Get Away

Driving on the open road was something that Dawson hadn't done in a long, long time. LA driving was really parking repeatedly, there being no roads not congested. And even then he only ever got to drive on the rare occasion a car wasn't sent for him. He understood the reasons why he had to have a driver, and he thought his driver George was a great man, but he longed to just drive. It was another freedom of his he felt was taken away by his celebrity.

Stop it Dawson, you are lucky. Don't you ever forget that…

It was a last minute decision when he landed in Boston to rent a car rather than have a driver. The familiar surrounding made it seem like it was the first year of university again and he was on the way home to see his mom, dad and Lily.

But of course it wasn't. That time was long ago and the people who filled his life then mostly gone. With a few exceptions.

Considering that, due to fate, he had become related to most of his friends, he never saw them much. Jack and Doug were so wrapped up in looking after Amy that their visits were almost nil, where as Pacey and Andie were a difficult and awkward situation. He loved them both and, secretly, was relived that Pacey hadn't married Joey. But it still angered him that Pacey could throw away the love of an amazing woman, after spending the best part of his adult life fighting for it.

And then there was Jen. A wound that would never heal, a part of his

heart that would forever belong to her.

The evening was starting to fall over the cape and he could see the looming sign signalling his return to the ever familiar fold.

Welcome to Capeside!

Drive carefully please.

The charm of his hometown washed over him like a ripple in a warm bath. The familiarity of his surroundings put him at ease at once and he smiled an honest and relieved smile.

I'm home.

He glanced at the blinking clock on the dashboard and realised it was best if he went straight to the restaurant. Turning onto Main Street he noted that most of the stores were the same, the coffee shop and the grocery store. Even the video shop was the same.

The lights twinkled on the boardwalk as he swung the car into the parking bay by his family's restaurant. He switched of the engine and stopped to watch the passer's by walking along the familiar streets. The weather was considerably different in Capeside to California, the icy air biting through the hearts of all who ventured outside.

But for Dawson, it was a welcome breeze. LA felt stale. The same re-circulated air he had breathed for the last 3 years. Life here felt fresh, felt real. He pulled on his coat, grabbed his carry on bag and headed out into the cold evening, his hat pulled down low as to not be seen.

The light glowed from the restaurant but the blind were pulled down over the floor to ceiling windows. When he got to the front door he saw the reason, a small sign blue tacked on in his mother's writing.

Closed for private function.

He pushed the door slightly and the smell of his teenage years wafted through the air. Bodie's gumbo, cinnamon steamed pudding and delicate coffee.

'Sorry can I help you sir? We are closed for a private booking?' a young voice said.

'Is Gail Leery here?' Dawson said, not looking at the girl directly in case she recognised him.

'Sure,' she said, turning away and stopping at the bar.

'MOM, DAWSON'S HERE,' She shouted loudly.

Dawson pulled of his hat and smiled at his younger sister. It was a game they played whenever he came home, his joke that she was growing up too fast and he could never recognise her. He swooped he young girl up into the air, planting multiple kisses on her head while she giggled wildly.

'Stop it…Dawson….ewwwww,' she squirmed in his arms, secretly thrilled that her older brother was home.

'What? An older brother can't be pleased to see his baby sister.'

'Less of the baby Mr,' Lily said back quickly, taking Dawson's coat and throwing it onto the bar.

'Oh your home!' Gail squealed as she walked in from the kitchen, her husband John behind her smiling. She lunged at Dawson protectively, wrapping her arms around her son firmly. She could feel he was losing weight and looking at his face, he obviously hadn't slept in weeks.

'Hi mom,' her said, muffled by her shoulder. 'I'm home,'

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'Go home,'

'Shut up,'

'Go Home!' Audrey screamed, throwing a cushion across the room at her.

'Hey! Thanks for being a friend and all,' Joey said sarcastically, laughing at her friends insistent ways.

Audrey had come around with food 30 minutes ago and 29 minutes had been taken up by pleading and begging.

'I am your best friend Joey Potter and thus I am telling you what your heart needs to hear. Go home, see your family, bury your ghosts and then come back here. Then we can get smashed out of our brains and actually lead the 'Sex and the city' lifestyle you promised me all those years ago, opposed to the 'Librarian in the city' life you have been living,'

Joey gave Audrey an evil look and ignored her. She wasn't going to be drawn into yet another argument over whether she should or shouldn't be going home. It was sad to think that Audrey had been back to Capeside more than she had in the last 3 years, but that was only for scenes shot for Dawson's first movie.

