. Author’s Note: I always wanted a soap opera style fic, where the relationships change constantly. Anyway it’s sort of based on some life experiences from when I was in high school and had my own Dawson, Pacey, Jack and Jen, in fact some of the PJ banter comes from some banter I shared with a friend of mine. It takes place in multiple points of views so between every break I’ll label the narrator. Summary: The beginning of junior year, this picks up after season 2. Some plots and season 3 story lines from the actual show will be used but only briefly and altered. Example: Andie still cheated on Pacey and Dawson is still being seduced by Eve.. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15

Pacey

I’m really excited that things between Andie and I have been going great but when I go to her house tonight she seems a little weird. When I got there she was on the phone with a friend from Providence and she refused to talk about her or tell me her name or anything. 

Then Jack came in with some letter from Providence again and she left the room to read it, and when she came back in she was crying. 

“Andie what’s going on?” I asked sitting up from her bed when she came back in. 

“Nothing, it was nothing,” she said tearfully wiping at her eyes as she folded the letter back into the envelope. “I’m just going to go get washed up,” she said setting the letter on her desk. 

I wondered if she wanted me to read it, if she was testing me or wanted me to read it. But I wasn’t going to do it, it required an amazing amount of self restraint but I didn’t read it. If she wanted me to know something she had to tell me, but there’s still this voice in the back of my head that’s saying she isn’t better. 

When she reappears from the bathroom she eyes the letter and then me and I know now that it was a test. She sits down on the edge of her bed and I throw the controller off to the side crawling up next to her. 

I lay soft kisses along her shoulder and she leans away, trying to shake this off I wrap my arms around her waist burying my face in her neck. “Andie you’d tell me if something were wrong, right?” I ask nibbling on her collar bone. 

“Of course,” she says weakly but I don’t believe her. 

She wriggles out of my embrace and I’m left with cold air and a small trail of her scent. “Okay then,” I nod, trying to act like it doesn’t bother me that she won’t let me touch her. 

“I’m really tired,” she explains folding down the covers and crawling into her bed, “um, maybe you should go home.” 

I don’t know what to say, she’s beginning to drift again and I don’t understand why. But I’m afraid the more I push the matter the more I’ll push her away. “Okay then,” I nod as I reach for my shoes, it’s then I realize that no matter what I do, even when I leave when she asks me too, we’re drifting away. 

~*~

Joey

The final bell of the day rings and I head down the hall to find Jack. Jen told me that he’s been going through a rough time and could really use more friends then just her so I’ve decided to take him out for the afternoon. 

“Hey Potter,” with a dramatic eye roll I turn around finding Pacey jogging up behind me. 

“Don’t you have a girlfriend or something to bother?” I ask exhaustedly. 

“Yes, but she seems to be on some high level academic pursuit,” he replies falling in stride with me as we head towards Jack’s locker. “She has some sort of SAT prep course which to me sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry.” 

I smirk, “Well then my presence won’t be overly appealing to you either, I’m taking Jack to an art class.” 

“Taking Jack to a what class? Why wasn’t Jack notified?” He appears as if on cue prying in between Pacey and I down the hall. 

“You’re in luck Jack McPhee, because for you and you only, I have cleared my schedule for the day to try out this new art class downtown, and you being the only suitable accompaniment for this grand venture have the pleasure of joining me.” 

“I’ll go to an art class,” Pacey says out of the blue. 

I raise my brows laughing dryly, “I’m sorry but some level of artistic credibility is required and your fascination with paint drying may be a problem.” 

“I need to find something to do while Andie’s busy, why not waist the time with my two best friends.” He pauses contemplating the false statement for a moment, “and since Dawson and Andie aren’t here I minus well settle for you two.” 

“Touching Pace,” Jack cuts in before I can come up with a witty remark. 

“If you must, you can join us,” I fold like paper, seriously when did I lose my edge? 

~*~

Jack

“Pacey!” Joey screeches and I can’t help but snicker because this has got to be the eighth time in the past five minutes that she’s screeched his name in that context. 

“What?” He asks innocently, it’s almost like a comic routine at this point. 

“You just made me mess up this line again! Switch places with me your left hand is getting in the way.” She stands from her seat helplessly swinging her sketch book with the motions of her hands. 

“My left hand? Maybe it’s your right hand!” He counters refusing to budge. 

“Fine if southy won’t move I guess I’ll just sit next to Jack,” she snips taking a seat next to me. 

We’re doing self portraits and I smooth another line with my pinky the black trail of pencil evident on the pads of my fingers. I stare at the shadowing still trying to capture the right curves of my face never realizing how hard it was to capture an image I see in the mirror numerous times a day. I’m interrupted however when Pacey and Joey resume their patented banter. 

