Disclaimer: I own nothing, especially not Dawson's Creek. No surprise there.
Feedback: It would be nice to have some. I'm a novice, so bear with me.
"Hey, Jo, do you want me to close up tonight?" asked Rex Greene sliding onto a stool beside her. She pushed back her dark hair and turned to look at him. She smiled slightly then sighed. "You look pretty beat up."
"Naw, you go onto home to your gorgeous wife. I'm fine. I'm still getting used to this insomnia thing," she laughed.
"Okay," he said getting up. He kissed her on the forehead and ruffled her hair a bit, making her pat his old hand affectionately. "Take some pills if you need to. You need your sleep, kid."
"I know, I know. Sometimes I think you worry too much about me," she said. "I'm a big girl now."
"Ten years of friendship will do that," he said walking away. "Good night."
"Good night, Rex," she said softly. Joey watched at the door swung closed behind him, and she took another sip before gently putting the glass down. Looking back down at her papers, she closed the binder and walked back to her office. She quickly put everything away and tucked the money into her bag before locking up the office.
Joey felt like she should have gotten used to hectic nights like this by now, but some times the pace still overwhelmed her. Gulping down the rest of the water and put the glass on the other side of the bar before picking up her keys to lock up the restaurant for the night.
Shaking her head, she tossed her bag onto a nearby chair and kicked off her shoes before she went into the kitchen for a midnight snack. She hardly ever ate at her own restaurant, no matter how good the food was. Joey preferred a simple PBJ sandwich to fancy pasta any day. Just as she was pouring herself a glass of milk, she saw Pacey tiptoeing down the stairs.
"Well hello there," she said putting the carton back inside the refrigerator.
"Shh!" he hissed as he rushed down the steps. She was taken aback, but only smiled as he approached her. When he came close, the smell of cheap perfume was all over him and he had a look on his face that she knew well.
"I was going to ask you what your problem was, but I see you're just trying to tell me to keep my voice down so I don't wake up your flavor of the evening," she said trying to stifle her laughter.
Pacey only nodded his head and scowled at her. "So what are you doing home so late?"
"What? Can't I party like you too? I am a single young woman in a town that never sleeps," she said biting into her sandwich. Pacey went to the fridge and grabbed himself a beer.
"Close up again, huh? What? Rex had to leave early?" he asked.
"No, he wanted to close up, but I decided I should give him a break," said Joey. "So how was she?"
Pacey only shrugged and said, "Just like the rest of them. I'm getting tired of the lack of variety."
"That's because you keep on bringing airheads back to your bed. Try finding quality women for a change," she said hopping onto the counter and crossing her legs delicately. "How long has it been since you've had more than two dates with a woman?"
Pacey pretended to count on his fingers and had a look on his face that showed that he was straining his mind. Joey nudged his arm with her elbow and they both smiled.
"Stop it," she was finally able to get out. The excessive peanut butter she had used had all but clamed her up completely. She gulped down some milk and cleared her throat.
"You're right. It's been a while. But what am I going to do? I tried dating smart women in my field, but they're just too cold and nasty for my taste," he said.
"Well, the world of finance is a little cold and nasty itself. What would you expect? Hell, you're a bastard too," said Joey.
"Don't get bitchy on me, Jo. There's no need for personal attacks," he said feigning hurt.
"Besides, you don't seem to be bringing home any winners lately."
"Unlike you, I don't jump anyone I happen to think is sexy. And what can I say? I've always been a prude," she confessed. He put down his beer and went to stand in front of her. He uncrossed her legs and wedged himself between them, coming so close, their lips were only millimeters away.
"Is that so, Miss Potter?" he whispered. Staring into her chocolate eyes challengingly, he leaned in and gently nibbled at her lower lip and caressed her cheekbone with his thumb.
Slowly they both tilted their heads in together and their lips met in a fierce kiss. She easily allowed his tongue into her mouth, and they massaged their tongue together, savoring each others taste. Joey hooked her heels behind his back and leaned back on her elbows. Pacey pressed down on her and she slipped onto her back, pushing him away slightly. He rested his head on her shoulder as they both laughed.
Joey unhooked her heels, and he helped her back up. "Aren't we ridiculous, some times?" she asked, which came out as more of a statement.
"Eh, I think we're entitled to a friendly kiss sometimes," he said running his fingers along her side. "And there's nothing wrong if things go a little far and we decided to…"
"Oh, I don't know about that, Pace," she said huskily. She boldly reached inside his robe and grabbed him, making him laugh, both because it tickled and because he didn't expect it. Joey smiled when she discovered he was hard as a rock. "Despite the fact that you seem to be ready for it, I think I'd feel just a little cheap being your second conquest of the night."
