Between The Days

By Anne G.

Rating: PG-13

Author's Note: Jen has always been the 'under-dog' the one who isn't that important, the girl we love to hate, the girl who actually, the show would not thrive without. What would happen if I put her in a very difficult situation?

Classification: Other (but has D/J, P/A in it).

Summary: Everyone is 28-29, and have reunited in Capeside for the summer to spend time with Jen after she learns she has cancer and might have a very limited time to live. Throughout the summer, she witnesses the gang experiencing their must crucial, happy and important moments in their lives, and finally the gang discover happiness...these are the friends you'll have forever.

Jennifer Lindley stood, very still, in front of the creek that had become so familiar to her. The creek that had witnessed almost 5 years of her life, five years that had changed everything as it was before, and her future. Not that she had a future anymore.

Jen's lips trembled, but for the fiftieth time, she commanded herself to stop. Being strong was the only way to get through this. Crying would not help anything, or anyone!

"Jennifer!" Grams' voice wavered out from inside the house, as it had done so over the years, for instance when she had been saying good-bye to one of her many dates, or if she had been just sitting on the dock, looking over the water.

"Coming Grams!" Jen called back, turning around and walking inside the house. "Phone-call, dear." Jen's grandmother smiled, holding out the phone with her wrinkled old hands. Grams was now around 70, but still active and bossy, and still went to church every Sunday.

Jen took the phone. "Hello?" she said softly into it.

"Jen? It’s...Dawson." Jen gasped. Dawson?

"Uh...oh...hi." she answered, not sure what to say.

Dawson chuckled. "Still the same old chatterbox, eh?"

"You bet." Jen smiled, relaxing at his friendly tone of voice. "How long has it been...ten years?" "Five, Jen. Only five."

"So what took you so long to get in contact?" Jen teased him.

Dawson cleared his throat. "Well, I have to tell you something. Look, Jen- Jack told me...and...Well, I contacted Andie, and Pacey, and Joey, and we've decided..." Jen held her breath. "To spend the summer in Capeside, with you, Jen. You need us. You can't go through this alone." Jen swallowed several times before answering.

"Oh Dawson...thank-you so much!" she exclaimed.

"But...I don't want to..."

"Jen! Don’t you dare try and argue." Dawson answered, mock fierce. "It's about time for a reunion anyway. We've all been pretty flippant about our lives...we need some quality time together." Jen smiled. "Thanks Dawson. Thanks for being...you."

Joey leaned back in her chair on the areoplane and sighed.

"I can't believe I'm going back,” she said grimly. Dawson raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"You mean, you never thought you'd step foot in the town you grew up in?"

Joey wondered when Dawson would ever stop being so sentimental and smarmy.

"Yeah. Quite a town full of bad memories."

"And probably future bad ones, too, if Jen doesn't pull through." Dawson said sadly. Joey squeezed his hand.

"I'm sure we'll have a great summer though, with Jen, and Jack, and all. I'm sure Jen will get better." she said on a lighter note. The plane trembled a bit as it hit clouds, and Joey moaned, a sick look crossing her face.

She undid her buckle, getting up. "I'm going to be sick..." she squeezed past his legs and quickly went down the corridor to the bathroom, locking herself in. Dawson closed his eyes, trying to block out all sad, bad thoughts.

He and Joey were together...well, sort of. Were they? He wasn't sure. They were best friends, inseparable, and SHARED the same bed in THEIR apartment in L.A. But no sex. For some, strange, unexplainable reason, no sex...no kissing, just cheek kissing. Touching, though, was a whole different story...Dawson let his mind wonder, and a smile slowly spread across his face. His goal had been to try and wipe sad thoughts from his mind...he had done just that!

Pacey was enjoying the life...the great, wonderful life of being a movie star. He sauntered down the main road in Capeside, and many locals turned to stare at him, to smile, to whisper, "that's Pacey Witter, once thought of as the town's black sheep, and is now the greatest success..."

Life was good. He had arrived in his former hometown that morning from New York with Andie, Jack and Jack's boyfriend. They were now unpacking in a house they had rented near Dawson's house, where Mitch was living. Gail was now a hotshot reporter in Philadelphia.

Pacey saw Doug up ahead, yelling at a couple of rat-bag kids.

He walked up and flashed them all a multi-million dollar smile.

"Hey, Dougie." Doug scowled, but the kids gasped in awe.

"Oh, cool, it's Pacey Witter!" one of them said, his mouth open is amazement.

"Can you sign my mom's parking ticket?" one of the other guys asked. Doug watched with slit eyes as Pacey kidded around and signed autographs, before clapping Doug on the back. "See-ya around, bro." and walked off, eating up all the attention.

Jen sat at the kitchen table as Andie busied herself around the Leery's kitchen, where they were all meeting that night.

"Here's the pretzels Jen...don't take too many, I know you love them..." Jen took the bowl, grinning from ear to ear.

"Where's Jack and matt?" she asked, taking a pretzel out and licking the salt off. "In town to pick up some more stuff." Andie answered.

"Joey and Dawson should be arriving any minute now...speak of the devil..." she finished, as two voices floated through the house. "You are so wrong about that movie, it was dumb! Jesus, you have the worst..."

"You're too cynical. Cynical is not good when..."

They stopped when they saw Jen and Andie, and rushed forward for hugs. Jen hugged Dawson tightly, then hugged Joey.

Andie stood in the middle of Dawson and Joey, one arm around both of them. "It's so good to see you guys!" she gushed.

"It's been too long." Joey said, beaming at Jen.

Andie let them go. Jack and Matt should be along soon...as should Pacey. But knowing him and his new star status, "he should be back in about, oh, a year?"

"How does it feel dating a huge star?" Dawson teased her.

"Annoying."

Andie smiled. "Who's Matt?" Joey asked.

"Jack's Boyfriend." Andie answered.

"He's nice. Cute." Jen agreed. "Babe. Too bad he's gay."

Soon the remaining three had arrived, Joey and Dawson had unpacked in Dawson’s old room, and they were milling around the living room.

"Okay, everyone! Sit down! I feel I must say something." Jen called out, sipping out of her champagne glass.

Andie, Matt and Jack filled out one couch, Pacey sat in one armchair, Dawson in the other. Joey sat in Dawson's lap, and his arms encircled her waist.

"It's great you're all here." Jen said, glancing around.

"Our pleasure." Pacey said, patting Jen on the back.

"I hope we can have a really cool summer together." Joey put in.

"We will." Dawson said, nodding.

"We will." Jen repeated. "I really need you guys...because, I don't know what may come of my future." she bit her lip.

"Come on Jen," Pacey said, tugging her down. She squeezed into the armchair with him.

"Things will work out... they always do. I mean, look around.

The six angry faces you were seeing in high school have changed. Andie's slowed down. Jack's found his place and confidence, Joey and Dawson haven't 'broken up' in almost five years, and I'm Pacey Witter."

"The one and only." Andie beamed, gazing at him.

"Ahh, but we aren't a couple." Dawson pointed out, and Joey nodded.

"I mean, sure, we share the same bed..." this caused them all to laugh, and Pacey rolled his eyes. "Some things never change."

Joey tightened her grip on Dawson's arm and gazed at him, her smile never faltering.

"You're right. Some things never change. But I feel this summer will be filled with changes." Jen whispered to herself.

Who knew?

 

"Hmmmm..." Joey groaned and rolled over, pulling up her sheet covers.

Dawson was rustling around under his bed, throwing things out and sniffing, trying not to sneeze. Joey's head popped out from under her little sheet tunnel she had made.

"Dawson? What are you doing?"

"Trying to find a few things." Was his muffled answer from under the bed.

She sat up and yawned, stretching her arms in the air.

"Well, I'm going to take a shower...then I want to go and talk Jen into shopping or something."

"Shopping? You?"

Joey shrugged. "I'm willing to sacrifice precious sitting on my ass time for Jen."

She got up and searched around in her suitcase. Dawson's face got a little warm when he realized all she was wearing was a t-shirt and underwear. And that they had been sleeping in the same bed. He banished the thought and tore his eyes away from her, and continued looking for that something...

"There's just, no way." Andie argued with Pacey.

"If you go the mall with us, everyone will recognize you. We wouldn't be able to shop."

"He can wear dark sunglasses." Joey suggested, handing him his pair.

"Makes no difference." Andie sighed after he put them on.

"But it helps." Jen put in.

"I want to go the mall!" he whined mockingly.

"Ugh, Pacey, that tone is not cute." Andie snapped, but she smiled anyway.

"Where's Dawson?" Jen asked Joey. "Tearing apart his room, looking for something." Joey said, biting into a pancake.

"Is he coming?" Pacey asked.

"Yes...he's coming in a minute. He's a little slow this morning." she shrugged.

"He's probably tired."

"After what, a heavy night of getting acquainted with his old bed and his..." Joey cut him off, glaring coldly.

"Bite your tongue, Pacey."

"I don't need too..." he retorted back.

Andie rolled her eyes as they started yet another round of bickering. It seemed to her that Joey bickered with all the men in her life.

Jen couldn’t remember a time when she had had so much fun.

After hours of fooling around in the big department store, they had all sat down and eaten lunch, and had talked about the last ten years.

"So Jo, dated anyone interesting in the past decade?" Jack asked, biting into his french fry. She giggled.

"Kind of. Remember John?" she asked Dawson, who nodded.

"Yeah. Too bad he was bi."

"He was not bi!" Joey argued. "He was just...confused."

Jen nearly spat out her sprite as they continued disagreeing about "John" and that Joey was some sort of "confused about sexuality" magnet. Jack didn't seem to mind the conversation at all. Yes, Joey had attracted more then one 'confused' guy.

Except when it came to Dawson. Jen felt a pangs of envy as she watched them 'make-up' Joey kissed Dawson on the cheek and he put his arm around her waist. Jen had always been a sucker for Dawson. He was so sweet and caring. She knew Joey and Dawson weren't officially dating, or even having sex. If Jen wasn't sick, or if Joey and Dawson didn't hang all over each other, she might have tried to give their relationship another go. She sighed and looked at her watch, and noticed it was three thirty, and she had an appointment at four. She suddenly felt nervous, and her smile washed away. She had been diagnosed with possible cancer, Hodgkin’s Disease, a couple of months ago. Now they were discussing when she should have treatment.

Jen knew the next couple of months would be hard. Just how hard would they be, though?

"I'm for the movie." Andie said, as they discussed what to do that evening while Jen was at the doctors.

"Star Wars, Episode three? I don't think so. I've seen it already." Jack complained. Joey noticed Dawson bubbling with excitement.

"I think Dawson has an option." she said, cocking an eyebrow in his direction. He grinned and brought out a video from behind his back.

"I was thinking more along the lines of 'Sea Creature' or 'Creek Daze' what do you say?" Joey shrieked and grabbed the case.

"Oh my god. I haven't seen this in years! I have to see what my hair looked like back then!"

"The same as now." Dawson smirked.

"Not even. Oh- and Andie, you have to check out Pacey's first screen debut, and his Caesar hair-cut."

"And best of all, Jen's in it." Pacey added.

Joey squealed and covered her eyes, as Joey Potter, age fifteen, ran down the dock on the screen and called out, "Steven?"

"Nice legs, Potter." Dawson chuckled, making Joey blush.

"And nice shorts!" Pacey exclaimed.

Then, on screen, 'Stephanie' was decapitated. By the ugly green sea monster.

"Ew!" Andie shuddered. "How did you manage to do that?"

"Fake head, fake blood..." Jen shrugged. "Nothing to it."

"Where is that fake head, anyway?' Joey asked Dawson.

"In my closet somewhere..." he mused.

"Shhh! It's my screen debut!" Jen giggled.

On top she was bubbly and happy. But inside Jen felt empty. The doctor had specified she had to start having treatment straight away, as in, tomorrow.

Joey saw Jen sneaking around her house the next afternoon.

"Jen? Where are you going?" she asked.

Jen looked at her hands. "The doctors."

