A knock sounded on the thick wooden door of Joey and Audrey's dorm room the next afternoon, just minutes after Audrey had departed. It was quickly followed by two short raps.

Joey glanced up from her history book with a sigh, just finally able to concentrate with Audrey gone. With a longing look at the open book, she pushed her chair away from her desk and rose to her feet. She walked over to the door and opened it.

"Hey Jo," Pacey greeted her quietly, shifting his weight awkwardly, he met her eyes, his own still faintly bloodshot from the night before.

"Hey, you just missed Audrey."

"I came to see you, actually."

She stepped back from the door with an awkward shrug. "Okay..."

He ran a hand tiredly though his hair, "I came to apologize."

"For what?"

"Not entirely sure. I just have this sinking suspicion that I acted like an asshole last night. I remember asking you to have a threesome...and I'm pretty sure I grabbed your ass while we were dancing."

She waved it off with a small shrug. "Whatever. I know you were drunk last night, I didn't take anything you did or said seriously."

"Are you sure?" He arched an eyebrow. "I *am* sorry, Jo."

She nodded. "I'm sure."

He sank on to Audrey's bed, visibly relieved. "I still have the feeling like I did something really stupid. I wish my memory wasn't so damn blurry."

She shut the door and returned to her desk. "Maybe Audrey knows."

"When is she coming back?"

"When her class is over."

"I thought as much." He sighed, "Are you sure I didn't do anything stupid?"

She shuffled through the papers on her desk. "I'm pretty sure."

"All right then," he still didn't sound entirely convinced.

Joey returned her attention to her open history book. "Are you planning to wait around for Audrey?"

"Do you want me to go?"

"I was just going to study."

"I can go."

She shrugged. "Up to you."

"You don't seem in the mood for my company." He stood up, taking his coat from the chair where he'd abandoned it.

"I'll tell Audrey you stopped by then."

"Don't bother, I'll see her at work."

"Okay then."

"Bye, Potter." He murmured, letting himself out the door. His step faltered as he found Charlie standing on the other side. "Hey."

"Uh, hey." Charlie glanced back at the door behind Pacey's shoulder. "Joey in?"

"She's studying," he said shortly.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, we were planning to study together."

"Then by all means," he stepped aside to let him pass. "You got any plans tonight?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"Stop by the restaurant at close if you're free, we'll go get drunk or something." He smiled faintly, "Jack'll probably be joining me."

Charlie nodded. "Okay."

"Catch ya later," he started down the hall.

"Later." Charlie grinned and opened the door to Joey's dorm room.

Charlie walked over to the nearly deserted bar and ordered two beers, before casting a look at Jack who sat on a stool, nursing a beer. "Started early tonight?"

"Just waiting for Pacey to finish cleaning." Jack raised his drink in toast to Charlie, "No better way to pass the time."

Joey came up behind Charlie, grabbing one of the two beers that had been placed in front of him, and smiled at Jack. "Hey."

"Shouldn't you be studying or something?" Jack gave her a teasing grin.

She shrugged raising her bottle to her lips. "I've taken a break."

"Now you're talkin', Jo." Jack grinned as she tilted her head back.

"Bunny!" Audrey emerged from the kitchen, folding up her apron. "What are you doing here?" She tossed the apron over the bar, smiling sweetly at Tyson, the barkeep.

"If I read one more paragraph on the collapse of the Russian economy, my head would have exploded."

"Lucky bum," She sighed, "I have that math test tomorrow, and I haven't even read the chapter yet."

Joey sat down on the stool besides Jack. "You probably haven't even opened the book yet."

"That's just harsh, Bunny."

Joey smiled licking her lips of any extra beer. "But true right?"

"So?" She grinned. "Where are you guys headed tonight?"

"Wherever the road leads us," Jack grinned.

"I take it that's not very far then," Joey said, finishing off her beer.

"Pacey's still sober," Jack smirked.

"Not for long," He joined the group from the kitchens with a wide smile.

Joey raised an eyebrow. "Last night not enough for you?"

"Didn't expect to see you here, Joey." His slid his eyes over her.

"Charlie invited me," she offered in explanation, setting her bottle down on the counter.

