Pacey stood on the Dean’s yacht taking in his surroundings. The sun was shining brightly from a piercing blue and cloudless sky. He inhaled deeply almost tasting the salt in the breeze.

Two days ago he had arrived in Miami ready for whatever was waiting for him there. He couldn’t wait to go sailing again. He loved it, it was his haven... it was all he had left.

The minute he stepped on the boat he started working. The Dean would arrive on Sunday and until then there would be only him and Rafe, one of the crew members. Both of them would be sharing a cabin for the next months. After only a few minutes they hit it off immediately.

It was their responsibility to get the boat ready for the cruise and they worked so well together that their task was accomplished by Friday afternoon. They had the whole weekend to relax and enjoy themselves but Pacey couldn’t stop looking for something to do. He had to work, he needed to have something to occupy his mind with.

The Dean’s yacht was of course much bigger and stronger than True Love had been but Pacey constantly compared them. Something always reminded him of her... and Joey.

"So, right now, what I want to do is just move on and get over you, and the only way for me to do that is to not be around you anymore."

Who was he trying to kid? True, he had left, had run away from her and was not physically around her anymore. Still she was all around him. He couldn’t count the times each day when he saw or heard something and wanted to tell her about it. Every night since the goddamned prom he dreamed about her. Whenever he allowed himself to rest from work his heart screamed at him, scolded him for breaking up with her, blamed him for feeling sick, numb and alone.

He had even placed his copy of their Christmas picture placed next to his bunk. He smiled as he remembered Rafe’s question.

Without hesitation he had answered. "Joey, ... my heart."

His heart had never left her and he was quite sure it would never. Emotionally he was nothing but around her... always. Deep inside he had known it before but now he admitted himself that he might be moving on but never get over her.

~*~

Pacey continued working and didn’t realize that Rafe had stretched out besides him. As he heard him talk he was startled.

"Huh?... Not so much, no.", silently Pacey added, "Only that she’s not here with me and that’s why paradise can kiss my ass."

"Then take a break. You're makin' me tired." , Rafe lighted a cigarette and studied Pacey’s face. He liked him and it made him sad to see him so troubled. "Relax, bro. Enjoy the last real free time while ya can."

Pacey shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. The whole day he had suppressed the urge to call Joey. He just wanted to hear her voice... if she was to talk to him at all. He wasn’t so sure she would and he started to regret his decision. He needed to talk to her, who knew when he would have the next opportunity to call her. Maybe she would have left Capeside by then and he wouldn’t know where she was, how to reach her. Well, he knew she would be in Worthington, but still...

Rafe grinned and reached into his pocket. "Here, boy. You try that, bro.", he handed Pacey a cell phone.

"Ah, thanks.", Pacey smiled at Rafe who had stood up.

"Then when you're done, you and me go down to the bar. We'll have some drinks and you’ll tell me some more of your girlie.", Rafe twinkled and moved away from Pacey to give him some privacy.

"All right, then.", Pacey dialed the familiar number and waited. Even though it was hot he felt his hands turning ice-cold. He was nervous as hell. The phone just kept ringing on the other end. No answer.

Pacey sighed. He had told her he wanted to be on his own again. Now that he was he hated it. He told her to enjoy her life. Little did he know that she had been so damned right. He couldn’t enjoy his life without her either.

~*~

Joey slowly walked along the Miami Beach Marina. From the moment she had decided what she wanted to do on Wednesday up to the minute she hopped in a cab at the airport she had been absolutely determined to do and say what she had planned. She had made so many decisions in so little time and everything had worked out just like she had hoped. Well, truth to be told there had been some moments she would really like to forget, but all in all....

She knew that she was stalling. She knew it and couldn’t help it. This was going to be it, her chance, their chance. Nothing else was as important as this, as he was. She was nervous, excited, anxious and all at the same time. She moved her travelling bag from her right shoulder to the left. It wasn’t really heavy and there was absolutely no need to change, it was just one last attempt to delay getting to the yacht and to Pacey. Joey took a deep breath and tried to stop her hands from trembling. She had finally reached her destination: pier G. Only a few more steps and then she would be at slip 30 and in front of the Dean’s yacht.

The pier was very lively. People were strolling up and down, talking, laughing, simply having a good time. The sun was shining and the scent of the sea mixed with the squawks of gulls reminded Joey extremely of her... their last summer. They had been in Florida, too. Yet everything was different back then. Maybe in a while it would be different again. Hopefully it would be.

She was there. She stood right in front of the yacht. Joey grazed her teeth over her bottom lip. Next to the boat someone played the drums and their sound mixed with her heartbeat. She could feel it in her throat.

Then she saw him. He was on deck with his back towards her. He was talking to someone with short dreads. For several minutes she just stood there, watching him and desperately trying to think about how she should approach him.

Suddenly she felt the other guys glance on her. She focused on him and saw him nudging Pacey’s arm. She knew what was coming next. She briefly closed her eyes and when she opened them again Pacey was staring at her. She was directly met with his eyes that held amazement and something else which she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She worried her lip again and then she offered him her lopsided smile. She saw the corners of his mouth moving up and into a smile, a genuine smile. Both of them started to walk towards each other, never leaving the other’s gaze.

~*~

Rafe returned to Pacey as he saw him flipping his cell phone shut. He didn’t look too happy.

"Ready to go, bro?", he asked taking the phone back.

"Yeah, I guess.", Pacey rubbed his temple. "Maybe I can try again later?", he looked at Rafe.

"Nobody’s answered, huh?", he nodded, "Sure. But let’s get off ....", he stopped in mid-sentence. While talking to Pacey he had spotted someone down on the pier. He couldn’t help but grin.

"Kiss me neck!", Rafe exclaimed and nudged Pacey’s arm. "Turn ‘round, bro."

Pacey raised his eyebrow but turned around nevertheless. He scanned the pier trying to find out what or who had caused Rafe’s sudden interest. Then he saw her. Pacey shook his head and blinked several times. For a moment he thought he was hallucinating. It couldn’t be her... or could it? He saw her biting her lip, saw how she closed her eyes before opening them again and looking directly into his own. It was really her, Joey. She was there, only ten feet away from him. Then she smiled her famous lopsided smile, the smile he wanted to see on her face 24/7 if that was a possibility. He felt himself starting to smile. He wasn’t sure what was going on but right then he was just happy.

Joey started to walk closer to the yacht and Pacey walked towards her. She stopped nervously tucking strands of hair behind her ear and extended her hand towards him.

"Permission to come aboard?", her voice was slightly shaking but she was still smiling.

"Permission granted.", Pacey’s voice hitched a bit as well as he took her hand helping her to get on the yacht.

Her hand felt cold but he also felt the electricity of their touch between them. Maybe some things would never change. The whole situation was pretty déjà vu – like. They had been there before and he wondered what would happen this time.

