"Now spill it, Joey.", Jen propped herself on her elbows and glanced at Joey who was sitting Indian style next to her on the grass.

"What are you talking about?", Joey twiddled with a blade of grass avoiding Jen’s prying eyes. She wanted to tell her... she just wanted to play a little with her before she would.

"What am I talking about? Are you kidding me?", Jen shot daggers at her friend. "Do I have to remind you of several things?", she sat up and counted on her fingers.

"First, you crash Dawson’s little party by rejecting his money... which I can totally understand by the way; second, you ask to move in with us... which I absolutely love; third, you go MIA for the whole weekend and may I add just like someone we and especially you love? Fourth, you come back from wherever you have been and you are so... so... delusional happy. Which can possibly mean only one thing and if it is what I’m thinking it is, then I want details and I want them pronto, Missy," Jen gasped for air and just before she could continue something sparkling on Joey’s hand caught her eyes.

"Fifth, what is this on your finger here?", Jen grabbed Joey’s left hand and studied her ring.

Joey had to bite on her lip to stop herself from bursting out in laughter. "You know, it’s called a ring, Jen."

"No...really?", Jen rolled her eyes. "It wasn’t on your finger before this weekend. So... what has happened?"

Joey shrugged but couldn’t help smiling from ear to ear. Jen was frustrated.

"I don’t think we want you to move in with us anymore.", she pouted.

"Awww, Jen. Curiosity killed the cat, huh? Does this ring a bell?", Joey quipped.

"I hate you.", Jen huffed.

Joey grinned even more. "You are really no fun, Jen.... I’m just waiting for Jack to show up before I start..."

"So there really is something to tell, huh? Something big, huh?", Jen was excited and wiggled her hands wildly.

"Maybe..."

"Give me your cell phone."

"What?"

"Give me your cell phone. I know you have it with you," Jen commanded.

"What for?" Joey fished it out of her bag and handed it Jen.

"Watch and learn." Jen snatched the phone from Joey’s hand and dialed.

"Jack, where are you? Okay, drop it and get your ass here... now!", her tone reminded Joey extremely of one of a boot camp sergeant.

"Five minutes and then you’d better talk... or...", Jen tried to be threatening as she turned her attention back to Joey.

~*~

"I’m here now, happy?", Jack plopped down to the ground and glared at Jen. "Why this hurry? It’s summer, no school..."

"Shut up, Jack. Joey wants to tell us something...", Jen interrupted him.

"And that couldn’t have waited... for, like twenty minutes more? I was just...", Jack pouted. He didn’t like to be rushed.

"No.", Jen kicked his leg.

"It’s more like Jen couldn’t wait anymore.", Joey grinned sticking her tongue out at Jen.

"Jen can never wait. She’s just to nosy.", Jack mocked.

"Hey, I’m sitting right here and I’m nowhere near as nosy as you are.", she kicked him again.

"And she is kind of violent.", Jack grabbed her foot and started tickling her.

Joey giggled which caused Jack to look at her directly for the first time.

"Joey, you’re giggling? You’re happy? What happened?"

"She would have already told us if you weren’t picking a fight with me and delaying all the good stuff." Jen retracted her foot and nudged Joey’s arm. "Now start talking!"

"Okay. Hhmm.... were to start." Joey frowned but her smile was betraying her.

"Duh! I’ll make it easy for you. Where were you these last days?" Jen was really impatient.

"Last Friday I flew down to Miami... and that is where I’ve been until yesterday," Joey paused and watched her friends staring at her with curious expressions on their faces.

"You know, Pacey... he wasn’t ... I mean he didn’t vanish without a trace really. After our graduation ceremony I remembered the job he was offered by the Worthington Dean. He wanted Pacey to work on his yacht this summer. They’re going on a cruise to the Caribbean... and well, I knew that the yacht was supposed to be moored in Miami. I called the Dean for confirmation and then I bought flight tickets."

"So you just hopped on a plane to see Pacey? After everything that happened between the both of you?", Jack asked incredulously.

"No, I didn’t just hop on a plane. I thought about everything and I knew I had to talk to Pacey before he went on that cruise. And I did it not after everything that happened between us but because of everything that happened between us.", Joey sighed. "Actually I’m as much to blame for our problems. ... If not even more."

