"Joey!"

Josephine Potter squealed as she was pelted with a splash of water.

"Pacey!" she yelled, tackling him into the shallow depths on the beach her and her group of friends were having a nice summer day picnic on.

Pacey Witter fell back, sputtering as his head went under. He pushed up on his elbows, grinning. Joey was straddling him; seemingly unaware of the affect her bathing suit clad body was having on his own. "Potter," he growled playfully.

"Witter," she smirked.

"Did I ever tell you that you were evil?" Pacey grinned, trying *hard* not to concentrate on the feeling of Joey on top of his body, not wanting to pull her down and over, not wanting to cover her body with his own and pound into her.

She laughed, then glanced up, her laughter fading slightly. Dawson Leery and Andie McPhee were watching the two of them play from the deck of 'True Love'. Andie had a look of sadness on her face, obviously missing the companionship of another person. Dawson had his jaw locked, anger in his eyes. Joey chewed her bottom lip and looked back down at Pacey.

Pacey looked concerned. "Jo?"

She smiled, tucking her wet hair behind her ear. "I'm fine."

Pacey tilted his head back, seeing Dawson and Andie watching them. He looked back up at Joey and smiled. "Come on, Jo, let's go somewhere else."

She stood, smiling. "I think that would be good." She took his hand and the two walked down the beach, away from the eyes of the onlookers.

~*~*~*~*~

Jennifer Lindley glanced over at her best friend Jack McPhee, watching as he threw rocks into the ocean. "So."

"So," Jack said.

"Still bummed about everything?"

Jack pulled his legs up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. He turned his head, resting his cheek on his knees. "I'm ok, I suppose. I mean. . .it wouldn't be as hard, I guess, if I weren't the only one in the whole Capeside community struggling with this. . .identity."

Jen nudged him. "Come on, I'm *sure* there is *someone* else out there who wants to play for your team, Jack."

"You know, I just thought. . .I guess I hoped that there would be *someone* else. . .brave enough to stand up for who they are in this town. I guess I' m the only gay one here."

"Now, Jack. . ." Jen said softly, reaching out to pat his bare shoulder.

"Hey, guys," Pacey said, smiling at the two sitting in the wet sand as they passed the two of them. Joey leaned around him with a smile, waving at both of them.

"Where are the two of you going?" Jack asked curiously.

Pacey shrugged. "Just getting away from curious eyes, that's all."

"Ahh," Jen smirked, nodding knowingly. She watched the couple continue their walk. She turned back to Jack. "It was great of them to ask us to accompany them out here, wasn't it? I love this little secluded beach."

Jack nodded slightly, still watching the two of them.

Jen waved her hand in front of Jack's face, causing him to focus on her. "You zoned for a minute there, Jack. . .thinking about Joey and times gone by?"

Jack's cheeks blushed slightly and he looked away. "No," he said softly.

Jen watched him, watched as he shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. A smile spread on her face. "No, you weren't." She looked out over the ocean. "I know what *you* were thinking about, Jack McPhee."

Jack glanced at her. "And what would that be, Jen?"

"A certain Pacey Witter, perhaps?" she teased, nudging him.

Jack paled. "Pace? No, god no!"

"Come on, Jack, it's ok. You know whatever you say to me won't be repeated. Were you, or were you not looking at Pacey?" Jen prodded gently.

He opened his mouth to respond in the negative, then turned away, knowing that she was right. "I wasn't. . ." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I wasn't thinking about *him* in particular, just. . .I dunno." He shrugged. "I was wishing that I could meet someone like him, someone who would *love* me like he loves Joey, someone that could be such a. . .sweetheart, and attractive. . ."

"You think Pace is attractive?" Jen giggled, nudging him playfully.

"Oh, *come* *on*, Jen. You've got eyes."

She smiled, nodding. "Yea, I got eyes."

~*~*~*~*~

"So I had a good time today."

Pacey turned, glancing at Andie. "Really?" He looked eager, hoping that he had given his friends a nice enjoyable day.

Andie smiled. "Yea, Pace, it was great. Thanks for inviting us." She glanced back towards the back of the boat. "Dawson was kinda a drag at first though. He couldn't stop murmuring under his breath about Joey this and Joey that."

Pacey turned, reaching out to touch Andie's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Andie. .

."

She shrugged. "Naw, it's fine. After a while, I think he got tired of hearing himself talk, so we started discussing school and stuff."

Pacey grinned. "Well, that's good."

"Pacey. . .oh, god, PACEY!"

Pacey spun around, a frown marring his face at Joey's frantic call. He grabbed Andie's arm and pulled her to the cabin below deck. "Jo?"

She looked up, fear on her face. She was sitting in front of the radio, Dawson to her left - Pacey tried to ignore just *how* close Dawson was sitting to her - and Jen and Jack to her right. Jack was standing behind Jen, arms around her waist. Both of them looked worried. "Pace, the radio said there was a storm."

Pacey shivered, hoping to *God* it wasn't something too bad, that it was something 'True Love' could withstand, or they could get the hell away from it before it became an issue. "It's ok, guys, we will make it through. . ." He stopped, turning his head. There was a sound off in the distance, one he didn't really care to hear. "D. . ." He took a deep breath as the angry eyes of his ex-best friend looked up at him. "D. . .can you help me up here? We gotta make sure Jackers and the ladies make it back to shore safely."

Dawson swallowed his anger and nodded his head. "Yea, I'm right there with ya, Pacey." He followed the dark haired man to the deck, silently praying that everything would turn out ok.

~*~*~*~*~

"You know," Dawson yelled over the storm he and Pacey were trying to steer the boat through, "this would be a *great* movie!"

Pacey gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to knock Dawson out. He was tired, and soaked to the bone, the storm having literally *washed* over the deck in waves. He had *no* clue if they were going to make it through the storm, and all he wanted to do was get home and take a warm shower, then cuddle under big fluffy warm blankets with Joey. "D, that's great, man, if we get home, I'll even let you use the boat if you need to! But right now, we need to worry about *this*!"

"Fine!" Dawson snapped, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He *knew* they were in a dangerous situation, but the sheer *excitement* of the whole situation, the way it inspired his internal muses was almost too much.

The rest of the group was at the opening to the cabin below, watching in fear as the two of them worked with keeping the boat together. Jack was holding Jen and Andie's hands, while Andie had her arm around Joey's shivering body. Her eyes were wide and never left Pacey. "It's going to be ok!" Jack yelled to the girls, never taking his eyes off of Pacey and Dawson. "They won't let anything happen to us!"

"PACEY!" Andie screamed, having noticed one of the wooden boxes normally stored on the boat out of the way flying towards him.

"PACE!" Joey yelled, all four of them rushing out to try and stop the inevitable.

Pacey gripped the wheel to the boat and turned his head, anger on his face, never having seen the flying danger. "GET BACK UNDER DECK!" he yelled, right before the wood slammed in the back of his head and shoulders.

He dropped to his knees with a grunt, his hands going flat on the deck. "Pacey!" everyone yelled.

Dawson grabbed the wheel, turning back to look down at his ex-best friend. "Pace! Pace, get up!" he yelled. "I can't do this without you, Pace!"

Joey, Jack, Jen, and Andie rushed out to Pacey. Jack turned him over, resting his head on his lap.

"Oh god," Joey sobbed, "Pacey, come on, baby, open your eyes!"

Pacey slowly opened his eyes, smiling up at Jack. "Jackers. . ." he murmured, not seeing anyone else. "Jack, my man. . ." He reached up and grabbed the back of Jack's neck, pulling him down slightly. "Need nap. . .take care of the girls, k? You are the man, McPhee."

"Jack, get up here and help me!" Dawson yelled. "I can't do this alone!"

Jack turned to Joey. "Joey, take Pacey down under, *make* sure he's ok." He leaned forward, kissing her on the cheek. "You gotta do this for Pacey. . .you can do it, right?"

Joey nodded, stunned. She didn't feel like she was there anymore, just removed from the situation, watching it from above. "Yea, I can do it," she said over the storm. She wiped her tears away and smiled gratefully as Jen and Andie grabbed him under his arms and started pulling him back to the cabin below.

~*~*~*~*~

Dawson slapped Jack on the back, trying not to think of Pacey, hoping against hope that he was ok. "We did it, Jack."

Jack nodded numbly. "Yea," he murmured, staring straight ahead, reliving those moments over and over, seeing Pacey get struck in the head, and then the feeling of his hand on the back of the neck. He shuddered softly, pushing the thought out of his mind. There was no room to have any kind of feelings about Pacey Witter, not when he had no clue what was going on, and he could hear said friend's girlfriend down below sobbing. "I'm going to check on Pacey. You got the wheel?"

Dawson smiled slightly. "Yea, and we are almost home."

Jack turned, and Dawson stopped him, grabbing his arm. Jack looked up at him curiously. "Make sure he's alright, ok?"

Jack smiled slightly, nodding his head. He went down below. "Ladies?"

Andie threw herself in Jack's arms, hugging him tightly. "You were so brave, Jack!" she cried.

Jen smiled at her best friend. "Yea, you were alright," she nodded, her eyes dancing playfully.

Jack blushed slightly, looking down. "Thanks, guys. How. . .how is Pacey?"

The three of them walked to the bed, where Joey was sitting at Pacey's head, running her fingers lovingly through his hair. "He hasn't woken up. I keep trying to wake him. . .I know you are supposed to wake someone up if they have a concussion, but he won't wake up."