They looked each other for what seemed like eternity still holding hands. Unconsciously Pacey started to caress the back of her hand with his thumb. Finally he couldn’t resist any longer. In one fluid motion he took the bag from her shoulder letting it slide to the floor, pulled at her hand and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

Joey pressed herself against him while her arms flew around his neck. Her heart was beating wildly. It felt so unbelievably good to be in Pacey’s arms, to feel him so close to her. Her left hand buried itself in his hair and her right arm held on to his shoulders.

Pacey encircled her waist with one arm and let his other hand go straight into her long hair. He loved to feel her soft hair in his hand, on his skin.

"Ahemm.", Rafe cleared his throat after several minutes. He had silently watched those two losing each other in their embrace. They seemed to have forgotten everything beyond themselves.

Pacey reluctantly let go of Joey and took a step back.

"Uh..., Joey that’s Rafe. ... Rafe, that’s Joey..."

"I figured that one, bro.", Rafe smiled and offered his hand to Joey.

Joey smiled and took his hand. She noticed the Jamaican accent coloring his speech and his sparkling eyes. He seemed to be really nice.

"Hi. ... I see you finally found someone who shares your taste of fashion, Pace.", Joey teased to mask her nervousness. She tugged on Pacey’s colorful Hawaiian shirt and heard Rafe laughing. Their shirts indeed appeared to be almost identical.

"I do recall you saying something along the lines that you, Miss Potter, actually liked my clothes."

"That I did.", Joey lowered her head.

"Ah... , I don’t think you came here to talk about clothes, so I guess I’ll have a drink... or more ... on my own now.", Rafe mumbled and got off the yacht.

Pacey and Joey watched his retreating figure both unsure what to do now that they were alone.

~*~

"So...", Pacey’s eyes returned to Joey’s face studying her. She was biting her lip again and he had to resist the strong urge to run his thumb over her mouth.

"This is quite a boat, huh?", Joey tried to escape Pacey’s questioning glance. She needed a few more moments before she would start the most important conversation of her life.

"Yeah.... Wanna go on the grand tour?", Pacey knew that she was playing for some time for whatever reason. He didn’t want to push her. Somehow he still believed seeing her here on this boat was a dream and in no way reality.

"Uhmm... maybe later?", Joey sat down on the bench behind the steering wheel.

Pacey nodded. "Sure." He rubbed his chin and finally caught her eyes again. "What ... I mean, why are you here, Jo?"

For a second she stared at the floor. It was now or never... and she wanted the now. She glanced up again. "Come here, Pace?", she asked softly and Pacey didn’t miss the tremble in her voice.

He moved over to her and sat down. "You sound awful serious here, Jo?", Pacey was anxious to know why she had come, what she wanted to say to him, if she hated him... but then she wouldn’t have come, would she? Maybe something had happened... He didn’t want to go there so he just waited for her to say something while curiosity and fear rushed through him.

"I am. You know... I had this all planned out in every detail and now... I just have to start, but starting is so....difficult.", Joey sighed.

"Jo, ... I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left ... at least not without saying goodbye to you. It was easier that way but I’ve regretted it ever since I got on that plane.", Pacey tried to explain but Joey shook her head.

"No, I understand. And you said goodbye, in a way, at the party. Okay, could we... could we just leave it at that... for now?", she pleaded with her eyes. He never was able to resist her eyes. He nodded.

Joey took a deep breath. "Okay. Uhh.... You told me that you still loved me. ... Do you still love me now?", she looked up searching his eyes. She needed to know what he was feeling. If he still loved her... that would be enough and she could tell him what she had intended to do.

"Jo...", Pacey frowned. He was confused.

"Please, just say yes or no. I have so much to tell you but I can’t before.... before I know..."

"Jo, I love you. I meant what I said.", Pacey cut her off, "I do and I’m still sure that I will for a very long time... probably for ever... and that’s why I can’t..."

This time Joey silenced him by placing her index finger on his mouth. She felt him swallow hard at the contact and softly caressed his cheek before she returning her hand to her lap.

"That’s good, because... Do you remember the day we returned to Capeside after last summer?"

Pacey nodded. He knew exactly what she was alluding to him.

"My heart is still a fixed point. I know I made mistakes, a lot of them... and I hurt you, but... My heart has never left you. I love you, Pacey. ... That’s why I’m here. I don’t want you to shake it. I won’t allow it. ... I said I wanted to be your friend but I lied. I can’t be just your friend for the same reasons you can’t just be my friend. I never wanted to... I just didn’t want to pressure you... but I was wrong. I never fought for you, for our love and now... I have to fight, Pacey.", Joey paused. She had calmed down right after Pacey had told her he loved her. She had just started and yet she tried to see what Pacey was thinking.

Pacey looked at her with wide eyes. He clearly had not expected Joey to tell him that she loved him now after everything that happened on their prom, afterwards, after the graduation. She wanted to fight for him? He was stunned... and he felt the butterflies spreading their wings.

"I... I don’t know what to say... right now.", he whispered as he met Joey’s gaze.

"That’s okay... I’m not finished anyway.", Joey smiled.

"I’m a little confused, but... please, go on.", Pacey continued to look into her eyes and reached for her hand, silently asking for permission to hold it. She let him take it and laced her finger with his before she started to speak again.

"At prom you asked me why I was with you ... and I never gave you an answer."

Pacey wanted to say something but Joey squeezed his hand and shook her head. He nodded again, listening.

"I’m with you, Pacey, because I love you with everything I have. I know this sounds corny and sappy and all but it’s true. I love you with my heart, my whole heart, my mind, my soul and my body. I told you once that you made me feel alive. You still do that. Whenever we’re together and it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, fight, talk, touch, kiss or make love... you make me feel alive. Only you can make me feel like that. I should have told you or shown you that more often. I’m so sorry that I didn’t do that.

You are my everything, Pacey. ... And .... without you, without your love ... I’m nothing."

Pacey was speechless. Joey Potter had come after him, well, she had done that before but now, now was different. He felt unshed tears stinging in his eyes and quickly lowered his head.

"I’m with you because you are the only person who can make me happy. You make me happy with the simplest things, Pacey. When you smile at me... I’m happy. When I’m sad or angry you always know exactly what to say or do... and I’m happy again."

Joey paused and cradled Pacey’s head with both hands. She needed him to look in her eyes for what she was going to say next. She gently lifted his head noticing all the emotions displayed in his eyes.

"I’m so proud of you, Pace. You worked so hard this last year. I know how difficult it was for you. But you never gave up. And look what you’ve achieved, Pacey. You graduated. There’s a whole world of possibilities waiting for you. You should be proud of yourself, you have every reason to be proud."

