Pacey groaned when he opened the door to a brightly smiling Joey, "You weren�t lying when you said you'd be here bright and early, were you?"

"I found strawberries," she said holding up the white plastic bag in her hand.

He took the bag from her, "I had faith that you would." He opened the bag and peeked inside. "That's more than we need, but we can always eat the rest."

She shrugged, and walked past him inside. "Well, you didn't tell me how many to bring."

"If you wanna start collecting incidents while I go take a quick shower," he yawned, "It'll give us a head start."

"What do you need?"

"Recipe's on the counter. We're making a Chocolate Strawberry torte." He grabbed a towel from the basket of folded laundry sitting on the couch.

She nodded, heading for the kitchen. "I'll get right on it."

"Such a happy little helper," he teased, leaving the room.

Joey picked up the recipe on the counter and began to gather the ingredients listed, lining them up on the counter. When she was done, she cleared off the table and washed the dishes that were in the sink.

Pacey stood in the hallway for a few minutes, just watching her. "Ya didn't have to wash the dishes too."

"This way there's less to wash later after we're done."

He grinned at her, "You're gonna regret ever offering to help." He entered the kitchen, his feet bare, wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt so worn it was nearly threadbare.

"I'll have a clear conscience."

"I don't know why you'd wouldn't anyway." He shrugged, and checked the temperature she'd turned the oven to. "Perfect." He turned the front burner of the stove on. "Why don't you grease up the springform?" He filled the bottom half of the double boiler with water.

"Okay...What�s a springform?"

He chuckled, "It's the cake pan. Once you've got that covered, line it with the pieces of parchment paper." Realizing she hadn't gotten that out, he pulled a small packet from one of the drawers. "Then you gotta coat this stuff with more melted butter." He lifted the pot of water and put it on the burner and nodded to the pastry brush she'd gotten out, "Use that to make it easier."

"Sounds easy enough."

He winked at her, "That's why I'm having you do it."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Shut up." She reached for the pastry brush and got to work.

As he waited for the water to come to a boil, he started breaking apart the pieces of semi-sweet chocolate and putting them into a small dish. "When you're down with that, I need you to start separating eggs."

"Separating eggs?"

"Okay, let me rephrase that," he smiled. "I'll show you how to separate eggs."

She smiled. "Okay."

When the water warmed enough, to the point of almost simmering, Pacey added the butter and the pieces of chocolate he'd been breaking up to the double boiler. "You just about done there?" He reached into the cupboard above him to get two small bowls.

"Yes," Joey said, finishing it off. "It's not exactly rocket science."

"Neither is separating eggs." He took a plastic spatula and stirred the melting butter and chocolate once, setting it aside. "Okay, Potter. We wont need the pan for awhile," he took it and placed it out of the way and moved beside her, pulling the carton of eggs closer to them. "How have you managed to live with Bodie for five years and not learned out to separate eggs?"

She shrugged. "I just never did."

"Well, you learn something new every day, right? This'll be your something new." He picked up an egg. "This is an egg."

"I know what an egg is Pacey."

He smiled indulgently, "There are three parts to an egg. The yolk, the white, and the shell. Our goal here is to keep all three in reasonable tact."

She rolled her eyes. "Will you just get to the point?"

"That was the point." He broke the egg on the edge of the counter, "You want to break it as much in the middle as you can, into to even halves. Then you tip it over one of the bowls, so the white falls into that one." He demonstrated as he spoke. "You move the yoke back and forth between the two halves until you're only left with the yolk. Then it goes into this bowl. Ta da," he tossed the egg shells in the small garbage nearby. "The trick is not breaking the yolk, if we get any yolk into the whites, we have to start all over. And don't worry about pieces of shell, we'll just have to pick them out."

"It doesn't look that hard."

He handed her an egg. "Give it a shot." Joey took the egg, and bit her lip cracking it against the counter before doing as Pacey instructed. "A natural pro."

"Not so hard."

"We'll need seven more of those," he told her, checking on the melting chocolate, giving it another quick stir. "So did you talk to Charlie?"

Joey nodded, cracking open another egg. "Yeah."

"Does he have the honor of being your date this evening?"

"Maybe. He might have this band thing." She tossed the empty eggshells into the trash and reached for another egg. "He's going to call me later."

"If I know Charlie, he's busy clearing his schedule as we speak." Pacey set aside the spatula and returned to her side, picking up another egg to speed along the process.

She smiled. "We'll see."

"The boy's about a kiss and a half away from being in love with you, ya know. And who could blame him?"

"Charlie?" She scoffed. "Please. He just wants to get into my pants."

"Can't say that I blame him for that either," he replied with a half smile, glancing over at her jean clad legs.

"Pig."

With a wicked smile, he shrugged his shoulder, "I've always admired your legs, Potter. Particularly when they're--"

"Don't even finish that sentence," she said warningly.

