A/N Thanks for the great reviews again, especially the ones with more in-depth analysis of my writing; it means a hell of a lot to me. I have to just say hi and thank you to all the people at Feels Like Home, who have been amazing. Here is another chapter for your digestion.

Private Emotion

Jen narrowed her eyes as she watched Charlie dancing with Audrey and Joey on the dance floor. If flirting was an Olympic sport Charlie would be taking home the gold. Jen usually let this go, knowing that when they went home that night he would make up for any non attention he paid her. But with him spending more of the evening dancing with Audrey and then following Joey around, she was getting more than peeved. Being faced with Dawson and Joey losing themselves in each other earlier had already spiralled her into a bad mood. She did the first thing she knew to do. She grabbed Dawson for a good natured dance and tried to convince herself she hadn't interrupted anything, although it was obvious to just about anyone that she had. She turned back to the bar and ordered another drink.

'So, jealous much?' Pacey said, resting his arm on Jen's shoulder.

'Nosey much?' Jen retorted, bringing her drink to her lips.

'Touché. I recognise that look Lindley. You aren't fooling me young lady.'

'What look Witter?' Jen said turning her attention to the booth they were sitting at. Dawson was sitting next to a very drunk Jack, who was regaling him with tales from his college days.

'The same look you gave young Joey at the beauty pageant all those years ago. The same one you gave her all the way through my 16th birthday party. You forget, I was there too,' Pacey said, squeezing her shoulder.

'Ah. Caught out by Deputy Witter once again. Tell me, what conclusions had you drawn in this case?'

'That you are more than hung up on a certain prince charming and resent the fact that Cinderella finally arrived at the ball.' Pacey said.

Jen swallowed hard. He always did know her. 'Sad isn't it? That one night of my life is now ruining the rest of it.'

'I'm sure that's what my parents thought when they had me,' Pacey said, dead pan. Jen looked up at his face and chuckled.

'Seriously, I don't know what to do.'

'What about Rock Star over there?' Pacey said, pointing over to Charlie.

'I have no idea. I know I don't love him but...it's kinda like when you have some really comfortable shoes that are really bad for your feet but you can't help but wear them occasionally.' Jen said, downing her drink in one swig.

'Well then you have two choices. 1, you take said shoes to a repairman and work on making them less bad for you or 2, you toss them out of a car going 70.' Pacey said, noticing that Jack and Dawson were walking up to the, Dawson holding Jack up so he wouldn't fall.

'Hey guys! You know, I love being here right?' Jack slurred as he leaned heavily on Pacey.

'I know man, I know. Maybe it's time to go.' Pacey said, hauling Jack's arm over his shoulder.

Joey walked up to them, having left Charlie and Audrey to it. She was not nearly as much of a good dancing as she needed to be to catch up with them. She saw that Jack was having trouble standing.

'Whats up with you?' she asked, ruffling his hair.

'Wow Joey! What are you doing here, I thought you were missing?' Jack slurred back before then dropping his head to his chest.

'Hey, didn't anyone ever give him the talk about excessive drinking?' Joey said, patting his head.

'No, he was getting wasted on the roof of his frat house,' Jen said, moving Dawson out of the way and getting under his other arm.

'Classy. No wonder all the men just come a knocking,' Pacey muttered. 'Why don't you two meet us outside?'

'Okay,' Dawson said

'I better go get Danny and Sandy over there,' Joey said, pointing to Audrey and Charlie who's dancing had taken a much more energetic tone.

'Okay, I'll help Jen hoist Jack, if you excuse the sexual innuendo. See you outside,' he said, grabbing their coats and following the other's to the exit.

Joey turned to walk to the dance floor and saw Charlie standing alone, Audrey walking towards her.

'He's quite a dancer when he wants to be!' Audrey said, rearranging her hair into its ponytail. 'Hey, where did everyone go?'

'They are outside, probably holding back Jack's hair and rubbing his back while he vomits over most of east Manhattan.'

'That's my job!' Audrey joked. 'You ready to go then?'

'Yeah I was about to come get you both,' Joey turned back towards the dance floor but he was gone. 'Hey, where has he gone?'

'Mmmm he might be in the bathroom.' Audrey slurred.

'Are you drunk young lady?' Joey said, watching ad Audrey tried to get her jacket on.

'No!....well, maybe a tiny, weenie bit.' She said in a whisper, wrapping her arms around Joey's neck and kissing her cheek.

'Okay well, lets get you home. I'm sure Charlie is big enough and ugly enough for him to get home alone,' Joey said, holding Audrey by the hand and leading her through the crowd.

'Oh, I think I'm going to be sick...' Audrey suddenly said, clutching her stomach.

'Okay, first stop the ladies room then home. Just don't throw up on me...' Joey said, pushing Audrey in front of her towards the bathroom.

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'Where are those three?' Jen said, moving Jack's head off her shoulder where he was dribbling extensively.

'Do you want to go back and find them?' Dawson said, concerned that Joey had been cornered by Charlie.

'Sure,' Jen said quietly, getting up and walking back into the club, Dawson following closely behind her. The club was mostly empty but the dance floor was full of people un willing to leave.

'Do you think their still dancing?' Jen shouted over the loud music.

'Lead the way,' Dawson said, pointing towards the crowd of people.

Dawson was getting worried. He couldn't see Joey or Audrey anywhere and that familiar sick feeling swept over him, the same on he had whenever he thought of that night.

'No sign of them. Hey isn't that Charlie though?' Dawson said, seeing someone looking like Charlie over in a dark corner.

'I'll get him,' Jen said, turning a stopping dead.

