Pacey hated talking about his failed engagement to Kristi. However, he knew he owed Joey the whole story, especially because Kristi is still a significant part of his life. He had planned to tell her when they finally got time alone.

Pacey stood in the corner of the office as Joey sat in his chair silently.

"Knock, knock," he heard Kristi say. "Pacey, can I come in?"

He glanced at Joey, who nodded, and said, "Come in."

Kristi opened the door and walked in hesitantly. First, she looked to Pacey. "Are you okay?"

When he nodded, she turned to Joey. "Jack told me you two are back together. I wanted to offer my congratulations. I know how much you mean to Pacey. He always spoke very highly of you, Joey."

"Please understand that while our relationship was amazing, ending it was one of the most difficult decisions we have ever made. So, it is painful to talk about even though we've come out on the other side. I do know he would have told you. I just unwittingly forced the issue."

Pacey smiled at Kristi to thank her for the support and she nodded in kind.

"That said, Pace, we really need to discuss a few things from my trip before you prep for the day. I'll let you finish up your brunch and conversation and then I'll be back, okay?" She said as she walked toward him. When she stopped, she grabbed his hand and squeezed.

He reciprocated and then said "Okay. I'll see you a little later."

After Kristi left, Pacey returned his attention to Joey and knew this issue was far from over.

He had his very own soulmate in Kristi. Not one born of childhood friendship and a four-month teen romance, but one earned through navigating the trials and tribulations of an adult relationship. And he didn't know if she could deal with that.


It took everything Joey had not to freak out learning about Pacey and Kristi. When she left the office, she said her goodbyes to her friends and cornered Bessie by the truck.

"How could you not have told me, Bess?"

"It was a long time ago, Joey. You were finishing college after Paris. You rarely came home for more than a day or two in between your travels. Your life and Pacey's couldn't have been farther apart. I assumed you two wanted it that way and that if he actually went through with the marriage, he'd tell you himself."

Joey raised a hand to her forehead. "I'm sorry Bess. I'm just thrown. He says she is his Dawson."

"Hmm, I can believe that. They're so in sync that people always wonder why they aren't married with two kids by now."

"That's not helping me right now Bessie."

"Sorry, Joey, but it's the truth. The only way people know they aren't an old married couple is by the gossip surrounding all of Pacey's flings since their breakup."

After letting Bess go, Joey found herself at Dawson's.

He was outside on the dock, so she joined him.

"Did you know about Pacey and Kristi, Dawson?"

"No, I didn't Joey. But I told him the other night how I saw that he had changed and he told me that life happens. I suppose he was referring to her."

"He told me she is his Dawson. And I'm not sure if I can handle that."

"Why?"

"Because, Dawson, they aren't like us. He almost married her. How can I trust that whatever separated them in the first place will stick and that I won't end up competing for his affection down the road?"

"Joey, he's loved you for years. There is no way he would jeopardize a second chance."

"Well, technically it's our third chance, Dawson." Joey admitted.

"Oh? I didn't.. ah… know."

"No one did. We were trying again right before he lost your money. I blew him off for Eddie. I couldn't trust that we had grown up enough to learn from our history, so I ran."

"Well, then you need to stop running. And stop using his history against him."

Joey nodded in understanding. Logically she knew Pacey wanted her and no one else, but, her heart knew how powerful a soulmate connection can be. She'd was used to being the only one to really have Pacey's heart as a man. And she didn't want to share.