June 2. Prom finally arrived. As Pacey had forewarned her, Joey spent the afternoon with Andie and Jen at the salon getting their nails, hair, and makeup done. Of course, the boys had it much easier. They could just lounge about all day until it was time to take a shower and put on a tuxedo. Upon leaving the salon, the girls made a pit stop at the B&B.

In her bedroom, Joey went over to the jewelry box atop her dresser and removed the necklace Pacey had bought her. Then she quickly grabbed up an overnight bag, where she'd packed a couple changes of clothes, and the small pink shopping bag that had sat on her closet floor for weeks. Once she removed the toiletry kit from the backpack that she'd brought to Andie's house the night before, she was ready. After retrieving her prom dress, still protected in the dry cleaner's bag, and pausing in the living room for Bessie to gush over how beautiful she looked in her makeup and demand she take plenty of pictures, she was soon back inside Andie's car.

In the upstairs bathroom in Jen's house, Joey hung her dress on the hook on the back of the door and set her overnight bag on top of the counter. Nerves of excitement fluttered in the pit of her stomach as she unzipped it. After she brushed her teeth and undressed, she put on her lavender dress, and smiled at her reflection, the dress filling her with the same butterflies it had when she'd first tried it on. Her feet slipped into her heels, and her small drawstring purse was filled with essentials for the night ahead.

In front of the bathroom mirror, she made sure every hair of her sleek ponytail was still in place and her makeup still looked perfect. Then she lifted Pacey's necklace from her bag and fastened it around her neck. As she gazed into the mirror, fingering the delicate necklace, she smiled. With a heart full of love and hope and possibilities, she stepped out of the bathroom.

She walked into Jen's bedroom to see Andie dressed in a sparkly, bright red strapless floor-length dress. Her warm blond hair flowed wavy and loose down about her bare shoulders. "You look great, Andie!" she smiled.

"Oh, thank you! Joey, you look so beautiful. Doesn't she look beautiful, Jen?" Andie beamed a glowing smile and then turned to their friend, who was sitting in the chair at her desk and still hadn't put her dress on.

"She certainly does look beautiful, Andie."

"Thanks. Why aren't you dressed?" Joey asked as she took out the box containing Pacey's red rose boutonniere from her bag. "The guys will be here soon."

"I'm procrastinating," Jen answered. "Maybe I don't want to go."

She looked at her, surprised. "Why? What's wrong?"

Andie glanced between them and then pulled the curtain to look out the window. "Jack and Tobey are here. I'm gonna head downstairs. I'll see you girls in a bit." She grabbed her bag and moved toward the bedroom door. "We're going to have the time of our lives, ladies! You'll feel better once you put on the dress, Jen!" she called out as she stepped through the doorway and into the hall.

Joey grinned as Andie disappeared from view, and then turned back to Jen. "Seriously. What's up?"

"Prom is supposed to be the highlight of your entire high school experience, right? You know, Andie's not the only one who ever gets her hopes up and then just feels silly when reality comes back to hit her in the face."

Brows knitting, she sat down on the edge of the bed as she placed her blue chiffon wrap around her arms. "Is this about Dawson?"

Jen took a deep breath. "I don't know. Maybe. Or maybe it's about Henry and how my senior year turned out to be a lot lonelier than I thought it was going to. Or maybe it's about my father. Or all the other males I've known who have just been a huge letdown. Maybe it's the fact that the only men in my life who've ever been truly good to me are either dead, gay, your current boyfriend, and your ex-boyfriend."

"You know what? I don't really think of Dawson as my ex-boyfriend. That's not a term I associate with him. He's just Dawson," she said with a shrug. "But I do know that Dawson really does care about you. I can't say how much or whether that could ever become something more than friendship. You know, there's nothing wrong with shoving aside our cynical, pessimistic ways and being a little hopeful."

"Maybe it's just my stagnate life that's bringing on this existential crisis. What if I put on that amazing dress and go to prom and have a great time with Dawson and then… nothing. Nothing comes of it. It ends up being just another meaningless night in a meaningless senior year. I feel like everyone is moving forward except me. I'm, like… stuck."

"It's the trapped-in-Capeside feeling. But we're not stuck. We're not trapped. You are moving forward. You're graduating and getting out of here."

"No. It's…" She sighed. "Geography isn't the issue. There's something else preventing me from moving forward. Shit with my parents that I have to come to terms with, which is why I'm going to New York, and then maybe after I deal with what I gotta deal with, then... I'll feel like I can embrace the future."

"I hope it all works out the way you want it to."

"Yeah, me too. And if it doesn't, well you'll be there to prevent me from jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge."

Her face hardened, her brows arching in disapproval. "Don't even joke about that."

Jen scoffed. "And Capeside's not so bad, Joey. It's a nice place to live… if you ignore most of the people who live in this town. Of course, it's been less than three years since I moved here. I'm sure our perspectives are a little different."

