(The boy and the other girl)

As Pacey drove toward New Haven his anger was subsiding. He loved her, why did she insist he go see Andie McPhee. Rory literally pushed him out of the house. He was mildly shocked that Rory had an affair with a married man. She didn't strike him as that type. Then it dawned on Pacey; he could have torn up the paper. That is what he should have done. Pacey slowed down. He'd just turn around and go back and hand Rory the paper and tell her he loves her and to toss the paper away. As soon as Pacey spied any exit to leave the parkway and turn around; he knew he couldn't. He had to see Andie. What if Andie did not want to see him? Pacey shook his head negatively. No matter how much she may dislike him at the moment, she would always see him.

Andie put the phone down and turned to her brother Jack. "Guess who that was?"

Jack looked up from the paper he was reading. "I don't have a clue sis. Why do you always play this game with me?

Andie smiled at her brother. "Because it is fun and you never guess right."

"Andie sometimes I wonder if you are fifteen or thirty five. I don't know, Dawson Leery?"

"Nope"

"Come on Andie, I don't want to play this dumb game."

"Okay killjoy; Pacey Witter."

Hearing that name Jack sat upright. "What hole did he crawl out of and what did the jackass want?"

Andie shook her head. "Jack, he is not a jackass. Why do you say that? He was always a good friend to you."

"Yeah, but he screwed you over a few times."

"True, but I screwed myself over a few times also."

"Anyway dear brother, he wants to see me. I told him to call me again when he was in the city limits."

"Andie his call came out of the blue. I bet that was the last thing you were expecting."

"Actually Jack I was expecting the call."

"Huh; how come?"

"Last night I had my monthly dinner with Dr. Gellar-"

"You mean that wound up tight chick Paris?"

"Jack she isn't wound up tight and I like her.-"

"I bet, she is the only person I know that would make you look not wind up as tight as you are."

"Can it Jack. Anyway Paris brought a friend of hers along to dinner. A woman named Rory Gilmore. Her and Paris were classmates though high school and college."

"So what does that have to do with anything?

"Shut up and listen for once Jack. "Rory Gilmore knows Pacey, and I guess Pacey spoke about me a few times so she came to check me out."

"Well that is kind of sneaky sis."

"Yes and no. She told me very early in the evening why she was there. I think I would have done the same thing if I was in her shoes."

"Sit down sis, you're making me nervous with you constant pacing back and forth."

Andie sat next to her brother. "I expect a call in about twenty minutes. I'll find out where he is and I'll go meet him."

"Why don't you just bring him here?"

Andie stood up again. "Maybe later I will." Then she sat again across the room from her brother."

"Sis aren't you going to change?"

Andie looked down at herself, ragged jeans and a Harvard sweatshirt. "Why, I am not trying to impress him. Remember I do have a boyfriend."

"Yeah, Andie, some fireman who makes about one sixth of your salary. Why do you always wind up with the with the blue collar types."

Because when I go out with a man I don't want to talk about colleges or the medical profession. I like to go bowling, I like to go fishing and go to baseball and football games. I enjoy myself with them. I like to be outdoors and physical.

Jack smirked at his sister. "So what I heard the other night was you getting physical?

"Andie laughed. "Shut up Jack, you arrived two days early. I should have left you in the hall."

The phone rang and Andie just beat her brother to the phone. She gave Jack a dirty look. "Hello"

"It's me Andie. I just passed into the city limits."

"Where are you?'

"Look Andie, give me your address I have a GPS I can come to your house."

"No Pacey, I have company." Andie glanced at Jack. The last thing she needed was the two of them getting into it. "So where are you?"

"The corner of Derby road and Chapel street."

"Pacey make a right on Chapel street go past the hospital and keep going to Day street. Turn left into the parking lot and look for a luncheonette named Rose's. I'll meet you there."

"Does this place have beer Andie?"

"No. Do you really need a beer Pacey?"

"It would be nice Andie."

"Andie shook her head and sighed. Okay keep going past Day street till you see Park street. Turn left into the parking lot. There is a pretty nice bar named O'Malley's. I'll see you there in about fifteen minutes.