Jack knelt at the bed, reaching out, then stopping himself, not wanting to touch him, not wanting to feel anything for one of his closest friends. He swallowed, glancing back at Jen, who'd placed a hand on his back. She nodded, tilting her chin towards Pacey. Jack turned back, reaching up and running his thumb along Pacey's forehead. "Pacey, you with us, man? You gotta wake up, we gotta make sure all your marbles are still rolling around. Come on, Pacey. . .wake up for your Jackers."

Pacey groaned slightly, his eyes fluttering. "Jack?" he murmured, licking his lips. "Jack, is that you?" His eyes fluttered open, and a small smile curled on his lips.

For one moment in time, for one teeny second, Jack felt as if his whole world was complete, just by the look Pacey was giving him. He *knew* it was nothing, knew that it was Pacey just waking up, but he could almost imagine it was Pacey looking at him as if he were the one he loved, as if he wanted to be with him for always. It was the same look Jack saw Pacey give Joey every day he watched the two of them together.

He closed his eyes, shaking his head. He didn't want to do this, didn't want to have any kind of feelings for his friend. Pacey Witter was *too* important to him as a friend to lose.

"Jack. . .Jackers, look at me."

Jack opened his eyes to Pacey's soft plea. "What is it, Pace?" he asked quietly.

"You saved the women?" he asked, struggling to sit up.

"Yes, Pacey," Joey sobbed happily, "we are fine." She threw her arms around him, not noticing the complete bewilderment on his face at the *idea* that Josephine Potter would hug him.

Jen stepped forward. "Pacey. . .are you ok?" she asked, concerned, having noticed the looks the barely conscious man was giving her best friend. Looks of familiarity. . .yet, more familiar than what they were accustomed to.

"Jack," Pacey murmured, reaching out, running his fingertips on Jack's cheek. Jack's blue eyes widened at the touch. "Jack, is Dawson ok?"

He blinked rapidly, wondering *what* Pacey was doing. "Yea, he's up above, guiding us home."

"Good," Pacey murmured, smiling. "Good." He leaned forward, brushing his lips against Jack's. He pulled away, not noticing the bewildered looks on everyone else's faces. "Ok, going to sleep now. . .wake me when we get home." He laid back down, turning on his side away from everyone, not letting anyone get a word in edgewise.

*~*~*~*

"I just. . .I don't *understand*!" Joey's small, hurt voice filled Pacey's consciousness as he started to wake through the haze surrounding his world.

"None of us do," Andie murmured helplessly, not having an idea *what* Pacey was saying, what he was doing, what was going on through his mind.

"It's going to be ok, Jo. He's alive, and that's all that matters right now. We can figure out the rest later," Dawson said softly.

Pacey's eyes opened gradually and he turned his head slowly, glad to have a moment before his friends noticed him. Joey was standing in the middle of the Leery living room, tears streaking down her face. Dawson was holding her, rocking her. Pacey smiled, glad that his two best friends were having an on again part of their relationship. They were always easier to deal with when they were together, instead of wishing death on the other.

Andie was watching them, hugging herself, eyes wide and confused. Pacey wondered *why* Andie was confused, but decided not to give it much thought at the moment. He turned his head a little more, smiling when he saw Jen. The blonde was one of the strongest supporters of his relationship with Jack, and had defended the two of them more times than the resting brunette could remember. She had a look of worry on her face, openly watching Jack.

A small smile played on Pacey's face when he saw Jack. His lover was sitting in the chair, staring straight ahead, a look of awe on his face. He had his fingers on his lips, not moving. "Jack?" Pacey asked softly.

The whole group turned, gasping. "Pacey!" everyone cried.

"Dad!" Dawson exclaimed, "Pacey's awake!"

Mitch and Gail Leery pushed their way through the gathering teens, and Mitch kneeled in front of Pacey. "Witter? You ok?" he asked.

"Headache, and I'm thirsty, but I'm alive," Pacey smiled crookedly. He glanced around at his friends, the smile falling when he realized they were all *worried*. "What's wrong?" He started patting his head. "I feel fine, really, I do. I'm not dead, guys."

Mitch glanced up at Dawson, who nodded at his father. He turned back to Pacey. "We need to make sure your memory is ok. The kids are saying that you are saying things that don't exactly make sense."

Pacey nodded, suddenly scared. This couldn't be happening to him, he just wanted to show his friends a good time away from Capeside. He was actually thinking of everyone, and *of* course, it had to get screwed up somehow. "Ok," he said softly.

"Do you know who I am?" Mitch asked quietly.

Pacey smiled. "Yea, Mitch Leery, Dawson's dad. . .hell, half my life, I've pretended you were *my* dad." He chuckled slightly, ending the happy sound with a low groan of pain. Gail reached out, resting her hand on his shoulder lovingly.

"Alright. How old are you, Pacey?"

"That's easy. Seventeen. This is the beginning of the *best* year of my life. . .Summer before my Senior Year, and I'm in love too." He grinned.

"Pacey, are you involved with anyone in this room in a romantic nature?" Mitch asked.

Pacey sat up, running his fingers down his face, looking from each friend, his eyes wide and filled with fear. "Yea," he said softly.

"Who, Pacey?" Dawson's father asked, glancing back at Dawson. Dawson crossed his arms and frowned, glancing down.

Pacey frowned, laughing nervously. "I don't know why you are asking. I mean, you *all* know about it. . .hell, it's all I've been able to talk about *forever*. . .it's not like. . .I mean, you know, this is a *shock* or anything. . ." His eyes caught Jack's, which were wide and filled with something Pacey couldn't place. "Jack? Baby, what is it? What's wrong, sweetheart?" he asked softly, standing up slowly. He grabbed Mitch's shoulder, closing his eyes and swallowing heavily, finally gathering his strength. He stepped towards Jack, wrapping his hand around the wrist of the one he *thought* he was dating. "Jackers?"

Jack shook his head, closing tear filled eyes, praying that he didn't cry, that his friends didn't see how much this was hurting him. "No, Pace, not me. You aren't dating me. You are dating Joey."

"Me," Joey said softly, her voice trembling from crying. "You are dating me, Pacey, you are in love with me."

Pacey turned his head, pure confusion on his face. "Josephine *Potter*? Me and you? Come on, Jo, we can't *stand* each other! I mean, granted, since you and Dawson started your 'Let's date/Let's not date' game we've gotten to be a *little* closer, I mean, because you would come to me and Jack and tell us how distraught you were when you and D were on the outs. . .but me and you *dating*? I know I'm an incredible catch, but Potter, we'd kill each other."

Joey's face crumpled and she turned, sobbing into Dawson's chest. Dawson looked down at her, then up at Pacey in shock. He wanted to be angry, wanted to yell at Pacey for hurting Joey, but he couldn't. The look on Pacey's face was pure innocence, and much confusion. He had *no* idea what was going on, or that his ideas were wrong.

Jen wrapped her arm around Jack's waist. He placed his head on her shoulder sadly, the situation *killing* him. He had felt more in the few looks Pacey had given him since waking up than he had in *any* relationship he'd ever had. No one - not even Joey, when he was dating her - had looked at him with such love and understanding, with such *compassion* in his eyes. The closest Jack had to that was Jen, and she didn't have the right parts.

And now, there was this completely attractive man, looking at him, smiling at him, giving *him* the attention he dreamed about at night, and it wasn't real.

"How. . .how did you two get together?" Mitch asked, looking up at the thoroughly confused Pacey.

Pacey slowly moved back to the couch, yawning slightly. Andie was sitting next to him and he put his head on her shoulder. "Well, it all started with that poem in English, you know? I defended him, and all that, and so that night, of course, Jack is *freaking* out, so I go over to his house to make sure he's ok. So we are sitting there talking, you know, about everything and nothing. . .and I. . .I was curious. I wanted to kiss him, I wanted to see how different it was than kissing a girl. So I kissed him." He smirked slightly, reminding everyone of the Pacey Witter they all knew so well. "It 's not my fault I am undeniably attractive to both sexes, is it?"

Soft laughter rippled through the sad group. They were all glad to see that Pacey was still the same Pacey they knew, even if his whole perception of the last several months was completely wrong.

"Then what, Pacey?" Mitch encouraged.

Pacey closed his eyes, a smile stretching over his face as he remembered his time with Jack. "Of course, you know, he couldn't help but fall for me. And I fell for him. I liked. . .I liked the way he felt, the way his skin felt under my hands, the way. . .he has strength, my boy does. I *like* that. Granted, the *softness* of a woman is a wonderful thing, but the coiled strength of a hard body. . .Jack was the only guy I've ever noticed, and to this day, he's still the only guy I've ever noticed. I don't know if I'm bi, or just in love with Jack because of who he is, but it doesn't matter to me, doesn't matter to him. . .no one cares. Everyone likes us together."

*~*~*~*

"Reactions," Gail asked softly. "What were everyone's reactions?"

Pacey pulled away from Andie, opening his eyes. "Jack, come here."

Jack shook his head no, not speaking, scared to get too close to the man Pacey had become. He was everything the young man wanted, but was terrified of.

A look of sadness passed over Pacey's face. "Jack, please?" he asked

quietly, begging.

Jen put her hand on Jack's back and pushed him towards the couch. Jack stumbled slightly, finally reaching the couch. Pacey *beamed*, lighting up the whole room. Jack grinned back shyly.

Joey's heart broke, having seen that look only a few times, and only directed towards her. It was an 'Everything in my life is *perfect* at this moment' Pacey look.

