January 1.

Joey gradually awoke the next morning with a small smile when she realized Pacey was with her and she snuggled closer to him. He moaned softly in his sleep and slid an arm around her waist, tugging her closer to him. She grinned and turned in his arms resting her head against his shoulder and curling her hand against his chest.

He shifted again in his sleep, one muscular leg situating itself between hers. She placed a soft kiss on his shoulder and settled comfortably against him wondering how long she'd be able to stay there before someone interrupted.

Her question was answered almost immediately by Audrey. "I should have known I'd find you in here," she grinned knowingly as she waltzed into Pacey's room.

Joey groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. "If I keep my eyes closed long enough will you go away?"

"Not likely," She said perkily. "Wow, you really must have worn lover-boy out."

"I did not," Joey said her eyes flying open. "Nothing happened. Now go away, you’ll wake him."

"Really?" Audrey arched an eyebrow, "So you two left early, lit candles, and climbed into bed together semi-naked naked to fall asleep?"

"Audrey," Joey said warningly. "Go."

"I see how it is..." She stood up from the corner of the bed. "I expect full details later, missy."

"I'll think about it."

"I'm not going to give you a choice," she sing-songed as she headed for the door. "I'll cover for you with Bessie," she added as she closed the door.

Joey released a long sigh. "Great," she muttered under her breath.

"She just cares about you," Pacey whispered, his voice husky with sleep.

"I think she's just nosy," Joey said with a smile.

"There's that too," he agreed. "I'm sorry about last night. My dad got started lecturing and then didn't stop."

"It's okay," she said with a sigh.

"It was a beautiful scene to come home to," he told her, kissing her neck.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"It was almost three, I thought I should let you sleep."

"I feel silly now."

"Hmm," he nuzzled her neck. "You don't look silly to me."

A sly smile crossed her lips. "How long do you think Audrey can keep Bessie away?"       

"Long enough for us to fool around a little?" He questioned hopefully.

"Only one way to find out."

"Warn me if I have morning breath," he murmured before closing the distance between their mouths.

"Will do," she breathed lightly.

His kiss was light at first, just grazing over her lips and then back again. The kiss slowly deepened, and he traced her full bottom lip with the tip of his tongue, begging entrance. Her eyes fluttered shut and she parted her lips with a small sigh.

He took his time learning her mouth, teasing and tasting all that she would give. His leisurely exploration was a tantalizing sort of pleasure, but also let her control the pace, he made no move other than to draw soft circles at the base of her spine through the silk of her nightgown.

She slid her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. He took that as an invitation to further explore. His breathing was heavier as he pulled his mouth from hers to graze his lips over her cheek and then neck. Slowly, he let his hand drift lower, cupping her ass and urging her closer. She gasped quietly, curling her hands in his hair.

"You taste sweet," he murmured, "Like vanilla."

Her lips curved in a faint smile. "It's lotion."

He teased the column of her throat with the tip of his tongue, "It's yummy."

She tilted her head back with a grin. "I'll have to get more then."

"Hmmm," his busy fingers slowly shifted the silk of her nightgown up as he continued to lavish attention her face and neck. "You do that."

She giggled, raking her fingers along the back of his neck. He froze for a shocked moment, "Jo?"

"Mmm, what?"

"You're not wearing any underwear."

She laughed. "I know."

He mouth curved into a wry grin, "I sure as hell didn't know!"

"Um, surprise."

"I'll say," he nuzzled her neck softly, tentatively smoothing his hand over her bare thigh.

She bit her lip. "It was kind of presumptuous of me. Now I seem like some wanton hussy."

"Nothing wrong with that," he teased.

She stuck her tongue between her teeth. "Not funny."

He kissed her, his fingers lighting brushing over her bare skin. "Show me where you want me to touch, you wanton hussy, you."

She blushed faintly. "Bessie's probably starting to wonder where I am."

He nodded, smoothing the skirt of her nightgown back down, he rested his hand on the relative safety of her waist. "Probably," he kissed her again, gently his lips lingering over hers.

"This is going to sound completely silly," she exhaled sharply. "But I'm nervous."

He smiled, "Sweetheart, I'd be worried if you weren't." He tenderly brushed her hair back over her shoulder. "Besides, I wasn't planning on ravishing you here and now. Just some innocent exploration. Or not so innocent." He smiled again, "You'll let me know when you're ready."

"I want to, but...I've never done it before...And," she frowned. "This is coming out all wrong."

He smiled, slightly puzzled, "I'm not sure what you're getting at. Would you feel more comfortable if you were in control?"
"It's just strange. I mean it's you, Pacey."

