Title: Brother and Sister day 35: A Friend Indeed Author: Kjiara Author's E-Mail: kayjay@sunwave.net Category: PJR Rating: PG Spoilers: True Love Archive: Go ahead, just give credit where due. Feedback: Makes my day! Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. Summary: Another phone call home. www.geocities.com/kjiara Brother and Sister day 35: A Friend Indeed by Kjiara "Good afternoon Potter Bed and Breakfast. How may I help you?" The friendly voice wasn't the one Joey had been expecting. "Andie?" "Joey? Is that you? Oh My God, I can't believe it! How are you? Where are you? Are you okay? Is Pacey okay? It's not his hand is it, because I know what Doug said and--" "Whoa, Andie," Joey interrupted Andie's rambling. "We're fine. We're both doing great. We're just calling to check in." "Whew! Well that's a relief. I guess I just automatically think no news is good news." Andie's perky tone returned. Joey smiled. Only Andie. Her smile faded as she remembered where she had called. "Andie, why are you answering our phone? Where's Bessie?" she asked with some trepidation. "Oh, yeah. I've been giving Bessie a hand. When she needs to go out I come in and look after Alexander and answer the phone and such." Joey could hear the smile in Andie's voice. "I love looking after the little guy. We have lots of fun together, don't we, Alexander?" Joey heard the baby giggle in the background. Joey smiled again. "I'm glad to hear it." She hesitated a moment. "So, how are things back home?" "Good. Everyone is keeping pretty busy. We've all managed to find pretty cool summer jobs, so we're pretty busy. But we still hang out quite a bit. Go to movies, the beach, that kind of thing. It's not the same without you and Pacey though." Andie stopped, trying to choose her next words carefully. "So, how are you guys doing?" "Good. Great as a matter of fact. Pacey's hand is healing well. He almost has full use of it back though he still puts it on, hoping I'll feel sorry for him." Andie laughed. "He's just a big baby, isn't he?" Joey laughed too. "Yeah, but I don't really mind. I kinda like taking care of him. Don't tell him I said that, please." Suddenly the teasing tone vanished. "He hasn't really had that much pampering in his life. No one to really take care of him, so I--" Joey stopped, remembering who she was talking to. "Andie, "I'm sorry. . . " Andie's voice was a bit sad. "It's okay, Joey. You're right. He has gone without for far too long." She sniffed slightly. "I just hope you take better care of him than I did." "I'm going to do my best to make sure he's happy, Andie," Joey declared confidently. "That's all I ask." Andie cleared her throat. "So, other than pampering Pacey, what have you been up to?" Joey heaved a sigh of relief, glad to have navigated that mine field. Hopefully the rest would be as easy. "Sailing mostly. We stop in these lovely little towns. We hit the grocery stores and the book stores, do a few touristy things and then we're off again. Whenever we can we go to the beach but mostly we just spend our time together." She smiled softly. "It's been wonderful." "I'm glad, for both of you. That you get this time together, away from all of us and the issues we bring to the table. You both deserve to be happy." Joey was silent for a moment. "You know, Andie, Pacey was right." "About what?" "You really do know a lot about being a friend." "Thank you. I just care about both of you. You deserve to be happy. And if being together is what it takes then as your friend, that's what I have to want for you." "I just know it isn't easy for you and I wanted you to know how much it means to me and to Pacey. Speaking of whom, he's back. Hang on a sec." Joey turned to Pacey. "It's Andie." She handed him the phone. "Hey, McPhee. How's things in good old Capeside?" he asked cheerfully. Andie laughed. "Don't you sound chipper. Being at sea must agree with you." "Yeah, Andie. It does." He looked at Joey as he spoke. "It really does." He turned his attention back to the phone. "So how are you?" "Good. Great. Dad is being great. He and Jack are getting along better than ever. I also have a job I really like. So far it's been a perfect summer, except you and Joey aren't here." Pacey winced. "Yeah, well. . ." "Oh, no, I totally don't blame you for not being here." Andie hurried to explain. "If I were you, I'd have