center
PI just want to take you away from everyone br
And keep you stashed under my pillow br
And then I'd take you out simply for my own pleasure br
And wear you when the occasions special br
Then I'd put you on like a diamond br
So I can sparkle and be the envy of my friends br
I'd proudly hold the leash that I'd have you on br
So you can't stray and follow me around all day br
br
It's too late now br
I don't think it can fade br
It's too real now br
Fulfillment just adds fuel to the blaze br
br
Compulsion has stained me br
I'm nervously cradling our young love, without known limits love br
Like a butterfly cupped in my hands br
I peek in to see beauty trapped br
Confined it flutters br
Then it leaves behind colorful dust br
To remind me of the special times we've spent br
But of course it has to leave my clutch br
But enough's never enough to make a dent br
br
It's too late now br
I don't think it can fade br
It's too real now br
Fulfillment just adds fuel to the blaze br
br
And in time it will end br
And there really isn't hope for the two of us br
But right now I give in... br
br
It's too late now br
I don't think it can fade br
It's too real now br
Fulfillment just adds fuel to the blaze br
~Too Latebr
~No Doubtbr
/center


phr width="100"

pPacey typed away on his computer, making out the test he was going to give to his
students next week. The class was pretty quiet, a few whispered words here and there,
but other than that, they were all reading "The Monkey's Paw".

pThe intercom came on in his room, "Mr. Witter?"

p"Yes?"

p"There's an urgent phone call for you in the office."

pPacey stood up, his mind immediately racing with what could be wrong. Sam. He
then looked at his class.

p"Continue reading and I should be back in a minute."

pThe students looked back and forward at one another then back at their teacher
disappearing down the hall. He wanted to run, to find out what was so urgent that he
needed to be called out of class for.

pHe finally reached the office and quickly brought the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

p"Mr. Witter?"

p"Yes."

P"This is Samantha's teacher Ms. Porter. I'm sorry to pull you out of class, but it's
about your daughter."

pPacey felt his heart beating wildly, "Is she okay?"

p"She's not feeling very well."

p"Not feeling well?"

p"She's sick to her stomach. And she vomited in the class room."

PShe was sick. She was fine this morning, he thought. But then she didn't look like
she felt all that well. "Okay. I'll see if I can come get her or I might get someone else to
come for me. Would that be okay?"

p"Yes. She will be in the office."

P"Okay."

P"Good-bye."

P"Bye."

pPacey hung up the phone. The secretary looked at him, "Is everything okay?"

P"My daughter is sick and I might have to leave to go get her."

p"If you have to, we could get someone to cover your classes for you."

PHe nodded his head, then picked up the phone. He dialed her number without even
thinking, knowing that she was home. "Hello?"

p"Joey."

P"Pacey? What's wrong?" she asked, worry lacing her tone.

P"Sam's sick. Could you go get her for me, please?"

pConcerned, she asked, "What's wrong with her?"

P"She's sick to her stomach."

P"I'll be happy to."

P"Thank you. I am forever in you debt."

PJoey smiled, "I'll remember you said that."

p"Bye."

P"Bye."

PPacey hung up the phone and then walked back to his class to find Josh standing at
the front of the class, doing an impression of him. He folded his arms over his chest and
leaned against the doorframe.

pThe girls saw him first and tried to hide their smiles. Josh then noticed Pacey standing
in the door and the class broke out laughing more than they already were.

P"You through? I was just starting to think you were funny," Pacey said smirking.

pJosh rolled his eyes, "Give me a break, Mr. Witter."

P"Have a seat."

pJosh moved back to his seat, turning six shades of red. "So did you finish reading the
story?"

PSeveral of them nodded. Chelsea, the girl on the front, raised her hand, "Mr. Witter?"

P"Yes."

pShe smiled, "My mom said she knows you."

P"And who is your mom?"

p"Well she used to be Abby Morgan..."

p"Your mom is Abby?"

p"You knew her?" she asked, raising her eye brows.

