Ash smiled tightly at the group seated around a large lunch table. "Have any of you seen Pacey?" She asked, waiting for one of his friends to direct her in her boyfriend's direction. The gay one pointed to the lunch line and she smiled fakely at him, taking a seat beside Joey to wait for him to join her. She knew he'd come here before he even started to look for her.

Her eyes glinted when she saw something flash through Joey's eyes. As much as she tried, the brunette couldn't disguise her distaste for the her. It was almost amusing. The whole school knew about the triangle last year, and it was so obvious Joey was jealous.

"Hey, Joey," She waited until she had the other girl's attension. "I've been trying to think of something romantic to do for Pacey. Any ideas?"

Joey froze, "Nope. Sorry."

The corner of Ash's lips turned up. "Really? I was thinking we could take True Love out on the water for a midnight picnic under the stars. I know that it's still winter and all, but I think I'll be able to keep him warm." Joey took a big bite of her sandwich to keep from saying anything. Ash lowered her voice, saying each word with perfectly measured malice, "Or hot...I could make him very, *very* hot. The cold wont be a bother at all. It'll be perfect...we wont need to return until morning. But then...he'll probably be too tried to steer the boat back to the dock. So maybe it's not such a perfect idea. What do *you* think?"

"I think, Ash, that you're a lot stupider than you appear if you think your exploits with Pacey have any effect on me."

"You talk big, Potter, but you don't fool anybody. Least of all me."

"You know, I really don't understand what he sees in you."

Again, the other girl lowered her voice, "I really don't think you want to know," she replied, her words heavy with sexual insinuation.

"Well, isn't this just perfect," Pacey said dryly as he joined them at the table.

"Oh, Pacey," Ash's demeanor changed completely. "I was hoping you and I could eat lunch together today." She finished her sentance with a perfected pout.

He raised an eyebrow. "And we're not now?"

She leaned forward, "I mean *alone*."

He shrugged. "Okay, I guess."

She smiled widely at him, taking in his broad shoulders and narrow waist as he stood up with his tray. He certainly was worth the effort it was costing her to try and get him in the sack.

"So, any particular reason you felt like eating alone today?"

She shot a triumphant look at Joey over her shoulder, just as she expected, the brunette was watching them walk away. "Hmm? No reason. I just want to have my boyfriend all to myself, that's all."

He smiled. "If you say so."

"That's okay with you, isn't it?" She brushed her breasts against his arm as they walked to a small table in the corner.

"Why would I have a problem with it?"

"Just making sure," she smiled sweetly, sitting down in one of the chairs.

He smiled weakly as he sat down across from her.

She put her elbows on the table and put her face in her hands as she watched him put ketchup over his fries. "Hey, Pace. What are you doing tonight?"

"Um, I don't think I have anything planned."

"Well, I was thinking..." She turned her head coyly as she slipped her foot from her shoe and moved it slowly along his calf. "We should really get together. I haven't seen you much this weekend."

"Wasn't there some party you wanted to go to?"

"Hmmm," her foot ventured higher, "I think we could probably create our own party."

He shifted back in his seat a bit. "That's nice."

She licked her ruby red lips, "Can you get the beach house to yourself tonight?"

"I think Gretchen's having some of her friends over."

"Hmmm," she gave him a sultry look. "My place it is then."

"I guess."

"Don't sound so thrilled, Pace."

He smiled at her apologetically. "I'm sorry. I guess it's just been a long day."

She grinned, "I'll make you forget *all* about it tonight. I promise."

"I'll be looking forward to it then."

She grinned happily and stole a french fry from his tray.


The main door to the bathrooms swung open just as Joey zipped up her jeans during the break between fifth period and sixth. She paid the girls no mind until she heard a cackling laugh she had become all to familiar with in the last three weeks.

"He's coming over again?" A girl whose voice Joey didn't recognize spoke. They had obviously entered the bathrooms mid-conversation.

"Tonight at nine." Ash said with a smack of her lips. Joey peered through the crack in the stall door to watch as the two girls pulled out make-up bags and began to heavily apply each product to their faces.

"Why so late?"

Ash turned to her friend with a knowing smile, "Why do you think?"

"Ohhhh," Tara said finally catching on. Joey hoped that they weren't talking about Pacey. "I still can't believe you landed Pacey Witter." No such luck.