Pacey grabbed Jack's hand and tugged, pulling the man down to the couch. He wrapped his arm around the football player's shoulders and Jack *instinctively* curled into Pacey's embrace, automatically letting Pacey have *control* in the relationship.

Jen smiled to herself, never having seen such a look of pure *bliss* on Jack 's face like there was at that moment. Even Dawson and Joey had to tilt their head curiously, noticing how *good* the two of them actually *looked* together.

"Well," Pacey said quietly, the sound of his voice causing everyone to pull away from their internal musings on the "couple" in the room. "Jen was *thrilled*. She's actually the one who helped push us together. I mean, I was nervous after the kiss, he was nervous after the kiss, we were both *terrified* that the other didn't like it. And Jack, such a caring, concerned guy, he was worried about me, about my reputation, seeing as I'd never really let off any *real* vibes about wanting a man." Pacey shrugged. "My reputation in this town doesn't matter though, not when I'm happy. . .not when I'm actually *not* screwing up something good." He wrapped his arm around Jack, at his stomach, possessively, like he *belonged* there. Jack leaned further into Pacey's embrace, enjoying the moment while he could.

"Andie. . ." Pacey faltered, glancing at his ex-girlfriend on the other side of him on the couch. "Andie freaked at first, more because we'd been together than because Jack had a boyfriend. I think she was worried that *she* had made me this way." He grinned. "I told her that it wasn't her at all, that there was just something *delicious* about the McPhee's and I couldn't help myself. After that, she was gung-ho, glad that her brother was with someone who would take care of him, and treat him *right*."

He paused, looking over at Dawson and Joey, holding each other, watching him. "Dawson and Joey were a little freaked at first. . .but then you know, Dawson's my best friend, so he was cool with it after a while. He and Jo were fighting at the time, they were trying to decide. . ." He paused, glancing over at Mitch and Gail, knowing that the Leery's weren't aware of Dawson and Joey's decision to have a sexual relationship. He smiled and glanced down, chuckling to himself. He glanced up at Joey and leered. "They were trying to decide if they wanted to, ahh," he thought for a moment, trying to decide how he would describe the step up in their relationship, "go to prom." He snickered. "They went to prom." He waggled an eyebrow at her.

Joey and Dawson's eyes *both* widened, *knowing* that in whatever world Pacey lived in, they were *together*. They looked up at each other and blushed slightly, pulling out of each other's arms. Pacey frowned slightly, wondering why they seemed so *shocked* that they were having sex. < That's odd. I mean, I'd think that they *knew* they were having sex, > the confused man thought. He shrugged slightly. "Anyway, they both accepted it, because they knew that Jack and I would be good together. And we are, Mitch, we really are. He completes me. I know it sounds corny. . ."

Jack pulled out of Pacey's possessive hold, tears spilling on his cheeks. He tried, he really did, but he couldn't handle it anymore, couldn't handle someone he had wanted for his own thinking that they were involved, that they had a *life* together, when it wasn't true. "Pace, man, none of that stuff happened. You really *are* dating Joey. I don't quite know *why* you think you are dating me, but. . .we've never even kissed."

Pacey's face fell, looking as if he'd lost his best friend, or his dog was killed. He turned to Jack slowly. "No, Jackers, not Joey. You. . .why are you trying to convince me otherwise?"

"*Because*," Jack pushed away, sounding harsh. He *hated* sounding angry, *hated* the idea that he could be breaking Pacey Witter's heart, but knowing that he *had* to come clean, had to tell the truth. "Because we *aren't* together! We are just *friends*! You and Joey are together!"

Pacey frowned, looking up at Joey. "Potter?"

She hugged herself, sniffing slightly. "Really, Pace. You belong to me, not Jack."

"But. . ." Pacey looked down, frowning. "But you and D *belong* together! You always *have*. Soul mates even. Why would I come between. . ." His eyes widened. "D. . ." he said softly, "are we still friends?"

Dawson shifted uncomfortably, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Not really, Pacey. Not since you started falling for Jo. She finally had to decide, and she chose you."

Pacey stood up, his forehead crinkled in anger. "NO!" he cried. "That's *wrong*! Dawson is my *best* friend, and will *always* be my best friend! Josephine Potter, damn it, you are D's girl! Not mine, not Jack's. . .Dawson's. And *I'm* in love with Jack!" He looked at his friends with wild angry eyes, not understanding why they were trying to convince him otherwise.

Mitch stood up. "I think we should take Pacey to the hospital, let a doctor look him over," he said softly.

Pacey brushed tears away, realizing that something was seriously wrong. Everything he'd based his life on since Jack entered it in a more intimate capacity was based on something that *hadn't* happened. "Where. . ." he whispered, "where did I get all these. . .these, *memories* if they didn't really happen?" He turned to Jack, curling his fingers in his tee shirt, looking at him sadly. "None of it happened? Not our first kiss, or Jen mak ing the two of us going out on our first date?"

Jack reached out, tears spilling on his own cheeks at the look of loss in Pacey's eyes. "No, Pacey, they didn't happen. None of it did. We never dated. You came over that night, but I just shut you out. I didn't want to talk about it or anything." He ran his fingertips along Pacey's cheek.

"So. . ." Pacey's voice cracked. "That night, after Prom, on the deck of 'True Love'. . .in the moonlight. . ." His voice quivered and he lowered it, so only Jack could hear him. "I didn't get to run my fingers on your skin? I've *never* touched you, Jackers?"

Jack inhaled sharply, the thought of Pacey's hands on his body, the thought of laying back on the deck of his boat and enjoying the sensation of those large slightly callused hands traveling the length of his body. . .His eyes darkened in lust, and Pacey smirked. "See, Jackers. I still get to you, even if we aren't together." He blinked once, then again, then frowned. "I need to leave."

"Come on, maybe we should take you to the doctor. . ." Mitch said gently, grabbing Pacey's elbow.

"No!" Pacey yelled. "I want to be *alone*! Everyone, just. . .just don't *bother* me right now!" He jerked his arm out of Mitch's gentle grasp and turned, storming out of the house.

*~*~*~*

Gretchen Witter glanced up from the book she was reading when she heard the door slam in the living room. She frowned slightly, pushing herself up. "Loser! You home? Don't be so damn loud! Some of us are *trying* to read here!" She was glad when Pacey said he'd live with her, the two had become closer as they shared living quarters.

She frowned, wondering why there was no sarcastic response from her brother. She got up and walked into the living room, frowning slightly. Pacey was standing at the door, tears streaming down his cheeks, a mask of anger on his face. "Pacey?" she asked softly.

Dark angry eyes met Gretchen's and she gasped in shock. She'd *seen* Pacey angry before, but never like he was at that moment. "Pace?" she whispered.

Pacey stared at his sister, fury racing through his veins. He wanted someone else to hurt, someone to be in pain like he was. He curled his hands into fists and started stalking her, a low dangerous growl vibrating through his chest.

Gretchen paled and stepped back. "P. . .Pace. . .come on, Pacey, I'm sorry I called you a loser, you know I don't think you are. . .just a joke, right? Right? Pacey, please. . .you are scaring me," she whimpered slightly.

Pacey stopped in mid-step, blinking. 'You are scaring me' echoed through his mind, the tiny whisper of his sister, *scared* of *him*. He turned and reached out, grabbing a heavy book. He threw it down as hard as he could, a loud enraged howl escaping his lips. He stared at the book, his bottom lip trembling. With a strangled moan, he dropped to his knees, covering his eyes with the heels of his hands. He started sobbing, his shoulders hunched over in despair.

"Pacey?" Gretchen whispered, stepping to her brother. She put her hand on his back.

He looked up at her, his eyes red and puffy. "Gretchen," he whispered, grabbing her arm. He pulled her down with him. She wrapped her arms around him and he sobbed into the crook of her neck.

"Pacey," she said soothingly, "what's wrong?" She ran her hand up and down his back, trying to comfort him.

"Gretchen, I'm in love, right?" he asked.

"Oh, god. . ." she whispered, her face falling. "You and Joey. . .?"

He looked up at the ceiling, wiping at his face furiously. "It's true then," he said flatly. "I *am* in love with Josephine Potter."

"Yea. . .Pacey, what's going on? Why are you so upset? Did the two of you break up?" She reached up and ran her fingers across his cheeks, trying to help wipe away the tears.

"We went to the beach," he said softly, looking at her.

She gasped slightly, seeing an incredible sadness in the eyes of the one she loved dearly. "Pace. . .what happened?"

"There was a storm," he continued, closing his eyes, his long eyelashes brushing against his cheeks. "I was hit, knocked out."

"Are you. . ."

"I'm ok," he whispered, looking down. "Except for the fact that I woke up, and I wasn't in love with Joey, like everyone says I *should* be. I love Jack, and. . .and they are telling me it's *wrong*, Gretchen. They are telling me that I'm not in love with him, that we aren't together. . .that everything I remember from the last couple of months *didn't* *happen*! I. . .I can't go back to Joey, Gretchen! I don't *want* to be with her! I want. . .I want my Jackers." His face crumpled as a new wave of tears filled his eyes. "Why. . .why can't I just have my Jack?"

Gretchen wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. She started rocking back and forth. "It's ok, Pacey. . .we will figure something out."

~*~*~*~*~

Pacey settled on the couch, pulling his journal out from underneath it. He sighed softly, pulling the covers to his chin. He opened his journal to the day he helped defend Jack in English Class.

With disbelief, he read through it, realizing that everyone was *right*. He was with Joey. There was nothing going on with Jack. He tried to comfort his friend, then went home when the one he loved alienated him.

