Can't get away.

Jen smiled at the sight of all of them together, in the park, playing baseball. It was an unusual and unexpected idea that Jack had come up with, while both of them were very hung over and leaning over their breakfasts at Pacey's restaurant. So, after everyone had finally made it and had something to eat, they all raced over to the park to relax and enjoy being outside in the fresh spring air.

'Phew, I hate sports. How you holding up there girlie?' Audrey said, flopping down next to her on the picnic blanket.

'Okay, still feel sick though,' Jen mused. She had been excused from the energetic game that was unfolding in front of her.

'Aw baby. Shouldn't drink so much then.' Audrey said smiling. She reached inside her bag and pulled out a bottle of water, passing it to Jen. 'So, I fell unconscious after our little bathroom discussion last night. How did it go?'

'Okay. Joey seemed surprisingly okay about everything. I didn't quite believe her but she's always been good at hiding her true feelings.' Jen said, taking a sip from the bottle.

'Really? That's a surprise. Her and Dawson seem very odd this morning.' Audrey said, looking over at Joey who was smiling at Jack while he tried to throw the ball to Pacey.

'Yeah, I noticed that too. Do think they...?' Jen said, surprised at how the words stung slightly.

'Nah. The world would end if that happened, wouldn't it?' Audrey said, taking the bottle back from Jen and taking and long sip.

Dawson jogged over out of breath and collapsed on the floor next to Audrey. 'I forgot how much I hate playing sports with those 3,' Dawson said between breaths, stretching his arm towards Audrey and the water. 'You better go back out there,'

'Okay. But when I die of exhaustion I'm blaming you Leery.' She passed Dawson the bottle and started to jog towards the other three, impatiently waiting for their 4th player.

'So, how you feeling this morning Dawson?' Jen said, slightly unsure of what to say to him. She was still unsure of her feelings for him, even after convincing Joey of the opposite.

Dawson swallowed his water and took a couple of deep breaths. 'Okay, sleepy but okay,' He said, pulling him self to a sitting position.

'What have you been up to sleepyhead?' Jen playfully nudged him.

'Nothing. Trying to sleep but failing.' Dawson said, not letting anything slip. The truth was he had stayed awake almost all night, unsure of what to do. Part of him wanted to turn over and just smother Joey in kisses.

'That's what sleeping in New York does to you.' Jen said, knowing that Dawson's apparent insomnia was not due to traffic noises.

Dawson looked over at Jen. She looked tired, very tired in fact. It was something he had noted yesterday but with everything else that was happening it wasn't in the fore front of his mind. 'You look like sleeping in the city doesn't agree with you either. Are you okay?'

'Yeah. Just the hang over, nothing more.' Jen said, pulling on her shades and lying back on the picnic rug.

'Time out,' Joey shouted, grabbing the ball and walking over the other two. 'God I'm tired.' She said, dropping the ball and rummaging through her own bag for the water she had brought with her.

'Hey, you all thought this was a great idea can I remind you.' Jack said, sitting next to Jen.

'I just totally underestimated how fit I was. All I've done is sit on my ass and paint for the last 5 years,' Joey said, taking a long swig from her water before Jack snatched it away.

'That's not a valid excuse Potter. You need to get a real job anyway.' Pacey said, pulling a small assortment of snacks he had brought with him from the restaurant.

'Yeah Bunny, what are you going to do next?' Audrey asked. All 4 pairs of eyes stared towards her.

'Well, I plain to spend the rest of the summer in Capeside to see my family and do some more work. Then who knows!' Joey said thoughtfully. The truth was she had no idea. She knew she could always go back to Italy if she wanted to but part of her liked being at home.

'Joey Potter without a plan. What has the world come to,' Pacey said, looking over at a very silent Dawson. 'What do you think she should do D?'

'Umm... I don't know. Whatever makes her happy?' Dawson replied sullenly. Joey felt stung by his apparent lack of interest in her life.

'I'd second that,' Audrey quickly said, missing the exchange of confusing stares from the others. 'Here's to my Bunny who can do whatever she wants in the world,' Audrey held up a potato chip, shortly followed by the others.

'To bunny' they all said loudly, making Joey blush.

'Did anyone else just feel a spot of rain on them,' Jen said, holding her palm to the sky.

'No...wait a second,' Jack said, looking up to see the huge black cloud that hung in the air.

'I think that's the end of playtime kids. Let's move it!' Audrey said quickly, packing away the food with Pacey while Joey ran to where they had left the baseball bat and glove. Suddenly the heavens opened and vast amounts of warm rain fell down on the city from above. The girls all screamed while the men tried to hurry everyone across the park to get to some shelter.

'I'm completely soaked,' Jen moaned as they reached some trees.

'You know it's not safe to stand here, we should really try to get home. Anyone joining us?' Jack said, looking around the wet group.

'Well I promised you me for the whole day so count me in,' Joey said, trying to wring her hair out.

'Us too. The restaurant is being very capably looked after today.' Audrey said.

'What about you Dawson?' Jack asked, seeing that Dawson was preoccupied by looking at Joey.

'Wha..umm yeah, that's cool.' He said, looking over at Jack who had an amused look on his face. The rained started to slow down and Jack ushered everyone onto the sidewalk.

The six of them walked to short distance to their apartment, with Jack slinging his arm casually over Joey's shoulder while Audrey and Jen walked up front, lost in their own conversation. Pacey walked along side Dawson, mostly silently.

'So, what happened in last night's episode of 'Soul mates reunited?' Pacey asked.

Dawson laughed at the expectant face of his friend. 'Nothing. We got into bed and slept...or not slept in my case,'

'Still pinning for her?' Pacey said.

