What the hell was she doing? Joey questioned bitterly as she walked slowly but unwaveringly to Dawson's. Surely I'm not letting myself even entertain the idea of a new relationship with him. It could be different this time, your both older and more mature it could work if you just let it. The voice in her head stated. But they had tried so many times before what would make this time different from all the others? How did she know she wasn't letting herself being pulled into the same old cycle of love and pain?

Joey sighed shaking her head. She didn't want to think about this all now it was just to much. Her breath caught when she realized that she was standing right in front of his house, and try as she might she couldn't help but feel like the sixteen year old she once had been. She grew up in this house. Knew it as well as she knew her own. A small smile of remembrance and nostalgia overtook her worried face. This house held so many memories for her bittersweet and unrelentingly.

Joey strode purposefully feigning a confidence that she did not feel and rang the bell. Shuffling her feet as she waited feeling anxious and excited. After a seeming eternity she heard the knob twist open. Her heart leapt as she gazed upon the face of one Dawson Leery.

He was a bit taller, and looked slightly older, but her was still without question her Dawson. Just as he always had been. Dawson grinned joyously at the sight of her. "Oh Joey I missed you." He breathed before pulling her into a tight embrace. Returning his embrace she buried her face in his chest wishing wistfully that she could stay there forever. She could smell that scent that was unalterably Dawson. A potent blend of collogue and his mothers detergent. The smell of comfort. The smell of home. This was one of the few places that no matter what happened she had always felt safe. His arms were an unparalleled comfort and refuge from the outside world. He sighed as they broke apart. Clinging to one another a second longer then they should have.

"I missed you too." Joey said. He gestured for her to come inside. And she followed thankful for the moment to collect herself. They headed straight up the stairs to his bedroom. And she couldn't suppress the overwhelming feeling of wistful nostalgia for a time and a place mere years ago when things between them had seemed so much simpler. But the honest truth was that things had never been simple between them. And she doubted that they would ever be.

Dawson opened the door and it felt as though she had entered a time warp. Everything absolutely everything down to the posters on his walls were the same. "God I'd forgotten how much I'd missed this room." Joey murmured more to herself then Dawson.

Dawson smiled and said, "I know what you mean, I wanted to take some of my posters and bedding and such with me to school but it felt wrong. Like desecrating a shrine. A shrine to what I really don't know, what but this room holds so many good memories that I just couldn't bear to change it. As if changing it would mean forgetting all the things that used to be." He shook his head feeling stupid and plopped down on the bed.

She joined him on the bed, " I always loved the way you could do that. You know articulate exactly what I was feeling even though I couldn't do it myself. Though it was slightly unnerving not being able to keep anything from you. Ever." He laughed softly.

"Well that's what happens when you date you best friend." He uttered laughter still apparent in his eyes.

His voice suddenly taking a serious tone, "its been a long time, way to long, I've missed this." Joey smiled sadly now.

"I know I missed this, us too. I mean it's been weird not always having you there like you've always been. And though we talk on the phone its's not the same as having you here." Joey said softly. The words rang true for both of them.

He reached out and grabbed her and thankful to have her here with him. She squeezed reassuringly. There gaze met both mirroring that unmistakable love and longing that came so easily to them. Trying there damndest to ignore the feelings that were coursing through their veins inebriating them, searching in vain for a safe topic of conversation to prolong the inevitable.

Dawson's smile felt strained and forced through there awkward conversation. His mind raced with questions no of which he wanted to answer just then. And their seemed only one thing that he was sure of. That he was still in love with Joey Potter. No matter how hard he tried to stifle those feelings they came back with a rush every time he heard her voice or even spoke her name. Dammit Leery your in so far over your head your drowning in it. Every small smile or wistful glance she granted him made his heart flip and his stomach lurch.

So there he sat holding her hand. Feeling like the sixteen year old he once had been. Hoping to god that his face didn't convey the storm of feelings welling inside of him. But could they do this again? He had hurt her so much, though she tried not to let him see. He respected her all the more for that.

"Hey Joey look" Dawson said pointing out the window. The sun was setting now, a brilliant show of golds, pinks, soft purple, and gentle blues swirling and blending softly could be seen through the widow. They sat together contentedly watching it. His arm unconsciously found its way securely around her shoulders and her head fell against his chest. Neither of them could deny the overwhelming feeling of rightness that swelled within the pair.

