"Concentrate, Pacey." Merlin grumbled to the young man as rounded the table. Pacey stood over a gold bowl filled with water, he stared into, searching it's depths for any kind of discernible images. His eyes kept skirting over to Joey instead of remaining fixed on the water. Merlin scowled as he caught Pacey looking at Joey yet again. "Enough!"

Pacey and Joey both looked up at Merlin with wide eyes. Never before had they seen the aged wizard lose his temper. "This cannot go on!" He stared daggers first at Pacey and then at Joey. "You cannot learn this way. What is the problem?"

Joey swallowed and shifted back uncomfortably. "There is no problem."

"There most certainly is." Pacey contradicted. Refusing to look at her he addressed Merlin, "Shouldn't Her Highness be taking her lessons separately from a mere commoner? 'Tis not right that the Princess be forced to associate with someone so beneath her."

Joey's eyes clouded almost imperceptibly and she drew her lips together tightly, her back rigid. She forced herself to say nothing.

Merlin frowned beneath his beard, "Status means nothing here. You defer only to me, not each other."

"Tell that to her."

"If you must say something go on." Joey waved her hand dismissively. "You are interrupting my learning. I do have other responsibilities to attend to."

For a moment, Merlin contemplated turning them both into frogs. Taking a deep breath, he acknowledged that such a spell would solve nothing. And the King would not take kindly having a frog for a daughter. "This is not acceptable. Princess, your duties as the King's daughter are suspended except for the most important of tasks. There is much I have to do with you both and it cannot be done if you insist on ignoring one another."

She raised an eyebrow. "Pacey seems the one with the problem."

He shot her an indiscernible look but refused to say anymore.

"You both act like children half your age." Merlin grumbled, "I am not your nursemaid. I shall leave and return within half an hours time, you shall have resolved your differences by then. We have not time for your personal strife, the wind whispers of danger on the horizon."

Pacey's startled gaze flew to Merlin, the haunted tone of the elder's voice not going unnoticed. "What?"

"Later, Pacey. First, this problem must be resolved." He turned for the door. "Do not thinking of leaving, you will not be able to pass through the door." With that he was gone.

Joey frowned at the reminder of trouble. "Very well then."

Pacey turned away from her and walked to the small tower window looking out over Camelot. He crossed his arms over his chest, his shoulders rigid.

Joey nibbled on her lower lip lightly and rang her hands in her lap nervously. She could actually feel his anger radiating off him in waves. "Pacey, I owe you an apology. I should have never said those things."

"Are you sure someone of your status should be apologizing to me?" He asked bitterly.

She edged back slightly and bit her lip some more. "I did not mean what I said."

He turned on her, his eyes dark with hurt. "Then why would you say it?"

She quickly looked away. "I am sorry."

"Is it because of what happened in the storage chamber?" He asked, gesturing towards the door and downstairs.

She glanced down at her hands. "I'd rather not discuss it."

"You decide that I'm not worthy of your friendship and you do not wish to explain why?"

"I've never believed you are not worthy of my friendship," she said slowly.

"You are avoiding the issue."

"I was not feeling myself?"

"Is that a question or a statement?"

"Statement," she said a bit unsurely.

He took a step closer to her, "I don't believe you."

She averted her eyes. "It is true."

"We have know each other most of our lives. Do not lie to me." He frowned sadly, "After all this, don't lie to me."

"I am not lying."

"You wont look at me."

She smiled apprehensively. "Can we just move on?"

"Move on to what?"

"Forget I said anything."

He crossed his arms over his chest, "I cannot forget you tried to throw me out of your life."

She frowned. "Then I do not know what to say."

"Just tell me why." He neared her again. "Please."

Her face burned. "It is silly actually. Not worth mentioning at all."

He hesitantly touched her arm, "It cannot be silly if you never wished to speak to me again."

"I was..." She struggled with the words, her face unbearably hot. "I was...I was jealous," she said quickly. "See? Silly."

His eye brows drew together, "Jealous?"

"It is very silly."

His tongue flicked over his lips to moisten them, "You were jealous of...of Jen?" He asked hesitantly.

She lowered her head with embarrassment and nodded slowly. "Yes."

He thought that over for a moment and cupped her cheek, lifting her eyes to his. ""'Twas merely a peck on the lips. 'Tis you I've always wanted to kiss."

