A/N: Hey there fellow P/Jo'ers! Once again we are revisiting the Stolen Kisses epi. Don't know about you guys, but we were confused, surprised (and definitely not attracted) by Dawson's seemingly 180 degree turn around with regard to his sudden feelings for Joey and wanting her back. You agree, it did kinda come out of nowhere, right? Hence, this short ficlet takes a stab at what he must have been thinking right about now. Don't worry; we haven't forgotten about Pacey and Joey and that second, all important kiss. Not even possible, LOL Next time we promise! As always, we deeply appreciate all your comments and feedback - so, please, keep 'em coming! Special shout out to: pippiboo, CindyClinlou555, ckoder, nightshadowlife, Seersha, cleanslate, shudawg61, VampSass and kaaitlinanne
*~* Illusion *~*
by M&M Works
The living room was deserted, the karaoke machine long abandoned; Dawson sat on the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees, staring at the "stage" in front of him. He couldn't help but smile as he envisioned Joey's grin while they sang together earlier. She had seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself, caught up in the moment as much as he was. Not surprising really, for that song held a special meaning for them. You could almost call it "their" song; the one they sang every time they came here. So it was only fitting that they sing it for old time's sake on what would be their last visit here, now that the house was being sold. Despite his initial chagrin at spending Spring Break with his aunt, something about being here with Joey felt completely… right.
As a matter of fact, events of the last few weeks seemed to portend an upswing in the course of their relationship.
Camping with Pacey had filled him with nostalgia but also reminded him of the one thing in his life that had not lost its luster – his friendships.
Though his best friend had been busy this year restoring his boat, helping at the B&B and watching out for Joey, Dawson did not feel the drift between them that he'd felt with Joey. He knew that what he'd said was true - Pacey was pure loyalty; he'd do anything for a friend. That's why, when Pacey told him in passing at lunch recently that Joey and AJ had broken up, he knew he could count on Pacey to lend her a shoulder if she should need one.
Of course, if he hadn't pushed Joey away, it would be his shoulder she'd lean on.
But Dawson knew that their separation was crucial to the survival of their relationship. They had both grown and matured and healed over the course of the previous months. Now the time they spent together, however limited, was easy and harkened back to a time when they really did make sense of each other's lives.
Leaning back, Dawson shifted sideways on the couch and stretched his legs out, wondering where everyone had gone. He could hear his aunt puttering around in the kitchen, humming under her breath. He always considered his mother, despite her human failings, to be a wise woman but Aunt Gwen certainly knew how to get to the heart of the matter. Her pointed questions brought clarity to his issues.
Why aren't the two of you together now?
What's your one thing? Okay, close your eyes… now, paint your future. What do you see?
Dawson wasn't sure he had a suitable answer to either of those queries.
Why weren't he and Joey together now? The brunette from across the creek was, in the end, the key to the second question – his muse, his conscience, his inspiration.
His soul mate.
Maybe it was time to return to his rightful place at her side? Though she'd said he was still an eternal optimist, he didn't see that as a negative thing and, furthermore, couldn't imagine how she could either.
She had acknowledged that he was different now.
She admired him.
Maybe not in blatant gestures or words but there was no denying the subtext of their chat. Yes, their discussion in the barn proved to him that it was finally time to move forward into a new phase of their relationship.
They were ready for a more mature romance this time, one born of years of trauma and heartache but built on that firm foundation of faith he'd mentioned.
Yes, this time they'd really make it. This time the ties connecting them would be too strong to break.
Of course! That's what she had wanted to talk about just now when Aunt Gwen had interrupted them! She had sought him out to discuss their earlier conversation! She felt the same way he did!
Sitting straight up, as if hit by a bolt of lightning, Dawson strained to hear some sign of her in the house. His aunt had vacated the kitchen some time ago and he thought he had seen Will and Andie on the porch earlier. Detecting no voices inside, he craned his neck to look out the front window, searching for any signs of life there.
Where was she?
Thinking quickly, he debated. Should he seek her out now? Let her finish the thought she had started? He wondered if she was waiting for him somewhere in the house or yard. He could picture her sitting in the hayloft, running her fingers over the carving of their names, hoping he'd come to find her.
But his inner artist hesitated. No, he didn't want to rush this conversation; probably the most important one of their lives yet. The setting and ambiance had to be just perfect. After all, he was a very talented young man with a rich and powerful imagination.
He would sweep Joey off her feet with a grand gesture that would show her just how he felt about her, and she would be so impressed that any reservations she might still be harboring toward their reunion would come tumbling down. He smiled, remembering the look on her face that time he'd built her that white picket fence; how happy and surprised she had been. Yes, a grand, romantic gesture was definitely the way to go.
It really was time to lay the past to rest and embrace the future… together.
Dreamy-eyed, he painted this future in his mind, picturing the fade out of a scene he had yet to write.
*~*
What A Fool Believes
He came from somewhere back in her long ago
The sentimental fool don't see
Tryin' hard to recreate
What had yet to be created once in her life
She musters a smile
For his nostalgic tale
Never coming near what he wanted to say
Only to realize
It never really was
She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He's watching her go
But what a fool believes he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems to be
Is always better than nothing
And nothing at all keeps sending him...
Somewhere back in her long ago
Where he can still believe there's a place in her life
Someday, somewhere, she will return
She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He's watching her go
But what a fool believes he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems to be
Is always better than nothing
There's nothing at all
But what a fool believes he sees...
*~*