Jen carefully applied her lip-gloss to her full pink lips before blotting them together and smiling at her reflection. She flipped her newly straightened blonde hair behind her shoulder and adjusted her yellow sweater before pulling on her winter coat. "Grams, I'm going to wait outside for Pacey!" she called out as she bounded down the stairs. She didn't wait for a reply before heading out the front door and stopping in her tracks. Her mouth formed an 'O' of surprise as she regarded the last person she ever expected to find on her front porch

Henry smiled widely at her. He'd changed a lot in the months since Jen had last seen him. His hair was cropped short and his already blond hair glinted with new highlights. His shoulders were broad and strong with a new confidence. The baby cheeks and the innocence that had so drawn her to him in the beginning, no longer seemed to be there. "Hello, Jen." He said calmly, his eyes running over her body.

"What are you doing here?" Were the first words out of Jen's mouth as she regarded her ex-boyfriend.

"I'm back. In Capeside that is." His lips curved down at her less than excited response at finding him on her doorstep. "My scholarship fell through when I was injured."

Jen brushed her hair behind her ear and stepped further out onto the porch after her first initial shock wore off. "Injured? Not too bad I see." She sighed, a broken neck would've done wonders for her ego, any other body part would've at least made her feel better. She frowned, what was she thinking? She was above those petty feelings of being the dumpee opposed to the dumper, especially now that she had a boyfriend ten times better than Henry ever was.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I did some damage to my knee. Torn cartilage." He eyed her thoughtfully.

"Ouch," Jen commented sympathetically, her lips turning down into a small frown. "Not that I have any idea what you're talking about but it sounds painful."

He nodded, "It was." He crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at her through hooded eyes. "So, Jen." He paused and she met his eyes, "How much do you still hate me for leaving like I did?"

"I don't necessarily hate you," Jen said reluctantly and breaking her gaze. "That was just--that was a really crummy and not to mention immature way to break up with someone. I mean, asking Jack to do the dirty work for you."

He nodded, a frown crossing his full lips. "Yeah, it was. And, for all it's worth, I'm sorry. But I have every intension of making it up to you, Jen. I'm not that same immature freshman you met last year. I'm older, more mature, and," he smiled, "better looking."

She laughed lightly in amusement. "Thank you, but that really won't be necessary."

"I think it is." He replied seriously. "I never got over you, Jen."

"Really? Because I think dumping me was the first step," Jen replied unable to keep the slight tinge of bitterness out of her voice.

"Yeah, and I was wrong. I was wrong and I was stupid and I thought that just because there was distance between us, I could fall out of love with you." He shook his head, his voice dropping to a whisper, "I was wrong."

"Well, I think it's a little too late for that."

"Maybe." He relented. "But I'm not going to give up on you, Jen Lindley. Not without a fight." He smiled softly at her and headed for the door without further word.

Jen's eyes widened in surprise and she stared after him wordlessly unable to form comprehensive sentences.

She sat down shakily on the nearest lawn chair and ran a hand through her hair. Henry was back...and he was in love with her. She bit her lip; this wasn't supposed to happen. She was with Pacey now, someone who'd never hurt her, someone she had fun with, someone she slept with. Someone she cared about. And Henry...well, Henry didn't deserve her anymore. He had his chance and he blew it. She pursed her lips in resolve, she was with Pacey.

Pacey pulled open the screen door to Jen's porch and walked in. "He-llo space cadet. I must've beeped that horn five times." He stopped upon seeing the look on Jen's face. "Something wrong?"

She shook her head and smiled tightly at him, "No, nothing. I was just thinking." She stood up and gave him a hug.

He smiled halfheartedly and returned the embrace not really believing her. "Ready to go?" He forced a smile.

"Yeah," She picked up her backpack from the floor and pulled it on.

"Okay then," he smiled uneasily and held open the screen door for her. "Your chariot awaits."

"You call that thing a chariot?" She asked, trying to tease him.

"Well, you can always walk..."

"I'll brave the chariot." She slipped her hand into his, giving it a squeeze. "Besides... I kinda have a thing for the driver." She winced, "That was weak, wasn't it?"

