Pacey took a deep breath as he paused outside of the Potter B&B door. Knock, go in, what was so hard about that? Things have just seemed incredibly awkward between Joey and him lately. It started at the Leery party when they both saw Gretchen and Dawson kiss. Or maybe it was before that, Pacey couldn’t remember, but it seemed like it was as good of an excuse as any. She said she was fine with the kiss, but her unwillingness to talk about it brought back some very old, and very deeply rooted insecurities.

 “Pacey what are you doing?” Joey had opened the door and was standing there in a blue and white striped blouse over a pair of khakis with red American Eagle sweater tied around her waist. She looked at him with her head cocked to one side and a quizzical grin on her face.

 Pacey danced around nervously. “Uh, I guess I just got lost in thought there,” he stammered, trying to bring himself together. Pacey smiled, “You ready?”

 Joey couldn’t help but notice the way his nose was turning red from the cold and how cute he looked in the Hawaiian shirt that peeked out from underneath his green jacket. His blue eyes looked into her, and she felt connected. The quizzical grin turned into a smile as she perked up. “Yeah, let me grab my books.” She held the door for him to take behind her and she disappeared to her room. Pacey stared after her until she returned with her heavy brown winter coat on and her book bag over her shoulder. “Lets go.” She smiled happily and reached for his hand. Pacey took her hand and used it to lead her out the door, to his father’s truck in the driveway.

 Neither one said much on the ride to school. Though Joey had greeted him with genuine happiness, he wasn’t shaking the thought of Gretchen and Dawson from his head. He tried to tell himself that it was because he was worried about Joey’s feelings, but maybe it was just Dawson with his sister that was bothering him. Like it was some sort of vengeance or something. I got his soul mate he got my sister, Pacey thought. Something must have shown through on his face because Joey had concerned eyes trained on him.

 “Speak.” Was all that Joey said to him, but he knew he was busted.

 “What?” Pacey lightheartedly laughed, trying to break the tension.

 Joey defiantly stuck her chin out. “I know something is running through that head of yours, and you are going to tell me what it is.”

 Arriving at the school, Pacey parked the truck and gave her an amused look. “Now, Potter, what on earth gives you the impression that my simple mind is thinking about anything besides what a beautiful girlfriend I have?”

 He got out of the truck and walked over to her side and opened the door. Joey swung around to face him, but remained planted in the seat. “I know you Pacey.” She smiled and cocked her head. “You don’t spend three months on a boat with someone and not learn when something is pressing on their conscience so hard that they can’t participate in typical social interaction adequately.”

 Pacey playfully pulled her out of the truck and close to him. Leaning in close to her ear he whispered “You think TOO much,” and he planted a kiss in her hair. He reached for her hand and the two walked side by side, Joey deciding to temporarily give up on whatever it was that was bothering Pacey.

 “Jen! We are going to be late!” Jack called through Jen’s shut bedroom door. “What could you possibly be doing in there?” He had a smile on his face even though he was getting a little frustrated.

 Jen calmly opened the door and gave Jack a bemused look. “Getting ready. Don’t tell me that you don’t wake up an hour early to pick out just the right ribbed turtleneck and pants combo and make sure your hair is perfectly sculpted into place,” she jested as she walked out of her room.

 Jack laughed and threw his head back as he led the way down the hallway. “Actually, I pick my clothes out the night before, and the hair... Well what makes you think it doesn’t always look this good?” He told her with a playful cockiness.

 Jen shook her head to herself as she followed him to the door. “Because I knew you before you had style,” she said teasingly.

 Jack laughed more. “Ouch!”

 “Bye grams!” They both called before stepping out onto the porch.

 Grams appeared at the doorway, wiping her hands on a towel as they stood on either side of Jack’s father’s car. “Be careful. You two have a good day at school.” She called after them. Jen waved as the two drove off.

 “So, Jen, what do you think about taking off for Boston this weekend?”

 “What, you mean like this weekend?”

 “Yeah, I was thinking, you know, get out of Capeside, do some Christmas shopping. We could invite Joey and Pacey, make it a group thing.”

 “I don’t know if Grams will go for it...”

 “You can try... Come on. Kate’s at Boston University, she invited me up and I am dying to get out of this town.”

 “OK... Sure. I’ll think of some excused to throw at Grams. She likes you well enough, she might go for it.”

 Jo shut her locker and sighed. Just two more classes and the day was officially over, except of course for the four hours she had to put in at the Yacht Club that night. She turned around to head to class when she was faced by Jen. Jo looked slightly she startled, but she smiled and greeted her with the usual “Hey.”