"Again?"

Joey's brow wrinkled in puzzlement. Jen leaned forward, whispering, "I'm having a treatment." Joey's eyes widened.

"You mean...it's...official?"

Jen nodded. "Yeah. Starting from tomorrow I may start having to deal with side effects. The doctor said I should also do activities to detour my thoughts away from my illness." she sighed.

"Don't worry Jen. We’ll be here. Okay? You will get through." She squeezed Jen's hands.

"Do you think you'll be up for a beach disco tonight?" she asked. Jen beamed.

"Of course!"

"I'm always ready to dance."

Jen felt light headed but welcomed the dizziness as she tried to catch up with Jack's dance moves. Normally she'd be the one who he'd try to catch up with, but not tonight. She let her eyes wander, and she spotted Andie and Joey doing...well...something. They were moving around sexily, shaking their hips from side to side and laughing. Jen gathered they had had a few too many. She giggled when she saw Dawson and Pacey watching from the sides, their heads following the movement of the girl's hips. No doubt they, too, had had some fun gulping down the fruity alcoholic punch.

Finally, the fast techno song changed to a slightly rockier, head banging but slower type song, an old one, from 1999.

Jen yelled to Jack over the music, "I'm parched!" He nodded and danced off to find someone else to boogie with. Jen walked off the dance floor, and towards the punch bowl. She started to sing along, and watched as Joey and Pacey started to clown around, and Andie and Dawson danced along side them.

"Nobody likes you when you’re twenty three, and are you still more amused by TV shows, what the hell is ADD?" Jen thirstily drank the fruit sweet liquid and fell into a chair.

For some strange reason, she remembered sitting like this at a dance long ago, watching with resentment as Joey and Dawson played around on the dance floor. Pacey had been seated though, refusing invitations and demandments by Andie to dance. Then Jen remembered Abby. Abby, the bitch with the ill-fated end. And now she too might meet an end.

Joey's hair stuck to the nape of her neck with sweat, but she welcomed the hot, sweaty feeling. For some reason, dancing with Andie and knowing Dawson was watching was an incredible experience on it's own. Then she had started playing around with Pacey, and she was sure Dawson's eyes looked a little jealous. Andie, however, just danced wildly, swinging Dawson around, making him giddy and laugh.

And now they were dancing together, Joey's arms around his neck, his arms around her waist as another old song blared from the speakers.

"I am Milk... I am rent a kitchen... I am cool... cooler then the deep blue ocean..."

Joey smiled at him. "All these songs make me feel as though I'm back in tenth grade." He squeezed her tighter.

"Same here." he chuckled softly.

"I just hope this night ends differently to the last one."

Joey wondered what he was speaking about for a minute, then her brain processed his words. She stepped back and gripped his hands to her hips as they swayed together.

"Oh, I think it will end quite differently." she whispered huskily. His eyes nearly popped out.

"I'm waiting, I’m waiting for you... I'm waiting, I'm waiting for you..."

Jen could see Joey and Dawson engaging in some really dirty dancing on the dance floor, and Andie and Pacey were laughing around with some old school-mates who wanted to see how Pacey had risen to fame, and if he had changed. Hardly.

For about the third time, she had another dizzy spell. She grabbed a handful of chips and scoffed them down, hoping cheese curls could fill her up.

Finally, she decided to head home by herself. She'd go and eat s heavy meal, then sit in front of the T.V and watch all the late night shows. "Entertainment Tonight, here I come..."

Things went differently in Dawson's room that night then they had done for the last couple of days. The two giddy adults stumbled into the room, gasping for breath and giggling like teenagers as they kissed, hungrily and hotly, each kiss pressuring them towards the bed. The laughing stopped when things got serious.

Joey unzipped the back of her dress, letting it fall to her feet. Dawson sucked in his breath and let his hands wander. Joey pulled off his jacket and shirt, and they met mouths again, kissing with more passion and urgency then ever before. Joey then pulled Dawson down on the bed with her, and made love till the early hours of the morning.

"Nothing beats Potter Seafood," Pacey praised Bessie. They were all eating out several weeks after the dance, at the Potter family's 'new' restaurant. Jen nodded in agreement, her mouth full of food. Bessie grinned across the table at Joey. Her grin disappeared when she saw Joey's sick expression.

"Jo? You okay?" Everyone turned to look at her.

She nodded. "I'm fine, Bessie. It's not the food," she reassured her. The sick look came back, and she suddenly shot up, scraping back her chair so much it nearly fell backwards. She rushed towards the bathroom.

"Gee, what's wrong with her?" Jen asked, as puzzled as the rest.

"Stomach ache or something." Dawson shrugged.

Andie and Pacey shared a look. Dawson noticed Jen looked pale, and she kept closing her eyes for a few seconds, as though to calm herself. He knew-they all knew- she was getting treatment for the cancer which was proved a couple of weeks ago to be real, and there.

Joey returned, her face flushed but she looked reasonably normal.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Andie asked, concerned.

"Yes! Just a stomach upset." She gulped down some water.

Needless to say, things with Dawson and Joey were awkward. Joey no longer gave Dawson random kisses, or sat in his lap. Dawson no longer put his arm around her whenever they stood close. And dressing in front of each other was a huge no-no. Joey turned down the blanket and slipped in, on her 'usual' side, left. She watched Dawson tap into his new laptop, probably e-mailing a producer or something.

She sat up. "Dawson?"

"Yes?"

"I'm worried about Jen. Do you think she's okay?"

Dawson closed his laptop and got into bed. "I don't know. I mean, the side effects are making her sick, but we won't know if the treatment is working yet for at least another couple of months. For now, I'd be considerate and not ask Jen too many questions."

He settled down. They both moved around a little, trying to find a comfortable position and trying to keep as far away from each other as possible.

"Bessie's really happy we're here." Joey said softly.

"I know." Dawson answered.

"She keeps hinting something is going on between us." Joey continued.

Dawson wasn't prepared for that. "Well...is there?" He finally asked.

Joey turned her head to look at him. "Well, we went as far to have sex." she said bluntly.

"We were...drunk." Dawson said lamely.

"You of all people should know that when you get drunk, the actions you actually end up doing are ones you could only wish you could do when you're sober. Like the time you shot off your mouth at your sixteenth birthday." She sighed and turned her body towards him. "That was classic. And you kissed me!"

"That makes us even, then. Because you got drunk at Cliff Elliott's beach party and kissed me, while I was still technically dating Jen."

Joey frowned, trying to remember. "Nope, doesn't strike a cord." she mused.

"It wouldn't. But the point is, as you said, it was an action you did as being drunk, an action you wish you could do when you're sober."

Joey couldn't help but giggle. "Did I use tongue?" she joked.

"Maybe. French kissing was-is- your specialty."

Joey noticed a few notes of wistfulness in his words. She pulled the blanket up. "Good-night."

Dawson felt hurt as she turned away from him, and turned off the light. How could she? How could she just...forget? Did this mean she didn't love him?

"I'm not saying for sure, but Jen looked a little mad tonight,” Andie said, washing out her mouth after brushing her teeth.

"I know. I saw her watching..."

The phone rang, interrupting him. Pacey answered it. "Hello?"

Andie walked out of the bathroom, wondering who it was. "Jen! Hi! Anything wrong?.....yeah...okay... ...what?" Andie watched his face freeze. "When did this happen?"

Andie gasped.

"Where is she now? Okay...and...Of course! Actually...I think you'd be better off at the Leery's..."

Andie frowned, confused at what Jen and Pacey were talking about. She saw Pacey listening intently.

"Jen...do you mean...you have a problem with Joey? No?"

Andie signaled to Pacey she wanted the phone.

"Ahhh. Here's Andie."

"Jen?"

"Yes Andie?"

"What's this all about?"

Jen sighed. "Grams is in hospital. She had a stroke. I need...I need somewhere to stay. Pacey suggested The Leery's, since there is a spare room there, but..."

Andie was, well, surprised at Jen's attitude. She seemed to care more about Joey and Dawson then her Grandmother. She wondered if it came with the cancer. "You mean, you still have a problem with Joey and Dawson?" Andie asked gently.

Jen sighed deeply. "I just feel...left out. And If I stayed there, it would be worse. So I asked you guys. But come to think of it...you have no room. And...sometimes I feel as though I still love Dawson. And Joey...she just annoys me sometimes."

"Look." Andie started. "Stay at the Leery's. In case you haven't noticed, they've been a little...cold towards each other lately. Jack and Matt are going out tonight, so I'll get Pacey, and we'll go over to the Leery's to sort some things out."

"No!" Jen protested.

"Yes, Jen...you need us during this. I learned somewhere your true feelings come out because you’re afraid of..." Andie didn't need to say the last word. It hung there, heavy with tension. Death.

"Okay." Jen said quietly.

Joey put her head in her hands, unsure what to do next. So. The truth was revealed. She exited the bathroom, her feet feeling like lead. Well, the only possible thing she could do, was tell him.

She could hear voices downstairs, so she went down, to find Jen, Andie, Pacey and Dawson scattered around the living room.

"What's up?' she asked.

"Jen's Grams had a stroke. She's in the hospital.

"Jen's staying with us." Dawson announced, smiling at her.

"I'm sorry, Jen." Joey said apologetically.

Jen cocked an eyebrow. "You're sorry I have to stay with you? Gee, that's real nice" she snapped.

Joey's mouth opened in surprise, as did everyone else's in the room. "I meant, sorry about your grandmother." Joey said quickly.

Jen just huffed and sat down in a chair.

"Look, Jen, is this some side effect? Or are you really pissed at me?" Joey asked.

Andie sat down beside Jen, and sent Joey a warning look. Dawson also frowned at Joey; surprised she would say something like that.

"Just leave it, okay?" Jen snapped, glaring at her in disdain.

"Jen, what's bothering you?" Dawson asked gently, sitting down next to her.

"It's just..." tears welled up in her eyes.

"I feel as though you don't have any time for me anymore. You're always chasing after Joey." The tears dripped down her face, and Dawson put his arm around her.

"Shhh...It’s okay, I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you. Just ask."

"You're not really here for me. You don't love me." Jen sobbed.

Joey dropped into a chair, watching this emotional display with a sinking heart.

"That's not true! Of course I love you. Your one of my closest friends, Jen." He held her close, and Andie squeezed her hand.

Pacey studied Joey. Something about her...just wasn't right. She was staring at the three, her face held a slightly...sick and sad look on it. The look reminded him of one she had on her face long ago. Detention. When Jen and Dawson were admitting their 'love' for each other.

Suddenly, without warning, she sprinted outside and was sick. Dawson Jen and Andie looked up, startled. She came back in, tears streaming down her face, and she was shaking.

Jen shook her head in disgust, as though Joey was trying to get some attention. "Stop trying to grab the limelight." Jen seethed.

"Joey, what's wrong?" Dawson's face was hard.

"Are you upset because of Jen?" Andie asked, shaking her head.

"I'M PREGNANT!" Joey screeched.

One by one, all the mouths in the room dropped. Jen put her hand to mouth, shocked.

Joey bit her bottom lip. "I'm late two weeks. I took a pregnancy test...and I am..."

"Are you sure?" Dawson asked.

"Those things can be wrong all the time." Andie said.

"After eight tries?" Joey said incredulously.

She looked away, and the tears started to come faster. "But I'm not going to have this baby if it's father doesn't love the mother."

"What makes you say that?" Dawson asked her, standing up.

"A lot of things." she whispered.

He reached forward and held her in his arms, kissing her head. Her tears dampened the sleeve of his shirt.

"They aren't true." he whispered.

Andie looked at Pacey, and saw him smiling. She knew it was a special time for him, learning his two best friends would probably have a baby. She felt slightly warm and fuzzy as well. But her mood was dampened by Jen's sour face.

There was knock at the door. Pacey went to answer it, and Jack and Matt walked in. Jack saw Jen's tear stained face and Joey and Dawson hugging in the middle of the room.

"What's wrong?" he whispered.