“That jaw line is awfully strong for you Pace,” she points off peering over my work space. 

“What are you talking about I have a very masculine allure,” he refutes incredulously. 

“I’m sure you do, but it’s hidden under those massive chipmunk cheeks,” she counters, and she’s got him there. 

“I do not! Jack do I have chipmunk cheeks?” He questions kneading his cheeks between his fingers as if to measure the squishiness. 

“I’m sorry Pace, but I’d have to agree with the lady here.” 

He’s not ready to lose the last word however so he peers over at Joey’s drawing, “Sorry to break it to you Potter, but you give far too much credit to your ass.” 

“What are you talking about;” it’s her turn to be defensive now, “I barely even drew a curve!” 

“Exactly, you have no ass at all, remember?” He smiles cockily and as before Joey turns to me for defense. 

“I plead the fifth?” It’s hard to insult your ex-girlfriend, no matter what the circumstances. 

“This isn’t the time to refer to the Constitutional Amendments Jack; we’re talking about my ass here!” 

“Or lack there of,” Pacey corrects. When I’m taken over by uncontrollable laughter I realize that I’ve never known Pacey outside of Andie or Joey outside of me or Dawson. I mean I’ve heard of their notorious relationship but it’s only now that I am able to experience it and it’s exactly how everyone describes them. They’re like an old married couple who constantly criticize each other to no end but never have the will to leave one another because deep down they don’t hate each other as much as they claim. 

"Your ass is lacking some junk in the trunk," I quip and her mouth drops in astonishment. 

"That's not fair," she pointed out, "I lack appendages that affect the outcome of his decision." 

Pacey shakes his head disapprovingly patting my shoulder, "Sorry toots, he already sided with you once so the verdict stands." 

Joey’s not going to leave this with him winning so she glances back at his drawing. “Hands in the pockets Pace, you do realize that represents an excessive amount of masturbation, right?” 

“I do consider myself the Gunner Casselman type,” he shrugs smugly. 

“Big man on campus? Talk about delusions of grandeur!”

"Children, no more bickering," I cut in suddenly feeling overwhelmed between their intense radiation of sexual tension. It's so strong that you could cut it with a knife, no wait it wouldn't penetrate, make that a chainsaw. I feel awkward being there because it feels like deep down they want to fuck each other on top of the chair I'm sitting in. No wonder they banter endlessly, it's the only thing that represses them from going at it. 

Andie

I see her standing in the doorframe grinning widely as she enters the art studio taking Pacey's attention from our brunette accomplice. I feel guilty suddenly and I am in no way at fault in this situation… come to think of it nobody is, but the underlying implications and feelings is giving me an overbearing weight of guilt for catching on. 

"How was your class?" I ask her, but she gives me the cold shoulder, which honestly hurts more then anything has in a long time. It's really nice when your family hates you. 

"Pace, I just wanted to tell you that we couldn't hang out tonight," she begins placing her hands on his shoulders. "I have a huge research crisis so I'm heading to the library." 

He shrugs it off quickly, "It's not like I've never spent Friday night alone, I think it's good to return to old habits every so often." 

"You're a life saver," she smiles kissing him on the cheek. He rises from his seat offering to walk her and they exit the studio. 

"That was awkward," I sigh. 

"Andie doesn't hate you," she reassures me but my eyes are still trained on the door. "She just feels like you're shutting her out so she's doing the same, like a defense mechanism." 

"But she doesn't understand, it's not her, it's Me." 

She laughs at me and I don't understand how it could be appropriate, "That sounds like a lame excuse to breaking up with her." 

I crack with laughter as well, "It wouldn't help my case then if I told her that, huh?" 

"Blaming parental figures is always the way to go, in my opinion," she offers. 

"I'll try it sometime," I shrug gathering my art supplies as we get ready to leave. 

~*~ 

Joey

“You seem a little nervous today,” Jack begins as we stroll down Main Street. 

“Nervous why would I be nervous,” I ask tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, damn first mistake that’s my patented I’m nervous move. 

“It’s just you’ve been sort of jumpy,” he continues pressing the issue. 

Fine, I’ll tell him it’s no big deal, I should be excited, “I’m going out with Dawson tonight.” 

“Oh,” he nods a few times, “then why do you look so upset.” 

I sigh, why am I so upset? Why am I so scared? It’s not like we’ve never dated before. “It’s just the reality never lives up to the fantasy.” 

“Gatsby syndrome?” He smirks and I nod in agreement. 