"Oh please, it's not like he was a difficult catch. He's completely on the rebound." Ash scoffed.

"Yeah, but he's a senior and absolutely gorgeous to boot."

"You're forgetting how he is in bed," Ash said slyly, lying through her teeth. There was no reason Tara needed to know that she'd yet to nail her boyfriend. "I don't think I've come so hard in my life." Joey leaned back against the stall wall, feeling her knees go weak.

"He's really that good?"

"He's really that good," she emphasized. "I mean, the first time we did it, I nearly blacked out." She smiled as she embellished her lies, "He couldn't seem to wait to get inside me. It was the day we started dating and we snuck into the janitors closet on the third floor," She smiled and lowered her voice as though telling a secret, "He took me against the wall."

Tara fanned herself. "I can just imagine what he's like in a bed."

"Girl, you have no idea. He's insatiable!" She tilted her head, "Every night he's over at my place, climbing through my window. Sometimes, I have to turn him away. I mean, a girls got to get some sleep, right?"

"Come on," Tara prodded, "tell me more."

"I donno if I should," Ash backed down shyly. It was all an act.

"Please? I have to wait five days to get some action from Mike, at least let me live vicariously through you."

"Fine, but this is between us." Joey could see the other girl nod through the cracks and felt sick to her stomach. "Well, the man is liquid sex. He can be rough and demanding and so hot, and ugh! Just thinking about it makes me cream," she confided. She was getting better and better at this lying thing. "Then when it's late and we're alone in my room, his touch is feather light and sensual and I just can't wait to have him again and again and again. He drives me mad."

The girl grinned wickedly, "And his...?"

"Huge," Ash's face split into a grin. "And he knows how to use it in ways you've only dreamed about, Tara."

"You think maybe he'd be interested in giving Mike a few pointers?"

"I'll ask," Ash promised. "But you know how men are. They like to guard their secrets."

The girls finished their masks with a layer of lipstick. "I'm going to be late for Chem," Tara frowned at her perfectly made up reflection the mirror.

"So what?"

"If I'm late one more time, I get detention."

"Oh, damn. Me too. God, I hate the art teacher. I mean, is my art really going to suffer if I start two minutes later than the rest of the class?" She snapped her purse shut and they headed for the door.

Their conversation faded as they walked away, leaving Joey alone in the bathroom. Her stomach churned with nausea at the prospect of having to go to her art class and face Ash now. She forced herself to stand up straight and wipe her eyes. It was only Pacey.

Pacey who she loved and gave her virginity to. Pacey who had a girlfriend he had lots of sex with. Pacey who wasn't hers and never would be.

She pushed the stall door open and moved to the sinks, splashing water on her face so that she'd calm down. She couldn't do this. She couldn't keep caring so much. She had Kyle. She liked Kyle. And Kyle liked her back.

Drying her face she resolved herself not to care anymore. What he and Ash did was not her business. With an assertive nod she turned on her heel and headed down the hall for her art class.

Arriving a few minutes after the bell rang, she had to apologize to her art teacher, Mr. Spacky. She found the only open easel was right next to Ash's. Groaning inwardly, she took her time collecting her supplies before finally sitting down with her work.

She placed her half painted canvas on the easel and stared critically at it for a few moments. The painting was a watercolor of Dawson and Pacey from early last year. Back when their friendship was pure and untarnished. She sighed, looking at Pacey. Life sucked.

"His eyes aren't like that."

Ash's voice invaded her quiet pity party. "Huh?"

"Pacey's eyes aren't like that." She insisted, pointing an accusatory finger at the painting. "They aren't that dark." She paused, "Unless he's in the throes of passion. But I don't think that's the emotion you're going for, is it?"

Joey's eyes darkened, "No." She kept her eyes on her canvas, then tried to busy herself mixing paints.

"Interesting subject matter you chose."

"Is there any hope that we can work in silence?" Joey asked scathingly.

"What is it about those two boys you can't resist, Joey?" The other girl didn't answer. "I mean, Pacey, sure, I can understand that. But Dawson? Ick."

"They're both my friends. Nothing more," Joey said coldly.

