"If her butt wasn’t firmly attached to her body she’d even forget it, too.", Jack muttered as he followed Jen over to the remains of the bonfire. It had burned out long ago. All that was left was the soft gray ash and the faint smell of wood, marshmallows and grilled meat mixed with the early summer night’s air.

"I heard that, Jack." Jen hissed while searching around the area.

"Why do we have to look for it now, anyway?", Jack sighed, "It’s late, it’s dark..."

"I won’t sleep if I don’t know where my bracelet is."

"Jen, it’s a tiny bracelet. How are we supposed to find it.... now?"

"Quit whining, Jack and help me already.", Jen huffed.

"It’s not like it would be stolen any second, now is it? We’re in Capeside, not exactly the town where criminals tend to...", Jack tried to persuade Jen to postpone their search for a last time but was cut short when someone not so far away screamed.

Jack’s movement froze as he stared at Jen whose eyes went wide. "Did you hear that?", he whispered.

Jen nodded grasping his arm.

"That... that sounded just like..."

"...like... Joey.", Jen completed his sentence feeling fear creep up on her.

~*~

While Dawson lowered his head to her images of Pacey invaded her mind. She saw his face, his smile, his eyes. She remembered their night on the Dean’s yacht, their first time at the ski lodge.

Joey saw his face coming closer and closer until she felt his lips on hers. She couldn’t move and only one second ago she had been frightened as hell. Not anymore.

It was like seeing your whole life replay in front your eyes just before death would claim you. It was different though. She saw nobody but Pacey. Joey calmed down without surrendering to Dawson. Just the thought of Pacey enabled her to do what she was about to do.

She could smell the alcohol in his breath and nausea threatened to hit her, but she heard Pacey’s voice in the back of her mind whispering.

And she did. Just when Dawson’s lips crushed down on hers she slightly opened her mouth, caught his bottom lip and bit down... hard. So hard that she drew blood.

~*~

Dawson’s drugged brain slowly registered a sharp pain originating from his lip and he tasted the metallic flavor of blood. His blood. Suddenly he realized where he was and what he was doing. Whom he was doing this to. He closed his eyes, hoping that everything was just a dream... a very bad dream. But it wasn’t.

The pain had sobered him up instantly. At least enough to make him cringe at what he had done, at what he had been about to do. He shook his head and opened his eyes again.

He found Joey staring at him, tears were streaming down her face and fear as well as hate were clearly marring her countenance.

Dawson felt sick to his core. What had he done? What the hell had he done?

He let go of her hands while leaning back, desperately wishing he could somehow find a button to press, to erase and rewind the last few minutes.

As soon as her hands were free Joey tried to cover herself by crossing her arms above her chest. He still stared at her but now she could see him registering the situation.

Numbly he grabbed the shirt he had thrown to the side earlier and handed it to her. He was still sitting on top of her as if he was paralyzed. He couldn’t get himself to move.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, seconds, minutes.

Suddenly he heard an angry, infuriated growl and felt himself being lifted before everything went black.

~*~

Jack dashed in the direction to where the scream had come from with Jen hot on his heels. Both hoped, prayed that it wasn’t what they were thinking, what they were fearing.

Images of Joey or some other woman being attacked flashed through their minds but nothing could have prepared them for what they were seeing seconds later.

Joey was lying on the ground clasping her shirt to her chest while a man sat on top of her. Pinning her although his hands dangled at his sides. It wasn’t just a man, it was Dawson.

Dawson. In a very obvious position. Joey’s scream resounded in Jack’s ears. Now she was perfectly quiet, not even stirring. Just crying.

In the blink of an eye Jack jumped towards Dawson and easily lifted him off of her. His blind rage allowed him to hold Dawson up with one arm and hitting him forcefully with the other.

"What the fuck are you doing, Dawson?", Jack’s mind was on overdrive. There was so much more he wanted to say but he couldn’t find the words to express it. He was simply horrified.

Jack hit Dawson again and again until a blow to his jaw sent him to unconsciousness. Since he had seen him on top of Joey he had wasted no time getting him off of her and hadn’t stopped to take care of her. Now that Dawson was pretty out of it he took a deep breath, trying to calm down and turned around.

Jen on the other hand had rushed over to Joey while Jack was busy with the boy they had considered to be their friend. Jen’s mind was nothing but blank. She couldn’t process what she’d just experienced and she didn’t really want to. It brought back all those dark memories she had been fighting since she had moved to Capeside. Now they were back.

She was back in exactly the situation Joey was in now. Only at her time, there hadn’t been someone to help her, to comfort her. But she could be there for Joey now.

Jen shook her head and knelt down next to her friend who was still lying on the ground, observing Jack beating Dawson, staring at them but not really seeing them.

Jen knew this expression. For a long time it had faced her whenever she looked into a mirror.

"Joey? ... Can you hear me, Joey?", Jen carefully wrapped her arms around her and guided her into a sitting position. Joey didn’t respond but didn’t fight her either.

"Let’s get you dressed again, okay?", Jen tried to pry the shirt from her hand.

Joey frowned. She didn’t want to let go of the cotton she was still clutching to her chest.

"Joey, come on, put your shirt back on.", Jen’s voice was gentle and she soothingly rubbed over Joey’s back.

The contact made Joey shiver but also served to acknowledge the presence of Jen. Slowly she focused on her friend’s worried face.

After she had bitten Dawson everything went blurry for her. He had stopped touching her, but he had still been there and then someone hat pushed him off of her.

"Jen?" Joey’s voice was small and shaky, but it was there.

"Yeah, I’m here, Joey." Jen sighed relieved. Joey recognized her. She wasn’t as deep in shock as she had feared only seconds ago. "It’s okay now, it’s over."

Joey nodded, letting Jen’s words sink in. It was over. She hadn’t been raped.... not really. She was okay, she was going to be okay.

Joey straightened and slipped her shirt on. She put her legs under herself and clung to Jen who was slightly rocking her.

They watched how Jack punched Dawson until he didn’t move anymore.

Jack hesitantly approached the two girls. They sat huddled together, swaying like you would to soothe a small child. He wasn’t sure where to look, what to say, what to do now.

He crouched down in front of them, only offering his hand because he didn’t dare to touch Joey after what had happened.

"Are you..., he didn’t... I mean, we came in time... before...?", Jack swallowed hard and closed his eyes. Why hadn’t he insisted on giving her a ride home? Why?

Joey gave him a little smile and reached for his hand. "No... I’m okay. He... I stopped him... and then you two appeared...", Joey closed her eyes but fresh tears spilled down her cheeks nevertheless.

~*~

All three of them were silent for a while. Just holding on to each other and trying to comfort Joey. Out of the corner of his eye Jack suddenly noticed Dawson sitting up and staring over at them. His jaw clenched and his features hardened. He stood up, slowly, not wanting to alarm Joey and turned around.

The message his expression delivered was pretty clear. He didn’t say a word, only squinted his eyes and clenched his fists at his sides.

Dawson stood up. He wanted to go over to Joey, to apologize.... just wanted to make it go away, the it he had caused.

He had walked a few steps towards them, when Jack turned and confronted him threateningly. Dawson stopped again, swallowing hard. His jaw hurt, but his heart was hurting more. He needed to apologize. He bowed his head, trying to escape Jack’s accusing eyes, which were so justified. He deserved everything. But he had to apologize. He stepped a little closer.

"One step more and I swear you’ll regret it," Jack hissed.

"I just.... I need...", Dawson tried to explain but Jack refused to listen.

"You... the only thing you need... is to fuck off.... now. Leave... and never come back.", Jack’s voice was cold, the anger and fury still prominent.

"Please... I know..", Dawson took another step and Jack blocked his path, raising his arms ready to hit him again.

"Don’t Jack... he’s not worth it. Get me away from here, please.", Joey tugged at Jack’s shirt, hiding behind his broad shoulders.

Jack immediately turned around. Joey was the priority now. If she wanted to just leave, they would.

"Okay.", it was amazing how his voice could shift from threatening to caring that effortlessly.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, blocking her view of Dawson and vice verse while Jen moved to her other side, not wasting a single glance at Dawson.

Dawson shook his head. He had to try. He made a quick side step and stood directly in front of Joey.

Joey stiffened and moved closer to Jack.

"Back off, asshole.", Jen’s voice cut through Dawson’s heart but he shook his head again.