He smiled giving her a kiss on the forehead and inhaling the faint smell of her shampoo as he held the passenger side door open for her. "Not weak."

"You're bias." She replied.

"Maybe I am."

She smiled, "You gonna shut the door or stand there staring all day?" She teased, eyeing him amusedly.

He shook his head distractedly and grinned. "I wouldn't mind staring."

She shrank a little under his gaze, "Can you really afford another tardy from Mrs. Niemann?"

He smiled faintly shutting the door and leaned in through the open window to kiss her quickly before pulling away. "Right, no more tardies." He quickly walked around to his side of the car and climbed in.

Her thoughts drifted back to her encounter with Henry and she winced inwardly. 'Pacey, focus on Pacey.' She smiled faintly at him, "So, Pace...how'd you sleep last night?"

He eyed her strangely. "O-kay. You?"

"Yeah, I slept fine...I missed you." She smiled teasingly, "but other than that..."

He smiled reaching for her hand and lightly kissed her knuckles. "I missed you too."

She smiled faintly. There was no reason for her to even consider going back to Henry. She had Pacey, he was perfect. So why didn't she want to bring up the fact he'd stopped by?

He watched her carefully. "So you ready to get to school?" A slow grin crept over his lips. "Or you know we can always ditch and find a much better way to occupy our time."

"As tempting as that offer is..." She gave him a sly look, "I have a test first period."

"So I guess I better get you there on time, huh?"

"Yeah, Hon, that would be appreciated."

He smiled switching the car into drive. “What the lady wants, the lady gets.”

"And see, that’s why I like you so much. You know just how to please a woman."

"I try," he smiled, "But truthfully, you're easy to please."

She grinned playfully. "Well, I'm a simple girl with simple needs."

"I know, that's why I-" he snapped his mouth shut.

She looked at him strangely. "What was that about?"

He tightened his hands on the steering wheel, "I- I've been meaning to tell you something." he thought of Joey's words to him, tell her before it was too late.

Jen shifted in her seat to get a better look at him. "And that would be?" she gently prodded.

He worried his lip for a moment, trying to think of the right way to say it. "I know this probably isn't the right time or place," he began nervously, "But, it seems to be the only time I've gotten the courage to say it. Which is funny really, because I've never been nervous about saying anything before. It's just not me. You know, act first, think later and all that...but I have given it a lot of thought, and in doing that, I've probably put a lot of unneeded pressure on myself to say this perfectly," he rolled his eyes, "And of course, I've completely blown the chance of that ever happening. Rambling certainly wasn't going to be a part of this. You know, maybe it'd be better if I just shut up and waited another time, I mean, this is just a complete lost cause at this point."

Jen smiled and reached for his hand. "Pacey, honey, you need to relax. I don't think I understood a word you just said there."

He squeezed her hand gently and glanced over at her. Her reassuring smile melted his heart and he took a calming breath. "I'm in love with you." He said evenly, the relief at saying the words caused him to grin openly at her. "I love you, Jen." He shot her an adoring smile before turning his eyes back to the road.

Jen's eyes widened and she stood quiet for a few moments. Her eyes wandered to the passenger side window. "It's--It's really great that you feel that way because...because I care about you a lot too and I--It looks like it's going to rain."

His face contorted in confusion and he blinked a few times. "Rain...yeah." He swallowed.

She nodded focusing her attention out the window. "I didn't even think to bring an umbrella. I think I have one in my locker."

"Uh-uh," he mumbled, trying to figure out how they'd gone from talking about his feelings for her to the weather. They drove the rest of the way to school in silence.

“Don’t even think you’re going to get yourself out of doing the work this time. I don’t care if you and Jen have decided to elope, you’re going to help me finish this,” Joey said looking up from the lab sheet she was working on.

"Huh?" Pacey blinked and lifted his head from where it rested on his hand to look at Joey.

She rolled her eyes and glanced at the board. "Will you even pretend to pay attention? How the hell did you get into this class anyway?"

