Joey walked a cursory circle around the gallery, checking that the new displays had been erected correctly in her absence. She was slightly nervous about her upcoming maternity leave and leaving the gallery in the charge of her Assistant Manager. But Sarah had done perfectly in the week that she'd taken for her wedding. She was almost disappointed that her absence hadn't been missed.

"There she is," Jack said as he walked up to Joey, smiling brightly at his friend. "What's so important that I got three messages from you?"

Joey grinned up at Jack and wrapped her arms around his tall frame. "Hey, you. 'Bout time you showed up to welcome me home."

"Yeah...I figured you and Pacey could use some time together, being the happily married couple and all," he said grinning.

"Well, you got the married part right."

Jack looked at her confused, "Trouble in paradise? Already? You guys have been married for a week."

"He's mad because I want him to cheat on me." She pouted, "Most men would be thrilled that they're wives don't mind women on the side."

Jack furrowed his brow, "Why do I get the feeling that there is part of this story that I'm missing?"

"I told you it didn't make any sense. We were getting along great in Capeside..." she sighed, "Amazingly well."

Jack smirked, "How well?"

Her brown eyes narrowed on him, "I know what you're thinking, McPhee."

"Am I thinking correctly?"

"No comment." She turned away from him and stared at one of the paintings.

Jack smiled, "I can't believe it. Both of you swore to yourselves that nothing would happen. So...tell me why you are so adamant about him sleeping with other women when it's obvious you don't really want him to."

She glared up at her friend. "Who said I don't want him to? That's the whole reason he's mad, because I do want him to."

Jack eyed her for a minute, then nodded, "Let's say your telling the truth. You really do want him to sleep with other women. Have you really thought about this? Every aspect of it? Because I don't think you have. Pacey would be with them, not you. He would be in their beds, not yours. Touching them, not you. Kissing them, not you. Are you sure you really want that? I know you say you do...but do you really?"

Her face was pale, but her words were even. "Yes. I really do. Even if he wanted me, he can't have me and I wont deny him the physical comforts of sex while he's pretending to be my husband."

Jack shook his head, "For some reason, I don't believe you."

"And why not?" She put her hands on her hips.

"Because you are the world's worst when it comes to convincing yourself you feel a certain way so you can stay protected."

"I'm not thinking about just myself here, Jack. I'm thinking about Pacey and I'm thinking about the baby."

"But maybe it's not what Pacey wants."

Joey bit her lip, "What do you think Pacey wants?"

"In short? What you guys used to have."

Joey shook her head, "Then he shouldn't have agreed to this, because that can't ever happen."

"Why not?"

"Because...because I'm not the same person I was then. I don't want him in my life like that, I don't want any man, Jack. He has to understand that. He just has to."

"I think you're scared. It's understandable, Joey. But...I don't think you should do anything that could lead him to believe that something could happen."

"That's what I'm trying to do!" She felt the sting of tears in the back of her throat. "We got too close at the B&B. And I want him to see other women to put that distance between us. But he's being such a jerk about it!"

Jack pulled her into a hug, "Hey...I'm sure he has his reasons for doing the things he does, just like you have your reasons. And you know Pacey. If he puts his mind into doing something, nothing will get that idea out of there short of dynamite. He may change his mind...just give him time to adjust to everything."

"Yeah, well while he's adjusting, why can't he talk to me?"

"I don't know. He's Pacey...he's known for being an ass at times."

"Humph." She let Jack rub her back as he hugged her, her head resting on his shoulder. "Why is this so damn difficult?"

Jack smiled softly, "Did you really go into this thinking it wouldn't be?"

"No, but the problems I'm having aren't the problems I thought I'd have."

"You didn't consider the fact that sex might get in the way?"

"No!"

"How could you not, Joey? You and Pacey had a past sexually. You didn't even take that into consideration?"

"No?" She said meekly. "That was years ago..."

"Joey...even if it was, that feeling of lust still exists between you two. I can see it, Jen can see it, Pacey can see it, obviously. Are you telling me you're blind to it?"

"I was..." She said stupidly. "But not anymore. Which is precisely why he should see other women. He can relieve any lust he feels with them."

