Disclaimer: Yadda...Yadda...Yadda...
Author's Note: Thank you to all my reviewers for at least giving me a chance (I promise I'll start spelling Leery the right way from now on, sorry Joy) and a special thanks to Nikki () who very enthusiastically encourages me to continue. Please note that this is just a fanfic. I'm not trying to earn a prize for being the best fanfic writer in the world. I know the story is along the lines of unrealistic, but I'm not planning on publishing it for money or anything. I'm just having fun. Please don't take the storyline so seriously. It's just a fanfic, putting emphasis on the fic, as in "fiction," part.
Chapter 6
Joey Potter awoke to sound of voices and clinking pots and pans. She arose from her bed and donned her robe. She didn't remember going to sleep. In fact she didn't recall lying down at all. She traipsed into the B&B's kitchen and come face to face with her circle of friends. Everyone was there, including the Leery's. All looked up at her with faces of concern.
"Good morning." She said softly. A chorus of replies followed her greeting but they quickly reverted back to the silence. Joey stood in the doorway awkwardly. It was apparent from their expressions that they all knew she'd lost it the night before.
"How are you this morning Joey?" Andie asked. She was the first one to speak up. Joey only shook her head silently acknowledging that she was ok for the moment.
"Are you hungry Jo?" She heard her sister ask.
"No." She answered. "No thank you...I'm not hungry."
Her sister persisted slowly. "Are you sure? I made your favorite pancakes.
"I said no okay!" She yelled out. Everyone's eyes were on her. Embarrassed. Joey ran out of the kitchen and out the back door. She wasn't sure where she was going only that she had to get away from her house as soon as possible. Her legs moved faster as she thought about what had happened in the past twenty-four hours. Suddenly, without warning, Joey tripped over a stump peeking out of the ground. She hadn't planned on coming face to face with the Leery's two-story home. Slowly her eyes traveled up the metal ladder to the flat section of roof underneath Dawson's bedroom window. A sudden wave of nostalgia hit her, and she was reminded of all the times she'd climbed in and out of that window.
She advanced toward the ladder and made the short climb to Dawson's window. As always, the window was open. She climbed into the room and stood still for a moment. Everything was as he'd left it. His desk lamp was still on burning brightly over his schoolbooks open on the desk. The sheets on his bed were slightly rumpled, but intact as if he'd just lay on top of them for a while. The sweat pants he slept in were hanging precariously off of the back of the desk chair miraculously they had not already slipped to the floor. His shirt however had not been so lucky. The maroon article of clothing lay in a heap underneath the chair. She slowly walked over and picked it up. She held the shirt up to her nose and took a long deep breath. It was perfumed with the fresh scent of soap and aftershave. It smelled like Dawson.
"Dawson," She whispered, and slowly sat down on the bed still holding the shirt. "Oh Dawson!"
The tears came before she could protest. She gave in. All she could do was lay back on the bed and cry.
********
Joey awoke slowly. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes. She was still in Dawson's bedroom, although, she was unsure of how long she'd been there. She sat up slowly still gripping the shirt tightly in her hand and slid off of the bed. Tiptoeing to the window she could hear the hum of vices below her. Dawson's parents were home and she was still in their son's bedroom. She slipped out the window and down the ladder as quietly as she'd come. As she walked back towards the B&B, she realized she was still in her pajamas and robe. She would have to stop off and change them. Afterwards, she would drive over to the hospital. She could hear voices in the front of the house so , she used the back door, opening it slowly so it didn't creak. It was a good thing her room was in the house, she was able to enter without being seen. She quickly showered and threw on some fresh clothes. She piled her hair up on top of her head and secured it with a clip. Grabbing the keys off of the dresser, she exited the house the way she'd come. She walked around to the side of her house where her car was parked. Being as quiet as she could. She rolled the car out to the street out of earshot. Once she was sure she was far enough away she startled the engine and drove off down the road.
It had only taken her ten minutes to reach Capeside Hospital but it had taken her longer to convince the nurse to let her in Dawson's room before visiting hours. Finally the tight-lipped woman had given in. An hour later Joey was standing in front of the door and stepped into the very room she'd sat for hours in the night carpet and advanced to the adjoining door. Before she put her hand on the knob, everything inside of her froze. Doubtful thoughts raced through her head. What could she do? What would she do? Would she fall apart at the mere sight of him?
"No." She said defiantly. "Joey Potter, you are here Dawson. Dawson doesn't need a coward, he needs a friend by his side." She took a deep breath and placed her had on the knob. "You have to do this for Dawson." On that not she turned the knob and pushed into the room.
