A Night Out
Part 3 in series
by: hzeleyes

Disclaimer: I don't own the Joey, Dawson, Jen, or Pacey characters. They belong to Kevin Williamson and whoever else is lucky enough to be involved in that wonderful show. I don't own any of the other characters either, but I do own Lila. YAY! Send comments/feedback to hzeleyes23@aol.com.

Jen scurried around her room, flinging possible outfits onto the bed from her closet.

"No," she muttered as she held up a pink blouse and dropped it to the floor, "no, no, no." She threw down two sweaters, red and yellow, and a pair of blue slacks. "Here it is," she took out a red skirt and found the black shirt on her bed and then dashed into the shower.

It was seven-thirty. She was going with Joey, Dawson, Pacey, and his date, a new girl named Lila, to the movies with Cliff as her date in forty five minutes. She remembered how ecstatic he had sounded when she had called him that afternoon. She quickly rinsed out the shampoo from her blond hair and applied the conditioner. Even though Cliff was her date, she had still had her heart set on winning Dawson back. Maybe when he saw her tonight his feelings for her would rush back and they would live happily ever after. But in reality no one lived happily ever after. She had learned that from Dawson's mom, who had gone and made her very happy life a mess by cheating on her husband with her co-anchor.

Then she thought about Joey. Last night, by Joey's remark, Jen had thought her and Dawson were still just friends, but when Dawson had called her this afternoon and asked her to go he had said bring a date and that was when she realized they were a couple. Now Jen knew how Joey must have felt when she liked him and they were going out. But Joey had had years to go for him and she gave up her chance. And so had Jen now. She got out, wrapped her hair in a towel, and began to dry herself off.

Joey ran a brush through her hair and tied it at the base of her neck with a violet clip. She looked in the mirror and thought her denim flares, purple shirt, and matching denim jean jacket was a good movie outfit. She wondered what the new girl Lila was like. What's so special about her that Pacey wants to go out with her? Joey angrily thought. Wait a minute, she said in her mind, am I jealous? No, I'm just concerned about my friend.

She nodded, satisfied with her reason, and began for the door. Then, thinking quickly, came back in and rummaged through her dresser for the lipstick her sister had given her, Wicked Red, and some shimmery blue eyeshadow and applied both.

"Why am I doing this?" she wondered aloud, "I know, I wanna look good for Pacey-I-I mean Dawson. What is wrong with me?" She shook her head as if to clear it and went out.

Pacey looked in the mirror for the tenth time in the last five minutes and wondered if his baggy pants and too large T-shirt was right for tonight. He really wanted to impress Lila. He had a fifteen more minutes until he had to pick Lila up and she lived fairly close so he combed his hair a little more and smiled at his image in the mirror.

"Well, look at the stud!" his brother, Doug, barged in without knocking. Pacey dropped his smile and turned to his deputy brother.

"What do ya want, Doug?"

"Can't I just come in to see my little brother?" Doug's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Actually, I came in to make sure you weren't jerking off. There are no cheerleaders here, but then again you being Pacey...."

Pacey widened his eyes. "Who told you about that?"

"You'd be surprised at how quickly word gets out in this town. Especially if you smile charmingly at Abby Morgan," Doug smirked. Pacey dropped his head. What would happen if Lila found out. "Have fun tonight. Don't get too messy." He left the room laughing.

Dawson came out of his house and saw Joey tying her boat up. He smiled to himself and waved to her. She ran upto him and gave him a kiss.

"Ready?" she asked him. He nodded and they began to walk to the Rialto. "What's Lila like?"

Dawson shrugged uncomfortably, remembering how he had been attracted to her when he had seen her talking to Pacey. He hadn't even thought of Joey. But now that his long time best friend and now girlfriend was next to him he realized he would never love anyone else. Had he just said love?

"Dawson?" Joey broke him out of his daydream.

"Oh, she's OK. Nice. Didn't really have a chance to get to know her. Look, there's Jen and and Cliff," Dawson pointed to the front of the theater. Joey looked up and rolled her eyes. She sensed Jen still liked Dawson and wondered how far she would go to get him back. Joey was determined to keep them apart.

"Hey, guys," Jen greeted them politely.

A few minutes later Pacey showed up, Lila next to him. They were laughing about something. After introductions were made they got tickets and snacks and entered the theater. There was a whole row free in the middle and they decided to sit there. Cliff went first, followed by Jen, then Lila, and Pacey after her. Dawson started to go, but Joey knudged him in the ribs with her elbow.

"Haven't you ever heard of the term 'ladies first'?"

Dawson raised his eyebrows at her. "I didn't know you went by that, what do you call it? 'Romantic crap'." He smiled, but bowed his head and gestured to the seat he was about to sit in. "Your seat, m'lady." She glared at him as she took the seat.

Joey really was happy. Dawson and Jen were an acceptable distance apart and she was next to Pacey. Wait, why am I happy I'm next to Pacey? she asked herself and sighed. Lately she had been having a lot of discussions with herself. I have to get a diary, Joey thought.

"So Lila, where you from?" she heard Jen ask and leaned forward to hear Lila's answer.

