Unforeseen 18/?

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 the plot.

Rating: R

-break-

One month later

The next month had passed pretty easily. Pacey had had another bone marrow tap, though it was still painful to watch Joey never left his side. The results came back a week later, promising more improvement since his first tap.

After Dawson's last visit to the hospital things were still awkward between the three of them. When Pacey was released a few days later the group met up at the Ice House, talking about school and Dawson's next movie. Afterward Andie bombarded her and Pacey wanting to go on a double date.

Joey had tried to turn it down, but Andie found her at school and begged until she folded. They had gone to the Rialto of course but then found a mini carnival down the boardwalk. With a smile she found it slightly ironic that they ended up at a carnival, where afterward he had kissed her for the first time. This time she welcomed his kisses until Dawson cleared his throat, breaking them apart.

They had managed one more double date before Pacey feigned sick to get out of it.

After his release from the hospital his chemo treatments went back to every Tuesday and Thursday.

Pacey's chemo appointment today had been set just before school let out and they had agreed to meet at Joey's house. She just hoped the trek from the hospital wasn't too rough since Pacey had a bit of a cold.

Joey had just finished her math homework when the phone rang. Standing up she picked up the phone hoping it was Pacey on the other end of the line. "Hello?"

"Joey?"

-break-

Rubbing tiredly at his eyes Doug groaned. He still had four hours left on his shift, but he was done.

It had already been a crazy stressful day with work but also the lingering stress of dealing with his brother's cancer wasn't helping.

Letting out a yawn he had to do a double take finding an odd shape on the side of the road. Turning on his lights and siren he stopped about twenty feet back, radioing his position before stepping out of the car.

Readjusting his uniform, he walked forward his eyes taking in the form. His heart jumped to his throat, finding a familiar bag in front of his eyes. "Pace?" As he got closer Doug's eyes widened, finding his brother face down on the partially grassed land. "Pacey?"

Dropping next to him Doug gently rolled his brother to his back, his heart lurching hearing the deep wheeze that escaped his chest. Before he fully checked him over, Doug blindly lifted his radio to his lips. "I need an ambulance to my position immediately. My brother is down, and someone tell my father."

Letting go of his radio Doug turned back to Pacey. Checking his pulse, he found it alarmingly weak, and a dark fear took over him. "God damn it Pacey!" The shallow breaths that answered him deepened his fear. "Don't do this." He whimpered then nearly cried seeing the ambulance pull upon them.

As the EMT's barreled up to them with a stretcher, Doug tried to revert back into cop mode. "I don't know how long he's been down, but his pulse is weak, and breaths are shallow."

"Ok." One of the EMT's said aiding his partner in lifting Pacey onto the stretcher. "Were gonna get him stabilized and transport him to Capeside Memorial."

"I'm gonna fall out just behind." Getting behind the wheel of his cruiser his body felt ladened with lead, the wait on them to get Pacey stabilized and moving to the hospital was agonizing.

The ride had been short but nerve wracking. He thought Pacey was doing better, his tests were getting better, and he was hanging with his friends like he had before the cancer, but now who knew.

Doug felt like he had paced the waiting room for days when Dr. Tiale stepped out a somber expression on his face. "Dr. Tiale, how is he?"

Dr. Tiale sighed rubbing the bridge of his nose. "It was a bit touch and go at first. He went into respiratory arrest, but we were able to get him back…"

"And?" Doug prompted when the doctor stopped, his heart beating out of his throat.

"Has he been sick lately?"

"He's had a bit of a cough the last two days but…" Doug stopped upon seeing the stern look from the doctor.

"I've told you he needs to be brought in no matter the issue. Pacey has a respiratory infection that was exacerbated by the chemo. We had to put him in a medically induced coma with a 48-hour quarantine to ensure there is nothing to damage his fragile lungs…I do also have to warn you if it worsens, I will have to put him on a ventilator."

"Oh my god." Doug cried, his face pressing into his hand as his mind reeled.

"I need to get back to work, but if you need anything or have any questions have the nurse page me.

"Thank…thank you Dr. Tiale." Doug stuttered watching the doctor nod before dropping his head into his hands. He stood there going over the doctor's words for what felt like hours but was merely a few minutes.

Pulling in a steadying breath Doug walked to the courtesy phone. The call to his father was very sterile, just the facts very little if any emotions. His call to Gretchen held more weight as she burst into tears letting him know she was on her way down even though he mentioned the 48-hour quarantine.

The hardest call of all was to Joey. He knew how much his brother meant to her and this was going to take her to her knees. He had her number dialed in, the phone ringing before he realized it would be better to tell her in person.

"Hello?"

"Joey? It's Doug, are you available? I need to talk to you."

"Yeah Doug, Pacey should be here soon."

Doug cringed, his eyes dropping to the floor with guilt. "I'll be there in 10-15 minutes."

-break-

"Hey." Joey smiled letting Doug in, a little confused to see him still in uniform. "Pacey, should be here anytime."

"Actually Joey…" Doug started biting his lip, noticing her form turn rigid. "He won't. I found him on the side of the road, during my patrol, passed out and barely breathing." He stopped to catch his breath but found her holding her breath waiting for him to continue. "I radioed for an ambulance and got him to the hospital. Dr. Tiale said when they first got him in, he went into respiratory arrest, but they were able to get him back…"

Joey clasped her hand over her mouth as she squeaked in astonishment, her eyes burning with tears.

Doug, wiping his own tears at reliving the doctor's words. "He has a respiratory infection that was exacerbated by his chemo…they had to put him in a medically induced coma to ensure his lungs will heal properly."

"Oh my god, I have to go see him…where are my shoes?" Her words and body were frantic as she moved around the room.

"Joey wait, there's more."

"M…more?" Her whimper was meek and childlike as her doe eyes turned to him.

"Dr. Tiale put him under a strict 48-hour quarantine. If he worsens the doctor will have to put him on a ventilator."

"Oh god!" Joey dropped to the floor, dissolving into tears as Bessie stepped in the door, shock etching her face at the scene.

"What happened?"

Doug turned to Bessie with his own downed expression. "Things just got worse."

Read and review…if you want more. Please dear god put down the pitchforks. I promise to make it less sad after this.