Pacey sniffed, flipping the page to read the events of the next day. He frowned, the creases in his forehead deepening as he read about the *dream* he had the night before, the dream of going to Jack's and kissing him nervously. "Oh, god," he murmured, flipping a few more pages. It was all there, all of his memories, everything he *felt* for Jack. . .in dreams.

There were pages and pages of questions, trying to decide if he could be bi, if he could be falling for Jack, but pushing his feelings away because of his feelings for a certain Joey Potter. "Oh god, not Jo. . .please, don't let this be *real*," he murmured.

He jumped up and dressed quickly, pulling on his shoes. He glanced towards Gretchen's room, noting that her light was out. He grabbed his keys and ran out into the inky Capeside night, clutching his journal tightly to his chest.

*~*~*~*

"Are you ok?"

"No," Jack said, staring at his ceiling. "I'm really not."

Jen traced circles on Jack's chest, biting her bottom lip. She was stretched out beside him, her head on his chest, comforting him. She *knew* he was upset and was doing everything she could to help him. "Jack. . ."

"He *loved* me, Jen. I could tell, I could see it in his *eyes*. He loved me *so* much. . .I felt. . ." He swallowed heavily. "I felt like the center of his world. Jen, I've *never* been loved like I was loved by him." He turned his head, looking down at her. "I don't think that I could. . .that I will *ever* find anyone who loves me like he did. . ."

"Like he does," Jen said, sitting up on her elbows.

"What?" Jack asked.

"Those feelings, they are *somewhere* - apparently they were deep enough that not *one* of us had any clue they were there - but they are somewhere in Pacey Witter. You can't *fake* love like that, Jack. You can't look at someone like that without knowing them, without wanting to be with them."

Jack got up, pacing around his room. Jen watched him with worried eyes. "No, Jen, he doesn't. I don't know what's going on, why he's remembering things that never happened, but he doesn't love me." He frowned, then turned, hearing a rock hit his window. He walked over to the window and opened it, leaning out. "Pacey? Is that you?" he asked.

Pacey smiled up at Jack, glad that he'd come to the window. "Hey, Jackers."

"Pace. . .are you ok?"

"Can I come up?" Pacey asked with a smile. "I figured out. . .I figured out where the memories came from."

Jack's heart dropped. < And now you are going to break my heart, never knowing you had it. > He smiled, his face straining against the happy gesture his soul didn't feel. "Yea, that's cool. . .hang on, Jen'll get the door." He disappeared inside of the window. "Go get him," Jack said sullenly.

Jen slid off the bed, stretching. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly. "It's ok, Jack, I promise. I'm here for you, and Pacey will still want to be your friend. . ."

"I don't *want* his friendship," Jack murmured. "I want *him*." He glanced away. "I can't help it, Jen, I want him."

Jen thumped him on the chest. "Come on, make yourself comfortable. I'm going to go get Pacey. Do you want a soda?"

Jack nodded. "Yea, that would be cool. Thanks, Jen, thanks for being here, and for being my best friend."

"Hey, *somebody* has to put up with you," the blonde smirked before turning and walking out of Jack's room.

He chewed his bottom lip for a moment, then threw himself facedown on the bed, burying his face in the pillow.

Jen went to the front door and opened it. "Witter."

"Lindley." He smirked.

She didn't move from her stance. "So. Your memories. Where did they come from?"

"Why, Miss Jennifer Lindley," Pacey teased. "I think that is between me and Jack McPhee, don't you?"

She crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow, letting Pacey know *real* quick she wasn't playing around. She tapped her foot, gritting her teeth angrily. Pacey was *definitely* back to himself. She *knew* Jack was going to get hurt. "Pacey. . ."

He sighed, the grin on his face dropping. He leaned against the doorframe. "They were dreams. I read them all, in my journal. I'd been dreaming about him for over a year. Apparently, I'm questioning my sexuality. Or at least, I'm wondering why I'm attracted to him."

She frowned slightly. "So what does that mean, Pacey?"

He smiled. "That means I'm going upstairs to Jack, I'm going to explain to him about my dreams, I'm going to slam him against the door, and I'm gonna stake my claim."

Jen's eyes widened. "You mean. . .?"

"I *love* him, whether I'm not supposed to or not. They may have just been dreams, but they are *real* to me. I can't stop feeling something that. . ." He frowned, trying to figure out how to explain how he felt. ". . .that he is something that undeniably thrums through my body just as my pulse does."

Jen smiled. "Good. He's really upset. . .I think that a little Pacey would be good chicken soup for the soul." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Have. . .have you talked to Joey yet?"

He frowned. "No. I need to make sure Jackers is ok before I talk to Jo. I know that's probably wrong, but hopefully, she's in Dawson's bedroom right now realizing just how much the two of them belong together."

Jen smirked slightly. "He wants a soda," she nodded, stepping aside.

Pacey leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Jen. I owe ya one."

"Just remember that, Witter." She patted his shoulder, then stepped out into the Capeside night.

Pacey piddled around the kitchen for a few moments, opening the refrigerator, staring into its cold depths. In his dreams, he *had* Jack, he *knew* Jack loved him. . .but in reality, he had no idea. He wanted to go upstairs and be the aggressor that he'd always been. But. . .what if Jack didn't return his feelings? What if Jack didn't want him?

"Jen! Where is my soda!?" Jack yelled from upstairs.

Pacey frowned, reaching out and grabbing the closest can of carbonated drink. He clutched it to his chest, next to the journal he had in his other hand. His knuckles were white for holding the journal so tightly. "Coming, sweetheart," he muttered sarcastically, rolling his eyes playfully. He jogged upstairs, taking the steps two at a time.

Pacey took a deep breath and pushed the door open, freezing in place. Jack was lying on his back, his arm over his eyes. He wore a Capeside High tee shirt and a pair of faded gray sweatpants. Pacey never thought that he looked more beautiful.

"Where's Pacey?" he asked quietly, still thinking that it was Jen bringing him the soda.

"I'm. . .I'm right here, Jack," he murmured, not moving into the room.

Jack sat up quickly, blinking wildly. "Pacey!" he cried. "I. . .I thought you left!"

"No, I came up here to talk to you," Pacey said quietly.

Jack leaned over, looking around the object of his desire. "W. . .where's Jen?"

"She went home." He glanced down, rocking back and forth from his heels to the tips of his toes. "So. . .can I come in? I have the soda."

Jack grabbed a pillow and put it in his lap, resting his elbows on it. He sighed. "Yea, Pace, make yourself comfortable."

Pacey chewed his bottom lip. "I can't," he said, honestly, capturing Jack's eyes and holding them with the intensity of his gaze.

Jack swallowed heavily. "Why. . .why not?" he asked.

"Because for me to be comfortable around you, it would require having you draped over me," Pacey said quietly.

Jack was suddenly *very* thankful that he'd covered his lap with the pillow, not wanting Pacey to see the evidence of the affect Pacey's words had on him. He cleared his throat, looking down.

Pacey closed his eyes and took a deep breath, holding himself back from rushing into the room and tackling Jack. In his mind he could almost *feel* the body underneath him from all the memories. . .the dreams of pouncing on him and wrestling, of feeling his lean muscular body struggling playfully underneath him, the experience of draping his body over Jack, of holding him down and plundering his mouth with a passion he'd never felt with anyone else. He leaned against the doorframe and moaned softly, grinding his teeth in frustration.

"Pace?" Jack asked softly, trying to ignore how beautiful Pacey was, leaning against his door, a look of sheer desire on his face.

Pacey forced his eyes open, numbly stepping into the room. "Here," he said, thrusting the soda to him.

Jack frowned slightly, taking the can from him. "Thanks. . ." He chewed his bottom lip slightly, then glanced up at Pacey. "You can sit, if you like."

Pacey threw himself on the bed, ignoring his erection, ignoring the feeling of Jack's knee brushing against his leg. He held his journal out. "I want you to read this, Jackers. It's. . ." He paused, opening his eyes and looking up at Jack. "It will explain why I have these feelings. . .these memories. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but in a way, it does."

Jack took the book from Pacey, shivering slightly at the feel of Pacey's fingers brushing against his. "Where do I start?"

"Your poem in that asshole's class," Pacey murmured, closing his eyes.

*~*~*~*

Jack's bottom lip quivered and he had to wipe the tears away from his cheeks, not wanting them to drip on the chicken scratch covering the pages of Pacey's journal, his thoughts and dreams, his aspirations in life. He glanced over at Pacey, who had fallen asleep by then. He took a moment to watch Pacey sleep, the way his long eyelashes brushed against his cheeks, the way his full lips were parted slightly, the way his pink tongue would snake out ever so often and lick those delectable lips he wanted to taste.

"Oh, god, Pace. . .all that time? You dreamed of me all those times. . .and you almost. . ." His voice caught on a quiet sob as he realized how much time was wasted, time that could have been theirs. "You pushed yourself to love Joey more, because you didn't think I'd *want* you? My god, Pace, are you crazy!? How could I *not* want you?" He reached out, gently running his fingertips along Pacey's cheek.

Pacey mumbled something softly under his breath, then turned towards Jack, putting his hand on his thigh. "Come to bed, lover," he murmured, tugging slightly on Jack's sweatpants.

Jack's heart *dropped* at the word 'lover', knowing that he'd dreamed about being with him, having read in *great* detail about how Pacey would cover his body with kisses, how he would claim him and cause him to experience an ecstasy he'd never felt. He shivered, running his fingers over the words, the erotic way Pacey would describe their love, their coupling, the way he made sure Jack was always satisfied.