P"Yes. It was kind of hard not to."

p"She said you always got in trouble."

pPacey nodded, then smiled, "I did. I was the Josh Jennings of my class," he said,
looking over at the tall boy.

p"What kind of stuff did you do?" one of the other girls asked.

pPacey thought for a minute. Half the stuff he did was a little on the illegal side, or the
stuff pertaining to Tamara was. "Well, let's see, I got in a fight or two, I made jokes all
the time..."

P"She said you had an affair with your teacher."

pPacey smiled, "Don't believe everything you hear."

PA boy in the back spoke up, "So it's not true?"

pPacey shook his head, "I can assure you, it was just made up to make me look worse
than I already did." Pacey then changed the subject, "So, who can tell me about the story
you just read?"

phr width="100"

pJoey walked through the school to the office to get Sam. She walked around the
corner and found the little girl with her knees pulled up to her chin, her skin pale. Joey
walked over to her, and Sam dropped her knees, and her feat dangled over the edge of the
seat.

pJoey kneeled in front of her and put her hand up to her head. "Did Daddy send you?"

P"Yeah. You're going to go to my house, okay?"

PShe nodded, then Joey stood. "I'm here to check her out. Her father sent me."

pThe woman nodded, "Are you on her list of people to check her out?"

P"I don't know, why don't you check." She said irritated.

PThe woman pulled up her card, "And who are you?"

p"Josephine, or Joey, Potter."

P"Ah...okay, you may take her home."

pJoey signed the sheet then lifted Sam into her arms, as the little girl wrapped her arms
around Joey's neck. She rested her head on Joey's shoulder as they walked out of the
school. She put Sam in the front seat, and seat belted her in. Joey went around the other
side and climbed into the car, and pulled out of the parking lot.

pJoey drove to her house, casting glances over at the little girl next to her. "So what
happened, Sam?"

P"I got sick in class. And everybody laughed at me," she said trying not to cry. "Noah
got mad and told them to stop laughing at me."

pJoey smiled, "He did?"

p"Uh-huh. And the teacher took me to the office."

p"Well you will spend the rest of the day with me. Is that okay?"

pThe little girl nodded. Joey looked at her overalls and noticed the large wet spots on
her chest, legs and the top of her shirt. "And you can change into some of Noah's
clothes."

p"I'm going to wear his clothes?"

p"Yes."

pJoey pulled up to her house and Joey went around and picked Sam up, and carried her
into the house. Joey carried Sam upstairs to Noah's room.

p"Are you feeling any better?"

PThe little girl shook her head. Joey put her on the floor and she climbed onto Noah's
bed. Joey dug around in Noah's drawers, looking for something the little girl could wear.
She finally came upon a pair of shorts and a t-shirt that would fit her. Joey shut Noah's
door, then moved to the little girl.

pShe helped Sam out of her overall's and shirt then helped her slip on the other clothes.
"Do you want to go lay down in my bed or on the couch.?" Joey asked her.

pSam looked thoughtful for a minute, "Where will you be?"

p"I have stuff to do downstairs," Joey said thinking about writing out payroll checks,
inwardly groaning to herself.

p"Couch."

pJoey smiled. "I'll fix you something to drink too, okay?"

pThe little girl nodded as Joey picked up Sam's clothes from the floor and escorted the
child downstairs. Sam curled up onto the couch and Joey draped a blanket over her. Joey
walked into the kitchen and then into the laundry room. She put the clothes in the
washing machine into the dryer and Sam's clothes into the washing machine. She then
walked back into the kitchen and pulled out a cup then filled it with Pepsi.

pJoey walked back into the living room and found the little girl crying. Joey moved to
sit beside where she was laying, and set the cup down on the table next to the arm of the
couch. Joey smoothed down Sam's hair, speaking softly, "What's the matter?"

pSam wiped her nose with her hand and sat up, tears cascading down her cheeks. "I
miss my Mommy."

