"It's late, isn't it?" She says to Dawson as they walk down the hallway towards her dorm room, her hand in his. "Guess we sort of lost track of time."

"Yeah didn't we!"

He swings his arm over her head so that his arm is now resting on her shoulder as they continue to hold hands.

If I told you how I feel about you
would you say the same and
if I wrote it in a letter
would you keep it or throw it away

"Meaning?" Joey asks him with a big grin on her face

"Well, time's the enemy, right? Our enemy!"

He lets go of her hand and brings his arm back to its side as they approach her door.

"Mmmm, you're not planning on turning into a pumpkin at midnight?" As she finishes she turns to face him, no longer leaning towards the door.

"No, but I am leaving tomorrow."

I never thought I'd feel the way I'm feeling lately
when everything you seem to do just drives me crazy

The smile on her face falls and there is a very brief silence as they both ponder what is to come and where to go from here.

Then Joey asks. "And then what?"

"And then I come back."

There is a hint of a smile as she asks, "Back to what exactly?"

"To us!"

Every waking day you take my breath away
With every word you say you take my breath away
You look at me that way, baby come what may
I hope that you'll always know how to take my breath away
How to take my breath away

The smile on her face gets bigger and he smiles back at her. Joey leans in to kiss him and as she does so she still has this really big smile on her face.

Their lips meet, her top lip caught between his as she leans her body into his. One of his hands rests on her waist as she holds his other one captive by the wrist. They get lost in the kiss for a moment, she frees his wrist, he cups her cheek and she wraps her arms around him, tiptoeing a little.

They stop kissing and just look at each other, he cocks an eyebrow at her suggestively and she giggles before burying her face in his neck. She suckles on the one spot she knows he loves, eliciting a moan from him.

If you told me how you feel about me
Things I did not know
if you said you'd fill my heart with all your loving
Til it overflowed

It crosses their minds that here is not the place for it, but really they both want to prolong this and don't really care who sees them like this:

Happy!

Together!

"Joey…mmmm!"

"Mhmm." She murmurs against his neck and he doesn't say anything for a moment.

"Jo!" And he groans as he pushes her away. "Don't you think…"

"I was a little busy!" She cuts in and starts to nibble on his neck again, running one of her hands up and down his back.

I don't know the way you feel but boy I'm hoping
I always used to hide a way, but now I'm open

They're both so wrapped up in what's happening that they don't hear the door to the dorm open. They don't even hear the rather loud sniffle or the light, muffled way someone says "Joey".

It's only when Dawson opens his eyes and sees Audrey standing in the doorway and both he and Audrey say her name at the same time that she turns to face Audrey.

"Where have you been Jo?" Audrey asks sounding distressed and her eyes look a little red.

"With Daws-" Joey trails off as she comes face to face with Audrey. Seeing the fresh tears that threaten to spill from her eyes. "Oh my God Audrey! What's wrong?"

"We got into a huge fight!" She says between sniffles. "And…and he dumped me! I tried calling you but…"

Jo wraps her arms around Audrey. "Come here." And she hugs her, not seeing that Audrey has just winked at Dawson, or the small hint of a smirk on Dawson's face as he slowly shakes his head.

"There, there!" Joey pats her back and then guides her into the darkened room, Dawson following. He flips on the light switch as he's about to close the door.

Cries of "happy birthday" and "surprise" echo around that room.

Joey stands there, her mouth hanging slightly open, taken aback. "You guys!! Wow, I don't know what to say."

"There's a first time for everything!" Pacey chimes in, earning him a glare from Audrey and he mouths an apology.

"Again, wow and thank you!" She says and turns to Audrey. "I really thought that something was wrong with you, ya know!"

"I KNOW! But Joey," Audrey exclaims, giving her hair a quick flick. "I'm an actress. I gotta be good at this stuff." She turns to Pacey. "Okay you, pay up!"

At that Pacey hands both Dawson and Audrey $10 and Jen gives the same amount to Jack.

Joey looks a little perplexed. "What's going on?"

"Just some of us paying up 'cuz we thought that you wouldn't be convinced by Audrey's acting skills!" Jen replied, matter of factly.

"See Dawson called to say you two were going to be held up and Audrey said she'd find a way to get you in here before you really planned on it. And Dawson said he bet she could but that he was going to be a while with you or something, I wasn't paying attention. I was just thinking of how to win my ten bucks back off of Jen and…"

Jen butts in. "Jack, I think she gets the point!"

"Hey I know you all just want to sit around all day, discussing my wonderful acting abilities, but – but it's Joey's day!" Audrey gestures to Joey. "I'll take back my spotlight again tomorrow. Besides…it's not like I can take all of the credit. I did get to work with this really amazing director last year. Taught me a lot!" She turns to Dawson and winks at him.

Every waking day you take my breath away
with every word you say you take my breath away
you look at me that way, baby come what may

He chuckles and Joey turns to face him, suddenly noticing that he hasn't said anything since they were in the hallway.

She quickly glances up and down, no doubt thinking of what they could be doing right now. She doesn't even note the looks that go on between the rest of them.