He licked his lips, "I don't think I need to, do I?"

She shook her head. "Just shut up."

With a satisfied smile he threw away the eggshells he had used and moved back to the stove. He stirred the chocolate/butter mixture until it was mostly smooth, and then removed it from the heat. He finished stirring it until it was completely smooth and set it aside. Dumping out the water from the stove he looked over his shoulder at her, "Done with the eggs?"

She nodded, tossing the remaining eggshells into the trash. "All done."

"Any eggshells in there?"

She glanced inside the bowl. "I don't see any."

"Perfect." He pointed to the electric mixer on the counter beside him, "Mix one cup of sugar and the yolks in there for four minutes on medium." He grabbed the whites and put them in a bigger bowl and started to mix them with a whisk.

Joey nodded, reaching for the mixer. "See? I'm not totally helpless in the kitchen."

"I'm impressed." He nodded, whisking away at a rapid speed to work the whites into stiff peaks.

Joey nodded with a smile as she turned the mixer on. "You should be."

He shook his head with faint amusement and continued whipping, holding the bowl against his side with one hand, the other doing all the work. With the mixer going, there wasn't much point in talking, so he just watched her. The tip of her tongue stuck out of the corner of her mouth as she slowly poured the sugar into the mixer. He stopped mixing for a moment and approached her. Touching her neck, he slid his finger under the gold chain and pulled it out from under her shirt, the amethyst glinted in the morning light as he let it fall back to the slope of her breasts. He offered her a soft smile and returned to whipping the egg whites.

Joey raised a questioning eyebrow as she glanced up from the bowl. He shrugged a shoulder in response, choosing not to voice his reasons for wanting to see the ring around her neck.

She turned the mixer off. "I think I'm done."

He handed her a spoon, "Scrape down the edges and go two more minutes."

She sighed and grabbed the spoon. "Fine."

He smiled, "I'm just following the recipe."

"This better be good," Joey said setting the spoon down, and starting the mixer again.

"I told you, Potter. Orgasmic." He promised, setting the bowl of egg whites down on the counter when they�d started to peak.

"It better be."

"You doubt me?" He pouted, his lowerlip sticking out adorably. "I'm hurt."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Taste it," he corrected. "You ready for the challenging part?"

"What's that?"

"Adding the chocolate." He picked up the bowl of melted chocolate and dipped his finger into it, testing the temperature. If it was too hot, it would cook the eggs.

"How challenging is it?"

"You have to fold it in slowly enough that the chocolate doesn't weigh down the eggs. Then when that's added, you add the egg whites, which is even harder. But...if you can't handle it..."

She placed her hands on her hips. "I can handle it."

He licked the chocolate from his finger and handed her the bowl. "Prove it."

She bit her lip. "I just don't know how to do it exactly."

"Want help?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

He unhooked the bowl from the mixer and placed it on the counter and then gave her the spatula. "I'm going to pour the chocolate in," he explained, moving to stand behind her, "And then I'm going to show you how to fold it in, okay?"

"Okay."

He held the smaller bowl, containing the melting chocolate in one large hand, and the other slid over hers to help her with the spatula, leaving her trapped between the counter and his body. "I'm just going to add a little to start with," he told her pouring a few table spoons of dark chocolate into the lemon-colored mixture.

She nodded slowly, biting her lip as she watched the chocolate. "Then what?"

"Then you take the spatula, and kind of cut into the middle," he demonstrated as he talked. "And you fold it over like so. Then, you give the bowl a quarter turn, and to it again."

"Seems simple enough."

"The trick," he breathed against her neck, "Is to do it as gently as you can and get it all the way in." He tipped the bowl adding more chocolate.

She stuck her finger under the stream of chocolate and brought it to her lips. "It tastes good."

He bit back a groan, fighting the temptation to kiss away the smudge of chocolate that lingered on her lips. "Mix woman."

"Yeah, yeah," she said beginning to mix it in. "Will there be any chocolate left, because I want to eat it."

"There will be plenty of Ganache left over," he promised. "I'm thinking we'll make some chocolate covered strawberries for ourselves."

"Mmm...sounds good."

"Ganache is even better than the chocolate." He released her hand, letting her fold the mixture in by herself, "Go slowly, you don't want to lose the air in the mixture."

She nodded. "Alright, I'll go slowly."

The batter was turning a light brown color and he poured the rest of the chocolate in. "You're on your own now, Potter."

"Why? What am I supposed to do now?"

"Just keep folding." He moved away from her to grab the egg whites. "Ready for more?"

She nodded, turning the bowl. "I think so."

He spooned a scoop of the stiff egg whites in, "These are harder to add, because you want to keep the thickness when folding them in."

"Maybe you should do it then," she tried to hand him the spatula.

"Can't handle the pressure?"

She swept her tongue over her bottom lip, removing some of the chocolate that was still there. "I could handle it."

