Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story(either DC related or the Secret Garden). Just borrowing. Feedback much appreciated
Pacey is out walking after getting into yet another fight with his father and Doug. He is near Dawson's house and sees a familiar person rowing away. He calls out
P: Hey dork! What's up?
J: (looks back, surprised that anyone is there, but then quickly looks back down to hide her tears) Hey Pacey. I've got to go.
P:(sees her tears) Wait Jo. Come back.
Joey rows back to the dock and Pacey helps her up. She looks into his eyes, and then starts crying harder and buries her head in Pacey's chest. He's surprised and doesn't know what to do, so he just puts his arms around her. They stand like that for a few minutes.
P: What's the matter Jo?
J: He.. he doesn't love me.
P: Who? Dawson? Jo, he doesn't know what he wants. If he can't see how great you are, then he doesn't deserve you.
J: Thanks Pace. I've really got to go now. Bessie is going to be worried. She gets into her boat, and starts to row away with Pacey watching her. *I can't believe that I just cried on Pacey's shoulder. Man, he's gonna get a good laugh out of that. Oh well*
Joey stays in her house for the whole weekend. Dawson, Jen and Pacey all try to get in touch with her to make sure that she's okay, but she won't take any calls or see anyone.
Monday morning. Joey on her way to school. * Uggghhhh. I really don't want to go to school today. But I'm not going to cry. The only way to deal with this is to pretend that I really think that I'm okay with this, and that I want to be just friends with Dawson.* She walks up to the doors of the school. *Here we go* Plasters a smile onto her face, opens the doors and walks in.
Pacey and Jen are standing near her locker, wondering how she's doing when Jen sees her walk in.
Jen: (to Pacey) Well, she's here. That's a good sign.
P: Yeah.
J: (walking up to her locker) Hey Jen, Reject.
Jen: Hey.
P:(kind of hurt that after last Friday, she's gone back to just calling him names)
Hey. Dawson and Lily walk up to them.
D: (kind of cautiously) Hey guys.
J: Hey Dawson. (The others echo her, all surprised that she doesn't seem upset).
J: I'd better get to class. See you all later.
L: I'll go with you, bye guys. (They walk away)
D: (dazed)I've got to go too, bye.
J: Well, that went well
P: Yeah, a little too well, I think.
The week passes quickly. They are all surprised that Joey is just acting like nothing at all has happened. It is Friday, and Joey, Jen, Pacey and Lily are all standing at Jen's locker, talking about the weekend.
D:(running up) Hey guys, guess what. The drama teacher, Mr. Becket, just came to me and said that he had heard that I was interested in directing. The school is going to be putting on The Secret Garden as the musical this year, and he needs some one to be sort of an assistant director/stage manager. And he wants me to do it!! Isn't that great. Everyone starts congratulating him.
D: Auditions are next Wednesday after school. What do you guys say? It'll be fun.
J: (excited at the prospect of spending time with Dawson) It sounds like fun. I'll try out. (To Dawson) Will you help me practice this weekend.
D: (surprised) Sure.
P: I'll try out too. I had fun being on stage at that pageant last year.
D: Jen, Lily?
Jen: Well, I really can't sing, but I'd like to help out. I'll join backstage crew or something.
L: Well, I really can't do something where I would have to be here every afternoon. I have to be home for my sisters, but I'll try and think of something I can do to help out.
J: *great, I'll have more time with Dawson* Okay, I've got to go to work.
D: Wait Jo, I'll walk with you. (They leave the school and start walking towards the Icehouse, not saying much of anything)
J: Well, here we are. I've got to go. I'll see you tonight.
D: Tonight?
J: Of course. We've only had movie night every Friday practically since we were born. You must be really excited about this assistant directing thing to have forgotten.
D: Oh. I guess I assumed that you wouldn't want to... after last Friday. You know, I think we should talk about that.
J: (lying through her teeth) There's no need to. I thought long and hard last weekend, and I decided that you were right. And I don't think that our friendship should be ruined over this. There is no reason that things shouldn't go back to the way that they were. Well, I've got to go.