"Please... I’m sorry Joey, I don’t know what got into me... I’d never..."

Joey looked down for a second before she stared into his face.

"You just did."

"I’m so sorry, please....", pleased that she had talked to him he extended his hand to her.

"Don’t you dare touch me ever again. Don’t you dare ever talking to me again. Don’t you dare!", Joey yelled pushing away from Jack and Jen’s secure embrace and started running.

"Dawson slumped down. His own tears falling freely now.

"If she’s smart, she will report this assault to the police.", Jack bent over him, snorting with rage before he raced after Joey and Jen.

Dawson broke down. His life as he had known it was over.

~*~

"I don’t wanna go home." , Joey wiped her eyes and glanced at Jen pleadingly.

"Okay, do you want to stay with me?", Jen offered. She knew what she would want being in her place.

"With us?", Jack added breathlessly as he reached the girls.

"Yeah, ... please?"

"You wouldn’t have to ask, Joey.", Jen hugged her.

~*~

Shortly after they arrived Mrs. Ryan’s house. Joey and Jen retreated immediately to Jen’s room while Jack went to make hot chocolate. It wasn’t something big, but he thought it would cheer Joey up a little. He didn’t know what else to do. He felt helpless.

"Do you... do you have something for me to change into?... I really would like to get these things off.", Joey whispered.

"Sure... hmmm... want to take a shower, while I get you something?", Jen offered already knowing the answer.

~*~

Pacey glanced at his watch for what seemed to be the hundredth time in the past minute. It was late. Joey hadn’t called yet and she had promised to call him after the party.

Pacey sighed. He had this crazy gut feeling that something was wrong. He shrugged.

"I’m seeing ghosts.", he muttered while checking his watch once again.

~*~

Joey sat cross legged on Jen’s bed, sipping the hot dark liquid. She was feeling better now. Her friends were around her, she was feeling safe. If only...

"Pacey... I was to call him, I should have called him by now.... I promised him to call after the ..." Joey’s eyes widened and welled up again.

How could she call him now. What was she supposed to say... how could she tell him that...

Joey buried her head in her hands.

Jen and Jack stared at each other. Maybe it would be good to call Pacey. Maybe when she heard his voice, maybe...

Joey bit down on her lip, reaching for her cell phone. She needed to talk to Pacey right now. She stared at the tiny phone and finally glancing up at Jack.

"Jack? Could you... I mean, could you call Pacey for me... and ... could you prepare him for... could you tell him first, before.... before I talk to him? I don’t know if I can tell him over the phone, what if ... what if he’s mad at me...?" Joey sobbed.

"Pacey would never be mad at you, Joey. He loves you." Jen padded her back.

"But I was acting stupid.... If I hadn’t insisted on walking home..."

"Bullshit. This is not your fault, Joey.", Jen stated, emphasizing each word. She took the phone from Joey’s hand and passed it over to Jack.

"Call him, Jack," she ordered, nodding at him.

Jack cringed at the thought of having to tell Pacey what had happened. He knew it was better if he was to tell him first. Pacey would need to vent his anger and Joey was certainly not the right person to be confronted with that right now.

Jack took a deep breath and pressed the fast access dial, closing his eyes. Wishing Pacey would have been here with them.

Joey and Jen watched Jack, studying every expression he revealed. Waiting for Pacey to pick up his phone.

~*~

Pacey walked up and down the deck, waiting for his phone to ring. He was so concentrated on hearing the signal tone that he almost missed it when it finally came to life. He checked his display and smiled.

"Hey Jo, took you long enough. Must have been quite the party, huh?"

There was silence on the other end.

"Jo?"

Pacey heard someone clearing their throat and it sounded so very much not like Joey. It sounded... male. Pacey frowned.

"Actually... it’s me, Jack, Pacey.", Jack’s voice was serious, anxious even.

"What are you doing with Joey’s cell?", Pacey asked a little harsh, feeling his heart tightening in his chest.

"I have to tell you something...."

~*~

Jack’s words echoed in Pacey’s mind over and over again, although only seconds had gone by since he had said them.

Pacey closed his eyes, feeling cold chills run through his whole body. The worst scenarios one could imagine started to picture themselves right behind his close eyelids.

"What’s happened, Jack? Where is Joey, what’s wrong with her?" His strong grip on the cell phone threatened to break it.

"Pacey...", Jack took a deep breath, desperately trying to find words to tell his friend without sending him into rage. There were none.

"Will you start talking already, McPhee?" Pacey yelled clenching his fist. If it was possible he would have grabbed Jack through the phone and shaken him until he started explaining what was going on. It was not possible.

"I... Pacey, I need you to be calm now," Jack attempted to soothe Pacey’s growing anger, only to manage raising his temper the more.

"Jack... I swear if you don’t explain right now... I....", fear nearly ripped out his heart. Jack’s behavior could only suggest that something really bad had happened and he wasn’t there.

"First let me tell you that Joey is okay, at least as much as possible under the given circumstances. So please try to calm down. She wants to talk to you but you mustn’t excite her any further, okay?"

"You’re with her?" Pacey sat down trying to make sense of Jack.

"Actually she’s with us at Grams’ house. Jen’s here, too." Jack glanced over the two girls sitting on Jen’s bed, hugging each other. He caught Joey’s gaze and smiled at her. He had to prepare Pacey.

Pacey inhaled. At least Joey was with them, his fear subsided a little.

"Okay... now tell me, Jack. She’s not hurt, is she?"

Jack turned his eyes away from Joey and licked his suddenly dry lips. How was he supposed to answer this question.

"Jack?"

Jack decided to ignore it for the time being .

"You know we have been to D...., we have been to the farewell party tonight, right? And afterwards... I offered Joey to give her a ride home but she wanted to walk and... you know she’s quite stubborn....so, we said goodbye and she headed back to the B & B."

Jack’s tone was glazed with regret and defense. Regret because he blamed himself for not insisting on driving Joey home. Defense because he knew Pacey would blame him for not driving her home.

Pacey listened intently and wished he could crawl into his phone and out of Joey’s and just be with her, see her for himself.

"A few minutes later Jen and I went outside again, because Jen had lost or forgotten her bracelet.... I’m so glad she did because that way we could hear... we heard Joey scream," Jack paused rubbing his forehead.

"She... she screamed? Jack, what the hell is going on?" Pacey was losing his temper again. He needed answers and Jack was stalling.

"Yes. We heard her, she wasn’t far away and then we saw her and... Dawson," there he had said it.

Jack wished Pacey would pick on that and draw the conclusions for himself so that he wouldn’t have to actually say what Dawson had tried to do.

"Dawson? Why did Joey scream when she was with... Why was she... What ...?" Pacey shook his head feeling nausea spread from the pit of his stomach. No.

"Jack?" Pacey’s voice was barely a whisper. The terror was to overwhelming.

"He was drunk, Pacey. Very drunk. Much more than on his sixteenth birthday. He didn’t know what he was doing. I don’t think he would have ... if he hadn’t been..."

"What did he do, Jack?" Pacey had to hold on to the mast for his legs refused to support him on their own.

"He... he tried to kiss her and he had her pinned to the ground he intended to... he ... but Joey, she had already fended him off when we got there and then we were there and he couldn’t ... . He didn’t follow through with it, Pacey. He didn’t and Joey is okay. You have to think about that. She is okay.", during the last sentences Jack’s pace had sped up notably. He wanted it out as soon as possible now.

Pacey’s mind went on overdrive while everything else became numb. When Jack had finished his thoughts had caught up with his emotions. Out of all those scenarios he would have never imagined that Dawson would try to... rape Joey. Rape. Joey had almost been raped tonight while he was hundreds of miles away from her. She was alone. She had to fight on her own because he was on this stupid yacht. If he had been there, nothing would have happened.

"Oh my god, no... that... how could he?... This fucked up asshole..." Pacey choked back his tears.

"Please, Pacey. Joey needs you now. She wanted to talk to you in the first place but she is kind of afraid ..." Jack tried to explain.

"Afraid? Afraid of me?" Pacey interrupted him fear lacing through his words.

"No... not of you, I don’t think so... more of you reaction... afraid that you’d be mad at her."

"Mad? At her? I’d never... If I’m anything then I’m ready to beat the shit out of this lowlife who forced himself on her," Pacey’s voice rose again.

