Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters contained within this story. They are property of Kevin Williamson, Paul Stupin, and all of the other people affiliated with the show, Dawson's Creek.
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"What are you doing Pacey?" Joey looked up from the Marine Biology book to find Pacey typing furiously at the computer.
"Checking the school site to see if there are going to be any Marine Bio study sessions for this test." Pacey replied.
Just after he said that his computer made a high sound, resembling a bell ringing. This signaled to him that there was an Instant Message. Joey stopped her reading and looked up curiously. She leaned on Pacey's shoulder and saw who it was.
AyMorgan: Well if it isn't the towns biggest loser.
PyWitter: You really shouldn't talk about yourself that way Abbie, it can't be good for your morale.
You've Been Invited to Capeside Chat Room # 3495803 by AyMorgan
Pacey clicked on the chat icon and entered the room.
Welcome to Capeside Chat #3495803. Currently in room: CsWolfe, AyMorgan, JkMcPhee, DnLeery, NeOleson, AeMcPhee, GtBodean, CfElliot, JnLindley, TyHarter
DnLeery: Hey, Pacey. Meet at my house tomorrow, same time. Can you tell Joey?
PyWitter: She's here right now and says that its fine.
AyMorgan: What are you losers talking about
NeOleson: I believe I was talking before you two rudely interrupted me. As you know school elections are taking place in a month, I KNOW everyone one will vote for me, afterall, I'm very popular. I just need a few slav...I mean, helpers for my campaign.
CsWolfe: Hey, Jen, you interested in having another study session?
AeMcPhee: Chris, it helps if studying is involved. Jack, where are you? You know Dad's coming home today...right?
NeOleson: Hello, did anyone hear me? I need help with my campaign for Junior class president!
JkMcPhee: Yeah, I know. I just needed to get some stuff from the library, so here I am. I'll be home in a few minutes.
PyWitter: Nellie, you need help with more than that.
NeOleson: Shut up, Witter, who asked you anyways.
PyWitter: You've mastered those three syllable words, Nell, how 'bout trying some three syllable words?
NeOleson: Screw you.
PyWitter: No Nellie, those are one syllable words! Besides, I heard you've been screwing plenty of people this weekend.
NeOleson: Ohhh that hurt. Maybe coming from someone who mattered, but not coming from you.
DnLeery: Stop arguing you guys.
JnLindley: Andie's right, I need to get some actual studying done. That B didn't raise my grade too much.
"Typical Chris Wolfe," Pacey said to Joey, "Even online he comes off as a pimp." As Pacey turned around to say that he noticed how close Joey was to him. She was casually leaning with one elbow on his shoulder and her long hair was nearly brushing against his face. He breathed in quickly, suddenly embarrased and turned back to the screen as Joey laughed at his comment.
TyHarter: Jen, Chris told me you and him got it down last night. Chris, you dog.
JnLindley: Chris, you told him that?
AyMorgan: Ohh, I'm sensing gossip here. Keep on arguing, don't let me stop you.
"Pacey, I think its time for me to get going, do you mind giving me a ride home?" Joey picked up her script from Pacey's dresser.
"Of course not, one sec." Pacey logged off and shut down the computer.
What was I thinking earlier? Pacey chastised himself I have Andie, besides, Joey already made it perfectly clear that she just needed time away from Dawson.
Joey was also thinking about Pacey and herself except she was thinking about her odd attraction to him these days. Joey shook it off and attributed it to hormones as the pair walked downstairs.
"Pacey!" Doug yelled as they walked past Doug's room, "I need to talk to you when you get back." He was oddly kind to him and had a peaceful look on his face. Something is definitely wrong Pacey decided. Doug has never been this nice.
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"Jennifer!" A high-pitched voice came from downstairs, "Dinner!"
"Coming Grams!" Jen replied. She quickly clicked on the mail icon on her desktop and looked over the list of envelopes. Finding one, she double-clicked on it and began to rapidly read.
Jen,
Sorry I haven't emailed for so long! I heard yesterday that your parents are going down to Capeside and taking you back up to New York for a visit. It's about time. Billy has been bugging all of us up here to death and we're eager to get him off our hands for awhile, he really hasn't changed. Maybe your parents will let you stay for good. If they're at all like my parents they'll be glad to get rid of us while they're at their "social gatherings". Well, I'll talk to you in a few days in person! It'll be just like the old days, then again, you went down there because your parents wanted you to get away from the old days.
