The oldies station was blaring "Poison Ivy" as Joey drove into Capeside. Without meaning to, Joey slowed as she approached the "Welcome to Capeside" sign. Little Joey Potter is coming home, she thought, wincing.

She'd told Bessie she needed a vacation, a couple of weeks away from the city. A break. Just a visit. Which was all true. So why did she feel like she was running away?

Joey sighed and hit the gas. Pushing the doubts from her mind, she cruised into town, singing along with The Coasters.

"You're gonna need an ocean, bum-bum-bum-bum-bum, of calamine lotion," she sang. "You'll be scratchin' like a hound, the minute you start to mess around ..."

On impulse, she decided to stop at Taylor's, the tiny grocery on Main Street. She hadn't been there in years, and she needed something to drink. And she was in no way avoiding going home. She was just thirsty.

She got a parking spot nearly in front of the store. Switching off the engine, she stared at the front of the store. It looked the same as it had when she was a teen-ager. Though she'd made infrequent trips home for the holidays, she couldn't remember the last time she'd been here.

Even though she was only 25, her teen years seemed ages in the past. Funny how it could seem like yesterday and 100 years ago at the same time. Some things never change. And some things change too much.

Joey sighed and unbuckled her seat belt. Checking the rearview mirror, she winced at her reflection. "Looking good, Potter," she croaked.

She glanced down at her gray sweat pants and white T-shirt. She wasn't likely to see anyone she knew, and if she did, they'd hardly expect her to be a fashion plate. If they didn't like what they saw, screw 'em.

Joey remembered something her college roommate used to say. Dani was a real Southern belle, and "fashion plate" didn't begin to describe her. The woman wore accessories to bed.

"Sugar," she'd often said in her smooth Georgia drawl, "The right lipstick can cover a multitude of sins."

Joey dug into her purse and unearthed a lipstick tube, smoothing some on like armor before a battle. She aimed a fake smile at the mirror, then chuckled. It's official. I'm a nutcase.

Joey entered Taylor's with a sense of deja vu. The place looked exactly the same as she remembered, right down to the group of kids gathered around the comic books and in front of the candy display. Mrs. Taylor still sat behind the counter, looking the same as always, reading.

Joey knew without looking that she'd be reading "Soap Opera Digest," but she'd always manage to keep an eye on the kids. As if reading her mind, Mrs. Taylor glanced at the kids and then met her eyes before returning to her magazine.

Joey felt a jolt that Mrs.Taylor hadn't recognized her. Still, she had the eerie feeling that the past nine years had never happened, that she was still 16 years old and stopping by for a diet Coke and some potato chips after school.

Rolling her eyes, Joey went to the back of the store to the drinks. She pulled open the door to the drink case and let the cold air wash over her. Deciding on a bottle of fruit juice, she let the door swing shut, freezing as she caught her reflection in the glass door.

Nobody would mistake this mess of a person for 16-year-old Joey Potter, she decided.

She barely had a chance to register the reflection behind her before he spoke. "As I live and breathe, it's Josephine Potter, all grown up."

Pacey Witter never changed. She held back the grin that threatened and said breezily, "Guess the circus never came to town, huh?"

He chuckled. "They came, but they wouldn't take me with them."

She spun to face him, her smile blooming. "I wouldn't believe that even if I didn't know the truth."

"I'd hug you for that, but I've, uh, been out running."

"I can see that," Joey managed, barely, to speak.

She realized she had been very wrong. Pacey Witter had changed. He wore running shorts and a tank top, and the hair at his temples was damp and dark. His arms and legs were tanned and muscular. Not that there had been anything wrong with him in high school, but Pacey had certainly grown up. Joey was shocked at the jolt of lust she felt and pushed it back immediately.

"Um, how ya doin' Pace?"

Luckily, he appeared not to notice her little mental detour. "I'm doing great, Potter. Even if certain friends of mine have apparently fallen off the planet."

"The phone works both ways," she said defensively.