"You two talked about everything and now...?", Jen prodded smilingly.

Joey beamed. "And now... we’re back together. We know that we have to work on us and on our relationship but we want to do that. We love each other and that’s enough."

"Aww, I knew that you two crazies will find a way!" Jen hugged Joey. She was genuinely happy for her and Pacey. If they weren’t able to work things out, nobody would.

"Well, nobody said love and relationships were easy." Jack added.

He just hoped Joey and Pacey could solve their problems. Neither of them had been truly happy for a while and they deserved that. He knew that they loved each other deeply but they were also some very complicated people. He studied Joey’s face and found nothing but happiness. It seemed they had already found their way, or at least they were on the right one.

"And what about your ring?" Jen continued her interrogation.

Joey smiled and ran her finger over the silver band. "That was Pacey’s idea..."

"You’re engaged?" Jack raised one eyebrow.

"No. Pacey has one, too. They’re friendship rings, but... well, they have more meaning for us. They’re representing us, showing that we are together."

"That’s pretty close to an engagement, isn’t it?" Jen stated matter-of-factly.

"Yeah...maybe."

"Awww.... Alright, Joey. I’m dying here. No boyfriend, no love, no ring.... I’ve got to live my life vicariously through yours, so....", Jen lowered her voice, "... tell me about all the smutty things you did."

"Jen!" Jack scolded furrowing his brows.

"What? Don’t tell me your going prudish on us now. Remember it was you who got quite excited while being drawn in the nude. And do I have to remind you of..."

"Shut up, Jen!", Jack interrupted her slightly blushing, "I just do not want any indecent pictures of Joey and Pacey in my head, okay?"

Joey blushed at the thought of Saturday night. It had been so intense, intimate and....

"Joey...Joey? Earth to Joey." Jen waved her hand in front of Joey’s eyes.

"Huh?"

"Thinking about all those wonderful and indecent activities you participated in this weekend?" Jen grinned.

"Huh?"

"Oh come on, you know you wanna tell me. Make up sex is the best and you two must have had a very big make up...."

"Well...", Joey licked her lips, "... make up sex can’t be compared to what we..."

"Joey?! I can’t believe you actually want to discuss this with Jen, or with anyone for that matter," Jack gasped.

"What do you think girls talk about?" Jen asked innocently.

"O-ka-y.... On that note I’m leaving to do... whatever. Too much information here, ladies.", Jack stood up and moseyed towards the house accompanied by the girl’s giggling.

He moved past the old oak tree when he heard a small cracking sound. He turned his head and found himself facing Dawson.

"Uh... Dawson. What are you doing here?"

~*~

"Perfect day to start this cruise, don’t ya think?" Rafe looked at Pacey whose eyes where set somewhere on the open sea.

"Huh?" Pacey heard Rafe say something but didn’t really understand what he was saying.

"Where have you been, bro? I said this was a perfect day to start the cruise. Blue skies, sunshine, open sea... just perfect," Rafe chuckled. Ever since Joey had left the yacht the day before Pacey was more or less lost in his own thoughts.

"Yeah, right.", Pacey nodded and checked the main canvas.

"So, when was the last time you talked to your girlie?"

"Uh... just before we set sail... which makes it...", Pacey grinned and checked his watch, "... exactly three hours, twenty-five minutes and forty-six seconds ago."

"You got it bad, bro, real bad." Rafe laughed clangorously and Pacey joined him. He couldn’t quite believe himself that he was counting the seconds.

"So she got home well?"

"Yep. She told me she was going to see our friends this afternoon, you know, Jen and Jack. They want to start planning their move and stuff like that.", Pacey could almost see the three of them hanging out in Jen’s garden, studying real estate ads and joking around. Suddenly a mischievous smile formed on his face. Today they wouldn’t do that. It was much more likely that Jen would be grilling Joey about the weekend.

"House of Three J’s. Sounds like fun."

"What?"

"Witter, you’ve got to stop thinking about her each and every second of the day. You’re getting slow here," Rafe quipped. "Three J’s, like the letter J, like Jack, Jen and Joey."

"No can do.", Pacey paused, "I already miss her, man. Three J’s, sounds good. I’ve never thought about that."

