Pacey walked out of the bedroom he and Joey had been sharing. She had been gone all day and he was starting to wonder what she was doing. She had a few errands for Bessie to run, but it shouldn't have taken all day. He found Bessie standing in the kitchen and realized that she knew where Joey was. "Where is my wife?"

Bessie smiled as she made a pitcher of kool-aid for Alexander, "Why, whatever do you mean, Pacey?"

He smiled, "Nice try. She's been gone all day, doing errands for you. Now, going to the grocery store and buying light bulbs shouldn't take all day. So where is she? What is she up to?"

She shook her head, "You should pay closer attention, she only said she was going to run some errands for me. It just so happens, she had a few of her own to do."

"What is she doing? Tell me."

"Impatient, much?" Bessie chuckled.

"Yes."

"Go watch the football game or something. She'll come back when she's good and ready." She poured water into the plastic container and shook it up.

"Tell me or I will throw you over my shoulder and spin you until you puke. I'll do it too. You know I will."

She tilted her head thoughtfully, "You've seen Joey's wrath, been the victim of it more times than anyone, do I look stupid to you?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

"Given the choice of puking and facing my sister's fury...I'd rather puke." She brushed him away as she pulled ice cubes from the freezer.

He groaned, "You Potter women drive me insane!"

Smiling sweetly, Bessie pointed out the window as Joey pulled up in the truck, "She's a Witter now."

Pacey opened the door, "Where have you been?"

"Nice to see you too, sweetheart." She brushed a faint kiss over his lips.

"Didn't answer my question. Nice to see you too. But where have you been?"

"Out," she breezed past him and into the kitchen. Smiling at her sister, she put groceries on the counter.

He looked at Bessie, then turned to Joey. He threw her over one of his shoulders and took her back into the bedroom. The whole time she screamed her protests. He set her down on the floor, "Where have you been?"

She gazed up at him dubiously, "Did you really just carry me over your shoulder like--like some over testosteroned muscle man?"

"Yes. Answer my question now."

She arched an eyebrow, "Don't use that tone with me."

"I'm not using any tone. I would just like an answer. I had to stay in this house by myself. Not fun. Especially not on my honeymoon."

"You had other plans for your honeymoon?" She asked innocently.

"Don't start. What's the big secret?"

"You know, you pulled how many surprises on me since we got engaged? The engagement ring, the wedding ring, the honeymoon, the limo, the flowers, the gift certificate..." she ticked each off on her fingers as she spoke. "I think I'm allowed to surprise you just once."

He rolled his eyes, "Okay. So when I do I get the surprise or are you going to hold off on giving it to me? I just want to know my time frame here."

"If you hadn't thrown me over your shoulder, you could have had it by now."

He threw his hands up in the air and flopped back on the bed. He stared at the ceiling, "Okay. Sorry about throwing you over my shoulder."

Smiling with amusement she crawled over the bed, and straddled him. "I kinda liked it."

He smirked, "You would. So, you going to give me my surprise or are we going to get very sidetracked?"

She gave him a teasing kiss, and then hopped off the bed. "Give me five minutes, and then we'll leave."

"Leave? I was very comfortable right here."

"Okay, you can stay here, and I'll leave." She smiled over her shoulder as she left their room. He quickly scrambled to get off the bed and follow her out the door.

"Bessie," Joey sighed as she felt Pacey come up behind her in the kitchen. "He's a little impatient, do you think you could get everything ready while we go outside?"

"Ready? What's she getting ready? And why are we going outside?"

"You do realize you sound like a two-year-old, right?" She arched an eyebrow at him as she handed him a jacket and pulled hers on.

"Yup. But why are we going outside?"

"Pacey," she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him, knowing that Bessie was watching. "If you ask one more question, I'll be forced to hurt you. And not in the good way."

He smiled, "Mmmm...remember my motto, Jo. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me."

"I'll try and keep that in mind." She pulled away from him, and took his hand. "Let's go."

He pulled his jacket on and followed her outside, "Okay."

