Episode Twenty-One "Almost Doesn't Count"
Joey sat near the back of the library with various books, notes and papers in front of her. Like her, many students were sitting in the library hard at work, signifying one thing; the start of finals week.
She was so engrossed in her work she didn't notice her roommate come in until Stacy was sitting next to her.
"There you are!" Stacy exclaimed, glancing at Joey's papers.
"Stacy. Did you finally realize that passing finals actually requires studying?" She asked, continuing to write out her notes.
"No silly. I was looking for you."
"Lucky me." Joey mumbled.
"Come on, Joey, it's the end of the year and you've been studying like crazy for days." Stacy complained.
Joey took a deep breath. However much she liked her roommate, she could be very exhausting at times.
"Maybe because failing all my finals is not my idea of a fun way to end the year." Joey told her, noticing a few people looking at the pair. "And I think most people here have the same idea."
"You're no fun." She pouted, lowering her voice.
"I can be fun in the summer, not now."
"You're not even going to be here this summer."
"Don't remind me."
Joey had been trying not to think about summer approaching. She was supposed to be leaving for Capeside in under two weeks and she was not looking forward to it.
"Besides, neither are you." She pointed out. Stacy was flying back to Maine right after finals to spend the summer with her family.
"All the more reason to enjoy our time together now."
"Stacy, I'm really sorry, but I can't." She gestured to all the books around her and Stacy just sighed.
"Fine." Stacy said, pretending to be angry. "I don't know how that boyfriend of yours puts up with you." She stood up getting ready to leave.
"I make it up to him." Joey told her with a mischievous smile and Stacy just laughed.
"Lucky for some." She mumbled as she waved goodbye.
Joey waved distractedly, not even glancing up before getting back to work.
Finals week was a bitch.
-&-
"Noah!" Pacey stuck his head out of the marina office motioning for his friend to join him.
He had been watching him work sullenly for the past week and he wished he could do something to help him.
"Something you wanted?" Noah asked putting on a fake smile.
"Not really. Nothing really happening out there, so I thought you could take a break."
"Oh. Thanks." He took a seat in the office.
"So, have you spoken to Brenda yet?"
"I've been kinda busy."
"Noah!"
"What?"
"You said you would talk to her."
"When?"
"Right before you threw up."
"Oh yeah. Well she's been MIA all week, it's not my fault."
"Have you tried calling her, or going over there?"
"Yeah." Pacey rose his eyebrows. "No."
"Noah."
"I've tried, I've been pretty busy. With work and now school. It's finals week so I've kind of got my hands full trying to pass my classes."
"You and everyone else who isn't me." Pacey mumbled.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." He shrugged, but Noah clutched onto any excuse to change the topic.
"No, what is it?"
"I just never thought I would miss school. Or exams. But you guys are all taking classes and exams and Joey's been so busy studying. And I just get the feeling she doesn't think I understand what she's going through. Like I don't understand what she goes through on a day to day basis."
"Believe me, I'd much rather be in your place. And college isn't something that separates you. You don't go to college, Joey isn't responsible for a business full time. You just have different things. And anyway next year you'll be in higher education like the rest of us poor shmuks."
"Yeah." Pacey shrugged off his thoughts, turning back to Noah's problem.
"Anyway, back to Brenda."
"No. Back to work." Noah said, quickly going back outside to work before Pacey further interrogated him.
-&-
"I can't believe Matherson actually said he would be surprised if any of us pass his final." Jack said in disgust.
"Yeah, it's like he wants to see us all fail." David agreed.
They were on their way back from class and were just stopping at Jack's to get some books before heading to the library. They'd been hanging out a lot over the past week, messing around and going out but they needed to be studying now.
"We're just going to have to get our asses in gear if we want to pass then." Jack said as he got his key out and opened his door.
"Hey, my ass is always in…" David trailed off as he noticed someone in Jack's room.
"Tobey!" Jack exclaimed, hugging his boyfriend.
"Hey sweetie." Tobey smiled as he pulled away glancing over Jack's shoulder at David, who was trying to look anywhere but at them.
"What are you doing here?" Jack asked. "I mean it's great but didn't I just see you?"
"Well I finished early and thought I'd take a trip to come and see you." Tobey explained.
David who had been standing quietly spoke up, unable to stand there any longer. "Err… Jack I'm going to go ahead to the library, okay?"
"Oh. Err…yeah. Okay." Jack turned to David, feeling confused.
Tobey smiled at David as he left before turning back to Jack. The tension in the room was so obvious even Tobey noticed it.
"How did you even get in here?" Jack asked.
