Disclaimer: Sorry to disapoint you, we do not own the characters of this story, we never have, and we never will. Those rights belong to Columbia Tristar Television, and various others.
Author's Note:This is the sequel to Untouched. The third book of the four book series. This takes place FOUR years after Untouched. Everything else pretty much ends up explained. Pacey and Joey haven't communicated at all.

Joey awoke with a start, chest heaving. She'd just had the most terrible nightmare. She was pregnant and-- Her eyes dropped to her stomach where Pacey's hand rested and she slowly turned her head to watch him. She could barely make out his form in the dim light of the room. Light filtered in from her curtained windows casting strange shadows along the planes of his face. She tentatively reached out to touch him, her eyes tearing; wanting to make sure that he was real. She brushed her fingertips along his cheek marveling at the slightly scratchy feel. She smiled faintly despite the slight ache in her chest.

Pacey stirred slightly under her touch. Her gaze drifted back to his hand on her stomach and she placed her hand lightly on top of his, brushing her thumb over the back of it. "What am I going to do?" she murmured.

"Do?" he mumbled tiredly, his eyes still closed.

She nodded turning to face him. She tentatively raised her hand, running her fingers gently over his lips. "What am I going to do?" she repeated softly.

"About?" he questioned, opening his eyes sleepily.

She smiled wistfully, he looked adorable almost like the seventeen-year-old boy she had first fallen in love with. "Let's not talk about it now," she whispered.

"Okay," he moved his hand from her stomach to cup her face, he ran his thumb over her cheekbone, "How are you feeling?"

Her eyes fluttered shut reveling in his touch. "Better," she breathed quietly.

"Hmm, so if I were to kiss you now," he whispered, "It's not going to make you sick?"

She smiled and slowly opened her eyes, locking them with his. "Only one way to find out."

He returned her smile and slowly met his lips to hers. He tried to ignore the fact that his heart was now racing, or that he couldn't remembering feeling more whole than he did just then.

She tentatively touched her tongue to his lips seeking entrance to the warmth of his mouth. His lips parted, granting her access and she ran her tongue along his teeth, leisurely discovering hollows and caverns that elicited responses as she kissed him wholly and fully.

He ran his fingers through her hair gently, kissing her long and thoroughly. His lips and tongue lazily tasting her sweet mouth, his heart pounding with something having nothing to do with desire. Her soft moan was lost in his mouth and she pressed herself closer against him, getting lost in the feel and taste of him.

He pulled away slightly, "Jo, you're sick."

She laughed softly. "I'm feeling better."

"Hmm, seems I've heard that before," he nuzzled her cheek.

She smirked. "Well, I can definitely tell you it's not contagious."

"I'm not worried about catching it." He ran his hand along her side, "I'm worried about you."

She smiled warmly. "I should be fine. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow."

"Good," He said, kissing her again lightly, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.

"I know," she said softly.

He sat up a little and looked over at the clock on her bedside table. 11:54. He relaxed beside her, "I should probably go."

"You don't have to."

"I don't?"

She bit her lower lip nervously. "Stay."

"The night?" He asked. His eyes softened, "Truthfully, Potter, I don't think I'd leave even if I wanted to."

The corners of her mouth turned up into a small smile. "Good."

"You need anything?" He asked.

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

"You wanna go back to sleep?"

She shook her head again lying on her back. "I'm not tired anymore."

"What do you feel like doing?" He rested his hand on the side of his face, bracing his elbow on the pillow and watched her. "It's a little late."

She lifted her arms above her head and stretched languidly. "Um, I don't know. Watch TV?"

"Yeah sure," he kissed her lightly and pulled back. "Can I control the remote this time?"

She clicked her tongue behind her teeth in amusement. "What do you think?"

"I thought as much." he sighed.

She smiled handing him the remote. "For the record, as of now, I veto any sports, action flicks, or anything else that remotely falls under the category of guy tv."

"You're an angel." He smiled, and flicked the televison on. "What do you feel like watching?"

She shrugged. "I don't care."