"You ruin all my fun," he said as she pulled her hand away. "But you were lingering down there for just a little too long, don't you think?"
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with copping a feel," she said jumping off the counter. She put her plate and cup into the sink, and ran the water. She washed her hands quickly and dried her hands on a towel before turning back to him.
"Now I feel cheap," he said encircling his arms around her waist. She quickly pried herself away and started up the steps with him on her heels.
"Endearing yourself to me won't do you any good."
"Oh come on, I'm all ready and everything. You're just going to leave me hanging?" he asked as they reached her door.
"You're not exactly hanging darling," she said turning on her light. "Have fun in the bathroom. Good night." He groaned and tapped his fist against her door before turning on his heels and head into the bathroom for a cold shower.
Joey spotted him frozen at the railing and grinned at him. "I see you finally decided to wake up."
He slowly came down the steps, and Margo went to kiss him. He slipped his arm around her waist and they walked back over to join Joey.
"I made muffins," she said handing one to him. Pacey took it from her and examined it closely.
"You didn't put any arsenic in the batter like you did last time, did you?" he asked with a crooked smile. Her only reply was a shrug and a sly grin.
"That's a chance you'll have to take. I know you can't resist my banana nut muffins."
"You need my half of the rent. You wouldn't kill me off…yet," he said before taking a bite into it. Joey sipped her coffee and watched him enjoy her muffin. "So what were you two lovely ladies talking about before I came down?"
"Girl talk. Nothing important," said Margo with a giggle. Pacey looked to Joey and tried to read her expression, but got nothing. Margo looked at her watch and gasped. "Oh, I have to be at the airport in two hours. I have to go, Pacey."
He put down his muffin and took her hand. "Do you need me to drive you there?" Joey rolled her eyes and resisted her urge to mimic him.
"Oh no, that's all right. I've got a ride, but you can walk me out," she said. He nodded slowly. Then she turned to Joey, and immediately plastered a fake smile on her face. "It was nice to have met you, Joey."
"Likewise, Margo. Next time you're in town, we're going to have to do lunch," she said, her sentence dripping with false sweetness.
"Of course," she said perkily before pulling Pacey out the door with her. Joey only laughed softly as the door shut behind them.
A minute later, he was back inside and looked at her mischievously. "Why are you giving me that look, Pace?"
"What were you two talking about? What did you say to her?" He leaned across the counter and peered at her.
"Why? What did she say to you out there?"
"She was proclaiming her adoration for me and promising me that she'd be back in a month. Margo said that I didn't have to worry about her finding someone else while we were apart." Joey's mouth twitched, as she contained the laughter that threatened to escape from her lips. She cleared her throat quickly and took in a sharp breath.
"Priceless."
"You'll tell me everything you said now, Josephine Potter, or I'm going to leap over this counter, throw you over my shoulder, walk out onto the balcony and throw you over the side."
"You wouldn't dare," she challenged. She folded her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at him. In a swift movement, he had jumped over the counter and she was hoisted over his shoulder at the edge of the balcony. "Oh my God, Pacey! Put me down!"
Joey tried beating her fists against his shoulder, but he didn't budge. "Not until you talk," he said calmly. She growled and kept on hitting him, but to no avail. Finally she sighed and remained still.
"Put me down and I'll tell you," she said.
"Pinky swear?" he asked lifting his free hand backwards and holding up his pinky.
Joey hooked her pinky with his and they pressed their thumbs together. "Pinky swear." Pacey let her down, but kept her trapped between the railing and his body.
"I simply told her that we had a talk last night, and that you told me how special Margo was to you, and that you said she wasn't like anyone you'd ever dated before," she began. "And that the only problem was, that she was so worldly and sophisticated that you were afraid you'd lose her to another guy."
"I can't believe you," he said with a slight smile. "Of all the underhanded, unscrupulous and sneaky things to do…Josephine, I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, thank you. You've taught me well, Mr. Witter. So could you let me go now?"
"Not without proper punishment." With that, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her thoroughly and fervently. If she hadn't broken away, the kiss might have taken them straight up to his bedroom.
Joey licked her lips and slowly regained her composure. "If you keep doing things like that, Margo might not believe in your undying love for her," she said. "I've got to get to the restaurant. I'll see you later, Pace." She untangled herself and quickly strode out of the apartment. Once outside the door, she traced her fingers over her lips and blushed as the kiss flashed through her mind. Shaking her head, she knew she had to stop thinking about him and get on with her day.
Pacey stretched his arms out and grinned widely. He looked down at the streets and watched as people leisurely strolled down the streets, not in a hurry to get anywhere on a gorgeous Saturday morning.