Jack closed his eyes, leaning over to turn his lamp off and put the journal on his nightstand. He pulled his shirt off and lay down next to Pacey, his body automatically going stiff. He'd never slept in a bed with a guy he was interested in, and wasn't completely sure *how* he should lie. < Should I wrap my arms around him? Should I sleep on the other side of the bed? > As his mind went over all the available options, Pacey sleepily rolled towards him, taking the options away. He wrapped his arm around Jack's waist, burying his face in the warmth of his neck.

Jack moaned softly and relaxed as he felt gentle open mouth kisses on his neck. "Oh, god, Pace. . ." he murmured, wrapping his arms around his friend, around the one he wanted to possess, wanted to call his own.

"Sleep, lover. . .I'll be here in the morning," Pacey murmured sleepily.

"Promise?" Jack whispered into the dark, slipping his hand under Pacey's tee shirt at the waist, resting his hand on the warm flesh.

"Promise, Jackers."

Jack closed his eyes with a smile on his face, knowing that everything would work itself out in the morning.

~*~*~*~

The lean football player had never woken up so content, so happy. He stretched slightly, pushing into the bare chest of the man spooning him. A low chuckle caressed his ear, causing shivers to race up and down his spine, causing his body to react by the tightening in his sweatpants.

"Morning, lover," a husky voice whispered, right before a tongue run along the shell of his ear. Pacey nuzzled his ear slightly before moving down and nibbling on the back of his neck.

Jack blinked rapidly, his mind sharpening to awareness. "Pacey. . ." he murmured, pulling away. "Pacey, wake up!"

Pacey tightened his grip around Jack's waist. "I *am* awake, McPhee. I've been awake for a while. I always end up waking up before you and just watching you sleep." He nipped at his neck. "So vulnerable. . ." He moved his head down, running his tongue leisurely along the top of his spine, causing Jack to shiver almost uncontrollably. "So innocent. . ." He bit gently into Jack's skin, causing him to moan. "All mine. . ."

Jack froze. "No, Pace. . .I'm not. Not yet. . ."

Pacey pulled away with a frown on his face. "What do you mean?" he asked curiously.

"You *need* to go talk to Joey first. You haven't yet, have you?" Jack turned, ignoring the fact that Pacey had gotten up at some point in the night and pulled his shirt off.

Pacey frowned and looked away. Jack grabbed his chin and tilted his face up. "You haven't."

"No," Pacey growled angrily.

"Well, you need to go talk to her. She is our friend, and she thinks that you belong to *her*, not *me*. I don't want to hurt Joey." Jack chewed his bottom lip. "Please? Do this for me, ok?"

Pacey sighed, looking away. "Ok, Jack, I will. After all, I guess it *is* the right thing to do." He frowned slightly. He pushed himself up, running his fingers through his hair. "I should go now. There's really no reason dragging it out." He slipped out of bed, pulling his tee shirt over his head. He looked back down at Jack and smirked. "And then I'm going to come back."

Jack chuckled, seeing the delight dancing in Pacey's eyes. "And do what, may I ask?"

Pacey chuckled, crossing his arms. "That's for me to know, Jackers, and you to wait patiently to find out." He leaned forward and pressed his lips against Jack's in a quick kiss. "See you soon, stud."

Jack laughed slightly, shaking his head. "What the hell am I going to do with you, Pacey Witter?"

Pacey walked to the door, then stopped, turning back towards Jack. "I vote for love me, Jack McPhee." With those words that warmed Jack's heart, Pacey turned and walked out of his room.

*~*~*~*

Pacey didn't even bother going to the Bed and Breakfast to see if Joey was there. Instinctively, he knew that she followed Dawson upstairs to his room the night before, laid in his bed, and probably cried herself to sleep. The brunette wasn't in love with Joey, but still, it hurt knowing that he could very well be breaking Joey Potter's heart. From his words in his journal, he knew that the two of them had been extremely close, and there was something special between them.

Pacey frowned slightly, shoving his hands deeper in his pockets. He couldn' t understand *why* he and Joey had ended up together. It was common knowledge that Joey and Dawson were *soul mates*. Pacey snorted, but then shook his head and smiled. Everyone in Capeside accepted it. The sky was blue, the grass was green, and Potter and Leery were going to spend the rest of their lives together.

He glanced up at the Leery house and smiled, automatically being flooded with a warm feeling in his heart. For as long as he could remember, that house had been a safe place to go, away from the yelling and fighting of his dad and Doug, where the people within accepted him unconditionally, no matter what he had done, or how bad he had screwed up. The people inside the Leery home loved him, misfit or not, knowing that deep underneath the sarcastic, hard layer, there was a good kind heart that resided there.

Except for apparently, he and Dawson weren't friends anymore.

That thought almost cut Pacey as deep as the idea that he and Jack weren't together. Dawson - despite his egotistical view on life that the world revolved around him; his outlook that Pacey and Joey had scripts to follow, as life should be a movie starring, directed by, and produced by Dawson Leery - was his *best* friend. As infuriating as the teen could be with the wisdom he thought he had, he had gotten Pacey through some pretty rough times. There was an ache in his soul at the thought that the closeness between the two of them existed no longer.

He ran up the steps, knocking on the front door. It was only a moment before Gail opened it, smiling warmly at Pacey. "Pacey, how are you feeling this morning?"

"Pretty good, Gail," he nodded, smiling. "Is Joey here?"

"She's upstairs with Dawson. . .have you. . .?" She faltered, her brow coming together with worry. She didn't like the idea of any of the children hurt.

"Dreams, Gail. They were dreams. But. . ." He glanced down, toeing at the carpet. "They still seem real to me, and that's the way I want my life to be. Besides, Joey and Dawson, they are like. . .peanut butter and jelly. You know it, I know it, *they* know it, hell, all of Capeside knows it! And. . ." He smiled. "When Jack smiles at me, all shy like, and those blue eyes are sparkling. . .I get butterflies, Gail. Honest to god butterflies." He shook his head. "No one ever gave me butterflies. . .except maybe Jo, but I don't remember."

Gail placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed tightly. "As much as I hate to see any of you hurt, you have to follow your heart, Pacey. If it leads you to Jack, then you should be with Jack. Just *make* sure you've settled things with Joey first."

He nodded. "That's why I'm here. Thanks!" He leaned up and kissed her quickly on the cheek before heading upstairs to Dawson's room.

He paused outside the slightly ajar door, hearing Joey's voice drift out. ". . .going to do if Pacey decides he would rather have Jack?" she asked.

"Jo, you gotta realize that somehow, wires got crossed in his head, and he *thinks* he is in love with him! That doesn't mean he is, nor does that mean that he will wake up this morning and still think he's in love with McPhee."

"But. . .Dawson, you *saw* Jack yesterday. If Pacey and I stay together, it 's going to *crush* him."

"As much as it would crush you?" Dawson asked softly.

There was a long pause, and Pacey could imagine Joey's face scrunched up in thought, trying to figure out how she felt about the question. "I love him, Dawson. I won't tell you that I don't. But he's *so* adamant about you and I being together. What if. . ." Her voice faltered.

"He's right?" Dawson supplied, finishing her sentence.

"Do you think it's possible?" she asked.

Dawson mulled over the thought, and Pacey had to keep from snickering at imagining the look on *his* face as he contemplated how this latest development would cause him to rewrite the script of their lives. "It's possible, Jo. I know that when I see you with him, it hurts deeper than anything I ever thought feasible. But I know that you love him, and I accept that. I don't *like* it, but I accept it. I know that if he and Jack were to get together, then you and I wouldn't automatically fall in bed together, so to speak."

"Where do you think he was last night?" Joey asked softly.

"I'm guessing with Jack," Dawson replied quietly.

Pacey turned and crept down the hall away from the door, then turned around again, coming towards Dawson's room loudly, so they would be alerted to his presence. He reached out, knocking on the door. "Hey guys! Can I come in?" He poked his head around the door, not at all jealous by the closeness his supposed girlfriend and best friend shared as they lay on the bed together.

They both smiled at him, Joey's eyes tinged with sadness, and Dawson's eyes softer than they had been the day before. "Sure," Dawson said, sitting up against the headboard. "We were just talking."

Pacey smiled, moving into the room. He glanced down, then looked back up at them. Joey got up and closed the space between the two of them, hugging him tightly. "How do you feel?" she whispered softly.

Pacey led her to the bed. "Better, my head is clearer this morning." They sat down. "I figured out where the memories came from."

"Where?" Joey asked, looking up at him, a hopeful look in her eyes.

"They were dreams I'd been having, for over a year. Even while I was still with Andie. Apparently. . ." He paused. "I was curious."

Tears filled her eyes. "And now?" she whispered, her bottom lip quivering. Dawson moved across the bed, wrapping his arms around her waist, comforting her, seeing it in Pacey's eyes, seeing the love that he felt for Jack.

Pacey looked away. "I love Jack, Joey. I've read my journal, and I know that I loved you dearly, but. . .I have no recollection of that now. I don' t know if I will ever. . .get my head back together as it were, and it's not fair to you for me to sit here and pretend that I love you when I don't. Not in the way you want me to."

Tears streamed down Joey's face. "But. . ." she said softly, shaking her head, not wanting to realize that this was it, that Pacey was leaving her. "But you *love* me!"