He made a face, "No, you're probably right. A professional should handle this."

She raised an eyebrow. "You don't think I can do it?"

"I'm sure with a little practice and determination you'd do just fine. But this calls for a tender touch, a little finesse..." he gave her a little self-important smile. "I just don't think you got what it takes."

"You're not discovering the cure for cancer here, Pace. It's just a simple mix."

"Well, then," he grinned at her, knowing he'd won this battle of wills. "What are you waiting for?"

"Fine." She grabbed the bowl from him and began to stir carefully.

He slowly continued to add the whites, "You'll know when you're done when you don't see any more ribbons of white."

She nodded, biting her lip determinedly. "Okay." He added the last of the mixture, admiring the determination on her face. A smile slowly began to cross her lips. "Told you I could do it."

"Didn't doubt you for a second, Potter." He winked at her, putting the empty bowl in the sink.

She grinned. "So what next?"

"Now, it goes into the oven." He brought over the spring form pan and gestured for her to start pouring.

Joey began to pour. "This wasn't so hard."

"No, actually, it is hard. You're just naturally gifted." He watched as she scraped out the bowl. "Either that or you have an excellent teacher."

"You'd like to think so." She winked.

"I'd *love* to think so."

"How long will it take to bake?" Joey asked as she set the pan inside the oven and shut the door.

"An hour and fifteen minutes." He added the other bowl to the growing pile in the sink.

Joey glanced at the watch on her wrist, noting the time. "Okay then."

"Now, time for the Ganache."

She walked over to the sink and turned on the water. "I'll wash the dishes."

"Ah ah ah," he pulled her away from the sink, turning off the tap. "You started this, you're finishing it."

"Finishing what?"

"Your strawberry torte." He took out the rest of the chocolate and handed it to her. "It'll be at least another two hours before we finish, there'll be plenty of time for dishes, believe me."

She frowned. "What else is left to do?"

"Once the cake is done baking, it has to cool for an hour before we can add the strawberries and Ganache, then it's got to refrigerate for another hour. But you wont have to stay for that, you can just pick it up on your way to the party."

Joey nodded. "Alright."

He slid around her to get the carton of heavy cream from the refrigerator and put it, and a stick of butter on the counter. "Plus, we get to have chocolate covered strawberries for lunch."

"Ah, a well balanced meal."

"It's the perfect mid-morning snack," he pointed to a sauté pan. "Grab that."

She reached for the pan. "Got it."

"Okay," he smiled indulgently, "Now put it on the burner, and turn it on."

"It seems like I'm doing all the work here."

"You wanted to be involved." He smiled softly at her, "And think how proud you'll be when everyone at the table is moaning in delight for something you made virtually on your own?"

"I guess that's a small bonus."

"It's a huge bonus," he told her. "Trust me, Jo. The only thing more gratifying is sex."

She smirked. "I guess that explains why the whole chef thing holds appeal to you."

"Are you kidding? That's exactly why." He pointed to the cream and butter, "You're going to need to heat that over medium until it comes to a boil. I'll chop the chocolate up for you."

Joey put the cream and butter to boil, and muffled a yawn.

"Tired?"

"A little."

"When's the last time you had more than six hours of sleep in a night?" He frowned with concern, noting the faint circles below her eyes.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure."

"I'm putting you to bed," he took her hand and led her out of the kitchen.

She shook her head. "I'm not tired."

"Then you probably wont fall asleep." He didn't release her hand as he led her into his bedroom. "Give it five minutes, if you're not asleep, you can come out there and kick my ass, and then finish the Ganache."

"I promise I'd help."

"Potter," he held open the blankets on his bed, "You pretty much made the torte on your own. The glaze is the simplest part, I'm pretty sure I can handle it. Now, I promise, I changed the sheets yesterday, so you can't tell me it'll give you cooties."

She looked at the bed longingly and muffled another yawn. "Are you sure?"

"Joey," he pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed and then knelt at her feet, pulling off her shoes. "If you continue to argue with me over this, I'm going to knock you unconscious so you don't have a choice."

She smiled. "Thanks."

"I don't know why you insisted on getting up early just to come over here." He tossed her shoe off to the side.

"I wanted to make sure the dessert was ready on time."

"It will be," he cupped the back of her head and gave her a tender kiss on the forehead. "Go to sleep while I go complete our masterpiece."

"I won't sleep for long."

"As if I'd let you hog my bed all day," he teased lightly, closing the blinds on the single window in the room.

She smirked. "What was I thinking?"

"Probably that I was a kind, handsome, generous--and did I mention handsome?--guy who'd let you have anything your heart desired." He flipped the light switch off. "Little did you know."

She smiled. "Thanks."

He shrugged a shoulder. "I owe ya." She nodded and muffled another yawn, laying back on the bed. He let the door close behind him with a soft click.

