The only thing I want to do right now is sleep. But I want to talk to Pacey first.

I've been here two hours and already I miss him so badly I want to scream. I was crying so much at the beginning of the flight, I think the woman who sat beside me was actually worried. I feel like my heart has been torn out of my chest, and I'm functioning only out of habit, going through the motions.

I wanted this.

But why does it hurt so much?

I drop my bags to the floor of my room and stand here, in the middle of what's to be my home for the next few months. A cool draft comes in through the partially opened window and I rub my arms to warm my skin. Everything looks just the way I imagined it. Madrid looks beautiful in wintertime, the hostel we're staying at reminds me a little of the B&B, and I'm going to work at the Prado Museum. Things are perfect.

I've never felt more lonely in my entire life.

I push aside the feeling and open my luggage to unpack. I had brought the teddy bear that Pacey gave me for Christmas, and my eyes blur a little as I place him on my bed. God, I need to hear his voice.

I sit on the bed beside the nightstand and reach for the telephone just as someone knocks lightly on the door. "Come in."

"How was your flight?"

It takes a few seconds for me to reply while the shock washes over me. "Finn! What are you doing here?"

He shakes his head in amusement. "I kinda guessed that Amanda hadn't told you."

My eyes widen as realization dawns on me. "You're the other intern?"

"'Fraid so."

I shake my head in disbelief. How uncanny is it that I get thrown together with my ex-boyfriend just weeks after I encounter Pacey's ex-girlfriend again? It's almost like fate is deliberately putting us through some sort of test. Not a very amusing one.

"Hey, don't worry about it." Finn assures me. "We can handle this, right?"

"Of course." I reply firmly. We're adults. We can work together even with… history between us. I resolve to not make this a big deal. "So, when did you arrive?"

"This afternoon. Amanda's already here, but she probably won't be able to check in on you 'til later. She's got some kind of dinner tonight with a couple of people from the museum."

"And we start tomorrow?"

"Yes, we start tomorrow." He smiles. "Are you as excited as I am? I mean, jeez, we're actually here!"

I smile back. At least there are going to be some familiar faces around here. "I am. I don't think it's actually sunk in yet that I'm in Spain, though."

"Oh, it'll sink in once you get a taste of their paella," he grins, and I have to laugh. It feels good to talk about something inane.

He catches sight of the teddy bear on my bed. "How are things?" He asks, referring to its namesake.

I glance at the stuffed animal and smile. "Things are great…" I pause, not knowing how to continue.

Finn nods. "Good…" He heads for the door. "Well, you probably want to get some rest. Good night, Joey. I'll see you in the morning."

"Night. See you." I stare at the closed door, trying to pinpoint exactly how I feel right now. Is it wrong for me to feel comforted by the fact that Finn is here?

I pick up the phone and dial. He picks up on the first ring. "Hi."

"Hey." I imagine him smiling as I take off my shoes and stretch out on the bed. I smile, too.

"I miss you already."

"Me too, Jo." He lowers the volume of the TV. "Did you just get in?"

"Yeah. What are you watching?"

"I don't know. Some show. Didn't have anything else to do. How's Madrid?"

"Cold." I reply. "I think I'd like it better if you were here with me."

He chuckles, and my heart constricts a little. "I'd like it better if you were here with me, too."

"So, what did you have for dinner?" I take my Pacey teddy bear and hug it.

"Cereal."

I laugh. "Pacey! You're kidding."

"I'm not. That's what I felt like having."

I shake my head, though I know that he can't see it. "You're unbelievable."

"What can I say, Jo? I'm lost without you. Besides, never underestimate the nutritional value of Cap'n Crunch."

I stare up at the ceiling. "Can we talk until I fall asleep?"

"As long as you promise to dream about me."

I look at the sky outside my window. How am I going to survive the next few months? "You already know that I will, Pace."