"Gabby," Joey said warningly tugging at the other end of the sock that was clutched in Gabby's jaw. "Let it go. I don't have time for this." She growled and tugged harder on the sock, deciding now was the perfect time for a game of tug of war.

"Gabby!" Joey scolded pulling at the sock. "Let it go before you make me burn breakfast." Gabby playfully shook her head as she pulled at the sock. Joey frowned before quickly releasing the sock and running to the kitchen. She slid to a stop and turned off the stove frowning down into the pot. "I guess omelets are out of the question this morning." She placed the pot into the sink. "Cereal it is."

Pacey entered the kitchen just as she was pouring milk into a bowl. "Haven't you moved out yet?" He scowled, and then bent to pet Gabby on the head.

"Good morning to you too," she said cheerfully as she grabbed her bowl and moved to the kitchen table.

It had been two weeks since their blow out in Jen and Dawson's bathroom and she'd made no move to leave the apartment. Rather than ask what she had planned to do, he simply did his best to ignore her. Moving to the coffee machine, he poured himself a mug, taking it black and bitter.

"So I was thinking of throwing Jen a baby shower here," she took a bite of cereal. "I want to surprise her."

"Fine by me." He said shortly, "Just tell me when."

"I was thinking this Saturday."

"Is that enough time to plan one?"

"Oh, I started planning it last week."

He tilted his head in her direction, "How considerate of you."

"Will you be here?"

"Isn't that traditionally a woman's thing?" He took a sip of his coffee.

"Your point?"

He sighed, "Yeah, I'll be there."

"You don't have to come if you don't want to."

"It's a party for the newest Leery, of course I'll be there."

"Good," She forced a smile, "It’ll mean a lot to Jen that you’re there."

"Why is Gabby’s leash out?" He asked, noticing it on the table, and not making an effort to return her smile.

"She’s got an appointment with the vet to get her shots. They we’re going to the pet store to buy her some toys. Aren’t we, girl?" She murmured down to the dog laying at her feet.

"Yeah, Jo. Buy her love. I'm sure that will work," He said sarcastically, putting his cup in the sink.

"It's just to make her feel better. Like when you were a kid and went to the doctor and he gave you a lollipop."

"Doug always took my lollipop."

"But it's the same idea," she offered rinsing out her bowl.

"She's your dog. Do whatever you want with her." He took an apple from the bowl on the center of the table and left the kitchen.

Joey sighed. This was going to be more difficult than she thought. She turned to Gabby. "Come on girl, we should get going. Don't want to be late."

She wagged her tail and yipped happily, blissfully unaware of their destination.

Joey stepped through the kitchen doors and shut them behind her, leaning against the smooth wood tiredly. She'd been battling nausea for the better part of the day and she hadn't brought herself to sit down and eat. Instead, she kept busy; making numerous trips to the kitchen during the party to check on food and make sure the table was filled with refreshments.

She grabbed a potato chip from the bowl on the counter and ate it, before grabbing the bowl and another packet of napkins to bring back out into the party. She pasted a smile on her face as she walked back out into the living room, placing the bowl and napkins on the table and then moving to straighten the pile of gifts that threatened to tumble off the table in the corner and onto the floor.

"Hey, Jo," Jen caught sight of her from the corner of her eye, "Come here," she patted the seat beside her. "Sit down and relax."

"Actually," Joey motioned back to the kitchen. "I should go take the ice cream out or it will never be defrosted in time."

"Joey. Sit." The blonde demanded.

Joey glanced around. "And I think we need some more soda."

"Dawson can get it," Jen pointed at the seat beside her. "Relax for a few minutes." Joey was saved from complying by the ring of the doorbell.

Joey smiled brightly, glad to have an excuse to get away. "I'll get the door." She moved to answer it, her sandals clicking lightly against the polished wood floor.

She opened it to find a pretty blonde, dressed in a pale pink sundress, the hem ending several inches above the knee, and cut of the collar displaying her ample cleavage. She held a package wrapped in pastel paper and smiled at Joey, “Hello.”

She smiled faintly, slightly confused because all the guests she was expecting were already there. "Come in."

“Laura,” Pacey grinned, coming up behind Joey, “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.” He brushed past Joey and kissed the strange woman on the cheek, drawing her into the room.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” She gave him a reprimanding look and gestured to Joey.

He rolled his eyes, "Joey, this is Laura Metcalf, Laura, I'd like you to meet Joey, my roommate. We grew up together. Along with Dawson."

"It's nice to meet you." Joey nodded stiffly. "I have to go check on some things in the kitchen. Everyone's in the living room." With that, she turned on her heel and left them alone.

