Joey, Jack and Jen stood impatiently on the dock. "Where do you think he is?" Jen asked.

"Ladies, chill. He's only a couple minutes late. The only thing he's ever on time for is work and dates," Jack said, relaxed.

There was a third thing Pacey was never late for, thought Joey. Sailing. The man never missed a minute out at sea if he could help it. "I hope he's okay."

Just then, they heard a loud crash in the boathouse and Joey knew he was perfectly fine. Guess he made a habit of groping girls in boathouses. She crossed her arms and growled. "He's fine, guys," she grumbled as she nodded in the direction of the boathouse.

Jack snickered and Jen rolled her eyes, but not before exchanging glance of female solidarity with Joey. Joey shrugged and said, "Clearly money hasn't changed him."

A minute later, Pacey emerged from the boathouse looking all kinds of scrumptious in a pair of Hawaiian swim trunks and a black tank. "Sorry about that guys," he said as he approached. "Had to ah…"

Joey arched an eyebrow, wondering what excuse he'd cook up for the others as she watched Melanie leave out of the corner of her eye from street entrance, clothes askew. When he continued to flounder for an excuse, Joey took pity on him. "No problem, Pace. Let's just head out."

They exchanged a secret smile and then she went to step onto the boat, but Pacey stopped her with an arm out. "You don't board a man's boat without permission, Potter. You know better than that."

"I know better, Pace. I just don't feel like asking."

Joey stuck out her tongue and then boarded the boat. She sat her stuff down and then went about the task of helping Pace launch the boat.


As Pacey and Joey worked together silently to ready the boat for launch, Jen exchanged a glance with Jack. "I'll bet they don't even realize they're doing this," she whispered.

"Probably not," he whispered back. "When the hell are they gonna give in to the inevitable?"

"Who knows? They're both too busy running from the past to see the future staring them in the face."

Right before they pulled away, they heard a voice shouting. "WAIT UP, GUYS!"

"Is that Dawson?" Jack asked.

Knowing it was, Jen watched Pacey and Joey freeze and look up tentatively. The smiles they had been wearing a moment ago were replaced by wariness.

When Dawson reached the end of the dock, he asked. "So, ah, do you have room for one more?"

Joey looked at Pacey and shrugged, indicating it was his decision. Interesting.

"Sure, Dawson, hop in," Pacey said.

When he did, he greeted her, Joey, and Jack and then turned toward Pacey. The two stood silent a moment staring at each other, tension evident. Then Dawson said, "Great boat, Pace."

He laughed. "If you like this, wait till you see the Viper."

"Whatever you do, don't let Joey drive," Dawson advised with a chuckle.

"It's stick. She couldn't even if she wanted to," Pacey volleyed, amused.

Joey gave them the finger and said, "Well, if I can't drive stick, that's more of a reflection on my teachers than me."

And Jen let out a breath she'd been holding for the past three years.