They had just arrived two hours ago and when Andie suggested dinner between the four them so they would be able to catch up. Dawson jumped at the chance. Pacey had been silent during their whole arrival, giving the customary greetings before closing himself off. Joey had scowled, she didn't feel like going out with them, she wanted to stay in her hotel room and sulk over the unfairness of the whole situation.

It was a bit childish, but she didn't care. She tried holding down the contents of her stomach, while watching Andie cuddling up next to Pacey, exuding a happiness and perkiness that annoyed her to no end.

Dawson, noticing his friend's discomfort reached for hand and Joey readily accepted it. She gave him a soft smile, glad that if she had to be there, he was here with her. This gesture did not go by unnoticed by Pacey who watched them through the corner of his eye.

Andie beamed happily, excited about the night's upcoming events. Joey sighed and rested her head against Dawson's shoulder as they walked toward the car.

The night before she had hardly slept a wink filled with worry and over anxiousness at the prospect of seeing Pacey again. She was a bit depressed that all her distress had been in vain. Pacey had barely mumbled a hello.

Now here they were, at some classy French restaurant, dancing. Joey had tried hard to swallow her food when she saw Andie lean over to cut Pacey's steak that Andie had ordered for him. Joey mused silently, was she gaining a husband or adopting a son. She nearly choked when she heard Andie say that Pacey was quitting his job, to work for her father.

"But you love teaching!" Joey had cried out, shocked by her outburst.

He merely shrugged. "Things change," he answered, evasively.

"Pacey's made quite an impression on daddy. He thinks Pacey will be an invaluable resource to the company." Andie beamed, placing a hand on Pacey's leg.

Joey nodded, raising her flute to her lips, taking a delicate sip. "Yes, I can see how an eighth grade English teacher would be such an valuable commodity to McPhee Industries," she said, lowering her glass, a tight bitterness coming through.

Andie's smile faded slightly at the comment.

Dawson raised his eyebrows at the exchange slightly amused, sensing the extra tension, he decided to break in. "Well, this is my favorite song," Dawson said, using the music that had just began to play as an excuse. He stood up and offered his hand to Joey with exaggerated flagrance. "So, Miss Potter…Would you like to dance?" he asked, a mixture of humor and caring emblazoned in his hazel eyes.

Joey smiled flirtatiously and gave him her hand. "I would love too, Mr. Leery," she stood up and let him lead her to the dance floor. She restrained herself from looking over at Pacey, trying to see if that little exchange did not go unnoticed.

"Do you want me to kill you now or later?" Joey asked, through gritted teeth as Dawson led her to the dance floor.

Dawson shrugged, pulling her closer and dipping her. "I have no clue, what you're talking about…" he replied, feigning innocence, he gave her a slow turn. Her red, spaghetti strapped dress, fluttering at the sudden breeze and rising to new death defying heights. "I merely asked a friend to dance."

"Dawson, don't act so coy," she sighed, as she settled comfortably against his body, holding him close. "This was a bad idea," she said, eyeing the soon to be wed couple on the floor next to them.

Dawson chuckled. "Dancing? Dancing is never a bad idea."

Joey groaned, her fingers unconsciously playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "No, showing up. Coming here was a bad idea." She winced at the sight of Andie giggling softly as Pacey whispered something in her ear.

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Dawson said, turning them around so that now he was facing them. He noticed Pacey eyeing them from the corner of his eye. "He seems to be pretty preoccupied in what we're doing."

Joey smiled slightly, burying her head in Dawson's shoulder. "Dancing," she murmured. "We're just dancing." She closed her eyes and gently swayed to the music. They barely moved both suspended in the music and the feelings of having the other in their arms. "This was a bad idea," she whispered in his ear, after a few tense moments.

Dawson smiled and gave her a quick turn. "Well, what did you think was going to happen when you got here? He was supposed to take one quick look at you and cancel the wedding?"

Joey shrugged, slightly embarrassed. "I don't know. I was just hoping for more. Not this casual indifference."

Dawson sighed. "Well, Joey, if you want something go after it," Dawson said, dancing them over to Pacey and Andie. "Partner switch," he called out and twirled Andie away from Pacey. She giggled slightly and relaxed into Dawson's arms.

Pacey and Joey just stared at each other for a few awkward moments neither making an attempt to dance. Pacey made the first move, wrapping his arms around Joey. Joey frowned slightly and did the same, taking a tentative step forward and wrapping her arms around his neck. Their movements were stiff, neither moving, they might of well just has been standing there. She bit her lower lip apprehensively, afraid to speak. "C-congratulations," she choked out. She cursed herself for that one.

Pacey looked down at her inquisitively his deep hazel eyes gazing into hers. It nearly took her breath away and she felt her knees weaken. "Thanks" he replied unsurely, his voice trailing off. Joey nodded and continued to dance, her eyes searching for Dawson's. She needed some reassurance, some focus point to keep her head grounded. "So, Joey Potter, tell me about yourself," Pacey said, with a smile trying to make conversation.

Joey shook her head, slightly dazed. "Not much to say. I'm an art critic in New York."

Pacey grinned. "An art critic, huh?" he looked at her with a mixture of awe and humor. "You were always good at crushing someone's ego."

Joey cocked her head to the side, a slight smile playing on her lips. "No, just yours," she answered, sweetly. Inside she was beaming, at least the banter was back. That had to be a good sign.

"Well, I've seen that some things haven't changed." He chuckled slightly.

Joey smiled and caught a glimpse of Dawson and Andie dancing a few feet away from them. Dawson gave Andie a small twirl, before pulling her in for an elaborate dip. She laughed, a little dizzy. Andie gave him a small turn, allowing him the chance to sneak a peek at Joey. He gave her a thumbs up sign that went unnoticed by Andie. Joey smiled tenderly, at the sight.

Pacey turned to see what Joey was looking at, his face dropped slightly as he saw the smiles Dawson and Joey had for each other. "No, not at all," he murmured to himself.

Joey looked up at him startled, broken out of her gaze. "Did you say something?"

Pacey shook his head. "No," his voice tight and bitter, "I'm going to get some air." He left, leaving a sullen Joey alone on the dance floor.

Dawson motioned for her to go after him, but she just stood there defeated and helpless, things were definitely not going as planned.