Disclaimer: I still don't own 'em.
Author's Note: I forgot to mention that this was about ten years into the future. I'm not sure where I'm going with this story, but I hope it's interesting enough to amuse someone. I'd also like to thank everyone who e-mailed me with encouraging words. Its nice to hear good things considering I'm a first time writer.
Feedback: Oh, it's always welcome and wanted.
"Go away, Pace. I really don't need anyone's pity right now, especially yours," she said in a raspy voice. Pacey sighed, and searched for the right words to say to her. "I'm not here to pity you, Jo. I'm here because I'm your friend," he said finally. Sniffling, she turned her head to face him with a sardonic smile.
"Are we really friends? As I recall it, we're just the opposite. Friends don't launch caustic comments at each other every available chance. That's all we do, Pacey," she said. "So spare me the act, because I'm not in the mood. I know Dawson sent you, so just go tell him that nothing will make me forgive him. He took away the little bit of happiness I had and..." Her words quickly turned into ragged sobs, and she involuntarily fell against him.
Pacey was unprepared for the contact, and an unmistakable look on confusion passed over his face before he hesitantly put his arm around her shoulder. Joey surprised herself by accepting his embrace and wrapping her arms around his waist; almost needing to feel the warmth of his body. He hand slid down her side carelessly as he rested his chin on her head.
"As much as I hate to ruin this rare peaceful moment between us, it's unusually cold for a summer evening," he said with a slight laugh. Joey remained still, and waited for his next words. "If you want to, we could go to my house and talk."
She let the silence continue for a few minutes before drawing away from him and wiping the tears away from her eyes. She gazed into his hazel eyes and saw the genuine concern shining through. Joey sighed and shut her eyes briefly, before reopening them and smiling.
"I think I'd like that," she said finally. Pacey nodded his head and stood up, holding out his hand to her. Joey took it without reservations, and they walked hand in hand down the gravelly path.
Joey smiled to no one in particular. She always enjoyed reminiscing about that particular moment in time. It was the day that she and Pacey made amends, and their friendship was reborn. Sure, they continued their endless mockery, but their repartee was noticeably less antagonistic.
That summer, they were inseparable. It could have been because they were the only ones of their friends to not leave town, but the reasoning behind their closeness seemed immaterial. They were friends, they were happy, and that was all that mattered.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as she felt cool hands cover her eyes. Joey put her own hands over the feminine hands covering her eyes and by the faint scent of vanilla that suddenly filled her nostrils, she knew who the hands belonged to.
"Mrs. Carter, to what do I owe the honor of your presence?" asked Joey taking the hands away. She grinned as her friend circled around her and slid onto the stool next to her own. The swiveled around to face each other and Joey was greeted by a glowing smile.
"Why is it that I can never surprise you?" asked the radiant blonde.
"Try changing your perfume after ten years, and maybe you might catch me off guard," said Joey tossing her hair back. "So answer my question already. And where is Bill? Aren't newlyweds supposed to be inseparable?"
"We've been married for 14 months, we're hardly newlyweds anymore," countered Jen.
"According to the long-defunct Newlywed Game, you're newlyweds until you've been married for two years, thank you."
"I never did like Bob Eubanks," she lamented. "Anyhow, what are you doing today?"
Joey sighed before saying, "What else? I'm ensuring the continuing success of my restaurant and staying here."
"No, no, unacceptable. How about you shirk your responsibility today, and come with me? We'll go shopping, go to a day spa and get pampered..."
"Hold on, hold on...Is there some sort of special occasion you're primping yourself for? This doesn't sound like your usual weekend ritual," said Joey.
"An old friend of ours is coming to town, and I think we should pay him a visit," she said slyly.
"An old friend? You're going to have to be more specific than that, Jen. Only one person's name pops into my head right now, and you should know that I don't want to see him. And considering that, why would I want to primp for him?"
"The day spa idea is not primping, Jo. The shopping is primping. We need to find some suitable to wear to a museum for the opening of a new exhibition," said Jen. "Good old Jack McPhee was finally discovered, and now his work is being displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art."
"Jack? God how long has it been since I've seen him? How do you know about this?"
"Well, Bill's mother is on the museum board, and one night we were talking about it, and she brought up Jack. Of course I was pleasantly shocked, and Gloria filled me in on how he's been all the rage in California for some time now. Naturally, I figured that we should see him. It's been too long, Jo," said Jen softly. "So what do you say?"
"Of course I want to see Jack!" she exclaimed. "Of all the things I thought he'd end up doing, I didn't imagine him becoming an artist."
"No, I think I saw it coming. He always did have a passion for it," said Jen. "Anyhow, let's go get glamorous today for a change."
"Get glamorous for a change? Are you saying I'm not drop-dead gorgeous every day? I think I'm offended."