'Jen, What...' Dawson looked over again and saw Charlie, his arms wrapped around a beautiful brunet girl with long hair. They were kissing passionately. He couldn't make out the girls face but he was pretty sure he knew who it was.

'We better get out of here...now!' Jen said, storming off towards the door. Dawson resisted the urge to go over and punch him and followed his friend out of the door.

'I can't believe she would do this. She is supposed to be my best friend!' Jen started to rant.

Dawson was speechless, unsure of what would be best to say. His heart was breaking all over again. Jen stopped before they made it outside, holding her hands to her face. Dawson wrapped her up in a hug, planting comforting kisses on her head.

'It's okay,' he finally said.

'I just...arr why is it always her? It seems like ever man I've ever dated ends up in her arms!' Jen screamed, pounding Dawson chest.

Dawson closed his eyes, trying to hold back all the bubbling emotion he had under the surface. He pulled Jen away and cupped her face firmly. 'Jen, you are a wonderful and beautiful woman who doesn't deserve anyone like that scum. As for Joey, I...I don't think I know her or who she's become.' He said sadly, wiping the tears away from Jen's cheek. She met his eyes and tried to smile. She knew that if she had any feelings for him, now was the time to find out. She leant towards him, closing her eyes.

'Hey, what are...' the door next to them swung open.

The two quickly pulled apart. 'Umm Pacey.' Dawson stumbled.

'What happened? Why are you crying?' Pacey said, ignoring the guilty look on both of their faces.

'I just caught my scum of a boyfriend making out with the girl from the wrong side of the creek.' Jen said, getting angrier and angrier the more she thought of it.

'When was this?' Pacey asked, confused by what he was hearing.

'Just a minute ago,' Dawson joined in.

'I think you might have your teenage heartbreakers confused...' Pacey started by was quickly interrupted.

'I know she's you friend Pacey, but it was her so don't bother to give me the 'Joey's a saint' speech you've been repeating to us for the last 5 years. She was in that corner, tongue so far down my boyfriends throat she was practically eating him and...' Jen was interupted by Pacey's hand over her mouth.

'I'm going to ignore most of what you are saying because you are drunk and upset and I can understand that Charlie has that effect on you. First, Joey is our friend, not just mine. Secondly, Joey isn't a saint and I have never made her out to be. Thirdly Joey has been sitting outside with me for the last 10 minutes, trying to stop Audrey vomiting up her spleen. She left the club just after you went in.' Pacey stared straight into Jen's blue eyes.

'Is that true? Did you think I was making out with Charlie?' a voice came from behind them. Dawson turned and saw Joey. Of course it wasn't her. A wave of relief washed over him, followed by the guilt for what might have happened with Jen. She smiled at him slightly, shocked at what she was hearing.

'We saw him making out with someone who looked like you.' Jen said, slightly bitterly.

'Jen, you know I would never do that to you. You have to know that,' Joey said, walking towards Jen and trying to hug her but Jen pushed her away.

'You've done it before! How do I not know you're doing it again?' Jen said angrily.

'Woh! Jen, she hasn't done anything she's...' Dawson started, moving next to Joey and putting his arm around her shoulder.

'God, I can't believe how hypocritical you all are! Joey Potter's back, lets all spend time together like we've been friends forever. Well the truth is we haven't Joey, not to shatter your allusions. While you were in Italy living it up, we were here trying to deal with the wake you left. Do you know that Dawson was depressed? That Bessie and Bodie were considering selling the B&B to join you Italy? That Jack had a drink problem? Do you know anything about us anymore?' Jen shouted.

'What the hell has this got to do with Charlie?' Pacey shouted.

'Don't you see? She comes home, sweeps Mr Spielberg off his feet but not content with that, she makes moves on my boyfriend,'

'I haven't made moves on Charlie. He's been making all the comments and...' Joey nervously started, scared of the increasing rage in Jen's eyes.

'Oh, poor little Joey Potter. I have a big nasty man after me, save me, save me,' Jen said, putting on a tiny little voice. 'What about the dancing?'

'I was dancing like that with everyone!' Joey said, brushing a tear off her cheek. Dawson increased his grip around her shoulder.

'Yeah, but that's not saying much is it? I mean, if I hadn't interrupted you and lover boy there you would have ended up doing the nasty right on the dance floor.' Jen said.

'Okay. Let's get you out of here and...' Pacey began, pulling on her arm to take her outside

'No. Damm it, we've done nothing but tip toe around this issue for 5 years and I want to ask Miss Potter a question. Joey, do you love Dawson?'

Everyone fell silent, looking towards Joey. Dawson slowly lowered his arm from around her shoulder, unsure of her response.

'Jen, I can't...'

'Just answer the question Joey so we can all get on with our lives.' Jen said quietly, looking at her intently.

Joey took a deep breath. 'Yes, I love him.'

A small smile crept across Dawson face, one that was mirror by Joey.

'So why did you leave?' Jen said, moving towards her slowly.

'Because he was with you, he wanted to be with you! I needed to be away from all of it, all of you.' Joey said, unsure of the turn in the conversation.

'He wasn't with me though. We split up just as you left,' Jen said.

'I didn't know that until I was in Italy,' Joey said.

'Then why didn't you come back when you heard?'

'Because I had a life! A real life that was interesting and colourful and made me feel like a complete person. So forgive me Jen if I didn't run home when you wanted to feel better about what you had done,' Joey said, the anger rising in her voice. 'Jen, whatever anger you've been holding against me you need to let it go.'

'I can't let it go. I love Dawson,' Jen blurted out.