taken off too. It's just we miss you guys." "We?" "Me and Jack and Jen. And, well, Dawson misses you guys too." "Yeah right." "He does! I'm sure of it," Andie stated firmly. "Andie, we both know Dawson Leery would live out his life in absolute happiness if he never had to lay eyes on me again." "No! Pacey, that's not true. You're his best friend." Pacey snorted. "Only as long as I follow his rules, Andie. Don't get me wrong. I love the guy. Always will. He's been a real brother to me. But I will not and can not sacrifice my and Joey's happiness to assuage his wounded ego." "I know that, Pacey. I think Dawson knows it too. He has talked about you guys a bit." "Anything good?" Pacey asked doubtfully. "Mostly that he is working at dealing with it. Give him time, Pacey. He loves you guys. Both of you. We all do." Pacey had to smile. "You really are the best, you know that McPhee?" "And don't you forget it." "Listen, Jo wants to talk to you again so I better go." "Okay. Take care of yourself, Pacey. And hurry up and get home." "Bye, Andie." "Andie, why are you at the house?" Joey asked as soon as she took the phone. "I told you. I'm watching Alexander and answering the phone. Bessie went out and I've been helping out." Joey was still confused and concerned. Why did Bessie need Andie's help? "No, that's not what I meant. Why are *you* there? Where's Bodie?" It wasn't like them to both leave the house during the day. Andie hesitated. It wasn't her place to deal with this. "Listen, Joey, I think you should talk to Bessie." "Why? What's wrong? Has something happened? Are they okay?" Joey was starting to panic. "It's okay, Joey. They're both fine. I just think you should talk to your sister. She's with Doug Witter. Maybe you could try his cell phone." Joey wasn't sure what to think. All she knew was she needed to speak to Bessie right away. "Thanks, Andie, I'll try that. Bye." She hung up rather abruptly, knowing Andie would forgive the rudeness. She immediately turned to Pacey. "What's your brother's cell number again?" Pacey was a bit taken aback by her rather cold tone. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" "I have no idea. And I would really like to find out." She stared at him, tapping her foot. "The number?" "555-7895." Joey dialled the number and waited. "Hello?" "Doug, it's Joey. May I speak to my sister please?" she asked rather rudely. "Joey? Is everything okay?" Doug asked, concern evident in his voice. "May I speak to Bessie, please?" she repeated coldly. "Of course. Just a minute." Joey heard him call her sister, heard the worry in his voice as he told Bessie who it was. "Joey, what's wrong?" Bessie's tone was just this side of panicked. "Where's Bodie?" "What?" "Where is he, Bessie? Why is Andie looking after the house and Alexander while you're off traipsing around with Doug Witter?" "Okay, hold it. Lose the attitude, Jo. Right now," Bessie snapped. There was silence from the other end. "Now, if you are willing to speak like a civilised human being, would you mind telling me what's wrong?" Joey cleared her throat. "I just called home and Andie answered." "And?" "Why?" "Why what?" "Bessie. . ." "I'm sorry, Jo. I'm not sure what's wrong?" "When I asked her why she was there she got all evasive and said I should speak to you. So I'm speaking to you. What's going on? You and Bodie are never away from the house at the same time anymore." Bessie hesitated. She knew Joey was going to be extremely upset by what she had to say. "Joey, is Pacey there with you?" "Yes, of course. Why?" "Let me speak to him, please." "NO! Bessie just tell me. What the hell is going on?" Joey asked, getting even more upset. She felt Pacey's arms come around her from behind and was grateful for the support. "Please, Bessie." "Joey," Bessie took a deep breath. "Bodie moved out." Joey was silent. This couldn't be happening. Not Bodie. He wouldn't have just left. He loved them. All of them. She could feel her eyes begin to sting. "What happened, Bessie? What did you do?" She asked, already fairly certain of the answer. "Jo. . ." "WHAT DID YOU DO?" Joey yelled. "Joey, please. Calm down." "I will not calm down until you tell me what made Bodie leave us." Bessie had had it. "He didn't leave *us* Joey. He left me." "It's the same thing, Bessie. We're a family. If he leaves you, he leaves all of us," Joey