"Potter Bed and Breakfast."

"Hi, I'm calling to complain about that horrible, evil owner who enjoys renting out her own sister's room," Joey answered with a smirk.

"Joey! How are you? And that only happened once, by the way," replied Bessie.

"Sure, Bessie." Joey paused, twirling a stray hair around her index finger. "And who's sleeping in my room tonight?"

"Shut up and just tell me how well you're doing and how much you are enjoying your second year of college."

"College's great." Joey paused, glancing over at the blinking light on her answering machine with a wrinkled nose. "But I'm actually calling to see how you're doing for a change."

"This is Joey Potter isn't it? My one and only sister? And she wants to know how I am? I'm shocked." Bessie mocked. "Actually I'm doing well. I had an appointment with the doctor yesterday. Everything is fine. We'll have a new member of the family soon enough."

"Is it too soon for me to ask if it's a boy or a girl? Because I'm definitely rooting for a girl. We need to tip the scale in favor of the Potter women."

"Well, if it is a girl, she's not going to be a Potter. At least not in name. And even then she'll only be half Potter. Besides, why would I want another girl? I think having to raise you was enough for me." Bessie answered playfully.

"Ha, ha." Joey said sarcastically. "Have I told you how much I missed you yet?"

"As long as you don't miss the wedding."

"And how are the wedding plans going?"

"So far, so good," Bessie paused. "Joey, there's a question I want to ask you. Do you think I should call dad?" She continued quickly, even as Joey opened her mouth to reply. "I mean should I even tell him I'm getting married? It seems like he doesn't even really want to have anything to do with us so I don't even see a reason why I should tell him. And even if I wanted to tell him, it's not like I know where he is, right?"

Joey paused, tapping anxious fingers on the edge of her desk. She wasn't sure how much she should tell Bessie about their dad.

"I don't know, Bessie." Joey chewed on the inside of her cheek, her fingers unconsciously thrumming against the side of her desk. "It's your wedding and another one of those decisions you'll have to make for yourself," she said slowly. She frowned, the guilt getting the best of her. "I've got to get to class. We can talk more about this later. Bye, Bessie. Tell Bodie and Alexander I said hi."

"Will do. Bye, Joey."

Joey glanced around the small art studio with a frown. How was she supposed to be creative in a room like this? The whole place was claustrophobic. Beige walls. Brown stools. Dirty tins of water. She stared down into the murky old coffee container with a grimace. It was a shade of blue she knew well enough. Creek water. Uch. Looking back up at her painting, she wondered yet again why she was even bothering.

Dr. Patel stepped into the classroom with a small smile. She had a soft spot for the beginning studio students. Particularly, the watercolor class. It was a difficult, unforgiving medium. She tilted her head, observing Joey from a few steps away.

There was still something wrong. She frowned and dipped her brush into the gray paint, adding a small stroke beside his hand. It wasn't coming out the way she wanted it to. She plunged the brush back into the creek water with a sigh. Joey, brush in hand, stood staring at the painting when Dr. Patel finally made her presence known, moving a step closer and clearing her throat.

"I am intrigued by the figure in your painting, Joey," Dr. Patel suddenly said. She took another step, settling a hand on Joey's shoulder as she squinted at the man in the painting. Who was he?

"Ah!" a startled Joey cried out, her paintbrush flying loose from her flailing hand. It made a sailing arc back towards her professor, who sidestepped it smoothly. She bent over to retrieve the brush, handing it back to her cringing student with an amused smile.

"Sorry. I forgot how easy it is to be absorbed while painting."

Joey smiled and watched Dr. Patel as she took a look at her painting. "So what do you think?" she asked cautiously.

"It's very good. I see a lot of potential. I love the colors you are starting out with." She paused. "But can I make a suggestion?"

"Of course. Any feedback would be appreciated."

"It is obvious that you want the focus of your painting to be on this figure that is laying on the dunes, correct?"

Joey nodded.

