The movie had barely run though the opening credits, Joey had settled in on the opposite side of Dawson. She was quickly becoming tired. She looked down at her clothes and sighed. She glanced out of the side of her eyes at Dawson. He was attentively watching the movie, Lily pointing out several characters. She slowly stood up and stretched.

"Hey I'm going to run upstairs and throw some pajamas on. I'll be right back." She spoke quietly, making sure not to interrupt the movie. Dawson nodded and watched as she slipped upstairs. She quickly disappeared.

With in a few minutes of Joey disappearing Jack had returned home, Pacey and Andie followed him in. He looked over to Dawson, then the television and grinned.

"Little Mermaid, good selection Lily." He laughed. Dawson stood up and walked over towards the three. Lily remained completely focused in on her movie.

Joey quickly came down the steps, now changed into some pajama shorts and a sweatshirt. She smiled when she saw that everyone was gathered downstairs. Suddenly a bolt of pain shot thru her calf. She tripped on the last step and fell to the floor. She didn't cry out in pain, instead she sat at the bottom of the steps clutching her calf.

The others quickly rushed over to see if they could help. Joey realized the group around her and winced.

"Leg cramp?" Jack asked, having seen her like this before. Joey nodded agreeing with Jack.

Dawson sat on the ground next to her. He saw her face was scrunched up, trying her best to not let the pain get the best of her. He reached over and placed his hand over her own.

"Straighten your leg out." Dawson said as he helped her slowly extend her leg. When her leg was straightened out he took the calf in both hands and slowly began to rub her leg. Messaging the calf until the cramp was gone. His eyes watched her carefully waiting for the look of pain to disappear. Finally the leg was relaxed.

"Better?" He asked as he removed his hand her calf. Her eyes looked relieved, he knew before she answered that she was fine now. Although she could tell he already knew the answer, by just one look in her eyes, Joey nodded, just for the sake of the others.

"Yeah thanks." She answered quietly, a little embarrassed by the spectacle she had created. Dawson helped her stand up slowly, pulling her up with both hands. Dawson slowly released her hands when she was upright, but still placing a hand in the small of her back just incase.

"That's our good old Joey Potter, full of grace." Pacey teased, as it was now clear that she was fine.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence there Pacey, nice to see some things never change." She smirked at him. Dawson was still behind her, he followed her to the couch and sat down next to her.

"You sure your okay now." He asked sincerely, he slowly removed his hand from behind her back.

"Yeah, I'm fine. My potassium levels are probably running a little low."

"So what are we watching? Ohh, Little Mermaid, this is one of my favorite movies." Andie said as she sat on the floor near Lily.

"Mine too." Said Lily, who hadn't moved one inch since the movie started, not even with all the commotion. Lily was now resting at one end of the couch, Dawson beside her and Joey on the other end. Jack and Pacey disappeared into the kitchen. Dawson soon realized he was the only male in the room and excused himself.

After they had had a few beers Dawson returned to the living room to check on the girls. Andie heard him as he approached and hurried over to him, placing her finger over her lips, attempting to keep him quiet. She quietly whispered to him.

"Hey she just fell asleep, so try to keep it down." Andie quietly spoke.

"Oh don't worry you couldn't wake up Lily with a marching band." Dawson replied.

"Well that would be great, but Lily is still wide awake watching the movie. Joey is the one who's off in dreamland." Andie said as she pulled Dawson over by his shirt and showed him a peaceful figure wrapped up on the couch.

The view of Joey, asleep on the couch, brought back a memory. A memory Dawson thought he had forgotten years ago. That night at the party, he took Joey and promised he'd be there for her. Joey had had a few drinks and was ready to shack up with anyone to piss him off. It was Pacey who saved her in the end though. He was to busy, to distracted by the allure of Jen. He carried her home that night and placed her on the couch. That's when she kissed him, completely out of the blue. He looked back down at her asleep, so much like all those years ago, only thing was, is that now he wasn't there for her at all. He felt something break inside of him, he just needed to reach out to her. Here was his childhood best friend, and for some unknown reason, when things went bad, she didn't turn to him. It was that actual moment, standing there above the restless body of Joey, that he felt that he really had failed her. He wasn't there for her, not when she needed him.

Jack and Pacey waked out of the kitchen, laughing aloud, Andie was on top of the situation in a matter of seconds. While Andie explained to the two of them, Pacey peered over at Dawson. He saw the look on his face. No way, not after all this time.He thought to himself. But as they approached them Dawson looked up, his expression changed. But Pacey had already seen enough. He knew, he knew exactly what was going through Dawson's head.

Jack had decided to go and try to wake Joey as gently as possible. He rubbed her arm softly several times and called out to her in a low voice.

"Joey... Joey.. honey I need you to wake up, so you can go to bed." He repeated this several times to no avail. He looked up at the others and shrugged his shoulder. "She's not moving anywhere, she's completely out of it."

Pacey elbowed Dawson, "You go try." He said as he pushed him closer to Joey.

Jack swiftly moved out of his way. Dawson sat o the floor, facing Joey. He gently pushed her hair out her face. He softly rubbed her arm.

"Joey... Jo. You need to go get some rest." He quietly spoke. There was still no response. He looked up to the others. "She's not getting upstairs by her own will."

"Well then I guess she's going to stay down here, there's no way I'm carrying her up that flight of stairs. I've had a little to much to drink." Jack laughed.

"Well then that leaves you Mr. Leery." Pacey grinned. "Looks like you get the lucky job of carrying Jo upstairs."

"Why me, last time I checked your arms weren't broken." He said, his voice a little more relaxed.

"Well that's because, I've kept my paws off of any young available woman. You wouldn't want Andie over here to cause any irreversible damage to these arms now would you." Pacey laughed.

Dawson grinned, then looked back at Joey. "Do me a favor, grab her pillow, when I pick her up." He said in the direction of the others, no one specifically.

"Yes sir." Pacey answered.

Dawson stood up and slowly grabbed her. He gently lifted her up and started his way up the steps. Pacey grabbed her pillows and followed behind him. When he reached her bedroom, he cautiously maneuvered around the room, then carefully set her down on her bed. Pacey handed Dawson the pillows, Dawson tenderly raised her head and placed it down again on the pillows. He gently pulled the covers over her, and once again brushed the hair out of her face. They sat silently watching her for a moment.

Pacey tapped Dawson's shoulder. "Come on let's let her sleep."

Dawson followed Pacey back down stairs, the movie had now ended. Andie had taken Lily by the hand.

"We were actually just heading upstairs. Someone else is ready for bed too." Andie said.

Andie leaned over and gave Lily a hug. Lily then proceeded to hug Jack, then Pacey. She walked over to Dawson. He squatted down, to be at her level. She tightly hugged him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm glad your home Dawson." She whispered into his ear.

"Me too Lily, me too."