Unforeseen 5/?

Summary: Set after the episode 'Double Date.' Pacey wakes up the day after the carnival to a new reality no one saw coming.

Disclaimer: I only own plot.

Rating: R

-break-

"Hey Jo." Dawson greeted Joey the next morning, coming to stand next to her at her locker.

"Hi." Joey answered cold, pulling another book out of her locker.

"It's been a while since I've seen you."

Shoving her locker closed, she turned around to glare at Dawson. "I've been spending my free time at the hospital…with Pacey." She caught the rolling in his eyes and the vein in her neck nearly popped. "What?"

"Convenient." Dawson groused, when he received a look from Joey he added. "He's hauled up in the hospital and both women in my life are suddenly fawning all over him."

Joey's mouth dropped open, the boy that stood before her was a foreign figure in her life. "Dawson don't talk to me again until you can get over your self-absorbed ass." She slammed her locker, stalking off toward their English class.

"Come on Joey seriously." He followed behind like a puppy, whimpering.

Turning back to her supposed friend, she growled. "Dawson…your best friend has been in the hospital for over a week. You haven't even gone to see him."

Shrugging his shoulders Dawson crossed his arms. "I've been busy trying to cast a new sea creature."

"Your unbelievable." Joey's eyes widened in astonishment, her head shaking. "Then maybe you should recast Stephanie too." Turning around she stomped her way to her English class.

-break-

Arriving at Capeside Memorial Joey was happily surprised to find Pacey awake, usually he slept until it was closer to dinner time. Looking at his face now she felt her heart constrict in her chest seeing the faraway look in his eyes. "Hey Pace…what's wrong."

Gaze dropping to his lap, Pacey played with the sheet. "I'm scared Jo."

"Of what?" She stuttered shakily, sliding in her chair next to the bed.

"They…" Closing his eyes, he stuttered his voice trembling. "They want me to do a bone marrow biopsy…tomorrow."

"Oh Pace." Pulling his hand into her lap, she stroked the top of it.

Staring at their hands, Pacey breathed. "They say that I'll be knocked out like the first time…but I was in and out before, I don't remember." When she didn't say anything, he squeezed her hand. "Would you be here with me for it?"

It only took her a moment to respond. "When?"

"8 am."

Shit school. Bessie will kill her, but she didn't want him to be alone. Squeezing his hand she nodded, catching his eyes. "Ok…I'll be here."

"Thanks Jo." He smiled in appreciation settling back in the bed and falling into an easy sleep.

Watching his still form, his breathing still slightly labored, she felt her heart constrict again. She knew every other day while she was at school they'd take him for radiation and to her it seemed as if it was working to her but that's probably why they were doing the biopsy, to see how well it was working.

That thought brought a new fear to her chest. What if it wasn't working? What if it was worsening…like a calm before the storm? God, she hoped not.

When Bessie came, as soon as she got in the truck, she let it out. "I'm coming back in the morning. Their doing a biopsy to test his bone marrow and he asked me to come, and I told him I would…so please don't be angry."

Bessie answered with a smile. "What time?"

"Pacey said they were going to do the procedure at 8 am."

"Alright. Were you wanting to take the whole day from school?"

After her argument with Dawson and then hearing Pacey's news she tomorrow would be emotionally draining. "Yeah…thanks Bess."

"No problem, Joey."

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