"Okay," Joey sighed as she stepped out of her dorm two weeks later. "What bet did I lose?"

Charlie grinned at her, "Good evening to you too, Joey. My you look beautiful tonight." He ran his eyes over her black dress, at least what he could see of it under her coat.

"Don't even think about it."

"If you must know, I was designated your escort tonight since you stubbornly refuse to introduce your boyfriend to any of us. Jen, Jack and Dawson are coming together, they're quite the threesome aren't they? And last but not least, Pacey and Audrey wanted to squeeze in a few quickies before the party. So it was either yours truly or Oliver. I thought I'd spare you the torture of Oliver."

"He's seemingly appealing right now."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." He offered her his arm.

"I warn you." She slipped her arm through his. "You try anything and you're speaking in falsetto for the rest of your life."

"I wouldn't dare touch another man's woman." He smirked. "Especially an older man's woman."

She shot him a surprised look. "Don't look so shocked. I do have a pair of ears you know. And you girls aren't exactly quiet when you start gossiping. Any dumb ass would know you're sleeping with your Prof, Audrey and Pacey are having the raunchiest sex of their lives and then Jen is pregnant."

"What?!"

"Yeah, you might not want to mention the pregnant thing to Dawson, I don't think Jen even knows yet."

"Then how do you..."

"She's tired all the time, dizzy, fits of nausea...." he shrugged. "Hey, I could be wrong."

"I hope you're wrong."

He shot her a lazy smile, "Me too."

"You do realize that you're worse than a girl when it comes to gossip."

"Maybe, but I at least, can keep it to myself." He paused, "For the most part."

"You better keep it to yourself."

"You're the only one I've mentioned any of those things to. Although, Pacey and Audrey having sex is no big shocker to anyone, I think."

She sighed. "No, it's not."

"Won't last though." Charlie continued as though she hadn't spoken. "Audrey will get tired of him soon enough."

"I doubt it."

"You're kidding, right? Audrey has the attention span of a gnat."

"Sex with new people wouldn't be a big stretch for either them."

"And what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Is sex with someone new difficult for you?"

"What?" She shook her head and brushed her hair behind her ear. "Charlie, be quiet."

"I'm not referring to your current relationship."

"Then what are you referring to?"

"A hypothetical." They started down the stairs, "Are you serious about this...current relationship, or are you open to other men?"

"Other men, yes. You? No."

He grinned, "We'll see about that. Only time will tell, Joey."

"I'm not planning to have a lobotomy anytime soon. So hold your breath."

"You should watch what you say to people, someone might accuse you of being unfriendly."

"I'll live."

"You know, now that I think on it. I'm not so sure you're actually having sex with your--with David."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"If you were getting laid, you wouldn't be this uptight."

"I'm not uptight."

"How would you describe it then?"

"Can you just shut up and get us to the party already?"

He nodded, "Fine. Subject closed." He held the doors open for her as they reached the landing. "So, how do you think the movie turned out?"

"I'm sure it's good. Dawson's a talented director."

"I wouldn't know, he's the only director I've worked with. It seems like it went over good enough."

"Well, he worked with what he had." She gave him a pointed look.

"Ahh, and the truth comes out. I take it my acting skills weren't up to your refined palate."

"From what I saw of the script, I doubt it was much of a stretch for you."

"Feisty one, aren't you? Do you ever take a break for the caustic sarcasm? It must be exhausting."

"It's not." He rolled his eyes. She smiled.

"Here we are," he stopped in front of his motorcycle. "I know you missed it the first time, so here's your second chance."

"Hi. Do I look insane to you?"

He laughed, "Well, now that you mention it..."

"Can I even trust you not to kill me on this thing?" she asked as she gazed over the motorcycle.

"Seeing as how killing you would mean sacrificing the $6000 bike, I would think you're pretty safe. I love this bike more than life itself. More than sex."

"Okay, you've talked me into it."

He handed her the second helmet and climbed onto the bike first. "Make sure that's tight."

"Of course." She nodded and strapped on the helmet securely.

"Okay now straddle the bike, and make sure to tuck your dress in around your legs."

"All right."

He felt her climb on behind him. "You're going to have to be closer than that, Joey. Or you're going to be flying off the back end."

"Fine." She reluctantly moved closer to him.

"Now put your arms around me," he coaxed. She eyed him dubiously before doing as instructed. He smiled. "You ready?" He revved the engine.

She bit her lip and held onto him a bit tighter. "Yeah."