Smiling, she remembered the time they'd spent together at Andie's house and then at the salon, which hadn't been as bad as she'd anticipated. She'd actually enjoyed herself. "You know, I had a lot of fun last night and today, and I kind of wish the three of us had done that more often. It's possible we spend far too much time with the opposite sex and not enough time with each other."

"It is nice to hang out with people who don't have a penis."

Joey laughed and took her small drawstring purse from her overnight bag. "Well, I happen to think we are going to have an amazing time this summer. I didn't get to spend last summer with you, and I think we'd have fun now that we're… you know… actual friends. And then before you know it, we'll both be in Boston starting a whole new chapter in our lives. High school will be a thing of the past."

"You're right," Jen said, smiling. "Okay. You know what? Forget the existential crisis. I'm just going to enjoy tonight for what it is: a party with my friends."

Then the doorbell rang. "It's almost six," Joey said, getting up from the bed and glancing at the clock on Jen's bedside stand. "That might be Pacey. Are you sure you're gonna be all right?"

"At least for tonight," her friend replied, standing up. "You might wanna ask me again on the train ride home from New York," she laughed. "I'm gonna put my dress on and then I'll be down."

Smiling, Joey picked up her overnight bag and walked out of the bedroom.

Across town, Pacey had spent the morning with Will Krudski fishing in Mills Pond. Then he spent the afternoon washing and waxing his mother's Jeep, polishing it to perfection. When he was nearly finished, Will walked out the front door and onto the porch. He leaned against the post, coffee cup in hand.

"You know, Pace, when I asked if I could borrow your car to take Andie home after the prom, I didn't mean for you to do all this for me."

"I'm not doing it for you," he grinned. "I'm doing it for Andie."

Will pursed his lips, hesitating. "So, how long are we gonna be on the prom boat?"

"From seven to midnight."

"Jesus."

Pacey smirked. "The idea is to keep kids occupied late into the night so that they forget their other impulses. Naturally, it fails every year."

"Are we stopping to get something to eat on the way?"

"I don't think so. The prom boat will apparently have a catered buffet. And then later, I'm sure the after-prom at the resort will last into the wee hours of the morning and there will probably be food there. We're gonna drop the car off in the hotel parking lot before we head to Dawson's house, that way you can drive Andie home from the party. Just… keep an eye on how much booze you consume."

"Of course." His friend paused, thinking a moment. "You really are cool about me and her? You've never really said much about it, and I don't want stuff to get weird if… whatever this is with Andie and me actually turns into something."

He laughed grimly. "I won't enter a boat race and try to kill you. So, don't worry."

"You really gotta get over that," Will snarked.

"Yes, I'm cool. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. It never has."

"Yeah, you didn't have much to say on the subject last year either."

"Well, if you recall, I was in the middle of a personal crisis at the time. My mind was so preoccupied with another twosome that it never occurred to me I should feel bothered by you crushing on my ex-girlfriend. Also, I was kinda in your shoes, if you think about it. At least you had the decency to talk to me before you made a move. I regret not being able to say the same."

"Speaking of, how are things with you and Dawson?"

"We don't really speak to each other unless we have to. I guess you could call it a ceasefire while we're forced to rub shoulders in the same social circle. He leaves for California this summer and then… well, I suppose it'll be a very long time before he ever has to talk to me again."

"Maybe that's for the best. So, Pacey, just so we're clear, if anything… were… to happen with me and Andie tonight after prom, you're okay with it?"

He laughed. "Is this your way of letting me know there's a condom in your wallet, Krudski?"

Will's face went red. "I'm not, you know, assuming or expecting anything to happen. I'm just talking hypothetical."

"Look, you're my friend and she's my friend, and you're both good people who deserve to find some happiness." He glanced over the car, admiring the polish as it sparkled in the sunshine. Then he turned to Will with a serious expression. "But just so you know, if you end up making use of the backseat—or any seat—then you better return the car in the same spotless condition that you borrowed it. There are some lines between friends that don't need to be crossed."

Will blushed even more, averting his eyes as a sheepish grin spread across his face. "Duly noted."

After applying the finishing touches to the car, Pacey's gut started to churn with pre-prom jitters. Once he was back inside the house, he took a shower. Then, studying his face in the bathroom mirror, he saw dark whiskers starting. He rubbed his skin, liking it, but knowing Joey appreciated his smooth face, he pulled his razor and shaving cream from the mirrored cabinet above the sink. He worked up a good lather and applied it to his face, and using his safety razor, shaved the whiskers away. He found the hot water, the steam, the clean way he felt, and the freshness of a newly shaved face relaxed him and calmed his nerves.

Later, dressed in his black tuxedo, he opened the refrigerator and removed the corsage he'd placed in there the day before, along with the one Will had brought for Andie. His friend soon joined him in the kitchen, looking rather swanky in his white tuxedo jacket. "Who knew you cleaned up so nice, Krudski?"

"It's been known to happen," he replied with a shrug. "Maybe boarding school rubbed off on me."

