Unforeseen 32/?
Summary: Starts after '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
A/N: Was going to have them send-off in this chapter but my brain changed it. Hope you enjoy.
-break-
"I still can't believe you're gonna be gone all summer." Andie picked at her crab, pulling a small piece from the shell depositing it into her mouth quickly.
"Are you going to be able to handle it?" Jack asked the concern evident in his voice as his eyes stayed trained on Pacey.
"I'll be fine." Pacey smiled with an air of confidence that didn't reflect on the outside like it did on the inside. "Besides Joey is coming too."
"That's good." Dawson nodded offering a slight smile. "Did Dr. Tiale give you a check up before you leave?"
Joey's head shot up to her friend that thought hadn't crossed her mind but as Pacey shook his head, she felt a tightening in her belly.
"No…he said he'd check my marrow again when I got back…that's my six months…just to make sure the Leukemia is still gone."
"It doesn't worry you that it could come back while you're on the boat?" Jen asked, picking at the crab shells that sat on her plate.
"No, it doesn't…" Pacey's voice faltered as he stood glaring at his friends. "Do you honestly think I'd put my life or Joey's at risk if I didn't think I could do it?" He huffed in annoyance stepping over the wooden bench and stomping toward the center of town, leaving his food untouched and friends in shock.
"He's still sensitive about it…" Joey explained after a moment of silence. "Everyone who knows he's going has been questioning his ability."
"Do you think he can do it?" Dawson asked, eyeing the now silent Jen who continued to watch the direction Pacey went down.
"I do." Joey insisted pulling in a breath her eyes drawing in the direction Pacey had departed. "But that hasn't stopped the worry he'll relapse while were gone."
"He's strong Josephine." Evelyn smiled, setting down her plate at the end of the bench.
"I know he is, but I can't tamp down the fear." Joey responded honestly standing up. "I've never felt this way anyone. When he hurts, I hurt."
"You love him?" The older woman asked with a smile to which Joey nodded.
"Very much." Stepping over the bench Joey sighed. "I'm going to go check on him."
Watching Joey walk in the direction of where Pacey went, Jen finally spoke. "She's not the only one who thinks something is gonna happen on that boat."
-break-
Joey found Pacey in the park down the street from where their party was by the water, his head hung, his shoulders loose, staring down at his clasped hands. "Pace?"
At her voice Pacey shot up moving to the other end of the bench away from her. "Is that the only reason you're coming with me? To keep an eye on me?"
"No!" Joey squeaked but the falter in her voice answered him.
"But its part of it?" He asked it like a question, but he already knew the answer. "God Jo, I thought you were coming with me because you love me and wanted to spend the summer with me…guess I was wrong." Pacey finished with tears in his eyes glaring at his girlfriend before shaking his head and walking in the direction of his house, ignoring Joey's calls for him to stop.
Read and review…if you want more. Three in one night wow, I'm pooped. Still writing, well because I write by hand, but I may wait a few days to type more. Thank you for your loyal reading.