Muffled words could be heard just outside the door of the kitchen, leading from the living room. "Oh my God!"

"Shhh!"

"Did you hear that?!"

"Quiet! They'll hear us."

"He said it, he actually said it."

"Would you move?"

"What's happening?"       

The door actually fell from it's hinges as all four leaned against it at once. They came tumbling to the floor and landed in a heap. "Um...Happy New Year?" Audrey smiled up at her two startled friends.

"Do you guys mind?" Pacey shot them a disgruntled look, his face flushed.

Joey smiled and moved away from Pacey, her face a bright red. She offered Audrey her hand, "Come on."

Pacey sighed as Joey and Audrey walked away, quickly trailed by Jen. "Great timing guys," he frowned at Jack and Dawson.

"It was an accident. Jack tripped," Dawson said.                               
He sighed, "So....what do you think?"

"About?" Jack asked innocently.

"Bush's new foreign policy. What do you think?"

"I'd have to think about that some more before I can form a proper opinion."

He raised an eyebrow at his two friends. "Whether you give me your approval or not, I'm going to pursue this. But..."

Jack smiled. "For what it's worth I'm pretty sure you have our approval." Dawson nodded in agreement.

A hint of a smile crossed Pacey's lips. "You think it'll work this time?"

"Don't see why not."

They were quite for a few beats. "Okay," Pacey narrowed his eyes at them, "Exactly how much did you guys overhear?"

Jack scratched the back of his head and glanced at Dawson and then the door. "Nothing really."

Pacey turned the full extent of his stare on his blond friend, knowing he'd crack. "I'll be right there, Jen," Dawson called over his shoulder quickly. He motioned to the door. "Jen's calling me. I better see what she wants."

Pacey laughed as his friend high-tailed it out of there. "The man is completely without a spine."

"Eh, who can blame him?"

"I guess that answered my question."

Jack grinned. "Blame Audrey."

"Yeah, I'm just so sure she dragged all three of you to the door on pain of death."

"Yep."

"I'm beginning to doubt the existence of your spine as well, Jackers." He sighed, and tossed a longing look out the door Joey had disappeared through.

Jack chuckled. "You can always go get her."

"Better not to rush things, I think."

"Your choice."

"You think she wants me to go after her?"

"A chance to escape the prying questions from Audrey and Jen. I definitely think she wouldn't mind."

"You're probably right."

"I usually am."

He took a deep breath, "All right. Here goes." He didn't have a clue where the sudden case of nerves came from, yet there they were. He headed for the living room.

"I'm not liking this no talk policy she has going on," Audrey complained to Jen.

"It's not as if you didn't hear most of it through the door, Liddel." Pacey said wryly coming up behind them.

She waved him off. "I need confirmation."

"Confirmation?" His eyes widened. "Of what?"

"Joey just needs to verify some facts."

"No," he took Joey's hand and pulled her to her feet. "She really doesn't."

Joey smiled. "Sorry girls."

"When did you get all intuitive," Jen accused him.

"Jack clued me in," he smirked. "Jo, you want a ride home?"

"I'd love one."

He smiled into her eyes, and walked her to the door, helping her on with her coat. "Great shindig, D."

Joey nodded. "I'll meet you back at the B&B Audrey."

"They're leaving me here?" Audrey hissed at Jen.

"Goodnight, guys." Pacey smiled back at them as he slid on his own coat.

"Night," Joey added as an afterthought.

Pacey smiled at her as they closed the door, "How'd you survive the inquisition?"

She grinned. "You arrived just in time."

"Thank Jackers. I was more inclined to hide in the kitchen for a few more hours."

"Oh, well I'm just glad to be free for a few hours. I know Audrey will probably corner me later."

He gave her a half-smile, "Think you can handle it?"

"I'm pretty sure I can."

He held the car door open for her, then moved around to his own side. "So..." he turned the ignition on, and cranked up the heat, allowing the car to warm before he pulled out.

She shivered slightly against the cold and smiled. "So why the rush to leave?"

"Purely selfish reasons," he grinned over at her, "I wanted to get you alone."

"So soon?"

He chuckled, "Not for what you're thinking. And it might have also had something to do with not wanting to spend the rest of the evening with four pairs of eyes darting from you to me and back again."

"Maybe only two. Dawson and Jen would pause to make-out."

"Probably," he agreed. "But knowing Audrey, she'd more than make up for them."

Joey smiled. "Yeah, she probably would."

"Potter, I have a question for you," he slowed to a stop at a red light.

She looked at him curiously. "What?"

"I know we pretty much just returned to speaking terms, and there's absolutely nothing settled about our relationship, or friendship, or whatever we're going to be...but I would really, really like to come back to the B&B tonight."

A corner of her mouth turned up slightly. "That's fine."

"You're sure? You guys haven't given away my room or anything?"

She shook her head. "At least I don't think so."

"Okay, then I'm going to drop you off, and swing back to my parents house to pick up my stuff."

"Okay."

"Then, we can talk."

"Right. Talk." Her eyes wandered over to the window and using her sleeve she wiped off some condensation so she could peer out.