How could she think he would be mad at her?

"Well, I can assure you that he didn’t get away unscathed."

Pacey understood the message behind this statement. "Thank you, Jack."

"Not for that, Pacey... I could have killed him myself, believe me. ... Uhh, I guess Joey wants you now. Are you ready?"

Pacey closed his eyes again. He had to be strong now. For her he had to control his anger. He sighed.

"Yeah. Let me talk to her. Thank you, Jack... for being there for her, while I ... can’t ."

"Okay. Here, I’m handing you over now." Jack offered Joey her cell phone which she reluctantly accepted.

~*~

"Hey, Pace.", Joey’s voice was small and held a touch of intimidation.

Pacey’s heart broke even more by hearing her still so frightened.

"Hey, Jo, sweetie.", he crouched down on the deck leaning against the mast once more. "I love you."

Joey sniffled. "I... I’m so sorry..."

Pacey buried his face in his hand.

"There’s absolutely nothing you’d have to be sorry for, Jo. Nothing, you hear me?" Pacey strained to remain calm. He had to make her see, that it wasn’t her fault, that she hadn’t done anything wrong.

"I didn’t want him to kiss me, you have to believe me, Pacey. I don’t know why he did something like that, why he would think the could do..."

Pacey couldn’t bear to listen to her self-accusations any longer.

"Joey, I believe you. I know you would not provoke him to....", he couldn’t say it. Pacey took a deep breath before he continued, "Jack said he was drunk.... not that that excuses anything, but... you have to understand that it wasn’t your fault. Jo, stop trying to find a reason for what happened. There is none."

"But if I had accepted Jack’s offer, I wouldn’t ... he wouldn’t have had a chance..."

"That’s ridiculous, honey. Listen, there was nothing wrong about you wanting to walk home. You had absolutely no reason to expect anything like this."

"You are not mad at me?" Joey asked hesitantly.

"God Joey, no. Of course not. Why would you think that?"

"Because... I disappointed you...", Joey sobbed curling up on Jen’s bed.

Pacey got up and paced back and forth on the deck.

"I. Am. Not. Disappointed. In. You.", Pacey stressed every word. He had to get through to her. He just had to.

"I love you so much, Jo. And it’s me who is sorry. I wish I could be there for you, I wish I could hold you, I wish I could take your fears and pain away." Pacey was silently crying, too. "If I had been there today... you wouldn’t have had to endure this... assault."

"I wished you were here, too.", Joey sighed, she really wanted nothing more then being in Pacey’s arms. His words, his voice were like a caress on her soul. "You know, when I’m with you, I know that nothing can harm me. You make me feel so safe."

Pacey wiped his tears away. He had never felt so helpless in all his life before.

"But... hearing your voice, Pace? That makes me already feel so much better."

"Jo, if you don’t want to talk about it right now, then... I’ll understand, but...", Pacey swallowed hard, "... what did he do to you? Did he.... physically hurt you?"

"Pace... I.... I want to tell you. It’s just, I’m feeling so ... guilty."

"Joey, please, don’t. You did nothing wrong, again, it is not your fault. You are the victim. Not the other way round.", Pacey bit down on his lip.

"Uh-huh." Pacey could tell that Joey had a hard time accepting his statements.

"He was suddenly behind me and grabbed my wrist. He was drunk and he talked about people having fooled him. That I fooled him. That he was tired of always letting me go. He pressed me against a trunk and then he threw me to the ground. I... I couldn’t move, he was to heavy... I tried, but that only hurt more... and then, he lay on top of me. I could feel .... could feel him...."

Pacey squeezed the bridge of his nose. Just imagining Joey being forced like that made him want to vomit and even more to kill Dawson, really kill him.

"He yanked my shirt away... I felt so exposed and embarrassed.", Joey was crying again, "and then he tried to kiss me, but right then I thought about you, Pacey. I couldn’t let him do that to me, to you... to us. I heard your voice and ... that gave me strength, Pace... so... I wasn’t alone.... you were with me... and I bit down on his lip. I even drew blood and he let go of me. He sat back, just staring at me... and then Jack and Jen showed up."

Pacey stared blindly out at the sea. Only the thought of him enabled her to fend off their former friend. He was so proud of her... and overwhelmed by the love he felt for her.

"You should have seen Jack, Pacey. He beat him up pretty bad."

"Not more than he asked for by assaulting you. If I had been there....", Pacey stopped himself. Joey really did not need to hear of any more violent feelings for today.

"Yeah. I don’t think he realized what he was doing..."

"Don’t go and try to find excuses for him now, Joey.", Pacey furrowed his brows.

"No, I’m not... I just.... I can’t believe that he would assault anyone...", Joey ran her hand through her hair. She really couldn’t come to terms with this side of Dawson.

"Yeah... well, we got to experience several dark sides of him this past year. Still, I would have never thought he could degrade himself so much...."

"I love you Pacey." Joey suddenly whispered.

Despite his still boiling anger Pacey smiled. "I love you, Jo, more than I can ever say."

"Thank you for saving me."

"I didn’t..."

"Yes, you did. Your love saved me. Without you..."

"You’ll never be without me anymore, sweetheart."

Joey smiled. She was exhausted. Now she felt like she could go to sleep without fearing nightmares.

"I’m soo tired.", she muttered.

"Sleep, Jo. You don’t have to be afraid, okay?"

"Okay... Pacey?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Tell me a story, please?"

"Okay. Get under the covers and imagine me lying next to you, holding you in my arms."

"Mmmhh."

"Once upon a time..."

~*~

Only after he heard her breaths becoming deep and even he closed his phone and slipped it in his pocket. Pacey bend over and propped his elbows on the rail. He tried to regain his composure but now that he hadn’t to be strong in front of Joey, he only wanted to scream, throw something, hit something, fly back to Capeside and take care of Joey, make Dawson regret that he was ever born, just to do something to overcome this feeling of helplessness.

All the anger and sadness he had pent up for Joey’s sake erupted in a growl that seemed to belong to a wounded animal. And that was exactly how he felt.

"You goddamned, fucked up shit of a lousy asshole. You filthy scum of the earth... you... you....", Pacey couldn’t even find words to express the disdain and hate he was feeling for Dawson.

The second his eyes fell on the ragged cloth he picked it up and hurled it against the cabin door. It wouldn’t burst into pieces, although Pacey longed to destroy something, but just the act of throwing it relieved his aggressions. He picked it up only to send it flying again.

~*~

Rafe chose this very moment to open the door from within and was therefore slapped in the face by the coarse cotton.

"What the...", Rafe was taken aback and it took him some seconds before he realized that Pacey had thrown the offending cloth and that he was screaming.

"What crawled up your ass and died there, Witter? Huh? What the hell is going on with you, bro?" Rafe asked annoyed but one glance over him made him rectify his first impressions.

"God, Rafe!" Pace shook his head. He couldn’t prevent it, he started crying once again.

By this time Rafe was genuinely concerned.

"It’s Joey.... she.... she almost got raped this night.", Pacey mumbled. He wasn’t sure if he could talk about that, if Joey wouldn’t mind him telling anybody else what had happened, but he just had to tell someone.

"Oh my God. Is she okay?" Rafe’s eyes widened.

"Yeah, she could fend him off and then Jack and Jen appeared.... so that bastard didn’t follow through with his....assault.... but,....", Pacey cleared his throat, ".... it was someone who used to be our friend. Although ever since we have been together he proved that he never really was. And today, tonight.... I just... If only I had been there, if I weren’t out here...", Pacey slumped down on the bench.

Rafe ran both hands through his dreads digesting what his friend had just told him. This was bad, really bad. What could he say? He knew that if he were in Pacey’s shoes.... he would feel the same, he would blame himself just as much. Silently he sat down next to him and studied his face. He was exhausted but still the anger was hardening his features.

"I’m sorry, man. That raasclot. But you can’t help it. You did nothing wrong, man. Wanna talk about it?" Rafe offered.

Pacey nodded. After he had told Rafe everything, even what had happened before between the three of them he felt a little better. At least the impression that someone was strangling him had faded.

"So.... she is going to report him, right?"

Pacey turned his head towards Rafe, considering his last question.

"We haven’t talked about that.", Pacey frowned. Would Joey report Dawson to the police? "I don’t know... she should, I would.... but...", Pacey buried his head in his hands once more.