"Paul let me in."
-&-
Jen had had her head in the books for hours when she heard the door open behind her. She turned to her roommate welcoming the distraction. But Brenda didn't say anything to Jen as she walked over to her side of the room.
"Hey." Jen said and Brenda jumped slightly, obviously only just noticing her roommate.
"Hey." She said when her heart started beating again.
Jen noticed the sullen look on her friend's face and frowned. She had been so busy worrying about her own problems and thinking about Drue that she hadn't noticed anything wrong with Brenda.
"Are you okay?" Jen asked.
"Fine." Brenda said distractedly.
"Are you sure?" Jen said getting up and going over to Brenda.
"Yeah."
"I thought you were deliriously happy these days? Did you and Noah have a fight?" She inquired further.
She had become such good friends with Brenda this year, she didn't want her retreating back into her shell.
"If only." Brenda sighed, taking a seat on her bed and turning to Jen. "I'm so messed up."
"What happened?"
"Matt happened."
"Again?"
"Last week when Noah and I went out we bumped into him. It really freaked me out. I mean I thought I was over it but seeing him just brought it all back. I just bailed. Then later Matt came over and told me he loved me and then he kissed me."
"Uh oh."
"Exactly. And on top of that Noah hasn't even called me once."
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry." Jen put her arm around Brenda comfortingly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You've got enough to think about without adding my problems to it."
"Hey, you're problem is my problem."
"Thanks. But I don't even know what to do."
"That depends what you want."
"I don't know. Bumping into Matt was like a floodgate. Boom there he was and so were all the feelings I'd buried. I don't know if I ever got over him. I had just refused to let myself think about him. And then he came over and told me how much he changed. And that's all I'd wanted. When we broke up every night I'd wish for things to be different between us. For things to go back."
"But they can't."
"Exactly."
"Do you still love him?"
"I don't know. I know a part of me will always love him. But I'm not sure I'm willing to go back to that place. To be that dependent on someone. Even though I can see he has changed and in his heart he believes he won't hit me again, I still don't know if I can be sure."
"And where does Noah factor into this?"
"I care about Noah so much. I could really feel myself falling for him. It was starting. But he deserves someone who's all there and I'm not sure I am."
"Isn't it upto him to decide?"
"Well he hasn't called me for ages."
"Maybe seeing your reaction to Matt made him feel a bit insecure about your feelings for him?"
"And I'm not sure I can really reassure him." Brenda sighed. "I knew I should have sworn off men completely."
"Tell me about it." Jen grumbled.
"How are you holding up?" Brenda asked, turning the attention away from herself.
"I'm not really." Jen tried to smile but it was too hard.
"Has Drue done anything about the situation?"
"Not much he can do. But whatever he's done I don't know. I haven't spoken to him."
"You know you two are too good together to just throw away completely."
"I don't know about that." Jen sighed.
"I do. You're not giving up on him entirely are you?"
"I don't know. I don't want to give up on him. I'm just waiting to see what he decides to do."
"Maybe he needs you to help him decide?"
"Maybe. But I need him to do it alone."
-&-
Pacey got home from work feeling tired and grumpy. Joey withdrawals always did that to him, he thought to himself. She'd been so busy studying he'd barely seen her the past week and he knew the coming week would be the same.
His subconscious kept telling him that wanting to spend every day with his girlfriend wasn't very manly, but he just assumed his subconscious obviously wasn't seeing the same girl he was. He always missed her when she wasn't around.
When he walked into his apartment he found it empty and deathly quiet. He dropped his things in his room before going into Drue's room.
Drue was putting his things down and still had his coat on so he had obviously just gotten home minutes before Pacey had.
"Hey Drue."
"Hey."
"Where you been?" Pacey asked. "No, let me guess, at the library?"
"Actually…"
"No, wait. Library and you don't really go."
Drue rolled his eyes. "I went to see Ryan. But I was about to get started studying now for your information."
"Sure, sure." Pacey grinned. "How is the little guy?"
"He's great. He was a little hesitant to play with me at first, but he's opened up now."
"That's good. Have you called Jen yet?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"She's made her feelings pretty clear, Pacey. I just have to give her the space she deserves."
"Even if it kills you."
"Yep." Drue sighed. He's tried his very best not to think about Jen these past few weeks. "Anyway, now I have to do the tough thing and call my parents. Morgan needs money and unfortunately I can't give her any without telling them."
"How do you think they'll take it?"
"I'm not sure."
"So when is Morgan going back? Have you guys decided about visiting rights or anything?"
