ysh9

                                                                                        You�re Still here!
                                                                                                  Chapter 9
                                                                                                 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

A couple months later - Audrey's house in California

Andie sat in the sand peacefully watching the blue green ocean that sparkled before her, lost in her thoughts thinking of time when she had feared the ocean. As a little girl the ocean seemed so endless, so powerful and she was afraid if she got too close it would sweep her away.
Now she feared love in the same way. At least with the ocean you could move inland and never lay eyes on it again. But love was a different story. It stayed with you no matter how far you tried to run away from it. This time, Andie had chosen to run to California. After the disastrous event with Pacey and Madison, she felt that she needed a break. She took a leave of absence from the clinic and called Audrey, who was more than happy to take her heartbroken friend under her wing. For the last couple of weeks she had been staying at Audrey�s beach house and in that short time had seen and enjoyed the delights of LA.

Audrey deliberately kept Andie busy with shopping trips at Rodeo Drive, lunch at the best restaurants and late nights at some of the most exclusive nightclubs. It took lot energy to keep up with Audrey and every night Andie return to the beach house and collapse in her bed exhausted. Despite the frenetic lifestyle, Andie welcomed the tiredness that came from Audrey�s busy schedule because it kept her from thinking of him. It worked most of the time. Whenever she had a free moment to herself she would sit on the beach and dream of a future with him. She desperately wanted to reach out to him and wondered to herself if she should call Pacey. At those times, the reality of the situation would shake her out of her daydream. Shaking her head, she dropped her head into her hands. She knew the instant she heard his voice that she would drop everything to be at his side but she knew that she wasn�t strong enough to share him with Madison at least not yet.

Audrey appeared above Andie with friendly smile. �I thought I�d find you out here.� Audrey peered down at Andie with her hands on her hips. �I promised Dawson and Joey we would meet them at the restaurant for lunch in half an hour and you�re not even dressed.�

�Sorry Audrey, I didn�t realise it�s so late.� Andie tried to act as if nothing was bothering her.

�Don�t worry, we have plenty of time. Joey and Dawson are used to it because it just wouldn�t be me if I wasn�t late.� Audrey joked.

Andie let out a half-hearted laugh. Pacey had uttered the same exact line so many times. No matter how hard she would try to get somewhere early if Pacey was involved they were always ten minutes late. She finally fixed his problem by setting all the clocks in his loft ten minutes ahead but she didn�t know if Pacey had even noticed the change.

Audrey could see on Andie�s face that she was thinking about Pacey and she had no clue how to help her friend. She thought that her break up with Pacey would of enlighten her and provide an answer but her and Pacey�s relationship never reached the stage that Pacey and Andie�s had.

Audrey walked a few steps behind her as they made there way to Andie�s bedroom. "Sweetie,� she said softly
�Hmm?" Andie set the blanket down on her bed.

�Have you been feeling okay lately?� Audrey sat down on the bed.

�I feel fine.�

�Are you sure?�

Andie gave her a strange look. �Audrey, is something on your mind?�

�It just that�� Audrey paused, �I heard you earlier in the bathroom throwing up and I was concerned.�

�Don�t be. It was just nerves. Whenever I get stressed out my stomach gets all weird. I had this problem since I was kid.�
�Are you sure it�s just stress, because if it was something else you would tell me?� She gave Andie look of concern.

�Of course, I would Audrey. You forget that I�m a doctor and if I had any hint it was more serious than that I would tell you.�

�You�re sure?�

�Trust me I know what I�m talking about.� Andie hoped her friend was satisfied with that.

�Okay.� Audrey stood up from the bed. �I better let you get dressed for lunch.� She started to walk out the door.

�Audrey?� Andie called out.

�Yea?� Audrey turned around.

�Thank you.�

�For what?�

�Everything, I�m not sure how I could of made it through this without you!�

�Oh sweetie,� Audrey hugged Andie tight.� Don�t you dare make me cry, my mascara is not waterproof.� Audrey threatened Andie playfully.

�What? You wear make up? I thought you were naturally this beautiful. �Andie replied sweetly to Audrey.

�I knew there was reason why I like you.� Audrey returned the smile. �Now enough of this mushy stuff and get your ass moving the couple of the century are waiting.�

�Well we can�t have that.� Andie smiled cheerfully.

