Title: Brother and Sister Day 3: 'Making Contact'
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 'em.
Summary: Our intrepid duo make contact with the home front.

This is the third story in my Brother and Sister series and will
probably only make sense if you read the first two stories which
can be found at

http://www.geocities.com/kjiara

Brother and Sister Day 3 
'Making Contact'
by Kjiara

Doug could hear the phone ringing as he struggled with the bags he
was carrying and opening his door.  He dropped the bags on the
table and grabbed the phone.  "Hello?"

"Dougie!"  Came the exuberant reply.

"Pacey?"  Doug flopped on the couch.  "Where the hell are you?"

"Sorry, Doug, no-can-do.  Not until I'm sure the cavalry isn't
coming after us."  Pacey's voice held a hint of trepidation.

Doug sighed.  "Don't worry, Pace, Bessie hasn't called in the
Coast Guard."

"And just how much fast talking did you have to do to bring about
that miracle?"

Doug smiled.  "Not a lot."

"Riiight."

"Well, maybe a little.  What exactly *were* you thinking Pacey?"

Pacey hesitated.  "To be honest, Doug, I wasn't.  Not really.  All
I could see was Joey Potter standing there telling me she wanted
to come with me because she loved me.  Telling me that she needed
me.  Anything beyond that's a bit of a blur."

Doug could almost see the sheepish expression on his brother's
face and he had to laugh.  "I guess that's understandable.  But,
Pace, don't you think it would be a good idea to come home?  This
is a pretty big step to take so soon."

"I know that, Doug, and we've talked about, almost constantly for
the last two days."

"And what did you conclude?" Doug asked with some dread.

"That if *we* can survive being together, on this boat, all
summer?  Then we can survive anything," Pacey said confidently.

"Pace--"

"Listen, Doug.  It's not like we hardly know each other, we've
been friends for years, and this last year we've spent almost all
our free time together.  We can do this.  I have to believe that."

"I just hope you know what you're doing, Pacey."  Doug rubbed his
eyes.  "And, Pace, you do know there's no shame in needing to come
home right?  And that just because Joey may want to end her trip
early, doesn't necessarily mean you two are over."

"I know, Doug, and if she wants to go home, I will put her on the
bus myself.  But until she tells me she's had enough of me, I plan
to enjoy this.  It really is wonderful, Doug."

Doug could honestly say he'd never heard his brother sound
happier.  "So what are the plans, Pace?"

"We're spending the day here, and the night.  Moving on again
tomorrow.  Nothing solid yet.  Just seeing what happens."

"Pacey. . .?"  Doug hesitated, unsure how to broach such a
sensitive subject.

Pacey could here the tension in his brother's voice.  "What's
wrong, Doug?"

"Pace, you and Joey, you're both so young.  Now, I know you have-
well that you're a bit more- um, experienced than she is--"

"Whoa, Dougie, back it up.  This isn't an issue," Pacey said
firmly.

"How can it not be an issue, Pacey.  You're alone on a very small
boat with the girl you love."  Doug cleared his throat.  "And
Pacey, I know there only one full size bed on that thing.  Unless
one of you is sleeping in those horrible little bunks."

Pacey laughed.  "No, Doug, you're right, we are sharing the bed. 
But that's it.  God, Doug we've only been together three days!" 

"I know, I know.  But--"

"No buts, Doug.  As I said, it's a non-issue."

"Does Joey know that?"  Doug challenged.

"Of course she does!" Pacey said defensively.  "We've talked about
this, Doug.  We both know where we stand, and if anything changes
we will talk about it when the time comes.  Please don't worry,
I'm not going to bring her home pregnant, no matter what Dawson
may think."  This last was said rather bitterly.

"Actually, Pace, I have a message for both of you, from Dawson."

"Wonderful" Pacey snorted.

"He says to say hi and he'll miss you, both of you."

"Yeah right, Dougie, I got a great bridge I'd love to--"

"Dammit, Pacey, I was there when he said it.  I think he may
finally realise that this wasn't some great evil plot to destroy
his life."

Pacey had to laugh at Doug's accurate description of Dawson's
attitude.  "Well if that's true, I'm glad, Jo will be too.  It was
the one black spot in all this.  Neither one of us really wanted
to lose him."

"I know, Pacey.  Now, is Joey planning on phoning her sister?"

"Not really," Pacey said, hesitantly.

"What do you mean 'not really'.  Bessie is a wreck."

"I know that, Doug, and I have *tried*, believe me.  But I don't
know if you realise this, but Potter girls are stubborn creatures. 
And they pout."

Doug burst out laughing.  "Hadn't noticed, Bessie was always such
an easygoing girl."

Pacey snorted, "uh huh.  What it boils down to is she's scared
Bessie's going to freak out at her over the phone.  So, guess who
gets to make the call to big sis?"

"That would be you."

"That would be me.  Which I should probably get to."

"She really isn't *that* mad, Pacey."

"You really do think I'm a moron don't you, Dougie?" Pacey said
sarcastically.  "I can just imagine what she has planned for me
upon our return."

"It's not pleasant, Pace."

"I figured.  Well, I'll talk to you soon, Doug.  Not sure how many
phone calls, they're pretty pricey, but we're gonna send out post
cards from every port we sail into, so we'll keep you updated."

"Okay, Pace, you take care, and say hi to Joey for me."

"I will, bye."

****

"Hello?"

"Bodie?"

"Pacey?  Where the hell are you?"

Pacey sighed guiltily.  "Listen, Bodie, I know you probably want
my head on a platter "

"I don't think your head is what Bessie has in mind," Bodie
chuckled.