There he lay, still and pale, nothing had changed. She froze in her racks for a second taking it all in. There was no denying the way she felt. It was a painful feeling, but, she couldn't let that stop her. This time she would have control. She raised her head defiantly and took bold steps toward the hospital bed. She sat down in the plush chair next his bed. Up close it was even harder to look at him. She brushed a timid hand against his cheek. The touch shocked her slightly. She had expected a somewhat cool and clammy feeling, but instead she was given the reality of a rather warm, soft feeling. A lot of the swelling had gone down in his face which allowed him to be more recognizable, Joey didn't understand, he looked like Dawson, he felt like Dawson, but she couldn't help feeling a slight sense of emptiness. There was something missing. Tears welled up in her eyes but she blinked them back. Softly, she cleared her throat and began speak.
"Hi Dawson...It's me...Joey," She was answered by silence. "I...I wish you could hear me. There's so much I want to tell you Dawson, so much I want you to tell me." I should never have let you go last night Dawson, not in the state you were in." Tears began to spill onto her cheeks. "I should have taken your car keys or slashed your tires, done something...anything...to keep you from driving away!" She paused to brush away the new fallen tears. "You were going to tell me something last night before you walked out. What was it Dawson? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't I make you tell me? Why didn't I stop you from getting in that car? She gazed at him, her eyes filled with tormented tears. He was still in the same position he'd been in for the last ten minutes. She brushed her hand across her forehead. What little of his hair you could see was sticking out, the rest was wrapped in the turban-like bandage. She used the same hand to stoke his face. Her other hand found the tip of his fingers on the left hand peeking out the cast. She grabbed onto them as tight as she could.
"You're going to be ok Dawson. I know you...you're a fighter and you won't let this lick you. I know we've strayed away from each other these past few months, what with everything happening...our breakup...my dad going back to jail...Pacey," She sighed sadly. "I know it's hard for you to accept us together. Sometimes I have to pinch myself just to make sure this is all real and I haven't been dreaming for six months. There's just so much going on...I hate that we've been so distant and awkward around each other. Listen to me Dawson Leery...there's a little confession I have to make...I may be with Pacey now, but I never lost my feelings for you. You are still as big a part of my life as you were sixteen years ago." She paused to brush away an escaping tear. "And that will never change. She leaned her and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
"I love you Dawson," She whispered. "I've always loved you and a part of me always will. Please. Come back to me."
She laid her head on his chest and allowed herself to cry. Behind her the hospital room door closed softly. Her onlooker had heard every word. Heavy feet dragged quietly across the carpet and into the hall.
That's all for now...writer's block...don't worry I'll post the continuation as soon as my creative juices start flowing again. I promise. Nikki, I won't leave you hanging for too long.
Author's Note: Thank you to all my reviewers for at least giving me a chance (I promise I'll start spelling Leery the right way from now on, sorry Joy) and a special thanks to Nikki () who very enthusiastically encourages me to continue. Please note that this is just a fanfic. I'm not trying to earn a prize for being the best fanfic writer in the world. I know the story is along the lines of unrealistic, but I'm not planning on publishing it for money or anything. I'm just having fun. Please don't take the storyline so seriously. It's just a fanfic, putting emphasis on the fic, as in "fiction," part.
Chapter 6
Joey Potter awoke to sound of voices and clinking pots and pans. She arose from her bed and donned her robe. She didn't remember going to sleep. In fact she didn't recall lying down at all. She traipsed into the B&B's kitchen and come face to face with her circle of friends. Everyone was there, including the Leery's. All looked up at her with faces of concern.
"Good morning." She said softly. A chorus of replies followed her greeting but they quickly reverted back to the silence. Joey stood in the doorway awkwardly. It was apparent from their expressions that they all knew she'd lost it the night before.
"How are you this morning Joey?" Andie asked. She was the first one to speak up. Joey only shook her head silently acknowledging that she was ok for the moment.
"Are you hungry Jo?" She heard her sister ask.
"No." She answered. "No thank you...I'm not hungry."
Her sister persisted slowly. "Are you sure? I made your favorite pancakes.
"I said no okay!" She yelled out. Everyone's eyes were on her. Embarrassed. Joey ran out of the kitchen and out the back door. She wasn't sure where she was going only that she had to get away from her house as soon as possible. Her legs moved faster as she thought about what had happened in the past twenty-four hours. Suddenly, without warning, Joey tripped over a stump peeking out of the ground. She hadn't planned on coming face to face with the Leery's two-story home. Slowly her eyes traveled up the metal ladder to the flat section of roof underneath Dawson's bedroom window. A sudden wave of nostalgia hit her, and she was reminded of all the times she'd climbed in and out of that window.
She advanced toward the ladder and made the short climb to Dawson's window. As always, the window was open. She climbed into the room and stood still for a moment. Everything was as he'd left it. His desk lamp was still on burning brightly over his schoolbooks open on the desk. The sheets on his bed were slightly rumpled, but intact as if he'd just lay on top of them for a while. The sweat pants he slept in were hanging precariously off of the back of the desk chair miraculously they had not already slipped to the floor. His shirt however had not been so lucky. The maroon article of clothing lay in a heap underneath the chair. She slowly walked over and picked it up. She held the shirt up to her nose and took a long deep breath. It was perfumed with the fresh scent of soap and aftershave. It smelled like Dawson.
