Footnote 8/?

Summary: Starts freshmen year. Pacey is tired of being a third wheel.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Rating: R

A/N: Finally got a job so my updates may not be as frequent but going to try and keep up the best I can.

-break-

Walking up to the Potters house he felt nostalgia take over. The times he'd use this house as hiding place when his father was unbearable or when Joey's mom Lillian invited him in for a cookie and a chat when Joey and Dawson would run off and leave him behind. He missed her…badly.

Walking up the steps Pacey took a deep breath before knocking. The door opened a moment later revealing a wide eyed brunette.

"Pacey? Is that you?"

"Hey Bess…" Pacey stuttered quietly his eyes dropping shyly to the floor. "Is Jo here?"

"Yes, she is…" Bessie smiled holding the door open to let him pass. "When did you get back?"

"A few days ago...I'm here for the summer with my friend…I'm surprised Joey didn't tell you." Pacey raised his eye confused following her into the kitchen.

"Joey doesn't talk to me much anymore." Bessie shrugged grabbing the pitcher of lemonade off the counter and pouring him a glass. Handing the glass to him she sighed leaning against the counter. "After her fall out with Dawson she kind of pulled away from me."

Taking the proffered glass he gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry Bessie."

Before Bessie could respond Joey stomped out of her room, a babbling infant on her hip. "Bessie, would you take your son…he's not letting me nap."

Pacey cringed as Bessie rolled her eyes lifting Alexander into her arms. "Bessie, I didn't know you had a baby."

Pacey's words woke Joey to the fact he stood right next to her, her eyes bulging. "P…Pace…what are you doing here?"

Bessie smiled at looks in the teens eyes her sons whimper alerting her to the fact he was hungry. "I'll leave you two to talk."

Pacey watched Bessie shuffle to her room, the little boy mumbling in baby speak his tiny hands clutching at her shirt. Once the door closed behind her he turned to Joey his heart breaking seeing her tearstained eyes staring at him. "Are you okay? You ran pretty quickly after Dawson opened his trap."

Wiping her eyes Joey chuckled lightly turning to him. "I used to be happy when he opened his trap…now I just want to slug him when he does."

"Why didn't you?" Pacey snickered leaning against the kitchen counter,

Eyeing the spot beside him she sighed before just deciding to press in next to him. "Because he'd find some way to turn it on me."

Nodding Pacey's eyes took in her now calm demeanor. "Can I ask you something?" When she nodded her eyes moving across the room he asked tentatively. "Dawson seemed to imply, rather heavily, that he knew you were a prude…did something else happen between you?"

Clenching her eyes shut Joey gnaw on her upper lip her fingers clutching at the end of the countertop behind her. "Just after Jen got here, he and Jen had sex the first time…they got into a fight and 'broke up'…he came to me for support…but the support he was looking for was sex…I told him no…that I wasn't ready, and he turned on me."

Pacey could feel his blood boil his cheeks flaming as their eyes met for the first time. "I'll kill him…how could he? He's dead."

Joey blushed her palm moving to her flaming cheek as a giggle escaped her lips. "It's ok…that's why we don't talk anymore."

Shaking his head Pacey turned on her grasping her shoulders lightly. "Did he put his hands on you?"

Joey took in the irony of his words the way his hands took purchase of her shoulders, firm yet soft. Grasping his elbows she smiled. "Even if he did its done and over with."

Staring at her hands Pacey growled. "Jo…"

"Pace…" She mimicked back with a grin, nodding toward the couch. "Stop. Come take a seat and I'll introduce you to my nephew."

Sighing begrudgingly, he let her guide him to the couch.

Hours later Pacey sat on the couch the eighth month old in his lap giggling with each new funny face Pacey took on.

"You are really good with him." Joey marveled laying on her arm, which lay over the back of the couch, her knees pressed into Pacey's thighs as her eyes danced between the playful pair.

"I think it's because he got tired of the Potters scowl." Pacey teased pressing his face into the little boy's small tummy zerberting it until he squealed. "I've also had nieces and nephews longer."

"Or you're a natural." Joey offered with a grin playing with the end of the sleeve of his shirt.

Pacey's eyes fell to her hand his breath catching in his throat finding her close again. Thankfully before something could transpire Bodie stepped into the room.

"You staying for dinner Pacey?"

Looking Joey in the eye he felt his heart somersault in his chest his eyes closing in fear she'd see the truth in them. "I…I can't tonight…Jack and his dad have been wanting to do a guys night…especially before Andie comes out."

"A…Andie?" Joey stuttered in jealousy; it could take an idiot to deduce who held that universal name…especially with what Pacey had told her. "Wh…what about tomorrow?"

Pacey caught the bite of jealousy in her tine as he handed Alex back to his father. "Uhh sure." Standing up he gave Joey a smile, his eyes bouncing awkwardly between her and Bodie. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Watching Pacey bolt out of the door Joey sighed loudly causing Bodie to snicker. "Something wrong Joey?"

"No." Joey huffed shaking her head standing up she stomped back to her room.

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