Alternative 3/?

Summary: Starts in season one just after 'Double Date' will lead into an alternative version of 'Promicide'

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Rating: R

A/N: This story is different even for me, its coming out differently but I already have the ending set in my mind.

-break-

"So, Dawson's leaving for Philadelphia in a few days?" Jen asked as her Jack and Pacey sat around a table with Joey at the Icehouse.

"Yeah…" Joey nodded shifting around the ice in her empty glass. "I tried to talk to him out of it, but it was all about bettering his work."

"Of course, classic Leery." Pacey growled annoyed pushing away from the table and his untouched plater of fries before stomping toward the exit.

Joey shook her head eyeing the pair. "What's the matter with him?"

Jack bit at the side of his lip looking in the direction that Pacey left. "Andie decided to go to Providence to stay with dad for the summer."

"And she didn't talk with Pacey about it." Jen added with a roll of her eyes stealing a fry from Pacey's plate and shoving it in her mouth.

"Ouch." Joey cringed shaking her head. Standing up she moved to the door. "I'll go check on him." Joey followed in the direction he left. Finding him leaning against the dock at the back of the restaurant, his eyes on the ocean. "I'm sorry Pace."

"I know she's sick…but I feel like she's pulling away from me."

"I doubt that." Joey smiled placing a hand on his shoulder, but she was surprised as he shrugged it off turning on her.

"You don't get it Joey. Dawson is Mr. Perfect and can do no wrong in your eyes. Andie has actual issues." Pacey huffed glaring at his friend, backing away from her.

"I know." Joey whispered resigning herself to the fact he was right. "How about we all go to my place and veg out?"

"I don't know…"

"Come on." Joey grinned which immediately broke Pacey as he nodded.

Hours later Jen, Jack, Pacey and Joey sat around her coffee table, a random movie playing in the background as the friends munched on the spread Bodie lay before them.

"Jeez it was so much easier being a kid." Jen complained shoving one of Bodie's poppers in her mouth.

"Speak for yourself." Pacey grouched shoveling a handful of Chex mix in his mouth.

"Oh, come on…" Jack drew out shaking his head. "You had Dawson and Joey growing up. Plus, your family…"

"Ha…" Pacey snapped shaking his head, his bag of Chex mix shuffling on the table. "My family hates me, I'm the black sheep. As for this one…" He nodded toward Joey who watched him in intrigue. "It's been the Dawson/Joey show since I was about ten…they pushed me to the waist side."

"No…" Joey denied turning more to him in confusion. "You and Dawson have been tied at the hip since I met you."

Pacey snickered pushing himself back on the couch. "Jo, you only see what you want to see when it comes to Dawson…have you even told him about you and I going on a date? Cause I know he won't believe me."

Joey squeezed her eyes shut as Jack squealed. "What? When was this?"

"About a month before her and Dawson jumped on the couple bandwagon…but of course I was as bad of a date as I'm sure she figured already."

"Pace!" Joey barked in astonishment turning to him fully, Jen and Jack watching in awe. "It wasn't a bad date."

"Then what was it?" Pacey huffed glaring at her.

"It was awkward, and I was nervous and scared…" Their eyes met and that frisson that seemed to follow them shot between them like a shooting star, waking the other two to the electricity between them.

"And you were in love with Dawson." Pacey added lamely wishing he could close the distance and kiss her.

"Yeah." Joey cleared her throat trying to clear the haze that Pacey always seemed to put her in.

Jen sensing the conflict broke between the spark a bright smile on her face. "Who's up her a different movie? I hear 'Die Hard' is good."

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