Unforeseen 16/?

Summary: Set after the episode 'Double Date.' Pacey wakes up the day after the carnival to a new reality no one saw coming.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Rating: R

-break-

"What?" Pacey stuttered in pure shock, his eyes tracing hers.

Joey grinned at his astonishment and slid her hand up the nape of his neck. "I said I love you." Before she pulled him in, capturing his lips in a sultry kiss.

He moaned cupping her chin, turning his body into hers he responded to her kiss. Moving his hand to her hip Pacey pulled her closer, enjoying her mouth opening as he did, his tongue slipping in to tangle with hers.

"I'm sorry are we interrupting?" Gretchen snickered stepping in the room, Dawson and Jen flanking her sides.

"Yes, yes you are." Joey breathed, turning to the trio, her eyes honing in on a very silent Dawson, his head down.

"How are you loser?" Gretchen asked jovially sitting at the end of the bed.

"Tired, confused but other than that ok." Pacey heaved his body tensing seeing Dawson, the words his friend said to him before passing out coming to the forefront of his mind.

Joey noticed the tension arising in his body, her hand caressing across his chest to ease his tension. "Are you okay Pacey?"

"Fine." He muttered shortly staring at Dawson for a minute longer before turning to Jen, who was still silent since walking in. "Hey Lindley, how you been?"

But of course, it was at that time that Dawson spoke, his voice surprisingly hesitant. "I'm sorry for what I said the other day…"

"What? That you think so little of me as a friend that the only reason I'd want to be with Joey is to have sex with her?" Pacey seethed, pulling away from Joey, his eyes blazing at Dawson.

"Well…the thing with Ms. Jacobs…" Dawson tried to explain, Gretchen's eyes widened turning to her brother.

"What the part where I tried to kiss her? Or where she nearly popped me one for doing so?" Pacey hissed sliding to the edge of the bed. "I mean…" He stood up from the bed, a wave of nausea and dizziness slamming into his already weakened body. "God damn it Dawson." Pacey's words slurred as his body dropped to the floor, his head nearly clipping the edge of the bed as he fell.

"PACEY!" All three women screamed scrambling from their positions to aid him. Dawson stood shell shocked and wide-eyed staring at his disabled friend from across the room.

With much difficulty the three women got Pacey back in the bed.

Joey got back in bed with him, her hands drawing up and down his chest, checking for injury as Gretchen ran for his doctor. Caressing Pacey's flushed cheeks, Joey turned back to Dawson growling. "Get the fuck out of here Dawson."

"Come on." Jen hissed, pulling him by his arm and out of the hospital. "What the hell was that Dawson?"

"I was trying to apologize." Dawson muttered shakily, his heart still pounding from watching Pacey hit the floor.

"Yeah, and then you got in an argument with him." Jen argued back, turning to look at him. "You should have stopped it before he could get worked up. Pacey's very fragile especially coming out of the pneumonia…he didn't need that."

"I'm sorry." He mumbled shrugging his eyes on the ground.

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." Jen stopped him, her eyes glaring his way. "But I guarantee Joey won't let you near Pacey since every time you do stuff like this happens.

Dawson sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

-break-

Back in the room Joey pressed her forehead to Pacey's chin, relieved to find the only injury to him was a slight bruise on his forehead from the fall.

"Is he okay?" Gretchen breathed, stepping into the room, Dr. Tiale just behind her.

"Yeah." Joey nodded, leaning back to let Dr. Tiale do his own check on Pacey. "I think he passed out from the stress of fighting with Dawson and standing too quickly. He hadn't been awake long enough before that to get out of bed."

"Ok." Dr. Tiale nodded, taking a step back after doing a quick exam. "He should be ok, but if he seems off or too lethargic have the nurses page me."

"Thank you, Dr. Tiale." Gretchen smiled, following him out of the room.

"Thank you." Joey sighed, curling her body into his, her head resting on his shoulder, listening to the gentle but steady thump of his heart as her fingers traced random designs across his gown covered chest.

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