RadioStation
Part 2 - Sleepy Town
Pacey entered the Capeside office. He observed how different this building looked from the New York office. Some differences were obvious, such as the fact there were only two floors here and no security guards checking for id. Others are more subtle, like the fact that there weren’t any people racing in and out of the office.
As soon as he set foot in the radio station, however, it felt like he’d been transported back in time six months. Andie McPhee bounced up and raced over to greet him. "Pacey, welcome back!"
Pacey realized he'd never been so happy to hear Andie's screech in his life. His eyes wandered around the office, which was set up remarkably similar to the inside of WNYX station. Guess Mitch hired the same decorators so he wouldn't feel out of place.
"This place looks exactly like the other office. Uh, would you be able to tell me where Joey is?"
"You mean, my boss?" Andie giggled, "That is so weird to say." Pacey heard a phone ringing in the distance, Andie still standing there.
Pacey interrupted, "Aren't you supposed to answer that? You are still the receptionist, correct?"
Andie replied, "Don't worry, it's taken care of." Phone kept ringing.
Pacey sighed. Why should Andie be any different here? It was known that she was only interested in working in New York because of her student loan mess and possibly attending Columbia later. Moving to Capeside was probably meant to prolong that situation. Why would anyone would be willing to return to this small town was still a mystery to him.
Pacey regrouped, " Your boss? I thought Joey was in charge of the newspaper and you worked for the radio station."
Andie gestured wildly with her hands as she explained, "When we first arrived, Mitch, er.. Mr. Leery, fired the News Director because of a difference in opinion. Joey took over that duty temporarily because Mr. Leery assured her that you'd come to your senses and join us."
Pacey exclaimed, "That was four months ago! He's insane."
"That's a discussion for another day and time. Speaking of insanity, where's the son? I thought Dawson was coming with you. Jen and I prepared for his arrival."
"Child-proofing the place?" Pacey asked. Andie nodded in agreement. "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you. Or wait, was that the thud I heard on the highway?"
Andie's expression changed to complete horror. "Paaa-cey!"
He chuckled, "Relax, McPhee. He's in the men's room. I refused to stop on the trip up here."
Andie punched him in the arm for the highway comment, then thoughts about the actual reason and hit him again. "That was plain cruel."
After taking a few moments to regain her composure, she added, "Joey doesn't really notice the extra work, given her current state of mind."
Pacey peered at her, confused, "What are you talking about?"
"She is going through a rough time. Don't you two talk?"
He was dreading asking the question, "Does it involve her husband?"
Andie covered Pacey's mouth with her hands, "Shhh. None of the Capeside people even know she's married."
Pacey removed Andie's hand and stared at her, "What?" Andie placed one finger to her mouth. Pacey whispered, "What?"
Andie turned her head around, making sure nobody's paying attention, "Right after we left New York, Drue, er Mr. Valentine, became a larger threat to Mr. Leery's empire. Very long story condensed, the story leaks out that he was using Joey for supposed 'insider info'. Joey confronts him where the guy basically admits to it, the diabolical slimeball that he is. She packs her belongings and shacks up at Jen's house."
Pacey couldn't believe what Andie was saying. He sputtered out, "So, what's she planning to do, file for divorce?"
"Actually, she found a loophole to try to declare an annulment."
He took a deep breath, "That must be awful for her."
Andie grinned, "Can it, Witter. You're cheering on the inside and you can't wait to celebrate." Pacey tried to protest but she added, "Everyone else knows how serious you two were, in case you suddenly forget."
"ANDIE! Get your ass in here right now!" Pacey perked up at the sound of the very familiar Potter yell.
"I believe that's your cue. You know, I think Joey is much better as a reporter, don't you?" Her voice trailed off as she noticed Pacey heading toward her office. Andie was unable to hold back a smile.
* * * * *
Pacey walked into Joey's office. She was sitting behind her desk while the guy in the chair across from her was writing something down in his notepad.
How could I have gone four months without seeing her?