Jack shook his head, "Joey, he could relieve it, but...it won't do any good. He's still going to want you. You can't be that naive."

"So what? What should I do, Jack? Should I sleep with him, fall in love with him, and then have to watch him walk away!?"

"No, I'm just saying...don't close your heart and mind off to the possibilities here, okay? You could you could get everything you didn't know you wanted."

Joey snorted and pulled away from Jack. "All that I want is my house, my dog and my baby. I don't want a husband."

"You say that now. What happens when you get so accustomed to him being around? Helping out with the baby? When he's there to talk to you at the end of the day? Don't close yourself off to the possibility that you could come to want him there as much as he might want to be there."

"I have to, Jack."

"No you don't. You're scared of being hurt Joey. I get that. But you and Pacey never got your second chance. You and Dawson took a million of them. Take this chance Joey. Don't let the idiots of the past ruin what you could have. I'm only saying this because I want to see you happy. And in the past, you were happiest with him. Try to let yourself be happy."

"It's too big a risk," Joey shook her head, turning away from the door. "I can't fall for him again, Jack. With Dawson, all the second chances in the world meant nothing. With Pacey... I can't."

"Why not? Because he'll leave? Pacey's not the same person. He doesn't run away any more. And he's not going to give up on something if he wants it bad enough, so you better keep that in mind."

"And if he doesn't want it badly enough?"

He sighed, "You really think that will be the case? Or are you trying to talk yourself out of this?"

"Why are you so adamant about this?"

"Why are you? Why do you refuse to let yourself be happy?"

"I don't need Pacey to make me happy," She answered him slowly. "And if I get to that point...and he leaves me, for whatever reason, I don't think I'll ever be happy again."

Jack sighed, "Nothing I say to you will make you listen to me."

"Nope." She shook her head and offered him a weak smile. "I'm stubborn like that."

Jack nodded, "So...he won't talk to you?"

"Not really," She sighed. "He's been staying at his apartment, getting it all packed up for the move this weekend."

"Have you tried to talk to him?"

"Yeah. I tried telling him I didn't want to fight, and just says that we're not."

"Maybe...he doesn't consider the silent treatment fighting?"

"Maybe. I don't know. You're a guy, tell me what he's thinking?"

Jack shook his head, "I am the last guy that could ever get into the mind of Pacey Witter. Look, just ask him okay? It can only do good."

She frowned, "I knew you would say that."

"Because you know you should. So stop stalling and just ask him."





Pacey carried a box up the front steps of her house and walked past where she was holding the screen door open for him and into the room she had designated as his. He was so hot he could feel the sweat rolling down the back of his legs, it was a warm October. He walked out of the room as he wiped his forehead with the tail of his shirt, "That's all in my car."

Swallowing, Joey nodded, "Um, Pacey...I was thinking." She tugged on the front of her shirt, suddenly feeling overheated herself.

"What?" he asked as he looked at her. He released his shirt and decided to just remove it all together. He used it to wipe his chest off and held it as he waited for her to start speaking again.

"Well...I..." she swallowed thickly, forcing her eyes away from his chest to his face. "I think I want to turn the guest room into a nursery..."

He nodded, "Okay. You got the gift certificate. Do it."

"That means you have to stay in my room." She explained.

He lowered his head then looked at her, "What?"

She licked her lips, "We'd have to share the master bedroom. The bed too."

He sighed, "You are one fickle mistress. I just moved half of my stuff into the guest room, why didn't you tell me this while I was moving it in?"

The corner of her mouth curved up into a sheepish smile, "I was trying to get up the courage to ask you?"

He shook his head and folded his arms across his chest, "Won't that interfere with me bringing women back here? That was your major argument about doing that in the first place. I'm just wondering what made you change your mind."

"Maybe I don't want you to see other women?" She lowered her eyes to the carpet. "Maybe I only want you to see me?"

He looked at her for a minute, "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Joey?"

"Or maybe," her eyes flew to his, her voice hard, "I think you should go to their apartments to fuck."

"Hey...I was joking. No need to get testy. I'm just trying to figure out how a week ago, it was Capeside that...made you want me, and now you want me to sleep in your bed and you only want me to see you. So, tell me how you went from one decision to the other, because I'm completely at a loss."