"Oh, right. Friends." Her voice indicated she didn't believe a word of it. "So, Joey. Since Pacey's simply your friend, can you give me advice on what to cook him? Does he like Indian food?"

"What?"

"He borrowed the Kama Sutra from the library the other day and we're gonna...flip through it tonight." She smiled triumphantly when she thought she saw Joey's face drop a shade paler. "I thought I'd make it a theme evening. Does he like East Indian?"

There was a long pause as Joey tried to keep her bearings. "You know, we've never discussed it."

"Well, you know him well enough. Would he be open to...experimentation? I suppose I could just tie him up and force feed him. I already know he enjoys that."

Joey just shook her head, unable to believe how crass this girl was. "I'm sure he does."

"The man has amazing stamina. I've never heard of anyone maintaining an erection for that long. I could barely get out of bed the next morning."

Closing her eyes for a moment, Joey tried to force the words from her mind. "Do you really thing you should be talking about your [i]personal[/i] relationship like it's everyone's business?"

Ash shrugged turning back to her work. "I just thought you'd like to know what you're missing out on."

"Thanks, but I've got a boyfriend of my own." She paused, an idea coming to her. "And for that matter, he's coming over tonight himself." It couldn't have worked out better, it was just going to be her and Alex at home that night.

"Oh, that's right. Kyle. How is that anyway?"

"Just fine."

They fell into silence, going back to work. Normally, this conversation wouldn't have bothered her. She knew Ash didn't like her friendship with Pacey and was trying to make her jealous. Up until that day, she thought it had been just talk. But the fact that she'd overheard Ash and Tara in the bathroom having a very candid conversation...maybe it wasn't just talk.


Joey sighed sadly as Sam played the piano again for Ilsa on screen. She rested her head on Kyle's shoulder. Their fingers lay intertwined between them on the couch in the main room of the Bed and Breakfast. She had invited him over for dinner, and they'd been flipping through the channels looking for something to watch and came across Casablanca, her favorite movie. It had taken some convincing to get Kyle to agree to watch it with her, but she had.

There was a knock on the door, and reluctantly Joey pulled herself away from Kyle to answer it. Bessie and Bodie were out for the night, they kept a standing date on Monday nights and were currently at the Rialto.

Pacey smiled when she opened the door. "Joey, my favorite wench."

"Who are you calling a wench, Loser?" She replied, leaning against the doorjam.

"Sure, know how to make a guy feel appreciated."

She checked her watch, "I thought you had plans with Ash tonight?" She asked lightly, examining him under the porch light trying to assimilate if he'd already been there or not.

"She canceled."

"Oh," she frowned, "So you came to your standby."

He shook his head. "Nah, Andie wasn't home."

"Hmm."

"So then I tried Jack, and he wasn't there either."

"Next comes Dawson, and then, hey, you probably even went to see if Jen was home first too!" She scowled, more in anger at herself than at him. So much for playing it calm and collected.

"But hey, you were before Doug, so that has to count for something."

She snorted, rolling her eyes. "Woo hoo."

He rubbed his hands together. "Now you think you're gonna let me inside? It's pretty damn cold out here."

She opened her mouth to answer just as Kyle appeared behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hey Pacey," he greeted the other boy with a smile, then spoke to Joey. "I wondered who was keeping you. That movie is deathly boring without you to keep me company, Jo."

Pacey raised an eyebrow. "Joey, you didn't tell me you had guests."

She shrugged, her eyes wide as she watched Pacey, wondering what he was thinking. "Pacey, this is Kyle. Kyle, Pacey."

Pacey extended his hand. "Hey, Joey's told me nothing about you."

Kyle reached around her to shake hands, the other boy's grip was stronger than he expected. "She's told me the same about you."

Joey looked between them, what was she supposed to have said? This is Pacey, the guy who took my virginity in a drunken stupor and this is Kyle, my boyfriend I care nothing about? She forced a smile, "I shouldn't have to, you've been going to school together for years."

Pacey playfully pinched her cheek. "You are such a people person." He looked at Kyle. "She's adorable, isn't she?"

"Perfectly," Kyle nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Joey smiled faintly, and leaned into his touch. "So, Pace. You want to come in? We were watching Casablanca."

"Don't mind if I do."

