I'll Be Seeing You (or Heartaches)
Part One in the Series
by: Theresa G.

Background: Picks up right where "Breaking Away" left off
Disclaimer: DC and its cast are not mine, they are Kevin Williamson's, WB's, or whoever's they are. The song "Invisible Man" is by 98* (98 Degrees, there's no degree sign!) The song "I'll Be Okay" is by Amanda Marshall. Send comments/feedback to Peace126@aol.com

Dawson slowly broke away from Joey, and opened his eyes. Her eyes were still closed, and he could still taste her on his lips. She slowly opened her eyes and stared straight into his.

"What was that for?" she asked, smiling uncomfortably.

"I'm ... I'm not exactly sure. I just knew I had to do that," Dawson answered, studying her reaction.

Joey stared at him for another second, then pulled his head down for another kiss. They stayed like that for a long time, until they finally had to breathe. They just held each other, until Dawson broke the silence.

"Jo?"

"Yeah, Dawson?"

"Are you going to France?"

Joey sighed against him. This was going to be a hard decision. She thought about it for a moment, taking in what had just happened, the opportunity that came with studying in France, everything in the past, everything in the future, and where she was right now. She finally took a deep breath and answered.

"I have to, Dawson."

Pacey sat in his room, staring at the picture of Dawson, Joey, and himself that had been taken only a few years ago. They were on the docks, their arms around each other, smiling at the camera. Joey as in the middle of the two boys.

"How symbolic," Pacey noted. After being paired with Joey on the marine biology project, he had tapped into all these feelings in his heart that had been undiscovered until that moment. Pacey turned on his radio, only to find more symbolism.

You probably spend hours on the phone
Talkin' 'bout nothing at all
It doesn't matter what the conversation
Just as long as he called
Lost in a love so real
And so sincere
You wipe away each other's tears
Your face lights up
Whenever he appears

I wish you'd look at me that way
Your beautiful eyes lookin' deep into mine
Telling me more than any words could say
But you don't even know I'm alive
Baby to you all I am
Is the invisible man

It made Pacey's heart ache. He hoped Joey didn't go to France. He needed time with her, time to maybe, just maybe, regain her friendship. He wanted to build that friendship into so much more, but it seemed impossible. Plus, he knew he was being selfish. This was a great opportunity for Joey, and he'd die for her happiness. That thought, revealing the depth of his feelings for Joey, scared him. Brushing that aside, he thought again about France. *It's not like it's forever. It's only a year. But what happens when she comes back? What if everything changes..*

Dawson pulled away from Joey. "You're really going?"

"I have to, Dawson. Don't you understand?" she said, her eyes and voice conveying deep emotion. "This is my only chance. I need opportunities like this to go to college, and to get out of Capeside."

"What is so wrong with Capeside?"

"I can't spend my life here, Dawson. I hate the looks I get, I'm unhappy with my life here. There is nothing here for me."

"I'm here," Dawson said softly.

Joey knew she'd hurt his feelings, and hugged him. "Hey, you're the only really good thing I have right now. I don't want to lose you, Dawson. But I have to take this opportunity. As much as I love you, I refuse to give this up."

"What did you say?"

Joey knew what he was talking about, but she didn't want to acknowledge it. "I said I can't give this up."

"Joey, you know what I'm talking about. You said that you loved me."

"Of course I love you, Dawson, you're my best friend." She turned to go out the window.

"Joey, wait!" he said, turning her around. He held her by the shoulders, and looked into her eyes. Then he whispered, "I love you, too."

Joey stared into his face in shock. Then they both smiled, and kissed sweetly. They kissed for about half an hour, until Joey finally had to leave.

"Will you come to the airport with me when I have to leave?"

"Absolutely," Dawson smiled sadly. He still couldn't believe what had happened.

"OK, then. I'll see ya, Dawson." And she left.

When Joey finally had to leave for France, both Dawson and Pacey, along with Bessie, Bodie, and Alex, were there to see her off. Jen had gone back to NY for a while after her grandfather died, but she had shared good-byes with Joey before she left. Dawson and Joey had a relationship now, and they had agreed to pick up where they left off as soon as she came back.

Joey said good-byes to Bessie, Bodie, and even Rosemary's Baby. She then approached Pacey, not sure of exactly what to do. She would miss him. Their bantering meant so much more to her since that night at the carnival, and she knew now that he was a good friend. They hadn't been very affectionate, though, so she was shocked when Pacey suddenly grabbed her and wrapped her in a hug.

"I'm gonna miss you, Jo. No matter what you think, I do care about you, and it won't be the same without you. Better, but not the same," he said with a smile. Joey chuckled.

"I'll miss you, too, Witter. The people there won't be anywhere near as pathetic, and what fun is that?" she teased back. They gave each other one last hug, and then broke apart.

Joey stepped towards Dawson. "And I think I'll miss you most of all, Scarecrow," she said as she wrapped him tightly in her arms, not wanting to let go. "Love you, Dawson," she said as a tear fell down her face.

"Ditto," he said, quoting the movie they'd watched on their last movie night, Ghost. They both smiled. Joey pulled away and kissed Dawson, trying to imprint the memory enough to last the whole year she was away. They finally broke apart as her flight was announced, and she went down the long corridor. Pacey and Dawson stood in front of the glass to see the plane off.

It's time to let you go
It's time to say good-bye
No more excuses
No more tears to cry
There's been so many changes
I was so confused
All along you were the one
All the time I never knew

I want you to be happy
You're my best friend
But it's so hard to let you go now
All that could have been
I'll always have the memories
She'll always have you
Fate has a way of changing
Just when you don't want it to

Roll away the chains
Let love fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay

Life passes so quickly
You got to take the time
You'll miss what really matters
You'll miss all the signs
I spent my life searching
For what was always there
Sometimes it will be too late
Sometimes it won't be fair

Roll away the chains
Let love fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay