Snapshots...

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Dawson's Creek.

Coupling: Andie/Other/PJ

Rating: Pg-13

Shout Outs: To my friend Jo for proofing and to ellasblues for her encouragement.

Summary: This is a series of scenes from the beginning of the Junior year at Capeside High and tracks the bumpy path to love for Andie along with all the gang.

Snapshot: After the Anti-Prom Capeside,

Andie and Pacey were strolling along the waterfront past what was once "their spot". Pacey, graciously told her he honestly believed that, when he invited her to the prom, he wanted to go with her, and he wished that it had been true, but as soon as he got there, he realised he wanted to go because –

"I know why you wanted to go to the prom, Pacey," Andie interrupted, "and I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you. But at least you got to dance with her," she added sweetly, even though it obviously killed her to say so.

"Andie I swear I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you" Pacey replied.

Andie, verging on tears said "What it would take to make it up to me isn't something you could do right now Pacey"

Pacey's face fell, knowing exactly what Andie had left unsaid, but Andie quickly assured him that she was not mad:

"I just really feel bad for you Pacey".

Pacey always loved her sincerity. They kept walking. Pacey told her that he planned to sail the True Love down to Key West this summer.

"Just me and the sea McPhee. How's that for Hemingway-esque, huh?

"You can visit his house while you're down there, though; it's really nice. She replied. She stopped and asked "when are you leaving?"

"After the finals."

After a pause, Andie asked "Have you told Joey how you feel?"

Pacey sighing replied "She already knows how I feel."

"I mean, have you really told her, Pacey? You can't just leave without letting her know. It's not like you to stand down from something like this or run away."

Pacey didn't reply. He didn't know what to say to her.

"You have to tell her that you love her," said Andie beginning to cry, "and you have to try to get her back, because if you don't, I promise you, you will regret it." Andie knew she had made her bed, and she had to lie in it.

"Maybe," Pacey muttered in response, knowing how much pain Andie had been in.

But Andie was firm. "No, Pacey. You will." Judging from the look on her face, Pacey knew that she was right. He saw an opportunity to turn the tables.

"What about Issac?" Pacey responded, anything to take the heat off him.

Andie's eyes were downcast. She knew what he would say next. That look he gave her when they danced, the hesitation and awkwardness when he held her made it so obvious.

"He's crazy about you McPhee, head-over-heels in love with you. And I suspect you have feelings for him too. McPhee, you have to talk to him. If you don't, you'll regret it, perhaps even more than I might"...

Meanwhile in another part of Capeside, Issac was walking his friend Maree home.

"Thanks for taking me Issac; I'm glad you asked me to come." Maree smiled at Issac. There was a comfortable feeling between them. Maree had been one of the first real friends Issac had made at Capeside High.

"My pleasure. I'm happy you could come otherwise I think I'd have been even more miserable than usual." He attempted to be positive but fell short.

Maree noted his expression, and wasn't going to let him descend in more self-pity. "Hey, at least you got to dance with her."

"Issac sighed and stopped walking. "I know...holding her was like...was like heaven. Oh god she is so beautiful." He stopped and she could see he was reliving the moment.

Maree was about to reply when Issac spoke. "Look I'm sorry. I'm really sorry I shouldn't have taken you. You deserved better than watching me pining for her all night. You're a great friend y'know."

"I told you before Zac its ok. Look, we went as friends and we had a good time didn't we?" Maree smiled sweetly. It bothered her to see how much Issac felt for Andie and how scared he was in telling her his real feelings. The thing she wanted most for Issac was for him to get over himself.

"Yeah well...we got to dance and I don't mind dancing with an attractive companion" He beamed at her. "And you're right. I did get to dance with her. At least I wasn't in a competition for Joey". He laughed.

Maree giggled. "Yeah, could Dawson be anymore obvious?

They began walking again laughing at the antics of Dawson, Joey and Pacey. At least it had been a pleasant diversion from looking at Andie and feeling those butterflies whenever she came near. When they had danced, he felt as if he couldn't breathe, couldn't think. It just felt so right holding her and he could have danced with her all night and for the rest of his life.

Maree noticed the faraway look in his eyes. "You got it bad for her don't you?"

Issac tried to look serious but it came off as funny. "Oh yeah baby, I got it bad and that aint good. Anyway, why haven't you crunched on me?" He said in jest.