"Joey's pregnant." Pacey whispered back.

After a meal, Jen felt slightly better. She apologized to Pacey and Andie. "I'm so ashamed about my behavior. My disease is no excuse to act horrible. If not, I should be happy."

Pacey squeezed her hand. "Jen, you will survive this. Okay?"

She smiled through new, happy tears. "Yes. I know I will." Jack refused to leave Jen's side after hearing about her sorrows.

"Want some soda?" he asked her, eager to make her as comfortable as possible.

"It's alright. I'll get it." She stood up, ignoring Jack's protests. She went into the kitchen, and grabbed a soda. On the way out, she peeked outside to see a couple engaged in a heavy make-out session beside the house. She leaned forward to take a better look, and saw it was Dawson and Joey. His hand was stroking her belly and back, and her hands were in his hair.

"Hmm" Jen thought. "She is definitely an experienced French kisser..." She walked back into the warm comfort of the living room, trying to brush any jealous thoughts from her mind.

2 months later.

Jen wrinkled her nose as she gulped down the disgusting medicine that was supposed to make her feel better. "How can this stuff make you feel better if it tastes like dog shit?" She complained to Andie.

"Don't swear, Jen." Andie said gently. “I’m not! Shit is just a word, an explanatory word."

"Don't get Andie started." Jack informed Jen, adding the finishing touches to his design of a building.

"Does this treatment you're getting make your hair fall out?" Matt asked, scrutinizing her perfect bouncy blonde hair.

Jen giggled. "No, thank god. Do you know how much I have stressed to get my hair like this?"

"I know how you feel." Matt sighed, patting his perfect brown hair.

"You gotta admit, Jen knows how to befriend gays," Pacey whispered to Andie. She shoved him in the ribs.

"Where are Dawson and Joey?" Andie asked.

"Probably making up for lost time," Jack said, prodding a fake tree.

Pacey rolled his eyes. "I'd say you're pretty accurate there, Jack."

Andie grabbed Pacey's hand. "Lets go for a walk, honey." She said sweetly.

"Okay." Pacey followed Andie out, puzzled.

Dawson threw on a T-shirt, yawned and stretched as he sat up on the side of the bed. "Joey... you've been... uh... sleeping for hours." He smiled. "Don't you want some breakfast? You can't go without food."

Her arms encircled his shoulders from behind. "Hmmm... Maybe. But we haven't really finished making up yet." She teased him.

He chuckled. "We've been 'making up' for two months."

"Yeah, but so? This is much more fun than our old high-school make-ups."

"Oh, I don't know about that...rolling around and trying in vain not to break the bed was pretty okay."

"You *were* a pretty horny teenager," she giggled.

"You were hornier," he shot back.

They met for a quick kiss, before Joey bounced out of bed and bounded over to her suitcase, completely naked. Dawson tried to look the other way but his head wouldn't obey him. He studied her stomach. It was definitely curvier then usual. She was three months pregnant. For the hundredth time, Dawson broke into a smile; still amazed they were going to have a baby. The subject of marriage had popped up, but neither had decided to pursue the subject.

Andie and Pacey were walking along the creeks edge, Andie chattering on while Pacey patiently listened.

"I'm so glad Joey is pregnant. Babies are so cute."

Pacey nodded, cocking and eyebrow and wondering what she was going to say next.

"I mean, I know they are going to be great parents." she looked at him. "Do you think they'll get married?"

Pacey shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I always pictured the two of them just being together, but the thought of them getting married...It could happen."

"It should." Andie said, folding her arms. "Every baby deserves married parents."

"Correction, every baby deserves loving parents who love each other. Which they do, which they always have. Even after that awful time when Joey got angry at him for telling her about her father...she forgave him because deep inside, she loved him."

Andie scratched her hand. "So...you don't agree with marriage?"

"I never said that." He sighed.

"Have you ever...thought about getting married?" She continued.

He stopped walking. "Okay McPhee. What's your deal? I know you're up to something, and I think I know what it is."

Andie looked hurt. “Yes, I am up to something. Do you love me?"

Pacey took her hands in his. “Of course I do!"

They started to walk again. "We need more time." Pacey finally said.

Andie smiled.

"Jen? Jen Lindley?" Jen looked up from Cosmopolitan to see a familiar looking guy staring at her.

"Yes?"

"It's me! You're old,” he laughed.

"Acquaintance. Chris Wolfe, at your service, Ma'am."

Jen put down the magazine and nodded wryly. "At everyone's service, if I remember correctly." She moved on. He followed her.

"How's life been?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Okay. I've been living in New York...I'm a legal secretary...well, I was."

"Wow. So...kept in touch with everybody? Like, Joey?"

"Oh yeah." Jen giggled. "I forgot...you used to have the hugest crush on her. It was her virginal charms, wasn't it? She's now pregnant to none other then the famous Dawson Leery."

He wasn't sure how to answer *that* one. But Jen had always been the complicated girl.

"So...what are you doing?" she asked him.

"Uh...I'm a bartender. Great job...I get paid heaps. And my father's will came in handy."

She smiled. "I see."

"So um...why not bring your friends and yourself along to this party we're having tonight? Just the old Capeside High students and myself."

Jen nodded. "Why not? I might as well enjoy myself now."

"Why now? You should enjoy yourself forever!"

Jen took a deep breath. "I have cancer. I understand if you don't want me to come." And she walked away, leaving Chris speechless.

TWO MONTHS LATER.

Joey watched as the gray clouds rolled in the sky, and thunder rumbled off in the distance. She rubbed her swollen belly, which had grown with baby. She felt slightly uneasy. She had always hated storms. In the last couple of months, Jen had gotten sicker and sicker. No word could be said if she'd be cured yet. Jen spent more time in bed then usual, but still managed to accompany the group to bars and blues clubs. They had extended their stay to possibly a year, as they had been enjoying themselves tremendously.

Pacey had signed on to do another movie in 10 months time, Andie was on a break between jobs, Dawson, who was the director for Pacey's movie wouldn't start work until then and Joey was pregnant so she couldn't work at her Interior design company. Jack and Matt had their own business right there in Capeside.

Joey sat down on the couch, and put her legs up on the coffee table. She smiled, remembering last night. They had all sung karaoke. Andie and Dawson leading in the best voices department for Jazz. Then she and Pacey had sung a duet for "I Will Survive."

She wondered how all of them had managed to stay such close friends. She and Jen were getting closer, and singing, "Baby love." Last night together proved they were getting friendlier. Jen wouldn't stop making cooing noises at her stomach. Speaking of Jen and cooing, everyone was being especially tentative towards Joey and the growing bump.

"Jo?" Dawson walked into the living room. He sat down next to her, and nuzzled her neck. "How are you?"

"Fine." she smiled. "But...will there be a hurricane?"

Dawson shrugged. "I don't know. Andie and Pacey called an hour ago, they said they were coming over."

"Where's Jen?" Joey asked. She was in the mood for female companionship.

"In our room, watching TV I was just there." he sighed. "The doctors don't know where this treatment is taking her."

Joey slowly got up, and headed towards his room.

"Hey Jo." Jen greeted her. Joey settled down on the side of the bed, and it sagged under her weight.

"These beds aren't made for three." Joey giggled, Jen joining in.

"You okay?" Joey asked, concerned.

Jen nodded hurriedly. "Of course. The question is, are *you* okay? I know you don't have a soft spot for storms."

Joey was about to respond, when a crash of lightning made the house shake. She jumped. She took several deep breaths. "I'll be fine. It's only a storm."

They heard several loud voices downstairs, signaling that Andie and Pacey had arrived.

"Hurricane Jenny!" They hard Pacey exclaim. "Right on the coast. If you go outside, you'll fly away!"

Joey froze.

"Is she okay?" Pacey asked Dawson.

Dawson had his arm tightly around a shaking Joey. Outside, the wind whirled, lightning sounded and trees swayed dangerously from side to side.

"I'm fine." She seethed.

Pacey sipped down the remains of his Rum coke, and Joey watched the glass wistfully.

"What I'd give to have one of those."

"Not on your life!" Dawson said. Frustrating Joey further, he poured himself a glass.

Joey stood up. "I'm going. You males make me sick!"

She stalked into the kitchen. "Andie? Can I have soda?"

The storm raged on throughout the evening, and at around 9:00 the two guys were getting a little drunk, and were discussing sex stories. The three girls were still in the kitchen pouring endless glasses of ginger ale and discussing bad baby names.

"Shania. Tione." Joey said, wrinkling her nose.

"Chantelle. Alex, Duana." Jen gagged.

"Tiffany...Britney and Felicity." Andie groaned.

"Oooh...but I love the name Kristyn." Jen said dreamily.

"I like the name Sarah. It's so...nice." Andie said, re-filling her glass.

"What about boys names?" Joey asked.

"Boys names? Well...Patrick is cute."

"And then, they distributed the photo's all around campus." Dawson finished.

Pacey laughed. "Poor girl!"

Pacey leaned forward. "So...tell me bro...is Jo a moaner or a screamer? Is she really aggressive...?"

"Thomas is so ordinary. I like Matthew." Jen decided.

"Shhh!" Joey put her finger to her mouth and listened to the conversation outside with narrowed eyes.

"Depends."

"On what?"

"On what we do."

"Do tell..."

Andie covered her mouth and giggled.

"Where's a tape recorder?" Jen asked softly, prodding Joey's arm teasingly.

"Sometimes, mostly after she's just eaten ice cream, she'll let me..."

Suddenly, with out warning, the lights flickered off. Jen shrieked.

"Don't worry..." Andie said. "There's a flash-light on top of the fridge."

Joey wandered out, being guided by touch. Her hand fell on a shoulder.

Hmm.

"Dawson." she said coldly.

"Yeah?" he whispered, pulling her close. "Can you guess what I'm not wearing?" she said huskily, and de-tangled herself from his grasp. She could almost hear his jaw drop. She sauntered away towards Andie, who was waving a flashlight around.

Jen felt a weird pounding in her head, and a warm flush felt its way up her neck. She took deep breaths but nothing worked.

"Guys..." she croaked. But they were in the living room.

"Joey..." she croaked louder. She gripped the kitchen bench, and her vision blurred. She fell to the kitchen floor in a crumpled heap, and passed out.

"Ouch. Someone bumped into me!" Pacey gasped, holding his side.

"It was the baby holder." Joey replied dryly. "You try hauling around a stomach the size of Montana and then trying not to hit somebody."

Andie was carrying the torch, and she shone it around. "Well...looks like this isn't just some fuse box accident, guys."

"I'll get the candles," Joey volunteered.

"Oh no you don't," Dawson argued. "I'm getting them. You sit down and try not to panic too much."

"My big ass! I’m not panicking..." Joey muttered, annoyed.

He gently set her down and bounded off into the kitchen.

The kitchen was dark, so he used his hands on the bench way to help guide him around. Suddenly, his feet kicked something soft on the floor He gasped, and stopped. It felt like a body. He carefully knelt down and felt it's...arm!

"Oh my god!" He hissed. As the light of Andie's torch had shone around, he had caught a glimpse of Jen's blonde locks! "Guys!" He called. "Quick! Someone get an ambulance..."

"Wow. Two Lindley's in the hospital...and two Lindley's in a stable condition." The doctor smiled at the worried four adults in the waiting room.

They let out sighs of relief. "She had some sort of stroke...a shock. But she's fine. You can all visit her soon. But she is resting now." He cocked his head to one side, studying Joey. "My, my. Aren't we large?"

Joey gritted her teeth. "Yes, you are." She shrugged. "I guess all those surgeon lunches didn't go down to well, did they?" Dawson smirked, wondering what the doctor was going to do.

He just laughed. "My wife was just the same when she was going to have Annabelle."

"Oh, no, Joey's like that all the time." Dawson snickered, and Pacey chuckled from behind his issue of Cosmopolitan.

"Well, you can see Jen in a few hours. I recommend you go home while the weather's good." He checked something on his notepad, then looked up again at Pacey. "You look familiar." He mused.

