Disclaimer: You really wanna read it over? If that's what you're really into, then go back to Chapter 1. Otherwise, on with the story!

Author's note: Hello again! I hope you're all pleased with this next chapter. I'm still figuring out how all of this will play out, because I want to keep it semi-close to some of the happenings in Season 6, like keeping the concert in and Dawson going back to Natasha for a little while and everyone down in Capeside for Christmas. BTW, for the sake of the story and to fit a good time of events, Joey got pregnant in the last week of September and not on October 2, when the premiere aired. One more thing though, is that any scenes I reenact from TV may not be written verbatim. So please don't hold it against me. And any other characters other than the regular cast are of my own creation. Got it? Good. But feel free to let me know what you think please!! Review or write to me at: reina_de_las_rosas@hotmail.com.

Author's note #2: Just a little FYI for the story, words in this * * indicate thoughts, and the lines of *~*~*~*~*~*~* are the start and end of flashbacks. Hope that helps!

Author's note #3: Ok, so I fibbed a bit. Audrey and Pacey do break up, but not the way that the show depicted it, just so you know. They are still, well, Audrey and Pacey. Also, Audrey doesn't start doing her spiral of self- destruction and drinking. I hate what they did to her on the show. (Hey, anybody notice how blonde girls who date Pacey eventually lose it? Just a thought.) Basically, Audrey's still a good person.

Author's note #4: (It's the last one! Honestly, I swear!) Last, not least, I want to personally thank and acknowledge my beta reader, Megan, for doing such a great job helping me with this story. She is an amazing help and an even more amazing D/J lover! The opening scene would not have existed without her. So I dedicate this chapter to Megan and I hope you'll love it!

Summary: With college, work and a broken heart to take care of, Joey has enough to deal with in her life. But when an unexpected reminder of Dawson and Joey's one night together arises, things will change, unsaid words will finally be spoken, and fate will go to show that some lives are just forever entwined.

Spoilers: set after Instant Karma!

Rating: PG-13/R, for language and sensual descriptions, depending on the chapter.

Forever Entwined

Chapter 7

(2 hours later, same day)

"Audrey! Unless you want your car's interior redecorated, slow down and take into consideration the expecting mother riding in the passenger seat. You're giving me a headache." Joey yelled in her desperate attempt to get Audrey to stop going so damn fast.

"Ok, ok, no worries. Just relax and don't put on any more unnecessary stress." Audrey said, changing her 'Rockin' Road Trip Tunes' CD to the new Relaxation CD she just burned for Joey. "Here, now close your eyes and imagine your self in a new place...."

Joey leaned back in her seat, droning out the sound of Audrey's voice and stared out to the passing landscape. The road riding along the coastline from Boston to Capeside had always been a serene and scenic sight for her.

Then again, it was more breathtaking when driving at the proper speed.

As always, with Audrey, it was given that that was only one more rule she didn't intend on honoring. The Atlantic Ocean was nothing but a glittery blur against the dying rays of the day's sun, as the speeding blue BMW whizzed on by.

Even flying by her in the blink of an eye, it was one of those things that stayed constant, no matter how many times she drove back and forth from one home to the other. * Unlike her father. * She randomly thought. It startled her that she even thought of that.

It had been a long time since she allowed herself to think about her father. She hadn't even spoken to him in years, not since he was escorted out of her life in a pair of handcuffs for the second time. Even when she learned of her father's release and his current location, she lost her courage the second she stepped into the store he now worked for.

She had wondered the store and found him near the back, stocking merchandise on the shelf. She watched him for a moment, working hard, and wondered why he never contacted her or Bessie once he was paroled. Despite what she wanted to think, a part of her was glad, glad that he couldn't come back a third time and single-handedly wreck her life again.

And now that part of her was asking why she was there. Letting him back in would end disastrously. It was too much of an instinctive feeling that she couldn't ignore. And while she mentally debated, he almost caught a glimpse of her.

Luckily, as he turned in her direction, she barely ducked behind a nearby shelf. Once the coast was clear, she walked back to the truck and drove away before she could change her mind.

She thought about it for the next week after that. Should she at least call or write as a duty to let them know his family was alright? Even if he never made them his priority?

