Title: Brother and Sister day 70: Love and Letters  
Author: Kjiara
Author's E-Mail: kayjay@sunwave.net
Category: PJR
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: True Love
Archive: Go ahead, just give credit where due.
Feedback: Makes my day!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it.
Summary: Andie finds something not meant for her eyes.

Previous parts may be found at
http://www.geocities.com/kjiara

Brother and Sister day 70: Love and Letters
by Kjiara

  Dear Jen;
  
  Hi!  I decided on a good old-fashioned letter because it is
  such a lovely day to sit on deck and write and I can't e-mail
  you since we are back at sea.  How are things in Capeside?  I
  have to say things have never been better here.  We will be
  home in a little over a week and as much as I miss my family
  and all you guys, I have to admit I'm not really looking
  forward to it.  I could very happily stay out here with Pacey
  forever.  At least today I could.  Let me tell you there have
  been more than a few times I just wanted to pitch him overboard
  and run away to the islands.  Though, I'm pretty sure he feels
  the same way at times.  We have our moments.  We have had a
  couple of pretty bad fights.  About small stuff really, but
  fights just the same.  We wouldn't be us if we got along all
  the time, would we?
  
  But as stubborn and annoying as he can be, he is also truly
  wonderful.  We've just had the best summer.  He is such a sap
  though!  Did you know that about him?  He does these really
  mushy romantic things.  And as silly and old-fashioned as they
  may be, they still make me feel so amazingly good and so very
  loved.  (Don't you dare tell him that!)  The best part is the
  very first thing he say to me every morning is that he loves
  me.  I swear, Jen, if you ever tell anyone what a sap this man
  has turned me into I'll make you pay!
  
  The main reason I'm writing this though is I just have to tell
  someone what happened last night.  God, Jen, it was so
  absolutely breathtaking!  We went for a walk on the beach.  It
  was a tiny little town and the beach was completely deserted. 
  We collected more shells (We have a box full, and each one has
  a story - I'll tell you most of them when we get home.)  When
  we got back to True Love we sat on deck and watched the sunset,
  just as we do every night.  
  
  Then we made love.  
  
  AHHH! I know.  I just had to tell someone.  And I am so very
  glad I have you to tell.  You were right when you said I would
  know when it was right for both of us.  For once in my life I
  didn't analyse something to death.  It was just the right time
  and place so it happened.  You were right about something else
  too.  It was incredible!  I was so sure I would be terrified
  when it came time for my first time.   But I wasn't.  It just
  felt to unbelievably right.  I couldn't be afraid.  He was
  sweet and gentle and wonderful and. . . Oh god I sound like one
  of those girls don't I?  Get that grin off your face, Jen.  
  
  This morning, when we woke up, he told me he couldn't imagine
  ever being happier.  When I agreed, he told me he plans on
  making me this happy for the rest of my life!!!!!  Can you
  imagine?  I didn't know what to say, so I told him I loved him. 
  The scariest thing is, it didn't scare me in the least when he
  said it.  It made me happy.  And I knew *that* was what I
  wanted.  Can you believe it?  Me, Joey Potter, wanting to spend
  the rest of my life with Pacey Witter.  I said stop grinning! 
  You are evil you know, that?  And I am fully prepared for the
  'I-told-you-so's' that you are entitled to when we finally get
  home.
  
  I have to say thank you, Jen.  Even from here I know you're
  smiling as you read this.  And that you may be the only one of
  our friends who can truly be happy for us.  I wanted to make
  sure you know how much it means to us.  Your e-mails have been
  great.  In each new port I look forward to finding a letter
  from you.  Letting us in on all the Capeside happenings has
  helped us feel connected to home somehow.
  
  Well, Pacey is getting ready to stop for lunch so I should go. 
  I'm going to drop this into the mail at our next port.
  Hopefully we don't beat it home.
  
  See you soon.
  
  Joey
  
  PS Pacey decided that hair was no longer a necessity in his
  life and shaved it all off.  And you wondered why I wanted to
  pitch him over board.
  