Pacey blinked, trying to force the tears away. It meant the world to him that Joey was telling him she was proud of him. Still he had his doubts.

"Uhhm. I’m still not in college..."

"Yeah, ... so what, Pacey? Who says that everyone has to go to college? Who says that people who are in college are the better ones? And... if you want to go you can still do that. This year, next year... whenever."

Pacey bit down on his lip. Joey was still believing in him. How could she? Why would she? He couldn’t hold it back anymore and a few tears rolled down his cheeks.

Joey smiled and wiped his tears away.

"You said I deserved better than you. You got it all wrong, Pacey. There’s nobody better than you for me. You are the best thing in my whole life. You have the biggest heart ever, Pacey. Whenever someone needs your help you are there, no matter what. You put everybody before yourself. ... And to be loved by you is like... seeing the world with brand new eyes. Everything is brighter, nicer.... If anything... you deserve much better than me."

"What?", Pacey’s head jerked up. "Jo, I told you you’re not the reason... God, how can you think that? I still can’t believe that you chose to be with me and I’m... I don’t understand how you can still.... love me."

"It’s simple, Pace. I just love you. Yes, you hurt me but I’ve hurt you far more often. Just thinking about every mistake I’ve made... it makes me wonder how you could love me despite that. I guess I was so scared of being loved because before we were together... I don’t remember the last time anything good happened in my life before you came and said you loved me. And it scared me to be so happy just with you. I wanted everybody to be as happy as I was. That’s why I tried desperately to rebuild Dawson’s and mine friendship. Why I wanted you and Dawson to be friends again. Why I lied to him... and to you... and told him that we hadn’t slept together on our ski trip."

Pacey watched Joey intensely. He could see her mouth trembling and he knew she was fighting not to cry.

"I was wrong. I promised you I would tell him the truth if he should ever ask and I didn’t. You know I told him eventually but that was too late. I put his feelings before ours and I should’ve never done that. I will never do that again, no matter what will happen with you and me, Pacey."

Joey tucked some stray hair behind her ear.

"I’ve made several decisions since our graduation. The first was to find you and..."

"How did you do that anyway?", Pacey knew that there were some serious things waiting for him and he wasn’t sure if he was yet ready to hear them. So he tried to delay it and he really was curious how she managed to find him here.

Joey smiled. "Aww. That was easy. You told me about Kubelik’s offer to work on the Dean’s boat this summer, remember? And when you weren’t at the graduation I wondered why. It was the first thing that came to my mind... after I was able to form coherent thoughts again, because I was kind of mad of you."

Pacey chuckled.

"I called Mr. Kubelik and, well, you know he likes us and it wasn’t difficult to convince him to give me the Dean’s phone number. Then I called Dean Newman and asked where you were exactly and when you would be leaving. I told him I couldn’t just let you go like that... and he understood. He’s really nice..."

Pacey shook his head. Her determination surprised him to no end. Not that it should because he had always known that Joey was pretty stubborn and usually went straight after what she wanted. Only the process of deciding what she actually wanted used to take much longer. She wasn’t a spontaneous person at that, that was something very new to him. While thinking that another thought entered his mind and he frowned.

"You could have called or something. You didn’t have to come here... How did you get here anyway?"

"You don’t want me to be here?", Joey briefly looked in his eyes.

"No... I mean yes.... I’m still surprised that you’re here. But ... you had to fly down here, hadn’t you? You shouldn’t have spend so much money... just to talk to me."

He did it again. He cared for her and worried about her spending money. Joey smiled.

"You wouldn’t have talked to me if I had just called."

Pacey sighed. She was right... partially at least. "I tried to call you... just before you appeared on this dock.", he whispered.

"You did?", Joey’s eyes lit up.

"Uh hu."

"Good thing I was already here then, right? Uh... don’t worry about the money. I needed to come here... and it’s worth every cent, believe me."

Joey captured his hand in hers again. The next part wouldn’t be very easy and she knew he would worry about her even more after she told him.

"Hhmm. Talking about money... you know, I decided something else. I... I gave Dawson his money back...."

"What?", Pacey stared at her. "Why? What about Worthington, Jo? You can’t afford the school without his... the money.", he was extremely worried by now. Not only did she spend money on plane tickets what she couldn’t afford, no she endangered her education. Why? Because of him? He couldn’t let her do that.

"Right. I can’t afford Worthington without that money, but I can’t afford to be in debt to Dawson. I don’t want to be in his debt."

"Joey, if that..."

"No, Pacey. I can’t. I’ve let him decide about my life for far too long. He somehow managed to rule over me once and again. I don’t want that anymore. I know he said there would be no strings attached, but there are nevertheless. I don’t want to have to depend on him. Yes, I decided to give him the money back because I knew you weren’t comfortable with it. But that was only one point in my decision. I am not comfortable with taking his money. If I have to run into debt in order to attend college I’d rather be in dept to a bank than to a friend or to Dawson to be specific. I talked with Bessie about that and I’ve applied for a students loan. I’ll try to apply for more scholarships for the next years but I won’t take Dawson’s money."

"You have really thought about that, haven’t you?", Pacey had calmed down as he listened to her explanations. He liked the idea that Joey wanted to be independent from Dawson. He liked to see her this self-confident. In spite of that he was still deeply concerned.

"Yes, I have. And that’s not all. I only want to borrow as little money as possible and therefore I’ve asked Jen, Jack and Mrs. Ryan if they minded me moving in with them.", Joey grinned as she told him that. "They don’t, in fact Jen nearly knocked me over as she hugged me after I asked and Mrs. Ryan said they would love to have me. She said the more the merrier and Jack, well, Jack laughed and said he was doomed to spend his life under the thumb of three women."

Pacey laughed. He could just imagine Jack’s facial expression at these prospects.

Joey laughed too. "It will be much cheaper for me, for all of us ... and I’ll still get the experience to live with people who are not my family. I really don’t know why I haven’t thought about that sooner. You know me. I’m not someone who enjoys meeting new people very much and the prospect of sharing a tiny dorm room with a complete stranger is not very appealing."

"You made all these decisions in what ... two days?"

"Uh... more like one day, some actually right after graduation. I ... uh... I was alone and I started thinking about everything, us, the last year, the future and what I wanted.", Joey hesitated, "I guess I’ve somewhat ruined Dawson’s graduation party."

"Really?"

"Yeah. First I refused to come because I wasn’t in the mood to party and then, when I showed up around 9pm, well I gave him his money back."

Pacey shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Dawson wasn’t his favorite subject but during this conversation with Joey he started to think that maybe she was really ready to break this gagging bond with him. He never minded them being friends as in friends only. It was just that controlling part that he couldn’t deal with.

"So, how did he take it?"

Joey sighed and worried her lip once again, recalling her discussion with Dawson.

