Friends, Lovers, and Lunatics
Part Three of Something To Talk About
By Ainsley


Disclaimer: Yes, I own Dawson's Creek. I also climb skyscrapers, build rockets out of those little white plastic tables that come with your pizza, and invent new languages in my spare time. I communicate with the dead, especially ancient Egyptian pharaohs like my buds Menes and Thutmose III, eat nails that are on fire, and my personal favorite activity is counting how many times the letter "E" is used in the Starr report. Now, rest assured that I am insane and you can go on to reading my story.


"Bessie?" Joey asked timidly. "Can we talk?"

"What?" Bessie laid Alexander gently into his crib. "'Night Sweetie."

Joey followed her sister into the living room and sat down on the couch. "I'm really sorry about what I said the other day. That thing about you not being my mother. I didn't mean it."

"It's all right, Jo. I know how hard it is to not have her or Dad around."

"Good. I didn't want you to be mad at me."

"I'm not," Bessie smiled. "So how was your New Year's Eve?"

Joey bit her lip. "I kinda snuck out with my friends."

Bessie nodded. "I know."

"How?"

"Let's just say I have my sources."

"I'm sorry about that too."

"I pulled a few stunts in my day. Let's just chalk it up to adolescent inexperience. Did you have fun?"

"Fun," Joey repeated. "If it wasn't fun, it was most definitely interesting and revealing."

Bessie raised her eyebrows. "What happened."

"Pacey kissed me,"

"Kissed you or kissed you?"

"He kissed me,"

"Did you kiss him back?"

"Oh yeah,"

"Was it good?"

"Oh yeah,"

"Tongue?"

"Bessie!"

"Come on, Jo. I'm old. I thrive on commentaries from you,"

"A little,"

"A little?"

"Well, the first time,"

"More than once?"

"Only twice,"

"Twice?"

"Okay, three times,"

"Are you sure?"

"I didn't count, Bessie. I was a little occupied."

"Ooh, fiesty. Was that your first kiss?"

"No,"

"Who else?"

"Dawson. And Pacey once before."

"My, my. You get around."

"I'm quite the popular chick,"

"Apparently," Bessie said. "So, when did Dawson kiss you."

"Um, twice,"

"Really?"

"Well, the first time was in detention. Pacey dared us to kiss each other."

"Man, you kids are deranged. Is that how you tell someone you like them? 'Hey, wanna go out sometime? I dare you to kiss your very attractive best friend.'"

"It's a long story."

"And the second time?"

"Um, I accidentally kissed him one time when he brought me home from a party,"

"Accidentally? What, did you trip and fall on his lips?"

"I was kind of drunk,"

"Drunk?"

"It's not my fault. Some kid spiked my drink,"

"Of course,"

"And the first time I kissed Pacey was out front,"

"How did that happen?"

"Well, we spent the day together doing our biology project, and then we went to the carnival. When he dropped me off, he kissed me."

"What did you do?"

"Well, I still thought I was in love with Dawson, so I pushed him away,"

"Hmm,"

"What?"

"I was never that close to my best friends,"

"We have extremely complicated relationships,"

"I can see that,"

"I really like Pacey, Bess,"

"I should hope so,"

"What would Mom have thought?"

"I think she would've been thrilled. She always loved having him and Dawson around. She was glad that you had them, especially when she knew she was going to die."

"Really?"

"Really,"

"What do you think?"

"Can't you tell?"

"No,"

"I'm happy for you, little sis,"

"Thanks, big sis," Joey smiled, then reached over to hug her sister. "Does this mean you'll un-ground me?"

"Not a chance, kiddo,"

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Hey, is Dawson there?" Pacey asked Mrs. Leery on the other end of the phone line.

"Sure, Pacey. Hold on a minute."

"Thanks,"

"Pacey? What's up, man?" Dawson asked.

"I kissed Joey,"

"And?"

"And what?"

"What did she do?"

"She kissed me back,"

"That's good to hear,"

"Are you, like, okay with this?"

"Of course,"

"Good," Pacey breathed a sigh of relief. "I really like her, Dawson."

"No shit, Sherlock,"

"You could tell?"

"Pacey, you practically drool every time she enters a room. It was kind of obvious,"

"You sure you're okay with this? 'Cuz last time you said you were, then you weren't, and - "

"Relax, Pace. I'm definitely, one-hundred percent okay with you and Joey. In fact, I'm thrilled. It's really good inspiration for my new script,"

"I think the concept's been done, Dawson,"

"By who?"