"Not yet. She's staying until I sort out the money. We haven't talked about visiting or anything. I don't know why, but it feels kind of wrong that she goes back with Ryan and raises him alone while I only see him now and again."
"What else can you do, you live in different states?"
"I guess."
-&-
In was early in the morning when Joey walked into the deserted art room. She had a class in an hour, but she had left home early because she spent all last night in her room studying and needed a break.
She set up her canvas and put on her headphones letting her emotions take her wherever they wanted. Fifteen minutes later she was engrossed in her drawing when someone walked in. Thinking she would have to leave because of a class, she was relieved when she noticed Luke.
"You don't have a class in here, do you?" She asked him, pulling her headphones off her ears.
"No." Luke said, setting up his own canvas. "I just needed a break from studying."
"Me too."
"Finals stressing you out?"
"Like you wouldn't believe."
"I remember the days."
"You sound like you're so much older." Joey teased.
"Nah, but I wouldn't go back if they paid me."
After setting his own stuff up he glanced at Joey's painting.
"So, what's on your mind?" He asked and Joey rose her eyebrows.
"What makes you think something's on my mind?"
"Your painting. It speaks volumes."
"And what does it say exactly?"
"It says something's on your mind." Luke grinned.
"I guess I'm not really looking forward to the end of the year."
"Really? You're the only person I know not looking forward to the end of school." He laughed.
"It's not that. I'm really glad school is over. I think I told you I was going home for the summer, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well turns out Pacey, my boyfriend, isn't going home. He has to stay here."
"So, why don't you stay here?" It sounded simple enough to him.
"I don't have anywhere to stay and I need the summer job I've got in Capeside."
"Hmm. That does suck."
"It's not like I don't want to go home at all. My sister is there and my little nephew who's so adorable, but I've kinda grown to love this city. And all my friends will be here."
"Well maybe you could find a better job here?"
"Not likely this late. I kind of assumed Pacey would be going home too, but obviously he has to work over the summer."
"No harm in trying."
"No, I suppose not."
-&-
Tobey was in the shower when Jack decided to go over to Jen's for a little while. He needed to talk to her and now was as good a time as any. He knocked on her door and heard her mumble something sounding like 'come in' before walking in.
"Jen."
"Hey, Jack."
"Problem." He sighed, sitting on her bed.
"What?" She turned in her chair, giving him her attention.
"Tobey's here."
"Here here?"
"In my room taking a shower here."
"Oh. Well, that's good, right?" Noting the expression on her best friends face she knew it clearly wasn't. "Jack, not this again!"
"It's not my fault. I feel bad."
"About David."
"Obviously. We were supposed to study together yesterday when Tobey got here and David kinda left in a hurry." Jack sighed.
"He'll be okay."
"But I feel really guilty and bad. I care about David a lot."
"More than Tobey?"
"I don't know."
"Which is really a yes?"
"I'm a horrible person." Jack sighed dramatically, falling back on Jen's bed.
Jen got up from her desk and got on the bed, crawling next to him. "No, you're not."
"I am."
"Jack, snap out of it!" Jen raised her voice and Jack was a little shocked.
"Sorry."
"It's okay." Jen settled herself next to Jack on the bed, leaning into him. "But I think this has been going on long enough. Deep down you know how you feel, but you refuse to acknowledge it. It's ruining everyone's life and happiness. You think by continuing this charade you or David or Tobey are happy? Tobey's not stupid. He knows when something is wrong and he knows your heart isn't in your relationship. And David knows you care about him and his love for you is killing him because you're there but not quite there. And we both know that you're not happy. So please, just do everyone a favor and admit the truth and move on."
"I've tried. I keep trying, but I just can't."
"You won't. I'm sorry to say this honey but you need to stop being such a coward and treating everyone's heart so carelessly."
Jack didn't say anything for a while and Jen felt a little bad for going off at him, but she knew it needed to be done.
"You're right. I'm sorry." He said finally.
"It's not me you should be apologizing to."
"I know." Jack sighed.
They lay together on Jen's bed for a few minutes, just enjoying the few minutes they had together.
"I spoke to Drue yesterday." Jack said finally, changing the subject.
"Yeah?" Jen tried to appear disinterested.
"Yeah. He's a wreck, Jen."
"Jack, please not this again." She sat up, moving out of the comfortable embrace of her best friend.
"Can't you just talk to him?"
"No."
"He's been seeing his son a lot. Trying to get to know him. Make up for lost time I guess."
"Exactly. He's busy." She said flatly, not turning to look at him.
"And miserable."
"And I'm not?" She turned to him angrily.
