The strands of Christmas lights glittered in the late evening night, giving the patrons of Leery's Fresh Fish a soft glow. Pacey frowned at how things had changed in the last eight years. Eight years ago, he would have been the life of the party, not standing in a dim corner with a glass of wine chatting idly with Dawson. Of course, ten years ago he hadn't known what an engagement party was.

There were a few people out on the dance floor, Jen with an old classmate of theirs, Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Leery, and a few others he recognized. Some were sitting at tables eating and drinking. More than a few were stationed at the bar. His eyes involuntarily drifted to Joey where she sat at a table talking with Andie. Her hair was swept up in a loose bun; he would have given anything to run a finger along the silken skin of her neck. Her dress hung loosely from her body, clinging to all the right curves. She giggled at something Andie said and he smiled at her happiness. Her deft fingers played along the rim of her Champaign flute; his eyes strayed to the tiny diamond on the ring finger of her left hand. The ring he had chosen for her.

Dawson cleared his throat behind Pacey, shutting his cell phone, and sliding it into his tan khakis. "So I guess congratulations would be in order," he said with a wry smile. He casually leaned the against the wall, the sleeves of his white polo shirt rolled up to his elbows, hands shoved into his pockets. Looking cool and aloof, he vaguely resembled a GQ model. His hazel eyes locked on Joey appraisingly.

He smiled at his lifelong friend. The years had found them closer than brothers, and further away than enemies. These days, they were somewhere in the middle. They'd only recently become a part of each other's lives again. But Pacey was never one to hold a grudge. He had forgiven Dawson for sleeping with Joey years ago. "That they are, my friend. But I thought that was out of the way when the best man was chosen."

A slow smile spread across his face as he watched her. "It's still hard to process. She's not our little Joey Potter anymore. She's grown up into this beautiful and wonderful woman. I just can't get over how lucky I am to have her in my life."

Pacey nodded. "You're right. She is something special." He paused his eyes scanning the room and falling across Jen and Andie. "They all are. How did we get lucky enough to grow up with these three amazing women?" He grinned. "Sometimes I wonder how they put up with likes of us for so long."

"Well, Andie's Jack's sister. There was really no way for her to get rid of him and *I'm* the best girl friend any guy could have," Jen interjected sliding into place beside Pacey. “The real question is how Joey managed to put up with the two of you us long as she did.”

Dawson grinned at the short blond, who was looking particularly eye-catching in her spaghetti strapped red dress. She slid her arm through Pacey’s and Dawson idly wondered if they were fucking. "Seeing as Jen's the wise one of the group. Perhaps she can answer?" he suggested. "So, Jen. How exactly have you, Joey and Andie stayed friends with us and still maintained your sanity?"

Jen smirked and fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously. "If I told you, then I'd have to kill you."

"Ah hah...I think that's the secret. They keep us in line with empty threats. Think about it, D. How many times since we've known her, has Joey threatened to kill us?" Pacey pointed out, his eyes unconsciously taking in her beauty from across the room.

Dawson laughed. "More times than I can remember, though I seem to recall you being on the receiving end of most of those threats."

"Actually, Dawson, I think I'd vote Joey's death threats to Pacey most likely to succeed," Jen joked.

"Hey, I may have been on the receiving end of most of them but I've lasted twenty-six years without her killing me yet. I don't think she has the heart to kill little ole me. And if she put up with me for twenty-six years, I'd say my chances of survival for the rest of our lives are pretty good."

Jen smiled sweetly. "We'll see about that," she said and sauntered over to the table Andie and Joey were at.

Dawson smiled thinking that if he were forced to smile anymore he’d personally pay to remove his teeth. "Eight years and nothing has changed."

"You know what they say, Dawson." Pacey smiled after his friends. "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Dawson nodded his head in silent agreement. "Ah, Dad's motioning me to the back," Dawson stated upon spotting his dad's familiar figure. "I guess it's almost time to make the announcement." He clapped a hand on Pacey's shoulder. "Later."

"Right. Give me the signal when it's time." He nodded and walked away. Pacey leaned back against the wall to wait the moment when he was supposed to stand before all his friends and family.

Joey smiled at Andie and Jen and brushed back a loose tendril of hair that had escaped from her chignon. "So are you happy?" Andie asked excitedly gazing at the exquisite engagement ring that bejeweled Joey's hand.

Joey gazed down at the ring in awe. "I think I am." She forced a brighter smile this time and fingered the ring, before taking a small sip from her champagne glass. She giggled the alcohol going to her head. "I still can't believe it. The whole moment was surreal and incredibly romantic, straight out of one of those romantic comedies I chide Dawson for."

Andie grinned, genuinely happy for her friend. "Aww, that's so sweet," she gushed.

"Yeah, well, I'm just glad everything is going okay." She took a larger gulp from her glass and motioned one of the passing waiters for another.

"I still can't believe that after everything that's happened, the two of you are together again." Jen smiled at her brunette friend. "It's amazing." She continued softly, “It gives me hope."

Joey smiled faintly. "Well, this was bound to happen sooner or later." She shook her head imperceptibly, glancing around the table before looking back up at Jen and Andie. "Excuse me." She hurried away from the table and toward the restrooms.

Pacey watched her head for the bathroom; silently he followed, and stood waiting for her return just outside the hallway to the restrooms.