It seemed as though nothing had changed between the two of them. No matter how long they had been apart they so quickly fell into a quite intimacy that left others baffled. The pair had long since passed that need for conversation that others so desperately relied on to fill the void left by silence. Perfectly pleased with being left with their own thoughts. For the two certainly had a lot to think about.

They sat there in silence for a long time both trying to work up the nerve to take that first step. A leap of blind faith had never been easy for either of them. Trying to make it all seem less of a big deal. All the while knowing that whatever transpired tonight would change the course of their relationship forever. He wanted to scream at the unfairness of it all. Dawson sighed feeling stupid for not just doing it. But since when had impulsivity ever been his strong point. "Never that's when..." Dawson muttered silently.

Joey gave him a questioning look then smiled and shook her head knowing that Dawson was just being well Dawson. They chatted aimlessly not quite sure what to say both dancing perilously close to just spilling it all. "It shouldn't be this hard..." Dawson said suddenly completely absentmindedly almost as though he hadn't realized they had been said. Joey turned and looked at him again confused. She met his eyes with her own seeing, almost feeling the truth in his words as though they were tangible.

"What shouldn't be this hard?" Joey asked knowing damned well what he was talking about but not so sure she wanted to here the words. The sun had long since set now and the room was basked in luminous and eerie moonlight. The whole room felt surreal more like one of the sets of Dawson's movies they the reality that it was.

"Us...this...everything.." Dawson said feeling slightly more sure of himself knowing that even if she turned him down that at least their was finally something real between the pair.

"When was it ever guaranteed to be easy? Especially between us. Things have always been hard because there has always been so much baggage... maybe to much..." Joey countered letting the last statement hang in the air like a storm cloud on the horizon.

"But its always been worth it right?" Dawson asked. Hoping she hadn't given up all hope for a second chance. Knowing that this may be the last time he would be able to conjure enough courage to say what was needed.

"Yeah for the brief glimmering instances that we were a we it was perfect and wonderful and beautiful... but the break-ups the mistrust and the pain hurt so much..." Joey said her voice growing ragged with the honesty of her admission. They were bringing it all back and it hurt. Dredging up old issues, he was making her confront things she didn't know that she was ready to confront. RUN her mind exclaimed. Run and don't look back. Joey leaped to her feet then as though she had been physically hurt. Forcing a wan smile she said, " Dawson Its getting late and I've gotta go call me later and we'll talk okay?" the words felt as hallow as they sounded she turned to walk to the door.

Dawson grabbed her arm gently as though he was afraid to scare her away he drew her near to him. She felt herself being pulled to him without a thought to resistance. He stepped even closer. "Don't.." he said "Don't let it...don't let us end like this..." Now they were mere inches apart he cradled the back of her head his other hand still holding her arm and kissed her. The kiss was soft and serious he went slowly almost as though he was asking for permission. Trying to convey without words the feelings that he felt from her.

Her arm snaked around his neck as she responded to the kiss. Their minds raced at the enormity of it all. Running purely on instinct now the kiss deepened warning signs flashed in their minds. Better back away now you know what will happen if you don't then you'll both be back to square one. After a few more minutes the broke from one another. The only sound in the room was the sound of their ragged breaths. Willing self control Dawson went first, "Maybe that wasn't in the right order but Joey we both...or at least I hope you do too want to give this..." he made a awkward gesture with his hand "us... a second chance."

She didn't know what to say it was all just too surreal. Joey forced herself to think. Can we really be doing this again? It hurt so much last time and I'm still not so sure that I'll be able to deal with it all again if we break up. Anxiety and malaise shone in her soft brown eyes. Dawson smiled at her trying to be comforting but still struggling with what it all meant himself.

He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her into another warm embrace he held her tightly trying to be supportive and understanding. Joey clung to him thankful that at least for an instant she didn't have to stand alone. Her smile was warm and bittersweet as they broke. Like I said she thought vaguely when is life supposed to be easy. She kissed him lightly and fully on his lips. Promising without words that she's give it a shot. But still so very afraid of what would happen if their wasn't a we anymore.

A/N

plz tell me what you think I want your honest feedback cuz I can't be a dettwer writer in you people don't tell what I'm doing wrong. SO STORY SHORT PLZ REVIEW