~*~

Soon after Joey had started to talk with Pacey, Jen and Jack had left the room to give her some privacy. After a while Jen decided to check on her friend and when she couldn’t hear her talking anymore she silently opened the door a little to take a peek.

Upon finding her fast asleep Jen smiled and returned to the kitchen.

"Pacey has worked his magic! Joey is sleeping now.", she announced as Jack met her eyes expectantly.

"Good, that’s ... good. She needs to relax.", Jack took another sip of his tea, "But... who’s going to work magic on Pacey now? I mean... you know what he is like. He may have calmed and soothed Joey, but himself? Never. Dawson is to him what a red cloth is to a raging bull... and after tonight? I hope he won’t do something stupid.", concern filled Jack’s voice.

Jen scooted closer to Jack and lay her head on his shoulder. She was concerned, too, but she had been more concerned about Joey.

"Like what? You think he’ll be coming home sooner? Or do you think he’s going after Dawson?"

"I don’t know.", Jack shrugged. "I don’t even know what I would do in his place."

"You actually did what he would have done. You have beaten up Dawson pretty bad.", Jen pointed to the bag of now melted ice cubes Jack had pressed on his knuckles.

Jack shrugged again. "Pacey would have done worse, believe me. I don’t think Dawson would get away that easy when both were to meet alone any time soon."

Jen sighed. "What are we going to do now?"

~*~

It was still early in the morning but they were leaving for Castries on St. Lucia soon and Pacey had to talk to Joey before that.

He hadn’t slept at all. Not only did he, whenever he was closing his eyes, see Dawson attacking Joey but also Rafe’s question wouldn’t let him alone.

He dialed and waited for Joey to pick up.

~*~

Joey leaned against Jen’s window staring at the house in front of her. The house she considered being home, too. The house that was Dawson’s home. The house were Dawson probably was in right now.

Surprisingly she had slept without waking up, without nightmares. She had been almost at ease when she woke up a while ago, but with each minute she was awake, the events of the last night crept up on her.

When her cell phone started to ring she already knew who would be calling her.

~*~

"Morning, Pace.", Joey smiled.

"Good morning, beautiful.", Pacey was relieved that her voice didn’t sound as frightened as a few hours before.

"How are you, honey?"

"I’m okay, Pace. Really. I slept like a baby. I’m sure I owe that to your story."

"Glad to hear that.", Pacey smiled but it vanished as soon as it had appeared.

"I know you probably don’t wanna talk about it again.... but, we’re leaving soon for the day and.... I..."

"Just ask, Pace.", Joey returned to Jen’s bed.

"Uhhmm. I... Did you already tell Bessie what happened?", Pacey decided to take the long road on the subject.

"No.... Jen called her sooner last night and told her I would be staying with her. So, no...why?"

"Do you plan on telling her?"

Joey let herself fall back on the bed. The small rest of her peaceful night was leaving her at a very fast rate.

"I guess... I should, shouldn’t I?"

"It would be better.... for you, Jo."

"Really? I only want to forget yesterday even existed.", Joey stared at the ceiling.

Pacey sighed. He had known Joey would try to ignore what happened to her.

"I know... but, Jo... it won’t go away only because you don’t talk about it. You have to deal with Dawson’s assault."

Joey didn’t respond.

"Jo, I really think you should talk to Bessie and...", Pacey struggled to continue, " I think you should report it."

"What?" Joey abruptly sat up.

"Please, you really should report Dawson for sexual assault, Jo.", Pacey tried to remain calm.

"I... I don’t want...", Joey shook her head. She just wanted to forget. Why wouldn’t Pacey let her forget?

"Jo, what he did is no peccadillo, okay?", Pacey scratched his chin. This conversation wasn’t going as he had hoped it would. "He attacked you, Jo. I... what if you hadn’t been able to stop him? What if...?

"I know that much, Pacey. I know that I was sort of lucky, okay? There is no sense in reporting him. It’s over. He’ll be leaving Capeside tomorrow anyway."

"He has to be called to account for what he did. Maybe the next girl won’t be as lucky..."

"I don’t think he would... attack anyone again."

"No? What makes you so sure, Joey? He attacked you. You. His so called soulmate. If he was able to attack you, why not some random girl?"

"You know that Dawson is not that type of guy. He was drunk. He even apologized.", Joey became angry. She didn’t want to talk about it anymore. She wanted to erase last night from her memory. Why wouldn’t Pacey let her do that?

"I just know that we don’t know him anymore. Wasn’t last night proof enough for that? Wasn’t the whole last year proof enough?", Pacey was frustrated although he had expected such a reaction from Joey.

"Pacey, he’s still...."

"Right, he is still Dawson. And just because of that you turn a blind eye on everything he does, right? The golden boy could never do anything that bad, right? Him being a little drunk excuses everything, right?"

Joey started to cry again.

"No. I just want to forget it, I don’t want to talk to anyone about his.... attack on me. I don’t want that."

"If it hadn’t been him, Joey, if it had been a complete stranger. What would you do then? Huh?", Pacey was angry and he couldn’t hide it anymore.

"That’s the whole point, Pacey, isn’t it? If it hadn’t been Dawson, you would accept that I don’t want to report him, wouldn’t you? You want Dawson to be punished and oh, what a nice coincidence that the sheriff is your father. That Dawson would be called to account by a Witter. Witter punishes Leery. If you can’t be here physically you can at least punish him name-wise, huh?", Joey yelled.

Pacey stared at the sea. He couldn’t believe that she had said that. That she was accusing him.

"That was a low blow, Joey.", he could hear her cry but he was hurt, too.

"You know what, Pacey? It’s my decision, not yours. Do you have even the slightest idea of what it would mean for me to go to your father and ... tell him that I was almost raped? By his son’s friend? What it would mean for me to have everybody know what happened to me? Because everybody would know. This is Capeside, Pacey. Have you thought about that?"

Pacey was taken aback by her outburst. This was so not what he had intended.

"I need your support, Pacey. I don’t need you to pressure me."

"I don’t want to pressure you...."

"But you do just that.", Joey shook her head again. "Enjoy your cruise today. I’m tired. Maybe we can talk tonight. Maybe we’ve calmed down by then. Both of us."

"Jo, please... don’t let us hang up like this."

"You’re mad at me. You’re mad, just like I had feared yesterday...."

"I’m not mad at you..."

"You are... because I don’t want... you don’t understand, Pacey and I, I don’t know how to explain it to you... now. So just, let us just calm down and talk tonight."

Pacey rubbed his eyes.

"I’m sorry, Jo. I.... love you....and I can’t stand the thought, that he is going to get away with hurting you."

"I know. I love you, too.", Joey sighed.

Both paused listening to the other breathing.

"I’ll call you as soon as we’ve docked then, okay?", Pacey asked warily.

"Yeah."

"Okay... bye, Joey."

"Bye, Pacey.", Joey closed her phone and curled up into a ball. He was mad. Pacey was mad at her... and it was her fault again.

~*~

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!", Pacey cursed throwing up his hands.

"What’s wrong, Witter?", Rafe appeared behind Pacey and gently padded his back.

Pacey turned around and stared at him. Rafe noticed that his eyes were bloodshot.

"I just called Joey... and I asked her if she was going to report him. She doesn’t want to, Rafe. And I ... was angry and I said things... that I shouldn’t have said. She said I didn’t understand her and that..... God, Rafe, I think I made everything worse than before. She thinks I’m mad at her."

"I’m sorry, man. I shouldn’t have brought that up... I’m sorry.", Rafe didn’t know what to say or do. His advise had done nothing but to make it worse for both of them.

"Hey guys, what’s with those long, sad faces, huh? It’s a wonderful day in the Caribbean... I want you to be happy!"

Pacey turned towards the vivacious girl.

"Melanie...", maybe she was the person he needed right now.

~*~

Jen was about to knock at her bedroom door to wake Joey up when she heard muffled sobs from the inside. She frowned and hesitated, contemplating if she should enter or not. Raising her hand to the door handle and she let it rest there before slowly turning it.

Joey was lying on the bed, curled up in the fetal position and cried. Jen rubbed her eyes while she walked over to her. She sat down on the bed and softly caressed Joey’s back. She stiffened at the contact and tried to stop crying.

"Joey, it’s okay. You’ll feel better if you let it out." Jen changed into rubbing small circles along Joey’s spine and felt her relaxing again.

