Joey was nervous about seeing Pacey. It had been a while, they hadn't seen each other since Audrey's and Pacey's wedding. Oh, the wedding of the century. She was so devastated that they actually decided to get married, she just put on a brave face, said her congratulations, and then drove straight back to New York and cried thousands of tears . She remembered the day so clearly, even though her vision and thoughts were a blur. She had decided that right before the wedding, before they were committed, that she would tell Pacey how she felt.

'Pace... I know you're getting married tomorrow, but there's something that I want to talk to you about.'

'Ok, fire away Potter, you're making me nervous.' Chuckled Pacey.

'Well, I... I remember that day in the kitchen where you declared your love for me... and I ... well... I just wanted to say...'

'Jo..Don't do this . Please. Dont dredge up the past. I'm getting married tomorrow.'

'Why? You have no idea what I'm going to say...' spat back Joey, she was determined to tell him how she felt.

'Joey. I'm happy.'

Joey gave him a small smile, and ran to Dawson's. Dawson swung open the door, and she literally collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Dawson could do nothing but comfort her, feeling literally helpless.

'Joey, I know this isn't the best time for you, but I need you to be strong. You will find someone better Joey, who will deserve your love more than Pacey. Just give your heart time to heal.'

'I don't want my heart to heal. I want Pacey!' sobbed Joey. 'What am I going to do Dawson?'

'Cry, lash out, shout, scream, whatever you want. But Jo...It's too late. You have to accept that.'

Joey looked up at Dawson. He was devastated for her. Her eyes were red, her eyelashes were thick with tears, and her mouth was downturned, probably miserable for the rest of her life. Suddenly, without thinking, Joey moved her mouth towards Dawson. She kissed his small lips, trying to part them with her tongue. She wrapped her arm around him as she leant into him. Dawson was surprised, and unsure how to react for a minute or so.

Joey continued to kiss Dawson, trying desperately to have some comfort, without realising the pair of eyes which were watching them through the window, walking away with their head down, as if they were never there.

'Joey... this isn't the greatest idea', stated Dawson, as he pulled away. Joey looked at him stunned for a few seconds, and realised that she had just done the most stupidest thing.

'Oh my god... Dawson.. I'm so sorry. I ... I don't know what I'm thinking.'

'Hey, it's ok, Don't worry, I know that you're hurting.' He gave her a soft, embarrassed smile. He didn't love her like that anymore, and he knew full well that she didn't love him like that either. If they continued, they would both end up regretting it.

'Sorry about that, that was weird', chuckled Joey, her cheeks tinted with a furious blush.

'Ha, well, at least It made you smile', he bantered back.

Joey stood nervously outside the restaurant. Worried, and slightly anxious, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

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Pacey sat inside the restaurant, waiting for his dinner guest to arrive. To say that he was nervous was an understatement. He hadn't seen Joey for just over 18 months. He thought they were done with all their long times apart, but obviously not. He didn't know why she didn't come back to Capeside, the thought completely baffled him. He thought originally it was to do with him, but obviously, not after she kissed Dawson, she had made her feelings quite clear. Pacey let out a soft sigh, as he briefly remembered back to the night before his impending wedding.

'Pace... I know you're getting married tomorrow, but there's something that I want to talk to you about.'

'Ok, fire away Potter, you're making me nervous.' Chuckled Pacey.

'Well, I... I remember that day in the kitchen where you declared your love for me... and I ... well... I just wanted to say...'

'Jo..Don't do this . Please. Dont dredge up the past. I'm getting married tomorrow.'

'Why? You have no idea what I'm going to say...' spat back Joey, she was determined to tell him how she felt.

'Joey. I'm happy.' Why did I just say that? He thought. I love this girl more than anything.. Was she trying to tell me that she wants to be with me? What the hell is going on?

He watched helplessly as she gave him a short smile, and ran in the opposite direction. He couldn't move. He was frozen to the spot.

Does she want me? He thought. He slumped down onto the floor, thinking furiously. What great timing. Why does this girl always do this to me?