"Hmm," He flipped through the channels, "An ER re-run, good?" He asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her to nestle against his side.

"Before or after George left?" she asked resting her head against his chest.

"Umm, it looks like before. Why, does someone have a thang for Mr. Clooney?" He teased.

Joey smiled. "Have you not seen the man? His eyes crinkle when he smiles. That's so adorable. I love that."

"Who's eyes don't do that?" He asked, airily.

She laughed. "He's also very sexy in a ruggedly good way."

He shook his head, "I just don't see it."

"Well, that's because you're a guy," Joey answered logically.

"Thanks for noticing," he replied glibly.

After a few moments, Joey shifted her gaze. "Ouch. That looks painful."

"Do these things actually happen to people?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

"I don't know and I don't want to find out," Joey said tearing her gaze away.

A few seconds later, "Here, that moved away from that guy. It's just a pregnant woman now," he told her.

Joey cautiously returned her gaze. "Oh. She's pregnant."

"Genrally pregnant women are," he said warily.

Joey nodded. "I know. She just looks um, very pregnant."

"Yep," he nodded, watching the scene unfold on TV.

Joey glanced down at her own belly and wondered if she was going to end up looking like that. "Wow."

"What? It's only George Clooney." He said, a tinge of anoyance in his voice.

"Oh I know. It's just that," Joey eyes widened as she watched the screen. "Wow."

"Okay, he's not that good looking, Potter. He's a regular guy, just like any other shmuck." Pacey said.

"I think she's going into labor," Joey said ignoring him.

"Uh huh...just like normal pregnant women." He watched a little longer, "O-kay, that's not normal..."

Joey's face contorted into one of fear. "Is that even possible?"

"Looks like it," he nodded, amazed at the amount of blood. He felt her tense beside him, "You okay?"

She shook her head burying her face in his chest. "Change the channel."

"Jo? What?" he turned his full attenion to her her now. "Joey?"

She gazed up at him fearfully. "I'm not sick."

He flipped the TV off and dropped the remote beside him, looking into her scared eyes, "Joey, what are you talking about?"

�I�m not sick,� she said shaking her head. �I�m pregnant and there�s no way I�m letting that happen to me!� she exclaimed pointing at the television set.

"You-you're pregnant?" He repeated, amazement in his eyes.

She nodded her head slowly and looked away. "Yes," she said quietly.

He sat up and reached out for her, his hand resting over her stomach, "You're having my baby?" He swallowed with difficulty staring down at her flat stomach. "Our baby?"

She nodded again, her eyes tearing. "Y-yes."

A tentative smile spread slowly across his face, he used his thumb to wipe away a tear that was making its way down her face. "Don't cry, Jo."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I told you I was on the pill. I didn't know."

"No, Joey," he shook his head, he forced her to look into his eyes. "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault."

"I--I didn't know how to tell you," she said softly.

"It's okay, Princess," he smoothed her hair, not even noticing as the endearment slipped past his lips.

She smiled faintly and wiped at her eyes, he hadn't called her that since they were teenagers. "I--What are we going to do?"

He pulled her into his arms, hugging her gently, "We'll keep it. You'll make a wonderful mother, Jo. We both make enough money to support a child." He gave her a wary look, "Unless... you don't want to have it." His face contorted, "I-I don't know if I could handle that," he told her, "After losing Chelsea... I don't think..."

She shook her head. "I--I don't know."

He loosened his hold on her, "Joey, I can't handle losing another child," he touched her stomach lightly, "Even one I've only known about for two minutes." He met her eyes with his saddened ones, "If you don't want it, then give it to me. Once it's born, I'll take him and leave. You wont have to hear or see us again, if that's what you want."

"Oh, yeah that's what I'm going to do. Just give up my child after I carried it for nine months," she snapped. "I have to think about it. I'm still adjusting to the whole 'I'm pregnant' thing."

"I'm just trying to help here, Jo." He sighed, "Give you other options..."

She glared. "Well, you're not helping."

"What do you want me to say?" He asked, "You want me to tell you to get rid of it? That I don't want anything to do with you or the pregnancy? Well, that is not going to happen." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm actually happy about this."

