The beautiful aroma of coffee hit Joey as she made her way down the stairs. When she stepped into the kitchen it was to see Pacey standing in front of the stove cooking something that smelled delicious.

"Pacey, you didn't have to cook. I was going to do that." She said as she poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the table.

"Why do you think I did, Josephine?"

"Witter, are you implying that I can't cook?"

"I'm not implying anything. I'm saying that you can't cook." Pacey shoveled the conents of the pan on to a plate and set it in front of Joey.

"Aren't you going to eat, Pace?"

He shook his head. Pacey waited for her to finish eating before he said, "Dawson called while you were changing."

Joey snorted in disgust. "What did he want?"

"He wants us to come over for a movie night. I think he means it as some sort of peace offering."

Joey chewed on her bottom lip. If he was trying to say he was sorry for blowing her off all summer maybe she should go. It might be fun. Of course, Dawson would probably force them to watch Spielberg films that they had already seen a thousand times. And he would probably spend the entire time with his tongue down Jen's throat. Did she really want to go and have to endure a whole night of that? Nope, she wasn't going to go.

Pacey watched her and knew that she was going to refuse to go. "You're going, Jo."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes you are. You should go so that he can apologize for whatever it is that he did to piss you off."

"He won't apologize so I'm not going."

"You are going. Your only option is how. Either you go of your own free will or I take you by force. It's your choice."

Joey just shook her head, glaring at him defiantly.

"Jo, I'm going to give you to the count of three to go quietly." She just continued to stare at him.

"One..."

"No, Pace."

"Two..."

"Uh uh." She said, shaking her head.

"Three..."

"Not. Gonna. Happen." Joey spat but she started to look a little nervous when he began to advance towards her.

"I just want you to remember that I gave you plenty of opportunities to avoid this, Potter." Before she could retreat, Pacey bent and hoisted her over his should.

"Pacey! Pacey, put me down!" She couldn't believe that he was doing this!

Pacey ignored her screaming and started to walk out the door. He just thanked God that she hadn't started to hit, kick, bite, or scratch. Boy, she sure had changed in the last couple of years.

"So, are you going to carry me all the way to Dawson's house?" Joey asked as they turned the corner at the end of her street.

"Yep."

"Why? I can walk you know."

"Because, Josephine, I'm not going to give you any opportunity to get away and I know you. The second I let you down you're going to make a run for it."

"Hmfft."

Pacey chuckled. "Thats not a very lady-like sound, Jo."

"Bite me, Pacey." Joey growled.

"Just say when and where, Potter, it would be my pleasure."

"In your dreams."

"Every night." He shot back and Joey smiled. She had missed moments like this with Pacey, even if they were slightly humiliating.

Pacey grinned to himself. He had missed this so much over the summer. Nobody ever bantered with him like Joey did. Especially not girls. Hell, most girls were too busy hitting on him this summer to ever fight with him, even if it was only a half-hearted protest. Not that he really minded the extra attention he had been recieving from the ladies, but they weren't his Jo.

Dawson watched through the livingroom window as Pacey and Joey made their way up his front walk. It made him sick. If Dawson had dared to swing Joey over his shoulder and carry her around like a Neanderthal she would have fought him to the death to get him to put her down. Now she was placidly letting Pacey. A year ago Joey would have ran away from Pacey's touch and now she seemed unbelievably comfortable with it. Dawson made a disgusted sound and walked upstairs.

"Okay. We're here."

"Good. Now, put me down Witter." Joey said, patting his back.

She really couldn't take this any longer. Being this close to him was driving her crazy, and his blatant display of stength was starting to turn her on. She had to get away, before she said something stupid.

"Not a chance, Jo." Pacey knocked on the door.

"But we're here!" she cried in indignation.

"And you still might run away." The truth was he just liked holding her even if it was the same way he would carry a sack of potatoes.

Jen opened the door and burst out laughing. "What are you guys doing?"

"Jo was being difficult. I had to." Pacey said, winking at Jen.

"Pacey, put me down! Now!" She had to admit the whole scene had been amusing when it was just her and Pacey to witness it, but now it was a little humiliating.

"In a minute, Icequeen. When we get upstairs."

"Listen Jailbait -" Her protest was cut short when she heard Jen chuckle. "Oh, shut up, Jen."

Jen moved aside to let them through the door. Then she walked upstairs leaving Pacey to follow with Joey in tow.