"It shouldn't be that hard," Joey reminded him. "You hate me."

"You're right," he nodded. "I do." He closed his eyes as he moved closer, bending his head so that his lips could brush over hers. She felt her own lips part, her soft breath mingling with his.

"So remind me why we're out here alone together?" Joey raised her hands to his chest, feeling his heart beating just as it had earlier that night taking pictures.

"Our friends are sick of all the bickering?" He kept his eyes closed, just breathing, inhaling the sweet smell of her skin, his face so close to hers.

"Is that what it is?" She moved her head slightly so that their noses touched. They both froze, neither sure of the next step, neither wanting to admit defeat.

"Yes," Pacey breathed as their lips met.

There was none of the anger of their last kiss in this one, none of the hesitancy of their first kiss, none of the surprise from their second. There was only heat and passion, friendship and desire, given and taken in equal measure. His hands found her hips and pulled her closer, molding her body to his as she let her hands slide up around his neck. Her long fingers tangled in his hair, holding him to her as she slipped her tongue between his willing lips.

Joey tasted him, letting her tongue explore the warm cavern of his mouth as his hands moved to her back, edging under the thin material of her dress to caress her silky skin. She moaned softly, the soft vibration of it sending chills down Pacey's spine.

They pulled away, the intense effect of the kiss plain on both their faces. "We haven't resolved anything," Joey reminded him.

"Dawson send you out here?" He asked as he stepped away, releasing her from his embrace. She nodded and extended her hand to him. He took it without hesitation and started down the stairs. "Did you want to come?"

"Out here or with you?" She followed him down the stairs, smiling as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Is there a difference?"

She shook her head, "I guess not."

They walked quietly along the pier for a few moments, until Pacey broke the silence. "Well?"

Joey bit her lower lip to hide her smile as she turned her head to look at him. "Well what?"

"Don't think I won't toss you right over that railing into the water, Josephine."

She wrapped her arm around his waist. "Don't think I won't take you with me, Witter."

He laughed softly and continued walking, heading away from the more expensive yachts. "So, did you?"

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be, Pacey. Although I'm not promising that things are okay between us. Your sharp wit hit the mark a time or two."

"So did yours." He stopped underneath one of the lamps that lit the pier. "I have something for you."

"You do?" She raised an eyebrow. "Seems kind of odd, since you came here with another girl."

"I'd never come here with another girl." He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. Looking out over the water, he was silent for a moment. "I won't pretend that this was easy, Potter. I still don't know that I'm doing the right thing here. But I don't know what else to do."

She stepped closer, laying her hand on his sleeve. "What are you doing, Pacey?"

He looked at her quickly then nodded out toward the water. "I have something for you, I told you."

She followed his gaze and caught her breath. A small craft was bobbing in the gentle waves of the marina. The dim yellow glow of the street lamp lit the softly swaying vehicle, highlighting the small plaque that decorated the back of it.

"True Love?"

He nodded and handed her a key. "I've heard it doesn't exist, but I've got some reason to doubt it."

"It's a beautiful boat, Pacey."

He held out a key. "Yeah, it is."

She met his eyes and knew they weren't talking about the boat anymore, perhaps they never had been. "She's sea-worthy, I see."

"I put a lot of work into her."

"Was she worth it?"

"I'll tell you as soon as I take her out."

The cool metal seemed to brand her hand as Joey took the key from him. "How much did she cost you?"

"Everything."

Joey touched his lips softly with the tips of her fingers. "The boat's just a metaphor?"

He nodded, "That's what the smart girl told me."

She laughed through the threatening tears. "Am I worth it, Pacey?"

He reached up and took her hand away from his lips. Holding it tightly in his own, he led her down the walkway to the boat. "I'll tell you as soon as I take you out."

"Pacey?"

"Yeah, Jo?" He stopped and faced her, a small smile playing at the edge of his lips.

"Is it too late to say I'm sorry?"

"One thing about a good boat, Joey? When she's rushing at full speed, she kicks up a lot. If you're not careful, you get caught up in her wake."

"What happens then?"

He stepped into the boat then carefully helped her onto the deck. The light gave the whole boat a golden glow and he pulled her into his arms. "If you're not careful? You drown."

"And if you are careful?"

"You just swallow a lot of water before your head breaks the surface again."

"Are we surfacing, Pacey? Or are we drowning?"

He brushed her cheek with his fingertips, curving his hand around her cheek. He bent his head to kiss her softly, wondering if he'd ever tire of doing it. "I don't know, Joey. It feels a little like both."