Runaway by Becci Wooster

Runaway by Becci Wooster
Part 3 in the series


Disclaimer - I am in no way connected with the show. This is only a fanfic, and I am making no profits. Yadda Yadda Yadda! The title comes from an excellent song by the Corrs. They don't belong to me either.

Spoilers - I'm guessing that if you're reading this, you've seen the episodes. There may be references to any of them here.

Summary - Read Part one and two so you know what's going on. It's the high school reunion, and Joey's about to make the first speech. Will tonight be the night that Joey and Dawson confront their feelings? Will Andie get together with Pacey? Will Jack take out a shotgun and kill everybody in the hall? OK, so I don't like him! You'll have to wait and see! The song words are again below the story. I hope I don't get in trouble for this! I'm not making any profit, and it's free advertising for the best band in the world!!!

Joey stood up, and made her way up onto the stage. She placed her papers on the table there, and looked into the audience, She was nervous, and looked at Dawson. He smiled encouragingly. She took a deep breath, and began…

"Well, it's been 10 years. And I guess the more things change, the more things stay the same. As I look out onto my peers, I still see the science and Maths whizzes. Over there are the Jocks and the cheerleaders. And then, there's the rest of us, still struggling to see where we fit in amongst all this. But why should we? We don't need to be dictated to. I know the looks I've been getting tonight, and they aren't the same as the ones I got when I was 18. Now, as a success, or at least on my way, you want to know me. Well tough. You missed that boat. My friends are the ones who stuck by me. And that's what high school taught me." She paused, looking into the faces of the audience.
"When I started here, I thought that I'd seen all I needed to see. I thought I'd grown up, and that nothing much would happen to me. I'd seen my mother die. I'd actually held her hand as she took her last breath. I'd seen my father get arrested. As he was convicted, he reached out to me and my sister. And I turned away. Within a few weeks of starting here, I held my sister's hand as she gave birth to her baby. A baby who's now a lovely 13 year old boy. I thought nothing could change that much. I was wrong. My years here were spent learning about life and love. I fell in love, I got my heart broken. But through it all, I had people who were there for me. When I'd lost faith in humanity, my best friend made me see that there is good out there. Now, I stand before you and pity most of you. I pity those of you who still think that money's important, and those of you who judge without reason.
I'm doing well for myself. I live in Boston. I have a comfortable home. My first novel's gonna be published soon, and I'm working for an advertising firm. Yet many of you are so caught up in spreading the latest gossip, you're still living here, some of you with your parents. So now I come to voice the message that high school is aimed at. To grow up, you have to become something. And you can't be anything without any friends. You were wrong to judge me. I'm successful now, and you were wrong. And I'd like to say thanks to the town loser, the dreamer who's mother had an affair, the wild girl from New York, and the brother and sister who's mom was on anti depressants. Thanks. You've been the best friends I could ever have." Joey stopped now, her face hiding the emotions that were racing through her body. She span on her hells, and walked slowly off the back of the stage, with as much dignity as she'd ever had. The audience clapped politely.

As the principal walked back to the centre of the stage to continue, Dawson stood up and went outside. He walked across the lawns outside the school, and found Joey sat under one of the trees. As he approached her, she looked down at the floor.

"Hey, you," Dawson said softly. She stared at the floor.

"I couldn't leave there without telling them what I thought of them, Dawson. They had to know."

"You did well," Dawson agreed. She looked up at him. He reached out his arms, and pulled her up off the floor. He hugged her. "I'm proud, Jo. Proud to be your friend," he whispered. She pulled away slightly, but their faces were inches apart. She looked into his eyes. Her heartbeat pounded through her body. He leaned in, and kissed her. It was the most tender and loving kiss she'd ever had. He pulled away, as if to test the waters. In response, she pulled him in for another. This kiss was passionate, and they were hungry. She found her bottom lip being bitten softly by him. She opened her lips, and he used his tongue. As if a silent agreement passed between them, they pulled away simultaneously.

"Dawson," Joey began. He interrupted.

"I'm sorry, Joey. I had to. I'm so sorry though," he fumbled. She put her finger against his lips to silence him.

"I wasn't gonna say it was a mistake," she breathed. "I was gonna suggest we take this back to your place." Dawson smiled happily.

"But what about my parents?" he asked.

"Didn't you get your dad to put the ladder back up?"

"Yeah, but the window won't be open," Dawson pointed out.