She swallowed, her eyes wide and she nervously wet her lips. "Oh."

He searched her eyes, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone tenderly. Finding nothing to deter him, he leaned forward. Joey's eyes slowly fluttered shut and she licked her lips preparing for the inevitable. She felt his warm breath on her cheek as he outlined her jaw with his coarse hand, tilting her face to his. She lifted her head, savoring the moment before she pressed her warm lips against his.

They didn't move for a long moment, letting emotion cascade over them. A sigh escaped Pacey's lips as he pulled away just enough to slant his lips over hers at a different angle, sending their hearts thundering in unison.

She let out a soft moan surprised by his aptness at their current endeavor and pressed her body closer to his. All reasonable doubts fleeing her mind and she was quite sure her legs had turned to jelly. One arm slid around her narrow waist, holding her close, the other tangled in her lush mahogany hair.

She clung onto him tightly, almost afraid to let go. Her heart seemed intent to break out of her chest. Breathing heavily, Pacey broke the kiss, the brushed his lips lightly over hers again unable to resist. He lifted heavy lids to watch Joey's flushed face, her eyes still closed, her lips parted and moist as she tried to regain control of her breathing.

It took an incredible amount of control for her to open her eyes once more. Her chest heaved and she shivered involuntarily. She slowly raised her hand and pressed it lightly against her lips.

Still in a daze, Pacey watched all this with fear waiting for the moment when she'd meet his eyes. When she was finally able to bring her gaze to his, her gray eyes were filled with conflicting emotions. Most of which, was confusion.

Pacey rolled his tongue over his lips, still able to taste her on them, "I--I suppose I should apologize."

"I, uh," she nodded uneasily and brushed her hair behind her ear. "What?"

"I, um, we," he swallowed, "probably..." He let out a rush of air and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Princess."

"Okay..." She bit her lip as she tried to organize her muddled thoughts. So he was sorry, she thought. He did not wish to kiss her at all. All the air left out of her at once and she immediately straightened. "It is not important, we'll just pretend it never happened."

"You will not tell your father? No commoner is allowed to touch you, let alone kiss you. He could have my head for this." He paused, her words catching up with him. "You wish to pretend it did not happen?"

"Of course I will not tell my father," she said as if that were the most absurd thing she ever heard.

"How am I to know? If you did not want my attention you could tell him and...you wish it didn't happen?" He asked again, his thoughts returning to his last question.

"Is that not what you want?" she asked curiously.

"No."

Her voice rose slightly. "No?"

"No, that's not what I want." He admitted quietly.

"Then what do you want?"

"What do you want?"

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. "I--I do not know."

"What I want has no matter unless you want the same thing," he swallowed back the temptation to kiss her moistened lips again.

"Perhaps," she began hesitantly, "I do want the same thing..."

"'Tis cruel to leave me wondering," he teased, offering her a weak smile.

She smiled faintly. "Well, I do not know what you want."

"I think I would like very much to kiss you again," he murmured.

She looked at him shyly. "I think I would like that."

He bit his lip to keep from grinning too widely. He stepped nearer to her again, and slowly moved to cup the back of her neck, drawing her closer to him. His eyes fluttered shut as he bent his head to kiss her. She sighed softly, her hand tentatively reaching out to curve against his cheek. She lightly swept her thumb over the slightly rough skin.

"I trust you have resolved your differences?" Merlin's deep voice interrupted the moment, a touch of amusement tingeing his words. They broke apart immediately, turning shocked eyes to the older man. "Do not look so scared. 'Tis no less than I expected from the two of you."

Joey's face flushed in embarrassment. "Can you, please, not tell my father?"

"Your secret shall be safe with me."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

Pacey moved up behind Joey, sliding his hand into hers. "I think we're all right now," He told Merlin. She nodded and looked to Merlin expectedly.

"I think perhaps, then, it's time I told you what I know." He sighed, suddenly sounding all his years. He leaned heavily on his cane and made his way to his chair by the hearth. Joey followed him with her eyes, worry written across her face and she waited for him to start.

"Come, sit." He settled into the chair, his brilliant midnight blue cloak falling in around him. "There is very little that goes on in this kingdom that I am not aware of. 'Tis more of a feeling, an awareness in the back of my consciousness." His voice was whisper soft as he explained. "It is a talent Pacey does not have," he smiled on Joey, "but you, my dear, will excel in it."

