"So, what are we going to do, Joe?"

"I don't know, but no matter what happens, we're getting married, Pacey, and nothing is going to change that."

"I know, but aren't you tired of feeling like we've got something to hide, or that any second Dawson is going to catch us on the front yard of his house and try to sabotage what we have?"

"I think we're past that, Pace. He's not going to try to sabotage us. We just need to focus on getting his acceptance. I want Dawson to be happy for us."

"I know me too…..so, what should we do.. .call him?"

"I don't think a phone call is going to solve all of this. We need to do this face to face. Let's just carry on with our plans and somehow I'll get him here and we'll work everything out. I don't want you to worry about anything."

"Joe, you're the one who shouldn't be worried. You have way more things to do to make this wedding happen than I do. Let me call Dawson."

"Pacey, you don't have to. I can handle it."

"I know you can, but I want to be the one to handle it this time. Our friendship is on the line."

"Pacey, he isn't doing this to hurt you, it's about me."

"But he is hurting me, Joe. Please let me take care of it, for once?"

"Okay. Just stay calm when you talk to him. I don't want a repeat of the past."

"I will. Don't worry."

A couple of weeks passed and Dawson was nowhere to be seen in Capeside. Apparently he was extremely busy and couldn't get away from his work, but he promised to come as soon as he was free. She was really starting to worry that he was avoiding the whole confrontation, or was uncomfortable with the fact that Pacey had involved himself in the situation. She kept herself pretty busy, though, planning the wedding, helping Pacey out at the Icehouse, and thinking of a topic for her first attempt at a book. She was happy and sometimes almost forgot Dawson's disapproval as her and Pacey grew more and more comfortable with the routine of living in Capeside together once more. However, in the back of her mind she knew she was going to have to face Dawson eventually, and she wasn't sure what to expect.

The time came for her to confort him one week before the wedding. He insisted that he talk with her alone first before being bombarded by both of them all at once. Pacey was not happy with this idea but finally agreed to Joey meeting with Dawson in a private room of the Icehouse so he wouldn't be too far away from the action, in case his services would be needed.

She walked into the room and wasted no time getting to the point. "So, Dawson, what the heck were you thinking?"

"It's nice to see you too Joey." They stand in unusual awkwardness.

"You know I missed you, Dawson, but right now there are more important issues at hand, like the insane message you left on my cell phone."

"I admit that it was a mistake to leave that message but I wouldn't quite say it was insane."

"Oh really? Dawson, Pacey and I are getting married in a week! How is that appropriate and how do you think Pacey is feeling about it right now? He thought you were finally his best friend again."

"Okay, he of all people has no right to say that trying to steal someone you love away from someone else merits them unworthy of still being their best friend. He claimed to still be mine after the whole senior year debacle, remember?"

She sat down in astonishment at this new development. "You still love me?"

"Well, of course I do, Joey. I'll always love you. You know that."

"So, you mean 'I love you' as in we're friends, right Dawson?"

Dawson sat down across from her and gave her a pained expression. "I don't know anymore, Joey. That's why I left the message. I'm confused!" He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

She felt kind of sorry for him but it didn't take away her anger and confusion. "I thought we had settled this, though. It doesn't matter who ends up with who because we have something that goes beyond lovers. Is that not what you said?"

"I did say that, but how does that even make sense? We have something more than you and your future husband? I would hope not. He should be your everything."

"He is everything to me Dawson, but…it's different with us. We grew up together. We were best friends!"

"Exactly! We were best friends! You said it yourself. You and Pacey also grew up together, and even though what we had was special, he is now your best friend, not me."

"Is that what this is about, Dawson? You're jealous because marrying Pacey means that we're going to be best friends, not you and me."

"I don't know. Maybe. I just feel like I'm losing you, or better yet, I already have."

"Dawson, you will never lose me."

"But I have."

"No, you haven't! Wouldn't you agree that we have spent the better half of our lives as friends, not as boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"I guess, but it feels like my whole life has been about finding my way to you and then all of sudden there was a rewrite in the story. My mind can't downshift that fast."

"Dawson if we were meant to be together, how come we never worked? Every time we tried to be together, disaster struck. All we did was cause each other misery, remember?

That is, except for when we were just friends. Maybe your whole life has been about learning that we are better off as friends."

"That's kind of depressing, Joe. It's definitely not romantic."

"But it is Dawson, in our own crazy, messed up way. Your friendship has been one of the most amazing things in my life and I never want to lose it, no matter what. Besides, we can always end up together on that show of yours. You're the writer."

"No, I think I'll end it the way it was meant to end." He sighed and took a deep breath before speaking again. "You're right Joey. I know you're right, and I guess I've always known it but I didn't want to admit it. That's why I hesitated about coming to Capeside to talk to you. I didn't want to give up on us. You have been such a huge part of my life and it was kind of scary for things to change."

"But I'm not all that you had or have going for you. Every thing that you have dreamed of all your life is coming true!"

"I know and I'm so grateful for that. But, I guess I was just jealous. I felt like I was losing my two best friends, but I know I never could, not after everything we've been through."

"No, and you never will. That is if you square things away with Pacey."

"I know. I owe him big time. Let's go talk to him."

"Alright let's go." Dawson turns to walk away. "Oh, Dawson, by the way. It's nice to see you too." They embrace and feel for the first time that they are finally free from their past.