"That's my point. You're miserable, he's miserable. Why don't you be miserable together?"
"Because I couldn't be there while he met with that girl. While he went to the hospital with his son. While he spent time with them."
"Hospital?" Jack frowned.
"Well, I'm assuming he took a paternity test to confirm he's the father."
Jack tried to recall if Drue had told him anything about going to the hospital.
"He did get tested right?" Jen asked, suddenly unsure.
"I don't know." Jack said finally.
-&-
Brenda walked along the street not really thinking about where she was going. She just needed to get out of the dorm to think for a while. She tried studying but it hadn't really helped, she couldn't concentrate on anything.
Before she realized it she was passing the Marina. She could see Noah hard at work and felt the urge to go and tell him how sorry she was and how much she wanted him. She was too far for him to notice her so she took the opportunity to watch him for a few minutes. She really cared about him and sometimes she wished she could just move forward with him. But a part of her still loved Matt and she suddenly felt trapped in that place.
And that part of her made her keep walking by the Marina. She got a cab to take her to the other part of town where she had once spent so much of her time.
She knocked on the door and waited for an answer. A part of her was hoping he wasn't home and another part of her wanted to see him, even though she didn't know what she would do when she saw him.
When he answered the door he looked very surprised to see her. Her stomach suddenly did flip-flops and she felt like turning around and running.
"Hey." She said, breaking the silence.
"Hey." Matt's confusion was quickly replaced by utter happiness and he smiled widely. "Come in."
Brenda hesitated a second, not knowing if going into that house was really wise. But as he moved out of the way she relented and followed him in.
"You haven't changed it much." Brenda said as they walked into the living room. She noticed the room was set nearly exactly as she left it. Pictures of Matt and his family and of her still sat on the fireplace.
"No. You always were the one changing things around here."
She tensed at the mention of their past, really not needing to go down that road.
"Matt I…"
"I was kind of surprised you came." He said, cutting her off. "I've been calling but you didn't answer. I thought I'd really messed things up."
"You haven't." Matt smiled and she carried on. "There's nothing to mess up. There's nothing between us. Not anymore."
"If that were true you wouldn't be here."
"I came to tell you that. You know it's been over between us for a long time. I've moved on."
"Have you? Really?" Matt asked. "Because I can see it in your eyes. You still love me."
"Of course I still love you, Matt. You were the first person I ever really loved. And I'll probably always love you. But that doesn't change things between us."
"Why not? I love you. And you still love me. And I've changed. You said you couldn't be with me until I got some help. And I did."
"I know." She softened her tone, seeing the hurt and pain in his eyes. She was next to him now, her hand on his cheek. "I know you did and I'm glad."
"But it's not enough?" He asked softly, his head moving to touch her hand.
"No."
She closed her eyes and let him kiss her hand softly. She knew that this was their final goodbye.
"Brenda?"
"Hmm?" She didn't open her eyes yet, not ready to move away from his presence.
"I'll always love you."
She opened her eyes and saw the emotions behind his words in his eyes and the next thing she knew her lips had found his. The words and goodbye they were saying forgotten as their old passion burnt again.
-&-
After Jack had returned from Jen's, Tobey was ready to leave and they'd gone out to get some lunch together. Tobey had promised to help him study for his finals so that they could spend time together while Jack still studied.
They spent the day together, walking around town, just enjoying each others company. But Tobey felt the difference he hadn't noticed before. He knew there was something wrong.
It was later that night when Tobey said something. He was lying next to Jack's bed in his sleeping bag while Jack lay in his bed, but neither had said anything for a while.
"Jack, do you think long distance relationships are doomed?" He asked, surprising Jack.
"I don't know." He turned onto his side, using his elbow to prop him up so he could look at Tobey. "Why do you ask?"
"Just something I was thinking about. I mean, we're okay. But you can't really understand someone completely when you only see them four times out of the year."
"I know. It's been hard."
"Do you think we've grown apart?"
"I think, the distance has caused us to drift a little." Jack answered, not sure what he was asking. He felt so guilty because he knew they had grown apart.
"Do you think we've grown apart too much?" Tobey asked tentatively, not sure what he was saying.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. It's stupid. Go to sleep."
Jack knew Tobey wanted to say more, but he didn't think he was ready to push the issue if Tobey wasn't.
"Okay. Goodnight."
"Night."
-&-
The next morning Jen made the familiar trek to the boys' apartment. It felt weird walking up the stairs to the apartment after avoiding it for so long. But she just had to ask. And a part of her wanted to see him. She was just using this question as an excuse to go.