"Oh, my goodness!" Gretchen exclaimed when she laid her eyes on the boys as she walked into the room. "Pacey, you look so nice!"

"Thank you." He lifted his wrist, glancing at his watch while his sister paid Will similar compliments. "All right, let's get this show on the road."

Her hand patted the purse that was around her shoulder. "I've got the camera ready to go."

"Are pictures really necessary?" Pacey complained as he made for the front door, grabbing his backpack from the island as he walked past.

"Absolutely," his sister said. "What's in the bag?"

"Clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, other essentials."

Gretchen followed them to the hotel hosting the after-party, where the Jeep Wagoneer was parked. Pacey walked inside the lobby and checked in. After he made some arrangements with the desk clerk, he went up to the suite, got a look around the rooms, and dropped off his backpack. Then he jumped into Gretchen's Land Rover to join Will for the ride to Dawson's house, the chosen spot to convene for group pictures and the limo pick-up.

Once they were parked in the Leery driveway, Will grabbed his overnight bag from the trunk and went over to join the partly assembled group while Pacey walked over to Jen's house. He climbed the steps to the covered porch. When he stood in front of the inside door, he rang the bell, and waited nervously for it to open. His heart hammered in his chest.

The door opened, and there was Mrs. Ryan, smiling broadly. "Hello, Pacey. My, you do look handsome tonight. Joey and Jennifer should be down any minute. Do you want to come in?"

"Uh, no, thank you. I can wait on the porch."

"Suit yourself, dear. I hope you enjoy yourself at the prom, and be safe."

His lips pursed, and he nodded. "Thank you. I will."

The door closed. He turned to look out over the creek. Over in Dawson's yard, he saw the Leerys talking with Gretchen, Andie and Will, Jack, Tobey, and Mr. McPhee. His attention was on the group when he heard the door open behind him. When he turned to see who it was, he stilled at the sight of Joey quietly closing the door behind her. Her hair was pulled away from her face, her lavender dress clung to her upper body in just the right way, until it gradually cascaded loosely down to her heels-clad feet. A blue wrap was draped over her elbows. The necklace he'd bought her sparkled against her skin.

His head was in a whirl at the sight of her. He clutched his heart dramatically.

A thousand-watt smile alighted Joey's face. "Do I look pretty?"

Shaking his head, his gaze became warm, tender, and full of emotion as he stepped towards her. He placed his hand at her waist. "You look absolutely beautiful, Jo."

"You look beautiful, too. Very debonair."

They kissed. The air around them charged with sparks. Pacey lifted the plastic container that held her wristlet corsage. Excited, Joey looked down as he opened it. Her eyes popped. "Oh, my," she breathed. Made up of deep blue delphinium and pure white sweetheart roses combined with delicate light greenery and all tied together with lavender organza ribbon, it was one of the prettiest things she'd ever seen.

"Hold out your arm."

She lifted her right hand towards him and he slipped the corsage around her wrist. She filled with emotion. "It matches my dress perfectly. I love it," she told him. As she pinned the red rose boutonniere to his lapel, she took the opportunity to admire how good looking he was in his black tux; Jen was right, she had definitely found her Duckie.

Her hand reached inside his tuxedo jacket to rub up and down his black vest, making his stomach flutter. "I like this," she said quietly.

His heart swelled with pride as he gazed at her. She was going to be the most beautiful woman at the prom. "Let's go get the mandatory pictures out of the way." Then he offered his arm. "Miss Potter?"

Smiling, she wrapped her hand around the crook of his elbow, and he led her out of Mrs. Ryan's porch. Hand in hand, they strolled happily across the lawn to where their friends had gathered. As they approached, they saw Mr. McPhee taking a picture of Jack and Andie before Tobey and Will were brought in for a group shot.

"Hey, everyone," Joey said as they reached their friends.

"Hi," Dawson greeted.

"Your dress looks fantastic," Gretchen said.

"You look great, Joey," complimented Jack. "You, too, Pace."

He grinned. "Thanks. That means a lot coming from someone as handsome as you."

Jack's face turned red and Tobey laughed as Pacey shook his hand in greeting. He turned to Andie standing beside Will in her red dress, and smiled. "You look really pretty."

"Thanks, Pacey," she beamed. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Gail became emotional. "Oh, Joey, honey. You are breathtaking. Here, let me get some pictures of the two of you."

Mitch handed her the camera. "I'll take Lily," he said before taking their baby daughter from his wife. Both Gail and Gretchen snapped pictures of the couple, and then more as they moved to mix in with the group. While Pacey chatted with Jack and Tobey, Joey turned to Dawson and smiled.

"All right. My mom's right. You do look breathtaking."

She laughed awkwardly. "Thank you. So do you."

Gail then insisted on taking their picture, and they stood closer while she snapped away. Soon the baby became fussy and Gail gave up on the picture-taking to tend to Lily. Dawson turned and smiled. "You know, given everything that's happened in the twelve months since last year's prom, I'm just really glad we ended up here."