She put a hand on her hip. "You're happy, you knocked me up?"

"I'm happy you're the one having my baby." He told her, "I'm not happy it happened."

"Is that what you're going to tell your kid? I'm not happy I got your mom pregnant but hey at least out of all the girls I fucked she was the one that ended up being your mom. Nice."

"Sorry, Joey. I don't know the right thing to say here. You seem to misenturpret everything I say."

Joey glanced away. "Fine. Don't say anything. Just leave."

"No," he moved to the edge of the bed and directed her to meet his eyes. "I want you to be the mother of my children. You're the only one I've ever wanted to have babies with, Joey." He paused, "Whether or not we love each other, or even like each other, doesn't matter so much as the fact that our child would be loved."

She burst into uncontrollable sobs. "I can't do this."

"Can't do what? Jo, talk to me," He tried to sooth her. "I want to help. It was my fault too."

She sniffled and hiccupped softly. "I'm not ready to be a mom."

"I don't think anyone's ever ready to be a parent." He told her softly, "It just happens."

"I mean, I know I said before that I wanted to be a mom," she sniffed, "but that was later, when I was married, had a house." She wiped her eyes. "Now look at me."

"When I look at you, Joey. I see a smart, very successful woman with both feet firmly planted on the ground. She's got friends that absolutly adore her, a job she loves, and talent up the wazoo."

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "I can do this. It's just a little sooner than expected," she said to reassure herself.

"We have nine months to get used to the idea, Jo. And we'll be doing it together." He added.

She nodded slightly dazed by the whole idea. "Nine months."

"We'll be okay, Jo." He smiled, "And think, when it's all over, we'll have a baby."

"A baby," she repeated in amazement. "Our baby."

"Yeah, ours." he smiled. "A piece of me and a piece of you."

Joey smirked. "Poor kid."

"I donno," he shrugged, "I think they'll be pretty lucky to have you for a mom."

She smiled. "You'll be a great dad."

He sighed, "If my past experiance is any indication..."

"That wasn't your fault," she said sympathetically.

He shrugged, brushing her comment off. "So, are you done being mad at me for getting you pregnant?"

It was her turn to shrug. "Yeah�"

They sat there in silence for a few moments, "So...is this awkwardness going to continue for the next nine months?"

She shrugged bringing her knees up to her chest. "I don't know. Maybe we should talk about what arrangements we're going to make."

He nodded, "I take it your doctor's appointment tomorrow is with an obstetrician?"

She nodded. "Yeah..."

"You want me to come with you?"

"If you want," she answered evasively.

"I want to, if it's okay with you."

"Okay..." She idly traced a pattern on her bedspread with her fingers.

"Something you want to talk about, Potter?" He asked, watching her fingers fidget across the blankets.

She shook her head softly her brown hair brushing her shoulder. "No."

"You want me to leave?" He asked, trying to figure out why she was being so quiet.

Her eyes wandered over to the alarm clock on her dresser. "It's late."

"Yeah, but do you want me to go?"

She bit her lip apprehensively and nodded. "Yeah...I think that would be best."

"I- okay," He nodded slowly and moved off the bed. "What time is your appointment?"

"Nine," she said hoarsely.

"I'll come back at eight-thirty then," he slipped his shoes back on. "We'll be okay, Potter." He kissed his fingers and touched them to her stomach. Then he lightly kissed her forehead, "I promise."

She forced a weak smile. "Yeah."

"Okay," he headed for the door, "Bye Jo."

"Bye," she said softly.

The corner of his mouth turned up as he left. Joey was having his baby. Joey Potter was going to have his baby. A little baby, with her smile and his eyes. Maybe happy ever after wasn't that far off for him. So what if she didn't love him? It didn't really matter that when he used to picture them having kids, it was out of love. This was what he got, and he'd love Joey's child whether it was his or some other guy's. He just hoped she'd be okay with the idea eventually.