D: (doubtful) Well... okay, if that's how you feel. See you tonight.
Wednesday, after school. Joey and Pacey are getting ready for their auditions. Jen is encouraging them. Dawson is running around trying to help Mr. Becket. Joey is one of the first people up. She does a really good job. When she gets done she comes and sits in the audience with Jen while they wait for Pacey.
Jen: You did a really good job. I bet you get a good part.
J: Thanks. I was really nervous, but I think I did okay.
Jen: Oh, here comes Pacey. You know, I don't think I've ever heard him sing.
J: Me neither, and I've known him my whole life.
Pacey goes out on stage and starts singing one of the songs from the show, "Race You to the Top of the Morning" He has a beautiful voice and everyone in the audience is shocked. After that he does his reading and then he comes down and sits with Joey and Jen.
Jen: Pacey, you were amazing!!
J: Yeah, when did you learn to sing like that? You were great.
P: (embarrassed) Yeah, whatever. Can we just go now.
J: Let me just tell Dawson that we're leaving. She goes over to Dawson and then comes back
J: He says bye and that you did a great job Pacey. The parts should be posted tomorrow morning. They leave.
The next day. Pacey has pushed himself through the crowd to see the parts. He finally gets out and comes back to where the whole group is standing.
P: Hey Jo, you got the part of Lily. That's really great.
J: (smiling) What part did you get, Pace?
P: Archibald.
Lily: That's great Pacey. Isn't that like the male lead?
P: yeah, well, I guess it pays to know the assistant director.
D: Get off it pacey, you know you were fantastic.
J: Oh man, I just realized that this means that we're supposed to be in love with each other. Uggghhhh.
P: (grinning)Oh, I bet you were dreaming of getting to play opposite me.
J: Bite me Pacey.
After about two weeks of rehearsal, they have the first rehearsal with the backstage people. Joey is studying her lines while waiting until they need her on stage when she sees Jen talking with Alex. She frowns and calls to Jen.
J: Hey Jen. Come here. (Jen says something to Alex and then comes over) What's he doing here?
Jen: He joined backstage crew.
J: Shouldn't he be at football practice or something.
Jen: I guess that the coach lets him have some time to come here.
J: Oh, and I guess we should all be honored that he could make time in his busy schedule to help us - (disgustedly) Jock
Jen:(laughs, but kind of glances over at alex at the same time) Yeah
During that same rehearsal, Dawson is making notes in his script during a short break when he looks up and sees Lily with her sisters. She is carrying a notebook.
D: (going up to her) Hey Lily. What are you doing?
L: Well, I wanted to see how rehearsals were going and also, well, I found a way that I could maybe help you. (She hands him her notebooks)
D:(looking through sketches and realizing that they are drawings of sets for the show) Wow Lily. These are really great.
L: (shyly, looking down at the ground) Thanks. I've always liked to draw and I don't know if there is any that you guys could use, but I just thought I'd offer.
D: Hey Mr. B. Come look at these.
Mr.B: (comes over and looks through the sketches) These are really good. I've been worrying about what we were going to do for sketches. I had some ideas but none of them were really very good. (To lily) Would you be willing to help make these into sets? I have some other people that have volunteered to help, but I need someone to be in charge, and it seems that you have a pretty good grasp of what the sets should look like.
L: Well, I'd like to, but I have my two little sisters (points to the girls, who are playing with Pacey) that I have to take care of in the afternoons.
Mr.B: Well, if they were okay with hanging out here, maybe they could help. And I was looking for some kids to be in some of the scenes where I need children.
L: I think they would like that. I'll ask them and let you know.
One week later, Joey gets out of work at the Ice House(after rehearsal) and heads over to the video store. Pacey is working.
J: Hey Pace.
P: (Looking up from a book) Hey Jo. Dawson isn't here. I've taken over all of his hours until the show is finished because he doesn't have enough time to get everything done and work.
J: Yeah, he told me. I'm still working a couple hours a week, but I cut way down. How do you have time to work so much? Your hours and Dawson's?
P: Well, it is pretty slow here on weekdays, so I can get a lot done. And it is much easier than trying to do stuff at home, with Doug and my dad screaming at me all the time.
