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�Are you ok?� Pacey asked softly, a little nervous to be the one to break the silence. His hand continued to rub her back, while the other took her shoulder so that he turned her towards him.

She took in a breath quickly and closed her eyes a little embarrassed that Pacey had to witness that scene.

�Umm�yeah� she spoke softly, averting her eyes from his questioning ones as she wiped the tears away.

�Maybe you should see a doctor? Have you been feeling unwell?� A hundred thoughts flooded his mind as he noticed how ghostly she looked.

�No� Andie told him sharply, immediately pricking his curiosity. �I mean- I�m fine- I must just be exhausted from the flight and the whole upheaval of moving back home.� She told him confidently, putting on a false bravado. Noticing the still concerned look on his face, she smiled attempting to confirm her words.

�Seriously Pace- I�m ok.� She stood up stumbling slightly, bringing him up with her.

�Are you sure?� he checked one last time, still not convinced.

�I�m sure. Thanks Pace- sorry you had to witness that.�

He smiled down at her, the familiar feeling of protectiveness entering his stomach.

�Don�t be silly- I haven�t had to look after you for quite a while.�

His voice was tender and her heart melted slightly as her eyes linked with his gorgeous pools of blue. She returned his smile and shivered faintly, again aware of how cold she was. Pacey put his hand on her shoulders.

�Andie you�re freezing. Cover yourself up.�

His hands began to move lower, rubbing her upper arms in an attempt to heat them slightly when he noticed her wince.

�What?� he asked, his concern mounting again, when he saw a large purple bruise on her left arm.

�Andie I�m so sorry� he apologized realising he must have caused her pain.

�That looks painful- what did you do?� he examined the bruise.

Andie stammered slightly, unprepared for this discovery, but quickly regained her senses.

�Oh you know what a klutz I am- I fell over last week and landed on my arm- it was so embarrassing it was in the middle of this really sophisticated boutique with these snooty middle aged women�.� She began blabbering garrulously.

Pacey smiled, reminded of her long winded stories, and watched her, listening amused to her colourful tale. He ignored the pangs of suspicion and worry as he accepted her explanation.

�Well as long as you�re ok.� He told her when she had finished.

�Yeah I�m fine- seriously don�t worry I think I�m going to return to bed.�

�Well I think that would be a good idea. I just came over to collect my wallet. I absent mindedly left it here last night. I was so relieved when Joey called this morning to tell me she had found it- I didn�t even realise it wasn�t with me.�

�You should be more careful Pace�

�Yeah I know.� He paused and they were silent for a moment. �I better get going back to work- unless you want me to stay with you.�

Andie smiled reassuringly once again.

�I�m fine Pace- stop worrying.�

�Ok -but if you need me to take you to the doctor or anything��

�That won�t be necessary� Andie interrupted him ushering him out. She knew exactly what was wrong without a doctor�s examination. �Oh and don�t tell Jack and the others about this- I really don�t want them to worry about me- I�ve already caused them enough trouble.� Andie attempted to sound as light as possible.

Pacey frowned slightly, wondering what the big secret was.

�Ok� he agreed gently after looking at her pleading face. �I�ll speak to you later-ok?�

�Bye Pace� she called after him thankful to finally get him out of the apartment. She cursed herself for allowing it to happen when he was there, even though it was out of her control. She silently prayed that he wouldn�t suspect anything. The last thing she needed was for them to find out � at least not yet. She had to deal with it herself first.

She hugged herself remembering the feeling of Pacey�s arms soothing her, and the concern in his eyes. It brought back bitter-sweet memories of their past and she knew it was dangerous to dwell on those feelings. She had rid Pacey of her system years ago, or so she believed. But she knew how easy it would be to let those feelings back in, knowing that they hadn�t gone far. In fact sometimes she wasn�t sure whether or not they actually left. �No Andie� she told herself. She forbade herself to go there. She couldn�t allow herself to feel that way about anyone at the moment, or ever. No one can ever get close to her again. Not Pacey- not David. Especially not David. Everything had changed now.