Pacey found O'Malley's. The bar was dark and quiet just the way he liked them. He sat on a stool away from a group of men who were discussing The Boston Bruins. An older lady walked down the bar to him. "What would you like?"

"Do you have Alexander Keith's India pale ale?"

"No but I can give you a Labatt's Blue."

"That will be fine, thank you."

Once Pacey received his beer he turned toward the door so he could spot Andie's entrance.

Suddenly the door opened. He hadn't seen her in eleven years but he recognized her immediately. Her hair was down to her shoulders just like the last time he saw her. Pacey stood and waved. Andie noticed him and changed direction to his seat. When she was close, Pacey wrapped his arms around her and swung her around and sat her back on her feet. "It is so good to see you Andie."

Andie looked into his blue eyes before she spoke. The years had treated him well. He had lines around his eyes. Andie guessed from squinting into the sun. She noticed a fleck of gray in his hair. "It's nice to see you also Pacey."

"What would you like to drink Andie?"

Andie drummed her fingers on the bar. "Just get me a club soda with a twist of lime."

Andie felt that magical Pacey charm washing over her. She had to watch herself. Already she was starting to weaken. Andie pushed an impure thought out of her mind. "So Pacey what brings you here after all these years?"

"You know why Andie. She sent me here."

"Yes I do Pacey and would this she, be a Rory Gilmore?"

Pacey put her hands in his hands, Andie slid them out. Yes Andie, I know you had dinner with her."

"Rory's a beautiful girl. I enjoyed dinner with her she is an excellent conversationalist. So Pacey why are you here?"

Pacey hesitated, it was going to be very hard telling Andie he loved another girl, but the more he looked at Andie the more his old feelings came back. "To see you Andie."

"You know Pacey you should have torn the paper up and given it back to her. It would have saved all of us a lot of trouble."

"But Andie she insisted I go see you."

"God you're dumb Pacey. What she was really saying was stay with me."

"No Andie, she wanted me to see you so I would be sure you were out of my system."

"Didn't I just tell you that you are dumb, If you weren't you would not be sitting here.

Growing frustrated Pacey stood. "Look Andie I don't look for hidden meanings. She said to go see you so here I am. You women are nuts. You say go and really mean stay. I just don't get it."

"Pacey let me ask you a question. "Why didn't you ever call me after that diner we had. We spent the night together and you disappeared. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Why did you do it?"

Pacey looked down at his feet. "Andie." He said softly. You were on the verge of becoming a doctor and I was on the verge of failing."

"Bullshit Pacey. It wasn't even two months later I found out you were living with Joey."

Andie stood up and slapped him right in the same place Missy had slapped him. It hurt. Damn it Andie why did you do that?"

"Just because Pacey."

"Because of what Andie?"

"Pacey leave it at just because."

What is with these women Pacey thought to his self; they slap him and then tell him just because. They were all nuts.

"Andie if it is any consolation to you I didn't last long. I left. I knew I did not love her in the way I should."

"Then why didn't you come back to me? From what Rory told me; I was the inspiration of your life."

"Andie, you were, you are. You are the person who made me believe in myself and that I was not a joke. I guess I thought I was in love with you."

"If you were in love with me; you should have found me. Why didn't you?"

"I was ashamed Andie."

"It looks like you have a problem Witter, Rory was right. Who are you in love with, me or Rory Gilmore? And Pacey don't ask me If I love you. It is not pertinent to the question.

Andie how do I tell you I love another woman? You mean a lot to me."

"You know Pacey, I know I do. You also have to ask yourself question and this actually does not have anything to do with the last question. Have you ever truly forgiven me for cheating on you that one time? Andie rose from her stool. Pacey you really should have torn up that slip of paper. I'll see you around. Andie then walked out the door without looking back. Andie got into her car and gripped the wheel and took several deep breaths. Too many old emotions came back. She was right when she told Rory that she would always love him. Was she being fair to her boyfriend? Andie knew she needed to talk to brother.

Pacey sat at the bar stunned. What just happened was the last thing he expected. He turned to the bartender who was shaking her head in sympathy. Pacey beckoned her over "Famous Grouse over ice please."