 Jen smiled up at her “Hey Joey, has Jack talked to you today?”

 Jo furrowed her eyebrows, “No, why?”

 Pacey walked up behind Jen, and reached around her to pull Joey close to him. Joey seemed to forget about Jen as she relented and rested herself in Pacey’s arms. Pacey planted a quick kiss on Joey’s lips and turned to Jen. “Talked to Jack about what?”

 “Good, Pacey, you’re here,” Jen said ignoring the little exchange that had just taken place. “Jack was wanting to plan a trip to Boston this weekend. The four of us.”

 Joey let out a small giggle. “You mean like a double date?” She asked, amused.

 Her comment made Pacey laugh, and he couldn’t help but chime in. “Hey, while I’m all up for watching the two of you get some action, I just don’t know if I can hold Jack’s hand while doing it.”

 Joey playfully slapped him on the arm, and he pretended to be seriously hurt by it.

 “You two...” Jen shook her head and smiled. “Anyway, we just thought it would be nice to try and resuscitate some old friendships, and well you two haven’t been around a whole lot. What do you say?”

 Pacey straightened his tall frame. “I’m up for it. What do you say, Potter?”

 Joey looked disappointed, “I don’t know if I can, with the Yacht Club, and the B&B, school...” She said pointing the last word at Pacey. He didn’t seem to get it though. He was struggling with his own studies, having to make up for three classes that he had failed, or else he wouldn’t graduate.

 “We’ll get back to you on the trip deal. K?” Pacey asked, flashing Jen one of his winning smiles.

 “Sure, just let me know.” Jen shuffled her books around. “I guess I should go find my class or something.” Jen sighed. “Well, later guys!” She turned away from them and walked down the hall.

 Pacey turned to face Joey. “Do I have class?” He asked her, looking like he was almost serious.

 “In more ways than one,” she answered grabbing his hand and dragging him down the hall.

 In the kitchen of the Potter Bed and Breakfast Joey looked at her sister and waited for a response.

 “Joey, I know this has been a rough semester for you, and you are dying to get out of Capeside, but can’t you hold on for a couple more weeks? I think taking off now would be too much, and really, we do need you here.” Bessie told her, a motherly tone overlaying the entire message.

 Joey looked disappointed, but she didn’t argue. Jo nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear as she busied herself putting dishes away before she had to head out for work at the Yacht Club.

 “Why are you going to Boston?” Gretchen asked Pacey in a tone of voice that made Pacey feel like she was talking to a ten-year-old.

 Pacey began to quickly ramble through the diatribe he had planned out. “Do you realize the hours I have put in to work and school this year? I mean, I spend seven hours in school, then an extra three when it’s all over with. Add that to the stress that dealing with Dawson has caused, especially after seeing him kiss my sister at the Leery shindig. I’m just about ready to crack here. I need a little time away. Relax, Recooperate.”

 Gretchen completely ignored the comment about Dawson that was pointed at her. She hadn’t offered to say anything about it, no matter how much prodding he did. Instead she just smiled, seeing right through his efforts. “Right, those charms may work on Joey, but I don’t buy it. You hardly put the effort into your school work to produce any amount of stress.” She let out a deep breath. “But anyway, I’m not going to stop you. Talk to dad if you want, I won’t say anything though... Have a good time.” Gretchen smiled. “It’ll be nice to have the house to myself.”

 Pacey, who had made a beeline for the refrigerator, stopped when he heard that comment. “Don’t make me think bad thoughts,” he warned pointing an accusing finger at her. He grabbed a carton of milk out of the refrigerator and took a drink before putting it back. Gretchen didn’t seem to notice as she grabbed her coat and headed out the door for work at Leery’s Fresh Fish.

 Later that night Pacey opened the door to let Joey into the house that he and Gretchen shared. She had just gotten off work at the Yacht Club and still had on the cute little black and white catering outfit that she had to wear there sometimes. He looped his thumbs through her belt loops and pulled her close to breathe her in. “So Potter, what do you say? You, me, Jack, Jen, Boston? Could be fun.” Pacey asked, planting a soft kiss on her neck.

 Joey smiled at the warmth and leaned in closer, tilting her head towards him. “I wish I could, but Bessie put the brakes on that idea for me.” She leaned back slightly to make eye contact. “Maybe you should go though. You haven’t had much of a social life outside of me,” Joey offered. She didn’t want him to go, but she felt horrible for holding him back.
 Pacey felt his heart sink. He’d always heard that girls sometimes spoke with double meanings, maybe this was one of those time. You should go. The words rang in his head. Maybe she wanted him to go, because she wanted time or alone. Or maybe she wanted time with Dawson. Instinct told Pacey to stay here and defend his girl, but if he was too clingy... He didn’t want to be to clingy.