“In my mind he’s the perfect boy, the one who can do no wrong, I dream of having the perfect relationship with him where we never fight and we just sit and cuddle…” I trail off maybe getting back together with him wasn’t my best idea. But he’s like a magnet and I’m always drawn back to him and I can’t shake the feelings I have for him, “But then I remember the way it was, last year.” 

Jack nods knowingly, “I think the problem is that the two of you aren’t mature enough to be in the relationship that you feel that you’re destined to have, no offense.” 

I want to take offense, but it’s true, Dawson and I are immature selfish jackasses who care only about ourselves. Now that I’ve said it I’m going to try and fix it, I’m going to make things work! “Thanks Jack,” I say kissing him on the cheek as I head over to the Leery’s. 

~*~ 

Dawson

I haven’t cleaned my room in years, I haven’t needed to with my mother’s constant crack of the whip but now that she’s gone my dad let’s me get away with it. It’s as sloppy as a person like me can make it so it doesn’t take to long to clean up the clutter. I’m still worried about Joey coming over because of the pending fear that we’ll screw up again. 

I hear the rustle of the ladder and I stand by the window awaiting her arrival, but instead of being greeted by a long mop of brown locks, there’s a patch of cropped blond hair instead, attached to some gorgeous sexy curves. “What’s with the latter?” Eve asks climbing through my window. 

“Now you know where I live, should I be worried?” I ask folding my arms over my chest. 

“I know everything about you Dawson Leery,” she grins at me and it’s the most beautiful sexy smile ever. 

“Should I bother asking you what you’re doing here?” I ask, but at this point she’s distracted examining my room. 

“What’s with the head?” She asks holding up Joey’s fake head from our sea monster movie… Joey, shit. 

“Look, you need to go,” I say desperately turning her towards the window. 

“Hospitality is not your thing,” she huffs her hips swaying dangerously beneath my touch. 

“There’s someone coming,” I explain. She turns to me her eyes are dark and stormy, and I know now that she isn’t going anywhere. 

Her hands stroke my cheek gently as she pouts her lip, “Lose the company,” she says with a rhythmic voice. I still have a little will to push her out until she kisses me. Her tongue does magic and I forget all about Little Joey Potter until the rustling of the ladder begins again. 

“Crap,” I breathe pushing her into the closet. I shut the door just in time because a second later Joey’s peeking through the window. 

“Hey there,” she smiles brightly and I feel like the biggest dick in the world. I need to get rid of her and fast. “So what’s up for movie night today?” She asks sitting in the window frame like no time has gone by since the last time she’s been here. 

“Change of plans,” I sigh, “Mitch is cracking the whip and forcing me into reorganizing the school gym for football season.” 

“Not my thing,” she sighs and I can tell she’s disappointed. 

“Maybe some other time?” I offer but she’s already halfway out the window. 

She pauses peeking her head through one more time, “Good night, Dawson.” 

“See ya Joey,” I finally get out but by now I’m talking to an empty window. 

"Who's the girl?" Eve asks as she slides out of my closet, but she's not wearing the outfit she wore when I shoved her in there, now she wears one of my button down shirts which end at her mid thigh with only a few strategically closed buttons. 

"My destiny," I sigh glancing between her and the window. 

"Ain't that a bastard," she says stepping towards me. "Eternity is such a long time, you should have fun before you get there." 

Maybe she's right, maybe I need to wait until after college or something before I'm ready to be with Joey, I'm sixteen years old, I should be taking the opportunities that present themselves. So I meet Eve halfway pulling her warmth against me and kiss her. 

~*~

Joey

Fine whatever, I’m alone who cares. That bastard, how dare he get my hopes up just so he can turn me down again? I hate myself because I’m about to cry, I hate myself because I know I’ll forgive him, I hate myself because I’ll never be able to hate him. ‘My dad wanted help with the gym,’ what kind of bullshit excuse is that? He minus well have said ‘Fuck off I don’t want you here.’ God he is infuriating! 

I wonder into town settling on a park bench for no reason other to sulk in my misery of rejection. 

“Hey there Potter,” fuck. 

“Pacey,” I acknowledge quickly wiping away my tears before he can detect them. 

“Look are you busy?” he asks sinking down next to me. 

“Well I did have a date with Dawson but I thought to myself, ‘Hey maybe Pacey would enjoy my company better so I’ll wait on a random park bench for him’,” I say dryly, perhaps too much of a bitter twang and a sob may have escaped my lips so as far as I’m concerned I’m screwed. 

“Are you alright,” he asks placing a hand on my shoulder and I sort of melt against it relaxing where his hand is. 