"Oh, Zac dear, you are so not my type."

They both laughed and continued on their way home.

A little later, if Andie had bothered to look out her window, she would have seen a well-dressed young man looking at her house with eyes full of tears desperately wanting to tell her how much he loved her. But at the same time his fear of rejection was so strong it paralysed him from walking up to her door and laying out his feelings. The young man didn't stay too long. He turned and walked home just as lovelorn just as he had on too many nights before. He'd never told anyone of this nightly ritual...

Snapshot: Andie's Bedroom, after the Anti-Prom...

'Zac loves me? When? How? He's a friend right? Just a friend I think. Pacey was right and so was Jen. It has only clicked now. What his mother said to me today, that I was the only person that he has let into his room. Not even Jen, Joey, Jack, Dawson or Pacey has been in there. She said it meant something serious – love? Do I love him? I don't think so. He's cute, he's bright and we get along so well but love? It doesn't factor into the equation. It makes sense now. He was so awkward and hesitant when we danced at the Prom. Not his usual self at all. All this time I have been trying to get back with Pacey and Zac is there falling in love with me. This has taken a surreal turn...Joey loves Pacey, he loves her back, Dawson still loves Joey and tries to get her back and I think I am still in love with Pacey while Zac is in love with me. How did things get so complicated?'

She set down her pen and closed her journal, returning it to its usual hiding place. Getting her feelings down on paper always helped...

Snapshot: Down by the docks, the afternoon of Gail & Mitch's second wedding...

He almost didn't see her until Andie was right beside him. Issac had been steeling himself to see her and tell her that he couldn't go through this summer without letting her know exactly how he felt. This was the moment to lay it all out finally. Unfortunately, his courage was failing as he headed towards her house. He had gotten as far as the docks. He was standing there, looking out over the harbour trying to find the right words to say and hoping he could quell the rising panic. The soft touch of her hand on his shoulder caused him to jerk suddenly.

"Andie!" he blurted out, "you gave me a fright. I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you were at Gail & Mitch's wedding."

Andie smiled at him. "I wish. After Pacey's party, we were driving home when Grams took off after Henry for Jen so she could make up with him and she did. And we found him at a roadside stop. Then we went to Ethan's school so Jack could kiss him but that didn't work out. Seems he's back with his ex." She was babbling as she so often did when she was nervous. "So, Jack is miserable. But he and Dad are talking so that's good." Issac noticed she was very fidgety.

"And what was this all in aid of? So you missed the wedding huh?

"Yeah. You know how we'd talked about having no regrets?" she asked.

"Yup, I liked Grams story but what does this have to do with your road trip?"

"Well Grams thought that we were too young to have regrets so that's why we drove all over trying to find Henry and Ethan. She didn't want Jen or Jack to have any regrets, any unfinished business". Andie hesitated. Issac instantly knew he had to ask the obvious question although he was afraid of the answer.

"So what's your unfinished business Andie?"

"Well, if you'd asked me before I discovered Pacey and Joey were a couple I'd have said how I cheated on Pacey and then never tried to get back together with him. But that is in the past Zac. He fell out of love with me and fell in love with her--."

Issac interrupted. "And now he is leaving and Joey is going to be stuck here missing him and resenting Dawson because he didn't stay. I guess you could say she is regretful now"

"—well I don't know. Anyway, I was going to say that my regrets over Pacey are in the past. I'll always regret cheating on him but he's in love with Joey. But he'll always be my first love." Andie reached out and placed her hand on his arm. Issac's heart leap into his mouth at her touch. Was this the big brush off? Was this the classic 'you're a great friend but' or the immortal 'I like you just a friend' speech?

"I also wanted to say that Pacey told me that you were head over heels in love with me and that I'd regret it if I didn't ask you."

Issac suddenly looked stricken. Andie thought he was going to pass out and he became unsteady. Issac held onto the handrail for dear life as he tried to fashion a reply that wouldn't scare Andie off. Of course I'm in love with you! I've been in love with you since I first saw you. But what if I tell her now? Will she be scared off? I don't want to dump this on her. Is she really over Pacey? What chance do I have? I don't what to love and lose. She's looking at me! I'd better say something, anything! She could see a whole flood of emotions pass over his face as he tried to from a coherent sentence.