 “Now why would I want to go anywhere without you?” Is what came out of his mouth though. He spoke his words softly, and Joey felt her heart melt at the way he managed to pull off the suave, ladies man type so well.

 One corner of her mouth turned up as she looked at him closely. “You can have fun without me, you know.” Why was she doing this? She wanted him to stay with her, didn’t she?

 Yeah but do I want to? Thoughts raced through Pacey’s head as he searched Joey’s eyes for some sort of clue. She looked happy, or maybe even perplexed at his unwillingness to go.

 Jen had her feet curled up underneath her Indian style in the back seat of Jack’s car. She was flipped through CDs, her shoulder length blonde curls falling slightly in front of her face. Pacey was relaxed, with the front seat laid back, when he realized he had agreed to this little outing before finding out where in Boston they were even going. “So, uh, Jack, being as how you are the one who planned this whole thing, just exactly, what are we going to do in Boston?”

 Jack shrugged before he spoke, “Well, Jen wanted to check out Newbury Street this afternoon.”

 Jen perked up and smiled at her name. “Pacey, let me tell you, it has been forever since I have seen a Sax.” Her hands were inside the too-long sleeves of a fuzzy blue sweatshirt, and she rubbed them together like a little child anticipating Christmas presents. “MAC counter, here I come.”

 Pacey let out a small whine. “You are kidding right? I left my girlfriend in Capeside to watch you try on makeup?”

  Jack piped in, “Well, that’s not all. Kate and her new boyfriend go to Boston University, we are staying at his apartment in Back Bay tonight. They promised to show us the town, let us in on the party scene.”

 Oh great, Pacey thought. He could work a party. Hell, he could even convince himself to have a good time, but things would be easier if he just new what was going on with Joey.

 Jen leaned up form the back seat. “Besides, I’m sure you could use a little help, finding Joey the perfect gift.”

 Pacey offered her a good-natured smile. “Riiight... I’m a guy, you know I still have at least a week, before I even begin to think about what to get her,” he joked. Truth was, not only had he already thought about it, but it was already wrapped and in his room ready for giving.

 Jack caught the fact that Pacey wasn’t quite convinced about the trip. “C’mon Pacey. Relax. A party in a town where your family doesn’t make up the law enforcement. It can be fun.”

 Pacey laughed. “But where is the sense of excitement in that?”

 Dawson sat down at the bar of Leery’s Fresh Fish and ran his fingers through his hair in what appeared to be frustration. Gretchen wasn’t quite sure. She gave him a concerned look as she cocked her head down to meet his eyes. “Gee, what’s got you in the dumps?”

 Dawson lifted his head to make it easier for her to look at him. “I don’t know if I can take much more of this baby planning stuff. I mean, I want to be happy for my parents, but I have to look at one more cutesie jumper or baby crib you may be checking me into the nearest mental hospital.”

 “C’mon, you are acting like this is the end of the world. Don’t you know there are people starving in China?” Gretchen’s response suited Dawson’s distorted perceptions of his problems well, but really she was just aiming to lighten the mood. Which, to Dawson, the mood was lightened whenever she was around anyway. He offered her a genuine smile for her efforts, and she seemed pleased with that. “Pacey’s gone for the weekend, if you want to do movie night at my place. You know, get out of the house for an evening,” Gretchen offered.

 “You know, that sounds like a great idea.” Dawson let out a sigh of relief with the prospect of changing scenery for once. “I’m helping wait tables tonight, so I’ll just stick around to help you close, and we can leave from here.”

 Gretchen smiled. “Sure thing. I better get back to work before your mom sees I have been dawdling, you know how pregnant women can be,” she joked, as she took off down the length of the bar.

 “Don’t I ever,” Dawson whispered to himself.

 Joey sat down in front of her mirror and looked into her own tired eyes in the refection. All I am doing is sitting here, she thought. Why on earth wouldn’t Bessie just give her the weekend off. True she was scheduled to work tomorrow, but it just didn’t seem fair that her friends and her boyfriend were off enjoying Boston without her. She looked out her window onto the creek outside, and the tiny little dock. Joey let out a deep breath, and when she did she realized she was shaking like she was nervous. Joey took a long look at the door, and then put on her jacket and climbed out the window. Joey walked quickly toward the  rowboat that she kept tied up by the dock.

