A/N: Hello everyone! TGIF! This week's update looks at the To Green, With Love epi. Similar to last week, we have a number of missing scenes which weave throughout key moments of the epi. We opted to bookend the ficlet with songs as, well, we couldn't decide on which one we preferred ;) The first one is almost a message from us to Pacey; the second is a beautiful, simple song which fits the moment in the final missing scene. As usual we don't own the songs or the lyrics.

Heads up – as it's the holiday weekend next week, we are taking a little hiatus and we will be back after Thanksgiving. Hope everyone has a great time and we'll see you on the flip side!

Special thanks to Seersha and LaLe LiLa for taking the time to post feedback last week, and FyreFlye for the author alert.

*~* Attitudes And Gratitude*~*

"No Worries" by Simon Webbe

I just know your life's gonna change
Gonna get a little better
Even on the darkest day
I just know your life's gonna change
Gonna get a little further
Right until the feelings change

So, is this how it goes?
Think you've come this far with nothing to show
That ain't so, no
You don't see where you are
And if you don't look back you know you'll never know

Cause you think that you've been living, just treading water
And waiting in the wings for the show to begin
But I always see you searching
As you try that bit harder
Getting closer, oh yeah, to the life you're imagining

[chorus]
(I just know your life's gonna change)
Maybe not today, maybe not today
Some day soon you'll be all right
(I just know your life's gonna change)
Don't turn the other way, turn the other way
Feels like luck is on your side
(Just wanna live)
No worries, no worries
(Don't wanna die)
No worries, no worries
(Fight through the lows)
Say it for me, say it for me,
(And take all the highs)
We all need somebody
(Yeah we can sink)
No worries, no worries
(Or can you swim)
No worries, no worries
(Or walk on out)
Say it for me, say it for me,
(Or jump right in)
We all need somebody

So, baby keep drifting on
Your endeavors ain't just selfless wasted time
Seek and find, yeah yeah
You're not that far from what you've hoped and wished for all along

Cause you think that you've been living, just treading water
And waiting in the wings for the show to begin
But I always see you searching
As you try that bit harder
Getting closer, oh yeah, to the life you're imagining

[chorus]

I just know your life's gonna change
Say it for me, say it for me
We all need somebody

*~*

Pacey placed a box of nails and a can of turpentine onto the counter and grabbed his wallet from his back pocket. "Just this today, thanks, Mr. Jenkins."

The elderly owner of the hardware store smiled at the young man as he rang up the items. "Boat nearly done, son?"

"Getting there, sir. Workin' on the cabin now."

"Have you decided on what color you're going to paint her?"

"Yes, sir," Pacey nodded. "She'll have a blue hull with a white hatch and cabin."

"Ah." The corner of Mr. Jenkins' eyes creased as he smiled appreciatively. "She'll be a beauty." He added with a wink, "Worthy of her namesake."

Pacey simply bobbed his head noncommittally and looked away with a smile. His eyes were drawn to the store's bulletin board behind the counter. In particular, to a plain black and white flyer pinned in the center.

To rent... wall space... temporarily available... suitable for advertising... good size... central location... $100... call for more information...

Pacey pursed his lips, head tilted slightly to one side, as he took stock of the ad. Mentally filing the information under "rainy day ideas", he gathered his goods into one hand. He used his free one to slap the counter. "I'll be back Tuesday, Mr. Jenkins, to check if those other nails have come in yet."

"Sure, son. Deliveries come in the afternoon. Stop by after school."

With a wave, Pacey headed out the store, the bell jingling as the door opened then closed behind him. Bracing himself against the chill of the crisp morning air, he slipped the bag with the nails and turpentine into his coat pocket and took off in the direction of the boatyard.

Although he was walking away from it, his mind was still very much on the ad.

And possibility.

*~*

"…and they'd be ready for first thing tomorrow, right?" Pacey pulled out a dog-eared scrap of paper from his coat pocket and, gesturing with his hand if he could borrow the pen resting on the counter top, scribbled down a note.

"Yep, 10am at the latest," The copy shop owner reassured, his manner friendly. "You'd need to give us the design and let us know the final number of copies you want as soon as possible though."

"Uh-huh, sure, I'll have that confirmed for you by the end of the day; but like I say, as for the number of copies we'll need around 500 at the max."

