Dying to Belong by: Lisa

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Part: 3 of ?

Email: earthangel52@hotmail.com

Distribution: Yes, yes, yes! Just let me know where it is…

Author's Note: This follows part 1 ("Only the Strong") and part 2 ("True Confessions"), so you might want to read those to know what's going on. Just an idea…

Dying to Belong

Joey trudged up the dilapidated walkway to the Icehouse. Pacey had just dropped her off, after speeding to get her there in time for her 4 o'clock shift. She sighed and wished that he hadn't hurried. Not only because she really didn't want to work, but also because she had discovered that Pacey was really understanding. The entire ride home, he had actually listened to her feelings. It's been a long, long time since someone's done that, she thought sadly as she pushed open the large wooden doors and entered the bustling kitchen of the Icehouse. "Jo! You're sixteen minutes late!" Bessie screamed over the deafening rattle of dishes and pots. "What's your excuse this time?" she asked angrily.

"I…got held up," Joey protested, but to no avail. Bessie was long gone. She turned around and ran smack into Bodie.

"Jo! Where have you been? It's a madhouse out there!" he said as he dashed past her. "Start taking orders pronto!" This is going to be a long evening, she sighed as she tied an apron around her waist and headed out into the bedlam of the pre-dinner hour at the Icehouse.

* * *

Dawson lay on his bed, mindlessly flipping through the channels. He couldn't concentrate on anything except Joey. Why would she cut school? And with Pacey? That's not like her at all! he wondered. Just then, he heard the sound of footsteps on the ladder. His heart leaped - it was Joey! He joyfully bounded to the window. "Joey! I knew you'd-" he stopped short when he saw that it was Pacey, not Joey, ascending the ladder. He gave Pacey an icy glare as he climbed through the window. "What are you doing here?" he asked disdainfully.

"Nice to see you, too."

"Why did you make Joey cut today?" Dawson asked accusingly. Pacey sat down in Dawson's chair.

"She wanted to, man. Don't blame me. You know Jo. She's got a mind of her own…" he trailed off wistfully, fondly remembering their day together beside the lake. Dawson broke his blissful reflections.

"Yeah?" he challenged. "When was the last time that Joey cut school, huh?"

"When was the last time she kissed her best friend?" Pacey countered. Dawson collapsed on his bed, stunned.

"How did you find out?" he whispered in shock.

"Joey. We talked all day."

"What did she say?" he asked eagerly.

"I can't repeat it."

"C'mon, Pace!"

"She's confused, Dawson, that's all I can say. She doesn't know what she wants."

"Neither do I!" he protested with a note of pleading in his voice, hoping to extract any information he could from Pacey.

"Exactly. You need to figure it out on your own. Don't let whatever Joey says or does influence you," he explained. "This is a potentially life altering situation, Dawson. You should follow your instincts. Do whatever your heart tells you to do."

* * *

Joey collapsed on the couch in her tiny home. That had to be the busiest day of the year! she moaned to herself. She could barely feel her legs anymore after standing on them for six hours straight. She walked into the kitchen, grabbed two aspirin, and hobbled to the shower. As the hot water cascaded over her aching body, she thought of Pacey.

He's so understanding. He actually cares about my feelings. He was happy just listening to be all day. When was the last time Dawson listened to me?

* * *

Scene: school the next morning

"Hi, Joey!" Jen called as she sauntered down the hall with an obviously pleased Cliff on her arm.

"Umm…hi, Jen," Joey replied as they reached her locker. She slammed it shut after locating her math book and glanced around the hallway.

"Looking for Dawson?" Jen asked. She raised her eyebrows.

"Actually, I'm looking for Pacey. Have you seen him?"

"Not today." At that moment, Pacey came up behind Joey. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Looking for me, sweetheart?" he whispered mischievously in her ear.

"Get off, Pace!" Joey playfully pushed him away. He tickled her and soon they collapsed on the floor in a fit of laughter. Dawson turned the corner and saw the two of them lying on the floor. Pacey was on top of her and Joey appeared to be crying. "Break it up! Pacey, don't hurt her!" he cried. He dashed over and roughly pulled Pacey of off Joey. "What do you think you're doing?" Dawson demanded angrily while holding Pacey by the collar.

"Chill, man," Pacey replied, shrugging him off. "We were just having fun."

"Joey's crying! That's not fun!"

"I'm laughing, Dawson. Give Pacey a break," Joey said as she stood up. She brushed the dirt off her khaki shorts and stood at Pacey's side. Dawson glanced at her and realized that she wasn't crying.

"Sorry. I guess I overreacted," he said sheepishly while looking at the ground.

"I would say so," Joey replied.

"What's wrong with you, man?" Pacey returned angrily. "C'mon, Jo, let's go." They walked away, leaving a confused and somewhat resentful Dawson behind.

"Well, Dawson, is someone a little jealous of the new friendship between Joey and Pacey?" Jen asked.

"Jen, stop. I don't need any of your crap right now."

"Dawson, I'm simply making an observation. You just appear to be a bit perturbed that Joey and Pacey are growing closer."

"I am not!"

"Don't deny it, Dawson. I can tell it's true."

"Bite me, Jen," Dawson replied. He stalked off. Jen threw a defiant glance in his direction and dragged Cliff in the opposite direction.

* * *

Scene: Wednesday of that week, after school.

"Pacey! I don't believe you!" Joey laughed hysterically. She collapsed against a locker. Pacey ran a hand through his hair and did his best James Dean impression.

"What did I tell you? She couldn't resist-" he was interrupted by Dawson, who had just appeared behind Joey.

"Who couldn't resist what?" he asked eagerly. He had been feeling so left out for the past two days. Ever since they cut school on Monday, things haven't been the same between any of us, he thought sadly.

"Oh, just some random girl. I don't even know her name," Pacey said offhandedly.

"Oh…." Dawson replied. An uncomfortable silence followed. Dawson turned to Joey.

"So, how's Alex? Still keeping you up all night?" he asked, preparing to hear a tirade of insults and references to Rosemary's baby.

"Yeah," Joey answered, not even looking at Dawson. More silence followed. Pacey cleared his throat.

"You know, I-" he began, but Joey interrupted him.

"Dawson, this isn't working. Not at all. You, me, Friday night at your house. Two weeks is too long," she said impatiently.

"What about Friday?" he asked obliviously.

"We figure this mess out then. So think hard about it for the next two days. I'll see you later," she answered and began walking away with Pacey.

"Wait, Jo! Where are you going?" he asked, desperate to keep her near him as long as possible.

"Pacey's house. See ya," she said over her shoulder. She and Pacey walked down the corridor, laughing.

"Yeah. See ya," Dawson replied sadly.

To be continued….

Let me know what you thought of it! Come on, email is my only reward for writing this stuff!

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