 What was it about Dawson’s house that drew her in? She took slow deliberate strokes, realizing her nervousness level was climbing as she got closer. She just had to talk to someone, and for some reason, Dawson’s house seemed like the safe, quiet place to go. Perhaps it was because it had been for so many years, and old habits were really hard to break, or maybe it was Dawson.

 And why did the fact that the ladder was missing from the side of the house still get to her? She wondered as she climbed out of the boat and walked toward the house. It was a relief to know that Gretchen wasn’t using it, but still. The ladder. It had symbolized so much, it was just as much of a fixed point as their friendship, and with the ladder gone, what did that mean for them.

 Jo cautiously walked up the steps and looked in to see that no lights were on. She knew that the door would be unlocked, but should she feel awkward about going in? Two years ago it wouldn’t have been a question. Well, two years ago, she could have used the ladder, but beyond that, back then this home felt like her home. No questions asked. Now... Well now was different. Against her better judgment she stepped in anyway and quietly walked up the stairs to Dawson’s room.

 The pictures on the wall mesmerized her; the black and white photos of Jen, Jack, Andie, Capeside, framed and all over the wall. There were none of her or Pacey. She felt an empty feeling in her heart. It was like a blatant attempt to cut them out of his life. He didn’t even want a visual reminder of the past. “Maybe this was a bad idea,” she whispered to herself, and she started to leave, but she noticed a long, wrapped box on the table. It was a Christmas present and the tag read “To: Jo, From: Dawson.” She took a step back. She hadn’t really been expecting anything. Wow. She sat down awkwardly on the end of Dawson’s bed. Her fingers reached back to tuck her hair behind her ears, and she waited.

 “Hey, can we stop by my house really quickly? Dawson asked Gretchen as the two walked to her car. “I want to grab a movie from my room,” he explained.

 “Sure, the collection at the house is severely lacking, anyway. Unless you want to delve into Pacey’s Adam Sandler or Jim Carrey collection.”

 Dawson laughed. “Yeah, I think I have something you’ll like better than that.”

 Tears were welling up in Joey’s eyes by the time she heard the two cars pull into the driveway. The familiar voices of Mitch and Gale filled the rooms downstairs first. Then she heard Dawson. “Hey mom, I’m going to grab a movie from upstairs, and then I am going over to Gretchen’s to watch it.”

 Gale answered him, “Ok honey.” She turned to Gretchen, who had slipped in behind Dawson. “Drive safely.”

 Gretchen smiled. “Yes, Mrs. Leery.”

 Joey panicked. Oh no, Gretchen was downstairs. She could hide out on the roof until they left, maybe. The closet. Joey opened the door, and sat down on the floor. Great, even more time to think she realized as she was not only going to have to wait for Dawson to leave, but also for his parents to fall asleep. This had gone too far. Not only had she come up to his room, but she was sitting in his closet. She hadn’t done this since tenth grade. Pathetic.

 She heard Dawson moving around the room, and held her breath. She hoped he didn’t need anything out of the closet. She felt herself let out a sigh of relief as the door closed to his room, and again a few minutes later when Gretchen’s car pulled out of the driveway. But for some reason Joey stayed where she was, sitting on the floor of Dawson’s closet.

 “Pacey, you remember Kate, Right?” Jack asked as he started the introductions. His dark crimson button down was only slightly loose and looked good with his black dress pants. The combination showed off his athletic frame nicely.

 “Of course I do, though I’m surprised she remembers me,” Pacey said joking about her state of intoxication the time they all crashed the party in Capeside on Valentines Day. He was wearing Jack’s black ribbed turtleneck sweater and his own olive green khaki pants. The outfit made him feel like he was setting off every man, woman, and child’s gay-dar sirens, but Jen had forced him to wear it and insisted that he looked “great.”

 Kate’s snugly fit green shirt brought out the color in her eyes. She wore it with a black skirt that went a little past her knees and stylish black boots. Kate smiled and nodded, “Right, and you think you were in a much better shape than I was to do any remembering?” She asked, playful sarcasm ringing in her voice.

 “Kate, this is Jen,” Jack said, interrupting them to finish the introductions.

 “Pleasure to meet you,” Kate said smiling and offering her hand.

 Jen wriggled her hand free from the sleeves of her blue sweater to shake Kate’s hand. With a smile she answered “Likewise.”

 “And this,” Kate began with a flourish, gesturing to the tall guy standing behind her, “is Kyle.”

 “Glad you guys could all come up,” Kyle offered. He stood around 6’1” and had very light brown hair and hazel eyes. He was dressed casually in khakis and a polo sweater. Everything about him screamed “yuppie” to Pacey, but he decided not to hold it against him, just yet.

