Chapter 2

"Joey?" Bessie calls out, "You have a phone call."

Still standing in the driveway after watching Pacey leave, Joey turns around and walks towards the house wondering who could be calling her. She hadn't been back in Capeside for a full day, yet somehow the whole town knew she was here.

Picking up the phone, "Hello?" "Oh, Hi Gale, Its good to hear from you, Dawson? Umm he is still in L.A, he said he would call you later." "Yeah! Its great to see Bessie and Bodie, umm sure I can come for lunch, I would love to see you and Lilly. Okay Gale, I will see you then, love you too, bye." Joey places the phone back onto the cradle and sees Bessie raising her eyebrow.

"So, spill?" she asks. "Theres nothing to say Bessie, just Dawson's Mum inviting me for lunch". "Not that! Don't play coy missy, what happened between you and Dawson?"

Joey looks down at her feet, "It's complicated" is all she was willing to offer. "I'm going to go over to Gales, I'll see you later, I will bring Alex home with me."

Walking down through town to the Pier, Joey sees the Icehouse, wandering inside she wonders if Pacey is around. Seating herself at the bar, a bossomly blonde exits the kitchen to take her order. "Kristy? Kristy Livingstone?" Joey asks. "Its me Joey Potter, I was a year under yours in High School." in an attempt to refresh the memory of the blonde standing in front of her. "Oh right, Your dad was the one who burnt this place down, what brings you back to Capeside?" Kristy asks passing Joey a menu.

"Can I get a coffee, black thanks, and I'm just here visiting" taking the coffee from Kristy. "Thanks" Joey looks around.

This place is amazing, she couldn't believe what Bodie and Pacey have done with it. Joey was surprised when she had learnt that Pacey and Bodie went into partnership, Bessie was so full of praise of that Witter boy, at first they all thought it was just Pacey being impulsive but he soon convinced them. Joey was well aware of Paceys implusiveness, thinking about the wall he had bought her. She felt a guilty twinge as she rememberd she never did get around to painting on it. Paying for the coffee, Joey leaves the Icehouse and makes her way towards Gale's place. She was a little anxious as she hadn't heard from Dawson since she gave him back his ring.

"Aunt Joey" Alex races Lilly to where his aunt stood. "Hey guys" Joey scoops down and gives them both a hug. "Mama, is in the parlour" offers Lilly. Joey can't believe how cute they are, smiling she takes each of their hands and together they walk towards the Leery house.

"Grams, can you take in this in for me please." Jen asks entering the kitchen with her favourite skirt over her arm, her slimming waistline after the birth of her daughter Amy was causing all sorts of wardrobe malfunctions. Grams looks up from reading the Saturday Paper, "leave it on the bench dear". "Okay Amy is sleeping, and ive left a list of numbers you can call if for any reason..". "I know child, I have them all on speed dial, now you go and have yourself a great evening"

"Thanks Grams I will", Jen kisses Grams on the forehead. "Jennifer?" "Yes Grams?" she replies as she puts her jacket on. "I saw Josephine down on the docks earlier, I didn't know she was back in town." "Whoa, neither did I" Jen lets out a startled smile, "I wonder if Pacey knows" she murmers under her breath.

While waiting outside on the verandah for Jack to collect her after he finishes grading papers. Jen tries to remember the last time she saw Pacey and Joey in the same place. It was at the Anti-prom they had put on so that Jack could attend with Ethan. She watched them dance together and thought they looked beautiful. Until Dawson showed up of course. She shook her head sadly, she and Joey had reached a stage in their friendship where she could come to Jen for advice, but when Jen sided with Pacey, her and Joeys friendship quickly dissolved again. They didn't hang out a lot during their senior year and had pretty much drifted onto different continents during college.

She had heard that Joey and Dawson were on again off again all the time and wondered where they were now. She realized Jack was beeping the horn for her to come out, hopping into the car, she places a kiss on Jack's cheek. "Did you hear?" "Yeah!" was the reply "Pacey has invited her to dinner." Jen nods as she ponders the situation, "tonight should be interesting" she muses out loud.

"Little Brother" Doug calls out as he enters Paceys apartment. Joey following couldn't believe how great the apartment was, boasting spectacular views over the Harbour. "This place is, wow" she says lamely. Dougie smiles, "Our boys done good."

Walking down the hallway towards them, Pacey stops his heart hammering. "Jo, you look beautiful" he breaths before hiding his face in her hair to cover the heat he felt rising over his cheeks. "Hey Pace, thanks" "I feel a little over dressed" looking at both Pacey and Doug in their more casual attire. "We are better for it" Pacey grins.

"Can I get you something to drink?" "Wine for me thanks" Doug says, "Jack is DD tonight, I will pick my cruiser up tomorrow if you dont mind."

"No problemo bro" "Jo? What be your poison?"

"Wine sounds great Pace, thanks" "What does DD mean?" Jo asks Dougie.

"DD is designated driver, we like to stay responsible"

Smiling Joey wanders around the room, noticing its simplicity, she turns to Pacey who hands her a glass of wine.

"I've always liked a simplistic look" he sweeps his arm around the room, "the ocean is the feature wall, so all this.." indicating the room again, "just needs to accentuate it."

Joey smiles in appreciation, "'its beautiful."

"Honey, were home!" they hear from the door, Jen and Jack arm in arm come bundling into the room.

Pacey walks over and picks Jen up "Lindley you are gorgeous as ever!" kissing her cheek.

Joey watches and feels her stomach dive. Are they a couple?!

Jack and Dougie also kiss, which also rocks Joey onto the back of her heels.

"When did this happen?" wide eyed she looks between Jack and Doug, feeling they are the safer option to discuss.

Jack gives her a hug, "Hey Joey, we have missed you."

Doug laughing, "a year or so ago" he admits to Joey. "Although it took me longer to accept my feelings for Jack than I care to remember."

"It's Okay" Jack smiles, "We got there in the end." he leans over and gives Dougie another kiss.

"Hey Joey" Jen says, "hows life?"

"Hi Jen", Joey nods, "its good thanks, hows yours?"

Clearing his throat, Pacey offers Jen wine and Jackers some coffee. "Lets toast, to friendship" he says.

"Cheers" they all said in unison.