As soon as Pacey set foot in the office, Joey barked out, "Call the mayor and notify me immediately when you get him. If he doesn't, the article will be printed as is. Politics needs a swift kick in the ass in this no-name town."
She looked like she'd been spending her nights at the office. Her eyes appeared slightly heavy and the bun in her hair was barely held together by a strategically placed pencil. It was clear she was trying to forget whatever had happened in her personal life. Damn, she's the most beautiful person I've seen since she left New York.
"I'm sure that will happen as long as you're in charge."
* * * * *
Joey glanced up and was surprised to see him.
Pacey Witter, the reason why she left New York.
Sure, the promotion sounded wonderful, but she could see how devastated he was when she walked down the aisle at the wedding. Of course, she knew. It was just easier blocking out that she knew.
Besides, Drue seemed perfect.
So much for those damn rose-colored glasses Dawson's always viewing the world through.
"Pacey! It's so good to see you again." She shot up from her desk, wanting to give him a hug. She restrained herself just in time and settled for a handshake.
She stepped back and gives Pacey the once-over. He looked worn-out for reasons other than spending several hours in a car with Dawson. He's probably been working himself too hard, as per usual. Dammit, Pacey and his little phrases stuck in my head.
* * * * *
Pacey grinned, "You look great, Jo. Sorry to scare you.."
She shook her head, "No, don't worry about it. I shouldn't expect Andie to have come right away."
He chuckled, "Yeah, it's nice to know that she's just as motivated to work here as she was in New York. She would've been talking to me for hours if she could avoid doing her job."
Joey looked slightly uncomfortable by the remark. Pacey spotted the guy in the chair trying to figure out a way to get out of the office.
"Um, I don't think you've met my new assistant. Pacey Witter, this is Jack McPhee. Pacey is the news director from the New York office."
Jack turned around and shook hands with Pacey.
Pacey went into apologetic mode, "Sorry about that. That was probably not the best introduction."
Jack held his hand up, "Don't worry about it."
Joey chimed in, "Don't think this doesn't work both ways. I've bashed you just as often." Turning to Jack, "We'll deal with the rest of the layout issues later on." Jack nodded then hastily exited the office.
As soon as the door was closed, Pacey couldn't resist retorting, "Another McPhee? Isn't one enough?"
Joey smiled, "I find this one is much easier to deal with. Plus, Andie will be heading to law school in a couple of months, which should mean that this place will be running much smoother."
He replied, "Don't be so sure about that. If everything works well this weekend, Dawson may be staying here."
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah right, Witter. Mitch Leery is in town and I'm certain he won't let him stay around."
"I've said the same thing, but I just can't seem to get rid of him. It's his turn now." Pacey wiped his hands together.
* * * * *
"Have they been pushing you to move here?"
"Well, yeah, but I'm not surprised by that."
"You know, in all seriousness, Mitch would actually be okay with Dawson staying under the condition that you move here." Joey pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Pacey tilted his head, "The only reason you're saying that is because you're wearing yourself down with both offices."
Joey gave him a lopsided grin, "That's partially true. Actually, we all miss you. Mitch knows you're the best guy for the job."
"What about his enterprise in New York?"
"It's very easy to find replacements in the city. Think about how difficult it is to convince prospective bosses to travel to Capeside. It's not close enough to Boston to interest anyone. So," Joey hesitated before asking, "Do you miss us?"
Pacey chuckled, "You couldn't figure out a better way to ask me?"
"Actually, I wanted to hold a staff meeting, convincing everyone to tell you that I do a lousy job at organizing a radio station. But then I realized that I don't want to put thoughts in their heads."
He remembered, "Well, you're already too late with Andie." Pacey got up and gave her a quick hug, "I do miss you guys."
Joey backed away and smirked, "Dawson's not your idea of adequate companionship?"
Pacey gave her a quick glance, which cracked Joey up. He answered, "No, I don't think so. It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't show up at my apartment at all hours of the night just to be certain I'm not dying from loneliness. Surprisingly, he's not even the worst part."