"Me, too." This time last year, she'd had no real hope that her friendship with Dawson could ever go back to being the same, and she was lonely and miserable without Pacey. What a difference a year made.

"God, we're so healthy, it just makes me wanna puke," he joked.

"Yeah. It's quite sickening, right? What are we without the ever-present melodrama?"

"Boring, is what we are."

"A sobering truth, Dawson."

He laughed and then they saw Jen walking across the lawn in her strapless black dress with the hot pink tulle accents. Joey's face broke out in a smile. She looked incredible. "Hi. Look at you, gorgeous."

Jen grinned and hugged her.

"You look beautiful," Dawson told her.

"Thank you," Jen said, giving him a hug. "You're looking pretty handsome yourself."

"So, uh, how you doin'? Better?"

"Much. My senior year may have sucked, but I don't want it to end that way." Jen's eyes met Joey's, and she smiled sheepishly. "I might've picked up the phone and called Dawson when I was in the middle of my little existential crisis."

"I've been there," she laughed.

Moments later, Mrs. Ryan joined them, and then all the adults were taking pictures of the group, with Gail insisting that some of them take pictures holding Lily as well. It was twenty after six when a black stretch limousine pulled into the Leery's driveway.

"Okay, that's us," Pacey announced as a driver in a charcoal gray suit stepped out of the car.

Joey beamed. "It looks so nice. You did wonderful."

"Wanted it to be perfect for my girl," he said, smiling.

They all bid their goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Leery as well as Gretchen, Mr. McPhee, and Jen's grandmother. Then they started heading toward the driveway.

"Nice job with the limo, Pace."

Surprised at the compliment, he turned to see Dawson nodding with approval. "Uh… thanks, man."

Joey smiled to herself and squeezed Pacey's hand.

"You all be careful and most importantly, have fun," Gail called out after them.

A variety of overnight bags and backpacks were placed in the limo's trunk. Pacey then shook hands with the driver and went over the plans for the night while everyone started to get into the car. The moment he climbed into the back, the group cheered his entrance, and he laughed as he sat down beside his girlfriend. As the car started to move, Joey cuddled against him, placing her hand in his and threading their fingers. Jack and Tobey started testing the sunroof, Dawson and Jen were talking with a very bubbly Andie, and Will sat quietly while trying to find some music to listen to. The eight of them were ready for prom, and celebrated by singing along to AC/DC and taking goofy pictures of each other with Dawson's camera.

On the way to the harbor, the limo made a pit stop at a convenience store, and most everyone got out to head inside in search of snacks. Pacey remained behind with Jen, who opened her purse and pulled out a miniature bottle of alcohol. She took a sip and then offered him some.

"Uh, no, thank you. I should probably put food in my stomach before I consume. Don't wanna get sloppy and ruin Joey's night. I promised her a prom without catastrophe. Fingers crossed I can pull it off."

"Well, all the much better for me. I've only got ten left."

He chuckled. "Did you fill your purse with nips? Are you drowning your sorrows, or are you celebrating?"

"Celebrating," she scoffed. "Oh yeah, definitely celebrating. I've had an absolutely fabulous senior year. I expect to be crowned Prom Queen later."

"Hey, it could be worse. Drue Valentine could be your date."

She pulled a face. "I'll keep the one I've got. Let's all thank our lucky stars he won't be on the prom boat, and you especially."

"Why me?" he laughed.

"Drue would probably toss you overboard as some malicious joke, and then laugh afterwards as if it wasn't a big deal, even though you could've been seriously harmed. Depending on how drunk I get later, I might be in the mood to walk down memory lane and share with you all the horrible stunts he pulled on our classmates in New York."

"Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not. I wish I didn't. Anyway, enough about Drue. I'm trying to have a good time."

"Is that what you're doin'?" he snarked.

"Yep," she said, tossing an empty mini bottle back into her purse. "And the alcohol is definitely helping." Jen gazed at him appraisingly. "So, Pace, how's things with you and Joey?"

His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Haven't you just spent the past twenty-four hours with her? You tell me."

"She loves you a lot."

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. His insides warmed. "Yes, she does."

"So, don't get mad at her when she tells you she's getting on a train to New York on Sunday night and spending Ditch Day with me."

Stunned, that was the last thing he'd expected to hear. "Um… what's in New York?"

"My father," she said before downing another mini bottle of vodka.

"Ah," he said with a nod of understanding.

"Yeah. You know, I've been spending all this time trying to toughen up so I can go to New York and face him, but, um… I don't know. I don't know if I can go through with it."

"Will Jack be going with you?"

"No."

That surprised Pacey, too. "I take it you want Joey to come along because…"

"If anyone understands deep-seated daddy issues, it's her. Jack was annoyed I didn't want to take him, well at least before he and Tobey got together. He's living on cloud nine right now. But as much as I love him, I think a female friend would better understand my situation."

"Got it."