He rested his hand beside hers on the seat, wanting to take hers, but not at all sure if he should. He rolled his eyes at himself, no less than half an hour ago he was talking dirty to her in his best friend's kitchen, and now he couldn't even muster the courage to hold her hand? After that minor pep talk, he slid his hand beneath hers and twined their fingers.

Joey nearly jumped at the unexpected contact and she felt her face grow hot. She was practically crawling out of her skin ever since everyone had burst in on them in the kitchen and it was taking all of her restraint to not just...She sighed softly, maybe it was just her. Pacey didn't seem hot or bothered in the slightest.

He squeezed her hand, and shot her a smile as he pulled into the driveway of the bed and breakfast. "It shouldn't take me long, twenty minutes at the most."

She smiled faintly. "Okay."

He shifted the car into park, and lifted her hand to his lips he kissing the back of it. "Much sooner if I can help it."

A corner of her mouth turned up slightly as she reached for the handle on the door. "I'll see you later then."

"What? No kiss goodbye?"

"Oh." She leaned over quickly and brushed her lips lightly against his before pulling away and sliding out of the truck. "Bye Pacey."

He grinned at her, "Bye Potter."

She watched him pull out and drive away. Once the taillights disappeared she not-so-calmly hurried into the house, removing her coat. Thankfully, Bessie, Bodie and Alex had made plans to spend New Years with Bodie's family and the B&B was deserted.

First things first, she needed a shower. It would have to be quick though. Stripping out of her clothes, she hopped into the shower. After washing her hair and putting conditioner in, she lathered up some soap and hurriedly shaved her legs, biting down on her lip as she nicked herself. As soon as that task was finished, she rinsed out the conditioner and used her favorite vanilla body wash to clean away the lather. Excitement quivered in the pit of her belly. Sure, they'd talk first...but after that...

Flipping the water off, she quickly toweled dry, wrapping a turban around her wet hair. Leaving the bathroom she deposited her dirty clothes into the laundry room and made a stop in the kitchen to gather candles.

A quick glance at the clock told her she had less than ten minutes before he got back. Padding barefoot down the hall, she deposited the candles on Pacey's bed and quickly went to her room. She began searching through her drawers for something sexy to wear. With a scowl, she slammed her underwear drawer shut, she didn't own anything sexy. Her eyes landed on Audrey's suitcase, her friend wouldn't mind of she borrowed something, would she?

After a few minutes of futile searching through fancy lace and thong underwear, she found a plain, ivory colored silk nightgown with spaghetti straps. It was perfect. Sexy, yet simple. Even if he didn't like it, she doubted she'd be wearing it long. With a satisfied smile she let her towel drop and slid the gown over her head.

Checking the clock on her night stand, she bit her lip, he'd be here any minute. Quickly she rubbed her towel through her hair and then brushed it out. She would have liked to have dried it completely, but there just wasn't time.

She slipped out of her room a match book in her hand. Flipping the lights on, she hurriedly arranged the candles around the room, lighting them as she did so. Satisfied, she closed the door and turned off the overhead lights. The candles cast a romantic glow around the room. Smiling, she crossed to the bed, just before she sat down, her eyes widened and she ran from the room. She returned a moment later with the box of condoms she's purchased back in Boston days ago. She opened it and arranged a few of the packets on the bedside table, and put the rest of the box in the drawer.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, and a wave of nervousness caught up with her. Instead of dwelling on what might happen, she busied herself testing different poses on the bed. Should she be under the covers? On top? Legs crossed? Slightly parted?

She settled for the position that was most comfortable, leaning against the pillows at the head of the bed. Her legs curled around her, the silk of her night gown barely covering her thighs and her arms stretched over the pillows. Now, all that was left to do was wait.




Two hours later, Pacey snuck into the B&B, thankfully, the back door had been left unlocked. Duffel bag in hand, he moved down the hall to Joey and Audrey's room. His father hadn't been pleased when he told him he was leaving again, and it had resulted in a hour long lecture on all his various faults. Sheriff Witter probably figured he had to work in a year's worth of abuse into one night. Then his mother decided she had to have her say as well. He should have just walked out, but part of him wanted to put off the looming conversation with Joey. But now...he just wanted to see her, hold her, kiss her.

He pushed the door open to her bedroom, the light in the hall cast light over the cot Audrey was fast asleep in, but Joey's bed was empty. He let the door fall closed again, and went to his own room, hoping he'd find her there.

Find her, he did. The candles, the few that still burned, kissed her skin with golden light. Her hair had dried in a halo around her face, accenting the familiar features in a whole new way. He smiled softy, taking in her nightgown, the candles, everything that she'd prepared.

He quietly placed his duffel bag near the door and got undressed as silently as he could. Leaving his boxers and wife beater on, he circled the room, blowing out the remaining candles before approaching the bed.

He stood there a moment, just looking at her in the dim light before he sat beside her. Gently, he eased the blankets out from beneath her.

She moaned tiredly and shifted away, allowing him to free the blanket completely. He slid beside her, curved his body around hers, not wanting to disturb her by pulling her closer. With a tired smile, he kissed her temple and whispered goodnight.