As soon as Audrey closed the door her smile quickly faded. Andie removed her t-shirt and shorts standing in her underwear in front of the mirror. She ran her hands over her belly; it was still flat but in a few months all that would change.

Meanwhile on the other side of the country - Pacey�s loft

Pacey�s apartment was the setting for a very imported luncheon and only the right people had been invited. Pacey was trying hard to impress the city council to let him open his new restaurant in a historic section of Boston. Finding nothing but roadblocks in his way the past couple of weeks, he knew his only option was to get on good side of the council and the only way he could do that was to cook for them. He had invited Jack and Doug but only Doug had shown up. Jack, after he heard what had happened between Pacey, Andie and Madison, had refused to talk to Pacey or to see him. Pacey knew Jack�s loyalty to his sister exceeded his friendship with Pacey. Pacey was hurt but he felt no ill-will towards Jack. He knew that he would have done the same if he was in Jack�s shoes. He scanned the room. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, the food was a giant hit with guests and he hoped that this was enough so at the next city council meeting Pacey would get the votes he need. Pacey wondered where Madison had slithered off to. It had been awhile since she had been bothering him.

�It looks as if your party has changed a few minds.� Doug nudged Pacey�s shoulder.

Pacey gave a confident smirk to Doug.� In six months time I will be opening my new restaurant.�

�As long as you don�t forget in six months from now you�ll have a new baby to take care of as well.� Doug�s voice became serious.

Pacey looked down to his hands. "You don�t have to remind me Doug. I�m quite aware of my obligations towards her and the baby.� He couldn�t even bring himself to say her name.

�I�m not saying that, it�s just strange that you decide to go forward with starting a new restaurant when your personal life is in such disarray.�

�Listen Doug I know it�s your job to play the role of a big brother but now is not the time to discuss what�s going on my personal life.� Pacey replied trying not to antagonise his brother.

�I�m sorry Pace. You�re right, I am just worried for you. I hate to see you in this kind of situation.�

�Please don�t pity me Doug. I�m the one who got me into this situation. I just wished I hadn�t dragged Andie into this mess.� Pacey took a sip of his wine. "I broke her heart Doug, plain and simple."

�Seems as if you�ve both done that to each other Pace. You should know that hearts have a way of mending.� Doug tried to reassure Pacey.

Pacey set his glass on the counter. �I can only hope so. The thought of a reunion with Andie is the only thing that gets me through the day," he paused �and being a new father helps too.�

�It�s just too bad it�s with the wrong woman.� Doug eye looked away from Pacey as he said this. He couldn�t stand Madison. He couldn�t put his finger on it but there was something not quite right about the whole situation. His brother could be careless at times but somehow her being pregnant just didn�t ring true.

Pacey started to laugh. �That�s an understatement. God certainly does have a sense of humour doesn�t he?�

�You could say that� Doug chuckled.

�I never told you this but I made Madison take a bunch of pregnancy tests when we got back from Minnesota.� He laughed uncomfortably. �I thought she was faking it, no hang on, let me start over. I was praying she was faking it. But little did praying help because a half hour later I was surrounded with all these tests all confirming my worst fear that Madison was indeed pregnant.�

�Man Pace, I didn�t-�

Pacey interrupted. �Hey Dougie it�s okay.� He patted his brother on the back. �There�s a reason for everything. I�ll survive I always do. �

Doug grinned �Don�t worry about Pacey, he always lands on his feet. That�s what Jack just said about you the other day.�

Pacey demeanour shifted with Doug�s comment. �How is Jack?�

�He�s fine. Looking after Amy and teaching keep him pretty busy.�

�I know he�s mad at me.�

Doug stopped Pacey from finishing his sentence �Just give him some time Pace, he�s just trying to make sense out all of this. �

Pacey nodded his head �Yea, I know you�re right.�

For a few minutes it seemed all that needed to be said was said but one nagging question would not leave Pacey�s mind. As Pacey glanced over to Doug he hesitated a little before he asked the question. �How is she Doug?�

Doug was not surprised by Pacey�s question he had be waiting for him to ask about her since the conversation had started. �She says she�s okay but Jack and I both know she is hurting. �

Pacey bowed his head knowing exactly how Andie was feeling. He was feeling the exact same thing. He thought about how much he wanted to leave this place and fly to her side. Just to hold her and tell her that everything would be okay would be enough right now Pacey thought. For the millionth time that day, his thoughts were of Andie.

