Title:The Field Trip
Part: 3
Category: P/J
Name: Calie
E-mail: Calie15@aol.com
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters as Kevin Williamson does. So, please don't sue. I have no money.
Summary: Read the first two parts to understand. In case you haven't figured this out by now, this is a Pacey/Joey story with a little Jen/Dawson just to pass the time. Actions and thoughts are in parentheses. AND I want to say thanks to my best friend online Katie. She is a Joey/Pacey person too. She is also reading my fanfic to proofread it and send it to places for me. Hopefully, we will be writing some together soon or she will write some of her own. =) Send me any feedback at . Thanks!
Pacey: How ya feeling?
Joey: Huh?
(Deep in thought, she hadn't heard what he said. Since they had been walking back to the cabins, she had been really confused. Pacey could be such an ass, but now he was being so nice to her. Scary thing was that it made her feel good. She had developed all of these new feelings for Pacey since he had held her so tenderly, but she didn't know what they were or what to do with them. It was all so disconcerting.)
Pacey: Earth to Joey. I said how are you feeling?
Joey: Oh, um, a little better I guess. I'm not as cold as I was before.
(As silence overcame them again, Joey's thoughts returned to what had happened before. Pacey had actually held her. It could've just been a friendly gesture, but it felt like so much more. He could've just been doing something nice. Or...wait, what was she thinking? She was actually hoping that Pacey had feelings for her. Pacey wasn't the one she wanted. Was he? She had been pining away for Dawson for so long that it seemed impossible for her to be interested in another boy. But then again, Dawson had never showed real interest in her as more than a friend. He was too perfectly happy with Jen. Well, if she decided it was time to move on, why did it matter if she had feelings for Pacey? But, was she moving on to Pacey? The idea of it all was so crazy she almost laughed. But it wasn't enough to make her feelings stop growing.)
Joey: Um, Pacey?
Pacey: Yeah?
Joey: (He was still walking in front of her. Couldn't he at least turn around?) I just wanted to thank you for back there. (Pacey stopped.)
(He turned around to look at her. What was she getting at? She could just mean thanks for being a friend or maybe… Oh yeah right. Like she would ever see him as anything other than her mortal enemy. She needed to see past Dawson first. Was he really hoping Joey would move on from Dawson to him? Did he really like her? Wait, this is Joey. Did he really wish that she felt the same? What alternate universe was he on?)
Joey: Well, we never talked like that before. (She shrugged her shoulders and looked down at the ground.) You convinced me that it is time to move on from Dawson. It isn't getting me anywhere, and I am making myself and the others around me very miserable.
(Pacey walked slowly over to Joey, who continued to look at the ground. He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his. She looked, well, shy. Joey Potter, shy? This would be too funny if he didn't want to kiss her so much. Pacey contemplated whether or not to kiss her, when he thought what the hell. If she hates it, he'll have to deal with whatever punishment she would give him.)
Joey: Pacey, I…
(He looked deep into her eyes and leaned forward. He kissed her lightly on the lips for a few seconds before pulling away. Looking into her face to see if she was angry and then realizing she wasn't, he kissed her again.)
(As they stopped to come up for air, Pacey looked in disbelief as Joey put her arms around his neck. She then smiled a shy yet knowing smile and pulled his lips back to hers. She opened her mouth and deepened the kiss. As he put his arms around her waist, his mind reeled in the passion that he felt for Joey. He had no idea how long they kissed, and it didn't matter. All that mattered to him was Joey. Then they both heard voices from afar. Pacey pulled Joey's arms off his neck and moved backwards in a rapid motion. It suddenly occurred to him what he had done. What they both had done. The thought that most scared him was the possibility that Joey had been thinking of Dawson as they kissed. Who was she thinking about?)
Joey: Pacey? What is going on between us?
(He pulled away, and it scared her. It was so sudden. They again heard some voices. Pacey turned around and started to walk back to the cabins.)
Pacey: I think we are almost there. We'd better get you back before your fever goes up even more.
Joey: I, uh, sure. We'd best get back then.
(She walked past Pacey, hoping that he didn't see the tears start to form. Had she just been brushed off like it never happened? If he had been glad about kissing her, he would've said something. But wasn't he the one that kissed her. What just happened?)
