Disclaimer:I don't own these characters, I also had nothing to do with Good Will Hunting either,so don't sue me. I do own the ideas to my story so you can't use 'em! Hehe.
Author's note: It would be a good idea to read all three of my stories, Finally, The Absolute Truth, and A Wonderful Beginning before this one.
Starting Complications
Finally Part 4
By: Nicole
Joey walked out of her English class, on the lookout for Dawson. She hadn't seen him since that morning, unusual for the new couple. Where is he? Joey was suddenly impatient, for she had news for him. Big news. Bigger than France.
She spotted him across the hall and was about to call out to him when she saw he wasn't alone. Who's that girl? Joey had never seen her before, though she could only see her from behind, and an unstoppable jealousy entered her mind. Dawson looked extremely comfortable with her, laughing and joking. Too comfortable. Joey walked over and slipped her hand in his.
"Hey Dawson, who's....Abby?" That was the girl Dawson had been talking to, Abby Morgan. Witch of Capeside High. What's this all about?
"Hey! Abby was just telling me about..." Dawson started to laugh once more, "Nevermind, Joe, you had to be there." Abby gave Joey a smug smile in welcoming.
"Oh..." she felt unexplainably hurt.
Abby flashed her another fake smile, "I'll leave you two love birds alone now... Bye Dawson."
"That was cozy," Joey pulled her hand out of Dawson's the minute Abby was out of sight, "Too cozy if you ask me. What were you talking about?"
"Oh, Joey's jealous, I'm honored," Dawson laughed in response, "Nothing, we weren't talking about anything. It was a dumb story about fifth grade."
Joey weakened, "Darn right I'm jealous," with a pout she added, "and you better be honored!"
"Of course darlin'..." then the two walked to lunch.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A week had passed since the wasted day in detention, and a lot had changed. For one, Joey and Dawson were not suprised at all to see Pacey and Jen snuggling in the corner of the cafeteria. It was kind of akward to have the two couples sit together at lunch, but they all knew they always would.
"Hey guys, hope we aren't, uh, interupting anything," Pacey looked up at Dawson with a disgusted face, "Well, you are, but I guess I'll let it pass," the two pulled up chairs and sat down quickly.
"Good, because I have got gigantic news," Joey's smile was positively radiant and after a dramatic pause said, "My father is getting out on early parole!" she felt suddenly shy and she lowered her voice, "He's coming home this weekend," Joey felt weird, being the center of attention at the table.
"Joe! Why didn't you tell me sooner? That's awesome!" Dawson reached over and gave her a hug and kiss, his smile brightening to match hers.
"Well, Dawson, I would have, but I couldn't find you. You were too busy chatting it up with the Queen of Mean, or did you forget that already?" Joey was only joking about this, she knew he was just being hospitable, it was one of his down points.
Jen and Pacey looked at each other, their thoughts the same. Trouble in paradise?
Dawson dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand, "I wouldn't have even talked to her but she cornered me and started reminiscing. I couldn't just get up and leave!"
"I know. I was just kidding with you." Joey smiled and was glad when she noticed the look of relief on Dawson's face.
"Well, I'm happy for you anyway, Joey," Jen said with a glance at Dawson, "This is really great, I've always wanted to meet your dad."
"Ditto for me, except I've already met him," Pacey added, "When can we see him?"
"Well, I don't know exactly when, but pretty soon I guess."
They all nodded and finished their lunches.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"All I can say is that we have to be the luckiest guys in Capeside," Pacey paused then added, "not that that's a major feat or anything." The work day was a slow one, only a few customers had come into the store. Dawson and Pacey had turned to talking about their girlfriends.
"Yeah, I know Pace, I look back at my life of a few weeks ago and can't believe how much it's changed...in all areas," his last statement had made him upset and Pacey noticed.
"Any new developments with your parents, man?" he asked softly. "None, except that my mom doesn't even live at my house anymore...I never even see her. She stays at some hotel by her station," he paused, "Or maybe she stays with Bob."
Pacey could think of nothing to say to this so he just put his hand on Dawson's shoulder.