J: Yeah, I could use a place like that. With Rosemary's baby screaming all the time, I never get anything done at home.
P: You're welcome to come here in the evenings if you want. We could maybe study for chem together and run lines and stuff. If you want.
J: Sure, that'd be cool. Well, I'd better get home. I didn't tell Bessie that I was going anywhere. But starting tomorrow, maybe I'll come over here after work.
P: See ya.
J: (almost to the door, she turns back to Pacey, jokingly) Hey, since when did the town idiot start studying??
P:(grins at her) I can see that I'm going to regret trying to be nice to you.
The weeks before the show pass quickly. Lily works on the sets with some help from the backstage people and Dawson. Joey and Pacey both do excellent jobs learning their lines and blocking. Joey still gives Alex the cold shoulder. Joey and Pacey spend a lot of evenings together at the video store. Although they still fight a lot, it has become much more playful. They even have serious conversations, mostly about how Joey feels about Dawson, but also some about Pacey's family. Dawson notices them spending more time together and gets a little jealous, but tries to hide it. He has been spending most of his free time with Lily. Finally it is the Monday before the show. It is only a 3 day week because of parent-teacher conferences on Thurs and Friday. The show is scheduled to go on Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday afternoon. On Sat. night, there will be the annual fall dance at the high school.
Mon afternoon. Joey comes out of her last class and Alex follows her to her locker.
A: (finally fed up about Joey always giving him the cold shoulder and making Jen do the same) Come on Joey. You can't hate me that much. You barely know me.
J: I know enough about you to know that we are never going to be good friends.
A: Give me one chance to show you that I'm not just a dumb jock.
J: And what exactly would this entail?
A: (thinking) How about the dance on Sat. night?
J: I hate dances.
A: That's ‘cause you've never been to one with me.(he grins) come on, it'll be fun.
J: (She is ready to say no, when she sees Dawson and Lily coming down the hall behind Alex. They are talking and laughing.) What the hell. Okay, I'll go.
A: (looking surprised) Great. Okay, I've got to go to practice for a little while now, but I'll see you at rehearsal. (He leaves).
D:(Dawson and Lily walk up) Hey Jo. What were you talking to Alex about?
J: (quickly) Um, we're going to the dance together. I've got to go, see you at rehearsal. (She walks away)
D: (seems upset) That's weird. I thought that she hated him.
Jen:(walking up with Pacey) Who hates who?
L: Joey and Alex. They are going to the dance together.
Jen: (obviously upset) They are?
D: I wonder what's up with Joey. Could she really like that jock? I'd better go to the dance to make sure everything is okay. (To Lily) Do you want to go with me?
L:(trying to cover up her hurt at only being asked because he needed to watch Joey) Sure. Sounds like fun.
P: (smiling at Jen, who he see's is hurt) So Jen, I guess that leaves me and you What do you say?
Jen: I don't know.
P: Come on, it will be fun. I promise. A night with the handsome and charming Pacey Witter.
Jen: (smiles a little) Well, okay. If you put it that way.
D: Okay, guys, we'd better head down to rehearsal to get ready for the run through.
That night. Pacey and Joey are studying at the video store. They take a small break and are talking and laughing. Pacey starts to tickle her and they are play wrestling. Pacey is trying to figure out how to bring up the whole Alex thing, when Dawson walks into the video store. He looks upset.
D: (angry) So this is how you guys have been spending your time.
P:(confused) We're just studying Dawson.
D: Yeah, well you don't look like you are studying to me.
J: We were taking a break.
D: I'm sure. We haven't even really talked about our relationship. I wondered why it didn't seem to bother you at all when we broke up, and now I find that it is because you already found someone new. And it's Pacey, my best friend. (He storms out)
J: I'd better go after him. (She turns to leave, and then turns back) And maybe it's best if I stop hanging out here until he gets over this whole thing.
P:(a hurt look flashes over his face, but he quickly hides it) That's fine, besides, I'm taking the rest of the week off anyway, for the show.
J:(smiles at him) Great. See you
later. (She rushes out)