Here's the next part! Sorry about not updating to whoever is reading this- I tried to compensate by making this slightly longer.

The next morning, Liz woke up both scared and excited about the coming day. She yawned lazily and put her hair in a messy ponytail before sauntering into the kitchen for breakfast.

"Hey, Liz!" Joey greeted her. Her hair was also in a messy ponytail and she was sporting her pajamas as well. "You want some Frosted Flakes? Bodie's not here." Liz smiled.

"Sure, cereal sounds fine."

"Cereal? You can't be serious!" Jack exclaimed jokingly. He waltzed in through the kitchen.

"Jack! When did you get here?" Joey asked, surprised.

"Andie and I just got here."

"We let ourselves in, I hope you don't mind." Andie added. Joey and Liz both shook their heads vigorously.

"What's to mind?" Liz wondered.

"Well... by the looks of it we got here just in time." Andie commented, observing 2 empty bowls, a box of cereal, and milk all on the table. "Jack and I haven't eaten breakfast yet."

"Mind if we join you?" Jack asked, not waiting for an answer as he stole the Frosted Flakes from Joey, earning him a light swap.

"Sure." Joey said. "Jack's already making himself at home." She said with narrowed eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile as the corners of her mouth twitched upwards.

"Breakfast! Great! I'm starving." Pacey exclaimed as he entered the room. Jack passed him the cereal and gave Joey a grin.

"Pacey Witter! You're going to have to change your home address or something." Joey asked. "You're over here 24/7!" Pacey grinned smugly.

"Yes, but as of yet, I've had no complaints." Liz smiled.

"Who would ever complain?" She wondered. "You're a welcome guest in this house... unlike certain other people." She muttered the last part under her breath.

"About that... How are you holding up, Liz?" Andie asked. "You looked pretty drained after your conversation yesterday."

"I'm doing OK. I just, I think I just need something else to focus on- like the Cotillion! It's only 6 days away and I still have to buy a dress and everything!"

"Relax, Liz, the Cotillion really isn't that big of a deal." Joey assured her. Andie nodded.

"Yeah, in fact I'm not even going to go- I'm going to visit my friend Veronica in Maine. I figured I'd visit her before school starts." Joey smiled.

"Then at least you'll have a reason not to go... I won't have a date. Dawson doesn't seem to want to go."

"That's crazy!" Jack cried out, dropping his spoon into the bowl of cereal. "You and Dawson have to go together! It's tradition!" Joeys simply shrugged.

"Um... my friend Alex said he'd gladly take you." Liz offered quietly. Joey chuckled.

"Well, tell him thanks but I don't need a pity date. I'd rather not go at all."

"Then I can go with Alex and you can go with Pacey." Liz suggested. Joey glanced at Pacey momentarily.

"No! I mean, he's your date and I wouldn't want to cause any undue harm."

"Good to know I'm so wanted around here." Pacey quipped to Jack as they both continued eating.

"You are wanted." Liz assured him and gave him a quick hug. "So much so that we're constantly fighting over you." She said with a wink.

"Is that right?" Pacey asked, twinkle in his eye.

"No." Liz said with an innocent smile. "But if it makes you feel better then go ahead and believe it." Pacey gave her a lopsided grin.

"So what do you guys have planned for today?" He asked. "More surprise visitors? Alien invasion from Mars?"

"Ha ha." Andie said. "I was thinking a picnic might be in order. It's really pretty outside."

"A picnic, how quaint." Isabel commented from behind them. Liz turned around and smiled slightly.

"Isabel- hi." Isabel smiled in return.

"So this is where you've been staying. I hate to say it, but why flee Roswell and go to another small city? I would've been more flashy- New York City or LA or something. Although I guess this place has a certain appeal to it." Liz caught Isabel's gaze as her gaze flickered towards Pacey. She bit her lip.

"So what are you guys doing here?" She asked, hoping to get a straight answer. Isabel looked her in the eye while leaning on the counter, conspicuously close to Pacey. Joey watched this with interest.

