Unforeseen 15/?

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-

Joey sighed, it had been a few days since Pacey had been hospitalized and only just yesterday did, they take out the intubation tube, but Pacey still hadn't come to.

So, when she had work to do, she did it from her chair and just about every other time she lay nestled beneath his arm, her head resting on his shoulder, listening to the comforting steady rhythm of his heart.

Joey had to admit Jen was right. She was in love with Pacey. She didn't know when it happened, but she knew the minute he dropped to the ground unconscious that she couldn't live without him.

It worried her that Pacey still hadn't awakened since they pulled the tube, but the doctor said that was normal. His compromised immune system helped delay the effects of the antibiotics, but they were working, Dr. Tiale had reassured her.

Caressing his chest through the gown she settled against him, his steady heartbeat lulling her to sleep.

A few hours later she was jolted awake by a squeeze at her side, her eyes opening meeting Pacey's confused stormy blue eyes. "Jo…what happened? Why am I here?"

Joey smiled tiredly, her hand moving up the nape of his neck. Teasing the little hairs on his neck in comfort, she sighed. "You caught a bout of pneumonia. They had to intubate you while the antibiotics did their work. They took the tube out last night."

"Wow." Pacey's brain was slow in processing, so it took a few minutes before he asked. "So, I've been here how long?"

Caressing his chest Joey bit her lip, taking in his tired confused state. "Three days. When you collapsed Dawson…or maybe it was Jen called your brother. He got there within a few minutes, picked you up and put you in his patrol car…and raced you here."

Tears sprung to his eyes, his body tensing as his hands dropped to the bed, his fingers tightening on the bedspread. "Am I ever gonna get over this? Am I ever gonna get better?"

Turning over she more into him, her hand working across his tight muscles as she answered him with conviction. "Yes…and I'm going to be there every step of the way."

He chuckle cried, shaking his head. "Jo…"

Shaking her own head Joey grasped his cheek pulling his gaze to hers. "Pacey, I love you."

"What?"

Read and review…if you want more. Sorry for the delay been working a lot on 'The Longest…' but I haven't forgotten this one or 'Heartache'