"I like biology." He answered emotionless; he stared blankly at the board.

She sighed taking in his dejected form and cast a weary glance in his direction as she finished off the report on her own. "So what happened? Favorite porn mag discontinued?"

He shook his head, trying not to analyze the conversation in the truck anymore. "No."

"Jen finally realize what a mistake she made?" She frowned pulling her book bag onto the desk and began rifling through it. She sighed, now she was just being mean and he didn't even deserve it. It wasn't his fault that the thought of him and Jen together made her want to commit random acts of violence. She exhaled sharply. She was over it. Yes, she was. That ship had sailed. Goodbye. "I'm sorry," she amended. "Just a little cranky. Alex is teething."

He inhaled sharply and released a shuddering breath. "You're forgiven."

She smiled faintly. "Now, I'm going to nicely ask what's wrong and you're going to tell me because I just did that whole lab on my own and you so owe me a very good explanation as to why I just did that," Joey said setting her bag back down on the floor beside her. "So, what's wrong?"

He shook his head, "Nothing really." He made a face, "I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. I'll snap out of it."

Joey mock pouted. "Oh, come on. You know you want to tell me."

He gave her a dubious look. "If I wanted to share my utter embarrassment and humiliation with you, I'd tell ya, Potter."

"Pacey, I've actually bared witness to some of your more embarrassing and completely humiliating moments. Why should this be any different?"

"She started talking about the weather, Jo." He said, still not quite believing it himself.

"Who? Jen?" Joey asked puzzled.

"Yes, Jen." He lowered his voice, glancing around at his classmates. "I told her I was in love with her, a goofy smile on my face the entire time, and she says 'it looks like rain'."

"Ouch." She exhaled sharply unsure of what to say. "Maybe...maybe she just didn't know how to react. Maybe she was just scared and she panicked."

"Maybe."

She smiled weakly trying to be reassuring. "I'm sure she feels the same way. She's just probably not comfortable saying the words yet. I mean, did you or did you not come to my house freaking because you didn't tell her. Maybe that's what she's doing right now."

He shifted in his seat. "Yeah, sure. I dunno, she was acting strange to begin with this morning." He shrugged, "Like I said, I'm just feeling sorry for myself."

She forced a smile. "See? She was probably trying to figure out how to tell you herself this morning and then when you told her first she freaked. I'm sure everything will be fine and straightened out just in time for your lunch time make out session."

Why don't you just stick the both of them naked in a room together? I'm sure it'd be just as effective. The voice in her head told her. This is the perfect opportunity to sabotage the relationship and, ugh, Joey mentally told the voice to shut up. It was like channeling Abby Morgan which was something she did not need right now. She had friendship. She could handle friendship. Everything else just had the potential to be messy.

He rolled his eyes, "We don't make out at lunch."

She sighed. "Just work with me here."

He gave her a sad smile, "Thanks Potter."

Joey shrugged sliding the lab report to the end of the table so Mr. Greenview could collect it at the end of class. "Besides if she doesn't I'm sure I can take her." The corner of her mouth turned up in a lopsided grin.

He chuckled, "I appreciate the sentiment, Jo and I'd definitely be putting my money on you, but I don't think having a throw down with her would convince her I'm a worthwhile guy to date."

She smiled glad that she was able to make him laugh. "Well, you know I had to offer."

He smirked, "Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Me offering to beat up some unworthy guy that was breaking your heart?"

"Why, Pacey, what a sexist thing to say."

He smiled tiredly, "What can I say? I'm a pig." He leaned back in his chair, "It just seems strange to have you..." he trailed off.

She brushed her hair behind her ear. "What?"

"I dunno," he shrugged, "Protecting me. You've been giving me all this advice and offering to beat up my girlfriend." He smiled softly and looked at her, "Thank you."

She looked away uncomfortably. "Yeah...I must be sick."

He sighed and looked down at his hands. "So, enough about me. What's up with you?"

She shrugged one shoulder and started playing with her pencil. "Not much. My life pretty much consists of work and school. I'm afraid I'm becoming increasingly anti-social."

