Love? by: Crystal

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Disclaimer: I don't own the song "If I Fell," by the Beatles.

Distribution: Put it wherever you want and just send me an e-mail.

Note: To understand what is going on you have to read all my stories in this series. Well, now that that's over with. O.k. I'm so sorry that it took so long for me to finish this story! I lost track of the days because of school and everything and I realized that I hadn't bothered working on it for a week! So, I spent several nights finishing this.

If I fell in love with you
Would you promise to be true
And help me
Understand?
'Cause I've been in love before
And found that love is more
Than just holding hands.

If I give my heart
To you
I must be sure
From the very start
That you
Would love me more than her.
If I trust in you
Oh please
Don't run and hide.
If I love you too
Oh please
Don't hurt my pride like her.

'Cause I couldn't stand the pain
And I would be sad if our new love
Was in vain.
So I hope you see
That I
Would love to love you
And that she will cry
When she learns we are two.

'Cause I couldn't stand the pain
And I
Would be sad if our new love
Was in vain
So I hope you see
That I
Would love to love you
And that she will cry
When she learns we are two

If I fell in love with you

"If I Fell"- The Beatles- Lennon-McCartney

Love?

Another week passed. Joey continued to visit Dawson. Always she was greeted coldly, but at times Dawson would cast the mask aside and it was almost like the old Dawson, the one who had rejected reality, the one who had loved her. But these few instances ended with that hateful wall coming up.

Finally Dawson's parent's told him, "Dawson, you have to go to school eventually. Hiding from your problems won't help." So the following Monday Dawson got ready for school. He was nervous but thought I don't care. In his mind he had already worked everything out. The second he turned eighteen he would get the hell out of Capeside, get into college, and try to become a director. He would never look back.

But doubt lingered. He still loved Joey, he couldn't deny that. He wanted to be with her, to love her and for her to love him. Usually he pushed these thoughts aside but sometimes when Joey visited him he was almost convinced that she loved him, that everything would be okay. He could love her safetly. But then he would think that she would get over her guilt, she would break his heart again. Dawson was so confused, several times he had almost broke down and told Joey he loved her, that he was sorry for the way he treated her, that he didn't mean it. Or did he?

***

Joey got her books out of her locker, then looked for the nearest garbage can to chuck the roses Jack had given her in. Would he never give up? She was exasperated with Jack's stubborness. Then Joey saw Dawson walk in through the school doors. All thoughts of Jack flew out of her mind.

"Dawson?" she said.

"Hey, Josephine," he said, a ghost of a smile on his lips, one which quickly faded as he saw the roses in her hand. Joey had lied to him. He had been so stupid to think that she loved him. He smirked, "So you were lying when you said that you had dumped Jack? Or have you found another boyfriend already? Another boyfriend destined to have his heart broken."

Joey felt a furious response rise to her lips but it died when she saw the shattered look in his eyes. "No, Dawson. The guy won't leave me alone. I have thrown away five identical bouquets," Joey said, her eyes pleading for understanding.

He peered at her, "I don't believe you."

Jack walked up to Joey, flashing her a smile, "Hey, Jo. You got the flowers. I'm so sorry, whatever I did, please forgi..." he broke off as he saw Dawson.

Dawson thought Joey was telling the truth.

"Well, well, well, so if it isn't the ex-boyfriend," Jack spat out.

"From what I heard, you're an ex, too," Dawson said, glaring at Jack.

"Stay away from Joey. She's mine."

"Guys..." Joey said, but neither Jack or Dawson gave her a glance.

Dawson was furious. Jack seemed to think of Joey as a possession, he didn't love her. She was just like another trophy to his collection. "Since when is Joey a possession?!"

Jack didn't bother replying, he grabbed Dawson by the collar and punched him. Or tried to. Dawson moved his head at the last second, the blow struck Joey on the cheekbone, knocking her down with it's force. She gave out a little cry of pain, her eyes instantly turning watery. Dawson stared at Joey with his mouth agape. Jack had struck Joey. His Joey. The girl he loved. His eyes turned murderous, a red cloud of rage shifted over his vision as he tore himself from Jack's grasp. He was intent on beating the crap out of Jack. But before he could throw a single punch Pacey grabbed Dawson from behind.

"Dawson. What the hell are you doing?!" Pacey demanded as he shoved Dawson away from Jack.

"He hit Joey!" Dawson yelled, his eyes glaring at Jack over Pacey's shoulder. Pacey's eyes turned cold.

He said, "Is that so? Well then I shouldn't have stopped you." He turned to Jack, "Get the hell out of here before I join in on the fun with Dawson."

Jack walked away quickly, glancing over his shoulder. Pacey stared after him. He turned to see that Dawson was already gone. Damn, Joey was gone too.

