Disclaimer: All characters in this fic are owned by the WB and KW... NOT ME!

Category: PJ ROMANCE!!

Rating: PG

Author's note: Spur of the moment fic frustration... it probably makes no sense, but I hope you like it???

Pacey Witter wiped the labor induced perspiration from his forehead with the back of his hand, careful not to get any of the white paint he was using on his face. He turned to face his friend, who had just decided to take a short break.

"Hey, Joey. Hand me a wider brush, will ya?"

Joey sighed, rolling her neck, and reached over from her sitting position to grasping the object in her hand. "Yes, oh masterful one."

She stretched out her arm, only standing up half way, as he stepped forward to take the brush from her. "Thanks for helping me with this, Jo."

Joey settled back into her seat, giving him a look of surprise, "Are you kidding me? You practically rebuilt our house for us! I'm the one who should be thanking you!"

"Yeah, well, I am pretty amazing aren't I?" Pacey replied, puffing out his chest with mock pride.

"I wouldn't go that far."

"You mean you don't find my dazzling good looks and suave like veneer appealing?"

"Don't make me barf maggot boy."

"I knew it you could never resist me."

"Keep dreaming Dr. Love-less."

"Aw, Jo. Cut a guy some slack, will ya?"

"Hmm... I'll think about it."

"What do you mean, you'll think about it?"

"It was a fairly simple combination of words, Pacey. I was sure you'd get my meaning."

"Very funny."

Joey rose to her feet, stifling the tiniest of yawns. "So, what do you say we finish up for the night?"

"Uh-uh. You're not getting away that easily, Potter."

"Come on Pacey, let's just get out of here. I'm tired."

"Okay, fine. Only if you promise to help me out again Sunday."

"I promise, Pacey. Now can we go?!"

"Yeah, yeah we can go."

Joey Potter was exhausted. She'd spent all of yesterday working and consequently making herself tired to the bone. Then all day long she'd been cleaning and washing bed linens for the newest weekend guests residing at her little family inn.

And yesterday... 'Ugh!' They had gotten out early that Friday afternoon, and what did she do? Work! 'Well, at least I got to spend time with Pacey...' She'd finally given up on pretending that time with her former arch enemy was anything less than nauseating. She knew her feelings for the boy were growing more and more intense everyday... She just didn't know what the heck to do about it.

Trudging through the open window of Dawson Leery's bedroom, she forwent the unnecessary pleasantries of saying hello and headed straight for his bed. She collapsed on top of the firm mattress and sighed in relief.

Dawson watched her for a moment then chuckled silently to himself. Joey was always tired, always working... 'Poor, Jo.'

After a moment of silence, Joey finally asked, "So, Dawson what's on the agenda for tonight?"

"Well, actually I decided to let Nikki pick out the movies for tonight."

"Nikki's coming?" Joey sat up.

"Yeah. Do you have a problem with that, Jo?"

"No, not at all. I was just wondering why she had been so graciously honored with the task of picking out the movie for one of your most time honored traditions."

"Well, it's not that big of a deal, Joey. I mean movie night is getting a little old anyway. I was thinking about forgoing the whole thing, but Nikki talked me into it. She really wants to make friends, and I guess she saw this as a nice way to do it."

"I guess."

Dawson took a seat next to her on the bed, giving her a serious look. "Joey, just promise me you'll be nice to her."

"Whenever am I not nice?" He shot her an incredulous look, snorting a tight laugh. And Joey just smiled back at him, knowing just what he was thinking.

Dawson rose to his feet once more and started clearing away a few things off of his bedroom floor, "So, Jack, Jen and Andie should be here soon."

"Andie's coming?" Joey asked, in slight surprise.

"Don't tell me you have a problem with her too!"

"No, I just didn't think she was all that comfortable around Pacey... being in such closed quarters with him and all. But, I suppose after the play, things got better."

"Well, actually Pacey isn't coming."

Joey's forehead wrinkled in confusion, "He's not? Why not?"

"I don't know exactly. He said something about, having work to do, and that he'd be out sorta late working on it."

"Oh," she sighed. "Probably some hot bimbo date." 'He better not be on a date! Why not Joey? It's not like you own him. He can do whatever he wants... Yeah yeah, but I don't have to like it.'

Dawson did not catch her features flash in distress as she pondered these thoughts, instead replying casually, "Hm, maybe."

A blonde head popped in through the window, "Hey guys."

"Oh, hey Jen," replied Dawson.

"Jack and Andie aren't here yet?"

"No. They should..."

"Did I hear my name being called." Jack and Andie McPhee appeared through the strangely less traditional method of entry... Dawson's bedroom door.

"Hey, stranger. Long time no talk." Jen smiled warmly and enveloped him in a hug.

"Yeah, I know it's been a couple of days," he apologized.

"I'm just still not used to having you not there, ya know?"

"Yeah." He smiled sadly.

"Yeah, well, I'm taking good care of him," Andie piped cheerily. Causing each of their smiles to widen.

"I know you are Andie."

"Hey guys!" Nikki, to Joey's shock, entered through Dawson's window as well.