He frowned, what was he thinking? Of course she didn't want to have his baby. They weren't even together. He'd pretty much ruined her chances at finding a real relationship anytime in the next two years. At least. It hardly mattered to him, he didn't want a relationship...ever. The only person he'd ever wanted one with, he figured, pretty much hated him right now.

And yet, he still wanted the baby. He still wanted to be the father of her child.

Joey sniffled and reached for her phone. She dialed Jack's familiar number tiredly. She brought the phone to her ear and patiently waited for him to pick up.

"Hello?" Jack's tired voice asked.

She rubbed at her eyes red-rimmed eyes. "He knows."

"Hold on, Jo." Jack mumbled and quietly slipped from his bed, and pulled his robe on. He glanced back at his bed and Shane, breathing deeply on one side. Jack closed his bedroom door and headed for the couch. "You told him?"

She nodded hugging her knees to her chest. "It was an accident. We were watching TV and it just slipped out. Oh, and thanks for getting rid of him by the way, he was still here when I got out of the room."

"I should have known better than to believe him when he said he'd leave." Jack grumbled. "He just wanted to take care of you."

She shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, well�it wasn't very helpful to my situation."

"What'd he do?"

Joey frowned and straightened her back. "Well, first of all he was just perfect which made me fall in love with him even more and I blame you for not making sure he left!"

He chuckled, "Ok, I suck. I tried...he said he'd leave after he finished cleaning." He paused, "How'd he react to the pregnancy?"

She shrugged twirling the phone cord around her index finger. "I think he was happy about it."

"Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?"

She shrugged again. "I don't know, I guess. It just complicates things. It would have been so much easier if he hadn't accepted. I'm stuck with him now. No getting rid of him as long as I'm going to have his kid."

"Did you really want to get rid of him?"

She sighed flopping down onto her back. "I don't know, but it makes it that much harder to get over him if I'm going to be forced to see him all the time. Then there's the baby�and I know, Pacey. He's going to want to be there for everything. This completely kills all chances I had at a normal relationship with Kris."

Jack smiled into the phone, "Did you really want Kris?"

She bit down on her lip. "I could have. We were just starting to know each other."

"Could have...you're gonna have a lot of those in the future." He told her grabbing the thin blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around his shoulders. "So he wants to keep it, huh?"

She nodded. "Yeah, he does and he told me I'm the only one he ever wanted to have babies with." She smiled.

Jack's smile widened, "He did?"

She smiled faintly. "Yeah, he did."

"Okay, if I were you, Jo. I'd have jumped him right about then. Regardless of...well, anything else."

She laughed. "That's what got me into this predicament in the first place."

"Okay, so we've established that Pacey's somewhat pleased with the state of your uterus. But what about you?"

She sighed. "I don't know. I guess I'm happy. This wasn't exactly the way I pictured it happening."

"And how did you picture it?"

She shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. I pictured being happily married. I pictured the house with the white picket fence, a backyard. Not one bedroom studio apartment and I'm having one of my best friend's baby, who I happen to harbor feelings for." She brought a hand to her forehead. "Why can't things ever be simple?"

"Cause simple doesn't exist. Let me ask you something, Jo. When you pictured the happy marrige and the house with the white picket fence. Who did you picture it with?"

"So hey, enough about me. What's new with you?" Joey asked changing the subject.

"I'm gonna let that go, but only because I just got laid."

Joey gasped and sat up. "Shane or did you go to a bar and get lucky?"

"Shane." He smiled. "That's why I didn't call you when I got home. He was waiting in the hall for me after work."

She grinned genuinely happy for her friend. "So I take it you've sorted out your feelings?"

"For the most part. I mean...things aren't perfect. But he's not scared of his feelings anymore and I'm not afraid to admit to mine. At least...to myself." he added sheepishly.

She smiled. "Well, that's good. You're going to have to tell him how you feel though."

He snorted. "Come again?"

"Jack," she began. "If you're actually going to be in a relationship with him, you have to be honest. Believe me, I know."

"Are you listening to yourself?" he scoffed.

"What?" she asked in confusion.

"'Tell him how you feel'...'you have to be honest'... 'Believe me, I know?'?!" He asked in disbelief.