 “So, Kate, Kyle... Where can a guy get some good food around here?” Pacey asked, shuffling around, ready to lead the way if he had to.

 An hour later they were sitting in an Irish pub. Kyle had no problem ordering beers for them all around, and Pacey was keeping an amused eye on Jen, waiting for her to take her first drink. He was sure she could hold her own, but he’d always pictured her as more of a mixed drink or wine cooler type of girl. He saw her pick up the mug and hold it towards Jack as if she were toasting. “Here’s to you being a good influence on this poor, misguided young girl,” she smiled as she took a sip.

 Pacey chuckled at the exchange. His laughter stopped as his brain turned back on. Thoughts of Joey, and what she could possibly doing without him flashed through his head, but he didn’t let them stay there. Pacey was going to have a good night if it killed him. He downed half the drink in one swallow.

 “Whoa, tiger, take it easy there,” Kate warned, with a laugh, letting him know she wasn’t serious. “We’ve got all night,” she winked at him, which for some reason caused Pacey to flinch.   All night, eh? Yeah, a couple more beers and a night club away from all night.

 Kate and Kyle lead the way to the dance club that they were wanting to go to. Jack, Jen and Pacey followed suit. Jen was walking between the two boys, and she interlocked her arms with theirs.

 “Jack, this was a good idea,” Jen began matter-of-factly. “Thanks for dragging us out of Capeside!”

 Jack smiled. “Well don’t thank me yet. We’ve got a whole weekend to survive through.”

 Jen lifted her head up high, and exchanged glances with the two boys on her arms. “So, can it be assumed that any and everything that happens this weekend will be permanently buried underneath a vow of confidence?” She asked, an impish grin appearing on her face.

 “Why, Lindley...” Pacey began with a devilish tone to his voice. “Are you planning on getting a little crazy on us tonight?” Pacey’s words sparked interest from Jack, as the two waited on her response.

 “No, not really. Just hoping that you two might.” She smiled mischievously.

 Jack laughed. “All right, miss, no more alcohol for you tonight.”

 Jen looked shocked. “What? I’m not drunk!”

 Pacey took his arms out of the interlocked hold that Jen had on him to put it protectively over her shoulder. “Sure you aren’t,” Pacey told her in a condescending voice, making it sound like he didn’t believe her, though he and Jack both knew she had a ways to go before even getting tipsy.

 Jen got a defiant look on her face. “I’m not.” She claimed, looking serious.

 “Mm hm.” Pacey nodded in amusement like a father who was listening to his child exaggerate a story beyond belief.

 “Jack, tell him I’m not drunk,” Jen demanded.

 “Uuh, I don’t know Jen, this is a tough call.” Jack shrugged. Jen jabbed him in the side with her elbow, so he moved his gaze over Jen’s head to Pacey to act like he was going to offer something in her defense. What Jack said was, “She probably isn’t just yet. I hear she gets horny when she’s drunk.”

 Pacey let out a hearty laugh, and Jen broke free from their friendly embraces to run ahead and join Kate and Kyle. Both guys called out after her to plead her to come back. “Jen, c’mon, you know you love us...” “Come back!”

 At Gretchen’s house, Dawson made himself comfortable on the couch as he looked through the video collection he brought, trying to decide what to put in. “What are you in the mood for tonight?” He called to Gretchen, who had gone to the kitchen.

 “Umm, sad? Sappy?” She offered. “Whatever you think.”

 Dawson made his selection and had gotten up to but the tape in the VCR when Gretchen returned with a bowl of popcorn and two Diet Cokes. “What did you pick out?” She asked, placing herself on the couch.

 Dawson returned, remote control in hand. “A Guy Named Joe” Dawson aimed the remote and pressed play.

 Gretchen handed Dawson one of the drinks. “Hmm, I don’t think I have heard of it.”  “Probably not. It was made in 1944. It’s about a fighter pil...” Dawson started to delve into a description of the plot line, but a warning look from Gretchen shut him up. He caught a look at her from the corner of his eye and smiled and he settled back, and helped himself to the popcorn on the table in front of them.

 Pacey and Jack were leaning up against the bar watching Kyle and Kate work the floor. Jen had been dancing with different guys for every song, each time coming back and trying to get one of them out on the floor with her, so far she hadn’t had any luck.

 Pacey turned away from the dance floor and ran his finger around the rim of his glass of plain iced tea. “So Jack, you brought us here, why aren’t you out there with the best of them?”

 Jack laughed. “Maybe because I’m not one of the best of them.”