She stood outside the apartment now, but she still didn't knock. She could just walk right in. She had a key. She and Joey had spent so much time there that the boys had given them both their own keys. But now it didn't seem like she had a right to just walk in.
She took a deep breath and knocked. Her heart was beating as she heard the rustle of someone getting up and walking towards the door. She suddenly prayed that it was Pacey and that Drue wasn't home, even though she knew Pacey was at work.
When the door opened and she saw his face looking as miserable as she felt she had a sudden urge to hug him. To say sorry for abandoning him and to just comfort him. But she quickly shut that part of her up and managed a smile.
"Jen." He said her name as if he wasn't sure whether she was really there.
"Hey."
"Jen?"
"That's my name." Jen tried to laugh to cover the uncomfortable air around them. "Can I come in?"
He seemed to snap out of his daze then, as if only just realizing that she was really standing in front of him.
"Sure."
He moved out of the way and she walked in. He closed the door behind her, taking a deep breath before following her into the living room.
"Did you take a test?" She blurted out suddenly, not being able to hold it in.
Her question caught him off guard and he frowned. "What?"
"Did you get a paternity test to confirm Ryan's your son? Because I was talking to Jack earlier and he couldn't remember you telling him about it and I just assumed you had, but I didn't know. And I just thought I should ask." She said it so fast he had to process her words before he could answer.
"Paternity test? I didn't…I mean I didn't think I needed to."
"Drue!"
"What? How was I supposed to know?"
"Didn't you think that you might not want to take this girl at face value. Do you even know her? Didn't you want to know for sure?"
"She never made it sound like there was any doubt."
"And you just took her word for it?" Drue nodded, realizing for the first time that maybe that wasn't such a good idea. "Didn't it even cross you mind?"
The way Jen was talking to him, as if she really cared made him angry. "I'm sorry I didn't think to do something, which is so basic. I guess I'm just an idiot. But maybe if my girlfriend was supporting me she might have pointed it out to me."
"Well, maybe you should have realized that just because you slept with the skank doesn't mean she's obviously telling the truth." Jen shouted back but then relented. "Look, I didn't come here to fight."
"Then why did you come here?"
"To ask you. Because maybe you need to be sure that he is your son before you change your entire life around him."
"You're right. I'm sorry for losing it."
"It's okay. I better go."
"Do you have to?" The words left his mouth before he could stop them and he cursed himself for sounding so desperate.
"Yeah, I do." She said it softly, trying to lessen the pain he was feeling, but nothing could do that.
He walked her to the door silently and she left without another word. She didn't know that it wasn't definitely his son and now she was really hoping, however unlikely it was that Drue really wasn't a father.
When Jen left he was more confused than ever. He couldn't believe he hadn't even questioned Morgan's words. She told him Ryan was his son and even though he believed her, he should have at least made sure. He needed to be sure.
-&-
Jack woke up early that morning and decided to go for a run. Tobey was still asleep and he needed to clear his head. He had stayed awake all night just thinking about what he had said last night. Did Tobey feel the same things he did? Did he realize that things weren't the same?
Jack knew he shouldn't have ended the conversation last night. He should have talked to Tobey and they should have broken up. They just weren't right for each other anymore.
When he got back from his run Jack knew what he needed to do. Walking into his room he was surprised to find Tobey, completely dressed and packed, ready to leave.
"Tobey?" Jack looked confused. "I thought you weren't going until tonight."
"Oh, you're back." Tobey looked a little nervous and then gestured to the note on Jack's bed. "I was leaving you a note."
"A note?"
"Yeah." Tobey smiled. "I know you've been struggling to tell me something face to face for weeks now. And when you came home we had a great time, but I knew something was wrong. And I know what that something is."
"I don't understand."
"I couldn't do it either. So I was taking the easy way out." He picked up the note from the bed and handed it to him. "I'll see you around, Jack." He said a little sadly, before moving to the door.
"You're just going to leave? Don't you want me to take you to the station." Jack asked, still not sure what was going on.
"I think it would be better to say goodbye now."
Tobey came back, stopping infront of Jack and kissing him softly. "Bye, Jack."
And then he picked up his things and walked out of the door, leaving a very confused Jack standing in his room. Sitting on his bed, Jack opened the note and began reading.
Dear Jack,
Last night when I brought up the thing about long distance relationships, I guess I was just trying to get us to talk, and maybe face some issues we've been ignoring. Last summer was the best summer of my life, Jack. And I hoped that us being so far apart wouldn't change anything that we'd built together the summer. But we both know it did.