�She took a leave of absence from the clinic. She�s decided to spend some time with Audrey in California.�

�She�s staying with Audrey?� Pacey started to chuckle. He had called Audrey last week trying to find out where Andie had disappeared. She acted as if she had no clue where Andie was but now he knew that she had lied to him. But he wasn�t angry at her. He knew that Audrey was trying to protect Andie from any further hurt and he was grateful for that. The last thing he wanted was for Andie to suffer even more than she was right now.

�Is something wrong?� Doug watched Pacey curiously.

�No, I�m glad she has Audrey to talk to I know she�s in good hands.�

�Mr. Witter?� A young waiter interrupted the two brothers. �I�m sorry to bother you.�

�It�s quite all right Dean. How can I help you?�

�The hall closet where you keep the rest of the wine is locked. I wouldn�t bother you like this but I can�t find the key to the closet.�

�It�s not hanging right outside the door?� Pacey was puzzled as the key had never disappeared before like this.

�No sir we have looked every where.�

He walked over to the closet door testing the door knob to find out it was locked like Dean had said. �That�s strange.� He said to himself. Digging into his pocket for the extra key, he suddenly caught a heated argument going on within the closet. This was the reason it was locked. Pacey, hesitating with the key in his hand heard Madison�s voice and decided to lean closer to the door to listen to conversation before he opened the door.

�You�re crazy� Madison protested.

�Gimme a break Madison. I did the math. You got pregnant the around the same time we hooked up. �

�Bob, you�re drunk. You have no idea what you�re talking about.� Madison rolled her eyes at him.

Bob grabbed onto Madison arms. �The hell I don�t. This isn�t a game Madison and you can�t play with people�s lives like this.�

Madison wrestled herself away from Bob grasp �Just watch me.� She stormed out the closet and ran straight into Pacey.

�Pacey!� Madison jumped back. �How long have you been standing there?�

�Long enough to hear the truth.� Pacey grabbed her arm and began dragging her into the bedroom. �I have only one question for you Madison, a simple yes no is all I need.� Pacey looked firmly into her eyes.

�Is that baby mine?�

�Do really need me to answer that? � Madison snarled at him.

Pacey studied her eyes for a while. �No, no you don�t.� He had his answer from her reaction. Letting go of her arm he went to his wardrobe and pulled out his suitcase. Plopping it down on the bed, he opened the drawers of his dresser and scooping up his clothes began dumping them into the suitcase.

Madison was perplexed by what she was watching. �What�s going on? Where are you going?� Madison demanded.

�To catch a plane to LA. To find the woman who is my true love and try and win her back for good.� Pacey quickly zipped up his suitcase and picked it up and headed for the door. �Oh by the way Madison, you�re fired� he said over his shoulder as he left the bedroom. He left his loft never looking back and without saying a word to Doug or any of his guests.

Madison stood in his bedroom in shock. Suddenly she had no job, no Pacey and a baby on the way to a guy who wanted nothing to do with her because of the way she had treated him. In a rare moment of clarity, she knew that this was karma. Hurting Pacey and Andie bought her to this point.

While this realisation was coming to Madison Pacey took the first cab he could get to Logan Airport. It was a quick trip and he managed to catch a United flight to LA that left in twenty minutes after he arrived. As he boarded, all he could think about was that in a few hours he would be by her side and they could begin all over again and that magic he�d felt in Minnesota would return. He hoped that she could find it in her heart to forgive him once she told her of Madison�s deception and attempt to wreck whatever happiness they could have had. As the plane climbed into the sky above Boston, Pacey allowed himself a smile knowing that soon he would be with the love, the only love, of his life.

Meanwhile in LA, Andie sat in a state of shock in her bedroom with her cellphone in her hand. The doctor she had sneaked out to see had called and confirmed that her tests were positive. She was pregnant. She�d known the moment the morning sickness had started but somehow having it confirmed by a strange doctor made it real. She looked out over the ocean from her window wanting nothing more than Pacey by her side. Only he could hold her and make everything okay. If only he would call her.