"Well it's true!"

"Yeah, I know. But hello?! How come you're not taking your own advice?"

"Well, hello! I'm not the one in a relationship," she responded in annoyance.

"And what do you call the tall, good looking, brunette who takes off his clothes for a living...and, who I might add, said you were the only one he ever wanted to have babies with?"

She released an exasperated breath. "Pacey and I are complicated. He doesn't want a relationship, let alone with me."

"Joey, I haven't exactly been around these last ten or so years, with any of our old high school friends. But, I knew the Pacey from back then and there's got to be a reason he's so against commitment. Maybe if you found that out, you might be able to create something, aside from life, with him."

Her shoulders slumped. "I don't think that's going to help."

"Why? There has to be a reason..."

She exhaled sharply. "Oh, yeah. There's a reason alright."

"So you already talked to him about it?" He asked, a touch of confusion in his voice.

"Kind of. Earlier tonight...We might have discussed it," Joey answered evasively.

"Might have?" Jack sounded exasperated. "Clarify please."

She threw her hands up in the air. "It could have came up while we were talking."

"Did it?"

"Yes," she said quietly.

"And...?"

"Me. I'm the problem," she said embarrassedly.

"You? What'd you do? He can't still be hung up on what happened in high school."

She winced visibly. "It's actually a bit more complicated than that."

"Yeah?"

She grimaced as she spoke. "Remember a few years back when I was in Capeside about to become Mrs. Dawson Leery?"

"Uh huh..." His brow furrowed, trying to figure out what that had to do with Pacey.

"Yeah, well at the same time it just so happens that Pacey was in Capeside too�writing his book." She bit her lip and waited for Jack's reaction.

"Why didn't you tell me? And what has that got to do with anything?"

"Well, um, one of the reasons I ended up ending things with Dawson, besides the fact that he was cheating on me and all those other things," she added hurriedly, "was because Pacey was so intent on making me see what a mistake I was making. If it weren't for him, I probably would have ended up marrying Dawson..."

"And that has to do with Pacey avoiding relationships...how?" He asked. "Might I add, thank you for listening to him."

"Well, after I ended things with Dawson, I couldn't go back to Bessie's because he's waiting for me, so I went to stay at Pacey's." She bit her lip nervously. "And I guess after finding out that Dawson was cheating on me, I felt undesirable and we just kind of ended up in bed together..."

"You slept with him in Capeside?!" Jack burst out, "What is it about him that you can't resist?"

She winced. "And he was kind of seeing someone at the time, and she found us. Pacey and I got into sort of, an argument. So I left that day and never looked back." She pulled the phone away from her ear bracing herself for Jack's response.

"You just...left him like that?!"

She cringed and slowly brought the phone back to her ear. "Yeah?"

"No wonder he's scared of you." he agreed. "Doesn't explain other women though."

Joey shrugged. "Yeah, well then there's the Andie thing, another relationship, and um," she coughed, "Jen."

"Jen? He was dating Jen?"

She nodded. "Um, yeah, he was and apparently she left Capeside the same day I did with the same plan in mind."

"Wait, she was the relationship he was in when you slept together?"

She frowned and bit her lip fearfully. "Yeah."

"God, Jo...and you left him?

She ran a hand through her hair. "I--I didn't know what else to do."

"And he's still with you now."

"I--We're friends?" she said not knowing what to say.

"Joey, if after all that...he's still doing everything he's done. There's more than friendship there."

Joey shook her head. "No, After all of that, there's only friendship there," she argued.

"Whatever happened to the Joey Potter who put up a fight?"

Her face fell. "Can't fight for someone that doesn't want to be won."

"Joey, you're having his child...I think that's reason enough to fight for his heart. If anyone's capable of winning it, you are."

She sighed and lay back down on her bed. "I don't think I could handle the rejection."

"As apposed to raising a child with the guy you're in love with?"

"Point taken," Joey muttered hugging her pillow.

"You should try at least, Jo. If nothing else, you've got to be honest with him."

