Endings and Beginnings

By Tarn


Author’s Note: This occurs a few days after the events in the Season Finale “Breaking Away”


After the events of the past few days, Dawson laid on his bed staring at the ceiling. He was quite a mess after suddenly seeing both of his leading ladies in a new light. Jen, whom at one point he would be grateful to reunite with, had her own conflicts to deal with concerning the loss of her grandfather and the often-rocky relationship she has with her grandmother. He felt that the loss may bring Jen and her grandmother closer together, and that brought his mind to the most bizarre and incredible of events, the declaration of his love for Joey.

Besides Jen's loss, however, he couldn't complain. His parents seemed to be getting along again, which was almost as great of a relief as his long passionate kiss with Joey at the tensest point in their relationship. Dawson sighed as he realized how close he came to losing her forever, but not now, not ever would he let her go.

Dawson's deep thoughts however, were interrupted as the curtains to his bedroom window parted and Joey climbed in. "Hey Dawson." she said with a little distress in her voice. Dawson immediately picked up the stress in her voice and responded "What's wrong Joey?" he asked with apparent concern. Was it something he did or said, or could it be she was really taking the scholarship? "I'm just a little weirded out, about Jen's grandfather, that's all." she replied, but only partially to his relief. "Yeah, I wish I could somehow help her, but she seems to have boxed herself in." he added. "The funeral is in two days, but that's the part..." she paused long enough for Dawson to see the look in her eyes that showed she was thinking about her mother.

Dawson stood up and hugged her "Yeah, I know, you haven't been to one since." He said, but didn't need to say another word because she began crying. "It's just a mess Dawson, I feel like I'm losing everyone." she sobbed almost incoherently, but Dawson could understand every word. "You're never losing me. I'll always be here".

The day of the funeral arrived and Jen was a wreck. Both Pacey and Dawson tried to help her, but neither of them could get through. "Come on, Joey. For me?" Dawson pleaded with Joey flashing his big puppy-dog eyes at her; she couldn't help but agree. "Ok, I’ll do it, for Jen's sake."

Joey climbed out Dawson's window and walked over to Jen's house. Knocking on the door, Jen's grandmother answered the door. "Can I help you?" She asked, lacking the usual tone of distaste towards her because of her family's situation. "Yeah, I came to see Jen, I thought she might need someone to talk to." Jen's grandmother replied with a surprising answer. "Well, maybe you can get through to her, that Dawson and his friend tried for an hour yesterday, but she hasn't said a word." She explained as she lead Joey up to Jen's room. "Jen! Someone is here to see you!" She called, opening the door to Jen's room.

Jen looked up and saw Joey but just looked back out the window. "I'll leave you two alone" Jen's grandmother said as she left the room. Joey walked over and sat down next to her on the bed. "Look, Jen, I know we haven't gotten along too well in the past, but now I see how much we really need to stick together." Joey said, actually sympathizing with the girl who she watched almost take Dawson away from her. "What do you care, you have Dawson now, why are you even here?" Jen sobbed with her head hung low. "I'm here because I know exactly how you're feeling. Lost, confused, angry, scared. Yeah, certainly been there." Joey responded, again remembering her mother.

Jen realized what she had said and sobbed "Oh god, I'm sorry Joey, but I just can't believe he's gone.” "It's hard I know, just let it out" Joey said as she hugged Jen and they shared a good cry.

Dawson got out of the Leary family vehicle and faced the church and said under his voice "God, I hope she's all right", thinking about the state Jen was in when he left. They went in the church and saw Joey and Bessie sat in one of the seats. Dawson sat next to Joey and the rest of the Leary's sat next to Bessie. "How is she? " Dawson asked Joey, who looked stunning in her dress, but this wasn't the time or place. "I think she's a little better, but it'll take a while" Joey whispered softly, with a good amount of stress in her voice, obviously due to her bad memories.

The funeral began, and went smoothly until the very end when they said the last prayer, at which point Joey began to tear up. Dawson responded quickly and cradled her as they sung the prayer together. Bessie and Gail looked over at this sight with astonishment as they began to realize what is happening between the two lifelong friends.

After the funeral. Joey, Dawson, and Pacey went over and talked with Jen, who seemed a lot calmer than she way only yesterday. "Jen, how are you doing?" Dawson questioned as he approached her. "I'll survive" she responded without the usual zing, but she wasn't the nervous wreck that she was only hours before. "Thanks for coming guys”, she continued as they began to walk across the large field towards the parking lot. "Joey, thanks for yesterday, you really helped me through this". Pacey just couldn't believe he was hearing this, Jen and Joey getting along. It was just too weird, he considered saying something, but decided to hold back the usual witty remarks for now.

Afterwards, Jen and her grandmother, who were still sad, but getting along better decided to go home. Pacey had to get back home, and the Leary's gave Joey a lift since Bessie had to get back to the Icehouse, Bodie had been watching the restaurant and the baby all day, and probably needed help.

Once they arrived back at Dawson's house, the Joey and Dawson decided to go for a walk along the creek. Gail's theory was confirmed as she watched them walk away from the house holding hands and walking a lot closer than normal to each other. She smiled and remembered when Mitch and her walked like that.

"Thanks for talking to her, Joey. I know it couldn't have been easy, but she did seem better,” Dawson said as he looked over to Joey, who returned a smile. "Well, it looks like Jen and I have more in common than I thought." she said to him, with her mind a lot clearer than it was at the funeral. "What went on over there?" Dawson asked, but she quickly replied "A little girl talk, and it’s really none of your business anyway." she said with a smile as she stopped walking and looked out at the sunset. "Things are getting better between us" She said as the two held hands looking out onto the creek and into the future.

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