Title: Never, Neverland part 8/10
Author: Kjiara and Natasha
Author's E-Mail: kayjay@sunwave.net
Category: PJR
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Season three
Archive: Yes, just give credit where due
Feedback: Makes my day!
http://www.geocities.com/kjiara
Disclaimer: I don't own any of 'em.
Summary: What if Cinderella Story had a slightly different ending?



Never, Neverland part 8/10
by Kjiara

"Pardon me?" Pacey snorted incredulously.

Dawson crossed his arms, staring at his friend.  "I said, I want
you to stay away from Joey."

Pacey shook his head sharply.  This was insane.  "What are you
talking about, Dawson?  Why would I stay away from Joey?"

"Because I asked you to.  And I am your best friend, right, Pace?"

"Yeah, Dawson.  You're my friend, but so is Jo.  And frankly, man,
I'm not going to abandon her just on your say-so."

"So even if I ask you - as my best friend - to stay away from her. 
You'd say no?"

Pacey stood to face him.  "Where's this coming from, Dawson?  Why
would you think I'd even consider it?  You know me better than
that.  Joey's my friend.  Hell she's my best friend.  What's going
on?"

"I was just hoping that you'd put some value on our friendship.  I
guess I was wrong," Dawson answered haughtily.

"Okay, hold it right there!"  Pacey moved closer until the two
were toe to toe.  "For one thing, I *am* your friend.  And you
know damn well I would do almost anything for you.  Secondly,
there is no way in hell I am going to stay away from Joey just
because you feel threatened by our relationship."

Dawson snorted.  "I hate to break this to you, Pace, but you're no
threat to me."

Pacey smirked.  "Really?  No threat?  Then explain this to me
Dawson.  Explain to me why you're standing there demanding that I
abandon a life long friend because you seem to have some sort of
problem with me."

Dawson straightened his shoulders.  "I'm just looking out for
Joey."

"Oohh."  Pacey nodded,  "I see.  Well, just so long as it's Joey
you're worried about I guess it's okay."  His jaw tightened.  "Cut
the crap, Dawson.  What the hell is your problem?"

Dawson stared at him, his eyes cold.  "As I said, I'm looking out
for Joey.  I'd hate to see her hurt."

Pacey just shook his head.  "Oh-kay.  So, in order for Joey not be
hurt, *I* as her close friend should just stop speaking to her
altogether.  Is that how we're going to protect Joey, Dawson? 
'Cause frankly, I don't see it working."

"You're a screw up, Pacey.  You haven't had one single solid
relationship in your entire life.  Why do you want to drag Joey
down too?"

Pacey took a step back.  "Well, I guess it's nice to know what my
*best friend* really thinks of me."  He turned to leave then
stopped.  "You know, Dawson, before today, I would have done
almost anything to ensure you were happy.  Including going without
the one thing I wanted more than anything else.  You were that
important to me, D.  But what I won't do for you, Dawson, is hurt
Joey.  Ever.  Especially since you're so god-damned transparent. 
You can stand there and tell yourself that your motives are purely
altruistic, but we both know why you want me out of Joey's life.  
And it has absolutely nothing to do with ensuring *her*
happiness."  Pacey walked back up the steps and into the house
without a backwards glance.

"I really thought you were smarter than that, Dawson."

Dawson whirled around to find Jen standing there, her face a mask
of disgust.  "What?  All I was doing -"

"Stop.  Please.  I'm no stupider than Pacey.  And we both see very
clearly through your *concern* for Joey.  God, Dawson, what were
you thinking?  What if it had been Joey who'd overheard that
conversation instead of me?  She'd have handed you your intestines
on a platter."

"I'm just looking out for her," Dawson insisted sulkily.

"No, Dawson, you were looking out for yourself.  As usual.  What
happened?  Did you finally take a close look at your best friends
and see something you didn't like?  Maybe you finally saw what the
rest of us have been privy to for months."

Dawson's head shot up.  "What?"