Much love,
Catherine Martinez
End of Message
Jen smiled at this message from her former friend. Catherine, it seemed, was the only real friend she had in New York. They were almost like sisters and had always watched out for eachother. Even their families were alike. Catherine's and Jen's parents would often go to the same parties, leaving Catherine and Jen together to find something entertaining to do.
"Jennifer!" Grams said again.
Jen shut off her computer after saving Catherine's message to a disk and rushed down the stairs. Her mother and father were sitting at the circular kitchen table, they both stopped talking and looked up when Jen walked into the room.
Mr. Lindley cleared his throat, "Jennifer, we were thinking about taking you back to New York for one week. Would you like that?"
"Has it ever been my choice, whether I liked it or not?" Jen snapped back bitterly.
"Jennifer!" Her Grams said, shocked.
"I'm sorry," Jen mumbled, "I would like to, for a little bit."
"Good." Mr. Lindley looked pleased, "Is there anyone you would like to bring up to New York with you? We would be pleased to take a few of your friends and make it a group trip."
It's to late to make up for sending me away. Jen thought while glaring at her father I'll never forgive you for that.
Out loud Jen said, "I'll think about it."
Jen's Grandmother smiled serenely and placed platters of steaming food on the table. She was infinitely happy to have her son and daughter-in-law here. They rarely visited, even though their own daughter was in Capeside.
**********
"Hey mom!" Dawson yelled up the staircase.
"Hey Dawson!" Gale Leery yelled back.
"Telephone for you!" Dawson held a grey cordless phone in his hands and waited for his mother to pick up. He fought the urge to eavesdrop on his mother and father's conversation and hung up the phone. Dawson slowly walked up the stairs to his room and pulled out a Math book to begin his homework.
**********
Pacey entered the deadly silent house and called for his brother, "Doug, what did you want?"
"I need to talk to you Pacey, come up to my room!" Doug yelled back.
Pacey entered his brothers room and found suitcases and clothing littering the ground. He looked quizzically at his older brother and at the bare walls of the room.
"Who are you and where have you taken my brother?" Pacey asked.
"Clever, jailbait, but I need to have a serioud conversation with you. It's about Mom." Doug glared.
"Mom, what about her?"
"You know how Dad tends to get...hostile, right?" Doug said.
"Do I know?" Pacey asked, surprised, "I've been at the brunt of most of his tyrades."
"Well..." Doug immediately felt sorry for always picking on his younger brother after this comment, "Recently Dad's been taking out his agressions on Mom."
"What does this have to do with me?" Pacey asked, eager to get out of the room.
"I'm moving Pacey, an apartment on the other side of town. I want you to take care of Mom. If things ever get bad, I want you to call me, I'll take care of it. If they do get that bad though, I want you to go as far as you can, take Mom with you and go to a relatives house, wherever. Just don't stay here."
"All right Doug." Pacey mumbled.
"Thanks, Pace." Doug replied, "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Yeah."
**********
"Jack!" Andie was rushing through the house, "I'm leaving to meet Pacey!"
"Okay!" Jack yelled back before bumping into Andie who was running down the stairs.
In a lower voice he asked, "How's Mom today, now that Dad is back."
"I don't know." She whispered, "Dad seems afraid of her now. He barely knows who she is, he's been away for so long."
"I think I'll go out too, they might want to be alone." Jack replied.
"Why are we whispering, aren't they sleeping?" Andie whispered back.
"I don't know," Jack said in a normal voice, "Want me to drive you down?"
"Yeah sure. Where are you going?"
"I guess I'll hang out downtown for awhile, my shift at the Icehouse starts in an hour anyways." Jack said.
**********
Pacey waited impatiently in the cafe that he and Andie were regulars at. He kept checking his watch and reviewed the conversation he and and his brother had had a few minutes ago.
"Pacey!" Andie cried, walking into the cafe and taking the seat next to him, "Sorry I'm late. We had problems finding a parking space." She was out of breath.
"We?" Pacey questioned, smiling at his girlfriend and giving her a peck on the lips.
"Yup, that trucker that spent the night at my house." Andie said sarcastically.
"But he was at my house last night!" Pacey said, laughing.
Feedback would be greatly appreciated! Send it to me (Danielle) at Joeypacey@Hotmail.com. Muchas gracias! What I learn from three years of spanish, sigh.