PJoey pulled Sam into her arms. "My Mommy always made me feel better...but she's
not here no more."

pJoey slowly rocked the little girl, smoothing down her hair, "I'm sorry you lost her."

p"I want my Daddy."

pJoey sighed, "Sam, your Daddy is at work, but I'm here, okay? I'm not your Mommy
or Daddy, but I can try to make you feel better."

pSam sniffled and pulled her head away from Joey's shirt. She nodded and clung on
tighter to Joey. Joey smoothed down her light hair, trying to give her some sort of
reassurance that she would take care of her any way she could.

p"Why don't you lay back on the couch and let me get you something to drink, okay?"

pSam nodded and leaned back against one of Joey's throw pillows. She pulled the
blanket draped across the couch onto the child, then stood and walked into the kitchen.
As she poured the Ginger Ale into the cup, the phone rang.

P"Hello?"

p"So did you pick her up?"

pJoey smiled, "Yes. She's a little upset, but understandably so."

PPacey sighed, "Do you need anything when I come get her?"

pJoey thought for a minute, "Could you get Noah for me?"

p"Sure."

p"Thanks. But I'm going to go back to your daughter. She's not allergic to anything is
she?"

p"Like what?"

p"As in medication."

p"Oh...no."

p"Okay...well, I'll see you later."

P"Joey..."

P"Yeah?"

p"I really do appreciate this. More than you know."

p"Pacey...don't worry about it."

p"But I do...I mean...she's not your responsibility..."

P"Okay...just shut up now. I love Sam...okay? Besides, you would have done it had it
been Noah."

P"True...but you didn't have to...and you saved me..."

PJoey smiled, "Well, just know that I will expect you to do the same for me in the
future."

pHe laughed, "You got it Jo."

p"Bye, Pacey."

p"Bye."

pJoey hung up the phone and walked back into the living room where he found Sam
sleeping softly. She set the cup on the coffee table then tucked the blanket up around her
shoulders.

P"I'm not asleep," she said as her blue eyes opened.

p"Then why were you faking?"

PThe little girl shrugged. Joey handed her the cup and Sam took a sip. She handed the
cup back, "Joey?"

P"Yeah?" she asked as she brushed Sam's blonde hair away from her face.

P"Are you going to be my new mommy?"

PJoey was a little taken aback. What in the world would possess her to ask that
question? "Sam..what makes you think that?"

P"Cause...you're kind of like my mommy."

P"How?" she asked softly.

P"You take care of me...and Daddy. He's happier than he was. He used to cry a lot.
But he didn't want me to know."

pJoey looked at the hand that was smoothing down the girls hair, then into the blue
eyes that almost mirrored her fathers. "Sometimes kids see things that there parents don't
want them to, huh?"

PSam nodded, "Huh?"

PJoey smiled and shook her head. "But you know what Sam, who's to say what will
happen. No one knows what the future brings...and as of right now, that's nothing that a
five year old should worry about."

p"I'm almost six."

p"You are?"

pShe nodded. "Uh-huh."

p"Well...I still don't think that this is something that a soon to be six year old should
worry about."

p"Okay. Joey?"

p"Yeah."

p"Can I watch cartoons?"

PJoey handed Sam the remote and the child began flipping through her channels. Joey
stood then walked into the laundry room and lifted the basket of clean clothes and carried
them into the living room. She sat on the end of the couch where Sam's feet weren't
touching and folded her and Noah's clothes.

pThe telephone rang again and Joey reached for it. "Hello?"

p"Hi Joey."

p"Dawson...I haven't made up my mind yet."

p"You said to call you in a week. So I'm calling."

p"And I'm telling you that this is hard for me to decide." Joey looked over at the little
girl who was watching her with wide curious eyes. "Sam, I'm going in the kitchen, if you
need anything you just let me know."

p"Okay."

pJoey walked into the kitchen, her back to the child in the living room. "Do you know
how hard it is for me to make this decision, Dawson? I mean, let's not count the fact that
you hurt me, because that wouldn't keep me from letting you see him, but the fact that for
the last four years you haven't called, haven't sent one birthday card, or a single letter
saying 'Hi' or anything." She sighed, "Dawson, Noah is happy. He has asked about you,
but to him you are this figment of his imagination."

P"I want to change that Joey."

p"Dawson, you can't change that with one visit."

P"I know...that's why...that's why I want..."

P"You want what? Partial custody?"

