Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, it all belongs to the WB and the genius that is Kevin Williamson.

Author's Note: This can be read as a stand-alone fic or as a sequel to 'Student Bodies'. It is set about 18 months after 'Student Bodies' so Joey is starting her final year and David is well and truly settled into his new position at Boston Bay. (For more back-story, go read Student Bodies – I want the reviews!!)

Chapter One – Trouble In Paradise

Joey glanced down at her watch again and sighed loudly; she dropped her pencil onto the desk and stared blankly at the completed exam sat in front of her. She picked up the Styrofoam mug of lukewarm coffee and drained it with a grimace; she grabbed her paper and pencil and stuffed both into her bag. She stood and shrugged her coat on and swung her bag onto her back before leaving the library in search of Audrey and Pacey. She knew that they wouldn't be too difficult to find, she wouldn't be surprised if they were still sitting in the same booth of the canteen where she had left them two hours before. She tightened her scarf slightly as she walked, pulling her coat closer in a vain attempt to keep out the bitter November wind; winter was definitely on its way.

"How goes the exam practice?" asked Pacey as Joey dumped her bag onto the table and dropped into the seat next to Audrey.

"Good. I've got my times down now, all I need to do is revise and I should be fine," she sighed happily.

"God, Joey Potter. You do know finals aren't for months yet, you're making me look really bad!" groaned Audrey.

"C'mon Audrey, you know what our little Joey's like. She needs to be on top of things, she's a total control freak," smiled Pacey, Joey gave him a glare and kicked him under the table. He let out a quiet yelp of pain before grinning inanely, Audrey laughed to herself before putting an arm around Joey's shoulder.

"So, Miss Potter, are we still coming over for dinner this evening?" she asked. Joey's face fell a little but she shook herself off and perked up again.

"Definitely, I'm cooking lasagne,"

"Need me to do anything?" asked Pacey. Since leaving his job at Civilisation, he had been reduced to menial jobs to pay the rent but jumped at the chance to cook.

"Dessert would be good if you're really that desperate,"

"Excellent, dessert it is. So, who's actually coming to this little soiree of yours?" he asked.

"Dawson, you guys, I haven't heard back from Jack and Jen yet. I don't know if David will be back in time though," she said, smiling sadly and hoping nobody asked about her and David's relationship. Audrey flashed Pacey a look of concern and nudged his foot with her own.

"Okay, what's up at Casa de Wilder?"

"Nothing, honestly. They gave David the English department but now he just works all the time and he's always home late and I never see him anymore," explained Joey. "God, I miss him,"

"Aww bunny, I'm sure he misses you too,"

"I know but it's so hard, especially living in that huge house. It seems so big with just me in it which is the way it is half the time,"

"How's everything else going? No worries anywhere else… like the bedroom?" grinned Pacey; Joey gave him a withering look but refused to answer his question.

"Pacey! You can't just ask people about their sex-life like that, it's so rude!" started Audrey before turning to face Joey. "So, is everything okay with David?"

"Audrey!" blushed Joey. "Everything is fine, we're still sleeping together and it's all still really good," She looked around, making sure that nobody had heard her outburst; she could really do without half of Worthington knowing about her sex-life.

"Good. At least you know he still likes you then, if he's really tired from working all day but still… y'know then he obviously still likes you," babbled Audrey, laughing at Joey's obvious embarrassment.

"I've got to go anyway. Thanks for the dessert Pace, I'll see you both tonight. I want to go see David before I go home,"

"Bad sign," smiled Audrey, Joey frowned at her as she stood and swung her bag over her shoulder. "You're calling his place home already," Joey smiled back and left the canteen for the bus station, next stop Boston Bay University.

David Wilder, Professor of English. Seeing his name on the clouded glass door in gold letters always made her smile, she could never think of him as Professor Wilder anymore; he was her David now. She knocked on the door once before entering the room, closing it behind her. She smiled to herself at the sight of him, scribbling away maniacally amid masses of books and papers. He dropped his pen and looked up, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. She walked over and sat in the chair next to his, usually reserved for his students.

"You're a sight for sore eyes," he murmured into her ear as she threw her arms around him.

"Tired and clichéd," she critiqued as she sat back.

"Which? The hug or the tired cliché?" he laughed. She grinned widely at him, he looked quite tired but she couldn't help but smile. Thinking about everything they had gone through just to get to this point of a normal relationship made her so happy.

"Are you going to home tonight?" asked Joey. "I've invited everyone over and I'm cooking your favourite,"

"Oh Joey, I'm really sorry but I've got so much work to do. The guy who was in here before me had absolutely no idea, this place is such a mess I've got no idea where anything is,"

"Okay," she said, struggling to keep the burning sensation behind her eyes from becoming full-fledged tears. "I just miss you, that's all,"

"I miss you too, there's just so much to sort out," he explained. Joey nodded mutely but the sight of her red-rimmed eyes made him feel so guilty. "I'll try and make it home for six, okay?"

"Okay, that would be great," she smiled, grabbing her bag. "I've still got some shopping to do so I'll leave you to it,"

"I do love you, Joey," he smiled. She dropped her bag and kissed him passionately, leaning across her desk and feeling every inch the naughty schoolgirl before breaking off, picking up her bag and walking out of the door. She was too afraid to look back, just in case she started to cry.

David watched her leaved and couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Taking over the English department had meant a lot more work but it was so exciting to realise that Boston Bay actually appreciated him working there, they wanted him to stay. He had rationalised it to Joey at the time, she would be starting her final year and working just as hard as he was but with the last department head being completely inept, the place was a complete mess and he was no closer to clearing it out than he had been two months before. Christmas was fast approaching and he felt as if he hadn't seen Joey in weeks, he often came home to find her already in bed asleep over a book but he could never find the heart to wake her.

He looked at the mass of paperwork in front of him and sighed. Rubbing his forehead in frustration he decided to make an effort to get out of the office before six o'clock. He had to get home to Joey; he couldn't keep letting her down. She had been willing to sacrifice so much for them to be together, now it was his turn.