  
  Hey Lindley;
  
  How's things.  When Jo said she was doing the snail mail thing
  I decided to send one too.  Would you be insulted if I told you
  I didn't want to come home?  I do miss you guys.  But I have to
  tell you, Jen, you just don't fair well when compared to
  spending all my time at sea with the woman I love.  How's
  everyone doing?  You said in your last e-mail that you guys
  were planning a trip.  How'd that go?  Please tell me you
  didn't let McPhee drive.  She's bad enough on the streets of
  Capeside, I can't imagine driving with her on the highway. 
  
  We should be pulling into Capeside in a little over a week. 
  I'm glad we can count on at least one person, that would be
  you, to be happy to see us.  We've really had a great time this
  summer.  We spend a lot of time just being together.  It's
  nice.  I have to be honest with you though.  That Potter woman
  can try a guys patience.  We've had a couple of fights. 
  Nothing too serious though.  Just the results of no time off
  from each other for almost three months.  All in all we've been
  getting along incredibly well.
  
  This morning I told her I wanted to make her happy for the rest
  of her life.  There.  How's that for subtle?  I could tell she
  was shocked.  She didn't say anything for a minute or two
  (though it seemed a lot longer at the time) and then she smiled
  the most incredible smile I've ever seen and told me she loves
  me.  I could tell what I said made her happy.   
  
  I meant it too.  I can't imagine ever wanting to be with anyone
  else.  I can't imagine that I ever did.  I've never been in
  this deep.  She is the one person I can see being with forever. 
  Shut up, Lindley!  You know better than anyone what this woman
  does to me.  I have to tell you, Jen, I'm scared to come home. 
  Out here everything is so damn simple.  It's me and her. 
  That's it.  Sure we talk about home.  But it's not the same as
  having to come face-to-face with Dawson.  Don't worry.  No
  doubts here.  I know in my soul that she loves me as much as I
  love her.  I just really don't want to see her hurt.  If he
  lays on the guilt I can't make any promises about how I'll
  handle it.  I love her, Jen.  And I will not allow him to cause
  her pain to assuage his own.  
  
  She's everything to me, Jen, and I want this to last forever.
  And if you tell anyone how seriously whipped I am, they'll
  never find the body.  Seriously, we're happy and I plan to keep
  us that way.
  
  I'll try to phone home when we get a bit closer.  Let you guys
  know exactly when we can be expected.
  
  Thanks again Jen for being a good friend to both of us.
  
  Talk to you soon.
  
  Pacey
  
"Hey, Andie.  Did you find that postcard?"  Jen asked as she
entered her bedroom.  "Andie?"  She saw the other girl sitting on
the bed.  She  crossed the room to stand in front of her friend. 
"Andie what's -" she stopped short when she saw the other girl was
crying.  "Andie, what's wrong?"  She took a step closer and saw
the letters clutched in the other girls shaking hands.  "Oh, God!" 


Andie turned teary eyes on her friend.  "He wants to spend the
rest of his life with her?" she whispered.  "He's never been in
this deep?"  Her voice broke as she tried to get control.  "He
made love to her, Jen."  She broke down completely, sobbing in
Jen's arms.

Jen gathered the other girl close.  "Oh, Andie, I'm so sorry. I
never meant for you to see those."

Andie shook her head violently.  "NO!" she pulled back sharply. 
"So I'm just supposed to be blissfully ignorant?"  She got up and
began pacing.  "How could he?" she exclaimed, sounding slightly
breathless.  "Did what we have mean absolutely nothing to him?" 
She grew more and more agitated.  "How can he say these things?"

Jen was beginning to worry about her friend's rather irrational
behaviour.  "Andie, it's not like you didn't know they were
together."

"HE MADE LOVE TO HER!"  Andie cried, waving Joey's letter at Jen.

"Andie, please. . ." Jen pleaded.

"What?  Andie, please what?  Don't feel bad that the boy you love
is sleeping with someone else?  Don't feel that he lied to me when
he told me he loved me?"

"Andie sit down please."  Jen's worry was growing.  She turned
suddenly as she heard the bedroom door open.