 Two girls walked up to them. One was a tall, slender blonde, with her hair cut into a short bob. The other girl was an inch or two shorter, and had long curly brown hair. The blonde took her place next to Jack, while the brunette walked up to Pacey. Pacey smiled, they were about to get hit on. He wondered how Jack would take it.

 “Um, hi,” Jack offered, since Pacey wasn’t saying anything.

 The brunette looked on curiously, while the blonde piped up. “I’m Sara” she announced, “And that’s my friend Laura,” she continued, gesturing to the girl standing beside Pacey. “Are you two gay?” She asked innocently.

 Pacey choked on his tea and made a mental note not to let anyone convince him to wear another ribbed turtleneck. The brunette standing beside him looked at him sympathetically. “Sara?!” She exclaimed, looking a little embarrassed. Laura jumped in to cover their tracks. “What she meant was, How come two good looking guys, such as yourselves, are here alone?”

 Sara smiled, pleased with herself for creating such a rise, and waited expectantly for their response.

 Pacey smiled at Laura. “Well, my girlfriend is at home, back in Capeside. She had to work, and couldn’t make it out tonight. And Jack... Well Jack here...” Pacey began, but left it open for Jack to take over.

 “Jack is gay,” Jack finished.

 Sara looked shocked as Laura stifled a giggle. “Oh.” Sara said. “Um, I’m really sorry. I never would have asked if I thought you were. Oh, geez, that’s embarrassing.”

 Jack smiled. “Don’t worry about it.”

 “So the girlfriend is at home?” Laura asked sympathetically.

 Pacey sighed. “Yeah, yeah she is.”

 Gretchen sat up, and freed her hand from Dawson’s to take the empty glasses and popcorn bowl back to the kitchen. She returned to her spot next to him on the couch as the video rewound. “Wow. The message in the movie is powerful,” She commented.

 Dawson seemed surprised. “Yeah?” He inquired. The last time he watched a movie with him she didn’t have any comments, except to listen to what he had to say.

 “Well yeah.” Gretchen started. “I mean granted we don’t see any angels coming back, but even in our own lives, when relationships die, we have to be able to move on ourselves, and we can force ourselves to do that. But to encourage a loved one to move on when that equals moving away... That is a true sacrifice.” Gretchen paused in thought. “I mean sometimes even when we know we can’t have someone, we still don’t want anyone else to have them.”

 Dawson was quiet as he thought about this for a minute. Both sat in silence.

 Gretchen interrupted, “I should take you home.” She said getting up to grab her keys.

 Dawson stood up too. “I can walk,” he offered, deciding he wouldn’t mind the time alone.

 “I don’t think so,” Gretchen told him, her tone sounding motherly. “It’s freezing out there. Get in the car.” She smiled as she held the door open for him.

 Dawson planted a kiss on her cheek on the way out. “You’re so cute when you are forceful!”

 After Sara got over the initial shock of finding out that Jack was gay, the two hit it off really well. After a drinks, she got him out on the dance floor. Pacey had to admit the two were looking like they were having a good time, as the DJ played songs ranging from blues to the latest dance mixes.

 He and Laura had been talking for the last hour or so. She was a freshman at Harvard, majoring in psychology, and she had her own boyfriend back home in Texas. Actually, the way she described him, the guy sounded an awful lot like himself. And Laura... Well she was different. She seemed to have it all together.

 “So, I feel like I have gone on forever,” Laura stated. “What’s your story?”

 Pacey smiled. “Ahh I don’t really have much of one. Just your typical class clown, struggling through his senior year.”

 The music slowed down as Creed’s “With Arms Wide Open,” began. Pacey looked at Laura. “You seem like a girl who loves to dance, and since this is the only speed I can really make my body do what it wants to, why don’t you take me up on my offer and join me on the floor?” He asked.

 Laura stood up and took his hand, and he led her out on to the dance floor.

 Jack looked at Sara. The two were dancing slowly to the music, as Jack worked their way over to Jen and the guy she was dancing with. “Mind if we switch for a while?” Jack asked.

 The guy that Jen was with smiled at Sara. “Not at all,” he said, taking her hand.

 Jen found her way into Jack’s arms, and the two were dancing closely. “You seemed to be having a good time,” Jen mused.

 Jack looked down at her, breathing in her scent. “It’s just a matter of losing inhibition.”

 “How many drinks have you had?” She asked sounding amused, though she was bordering on tipsy herself.

 “Just a couple... I’m fine.” Jack assured her, a huge grin on his face.

 “A couple of what?” She asked, giggling.

 Jack pretended to be frustrated. “A couple of I-don’t-know. Would you just shut up and dance with me?”

