A/N Ahhh so they finally meet again. Odd meeting wasn't it? Tried to resist the urge to put the two in bed (naughty person that I am). Anyway, here is the fallout.

Pieces of Me

The car journey was eerily silent for Gail. The kids were making enough noise for everyone in the car, Lily singing along with the radio and Alex talking to Dawson. It was Joey's silence that was most disturbing to her. Joey was holding onto Lily's hand, mostly because Lily had insisted on it. Gail couldn't help but think there were other reasons behind it.

Dawson sat quietly in the back seat of the car; feeling like his emotions had been put through a tumble dryer. She was there, within arms reach of him. She had changed so much since they last saw each other. But then Dawson couldn't wipe the image of Joey bleeding out of his mind. This image had stuck with him over the last few years, creeping up on him in his dreams and when he looked at other pictures.

They finally pulled up outside the movie theatre and the kids clambered to get out of the car. Gail got out and ran after Lily who had run straight for the theatre, leaving Alex following slowly behind.

Joey and Dawson stood on opposite sides of the car, resuming the stare they had started earlier. They were drinking each other in, consuming each other. Finally one of they got the courage to speak.

'Hey' Joey finally said.

'Hey' Dawson replied, unsure of what to say.

They stood in silence for a moment, continuing their visual inspections of one another.

'Considering what big talkers we were in high school, I think maybe we talked ourselves out all those years ago. You know, if 'hey' is the best we can manage after not speaking for 5 years,' Joey ventured, her hands trembling.

'I think it's a classic response.' Dawson's face softened and he smiled. Joey walked around to meet him on the sidewalk and they stood face to face for the first time.

'I'm sure this is inappropriate or just plan crazy but...' Joey said as they wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and hugged him. Dawson was taken back by this but relaxed at Joey's touch. He returned the hug, closing his eyes and he felt her hair and smelt her skin. She hadn't changed; she was still soft and sweet smelling.

'I think maybe we need to talk, rather than go watch the new Disney film with Spielberg Jr and her assistant,' Dawson said into her shoulder. She pulled away, tears forming in her eyes.

'I would like that,' she said, looking over at Gail who was standing at the entrance waiting for them. Joey waved her in and Gail nodded understandingly. She returned her gaze over at Dawson who hadn't stopped looking at her. 'Where to?'

'I think we should go to the boardwalk,' Dawson said, turning to walk side by side with her.

They walked in silence to the edge of the river, occasionally catching themselves looking at one another. Joey couldn't get over how adult Dawson looked. And how tired he looked too. Dawson was enchanted by the woman that Joey had become.

They eventually reached a bench and took a seat. More silence followed, neither of them able to start the conversation.

'So...' Dawson began.

'So... Gail told me you're writing for a network? That's great Dawson.' Joey ventured.

'Thanks. It's a good opportunity but I've got a little writers block.' Dawson said, honestly.

'I'm sure it will pass. Capeside's great for inspiration.' Joey mused, looking over the few of the river.

'Is that why you've come back? Inspiration?' Dawson asked, looking over at her.

Joey took a deep breath. She always knew that this day, whenever it came, would be difficult. 'I've come back to see my family, my friends. To apologize to certain people for vanishing all those years ago,' she said, looking up as she finished that sentence.

'I don't think you have to apologize to anyone. If anything, I should apologize to you. What I did that night was unforgivable and...' Dawson began. Joey reached over and put a finger to his lips.

'Don't Dawson. Let's not talk about it. It's forgotten and long time ago forgiven.' She said, trying to smile but failing.

'But I hit you Joey, I can't just...'

'You have to Dawson. You didn't hit me, for one thing, you slapped me. I don't think you have the capacity to hit anyone Dawson...well except Pacey,' Joey giggled.

Dawson looked over at her, her head cocked to one side looking at him. Her hair tumbled over her shoulder and touched her knee. God she was beautiful, he thought.

'You will be glad to know I haven't done that for a very long time,' Dawson smiled.

'Glad to hear it. Seriously Dawson, you were mourning and so was I. We said some really hurtful things to one another. Let's just try to move past it,' she said, reaching over and grabbing his hand to try and comfort him.

'Okay. Can I ask something deep and meaningful before we start to ramble about on about what's happened to us over the last 5 years?' Dawson said, gripping onto her hand.

'Sure,' she replied.

'Why didn't you call me? Or at least write?' he said, his eyes imploring Joey for the truth.

'Because you needed to grieve without me and I without you. I needed to cut you out my life completely otherwise we would have driven each other away for ever. And I couldn't bare that.' Joey said, fresh tears forming in her eyes.

'I know. I just missed you.' Dawson said, reaching over and wiping a tear away from her cheek.

'I miss you too Dawson,' she said catching his hand before he pulled it away.