Dawson: Jen, I am getting a little worried about them. We haven't seen them since breakfast. There has been all this rain besides that.
Jen: Calm down, Dawson. They can take care of themselves.
Dawson: I know that, but it still doesn't stop me from being a little worried.
(She sighed. He was right though. They have been gone a while. But she wished he would stop worrying. They could take care of themselves.)
Dawson: (He kept looking into the forest.) Uhhhh. I can't take this anymore. We looked around here a bunch of times. They have to be in the forest. Let's go look for them.
(He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the forest. But before she could respond, she saw Pacey and Joey come out from behind some trees.)
Jen: Dawson, look.
(He looked up and saw Pacey and Joey walking out of the forest. Pacey looked a little tired and wet. But he couldn't tell about Joey. Her head was down.)
Dawson: Guys, where have you been? We've been worried sick.
Pacey: We decided to skip the fun-filled day to go into the forest, but we got rained on. We had to find shelter under a tree. Jen, you need to get Joey back to the cabin. Her fever went back up.
(He didn't want to look at her. He felt too guilty. But, out the corner of his eye, he could tell that Joey didn't want to look at him either. Her head was down.)
Dawson: Joey, why did you go out there if you were still sick? Never mind. Just get to the cabin, so you can start feeling better.
(He smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him and gave him a weak smile.)
Jen: Come on, Jo.
(She grabbed Joey by her arm. She thought Joey would've pulled away, but she let Jen lead her to the cabin.)
Jen: So, how are you feeling?
Joey: Worse than you can imagine.
Jen: About time you admitted to feeling bad.
Joey: You know Jen, besides feeling bad, I have other problems. So right now I don't need to hear your voice.
Jen: (It was weird the way she said it. She didn't even sound mad, just tired.) Sorry.
Dawson: So. What was wrong with Joey?
Pacey: She is sick. I told you that.
Dawson: Oh she just looked like she was pretty upset.
Pacey: Whatever man.
(He had enough problems that he didn't need Dawson questioning him. If he had told Dawson what he had done, Dawson would've been mad at him. He grabbed some clothes to go change into since he was soaking wet. What was he going to do about Joey? Even if he decided to avoid her, it would be impossible. He knew he would have to have a talk with her sooner or later. At this rate, it might as well be sooner.)
Dawson: You know you both missed lunch. (Pacey didn't say anything.) Ok, what is going on here? Ever since we got back to this cabin, you've been paying no attention to what I've been saying.
Pacey: Nothing is wrong. I've got a lot of stuff on my mind.
Dawson: Like what?
Pacey: Don't worry about it. It isn't anything important.
Dawson: (He sighed) Whatever.
(They stood there in silence. Pacey had been like this since he got back. Did something happen in the woods between him and Joey? He doubted it. What could've happened that would've made him quite like this?)
(Joey changed into some dry clothes and got into bed. Jen walked over to her to tell her that she was leaving, but when she got closer to her, she heard crying. Joey crying. It was the weirdest thing. She had no idea why.)
Jen: Joey? (Joey didn't answer. She kept facing the wall. She forced Joey to turn over.) Joey what is the matter?
Joey: Nothing. (She tried to turn back around, but Jen wouldn't let her.) Will you leave me alone?
Jen: No, I won't. You are obviously very upset, and I have no idea why. Will you please tell me why?
Joey: I can't.
Jen: Why not?
(Joey just lay there thinking of an excuse. She couldn't think of one. There was no reason she couldn't confide in Jen. But she knew why she didn't want to. She didn't want to open that topic up. Especially to Jen. But she needed to tell someone.)
Joey: All right, fine. While Pacey and I were in the forest, something happened.
(Jen raised her eyebrows. What could have possibly gone on between her and Pacey that would make her react like this? Unless he did something to hurt her in some way. Neither one of them said anything to each other when they got back.)
Jen: What did he do?
Joey: (laughing) Oh, what did he do. He made me feel like the stupidest person ever. (Jen looked at her questioningly.) Maybe I need to go into detail.
(She felt like she could trust Jen. Since Joey developed all these feelings for Pacey, Jen didn't seem like such a threat anymore.)