P"Something like that."

p"No way."

p"Joey..."

p"NO! Look...I should have known...you always want more...never satisfied. I was
actually considering this...but...I can't Dawson. I have to do what's in his best interest."

pDawson sighed, "Don't you think that it would be in his best interest to let him see his
father?"

pJoey was quiet for a minute, bringing her hand up to her eyes, swiping away the tears
that had started falling.

p"I think it would be in his best interest if you never showed you face to him. I think it
would have been in his best interest if I had never gotten involved with you."

p"Joey..."

P"No. He's all I have and you are talking about taking him away from me..."

p"I'm not...I just think that I should be able to see him."

p"I don't think so."

P"Joey, please don't make me take you to court over this."

P"Dawson...it will be your fault if you do."

p"Damn it Joey, can't you just let me see him? If not just one time! I deserve that."

pShe was quiet for a minute, "If I let you see him once, will you promise that you won't
ask for him more than I'm willing to let you see him?"

p"Joey..."

p"Dawson...it won't happen unless you agree. If you want to see him more, you have
to prove it. Take a role in his life. Remember the things you're supposed to..."

p"Whatever it takes Joey. I will make you see that I can be a good father to Noah."

pJoey sighed, "That will take a lot of convincing."

P"Joey." Sam said, standing in the middle of the kitchen.

P"What's wrong sweetie?"

p"I got sick again."

P"Who is that?" Dawson asked.

P"Hang on Dawson." She sat the phone down and walked over to the little girl. She
wiped off her face, then looked into the living room. "Did you manage to make it to the
bathroom?"

P"Uh huh."

pJoey went to her refridgerator and took out the bottle of peptobismal and poured the
right amount for her. She picked Sam up and put her on the counter next to the phone.
"Drink this. It should make your tummy feel better."

pThe little girl made a face as she swallowed the thick pink liquid Joey went to grab her
cup out of the living room. Joey handed it to Sam, and she took tiny sips.

p"There. Now," she sat her back on her feet, "go finish watching cartoons and I'll be
back in there in a minute."

p"Okay."

pJoey watched as the child retreated into the living room, then remembered the phone.
She picked it back up, "Dawson?"

p"Yeah I'm here. Who's Sam?"

p"Sam is...Sam is Pacey's daughter."

P"Pacey is back?"

P"A lot of things have happened since you left Dawson."

p"Like you taking care of Pacey's sick child," she noted the bitterness in his voice.

P"You know, what I do is my own damn business. She was sick and Pacey asked me
to go get her from school, so I did, not that I need to explain any of my actions to you.
We aren't married any more, remember?"

pDawson sighed, "I know, Joey. And I'm sorry for getting all protective and jealous. I
shouldn't do that."

p"You're right, you shouldn't." Joey took a breath. "I'm off Saturday, and was planning
on taking him to the park. You can come along if you want. But, let me tell him that you
are his father."

p"Okay. Thank you, Jo."

P"Yeah, you better not make me regret this Dawson."

P"I'll make you proud Joey."

p"I doubt it."

Phr

pNoah looked around the crowd of kids and parents, but didn't see his mother
anywhere. He was starting to get scared. She was never late.

P"Noah," Pacey said as he reached the boy.

p"Hey Pacey. Sam left school."

P"I know. Your mom has her. That's why I'm here."

p"Why?"

P"To pick you up," He said as he lifted the boy onto his shoulders. Noah started
laughing. "How was your day, little man."

P"Okay. But I got mad."

P"Why?"

P"Cause...they were mean to Sam."

P"Who?"

p"Those mean kids."

P"They were mean to my Sam?"

p"Uh huh. I told them to stop."

PPacey smiled, "You did? Well, it seems you were Sam's hero," he said as he pulled
Noah off his shoulders and sat him in his car.

p"What's a hero?"

PPacey thought for a minute, "A hero is someone who...saves people without being
selfish."

p"I didn't save Sam."

P"Yes you did."

P"How?"

p"You told them to stop picking on her, right?" The boy nodded, "Then you are her
hero."

p"I just did it cause they were making her cry. I don't like it when she cries."

P"Me either. How about you hop into that seat and seatbelt yourself in and we can
take you home?"