"Ah, um...well. Huh, um..... Andie...huh....well, I do have strong feelings for you, I...I...ah...adore you." The words came out in a sigh of relief. Ok, ok, be cool. You can do this! Just tell her what you feel.

"Strong feelings?" Andie asked. Looking into his eyes she could see the hesitation and feelings that he was trying to hold back.

"Well, yeah. I mean, I adore you Andie. I, heh...well you know. This is harder than I thought". Issac thought honesty would be good at this point even if he was coming across as a tongue-tied fool.

Andie was taking delight in his awkwardness. She teased him, "Harder than what Zac?"

"Look Andie...oh Dammit! Andie McPhee I said to myself that I wouldn't do this, but I'm falling in love with you." He exhaled as if a weight had been lifted. "Since I first saw you at that pep rally, I have been smitten, captured, intrigued. Somehow you've navigated your way around my heart and placed yourself at the centre."

Andie did not know how to respond. This wasn't the sparring she shared with Pacey. This was raw emotion, openly expressed.

"Look.Ah...huh...I was coming to see you to tell you that I couldn't spend the summer here in Capeside without telling you how I really felt. I adore you so much and I wanted to tell you that, but...um... I'm a coward."

"Zac—"Andie began to speak when Issac took her hand, noticing that her soft hand fit into his so neatly.

"Andie, I've no idea where we are and what this means, but I'm willing to try. Grams was right. I don't want to have any regrets that I never told you how I feel but all I know right now is that I want to be with you."

It was Andie's turn to be surprised. She had thought of Issac as friend, and a good one at that. Now she could see what Pacey meant. Love happens irrespective of your feelings or the situation you are in. At that moment, Andie realised she had nothing to lose. She noticed him looking at her with eyes with equal measure of expectancy and fear.

"Zac, I have to be honest and say that I don't have any romantic feelings for you." Issac's face fell and he let her hand go.

"But this is a first for me." His look changed from sad to hopeful in an instant. "You're right. I don't want any more regrets either and I too have no idea where we'll end up but I'd like to try."

"So what does this mean?" He asked.

"I've no idea. But I figure we have all summer to work that out—"

Her mobile rang. Issac loved that she had chosen the Dumbo music as her ring tone.

"Hello? Hey Jen! He did what? She did? When? Ok, uh-huh, I'll get Jackers and we'll come over. Hang on, is it ok if Zac comes too?" Andie smiled at Issac and he pulled the "is that ok?" face. She nodded.

"Thanks Jen" She mouthed yes. "We'll see you in Dawson's bedroom, bye." She put her phone back into her pocket while Issac was dying to know the import of the conversation with Jen. Andie deliberately paused just to tease him.

"Ok, I'll bite. Why are we going to Dawson's bedroom for? Another crisis?"

"You'll never guess what just happened. It appears Dawson told Joey to go to Pacey and she ran for her life—"

"No way!" Issac tried to act surprised. He figured that at some point Joey would get Dawson to make the decision for her. Even if it was the right one for her and Pacey.

"Yeah. So Pacey won't be alone this summer after all. Jen wants us to be there for Dawson, she said he's pretty broken up about it."

"What do we do about us? I mean I wouldn't feel too happy about flaunting whatever we have between us in Dawson's face just after he saw Joey take off." Issac cautioned. He was excited as all get out but could understand what Dawson was going through.

"Well, let's just keep it between us for now." Andie softly said, knowing that Issac was trying to restrain his excitement.

"Ok, Miss McPhee" said Issac, "we'd better get going. Just when summer couldn't get anymore interesting, Joey runs to Pacey. I wonder if she caught him in time?"

Issac took Andie's hand in his and they started back to her place. The natural way it had happened caused them to stop. In that instant they looked at each other without talking and they both were smiling nervously. Issac's little voice was screaming at him to kiss her now! The moments seemed to drag by as they held each other's stare. Issac knew this was one of those times when talk was useless and action was required. Ever so slowly, he leaned in and met Andie's lips for a gentle kiss. After a few moments, they broke the kiss and smiled at each other.

"Wow...those lips are lethal Andie" said Issac quietly.

Andie blushed. "I'm glad you think so Zac. We'd better get going to Dawson's place. We'll have plenty of time to do...um you know what."

"Damn straight."

They headed towards Andie's house and the start of a magical summer.