"Shakespeare. Much Ado About Nothing."

"Oh, yeah. How do you know?"

"I had an affair with an English teacher,"

"Did she call out Shakespearean plays in bed?"

"Nah, man. Strictly Charles Dickens."

"That's good to know,"

"Yeah," Pacey took a deep breath. "Well, thanks, Dawson. I'm glad you're not upset about this whole me and Joey thing."

"Me too,"

"I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Bye,"

"Bye,"

Dawson hung up the phone and went upstairs to his room. He picked up a picture of Joey, Jen, Pacey, and himself that had been taken at the beach. Everything is as it should be, Dawson thought, smiling. I'm with Jen and Pacey's with Joey. The Three Muskateers have become the Fabulous Four - nothing can stop us now.

"Hey, Joey," Abby said sweetly, coming up to Joey at her locker. "There's a rumor going around that you and Pacey are an item."

"That's nice,"

"Is it true?"

"No comment,"

"Come on, Joey. The public has a right to know. And I need something else to put in this week's gossip column. Please? For me?"

"Don't hold your breath, Abby," Joey slammed her locker door shut. "On second thought, please do."

"Then what am I supposed to write?" Abby whined.

"Well, if the public has a right to know, why don't you tell them about your ecstasy gang-bangs in the boys locker room? I'm sure they'd be really fascinated."

"Won't you tell me anything?"

"The sky is blue,"

"Something I don't know,"

"You're a washed-up wannabe-slut with a piss-ant personality and an even worse wardrobe," Joey smiled innocently. "Oops, sorry. I was supposed to tell you something you didn't know. I'll get back to you."

Abby glared at her, and stomped away. Pacey grinned proudly as he approached Joey.

"That was beautiful, Jo. With some guys, it's nudity and sex that gets them turned on. But I'll take a good ole cat fight with you as the ultimate victor any day."

"Now, now, Pacey. Don't make me start questioning your sexuality."

"Question this," Pacey leaned over and caught her lips smoothly in his.

Dawson and Jen approached the kissing couple. "Wow, I never knew PDAs were your thing, Josephine." Dawson teased.

"Bad timing, Dawson," Pacey groaned. "Why is it that someone always interrupts me right when I get her where I want her?"

"Be careful, Pace," Jen warned. "Never let a girl now your intentions if they aren't honorable."

"Why shouldn't he? My intentions aren't honorable either." Joey joked, lacing her fingers through his.

Pacey smiled at her. "That's my girl."

"Excure me?" Joey asked with mock anger. "Was that a possessive pronoun you used to describe me? Well, Mr. Witter, may I inform you that I don't belong to you or any other half-wit gorilla. I belong to no one but myself."

"Or Brad Pitt," Jen offered.

"Or Brad Pitt," Joey finished.

"Brad Pitt?" Dawson repeated, glancing at Jen nervously. "Do you really have a thing for Brad Pitt?"

"It was a joke, Dawson," Jen explained. "Of course I don't have a thing for Brad Pitt."

"Do you?" Pacey asked Joey.

"Brad Pitt? Are you kidding me?" Joey scoffed.

Pacey breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tom Cruise on the other hand..." Joey teased.

"Oooh, Tom. Wasn't he great in Top Gun?" Jen said.

"Totally sexy," Joey agreed. "And Jerry Maguire?"

"The perfect male speciman,"

"Undoubtedly,"

"You've got to be kidding me," Pacey eyed them in disgust. "That little shrimp?"

"And he's never even been in a Spielberg!" Dawson exclaimed.

Jen raised her eyebrows. "And what does that have to do with his sex appeal?"

"Well, nothing. But if he's never done a Spielberg, he's not a worthwhile actor."

Joey stared at him blankly. "So? Does the fact that Pamela Lee has never been in a Spielberg change your opinion on her sex appeal?"

"No, but..."

"Pamela Lee?" Jen repeated. "You've got a thing for Pamela Lee?"

Joey and Pacey looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "See ya, Ozzie and Harriet." Pacey said. He and Joey walked down the hall, hand in hand, leaving Dawson and Jen behind.

Pacey pulled the car into Dawson's driveway and honked the horn loudly, before climbing out. Joey rolled her eyes and Jen laughed.

"Must you always show off, Pacey?" Joey asked.

"My dearest Josephine, it didn't seem to bother you last night,"

Joey blushed.