"So, you won't get mad?"

He shook his head. "No, I won't get mad. I didn't want Joey to come to school on Ditch Day, anyway. She should be able to skip with all the other seniors. I'm the one who has to be there. I'm the one who also happens to be a junior."

"That mean you have finals on Monday?"

"Just U.S. History." He watched her drain another bottle. "You might wanna take it easy there, Prom Queen."

She smirked at him. "Are you concerned for me?"

"I'm honestly more concerned about me," he joked. "I don't wanna have to hold up a drunk Jen Lindley on the dance floor. That'll kill my back."

"You're gonna dance with me?" she asked, her mouth lifting with a surprised smile.

"Of course, I'm gonna dance with ya. I have to dance with all the beautiful girls whom I love. Isn't that what prom is about?"

Jen sighed contentedly and closed her purse. "You really are Duckie, aren't ya?"

"What?" he laughed, his brows furrowing with confusion as the door suddenly opened, interrupting them. Jack and Tobey began climbing back inside the limo, happily chatting away, packages of Hostess Snoballs in their hands. Pacey glanced at his watch. "We gotta get going if we're gonna make the boat."

Inside the convenience store, Joey pulled a bottle of Cherry Pepsi from the cooler. As she turned away from the sliding glass door, she bumped into Dawson and a small box dropped from his hand. "Oh, sorry," she apologized.

"No problem," Dawson said as he bent down to pick it up.

Her eyes widened when she saw it was a box of condoms. "Oh." Were things progressing between him and Jen faster than either had let on?

He laughed awkwardly. "Yeah…" They were both silent a moment. "There's probably gonna be plenty of punch on the boat, you know," he then told her, nodding at the bottle of soda in her hand.

"Yeah, I know, but seeing as how I'll probably be expected to stay up until like four in the morning, I'm gonna need some healthy doses of caffeine."

"Right," he chuckled.

They walked together toward the cash register at the front of the store. While they waited in line, an older woman on her husband's arm leaned into Dawson as they walked by and said, "Your girlfriend is stunning."

He didn't correct her. Dawson just nodded and said, "I know," and looped his arm around to hold her waist with his other hand. The one not unabashedly holding a box of condoms. The woman's husband saw what was in Dawson's hand and grinned as they walked away.

Joey's stomach instantly knotted and she pulled free of his grasp. "Why didn't you tell her the truth?"

"The woman is a total stranger who just wanted to pay you a passing compliment."

"But she didn't compliment me, Dawson. She complimented you on having a pretty girlfriend," she said, frowning. "Which I am not."

"Au contraire. You're very pretty."

Her face hardened. "I'm not your girlfriend."

"I know that, Joey," he said with a laugh. "But why go into details about our lives with some random woman we'll never see again? It doesn't matter what she thinks we are. But I can see it matters to you, so I'm sorry I didn't tell her that we're just friends."

She approached the counter in silence. She knew Dawson was right in that it didn't really matter what that lady thought of them, or her husband, but she was still uneasy. She had a feeling if either Pacey or Jen had seen what he just did, it wouldn't have gone over well.

Dawson sighed. "I really am sorry, okay? Let me make it up to you. I'll pay for your soda. My treat." He set the cash down on the counter as the associate behind the register rang them up.

"Thanks, big spender," she smirked, the unease she felt starting to dissipate.

"Well, I'm sorry if I can't compete with the kind of money Pacey spends on you," he laughed.

Her face fell. Her throat tightened, and she grabbed the Pepsi bottle from the counter. "Thanks," she murmured, and then turned to walk out the door.

When they neared the limo, Dawson glanced at her. "You okay, Joey?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, keeping her eyes straight ahead, watching Andie and Will climb back inside the car.

"Was it the money crack? You know I was just joking, right?"

"It's fine, Dawson. Really. Let's just forget about it." She wanted to forget about everything that happened in the store.

She allowed him to get in first, and then she climbed into the closest seat and sat down next to Pacey. Opening her bottle of soda, they shared it between them. The gang again blasted music all the way to the pier, and made it to the prom boat just in time.

The four couples walked up the gangway, and as Pacey and Joey boarded, they also were immediately ushered aside for their official prom photos to be taken. The photographer positioned them in front of a backdrop with the prom theme in big silver letters, "Hanging by a Moment." They were made to stand in the classic cheesy couple pose—Pacey behind her with his arms around her, both facing the camera. He held her tighter than was necessary and cracked a joke about the overenthusiastic photographer, making Joey laugh just as the camera flashed.

The boat was soon unmoored, and the prom set sail. They mingled with their classmates, all the girls constantly repeating variations of, "Oh, my God, you're so beautiful! Look at you! I love your dress!" at each other.

The crowded lower deck held the DJ, dance floor, and open bar, which undoubtedly was only serving non-alcoholic beverages. The catered buffet featuring a punch fountain could be found on the upper deck along with round tables and plenty of chairs. After they'd sufficiently mingled around the dance floor, the gang wanted to eat before they commenced dancing themselves, and made their way to the upper deck. There they bumped into some more of their class, and a flurry of compliments once again passed back and forth between the girls.

