A/N: As promised, hope you enjoy!
"That meal was amazing, Mrs. Ryan," Pacey commented after finally putting his fork down.
"Yes, the best I've eaten in ages," Jack agreed.
"It wasn't just me. Jennifer contributed significantly. As well as each of you being so kind as to bring something," Grams said looking around the table. "I'm lucky to have such nice fellowship."
"Thanks for bringing us all together," Jen said smiling at her grandmother. Grams took her hand holding it lovingly.
"Well, I will certainly help with the clean up," Gale offered.
"Us too," Bessie said motioning to her younger sister. Joey stood to begin clearing the table.
"Think we can catch some of the game?" Jack whispered to Dawson.
"I'm pretty sure my dad has it on standby next door," Dawson responded.
Mitch Leery sensing the topic of conversation, stood up from the table. "Gale, you need me to grab the pies from the house?"
"Yes, Mitch," she answered. As Dawson and Jack stood to join Mitch she added, "And why don't you get a score update while you're there?" She laughed as the three began jogging toward the house next door.
"They think they're so smooth," Andie remarked. She began stacking the plates near her. Her face flushed slightly when she saw Pacey playfully nudge Joey. "I'll take these inside," she said anxious to escape the scene.
"How may I be of service, Mrs. Ryan?" Pacey asked. "You did all the cooking. You shouldn't also be in charge of clean up duty."
"I don't mind," Grams stated. "It gives me great pleasure to put food in your bellies, and smiles on your faces."
Pacey returned her smile. When did she become so sweet, he asked himself. "Would it be OK if I chopped some wood for you? I thought you might like to have a fire going in the house later."
"That would be wonderful, child. Thank you," Grams smiled. "There's actually some hickory on the other side of the house that could be broken down."
"Sounds like it has my name on it," Pacey said as he started to where she motioned.
Once inside Andie began divvying leftovers and placing them in containers. Gale and Bessie began fussing over Alexander. Jen made Grams a cup of hot tea instructing her to relax. She listened and was sat at her kitchen table observing all activity around her. Joey started washing dishes when Jen came up next to her to begin drying.
"Now if that isn't a sexy sight," Jen said quietly to Joey who followed her gaze out the kitchen window. Pacey was in the process of removing his jacket. He placed it on the woodpile next to him before picking up the ax to continue chopping wood. The muscles in his back and shoulders tightened as Pacey lifted the ax high above his head. Joey blushed slightly finding she agreed with the blonde next to her. "There was no chemistry between us, but I can appreciate hotness when I see it," Jen explained.
"No chemistry?" Joey asked for clarification.
"None," Jen confirmed. "Some of us truly are just friends," she said with a smile and a shrug.
"And some of us appear to be more," Joey agreed tentatively.
"Seems that way," Jen stated.
After the clean up was complete, and the game seemingly concluded, everyone again gathered outside. "So what do you say about some touch football?" Mitch suggested tossing the football to Jack.
"I'd be up for that," Jack explained.
"Wouldn't hurt to work off some of this food," Jen added. "Wait, did I just volunteer for physical activity?" she asked rhetorically.
"I'm actually a pretty good catch," Andie offered.
"Well then it's decided," Dawson said.
"Joey and Jen can be captains," Mitch proposed. Jen appeared amused by the prospect of picking teams, but the look on Joey's face suggested otherwise. She reluctantly took her place next to Jen in the center of the lawn as the rest of the group stood around them. "Joey, you pick first," Mitch said as Jack tossed her the football.
"Hmm … OK," she said unsurely. "Mr. Leery," she selected amongst feigned groans of disapproval. "What? He's the head coach of our football team, of course I'm gonna pick him!" Mitch stood next to Joey who tossed the football to Jen.
"I'll take Jack, obviously," Jen indicated. Jack led his captain in a complex handshake that ended with her slapping him playfully on the chest.
Mr. Leery huddled up with Joey before making her next selection. "Dawson," she said pointing to him. Dawson jogged to join the team giving his father a high five. Joey watched a gleeful look come across the face of the newest member of her team. Her attention turned to Pacey who for a moment had a pained look on his face.
"Pacey," Jen said without hesitation.
"Good choice, Lindley," Pacey said his body language having recovered.
"Bessie," Joey said optimistically.
Bessie looked up from her son whom she was holding. "No-uh, no way," Bessie said. Grams was already taking Alexander from her arms, and Gale pushed her forward to join the group. "Fine. OK, but just know I am scrappy. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"We'll take pigtails," Pacey said gesturing toward Andie who joined Jen's team with her brother and ex-boyfriend.
"OK, it's two-hand touch. These are the boundaries," Mitch instructed. "Here's one end zone, those two trees make up the other," he explained pointing down the yard. "Quarterbacks can call shotgun. You gotta count five apples before rushing the quarterback."
"All sounds pretty standard," Andie observed.
"Catch the ball if it comes to you. Touch the person with the ball with two hands. Got it," Jen said simplifying the directions.
"I heard something about apples," Bessie said with a laugh.
"Pacey's going down is what I heard," Joey added.
"You think so, Potter? Bring it," he teased.
"I always do," she retorted.
Dawson cleared his throat loudly. "Right, then, let's get this going."
"Since Joey picked first, Jen you can have ball first," Mitch said.
"Alright, let's do this!" Jen said in her best jock voice.
"Well this must be a new phenomenon for you. Huh, Jen?" Jack asked. "I mean, being on the field instead of cheering from the sidelines?"
"Must you always remind me?" Jen replied bitterly. "You're lucky you're on my team. Pacey, you be the guy who throws the ball," she said handing him the football.
