Joey looked up as the kitchen door swung open, the low fervor of the party in the next room louder for just a moment until the door swung shut.

"You'd better not let Rachelle find you like that."

Joey shrugged and leaned back against the cabinet. "I have to clean up tonight. I promise to wipe my ass prints off her precious counter." She reached out as the blonde walked past her, grabbing two miniature quiche from the platter she was carrying. "Besides, I'm sure she's dead to the world right now."

"Probably." Kari, the blonde, set her tray down and opened the oven, pulling a tray of warm hors de oeuvres off the rack and reloading her tray. "It's starting to wind down." She popped a quiche into her mouth. "It's a good thing you like these. We're going to have plenty left over."

"Mmm." Joey slid off the counter and moved over to the prep table. "How's the corwd?"

"Mostly paired up, although there's a hardcore business group in the back and one guy whose got three girls vying for his attention. It's pretty debauched."

"Is he cute?"

"He's not as cute as they are drunk."

Joey smirked. "Good to know I won't be the only one waking up tomorrow wondering what the hell I was thinking."

"I'd better get out to the starving businessmen. Check out the dinning room. I think you should be able to start in there."

"Thanks, Kari."

She shouldered the tray. "I'll help after this round."

"Nah. You've been busting your ass all night. I can handle it." Joey waited until the door shut before heading toward the other end of the room. The dining room was dark, the chandelier dimmed almost all the way.

The music from the other room filtered in and she hummed along as she turned up the lights. The servers had cleared all the dishes, most of which she'd already cleaned and put away during the course of the party. Heading to the back of theh room, she pulled aside a thick blue curtain and unlocked a dark walnut cabinet.

She pulled her cart free as she opened the door, unhooking the vacuum and setting it aside. Grabing her cloth and cleaner, she headed toward the main door, freezing as it swung open.

"This isn't the bathroom."

Joey laughed softly, surprising him. He brought his gaze to hers and they both stilled. "Joey?"

"Pacey?" She blushed, shoving her supplies into the pockets of her uniform. "What…my God, what are you doing here?"

His eyes moved over her, his brows drawing together as he observed her pale gray uniform. She blushed deeper, trying to ignore the disappointment in his eyes. Shaking his head, he managed a smile. "Right now? Looking for the bathroom."

"The nearest one's two doors down on the left."

"Thanks." He stood there for a moment watching her. "I'm gonna…" He pointed toward the door.

"Right."

"I'll come back. We'll…"

"Right."

He backed toward the door. "It was good to see you, Jo."

She nodded as the door shut behind him. She stood there for several moments then shook her head, returning to work.

"Okay." Kari dropped her empty platter onto the prep table. "Everyone's gone or in their rooms. It's all yours."

"Lucky me," Joey smirked. "Are you out of here or are you staying the night?"

"Home for me. I've got a luncheon to serve tomorrow." She pulled off her apron, hanging it on one of the wall hooks. She gave Joey a searching look. "You okay?"

"Yeah." She took a deep breath. "I ran into one of the guests. It just took me by surprise."

"No problems?" Kari asked concerned.

"No problems."

"Okay. I'll see you next time."

Joey waved and took another deep breath. Her cart was sitting beside the door, waiting for her to wheel it out intot he next room. Exhaling slowly, she grabbed the handle, backing out into the carpeted living room.

She grabbed a trash bag, quckly falling into a rhythm as she moved around the room. It was several minutes before she felt his presence. She continued walking, grabbing ashtrays and dumping them.

Stopping as he stepped in front of her, Joey looked up. He held out an overflowing ashtray. "Thanks."

"Sure."

She dumped it then set the bag down. "Are you staying here?"

"Yeah. For the weekend."

"That's nice."

Pacey nodded then shook his head. "What's going on, Jo?"

"Well, I do the ashtrays frist. Then the drinks, plates, wipe down, vacuum. Dishes in the dishwasher tonight then tomorrow we air out the room and it's like no one was ever here."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"I'm working, Pacey."

"Why are you working as a maid?"

"The pay's good."

"Joey." His voice hardened, laced with irritation. "The last time I saw you, you had just accepted a position at MC&A advertising."

"That didn't work out."

"So instead you're cleaning up after a hedonistic playboy?"

"Mr. Marshall's actually a very nice employer. Generous."

"I'm sure he is."

"Look…" She stopped, her eye catching movement behind Pacey. "Mr. Witter, I'd be happy to get anything you needed from the kitchen. Would you like it brought up to your room?"

"Witter." Emil Marshall walked up behind Pacey, clasping his shoulder. "Don't tell me you didn't find yourself a woman tonight and so you're pestering my help? Surely one of those three lovelies would have served you well enough."

"Just looking for a midnight snack."

"Well," Emil smiled thinly, "I'm sorry to say that Josephine here is not on the menu."

5/15/03