I'm not the person you turn to when you need someone. I'm not the one who's there for you. And I think we both know who that person is. And I think maybe you should stop lying to yourself and admit how much you need him too.
I know you still care about me. And I still care about you too. But I know things aren't working. And I know that you're too good a person to break up with me because you think it will hurt me. And it will. It is. Breaking up with you, which is what I'm doing if you hadn't realized, is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Which is probably why I'm taking the easy route out and writing this.
I hope that we can still be friends at some point. But I think right now you need to be with the person you care about most, and I need to figure out what I'm going to do.
Have a great summer, Jack.
Love, always
Tobey
xxxxxx
-&-
Joey put her pen down as the professor instructed. She sat patiently as the papers were collected and tried to figure out how badly that final had just gone. When the class was dismissed she got up and gathered her things, heading for the library. As she walked out of her class she bumped into someone approaching from the right. She stopped suddenly, realizing it was Luke.
"Hey, Luke." She said as he noticed her.
"Hey. How was it?" He asked, noting that she had just walked out of a final.
"Terrible." Joey moaned, falling into step with him.
"I doubt that. But I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Yeah. So, how are you? You seem a bit stressed."
"I'm good. Just have something I have to do." Luke frowned and then suddenly his face lit up. "Actually, you might be able to help me."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I was supposed to hire an intern to work at this art gallery down town this summer. I sorted it out months ago, but the guy who was supposed to do it just bailed on me. He had some emergency come up. Now, I have to find someone to fill his place."
Joey smiled at the hopeful look in his eyes.
"And I suppose you think I could be that person?"
"Well, yeah. It's an opportunity of a lifetime and the pay is pretty good. And you said yourself, you want to stay in Boston."
"Hey, you don't need to point out the obvious. I know how wonderful this could be. But I don't have anywhere to stay over the summer and I can't really afford to stay here." Joey sighed. "And besides, shouldn't you be offering this to one of the more committed art students?"
"Well, I just found out and ran into you. And I think you're pretty committed, just because you are only starting doesn't mean I can't see how much you love it. And I'm guessing most people have made their summer plans by now."
"True. I really wish I could help you out. I really wish I could do it. It would be an amazing experience."
"Well, the offer's there if you change your mind in the next 24 hours. Otherwise I'm going to have to find someone else, which is just going to be a bitch."
"Thanks for asking."
"No problem."
-&-
Drue knocked on the door and waited for a reply, hoping that she was home. He hadn't called or arranged a meeting because he just decided to go and ask suddenly. After Jen left him he knew she was right and he couldn't believe he hadn't thought of it until now. He had been so caught up in actually being a dad and then losing Jen that questioning any of it just didn't come into his mind.
"Hello?" A young girl, about Drue's age with long brown hair and a sweet smile answered the door. "Can I help you?"
"Uh, yeah. Is Morgan here?"
"Yeah. Just a second." The girl disappeared for a few moments and then Morgan appeared at the door.
"Drue. What are you doing here? We didn't arrange a meeting, did we, because Ryan's asleep and I must have forgotten."
"No, we didn't. I just wanted to ask you something."
"Oh, okay. Come in."
Morgan moved out of the way and Drue followed her inside. He was shifting from one foot to the other nervously and she eyed him curiously. She gestured to the couch and he sat down.
"What's the matter? You seem tense." She noted, taking a seat opposite him.
"I just wanted to ask you if it would be okay for me to take Ryan to get a DNA test?"
"What?" Morgan stood up angrily, her demeanor changing suddenly. "Why would you do that?"
"Well to prove that Ryan's my son, obviously." Drue said softly, not seeing the problem.
"What? You don't believe me now?" She asked, her defenses firmly in place.
"No. It's not that. It's not that I don't trust you. I just need to see for myself. To make it all real." Drue explained.
"This is not real enough for you?"
"I don't know why you're so upset."
"You're accusing me of lying!"
"Whoa. I never said that. I would just like to see it in writing for myself."
Morgan relented, realizing she was getting too worked up. "Fine." Morgan sighed. "When?"
"Today?"
"Today!"
"The sooner the better, right?" Drue said tentatively, not wanting to upset her further.
"I guess so. He just went to sleep so how about later this afternoon?"
"That's fine."
Morgan followed Drue to the door and arranged when he would come back for Ryan. After he left she closed the door behind him, sighing loudly.
"What's the matter?" Ashley, the girl who had answered the door, asked as she came back into her living room.
"He wants a paternity test. What am I going to do?"
"Well, there's not much you can do."
"But what if Ryan's not his."