"Not too good. We argued and I confronted him with the fact that he offered me the money not only to help me but also to demonstrate that you couldn’t support me in the way he could. After that I left.", Joey shrugged.

"Oh.", Pacey tensed remembering his conversation about the money offer with Dawson.

"He was right though.", Pacey looked at her skeptically. "He can’t support me like you can."

"Huh?"

"He may have the money, but you... you’ve always encouraged me to do things, to reach out and take what I want. It’s not the money that I need, and I don’t need to have a Stepford-like boyfriend. I never wanted that. All I want... and all I need is... you, Pacey."

Pacey swallowed hard. He felt his heart beating up to his throat. His voice was hoarse as he asked Joey, "What are you saying here, Jo?"

"I’m saying that I refuse to give up on us, Pace. I can’t accept your decision to break up with me. And I want to remind you of something. Maybe you think that I’ve forgotten about your promise because I was a little drunk, but I haven’t."

"You promised to be wherever I would be. ... I want to be with you, Pacey. I want to support you like you supported me. We both waited for a sign to tell us that we could make it, that there was a way for us. This sign has always been there, Pacey. We just ignored it because it’s so simple. Maybe we thought it had to be some big, shimmering, earth moving sign, but ... the truth is it’s not. We love each other, Pace. I love you and you said you loved me, too. Love is our sign. What more could we ask for?"

"I love you, Jo. I do and I know that you love me, too. ... But sometimes love is just not enough.", Pacey sighed.

He wanted nothing more than to embrace her, kiss her, be with her but at the same time he was too afraid they would fall back to their old mistakes.

"I never said it would be easy. Love is the basis on what we built our relationship and because we love each other we can make it work, make it last. Of course we’ll have to work for it. I’m willing to do that. "

"How can we make it work, Jo? I said so horrible things to you. How can you forget them? I don’t know what I shall do with my life... and you have all these plans... How can we overcome all these obstacles?", Pacey felt helpless and angry because of that.

"I haven’t forgotten what you said but I’ve forgiven you how you said it. If we had been more honest with each other, if we had more communicated with each other, you wouldn’t have had to act like that. I don’t want to forget that night. I want to remember it and learn from it. It will remind me of the mistakes I made and of what I have to do to prevent it from happening again. I love you and I could never stop loving you because of what you said."

Pacey suddenly stood up and pulled Joey to him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her as close as possible. He had never thought this was possible. He wanted to believe her, wanted to believe they still had a chance after all.

Joey responded to Pacey’s embrace. Holding him tightly, just standing with him like that.

"You really think we can make it work?", Pacey whispered.

"Yes. I might be going to college but that doesn’t mean I know what I want to do with my life. We can figure out what we’re going to do... together. We don’t have to do that on our own. Everything is possible as long as we’re together and love each other. We just have to be honest. We need to talk about everything that bothers us or makes us happy. No more secrets, no more hiding."

Joey pulled back and looked in Pacey’s eyes. "And that is why I have to tell you one last thing.", she took his hand and led them back to their seats.

"When you were on that trip with Doug... I.... I thought.... I thought I was pregnant."

"God, Jo.", Pacey was shocked. "Why haven’t you said anything when I called you? That’s why Gretchen told me to call immediately, right? She knew, didn’t she?", Pacey recalled that day and suddenly the pieces of the puzzle fell together.

"Yeah. She knew. She told me not to complicate your life any further and then I told her that I was late."

"Late... But you weren’t...."

"No. I took a test and... no. I’m not that regular and that time... probably the stress took its toll, I don’t know. But, if I had been pregnant... I would have told you, Pacey. I just didn’t want you to worry about something that turned out to be nothing. By the time you called, I already knew that I wasn’t pregnant. So, I didn’t say anything."

"But, you know, ... as scared and frightened I had been... I was also a little disappointed that I wasn’t... The idea that our love could have created a new life, a mixture of Pacey and Joey, a living symbol of what we mean to each other... made me so happy.", Joey had tears in her eyes and tried to blink them away.

"You would have wanted ... our baby?"

"Yes, of course. ... Wouldn’t you have?"

"More than you know.", Pacey replied without hesitation. "I mean the time wouldn’t have been the best to have a baby, but I definitely would have wanted it. ... I, uh, I’ve thought about us and a baby ever since I fell in love with you. Just thinking about sometime in the future, having a family of our own.... I’d love that."

"Me too.", Joey raised her hand and stroke Pacey’s cheek, "Me too."

Pacey softly kissed Joey’s forehead and pulled her against his chest. He knew they still had a long way in front of them, but for the first time in weeks he felt like a heavy burden had been taken off of his heart.

They sat like that in silence for a few minutes.

"Where do we go from here, Jo?"

"Last year I told you that I don’t want to stop you. I won’t do that now. I’m not asking you to stay. I know that this job is important to you. Maybe this cruise is to you what Paris used to be for me. You deserve this, you deserve to explore the world and your possibilities. I want you to experience this. All I’m asking you is... to come back to me.", Joey tilted her head to look up to him, waiting for his reaction.

Pacey let his thumb caress her cheek and ran it over her mouth, getting lost in her eyes and in her soul once again.

"My heart hasn’t left yours either, Jo. I wanted to go on this cruise and I was looking forward to go sailing again, but I wasn’t happy. I felt numb and alone. Despite of what I told you... I can’t enjoy my life without you. You are the only thing that ever made total sense in my life. I want to work for us, I want us. ... And you’re right. I need to go on this cruise, I need to deal with my demons. This morning I started to regret my decisions. Right now I think I’m doing the right thing... and you know why?.... Because now I know that you’re waiting for me. I can go and get my life back in order and I know that there’s a reason for me to do that. I promise I’ll come back to you, Jo. I’ll go on this cruise and then I’ll go back to where I belong... and that’s you."

Both were crying again but this time they shed only happy tears.

"I guess this is the perfect moment to count to ten... again.", Pacey smiled and lowered his head to hers, ".... ten my love."

~*~

Neither of them realized how much time had passed by since they had started to talk and therefore Rafe’s voice startled them extremely.

"Hey, you two had a nice evening?", Rafe smiled. Both of them looked exhausted but happy.

"Uh, Rafe... back already?", Pacey was the first to answer.

"Already? Bro, haven’t you noticed the sun has already set. I was gone for hours.", he chuckled.

"Really?", Joey was confused. They had been so wrapped up in themselves that they actually missed the time.

"Yeah, so... where are you staying, Joey? I mean, if you don’t have a room or something, you could simply stay here."

"God, yes. Joey, we haven’t talked about that. Do you have any plans and how long can you stay at all?", Pacey started to ramble.