Dawson shook his head, as if he was trying to shake his problems away, "But anyway, I'd rather talk about Joey."
Pacey felt relieved, "Good, cuz I'd rather talk about Jen. We went to the movies last night. I've never had that much fun since, well, since Tamara, but I think I like Jen better. She's really great."
Dawson made an appreciative grunt and said, "Well, you couldn't possibly like her as much as I like Joey! I mean, I don't just like her...I love her."
Pacey interrupted him, "It's good you've realized that Dawson, only half the town knew before you did!"
"Shut up," the two boys were then lost in their own thoughts.
A few minutes later, a woman entered the video store. Dawson noticed and went to help her as she approached the desk. Pacey was still in a daze. When Dawson saw who the woman was his mouth slowly dropped open, "Pace," he whispered and gave him a little push. Pacey turned to the customer.
"Tamara?!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How about Good Will Hunting? Despite the profanity, it has a really good plotline," Dawson nodded his approval and Joey popped the tape in, "So, is it really true? Miss Jacobs just waltzed into the store?" She was over Dawson's for another movie night and he had just finished relaying the events of his work day to her.
"Yup and not only that, but Pacey left with her! He just blew off work! Poor Jen.." It was the first time in this ordeal that Dawson had even thought of Jen and he wondered how she was going to take it.
"Hold on, we don't know why she's here, maybe she's just passing through," Joey mused.
"Hm, yeah maybe, but it didn't look that way when she talked to Pacey. She was all over him...I guess she doesn't worry about the illegal part of their relationship anym--" Dawson was cut off by the shrill ringing of the telephone. He leaned over and answered it.
"Hello?...Who?...Oh hi!..Yup fifth grade was the best," He shot a look at Joey as if to say 'I'm sorry'.
Joey was annoyed, she knew fully well who was on the other line. Who does Abby think she is? She knows me and Dawson are together! She gave Dawson a look that said 'Get off!' and he took the hint.
"Abby, I have to go....Yes, yes, see you in school tommorrow...Ok...bye," he turned to Joey, "I'm sorry, Abby can be so annoying sometimes."
"Oh she calls here often?" she tried to keep the jealousy out of her voice.
"No, that was the first time...I wonder how she got my number..."
"Well, if she calls here again she's gonna have to answer to me!"
"Joey, Joey, don't you worry. The last thing I'd do is dump you!" and with a grossed-out face added, "Especially for Abby. Yuck."
The two laughed and settled back on his bed to watch the movie.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I missed you so much, Tammy," Pacey said. They were walking around the town, not holding hands, but not really trying to hide their affections either.
"And I you...I couldn't stand it with my sister. I missed you too much. Last night we had a talk and agreed the best thing to do was to come back here...so here I am." Tamara smiled.
"Thank God," Pacey was so happy that she was back, he hadn't realized how much he had missed her.
"So, I'm assuming that you haven't found anyone else to replace me...since you seem happy to see me."
Pacey was about to say of course not when he remembered, "Jen! I did...." he moved away from Tamara, "I did find someone else, and I like this someone else," Pacey looked over to his side, and right into Jen's dejected face. She had been watching the whole time.
He called out to her, "Jen! Jen, wait!" but she had already gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joey woke up and wondered at why she felt so happy. My father! He's coming home today! She decided she wanted Dawson there with her and got up to get him.
By the time she was up and dressed it was 1, but her father wouldn't be coming till nighttime, anyway. She hurried to her boat and crossed the creek in record time. Joey quickly ran to the ladder and was about to climb it when she heard Dawson's voice...and another voice. A female voice. She went around to the front of the house.
It was Dawson, alright, and Abby! She had the nerve to come to his house! Joey was steaming and marched over to them, but she stopped short when she noticed they were holding hands. What? And when she saw Abby lean over and kiss Dawson on the cheek she ran as fast and hard as she could away from his house.
The End!!! To Be Continued!!! E-MAIL ME, it's my paycheck!!!!!! Thanks.
NiXiE10@aol.com