Before Sunrise - part 2

Train's restaurant - Joey and Dawson were sit at the table, talking.

"So", Joey started. "Tell me about your life. Tell me you're still a film geek".

Dawson laughed at her remark. "Well, I never gave up on movies, if it is what you wanna know. I was accepted at NYU: Film School. I'm graduating, actually. I've been living in New York for four years, actually it is my home now".

Joey couldn't help but being proud of him.

"This is great, I mean, it's a big deal. Congratulations, Dawson".

"Well, you can say that. Now I live with Jen and Jack...", Joey's reaction didn't pass unnoticed by Dawson.

"What?", he asked.

"Nothing, so you and Jen live together?", Joey couldn't help.

"With Jack. We're not a couple, Joey".

Joey realized her overreaction and changed the subject.

"So, who's Jack?"

"Well, Jack is our gay friend. Her sister, Andie, is Pacey's fiancée", he said with a smirk.

Joey's mouth dropped.

"What? Pacey is engaged? How old is this lady? She is 60, right?".

Dawson laughed at her comment.

"Years pass, some things never change. No...Andie is young, I guarantee. Pacey went through his older ladies' phase, believe me. He changed a lot, Jo, you had to see him... this girl rocked his world. Now, he studies at Boston Bay and soon, he'll be a lawyer and a married guy".

Joey was listening to Dawson's words, but she was lost in his eyes. God, she missed them... cobalt blue eyes with so much expectation about life, romance... how much he changed? She wasn't quite sure yet.

"Well, what brought you to Europe?", she interrupted him.

"Well...let's just say that I went to Spain for a motive, a specific reason, and then everything fell apart and I've been travelling by Europe since then", Dawson seemed a little bit uncomfortable with this inevitable question and Joey noticed it.

"Okay, but where are you headed for?"

"I'm going to Viena".

"Really? What's there?"

"I don't know, I'm gonna to catch a plane from there to NY tomorrow morning. Now, it's your time. How's your life?"

"Well, I live in Paris as you know. I'm studying Arts at Sorbonne and..."

"Sorbonne? God, this is amazing...I know he haven't seen each other in ages, but I'm so proud of you".

"Thanks", she blushed. "As I was saying, I study Arts, work on a library and live in a small village with my best friend".

"Don't tell me he's a film geek?"

"She is a film geek", Joey smiled. "I think I'm attracted by this kind of people, but I have to say: Anna doesn't live in the movies".

"Neither do I. I learned how to face reality", he said with a sad smile. "Regardless... so, are you going to Paris or...?".

"Yeah, I was in Budapest with Anna and her parents, but I decided to come back earlier and enjoy the train trip".

"I'm glad you did this", he said with a huge smile.

"Me too, Dawson...me too".

They spent hours talking about everything: family, college, relationships. After four hours, the train stopped and Joey's face dropped when she read the plaque: "Viena Station".

"Well, I guess this is your station", she said with sadness.

"I wish I met you earlier. I can't believe we haven't seen each other in the train". Dawson was so regretful. He must looked around, but no...he decided to enjoy the view and read a little bit. "Stupid", he thought.

"I know. Well, tell your parents I miss them so much, have a nice life and when I go back to Capeside next year, we'll see each other", Joey said everything without breathing. She could not believe Dawson was there, in front of her after six years and he was leaving so quickly.

"So, I guess I'll see you, Joey", he said as embrace her.

They've felt something, something special that they haven't felt for years, a connexion which they thought was broken. They stayed in each other arms for a long time, until Joey let him go.

"I'll see you Dawson", she smiled weakly and looked down, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

"All right. Bye, Jo". Dawson left the train cursing himself for not seeing her before. He had to do something. Then, a smile came to his face and he ran back to the train.

Joey was looking through the window, trying to see him one last time before the train starts to leave when she heard his voice.

"Joey! Joey! Hey, look...I know it will sound crazy, but I missed you so much and I'm so glad we met...uh...and...actually I...", he started to ramble.

"Dawson, speak before the train leaves...", Joey didn't understand a thing.

"Okay, sorry. Well, this is my last night in Europe. Tomorrow, I'm going back to New York and since we're not very good in promises, I know I won't see you so soon, so...get off the train and give me the pleasure of your company. Just for today. There's so much I wanna know about you. We've been apart for ages... what do you think?". Suddenly, she saw the old Dawson Leery.

Joey's face was unreadable.

"Come on, say something...the train is going to leave". Dawson was anxious.

A smile appeared in Joey's face.

"Okay, let me get my bag".

To be continued.