"So you go in, tell your parents you left early, and unlock it. I'll come in through the window." They shared a secret smile.

Joey giggled as she climbed in through the window of Dawson's room. He helped her through.

"Shh! My parents are downstairs!" he warned her.

"Don't worry!" she called quietly. "no doubt they'll be proud of you!" Dawson smiled ruefully, knowing she was probably right.

"But still, I'd like this to be perfect," he added. She smiled at him.

"It will be." They kissed again, even more passion flowed between them.

"Have you got anything?" he asked.

"What a lovely question," Joey replied, smiling.

"I didn't mean that…I meant…" Dawson fumbled, again embarrassed.

"There's a box in my bag," she answered, trying to save him from the embarrassment. Dawson smiled, and sat down on his bed. "You aren't trying to lure me into your bed, are you Mr Leery?" Joey said in a terrible British accent.

"Yup, that's it exactly," Dawson replied. She grinned and sat beside him.

"Good." They kissed again, and as they did, she leaned back, pulling him down on top of her.

Jen groaned as she entered the kitchen the next morning. The smell of oatmeal and bacon and eggs filled the air, making her queasy. Pacey and Dawson were stood by the oven, trying to cook the bacon and eggs without them burning. Gail and Mitch were sat at the table together, eating oatmeal. Joey stood at the small counter, reading a newspaper and drinking a mug of black coffee.

"How can you possibly eat that stuff at this time of the morning?" Jen demanded. Pacey and Dawson spun around.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day'?" Dawson asked, mimicking his mother's voice. Gail laughed.

"Mother definitely never told you to load up with cholesterol," she reminded. Dawson shrugged.

"There's black coffee in the pot," Joey informed her. "I don't have an iron stomach either."

"Yeah well, women are weak," Pacey slung back. Joey slogged him in the stomach for that comment. "What? I'm right, aren't I?" he asked, looking to Mitch and Dawson for support. Mitch laughed.

"I'm afraid I can't agree with you there. I've seen Dawson being born. No way are women weak!" Gail patted his arm affectionately.

"Come on, Dawson. Surely you agree?" Pacey asked.

"Well, Dawson, do you?" Joey asked, with her hands on her hips. Dawson looked at her. She smiled slyly to him.

"Nope. Sorry, bud, but you're on your own there!" Pacey scowled. Jen walked to the coffee pot and poured herself a mug.

"So, how was last night?" Mitch asked.

"OK," Pacey answered. "I'm meeting Andie again this afternoon," he added. Joey raised her eyebrows at him.

"Really? Do you know what you're doing?" she asked, genuinely concerned.

"Well, you know, it's Andie. Plus, I figure we're not gonna be sitting exams this summer."

"But she lives on the west coast," Joey pointed out.

"Ah, the cynic rises her ugly head," Pacey teased. "And where exactly did you go after your speech? Come to think about it, I didn't see you either Dawson!"

"Well, I looked for Jo, and then came back here," Dawson explained, hoping his mortification didn't show.

"We can vouch for that," Gail announced, remembering the sound of her son opening the door and running upstairs.

"But that means you both missed the prize giving!" Jen exclaimed. Joey looked at her, puzzled.

"They had this big voting thing," Pacey explained. "I got biggest improvement, and Jen got most unexpected career, or something like that…"

"Joey, you got voted most happy," Jen told her. Joey almost choked on her coffee.

"Really? After what I said to them all?" she asked, amazed.

"And Dawson got most likely to fulfil their dream," Pacey added.

"Well, congratulations to the both of you," Gail congratulated.

"Wow. But I'd better be off. I'm gonna go and offer to baby-sit for Bess. Give her and Bodie a day off," Joey announced.

"Joey, honey? Do you want to invite her and Bodie over for dinner tonight? It's been so long since we've spoken to them properly," Gail asked.

"That'd be great," Joey agreed. "well, I guess I'll be off. Thanks, Gail."

"Wait! I'll come too!" Dawson exclaimed.

"But what about your breakfast?" Pacey asked.

"Have it. Bye!" Dawson called as the two left the room.

"What was that about?" Jen asked rhetorically. Pacey shrugged and served up the two dishes on one plate. Jen shuddered at the sight, and poured another mug of coffee.

Joey planted a quick kiss in Dawson's cheek. They were stood on Bessie's porch, waiting for someone to answer the door. They had talked in the car on the way over and had agreed to announce their new relationship over dinner that night. Just as she pulled away, Bodie answered.

