Blast from the Past
Part One of "Once in a Lifetime"
by Rae Vertudez

DISCLAIMER: "Stealing" is such a harsh word. I personally prefer "borrowing." =) So, I am "borrowing" the characters of "Dawson's Creek" until further notice from creator Kevin Williamson and the show's production companies Tristar-Columbia Television, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and the Warner Bros. Network. I've always believed in the concept of "sharing." =)
Send comments/feedback to RaDa113@aol.com

SUMMARY: A romantic tale that explores the past lives of Pacey, Joey, Dawson, Jen, and varoious other Capeside citizens. Ever wonder what the small Massacusetts town was like in the 50's?

AUTHOR'S NOTE (***VITAL TO READ IN ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE FLOW OF THE STORY***): Okay, this is how it's going to work: The following fanfiction is going play out as if the last six episodes of the first season, from "Escape from New York: My Boyfriend's Back" to the season finale "Breaking Away," *never existed.* Nope, didn't happen. Jen's ex-boyfriend Billy never came to Capeside to screw up things between her and Dawson and "win her back" (Typical male-thinking...treating us females like we were objects to be won and fought over. Ha- rumph! Just kidding.), hence, Dawson and Jen never broke up, rather they are still dating each other. (Dawson-Joey Romantics, feel free to throw your computer against the wall right about now.) Dawson never opened his eyes and realized what a hottie Joey was, nor did they share a kiss for the second time. (The first time being in "The Breakfast Club" as a dare, but you guys knew that!) The only event that occured in the last six episodes that truly happened in my own little disillusional DC world was an event that occured in "In the Company of Men" in which Warren, better known as Mr. I'm-so-great-that-it's-perfectly-okay-to-spread-totally- false-rumors-about-an- innocent-girl-in-order-to-better-my-image, spread the totally false rumor that Joey had slept with him while Pacey and Dawson were away doing their rebellious-skipping-school thing, only here they didn't do the rebellious-skipping-school with Billy, since here he never showed up and therefore technically doesn't even exist. Okay, got it? Good. =) Moving on...

The fanfic is told from many different points-of-view; the generation and/or narrator switch constantly, but everything is all linked together and is basically one story. So, it's kinda like two stories in one. A two-for-one deal! AW, RIGHT! =) Hope you enjoy it! It is dedicated to the fans of "Friendships, Secrets, and Lies," who have shown amazing support.

"Don't you know history repeats itself?"
- Mickey, Scream 2

Capeside, Massachusetts
~January 19, Present Day~

"Romeo and Juliet is a classic, there is no doubt about it," Ms. Frost said as she placed worn editions of the Shakespeare classic on each desk. "A story that can be understood no matter the generation. One might say it is a love story as timeless as love itself."

Pacey rolled his eyes and inwardly groaned. Why couldn't he have been assigned to the drama class that was studying Hamlet? At least that play had skulls...and not nearly as much nauseating romantic metaphors.

"Look on the bright side, Pacey," Dawson had tried to console him the day before. "At least you'll come up with some new material in which to woo your upcoming romantic quests." "Oh, yeah. They'll really fall for the old 'What light through yonder window breaks' line. And I'm sure the girls will certainly enjoy me standing outside their bedroom window like a potential stalker," Pacey had replied. "Face it, Dawson, there are times when the glass is half-empty and there are no ways to see it otherwise."

Dawson pondered a moment. "You'll be acting out love scenes with Juliet," he pointed out.

"But unfortunately we don't get to pick our acting partners. With my luck, the guys will outnumber the girls and I'll end up professing my love to a 300-pound meathead football player. Not to offend any of them that might fall under that category, but they're not exactly my type."

So there Pacey sat. In an English classroom studying the romantic tragedy. Amongst, according to his calculations and to his utter dismay, 8 females and 11 of his gender. Could things possibly get any worse?

"As you know, the class will be split into boy-girl pairs," Ms. Frost continued. "Since the young men outnumber the ladies, those who are left without a partner will act out one of the more violent scenes in which the men of the play battle each other."

Pacey brightened. Things had gotten better.

Ms. Frost took an uncovered shoebox from her desk. "This will all be determined by the old pcking-a-name-out-of-the-hat routine. Completely fair, no whining and complaining will be heard." Ms. Frost paused at Pacey's desk and held out the box to him. When he picked a slip of paper, the teacher moved on to the next male.

*Please, please, please....* Pacey prayed to any god that would listen. *Andrea McAllister or the fight scene. Let me have a love scene with her or let me stab a knife into someone...*

He opened the folded slip of paper.

Oh, _God_, no.

Pacey turned around in his seat to make an offer to Jose. "Trade?"

Jose smiled and shook his head. "No way, man."

