The insistent ringing dragged her back to consciousness. "Alright, alright! Hold on!" She barked, reaching out a hand to feel for the telephone. She sat up and took a few seconds to reorient herself - she'd fallen asleep on the couch, with the TV still on.

Joey ran a hand through her hair in irritation and hit the "Talk" button. "What?"

"Jo?"

Her heart felt like it dropped to her hollow stomach. "Pacey?"

"Hey, what's up? Just wanted to check on you."

She closed her eyes, her hand tightening around the phone. "I'm great! Great. Been having fun, y'know? Summer vacation, and all." She looked around the living room, with empty potato chip bags and soda cans scattered everywhere. Ugh.

She pictured him smiling. "That's good. I figured you'd like it better without me hovering around all the time."

Joey's eyes turned heavenward, wishing her insides didn't feel like she was on a roller coaster. "Well, what can I say, Pace? You were cramping my style."

He laughed. "Okay, well, I was just going to say hi."

"Okay."

"Take care, Jo."

"Say hi to Anne for me."

Pacey was quiet for a split second. "I will. Bye."

"Bye," she answered softly.

The phone slipped from her hand and fell to the couch. She reached up to cover her face as she leaned back, still reeling from the call.

Pacey had been gone for a week. She was a wreck, and she knew it. Half the time she stayed on the couch watching inane television shows or sleeping until noon. She didn't feel like going out, didn't feel like doing anything. She couldn't even vent to Jen, who was out of town.

The buzzer pierced through her thoughts. She trudged to the intercom. "Yes?"

"Joey?"

Her eyebrows wrinkled. "Finn?"

"You busy?"

She glanced down at her wrinkled clothing, then at the clock. 12:46. "Um, I kind of… just woke up."

"Well, okay, never mind then…"

"No, no. It's fine. Come on up." She pressed on the button for a few seconds, then went back to the living room to clean up the mess she'd made.

Joey looked down at herself and wondered whether she had time to change before Finn arrived. She was halfway to her room when his knock came on the door, so she just threw on a robe, combed her hair with her fingers, and went to let him in.

"Hey." She smiled brightly at him.

He smiled back and glanced at her attire. "Sorry for barging in on you like this."

She laughed. "Oh, no, don't worry about it. I can't believe I slept so late!" She stepped aside so he could enter. "How are you?"

He held up a sweater. "You left this in my car last Sunday. Thought I'd drop it off."

"Thanks, Finn… I'm really sorry about what happened…"

Finn held up one hand. "Stop. You don't have to apologize, Joey. To tell you the truth, I won't say I don't feel bad about it, but… I think I was kind of expecting it, you know?"

She looked at him quizzically. "You were?"

He nodded. "I guess…" He paused to consider his words. "I sensed that there's always been something at the back of your mind, keeping you back." He shook his head. "But I should probably be going."

Joey hesitated, feeling torn. Why couldn't she have stayed in love with Finn? "No, stay." She shrugged. "I'm not doing anything today. Are you? Why don't I make us some… brunch," she grinned.

He laughed. "Okay. But you have to let me help you."

She glanced at him as they walked to the kitchen. "You? Help in the kitchen? That's a first." They laughed good-naturedly while she prepared the ingredients for an omelet.

Joey found herself having fun for the first time in days, relieved that she and Finn seemed to be dealing with the awkward ex-couple stage. Right now, she needed all the fun she could get.

They finished cooking and went back to the living room, Joey sitting comfortably across him with her legs folded on the couch. They were talking about summer plans when someone knocked on the door.

She put her plate on the coffee table, standing up. "Busy morning." She commented, checking to see who it was. Her palms suddenly became damp as she opened the door.

"Surprise!" Pacey and Jack chorused. They were holding up buckets of paint.

"Oh my god," she said weakly.

"We thought we'd help you paint this place." Jack grinned, walking into the apartment.

Pacey inspected her appearance critically. "Potter, you just got up? The day's almost over!" He declared and walked past her through the door.

"No, Finn and I were -"

"Finn!" They greeted in surprise. "Hey, man."

Jack and Finn talked while Pacey approached her, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry, Jo, I didn't know you had…"

Joey shook her head and cut him off. "It's okay." Her heart was constricting in her chest. "I'll just go change," she mumbled, walking to her room.