He pushed off against the curb and they sped away, the wind whipping around them.

"Shut up," Joey glared smoothing her hair out. "I did not scream the whole way here."

"My ears are still ringing," he smirked, holding the door open for her.

"You're exaggerating." She shot him another glare before moving past him and heading inside. He shook his head with a grin and stepped into the party. "You're a menace on the road. That's what you are!"

He laughed, "You loved every second of that ride and you know it."

"I did not."

"Deny it all you want."

"You are infuriating."

"It's one of my better traits."

"If this is a good one, I'd hate to see a bad one," Joey muttered as she took off her coat.He smirked, "You're going to get to know each and every one of them."

"Do the world a favor and don't procreate." She headed over to join her friends.

He shook his head and grinned, Joey Potter was one in a million.

"Who's the one responsible for my having to ride with Charlie?"

Her friends all exchanged looks and pointed at one another. "Sorry, Jo." Jen smiled an apology.

"Yeah, yeah." She smiled and draped her coat across an empty chair.

"Here," Jack handed her a beer.

"Thanks." Joey cast a look at Jen. "You're not drinking are you?"

"I had a wine cooler..." she gave Joey a funny look. "Why? Do you want one?"

"Actually, yeah I do." She reached for Jen's hand and pulled her from her chair. "Why don't you show me where they are?"

"O-kay..." she let herself be dragged away towards the refreshment table. "I didn't know you were that anxious to get plastered. Fight with the Professor?"

Joey didn�t bother to answer her question. "Jen, is there any chance you could be pregnant?"

She glanced around and then leaned over to whisper in Jen's ear. "No!" Jen stepped back in horror. "Why would you--? What--? It can't--"

"Are you sure?"

"Well...I--I don't know." Her eyes started to water.

"Maybe it's nothing," Joey said sympathetically.

"But...I can't be...we're...we've always been careful..."

"So then maybe you're not. Like I said, it could be nothing."

Jen glanced around in desperate need of a chair, "Oh God..." she put a hand to her stomach.

Joey ushered her to sit in a nearby chair. "Relax. There's no sense panicking if you don't know anything."

"Joey, I've been tired and I've been dizzy and I've been throwing up a night!" She inhaled deeply, "No one knows."

"Right..."

"God...what will Dawson think?"

"Jen," Joey reminded her warningly. "Don't panic until you know for sure."

She swallowed, "Right. It's probably nothing. I'm fine."

"Right."

"Oh God..."

"Breathe. Relax."

"I am relaxed. I am breathing. I am pregnant."

"You don't know that for sure," Joey reminded her as she gazed around.

"I know. A test will only confirm it."

She frowned and sank into the seat beside Jen. "Are you sure?"

"It's been two months since my last period. I--I guess I've been too busy to notice..."

Joey sighed and placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "Dawson will be supportive about whatever you decide."

She sniffed, "Okay." She took a deep breath. "This isn't the time or the place."

She nodded. "Just don't over excite yourself."

She swallowed, "Tomorrow, I'll deal with it tomorrow."

"But you can go home tonight. Lie down. You don't have to deal with this party thing."

"No, Dawson would insist on coming with me, and this is his party. I don't wanna make him leave."

Joey smiled weakly. "Positive?"

"Yeah," she nodded and forced a smile. "I'm the queen of denial. I can just force it out of my mind for the next four hours."

"Good luck."

"Come on," Oliver gestured for them to join the rest. "We're watching the film. This is just...wow. You don't wanna miss it!"

Joey looked at Oliver and laughed. "Can you imagine being the mother to that?"

Jen had to laugh, "Thanks Joey."

"Welcome." She climbed to her feet. "Come on. I think the director is saving you a seat."

Jen took her hand, "Let's face the crowd."

Joey smiled. "You go sit with Dawson. I'll sit with Jack or something."

"Okay," she slid beside Dawson, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

Joey sat herself in the empty seat next to Charlie, two rows away. "Can you at least muster whatever little decency you do have to keep those Jen observations to yourself?" she whispered under her breath.

"I have plenty of decency. I was never planning on telling anyone aside from you, beautiful."

"Wow, you almost sounded sincere."

"You'll just have to wait and see, I guess."

"You breathe a word and your spending your next birthday in traction."

"Threats don't scare me, Joey." Charlie said with a grin.

"That wasn't a threat. It was a warning."

"And I don't believe in warnings."