"Oh bite me, Jo."
"First you take my man, now you're taking my old lines?" said Joey with a grin.
"You said I could have him!" Jen exclaimed.
"I know, I know. I just like to tease you some times," said Joey standing up. "Rex, I'm going AWOL for a day!"
"Fine by me. Have fun!" he shouted from the kitchen.
"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" asked Jen got off her stool and straightened her burgundy skirt.
"Never. Even when you and Bill are old and gray, I'll still point it out," she sighed opening the door for her petite friend.
"I'm counting on it. It never fails to get the same reaction out of him every time." Joey linked her arm through Jen's, and they began strolling down the street.
"Roll of the eyes and a two minute speech on how we were never meant to be and how we mixed like oil and water..."
"Followed by a three minute speech declaring his undying devotion to me," Jen said perkily.
"That's the best part, right?"
"Most definitely." They both giggled as they made their way to Fifth Avenue for a day of indulgence.
Standing up straight, Pacey surveyed the damage and wrinkled his brow as he saw that he hadn't sunken one single ball.
"You've lost your touch." Her voice pierced his perfect silence, but he did not turn around to see her standing against the door frame.
"What can I say? You were always the pool shark in college, not me," he admitted.
"You just let me win so you could get me in the sack," she said, finally moving into his sight. He quickly noticed the brown bag dangling from her fingers and gestured to it with his cue.
"You left Rex all alone at the restaurant? Isn't that some sort of mortal sin for you?" he asked. "What's the occasion?"
"We are going to a museum tonight," she said as she pulled a dress from the bag. From what Pacey could see, it was dark blue, long and lacy. "And I got this dress just for the occasion."
"Whoa, hold on a moment. You know very well I don't go to museums, at least not of my own free will. And as of last count, I don't owe you any favors that might mean I'd have to agree to a cultural outing with you."
"You always liked Jack McPhee, didn't you?" she asked dropping the dress on a side chair.
"Yeah, but what does this have to do with Jack?"
"His work is being put on display, that's why I'm saying we have to go tonight," she said with a grin. Pacey didn't seem all too surprised, but he looked happy to her. Even after all this time as friends, she still had problems reading him. His countenance never betrayed more than he wanted people to see.
"That's spectacular. I guess that is a good reason to spend a boring evening in a museum," he said nodding his head.
"Well I'm glad you think that. I suggest you put down that stick and go search for something in your deficient closet that might be decent to wear," she said picking up the dress and moving for the door.
"Hold on, when is this little shindig?"
"Eight," she said remembering Jen's words. Pacey glanced down at his watch and shook his head.
"It's 5:36. Why would I even bother with getting reading until seven?" he asked. Joey leaned against the wall and shrugged.
"I'm just trying to cover my ass. I recall last time you said something like that, we were a half-hour late to Jen's wedding," said Joey.
"So? We were fashionably late."
"I was the maid of honor, and you were a groomsman. That's not fashionably late, that's stupid. We were just lucky Jen was having anxiety attacks and delayed the wedding for an hour," said Joey with a half-smile.
"Sure, use the past against me," he muttered. "Don't you worry your pretty little head over anything. I'll be ready."
"Pretty little head? Don't make me ruin my manicure by going over there and slapping you silly," she said as she strolled out of the room.
"Bring it on, Josephine!" he shouted as she ran up the stairs.
"The true Neanderthal in him speaks," commented Joey. She crossed her arms over her chest, and shook her head disapprovingly.
"Oh really Joey? Then do tell me what you see in this painting before us," said Pacey. Jen and Bill just watched with amused expressions on their face as they observed the couple. Joey rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the vibrant colors splashed across the canvas, while Pacey kept his eyes trained on her, awaiting her response.
"Quit it you two. Please try to remain civil to each other, we're in public," said Jen, ever playing the mediator.
"I'm being perfectly civil. I'd just like to hear Joey's opinion on the meaning of this painting which to me looks like nothing more than a conglomeration of bright shapes and lines," he rattled.
"Or, we can ask the artist himself. Jack's here," said Bill. The entire room gradually turned to see Jack making his entrance, and immediately he was swarmed with elitists and so-called art connoisseurs.
"This isn't over," said Joey leaning over to whisper in Pacey's ear.
"Incorrigible," breathed Bill to his wife.
"I heard that," said Joey shooting a glare in Bill's direction. Bill quickly averted his eyes, making Jen chuckle.
"Has anyone seen a waiter? I need another drink," said Pacey walking off in search of anyone with a tray in their hand.
Jack had completely blocked out every voice he heard, and was now nodding dumbly. This night is never going to end, he thought to himself. Then he noticed them; faces from his past he never thought he'd see again.