Joey moved to sit by him, her eyes full of interest. "Will I?"

He nodded, "You shall. And you must learn soon. I shall instruct you in that as soon as possible. It will be of great use to you both."

"Why?" Pacey asked, his confusion manifesting itself in frustration. "What is going on?"

Merlin hung his head, "I fear I do not know. That makes the danger so much greater." He picked up on Pacey's frustration and began his explanation, "I can only sense the danger as a dark cloud out on the western horizon. I feel it's aim is the destruction of Camelot. 'Tis not battle that can be fought by the Round Table, but with wit and magic. That much I know."

Joey frowned. "How bad will it be?"

His wizened eyes met hers steadily, "They also wish to incapacitate me." She grew pale and sat back in stunned silence.

In contrast, Pacey exploded. "They can't! I shant let them. You are stronger than any wizard in existence!"

Merlin remained serene, "No one is invincible, my son. They are already succeeding in striping energy from me. Without energy I cannot call upon the earth for magic." With perfect calm he continued, "I may die."

Pacey turned away, unable to deal with his emotions he grew angry. "You will not! Don't say such things."

Joey eyed him sadly. "Would we still be able to defeat this without you?"

"There is no more powerful magic on earth than that which stems from love. Love of home, of country, of family and the love that exists between two hearts--together, you and Pacey will find that which you need to fight with."

"We will have no need! You are not going anywhere!"

"Pacey," Joey said softly, reaching out for him. "Calm down."

"I shall not." He gave her a petulant look. "He is just going to give up and pass the burden on to us." He glared at Merlin. "You taught me everything I know about magic. And you taught me everything I know about life. And never to give up, regardless of the odds. I will not shoulder your burden so that you may die the weaklings death you wish to." He jerked his arm away from Joey and stormed from the room. The heavy wooden door fell closed with a thunk.

Joey shut her eyes for a moment and exhaled sharply. "I am sure he did not mean it."

"I am just as sure he did." Merlin let his eyes fall shut tiredly, "He is so different from Dominic. Dom would simply nod once and ask what he must do."

She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "It is only because he loves you as a father. He does care for you deeply."

"If I could stand and fight this, I would. I know one man alone is not enough. The Fates took their time discovering that before they sent you to Pacey."

The corner of her mouth turned up sympathetically. "I know you are doing all you can."

"There is much you both need to know, and I will do what I can to pass my knowledge to you." He sighed, "That is the extent of my part in this...beyond that, I can do no more."

She nodded. "I understand."

"Princess," he smiled softly at her, "You have a beautiful heart." He placed a wrinkled hand over hers. "Use it well."

"I will." She paused thoughtfully. "The one thing I regret most about my mother's death was that I was never quite old enough to express how I felt." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I care for you too, Merlin, know that. Pacey is not the only one that will feel a loss."

He smiled, his heart warmed at her words, "I am not in the grave yet, my child. There is still time yet that my life may not be taken."

"I'd still rather you know." She was quiet for a moment. "Does Dominic know?"

"No. He is preoccupied with other matters and this doesn't concern him." He fixed his eyes on her, "He cannot know you are educated in magic. No one can know. Only I, Pacey and your father can know the truth. The more who are aware the more danger exists for you."

She nodded in acquiescence. "Very well then. I will not say a word."

"Not even to Jen?"

There was a long sigh. "I fear it is too late for that. She has already found out about my magic unintentionally and I have sworn her to secrecy." She met Merlin's gaze unwaveringly. "Jen is like a sister to me and I trust her with my life. I know she will tell no one."

"What is done is done. I don't believe there is any substantial threat from Lady Lindley." He smiled weakly again, "Pacey was chosen at birth, Joey, it is his destiny to fight this battle. It is your choice to stand beside him."

"I will." She nodded solemnly and climbed to her feet. "I shall leave you now. You need your rest."

He nodded, "I agree and thank you. Hopefully Pacey will have come around by the morrow."

"I will talk to him."

He smiled his farewell, opting not to walk her to the chamber door, "Good eve, Princess."

She tipped her head slightly. "Take care."

"I shall." She smiled and closed the door quietly behind her.