Running the tip of his tongue against his bottom lip, Pacey made a quick scan of his list to double-check that he'd covered everything. Happy he had, he returned the pen and shook the owner's hand. "Thanks again, sir," he smiled. "You won't regret this."

Walking quickly toward the exit, Pacey checked the wall clock on his way. Stepping out onto the sidewalk just as someone was walking by, he bumped their elbow, almost causing the latté in their hands to go flying.

"Oh, man, I'm sorr-" His apology died on his lips when he recognized who the owner of the elbow and latté was. "Watch where you're goin' why dontcha!" he chastised.

"You're the one who walked into me, little brother," Doug said calmly, adopting his police officer voice. He used a spare napkin to mop up the errant drips that had escaped through the plastic lid and rolled down the side of the container. "If you'd pay attention to where you're-"

"Yeah, yeah," Pacey brushed past his brother and started to walk purposefully in the direction of the small electronics store at the end of the street. "I don't have time for this."

Doug widened his stride to easily keep up pace. "Haven't seen you around the apartment lately."

"Aw, ya missin' me, Dougie?" Pacey cocked his head to look at his brother and smiled charmingly.

"Enjoying the peace and quiet is more like it."

Other than an exaggerated eye roll, Pacey ignored him; he turned his attention instead to his list and cast his eyes downward as he consulted it while they walked.

"What you got there?"

Pacey raised one finger and shook it in the air. "You know, Doug, those police observation skills of yours simply astound me at times," he said dryly. He held up the object in question. "This here is a piece of paper. People write things on it. It's called… wait for it… a list."

"Funny, Pacey. Real funny." Doug shook his head. "I don't suppose what's on that list of yours is what's been keeping you so busy lately."

"You'd suppose right."

"I swear, Pacey, it would be easier getting blood from a stone sometimes," Doug complained.

The two brothers caught each other's eyes and reluctantly grinned at each other. They simultaneously came to a stop and Pacey turned on his heels to look at his brother fully.

"Sorry, Doug." Pacey rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "It's just, I'm on a tight deadline here. I've got like," he glanced at the list still in his hand, "five more things to do today before I head over to the pre-rally meeting at the B&B tonight."

"Pre-rally meeting…? Oh!" Doug lifted his coffee cup as realization set in. "I heard one of the guys down at the station mention his kid was going to that. You're helping out with the Principal Green campaign."

Pacey simply nodded.

"Well, you need any help? I'd be happy to volunteer…," Doug trailed off when he noticed the stormy look that crossed Pacey's face and the way he'd clutched the list tightly in his hands. "What?"

Pacey let out a rush of air as he chuckled. "Thanks but I think we have enough 'volunteers'," he said sarcastically.

"Is that so?"

Pacey nodded; his eyes drifted to the side as he stared unseeing at the passing traffic. "Oh yeah. We even have us some 'ivy-league' volunteers."

"Uh-huh," Doug took a sip of coffee through the hole in the lid as he carefully studied his brother's body language.

"Yep. Fresh off the train from Boston."

"Boston, you say."

Pacey continued to nod. "Mm-hm. 'Volunteers' that are special enough to warrant free digs at the B&B, no less."

"Really? Well, I wouldn't need a place to stay. Seeing as I live here."

Pacey's eyes shot back to Doug's, as if suddenly remembering he was there. "Huh?"

"I said, if I volunteered, I wouldn't need to stay at the B&B because…," gauging from Pacey's face that it was pointless to explain, he gave up. "Never mind."

Pacey shrugged, already off in a world of his own again as he looked back at the traffic. He launched into a topic as though they were mid conversation, his hands punctuating his diatribe. "I get why she likes him. I do. He's smart, like her. He's in college, which is where she wants to go. He writes poetry. And the way she only sees him, I can understand that, too. 'Cause that's exactly what she's like when she's with someone." He smiled to himself, as though picturing a scene in his head where he was that 'someone'. "It's one of the things I like the most about her, the way she does that; they walk into the room and she only has eyes for them. She gets this huge smile on her face…," His smile quickly evaporated as his thoughts changed. "But what kind of name is AJ anyway?" He continued, not waiting for a response, "Some fancy-schmancy double initial name. I mean, come on, who names their kid that? Probably stands for something which you can only pronounce with a posh accent and has five syllables." He chuckled dryly. "Although I can think of something for the 'A' which only has two." He finished the rest of his thoughts under his breath.

