Disclaimer: Same as part 1.

Author's note: So...are you wondering what's gonna happen? I bet you are!!

Rating: R. For language.

It had been a week since their little interlude in the kitchen. Pacey wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to prove to her that no man could ever give her what she needed more than he could. He understood her like no one else could.

Since Saturday morning, they had basically avoided one another. Joey seemed to leave early in the morning before he got up and got home after he went to sleep. She's never avoided him before. He really must have scared her if she wouldn't even come near him. The last thing he wanted to do was to scare her. But he thought he saw lust in her brown eyes. He thought that he'd seen the same desire in his eyes mirrored in her own. Then again, he may have been living a fools dream.

As he sat on the couch waiting for Joey to come out of her room for the party that they were going to, he couldn't shake the feeling that something odd was going to happen. Something unexpected. Pacey checked his watch again for the third time in the last five minutes. He was becoming impatient. She took so long getting ready now. She didn't do that until after her designs became popular. He thought it was her new keen fashion sense.

Joey's door open and she stepped out and did a spin. The long blue gown showed off her body magnificently. He never thought that anything could look so sexy. The gown was strapless with the full skirt made of silk. He heard her rustle as she walked as he heard the layers underneath the skirt move with her body. Her hair as piled on top of her head with a pearl headband that held back the stray hairs that threatened to fall.

Joey walked over to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Pacey was taken aback. A small kiss from the woman that had obviously been avoiding him all week had just give him a sign of reassurance that everything was okay. Pacey held out his arm for her and she took it graciously. They left their apartment building and left in the limozine that had been sent to pick them up.

Pacey couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He'd never seen her look so beautiful. He'd seen her dressed up many times before, but she never seemed to be glowing like she was then. Maybe she was excited, or nervous. But she looked like she was content.

They arrived a little after 8:00 and made their way up the steps to the house. It seemed to be lit up like a Christmas tree. In the glow of the light, Pacey saw Joey take a deep breath. She was nervous. It was completely understandable. She'd lived with Pacey for years and as long as she'd lived with him, she'd never met anyone he worked with. She never called his office, if she wanted to get in touch with him she's call his cell phone. When they met for lunch, he'd meet her. This was going to be a unusual night for her. She knew all about these people, but now was going to put faces with names.

Pacey and Joey walked in to the large hall area. Joey began fidgeting with her bag strap, trying to calm herself. She felt Pacey take her hand as he gave it a slight squeeze. She felt better. She gave him her best 'I'm fine' smile and went back to worrying about the type of impression she was going to make on Pacey's co-workers. She looked above her at the large chandelier hanging from the ceiling. She'd never seen a house this big, much less ever been inside one. She felt so small.

Pacey led her through two French doors where she heard soft violins playing a soothing tune. Joey saw a lot of people. She was really feeling nervous. She didn't want to give his bosses a bad impression of her. She wanted to help Pacey impress them. How much higher could Pacey actually get in the firm any way. He was already a partner and one of the most successful lawyers in Boston. She was going to lay on all the charm she had, anyway.

Pacey leaned in close and whispered, "Relax. What are you worried about?"

"PACEY!" Called a voice from behind as an older man in a black tuxedo approached them.

Pacey leaned in again, "That's Marks. This is his house."

"Pacey, my boy, glad you could make it," he said shaking Pacey's hand. He then turned to Joey, "Be still my heart. And you are?"

"Josephine Potter. Everyone calls me Joey."

"Well, Joey, you may call me Sheldon, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said as he lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on it. "Pacey, this ones a keeper."

"Oh...we're not..."

"Merian," he called, "come here and meet Pacey's new girl."

Joey looked up at Pacey with pleading eyes. He grasped her hand and held it tight. He was quiet. Pacey was very seldom quiet.

"Joey," he began, "this is my wife Merian."

"Pleasure to meet you," said Joey meekly.

"As is you. What is it that you do for a living?"

"I'm a designer."

"Of clothing?"

"Yes."

"Joey owns her own line. Maybe you've heard of it. JP?

"You're JP? Not bad Witter."

"Sheldon, dear, why don't you and I leave these two people to enjoy the party?

Pacey never let go of her hand. Feeling Pacey's touch was soothing her nerves more than he knew. She felt so safe while he was beside her.

