Epilogue

She rubbed her lips together carefully blotting the lipstick. The shade was very similar to Bessie's old favourite "wicked red" that she'd lent to Joey through high-school. The memory of that first night with Jen, Dawson and Pacey at the Rialto made her give a bittersweet smile at the reflection of herself in the mirror.

Dawson would be at her door any minute. They hadn't seen each other since those wonderful few days in Capeside they'd shared while he spent time recovering. She'd had to return to work and he'd had some time with his family before flying back to LA to finalise things in preparation for his relocation to New York.

Dawson had barely finished his second knock before Joey opened the door, flying into his arms.

He allowed himself a moment to savour the embrace and then laughingly pulled a bunch of now somewhat wilted daisies from between them.

"So I thought - chocolates, diamonds, convertibles - but I settled for foliage."

Joey smiled knowingly.

"Foliage is good."

"You look so beautiful Jo. You're going to outshine everyone there tonight."

Joey raised her eyebrows.

"Even Spielberg?"

"I don't know if I'm going to hear a word he says. You might have to give a kick under the table if he talks to me and I'm just sitting and staring at you."

Joey rolled her eyes but he could tell that she was pleased with his simple compliment.

"So how much time before we have to leave?"

Dawson looked at his watch.

"About forty-five minutes."

"Well," Joey ginned wickedly, "You're pretty much guaranteed a kiss at the end of the night. Do you want to just fast forward to the "going at it like porn stars" part of the evening?"

Dawson laughed kicking the door shut behind him. His voice was low and thick with emotion as he pulled Joey into him, nuzzling her neck.
"I think I can handle that."

"Dawson," Joey weakly murmured. "Tonight's a pretty big deal. I know I don't want to be late."

"Ah, Joey," Dawson whispered against her throat, "Spielberg can wait."