When he told her that he loved her, he never got a quick response. It was no fault of her own of course, they were interrupted every time. After a week, he got fed up of not being able to spend time to discuss their impending relationship, he headed to the B & B. When he realised that she wasn't there, she headed to the next place he thought she would be. Dawson. He walked around the corner round the back of Dawson's house, and froze at the sight. Joey and Dawson, sitting on the bench outside of his house, their foreheads together. Well, he thought, I guess that's my answer. He smiled to himself. He couldn't be cross with her, he had told her that he wanted her to be happy, no matter who that was. The act of being in love with her was enough for him. Although it cut like a deep knife, because he never really meant those words.

He headed back to The Icehouse, defeated, deflated, and exhausted.

'Hey there stranger.' He whipped his head around to the sound of the voice which was vaguely familiar.

'Audrey!'

Back then, it seemed so simple. He would get over Joey, again, by trying another fun relationship with Audrey. Their relationship was so carefree, that he suddenly craved it all again. He decided that he was never going to ever love a girl again like Joey, so he proposed to Audrey, wanting to spend the rest of his life with her, having no worries, no stresses, just fun. Did he love her? He didn't know, but he wanted to try so god damn hard to love her, he felt like it was a challenge.

When Joey had ran away from him, the night before the wedding, he was so confused. He was so sure that she was about to tell him that she loved him back. He would walk away from the wedding. He would walk away from everything, to have her back in his life the way he wanted. God, that woman was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he decided, that now, this was the right path, finally.

He headed to Dawson's as he knew she would run there, he could tell she was upset. He peered through the window where the light was coming from...and it felt like a car crash all over again. Joey kissing Dawson, wrapping her arms around him.

Fucking stupid idiot. She wasn't coming to tell him that she loved him. She came to tell him she was going to be with Dawson. She was apologising for not telling him sooner, when he admitted his love for her. No wonder she never got back to answering him back.

He vowed from then on, that he was over that Potter girl. He walked away, stoney faced, back into the arms of his fiancée, and married Audrey the next day.

Pacey tapped his large fingers on the tablecloth nervously. He was looking forward to at least attempting at a friendship again. Their whole facade, their banter, was gone. The emails were exchanged were simple, mostly boring. He wanted at least a decent relationship with the girl he once loved.

'Hey', he heard above him. He looked up, straight into her dark eyes. Her lopsided smile shining down at him.

'Well, well, well Potter. Don't you look ravishing!', stated Pacey as he stood up to greet her. She chuckled slightly, blushing at his compliment.

'Well I guess you don't look too bad yourself, jail bait!'

'Come here Potter'. He held out his arms, and she slightly hesitated, before leaning into his embrace. Tears instantly sprung to her eyes, as she remembered the hugs they used to smell, his touch, so familiar. She cleared her throat quickly, and slowly, regretfully, pulled away from his embrace. He noticed that her eyes were slightly shining.

'Getting emotional on me Jo?' he chuckled softly. She flashed him a shy smile, and simply stated, 'It's just been a long time Pace. I missed you.'

'I missed you too Jo. Well, shall we?' he gestured towards the table, and she sat down opposite him.

'Well, how's life in the big city?'

'Ah...entertaining to say the least. I'm always busy at work these days so don't get alot of time outside of the office. When I do, I head to Times Square, and just stand still, just watching the crowds go by. It's quite mesmerising actually. You should try it some time!', she teased, starting to relax greatly. God, she missed him so much, her heart was breaking just talking to him. She just wanted to kiss him so much. That, however, would be entirely inappropriate, as he was married. To her former best friend. Karma's a bitch, she thought.

'Ha, well you'll have to show me one day when I have more time in New York, I'm only here for the night, then I need to head back. It's been crazy, I met another chef for some ideas on some new recipes, and thought I would kill two birds with one stone, see if I could fit you in at all!'

'Wow, thanks Pacey, makes me feel so special!'

'I'm just kidding Jo, you know I would always make time for you.' They sat their awkwardly for a few minutes, not quite sure what to say next. Pacey cleared his throat.

'So, how's the love life? Any men stolen your heart?'

'Meh, no. I mean, I dated for a while, but I'm so busy with work, I just don't really have the time.'

'Ah, must suck for all those lonely men in the world.' Joked Pacey. Was it bad that he was secretly pleased with this information?