"Ahh...of course." He turned away from her, clapping his hands together. "Let's hit the road, people."

Audrey caught Joey's elbow, "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

Joey nodded, slightly bemused. "Sure."

The blonde dragged her several steps away, "Can you do me an teensy weensy favor?" She held her fingers a centimeter apart, emphasizing the size of this so called favor.

The brunette watched her friend with faint amusement. "What is it?"

"Could you keep an eye on Pacey?" She frowned slightly, "I just don't want him to drink too much. I wouldn't even ask, except that I wont be there and you know how Jack is. He can't be trusted to keep himself sober and Charlie...well, I don't trust him further than I can throw him. So could you?" She pleaded.

Joey frowned. "I'll try, but I make no promises."

"Thank you!" Audrey grinned and gave her an impulsive hug.

"Remember," Joey reminded her. "No promises. Pacey can be incredibly stubborn."

"So can you." She smiled again, weaving her arm through Joey's and leading her back to the boys.

Charlie looked at Joey expectantly as she returned with Audrey, and she gave him a reassuring smile. "Ready to go?"

"She's all set." Audrey abandoned Joey to wrap her arms around Pacey, tilting her head up for a goodbye kiss. A very long goodbye kiss.

Joey looked away and glanced up at Charlie. "Are you sure I'm not intruding on any male bonding that's bound to occur?"

"Are you kidding?" He whispered, "I brought you along so you could save me from these two," he pointed a thumb over his shoulder.

She smiled. "I don't think you're Jack's type."

"Yeah? Well, damn. However will I console myself?"

She grinned. "I'm sure he has friends."

"Yeah, he does." Charlie's smile softened, "I find one of them incredibly attractive."

Joey leaned closer and whispered quietly with an amused smile. "I don't think your Pacey's type either."

"I wasn't talking about Pacey, Jo." He caught a lock of her hair and curled it around his finger.

"My mistake."

"Don't make it again," he murmured, his eyes glittered as he began to lean toward her.

"Time to get out of here," Pacey said loudly, brushing by them. "I can only take so much of this place."

Joey smiled teasingly up at Charlie. "You heard the man."

He rolled his eyes, "We have all night, don't think you're getting away from me this easily." They reluctantly followed Pacey and Audrey out the front doors.

"So where exactly are we going, again?" Joey asked as she brushed her hair away from her face.

"Wherever he takes us. I'm not too concerned. Wherever it is, they wont be carding."

"Leave it to Pacey to know all about those unsavory dwellings."

"He is a rather unsavory kinda guy." Charlie agreed.

"Must be why the two of you get along so well."

"I'm only half unsavory, thank you very much. The other half is quite savory indeed." He winked at her.

"Get in the car, lovebirds." Pacey called impatiently, standing at the driver's side of the car, Jack on the passenger�s.

Joey headed for the car and glanced back at Charlie. "Remember, this back seat has no implications."

"I have a little more class than to hit on you in the car. I'll wait until the club, at least." He walked around to Pacey's side and climbed it.

Jack rolled his eyes good-naturedly as he held the seat back so Joey could squeeze in. "I sincerely doubt that you have class of any kind, Charlie."

Joey smiled as she settled into the back seat. "Ain't that the truth."

"Shake, shake your boo-tay! Shake, shake your boo-tay!" Pacey sang on his way back to the round table they were using as their home base in Murry's, a club that had carefully over looked the birth dates on their IDs. He carried over a tray of drinks that tipped dangerous side to side as he walked and deposited it on the table. He handed a red concoction to Joey. "A Shirley Temple for the prude, a beer for the blonde, Sex on the Beach for Jackers, cause we know he ain't getting any otherwise, and a couple of Vodka shooters for yours truly." He didn't waste any time tossing back the first shot without even a flinch.

"Thanks," Joey said wrapping her lips around her straw and taking a sip of her drink.

"Care for a dance, Jo?" Jack asked, downing half of his drink in two quick gulps. "That is, if Charlie doesn't mind?"

Charlie chuckled. "And have Joey kill me?"