She led him around the house to the front yard and stopped beneath one of the old trees. "This is stop number one."

"It's a tree."

"Yes," she smiled, "But it's what's in the tree." She pointed up to very top where an old, weathered bird house sat perched on a branch. "Remember when we were eight, and you dared me to climb all the way to the top and hang it?"

He looked at her confused, then up at the bird house, "And you got scared halfway up, and...I had to climb and put it up there."

"Yep," She smiled softly, gazing up at the bird house. "And when you got back down, I was so happy you didn't get hurt that I gave you your first kiss."

He smiled, "Oh yeah. You made a man out of me, Potter."

She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks were flushed. "Come on," she led him out to the dock and sat down on the edge.

He followed her example and took a seat next to her, "Okay, now what?"

"This is where we first became friends of our own volition." She made a face, "When I was heartbroken over Dawson."

He nodded, "And I was heartbroken over Andie. I seem to remember you telling me you were upset enough as it was and to not tell you we might become friends. You were mean."

"I was all angsty," she glanced over at him, "Forgive me?"

He smiled, "Forgiven."

"Good. Glad I got that off my conscience." She stood up and held out her hand for him. "Moving on..."

He sighed, "Are we going to walk all over Capeside?"

"Nope." She shook her head with a smile, "We'll drive some of it."

He groaned, "Okay. I'm yours to command."

She sighed, hoping he'd be a little more enthusiastic. Maybe he didn't get it yet. "Back in the house now."

He followed her up the steps and looked back at the tree, then the dock. He stopped walking, then looked at her, "Potter...are you trying to show me that I have good memories here?"

"No," she shook her head, preceding him into the house. "That'd be silly."

He bit the inside of his mouth, then smiled, "Whatever you say, Potter."

Taking his hand, she pulled him into one of the empty guest rooms. She pointed to the tall dresser against one of the walls, "Use your brute strength and move that aside."

He sighed and did as he was told, "This is my surprise and I end up doing manual labor."

"Okay, that's good." She pointed to an odd splotch of green on the wall.

"What is that?"

"You tell me."

He smiled, "The paint fight. And you started it."

She narrowed her eyes, "I most certainly did not. You were the one to flick the first drop."

"Uh...who threw the first insult? You. So clearly, you started it."

"Let's not start this." She took his hand and met Bessie in the kitchen, she took the outstretched backpack from her. "Thanks, Bess. We'll be back in a few hours."

"Hours? We'll be gone for hours?"

"There's somewhere else you'd rather be?"

"No. Just asking."

"What did I tell you about questions?" She led him by the ear back outside toward the trusted family truck.

"Ow ow ow ow ow...Damn! I'm not going."

She released him abruptly. "Fine. Whatever." She moved around to the driver's side of the car and opened the door. "I'll see you later then."

He climbed into the truck, "No more pulling my ear. You are not a nun and I'm not some Catholic school boy."

"I warned you."

He folded his arms over his chest, "Why did I marry you again? Refresh my memory."

"Because you have a superhero complex."

"Along with that complex, I'm completely crazy."

"I don't know why I'm even bothering, Pacey." She gestured around them. "Do you know the significance of this truck?"

"I taught you to drive in this truck. Scratch that. I taught you to drive stick in this truck."

She started the car and put it into gear. "That was an important memory for me, maybe not for you."

"Well, considering I had gone to your house that morning to tell you I loved you...and then chickened out. I had to do something."

She slammed on the breaks, her eyes wide as she looked over at him. "You what?"

He jerked in his seat, then looked at her with wide eyes, "I think I have whiplash."

"I'll give you a massage," she dismissed him with a wave. "What did you say?"

"I never told you that?" She shook her head, and he continued, "Well, initially when I had gone to your house that morning. I went for two reasons. One to apologize for being the ass that I am. And two, to tell you that I was in love with you."

"I...Why didn't you?"

"Chicken." He shook his head, "You were looking at me...and I knew all you saw was a friend. If I had told you I loved you, then and there, what do you think you would have said or done?"

