But I Thought...

Joey stared at him in shock, amazement, and yes, a little shyness. Pacey was asking her out!

But wait! she thought Just a minute ago I was drawing hearts all over my diary in tribute to Dawson... But it's not like he'll ever notice me, so what the hell?

"Joey?" Pacey urged in excitement and fear. Joey looked up at him, smiled slowly, and said,

"Yeah, sure. Why not?"

Pacey jumped up, his mind screaming, OH YES! OH YES! OH YES!

But he said, "Great! I'll pick you up here at seven, okay?"

"Fine," Joey answered, "But one question... What in the world posessed you to do this?"

Pacey smiled a knowing smile, and went over to the door to let himself out.

"Maybe the fact that I was around this beautiful woman all my life, and despite contrary ideas, I was too scared to do anything about it," he said and left.

Joey stared at the door which closed with a thud, and grinned widely. Strange how your feelings for a person can change in a matter of minutes. Just then Bessie walked in holding Alexander.

"So... what are you going to wear?" she asked, smiling. Joey stared down at what she had on.

"What's wrong with this?"

Bessie clucked her tongue and shook her head.

"No, no, no, Joey. Pacey asked you to go to dinner at the docks. So you've got to look nice," she said.

"Well, what do you have in mind?" Joey inquired with a snotty attitude. Bessie looked thoughtful for a moment, then began a trek up the stairs.

"Come with me," she beckoned and Joey followed. Once in Bessie and Bodie's room, Bessie set Alexander down in his crib and began to go through her closet. Joey stood impatiently behind her and watched as her sister pulled out a pair of black pants and a tight white tank top. She set those on the bed and began rummaging through the closet again. A minute later she found what she was looking for: a black jean long-sleeved shirt.

"Go put this on and see what you think," she commanded. Joey took the clothes, sighed, and went to the bathroom to change.

Joey stared into the full-length mirror on the back of Bessie's door. She actually did look quite good.

"I like it," she said with a small smile as Bessie looked over her shoulder.

"You look great. What time is it?"

Joey took a glance at her watch.

"5:02, so I have about two hours," she answered. Bessie turned her around.

"That's all??? We have to hurry! Change out of those and shower, fast!" She slapped Joey lightly on her butt and Joey jumped to obey her older sister.

****************************************************************************** ******************

Meanwhile, Pacey was at home asking his sister Maggie what to cook.

"Pacey, you've gotta be romantic. Girls like that. So make something like... fruit salad and bring Italian bread. I'll run and get some in a minute," Maggie answered.

"All right, I'll take your word for it. But that means you've gotta buy fruit too. So what else?" Pacey said, writing everything down as they sat discussing the date at the Witter family's kitchen table.

Maggie thought for a minute.

"Bring Kool-Aid in an empty wine bottle, and bring two of Mom's wine glasses. Just don't break them," she added, "And of course, you'll want to bring that box of chocolates hidden under your bed, and napkins and plates and stuff like that. You'll need a bag of ice.. Hmm, this is going to cost me... But anyway, to make it really special, stuff all of it into a wicker picnic basket with a big quilt. So it really looks sweet. She'll think the world of you just for that!"

Pacey finished writing Maggie's words down and looked over the list.

"Okay, I'll give you the money for the stuff, but what am I supposed to say to her? How do I act?" he asked nervously.

"Just don't come on too strong," his sister advised, "And don't start mouthing off. Just... be a gentleman. And remember: No means no."

Pacey smiled at the last comment. He could do that. No problem.

"Thanks Naggie Maggie, I owe you one," he said and patted his sister on the shoulder. He began up the stairs to look for a picnic basket and a quilt.

"Pacey?" Maggie called after him. He turned and looked at her.

"What?"

"Tell me everything when you get home," she said, grabbed her purse, and left the house. Pacey just smiled after her.

****************************************************************************** ******************

"Hi, is Jen available?" Dawson Leery asked into the phone. His palms were sweating and he wiped them on his bed cover.

"I'm sorry, she's out with someone right now. Can I please take a message?" Mrs. Lindley, Jen's grandmother, answered.