"I think I'll go dance too," Pacey eyed the crowd as he pushed his seat back. He stood up, swaying slightly, and then took the second shot of vodka. Tossing the empty shot glass back onto the tray he headed unsteadily for the dance floor.

Joey rose to her feet and grabbed Jack's hand. "Come on."

"And leave me here alone?" Charlie pouted.

Joey winked at him. "Watch our drinks."

He grinned, "With relish."

Jack waited until they were a few strides away to say anything, "Getting along pretty well with him, aren't you?"

Joey shrugged. "He's growing on me."

"Mold can grow on you too, if you stay in once place to long." Jack said with a wink as he started moving to the music.

Joey laughed, shaking her head. "Okay, so there's some unnatural attraction there," she admitted.

"I worry about you."

Her face filled with confusion. "Why?"

"It's been a rocky year for you," he shrugged. "That's all."

"It hasn't been so bad."

"It could have been worse. But you seem to have a knack of getting yourself into relationships that are...less than healthy." He sighed, sensing her grow defensive. "I just don't want to see you hurt again. And you know how Charlie is."

"Yes. I know exactly how Charlie is. I'm not looking for a serious relationship, Jack."

"A relationship doesn't have to be serious to hurt you."

"I can handle it."

"I know you can. You've faced a lot of heartache and come away unscathed. Maybe I'm just being paranoid."

"Thanks for the concern, Jack, but I'm a big girl."

"It's big brother instinct." He shrugged, with a teasing smirk. "With Andie gone, you and Jen are all I have left."

Joey smiled. "I'm flattered."

"And you're much nicer about listening to my advice than Jen is."

"I'm sure Jen can really use your friendship, right now."

"I've been trying, but she's been getting more and more distant." He sighed, "It's driving Dawson up the wall. Who in turn, is driving me up the wall."

Joey sighed. "Give her time."

"You sound as though you know what's going on..." his eyes were piercing as they regarded her.

Joey looked up at him in surprise. "I don't."

He didn't look convinced, "If you say so."

"I'm sure."

Pacey was up at the bar, ordering a Slippery Nipple for himself, a mixed shot consisting of equal parts Bailey's Irish Cream and Butterscotch Schnapps. He slid a ten over the counter and threw back the mixture before he'd even gotten his change. "Give me a Purple Motherfucker this time," he watched as the skeptical looking bartender added ice, Blue Curacao, Blueberry Schnapps, Southern Comfort and cranberry juice to a clean shaker and started to mix.

Joey came up beside him and ordered herself a Coke. "Don't you think you've had enough?"

"Nope," he didn't bother to look at her as he thanked the bartender. Taking a long sip from his glass, he eyed the Coke the bartender was pouring for her. "Why don't you add some rum to that?"

"One of us has to stay the designated driver."

He waved a hand, "We'll take a cab."

"So why the sudden need to imbibe?"

"There's nothing sudden about this, Potter." He took another long drink, licking the purple tinged alcohol from his lips. "But then, you'd have no way of knowing that, now would you?"

She raised an eyebrow and reached for the Coke that had been set in front of her. "You hate your liver?"

"My liver is just fine."

"Not if you keep this up."

"I don't need you to baby-sit me." He narrowed his eyes at her.

She sighed. "I know."

"Go nag Charlie, or something."

"He found a busty blonde that holds more appeal."

"Yeah right," he scoffed, finishing off his drink. He began to swirl the ice cubes around his glass.

"It's true." She brought her straw to her lips and took a long drink.

"Charlie would no more leave you for a busty blonde than throw himself in front of a semi." He squeezed his eyes shut as the room started to spin.

She arched an eyebrow setting her glass down. "Not even if she was easy?"

"Nope." He shook his head and signaled the bartender. "Get her a Better Than Sex, with the raspberry. I want a Between the Sheets, strong as you can make it."

"Need I remind you of what he did to Jen?" she said, reaching for her soda again.

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten."

"I haven't."

"Good."

"But he's cute and persistent," Joey admitted.

"Such high crit--cite--criterie...standerds you have," he grinned happily at the bartender as he set his drink in front of him. "Thank you, my good man."

She smiled. "Well, I dated you, right?"