The eight friends pushed two tables together and then went through the buffet. Eating, laughing, singing along whenever the DJ made a good choice, and enjoying the view of the lights dotting the coastline, their senior prom had gotten off to a good start.

It wasn't long before they returned to the lower deck to join in the festivities. Prom was like any other school dance—not that different from any other day in school, Joey thought. Removed from the classroom, the class clowns still carried out their attention-seeking antics, the jocks were still jocks, the geeks still geeks, the mean girls were still mean girls. Fancy clothes changed nothing.

"Let's dance!" Andie said, pulling Joey and Jen out on the dance floor as the DJ started playing Nelly. Pacey and Will hung back with Dawson, watching with smiles on their faces.

"Isn't it fun to be dancing together at our senior prom, ladies?" Andie said excitedly, grabbing them by the hands.

"I hope you're using the word dancing loosely," Joey replied.

Jen laughed. "Yeah, we can't dance to save our souls."

"Well, it's not like we're entering a competition. Who cares if we look silly?"

They boogied, more or less, for a few songs, before Joey left the dance floor to make for the bar. She turned as Pacey reached her side. "Having fun?" he asked.

She started laughing. "Did you see us out there? Andie's perkiness is rubbing off on us, I think. It's impossible not to have a good time when she's there, doing whatever it takes to make sure everyone is having fun. I don't know what it is, but she really changes the whole group dynamic."

"She's nothing like us, which is a good thing, I think."

Once the bartender handed her a glass of soda, they walked away from the bar. She leaned into Pacey as he put his arm around her and they listened to the music as they watched their classmates out on the dance floor. Not long after Joey finished her drink, the DJ played a slow song.

Pacey offered his hand. "Dance with me?"

She smiled and placed her hand in his. "Let's put those lessons to use."

He led her out to the floor and pulled her into his arms. There was nothing formal in the way he held her. She slid her arms about his shoulders. His forehead rested against hers. Their ribcages were touching. She gazed at him as they swayed to the music. Her fingers brushed the back of his neck. "You're the most handsome guy in the room."

"Technically, we're not in a room," he grinned.

"We will be later." Her eyes flashed with heat.

With a growling laugh, he bent his head and kissed her.

They slow danced through several songs, even the fast ones. Time passed; she had no idea how much. The felt the warmth of his breath on her cheek, felt the steadiness of his heart beneath her palm. A hint of his cologne mixed with the starch of his tuxedo shirt. His arms around her felt so right. She felt safe, protected, loved. The stress and worry she'd been afflicted with lately drifted away with the music.

Enjoying the feel of her in his arms, Pacey breathed in her scent, vanilla and female. He'd tried not to have any unrealistic expectations when it came to prom, but this was turning out to be one of their most romantic nights together. He tried to ignore the press of her body against his groin. He inched back fractionally only for her to lean forward. Her body sought his and he sucked in air. Even less space separated them now. He was about to pitch a tent. He needed a diversion.

Such a distraction came in the form of Jack and Andie, who were spinning into their orbit. "If Barbara Johns sees how close you two are dancing, she might come over here and scold you for not leaving room for Jesus."

Pacey laughed breathlessly. "Oh, Jackers." Their peaceful bubble was broken. It was just as well. Another minute with Joey, and he'd sport a boner. "Hey, let's change partners."

Joey turned in his arms and he sensed her reluctance to release him. He curved his hands over her shoulders, gave her a reassuring squeeze. She relaxed. Her leg brushed the top of his thighs, just a hair south of his balls. Heat circled his neck. He exhaled and fought his body for control.

"Sorry, Andie, I'm cutting in." He tried to pull Jack into his arms, but his friend went red in the face and backed up, and nearly doubled over laughing.

"I'm not dancing with you, Pacey."

"Why the hell not? Is Tobey the only guy you're gonna dance with? That's not fair."

Jack just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Fine. Andie will have me."

"Gladly," she said.

Pacey leaned over and kissed his girlfriend on the cheek, before whirling Andie away.

Laughing to herself, Joey stepped into Jack's arms. "Having a good time with your date?"

Jack smiled, his face still blushing red. "Yes, I am. You?"

"I'm having a wonderful time," she said.

"Your boyfriend is hilarious," he deadpanned.

"He loves to get your goat," she laughed. "He really would dance with you, ya know, and not as a joke."

Jack sighed. "I know, but then everyone would be staring at us and… I don't need that kind of attention. Pacey… he just lets it all roll right off his back like it's no big deal."

She shrugged, and thought a moment. "Some things, sure. Not everything. But you're right, he's never really cared that much about what the other kids in school think of him."

"Or the teachers, for that matter."

"Like Mr. Peterson?" she said knowingly.

Smiling, Jack spun her around. "I'm forever in Pacey's debt for that one."