snapped. "Joey, I really don't want to get into this with you right now. Please," Bessie begged. "NO! I want to know. I have a right to know. Bodie's my family too. It was Doug, wasn't it? You cheated on Bodie with Doug. My god, Bessie how could you? After everything mom went through -" "Shut up! That's enough. I did *not* cheat on Bodie." Bessie took a deep breath, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. "Yes, I have been spending time with Doug. And yes, we have gotten much closer. And yes, that had something to do with Bodie leaving. But, Joey, it wasn't Doug's fault or Bodie's. It was mine. There are a lot of things you don't know about, things that happened a long time ago. We all have to work through them and Bodie thought it best that he and I be apart while we all dealt with these issues." "Issues? You have *issues*? Bessie. . ." Joey's voice gave out and Pacey took the phone from her. "Bess?" Bessie sighed. "Hey, Pacey." "You okay?" "I'm fine. Is she okay?" Pacey rubbed Joey's back gently, wincing at the tension he could feel there. "She'll be fine. Bessie, let me speak to Doug for a minute, okay." "Sure, Pace. Just take care of my sister, please." "Always. Bye, Bess." "Hey, Pace." "What's going on, Doug? What happened with Bessie and Bodie?" "It's a long story, Pacey. Bodie just felt he should move out while Bessie sorted out what she wanted." "Don't you mean *who* she wanted?" Pacey challenged. "Listen, Pacey, we're doing the best we can, okay. Things are really rough right now but I don't want you guys worrying about it. We are adults. And we can take care of ourselves. You worry about each other and having a good time and enjoying what you have. Okay?" Pacey was quiet for a moment. It was after all, really none of his business. He had doubts about his ability to make Joey see it that way though. "Okay, Doug. But please, be careful. It's not just you three involved," he warned gently. "I know, Pacey. Believe me, I know. Take care of each other." "We will. Bye Doug." He hung up the phone and held Joey tightly while she cried. ~*~ Doug turned off his cell phone and pulled Bessie into his arms. "I'm so sorry, B," he said soothingly. "I knew she'd react like that," Bessie sobbed. "She adores Bodie, and he loves her. How else would she feel?" "When they get back, you can explain things to her. She'll understand, B. After everything they've been through this year, how could she not?" Bessie pulled away from him. "How can I make her understand, Doug, when I don't even know for sure what's going on?" "Bessie. . ." he started helplessly. "No, Doug. How do I explain to my little sister, that while I have been living with one man, had a child with him, that I've been in love with someone else? How do I make her understand something that doesn't make any sense, even to me?" "Bessie we both know you love Bodie." "Yes, I do. I love him. But I am in love with you. I always have been and I always will be. Don't you get it, Doug? I won't be going back to Bodie *because* I love him. He doesn't deserve a woman who's in love with another man. He deserves to be loved completely and wholly for the amazing and truly wonderful man that he is." Doug was speechless. This was the first time Bessie has said she had no intention of going back to Bodie. What would that mean for them? "Are you sure that's what you want, Bessie? Because if you have *any* reservations, I need to know now. There is no way I could handle watching you walk away a second time. It would kill me." "I mean it. I refuse to live that lie anymore. What's the point if we're all miserable? At least this way we all have a chance at happiness." "I suspect Bodie won't see it that way." "Not right now, no he won't. But in time, when he finds someone wonderful enough to deserve him, he'll understand." Doug took a fortifying breath. "And us?" "Well, we, take it slow. I don't want to rush into this and screw it up for good. It's too important to me. I want us to be together, Doug. But I want to do it right. So we keep going like we are. Spend time together, get to know each other again, remember why we love each other, and then, who knows?" She smiled up at him, her eyes clear and bright. "We can do this. I have the utmost faith in *us*." Doug drew her back into his rams. "Me too, Bess. Me too." The end Brother and Sister day 35: A Friend Indeed.