"At least you'll know now."
"But I'll be screwed if he's not the father."
"Then we'll just have to pray he is."
-&-
The phone ringing didn't phase Joey as she continued to read her book, absentmindedly picking up the receiver. Stacy was out, presumably with her new guy, Mike, and she had been enjoying the quiet to get some work done in her room for a change.
"Hello."
"Hey Miss-I'm-so-busy-I-have-no-time-for-my-boyfriend."
Joey grinned at his voice. "Well if isn't Mr.-I'm-always-working-when-my-girlfriend-is-free."
"You're never free." Pacey pointed out. "How was your final?"
"Okay. It was hard, but I don't think I did too bad."
"You never do badly on any test."
"Yes, I do."
"Name one time." Pacey challenged.
"The time you had to ask Kasden if I could retake that English test."
"Because you were stressed out. And then you got an A."
"Was there a point to you disturbing me?" Joey asked, knowing she wasn't winning this argument.
"Yes, there was actually. And before you say no just hear me out."
"If I must." Joey mock sighed.
"I took the night off. And we're going to dinner."
She waited ten seconds before she said it. "I can't." Pacey sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Joeeeeey." He put on his begging voice now. "You've been studying way too hard and you have to eat sometime."
"You know if we go out I'll never get back to studying."
"You will. I promise."
"I'm sorry, baby. I promise I'll make it upto you. I swear."
"When? You're leaving in a week."
"Two weeks."
"Ten days."
"Pacey…"
"Okay I'm sorry. I know you have to study. I just miss you."
"I do too. Which is why I know I'll never get back to studying if I let you near me."
"Can't resist me can ya?" Pacey teased.
Joey laughed. "No, I can't."
"So, I guess I'll leave you to it." Pacey sighed. "Love you."
"Love you too. Bye."
She hung up the phone and got back to her reading, but now she had a huge smile on her face.
-&-
Brenda ignored the door the first few knocks, hoping that whoever it was would just go away. She needed to study and didn't need another distraction to add to the growing pile. But whoever it was wasn't giving up.
Finally, knowing she wouldn't get any studying done with the knocking anyway she got up and answered the door.
"Hey baby." Matt grinned, leaning forward and kissing her lightly on the mouth. "I was worried you weren't home. What were you doing?" He asked, walking into her room without an invite.
She looked at him confused. "I was studying."
"Oh. Well, you want to take a break?"
"Not really."
"Come on, I thought we could go out. Remember that café we used to go to all the time for lunch. I was thinking we could go there."
"Matt…"
"If you're studying I guess I could call in and pick something up for us."
"Us?"
"Yeah."
"Matt, listen to me. The other day, it was a mistake."
Matt looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"I shouldn't have kissed you."
"We did a little more than kissing." Matt said softly, touching her cheek, but she pulled away.
"Whatever we did. It's not going to happen again."
"I don't get it. I thought you forgave me."
He didn't understand. He really thought her kissing him meant that they were putting things behind them and moving on.
"I did. I do. But that doesn't mean we're back together."
"But you…"
"Made a mistake." She said it as softly as possible, but she knew she couldn't really do anything to lessen the pain he was feeling.
She knew when she left his house that he would assume they were back together. But she kinda hoped he would just go away so she wouldn't have to deal with him. She knew she was being horrible, but she just wanted to forget about Matt and Noah and just pass her finals.
"Brenda, please don't say that."
"I'm sorry."
"You felt something. I know you did." He said desperately, not able to let her go.
"I got caught up in the past, Matt." She said, trying to explain. "I think you should leave. I have to study."
"But…"
"Please."
Matt sighed, knowing this wasn't going anywhere. He couldn't quite believe what she was saying. When she kissed him the other day he couldn't believe how happy he was. He thought things would finally be fixed between them.
He left without another word, still heartbroken from what she had said.
Brenda closed the door behind him, and instead of allowing herself to think about what had happened for a second longer, she got back to studying.
-&-
Jen was sitting on the beach when he saw her. He stopped, not knowing whether or not to approach her. His head was telling him that she didn't want to see him and he should go. But his heart, which missed her like crazy, won out and he walked towards her.
He sat next to her but she didn't turn to look at him, knowing he was there. They sat together for a few minutes, just watching the waves crash against the shore and they were both reminded of all the times they had sat on this very beach in each other's arms doing the same thing.
"I went to the hospital." Drue said finally and she turned to look at him.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. You were right. I should have done it ages ago."
"I don't think you're an idiot." Jen said softly, reminding him of what he had said before.
"I know."
"When do the results come in?"
