joey take off. I can not believe the two of them. How could they do this to me? I would expect Pacey to do something like this. But Joey? Why would she kiss Pacey or let him kiss her. Didn't she know how much it would hurt me? Did she even care what I would think or how I would react?

" You're going to throw away a twelve year friendship Dawson? Come on, did you honestly expect me not to develop feelings for Joey? You practically pushed her toward me, Dawson.", points out Pacey before running a hand through his hair. He can't be serious. Is Pacey honestly trying to place the blame for his actions on me? I pushed Joey towards him? That's his excuses for making a move on her. Wow, I can not believe that he just said that.

Tensing at Pacey's remark, I laugh bitterly to myself," Our friendship was over the minute you made a move on Joey. I asked you to watch after Joey, not move in on her."

Clearing his throat, Jack wisely takes a step between the two of us," This isn't helping guys. Lets relax before someone says something they don't mean."

" Too late for that don't you think? I can't stand the sight of either of them right now.", I acknowledge with a look of disgust. How could those to betray me the way that they did? How long has Pacey been planning to make a move on Joey for? How the hell could this have happened? The last that I checked Joey and Pacey both hated one another. When did things change? I should have seen this coming, I saw the way Pacey reacted when Joey's mural was defaced. The guy nearly got himself suspended for her, not to mention he bought her a wall to repaint her mural on. God, I must have been an idiot not to see this coming.

" Alright, you can say whatever you want and be as mean as you want to me. Leave Joey out of this though, I'm the one who kissed her first. Look Dawson, I'm sorry you found out this way. But I'm not sorry that I kissed Joey. I can't help how I feel about her.", confides Pacey in a calm and protective manner. Now he's standing up for Joey now? Please. Cut the crap Pacey, I can see right through you. He thinks he's somehow above what he did when he's not. Going behind your best friends back and snagging his girl is about as low as a guy can get. I can believe Pacey.

" Cut all the self righteous crap, you're not fooling anyone Pacey.", I mutter as I regard him with a jealous glare. Who does he honestly think that he is fooling? Not me that's for sure. I can see right through him. My guess is that he's been after Joey for a while. He's probably been waiting for the perfect opportunity to make his move on her. He's right about one thing, I know how easy it is to fall for Joey. That doesn't excuse his actions though. If he knew that he had feelings for Joey, he should have came to me and been upfront about it instead of sneaking behind my back and kissing her the way that he did.….(End Dawson's pov)