Her attention was drawn to the TV and she continued to flick until she landed on E. The channel which had been her stable diet had become her arch nemesis this last week. She turned over to the next channel.

'Wait, go back,' Audrey said, suddenly, standing up to be closer to the TV.

Joey obeyed and turned it back to E. A Hollywood premier filled the screen, all the glitz and glamour from the previous week but with less A list stars and more It girls. Joey spotted an aging Paris Hilton and grimaced. She was wearing a dress which left little to the imagination.

'God you think that woman would have learnt her lesson by now,' Joey muttered under her breath.

'What was that?'

'Nothing. What is this anyway? Why are you so interested?' Joey stood up and went to the fridge to retrieve a soft drink.

'It's that new Spielberg film, I thought you might want to see if golden boy had anything to say this time…'

'Audrey, turn that off. I am not in the mood to be…' Joey started but soon saw Gretchen's face fill the screen.

'Well Gretchen Leery it is so nice to see you here. Come to support the famous director?' the cheesy reporter asked.

'Of course, he is an idol of mine and my husband.' She answered sweetly, her bleach white teeth clashing wildly with her tan.

'Speaking of the Oscar winner, where is he this evening?'

'There was a family emergency he had to attend but he sent me to lend our support,' her brilliant smile was fading fast, with an impatient elderly gentleman tugging at her arm.

'Well, pass on our good wishes and we hope to see him soon,' the host said, turning his attention to the camera quickly, all but ignoring Gretchen.

Joey muted the TV at once and called Bessie.

'No one is answering…Damm,' she said, slamming the phone down.

'Can't you call the Leery house?'

'No, they've changed their number and I forgot to ask Bessie what it was,'

'Call her cell,' Audrey ordered.

Joey pressed her speed dial for Bessie and Bodie's cell phones but neither were picking up.

'They must have changed their numbers too,'

Audrey got to her feet and made her way to Joey's bedroom.

'Call the restaurant, someone there must know,' she said as she passed her.

Joey checked her cell phone for the number and dialled the number nervously. What could it be? Was it Gail or Lily?

'Thank you for calling Leery's Fresh Fish. I am afraid that the restaurant is closed. If you would like to book a table…'

'No answer,' Joey flopped down on the couch again. 'This is hopeless.'

'You know, I could call Dawson and ask. I promise you wouldn't have to speak to him.' Audrey said from the bedroom.

Joey's stomach jumped with the thought that he was just a phone call away. Joey nodded her head solemnly and turned her back on Audrey. She could hear the click of her phone.

' Hello can I speak to Dawson please?...No….no it is urgent, I'm his friend Audrey….well can you tell me…..thanks a lot,' she snapped her phone shut and walked out into the living room. 'His PA said he is not to be contacted as he was in the middle of a family emergency.'

'I…I don't know who else to call…'Joey started but stopped when she saw what was in Audrey's hand.

'The time for talking has gone. Go home,' she dropped Joey's packed bag at her feet.

'But I…I think….this is a bad…' Joey stuttered.

'Joey Potter don't make me kick your ass all the way to Capeside,'

'Will you come?' she said pathetically.

'I can't tonight bunny, I have a casting tomorrow. But I will come tomorrow night if you want?' Audrey sat next to her and took her trembling hands.

'Okay. How…'

'There is a train that leaves Grand Central for Capeside in 25 minute, if we get you in a cab now we can get you home before midnight,'

'How did you know?' Joey said suspiciously.

'I was hoping that you might have changed your mind about going home so I looked up the train times,' Audrey said quickly, getting to her and feet and grabbing Joey's coat. 'Now get going okay? I'll stay in here. The wolves downstairs will guess who you are if we both make an appearance,' She wrapped Joey's scarf around her neck and pulled her woolly hat down over her hair.

Joey felt like things were moving too fast, that this was unreal. But by the time she could protest she was in the elevator, bag in hand, ticket in pocket. She snuck past the waiting press once more and got into the cab the doorman hailed, winking at her conspiratorially as she got in.

She got to the station just in time for the train, running down the long platform and jumping aboard without a second thought. It almost reminded her of the night she spent in New York with Jen all those years ago.

She collapsed in a seat and felt the train move slowly out of the station.

God, what am I doing…

Back in Joey's apartment Audrey was throwing all the leftovers into the bin when her cell phone buzzed. Smiling she picked it up.