"Yeah, that's what I figured."  Pacey took a deep breath.  "Is she
there?"

"Yeah, hang on a sec."  

Pacey heard Bodie yell for Bessie, a moment later she was on the
line.  "Pacey?  Where's my sister?" she demanded angrily.

"Sorry, Bessie, I tried, but she refused to call you.  Said she
didn't feel up to being yelled at today.  She's back on the boat
having a pout."

Bessie had to laugh.  "Get used top those pouts, Pacey, she's
refined them to an art."

"I'm getting that."  Pacey paused, waiting for the explosion. 
"So, Bess. . ."

"Yes, Pacey."

"Aren't you going to ask?"

"Well, I figured that eventually you'd get nervous enough and
blurt out an explanation as to why my SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD SISTER
HAS TAKEN OFF FOR THE SUMMER WITH HER NEW BOYFRIEND!"

Pacey cringed.  "Bessie, I'm sorry -"

"Sorry doesn't cut it, Pacey, you're seventeen, you guys have to
know you're not ready for this.  Please come home," Bessie
pleaded.

"Bessie, I realise this is a lot to expect from you, but we need
this time."

"Pacey. . ."

"No, Bessie.  If we stayed in Capeside for the summer, we 
would have to deal, not only with a new relationship, but with 
everyone else's reactions to that relationship.  This way we get 
the time  and proximity to adjust to 'us'.  Hopefully everyone
else will have dealt with it in their own ways by the time we 
get back."

"Don't you think that's a *little* bit optimistic, Pace?" Bessie 
asked softly.

"Maybe.  Probably.  But at least we will have had some time to
just be us, to be happy.  The way I look at it, this may be the
only chance we get for some peace together."  Pacey's voice
softened, lowered.  "I love her, Bessie.  We need this.  You have
to know I would never do *anything* to hurt her."

Bessie sighed.  "I know that, Pacey.  I know you love her, I know
she loves you, but you are still just kids.  This is a big
commitment you're making here.  And don't kid yourself into
thinking that living together for three months isn't a huge
commitment.  There are a number of responsibilities that have to
come with a decision like this."

Pacey laughed.  "You and Doug *have* been spending time together,
haven't you?"

"What are you talking about, Pacey?"

"I'll tell you what I told him.  What you're worried about?  It's
not an issue.  Joey and I have made a few decisions about our
relationship and the direction we want it to take.  When that
direction changes we will discuss it and deal with it.  Besides
that, Bessie, do you honestly think that being at home would 
deter us at *all* if we wanted to sleep together?"

Bessie was a bit taken aback at the blunt nature of the question. 
"Well. . ."

"Bessie, don't worry.  Well at least try not to worry to much.  I
love her, we are not rushing into anything."  Bessie snorted. 
"Okay almost anything.  We'll be okay, I promise."

"Just promise me, whatever you do, you'll be safe."

Pacey sighed again, knowing she hadn't really believed him.  "I
promise."  Whatever it took to put her mind at ease.  "Look,
Bessie I should go.  This is costing a fortune.  I'll try to get
her to call soon, okay.  I'm not guaranteeing anything of course,
she a tad on the obstinate side."

Bessie laughed.  "That she is.  Pacey?"

"Yeah?"

"If you need anything, please call.  Anything, even just someone
to talk to.  And if you want to come home, please, I won't have a
fit, I'm calming down.  I just want you two happy."

"We are happy, Bessie."

"I know sweetie, I know.  Take care of yourself and my baby
sister."  Bessie said, her voice gentle.

"Always.  Bye, Bess."  He hung up.

****

"Hello?"

"Hi, Doug."

"Hey, B,"  Doug said happily.  "Did Pacey call?"

"Yeah, Joey wasn't there though.  He said she was hiding on the
boat.  I think he's getting his first taste of my sister's true gift." 

"Huh?" Doug was confused.

"There is no one on this planet, who pouts with the skill and
dedication of Josephine Potter," Bessie said with mock pride.

Doug laughed.  "Must be a family thing."

"Hey!"

"Oh c'mon, B, you made me put up with some staggeringly masterful
sulks way back when."

"Did not!"

Doug chuckled, "that's my girl."   There was an awkward silence as
they both realise what he had said.  Finally Doug cleared his
throat.  "So, what else did Pacey say to you?"

"Basically, that they weren't coming back no matter what I said
and that he has no intention of sleeping with my sister for at
least the time being."

"Do you believe him?"

"Do you?" Bessie asked, hopefully.

"Yeah, I do.  I really think they're going to wait, B."  

"God I hope so."  Bessie paused nervously.  "Are we still on for
tonight?"

"Of course.  Bess?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you tell Bodie where you're going tonight?"

Bessie hesitated for a moment before answering.  "No, no I didn't,
Doug."

"Aw, B, come on.  We're two old friends going to an art exhibit
for crying out loud.  It's not like we're sneaking away for the
weekend," Doug said angrily.

"I know that, Doug.  But you also know how- tense Bodie is about
you and I being friends again."

"You not telling him when you're seeing me isn't going to improve
that, B."

"I know, I know.  I'll tell him, okay.  I just don't want to ruin
our time together.  I knew I missed you, Doug, I just never
realised how mush until you came back."

"*I* never left Bessie."  Doug hung up the phone.

The end Brother and Sister Day 3: 'Making Contact'

There will be more. The next chapter will focus on the folks at home, 
not too much P and J but hopefully still entertaining.

As always I would love to hear what you think.

KJ

kayjay@sunwave.net