"Hey, guys what's--"  Jack took one look at his sister and rushed
to her side.  "Andie?  What the -" 

Andie brushed him off and rushed to Dawson who had followed Jack
into the room.  "Dawson, you understand don't you?" she begged.

Dawson shook his head, confused by her erratic behaviour.  "Andie,
what's wrong?"  He took the letter she shoved at him.  "I don't
understand?"  He turned to Jen.  "Jen?"

Before Jen could answer Andie was snatching the letter back.  "It
would seem our former significant others have consummated their
relationship!" she wailed.  "Can you believe it?   All they can
talk about is how much they want to spend the rest of their lives
together.  That they've never felt this way before, about anyone.
Can you believe them?"

Dawson was speechless.  He sat slumped onto the bed.  "They slept
together?"  He turned pleading eyes on Jen, practically begging
her to deny it.

"Dawson -"

He stood so he was right in her face.  "Did Joey and Pacey sleep
together?" he asked, his tone ice cold.

Jack put his hand on Dawson's shoulder.  "C'mon, man.  That's
enough."  

Dawson shook him off.  "NO!  I think I have a right to know."  He
turned back to Jen.  "Where you planning on telling me, Jen?  Or
did you think it was better that I be kept in the dark?"

Jen had had enough.  "Actually, Dawson, I had no intention of
telling you."  She held up her hand as he started to speak.  "No,
it's my turn now."  She turned to Andie.  "Andie, please sit down.
You too, Dawson."  They sat on the bed and she pulled her desk
chair up to face them.  "I had no intention of telling either of
of you, because frankly it's none of your damn business."

Dawson jumped to his feet.  "None of my business?  How can you say
that?  Of course it's my business!"

"Dawson, SIT DOWN!" Jen exploded.  She got up and began pacing. 
"You know, you two act as though Pacey and Joey are cheating on
you.  Well, guess what?  They're not!  They are together, just
like they have been all summer.  And all summer we've had to tip
toe around hoping not to hurt your tender feelings.  And that's
fine.  You're my friends and I know this situation is hard on both
of you.   But enough is enough.  Yes, Joey and Pacey slept
together.  They slept together because they love each other.  Yes,
that's right, Dawson, don't roll your eyes at me.  They love each
other.  And they're happy together.  I'm sorry this hurts you two
but get over yourselves.  Neither one of them has betrayed
anyone!"

"Fine!  At least I know who's side you're on."  Dawson stomped to
the door.  "Andie, you want a ride home?"

Andie nodded weakly, looking thoroughly exhausted.  "Yeah, I don't
much feel like a movie anymore."  She followed Dawson to the door.

Jen stopped her.  "Andie, my letters please?" she said coldly.

Andie threw them across the room.  "Here."  She slammed the door
behind her when she left.

Jen picked up the letters before dropping onto the bed with a
heavy sigh.  "Damn."  Jack stared at the door.  "I can't believe
she reacted like that."  He shook his head.  "I thought she had
all this straight, that she was on their side."  

"I think it was a pretty big shock for her.  They both laid it on
pretty thick in their letters.  Maybe a little too much honesty
for her."  She shrugged.  "I think it hurts her to finally realise
that Pacey loves Joey more than he loved her.'

"But she had to know. . ."  Jack was at a loss.


"She did, Jack.  But this makes it very real.  I'm sure once she
calms down she'll realise that this isn't the end of the world. 
That nothing has really changed from yesterday."

Jack sighed.  "I hope you're right, Jen."  He opened the door.  "I
should head home.  Make sure Dawson doesn't get her too worked
up."

Jen nodded.  "Good luck.  Tell Andie that if she needs a friend,
I'm here."

"Thanks Jen."

                         ~*~
                           
The car was silent as Dawson drove quickly through the streets of
Capeside.  Andie stared straight ahead.  The rain that had driven
them indoors earlier in the day was letting up.  Andie finally
recognised her surroundings.  "Dawson, where are we going?"  She
sat up straight, dreading his answer.

"I think Bessie Potter has a right to know what Pacey has done to
her sister.  Don't you?"

