Can It Be Done? : The Truth Comes Out
By: Kat
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Dawson's Creek. This is only for recreational purposes, people!
Rating: PG13 - mature conversations, mild cursing
Distribution: Take it anywhere...just tell me first.
***
"All right, enough with the suspense," Jen said, after listening to five minutes of physical description of Joey's crush. "Tell me!"
Joey looked away nervously. "It's Pacey," she finally blurted out. When Jen's face fell she began stammering excuses. "I just ... he's so ..."
"No, Joey, that's great!"
"Then why'd you make a face?"
"It's nothing, I just expected you to say Dawson." In reality, Jen knew she'd lose Pacey to Joey. And she was really starting to like him.
"Are you sure? You just don't think he's repulsive or anything like that?"
"He's definitely not repulsive," Jen murmured.
Joey smiled nervously. "No, he isn't."
"I think I can help you," Jen said after a few minutes of stunned silence.
"Really?!" Joey practically shrieked. Then her face fell. "Oh my god, I'm a twit."
"No, you're not, you're just in love."
*~**~*
Jen climbed sadly up Dawson's ladder, where she knew Pacey would be. It made sense that they were watching a movie instead of talking, since their relationship as friends had been shaky for some time. Accusing someone of cheating/stealing was never a good thing to do.
"Hey guys," she said as cheerfully as she could.
Pacey looked up from the movie and smiled warmly at her, making Jen feel sick to her stomach. How could he pretend he wanted her like that? And why did she always lose the best guys to Joey?
"Hey Jen," Dawson greeted her. "Want to join us?"
"Actually, I was just wondering if I could talk to Pacey for a sec." She pointed out the window and Pacey stood up.
"Your wish is my command," he replied, moving towards the window. He parted the curtains. "Ladies first."
She stepped out onto the roof and sat against the house. Pacey sat down next to her. "What's wrong?" He took her hand in his.
"I don't think we can do this anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Us, this. It won't work," she explained. Her voice gave away the reluctance she was feeling.
"A little while ago it was working just fine. What's happened since then?" Pacey asked, sounding irritated.
"I'm not the only person who occupies a space in your heart. And I can't stand to lose."
"So you're leaving me instead?"
"Yes."
"Who else is there? Because right now, Lindley, I can't think of one person who would be able to hold her own against you."
"Joey, that's who. She loves you, Pacey."
"And you thought that I would leave you as soon as I found that out?"
"You will, Pace."
He didn't reply. To her disgust, Jen felt tears traveling down her cheeks. She wiped them away and stood up.
"Someday, Pacey, I am going to find someone who is going to appreciate me. And Joey won't be able to swoop in and steal him away from me."
"He's right here." Pacey stood up and took her hands. "Joey has no idea who she loves. There isn't one male friend that she hasn't fallen for. Trust me, I'm either a distraction or a toy to make Dawson jealous with." He smiled. "Now why on earth would I want that when I have this beautiful girl standing right in front of me?"
"Because she's beautiful, too."
"Jen, let me tell you about a lesson I learned from Lethal Weapon 4."
"What?!"
"Just shut up and listen to me. Joe Pesci found Mel Gibson in front of his dead wife's grave. He was on his way to go see Renee Russo have his baby and he was feeling guilty."
"I don't see where this is going."
"You will." He grinned and poked her in the ribs. She giggled, satisfying Pacey. "So, Joe tells Mel about his only friend when he was a kid. A frog named Froggy. Froggy died and Joe was really sad because Froggy was the best friend, well, ever. Then he met Mel and Danny Glover and they became his best friends."
"Pacey..."
"He said, 'You're not better than Froggy. You're just different.'" Jen looked at Pacey's glassy eyes.
"Is this Pacey Witter presenting me with raw emotion?"
"That scene just gets me. But the point is, you and Joey are different kinds of beautiful. And different kinds of wonderful. And different kinds of special. Neither of you is better than the other. You're just different."
"Thanks, Pace."
"I really mean it, too. Because sometimes you need a certain kind of special. And you're it."
"Now what?"
"Well, I was thinking about kissing you now."
Jen felt her heart stop and everything around her cease to exist. Pacey's lips on hers felt like the best sensation ever created. Unlike most guys she'd dated, his tongue didn't automatically jam down her throat. He took his time, showing her in so many ways just how special she was.
They parted and Jen saw Pacey sway a little. "Take your breath away?" she asked, laughing.
"Yeah, funny how that happens."
"But, seriously, what about Joey?"
"What do you mean? I already told you that I want to be with you."
"But I told her that I would help her get you."
"Now why would you go and do a stupid thing like that?!"
"Because I didn't expect this sensitive, amazing, totally un-Pacey reaction! I thought you loved her, too."
"Then we'll just have to get her to stop liking me."
"And how are we going to do that?"
"Don't worry, I have my ways." She looked at him skeptically. "Believe me, I have experience with repulsing women."
*~**~*
"Ugh, Pacey, get away from me," Joey moaned.
"I thought you liked me," Pacey whined. "Nobody loves me! No one!"
His hands were covered in paint from Alex's finger-painting set. Winking at Joey, he took some black and smeared it under his eyes.
"Look, I'm a Yankee!"
"We live in Massachusetts, Pace. Try and get some loyalty."
"Massachusetts hates me."
"You know, I thought that maybe when I got to know you, you wouldn't be such a bad guy. Maybe you might even have an intelligent thing to say once in a while. But nooooo. Not you." Joey stood and began to pick up the supplies from the table. "This was a bad idea," she grumbled.
"What was?"
"Trying to form some sort of adult relationship with the likes of you."
"I wouldn't want to cheat on Jen."
Joey's mouth dropped open. "What? You're dating Jen?"
"Yeah, for a couple of weeks now."
"You've got to be kidding," she said. She shook her head in confusion. "But she... Can you handle Alex by yourself? Just for a little while?"
Pacey tried not to smile. "Why?"
"I have to go take care of something."
"Now?"
"Yes, is that okay?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"Thanks, I'll explain later."
*~**~*
"Teen magazine is so overrated," Jen mumbled to herself.
"Ah, the effects of a relationship with Pacey finally surface. Symptom number one: talking to yourself," Joey commented. "You might want to get some help while it's still in the early stages."
"He told you, huh?"
"Jen, why did you do that for me?" Joey asked. "Why would you offer me your own boyfriend? I don't understand."
"I thought the feeling was mutual between the two of you. I didn't want to stand in the way of something good. And I wanted to help you out."
"Why? Have I ever done anything that nice for you?"
"No, not yet. I was hoping that if I helped you, we might become friends. Somewhere down the line."
"We're definitely friends now. Anyone who sacrifices their own happiness for, well, mine, can consider themselves my friend."
Joey sat down on the edge of Jen's bed. "Really? Even though I lied to you?"
"You didn't lie. You just didn't offer the truth."
"Same difference."
"You tried to help me."
"But do you still like him?"
"No, I was just being stupid. Again. I don't know what's wrong with me, really. I always pursue relationships where perfectly good friendships already exist. And after today, I know Pacey just isn't my type."
They laughed. "I'm glad. Because he's sort of my type," Jen confessed shyly.
"There had to be at least one of you on the planet. Or Pacey might have to start playing for the other team."
END OF PART 4
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