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"Hey, Jo." Bessie walked into the living room two days later, "Why don't you give Dawson a call." She handed the phone to her, "See what he's doing this weekend for New Years." "He's probably going to stay home with his family." "So you don't want to call over there?" She arched a doubtful eyebrow. "I didn't say that." Bessie smiled faintly and left her alone to make her call. Joey dialed the familiar number and waited for someone to pick up the other end. "Hello?" "Dawson?" "Joey, hey!" He smiled into the phone and sat back on the couch. "Hey," she smiled faintly. "How's it going?" "Great and how are you?" "I'm okay, it's kinda crowded over here, but eh, it's livable. Just different from the days when it was just me, mom and dad." She smiled into the phone. "So what are your plans for New Years?" "We were going to see what you, Audrey and Pacey were up to." "Oh." "So does that mean you guys don't have any plans?" "Pretty much." "We should all just get together over here then. Watch the ball drop or something. Split a bottle of champagne. I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind." "Sounds like a good idea." "Okay, so we'll count you guys in." "We'll be there." "So then, how's your vacation been? It's been a few days since we talked." "Um, pretty uneventful. Yours?" "The same, but it's been relaxing. For the most part. With a baby in the house, you never can get too relaxed." Joey grinned wryly. "Don't I know it." "So you guys been busy over there?" "It's been okay." "Hmm, hope it doesn't slow down too much after the holidays." "I think Bessie can use a small reprieve." "Yeah, Mom said she'd been stressing out a little in preparation for the holidays." Joey smiled. "So you get a girlfriend and you don't come to visit me anymore, huh?" "I was over there three days ago," He reprimanded her. "Geez, that long," she teased. "Hey, I don't see anyone making any visitations over here. Especially considering three of your friends and a Goddaughter are in residence." "It's just so far," she lamented with a sigh. "Yeah, all the way down the creek. Such a distance." "Terrible, really." "You've gotten lazy in your old age, Jo." "Absolutely." She grinned. "College has done bad things to you." "I know." "Do you wanna talk to Jen or Jack for a minute?" "Um, that's okay. Just tell them I said hi." "Will do." He promised. "Okay. Thanks." "No problem." She was quiet for a beat, and then: "Have you seen Pacey? He's kind of moved out." "Kind of?" Dawson sounded confused, "He stopped by here the day before yesterday, because you guys had some unexpected guests. I offered him the floor since Jack was on the couch, but he decided to pass." "Oh well, then." "How come you don't know where he is? That was two days ago." "He hasn't called." Dawson frowned, "Odd of him. He called this morning to say that he's staying with his parents. And why didn't you just call his cell?" "Right. Parents. I lost the number." "Do you want it?" "No, that's okay." "Okay, Joey, I'm only gonna ask this once. And if you lie to me, I'm sure it's for a good reason. Why did Pacey move out?" "Long, boring story." "Okay," Dawson nodded his head. "If you need an ear willing to listen to a long, boring story, you know who to call." "Always." "All right then," he sighed. "Thanks, Dawson." "There's no need for that. I'll talk to you soon?" "Sure." "Bye, Jo." "Bye, Dawson." He hung up with a thoughtful frown on his face. ~*~ Pacey noticed her through his old bedroom window as she approached the house. He frowned as he watched her come to the walkway and pause. She started walking back the way she came, and the abruptly turned back to the house. She only got a few feet before turning away. Whirling around, she came back to the house with a determined look on her face. Then, again, she turned away just before reaching the walkway. Pacey watched this for a few more minutes before standing up and heading down stairs. He opened the front door and leaned against the jamb, his arms folded across his chest. He watched her pace for a few more seconds. "Can't decide if you're coming or going?" She glanced up startled. "I was just, um, out for a walk." "You might get further if you chose a direction and kept going." She brushed her hair behind her ear as she chewed on her lip thoughtfully. "That's a really good point." "Glad I could help," his lips curled into a humorless smile. "I'll see you around, Potter." He stepped back inside and moved to close the door. "Why are you being purposely difficult?" "Oh, I donno. It's just so much fun driving you up the wall." "For you, maybe." He shook his head, his eyes pale. "What, you don't like fighting? Could have fooled me." "So Audrey hates me now,” she said after a long pause. He sighed and closed the door, stepping out onto the porch. He sat down on the top step, "Audrey hates you?" She nodded. "For some crazy reason, she thinks I'm the reason you left." "Crazy, that." "No one ever said she was sane." "Of the two of you, she's not the one who belongs in an asylum." "Thanks," she muttered. "Sorry," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. She glanced toward the house and grimaced. "So you're that mad at me, huh?" "Mad? No." "No?" she repeated dubiously. "Not mad exactly. I just figured if I'm going to be somewhere I'm not wanted, it might as well be with blood relatives." "I didn't ask you to leave." "You didn't have to." "So it's not my fault." "Sure." He might as well let her think what she wanted to think. "Okay." "We done then?" He asked, standing up and brushing the seat of his pants. Her eyes clouded slightly and she tugged on her gloves. "Looks like it." "Okay. Bye." "Bye," she said softly. He turned away, stubbornly ignoring the ache in his chest and headed for the door. "Everyone's spending New Year's at Dawson's, if you want to come." He paused at the door. "I might make an appearance." She bit the inside of her cheek. "That might be nice." He smiled, "Miss me, huh?" "Of course." He blinked, "Not the answer I was expecting." "Okay then, I don't miss you at all. Hardly notice that you're gone." He smirked, "That I'll believe." "I know." He licked his lips, "You know...if, um, Bessie needs me to come back and...fix the heater, or something, all she has to do is ask. I know how tricky that thing can be." She smiled faintly. "Yeah..." He nodded his head, "Okay then. I guess I'll see you on New Years." "More than likely." He eyed her curiously for a moment, "Is there something else?" She shook her head. "Um, no." "Okay," he looked away. "Nice talking to you." "Yeah," he nodded. He squeezed his eyes shut, "Wait. This is ridiculous, Potter." He opened his intensely blue eyes and fixed them on her. "We're acting like we're barely acquaintances." "It's not my fault." "It's not mine either,” he repeated stubbornly. "Okay..." She pulled at the ends of her hair. "Maybe I am partially to blame because I suffered from this extremely embarrassing girly and irrational moment--which I am so over by the way." "Would this be the embarrassing, irrational, girly moment in which you were jealous beyond all reason?" She tilted her head thoughtfully. "That might have been it. I'm not sure." "There's no reason for you to be jealous, Jo." "I know and I shouldn't be jealous, which I'm not." "I love Audrey and all, but not like…I don't have feelings for her," He finished firmly. "You don't owe me any explanations." "You're right. I don't. But you look like you need them." "I don't." "What part of that kiss bothered you, Joey? The fact that it was her, or that it wasn't you?" He shook his head feeling like he'd lost his mind, "Never mind. I know the answer to that." "Both." A muscle jumped in his jaw, "Then why did you push me away?" "It wasn't right." "Okay," He let out a long sigh. "Okay. Yeah. You're right. It wasn't the time or place or under the right circumstances." She smiled. "Audrey still snores." "Yes, but now you have an extra room to escape to." "Yeah, it's just...lonely." He smiled sadly, "Know the feeling." "I should go. Bessie's probably wondering where I am." She gestured in the general direction behind her. He nodded, "Yeah. My parents will be back soon anyway..." "Okay." "Right." "Bye." "Bye, Potter." She turned to go. "All right, bye." "Hey, Jo," he called as she started to walk away. "I miss you too." 
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