She rolled her eyes. "I'll make you a deal. If I have to be honest with Pacey, you have to be honest with Shane."

"Nope, nuh uh...not until I've won him over." Jack protested.

"Honey, if he's still in your bed right now, you have nothing to worry about."

"If I recall, you had a certain someone in your bed on a number of occasions."

"He's never spent the night, at least after sex. It's against his rules." She rolled her eyes.

"He has rules?"

Joey laughed in amusement. "Yes, he does. To protect himself from getting too close to anyone."

"And has it worked?"

"Guess it has so far." She shrugged. "I've never even been to his apartment."

"What are they?"

"Um, let me see," she began counting them off on her fingers. "Um, he's never with the same girl more than once, he always uses protection, he doesn't bring them back to his place and he doesn't spend the night." She paused, "Oh yeah, and he's always on top."

"Ugh, more than I wanted to know." He commented on the last one. "And how many, besides the first, have you broken?"

"Um, two," she answered after a moment, "Maybe three, he spent the night once, but I'm not sure that counted."

"Maybe you should work on breaking those others. He fell in love with you twice...with a little work on your part, who's to say he wont again?"

"We'll see. I have to think about it."

"I don't see what's to think about if you love him."

"Ugh! You're not going to let this go are you?"

"Why would I? It's in your best interest, his, and the little group of cells multiplying in your uterus as we speak."

Joey turned her head to get a look at the clock on her dresser. "It's late and I have to get up early tomorrow. Doctor's appointment."

"Yeah, and I have a not so empty bed to get back to," he couldn't help but smile. "But Joey, think about it. Really consider how much happier you'd be with him."

"Yeah. Yeah, whatever." She smiled. "Night."

"G'night, Jo. And call me and tell me how it went."

"I'd tell you to have a good-night but it seems you already had one," she teased. "I'll call you tomorrow and give you an update."

"Okay, I'd argue, but I'm just too damn happy right now." He rose from the couch. "Bye, Jo."

She laughed. "Bye Jack.

He hung up the phone quietly and headed back to his bedroom a little happier. His love life was coming together, and there was still hope for his two best friends.

Joey placed the phone back in its cradle with a smile. She debated with herself for a moment before picking it back up and dialing again.

"Hello?"

She smiled. "Hey."

"Oh, hey, Princess." He greeted her as he slipped out of his shirt. After walking around a little, he'd gone home, just now getting in.

"Hey, I didn't wake you did I?"

"No, I'm just getting ready for bed now." He told her. "What's up?"

She shrugged. "Oh, nothing much�"

"Right, so, you called just to hear my admittedly sexy voice?" He teased, hoping to keep the mood lighter than it was when he left.

She laughed. "Oh yeah, that's it."

"You mean, you don't think my voice is sexy?" He asked innocently.

"I plead the fifth," she said smiling faintly.

"I'll settle for that," he smiled. "So, why did you call, Potter?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, I was just feeling particularly clairvoyant."

"Clairvoyant?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I just had a feeling that you're going to take me to see your apartment since I haven't even been by yet."

"And why would I bring you to this dump?" he asked.

She smiled. "Are you doubting my abilities?"

"Yes," he nodded. "You're not coming a mile within our apartment until Shane and I have disinfected it."

She grinned. "Okay, how about if I make you a deal."

"What kind of deal?" He asked warily.

"If I prove that I am, as of now, clairvoyant you have to take me to see your apartment as is and if I don't, well you don't have to." She smirked.

"Define clairvoyant before I take you up on this offer. For all I know you could be reading the TV Guide and telling me what's going to be on in an hour."

She laughed and pretended to think about it. "Fine. Okay, hmm, it has to be something that's happening right now as we speak and anything happening on television is exempt."

"Hmm...okay. Just because I like you, I'm taking the bait."

"I knew you would," she teased.

"I never was one to resist you." He mumbled. "Okay, Ms. Psycic, what information are you about to impart on me?"

"Anyway," she cleared her throat. "Hmm, I'm getting the strong and distinct feeling that Shane is not in his room, in fact," she paused dramatically and lowered her voice. "He's not even in the apartment."