"Concentrate, Pacey." Merlin grumbled to the young man as rounded the table. Pacey stood over a gold bowl filled with water, he stared into, searching it's depths for any kind of discernible images. His eyes kept skirting over to Joey instead of remaining fixed on the water. Merlin scowled as he caught Pacey looking at Joey yet again. "Enough!"

Pacey and Joey both looked up at Merlin with wide eyes. Never before had they seen the aged wizard lose his temper. "This cannot go on!" He stared daggers first at Pacey and then at Joey. "You cannot learn this way. What is the problem?"

Joey swallowed and shifted back uncomfortably. "There is no problem."

"There most certainly is." Pacey contradicted. Refusing to look at her he addressed Merlin, "Shouldn't Her Highness be taking her lessons separately from a mere commoner? 'Tis not right that the Princess be forced to associate with someone so beneath her."

Joey's eyes clouded almost imperceptibly and she drew her lips together tightly, her back rigid. She forced herself to say nothing.

Merlin frowned beneath his beard, "Status means nothing here. You defer only to me, not each other."

"Tell that to her."

"If you must say something go on." Joey waved her hand dismissively. "You are interrupting my learning. I do have other responsibilities to attend to."

For a moment, Merlin contemplated turning them both into frogs. Taking a deep breath, he acknowledged that such a spell would solve nothing. And the King would not take kindly having a frog for a daughter. "This is not acceptable. Princess, your duties as the King's daughter are suspended except for the most important of tasks. There is much I have to do with you both and it cannot be done if you insist on ignoring one another."

She raised an eyebrow. "Pacey seems the one with the problem."

He shot her an indiscernible look but refused to say anymore.

"You both act like children half your age." Merlin grumbled, "I am not your nursemaid. I shall leave and return within half an hours time, you shall have resolved your differences by then. We have not time for your personal strife, the wind whispers of danger on the horizon."

Pacey's startled gaze flew to Merlin, the haunted tone of the elder's voice not going unnoticed. "What?"

"Later, Pacey. First, this problem must be resolved." He turned for the door. "Do not thinking of leaving, you will not be able to pass through the door." With that he was gone.

Joey frowned at the reminder of trouble. "Very well then."

Pacey turned away from her and walked to the small tower window looking out over Camelot. He crossed his arms over his chest, his shoulders rigid.

Joey nibbled on her lower lip lightly and rang her hands in her lap nervously. She could actually feel his anger radiating off him in waves. "Pacey, I owe you an apology. I should have never said those things."

"Are you sure someone of your status should be apologizing to me?" He asked bitterly.

She edged back slightly and bit her lip some more. "I did not mean what I said."

He turned on her, his eyes dark with hurt. "Then why would you say it?"

She quickly looked away. "I am sorry."

"Is it because of what happened in the storage chamber?" He asked, gesturing towards the door and downstairs.

She glanced down at her hands. "I'd rather not discuss it."

"You decide that I'm not worthy of your friendship and you do not wish to explain why?"

"I've never believed you are not worthy of my friendship," she said slowly.

"You are avoiding the issue."

"I was not feeling myself?"

"Is that a question or a statement?"

"Statement," she said a bit unsurely.

He took a step closer to her, "I don't believe you."

She averted her eyes. "It is true."

"We have know each other most of our lives. Do not lie to me." He frowned sadly, "After all this, don't lie to me."

"I am not lying."

"You wont look at me."

She smiled apprehensively. "Can we just move on?"

"Move on to what?"

"Forget I said anything."

He crossed his arms over his chest, "I cannot forget you tried to throw me out of your life."

She frowned. "Then I do not know what to say."

"Just tell me why." He neared her again. "Please."

Her face burned. "It is silly actually. Not worth mentioning at all."

He hesitantly touched her arm, "It cannot be silly if you never wished to speak to me again."

"I was..." She struggled with the words, her face unbearably hot. "I was...I was jealous," she said quickly. "See? Silly."

His eye brows drew together, "Jealous?"

"It is very silly."

His tongue flicked over his lips to moisten them, "You were jealous of...of Jen?" He asked hesitantly.

She lowered her head with embarrassment and nodded slowly. "Yes."

He thought that over for a moment and cupped her cheek, lifting her eyes to his. ""'Twas merely a peck on the lips. 'Tis you I've always wanted to kiss."

