Joey pulled away from Pacey, she was breathless and shaky -- and craving more of his kisses. He seemed preoccupied though, his eyes were fixed on something over her shoulder. Turning, she followed his gaze and watched as the ambulance, it’s siren still blaring came to a stop before a large, unmistakable building -- a building with a tall, pointed steeple. Joey’s eyes widened at this realisation. Her hand still rested on Pacey’s arm and her fingers now dug into his flesh reflexively. If he felt any pain, he didn’t show it, he just stood transfixed. Joey’s mind was reeling, she felt the bile rise up in her throat and found it difficult to breathe. At last though, the words came.

“Dawson,” she gasped and at the sound of his name her paralysis broke. Suddenly she was running, at a speed which would not have seemed possible. Figures and shapes around her merged together, forming an indistinct blur.

Finally she reached the church. The pained expressions of the Leerys’ faces confirmed her worst fears. Rushing forward, she was stopped by a burly, uniformed police officer.

“I’m sorry Miss, but I can’t let you go any further,”

Joey watched helplessly as the paramedics loaded Dawson onto a stretcher.

“No, you don’t understand,” she cried desperately “he’s my . . . I’m his . . . “ she trailed off. What was she to Dawson? “I’m his wife -- or at least I should be,”

The policeman nodded, lowering his arm to let her past. As Joey ducked under the police tape which cordoned off the accident area, she caught a glimpse of Pacey. For a moment their eyes locked. His were so full of sadness that if she’d had any tears left she would have broken down and cried. Joey hesitated for a moment, torn. Then, with a heavy heart she climbed into the back of the ambulance, trying not to think of the man who, only minutes before had been holding her in his arms.

Kneeling at Dawson’s side, Joey stroked his hair gently.

“It’s okay baby, everything’s gonna be okay. I’m here now, I’m here,” she murmured soothingly. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw a wisp of a smile form on his lips. Bowing her head over him, she knew she’d done the right thing “You just hang on in there, Dawson, I need you, okay? I love you, I love you .. . .” and as Joey entwined her fingers with his, she realised she’d meant every word.