"I...I don't know." Her brow furrowed, "But...but it probably wouldn't have been the reaction you thought it would be."

"Oh? So you wouldn�t have slapped me and pushed me off your porch?"

She laughed, "No. If you'd tried to kiss me I probably would have done that."

He sighed, "But my point was...you wouldn't have said it back to me. I would have left, my heart in my hand."

"You're right, I wouldn't have said it back." She started the car again and continued to drive. "But, that doesn't mean I wouldn't have eventually."

"You did eventually."

"Not soon enough," she murmured quietly to herself.

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, "So where are we headed now?"

"Was I this obnoxious when you were trying to surprise me?" She wondered, a tiny smile playing with her lips.

"Yes. But, I could distract you."

She arched an eyebrow at him, "Was that a hint?"

"Yes," he said offering her a smile. "Was it too subtle?"

"No, not at all," she chuckled reaching across the seat for his hand.

He looked down at their hands, "Good, I would hate to think that my hints were too...encased for you," he said with a smile.

"Pacey, you've always sucked at subtly." She reminded him, reluctantly drawing her hand away to shift gears.

He leaned his head back against the headrest, "Yeah, I know. You do too, just so you know. Where are we going?" he said grinning at her.

Rolling her eyes, she shifted down as they came to a stop light, "It's really hard to distract you when I can't use my hands."

He smiled, "Well, you should tell me where we're going, then I can drive and then you can distract me."

"But then you'd know where we're going, thus ruining the surprise." She said pragmatically.

He sighed, "I hate when you're practical. At least tell me how much longer."

Tossing a grin over at him, she pulled into the Capeside High School parking lot. "We're here."

He looked at the building in front of them, "Why, in God's name, did you bring me back to this hell hole?"

"I have my reasons." She shifted into neutral and unbuckled her seat belt. "Classes ended two hours ago, so the place should be pretty much abandoned."

He unbuckled his seat belt also, "You know, I swore when I finally graduated I would never come back here."

"I don't care what you say," she smiled over at him as they got out of the car. "You can't tell me that in four years, you didn't have at least a few happy moments in those hallowed halls."

He looked up at the sky as they walked towards the building, "Let's see...umm...Nope, not really."

"Well, I know of at least one."

"Then lead the way," he said with a smirk.

She waltzed through the main doors and started down the hall. "God, it even smells the same."

"That's because nothing in Capeside ever changes."

"Too true," she headed for the auditorium, a soft swing to her hips.

He followed her and sighed, "Okay, wait up," he said jogging slowly to catch up to her.

She paused at the door, and held it open for him, "After you?"

He walked inside and then looked back at her, "Okay, why are we in here?"

"Must I jog your memory every time?" She complained with a smile. "Does Barefoot in the Park ring any bells?"

He sighed, "Oh God. You think that was a good memory? I spent most of the night thinking of you and college guy. But you know..." he said looking at her, "it was kind of fun. Being someone else for a night."

"I should have been there opening night," Joey sighed, staring unseeing at the stage. "But I was told you were just as amazing as in the other three shows I saw."

He nodded and stared at the stage, "I was damn good, if I do say so myself."

"You were fantastic." Joey smiled, picturing him up there on the stage, fake sideburns and all. "I wish you could have seen yourself from my point of view. I was so proud of you."

He smiled and looked over at her, "You know, it was partially due to your help. You helped me learn those lines. Even though you refused to practice the kissing," he said poking her lightly in the side.

"I was terrified of kissing you," She poked him back.

"Why? Was I that bad?"

"No. It wasn't that." She shifted her weight uncomfortably, thinking back on that time in her life. "I was scared that I'd like it. Does that make any sense?"

"Uh, I guess."

"We'd become real friends, and I was starting to see you in a different light. After we did those scenes where we were supposed to kiss...I'd wonder what it would be like. I think some part of me knew that it would be...mind blowing. And that terrified me. So I stopped letting myself consider it."

He smiled, "I never knew you felt that way."

She gave him a shy half smile, "Yeah, well, I barely let myself think it, let alone put it into words. Besides, there was AJ to consider."

