The kiss they shared that night stayed with them both, leaving them happy yet confused about what happened, wondering what this meant for their friendship/relationship, whatever it was. They traded slightly awkward messages over the next few days until Dawson left for Capeside for his mother's party through the weekend. While he was gone Joey thought long and hard about things, about Dawson, about Matthew and their future. She wanted someone to be there for Matthew, to be a father for him, but she also wanted something for herself. She wanted someone to love her, love Matthew and be there for her physically and emotionally. Despite her tough and confident façade, she really wanted to love someone again, to feel their love in return and put her trust in someone again. Watching Matthew play adoringly with his E.T. toy, she couldn't help but smile. Ever since he woke up and found Dawson's gift, he never went anywhere without it, sleeping with it, playing with it, unable to go anywhere without seeing that toy.

She also spent most of those days thinking about Dawson and their friendship. She could feel that their bond was re-established and she could feel the closeness and devotion between them. The only thing she was still confused about what that nervous, anxious feeling that was there whenever they were together. He made her feel safe and happy, knowing he wouldn't judge her or think less of her because of her past actions or mistakes. Being with him again, having him in her life and Matthew's life made her feel something she felt when they were fifteen and she was madly in love with him. Could she be in love with him like that again? They were very different people now, but this was beyond their soul mates connection, this was something more, something deeper than that.

And those feelings didn't diminish when he returned from Capeside, going right to her townhouse from the train station, staying for hours to play with Matthew and let Joey make him dinner, only to intentionally forget his coat at her place. The feelings that sat deep in her heart and stomach only built as the weeks and months went on. They feel into a comfortable routine, Joey and Matthew meeting him for lunch several times a week, Dawson spending almost every evening at her townhouse, playing with Matthew and cooking with Joey or helping her move things around in the townhouse for the fall. He was rarely at his apartment except to sleep, knowing he was always welcome anytime with her and Matthew. As Dawson and Joey began to rely on each other more, Matthew became more accustomed to Dawson being around, going to him openly and recognizing his presence in the house and his mother. The three still went the park together every weekend for a picnic as the weather held, and on rainy days they would camp out in the townhouse with children's movies, with Matthew clutching his E.T. toy wherever they went.

Dawson accompanied them trick-or-treating at Halloween, bringing his camera to capture the evening as they walked around Joey's block to all the townhouses and apartment's in the area. It was usual for Dawson to put his arm around Joey when they went for walks, talking about work or anything on their mind. She never asked him to stop and would often reach to hold his hand or place her arm around his waist. They shared frequent kisses on the cheek, sometimes even kissing on the lips goodbye, feeling the same shock of excitement when they touched and the comfortable nature between them and their actions, but never once discussed it. Sarah, Ron and the guys at Dawson's office also noticed the change in them as the weeks and months went by. Along with pictures of his family and pictures of Jen, Pacey, Andie and Jack there were now pictures of him and Joey and pictures of Joey, Matthew and Dawson together. Sarah noticed Joey was much more relaxed and confident, having a support system behind her, watching her suddenly fuss more about her appearance when Dawson was coming around. His co- workers noticed Dawson was always more anxious to leave the office at the end of the day, taking work home with him and making the time to take a lunch break so he could eat with Joey and Matthew, who were regular fixtures at the office around noon.

Their friends and co-workers teased them endlessly, always inquiring about their relationship, if they were more than friends or not, but unbeknownst to each other, they had the same answer, we're just friends, calm down. Despite their answer to that question though, both knew something else was going on. Yes they were friends, but there was something else going on that both knew and could feel when they were together, but never vocalized it to anyone, including each other.