Fortuitous 7/?
Summary: Starts just after 'Show Me Love'
Disclaimer: I only own the plot.
Rating: R
-break-
Eight months later-one week after 9/11
Joey grinned seeing Pacey's letter on the top of the stack, well Private First-Class Pacey Witter. She was so proud of his rise in the ranks, it was a small rise, but she knew it was just a start. Pacey was strong and tough and could work his way into any rank she was sure of it.
She was supposed to be heading to Worthington in the morning but with everything that had happened that week she wasn't sure if the school was still on schedule. September 11th. The day the towers fell, and Pentagon was attacked. The world was upended just a week ago. Delaying flights, closing airports and throwing a wrench into universities, hoards of burgeoning adults fearful of congregating on campuses across the country.
Letting out a sigh she turned back to the envelope in hand, a small smile on her lips. She was about to open it when something…well someone caught her eye. "Doug? What are you doing here?"
"Hey Joey…" Doug started slowly stepping up to where she stood by the open kitchen door. "I got a call from Pacey last night. They've been helping with clean up at the Trade centers." Joey's eyes widened her heart racing. She hadn't known that. "And they got new orders. A yearlong tour in Afghanistan."
Her heart stopped she had seen stuff all over the TV. Saddam Hussein played a hand in the terrorist attacks and there were talks of going to war against him in retaliation to the attacks. And it was happening. Pacey was going into a war zone. "S…seriously? Doug, please tell me your kidding?"
Doug's look turned serious but stoic as he shook his head. "No…Pacey wanted to tell you himself in person but with the attacks and the new orders they weren't going to grant him leave."
Tears pooled in Joey's eyes, the fear that lingered daily for Pacey's safety and well-being jumped to the forefront of her mind, her body shaking. "He can do this, right Doug?"
"I believe he can." Doug smiled in confidence offering her shoulder a firm squeeze. "And I know you do too…if he knows we care about him and want him to come home he'll fight that much harder."
"Doug I've been doing that every chance I get."
Doug just smiled, their eyes falling on the envelope in her hand. "I have to."
Read and review…if you want more. Sorry for any triggers. This seemed like the most viable option to use given the time of when the show was on and the season that I'm using.