| You�re Still here! Chapter 6 by Ellasblues Disclaimer: Characters property of Kevin Williamson & the WB. No copyright infringement intended. I love DC and I am only trying to fix the damage that PS and KW did to this wonderful show. This is my third fanfic Summary: the main couple is P/An with a few other characters thrown in. to keep it interesting. This takes seven years after the season finale. In that time there has been a lot of changes and I would hope for the good. Please feedback is always appreciated. I need to say a big thank you to Michael for helping me make this a better story. Pacey�s Hotel Suite - next day: A bright and chipper Pacey emerged from the shower with a toothbrush clenched in his teeth and grabbed a towel on the hook next to him. After drying himself off, he wiped off the mist from the mirror and noticed the grin on his face. It was, he reflected, a long time since he felt this way. Life had been good to him lately, and now it seemed to be getting better. His break-up with Joey had forced him to make some hard decisions on things that he had put aside as too tough to deal with. Clearly, it was time to forgive and to quit blaming others for his failure. The first big step was a long and much needed talk with his father. To his surprise, he found his father had changed and mellowed over the years probably due to the freedom of retirement. Pacey now enjoyed this new close-knit relationship with his father and found it amusing that they had a least a 20-minute phone call every day. It didn�t matter what they talked about, for his father was man of few words but the fact they were talking was enough for him. His second goal, admittedly harder than reconnecting with his father, was to except once-and-for-all that Dawson and Joey belonged together. He had come to realise that his time with Joey was just another diversion, a side road maybe, until the inevitable outcome. He had cherished his time with her, loved her deeply but he had let fear and resentment seep back into their lives. This had only come about due to that insidious feeling that he could never compete with ghost of Dawson hovering over their relationship. In an attempt to preoccupy his mind and drown out those fears he opened the second restaurant. The unintended result was to drive Joey into the arms of Dawson. He remembered it so clearly. Him standing there listening to Joey explain to him why she was leaving and moving to California. He could see her lips moving but somehow he couldn�t hear what she was saying. It ended with him alone in the apartment they had once shared. It was not long after Joey had moved out that Pacey found Andie at his doorstep on a rainy afternoon. She was soaked from head to toe, and as she stood there before him shivering, Pacey knew in that moment that everything would be all right. He didn�t think to find a reason for he was not partial to Dawson-like over-analysis. After making her a cup of hot tea and letting her borrow some of his clothes until hers were dried, Pacey spilled his guts out to her for the rest of the afternoon. For her part Andie was content to sit and listen quietly, never making any comments or judgements on the situation. After that one confessional afternoon there became more visits between them. Either he would visit her in Boston or she would go down to see him in New York. The day Pacey received the divorce papers from Joey�s lawyer he decided to pack up and move to Boston to be closer to his family and maybe, just maybe, be even closer to Andie. It wasn�t a hard decision to leave. After all this time Pacey had once again found a best friend in Andie. As their friendship renewed, they once again shared everything including the dark, dirty secrets which had been eating both of them from the inside over the years. When going out on the town, they were mistaken for couple several times but the relationship never went beyond more than friendship. While they both seemed comfortable with that, Pacey wasn�t sure what had kept them from returning to the way they had been back there in Capeside. From his point of view, Pacey was more than willing to give it another try. When he had finally gotten up the nerve to talk to her, he found out that she was taking the job in the prestigious research laboratory in Minneapolis. This unexpected news dashed his dreams of possible future together with Andie. He cursed himself for not saying something sooner and he sadly thought he would never get another chance. That New Year�s Eve he couldn�t keep his eyes off her. She looked amazing in that black dress which made him want to kiss her so badly and to tell her how he felt. He didn�t want her to go but realistically he also didn�t want her to miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime. Up until five months ago they never spoken since Andie moved from Boston. He made some effort to try and contact her but she never returned any of his messages. He felt as if she was trying to avoid him. If it wasn�t for Jack keeping him informed on Andie�s life he would never learnt about Kelly, the new guy Andie was dating. Kelly worked in the same lab as Andie. It was obvious what had happened. Love had blossomed over the test-tubes. That piece of news from Jack had left him heartbroken although he was careful never to let Jack know. The last thing Pacey needed was Jack butting in on his romantic entanglements with Andie. In the true Pacey style, it didn�t take long for him to find someone to help him recover from this heartbreak. He was always good at finding a substitute or, should that be placeholder he often wondered. Madison was the direct opposite of Andie and a whole different type than Joey. That was the reason Pacey picked her. He knew that he could never love a woman like her, but at least he wouldn�t be alone on those cold, lonely nights. That was the thing that hurt the most of all. He was lonely and the only person who could fill that Andie-sized hole in his heart was with someone else. With this pattern of thought running through his mind Pacey slipped into a comfortable pair of jeans and before he had chance to finish dressing he heard a knock at the door. Checking the clock, he wondered who could be at the door at such an early hour. He opened the door and was happily surprised to see Andie standing before him with a dazzling smile. Before he had chance to say hello, Andie threw her arms around him and greeted him with a long intense kiss. Pacey reluctantly broke the kiss and tried to catch his breath, resting his forehead on hers. �Um�where�s your blonde bodyguard?