Pacey shrugged. "I was very well known in Capeside ten years ago," he grinned. The doctor shrugged and bustled off.

Joey shuddered. "That doctor... He... I think he like, looked after my mom," she sneered. "Didn't do a very good job."

Dawson hugged her as close as he could. Feeling confused with her behavior that day; he guessed it just came with the pregnancy, he couldn't help feel as though Joey...

He sneaked a look at her usually smiling face, which contorted into a scowl. Well, he had the suspicion that she really regretted becoming pregnant.

Dawson was tidying up his room... their room when he looked out the window. He breathed in a waft of the chilly air, mixed with pine and salt. Beautiful. Memories filled him, of his childhood, and then when he had grown. He spotted a brunette with a large stomach sitting on the edge of the dock, her feet dangling and her hair waving about her face. Things had, for some reason, changed dramatically in the last couple of weeks. Even very pregnant, Joey loved to engage in a little 'fooling around.' Though, lately, she had curled up her body as much as possible, and drifted into a quick sleep. Dawson decided to go talk to her, and pay her a little attention. She was probably feeling a little...vulnerable.

"Hey there," he greeted her softly. She gave him a small smile. He scooted next to her and pulled her into his arms. Immediately, she relaxed which made Dawson feel better.

"Joey, I’m going to be straight forward and honest," he started. "Is something other then Jen bothering you?"

Joey was quiet, but Dawson sensed her tensing. "It's just the... well, the magic has worn off. And the truth has come out. We're having a baby... I mean, I know we've decided to live together, and you love me, and I love you, but... I feel as though... we've been forced into this. Like, if I had never become pregnant, we could have parted our separate ways and..."

"Ended up with different people?" Dawson finished.

Joey nodded, and Dawson understood. "Well, I don't know about you," he said huskily. "But I was going crazy not being able to touch you as we did only a couple of times in high school..."

Joey turned to face him. "You were?"

He nodded. "There was no way I would have married, or been with any other woman. Because, I already had one."

Joey's eyes glistened with tears. "I love you so much," she said softly, and they kissed.

Andie turned to Pacey, and smiled. "They are so much in love...it's so sweet." She sat down next to him.

"I remember when they went through that whole love and hate thing, which you were in the middle." Pacey remembered very well, as though it was only yesterday.

"Joey and I... dating. A weird concept. But I knew all along it wouldn't last."

Andie nodded. "And it took us three years to get back on track," she said sadly.

Andie had had an affair with another man at the hospital, and had broken up with Pacey. Upset, he had run straight into the arms of a heartbroken Joey who was watching Dawson get all over his new girlfriend.

Dawson's girlfriend didn't stick around long, and after a month or two she was just another fleeting memory. It had then been six long months of harmless flirting, mindless chatter and teasing before Joey and Dawson got their act together. Along with several other things together, and realized that they were purely wasting time.

Pacey remembered that he was responsible for their reunion, which wasn't really a romantic reunion but restored their friendship. From then on until just recently, they remained firm friends. Memories of only a couple of distant nights spent together and locked away for keep sake.

He noticed Andie looking shyly at him, and a wave of emotion swept over him. Without speaking, he gathered her up in his arms. "Andie... marry me," he said plainly.

Andie's mouth fell open in shock, but her mouth turned up into a happy smile, and joined Pacey's mouth for a kiss. "Yes!" She wept.

Love was special, and very precious... and no one should risk losing it.

"Joey! Dawson! Stop making out and come for dinner!" Pacey yelled loudly.

"Shhhh!" Andie giggled, squeezing his hand.

Andie, Joey and Jen had just got back from Joey's baby shower in New York with her other friends, and Andie had been bursting the whole time.

Jen looked quizzically at the both of them, wondering if maybe they were drunk. They hadn't stopped giggling and shhhing for the past hour. A pregnant and smiling Joey and a flustered Dawson entered the dining room, and sat down. Jack walked in and greeted Andie with a kiss and Jen with a hug.

"Hey...I came as soon as I could. What's up?"

Confusion registered on Dawson and Joey's faces.

"Spill it." Jen commanded. Andie sat down carefully, and looked up at Pacey. He nodded.

"Well...this afternoon...we found out..." Joey gasped.

"Oh no! You’re pregnant!" Pacey chuckled and Andie shook her head hurriedly.

"No! No...not quite." she laughed uneasily. "You tell them." but recognition was dawning on everyone's faces.

"You're getting married."

"We're getting married,” they all said together.

"Oh my god!" Joey squealed, getting up to hug Andie tightly. Jen kissed Pacey on the cheek. "Congratulations!" she beamed.

"Whoa. Pacey's ready to commit? Good on you, man." Dawson smiled, and Jack shook Pacey's hand. They all settled down to eat dinner.

"So... when?" Jen asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin. Andie and Pacey shared a look.

"Soon. We were thinking...a month? I mean, we haven't many relatives, so it's going to be just close friends. Small. Less fuss." Andie confirmed.

"This is great. I'm so happy for you." Jen sighed. She put down her glass.

"Does anyone want to come with me to this beach party? I've decided to go."

"Can't," said Jack. "I have so much work to do."

"Umm..." Joey rubbed her belly and shared a look with Dawson. "We'll stay here. I'm... tired."

"We'll go." Andie offered.

The huge bonfire crackled into the night sky, and the swarm of faces around it glowed red. The sound of waves crashing to the sandy shore was heard in the distant background.

"It feels like years since I’ve been to the beach." Jen breathed in the salty sea breeze.

Pacey took a sip of beer. "I know. The memories seem to just flow back, don't they?" they watched the small group of twenty somethings engage in talking, dancing and singing.

Pacey grinned. "Remember summer of 2001? And how on the last night we all sat around a bonfire quite like this one." Jen closed her eyes, trying to remember it, trying to remember what it was like to be seventeen.

She was sitting next to Jack; singing loudly to the famous rock-song one of the guys was strumming on his guitar. She remembered watching Dawson and Joey making out heavily, in their own little world. This sudden change of their relationship changed once they entered college, though. So it was sort of a 'last night of high-school' make-out session. She remembered winking at Pacey, who was sitting next to and edging closer to Andie. They were just getting their friendship back on track. Jen had never felt such a feeling of contentment before in her life.

But the night vanished...and here she was, about eleven years later, and she had cancer. She felt the small lump on her neck and took a deep, shuddering breath. She *would* enjoy herself as much as possible, so as to forget about her disease.

Andie and Pacey were drifting away down the beach, Pacey calling back,

"Look after yourself Jen!"

Hmn. Didn't do a very good job before. She rubbed her arms nervously. How would she approach these people? These people who she hadn't seen since high school?

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to show," said a warm voice. Jen smiled widely.

"Hey, Chris," they stood for a minute, Chris trying to think of something to say.

"Umm... that thing you told me before?..." his voice drifted off. Jen's smile vanished.

"Yes, it's true. But..." she bit her lip and crossed her fingers.

"I'm not like, dying."

"Oh," he answered uncertainly.

"And I’m not contagious," she smiled teasingly, trying to be brave. He laughed, feeling more at ease.

"I know that. Come on... let's get you a drink," he led her off.

Joey propped her cup on her stomach, and giggled thinking how funny it looked. Dawson looked up from his laptop and chuckled. "I suppose your tummy brings hours of fun," he kidded. She nodded, looking at him.

"Dawson?" she asked. "Yeah?"

"Andie and Pacey's engagement got me thinking." Dawson looked up again from his furious typing.

"It... did?" Joey sat up, discarding the cup.

"Why didn't we marry all those months ago?" Dawson got up, and joined her on the bed.

"Because we were too busy. Doctor appointments, telling everyone, you going up to New-York with Andie and Jen so your friends could throw you a baby shower, all the stuff we had to work out, Jen..."

"And it would have seemed like..." she laughed bitterly.

"A shot-gun wedding."

"Well... do you want to get married?" he squeezed her hand. She nodded.

"Of course I want to. But..." she smiled demurely. "I want it to be the right time. Not just because we have a baby on the way."

"Then it will be," he shrugged, kissing her cheek. She moved so he was kissing her lips, gently at first then harder, and more urgent, Joey putting her hand on the back of his neck.

It had been great. Jen stumbled across Dawson's lawn at around three in the morning, feeling flushed and giggly. They had talked for hours. Then...It just happened. Jen didn't care if he had a wife, or a girlfriend or a fiancée. She was with him, Chris, and it was good. She opened the door, and tiptoed in.

The house was dark. She stepped quietly up the stairs and towards her room, peeping into Dawson's room.

They were both fast asleep, Joey under the crook of his arm. Oooh. How sweet. She thought sarcastically, studying Joey's hump under the thin material of an oversize shirt. She wondered how long to go till the big day. She felt so high on sex, she had to fight with the images in her head... which had her going into Dawson's room and having wild sex with him while Joey and her baby peacefully slept. Hmmm. Maybe she'd try it some time.

She waltzed into her room, smiling. She changed into her pajamas and ducked under the covers, turning off the lights and planning to dream...

Joey kicked up a pile of sand, smiling as the wind caressed her face. She couldn't think of anything more romantic then a wedding on the beach.

"Nice, huh?" Pacey said, studying Joey's reaction intently. She nodded.

"Oh yeah."

He slung his arm around her shoulders and led her off down the beach for another walk.

"To tell you the truth..." he sighed deeply. "I'm worried."

Joey brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Worried? Why?" Pacey grit his teeth.

"Because... I've known her for so long. You know? I love her. But...it's too much. We know each other too well... and yet we tend to hurt each other a lot. Like... back in high-school..." Joey giggled, hugging him tightly.

"Pacey... we dated for one month. Big deal. She cheated on you once... you got back together quite soon after."

"Two years," he corrected her. She continued.

"I felt the same way about Dawson. We knew each other so well. It scared the shit out of me," she shook her head. "He means so much to me... but when I think about it, we only dated for a total of six months throughout high school, and only actually had sex only three times. It's only been in the last year... at the ages of 28, that we've finally gotten together. And we are happy. Moving around is not fun...especially when you love someone." Pacey nodded, agreeing.

"I guess."

"Marry her. If you don't... you'll regret not getting her when you could have." Pacey kissed her lips softly, letting the kiss linger, knowing it would be his last with another woman. She kissed back eagerly.

"You are a good friend," he said softly, breaking the kiss. Joey smiled demurely and looked down at her stomach.

"Uh... thanks."

"But... then how come you and Dawson aren't married?" he continued, wanting to break the ice.

Joey looked over at Dawson, who was pelting water at Andie and Jen, who both squealed and splashed it back at him. He looked awfully cute with his wet hair and swimming trunks... and Jen looked pretty sexy in her low-cut bathing suit. Joey felt like a hippo.

"We felt it would be a shot-gun marriage," she said ruefully. "We will, one day. When he has the guts. I ain't doin' it."

Pacey laughed and tickled her round belly. "Scaredy cat."

"Dawson? Where is my white dress?" Joey asked, walking into the room with a towel wrapped around her.

"Uh... In the wardrobe... you know, where all the clothes are kept." Joey stuck her tongue out at him and poured through the closet, coming out with her dress.

"This is the only thing that doesn't make my boobs look too big," he chuckled. She let the towel drop to the floor and slipped on the dress, then a pair of underwear.

"You know... Pacey was having second thoughts," she told him. Dawson's eyes widened.

"He was?" She nodded.

"Yup. But being the magnificent person I am, I talked him out of it."

Dawson kissed Joey tenderly.

"You sure are." he said admiringly.

"Now... let's go."

"Ahhh. A perfect family. You, me, and the baby," she prodded her stomach and linked arms with him.

A wedding. How... sweet. Jen checked to see if she looked sexy in her white embroidered blouse and skirt. She wanted to look great... so great, Dawson and Pacey's eyes would pop out. And she did! Sure, Joey was a great beauty, but she would fade into the background when Jen showed up. So what if Joey won the Dawson battle... Jen took the cake as sexiest.