"Dawson, no!"  Andie exclaimed.  "You can't do that!"

"Of course I can.  Bessie should know."

Andie had been giving careful thought to the letters during the
short car ride.  "Dawson, this really isn't any of our business."

Dawson hit the breaks suddenly causing the car to skid slightly on
the wet pavement.  He pulled over to the shoulder and turned to
face Andie.  "How can you say that?  You were just as upset as I
am."

"Yes, I was.  But now that I've thought about it and calmed down,
I know that even though it may hurt like hell, they've done
nothing wrong."

Dawson snorted.  "Yeah, right.  Pacey has had all summer to work
on her.  I can just imagine what he said to get her to agree to
sleep with him."

"You didn't read her letter, Dawson," she said, her tone gentle.  
"Joey was more than happy with what happened.  It happened because
she loves him and wanted to be with him.  And whether you like it
or not, Dawson, they do love each other."

Dawson ignored her and threw the car back into gear.  "I'll take
you home."

"Are you still going to go to Bessie's?"

Dawson shrugged.

"Please, Dawson.  At least give yourself a night to think about
this.  To cool down," Andie pleaded.  "Maybe wait and talk to
Pacey and Joey.  They'll be home on Sunday."

Dawson continued to ignore her until they pulled into her
driveway.  "Bye, Andie."

"Dawson, please. . ."

"Good-bye, Andie."

Andie sighed and got out of the car.


                         ~*~
                           

Dawson pulled up to the Potter's B & B to find Doug Witter waiting
on the porch.  "Hello, Dawson."

"Doug.  Is Bessie here?" he asked as he climbed the stairs.

"Yeah, she's in putting Alexander down."

"Fine, I can wait."  Dawson sat on one of the benches.

"That's not necessary, Dawson," Doug said coldly.

"Pardon me?"

"There's no need for you to wait."

"I want to speak to Bessie."

"I don't think that's a very good idea, Dawson."

Dawson stood to face the older man.  "And why isn't it a good
idea, Doug?"

"It just isn't.  I think you should go."

Dawson was getting angrier by the minute.  "Who the hell do you
think you are?  I'm here at *Bessie's* house to see *Bessie*.  Not
you.  Now if you don't mind. . ."

"He may not mind, Dawson, but I'm afraid I do."

"What?"  Dawson was shocked by Bessie's cold tone.  "Bessie -"

"Andie called, Dawson.  She told me what happened before she
apologised profusely for telling you what was in those letters."

"But," Dawson hesitated knowing Doug was still behind him. 
"Bessie, you can't be happy about this.  I mean we both know Pacey
must have -"

"Enough!" Bessie snapped.  "I thought we'd settled this, Dawson. 
I thought you understood."

"I can't believe you're condoning their behaviour." Dawson sulked.

"Frankly, Dawson it's none of your business whether we condone it
or not.  Just like the fact that it happened is none of your
business."

"Oh, I see," Dawson smirked knowingly.  "That's how it is now."

Bessie sighed and crossed her arms in front of her.  "What?"

"You're a 'we' now.  You have to defend Pacey because you're
sleeping with his big brother.  It figures."

"Okay, that's enough," Doug snarled.  "Dawson, leave, now."

"Fine.  Just don't expect me to help pick up the pieces when he
dumps her like he did Andie."  Dawson stalked back to his car.

Doug wrapped his arms around Bessie from behind.  "They're gonna
have it rough when they get back, aren't they?"

Bessie nodded.  "Yeah, but they still have Andie and Jen and
Jack."

"And us."

"And us.  I think they'll be okay."

Doug nodded his agreement into her hair.  "What do you think
they're going to do when they find out I'm moving in here?"

Bessie chuckled.  "I'm more worried about how *we're* going to
handle the two of *them* living in the same house."

"God, help us."


  FROM:PotterB@capenet.com
  DATE: September 1, 2000
  TO:Pwitter@yehaw.com 
  SUBJECT: Issues
  
  Is there something you'd like to tell me Pacey?
  
  The end Brother and Sister day 70: Love and Letters