Joey: Everything was fine at first. It started to rain, and then my fever came back. I told Pacey that my fever wasn't gone, so he blew up at me for being outside when I knew I should have been in bed. We were sitting under the tree, talking without being nasty like usual. We were really talking, actually talking. We even talked about important things. (She looked down. She felt embarrassed about the rest.)
Jen: Well that's a first. Joey, are you embarrassed? Tell me what happened next.
Joey: I started to shiver, so, he, um, well, he actually held me. (Then she looked back up at Jen. She looked a little surprised. It made Joey want to laugh.) It actually seemed like under Pacey's big bad boy exterior, he is a kind and caring person. The fool I was, I actually started getting feelings for him.
(Joey stopped. It was all kind of weird. But why would Joey be crying if it didn't sound like Pacey hurt her? It sounded like he was being nice to Joey. She touched Joey's arm.)
Jen: Is that all?
Joey: (She sniffled.) No.
Jen: (Just as she thought.) Go on.
Joey: It soon stopped raining, so we got up to walk back to the cabins. He asked me how I was feeling, and I told him a little better. Then I told him thanks for being nice to me. That's when it happened.
Jen: What is "it"?
Joey: He kissed me. He might have been wierded out, so he stopped. I didn't want it to stop, so I kissed him. This wasn't just a kiss. It was a REAL KISS. But then he just broke away real fast. Next thing I know, he turns around and walks away as if nothing happened. He didn't say anything at all. (Then Joey let out a fresh new set of tears.)
(Jen was too surprised to react. She wouldn't have guessed it in a million years. She reached out slowly and put her arms around Joey. And she didn't pull away.)
Dawson: You know I am getting tired of everyone disappearing on me. I thought Jen was coming right back. (He hadn't seen Jen in a while.)
Pacey: Ah look, here comes your girl now. (He pointed to a spot behind Dawson.)
Dawson: Oh hey Jen. I was wondering what was taking so long. (He reached down and kissed her.)
Jen: Oh nothing. So Pacey. How is your day going? You must be feeling pretty good about yourself. (She gave him a false smile.)
Pacey: (Realizing that Joey must have had a talk with Jen.) I don't understand what you mean. (He pleaded silently that Jen wouldn't say anything in front of Dawson.)
Jen: I bet.
Dawson: (He looked at them strangely, but he just didn't want to know.) So how is Jo?
Jen: As good as can be expected. Right Pace?
Pacey: Uh yeah. (She knew that he knew what she was talking about.)
Dawson: OK, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? (They both turned and stared at him)
Jen: Why don't you ask Pacey. It is his fault.
Dawson: Pacey? What does she mean by that?
Pacey: I'd rather not go in to it.
Dawson: Will someone please fill me in on what is going on here?
Jen: Fine. Since Pacey has no courage to tell you himself.
Pacey: You know Jen, if it aggravates you so much to talk about it, then don't. It really is none of your business.
(He knew he had no right to get defensive with her. But he couldn't help it. His attitude just kicked in.)
Jen: I think I'll ignore that stupid comment. If another certain person won't confront you about it, I will.
Dawson: Jen? Pacey? Please?
Jen: Sorry Dawson. (She really should have told him already. He is Joey's best friend. And Pacey's.) Well it goes like this. It seems something happened between Joey and our so-called friend Pacey.
Dawson: What do you mean happened?
Jen: (She really didn't know how to tell him that one of his best friends just kissed his other best friend and then blew her off.) All right Dawson. I'll get straight to the point. In the woods, Pacey kissed Joey and she kissed him back. Then he pulls away from her and keeps walking as if nothing happened. Something like that, right Pacey?
(She looked right at Dawson's face then at Pacey's. She wondered what it would take to make them react like that again. Dawson was obviously surprised and Pacey looked sad and guilty. Jen actually felt sorry for him, but then she remembered how Joey's tear-stained face looked and that easily overcame it.)
Dawson: What? (He couldn't believe it. It was more strange than surprising. His two best friends kissing? He would've never thought it. Dawson continued to stand there and let it all sink in.)
Jen: So now to get back to what I was doing before. (She looked at Pacey.) WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Pacey: (He looked at her and again realized he didn't have the right to get defensive, but he couldn't let Jen slide for being so nasty.) You need to mind your own business. You don't even know what's going on. You don't know how I feel. (He glared at her. He never really liked her. And he knew why. She had made Joey feel miserable.) Why should you care anyway? You never cared before.
