Back to School By Lizzie
Part Five in the Series



"I can't believe that I have to be back to school in a week," Joey said glumly.

"Me neither. Joe, this has been the best summer of my life. And at the risk of sounding too cheesy or 'Swayze-ish,' I owe it all to you. I love you so much Joey," Dawson replied.

"I love you too. Do you know how much I am going to miss you?" she asked as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Shh Joe. Please don't cry. Listen, it won't be that bad. We'll take turns every month visiting each other and we have Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks to look forward to."

"I know, but it's not the same as seeing you everyday and weekends and three weeks breaks go by way too fast when we're together. I can't wait until we graduate and we can be together forever..." Joey blushes, "Did I just say that out loud?"

"Yeah, but don't worry. I feel the same way," Dawson replied as he gathered her in his arms and kissed her.

After what seemed like an eternity, Dawson pulled away and looked Joey in the eyes. "I have an idea," he said.

"Umm, so do I," Joey replied seductively moving in for another kiss.

"No Joey, listen," he said against her mouth, "Me and Pacey don't have to be back to school for two more weeks. How about we go to Boston with you and Jen to help you girls get settled in. It will give us some more time together and we can spend a day in Boston just goofing around. Maybe the Red Sox will be playing or something." The wheels were turning in Dawson's head.

"Sounds like a plan. But, I think you should get your mind off of sports for the time being and onto something more important," Joey smiled as she pulled him close.

"Oh? Like what?" Dawson teased.

"Ummm, like watching the movie," Joey countered.

Dawson flipped the television off and lied Joey down on the bed, "You're such a tease."

"Yeah, but you love me."

"That I do, Joey, that I do," Dawson replied as they lost touch with the world around them.

One week later...

"Where are they, Joey?" Jen asked, becoming perturbed. The usually punctual Dawson was twenty minutes late to start their trip to Boston. Jen and Joey's bags were packed and they were waiting for Pacey and Dawson so the boys could follow them.

"I don't know. Dawson's been acting weird for the past week. I wonder what he's up-Oh there they are!" Joey exclaimed, interrupting herself.

She ran up to meet her boyfriend, throwing her arms around his neck upon meeting him. In return, he hugged her waist and swung her around, planting an affectionate kiss on her lips.

"Hey gorgeous!" he exclaimed.

"Hey yourself."

"Good lord, this is sickening. I think I'm going to vomit," Pacey said.

Joey scowled at him, "I've said it before and I'll say it again. Bite-"

"I know, I know. Bite me Pacey," Pacey finished for her, "No thanks. I'll leave that up to Dawson."

"Sounds good to me," Dawson agreed as he moved his mouth to Joey's neck.

"Okay boys," Joey said pushing Dawson away, "We gotta get going. You're late as it is. Where were you?"

"I had some errands to run. Come on, let's get going!" Dawson replied, clearly avoiding the errand topic.

"Okay, now you guys just follow us. Pacey it would be helpful if you don't take off following anything in a skirt," Jen said.

"No problem. I'll just follow the beautiful blonde in front of me," he replied, making Jen blush, "Are we ready? Oh jeez..."

Jen followed Pacey's eyes to a lip-locked Joey and Dawson, "Let's go Romeo and Juliet."

"I'll miss you," Joey said as she pulled away.

"I'll miss you more," Dawson replied.

"Okay, now I really think that I'm going to loose my breakfast. It's only two hours you guys. I think you'll survive...And no Joey, I won't bite you, so stop asking," Pacey joked.

They all burst out in laughter, said their final good byes, and hit the road.

Boston...

The rest of the day was spent driving to Boston and moving the girls into their dorm room. They had dinner at a small café on campus and went to bed early, thoroughly exhausted from their day...

"Good morning sunshine," Dawson said the next morning as he awoke with Joey in his arms.

"Sunshine? God Dawson, I wonder if all couples sound as corny as we do."

"I sure hope so...Woah, look at those two," Dawson said, nodding his head to a sleeping, intertwined Pacey and Jen.

"Oh that's so cute...What do you say Dawson, shall we play matchmaker?" Joey asked.

"Naw. There's only one couple I want to concentrate on. Besides, if they are meant to be, they'll find out by themselves, like we did."

"Dawson, honey, if you'll remember correctly, they had to plant old pictures of us for us to realize that we still loved each other," Joey reminded him.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, but I don't think that I would have had enough will power to survive the whole summer without you. I would have caved in eventually," Dawson said.

"Oh you would have, huh?" Joey grinned.

"Oh yeah," he beamed, pulling her close for a kiss.

"Okay, time to hit the showers," Dawson said after he broke their kiss, "The Red Sox game starts at two, and we have lunch reservations at twelve, which leaves you an hour and a half to get beautiful for me. More beautiful that is."

"Dawson, why don't we just let Jen and Pacey go. We can stay here and..." she trailed off as she moved her hands down his chest.

"As wonderful as that sounds Joe, I really want to go to this game. I haven't been to a Red Sox game in God knows how long...Come on, for me?" Dawson protested with puppy dog eyes.

"Uggh. Men and sports. Fine. Let me go. I have to go beautify myself," Joey sighed, "Wake up Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming, will you...Did I just call Pacey charming? Must be cuz he's sleeping..."

An hour and a half later they were all ready to go. After a wonderful lunch, they made their way to Fenway Park.

"Oh, it's the seventh inning stretch. I have to use the facilities," Joey said, getting out of her seat.

"No Joey, stay and sing 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame.' It used to be your favorite part," Dawson said hopefully.

"Still is," she grinned, happy that he remembered the little known fact.

As they sang, Joey looked up at the electronic scoreboard that displayed the lyrics to the song.

"Take me out to the ballgame,
Take me out to the crowd,
Joey, I love you. Will you marry me? Love, Dawson
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks..."

Joey blinked in disbelief and forgot all about the song. Did it really say what she thought it did? She looked over at Dawson who was grinning from ear- to-ear and holding a small black box.

"Joey," Dawson started as he got down on one knee and took her left hand, "From the moment I met you, I knew we would be together forever. You're my soulmate, and even though it took me awhile to realize it and admit it to myself, I will never forget it. Josephine Potter, I love you. Will you be my wife?"

Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes as he slipped the ring on her finger. She pulled him up to a standing position and whispered into his ear, "Yes."

Jen and Pacey looked on with approval and satisfaction as they kissed, thinking that this wouldn't have happened if they hadn't helped them along the way.

"Well blondie, I think we owe ourselves a pat on the back," Pacey said putting his arm around her.

"Yeah Pace, we make a pretty good team," Jen replied enjoying his closeness. They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity and both laughed nervously as they turned their attention back to Joey and Dawson who were both still lost in a kiss.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: Okay guys, I know some of this was a bit corny and uncharacteristic of Dawson and Joey, but I couldn't help it. Girls, who can honestly say they wouldn't love that sappiness? Especially by Dawson Leery...Anyway, feedback is appreciated, but don't be too mean!!

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