"California. San Francisco," she specified.

"Did you like it?" Jen asked quickly.

Lila nodded. "It was great. I grew up there, I was born there. I mean, don't get me wrong, Capeside seems real nice, but it's not home to me. Yet," she added quickly when she saw Pacey's face drop. He brightened.

Jen was going to ask another question, but the lights dimmed and the previews started. Joey popped a kernel of popcorn in her mouth and glanced at Pacey. She saw his arm slide around Lila's shoulders and started choking on her popcorn. Pacey looked at her quickly.

"Joe, you okay?" Pacey asked her, patting her back softly. Joey nodded and took a sip of the coke Dawson offered her.

"Wrong pipe," she managed between coughs. Pacey nodded, giving her a strange look as he turned back to the movie. For the rest of the previews and the beginning of the movie she kept on glancing at Pacey and Lila. When Pacey didn't try to make another move on her, Joey relaxed and turned her attention on the movie.

Pacey couldn't concentrate on the movie. He thought taking Lila out would be a way to get over Joey, but still he could think of only her. He wanted to be Dawson; to be the one holding her hand and whispering something in her ear even though Joey didn't seem to be paying attention to him. It was even harder for Pacey since she was sitting right next to him.

He was upset for another reason as well. He had taken a nice girl like Lila out and now her night would be ruined as well. He knew she could tell something was wrong. The way she would look at him after something funny or gruesome happened, looking for a reaction from him, but never getting one.

Finally the movie ended and everyone agreed on going to the Icehouse for something to eat.

"We can get discounts," Joey said, leading the way. "My sister and her boyfriend own the restaraunt and I work there so they do owe me something."

"That's cool," Lila smiled.

Joey had to admit, Lila was really nice. Even though at the beginning she disliked her for some strange reason, she was fine with her now. But there was this weird feeling inside Joey whenever she saw Pacey holding her hand. She had to turn away or give her attention back to Dawson.

But even Dawson was very interested in Lila. Ever since they left the theater he had been talking to her non-stop, Jen acting the same way. Her answers got even Cliff's attention.

"Got any hobbies?" Jen asked.

Lila shrugged. "I like volleyball and tennis. We had this great tennis court at my old school and every year there used to be a tournament. I made second place twice and first once."

"That's great," Pacey beamed. "My date's a tennis pro." Lila got red with embarassement.

"Hardly. It's just the rest of the people who entered sucked." Joey rolled her eyes at Lila's modesty. Pacey saw her and narrowed his eyes at her. Joey just shrugged and turned away. She was starting to dislike Lila again for no reason whatsoever.

Dawson couldn't help but be attracted to Lila. Even though Joey was great, there was something about Lila that got to him. He tried not to show it much, but after the movie he couldn't stop talking to her. Fortunately Jen was asking just as many questions, so everyone thought him only curious.

At the Icehouse Pacey and Dawson pushed two tables together so there would be enough seats. Dawson was ecstatic when he ended up sitting next to Lila, but worked very hard on not showing it. He turned to Joey, who was on his left between him and Jen.

"So, what are you gonna have?"

Joey shrugged. "Anything, I'm starving. Oh no, here comes Bessie. Hide me."

Dawson looked and saw Joey's older sister heading their way. "So what? She's not a monster."

Joey just shook her head and tried to hide her face with a menu.

"Joey!" Bessie exclaimed, her voice full of false sweetness.

"Hi, Bessie. You know Jen, right? This is Cliff and that's...Lila," Joey's voice got cold at Lila's name.

"Hi," Bessie said to the rest of the group, then leaned down to Joey. "I need a favor. This place is packed, Bodie went to Province for some supplies, and the waitresses are swamped. Can you please, please watch Alex? You are his favorite aunt."

Joey sighed. She knew Bessie was gonna ask her that. "I'm his only aunt and no. I'm here with my friends, not to baby-sit, not to work, but to have fun."

"Please, Joey?" Bessie was begging now.

"Come on, Joey," Dawson broke in, hearing what Bessie was asking Joey to do, "Alex is cute, and I'll help you with him."

"Great," Bessie cried, not waiting for Joeys answer. "Thanks, Dawson, I'll bring him right over."

"Yeah, thanks a lot, Dawson," Joey glared at him.

"For what?" Lila asked, overhearing Joey's last comment.

Dawson turned back to her. "Oh, I'm gonna help Joey look after her baby nephew, Alex."

"I love babies! I can help if you want."

Dawson nodded eagerly at Lila's request, but Joey broke in.

"It's ok, Dawson wanted to help, and he will. Only him," Joey shot her boyfriend a dirty look. He smiled sheepishly. Bessie came back with Alex and handed him to Joey, who immediately handed him to Dawson. Bessie also handed Dawson a bag filled with bottles and toys.

"Give him a bottle now and then let him chew on one of his softer toys while rocking him. When he falls asleep bring him to me and I'll put him in his car seat," Bessie said before rushing off.

Lila squealed when she saw Alex. "He's so precious. Can I hold him?" Dawson handed him to her and she hugged him, a sad look in her eyes. "I love babies. You're so lucky, Joey."