"Then you need to focus on putting more color and details on him." She waved a hand over the man, indicating his blurred features. "You seem to be more focused on the shadows in his surroundings. That is secondary. Use the colors to make the focus on him. You have to remember that with watercolors, it is even more essential that you pick the right colors. You can't really get all the details you are use to getting like with other mediums so color is even more important. And at the same time, it has to be subtle to let the viewer's eyes fill in the details."

Joey looked at her painting thoughtfully. "I knew there was something wrong but I couldn't quite figure out what it was. You're right. I was trying to paint this like I was using acrylic paint so I was working on the background first like I usually do. That's where I was going wrong."

"And don't dilute the paint so much, Joey. You want to use the different shades to make things stand out." Dr. Patel picked up the book she came for with a smile.

"Thank you for your suggestions, Dr. Patel."

"No problem. I really do like your work, Joey. You picked a very interesting subject to paint and there's potential there. You should keep it up. I'll be looking forward to seeing your future projects," she encouraged. "I'll see you at the museum later."

"Okay," Joey said, nodding and beaming at the small hint of praise. "Thank you again."

Dr. Patel gave her a little wave as she left the room. Joey was left alone again with her painting.

Pacey swaggered into Audrey's room, ready to spend some time with his girlfriend.

"Hey, Audrey-" He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Audrey. She was sitting on her bed with the phone to her ear. When she saw him walk in, she turned away, swiping at her face with the back of her hand.

"I have to go now. Good-bye, Mother." She said quickly and hung up the phone. She sat there for a few moments; wiped away her tears quickly and collected herself before turning around to face Pacey with a big, fake smile on her face.

"Hey, Pacey. I've been waiting for you."

"What's wrong, Audrey?" Pacey asked with concern. "What did your mom say?"

"Nothing," she said quickly. Audrey flashed him another dazzling smile, her eyes bright from unshed tears. She lowered her voice to a purr, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. "Nothing important anyway."

Pacey leaned back, dodging her lips. "I don't buy that, Audrey. It's obviously something." He reached gentle fingers out to her wet cheeks. "You were crying. What did your mom say to upset you?"

Audrey remained silent, moving her lips down over his neck.

"Audrey, I might be more helpful if you actually talked to me about it," Pacey protested.

"I think you might be more helpful with less clothing on," she said, slipping her hands beneath his t-shirt.

He batted at her hands, rolling his eyes. "It might help you too. I'm more than just the guy you have sex with, I can listen too, you know."

Who wants to talk when there's so much more interesting things to do," Audrey answered, placing kisses over his abdomen, after successfully pushing his shirt up.

Pacey gave in with a groan, pulling her up to him, hands fisting in her hair as he kissed her.

Dawson stared at the computer screen, nostrils flared in annoyance. The computer lab at the film school was less than inspiring. A bunch of cold black PCs in a beige room. He really wished they'd bought Macs.

The project just wasn't coming out the way he had planned. At this point he thought it might be more effective to randomly edit out clips with his eyes closed.

Oliver sat next to him, working on his own project and casting occasional sideways glances at Dawson. He turned back to his screen, sliding the cursor over the footage he'd arranged, smiling triumphantly. Oliver was obviously having no problems with the assignment.

Dawson let out a frustrated groan, pushing the mouse away in disgust.

"What's the matter, buddy?" Oliver asked.

"This stupid project! I need this portion to show clips with the music in the background but the music isn't coming on at the right cue." He clicked his mouse furiously over a button in frustration.

"Look under 'tools'. Just click on that and then go under 'music' and change where you want the music to cue. Not a big deal, Dawson." Oliver leaned over to show Dawson. "You know, I spent quite a lot of time in high school doodling girls' names all over my algebra notes. And to this day, I can't tell you a thing about variable equations."

Dawson blinked. "That's...too bad."

"Not really," Oliver replied cheerfully, "I've never had it come up in conversation or anything."

"Oh." Dawson frowned, running a hand over his hair. "Well, good for you then."

Oliver raised an eyebrow, turning back to his own project with a sigh. "If you were paying attention in class when they were teaching us this software instead of mooning over Joey...like I know you were...you wouldn't be having so much trouble on your assignment. Not that I blame you for mooning over that girl. She is definitely a hottie."