He rolled his eyes, and gestured to her drink, "Try it. It's fruity." Joey grabbed the glass and brought it to her lips, and tentatively took a sip. He grinned as her face scrunched up, "Did I mention it's a tad sour?"

Joey stuck her tongue out as she set the glass down. "You could have warned me."

"It's good though, right?" His words were just slightly beginning to slur, a miracle considering the amount of alcohol he'd managed to consume in two hours that they'd been there.

She shrugged. "It's alright."

"Can't win 'em all." He tilted his head back, swallowing a large mouthful of his drink.

Charlie sidled up to Joey at the bar. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

Joey smiled turning in her seat, and playing with the straw in her drink.

"Here I am."

The bartender came over to take Charlie's order and Charlie gestured to Joey's drink. "What are you having?"

She shrugged. "Some fruity, sour thing Pacey ordered for me."

"Like it?"

"It's alright." She propped her elbow on the counter and cupped her chin in her hand.He grinned slyly. "Ever had tequila, Potter?"

Her eyes darted to his wearily. "Can't say that I have..."

"A night of firsts then." He smiled and ordered two shots from the bartender. He glanced at Pacey. "Care to join us?"

"Always," he nodded. "Make that three," he directed the bartender.

Charlie tipped his head in thanks as the shot glasses were placed in front of them, along with a salt shaker and three wedges of lime. He turned his attention to Joey. "Now this being your first time and all, I'll have to show you the proper way to drink this." He grinned. "Can't have you just rushing in, unprepared."

Joey smirked, visibly amused. "How gallant."

"Now if you please," He smiled and grabbed her hand, turning her palm up. Joey gazed at him with curious eyes as he brought it to his lips. Her brown eyes narrowed slightly and she bit her lip as he licked the inside of her wrist. She watched as he lifted the salt shaker, sprinkling some on her newly wet skin. He released her hand and reached for his glass, raising it to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers. "Cheers." He tilted his head back and swallowed the drink in one gulp. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and she watched in rapt fascination as he lifted her hand, and swept his tongue over the inside of her wrist licking up the salt, before sliding the wedge of lime into his mouth. There was no mistaking the heat in his gaze as he took the fruit out of his mouth and smiled at her. "That's all there is to it."

Joey swallowed; her eyes wide.

"Oh."

"Your turn, beautiful." He handed her the salt shaker, his eyes dark with intensity.

Pacey watched this all with a blank expression. He tossed back his own tequila straight, bypassing both the salt and lime and walked away.

Pacey found Joey, Charlie and Jack at the table later on, Charlie and Joey looking rather pleased with themselves, curled together on one side of the table. Pulling his keys from his pocket, he addressed Jack, "I'm goin' home. Wanna ride?"

Joey sat up in her seat. "You can't drive."

"My drive license says otherwise." He slurred.

"I'm gonna hang here for awhile," Jack told him, taking another slow sip from his beer bottle. "I'll catch a cab."

"You've been drinking, Pacey," Joey persisted.

"Bright, ain't she?" He shot Charlie a look. "You'res a lucky man."

Joey looked at Pacey. "I'm not kidding. You're not driving. We'll call you a cab."

"Back off, Potter." He said warningly, his eyes flashing despite the drunken haze he was in. He pulled on his coat and turned away from them.

"I'm not going to back off about this." She looked to Charlie and Jack for help.

"Pace, maybe you should take a cab," Jack said, finally turning his full attention on Pacey, noticing the slur to his words.

"Fuck off, Jack." He replied over his shoulder, stumbling his way to the front doors.

"Some help you are," Joey said to Jack with a sigh and climbed to her feet, heading after him.

"I tried," he lifted his hands innocently before tipping his beer back.

Joey shot Jack a glare over her shoulder, before jogging after Pacey. "You know dying young is severely overrated."

"Doubt it�s not so bad." He replied, "Go away."

"Okay," she nodded. "Why don't you just stay, have another drink and we can all catch a cab later?"

"I wanna go home." He pushed through the door. She went out after him and immediately shivered in the cold. "Fine, you can go home. You just can't drive."

