ANG ALL GOOD THINGS...

A good story about Pacey, Joey and Dawsion in a love triangle. Mail Ang at angel21575@aol.com.

(Immediatly after BREAKING AWAY)

Joey was the first to pull away from the embrace.

As she smiled and rested her forehead against Dawson, he whispered, "Where did that come from?"

Joey's smile slowly fades as she speaks, "You kissed me Dawson, I get to ask the questions."

Dawson looks at the floor so she won't see the worried look on his face, "I don't know if I have the answers you want.." He knew it was the wrong thing to say, but they had agreed to be honest.

Joey sits down on the window ledge, knowing her legs wouldn't hold her much longer. "This couldn't have been impulsive," she takes a deep breath, "you wouldn't know impulsive if it smacked you upside the head."

Dawson, very frustrated, attempts to explain, "Joey..." he looks up at the ceiling, hoping the answers are written up there for him to read. He still can't look at her, "I didn't plan on kissing you..."

Joey throws one leg over the ledge and looks back over her shoulder, "Well, it happened Dawson. Welcome to reality."

"Joey, wait."

"Why don't you just let me leave, Dawson? The extra dialogue isn't helping your inability to deal with this situation."

Dawson sits on his bed looking half surprised and half scared,"Joey, let me finish..."

"Please, Dawson, if you are going to analyze this like one of your damn scripts, stop now. This is my life! I'm not going to say exactly what you want me to say."

"God, Joey, you're my best friend!" He pulls her to her feet and holds both of her hands. " I just had this overwhelming urge to kiss my best friend and my mind is having difficulty explaining this to my head."

He pauses and drops her hands. He guides her to sit down with him on the bed."Things have been...different between us. I thought if I ignored it, nothing would change. Now there's no going back, is there?"

Joey looks hurt, but Dawson continues,"I mean, we'll never be just friends again."

Joey looks resigned to the fact that this isn't what he wants." Either we move on, or we stagnate. You make the choice. All or nothing Dawson."

"So either way, I lose my best friend ,Joey?"

"No, you'll never lose my friendship.... but, I want you to decide... tonight... if we're ever going to be more because I'm not spending any more time wishing and hoping you'll notice we've changed. You've admitted what you know. Now tell me how you feel."

Dawson looks into her eyes and knows the answer. He pulls her to him and gently kisses her, "I choose us." They smile and continue to kiss.

(The next day)

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

Bessie walks into the bathroom where Joey has been standing at the mirror brushing her hair. "Joey, Dawson is here. What's with the make up?"

"Well...this is sort of a date."

"You and Dawson?"

"Yeah, me and Dawson, why?"

"I just never knew you thought of him that way. You look beautiful, Jo."

Joey smiles with relief.

"Jo, when you smile like that, you look just like mom."

Tears glisten in Joey's eyes, but don't fall. "Thanks, Bess, that may be the best compliment I ever get in my life."

(They walk down the hall to the living room where Bodie is calming a cranky Alex and Dawson is waiting nervously.)

Dawson looks up at the sound of female voices. "Jo?"

"It's me."

Bodie sees Dawson is at a lose for words, "You clean up real nice, Kidd-o."

"Thanks Bodie.Dawson, ready?"

"Yeah....um...you look..."

"Thanks Dawson." Joey smiles.

"But, I didn't even make a complete sentence."

"And I've never seen you forget you're script, so compliment taken."

They both smile as Bessie and Bodie chuckle and then they walk out the door hand in hand.

(VIDEO STORE)

Pacey is sitting at the counter watching "THE MIGHTY DUCKS" as Dawson and Joey walk in. He doesn't notice them at first.

"Pacey..."

He doesn't look up from the screen. "Hey Dawson, so what's on the agenda

for..." he finally looks up, "JOEY?"

"What?"

"You're a girl!"

Dawson laughs and Joey scowls, "Did you forget? Just because I'm the only

female that speaks to you..."

Dawson laughs at his two best friends, "Calm down, Joey."

Pacey gets a glint in his eye, "Yeah, calm down , Josephine."

"Pacey, the fact that you retain the ability to walk upright amazes me."

"Hey Princess, I was trying to compliment you."

"If that's your idea of a compliment, it's no wonder you spend your nights watching those dumb hockey movies."

"Hey, I happen to think this is some great acting..."

Joey shivers,"That Charlie guy gives me the creeps."

Dawson leans over and kisses her cheek, "Leave Pacey alone, OK? Truce?"

Joey nods and they look at each other while a look of hurt shadows over

Pacey's face. He looks down at the counter and clears his throat, "So, I guess you finally figured out how to keep Josephine here quiet, huh?"

"Bite me, Pacey."

"Josephine, you shouldn't be making those propositions in front of Dawson. He has cleary come out of his fog about you."

Dawson tries to speak, but Pacey holds up his hands, "I'm just saying, I wish you'd thought of it years ago."

Dawson directs a smile at Pacey, "You know Jo, he has a point."

"DAWSON!"

"I mean, I should have thought of kissing you years ago."

"Oh."

"Well, D, what can I do for you?"

"Actually. Pace, I need my schedule for next week. Then, we're on our way to the Rialto." Dawson takes Joey's hand just as Jen walks in.

Jen notices, but pretends not to, "Hey, am I late for the party?"

Joey rolls her eyes and slowly turns around as Dawson and Pacey say hello.

"Joey! You look great. Beautiful, in fact."

Joey look uncomfortable.

Dawson and Pacey both hold their breath.

" Thanks, Jen. I used a lot of the make up tips you taught me for the

pageant."

Everybody hides their shock at Joey's politeness.

"You were always pretty, Joey. We all knew it. I just had to prove it to you."

Pacey interrupts the akward silence that follows.

"Jen are you looking for a movie?"

