Title: Brother and Sister day 62: Revelations 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: Secrets are revealed and understandings are made http://www.geocities.com/kjiara Brother and Sister day 62: Revelations "Potter Bed and Breakfast, how may I help you?" Joey looked at the receiver of the payphone she was using. What the ? "Hello, is anyone there?" the unexpected voice asked. "Doug?" "Joey, is that you? Damn, Bessie's going to be furious she missed you." "Uh, Doug, where's my sister?" Joey asked, growing more concerned by the minute. "She just ran to the store. Some breakfast related emergency as far as I can tell." "Oh." "So, how's the trip going. Or have you called to tell us Pacey *accidentally* fell over board and you need a ride home?" Doug's voice was light with laughter. "Doug, why are you at our house at seven in the morning?" Doug was silent for a moment. "I don't suppose you'd believe Bessie hired me as your new receptionist?" Joey shook her head. Another Witter smart mouth. It must run in the family. "Nope." "Didn't think so. Honestly, Joey, I think you should talk to Bessie," he hedged. "Fine, don't tell me. Tell your brother. Here." She turned and thrust the phone at Pacey. "Your *brother* wants to talk to you." Pacey took the phone warily. "Hello?" Doug sighed. There was no solid reason he shouldn't tell his brother about the changes in his life. The only problem was, Pacey would tell Joey and Bessie had wanted to do that herself. "Hey, Pace." "You want to tell me why I'm talking to you?" He cast an uneasy eye at his irritated girlfriend. "And, Doug, for my sake make it good." "Joey, isn't too happy," Doug said, proving he had a handle on the obvious. "Really, I hadn't noticed. Then again she's always hidden it so well," was Pacey's sarcastic comeback. "What's going on, Doug? And why are you answering Joey's phone at seven in the morning?" "That would be why your girlfriend is upset." "And. . ." "And what?" "And why *are* you answering the Potter's phone first thing in the morning?" Pacey exploded. "Bessie and I are together," was the soft reply. Pacey didn't know what to say. He was delighted for his brother. He was more than well aware of the burden a torch could be and Doug had carted his around longer than most. However, there was one teeny problem. He cast a wary glance at Joey whose stormy expression had grown darker. To hell with it. He was allowed to be happy for his brother. "That's wonderful, Doug. I'm happy for you." Doug smiled, grateful for the support. "Thanks, Pacey. I didn't think it was ever going to happen. Things aren't perfect. We still have a lot of things to work through but we're together." "I know the feeling, Doug. Believe me, I know the feeling." Joey had turned away and was making her way back down the dock toward True Love. "Listen, Doug, I have to go. Jo's really not thrilled about this. I am happy for you though. Give Bessie a hug for me and tell her I'll try to make Joey understand, okay?" "I will. And Pacey?" "Yeah?" "Thanks." "That's what I'm here for," he flipped back. "Talk to you later, Doug." He hung up and sprinted toward his angry girlfriend. Just as Doug was hanging up the phone Bessie entered the kitchen. "Hey you. Was that a new reservation?" she asked as she set the grocery bag on the counter. Doug moved to her and hugged her. "Nope. And what may I ask constituted such an emergency that you had to leave a perfectly warm bed before seven in the morning?" He nuzzled her neck as he spoke. "No milk for breakfast. Thank God for twenty-four-hour convenience stores." Bessie placed a soft kiss on his lips before moving out of his arms. "So if it wasn't a reservation, who was it?" She began getting things ready for breakfast. "Um, well, ahem, it was Joey and Pacey." Bessie stopped cold. "Who called?" "Joey." Bessie's head dropped and she leaned against the counter. "Damn." Doug wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I know you wanted to be the one to tell her, B, but there wasn't much I could do. I tried to get her to wait and talk to you but she passed me off to Pacey. I couldn't lie to him." Bessie turned in his arms, wrapping hers around his waist. "Why not?" "Because, my baby brother may be a lot of things, but stupid has never been one of them. That and he's very perceptive. He'd have known I was lying in a heart beat." "I was just kidding, Doug. I wouldn't want you to lie to him. You guys have finally gotten your relationship on track. I would hate to see it damaged because of me." She snuggled in closer to his chest. "I was just hoping I could talk to Joey myself. Maybe when they got home." "Bess, they're not due home for another two weeks." He rubbed his hands up and down her tense back. "I know. It's just by then we would have been more settled in to being an us again. Things here would have calmed down. They would still be on the high from their trip and most importantly she would get to see just how damn happy you make me." Doug smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I'm glad to hear it. And you make me happy too." He pulled back slightly so he could see her face. "What were you going to say to her, B?" Bessie shrugged. "The truth, I guess. She already knows some of it. She knows I've always loved you and wanted to be with you. She just doesn't know I decided to do something about it." Bessie smiled crookedly. "I'm not sure if I should tell her it was my conversation with Dawson about her that made up my mind for me." Doug snorted. "You're kidding?" "I told you that!" He shook his head vigorously. "No, you did not!" "I was sure I told you. That night when I came to your place, I'm sure I told you." "B, every single thing about that night is burned into my memory. I *know* Dawson Leery's name never came up." Bessie smiled coyly. "Burned, huh?" "Uh-uh. You're not going to distract me. Now tell me what exactly young Mr. Leery had to do with that night." Bessie shrugged. "It's nothing really. I ran into Dawson that afternoon. We had lunch and I told him a few simple truths. About his relationship