� He looked around to see if Audrey was about to jump out and break them apart. �Oh Audrey, don�t worry. I sent her the grocery store with a very long list. She�ll be there for hours� Andie started to kiss Pacey again. Pacey once again broke away from the kiss. �I take it you�ve talked to Kelly?� �Yes. �She rubbed his nose with hers.� It took only a couple minutes. He was in hurry as he had Dr. Phipps on the other line.� She laughed. Pacey chucked �He sounds like he wasn�t too upset.� He gently brushed her hair from her face. �No, I guess I don�t have that affected on men when I break-up with them.� She grinned but Pacey sensed the hurt behind those words. As ever, Andie was looking on the supposed bright side. �Only because they are happy to get rid you, McPhee� he joked. This time Pacey began to kiss Andie but it was Andie who interrupted the kiss.� So how did Madison take it?� Caught off guard, Pacey blurted out the first thing that came to mind. �Like a champ.� He tried to hide the fact that he was lying, well partly lying. He had called Madison but hadn�t got a hold of her yet to tell her the news. �Really �Andie was shocked. �Madison didn�t strike me as a very understanding woman, no offence.� she caressed the back of Pacey�s neck. Pacey closed his eyes enjoying her touch. �None taken. Madison�s a business woman. As long as she�s still getting her ten percent she�s happy� �I don�t care. She can have her ten percent.� Andie rested her forehead on his and looked directly in to his eyes. �But as long as she knows that you Witter are mine and that�s not negotiable.� �Ooh I love when you talk tough.� He kissed her again and this time the kiss continued without either one interjecting. After a while Pacey couldn�t take any more and picked up Andie and threw her over his shoulder. Andie screamed in delight. �Pacey! Put me down!� Pacey only laughed at her as she tried to squirm away from him. He carried her into the next room and lightly cast her down on the bed. Andie bit her bottom lip and her eyes lit up as Pacey gently eased himself on top of her. They started to kiss but Pacey suddenly stopped. Andie, giddy from the closeness of him, gave him a puzzled look. �May be we should wait? � Pacey was being sincere and she sensed his hesitation. Andie pulled him gently down to her. �Witter, just shut up and kiss me� she said with a mischievous smile. That told Pacey all he needed to know. This time there would be no hesitation on his part. They both could feel that familiar tingle of passion running through their bodies. �When you say it that way McPhee, how can I refuse?� His lips softly met hers again and slowly the morning disappeared into afternoon. The one thing that they had always been in sync in was in the bedroom. Andie did not have the hang-ups about sex that Joey had. Not to say that Andie was a wonton, high-maintenance, and reckless lover. She was warm, gentle, open and so passionate. When she had loved him back in high school she had given of herself so openly. Making love to her was effortless, as if this sensuous energy flowed between them without barriers. That afternoon � Pacey�s Hotel suite- bedroom As Pacey lay there he watched Andie sleep, her blonde hair spilling onto his pillow. He deeply inhaled catching the scent of Apple bosoms from her hair, causing memories to flood back. Funny how smell could trigger such feelings and emotions about someone he thought. Even now, he still loved her scent. Many years ago he remembered Grams had said something about watching the person you love sleeping. At that time he had been Joey but Pacey knew of a time a year earlier where he had watched Andie sleep. Andie had been Pacey�s first for almost everything, and even though Tamara had taken way his innocence, his relationship with her was simply about lust and a teenage boy�s infatuation It never could be anything else. But his relationship with Andie would bring hope, understanding, and real love. She believed in him when everyone else including his best friend had written him off. She was so upfront with him sometimes she came off too stern but that was only because she believed in him so strongly. In all the time they were together, she never stopped believing in him. It was that belief that had enabled her to choose him over the illusion of her dead brother Tim. Pacey�s thoughts lingered over the end of their love when Andie was descending into illness. That was the only thing that hurt him, the fact that he was not enough for her when she had been so much and meant so much for him. Andie had always held a special place in Pacey�s heart and as much as he loved Joey, he would often think of Andie and wonder how she was and if she still thought of him. He wondered if she still loved him in some way, if that conversation she had had with him and Joey the night she took the ecstasy tablet was still relevant. As the years had gone by since Jen�s death Andie was always there in some capacity. Helping Jack with Amy, taking Grams to her doctor�s appointments, buying tickets to Dawson�s movies good or bad and Pacey�s personal favourite; being the first customer at Pacey�s new �edgy� (or so she called it) New York restaurant. And then there were