"Bessie, did you ring the florists? Are the flowers here yet?"

When no-one answered Joey turned.

"Dawson!" she exclaimed at the sight of her fiance hovering in the doorway "Get out of here! You're not supposed to see me before the wedding!"

Her indignation was short-lived however, when Dawson moved closer, taking her in his arms. She melted easily into his embrace.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, without a hint of remorse "I just had to see my gorgeous bride - and anyway, I never pegged you for the superstitious type,"

"I'm not, I just want everything to be perfect,"

"And it will be. Just think, this time tomorrow we'll be married -- you'll be my wife,"

"And you'll be my husband,"

"Oh Joey," Dawson hugged her tighter "I love you so much,"

" I love you too," at that moment Joey had never been so sure of her feelings "I love you too,"

Joey glanced at the clock, hugging herself happily. Half an hour to go -- half an hour to go till she'd be a married woman. She turned back to the mirror and began touching up her make-up, absently humming the bridal chorus to herself. This time when the door opened she spun around.

"Dawson, I thought I told you to--" she broke off when she realized who the intruder was. She blinked "Pacey? Ohmigod, Pacey you made it!" Joey flung her arms around his neck. Pacey disentangled himself from her embrace with a bemused smile.

"Of course I made it, you didn't think I'd miss my two best friends' wedding day, did you?" stepping back, he looked her up and down "Wow, just look at you," Joey wasn't sure, but she thought she heard a trace of sadness in his voice. She blushed and then gestured towards him.

"Well, what about you! I mean, suit and all,"

"Yeah, well. . ." he said embarassedly

"God Pacey. it's been so long since I last saw you," "Three years," Pacey nodded "I mean, why didn't you call, why didn't you. . . . ." she trailed off helplessly. They both knew the reason he hadn't got in touch. She looked up into his eyes and she knew they were both remembering -- remembering that fateful night almost exactly three years ago, when situations beyond their control had driven them into each others arms. A night on which Joey had seen a side to Pacey she's thought never existed. He'd been sweet and caring - nothing like the tough, cocky exterior he let everyone see. And yet, they'd both known it could never happen again. She'd had Dawson and he'd had. . . . . who had he had? No-one, but he'd stepped back nonetheless. He'd done it for her -- and Dawson. And they'd never spoken of it again. They'd acted like that night had never happened. But it had happened. . . .

"Well, I'd better get going. Let you get ready and stuff," Pacey mumbled, edging away. Once he'd left, Joey didn't bother to stop the tears from falling. It had been so hard seeing him, but what had been even harder was the realization that after all these years she still felt so much for him.

"No!" she cried, out loud. This was her wedding day. In less than half an hour she was marrying the man of her dreams -- she was marrying Dawson.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of this man and this woman together in holy matrimony . . .”

Joey let the vicar’s words wash over her, barely hearing them. She was standing there, surrounded by her friends and yet at no point had she felt so alone. Her emotions were in turmoil -- and all because of one man. Joey could feel Pacey’s eyes burning into her from his seat near the back of the church. She stared straight ahead, fidgeting uncomfortably. Looking up at the statue of the virgin Mary, it seemed her gaze, which had always seemed so kind and warm, was now beady and disapproving. Tearing her eyes away, she glanced at Dawson. He smiled reassuringly and Joey managed a weak smile in return.

Suddenly the vicar’s voice seemed to penetrate her confusion.

“If anyone here today knows of any just reason why these two people should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace,”

Silence seemed to engulf the church. It could of been her imagination, but Joey was sure every person in that room held their breath for that moment. She herself waited with baited breath for him to speak, for him to stand up and profess his love for her, for him to--

Joey blinked, the moment had passed. He hadn’t stood up, he hadn’t said anything . . . As she tried to concentrate on the vicar’s words, she attempted to convince herself that the feeling which filled her was relief -- and not disappointment.

“Jo,” Dawson prompted quietly, nudging her gently.

“Do you Josephine Potter take this man to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?” the vicar repeated. Joey glanced around her, stricken. The entire church was waiting for her answer. How were they to know that at that moment Joey herself had no idea what that answer would be.