She walked out, meeting Joey and Dawson on the landing.

"Hey," she smiled brightly, eyeing how hot Dawson looked. She then looked at Joey. Wow.

Joey's beautiful figure still remained... the only difference being her slightly large belly.

The white cotton dress she had on clung to her body, and showed off her breasts which were big in her pregnancy. She looked every inch the beautiful desirable woman that... she shook the thoughts from her mind. "You look great," she complimented them.

"Thanks... so do you." Dawson smiled, offering her his arm. Jen took it, leaning on him.

"Thank you."

It was a small wedding, the guests were mostly friends from New York, a few actors... co-stars Pacey had remained in touch with over the years, and several photographers. Joey took her seat next to Dawson, and saw Jen tripping over several guests’ feet to sit next to him as well.

"How romantic." Jen smiled, leaning against his shoulder.

"A wedding is like... a union of love. If you're in love, you get married," she looked around at all the guests with obvious satisfaction.

Joey was confused by her words.

"What do you mean?" she asked incredulously.

"People who are in love don't go off and get married." Jen was surprised that Joey had the guts to answer back.

"Well... they often do." she said hastily. She beamed at Dawson.

"I can't believe Pacey is getting married before you. Never thought it would happen," she playfully tugged at his hand, and he laughed. Joey watched them with growing irritation. They looked good together, really good.

Two blondes, with wide smiles... looking happily in love... but they weren't.

So what if they looked good together. Someone once told her she and Pacey looked good together, but they were never in love. They cared for each other, but not in *that* way.

She gazed at Dawson. Not the way she loved Dawson. She folded her arms, staring straight ahead, trying to block out the images of Jen giggling. Jen was sick. She was still receiving treatment. She... acted up a little sometimes. Jen planted a kiss on Dawson's cheek.

"Save a dance for me later," she giggled.

Joey felt a little tug of jealousy and annoyance. Why was Jen hanging all over her boyfriend like that? Of course, it wasn't as if she and Dawson were married... he could do as he liked! She stopped thinking when Andie and Pacey stepped up to the priest to be married. Joey gazed at them; happy they were finally going to be together.

They joined hands, and gazed lovingly at each other. Joey felt very proud of Pacey, and grinned. She suddenly felt Dawson's hand rubbing hers, indicating he wanted to hold hers. She turned to him and gave him a small smile, as they squeezed hands.

Jen sat very still, looking at the nearly married couple with a glassy look in her eyes, and a small frown.

Why should it be that they get to be so happy, while her life is threatened?

What happened to the unexplainable past? She snuck a look at Joey who seemed to be gazing lovingly at Pacey. Jen remembered how they had been all over each other in high school... it had broken Dawson and Andie's hearts. Jen knew that they had to have had sex... the sexual tension between the two of them was incredible. It was interesting... at the time, everything seemed so serious. While now, they looked on the affairs, stolen kisses, wrong loves... as... as a sort of mistake... a joke, a 'funny teenage thing.'

Jen wasn't so sure it was. She *knew* Joey and Pacey still had feelings for each other... she had seen the gazes; the kiss on the beach... and Pacey was marrying Andie to stop his feelings growing stronger. Jen knew her predictions were mostly always right.

Andie groaned and sat back in her chair.

"What nice cake," Jack grinned.

"I know. I suppose you are now, dare I say it, happily married?"

Andie looked onto the dance floor, where Pacey was dancing with Joey.

"Yes," she said softly.

"Yes, I am."

"Feeling okay?" Pacey asked Joey, noting her body was extremely stiff. She nodded.

"Uha. I'm fine." It felt weird to be dancing with her like this... in senior year, at the prom, when they had all come as friends, she had fit so well into his arms. Now she was carrying a baby. He glanced in the direction of her eye line and saw Jen snuggled in Dawson's arms. He chuckled.

"You aren't jealous, are you?" Joey mumbled a soft, "No."

Pacey knew better.

"You always hated it when Dawson danced or got cozy with someone else," he teased her.

She stepped back from him.

"This is different," she declared. "I mean, we aren't even married. Dawson, by right, can dance with anyone he likes."

"Whoa," Pacey said, concerned. "Jo... you aren't seriously bothered by this, are you?" he looked at Jen and Dawson again. Jen had her eyes closed, her head pressed against his chest, her hand rubbing up and down his back. Dawson was lightly holding her, his eyes out the window.

Pacey watched his new bride, engaged in a lively conversation with her friends.

She looked gorgeous. And he was in love with her.

"Hmmm. This is nice," Jen sighed, gazing up at him. He nodded.

"Yeah. It is." Jen looked over at Joey and Pacey, and developed a little smile on her face.

"Isn't it weird how people are supposed to be in love with others...but personally, are in love with someone else?" she said lightly. She sensed him tense up.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well... it's just one of my... sayings in life." she added hastily.

"Hmm," was his reply.

"Mind If I cut in?" Joey asked the swaying couple sweetly. Jen glared at her through half closed eyes. Dawson let her go, smiling broadly at Joey.

"Sure."

He enveloped Joey in a hug, and danced her away. Jen sighed and walked off the dance floor, watching the two of them. She saw Dawson kiss Joey passionately, then hold her as close as he could. Jen wiped the bitter look of her face as a group of men walked by and smiled politely.

"You and Jen seemed snug," Joey commented lightly. Dawson raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, you know. You just looked as though you were like, you know... enjoying yourself." Dawson laughed.

"You amaze me, Joey Potter. You're... jealous?" Joey frowned.

"No..."

Dawson took her face in his hands.

"We've had a pretty torrid past together, Joey. And I know things were simpler when we were just friends, so sex, no commitments. Remember high school... and all the crap we went through? in the end, it didn't matter. Why? because I loved you and wanted you, deep inside." Joey felt herself getting all teary. She nodded numbly.

"I know," she whispered. And rested her head on his shoulder, content.

ONE WEEK LATER...

"It was really nice," Andie gushed, speaking of her honeymoon with Pacey.

"It sounds like you had an incredible time." Jack smiled, looking pointedly at a bored looking Jen.

"Oh yeah, great," Jen said in fake brightness.

"Well..." Andie began.

"Umm... we have come to a decision." she looked at Pacey, and he nodded.

"We have decided to go back to New York. Pacey was offered a part in a movie yesterday... he'll be going up to do a reading."

"It won't clash with our movie," he told Dawson. "I made sure of that."

Dawson grinned. "Okay." Andie looked sympathetically at Jen, then at Joey.

"I'm so sorry I can't be here for you..." she bit her lip.

"But... we feel we clutter things up."

"When will you be leaving?" Jen asked, her bottom lip trembling slightly.

"Sunday." It was Friday, they had two days left in Capeside.

"The baby is due next Wednesday," Joey spoke up suddenly. Dawson stared at her in shock, suddenly being hit with the realization. They had a baby on the way!

"We'll come down to see you," Andie said quickly. "I want to see who's been kicking you all these months," she cooed. Joey giggled, and Dawson's face relaxed into another smile.

That night, Dawson said he was tired and retired to bed earlier then usual. Jen watched as he went in and closed the door. She saw him go in and crawl under the covers, flicking on the lamp. She closed her bedroom door, and unbuttoned two of her buttons, before slinking in.

"Hey Dawson," she purred. He looked up from his book and raised his eyebrows.

"What's wrong Jen?"

"Nothing," she said, walking in and leaning over to show of her cleavage. "Joey's downstairs," she breathed. "It's just... you and me. So... do you want to?" Dawson swallowed. Oh boy.

Jen was as useless in 'seducing' as she was in being discreet. He remembered how Joey had seduced him in senior year... the second time, that was. He had rejected her the first time... it was just too soon.

But the second time... well... it wasn't easily forgotten.

"Uh... I think you better go back to bed, Jen," he sighed. Was it the medication?

Jen laughed huskily. "You know better then I do that you want to fuck me, Dawson. Joey is useless in that section... and after the baby is born... well..." she laughed breathlessly.

"It's not as if you're married," she inched closer to the bed.

"Jen..." he said sternly,

"Go back to bed. I am not, in any way, interested, okay?" his voice was harsh and loud. He regretted the tone, but not the words. Jen pouted, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I could be dead in a few months... and you reject me?" Dawson didn't know what to say. Jen ran out.

"I don't know what to do, Joey." Andie sighed, as they walked along the creek.

"Was our marriage too quick?" Joey absentmindedly played with a strand of hair.

"Well..." she casted her eyes down. Andie snorted.

"I guessed right."

"You're engagement was a month. It was very quick. But it doesn't matter!" Andie chewed on her lip thoughtfully.

"Now that we're like, legally bound... he's all... weary. He drifts off." Joey decided to go ahead and say it.

"Have you had lots of sex?" Andie nodded her head.

"Yeah... it's more or less just the talkative side of him that's gone. His sexual drive is still alive and kicking," she admitted with a playful grin.

"Are you gonna have a baby?" Joey asked. Andie shrugged.

"I don't know. At the moment we are using protection, so I'm not sure." Joey started to breathe heavily, and rubbed her stomach.

"Youch. This baby won't stop kicking." Andie put her arm around Joey.

"Lets get you inside."

Jen felt rotten. Suddenly, out of nowhere the impact of reality hit her. She wasn't cured yet! She had just arrived back from treatment, and the doctors had looked weary.

"Take it easier from now on, Jennifer," Doctor Evans had told her.

"Your condition is worse. Especially after that stroke you had before... you might have another one if you don't rest at ease."

Jen slunk into the Leery home, also saddened by the news her grandmother's condition was getting worse. Jen felt incredibly guilty... she had not visited her Grams in over four months.

Joey was talking to Andie on the couch, and a pile of suitcases were stacked in the doorway... Andie and Pacey had moved them to the Leery house to be picked up by the cab later on. It was Sunday afternoon, Andie and Pacey were getting ready to leave.

"Hello, Jen."

Joey greeted her with a cold edge to her voice. Jen just nodded and went past them and into the kitchen, then coming back out with an apple. She joined them on the couch.

Andie sighed, noticing Jen's sour and sad expression. She knew about Jen's treatment and Jen's Grams... things were getting harder and harder for her to cope with.

"I know how you feel Jen," she said gently. Joey nodded.

"You'll be fine."

There was a moment’s silence before Jen spoke, her voice bitter. "You really don't know how I feel right now, Andie."

"Yes, I do," Andie argued.

"Please let us help..."

"You have no idea!" Jen's voice rose.

"Your not the one who will never be able to have a baby, get married or fall in love," she sniffled, red hot tears forming at her eyes.

"I'm fucking dying," her voice caught and she shook her head in disgust at Andie's naive retorts.

"I've been unlucky all my life! no real friends... nothing's been easy." Jen started to sob.

Andie took a deep breath before talking.

"Look, I may not know how it feels to have cancer, but I know how it feels to be frustrated and know your life is going down hill and there is NOTHING you can do about it. I know. Joey knows. We've all been through some horrible situations in our lives, but we've gotten through them. And you will too if you're just strong!"

Andie's voice shook but she regained her calmness. Jen's sobs quieted down and she rested her head in her hands.

Dawson and Pacey entered the room, bewildered at the scene of Jen sobbing, Andie shaking and Joey grasping her stomach in pain.

"Joey?" Dawson asked, alarmed. "Are you..."

"Oh my god... oh my god..." Joey stood up carefully.

"I... I... I think I’m going into labor..."

Horrified, Andie grabbed Joey's hand. "Are you sure?"

Joey nodded, and started to breathe hard.

"Yes..."

"Are you quite..." Pacey's question was cut off as Joey's water broke.

I thought this was it for me
We'll have a house and a color T.V
We'll have a dog instead of a kid
We'll be the perfect family.

What if there's no right and we've
been fighting for a wrong?
What if you had known we wouldn't get along?

What's the reason we broke up?
Weren't we trying hard enough?
Now I've had to sell the ring
Just to pay for everything.

-Diana Ah Naid
"Perfect Family."

