Monday came way too quickly for Pacey's liking. In his estimation, he had little use for formal education. He had been told his whole life that he would not amount to anything, so what was the point of enduring eight hours of torture five days per week? Pacey had focused more on academics when he was in a relationship with Andie, but that hadn't represented genuine interest. He had loved Andie, but man was that girl demanding. Telling her no was futile, so he studied. Then they broke up and Pacey thought he would never work hard at anything again. What was the point if he was only going to fail again?

Of course this line of thinking didn't last long because he was currently investing everything he had into True Love. His soiree with academic success had reminded him that he wasn't actually dumb. Though he would never admit it, Joey was right. Skipping class or failing would only serve to close doors, which would limit his options to escape the small town existence. So as much as he hated it, he woke up ready to face the school day. While this renewed commitment to at least academic mediocrity was about him and no one else, he'd still prefer to do it with someone. Lately his 'someone' was a girl from the wrong side of the creek.

Pacey parked the Witter Wagoneer at the end of the driveway of what he hoped was soon to be the Potter B&B. He knocked lightly on the screen door and walked in without waiting for a response. The house was surprisingly quiet with no one is sight. "Joey? Hey Potter, ya here?" Pacey hollered. Not receiving a response, he decided to help himself to breakfast. He put two pieces of bread into the toaster and moved to open the refrigerator door to retrieve the butter and strawberry jelly. He then grabbed a glass from the cupboard and leaned against the kitchen counter drinking his orange juice while waiting for his toast to pop up.

Pacey began to hear noises, the first evidence of other inhabitants. "Hello? Jo, Bessie, Bodie?" Pacey called with no response. He shrugged and turned to fix his toast. Then he heard the clear sound of singing. "Oh girls, they wanna have fun." Turning around he saw Joey with headphones in her ears carrying her Discman. She obviously was not aware of his presence because she was dancing and singing loudly with abandon. Neither of these things were typically part of the Joey Potter repertoire. Pacey watched her with a smile as he ate his toast. "They just wanna," Joey sang. In an elaborate albeit uncoordinated dance move, Joey spun around to see Pacey grinning at her.

"Pacey! What the hell? What are you doing here?!" Joey yelled.

"Enjoying the show," Pacey replied. His smile broadened as a huge blush spread across Joey's cheeks.

"I am going to kill you," Joey roared. "I swear, Witter, if you tell anyone ..."

"Calm down, Potter. It's not like you were in your underwear or something. Though ... That could be fun." With that, Joey released her fury on Pacey's arm.

"Seriously, Pacey," Joey glared at him. "Why are you here?" she asked expectantly with her arms across her chest.

"My intentions are pure, honestly," Pacey proclaimed with his hands in the air. "Look, I know you've been really busy with school, work, Alexander, and of course helping me nurse my girl back to health, so I thought it might be helpful for me to give you a ride to school. I know how neurotic you can be, so figured you might want to get there early to study or something else completely ridiculous."

Joey considered his claim critically as Pacey gave her his best "I'm innocent" look. Deciding to believe him, and recognizing that she had yet to learn to drive stick, she ordered, "Fine, but make me some toast and grab us some coffee. I'm going to finish getting ready. Do NOT leave the kitchen." Joey quickly turned and retreated to the bathroom. "I mean it, Pacey. Stay in there!" Pacey laughed because he had certainly intended to wonder.

Fifteen minutes later the pair was in the SUV arguing over radio stations. Pacey turned the dial until he reached the "80s 90s and today" station. "Like a Virgin" blared through the speakers. "Will Madonna do? Or does it have to be Cyndi Lauper?" Pacey asked pretending to be innocent. Joey glared at him. "OK, but that song might come in handy for you someday."

"It is too early to deal with you and your comments on my sex life," Joey said with annoyance.

"Or lack thereof," he remarked. "Fine, no Madonna then. How about some Bangles?" Pacey smiled mischievously as he sang along with Susanna.

"Six o'clock already

I was just in the middle of a dream

I was kissin' Valentino

By a crystal blue Italian stream

But I can't be late

'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid

These are the days

When you wish your bed was already made"

"Good lord, Pacey. Singing is really not your forte. Am I to be subjected to this every morning? Because if so, I may have to reconsider this arrangement. I'm not sure my ears will survive the torture."