with Joey, his relationship with Pacey and how wrong it would have been for all of them if Pacey and Joey had stayed apart. How much pain it would have caused in the long run." She looked down at her hands. "Bodie overheard part of our conversation and he said something that really made everything clear for me." "What did he say?" "He told Dawson about the pain of being the consolation, of being settled for. I never realised how much he saw, how much he knew. So I went to see Bodie and we had a long talk, the short of which was him telling me to go to you and be happy. Because that was all he had ever really wanted for me. And we both knew the only way I could ever be truly happy was to be with you." She was crying by now, she swiped at her tears and sniffled. "So you see it really was Dawson's fault but I'm not sure I should tell Joey that." She offered up a rather soggy smile. "No, I'm not so sure that would be a good idea." "Hmm," Bessie murmured thoughtfully. "It might not be a bad idea though. Let her see just how right her decision to be with Pacey really was. Show her that she will never have to go through what we did." "I think they know that, B." "I hope so. I don't want any of them, not even Dawson to have to go through the misery we had to endure. It's not fair to anyone." She smiled sadly. "I'm glad they're smarter than us." Doug smiled and drew her back into his arms. "Me too, love. Me too." From: Potter_Joey@yehaw.com Date: August 23, 2000 To: PotterB@capenet.com Subject: apologies from an ungrateful brat First let me say how sorry I am that it took me over a week to write this. Pacey has been launching a rather boisterous campaign on your behalf, but it wasn't until last night that he made me se how wrong I was. He asked me to remember what it felt like when he and I were apart last spring. How hard it was to sleep, how the littlest thing could set of an avalanche of painful memories. Then he asked me to imagine five years of that pain. All I could do was cry, Bessie. I am so very very sorry I judged you. I had no right when I almost did the same thing. When Dawson made his ultimatum to me I took the easy way out. I gave in to the safety net. I guess I'm lucky he decided he didn't want half of me. That he could see my heart was setting sail with Pacey. I just wish I had known all of this was going on with you. I could have been there for you. I hope you understand that none of my anger was about Doug. I think I can learn to like him now that he's treating Pacey like a person. And he is family (in Pacey's twisted logic) to me now anyways, so. . . It's just, Bodie has always been there for me. The big brother I always needed but never had. I guess I was afraid that if he left you, he'd be leaving me too. Pacey made me think about that though. I know that you would never deny me my relationship with Bodie and that he loves me too and would never just abandon me. Pacey said he's never heard his brother sound so incredibly happy and if this is what you need to be as happy as we are then I am with you one hundred percent. We should be home next week and I look forward to this rather interesting family dynamic we have created for ourselves. I love you, Bessie. Joey From: PotterB@capenet.com Date: August 23, 2000 To: Potter_Joey@yehaw.com Subject: Forgiven Thank you. I was so worried about how you were going to react to this whole mess. I'm happy you understand. Though I wouldn't have wished the pain you two went through this spring on anyone, I am glad you were able to find an appreciation of our situation in your own. I am happy, Jo. Happier than I've ever been. This is what I've been missing. I feel like I have all the missing pieces now and it's a wonderful feeling. <> I know Bodie will want to be a part of your life, Joey. You are his little sister and he will always be a part of all our lives because of Alexander. He loves you, Joey. Don't ever doubt it and don't ever let our troubles get in the way of your relationship. As for Doug, I know he and Pacey have had problems. I also know you are very protective of Pacey, but Doug wants to make things better. He really does love his brother and he hopes we can all be a family when you guys get back. I am dying to hear all about your adventures when you finally get here. I've missed you so much. Love Bessie FROM:PotterB@capenet.com DATE: August 23, 2000 TO:Pwitter@yehaw.com SUBJECT: Thank you Who would have thought I'd be grateful my sister took off with you for the summer? What a strange set of events was set into motion by that one decision. Joey told me you worked overtime to make her understand about Doug and I. And for that I thank you. I know you did it for her but your brother and I are grateful just the same. We are hoping that when you two get home we can all spend some time together just like a real family. Quite a concept, don't you think? Anyways, this was mostly just to say thank you and hurry home. We miss you. Love Bessie. PS Any *issues* you want to discuss? FROM:Pwitter@yehaw.com DATE: August 26, 2000 TO:PotterB@capenet.com SUBJECT: You're welcome Hey, Bess I'd like to say my motives were purely altruistic. However, you must remember that I'm the one was stuck on the Atlantic. In a really small boat. With your sister in a snit. So it wasn't anything so much as self preservation that led me to work so hard on your behalf. Seriously though, I'm happy that you and Joey have mended your fences. It will make for a much happier homecoming. And I am completely thrilled for you and Doug. I was getting a little sick of his moping around like a lovesick pup. A real family? Okay, if you say so, Bessie. (Note to self: ask about having Bessie's meds increased.) We should be home in about a week if everything goes as planned. I will try to get you a more exact time/date when we get closer to home. Miss you too Pacey. PS What's an Issue? The end: Brother and Sister day 62: Revelations Once again thank you to Natasha for the wonderful beta and quick turnaround time, you're the best. I would love to hear what you think kayjay@sunwave.net