"Hey! Joey! I heard you were back in town!" he cried, pulling his sister in law in for a hug.

"Hey, Bo," she replied.

"Come in, come in. You too, Dawson! God, you both look great. How are you?"

"Fine," Dawson replied as they entered the house. Bessie was sat at the table in the kitchen. She welcomed her two visitors too. At the sound of their aunt's voice, Alex and Jade came running.

"Hey! Joey!" Alex called. "Dawson!" Joey smiled at the sight of her two favourite children.

"Hey, guys!" she called. Jade, who had a soft spot for Joey, hugged her. Alex pumped Dawson's hand.

"Bess, we came to ask if we could possibly burrow your kids for a few hours? Dawson and I'll take them out. Is that OK?"

"Please Mom?" Alex asked. Bessie laughed.

"Joey? Willing to baby sit?" she giggled.

"It's not baby sitting! Alex is 13!" Joey argued, much to Alex's pleasure.

"OK. Take them!" Bodie joked. "You don't have to return them!" The adults all smiled at that comment.

"Oh! And mom wants to invite you all round to ours for dinner tonight. I think she's on some hormonal mother/parent buzz, having us all there." Dawson explained.

"Well, as a Mom, tell your mom we'd be delighted," Bessie replied. "Go on, kids. Go get your coats." The children obediently went running out of the room.

"Thanks, guys," she said to her sister and her best friend.

"No problems, Bessie," Joey replied truthfully.

That evening, Dawson was sat on the dock outside his house, looking out across the creek, deep in thought. He was thinking about Joey, and how beautiful she had looked that day. She had looked so pretty, playing with Alex and Jade. Jade was a sweetie, and demanded regular kisses from her favourite aunt. Joey was so good with them. And she had looked much like his memories of Mrs Potter. He was lost in the thoughts of him and Joey having kids, when a voice called from behind him, making him jump.

"Your Mom told me to come and get you. Dinner's nearly ready," Joey informed him. Immediately, he stood up, and put his arms around her waist. "What were you thinking about?" she asked him.

"You. And how much you looked like your mom this afternoon," he responded truthfully. She smiled doubtfully. "No, really. You did," he persisted. "I'm telling the truth, you know."

"You wouldn't lie to me, Dawson," Joey stated. "I've never felt as close to anybody as I do with you. When I was 15, it scared me. At 20, it threatened me. Now, I love it."

"I love you, Joey," he said, his voice deep with emotion. "I know they're the words that everyone uses, but I can't think of an eloquent way to express how I feel."

"I love you too Dawson. And I'm not just saying that as the usual response, either. I mean it." Dawson began to laugh. "what?" she demanded.

"You ever think we analyse things way too much?" he asked. She grinned.

"I know it," she replied. "Kiss me?"

"Of course," Dawson responded, putting his lips against hers. His arms laced round her back and pulled her as close to him as they had been the night before. She ran her hands through his hair, enjoying the feel of his hands on her, and the smell of his skin.

Gail and Bessie smiled to each other as they looked onto the dock from their position on the porch. They had both been suspicious all day, and had followed Joey to spy on them when they sent her to fetch Dawson. Sure enough, they were now kissing on the wooden boards that stretched out onto the creek, with a perfect sunset behind them. Gail and Bessie walked away, satisfied to let the couple enjoy the moment.

Joey was finishing off the salad that she had begun, when Dawson stood behind her. They were in the kitchen, alone. However, the rest of their friends and family were in the next room. Dawson put his arms around Joey's waist.

"Hey," she said warmly.

"Hey. Can I get the bottle opener?" Dawson asked. Joey obediently moved so he could open the drawer.

"Well, I'm done here, so I'd better take it out," she said. Dawson smiled, and pulled her in for a kiss. They were just getting into it when Bessie's voice called out.

"Joey? Have you done yet? We want to start!" The couple pulled apart, slightly embarrassed. Dawson took the bottle opener into the next room, with Joey and the salad in quick succession. In the dining room, Pacey, Jen, Bodie, Bessie, Gail and Mitch were sat talking. There were two empty seats, and they were next to each other and down the other end of the table. Dawson and Joey quickly took them.

Gail exchanged glances with Bessie. Dawson and Joey had been sat together, whispering for the whole meal. Now, Joey reached for a bread roll. She had to lean over Dawson. As she did so, he said something that made her laugh.