'Well, how's married life?' There, she asked. She didn't want it to seem like she was bitter in anyway, she just wanted to be happy for him. When Pacey didn't answer straight away, she momentarily floundered.

'Its... ok.' Is that it? She thought. Hmm, maybe I asked that question too early.

'Anyway, enough about other people, let's toast to a great night, drink lots of wine, and see the night out with a bang!' Pacey raised his glass to hers, and took a big gulp. She smiled shortly at him, and took another big gulp of hers too.

Xxxxxxxxx

Hours later, they were completely relaxed with each other. Laughing with enthusiasm, and crying tears of joy. She felt completely relaxed in his company, and it probably didn't help that she was as a skunk, to put it lightly. They had at least 4 empty bottles on their table, she couldn't actually count the exact number right now. He looked as drunk as her, as he told tales of embarrassing situations which had occurred at The Icehouse.

Once she had stopped wiping away the tears, she looked at him seriously.

'Pacey. I'm drunk.' She looked so serious, then suddenly burst into fits of giggles.

'Ha, I think it's time to get you home, before I forget where I actually am.' She hastily agreed, nodding at his statement. Pacey paid the tab, and they headed out into the night.

At her apartment, he turned to her, and looked at her for a few minutes.

'Well.. I had a great night Jo. Let's do it again sometime soon, ok? We left it too long.'

'Yes...Yes of course.' He smirked lightly at her slurring her words. He loved a drunk Joey Potter, but this time he was equally as drunk.

'Where are you staying tonight Pacey?' She suddenly blurted out.

'Ah, well, I haven't technically got a hotel at the moment. But I'm gonna head to the nearest one for a room and crash there. Hopefully I'll be pulled out of my alcohol induced slumber before check out time!', he joked.

'No Pacey, you can stay with me, I have a perfectly good second bedroom that never gets used, and what's the point of spending money when you can stay at mine for free?'

'Well.. It's not exactly free Jo.. I just paid for your dinner, and your alcohol habit...'

'Hey! I resent that.'

'Ice Queen.'

'Perve'

'Prude'. She giggled again at their childish remarks. He chuckled along with her, reminiscing the good old days.

'You sure I won't be putting you out? I don't want to be a hassle.'

'Of course not, come on!' She tugged on his hand , ignoring the jolt of electricity that ran through her body, and lead him to her third floor apartment.

Pacey had never been inside her apartment before, and it was all Joey. The soft furnishings, the paintings on the walls, it reminded slightly of the B and B. Of course, there really was no place like home. She lead him towards the second bedroom.

'Here you go! Enjoy your sleep, I'll see you... in the afternoon?' She smiled at him.

'Thanks Jo... Goodnight.'

'Goodnight Pace.' She nodded towards him, standing their momentarily, and then headed to her bedroom.

She stumbled into her room, and got changed, eventually , once she could figure out how to take her dress off in her drunken slumber. She brushed her teeth in the mirror in her bathroom, and crawled into her side of the bed. She lay there staring at the ceiling for a while, trying to stop her head from spinning. Oh god, she thought, this would hurt in the morning. Thank god I don't have work!

After twenty minutes of tossing and turning, she sat up slowly, and turned on her bedside lamp. She thought for a second, thinking about her next actions, but just decided to give herself the same grief that she gave herself every night. It didn't matter that he was in the next room, she would still cry herself to sleep looking at his picture. She opened her bedroom drawer, and placed the picture on top. She stared at it for a second. Oh, he was beautiful, she thought. You know what? Fuck this.

She roughly pulled away her covers, and headed towards her door. She creaked down the short corridor, and knocked softly on his door.

'Pace?' she questioned, as she didn't hear an answer. She slowly creaked open his door, and padded barefoot towards his bed.

'Pacey?' He opened his eyes, stunned at the sight of her.

'Joey? Is everything ok?' He turned on his light after sitting up in bed.

'No.. no it's not.' She looked at him with such a state of seriousness, that she momentarily concerned him.

'What's wrong?'

'I just... had to do this...' He blinked at her twice, not sure at what she was implying. 'Do what Jo?'

'This.' She was suddenly taking a step forward, and straddled him on the bed. He looked completely stunned, and he took a deep breath.