"Nah, you're just mad that I'm Susanna. You're one of the Peterson sisters and you're jealous that Prince would never want to date you."

"Your knowledge of The Bangles concerns me, Pacey." Joey deadpanned.

"Again, jealousy. You should really be careful, Joey. The green-eyed monster has caused you trouble before." Noticing Joey's discomfort with his mention of her history with Dawson, Pacey decided to change the subject. "Fine, I won't sing anymore today, but I can't promise anything for future trips. I mean this gift must be shared with the world."

"Oh yes, please. We wouldn't want to deprive the world of your gift," Joey replied with disinterest.

"That's right. Now, speaking of getting paid, how was work yesterday?" Pacey asked.

"Ugh. I hate working at the marina. I really thought nothing could be worse than the Ice House, but god was I wrong. The actual marina is fine, I guess, but my boss is a total slime ball, which makes me loathe every minute I spend there."

"That sucks. And what makes this guy earn the designation of slime ball?" Pacey queried.

"Because he is! He hits on me constantly, which is really more like sexual harassment because it's a total abuse of power. He's my boss, so I'm automatically in a one-down position. But we really need the money, so it's not like I can do anything about it. He just grosses me out."

"You want me to take care of this guy, Jo?"

Joey rolled her eyes at him. "No, Pacey. I can handle him myself. Besides this hero complex you got going on is really gonna get you in trouble one of these days. I'm a big girl. You just worry about yourself."

"OK, Jo, but really, this guy should not be allowed to mess with you. It's not right," he responded seriously.

"I know," Joey responded noticing his tone. "Tell ya what? If he crosses any lines, you'll be the first to know."

"You mean after your own fist collides with his face, of course," Pacey said knowingly.

"Well yes, naturally." The two laughed as they pulled into a parking spot in the school lot. "So wait, does you giving me a ride mean that you intend to take me directly to the yard after school for continued servitude?"

"Well yes, naturally, Miss Potter. Haven't you taken economics? There's no such thing as a free lunch," he replied.

"Ugh. I should've known! Once we get the insurance money, you are so going to owe me, Witter!" she said with conviction.

"Deal," Pacey responded easily. The sureness with which he made that agreement caught Joey off guard. She had been prepared to complain about him taking advantage of her cheap labor, but he had agreed. It was as though not helping had never been a consideration. Joey found herself breathing a slight sigh of relief. She had been terrified that the Potter B&B might fail. Or worse yet, it might never have a chance to be a reality. Pacey's apparent dedication to her dream made Joey feel a little less alone. With a smile, Pacey said, "I'll see you later, Potter."

Joey began walking toward her locker until she was accosted by a voice that was way too perky for a Monday morning. "Good morning, Joey. What are you doing here so early?"

"Hey, Andie. Just needed to finish up some homework. You?" Joey asked with much less cheerfully.

"Oh me? I'm always here this early. You know, early bird gets into college and all that." Joey tried hard not to roll her eyes. She liked Andie and all, but her perkiness really made Joey edgy. Not to mention that she often exuded anxiety. Joey really didn't need any one else's stress; she had plenty of her own these days. "Did I see you drive in with Pacey?" Andie attempted to ask nonchalantly.

Joey examined Andie with suspicion for a moment. Joey empathized with what Andie had been going through and she really had thought it would be good for Pacey to consider forgiveness. However, her loyalty was to Pacey. Joey had never really lived by girl code any way. Her best friends were males and the girl in front of her had hurt one of them possibly irrevocably. Joey sighed before answering honesty, "Yes, he picked me up for school this morning."

"Oh, that's nice. Pacey's good at those things," she said with a far off look. "You guys have gotten to be pretty good friends lately."

Joey shrugged, "Yeah, Pacey's a doofus, but he has his moments." She was trying, but Joey Potter had never been accused of being patient. "We've just been helping each other out with stuff."

"Stuff?" Andie asked with confusion. "What kind of stuff?"

"Andie, is there something else you want to ask me?" Joey was nothing if not direct.

"No, I just ... He used to drive me to school, you know? I miss him, Joey," Andie said becoming sad.

"I know, Andie. I know you do."