'Always have been.'

'So have you sorted out everything with Jen then?' Pacey asked.

Dawson was taken aback slightly, slowly realising that everyone knew his business. 'What do you mean?'

'Jen told me,' Pacey replied simply.

'Ah, I see the Capeside grapevine is alive and kicking. I think we are okay. Things are still a little weird though. That seems to be a theme at the moment,' Dawson lamented.

'Things are looking up though D. You're in the best city in the world, with your 5 best friends and Joey is here as well. You've got to be happy.' Pacey said.

'Don't get me wrong Pace I am ecstatic at seeing Joey again and wow...she's just become the most... I can't even quantify it with words. But part of me is angry at myself for messing it up the first time.' Dawson said.

'Hey, she seems to have forgiven you. And take it from someone who was in that woman's bad books for many years, she's a hard woman to get forgiveness from.'

'I don't think she has though. She said something last night about not trusting me,' Dawson revealed.

'Oh ouch! What did you say to that?'

'I said I wanted to try and win the trust back. But the thing is I'm not sure how to do that. I really hurt her Pace and one big gesture of love or friendship isn't going to do it this time,' He said, he head dropping slightly.

'Listen, Dawson. That woman had done nothing but love you for the last 18 years of her life. I think getting the trust back won't be as hard as you make it out to be.' Pacey patted Dawson on the back.

Before they knew it they were outside the apartment block, all completely soaking by this point. They climbed the steps and Jack unlocked the door, walking in without looking up and straight to the bathroom to get towels for everyone.

'Does anyone want anything hot to drink?' Jen said, walking to the kitchenette.

'I would love a hot, steaming cup of you Princess,' a voice said from the corner of the room. Jen slowly turned around and saw him sitting on the window seat, guitar case at his side.

'Charlie?' she said softly.

'Hey there Princess,' he said, running over the swoop her up in a huge embrace.

Dawson, Audrey and Joey stood in silence as they watched the exchange. Jen seemed very uncomfortable as Charlie kissed her. Dawson couldn't help but feel angry. He hated the guy, mostly because he felt he liked to take advantage of vulnerable women. Audrey had always kind of liked him in a bad boy way but she knew how Jen felt about him, like he was some itch she couldn't help but scratch. Joey didn't know what to think. Pacey reached across and grabbed her hand, knowing this was probably going to be difficult. Joey turned to him and smiled, squeezing his hand and realising it.

'Here you go, towels for everyone...oh Charlie man, what you doing here?' Jack said, walking over to the pair and shaking Charlie's hand.

'I got a few days off from the road and thought I would drop back for a little visit.' He said, turning his attention to Jen.

'Umm well, you remember everyone don't you?' Jen said quickly, before he lunged at her for another kiss.

'Yeah Dawson. How's LA?' Charlie called over. As he looked over he saw Joey. Her wet hair was clinging to her chest, cover the transparent nature of the t-shirt was wearing. She had a small smile on her face and Charlie recognised her instantly.

'Joey? Joey Potter?' Charlie said, letting go of Jen and walking over to Joey.

'Hi Charlie. How are you?' Joey said to the man who knew more about her physically then almost everyone in the room.

'It's so good to see you! Where have you been? I thought for sure you had run away so we didn't have to go on that date,' Charlie said enveloping her in a hug.

Jen and Dawson exchanged concerned looks, neither of them two sure what he meant by the date. Pacey and Audrey shared a look of recognition.

'Charlie, as charming as you are, I wouldn't have left the country for five years to avoid going for a cup of coffee with you. And may I remind you that you stood me up young man!' Joey replied, letting go of him. He looked just as good as he did all those years ago, just older and more rock star-ish.

'I can't apologise enough Miss Potter. I was a fool. Plus I know that we had quiet an explosive night there, I thought that...' Charlie began but before he couldn't continue Jack started to throw towels around.

'Umm here you go, I don't want any of you getting flu.' Jack said hastily, hurling the towels everywhere. Joey caught one and tried to avoid Charlie's intense stare. She knew he was sizing her up, much like he did on that first night when they met in the bar.

'I don't know, as I remember Joey looked great wet,' he said in almost a whisper, so only him and Joey could hear. Joey blushed deep red and walked across to the sofa, sitting next to Audrey and Pacey so there was no space left for anyone else.

'Charlie, where's you bag so we can put it in my room,' Jen said, having watching the scene between the two of them. She was getting more and more uncomfortable as this went on. She had been trying to tell Charlie it was over, had been over for some time. But every time he came to town he swept her off her feet and she fell for the lines.

'Oh, right sorry.' Charlie shook his head and tried to wipe all the images out of his mind. He walked over to his bag and guitar and followed Jen to her bedroom, glancing back at Joey. Jen shut the door and the others could hear the lock turn.

'So they are going to be...busy for a while. Anyone want to do anything else?' Jack said, oblivious to all the sexual tension and loaded stares that were floating around the room.

'Actually I better go back to the hotel and have a shower? I'm getting a little shivery.' Joey said, unable to deal with all the conflicting emotions floating around her head.

'Okay. You still want to hit the town tonight?' Jack said.

'Sure. Wouldn't miss that for the world.' Joey said kissing Audrey on the cheek and reaching over and hugging Pacey. She got up and hugged Jack tightly.

'I need to get changed too. It's alright if I collect my clothes?' Dawson said as she was pulled on her wet coat.

'Sure' Joey said, although she wanted to be alone. But she knew that all of Dawson's dry clothes were in her room.

'Okay, see you all at around 8?' Dawson said as he opened the front door.

'Cool, see you later!' Jack said enthusiastically, unaware of the concerned glances coming from Audrey and Pacey.