He smiled at her. "Sure, Lindley. I'll be the guy who throws the ball," he laughed lightheartedly. It took Pacey and Jack only two plays to score a touchdown. That was also the number of plays it took for it to become obvious that Dawson did not exactly consider this a friendly game of touch football.
"Our turn," Joey said picking up the ball after Pacey and Jack had completed their touchdown celebration while the girls on their team rolled their eyes.
"I'll be quarterback," Dawson said snatching the ball from Joey's hands. He lined up with Pacey across from him. "Shotgun," he called taking two steps back. "Set, hut," Dawson yelled signaling his team to start moving.
"One apple, two apples," Pacey began counting aloud. Dawson continued searching for his father who was completely covered by Jack. "Three apples, four apples," Pacey continued. Dawson noticed that Bessie had jogged all the way downfield, and was standing in the end zone. He decided to pitch the ball to Joey on his right when he heard Pacey yell, "five apples!" Pacey ran forward easily touching Dawson with both hands.
"Second down," Jack yelled giving Pacey a high five.
"C'mon," Dawson muttered clearly frustrated.
"You got it, honey," Gale hollered from the sidelines.
"Let's go," Dawson directed taking his position.
"Wait for me!" Bessie yelled from downfield. Dawson waved his arm motioning for Bessie to hustle.
Dawson repeated the process, but this time threw the ball toward his father. Jack ran up from Mitch's side to intercept the throw. He ran downfield until Joey managed to tag him out. "Nice one!" Andie praised her brother.
"Good catch, Jackers!" Pacey yelled. "Nice tackle, Potter," he said quietly in her direction. Dawson's eyes filled with bitterness having overheard his words. "Huddle up," Pacey instructed. "Andie you go long this time." Andie nodded in agreement. "Jen, you take the short pass."
"OK because let's be honest, I'm not planning to go very far," Jen commented. The team laughed as they broke apart.
"Shotgun," Pacey said taking the allowable steps. "Blue 52, Green 75," he began.
"Just do it, ya goof!" Joey ordered. Pacey stifled a smile pretending to be serious.
"Omaha, hut!" he yelled.
Pacey's eyes moved to the end zone waiting for Andie to easily run passed Bessie. His arm moved back preparing to throw the ball, which meant he never saw it coming. Dawson did not count aloud before rushing toward Pacey. He dropped his shoulder, and tackled Pacey to the ground. Pacey's head snapped back as he fell.
"Pacey!" Joey shrieked as she ran toward him.
Jack was already there pulling Dawson off of him. "Dude, what was that?" Jack asked.
"Dawson, this is not tackle," his dad chastised.
Bessie joined her sister at Pacey's side. She helped her sit him up. "You OK, Pacey?" Bessie asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Pacey answered shooting a look toward Dawson. Jack offered Pacey a hand to help him stand up.
"Slowly," Bessie said. Joey stood closely by ensuring he could stand. Pacey stood tall, but wavered slightly a bit uneasy.
"Let's get him inside," Grams suggested. "Jennifer, gather some ice." Jen hustled inside as her grandmother instructed. Jack helped his friend up the stairs and into the house.
Joey watched for a moment as Jack and Bessie helped Pacey inside. She then turned her fiery eyes toward Dawson. "Feel better now?" she asked with spite.
"Joey, I …" Dawson began.
"Don't," she commanded. Then she turned away from him rushing to join the others inside.
"I'll already called your brother, Pacey," Bessie explained as they entered her house. "He agreed that it would be best for you to stay here tonight."
"Yes, and Grams told me all of the things to look out for, so we can make sure you haven't suffered a concussion," Joey added.
"Ladies, I'm fine, really," Pacey protested. "Just a slight bump on the head. Dawson barely touched me."
"We just want to be sure, Pace," Joey said as she began making him a bed on the couch.
"Grams said you should also avoid any physical exertion, so that means limited work here for awhile," Bessie instructed.
"That isn't necessary. Plus we have too much work to do around here," Pacey argued.
"Brain injuries are to be taken seriously, Pacey, especially for someone with limited brain cells to begin with," Joey teased.
"Is that your way of saying you care, Potter?" he asked taking a seat on the newly made bed.
"Just lay down," she responded placing a pillow on the couch.
"Alexander and I are gonna head to bed," Bessie said motioning to her already sleeping son. "Happy Thanksgiving, you two."
"Happy Thanksgiving, Bessie," Pacey and Joey said in chorus.
"It gets pretty cold in here at night," Joey stated. "We have more space to heat now with the addition, but haven't put in the new heater yet," she explained as she gathered more blankets.
"I know, Jo. I've been here every day, remember?"
"Oh right, of course. I'm sorry, Pace. I just want you to be comfortable," Joey made clear. She looked as if she was going to sit before getting up again. "I know … I'll start a fire."
"Jo, you don't have to do that," Pacey tried. He was not accustomed to allowing others to do things for him.
"Pacey, stop protesting. I'm taking care of you, so deal with it." Pacey knew any further argument would be futile. He lay back on the couch permitting himself to get comfortable. He felt his body warm before the fire was even started; Joey's concern warmed him from the inside out. He fell asleep feeling content that she cared.
Joey finally started the fire, and turned to join Pacey on the couch. She smiled seeing him sleeping peacefully. She pulled the blanket tight around him before kissing him softly on the forehead. Joey grabbed another blanket before taking a seat in the chair across from him. The fire crackled softly in the background as she watched Pacey's chest rise and fall with every breath. Joey felt overwhelmed with emotions, all of which seemed connected to the sleeping boy in front of her. She wasn't sure how long she stayed there watching him sleep before joining him in dreamland.