Joey shook her head. "He doesn't feel like you owe him anything."

"I know he doesn't. I do, though." They were quiet a moment. "I'm glad we're all gonna be in Boston together."

"Me too," she smiled.

When the song ended, Pacey let go of Andie, thankful for the distraction of her happy chatter. "All in all, I'm having a nice evening, but I keep waiting for something bad to happen. Something bad always happens at these things, right? I promised Joey a disaster-free prom, but I don't know…"

"I think the trick is to just be aware of what is going on around you," she said. "While you enjoy what you have."

It was almost as if she was talking about more than just the prom. He laughed through his nose. How did she always know exactly the right thing to say? He felt his worry start to fade. "So, you want something to drink? Another dance? Food?"

She laughed. "I think I'm gonna go find Will. Thanks for the dance, Pacey."

"Anytime, McPhee."

"Let's dance again later, okay?" she called out over her shoulder as she walked away.

Then Pacey spotted Dawson and Jen standing off to the side, talking. She hailed him over. He smiled and walked up to them. "How about that dance you promised me?" she reminded him.

He chuckled. "I'd be honored, madam." He turned to their friend. "You don't mind?"

"Of course not," Dawson replied.

Jen grabbed hold of Pacey's hand and he led her to the dance floor. "God, the music sucks, doesn't it?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, but I suppose it's a typical prom playlist."

"Let's hope the music at the party will be better."

"I'm not gonna hold my breath."

He placed his hand at her waist while she held his shoulder. They started to dance. "Are you having fun with Dawson?" he asked her.

"He makes a great date. Perfect gentleman, doesn't step on my feet when we dance, holds my hair back when I puke. You know, the essentials."

He pulled a face.

"Don't worry, I brushed my teeth afterwards."

Pacey shook his head. "Maybe you should skip out on the whole party thing later and just go home and sleep it off."

"I'm feeling much better now, honest, and I dumped the rest of the booze overboard."

"Well, that's something, at least. Probably the best decision you've made all night. Other than dancing with me, of course."

Jen laid her head against him and leaned into his chest. "I think the alcohol is making me tired."

"Is this the part where you pass out and then I have to hold you up until my back gives out?"

"Shut up," she laughed.

"Mind if I cut in?"

Pacey turned to see Jack standing there. He smiled and handed Jen over. "Careful. She might fall asleep on you."

Jen playfully smacked Pacey's arm as she stepped away from him.

The door to the women's restroom opened, and Joey walked out. When she reached the bar, she asked the bartender for another soda. Then Dawson was there, smiling at her, but his brow was creased with worry. "Are we okay?"

She sighed as she was handed a glass. "I really don't want to talk about the whole mini-mart thing."

"That's fine with me."

Drinking from her straw, they were quiet for several long moments. "I didn't realize you and Jen were…"

"Oh, we're not. And judging by the state she's been in tonight, we won't."

"But you would?"

"We're friends, but, I mean, I had thought maybe tonight for the first time I might…" He sighed. "I honestly don't know. She said something last week about it being our senior prom and alluding that maybe we should just for tonight… you know, to mark the occasion. But she also said it in a way that sounded a little like she was joking. And of course, I don't know if she was really joking, or doing that girl thing where you laugh it off because you're embarrassed, but you actually meant every word."

"You'd really sleep with her? Lose your virginity as just a one-time, friends-with-benefits, after-prom thing? That doesn't sound like you," she said, arching her brow, and then sipped from her straw. "There's gotta be some part of you that wants something a lot more than friendship with Jen."

He took a deep breath. "All I know is that the thought of sex with Jen doesn't feel wrong. It feels right, in a way. Like I've come full circle, or something. Maybe you're not the only one growing up, Joey. Maybe I've outgrown the idea that sex has to be some magical moment between two people brought together by destiny. Maybe sex is just sex."

"You know what, if you're going to cross a milestone in your life, then… I'm glad it's with Jen."

"If not you."

He paused, and she didn't know how to reply. She felt her face redden.

"Don't worry, that wasn't a question," he said reassuringly.

"I know."

"If it even happens—me and Jen. I'm doubtful. You know, I think I've just been waiting to find somebody that I love as much as I loved you. I realize that's not gonna happen. You were my first love."

Joey set her glass down on the bar. "You were my first love, too. But I know that you will find someone to love. You'll find that person you are meant to love forever. She'll sweep you off your feet and make all the colors in your world brighter. You'll finally feel free and complete, as if every void in your life has suddenly been filled with love, and you'll realize that what you felt for me when you were sixteen can't even compare. Not even close. I promise it'll happen for you, Dawson. It will." Her throat was tight with emotion. Tears pricked her eyes.

"That's how you feel about Pacey." It wasn't a question.

Smiling, she nodded her head. "Yeah," she breathed.

He tilted his head toward the crowd of their classmates. "You want to dance?"

"It is our senior prom," she said with a shrug.