"Who wouldn’t, but...", Rafe stepped closer to Pacey and patted his back, "... you mustn’t let it get to you so much. How are you going to survive twelve weeks when you’re already moping around after thirty hours?"

Pacey knew Rafe was right. He knew he had to stop bringing himself down. He knew he initially decided to go on this cruise to get his life in order. He knew he had to focus on other things. It was just so hard.

"We’ll talk on the phone.", he said defensively.

"Yeah. Every few days, maybe. We’ll be at sea about two days before we’re mooring in San Juan. She wouldn’t want you to count the hours till you can talk again. She would want you to enjoy this trip, am I right?"

Pacey nodded. It was still hard.

~*~

Jen and Joey stopped talking when they heard Jack. Three pairs of eyes stared at Dawson who slowly stepped out from behind the tree. He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned his eyes coldly towards Joey, ignoring Jen and Jack.

"I called and Bessie told me you would be over here. You were so deep in conversation that I didn’t want to interrupt."

"So you decided to eavesdrop instead?" Jen snapped.

Dawson continued to ignore her.

"So you’ve lied to me again. You lied right into my face.", Dawson accused.

"Excuse me?" Joey replied calmly and Jen silently wondered where this change in her attitude came from.

"When you turned my offer down you said it had nothing to do with Pacey. I should have known by now that everything has something to do with him, shouldn’t I? How could you run after him again, Joey? Why do you let him ruin your life? He broke up with you in the worst way possible and you run to him like that? You let him screw you right before he leaves again? Do you really think he’ll be faithful to you while he’s on that cruise? Don’t you think these silly rings were only a way for him to get into your pants again?"

"Are you done now, Dawson?" Joey asked extremely composed. "My decision to turn your offer down was and still is completely independent of Pacey. I made this decision before I talked to him. I did not refuse to keep your money because I thought that would improve any chance to be with Pacey again. I refused because I don’t want to have to rely on you. I already told you that and I’m sorry you can’t understand my motivation."

"Are you really that naive, Joey? Do you really think I believe that?", Dawson sneered.

"Well, suit yourself Dawson. I thought we were past that, but apparently I was wrong." Joey shrugged not willing to discuss her life with Dawson any longer.

"Apparently. Not that it matters, I’m just curious. Did you plan on telling me that you are together again?" While saying ‘together’ he drew quotation marks in the air.

"Sure. There’s absolutely no reason to hide our relationship." Joey smiled, "Oh, was there a reason for calling me?"

Dawson shrugged. "Right. My mom wondered if you were interested in a waitress job at our restaurant during the summer. You need every cent now, don’t you? I don’t want to interfere with your life anymore..."

"Fair enough. I’ll just talk to Gale then, I suppose.", Joey interrupted him.

"Whatever. Have a nice day, guys." Dawson turned and walked away.

"Well,... wasn’t that something?" Jen took a deep breath.

"Are you okay, Joey?" Jack asked concerned.

"Yeah. I expected him to react this way. It’s kind of sad, but, well, I have worried about him and his feelings for far too long now. Either he’ll accept my decisions and live with it or he won’t and then our friendship is a lost cause."

"You sure about that?" Jen pressed.

"Very sure."

~*~

"Stop it, Alex!" Joey scolded as the three year old boy threw building blocks at her for the umpteenth time.

"Is my little buddy annoying you?" Pacey laughed on the other end of the phone Joey was holding.

"Very funny. Those plastic blocks can really hurt, you know." Joey huffed.

"I’m sorry, sweetie. I would kiss it all better if I could."

"I know." Joey sighed. It had been only three days since they last saw each other and she already missed him fiercely. "I think he misses you, too, because he started throwing those things at me when he heard me say your name."

"I miss him, too. And Jo?"

"Hhmm."

"I miss you.", Pacey whispered.

"I love you.", Joey smiled holding the phone close to her.

"So...", Pacey cleared his throat. "How’s life in good old Capeside?"

"Same as always. Next week I’m starting to work at Leery’s Fresh Fish. I know I said I would never wait tables again, but hey... I’m young and I need the money!" Joey quipped.

"I suppose that’s better than the Yacht club."