"Ah yes. College boy. Excuse me while I puke."

"You were so jealous." She grinned over at him, taking his hand as they left the auditorium. "I don't know how I ever missed that."

"No kidding. I mean, it was obvious to just about everyone except Dawson and you."

"Well, Dawson is Dawson, so he has an excuse." She shook her head with a rueful smile. "I was just stupid."

"No argument from me."

She smacked his chest lightly, "No need to rub it in. Have I ever apologized for that spring?"

He was quiet for a minute, "Jo, you really don't need to apologize. You were in a tough spot. I mean, Dawson said choose. I'm just glad that when the choice was made I was the one you came to." He was quiet again, "And just so you know, you haven't apologized," he said with a small smile.

"Well, I am sorry." She smiled softly at him as the stepped outside. She breathed in the fresh air, "Maybe we should stop rehashing our past. It's sorta depressing."

"Some of it was. Some stuff...like Key West, that was fun."

"Ten years later and I still can't believe I just hopped on that boat with you and sailed away."

"Neither can I."

"Ready for our next stop?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

She held out the keys to him, "I'll even let you drive."

"Really? You realize that means you have to tell me where we're going right?"

"I know." She gave him a secretive smile.

He climbed into the driver's side as Joey climbed into the passenger's side, "Okay, where to?"

"20th and Vine. Specifically where those condominiums were built our Senior year."

He looked over at her, then drove to in the direction of the condos she'd mentioned. "Okay, I remember a lot of things growing up here, but I don't remember the condos."

"They were completed during the summer that you left." She explained as he pulled up to the buildings. "Okay, go park over there," she pointed to one of the parking spots. "It's close enough."

He still looked confused as he pulled into a parking space, "Okay..."

She smiled sweetly at him, "For once, this happy memory has nothing to do with me."

"Does it have to do with me?"

"Yes, Pacey." She glanced around them, not bothering to get out of the truck. "Roughly right in this spot was your and Dawson's secret club house that I was never allowed to visit." She rolled her eyes, "Boys only my ass."

He smiled, "Oh yeah." He looked over at her, "That wasn't my rule. It was Dawson's."

"It didn't stop me." She smiled, "I used to spy on you guys all the time. Who do you think told Missy Parker that you had a crush on her in third grade?"

His mouth fell open as he looked at her with wide eyes, "That was you!?"

She blinked at him innocently, "It might have been."

"God...all this time I thought it was Dawson. Which is why I told Abby he liked her. I guess I shouldn't have done that considering it wasn't true."

She laughed, "See...adolescence wasn't all bad."

"So this is your way of telling me that my memories of Capeside shouldn't all be bad. I get that, Potter. I know they aren't all bad."

"Good," she smiled. "Because both the good and the bad made you who you are. Capeside's in your blood, Pace."

He sighed, "Is that what's going to cause my arteries to clog up?"

"Nooo...that would be all the McDonald's you eat," She teased. "I think we can cut our tour a little short, since you're willing to admit there was plenty of good. One last stop before we go home."

"I still get to drive right?"

"I suppose..." she sighed, and then grinned. "To the marina, Jeeves."

He pulled out of the space and made his way to the marina, "So, are we going on another boat ride?"

"Nope." She shook her head with a small frown.

"Nope? Then why go to the Marina? You know what? Nevermind. I'll find out in a few minutes anyway."

"Now you're learning."

He pulled up to the marina and parked the truck, "Okay, now what?"

"This is where traditionally, people get out of the car." She gave him a soft smile and opened her door, and then pulled out the bag Bessie had given her.

He shook his head as he climbed out of the car, "So...how long have you been planning all of this? Since this morning?"

"Yeah," she nodded and started down the sidewalk to where he had used to keep True Love docked. "It's not much," she shrugged a shoulder helplessly as they walked, "Considering everything you've given me, but I tried."

He wrapped an arm around her as they walked down the dock, "You did an incredible job." He kissed the side of her head, "Thank you."