"Um, no..." Her eyes fill up with tears..."I was out walking and I saw you

guys in here so I just..." The tears start to fall..."my gramps died and..."

Joey nudges Dawson towards her and nods her head at him. He takes the hint and akwardly hugs Jen.

For Joey, the memories of her mother's death and Jen and Dawson's

relationship are too much and she heads for the back of the store.

Pacey notices and follows her.

"Josephine, are you by any chance, jealous?"

Joey turns around to show her unshed tears.

"Shut up, Pacey. Did you ever stop to consider that some people's feelings

are private?"

"Jo, I'm sorry. I know how seeing them together must make you feel."

"It's not that."

"Then what? You have Dawson, finally, and..."

He realizes why she's upset.

"Death is a hard subject for you. I'm sorry...I should have known."

He looks guilty for his earlier comments.

"Don't be nice to me. OK?" She smiles, "it messes up our whole dynamic."

"Not me, never, nice to you? P-shaw..."

She starts to look uncomfortable.

"Thanks Pacey. For this, and for taking me to see my dad..."

Dawson walks in.

"Um, Jo, could you talk to Jen? I know you have your issues with her, but..."

"It's OK, Dawson, I'll talk to her."

Dawson smiles a sappy smile at Pacey as Joey walks out.

Pacey rolls his eyes.

"Oh, boy, Dawson's in love."

"Would that be so terrible, Pacey?"

Pacey chuckles,"Actually, it's about damn time. I've known for months where this was going. Jen knew...hell, the whole damn town knew! Except you, of course."

"Is that why you asked my permission to ask her out that time?"

Their smiles fade.

"Dawson man, call it temporary insanity. I never had a chance. Maybe I missed Tamara, I don't know, I got over it."

Joey and Jen walk up to the door unseen and listen...

"Dawson, years ago, we were all friends.

Then, one day, Joey realized we were growing up.

It took us awhile to catch up and by the time we did, she'd made a decision.

She picked you.

Somewhere along the way, maybe when her mom died, her friendship for you grew and her friendship for me died.

Don't you think I know she has to make herself be civil to me for your sake?"

Dawson look at Pacey in awe.

"That's not true, Pacey. You guys are friends."

"It is true, Dawson.

So, if you think I'm acting weird, that's all it is.

I miss The Three Musketeers.

I'm happy for you guys.

She and I have a lot in common.

This town doesn't have much use for either one of us.

That's how I know how important you are to her.

You make us feel like we're a part of something.

So, don't worry."

Dawson is cleary upset that his friend thinks this way.

He is about to tell him how much his friendship means to him when the girls walk in.

They act like they didn't hear anything as Pacey looks away.

"Dawson, we better go," she turns to Jen, "if you're sure you're gonna be OK?"

"Yeah, I'm sure, go on. Thanks...a lot."

"Jen, you can stay here with me...I'm having a Mighty Ducks marathon."

He puts his hand on her shoulder and they both try to smile as Joey and Dawson walk out hand in hand.

(SIDEWALK OUTSIDE RIALTO)

Joey is thinking about all the stuff Pacey said.

She keeps hearing his voice explaining why they both needed Dawson in their lives.

And, she remembered the story about his dad making him feel unwanted.

She never realized how much she had in common with Pacey.

The smile she had been wearing faded as she realizes she needed Pacey's friendship, too.

There were things Dawson would never understand about their lives.

"What are you thinking about, Jo?"

"Nothing."

"You look so down. What is on your mind that took away that beautiful smile?"

"Jen's gramps I guess...dying..."

"I didn't even think...I'm so sorry. I should have known. We can go home?"

"No, just drop it, Dawson, OK?"

(Joey decided to be nicer to Pacey. As much as she couldn't believe it, she was sorry about how he felt about their friendship.)

(BACK TO VIDEO STORE, SIMULTANEOUS WITH ABOVE)

"So, Pacey, do you think Dawson bought your little story?"

"WHAT?"

"Well, we kind of overheard your conversation."

"OH, and what, oh wise one, makes you think I was lying?"

Jen looks somwhat slyly at Pacey. "Weren't you?"

"Of course not. What even made you think that?"

"Well, remember when Joey would look at Dawson and we could all tell how she felt about him?"

"Yeah..."

"That's kinda how you were looking at her when I showed up earlier."

"Jen..."

"Don't worry. Dawson seems as oblivious as ever.

Joey too, as far as I can tell.

Maybe I just know how it feels."

"So, you aren't over Dawson?"

Jen hangs her head.

"Between you and me? No.

But, I have too much else in my head to think about that right now.

Bigger problems.

And, Joey's the only female friend I've ever had.

She was even nice to me today, and..."

"And, we don't have a chance with them."

Pacey finishes, somewhat sadly and puts his arm around Jen.

Jen smiles a shaky smile.

"Then there's that, yeah, there's always that."

They both laugh.

"But you were wrong about one thing, Pacey."

"What?"

"You and Joey are still friends."

"I don't think so. We just trade insults to hide the fact that we have nothing to talk about."

Jen shakes her head, "You do your share of insulting, right?"

Pacey looks almost proud,"I've been known to fling a few zingers..."

"And, do you hate her?"

"No, you know I don't. I could never hate Joey...it's unthinkable to me. But, like I said...she made her choice, and it wasn't me."

"Pacey, I'm just saying she doesn't hate you. She wouldn't waste that much energy on someone she hates. Trust me. I've been that someone."

(BACK TO RIALTO-DAWSON AND JOEY ARE IN THEIR SEATS WAITING FOR THE MOVIE TO START)
Dawson kissed Joey and asks, "So, did you tell them you weren't going to Paris?"

Joey looks confused and Dawson is stunned as she replies," Who says I'm not going?"

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