"Dawson," She whispered, and slowly sat down on the bed still holding the shirt. "Oh Dawson!"
The tears came before she could protest. She gave in. All she could do was lay back on the bed and cry.
********
Joey awoke slowly. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes. She was still in Dawson's bedroom, although, she was unsure of how long she'd been there. She sat up slowly still gripping the shirt tightly in her hand and slid off of the bed. Tiptoeing to the window she could hear the hum of vices below her. Dawson's parents were home and she was still in their son's bedroom. She slipped out the window and down the ladder as quietly as she'd come. As she walked back towards the B&B, she realized she was still in her pajamas and robe. She would have to stop off and change them. Afterwards, she would drive over to the hospital. She could hear voices in the front of the house so , she used the back door, opening it slowly so it didn't creak. It was a good thing her room was in the house, she was able to enter without being seen. She quickly showered and threw on some fresh clothes. She piled her hair up on top of her head and secured it with a clip. Grabbing the keys off of the dresser, she exited the house the way she'd come. She walked around to the side of her house where her car was parked. Being as quiet as she could. She rolled the car out to the street out of earshot. Once she was sure she was far enough away she startled the engine and drove off down the road.
It had only taken her ten minutes to reach Capeside Hospital but it had taken her longer to convince the nurse to let her in Dawson's room before visiting hours. Finally the tight-lipped woman had given in. An hour later Joey was standing in front of the door and stepped into the very room she'd sat for hours in the night carpet and advanced to the adjoining door. Before she put her hand on the knob, everything inside of her froze. Doubtful thoughts raced through her head. What could she do? What would she do? Would she fall apart at the mere sight of him?
"No." She said defiantly. "Joey Potter, you are here Dawson. Dawson doesn't need a coward, he needs a friend by his side." She took a deep breath and placed her had on the knob. "You have to do this for Dawson." On that not she turned the knob and pushed into the room.
There he lay, still and pale, nothing had changed. She froze in her racks for a second taking it all in. There was no denying the way she felt. It was a painful feeling, but, she couldn't let that stop her. This time she would have control. She raised her head defiantly and took bold steps toward the hospital bed. She sat down in the plush chair next his bed. Up close it was even harder to look at him. She brushed a timid hand against his cheek. The touch shocked her slightly. She had expected a somewhat cool and clammy feeling, but instead she was given the reality of a rather warm, soft feeling. A lot of the swelling had gone down in his face which allowed him to be more recognizable, Joey didn't understand, he looked like Dawson, he felt like Dawson, but she couldn't help feeling a slight sense of emptiness. There was something missing. Tears welled up in her eyes but she blinked them back. Softly, she cleared her throat and began speak.
"Hi Dawson...It's me...Joey," She was answered by silence. "I...I wish you could hear me. There's so much I want to tell you Dawson, so much I want you to tell me." I should never have let you go last night Dawson, not in the state you were in." Tears began to spill onto her cheeks. "I should have taken your car keys or slashed your tires, done something...anything...to keep you from driving away!" She paused to brush away the new fallen tears. "You were going to tell me something last night before you walked out. What was it Dawson? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't I make you tell me? Why didn't I stop you from getting in that car? She gazed at him, her eyes filled with tormented tears. He was still in the same position he'd been in for the last ten minutes. She brushed her hand across her forehead. What little of his hair you could see was sticking out, the rest was wrapped in the turban-like bandage. She used the same hand to stoke his face. Her other hand found the tip of his fingers on the left hand peeking out the cast. She grabbed onto them as tight as she could.
"You're going to be ok Dawson. I know you...you're a fighter and you won't let this lick you. I know we've strayed away from each other these past few months, what with everything happening...our breakup...my dad going back to jail...Pacey," She sighed sadly. "I know it's hard for you to accept us together. Sometimes I have to pinch myself just to make sure this is all real and I haven't been dreaming for six months. There's just so much going on...I hate that we've been so distant and awkward around each other. Listen to me Dawson Leery...there's a little confession I have to make...I may be with Pacey now, but I never lost my feelings for you. You are still as big a part of my life as you were sixteen years ago." She paused to brush away an escaping tear. "And that will never change. She leaned her and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
"I love you Dawson," She whispered. "I've always loved you and a part of me always will. Please. Come back to me."
She laid her head on his chest and allowed herself to cry. Behind her the hospital room door closed softly. Her onlooker had heard every word. Heavy feet dragged quietly across the carpet and into the hall.
That's all for now...writer's block...don't worry I'll post the continuation as soon as my creative juices start flowing again. I promise. Nikki, I won't leave you hanging for too long.