"Easy for you to say," Joey groaned. "You're not the one wearing this thing." She paused. "No offense, C.J."

"None taken," C.J. assured, smiling. She glanced at Pacey, who was standing next to her in the hallway. Pacey rolled his eyes in frustration and knocked on the door again.

"Josephine..."

"You promise you won't laugh? Or make any odious comments?"

"Scout's honor," Pacey replied.

"You were never a Boy Scout."

"Look, if I laugh, you have my full permission to kick my ass. The odious comments, however, sorry, I can't keep them to myself."

C.J.'s smile grew wider as she listened to the two. They were just as Dawson had described. "Pacey, leave her alone. Everyone already hates the way they look in a formal dress."

"Yeah, Pacey, leave her alone," Joey echoed from inside the dressing room. "You know, I'm going to see you in that dress tomorrow. There's no escaping it," Pacey said before exiting.

***

"Yeah, Mom, I understand," Pacey said into the receiver. "No, Ma, look, you deserve this vacation."

"But, Pacey, hon', you'll be all alone for Christmas," Mrs. Witter said.

"I'm not exactly going to be in solitude. Aunt Grace will be here, so will Uncle Ted," Pacey stated, trying to sound excited for his parents about their unexpected holiday trip to Hawaii. Truth was he had been actually looking forward heading back to Capeside for winter break and seeing his family and friends.

"You sure?"

"One-hundred percent positive," Pacey replied, trying to rid his voice of any shred of disappointment.

"Okay." Pacey could hear the smile in her voice. "We'll stop by Santa Barbara on our way to the islands."

"Don't forget the presents."

***

"Joey, I honestly think you're exaggerating," Pacey said as he made his way toward his vehicle.

"Trust me. You'll see tomorrow," Joey replied.

"So, you have a date to this thing?" Pacey asked as casually as possible as he got into the car.

"I'm pretty much flying solo these days," Joey answered as she slid into the passenger seat. "You?"

"Everyone I called either had a grandmother that recently passed away or was baby-sitting." Pacey shrugged. "Let's just say my love life has been non-existant for the past few months."

"But I'm guessing that's not your fault," Joey thought out loud.

Pacey glanced at her with a curious expression on his face.

"I mean," she rushed on, "I'm guessing that a non-existant love life comes with being a doctor. Not much time for anything else except your job."

"I guess that's partly true. But I don't think my profession is entirely the problem. I've always had trouble with women, you know that," he said, looking away and pressing the key into the ignition.

Joey shook her head. "It can't be all you though." She hesitated before continuing. "You're not exactly ugly."

A small smile appeared on Pacey's face. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Joey's eyes twinkled mischieviously. "Your personality however--"

"One more word and you're walking to Dawson's house," Pacey interrupted. "Here's a tip that'll come in handy in the future. Never insult the driver."

"So how long before tonight's a big bash?" Joey asked, glancing at her watch.

"A couple of hours," Pacey replied. "Do you want to drive around town a bit and reminisce before heading back?"

***

Pacey took a deep breath before dialing the digits into the phone. After a few rings, a familiar voice greeted him. "Leery residence."

Pacey's heart stoppped for one second. *I haven't heard that voice in such...* "Hello?" The girl's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hey, Jo," he answered slowly. "Dawson there?"

There was silence for a moment. "Pacey?"

Pacey grinned. "The one and only. Good to know that you still remember me."

"It's only been six months. I don't think I can completely erase the memory of an ass like you in such a short period of time," she joked.

"I love you, too, Jo," Pacey laughed. "Look, I need to talk to Dawson. Is he around?"

"No, I don't think so. A few seconds before you called, I climbed into an empty bedroom."

"You know when he'll back?"

"I don't even know where he is," Joey admitted. "You want me to take a message?"

"Um, just tell him to call me back," Pacey said. "And that...that I'm not going to be in Capeside for winter break."

"How come?"

"Wow, I didn't know you cared."

"I don't, it's just that I'd like to know the reason due to sheer teenage curiousity." "My parents are vacationing in the lovely state of Hawaii for Christmas. They thought it was no use coming home to an empty house without any family around and that'd it be best if I just stayed here in California for the holidays. Completely their choice."

"Are you saying you actually *want* to spend Christmas in good ol' Capeside?" "I wouldn't have minded," Pacey answered. He felt a poking at his side and turned to see his fourteen-year-old cousin reaching her hand out for the phone.

"Look, I have to go."

Karen grabbed the phone away from Pacey. "Yup, there are other people in this house who are in need of communicating with this contraption," Karen said into the receiver. "Who's this?"

"Don't be so nosy, Karen." Joey could still hear his voice.

"I'm only mildly curious," Karen defended herself.

"The CIA is only 'mildly curious' compared to you."

"I'm Joey," she interrupted the potential argument.

"*Oh*, so *you're* Joey..."

Pacey grabbed the phone away from his cousin. "Joey, I better hang up before she goes any further into the interrogation. Bye."

Pacey hung up the phone and glared at his cousin.

"What?" Karen said innocently.

***

"Wow, this place is just like I remembered it," Pacey said, looking around him. He walked with Joey on the path that lead to the small pond. "Does Old Man Ethan's son still own the property?"

"No," Joey said, her eyes wandering about the beauty of the Ruins. "I think it was senior year in high school when he sold it to this family that lives in Boston and vacations here during the summer."

Pacey sat down at a bench that faced the tranquil waters while Joey chose to stand beside it. "It's so peaceful here."

Joey nodded solemnly, and then sat down next to him. "I used to come here when my mom was sick," she said quietly.

"I know," the words slipped out of Pacey's mouth.

Joey looked at him with her eybrows knitted. "How?"