Jen shook her head.  "Forget it, Dawson.  Just a word of advice. 
Don't try and float that same load of garbage with Joey.  She's
not as forgiving as Pacey.  And unlike him, she wouldn't resist
slugging you."  She turned to the driveway just as the Potter
sisters arrived home.  "Well, I wish you luck my friend.  You're
going to need it."  She walked to the truck.  "Hey, Joey."

"Jen, hi."  Joey smiled as she climbed out of the truck.

"How're you feeling?"

"Great.  Wonderful.  Even better now that my doctor has freed me
from my incarceration."  She grinned at her sister.  "Though I
think the warden's a bit unhappy about losing her power."

"You are so not funny."  Bessie threw over her shoulder as she
climbed the stairs.

The girls both laughed.  Then Jen said, "Well I just wanted to
stop by and say hi.  See how you were doing."  She cast a glance
at the porch where Dawson still stood.  "But I think I'll be going
now.  Bye."  She took off at a jog.

Joey watched her leave with a puzzled expression on her face. 
That was weird.  Then she spotted Dawson on her front porch. 
"What are you doing here, Dawson?" she asked, approaching him.

Dawson was startled by her cold tone.  "Well, I thought I'd stop
by to see my best friend after her doctor's appointment."

"Really?" she asked skeptically.

"Yes, really.  Listen, Jo, I know I said a few things earlier that
you may not have wanted to hear but -"

Joey held up her hand.  "No, Dawson.  The things you said earlier
were the truth."  She saw the smile bloom on his face.  "At least
as you see it."  The smile faded.  "Unfortunately for the rest of
us, you have a tendency to see the *truth* only as it pertains to
you."  She waved him off as he moved to interrupt her, spurred on
by the painful *memory* of the ultimatum that almost ruined
everything.  "No, Dawson.  It's my turn.  Your truth is that the
way I feel about Pacey makes you unhappy.  Therefore it *must* be
a negative thing for everyone involved, regardless of whether or
not it would make me happy to be with him.  And regardless of how
he may or may not feel about me.  If it's bad for Dawson, it's
bad.  Period.  Right?"

Dawson was struck dumb by the vehemence of her speech.   He could
only stare at her.  Where had all this come from?  How could Joey
possibly be saying these things to him?  "Joey -"

"You know what, Dawson, I'm really tired.  I'm going to go lie
down."  She headed for the door.

"But, Jo "

"Bye, Dawson."  She closed the door in his face.

Joey leaned against the front door and sighed.

"Hey, you."

Joey jumped at Pacey's soft greeting.  "Hey." she smiled
nervously.

"You okay?"

Joey smiled brightly.  "Of course.   Why wouldn't I be?"

Pacey cocked his head toward the door.  "Things looked pretty
intense out there."

"I  ah.  Yeah, I guess.  Why?  Did you hear what we were arguing
about?" she asked nervously.

Pacey shook his head.  "No, I just looked out the window to see
where you'd disappeared to.  You guys looked pretty into whatever
you were talking about."

"Yeah, well, you know, to Dawson everything's an issue."  She
tried to smile.

"Yeah."  Pacey studied her for a moment, taking in the nervous
fidgeting and her inability to look him in the eye.  "You wanna
talk about it?"

Joey nodded.  "Yeah, but can we do it later?  I'm beat."

Pacey was relieved she was still willing to talk.  "Of course." 
He took her coat from her and ushered her toward the stairs.  "You
go have a nap.  You know where to find me when you're ready to
talk."

Joey stopped on the bottom step, noting that this put her at eye
level with him.  She smiled sweetly at him.  "I don't know what
I'd do without you, Pace."

Pacey felt himself blush.  "Yeah, well, let's hope you never have
to find out.  Now get!"  He pointed up the stairs with a grin.

"I'm going."  She turned once more to face him.  "I'll call you
later, okay?"

"You bet, Potter.  Have a nice nap."

                         ~*~
                           

He came up silently behind her.

She felt his presence like a tangible force.

Her hair was drawn to one side and he was looking at the bare
curve of her neck. For a second, he stood there, not moving. Then
she felt his hands against the sensitive skin of her back and
closed her eyes, losing herself in the sensation. 

She stood motionless then gasped when she felt his mouth against
the back of her neck. She closed her eyes again. "Pacey," she
whispered.