“I’m fine,” I refute but I think there may have been another hiccup of a sob. 

Suddenly we’re hugging and I’m not beating against his chest threatening his life, instead burrowing my head in his shoulder finally allowing myself to cry. For the first time in my life I don’t care that I’m being exposed to Pacey Witter that I’m allowing him to see me in my raw state because I know that he’s not going to rip me apart, because I know back at that party before school I saw him in his. 

“Dawson can be a jackass sometimes without realizing it,” he mumbles against my hair and I smile. 

I pull back wiping at my clammy eyes trying to laugh it off, “That may be the first time I’ll agree with you.” 

He grins widely rubbing my shoulder briskly, and I still don’t care that he’s touching me, “Look, not to prey off of your misfortune or anything, but I need your help.” 

I groan running my fingers through my hair, “Doing what exactly?” 

“Andie’s birthday is coming up and I haven’t a clue of what to buy her, I figured I could use a woman’s expertise.” 

“Well it would be a shame if she was stuck with a singing fish,” I sigh patting down my clothes as I stand up offering my hand to help him up, and it’s depressing because as of now Pacey Witter is my best friend. 

~*~

Andie

In all honesty I didn't have to go to the library, it's too early in the school year for major research assignments but I couldn't have Pacey over. Marc promised he would call and I don't want Pacey at my house when he does. Out of no where he began contacting me again. He told me that he broke up with his girlfriend and that he loved me and how we had so much in common that we must have been made for each other. 

The sickening thing was I didn't deny it, and I wrote him back, and I talked to him for hours when he called. 

I love Pacey, there's no doubt in my mind, but Marc is the only one who understands what I'm going through because he's going through it too. When I'm scared or doubtful he's there to help me through it because he just learned how to himself. 

I make my way into my empty house, which isn't so empty when I'm struck with the scent of Italian cuisine. "Dad?" I call out. 

"Close," Jack smiles peeking his head through the doorframe. 

A smile covers my lips and I run towards him wrapping my arms around his neck, "Jack you're home." 

"Just for dinner," he says to my disappointment, "I figured it got lonely here with dad always working so I brought guests." He says as Jen and Grams usher through the door. 

I miss my brother and just having him home for a few short hours is enough for me. And having Jen and Grams there gives me this feeling of a family that I haven't felt since Tim died. For the first time in a long while I can see that light at the end of the tunnel and with the help of my friends I know I'll get through this. 

~*~

Pacey

I drag Joey down to the toy store just because I can; it’s good to stay in touch with your inner child in my opinion so I find monthly voyages help. Joey protests numerous times because that’s the type of person that she is, but she needs to loosen up, and I will be the person to do that. 

“Stuffed animals good?” I ask holding up some plush toys but she shakes her head causing me to frown. 

“We’re juniors in high school Pace, stuffed animals are for seventh grade or random occasions.” 

“I guess that discredits board games as well,” I sigh and she nods somberly. 

We continue down the isles and I stop her in mid-stride, “Jo, for the sake of all that’s good in the world I think we need to take a break from birthday shopping.” 

“I am fearful of what you have planned,” she says wryly, but before she can finish I’m dragging her by the hand to the display I was focusing on. 

“One for you Madame,” I say pulling out a bouncy ball for her. 

“Pace, the only reason why people use these past age twelve is for disgusting supplements,” she’s far too cynic so I pull out my own settling on the giant ball. 

“Let’s find this non-existent imagination of yours, pretend you’re age twelve,” I begin bouncing circles around her, annoying her as per usual until she finally sighs in defeat. 

After a few moments of bouncing she’s laughing like crazy and we’re bouncing down the isles like we were kids again. We stop in the sports isle and she takes a few waffle balls hurling them at me before I can react. I catch three of them and attempt to juggle but fail miserably, the plastic balls bouncing sporadically around me. I grab a hockey stick which was obviously made for a seven year old and smack the balls back at her, she curls away from my wrath slipping behind the isle for protection. 

But she won’t get away so easily, I grab a jump rope trapping her within it and tying up the end. She struggles slightly but her uncontrollable laughter makes her attempts futile. 

I drag her down the next isle and we head to the glow in the dark corner, “Lava lamp?” I suggest and she shakes her head vigorously. 

“No matter how much I’m sure Andie wants to take up marijuana I think she’ll have to pass,” she suggests. 

“Bean bag chairs out of the picture then too?” I ask defeated. I’m quickly distracted though when I find glow in the dark paints. Reaching for a sample I turn to Joey, “Hey Jo, lift up your shirt I wanna paint.” 