There they were. Almost all assembled, sans one member, but they seemed to have found a replacement for him. The Pacey walked away, reducing them to a group of three. "Excuse me, I see some old friends," he said to those surrounding him. He easily moved passed everyone, and he couldn't help the grin from spreading across his face as he moved towards them.
Jen was the first to hug him. She felt so good in his arms after all these years. "Hey," was all she said before pulling away and holding him at arms length and observing him. "You look great. The years have done good by you."
"You too," he said timidly. Jack was never one for eloquent words. "I can't believe you guys are here."
"We couldn't miss an opportunity to see you," said Joey speaking up. "It's been too long." Jen let go of him, and Joey moved in for the next embrace.
"I know what you mean," he said. Joey disentangled herself from the hug, but kept one arm around his waist as they continued to chat. "I just didn't know where you all went. After I went back to Providence...I guess it was just too easy to lose contact."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you. Jack McPhee, this is my husband, Bill Carter. Bill, this is Jack." The two men reached in for a strong handshake and nodded in acknowledgement of one another.
"Married, huh? I suppose congratulations are in order," said Jack. He turned his eyes to Joey. "So I guess you and Pacey are married too..."
"Me and Pace? Never. What would make you think that?" asked Joey.
"I saw him over here a minute ago. I assumed...you're all together..."
"No. Pacey and I are far from a couple. We're roommates, but we're not..." she trailed off uncomfortably, and searched the room for him. "Where is he anyway? It couldn't have taken him this long to find a drink."
Then her eyes settled on him. Sure he had found his drink, but he had also found a tall, gorgeous brunette. Joey recognized her as one of Pacey's many ex-girlfriends. Her name was Cheryl, if her memory served her right. Cheryl endured a longer relationship with Pacey than many of his other women.
"It seems he has found more than champagne," said Joey in a low voice. At once, her arm slipped from Jack's waist, and they were immediately tightly crossed over her chest.
"Didn't he used to date her?" asked Jen.
"Yeah," said Joey before she cleared her throat and turned away. She forced a smile on her lips, and she took a deep breath.
"So Jack, catch us up to things. Tell us everything about your dramatic rise to fame," said Jen trying to dissipate the tension she felt. It was all coming from Joey, and she knew exactly what it was all about. The anger in Joey's eyes was evident, and the way she kept on taking quick glances in Pacey's direction...
Jack blushed furiously, and laughed nervously as he scratched his head. "I'd hardly call it a rise to fame. A friend of mine, who's an art dealer, saw my work one day, and he decided that he wanted to put them up in his gallery. I didn't see any harm in it, so I let him. Then, within a week..."
"I'm sorry. Suddenly, I'm not feeling very well," said Joey hastily as she fled from the group. Jack and Bill looked utterly confused, as not only Joey left them, but Jen also left to follow her.
"Joey!" exclaimed Jen as they made it outside. She stopped and looked back at Jen. "Talk to me."
Joey saw it in Jen's eyes that she knew what made her run out of there. There was no sense in making up some stupid excuse.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, Jen. He's not supposed to get to me like this," she winced. Joey ran her hands through her hair anxiously. "We're nothing to each other."
"But you love him."
"No."
"And he loves you."
"No! He doesn't love me," said Joey shaking her head. "I need to get away. Just tell them all I'm heading home...give them some excuse...tell them it's cramps or something. I need to get away."
Jen felt so sorry for Joey as she descended the stairs and hailed a cab. She was in such deep denial, they both were.
The bar itself was clean, and full of men and women in suits, who looked like they had just come from work, despite the fact that it was a Saturday night. They looked they had been poring over number or facts all day, and this was their means to unwind.
She slid onto one of the shiny wooden stools, and rested her elbows on the counter top, propping up her chin in the process.
"What can I get you?" asked a soothing voice. Joey looked up and saw that it belonged to a woman who was no older than herself.
"Black Russian," she muttered. The woman nodded, and made the drink silently. She could tell when customers wanted to be left alone, and Joey struck her as one of these people. The bartender gently placed a napkin on the counter before putting her drink on top of it.
"Thanks," said Joey. She stirred it a bit before taking a sip. The cool fluid ran down her throat, immediately warming it on its way down.
What the hell is wrong with me? I told myself I'd never let him get to me again. And what happened? One look at him flirting with his ex-girlfriend, and I was ready to walk over there and rip her head off. Damn you, Pacey. "Captain and Coke, please." That voice was all too familiar to her, and so was the scent. It can't be him. Not here. Not tonight. Not now. Her suspicions were confirmed as she turned to look at the man on her right. Sure enough, before her eyes was Dawson Leery. Before she could look away and pretend she wasn't there, he turned towards her, and his jaw seemed to drop a foot. It was too late to run away.
"Joey."
"Dawson."
