December 28, 2001
"Meeting you after work should not be a problem. I was planning on hitting some of the bigger sites of the city today." Dawson walked over to the bathroom door where Jen was half dressed, curling her hair, and drinking a cup of coffee.
"Okay, just be careful. You're not taking your video equipment with you today, are you?"
"No, I figured I'd do some looking around first. Trying to make the scenes in my head before lugging stuff around."
"Good, I want you to get a little more familiar with the city before you start filming. You want to go out to dinner after work?"
"Sure, that would be a good idea. When you get a chance can you help me with the subway map?" He looked at her with both eyebrows raised in what could only be considered an expression of worry. "I don't want to look like a complete greenhorn."
"Sure."
Jen took the map from Dawson and pointed out what would be come a regular path over the next 3 weeks.
"You see, get on the yellow b/d toward time's square, switch at time's square to the red 2/3 that'll take you to central park north. Once you're there I'm sure you'll make it down to the met. The green line isn't far, you can catch it to grand central station, you could walk over to Rockafeller center, or just head back to NYU. I'll meet you at the train station there, say 5:30, to avoid any confusion."
As Jen spoke, Dawson's mind wandered a bit. He took notice of the difference geography made to Jen's demeanor. In Capeside, she always seemed so laid back, comfortable. In New York, she seemed different. More concerned about timing and appearance, and just a little off.
"Um, sure. I think I've got it. Thanks a bunch, Jen. I guess I'll see you tonight," he said as Jen finished her morning routine, gulped back the rest of the coffee and headed for the door.
"Be careful, okay?"
"I will, I promise." He shot her a wink as she stepped out the door.
***
December 30, 2001
"Come on Jen, tomorrow's New Year's Eve. Aren't we going to do something?"
"Well, we aren't, but I have to." Jen let out a sigh.
"What are you talking about. You're gonna leave me alone in a strange city on the eve of 2002?"
"I'm sorry Dawson, but I have to go to my parents' New Year's Eve party. I'm kind of required, especially since I got to spend Christmas in Capeside."
"No problem, I'll just come with you." Dawson stated, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Dawson, you don't want to come with me. First of all, it's mainly my parents' business associates and their snobby children. Second, I won't make very good company. And third... It's black tie."
"Oh, come on Jen, it can't be that bad. Please?
***
December 31, 2001
"This is one of my closest friends, Dawson Leery. Dawson, this is Dr. And Mrs. Jamison, and their daughter Carly."
"It's a pleasure to met you." Dawson stepped forward to shake hands with Dr. Jamison.
"Friend? Is that so? Jennifer brought many 'friends' around when she still lived with her parent's. I see she hasn't changed any. Well, you kids have a good evening." Dr. Jamison turned to his wife and, placing his hand on the small of her back , led her toward another couple.
Dawson stared at his back as he retreated, then looked to Jen, blushing. Jen looked up at him, sighing slightly, and shrugged her shoulders. After a moment, Carly followed in her parents wake.
"This is why you didn't want me to come? Because your parents' friends would use me to embarrass you? I'm sorry." Dawson reached out to Jen, brushing his knuckles gently over her cheek.
"Dawson, this is not your fault. Don't think that you embarrass me, because you don't. My parents' friends would have found some other way to insult me, it's not about you." She took the hand that hovered at her cheek, and led him away from the center of the room where most of the partygoers were mingling. "If anything, it's me who is embarrassed. I didn't want to suck you into this part of my life. I've dealt with my demons, but that doesn't mean I like facing them wearing a cocktail dress and a forced smile. If anything, you are making tonight bearable. Thank you." She squeezed his hand gently before releasing it.
Jen smiled brightly at Dawson. "Now, why don't we get some champagne, as long as we are here we might as well enjoy the perks." They started walking over to the bar, smiling at each other in relief and understanding.
***
"Come on Dawson," Jen giggled quietly. "You know that you really want Carly. She's been looking over at you all night. Why not go for it? Make your way over there so that when that ball drops you'll be lip to lip."
Jen was smiling and pushing against Dawson's chest to try and get him to move. But her pushes lacked strength, and in reality, the hand on his chest was helping her to stay upright. Looking at her, Dawson could see the redness in her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes, showing that she was more than a little tipsy, and well on her way to drunk. Drunk. He'd never seen her drunk. In Capeside she had always been so concerned with staying in control and aware of her surroundings, but here...
"Jen, why don't I just stay right here. I'm sure you'll give me a little kiss to bring in the new year?" Dawson flashed her his winning smile, and in answer Jen giggled.
"... Five, four, three, two..."
The hand that Jen had placed on Dawson's chest for balance curled around the lapel of his jacket and she pulled his face to hers.
"Happy New Year, Dawson," she whispered before laying her lips on his.
