"That place was so nice, Pace. They had individual towels in the bathroom." Joey’s voice was still awestruck as she recalled their evening at the fancy restaurant Pacey had whisked her away to a few hours before.

Pacey chuckled and hugged her closer to him as they walked down the hall toward her dorm room. "Really? Laid out in baskets and everything?"

"Mm-hmm." Joey stopped and stepped in front of Pacey, circling his waist by slipping her hands into his open coat.

"Well, if that's not the hallmark of a classy joint, I don't know what is." Pacey brushed the tip of Joey’s nose with his own and gazed into her dark eyes. It amazed him daily to no end that they were together and seeing her so happy and relaxed made him feel like he was able to hang the moon for her.

"Well, you do definitely know how to treat a lady." Joey smiled and pecked Pacey’s chin lightly.

Pacey tightened his arms around her and raised his eyebrow questioningly. "A lady...?"

"Watch it, Witter!" Joey’s eyes widened. Smirking as she pinched his side.

"Owww, Jo..." Pacey chuckled. "I’m just kidding..."

"You’d better be, mister. ... Anyway, you still haven’t told me what we were celebrating tonight." Joey gazed into his eyes.

"Do I need a reason to wine and dine my lady?"

"Not really..." Joey laughed, "... but this restaurant, I mean... it is wonderful and... well, it’s a little expensive to just eat there without having a reason to celebrate..."

"Well, I gotta spend my money on something," Pacey joked.

"Uh-huh..." Joey stepped back and crossed her arms, staring at him unyielding. "Spill it, Pace. I know you, and you’ve got that little proud and satisfied sparkle in your eyes... the one you always get when you do something or get something very good..."

"Is that so? You think you know me so well?" Pacey challenged her, knowing that she had already won.

"Yep. Besides, I do need to hear some good news. You know, I'm strapped for cash, and they cut my hours because everyone's on spring break, drinking elsewhere." Joey pouted and looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and pleading.

"Okay, you got me... I got a promotion today, actually," Pacey admitted.

"Really? To what?" Joey asked excitedly.

"I... don’t know, really..." Pacey closed the gap between them and gathered her back in his arms, "There’s no title, but I get an office and... uh... I get a secretary, too. That’s kind of cool."

"Cool? That’s great, Pace." Joey reached up and ran her hand through his hair, the pride evident in her eyes.

"Yeah." Pacey blushed slightly, still not used to his success. Trying to hide the embarrassment from Joey he bent forward and captured her lips with his.

After a few moments he drew back. "Did you just say ‘we were celebrating’? As in past tense?"

Joey tilted her head to the side and smiled at him. "Yeah, I did... you see..." she pointed behind her, "...this is me. We had a very nice, very romantic evening... and now I’ve got to go to bed." She licked her lips, trying her best to sound resolute.

"Whatever happened to my favorite question? ‘Wanna come up for a cup of coffee?’" Pacey suggested hopefully.

"Ah, well... you know, this is a dorm... I don’t have coffee or anything else to offer you in there, so... yes, this is goodnight, honey." Joey teased and kissed Pacey chastely on the cheek.

"I can think of something you could offer me..." Pacey smirked and grabbed her hips, pressing his body against hers.

"Really? Umm, I don’t know, seeing that you’ve got this promotion and tomorrow is your first day at a more responsible job. I just think you should have a nice night’s rest..."

"Jo..." Pacey whined, "...you don’t mean that... we’ve spent every night together since Capeside... I can’t sleep without you... not that I want to [i]sleep[/i] sleep right now..." he rambled.

"I know... you aren’t tired of me yet then?" Joey asked bringing her hands back to his neck.

"Tired of you? Of us?" Pacey shook his head incredulously. "Never." Not wasting another second he hoisted her up, pleased as he felt her legs wrapping around his waist and walked over to her door.

~*~

"Tell me again why we’re here... at this ridiculously early hour no less?" Jen pulled her coat closer around her shivering body and swayed from one foot to the other.

"It’s not that early..." Joey tried to appease Jen’s apparent foul mood while eyeing the displays in the shop window in front of them.

"It is only 9:30 a.m. ... and we’re on Spring Break." Jen snorted and cocked her head to the side where she had spotted a Starbucks.

"It’s not like you were still sleeping when I called... or actually sent you a message. You didn’t have to answer if you didn’t want to ... and you were all for going on a little shopping spree with me." Joey sighed and turned around just in time to catch Jen staring at the coffee shop.

"So what? It’s still early, it’s cold and... I thought we would go shopping for something far more interesting than stupid yuppie toys." Jen met Joey’s gaze and pouted.

"Executive toys, not yuppie toys," Joey corrected her friend for the umpteenth time.

"That’s all the same to me, isn’t it? I really couldn’t care less." Jen pushed her hands deep in the pockets of her coat before turning her attention back to the promising round, green and white sign that dangled above the entrance of the shop.

"What’s wrong with you today, huh?" Joey questioned. "Besides not having your fill of coffee yet?"

"Uh... long, long story." Jen sighed still staring at the Starbucks.

Deciding that Jen wouldn’t be much of a help without a nice and most importantly big cup of coffee or cappuccino, Joey put her hand on the small of Jen’s back and pushed her forward.

"Okay, how about I buy you some coffee and you tell me what’s up before we go back to shopping?"

"Awww... now that’s a good idea, my friend!" Jen smiled quickening her pace towards the cafe.

By the time Joey returned to Jen, bearing two grande cappuccinos and two chocolate chip muffins, Jen had settled into a big red armchair in the corner of the cafe and her coat was draped over its mate to save it for Joey.

"Great, thank you... I already feel much better just from the sight." Jen grinned and dipped her spoon into the fluffy milk froth before licking it with a satisfied moan.

Joey sipped at her own cup and nibbled at the muffin, waiting for Jen to start talking about what was bothering her. She knew from experience that she had better not pressure her to talk or she would close up right from the start.

A few moments passed in silence and then Jen leaned back in her chair, twirling a strand of her short locks around her index finger. "You’re waiting, huh?"

Joey nodded and cradled the cup with both hands. "Yep. It’s your turn now, I delivered my part of the deal."

"I know..." Jen sighed. "Well, it’s nothing... really... I don’t know." She shifted again to get more comfortable before continuing. "This morning, shortly before you sent your message... well, C.J. sort of complained about our sex life... or the lack thereof."

Joey raised her eyebrow suspiciously.

"Yeah... I know, it’s hard to believe... someone being more sex crazed than me." Jen sighed and reached for her muffin.

"Now I didn’t say that..." Joey smiled softly. She knew that despite her strong exterior Jen was really scared and insecure sometimes. Something she could very well relate to. "I’m just wondering... because I thought everything was going well for you two."

"That’s what I thought. I mean, C.J. is..." Jen shrugged, searching for the right words, "... he’s perfect. He’s nice, he’s smart, he cares for other people and I think he does love me, including all my flaws... and then, bang, this morning he says we didn’t have sex for almost a week, like that was the most important thing, like we were together only for sex."

"I’m sure that’s not what he meant... okay, he’s a man... but he’s not with you for sex only, Jen." Joey frowned.

"But why did he complain then? Why does he think... that being with me includes having sex at least once a day, seven days a week?" Jen rubbed her forehead and gazed at Joey. "Is there something printed on my forehead, saying ‘sex object’ or ‘slut’?"

"No, of course not. Where’s all this coming from, Jen? Joey was concerned.

"Dunno... I just want to ... get it right this time, you know? I don’t want to make the same mistakes again and again. Maybe I already did... slept with him to soon and now he expects it. I mean, look at Pacey and yourself. You waited nine months, you took your time to get to know each other, to discover what you mean to each other before you had sex, not the other way round."

Joey blushed a little and lowered her head. "We were younger than and... well, sometimes I think, well... nine months was really, really long... and now? I guess you could call us sex crazed." Joey giggled still blushing.

"Okay, well... actually you two have always been all over each other... but I mean, you did it the right way. I’ve always taken the third step before the first. And I’m scared to ruin the first really good relationship I ever had."

"Maybe you were like that in New York, but you’ve changed, Jen. What about Henry... and what about Dawson? You didn’t fall into bed with them just like that." Joey snipped with her fingers and smiled. "And as far as I know, you and C.J. didn’t either."

"Well, Dawson is a completely different story here... and Henry..." Jen smiled remembering the crazy time with him during their junior year at high school. "I don’t know if I would call those real relationships. You know, Henry might have thought that he loved me, but I think... looking back now, he was more in love with the idea of being in love with an older girl who happened to be a cheerleader. I was stupid enough to give us a try, although I knew right away that we couldn’t probably last long. And Dawson... we both know that he’s a dreamer," Jen raised her hands and laughed, "...and we love him for that. But as a boyfriend? I’m sorry to say that, but he’s a little to... umm... self-centered..."

"I know, he lives in this dream world he has created for himself and everyone around him and heaven help us if something doesn’t follow his script." Joey interrupted Jen knowingly. It took quite a long time before she realized this truth and her last birthday was just the last nail in the proverbial coffin.

"Yeah. See, and therefore... I’m scared that my relationship wit C.J., my first relationship that feels... real and that could be it... you know... that I’m screwing up sooner or later." Jen reached for her cappuccino and sighed.

Joey nodded. She knew this fear, the same one that used to pester her so often. "You won’t mess up, Jen. There are no security nets in a relationship, you just have to jump in there and follow your heart. Sometimes it’s hard work, but it’s worth everything." Joey’s lips morphed into her lopsided smile, "And you know what? This safety net? With every little step you two are taking forward, you’re building a foundation, that’s much better than a net... and that foundation? It will be your rock whenever the sea gets a little stormy."

"When did you get so wise, Joey?" Jen asked smiling.

"Wise? Don’t know about that." Joey laughed. "I’m just happy, really happy and I guess that boosts my brain... or whatever."

"It’s good to see you like this." Jen remarked leaning forward to touch Joey’s arm.

"Thank you." Joey squeezed Jen’s hand lightly, "You know that you have to talk to C.J., right? I bet he’s just as confused as you are."

"Probably... it’s just so... hard." Jen sighed exasperatedly.

"I know, but you have to." Joey shrugged, "I had to learn that the hard way, too. You have to talk about everything and I do mean everything if you want your relationship to work. If you don’t... you risk creating cracks in your foundation... and cracks will turn into crevices... and then... the foundation might break."

"And it’s extremely difficult to mend it," Jen added.

"Yep, not impossible, but hard to do... and a repaired foundation..."

"... is fragile, I know." Jen brushed some crumbs from her jeans. "And you know what? I think we’ve had enough of the deep and thoughtful conversation now. Let’s get back to the shopping, ‘kay?" she grinned and stood up.

"’kay." Joey joined her smile and they walked towards the door.