"I’m ... I’m sorry, Jen. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have occupied your room and your bed ... I shouldn’t ..." Joey sobbed, pressing her hand to her mouth.

"What are you talking about, huh? It’s perfectly okay that you are here." Jen tried to soothe her.

"No, I... I’m just a burden to all of you." The pain rocked her from deep within.

"Joey! What are you talking about? You. Are. Absolutely. Not. A. Burden. For none of us." Jen’s eyes widened. Why would she think such a thing?

"I am too ... and he’s mad at me." Joey mumbled and Jen could hardly understand her.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Jen brushed some strands of hair out of Joey’s face and waited for her reply.

"Pacey ... he called this morning." Joey swallowed and closed her aching eyes, "He wants me to report ... what happened yesterday."

"Oh." Jen didn’t know what to say. She had been there, too. Well, it had been different, but she knew how Joey had to feel right now.

Jen stared absent mindedly out of the window. Maybe it was time to reveal some details of her past. Perhaps she could help Joey by telling her about it. It could even help herself.

"You don’t want to report Dawson for his assault, right?" Jen asked slowly.

Joey took a deep breath before she could find her voice again. "I just want to forget it."

Jen nodded solemnly. "I know."

Joey turned and scooted up in the bed so that she was sitting next to Jen. Somehow her voice mixed with those two words drew her attention. It sounded serious and Joey felt that Jen really knew what she was talking about instead of offering mere comfort.

"You ... know." She didn’t need to ask, she just repeated it. Silently offering Jen the promise of sharing something with her which would stay between the both of them.

Jen tilted her head so that she could make contact with Joey’s. This was not easy. She had been silent for so long.

"You’ll never forget, no matter what. You’ll repress it. You’ll seal it in a box and push it far, far way in the darkest corner of your subconscious. Reporting it won’t help you, because it won’t take the memory away, but only prolong the act of repressing. It would only help the others and there wouldn’t be anything done to him because there is no evidence."

Joey closed her eyes to prevent more tears from falling. Jen had gone through the same nightmare, she was sure of it. She reached for Jen’s hand and lightly squeezed it. Now it was her turn to nod.

Both girls remained silent for a few minutes before Jen started again.

"When I was thirteen ... there was this party, a birthday party of some girl in my class. We weren’t even friends exactly, but she invited me ... and I went to the party. It was boring to say the least." Jen paused but didn’t smile at the recollection, "After some time her brother showed up. He was sixteen and he seemed to be ... cute. He noticed me sitting apart from the others and started to talk to me. I liked that. He offered to get me something to drink and I accepted. He handed me something and it tasted different, but I liked that, too. Of course he had mixed the fruit punch with alcohol. I didn’t care. I liked the attention he showed towards me."

Jen glanced at Joey who listened carefully. She was the first person she told about this after she left New York. Somehow she felt relieved that she could talk about it and suddenly the advice from her therapist started to make a lot more sense. Talk about what happened and learn to trust other people again. Maybe she had finally found the right person, but at what price?

Joey squeezed Jen’s hand again, urging her to continue. It was strange that Jen was the person she was talking to. On the other hand they had finally started to connect throughout the last year. And at this point Joey realized that she trusted Jen. Only the price for this revelation made her cringe.

"After a while we moved to his room, listened to music. It was nice. We drank more and I didn’t pass out. When he started to touch me ... I didn’t stop him or tell him to. I liked it. I was thirteen and I was curious. He didn’t force me per se. Maybe I could have stopped him, but I didn’t. When he started to undress me I became worried. I had never done anything like that before. I said no, not yet. He only told me to relax so he won’t hurt me and that I would like it. He just ... just did it. And it hurt. I cried and then he left me, simply left me alone."

Jen’s eyes glazed over as she tipped her head towards Joey’s.

"When I came home that day... my parents where there. Which was really ironic, seeing that they never cared too much about me and left me most of the time alone with our maid. Surprisingly my mother sensed that something happened to me and eventually I told her. She tried to act all maternal and hovered over me for a while. Of course she told my father and, well... my father insisted on pressing charges." Jen’s voice threatened to break and Joey tenderly laced her fingers with hers.

"I had to go to a doctor, had to be examined and then I had to face him again in a meeting with our respective lawyers. In the end they agreed on a settlement. He wasn’t punished ... but everyone knew about it. From that moment on I was known to be easy to get. After a while I guess I thought it would be easier to go with the flow. To hell with what they thought, what I thought. I ... I wanted to have fun, wanted to enjoy myself again ... and I turned into that precocious, cynical, sarcastic big city bitch that was finally sent off to her grandmother far away to the sleepy town of Capeside." Jen tried to change into a lighter mood but tears were running down her cheeks.

"You are no bitch, Jen. You never were, really. ... I mean, I pretended not to like you, when you arrived, but I did like you ... all the time. You are so strong ... and you’ve always been nothing but nice towards me.... even though I was quite bitchy." Joey lightly wiped Jen’s tears away.

Jen smiled a little. "I know. Remember the conversation we had in the gym? Detention?"

"Yeah, of course." Joey nodded, "And the one before the Miss Windjammer Pageant." It was good to talk about something else and it was even better to be so open towards Jen.

"Yep. We’re quite a pair, huh?" Jen’s smile broadened a little as she gazed into Joey’s eyes.

"True ... thank you, Jen." Joey attempted a half smile, but Pacey’s idea was still heavy on her chest. She sighed.

"I know that I won’t forget it, but... why does Pacey want me to report Dawson so badly?" Joey lowered her head, " I really said horrible things to him, Jen. I told him, that he only asked me to do that, because it was Dawson who ... assaulted me. If it had been anybody else ... he wouldn’t insist on it. Even worse... I accused him of only wanting a Witter to triumph over a Leery." Joey couldn’t stop the tears from spilling.

"Oh, Joey. You know ... that’s not why ... Pacey would want anybody who harms you to be, well, decapitated? Sure, the fact that it was Dawson doesn’t help much ... but..." Jen cocked her head to the side, "... I think it’s just the way the male brain works. After physically punishing the person who hurt their loved ones, pulling them to court is the next best thing."

"I just don’t ... I can’t..." Joey leaned her head on Jen’s shoulder, "... I don’t want everybody to know... I just want to understand, why it is so important for him..."

"Well, we could always ask Jack to explain the male way of thinking to us?" Jen suggested, at the same time trying to help Joey.

"Yeah, good idea, Jen." Maybe it would really help her to understand.

"K..." Jen cast one more glance at Joey before turning her head to the slightly ajar door, " JACK! Get in here ... NOW!"

~*~

"Melanie ... I ..." Pacey hesitated, should he really tell the Dean’s nice what had happened to Joey? He needed some advice, still he didn’t feel comfortable. He straightened and continued, he just had to, "... I need your advice ... legally speaking."

Melanie frowned a little. "Oh, we... yeah, ... you do know that I’m still just a student, right?" Melanie raised her brows while observing Pacey’s exhausted countenance.

"Yeah, I know ... but I really do need your advice." Pacey inhaled and stared at her.

"Good...shoot then." Melanie walked closer to Pacey and waited for him to start talking.

"Umm... maybe we should sit down?" Pacey was really nervous and pushed his hands deep in his pockets to prevent them from shaking.

"So?" Melanie sat down next to Pacey and eyed him. Something was wrong with him. Although she hadn’t known him very long she could still sense that he was troubled ... and it had to be serious.

Pacey glanced at Melanie but quickly directed his gaze back to the sea.

"Hypothetically speaking ... what are the options for a ... for a woman who was .... sexually assaulted?" Pacey nearly choked at this sentence and he had a hard time to control his anger and pain.

He had thought a long time about what Joey had said to him. It was true. He wanted Dawson to be punished, he would want everyone who hurt her to be punished, maximum sentence to be honest. The fact that is was Dawson, well, it only added more fuel to his fury.

"Oh." Melanie sucked at her bottom lip. This was definitely not a question she would have expected.

Pacey wouldn’t meet her questioning eyes and therefore it clicked in her mind. This wasn’t a random question and most certainly it was not hypothetical either. Her eyes widened and she had to lick her lips. This wasn’t good, this was so very much not good.

"Umm... is this... is this about your ... girlfriend? Did something... did someone attack her?" Melanie reached out and attempted to touch Pacey’s arm, but he flinched and scooted a bit further away from her.