"But I don't, Jo," he whispered, taking her hand. He frowned, not realizing that it would be *so* hard to tell her they weren't together. While he didn 't have the feelings for her that she wanted him to have, he still cared about her as a friend, and it was *obvious* that his words were breaking her heart.

However, no matter how sad Josephine Potter looked, no matter how clear the sound of her heart breaking was, he couldn't *pretend* to be in love with her, not when he would always watch Jack, always want to be with him.

He ran his fingers along her hand, trying to sooth her. "Joey, I really don 't want to hurt you. However, this is better than if I were to pretend to be with you. Jo, you are my friend. . .I care a great deal about you. I can't do that to you, not when I know you have feelings that run so deep for me."

She turned, burying her face in Dawson's neck. She sobbed uncontrollably, as if her entire world was ending. Pacey wiped his own tears away, catching Dawson's eyes. "D. . .please don't hate me for hurting her. . ."

Dawson took a deep breath, knowing that this wasn't the same Pacey Witter that had stolen Joey right out from under his nose. He reached out and clasped Pacey's shoulder. "I don't," Dawson said. "It's better this way."

"Take care of her?" Pacey asked.

"Of course," Dawson nodded.

"Thanks, D." He stood up and turned to leave, then looked back at Dawson. "Dawson. . ."

Dawson looked up from the soft comforting words he was whispering in Joey's

ear to calm her down. "Yea?"

"I read my journal. I know that you and I haven't been friends. . .well, really at all lately. I'm not him. I mean, I am, but I didn't. . .I don't remember doing those things. I don't want to lose your friendship, Dawson. I know that this won't magically take away all the bitter, angry feelings you feel towards me right now, but. . .it would mean a lot to me if you could find it in your heart to forgive me so we can be friends again."

Dawson took a deep breath. "I'll see what I can do."

"That's all I ask," Pacey smiled. "You two have a good day. . ." With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of Dawson's room.

*~*~*~*

Jack happily bounced to the screen door of the home where his best friend and her grandmother lived. Nothing in the world could bring the man away from his high, from the sheer delight rushing through his body, leaving tingling wakes of yearning. He *needed* to feel Pacey again, needed to feel the skin-to-skin contact he woke to that morning.

With a grin, he knocked on the screen door. Grams stuck her head around the corner from the kitchen and smiled. "Well, Jack, come on in. . .Jen's eating breakfast and if you don't get in here, then you won't be able to join her!"

Jack licked his lips, realizing he was *famished*. As upset as he was the night before, he'd neglected to have supper. He walked into the house, kissing Grams on the cheek before sitting down at the table next to Jen. "Hey, Jen!" he said, the smile on his face lighting up the kitchen.

Jen's eyebrow rose and she placed the fork half way to her mouth back down on the plate. She sat back with a self-satisfied smirk on her face. "And why are you so damn happy, McPhee?"

Grams lightly slapped Jen on the shoulder as she passed her, heading back towards the stove. "Watch your language, young lady."

Jen rolled her eyes for Jack's benefit, causing her best friend to erupt in a fit of happy giggles. He folded his arms on the table in front of him and rested his forehead against them, the sound of his laughter filling the room. He was deliriously giddy, and knew that he was probably *worrying* Jen with his delight.

"Hey, Jackers, everything ok in that brain of yours?"

Jack finally looked up, wiping his tears of mirth away from his cheeks. "I haven't been this happy in. . .I don't know how long, Jen."

"Why, Jack," Grams said, placing a plate filled with eggs, bacon and toast in front of him, "yesterday when you came to get Jen for the trip to the beach, you were quite unhappy. What has happened that lifted your spirits so much?"

Jack smiled at Grams, patting her arm in thanks for the food. "Pacey."

"Pacey Witter? Such a nice young man," Grams said, moving back to the stove to get her own plate. "Somewhat angry at times, probably a bit misguided at others, but a very pleasant boy to be around. Why has he made you so happy?"

Jack reached under the table and squeezed Jen's hand, causing her eyes to widen and her mouth to drop open. She nodded her head excitedly, hoping that Jack was telling her what she wanted to hear. Jack nodded happily, causing Jen to squeeze his hand back.

"Well?" Grams asked, sitting down at the table, pushing the food around on her plate.

"I was just waiting for you to join us, Grams," Jack said with a sweet smile. He sat up straight, preening. "I might have a boyfriend now."

Grams' eyebrow rose in mild shock. "Pacey Witter?" she questioned.

Jack grinned and smiled. "Yea, isn't that *great*?"

"I wasn't aware that Pacey. . ."

Jen interrupted her, reaching out to place her hand on top of Grams'. She summed up the story of the events from the day before. Grams looked at Jack in mild surprise. "Really? And he's been having these dreams? That's why he was so in love with Jack when he came to? Did he go to the doctor?" At the bewildered looks on the teens' faces, she backtracked. "Not that loving Jack should require a visit to the doctor, I'm just concerned with the way it happened. I realize they were dreams, and he may have been completely enamored with him in his sleep, but this isn't a dream world. This is reality. I just want to make sure there isn't anything wrong with Pacey."

"He didn't go," Jack said, his brow coming together in mild confusion. "Do. . .do you think there might be something really wrong with him?"

"You both should encourage him to see a doctor for a check-up, just to make sure that he is healthy mentally," Grams replied, sitting back to eat the mouthful of eggs she'd just taken.

Jen nodded, knowing that her grandmother was right. "We will do what we can, Grams." She turned to Jack with a slight bounce. "So what happened after I left?" she asked, grinning.

~*~*~*~*~

"Well, he let me read his journal, and I was. . ." Jack faltered, not able to express how much Pacey's words affected him. "He was so *detailed*," he whispered softly, closing his eyes as he felt the tears behind his lids. "He *loves* me. . .fiercely. . .intensely." He opened his eyes and smiled. "He was asleep by the time I'd finished reading. I wasn't. . .I didn't know what to do, and he mumbled about me just going to sleep, so I laid down and he wrapped his arms around me and we slept." He glanced down as tears spilled on his cheeks. "I'd never slept so well in my entire life," he whispered softly.

Grams cleared her throat. Jack looked up at her guiltily, hoping that he hadn't upset her with the events that had happened the night before. She smiled softly at Jack. "You know, I slept much better when Jen's grandfather was holding me."

Jack laughed, more tears spilling on his cheeks. He wiped at them, sniffing. "I swear, I've cried more in the last 24 hours than I have my entire life."

"So!" Jen exclaimed. "What's going to happen? Where is he?"

"He went to talk to Joey. He doesn't want to be with her, he wants to be with me," Jack grinned, squeezing her hand again. "I. . .I want that. I know how Pacey treats those he loves, and I know that with him, I can be *me*, I won't have to try to be someone else, that he accepts me for who I am."

"It makes sense, actually. He fought hard for you when you came out to the world," Jen nodded.

"That's when the dreams started, when I had to read that poem," Jack said. "He's been dreaming about me *that* long."

"Damn!" Jen exclaimed.

Grams cleared her throat, and Jen had the graciousness to blush slightly. "Sorry, Grams." She turned back to Jack. "So *all* this time? I had *no* idea!"

"No one did," Jack said softly. "He never told a soul, not Dawson, not Joey, no one." He nodded, snatching a piece of toast out of the center of the table. "Anyway, so I hope everything is going ok with Joey this morning." He frowned. "I know it's going to hurt him to hurt her, even if he doesn't think he loves her."

"I know," Jen sighed. "So after that, what's going to happen?"

Jack shrugged, popping the corner of toast into his mouth. He reached out and drank a sip of orange juice, swallowing. "I don't know. He said he'd be back, and that was about it." He glanced down, blushing slightly.

Jen giggled, knowing that more was said, but he wasn't willing to share - at least in front of Grams.

The woman in the kitchen cleared her throat. "Jack, I think we should talk about this before you see Pacey again."

Jack looked up, his eyes widening in the classic 'deer caught in the headlights look'. "Yes, ma'am?"

"I realize that you have feelings for Pacey, and can accept the fact that he has feelings for you. Apparently, from his dreams, and what Jen has said, the two of you were very close. However, in reality, this isn't the case. The two of you haven't been dating for a while, you are only beginning a relationship." She took a sip of her coffee, trying to figure out how to word her thoughts. "He may be much more comfortable with the relationship than you are, since you've yet to be involved with another male in that capacity. You mustn't allow yourselves to be rushed into anything. It could be damaging to your relationship. You have to control your hormones. Don't allow yourselves to be swept up 'in the moment'. There is a real danger of the two of you going much further than you may be emotionally ready for."

Jack blinked, realizing that Grams was right. In Pacey's mind, the two had been dating for a while, and had already started a sexual relationship. Even though the two had barely kissed, he *knew* that Pacey would struggle with the other boy's inexperience and fears about the whole physical side of the relationship. "Yea. . ." he said slowly. "However, I think Pace will understand, and be patient with me. In his dreams, we took our time, and he was as patient with me as I was with him." A look of worry passed over his face, as the thought settled in his brain that Pacey may *not* want to wait. "Do. . .do you think it will be a problem?"

Grams thought about it for a moment, mulling over the question, trying to decide what Pacey Witter would do. "I don't think so," she said.

"Yea, Jack, Pace is patient with those he loves. You know that, you've seen him and Andie, and him and Joey. . .I mean, we all know what he's been through, and yet, he's never once - that we know of - pressured Joey into doing anything she wasn't ready for," Jen said.

Jack sighed, chewing thoughtfully on the eggs he'd put in his mouth. After swallowing, he said, "I hope so." He glanced down, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. "I really hope so."

