Half Asleep
Chapter 5 - Reality Check
It was a quiet afternoon at Hell’s Kitchen. Only three tables had customers. Emma watched as Joey served one of them. There was no evidence of Pacey following her advice so she decided to jumpstart the process.
When Joey returned to the counter, Emma made her move. “So how are the newlyweds?”
“Huh?” She knew Emma was aware that Eddie was no longer in town.
“You know, you and my stockbroker roommate christening areas. The office, your bedroom…”
Joey’s eyes widened, wondering what Emma could possibly be talking about. “Pacey?” she sputtered. “There’s been nothing between us for the past year and a half. Why…where did you get that information?”
“Hmmm.” Emma scrunched her forehead. Joey wasn’t putting on an act here. Pacey specifically said there had been some action, which would clearly mean more than what Joey knew. She said ruefully, “I may have misinterpreted our last conversation. It was rather cryptic, so that is possible.”
“Cryptic, eh?” Joey sat down on a stool. “That’s actually a pretty good way to describe the message he left on my answering machine the other night. Maybe he’s talking in tongues.”
“Could be.” But just as sudden, a thought popped in Emma’s head and she gasped. Joey is the third party!
Joey tried to figure out what Emma knew. “You suddenly deciphered your talk?”
“You two need to chat.” That was, after all, the advice she gave Pacey in the first place. Now, the question was, who the hell was Pacey hooking up with and why would Joey be connected? It wasn’t Audrey, as she was still in a foul, alcohol-induced mood.
“We do?” Joey replied doubtfully. “About what?”
“He…he was probably was trying to avoid a topic that desperately needs discussing. Pacey wanted my advice but didn’t want me to know specifics. Maybe it was about you.” Emma smiled internally, realizing she was safe. No information had been leaked and he did need to talk to Joey about her third party status in his life.
Joey considered that, Emma thankful that this was being accepted. “I guess you’re right. It has been awhile since we talked. Ever since he and Audrey broke up, I guess I haven’t been all that involved in his life. Or, unfortunately, Audrey’s either and look where that’s gotten her.”
“Well, unlike Audrey, he’s not drinking so it should be easier.”
* * * * *
After work, Joey followed Emma back to the apartment. Joey didn’t know what she was being led into and that worried her. With Pacey, it could be anything from taking a job overseas to knocking out Dawson to still being in love with her… Not that she wanted that last one, not while trying to make amends with Audrey. Right, Jo, like you don’t still think about him on occasion as well.
This wasn’t the same thing. Right now, she was waiting for Eddie to stop hiding from her. Having Pacey involved just made everything ten times worse. It was bad enough Eddie had faced the Dawson side of this particular triangle from the past – at least he didn’t know about the Pacey side.
When they approached the apartment building, Joey took a glance at the parking lot. No BMW. She briefly thought that as good news, before realizing there was a good chance Pacey’s car was still being fixed after Audrey’s last little bender.
Emma fished for her keys, entering the building. “So, if Pacey is here, I will be sure to disappear to my bedroom.”
Joey nodded, not really listening to her words, just the entrance then apartment locks turning. When they entered, she was relieved to see Jack on the couch, watching TV.
“Have you seen Pacey?” Emma asked.
“Nope,” he replied stoically, fixing his eyes back on the TV. “Probably still at work.”
Both ladies accepted that answer, then determinedly headed for the couch, sitting on either side of Jack. There was no point in trying to watch any more of this rerun he didn’t give a damn about so he shut off the TV. Emma tapped his thigh playfully. “You are such a sweetheart.”
Joey added, “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a loyal friend?” as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Jack glanced from the crazy brunette on one side to the crazy brunette with the pink streaks on the other. “What do you want?”
Joey feigned surprise. “Now why would you think we want something? I just think you’re the most wonderfullest person who wouldn’t leave his friends hanging.”
“Dial it back a little, love,” Emma scolded, then said to Jack, “We just thought there was a chance that if anybody had some insight into our little dilemma, it would be you.”
Jack sat up. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do. Go ahead.”
“Thank you,” Emma said. “Now, our roommate Mr. Witter has been out of character lately.”
“The business suit isn’t the only issue any longer,” Joey pointed out. “He’s leaving strange messages on my machine, wanting to talk about his love life, I think.”
Emma continued, “See, there’s a new lady in his life. I’m pretty sure it’s a new lady, definitely not Audrey, anyway. The whole thing sounds so damn mysterious. I gathered that he’s crazy about her. I know his much because he told me so. But there’s some excess baggage.”
Joey added, “That would, I hope, be where I come in. Now, I don’t know what he could possibly need to talk to me about. Maybe he loves two people at the same time, although I hope I’m wrong there.”
“I don’t think he ever stopped loving you,” Emma told Joey. “Though maybe not in the same way.”
Jack tried not to react to Emma’s news. Pacey had been asking for advice about…no, this was not a given. Pacey had clearly pushed David back into his life, which wouldn’t make sense if that were the way he felt. Still, until there was actual confirmation or denial, Jack figured he should enjoy the momentary bliss. “So you’re asking if I have any insight into his odd behavior?”
Joey replied, “Basically, yeah.”
“Sorry, I don’t know.” Why would Joey care so much about this? Even if Pacey was still in love with her, she had Eddie. It wasn’t reciprocated, right?
“Since Eddie split, I’d like to figure this out now.”
Damn you, Joey, for not even allowing that doubt to be forgotten. So there was no more Eddie. Just great.