She noticed how his jaw clenched and could see the struggle he was having inside of him at deciding if he should tell her or not.

"Actually, yes ..." Pacey whispered staring at his feet.

"Ohhh... But, she’s okay... isn’t she?" Melanie wrung her hands. This was a delicate topic, but if he wanted her advice... she had to know details.

"Yeah, she’s okay. She... she hasn’t been... raped." Pacey swallowed hard and squeezed the bridge of his nose. He felt so unbelievably tired and helpless.

Melanie took a relieved breath before she started to talk again. "Listen, Pacey, I can only imagine how difficult and painful this has to be for you and her, but... I need you to tell me exactly what happened to your girlfriend. I can only give you some advice if I know all the details." Her voice was almost apologetic, nevertheless the conversation was necessary.

"Okay... I guess you’re right." Pacey slowly nodded. He couldn’t look at Melanie though while he re-told the incidences of the night before.

He was still staring at the sea when he finished. "So, what are her options, Melanie? I mean, I suggested to report him, but she doesn’t want to. Would she have a chance if she did?" Pacey finally looked at Melanie again and registered her serious expression.

"To tell you the truth, Pacey... I don’t think so." Melanie answered calmly and prepared herself for Pacey’s probably very angry reaction.

"Why?" He inquired furrowing his brows in fury, "Are you telling me he can ... do that and get away with it ... just like that?" Pacey stared at her incredulously and snapped his fingers right in front of her face.

Melanie softly shook her head and pressed her lips together. "Sadly, to be right and to get one’s rights are two completely different things. Of course, what this Dawson guy did... he deserves to be punished and it would be right, too. But, our legal system has to stick to its guidelines. Justice is blind, Pacey, and therefore it has to look at the evidences and from what you’ve just told me..." Melanie shrugged helplessly.

"First, you said Joey wasn’t actually hurt, no bruises or anything... right?"

"No, as far as I know... nothing." Pacey took a deep breath and slumped his shoulders.

"That’s good, I mean, for her it’s good... but as for proof of the attack... she’s nothing." Melanie sighed. She knew Pacey would go berserk at her next statement, but she had to make him understand. "He kissed and pinned her down... but he didn’t penetrate her..."

"What?" Pacey’s head jerked around as he narrowed his eyes on Melanie. Just the mere idea of what she was talking about made him want to vomit. "How can you..."

"Pacey, please... I don’t say that to hurt you or anything... it’s just what any district attorney would ask, what Dawson’s attorney would say..." Melanie cringed inwardly at the pain that was reflected in Pacey’s eyes, "...so even if she would go to a doctor and get an examination as a rape kit would demand... They wouldn’t find any sperm liquid ... actually, that’s the most common problem in rape cases, when the rapist used a condom,.... well." Melanie watched Pacey’s jaw clench at her words but she had to continue. "The doctor could only state that Joey is sexually active ... and that wouldn’t help her in any way. The other side would just use this information to construe an unfavorable reputation of Joey."

"No! They couldn’t do that..." Pacey’s eyes widened.

Melanie looked down at her hands. "Yes, they would. I... I would do that, if I was Dawson’s lawyer."

"I can’t believe that, this is so... wrong." Pacey tried to remain as calm as he could, but it wasn’t an easy task.

"This is how it works. As a lawyer, you have to look at every little detail that could possibly help your client. You just have to concentrate on that and ignore what bringing it up would mean for anybody else. It’s not your job to care for your client’s opponent."

"Nice perspective for your life then." Pacey snorted unable to look at her.

Melanie turned to side and propped her arms on the rail. Things like this made her question the choice of her profession. Still she wasn’t finished.

"Further you said there were no immediate witnesses to the attack itself. Your friends appeared only after, after he had stopped. He wasn’t doing anything to her when they arrived." She continued quietly.

"They heard her scream." Pacey threw in weakly.

"They heard somebody scream. They can’t proof that it was Joey... and even if they could... that wouldn’t change the fact that they can’t connect it to Dawson. Last but not least they will state that Dawson was drunk. Even if there were one proof that he attacked Joey, they would just say that Dawson can’t be held responsible for momentary loss of conscience due to his intoxication."

"Isn’t that peachy for him." Pacey remarked sarcastically.

"I know this is bad and I know that this wasn’t what you wanted to hear." Melanie tilted her head to look at him. Again she found him staring at the sea, seemingly the only thing that could soothe him a little.

"It was wrong to ask her to report him, wasn’t it." Pacey mumbled defeated.

"Well, ..." Melanie struggled for the right words, "... it’s understandable. It’s just that I don’t think any good would come of it. It would only swirl up dust and providing gossip. From experience it would be worse for her than for him."

"Joey said something like that when I suggested..." Pacey bit down on his lip, "Why? I mean how did she know that and I didn’t?"

Melanie bent over and buried her chin in her open hand that still rested on the rail. "I don’t know. Maybe women are more perceptive to that or... maybe you are just too hurt to look behind it."

Pacey nodded. He was hurt and he only wanted Dawson to pay for all the pain he had caused. He hadn’t thought about all the repercussions that would come along with his request. "I made it worse, huh?"

"In the first moment? I would have to say that you did, but in the long run? I don’t think so. I’m sure Joey understands and I guess there’s nothing she wants more than seeing Dawson to be punished in one way or the other," Melanie tried to assure him with a small smile.

"How can you know that?" Pacey directed his gaze back to her.

"I’m a woman, too.... I know you don’t take notice of that, because there’s only one woman you have eyes for..." Melanie quipped but turned serious again, "... I know what I would feel and want."

Pacey smiled but it never reached his eyes.

"So there’s nothing we can do?" He asked for the final time still feeling utterly helpless.

"Not legally..." Melanie hesitated, "... but didn’t you mention that your father is the sheriff of Capeside? And your brother is a deputy?"

"Yeah...?" Pacey raised his brows in question.

"Well, think about it... maybe, well..." Melanie threw her hands up in the air while a mischievous grin formed on her face.

~*~

"What exactly am I supposed to say here?" Jack asked warily as his eyes wandered back and forth between Joey and Jen.

"Explain the male point of view." Jen demanded seriously.

"Uh... I don’t know..." Jack straightened uncomfortably on the bottom-end of the bed, where he had sat down minutes before. "I’m not sure, if Pacey and I think... uh, alike?" Jack asked helplessly.

"Maybe not entirely, but when it comes down to the basics... I’d say you do. So, Jack, enlighten us, please?" Jen asked again, a little softer this time.

Jack fidgeted a little before he finally started to speak again. "Well, I guess... if I was walking in Pacey’s shoes right now... I’d feel extremely angry, hurt and ... helpless. You know, I do feel like that, too.... but at least, at least I could do something. I was able to hurt... him, I could let him physically feel my anger. Pacey can do nothing. He’s far away and I’m pretty sure that’s what drives him crazy. He’s hurt because you are hurt, Joey." Jack reached for Joey’s hand and continued, "He wants to take your pain away, to make you feel safe and most of all he wants to ‘kill’ Dawson for what he’s done to you. There’s nothing to vent for him on that boat... so he keeps thinking and the best thing he can come up with, well, is reporting Dawson. He wants him to be punished and if he isn’t here to do that by himself he wants somebody else to do it."

"So you think I overreacted at his suggestion?" Joey asked biting her lip. She knew it was her fault.

"Umm, no... I wouldn’t say that, just that, both of you are very worked up now... and, well..." Jack stopped not knowing what to tell her.

Joey wiped the fresh tears that spilled from her eyes away and buried her face in her hands.

"What am I supposed to do now? I lashed out at Pacey and all he wanted was to help me?" Joey shook her head still sniffling. She had no clue what to make of this whole mess, "Do you think I should report him? I mean, I don't want to... but, if it helps Pacey? I don’t want to hurt him any more than I already have." She stared with teary eyes at Jack.

"Umm..." Jack opened his mouth, closed it again and looked at Jen, pleading for help.

"Joey, you shouldn’t do it to help Pacey. Remember what we talked about? If you want to report him, then do it. But if you don’t... Pacey’ll understand, sooner or later. You have to think about yourself here." Jen gently stroked Joey’s hair.

"I don’t know what I want... I just don’t know what to do." She sniffled again, fighting against her tears, "And I hate that. All I do is whine and that just isn’t me!"