She sighed. "Just please don't say anything."

"I already told you, I wasn't planning on it."

"You have to forgive me if your word is not exactly gold."

"You'll just have to learn for yourself how much worth my word has."

"Just fine. Whatever."

"Could you two be quiet," Oliver hissed.

"I think Audrey and Pacey are making-out right through your movie!" Joey hissed back. Oliver turned his attention to the other couple, "Save it for the bedroom!" Joey had to fight back a laugh.

"Oliver, the movie hasn't even started yet," Pacey grumbled in frustration. Joey held up her hands innocently when Oliver shot her a look.

"Do I win a prize if I spot a mic?"

"Yes, You can punch Pacey every time the boom mic dips into the frame," Dawson declared.

"Dawson you really should give him a break. It's not like he has experience having control over something that big." Joey teased innocently.

"What is this?" Pacey laughed, "Pick on Pacey Night?"

"You just make it so easy, sweetheart." Audrey smiled, cuddling against his side.

"You're all just jealous," he decided.

"Pacey might have not been the best mic guy, but he is talented in other areas," Audrey added.

"Thank you, sweetheart." He nuzzled her neck.

"But you guys are right. He really did suck." She grinned cheekily.

"I'd like to lodge a formal protest, Dawson's the one who assigned me to Boom Mic."

"He probably thought it was something someone with your limited brain capacity could handle," Joey said with a smile. "It was all part of his loser outreach program."

He rolled his eyes, "Potter, bite me."

"Later." She replied. He grinned and winked at her, turning to the screen as the film began to play.

Oliver gave Joey a dirty look when her cell phone began to ring and she frowned. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she muttered. "I thought it was on vibrate."

"Booty call, again?" Charlie whispered.

She gave him annoyed look. "Just mind your business."

"A moral dilemma I see," he hissed quietly. "To go for the illicit sex with the Naughty Professor, or stay with your true blue friends for an evening of partying? Whatever will you do?"

"Can you give me a ride?"

He grinned, "You just love that motorcycle, don't you?"

"I'm just that desperate."

"And to think I had you pegged for the "Friends Come First" chick." He stood up, "Your chariot awaits."

Oliver glared at her some more and Joey stuck her tongue out at him. "I'll wait for the video!"

"I'll be back," Charlie promised, leading the way from the mini theater.

Joey grabbed her coat off the chair she'd left it on. "You only like that motorcycle so much because it's the closest thing to steel you'll ever have between your legs."

"That's not the reason. I prefer soft and sweet smelling between my legs, thank you very much."

"You're overcompensating."

"You're just looking for a reason to dislike me."

"I don't need to look for a reason. All you have to do is open your mouth."

He smiled sweetly, and handed her the helmet, "Hop on, toots."

"Case in point," she muttered, climbing on the back of the bike after she'd put on her helmet.

"Ready?"

She wrapped her arms around his middle tightly. "Ready."

He revved the engine once and took off, rounding the corner with ease, the machine tilting dangerously to the side.

Joey squeezed her eyes shut unable to look. "Oh my God. You're going to kill us, aren't you?" she yelled to be heard over the rushing win.

"And risk the bike? Are you mad woman?" He called back. "Now where exactly are we going?"

"You can leave me by the dorms. I'll walk."

"Yeah, right," he slowed a stop light. "And have Jack, Pacey and Dawson skin me alive?"

"Who's going to tell them?" She raised an eyebrow. "I thought you rebels were supposed to live dangerously."

"Not that dangerously."

"Wimp."

"Besides, I don't want to see you attacked again any more than they do. Now, directions?"

She sighed. "269 University Place. Not that far from campus."

"See, was that so hard?" He yelled as they sped away from the green light.

"Extremely!"

A few minutes later, the arrived at the correct address. "My, Teach has a pretty nice place, doesn't he?"

"Thanks for the ride," Joey said quickly removing her helmet.

"You're entirely too welcome." He smiled, "I'll be seeing you around, Joey."

"Not if I can help it."

"Have a good evening, Miss Potter."

"Tell Audrey not to wait up for me, okay?"

"I'll make a note of that. Something tells me she's not planning on spending the night in her bed either." He smirked, "Jackers and I are probably the only ones sleeping alone tonight."

"What about Oliver?"

"He's got his hand."

She laughed. "Night Charlie."

"Night, Joey." He revved his engine and drove back into the night. Joey smiled and shook her head as she headed to the house. She really did love that motorcycle.