BACK IN THE DAY

Joey slumped onto the leather couch. "Dawson would be so embarrassed with me!" she giggled, "falling asleep in the cinema - isn't that like one of the seven deadly sins in Dawson land?"

"I won't say a word, I promise!" said Pacey sitting down beside her. "You can stay here tonight Jo, I saw how little of the unpacking you've done so far. I'll make up the bed in the spare room."

"Look at you, the little housewife!" Joked Joey as Pacey left the room.

Pacey's apartment was very cool. Joey looked around at the simple, but classy décor. She smiled to herself. Pace had done alright for himself, owner of a chain of restaurants that people would give their right arm to eat at, living in Boston with his own flat and his own boat. A photo on the side caught her eye. Back when everything was simple. It had been taken at Andie's leaving party, years and years ago, she hadn't seen Andie in ages. Pacey came back into the room.

"What you smiling about Potter?" he asked snapping her back to the present

"That photo, I can't belive you've kept it all these years," she said. "I was just remembering how when Andie left she made sure we were all talking again. She was good at that. I guess that's why she makes such a good doctor - she always listened to every side of every story. I just can't believe I haven't seen her in over 5 years."

"Well she's busy too Jo, married with a baby on the way. But you know her and Dawson are doing fine."

"They've been married for 5 years Pace, doesn't that make you feel a little bit pathetic? I mean, I'm nowhere near ready to get married, not to mention that I'm SINGLE!" She said it with a smile on her face, but Pacey could tell it was a fake one. Joey's smile normally lit up the room this one was sad and lonely, like she was trying to mask her sorrow.

"Let's get some shut eye, you've got a lot of work to do tomorrow!"

Joey sighed, "Great! Thanks for that Pace, I'm really looking forward to it(!)"

*****~~~~~*****

Joey drifted in and out of sleep. Though she hadn't heard from Chris in a few weeks he still haunted her dreams. She could see the cold harsh anger in his eyes and that was what frightened her the most. During the day she could pass her time without thinking about the things he'd done to her, but at night she couldn't escape. He was there, every time she closed her eyes, and the thing that hurt the most was that even after everything, she still loved him.

At around 4am she got up and went to the balcony, she sat on one of the loungers and let the cool early morning breeze float over her. "How can I love him?" she said to herself, "after everything he has done. He killed my baby." That was the first time she'd said it and tears filled her eyes, "he killed my baby." She repeated into the sky, and she cried until she could cry no more. She went inside and got a glass of water, she sipped it slowly and looked around Pacey's place. "Thank you Pacey," she whispered.

"Jo!"

The shouted jolted her back to the living, "where am I?" she looked around her and realisation sank in, she'd fallen asleep on the balcony. "Pace, I'm out here!"

"Jo?! What are you doing out here?" He asked a smirk playing o his lips, "sleep walking again?"

"Pacey! I don't sleep walk!" she hit him lightly on the arm, "I couldn't sleep.." she stopped herself before she said too much. "Anyway, Chef Witter what are you gonna make me for breakfast? I am the guest here after all."

"Go get a shower Jo," he replied. "A feast will await you on you return, madame." he mock bowed and led her to her room.

Joey giggled, she loved being around Pacey. He always made her laugh. He always made her happy. "Stop it!" she said to herself, "you know damn well why you two split up and anyway that was years ago. He's probably so over you now."

Breakfast was amazing. Joey could see why Pacey's restaurant was doing so well. The food was traditional but cooked in such a way that it tasted like nothing Joey had eaten before, even the scrambled eggs tasted great!

"So, when do I get to see the restaurant?" She asked coyly.

"Soon, Potter. Show a little patience!"