He stared after her for a second and then smiled at Laura, closing the door behind him. Taking her hand, he led her to the party. She blushed faintly and handed Joey a package, “I’m sorry I’m late, but traffic was a disaster on main.”

Jen smiled amiably and cast a curious look at Laura. "It's okay."

"Sorry," She smiled warmly at the petite blonde who was obviously the woman the party was for. "He's got horrible manners," she stepped forward holding out her hand. "I'm Laura Metcalf. Pacey and I used to work together, and we ran into each other a few days ago at the grocery store..." she smiled over her shoulder at Pacey. "And as they say, the rest is history."

"Jen Lindley." Jen shot Pacey a pointed look as she shook Laura's hand, before smiling at her. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too. How far along are you?" She asked conversationally as she took a seat with the other women attending.

Jen placed a hand on her belly as she sat back down. "Six months."

"Your first?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

Pacey added her gift to the pile on one end of the coffee table. "I'm going to leave you ladies to your women talk. Where's Dawson hiding out?"

Jen shrugged. "I'm not sure. Check the kitchen. He's supposed to be getting the ice cream."

Pacey smiled to the group of twelve or so women, most of which worked with Jen and made his escape to the kitchen. He pushed open the swinging door, "Look, D--"

Joey turned away from the sink in surprise, not having expected face him, but she kept her composure. "Did you want something?"

"Looking for Dawson," he pointed over his shoulder with his thumb, "Just a tad too much estrogen in there for my liking."

She turned back to the sink, effectively placing her back to him, and turned off the water, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. "Dawson went to the store. There was a last minute ice cream crisis."

"An ice cream crisis, really?" He shrugged a shoulder, "I guess I'll go back out there then."

"Okay."

He turned and left, he found Laura and another woman in deep conversation over the other woman's husband. With a wry smile, he settled onto the floor by Laura's feet. Not pausing with her conversation, she threaded her fingers through the short strands of his hair, messing it as she continued her conversation.

Joey's hands tightened on the bowl of pretzels she was carrying and she set it on the table next of the chips. She placed a hand on Jen's shoulder. "I'm going to check on Gabby. She's been alone for a while."

Jen tossed her friend a sympathetic look and nodded. "You can let her out if you want." Joey just nodded and headed to her room.

Gabby jumped on Joey as soon as the brunette came through the door and Joey smiled leaning down to ruffle the dog's fur. "Hey girl. You miss me?" She lifted Gabby into her arms and walked over to sit on the bed. "I'll take you out for a walk as soon as everyone leaves and give you a nice big treat for being such a good girl," Joey cooed as Gabby settled in her arms, leaning up to lick Joey's chin.

Pacey leaned against the doorway ten minutes later, his arms folded across his chest. "Hey harlot," he said finally gaining Gabby's attention.

Gabby squirmed and let out a bark, leaping out of Joey's arms. Joey frowned. "What are you doing in here?"

"I was sent to get you, Jen's about to open her presents."

She nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Just tell her I'll be right there."

"Yeah, sure." He placed a quick kiss on the top of Gabby's head and straightened.

"Did Dawson come back with the ice cream yet?"

"Not yet."

"Guess we'll have to wait on the cake then." She walked over to the dresser and picked up her brush, running it through her hair. "Laura seems nice."

"She is," he nodded, studying Joey's movements carefully.

"She's very pretty," Joey commented lightly, pulling her brush through a tangle.

"Hmm hmm," he agreed. "We used to work together until she got a better job offer from Gladstone's."

"That's nice."

"Are you all right? You seem a little pale."

"Thank you." She smiled tightly and set the brush down. "I'm fine. Just a little tired."

He shook his head tiredly, "I'm gonna go. I'll see you out there."

She nodded. "Close the door behind you. I don't want Gabby getting out."

"Okay," he followed her instructions and closed the door quietly behind him. Joey exhaled sharply once the door was shut and leaned back against the dresser.

"Well, I'd say you made out like a bandit, blondie." Pacey teased, looking over the assortment of baby things and maternity clothes at the end of the party. Only he and Laura were left, insisting on helping with the clean up.

Jen smiled, patting her stomach. "The baby did."

"That kid is going to be spoiled rotten." He smiled fondly.

"Just enough."

“Have you guys decided on names yet?"

Jen sighed. "Nothing we could agree on."

"You've got three months yet, I'm sure something will come to you." He started putting the presents into separate boxes.

"Yeah, I doubt our child will go through life nameless."

"Cute, Lindley." She laughed. "Where did Laura disappear to?" He asked, glancing around the room.

Jen shrugged. "Probably the kitchen or bathroom."

