"Jo! Hey! Glad the phone's working! Are you prostituting for the phone company?" A cheerfully teasing voice greeted Joey.

"What do you want cannalle?" Joey sounded exasperated.

"Well… See, I've got this problem."

"You're the problem Pacey. Your parent's problem. So what do you want from me?"

Pacey let out a gleeful shout. "That's the beauty Jo! I'm not their problem anymore! I'm an emancipated teenager."

Joey paused for an instant. "Really? Why? Did your parents decide they couldn't handle you anymore?"

"Basically, in a word, yes." Pacey didn't let that get him down. "So how about it Jo! Wanna help?"

"Help what you simple minded freak of nature? You didn't tell me anything to help with! Not that I would help you anyways!"

"I need help moving in. And while normally you'd be the last person I'd ask, Dawson's outta town and Jen's busy."

"I'm after Jen?!" Joey shrieked. "You asked me after Jen?!" She began moaning. "Good god, what has this world come to? I'm a worst companion than Jen!"

“You could help me and prove me wrong.” Pacey suggested hopefully.

Joey rolled her eyes. “What are you going to do for me?”

“Free movie rentals for a week?”

“I’ll be over in about an hour.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll pick you up.” Pacey was bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I’ll be there in about 20. Bye Jo!” He hung up before she could protest.

“Whitter I’m going to kill you!” Joey hissed at the phone. She hung it up and ran to the bathroom.

“Joey, light of my life! How have you been darling?” Pacey sang cheerfully as he exited his car and was greeted by Joey’s ice glare. “Woah, did like, the baby throw up on you or something? ‘Cause you’re just... Like... angry or something.” Pacey took a step forward and held onto her arm. She looked indignant and disgusted as he began to talk in a low, private voice. “Look Jo, I know the cramps are bad now, but someday you’re going to be glad that you had them because you’re going to have a baby of your own to cuddle and love.” He released her arm and laughed. “So come on Jo, put a little smile on that beautiful face. You owe it to yourself and me, and the world.”

Joey, who hadn’t spoken a single word since he arrived, pulled back her arms and shoved him hard onto the ground, where he went sprawling out on his back. Pacey just laughed loudly.

“That’s the spirit Jo! Show off some of that fire!” Pacey grinned and got up.

Joey almost kicked him. “Pacey Whitter, if you ever call me and tell me you’re going to be there in 20 minutes before I tell you if I’m ready then I’m really going to do some damage!”

Pacey ignored her and simply gave her a grin. “You don’t mean that Jo.”

“Wanna bet-“

“Let’s go already!” Pacey grabbed her arm and led her to the truck, whose back was filled with Pacey’s worldly possessions.

“Let go.” Joey shook him off and eyed him in surprise when he held the door for her and then shut it behind her. She waited until he’d gotten into the truck. “So where is this ghetto poor apartment that needed tenants so bad that they took you?”

Pacey laughed fakely with two ‘heh heh’’s. “Funny Jo. Really. You should go into comedy. I really think you could have a major role as the creature from the blue lagoon.”

“That’s been done airhead.” Joey rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Really though. Where is this place?”

“You’ll see.” Was all he would say. Joey nervously looked out the car as his eyes danced.

“Pace, I have to say, I am impressed.” Joey leaned against the truck parked outside the apartment building and crossed her arms loosely over her stomach. “You did pretty good for yourself.”

Pacey shot her a smug look. “Now the place is always open for ya Jo, but only if you swear to be my slave.” His teasing look didn’t escape her eye, but she chose to bait back with him anyway.

“You wish Pacey. I wouldn’t be your slave if I was paid a million dollars.”

Pacey laughed and rolled his eyes. “Right Jo. You just keep telling yourself that.” He changed the subject. “So what if it was Dawson?”

“What?” Joey looked startled by the question.

“Dawson. You know, the D-man. The guy you’re madly in love with? Dawson?! Don’t tell me that one day with the georgeous Pace-man has you forgetting him already?!”

Joey chose to punch him in the stomach for an answer. “Let’s go up.” She suggested, but it was more of an order. “I wanna see.”

“Your wish is my command m’lady.” Pacey gave a mock bow and led the way inside the nice light brown wooden building.

“It’s like a hotel.” Joey noted with some awe. They passed a swimming pool, a hot tub, two glass elevators, and several rooms. “How many floors are there to this place?”

“3 if I remember correctly.” Pacey shot her an appologetic look. “As it is, I’m on the top and so it’s gonna be a bit of a pain to move in.”

Joey groaned. “2 weeks.”

