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: True Love's slip – afternoon the day Pacey and Joey return.

Issac and Andie were waiting for Pacey and Joey to arrive. Doug had run into them the day before and told them that Pacey had called to announce that he and Joey were due back the next day. Issac figured it would be nice if at least someone showed up to welcome them home. Andie agreed, and they were happily waiting for the voyagers to return when Andie saw the boat chugging up to the slip. Pacey gently eased the boat in and Joey hopped off to tie the boat up. They moved with a polished ease from the time at sea Andie thought. Pacey stepped off the boat and smiled at his friends.

"Hey Pacey. Man, it's great to see you!" Issac stepped forward and hugged Pacey with the obligatory slapping on the back. "We missed ya Pace" he said as he stepped back. Andie squealed and hugged Joey. "Joey," she said, "oh-my-god, your back!" This was a little too much for Joey. She had hoped to creep back into Capeside and take some time so she could deal with the people she had left behind. She never thought that they would be glad to see her and Pacey return.

"Hey Andie," Joey replied guardedly "what's this for? We didn't need a welcome home reception."

"Now, now Joey," Issac said as he hugged her and kissed her on the cheek, "this is a big day. The sailors have returned from the sea safe and well. We missed ya Joey and we're glad to see you back."

Andie hugged Pacey and let him go as the group stood and looked at each other. To Andie and Issac, the being at sea agreed with Pacey and Joey. Tanned, with sun-bleached hair they looked as if this trip had been the best thing that ever happened to them. Pacey and Joey noted that Andie and Issac seemed a bit too friendly; they were both tanned and couldn't seem to stop smiling. There was something else, but for the moment both Pacey and Joey couldn't put their finger on it.

"Oh! Andie, I forgot, "said an animated Issac, "go and get the bottle and glasses will you please honey?"

Joey and Pacey exchanged a look. Honey? What's going on? they both wondered while Andie went up to Issac's car and bought back down four glasses and a bottle of champagne.

"What's this?" Pacey asked. "Zac drinking alcohol? Things have changed around here."

"I wouldn't normally Pacey, but this is a special occasion." Issac opened the bottle carefully without the showy popping of the cork. He'd been taught that was just a waste of good champagne. Andie held the four glasses while he filled them. "I'm sorry these are only plastique my friends, but mum and dad would kill me if I took the good crystal." He laughed while he topped off the glasses and Andie handed them around.

"Ok, a toast. To Joey and Pacey, home from the sea. We give thanks to God for their safe return to Capeside. We're glad they're back, that True Love proved a worthy vessel for these two voyagers on their summer of adventure and romance, cheers." He waggled his eyebrows at Pacey and Joey as he finished the toast.

"Cheers." Andie, Joey and Pacey replied as they clinked glasses.

"Well, I guess you guys want to get home? Your transport awaits." Issac pointed in the direction of his car. "Do you want a hand with your stuff?"

"Nah, it can wait." Pacey replied. "Thanks guys for the welcome." Pacey smiled warmly at both of them and at Joey. Issac reached out and pulled Andie in close to him and gently kissed her hair. The gesture was obvious to Pacey and Joey. Issac and Andie were a couple.

"I see things have changed around here while we've been away." Joey said looking at them both smiling.

"Yeah they have Joey. A lot's changed round here." Issac grinned. "Come on, drink up, we'd better get you guys home. Bessie and Doug will be glad to see you." Taking Andie's hand he and Andie headed up to the car followed by a disbelieving Joey and Pacey.

"Before I forget," Issac looked over his shoulder, "you and Pacey are coming round to my house tomorrow night for a BBQ. You can catch up with Jack and Jen and tell us about your adventures on the high seas." He nodded and winked in Joey's direction while Andie just giggled. Pacey and Joey shared a look. Pacey wondered how Andie had come to be Issac's girlfriend while Joey wondered how Dawson was and when she would see him.

Snapshot: Issac's House the next night – the BBQ for Pacey and Joey

It turned out to be a good night. Pacey and Joey told about their trip and what they'd seen and done. They bought gifts back for each of them. Andie got a small Dumbo doll, Jen got a New York snowglobe, Jack a small art book Joey had found in Key West, and Issac got some Civil War memorabilia that Pacey found in Charleston.

After dinner the friends were sitting around casually chatting when Issac spoke up.

"Ok, look, this has been a great night but let's talk about the elephant in the room."