~*~

It was close to lunch time when Joey stepped into the entrance area of the firm Pacey was working at. She had never been there before and it was only then that she realized that it was a big company. Of course it was a big one, nothing else would have fit Pacey. If he did something, he did it right. This was a far cry from the career at a circus he had envisioned years ago in her kitchen. Smiling softly Joey looked around, searching for any sign of Pacey. Instead of him she was confronted with a dozen or so men who were staring at her, obviously sizing her up and practically drooling as if they had never seen a female human being before. Joey started to feel self-conscious and gripped the handles of the bag she was holding tighter.

Pacey turned around the corner and stopped in his tracks as he caught sight of Joey standing at the entrance. His face was lit with a big smile, which was only clouded as he noticed the sheep eyes the guys were making at her. Sighing he pressed his lips together and walked with a few long strides over to her.

"Jo, hi!" Pacey touched her shoulder and when Joey turned around to him he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek and thus showing those leering guys off. "To what do I owe this honor?"

Joey stepped back a bit and smiled at him, swinging the small bag back and forth. "I... umm... I brought you an office-warming gift. ... You won’t get in trouble for having visitors, will you?" she asked a little concerned.

"No, no." Pacey shook his head and his eyes sparkled as he grabbed the gift bag from Joey. He was really touched that she had come over just to give him something for his promotion. He wouldn’t look at it right then though, the men were still staring at them and he didn’t like how their eyes were traveling up and down her body. "Not if you stop distracting the boys," he added jokingly. "You want to step into my office?" Pacey pointed down the hall.

"How professional." Joey tilted her head and smiled.

Pacey grinned and they started to walk toward his new office. Joey let her eyes wander all over the place, trying to take everything in at once.

"So, everyone’s just on the phone. ... Is this what you do all day?" she asked teasingly.

"It’s a little more complicated than that." Pacey frowned and stopped at a desk to his right, "Let me grab those... thanks, Tom," reaching for a few folders he started to walk again.

Joey watched him and smiled. She was so proud of him and what he had achieved in such a short amount of time. She had always believed in him and now she saw the proof. "So... what makes you so busy now that you need an assistant?" she gesticulated with her hands, pointing around them.

"I don’t know," Pacey grinned and lowered his head so he could whisper in her ear, "but to tell you the truth... she kind of freaks me out."

Joey opened her mouth to say something when a woman walked over to them and she was obviously not very amused at that moment.

Pacey studied her annoyed expression, furrowing his brows. "Marcy? Hi, I’d like to introduce you to my... friend Joey."

Marcy straightened and took a deep breath. Forcing herself to smile she looked at Joey. "Nice to meet you," before turning back to Pacey, "For your information, Mr. Witter, the meeting’s been pushed to three p.m." Taking another deep breath she added in a strained tone, "And Mr. Rinaldi’s in your office. ... And when you have a moment... I’d like a word."

"A word?" Pacey asked confused.

"Don’t patronize me, Mr. Witter." Marcy’s voice turned angry and raised a little. Still she tried to control her emotions.

"I’m sorry, ma’am." Pacey tried to apologize without really knowing why he had to. He just knew that something was wrong. "I... you can talk now... if you like?" He tried to read her expression to figure out what was going on. He felt somewhat helpless, which bothered him immensely, especially with Joey standing right next to him and witnessing the first problem he had to face.

"Fine, Mr. Witter." Marcy adjusted her jacket and continued quieter again, "If you must know... Mr. Rinaldi fired me... and I’ll be leaving at the end of the day." Without looking at him again she rounded her desk and hastily busied herself with some paperwork, effectively avoiding Pacey’s shocked gaze.

Pacey stared at his soon to be ex-secretary with wide eyes and sighed. The fact that Joey was touching his arm softly didn’t help him much. Why did she have to witness this? It wasn’t his fault per se, but still he felt like he was somehow responsible for the fact that his secretary was fired on his first day.

Silently Joey and Pacey entered his office. The door was wide open and they found Rich sitting with his back to them, in Pacey’s chair.

Hearing someone enter the office, Rich grinned and crossed his hands behind his head while slowly turning around in the comfortable leather chair. "Just breakin’ it in for you." Spotting Joey standing next to Pacey, Rich leaned back in the chair, suggestively raising one eyebrow. "Oh... hey, who’s the looker?"

Opening her mouth Joey rolled her eyes. She knew immediately that Pacey’s boss was a slimy asshole. "You do realize that I’m standing right here?" she asked slightly annoyed.

"And you..." Rich stood up and walked towards them, his eyes never leaving Joey, "...do realize that was a compliment, right?" He stopped right in front of them and licked his lips.

Narrowing her eyes, Joey crossed her arms in front of her. If it wasn’t for the fact that this man happened to be Pacey’s boss, she would have given him a piece of her mind, but seeing the things as they were, she decided to say nothing.... for the time being at least.

Pacey wrung his hands and chuckled uncomfortably. He was used to Rich’s sexual innuendoes and his inappropriate way of treating women and usually he didn’t spend a second thought on his behavior, but now, when he addressed Joey like that, he felt ashamed for his boss. Not to mention that Joey wasn’t the kind of person to suck up a comment like that and not retort in any way. Any way he looked at it, this was not a good situation to be in.

"Rich, this is Joey. Joey... you remember Rich." Pacey decided that was enough of pleasantries and cut right to the next topic on his list, at the same time cutting off any chance for Joey to lash out at his boss, "And... Rich, why is it, exactly, you fired my secretary?"

Rich shrugged and grinned indifferently. "Well, uh... she tried to kick me out of your office."

"Doesn’t that deserve a raise?" Pacey asked dryly. Sometimes he questioned Rich’s qualifications for the job. Sure, he was a successful broker and yes, he had learned some tricks from him, but his personality wasn’t exactly suitable to let him deal with customers... or other people in general.

"Yeah, well ... I didn’t like her attitude, Witter... or the cut of her jib for that matter." Rich chuckled, blatantly staring at Joey.

For the last few minutes Joey had tried her best to keep herself in check. She knew she shouldn’t get into a discussion with Pacey’s boss, but each syllable that was leaving his mouth made it harder for her to remain silent. Closing her eyes briefly she couldn’t stop herself from asking sarcastically, "You can fire somebody just because you don’t like the way they look? Isn’t that discrimination?"

Joey ran the tip of her tongue along her teeth and narrowed her eyes on Rich as she waited for a reply.

Finally diverting his eyes from the tantalizing brunette, Rich turned his head towards Pacey, glaring at him. "Is she human resources?"

Pacey held his breath a second before shaking his head. "No. No... no." Casting a side glance at Joey he added, "She’s my... girlfriend." He didn’t know if it was smart to admit that Joey, his girlfriend, was visiting him during work, but he didn’t want to hide their relationship, especially not from Rich. He wanted to clue him in that Joey was very unavailable.

"Oh..." Rich let his gaze wander back to Joey, sizing her up with the new information. Obviously Witter had to have something going for him, the girl was definitely hot and someone he wouldn’t kick from his bed. "So.... uh, why aren’t you in school today?" Rich licked his lips.

"I’m on spring break." Joey leaned against Pacey’s shoulder feeling increasingly uncomfortable in Rich’s presence.

Pacey swallowed the anger that began to rise deep within himself at Rich’s advances. He knew that his boss never in a million years had any chance with Joey, but just the attempt let his blood boil. Smiling inwardly that Joey sought physical contact to him, he wrapped one arm around her shoulder.

"What do you do nine to five, Johnny?" Rich asked sweetly, totally ignoring Pacey.

"Joey," she corrected him in a bored voice. "Nothing at the moment..."

Rich smirked and raised his brows, "Yeah? I say you spend the next two weeks filling in here. You know how to play office, right?" Not leaving her time to reply he finally acknowledged Pacey standing next to her, "Why don’t you set that up, Witter? Huh? Guess that helps to soothe your pains for me firing your secretary... thinking about it... you should be very grateful. Not everybody gets the opportunity to get his girlfriend to work for him." Rich stressed the word ‘girlfriend’ meaningfully and patted Pacey’s back as he pushed past them, purposefully brushing against Joey as he did so.

Leaving the office Rich paused to turn around and take a look at Joey’s back side just long enough to catch Pacey’s warning glance. Grinning widely he rubbed his hands together, walking away in search of another poor employee to play with.

"He’s kidding, right?" Joey asked irritated as she watched Pacey closing the tinted glass door behind his boss.

"Rich?" Pacey sighed and walked over to Joey, "No, he doesn’t really have much of a sense of humor." Placing his hands on her hips he pulled her close to him. "I’m sorry, he’s a jerk... ignore him."

Joey frowned. Of course Rich was a class A ass, but she did need a job... and spending more time with Pacey in whatever way possible did have a very nice ring to it. "Umm.... well, how much does it pay? I mean, hypothetically speaking?"

"I don’t know.... I think it’s like, six hundred bucks a week." Pacey mumbled while nuzzling her hair.

Joey’s eyes widened and she pulled back to look at Pacey . "Are you serious?"

Searching her eyes, Pacey realized that Joey was actually thinking about Rich’s offer. It surprised him and he wasn’t sure what he should think about it. "Would you actually want to do it?" he asked carefully.

"Well... you have to admit, Pace... I mean, it is perfect timing, right?" Joey tried to explain. "I’m broke, we never see each other anymore..." she counted on her hand.

"Yeah, but hanging out by the coffee machine isn’t exactly a date now, is it?" Pacey reminded her smirking.

Joey reached for his tie and played with it, pretending to adjust it. "Who’s kidding who, Pace?.... Now, we both know that the boss doesn’t hang out by the coffee machine... that would be the assistant’s job. And if the boss would be hanging out there, well... that would be for a whole different reason then, don’t you think?" Joey smirked and looked at him with innocent eyes while letting the tip of her finger graze his neck.

"Maybe..." Pacey chuckled. Still he wasn’t convinced it would be a good idea to have Joey working for him, or with him... but the reasons for his doubts were fleeting at a high speed when she placed tiny kisses along his jaw line.

"It could be fun... spending time with you and getting paid for it..." Joey whispered against his skin.

"A dream come true, huh? Never thought you were all for the money, babe." Pace smiled.

"A girl has to live somehow..." Joey grinned and stuck her tongue out.

Closing his eyes Pacey groaned silently. "And you’re sure you’d be comfortable with the whole boss/secretary power relationship?"

"We both know..." Joey paused and cradled Pacey’s face in her hands, "...who’s boss here."

Her tone challenged him to say something, but he didn’t know what. She was right. Joey Potter held the power to wrap him around her beautiful little finger. He couldn’t remember when this wasn’t the case. Strangely he didn’t mind at all. No, being wrapped around her finger, her hand... just around her... that was the best place he could imagine to be. Maybe a little scary as well, but again he didn’t care much.