"You knew about this?" She asks, gesturing around the room.

"It was kinda his idea!" Jack informs her. "He said something about a surprise; again, I wasn't paying too much attention."

"Oh Jack?" Jen calls. "Time you started to pay more attention!"

"Yeah, yeah!" He says over his shoulder, walking towards Joey and giving her a hug. "Happy birthday!"

"Let the girl, sorry – woman, sit down!" Jen says tapping Jack on the shoulder and then when he turns to her she indicates for him to move out of the way. Then she hugs Joey. "Happy nineteenth birthday Girlfriend!"

"Shouldn't that be woman-friend?" Pacey asks smirking, but no one seems to be paying any attention to him.

"Thanks Jen…Jack." Joey says, before being pulled into a quick hug by Pacey.

"Happy birthday, you had a good day?"

I hope that you'll always know how to take my breath away
How to take my breath away

"Yeah!" Joey replies with a big smile. "A great day!" She suddenly gets a warm feeling in the lower part of her stomach as she recalls those words from earlier.

And one that hasn't ended yet!

"Bunny!" Audrey says, snapping Joey from her daydream by grabbing her hand and then turning to Dawson and yanking him over to the foot of Joey's bed too. "Sit, sit!" She orders them. "Okay, what first? Pressies…" her eyes light up. "Or cake?"

"I vouch for cake." Pacey says. "That way we can eat as Joey opens her gifts."

Everyone rolls their eyes at Pacey, but go along with it anyway.

They sing 'happy birthday' and Joey blows out the candles.

"Did you make a wish?" Dawson asks.

Joey casts a sideways glance towards him and then to the others.

"Yes". She replies also nodding.

"Care to share?" Jen inquires.

Take my breath away
Take my breath away
Take my breath away

Joey shakes her head. "Nope, it won't come true."

"I thought you weren't superstitious!" Jack says.

"I'm not." She replies, "But I'm not going to tempt fate!" No one notices how she quickly glances at Dawson again.

Every waking day you take my breath away
with every word you say you take my breath away

"I hope you guys don't mind." Jack says, interrupting the look between Dawson and Joey.

"Mind what?" Dawson asks, tearing his eyes from Joey's as he says his first words since entering the room.

"When we heard you guys out in the hallway!" Pacey continues. "We took the liberty of ordering pizza."

"You two didn't have anything planned, did you?" Jen asks.

You look at me that way, baby come what may
I hope that you'll always know how to take my breath away

Joey weakly shakes her head and Dawson replies, "Not really".

No one sees the knowing look that Audrey throws at Dawson and then Joey.

"Okay, time for presents!" Jen exclaims. "This is always my favorite part!"

"Start with this one." Audrey tells Joey as she leans behind her and thrusts a cerise colored box onto her lap.

"It's from me and Pacey." She finishes as she gives Pacey's knee a quick squeeze.

Joey carefully unwraps the box as everyone watches, to reveal a mass of satin.

As Joey extracts it from the box Audrey explains. "I noticed last year that you never had your basic little black dress and I saw this and immediately thought of you!"

By now Joey has pulled the black spaghetti strapped knee length dress from the box. The straps crisscross at the back and the neckline scoops a little at the front.

Joey stands, holding the dress up to show everyone how the dress looks.

"No woman should be without that little black number!"

"Thanks Audrey, I love it." She quickly hugs Audrey. "Thanks Pacey." She finishes sitting down.

Jack hands Joey a small parcel, which she unwraps quickly to reveal some sketchpads (in three different sizes) and some colored pencils.

"I know it's not much, but I couldn't think of anything else to get you!"

How to take my breath away
(How to take my breath away)
Take my breath away
Take my breath away

"Aw, thanks! Just what I've been needing."

"Do you suddenly have a burst of newfound inspiration?" Dawson asks smiling.

She doesn't answer him, instead opting to thank Jack for his gift. But the hint of her blushing wasn't lost on Dawson.

Jen leans over and hands her a small gift bag. "The one wrapped in red is from Grams, the purple… that's my gift." She informs Joey.

"Which should I open first?" She asks, pulling the red one from the bag. She carefully unwraps it to reveal a black and gold trinket box.

"It's beautiful! Tell Grams 'thank you' for me!"

"You can do that tomorrow yourself. She wants you guys over for dinner!"

"Then I'll see her then." Joey replies as she starts to unwrap the other gift. "Oh wow." She exclaims when she opens a velvet box containing a silver necklace with a pink stone. "Jen, it's beautiful!" She moves to given Jen a big hug. "Thank you."

"I'm glad you like it. It's a pink tourmaline. It's your birthstone."

"I love it." She runs a finger over the pendant, a hint of tears at the corner of her eyes.

(How to take my breath away)
Take my breath away
Take my breath away
Take my breath away
Take my breath away
*Emma Bunton – Take my breath away*

Audrey moves closer to get a better look, bumping Joey so she leans more against Dawson.

"Sorry." He says.

"Not your fault." She replies, looking at him.