"I had a talk with Jack." She folded her arms across her chest protectively.

"Ah. Jackers. And what did he have to say?"

"Just forced me to face my fears." She eyed him across the room, "And I'm beginning to regret it."

"Why? Because I haven't said okay, yet? I just--I had questions I needed answered. I didn't say no."

She sighed, "I owe you an apology. And you know how much hate apologizing. Especially to you."

He smiled, "Yeah. I know."

"Is it too much to ask that you'd make this easy for me?"

"No. It's not too much to ask." He tossed the shirt he still held in his hand onto the couch, "Apology accepted."

The corner of her mouth curved into a smile, "Do you even know what I'm apologizing for?"

He shrugged, "I'm sure a lot of things."

She moved around the couch, slowly approaching him. "I'm sorry for being a bitch. And I'm sorry for demanding that you have an affair. I'm sorry for being stupid, erratic and moody. I'm sorry for hounding you about money. I'm sorry for driving you insane." She stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck, her face tilted up to his. "The only thing I'm not sorry for is teasing you mercilessly."

He put his hands on her hips, "Because you do that so well."

"I do that 'cause it's fun." She pressed a kiss to the hollow of his throat. "And I'm sorry I fought this...chemistry between us."

"I can't believe you could," he said pulling her against him.

Her breathing hitched, "I couldn't...that's why I went all crazy like."

"Mmm, so that explains high school."

"Shut up," she murmured, pulling his mouth down to hers.

He kissed her thoroughly as he wrapped his arms around her. She ran her hands over his chest, causing him to moan slightly. He pulled his mouth away from hers and moved his lips over her neck as her hands moved around to his back and ran over the tight muscles.

"Now, Pacey." She hooked her fingers into the belt loops of his jeans and pulled him to the couch, "I want...I need you now."

He removed her shirt and tossed it to the ground before they fell onto the couch. His hands moved up to cup her breasts, still covered by her bra. He undid the front clasp as he licked and sucked on her fevered skin. Her hands scrapped over his scalp and gasped as his lips covered her now bare breast.

She moaned, "No, please..." She shook her head, her ponytail bobbing as she arched closer to him. Already she was hot and ready for him, now that she'd finally allowed herself to give in, she was impatient to feel him deep inside her. She skimmed her hands down his slick chest, the hair on his lower stomach tickled her palm as she slid her hand beneath the rough material. She withdrew and fumbled with the button and dragging the zipper down. She cried out as he bit teasingly on her nipple, then soothed the ache with his hot tongue before moving to the other.

He unfastened her jeans as he continued to tease her nipple with his tongue. She kicked off her shoes as he pulled her jeans off and tossed them onto the floor, followed quickly by her panties. He nudged off his shoes as she pushed his jeans and boxers off his hips. Their mouths met again as he tried to use his feet to remove his pants.

"Screw it," she sat up and pushed him back so that he was under her, his pants still halfway on. Swinging a leg over his hips she kissed him fiercely. Positioning herself over his erect cock she rocked her hips back and forth, teasing them both by just barely taking the tip of him inside her.

"God," he said gripping her hips, trying to get her to stop teasing him. His fingers dug into her flesh as she finally took him inside her. He could feel her inner muscles flex around him as she moved. He could barely contain himself as she leaned back, thrusting her breasts into the air as she gripped his thighs for leverage.

Thrusting down over him, she moaned feeling him stretch the muscles that hadn't been used for over a year. Taking Pacey deeper, she pressed him forcefully into the couch, over come by an animalistic need for him. She changed her angle, digging her nails into his shoulders, using them for leverage as she fell into a rapid rhythm.

He groaned as her nails dug into his skin. It sent shock waves of pleasure through his body. He'd almost forgotten than she did that. He slid a hand up to cup her breast. He pinched her nipple, receiving a moan from her as he slid his other hand up to cup the weight of her other breast. He repeated the actions as her body ached to reach her climax. He watched as she bit her lip and closed her eyes as he bucked his hips against hers. One hand left her breast, the back of his fingers dragging down her stomach. He knew she was close, and so was he. He rubbed his thumb over her clit and she slowed her movements to the point of almost stopping.