"Uhh, no I don’t have any plans really. I didn’t know what to expect, what you would think about me being here... So, well, I’ve only made reservations for my flight back which is Sunday afternoon. I figured I could check in at the airport hotel or something.", Joey replied. She still didn’t want to push Pacey to anything.

"No way. You’re staying right here, Potter.", Pacey tightened his embrace, "We do not get back together and then you go in a hotel and waste any more money."

"I don’t think I’ve wasted any money.", Joey protested smilingly. She was happy that Pacey wanted her to stay on the yacht.

"No, you didn’t.", Pacey relented and brushed his lips over hers.

"’kay. You can have my bunk. I just go get my things and sleep in the other staff cabin.", Rafe announced.

"You sure? I, ... I don’t want to bother you...", Joey shook her head.

"Nah, everything’s cook and curry. The others won’t be here till Sunday afternoon. It’s really no problem."

"Thank you, Rafe.", Pacey smiled at Rafe. He was really a nice guy.

"Stop it already. See you tomorrow. G’night you two love birdies."

Pacey and Joey stayed on deck for another half an hour and then retreated to Pacey’s cabin. Pacey closed the door behind them and watched Joey looking around the small room.

"This is nice, small, but nice." , suddenly she saw their picture next to the lower bunk. "Hey, you’ve taken it with you?", she let her finger trail along the frame.

"Yeah. I just had to have something of you, of us with me.", Pacey blushed.

"I know what you mean.", Joey stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I have brought our book... do you think we could do that thing again?"

"That thing, huh?", Pacey chuckled. "Sure. I’d love to."

~*~

It was around 3am as Pacey woke up. They had read to each other for a while and when Joey had fallen asleep in the bunk above him he had turned off the light and went to sleep soon after that. Now he had heard something and was wide awake. He got up and wanted to check on Joey but found her bunk abandoned.

He left the cabin and walked up to the deck. He saw her standing by the steering wheel. Her hair was flowing in the light wind as she looked out to the sea.

"Hey, honey. Can’t sleep?", Pacey spoke quietly as he approached her. He didn’t want to startle her.

"Hey. ... No, ... you know first night in a different bed and all.", Joey shivered slightly.

"Come here.", Pacey stepped behind her and enveloped her in his embrace. "We may be in Florida, but at night it can get a little cold."

Joey leaned back in Pacey’s chest and reveled in the warmth their proximity provided.

"It’s beautiful out here."

"Yeah, it is... I didn’t notice before, but now... with you..."

Joey giggled. "Witter, Witter..."

"Ready to go back to bed, Potter?"

"Mmhhm.", they returned to the cabin holding hands.

"I don’t know if I can sleep, though.", Joey sighed. She was unbelievably tired but she could never sleep the first night in a different bed, never.

"I’m sure I can do something about that.", Pacey smirked and pulled Joey with him on his bunk.

Joey landed on top of him and couldn’t stop laughing. "Pacey, this bunk is way to small for the both of us."

"Nah, I don’t think so. We don’t need much space anyway.", he moved and spooned Joey’s body against his own, holding her close and nuzzling her hair.

The bunk was indeed extremely narrow for two people but somehow they managed to get comfortable. They always slept better with the other one next to them.

"Pace?"

"Hhmm."

"We’re really back together, right?", Joey’s voice was small.

"Yes, we are. I know we have to work on us, but we are together.", Pacey paused, "These last weeks have been hell on earth without you, Jo. ... Leaving you almost killed me. I thought it was the best, for you, for me. I was wrong and I ... I’ll never do that again.", Pacey knew he would never be able to exist without her. They had a second chance and he would do nothing but use it. For the rest of their lives to be exact.

"I won’t let you do that again either.", Joey closed her eyes.

Pacey placed a soft kiss on her neck.

"Goodnight, Pace.", Joey took his hand in hers and kissed his palm before turning it back to its previous position on her waist.

"Night, Jo."

~*~

The next morning they woke up to the smell of coffee and pancakes. Rafe had made breakfast for all of them and then send Joey and Pacey away to enjoy their last day together.

They took the Electrowave Shuttle and rode to the Lincoln Road Mall which is a pedestrian mall that stretches about seven blocks from the Atlantic Ocean to Biscayne Bay. They sauntered down the open air mall peeking in some shops and just having a good time.

The display of one jewelry shop caught Pacey’s attention. It was advertising sterling silver friendship rings in different styles. A heart shaped sign announced a sale on them and offered two rings for the price of one.

"Let’s go inside, Jo.", Pacey tugged at Joey’s hand and entered the store.

"What are you doing, Pace?", Joey hadn’t seen the advertisement and was a little confused by his behavior.

Pacey didn’t answer and walked straight towards one of the sales clerks. The woman instantly started to smile.

"May I help you, sir?"

"Yes, we’re interested in your displayed friendship rings. Maybe you could show us the different styles?"

"Oh, sure. We feature four different styles. All rings are made of sterling silver and for an additional charge you may add a personal engraving.", she explained while she grabbed a display board from a showcase behind her.

"We offer the following styles: ‘Think of Me’, ‘I Love You’, ‘Always’ and ‘Love is Enough’. The respective messages are pre-engraved on the inside in a calligraphic style. As I’ve said before you may add your personal engraving opposite to it.", the woman eyed them expectantly.

Joey stared at the rings not quite believing that Pacey wanted to buy rings for them. They weren’t engagement or wedding rings but they still were rings. Rings symbolized something meaningful. This was huge.... but good, very good. Joey beamed at Pacey. She could feel the heat of excitement spreading through her whole body and she knew she was blushing.

Pacey watched every emotion being displayed on Joey’s face and smiled. He knew which style she would pick even though she wouldn’t say anything anytime soon because she was too surprised right now. He hadn’t planned this, how could he have? A little more than twenty-four hours ago he never would have thought he’d ever be here with Joey. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision and this felt more than right. It was a symbol of their renewed relationship, their love and what it meant to them. They were just friendship rings but they still represented their commitment and this was as serious as real engagement rings could ever be.

Joey quickly licked her lips. She knew which rings she’d like but she couldn’t bring herself to speak she was just too overwhelmed with joy and love.

"I guess ‘Love is Enough’ is absolutely the right choice for us, huh, Jo?", Pacey grinned as he met Joey’s eyes.

Joey smiled broadly and nodded enthusiastically.

The sales clerk darted her eyes from Joey to Pacey and back again. Young love was so beautiful.

"Would you like to try them on?", she offered.

"Definitely.", Pacey watched her picking two rings by guessing their sizes. She placed them on a small velvet tray and motioned to slip them on.

Pacey took the smaller ring and reached for Joey’s left hand. His own started sweating. He had to remind himself that this was not an engagement ring but it could have been one just as well. The meaning was the same. He placed the ring on her ring finger and watched as she did the same with his. Both rings fit them perfectly. They were perfect.