With her hand on Dawson's shoulder, her other hand in his, he danced them around the floor. He filled her in on all the misadventures of having a new baby in the Leery house. She was laughing when she caught Pacey's eye. He was dancing with Andie and there was also a big laughing smile on his face. Their eyes locked across the dance floor. His smile changed at the sight of her, his gaze becoming seductive. Heat suddenly rushed through her veins.

A game began between the two of them wherein they would catch each other's eye and hold their gaze a fraction of a second longer each time. With Dawson and Andie's backs turned, their dancing partners didn't seem to notice. Each time he locked eyes with Joey, Pacey felt a surge of electricity.

Immediately when the song ended, they excused themselves from Dawson and Andie, and made for each other. Without a word, Joey grabbed Pacey by the hand and pulled him off the dance floor. Then she led him up the stairs to the now deserted upper deck. She quickly found a cushioned bench in a darkened, secluded corner.

Without a word, Pacey took her in his arms for a long satisfying kiss. Her lips were soft and smooth, and when they parted, Joey sighed and let him in. She held him close and breathed him in. She shifted so she could be closer to him, and his tongue moved inside her mouth, searching for hers. He occupied her mind and her mouth and her body, and she wanted him there. She returned his passion, kissing him longer, harder, deeper.

Joey pulled away from their kisses with a heaving gasp. "God, what time is it? How much longer until this boat thing ends?"

He started laughing. "In a hurry to get to the hotel, are ya?"

"Aren't you?" Her brow arched and she glanced at his tented crotch.

The erection he'd been fighting earlier had now betrayed him. "We'd better get back to the dance floor before a chaperone catches us. We're supposed to be out there having chaste fun."

"We could be up here having a totally different kind of fun," she said provocatively, and then kissed him deeply again.

"Josephine Potter, as insatiable as ever."

"Just you wait," she purred.

He blinked at her. "You're not helping the situation in my pants. Keep talkin' like that and it's gonna be at least twenty minutes before I can walk back down there."

She laughed breathlessly and then heaved a contented sigh. They leaned back against the bench. Joey laid her head on his shoulder in that spot made just for her, and held his hand with both of hers. "I love you so much, Pacey."

He kissed her forehead. "I love you, too, Jo. So much."

They sat in companionable silence for some minutes, enjoying the cool breeze on their overheated skin. When Pacey was ready, they stood back up and walked hand in hand down the stairs to the lower deck. There was a little whispering behind hands and sideways glances when they reached the bottom of the stairs, but they didn't care.

Pacey and Joey danced together for the rest of the night, refusing to part for anyone who wanted to cut in. Eventually the prom court was called to line up on the dance floor and names were announced for Prom King and Queen, but they didn't pay much attention. When they weren't dancing together, he was smiling at her. And when he wasn't looking at her, she was looking at him. They were captivated, happy, and deeply in love.

The DJ announced the final dance, and Will and Tobey decided to sit it out. When Lifehouse began blaring from the speakers, Joey, Andie, and Jen pulled Dawson, Pacey, and Jack onto the dance floor. The six friends remained huddled together, singing along at the top of their lungs with the rest of their classmates. The song ended, and Pacey lifted Joey in his arms, spinning her around. She captured his lips with hers and kissed him passionately.

By midnight when the prom boat docked in Capeside, her feet were aching and her hair had all but come out of the ponytail. It hung down her back, but she didn't care. Pacey had run his fingers through it when they danced. He'd buried his nose in it when he sat next to her and told her how good she smelled. And he'd looked at her like she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

They were the first couple out of their group to get off the boat. They walked through the parking lot and made for their black stretch limo, where they saw their driver standing and holding the door open. Eventually they heard the voices of their friends not far behind them. It was obvious that it had rained in Capeside in their absence, and that the rain had stopped at some point. The pavement was wet and the air smelled like fresh, damp earth. The clouds above were clearing to show the stars.

"Ugh… my feet are killing me," Joey complained.

"Well, we can't have that, can we?"

Pacey then scooped her up in his arms and carried her until they reached the limo. She held on to his shoulders, her heart melting. She never thought in a million years she could feel this happy and this relaxed and this comfortable in a prom dress of all things. He'd made her wish come true—a prom without disaster.

It wasn't long before all eight of them were back inside the limo. Andie was sitting quietly with Will, who was talking animatedly, and she appeared hung on every word he said. Jen was laughing with Dawson and picking out music. Jack and Tobey were very lovey-dovey, holding hands in front of the others. Pleasantly surprised at that, Pacey's gaze met Andie's for a moment, and she gave him a subtle nod of acknowledgment and grinned before turning her attention back to Will.

The partition lowered. "You kids still want to go to that after-party?"

An explosion of cheers and whistles broke out in the back. Pacey took Joey's hand, entwining their fingers, before throwing his arm around her shoulder and holding her close against him. "The Capeside Bars Inn on Shore Road," he told the driver.

"You got it."

The partition was raised and the limo sped away from the harbor.