"Well, okay....yeah...." Pacey chuckled, and kissed her forehead, "... I mean, what’s the worst that could happen, right?"

Joey’s smile widened and her eyes sparkled. The prospect of a solution to her monetary crisis combined with the possibility to literally spend her vacation with Pacey boosted her good mood immensely. "Barring me taking over the company... nothing."

Pacey laughed and shook his head. "Uh-huh, right, Potter. Whatever you say."

Guiding her head gently up to him, he kissed her deeply before pulling back. This time his eyes were lit with an idea.

"What did Rich say? We should set it up, right? What about a nice business lunch... on the firm, of course, Miss Potter?" Pacey suggested mischievously.

~*~

Blowing out some air Pacey pushed against the front door of the office. The morning had been nothing but stressful and that after only a quarter of the whole work day. After arriving together two hours before, Rich had ordered him to meet an elderly client for breakfast and to work his charm on her. Somehow Pacey thought that his boss just wanted to get Joey alone and he was surprised how easily he became jealous.

The door hadn’t even closed behind him when he was confronted by one of his colleagues. James was a few years older than Pacey, shorter in stature and had a tendency to stutter whenever he got excited about one thing or another.

"Hey, Wit...ttt...er, nicely dddone. Nicely dddone, in...ddd...eed," James grinned extremely red-faced.

"What are you talking about?" Pacey sighed slightly irritated.

"The new... hi...hire." Winking at Pacey James tried to reduce his stammering to a minimum.

Realization dawned on Pacey. Of course, there was only one plausible explanation for the reason of James’s excitement. "Oh... Joey..."

Avoiding spoken language completely, James whistled appreciatively before heading out the door.

Pacey shook his head and slowly started to walk towards his office. Looking around he saw that most of the desks were deserted, the phones blinking desperately but never being answered.

The furrow between his eyebrows grew deeper by the second. Right in front of his office Pacey finally saw everyone, or to be specific, every male, huddled around Joey’s desk. The sight bordered on the weird side and Pacey couldn’t help but smile amusedly as he made his way over to them.

He’d known it years ago, and the scene that was unfolding before his eyes was yet another proof in the long chain of evidences of this truth.

The men were practically drooling as each of them tried to outdo the others in the attempt to gain Joey’s undivided attention.

Joey on the other hand was nursing a cup of coffee while her expression was polite but undoubtedly disinterested. She hadn’t been able to do much since Pacey had left the office, because soon after the men flocked to her table as if she was magnetic or something. At first she’d tried to listen to what they were saying or even to talk to them, but they acted worse than hormonally driven teenagers. Suppressing a bored yawn she let her eyes dart around and was met by deep blue ones. Her whole being became alive at once. Placing the cup back on the desk she pushed herself higher on the chair and craned her neck to get a better view at Pacey. The men were following her gaze and their laughter gradually died down.

Ignoring the slightly disappointed glances of the men and the little twinge of jealousy, Pacey held their eye-contact, communicating much more than what he was actually saying aloud. "Hey, Jo."

"Pace." Joey’s smile widened. Maybe she shouldn’t talk about the teenager-like behavior of the men, when she herself felt like one the second Pacey got close to her.

Pacey placed his hand lightly on her shoulder before he looked at the assembly pointedly. "Excuse me... are these guys bothering you?"

"No." Joey shrugged and covered Pacey’s hand with her own. "They may be trying to... but I can’t exactly tell..."

The man stared with wide eyes at the intimate gesture, not quite believing that Pacey had a right to touch her like that.

"We’re just showing her the ropes, Pacey," Ben explained hastily.

Pacey looked at him and raised one eyebrow as if to say ‘Sure you are, my ass."

Keith, a red-headed, stocky, Irish-American bent over and reached for the lever at Joey’s chair, hitting it so that the seat, and therefore Joey as well, dropped down. "Are you comfortable, Joey? I mean, this seems a little high."

"Oh... whoa..." Joey was caught off guard by the sudden and uninvited movement and chuckled uncomfortably. "That’s... umm... super... thank you." Truth to be told, it wasn’t comfortable, but she didn’t dare risk another involuntary ride on her swivel chair.

The frown returned to Pacey’s face. The insolence and boldness of the thirty-something jerk annoyed him extremely.

"Well, great." Pacey stepped even closer and almost towered over Keith. "I’m glad we got that all fixed up. But seeing as this is my secretary... umm... most importantly, my girlfriend... why don’t you guys go back to your... well, to whatever you’re supposed to be doing."

Maybe it wasn’t very professional to admit that Joey was his girlfriend and that she was working for him. Maybe the guys would start talking about how and why she got the job as an office temp. Maybe they would even laugh at him. The funny thing was, he didn’t care. When he started to work in the firm he wanted to impress the other employees and of course his boss, now that wasn’t his priority anymore.

One of the men nudged his neighbor in the side and grinned knowingly while the others stared at Pacey with almost bulging eyes and openmouthed. One single word had destroyed all the pretty daydreams they had been indulging in over the past hours.

Pacey held their inquiring gaze smilingly. He knew perfectly well what they were thinking or rather what they had been thinking about before his little announcement.

"See, what’s important for you to know is, a) she’s not gonna be here long, and b) she’s off the market." Pacey clapped his hands together before raising them again in a gesture of mock regret. "So don’t get too attached... bye, bye."

Slowly the men decided to keep what little pride they had left and trotted back to their desks. The disappointment was clearly written all over their faces, but neither Joey nor Pacey took further notice of that.

"Off the market, huh?" Joey leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms in front of her chest as if she was offended by Pacey’s choice of words.

Pacey’s shoulders slumped slightly and the satisfied smile left his face. His speech had solved one problem but had created a totally different one. Lowering his gaze to study his feet intensely he tried to find a way out off the hole in which he had buried himself in.

"Umm... that... I didn’t mean it like that... I mean, not as if you were a thing that could ever be on a market whatsoever... or anything... I mean, I just..." Pacey wrung his hands nervously and shuffled with his foot.

Joey bit down on her lip, immensely enjoying seeing him squirming like this. "No?"

"No..."

"Are you jealous, Pace?" Joey rolled closer to him and tried to gauge his mimic.

"Me?" Pacey raised his brow and grinned sheepishly. He was jealous but he didn’t really want to admit it. "I just thought those guys were getting on your nerves... besides, they’re here to work, right? Not to drool." Pacey bent forward and placed his hands on the armrests of Joey’s chair.

"Neander-creeps." Joey shrugged good-naturedly, "Sorry about that."

Pacey opened his mouth to say something when the telephone on Joey’s desk started to ring. It was time to go back to work and in a way Pacey was glad to escape the question Joey had posed.

~*~

"You were calling?" Joey asked as she walked into Pacey’s office.

Pacey was playing with the executive toy that Joey had given him the other day. Holding it in his left hand he shook it while he watched the little balls sway back and forth. Hearing her voice he dragged his eyes from the toy and looked at her while raising the object in his hand into the air.

"Yeah... what is this?"

"Oh..." Joey played nervously with the pen she was holding. "Well, that’s your office-warming gift. It’s a Newton’s Cradle" She paused and looked down. Maybe the idea of buying this toy hadn’t been so good after all. "You forgot to open it yesterday..."

"Ahh, right... I left it here when we went out for... lunch..." Pacey smiled suggestively.

"Yeah, I thought since now you’re a true professional and you have an office of your own, that you deserve pointless gadgets to stick on your desk." Joey raised her eyes and returned his smile despite the blush that was covering her cheeks.

"Well, thank you, Miss Potter. That’s very thoughtful of you." Pacey placed the cradle carefully back on his desk and flicked the silver ball closest to his hand to set it in motion once again.

"Well, I’m the best assistant ever." Joey grinned relieved that he did like her gift.

The tip of her tongue was barely visible between her teeth. She probably didn’t even know it, but it was one of her smiles that Pacey loved most. It was her unique expression of pure happiness. Of course Pacey had noticed it and the good thing was that he was sitting behind his desk, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to control himself. He swallowed and tried to think of something else. Surprisingly he found something that helped him immediately. It was highly probable that her smile wasn’t only for him an absolute turn-on. Maybe she had smiled at the other men, too. The green-eyed monster triumphantly reared its ugly head again.

"Of course you are." He paused, but was unable to stop himself, "You know, uh... when I got in from the meeting this morning?" Pacey kept their eye contact but pointed with an outstretched arm behind himself to where a blue and empty thermos jug rested. "You forgot to make coffee... and I like to start the morning with a cup."

Joey followed his gesture and frowned. "Oh, well... you had already started your morning with several cups of coffee, didn’t you?" She wasn’t quite sure where his sudden change of mood came from.

"Huh?" Pacey cleared his throat. Of course she was right and he berated himself for even starting to pick a fight, no matter how small, with her. "Yeah, sure... but I meant, starting my day at the office with a cup. Maybe you’ve been a little preoccupied with all your admirers..." his voiced trailed off cursing himself silently for his idiotic accusations.

"Right." Joey narrowed her eyes on him. Jealousy oozed out of his every pore and despite his stupid behavior she did like it somehow. Not the jealousy per se, but the reason that was behind it.

"Well, you were a chef, right?" Joey pursed her lips and nodded slightly as if she was trying to convince a small kid that it could accomplish a very difficult task all on its own. "I mean, you can make it yourself, can’t you?"

Pacey stared at her. "Gotcha," he thought defeated. He should have known better than to argue with one certain Miss Potter.

Joey mentally patted herself on her shoulder as she watched Pacey open and close his mouth. There was really no question who was boss.

"Sure, ... yeah..." Pacey managed to utter just as Rich walked through the open door of his office. Trying to cover his lapse in front of his boss he fumbled with some folders and handed one to Joey. "Could you run this down to Tom, please?"

"Sure." Joey smiled and grazed his hand with her fingertips before turning around.

Rich stopped right under the doorframe, effectively forcing Joey to squeeze herself through the small space that was left. While passing by Joey pityingly glanced at him for his blatant advances.

"Are you sure you need to find a replacement?" Rich asked as he continued to stare after Joey.

Pacey rolled his eyes and closed them briefly before talking to Rich’s backside, "She’s got another job, and she’s in school..." Pacey waited until Rich finally faced him and then stressed each word by pointing his index finger toward his boss, "... and most importantly, she’s unavailable, Rich."

"All right... okay." Rich muttered lightly and looked over his shoulder in hopes to catch another glimpse of Joey, but had no such luck.

Pacey rubbed his chin, feeling like he could have talked to wall as well, because Rich obviously didn’t give a damn about his warning. "Tell you the truth, the whole thing’s becoming a bit of a debacle. I got here this morning... the guys were all over her desk."

Rich finally turned his attention towards Pacey shrugging his shoulders and sighed. "Like that’s not gonna happen with anything remotely female."