"I don't mean about that. About…?" He trails off as he hears his name being mentioned. "What about me?" He asks Pacey.

"Where's your gift for Joey?"

"I gave her it last night."

"Oh." Jen says, raising an eyebrow. "What exactly did you give her?"

Joey feels this little flutter but ignores it. "He gave me a snow globe."

"It was totally cheesy." Dawson states.

"I liked it." She retorts, looking him in the eye. "And I don't think it was cheesy."

"Hey Dawson!" Pacey interrupts. "What do you want to drink? We're gonna go for some soda's."

"I'll take anything." He replies not taking his eyes away from Joey's.

"Joey?"

"Diet Coke." She replies, casting her eyes away from Dawson's. She'd always known there was some sort of power in his stare and right now, she wanted everyone to leave so they could get on with whatever they were about to be doing. So they could discuss his coming back.

"Okay, who else is coming?" Pacey asked, making a beeline for the door.

"Me!" Jen replied. "I'm not sure what I'm in the mood for."

"Audrey, you staying here?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna chaperone these two." She says winking.

"Yeah right!" Jack replies, rolling his eyes.

"Like they really need it!" Pacey chips in.

"You'd be surprised." Audrey whispers in response, but only so Joey hears it.

Pacey, Jen and Jack go in search of refreshments leaving only Audrey with Dawson and Joey.

"So Dawson…" Audrey starts, breaking the silence. "Did you miss me?"

"You bet I did!" He replies, cocking an eyebrow. "Did you miss me?"

"Yep. Ya know I just wanted to hear you say you missed me." She looks from Dawson to Joey. "Had you both planned something?"

"Not really." "Kind of." They reply at the same time and turn to look at each other.

"Well that would be interesting." She rolls her eyes knowing no information is being offered so she will have to be giving someone the third degree.

"Jo, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Um, sure." She replies.

"Bathroom!"

They enter the bathroom and Audrey turns on the tap before either of them speaks. They stand in silence for a few moments facing each other.

"Well it appears that you aren't going to volunteer anything about you two. So I'm going to have to interrogate you." She puts her hands on her hips. "Did you get more than a snow globe for your birthday?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Joey asks dumbfounded.

"Did you, or did you not yank his chain?"

"Audrey!" Joey's now bordering on mad.

"I'm only asking because I'm worried about you both. I love you guys and I'd hate for either of you to rush into something and end up hurt."

"It's none of your business if I…"

"There's no need to get all defensive and everything Joey. I was just fishing for some gossip. Not that I would have told anyone mind you, but…"

"Fine! You want to know Audrey?" She cuts in.

"Yes."

"We did it!"

"Really?"

"Oh yeah!" Joey starts, almost seething. "We were at it all night. Did it twelve times and did it everywhere: up against the back of the door, against the window, your bed, my bed, the floor…in here!" She finishes crossing her arms, a little shocked at where the outburst came from.

"Geez Joey. All you had to do was say 'no', but you don't. Instead you get my hopes all built up like that!"

Audrey turns facing the mirror above the sink and stops the water running, not seeing Joey roll her eyes at her.

She looks back up and studies Joey in the mirror. She sees her biting her lip notes a slight twinkle in her eyes and maybe even the hint of a smile about to curl on her lips.

"What happens now?"

Joey half shrugs. "He goes to LA."

"And then what?"

"He comes back in two weeks to start filming."

"And!! Don't make me beg. It won't be pretty."

"We see how it goes."

Audrey turns, studying her face to face. "So, do you plan on ending your birthday the way you started it?"

"And how's that?"

"With Dawson Leery in your bed!"

Joey raises an eyebrow. "How'd you know something happened?"

"One minute you sound so damn sincere and the next I can tell you are fabricating the truth. You look as though you are just dying to tell someone, you have a twinkle in your eye and you were practically eating him in the hallway."

Joey sighs; it's a happy sigh.

"Plus if it had really been no you would have said so straight off the bat. You were safe right?"

Joey rolls her eyes.

"Okay that was a yes." She pauses. "I am happy for you guys." She says and gives Joey a hug.

"Fireworks?"

"Oh yeah." Joey replies as she feels heat rise in her cheeks a little.

"So I guess you had better things planned for tonight than this."

"We didn't have anything set in stone…"

"But? I sense one of them coming."

"He had wanted to take me out to dinner and said we could come back here so I could change."

"That was to get you back here for your party." She sees a flash of disappointment on Joey's face and adds. "But you know Dawson; doesn't he normally have something or another up his sleeve?"

"Yeah."

"And you looked like you had something other than dinner in mind too. You want me to try and help you get rid of the others?"

"Audrey!"

"Aw come on, he's going away for two weeks and don't forget, I saw you all but ready to devour him in the hall."

Joey tries to reply but only stammers.

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on, everyone will be back soon and the pizza will be here and then I'll devise a plan to give ya some alone time with Dawson."

"Audrey?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

"Aw it's nothing; consider me your fairy Godmother and it's just an additional gift."

*to be continued...*