The Unseen Obstacle CH.3

I Disclaim

As she tried to remember which books she needed for her homework, she felt a presence behind her, and she held the urge to groan down, as she recognized the smell of ivory soap. Dawson, why the didn't the fact that he was still using the same kind of soap that his mother used on him as a child tip her off to his unwillingness to grow up.

"Hey Joey."

She turned and gave him a half smile." Dawson, how's it going?"

"Ah good really good actually, I've been inspired and I may start working on a new project."

"Really that's great." Because she knew that no matter what happened he start talking about it, she returned to getting her books, and as predicted he began to drone on.

"Yeah, I ah thought romantic drama, you know two soul mates separated by a seemingly impossible obstacle, only to find happiness in the end. "

"Oh." Not really listing she only made non-committal responses, and began wondering how she should spend her time, now that she wasn't sneaking off to be with Doug. At the thought she felt the sharp pain in her chest, and stopped loading her book bag. Why was she rushing, she had no place to go but home, and no one to see, not anymore.

"… maybe a class difference, or something like that." Dawson continued he knew Joey was listening, but more and more often lately she would look at him, and he knew why. Ever since that night when he rejected her she hadn't really been able to look him in the eye, they still talked, but she skipped more the movie nights then she came to, and any conversation they had was very impersonal no talk about them just the usual high school conversation.

Part of him loved that fact that Joey was so certain of them that she didn't have to try anything outside of them, but he needed time, or he had needed time, now he knew after months of no Joey, that all he needed was her. He just wished her could get her to listen to him again. "So maybe we could get together tonight and brainstorm, I really could use a good producer on this one."

"Huh?" Joey turned and stared at him as if he just appeared. "Producer on what?"

"The romantic drama, so you in, I was thinking tonight my place at 6."

"No can do D-man." Pacey slipped behind the Joey and closed her locker before dropping an arm around her shoulder. "Potter is helping with me with my Trig, so she's going to have to pass on that one."

"Oh." Dawson looks disappointed and a little put off, but then brightened." Well how bout tomorrow, we can brainstorm maybe watch E.T."

"D…"

"Actually Dawson." Joey started cutting off Pacey and his next rescues attempt." I don't think I'll be ale to produce your next project, besides tutoring Pacey, I started working on my art portfolio, so I'm sorry but I don't have the kind of time to devote to anything else." She recognized the look of confusion on his face, and could barley contain the eye roll, if anyone could understand the concept on self-focus she thought Dawson would, but apparently it only works for him. "Speaking of which, I have to go." She pushed Pacey back away from her, and poked him in the chest." 6 on the dot, if you're late, you're dead." Swinging the bag onto her shoulder she gave a quick wave and then practically ran out the school.

Pacey watched her walk away, and made a mental note to bring pizza or something when he went to her house, after all a fed Potter is a less angry Potter. "Well that puts me on a schedule, see ya D."

"Hold on Pacey." Dawson stepped closer and nodded in the direction that Joey left in." I know I asked you to watch out for her last summer, but I'm back now, I can handle things from here on out."

Pacey looked at him as if he lost his mind, and shook his head grinning ruefully." Dawson, Joey is my friend I look out for her, because I care, so I'm not backing off or whatever it is you're asking me to do."

"I asked you to be her friend when I couldn't be, but I'm ready now so…."

"So…what, now I suppose to go back to my position as your sidekick, and her causal acquaintance, that's not going to happen."

"Pacey, I'm not saying you can't be her friend, I'm just saying." He ran a hand through his blond hair, and let out a frustrated sigh. He didn't understand this, Pacey didn't want to be friends with Joey when he asked, and now that he's letting him off the hook, he's saying no." That I think it's time that Joey and I got back to where we were meant to be, and I don't know if it's a good idea for you to be involved." "You know Joey, she'll use your 'friendship' to hide behind, because she embarrassed about what happened."

" Dawson, if Joey isn't dealing with you, it's because she doesn't want to, it's got nothing to do with me and our friendship, which I might add wouldn't interfere in any relationship you might or might not have, what you need to do is actually have a conversation with Joey." He shook his brown hair and giving his best friend as scoffing glance." May I suggest this time you actually listened to what she says."

