Title:  Every Which Way But Loose � Part Three
Author:  Angie
E-mail address:  [email protected]
Category:  Pacey/Joey
Rating:  PG
Disclaimer:  I don�t own �em.  They belong to Kevin Williamson, Paul Stupin, and the WB.
Summary:  Just going to take the course of events in a different direction after the episode �Cinderella Story.�
Author's Note:  And I bring you part 3...where I left off.  Gonna pick back up with Chapter 4.  In the meantime...feedback??? =)

Pacey finally spoke.  �Come on, Jo, is that what you think?� he asked shaking his head.  �You were never in danger of loosing me.  You and I are the best of friends and just because I made a stupid mistake...�

�It wasn�t just a stupid mistake, Pacey.  It wasn�t a mistake at all.  I just freaked out.  I�m the one who is having a problem here.�

�I�m just so sorry Jo.  If I made you at all uncomfortable...that was not my intention.�

�I know, Pacey.  Don�t you think I know you better than that?�

�I guess I should have just learned my lesson when you jumped on me about that last kiss, huh?�

�Pacey, get a grip.  That was a year ago.  Things change.  We change.�

Pacey took a deep breath.  He had some things he had to say and he may as well get it all over with.  �I care about you, Jo.  I don�t know where that leaves us.  I don�t know if you feel the same or are totally repulsed by my existence as some people are.  Now that I stop and think of it there is no reason why you should care for me.  I mean what do I have to offer you, right?  I�ve basically always been a worthless human being.�

�You know that�s not true and I don�t believe that for a second, Pacey.�

�I guess I have always been the black sheep,� he rambled on.

�You have not,� she raised her voice to be heard over his rambling.

�I could never be who you would want me to be,� he said getting louder.

�How do you know that?� she replied throwing her arms in the air.

�I could never be Dawson!�

�I don�t want Dawson...I want you!� she yelled.

They both stood stunned for a second.  Had she just said that???  Yes she had.  Though neither could believe it.  Joey just looked around the room at everything but Pacey.  Pacey stared at the front door wondering if he should run to her or run out the door.  He had to do something.  He couldn�t just stand there.  What to say...what to say...

�Well...good,�  Pacey said. 

She looked up at him and smiled.  He returned her smile.

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The next day Pacey arrived at school fifteen minutes before the bell.  Early?  Woo...he was in serious danger of ruining his notorious slacker reputation.  He was searching through his locker for his English Lit book. 

�Hey, Pace,� Dawson said coming up from behind him.

Ooooooooooh, shoot!

�Ooooooooh, hey Dawson.  What�s happenin�?�  Pacey said a little to loudly.

Why was he so nervous.  After all, it wasn�t as if he and Joey were dating.  They had talked.  That is all.  They had not come to any conclusions except that they both cared deeply one another.  But that alone was enough to send Dawson into clinical therapy for the next six months.  And then there was that kiss.  Woooooo...better add another three months to that.

�Um...not much,�  Dawson said smiling and eyeing him suspiciously.  Then he just shook his head as if to say, �oh, well, Pacey is just being Pacey.�  �Have you seen Joey?�

�Joey?�

�Yeah, I was kinda wanting to ask her how her weekend went?�

�Her...weekend?�

�Yeah, Pace...you know?  She was supposed to go visit that AJ guy this past weekend.  I just wanted to ask her if she had a good time.  You know it is great that Jo and I can still be friends despite anything that has happened between us in the past.  I mean I know that she has had some rough times but I dunno...she just seems like a new person lately.  I really think that things in her life are starting to look up.  Don�t ya think so, Pacey?�

Pacey just seemed to stare off into space for a minute.

�Hey, Pacey have you heard a word I�ve said?�

Pacey broke his stare and shook his head.  �Well, pal, I�m late for class.  I�ll see ya.�

�Pacey...� Dawson started, but Pacey was already turning the corner and jogging toward class.

Dawson glanced down the hall.  What had Pacey been staring at?  Oh, well.  Well, typical Pacey.  He finally spotted Joey standing next to Andie�s locker and the two were chatting away.  He started down the hall toward them

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End of Part Three. 
Feedback is appreciated guys!  =) 
You can e-mail me at [email protected].