"Yeah. And the tips will hopefully be better, too." Joey paused contemplating if she should tell him about Dawson’s accusations. She didn’t want to make the same mistakes and so she started, "Pace?"

"Hhmm."

"There’s something I should tell you."

"Okay?", Pacey held his breath anxiously. This didn’t sound too good.

"When I was at Jen’s place on Monday, ... she wanted to know everything about our weekend in Miami. Jack was there, too, and when I was telling them...", Joey sighed, "... Dawson sneaked up on us and, well he listened and..."

"He didn’t take it well, I guess?" Pacey rubbed his forehead trying to ignore the nagging feeling that was building inside of him.

"No. But you know what? It didn’t bother me at all."

"It didn’t?" Pacey voice was laced with hope.

"Nope. I told him that we’re together again. If he can’t accept that, then I can’t help it. It’s his decision if he wants to be our friend or not. If not, that’s fine with me. As I said, I don’t want him to rule my life anymore."

Pacey smiled and played with his ring. "Good to know, Potter."

"Gale told me today that she’s organizing a farewell party for Dawson this Friday."

"He’s already leaving for L.A.?"

"Yeah. He and Mitch are going to drive down there. Father/son bonding road trip or something like that. He wants to attend the UCLA Student Film Festival which starts on June 8^th ."

"Figures. So, did Dawson tell you that?", Pacey couldn’t help it, he still had a bad feeling about Dawson’s behavior. He trusted Joey and he knew she loved him but he didn’t trust Dawson. He wouldn’t just stop his manipulative ways that easy.

"No, I haven’t talked to or seen him since Monday. Gale told me. The party is supposed to be a surprise and I guess she doesn’t know that we aren’t on speaking terms right now."

"And... do you plan on attending the party?"

"I don’t know. I mean... maybe I should. Saying goodbye and all that. Although he’s acting like a total jerk now and actually he did that for most of the last year... I, ... I want to believe that he’s still the boy we’ve grown up with.

"I know.", Pacey leaned back, "You should go, Jo. Go, say goodbye and see if ... if he has something to say. But, Jo? Promise me something?"

"What?"

"Don’t be too disappointed if he doesn’t accept us.", Pacey was worried.

"I promise. Really, it’s not important for me to have his blessing. We are the only thing that is important for me."

"Good. ... Jen and Jack are going, too... right?"

"I think so. They’re invited, but they are also pissed off because of his little show."

"Well, you can always leave if it’s getting uncomfortable.", Pacey suggested.

"Hhmm."

"We’ll be in St. John’s on Friday, so you could call me after..."

"I will.", Joey giggled.

"What is so funny, Potter?"

"I just thought that the telephone company will love us to pieces with all these calls."

"What a way to run into debts, huh?", Pacey laughed.

"Yeah. So..., I’ll call you on Friday."

"Okay. Love you, Jo."

~*~

"When’s this thing supposed to be starting?" Jen sat down on the bench next to Joey.

"Gale made Dawson help out at the restaurant to keep him busy and away from home. He should be back by 8:30pm...", Joey checked her watch, "... which leaves us about twenty minutes."

"Great." Jen leaned back and watched Jack and Mitch stacking up logs for the bonfire.

The Leery’s had planned a barbecue including roasting marshmallows in an open fire. Something they used to do several times during the summer when Dawson, Joey and Pacey were younger.

"Remember the last bonfire?" Joey asked.

"Uh... yeah. God, that Thanksgiving is something to remember.", Jen sighed.

"Mmhh. You tried to seduce Pacey." Joey poked Jen in her side.

"He told you that?" Jen blushed.

"Among other things." Joey giggled.

"Ah, well. We all know how that turned out." Jen had to giggle, too.

"Yep... and that’s your luck, because otherwise I might just not like you!"

"Aww, that means you like me?" Jen asked lightly but her question held a deeper meaning.

"Of course I do." Joey nudged Jen’s arm. "You’re the best and actually the first female friend I’ve ever had. And now we’re moving in together. I think that’s just great."

"That it is. We might not had the best start but I love that we’re friends now.", Jen bumped Joey’s shoulder with her own, "And I’ve never had such a good female friend either."

"This is getting kind of cheesy...", Joey quipped.

"... and we can’t have that." Jen laughed.