"And she’s also my girlfriend which..." Pacey stopped right in time to prevent himself from saying that he couldn’t stand watching the guys drooling all over her and added, "...umm... makes it a little awkward when I’m trying to tell her what to do."

Rich chuckled and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "You’ve got to get yourself together, man. There’s a reporter coming in to talk to us later... and I don’t want you to be snotting all over your tie because you haven’t had a nonfat mocha latte grande or whatever."

While Rich was announcing the appearance of a reporter Joey returned to the office with another folder that Tom had sent in for Pacey and as he started to talk about the coffee she stepped closer to Pacey’s desk and smiled, winking at him.

Pacey returned her smile brightly, knowing that he was forgiven. "A reporter for who?" It was a little difficult for him to concentrate on what Rich was telling him as he watched Joey sitting down on her chair and her skirt riding up a bit as she did so.

"I don’t know. Some chick from the financial section to discuss our little up-and-coming company here. See how the big boys play and whatnot." Rich grinned.

"Cool." Pacey flipped through the folder.

"Yeah, it’s swell," Rich affirmed with a bored sing-song voice. "So you better straighten up, ‘cause it seems like this broad is interested in you in particular... rising to the top in record time or something." He raised is brow, not quite believing that a greenhorn like Pacey was getting so much attention.

Joey bent forward on her chair and glanced into Pacey’s office. A female reporter was interested in Pacey? Somehow she didn’t like the tone in which Rich was talking. Frowning she watched Pacey’s reaction.

"Really? She wants to talk to me, huh?" Pacey’s eyes widened and his face lit up like a Christmas tree. He couldn’t believe that someone actually wanted to interview him. It made him feel proud and he straightened right away.

Rich grimaced and gesticulated disparagingly, "Seriously, it’s the financial section. Who reads that?" He turned on his heels and left the room without even looking at Joey.

Pacey smiled happily and shrugged. He didn’t care who read the financial section, just the fact that a reporter thought him worthy to be interviewed and maybe to print what he might have to say boosted his ego immensely.

As soon as Rich left Joey got up and trailed her hand around the doorframe. Slowly approaching Pacey who was still delving into the idea of being interviewed she couldn’t help but smile as well. He looked too cute in his happiness.

"So, she wants to talk to you?"

Slightly disoriented Pacey looked up and blinked a few times before Joey’s words registered in his brain. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"Well, yes. I’m your assistant. It’s my job.... it’s what I do," Joey stated simply trying to hide the proud grin that was persistently tugging on the corners of her mouth.

Pacey glanced from the Newton’s Cradle up to Joey and back again. "Mm-hmm." Reaching for the toy he pulled a ball away before releasing it so that it set the others into motion. The playful click-clack of the bumping balls rang out instantly. Folding his hands Pacey cocked his head to the side and cast an ‘I-am-the-king‘ glance at Joey who smirked, batted her lashes and returned to her desk, provocatively swaying her hips.

Pacey took a deep breath and groaned silently. Rocking back into his chair he just watched Joey and listened to the brazen sound. Life was good.

~*~

"I’m sorry that I called you while you’re working... I just..." Jen sniffed and cradled her cell phone.

"It’s okay, Jen. Don’t worry. Don’t you remember all the those times I called you when... Pacey... you know, after..." Joey sighed, not really wanting to go there.

"Yeah... still that was different." Jen took a deep breath.

"What did he do?" Joey asked softly as she watched Pacey pacing behind his desk, talking enthusiastically into his headset. He was all grown up now, a wonderful man... and still he had so much of the boy she had fallen in love with. It was amazing, he was amazing.

"I was trying to talk to him, but... well, it didn’t go so well and basically he called me slut." The hurt was evident in her voice and Joey wasn’t sure how she could soothe her friend.

"He didn’t say that, Jen... did he?"

"No, well, not really... but he said, and I’m quoting here, ‘I don't understand why the creeps and the scumbags who treated you so poorly got the benefit of your sex drive. Whereas guys like me who actually treat you fairly well... we get ridiculed for wanting to have sex with you.’ Now how should I understand that, if he’s not calling me a slut?" Jen asked angrily.

"Look, I know that this sounds bad... but I also know that C.J. would never call you a slut, he wouldn’t even think that. I guess, he’s just insecure and...well, boys... men... they won’t admit it, but they’re just as scared about how they compare..." Joey explained frowning. Who was she trying to kid here? She wasn’t exactly apt to give advice on relationships, was she?

"So I overreacted... again?" Jen sighed.

"I’d say yes. You two just have to talk about it... and don’t run away when you think he’s wrong." Joey suggested still with her eyes glued to Pacey.

"How do you know I ran away?" Jen’s eyes widened and she stopped walking.

Joey laughed. "Well, that was just a wild guess... but I used to do the same."

~*~

Pacey felt Joey’s eyes on him and found it extremely hard, in more ways than one, to listen to his client. Pacing back and forth in his office he tried to concentrate on business, but every so often his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

"I hear what you’re saying, Walter. I’m just not willing to push it that hard. Look, I just don’t have the numbers, okay?" Pacey explained while rubbing his chin.

"What do you mean, you don’t have the numbers? I sent you a fax," Walter stated dryly.

"Well, when? Okay, hold on a second... let me ask my secretary." Pacey frowned and walked over to Joey who was still on the phone.

"Hey, Jo..."

Joey looked up and directly into Pacey’s irritated face. "Umm... gotta go. I’ll call you later, okay? Bye." She flipped her cell phone shut and blushed as if he had caught her red-handed stealing cookies from the jar.

"Look, did a fax come in... like twenty minutes ago?" Pacey asked calmly but bit on his lower lip.

"Oh, yeah, right... I’m sorry..." Joey turned into a nice tomato shade of red and offered him the fax that she had intended to hand in several minutes ago.

Pacey nodded and hurried back to his desk. "Okay Walter, I got it right in front of me. Sorry for the delay... shoot."

Joey waited guiltily until Pacey finished his conversation before she walked over to him. Standing in front of his desk, she fiddled with her blouse and cleared her throat to get his attention.

"I’m sorry, Pace. Jen called... and... she’s got a problem with C.J... and..."

Pacey sighed and studied Joey’s flushed face. He could tell she was really ashamed for causing him the little trouble. "Forget it, it’s okay... nothing happened. I’m sorry that Jen has problems... and I understand that you wanted to help her... but maybe you should turn your cell off while we’re working here, okay?"

"Okay... I’m sorry." Joey’s voice was small and she felt like Pacey was scolding her.

Pacey stood up and reached over his desk to take her hand in his, intertwining their fingers easily. "Jo, it’s really okay. Mistakes happen, just... you know..."

"Yeah, I know." Joey smiled softly. "It won’t happen again."

Pacey nodded and brought her hand up to brush his lips over her knuckles. A small gesture that held so much meaning for both of them.

Kissing her palm once again Pace was startled by the sudden appearance of a woman, not just any woman, but the one he had met at the company party.

Flashing her his most winning smile he let go of Joey’s hand abruptly and greeted her. "Hi."

Sadia totally ignored Joey’s presence and just looked at Pacey with sparkling eyes. "Hi."

"What are you doing here?" Pacey wondered as he missed Joey’s somewhat hurt expression.

"Well..." Sadia smiled, "your secretary wasn’t at her desk, so I hope..."

"Oh, " Pacey quickly darted his eyes towards Joey seeing the questions in her dark eyes, questions that held no promise of being pleasant.

~*~

Forcing himself to act professionally, Pacey straightened and smiled at Sadia. "That’s fine. She’s... umm, that’s ... she’s there." He pointed at Joey, groaning inwardly at his incapability to form a coherent sentence.

Joey’s face hardened slightly as she tried to figure out why exactly Pacey was so nervous and why he had let go of her hand as he had done something forbidden. Thinking about it, there could only be one possible explanation. Joey watched the interaction between the woman and Pacey. He knew her, they had met before, that much was obvious. She had to acknowledge that she was beautiful, long dark and curly hair, big eyes, a little smaller than herself and she was showing her big smile, a flirting smile. Joey swallowed and lifted her chin. She didn’t want to be jealous, she didn’t want to let some fleeting acquaintance affect her so much.

"Oh, okay..." Sadia turned to Joey and smiled at her. "You wouldn’t mind hanging this up for me then, would you?" she asked sweetly and handed her coat to Joey.

Joey took the coat but remained frozen to the spot where she was standing. "Do you have an appointment, Miss?" Joey asked coolly.

"Why yes." Sadia ignored Joey and smiled widely at Pace. "As a matter of fact, I do."

"Uh, this is Sadia Shaw, Pacey... the reporter I was telling you about," Rich declared as he entered Pacey’s office and positioned himself behind the two women, admiring the view.

"Of course." Pacey extended his hand.

"Pleased to meet you again." Sadia took his offered hand into hers, holding it while she continued, "So I guess the rumors I’ve been hearing are true, Pacey. You’re certainly moving up in the world."

Joey couldn’t draw her eyes away from their still joined hands. Both seemed to be very comfortable with the contact, because neither tried to remove their hand.

Joey felt her heartbeat quicken as a hot sensation rushed through her body. "So you guys know each other?" she heard herself say, but it sounded somewhat muted to her.

"Not entirely..." Sadia accentuated the last word and let it and its meaning linger in the air for a moment, "... but I guess that’s what the interview’s for."

"I guess so." Pacey chuckled but stopped when he met Joey’s eyes.

Rich found the whole situation very entertaining and couldn’t help but laugh. The evil glare Joey shot at him just fueled his amusement.

"Hey, is there anything we can get you to make you more comfortable?" Pacey inquired obligingly before his tone became slightly demanding, "Jo, would you mind grabbing us a pot of coffee?"

Joey gasped. If he wanted to play boss now in front of the reporter he would reap what he sowed. Her tone was cold as she replied and her eyes were hard. "Sure, Mr. Witter. I will get right on that."

Pacey’s face fell. Joey’s cold attitude cut right through him although he wasn’t completely sure what it was that had set her off like that.

"Thank you." Sadia smiled overly sweetly at Joey before demanding Pacey’s attention again.

"Yeah, thank you." Pacey muttered and watched Joey out of the corner of his eyes. It felt like she had raised a wall between them in a matter of seconds. He was confused, but at that moment he couldn’t think it. Right then he had to be nothing but professional.

Walking around his desk he guided Sadia over to the couch which was set against the side wall. "Why don’t you step in, make yourself more comfortable."

Joey followed them with her eyes. She was sure that Pacey did have some kind of history with that woman. It shouldn’t hurt her like it did, because if there had been something, it happened before they got together again. But it did hurt. Biting her lip she left the office, tempted to throw Sadia’s coat in the next best and preferably dirty corner.