Joey sighed and walked over to the row of sinks, surprised at how pale she looked. She turned on the tap letting the cold water run for a bit before cupping her hands and splashing her face lightly. Wiping her hands on the towel by her, she stared at her reflection inquisitively for a few moments before she turned the water off. She reached for the small purse that dangled from her wrist and pulled out a slim lipstick tube. She uncapped it and began to apply the soft, shimmery pink. The diamond on her finger caught her attention and she paused for a few moments, startled. She immediately capped the tube and slipped it into her purse. Giving her reflection the once over and deeming herself ready to once again deal with people, she headed out

Pacey caught her arm as she exited. "Miss Potter, may I have this dance?" he asked a gentle smile crossing his features.

Joey stopped startled before visibly relaxing. "If there's actually a chance that my feet would survive in one piece." She smiled.

"Oh, come on. I've improved since I was sixteen." He took her hand and led to the dance floor. Once there, he turned her to face him, he paused, watching the light play off her dark eyes, a deep blue at the moment. She smiled up at him, and he slid an arm around her waist, taking her hand in his, rested them both over his heart. Gently, they began moving in time with the music.

Joey gazed at her hand resting over his heart, the diamond sparkling in the soft light. She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. She felt her eyes begin to drift close as they swayed gently to the music

"So, you ready to give up the Potter name forever?" he asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

"It was never a good name to begin with," she replied her eyes still closed.

"I don't know, it's always seemed pretty special to me." He ran a hand along her arm as the danced.

Joey shivered and pressed closer against him. "All the more reason for me to get rid of it." She grinned beneath closed eyes.

"Ha ha... Mine is no better."

"You have a point," she conceded.

"You know," he said softly gliding around the dance floor, "this is the first chance I've gotten to talk to you all day."

Joey smiled and looked up at him. "Oh, and that's my fault?"

"Yep." He winked at her. "You're the one running through town preparing for this grand occasion, while little ole me had to sit at the B & B and watch the football game all alone... with Dawson."

Joey grinned lopsidedly. "Well, you still would have had to watch it alone because there was no way in hell I was going to watch it with you," she countered and leaned into him.

"Of course not." He spoke as though it were obvious, "You'd have been in the kitchen cooking me some grub." He smiled innocently.

Joey rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming."

"Every night. You do realize that once you're married, you'll have to do all the cooking."

"It's the twenty first century, I do expect my husband to pull his fair share," Joey replied glibly.

"Husband works, wife cooks. What's more fair than that?" he asked with a smile purposefully attempting to get a rise out of her.

Joey rolled her eyes and pulled away so she'd be able to look him in the eyes. "You're such a sexist pig, Pacey."

"Would you really want me any other way?" he teased twirling her around in the center of the dance floor.

Joey cocked her head to the side thoughtfully. "I'd have to think about it." She sighed as she sidled back against him. "So have you seen Dawson? I've lost him in the crowd."

"Oh, that's right," He searched the room for his best friend. The years had tentatively mended their broken friendship. "He's setting up for the announcement. He's going to give me some signal when it's time." He wrapped his arms around her again, enjoying the feel of her heated skin beneath his fingertips.

Joey nodded imperceptibly against his shoulder and stifled a yawn. "I'm so tired, I wish this damn thing would be over already so I can be home in bed."

"Ah, but the night is still young. There are dances to do be danced, food to be eaten, drinks to be drunk... engagements to be announced."

Joey pouted. "I don't care. I'm tired."

"Is that a not so subtle hint that you want to stop dancing?"

Joey nodded and idly traced an undiscerning pattern along the shoulder of his jacket. "You know? We can leave. No one would miss us. Dawson can make the announcement without us," Joey suggested. "We'll tell them I wasn't feeling good."

He chuckled. "And how would that look, us running off together? People might get the wrong idea and think we left for reasons other than fatigue," he said slyly his hand lightly tracing her spine.

Joey pressed closer against him, her warm breath hot against his ear, and lips just grazing his lobe. "Is that such a bad thing?" she whispered before pulling away with a smile.

He pulled away from her slightly, an amused smile playing on his lips. He gave her a 'what am I going to do with you' look, before pulling her close to him and resting her head on his shoulder. He got sight of Dawson at the other end of the room. "Hey, Jo. It's time." He pulled away from her.

Joey nodded reluctantly and released him. "Okay." She pushed him forward and playfully smacked him on the butt. "Go, get'em tiger. The sooner this is over with the sooner I can go home." She smiled sweetly and walked over to Andie and Jen.

"Not so fast there, tigress." He tugged on her hand from behind, "You're coming up there with me." He pulled her along to the front of the restaurant where Dawson and Mitch had set up the main table.

Joey scrunched up her face in annoyance. "Thank you so much," she retorted sarcastically, settling herself next to Dawson now that she was mad at Pacey.

Pacey stood in front of the table and took one of the wine glasses in his hand. He tapped a knife against its side, sending a ringing throughout the room. "May I have your attention please?" Someone turned the music down and people quickly quieted. "First off, I'd like to thank you all for coming, I know the trip to Capeside was a long one for some of you, but I hope you've found our sleepy little town somewhat entertaining.

"Who am I kidding, most of you'd probably rather be in the Antarctic than here. However, Capeside holds some very special memories for me, Joey and Dawson, and no other place would do. Secondly, I'd like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Leery for hosting this gala. Thirdly, the reason you're all here, aside from the free food and alcohol." He shot a glance back at Joey; his voice grew strained as he continued, "As Best Man, I'm proud to announce the engagement of Josephine Potter to Dawson Leery."

He raised his glass, "Here's to a lifetime of friendship and true love." He downed his flute of Champaign in one gulp, avoiding looking at either of them. "Congratulations."

Please send feedback. It means the world: Rinalin@aol.com and paceysbitch@seductive.com