New disclaimer.. I don't own anything...that's right I don't own Dawson's Creek or any of its characters...because if I did...let's just say we would have a much different ending...LOL

I don't own the song I ended this update with, nor do I own the group Rascal Flatts... but a girl can dream.. LOL I can say I own a copy of every one of their albums...gotta count for something. The song at the end of this update was the sole inspiration for this fic...so if you ever get the chance to listen to it....ty it, you might just like it!

Happy trails everyone until the next update!!!

As Dawson approached the dock, he was absolutely speechless. For the last five months he had thought about this conversation, yet now that the moment was here, he had no clue what he was going to say. All words, all thoughts... just seemed to drift away in the wind, and right down the creek. Everything just became irrelevant... and the only thing standing out to him was the vision of her... sitting out on the dock, calmly... peacefully...

She was sitting half way down the dock, from what he could tell it appeared that she was listening to something, her headphones weren't to apparent but the wires were dangling in the wind. She was gazing out at the water, so she didn't see him approaching her. He felt his throat tighten, as he got nearer. With a deep breath he took a few more steps. He was soon discovered by Joey. She turned her head and looked up. She pulled the earphones out of her ears and smiled.

"Hey." She said softly.

"This seat taken?" he asked motioning next to her. His eyes looked softly at her.

She looked up and down the dock, "No, have a seat."

He sits down next to her, noticing her petite hands gripping the side of the dock.

"So what brings you out here tonight Miss Potter?" he asked.

"Ah, I just am listening to a few songs for my next project. You know, a little research." She answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I am interrupting…" he tried to finish

"No." she interrupted him "You're not interrupting, it's okay." She motioned for him to sit next to her. Then looked back out at the deep purple and fading pink skies.

He threw her a glance momentarily, as the scene between them unfolded... The sun engaging in its final struggle as darkness slowly crept across the sky. Dawson carefully studied her face, then glancing down at her legs dangling free from the dock, eventually his attention turned to the scene in front of him. They sat quietly watching the last glimpses of daytime fade away. After several minutes of silence Dawson worked up the courage to speak up.

"So." He managed to articulate that much, but no more. He was suddenly aware of the immense amount of awkwardness he was feeling.

"So" Joey responded, turning to him and softly smiling. She tucks her hair back behind her ear.

"This is weird isn't it?" Dawson speaks up.

"Yeah." She slowly melts a little.

"Do you remember all the times we would sit out here when we were younger, trying to count stars?" he asked making an attempt at small talk.

Joey sighs deeply before her answer, staring deeply at her hands now resting in her lap. "Yeah, sitting here on this dock brings back some wonderful memories." She hesitated before continuing. " I, umm, came here a lot the last year. I could come here, close my eyes and be magically transported back to a time where life was easier."

Her gently spoken words even brought back the memories for Dawson. He sat quietly reminiscing for a few moments. Then looked over to Joey, still staring blankly at the creek that surrounded them, slightly biting at her bottom lip.

"I've missed this. I've missed us just sitting here saying everything, saying nothing." Dawson said, looking at her. He reached out for her hand. " I'm gonna go in and let you finish, but Joey I just want to let you know, well, that I am here."

Joey slowly turned her head, and slowly smiled. "Thanks Dawson." She looked back down at her hand, now in Dawson's grasp and squeezed it then let it go, allowing Dawson to stand up. She watched as he silently stood up and walked back into the house. She sighed as the door closed behind him. She turned her attention back to the creek, slipping on her headphones and pressing play. She listened to the words, feeling something touch her inside she replayed the song, listening carefully to the words…….

Moving On.

I've dealt with my ghosts and faced all my demons

Finally content with a past I regret

I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness

For once I'm at peace with myself

I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long

I'm movin' on

I've lived in this place and I know all the faces

Each one is different but they're always the same

They mean no harm but it's time that I face it

They'll never allow me to change

But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me

And I know there's no guarentee's, but I'm not alone

There comes a time in everyone's life

When all you can see are the years passing by

And I have made up my mind that those days are gone

I sold what I could and packed what I couldn't

Stopped to fill up on my way out of town

I've loved like I should but lived like

I shouldn't

I had to lose everything to find out

Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

A single tear rolled down her cheek, Joey Potter knew it was time to move on…….