"You can't tell me what to do." He ignored her and kept walking, although crookedly.

She followed after him. "You're drunk, Pacey. Do you want to get pulled over by the cops?"

"Whadda you care?" He glared over at her. "Go inside."

"Or worse," she continued. "What if you get into an accident?"

"I wont," he stopped in front of his car and unlocked the door.

"You don't know that."

"Whats yer problem? Jus' lemme go." He yanked the door open and got inside.

"I can't let you drive."

"You don't give a fuck what happens to me, stop pretending to jus' 'cause Audrey asked you to." He started the car and turned on his radio.

"You know that's not true."

"Do I?" He challenged before gunning the engine, and then peeling out onto the road, leaving her in the dust. Joey muttered a curse under her breath, and hurried determinedly back inside.

Pacey took the turn into his parking lot too fast, the tires screeching as he tried to get the car back under control. The gears screeched loudly in protest as he slid crookedly into a parking space. Groaning, he ran a hand down his face, his head swimming.

Joey climbed off the stoop, where she'd been sitting the past fifteen minutes after she'd paid the cab driver, and headed for the car. She yanked the driver's side door open. "Are you insane?!"

He winced, looking up at her, "Wha?"

"What the hell were you thinking, Pacey?!"

"What are you doin' 'ere?" He blinked in confusion up at her.

She glared at him. "I took a cab over here, hoping that you didn't fucking kill yourself or God forbid, someone else, on your way home."

"God forbid, someone else," he repeated sarcastically, cutting the engine and pushing her back so he could get out.

She brushed her hair out of her face angrily, her face flushed. "Yes, someone else. Just because you don't give a fuck about yourself, Pacey doesn't mean everyone else has to suffer."

"Res' assured, the roads are safe once 'gain." He slammed the car door shut.

"God! You are such an asshole!"

"I need 'nother beer." He groaned, "Specially if you keep screechin' like that."

"I'm tired of dealing with your whiny, self-indulgent, self-destructive crap. Just what the hell is your problem?"

"No one asked you to be 'ere." He grumbled, walking a wavy line towards the apartment building. "Oh, yeah. Audrey did."

"Yeah, I guess I'm just unfortunate enough to consider you a friend."

"Tragedy, that." He gripped the railing tightly as he ascended the stairs.

She released a soft breath of frustration, biting her lip. "Would you just stop it?"

"Stop what?" He muttered through gritted teeth as he willed the stairs to stay still.

"It's just been one mean thing after another out of your mouth whenever I try to talk to you. If you don't want to be my friend, Pacey, just say so." She threw her hands up. "Or better yet, just stay away from me. I don't want you in my life like this."

"You don't want me in yer life at all." He climbed the stairs with more determination.

She clenched her fists together tightly. "Oh, don't you dare turn this around on me!"

"I'm not. Wouldn't dare blame anythin' on you." He stopped in front of his door and fumbled with the keys to his apartment.

"Okay, obviously I'm just wasting my time here."

"Coulda told ya that."

She was quiet for a moment, and dropped her gaze to the floor. She swallowed, and raised her gaze, her eyes filled with hurt and confusion. She inhaled an unsteady breath, her voice soft. "Do you really hate me that much?"

"Not you that I hate, Potter," He grumbled in frustration, trying to get his key into the lock.

"Then what is it?"

"Just go home."

She bit her lip. "Fine."

He finally got the right key in the lock and twisted, opening the door. "Tell Audrey you fulfilled your promise."

"Tell her yourself."

"Fine."

"Bye." Joey headed down the stairs.

Pacey turned away from her to open the door to his apartment and saw a mound of flesh writhing on the kitchen table. "Jesus, Ryan!" He quickly stepped back into the hall and slammed the door behind him.

Joey released an exasperated breath once she was outside, wiped at her eyes and pulled out her cell phone. "Hello?"

"I need a ride."

"Chill, Potter," Pacey appeared behind her on the stairs, bracing his hand on the wall. "I'll take ya home."

Joey whirled around in surprise. "I'm not getting in a car with you."

"I hafta crash at Jack�s anyways, I'll stop at the dorms."