~*~

Pacey stepped out of the Leery residence and glanced around. It was a beautiful day, and he *ached* to be with Jack, to feel his slick naked body against his. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to calm his hormones. He *knew* that the two of them hadn't done anything physical. . .*knew* that waiting would be the hardest thing he was going to endure while loving Jack.

However, he knew Jack McPhee was worth it.

As eager as he was to get back to his Jackers, he stalled. He needed time to think, time to contemplate his life, what he could remember and what he'd read in his journal. He knew the journal was at Jack's house still and wished he had it, but decided not to worry about it. He could almost see the words in his head, remembering them from reading the night before.

With those thoughts, he turned, heading towards the marina. He wanted to take 'True Love' out and sit on her deck, drinking a beer and thinking about life, trying to make sure that he was doing the right thing.

Twenty minutes later, as he steered his beloved boat out into the middle of the creek, he mulled over his thoughts. He anchored the boat in a somewhat secluded place, heading down under the deck to grab a beer. He headed back up to the deck and sat at the front of the boat, staring out over the creek.

< I know that I love him. I know that he's attracted to me, that he wants to be with me. I *know* that we are capable of loving each other. . .I've *been* in the relationship. I know that we fit, almost like two halves of the same coin. > He smiled, taking a long swig of his beer. He closed his eyes, thinking back over the times he'd had with Jack. The older boy completed him, encouraged him to be a better person, all with a smile. They studied together, Jack often quizzing Pacey on the information and giving him 'rewards'. . .a kiss here, a nuzzle there. . . When affection from Jack was involved, Pacey *always* pushed himself to work harder.

He frowned slightly, realizing that he and Jen weren't as close as he thought they were. As he and Pacey grew closer, Jen had always been around, scared of losing her relationship with Jack. However, Pacey wouldn't let that happen, knowing that Jen was important to Jack, just as Dawson was important to him. Jack still spent quality time with Jen, and often times, the three of them would go out to the movies, Jack always in the middle, holding both of their hands, happy to show Capeside how much he loved the people at his side.

With that thought, Pacey vowed to make sure he and Jen got closer, having enjoyed many times with the blonde as they planned various ways to get Jack to grin, or laugh, or show them that 'special' smile that lit up the room.

Over time, Pacey and Jen had grown closer, neither threatened by the other's place in the heart of the boy they both loved dearly. She was, in fact, a big part in getting the two of them together, encouraging them to go out on dates and spend time together. It ached in Pacey's heart to know that he wasn't as close to Jack and Jen as he thought he was.

He sighed, running the bottle of beer along his face, shivering slightly at the cool sensation. He dropped his head back against the chair, closing his eyes and remembering how it felt to touch his Jackers.

Jack had the smoothest, tightest skin Pacey'd ever had the pleasure of running his hands along. The man worked at keeping himself fit for football, and it showed in the defined muscles, at the way he looked as his body tightened underneath Pacey. . .

The brunette groaned, feeling the beginnings of his arousal. He *knew* he had to take it slow with Jack, that he couldn't go back to the McPhee house and push him down and pound into him like he wanted to. He had to take his time, let Jack become accustomed to touching and feeling another man.

That was going to be the hardest part of the relationship, holding himself back. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he knew that he'd never been with a man himself, that he should be mildly disturbed by the thoughts of filling Jack, of thrusting in and out of the man as deeply as he could, but he wasn' t. Thoughts of feeling those hands on his body, of touching his lover's body, only served to fuel his fire.

"Oh, god," Pacey shuddered, groaning as his shorts became impossibly tight. "What am I going to do?"

*~*~*~*

Jack settled back against his headboard, a smile on his face. He wanted to give Pacey time with Joey, time to deal with his feelings. Therefore, he spent the day with Jen and Grams, listening to Grams talk about Jen's grandfather and Jen babble about her latest email from Henry.

He knew the sudden shift in his mood was due to Pacey, and the way his friend looked at him, the way he made him feel. He'd never had *anyone* cause his skin to come to life like Pacey did. And that morning, when he woke up wrapped in Pacey's arms, it was truly *heaven*.

Even though Jack had talked with his father about being gay, and the elder McPhee wrapped his arms around his son and lovingly assured him that it wasn 't *wrong* to be gay, there was still a tiny part of him that still screamed everything he felt was against the laws of nature and God.

Until Pacey.

*Nothing* that felt *so* right could be wrong.

Jack glanced around his room, seeing Pacey's journal sitting on his nightstand. He picked it up and smiled, turning the pages until he reached the entry for the day after their Anti-Prom.

::I had the *most* wonderful dream after Dawson's Anti-Prom last night. It made the disaster that was our *prom* seem like a dim memory.

Dawson did throw the Anti-Prom, but because Barbara was being a bitch and didn't want Jack and I to go together. We weren't proper, or some shit like that. So he came up with the *brilliant* idea of the Anti-Prom, which we were all thrilled about.

Dawson and Joey were dancing around, weaving through our friends, laughing and joking. Dawson had this *brilliant* idea of bringing his camcorder, filming us, teasing that one day, when he was famous, we'd all end up on 'Entertainment Tonight'. He was trying *so* hard to make it cinematic and interesting, and we just laughed when it came to us. It really was funny.

Jen and Henry were holding each other close, whispering softly to each other. Instead of the fight they had, they were closer than ever. . .I could tell, Henry was going to get lucky that night. Dawson was going to get lucky - Joey had been gushing earlier to Jack and I that she was *really* excited because Prom night was *the* night.

And my beautiful Jackers. . .I had special plans for him. Plans he had no clue about.

He was. . .he was stunning. Joey, Jen, and Andie all looked beautiful, elegant dresses, perfect make-up, hair swept up in beautiful curls. . .but Jack. . .

Jack took my breath away. I'm not usually a poetic person, but. . .he was in his tux, cut *perfectly* for his body. His hair was slicked back, his beautiful blue eyes wide and sparkling - he *knew* I had something special planned for us, but he had no clue what.

We all chipped in and rented a limo, riding out to the restaurant, where the Anti-Prom was going to be held. I pulled Dawson aside and asked him if he stocked 'True Love' and he said he had it covered, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. It was great, Dawson treating me like a friend again. Other than Jack, that's what I love the most about the dreams. . .D and I are *friends* again. I didn't think I'd miss him that much, but I almost feel. . .I feel lost without him.

And Jack. . .it's *so* hard seeing him at school, acting like I don't have feelings for him, watching as he spirals deeper into depression about Ethan, about being alone, about wanting *someone* - *anyone*. I want to go to him and wrap him in my arms and tell him Ethan isn't worth his time. . .but I know it would freak him out if he knew.

So I keep my silence, keep loving Joey from afar - wishing she'd make up her mind already and just *decide* between me and Dawson. Sometimes I think she wants me. . .

I'm in love with her. She knows it, hell, all of Capeside probably knows it. But no one knows the feelings I have about Jack McPhee. . .

So we have the dance, everyone is blissfully happy, it's a wonderful experience, one we were always going to remember. I only wish the real prom was like that.

Everyone who knows I'm leaving for the Keys thinks that it's because of Joey. I'll admit, part of it is, but a great deal of it is because I can't watch him. . .I can't be around him and not love him. It *aches* to be in front of him and not touch him. . .not reach out and take his hand while we get together and watch movies.

But I digress.

So I lead him out of the restaurant and he asks were we are going, and I tell him it's a surprise. We walk silently to the marina, holding hands, enjoying the beautiful night. When we get to the boat, he playfully pushes me and asks if we are running away to a deserted island to be alone, and I tell him that I wish we could. And I do. . .my god, do I wish I could take Jack away from all of this, all the shit going on in Capeside, and just be me. . .me and him, like I wish it could be.

So we get onboard 'True Love' and I take her out to the middle of the creek. We pull our jackets off and sit on the deck, legs over the side, watching the stars, drinking the wine Dawson was so good to snatch from Leery's Fresh Fish for us. He stocked up the boat good, wine and cheese, all sorts of romantic foods. . .whipped cream, strawberries. . .chocolate syrup.

*laughs* If you could see me now. . .I'm sitting at my desk, writing, actually *crying* because none of this will ever really happen. Jack will never look at me with love in his eyes, I will never be able to take him in my arms and sooth away the day's events.

Anyway, so we are sitting on the deck, and he says he's going to get more wine. I nod and smile, just content to be there with him.

Damn Dawson for not tucking everything away. "Uh, Pacey?"

I stand and wander down under the deck to the cabin, staring at Jack's back. He's hunched slightly, obviously thinking about something. "Yea, lover?"

He spins and I step back in surprise. He's holding the box of condoms I made Dawson buy for me. "What are these for?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.

I throw my hands up, my plans for the night ruined. "I'm. . .I'm sorry, Jack, I just thought. . .and you know, I knew we'd talked about it, and. . .you know. . .we hadn't cause I wasn't ready, but then I figured I really *was* ready, and I just wanted this to be special and. . ."

He just stares at me with wide blue eyes and his lips parted just enough. "You wanted to have *sex*?" he asks in disbelief.

Yea, we had talked about it in other dreams, but I was always scared, never ready. He was far more ready than I was - and even then I could tell that he was scared too.

"Well. . .actually," I say, looking down, scratching my head behind my ear. "I was more thinking make love."

And the next thing I know, there's a hundred and sixty pound warm body in my arms, kissing me with an intensity I'd never felt from him. He's rubbing against me, his hardness straining against me. "Oh, god, Pace, *please*. . .I want to feel you inside of me more than *anything*."

