Pacey walked along the docks making his way back to work, his mind examining what had just occurred. Andie had looked so pale and fragile. He thanked G-d he had come when he did, but felt as if he hadn't helped her enough. He shouldn't have left her alone. She obviously wasn't well, but she had been insistent. And she did seem to brighten up. It was also hard for her- she had been living in Italy for two years, it must have taken a great amount of energy to just up and leave, even if she was returning to her original home. The curiosity that had crept into his mind last night at why she had returned was suddenly conjured up again. He wasn't sure why, but he had the feeling that she was hiding something. As the image of her bruised arm re-entered his head, he prayed that it wasn't something serious.

"You know Andie, when I said let's spend some time together to catch up, I didn't exactly have grocery shopping in mind." Jack sighed as he followed Andie pushing the shopping cart as she periodically threw random bits and pieces into it.

Jack was worried about his sister after last nights display. It had been nagging at his mind all day. Why did she break up with David? Why had she come home so suddenly? Why hadn't she told him? And what was the big secret? Question after question swirled his brain and he wanted answers. They used to tell each other everything. Andie was back by his side, yet he felt even more distanced from her than when they actually had the Atlantic Ocean separating them. How ironic, he thought sardonically. He had suggested they spent time together this afternoon to gain answers. And Andie knew this. She knew Jack and he could read her like a book. He wanted her to open up but she wasn't ready to turn the page. Not yet. This was precisely why she had brought him to the supermarket rather than some trendy student coffee shop where they could have a heart to heart.

"Joey and Jen were kind enough to take me in, the least I can do is stock up their kitchen cupboards."

"Take you in? Stop talking about yourself like a stray cat!"

"I just want to do my bit to chip in."

"Andie you only arrived yesterday- I don't think Jen and Joey expect you to stock their cupboards just yet."

"Well I just like to be organized."

"Hmmm yeah.. I seem to remember that about you," Jack answered sarcastically

Andie punched him jokingly in the stomach. "Ha ha brother dearest," she replied glad to have him by her side yet again.

"So have you spoken to dad yet?"

The dreaded question. Andie was surprised it had taken this long to be addressed. But she was ready with her rehearsed answer.

"Not yet. I figured I'd first get settled in and sort things out before I had to answer his inevitable interrogations about why I left and what I'm going to do. You know dad doesn't quite understand or appreciate spontaneity. I'll call him at the end of the week." Andie hoped she sounded as nonchalant as she was aiming. The truth was that it was a huge deal not to have let her father know she was in the country. She hadn't seen him for so long, under normal circumstances he would have been her first port of call.

"Well what about mum?" Jack pursued. He was trying not to sound angry, or pressurising, but he was irked by her casualness.

"What about mum? I'll visit her too once I'm settled."

"You haven't even asked how she's doing!" Jack let out an annoyed huff.

Andie turned around to face him, angry at his implication.

"I spoke to dad last week so I'm up to date. I'm not as insensitive a daughter as you seem to have me assigned." Biting back, she took the shopping cart and walked away from him, knowing that a large part of her anger was caused by guilt. She was aware that she owed her loved ones more than she was able to give right now.

Immediately feeling guilty for having pushed her that much too far, Jack rounded the next aisle so that he obstructed her path.

"Look Andie, let's not fight. I'm really glad to have you back and I'm sorry for pressurising you. I know that you've been through a hard time and that whatever it is you're not telling me..and don't tell me that you're not hiding anything, you'll tell me when you're ready. And I'll be the understanding brother you remembered ok?" She answered his apologetic smile in the affirmative, knowing that she was lucky to have him in her life.

"Wow, so she's really back for good?" Dawson spoke into the receiver, yet again feeling the distance of the thousands of miles that separated him from his friends.

"It would seem so," Joey confirmed.

"So has she changed?"

"Nah, she's still the same perky McPhee."

"Glad to here it." Dawson chuckled warmly remembering his old friend. He couldn't believe he hadn't spoken to her since graduation. He quietly chastised himself for not keeping in touch.

"Although.I don't know..."

Joey's curious tone caused Dawson to frown on the other end.

"What? You sound unsure."

"Well something's not adding up. I see it and Jen sees it but Jack won't acknowledge it, or at least is scared to."

"Acknowledge what?"

"Something's not right. I mean Andie's being very closed about why she returned, and sure she told us all about her messy break up with David, but still it just doesn't really seem like Andie, just upping and leaving without telling anyone."

"I guess..but it's understandable. She's been away for 3 years Jo, and it sounds as if she just came out of a meaningful relationship and needed the security of her family and those closest to her. Maybe it was just the right time for a homecoming."

Joey rolled her eyes fondly as Dawson's infamous obliviousness clouded his judgment once again, air brushing her negative cynicisms out of his mind.

"I hope you're right."

"You really think something's wrong?"

"I don't know."

"What does Pacey think? He knows Andie better than any of us, well apart from Jack obviously."

"I haven't spoken to him about it really; I think he's just glad to have her back."

"Yeah I know he really missed her. Tell her that I can't wait to see her, I'm hoping to come to Boston in maybe two weeks."

"Great," Joey smiled, genuinely looking forward to his visit. Now that Andie was back it didn't seem right without Dawson around.

"I better go but say hey to the gang for me."

"Will do. We miss you Dawson." Joey told him softly, hoping that he would realize that she was talking about herself.

"Ditto." Dawson echoed her sentiment, hoping that he interpreted the gentleness of her tone correctly.

Joey put down the receiver suddenly feeling a pang of sadness. Not really knowing where it came from, she frowned, tired of having to continuously evaluate her ever changing and confusing feelings towards the same guy. She just missed Dawson she decided, which was fair enough considering she had never been for this long without him down the creek or by her side.

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