(She knew exactly what he was talking about. Though Dawson never realized it, everyone else knew the extent of Joey's feelings for Dawson. He was also right. She really didn't care. But she didn't want to give up Dawson. She just decided to ignore that comment.)
Jen: You know I know why you did it. You didn't think she really liked you for a reason we both know. (They both looked at Dawson, who remained clueless.) But if she didn't, would she be crying right now?
(All of a sudden, his heart broke. He didn't feel like giving Jen a comeback. He never really meant to hurt Joey. But now that he knew he had made Joey cry, he felt terrible. He didn't think he meant that much to her. He wasn't really thinking about how it would affect her. Just him. He was just thinking about himself. And that made him feel even worse.)
Dawson: Pacey how could you do that to her? I can't believe you. I mean did you plan on hurting her?
(Pacey turned to Dawson. He had forgotten that Dawson was standing there because he had been so wrapped up in his argument with Jen. He didn't know who he was more afraid of Jen or Dawson. Neither. He was more afraid of Joey.)
Pacey: No, I could never hurt Joey. She means too much to me…
(Pacey hung his head down, pondering what to do next. What if Joey really did care for him? How could he have been so afraid? How could he have walked away from her?)
Jen: (She had to interrupt Pacey and Dawson before Dawson got really mad.) Look Pacey. (She lowered her voice.) A minute ago, you told me that I didn't know how you felt. And your right I don't. But neither does Joey.
(Joey sat up in her bed, looking out the window. She had promised Jen that she would try to sleep, but it was a futile effort. She wasn't even tired. There were too many thoughts going through her head. The only way to make herself stop crying was to think that Pacey had made a mistake. Maybe he didn't mean to walk away. He knows how hard it is for her to open up to people. It almost made her feel like he just kissed her so he could make her feel wanted, and then at the right moment, pull away. Would he do something that extreme to pull a joke on her? They were mortal enemies, but they had once been close. Did he intentionally do that to her? She couldn't believe that. If she did, she would just be even more depressed. It was enough to not have Dawson, but now to have feelings for Pacey and not have him either? It was too sad to think about. She thought what could be wrong with her that all of the good guys didn't like her and all she did was attract idiots. Like Anderson. He was just too fake, and if that weren't enough, he didn't even know her real name. Then there were the two football players. One started a rumor about her and the other one harassed her to no end. As Joey thought about this more, the tears started to fall freely. She even thought bitterly about the one guy who tried to take advantage of her when she was drunk. Luckily, Dawson punched him before anything happened. But just what was wrong with her that she couldn't catch a break in her love life? That just made her feel more depressed, which caused the tears to fall quicker.)
(Pacey just looked at Jen. She had a good point. He shouldn't have walked away until he knew what Joey's feelings were. He should also have told Joey what he was feeling. Instead, he took the coward's way out. I'm such a jerk, he thought bitterly.)
Pacey: What should I do?
Jen: There is only one thing you need to do, Pace.
Pacey: Yeah. Where is she?
Jen: (She smiled.) In our cabin. (As Pacey ventured in the direction of the cabin, Jen called his name.) Pacey! (He turned around to face her.) Good luck.
(He smiled and took off to talk to Joey.)
Jen: So, Dawson, have you fully recovered from the shock yet? (She smiled.)
Dawson: Yeah. It is just a little odd. I don't know how I should feel. I'm mad at Pacey that he hurt her. Yet, I am also mad at Joey for not coming to me after they got back from the woods. But, I'm also kind of hoping that things work out for them. They are more alike than they both realize.
Jen: (She laughed) Dawson, there is no certain way you should feel. Just feel. But if it makes you feel any better, I don't think he would do something like that again. I think it was a one-time thing. He was just scared. (She laughed again) Pacey scared? There is something to think about. (She laughed again.)
Dawson: (He smiled.) Yeah you're right. I almost want to follow him there and see what happens. My two best friends together. What a thought. I hope it works out Jen, for both their sakes. I don't think I have ever been this impatient before. Come on, let's take a walk.
Jen: In the woods? I hear strange things can happen there. (She looked at him and smiled.)
Dawson: Let's go find out. (He grabbed her hand, and they ran into the woods.)
