Joey set her fall clothes on the check out counter and sighed inwardly. Her mood still hadn't changed and she as melancholy as she had ever been. The sales clerk quickly took each article of clothing and scanned the price tags. Meanwhile, Bessie and Alexander approached the counter in order to pay for the clothes. Joey looked out the store window and saw a few sail boats on the water. Her thoughts immediately turned to Pacey and a lump formed in her throat. Bessie saw Joey's change in facial expression and smiled.

"So have you heard from him?" asked Bessie, as she picked Alexander up from the floor.

Joey turned to her older sister and tilted her head in curiosity.

"Heard from who?" she asked casually.

Bessie smirked in mild annoyance. She wrapped her arms around Alexander and slowly approached her sister.

"Oh come on sis, don't play dumb with me. You know exactly who I'm talking about." stated Bess, matter of factly.

"No Bessie, I don't know who you're talking about." retorted Jo, with an unconvincing look of confusion.

"Do I have to spell it out for you? Pacey. That's who."

Joey shook her head in aggravation.

"Why would I hear from him? We haven't spoken in three months. It's not like he has any desire to contact me."

"Oh come on Jo, you don't seriously believe that. I know you to well." replied Bessie, handing the sales clerk her credit card.

Joey blew air through her lips and glared at her older sister. She hated when Bessie pried into her private life.

"Look Bessie, Pacey and I are through. The relationship we had was pointless and all it did was provoke a devastating altercation between me, him, and Dawson. It wasn't worth the pain it caused." replied Joey sadly.

"Whatever Joey. I can see it in your eyes. You're not over Pacey." replied Bessie, taking the shopping bag from the sales clerk.

=====/////=====

Pacey sighed as he stepped on the deck of True Love and headed for the cabin. He had just returned from a pay phone a few blocks from the dock. Pacey had just contacted a cab service for Ainslee, so she could get home.

"Your cab will be here in about five minutes." stated Pacey, entering the cabin of True Love.

"Great news." replied Ainslee, as she re-hooked her bra.

"You sure you can't stay a little longer?" asked Pacey genuinely.

Pacey truly enjoyed Ainslee Lindale's company. It was because of her that Pacey had managed to get through the summer.

The way they met was something taken out of a cheesy romance novel, or so thought Pacey. Ainslee Lindale came from a rich family and just finished high school in Boston. Ainslee had been on her senior trip when she met Pacey. Her parents were paying for a summer road trip.

While Pacey was sailing for the Florida Keys, he stopped off in New York to get some supplies, which was the same time Ainslee was in New York. Their encounter had been pure happen stance but they hit it off immediately. Ainslee usually wasn't attracted to younger guys but Pacey had a certain charm that felt like a powerful magnet.

Ainslee's initial plans had been to drive to St. Louis to visit some friends, but after meeting Pacey, she revised her travel plans. Ainslee drove south of New York and kept in contact with Pacey. It didn't take long for her and Pacey to become intimate, and before they knew it, Ainslee parked her car in a car garage and set sail with Pace.

They had spent the entire summer together and enjoyed almost every waking moment. Ainslee kept in contact with her parents but left out the detail of Pacey and the Florida Keys. They had had a wonderful time but now the summer was over. Ainslee had to get back to Boston and start college at Boston Bay, and Pacey had to get back to Capeside to finish high school. Pacey watched in depression as Ainslee put on her blouse and grabbed her duffle bag.

"Alright sailor boy, I'm all set to go."

"Don't remind me." replied Pacey, walking over to Ainslee and wrapping his arms around her waist.

Ainslee set down her bag and wrapped her arms around Pacey's neck. They looked into each others eyes and instinctively kissed. They held for several seconds and slowly broke away.

"I wish you didn't have to go." stated Pace.

"Me neither but life always makes us do the things we don't want to do."

"Indeed." replied Pacey, kissing her on the forehead.

Suddenly, a horn echoed down into the cabin and both of them knew it was the cab. Ainslee kissed Pacey quickly on the lips and released their arms.

"I have to go. I'm late enough as it is." she informed, picking up her bag and heading up the cabin ladder.

"What about your car? Is it still in the garage?" asked Pacey as he followed.

"No, I had a friend pick it up for me. It will be in Boston when I get there."

Pacey nodded in confirmation. He hated to see Ainslee go and his heart felt heavy. Pacey could feel a powerful wave of depression sneaking up on him.

Ainslee stopped on the deck and turned to Pacey. She kissed him one last time and stepped onto the dock.

"I'll see you in a couple of weeks ok." informed Ainslee, heading for the cab.

"Promise?"

Ainslee smiled at Pace before getting into the cab.

"I promise. I'll come visit in two weeks." she said with a wink.

Pacey nodded as he watched Ainslee get into the cab and told the driver her destination. The cab slowly eased down the road. Ainslee turned to the back window and waved, as the cab drove out of sight. Pacey sighed again. It was official. He felt like crap.

=====/////=====

Doug Witter got out of his squad car and headed for the marked off area that indicated the death scene. Several Capeside officers were already on the scene, including Doug's father, Sheriff John Witter. Some of the officers were closing off the area while others took snap shots of the scene. Doug took off his sun glasses as he approached his father.

"Hello Doug." greeted John, looking rather aggravated.

"Dad", said Doug with a nod, "What's the scene look like?"

"Not too good actually. There is a fair amount of blood in the water and we found what looks like a human hand."

"Wow, sounds pretty." said Doug sarcastically.

"Hardly", replied John, "We're pretty sure it was a shark attack but we can't be certain, until the specialist comes in."

"A specialist?" asked Dough curiously.

"That's right. We have a marine biologist coming in from Boston. She should be here tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good. What do we do until then?"

"We try to find what's left of the body which won't be much I'm sure." replied John with a disgusted look on his face.

Doug shook his head in distaste. He was much for blood, net alone death. However, Doug was a professional and obligated to do his duty.

An officer walked by with a thick zip lock bag in his hand. In the bag was a mutilated bloody hand. Doug caught one glimpse of it and puked. Sheriff Witter shook his head in disappointment. It's gonna be one of those evenings, he thought.

To Be Continued...