Kyle and Joey moved out of the doorway to let Pacey inside and they all headed for the living room. "Bessie and Bodie are doing their weekly date thing," she informed Pacey as she took a seat on the couch beside her boyfriend.

"Whole house to yourself, huh?" He arched a speculative eyebrow at her.

"Aside from Alexander," Kyle said, not liking the way Pacey was looking at Joey just then.

Pacey shrugged. "Cute kid."

"Speaking of," Joey rose from the couch, unable to stand the tension in the room. "I should go check on him. I'll be right back."

"I think I'm gonna grab myself a soda," Pacey said standing up after a moment. "Want anything?"

"No," Kyle replied shortly, turning his attension to the television as he tried to get involved in the movie.

He shrugged, heading for the kitchen. "O-kay."

Joey peeked in the door to Alex's room to see him sleeping peacefully in his crib. What was she doing? She wondered, Pacey and Kyle in the same room was just asking for trouble. She closed the door quietly and walked down the hall, she peeked around the corner to see only Kyle in the living room. Against her better judgement, she walked into the kitchen to look for Pacey.

Pacey rummaged around the fridge in search of something to eat, when he canceled on Ash, he hadn't really figured in dinner. "Aha." He pulled out a container of lasagna and the remaining pieces of rich chocolate cake that must've been dessert.

"And your reason for visiting becomes clear," Joey said dryly as he put the lasagna in the microwave to warm up.

"Just doing my part in emptying the contents of your fridge."

"Someone's got to eat the leftovers, I guess."

"Right...shouldn't you be keeping your boyfriend company?"

"Yeah, I should." She opened one of the cupboards and stood on the tips of her toes as she reached to the highest shelf to pull down the box of hot cocoa mix, revealing a wide expanse of skin as her shirt rode up.

He couldn't help but let his gaze linger a bit before raising his eyes. "But you're not." He came up behind her and pulled the box down for her.

"Thank you," she mumbled, slightly disoriented after he brushed his body against hers. She proceeded to fill the kettle with water and place it on the stove to boil.

"Not a problem."

She frowned and busied herself pouring the drink mixes into two mugs. "You want some?"

He shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine."

"Kay." She bent over, and opened one of the lower cupboards, looking for the package of miniture marshmellows she knew was in it somewhere.

Pacey hurriedly turned away and checked on his food in the microwave.

"Aha," she smiled to herself as she found the bag and pulled it out. He cast a glance at her over his shoulder before turning back to his food. She undid the tie on the bag and popped one of the colored marshmellows in her mouth.

He walked over to her. "Hey, Jo, let me see that bag for a second." She quirked an eyebrow, but handed it to him "Thanks." He slid it into the large pocket of his khaki pants just as the microwave sounded and he walked over to take out his food.

She gave him a disbeliving look. "Pacey."

"What?"
"I k
inda need those," she gestured to his full pocket.

"Need what?" he asked innocently.

"Hmm, maybe the marshmellows that are in your pocket?" she suggested sarcastically.

"What marshmellows?"

"Pacey, I'm really not in the mood to play around with you."

He grabbed his plate and sat down at the counter. "Good, because I want to eat."

She frowned as the whistle on the kettle blew. She removed it from the burner and poured the steaming liquid into the cups. "Pacey, marshmellows, hand 'em over."

"Have no idea what you're talking about," he said as he began to eat.

"Do I have to go into your pockets for you?" She threatened.

"Empty threat."

"Pacey, please? I really don't want to do this right now, okay? Kyle's out there waiting."

"Then you better hurry up and go to him."

"Hand over the sugar. You've got a whole piece of chocolate cake in front of you. You don't need a package of mashmallows to boot."

He shook his head. "Uh-uh."

"Why not?"

He shrugged taking a bite of his food.

She yanked his plate out of his reach, "I'll trade you."

He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Dinner for the mashmellows." He looked at her unaffected and pulled the bag of marshmellows in his pocket. Then he began to eat them. "Fine," she glared at him. "You know what, this is pointless." She took the two mugs of cocoa, minus mashmellows, and walked back to the living room to join Kyle.

"Hey, I was wondering what you were doing." He smiled at her, taking one of the drinks from her. "Where's Pacey?"

"Eating."

"Oh," Kyle nodded and put his arm around Joey as she settled beside him. She pulling an afghan over their legs, holding her drink carefully as she did so. Joey frowned after a moment, remembering the last time she'd watched this movie. With Pacey.

