Fortuitous 4/?

Summary: Starts just after the regatta in 'Show Me Love'

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Rating: R

A/N: I was going to wait to post this but I'm eager to hear what you think.

-break-

"Whoa…wait, wait…" Pacey breathed pulling back from the brunette his eyes wide in shock. "We can't do this."

Joey shook her head taking a step back. "Why?"

Doug, sensing the impending conversation, spoke up. "How about we grab your bags and head back to Capeside?"

Pacey nodded, placing his cover back neatly on his head before turning and walking toward baggage claim leaving a confused Joey behind.

Shaking her head Joey felt tears breach her eyes as she followed behind Doug who followed Pacey. "I guess you can take me home."

"I'll take you home." Doug agreed quietly looking from his brother to Joey. "…but you and Pacey are going to talk. Things got misconstrued before he left…don't leave them like that before he has to leave again."

"I know."

-break-

Pulling up to the B and B Pacey pulled his cover back on. "Doug, would you take my stuff back? I need to talk with Joey."

"No problem. Call me if you need a ride." Doug smiled at the pair before pulling away from the house leaving them alone.

"I'm not going to like what you have to say am I?" Joey chuckled nervously, turning away from him, her eyes on the porch swing.

"I don't know." Pacey sighed fidgeting with his pressed uniform. "Dawson wasn't the first one to tell me I need to make more something more of myself." She cringed knowing she was one of them. "But he was the first one to put a mirror in front of my face…and that mirror was you, Jo." That got her attention as she turned back to him, their eyes meeting. "You deserve better."

"You are." Joey pleaded weakly inching closer, but she stopped when he shook his head.

"Your headed to Ivy League Jo. I barely passed to get my GED to join the marines."

"But I want you Pace…I need you." Joey could feel herself faltering as she stepped a foot closer.

"And I you Jo." Pacey smiled grabbing her hand when she moved closer, squeezing it gently. "…but I can't be better for you until I'm better myself. I'm heading to Camp Pendleton for SOI after leave then will probably be deployed from there…you're going to graduate…with honors and you're going to Worthington." The tears in her eyes made him stutter slightly but he stood firm. "I've signed up for four years…I'm not expecting you to wait for me, nor do I want you to." He shared her tears as she whimpered, her body fighting gravity to stay upright. "If you meet Mr. Right before I come back…then I will be at your wedding…" Pacey gnaw on his lips; he was dying inside. "But if after that time you still want to try…then I'm right there with you."

Joey nodded weeping beneath her palm before turning and running into her house leaving Pacey standing on her lawn looking regrettably at the house.

Read and review…if you want more.