Summary: DJ-Set 3 years after "Joey Potter and the Capeside Redemption. DJ are best friends and living in NYC together, but when Joey asks Dawson to set her up on a blind date, Dawson is forced to face his lingering feelings for her and deal with the fall out of his actions.

There was an unusually large crowd seated at Rinnie's café for a Tuesday lunch. Chatting idly on his cell phone as he maneuvered through the crowd, he spotted his regular lunch companion at a table not far from the flower- covered gate. Almost sensing his arrival, she looked up and waved him over, putting away her book and removing her reading glasses.

"Well hello there, you are a sight for sore eyes," he said with a smile, dropping his messenger bag and turning off his phone so their lunch would not be interrupted.

"Same to you, how was your morning?" she asked, smiling brightly and standing up to give him a quick hug before sitting again.

"Ah you know, nothing like being on the bottom rung of the New York independent film ladder," Dawson laughed, grabbing a menu and brushing off a bug from his companion's shoulder.

"Thanks, you're not on the bottom rung Dawson, you're just getting started, let's not be over dramatic here," she said, putting on her sunglasses and taking a sip of her tea.

"You're telling me not to be over dramatic? You invented the phrase 'drama queen' Joey," Dawson said, watching her brow furrow and snort disapprovingly.

"Whatever film boy, can we order and then banter please?" Joey said, throwing a glance in his direction, causing both of them to smile.

After ordering they continued to talk, catching up on the events that occurred between now and the last time they saw or talked to one another, which was only twelve hours ago. When the food arrived fifteen minutes later, they paused to indulge in their respective club sandwich and salad before continuing the conversation.

"So Friday and Saturday night they're re-showing some old movies at the theater in Chelsea I told you about, why don't we go?" Dawson asked, watching her reaction.

"You want to go both nights?" Joey asked curiously, trying not to spit out part of her salad.

"Well yeah, I mean if you have plans like." Dawson stammered.

"Like a date that I didn't tell you about?" she asked curiously, watching his squirm.

"Well.yeah.I mean if you do it's fine, we don't have to go," he said, trying to avoid her piercing stare.

"Relax Dawson, no date, you know men don't like me," Joey said, noticing him roll his eyes, like he did every time she said this. "Besides I can't think of anyone I would rather spend a weekend with than my best friend."

"Okay first of all let's not rehash this whole thing again Joey, you're very attractive and men line up to go out with you," Dawson said, grabbing her hand reassuringly.

"Really because I don't see a line, do you?" Joey said, placing another fork full of salad in her mouth. "My last date was three months ago Dawson and I left early to hang out with you at your place."

"He was a jerk Joey and unworthy of your love, I told you that," he sighed. "Besides what guy wouldn't want to take you out when you have salad leaves hanging out of your mouth." His comment caused her to pat at her mouth, wondering if she really had salad leaves hanging out. When she heard him laugh though, she knew it was a joke.

"Very funny Dawson," she sighed, kicking his leg playfully.

"So we're set for Friday and Saturday then because I'll buy tickets this afternoon," he said, eating the last bits of his sandwich.

"Yeah if Price Charming rides in to take me away I'll ask him to hang on until Sunday morning," she laughed.

"Good I'm sure he'll understand and I'm paying this time," Dawson said, swiping her credit card away when he saw her place it on the table.

"You paid for lunch yesterday and dinner the other night and you're buying the tickets for this weekend, Dawson it's my turn," Joey laughed, struggling to get her credit card back.

"Nope sorry," he said, slipping the card in his back jeans pocket.

"Dawson this isn't a date, when friends have lunch they can take turns paying," Joey said, causing an uncomfortable moment of silence between them.

"You're right, this isn't a date but it's still my turn," Dawson said, slipping his card to the waiter, watching Joey cross her arms across her chest and pout. "Besides I want you to save your money to buy me a nice birthday gift next year, this years gift was a bit lacking."

"I can't believe you just said that!" Joey cried in shock, watching him laugh and relax back in his chair. "You knew I just graduated from Worthington and moved to New York, I told you all this and you didn't seem to mind then."

"I'm kidding Joey, calm down, I loved your gift, it was very thoughtful," Dawson said, giving her a wink.

"Liar," she laughed and began putting her stuff back in her Hobo bag. After paying for the meal and gathering their stuff together, they walked out of Rinnie's hand-in-hand as always and began walking back to Times Square where they would separate as always.

"Okay so I'll buy the tickets this afternoon and then I have to go back to my crappy office and beg for more money to work on my documentary, how about dinner tonight?" Dawson asked, guiding them slowly through the growing crowd of people.

"Let me see about dinner, I have to work through more crappy manuscripts this afternoon before I can do anything, ah the joys of entry-level publishing jobs," Joey snorted, grabbing his arm and squeezing his hand tighter as a large man collided against her.

"Okay well let's plan on your place this time at eight, I'll bring dinner and if that changes just give me a call," Dawson said, arriving finally at their separation point, the Hot Tix stand at 46th and Broadway.

"There's a new concept, you and me talking on the phone," Joey laughed, turning to face him.

"Is there something you're not telling me because you've been extra touchy today.that time of the month?" Dawson said, ducking a playful swing of her fist.

"Funny Dawson, you're a regular Gallagher," Joey said haughtily. "Okay dinner at eight, you know the drill."

"Later," Dawson said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

"Later," Joey replied, kissing his cheek as well before turning at the same time to go their respective ways. Waiting to cross the street though, they both threw a glance back at one another, blushing a bit and then with a casual wave losing themselves again in the crowded streets.