Joey gave a false smile. "Yeah, try living with him and hearing him screaming at seven in the morning when he was keeping you awak 'till three the night before. And constantly having to take care of him. Want me to go on?"

Dawson laughed. "Yeah, Joey's convinced he's Rosemary's baby."

"I don't care. I would put up with it all just to...so, when are we gonna order?" Lila changed the subject, giving Alex back to Dawson.

"Right now. There's Sarah," Pacey pointed to the waitress rushing over to them. She took everyones order and and they continued asking Lila questions.

"Why'd you move?" Cliff asked, finally speaking to someone besides Jen.

Lila looked down. "Oh, um...my dad got a new job," she mumbled quickly. "So, are all you guys from Capeside originally?"

Jen shook her head. "Nope, I moved here a few months ago from New York. I thought I was gonna hate it here, but you'll be surprised how quickly you get used to it."

The rest of the evening was spent with laughter and fun. Finally Cliff and Jen announced they were leaving and then Dawson said he had to go. Joey was going to stay and wait untill Bessie was ready to leave.

"I think I'll stay, too," Pacey declared, "I'm in no rush to get home."

"What about you, Lila?" Dawson asked.

"I'll go," she replied, "I'm tired. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Want me to take you home?" Pacey asked, starting to get up.

Lila shook her head. "No, it's OK. Uh," she looked around and her eyes landed on Dawson, "Dawson can take me home. Can't you, Dawson?"

Dawson nodded eagerly at Lila who smiled in return at him. She kissed Pacey on the cheek and waved bye to Joey who stood up, a sleeping Alex in her hands. Dawson kissed Joey good bye and she promised she would come to see him the next day.

"Here, let me help you with Alex," Pacey said after Lila and Dawson had gone. He moved over next to Joey and she put Alex in his arms.

"Thanks," she muttered. "So, you really like Lila, huh?"

"Yeah, she's a great girl."

They both sat down, next to each other and Pacey rocked Alex. He laughed.

"What?" Joey eyed him.

"I was just remembering the night you got drunk. And I had to punch that greasy guy out 'cause he was about to get a little too close to you. Well after we brought you home I went to Alex's room to calm him down and I was doing this imitation, a pretty cheesy imitation, of The English Patient. It actually calmed him down."

"Wait a minute, you punched him out? I thought Dawson punched him out."

Pacey smiled. "Nope, I'm the macho man that saved your drunken ass. Y'know, you never did thank me."

Joey rolled her eyes. "Oh, Mighty Pacey, I'm ever so grateful for your protection of me, the weak damsel in distress," Joey said in a fake voice.

"If memory serves me right, you're not so weak. Didn't you get detention that Saturday for slugging Grant Bodine?"

"Yeah, well he had it coming to him," Joey shrugged uncomfortably, suddenly embarassed about that. "I'm still calming down from the shock of why you were there."

Pacey got red at the thought. "Yeah, well Doug found out. Consider me his slave for the next lifetime if I don't want it to slip out of his mouth."

"Oh, Pace, I'm sorry. Want me to slug Doug for you? I always wanted to."

"Nah. Thanks for the offer, but knowing Doug he'd have you arrested for assault. I'll live. Maybe not happily, but I'll live. I have to get home though, make sure Doug didn't tell dad. Then I'd be really dead, having to listen to his 'You're A Failure And An Embarrasment To Me' speech."

Joey nodded, taking Alex from Pacey. "Good luck. Stop by tomorrow on your break and tell me how it works out."

Pacey walked away, then turned back and saw Joey walking towards Bessie with Alex. He smiled to himself, turned around, and began to walk away.

Dawson and Lila walked down the street, each in their own seperate thoughts.

"Did you have a fun time tonight?" Dawson asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I did. Everyone is really nice, especially Jen. Cliff seemed like he didn't belong though."

Dawson smirked. "Well, he's not part of our usual group if you know what I mean. He's a quarterback, automatically making him one of the popular people. I guess he thinks he's too good for us."

"Yeah, but besides that it was a good night. Except all that tension. It must be hard having an ex-girlfriend in the crowd."

"It is," Dawson said, thinking she was talking about him and Jen. "I'm surprised you noticed, I don't think it showed that much."

"It's hard not to notice. I mean the way she kept a close eye on me and Pacey and the fact that she was sending daggers with her eyes at me. How long were Joey and Pacey going out?" Lila asked innocently.

"About 2....wait, Pacey and Joey?" Dawson laughed, "Pacey and Joey never went out. They despise each other."

"Really? God, I feel like such a fool," Lila looked down, then back at Dawson, "Who did you think I was talking about?"

"Oh, me and Jen. We used to be a couple. Before her annoying ex-boyfriend from New York came and screwed things up. But now I'm with Joey and I couldn't be happier."

"Hmmm...maybe this town isn't as boring as I first thought it was going to be." Dawson laughed at Lila's statement.

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Look for other parts. I luv feedback so send some to me at hzeleyes23@aol.com. But I have to warn you, if you send me something that is nasty and degrading I will not bother to respond. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but don't curse at me. If you can give me some healthy criticism I'll try to improve whatever you feel needs to be improved.