The two continued to stare at each other for the next 10 minutes, in silence, as if words would not be enough to convey the hurt and pain that they had caused each other and how it was now all gone. Maybe not all forgotten but erased from their short term memories at the very least. Finally Dawson got up and invited Joey to lunch.

They found a small coffee shop nearby and sat there for 4 hours talking, discussing life and what had happened to them over the missed years. Joey tried to find out all the information about their friends as possible, outlining her plans to Dawson for meeting up with all of them. Dawson wanted to know everything about Italy and her painting. He was astounded to find out she had sold some of her art in London before coming home, making enough money for her to live by her own means for a while. He admired that she had found something that allowed her 'soul to speak' as she put it. Before they knew it, the shop was closing and they were turfed out into the street. Without a ride, they both started the long walk to the Leery's house, Joey accepting an invitation to dinner.

'So Jen actually ended up with Charlie?' Joey asked on the way home.

'Yeah, dating all the way through college and now she sees him when his band comes through town.' Dawson said, resisting the urge to grab her hand.

'And Pacey and Audrey are also together? Turn my back for five years....' Joey started.

'Sorry, we couldn't just pause our lives for you Miss Potter, life isn't a movie,' Dawson interrupted, unable to stop himself from teasing her.

'That's one sentence I thought would never come out of your mouth,'

'What?'

'Life isn't a movie? I thought that was your own personal mantra!' Joey said punching his arm.

'Well maybe I've changed. I know life isn't fantasy now. You leaving taught me that,' Dawson said, causing a painful silence between them for the rest of the way home.

When they got to the house Gail had already laid the table and was about to serve dinner, much to both of their delights. Gail quizzed Joey endlessly about Italy and how much of the language she had learnt. Joey shared her tales for a second time that day, as well as teaching Lily certain Italian phrases she had picked up.

'Okay, what is Can I have another drink?' Gail asked

'Posso avere altra bevanda.' Joey replied in a seamless Italian accent.

'Where is the nearest cinema?' Dawson asked

'Dove è il cinematografo più vicino?' Joey replied, smiling at her friend over dinner.

'Wow, I'll be remembering that one,' Dawson said.

Gail stood up and started to clear the table but Dawson stopped her. 'No Mom, you cooked. Go sit down and we will clear up.' He took the plate out of her hands and she learned over and kissed his cheek.

'Actually I'm going to put Lily to bed and then I'm going to follow. It was lovely to see you again Joey,' Gail said, moving towards Joey and enveloping her in a hug,

'Same here. Thanks for a lovely dinner,' Joey said. 'Good night,' She watched Gail make her way upstairs and couldn't help thinking how lonely she must have been all this time.

Joey picked up a plate and joined Dawson at the dishwasher, carefully loading everything.

'You're still scared of these things aren't you,' Dawson teased, seeing the pained look on Joey's face.

'No. I just don't want to break anything. Remember that time we loaded the dishwasher for your dad when we were 8 and broke everything in it?' Joey said, reloading some glasses that Dawson had thrown in it.

'To be fair Joey, we had also put looks of rock in it, like the jeans advert we had seen on TV? That would break anything no matter how we loaded it.'

'True, I just don't understand the machines and never will,' Joey said, stepping back and letting Dawson switch the machine on.

'So, what now?' Dawson said once the machine was running.

'I better go home, it's late.' Joey said, searching Dawson's face for a reason to stay.

'Okay.' Dawson said, walking towards the door. Joey's face fell behind his back and she followed solemnly behind him. He stopped at the door and turned around.

'You could sleep over? No funny stuff just sleep for sleep's sake?' Dawson asked nervously.

'Are you sure?' Joey asked hoping it would be.

'I think we can handle it.' Dawson smiled a confident smile.

'Okay, I'll just call Bessie to let her know so she doesn't panic.' Joey said, pulling her cell phone out from her pocket.

'Okay, I'll be upstairs when you're done.' Dawson said, making his way towards his room. He wasn't sure why he had suggested such she stay. It had been a great day, almost like it was when they were 15. Granted, there was a little bit of sexual tension but then there always was with Joey. He opened his door and started to change into his sleepwear.

'I've told Bessie, She says hi by the way,' Joey said, entering the room a few minutes later.

'Oh. Is she still mad at me?' Dawson asked.

'No. I think any anger she did have with you left a long time ago. She's just glad that we are both okay.' Joey said, taking her shoes off and climbing into bed.

'That's good. Okay, well goodnight Joey,' he said climbing in and turning the light off.

'Night Dawson,' Joey said, rolling into her familiar position as he did to his.

'Can I ask one more thing before we sleep?' Dawson said.

'Sure.' Joey said, not moving from her spot.

'What does Soul Mate mean in Italian.' He asked.

'Well soulmate is actually the same. But you can literally translate it to Compagno di anima. Why?' Joey reeled off. It was one of the first words she wanted to know.

'No reason,' Dawson smiled to himself. He had his reasons for knowing. Just knowing that Joey had found out the meaning made him feel better.