She swallowed, her eyes wide and she nervously wet her lips. "Oh."

He searched her eyes, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone tenderly. Finding nothing to deter him, he leaned forward. Joey's eyes slowly fluttered shut and she licked her lips preparing for the inevitable. She felt his warm breath on her cheek as he outlined her jaw with his coarse hand, tilting her face to his. She lifted her head, savoring the moment before she pressed her warm lips against his.

They didn't move for a long moment, letting emotion cascade over them. A sigh escaped Pacey's lips as he pulled away just enough to slant his lips over hers at a different angle, sending their hearts thundering in unison.

She let out a soft moan surprised by his aptness at their current endeavor and pressed her body closer to his. All reasonable doubts fleeing her mind and she was quite sure her legs had turned to jelly. One arm slid around her narrow waist, holding her close, the other tangled in her lush mahogany hair.

She clung onto him tightly, almost afraid to let go. Her heart seemed intent to break out of her chest. Breathing heavily, Pacey broke the kiss, the brushed his lips lightly over hers again unable to resist. He lifted heavy lids to watch Joey's flushed face, her eyes still closed, her lips parted and moist as she tried to regain control of her breathing.

It took an incredible amount of control for her to open her eyes once more. Her chest heaved and she shivered involuntarily. She slowly raised her hand and pressed it lightly against her lips.

Still in a daze, Pacey watched all this with fear waiting for the moment when she'd meet his eyes. When she was finally able to bring her gaze to his, her gray eyes were filled with conflicting emotions. Most of which, was confusion.

Pacey rolled his tongue over his lips, still able to taste her on them, "I--I suppose I should apologize."

"I, uh," she nodded uneasily and brushed her hair behind her ear. "What?"

"I, um, we," he swallowed, "probably..." He let out a rush of air and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Princess."

"Okay..." She bit her lip as she tried to organize her muddled thoughts. So he was sorry, she thought. He did not wish to kiss her at all. All the air left out of her at once and she immediately straightened. "It is not important, we'll just pretend it never happened."

"You will not tell your father? No commoner is allowed to touch you, let alone kiss you. He could have my head for this." He paused, her words catching up with him. "You wish to pretend it did not happen?"

"Of course I will not tell my father," she said as if that were the most absurd thing she ever heard.

"How am I to know? If you did not want my attention you could tell him and...you wish it didn't happen?" He asked again, his thoughts returning to his last question.

"Is that not what you want?" she asked curiously.

"No."

Her voice rose slightly. "No?"

"No, that's not what I want." He admitted quietly.

"Then what do you want?"

"What do you want?"

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. "I--I do not know."

"What I want has no matter unless you want the same thing," he swallowed back the temptation to kiss her moistened lips again.

"Perhaps," she began hesitantly, "I do want the same thing..."

"'Tis cruel to leave me wondering," he teased, offering her a weak smile.

She smiled faintly. "Well, I do not know what you want."

"I think I would like very much to kiss you again," he murmured.

She looked at him shyly. "I think I would like that."

He bit his lip to keep from grinning too widely. He stepped nearer to her again, and slowly moved to cup the back of her neck, drawing her closer to him. His eyes fluttered shut as he bent his head to kiss her. She sighed softly, her hand tentatively reaching out to curve against his cheek. She lightly swept her thumb over the slightly rough skin.

"I trust you have resolved your differences?" Merlin's deep voice interrupted the moment, a touch of amusement tingeing his words. They broke apart immediately, turning shocked eyes to the older man. "Do not look so scared. 'Tis no less than I expected from the two of you."

Joey's face flushed in embarrassment. "Can you, please, not tell my father?"

"Your secret shall be safe with me."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

Pacey moved up behind Joey, sliding his hand into hers. "I think we're all right now," He told Merlin. She nodded and looked to Merlin expectedly.

"I think perhaps, then, it's time I told you what I know." He sighed, suddenly sounding all his years. He leaned heavily on his cane and made his way to his chair by the hearth. Joey followed him with her eyes, worry written across her face and she waited for him to start.

"Come, sit." He settled into the chair, his brilliant midnight blue cloak falling in around him. "There is very little that goes on in this kingdom that I am not aware of. 'Tis more of a feeling, an awareness in the back of my consciousness." His voice was whisper soft as he explained. "It is a talent Pacey does not have," he smiled on Joey, "but you, my dear, will excel in it."