"What do you think?" She sighed. "Max really did miss you, Liz. He'd ask about you everyday. The rest of us really began to get annoyed with his constant Liz-itis... especially Tess."

"What do you mean?" Liz asked.

"He ignored her, completely. He realized his mistake a long time ago and he's intent on setting things right." Isabel glanced around the room and suddenly remembered that everyone else was in there too. "Just hear him out, please." She said and strolled off. Maria and Alex entered as she left.

"Is it true? What she said?" Liz asked them. They exchanged glances. Maria knelt down so she could be eye level with Liz.

"Liz, while you were here, it was awful back home... We all missed you, you know that, but I think that out of all of us, he missed you the most."

"He was miserable Liz." Alex stated. "And I don't say that to guilt trip you or anything, because I know that whatever he was feeling you were probably feeling too, and then some." Liz nodded.

"So you think I should talk to him?" She asked. Alex nodded mutely.

"It might do the both of you some good." Maria said sagely.

"Or it could end up hurting me even more." Liz said. "What if we go back, and the same thing happens again? I don't think I could stand it."

"It wouldn't happen." Max said, his entire countenance showing his emotion. "I'd die before I hurt you, Liz." Liz looked at him closely. She could tell he was telling the truth, but a part of her was still scared of what could happen. She averted his intense gaze and turned to Andie.

"What were you saying about a picnic?"

"I think it's a good idea." Joey piped up.

"Of course it is! All the McPhee's are brilliant!" Jack chimed in. Jen snorted.

"Brilliant? Is that what they're calling it these days?" She said with a smirk. Jack rolled his eyes but grinned anyways.

"So where to? McKinley Park?" Liz asked, ignoring Max completely. She began to discuss the picnic with her friends while Max just looked on helplessly. Pacey, however, remained separate from the picnic group and simply watched Max carefully. He could tell that Max cared deeply about Liz- for Pacey it was plain to see because he'd seen it happen so many times before- a miscommunication or slight problem screwed up a relationship permanently. He wasn't going to let it happen again.

"Pace? You in there?" Joey waved her hand in front of his face. Pacey blinked.

"Hmmm? Sorry Jo, I just zoned out there. What were you saying?"

"Do you think you could take some of us to McKinley Park?" She repeated. Pacey nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, sure. Who wants to be my first victim?" Liz grinned.

"I'll risk it."

"As your cousin, I have to ensure your safety." Joey said with a lopsided grin.

"We can take everyone else." Jack said, gesturing towards himself and Andie. Maria and Alex nodded in agreement.

"Great! Let's get going!" Liz exclaimed. "Andie, you'll get the food and we'll meet you there. We'll bring plates and drinks." Andie nodded and motioned for everyone to follow her. Liz quickly gathered the plates while Joey retrieved some Cokes. Pacey simply watched, his eye on Max who was gazing intently at the floor.

"Let's go!" Joey exclaimed. She and Liz headed towards the door.

"Max?" Pacey asked suddenly, instantly gaining the other man's attention. He hesitated. "You want to tag along?" Max glanced at Liz who was staring wide-eyed at Pacey.

"Pacey!" Liz protested. Pacey shot Liz a glance that quieted her.

"I wouldn't want to upset anyone." Max said dejectedly, the hurt shining in his eyes. Liz sighed.

"You won't." She finally said. "Just, keep your distance." And with this, she strolled out of the house. Max smiled slightly.

"Thank you." He said amiably. "You have no idea how much I appreciate it." Pacey smiled wryly.

"Actually, I do." He said. "But if you screw this up, there won't be any more chances- understood?" Max nodded.

"Completely."

"Well, let's get going." Joey stated, casting a glance at Pacey as Max followed Liz to the car.

"You better know what you're doing..." She said simply. Pacey grinned.

"Aw, c'mon Potter. I always know what I'm doing." She shot him a 'Yeah right' glare and walked out.