“Done.” Pacey grinned, and waited for the elevator to come. The door slid open, and they got on. The view was marvelous. Joey was in love.

“Come on space cadet.” Pacey gently tugged on her sleeve. Joey turned, realizing that they were stopped.

“Let go you sex crazed pervert.” Joey pulled away from him and brushed past Pacey into the hallway. “What’s your room number?”

“Well, it depends. Why do you want to know?” Pacey teased. The elevator doors closed behind him.

“Fine. Move in yourself!” Joey turned to hit the elevator button. Pacey caught her arm and spun her gently back.

“Jo.” He begged sweetly. “It’s 324.”

Joey hesitated, then shrugged his arm off. “Alright. Let’s see it.”

Pacey smiled charmingly and the two walked to the room along the concrete smooth floor. They reached his room from going left at the elevator and down about half ways. Pacey slid the key into the lock, turned, and pushed the door open.

Joey stared in awe. For an adult, it probably wasn’t much, but to them, it was amazing. There was a living room that the small hallway of the doorway led into. From the living room was a bedroom connected by a door, and the kitchen. From the bedroom was the bathroom. It looked big and spacious.

“Ready to move in yet?” Pacey sounded proud. “It’s great isn’t it?”

“Yeah. It is.”

Joey picked up the cards, then flipped them over. “20.”

“21 Jo. Got you beat.” Pacey flipped his cards over and reached out to take the chips they’d antied in.

“Are you cheating?” Joey accused. “Because this is my favorite game, and I’m losing. I always win.”

“I think you’re subconsiously attracted to me and you want me so you’re trying to lose.”

“Haha, very funny.” Joey sneered. “You’re losing your mind.”

“Maybe, but at least I’ve got an awesome apartment.” Pacey stretched his arms wide, as if trying to encompass the entire place.

“Great.” Joey rolled her eyes. “Forgive me if I barf.”

“Please, do it in the bathroom. I’m new here, and I’d appreciate it if the place didn’t smell on the first night.”

Joey pushed off the table and stood up from her kneeling position. Pacey looked up from the coffee table, where they’d been sitting on opposite sides.

“I think I should go.” Joey told him in answer to his questioning look. “I’ve got to get home before Bessie sends out the dogs.”

“You want a ride?” Pacey offered, standing as well.

“Nah. I mean, we wouldn’t want you to leave the room looking like that.” She gestured to his outfit.

“What’re you talking about?” Pacey looked almost hurt as he looked down at his clothes. “I look fine.”

“Sure Pacey, just keep telling yourself that.” Joey put her hand on the doorknob, hesitated, and turned back. “Pace?”

“Yeah?” His voice was low, causing her to pause again.

“Don’t...” She trailed off. “Do anything stupid. I don’t want to have to bail you out of jail.”

“Knew you cared Jo.”

Joey slammed the door behind her, causing Pacey to cringe despite his deep grin.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite gardener.” Pacey carrolled as Joey breezed into the video store. Joey gave him her death stare.

“I just want a good movie Pacey. And nothing with girl to girl sex okay?”

“You know you love it Jo.” Pacey teased. He went over to the tapes and ran his finger over the titles. He pulled out one tape and handed it to her. “Here. I think you’ll like it.”

“Why?” Joey eyed it suspiciously.

“Because it deals with unrequited love, like yours for Dawson Leery.”

Joey almost punched him. “Better than a sexy scandal with a teacher 20 years older.”

“15.” Pacey objected defensively. He grinned. “Sexy? Scandal’s like that turn you on?”

Joey rolled her eyes. “Whatever Pace.” She turned to go.

“Jo?”

She turned back around, waiting for him to continue.

“Would you help me tomorrow? The apartment’s missing something, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

Joey hesitated. “Okay.”

Pacey grinned. “Great.”

“3 weeks.”

Joey gazed around the apartment. She turned to face Pacey, who was standing behind her. “Well Jailbait, I think I’ve figured out your problem.”

“What?”

“You don’t have anything.”

“What?!” Pacey stared at her. “Everything I own I brought.”

“No. That’s not what I mean.” Joey turned and surveyed the apartment again. “You have nothing on the walls. You don’t have anything that makes it uniquely you. You need... Posters. Music playing. Something. Anything! Right now it just looks like you’ve been living in a place that doesn’t belong to you.”

“Something me?” Pacey repeated. “Joey, your empty little head actually came up with something good for once! I’m amazed and in debt.” He bowed deeply.

