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The dress was black silk, floor length and backless with a dipping front. There was a slit that ran all the way to the upper half of Joey�s calf to reveal a pantyhose clad leg. She wore a minimum amount of makeup, a streak of red lipstick and just a hint of eye shadow. Her hair was slightly curled and was decoratively arranged on top and a few curled tendrils fell to the side. She had spent several days practicing to walk on the black heels that she had bought and Joey was proud to say that she had finally mastered the art of walking without falling. As soon as Joey had arrived, she was introduced to countless of people. She smiled until her cheeks hurt and she shook so many hands she felt that her right hand might just drop off. There was small talk and other idle chatter and waiters kept on coming up to Joey and offering another glass of champagne and some hors-d�oeuvres. She was feeling a little tipsy and overwhelmed as the night progressed although Joey had been careful to only take a sip of each glass of champagne that was proffered. Dr Ross and Dr Williams had each been careful never to leave Joey alone and had sat with her during the dinner, aiding her when needs be or simply reassuring her of the correct mannerisms and protocols. The night had yet to be a disaster and Joey had in fact managed to impress and charm the various people she had met. Dr Evans beamed from the refracted glory and talked to senators and journalists about how caring for Joey at the cost of the hospital had been all his idea. Dr Ross and Dr Williams were careful not to contradict their boss but smiled and nodded and agreed. After dinner Dr Williams and Dr Ross were called away to talk to some very important people and Joey was left to fend for herself. She had yet to spot Abby, her only potential friend, so she mingled as best she could and tried to remain nondescript. �Hiding in corners isn�t really the polite thing to do you know.� A male voice from behind whispered into Joey�s ear. �Especially when some of us have been deprived the pleasure of being formally introduced to the guest of honor.� She spun around and found herself face to face with a familiar person. Joey scanned through her mind trying to place a name to the face but came out empty handed. She knew he was the rich, obnoxious patient from the ER. �Oh, hello again.� Joey finally settled on. �How�s your forehead?� �You remember me.� The man smiled lazily. �Although I�ve been told that I�m pretty unforgettable. My forehead is good. And how is the lovely nurse Potter? Enjoying the evening so far?� �Yes it�s been good. There are quite a lot of people aren�t there?� Joey�s mind raced trying to think of his name. David. Chris. Simon. Matthew. Mark. Caleb. John. Ian. Greg. Frank. Fred. Anthony. Andrew. Kevin. Steven. Evan. Jason. Jarred. Henry. Peter. Patrick? Paul? She knew it was a name that began with �P� but she wasn�t sure which one. She decided on �Paul�. It seemed kind of right. �There are a lot of people. A lot of people that are here to meet you. Here to meet the lovely, charming Josephine Potter. Not that I can blame them. You really are something to meet, Joey.� She couldn�t help but blush and felt like a young kid that had never received a compliment in her life. �Thank you, uh, Paul.� She answered him in a nervous rush and when she saw his reaction to her words Joey realized she had called him by the wrong name. �Paul? Is there a Paul I should be worried about? Another man in your life, Joey?� �I�m sorry.� If Joey hadn�t been blushing before she was now. Her entire face was redder than her lipstick. �I remember you. I honestly do. I just can�t remember your name. But I do remember you. You were the obnoxious patient with all those friends who cause a big scene at the ER last Wednesday morning.� The words were out before Joey knew what she was saying. The man, whose name wasn�t Paul, raised an eyebrow and pouted. �Somehow I seemed to have made the wrong type of unforgettable impression.� �I�m so sorry. Really I am. I didn�t mean what I said. I�ve been meeting so many people tonight and I�m a little confused and�� �It�s okay.� He smiled and offered Joey his hand. �Nice to meet you Josephine Potter. My name is Pacey Witter.� Joey took his hand gratefully and smiled. �Nice to meet you Pacey Witter.