Disclaimer: I don't own I'll Be by Edwin McCain or Hold On by Sarah McLachlan.

Daylight

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
Ill be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above.

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead.
Tuned in, turned on, remembered the things that you said

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
~Edwin McCain - I'll Be

Joey rows across her creek in the dawn of the morning on a mission to see Dawson. Dawson awoke when a soft hand brushed his cheek. Thinking it was Joey, Dawson opened his eyes and turned his face to meet hers. Dawson, at first surprised to know it was not Joey, became nervous as he looked at Jen. Jen was lying there partially on top of his chest which confused Dawson. Jen spoke softly smiling deeply at Dawson, "thanks for letting me crash here, Dawson."

The events of the night before flashed through Dawson's mind and, uncertain, he said, "no problem, Jen."

What Dawson really wanted to say though was, "it's a big problem…a catastrophe. I love Joey…and if she finds us her together, I will lose her for good."

Joey smiled as she walked quickly coming in view of Dawson's big luxurious house. Joey thought about all the things that had happened last night. Joey had finally made amends with her father, and even got to express her love for him. In return for Joey's love, Mr. Potter expressed how much he missed and loved Joey, but that most importantly Dawson loves Joey. Joey let her father's words ring in her ears, "I love you, Joey…and I'm not the only one, Dawson Leery…he loves you, Joey." Joey's smile deepened as realized how much she loved him, and it was finally time to confess. Joey quickly picked up the pace, more than anxious to release this secret from her heart. Joey determined not to wait any longer climbed the ladder quickly still imagining the look on Dawson's face when she told him.

  Dawson still laid there confused and befuddled to why Jen was looking at him with longing, and hadn't moved from her present position on his chest. Dawson was just about to move when Jen leaned over to kiss him. Dawson realizing exactly what Jen wanted pulled his face away. Before Dawson could explain that his romantic feelings for her were over he heard a noise at his window. Jen and him both turned to see Joey half way through the window. Dawson stared at the hurt and confused look on her face. Dawson surprised and embarrassed muttered, "Joey?"

  Joey gazed at the bed where Dawson and Jen laid in each other's arms. Feeling tears about to spill down Joey's face she took one last look at Dawson, glaring hard at him turned to leave. Dawson heart sunk when he saw the pain and hurt in her eyes, he realized he lost the one person he always loved. Deciding not to give up on hope, so he called out her name again, "Joey!"

  Joey ignored Dawson's voice and kept going, and started climbing down the ladder. The image of Jen and him about to kiss kept playing over and over in her head. Joey now out of sight of Dawson let the flood gate of tears flow down her cheeks as she felt her heart break To further Joey heartbreak she heard Jen say, "she'll be all right, Dawson."

Not really paying attention to the ladder Joey didn't realize she missed the next rung for a foothold. Losing her grip on the rung, Joey felt herself falling. Joey screamed in terror as her body crashed to the ground below.

  Dawson had moved from the bed as soon as Joey started to flee the window. Dawson ignored Jen's protests and after hearing the terrifying cry from Joey rushed to the window. Peering out he felt his heart jump in his throat as he found Joey lying unconscious on the ground. Dawson felt numb watching the woman he love laying there on the ground. As soon as the shock of seeing Joey unconscious wore off, the adrenaline rush kicked in. Dawson was in a mad rush ran for the door and following behind was Jen.

Mitch and Gail, who had been enjoying a quiet breakfast and kissing fest, heard the bloodcurdling scream too. Wondering what happened they left the kitchen only to barrel into a frightened Dawson. Mitch and Gail took one look at the fear and pain in their son's eyes, and knew something happened to Joey. Dawson, so hell-bent on rushing to Joey, ran smack into his parents. Not really feeling he had time to explain just quickly mumbled, "call 911 now…Joey's fallen from the ladder." Mitch and Gail stood there in shock as Dawson pushed past them, and ran out the front door. Dawson scurried around to the side of the house and leaned over Joey's unconscious body. Dawson gently felt for a pulse, his face broke into a smile of relief when he finally found one. Her pulse was weak, but the most important thing was that it was beating. Dawson's parents called for an ambulance while Dawson tried to wake Joey. Dawson pushed Joey's hair out of her eyes and softly whispered, "open your eyes, Jo… please I need you. I don't know what I will do without you…I…I know this isn't the best time to say this but…I love you, Joey. I always have, so wake up and yell at me for taking so long. " Jen crept up behind Dawson and said, "can I help, Dawson?" Dawson turned his cold glare freezing Jen's heart and said, "I think you have helped enough, Jen…I don't know how I could have done this without you." Jen's tears started to well up in her eyes, but Dawson ignored her, and went back to trying to revive Joey. The ambulance arrived, and the paramedics strapped Joey to a stretcher. After they loaded her in the van Dawson said, "I'm coming with her." The female paramedic looked at the male paramedic and said, "look kid, I don't.." Dawson wasn't in the mood to hear their protests, so he rudely said, "look whether you like it or not, I am coming with you…I won't leave her…she's the most important thing to me." They exchanged another brief look and said, "okay, you can come." Dawson quickly turned towards his parents and said, "meet me at Capeside General…oh and please call Bessie, and tell her what happened. I have to go, Joey needs me."

Gail looked at Dawson's solemn face and whispered, "she'll pull through, honey…Joey is tough."

Dawson hugged both of this parents and climbed in the back of the ambulance, holding Joey's hand he waved and the doors shut to the ambulance. The Leery's and a heartbroken Jen drive off and out of sight until they couldn't hear the sirens anymore. Gail and Mitch asked Jen to come inside with them, but Jen refused saying she had to head home to tell Grams what happened. Mitch and Gail went inside to call Bessie, and find a gentle way to break the news to her. Jen waited until the they were back inside before turning around from her house, and walking towards the docks. Jen sat there knees pulled to chest, sobs wracking her body.

Hold On Hold on
Hold on to yourself
for this is gonna hurt like hell
Hold on
Hold on to yourself
you know that only time will tell
What is it in me that refuses to believe
this isn't easier than the real thing
My love
you know that you're my best friend
you know I'd do anything for you
my love
let nothing come between us
my love for you is strong & true,

Dawson rode along in the ambulance holding Joey's hand tightly. Dawson gazed at her beautiful face, and tried to remain strong even though his heart was breaking. Dawson told himself, "you have to have hope and faith…Joey is tough, and will pull through this…no matter what happens I have to believe that." Dawson felt the guilt wash over him like waves over the beach. Dawson flashbacks to the pain and hurt in Joey's eyes as she stood there watching from the window. Dawson choked back the tears and thought to himself, this is all my fault…I did this to Joey.

Am I in heaven here or am I...
at the crossroads I am standing
So now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake & pray
that you'll be strong tomorrow & we'll
see another day & we will praise it
& love the light that brings a smile
across your face

Oh god if you're out there
won't you hear me
I know that we've never talked before
oh god the man I love is leaving
won't you take him
when he comes to your door

Am I in heaven here or am I in hell
at the crossroads I am standing
So now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake & pray
that you'll be strong tomorrow & we'll
see another day & we will praise it
& love the light that brings a smile
across your face...

Hold on
hold on to yourself
for this is gonna hurt like hell
~Sarah McLachlan - Hold on

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