Only Time Will Tell 5/?

Summary: Starts in the episode 'Stolen Kisses.' Alternative take on episode.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot

Rating: R

-break-

"Thanks Mrs. Otis. I'll be by with the payments in the morning…thank you." Pacey breathed hanging up the phone, his eyes strayed on his bobbing boat. He was going to get away…out of Joey's periphery…maybe for good.

"Hey Pace…" Doug tentatively smiled stepping away from his patrol car and over to his little brother. "Pop said you wanted to talk. What's up?"

"Well, I already talked to Pop…he said he was okay with it."

Doug eyed his brother carefully, his arms crossing across his chest. "With what exactly?"

"After finals I'm going to take the True Love down to the Keys …for the summer." 'Maybe longer.' He added mentally watching a confusion take over his face.

"What do your friends say?"

Pacey sighed crossing his arms, standing in an almost duel with his brother. "They don't say anything…I haven't told them…yet."

Doug squinted at his brother in concern. He had noticed Pacey seemed to be distancing himself from his friends…Joey especially. "You still going to prom with Andie?"

Pacey swallowed thickly he had already talked Will into taking her but part of him wondered if he should show up, say goodbye. "Yeah…yeah I am."

"Good." Doug smiled patting him on the shoulder. "Good…I'll see you later I gotta get back on patrol."

"Ok. See you later Dougie."

-break-

Joey felt like she looked beautiful, but she didn't feel it. She didn't want to go to prom, but Dawson convinced her to go. She was trepidatious but when Andie said she was going with Pacey she relented, if only to speak to him.

It seemed as if everyone thought of her, and Dawson came as a couple, but Joey denied it every chance she could. When Andie arrived, she held her breath, waiting to see Pacey om his tux but was disappointed as Will stepped up next to her dressed to the nines in a chocolate tuxedo.

Sensing her drop-in attitude Dawson asked her to dance, she went reluctant but willing. She let him pull her around the floor, her mind on the man who seemed to be pulling more and more away from her.

She didn't notice Dawson leaning into her, his lips pressing into hers, until they were already, they were already there. In disgust she him back her eyes like fire. "What the hell Dawson!"

"What? I thought we were getting closer again. I thought you wanted this?"

"What would make you think that? We've hardly spent any time together…" Realization slammed into her with his last question. "I don't want this Dawson…I don't want you."

Dawson looked at her in shock, his foot stomping childishly on the floor. "Then who do you want?"

Her heart ached knowing this was going to hurt but she was tired of hiding it. Tired of denying it. "Pacey…I want Pacey."

"WHAT!?" Dawson shrieked, getting the attention of the entire dance floor. "He only looked after you because I asked him to."

"No…he looked after me because he cares…he beat up Matt Caulfield when he ruined my mural…he bought me a wall…he taught me to drive…"

"I did that." Dawson barked emphatically taking a step back.

"Actually, you didn't…when you couldn't Pacey came back, not only to apologize for being a jerk but also he offered to show me how to drive and he did…you haven't done anything for me since my mom passed."

Dawson took another step back, his face taking a shock, astonished look as Joey shook her head and backed away.

She didn't get far before Jen stopped her, a somber look on her face. "What…Jen?"

"Pacey saw Dawson kiss you…he bolted before you pushed him away."

Joey's heart seized in her chest, her breath leaving her as she whimpered. "No."

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