***

The halls were empty except for the lone figure who stalked down the hall. Dawson was on his way to class. His thoughts were confused, Jack had hit Joey. He had struck her. I didn't matter if it was an accident. Dawson could still picture Joey on the ground, hurt and helpless. He had been wrong about her and Jack. Maybe there was a chance she loved him. No. She only pitied him...but all anger he had felt towards her was gone, drained away. He just wished he had not been so cruel and hateful towards her during the past few weeks.

***

Seconds after Dawson left, Joey got up. She had had a horrible headache, it pounded sharply at her temples. She reached up and gently touched her cheek. Joey winced as she felt the raw skin where she had been struck. Great. How was she going to explain this to Bessie? She looked up to see Dawson disappearing around the corner.

Joey ran after him, the single thought of reaching him on her mind. When she caught up to him she put her hand on his arm. "Dawson..." he angrily jerked his arm away. "Dawson..."

He turned around. The anger in his eyes was gone, now replaced by deep sorrow. It was his fault that this had happened. "Joey...are you okay? He hit you. It looks..." Dawson reached out his hand and slowly carressed her cheek.

Joey closed her eyes as she felt his gentle touch. Dawson then put his arms around her and held her protectively, lovingly. Gently he stoked her hair. "I love you," she murmured in his shoulder. His only response was to hold her tighter. Finally, Dawson tilted Joey's chin up and kissed her passionately. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she kissed him back. Dawson felt them wet on her face. He stumbled back.

"Jo, I'm sorry. I took advantage of you..." He left her standing in the hall, alone.

***

"Pacey, what's wrong with me? He kissed me...then he just left," Joey said to Pacey, her expression despairing. "He doesn't love me."

"Joey, Joey. You got it all wrong. Dawson does love you." Pacey said. He smiled, wondering why his two friends were always so oblivious.

"Then why did he leave?" she demanded, her voice rising. Pacey was treating this like a total joke. Well, it he carried this on any further she was not responsible for what would happen to him.

"Come on, Joey. Remember, you dumped him for Jack, you saw him try to commit suicide! Of course he's nervous!"

Joey glared at him. "Don't ever mention his suicide attempt again or I might mistake you for Grant Bodean."

Pacey turned serious, "Honestly, Jo. At the hospital he told me he loved you." He excluded all the rest of what Dawson told him, hoping for the best.

Joey's face lit up, she looked hopefully up at Pacey, "Really? ...I have to go find him."

"See you later, Joey," he grinned, "I have a hot date with a certain 'cheerleader.' Wish me luck!" Pacey's grin turned lecherous.

"Pacey, you pervert!"

***

That night Joey rowed to Dawson's house. As she tied the small boat to the house she saw light streaming from his open window, it was oddly comforting. The ladder was back. Joey's heart soared as she saw it. It was there as it had been in years past, she could almost make herself believe that everything was back to normal. Joey climbed up the ladder, her hand carefully holding the small package in her hand. She climbed through the window.

Dawson lay on his bed, he sat up quickly as Joey appeared through the window.

"Hey, Joey." Then to her dismay Dawson said, "I'm sorry, Jo, about what happened in the hall. It'll never happen again. I know you don't love me, you were just feeling sorry for me. For a moment I...I forgot. Just seeing you on the ground..." he trailed away.

"Dawson. It's okay." She took his hand and placed the gift she'd brought in it. "Open it."

Dawson had expected anger or coldness. Not this. His hands convulsively opened the plainly wrapped gift.

A brand new copy of E.T., still in it's plastic lay in his hands. He looked at Joey. She gave a Dawson a half-smile and said, "I wanted to give you a copy of your favorite movie. And here. I guess you want this back."

Joey handed the tape he had made of him and Joey. Where had she found this? he thought, wondering.

"Thanks, Joey," he looked up questioningly at her. Joey's hand reached for his and she sat next to him. "Dawson, I know that I...really hurt you," she glanced nervously into his eyes, " and I'm really sorry. I was so upset when I saw Jen kiss you that I went to Jack to get back at you so that you could feel my pain. I became infatuated with him and I never saw any sign of what you would do. Or if I did I simply ignored it. I was blind to you...and all I can say is I'm sorry." She bit her lip nervously and raised her face up to his, "I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Dawson's hand tightened on hers and he said, "I love you, Joey. I was too scared to try again." He kissed her, then slowly broke away. "I wish that I hadn't been so hateful to you. I've never been so cruel to anyone like that. I had so much anger and bitterness built up within me and I directed it at you. Forgive me." He looked straight into her eyes, "I would do anything for you and I'll always love you."

Joey smiled at Dawson, then hugged him. For what seemed like an eternity they sat there, embracing.

Joey broke the silence, "Well, Dawson, aren't you going to turn on the movie?"

"Yeah," he said, then gently took away her arms from around him and turned E.T. on.

He climbed back onto the bed and they watched the movie, holding hands.

***

The Leery house lay in darkness. Dawson and Joey lay asleep in each other's arms. A small smile laid on Dawson's lips. For once he was at peace with himself and the world with Joey at his side.

The End

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