Joey's mouth dropped as she pretended to collapse on her desk, "Was that a non-insult about Dawson that just crossed your lips?" Pacey threw his hands up in the air in defeat. Joey sat up on the desk. "I'd like to hear this. What's worse than that?"
"The rest of the staff."
Joey snickered then surprised Pacey, "Have you been making eyes at my replacement?"
Pacey shot her an are-you-kidding look, "Your replacement, Lisa Miller, is a complete bitch who is obsessed with every little detail."
She laughed, "I thought I was the bitch obsessed with every little detail."
"No comment. I recall that word has gotten me in a great deal of trouble. Both personally and professionally." He reclined in the chair across from Joey's desk.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," she considered, "Well, at least you learned your lesson well." Pacey nodded in agreement. Joey stood up from the desktop and walked back to her chair.
Pacey scratched his head, thinking of a way to ask the more important questions, then changed his mind, "Andie mentioned that you've been running yourself down handling both businesses."
"Yeah, I'm sure she told you everything she could possibly say in five minutes. She told you about the annulment, didn't she?"
Pacey feigned innocence, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Joey pointed out, "You're not the best liar, Witter."
"She may have let it slip out. By accident, of course."
She smirked, "Accident my ass. This is Andie McPhee we're talking about."
He nodded quickly, "Point taken. Whatever the case, I'm sorry."
Joey stood up and headed for the window, "No, you're not. Hell, I'm not even sure I'm sorry about it. I don't think I ever loved Drue."
"Um, Potter, this may sound incredibly naive but, um," He paused, wanting to make the question as clear as possible, "why the hell did you marry him?”
She turned around to face Pacey. She spotted the utter confusion written all over his face. "I thought I loved him at the time. Maybe I was just attracted to the idea of Drue Valentine. Maybe I was just caught up in the fact that he was enamored with me. It was one of those incredibly-rare spur-of-the-moment decisions that I am paying for dearly."
Pacey walked over to her, "Which led to you marrying an evil man."
"Big screw-up, don't you think?"
He got a wicked smile on his face. "You could always scour for fresh meat. So many local townfolk probably hang out in the saloon."
"Small town life isn't that bad!" Joey answered with a small smile. "Besides, Jen's corrupted most of them."
Pacey pointed outside the office, "What about your assistant? He seems like a nice catch."
"Jack? I don't think so. Jen told me the guy's gay."
"Really? He doesn't show it." Pacey looked back out the door, as though he could actually see him through the wood.
Joey laughed at Pacey’s reaction, "They don't wear signs. Actually, scratch that. They do wear signs. If you meet a really good guy, you know he must be gay."
Pacey raised an eyebrow, "I'm a good guy."
Joey gave him a blank expression, horrifying Pacey. She headed out of the office trying not to give him a chance to reply. He shouted out behind her, "That's not fair!"
* * * * *
Joey laughed as she heard Pacey's protests. God, I've missed him. Or at the very least, the banter. She proceeded for the staff lounge where she spotted Jen grilling Jack about something. Joey leaned against the door.
"I saw Pacey earlier today. Too bad I was in the booth when he arrived. You were in Joey's office so you met him, right?"
"I could see why you and Andie want him to move here."
Jen giggled, "It's not just me and Andie, Jack. Even Joey realizes that Pacey belongs here."
"Do you think she convinced him?"
"Maybe, but I'm certain he wouldn't tell her until he's one foot out the door. He wouldn't want to seem like he's too needy." Joey nodded in agreement.
"I guess not, Jen. Do you think he knows about the annulment none of the new staff is supposed to know about?"
"Probably. He was talking to your sister for a whole five minutes."
"Did you miss me, Jo?" Joey spun around and saw Dawson standing there.
Joey put on a fake smile, "Oh, hey Dawson. Long time no see."
Dawson grabbed her and bestowed her with a hug, "I know I missed you guys. Desperately."
Remember, sweet talking Dawson may get you Pacey in the process. "We all missed you too. You know, Jen and I were just talking about ways to get you guys to stay here."