Her eyes fluttered open, knowing if she moved even once more she'd shatter. Sliding the palm of her hand over his neck, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his even as she quivered with restraint.

His thumb moved again over her clit and he felt the restraint inside her break as she rocked her hips once, twice more as she shivered in her release. Her inner muscles worked over his hard cock as she shivered and stretched around him, eventually triggering his own explosive orgasm. His eyes closed as he lost himself in sensation.

Feeling her place a soft kiss on his shoulder, he slowly opened his eyes. He found her head resting on his chest as his hands moved over her bare back.

She caught her breath and tiredly brushed her lips over his skin, wherever she could reach. "That'll have to do until we're done moving," she sighed.

He shook his head and ran his fingers through her hair, "There is no way I will be able to move anything now. I'll finish tomorrow."

She gave a pleasurable sigh, "I want to have my way with you tonight. I don't think you'll be able to so much as walk tomorrow if I have any say."

He smiled, "Well, then by all means...have your way with me, please."

"I can’t feel my legs," she giggled faintly, "It'll have to wait."

He ran his hands over her thighs, "I can feel your legs. Does that count?"

"Hmmmm...sure feels like it does." She groaned and buried her face into the side of his neck. "I feel like such a slut."

He chuckled, "Why?"

"Because I just...we just...on the couch!"

"We're married. We're supposed to. And just about anywhere we can think of."

"I've never done it anywhere but the bed with Samuel. Even on our honeymoon."

He shook his head, "We aren't even going to talk about where I've done it."

"Good." She kissed his chin.

The knock at the door caused both of them to sit up. Pacey looked over his shoulder then at Joey as they both remained still. Then they heard a voice, "I know you guys are there, your cars are in the driveway."

"Jen! Just wait a sec--" But the blonde would not be deterred and she waltzed through the unlocked door, Marissa in her arms. "--ond," Joey finished, hiding her face in Pacey's neck.

Jen took in the sight in front of her and closed her mouth and shook her head, "Damn it, Jack wins."

Joey shot her friend a glare, "Turn around at least! We're probably scarring the baby for life."

Pacey sat up as Joey climbed off of him. He stood and pulled his pants up as Joey quickly got dressed. Pacey couldn't help but smile as he headed for the hallway, "I need another shirt."

"Coward!" Joey hissed under her breath, turning around to face Jen on her own.

Jen peeked over her shoulder, "Is it safe?"

"If I said no, would you leave?"

"No."

She flopped onto the couch, petting Bobo as he padded over to her and licked her hand. "Fine, I'm decent."

Jen walked over to sit beside her friend, "I was going to ask how your honeymoon went, I guess I know the answer to that now."

"Actually," Joey smiled blissfully, "That was the first time."

Jen raised her eyebrows, "Really? Well, it looks like I win then." Jen smiled down at the baby in her arms, "So how was it?"

Joey nearly choked on her laughter, "You think I'm going to answer that?"

"I think you should given you probably scarred my child for life."

"You were the one who just waltzed into my home without a care to what you might subject your daughter too. You're the only one to blame," she poked Marissa in the stomach, "Isn't she, sweetheart? It's all mommy's fault you got an eyeful."

Jen smirked, "Yeah, well, I didn't expect you to be having sex on your couch. I didn't expect you to be having sex at all. Especially after you swore up and down that you weren't going to." She then smiled, "And just so you know, I am happy for you."

"Did I say that?" She smirked at Jen, "I don't recall that at all. Do you have proof I said such things?"

Jen smiled, "No." She looked at the hallway, "Where did Pacey go? I need to rag on him too."

"Leave him be," Joey hit her shoulder. "I don't want him thinking this was a mistake."

"I came by to see how your honeymoon went, but I think I already know, so I think I’ll be going. But only so you can get back to Pacey."

"And I appreciate that, truly."

"So...go do what you gotta do. We'll see you later."

"Okay," Joey pressed a kiss to Marissa's curls. "Bye sweetheart."

"Have fun."

"You know, those knowing little smirks of yours are starting to get on my nerves."

"I'm well aware of that."