"Oh, hey Nikki," said Dawson. Joey, Jen and Jack offered their 'hellos' through tiny smiles.

Andie, however piped a friendly, "Hey!"

Dawson gestured for her to sit down on his bed. "So, what did you bring?"

"Well, I was thinking. An average run of the mill movie rental might be kinda boring. So, I thought... well, that maybe we could show some of our stuff."

Dawson blinked, "What?!"

"Yeah, well, not to compare or criticize, or anything. I show my worst, you show yours.... if you don't like the idea I do have a movie in my purse, but I'm sure you've already seen it..soo..."

"Yeah, Dawson. I could use a good laugh!" Jack inspired.

Joey smirked good naturedly in his direction. "Yeah, come on Dawson that sounds like fun. Besides you won't be the only one humiliating yourself, I'm in every one of your movies."

"Please, Dawson?" Nikki pleaded.

Rolling his eyes, he replied with a sigh, "Well, okay."

"That was classic! I can't believe you did that to that poor boy!" Jack snickered.

"Well, it was for the love of the art."

"Yeah, right. That was just bad, Nikki!" Dawson exclaimed.

"Okay, okay I admit it. Now your turn."

"I don't know which to show."

Hugging a pillow close to her face, laying comfortably at the foot of his bed, Joey replied, "'The Sea Creature'. It's a Dawson, classic... plus it humiliates both Jen and I," she reasoned.

Jen smirked in agreement and Dawson relented. "Okay. You win..."

Same Time, Different Place

"Uh, Dad?" Pacey scratched the back of his neck nervously. He'd just come back from working on his little project to inquire so much needed help from someone. Though he didn't know who'd actually fit that bill in his household. Finally after nearly, bumping noses with the guy, he decided his Dad was as good as he was going to get.

"Yes, son?" John Witter asked, almost wearily.

"I, uh, was wondering... I, uh... well see..."

"Spit it out, son."

"Well, you know that old boat I've been working on?"

"Yes, I dimly recall you mentioning something of that nature in the past. What about it?"

"Well, I'm almost done with it and I was wondering if you could help me put the finishing touches on. Make sure it holds up in water, all of that."

"Now? It's a little late, isn't it?"

"The area is lighted and... I just would like to be finished with it for tomorrow."

John scratched his chin in contemplation, before looking into his son's eyes. "Does this have anything to do with that Potter girl?"

Pacey's eyes grew wide in wonder, 'How the hell...?' "Wha... what makes you say that?"

"The few times I've seen her around here lately, I've noticed that look on your face. It's quite obvious, I'm surprised she hasn't noticed. But then again women can be just as insecure as men... I'd bet she's just too scared to admit it to herself."

"Where is all of this coming from Dad?" Pacey asked in disbelief.

"Just observing.. commenting."

"Well, yeah."

"Yeah, what?"

"It's got something to do with her. Hell, it's got everything to do with her."

"Well, what are we standing around yaking for? There's work to be done."

"Thanks Dad."

And they left the, not always comfortable confines of the Witter household.

"Hello?" A groggy, half awakened voice, croaked into the phone next to her bed.

"Hello, Joey?"

"Pacey, it's 8 o'clock on Sunday. You'd better have a good reason for calling so..."

"I just wanted to tell you I'd pick you up to come help out on the boat. You don't need to walk."

"Is that all? Why didn't you call later?"

"I have some stuff to do and I wanted to make sure you didn't have to make that trek unnecessarily."

"Mm, yeah, whatever.. Thanks.... I guess."

"I'll be there at One."

"Okay, bye, Pace."

"Go back to sleep, Joey."

"Mmm hmm. Back to sleep." She snapped the phone back into it's cradle and huddled back into the inviting covers of her comfortable bed.

"Joey, Pacey's here!" Bessie yelled, apparently from the front door of the Potter B & B. There were obviously no guests lingering about, or she would never have yelled so loudly.

"Coming!"

Joey emerged from behind the red door that enclosed her bedroom. Pacey was certainly a sight for sore eyes. She might not ever admit to his face, but she'd missed him last night.

"Hi," she said sweetly.

"Hey." He sounded a little nervous. 'That's not like, Pacey.' Joey shrugged it off, made her way toward her friend.

"So, you ready to go?"

"Yep." She turned to yell at the absentee Bessie, somewhere in the back of the house. "Bye Bessie!"

"Bye, kid. Don't have too much fun."

"Yeah, scrubbing and painting boats..better watch it." Joey rolled her eyes. And Pacey chuckled as they both headed out of the door and toward the Witter family vehicle.

Parking the truck a little bit aways from where he normally did, Pacey turned to Joey with smiling eyes. "I have a surprise for you, Jo."

"I'm almost afraid to ask."

He nodded and exited the truck, rushing over to open her door before she had a chance. Closing the door swiftly and taking her hand, he coaxed her, "Here just close your eyes for a second."

"Uh.. okay." Not able to concentrate feeling the warmth of his strong fingers, wrapped around her own.

He gently guided her around a tall shed that had blocked her surprise from view and led her up the near by dock. Then down more steps to the waiting plank.

