Chapter 6 - Story

Audrey sat on her bed as she read Pacey's note, and couldn't help but smile. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" she called.

Joey opened the door and stepped inside.

"Have you spoken to Dawson?" she asked, "His car's gone and nobody seems to know where he is."

"I don't know where he is, but I know who he's with," Audrey waved the note.

"What's that?"

"Its from Pacey," she told her, "Says that he figured Dawson would bail and he's going to keep him company. He left us his car so I guess they're going for a pretty long ride."

Joey grunted and tugged at her hair, "This is turning into such a disaster!" She took a few deep breaths, then faced Audrey again, "Does it say where they're going?"

"No."

"Okay," she sighed, "I guess I'll go pack."

"Yeah, me too."

Joey turned to leave, but Audrey called her back.

"Joey! Don't worry; Dawson will come back to you. You know it'll happen."

Joey didn't even turn around; she just headed out the door to the stairs. She was still a bit dazed as she went down. Charlie was waiting for her at the bottom. She stopped short, and they just looked at each other.

"So," Charlie began, "Were you planning on talking to me anytime today?"

"Charlie, I'm sorry. I really did want to talk to you, but..."

"I know. Dawson."

"Yeah."

"Come on," he reached for her hand.

"Where are we going?'

"For a walk," he said, "We need to figure this thing out."

-----

Jack, Jen, and Oliver were all somewhat slumped at the table, nursing cups of coffee as if it were salvation. Jen looked around at the others, noting they shared the same tired expression, the bags under the eyes.

It seemed to her that all they ever got was drama, she was willing to bet there weren't many groups who went through the things they did.

"Why does every period of time we spend together feel like it should fit between opening and closing credits?" she asked.

"Just blessed with exciting lives I guess," said Jack.

"Blessed?"

"Blessed... Cursed... Whatever."

She turned her attention to Oliver, who seemed a little upset for some reason.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"He ditched me," moaned Oliver, "The dude just ditched me. I'm his partner, and he just up and left."

Jen giggled, "Well, from what I understood, it was you got him to come down here in the first place so you'll just have to deal with the consequences."

Oliver suddenly grinned, "Well, I guess if the consequence is a ride back to Boston with you, then I guess I could survive."

"Ugh..." said Jen.

-----

Charlie and Joey took a slow walk down the beach. At first, they didn't say anything, and Joey was miles away, barely noticing anything around her. Finally, Charlie stopped.

"I want you to tell me the story," he said.

She frowned, "What story?"

"The story," he said, again, "Of you and Dawson."

"Charlie, why..."

"Uh," he interrupted her, "Because, like it or not, this week's episode of Felicity affects me too. Now, I'll admit I was torn about whether or not to ask you this but I think I should at least understand what it is I'm getting caught up in here."

"I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Yes it is," he persisted, "Because I need to figure out if I got forever or not."

Joey sat down cross-legged on the sand and he sat next to her.

She bent her head, and, in a whisper, told their story...

-----

"Third grade... Dawson was there when I broke my arm jumping off Peter Masik's backyard swing... He was there the night I came home early from Lake Emendal because I was homesick... And he was there the day I had to wear that horrible training bra for the first time... And... And the day my mom passed away... He was the first one to come through the door, and he sat with me the whole day, and he never once asked how I was doing because he, unlike everyone else, knew me well enough to know that there were no words to describe how I was doing."

-----

Charlie was silent for a long, long time.

He brought his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms about himself, much like a child. His gaze was trapped on a point just above the horison.

Joey just watched him, inwardly terrified. What were her feelings for him? He was funny. He actually had a sensitive side, much to her surprise. That he was drop-dead gorgeous went without saying. Yesterday, when she'd kissed him, it had all been so simple. Charlie Todd would be her first fling.

Today was different. Today she had to decide if she could give up her soulmate for him.

Charlie's prolonged silence was getting to her.

"Well?" she asked, "Don't you have anything to say? Comment? Musing?"

"Wow!" he said.

"Wow?" she pulled a face, "That's it? Wow?"

"Wow!" he said again, "Its amazing how someone can have such an effect on you."

"Well, Dawson and I..."

"I wasn't talking about you and Dawson," he said, "I was talking about us."

"Us?"

"I've known you no time at all, Joey, and already you make me want to be a better man."

"Isn't that Jack Nicholson's line?"

"It's appropriate," he turned to face her, and she was shocked at how serious he was, "Its appropriate because its true. Last night, I told Dawson I was gonna fight for you, that you were the ultimate prize. And you are Jo, you most definitely are. But I'm not gonna do that."

"You're not?"

"No. Because keeping you and Dawson apart would be both selfish and amoral, two vices I have immense experience with, believe me. But this time... this time I'm going to do the right thing and tell you to go after him."

"Charlie, I..."

He put a finger to her lips, stopping her.

"Please Joey, I need to say this," he sighed, and caressed her face.

He seemed so sad.

"I believed," he began, "No, I believe, that I could make you so happy, Joey Potter. That you could do the same for me. But I can't give you what he can. I can never be that guy for you. I know that now. He can promise you forever, Jo."

Joey looked away. She started to cry.

"Do you know where he is?" he asked.

She nodded.

"He went back," she said, "To the one place he can let go of us."