Dawson slumped in his chair, understanding lighting over his face at last.

Oliver grinned, eyes alight with mischief. "Hey have you guys...made love yet? Is that why you're slacking? Soulmates and sexmates! I bet it was mind blowing. Come on. I need details here."

"Thanks for your help but that doesn't mean I'm going to divulge any info about me and Joey." Dawson smiled smugly. "All you need to know it that we are doing well."

"Come on. I just helped you out on your project. I'll take even a small detail as a reward."

"Nope."

"That's a shame, Dawson. Because that means I can only conclude that you haven't nailed her yet," Oliver stated as he went back to work.

Dawson's smile faded.

Jen tromped downstairs and headed for the stereo. She stuck in a CD, smiling as she made a beeline to the kitchen.

[Video - India.Arie]

Jen sat happily at the kitchen table, listening to India.Arie and enjoying it all. She smiled, almost giggling at the notion that she had the whole house to herself. She poured a cup of hazelnut flavored coffee in her Will & Grace mug and picked up Grams' discarded newpaper, settling a little deeper back into her seat.

She dug into the paper, grinning. She always read arts and leisure first. Then she skipped to the comics and then the women's section and finished with people and places. She was never fond of current events. It just depressed her. She was closing the newspaper and skimming the headline news when one caught her eye.

"Gay Teen Assaulted," she read. "'A high school junior has been an ongoing target of harassment at Gina Fattore High School. As an openly gay youth, he has expected to find some ridicule. However, last night the attacks escalated in brutality, leaving the youth in the hospital late last night. He was alledgedly at Club Dark Horse at the time, when four boys approached him....the boy was cornered...'" Jen's eyes skimmed over the print, her coffee cup forgotten on the table.

"'He is recovering at St. James Memorial...suffered internal bleeding...the school has yet to make a statement regarding the boys, all students at the same school. Police have yet to make any arrests, claiming a difficulty in finding witnesses to come forward.'" The words blurred and Jen barely registered the wet smudge on the paper as her own tears.

She glanced up from the article and the first thing she saw was the coffee mug she'd made for Jack's last birthday. It was from one of those clay painting shops and was simple enough. A large rounded cup in all white with "Jackers" scrawled across it in a rainbow of color. She dropped her gaze back to the article. "'It is considered doubtful by many that there will be any form of punishment for the assault.'" Jen frowned. "We'll see about that."

[Walk With Me - Seven And The Sun]

Jack had just finished his last class of the day. He was taking his time walking home. It just felt good to be done with classes for the day.

A very cute guy walked by and Jack couldn't help himself. He checked the guy out. Not bad. No Eric, but not bad. He was walking by the student center when he spotted a group of people handing out flyers. Oh, no. More stupid flyers. Don't these people know nobody actually reads those things?

He smiled at the man as he took a flyer and was ready to drop in into the nearest trashcan when something caught his eye. Noodle Box Productions. Cute name. He figured it was a movie production but as he read on, he discovered that it was actually a children's group that was looking for volunteer actors for the skits and volunteers to help out backstage. Even if he wasn't exactly fond of how his career in peewee soccer coaching had ended, he did enjoy working with the kids. I may have to look into this.

"And Good Morning, Boston Bay," Jen said, swivelling in her chair, a hand on her headphones. She reached over and pressed a button, hearing the familiar opening melody ring out. She glanced down at the notes she'd made from the article earlier, wetting her lips nervously.

As the music faded out, she took a deep breath, leaning back into the mic, her gaze focused out the window of the small radio station at the passersby. "This is Jen Lindley and for those of you who listen to my show and know the format by heart...well, it's time to shake things up a little. Instead of opening up to calls and song requests, I have something to say."

She paused. "I was reading an article this morning about a young man that spent the night in the hospital. He was bullied and beaten into unconsciousness last night when he had the audacity to think he could go to the local Club Dark Horse and order a coke on a Saturday night. He also happens to be openly gay. Apparently, the fine folks present that night saw nothing. The police have yet to find a single witness to back up the boy's claims. So there's a very good chance that all four boys will get away with what is, at its essence, a cruel, senseless attack."