They were silent for a while. Thinking about everything that had happened since Jen came to Capeside. They had only a few weeks left before they had to leave for Boston. Their life was changing and they weren’t sure if they were ready for that.

"Do you know who’s coming?" Jen broke the silence.

"I’m not sure. Let’s see, the both of us, Jack, Grams, Gale, Mitch, Bessie, Bodie, Alex... and Dawson of course."

"That’s not so different from any other night we got together, is it?"

"No, it’s just the last time for a long while." Joey said and stared at the slowly growing fire.

~*~

Dawson walked through the quiet streets of Capeside. The town he was born in, the town he grew up in, the town he fell in love with the girl he has known for all his life, the town where his heart had been broken several times, the town where his supposed best friend stole his soulmate, the town where not only one but three women rejected him, the town he would be leaving in two days.

He knew they had been planning a surprise party for him. They thought they had kept it a secret, but he knew. Just like he had known about the surprise party on his 16^th birthday.

And just like that day he had been drinking. He had swiped a bottle of whiskey from the bar at the restaurant and by now he had emptied three quarters of it. He didn’t know why he was drinking. Or maybe he had forgotten why he was by now. He didn’t care. He didn’t want a party. The one thing he wanted, what he had always wanted, he wouldn’t get. Never.

~*~

"He’s coming!" Gale exclaimed rushing over to the little group.

"Let’s party." Jen muttered dryly.

Seconds later a slightly staggering Dawson turned around the corner glancing at the bonfire and the people standing in front of it, hollering ‘surprise’.

"Ohh... another surprise party. Yippee!", he slurred and clapped his hands together.

Joey frowned. He was obviously drunk. She exchanged a glance with Jen who nodded.

Dawson ran over to his mother and hugged her. "Aww, Mom. Isn’t this just wonderful? Such a nice fire and oh, I smell barbecue things.", Dawson almost lifted her up.

"Dawson, have you been drinking?", Gale asked worriedly although she didn’t really need a confirmation.

"Have I been drinking? Good question. Maybe I have been a little. But who cares, huh? We’re celebrating here, right? What’s a celebration without something to drink? ... Ah, Jen. There you are. You know what I mean, don’t you?", Dawson grinned.

Jen’s only response was the shaking of her head. She refused to go down that road again.

"Dawson! I suggest you go and get yourself some coffee before you join us here." Mitch ordered calmly. He felt embarrassed but he didn’t want to end the party like that.

"I’m going, I’m going."Dawson threw his hands in the air and walked towards the house.

Everyone settled down by the bonfire, enjoying Mitch’s famous barbecue and trying to repress the fact that the guest of honor chose to celebrate with a bottle of alcohol.

Almost an hour passed by without Dawson returning. Bessie walked up to Joey and touched her shoulder.

"Hey, sis. We’re heading home now. Alex gets cranky and it’s getting late. Wanna come with us? I mean, there’s really no point in staying when Dawson is probably sleeping it off by now."

"Uhmm, I guess I’m staying a little bit longer yet. If he isn’t down here in half an hour I’m coming home, too. I just want to say goodbye... if that’s possible at all.", Joey shrugged.

"Oh, okay. See you later, then?" Bessie frowned a little.

"Yeah, I’ll be home soon."

Bessie nodded. She had a weird feeling but she let it slide. Maybe she was just tired.

Bessie, Bodie and Alex said their goodbyes and Grams followed them shortly after.

"I guess this didn’t turn out like we had planned, huh?" Gale uttered defeated.

"It was a really nice evening." Jen offered smilingly.

Gale smiled back at her. "Thank you. I’ll miss you kids.", she put her arms around Jen and Joey and hugged them. In a way those girls were like her own daughters and the would always be like that.

"We’ll miss you, too. But before you know it Lily will make you forget all about us.", Joey grinned.

"Aww... I’ll never forget you. But I guess Lily’s going to be a handful soon."

The three women laughed.

"We’ll help you clean up.",Jen announced and gathered some dishes.

"You don’t have to do that. You’re guests." Gale tried to stop her.

"No, you’re family and that’s why we’re helping." Joey stated and followed Jen back to the kitchen.

~*~

"You’re ready?", Jen asked as they put the leftovers in the fridge.

"Uh-hu." Joey yawned.