Barely catching just what this two-syllable word beginning with 'A' was exactly, Doug raised his eyebrows; he wasn't sure if he should be amused or concerned over his brother's tirade. After a brief pause, he asked warily, "You sure everything's okay, Pacey?"

Pacey frowned and looked at Doug as though he'd grown two heads. "Yeah, 'course, why wouldn't it be?" He shook himself like a dog and waved the list. "Look, I gotta get going." He began walking backwards along the street. "We don't need any more volunteers, but I'll bring the petition to the station later and maybe you could help rustle up a few more names?"

"Yeah, sure, Pacey. Whatever you need."

Doug watched as Pacey bobbed his head then twisted round and high-tailed it to the store. He turned around and began strolling in the opposite direction, back to where he'd parked his patrol car. He shook his head and lifted his coffee to take slow, regular sips.

One thing he could say for certain about his little brother - it was never a dull day with him around.

*~*

The Potter Bed & Breakfast had been overrun by enthusiastic, dedicated Capeside High students. At first glance, there didn't seem to be any organization to the milling crowd but Joey Potter moved quietly and purposefully among the students assigning tasks and offering guidance and gratitude.

Her eyes often drifted to the boy lingering on the periphery of the activity who encouraged her with small smiles and indiscernible nods. His presence there seemed to bring out the strength and courage in her that was often hidden behind a sarcastic, studious demeanor.

Despite the urgency she felt to stop the injustice of the ultimatum delivered upon Principal Green, a part of her thrilled at the presence of the boy. Drawn to him, she occasionally touched base with him physically, their hands and sometimes their lips brushing together.

Leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the room, Pacey watched this scene play out right in front of him while his guts churned with unfocused anger, or was that thinly masked anguish? His role in Joey's life had been marginalized with the arrival of college guy and he didn't like it one little bit. He'd always known he'd have to play second fiddle to Dawson but this… this was just intolerable.

Perched on the arm of the couch next to Jack McPhee creating flyers on his Mac, Jen Lindley, with her keen perception of the underlying tension in the room, kept a watchful eye on the players of the drama unfolding before her.

Jack's voice interrupted her scrutiny, "Hey! Are you listening to me?" He glanced up at the girl and then turned his head to see what held her attention across the crowded room. He took a moment to observe and identify Jen's targets. Returning his attention to her face, he asked, "How long has that been going on?"

Jen glanced down at him. "Long enough to suck."

Jack surveyed the room to see his sister still pacing and talking on the cordless phone. "No need for Andie to know."

"No, not yet, anyway," Jen assured him.

"Got a plan?" Jack inquired.

"It's a sticky one, my friend." She narrowed her eyes at the triangle in question. "I don't think my intervention would be appreciated. But I do think I will go lend an ear." She slid off the arm of the couch and headed in Pacey's direction.

Sometimes that's all a friend could do.

*~*

The light-blue pickup truck shuddered to a halt as Joey stalled at the traffic lights. After a quick look in the rear-view mirror to check for traffic, she shifted into neutral and turned the key in the ignition.

She stole a glance at Bessie, who was sitting immediately next to her in the cab. "Sorry, just give me a sec," she mumbled sheepishly, glad that the late hour ensured that darkness hid her burning cheeks.

"Take your time, Joey," Bodie, sitting furthest away from her beside the passenger door, replied with a relaxed voice. He jiggled Alexander playfully in his arms causing the child to laugh. "We're in no rush."

"I'm fine when I'm in motion," Joey reassured, feeling the need to explain. "It's just when I get to lights or stop signs...," she trailed off with a sigh.

Bessie placed her hand lightly on her sister's thigh. "You're doing great, Jo." She waited until Joey got the truck moving again before continuing, "I still can't believe how many people were there tonight. The auditorium was full!"

"I know, you and me both," Joey agreed. "Most of the school showed up. Even some students from the other schools in the area came to support us."

"How did you manage to get word out so quickly, by the way?" Bodie asked. "I know when everyone was at our house the other night you were busy making arrangements, but I never actually knew what that involved."

Joey shrugged. "The usual. Flyers... the internet."

"Huh. Very resourceful," Bessie said, impressed. Then she frowned as a thought occurred to her. "Sounds expensive though. I hope you didn't spend too much of your own money because-"

Joey quickly interrupted, "Oh, it didn't cost anything. We posted an announcement on the Capeside website and got the flyers made for free."