In the end, several drafts of letters piled in the garbage can and her finger could never dial that last number. Even right now, in her position, she so desperately wanted a parent to be there, to protect her, to tell her it was alright. But she wondered if she could trust her father enough to let him back into her life and not destroy her heart.

Or his grandchild's heart.

Taking a break from her thoughts, she stared out the passenger window, squeezing her eyes shut from the bleeding scenery, trying desperately to keep her nausea at bay. She opened the window a crack. The salty tang of the Atlantic Ocean smelled so clean and felt so refreshing as the chilling air whipped across her face.

But she knew the growing pit in her stomach wasn't just motion sickness or morning sickness, whatever it was. For the last 45 minutes, she had been replaying everything that had happened back at the dorm, now that her secret was slowly unraveling.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Joey raked her hands through her hair, praying with everything that this was one hell of a bad dream. "God, this cannot be happening."

Audrey got up, shooing Jen inside and closed the door behind her. "Jen, as much as we love you and all, what in God's name are you going here?"

Jen raised the foil wrapped dish in her hands. "Grams wanted me to send this over for you guys to take back to Capeside, since you guys can't join us for Thanksgiving." She nodded over in Joey's direction. "But I can see that I came at somewhat of a bad time."

Looking over, she saw that Joey had gotten up from her place on the floor and had sat back down on her bed. Jen placed the dish on the nearest table, and sat down next to her.

Joey was reluctant to say anything. Now that someone else in their inner circle knew, especially someone so close to Dawson, it was only a matter of time before the truth got to his ears.

"Congratulations, you figured out my big secret." she mumbled.

Jen grabbed her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Well, I have to say I'm rather impressed. In our little circle of friends, things tend to circulate pretty quickly." She paused for a moment, searching for the right thing to say. "So, you really are...."

"Yeah, a little over 2 months."

Doing the math was a cinch. "So that makes it...."

"Yes, that makes it Dawson's." Joey finished for her. "And yes, he doesn't know and is not going to know. Not now, not in 5-6 years, never." She pulled her hand back and got up. She paced around the room aimlessly, suddenly feeling so confined within her dorm walls.

Jen looked at Audrey, who put up her two arms as though surrendering. She got the feeling that Audrey had already tried having this conversation with Joey. Jen figured all she could do was wing it. "Joey, I know what you're thinking and you can trust me. I'm not gonna say a word. And I'm not saying go tell Dawson, but I mean, he is the father and that is one right a man is entitled to in his life."

Joey stopped pacing. "But I can't just go tell him. You know him. He's so upstanding and honorable, despite the fact that he was screwing some prissy, high-strung, movie star wannabe bitch!" Seeing the semi-terrified look on Jen's face, she muttered, "Sorry, hormones." Jen nodded her understanding.

Joey sat down at her desk, looking up at the picture of Dawson tucked in her memo board. He looked so strong and caring, so thoughtful as he gazed off camera. For as long as she was in love with Dawson, she never imagined the day that she strived to get away from her best friend. * This wasn't how it was supposed to be. * She tearfully thought.

"As much as I want him and as much as I'm willing to get him back, it's not gonna be this way. I don't want him loving me out of some sense of obligation, a need for duty so that his conscience is clear at night." She looked over at Jen. "Please Jen, the last thing I need right now is Dawson finding out. It's obvious that he's moved on with his life. He's got his movies, his movie girlfriend and I don't need to interfere with it. I need to move on with my own." She paused,

She walked over to Jen and grabbed both her hands. "Please."

Honestly, Jen didn't like it. Dawson had a right to know Joey was pregnant, particularly when he was a main factor in this life. But this was Joey. The one person who had always acted like she didn't need anyone, now needed someone. And if there was anytime Joey needed a friend, it was now.

Jen nodded. "Ok, ok. I won't say anything." Joey sighed. "I didn't say I liked this, but I'll do it."

Joey looked at her. "Well, you don't have to like it, you just don't have to say anything about it."

So, at least for now, her secret was still under wraps.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ok, Joey. We're here!" Joey looked over to see Audrey turn the engine off. Looking forward, she saw that they were already parked in front of the Potter B and B.

She was home.

And as much as she didn't want to admit it, now it was time to confront it all; the lingering ghosts of her pasts, the problems of today and the big gaping unknown of tomorrow.

Ok, everyone, what do you think? Please review! I love you all!