“I’m hoping he’s looking for closure,” Joey continued. “I don’t know if I could handle anything further from him at this point.”
Jack got up from the couch. “I wish I could help you, but this is between you and Pacey.”
Joey accepted that answer, giving an apologetic smile. “Can’t say I didn’t try.”
* * * * *
Jack sat at the desk in his room, textbook and notebook in front of him as he tried to concentrate on homework but not succeeding. Joey was still there in the apartment and the idea was making him uncomfortable. Any minute, the door would open and Pacey would be home. They would have a talk, probably one in which Pacey avoided at least part of the truth. Pacey had, after all, already done so with Emma and there was nothing to lose in telling her.
The fact was that Pacey had said enough for Emma to infer that he was at least serious about their problem. Guess that was a positive step, but should he even care what Pacey thought?
He was interrupted from this train of thought as Emma barged into Jack’s room, sitting on the floor to listen to their conversation. “Damn it, you can’t hear a fucking thing from here.” She cracked the door open, whispering, “That’s better.”
Jack chuckled as he watched his nosy roommate at the door. He didn’t really want to know what was said. Even if Pacey said what he wanted to hear, it would include other segments he was sure were better left between Pacey and Joey.
So Pacey still fantasized about Joey. It meant little as long as Joey wasn’t single. It wasn’t as if she’d been sending mixed signals. She was happy for Audrey when she was dating him, when she had the opportunity to end that relationship before it started.
He was surprised to hear the latch catch and Emma watching him. “What?”
“It’s coming together now.” She paced around the room. “I’ve been trying to figure out who in Pacey’s life could possibly be intertwined with Joey. Audrey’s still a mess, which leaves two prospects. Either one would imply that you just lied to Joey.”
“It could be you,” Jack replied weakly.
“Uh huh. Except not. Now, option one is Jen. I could see Pacey and Jen having a fling. He is crazy about her as a friend, going so far as punching out C.J.”
“That was more about Audrey than Jen,” Jack pointed out, not sure what that had to do with anything.
Emma sat on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs Indian-style. “True but I could see that gesture being interpreted as more.”
“Can’t say I lied to Joey about that, given I can’t imagine anything between those two,” he grumbled. This wasn’t what Emma wanted to talk about, Jack was sure of that.
As he predicted, Emma waved off the thought. “I’m glad to hear that, given the second option is a little more interesting. Ready to hear it?”
“I think this game interests you more,” Jack replied in a bored tone, hoping to deflect any sound of guilt.
Emma watched Jack seem exorbitantly interested in schoolwork. She had noticed that the two roommates had been acting strange around each other for weeks. “I seriously doubt that, since you’re the other person in Pacey’s romantic life.”
Jack faked a laugh. “Wow, that’s bizarre, since I am in a relationship with someone who is clearly not Pacey.”
“I’m aware of that. I also know that you barely talk about David, so there can’t be that much of a relationship to hide behind. So was there something before or after I threw you two in this room the day of my party?”
“Nothing before or after,” Jack replied dismissively.
“You can’t hold out on me. There is definitely a good story being withheld.”
“I guess you’ll have to keep eavesdropping to find out if your theory is accurate,” he snapped back harshly.
“I don’t have to do that.” She stood up, strolling over to the desk. “You should care about the conversation on the other side of this door, but yet you claim you don’t. I care and it doesn’t even pertain to me!”
Jack offered, “You should get help for that.”
She slammed the textbook shut, almost catching his finger in the process. “Is this connected to Pacey talking about Joey in his sleep?”
Jack initially considered not answering that but Emma had already asked that question before. Back then, he had sort of confirmed it. If he kept the responses directed at Pacey’s continued attraction to Joey, he should be safe. “Probably so.”
“Okay then. Finally an answer I can work with.” She sat down on the desk, forcing him to face her. “Now, I am sure that there is something between you two. Whether it’s a romance or unrequited love, it’s clearly not nothing.”
“It doesn’t matter what is happening on my side. This really is between the people in the living room. My role is as the outsider to that, same as yours.”
Emma tilted her head, not sure how much was true. She tapped her chin with her forefinger. “Let’s see. Who is the bigger fool in this flat?”
Jack furrowed his brow, getting more irritated with the topic. “Oh come on, Emma. I am not waiting around for Pacey to figure out what he wants.”
She had to ask, “If that’s the case, why are you still here?”
“Because I don’t care what he does with his life,” he replied stubbornly. “He needs to figure out what to do with Joey. Nothing else can happen until he resolves his feelings for her.”
Just because she was having trouble getting Jack to confess to any kind of relationship didn’t mean she couldn’t get some information. “So you admit, at least for you, there was at some point something beyond friendly feelings for Pacey.”
Jack shrugged. “I suppose I did. Then again, I’m not the only person in this room who has felt that way.”
Emma conceded, “True. I just asked to make sure you were human. Now…”
The main door closing interrupted her. Emma glanced at the bedroom door, then to Jack. Both stood up, darting for the living room. Nobody else was there.
Emma called out, “Pacey? Joey?” as she headed for Pacey’s bedroom. The door was open, nobody in there either. She headed for the couch, sitting on the arm “What now?” Emma wondered aloud.
Jack looked around the room. Nothing out of place from before. There didn’t seem to be a heated discussion, or else they would have heard some of it. He could surmise they went for a walk to talk about this, rather than deal with the apartment. Yeah, this wouldn’t be good news, at least from his perspective. “I’m not.” Jack went for his jacket. “I have better things to do than wait for him.”
Chapter 6 - Trip
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