Just then, she saw Mitch wandering into the office. He immediately recognized Dawson and turned back around to head out of the building. Joey tried to suppress a giggle with a coughing fit. Dawson spun around but by then Mitch was long gone.
"What's so funny, Jo?"
"Oh, you know, just something flashing into my head about the last time I was in New York. Oh yeah. Good times, good times."
Dawson nodded, even though he was completely confused.
Pacey snuck up from behind, "Did you seriously think you'd get away from my rath?"
Joey twirled around, "Of course not, Pace. But I remember a tip from an old Seinfeld episode that you should always leave a room early so the people will want more. Now, if you don't mind, I have a meeting to get to regarding the company's current financial situation."
"Oh, okay. Then I'll see you later?"
"Yeah. Oh, I almost forgot. You two will be staying with me and Jen this weekend."
"Wait a sec. I remember asking Andie to reserve rooms in a nearby hotel."
Joey replied, "Which I'm sure she would've done if Jen had kept her mouth shut. On the other hand, this is Andie, so I'm not so certain she would've done it anyway." She headed out of the office.
Dawson chimed in, "I'm certain Andie and Jen would have accomodated us if that was their plan."
Pacey glared coldly at Dawson, "Meaning what exactly?"
"Hmm, a weekend with you and Jo in the same house? No, I have no idea what they could possibly be thinking. Geez, Pace, how blind are you?" Dawson shook his head as he entered the lounge.
* * * * *
"Jen, you actually want to stay here longer than you have to?"
Jen tapped her pen on her notepad and glared at Andie, "It's called completing your job. Not that you would have any idea what that means. Besides, we can't leave as long as Joey has Jack trapped in her office."
"I'm still stuck in a New York state of mind, with all the public transportation. I regret the days I'd say it sucked." Andie sulked down in a chair.
Jen smiled at the memory of New York. "I couldn't agree more. What I wouldn't give for the overcrowded and stench-filled subway car right now. Instead, we are stuck bumming rides off everyone. That reminds me, do you think Jack will want to teach me how to drive?"
Andie laughed, "Doubtful. He doesn't trust me behind the steering wheel and I've had a license for years."
Mitch Leery slowly entered the office, scanning the area. Jen and Andie saw him and started chuckling. He spotted them and headed over.
"How's the office been today?"
"You know perfectly well the answer to that one,” Jen replied accusingly. “You missed Pacey's arrival."
"Has he given in to staying yet?"
"Not yet, Mr. Leery. But he's staying with me and Joey so I think we can break him down. Oh, by the way, they're already at the house." Mitch's face dropped at the news.
"He's staying with you? Miss Lindley, I'm surprised you did that."
"Yeah, I know, but I couldn't think of a better solution once I found out your son was coming. I'll think of some way to keep him away from the couple," she sighed. "The sacrifices I must make for the company. I swear, I'm just not getting paid enough to handle this."
"If Pacey stays, consider a raise in your future." Jen smiled while Andie pouted. "Anyway, I could drop you guys off at the house. I figure I've prepared myself enough for the inevitable encounter." Jen and Andie stroll over to the coat rack as Mitch continued, "Went to my herbal therapist this afternoon and I think this ginsing might actually do the trick."
Andie interjected, "Do you have any idea what that stuff is supposed to do?"
"No, but that's what I pay my advisor to know. I can't be bothered with those petty little details. So, what have you got planned for the night?"
"Well, I gave Pacey the spare key to the house. He and Dawson are there now. Remember how Joey's parrot got along so well with Dawson? I've always wondered why Joey kept that bird. Lily can't be trained. She squawks in the middle of the night. It was even weirder when she had adopted one of the kittens from Pacey's cat. Lily would pick the most inopportune times to do her impersonation of Tweety."
Mitch snickered, "Can't be trained, annoying at all hours, following Pacey. No wonder Lily and Dawson get along so well." Jen and Andie glanced at each other in realization and began to laugh along.
"Guys, this is wrong." Andie exclaimed as she walked behind them. She then added with a giggled, "Although Dawson and Lily make a good couple."
* * * * *
Part 3 - After Hours
Index