Joey admired the silver band on her hand. It featured a simple but elegant pattern, two tendrils intertwining with no end and no beginning. They were perfect, they were them.

"Perfect.", Joey whispered finding her voice again.

"So, ... about the personalized engraving. Would it be possible to do that while we’re waiting?", Pacey inquired.

"Of course, sir. It only takes a couple of minutes.", the woman smiled warmly.

"Good. Uh... Jo, do you ...."

"Yeah, actually... What do you think about something simple, like ‘P & J’", Joey suggested.

"I’d like that... but make it ‘J & P’ and maybe yesterday’s date?"

"That’s it.", Joey squeezed his hand. The smile never leaving her face.

"So... you’d like to have J & P ~ 05/18/2001", the sales clerk asked for their confirmation.

"Exactly.", Pacey stated and they put the rings back on the tray.

"Alright. You have made a good decision, if I may say so.", she handed Pacey a receipt. "Please pay at the front desk and I’ll be right back with your engraved rings.", she disappeared to the back of the store.

"You didn’t even ask how much they’ll cost.", Joey whispered as she followed Pacey.

"Don’t worry, sweetie. They’re not that expensive. I actually have it on good authority that they’re just about a fraction of your flight tickets.", Pacey chuckled. "Besides... nothing could ever be too expensive for you..."

"Aww, flattery gets you everywhere, huh Pace?", Joey mocked but her eyes were shining with love.

Pacey grinned. "Love ya, too, Potter."

After a few minutes the woman returned and handed them a small heart-shaped box. It was opened so they could check if the engraving was correct.

"Thank you very much and all the best for you two.", she said as she opened the door for them.

Pacey had put the box in his pocket but after they had left the store Joey stopped him.

"Give me my ring, Pace, ... please?"

"Anxious much, Josephine?", Pacey quipped watching Joey bite on her bottom lip.

"So what... I love the ring and I’ve already seen it. Remember, I was in there, too. So...", she looked at him pleadingly. Although she had only worn the ring for a few minutes she already missed it on her hand. At the moment he had slipped it on her finger she had imagined what it would be like if they were exchanging wedding rings.

"All in good time, all in good time.", he was amused by Joey’s obvious affection and he loved that she loved the ring.

"Pacey...", Joey pouted.

"Uh... Uh. Later, Jo. My idea – my schedule. ... Don’t roll your eyes, honey. It’s not going to work."

"You bug me!", Joey frowned and crossed her arms.

"And you love me.", Pacey laughed and grabbed her right hand maneuvering her into their perfected love-knot.

~*~

The next hours went by in a twinkling. They returned to the marina and relaxed on board of the yacht. Still Pacey hadn’t given Joey her ring and she wondered what he had planned for their last evening.

"So, what do think about dinner and dancing?", Pacey asked letting his hands trail up and down Joey’s arms who was sitting between his legs.

"Mmhhh.", Joey stretched causing Pacey to inhale sharply because her movement made her brush certain parts of his body that really did not need to be encouraged at this time.

Joey smirked. She knew what she was doing to him and she did it deliberately. She loved teasing him, especially now that he was not giving her the ring.

"Sounds good to me...", she hesitated briefly, "... but we don’t have to dress up, do we? Because I really have nothing to wear..."

"Ohh, wearing nothing is perfectly fine with me.", Pacey cocked his head tickling her. Two could play that game.

"Oh really, Witter? In your dreams, maybe.", Joey turned around and straddled him.

This was definitely not helping him. Pacey swallowed trying to ignore his burgeoning arousal.

"Every night, Potter, every night."

"Well,...", Joey shifted once again, slightly rocking against him and played with the short hairs at the nape of his neck, "... then you wouldn’t have any use in seeing the real thing, huh?", Joey licked her lips observing him. His eyes were darkening with passion and she could feel his arms tightening around her.

"I could think of some good use ... if I tried long enough.", Pacey mimicked her previous action and licked his lips. This little game was so not good. First they were quite on display here, secondly they had just been back together for a day and thirdly... Before he could think of anything more his mind went blank.

Joey let her index finger run along the side of his neck while the thumb of her other hand brushed over his mouth.

"I could give you some ideas seeing that the concept of thinking is a little hard for you.", she whispered in his ear before her lips touched his.

Pacey moaned against her lips as he returned her kiss. Joey used the opportunity and let her tongue dart into his accepting mouth. Their kiss deepened quickly and both of their breaths became labored.

"Too bad...", Joey suddenly let go of him, ..."I have to go change now because my boyfriend’s asked me out.", she smiled devilishly and stood up leaving Pacey sitting there openmouthed.

"You’re... you’re so not funny.", Pacey groaned shaking his head. He couldn’t even come up with some of his typical remarks. He could only watch her go below deck and imagine her getting undressed which just served to fuel his ache.

"Witter, Witter... You look a little hot and bothered there.", Rafe snickered.

Pacey just glared at him which made Rafe laugh even harder.

~*~

After Joey had changed into a knee-length spaghetti strap dress which floral pattern matched his Hawaiian shirt Pacey took her to Monty’s, a restaurant/bar right at the marina. Because it was a Saturday night they had live music there and Rafe had told him it was a great place to spend their last night.

Pacey had reserved a table at the pool for them. They sat near the end of the pool where they could also overlook the docks. It was beautiful. The water mirrored the small sparkling lights and a soft breeze cooled the heat of the day.

They enjoyed their dinner, talked and tried to drive away the fact that they would have to part in a few hours.

Just before their dessert was served Pacey stood up and held his hand out towards Joey.

"I’ve been meaning to ask you something all night, Jo."

Joey smiled. She knew what was coming next.

"Dance with me?"

She took his hand and followed him to the dance floor. She melted into his embrace and let him guide them.

"You’re stealing my lines, sweetheart.", Joey whispered and kissed his cheek softly.

"I know. Just letting you know that I still remember everything.", he squeezed her hand.

Her head rested on his shoulder while he held her hand close to his heart. They swayed to the slow music forgetting everything else around them.

"What do you think Penny would be saying about our ribcages touching right now?"

"She’d be very proud.", Pacey’s breath tickled her neck as he continued, "You know... any closer would probably equal indecency."

Joey giggled. "My... what happened to the boy who was caught red-handed and captured on film no less, spending some quality time with his slightly older teacher?"

Pacey blushed. This was something he would rather forget... at least the being filmed part of that night. He nibbled on Joey’s earlobe.

"What happened to my favorite prude?"

"Fell head over heals in love and lost herself in her sexy boyfriend. Got perverted by him?", Joey let her tongue suggestively peek out a little bit.

"Joey, Joey... How often do I have to tell you not to stick out your tongue like that unless you plan on using it?", he smirked and looked down into her eyes. So he was a sexy boyfriend, huh?