~*~

After Joey had left them alone, Pacey straightened and concentrated on the questions Sadia was posing. Nevertheless only a small part of his brain could focus on the topic at hand. The greater part and his heart were contemplating over Joey’s behavior. She seemed hurt and that was the last thing Pacey wanted her to be.

"So, Rich... would you say that Pacey’s arrival and your rise in profitability had a direct correlation?" Sadia tilted her head to get a better view of Rich who was leaning against Pacey’s desk.

"Well, let’s not get crazy here. We all know how unpredictable the market is. It just so happens we also started to push a new stock around that time, and it did very well for us." Rich tried to play Pacey’s part in their success down.

"And that would be Stepatech." Sadia nodded and scribbled something in her notebook.

"Yes. And, as a matter of fact, I was the first person who went out with Stepatech," Pacey interfered.

"Yeah, that’s correct. Pacey was the first," Rich acknowledged, bored. He didn’t really care about this interview, especially because he felt like it really should be him they should want to talk to. He had been in the business much longer than Pacey. He had made the company into what it was now, but obviously nobody cared about his efforts.

"This must be quite a coup for you, Pacey..." Sadia licked her lips as she crossed her legs slowly. "I heard that until recently you were a cook?"

Rich shook his head and snorted lightly.

Pacey frowned and looked at Rich as he answered, "Yeah, actually I did dabble for a while in the food service industry, but I’m quite...," but was interrupted in mid-sentence as they heard a loud bang, followed by a torrent of curses, very Potter sounding curses.

Joey closed her eyes and shook her head. Of course this had to happen. Straying around Pacey’s ajar door, attempting to catch what was said inside she had accidentally knocked over a small side table where a box with forgotten Christmas-giveaways had sat. Defeated she stuck her head inside the office, "Nothing happened, nothing irretrievable at least. Sorry for the... umm... disturbance." Joey smiled lopsidedly and disappeared again.

Pacey ran one hand through his hair and smiled uncomfortably. "I apologize for that. It’s her first day..."

"Ah." Sadia shrugged and threw her hair back.

"Anyway... Where was I?" Pacey asked confused.

"I wish I could remember. I was riveted." Rich grimaced.

Sadia opened her mouth, ready to shoot another question, only to be interrupted again by Joey, who came in bearing a tray loaded with cups, sugar, milk and coffee along with some cookies. "Fresh coffee?" she asked innocently.

"Great." Pacey jumped in and pointed to his desk. "You can just put it on the desk."

Joey simply gazed at him and put the tray right in front of him on the coffee table. "Nah, that wouldn’t be practical." Dropping several lumps of sugar in one of the cups she turned to Sadia. "Pacey just can’t drink his coffee without tons of sugar."

Pacey had absolutely no idea why Joey was acting so strangely and knowing that it didn’t look that good, he tried to cut his losses as early as possible. Not to mention that he didn’t want Joey to make a fool of herself.

"All right. Thanks for your help... Miss Potter. That’ll be all."

Ignoring Pacey, Joey smiled sweetly at Sadia. "And how do you take yours?"

"Uh, just a splash of cream... nonfat, if you have it, please. Thank you." Sadia didn’t even bother to look up and just held her hand out while she continued to jot down notes.

Placing a mug in Sadia’s outstretched hand, Joey reached for the milk can. "Of course." She hadn’t thought about doing anything else than pouring coffee, but Sadia’s request for cream put a whole new idea into her mind. A wicked smile cleaved its way to her face. Holding the can high above Sadia’s mug she poured the cream right to the left of it and therefore directly on her pant clad leg.

"Oh... my... god." Joey grabbed a few napkins and started to wipe at the spot on the expensive pants. She knew she behaved badly to say the least, but by doing it she felt strangely satisfied.

"Oh! You know what? I can get it," Sadia spat still trying to remain calm.

Joey raised her eyebrows and licked her lips. For a short moment both woman stared at each others eyes. Sparks were flying, dangerous sparks.

Rich rubbed his hands together, grinned sardonically and let his tongue dart out. This was exactly what he wanted to see. A catfight right in his office, right before his eyes. This was a day to his liking.

"I’m so sorry." Joey tossed the napkin back on the tray.

"I got it." Sadia dabbed at the prominent spot while glaring at Joey. She actually [i]got[/i] more than the ability of taking care of the stain. Apparently Pacey Witter’s status had changed since she saw him last. Her female sixth sense had warned her the minute she walked into his office, that the secretary was much more. No matter how sexy Pacey might be, she could live without troubles like this.

Shocked by the incident, Pacey had spilled his own coffee over his hand. Pressing his lips together he dried his hand with another napkin. He was pissed off and glared at Joey. Was it really too much to ask for the chance of boosting his career?

To his deepest regret Rich noted that the free entertainment was over and suggested, "Witter, uh... why don’t we... continue this interview in my office? I’m sure we’ll be more comfortable there."

Sadia quickly gathered her things and stood up. The faster she got away from the jealous girlfriend, the better for her and her designer goodies.

Rich opened the door for Sadia and whispered loudly, "You know, it’s much bigger!"

Pacey adjusted his tie and waited until the door had closed behind them. Joey cast a guilty glance at Pacey, who returned it angrily without saying one word.

"It was an accident," Joey blurted and attempted to smile.

"Really! An accident." Pacey stated poignantly. "Now, why do I find that so hard to believe?"

"You better get going," the notorious Potter stubbornness kicked in, "You don’t want to miss your fifteen minutes of fame, do you?" Joey turned and left the office. She knew it was her fault that Pacey was pissed right now, but why did he have to flirt with Sadia in the first place, nevertheless right before her eyes?

Pacey took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. One minute life was as good as it gets and then, only moments later he found himself in a mess like this.

~*~

The rest of the day dragged on very slowly. After the interview Pacey had returned to his office and busied himself with paperwork. He hadn’t said one word to her, and Joey couldn’t stand his silent treatment any longer. Finishing her last assignment, she walked into his office and placed a file down on his desk.

Pacey barely looked up and just nodded as he continued to stare at the papers in front of him. Joey sighed and turned around. Before leaving his office she cast one last, sad glance back at him and found him gazing at her.

"Well, what was that earlier?" Pacey put his pen down. They had to talk about it and seeing her so sad broke his heart.

Joey sighed. Pacey looked tired and one reason for that was probably her encounter with Sadia. "How do you know that woman?"

"The reporter?" Pacey’s eyes widened. So that was the reason. Joey was jealous. "I met her once..." he emphasized the once by raising his index finger, "...at a function. Months ago. I didn’t even know her name." Pacey needed her to understand that there was no reason to be jealous.

"Why does that not shock me?" Joey couldn’t help it. So he did meet her before, once, but she knew that it didn’t mean that there hadn’t been more between them. It had happened before, right?

"God, Joey. We were never formally introduced. I mean, would it have killed you to have acted professionally today?" Pacey shook his head. He really didn’t understand her behavior.

"Come on, Pacey. You guys are pigs." Joey stepped closer to his desk and watched him stare at her openmouthed. "You didn’t even realize that... you were..." crossing her arms in defense she stopped briefly. "I’m sorry, but according to cavemen standards, which seem to be the art of procedure in this company, I’m not the professional type."

Pacey frowned. Joey didn’t make much sense there, even if she was jealous, which was nice in a weird way, he had never experienced her like this. "And what type is that? The type that can pour a cup of coffee without painting it all over the walls?" he paused and watched her clenching her jaw. "Because you’re not that type. I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re talking about here."

"That’s all an assistant is to you, isn’t it? Just some chick who pours coffee," Joey muttered defiantly.

Pacey threw his hands in the air, completely lost. "I didn’t realize that you wanted to be a career assistant."

"Why do you think Rich fired Marcy? ‘Cause she’s over thirty. Have you ever noticed the assistants here?" Joey practically yelled and pointed to the door. She knew she wasn’t making any sense but didn’t know what to say or how to explain why she was saying anything of this.

Squinting his eyes at her, Pacey had to suppress the urge to laugh at the stupidity of it all. "I feel like there’s no good way to answer that question."

"They look like the Maxim girls of the office out there," Joey explained annoyed.

"I guess I’ve never noticed." Pacey shrugged. "Because when I come here, it’s to do my job. Nothing more, nothing less. Which I was actually pretty good at until you came here and sabotaged me."

"I didn’t sabotage you... I just... all I’m asking for is a little respect..." Joey’s voice trailed of and she stared at her feet.

"Woman! You’re wrecking my head," Pacey exclaimed frustrated. "What the hell are we talking about here? And don’t tell me this is about how to treat an assistant, ‘cause we both know that’s not the real problem here."

"Frankly, Pacey. I’m beginning to understand the nickname." Joey’s defense mode took over.

"What nickname?" Pacey frowned. Again they had switched topics and his head started to spin.

"They call you witless." Joey propped her hands on the desk and bent down to Pacey.

"Who calls me witless?" Pacey narrowed his eyes on her.

Joey elongated her chin and straightened. "I think that would be unprofessional of me to disclose such information."

"Where was that professionalism when you were pouring cream down the reporter’s leg?" Pacey asked and leaned back.

"Oh, please. Don’t say ‘reporter’ like you haven’t burned that girl’s name into your memory." Joey rolled her eyes, not only at him, but also at herself for giving away the fact that she was jealous. Sighing, she was about to turn around as Pacey’s voice stopped her.

"You know, I don’t think this is the proper arena to vent your jealousy." Pacey smiled. Josephine Potter was jealous. He should have known it right away. He had been there when she lashed out at Jen years ago, hadn’t he?

"Jealous?" Joey walked back briskly. "Hardly. Okay, yeah. I might’ve had some sort of psychotic lapse, but that was odd, really , because... why would I be jealous?" she almost clipped several words in her rush to contradict Pacey’s statement.

"I don’t know." Pacey’s smile grew wider. Joey couldn’t fool him. He knew what was going on.

"It’s not like you’d ever be attracted to the shrewd business type, right?" Joey asked but the sharpness of her voice couldn’t mask the insecurity that lay beneath it. How could she know if Pacey wasn’t attracted to women like Sadia? It had been two years and he did meet a lot of different women in this time.

Pacey grinned and moved his chair closer to his desk, bending forward even more so that only inches were parting them. "Well... you know, I’m not so sure about that. Actually there’s this certain brunette, very shrewd woman that kind of coined my taste in the female species."

Joey inhaled sharply and Pacey watched her face as the true meaning behind his words started to sink in. She relaxed a little, but her defenses were still up. He could almost see the next verbal onslaught forming in her chocolate eyes. Deciding to take the wind out of her sails he added, "Well, what does it matter? ‘Cause you’re not jealous. Right?"

Joey opened her mouth and licked her lips. What should she reply to that? Seeing Pacey smirk triumphantly Joey aimed for at least taking him down with her if she couldn’t win the debate in the first place.

