A/N: Early Joe/Tilly here so they're not exactly together yet but they're friends none the less. It also doesn't give him lack of points for attempting to trying to get her to realize otherwise.
Vienna:
By: LOSTrocker
Joe was at the piano when Tilly came up to him. "Bad day," he said.
"Oh, what ever made ya think that?"
He chuckled. Did he have to make that list? He caught up on it the moment she came in. The first thing was how her hair was damp from being caught in the sudden down pour, then came the dropping of many things. Tilly was clumsy enough all ready, but today made it even particular for her to drop stuff. Third, the way she handled the costumers. She was snippy, which she hardly was. Earlier this afternoon one was a little too touchy feely, Joe actually thought he had to step in, but he didn't. Tilly took care of herself by "accidentally" pouring a mug of beer all over the bastard. It was difficult to fuss at her when the prick deserved it. He shoved him out of there while he made a mental note to talk to Tills about it when they closed up which was why she was here now.
"Do ya wanna talk 'bout it?"
Matilda went to but came up short because Joe had enough on his plate all ready. The last thing he needed was her bitching and groaning about her piss poor excuse of a life that didn't seem to be going no where.
Joe waited. Richie warned him. He told him he'd probably have to beat her out of her, but just in case she didn't, Richie gave him some of the details that Tilly wasn't feeling him in on like the fact that her mother was back in town, and that was a good thing due to the simple point they didn't get along. Tilly didn't know this but he'd only known because Richie informed him. Tilly made Rich promise not to say anything. However, he felt it was in her best interest, just in case Richie wasn't here if her mother found her, then Joe could be if she'd let him. The other was the point of being stuck. He, out of all people knew what that was like.
"Naw," Tilly shook her head. "I jest need some rest Dawson. I'll be good as new tomorrow."
He laughed. "Do ya ever take a minute?"
"A minute to what?"
"I dunno, breath?" he asked her out of concern. "Ya don't, yer gonna crash, an' when ya do, it's gonna be hard."
She gave him that classic line about how she would when she was dead. Tilly thought she could take a quick leave, bid him a good bye before trying to make her way until his playing continued on, and he began to sing. It was an old familiar Billy Joel tune she loved known only as "Vienna".
Tilly wasn't sure how he did that, how he was able to figure out just what to do make her feel better. She had a feeling that little bird named Richie told him.
Joe smiled when he found that the song was doing its trick. He saw that twinkle in her eyes again and that smile that played on her lips. It was contagious as hell. The best part was that she had no idea.
As much as Tilly wanted to join in, out of habit, she reframed herself because this was a gift for her, not the other way around. It didn't stop her from swaying from the piano's side.
Dawson brought home softly:
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?
And so would he.
END.
A/N: I'm not sure if Joe would actually dig Billy Joel but considering Joel is a fellow piano man, I imagine he'd have some sort of appreciation for him. Plus, Joe is doing that particular number for Tilly, so it really doesn't matter if he likes him or not. I just wanted an excuse to imagine Joe singing one of my favorite songs.