He brought a hand to his chest in false hurt. "You're kidding me right? Joey Potter, anti-social? Say it ain't so."

She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, believe it or not, I've gotten worse."

"Now that...that's just sad."

"Yeah, well..." she shifted in her seat, crossing her legs again.

"Now, you know, it pains me to say this, but as your friend you're making me have to do something to remedy this situation."

"No," she gave him an arch look, "There's nothing to remedy."

He nodded. "Yes, there is. You're practically begging me to let you come with me to the annual Capeside Police Force Christmas Party and since I'm such a kind friend of course I'm going to let you go and suffer with me."

"Um, hello? Aren't you forgetting your girlfriend? You know, the one you love? Don't you think she might like to go with you?" she asked her brows furrowed at his invite.

"Jen's heading to New York with Grams, and unfortunately, she won't be able to make it."

She continued to look uncomfortable. "I don't think so."

"That's funny. You think you have a choice in the matter."

"Pacey..."

"You should wear a dress, show off those legs of yours," he said ignoring her.

"Pacey, I'm not going." She shook her head.

"I'll be picking you up at seven."

"No." The bell rang and he began packing his stuff. "Pacey, you can't just declare that I'm going to accompany you."

"What was that, Jo? I didn't hear you. Did you say to bring flowers?" he called out over the bustle of students exiting the classroom.

"Pac-ey." She whined stuffing her things into her bag so she could chase after him.

Jen sighed as she slid her books into her locker. She'd completely bombed a test she had been prepared for. There had to be some big conspiracy first this Henry thing, and now Pacey... She frowned. She handled that whole situation wrong. The guy basically declares his love for her and the best she could come up with was "Looks like rain?" Pathetic. She banged her head against the top shelf in her locker. Things were not going well. She didn't even know how to tell Pacey that Henry was back and intent on getting her back too. Men really sucked.

"Good ole locker number 232." Henry's familiar timbre interrupted her thoughts.

Jen groaned shutting her eyes and hoped she was hearing things. She opened them and peeked out from behind her locker door. Damn. "What is it Parker?"

"Nothing much," he replied, leaning against the locker next to her, a playful smile on his lips.

She just raised an eyebrow and returned to fixing her locker. "Don't you have anything better to do? Like a class to go to?"

"It's my first day back," he shrugged, "No one minds if I'm late. Besides," his lips curved upward at the corners, "I'd rather be here."

She rearranged her books in size order. "I have a boyfriend."

He didn't look fazed. "Pacey. I know."

She peeked her head around the corner of her locker again. "How did you know?"

"I've done my research."

"Give it up, Henry." She returned to her locker and rearranged it again.

"Why?" He asked, wide eyed, "I'm not going to give up, Lindley. I want you back."

"Because I'm in a nice, healthy, relationship now."

He frowned, "I know what we had wasn't...normal, I guess you could say. But I've grown up, Jen. I know the difference between love and obsession. And now, I'm ready to love you the way you deserve, the way I should have."

"Henry, I'm happy with Pacey."

"Really?" He frowned, debating with himself over to voice his thoughts or not.

She nodded. "Very."

His lips curved down, "Now, I know I've been gone for a few months, Jen...but when I left, wasn't Pacey head-over-heels in love with Joey?"

Jen straightened her back. "They're friend's now."

"He risked everything for her, Jen." He smiled sadly, "I'm not so sure that just fades. I mean, you saw him. That was love. I want to give you that."

She frowned. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Maybe. Maybe not." He pushed away from his locker and lightly touched the curls of her hair. "I'll see you around, Jen."

"Not if I have anything to do with it." She forced a tight smile and shut her locker, disappearing in the direction of her next class.

Pacey picked up his pace as he spotted Jen waiting for him at the truck. She was leaning up against the door, staring off into space while the wind ruffled her hair around her shoulders. "Hey," He greeted her quietly.

She managed an overly bright smile. "Hey."

"I missed you at lunch today." He said awkwardly.

"Yeah," she shrugged, "I had some stuff to work on with Dawson for English. Since we can't work on it this weekend."