Joey raised her head and murmured against his lips. "I do plan on using it."

She started to kiss him passionately and Pacey kissed her back with just as much intensity.

"Hhmm. ... We should probably go back to our table.", Pacey mumbled trying to breathe.

"Maybe..."

~*~

"So..., there we are again.", Pacey helped Joey to go aboard and pulled her in his arms.

"Hhmm. This was a wonderful evening, Pace. Thank you.", Joey let her forehead touch his.

"Ditto, Potter.", he kissed her head softly. "You know, there’s still something I have to give to you."

Pacey reached into his pocket and presented her the heart-shaped ring box. He had to clear his throat before he could continue.

"When I saw these rings this afternoon... I just thought, well... I love you, Jo and I can’t say how happy I am that you came after me, that you didn’t give up on us... that we’re back together, that we’re ‘us’ again. I don’t ever want to be without you again. I’m not asking you to marry me now, although I know I will someday, I just wanted to give you something that says I’m yours. That shows everyone that we’re together.", he reached for her hand again and slipped the ring on her left ring finger.

"I love you, too, Pace. You giving me this ring... that means so much for me.", Joey took his ring out off the box. "Whenever you are looking on your ring, Pace, I want you to remember that I love you, that I’m waiting for you and that I’m always with you."

She slipped the ring on his finger and let her hand linger there for a moment. They looked into each others eyes. There was nothing left to say, their eyes spoke everything they needed the other to know and their rings materialized everything they felt.

Slowly Joey’s hand skimmed along his arm, finding its way up to his heart and resting there. Pacey’s heartbeat quickened. He felt the blood rushing through his veins. The tension between them was almost tangible and the ascending heat started to burn both of their bodies.

Pacey brought his hands up to Joey’s cheeks and brushed his thumb over her lips. She smiled up at him and when she gently bit down on his digit Pacey gasped.

He kissed her hungrily and parted her lips with his tongue. Joey allowed him entrance to her mouth and their tongues instantly fell in their practiced dance. Both giving, receiving and exploring.

Pacey tightened his arms around her. He wanted, no, he needed her closer. His excitement strained against his jeans and he knew they had better stop before he couldn’t stop himself anymore.

Joey’s flimsy dress didn’t leave room for a bra and he could feel her nipples harden through the thin material against his chest. He moved to her neck and placed soft kisses down to the place where it met her shoulder. Pacey sucked on the soft skin there. He knew this was driving her wild.

"Pacey...", Joey’s voice was hoarse and her breath labored. She tilted her head to grant him easier access to the delicate spot he was licking. She could feel his arousal and pressed herself even more against his body.

Suddenly Pacey pulled back searching her eyes. "Jo,... I don’t know... Don’t you think... if we continue this we will end up making love and... God, I do want to make love to you so badly, but... we have to part tomorrow for months, Jo. I don’t know if this is right. It’s going to be so much harder to leave tomorrow, for both of us.", Pacey was almost desperate.

Joey laced her hand with his. "It’s going to be hard to leave tomorrow no matter what, Pace. I want to make love to you, I want to feel you inside of me. I want this night to be something we can hold on to while we’re apart."

This was all the assurance Pacey needed. He kissed her again but then another thought entered his mind. He sighed.

"We can’t Jo. I don’t have any con..."

Joey smiled and hushed him. "We don’t need condoms, Pace."

He shot her a puzzled look and was about to say something when she silenced him again.

"I guess there’s something I’ve forgotten to tell you. After my pregnancy scare I went to my doctor and since then I’m on the pill. I thought this would be a much safer option for us. It’s been long enough now so we’re safe, well we’re at 99.9 %. ... I... I wanted to surprise you in our prom night, but that obviously did not happen....", Joey explained.

Pacey was speechless once again. He gently caressed her cheek.

"Are you sure you want this, Jo?"

"I am sure, Pace."

Pacey took her hand in his and led her down to his cabin. He was as nervous as he had been at their first time together.

Two days ago he had never thought he would be able to kiss Joey again, hold her, taste her or make love to her and now he had everything. It was hard to believe this was the truth, but it was.

He closed and locked the door behind them. Turning around he saw Joey gazing at him. Even though it was almost dark in the little room he could see the fire in her eyes. He moved over to her roaming her body with his hands. He searched her eyes again for any sign of hesitation but found none. Feeling the zipper of her dress he slowly opened it with one hand brushing the other along the exposed skin. He felt her shiver upon his touch and couldn’t help but smile. It always amazed him how he could affect her. He brought his hands back to her shoulders pulling the spaghetti straps down her arms. Her dress fell to the floor exposing her to his eyes and left her standing with nothing but her panties.

There had been a time where she would have felt self-conscious standing before him like this, but not anymore. His gaze felt like a caress on her skin and she felt nothing else than being loved.

She slipped her hands beneath his shirt, pushing it down over his shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. He was still wearing his typical wifebeater. Joey groaned.

"You’re wearing too much clothes, Pace."

"Mmhh.... more fun for you to undress me then.", he chuckled raising his arms to help her get off the offending piece of clothing.

Finally their chests could touch skin to skin. The contact sent bolts of fire through both of them. Pacey moved back to her collarbone while Joey let her hands trail down his back, feeling his skin yield under her touch. He was so warm, his body was so solid, she could feel the muscles move and react wherever her hands came in contact with his body. When she reached the waistband of his jeans she grazed his waist with her nail before she opened the first button.

Pacey’s hand was tangled in her hair, gently guiding her head to his kisses while the other moved up and down her spine. When he felt her hands on his jeans he held his breath. The feelings she created in him were just too overwhelming. She was torturing him by opening his zipper in an extreme version of slow-motion. He thought he couldn’t get any harder than he already was by now but then she pushed his jeans down his thighs, waiting for him to step out of them. As he kicked the jeans away from him her hands immediately went back to his boxers. She started stroking him through the soft material which did absolutely nothing to cover his prominent erection.

Pacey moaned and guided her down on his bunk. Joey let herself fall on the mattress and pulled Pacey with her.

He braced himself on one hand not wanting to put all his weight on her. Pacey nudged her gently with his knee and settled between her legs, still holding his weight of her with his elbow and his hips. He placed butterfly kisses down her neck and over her chest until he reached her rosy nipple and swirled his tongue around it, eliciting a throaty moan from Joey. Smiling he teased the sensitive flesh with his teeth while his hand fondled her other breast. After he switched his attention he let his hand trail along her side and kissed his way down her body. Reaching her hips he grabbed the elastic of her panties and pulled them down her legs in one fluid motion.

Joey sat up tugging at his boxers and freeing his at attention standing manhood. She locked her gaze on his and firmly stroked the length of him. She heard him hiss at her touch and smiled.