She scoffs at me incredulously, “I’m not getting naked for you!” 

I chuckle approaching her challengingly, “What? It’s not like I’ve never seen you that way before.” This is probably inappropriate conversation to be having with a girl while you’re shopping for your girlfriends birthday present but I persist anyway. 

“Pace, sharing a bath when your four doesn’t count,” she crosses her arms over her chest. 

“I was thinking about last year,” I smirk and she furrows her brows. I elaborate as I continue towards her with paint marker in hand, “Snail project, we changed into blankets, I started the car you stood in full view of the rear view mirror, any of this ring a bell?” 

Her jaw drops and she jabs at my shoulder but I catch her hand, “You were watching me?” 

I cringe, “Alright I know it was shallow and wrong, but yes! I’m a red blooded American teenaged boy and you’re a beautiful well rounded female I would have been a moron not to.” 

“I should castrate you,” she says swinging at me with her free hand but I duck away before she can hit me.

“Would it help if I showed you the goods?” I ask smugly and her eyes widen. 

“Ew, Pacey, no,” she cringes. 

I chuckle at her squeamishness and drop to my knees before her. “What are you doing?” She asks fidgeting as I roll up her shirt with my right hand revealing a long length of golden flesh. 

“Drawing,” I reply simply biting down on the cap to pull free from the paint marker. She shudders as I push the tip against her abs but relaxes as I begin to drag it along her skin spelling out ‘I luv Pacey’ in big letters. 

“You know in most movies this scene would be portrayed as sensual and sexy, here it just seems awkward,” she sighs as I encase my poetry in a giant heart, but there’s a certain lusty tone dripping in her voice. 

“If I blow my soft hot breath along your torso would it change that, or perhaps stroke your sides?” I arch a brow and she shakes her head. 

“I’m sure it will work on Andie,” she offers and I climb back to my feet recapping the marker. 

“I wish,” I mumble under my breath at her strange behavior from the other night. 

“What do you mean by that?” She inquires, and part of me wants her to. 

“Is it strange that she doesn’t want to have sex with me?” I ask timidly distracting myself by sifting through some glow and the dark stickers. 

“Actually I think she may finally be cured,” she gets out, okay so I set myself up for that one. But now that she’s got it out of her system she’s ready to give me good advice… I think. “Girls aren’t sex machines Pace, sometimes we’re just not in the mood.” 

Not the answer I was looking for, “But it’s not just that she’s acting weird, she won’t let me touch her, and she’s always crying whenever she gets letters or calls from Providence.” 

“If I remember correctly there are a lot of dark memories from that city maybe it’s her father, or reports on her mother,” she offers, she’s getting better at the advice thing but still lacking. 

“But Jack hasn’t been upset, and he handed her a letter the other day so I don’t think it’s from their mom.” 

“She went through a traumatic summer; you can’t expect things to go back to exactly the way they were.” 

“Why does it seem that that has a double meaning and in reality connects with you and Dawson?” 

“Because everything I say these days does,” she sighs lifting up her shirt to examine what I had drawn. She looks up at me slapping me in the arm, “If this doesn’t come off Pacey I swear to god I’ll kill you.” 

“Of course I know how you hate to speak the truth,” I smirk dodging another slap. 

I trap her in a headlock, “Come on let’s just go to the video section, I’ll buy her Dumbo,” I decide pulling her with me towards the video section. 

“Dumbo?” she asks confused, “Maybe you should get Mickey’s Very Special Christmas to go with that.” 

“Potter, you’re missing the sentimental background, we both love the movie Dumbo,” I explain releasing her from my grasp. 

“Why didn’t we come to this conclusion an hour ago?” She asks tucking her hair behind her ears, typical Joey Potter move. 

I laugh placing my hands on her shoulders as I steer her through the video isle, “Because then we wouldn’t have had this amazingly fun evening!” I explain picking up the Disney video. 

“There goes sixty minutes of my life I’ll never get back,” she sighs rubbing at her stomach again trying to chip off the paint. 

“Some day my efforts will be appreciated,” I grunt and she smiles warmly at me this beautiful twinkle of grey in her hazel eyes, but I shouldn’t be thinking about that, I should be thinking about how much money I need for Andie’s gift. 

“I guess tonight didn’t suck as much as I anticipated,” she surrenders. 

“Well you know it doesn’t have to end now,” I shrug as we head over to check out, “You can always buy me ice cream.” 

“What a tempting offer,” she says dryly, “but since my social life is severely lacking I’ll have to take you up on your offer. 

“Good,” I nod because suddenly in this twisted world Josephine Potter is my best friend.