Only Time Will Tell 3/?
Summary: Starts in the episode 'Stolen Kisses' Alternative take on the episode.
Disclaimer: I only own the plot
Rating: R
A/N: On top of packing and moving I have a tooth infection, so this week I may be more intermittent on posting chapters than normal. Thank you, my loyal readers, for your support.
-break-
"Will you please just do this?" Pacey pleaded for what felt like the thousandth time, but it was only actually the second time. "I promise to try not ask you for anything again."
"I will…if you tell me what brought this on?"
Pacey sighed rubbing at the headache that seemed to engrain in his head since his weekend at Gwen's. "I told Joey how I felt…put it on her and she rejected me…again…she's coming to the christening and…and I just can't be around her right now."
Doug nodded critically, taking in his brother's tone and mannerisms, even he could tell his brother wasn't acting like himself. "Ok…I'll do it."
"Thanks Dougie." Pacey exhaled, grabbing the water from the counter and walking back to his couch bed.
-break-
Arriving at the dock Joey felt unnerved, this was the first time since the weekend at Dawson's aunt's house that she'd see Pacey, she just hoped he looked better than the last time she saw him.
Standing near the end of the line of her friends, Andie to her right and Jen to her left, Joey felt her heart seize seeing Dawson hand the christening bottle of champagne to uniformed, Doug Witter, who walked down the dock with Dawson and his dad.
"Sorry for the delay." Doug smiled at the group, his eyes drawing to Joey as he added. "Pacey is under the weather, so he asked me to come in his place."
Joey sighed audibly which caught Jen's attention before they both turned to Doug who continued.
"Pacey wanted me to give thanks to everyone who helped him retrieve and put in parts, sanding and painting…I know growing up Pacey always wanted his own boat and I myself am proud to see this accomplishment through. So, without further ado." Doug lifted the bottle smashing it against the side of the boat as the whole group clapped.
Ten minutes later Joey found herself walking next to Jen, who kept eyeing her. "Tell me what's going on Joey."
"What do you mean?" Joey stuttered nervously seeing Jen's pointed look, she sighed leaning against the white wooden fence along the side of them. "The last time we talked…about Pacey and how he expressed himself in the form of a kiss…" Jen looked at her with more interest. "Well last week at Dawson's aunts house he did it again…but he confronted me with the fact we both knew how he felt…" Joey stopped feeling the tears come to her eyes. Clearing her throat, she chuckled sadly. "And he told me that we wouldn't be standing there, having that conversation, if I didn't have one shred of a feeling for him…"
Jen turned to her friend taking in her words. "So, what did you do?"
Dropping her head Joey let out a sob playing with her hands. "Nothing…he walked around me and just kept walking. I didn't stop him."
"Did you want to?" Jen looked at her friend in concern as she started to openly sob. "Joey?"
"A large part of me yes but I'm terrified. I've never felt such a strong pull to someone…even Dawson."
"So, Pacey thinks you don't have feeling for him at all?" When Joey nodded Jen growled running a frustrated hand through her hair. "Have you tried to talk to him?"
"No." Joey hissed falling back against the fence again. "He's avoided me completely…I think that's why Doug did the christening."
"What about the regatta? Isn't the True Love already entered?"
Thinking it over, Jen was right, she had gone with him to register his boat, she let a smile slip at the realization. "Yeah."
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