Love Potion No. 9
Part 3 in the Reunited series
by Bitsy

Rating: PG

Short Summary: Phase two of the plan, taking place in Boston, commences. An unsuspecting Dawson and Joey find each other face to face, and Pacey and Jen, having made themselves scarce, decide to spend the evening catching up.

Disclaimer: The disclaimer mentioned in part 1 applies to all parts of the story.

* * * * *

As scheduled, Jen called Pacey at 10:00 that morning. She was guessing that Dawson and Joey hadn’t bumped into each other, or she was sure she would’ve heard about it from Joey. That being the case, Jen and Pacey didn’t want them to discover each other’s presence now. It would blow a cover on the whole plan. Jen had to stall in Capeside for awhile--her flowers were not being delivered until 1:00 and they needed time to take their effect. She called Joey’s housekeeper and made sure that the plan was secure. But Pacey wanted to get Dawson to Boston nice and early--they needed to go shopping for a ‘wedding present’ and stuff. Little did Dawson know that Pacey was really going to be prepping him for his big date.

Since they were all just next door to one another, Jen suggested that she and Joey make the walk over to Bessie and Bodie’s. She knew that Pacey would be by to pick up Dawson in less than an hour. It hadn’t rained lately--Jen would make sure that she and Joey would take back trails so that they would definitely not be discovered by Dawson. Her little car had been safely hidden in the garage since yesterday. She rushed out of the door before Joey to see if the coast was clear, and when she saw that it was, rushed Joey out and to the right of the house, away from Dawson’s. It wasn’t until Jen let her guard down at having successfully gotten Joey out of Dawson’s sight that she noticed Joey’s distress. She had hardly said a word all morning. Had Pacey and Jen been found out?

«Jo. I know something’s wrong. You know you can talk to me. Please tell me what it is», Jen said gently. They walked for a few minutes before Joey responded.

«I’m cancelling the wedding, Jen. I decided last night.», Joey said finally, stopping

«Wh--what made you decide to do that?», Jen asked as evenly as she could.

«Jen, you know I still love Dawson--», Joey began, «...It’s just that, even though I know I can’t have Dawson, if I marry someone else, it has to be for the right reasons. And if I never find anybody else who I love enough to want to spend the rest of my life with, then maybe I wasn’t meant to get married at all...»

«Joey», Jen said, stopping, «you know, Dawson is single--why are you torturing yourself like this? You have to tell him how you feel!»

«I will», Joey replied «In my own time. I wrote him a letter last night after my walk. One day soon, I’m going to get the courage to send it to him. I’m not ready yet, but I hope that when I finally get it out and tell him, I’ll feel a lot better.» Jen was dumbfounded.

«Wow, Joey, that’s great.», Jen said, hugging Joey and not trying to sound enthusiastic, «I know it’s going to be hard for you to tell Christian, but it’s better to catch your mistake now before you have a chance to make it.»

«I know. It’s just now I have to spend all day telling people the wedding is off. Bessie right now, the Leerys when they get home from work later on, my Dad when he comes back from vacation, Christian when I go out to dinner with him tonight...That’ll be disastrous.»

Jen felt a twinge of guilt for making Joey suffer the whole day thinking that she was going to have to break the news to someone she wasn’t even going to see. She thought about letting Joey know exactly what she and Pacey were up to, but she couldn’t. Joey would have to use her own judgement. But regardless of whether Joey and Dawson ended up together, which was, of course, the desired goal, Jen was just happy that Joey had decided against marrying Christian. That would have been awful!

«And Dawson! What am I going to tell Dawson?», Joey asked.

«Put the letter in the mail today, Joey, call him in a few days before he leaves for the wedding.», trying desperately to coax Joey to mail the letter. If that wasn’t backup, she didn’t know what was!

«No, Jen. In my own time», Joey said.

By now they were on Bessie’s porch. Joey sighed.

