Disclaimer: Yeah, I'm Kevin Williamson and George Boy all combined into one, and I own DC and the song "Everything I Own." Mmhm, I wish.

Author's Note: This story is again told from Dawson's point of view and is set after the previous installment, ("Help!") Also, thoughts, flashbacks, and something to show that a word is being enunciated are in **, so you'll have to figure that one out on your own.

You sheltered me from harm
Kept me warm, kept me warm

A warm blanket came over me. I remember being cold and helpless. I remember falling down. But nothing after that.

"Hey, Dawson, it's me, Pacey. You know, Pacey "The Screwup" Witter?" Pacey whispered.

I was too weak to answer.

"Oh well, anyway, you're at Joey's house, we're trying to get you up, we all are. Joey included. It's so undeniably obvious she cares for you, man. So forget everything I said to you before about going on. Because what you two had was so special, you can't let go of that. That's, like, an every other generation thing. So don't you let go, and don't you stop loving her. And don't you leave me. Wake up, Dawson." After his Obi-Wan moment was over, he left, and called out, "Jo, you can go in now!" I then heard footsteps.

"Hey, Dawson," Joey began. "How are you doing? Well that's a dumb question, because here you are, half freezing. So what I cam here to say is...I know you've always had some kind of liking that goes beyond friendship for me, and I'm sorry. But I'm happy because...I opened your eyes, I gave you your life besides Speilberg. But then I set you free."

You gave my life to me
Set me free, you set me free

"And I know you didn't want that, and now I wonder if it was the right thing. Because after that, you closed yourself of to everyone, not wanting to be loved, afraid to fall again, afraid to be susceptible to pain. And the only thing I can say is that...I'm sorry."

I inhaled deeply, remembering.

"Okay, Dawson, whatever you want," she said, heading out the window, but before leaving, she turned around and added, "I'm so sorry."

"Sometimes sorry isn't enough,'' I whispered.

"If anyone looks back on their high school years," I continued, "they probably would have been the best years or their life."

Of all the years I ever knew
Those finer ones I spent with you

She left, leaving me confused. I didn't want to think, so I fell asleep.

I heard a shriek. Not knowing what it would bring me, I went to the source, and found a little girl crying. It must be Emily, I thought.

"What's wrong?" I asked the child.

"I had a bad dream," she sobbed.

"Why don't you tell me about it so I can try to help?" I suggested softly.

"Well, E.T. died and Elliot was sad and then it ended," she told me. It took a lot not to laugh.

"You like that movie?" I inquired.

"It's my favorite," she sniffled.

"Well, what do you know, it's mine, too!" I smiled. "What's your name?"

"Emily," she answered. "What's yours?"

"Dawson."

"Well, Dawson, will you tell me a story so I can go back to sleep? And not a fairytale, an original story," she asked me.

"Sure," I replied. I pulled her covers over her. "Once upon a time, there were two teenagers, Derek and Janie. They were best friends until one day when Derek kissed Janie, and they decided to date. Well, one day, Janie became impassioned with art and Derek didn't like art, he wanted to become an actor. So Janie had to find someone who liked art, and she met someone who did, Jonathan. She and Jonathan became closer as she and Derek drifted apart. Derek was upset and would have given everything he owned to get Janie back."

I would give everything I own
Give up my life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again

"One day, Janie decided to break up with Derek and get with Jonathan. This tore Derek apart, and he told her they could never speak again. 13 years later, at their high school reunion, where Janie was married to Jonathan and had a child named Eloise. And Janie fell in love with Derek all over again." By the time I ended, Emily was asleep.

"Sweet dreams, kiddo. And don't break a guy's heart like your mother did mine," I whispered. I got up to leave and when I got to the doorway, Joey was there, with a gleam in her eyes. As I reached her, she grabbed my shirt and kissed the life out of me.

No, Joey, don't! my head screamed. But my heart told me to let her. To let her what? Break my heart again? Make me cry? She taught me how to cry.

You taught me how to cry
I don't know why, just don't know why

"I...love...you," she told me between kisses. She led me to my room and shut the door behind us.

The next morning...

I awoke, naked, with Joey lying next to me, also naked. What had happened? Then I remembered. Ohmigod, I know what a child goes through when their parent has an affair, how could I do that? And after Joey had shattered me, told those lies to me, and...set me free.

You told those lies to me
Set me free, set me free

I got dressed as quick as I could, and left a note by her. It read:

Joey-

I know what we did last night, and I can't believe it. I can't believe I'll be the one Emily hates because I'm the one that had an affair with her mother. And I can't believe I let you consume me again. After 14 years, I had just begun to get over you and now you spring this on me. I'm sorry, Jo, and sorry isn't enough, I know that. Ever since you walked out my window that last time, I've known that. But I love you, and that's not a lie. I'll always love you, and if you choose to keep the child, please, Joey, I beg of you, give it my last name. I don't care what you name it, just let it have the last name of Leery. I've hated the name Johns for years now, and if my child has that as a last name, I'll die. Please don't come up to me at Pacey's wedding, I just don't know what I'll do.

I love you, and don't you ever forget that-
Dawson

I sighed as I packed my bags and left the house, wondering if I did the right thing. Because I know what it's like to be walked out on, and want to shout out to the one that's leaving you, "You're just throwing 15 years!" and that of all my years, the finer ones were spent with her.

Of all the years I ever knew
Those finer ones I spent with you

At Pacey's wedding, I did whatever possible to keep away from her. I couldn't let my wall that I had built up so carefully down. What would I tell Joey? That I would give everything in my name to her to have another chance to love her for even a split second?

I would give everything I own
Give up my life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again

It'a been three years since then, and I don't know if Joey kept the child or not. I don't know what happened to her.

Friends have always come up to me and asked me for romantic advice. My answer is always, "If there's someone you love that won't let go, and taking you for granted, tell them you love them, because one day you might lose them to someone else, and you won't hear a word they say."

If there's someone you know
That won't let you go
And taking it all for granted
You may lose them one day
Someone may take them away
And you don't hear a word they say

But that about Joey will all be changed. A few hours ago, I got a call from a frantic Andie. Pacey's been in a car accident. And it doesn't seem good. Seems like I'm going down there. And I know I'll find out what happened to Joey. If I'm a father, if I'll still give everything to have and hold her. I bet you I would, but I have to find out.

I would give everything I own
Give up my life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again
Just to hold you once again

Yeah, guys, the series is over. Not really, so look for the next part in "Big Business."

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