Joey lay on the bed, taking deep breaths and sucking on ice, while talking to Dawson and Pacey through grit teeth. "This... really hurts," she scowled.

They had arrived at the hospital three hours ago, her contractions were now about 3 minutes apart. The nurse who was standing by one of the various machines attached to her watched the three in confusion, wondering who the father was.

"We know. We know. Just keep breathing, Jo," Dawson said softly. She grabbed his arm and yanked him towards her.

"Don't tell me what to do. If you hadn't have fucked me, this NEVER would have happened." the nurse bit her lip to keep from laughing at such an...oh, gasp! Obscene usage of language from the sweaty Joey.

Dawson's mouth dropped and Pacey stifled a laugh. He soothingly patted Joey's hand as she worked her way through another contraction.

"Oh..." she gasped, reaching over to Dawson and squeezing his hand, Pacey holding her other. Just then, Andie appeared in the doorway.

"Jo? How are you doing?"

"Just working through. Nothing that serious yet." she mustered a smile.

"Pacey..." she said, looking pointedly at Joey squeezing Dawson's hand so hard he started to jump up and down, grinding his teeth.

"I just got you some coffee. Come on," she bit her lip, seeing Joey in such pain, ignoring Dawson's discomfort.

Pacey reluctantly let go of Joey's hand and followed Andie out, giving Joey a sympathetic look. Joey's pain lessened after that particularly painful contraction, and she leaned her face towards Dawson, kissing him tenderly.

"Sorry, honey." she said softly.

"It's just, your voice annoyed the shit out of me."

He grinned, brushing her hair away from her forehead. "That's okay."

Then suddenly, another forceful contraction bore down on Joey. She gasped, and the nurse's eyes widened.

"You're contractions are getting closer together," she informed her. "I think it's time we get the doctor..." she rushed off to fetch their doctor. Joey took in a deep breath. "Well. It's really happening."

Pacey handed Jen a cup of coffee. "You look glum." he commented.

She shrugged. "Hmm... what's new?" he laughed. "I know."

He then looked concerned. "From what I've heard...you're still receiving treatment, not much pain...you seem pretty healthy... this is a good sign, right...?" She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Yes. It is. But...what if it isn't? You know? What if...it doesn't go away?"

He gripped her hand. "You... I... all of us... we've been through a lot, and on some occasions we may have been a little harsh." He looked over at a sleeping Andie. "But we are there for you. All of us. Okay?" she nodded, hugging him. She knew he was right. All of a sudden, her petty insecurities, her fake hysteria, her jealousy...it didn't matter. It didn't matter at all.

Pacey and Jen continued to hold each other as from the other side of the room, Andie watched them, deep in thought.

Pacey stirred in his sleep, sensing someone tapping down the hallway. He opened his eyes, which had been shut for three hours, and when they cleared he saw Dawson standing in the waiting room, holding a small bundle. Andie, who had been flipping through Cosmopolitan, squealed and threw the magazine to the floor, awakening Jen. She rushed over to the baby, who was looking around, uncurling its fists, opening and shutting it's mouth and blinking it's tiny eyes.

"It's a girl," Dawson chuckled. "Joey was happy. She held it and immediately said her name was Samantha. Then they measured and cleaned her..."

"Is Joey resting?" Pacey asked, concerned.

Dawson nodded. "Yeah... they had to um... stitch her up a little."

Dawson had propped the baby up against his shoulder, and Andie was making gooey faces at it. Jen giggled. "Aw, Andie...she's petrified of you...look at her." Samantha's eyes were wide in pure baby innocence.

"She's amazing." Jen commented, studying the tiny baby cuddled in Joey's arms.

"She's got beautiful eyes., Andie murmured, touching the baby's cheek softly.

"Brown... she got Joey's eyes," Dawson said softly.

"Well, either that or there's something she's not telling us." Pacey cracked. Andie gave him a glare. "I'm kidding." he said weakly, tickling the baby's feet.

Pacey had taken one look at Andie's face, covered in adoration and amazement at the sight of Dawson and Joey's baby and knew she wanted one straight away. Oh, heck. But the thought of having one with her...

But then again... he couldn't believe that the baby Joey was holding was hers and Dawson's. A pure miracle of life. Pacey wrinkled his nose. Eh. He always hated it when people spoke about birth as being 'miracles.' And now he was thinking it.

Joey was lying in the hospital bed, Dawson sitting next to her on the bed, Jen on the chair beside her and Andie and Pacey leaning over her.

Jen hadn't said one word the whole time, she had just stared at the little child, mesmerized. She was also looking at the baby because looking at Dawson and Joey gazing lovingly at one another was just too much. Ugh.

Yet... despite herself, she felt happy for them. This was it, this baby had made their love complete. It was disgustingly sappy yet...interesting. And disappointing.

Jen had always wanted a baby, but she knew she held no chance.

Jen buried her face into the pillow as Sammy let out another wail. Oh, GOD that baby had a huge set of lungs. "It's okay Sammy...mommy's here..." Jen heard Joey getting up to comfort the little girl, and the baby's whimpers died down. She let out a sigh of relief. Maybe she could get some like, sleep now?

She had to be well awake and fresh for tomorrow...the doctors appointment that would spill her fate. She had been having treatment for a long time now, surely she was cured...? But the possibility she could be eaten away by this horrible disease was high.

She snuggled down into her blankets, closing her eyes and willing herself to dream pleasant dreams. Her eyes flew open when she found her thoughts drifting to a certain brunette...

Pacey was not in a good mood. For some reason, Andie had refused to sleep in the same bed as him...or rather, the couch bed. "I feel like sleeping separate, tonight." she had announced, and had bounded off upstairs.

He despised her when she did one of those stupid mood/tantrums.

He yawned, and ran his hand through his hair, spiking it up. He could hear Sammy gurgling in the kitchen where Joey was breast-feeding her. He walked in, trying hard not to look at Joey and the beautiful child sucking on her nipples.

"Morning Pace." Joey said quietly, trying not to let on she knew something was up with Andie and Pacey. Andie and Joey had had a talk last night, concerning Andie's feelings.

"Hey." he said, getting out the orange juice and pouring himself a glass. "I'm going with Jen to her doctors appointment." he announced.

Joey looked up from the baby. "The one where..."

Pacey nodded. "Yep." he took a deep breath. "They said they had the results today. Jen is...needless to say, quite...worried."

"We all are." Joey put in. Sammy stopped drinking and flailed her arms about. Joey buttoned up her white blouse and sat Sammy up to burp her. Pacey studied the little baby.

He wondered what it would be like to have a family of his own one day. But with Andie refusing to speak to him for whatever reason he could not comprehend...well...the chances were rare.

Jen slugged into the kitchen, nervously biting her lip and brushing her unruly curls.

"Hey, stranger." Pacey greeted her, pulling her in for a warm hug. She smiled despite her worries...Pacey always made her smile with his friendly gestures and open affection for everyone.

Dawson entered the kitchen, kissing Joey tenderly and stroking the baby's arm, then kissing Jen on the cheek. The problems they had gone through were now resolved, and they had fallen into a warm friendship.

"Good luck." Dawson said. Jen nodded. "Thanks. I hope so too."

"I think...this time I won't have to unpack my bags." Andie said weakly, putting the last of her clothes into her suitcase. She zipped it up and watched as Joey did another sit-up, trying hard to get the flat stomach she had carried around before.

"Well...I suppose not." Joey said softly. "Are you sure you want to go back...this soon?"

Andie nodded. "Being here is bad for our marriage. I just don't...know what else to do. We've grown apart in the last month. We have nothing to talk about...maybe if we go back to New-York, we might be able to build up a new life."

Joey nodded, showing she understood. She knew things had been a strain on Andie and Pacey...pretty much form the first day back from their honeymoon. Could they work things out? Secretly Joey wondered how long it would last.

Dawson yawned and smiled as the baby mimicked him, giving a tiny yawn and closing her eyes. He swung lightly on the swinging chair in front of the house, Sammy in his lap and the gentle breeze from the creek ruffling his hair.

Everything was peaceful and quiet, and he surveyed the past year. And what a year it had been. A baby...a marriage...would there have to be a funeral as well?

He laughed lightly. "God, Dawson. Stop being so melodramatic," he thought. Suddenly he saw two figures, dancing and cheering a short distance away. He craned his neck. What the...? They got closer, and he saw the brunette male dip the blonde female, both were giggling profusely. Jen and Pacey. He slowly got up, carrying the sleepy baby, and felt a small surge of excitement grow in him.

Why were they so happy...

Jen caught sight of Dawson and screeching, rushed towards him, nearly knocking him over. Pacey followed, plucking the baby out of Dawson's arms as Jen hugged him tightly.

"I'm okay!" she shrieked.

"I'm cured! It went!" she started to dance around some more, and Pacey gave Dawson back the baby and they started to dance again. Joey and Andie rushed out of the house to see what all the commotion was about.

Jen tearfully told them, and a whole new batch of shrieking started. Pacey secured his arm around Jen as they all started to talk amiably. His eyes locked with Andie's and he saw her purse her lips. For the first time well...ever...he couldn't read her eyes.

A party had been thrown in Jen's honor, and all of her New York friends, family and Capeside friends were there. It was held at a popular spot near the beach. Pacey surveyed the happy, joyous scene...a celebration that Jen was well again. The 50 or so guests mingled around, some were just Capeside locals. Joey was giggling with Jen in the corner, holding a glass of champagne, obviously a little drunk. Jen was also a little drunk... drunk on happiness and champagne. Little Sammy was being danced around with Mrs. Leery.

Because of the mood, Pacey felt an urge to resolve things between he and Andie. He spotted her dancing with a random man on the dance floor, and approached her. "Good evening. May I have this dance, my wife?" he asked, his eyes glittering. He didn't get the reaction he was betting on.

Andie broke away from the man, apologizing, then turned to him. "I'm sorry Pacey," she said quietly. "I can't," and she left the dance floor, leaving him very bewildered. The bewilderment turned to anger. How dare she!

"Just think, Jen," Joey said happily. "You have your pick of any guy on this dance floor!"

Jen surveyed the participants. "Oooh... he's adorable." she squealed.

"Who?" Joey asked.

"Him... over there next to Mrs. Leery. Oh yeah, like to bit me of a piece of that!"

Joey swatted her arm. "He's reserved for me to bite, and me only." Jen grinned devilishly.

"You lucky thing..."

Jen and Joey had built up a mutual friendship, which was now extremely strong. Both had grown up together, and both at numerous times had loved the same guy, who had always chosen Joey, though. Joey spotted a familiar guy wading through the crowd in their direction.

"I think I see someone who wants to dance," she smiled as Pacey approached them. "Hey girls. C'mon, party girl...one spin around the dance floor?"

Jen agreed and took his arm. "I'm up for it if you are."

She had survived. They all had survived the emotional distress...it was to be uphill from here... right?

All through the night I'll be standing over you
All through the night I'll be watching over you
And through bad dreams, I'll be right there baby.

Holding your hand, telling you everything is all right
. And when you cry I'll be right there
telling you were never anything less then beautiful
. So don't you worry.
I'm your angel standing by.

Angel Standing By, Jewel.

Jen had had sweaty palms as she sat, huddled next to Pacey behind her doctor's desk. He shuffled papers around, clicking his tongue and fixing his glasses. Jen wondered if it was a good sign...Doctor Marcus kept smiling and nodding as he checked his papers.

"Ahhh... well... Jennifer," he said. He nodded towards Pacey. "And your dutiable husband..." Jen opened her mouth the object, but Pacey clasped his hand over hers and gave her a secretive smile. She stifled a giggle.

"I am very, very pleased and happy to tell you that you are indeed, and have been for a little while, cured." The rest of the doctor's words drowned as she struggled to grip the news he had given her.

Pacey grabbed her and hugged her, and she could detect small tears in his eyes. She shuddered with joy, tears of relief flooding down her face.

They had walked home, drunk with happiness, and had nearly knocked Dawson over with the news. Within a day, all of Jen's family and friends knew that she would be all right, and a party had been thrown. Jack and Pacey had refused to let her out of their sight, one of them was always with her. At the very moment all three were dancing.