He smiled, "Yeah, it is me. And it's you too." He brushed his thumb over her cheek. "It's us. Together or apart, we're still going to be us. That will never disappear. Remember? We tried to force it away junior year and here we find ourselves again. Together."

She smiled faintly. "It's just going to take some getting use to."

"I've got all the time in the world."

"Thanks."

"That's not something you should be thanking me for." He kissed the corner of her mouth.

She raised an eyebrow. "It's not?"

"No. You should expect me to give you all the time you need, and then bash me upside the head if I so much as hinted at impatience."

She smiled. "I'll remember that for next time."

"Come on," he kissed her once again and then slid from under the blankets. "Audrey can hold Bessie at bay for only so long." He held out a hand to her.

She sighed. "Okay."

They slid from the bed, and Pacey pulled on a shirt from his duffel bag as Joey headed for the door to go back to her room and change. "Hey, Jo?"

She looked back at him curiously. "What?"

A confused frown creased his forehead, "Are we...together now? Or should I refrain from touching you in public?"

"Oh..." She shrugged uncomfortably. "I don't know. I guess it's better just to wait and see."

"Okay." His expression gave nothing away and his voice was flat as he turned back to his bag and pulled out a clean pair of jeans and socks.

She nodded. "I'll have to talk Audrey."

"I'm sure she'll keep her mouth shut." He assured her, and finished getting dressed. "I'm going to go see if Bodie needs any help with breakfast." He brushed past her, kissing her cheek as he went. Joey headed to her room to change, hoping Audrey had kept Bessie sufficiently occupied.

The blonde bounced into the bedroom just as Joey was pulling her nightgown over her head. She closed the door and then turned around at her friend's nakedness, "Ooh, sorry, bunny!" She giggled, "Isn't that my nightgown?"

Joey blushed faintly. "I'm sorry. I borrowed it."

"No problem," Audrey grinned at the door, waiting for Joey to become decent. "I've got a few more that I'm *sure* Pacey would like, if you want to borrow those."

"I'll think about it." She pulled a sweater out of her closet and slipped it over her head. "Speaking of Pacey...Can you kind of keep what happened to yourself?"

Audrey winced, "You mean, I shouldn't have told Bessie and Bodie? I guess then, that you really didn't want Dawson, Jen and Jack to know? But I guess there's still time, I can retract the article I sent to the Capeside Gazette."

Joey turned on her friend with wide eyes. "Please tell me you're joking."

"Yes, of course I'm joking," She grinned, turning around to see Joey's worried expression. "Why the panic?"

"I'm just not sure what Pacey and I are yet."

"Ohhhh..." She smiled softly. "Fuck buddies?"

Joey shook her head. "We haven't slept together."

"Which is why you don't know what you are yet. When you do, then you'll know." Audrey sighed happily, "I bet he's a magnificent lay."

"He's had plenty of experience," Joey muttered.

Audrey sat down on the edge of Joey's bed. "Does that bother you?"

She shrugged. "A little."

Audrey winced, "Does he know?"

Joey shook her head and gave another shrug. "It's not like I can hold his past against him. I just can't help but think that inexperienced me is going to be a big disappointment."

"Oh, Joey," she rubbed a comforting hand along Joey's back. "You wont disappoint him. He loves you, and don't give me that look, we all heard him say it. And if you want the honest truth, there isn't a man alive who's ever been disappointed with sex."

Joey frowned doubtfully. "I don't know..."

"Yeah, I know. You aren't going to know until it happens. But personally, I think you're selling Pacey short."

She sighed. "I'll have to think about this."

"Okay, don't think too long though. Breakfast is almost ready. Blueberry pancakes!"

Joey smiled. "Okay." Audrey smiled gently at her friend, and then left the room to go join everyone for breakfast.





Breakfast passed quickly and uneventfully. Pacey gave no indication that there was anything more than friendship between he and Joey. He went so far as to avoid of eye contact all together. He stayed behind in the kitchen to help with the dishes, and then took a quick shower once the bathroom was free. He was headed for the front door when Joey waylaid him.

She smiled up at him softly. "Hey."

The corner of his mouth curved softly, "Hey to you too." He glanced around the living room and saw no one in sight.

"So what are you up to?"

"I'm going to go meet Jack and Dawson."

Her smile faded slightly. "Oh."

"I think Jen and Audrey are going shopping, why don't you join them?"

She bit her lip. "I guess I will."

"We'll hang out later tonight, all right?" He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss.

"Okay..."

"I promise."

She smiled and brushed her lips against his. "I'll see you later then."

"Yeah," he shrugged into his coat, and then gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before breezing through the door. "Bye, Jo."

"Bye," she said softly.