Pacey led them over towards the bar. "You want a drink?"

"Champagne."

"Good choice."

Pacey handed her the drink and she sipped it slowly. He turned to her slowly and once again took her hand into his. He offered her a warming smile. Joey noticed the women in the room giving her the evil eye. That she didn't exactly understand.

Later that night, Pacey had been pulled off by the other partner, Johnson, who was a little younger than Marks. Joey stood alone by the doors that led to the garden, sipping on her champagne. She searched the room for Pacey, no sign. She was alone. She hated that feeling. As she stood there, she hadn't noticed that Marks was approaching her.

"Hello again, Joey."

She gave him a smile, "Hello again to you too, Sheldon."

"Now what is a beautiful young lady doing all alone in the corner without her date."

"Your other partner borrowed him."

"And how long ago was that?"

"About two hours."

"Well, seeing as how my wife is off discussing breeding our poodle with someone who I have never seen before, what do you say about a dance."

Joey smiled. "I would be honored."

"Great."

Joey set her glass down on the table and walked out to the center of the floor with the older man. Joey placed her hand in his and they began to dance with the classical music that the violins and piano were playing. Joey laughed, and danced with the older man. She was enjoying herself. Everyone stopped to watch the two.

Pacey walked down the steps with Johnson who had pulled him away from Joey for business, when he saw Joey out on the floor with Marks. She was laughing and having a wonderful time. He smiled as he approached leaving Johnson alone on the steps. Pacey pushed his way to the front of the spectators. She looked happy. She was enjoying herself.

The music soon ended and the two stopped as everyone gave their applause. Pacey strolled over to Joey and Marks. Joey spotted Pacey and gave him the evil eye. She was angry at him for leaving her alone. If it hadn't been for the elder man then she wouldn't have enjoyed herself at all.

Pacey reached them and Marks signaled to him to talk to him for a minute.

"Now, Pacey, I don't understand what was so important that you had to leave her alone for."

"I didn't either. Johnson told me he wanted to talk to me, I didn't think he'd detain me as long as he had."

"Be that as it may, you should never leave a woman that beautiful in a room full of bachelors. Someone could steal her away from you."

"It won't happen again, that I can assure you."

"Good to hear it. Now why don't you take her home? She seems a little...angry at you. See if you can make it up to her."

Pacey smiled. "I'll do my best."

"Good to hear it."

"Good night sir."

"Good night."

Pacey walked back to Joey and took her hand in his and led her out of the room.

"Oh, so now you want to be with me?"

"I wanted to be with you all night."

She stopped and didn't move a step. He turned towards her and let her hand go.

"Look, I'm sorry. I wouldn't normally have done that."

"Pacey, I didn't know anyone in there, all the women were giving me 'go to hell' looks and all the guys were creeping me out. Then, you decided that you had something you had to do and you left me alone. If it weren't for Marks I would have had the worst time of my life. Thank you for ruining my evening."

"Joey wait!"

"Screw you!"

Joey stormed past him and ran out the front of the house. Pacey ran after her. Joey climbed into the limozine and sat on the opposite side of where he was sitting. She wouldn't look at him. That hurt him. He didn't realize that he'd hurt her so badly. He hadn't meant to. And shouldn't have, now that he thought about it. He was insensitive and a really big jerk. She'd done him a favor by not making him come alone and how did he repay her? By leaving her alone most of the night.

Joey walked into their apartment, went to her room, and slammed the door. He kicked off his shoes and laid his jacket on the back of the couch. He went into his room and changed into his sweat pants that he always wore to bed. He went to the bathroom where he met Joey.

"Jo, I'm sorry."

"Got that right."

"What do you want me to say?"

"Oh, how 'bout, 'I'm Pacey Witter, and insensitive asshole who doesn't give a shit about anything but his fucking job!"

"That's not true!"

"Really? You could have fooled me! Shit, Pacey you left me alone, to what? Talk about business, I'm sure. All you fucking care about is that damn job. Why don't you just live at your fucking office?"

Joey pushed past him out of the bathroom. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He caressed her face.

"Do you want to know what I care about more than anything in this world? More than my job, more than this apartment, more than anything? You! Joey, I have tried my damnedest to keep this a secret, but by God you are not going to tell me that I don't care about you!!! You are my best friend and I love you! Are you happy?"