Joey shut the door on her friend. Glancing around the room she flushed as her eyes landed on the couch. Turning away, she picked up one of the boxes by the door and carried it into the bedroom to find Pacey sprawled across the bed. "Comfortable?" She asked, putting the box down and moving to stand beside the bed.

"Very. I have a little more at my apartment to get and I'm finished. But I'm thinking...that it can wait until tomorrow."

"Oh yeah?" She smiled and slid into the bed beside him.

"Yeah. I don't want to move any more boxes today. What about you?"

"If I see another piece of cardboard in the next twelve hours, I'm scared what I might do." She curled up on her side, tucking her hand beneath her cheek as she looked at him.

He gazed at her as he brushed hair out of her face, "So...you wanna talk about it or pretend like it didn't happen?"

She tilted her head and brushed the tips of his fingers with her lips. "It occurred to me, while I was talking to Jen, that I'm a really selfish bitch."

"How so?" he asked as he rolled onto his side and looked at her confused.

"Because I haven't given a single thought to what you want. And I'm sorry," she smiled weakly. "So it's your decision how we deal with this."

"My decision? Well, what if I want what you want?"

"That'll make things difficult, because I want whatever you want."

"Jesus. Okay, I want...to not date anyone. I want nothing more than to share this very bed with you every night."

She smiled softly, "I can do that."

"Good," he said with his own smile.

She shifted a little closer to him, "You may change your mind when the baby's here..."

"Possible. But I highly doubt it."

"So," she blinked up at him, "You're really not going to see other women?"

"No. I honestly didn't have any intention to do so to begin with."

"Why not?"

"Because I wouldn't have been able to sleep with some random woman, when I would obviously be wanting you."

"So you were just going to spend the next year...?"

"Horny as hell."

She giggled, "You'd have done that?"

"Well, I may have done a little relieving every now and then. But for the most part...yeah."

"I didn't realize..." She grinned, "I really have that much effect on you?"

"You've had that much of an effect on me since we were teenagers."

"You make me feel like an idiot, ya know that?"

"Why?"

"Cause I don't know these things. In high school, I was oblivious, and then here and now..." She shrugged a shoulder. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Have you always...?"

"Have I always what? Wanted you?"

"Yeah," a blush stole up her cheeks. "I was married for three years and...we've been friends for so long..."

He shrugged, "Joey, even if I did...I didn't think about it then. You were off limits and someone I never thought I would be able to be with again. So I tried not to think about it. But...yeah, in the back of my mind I've always wanted you."

"Oh."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, I just never knew." She smiled faintly, "Makes me feel even more like the fool."

"Look...I know you didn't feel the same. I'm okay with that. You should be too."

"Pace...I might have returned those feelings." She blinked, "That's why I feel so stupid."

"Well...we can do something about it now."

"We're married now," she reminded him, "I think we already have."

He smiled, "Good point."

"So, Husband." She rolled onto her back, "What are you going to do about it?"

He ran his hand over her stomach, tracing patterns along her skin, "What do you want to do about it?"

She grinned cheekily, "Whatever you want to do."

He chuckled softly, "I hate when you do that."

"Do what?" She blinked innocently at him.

"Don't look at me like you have no idea what I'm talking about."

"Why Pacey, whatever do you mean?"

"That's it," he began tickling her as she tried to writhe away from him.

"Oh, not fair!" She gasped through her laughter, trying to hit him wherever she could.

He grasped both her hands at the wrist and pinned them above her head, "You were hitting me!"

"You attacked me!"

"You did that...innocent look thing."

"And that means I should get tickled?" Just to spite him, she widened her eyes in innocence.

"Don't make me do it again."

"But I don't know what I did to deserve it in the first place."

"What do you think we should do now, Jo? It's up to you. You know how I feel."

She arched her hips against his, "I can definitely tell how you feel."

He groaned, "Don't start something unless you intend on finishing it."

"What do you want, Pacey?" She slid her arms out from under his hands and circled his neck.

"You. I want you."

She licked her lips, studying the deep blue of his eyes, "I want you to have me."

"Then why are you still dressed?"

"I'm not the only one wearing too many clothes," she tugged on the rim of his jeans for emphasis.

