My heart thumped furiously within my chest, as I stared robotically out the window. Fear somberly replaced the numbeness I'd felt ever since we pulled off. Without any particular thought, or agreeing with them, I hesitantly got into the beautiful red car. If not Pacey's prodding, or just the sake of my own curiousity, I still would've liked to ride in this one. Where did he get this? I'd wondered when I first got in. Now, I wonder what I'm going to say to him.

"Joey?" He asks barely over the radio.

I sigh.

"What, Pacey?" I ask, as the thumps grow softer.

"You, Okay? I mean, you haven't said anything since we left."

"I'm, um--I'm fine." I say with a purposefully weak smile. Hopefully he will see my uncomfort and offer to drive me home. I need a lifeline. Something to stop me from making this monumental mistake. Someone should tell me that escaping from my problems, won't make them go away.

"Are you sure?" She asks looking over her shoulder. I slide closer to the window, so I won't be in her vision.

"Yeah." I say dryly, no longer sure of who I'm more upset with. Her, or myself for being so angry at her. Recently, or more or less since she moved here, I haven't been my kindest. But first trying to seduce Dawson, than Pacey, just bugs me to no end. Though, I can't really think of any other reason why I don't like her. Maybe if I go along with this little adventure, I'll either find out, or gain a friend.

"Just, checking."She replies wearily, responding to my negative tone.

"Where are we going? And where did you get this car?" I finally ask.

"Mexico." He says quickly.

"Mexico?" I ask doubtfully.

"Yes, Mexico." He says turning the radio down.

"And, why Mexico?" I ask confused.

"Because..."

"Because?"

"Because, I've always wanted to go to Mexico. That's why."He replies unconvicingly.

"What about you Jen? Mexico your fantasy vacation?"

"Not, exactly. Look, he asked me to come, so I agreed. Besides we're only going to be gone for two days tops." She responds with a slight shrug, then returns to her staring match with the window.

"Uh-huh." I say nodding, beginning to catch on to the underlying themes of this sudden adventure. "So what are you running away from this time Pace?" I ask with no intentional humor, but there may have been a hint in my voice.

"I'm not the runner here Potter, that's your sport remember?"He says concentrating on the road.

My heart drops at this statement, though I hate that it did. I hate that it got to me.

"Oh, really Pacey? So what's with the sudden road-trip? Why ask me and Jen to tag along?"

All I could see was Jen's profile looking at him questioningly. They look into each others eyes, before Pacey turns his attention back to the road. Jen nods as if a new understanding has just been transcended between them. Why are they doing that? I wonder. Why are they passing secret messages to each other, without letting me in on the secret? For once in a long time, I don't feel like I can reach him. A sadness surrounds him, and bleeds out of him, with no apparent knowledge to anyone-- or at least me-- as to why.

"What's going on Pacey?" I ask hoping for a straight answer.

Finally he pulls over to the side of the rode.

"Me and my father had another a fight." He says squeezing the steering weel.

A chill goes down my spine as I await for the full answer.

"And...what else happened?" I ask treading on already troubled waters.

"He's in the hospital." Jen finishes.

"Why?" I ask swallowing hard.

"I um--I accidently--I accidently"

"What? What did you do Pacey?" I ask fearfully.

"I--I--" He stutters out before bursting into laughter. Jen looks over her shoulder at me smiling guiltily.

"I'm sorry Joey" She says laughing, not sounding very apollegetic. "It was too easy." She says still chuckling. Again, feeling excluded I folded my arms tightly searching for a reply to the idiotic joke.

"I'm not the only one who's 'easy'." I whisper harshly hoping she heard. She did. Swiftly turning around to face me again, her eyes looked over me hurtfully.

"You know what Joey--?"She begins, as I hold my breath ready for the blow. " I'm so sick and tired of your snide remarks, back-handed insults, oh--and I think your all and out continuous attempts to perfect the art of bitchiness deserves an honerable mention."

Anger gradually rises making my whole body hot. There is no come-back good enough. I would rather solve the situation with my hand, but it wouldn't solve anything. Finally I decide to just sit back in my seat and stare out the window. The only words they'll here from me will be these:

"I want to go home. I have work to do." I say plainly eyeing Pacey, waiting for his reaction.

"Listen, Joey--" He tries softly.

"Today." I say brushing him off.

We pull into the yard, as my attention goes to Bessie who's standing outside, arms folded, with a scolding expression. I exhale, then apprehensively climb out of the car. Pacey jumps out, and proceeds around the front of the car making his way over to me.

"Are you sure you want to stay, Jo?" He asks as if concerned for my saftey. "I mean, this could be the best thing--"

"Pace...I'll take a raincheck. We have forever to go on a roadtrip." I say nudging him. "Besides I have so much to do here."

"I know...I know." He said, dissapointment in that last 'know'.

"And I'm not going anywhere with her." I say shooting a quick death stare at Jen, who was purposely ignoring it.

"Come on Jo. Even you know when to bury the hatchet."

"Bury the hatchet? I ask sardonically.

"Yeah, you know be the bigger man. Which by the way shouldn't be too hard." He says winking.

"Whatever." I say with an exasperated sigh. "Well, back to reality."

"Yep." He says looking right through me.

"It was fun."

"What, was?"

"The idea. Running away. Escaping...even just for a moment." I say smiling at the thought, shamefully looking at the ground.

"Hey" He says cupping my chin. "Next time, remember?"

"Next time." I agree half smiling. The crumbling common ground between us, was beginning to re-build itself. Now I was smiling at something else. He really was-- Is a really good...friend.

"Nice car!" Bessie shouted, motioning for me to come in the house. "Where have you been!"

"Just a minute."I say looking back at Pacey then Jen. "Tell her I'm sorry."I say starting to walk away.

"Sure thing, Miss Josephine." He says much to my aggrivation, as he gets back in the car.

"Bye." I mouth waving to him, then Jen. Jen just looks at me coldly. Pacey says something to her, and she turns to me and waves back smiling subtley. Guess he told her of my apology.

"Where were you?" Bessie asks walking up to me before I could get to the door.

"Nowhere." I respond indecisively.

"Not good enough. I had to carry my very ill self--"

"You don't look ill." I say noticing her gain of health.

"Well...I'm feeling a little better. But I had to fire Gary all by myself, thanks to you. Not to mention it's been a busy day."

"I know, I'm sorry alright. I have a life too you know." I say walking into the living room.

"Too?" She asks, the fake shock indicating she doesn't have a life.

"You're hilarious." I say sitting down on the couch, placing my head in my hands. Maybe I should have went with them.

"Hey--Listen I didn't mean to come down on you so hard. Are you okay?"

"Peachy." I say jumping up. I'm gonna go take a shower."

"Not so fast. You'll take up all the hot water from the guests. Wait 'till morning." She says walking away before I could retort such an order.

"Great...Just great."

"Oh, I meant to ask" She says walking back into the room. "Where did Pacey get that car?"

I try to answer, but realize-- I never got the answer to that very question.

This has been a pretty slow start, but I'm gettin the party started on the next chapter. Thanks for the reviews, and Meli I would love to join the campfire:)