Her Last Chance


By: Kat
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Dawson's Creek. This is only for recreational purposes, people!
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Andie and Jack have BOTH moved to Providence. Joey got back together with Dawson after realizing the error of her ways. Andie dumps Pacey for a new boyfriend.
Author's Note: Thought's are beetween * *s.



***

Staring dismally out over the creek, Jen sighed for about the thirtieth time that morning. She was tired, achy, and had a bad hangover. Guilt was another overwhelming feeling that was keeping her awake at such a godly hour. Her watch read four-thirty.

Groaning from the effort, Jen stood and made her way towards her house. Her guilt and anxiety was well deserved. She had gotten Pacey sick and grounded. Even though he assured her that it was no big deal and he could get out of it, Jen still felt bad.

Every stair creaked on the way up, but Jen ignored the sounds as she continued to climb towards her room. As soon as her bed was in sight, she moved faster and collapsed onto her bed. Within minutes she was sound asleep.

***

"Oh, come on, Joey!" Dawson cried. "You can not still be tired." Joey threw a pillow at him, which Dawson easily dodged.

She rubbed her eyes and stared at Dawson. "Yes, I can. We were up until three in the morning watching movies and if my calculations are correct," she pauses to look at her watch. "I received only six hours of sleep. Reasonably, I should have gotten at least eight hours." Rolling his eyes, Dawson put his arm around her.

"My poor, poor Joey. She didn't get enough sleep, she says. And who's fault is that but her own. I said good-bye at least a dozen times and someone always replied with an I'm not tired," Dawson stated matter-of-factually.

"I don't like you anymore." Dawson laughed.

"Sure you don't." He leaned in to kiss her, once again proving Joey wrong. They moved comfortably into each others arms and stayed that way, holding and kissing each other, for an ample amount of time.

Joey slowly pulled away. "Down boy. I think you've had enough." Dawson smiled as Joey brushed hair out of his eyes.

Dawson continued to hold her close as he changed the subject. "I've been meaning to give you the update on our former friends." Joey sat back on the bed and looked into Dawson's eyes.

"Former?"

He nodded. "It has come to my attention that they no longer consider us their friends because we don't spend any time with them." Joey shrugged and laughed.

"I have no clue who you are referring to." Dawson joined in her laughter.

"Sorry. It's Jen and Pacey. It seems that our absence in their social lives has forced them into the arms of one Chris Wolfe and once again, at least for Jen, return to the dark side."

Joey rolled her eyes. "I have come to the conclusion that Jen Lindley either has no self esteem, or she's just a moron."

Dawson agreed. "She never fails to disappoint, but somehow I always thought Pacey was different. He's always been odd and stands out in a crowd, yet he always has good intentions and usually ends up doing the right thing."

"Please spare me, Dawson. Pacey is just as bad as Jen. Neither of them want to be part of a group or be forced to conform and it was just a matter of time before Pacey realized that only other losers, i.e., Jen and Chris, would accept him," Joey rationalized.

"That's not fair, Joe. Pacey isn't a loser. Obviously there is something going on in his life that is making him do this. And it is now our responsibility to help both of them," Dawson says, feeling better about the situation already.

***

Pacey awoke with a start to the sound of loud knocking. He moaned and forced himself to get off the couch and answer the door.

By the expression on Joey's face, Pacey knew he must have looked like hell.

"Morning, Joey. What can I do you for?" he asked, attempting cheerfulness.

"Can I come in?" Pacey shrugged and allowed her to pass him into the living room. She sat awkwardly on his couch, looking around the room as if she had never seen it before.

"May I ask why I owe you the pleasure of this visit?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

She smiled awkwardly. "I'm not going to lie to you, Pacey. Dawson and I are worried about you. We know about the drinking, the partying. Do you have any explanations for this new way of life?"

"You don't deserve to know." He stood. "I'd appreciate it if you and Dawson would learn to mind your own business. And I'd like for you to leave."

Joey bit her lip. "I'm not leaving. It has come to our attention that you need some help or someone to talk to so drop the tough-guy act and just spill, Pacey."

"No! Now get out of my house, Joey, because I don't need your help or Dawson's for that matter. You two can just go back to planet Dawson and Joey and leave me the hell alone!" Pacey shakes his head and walks up the stairs to his bedroom.

Laughing, Joey heads toward the door. "That went well."

***

"He really said planet Dawson and Joey?" Dawson asked while laughing. "Can you say immature?"

While rubbing suntan lotion on her leg, Joey nods. "Yeah, he was pretty pissed off. As soon as I said 'we' he got mad. The root of this problem may have something to do with our relationship."

"Maybe something happened between him and Andie. That could explain his sudden dislike for a couple in love," Dawson pondered.

"Probably. Would you put this on my back," she asked, handing him the bottle of lotion. Dawson arched an eyebrow.

"Yes, ma'am." He poured some on his hands and began to sensually rub Joey's back. As he reached to undo her bikini strap she slapped his hand away.

"Dawson Leery, I had no idea you could be such an enabler." She turned to face him and saw that he was blushing. "And not a very good one at that."

"Fine. Then rub your own back."

***

Pacey sat up in bed, attempting to reach the remote that had fallen to the floor. No matter how hard he tried his arms were about two feet too short.

"Damn TV. Why can't they make a clapper remote or something?" Pacey asked no one in particular.

Finally, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and got up. While he was bending down to the grab the remote he saw something out of the corner of his eye. A bottle of liquor was partially hidden behind his wooden desk.

From where he was, Pacey could see that the bottle was at least half full. "If it isn't my lucky day," Pacey said as he grabbed the liquor. He twisted the off the cap and took a small sip. Then he got up off the floor and sat back down on his bed, continuing to drink.

***

"Come on, Jen. Please give me the beer," Dawson coaxed. "You don't want to drink that. You'll get sick. Again." Jen shook her head and lifted the can to her mouth again. Dawson unsuccessfully attempted to take it from her.

"It's mine, Dawson. Go get your own!" she shrieked. She moved further away from him and plopped onto the dock.

Dawson sighed and put his head in his hands. *This is not as easy as I thought it would be.* His eyes lit up when he saw that Jen had stupidly placed her beer on the dock beside her. Quickly, Dawson grabbed it and began to pour it into the creek.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" Jen cried. "I was drinking that, you jerk!" She stood and nearly fell over. Dawson dropped the now empty can and grabbed her arm.

"I got you. We'll go to my house, okay? I'll make you some coffee," he said soothingly as he helped her walk in the direction of his house.

"Okay, Dawson. Thank you," she said quietly. "I don't want to be like this anymore, I really don't. I'm just so lonely," Jen explained while tears started to fall from her cheeks.

He put his arm around her. "I know, Jen. And I'm going to help you. You're not alone in this. Not anymore." She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

END OF PART 3

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