Jack awoke to a loud knock on the door. He groaned softly, shoving the blanket off his naked body. A quiet moan stopped his movements.

Everything came back to him in a rush, like the flood of wine they’d consumed. A quick glance at the clock let him know that only a few hours had passed. Tugging on the blanket, he pulled it away to reveal Jen’s lean, lush form. “Oh shit,” he breathed.

The knock came again, spurring him into action. He climbed off the bed and grabbed his robe, tugging it on as he headed for the front door. A quick glance back at the bedroom assured him that there were no telltale signs of his activities but did nothing to stop the self-recrimination he whispered under his breath.

“I was about to use my key.” Daniel smiled warmly as Jack opened the door. “Sleeping?”

“Emotional day,” Jack offered in lieu of explanation as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “So...yeah. Sleeping in.”

“Can I come in? Or am I confined to the hallway for the duration of this conversation?” His smile was impish and hungry and not lost on Jack, despite his preoccupation.

“Depends. Is this conversation likely to be like our last?”

“This one’s actually going to be more about how I’m an ass and I don’t deserve you.” Daniel edged his way into the apartment. “Then I thought I might grovel and beg your forgiveness.” He reached out for Jack’s hand. “So can I? Come in?”

Jack stepped back, taking great care not to look in the direction of the bedroom. “You’re already in.”

Daniel moved to the couch and sat down, rubbing his hands over his knees. “So, I mentioned I’m an ass, right? And completely insensitive?”

“You didn’t mention that you were a jerk.”

“I thought maybe ass would sufficiently cover that.” He looked up at Jack pleadingly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just...I don’t know how to help you right now, and everything I say manages to be completely wrong. You’d think I’d be a hell of a lot better at this, since I live with a psychiatrist.” Seeing Jack’s face, he squeezed his eyes closed. “See? I suck.”

“No.”

“I do.” Daniel smirked. “I do.”

“It’s not your fault that...”

“That I’m married? That I’m insensitive? That I...that I love you?”

Jack looked away from the naked emotion in his lover’s eyes. “Well, the married one is actually your fault.”

Daniel sighed. “Do you think there’s any hope for us?”

“As what, Daniel?” Jack refused to meet his gaze.

Daniel’s hands moved faster, the burn of friction keeping him focused. “Lovers, Jack.”

“You’re married.”

“I went to a lawyer today. I stopped by Jen’s office and we talked and... And I realized that I’m not...” He took a deep breath. “I filed for divorce.”

Jack sank down onto the chair opposite Daniel. “What?” He looked up, his eyes on his bedroom door. “You...have you told Jen?”

“Not yet. But she won’t care,” he assured him. Rubbing his tired eyes, Daniel shrugged. “She’s in love with someone else.” You was the unspoken word in the room. “And so am I.”

“Daniel...”

“I don’t expect anything from you, Jack. I mean, I’m not expecting to move in here and I certainly don’t expect you to make any decisions now when everything’s so out of whack. I mean, your life’s been turned upside down. And I know that, no matter how insensitive I seem, so...”

“Are you divorcing Jen to be with me?”

Daniel slid off the couch and moved between Jack’s legs, pushing his robe out of the way. His hands unfastened the thick ties as he kissed his way down Jack’s stomach, ignoring Jack’s feeble protests. Jack closed his eyes slowly, sinking into the feel of Daniel’s mouth on him, but not before he saw Jen quietly shut his bedroom door.

Dawson didn’t say anything as Joey climbed the steps to his porch and sat next to him on the swing. They were both silent for a long moment, her hands twisting nervously. “So, I managed to make a total fool of myself.”

“Ran into Pacey, did you?”

“Oh yeah.” She sighed. “Ran into him and immediately stuck my foot in my mouth.”

“He’s playing this whole thing pretty close to the chest,” Dawson said with a shrug. “He’s told me she killed herself, but that’s all I know. It doesn’t seem like Pacey.” He sighed; mimicking her slightly slumped posture. “I was hoping he’d talk to you.”

“There was banter,” she admitted. “But banter usually means that we’re doing our very best to avoid talking to each other.”

“I’m worried about him.”

“Me too,” the corners of her mouth turned up. “And I just got here.”

“Pacey’s stubborn.”

“Yes. He is.” Joey shrugged sadly. “I wonder why no one called. Jen orJack,” she clarified. “I would assume they know.”

“Jack called, but he neglected to mention the fact that Andie was dead. Maybe they’re not sure how to deal with it either.” Dawson closed his eyes, rubbing them tiredly. “I mean, let’s face it, in high school, I don’t know that any of us would have been surprised, but now...”

“Everything was perfect, just like she wanted.” Joey nodded. “Perfect job, perfect marriage...”

“The problem with perfection is that it’s very rarely perfect.” Dawson laughed bitterly. “Trust me, I know.”

“Yeah, but your perfection usually went right back to being perfect after it’s detour through crappy.”

He nodded, accepting. “I’m damn lucky.”

Joey smiled widely, moving closer, letting him wrap his arm around her shoulders. “It’s about damn time you realized it too.”

“I’ve been realizing it for a long time. The problem is that my paltry experience at traumatic events makes me a pretty ineffectual friend, especially in situations like this.”

Joey bit her lower lip, trying to keep from smiling. “He wouldn’t have come if he didn’t need you, appreciate you.”

“I’m not fishing for compliments, Jo.” He pushed against the porch, setting the swing in motion. “I don’t need validation.”

“That wasn’t what I meant. I just think he needs us, whether he knows it or not.” Joey tucked her feet under her. “I just...”

“I know.” Dawson tightened his arm around her and hugged her close. “I know.”

“Now here’s a familiar, heart-warming scene.” Pacey leaned against the storm door, his arms crossed over his chest. “Former soul mates cuddled closely in a beautiful, romantic setting. The lights down low, the stars out.” He sighed dramatically. “It brings a tear to my eye.”

“Close down the bars?” Dawson asked lightly.

“You’re so naive, Dawson. The bars don’t close until two. I am simply far too inebriated for those fine establishments to continue serving me. So, I thought I’d inebriate myself.” He held up a bottle. “So, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Pacey.”

He smiled at Joey. “Don’t worry, Potter. I have no intention of following Andie to an early grave. I said I’d drown my troubles. Not myself.”

Her tone hardened. “Pacey.”

“But your concern it duly noted. And appreciated.” He started toward the door, not bothering to look back, not really caring enough. “And just to show you just how much, I’ll give you two a few moments alone before I tell Jenna where you are.”