Audrey set her tray on the counter and checked her reflection in one of the spoons. "Table five is still waiting for their fish. You guys really suck today."

"You'll have the fish in three minutes Audrey," Danny responded not turning his back from the stove.

"Okay." She pointedly ignored Pacey.

Pacey sighed. "How long are you going to stay mad at me?"

"I'm planning to set a record."

"I cannot be more sorry. I admit it, I was a jerk."

Audrey glanced up at the ceiling. "Brecker, I think you have an annoying fly in here. You should swat it."

Danny chuckled. "C'mon Audrey, give the guy a break. He said he's sorry."

She pointed a finger at him. "You have a fish to cook."

Danny held his hands up. "Okay, I'm staying out of it."

Audrey smiled sweetly. "That's very wise." She turned her attention to Pacey. "And as for you, I'm not liking you now and I'm not sure when I'm going to like you again. I don't care how good the sex is, you were worse than a girl with PMS."

Pacey grit his teeth, bracing his hands on the counter. "And once again, I apologize."

She leaned forward. "I don't think you mean it."

He threw his hands up in frustration as Danny slid the plate of fish in front of Audrey. "We're not offering theater with our dinner tonight, so work out your problems on your own time and not mine."

Audrey smiled tightly and grabbed the plate, placing it on her tray.

"Audrey," Pacey said, trying one last time.

"You heard the man, Pace." She grabbed her tray and walked off.

Entering her dorm with dramatic flair, as always, Audrey tossed her coat across the back of her chair and gave a heavy sigh. Glancing at the clock beside Joey, noting the time, 11:34, she sighed again. Shooting Joey a frustrated look, the brunette only turned the page of her history book when Audrey sighed again. The blonde turned away from her friend and pulled her hair out of the ponytail and started to remove her uniform, again, sighing out loud.

"Wow, four sighs. It must be serious," Joey said glancing up from her history book with a faintly amused smile. "What's wrong?"

"Finally!" Audrey slipped her night shirt on with exasperation. "I'll give you three guesses."

"They've discontinued your favorite brand of lipstick?"

"What?" She turned shocked eyes to Joey. "They did not!"

Joey shrugged. "It was a wild guess."

She scowled, "Boys are evil."

"Yes," Joey nodded in agreement. "They are."

"I went out of my way to flirt with the guys at table 9, I even scored a phone number, which I conveniently left in the kitchen for Pacey to find. Does he even blink an eye?" She waved a hand, "Noooo, not Pacey Witter. He hands it to me and says "I think you dropped this." Like I didn't notice!"

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"Have *you* tried talking to him? The man is a brick wall!" She grumbled, "And I didn't even get to the worst part. I hitched a ride home with one of said hot guys, making sure that Pacey could see I was leaving with him...and the man just waves goodbye! Like I'm his freaking sister or something."

"He was probably just playing it cool," Joey offered helpfully.

"No, more like ice cold. I mean, would he even care if I fucking that guy right now?"

"I'm sure he would."

"Sure didn't act like it," she muttered. "This is all my fault, you know. I should have known better. I�ve seen his type before. Why would you ever date him, Joey?"

"He's not that bad."

"Oh, really?" Audrey arched her eyebrow in challenge. "The reason he's being such an asshole is because I told him I wanted to stop having sex."

Joey eyed her strangely. "Why?"

"Because he's a fucking bastard who only wanted me because I was easy," she said bitterly.

Joey frowned. "Pacey's not like that."

"Oh really? Ever since I said we should cool things off physically so that we could get to know one another better he's been a complete jerk." She felt like throwing something and settled for throwing her dirty clothes violently in the laundry hamper.

"And you've tried talking to him?"

"Brick wall, remember?" She flopped onto her bed, "I get a crappy apology with no explanation, and he just expects everything to go back to normal."

Joey sat back against her head board, drawing her knees up. "I'm sure you guys will work things out."

"God, why can't I have normal problems?" She grumbled, "If he just plain wasn't attracted to me physically, I could deal with that. But... he's not attracted to who I am. How do I fix that?"

"You're asking the wrong person here. I'm terrible in relationships."

"You dated him, how did you deal with it?"

"We broke up."

"Humph. Good. He didn't deserve you." She muttered, "I wish I could come to my senses like you did."

Joey rested her history book on her lap and shrugged. "Yeah, well..."

"It's just...I feel like there's something I'm not getting."

"You'll have to talk to him, Audrey. He's the only one with the answers you want."

She pouted, "Why can't you have the answers? You're so much nicer than he is."

"Life is unfair."

She sighed, "I want to talk to the man who made that rule. It had to have been a man. Women aren't that sadistic."

Joey smiled. "Sorry."

"I appreciate that." She groaned, "I just don't get how you managed to date both Pacey, Dawson and Jack and come away unscathed."

Joey sighed, glancing back down at the open book in front of her. "I don't think I did."

"Really?" Audrey turned, rolling onto her stomach to regard Joey from her bed. "Who hurt you worst? Dawson or Jack?"

"It doesn't matter now."