"True, too true," he agreed. "I figured you were in the witness protection program or something."

She started to speak, but he cut her off. "So, anything new I should know about? Husband? Kids? You chuck your job as an artist for a career in exotic dancing? Oh, wait. That's just my personal fantasy."

Joey laughed and waved her left hand in his face. "No husband. And... who told you about my career change?"

Pacey grinned. "I can't quite picture it, Potter. Maybe you could give me a private show?"

"I see you're still a pervert."

"Some things never change."

And some do. Joey frowned and held up her juice. "I'd better pay for this before Mrs. Taylor thinks I'm swiping it."

"Oh, like you never stole anything from here."

She sent him a dirty look and headed for the counter. "Because you and Dawson said I couldn't be in your stupid club if I didn't --" she dropped her voice to a whisper, "take a comic book."

"But you brought it back later."

"I never told you that."

"You didn't have to," Pacey smiled. "I know you, Jo. Well, I did know you."

Joey got her change from Mrs. Taylor and followed Pacey outside.

"Look, Pace, I'm sorry. Time just got away from me."

"Me, too," he admitted. "But let's make up for that. Have dinner with me tonight."

"I can't. I'm sure Bessie has a family thing planned for tonight."

"Tomorrow, then."

"You mean, you don't have plans on a Friday night?"

"Nothing I can't cancel."

She chuckled. "Are you asking me out on a date, Pacey?" she joked.

"Is that a problem?"

Her eyes flew to his. He's serious, she thought. Suddenly, she was having trouble breathing. This is Pacey. Get a grip. Keep it light.

"Hey," she managed. "Who am I to turn down a free meal?"

She'd barely stopped the car when the door of the B&B burst open and her nephew, Alex, raced out the door. She climbed out of the car just as he grabbed her for a hug.

"Aunt Joey!"

She laughed and put her arms around him. Alex might have driven her nearly insane as an infant, but as a 10-year-old, he was one of her favorite people in the world. She couldn't believe how he'd grown since the last time she'd seen him.

"We thought you'd never get here."

Joey looked over Alex's head at her sister, who was smiling broadly. She pulled Bessie into the hug, too, laughing as Alex, caught in the middle, started yelling.

"I've missed you guys," she whispered, mortified as tears came to her eyes.

"Joey?" Bessie was immediately concerned. "Honey, what's wrong?"

Joey wiped her eyes. "Nothing. I'm fine. I'm just glad to see you."

Bessie nodded slowly and glanced at her son. "Alex, let's get Aunt Joey's bags, OK?"

"Bessie, I can --"

"Hey, you're on vacation. I put you in your old room. Of course, it looks a little different now." Bessie kept up a running commentary as the three carried Joey's bags into the house.

The B&B had been doing excellent business for years, and after Joey left for college, they had converted her room into another guest room. Joey was pleasantly surprised that the B&B hadn't been full this week, although she suspected Bessie would've cancelled someone's reservation rather than miss out on a visit from Joey.

Except for two-day visits on holidays, Joey had mostly avoided Capeside. It made her feel like a kid to be there again.

In the city, she was known as Josephine Potter, the children's book illustrator. In Capeside, she'd always be just plain Joey Potter, girl from the wrong side of the creek.

She needed to be just plain Joey for a few weeks.

After her bags had been deposited, Alex ran with a yell down the hall, calling for Bodie. "Dad! Aunt Joey's here!"

The women exchanged an amused glance. "Might think about cutting his sugar intake a tad," Joey said dryly.

Bessie chuckled but quickly sobered. "Jo --"

"I'm fine. I just needed a break."

Bessie looked unsure but nodded. "We're having your favorite for dinner tonight," she said, heading for the door. "We'll eat in an hour."

The door was almost closed behind her when Joey spoke softly. "Bess?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm not ready to talk about it yet. I just need some time."

"Joey, you're in luck. Our B&B offers a special on time. Free with your stay."

Joey smiled. "Thanks, Bessie."

"Any time."