Pacey let his head fall back reveling in the sensations her hands created on him before he stilled her movements with his own hand. He was already to far gone to last if she kept this up.

"Not now, Jo.", his voice was barely a whisper as he urged her to lie back again and she complied understandingly.

He moved back up at her body causing the friction to increase wherever they touched. Once again they locked eyes and he saw her gasping as his hand brushed over her clit, teasing her lovingly.

"Pacey... please...", Joey’s hands buried themselves in his hair. She needed more, wanted more.

"What, baby?", Pacey flicked her clit once more.

"Please... touch me."

Pacey kissed her again and moaned deeply as he inserted first one, then two fingers inside her folds. She was so wet she felt like smooth silk. He couldn’t wait to be buried deep inside her.

Joey bucked her hips, meeting his thrusts. Her inner muscles began to clench around his fingers but she wanted to feel him deep inside her, she wanted him inside when she came.

Pacey could feel that she was close but he knew she was holding back.

"Let it go, baby.", he bit down on her burning flesh were her neck joined her shoulder, trying to coax her release.

"No, I want you inside of me... now, Pacey.", she squeezed his biceps, biting her lip.

Pacey didn’t need to be convinced. He moved again and positioned himself at her entrance, still hovering above her.

"Pace, I ... need to feel you on top of me.", she begged. There was definitely too much space between their bodies now.

"I’m too heavy, Jo. I don’t want to hurt you.", Pacey tried to reason with her.

"You’re not too heavy, honey. I love it when your body covers mine. It makes me feel so safe. I can never feel you close enough to me, ... please.", Joey’s hands roamed across his back.

"Okay...", Pacey lowered his body to hers, covering her completely. "... but when it gets uncomfortable for you just..."

"Shut up Witter. More action...less talking, baby."

"Your wish is my command, sweetie.", Pacey slowly pushed inside her, focusing on her eyes again and never leaving them while he thrust in and out of her.

The feeling of being inside of her without anything that could separate them was absolutely mind-blowing. He had never felt anything like this. It was their first time being together like this, so completely joined when their two bodies became one. It was earth moving.

Joey raised her knees, wrapping her legs around his waist, bringing him even deeper inside her, enabling him to reach places in her core he had never touched before. She raised her hips to meet each and every thrust of him and when she felt the tell-tale tingle starting to spread through her she reached down to squeeze Pacey’s ass.

Pacey groaned and with one last thrust he pushed her and himself over the edge at the same time. Right at this moment not only their bodies were one but also their souls joined, sharing everything through their still locked gazes.

Joey screamed out his name as the ecstasy blinded her eyes and heard him call out her own as he collapsed on top of her.

~*~

The morning came much too soon. None of them wanted to leave the tiny bunk and face the day that forced them to part for the next weeks. They hadn’t left their tight embrace all night long and as they moved now they immediately missed the contact. Nevertheless they had to be rational.

Joey sighed and climbed out of the bed. If she hadn’t she probably would never. Pacey watched her getting dressed and wanted nothing more than to peel everything she put on off again. He closed his eyes and groaned.

"I do not want to go on this cruise.", he uttered desperately and buried his head in the pillow that had adopted the scent of Joey.

"Uh uh, Pace. You do want to go. You love sailing...."

"I love you more.", he pouted.

"I love you, too. Still you have to go. Just imagine how it will be when we see each other again ...", Joey sat down next to him, ruffling his hair.

"Great... thank you very much for that image now. Makes it soo not easier."

"Aww, poor baby. Look, I’ve got a farewell gift for you.", Joey smiled knowing that Pacey could never resist any presents.

"Huh?", Pacey turned and looked up at her. Joey held a little package in her hand waving it in front of him. Before he could touch it she jumped away, shaking her head.

"Uh uh uh, first get out of bed and dressed then you’ll get your gift."

"Okay, okay.", Pacey relented and dressed himself in record time. "I want my present now.", he looked at her with his puppy dog eyes.

"Here you go.", Joey handed him the package and watched him rip off the wrapper.

Pacey blinked and scared at the box in his hands. "A cell phone? You give me a cell phone?"

"Yep. Bessie got me one for graduation and for college. And I thought... maybe you could use one, too. You know, you could call me or Doug or whoever whenever you feel like it. Or you could send a text message. ... See, it’s a tri-band phone. You can use it almost all over the world.", Joey rambled a little unsure if he would like it.

"That’s so great, Jo. Thank you so much.", Pacey swept her up in his arms. "I’ll call you all the time. This will make everything so much easier."

"You like it?"

"I love it, Jo."

~*~

"You’re sure you don’t want me to take you to the airport?", Pacey asked for the hundredth time as they stood on deck.

"No. I can’t stand long goodbyes. If you come with me... I won’t be able to leave. It’s better this way."

"I know.", Pacey enveloped her in a tight embrace, kissing her as if there were no tomorrow.

When they came up for air Joey reluctantly pulled back. "It’s time, Pace."

He nodded lacing his hand with hers again. Both had tears in their eyes.

Rafe came up to them, trying to boost their mood a little. "It was very nice meeting you, Joey. Now I can put a face to the name I’m sure I’ll be hearing 24/7 during our cruise from now on.

"Probably.", Pacey said and all three laughed.

"It was nice meeting you, too, Rafe. Keep an eye on him for me, will ya?", Joey hugged Rafe.

"Sure. Have a good flight home, girl."

Joey turned back to Pacey, kissing him for a last time. "Enjoy your cruise, Pace. Tell me about all the wonders you’re going to explore, okay?"

"Okay. I’ll call as often as I can.", Pacey swallowed hard.

"Remember, you’re thinking for two out there.", Joey squeezed his hand.

"Don’t worry, sweetie. No risks for me. I’ll be home safe and sound, I promise. Take care, baby."

Joey nodded, unable to say anything else without starting to cry. She stepped off of the yacht and started to walk down the pier turning around every few steps and waving back at Pacey who followed her with his eyes. He knew she would start to cry once she was far away enough for him not to see her tears. He didn’t want her to cry and he had an idea.

Joey felt the first tears fall down and resisted the urge to wipe them away, afraid Pacey could still see it. She didn’t want to upset him. Suddenly her cell phone started ringing. She reached for it and answered with a thick voice.

"Yeah?"

"Hey, Potter."

"Pacey... what....", Joey had to giggle despite her tears.

"Just checking if this thing works. You never know what crap they might have sold you. But you’ve done good, seems to work quite fine."

"You’re unbelievable.", Joey quipped and turned again to see him frantically waving at her.

"Don’t I know that. I think you told me that a few times last night."

"Pervert."

"Prude."

Both were laughing now.

"Talk to you soon, Jo."

"Okay, bye , Pace.

"Bye, honey."

~*~

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