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This time finding the story was not hard at all. But to save themselves from future trouble, the four found the rest of the series and put them in order.

Dawson: Alright, now that that is fixed I vote that we don't let Pacey touch the stories ever again. Who's with me?

Joey: Me!

Jen: Me too!

Pacey: Fine if that's the way you want to be….

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Lord of Illusions by snowgirl

Joey: Another disclaimer.

Disclaimer: of course i don't own these people or have any affiliation with anyone who does. i don't make or have money. DUH! also, this is a nightmare, anything that happens with in it is imaginary, got it kidys, no one is or will be dating Abby in this universe ;-P

Pacey: You've got that right.

Part 4 ~ Lord of Illusions

Dawson is dreaming.

Pacey: What's new?

It's dark, and kinda cold. He sees Pacey and Joey a few feet in front of him, they seem to be sitting at the counter of the Ice House, but it's only the counter. He yells their names, but they don't respond.

Jen: The way he treats them why would he.

They are talking, and laughing. They look so happy. But they don't see him. Then, they get up. Pacey pays the bill, grabs Joey's hand and walks out, passing Dawson. Dawson reaches out to grab Joey but his hand goes right through her arm.

It's later, after a movie. Pacey and Joey are in the Realto's lobby talking to someone he can't see. Then the fog moves, it's Jen and she's holding someone's hand. Dawson walks around Pacey and sees that it's Abby.

Pacey: Well Jen! I knew you were sexually daring but I never thought you'd go that route!

It's midnight, Dawson can here the church bells chime.

Jen: That's surprising considering the church is downtown.

The sound, that use to comfort him in the dark when he couldn't sleep no just means that another scene will unfold. And so it begins. The Ruins. Pacey and Joey.

Dawson: The Ruins. Pacey. A girl. Anyone sensing a pattern?

But even worse then them having sex, they're just sitting there looking at the sky.

Jen: Oh, yes that is so much worse than sex!

Just spending time with each other. There's a movement in the bushes off to the right. Dawson doesn't want to move, yet he is drawn in that direction. In the bushes he sees a figure hiding, he looks closer, and it's him, hiding in the shadow's, watching,

Jen: Pervert!

wanting to be with his friends, but knowing that he wasn't invited and may never be again. The dream Dawson, slowly stands up and walks away defeated.

Dawson is in his bedroom. It's lighter, but still cold. Somehow he knows that this is the last nightmare, and that it might be the hardest. Someone comes in the window, it's Jen, or Jen as she'll be in about 10 years.

Joey: Is she the ghost of Christmas future?

"Hey Dawson. It's time to wake up. You've been living in a dream world for so many years that you've over stayed your welcome. For years, Joey has been living a nightmare with nothing but you to hold in the middle of the night. Now that wouldn't be so bad if you had realized it then, but you didn't. You lived your fairy tale, always looking for a plot twist, thinking that she'll always be there when you come back. Well, you took too long. And how much you lose depends on you. If you wake up now and show her that you're sorry for being so selfish and not thinking of how your actions would affect her you might still have a best friend, but if you wait too long she wont even be your friend. And show her Dawson, don't tell her."

Finally the nightmare fades. The sun is up, it's one of those midsummer days that you dream of at the end of winter.

Joey: So was last night a Midsummer's Night Dream?

Dawson is standing right off the shore looking as the tide goes out. He can hear female laughter. He turns around and sees Joey and Jen unloading a picnic basket, Pacey is a little further away dragging down a CD player and the girl's beach bags.

Joey: I thought the outing was supposed to be with out the male sex.

Looking at Dawson he yells, "Hey umpa, stop starring and help the girls. I'm hungry."

Dawson closes his eyes in relief, they're talking to him. "Your always hungry Pace, that's what I love about you. Your so predictable." Dawson start to walk toward his friends. Jen looks at him with a worried expression "Are you all right Hon? I knew we were risking it, taking you out so soon after you got well."

Joey: Gotten well from what?

"I feel better then I have in years."

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Joey: That one was really confusing.

Jen: I agree.

Pacey: What was the dream all about and what was with the ending?

Dawson: I have no clue. But there are still more in the series so I have a feeling that light will be shed on this.

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