Joey rolled her eyes. “Spare me Pacey. Don’t bother trying to come up with something decent as a retort. Just accept that I’m better than you and I always will be.”

“Yeah, but I can try.” Pacey tossled her hair as he walked past her and sat down on the couch.

Joey flopped down on the couch beside him. “Why even try? You’re never going to win.”

“Aw, I don’t know about that. On many occassion I’ve stumped you when going to the subject of Dawson Leery.”

It worked again. Joey stood up sharply. “I should go.” She said, going to the door.

Pacey was leaning in front of the door, blocking her exit in the next second. Joey looked up at him in annoyance.

“Difficult subject Jo?” Pacey teased, his eyes dancing mischeviously. “Looks like I won.”

“I just don’t think I have to discuss my personal life with you.”

“You probably don’t.” Pacey agreed, shrugging. The smile was still on his face. “But I just want to make it clear that I won.”

“And I want to make it clear that if you don’t get out of my way in three seconds you’re going to hope your wife doesn’t care if you can’t have kids.”

“Fiesty.” Pacey slid his arms around her, putting his right leg around her and locking her in place against him. Her wide eyes stared back at him. She looked... Surprised, to say the least. But there was something else in her eyes, something she didn’t give him the chance to figure out before ripping away.

“Witter, if you’re lookin’ for someone to play your little sex games with, call up Jen. I’m not your girl.”

“Nope, you’re Dawson’s.” Pacey grinned smugly when Joey sputtered for an answer. Finally she shoved him, and he went backwards, putting back his hands to steady him. He’d stumbled into the kitchen, and let out a loud yelp of pain as his hand came in contact with the stove.

Joey watched in horror and pained sympathy as Pacey ripped his hand off the stove, stared at his hand, and then the stove.

“Are you okay?” Joey’s jaw was open. Before she knew she was moving, she was beside Pacey, taking his hand and gently running it under cold water from the sink. Pacey yelled and fought, but for being small, she was strong.

Joey had learned a few moves from hanging out with boys all her life. She locked her leg around Pacey’s, and braced herself against his back, so he couldn’t move. Then she put his hand back under the cold water.

Pacey moaned, and fell back against her. “Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!” He groaned, his head going back and looking upwards.

“You big baby.” Joey muttered shakily. Once he had calmed down enough to stop fighting, she went to the bathroom and pulled out a first aid kit.

“This is going to hurt Jailbait.” She warned, pulling Pacey’s hand out of the water and gently drying it off. She studied it for a minute. The burns snaked across his palm and fingers, and were red and looked painful. She winced as she sprayed it with burn relief and he moaned again.

“Why did you put the stove on anyway?” Joey asked as she carefully wrapped his hand up.

“Hot water remember?”

“Oh yeah.” Joey shook her head. “I swear Witter, you get dumber all the time.”

“Yeah well.” He shrugged. “I learned from you.”

“I don’t spend enough time with you to learn from me.”

“Sure you do.”

Joey paused to think about it. He was right. For the past few weeks, they’d spent every day together. And summer vacation had been going on for only a week. When it had started, their time together had increased even more.

Joey shook her head. “Something I’ll have to fix. Quickly.” She said simply. She secured the bandage. “Don’t touch it. Don’t use that hand. Just... stay off of it.”

“I knew you cared.”

“You’re reading too much into it.” Joey glanced at the clock on the stove. “Is it really 10?” She asked, horrified.

Pacey turned to look. “I guess so.”

Joey let out a little shriek and hurried to the door. “I was supposed to be home an hour-“

Pacey’s phone rang.

Joey and Pacey exchanged a look. Pacey hurried over to the phone next to the couch and picked it up, looking at Joey. “Yo!”

“Pacey! Is my sister there?”

“Yeah, she’s here Bes.” He watched Joey groaned, but he held up a finger on his unbandanged hand. “I got burned pretty bad and Joey was helping me out.”

Bessie calmed down. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh. Well...” Bessie hesitated. “Will you tell her to come home? That is, if you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.” Pacey assured her. He was smiling. “I’ll drive her over right away.”

“Thanks Pace. You’re a jem.”

“Thanks Bes.” Pacey hung up the phone and turned to Joey. “You’re in the clear Jo. She’s not mad anymore.”

Joey paused. “Thanks.” She said unsuredly.

“Welcome.” Pacey grinned at her and grabbed his car keys. “Let’s go.”

“I can’t believe you can drive with one hand.” Joey shook her head. “I can’t even drive with two.”

Pacey grinned as he pulled to a stop at her house. She started to get out, but his voice stopped her. "Jo?”