'Hello….yeah, she's on her way home now…by the way, is everything okay with the Leery's?...oh I see, you sneaky woman….okay I will see you later Bessie…bye!'

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'That was lovely Mom, thanks,' Dawson said, rubbing his stomach.

'Don't thank me, thank the chef.' Gail said, picking up Dawson's plate and stacking it with the others.

'Well, thank you Bodie. Your cooking has gotten better, if that was at all possible.'

'Thank you Dawson, it's good to have you home,' he patted him on the shoulder.

'I'm sorry if everything has been crazy here recently.' He said shyly, playing with his empty glass.

'Don't worry about it Dawson, its okay. We are just so proud of you,' Bessie smiled widely at the man who she had long thought of as her little brother.

'Thank Bess.'

They spent the rest of the evening chatting over wine and memories, talking about local gossip and hearsay. All of them avoided the taboo subjects of both Joey and Gretchen. John made a subtle exit with Lily when she fell asleep in his lap, Dawson smiling at his step dad and the apparent love he felt for her. He was glad that she had someone to look after her. Dawson couldn't help but notice that Bessie kept starring at the clock behind the bar, nervously tapping the table.

'You okay Bessie?' Dawson said, downing his soft drink.

'Huh…mmm yeah, Alex went on a school trip and doesn't get back until 11.30 at the train station,'

'Wow, we never got to go on trips like that when I was 14,' Dawson laughed to himself.

'He went to a museum in Boston with school…oh shit,' she said suddenly.

'What is it?' Gail asked, downing her wine.

'I've been drinking, I can't pick him up,' she said dramatically.

'Well so have I, Gail?' Bodie said.

'3 glasses and counting. John is picking me up at midnight when he gets back from settling down Lily…' she turned to Dawson who was nursing his water.

'You don't need to ask, I can go get him.' Dawson got to his feet and brushed down his lap.

'Are you sure? We could wait until John comes back and we can all collect him together,' Bessie said

'And have him wait alone for 30 minutes? No, I'll get him. I will drop him home and wait with him until you get back,' Dawson pulled on his coat and planted a clumsy kiss on Gail's forehead.

'Thank Dawson,' Bessie called out as she watched him leave the restaurant and climb into his car, pulling away and off down the street.

'This is not going to work Bessie, you can't play the two of them like this,' Bodie said, picking up the stacked dishes and taking them through to the kitchen.

'It has to work, for both of their sakes.' She said, walking towards the window to check he had gone. 'Okay, the final part of the deception,'

She pulled out her cell phone and dialled Joey's number.

'Joey? I'm sorry, things here have been hectic…. Aunt Gwen had a stroke…yeah she is okay, she's stable….you are?...oh that's wonderful Joey…I can get Bodie to pick you up?...okay, well he will be there in around 10 minutes…I can't wait to see you…love you too…bye,' she hung the phone up and high fived a waiting Gail.

'Our work is done.' Bessie said, switching her phone back off.

'I really hope this works…' Gail said, switching the lights off in the front of the restaurant, collecting some of the discarded glasses left by Lily.

'It will Gail, come on…lets go home,' Bessie locked the front door, collected their coats and went into the back of the kitchen.

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The station was dark when Joey disembarked. She hadn't slept much, panicked about what might have happened to the Leery family and what was going to happen to her when she got back into Capeside.

Her footsteps echoed around the waiting room as she gingerly stepped into the empty room. No one else had gotten off the train at with her. She was alone and the silence scared her slightly.

It hadn't changed since she was a teenager, the décor faded now but ever so familiar to Joey's tired eyes. She remembered the day when Pacey picked her up in tears after her disastrous date with AJ.

If only he hadn't kissed me…

She heard a car pull up outside the station and quickly got to her feet, picking her bag up and walking to the exit. Standing outside, the car was not one she thought that Bodie would drive, knowing that Bessie still had the truck. She heard the driver's door open around the other side and saw a baseball caped man get out. It was not for her. She turned around to go back in but the man spoke, halting her.

'I'm sorry have you seen a small boy? He's supposed to be on this train.' Her head snapped around when she recognised the voice.

Their eyes met. Even though they looked very different, even though life had changed their appearances in ways neither of them would accept, the eyes were the same.

'Joey?'

'Hey Dawson.'

The pair of them stood still, lost in each other's eyes, lost in the moment.

A moment neither of them would forget.