Pacey bit into a chocolate covered strawberry, smiling at the sweet taste, Joey had chosen perfectly ripe red berries. Using the left over Ganache, he'd dipped two dozen of the left over strawberries in the rich chocolate and was now enjoying the fruits of his labor. Sinking slowly onto the edge of his bed, he was careful not to disturb Joey too much from sleep. At least not yet.

He watched her for a few moments, taken back several years to a simpler time, even if it hadn't felt like it. Smiling mischievously, he brushed her mouth with the strawberry, smoothing juice and traces of chocolate over her lips.

Joey smiled dreamily, burying her head further in the pillow as she murmured Pacey's name in her sleep.

Pacey smiled wider, popping the strawberry into his mouth. He watched her face, trying to imagine what exactly she was dreaming about him. Biting into another strawberry, he contemplated the possibilities and painted her lips with the piece of fruit.

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and she sighed softly, clutching the pillow closer.

Biting his lip, he leaned over her, bracing his arm on the bed just beside her breast. Feeling slightly like he was taking advantage of her, he finished off the strawberry and started another one, the sweet juice tingeing her lips a dark pink, a drop slid over the corner of her mouth, and before he could stop and think, he leaned forward, capturing it on the tip of his tongue. She moaned softly, her lips parting as she drew in shallow breaths, hugging the pillow tighter.

Pacey didn't have a clue what to do. Every cell in his body was screaming for him to cover her mouth with his and really give her something to moan about. Unfortunately, his conscience was determined to stop taking advantage of her. But he would give his right arm to know what she was dreaming of, her soft little sighs were starting to get to him. He shifted on the bed, attempting to get more comfortable as he watched her breathing speed up, his own breath passing slightly faster.

She cried out quietly, her eyes flying open as she sat up on the bed. Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath.

"The gentlemanly thing to do would be leave and let you recuperate," he said huskily, his eyes fastened on her face; her lips full, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes wide with confusion, having yet to switch gears from dream to reality. "But I was never much of a gentleman," he murmured cupping her cheek and dragging her mouth to his.

After a mere moments hesitation, she kissed him hungrily, running her hands over his chest as she guided her tongue silkily against his. He groaned into her mouth, her eager response making him weak at the knees. Desire stirred from a smolder in the pit of his stomach into licking flames as she threaded her fingers into his hair, her mouth moving against his, the familiarity a kick in the gut.

She pushed him onto his back and straddled him, lowering her mouth to his neck. She flicked her tongue against the pulse point before nipping at the skin. Her fingers clawed against his shirt, pushing it up and out of the way. She pulled away licking her lips, tugging her sweater over her head and tossing it aside, before capturing his lips again in a heated kiss.

Fisting a hand in her hair, he held her lips to his, stroking his tongue in and out of her mouth in a demanding kiss. His other hand slid over her bare back, pulling her chest against his, the lace of her bra captured between them. A low groan escaped his throat as she started to suck on the tip of his tongue. Sliding both hands down her back, he cupped the soft globes of her ass, his fingers digging lightly into the denim as he pulled her over him.

She broke the kiss with a throaty gasp, breathing heavily as she rocked her hips against him. Her silky brown hair fell across her cheeks, hiding her flushed face, her eyes dark with desire.

He sat up, using one arm to brace himself as he pushed her bra strap off one shoulder. "Jo," he murmured, smoothing the lace aside and cupping one perfect breast in his hand before flicking his tongue over the tightened bud. She moaned, sweeping her tongue over her dry lips as she curled her fingers in the short strands of his hair.

He fell back on the bed, rolling them so he was above her, giving him the use of both his hands. He knelt over her, one knee between her thighs, pressed up against the damp heat. Unhooking her bra in the front, he pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses along her neck, moving slowly to the freshly revealed skin.

She whimpered quietly, her hands guiding him down to where she really wanted his mouth. Her back arched off the bed as she thrust herself against him. He captured one nipple in his mouth, rolling his tongue over the velvety bud. With one hand, he fumbled with the button of her jeans, impatient to feel all of her. Suckling tenderly on her breast he unzipped her pants, smoothing his hand down her stomach to slide beneath her underwear. He groaned against her breast, finding her hot and throbbing for him. "So wet," he whispered thickly. Her lips parted on a soundless gasp as she arched up against him.

A dazed moment passed before the unwelcome sound of her cell phone came between them. Pacey froze, his eyes falling closed as reality invaded.

Joey frowned as it rang once again, wondering why she hadn't turned it off, then debated upon whether to answer it or not. She glanced at Pacey and then reached for the phone in her front pocket.

Slowly, and with great reluctance, Pacey slid his hand out of her underwear.

Joey sat up and answered the phone, turning her back to him. "Hell..." She coughed and cleared her throat. "Hello?"

"Joey?" Charlie's familiar voice answered. "You okay? You sound kinda funny."

"I'm fine," Joey said quickly, her back hunching slightly as she talked into the phone.