He slid an arm around her waist, pulling her close as his lips 
softly nuzzled the skin behind her ear. They stood there frozen,
their bodies close.

She drew a long, shaky breath, leaning into him.

He turned her to face him. "Are you sure?"

Joey raised her eyes to his. "More than anything."

His hand slid over her shoulder, curving around her nape, his
thumb stroking.

Her lids drifted down. "I don't know what to do, Pacey."

"Don't think," he whispered hoarsely as he bent his head to her.
"Just feel." 

At first the kiss was light, coaxing, a gentle caress. Then his
hands shifted, drifting down her back to draw her closer.  Lost in
the kiss, she moved her hands to his chest, over his shoulders and
then up around  his neck her fingers tangling in his hair.  The
minute she moulded herself to him, the kiss exploded.

The room tilted as they fell to the bed, his body covering hers.
Mouths and hands explored and teased, making them both ache. They
undressed each other slowly, awkwardly, their hands shaking. 

Joey moaned softly, his touch setting her on fire. 

Leaning over her, Pacey's mouth returned to hers again and again,
unable to get enough of the taste of her.

And then it stopped.

He cradled her face between his palms. "Joey, look at me," he said
huskily.

She forced her eyes to open and looked into his. The moment that
she did, the magic began and suddenly, they weren't aware of
anything else except the passion raging between them.

When it was over, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her
close.

She relaxed into him as his hands traced gentle patterns on her
sensitised skin. She fell asleep in his arms, feeling utterly at
peace.


                         ~*~
                           
Pacey was mesmerised.  Hearing Joey Potter moan his name in her
sleep had to be the single most captivating thing he had ever
encountered.  The smile on her sleeping face was a close second. 
He was having a tough time wrapping his mind around the thought
that she was dreaming about him.  Pleasant dreams if that
satisfied grin was any indication.  As he watched her eyelashes
began to flutter, she was slowly waking up.

Joey stretched languidly.  She felt incredible.  God, the things
he made her feel!  She opened her eyes to see the blue eyes she
loved so dearly watching her.  "Hey, you."  She smiled sweetly,
reaching for him.

Pacey was hesitant, unsure she'd left her dream behind.  "Hey,
Potter."

Suddenly Joey was wide awake.  "Uh, hey.  Um, what are you doing
here?"

Pacey grinned wolfishly.  "Nice dream?"  He had to bite his lip to
stop himself from laughing when she turned scarlet.

"Wha- what dream?  I, uh, I don't remember."  Joey stuttered.

Pacey could see she was in real distress and decided to let it go. 
"Bessie asked me to come up and check on you.  You've been asleep
for over four hours."

Joey was grateful for the reprieve.  "Wow!  I guess I was more
exhausted than I thought."  Pacey stepped back from the bed as she
got up.  Joey stretched again, blushing as her stomach grumbled.  

Pacey laughed.  "You gonna feed that thing?"

Joey gave him a shove.  "Yes, if you'd stop talking and get out of
my way."

"Yes, your majesty."  Pacey bowed stepping out of her path.

They were both laughing when they got downstairs.  Joey looked
around.  "Where is everyone?"

"Bessie and Bodie left about ten minutes ago.  They're going out
for a movie with Carson and Doug.  The kids are in the living
room, and your dinner is in the oven."

Joey blinked at him.  "Well, seems you have everything pretty much
under control, don't you?"

Pacey puffed up his chest dramatically.  "That's why they leave me
in charge."

"Yeah, that and you don't charge for babysitting."  

Pacey grinned as he took the still warm plate out of the oven. 
"Ya know, your sister and my brother are both in for a surprise
when they get my bills.  Doug especially.  Though I think the free
room and board may cover him."  He set Joey's dinner in front of
her.

Joey looked at him questioningly.

"Oh yeah.  Right, I forgot. I never got the chance to tell you." 
He pulled up the chair across the table.  "Okay, I told you that
Helen Walker left Carson a pretty big chunk of her estate, right?"

"To assuage the guilt for the way Harold treated her, yes." Joey
mumbled around a mouthful of lasagna.