The bartender returned with his drink. "Mister I don't know what you did or said to her, but a man only gets one shot at a woman as good looking as your friend. If I was that good looking, I wouldn't give you a second glance. "She turned and walked away.

Pacey drank his scotch in one gulp. "Hey Ma'am, how about another one." Pacey set his glass down. This must be the all women hate Pacey month. A feeling of peace overcame Pacey. He now knew which woman he belonged with.

Jack looked up when the front door opened and Andie walked in. "So how was your meeting with Witter. I thought it would take longer."

"No I said what I had to say and I slapped him."

"Wow sis, I did not see that coming. So he's out of your system for good."

Andie walked into the kitchen and took two beers out of the fridge. "Join me in the kitchen Jack. I need to talk to you."

Jack stood up and walked into the kitchen and sat across from his sister. "So what do you want to talk about?"

After taking a small sip of her beer Andie sighed and replied. Jack I think I am just as guilty as Pacey."

"Why do you think so?"

"Take Mike Freeman for example-"

"Your boyfriend, what does he have to do with this?"

"Let me finish Jack. I am with him. We sleep together. I tell him I love him and he tells me he loves me. I think I want his children and I am not getting any younger. What keeps me from further commitment?

"I don't know Andie; what?"

"I know he wants us to move in together and I know he is thinking of asking me to marry him. But I keep him at arm's length."

Jack slammed his beer can on the table. "Come on Andie you have only been going with him for three months?"

"Actually Jack it is over a year. We kept it between ourselves for reasons I am not going to tell you and no he was not married."

"Oh come on Andie what is your deep dark secret." Jack started laughing, "You can be so melodramatic at times."

"Okay Jack I was teaching advanced first aid to the firemen. That is where I met him. We didn't think it would be good for me dating one of my students. I no longer do any work for the fire department so we became public. Are you happy?"

"Yes I am Andie."

"You see Jack I am stringing him along. I need to commit myself one way or another."

"Yes, I know what I want to do."

"Are you going to tell me or is this a big secret?"

I'm keeping it to myself for a while."

Jack fiddled with his beer can before he spoke. "Does what you are going to do have anything to do with what Pacey is going to do?"

"Not at all Jack; I have made up my mind. Pacey needs to make up his mind. I can't influence him." Andie stood up and walked to the counter. She took a pencil and scrawled a few words on a piece of paper. Then she folded it. Andie rummaged around and found an envelope and put the paper in and sealed the envelope. Andie then placed the envelope on the top shelf of the cabinet she used for glasses. "I know you'll leave it be Jack. I'll show it to you when the time is right, but yes I have made up my mind."

"Okay Andie I won't try and look at it. You have my word."

(The boy)

Pacey was drunk. He knew he couldn't drive. So he had the wicked witch of the west call him a cab. Wicked witch of the west was what he mentally thought of her."

The cab took him to a motel that was only four blocks from the bar. He could walk back in the morning. The motel was old but clean. It would do for the night. Pacey threw himself on the bed. It was so clear now. In the morning he'd deal with it.

(The girl)

Paris was still at the Rory's apartment. She decided to keep her friend company and help keep her spirits up. They had ordered out for Chinese and were now quietly watching Black Swan on HBO. "Paris do you think I am a fool; for messing around with him?"

"It's not what I think Rory Do you love him?"

"I do but I keep thinking he is with her now. She was his first girlfriend. "

"So what Rory Dean was your first in a few different things; if he was standing here now and you had to choose between him and Pacey, do you know who you would choose right this minute. And Rory I know you still think about Dean quite a bit."

"Yes I know who I want to be with. It isn't even close.

Paris awoke to pounding on Rory's front door. She got off the couch where she fell asleep and opened the door to see Pacey standing there. "Paris is she here? I need to talk to her."

"Wait here. I'll get her." Paris padded down the hall to Rory's room. The door was open so she walked in and shook her till Rory opened her eyes.

"What is it Paris?"

"Well for one thing Pacey is standing in your living room."

Rory jumped out of bed and started frantically looking for something to wear. Paris threw a robe to her. Rory, be real, he has seen you when you have woken up before. This is not going to be any kind of shock to him."

Rory grabbed the robe and walked to her living room. Paris wasn't lying. There he stood right smack in the middle of her living room. "Hi Pacey, would you like some coffee?"