'"I remember one day I saw you running toward here, crying," he admitted. "I followed you. I couldn't get the nerve to go up to you. I had no idea what to say. Then I saw you head toward here again the next day, and the day after that, every day at almost the exact same time."

"I always came after my mom's chemo treatments." Joey looked away to wipe a small tear that escaped her eye.

"I use to leave you Twinkies," Pacey recalled. "Under this bench."

Joey looked up in surprise. "That was you?"

"Who did you think it was? The Hostess Snack Cakes Fairy?" He smiled gently.

"No," Joey said. "After a while I thought it was Old Man Ethan. I mean, after all, it was his property..."

Pacey shrugged. "It was the only way I thought I could help. It was pretty stupid idea now that I think about it."

"No it wasn't," Joey argued. "It gave me something to look forward to. It made me feel like someone cared." She studied his face after a moment. "Did you always stay here and watch me?"

"No, it got too hard after a while."

"How so?"

"It's not exactly easy to watch to someone you care about in pain."

Joey looked away again. "No, it isn't." There was silence for a brief moment. "I was always such a bitch to you," she said. "Why did you do you do these things for me?"

"You were my friend," Pacey answered immediately. "And it wasn't like I always acted like Prince Charming to you."

Joey smiled, and glanced around their surroundings again. "You know, I used to daydream I was getting married here."

"It's certainly beautiful enough for a wedding," Pacey observed, following her eyes. "Too bad Dawson can have his here." He got up and started to walk around gesturing to certain places. "You can perform the ceremony there....you can have the dinner tables over there...and the band right there..." Joey got up from her seat and stood beside him. "And the dance floor over here."

Mischief gleamed in his eyes as he walked toward her. He held out his hand. "May I have this dance, Ms. Potter?"

Joey rolled her eyes. "Pacey..."

"I'm not taking no for an answer," he said, his arm still outstreched.

"But there's not even any music," she pointed out.

"Just trust me," he said, taking her hand and leading her out into the open space she had said would be the dance floor. He placed her arms around his neck and he began to sway, Joey following his movements.

"Someday..." he sang softly. "When I'm awfully low..."

Joey smiled and lay her head on his shoulder.

"When the world is cold," he continued to sing. "I will feel a glow just thinking of you...and of the way you look tonight. Oh, but you're lovely with your smile so warm, and your cheeks so soft. There is nothing for me but to love you...just the way you look tonight." His voice slightly echoed throughout the Ruins, giving the place a more enchanting and captivating glow. "With each word, your tenderness grows, tearing my fear apart. And that laugh that wrinkles your nose touches my foolish heart. Lovely, never, never change. Keep that breathless charm. Won't you please arrange it 'cause I love you...just the way you look tonight."

Joey pulled her head away from his shoulder and looked up at him. Their eyes met, and she couldn't tear her gaze away from him. The swaying lessened gradually until they were just standing there, their eyes transfixed on one another. He brushed a loose strand of her away from her face. "Just the way you look tonight," he sang in a whispered voice. His face inched closer to hers, his hand still lingering near her cheek. Just about their lips were about to touch... ....his watch began to beep, signaling that it was five o' clock.

They stepped away from each other uncomfortably when the trance had been broken. Pacey cleared his throat. "We better get going. The party starts in two hours." They headed toward the car in silence, one walking a few feet away from the other.

***

"Hello?" Pacey answered the phone.

"You are going to get your ass out of that house and onto a plane headed to Massachusetts. Do you understand?"

"Hey, Dawson," Pacey laughed. "I'm guessing you got my message."

"Yeah. I did," Dawson grumbled. "You sure that you can't come?"

"It's already a done deal."

"This sucks," he sighed.

"Well, life is full of disappointment. Learn to deal with it," Pacey replied.

"Experiences like this supposedly build character."

"I'd *much* rather have my best friend home for the holidays than have more 'character'."

"Well, there's still spring break," Pacey said, trying to make the coversation take on a more positive mood. "So...how's life?"

"Good. Me and Jen are taking things slow, and that seems like a wise decision. Our relationship is working out better than the first."

"How's Joey taking it?"

"Pretty well. She and Jen are getting along," Dawson answered happily.

"You guys go out on any double dates?"

"If this is some coy way of asking if Joey is seeing anyone or not, she isn't." He stopped for a moment, and Pacey heard someone talking to Dawson in the backround. "Look, Pace, I gotta go. Call you later?"

"You better," Pacey replied, and as he hung up the phone, he felt another pang of homesickness.

***

Pacey and Joey walked into the Leery household for the second time that day. It was quiet, for many of Dawson's relatives and the entire bridal party had decided to stay at the local inns and bed-and-breakfasts and were now at their chosen locations perparing for tonight's engagement party. Pacey and Joey made their way into the kitchen where they heard voices. There they found...

"Jen?" Joey said in surprise. She smiled as she went to hug the petite blonde. "I thought you weren't coming!"

"Filming wrapped this afternoon and I hopped onto the next plane here," she replied. She pulled away from the hug and reached out to embrace Pacey.

"Hey, Pacey. What's it been? Ten years since I saw you last?"

"The decade just flew by," he said, smiling. "So, you're an actress?"

Jen shook her head. "Not an actress, I just put make-up on them."

"Oh, so you make the beautiful appear even more beautiful."

"Or like serpents from the deep, depending on the film," Dawson added.

"Even so, I'd like for you to work some a little movie magic on me," Joey smiled. "But you already look like a ser--" Pacey stopped mid-sentence when he saw Joey ready to give him one of her infamous "Death Stares" followed by a put-down.

"This is great." Dawson grinned. "We're all here. We should go out together. It'll just be like old times."

"And we all now how Dawson loves to get nostalgic," Jen said.

"Not tonight, though," said Pacey. "'Cause I hear there's a party going on."

To be continued...