Dawson was still at their house the following evening when Jen turned up. The adults had been sitting in the living room eating a quick snack in front of a movie when her insistent knocking interrupted them. Pacey answered the door and opened it wider to allow Jen in knowing without even asking why she was there, 'He here?'. Pacey nodded and ushered her into the living room.

'I take it you've been here for the past couple of nights?'

Dawson stood and nodded guiltily 'I know, I should have phoned'.

She laughed sharply, 'There are a lot of things that you should have done recently Dawson, this is just one more thing to add to the list'.

'I know'.

'So are you intending to stay here for good, because I can bring round your bags'. She nodded her head towards the front door 'They're in the car'.

'Are you throwing me out?'

'I don't know Dawson, we have a blazing row and you storm out..." I don't see you for two days and-'

'Jen, I don't want to move out. I just think that we need some space'.

'I would've thought that you'd had all the space you needed recently Dawson. You certainly haven't been with me'.

Dawson glanced at Joey and Pacey who were standing awkwardly behind the sofa. 'Look, we need to talk, do you want to go for a walk and give Pace and Jo some peace and quiet'. She nodded and waited while he grabbed his coat, they left moments later and he tried to follow her as she stalked down the front steps. 'Jen, wait up'.

She spun around angrily, 'It's good to know that you remember my name'. He grabbed her arm and she shook it off, 'What Dawson, not sure what to do now? How about you have a stiff drink or something first'.

He let go of her arm defeatedly and shoved his hands into his pockets 'I'm sorry'.

She swiped at the tears that were threatening to fall down her cheeks, refusing to let him see her cry, 'Just for once I'm sorry doesn't cut it Dawson. I could have done with that a month ago when I lost the-' she stopped, suddenly unable to say the words.

He shook his head, 'What do you want me to say Jen, I know I handled things badly, I couldn't deal'

'Well, unfortunately I had no option but to deal Dawson'. She opened the trunk of the car and pulled out a large bag, holding it out to him.

'What does this mean?'

'It means that I'm going to give you the space you are craving Dawson, I'm going home'.

'But Jen-' he held out a hand as she climbed into the car and started the engine, 'Wait!' He tried following the car for a couple of paces but gave up, dropping the bag at the side of the road. He glanced back up at the house and saw Pacey appear at the top of the steps, 'You okay?'

Dawson looked at him stunned and shook his head, 'I don't know'.

'Why don't you come inside'?

'Um thanks but I think I'll-' he ran a hand through his hair 'I think I need a walk or something, I'll be back later'.

'Dawson.'

'I'm okay, I just need to be alone Pace'

Pacey sighed and turned to walk back up the steps, closing the front door behind him.

The next morning 8am

Pacey was seated at the kitchen counter nursing his fourth cup of coffee when Joey appeared in the doorway. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing his cheek briefly, 'Still no sign huh?'

Pacey shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly 'No'.

'He'll be ok Pace'.

He turned in the circle of her arms and kissed her gently 'I know, I just-'

She placed a finger on his lips 'I know Pace.' She removed her finger and kissed him again, moaning softly as he pulled her closer. An insistent tugging on Joey's sweater interrupted the heat of the kiss. She grinned and pulled back, allowing enough space between them for Megan to climb onto Pacey's lap. Pacey rolled his eyes at Joey and kissed his daughter on the forehead, 'Morning munchkin'.

She repeated the action, causing both her parents to laugh. Joey circled the counter and poured herself a cup of orange juice from the fridge 'So, what does everyone want to do today?'

Pacey and Megan looked at each other and turned to face Joey, saying simultaneously 'The zoo.'

Joey chuckled 'Are you forgetting what happened the last time we went to the zoo Pace?'

He raised an eyebrow at her, 'Well, as far as I am aware that shouldn't happen this time - unless there is something you aren't telling me.'

She rolled her eyes 'It must have been a pretty immaculate conception if that were the case.'

'Don't I know it.'

She opened her mouth in shock and threw a towel at him. Rebecca cried out from upstairs and Joey banged her head against the fridge door 'Hold that thought Witter.' She swatted his shoulder as she passed him by 'I'll be back in a minute'.

He stood and sat Megan on his now vacant stool 'Do you want cereal or pancakes for breakfast Megs?'

'Pancakes'

Joey emerged back into the kitchen ten minutes later with a content Rebecca snuggled against her shoulder. She sat at the table and settled the baby in the playpen next to her. Pacey placed a plate full of pancakes on the table and moved Megan to the seat next to him, placing one of them on the plate in front of her. They were in the middle of breakfast when shattering glass startled them both.

'What-' Pacey was out of his seat in a shot, he told Megan to stay where she was and Joey followed him into the living room to the source of the noise, Dawson. He was standing in front of the front door, his hand poised to knock. Pacey stepped around the broken glass around the front door, motioning for Joey to stay where she was because of the broken glass on the floor.

He yanked open the front door 'Dawson, what the hell-' he stopped when he saw the statement on his face, he was drunk, so drunk that Pacey was amazed that he had managed to find his way to their house.

Dawson lurched into the living room, stumbling past Pacey and up to Joey. She instinctively turned away from him, inching her way towards the kitchen and safety. 'Dawson, stop'.

Pacey grabbed Dawson and pulled him away from her, moving to stand in front of Joey 'I think you better leave D'.

'Why?' he sneered.

'I don't want you around my family while you are like this'.

Dawson stared at him 'I'm not drunk.' His attention left Pacey as Megan appeared timidly in the doorway to the living room 'Hey little girl!'

Megan smiled at him and began running towards him 'Uncle Dason'.

Pacey wasn't quick enough to catch her before she was halfway across the room, one bare foot landing heavily on a shard of glass. She cried out in pain and fell to the floor, Joey covered her mouth with her hand and watched as Pacey ran to her side and lifted her into his arms. He rubbed her head soothingly, knowing that her foot needed attention but not wanting to leave Dawson alone for one minute. He carried Megan over to Joey and gently handed her over to her mother, watching for a moment until her sobs quietened.

He turned and faced Dawson, the anger coursing through his body making his hands shake 'Get out'.

'What if I don't want to?' he lurched forward.

'Then I'll make you'.

Dawson lifted the bottle he held in his hand higher, almost level with Pacey's head. Something inside Pacey snapped and he acted.