She sits on her dock, with her legs over the edge, dangling into the cool creek. She idly twists her hair with her fingers and ponders the events of weeks passed. With one moment, her world had changed. He had kisses her and forced her to realise feelings that she’d been ignoring for quite some time. Despite they’re feelings, they’d agreed to remain just friends. Things had become very awkward despite this, and when Pacey joined the group at Aunt Gwen’s for Spring Break, everything spiralled out of control. They had let their emotions get the better of them and had given into temptation, and had once again found themselves revelling in each other’s kisses. Then Dawson made her choose. She couldn’t do it, she just couldn’t. Dawson was her best friend and she couldn’t bare the thought of giving that up, so she let go of Pacey. Now she was alone. No friends, no Pacey…just completely and utterly alone, and she was beginning to wonder why. That magical week she’d spent with Pacey had undoubtedly been the best of her life. Why had she given that up?

Over the last week or so, she’d noticed a change in him. She hadn’t been spending time with him, obviously, but he’d changed somehow. He seemed…impatient. He wanted out…out of Capeside, and out of the strange triangle he’d suddenly found himself in.

She sat at the edge of the dock, gazing up at the stars for some time, before she sensed someone’s presence. She could hear his heavy breathing and his slow cautious footsteps move closer, and closer towards where she sits.

“Jo…” he whispers, before sitting down beside her.

“Hey Pace.” Joey manages to mumble in between her confusion and delight at his arrival.

“So…how’s school?” he attempts small talk.

“You’re a lousy conversationalist.” She retorts. He simply lets out a small chuckle and proceeds to tell her about his day.

“I had a shocker of a day. I had this biology exam which I totally screwed up coz, well, I didn’t study…and then at lunch, I spilt…”

“I miss you Pacey.” She interrupts his ramblings. He takes in a long breath before daring to say anything.

“Yeah, well, I’m at school everyday you know Jo.”

“I know.” She whispers. “Then why don’t you talk to me? I was sitting alone at the cafeteria today and you didn’t even sit with me.”

“Pacey…”

“You said you wanted to be friends Jo, not my first choice obviously, but now it looks like I don’t even get that.”

“It’s just hard Pace.”

“So how are things between you and Dawson?” he asks snidely.

“Don’t go there Pacey!”

“I’m sorry Jo.” He replies sarcastically, “Touched a sore spot have I?”

“It’s your fault he’s not speaking to me!”

“ My fault. This is two player sport Potter, don’t rest all of it on me!”

“Well if it wasn’t for you kissing me then…”

“You kissed me back!” he yells, enraged by her logic.

“I was confused!”

“You were horny! That’s it, isn’t it Jo? I was just some play thing coz you weren’t getting any from Dawson, so…”

“That’s not true Pacey and you know it!”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“How could you say that? After everything we’ve been through…do you think I would have risked Dawson’s friendship if it didn’t mean anything?” she begs for his understanding.

“It doesn’t matter anyway…you chose him over what ever it was that we had.” Joey’s eyes begin to tear up and she knows that any second now, she’s going to break down and cry.

“Joey…this doesn’t have to be so hard…you just have to know what you want.”

“That’s the problem Pacey…I don’t know what I want.” She sobs.

“I think you do Joey. You just have to say it.”

“But when I say that…that…”

“That means it’s real?”

“Yes.” Joey whispers, wiping away her tears.

“Just say it Joey. Say to me what you want to say. Tell me that you want Dawson…tell me to go Joey.”

“No, Pacey…that’s not what…that’s not…”

“What? Joey, tell me!”

Pacey takes her hand in his and forces her to look him in the eyes. He wants an answer; he needs an answer. He’s wasted too much time; he has to get what he came here for.

She gazes into his eyes, contemplating what to say to him. What could she tell this man that she was in love with? What could she do to make his pain go away? She can only think of one thing to do. So with that, she takes his face in her hands and kisses him softly on the lips. He is taken aback at first as he wasn’t expecting it, but then he begins to kiss her back.

He pulls away before either one of them can deepen the kiss. Tears roll down his cheeks as he speaks.

“Please say it Joey.” He whispers his request.

“Pacey…” She sobs, not feeling quite ready to say what he wants her to.

“I can’t wait any more Jo. I need for you to say it. I can’t keep holding on if you don’t love me.” She kisses him once again before saying, “I love you Pacey Witter.”

A huge grin spreads across his face, which, in turn, makes Joey smile as well.

“It wasn’t so difficult was it?” he asked.

“Nope.” She answers nonchalantly.

“I love you Jo.” He says before moving in for another kiss. This time they take it more slowly and Pacey lets a small groan escape his lip when Joey’s tongue seeks entrance into his mouth. He accepts and their tongues dual with each other for what seems like an eternity. Joey breaks the kiss and a half smile graces her face.

“Come inside Pace.” She commands.

“You sure Jo?”

“Yes.” She says as she pulls him to his feet. They make their way into the Potter B&B, anxious for what will come next…