 Jen looked amused, but she didn’t say anymore.

 Before the song was over, Pacey stopped dancing and looked at Laura. “I hope you don’t mind, I’ve had a great time, but there’s just something, I’ve gotta do.”

 Laura was startled, by his sudden stop, but she regained composure quickly. “Of course, go ahead,” she smiled. “Your girlfriend is really lucky.”

 Pacey planted a kiss on her cheek before finding Jack and Jen to tell them that he was taking the next bus back to Capeside.

  Joey must have fallen asleep sitting in Dawson’s closet, because she had totally lost track of time when the sound of his keys hitting the table jolted her back to reality. Great, there was no quietly “sneaking” her way back home now; but what if he got mad at her for being in his room?

 Dawson lay down on top of his bed and crossed his legs at his ankles. What was going on with him and Gretchen? He hadn’t gotten up the nerve to kiss her again since the party, but he had just spent the entire evening with her. He turned his head to one side, noticing the brick that Joey had given him on return from her summer away. A brick. “Foundation” is what she had said.   He let out a deep breath. Joey chose that moment to stand up and open the closet door.  She stepped out slowly.

 “Hey,” Dawson greeted her. He looked slightly confused, but not really surprised at all. She had hidden in his closet for years, and even though she hadn’t done it in a long time, there was just something natural about it.

 “Hey,” she answered back shyly, before launching into explanation. “Um, I came up here to talk to you earlier, and I was going to, but I heard Gretchen’s voice downstairs, and well, I didn’t want to intrude, so I came in here, and I was going to leave after...” She started quickly and uneasily, but Dawson cut her off.

 “No, it’s OK,” he assured her. “What did you need?” He asked concerned, sitting up to make room for on the bed.
 “Um, I don’t even know,” she started her voice cracking. That’s when the tears fell. She tried to explain what was wrong, but she couldn’t find the words, and the sobs took over.

 Dawson moved in to wrap his arms around her, and she found herself resting in the comfort of them. “Shhh, you don’t have to say anything,” he soothed. Dawson tried to process what was going on. This was awkward. His ex-girlfriend is sitting on his bed crying and he had no idea why, but it probably had something to do with her current boyfriend. Or maybe not. He wasn’t really looking at her as his “ex-girlfriend” though. She was a long lost friend, who just happened to be the source of an incredible amount of hurt over the past year or so.

 But now she was here, and she was the one hurting, and Dawson didn’t know why. “Did something happen with you and Pacey?” Dawson asked gently.

 Joey took a deep breath, slowing her tears enough to talk. “No... Well yes,” she realized the absurdity of the situation and quickly began to pull herself together. “I shouldn’t have come here. It’s late, I don’t even know what I am doing. I’ll just go.”

 She got up, and was headed for the bedroom door, but Dawson’s question stopped her. “Hey Jo, what happened to us?” His question was genuine, and not accusing at all. Her shocked look made him realize that if he left it at that it could be taken a million ways, not all of them appropriate for this time and place, so he went on to explain himself. “I mean... I don’t mean, “why are you with Pacey,” because that much is obvious. But why can’t you talk to me anymore? Why can’t I talk to you? What was it that brought you here? And why did it not seem strange at all to me for you to be in my closet, even after all that’s happened?”

 Joey turned around and walked back toward the Dawson, stopping at the foot of the bed. She chewed on her lower lip in concentration, trying to read Dawson’s mind. “Is it obvious?” She asked, looking to Dawson for answers to her own questions. “Why am I with Pacey?”

 Dawson looked her. He wasn’t quite sure why this question was being posed now. Surely it wasn’t out of character for her to begin having doubts about how she really felt towards those who cared about her most, but he didn’t want to think that. He didn’t want to blame her for anything anymore. He just wanted the mess to be over.

 Joey looked at him, waiting for an answer. Dawson searched within himself, finding the reasons that he had wanted to be with Joey for so long, and finding the reasons he had hoped were the ones that brought Joey to him, back when she was with him, anyway.

 He ran a hand through his hair in a display of angst before beginning. “Jo, you are with him because he loves you.” Dawson met his eyes with hers, even though it hurt him to speak these words. “He loves you, and you love him. You love him so much, that the love doesn’t leave, or even hide when the two of you get into a fight.” Dawson took a deep breath. “I have seen it.”