"Must have been quite a shocker to find out your boyfriend liked boys as much as you did. I don't know if I could take it."

"I lived."

"This is getting depressing." She announced, "Tell me what's going on with Charlie."

"Nothing is going on with Charlie."

"I could have sworn you were about to jump his bones the other night? And they are very fine bones."

"There's not an honest bone in his body."

"Well, duh. But you don't need honesty to get laid."

"I'm not that desperate."

"Of course not. But I think that's exactly what you need after Professor Sleazy pulled that shit on you." She nodded for emphasis.

She snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure."

"Some good, sweaty sex is exactly what you need. What we both need." She paused, "Maybe if I stopped holding out on him things would get better between us..."

"And on that note..." Joey set her history book down on her night stand and switched off her lamp, unable to take any more of that particular conversation. "I'm going to bed."

"You're supposed to tell me that's a bad idea," Audrey commanded.

"It's a bad idea," Joey responded automatically settling under her covers.

"Thank you." Audrey flicked off her lamp, the room falling into darkness.

Joey fluffed her pillow and turned onto her side. "Welcome."

"Goodnight," Audrey yawned, already half asleep as she curled into her blankets. Sleep wasn�t as easy coming for Joey.

Joey adjust the strap of her bag and knocked on Pacey's door. It was several moments before he appeared to answer the door, and when he did he was only half dressed, a towel clutched in one hand, his hair still damp from a shower. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw her, "Not to be rude or anything, but..." He quirked an eyebrow, "What are you doing here."

She shrugged. "I was in the neighborhood."

He glanced behind him into his apartment, noting the dishes stacked in the sink, the baskets of laundry, and the empty pizza boxes. "Come in, but you enter at your own risk."

"I'd expect nothing less."

He shrugged a shoulder, stepping back to let her enter, "You know me, always living down to expectations."

"Unfortunately."

"It's a little early in the morning for our usual banter, especially since I haven't eaten yet." He walked around her into the kitchen, "You want anything?"

Joey glanced inside the kitchen. "I think I'll risk death by starvation."

"Suit yourself." He grabbed a muffin from the cupboard and poured himself a glass of milk.

Joey took the time to survey the apartment. "Where's the roommate?"

"He's visiting family up north." He sat down at the counter and broke off a piece of the blueberry muffin and tossed it in his mouth.

She nodded. "Is he cute?"

Pacey rolled his eyes, "Like I'd be one to judge. Why? Are you looking?"

"Always."

"Try the guys down at the restaurant, they're always looking for fresh meat." He took a long drink of milk, "I thought you were involved with Charlie."

She shook her head. "No way in hell."

"He seems to think differently."

"He thinks wrong."

"You may want to let him down easy then," He smirked, "No man takes it well when Joey Potter turns them down."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes, leaning against the counter. "What's up with you and Audrey?"

"Audrey?" He shrugged a shoulder taking another bite of food.

"I haven't seen you around the dorm lately."

"That would be because I haven't been there lately."

"Surprising."

"No, what's surprising is that you noticed." He said wryly, licking away a milk mustache from his upper lip.

"It was all the silence and uninterrupted study time that gave it away."

"Then why complain?"

"I'm not complaining, believe me, it's more than welcome." She shrugged. "I was just curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat." He reminded her, finishing off the muffin and rising to get a wash cloth to wipe down the counter.

"Satisfaction brought him back," Joey said offhandedly. She eyed him curiously. "You should talk to Audrey."

"You wont find that kind of satisfaction here, Jo." He gave her a heated look, "I can offer another kind, however."

"I doubt it."

"Well, you'd know, wouldn't you?" He wiped down the counter quickly, then started running water in the sink to do the dishes.

"You're right." She nodded. "I do, and I still don't think so."

"Did you come her to malign my sexual prowess? Or have you come here with some purpose in mind?" He added soap the water.

She shrugged. "I was in the neighborhood and I had nothing better to do."

"You said that before."

She raised an eyebrow. "I can't stop in and say hello?"

"You're always welcome here, Potter. You know that." He started adding dishes to the water. "But you've yet to actually say hello."

"It's a figure of speech."

He smiled, "If you say so."

"I can always leave."

"Stay," he shrugged, "I've got no where to be for a few hours."

"So what�s going on with Audrey?"

"How's school going?" He changed the subject, scrubbing out one of the pots heavily encrusted with something brown.

She smiled. "Must be pretty hard up for conversation if you're asking about school."

"No," he grinned at her, "I just want another reminder of how smart I was to bypass the college life."

She lifted herself onto the counter. "It's not so bad."

He chuckled faintly, "Not for you. You were destined for college and all the good things than come after it."

"It's what I'm good at it."

He smiled faintly, "Was there ever any doubt?"

"And you ended up with a Worthington girl anyway."

"Not the one I had planned on," he muttered under his breath.

"Audrey's beginning to think you're an ass."

"I'm not surprised," he said dryly.

"I think it's time for one of those Pacey patented romantic gestures."

"I don't recall asking your opinion on my relationship, Joey. In fact, I'll go so far as to say, I don't want your opinion on this. At all."

