Unforeseen 11/?

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

A/N: I was gonna wait to post this but today is your lucky day.

-break -

One more month later

Staring up at the menacingly large building Pacey's hands shook. They had released him from the hospital the previous week with return visits to do chemo every Tuesday and Thursday. His tests came back improved but by no means was he in the clear.

Rubbing a hand across his hairless head he tried to calm his racing heart. He had told Joey he'd wait for her so they could head to school together but he couldn't sit still so Doug dropped him off.

Now standing outside Capeside High he wished he had.

He hadn't even made it inside yet and already he felt all eyes on him. He was a side show.

He should have just stayed home.

Turning around to go back home Pacey almost jumped out of his skin to find Joey and Jen, Joey's arm crossed in front of her.

"I told you to wait for me."

Pacey rolled his eyes hiding deeper in his jacket. "I couldn't sit still, Doug got annoyed, so he dropped me off early."

"Still…"

"Joey give the guy a break." Jen chided playfully pulling Pacey into a tender hug. "How are you doing?"

"Honestly?" He asked them both, his eyes on Joey, who looked at him closely. "I want to crawl in a hole. I feel so out of place." He had missed the first half of the year, only starting back today, there was one week left before the start of winter break.

"You're not out of place." Joey reassured him with a smile, sliding her arm through his and hugging it to her chest. "If your uncomfortable or don't feel good the school already said you could leave early."

"Very true." Jen grinned mimicking Joey's movement and sliding her arm through Pacey's other arm. "Besides you have us to help."

Pacey blushed looking between both women on his arm, he nodded. "Ok."

They acted as his bodyguards until Jen had to depart in the opposite direction for a different class, while he and Joey headed to their math class.

It was the only class they shared with Dawson, and he felt even more awkward slipping in the chair next to his supposed best friend, Joey sat in the chair on the other side of him.

Mr. Miller walked in, closing the door behind him. "Good morning class…ahh Mr. Witter good to have you back, remove your beanie."

Pacey's eyes clenched, he had put the beanie on just before Joey and Jen had walked up to him, covering his shaved head and hairless brows. His hair had steadily been falling out for the last month, even his eyebrows didn't fair. So, he shaved it all off. Now he felt like a side show.

"Mr. Witter please?"

Pacey hissed at the annoyance in the teacher's voice. Clutching the hat, he slid it off his bare head, regarding his classmates as a few gasps came out.

Before Mr. Miller could start Matt Caulfield spoke up. "Anyone looking for their missing cue ball?" Pacey flinched at the barb; he knew it was coming but that was harsh. Rubbing shakily at his face he tried to pay attention to the teacher as he started again when Grant Bodine sang. 'Mr Clean, Mr. Clean." causing half the room to laugh.

Shaking his head Pacey abruptly stood ignoring the shock look on Dawson's face and Joey's calls, he bolted from the room, breathing heavy tears streaming down his cheeks as he jogged toward the exit.

He thought he was strong but since his diagnosis and the chemotherapy he found himself weak, both mentally and physically, wishing the cancer would just take him.

-break-

"PACEY!" Joey yelled after him, her heart breaking watching him dart from the room. Turning to the rest of the class she snarled. "You're a bunch of heartless jackasses." Moving to go after Pacey she stopped by a hand on her wrist. Finding Dawson's hand on hers she pulled away ignoring his calls and following after Pacey.

She found him pacing in a quiet hall near the exit, his beanie back in place. "Pace?"

He stopped in his tracks, his eyes darting to her, his head shaking. "I'm not going back in there."

"You don't have to." Biting her lip, she made a quick decision grabbing his hand and pulling him into the closest empty room. "Come on." Pushing him into the empty room, she let the door shut behind them before she spoke. "Don't let those idiots get to you. Do you look different? Yes, but they don't know what you've been through. Your strong Pacey…stronger than I think even my mom was because you've dealt with more, you've…"

Her words were cut short as Pacey cupped her cheeks, pulling her into a tender kiss. Pulling back, he found her stunned into silence, her eyes on his. "I'm…I'm sorry." Pacey stuttered shaking his head, cringing, he stepped around her moving to leave again stopping as he felt her hand catch his.

"Pacey." Joey breathed turning toward him, when he didn't, she tightened her grip on his hand pulling him back to face her. "Pace." When his eyes finally met hers, their breathing in near sync, Joey pulled him in capturing his bottom lip between hers.

It took Pacey seconds to respond, his arms slipping around her small waist pulling her closer. Her hands clutched his neck, her mouth opening as their tongues intertwined.

Joey groaned feeling Pacey's hand grip her thighs, effortlessly lifting her on the table behind them, the kiss deepening further.

They were so lost in each other and their fiery kiss they almost hadn't heard the bell signaling a change over of the next class.

"Jo." Pacey breathed, pulling back, the fear that she'd suddenly regret it taking over. "Jo."

Pulling in much needed air Joey clutched at the front of his shirt, her eyes dominating his. "Pace…I want you…to go back to my house…and wait for me." He opened his mouth to respond but was stopped as she pulled him into another deep kiss. "Go…I'll see you there after school."

Pacey nodded dumbly, his whole body shaking from the lack of oxygen and the intensity of the encounter between them. "Ok."

She gave him another gentle kiss before slipping out of the room, leaving him reeling.

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