"Okay, let’s go then. Jack is..."

"What? Is the wonderful party over yet?" Dawson tumbled inside the kitchen eyeing the girls.

"Depends on your definition of what yet means," Jen mocked.

"My very own party is still going wrong.... no strong.", Dawson grinned.

"What’s wrong with you Dawson? You’re leaving in two days and we just wanted to say goodbye. But you don’t give a damn, do you?" Joey was irritated.

"Why say goodbye, Jo? You can’t put your arms around something that’s already been gone for a long time."

Joey sighed. "Well, if that’s what you think. Goodbye, Dawson." She turned her back on him and left with Jen.

Dawson stared after her, licking his lips. He felt dizzy.

~*~

"Want a ride home?" Jack asked as they walked over to Grams house.

"No, thank you. It’s not that late and I really want to take a walk. It’s beautiful out here this time of the year."

"You’re right. I’ll miss that when we are in Boston." Jen said stretching. "Although I’d be too tired to walk now any further than up to my room."

"You’re a wimp." Jack quipped and earned himself a slap from Jen.

"Night kiddies.", Joey laughed and turned to walk home.

"Night, Jo." Jen and Jack replied.

~*~

Joey hadn’t gone far when she heard someone running after her. She stopped listening. It was only about half past ten and Capeside wasn’t a place to be afraid of in the middle of the night, but still she felt a little uneasy. It was dark and she couldn’t see a lot. Suddenly a figure approached her and she heaved a sigh as she realized it was Dawson.

"Dawson, you scared me."

"All alone, Joey?" Dawson’s tone held something she couldn’t quite identify. Maybe because he was drunk.

"I’m going home. Did you want something, because I thought we’ve said goodbye a few minutes ago."

"Did I want something? Do I want something? You know the answer to that."

"What are you talking about? You’re drunk, Dawson. Call me when you’re sober again." Joey shook her head and turned to leave again.

"Don’t you turn your back on me again now." Dawson grabbed her wrist and forced her to face him again.

"Ou, Dawson. You’re hurting me."

"I’m hurting you? ... You’re hurting me, Jo." Dawson intensified his hold on her.

Joey tried to squirm but it hurt too much. "Let me go, Dawson."

"I’ve let you go so many times, Jo." Dawson pushed her against a tree trunk, still grabbing her wrist and blocking her with his body.

"I’ve let you go to find yourself... and you turned to our cute gay boy.", he rammed his knee between her legs, ignoring her sobs.

"I’ve let you go after you blamed me for turning in your drug dealing shit of a father.", he pinned her arms above her head.

"Please, Dawson...", Joey was crying. She was scared.

"I’ve let you go to Pacey to sail away with him," he continued to ignore her.

"I’ve enough of letting you go. This time I won’t let you go." He lowered his head and kissed her neck roughly before he threw her down in the grass, falling with her and trapping her once again with his body.

"Stop it Dawson. Are you crazy? What are you doing?" Joey tried to reason with him, but his alcohol clouded mind wouldn’t listen.

"I’ve let too many people fool me. You, Jen, Eve, Pacey, Gretchen. I’m done with that. I don’t wanna wait anymore, I’ll get what I want." He pressed himself even closer to her.

His smell made Joey want to vomit. She tried to roll him off of her, but he was too heavy. She couldn’t believe he was doing this to her. She felt so helpless, so scared of what he would be doing. She could feel his erection pressed against her and she couldn’t move. She could do nothing.

Dawson squeezed her breast, but it wasn’t gentle, it was painful.

"Dawson, please..."

"Oh yeah, Joey. Say that again. Say please. Are you a screamer, Jo? I want you to scream." He tore her shirt over her head, leaving her only in her bra.

For a short moment her hands were free and she tried to push him away but only managed to scratch his face. He just laughed and yanked her hands back.

"Whoa, you’re wild."

"... don’t do that, please." Joey was blinded by her tears. This couldn’t happen to her. This couldn’t be happening.

"It’s nothing you haven’t done before. You’ll like it. You like bad boys, don’t you.", he tugged clumsily at her bra but failed to open it.

"No! No!... Get off me, get the hell away from me." Joey screamed as loud as she could before Dawson forced his mouth over hers.

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