Joey poured herself some punch, noting Mrs. Leery had walked away with a sleeping Sammy and her new husband... they would be looking after her that evening.

Strong arms encircled her waist, and she giggled. "Hi."

"Hi... you know... I really love that perfume..." he started to kiss her neck. She pulled away.

"Are you coming onto me?" she gasped.

"Hey... my parents aren't here... we're... allowed," he kissed her a few more times, then pulled her onto the dance floor.

"I seem to remember that dancing and drinking got us into having a baby," Joey whispered.

"Yeah. Same here," he laughed.

She smiled over his shoulder to where Jen had her arms slung around Pacey and Jack's waists, smiling for a photo.

"C'mon, give your famous Pacey Witter movie star smile." Jen laughed, and he mocked a scowl.

"I don't know, my frown has some trademark qualities too..."

"Oh god... I'm so happy." Joey sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I think everyone has finally been given a break."

Andie watched the scene with a crooked and wry smile. Oh, god she was happy for Jen.

Andie felt like some of the weight she had been carrying on her shoulders had been lifted. She didn't know what was bothering her, or why she didn't want to be touched by Pacey lately...everything had seemed fine...but as every day passed, she grew further and further apart from him. Her lips started to tremble. Why? What they had was so perfect. And now it was crumbling. She took in a deep breath as she watched Pacey motion Joey and Dawson over, then turn his gaze to her.

"Hey... Andie! Come and join in the photo!" he called. She plastered on a fake smile and went to join them.

Pacey wrapped one arm around Jen, the other around Andie, Jack cuddled up to Jen, and Joey clung to his left arm and yanked Dawson in so he could fit in the picture being taken by a random friend.

They all put on happy grins, signifying the relief they all felt, and the joy of being together.

Behind the smiles was a past of insecurity, regret, broken love, unresolved love and fear. But they had all managed to get past it. The camera was snapped.

They all disentangled themselves and Andie slowly walked away. Okay, so maybe some people hadn't managed to get past a hard relationship.

At 3:00am, most of the party had left. Dawson and Joey had quickly left after the photo, hoping to take advantage of this lack of a baby crying every five minutes. Jack had then gone for a little 'midnight party' with some guys, (Pacey decided not to ask for so much detail.) and Andie had disappeared.

Jen sat on a foldout table, steadying it slightly and drinking some left over champagne as Pacey went around trying to find his stuff.

"This is so great," Jen was going on. Pacey looked up from underneath a table.

"What?" he expected her to say something along the lines of, 'being well.'

"This champ- whatever the fuck this is. Mm, mm."

"I'll say," he laughed, getting up and grabbing her arm to guide her home safely.

"Let's go for a walk," Jen suggested, blindly turning onto the dock. Pacey sighed and gripped her hand so she didn't teeter over the edge, and followed her up the wooden steps and onto the sort of birds-nest type dock thing.

They settled on the bench in silence, the cool air ruffling their hair, the sounds of anchors plunking against boats, Capeside was silent...mostly everyone was asleep. Pacey leaned his head back and smiled, turning to Jen. He was surprised to see her face had a sober frown on it.

"Jen...what's wrong?" she shook her head.

"Life." Pacey raised an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?"

"Life... Pacey. It's... so strange."

"Tell me about it. I mean, what we've experienced..."

"No, I mean the difference between being alive and being dead." she said quietly.

"Why go all Dawsony on me, Jen? Why discuss that?" he asked casually, surprised she could carry out such a point of view on life when minutes earlier, she could barely walk she had drunk so much.

She got up, and rested her elbows on the ledge. "This is where Abby fell. Riiiight heeere." A gust of wind caused Jen to slightly teeter on her clog shoes. Pacey quickly reached up to steady her.

"She died almost instantly... her body floated to the top eventually. I tried to look for her, but..." Jen laughed. "I've never been much of a swimmer, especially decked out in a red leather jacket."

Her voice caught and several tears slipped down her throat. Pacey got up and stared at her in confusion.

"Umm...are you okay? You're crying about a mean bitch who drowned almost fifteen years ago..." he held her to him, and she laughed through her tears.

"No, silly! I'm over that. I'm just so... I feel so weird." she broke into another batch of tears. "I mean, I could have died. But I didn't. I haven't. But why? I've never been that special... or... nice to anyone... I don't..." Pacey could see she was confused, and emotionally distressed over the past year's incidents.

He held her in a huge bear hug. "You are one of the most...caring, loveable girl I know, Jennifer Lindley." he softly scolded her. "And you deserve every right to live a long, happy life." she gave the biggest smile through her tears. He was right.

Jen went straight to bed, giggling softly and trying to ignore the murmurs and gasps from Dawson's room, obviously the pair had gotten and still were, quite busy.

She fell asleep, happily dreaming.

Pacey yawned, not really surprised the couch bed hadn't been made up. He made it up, and changed into his pajamas. He noticed Andie's suitcases weren't there. Probably in Mr. Leery's bedroom, where she was staying while he was away. He felt an incredible urge to go up and talk to her.

He ruffled his hair, and made his way up the stairs. He tiptoed past Jen's bedroom, and laughed wryly knowing that they were still going at it. He went down the end of the hall, slowly opening up the door to the master bedroom. He closed it behind him and found his way over to the bed in pitch darkness. "Andie." he whispered urgently, slipping onto the bed. He moved his arm over...and it brushed against the bare bed.

"Andie?" he whispered again. "Are you here?" he asked louder. He fumbled for the lamp switch, turning it on and staring, agape, around the empty room. Then his eyes fell upon a crumpled note. He picked it up.

"Hey guys, gone to New York to pack up my things.

I'm going overseas... I think it'll be better for us. Pacey...sorry. Don't try and contact me. I don't know why I'm doing this. But I know that I have too.

-Andie."

Pacey dropped the letter, dumbfounded.

Sammy lifted a little hand and spread her fingers out, then started to suck on one. Pacey watched her with interest, he had been studying her baby movements for the last hour...he had nothing else to do.

Joey, Dawson, Jack and Jen had gone out for dinner, he had volunteered to look after Sammy. He had called Andie, two weeks ago. She had sounded fake-nice, although she told him directly and bluntly. "I don't think I love you anymore Pacey. I'm sorry."

Then the divorce papers came. Bitch.

He had had many sleepless nights since then. He put his head in his hands, sighing deeply.

It wasn't fair. All the women in his life had run out on him. Why??? that one word question still floated around in his brain. Why did she go? He took a deep breath, forcing back any tears. He wasn't going to cry. Crying did nothing...it didn't solve anything. Andie had left... and she wasn't coming back.

Sammy gurgled, flailing her arms about impatiently. He picked her up and walked idly into the kitchen to get a bottle. He knew Joey breast-fed her most of the time, yet kept a bottle just in case.

After Sammy was sucking down the milk like there was no tomorrow, he settled in front of the T.V. He channel surfed for a while, then settled on a Re-run of The Simpsons. He chucked as Homer did something stupid, and willed himself to forget all about her.

"He's supposed to brood," Jen said briskly, picking up her glass of wine. "His wife just left him, and they got divorced last night. He's heartbroken... and of course, confused."

"I still can't believe she left. What was her problem?" Joey sighed. "Poor Pacey."

Jen took a bite of pasta and looked at Jack. "Has she contacted you?" Jack nodded, frowning.

"Last night. I got an e-mail... on her health and whereabouts, but no word on her feelings."

Dawson pulled out a stack of photos and laid them on the table. They all leaned over to see them. One of Sammy, the party guests, Jen hugging Dawson, Jen hugging Joey, Jen hugging Jack, Jen hugging...and then, the group photo.

Joey pointed to Andie. "Right after the photo, she disappeared."

"She looks so... happy," Jack commented.

"Better not show them to Pacey, Dawson," Joey warned.

"Do you think he'll heal?" Dawson wondered.

Jen shrugged. "Eventually. He'll meet a girl, fall in love and... Andie will be a distant memory," her eyes glazed over and she stared into the distance.

"How's my Sammy Wammy?" Joey cooed to her little girl, who looked up in complete adoration at her mother. "How was she?" Joey asked, tickling her toes.

"Fine," Pacey said flatly, his eyes glued to the T.V screen.

Joey sighed. She and Dawson exchanged looks, and she handed Sammy to him. He went up the stairs to put Sammy to bed. Joey sat down next to Pacey, and placed her hand on his thigh, and patted it.

"Pacey... just so you know... I'm here for you. I know it sounds clichéd, but... I am." He turned to face her, accepting her hands on his.

"I know." he said softly. He studied her beautiful, face, her willing body. God, she was gorgeous. Dawson was a lucky man. Also the fact his wife had never left him... because had had never gotten married in the first place. He just now had to beautiful females in his life.

Joey raised her eyebrows in confusion as he leaned forward. He kissed her blindly, then Joey pushed him away by shoving at his chest.

"Pacey," she breathed. "What was..." he bowed his head.

"I'm sorry Joey. Relapse of thinking, brain went down. Heart took over."

Joey stood up, nodding weakly. She slowly retreated up the stairs.

He groaned. God, he was an idiot! He grabbed a pillow and forced his face into it. He was sure that life was downhill from here! He heard a muffled giggle, and slowly took his head out of the pillow. Jen stood in the doorway, a funny expression on her face...half giggle half serious.

"How can you laugh at a time like this?" he said angrily. "My wife has left me."

Jen frowned. "Pacey... at least your life isn't threatened." He shrugged.

"So? It's over. My wife has..."

"Jerk," Jen muttered, stomping away. He stared after her in disbelief. What was her problem? Why was she being so unsupportive?

"How would I like to go back to New-York." Joey pondered over the question.

"There isn't much more we need to do around here. I need to get Pacey up and going to do our new movie, so far no one has caught on he and Andie have divorced... I hope it's postponed until they do...several hundred reporters hounding him isn't what he needs right now."

Joey nodded. "Yes. I do want to go back," she stared out the window at Jen's old house, which she was supposed to move into now that her grams had passed away. "Your dad will be coming back from Florida in a week or so anyway..." her voice trailed off when Dawson handed her a small box. "What the hell is this..." she mused, opening it and smiling broadly.

"So... will you marry me, Joey?" he asked, sitting down on the bed next to her.

She slipped the ring on, and gazed at the small diamond. "Well... yes. I will," she pulled her fiancé down for a huge kiss, and things started to get steamy when Sammy let out a soft wail.

They broke apart, and Dawson laughed. "Doesn't this feel like those secret makeout sessions in high-school?"

"Except this is *our* baby." Joey beamed, hugging Sammy to her tightly. They were one happy family. Joey gently placed the baby down and Sammy fell asleep again. Joey got up, grabbing his hand.

"Come on... lets have a shower. Together," she waggled her eyebrows and he laughed, kissing her nose.

"New York?" Pacey's voice was distant as Dawson shoved a script into his hands.

"Yep. Friday night. Get packin' and get readin'."

Two days later, no word from Andie, it was obvious she was serious... which meant they had to be. Pacey sighed, scratching the two day beard he had on his chin. It was time to move on. He got up, and stretched, yawning and gazing out the window. The sun shone brightly into the living room, and he spotted Jen sitting on the dock, overlooking the water. He smiled softly.

Joey gingerly ate her breakfast, and sneaked a look at Dawson over the kitchen table. He was flipping through a script or something, and was holding a glass of orange juice. She then noticed Jen staring strangely at her hand. They met eyes and Joey smiled.

Jen squealed softly, clutching her hand and they both laughed. Dawson and Pacey looked briefly up from what they were reading. "What?" Pacey asked.

Dawson sniggered, and Joey shoved her hand in his face. Pacey held Joey's hand daintily, studying the ring. "Nice." he purred. "It's about time you two tied the knot. When?" they looked at each other and shrugged.

"We umm... didn't get that far," Joey admitted, blushing.