"Right. Just like you haven’t been jealous this morning... or this whole day, huh?"

"Umm..." Pacey sucked at his lower lip helplessly. Why hadn’t he seen that one coming? "I ... well, no..."

"Thinking about it, that wasn’t the proper arena to vent your jealousy either, was it?" Joey asked challenging.

For a moment Pacey was at loss of words. Fine, both of them were jealous, both of them had acted strangely, but he wasn’t quite ready to eat humble pie just yet.

"You know what? I’d like to issue an apology. Take a letter, would you?"

Joey stared at him as if he was crazy and pursed her lips speechlessly.

"You’re gonna need a pen and paper," he explained calmly and handed her a notepad and a pen.

Trying to swallow a harsh remark Joey took the items and sat down in the chair opposite to Pacey.

Reclining in his chair once more, Pacey twiddled his thumbs and started to dictate. "Dear... Miss... Shaw... it was...wonderful... to see you this afternoon." Scratching his chin and watching Joey morosely scribbling on her notepad, he changed his mind. "No, no. Go back. ... it was... lovely... to see you again. I would like to take this opportunity... to apologize for my secretary’s behavior." Pacey noticed that Joey had stopped writing and pushed back in his chair to get up and walked towards her while still dictating. "Because, you see... she’s new... and very... bad."

Joey stood up as well, meeting him halfway and accentuated each word with a light dab against his chest. "I missed the last part. It was something moronic followed by something inane."

For a split second they stared at each other, the remnants of their heated discussion still tangible, before their gazes softened and they jumped into each other’s arms, kissing passionately and trying to release all the pent-up emotions that had gathered within them over the day.

Pacey’s hand immediately went for her bun, fiddling around with the hair pins until they complied and her tresses tumbled down to her shoulders and over his hand. He needed her closer, needed to feel her and from the way she was responding to him, he knew that she needed just the same. Lifting her swiftly up in his arms he carried her over to the couch and laid her down, quickly following and never breaking their fervent kisses.

Joey moaned against Pacey’s lips and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer against her. He was halfway kneeling above her, halfway straddling her with one foot left on the ground for leverage.

At this point their whole day ceased to be anything but a indescribable long and seductive foreplay.

Sliding her hands over his shoulders she slipped them under the lapels of his jacket, impatiently tugging at it. Pacey made short work of shrugging the offending item off of him and threw it recklessly to the floor before his hands returned to Joey’s face.

Their tongues met in their wonted ritual, teasing, tempting and leaving them both wanting more. Joey’s fingertips skimmed lightly over his ribcage and up and down his sides, sending shivers through his whole body. The feelings were so intense he had to capture her hands and bring them up to rest above her head in fear he would lose it completely just from her soft touch. He was about to give her a lesson on sweet payback as the sound of someone coughing slightly distracted him.

Rich entered Pacey’s office in his usual way without knocking and was rewarded with a heart and other parts warming sight. Having always been a little voyeur, he enjoyed watching Pacey and Joey making out right before his eyes ere he started, more or less enthusiastically, to draw attention to his presence.

Slightly embarrassed to be caught in a compromising situation and position, Pacey turned his head to identify the intruder while Joey tried to hide her flushed face.

"I’m, uh, headed out, Witter." Rich grinned and adjusted his dress pants for good measure. "Don’t forget our dinner date with the big boss." Instead of leaving like any normal human being with the smallest sense of tact would have done long ago, Rich seemed perfectly happy being rooted to his spot. Raising his eyebrows mockingly he muttered, "Jeez, man. At least I waited a week with mine."

Finally heading towards the door, Rich was stopped by Joey’s scoff, "More like she pondered the level of her disgust for a week."

Swallowing hard, Rich nodded slowly. "Good one." It was the first time that a woman, an employee no less, dared to answer him back like that. He had to take his hat off for her for that. Without another word he left the office, banging the door behind him.

Pacey looked down at Joey and smirked. "Pigs... we’re all pigs."

"Mm-hmm," Joey mumbled and raised her head to kiss Pacey quickly.

Just as Pacey tried to deepen their kiss once more, Joey pulled back and put her hands against his chest. Slightly irritated Pacey drew back and gazed questioning into her desire-filled eyes.

Smiling at his confusion, Joey whispered, "Lock the door, Pace."

Pacey’s eyes widened in surprise as he realized what Joey was insinuating. He kissed her again and then jumped up and almost fell to the floor in the attempt to reach the door.

"Don’t move," Pacey said while locking the door, but when he turned to the couch again, he found it empty.

~*~

Darting his eyes hastily through the room, the last rational thought left him, when he finally saw her sitting lasciviously right on his desk. Her hands were propped up behind her, enabling her to lean back, while presenting her breasts to him. Her head was tilted towards him, her mouth slightly opened, her eyes big and dark. Her feet rested on his chair with her legs crossed decently and thus in complete contrast to the rest of her tempting appearance.

Licking his lips, Pacey slowly walked backwards to where his jacket lay discarded on the floor, unable to tear his eyes from her.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Joey asked huskily.

"Umm... there’s something we’ll need in a ... few moments," Pacey cleared his throat.

"Are you looking for this?" Joey smiled and waved with the small foil wrapper she had hidden in her hand.

"Snooping around my pockets?" Pacey tossed the jacket back to the floor.

"Nah, no need for that... remember, you told my where you kept the goods."

"I did, huh?" Smirking and remembering, Pacey walked over to her and ran his fingertips up her legs, slowly sliding her skirt farther up her thighs before lifting them from the chair and parting them gently to step between them. Trailing his hands up her thighs and over her hips to her back, he pulled her closer to the edge of the desk to get her closer to him. "What was wrong with the couch?"

"Nothing..." Joey hooked her feet around Pacey’s legs and brought her hands between them, starting to loosen his tie, "... but we already have so many couch-memories..." Her voice trailed off as she managed to free him from his silken accessory. Tossing it in the general direction of the jacket she continued to work on the buttons of his shirt. Nerve-rackingly slow, she eased each of them through their small buttonholes and placed tiny kisses down his throat. "Besides... how much time do you spend on that couch... opposed to the time you spend at your desk?"

"God, woman..." Pacey groaned and tightened his grip on her waist. He doubted he’d ever be able to work at that desk... or in his office for that matter... again... ever.

Needing to feel him skin to skin, Joey pulled the now opened shirt out of his pants and slipped her hands under his wife-beater. She could feel his muscles flex under her touch and sighed contently.

Her small noise was almost enough to send him over the edge. Just the idea of crossing yet another border of his fantasies with her was overwhelming. Pacey ran his hands slowly up her legs by trailing lazy patterns. He knew they didn’t have much time for foreplay and that this adventure would be a quickie at the office, actually that was the turn-on, but he couldn’t help himself. Whenever he touched her, he couldn’t get enough, never. Pushing her skirt higher he made an interesting discovery.

"Tigh-high stockings, Jo? Did you plan something like this?" Pacey asked admiringly and kissed the bare skin just above the lacy top of her stockings.

"No..." Joey smiled teasingly, "...at least I didn’t plan anything for the office hours... and I was shopping with Jen at..."

"You know, right now would be another perfect moment to stop talking..." Pacey whispered huskily against her lips before capturing them hungrily with his own.

~*~

"Are you sure that I can’t drive you to Hell’s Kitchen?" Pacey asked for the hundredth time as he parked in front of Joey’s dormitory.

"Pace, no. I need to change into something... different," Joey tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and looked pointedly at her fairly rumpled blouse and skirt.

"What have you done to your beautiful outfit?" Pacey smirked and reached for her hand. "Once a tomboy, always a tomboy, huh? Just can’t wear..."

"If you know what’s good for you, you’d better stop now, Pacey. I didn’t do anything, ... that would have been your impatient self, that couldn’t wait for me to undress before you... ravaged me," Joey protested mockingly but snaked her free hand around his neck and pulled him down to her, kissing him passionately.

"Mhmm... okay, point taken," Pacey grinned as he pulled back after a while. "I could wait..." he offered again, not really comfortable with the thought of her walking to the bar in the evening.

"Stop it. You don’t have time, you need to get to that fancy restaurant to meet this big boss of yours and the firm’s own pervert, what was his name again?" Joey joked and caressed his cheek softly with her thumb.

"I’m so not in the mood for that," Pacey sighed and rested his forehead against hers, inhaling deeply.

"Yes you are, too. Remember, boosting your career? Playing with the big boys? And I’m really happy that your boss is male..." Joey alluded to their all-for-the-career-dinner not so long ago.

"Aww, still jealous?" Pacey brushed his lips over hers again.

"Am not," Joey nibbled lightly at his lower lip, causing him to deepen the kiss.

They almost gave in to a repeat performance of their office quickie, this time in Pacey’s car, but at the last moment Joey regained her consciousness and drew back.

"You can pick me up after your dinner though, what do you say?"

"I’ll most certainly do that," Pacey kissed her again, short and hard. "Okay, I’d better get going now..." sighing he scooted back in his seat and got out of the car to open the door for Joey.

~*~

Just as she had predicted, the evening was slow at the bar. Only a few patrons lost their way into Hell’s Kitchen and she counted the minutes to closing time.

"I think we’re done for today, huh?" Steve asked and turned towards Joey.

"Huh?" frowning she tilted her head and stared at the new bartender who replaced Eddie shortly after he left for California.

"Where were you just now?" Steve chuckled and lifted the steel cash box. "Day is over. Time to close the register. Time to clean up. Time to go home."

"Yeah, right. Sorry, I’m kinda tired or something." Joey took the cash box from Steve when the door opened. Ready to tell whoever it was that they were closed, she looked up and met Pacey’s smiling face.

"Hey, Mr. Witter. What can I get you?" she set the box down and smiled.

"Oh, nothing, actually." Pacey walked over to the bar. "I’m kinda partial to this jacket. ... Besides, I don’t think you’ve got what I want on the menu." Pacey smirked and adjusted his jacket.

"Tired or something, huh?" Steve mumbled and grinned as he walked past Joey into the kitchen.

Joey blushed a little at his comment before concentrating on Pacey again. "Not the best of first days, I’ll admit."

"No. But I’m of the opinion that some worlds should never collide. Plus, how are you ever gonna take me seriously..." Pacey replied and interrupted himself as he watched Joey struggling with the cash box and the attempt to carry a few bottles. "I got it..." he grabbed the bottles and nodded, "... now that you know the guys call me witless?"

Smiling a ‘thank you’, Joey started to walk into the back room, all the while talking over her shoulder. "You know, I called you worse things than that... and, well... my whole jealousy act really didn’t showcase my best features."

"Actually, you know... I kinda liked that part," Pacey admitted and followed her.