"Wow, and I guess miraculously, you're suddenly sober?"

"I managed to get 'ere okay," he took the phone from her hand. "I'll get her home, Charlie." He hit end.

"Which part of �I'm not getting in a car with you� are you not understanding?"

It took him a few moments work out a plan through the thick haze of alcohol. He held up the keys, waving them in front of her, "I'll let you drive."

Joey thought about it for a moment, before shaking her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why? Tipsy?"

She shrugged. "A little."

"Potter, for shame." He wagged his finger at her, "Guess I'll be drivin' then."

Joey scoffed. "Yeah, like you're more sober than I am."

"I'm not."

"Exactly."

"And I 'ope I stay that way awhile."

She began to dial again. "I'll take my chances with Charlie then."

"Be my quest. Guest."

"Fine." He handed her back the phone and headed for his car. She paused for a moment and then called after him, "We can share a cab?"

"I can drive," he said petulantly, like a little boy.

"Please?"

"Jo-ey."

"My treat."

"Do I have to?"

She nodded. "Yes."

He pocketed his keys and sat down on the steps. "You win," he finally agreed with a sigh.

"Good." Joey quickly dialed the number of a local cab company and gave them her address. He leaned his head against the wall and fell silent, wondering absently when she would lay into him again. Joey hit end and sat down on the steps. "It should be here in a few minutes."

"Sooner the better," he sighed, "It's cold out 'ere."

"Well, it is the middle of winter."

"You're not wearing a coat."

Joey glanced down at her sweater. "I hadn't noticed." Pacey shrugged out of his thick brown jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "I thought you were cold?"

"It'll sober me up."

She shrugged. "If you say so."

"I do," he had to get the last word in.

She smiled faintly. "Alright."

He ran a hand through his hair, staring down at the cold cement below them. Joey eyed him wearily through her peripheral vision. "Want to talk about it?"

"Why? You want to hear 'bout it?" She nodded, tugging the coat closer. He shrugged a shoulder, picking up a few pebbles from the ground. "Nothin' really. The usual shit."

"Like?" she questioned cautiously.

"Things just keep adding up."

"Such as?"

He let out a long sigh, "You're gonna want to slap me."

"It's like pulling teeth," Joey muttered. "Just tell me."

"It's like last year." He grumbled, "You remember how it was before I left. Just like that, only worse."

She frowned. "Why?"

"Well, last year, I had you."

"So?"

"You made it easier...at least for a while." He sighed, "Last summer, I worked it all out in my head. I was going to come home early." He chuckled darkly, "Did you know I barely lasted two weeks before I changed my mind and called Doug for a return ticket?"

"No. I wouldn't know."

"I called. You weren't home."

"When?"

"I donno," he shrugged, "Two weeks after I left, in the afternoon sometime. Bessie told me you were with Jen and then she hung up." Pacey smirked sadly, "Apparently she didn't like the idea of me leaving her baby sister without a goodbye."

"She never mentioned it."

"Jen ever mention I called either?" He asked, already knowing that she hadn�t.

Joey frowned. "No."

"I din't think so." He tossed a few pebbles to the ground. "She told me about your goodbye to Dawson." His throat tightened, "I guess it was stupid to think you'd wait."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait for me...wait to move on...just wait." He picked up more pebbles watching them bounce along the dirty cement. "I know you weren't thinkin' of revenge at the time, but it was a fitting way to pound the final nail in the coffin of our relationship by makin' out with Dawson. I did the worst possible thing to you at prom, then you went and did the same to me."

She stared out at the sidewalk. "We had no relationship. You just left."

"I was hurt. And stupid." He sighed, leaning his head against the side of the cement wall. "Not a good combination. I got out of Capeside and realized that's the only place I wanted to be."

She pressed her lips together tightly. "If you really wanted to get in contact with me you could have."

"After I talked to Jen, I changed my mind."

She shrugged. "Your choice."

"I told ya, I was stupid and in pain." He shot her a look, "Do you have any idea what it's like to hate everything about yourself? To know you're miserable and you've only got yourself to blame?"

"Yeah, and apparently I just made that worse for you."