"But in New York, of course, maybe in several months or so?" Dawson added. Joey nodded.

"I'll come up especially," Jen grinned.

"I suppose you already know I'll be staying in Capeside, working with Jack and Matt."

"And... umm..." Pacey cleared his throat. "When do we start filming?"

"Four months from now," Dawson answered, puzzled.

"Well... d'ya mind if I stay here until your wedding? I kinda need to... sort some stuff out." The three adults all exchanged confused looks.

"Umm... okay," Dawson answered slowly. "Sure. My dad won't mind a housemate."

Jen smiled across the table at Pacey, wanting to let him know that all was forgiven. He smiled back.

“Good morning.” Pacey whispered in Jen’s ear. “Rise and shine…it’s almost noon!”

Startled out of her dream, Jen groggily awoke, and sat up slowly.

“Pacey, stop waking me up so god dammed early!” she growled, grudgingly accepting the glass of orange juice he was holding out.

“Jen, you have the rest of your life to sleep in.” Pacey grinned, sitting down on the bed and pulling her soft curve body into his arms.

Jen grinned underneath the blonde halo of curly hair, which was covering her face. This had to be the best summer of her life. Everyday she and Pacey had gone to the beach, at night they had gone skinny dipping, laughingly reminiscing about their lives.

“I have been with precisely, six women.” Pacey had said one night after Jen had asked him just how many lovers he had had.

“Who?” Jen asked with curiosity.

“Who is not important.” Pacey laughed. “Hey…I can tell you how many Dawson has slept with—five, one less then me, figures…”

“Pacey.” Jen warned, slapping the back of his head lightly. “Come on, I told you”

“Okay, okay…Tamara as you know.” Jen giggled.

“Um, Andie. Two girls in college—Sara and…um…oh that’s right, Isabelle. Julia, she was my girlfriend for about three years before I started to date Andie again.”

Jen smirked. “I think I know who the sixth one was.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t like to mention it.” Pacey said darkly.

“Sure she actually claimed she hated Dawson, then they both went their separate ways before becoming friends again but she had always been Dawson’s girl.” Pacey sighed.

“The morning after we did it she wouldn’t stop crying. It hurt and it still hurts.”

Jen looked down at her clasped hands, suddenly realizing something.

“That morning…when…you came to school….” she stuttered.

“So she lost it to you, huh?” she asked softly. Figures why Dawson suddenly went all moody.

He nodded. “Yeah. It was the night after she saw Dawson and that blonde making out on stage. I was heartbroken, she was heartbroken. We just didn’t think.”

“People make mistakes.” Jen said soothingly. “And Dawson forgave you pretty quickly…though it was none of his business.”

“After we had beaten each other up senseless.” Pacey laughed.

“Then he had gone home and apparently Joey had gone with him. And I can bet you they fucked each other that night.”

“Probably.” Jen mused, leaning on Pacey’s shoulder, starting to get a little cold.

“Considering I didn’t see either of them at the Valentines party thingy, and the ladder was kicked down…the room dark…”

“You cold Jen?” Pacey asked, rubbing her arms, which were developing goose bumps.

Jen smiled at the memory of Pacey rubbing her arms, making her feel so comfortable, so desirable.

“I got you up now coz later on we’re going out.” Pacey informed Jen, kissing her forehead.

“Why?” Jen asked.

“You’ll see.” Pacey grinned. But one puppy-dog look from Jen made him change his mind.

“Oh okay! To celebrate six months of being completely cured.”

“Ohhhh,” Jen sighed, pulling him close and hugging him.

“You’re the sweetest! The brother I never had.”

Pacey’s grin went a bit wobbly, but he said nothing.

****

“Thanks Pacey, this has been the best fun.” Jen enthused, skating up to him in the rink and tugging on his jacket.

“Do you normally take girls here?” she teased.

“Ye---oh, no, never.” He laughed.

It was dark, and little fairy lights twinkled everywhere. Only a small handful of people were still on the rink, it was getting colder and more people were heading home for a cozy night in.

“Whoops!” Jen shrieked, slipping on the ice and nearly falling head first onto it. Grabbing onto him she nearly pulled him over onto the ice with her.

“Klutz!” he exclaimed, steadying himself on the wall.

Jen cringed and got up, chuckling a little, embarrassed.

“Sorry,” she breathed.

“It’s okay.” He replied quietly, gazing at her face, which was upturned, and shone from the lights directly above them.

Her little nose twitched, and suddenly a single snowflake landed on a strand of curled hair, near her ear.

They both gasped, and looked around to see it was slowly starting to snow lightly.

“Joey and Dawson don’t know what they’re missing.” Jen said breathlessly.

“That’s for sure.”

Then he did an unexpected thing. He reached out and brushed the flake from her hair, then leaned over and taking her face in his hands, softly kissed her.

A little numb at first, Jen didn’t pull away.

Then she started to kiss back, entranced by the falling snow, the lights, the beautiful rich promise of being alive.

She didn’t realize until then that she was craving just one more thing other then freedom, a new job lined up and life. Well…not exactly love but she needed Loving she needed and she really wanted him. Not having really thought of him or his lips before, she realized they felt wonderful upon hers, and he was a very good kisser. Inching her hands into his jacket, she yearned to feel his warm skin. He felt the same way. Kissing her right now was the only thing he wanted to do, and the feel of his lips and tongue weaving into hers was definitely a good one.

“Lets go home.” He then whispered huskily.

She nodded quickly.

*****

“That was exactly what I needed.” Jen said the minute they were both able to breathe again.

“Another service I am happy to give…anytime, anyplace.” He replied, grinning wickedly.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were such a good lay?” she teased, pulling the blankets up over the both of them on the couch. They hadn’t gotten that far before ripping each other’s clothes off. Thank the lord Mitch was at work.

“Actually I think I did, once.” He laughed, pulling her into his lap and nuzzling her neck.

“Andie was an idiot to let you go.” Jen said softly, stroking his cheek.

“Hmm.” He murmured, his expression changing slightly.

“Did I say something?” Jen asked worriedly.

“No, no.” he said quickly. Shooting a glance at the wall clock, he started to grin again and slid Jen off and underneath him. “Lets test run this couch again baby.” He guffawed, and her laughs were muffled out.

****

Three Years Later…

"Awww...you're getting heavy!" Dawson groaned, as Sammy demanded to be picked up by her father.

Joey looked up from her painting and laughed. "Or maybe you're getting too weak." she sniggered.

That was a lie in her part, she thought, grinning wryly. Dawson was the opposite of weak when it came to her…but they were getting older. Thirty-one, almost Thirty-two…though that wasn’t old at all really. She looked down at her tummy, used to the fact she hadn’t seen her feet for a looong time. She was eagerly awaiting this baby, partially due to the fact that this pregnancy was just as hard as when she was carrying Sammy, and she wanted her little Sam to have a brother to play with as soon as possible. So maybe Sammy wouldn’t have to break all her lipsticks and draw on the walls…

"We're here! Woo-hoo!" Joey wiped her hands on a rag and Dawson quickly placed a squirming Sammy down to help Joey up.

Sammy shrieked when Jen walked through the door, and she flung herself at Jen with fierce abandon. "Whoa!" Jen heaved, laughing. Sammy clung onto her hand. She loved Jen, she adored her almost as much as she adored her own mother. Jen was so beautiful, and cool. And she always had something to talk about.

Sammy was four years old, lively though sometimes rude and loud, but one pout and everyone came running.

Joey rubbed her tummy and then leaned forward to hug and kiss Jen, who was looking as gorgeous as ever, only tonight much more flushed then usual.

"Where's your husband, Jen?" Joey asked as Jen started baby talking to Joey's bulging tummy. "He'll be here soon." Jen waggled her eyebrows. "He's bringing two surprise guests."

****

Joey was seated by the Christmas tree, pointing out all the different shapes and colors to her little daughter, who was struck speechless by the beautiful tree.

Sammy then pressed her ear against her mother's tummy and giggled gleefully when the baby kicked. "Joey is certain it's a boy. She really wants a boy." Dawson told Jen, pouring her another glass of champagne.

"I don't care either way." Jen took a sip of the bubbly liquid.

"We're vague when it comes to kids." she sighed. 'I mean, he really wants one, and so do I, but I'm still on the pill and you know how it is. We've only been married for two years. Why rush things?" Dawson nodded understandingly, chuckling.

He and Joey hadn't really thought about it either way...as for their second child, she/he was definitely unexpected, but should not be due to all the lovemaking he and Joey engaged in. It was definitely one of their favorite pastimes.

He missed the smirk Jen had on her face after she said her sentence, and the doorbell rang so Jen grinned excitedly. Sammy jumped up and sped towards the door. Joey opened it since Sammy couldn't quite reach the doorknob yet, it was high.

Joey gasped when on the front doorstep she saw three brunette males, all grinning at the sight of a beautiful and pregnant Joey.

She threw her arms around Pacey, then Jack, then the other male, the handsome Andrew, she had met two years ago . Jen rushed into the hallway and flung her arms around her husband kissing him deeply, then the other two.

Sammy's second favorite person in the world, leaned down to pick her up. Sammy simply could not get enough of Jack. He was so gorgeous and flashy, she loved him. Dawson welcomed them all warmly and tweaked Sammy's nose.

"Come on...I'm sure you're all starved...let's eat." Jen announced.

****

The long dining room table was filled with six people, all talking and laughing as usual, enjoying each other’s company.

Dawson balanced Sammy on his lap, and helped feed her as he talked to Jack.

Joey was mulling over baby names with Pacey, while Jen and Andrew talked amiably.

"Uh...I never liked 'Mike' too...ugh..." Joey wrinkled her nose. Pacey furrowed his brow.

"Hmm, okay then...Pacey Jr?" Joey patted her tummy.

"I don't think so!"

"Dawson Jr?" Joey laughed. "Never!"

"And then Daddy and Mommy were…”

Dawson stuffed his daughter's mouth with applesauce and Jack laughed.

"Sammy won't shut up lately." Dawson chuckled.

"And she's soo stubborn which can be so excruciating." Jack rolled his eyes.

"I hate to think she had both the stubbornness of you and Joey!" Dawson wiped his daughter’s mouth then lowered his voice, as Sammy reached a hand up to swat her father’s face.

"How's Andie doing?" he asked. Jack smiled thinly. "Fine." he answered. Then he sighed.

"She keeps saying she wants to come back to Capeside, She's made a mistake, what if Pacey did really love her? etc."

Dawson's brows shot up in surprise. "Really?"

Jack nodded.

"But...I've actually been convincing her to stay in England. She does love it there, secretly. I mean--she co owns a coffee shop, as you know."

"Convincing her because..." Dawson's voice trailed off and Jack nodded just as Jen cleared her throat.

"Ummm...I have an announcement to make," she said loudly.

She shot her husband a look, and he nodded, smiling pleased. Jen gripped her husband’s hand. "Guess what...finally, it happened. I'm pregnant!"

They all started to laugh and gasp in surprise.

"That's wonderful!" Joey sighed, hugging her tightly.

Dawson kissed her cheek. "Congratulations!"

Jack held up his glass. "A toast to Jen...Pacey...and their baby."

Pacey and Jen held hands and smiled lovingly at each other as everyone raised their glasses and clinked them.

Although only having had lived half their lives, everyone at that table felt that it was complete…not the stereotypical complete, just the feeling of elatedness glowing from Jen with a child growing inside of her, Joey who already had one and was expecting another baby in two months.

Pacey, who after a failed marriage and string of failed relationships had found his true love...she had been there all along, just hidden underneath his love for Joey Potter and Andie McPhee.

Dawson, whose life was relaxed, filled with love, laughter and Joey by his side.

Jack, he was happy with his new partner…Andrew, but even more so for his best friends Jen and Pacey.

It had been a long roller coaster ride of angst, struggles, love, sex, lust, loyalty, friendship, and fights but here they all were, toasting their complete happiness.

Of course…who knows what would happen in the future? This is “The Gang.” After all…every future is different.

 

THE END.