Wish You Were Here
Part Two in the Series
by: Theresa G.

Background: Dawson and Joey are technically going out now, Joey has decided to go to France, and we realize Pacey is in love with her.
Disclaimer: DC and its characters are not mine, they belong to Kevin Williamson, WB, or whoever. Send comments/feedback to Peace126@aol.com.



Dear Joey,

Hey, it's Pacey! Yes, I know, don't get too excited. Anyway, I had pretty much nothing else to do, so I figured I'd send off a letter, updating you on the latest Capeside happenings. Turns out Cliff and Jen are going out again, Dawson seems OK with it. Of course, now that he has you, I can't see how he'd want Jen anyway. I'm taking on some extra jobs and saving up to get an apartment of my own, finally. All that Barbara Streisand coming from Dougie's room can scar a kid, ya know?

Anyway, how's France? We all miss you, even me. Dawson is completely lost without you, but I can't say I blame him. Nope, I pretty much blame YOU for turning my best friend into a zombie. Just kidding. Anyway, I'm not really one for letters, so I'll stop this one. Write back, though, I want to know how you're doing.

Pacey

Pacey,

Thanks for the letter, I never knew you could read and write. Seriously, though, Cliff and Jen? Perfect for each other, really. France is beautiful, I love it here. Of course, I do miss Capeside, because over there I can at least understand what people are saying. My host family is really nice, and they've made me pretty comfortable here, so it's not too bad. Studying is going well, too.

So I've turned Dawson into mush? That's probably the best compliment I've ever received. I really miss him, and I can't wait to see him when I get back. I miss you, too, I can't really trade insults with anyone around here. Have you found an apartment yet? We could all hang out there, without parental supervision, perfect for me and Dawson. :) Write back, I enjoy reading something in my own language. Dawson decided that we shouldn't write to each other, more romantic that way. He's so stuck in the movies.
Au revoir,

Jo

P.S. - What you said about how he couldn't possibly want Jen, now that he has me? Thanks, Pacey, you don't know how much that means to me.

(Some letters in the middle here that are friendly)

Dear Joey,

Yes, I have finally moved out of the Witter household! The apartment isn't much to look at, but it's mine. And hey, we could spend a lot of fun nights here, if you know what I mean. It was a joke, Joey!

Seriously, though, Jo, I think the best way to tell you this is in a letter, this way you can't injure me. Don't worry, it's nothing bad about Dawson. I don't even know why I'm telling you this, but I need to. I've been thinking a lot about that night at the carnival, and afterwards. It caught me pretty much off-guard, and I'm sure I caught you off-guard, too, when I kissed you. Things have been sort of weird since then, so I just kinda want to know where we stand with each other. I would really like it if we could go back to they way we were even before that, when we were really good friends, before we started to drift apart. Alright, enough sappy stuff, just tell me what you think.

Love, Pacey

Dear Pacey,

I don't really know what you want me to say. I don't know what I want to say. Things have definitely been weird, ever since that night. We can be friends again, Pacey, I would like that. I've considered you a good friend my whole life, even though I never really show it. I'm going to try not to get the wrong idea from your letter, because I don't know what you're trying to tell me, but I love Dawson. I've loved Dawson my whole life, it's almost a habit to me now.

Pacey, I care about you a lot, and I don't want to ruin our friendship because of what I have with Dawson now. Here's a picture for you, it's of you and me that day we went to the park with my mother, and we both got lost, remember? Just to show you that I'm still your friend, as always.

Love, Joey

Dear Joey,

Thanks for the picture, I love it. I remember that day, it was one of my favorites. Just you, me, and no cares in the world.

I know that you love Dawson, and I don't know what I was really trying to say in that other letter, so don't worry about it. But hey, if you and Dawson don't work out, I'll be here for you, Jo. Although, it'll probably work out, everyone knows you two are the couple that was "meant to be together." But don't let everyone else decide for you. I'm a firm believer that sometimes it's right to do the wrong thing.

Just remember that somebody's thinking about you, Jo, and it's not just Dawson.

Yours, Pacey

P.S. - Is loving Dawson just a habit now?

Dear Pacey,

I hate formalities, so I'm just going to say what I feel here, no inhibitions. There was some heavy hinting in that last letter, and I don't know exactly how to deal with that. Pacey, I know that you care about me, and that night at the carnival, I realized that I do care about you, too. I've always thought that Dawson was what I wanted, and I still pretty much do, but I'm really confused now. I've started to wait for your letters, because I know there will always be something great in them that I'll read over and over. I love hearing from you, but I just don't know what it means yet.

With love, Joey

P.S. - Can I have the picture back? I know I gave it to you, but I'd really like to have it now. Memories.

Dear Joey,

Here is your picture back. Don't worry about it, I've saved all the ones of us together.

I could write to you and lie about Dawson, tell you he doesn't love you, or he's cheating on you, and try to get you all to myself, but I won't. He loves you, and if you're happy with him, I would never interfere with your happiness. And I feel horrible doing this behind his back, even though I'm not even really doing anything. So, no inhibitions, Jo. If you can, call me when you get this letter. Please, Jo, I want to talk to you.

Always, Pacey


Joey put the letter down and wiped the tear from her cheek. Even though it would probably be early in the morning in Capeside, she couldn't wait to call Pacey. She asked her host family, promising she wouldn't stay on for very long, and that she would pay for it. They agreed to let her call and she went into her room.

"Hello?" a sleepy Pacey answered.

"Pacey, it's me, Joey," she said quietly.

"Hey!" he suddenly woke up. "Hi, how are you?"

"I'm OK," she said, still in a soft voice. "You?"

"OK. Why are you whispering?" he said, even though he was talking kind of low himself.

"Guilty conscience, I guess."

"You shouldn't feel guilty, Jo, I should. I've pretty much pressured you into dealing with this whole situation, and I'm sorry, but I needed..."

"Pacey?" Joey interrupted him.

"Yeah?"

"Be quiet." They both laughed softly.

"So now what, Jo? What are we doing?" Pacey asked nervously.

"I really don't know, Pacey, I'm still so confused. All of a sudden, there are all these new feelings, and I don't know how to react," Joey rambled. Pacey was silent for a moment, waiting to see if she was done.

"I wish you were here, Jo."

"I wish you were here, too, Pace," she smiled. "Never thought I'd say that."

Pacey felt a pang in his heart, but tried not to let it show. "I can't do this on the phone. When are you coming back?"

"2 days."

"Can I meet you at the airport?"

"Sure, I'd like that," she smiled. She gave him the flight information, and then got worried. "You know, Pace, Dawson's going to be there to greet me, too...."

"Hey, if he wasn't, I'd beat him up for being so stupid as to not want to see you the first chance he got."

A tear escaped and trickled down Joey's cheek. "Thanks, Pacey. I should go, I promised I wouldn't stay on too long."

"Sure, Jo, I understand."

"So I'll see you in 2 days, I guess."

"Yep. Bye, Jo." Pacey paused for a moment, then said something that was just barely audible, and hung up.

Joey just stared at the phone in disbelief. "He said he loved me." And she cried.




To Be Continued