"So, Joey, Dawson. When are you gonna tell us?" Bessie asked. The other people sat in silence, confused. Both Dawson and Joey went bright red.

"What…um…what do you mean?" Joey asked, mortified.

"Come on, we know. Tell the others," Gail encouraged.

"You know!" Dawson exclaimed.

"Know what?" Bodie asked. Joey smiled at Dawson, and took his hand in hers under the table.

"Well, Dawson and I have decided to give us another go," she announced.

"Hooray!" Jen screamed, making everyone laugh.

"About time too," Pacey congratulated. "Now I get to live with a couple!" Everyone else also threw in their comments, and Joey and Dawson kept a smile on their faces for the rest of the meal.

Later that night, after Bessie and Bodie had gone home to relieve their baby sitter, the others were all sat in the living room, watching a movie. Gail and Mitch were sat together on a couch, and Jen and Pacey were sat on the other one. Dawson and Joey however, were squashed into one chair, regularly exchanging kisses. The movie ended, and Pacey ran to eject the tape.

"Jo, what's your book about, anyway?" Jen asked. Joey smiled, and rested her head on Dawson's chest.

"The lead character, June, loses everything when she's a child. She goes completely off the rails, and the book chronicles the mistakes she makes. Part autobiographical, only part mind you, and cooked up in a couple of days after I moved in with the two dorks!" Joey rambled. Dawson pretended to be hurt.

"Dorks, eh?" he asked.

"Yup, one hundred percent. And that's what makes me love you," she replied, kissing him. Jen looked away, embarrassed. Gail and Mitch got up.

"We'll be off to bed then, remember to turn off the TV set," Gail called as they left the room. Pacey got back up and joined Jen on the couch.

"Are you gonna do a follow up?" Jen asked Joey, not wanting to look. When she received no answer, she did look back. Yet again, they were kissing so deeply that only they existed.

"Great company, eh?" Pacey asked. "Seems my life with them is gonna be great!" Joey giggled then. Suddenly, Dawson and Joey got up off the seat.

"We're um….we're gonna go to bed now…" Dawson explained.

"Yeah, I'm exhausted!" Joey said, blushing slightly. She and Dawson almost ran out of the room and up the stairs. Jen smiled at Pacey knowingly.

"Didn't you have a date with Andie this afternoon?" she asked him after a moment of silence.

"Yup. She's just like she was in High School," Pacey informed Jen enthusiastically. "She's here in Capeside for another few days, and we're gonna kinda date whilst she's here."

"But won't it be hard when she goes back to California and you go back to Boston?" Jen asked, frowning.

"Well, I was thinking earlier, I could go out there, you know?" Jen's mouth dropped open with shock. "Oh come on. I've always been the third wheel in Dawson and Joey's relationship. Now they're a couple, I'm gonna be even more alone. I could easily get a transfer to California. Jo and Dawson wanted to live in Boston because it was close to here, but I don't need to see my family. I've been here a few days now, and none of them have come to see me. Plus, it's Andie, you know? I think I still love her." Jen looked at him understandingly.

"Well, our lives have certainly changed since we've been here, haven't they? Dawson and Joey are back together, I'm thinking of moving to Boston, and you're gonna move to the west coast!" she commented.

"Yeah, but I might not go. I need to see how it goes with Andie…Jen?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't tell the others what I'm thinking, will you? I don't think they'd understand," Pacey pleaded.

"Sure. I'll keep it to myself. Look, I'm really tired. I'm gonna go to bed. That is if I can get any sleep with those two doing stuff…"

"It's weird. I've never seen either of them act like this before."

"That's what love does to you," Jen said wisely. "Goodnight, Pacey."

"Night, Jen." Jen struggled to her feet and slowly left the room.

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Say it's true there's nothing like me and you
I'm not alone, tell me you feel it too

And I would runaway
I would runaway yeah
I would runaway
I would runaway with you

Cause I am falling in love with you
No never I'm never gonna stop
Falling in love with you

Close the door, lay down upon the floor
And by candle light make love to me through the night

Cause I have runaway
I have runaway yeah
I have runaway runaway
I have runaway with you

Cause I have fallen in love with you
No never I'm never gonna stop falling in love with you

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So? What did you think? Like it? Hate It? Any suggestions? Do you think Andie and Pacey should get back together? Should Dawson and Joey break up? Write to me!

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