"All right, let's get this show on the road!" Dawson exclaimed, quickly loading bags into the trunk of Pacey's car.

"He's not excited or anything," Jen told Joey.

"Of course not. Why would he be?"

"You know, I'm so completely euphoric that not even you two can get me off Cloud Nine,"

"We can try," Joey teased.

"Leave him alone, Jo. The dude's got a right to be happy." Pacey said.

"Happy Boston Film Festival Day to all," Dawson grinned and climbed into the front seat.

"Technically, Dawson, the festival doesn't start until tomorrow," Jen pointed out.

"Well, we'll get there today, all right?"

"Climb in, guys. It's time to go." Pacey told them, stepping into the driver's side.

"Um, is there anyone else who can drive?" Joey asked desperately. "Anyone? Anyone at all?"

"I'm not that bad, Jo," Pacey protested.

"I beg to differ,"

"Beg all you want. In fact, I find it quite appealing."

"You would love to see me beg, wouldn't you?"

"Oh, absolutely,"

"Just for that reason, I won't,"

"Good. Then I'll drive."

Joey glared at him as she realized that she had been outsmarted. "Jerk."

Pacey laughed.

"Are we there yet?" Dawson asked from the backseat.

"No, Dawson, we're not there yet," Joey sighed. "You're too impatient."

"I'm excited. This is going to be the best weekend of my young life."

"You didn't win yet, Dawson," Joey pointed out.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence,"

"I have every confidence in your abilities as director and mine as producer. And even in Pacey and Jen's as actors. But we have to be realistic."

"This is Dawson you're talking to, Jo," Pacey reminded her. "He rejects reality."

"Not anymore. Reality's too fun to reject." Dawson grinned at Jen.

"Aw, how cute," Joey said sarcastically. "This is boring. Let's play a game."

"Like what?" Jen asked.

"Truth or Dare?" Pacey suggested.

"No way!" Jen and Joey protested in unison.

"Why not?" Dawson asked.

"Because Truth or Dare has historically gotten us into trouble," Joey replied.

"Oh, right," Dawson remembered. "Well, maybe it'll be different this time. Abby's not here to torture us."

"If you don't mind, I'd rather not risk it. We have too much to live for." Jen joked.

"I'm just going to sleep," Joey said. "I'm exhausted."

"Up too late last night?" Dawson teased.

"You know it, man," Pacey grinned.

"Shut up," Joey yawned. "Pig."

Pacey smiled as she fell into a deep sleep.

"Are we there yet?" Dawson asked.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Wake up." Pacey gently shook Joey's shoulder.

"No," Joey murmured stubbornly, curling up tighter.

"Come on, Jo. You have to get up."

She didn't reply, only clenched her eyes shut.

"Okay..." Pacey leaned over and unbuckled her seatbelt. He then proceeded to pick her up and carry her into the hotel lobby.

"Pacey!" Joey cried, now fully awake. "What are you doing? Put me down!"

"I had to get you out of that car somehow. The valet guys were getting impatient."

"Well, I'm awake now! Put me down! Everyone's staring!"

"I'm kind of enjoying this,"

"I'm not! Pacey, this is embarrassing!"

"We're almost there, Princess Josephine. Relax. I won't drop you."

Joey sighed and closed her eyes. He could have his little game and play the knight in shining armor, but it didn't mean she had to watch.

"And here is our honeymoon suite," he said, pushing open the door of a hotel room.

Joey's eyes flew open. "Our room? You can't be serious!"

"I'm just kidding, Jo. Chill out."

"Put me down, Pacey,"

Pacey lowered her to her feet. "You sound mad."

"I'm not mad," She reached up and planted a kiss on his lips. "Thanks for carrying me."

Pacey grinned. "Anytime."

"Where are Jen and Dawson?"

"Exploring," he replied. "Care to explore, Miss Potter?"

"Pig," she murmured, as their lips met.

Author's Note: I love all the feedback I've gotten, so keep it coming. I know this chapter was kind of short, compared to the 16 page long Part One, but I had writer's block for a long time and figured the best way to get rid of it was to start a new chapter. Let me know what you think. I won't be around for a week, but as soon as I get back I'll start replying to any e- mails I get. Thanks for reading. Part Four will be out as soon as possible.

****Special thanks to Bethlyn, the best sister in the world. You've been awesome, losington. Thanks for all your help.****



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Ainsley