Dawson sighed.

"Just tell her her ex called, and he wants to... talk... to her," he said and hung up without saying goodbye.

There was a knock at his door.

"Nobody in here but the world's most UN-wanted," he called out, flopping down on the bed. The door opened and to his surpirse, Jen walked in.

"You're not unwanted, Dawson. I know for certain," she said and smiled weakly.

"I just called you, Jen, what's up?" Dawson asked, sitting up and motioning for her to sit down on the bed with him.

"Um, I wanted to talk to you about our... argument at the docks a couple weeks ago," she answered and continued, just looking down at her hands, "I... I think that I made a mistake, Dawson. A big one. Because there's nothing that doesn't remind me of you, and nothing else I can think about all day... so if you think that you can forgive me for what I've done, I'd certainly like to start over."

She waited for a moment until Dawson lifted her chin up to his eyes.

"How's this for an answer?" he whispered, and his mouth claimed her's. She gasped slightly at the feel of his lips against her lips again, but soon gave into it and kissed back. After a few miuntes, they broke apart.

"But I thought...?" Jen asked breathlessly.

"You think way too much, Jen," Dawson smiled and began to kiss her again. It was only when Jen took a look at the clock when she realized her grandmother would want her home. With a final kiss and a whispered "Good bye", she retreated to her "prison". Dawson watched her go and sighed to himself. Life couldn't get any better.

"Dawson, my man, you have got it all..." he said into the air. Everything was going perfect. He got his girlfriend back, his parents were getting along again, Pacey had finally gotten over Ms. Jacobs, and Joey-

"Hey Dawson."

He looked over to his window to see his best friend climbing through.

"Hey Jo, what's up?"

Joey smiled and spun around in her new clothes, hair, and makeup. Dawson's jaw droppped a full four inches as he saw "his" Joey all made-up.

"Do you like it?" she asked timidly.

"I'm speechless as to how to describe how you look, Joey, but yeah, I like it. A LOT," he answered truthfully.

Joey blushed.

"I'm going to meet Pacey tonight at the docks to have dinner, and I wanted to ask you some stuff before I left," she said. Dawson's head snapped up from looking you-know-where, and stared at her strangely.

"You're going out with Pacey? You two are mortal enemies!" Dawson exclaimed.

"Well," Joey said and sat down on the bed, "I guess so. But things change, Dawson, people evolve. And that's what Pacey and I are doing."

"Oh," Dawson said, "Oh. Well... uh... I guess that's good... Um.. I really don't know what to say... So what is it you wanted to ask me?"

Joey sighed and turned a little red.

"How do guys like girls to act around them? I mean, what should I say? What do I compliment him on, or do I? I need help, Dawson."

Dawson was laughing hysterically inside, but he knew that he had to answer seriously for Joey's sake.

"Look, Jo, you're a great girl, and any guy who asked you out should know that whatever you do or say comes from the heart. Guys are really stupid, I know from experience. Just don't come on too strong.. like don't act really flirtatious or be a prima donna. And don't mouth off. Guys like a girl who can stand her ground, but not someone who's going to insult their every move. Just stick with that. You'll be fine."

Joey ran it over again in her head. Then she smiled.

"Thanks, Dawson, I owe you one. But I've gotta go now, he'll be waiting for me if I don't get going. I'll see ya later, okay?"

"Sure," Dawson answered, "Have a great time. And remember: don't let him get fresh. He should know that no means no."

Joey giggled, and made her way out of the window and down the ladder. She was bouncing with excitement.

******************************************************************************

Pacey stood at Joey's door with a bouquet of tiger lilies, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet an his heels. He was just about ready to ring the beel when Joey came running up the path. He smiled when he saw her.

"Hey Joey," he greeted her and thrust out the bouquet of flowers. Joey took them and breathed in their scent.

"They're beautiful. Let me tell Bessie we're leaving and I'll be right there," she said and ran inside. Pacey sighed to himself.

That wasn't so bad.

Joey came out still holding the flowers and went towards the truck.