"What elephant?" Pacey said.

Issac rolled his eyes. "Oh come on Pace, even you aren't that clueless. You want to know about Dawson don't you?"

"I do." Joey said as she looked towards Pacey. "Is he ok?"

"I think so," replied Jen "he's still hurting if that's what you're asking Joey. But he's hung out with us, painted houses with Jack-"

"And dumped film for photography." Andie interjected.

Joey turned towards Andie with a look of surprise which Issac noted.

"I told you things had changed around here Joey." Issac grinned. "See?"

"Dumped film? Why?" Pacey asked. "Not because of what happened?"

"Well partly I guess Pacey." Jack said. "I just figured he took it up because it didn't involve memories of you two." He pointed in Joey's direction.

"Look guys, things were...well fraught is a polite description. I know he missed you both. But things are going to be awkward for a while. I mean, he's had to get used to Andie and me." Issac pulled a face and Andie broke into giggles.

"Yeah, what's up with that McPhee? When did this happen?" Pacey asked. It was obvious that Andie and Issac were in love. Joey and Pacey had seen the way she looked at him and how their body language was around one another. Now Pacey would have to get used to her being with Issac, not that he minded. He was pleased that Andie was happy and in love with someone other than him.

"The day you guys left," said Issac, "I was going to Andie's house to tell her how I felt and she found me first..." Issac shared a look with Andie "and well, we spent the summer becoming a couple." He reached out and took Andie's hand.

"Good for you Zac man. I hoped you two crazy kids would end up together." Pacey patted Issac on the back. "And does she have to put up with your music too?" At this comment everyone laughed. Issac was well known for his diverse 'tastes". At any time he might have r'n'b or golden oldies or rock or Christian music or angry chick music or Broadway musicals or drum & base playing on his stereo. It had become something of a standing joke for his friends. They were never quite sure what he would play next.

"Hey! That's enough of that Pacey. I'm sure Andie likes listening to whatever I have on, don't you honey?" He looked at Andie who burst out into giggles. "Ok, that's great, even my girlfriend won't back me up!" and he began to tickle Andie who squirmed away from Issac. After the laughter had settled Issac turned serious.

"If it wasn't for you Pace...well you know" Issac gestured and they all knew what he meant. "Anyway, we were talking about your friend Dawson? Remember him?

"Did he say anything? Did he miss us?" asked Joey.

"Yeah I think he did Joey," replied Jen sighing, "but I don't know how he'll be now that you're back. With you being away, he was able to put his feelings aside. That won't be possible anymore." She gave Joey a sad look and Joey knew she was right. How could she go about repairing things now given the way they had ended at the beginning of summer and now here was Issac and Andie together as a couple. It was almost as if things had passed them by and they were trying to play catch-up.

Later on Issac was in the kitchen filling up the dishwasher when Pacey ambled in.

"It's ok Pacey, you go back and relax. Everything's taken care of. After all, you're the guest of honour. "

"I wanted to talk to you Zac, it's about Andie." Pacey's tone spoke volumes to Issac. He knew what Pacey meant.

"Look Pace, I don't have time for nor am I interested in the ex-boyfriend now good friend warning about taking-"He was slamming dishes into the machine.

"It's not that Zac." Pacey raised his hands trying to defuse Issac's angry response.

Issac stopped and turned towards Pacey. "Well then let me finish. I love Andie and yes, I know how badly she was hurt and what you two went through, but I'm not you and this isn't the Andie you fell in love with Pacey."

"I know, but it's just that...I, well I hope you know that whatever happens she's still important to me and I don't want her being hurt Zac." Pacey leaned against the benchtop.

"Don't you think I know that?" Issac looked away from Pacey out the kitchen window where he could see Andie. "Pacey, Andie deserves happiness, perhaps more than any of us in this little group we have. All I can tell you is how much I'm grateful that you pushed her in my direction. But that's it." He paused, trying to say the right thing to Pacey without hurting him.

"But you're involved with Joey now, you don't get a say on who Andie sees. You're my friend Pacey, but I'll thankyou not to meddle in my relationships with the opposite sex."

Pacey realised that he had gone too far but it didn't stop him from asking the question that was on his mind. "So, you have..." he waggled his eyebrows.

Issac sighed. "I don't think my intimate relationship with Andie is an appropriate topic for conversation do you?"

He glared at Pacey who felt guilty for asking. He then spoke up.