* * * * *

«Dawson, man, just take her aside and tell her. It’s not like they’re going home together tonight--it’s the night before the wedding and incredibly bad luck. Offer to escort her safely home and say something to the effect of ‘You know, I’m happy for you, but I have to admit that I never got over you and that tomorrow’s going to be a sad day for me, and I’ve held it from you for so long, but now I need to let you know that I love you and always have’.», Pacey said convincingly. How did Pacey know that’s exactly what Dawson wanted to say and couldn’t?

«Is it that obvious that I am still that in love with her?», Dawson asked Pacey.

«Yes, Dawson. And you’ll ruin everything if you don’t do this tonight. You can’t tell a married woman you love her! That’s an invitation for a fight or a restraining order from Dr. Wonderful! Now is the time and tonight is the night.», Pacey said wisely.

«I hate do admit it, Pace, but you’re right.», Dawson replied, defeated.

«Now, are you going to work with me here, or not?», Pacey asked.

«What do you mean?», Dawson asked.

«Just look at you? You’re a mess. You know not having anybody to impress in LA has really made you let your appearance go. We need to take you shopping, Dawson», Pacey said honestly.

Pacey was probably right. Dawson looked at the sunvisor mirror on the passenger side. He looked terrible. Dark circles under his eyes, unshaven, his hair needed to be cut...and he had always been so low-key when it came to clothes. He was very Banana Republic, but not much further. It went from khakis for everyday to tuxes for black tie events. Dawson’s missing out on the dating and going out scene severely limited his wardrobe. Pacey would change that. He didn’t have to be flashy or anything like that--just a little more suave.

Completely ignoring the road, Pacey used his teeth to pull out the antenna on his cell phone. He called his own salon in LA which, being one of his most important numbers, was on auto dial.

«Hi, Christine, it’s Pacey...Yeah, I’m in Boston with a friend who needs some serious help. I know it’s friday and it’ll probably be busy, but is there any way you could connect me with the Boston salon and work me some appointment magic?»

As Christine ‘worked her magic’, Dawson rolled his eyes at Pacey’s reassuring glance. Had Hollywood penetrated Pacey’s already warped mind and made him completely insane?

«Yeah, I’m here. Pacey looked at his watch. Sure. Five o’clock’s perfect. What’s the address? OK. Thanks, I owe you one».

* * * * *

Joey sneezed uncontrollably as she ripped clothes out of her closet and threw them in her overnight bag. Jen tried to calm her, but Joey was in serious trouble. She was highly allergic to wildflowers. She didn’t break out in hives or anything like that, but her sneezing overcompensated for her lack of other allergic symptoms. Joey sure hoped that Chad would be able to accomodate them. As she zipped up her back slung it over her shoulder, she grabbed the (half-empty-from-crying) box of tissues from her night table, and walked through the apartment into the elevator, motioning for Jen to follow. Jen took the cue. Pretending to speak to Chad on the cell phone, she said the appropriate things and then ‘hung up’. She had spoken with him briefly a few minutes ago to let him know that they were on their way, but that had been it--the last little tidbit had just been for show.

For the second time that day, Jen had felt a little guilty towards Joey. She sneezed the whole fifteen minute ride to the hotel, and her tissues had accumulated to make a pile on the floor of Jen’s little car.. Jen didn’t mind, though. As long as she got Joey safely out the door for dinner. Jen parked her car in front of the hotel, handing the valet her keys, and walked smoothly in. She was greeted with two kisses on the cheek by Chad, clearly pleased with what he saw. He, too felt a little sorry for a still-sneezing Joey as she approached him. She was tearing from sneezing so much. She stopped long enough for Chad to give her a kiss on the cheek. He began his apology.

«Well, ladies, I will have two rooms for you by later on this evening, but for the time being, all I have is one room. I’m sorry, but on such short notice, that was the best that I could do.», Chad said convincingly. Joey bought it.

«No problem, Chad», she said, still a little shaky, but attempting a smile «You’re doing me a big favor, trust me.»