"For free? How did you manage that?"

"Well, actually... I didn't."

Bessie turned her head to look at Joey. "Who did then?"

"Pacey. He talked the owner of the copy shop on Main Street into helping out."

"Wow. Go Pacey! So, did you do the internet announcement thingy then?"

Joey shook her head. "No, that was Jack. It was Pacey's idea to use the internet to spread the word but Jack's the best at using a PC so he took care of that."

"Pacey's idea?" Bodie spoke up.

"Uh-huh," Joey confirmed.

Neither sister heard Bodie say "Uhh-huhh" under his breath as he spotted the common denominator. In a louder voice he asked, "Wasn't Pacey the one I saw setting up the microphone at the podium tonight, too?"

"Yeah, I guess. He put up most of the flyers around town as well." Suddenly feeling guilty but not sure why she should be, Joey went on the defensive. "Look, everyone helped out, okay? Andie made the phone calls at the B&B, as you already know. Jen helped with the organization and flyers, Jack the website and flyer design and Dawson with the interview that Gale and he worked on. Even AJ helped. I couldn't have pulled this thing off on my own, you know!"

"We know, Joey," Bessie said gently.

"So why do I feel like you're trying to make a point and I'm missing it?"

Bessie looked confused. "We are? No we're not."

"Sounds like Bodie is," Joey countered, an edge to her voice.

Bodie raised his arms up as far as he could while still keeping Alex steady and chuckled. "Hey, easy, Joey. It's just... you have a lot of people in your life supporting you. All of whom believe in you and are willing to help out at a moment's notice."

Joey frowned, remembering AJ had said a similar thing to her. "And this is a bad thing?"

"No, not at all," Bodie chuckled even more now. "It's a very good thing."

"Okay, now I'm confused," Joey replied, exasperated.

"That wasn't my goal," Bodie responded. He sighed and after a moment clarified, "I guess, all I'm trying to say is, I hope you thanked them all."

"Of course I did!"

Bessie chimed in now. "Hmm... are you sure, Joey?"

When Joey opened her mouth to retort, Bessie explained diplomatically, "Don't get me wrong, Joey. I know it's not that you're ungrateful. But I know you. And sometimes you can get so caught up in everything, I think you believe you've said thank you, but you haven't."

Joey dropped her shoulders. "No, I'm sure I did." Her voice was quiet, unsure.

"Well, okay then." Bessie reached over and squeezed Joey's upper arm. "I meant what I said earlier, Joey. You were amazing tonight. I really am proud of you."

"We both are," Bodie interjected.

When Alex made a little noise and a baby-giggle, Bessie laughed. "See, I told you Alex couldn't stop talking about you, either. We're all very proud of you."

Joey lifted her lips as best she could, her earlier joy from the evening dampened by her thoughts.

She had thanked them?

Hadn't she?

Before she knew it, the lights of the B&B came into view and she was driving up the driveway.

"You know, you've gotten a lot better at driving, Joey." Bessie praised as everyone exited the truck. "I think I still have gray hairs from the last time I tried to teach you," she joked. "Thank goodness for Dawson."

"Pacey." Joey corrected.

"Hmm?" Bessie looked over her shoulder at Joey as they all climbed the porch steps; Bessie in the lead, then Joey, with Bodie and Alex bringing up the rear.

"Pacey. You mean 'thank goodness for Pacey'." She waited until Bessie had unlocked the front door then followed her inside. "He's the one that's been teaching me, not Dawson."

Bessie opened her eyes wide in surprise as she slipped out of her coat. "Oh, ok. He certainly has been busy, hasn't he?"

Placing her own coat on top of her sister's on the coat hook, Joey shrugged. "Hmmm. I guess."

Leaving the Potter sisters to themselves as they began conversing about dinner arrangements, Bodie carried a now sleeping Alex into his bedroom. Laying him down on his bed, Bodie gently tucked his son in and lovingly ruffled his soft curls.

"Women, eh?" he whispered. "And they think us men are the oblivious ones." He shook his head good-naturedly and, after placing a butterfly kiss on Alex's forehead, went to join his girls in the kitchen.

*~*

The wide expanse of red bricks, marred by a flaking billboard long past readable, seemed to stretch before Joey endlessly. Just preparing the space for a work of art would be a huge undertaking. Painting this wall would require a plan. She couldn't just recreate the mural she had painted at school. She needed to conceive an image that would allow her to express… what?

