After Jen's funeral, they went to the wake at Gail's house. She had insisted on hosting rather than having Pacey close the restaurant again. She thought it would be more memorable for everyone to be close to the house where Jen lived while she was in Capeside. Even though the house was sold, it would always be "Gram's house" and thus, Jen's house.
While Joey and Andie caught up on the porch, Pacey approached Dawson on the dock.
Even though Dawson claimed everything was okay yesterday, he needed to be sure.
"Hey, Dawson," he said as he reached him. "How you holding up?"
"Okay, I guess. I'm really going to miss Jen. Even though I hadn't seen her in ages, I still knew she was out there, you know?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. She was our fourth - and now she's gone."
"Remember the day she came to town? She got out of the cab and changed life as we knew it."
Pacey laughed. "Oh yeah, I remember. Lindley's arrival put us on a course we never could have anticipated. But you know what?"
"What?"
"I wouldn't have changed it. Despite everything, I wouldn't want to have NOT gotten to know her, you know?"
'Yeah, I know."
They stood there for a moment in silence remembering Jen. Then Pacey broached the subject. "Are we really okay, man?"
Pacey watched Dawson think a moment. "Yeah. We are, Pace."
Pacey let out a sigh of relief. "Now that I have Joey back, I'm not about to give her up, but I'm glad to know that I won't lose you again, too."
"I'm not gonna lie, it does hurt. Part of me will always wonder 'What if?', but I now realize that her loving you doesn't mean she doesn't love me, too. It's not all or nothing. And I'm okay with that." Then Dawson laid an arm over his shoulders and pulled him in good naturedly . "And, we've worked too hard to forge a new friendship. I don't want to lose it anymore than you do."
"So, it won't be awkward?"
"It can't be any worse than before, right?" Dawson asked on a laugh.
"No, I guess not."
"On that note, though, there's something I need to talk to you about…"
Joey was catching up with Andie when she saw Pacey approach Dawson. She watched them out of the corner of her eye and sighed in relief when Dawson grabbed Pacey by the shoulders and they began walking toward the edge of the dock. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but they seemed to be getting along. When Pacey playfully punched Dawson in the arm at the edge of the dock, Joey knew it was going to be okay.
"Joey? Did you hear me?" Andie asked.
"What?" Joey responded. "I'm sorry, I was distracted."
"How can you not be with those two?" Andie replied with a giggle.
"They are pretty fine, aren't they?"
"Yeah, they definitely are." Andie sighed.
"Um, Andie, are we cool?" Joey asked hesitantly.
"I was a little shocked when I found out you were back together. I was feeling, I don't know, hopeful, I guess, since Pacey's and my conversation the other day at the hospital. But, he's always wanted you, Joey, so…"
"I'm sorry, Andie. Really, I am. I know how much you loved him." Joey said, sad for her friend's dashed hopes.
Andie shrugged. "It's okay."
Joey turned her attention back to Pacey and Dawson, but was tapped on the shoulder by Andie. "Do you have a minute? There's something I need to talk to you about."
"Sure, what's up?"