Chad smiled back and showed them to reception, where they were treated fabulously. Jen was impressed with Chad, Pacey, and herself. It all seemed to be coming together. They collected their room keys, and Joey flopped herself down on the king sized bed as soon as they got in.

«So what are you going to do tonight, Jen?», Joey asked.

«Probably hang out with Chad a little. He should be able to take off soon, he told me on the phone, but other than that, I think I’ll call it an early night. I must be coming down with something since I’m so tired all of a sudden!», Jen lied.

«You want some cold stuff?», Joey asked sweetly. So gullible, Jen thought.

«Thanks...hey, do you mind if I take this room. You’ll probably be back later than I go to sleep, and who knows when the other room’ll be ready?», Jen asked, taking the small bottle Joey gave her.

«No problem at all», Joey said, getting undressed and getting ready to shower. It was getting late.

As soon as Joey got into the shower, Jen sighed with relief. Everything was going perfectly. Jen started unpacking all of her stuff. As soon as she got Joey out of there, she’d have to start getting ready for her date with Pacey. God, she hadn’t even thought of it that way, but it was true. Jen had a date with Pacey. It gave her chills for a couple seconds! What was she thinking? Her thoughts were interrupted by Joey stepping out of the steamy bathroom.

Jen looked her over. There was a lot of work to do. Jen felt like it was the Ms. Windjammer Pageant again, because the same reality was true--Joey didn’t know how beautiful she was. She had certainly gained a lot of confidence since high school and lost some of the awkwardness that had been there before, but she hardly wore makeup, and tended not to wear things that showed off her shape. Jen was about to do something about that...

«Are you going to wear that?», Jen asked, pointing to the plain, short black dress that Joey had chosen.

«What’s wrong with it? Does it look that bad on me?», Joey asked, holding it upto herself.

«Joey, you have the perfect body and you wear stuff that makes your curves invisible. You’re not going to a funeral!», Jen exclaimed.

«Actually, telling your fiancée that you’re not going to marry him is kind of like going to a funeral», Joey retorted.

«Joey, look at you.», Jen began more gently. «You’re already nervous. You need a little bit of confidence. What gives a woman confidence more than looking a little bit sexy? It’s sad to say, but sex appeal is confidence», Jen replied easily.

Joey hated that Jen was right, but Jen was right. Something a little sexier would give her a little more strength tonight. Joey looked in the mirror. She looked the way she always looked, with her hair down, her face beautiful with soft, clear, skin, but untouched by color. She did need to look knockout that night. She didn’t want to be the weak little woman she had been, who was pining after Dawson and about to submit to marrying a man she didn’t love. She wanted this to be the first day of the rest of her life. Maybe this was the beginning of a new Joey, a confident, sexy Joey, who could take control of her life and love. Maybe the new Joey would be able to march into Dawson’s office in LA, crack her whip, and...

«How ‘bout this?», Jen asked, pulling something out of her garment bag. She had come prepared.

It was perfect. It was a slinky merlot colored dress that went to the floor. It was kind of Morticia Adams in the sense that Joey’s feet couldn’t be seen when she walked, but it didn’t look at all unnatural.. The dress fit Joey like a glove, and the color made Joey’s skin glow. A little eyeshadow, a little blush, and some dark lipstick. Joey looked like a model. The darkness of the dress added to the natural mystery that surrounded her, and its fit made her walk slowly and very elegantly. Jen, confident that her scheme would work, walked Joey to the lobby to see when Chad would be getting off of work. As Joey walked to the reception desk, she drew a lot of stares. Jen smiled. Perfect.

«Doctor Potter, your room number will be 518. Here is your key. It will be ready for you upon your return, and your things will be moved. Thank you for your patience.», the man at the desk said.

«Thank you very much», said Joey gracefully. She turned to look at Jen.

«Thanks, Jen...I just want you to know that your being here these past few days means so much to me. I wouldn’t have been able--» Jen cut Joey off as she saw the tears form in her eyes.