"Audrey said she thought you went jogging. You sound breathless." He smiled into the phone, "It's a good thing she finally gave me your cell number, she was sounding fairly annoyed after the fifth time I called."

Pacey could hear the faint murmuring of Charlie on the other end of her phone, at least, he was 98% sure it was Charlie. Sliding off the bed, he stooped down to pick up her sweater. Holding it out to her, he tried to meet her eyes.

"Yeah...I had forgotten I brought it with me." She grabbed the sweater and held it against her chest.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know I could take you to that Rose Lazare dinner. What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"Um, is five, okay?"

"Five is perfect. I'll even be able to pick you up in a decent vehicle."

She smiled faintly. "Something with doors?"

"Four of 'em." He grinned into the phone. "But don't worry, if you miss the feeling of steel between your thighs, I'm sure we can work something out."

She laughed lightly. "Give it up."

"Can't help it. You make me wanna do things."

"Yeah, nothing good."

"How can you be so sure?" He asked seductively.

She rolled her eyes. "I'll see you at five, Charlie."

"I'll be counting down the hours."

The smile was evident in her voice. "Bye."

Pacey watched her hit end on the phone and set it aside. She fumbled with the front clasp of her bra, and then hurriedly pulled her sweater back over her head. He cleared his throat, his breathing having evened out when he realized who she was talking to. He said the first thing that came to mind, "You like him, huh?"

"Who?" she asked in surprise. "Charlie?"

"Yeah, Charlie," he nodded his head, the look on his face indecipherable.

She shrugged, running a hand through her hair. "A little."

"I'm sorry."

A corner of her mouth turned up slightly. "That I like him?"

He smirked, "Well, that too. But I'm more sorry that I keep kissing you." He turned away, pacing the short length of the room. "I told myself I wouldn't do it anymore. I should have more will power than this."

She bit her lip. "Well, that was just as much my fault."

"Must have been some dream you were having," he smiled faintly.

Her cheeks colored faintly. "Shut up."

Pacey was quiet for a moment, thinking how lucky Charlie was going to get tonight if she was sexually frustrated enough to let him...He cut off that line of thinking before he did something stupid again. "I'm sorry, Jo." He said again with a sigh, "I know you were half-asleep and you couldn't have known what you were doing. I shouldn't have let it go as far as it did. I shouldn't have let get started. But I just..."

"I knew what I was doing."

He stopped pacing and turned to face her, surprise in his eyes, "You did?"

She nodded. "Yes."

He licked his lips, "I, uh, I don't know what to say to that."

Joey bit her lip. "So I guess I should be the one apologizing."

He shook his head, "Hardly. You wouldn't even have considered it if I hadn't kissed you twice before." He sighed, starting to pace the room again, kicking aside a pair of his shoes.

"So it was a mistake?"

"No!" He said far to adamantly. "Yes. Maybe." He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I don't know anymore, Joey. I don't know anything anymore."

She swallowed. "Look, we don't have to make an issue out of this. It was nothing."

"I lied."

"What?"

"I do know something." He frowned, "I know that when I'm with you I lose my head. I told you a few days ago that nothing in my life makes any sense, but you make sense to me." His tone was frustrated as he continued to talk, pacing the room and avoiding making contact with her eyes. "When I see you, or touch you, or kiss you...it makes sense to me. I can't explain it any better than that."

She was quiet for a moment. "What about Audrey?"

"She's one of those things that doesn't make sense." His brow furrowed, "I care about her, maybe I even convinced myself that I loved her. But right now," he shook his head, "...I don't even know why I'm with her."

She watched him carefully. "So..."

"So..." he echoed. "I'm going to have to break up with her."

"Oh."

He shifted his weight awkwardly, "Not that that has to mean anything for us." He frowned, "But...it's not fair to Audrey."

She nodded quickly in agreement. "Right."

"Right."

"Okay..." She glanced at her watch and stood up. "Better check on the torte then right?"

"It's just refrigerating." He grabbed the bowl of chocolate dipped strawberries from the night stand. "I made these to take with you."

She raised her eyebrows. "Thanks."

"Just in case there's more people there than you expect. The torte will feed ten to twelve; it's rich, so cut it in small pieces. There's a layer of strawberries under the Ganache, my own special touch. I had to put two layers of chocolate over top to disguise it. Keep it cold until you serve it, and run a knife under warm water when you slice into it, for cleaner presentation." He rambled, as they left the bedroom.

She nodded. "Alright. Thanks."

"I, um, borrowed a cake pedestal from the restaurant for you." He opened the refrigerator to show her the cake. "Do you want to leave it here until Charlie picks you up, or take it with you?"

"Does it still need to be refrigerated?"

"Yeah."

"Then I guess it should stay here."

"Do you need a ride back to the dorms?" An offer on the tip of his tongue.

