Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, storylines or settings. I have no affiliation with the WB network. So don't sue me 'cause you won't get anything!

A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks for all of the reviews! They mean a lot to me! ENJOY!

Meli Dav: The meaning of the dream was just to show that she was in a dilemma… who to choose? If you read more attentively you will find that she wants to take it all back… even her time with Pacey… I just wanted to show that it wasn't a simple decision that could be made with no ounce of regret.

Also… she did see the consequence of choosing Dawson but at the same time… what would the consequences be of choosing Pacey? Would it just be easier to not choose at all?

I hope that makes some amount of sense and answers your question… if it doesn't then I'll try to answer better next chapter. Sorry to confuse you!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ch.4 - Afraid To Love You

Joey splashed water over her face… trying to fully bring her back to reality.

That dream still haunted her… she couldn't do this alone… she needed help… but who would that be?

She thought for a while until… Jen. Yeah… she'll know what to do… she always does.

Joey approached her friend's house… very anxious to hear her view on everything…

She knocked on the door when it swung open…

"Oh… hey Mrs. Ryan… is Jen here? I need to talk to her."

Grams gave Joey a look then called out for Jen. A few minutes later Jen was standing in the doorway awaiting Joey to speak up.

"Hey Jen…"

"Hey Jo…"

Jen had no idea why Joey would be at her house. She thought she would be somewhere with Pacey or even Dawson for that matter… why her?

"I uh… I need your help."

Joey's words quavered a little but she needed an outside opinion.

"Sure… what's wrong Joey?"

Jen opened the door wider inviting her friend inside her house. Joey happily obliged and walked in… Jen could sense her restlessness so she shut the door quickly and joined Joey in the living room.

"So… what's wrong Jo?"

What's wrong Jo? How about my whole world is falling apart… I have to choose between my soul mate and the man I love. Is that wrong enough for you?

Joey wasn't in a very good mood so anything might set her off.

"What's wrong… what's wrong… well… Pacey and I told Dawson about us and he told me I had to choose… but the problem is I don't want to… and last night I had this creepy dream so I'm even more confused than before…"

Joey was venting… she needed to get everything out in the open… someone had to know her dilemma… someone that wasn't Pacey or Dawson.

"Okay Joey… slow down… it's okay… so Dawson wants you to choose… what are you gonna do?"

"I don't know Jen… I mean… Dawson is my soul mate but at the same time there's Pacey… I love him… you know? I mean… whenever I'm around him I get this feeling like this is all right… every second I'm with him I feel so happy and I don't feel so jaded by the world anymore."

Joey looked at Jen urgently in need of some guidance… go with the best friend… or the lover?

Jen was speechless… she didn't know what to say… she thought that Joey should choose Pacey… I mean… Dawson had his chance and he blew it… Pacey should get the chance to make Joey happy… and that's what she is… happy.

"What does your heart tell you to do?"

"My heart? Well my heart tells me to choose Pacey… but my gut… it's telling me to high tail it out of here and get away from all this drama… I can't take it… I need both of them… I love both of them… G-D! I'm so screwed!"

Joey was a mess… her arms were flailing every which way and she was on the verge of tears… it was an impossible decision… whatever she did someone got hurt… especially her.

"Calm down Joey… shhhh… it's okay… calm down…"

Jen had her arms around Joey comforting her… Joey happily accepted the reassuring gesture… but that didn't make it any less hard.

They stood there awhile… Joey crying into Jen's shoulder while Jen held onto Joey showing her as much affection as a friend possibly could. Joey was in a real mess… she was stuck between her two loves… there was no easy choice…

Joey finally cried out all of the tears she had been harboring… she backed away from Jen with red puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks and smiled.

"Thanks…"

Joey whispered to Jen… talking might make her want to cry more… and that was the last thing she wanted.

"Anytime."

They stood in a silence for a while… just… thinking… about what to do… what to say… what to think…

"Jo… I think it's obvious that you should be with Pacey… I mean… Dawson had his shot… and he blew it… besides… Pacey deserves better than to be dumped at the first sign of crisis."

Jen words were low and harsh… she wanted her point to come across.

"You're right about one thing… I don't deserve Pacey… I mean if I did I wouldn't be leading him on like this… I wouldn't be delaying the inevitable… I wouldn't be doing everything wrong…"

Joey's face moved from Jen's to the ground… her cheek was now faced towards Jen as fresh tears came to the surface.

"What am I supposed to do Jen? I love him SO much! I don't know…"

Joey's voice lowered as her declaration came to a close.

"Oh Joey…"

Jen shook her head… she was a real mess…

"I have to go… bye Jen."

Jen was bewildered… why was she leaving?

"Where are you going?"

"Pacey…"

That was all Jen heard as Joey stormed out of her house on her way to god only knows.

"Nice talking to you too Jo…"

Jen sighed as she watched Joey's fading figure mix into the creek… she closed the door and only prayed to god that she was on her way to do the right thing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Reviews are very much appreciated! If you have any questions or anything I'll answer them in the begging of the next chapter! Also I would really appreciate some constructive criticism (if you have any that is). THNX FOR READING MY FIC!

Hey everyone! Did you miss me? Well, probably not but I KNOW you missed my story! I'm really sorry about the evil cliffhanger… it was there and I have to write my other stories… BUT if I get enough reviews I might be able to pop out another chapter on Sunday. ;)

Thank you all for reading my fic!