 Joey’s eyes began to well up again, but she didn’t cry. She had a pained expression on her face as she watched Dawson continue. “You need that love in your life,” Dawson told her, his angst ridden face moving to pure compassion as he forgot himself, and the entire situation. “You deserve it, Jo. You have given so much of yourself in the past, only to have the people you have needed and cared about the most turn their back on you.” The tears started to come to Dawson’s eyes. “Jo, I am sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you last year. Jo I am so sorry that I through a lifelong friendship right out of the window, just because I was hurting. I am sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me. I am so sorry...” Dawson’s eyes looked hurt, as he suddenly realized what had happened. It wasn’t Pacey betraying him, it was that Dawson had betrayed Joey. Why didn’t he see it earlier.

 Joey started to protest what Dawson was saying, but he stopped her. “No Joey. Pacey has become that friend to you. That soul mate. He knows you now. He spent an entire year investing in you, in letting his love for you grow with every minute he got to spend with you.” Dawson had collected himself, he took a deep breath. “Jo, that’s why you are with him. Not because it’s convenient, not because you wanted somebody, but because things are changing.” Dawson smiled as he remembered Joey’s words to him from so long ago. “You were always telling me that things change, that people change, and sometimes that leads to people growing apart. And I guess I am seeing that it’s true. And while you and I were growing apart, you and Pacey were growing closer.”  Dawson had drifted off. He paused for a moment, and looked at her, and waited for her tear-filled eyes to meet his. “Embrace that Jo, don’t be afraid of it.”

 Joey’s relentlessly bit her bottom lip as she tried to hold in the overwhelming intensity of emotions that captivated her. She stared at the ceiling, unable to look at Dawson. She thought of Pacey, and memories from the past year brought a small smile to her face, despite the fact that there was another waterfall of tears threatening to break loose any moment. She thought of that first moment on the dock the night of Dawson’s raging stripper-filled party, when Pacey “magically drifted” down to see if she was all right. He bought her a wall; he drove to Boston in the middle of the night to pick her up from a bus station. Why was he the first person she thought of anyway. Dawson was right, Pacey wasn’t just another Jack or AJ. The relationship, the friendship had taken a mutual investment, and she was taking it all for granted.

 Joey turned away from Dawson, and walked back toward the bedroom door. She turned to face him before she stepped out. “Dawson?” She asked.

 Dawson, who had been lost in his own thoughts snapped to attention at his name. “Yeah?”

 “Thanks,” she said softly, one corner of her mouth turning up in a smile. “And for its worth, things are still changing.” She shook her head and shrugged. “Who knows, there may be hope for us yet,” she said her head cocked, one hand was on the doorknob, ready to walk out, the other was placed at her side.

 Dawson just smiled and nodded as she turned and left. He let out a sigh. “Hope...” He whispered to himself as he walked to the window to look outside. A few flakes of snow were beginning to fall out of the sky. He saw Joey pause in her tracks to notice it on her way to the dock. She rowed her way slowly back to her house, and the snow fall began to pick up. Dawson smiled.

 Joey chose to skip the window, and go back to her room through the front door. She was surprised to find Pacey sitting outside on the porch in a wicker chair. The fact that she had been crying was evidenced by her bloodshot eyes and streaked mascara, but her face lit up at the sight of Pacey.

 Her whole mouth formed into a smile, and she reached for him with both hands. Pacey was both happy and relieved to get such a warm greeting from her. He stood up to take her hands, and pull her into his arms. “You were at Dawson’s?” He asked meekly. If it bothered him, he didn’t let it show in his voice.

 A somber look came over Joey’s face at the question. She nodded, “Yeah.”

 “You’ve been crying,” he took a gentle hand and cupped her cheek soothingly, looking at her with tender eyes. “What did you two talk about?” Pacey asked. He looked a little panicked, afraid of what the answer might be. He didn’t want to think that she was still in love with him, especially when she was here, and fit so perfectly into his arms.

 “You.” She told him, tears of happiness ready to flow. “You, and how perfect you are for me, and how you treat me so well.” She took a deep breath. “And how happy... and lucky I am to have someone like you.” She smiled, and gave him a warm hug. She shrugged before continuing, “I missed you so much tonight. Even though you were just in Boston, I felt like you left more than Capeside.” She told him matter-of-factly. Pacey felt his heart melt with relief at her words. He had felt it too, and it meant so much to know that their hearts and minds were linked this way. She looked up at him curiously. “Why did you come back?”

 Pacey smiled. Tears were welling up in his own eyes, but he held them back. “I missed you too, Potter.”

 She tilted her head to one side and smiled. He sat back down, and pulled her onto his lap, and the two watched the snow fall from the sky, creating a beautiful picture in front of them. Joey whispered into his ear, “It’s freezing out here, do you want to come in for some cider?”

 Pacey wrapped his arms around her more tightly. “Maybe in a little while...”