She shook her head. "No, I can manage."

"Alright, then," he trailed his eyes over her. "Let me get your shoes, and then I'll see you around five."

She nodded. "Okay."

He returned a moment later, handing her the pair of shoes. "I'll be here whenever you show up."

"Thanks."

"Like I said," he shrugged a shoulder uncomfortably. "I owe ya."

She managed a weak smile. "But still...thanks."

"You're welcome."

She grabbed her coat and headed for the door. "I'll see you later then."

"Bye, Jo." He followed behind her, holding the door open for her.

"Bye."

"Hey, where have you been?" Audrey asked glancing up from her mirror as she applied some blush. "The phone has been ringing off the hook all morning. I finally just gave Charlie your cell number." Her eyes drifted to the clock on her night stand. "Aren't you cutting it close if you want to be ready on time for that dinner thing?"

Joey collapsed back onto her bed, still wearing her coat. "I have my clothes ready, I just need to take a shower."

"You okay?" Audrey asked, arching an eyebrow at her friend. "Oh, and what dress are you wearing? I want to see!"

Joey yawned, undoing the buttons of her coat. "I'm just tired."

"You're always tired," Audrey rolled her eyes. "Stop studying so much."

"I'll do that." Joey rolled her eyes and turned onto her side. "What are you doing?"

"Well," Audrey applied sheer pink lipstick to her mouth. "I thought I'd help Dawson with the movie." She smiled into the mirror, "I still need to convince him to give me the lead."

Joey raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Sounds boring."

Audrey chuckled, "You guys are so hard on him."

"You just haven't known him long enough."

"Well, with any luck, I'll know all of you for a very long time." She pushed her makeup away and stood up. "So, show me this dress of yours. It's gotta get the Audrey Liddel seal of seductive approval."

"It's in my closet," Joey said, climbing to her feet and pulling off her coat.

The blonde smiled and crossed the room to the closet, pulling out the deep red dress. "Holy hell." Audrey whistled, "You'll be lucky if Charlie doesn't go cross-eyed when he sees you in this."

Joey frowned, staring at the dress as she slipped her coat onto a hanger. "Maybe it's too much."

"No," Audrey laid it out on the bed. "It's perfect."

"You think?"

"God yes. It's a double whammy. David'll be green with envy that he gave you up and Charlie wont be able to keep his hands to himself." Audrey smoothed the material out. "I'll stay at Pacey's tonight."

"You don't have to do that."

"You say that now, but what if you decide to have Charlie up after all? You'll want the place to yourself."

Joey smiled. "Having you here would stop such insanity."

Audrey's brow furrowed, "I thought you liked Charlie?"

"I do." Joey nodded, closing the doors to her closet. "I just don't know if I want to sleep with Charlie."

"Do you have shoes to match the dress? Well, why not? If anything it'll at least relieve some of that sexual tension you've been carrying around."

"I have shoes. I'm going to take a shower." She headed for the bathroom and paused as she noticed something on the floor. She leaned over and picked it up gingerly, before glancing at her roommate pointedly. "Audrey?"

"Yeah?" She turned from where she was still looking at the dress to face Joey. Her cheeks flushed and she crossed the room in two quick strides, snatching the boxers away from Joey. "These are, um, they're Pacey's. He stopped by while you were gone," she forced a smile. "He musta felt like going commando when he left."

Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "Oh."

Audrey continued to smile, knotting the underwear in her hands. "You know how he is. He comes over for one thing, and then the moment we're done, he's out the door like a shot."

"No." Joey shook her head. "I don't."

"Well, um," she shifted her weight. "That's how it's been lately. Don't you have a shower to take? You wouldn't want to be late for Charlie."

Joey nodded. "You're right."

"'Course I am." Audrey smiled and moved towards the door. "I'm just gonna go return these to Pacey and then go see Dawson. I promise, you have the dorm all to yourself tonight."

"Alright." Joey headed inside the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

When Joey emerged from the bathroom, Audrey was gone, as were the pair of boxers. She could only assume her friend had left to return them to the owner. Moments later, Audrey returned, opening the door as Joey was toweling dry her hair. "Hey."

Joey offered her a tentative smile. "Hey."

Audrey sat down on the edge of her bed, "I could do something with your hair, if you want." She smiled, acting as though nothing were wrong. "I saw this style in one of my magazines I've been wanting to try out."

"I think I'm just going to pin it up."

"Oh, well, if you need my help, I've got nothing better to do in the near future." She smiled, "Oooh, I think I even have a pair of earrings that would go perfectly with that dress."

"Thanks."

She smirked to herself as she slid from the bed, "Now all I've gotta do is find them."

Joey smiled faintly, setting the towel down and reaching for her comb. "Any plans for tonight?"

"Just going to make Pacey all hot and sweaty," she replied, shooting Joey a smile over her shoulder. "You'll have the room all to yourself, just like I said."