"K, open 'em."

"Uh... I.... wow," she gasped. There right before her eyes was the 'True Love' in all of its glory. Shiny, beautiful and perfectly restored.

"Do you like it?" He asked, clearing his throat.

"Pacey it's wonderful... it's beautiful..."

"Come on." Having never let go over her hand, he gestured her to follow him into the tiny vessel. "It's ours, Jo. Yours and mine."

"No, Pacey, you did all the work. It's your boat."

"You did more than your fair share. I just wanted to finish it up for you... so I could surprise you," he looked down at his sneaker clad feet.

"I love it Pacey. Thank you."

Remembering his next intention, got him all the more nervous, but he hid well by raising his voice from the softer tones of the previous seconds. "Stay right there!" He stood up swiftly and rushed down below to retrieve an object... a picnic basket...

"To celebrate the occasion, a bottle of sparkling cider..." He removed from the traditionally designed wickered basket. "Pacey Witter sub sandwich extraordinaire..." he handed a sandwich to Joey. "And few other little scrumptious snack like dishes I whipped up."

Joey shook her head, thoughts of what this could mean running rampant all around. She took a deep breath, and replied, "I can't believe you did all this. I mean it's so... so..."

"Uncharacteristic of my Neanderthal like behavior?"

"I was going to say," she shifted nervously, "... romantic."

He looked into her eyes deeply, dispelling all of the love he felt for right into her own with his intoxicating gaze.

Breaking the stare, he looked down at his jittering left knee before speaking. "Uh.. listen, Jo. I just... I...." he stuttered over the words unable to push what he wanted to say out of his throat. He took a cleansing breath and tried once more, gazing softly into her dancing eyes. "Jo... Joey..." He reached over and softly took her hand in his, once more. "Joey, all of this time, I've been spending with you... all of these months... this whole past year really. I've... I've come to realize something." He took a moment, clearing his throat, and continued speaking to a wide eyed Joey. "I've come to realize that .. that I... that I need you. I need you with me every second of everyday, Joey. When you're not with me, and my eyes slip shut, even if it's only for a moment... I see your face. I hear your voice. Joey, I don't know if what I'm saying makes any sense to you. I know it sure as hell doesn't make any sense to me, but... I love you, Jo. I love you so much, I can feel it in every part of my soul." He ran his free and through his hair and chuckled nervously. "I hope I'm not freaking you out by saying..."

"No!" Joey insisted rather sharply, startling them both. Her voice softened quite a bit, "I mean... you were... that was... I've never heard anything more beautiful, Pacey."

She brought the back of her hand to his cheek, then slowly turned it over lightly brushing her fingers up and down the skin of his face. Pacey's eyes fell shut at the onset of her caress. Joey felt the water that she'd known had been building up behind her eyes just seconds before, begin to cascade down her tanned skin. "I love you, too, Pacey."

Pacey's eyes popped open in disbelief. "Did you just say what I thought you..."

Joey nodded, smiling timidly behind her tears. "So, are you going to kiss me, Witter, or what?"

Grinning madly, he tenderly grabbed her arms, rubbing them up and down through the material of her light sweater, and whispered, "Come here."

Joey practically fell into his arms, swaying the boat only slightly. His forearms tightened firmly, gently, across her back. He gently brought her lips to his for a soft lingering kiss. At contact, he felt an overwhelming burst of love explode in his heart. He pulled her closer, resting her on his lap, tenderly stroking the strands of her silky hair. She sighed into his mouth, causing him to whimper at the tickle her affection evoked in his heart.

When they finally parted, albeit in a breathless daze, they each reveled in what had been the single most intensely passionate and loving moments of their lives. Unfortunately a rumbling from above interrupted their solace.

Joey raised her eyes, quickly heavenward, just as the rain drops began to fall.

"Damn it!"

"Let's get out of here!"

"Right behind ya!"

They made a beeline for Pacey's truck. Just before Joey reached her side of the truck, she felt Pacey's hand on her arm, gently urging her to face him. As soon as her head had turned in the direction he was coaxing, she found her lips glued to his. He kissed her deeply, lovingly, passionately. Wrenching his lips from hers, once again out of breath, he tenderly, yet urgently grasped her face between his hands.

"You are my life, Joey. You know that? My life." He laughed to himself, overwhelmed that he could actually say the things that he'd so longed to tell her for so many months. He brought his forehead down to rest against hers.

"I love you, Pacey." Joey squeezed her eyes shut tightly, not used to this much emotion filling her so rapidly. Tossing her arms around his neck she pulled him tightly to her, hugging him fiercely, burying her nose in his neck.

"Uh, Jo?"

"Mmm hmm?"

"We're drenched."

Joey pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes with merriment and began to laugh. She felt high on life, high on love... She broke away from Pacey, holding her arms out to the open sky... twirling, twirling, twirling. Pacey looked on, he'd never seen a more beautiful picture. The woman he loved, happier than he'd ever seen her.

'No,' Pacey Witter thought to himself, 'Life couldn't get much better than this.'

THE END

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