"Pacey..."

"No, I gotta go, I got someplace to be."

Dawson watched him walk away and shook his head, he didn't understand what was happening, but Pacey was right, it was time for him to talk to Joey.

Joey dropped her bag on her bed, and headed for her laptop, she hadn't been lying to Dawson about the art portfolio. The one good thing that came out of her relationship with Doug was her passion for Art had returned, and now she was going to see where that passion could get her.

Her guidance counselor had given her a list of some schools that she thought would be ideal for Joey, unfortunately for her they all required large portfolios and their due date for applications was fast approaching and she just couldn't devote any time to any of Dawson's movies.

She logged on narrowed her eyes, as she saw that she had email, she had just checked her box, before she left school, she couldn't imagine who was sending her something till she saw he sender email DWITTERCPD.GOV

Before she even let her mind think it over, her hand was already about to hit delete, when she paused remembering Pacey's words the night before came back to her.

"I don't think Doug knows what he doing anymore then the rest of us, he just needs time, some room to think, he could show up in a week and realize the incompetence of this move and want to honor all those promises."

The idea that Doug was backtracking and maybe changed her mind gave her heart a little jolt and hand just enough time to click the read button instead of delete.

Dear Joey,

Before you try to hold this against Pacey, I want you to know that he did give your message, so I'm not even sure you'll ever read this. But just in case you do there are some things I want you to know.

I want to say I'm sorry you're right what I did was unforgivable, but it was never lye. I do love you Joey, more then I think it's safe to. But I also know my limitations as well as your potential, and those two don't meet on the same plane.

I'm destined to spend the rest of my life in Capeside, when I eventually return, I'll continue as a deputy, and when my father retires I will run for Sheriff and whether or not I win, I'll remain in this tiny little town someday marry and raise my children here. You won't.

You're destined for great things, no matter what school you go to you'll succeeded there, and go on to do even greater things then any of these small minded towns people think. You'll paint in Paris; you'll see the pyramids, and all the other wonders the world has to offer. You may stop in again to visit Bessie or your friends but you'll never stay here once it's no longer necessary.

I don't want you thinking that I'm ending things because of your age or what people will think about us. If you don't know yet Josephine that I would die for you, and then maybe you truly don't know me, and this is all a waste of time. I would gladly fight my father and Bessie for the chance to be with you, but I know it would be a waste fight.

Cause you would stay with me if I asked, and give up the your dreams of leaving behind you, you'd guarantee that i was elected Sheriff, and that I had everything I would want. But one day you'd look at me and only see that thing that keep you from Paris, not the man that loves you, and I can survive any of your looks but that one.

So for now, I'll be here training and trying not to think of you, not because I don't want to but because it hurts too much to do so. I hope one day instead of a brisk nod I get to hear you say hello to me again, maybe see the half smile that makes men weak in the knees. Nevertheless I want you to know I do love you, and I hope that one day you understand the pain this decision causes me.

Love Always

Douglas

Joey wiped the tears from eyes and let her head drop onto her desk, it was too much. She shouldn't have read it; she should have just deleted it like she had first planned to. She should have known that Doug wouldn't let her hate him; he was too focused on pleasing people to let anyone going walk away thinking badly of him.

And now she was left feeling even worse, instead of just dumping like she had hoped, she now knew that as usual he was trying to do the right thing, even if it hurt them both. She didn't want to feel this way for a couple of hours today she had felt somewhat normal, like her world hadn't been destroyed.

So focused on her pain in her chest she didn't hear the knock on the front door, the footsteps, or her door opening. She only felt a pair of strong arms hugging her form behind, and the soft kiss on the top of her head.

"Jo."

"Why, why couldn't he just let it drop?"

"Because he loves you." Pacey said as he looked up briefly at her laptop, he didn't need to read the email to know who it was from or what it contained, he just shut the lid, and lifted the sobbing girl in his arms turning her to accept his hug. "But it's going to get better, remember it'll get better, you'll get better, and I help you."

"Help her what?"