"I made it worse for me. You had nothing to do with it until I heard about Dawson." He shook his head, "I must have been really important to you, Jo."

She shot him a look of disgust, climbing to her feet. "Go to hell."

"I'm already there, Jo." He met her eyes with stark honesty.

"If you're there, Pacey, it's because you want to be there."

"Yeah? What exactly am I supposed to do? Take a happy pill?"

"And what's so terrible about your life now?"

"I am everything Dawson always said I was."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, good job, beautiful girlfriend. I can really see what a bitch that must be for you."

"You know that good job? It doesn't pay enough for me to afford rent, car repairs, and insurance. And that girlfriend," he frowned, "Apparently I only want her for sex. So says everyone I know, including her. My roommate is a pyromaniac and keeps setting our furniture on fire, my father keeps telling me to quit wasting my life and join the force, and every where I look you people are moving on."

"Yeah, well, life is tough."

"I wasn't denyin' it."

"And I guess all the alcohol makes it better."

"It makes it go away."

She sighed. "Whatever."

"You're the one who asked. The least you could do is accept that that's how I feel."

"Fine."

"God, I want a beer," he groaned. "You're a lot nicer when I'm completely wasted.

"Thanks."

His eyes were blood shot and red when he met her gaze, "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," she said turning away. "Absolutely nothing."

"So how much do you hate me now?"

She stood silent for a moment. "I don't hate you."

"Coulda fooled me."

"Why do you think I hate you?"

"Why should I think anything else?"

"Because I haven't done anything!"

"Maybe that's why," he muttered. "You keep yelling at me."

"Trying to actually talk to you reasonably doesn't seem to work."

"Reason was never my strong suit."

"You don't even try."

"Explain to me, what I'm supposed to try?"

"To be reasonable."

"Fine." He ran a hand over his face, and then looked at her. "Here I am, Pacey Witter: reasonable and slightly more sober than before."

She sighed. "Why must every conversation we have end in an argument?"

"I think it's cause you hate me."

She laughed. "No, that's not it."

"Yeah?" He arched an amused eyebrow, "What's your theory?"

"I think the problem lies with you."

"Hmm, so it's all my fault. Not exactly a big surprise."

"Lately it just seems like I did something to piss you off, but I don't know what it is."

"The whole world pisses me off right now, Jo." He replied quietly avoiding her eyes.

"I wish things were better for you, Pacey."

He shrugged, "I'm dealing with it."

"Wish I could help."

"Why?"

"Because as hard is it may be for you to believe, I do care."

He blinked up at her, "Do you remember last year when I told you I might not graduate?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"I had a strong desire to run. I was pushing you away," he reminded her. "You taunted me, saying that's what I always do when things get rough."

"It's true."

"I told you later that night that you wrecked me." A corner of her mouth turned up slightly as she stood there unsure of what to say. "I don't think I ever really recovered."

Her face fell. "Pacey."

"When I was with you, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Then, when it finally did, and I kept waiting for it to land so that I can pick up and move on...instead, it just keep falling."

She frowned in confusion. "I don't understand."

"God, I should just stop talking." He shook his head, and then regretted the motion. "I drank way too much."

"You think?"

"I've been trying not to." He muttered, "Why isn't that damn cab here yet?"

She shrugged. "It's late."

"Maybe I should just go back upstairs..."

"If you want."

"Ryan was getting busy with the redhead from down the hall. I thought it was better if I came back down here. They�re probably done now.""

"Oh."

He sighed, and rose shakily to his feet, "I never should have said anything."

"Okay..."

"Your ride is here," he pointed over her shoulder as a yellow cab pulled into the parking lot.

"Goodnight then."

"I hafta disagree with you on that." He forced a faint smile. "Sure you haven't drunk enough to forget this conversation?"

"Probably not."

"Just my luck, huh?"

She smiled and gave him a hug, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before pulling away, and shrugging out of his coat. "Things will get better, Pace."

He watched her go, biting down hard on his lip. She slipped gracefully into the cab with a classic Joey Potter half smile that didn't quite reach her lips. He lifted a hand in a weak sort of half wave as the car turned a circle and started to leave. "I hope so."