Wow..it's been a long ..long while. I'm sorry I have been negleting this little story. Unfortunately life is really busyright now. I want to thank all of my reviews! You absolutely rock !

The big day had arrived and Lily Leery was running all over the house like a wound up toy. Gail was clearly not going to get everything ready in time by the party and keep an eye on Lily. Dawson was setting up the kitchen, and Joey was cleaning up behind Lily.

"Wow, if Lily is this keyed up now can you imagine what she'll be like when the other 10 four year olds arrive, I really think by then my mom will need some sort of sedative."

"Hey Leery, don't knock 'em till you try them." Joey teased.

"Josephine Potter" he said quite surprised.

That's when the look came back to her face, that slightly perplexed yet playfully annoyed look.

"Here Lily," she said handing her one of her dolls. "Why don't you go put this upstairs so she doesn't get lost." She said gently handing the small doll over to Lily. She watched as Lily ran out of the room. Then confidently walked over to Dawson, inching close and closer.

Dawson saw the small grin appear on her face. She leaned in even closer poking his chest with her index finger.

"Listen, Dawson. You might be older, maybe even a little stronger, but say that again…. I guarantee I will kick your ss. " She smiled confidently.

"Good to see you haven't lost your touch." He said as she walked away from him, she turned her head and gave him a devilish little smile. Dawson laughed to himself and ran his hand through his hair. "Same old Joey." He quietly whispered to himself, smiling at the moment.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with an overabundance of activity. Ten little boys and girls were running the show at the Leery house. Joey and Gail tried their best to make sure everything went smoothly. Dawson sat back and recorded the event. Making sure he recorded a special birthday wish from all of the guest, some of which would require some serious editing later on.

When everything was all done, there were three exhausted adults left standing in the Leery home. Lily had herself started to show signs of weariness soon after dinner. Joey had agreed to read Lily the new book that Joey had presented to her with this year. Dawson and Gail sat together on the couch. Enjoying the newfound silence.

Joey headed down the stairs, noticeably without anyone accompanying her. A very surprised Gail was the first to speak.

"Is she…?" she said in a slightly surprised tone.

"Out like a light. I think I nearly finished the book, when I noticed she was sleeping." Joey said as she plopped down on a chair across from them.

"Wow." Dawson said as he sat upright. "Mom, were we like that once? I mean that wound up."

Gail laughed a little to her self then leaned her head over, resting it over on Dawson's shoulder. "In a word, yes. In fact the similarities between your childhood and hers are amazingly striking considering the age difference."

"She's just liked you Dawson." Joey said quietly.

"No way." He protested.

"Come on, I can't believe you don't see it, then again you were always oblivious to the obvious. Sure she's no Spielberg want to be, but she has the same far off dreamer quality about her. She has this incredible optimistic outlook on life, and when she loves you, it's unconditional love. She is almost a carbon copy the young Dawson Leery." Joey argued back.

As soon as Joey finished her last words, the phone rang, Gail rushed over to the phone leaving the other two behind. She quickly excused herself from the room. Leaving Joey and Dawson sitting there with each other.

A silence prevailed in the room, both Dawson and Joey were exhausted. Joey looked at Dawson, and Dawson looked up to see catch her glance.

"So you're actually going to stay in good ole' Capeside for an entire summer?" She said in an upbeat yet questioning tone.

"For the most part yeah."

"Dawson, not that this isn't good, but the mere fact that you're planning on spending that amount of time here blows my mind. You haven't spent more than two weeks here since your dad passed away. How is someone that is so accustomed to living life in the fast lane going to be able to adjust to ….well ordinary old Capeside." She teased.

"I'm sure I'll find someone to entertain me. Anyways I have this best friend, maybe you've met her before, she seems to think that she can just forget all about me, but you see I have other plans." He raised one eyebrow giving her an auspicious grin.

"If you think that I am hanging around Capeside all summer, well I have two words for you. Dream on." Joey laughed a little bit, flashing her famous half grin. "Come on, I have spent enough summers here, I am on to bigger and better adventures."

"May I ask what is better than spending time with your childhood sidekick? Your best friend, your….." Dawson hesitated realizing exactly what he was about to say.

"Your what?" Joey asked, her left eyebrow slightly raised with curiosity.

"Ahhhh, you know, your partner in crime." Dawson quickly recovered, "So what is it that is keeping you from spending some time here, come on Joey. How often do I actually get to spend more than a week at a time on the east coast."

"See that's it Dawson, I am going to take a chance, I'm actually heading towards your old stomping grounds." Pausing for a moment. "I'm heading to LA."

"LA?" Dawson was clearly stunned.

"Umm, yeah LA." Joeys voice softened as she said it. She paused for a moment then spoke a little more confidently, "LA."

Just then as like ordained from an outside source Gail walked backing the room. She quickly took notice of Dawson's look of complete awe..

"Hey, guys so what have I missed?" Gail asked.

That's it for now...already have half of the next part written ..so who knows..maybe I'll actaully get that up too!

Love ,

Shelz