Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I don't own the movie "Fools Rush In" or the show, Dawson's Creek, kay? I'm just borrowing the plotline from "Fools Rush In" and some of the characters from Dawson's Creek.

Author's Note: Wow, actually, looking at how much more the movie has left… I think this story has 3 maybe 4 chapters left and it's done! This chapter is a little cut in some places. But if you've seen the movie, it should be alright, and for those of you who haven't, its okay. I hope it's not dull!

Thank You's: A BIG thank you to Jessie who helped me get ideas together.

Spoilers: There aren't any spoilers in here this time (Well, except if you haven't seen the movie "Fools Rush In".) This is an AU (Alternate Universe) fan fiction. So what you know about Dawson and Joey growing up together, being best friends, sadly there is none of that in this fan-fiction.

Dawson stood in Todd's office, waiting; just waiting for the lecture he knew he was going to get. It would probably be a more drawn out version of the little ones he'd get from Pacey every few days. He thought to himself about how it was a very good thing he was friends with his boss or else he'd probably be fired. Most directors were like that.

"Okay, he silence is killing me," Dawson said. "Just say what your thinking."

"I probably should have kept your ass back in Los Angeles is what I was thinking," Todd said. "None of this would have happened."

"Todd, I know I haven't been as focused as I should be-" Dawson began.

"Damn right you haven't been. Leery, you're the director's assistant; my assistant. You should be sharp and on your toes," he said.

"I swear for now on, I'll be more focused," Dawson said. "C'mon Todd, give me another chance. We'll have this movie finished in two months," Dawson told him. He and Todd had talked about letting Dawson direct the next film -depending on how good of a job he did with this one. And so far, Dawson knew he wasn't doing as well as he should been doing.

"You know mate, if we get this film finished in two months, I just may be forced to let you direct the next flick after all," Todd said.

"You'd still let me do it?" Dawson asked, half surprised.

"You're the best assistant I've ever had, kid. And you'd be a damn good director," Todd said. Dawson smiled. "IF you knew how to keep your priorities straight," Todd added, causing Dawson's smile to falter.

"Look, productions on the next film starts July 1st," he explained. Dawson looked at him shocked, remembering the promise he had made to Joey a while back.

"But Pacey said it wasn't starting 'till October," Dawson said.

"Wha' you don't want it?" Todd asked.

"No! No, I want it, it's just.. The baby's due in October and I promised-"

"Is there a problem?" he asked. Dawson looked up into his boss's face, realizing he wasn't going to be able to keep his promise to Joey. He had worked too hard to let this opportunity slide between his fingers.

"No. No, there's no problem," he said, looking down on the ground.

During the next month or so, Dawson had shifted his 'priorities' to where all he did was work. He'd even take work home with him, partly so that he wouldn't have to look Joey in the face, knowing he was putting off telling her that they were going to have to move long before October.

The more busy he got, the less he was forced to think about letting her down. But along with that, he didn't realize he barely saw his wife. He didn't stop and notice the things that were still happening to her during the pregnancy. He barely made it home for supper; never fully realizing all he was missing. He had been running late for work and had missed a baby shower, several appointments, and even forgot about meeting her one night to pick out a baby crib. But he knew that once the movie was made, he'd be able to make up for the lost time- or so he hoped.

"Honey, let him get this movie made," Audrey said, sitting beside Joey at work. Joey was relieve she could still turn to Audrey for advice or just someone to talk to. And with the way Dawson had been acting, she needed to talk to Audrey.

"He's changed Audrey. I can't reach him. Something happened at work; A-a meeting or something," she said.

"Joey, the guy's got a lot on his mind," Audrey explained.

"No, it's more than that," Joey said. "I think he's in trouble….but he won't talk to me."

"Well do you think he wants out?" Audrey asked.

"I don't know," she said honestly, resting her hand against her belly.

A few weeks later, the movie was completed. Joey was excited, hoping now things would go back to normal between them; and maybe he'd be around more. She was now seven moths along, wishing Dawson was around more before the baby was born.

There was just one more thing left for Dawson to do then he'd be done with the film, then they'd be together in New York for a few months before they'd move to L.A. There was a wrap party she knew she'd have to attend with him, even though being at seven months, she wasn't too thrilled about getting dressed up while feeling so fat, but she knew it was important to him, and she loved him, so she planned on going.

Dawson had arrived at the party before her, but she was amazed at the beauty of the building where the part was when she got there. Everyone was dressed up and looked amazing. She had arrived with Audrey, inviting her beforehand. When she walked in, she instantly spotted Dawson on the other side of the room. He looked up to see Joey arrive; Audrey at her side. He smiled and waved at her. She was wearing a beautiful black dress and had her hair up in a bun. The site of her took his breath away. Joey smiled and waved back as Dawson made hi way towards her.

"Hi!" he said as he finally reached her, kissing Audrey quickly on the cheek then Joey.

"Hey," he said, kissing Joey on the cheek.

"Hey," she said.

"I was worried about you," he admitted.

"Hey, listen you guys, I'm going to the bar to get a drink," Audrey said before disappearing.

"You shouldn't worry about anything, Dawson. This is your night," she said.

"Joey, I think now that the filming for the film is finished, we should probably talk about-"

"I am so proud of you, Dawson!" she said, smiling. His face fell a little, the guilt seeping in.

"Hey, why aren't you more excited?" Joey said as she playfully swatted him on the arm, picking up on his mood.

"Ah, well, it's just been a little…hectic," Dawson said. "You know, there's just been so much going on, and.." he trailed off. "You look great," he said, looking her body up and down, smiling.