Turning her head, Joey stuck her tongue out. "You were just hoping she and I would wrestle."

"What kind of man do you take me for?" Pacey stopped short in his tracks and stared at her in disbelief. "You’re confusing me with Rich here. ... And I really meant that, it’s nice... in a strange way... you being jealous, I mean."

Joey placed the cash box on the high table behind her and opened the glass door of the huge refrigerator. "Really?" she blushed again, still ashamed of her behavior, or rather of the fact that he liked it.

"Yeah, you showing your claws to defend what’s yours..." his voice trailed off.

Joey smiled and her eyes told him that she understood. Clearing her throat she aimed for a more shallow stretch of water, "I guess I’m just not used to office combat. I’m more of a drunk wrangler."

"That’s good news, actually... because I wanted to tell you not to quit your night job." Pacey handed her the bottles and watched her carefully as she sorted and put them away.

"What do you mean?" Joey faced him, trying to read his expression.

"Well, I mean that under no circumstances do I ever want to see you in my place of work again... regardless of how hot you look in pinstripes," Pacey’s voice cracked.

Furiously shutting the door, Joey narrowed her eyes on him. "You’re firing me?" She couldn’t believe he was doing this to her.

"Y...yeah, but I mean... c...can you think of any better solution?" Pacey blinked nervously. Throughout the dinner he had thought about their day and everything that had happened. The difficult thing now was, to make her understand just why it was impossible to work together and judging from her expression, this wouldn’t be an easy task.

"Is this because of the whole coffee thing, Pacey?" Joey asked warily. One moment he told her he liked what she had done and in the next he was firing her? "Because I can make coffee. And I can serve it and everything. I’m nothing if not a professional server." She gesticulated wildly, not understanding why.

"It’s not about the coffee thing. Okay?" Pacey smiled helplessly and sighed. No, this wasn’t easy at all.

"Then what’s it about? Because I’m not quite with you here." Joey raised her brows and waited for an explanation.

"Jo, how can you expect me to concentrate if you’re around all day?" Somehow his explanation sounded extremely stupid when spoken aloud.

"Am I really that much of a distraction, Pacey? I mean, my desk is outside of your office. You can’t even see me." Still frowning she set her arms akimbo. Despite the scene with Sadia she had really enjoyed being around Pacey all day long.

Pacey shook his head slightly, hating to see the tiny hint of hurt in her eyes. "But I know you’re there, Jo. And I wouldn’t have come as far as I have if you were five feet away from me all the time. I just wouldn’t. Trust me," he pleaded, emphasizing his declarations by pointing his index finger at her.

"Really? And why is that?" Joey crossed her arms, studying him curiously with a knowing glint in her eyes.

Both looked deeply into each others eyes, communicating everything they couldn’t verbalize. Finally, a genuine smile spread between them.

"Okay, now you’re just milking this for all it’s worth, aren’t you? ... Fine." Sighing Pacey gave up. He knew that she wouldn’t stop bugging him until he put it all out into the open. "I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate because every time you’re five feet away from me, or twenty-five feet away, for that matter... there’s really only one thing that I want to do," he whispered, wetting his lips as they moved in to close the gap between them.

"Do tell." Joey mimicked his actions and slowly lost herself in his darkening eyes.

Pulling her flush to his body, Pacey held her by her hip, while his other hand buried itself into her hair and kissed her passionately. Joey returned the kiss with just as much passion, bringing her hands up to his neck and running her hands through his thick hair.

Pacey was the first to pull away, but his lips still brushed against hers as he whispered, "I want to kiss you... and then... I want to do what we did this afternoon... hence you’re an enormous distraction, Jo." Smiling widely he stepped back to look at her.

Trying to suppress her own smile, Joey pressed her lips together and nodded thoughtfully. "I’m sorry, Mr. Witter. I don’t think I can work for you anymore." Shrugging apologetically she turned and walked back to the bar.

Pacey watched her for a second before biting the inside of his cheek and finally followed her. "Fine. Just remember that I fired you."

"No, no. I quit," Joey insisted and busied herself with cleaning tables and collecting empty beer bottles on a big tray. "You have to let me keep my dignity." Deep down she knew that Pacey was right, but of course her stubbornness forced her to keep him in suspense for as long as possible.

"Okay, but... if I fire you, then you get severance pay." Pacey pushed his hands into his pockets and followed her from table to table. Two could play that game.

"Oh." Joey stopped and looked at Pacey, considering his last statement. "Well, just remember, you’ll never find another girl like me."

"I prefer to think of my secretaries as women, but okay." Pacey chuckled.

"Well, enough of that. I think we can both agree that this wasn’t the best idea." Joey exhaled and put the tray down on the long bar table.

"No doubt." Pacey stepped behind her, trapping her between the table and his body and put his hands on either side of her on the wooden surface. "My current thinking is that we can both agree that this wasn’t the best idea."

"Pity that." Joey leaned back against him, loving the feeling of security and love his mere presence created within her. "I was just looking forward to seeing you on a regular basis," her voice dropped, clearly expressing her disappointment.

"We’ll just have to make a point to make more time, then, won’t we?" Pacey rested his chin on her shoulder and chuckled. "You almost done here?" he asked, kissing the sensitive spot below her earlobe.

"I just have to close up the register," she smiled and shivered slightly.

Pacey nuzzled her neck and moved his right hand to her hip. He would make sure that they spent as much time as possible with each other, daily, nightly... and he would start right away. "Well... that’s excellent, ‘cause, you know, I was thinking... I just happen to live right across the street."

Not missing one beat of his words, Joey turned in his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was thinking that, too." She licked her lips and rocked her hips against his.

"Really. What a coincidence." Pacey tightened his arms around her waist and smiled.

"You know, you could always help me here, like cleaning up the tables, putting the chairs up... while I take care of the register?" Joey suggested hopefully. "Would be even faster if we did it together... and we’d be home much sooner."

Home. Pacey let the world swirl around his mind for a while. Home. This sounded nice, fantastic actually.

"I love the way you think, Potter." Pacey kissed the tip of nose, not trusting himself with really kissing her and fearing that they would end up spending the night at the bar. "Get going then, I’ve got it here." Playfully clapping her ass as he shoved her in the direction of the back room, he grinned as he received a deadly glare which softened as soon as it had appeared. He watched her for a moment before he shed his jacket and placed it on one of the bar stools, ready to clean the room in record time.

~*~

"Pace?" Joey called slightly annoyed as she reappeared only seconds later at the bar.

"M-hmm..." Pacey looked up, contemplating if he had done anything, but she pointed to the cash box.

"I have absolutely no idea what Steve did with this thing. I can’t open it..." Joey explained clearly frustrated.

Dropping the cleaning cloth Pacey walked over to her and glanced at the box. From the outside it seemed to be okay, no signs of dents or anything that would indicate a broken lock. "Let me see. The key isn’t broken off, is it?"

"No." Joey handed him the box and the completely intact key.

"Maybe something got stuck underneath the lid. See, you can turn the key, but it doesn’t open." Pacey examined the unruly box carefully and finally shook it forcefully. Trying the lock again, the lid sprung open and he smiled triumphantly at her. "Who’s the man?"

"I guess we have another problem then, if you need me to answer that question." Joey stated teasingly and stuck her tongue out.

"You wound me, Josephine." Dramatically clutching his heart, Pacey leaned against the bar as if he needed the support and sighed. "There I am, your savior who won the battle against the mean and most indomitable, steely sentry of the treasure... and what do I get?"

"Aww, poor baby." Joey bent forward and cradled his face with her hand. "Thank you," she whispered and planted a big kiss on his mouth before stepping back again. "Better?"

"Yeah, well... that’s a start." Pacey grinned and raised his brows suggestively.

"If you want more, then you know what to do: clean the tables." Joey laughed and started to return to the backroom as a well known voice from the door startled her.

"Hey." Eddie let the door fall shut behind him and stepped further into the bar.

He had seen that the lights were still on and decided to try his luck. He knew that if the shifts hadn’t changed a lot, Joey would be there. He spotted her immediately. One of her friends was there as well, but he didn’t really care. He was just happy to see her again. Happy and excited and a little nervous about how she would react to him.

"Eddie." Joey stared at him and swallowed hard. She had never expected him to show up like that, so soon or ever again, for that matter. To tell the truth she hadn’t even thought about him for a long time.

"Hi." Pushing his hands into the pockets of his jean jacket, Eddie moved forward. Joey’s reaction wasn’t quite how he hoped it would be. She seemed rooted to the spot where she was standing and her face didn’t show the happiness he prayed to find there. Suddenly he became aware of the other person in the room. One of her friends, one of her ghosts of the past actually. He didn’t remember his name, but somehow he felt threatened by his presence.

From the moment Eddie had come through the door, Pacey felt as if somebody had punched him in the gut. Hot and cold sensations were running through his body and his hands started to sweat although they felt more like ice than anything.

All the jealousy he felt over the day was nothing compared to what he felt now. Jealousy wasn’t even the correct word. Fear would be more appropriate. He knew that Joey did have deep feelings for Eddie... before he had left her. Now that he was back, he was probably the one thing that could tear them apart again. Anxiously he let his eyes wander to Joey’s face, afraid of what he would find there. He found it hard to breathe and his heart was racing. Her blank expression calmed him just a little bit. At least she wasn’t jumping with joy.

For what seemed like endless moments nobody said anything. Three pairs of eyes stared at the others, helpless and insecure. The awkwardness and tension was palpable. Joey knew that it was her who needed to take the first step in clearing the situation for once and for all.

"Eddie... what the hell are you doing here?" she asked as neutral as possible.

"Right. Umm...so... could we do this... in private, please?" Eddie looked pointedly at Pacey.

"I don’t know if that’s necess..." Joey frowned. She knew that she needed to talk to Eddie, maybe she even owed it to him but she was in no way prepared for this conversation.

Pacey sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. Of course he could understand Eddie’s request, he’d probably do the same if he was walking in his shoes. And maybe it was really better to end with a short, sharp shock than to prolong the agony. The only question was, who would have to endure the agony.

"No, it’s okay, Jo. I’ll leave you two alone to... sort things out," he interrupted her and reached for his jacket.

Joey opened her mouth and closed it again. This was so typical for Pacey. He was never the one to give her ultimatums or to demand anything from her. He always let her make her own decisions and gave her all the time she needed. Nevertheless she could see the faint fear and pain in his eyes as the briefly met her own. She watched him put on his jacket, watched as he turned towards the door and then she knew.

"Pace." Quickly stepping forward she reached for his hand and held on to it, just like she had done back at aunt Gwen’s.

Surprised Pacey whirled around, remembering the first time she had reached for him like that. Joey was smiling as she closed the gap between them and right then he dared to hope.