"Also written on the paper is the scene you are to act out. Now, in the remaining period of this class, I'd like you to go to your partners and brainstorm on how you'd like to present the your scene to the class," Ms. Frost instructed. "Remember, creativity will win extra points."

Pacey reluctantly got up from his seat and walked over to his partner. The girl was at the moment facing the direction opposite to him, so when he approached, he lightly tapped her shoulder.

Joey's head turned, and at the sight of Pacey, her face fell. "Oh, _God_, no," she muttered.

"My thoughts exactly," he replied to her.

"Please tell me that you're lost and you just need to ask me directions," Joey sank into her seat.

"That would be lying, but God knows how much I wish it were the truth." Pacey sat in an abandoned desk next to hers. "Look, let's just make this as painless as possible. For the both of us. Arguing will only prolong the next three weeks."

Joey sighed. "All right. So, what scene are we doing?"

"Fortunately for both of us, one that does not involve much interaction," Pacey said gratefully. "The death scene."

"Isn't there a kiss in that?" Joey cringed.

"One for each of us, but we can easily limit that to a brushing of the lips."

Joey nodded her head thankfully. "Good. And now that has been taken care of, any ideas on how to act it out?"

"What's wrong with just acting it out?"

"_Pacey_," Joey said. "I want an A on this. And an A is practically guranteed if we do something original."

"And I just want to pass," Pacey replied.

A frustrated sigh escaped Joey's mouth. It was going to be a _long_ three weeks.

Capeside, Massacusetts
~January 19, 1958~

Nina bounded down the steps, rushing toward her locker though there was no need to. Her next period was study hall, and Ms. Rieder was a laidback sort of teacher who thought it didn't matter if the students were late or not, just as long as they bothered to show up. But she felt like she had to walk off some steam. She wasn't particulary mad at Ben; it wasn't his fault they had gotten stuck together on the Romeo and Juliet project. In fact, he was just about as enthusiastic about being paired up with her as she was about him. Maybe she was mad at her rotten luck. For once in her life, why couldn't things go her way?

"Hi, Nina," Max greeted her as she approached her at her locker.

Maxine Wallace wasn't the sort of type of person Nina hung out with. Truth was, Nina had always been sort of a loner and had strongly disliked Max when she had started dating her longtime best friend Stuart Pauling. But after a while, Nina adapted to the situation and lately was trying to be friends with the petite blonde since it was best for everyone that she at least made an effort.

"Hi." Nina shoved the books she had been holding into the compartment and pulled out what was needed for her next classes along with a sack lunch.

"Okay, so there's this party at Will Redding's and--"

"_Max_," Nina groaned, rolled her eyes as she closed her locker.

"Oh, come on!" she pleaded. "Don't be such a square! It'll be a blast! And there will be plenty of elgible bachelors..."

"Trouble in paradise?" Nina raised an eyebrow.

"You know perfectly well I was referring to you."

"I have a history test Monday," Nina brought up in order to use as some sort of shield.

It was now Max's turn to roll her eyes. "Please! You'll have the rest of the weekend to study for it, and you don't even have to study for it, you're so smart."

"If you think flattering me is going to convice me to go to that party--"

"And it's not like one itty-bitty test is going to drastically change your GPA," Max continued. "Besides, it's only junior year and you've already been dubbed class valedictorian. You shouldn't worry about your grades so much."

It was then Stu appeared. "Hi." After giving a quick kiss on Max's cheek, he asked,"What are you guys talking about?"

"My social life, lack thereof, and going to some party at Will Redding's," Nina said as the three began to walk down the hall together.

"You should go," Stu said.

"So I hear," Nina muttered.

"Look, just come with us, check it out. And if after a while you're not having a good time, we'll drive you home," Max suggested.

She shrugged. "I guess..." she said hesitantly.

Max grinned. "Great!" She stopped in her tracks at the sight of Room 212. "This is my stop. See you later." She disappeared into the classroom.

Nina and Stu continued down the hall together. "You and Max have been getting along better."

"She's not so bad."

Stu smiled. "That might be the nicest thing you have ever said about her." He studied her face. "Is anything the matter?"

"It's no big deal, really. I just got stuck in this project in acting class with Ben. I mean, compared to world conflicts, it's petty."

Stu thought for a moment before replying, then asked,"Why do you hate Ben so much?"

"I don't hate him..."

"But you strongly dislike him," Stu corrected. "Why is that? What has he ever done to you? I mean, you guys have your little verbal spats every now and then. Come to think of it, there's not even any logical scientific explanations for that either. You two just kind of go at it at the sight of each other."

"I don't know...maybe we were fated to strongly dislike each other." Nina shrugged again.

"Maybe in some past life we were mortal enemies or something."

~Present Day~

"That's plausible," Dawson said after contemplating the situation. "The idea that you and Pacey knew each other in a past life is kind of a romantic concept, actually."