The bag of marshmellows landed in Joey's lap and Pacey smiled wryly from the doorway. "I think I'm gonna go."

"You're welcome to stay," she said, her eyes masked.

"Actually," Kyle shifted away from Joey. "As much as I'd love to stay, I should be heading home too. My parents have this ridiculous curfew for me." He smiled apologetically at Joey.

"Now that's just too bad," Pacey said dryly.

Just then the sound Alex's wails came through the hallway and Joey looked between Pacey and Kyle, before taking a step towards the back of the house.

"I'll go check on him." Pacey headed to the room before Joey moved any further. She nodded, and took Kyle's hand to walk him out to his car.

"Hey there little man." He smiled and reached into the crib, gathering Alex in his arms. Alex's cries ceased immediatly when he saw his Uncle Pacey and he smiled, grabbing for Pacey's nose. Pacey grabbed his small hand and began to walk him around the room. "Now what do you think of this Kyle character?" Alex gurgled and Pacey nodded. "Exactly what I thought."

He walked over to the window and pushed back the curtain to take a look out the window. "She's probably kissing him now," he murmured. Alex blew some spit bubbles and grinned. He shifted Alex in his arms. "You have a warped sense of humor kid."

He replied by pushing Pacey's cheeks together. "Pay-ee."

Pacey grinned and kissed the top of his head. "Alex."

"You're good with him," Joey said softly from the doorway.

He turned around surprised to see her there, then he shrugged. "He just likes me."

"What was wrong with him?"

"With who?"

"The baby was who was crying his lungs out a few minutes ago?" She asked with a smile.

"I think something woke him up." He rubbed Alex's back soothingly.

"Oh," she stepped forward and touched her finger to the tip of Alex's nose. "If you want, I can take him and you can go."

He shook his head. "I don't mind. I'll just wait until he falls back asleep." Alex grabbed onto Pacey's ear and pulled. "If he ever plans on going back to sleep..."

"Come on," she tugged on Pacey's sleeve. "I'll make him some warm milk and we can finish watching the movie."

He bounced Alex in his arms a bit. "Sounds like an idea, huh Al?"

"Okay," she left him to go into the kitchen, pouring Alex a bottle of milk and putting it in the microwave on low to warm it.

Pacey rocked Alex in his arms. "C'mon little guy, let's get back to sleep. You're not the only one that wants to spend time with your Aunt Joey."

A minute later, Joey returned and handed him the bottle before sitting down beside him to watch the movie. "Here ya go," he murmured quietly. He cradled Alex carefully in his arms as he fed him the bottle.

Joey watched them for a moment. At age two, Alex was over his need to eat from a bottle, but at night, when he couldn't sleep a warm bottle always succeeded in knocking him out. "You're gonna be a great father."

He gazed down at Alex who was now fighting to keep his eyes open as he drank from the bottle. "You think?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I do. For all that you know nothing about women...you're great with kids."

"Only you could manage to compliment and insult me all at the same time."

She tilted her head to the side, "It's a talent."

"Haha."

She settled into the couch, watching the movie. It was nearing the end now, and she sighed, watching Ilsa admit that she wanted to be with Rick. "You remind me of Rick, Pace."

He looked up at the television curious. "Why?"

"Because," she said, wondering why he didn't see it. "Rick has that tough outer shell. He's suave, charming, and even though he doesn't want to enter the war...in the end he does what's right. He fights the good fight. And when it came to Ilsa...well..."

"He's an idiot?"

She rolled her eyes, "He loves her enough to let her go."

"What a sap."

"If you say so." She sighed, turning her eyes back to the screen.

He smiled, his eyes drifting back to Alex. "Hey, he's finally asleep."

She took the bottle from him, her fingers brushing his and putting the bottle on the coffee table next to her cold hot chocolate. "You want me to put him back?"

"If you want."

"You can keep holding him if you'd like. He'll probably start crying when I put him down anyway."

"I'll put him down. I should be going." He carried Alex back to his room. She swallowed and nodded, watching him walk down the hall away from her. She took the afghan and wrapped it around herself and stared unseeing at the television.