"You have all rights to be confused and whine, Joey." Jen softly assured her friend, "After what happened yesterday..."

"We’re no lawyers, so maybe, we should ask for some advice and then you can still decide what to do." Jack offered, wishing for the umpteenth time that Pacey would be here.

"He’s leaving tomorrow. I don’t have time to make all those decisions." Joey worried her bottom lip with her teeth. She tried to be reasonable, but all she really wanted was to bury herself under the blanket and forget.

"Well, we could ask ... Doug?" Jack suggested playing with his hands only to have something to do with them.

"Doug? I don’t...." Joey’s eyes widened. How was she supposed to talk about something like that with the brother of her boyfriend?

"He is the deputy, at least." Jen nodded, "And he’ll keep it confidential. He knows the laws and won’t charge anything for his advice. Plus being Pacey’s brother... he’ll understand."

"He’s working right now..." Joey threw in weakly staring at the blanket on Jen’s bed.

"Well, I don’t know about you.... but I could have some breakfast now." Jack exclaimed trying to lighten the mood and he was really hungry.

"There’s no doubt that you could... you always want to eat, Jack!" Jen grinned and even Joey smiled a little.

~*~

"Are you sure you want to go home?" Jack asked again as they walked over to his car.

"Yeah, I need to get out of these clothes ... and I have to talk to Bessie. I can’t hide it from her and I don’t want to. So the sooner... the better." Joey sighed and linked her arm with Jen’s. Who would have thought that Jen would become one of the most important persons in her life?

They had just opened the doors as someone yelled Joey’s name. Joey froze. It was Dawson.

"Joey! Wait, please. I... I need to talk to you." Dawson jogged towards them, determined to apologize and make things right again between them.

Joey stiffened even more but turned around nevertheless. Her eyes were cold as she scanned the boy she had known for most of her life.

Dawson was slightly out of breath and several bruises and a nicely colored shiner adorned his face.

"Joey, look... I’m so sorry. I don’t know what got me last night. I was drunk... you know I’d never hurt you, don’t you? Please, can’t we just forget what happened?" Dawson pleaded ignoring the hateful glances Jen and Jack cast at him. He reached his hand out to touch Joey’s arm but she stepped back, shaking her head.

"Joey, I don’t want to leave like that..." Dawson made a step forward, again reaching out for her.

Jack blocked him and slapped his hand away. "Stop it. Get lost, now!" He remained calm but his voice was biting and he clenched his fist, ready to move in for another blow.

Dawson stopped but didn’t break his gaze at Joey. "Please, we have to talk about it."

Joey closed her eyes and when she opened them again they were hard. "Don’t talk to me, don’t touch me, don’t look at me. Leave me alone. I’m through with you." She abruptly turned around and without another word slid into the backseat of the car.

Jen followed immediately and closed the door behind her. Jack shot one last warning glance at Dawson before rounding the car and slipping behind the driving wheel.

Dawson stared at the car that was quickly moving out of his sight.

~*~

Surprisingly the day had flown by and Pacey found himself busy with docking the yacht in the harbor of Castries. It was a beautiful late afternoon but he didn’t notice. His mind was elsewhere. As soon as they were free to leave the yacht and enjoy their free time he grabbed his cell phone and waited impatiently for it to log in to a provider net.

He used the speed dial and counted the seconds until the ringing started only to reach the mailbox. "Fuck!" Pacey flipped the phone shut and run one hand through his hair. He couldn’t reach Joey. Her cell phone was off and he feared she had done that on purpose. Maybe she didn’t want to talk to him.

He slumped down on a bench close to the docks and sighed. He really wanted to talk to her before talking to his brother but that wasn’t going to happen now. He checked his watch. He couldn’t wait, time wasn’t on their side. In a few hours Dawson would be gone and with him any chance for payback. He had to act. He dialed again.

"Witter." Doug answered the phone almost immediately.

"Hey, Dougie!" Pacey greeted his brother relieved. At least he had reached him.

"Pacey? To what crazy circumstance do I owe the pleasure of your call? So early, nonetheless? What is it... two weeks after you’ve left good old Capeside?" Doug was really surprised and balanced the phone between his chin and shoulder while preparing his dinner.

"Well, what can I say... I just miss my dear brother?" Pacey tried to joke around but his mood was dark and it shone right through his attempt.

"Yeah, sure little brother. Tell that your grandma...." Doug nudged the door of the refrigerator with his hip to close it without using his hands. "I can’t express my happiness to hear from you enough... but I’ve got this certain feeling, that there’s a reason for calling... and I sense that I most certainly won’t like it. So spill it!"

Pacey sighed and bent slightly forward, drawing circles in the sand with his foot. "Okay, maybe you’re right..."

"Aren’t I always?" Doug mocked while sliding the raw pizza into the oven. There was a pause on the other end and he got a feeling that whatever it was why Pacey was calling him, had to be really important. "Okay, I’m sorry... go on."

"I don’t know if you already know it, but... Joey came down here last week... and, well... we figured things out and we’re together again. I mean really together." Pacey started to explain.

"I might have heard something like that..." Doug smirked, "...A certain brunette stopped by at my apartment on Monday telling me that my little brother now owns a cell phone and gave me the number just in case anything happened and said brother wouldn’t call on his own before that." Doug grinned while pouring some red wine into a long-stemmed glass.

"Really?" Pacey held the phone closer to his ear and couldn’t help but smile. She had made it official. She had told everybody that they were together again. She didn’t hide it and she even went to his brother. "How come you haven’t called already?"

"I thought I’d let you enjoy your independence and the cruise for a while longer. Joey told me that you were fine and after I heard that the two of you, well... I figured things were quite good for you and that you’d call when you were ready for it." Doug walked over to the couch and settled down.

He sensed that something was bothering Pacey, "So, little brother... what’s up, huh? I don’t think you called to spread the happy news about the reunited couple..." He trailed off, waiting for any word from Pacey.

"No, I didn’t." Pacey sighed and stretched his legs. "You haven’t been to Dawson’s farewell party last night, have you?"

"No. Why should I?" Doug frowned.

"No reason, well... I... ummm.... something happened after the party. Something happened to Joey."

Pacey started to tell Doug everything that had happened and somehow it helped him a lot to talk to his brother.

Doug listened intently to him and as the minutes passed by and he learned every detail of the assault his features darkened and his jaw clenched more than once. He couldn’t believe it, he didn’t want to believe it, but Pacey’s graveness didn’t leave any room for doubts.

"... and then I suggested Joey to report Dawson, but she didn’t want to. I literally saw red and... well, I guess I made it all worse, but I just can’t let him get away like that." Pacey sighed tiredly.

"I can understand that, Pacey... after all you’ve just told me, well... I’d love to forget that I’m a deputy and bound to the laws." Doug said passionately. He could feel Pacey’s pain. Hell, he regarded Joey as part of their family... he wanted to drive over to the Leery’s and give him a piece of his own mind. But he had to act reasonably. "You know, Pacey... as much as I hate it, but... it won’t do much good if Joey reports him..."

"I know. I talked to Melanie today and she explained all the legal stuff to me. Actually that’s why... that’s why I’m calling you, Doug. I need to ask you a favor..." Pacey interrupted his brother and took a deep breath.

Exactly at that time Doug noticed somebody knocking at his door. "Wait a second, Pacey. There’s someone at the door." Doug got up and opened the door ready to get rid of whoever it was. He gaped at the four people standing in front of him.

~*~

Joey, Bessie, Jen and Jack stared back at him, surprised by his behavior.

Doug glanced from one to the other. Bessie’s face was red and expressed pure anger mixed with sorrow, Jen and Jack looked exhausted and Joey...Joey was the spitting image to Pacey’s mood. She seemed to be tired, insecure and somehow lost.

"Joey..." Doug finally found his voice and simply pulled Joey in his embrace, hugging her tightly. He was relieved to see that other than the emotional scars she was unhurt.

Joey stiffened for a moment but then relaxed against Doug. She wrapped her arms around him, finding comfort in the fact to be in a Witter’s safe embrace. It wasn’t Pacey, but somehow Doug radiated the same safety for her.

Pacey strained to hear what Doug was saying and was confused as he heard Joey’s name. Joey was there?

