Now

"Pacey," Jen whispered. Pacey walked over to her, unable to speak. She wrapped his arms around him as he slowly let the tears out.

"Is there any word?"

"Not yet."

"Tell me what I heard isn't true," Pacey begged.

"Here's what I know: They were alone at the ruins. They were both shot... and now they're both in the hospital. Do you want to sit?"

Jen and Pacey walked over to the Leery's and sat down without a word. What words were there to say at a time like this? Bessie were sitting near them, her face drained and looking pained.

"Mr. and Mrs. Leery," everyone looked up as a doctor walked into the room. "Come with me."

Mr. and Mrs. Leery stood up and walked over to the doctor. Jen looked over at Pacey, he was shaking. She put her hand on top of his.

"Noooooooo" the scream of Mrs. Leery filled the air.

Then

July 1999

Joey and Dawson exchanged glances as they walked into the party. Neither of them really wanted to be there. They'd been enjoying their own private world for the past month. But it was Jen's birthday.

Joey didn't want to have to answer questions about her and Dawson yet. Was she happy? What is happiness? Settling into a pattern that was completely comfortable?

Something was missing. Intensity? Arousal? She shook her head. She didn't want to question things with Dawson. Dawson was her soul mate; her future.

When they entered the party, everyone was playing seven minutes in heaven. Jen looked up. "It's about time you guys got here!" she added two more names to the hat. Joey sat down and glanced around the circle. Who were all these people? She glanced over at Pacey who shot her a big grin. Joey's face broke into a smile. She glanced at the girl next to Pacey, or more correctly, the girl who was draped all over Pacey. She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Pacey and Joey" Jen called, laughing. "Wow Joey – you're here for five minutes and you're already in the closet with someone!"

Joey nervously got up and followed Pacey into the closet.

"Hey Potter, it's about time I got you alone," Pacey laughed.

The closet was so small; they couldn't help the fact that their bodies were pressed against each other.

"What for?"

"Don't worry. I will try to keep my lips to myself this time. "

"And why is that?" She asked dryly.

"Because you've been distant with me ever since. I'm sorry I pissed you off Jo. Although I would like to add that it got you the results you wanted"

She took a deep breath. "Did you ever stop to wonder why I was pissed,"

"I assumed because I offended you?"

"It's not nice to spend an entire night with a girl, make her think you are attracted to her, and the say haha the joke is on you, this is all for someone else's benefit"

"Wait, back up, you are pissed because I'm not attracted to you?"

"It just wasn't nice, I thought you actually wanted to kiss me" she said softly.

He put his hand on her lower back and pulled her close to him. He leaned down so his lips were near her ear. "Jo, I think you are sexy as hell. I can't remember a time I wasn't attracted to you. And given the opportunity, I would like nothing more than to make love to you until you scream with pleasure" he said softly, his voice husky. She could feel him hard against her. She felt herself pressing her body into him.

He releases her abruptly. "But that isn't the relationship we have, is it?" His voice returned to normal. "You are in love with my best friend. So I'm sorry that my almost kiss made you mad. But you got what you wanted... From both of us. So maybe now things can return to normal?"

"Pacey," she began, almost unable to find her voice.

"Times up kids," Jen said, opening the door. Pacey and Joey both winced at the light of the room.

"Thank god?" Joey said lightly.

"Jen, I was about to score!"

Everyone laughed as Joey sat down next to Dawson. Dawson took her hand as if nothing had changed. But everything had changed.

Now

Bessie sat by Joey's bed. Joey looked so pale. She just wanted to wrap her arms around Joey and tell her everything was going to be okay. But it wasn't.

The doctor entered the room and looked at Bessie. "I've gotten the tests back. It looks like she's going to be okay. But she lost the baby."

"The what?"

Then

Sept 1999

Dawson walked Joey to her locker and kissed her lightly. This was bliss; perfection. What more could someone want out of life? He sighed. Sex.

All summer they'd fought about it. What was the big deal? They knew they'd be together forever. They were in love. They were soul mates. What else did she waiting for? He wanted the lack of sex not to mean anything. To believe what they had was far more valuable than sex.

But he wanted to get laid. And he was starting to feel more antsy and curious by the second. He looked over at Pacey, who was wildly making out with some girl. He hadn't talked to Pacey all summer, but it certainly looked like Pacey was getting more action than him.

He pulled Joey close to him and kissed her deeply.

"Dawson, quit it!" Joey exclaimed pushing him away. "We're at school. Cut the shit!"

Dawson shook his head and walked away without a word. Joey lightly banged her head into her locker and fought off the tears.

"You okay?" Pacey asked walking over to her.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Not as okay as you obviously. Who's the girl?"

Pacey smiled awkwardly. "Mary. She's a freshman. Don't judge"

Joey smiled slightly and nodded. "So... I'm still meeting you today at the icehouse right?"

"I'll be there. Maybe I'll even bring some books."