Despite their happy months together, living comfortably in their routine, never discussing or analyzing what they felt when they were around one another or the impression they gave other people about their relationship, things finally came to a head. It was now the beginning of December and one of Joey's books, that was going to be published in May, was moved up to Christmas and she would have to begin promoting the book and taking part in discussion and question/answer sessions. The book, which was about the trials and tribulations of a young girl over the course of fifteen years, was getting strong pre-publication buzz from reporters who were given an advance copy of chapters to review. To officially unveil the book, the marketing representative for the publishing house wanted to throw a huge party for her at a restaurant/bar in Manhattan, where Joey would do press interviews and circulate and mingle with the important people. Hopefully mingling with these people would catapult the buzz and excitement for this book into her next one, which was still coming out in spring.

While she took most of the buzz, news and reviews and impending work in stride, Joey was beginning to get more anxious as the date for the party arrived. Dawson already agreed to be her escort and Joey's nanny already agreed to baby sit on that evening so she and Dawson could go out and have fun, enjoying her success and attention after all the waiting.

"Joey, Matthew I'm here," Dawson yelled as he arrived as usual after work to unwind. Hearing Joey in the kitchen, Dawson looked down to see Matthew, who was now walking, wobble over to him with his arms extended. "Hey little man, is your mom making noise in the kitchen?" he cooed, dropping his messenger bag and tickling Matthew, who was pawing at his face. Walking carefully near the kitchen, he poked his head in to see Joey frantically working to put something together for dinner.

"Hey Dawson I'm glad you're here," she said, kissing him on the cheek while placing a kiss on Matthew's head. "Sarah called today to say that the New York Times book critic is coming to the party and wants to do a five minute sit-down interview to go along with her review."

"Well that's good isn't it?" he asked, confused why she was frantically running around the kitchen.

"Well yeah I mean a possible front page mention in Arts & Leisure section would be amazing but I don't know Dawson, what if she hates it, what if she tears it to shreds and next to my undoing is a picture of me smiling like an idiot?" she said hurriedly, finally dropping the silverware she was holding in the sink and sighing, turning to look at him. "If this bombs I'm screwed in spring Dawson, what am I going to do?"

"Okay first of all you're not going to freak out because you have nothing to worry about," he said soothingly, moving over to give her a hug and kiss on the forehead. "I seriously doubt that the critic would take the time to come downtown for your party and take the time to interview you to go along with the book if she didn't like the chapters you pre-released. You're going to be fine because I'll be there the whole time, you have nothing to worry about." She looked at him and smiled.

"You're right, you're right, this will be fine," she said, kissing him softly on the mouth before returning to the pasta on the stove. "Dinner will be a few minutes." Dawson wanted to believe her that everything was fine, but he could see how much the stress was mounting over the last few weeks. The party was the next night and she was getting more worked up with every hour. The next night Dawson spent the afternoon with her, helping to pick up the townhouse and make dinner for Matthew and the nanny to warm up later on. Joey was running around, frantic, trying to pay attention to Matthew while getting ready for the party and fielding calls from Sarah and the marketing rep at the publication house. Fed up with the running around and snappy comments, Dawson exiled her upstairs to relax and get ready and turned off the phone so she could have an hour of silence. Chatting with the nanny as they were getting ready to leave, Dawson privately prayed that Joey had calmed down in her time upstairs.

"How is Ms. Potter doing?" Annie, the nanny asked, noticing the frazzled expression on Dawson's face.

"Hopefully much better after some private time, otherwise this could be a long evening," he sighed, teasing Matthew with his E.T. doll. Before he could say anything else though, he heard footsteps running down the stairs, both turning to see a nervous but calm Joey standing at the bottom, wringing her hands while looking at them.

"Okay I took a nap and got ready so let's go," she said shakily. "I don't know how it's going to go, but I'll remain optimistic and keep an open mind." Dawson smiled and nodded, handing Matthew over to Annie.

"I think that's the best we can do, so let's go," he said, giving her a reassuring smile as she reached for her coat, helping her put it on.

"Matthew can you say goodbye to Mommy and Dawson?" Annie said, turning Matthew to see them. They made a striking pair, dressed in a black suit and tie and a knee-length skirt, heels and v-neck shirt. Dawson and Joey paused for a minute, looking at the adoring 2-year old face that looked back at them and smiled. "Go on get out of here."

As the car pulled up in front of the party, a small snow began, and Joey could see all the cars parked in front, letting people and reporters out to enter the restaurant. Holding Dawson's hand tightly, they hopped out and ran for the door. Walking through the first set of doors to the stairs leading down to the party, Joey pulled him back for a minute, looking at him with sheer terror in her eyes. Just as he was about to reassure he again though she stopped and closed her eyes, breathing deeply.

"I'm fine, we're fine, this will go fine, just breathe deeply," she said out loud, looking at him and kissing him on the lips, lasting a bit longer than their usual kisses. "Okay let's go," she said, leading a surprised Dawson down the stairs. Reaching the bottom of the stairs they were met with an eager group of reporters who snapped pictures of Dawson and Joey together as well as pictures of Joey alone with a copy of her book. While she was barraged by reporters and interviews, Dawson sat comfortably at the bar, sitting with a drink and watching her manage everything with ease and a smile, looking over once at him to wink.

"Dawson this is Carla Tower, she is the marketing rep that has been calling the house all the time recently," Sarah laughed, ushering a young woman over to Dawson, who was absorbed in his drink, watching for Joey to re- emerge.

"I'm sorry I've been bothering you guys so much this week, we just had so many interview requests, I wanted Joey to know," Carla laughed, shaking Dawson's hand. "It certainly is nice to meet you Dawson, the elusive husband." Sarah and Dawson froze for a second, shocked by what she just said.

"Joey and Dawson aren't married, they're friends." Sarah started.

"We're old friends.old friends," Dawson said.

"Oh I was told that you were involved, like married," Carla said shakily, realizing she made a terrible mistake. "When Joey re-wrote her dedication a few days ago I thought.I mentioned something to her and she didn't correct me. I'm sorry." Obviously embarrassed, Carla left quickly to shake hands with some people leaving while Sarah and Dawson stood there in shock.

"Dawson I don't know what the hell is going on, I didn't know she re-did her dedication," she said, grabbing for a copy of the book, flipping immediately to the forward. Reading it, she looked up and handed it to him to read. To Dawson-my soul mate, inspiration and so much more. He read the dedication over and over again, wondering what "so much more" meant in Joey's language. Standing there for a minute he was barraged by a range of emotions. He was touched that Joey thought of him for her dedication, knowing she cared for him deeply, but confused by what the last portion meant.

"I have to go," he said, finishing his drink quickly and walking past Sarah, dropping the book on the bar and heading to get his coat. Watching him for a minute, Sarah ran to find Joey, who was talking to someone from the office.

"Joey, Dawson's leaving you have to go after him now," she said, pointing to him walking quickly up the stairs. Seeing the look of confusion on her face she pulled her by the arm away from the woman she was speaking with. "Joey you have to catch him and talk to him now before this whole thing blows up." Noticing the urgent look on her face, Joey ran after him, hoping her worst fears would not be confirmed.