He nodded. "Yeah..."

She smiled uncomfortably, "You know," She started, "there's no reason for us to be so uncomfortable with this."

He nodded again. "Yeah, you're right."

She stepped closer to him a sad smile on her face, "Pacey, I'm...flattered, that you feel that way about me." She winced at the look on his face. "It's just...a little fast for me."

He smiled weakly. "It's fine, Lindley."

She gave him a relieved smile, "Good." She moved closer to him, rested her hands on his chest, and looked up into his eyes. "'Cause, Pacey, you mean so much to me. And I really, really care about you."

He gazed down at her, his heart literally hurting and he raised his hand to her hair, brushing some of it behind her shoulder. "It's okay."

"Really?" She asked tentatively.

He nodded. "Yes, really."

"Okay, so even though we didn't really fight, can we kiss and make-up now?" She asked watching his dark blue eyes closely.

He raised an eyebrow and wrapped his arms around her, pushing everything else out of his mind. "I don't see why not."

She smoothed his hair with her hand, cupping the back of his neck to pull his lips down to hers. She sighed against his lips, a man who could make her feel that good with only a kiss wasn't worth losing. Right? She pulled back a little to look into his eyes, he smiled slightly and she gave him a quick peck on the lips to reassure herself.

He grinned and pulled away. "Maybe I should get you home before Grams sends a search party, eh?"

She nodded, "Yeah. Lord knows why she's insisting on leaving immediately after school." She rolled her eyes and moved to the other side of the truck. "Not like there's any big rush to get there. They probably won't even be home when we arrive."

"Hopefully it won't be too bad," he said opening the door for her before walking over to the driver's side.

She smiled her thanks, "Do you remember meeting my Mom?"

"Yeah."

“Okay, now picture her only meaner, about eight hundred times more distant, and sporting a mustache."

"Your dad?" he questioned curiously.

"No, my mom's lesbian lover." She reached over and took his hand in hers. "Yeah, my dad."

He laughed. "Well, it could be your mom's lesbian lover. I mean, with the breasts and all."

She joined in, "Thanks, Pace."

"For what, noticing your dad's cleavage?"

"No," she shook her head, "making me laugh."

He shrugged. "That's what I'm here for."

She smiled softly, "So, what are you going to do with your free weekend?"

"Well, besides missing you," he cast a look in her direction. "I'm dragging Joey with me to the annual Capeside Police Force Christmas party. Which should be really fun, dad, Doug and lots of alcohol."

"You're taking Joey?" she asked, Henry's words echoing in her head.

He smirked. "No, I'm taking Joey."

"Isn't that what I said?" She asked slightly confused.

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm taking Joey."

"Oh." She turned to look out the window. "Well."

He lightly squeezed her hand. "I'm going to miss you," he said sincerely.

She lifted her lips in a half smile, "Yeah. But at least this way, I'll be able to spend Christmas in Capeside. With you."

He smiled. "The one upside."

"So, um...how are you and Joey lately?" Jen asked, cursing herself for letting Henry fill her head with doubts.

He cast a surprised look in her direction. "Joey and I are fine."

"Well, a while back, she mentioned that you guys weren't too...friendly."

"There's banter, acidic barbs, all is well."

She nodded, "I guess I kinda forgot that's what you guys stemmed from. Maybe she did as well."

He shrugged. "Maybe..."

"Okay, well I'm going to miss you this weekend."

"Glad you brought that up, because we're wasting far too much of our precious little time talking."

She snickered and undid her seat belt as he drove. With a sly smile she slid over on the seat. Placing her hand on his knee, she rested her chin on his shoulder, her lips just a breath away from his ear. "Any ideas on other ways to waste it?" She whispered.

He straightened his back, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. He cleared his throat, his eyes flickered to catch hers in the rearview mirror, and he tightened his hold on the steering wheel. "You know, I can just pull over right now..."

"Do it," she replied huskily in his ear, her fingers slowly trailing up from his knee along his inner thigh. "I can probably buy half an hour before Grams goes super nova."