"A few days."
"Are you scared?"
"Terrified."
"Of him being your son or not?"
"Both." Jen nodded her understanding.
They sat for a few minutes again, not feeling the need to talk.
"So, finals huh?" Drue said and Jen turned to him and smirked.
For now, all thoughts of the problems between them forgotten as they called a truce.
-&-
"Pacey! What are you doing here?" Joey answered the door with a mock scowl.
"Well, Potter, since you specifically told me to stay away, I decided to come over." He grinned, kissing her lightly before walking into her room.
"Figures." Joey rolled her eyes and closed the door behind him.
He was moving her various books off the table and making room for the bags he carried inside with him.
"Pacey! What are you doing? Those are important."
"I know. So is eating." He started pulling out boxes of Chinese food and Joey just watched him. "You said you couldn't go out to eat so I figured I'd have to bring it to you."
"Really?"
"Yep. And then I'll help you study."
"You don't have to."
Pacey smiled and took Joey's hand, sitting her on the bed. He took the book she had in her hand and put it on the table.
"We're going to eat and relax and you're not going to think about school the entire time. And then I'm going to help you study because I miss you and I know you're not going to let me stay here unless I'm helping."
Joey laughed. He knew her so well.
"Thank you." She leaned forward and kissed him hungrily.
After a long breathless kiss they pulled away and Pacey sighed. "Now, don't even try and blame that on me."
"I won't." Joey laughed, reaching over him to get the packages of food. "Did you get fortune cookies?"
"Of course."
"Good."
She took the containers out, handing one to Pacey and taking one herself. She had been studying so hard she hadn't realized how hungry she was.
"Jo?"
"Yeah?"
"How many more finals you got?"
"Three."
"Do me a favor?"
"Anything."
"Keep next week free."
"Of course."
"And don't go to Capeside." She sighed leaning into him.
"I wish."
"Me too."
-&-
Luke's art professor who he was a Teacher's Assistant for had called in sick that morning. So he had been roped into taking the class, and he wasn't really looking forward to it. He was preparing for the class when Joey knocked on the classroom door.
"Joey."
"Hey, Luke. You busy?"
"No. I have to cover the next class, but it doesn't start for ten minutes."
"Cool." Joey walked inside, sitting on the edge of the desk as Luke continued doing what he was. "So you're covering the class?"
"Yeah."
"I thought TA's just assist."
"They do. But the professor called in sick and they couldn't find a sub."
"Right." Joey fidgeted, really wanting to ask, but not sure how she would feel if she was too late.
"It's still open." Luke commented.
"What?"
"The intern position. It's still there if you want it."
Joey laughed. "How did you know?"
"I guessed. I knew you wanted it."
"So it's mine?"
"Yep. I can give you all the details after my class, if you meet me later."
"Really?" Joey jumped off the desk excitedly.
"Really. You deserve it."
"I don't know about that."
"I've seen your work, you deserve it."
"Couldn't find anyone else, huh?" Joey teased.
"No, actually. And I had the feeling you would come back. Did you sort out your living arrangement problem?"
"Yeah. Well, I have an idea anyway."
Students started to enter the classroom and Joey figured this was her cue to leave.
"Thanks so much, Luke."
"No problem."
"I'll see you later."
"Sure."
-&-
"So, I was thinking…"
David looked up as Jack sat in front of him at the coffee-house.
"Jack, what are you doing here? Where's Tobey?"
"He went home. A couple of days ago, actually." David was surprised, but Jack carried on. "So, I was thinking, and I know that's not really a good thing for me, but I think I finally have something figured out."
"Yeah? What's that?"
"I'm a total chicken."
"Really?"
"Yep. And it took someone, well a lot of people really, telling me that for me to really see it."
"And now you see it?"
"Yeah."
"So, what are you going to do about it?"
"I'm going to ask out this guy, who I really like."
"Jack? What's going on?" David asked, not understanding.
"Tobey and I broke up. And even though I care about him, I think we both knew that it wasn't working." Jack sighed. "He could see what I'd been denying for so long."
"Which is?"
"That I really want to be with you."
"You do?"
"Yeah. That is if you still want to be with me."
"Wow. Really?" David didn't know whether this was really happening. He thought he and Jack were just destined to be friends.
"Yeah. And I'm so sorry for taking so long."
"Are you sure this is not a rebound thing?"
"Yes!" Jack laughed. "I would really like it if we could give this a go. So what do you say?"
"Yes. I'll go out with you, Jack."
Jack grinned and leaned over the table, surprising David with a kiss.
"Thank you."