P"Okay." Noah did what Pacey asked and the two were soon on their way to Joey's
house. Pacey kept looking at the boy, noting how much he really looked like Dawson.
Not just in the way he looked, but in the way he looked at things. He seemed fascinated
by everything, his greenish eyes looking everywhere, never taking it all in. He
remembered Dawson having that same curiosity when they were younger.

PPacey pulled up to the house and Noah quickly climbed out of the car and raced up
the steps and through the front door. Pacey followed behind him and found Joey and Sam
sleeping on the couch. Noah went upstairs and put his book bag up, then came back
downstairs and found Pacey kneeling in front of Sam, rubbing her blonde hair.

PJoey's eyes fluttered open and she jumped when she saw Pacey in front of Sam.
"Jesus, you scared me."

P"I did?"

p"Yeah. Where's Noah?"

pThe boy walked around the couch and climbed into his mother's lap. "Right here.
Guess what Momma."

p"What?"

p"Pacey said I was Sam's hero."

pJoey looked over at Pacey then back at her son, "He did?"

P"Uh huh."

p"Good."

PSam's eyes opened and she smiled when she saw her father. Pacey smiled back at her
and her little arms wrapped around his neck. He pulled her off the couch and into his
arms. "Are you feeling better?"

PShe nodded, then looked over at Joey, "Joey gave me some medicine."

P"Good. I want my little princess to feel better."

P"I do."

PJoey looked over at the two, "Sam, your clothes are dry if you want to put them back
on," she said as she handed the shirt and overalls back to the child.

p"Thank you, Joey."

p"Welcome, Sam."

pSam climbed off her father's lap and went upstairs. Noah remained in his mother's lap,
playing with her necklace. After a few minutes, he became bored and ran up the stairs to
find Sam.

p"She wasn't a big problem was she?"

p"No...not at all. After I gave her some medicine, she went to sleep..."

P"And you soon followed."

p"Yeah."

PPacey looked at her for a minute, "We're past all the tension and stuff right?"

P"Yeah."

P"Then what's wrong, because I'm pretty sure that you aren't tense because I'm here."

PJoey looked over at him, her heart yearning for her to throw herself in Pacey's arms,
tell him all her problems and have him tell her that everything would be okay. "Dawson
called me today."

PThe look on his face became unreadable, "He did?"

pShe nodded, "Yeah. And for some reason, I agreed to let Noah see him."

p"Why?"

PShe shrugged. "I don't know. I guess...I want him to be a part of Noah's life. He
does have that right."

p"I thought you were completely against that..."

P"I am...I was...I don't know, Pacey. I mean, Dawson is his father. And as much as I
don't like Dawson did to my family, he did have a hand in creating him. I can't really deny
him the chance to see his son, can I?"

P"Are you asking me as your friend or an unbiased party?"

p"Let's start as the unbiased party."

p"Dawson is his father, but he is not his daddy."

p"I understand that..."

P"Follow me here, okay Jo? Dawson does have rights to see his son. He did have a
hand in creating him, but you, the person who cared for Noah, raised him. You are
turning him into a fine little man, and Dawson had nothing to do with that. But on the
other hand, he is his father...and the two will always be connected in a way. Noah will
always ask you questions and if I know Dawson, he will badger you until you let him see
Noah."

p"I know. And I've thought of all that." She sighed, "Now, how about as a friend?"

p"You should let me kick his ass."

P"Pacey..." she said with a slight smile.

p"No...look he hurt you. He made a choice...and it wasn't his family. Part of my family
was taken away from me...he let his go. So for his stupidity, he shouldn't get to see
Noah."

pJoey began fidgeting with her hands, "He said he would take me to court over this,
Pacey."

PPacey suddenly looked pissed, "Do you think he would?"

p"You know Dawson, he'll fight until he gets his way."

p"Yeah...."

P"Are you okay?"

p"You mean other than the fact that I would like to break every bone in his body? Oh
yeah, I'm fine."

p"Pacey..."

p"When is this going to happen."

p"Saturday."

p"Let me guess...when we were taking Sam and Noah to the park to play?"