«You’re going to ruin your makeup!», Jen said sternly. «And you’re welcome». Her voice softened. «I know it’s going to be hard, to do what you’re about to do, Joey, but be strong. Now, take my car, turn on the CD player, and listen to CD 5 track 7 at least two times before entering the restaurant. Got it?»

«Sure», Joey said, confused. Sniffling and fighting back her tears, she felt Jen squeeze her arm, and she turned to go. * * * * *

Dawson looked like a new man when he walked out of the swanky downtown Boston salon. As soon as they saw who it was that needed to be made over, all of the best technicians were put in charge of him. He was manicured, shaven, facialed, massaged, trimmed, and Carlo, his colorist, put lowlights in his hair to add to the depth of his eyes. They had found a little store that Pacey knew that did same day alterations and got Dawson fitted for an elegant charcoal gray Armani Suit, and new shoes to match. Finally, they had topped off the look with a pair of Calvin Klein sunglasses that fit Dawson’s face and the outfit perfectly.. Since the salon had been the last stop and it had taken quite awhile to ‘fix’ Dawson, Pacey rushed Dawson back to the Hotel. They went to their respective rooms to get ready. It was already seven-thirty by the time both of them were done, and Pacey knew that they had to move if they didn’t want to run into Joey in the lobby.

«Come on, Dawson, let’s go have a drink before we go to the dinner», Pacey reasoned.

«Sure.» No objection from Dawson.

He was so nervous that a drink would probably do him good. Sitting on the bar at a hotel down the street from the restaurant, Pacey tried to give Dawson neutral advice without giving away what was really going on.

«Dawson. Be honest and be yourself, and you can’t go wrong. She’ll appreciate your honesty. Every chance you have to tell her that you don’t take is time wasted and is making it that much harder for you to ever tell her after that.», Pacey said.

«I know», Dawson said, sipping his Tanqueray and Tonic. When had Pacey become so reasonable?

Pacey took the last, long sip of his Bombay Sapphire Martini (Shaken, not stirred) and got up, slapping a twenty on the bar.

«Are you ready for this?», he asked Dawson.

«Absolutely not», Dawson replied.

«That’s my boy», Pacey said leading Dawson out of the bar and putting his arm around him.

* * * * *

Sitting in Jen’s car, Joey turned on the CD player, and, as instructed, turned on Disc 5 number 7. Familiar music filled the air as a woman’s voice was crooning about love, but Joey couldn’t place it at first. She kept listening, and figured it out right before the chorus, singing along. It was that old Nancy Sinatra song!

These boots were made for walking,
And that’s just what they’ll do,
‘Cause one of these days these boots
are gonna walk all over you...

Jen was so funny sometimes! All while Joey was getting ready, Jen had been giving her the sexy girl power lecture and that song totally got Joey in the mood, if not to kick some ass, than definitely, to march into that restaurant, tell Christian what she had decided, and to stick confidently by it. As promised, she listened to the song twice. Just as she pulled up to D’Amici’s, it went off. She opened the door to Jen’s car, and stepped out in front of the restaurant. A little intimidated by the reality of the situation, but still confident.

«Good evening, Doctor Potter», the Valet said, bowing.

«Good evening», replied Joey. All of the staff that worked there knew her.

The valet opened the door for her, clearly pleased with the change in her, and she walked in. Greeted by the Maitre’d, she followed him to where she knew she was going--her favorite table. She was so nervous by what she was about to do that it almost didn’t hit her that the restaurant was completely empty. They reached her favorite table, and as the Maitre’d pushed in her chair, she turned around to ask him what was going on, but he was already gone.

* * * * *

«Here goes nothing», Dawson said to himself, allowing the Valet to open the door for him.

Pacey should have been right behind him, but had gotten himself off the hook by telling Dawson he was bringing the car around from the hotel where they had had a drink to be valet parked at D’Amici’s. By the time Dawson had walked down the street to the restaurant and found himself face to face with the Maitre’d, Pacey was already halfway back to the hotel. Dawson had grown used to people recognizing him, so was not surprised when the Maitre’d spoke.