"Since you asked, and on reflection, I suppose you should know where I'm coming from then let me tell you this. Sex Pacey, scares me witless. Even the thought of making love to Andie panics me. So, here's the thing. I'm not ready in any way, shape or form to sleep with any woman let alone the woman I'm totally in love with, and I won't be ready for a long time. If that means then I won't have sex until I'm married, then that's ok." He stopped and smiled to himself.

"Pace, it was only a couple of weeks ago that I told her I was in love with her and she let me know she's falling in love with me. I've opened my heart to her and she's opened her heart to me and that's more than enough to deal with right now. It's a big year Pacey, for all of us. I've got to get into college and that, my friend, is my priority."

Pacey took in what Issac had said. He admired Issac's honesty and was amazed he had that much perception and self-control. But at the same time the thought came to him about how this control would hold up when he was physically close to Andie. He wondered how Andie felt. He would make a point of asking her at some time...

Snapshot: Issac's Bedroom the last night before school starts

Andie and Issac had spent the evening together watching television and trying to relax before they had to plunge back into daily grind of school the next morning. They had turned down movie night at Dawson's in favour of some quality time for themselves. Getting quickly bored with watching MTV, they started to cuddle and kiss. As these kisses became more and more intense they went upstairs to Issac's bedroom and lay on his bed. Issac always lost himself when he was kissing Andie. With his focus totally on her he didn't hear his parents arrive home and call out for him. His mother heard the music coming from Issac's bedroom and headed upstairs to see why he hadn't answered her when she was calling him.

The door was ajar and she opened it just enough to look around it towards his bed. She saw Issac laying on top of Andie kissing her passionately while his right hand was cupping her right breast. Andie was just as oblivious to the outside world and was enjoying having him kiss and caress her. His mother watched for a few seconds then coughed politely. That didn't seem to register so she spoke up.

"Issac? Andie? What's going on?"

At that they both looked towards at his mother while they resembled a pair of rabbits caught in the headlights. Issac tried to roll off Andie but moved too fast and rolled right off the bed and hit the floor with a thud. His mother had to stifle a laugh as his flushed face and dishevelled hair appeared from the side of the bed. She saw his full lips from kissing Andie. Andie, not knowing where to look first, froze, blushed and then tried to rearrange her clothes.

"Mum! You're back...ok...huh...where's Dad?" Issac said trying to recover from slamming into the floor.

"Downstairs. Hello Andie."

Andie replied in a quiet voice. "Hello Mrs Evetts." She couldn't look Issac's mother in the eye.

"Mum? Look...can we um..." Issac was struggling to be coherent. He'd gone from being a state of ecstasy being with Andie to feeling a sense of dread inside. So this is what busted feels like? He thought.

"Andie, I think it's time you went home." His mother's tone wasn't friendly.

"Okay." She got up off the bed and straightened her clothes and hair feeling horribly embarrassed. She looked at Issac who mouthed 'it's ok' and left his bedroom. As she left she said "goodnight Mrs Evetts" and hurried down the stairs and went home.

"Goodnight Andie" said Issac's mother to Andie's back as she went down the stairs. She then turned towards Issac.

"You", she pointed at him, "downstairs now." Issac groaned. This had never happened before to him and he figured he was going to get a long lecture about the birds and the bees.

"Can it wait until tomorrow night? I'm starting school in the morning Mum.":

"No. Your father and I want to have a talk to you young man. Seems there's being a lot more going on around here than you have let on."

"So you're freaking out because I was kissing Andie? Is that all?"

"Issac, come downstairs. I promise this isn't a lecture."

Issac gave up trying to argue the point and straightened his clothes and headed downstairs to the sitting room where his father and mother were waiting for him.

"I hear you got busted by Mum?" His father laughed and gave Issac a wink.

"Yeah funny Dad. Now what's this about? Am I in trouble?"

"No you're not" his mother replied, "but we both want to talk to you about what's going on with Andie."

"What do you want me to say?" Issac asked, unsure of where his parents were heading.

His father spoke. "Issac, we've been talking to Joe McPhee and he's filled us in on you two." Issac eyes widened as he ran various scenarios in his mind.

"It's nothing bad if that's what you're thinking. Mr McPhee happens to think that you are the best thing that has happened to his daughter." Issac smiled at that.

"He told us that you asked his permission to see Andie. Is that right?" His mother asked.

"Yeah, I just felt I had to, knowing Andie's history. I didn't want to see her and have Mr McPhee object."