Jen sighed, eyes following a group of children as they passed by her window. "I always thought that when I got to college I'd be wiser and somehow know better what to do in the world, you know. I've been the friend watching an eighteen year old boy nurse a black eye. And I thought...that somehow getting a few years older would provide enough distance to make sense of the unthinkable." She frowned. "The boys that did this are sixteen, seventeen, maybe eighteen. And they beat this boy until he bled and cried out for help. It's not the first time either. This boy shouldn't have to fight alone."

"There were people around who must've seen something and certainly could've...come forward. So that's all I have to say, I guess. If anyone was at Club Dark Horse Saturday night and knows anything...come forward. Because if you don't-" Jen stopped, her breath harsh in her own ears. "If you don't...how can you possibly live with yourself?" She pulled the headphones off her ears, flipping on the stereo and filling the station with music and her silence.

"Just talking to them, you can tell how excited and happy Bessie and Bodie. I know Bodie has been waiting for the right time to ask Bessie and I guess he finally decided it was right. And I am loving the idea of another nephew or a niece. Though a girl would be nice..." Joey said. She smiled sheepishly. "We already have Alexander after all."

Joey sat crosslegged on her bed, Dawson rather stiffly in the chair opposite her as she gushed over Bessie and Bodie's upcoming wedding and the latest member of the Potter/Wells family.

"I can't believe they are finally getting married after all this time." Dawson shook his head in disbelief. "And another child? Wow. I'm so happy for them. And for you, Joey. You'll get to be the aunt to another kid."

"I know. It's all so incredible." She beamed. "I'm glad things are falling into place for them. They really deserve to have such happiness in their lives."

"Yes they do." Dawson continued without a beat. "So is Bessie planning on telling your dad? I'm sure she would want him to walk her down the aisle."

Joey looked away. "I don't think so."

"Why not? He is your father after all. He deserves to know and to be there."

"Deserves?" Joey's tone was dangerous. She looked back up at him, her eyes flashing in anger. "You're entitled to your opinions, Dawson, but this is Bessie's decision. If she doesn't want him there, she doesn't have to tell him. Besides, I think it's pretty obvious Mike Potter gave up on his family a long time ago."

"I think you're wrong, Joey. No matter what he's done in the past, he is your father. Nothing can change that. You won't know if he wants to be there if you don't ask. You should at least ask him." He paused for a second and lowered his voice. "I'd give anything to have my father back on my wedding day. Actually, I'd give anything to have just any day with him. Just one more day. You shouldn't throw away a chance to possibly reconcile with your father."

Joey was livid. She took a deep breath, her fists clenching at her sides. He didn't understand at all. And she certainly didn't feel like telling him exactly why she didn't want to see her father. She held in the words on the tip of her tongue. You're not the only one with a dead parent on your hands, Dawson.

An Asian girl stopped Jen as she was leaving the radio station. Jen couldn't help but note that she reminded her of a taller version of Lane from Gilmore Girls. It was probably the similar glasses that made her think that.

"You're Jen Lindley from the radio, right?" the girl asked.

"Umm.yeah. Why do you ask?" Jen looked at her curiously.

"I just wanted to tell you how much your radio show today meant to me. I actually graduated from that high school and that stuff has been going on for a while. I'm glad someone has finally spoken up and let that community know exactly what she thought."

"Well, thanks. I'm glad I was able to help."

Jen's whole day went like that. People would stop her to tell their thoughts about her radio show and the station even called to tell her about all the responses they were receiving. Jen wasn't very fond of all the attention she was receiving but if it meant more attention for the high schooler, she was ready to do whatever she had to do. She was trying to think up other ways to help the boy as she walked across campus when she ran into David.

"Hey, Jen. I caught your show this morning and I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. I hope the people heard what you had to say because something does need to be done."

"Thanks, David." They fell in step together. "So where are you headed?" Jen asked.

"I'm actually done for the day. I was just going to head home and veg out before hitting the books."