"Thank you," Joey whispered and placed her palm against his cheek. "I’ll be home soon." Scattering the last doubts he might have had, she raised her head and kissed him.

Finally Pacey was able to breathe again. "I’ll be there." He took her hand and kissed the pulse point on her wrist before he walked towards the door, leaving her with Eddie but knowing he’d be the one she would come home to.

~*~

Eddie uncomfortably watched the tender exchange between Joey and Pacey. He wasn’t sure what he had expected when he returned to Boston. Maybe it had been presumptuous to think that Joey would have waited for him, but it still hurt to see her kissing somebody else, when he still relished in the memory of her lips against his. Knowing that it wasn’t just anybody she was with, but her ex, was even harder.

"I guess I came back too late, huh?" It was more a statement than a question and Eddie couldn’t meet Joey’s eyes as he mumbled. Instead he stared at the door, through which Pacey had left the bar only seconds ago.

"Eddie..." Joey sighed and heaved herself on the closest bar stool. She could only imagine how he had to be feeling after witnessing her and Pacey and she felt sorry for him. Hearts were so fragile and could be broken so easily. She knew that and she knew that nothing she could say to him now would ease the pain, at least not anytime soon. "Why are you here?"

"Right now I’m not so sure myself." Eddie glanced at her sadly and hopped on the stool next to hers. He fell quiet and played with a coaster that lay on the bar.

Joey waited a few moments before she decided she had to be proactive again. "What happened to California?" she asked softly.

Eddie chuckled slightly and looked up. "Well, it’s still there. You know, I just kinda left for a while."

"And what happened to school?" Joey frowned but kept her voice light. At least Eddie was talking to her now.

"Again, still there. Still standing without me and everything. It’s hard to believe, I know." Eddie sighed and propped one arm on the bar, feeling the need to support his head. He noticed Joey’s frown and couldn’t help but feel a little better by seeing that she apparently still cared about him somehow. "Look, I start in the fall. Everything worked out, Jo. Everything, Jo," he repeated proudly.

Joey smiled and nodded, encouraging him to continue talking. Eddie returned her smile and his tired eyes seemed to sparkle ever so slightly.

"You know, I had this interview, right? And I didn’t stutter or stumble or throw up anything... and they loved my writing, which is just totally... like surreal, right?" Eddie shrugged and his smile grew wider as he recalled what happened. "Because, well... no one has ever loved anything I’ve done. Except for you." Sighing, he lowered his voice and the happy tone was gone. "That’s why I’m here, Jo. I wanted to say thank you... because you knew I could do it, and I had no idea."

"Maybe you just needed a little encouragement to start believing in yourself. I know that it’s not easy, I’ve been there, too... and I’m happy that everything worked out for you so well." Joey tried to express how proud she was of him without getting his hopes up, because she knew there had to be another reason why he came back.

"Do you know that you have incredible eyes, Jo? And the... sexiest voice... and a smile that breaks my heart?" Eddie whispered and reached out to run his hand through her hair.

"Eddie..." Joey shook her head and leaned back to put more space between them.

"Right... I’m sorry." His hand froze in midair before he let it sink back down. "I need you, Jo. I need you around me to be a writer, to be able to write..."

"No, Eddie... that’s not true. You were a writer before you even met me..."

"Yeah, I did write before I met you... but it wasn’t any good," he interrupted her, trying to make her understand.

"No. Maybe I helped you to see your potential, to realize that there are more possibilities out there then you thought, but..."

"I love you, Joey," Eddie whispered determinedly and tried to take her hand into his.

"I’m sorry, Eddie." Joey crossed her arms in front of her chest and bit on her lower lip. She didn’t want to accuse him, but she needed to explain him, that it was over. "You walked away, Eddie."

"I came back," he muttered defiantly and straightened on his stool.

"I moved on."

"Really? Seems to me more like... moving back." Eddie’s voice was laced with pain and anger. How could she sit there and tell him she moved on, when she was back with her ex? Other questions ran through his mind, questions like if she ever loved him, if she ever saw more in him than somebody to spend her time with.

"I know that you are... sad and disappointed... or even mad at me, but that’s not fair, Eddie. You walked away from me, from us. I don’t blame you, I mean... I can understand why you did..."

"Great, Joey... do you understand, that I did this... for us? That I wanted to... get my act together, to finally do something with my life before I could... share it with you?" Eddie stood up and paced back and forth while running his hand through his hair. "I’m gone for a few weeks... and you’re back with your ex? The same one who left you... years ago?" Slowly he remembered the details of the Christmas dinner in Capeside, the things Joey’s roommate had said. Things he had ignored back then, only to have them laughing in his face now.

Joey pursed her lips and stared at her feet. Maybe she deserved this. "I’m sorry, but you really don’t know what happened between Pacey and me back then... or what’s going on between us now. I’m not even sure who’s responsible for what happened while we were together in high school. We both made mistakes, but I don’t have to give you an account for that. And yes... he left me. But it was different. You left and we said goodbye, Eddie," she explained calmly.

Eddie stopped his movement and stared at her, realization dawning in his eyes. "You never said goodbye to him, did you?"

Joey raised her hand and started to play with her necklace as she mused over what Eddie had just said. He was right. They had never said goodbye to each other. "No, we didn’t."

"You never... stopped loving him, right?" Eddie sighed and sat down again. "Did you ever... love me?"

Joey glanced at him and smiled softly. "I did, I loved you, Eddie... just..."

"Just not...like you love him," Eddie completed her sentence and watched her nod again.

His heart broke right then and there, but he couldn’t hate her. "If I hadn’t left... would we..." He knew it was wrong, but he just had to ask.

"I... can’t give you an answer to that question. I don’t know what would have been..." Joey raised her shoulders and sighed.

"Well, I guess that’s the perfect answer. If I had asked you then, if you still loved him... even if only somewhere deep in your heart, you would’ve said yes, right?"

"Yeah..." Joey nodded again.

"See... maybe we would’ve lasted a while longer... but in the end... we weren’t meant to be." Eddie paused. Even though it still hurt, he knew now that it was better this way.

"You know, you’re a lot like him, Eddie... I know, that’s not really what you want to hear, but I mean it in a very positive sense. Maybe that’s why I fell in love with you... not that you were a substitute for him..." Joey stuttered a little, "... but you’re a great man, Eddie... and I know that somewhere out there, there’s your someone who’s waiting for you and I know that you’ll make her very happy."

"I hope so... maybe someone who’s a lot like you... only with a little twist?" Eddie smiled.

"Maybe." Joey returned his smile. The awkwardness was slowly drifting away and it felt good.

"Pacey is a very lucky man," Eddie said honestly.

"I’m the one who’s lucky."

"Okay, if you say so... you know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this... happy and content before." It was true. Her eyes were sparkling and despite her attempt to make things easier for him, he could see the love shining through everything she said.

"I don’t know... but I guess for the first time I feel like... yeah, like I’m home." Joey blushed. It was strange that she needed this conversation with Eddie to realize this, but on the other hand... this was just the way life loved to surprise her.

"If that’s how you feel, then... okay, I understand. I do." Eddie could only hope that he would feel the same one day. "I guess I’ll be seeing you, Joey."

"I’ll be the first to buy your first published book... and each of the following." Joey’s smile widened.

"I’ll keep that in mind." Eddie stood up and hesitated briefly. "Bye, Joey."

"Goodbye, Eddie." Joey hopped off of her stool and hugged him briefly before he pulled back and turned around, leaving Hell’s Kitchen without looking back.

Joey took a deep breath and leaned against the bar. Saying goodbye to someone was never easy, especially not to someone who was so close to her heart. After a few minutes she exhaled and pushed herself from the bar and finally started to close the register, just like she had closed another chapter in the book of her life, moments before.

~*~

Pacey sat on his couch and zapped listlessly through the many programs their cable subscription had to offer. Of course, nothing could take his mind off of Joey and...consequently, of Eddie.

He knew that he had nothing to fear, at least he knew that since Joey had kissed him, right before Eddie’s eyes, telling him that she would be home soon. Still he knew how hard and difficult break-ups were, even when the real break-up, the one you did on your very own, when you realized that the feelings you had or thought to have for a person were gone, happened some time ago. Telling the other it was over was, plain and simply, horrible.

The minutes passed by, turned into half an hour and he couldn’t sit still anymore. Walking to his kitchen window, he stared down at Hell's Kitchen, just like he had done before. It wasn’t the fact that he wanted to control what was happening down there, he just wanted to feel closer to her, wanted to send her his psychic support if she should need it.

Another ten minutes went by before he saw the door opening. Eddie was leaving the bar quickly, his shoulders raised, his head hung low and he never turned around. Somewhere in the back of his mind Pacey couldn’t help but imagine that it could have been him, walking away from the woman he loved. Just the thought took his breath away and he had to close his eyes.

His throat felt like it was completely dried up. Stretching his tired limbs, Pacey walked over to the fridge and rummaged around, trying to find something to drink, but nothing appeared desirable to him and so he settled for simple water.

Pouring the cool liquid into a glass it almost slipped from his hand as he heard a knock on his door. Cursing under his breath, he set the glass down on the island and rushed to the door, knowing that it could only be Joey.

Joey felt unbelievably tired and exhausted. The stairs up to Pacey’s apartment seemed to have multiplied since the last time she'd climbed them and she was out of breath as she finally arrived at his door.

Pacey flung the door open and pulled Joey into his arms as if he hadn’t seen her in ages. Joey’s arms immediately went around his neck, as she relaxed into his warmth and hugged him just as close to her. Pulling back a few inches she raised her head and brushed her lips over his. "I’m sorry it took so long..."

"It’s okay." Pacey smoothed the hair out of her face and kissed her forehead, before kicking the door closed. Not wanting to lose their close contact, he lifted her up and walked over to the couch, where they settled in a comfortable silence.

"Are you okay?" he whispered against her temple while softly rubbing her arm.

"Now... I am. You know, it wasn’t easy... but it went surprisingly good." Joey laced her fingers with Pacey’s and raised them to her lips.

"He... loves you and that’s why he accepts whatever makes you happy." Pacey knew that he would have gone like that, too.

"M-hmm." Joey kissed his fingertips and snuggled against his chest. "Thank you for... you know... leaving us alone to talk. I’m sorry... I had no idea he was coming back."

"I know and... no problem. I guess both of you needed this kind of... closure." Pacey tightened his arm around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her head. "We never... I mean... I never gave us the possibility to... end things... to talk like that, when I left after high school."

"No, but I’m glad we didn’t have that conversation. Maybe it would have been easier... but I don’t want easy... and I... never want to say goodbye to you." Joey sat up and gazed into his eyes.

Pacey was surprised by her explanation. She never ceased to amaze him. "I don’t want that either."

Both smiled and Joey ran her thumb softly over his lips. "I’m home, Pace."

~*~

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