"What are you talking about?" He asked, leaving his bedroom. "He's been too depressed to go out ever since he and Jack had their little arguement."

"If you don't believe me, check," she said pleased with herself.

"I am," he headed for Shane's room and knocked lightly before opening the door. The room was in it's usual disarray, but the bed was empty. "Okay, oh-devine-one, just where exactly is my wayward roommate?"

She smiled. "I can't tell you that. It'd be an invasion of privacy."

"I'm begining to smell something fishy here. What do you know that I don't know?" He asked, heading back to his own room.

She laughed. "Well, first, I'm thinking tomorrow, after we come from the doctor's would be the best time for me to see your place."

He looked worriedly about his apartment, "Jo, you really don't want to see this place. I've never been the neatest person, and contrary to popular belief, gay men are not obessessed with cleanliness."

"Scared I'll love you less if I find out you're a slob?" She laughed again. "No excuses. I don't care what it looks like. I want to see it."

"Would you?" He asked, slipping out of his pants.

She nodded, her lips curling up into a wry smile. "Oh yeah, and it's even worse if you can't cook."

"Damn, I'm a lost cause then," he shook his head in mock sadness. "Better find another father for your child."

"Seems like I'm going to have to...tough break."

"Hmmm hmm, That decided. There's really no reason for you to bear witness to the slovenliness of two men living together."

"Haha, nice try. Tomorrow or I'll just have to go see it right now," she threatened lightly.

"I don't know where you'd get the energy."

"You'd be surprised."

"Fine, fine, tomorrow." He relented. "But if I'm dead to the world come morning, It's your fault."

She smiled. "I'll just have to live with myself."

"Uh-huh," he rolled his eyes, "You'll have to excuse me while I go kill whatever's been growing in my kitchen sink. Then there's the bathroom to attack... " He groaned, "You chose a hell of a time to become clarvoyant."

"Have fun."

"You suck," he grumbled, opening his door and heading for the kitchen.

"Oh, I know." She nodded. "Let me leave you to your cleaning."

"You do relize it's like one in the morning, and you have me cleaning? I never clean."

"Hey, I'd be perfectly happy seeing it as is but you're the one that wants to clean..."

"You wouldn't know what you walked into if I didn't."

"Okay, so just to be nice I'll tell you where Shane is," she paused. "I'm holding him captive and letting Jack have his way with him." She laughed.

"You're holding him captive?" He chuckled, "Where? I didn't see him when I was over there."

She smiled. "Okay, so I lied about the captive part but the rest is true."

"He's with Jack?" She could hear the smile in his voice.

She nodded. "Yes, he is."

"Good for them, about time Shane actually let a man get close to him."

She smiled. "And Jack definitely needs someone, but I will kick your roommate's ass if he hurts him."

He smiled, "I'll warn the poor boy. But I think, if anyone can get through to Shane...teach him how to love, it's Jackers."

She sighed. "Yeah, well I hope you're right."

"Shane's complicated..." Pacey said. "He doesn't trust men anymore than I do women. Jack's the first guy he's ever really cared about in all the time I've known him, and his reluctance to care stretched for years before that."

She sighed tiredly rubbing her forehead. "Well, Jack's the complete opposite. He falls in love way too fast and easily."

"But they're together now, so that's a step in the right direction."

"Yeah, but Jack won't admit anything unless he's sure Shane feels the same way."

Pacey chuckled, "Shane's a little on the slow side, but he'll catch up to Jack's feelings eventually. It scares him."

"Scares Jack too. Feeling that way so soon," she said.

"They'll get over it, I hope." Pacey said, surveying his kitchen, trying to decide where to start. "They're bound to, given the fact that they're sleeping together now."

She yawned. "Maybe."

"Finally tired again?"

She nodded. "Yeah and, hmm, early morning tomorrow."

"Okay," he eyed the mess, "I give up." He threw up his hands and turned to go back to his bedroom.

She laughed lightly. "Okay then. I'm going to let you go."

"Okay, but I'm warning you, you can't blame me if you somehow get hurt over here."