P"Yeah...about that..."

p"Joey..."

p"Look...I...I wanted it to be in a safe place, you know. And I might need someone for
a little emotional support."

pPacey smiled, "I'm there, Jo."

P"Good, cause I don't think I could do this without you..."

p"Well...you know you can count on me...to kick the shit out of Dawson."

PJoey started laughing and Pacey soon followed.

phr

PJoey sat next to Pacey on the bench, looking out at the children by the swing sets.
Her knees were pulled up to her chin as she watched Noah push Sam in the swing, the
little girl laughing with joy.

p"I'm nervous, Pacey."

pHe looked over at her, "I don't doubt it."

PThe week had gone by slowly, drawing out time in order to torture her more. "What
if..."

pHe looked over at her, "Don't start filling your head with 'What ifs', those will mess
with your head."

p"I know. I just wish he would hurry up, get here, and get this over with."

pPacey saw him over her shoulder. He couldn't get over how much he hadn't changed.
He still looked like the same Dawson. "Wish granted," Pacey whispered.

PJoey turned to find Dawson walking towards them, and took in a deep breath. She
stood as Pacey reached them. "Dawson."

p"Hey Joey." Dawson looked at the man that Joey had been sitting beside, "Pacey?"

p"Yeah."

P"God, it's been...a while."

p"Yeah, it has."

pSam came racing up to her father and jumped in his lap, "Daddy, Noah pushed me so
high!"

P"He did?"

P"Yep."

pNoah soon raced up behind her. "You should have seen her Pacey...I thought she was
going to go to the moon."

pDawson watched the exchange with Pacey and his son, then soon found himself
wishing that he could have that one day with Noah. Joey took Noah's hand and led him
away from the other three.

P"Who are you?" Sam asked, looking up at Dawson.

p"I'm...I'm Dawson."

p"Oh. Daddy, will you come push me on the swings?"

p"Sure, sweetie."

pPacey got up to follow Sam, leaving Dawson alone at the bench. Joey and Noah soon
came back, and Joey sat on the bench in front of Noah. "Noah, this is your dad, Dawson."

pNoah suddenly became very shy, "Hi."

PDawson smiled, "Hi, Noah."

PPacey watched as Dawson, Noah, and Joey all sat with one another and talked. This
horrible feeling of jealousy crept into him. Seeing Dawson with Noah and Joey was not
something that should bother him, but it did. He didn't like seeing Dawson come back
into something that had become a home for him and his child. But Noah seemed to be
warming up to Dawson. He was at least smiling now.

pPacey stopped pushing Sam and the little girl walked around to look at her father.
"Daddy."

PHe looked down at her, her little cheeks pink from playing, "Yeah princess?"

p"Who's Dawson?"

P"That's Noah's daddy."

P"Oh."

P"What do you want to do now?"

pShe shrugged. "Can we go home?"

P"How are we going to go home? Joey drove, remember?"

p"Oh yeah. When can Noah play with me again?"

PPacey shrugged and lifted Sam into his arms. Pacey heard the familiar sound of the
ice cream truck, "How about some ice cream, Sam?"

p"Okay," she said with a wide grin.

PJoey's eyes watched as Pacey walked across the park to the ice cream truck. She
wished Pacey hadn't left.

P"Why did you leave?" Noah asked.

pDawson looked at the little boy, not really sure of the answer to give him, "I
left...because I was selfish."

P"Oh. Did you miss me?"

PDawson smiled, "Yeah."

p"Did you miss mommy?"

pDawson looked over at Joey, who seemed a million miles away, "Yeah, I missed her
too."

P"We have a Pacey and a Sam."

P"I know. Did you know that Pacey and I grew up together?"

pNoah nodded, "He told me. Do you like GI Joe's?"

pDawson smiled, "Yeah."

P"I have lots of them. I have lot of cars too. Right mommy?"

pJoey snapped out of it when she heard Noah say something to her, "Huh?"

p"Don't I have lots of cars?"

P"Tons."

PNoah smiled and nodded. "How long are you going to be here?" he asked, looking
back at Dawson.

p"A long time, if that's okay with you."

PNoah nodded. "Yeah!"

