"Hey!" Someone exclaimed, causing her to stop short and cover her eyes in embarrassment.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," she apologized and turned to go back out.

He chuckled. "It's alright, Jo." He was standing just outside the shower, holding a towel haphazardly around his waist. His hair was spiky and wet. Droplets of water clung to his skin. The steam that still hung in the air suddenly made it hard for her to breathe.

"Pacey," she looked at him and smiled with relief. "It's just you. I thought I walked in on a guest! Why didn't you lock the door?"

"I thought I did." He answered wryly, adjusting the towel.

Joey raised an eyebrow, her hands moving behind her to lock the door. "I've been looking all over for you."

"Really." It wasn't a question. He smiled back at her, but made no move to come any closer.

She shrugged. "I thought, leave it to Pacey to disappear the minute there are dishes to be washed." She inched closer, her expression curious. "What gave you the sudden urge to take a shower right after dinner?"

"I just… felt a little sticky." He lied.

"Oh." She stood in front of him. "I should probably leave so that you can get dressed, huh?" It came out in a whisper, her eyes locked onto his.

"Probably." His voice was rough.

"Okay," her breath tickled the soft hairs on his chest just before she kissed him there. It was light, experimental. She licked away some of the water that remained, her lips feather-light on his heated skin.

He buried his hands in her hair. "Joey."

She stopped and looked up at him with wide eyes. "I think I'm gonna go to bed now. Good night, Pacey." She said sweetly, kissing him once on the lips before disappearing out of the bathroom.

Pacey stared at himself in the mirror and shook his head. How was he going to get any sleep tonight?

***

He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, wondering what she was thinking. She'd been quiet since they left Capeside.

"Hungry?" He asked while he unlocked the door to the apartment.

She frowned at the door. "Um… yeah, I think so."

"What do you feel like having?" They went inside, Pacey dumping their bags on the couch. "Joey?" He asked when there was no answer.

She was standing just inside the door, looking lost and staring at the boxes that he had left on the floor of the living room. "Wow."

"Jo," he went to her and tipped her chin up gently so that she would look at him. "Are you okay?"

"Of course!" She answered brightly. She walked to the kitchen and started digging around the refrigerator. "Now, what can we whip up for some dinner?"

"C'mere for a minute." He took her hand and pulled her with him, closing the refrigerator door firmly. He leaned against the counter and positioned her squarely in front of him. "Something's bothering you, Potter, and I'd really like to know what it is."

She hesitated, then waved it away. "It doesn't matter." She stood on her toes and kissed him when he opened his mouth to reply, her fingers locking at the back of his head.

She kissed him until every rational thought fled from his mind, her tongue boldly exploring and stroking against his. Her hands went under his shirt. Shaky fingers touched warm skin. She was about to begin undressing him when he stopped her, catching her hands in his and looking at her with eyes that were a deep blue with passion. "Tell me." He implored.

Joey closed her eyes and sighed. She looked away, her forehead wrinkling as she thought about what to say. "Pacey…"

"It's about that night, isn't it?" He caressed the skin at her temple soothingly.

She nodded. "It's - uh… I know that nothing happened." She ran her fingers nervously through her hair.

"You told me that." His lips grazed her forehead.

"Right. See, I…" she cleared her throat. "I know that nothing happened because…" she trailed off.

"Because?" He prodded.

She looked at him. "Because it would have been my first time." Her voice was barely above a whisper. She averted her eyes again and began to ramble. "And I think I would have remembered, don't you? I mean, what girl doesn't - "

"My God," Pacey said reverently, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.

Joey smiled tentatively. "Now, can you please just kiss me?"

He shook his head, his expression regretful. "We can't do this, Jo."