She smiled. "Okay, I promise. I won't."

"Then I'll see you in the morning, Potter."

"Goodnight," she said sweetly.

"Bye," he said softly before clicking the talk button and falling into his bed. He'd just stall her until later, there was no real need for her to see his place, especially not in the condition it was in now.

"So when are we going to your place?" Joey asked sliding her cell phone into her purse.

"When it's clean," Pacey answered as they walked out of the doctor's office.

"Uh-uh," she said shaking her head and smiled. "That wasn't our deal."

Pacey smiled and shook his head, "Yeah, but you didn't play fair. You knew he was with Jack."

She shrugged. "Too bad. A deal's a deal."

He sighed, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling fine. Stop trying to change the subject."

"Really, cause that whole procedure seemed...invasive."

"It was fine. I'm fine," Joey said brushing it off. "So your place now?"

"Hmm...how about breakfast first?"

She smiled. "You buying?"

"Of course."

"Sucker," she teased. "Breakfast sounds fine."

"I thought we were above name calling?" He asked rhetorically. "What do you feel like eating?"

She stuck her tongue between her teeth. "Food."

"Someone's certainly in a better mood today." They passed by a cafe, "This place look good?"

She surveyed it thoughtfully before shrugging. "Whatever. I'm hungry."

"Eating for two," he commented, unable to keep the smile off his face. He held open the door for her.

"Ugh, I'm going to be so fat when this is all over," Joey complained.

"You? Fat? Never," he commented, leading her to a table by the small of her back.

"So what are we going to do about the baby?" Joey asked sitting down. "You're going to get it on the weekends or something?"

"Weekends?" He repeated, "I kinda hoped for something more than that." He said slowly, looking down at the menu.

"Well, like what?" Joey asked surveying her own menu. "Because it'd be nice if we could get this all settled before it's actually here."

"I don't know..." he shrugged uncomfortably, "I don't want to be just a weekend dad. I literally have nothing in my life apart from you and the impending arrival of our bundle of joy. I want to be there for everything, the first laugh, the first smile, the first step, the first word..."

"Then," Joey shut her menu already knowing what she was going to order, "we're going to have a problem here."

"Yeah, I'm kinda sensing that," he mumbled.

She bit her lip pensively. "Um, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know, we need to figure out what we want, first. We can think of something from there, hopefully. And if not, we'll bring Jack in to mediate."

She nodded slowly. "O-kay�"

"So what do you want, Jo?"

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair at a loss. "I-I, honestly, don't know."

He nodded, silence drifting between them. Broken as the waiter came and took their orders. "Okay, look," he looked at her seriously, "I want to be as much a part of our baby's life as you'll allow. I want to be there when you're cranky and can't keep any food down. I want to be there to watch you waddle down the hallway, looking like you swallowed a watermelon whole. I want to go to lamaze classes with you, I want to be there when you go into labor and when you feed it for the first time. I want to be there when you bring him home and lay him in his crib." He looked away from her with a slight pause. "I guess, what I want, what it sounds like, is I want to be a family."

Joey froze slack jawed taken by surprise. "I-" She inhaled sharply composing herself. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

He shrugged, "I donno, I'm just -- that's what I want." He said simply. "Your turn, what do you want? And 'I don't know' doesn't cut it."

She shifted uncomfortably. "I haven't really thought about it."

"So think about it." He told her, "we have quite a few months to work things out."

"I don't think I can have breakfast," she said getting up. "It completely slipped my mind, I have to be at the gallery today. I promised Lucy, I'd be there right after the appointment and now the appointment's over and I'm not there."

"No, wait, Joey," he grabbed her arm. "When are we gonna talk about this?"

She pulled her arm away. "Later."

"Oh," he shook his head once. "Okay..." He trailed off. "I'll see you soon, Potter."

Joey nodded her head and walked out. She pulled out her cell phone and began to dial before pushing her hair aside and raising the phone to her ear. "Um, hello, at what time does the next train to Capeside, MA leave?"

THE END

To be continued in Unforgettable