Dawson was shocked at Jen's forcefulness, but when she teetered, threatening to fall he put his hands on her hips to steady her. Before he was able register what was happening, they were kissing.
Jen could feel more than champagne rush to her head as Dawson's lips played over hers. She heard a sigh, but couldn't tell whether the sigh came from herself or from Dawson. She slide her hands from his chest to the back of his neck, tilting her head slightly and pulling him deeper. Deeper, so that they were both drowning.
Even while Dawson's tongue slid against Jen's. Even while marveling at her taste and her smell. He knew he should pull away. Slowly, so slowly, he eased the pace so that they were kissing gently. He leaned back and kissed her forehead before touching his brow to hers in an effort to regain his breath.
"Wow."
Gently Dawson released her and stepped back. He looked into her eyes, and saw the champagne clouding them. Sighing, he took her hand.
"Maybe we should go home. Are you okay, Jen?"
"Yeah, I'm okay, a little startled is all. I'm sorry, Dawson. I know that was my fault."
"There's no blame. We kissed, that's all. No more, no less. Now we should get you home so I can ravage you properly," he joked in an effort to lighten the mood.
She smiled back at him and followed him as he gathered their coats and said good-bye to her parents.
***
January 18, 2001
Dawson and Jen were sitting in Jen's living room. The VCR humming as it rewound. The only light spilling out of the kitchen.
"Wow, Jen. I can't believe it's done. And with 3 days to spare. I think I might even have time to do some laundry before I head back to LA."
"I'm so glad that you stayed with me, and, in my amateur opinion, I think your film looks great. Of course it could just be that I've seen it a hundred times by now. Who knew so much work would go into a 30 minute tribute to the big apple."
The look Dawson had on his face was pure joy. Jen couldn't remember the last time he looked so happy.
"Dawson, you have got to calm down, you look like you're about to explode."
"So, you think the second version is definitely the one? 'Cause if you aren't sure, then we can watch them again." Dawson spit out the words like they were athletes racing to the finish line.
"Dawson, chill. Number one, yes I'm sure that's it's the second version you should turn in. Number two, if you make me watch all five versions again I will have to kill you. Number three, exactly how much coffee have you ingested in the last 24 hours? You can't seem to sit still and your hands are shaking." She placed her hand on the leg that was tapping incessantly on the floor, as if to prove her point.
"No coffee here. I'm running on natural speed, pure adrenaline. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. All I want to do it turn it in and find out what my professor thinks. If she likes it then I might have a chance at an internship, or maybe to work with one of the upper-classmen on their senior project." He seemed like he would jump off the couch any minute and bounce off the walls.
"I'm so happy for you, but you have got to chill out. You're driving me crazy. It's midnight, I know you don't want to sleep, but some of us need to."
"Come on Jen, don't leave me hanging. I'll never be able to sleep now, and if you leave me alone I'll probably watch my film over and over all night. Then I'll be even more neurotic."
"Dawson, I'm exhausted. My body's shutting down for the night, I need sleeeeep," she whined to him, leaning forward slightly while still gripping his knee.
"Jen, you don't need sleep, let's go down to that all night coffee shop. Donuts? I know you love donuts. Please, please, please." He seemed like a little kid begging his mom for candy.
"Yes, I love donuts, but no, no, no." She stood up and stretched heading back to her bedroom. Dawson leapt up and blocked her path.
"Oh, come on. If you won't come out with me, at least stay up a little more." He tried the puppy-dog eyes, which evidently did the trick.
"Okay, but we are not watching your film again. Pick something boring that I've seen a hundred times and I'll stay awake as long as I can. Promise."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She just laughed at him as she settled back onto the couch.
***
It was morning, and Dawson woke up to find Jen still asleep, curled up next to him on the couch. She had her arms linked through one of his, and her head up against one shoulder. He shifted carefully so that his arm was around her side and she leaned gently on his chest. He absently dropped a kiss onto her temple and leaned back to look at her. Surprised at their closeness.
"Thanks again, Jen," he whispered. "Not just for helping me with my film, but for so much more. I wouldn't even know where to begin. I just know that my life would be very different, and most likely worse, if it wasn't for you."
He let his eyes drift shut, thinking of her before falling back to sleep. As he drifted off, it occurred to him that his relationship with Jen had changed some, evolved if you will, during the time he'd spent alone with her. Even Joey noticed a difference in dynamics when she came to visit. They were easier together. They had a deeper understanding of one another. One that Joey didn't have with Dawson, since it was during the summer before senior year that Jen offered her understanding and support. And one that Jack didn't have with Jen, because Dawson had inadvertantly stepped into the world of her parents. Hopefully this bond would last. No, he thought. It would last, he would make certain it did.