PPacey and Sam made their way back over to the three, "Noah, Sam insisted we buy
you an ice cream."

P"Yeah. And it's brown."

pNoah took the ice cream, "Oh thank you Pacey. He's not hyper enough as it is."

P"Hey...blame Sam."

p"I have to go...Joey, could I talk to you a minute? Bye Noah. See ya, Pacey."

pJoey stood and followed Dawson, casting a backwards glance at Noah as she followed
him.

P"I want to see him again, Joey."

PShe sighed, "Dawson..."

p"You've done an amazing job in raising him, with no help from me, but I'm ready to
grow up. I'm ready to take care of my son."

P"I'll think about it."

pDawson nodded, "That's all I ask...just think about it. And whether you know it or
not, I do appreciate this, and I thank you for this chance."

pHe leaned in a placed a kiss on her cheek, then walked away. When she walked back,
she found Pacey sitting with Sam and Noah, the two children were talking away, but
Pacey, was quiet. Too quiet for someone who always has something to say.

phr

pJoey took a seat next to Pacey on the couch, and took in a deep breath. "You've been
quiet since we came back. What's up?"

PPacey looked over at her, then back at his hands, "How did things go?"

PJoey smiled, "Better than I hoped."

P"Really?" he asked softly.

p"Yes really. What's wrong with you?"

p"Is Dawson planning on getting back into your life too?"

pJoey stared at him oddly, "What?"

P"Is Dawson planning on winning you back too?"

P"Why would you ask that?"

pPacey shook his head, "I saw him kiss you, Joey."

PJoey's expression changed, from one of confusion to one of understanding. "Oh."

pShe stood and walked behind the couch, "Pacey...why...why do you care?"

pHe stood and followed her, "Because...you're my friend. I don't want to see you get
hurt."

p"What makes you think I'm going to get hurt?"

p"He hurt you once before..."

P"Yeah...but what makes you think that I will ever let him get into that position to hurt
me like that again?"

P"I.." Pacey paused, "I'm being irrational aren't I?"

P"A little. And I also think you are being a little jealous."

P"I...I am not!"

P"Yes you are."

P"So...so what if I am?"

p"If you are, why are you?" she asked teasingly.

p"Cause...you...you have become a part of my life...and I don't want to lose you."

PJoey's voice softened, "You aren't going to lose me."

p"Yeah...well, you and Noah have become this...fixture in my life...and I like having the
both of you around."

PShe smiled, "We kind of like having a Pacey and a Sam too."

pPacey moved closer to her, "Then...I was just being a stupid jealous idiot, right?"

P"Yeah...but you know...I kind of have a thing for stupid jealous idiots."

PPacey raised his eye brows, "Oh yeah?"

PJoey was suddenly closer to him. She didn't know if she'd walked there, or he'd
walked over to her, but there they were, inches from one another. "Yeah."

p"We're going to kiss again, aren't we?"

P"I think so. Not going to leave this time are you?"

P"Not planning on it."

p"Good."

PPacey's lips met hers in a soft sweet kiss. Their lips barely brushing against one
anothers. His hand came up to cup her cheek, sweeping his thumb over the soft flesh.
Joey's mouth opened, "Are you just teasing me?" she said softly.

P"What makes you say that?" he asked, pulling away, brushing his lips over hers again.
"Would you consider this teasing you?"

pJoey let out a soft moan, his mouth coming over hers, claiming her in a much deeper
kiss. Joey's hands found their way into his hair, running her hands through it, sending it in
every direction. Pacey playfully tugged on her bottom lip, then releasing her when he
heard to little voices giggling.

PPacey and Joey pulled apart, finding their children watching them from the stairs.
"You were kissing!" Noah said loudly.

PSam laughed, "Yeah!"

PJoey shoved her hands into her back pockets, and looked up at Pacey, he was trying
not to laugh with them, but when he looked at Joey's face, he found himself laughing along
with Noah and Sam, and soon Joey followed.

pJoey reached up, whispering into Pacey's ear, "I'm glad they find this funny, but we
have some things we need to talk about."

pcenter
To Be Continued
/center