"Do you think he misses me?" Andie asked hopefully.

"I really couldn't say. I know that he loved you and he was in pain for a long time. He's trying, Andie."

"Jack said that he bought a sail boat? True Love? I mean … that has to be a sign or something, right?"

Joey looked at Andie. She realized that what Andie wanted, Joey could not give. "He bought a boat that he's restoring. That's part of 'the stuff' we've been helping each other with. Andie, I want you both to be happy. I really do, but there's really nothing else I can tell you." Andie looked hurt, so Joey added, "You know Pacey, if he can't come up with a clever quip about something, he goes stoic."

"That's true," Andie said with disappointment. "Well, I guess I better get going. Lots to do," Andie said seemingly deciding that she was done feeling sad and ready to distract herself with too much work.

"OK. Have a good day, Andie," Joey responded as she watched Andie bop down the hall. She shook her head in confusion. Joey sometimes worried about Andie; she really did want her to be happy. She closed her locker and headed to her classroom. Joey didn't have time to worry about Andie right now. She needed to finish the homework she didn't get done after work yesterday.

The day passed by relatively uneventful. Joey had worked through lunch because she needed extra work time. When the bell rang signaling the end of the school day, Joey walked to her locker to gather her things. She turned around to put her Biology book away when she felt something grab her around the waist. Joey screamed and whipped around to see a boy in a Hawaiian shirt grinning at her mischievously. "Pacey! What's the matter with you?!" she yelled as she slapped him on the chest.

"Sorry, sorry," Pacey said with a laugh. "I just couldn't resist. It's so easy."

"What do you mean, easy?" Joey accused.

"Oh c'mon, Jo. You've always been a skittish kitten. Don't deny it."

"Pacey, you're such a punk," she said as she slammed her locker door and walked quickly down the hall.

Pacey watched her go with a smirk. He would never get bored with scaring Joey Potter. "Jo, wait up," Pacey called down the hall as he followed her to his car. She stood expectantly with her hand on the door handle. "Goodness, woman. Wait up for a guy, will ya?"

"Open the door, Pacey," Joey commanded. Pacey did what she requested, but he couldn't help but smile at how stubbornly adorable she was.

"Yes, ma'am," Pacey said enthusiastically. "I like a woman who knows what she wants," he said with a wink.

"Don't you wink at me, Pacey Witter. Now are you planning to get some work done today or do you just want to stay here and make sexual innuendos? Very unsophisticated innuendos, I must add." Joey asked.

"I vote for option C: making sexual innuendos while working," he responded and Joey laughed.

"Pervert," she said as he started the car.

"Prude," he added as they drove out of the school parking lot.

When they reached True Love they both quickly settled in to work. The tasks between the two had become routine and did not require much discussion. Joey finally decided to break the silence. "Andie talked to me this morning." They rarely talked about his relationship with Andie, but Joey felt that he had a right to know when someone talked about him. Pacey didn't say anything, but stopped what he was doing and looked up. "She knows about True Love. She said she misses you. I got the vibe that she maybe wants to keep back together." Pacey set up two deck chairs and sat down. Joey walked over to where he was and sat next to him. "I know we don't really talk about it, but I wanted to give you a heads up. I didn't want you to be blind-sided or anything."

Pacey nodded his head and looked out over the horizon. "I appreciate you telling me." He sighed and leaned back in his chair. Joey followed suit allowing the silence to grow. "I just don't know, Joey. All I want to do is work on my girl here. She is my True Love. Everything else is too complicated."

Joey nodded. "I hear you, but sometimes complicated is worth it. You wouldn't want something if it were too easy."

"Yeah, but I guess I think that love shouldn't have to be that complicated. Besides I wasn't good enough the first time. Why would now be any different?" Pacey asked rhetorically. "I'm pretty happy now. This is where I want to be. This right here is what I want to focus on."

"Maybe you're right about love, Pacey. But you know what you're not right about?" she asked. "That you weren't good enough. You are more than good enough and when you're ready, you'll find someone. And you'll be even happier than you are now."

"Who are you and what have you done with my cynical friend, Joey Potter?" Pacey asked.

"Shut up and get back to work, Witter," Joey said with a slap on his knee. Then he smiled at her and she started to believe her own words just a little bit more.