“Yeah?” She turned back to face him, looking almost nervous. Her voice was as soft as his was low.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Joey tried to hide her smile. “Well seeing as I can’t trust you by yourself in that apartment for more than ten minutes, yeah. I’ll be there.”

Pacey grinned. “I knew you loved me.”

Joey leaned forward, until her lips were centimeters from Pacey’s. He looked surprised, and a little dazed. “You wish.” She whispered. He could feel her breath on his lips, and then she grinned and turned, getting out of the car. “Drive careful pyro.”

Pacey didn’t know if he could drive straight after that little liason. “Be safe from ax murderers.” He managed to throw back.

Joey made a face at him and slammed the door to his car. Then she went inside.

Pacey let out a deep breath.

Joey giggled. Pacey sat down on the couch next to her so their sides were resting against each other. He placed the bowl of popcorn on her legs, and shifted to get comfortable as she popped a piece into her mouth.

“This is a good movie.” Joey admitted. “You were right Pace.”

“I know.” Pacey agreed.

Joey rolled her eyes. “No one would ever mistake you for being humble.”

“Probably not.” Pacey grinned at her, and she looked up at him, trying to suppress her smile.

“You do that too often.” Pacey commented.

“What?” Joey’s smile faded away.

“Try to hide your smile. It’s beautiful Jo. Stop it.”

Joey looked like she didn’t know quite how to handle his compliment, so Pacey helped her out. “Don’t trade an insult Jo. You just say, ‘Thank you’, and turn back to the movie.”

“Thank you.” Joey smiled at him, and leaned against the back of the couch. Pacey became emersed in the movie, and didn’t notice Joey studying him for the rest of it.

“Horror time.”

“No...” Joey moaned. “Not a horror movie.”

“Yup.” Pacey held it up. “The death of Mother May I.”

“What?” Joey made a face. “That’s the stupidest name I’ve ever hear of.”

“Just wait.” Pacey raised his eyebrows several times, and then settled back on the couch next to her. They put their feet on the coffee table in front of them, and began watching.

A half hour later...:

Joey watched in scared anticipation as the girl carefully opened the door. The man jumped out of the shadows with a knife, causing Joey to shriek and turn in to Pacey. He laughed and put his arm around her, drawing her to him even closer than they were. She rested against his chest and watched with facination and disgust as the girl was hacked to pieces. She let out a strangled cry and turned back into Pacey, who was doing his best not to laugh.

Pacey’s face changed slowly, as Joey didn’t move away from him. He watched her face, and her eyes, as she watched the movie.

When it was over, both were exhausted. Joey reached over Pacey to the phone and dialed a number.

“Bessie? It’s me. Yeah. Listen, it’s late and dark, and so I’m just going to crash here. Yeah. Yeah. I’m at Pacey’s. Okay Bes. Okay. Yeah. Uh huh. Bye.” Joey hung up the phone and climbed off of Pacey, who got up and turned off the tv.

“I’ll get you something to sleep in.” Pacey told her. She nodded, her eyes hooded. Pacey dissappeared into his room, and when he came back out, Joey was asleep on the couch.

Pacey paused for a second before gently scooping her up into his arms and carrying her into the spare bedroom.

“Mmm...” Joey mumbled. “Wait... Don’t go.”

Pacey grinned slightly. “Now who’s the big baby?”

“Shut up Jailbait. Just don’t leave.” She was tired, and not thinking clearly, but somehow still managed to get across her insult.

Pacey swallowed hard. “Alright Jo. I’m not going anywhere.”

“’kay...” Joey whispered, then fell asleep again.

Pacey carefully lowered himself next to her on the bed, wide awake. He admired Dawson, who got to sleep next to this girl all the time and somehow managed not to lay a hand on her and keep strictly platonic feelings about her.

Pacey shook his head and tried to sleep.

“You’re what?!” Pacey stared at Dawson in horror.

Dawson looked surprised. “I told you Pace. Joey and I have been going out for weeks.”

“Weeks...” Pacey sounded dazed. “How many?”

Dawson gave Pacey a funny look. “Why?”

“Just tell me man!” Pacey demanded.

Dawson shrugged. “5 I think.”

Pacey stared at Dawson for several minutes. “You’re not kidding are you?”

“No.”

Pacey grabbed his keys. “I’m outta here D. Cover for me.”

“Pace, Pace wait!” Dawson grabbed his friend’s arm. “Where are you going?”

“I just remembered that I have a doctor’s appointment.”