«Right this way, Mr. Leery», he said.

Dawson, glancing around nervously, was taken aback. Nobody’s here? He approached a table where a waiter was pouring wine into two glasses, but he couldn’t see who was there. The Maitre’d wound around and as they got closer to the table, the waiter moved, revealing what he had been covering. It was Joey!

* * * * *

«Let the games begin», Pacey said to himself as he sped along the narrow Boston streets back to the hotel.

It had been years since he’d seen Jen, and he really couldn’t wait. The older Pacey got and the more superficial he realized LA was, the more he realized that he needed friends from when he was younger, friends who knew the real him and would hang out with him even if he wasn’t successful in career and income. He was really curious as to how Dawson and Joey’s reunion was going, but knew that now it was in their hands. Pacey and Jen’s work was done. Tomorrow morning would bring either a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door handle of room 518, or a nasty call or knock on the door in the early hours. Pacey had a feeling it would be a ‘do not disturb’. Their plan had been airtight. The love was there. It had to work.

Pacey’s own love life was much different. He dated all the time, but never managed to find anybody that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Nobody genuine. The same LA scene that was and always would be. Under all of the money and recognition that Pacey had received, he was still a small town guy. He wanted someone really down to earth, but didn’t know if it could ever happen--not in LA. He sighed. He was only 27. It wasn’t an emergency that he wasn’t married (well, according to his mother it was). He just hadn’t found what he was looking for.

He got out of his car as he pulled up to the hotel, pushing thoughts of his sordid social life out of his head, and filling it with memories of Jen. She had been a knockout back then--what would she look like now? Pacey strode easily through the hotel lobby and into the hotel bar where she was supposed to be waiting for him. Looking around, he saw that she wasn’t there yet. Women. He checked his watch--only 8:10. Not too bad. Pacey found an inconspicuous booth and ordered a bottle of Dom for the two of them. While he was debating over whether or not ordering strawberries would be inappropriate, Jen sauntered in, stopping Pacey midsentence. The waiter saw that his date had arrived, and retreated to bring the Champagne.

Neither Jen nor Pacey could believe their eyes. Pacey looked a lot better than Jen had remembered. His facial features had become more defined--his jaw was stronger, his cheeks more sunken, his eyes more intense, his voice softer, and his hair more stylish. This Pacey even looked like he could hack it in New York! He was definitely taller, and had a certain presence, yet a certain grace to him (if a man could be called graceful). His elegant but casual suit fit him perfectly. Jen had to admit, he had grown into a very sexy man. He smiled at Jen, sweeping her up into a big hug. That’s Pacey, Jen thought, hugging back happily.

After their hug, Pacey stood back, still holding onto the tips of Jen’s fingers. He took her in. She had grown into a very, very beautiful woman. The babyfat that had stuck with her throughout high school was now gone, completely thinning out her face and waist. She had the same beautiful smile and clear, blue eyes. But her hair was a different color--a little dirtier blond--probably her natural hair color. She looked like she had grown some, too. Her short red slipdress complementer her figure, showing off her perfect legs. Pacey couldn’t stop staring.

«Pacey!», she hit him playfully on the arm, «You’re making me blush!»

«Sorry», Pacey said, now blushing himself, «Jen, you look fabulous! Really great!»

«I could say the same to you, Pacey», Jen said, sliding herself into the seat. «It’s hard to believe that the same Pacey who whipped off his cap and gown at graduation and streaked across the football field on a dare is the same one that’s sitting in front of me!», Jen laughed.

«Well...», Pacey laughed nervously and continued his blushing.

There was somewhat of an awkward silence, which was broken by the waiter’s return with the bottle of Dom. He poured, and before he left, Jen ordered strawberries. God, she’s wonderful!, Pacey found himself thinking. He had hardly paid attention to her toast. Something about ‘May Dawson and Joey find the happiness they’ve always wanted without killing us first’. Pacey rose his glass and smiled, not once taking his