� With one smooth, fluid movement Pacey raised Joey�s hands to his mouth and gently pressed his lips against the back of her hand. The gentle touch sent tiny tingles through her hand and up her arm making Joey dizzy with the sensation of his lips on her skin. �Now that we�ve been formally introduced it is time for me to sweep you off your feet and make an unforgettable, good impression.� Pacey pronounced with a twinkle in his eye. �And how do you suppose on �sweeping me off my feet�?� Joey asked amused by his antics. �Well my first plan of action is dancing.� �Dancing? Oh no. I don�t dance.� �Everybody dances.� Pacey stated and took her by the arm and gently and firmly led Joey to the dance floor despite her protests. The music was a simple blend of piano and violins and flutes combined. Pacey pulled Joey close situating both of them into the correct position, one arm around the waist and the other arm on the shoulder. �It�s simple really.� He whispered into her ear. �Just follow me and listen to the music. You�ll do fine.� Pacey began to move to the music and hesitantly at first Joey followed. As the music continued to play Joey grew more confident and comfortable in Pacey�s embrace. He twirled her around the dance floor, dipping her slightly now and then before pulling her back to him. They danced to one song and then another and then another. Joey felt giddy from dancing, her heart thumped heavily and she panted a little but there was a glow about her and a genuine smile on her face. �You look absolutely beautiful.� Pacey whispered as one thumb caressed her cheek. They were now dancing to their fourth song, this time their bodies in an intimate embrace, cheek-to-cheek, as the slow music took over. She could feel the warmth of his body pressed against her. She was nestled against him and her head seemed to naturally rest on his shoulder. He nuzzled into her hair and she could feel the heat of his breath tickling the back of her neck. His hand moved up and down, stroking her back as they danced. She turned her head and found herself locked into a gaze. Her heart seemed to quicken and her breath catched. Unconsciously her head tilted and Pacey�s head moved forward. They were simply swaying to the music, barely moving, as their faces grew closer and closer. �Pacey Witter.� A female voice stated. Pacye and Joey broke apart at the sound of the intrusion and Joey turned away, her face flushed. �Tamara.� Pacey greeted the older woman. �You�re looking well.� �So are you Pacey. It�s been a while.� �Not that long.� Pacey reminded her. �Long enough. I�ve missed you.� Tamara murmured. �Who�s your friend?� �Joey Potter, Tamara Jacobs. Senator Jacobs� wife. Tamara, Joey Potter. The guest of honor for this little shindig.� �Nice to meet you, Mrs Jacobs.� Joey said as she offered her hand. �The pleasure is all mine.� Tamara Jacobs took Joey�s hand and calmly shook it with a cold smile. �If you don�t mind me cutting in, Joey, I�d like to catch up with Pacey here. We haven�t talked in a while.� Joey nodded her head in acquiescence and moved away before Pacey could say another word. �What the hell was that Tamara?� Pacey demanded angrily as he and took hold of the older woman and began dancing. �I thought we weren�t going to do this anymore?� �I changed my mind. I�ve missed you Pacey.� �There was a reason we ended it, remember?� �You�re just upset because I broke it off with you. Awww�you men are so cute.� Tamara chided as she ran her fingers down the nape of Pacey�s neck, playing with his hair. �It�s more than that, Mrs Jacobs.� Pacey stated firmly as he moved his head to the side. Tamara�s eyes grew cold. �Joey Potter is a nice, new interesting play thing. You can have your fun with her. I don�t mind.� Discreetly Tamara slipped a key into Pacey�s pocket. �Room 112. The usual hotel. Meet me there around 3am. And don�t use Anna as an excuse. Miss Evans is only interested in getting your ring on her finger and becoming Mrs Witter. She doesn�t care who you fuck.� The music stopped and Pacey and Tamara ceased dancing. �Remember Pacey. Room 112. I�ll be waiting.� And with that Tamara Jacobs swept away leaving Pacey alone on the dance floor. Pacey watched as the older woman walked away. He shook his head, his hands fingering the key. �I need some air.� He muttered to no one in particular and went out to the gardens.