"I-I look fat," she said brushing a strand of hair that had come loose, behind her ear and putting her other hand on her stomach. Joey's eyes grew wide.

"Feel this," she said as she grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. Dawson was a little confused for a second, then he felt it. He smiled realizing the baby was moving around. Both Joey and Dawson smiled.

"The baby must like the music," Joey guessed, their gazes locking.

"Hi," a blond woman said, walking up to them, interrupting their moment. "Excuse me, but Dawson, there are a few people who would like to talk to you over there," she said.

"Oh, okay," he turned to Joey, who continued to force a smile. "I gotta… I'll see you later," he said before disappearing, not seeing Joey's smile had faded. She sighed as she watched him disappear away from her.

As the party dragged on, Joey's hope that Dawson would come around decreased. The few times he had come over to see and talk to her, he was whisked away once more to go talk to more 'Hollywood Big-shots.' And each time, Audrey noticed the disappointment in Joey's face.

A little while later, Audrey pulled Joey into the ladies room for a make up- touch up -and also to try and talk to her.

"Joey, are you alright?" she asked.

"Of coarse, why wouldn't I be?" Joey asked.

"Jo, C'mon, I know you. Something's wrong and I know it has to do with Dawson and the way he's been acting lately."

Joey sighed. "I just wish he wasn't so…distant."

"Have you tried talking to him?" Audrey asked. "you know, told him how you felt about all this?"

"I-I'm sure things will calm down after this," Joey said as she made a few touch ups on her lipstick. "So you and Pacey seem to be getting along," Joey observed.

"Yeah, well," Audrey said, trying to change the subject back to Dawson. Joey gave her a look, wanting to her more about Audrey and Pacey, and to not talk about Dawson anymore. "Alright, alright, so I think he's cute. And charming," Audrey added. Joey just rolled her eyes.

"Ow!" Joey said suddenly as she leaned forward, putting both arms on the sink for support.

"Joey, are you okay?" Audrey asked quickly, putting her hand on Joey's back.

"Yeah, I'm-I'm okay," she said.

"Alright here, come sit down," Audrey said helping Joey to the small couch in the rest room. "I'll go get Dawson," she said as Joey sat down.

"No. No you won't!" Joey said quickly, her hand on her stomach. "Just… wait a minute, it'll pass," she assured Audrey.

"I'm going to go get you some water, okay?" Audrey said.

"Okay," Joey replied, taking a few breaths and rubbing her stomach. A few minutes later, Audrey returned with a cup of water.

"Here," she said.

"Thank you." Joey took a few sips and sat there for a few more minutes.

"Feeling better?" Audrey asked.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay now," Joey said as she got up.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. C'mon, let's get back out there," Joey suggested. Joey looked around the room for Dawson, hoping to catch him for a quick second. She was feeling a little better, but she wanted to get home and rest. Finally, she spotted him sitting at a table with three other man. She took a deep breath and began towards him.

"there you are," she sighed as she reached him. Dawson smiled and stood up next to her.

"Oh uh, Todd; This is my wife, Joey," Dawson said, quickly introducing them. "Joey, this is my boss, Todd Carr." Todd stood up and extended his hand, smiling.

"'Ello, nice to meet ya," Todd said, shaking her hand.

"It's nice to meet you too," Joey said.

"Your in for quite an adventure," Todd told her. Joey smiled, putting her hand on her stomach and looking over at Dawson.

"It has been so far," she said, smiling.

"I knew if I dangl'd the chance to direct, our boy here would get back on track," Todd said.

"Well, we don't really need to-" Dawson began.

"Excuse me?" Joey asked.

"Just think; by this time next week, the two of you will be back in Sunny California," Todd said, grinning. "I hope your all packed." Joey's face began to fall in realization.

"Listen, it was nice to meet you, but I gotta get outta here," Todd said. "Maybe we can get together and have dinner or something," he suggested before heading off. Joey slowly nodded her head.

Dawson stood there for a second, trying to think of what to say to her, but before he could say a word, Joey walked off.

"Shit," Dawson muttered under his breath as he ran after her, chasing her all the way out of the building and into the parking lot where the music could still be heard.

"Joey, there was nothing.." he began. But she continued walking. "Would you just stop for a second?" he said as grabbed her arm lightly, turning her towards him.

"Look, there was nothing I could do the job starts July first," Dawson said.

"Tell them to wait," she said simply.

"I can't do that," he told her.

"Can't or won't?" Joey asked, then began walking away once more.

"I've worked too long, too hard to-" he began. Joey spun around.

"To what ? To share your life with someone who loves you?" Joey said. "Who-who cares for you?" Joey stopped, putting her hand up to her forehead. "But you don't include me! Why do you shut me out of your life?" she asked, starting to break down.

"There wasn't time, I-"

"Oh c'mon Dawson, you knew about this for a month!" Joey said. She took a deep breath to try and regain composure. "Look, I told you in the beginning that I had no problem raising this baby on my own," she said before she began to walk away once more, now feeling sick again.

"Jo! I thought we were a family," Dawson said, talking a step after her. Joey turned around once more.

"Yeah? So didn't I," Joey said. "But love is a gift, Dawson. It's not an obligation - like the way you've been treating us!" she said as the tears came down. She quickly began running, not wanting him to see the tears.

"I didn't work this hard to throw it all away just because I walked you down the isle and put a five dollar ring on your finger!" he shouted to her. Dawson heard a loud sob escape her, which only made him feel worse, as he watched her disappear into the car and drive out of the parking lot. He stood there for a few minutes, letting it all sink in as she disappeared from him.