After a few moments Doug stepped back and motioned for them to enter his apartment. He had almost forgotten that Pacey was still at the other end of the phone, but when he guided Joey to the couch he saw the phone in his hand.

"Umm... I... I’ve Pacey on the phone right now..." He mumbled.

"Pacey?" Joey raised her eyes questioningly to Doug’s.

"Yeah...wait a second." Doug held his index finger up and turned his attention back to the phone.

"Pacey? Sorry... Joey, Bessie, Jen and Jack just came over."

"Oh..." Pacey’s eyes widened.

"Yeah, well, listen... Let’s hang up now and I’ll call you back. I guess this will take a while and it’s too expensive for you with the cell phone costs and all." Doug suggested.

"K... good, thank you, Doug." Pacey closed his phone and waited for Doug’s return call.

Doug faced Joey and offered her the phone. "Maybe you’d like to call him back?"

Joey smiled at Doug and nodded. She took the phone from his hand and moved a bit away from the couch towards the window.

~*~

"That was fast, Dougie." Pacey answered after the first ring.

"Umm... it’s me." Joey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Joey? Hi." Pacey involuntary smiled at the sound of her voice, "I tried to call you earlier, but I only got your mailbox."

"Oh. I’m sorry." Joey reached into her pocket and looked at her cell. "It’s dead... I forgot to charge the battery." Joey answered apologetically.

"Ahh... good. You know, for a moment I thought you had turned it off, like... on purpose." Pacey explained relieved.

"Awww, Pace. I wouldn’t do that." Joey frowned.

"Well, after our conversation this morning... for which I really want to apologize..."

"No, I have to apologize, Pace. I said some really bad things this morning and..."

"Okay... it seems like we both regret our last conversation. Let’s stop with the apologies, huh? Let’s give this a fresh start." Pacey smiled. Things were going better than he had expected them to go.

"Good. Just let me say this, okay? I’m sorry and I know that you just want to take care of me." Joey gazed down on her ring.

"I just wished I was there with you now." Pacey sighed and played with his ring.

"I know, but just talking to you helps a lot, Pace." Joey smiled and tugged the unruly strand of hair back behind her ear.

"What are you doing at Doug’s by the way... nonetheless with the whole posse?" Pacey leaned back finally able to relax a little.

"Umm, I told Bessie what happened and Jen and Jack stayed with me. After we talked this morning, well... I discussed your suggestion with Jen and Jack and, ... I wanted to ask Doug what my options were, you know... legally speaking." Joey rambled. She still hated the whole idea of making the incident public knowledge.

"Oh. I hope you don’t mind ... but I kind of discussed my suggestion with the Dean’s nice today. She’s studying law and therefore..." Pacey ran a hand through his hair, "... I asked her for some advice. And she actually told me that your... that our prospects weren’t that good." Pacey closed his eyes.

"Ohh... well, no... I don’t mind... not much at least. I can understand that you need someone to talk about it, too."

"Really?" Pacey sighed again, this time obviously relieved, "She inspired me to think about something else...and that’s why I called Doug."

"Looks like we had the same idea... in a way at least." Joey stated warily. Pacey’s ideas, well... they were usually one of a kind.

"Maybe you could put me on speaker mode... that way the others can listen as well." Pacey suggested.

"Okay, I’ll do that." Joey walked back to the couch, where Bessie was still fuming about Dawson.

"Hey, Pacey has something he wants to talk about with all of us, so I’ve put him on speaker." Joey explained and placed the phone on the coffee table. "Pacey? We’re all here now."

"Great. Hi everyone!"

"Hi, Pacey." Jen, Jack and Bessie said in unison.

"Doug? Remember the favor I was asking you about earlier?"

~*~

Doug pulled up to the Leery’s driveway. Pacey’s plan was fantastic, hard on the verge of being legal, but fantastic.

He stepped out of the car and adjusted his uniform while he looked over his shoulder and saw Jack stopping his car in front of Mrs. Ryan’s house. He could even see Jack giving him the thumbs up. He felt a shiver run through him at this small gesture. He frowned and slightly shook his head. This was strange but at this moment he had other things to take care of.

He stepped on the porch and knocked on the door.

"Oh... hi, Doug." Mitch opened the door and was a little puzzled to find Doug standing there. "What can I do for you?"

"Mr. Leery." Doug nodded, "Actually I need to talk to your son." Doug stated in an official voice.

"Dawson?", Mitch frowned, "Well, sure... come in, Doug." He moved to the side and motioned for Doug to enter the house.

"No, thank you. I’d prefer if Dawson could come out here for a minute." Doug demanded seriously.

"O...kay. Hmm, did something happen, Doug?" Mitch started to worry.

"I just need to talk to him." Doug crossed his arms and waited.

"Sure. One moment." Mitch disappeared in the house and soon after that Dawson stepped out on the porch.

"Doug, hey." Dawson greeted him, but was obviously very nervous.

"It’s Deputy Witter." Doug’s voice was cold and he needed any strength he could muster up to refrain from getting physical with him.

"Oh." Dawson took a deep breath.

"Dawson Leery, where have you been last night between ten and eleven pm?"

"What?" Dawson’s eyes widened as he tried to understand what was happening. Had Joey reported him?

"Answer the question, please." Doug ordered adamantly.

"I... umm... I...." Dawson stammered.

"What? A little surprised at this question? Can’t come up with a good answer?"

"Look, Doug.... Deputy Witter..., I don’t know what... I didn’t... I didn’t hurt her..." Dawson trembled.

"Oh, now you know what I’m talking about." Doug grabbed Dawson’s arm and pulled him away from the house, "So you are saying you didn’t force Joey to the ground ... like that?" In a swift motion Doug turned Dawson’s arm to his back and pushed him down. He knelt beside him and placed one knee firmly on his back. "And you didn’t yank her shirt away... like that?" Doug pulled at Dawson’s shirt and yanked it off.

"Please...." Dawson whimpered.

"Please? Hmm... She pleaded with you, too, didn’t she... I don’t think you listened to that..."

"I never meant to do that... I was drunk...." Dawson started to sob.

"Intoxication is no excuse..." Doug really enjoyed the power he had over Dawson in this moment. "Doesn’t feel so good to lie on the floor... exposed to the mercy of someone, huh?"

"Please, I... I ... didn’t hurt her.... really." Dawson pleaded.

"No? Only because she was able to stop you... and you did hurt her, boy. And to make this clear to you: For the time being she didn’t report you.... but..." Doug increased the pressure on Dawson’s back, "... if you ever do the slightest thing... anything to hurt or molest her... or anybody else...ever again... this will be only the start... and a very friendly one at that." Doug slapped the back of Dawson’s head and let go off him.

Dawson was still trembling and carefully stood up, afraid of what Doug was going to do next. Doug grabbed Dawson’s shirt and threw it over to him.

"Now get dressed and go back inside.... pack your things. I have to say I’m very happy about the fact that you’re leaving Capeside tomorrow. But watch out, you never know who might be coming up behind you!" Doug watched as Dawson put the shirt back on and smoothed it, giving him one last warning. "Believe me... you don’t want to mess with me.... oh, and by they way.... Pacey sends his greetings...." Doug raised his hand and send it flying right into Dawson’s stomach.

Dawson cringed and almost crouched down to the floor but Doug held him up. "Goodbye, Dawson!"

After that he turned and walked over to his car. He watched Dawson stumble back to his home before he started the motor and moved the car over to Mrs. Ryan’s house.

~*~

Joey, Bessie, Jen and Jack and watched the whole scene and offered him an enthusiastic welcome.

"You Witter’s don’t joke around, huh?" Joey smiled and hugged Doug.

Doug embraced Joey and held her tightly. He felt better now.

"Thank you, Doug." Joey stood on tip toes and whispered into his ear.

"Don’t mention it, Joey." Doug released her and smiled. He felt a lot better.

"That was great, man!" Jack patted Doug’s shoulder.

"Umm...." Doug glanced at him as he felt something like an electric shock run through him. He straightened and stepped to the side, hugging Bessie. This was strange. Somehow Jack affected him, but he didn’t want to think about that.

"So, can I give you two a ride back to the B&B?" Doug offered.

"Yeah, that would be nice, Dougie." Joey nudged him softly in the side. She felt good again, like if the nightmare of the past 48 hours had vanished. And she couldn’t wait to call Pacey.

~*~

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