He pulled his shirt over his head and helped her remove hers. He moved in to kiss her as he worked at unfastening her jeans. He tossed them aside, then moved to peel her panties from her body. He kissed her again as he slid two fingers into her, finding her hot and wet. She groaned as she clutched his shoulders and he moved his lips over her neck. She slid one hand over his back, then moved it to the waist band of his pants. He groaned as she unbuttoned his jeans and slid her hand past his pants and boxers to his hard cock.

"I could get used to this..." Joey gasped, arching the soft curves of her body against his. She stroked the length of him a few times, before growing too impatient to wait and forced him away. "Get naked," she demanded, pulling on the rough material to drag them down.

He managed to get his jeans and boxers off his body this time and crawled back to her. He moved between her legs and poised himself at her entrance. He watched her face as he slid inside her, reveling in how soft she was beneath him.

She hooked her legs behind his thighs, drawing him closer. "Deeper," she whispered against his mouth as she rocked her hips slowly up to his.

He slipped an arm under her leg and allowed the crook of her knee to hang over his elbow. She moaned loudly as he slid deeper inside of her with each thrust. Her nails scratched over his skin as he propped his other hand beside her head. He rolled his hips into hers and she tossed her head back and released a stream of muffled words.

She clutched at him, panting his name louder and louder until her body quaked with release. Wave after wave of pleasure tore through her and before she knew it, Pacey was rolling them over, draping her across his spent body.

He took deep gulps of air as his hands moved over her back, "I love...getting what I want."

"I love being what you want," she replied breathlessly, sliding her fingers into his damp hair.

"Believe me...you are." He kissed the top of her head. "I don't want to move the rest of the day."

"Who says we have to?" She toyed with the strands of his hair, having come to the conclusion that any further movement was impossible.

"Well, I can see me getting hungry...that's the only problem."

"Hunger is over rated."

"Says you. I have to eat to keep up my strength."

She smiled, stirring herself to press a quick kiss to his sweat slickened chest, "And what strength you have."

"Impressed huh?"

"At the risk of inflating your ego...maybe."

"Good. But I've decided something."

"Hmm? What's that?"

"We are going to do our damnedest to expand your sexual horizons. You need to learn the appeal of having sex in places other than the bed. Such as...the shower. The kitchen floor. The coffee table. We are going to open you up to all kinds of new experiences."

"The kitchen floor?" She scrunched up her nose. "I'd have to mop first."

He rolled his eyes, "It's all about spontaneity. No mopping first. Just...go with the flow."

She propped her elbow on his chest and looked down at him with a smile, "Do you know what kind of things have been dropped on that floor?"

"Food probably."

"Exactly."

"So? It's all about living in the moment Potter. Just being so overcome with lust you can't help yourself. Like in the
living room earlier."

"I was-I was not overcome with lust," she sputtered.

"You were too. So was I. Why are you acting like it's a bad thing to become so caught up in the moment?"

"Not bad." She said quietly, "Just kinda...kinda scary."

"But a good scary."

"Well," she smiled faintly, "It was definitely good."

"No argument from me."

She tiny yawn escaped her and she put her head back down on his chest. "We're never going to get you moved at this rate."

"That's okay. I would much rather do this."

"Pace, you'd rather do this than anything," She reminded him.

"Good point. So are you sleepy?"

"A tiny bit...twice in one hour is--" she yawned again. "A lot."

"Yeah. I guess."

"For me, at least." She added hastily.

"For most people."

"But not you?"

"Depends. Usually who I'm with."

"What was the record?" She wondered, smoothing her hand over his neck and down his shoulder.

"Four. I don't think I've ever beat that record either."

"We've still got all night," she said softly, "If you're interested."

"Are you serious? I thought you were sleepy."

"I'll take a nap, you go eat something, we'll be good to go," she yawned again.

"I have a feeling you'll sleep longer than you plan to."

"Wake me," she smiled again. "I'm sure you could think of some creative way."

"I can think of several." He rolled onto his side and deposited her on the bed, "I'm going to make a sandwich."

She grabbed the edge of the blanket and rolled herself into it to preserve their body warmth. "I'll be here..."