"Okay, Jen. What are you thinking?"

"I'm not thinking anything."

"So you have no thoughts on the fact that four days ago I was fucking Joey in your bathroom and today brought a date to your baby shower?"

She shrugged. "It's your life Pacey."

"Yeah, and I've managed to ruin it several times in the past, so you know, I'm open to suggestion."

"You're on your own with this one, Pacey."

"Yeah, I figured as much," he sighed.

Joey walked in through the front door, letting Gabby out of her leash after she'd taken the dog out as promised. "Hey, Joey." Laura smiled as Gabby bounded toward the other woman. She let out a giggle as she bent down to pet the puppy. "She's so cute."

Joey smiled, removing her jacket. "Thanks."

"I wish mine were this well behaved," she smiled at the puppy. "You're a good girl, aren't you?"

"Her name's Gabby."

She tilted her head, "She looks like a Gabby. It took me days to come up with names for my two dogs. For a while there, they were just number one and number two."

Joey smiled in amusement. "Cute."

"How long have you had her?"

"A few months."

Laura straightened and regarded the other woman with solumn eyes. "I know."

Joey paused for a moment. "Excuse me?"

"That there's something between you and Pacey. I may not know the details, but I'd have to be extremely blind not to notice the tension." She smiled faintly, "I don't know what exactly went down between you, but I want you to know that I'm not going away. I hope we can be friends."

Joey shrugged, turning to hang her jacket on the rack by the door. "You're dating Pacey. I doubt you'll be around long."

"I've known him a long time, I know how he is with women. I think I can handle it."

"Good luck then."

Laura smiled faintly, "I'll be seeing you around."

Joey smiled tightly. "We'll see."

"There you are," Pacey smiled at Laura. "We're just about ready to go."

She moved closer to him, slipping her arm around his waist. "I'm ready whenever you are, sweetie." Joey turned and walked to the kitchen.

Jen came out of the kitchen and shot a confused look at Joey as she passed her. "You guys should take some cake with you, because if I take it with me I'll just eat it all and be as big as a house."

"I'll keep some," Pacey smiled at her. "When do I ever turn down sugar?"

Jen smiled. "Good."

"I think I'll pass." Laura said with a smile, "I've got to watch every bite I eat, or I balloon up like nobody's business."

Pacey shot a speculative look at her lithe figure. "I have a hard time believing that."

"You think I look this good without counting calories?" She teased and shot Jen a knowing look. "Men….but, maybe I’ll take one piece. A small piece."

Jen smiled. "I know. Just go into the kitchen and grab some. Dawson left some slices wrapped up on the counter."

"Okay," he disengaged himself from Laura, "I'll be right back. Why don't you get our coats?" Laura nodded, pleased that he was planning on coming home with her that night.

Jen smiled at Laura. "I'll help you."

With a shake of his head, he headed back into the kitchen. "Where did Jen hide the extra pieces of cake?" He asked Joey.

Joey shrugged as she wiped down the counter. "Check the refrigerator."

"Thanks," he found several pieces on the second shelf and grabbed one of the plates. "I'll see you tomorrow, Potter."

She set the rag down and arched an eyebrow. "Laura wants to be my friend."

"Oh," he paused, turning back to her. "That's nice, I guess."

"She wants to be my friend," Joey said, coming around the table, and tilting her head thoughtfully as if she wanted to get the words right. "Because she's not going to go away, anytime soon I'm guessing."

"I hope that's the case." He said, watching her curiously.

"Brave girl."

His lips curved wryly. "Indeed she is."

"And very stupid."

"Maybe, maybe not." His shifted his stance, "Do you have a point to this?"

"She seems to be under the crazy notion that there's something between us." She smiled with thinly veiled amusement. "You should rectify that for her."

"I'll be sure to. Now if you'll excuse me, Laura and I would like to go home."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're kind of tense."

"I'm not tense."

"You look like it."

"You're seeing things, Jo. I couldn't be more relaxed."

"Good." She smiled and took a step forward gazing up at him. "That makes this much easier."

"What are you talking about?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

"Is it her?" She pressed her lips together, her eyes dark.

"What?" He blinked in confusion.

"Is it her?" she repeated, her eyes narrowing. She slid her hands over the front of his pants, wrapping a hand around him and bringing her lips to his ear. "Are you thinking about her now?"

"You don't want to know what I'm thinking right now, Joey." He said darkly.

She smiled silkily, her lips brushing against the side of his neck. "Nothing good, I'm sure."

"You're pathetic, Joey." He shook his head in disgust and turned away from her. "I'll see you around," he pushed through the swinging door to meet Laura and Jen at the front door.