"And tonight?" His mother asked. "That's a bit more than just seeing her don't you think? How serious are you about Andie?"

Issac didn't reply and he thought about her question.

Issac's father jumped in. "Son, I know that this has been a huge change for you coming here and starting over-"

"And having to do fifteen months as a junior." Issac interrupted.

"Yes that was a problem but you overcame it." His father replied. "Your mother and I have been proud of what you have done and what you have achieved since you arrived. You produced the results you're capable of, made new friends and...found a girlfriend whom you're in love with? The last part was more of a question than a statement from his father.

"Issac," his mother joined in, "we're worried that you're getting in too deep with this girl. Is she another Lynn-Marie Rose?"

"No" he said angrily, "she's not an object of infatuation Mum. The thing is...she loves me back."

"So it's love then?" His father asked.

"Yeah Dad it is. I am in love with Andie and she feels the same way about me."

"Ok" His father replied. I know that you've been on your own a lot as we've been setting up the business and we appreciate that. We've had to give you a lot of freedom and trust Issac and you've not let us down."

"It's been really good for your father an me to know that you can be trusted honey." His mother spoke up. "But you know how emotional you get around girls-"

"Oh, please Mum, it's not like that."

"Isaac, have you?" His father raised his eyebrows and Issac recoiled at the question.

"Have I what?" Issac replied and then it clicked. "Oh, you mean...being intimate." For Issac this conversation was taking an uncomfortable turn as he noticed his parents looking intently at him.

"Oh no Mum, I'm not ready ok? I'm so not ready and I've asked Pastor Greg about this too."

"What does he say?" His father asked.

"Well, no sex before marriage is kinda the bottom line if you like. And be careful when you're with a girl so that things don't get carried away I guess. It's common sense, but if it makes you any happier, I'm freaked out about sex and like I said Dad, I'm not ready. I don't think Andie is either because of her experience with Pacey."

Issac's parents exchanged a look which he couldn't help notice. Joe McPhee hadn't mentioned that Andie had slept with Pacey when they were together and wondered if their son would be swayed by the knowledge that Andie had some experience. Issac thought he should say something more.

"She told me about it ok? She said it was too soon and she regretted it because they rushed into things before they were ready. Andie knows how I feel and she understands and she's fine with it."

"And what about you two out in the gazebo the other night? Tom from next door mentioned something about seeing it lit up and music coming from it." His father said.

"Well, Andie and I went to dinner then I set it up so we could dance by ourselves. It was a special night ok. I told Andie I loved her and she told me she was falling in love with me. "

"And that led to more of what was going on tonight?" his mother asked.

"No." Issac replied indignantly.

"Ok. We better set some ground rules for you two" his mother said. "One. You and Andie may only study at the dining table or here in the sitting room. "

"Oh Mum!" Issac whined.

Totally ignoring him his mother continued. "Two. There will be no more carrying on in your bedroom is that clear? You know the house rules. Upstairs is our private space. Andie is not allowed up there anymore alright? I know your other friends haven't gone into your bedroom so why should she be any different?"

"Maybe because I love her" Issac snidely replied. "You know, because she is my girlfriend."

"Even more reason she shouldn't be up there." His father added.

"We haven't had to impose one before but from now on you will observe a curfew young man. You must be in by 9.30."

"What!" Issac exploded. "What am I? Fifteen? Come on Dad this is unreasonable. What about making it eleven? Issac tried to appeal to his father but got nowhere.

"Ten." His mother replied.

"10.45." Issac returned.

"10. 30 and that's my final decision. Don't push it Issac. You're lucky I don't ground you for what was going on upstairs."

"Go on then, you don't like Andie do you? And you can't stand to see your little boy growing up." Issac was being nasty and defensive as he struggled to maintain his temper. Part of his mind was looking on in horror at the words coming out of his mouth and wondered if this was part of being in love with someone who loved you back"

"Go to bed son. We'll talk some more about this in the morning." His father moved to smooth things between his wife and his agitated son. He had never seen his son so passionate and angry over a girl. Perhaps what Joe McPhee had said was right, that they were a serious couple his father thought.

"Issac managed to bite his tongue and headed upstairs to bed. All he could think about as he lay down and tried to go to sleep was the moment before his mother came in and he was kissing Andie and caressing her. It sent shivers down his spine just thinking about it and also aroused a certain piece of his anatomy.