I, of course, have to smile at that.

*Incredible.*

That's really the only way I can explain how it felt to look down at him, to watch the emotions flitter across his face, to feel his muscles around me, stretching, tightening, gripping me with a such a hold I woke up long having exploded underneath the sheets.

Making love to him was like nothing I'd ever felt. I don't know if it was because he was a *man* and it was completely different than being with a woman, or if it was because I was honestly, truly in *love*. . .but it was *incredible*. He was so responsive, so beautiful with the moonlight streaming in, playing on his face, shadows forming at sharp angles, defining his face with a beauty that made me want to weep.

I never felt love like I did at that moment, looking down at that beautiful face, his eyes fluttering, trying to open, but not; his mouth open slightly, his pink tongue sliding along his lips; his breath coming in short pants, his neck and upper body tensed in constant pleasure, the muscles quivering under his skin. The way he murmured my name, over and over, a harsh whisper. . . "Pacey. . .oh god, Pace. . .when you do that. . .when you hit me. . .oh, god, there. . .Pace, I've never been. . .been so complete. . .please, Pacey. . .IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou. . ."

In my dreams, he loves to talk when he's turned on, I love to listen to his breathy whispers, the way his hot breath caresses my ear as he murmurs the things he wants to do to me, the things he wants me to do to him. . .

And now I'm sitting here, hard as a rock, thinking of him. Stroking myself with one hand, writing with the other, my mind thinking of Jack. I wonder sometimes if he thinks of me, if he's ever noticed me as more than just a friend. I find myself wishing that he did, that he wrote that beautiful poem for me, that my dreams would come true. . .

I look forward to falling asleep. The dreams always come, every night, almost as if someone was trying to tell me something. They are so vivid, so real. . .some days I wake up, reaching out for him, wishing that warm body was pressed against me.

But I'll never have him. I'll never be able to call Jack McPhee my boyfriend - whether I'm too scared to approach it in real life, or Joey Potter will finally make up her damn mind and ask me to stay. . .

I will.

I'll stay in Capeside for her.

She just won't know that there's a tiny part of my heart that's staying in Capeside for him.::

Jack sat back, tears in his eyes, his hand stroking his rock hard cock. "My god, Pace. . .I don't know *how* you kept this a secret for so damn long. .

."

~*~*~*~*~

Jack closed his eyes, clutching the journal to his chest, tears streaming down his face, his hand stroking his cock. He flicked his thumb over the

tip, groaning as his body shuddered.

He was so wrapped up in pleasing himself, imagining that it was Pacey, he failed to hear his window open and the grunt of someone shimmying into his room.

Pacey brushed himself off and looked up, his body freezing. < Oh, god, oh, god. . . > he thought. < How the *hell* am I not supposed to attack him when he's sitting there. . .doing *that*. . . >

A soft moan escaped Jack's parted lips as he imagined feeling warm lips surround the tip of his dick. "Oh, god," he murmured. "Feels *so* real. . ." His hips bucked up as a tongue slipped between the lips on his cock, running along the sensitive underside.

Hands pressed his thighs back down the bed, and Jack pulled his own hand away, gripping the bedspread tightly. "Please. . ." he murmured, wrapped up in his fantasy, not having a clue that Pacey was there, in front of him, about. . .to. . .

Jack jerked and cried out sharply when the mouth plunged, taking his entire length. "Paaaacey, *please*. . ." he begged, whimpering when he felt the tongue lapping at his cock, the warmth of the mouth surrounding his rod. The person on his cock swallowed, massaging the tip of his member with the back of his throat. "Oooh, god. . ."

Lips moved up and down his cock slowly, pressed tightly around the hardness. Jack's hand moved, dropping the journal on the bed beside him. He reached out, brushing his fingers through short hair. He gripped the hair between his fingers, guiding the mouth along his dick, urging it to take as much in as possible.

Pacey was in *heaven*. Long before the two had engaged in the actual act of sex in his dreams, they showered each other with affection, the blowjob being one they both enjoyed giving and receiving. Pacey especially enjoyed giving them, loving the way Jack would tense and murmur, the way he would whisper how wonderful he was, how much he loved him. . .

Somewhere in the back of his head, he *knew* this was the first time he'd ever done that particular sexual act, but it felt so *right*, so. . .*complete*. The way Jack's body clenched around him, the way he kept thrusting his hips up, begging for more attention, needing to feel him. . .

Pacey reached up, running his fingers along Jack's lips. They parted, and Pacey slipped his finger in, getting impossibly hard against the sheets as Jack's tongue swirled around the long digit, imitating his tongue on his dick. A whimper escaped his lips around Pacey's finger as the man slowly pulled it out of his mouth. He pulled his hand back down, cupping Jack's balls tenderly, squeezing slightly, before moving beyond them, to the puckered opening between his cheeks.

Jack arched his back at the first touch against the ring of muscles. "Ohmygod,Pacey,please. . .pleasepleaseplease. . ." he mumbled, his mind starting to shatter at the intensity of the feelings.

Pacey slowly pushed his finger in, wiggling slightly, then pulled out, before thrusting again. He kept his mouth on Jack's cock, teasing the quivering rod, trying to keep Jack from experiencing any pain at his intrusion. However, luckily for Pacey, pain was the farthest thing from Jack's mind.

Pacey grinned around his body, glancing up at Jack. He had his head pressed into the headboard, his eyes closed tightly, his mouth open as small panting breaths escaped his glistening lips. He was as beautiful as Pacey dreamed- even more so, because he was *real*, he was *there*, and he was *his*.

Jack could feel eyes on him and he slowly opened his blue orbs, glancing down. His eyes widened when he realized Pacey was actually *there*, touching him so intimately, in a way he never imagined anyone actually *would*. Pacey smirked around his dick, locking eyes with him, the message clear on his face: 'Watch me please you, Jack.'

Jack massaged Pacey's scalp, causing the boy to lean into the touch, never losing contact or the intensity of the blowjob. He smirked again, curling his finger.

Jack came *off* the bed when Pacey touched the sensitive part of the inside of his body, biting his lip hard enough to bring tears to his eyes in order not to cry out so loud the entire house came rushing to his room to find out what was wrong. Pacey's other hand moved off Jack's thigh, to his balls, fondling them teasingly.

"Pacey," Jack murmured breathlessly, never breaking the gaze he held with the hazel eyes of his lover. "Pacey, the feeling. . .oh god, when you do that, when you curl your fing. . ." His eyes fluttered slightly as Pacey did it again, brushing the tip of his nail against Jack's prostrate. "Pace, gonna cum. . .oh my god, I'm going to cum. . ." He tugged on Pacey's hair, trying to pull the man back up off his cock before it exploded.

Pacey resisted, pushing down further, burying his nose in the springy hairs that framed the base of Jack's cock. He swallowed again, trying to urge on Jack's orgasm, wanting to milk it out of him. He curled his finger again, at the same moment he squeezed Jack's balls softly.

With a howl, Jack's hips slammed up, his head pressed into the headboard, his body *exploding*, his mind *shattering* into a million pieces before flying back together, forming in the shape, feel, and *experience* of Pacey Witter.

Pacey eagerly swallowed all his lover gave him, milking his cock until it softened and finally slipped between his lips. He moved up slightly, kissing his lover's abdomen, pulling his finger out of the tight channel it had previously been inside of. "Jack?" he said tentatively against the flushed sweaty skin, praying that the boy wasn't angry with him for taking advantage of the situation he walked in on.

Jack grabbed Pacey's forearms, pulling him up his body, crushing his lips to Pacey's. He felt as if he were *flying*, the emotions running high, his head dizzy with desire. His tongue plunged into Pacey's mouth, and he moaned when he tasted himself coating the inside of the warm, wet cavern he was claiming. The two kissed, Pacey straddling Jack.

The older boy pushed Pacey over, rolling with him so he was on top. He pulled away, smiling down at Pacey. "Hey, Pace."

Pacey offered a cocky grin. "Jackers. How are you feeling?"

"Better than I have in god knows *how* long," Jack murmured, leaning down to run his tongue along Pacey's neck. "You know what this means though. . ."

Pacey froze, closing his eyes. This was the point he wasn't looking forward to, where Jack chastised him. "I am *so* sorry, Jack, for doing that, for taking advantage. . .I just. . .I climbed in and you were there, hand around your cock. . .I couldn't help it. . .I *needed* to feel you against me, feel you, in case it was the only time I got to. . ."

Jack chuckled slightly, licking a long slow trail along Pacey's collarbone. "No, Pacey, that's *not* what I meant. I meant that now I belong to you."

Pacey pushed Jack away slightly, so he could look into the face of the man he loved. "Really?" he asked softly.

Jack smiled, nodding. "Really," he murmured. "I'm yours. . .I mean, how could I *not* be? You are too perfect for me *not* to want to be yours."

Pacey snickered, flipping them. He kissed Jack's lips quickly, then propped his chin on his hands, which were folded over Jack's chest. "I am perfect, aren't I?"

"Absolutely," Jack murmured honestly, knowing that it wouldn't be long before this man owned him, body, soul and mind. "Now," he said playfully, his hand snaking between their bodies and squeezing Pacey's still hard bulge. "I believe there's the matter of *this* to take care of. . ."

Pacey allowed Jack to roll them over, giving the older boy control. "Oh, god, Jack. . .I'm *so* going to fall in love with you."

Jack flashed Pacey a beautiful smile. "That's the plan, lover."

END