Joey moved to sit by him, her eyes full of interest. "Will I?"

He nodded, "You shall. And you must learn soon. I shall instruct you in that as soon as possible. It will be of great use to you both."

"Why?" Pacey asked, his confusion manifesting itself in frustration. "What is going on?"

Merlin hung his head, "I fear I do not know. That makes the danger so much greater." He picked up on Pacey's frustration and began his explanation, "I can only sense the danger as a dark cloud out on the western horizon. I feel it's aim is the destruction of Camelot. 'Tis not battle that can be fought by the Round Table, but with wit and magic. That much I know."

Joey frowned. "How bad will it be?"

His wizened eyes met hers steadily, "They also wish to incapacitate me." She grew pale and sat back in stunned silence.

In contrast, Pacey exploded. "They can't! I shant let them. You are stronger than any wizard in existence!"

Merlin remained serene, "No one is invincible, my son. They are already succeeding in striping energy from me. Without energy I cannot call upon the earth for magic." With perfect calm he continued, "I may die."

Pacey turned away, unable to deal with his emotions he grew angry. "You will not! Don't say such things."

Joey eyed him sadly. "Would we still be able to defeat this without you?"

"There is no more powerful magic on earth than that which stems from love. Love of home, of country, of family and the love that exists between two hearts--together, you and Pacey will find that which you need to fight with."

"We will have no need! You are not going anywhere!"

"Pacey," Joey said softly, reaching out for him. "Calm down."

"I shall not." He gave her a petulant look. "He is just going to give up and pass the burden on to us." He glared at Merlin. "You taught me everything I know about magic. And you taught me everything I know about life. And never to give up, regardless of the odds. I will not shoulder your burden so that you may die the weaklings death you wish to." He jerked his arm away from Joey and stormed from the room. The heavy wooden door fell closed with a thunk.

Joey shut her eyes for a moment and exhaled sharply. "I am sure he did not mean it."

"I am just as sure he did." Merlin let his eyes fall shut tiredly, "He is so different from Dominic. Dom would simply nod once and ask what he must do."

She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "It is only because he loves you as a father. He does care for you deeply."

"If I could stand and fight this, I would. I know one man alone is not enough. The Fates took their time discovering that before they sent you to Pacey."

The corner of her mouth turned up sympathetically. "I know you are doing all you can."

"There is much you both need to know, and I will do what I can to pass my knowledge to you." He sighed, "That is the extent of my part in this...beyond that, I can do no more."

She nodded. "I understand."

"Princess," he smiled softly at her, "You have a beautiful heart." He placed a wrinkled hand over hers. "Use it well."

"I will." She paused thoughtfully. "The one thing I regret most about my mother's death was that I was never quite old enough to express how I felt." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I care for you too, Merlin, know that. Pacey is not the only one that will feel a loss."

He smiled, his heart warmed at her words, "I am not in the grave yet, my child. There is still time yet that my life may not be taken."

"I'd still rather you know." She was quiet for a moment. "Does Dominic know?"

"No. He is preoccupied with other matters and this doesn't concern him." He fixed his eyes on her, "He cannot know you are educated in magic. No one can know. Only I, Pacey and your father can know the truth. The more who are aware the more danger exists for you."

She nodded in acquiescence. "Very well then. I will not say a word."

"Not even to Jen?"

There was a long sigh. "I fear it is too late for that. She has already found out about my magic unintentionally and I have sworn her to secrecy." She met Merlin's gaze unwaveringly. "Jen is like a sister to me and I trust her with my life. I know she will tell no one."

"What is done is done. I don't believe there is any substantial threat from Lady Lindley." He smiled weakly again, "Pacey was chosen at birth, Joey, it is his destiny to fight this battle. It is your choice to stand beside him."

"I will." She nodded solemnly and climbed to her feet. "I shall leave you now. You need your rest."

He nodded, "I agree and thank you. Hopefully Pacey will have come around by the morrow."

"I will talk to him."

He smiled his farewell, opting not to walk her to the chamber door, "Good eve, Princess."

She tipped her head slightly. "Take care."

"I shall." She smiled and closed the door quietly behind her.