Pacey knew Rory well enough that whatever was going to happen it would be better after she had some coffee in her. "Yes I'd like a cup.

Rory walked into the kitchen and saw Paris had beaten her to the coffee. It just started brewing. "Thanks Paris."

"I'll be going now. I know you two want to talk."

"No Paris you're staying right here. Whatever he has to say; I want you hear."

" Coffee will be reading in a minute." Rory waited for a reply but he just walked in and took a seat.

Paris set three cups down and took a seat.

Pacey glanced at her, but said nothing.

"Well, Pacey, what do you want to talk about?"

Pacey smiled that infuriating smile at her. "I know you well enough to know I will not have a conversation with you till you finish that cup of coffee."

Grumpily Rory replied. "Whatever suits you?"

Rory finished her coffee and poured herself another cup. "In an icy tone of voice she spoke. "Okay Pacey what's on your mind?"

Pacey hesitated and set his cup down. "I saw Andie. We met and talked.-"

"I figured that much out Pacey."

"I have to be honest Rory. I still love her.'

Rory closed her eyes she couldn't look at him. Softly she said. "Please get out of my house Pacey."

"No Rory wait, let me explain."

"Just go Pacey."

Quickly Paris jumped into the conversation. "Let him finish Rory."

What Andie and I had was an idealistic innocent love. I made a mistake when I broke up with her. In my mind I put her on a mountain top. I talked myself into believing no one would ever equal what I felt for her. But that is not true. It took you to make me realize the mistake I was making. Yes Rory I still love her, but I am totally in love with you. You're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I think I knew it about four hours after I met you."

Pacey finished speaking and Rory just looked at Pacey. "You said you're in love with me and you put me through all of this?" Rory stood up and leaned across the table and slapped Pacey across the face. The exact same spot Missy and Andie hit him.

Pacey jumped up. Why did you do that? I just told you I was in love with you."

"Just because Pacey."

"Because of what?"

"Leave it at just because Pacey."

Pacey shook his head. He was missing something. Why did all these women slap him?"

Pacey, I love you. But you hurt me very badly. I need a day or so to get the anger out of my system. Please leave and I will call you. Rory leaned over and kissed Pacey on the cheek. Go now, I'll call.

Pacey picked up his coat. Okay Rory I'll wait for your call. I know I screwed up. Pacey closed the door softly behind him.

"Rory, why did you send him away? I thought you loved him?"

"I do, but I need to be away from him for a few days to calm down. That is why you're taking me to that male strip club tonight."

"Are you kidding me? We don't do things like that."

"We are tonight. Go home and put on something hot and I'll pick you up at eight thirty."

Paris hailed a cab in front of Rory's building. As soon as she was settled she dialed a familiar number. The phone rang three times before Andie picked it up. "Paris is that you?"

"Yes, Pacey came by and told Rory he is in love with her."

"Thanks Paris, I'll call you later."

As soon as Andie hung up she walked to her spare bedroom and knocked on the door. Get up Jack. Get up now."

"Five minutes later her brother joined her in the kitchen. "Jack yesterday I wrote down what my decision would be. It became crystal clear to me after I spoke with Pacey. What do you think I wrote?

"What else Andie, You wrote I choose Pacey; it's obvious, you have been mopping over him for years."

"Jack I think mopping is much too strong of a word." Andie handed Jack the envelope. "Go ahead and read it."

Jack opened the envelope and shook the folded note out of the envelope. He unfolded the note and read it aloud. "I am going to ask Mike Freeman to marry me."

Jack shook his head in amazement. "You've got to be kidding me, why?"

"It was easy Jack, if Pacey and I were meant to be together it would have happened by now. I realized as much as I love Pacey, it would never be right. We outgrew that love. He belongs with Rory and I belong with Mike and I know he feels the same way."

(The Boy and The Girl )

Three days later Rory called Pacey's cell phone. "Are you still in town?"

"No I'm not. I am actually in New Jersey. The hotels are a lot cheaper."

"Do you still love me Pacey?"

"Why else would I still be here dear."

"Well you idiot I love you. Come and get me and take me to Florida."

The End