"Well, do you think I can persuade you away from your exciting plans to grab a cup of coffee with me?"

David put on a mock face of thought before answering. "Hmm. I'm not sure. It'll throw my entire schedule off. But for you, I'm willing to make an exception. Let's go."

Jen rolled her eyes at him as they headed in the direction of the coffee shop together.

"It's an interesting idea, but I can't say I'm too fond of the idea that all our choices are predestined like that." Joey was walking down the street, discussing Minority Report with Dawson. They had finished watching the movie at the second run theatre.

"But that's what so great about the movie," Dawson replied. "Are our choices predestined? Or are they only different if we know what the outcome will be ahead of time so we consciously make the decision to make a different choice."

"I think you're just thinking too much about it, Dawson. Just be glad we do have the freedom of choice."

Dawson smiled at Joey and took her hand. "Yes, we do. Like the choice of which restaurant we want to go for dinner."

"Let's see.. I'm feeling a little adventurous. How about sushi?" Joey suggested.

Dawson made a face. "Sorry, Joey, but the thought of eating raw fish isn't very appealing. And I'm not very good with chopsticks."

"You could use your hands," she said, grinning hopefully. When he frowned, she sighed. "Well, don't you want to try something new?"

"I think I'll pass. Why don't we do Chinese instead? I know you love fortune cookies."

"Okay. Chinese it is."

They walked along quietly for a little bit.

"But you have to admit that the cinematography and special effects were really good. And in typical Spielberg fashion, we got the happy ending. The bad guy loses." His eyes were bright with excitement. She laughed.

"You just can't help yourself, can you, Dawson?"

"It's an occupational hazard."

Joey just gave Dawson a little smirk as they entered the restaurant.

Ding-dong.

Audrey waited impatiently for Jack to answer the door. She needed to pick up the CD mix she lent Jack, the one he had begged for to make a copy of as well. It was a good CD. It was her studying, leading to sex with Pacey CD, and since he was coming over tonight, she definitely needed it back. Pronto.

"Hey, Audrey," Jack greeted her when he opened the door.

"Jackers." She grinned when he glowered at her. "I'm here for my CD and Pacey is coming over any minute so I have no time for chit chat."

"Very forward, Audrey. Luckily, I like forward women. The CD is in my room." Jack headed upstairs with Audrey following close behind him.

When they got to his room, Audrey couldn't help but notice the mess. Clothes were everywhere and his desk was covered in books, papers, and CDs.

"And I thought gay guys were suppose to be obsessive compulsives." Audrey commented.

"Ha, ha. You of all people shouldn't be stereotyping, Audrey, being blonde and all. Even Jen knows better than that." Jack said as he was looking through the pile of CDs.

"Who says I'm naturally blonde?" Audrey wandered over to his desk and spotted the neon-colored flyer Jack has picked up earlier.

"Noodle Box Productions?" she read.

"Huh?" Jack looked up from his search. "Oh, yeah. Someone was handing those out this morning at school. It's a children's production company that does skits for kids. I thought it sounded interesting."

"They're looking for actors. Maybe I should look into it."

"Didn't peg you for the volunteering type, Audrey."

"Now who's stereotyping?" She frowned. Recovering quickly enough, she winked at him.

"Maybe I just like the name."

"Ha! Success!" Jack cried. "Found it. Now you have the right music to seduce your boyfriend with."

"Thanks a bunch, Jackers." Audrey called as she left.

"Thank you. Please come again," the waiter said as he brought their change along with two fortune cookies.

Dawson handed one cookie to Joey as he took one for himself. Joey cracked hers open, discarding the dry cookie on her plate with a frown.

" 'Japanese restaurants do not serve fortune cookies.' " Joey read. She sighed. "Well, that's pretty obvious. Although not really a fortune, is it? So what does yours say, Dawson?"

" 'Our first and last love is... self-love.' What does that mean?"

"I guess it's just typical fortune cookie nonsense." Joey eyed the door. "Should we go?"

"Yup. Let's go."