She shook her head, "I drove you around, it's hardly anything."

"It's something. You tried to make me see that Capeside is a part of me whether I like it or not. Point proven. Not only that, you took me to several of the landmarks in our relationship. So, it was fun," he said with a smile.

"I also skipped a few," she smiled softly. "There were at least another dozen or so spots I had in mind. Not all pertained to us." She followed him down onto the dock, glad that there wasn't another boat moored in True Love's spot.

"Yeah...God I miss her. How about you?"

"She was always more your boat than mine." She pulled a small blanket out from the bag and laid it on the dock before sinking to her knees on it.

He looked down at her, "Well...yeah. But you spent three months on that boat too. I mean, don't you care a little that she sank?"

She blushed, "I cared a lot, Pace. So much that the next day, I went scouring the beaches looking for some of the wreckage..."

He sighed and sank down beside her, "Did you find...anything?"

"Promise you wont be mad?"

"Why? What did you do?"

She reached into the bag and pulled out the plaque that they'd gone to such trouble to get, battered and worn from the storm and the years that followed. She handed it to him, "I don't know what made me keep it all those years ago...maybe some part of me saw the sinking of the boat as a bad omen for our relationship...I don't know."

He took a deep breath as he stared at the plaque in his hands, True Love still having the same effect that it always did. He looked up at her, "You never...you kept this and...you knew how much it hurt for me to lose that boat? Why--why didn't you ever tell me you had it, Jo?"

"I don't really have a reason, Pace. Not ones that makes any sense."

He shook his head and looked at it again, "Was--was this attached...or..."

"There were a few small pieces washed up nearby, nothing recognizable. I'm sorry." She looked down at her hands, "I know I shouldn't have kept it without telling you. I just...I almost lost you that night. And it felt like you'd rather have gone down with True Love than come back to me." She gave a watery laugh, "I know it was irrational, but I think part of me was jealous of how much you loved her."

He looked up at Joey and sighed, "That...True Love was my pride and joy. I built her up from my bare hands, Jo. When I felt like nothing else in the world would ever be there for me to go to...I had her. When I thought I had no chance with you...that boat was my escape from all the pain..." He took a shaky breath, "But believe me when I say that I loved you more than I loved that boat. I was just...so hurt and outraged that something I had made and trusted could leave me. It was never about loving the boat more than you. It was about losing a part of me.

"When she sank, I lost a piece of me, Joey. A piece I can never get back. All my anger, frustration, confusion, and heartache went into that boat. My heart went into restoring it and making a dream of mine come true. It...it killed me to lose that boat, but not nearly as much as it did to lose you."

She felt tears sting her eyes, "I'm giving you back a piece of True Love, Pacey. It's a little battered and a little worn, but that doesn't mean that it's lost any of it's meaning." She swallowed with a dull laugh, "As far as wedding presents go, it's pretty cheap..."

"You're giving this to me?"

"That's what I drove all the way back to Boston to get," she smiled faintly at him.

"That's where you've been? You drove back to Boston?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I almost didn't make it back. That truck is a hazard on the freeway."

He smiled slightly, "So you basically risked life and limb to go get this? I think I owe you big time. I can't believe you've had it all this time."

"My life was hardly hanging in the balance," She rolled her eyes. "I should have given it to you sooner, the time just never seemed right."

"I can see how you would say that." He stared at the plaque, "I still can't believe it."

"I'm sorry, Pace."

He nodded, "I know."

She leaned forward and started pulling food out of the bag. "We're dwelling on the past too much. You hungry?"

"Yeah. I kept waiting for you to come back so we could get something to eat. But since you were in Boston...it's understandable why you weren't here."

"You actually waited for me before you ate?" She shook her head with a teasing smile. "Why, Pacey, I do believe you love me."

He raised an eyebrow, "What gives you that idea? Cause I didn't eat until you got home?"

"Yep." She nodded, "I've never known you to deny your appetites."

He smirked, "You got me. Because I didn't make myself a sandwich I am hopelessly in love with you."

She winked at him, "I knew it."