A/N – Hi! Those of you have read this story or this chapter, I have gotten a beta reader so there are a lot less mistakes, if any! For those of you who haven't read this before, here is some information about the story. It takes place after the characters (that went) graduate from college. It is a Dawson and Joey story, and also a Pacey and Andie story. There will be a love triangle but not between Dawson, Pacey and Joey. I hope you enjoy the story and I would love it if you would read and review. E-mail or IM me at Cheerfulgrl07@aol.com, if you have any questions or comments.

    Beta's Note – Hiya! I'm Shimegami, Cheerfulgrl's unfortunate beta reader. I'm personally not a fan of Dawson's Creek, but… anything for a friend! Mind you, I have nothing against any of you because you like the show. I just prefer to watch anime. Cheerfulgrl worked hard to write this, so be nice. I'm warning you… any flames will promptly be used to roast some marshmallows. Constructive Criticism, however, would be greatly appreciated.

Nice Dawson's Creek fans… 

    Disclaimer- Unfortunately, Dawson's Creek doesn't belong to me, though I do own the first season on DVD…

                                                                      One Step into the Future and One Step Back

                                                                                        By Cheerfulgrl07

                                                                                          Chapter One

                                                                                            The Visitor

    Joey couldn't believe it. Collage was over. It still felt like yesterday that senior year had ended. Now this.

    Dawson had left for California in May. There he had started his first movie, as a director. She was happy for him, she really was. The same way he was when she got into Worthington. She was glad she was going to get to see his come true. They had kissed the night they had said goodbye, she remembered thoughtfully.

    Suddenly, a phone rang.

    "Hello?" Joey asked.

    "Hey, Joey. It's Audrey. I am going to be home in, uh, 20 minutes. Most of my stuff is packed, so it will only take me a few minutes to finish."

    "All right, hurry up though. The apartment is waiting."

    "Bye, bunny," Audrey said, before hanging up.

    Joey hung up then returned to packing and reminiscing. She regretted how it ended between Dawson and her more then ever. This time, it had been her fault.

    A few months before he left, she had gone to a dance with Pacey. Well, actually, she had been chaperoning a dance for Harley, and she'd brought Pacey with her. Pacey had made it more then clear that he wanted to get back together. But Joey had known that she hadn't wanted to. She rejected the offer and she decided to just stay friends with him.

    The more unselfish reason was the whole Audrey and Pacey thing. The real reason, though, was that the triangle was gone. The love triangle she had been involved in during her later years of high school. Pacey and Dawson had just worked past their problems, caused by her. She didn't want to do that again. She didn't want to start redrawing the triangle.

    Which was also the reason behind what she did to Dawson. She was still confused about her feelings for him, true. She didn't have to say what she said. The memory kept flashing back into her head.

                                                                 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Flashback ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

    Joey turned away as Dawson reached in to kiss her.

     "What's wrong?" asked Dawson.

    "This isn't a game anymore Dawson, it just isn't! We have messed up at this two many times, why hurt are self's more by try something that is going to fail, that has always failed and will fail."

    "We were young and-"

     "Immature? Yeah, maybe when we were 16! Do you remember what happened at the beginning of the year? I hardly doubt we are more mature then we were then."

    "Look, I didn't find that a mistake."

    "Yeah, because it would have made for the perfect film. We have moved past that, you're right. I just want to be friends Dawson."

     "Jo, you haven't learned anything. Your still acting 16."

    "No. I have learned something. It took me 3 times, but I have. We are not meant to be, and I don't need to kiss you to realize that. We are not meant for each other. You should be able to except that."

                                                          *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ End Flashback *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

    He hadn't said anything after that. He just gave her this look of disappointment, shock.

    There had been countless times when she tried to call him. It never actually happened, though. She would always either stop in the middle of dialing, or she would hang up on the first ring.

    There was one time though when she heard his voice answer, "Hello?"

    She had immediately hung up.

    She broke from her thoughts when there was a loud knock on the door.

    "Hold on Audrey, I'm coming," Joey said, walking to the door. When she got there, she stopped dead, not believing what she saw.

    "Hi."

    A/N- All right, I am working on the next Chapter all ready. It's either Pacey or Dawson at the door. I will give you that clue. Please review, or E-mail me, letting me know what you think. Your thoughts are important to my writing and me.

                                                                                                                                     ~Cheerfulgrl~