her boyfriends. He had seen them come and go through the years, some he liked and some he detested. A few times he had felt a sense of relief and almost happy when had heard she broke up with them. He knew it wasn�t fair to think that Andie would never fall in love again, and when she thought she did Pacey chose to sit quietly and watch. His name was Michael. She had met him at one of Joey�s business parties. He was an up and coming writer who had a promising career in front of him with such magazines as The New Republic and Vanity Fair. Pacey watched him sweep Andie right off her feet and despite himself he felt extremely jealous. He knew this was crazy, the Dawson/Joey jealous kind of crazy. He was shocked to think he was with someone else but didn�t want Andie to have anyone. He found himself pondering that logically it was crazy to be jealous, for he had nothing to be jealous of. He supposedly was with the love of his life right? So then, Pacey thought, why did it bug him so much to see Andie in a loving relationship with a man who wasn�t him? Within six months there was talk of marriage. Pacey had never seen Andie so happy. He tried to remember if she had been like this when they had dated. But as someone once said all good things must come to an end and so Andie�s relationship with Michael came to that fateful end. He wanted to move to Paris to write but Andie couldn�t bear move away from her family and friends. So with a tearful good bye Andie kissed Michael one last time and watched him walk onto the airplane and walk out her life for good. Pacey, tried to be there for Andie, offer her a shoulder to cry on. It killed him to see how devastated she was but at the same time he felt this bothersome happy feeling that they were no longer a couple. He hated to feel that way but he couldn�t escape it. Little then did he know that his life would be taking the same direction. And then It would be his turn to need a friend. Pacey saw that Andie was starting to stir and wake up from her deep sleep. Pacey lightly kissed her bare shoulder to help her wake up and a huge smile crossed her face. �Well hello there Mr. Witter� she turned to face him. �Good afternoon Mrs. McPhee.� �Afternoon?� she lifted her head to look at the clock. �I didn�t realize it was so late. Audrey must wonder where I disappeared to.� �I sure Audrey has put two and two together already.� he snuggled in close to her, their foreheads almost touching. Pacey softy kissed Andie on the forehead bringing his eyes back to her. For long time nothing was said as the two were quite content lay there. Pacey took Andie�s hand and he intertwined his fingers with hers. �I been thinking and I reached a decision.� She read his eyes. This seemed important. �What�s that Pace �? He sighed. �About selling my restaurants.� �Pacey are you crazy? You love those restaurants and I won�t let you.� She let his hand go and moved to sit up. �McPhee, just listen. The reason why I started them was for the wrong reasons. I wanted to start a new life and I wanted share that new life with you. It�s time I put the past in the past and left it behind � �But you work so hard for your businesses Pacey; I could never ask you give up your dreams.� �I am not giving up on my dreams McPhee, they are the same dreams but slightly altered and maybe, even better now.� �I understand, but I don�t want to be the reason you decide to sell your restaurants, I want it to be your decision.� �And it is my decision. It�s something I�ve been kicking around in my head for the last six months. But you have to take a little of the blame McPhee. You did help me in making up my mind. � �But don�t you see that�s what I am worried about .I just couldn�t take it if-� �McPhee,� Pacey interrupted her,�as much as I am enjoying our first argument as boy friend and girlfriend you�re going to have to just trust me.� Andie let out a sigh �Fine Witter you win, as long as you promise me that you�ll never hold against me.� �Cross my heart. �Pacey smiled at her while motioning with his finger on his chest. �But you�ll have to promise me something in return.� �All right but as long as it�s nothing of the sexual nature.� She waggled her eyebrows at him. �McPhee, take your mind out the gutter.� �I didn�t hear you complaining earlier.� �What happen to the innocent McPhee I used to know?� he tried to gently mock her. �Oh she�s still here but this time you�re not the only one who�s been around the block a few times. � �Andie McPhee, you little vixen you.� Pacey, giggling, threw the sheet over their heads and sound of muffled laughter and happy sighs filled the room. At that moment, there was as a knock on the door interrupted their kissing. Pacey pulls the sheet down over his head.� Maybe they will just go away.� He moaned. Andie then pulled the sheet down over her head.� It could be important, Pace.� �You think?� Pacey looked over to Andie who nodded. The knocking became louder. Pacey threw the sheet off him, grumbled about having to get up and reaching for the jeans he was wearing earlier. He threw them on quickly and grabbed a t-shirt out of the closet. He hoped this was just housekeeping. His hair was a little messy and he didn�t bother to brush it as his mind had only one thought and that was to �get rid of who ever is at the door �. He looked through the peephole and his face became white when he saw who it was. He glanced back to the bedroom and hurried back to shut the bedroom door. Taking a deep breath, he reached for the doorknob and swung door open. The visitor quickly cupped his face with their hands. �Hello, there handsome.� Madison purred and then she planted a big kiss on him. Pacey could only give in to the kiss and hope to god Andie hadn't seen anything. But he had no clue how to handle this situation and knew that he could lose everything with Madison being here. |
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