Pacey cleared his throat uncomfortably and watched her from the entryway. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

She frowned, "Why did you come here, Pacey?"

He shrugged. "I told you already."

"You were supposed to be with Ash, fucking her brains out," She was surprised by the vehemnance of her words, but didn't apologize for them.

"Like I told you, she canceled."

She pulled the blanket tighter and stared hard at the TV. "Fine. Bye."

"You're mad at me?"

"Of course not." She answered automatically, her jaw clenched.

"Did I ruin your little date with Kyle?"

"No, that ended nicely. Very nicely."

"I'm sure it did."

"Weren't you leaving?" She asked flippiantly.

He pushed away from the wall. "Right, I was."

"I'd say have a good night, but I suppose Ash already ruined your chances for that." She spit, refusing to look at him.

He grabbed her arm forcefully, making her look at him. His voice hard. "Is that what you think, Joey? That I'm all about sex?"

"Sure seems that way," she said angrily.

His eyes narrowed intently and he slid his hand behind her neck, pressing his lips harshly against hers.

Joey fought the emotion that rose in her chest at first, trying to pull away from him. He woudn't let her, and she soon gave into him, kissing him back as passionatly as she could. He groaned, his hand tangling in the soft strands of her hair. He slid his other hand under her shirt, aching to feel her warm skin.

At the contact, she pushed him away with a glare. "See, Pacey. Sex," she accused, trying in vain to appear unaffected.

"That's funny, Potter because if I were just about sex, I wouldn't be wasting my time with you. I'd find someone that was actually good at it!"

Her hand made sharp contact with the side of his face, leaving the palm of her hand stinging, just as her eyes did. He glared at her in disbelief. "What the hell is your problem?!"

"You are!" She yelled back.

"What did I do now?!"

"This! When Ash turned you away, you came here looking to get laid! Cause, hey, if Joey did it when you were drunk, it must be easy to get in her pants again! Well, sorry, you can't manipulate my feelings that way! I won't let you!"

"Woman, are you insane?! I didn't think that okay? And how could you even think I thought that?!"

"How could I think that?! How could it be anything else! You changed Pacey! From being this amazing guy I fell in love with this to this...this sex crazed bag of over-zealous hormones!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Does the third floor janitors closet ring a bell?!"

"Uh, no."

"Well, isn't that just classic. You don't even remember!"

"What don't I remember?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Fucking Ash against the wall. Less then a month after New Years."

"You're crazy. I never slept with Ash."

"Right. And you never slept with me either." She spit.

"I didn't? Okay."

She eyed him warily, suddenly wondering if she was wrong. His clear blue eyes were stormy with anger and...hurt? "She said you climb through her window every night."

"Well she lied."

"To her best friend?"

"You'd rather believe I'd lie to you?"

"What else am I supposed to believe, Pacey?" She asked, the anger gone from her voice, leaving only her anguish.

"You're supposed to believe me."

"You want me to believe that...that you actually..." She had trouble saying the words. Especially after making a horribly wrong assumption just minutes before.

"You're unbelievable."

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down, "I don't know what to think here, Pacey. I don't want to get hurt again."

"Well neither do I."

"And you think I'd hurt you?"

"You have a pretty good history of it."

She sighed, "I can't make you trust me, Pacey. Just like I couldn't make you love me."

"You didn't have to make me, Potter. I already did."

"...Did?"

"I never stopped."

She blinked, and lifted her eyes to meet his. Seeing his eyes so brilliantly blue with his honestly, she felt her mouth go dry. "B-but Jen and Ash..." she protested weakly.

"Ash was never anything serious, and I thought that if I loved Jen, I wouldn't love you anymore. But I was just fooling myself, Jo. I love you. I've always loved you."

The corners of her mouth lifted just barely and she blinked as she felt her eyes become moist. "Really?" she whispered brokenly.

"Really."

She smiled almost in disbelief and threw her arms around his neck. She held him tightly, buring her face in his neck as silent tears slipped from her eyes.

"I love you Joey," he murmured huskily tightening his hold on her as he held her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling deeply. "I love you so much, Potter."

"I love you too, Pace." She murmured, pulling away from him so she could look into his face. She touched his cheek reverently, "For so long, and I'm so sorry for last spring. None of this would have happened if I--" He silenced her with a soft kiss.