It was a short walk to Joey's dorm. They stood outside the large brick building, Joey staring at her feet. Then Dawson's. He was wearing those goofy Skechers again. Like he was still fifteen. She really hated those shoes. Glancing up to find him staring at her, she smiled. "I had a great time tonight, Dawson. It's been a while since we got a chance to do something like this. It was nice."

"Yeah. It was." Dawson paused. "And I want to apologize for our fight this morning. I know I had no business telling you how to handle your own family, but I just don't want you to look back and regret anything like I do with my dad."

"It's okay, Dawson. I know you said that stuff because you care." She shrugged and tilted her head to one side. "Care to come up?"

"I really appreciated you letting me use your computer, Audrey." Pacey flashed a quick smile at Audrey before focusing again on the Excel assignment he'd been working on for the last hour.

Audrey smiled lazily in response, continuing to flip through flashcards with a cursory glance at best. Spanish conjugation was really boring. And easy. Plus, she'd been studying for an hour. She let out a sigh and looked up to see that Pacey was still hard at work in front of the computer. She set her eyes on Pacey's broad shoulders, outlined nicely in his light gray t-shirt. She watched his muscles ripple as he typed.

"Hey, Pacey. I got an idea. Why don't we make this study session a little more fun?"

"How's that?" Pacey asked without looking up from his book.

"I was thinking we can use some sort of 'reward' method to motivate us." Audrey said suggestively.

Pacey didn't say a word. He was too busy trying to get the correct formula into the correct cell.

"Pacey? Pacey!"

"What?" He frowned, voice pitched higher in his annoyance.

"Never mind," she responded in a huff.

Strike one.

Audrey pretended to go back to her studying while she listened to him type away on the computer but she couldn't concentrate but an idea came to her. She knew what would distract Pacey and give him the right idea. She leaned over and put in the CD she retrieved at Jack's. She waited for him to respond, tapping eager nails against her bare leg.

[Would You Mind - Janet Jackson]

Still nothing.

Strike two.

"So how's the museum, Pacey? Everything going well?" Audrey asked, trying to distract him. Again.

"Yup."

A pause. She waited for him to say more, pouting when he didn't. "And how is your roommate?"

He finally stopped and looked up from his work, a muscle ticking in his neck at the strain of remaining civil. "Audrey, I really need to get through this stuff and learn it for the exam I have tomorrow. Don't you want me to do well?"

"Of course I do, Pooky." Even Audrey winced at the forced endearment this time. She forged on though. "But can't you just take a little break and spend some time talking to your girlfriend?"

"I'm sorry, Audrey. I really can't," Pacey said, packing up his notes and books with a sigh. He wouldn't be able to get any studying done here. He smiled gently. "You know what? I know you need to study too. And it's obvious that neither one of us is going to get any work done when we're together so I think it's best that I go."

He picked up his bag and walked over to Audrey and gave her a kiss. "I'll call you tomorrow, Audrey."

She watched him leave without saying a word, clearly upset.

Guess that was strike three.

That girl. She's gonna be the death of me.

Pacey walked down the hall, ready to head back to his own place and get back to his studies when he passed by Joey's door. He hesitated for a minute but then knocked.

"Come in," Joey said from inside, her tone mildly annoyed.

Joey was sitting on her bed. She had thumbnails of different paintings all around her, obviously trying to memorize them. She looked up from them, her mouth opening to speak. She promptly closed it, surprise evident at seeing Pacey. She smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself," Pacey replied, flopping down on the corner of her bed with a tentative grin. She rolled her eyes, moving a few of her scattered notes around so he could sit more comfortably. "Mind if I join you in your study session?"

Joey's face broke out into a full smile, teeth and all. "Of course not." She narrowed her eyes a moment later, watching Pacey lean further into her space. "You can take my desk."

"Thanks," he chuckled.

Pacey stood, moving over to Joey's desk and pulling his notes out with a small smile.

"Just remember that all I have to offer is Chex Mix." Joey said playfully.

Pacey laughed as he remembered that tutoring session all those years ago. "Don't worry. Lucky for you, that's more than enough to get me studying these days."

They studied together into the night, each helping the other prepare for their exams.