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"Oh Pacey, do you know these people?" Joey tried hard not to glare at the red headed young woman who had only recently just stopped tugging Pacey on the hand. "Yeah. Actually these are my friends." Pacey answered. "Oh. Well nice to meet you. I'm Ra..." Joey cut her off, her voice saccharine sweet, "Actually could you excuse me and Pacey? I really have to talk to him." Without waiting for an answer Joey pulled Pacey away as they searched for a more secluded and quiet area of the club to talk. They passed Jack who had just found them. "Hey Joey. Pacey." Joey just breezed by with a determined look on her face and Pacey hurried pass as well trying to keep up with Joey. Jack shot a look of confusement at Jen who simply smiled and reassured him that she would fill him with the details later. Eventually Joey found a spot where the music wasn't so loud and where private conversations could decently take place. "So you never answered me Pace. What are you doing here? How could you follow us here?" "Look Jo I didn't follow you. Jack came over afterwards and suggested we go out. In fact he suggested this place. I had no idea that you and Jen would be here." "Jen." Realisation dawned on Joey. "Huh? I don't understand. What has this got to do with Jen??" "Nothing. Nothing at all. A thought just occurred to me and I was just reminding myself I have to speak to Jen later." "Jo, I didn't mean to upset you. I know it was meant to be your and Jen's little girls' night out. Jack and I can leave if you want us to." "Don't be ridiculous Pace. You're here already. It would be stupid for you and Jack to leave. We can both stay. I mean it's not like I'm not used to your horrendous presence already." "So you're not mad at me?" He gave Joey a goofy hopefully look. "Of course not silly. Although I have to ask what's with the red head?" "Jealous??" "No. Why would I be jealous?? It's just that she's way too young for you. She's probably only just started college or something. That's like cradle robbing or something." "Age doesn't really matter. She could be very mature and wise." "And you know all this from what a few seconds??" "No but I'm just saying you can't discount the possibility just because of her age." "Fine. But I just don't think you should try and jump into anything with her." "I just met her Jo. It's not like I was going to propose or anything. I mean I accidentally bumped into her and apologised. We talked a little and she asked me to dance. That's all." "Yeah but that wasn't all that she was hoping for. I'm just looking out for you Pace. That's what best friends do. I know you were really upset about your last break up but a club is really not the type of place where you can find a serious permanent partner." "Who says I looking for a serious, permanent partner? I could just be looking for some fun." Pacey wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Joey looked deep into Pacey's eyes, serious. "You could but you're not. And I can say that with the utmost conviction because I know you Pace. I know you. And you're not like that. You don't do things like that. You wouldn't do things like that. You're too good and honourable a man. And your heart - it matters to you. You've told me I would never have sex with someone I didn't love. Well the same goes for you. And that's what I love about you." "I love you too Jo." Pacey smiled and enveloped Joey into a big hug. He swung his arm around her shoulder and led her back to Jack and Jen, "Now let's go find Jackers and Jen. You never know what trouble those two might get to." "Or what trouble they might try to brew." Joey agreed.
"Jackers, Jen so did you miss us?" Pacey inquired. "Oh so you were gone?" Jen replied, "I didn't even notice." "Hey Jack." Joey greeted, "Sorry about before." "Not a problem Joey. So how�d you been? I'm sorry about me and Pacey crashing yours and Jen's girls' night out. It wasn't on purpose let me assure you." There was a twinkle in both Jack's and Jen's eyes that Joey could not help but notice although Pacey seemed oblivious to the undertones. "Pure coincidence I'm sure. So do you want to dance Jack?" Joey asked before grabbing Jack's hand and leading him onto the dance floor. Jen followed suit with Pacey and the four spent the night dancing and drinking thoroughly enjoying each other's company. It was friendship, the four of them together. And although the group was missing two important members - Dawson and Andie - it felt like old times made new. None of them had been sure what to expect once they entered college. Ideally they had all hoped to remain in contact but life and new friends often got in the way no matter how much they tried. Sometimes contact was not as frequent as they would have liked, sometimes it felt like the bonds of friendship were constantly being tested. Yet they discovered that a simple phone call, an email or seeing one another again reaffirmed the strength of their friendship. Now out of college and in the workforce life had thrown them each their curve balls but they had each other. Andie might be in Europe but she was always there for her friends despite the distance. Dawson was in LA making a name for himself but he could never forget his childhood friends. Jack, Jen, Pacey and Joey had all found themselves in New York and the friendships between the four had only grown and strengthened from thereon. Jack and Jen lived right next door to one another while Pacey and Joey were roommates sharing an apartment. The four of them had supported each other through heartbreak, betrayal, sadness, joy, success and failure. They were four pillars - holding each other up. And that was how they were late at night as they stumbled home. All four holding on to each other, supporting one another as they tried to walk. "Come crash at our place." Pacey suggested to Jen and Jack. "Yeah, it'll be too much of a hassle for the two of you to go home given our condition." Joey said before falling into a fit of giggles for no apparent reason. "But where will we sleep?" Jen slurred "I'm not sleeping on your couch." "That. couch. happens. to. be. very. comfy." Pacey protested. "Then you sleep in it." Jen retorted. "Not a problem we'll just share beds." Joey said. "Oooh..sounds like a great idea. Me and Witter in a bed. Think you can handle me Pacey?" Jack queried as the two girls broke out into hysterics at the mock fear on Pacey's face. "Nuh huh. No way is Jackers and I sharing a bed. Now you and me Ms Jennifer Lindley..now that might be a different matter." Pacey shook his head adamantly. "You wish. There is no way I would sleep with you, let alone go near your bed." Jen stated. "Well Jack and Jen could share my bed, if you guys don't mind?" Joey asked as Jack and Jen agreed to the arrangement. "And Pacey and I will share his bed." "You sure you want to do that Joey?" Jen asked jokingly. "Sure why not? Aren't you the one who was trying to push me into Pacey's bed all night?? You and Jack. Well your wish is granted. Besides it's not like Pacey and I haven't shared a bed before." Joey said. Pacey had a look of surprise at Joey's comment and made a mental note to ask her about it. Jen and Jack however had a look of suppressed glee at the sleeping arrangements. Jen in particular was also making a mental note about Joey's slip. She would definitely have to ask Joey about the times Joey and Pacey had shared a bed. This was information that was new to Jennifer Lindley and she wanted to know if she could make use of it. "So the sleeping arrangements are fine with everyone?" Joey asked oblivious to her little slips. They all nodded and so it was decided. Jack and Jen would crash at Pacey's place, the two of them sleeping on Joey's bed while Pacey and Joey shared Pacey's bed. |
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