Pacey nodded.  "Yeah.  Well, it seems my big brother and your
favourite cousin are planning on staying together."

Joey grinned.  "Really?  That's fantastic!  Carson must be
thrilled."

"Yeah, they're both on cloud nine.  Anyways, they have decided to
use part of the money Helen left Carson to buy a house.  And guess
who they've asked to come live with them on a permanent basis?"

Joey jumped up from her chair to throw herself at him.  "Oh,
Pacey, that's wonderful!  I'm so happy for you!"

Pacey was lost.  Holding her seemed to have a direct effect on his
ability to think.  "Yeah, I'm pretty psyched about it."

Joey stepped back, embarrassed by her display.  She returned to
her seat her face bright red.  "So, ahem, so, what did you parents
have to say about all this?"  She looked up when she didn't
receive and answer.  "Pacey?"

He smiled sadly.  "I'm not sure they even know."

"Well, don't you think you should ask them first, before you make
any plans?"  Joey didn't want him to get his hopes up only to have
them dashed.

Pacey shrugged.  "It's not an issue, Jo."  He cleared his throat. 
"I found out today that Carrie went back to her husband."

"That's great.  But I don't understand.  Why aren't you moving
home?"

"She went back to Gerry last week, Jo.  Just before the accident."

Joey was silent, trying to digest what he had just told her.  It
couldn't be true.  No one's parents could be so. . .  "Did you
talk to them, Pacey?" she asked softly.

"Yeah.  They didn't seem to think the availability of my bedroom
was something that should interest me."  He shrugged again and
stared at his hands.   "They made it pretty clear they weren't
interested in having me move home."

Once again Joey was by his side, this time she wrapped her arms
around him and held him tight.  "Oh, Pacey, I'm so sorry." 

Pacey wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his face against
her warm body.  This was what he needed.  This woman, holding him,
sharing her incredible strength with him.  "I just wish I knew
why.  They're my parents!  How can they hate me so much?" he
whispered.

Joey ran her fingers through the soft curls at his nape.   "It's
their loss, Pacey.  They're the ones who will never know how
amazing their son is, what a wonderful caring sweet man they
somehow managed to raise.  Their loss is our gain."

Pacey tilted his face to look up at her.  "You mean that?"

She stroked his cheek softly.  "Every word."

Pacey couldn't tear his eyes away from hers.  He stood, keeping
his arms around her.  "Jo. . ."  He brought one hand up to cup her
cheek.

Joey couldn't breathe.  Everything she had ever dreamed of was in
those beautiful blue eyes.  She raise herself up on her toes and
gently pressed her lips to his.

Pacey couldn't believe this was happening.  Joey Potter, his Joey
Potter, was kissing him, holding him.  He met her chocolate gaze
and smiled.  Her eyes fluttered closed as she moved to kiss him
again.  And this time it was more, so much more.  

He drew her further into his arms, deepening their contact.  Joey
seemed to approve.  Twining her fingers in his hair, she pressed
herself closer still as he gently slipped his tongue between her
lips.  It tangled with her's, teasing her, tasting her.  His mouth
hot and pliant as he moaned her name. Sighing, she returned his
sweet, tender caresses.  "Joey," he sighed running his hand up her
spine.

Joey was lost in the sensations he was creating.  This wasn't
real.  It was another dream.  Any minute now someone would come
into the room and wake her.  Yet it felt so real.  Different yet
the same as the wondrous images that had been haunting her since
the accident.  

Pacey traced the contours of her back and waist, glorying in the
experience of holding this woman in his arms.  "Joey," he
whispered again, pressing hot, wet kisses along her jaw line. 
"God, I love you."

Joey could feel the sting of tears behind her eyes.  Now she was
certain it was a dream.  Only in her fantasy world would Pacey say 
those words to her.  Suddenly she was ripped from her trance like
state by the sound of her best friend's voice.

"Joey?"

The end Never, Neverland part 8

Special thanks to Natasha for her wonderful contribution to this
chapter.  She gets co-writing credit for a reason.

I would love to hear what you think.

Kayjay@sunwave.net