Saving Private Ryan

***Part Two: Saving Private Ryan***

Dawson sat on his bed staring listlessly at his television. He didn’t care that HBO was showing The Making of Saving Private Ryan, the new Speilberg movie. Joey was home. He had seen her. That was all that mattered to Dawson. Bessie and Bodie had dropped Dawson off, but he had really wanted to stay and talk to Joey. He wanted to talk to her so bad it was gnawing at his insides.
The phone rang and woke Dawson back into reality. He hoped it was Joey. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. “Hey man,” Pacey said, “Did you see her?”
“Hey, Pace,” Dawson replied, “See who?” Dawson was still somewhat dazed.
“Are you trippin’? You know exactly who I’m talking about. How’s the love of your life?” Pacey replied.
“Wow, Pacey, she’s great. She looks incredible...” Dawson trailed off.
“Man, you have it bad, don’t you? So, tell me Dawson, if you have it for her so bad, why aren’t you with her at this very moment?”
“I HAD to leave, Pace. She just returned from Paris. She needs to adjust back to non-European Capeside, USA. She probably has jet lag really bad. Tell me, man, is that the only reason you called? To pry into my life?”
“Well, mainly, yeah, but I also wanted to invite you to a party.”
“A party? Where?”
“My new place. A sort of house warming slash welcome home Joey shindig, you know?”
“Your new place? You didn’t move into that roach infested rat hole?”
“As a matter of fact, Dawson, I did. It’s not that bad, either. I just need to invest in some rat traps and insect repellent, that’s all. I moved in today. You could’ve helped me, but of course you were out gallavanting like the white knight that you are. Jen helped me move in. Cliff helped too, if you can believe that.”
“CLIFF and Jen?” Dawson sqeaked out.
“Dost my ears decieve me?” Pacey replied, “Am I hearing a twinge of jealousy in your voice? I thou -”
Dawson interrupted Pacey, “No, I’m not jealous in the least. I just find it a little strange that Mr. Perfect Quarterback Honor Roll would be able to find time in his perfect schedule to help you.”
“Well thanks for your support, Dawson. Actually, I think he was just doing it to be with Jen.”
“Probably. So what’s the deal with this party?”
“Tomorrow, eveningish. Whenever, actually. Get the word to Joey for me, please. I have to go. The video store actually has customers.” Pacey hung up.
“Wait - Pacey!” Dawson realized his friend was gone. He couldn’t believe Pacey moved out of his house. Everything’s changing, he thought. We’re growing up. Dawson had to get out of his room. He decided to go outside.

***

Joey was rowing across the creek. Everything felt very foreign to her, yet very familiar at the same time. Nothing had changed. “Did I really expect Capeside to change,” she asked herself. “Or was I expecting something else to change?” She couldn’t answer her own questions.
She knew that it was time for her and Dawson to talk. They had put it off for so long, and they couldn’t run away from this moment forever. Joey knew it and she hoped Dawson did too. As she neared the dock, she saw a shadow on Dawson’s porch. It was headed out the door. Joey’s breath caught. The shadow was Dawson, and he was headed right towards her.

***

Dawson and Joey met in the middle of the dock. They stood there staring at each other for a few seconds. Dawson finally broke the silence, “Hi Joey, I’m glad you came over.”
Joey smiled. “I thought we should talk,” she replied.
“Yeah,” he said, “I know. I mean, I think so too.” They started to walk side by side along the creek. Dawson didn’t know what to say to her. He said the first thing that came to mind, “So, how was your trip?”
“It was incredible. Paris is so different. I loved it. Everything about it was great. My host family, the school, the people, everything was perfect, except one thing...” Joey’s voice trailed off. She didn’t know how to finish.
They stopped walking and stood staring into each other’s eyes. Dawson desperetly wanted her to continue, “What wasn’t right Jo?” he asked her.
“Dawson, I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve never felt like this before. All I know is that every night I went to bed wanting the hole in my heart to go away and every morning I woke up and it was still there.”
“What are you saying, Jo?” Dawson asked, but he silently hoped that he already knew the answer.
“I’m saying Dawson, that I don’t feel whole unless you’re around. I know it’s bad Tom Cruise quote, but ‘you complete me’. I need you with me.”
Dawson smiled, “Jo, I -”
She interupted him, “I know that sounds incedibly retarded, but I felt like I needed to tell you that.”
“What are you talking about, Joey? That’s the best thing I’ve heard. I haven’t been able to put our last night together out of my head. Every morning I woke up hoping that you would be lying there next to me, but you never were.”
“Dawson, are you saying that you want to give us a try?” Joey asked, with excitement in her eyes.
“I don’t see what the problem would be, Jo. I need you in my life. I want to give us a try.” Dawson smiled and put his arms around Joey. Their lips met in a soft kiss.

***

Joey couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t like one of the many dreams that she had had in Paris. This was real. She was kissing Dawson. He needed her. He wanted her. She never felt better in her entire life.


***

Dawson held Joey tight in his arms. This feels right. Exactly like it should, he thought, as his lips danced with Joey’s.


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