The gardens were quiet and beautiful. There were dim lights that glowed, lighting the path as Pacey walked aimlessly. Near the fountain his eyes spotter a familiar figure. �There you are. You disappeared so quickly before.� Pacey stated. Joey turned around and smiled at him. �It looked like you and Mrs Jacobs had some catching up to do.� �Nothing important. Nothing that couldn�t have waited.� �Didn�t your mother ever teach you that it isn�t polite to keep a lady waiting?� Joey asked Pacey. �Yes. But my mother also taught me that if I was ever in the arms of a beautiful woman to never let her go. Whatever the circumstances.� �You�re just full of charm and lines aren�t you, Pacey Witter?� �Did I at least make a good impression?� Pacey teased. �Maybe.� Joey hid a smile. �The gardens are really beautiful.� �They�re magnificent.� Pacey agreed. �Have you had a good look around? It�s absolutely gorgeous to walk in this gardens at night. To see the whole place lit up by the dull, muted light of the moon. The gardens glow with an almost ethereal beauty. Kind of like you.� �You�re just full of compliments aren�t you?� �Only when they�re true.� Pacey whispered softly and seriously. Pacey took Joey�s hand they walked across the gardens, exploring the place. There was a small river and several wooden bridges. There was a circular centerpiece of roses at the very heart of the garden which was absolutely spectacular and stunning. Pacey noticed Joey shivering a little thanks to the cool night breeze and offered her his jacket. After a little argument and hesitation she took it gratefully and was covered in the warmth of Pacey�s jacket. The jacket itself was much too big for Joey, bordering almost on ridiculous, and yet she still managed to convey an air of elegance and grace. They were both feeling the nip of the cool air so they decided to head back inside. However even though it was chilly both were reluctant to leave the serenity and magic of the gardens and so they took their time walking. Somewhere along the line, Pacey had wrapped his arms around Joey and she nestled into his chest, enjoying the closeness. They chattered idly as they walked and were slightly dismayed to see the lights of hall growing brighter and brighter. �Looks like we�re almost there.� Pacey pointed out. �Yes.� Joey agreed. They could see the hall filled with elegantly dressed men and women and the loud chatter of voices could be heard cutting through the silence of the night. �Thank you for showing me around the gardens.� Joey said. �It was absolutely beautiful.� �The pleasure was all mine. A moonlit stroll around the gardens with a beautiful woman. What more could a man want?� She laughed and rolled her eyes. �You�re not afraid that I planned it all? A deliberate romantic gesture so that I could woo you and have my wicked way with you?� �Oh no! Not your wicked way with me! What will people say! My reputation is ruined.� Pacey cried dramatically. �I better return your coat. If I keep it, it�ll feed those hungry gossip mongers.� Joey stated as she handed Pacey his coat. �Yes. Those gossip mongers are a menace to society. Dangerous.� Pacey stated in a deep voice and a straight face. �They must be stopped. They will be the ruin of us all.� Then Pacey�s eyes met Joey�s then they fell into a fit of laughter and giggles. Joey was laughing so hard she wasn�t looking where she was going and the heel of her shoe managed to catch onto something on the ground. She found herself falling and braced for impact but none was forthcoming. Instead two strong arms wrapped around her, holding her and preventing her from falling. She clutched onto the muscular arms, her body pressed against a hard chest as she steadier herself. �Thank you.� Joey whispered. �I�m always ready to help a damsel in distress.� Pacey answered, his breath tickling her ear. Then his lips descended and he pulled Joey into a kiss. His lips were soft and firm against hers and his tongue sought entrance into her mouth. She opened her mouth without thought and her arms were wrapped around his neck. Joey had never really been kissed before and she had certainly never been kissed like this. Her thoughts were jumbled and incoherent and all she knew was the persistent press of Pacey�s lips against hers. A tiny moan escaped from Joey as she surprised to hear the sound, surprised to hear her moan mingle with Pacey�s groans. They pulled apart breathless and stunned, neither knowing what to say. The sounds of people from the hall were noisy and overwhelming. �Joey�I, uh�� Pacey began but he was interrupted by a man with a microphone speaking to the people in the hall. �It is now my great pleasure to announce�� The man said and Joey recognized his voice to be that belonging to Dr Evans. �It is now my great pleasure to announce my lovely daughter�s, Anna�s, engagement to the most eligible and handsome young man�Pacey Witter.� Joey took a step back at Dr Evan�s words as she stared at Pacey incredulously. The sounds of cheering and clapping could be heard coming from the hall. Joey�s hand reached out to connect with Pacey�s face in a loud stinging slap; it sounded just like another clap from the crowd. She then turned and walked quickly away, heedless of Pacey�s calls to wait. She knew he was following her but she didn�t care and once she entered the hall she managed to lose him. Joey Potter had never felt so humiliated, embarrassed, guilty and used in her life. Pacey had attempted to follow Joey but as soon as he entered the hall he was besieged with well wishes. His eyes desperately searched for the brunette but he was unable to find her. Frustration and anger welled inside Pacey even as he smiled charmingly at the numerous people that greeted and congratulated him. He couldn�t believe that Dr Evans had dared to announce the engagement without consulting Pacey first. Hell, Pacey hadn�t even proposed to Anna yet. Pacey bit down a growl and his smile was growing thinner by the minute. He couldn�t spot Joey Potter but now he was determined to find Anna and her daddy dearest. The three of them had a lot of talking to do. |
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