'Jo..' He was cut off as she dived towards his mouth, and kissed him softly. She parted his lips with her tongue, and felt completely delirious as she felt him soften, relax and gave in to her. His tongue responded to hers, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, pulling her nearer to him. They kissed hungrily. His hand started to climb her perfectly toned body. It met her breast underneath the material of her pyjamas. He rubbed her breast lightly, as his mouth pulled away from hers, and started to kiss her neck.

'Mmmm... Pace...', moaned Joey, lost in his touch. Her words seemed to snap him out of it, and he pulled away immediately, his arms retracting by his sides so fast away from her, as if she burnt his skin.

She opened her eyes in shock, 'Pacey?'

'Joey..we shouldn't do this... I'm married for god sake.' He shook away the guilt he now carried in his mind.

'I... Please Pacey... I need this...', she leant in for another kiss, and he turned his head away from her. Her bottom lip started to tremble as the humiliation now hit her.

'Pacey..'

'Joey. Just leave. Get out. Now.'

'I'm so sorry... I... I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so sorry..', she stumbled, as she ran back to her room.

Once she was safely inside of her room, she slammed the door behind her, leaning against her door with her hand over her mouth, shocked at her actions. This completely sobered her up. How stupid am I? She thought, he's going to hate me forever now.

She walked towards her dresser, and stared at their picture again, tears blurring her vision.

'Joey...' She heard behind her. She whipped her head around, and saw Pacey standing in the doorway, he had opened her door, and stood their staring at her, he was just in his boxers, his hair ruffled, and noticed the picture on her dresser.

'Pace..I'm so sorry...', she was interrupted as he suddenly darted towards her, kissing her hungrily, lifting her off the floor, and placing her on her bed. She kissed him back in surprise, slowly melting into his kiss. He leant over her, and she felt his hardness against her thigh, which made her shiver inside. She parted her legs, so he could rub up against her. She felt his hands inside the material of her top, and he lifted the top off her, so he could see her bare breasts. He pulled away from her mouth, and stared at the beauty of her.

He started to kiss her again, moving slowly down her neck, and cupping her breasts, his tongue slowly dancing around her nipple. She moaned at the contact, as she placed her hand on his package, and started to rub him gently. She felt his breath get heavy against her breast, turning her on even more.

He placed a hand inside her shorts, and felt for her most sensitive area, and rubbed it gently, knowing the way she liked it, remembering back to the intimate moments they used to share. She responded to his touch by moaning again, 'Oh god Pace,' she moaned, as he started to slip a finger inside her. He knew she was ready for him when he felt her wetness.

'Oh God Pacey, I can't take it anymore. I want you inside of me, now!', she gasped, feeling his fingers move inside of her. He grinned at her confession, and pulled her shorts down. He took off his boxers, and hovered his hard member infront of her entrance. Before he entered, a moment of panic overtook his features.

'Shit Jo.. I don't... I don't have anything...', he blurted full of regret.

'It's ok Pace.. I'm on the pill, It's fine. Please', she responded, her eyes still closed, waiting for the moment of impact.

He took her admission, and started to slowly enter her. Once he was completely in her, he felt her insides fit to his member, and he shuddered at the feeling of being inside her again. He pulled nearly all the way out, and ploughed back into her. She moaned louder, loving the feeling of him inside of her again. He started to speed up, moving faster and harder inside of breath became ragged and he started to moan with her. God, it felt so good. She wrapped her arms around his back, slightly digging her nails into his back. She moved her hips with the rhythm, moaning into his ear, feeling herself lose control, an incredible warm feeling taking over her, and she let go completely, screaming his name as she had never felt anything so good in her life. Her orgasm took him over the edge too, and he grunted as he moved quickly to release himself inside of her.

Out of breath, they stared into each other's eyes. She looked up at him with her wide eyes, searching him for something. He stared back at her, and moved his hand to move strands of hair out of her face. He kissed her slowly again, and pulled out of her. He shifted to his side of the bed, and wrapped his arms around her. She spooned into his touch, and they both fell asleep with smiles on their faces. They would deal with tomorrow, tomorrow. Right now, was all that mattered at this moment.

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