Well, that's what she had to figure out.

Joey slid the brush into her coat pocket and set the paint can at her feet so she could pull her hat down over her ears. She wondered what words of wisdom AJ would have to share about this artistic endeavor.

He didn't seem to think she needed him and maybe she didn't; not the way she needed Dawson and Pacey. But she did value his maturity and experience and consequently, his opinion. Besides, as a writer he understood the process of creation. A blank canvas, a blank wall. He would appreciate her dilemma; he had faced many a blank sheet of paper in his creative quests, or so she would like to imagine.

So maybe she didn't need him.

But she did want him.

Joey sighed and wondered if it would be too forward if she called him later. She had given him only the briefest of updates on the outcome of their protest in a hurried call between classes. He had been appropriately sympathetic and cautioned her against discouragement.

But she did feel discouraged because despite their best efforts, Principle Green resigned. He had assured her that he never felt more successful and yet her emotions still fluctuated from outrage to pride to sorrow.

Her eyes roamed the blank brick from corner to corner, marveling again at its dimensions. No, there would be no painting tonight. Though she was somewhat sheltered between the two buildings, it was still the middle of winter and nighttime. Joey was not only getting cold but her mind was as blank of ideas as that wall.

Not taking her eyes from the space Pacey had rented for her, she reached down for the can and then walked backwards until her feet hit the cement of the sidewalk. Once there, she turned and headed for home.

She wondered where Pacey had gone, anyway. He'd as much as abducted her from her house to get her down here and now he'd disappeared. Joey shook her head, smiling to herself again at Pacey's ability to surprise her and challenge her.

Suddenly inspired to surprise him, she made an abrupt turn toward the harbor. If Witter was as predictable as she thought, she had a hunch just where he might be.

*~*

Under a portable worklight, Pacey had his toolbox open but was really only puttering. A cold wind had been blowing off the water, keening and sharp, so he had taken refuge below. His thoughts were not so much on any renovation task as they were on the brown-eyed beauty as she had looked under the street light, giving him that lop-sided grin along with her heartfelt thanks.

Hearing the ladder bang against the hull, he stepped out of the cabin door onto the first step and peered into the shadows; the glow from the utility light, hanging from the pole in the middle of the boatyard, swallowed by the wintery night.

And then he saw a mitten appear above the edge of the True Love, holding a paint can that looked suspiciously familiar. Rolling his eyes, he rushed to the ladder as the matching wool hat of the brunette in question popped up where he could see it. Grabbing her hand, he took the can from her and helped her over the edge.

"Hey!" she said softly.

"What's the matter, Potter, couldn't even get a base coat on without me?"

"A work of art takes more than a can of paint and a roller, Pacey!" Bristling, Joey began to explain but Pacey, who had come up on deck in nothing but his jersey and jeans, had turned his back to her as he made his way back down the steps into the cabin and out of the cold.

Rolling her eyes behind his back but abandoning her defense, Joey followed him.

Once inside Pacey set the can on the floor and leaned against the counter, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes on his unexpected visitor. It seemed he wasn't the only one who was easily figured out and he wondered just what she was up to.

He took the brush that Joey held out to him and watched as she pulled her hat off. Her hair stood on end from the static electricity in the dry air and backlit from the worklight she looked like a mad angel with her finger in an electric socket. At that image, he couldn't stop the grin from spreading across his face, his eyes twinkling at the sight. She tossed the hat along with her coat on the bunk and twisted her hair up with an elastic, ruining the effect. Then turning to face him, she held out her hand.

Pacey slapped the brush back into it and she smirked, lifting her eyebrows at the paint still resting on the floor. Her purpose finally obvious, Pacey stooped to pop open the lid and then set the can on the counter.

He tilted his head toward the cabin wall to her right.

Then Pacey picked up a brush of his own and they simultaneously dipped into the paint, both smiling at their silent exchange.

Quietly, side by side, they worked, gradually transforming a wreck into a different kind of masterpiece.

*~*

"Brightest Hour" by The Submarines

Wandering through starry skies
And when tomorrow's day arrives
I'll be a moment closer to the
Brightest Hour here with you

One step closer, getting brighter
One step closer, getting brighter

Wandering through starry skies
And when tomorrow's day arrives
I'll be a moment closer to the
Brightest Hour, here with you

*~*