"Hmm..." Joey paused mid-comb. "I thought Pacey had to work tonight."

"Nope," Audrey shook her head. "I have him all to myself tonight."

"Oh." Joey shrugged, resumed untangling her hair. "Well, you would know more than I do."

"Right."

"It's just that when I saw Pacey earlier he said he had to work tonight, maybe you should call him and check."

"Oh," Audrey paused in the middle of going through her jewelry box, then resumed her task. "You didn't mention seeing Pacey today."

"I spent the morning with him making a dessert for the party tonight."

Her head snapped up, "All morning?"

"Most of it."

"Well, he didn't mention anything while he was here," the blonde told her, thinking quickly. "But like I said, he didn't stay long. Here they are," she held the earrings up triumphantly.

"Oh." Joey bit the inside of her cheek, and smiled brightly. "They're great."

"I think I have a matching necklace too," Audrey started separating the chains in her jewelry box. "Charlie'll be knocked off his feet when he sees you."

"I know, Audrey."

"Know what?" She raised an innocent eyebrow.

"Those boxers weren't Pacey's."

"What, of course they were." Audrey rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the fact her reply had sounded like a question. "You're being silly. Who else would they belong to?"

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

The blonde gave a choked laugh, "You think I'd cheat on him?"

Joey finished running the comb through her hair. "I hope not."

Audrey was quiet for several moments, watching Joey, "Would you tell him if I had?"

"No, but I won't lie for you either."

"It doesn't matter, because it hasn't happened," she protested feebly.

"Good."

"And if I had, I would have good reason."

"I guess."

"Here's the necklace," Audrey held it out to Joey.

Joey reached for it. "Thanks."

"I'll put it on you," She moved closer to Joey. Audrey's eyes slid along the chain around her neck, landing on the ring that hung just above the part of her robe. She cupped the ring in her hand, "How long have you had this?"

Joey shrugged, avoiding her eyes. "I'm not sure."

"True Love," Audrey read the engraving aloud, her eyes lifting to Joey's brown ones. "That was the name of Pacey's boat."

"I know," Joey met her eyes steadily.

"You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Joey jerked back in surprise. "What?"

"Why else would you still be wearing this?" Audrey let the ring drop, her eyes hard as she looked at Joey. "So concerned over the fact I was cheating on him, well what about you? Spent all morning with him, did you? I'm just supposed to believe you made dessert, something that takes all of an hour?"

"Yes," Joey said sharply. "I didn't sleep with your boyfriend."

"But you are in love with him."

"Don't try to turn this around on me because you feel guilty!"

Audrey shook her head, "You want to know why I did it? I did it because he's an asshole. He'll barely talk to me, he keeps pushing me away and every time he does it, it hurts just a little bit more. Now, at least, I know why," She spit.

"I didn't do anything!"

"Yet," Audrey's eyes narrowed. "Stay away from him."

"Pacey's my friend."

"He's my boyfriend." She replied, "You gave us your blessing, the least you can do is back off so I can try and fix our relationship."

She raised an eyebrow. "And that's how you're fixing it, Audrey? By fucking someone else?"

"I was lonely. And hurt. He hasn't talked to me in three days." Audrey replied her voice breaking, "And the guy I was with is going through the same thing. It happened once, and it was a mistake!" Her eyes started to shimmer with tears. "Please, Joey."

Joey frowned, unprepared for Audrey 's tears. "Okay."

Audrey wiped at her eyes, "I just don't know how to reach him anymore."

Joey shrugged, feeling guilty. "I don't know what to tell you."

"He's just a boy, right?" Audrey shook her head, "Probably not worth crying over."

"Just talk to him."

"I've tried that. I've tried screwing him senseless. I've tried everything."

Joey sighed and shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know what to tell you."

"You do love him."

"Just because I can't tell you what to do to fix your relationship?"

"No," Audrey shook her head, her eyes meeting Joey. "Because I can tell that you do." She pointed at the necklace around Joey's neck.

Joey shook her head. "Pacey and I are over, and we've been over for a long time."

"You love him."

"Even if I did...I wouldn't do that to you, Audrey."

"Thank you." Audrey moved away from her, grabbing her purse. "I need to go see him."

Joey nodded. "Okay."

"Have fun with Charlie."

"Thanks." Audrey flashed a weak smile at her friend, at least she hoped they were still friends, and slipped out the door.

"Liddel," Pacey took a surprised step backwards, giving her the opportunity to slip inside his apartment. "What are you doing here?"

She smiled. "Am I not allowed to stop by?"

"I just wasn't expecting you. I've, uh, gotta go to work. Soon."

She sighed, gazing around the apartment as she stepped inside. "I just feel like I hardly see you anymore."

"Yeah, we've been kinda busy, haven't we?"

She turned to face him. "I miss you."

"I've missed you too." He closed the door and stepped around her, "You want anything?"