“Oh.” For whatever reason, Dawson bought that story. He agreed to cover for his friend, who ran out of the video store and squealed his tires as he drove off. “Must be some important visit.” Dawson commented to no one in particular. He sat down on the seat and watched the movie playing.

“You’ve been going out with Dawson for five weeks?!” Pacey paused long enough from pacing around the room to gape at Joey, who was looking unhappy and sitting on his couch. “5 weeks?!”

“Yeah.” Joey’s voice was quiet.

“So this entire time, you led me on, letting me think that there could be something, and you were going out with Dawson? And you didn’t even mention it?!”

“I never led you on!” Joey shouted back, jumping to her feet. “Never once! I acted like I always have!”

Pacey shook his head in disgust. “You don’t even know do you?”

“Know what?!” Joey shrieked. “What I do with Dawson is none of your business! It never has been!”

Pacey stopped breathing for an instant. Then a callousness Joey never remembered being directed at her emerged. “Are you screwing him Jo?”

Joey stared at Pacey for several minutes before replying. She crossed the three feet between them and stared directly into his eyes. “Yes.” She shot back simply, in a hard, almost smug voice.

Pacey’s eyes searched hers. “You’re lying.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because you’re not in love with him.”

“I don’t know. He loves me. Told me so last night right before he... well...” Joey grinned sweetly, but it was almost a baring of teeth.

“You are lying.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Sure you are.” Pacey was confident now. “Because if you were telling the truth then you wouldn’t be telling me at all.”

“Why not? You asked.” Joey didn’t miss a beat.

Pacey arched an eyebrow. “I think you’re lying.” He told her. “I know you’re lying.”

“No you don’t.” Joey grinned. “And it terrifies you.”

“Maybe it does.” Pacey grinned back. “But I’d be willing to bet my life that you’re lying through your pretty white teeth.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re in love with me.”

“Excuse me?” Joey stared at Pacey, and then burst out laughing. “Me? In love with you? I don’t hardly think so!”

“Think about it Jo.” Pacey raised his eyebrows quickly. “Why you won’t touch Dawson. Why when he tries to touch you you back away from him. Why when he kissed you, you pulled away and claimed sickness.”

Joey backed away from him, but his arm went around her waist and held her firm. “How do you know that?” Joey whispered.

“Because I know you Jo.” Pacey looked down at her. “And Dawson asked me what he was doing wrong when I called him from my place to ask where you were.”

“That doesn’t mean that I’m in love with you.”

“It doesn’t.” Pacey agreed. “But you are anyway.”

“You wish.”

“How’d you know?” Pacey mumbled, then gently placed his lips on hers.

Joey broke the kiss, to pull back and look at him. “Why’d you do that?” She whispered.

“Felt kinda right.”

“I’m with Dawson. I’m not... available.”

“Did you even contemplate breaking up with Dawson after you fell in love with me?”

“What kind of horrible person do you think I am Pacey? Of course I did!” Joey shoved him backwards, away from her. “The guilt has been tearing me apart for weeks! Not wanting to tell you, wanting to tell you, wanting to tell Dawson it was over! But somehow, somehow I couldn’t. I couldn’t give up something that I’ve been waiting years for!”

“Dawson’s heart?”

“Yours!”

Pacey stared at her. “What?”

“You heard me! I couldn’t tell you about Dawson because that would be it. We would be over. Finished.” Joey glared at him. “So now you know Pacey. You know that you were right.”

“Why didn’t you just break up with Dawson?” Pacey was confused.

“Because you are undependable Pacey.” Pacey took a step back, as if she’d hit him. “I had no idea what you would do.”

“Undependable?” Pacey repeated in a whisper. He looked pained. “I-“

“Don’t.” Joey interrupted him. “Don’t explain. Don’t do anything. Just...” She turned and went to the door. She paused and looked at him. “Just let me go.”

“I can’t.”

“You have to.”

“No.”

“It’s not your choice.”

“I’m making it my choice.” He took a step towards her. “You love me Jo. I love you. Why isn’t that enough?”

“Because it’s not Pacey.” Joey put her hand on the doorknob. “I’m going now. But tomorrow I’ll be back, and I’m going to pretend like none of this ever happened.” Her eyes burned into his. “And so are you.”

“Then wait.” Pacey walked over to her and carefully brought her into his arms. He kissed her softly and passionately. “Tell me that you love me.”

“I can’t.”

“Please.”

She looked down, at their feet. When she looked back up, she had tears in her eyes. “I love you Pacey,” she whispered.

Pacey smiled softly, sadly. “I love you Josephine.”