"She thinks you're only with her for sex."

"That's her problem, not mine." He said, "And certainly not yours."

"It is when I have to hear about it." She tilted her head slightly. "I thought you liked her."

"Did I say that I didn't?" He asked archly, putting the pot in the drying rack.

"Well, you're not acting like you do."

"I don't want to discuss this with you."

"Why not?"

"Because, it was bad enough for you to push Audrey and I together, but I don't need to know that you're so concerned with the survival of our relationship." He focused on the plate he was scrubbing.

She shrugged. "You're both my friends. I want you to be happy."

"How honorable of you."

"I think you guys are good for each other."

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't know what it is exactly..."

He lifted his eyes from the sink and arched an eyebrow at her. "Then why are you pushing it?"

"I'm not pushing it."

He smiled, "Let�s keep it that way."

She slid off the counter and onto her feet. "I should go."

"I can't keep you here."

"Yeah." She nodded. "Talk to Audrey."

"And tell her what, exactly?" He dropped the plate into the sink.

"I think she'll help you along."

"Help me along?" He repeated dubiously.

"Trust me."

His eyes narrowed, "That's not exactly a strong point between us, Jo."

She frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Pretty sure I was speaking English."

"Is there a problem?"

"I want to know what you think Audrey's going to help me along with."

"In directing the conversation..."

He moved around the corner to come face to face with her, "What conversation?"

She leaned back against the counter. "About your current asshole tendencies?"

"And what insights do you honestly think you've gained here?"

"Not much."

"Yeah, I didn't think so." He moved away from her.

"Is something wrong?"

"Always the astute one, Jo."

She sighed. "What is it?"

He tossed her a contemptuous look, "You sound so concerned. You're right," he crossed to the front door. "Maybe you should go."

"Are you mad at me?" she asked incredulously. "I didn't do anything!"

"Chalk it up to the asshole gene."

She grabbed her bag, shooting him a look of annoyance. "Fine."

"Bye," He turned the knob and held it open for her.

She drew herself up indignantly. "You know I came over here, because Audrey told me what an ass you were being and I told her she was wrong, because the Pacey Witter I know would never do anything like that, but obviously, I was the wrong one. You really are a prick. I don't know what your problem is, but I suggest you get over it." She scowled and stalked out the door.

Pacey stood up as he spotted Audrey approaching down the hallway on her dorm floor. He offered her a tentative smile and a rose as she came closer.

"You must be lost."

"Then your next door neighbor is in for a very pleasant surprise," he twirled the rose between two fingers.

"I'm sure he'll be pleased."

He smiled, "You want the rose?"

She smiled softly taking it from him. "Yeah."

The corner of his mouth tilted into a smile, "Good." He gestured to the door, "Going inside?"

"Yeah," she opened the door. "My feet are killing me."

"I think you might be able to guilt me into a massage," he said as she stepped into the room.

Audrey stopped just inside the door and stared at her bed, a small grin coming to her lips. "This does not absolve you of everything."

"I know," he moved around her to the rose covered mattress and picked up a velvet box that sat on her pillow, "But this might."

"But you are gaining points," she conceded with a smile. "What is it?"

"You want me to ruin the surprise?"

She arched an eyebrow, reaching for the box. "You trying to buy my affections, Witter?"

"That's my first wave of attack, the second includes lots of begging and groveling." He smiled as she popped open the box, revealing the silver necklace and the emerald pendant.

"Ooh, that sounds promising." She winked and then grinned. "I love it."

"It's your birthstone." He added, stepping closer to her sliding his arms around her from behind. "I'm sorry, Audrey."

"Very thoughtful." She sighed, resting back against him. "You're forgiven."

"Wow," he kissed her shoulder lightly, "I expected at least a half hour of groveling."

She smirked. "I'm letting you off easy this time."

"Dare I ask what happens next time?" He nuzzled her neck.

"I don't want to scare you."

He chuckled and pulled away from her, "Let me put it on you."

She nodded, and handed him the box, lifting her hair away from her neck. "Do you know what the best thing about fighting is, aside from the jewelry, of course, it's the make up sex."

He fastened the clasp around her neck, letting his fingers caress her skin, "I knew you wouldn't last."

"I can so last," she objected, letting her hair fall back to her shoulders.

"You can not," he murmured, brushing aside her hair to place teasing kisses along the column of her neck.

"I can." She shrugged. "I just don't want to."

He chuckled again, turning her in his arms so they were face to face. "I don't deserve you. You know that right?"

She nodded, draping her arms over his shoulders with an amused smile. "Of course."

"Good," he tilted his head, catching her lips in a deep kiss.

Audrey broke the kiss, panting faintly as her hands went to the buttons on his shirt. "I don't want to mess up my bed. It's all pretty with the roses," she offered, guiding him back. "So we'll just work our way over there." She grinned up at him slyly before pushing him onto Joey's bed. She straddled him, tugging her shirt over her head and tossing it onto the floor. "That okay with you?"

"Honey, you could suggest we do it in the Antarctic and I wouldn't argue." He forced a grin up at her before pulling her down for another searing kiss.