She grinned widely, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You."

"We should talk Audrey." He pulled her arms from around his neck.

She shook her head, pulling his lips into a kiss. "You have to go soon. There's no time for talking."

"No, Aud," he pulled away from her. "I really think we should talk."

She slid her hand down the front of his pants, her eyes hot. "We can talk later."

He swallowed thickly, desire that had never really disappeared from that morning tightened in his groin. "Audrey, I don't think this is a good idea."

"I think it's an excellent idea," she murmured, already undoing the buttons to his jeans.

"We haven't even talked to each other in days, we really should--" He groaned as she gripped him through the boxers.

"Make up for lost time. Exactly." She tugged off her shirt and tossed it aside, before dropping to her knees.

"Audrey..." He took a step away from her.

"Pacey, stop complaining."

"Please, just stand up."

She rose to her feet, and arched an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest. "Is there a problem here?"

"Yes. There is." He rebuttoned his jeans, "Last we talked to each other, you were pissed at me. And now you waltz in here and want to suck my cock. I consider that a problem."

"And why is that a problem?"

Pacey licked his lips, knowing he had to tread very, very carefully. "Because...I care about you, Audrey. And we're obviously having problems that sex wont fix."

She frowned and eyed him wearily. "I guess you're right."

"Let's sit down," he gestured to the couch, putting some space between them.

She nodded. "Alright."

He sank down into the plush cushions, "Okay, so..."

She looked at him expectantly. "So talk."

He took a deep breath and released it, "I don't think this is working between us anymore."

"Really?"

"Well...do you really think it is?"

She shrugged. "And when did you realize this?"

His brow furrowed, feeling as though he was falling into a trap. "Well, I've been having doubts for a while..."

"Were you?"

"When you first suggested that our relationship revolved around sex...I started to question the truth in that."

She rolled her eyes, and folded her arms across her chest. "Are you fucking, Joey?"

His eyes widened and he pulled back, "What--? Why--why would you think that?"

"Just answer the damn question, Pacey?" Her eyes narrowed. "You are, aren't you?"

"I am not sleeping with Joey."

"Yeah, right," she snapped.

He shook his head in disbelief, "Listen to me, Audrey." He tilted her face to his, "I am not sleeping with Joey. She has nothing to do with you and I."

"I find that a bit hard to believe."

"What do I need to do to convince you otherwise?"

She glared at him and rose from the sofa. "Forget it. Go to hell."

"Audrey," he caught her hand and pulled her back down to the couch. "Don't leave mad."

"I'm sorry, Pacey. I'm really sorry that I'm not fucking ecstatic that you're breaking up with me."

"I honestly didn't think you'd be this upset. When it comes to me...you've been just as withdrawn and moody as I have been."

"Then let's just cut our losses now."

His eyes dropped to the sofa. "Fine."

She climbed to her feet, and grabbed her shirt, tugging it over her head. "It was nice knowing you."

A knock sounded on the door. Audrey grabbed her coat and yanked the door open, prepared to leave. Pacey grimaced as Audrey and Joey came face to face with one another.

Audrey smiled coldly, and tossed Pacey an unamused look over her shoulder. "So you're not, huh?" Her blue eyes glared daggers at Joey and she smacked her. "You bitch!" She stormed past her angrily.

Pacey winced at the harsh sound of Audrey's hand meeting Joey's face. "God, are you okay?" He touched a hand to her cheek lightly.

Joey frowned, rubbing her cheek as she stared after Audrey. "What happened?"

"She thinks I'm sleeping with you," he replied with a sigh. "Let's get you some ice before it starts to swell. Did she hit you hard?"

"I'll live."

He smiled weakly, "You look beautiful in that dress."

She managed a faint smile. "Thanks."

"Hmm," he led her into the kitchen and pulled a cold compress from the freezer, wrapping a dishtowel around it before holding it gently to her cheek. "Or it might be you that makes the dress beautiful, I can't really tell."

"It's comments like that, that got me smacked."

"You really didn't deserve that," he frowned, "She was angry at me and took it out on you."

She frowned. "Does it look bad?"

He pulled he compress back, "Just red. I doubt you'll bruise. Is Charlie waiting downstairs?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

He brushed a kiss over her forehead, and moved to the refrigerator to pull out the torte and the bowl of chocolate covered strawberries. "Then I'll give you these and let you get going."

"Thanks. How am I supposed to serve it again?"

"Keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready, and use a warm knife to cut it into small pieces. It's rich, so they don't need much." He smiled softly at her, "And don't forget to take all the credit."

She smiled. "I won't."

"Good." He flickered his eyes to the door. "Do you need help taking these down?"

She balanced the containers in her hands. "I think I can manage."

"Okay," he walked to the door, holding it open for her. "Have fun tonight, okay?"

"Thanks. Hopefully it will be." He watched her head down the hallway with sad eyes.