"Dawson, you might want to rethink your choice of words," Joey said. "You just chose to describe a situation involving Pacey and me 'romantic.'"

"No, I think that the _idea_ of reincarnation is romantic. In fact..." Dawson drifted off. "We might just have something here..."

A bewildered look spread across her face. "Who has what?"

A grin appeared. "You'll see."

"Dawson, you're scaring me here."

"I've been looking for a new script idea..."

"Do you plan on sharing any time soon?" Joey asked impatiently.

"Okay, here's what I'm thinking." Dawson pulled her to the side of the hallway. "Movie idea: the concept of reincarnation presented in the form of a tragic love story."

"Not bad," Joey admitted. "One of your best, even. Just as long as you don't cast me as Pacey's leading lady love."

Dawson said nothing; instead his grin widened.

Joey shook her head. "_Dawson_"

~1958~

"Look, I know in the past I've encouraged your ambition to be a film- maker, but I draw the line here," Nina had told Stu when he had told her his new script idea. "I am not going to perform in another movie of yours that requires a love scene with Ben Wagner."

"Nina, let's be adult about this," was his reply. "And besides, you're doing a love scene with him in acting class. What the difference?"

"I get graded, for one thing."

As she walked home from school later that afternoon, she thought about the day's events. What rotten luck. First she ends up with Ben as the Romeo to her Juliet. Then Stu casts her opposite him in his latest creation. *I suppose I have to blame myself for Stu's bright idea. I was the one who brought the whole "past lives" idea to his attention.*

Just then, a rusted, light blue Cadillac pulled in beside her. *Speak of the devil* she thought.

"Need a ride?" Ben offered.

~Present Day~

"Sorry, but no," Joey replied. "The last time I accepted a ride from someone, I ended up pregnant from a guy shooting blanks."

A confused smile. "Come again?"

"Never mind."

She continued to walk down the sidewalk, and his truck continued to follow. "You know, stalking is a federal offence. Try to get into college with _that_ on your record."

Pacey grinned. "I'm pretty confident that after the college scouts check out my lackluster GPA and nonexistant school spirit, they'll move on to the next applicant before even thinking to look at any criminal charges I rack up. So it doesn't really matter. My fate is to attend Capeside Community Vocational Institute."

"So you're going to continue to follow me?"

Pacey rolled his eyes. "Just get in the car already. I'm not going to bite. Despite the many times you've told me to."

"When have I ever said anything like that?"

"I believe your exact words were 'Bite me, Pacey.'" He leaned across the seat and opened the passenger side door.

~1958~

"So, where am I dropping you off?" Ben asked as Nina reluctantly slid into the passenger seat.

"The Diner. I have to work today," she replied as she tightened the seatbelt around her. Ben was not one of the best drivers and Nina wasn't about to take any chances. She noticed the keys in the ignition. "Hmmm...no wiring. So, whaddya do, swipe the keys when Daddy dearest wasn't looking?"

Ben feigned shock. "Do you really think that little of me?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?" Nina replied.

~Present Day~

"So," Joey said, crossing her arms," what do you want?"

"What do you mean?" Pacey asked innocently.

"Don't play dumb, Pacey, even though you're so damn good at it."

Pacey was about to reply with a negative comment, but thought better of it when he remembered he was about to ask her a favor. "Okay, here's how it is," he started. "You know that party at Will Redding's this Friday?"

Joey nodded her head.

"Well, I don't have a date, _so_..." His voice drifted off and he glanced at her.

Joey raised her eyebrows. "You want me to be your date?"

"Well, no, not exactly," Pacey answered quickly. "Sort of. You just show up with me and linger around my side for twenty minutes."

"I'm still not grasping."

"Look, it's a proven fact that a male appears more desirable to the opposite sex when he's 'taken,'" he explained.

"And where'd you hear that? Cosmopolitan?" Joey laughed.

"Are you going to do it or not?"

"I don't think so."

"C'mon, please?" Pacey pouted. "Pretty please? With a cherry on top?"

"That didn't work in third grade, it's not going work now."

~1958~

Ben tried again. "I'll be your bestest friend _ever_."

"Pass."

"My undying gratitude?"

"You're going to have to do better than that."

Ben thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "A coupon for fifty cents off any puchase at Hank's Burger Joint."

"Tempting," Nina said sarcastically," but try again."

"Look, what does your little heart desire?" Ben asked, his blue eyes sparkling mischieviously. "Besides our mutual best friend."

Nina glared at him. "_Please_. I am _so_ over him." "Yeah," Ben laughed, "I'll believe that. Right after my lobo

tomy."

"'Cause God knows you need one."

Ben rolled his eyes. "No, seriously," he said, his tone became serious. "Are you?"

Nina shrugged. "Mostly...I mean, I don't mind Stu and Max's relationship as much if that means anything..." She shifted uncomfortably and looked out the open passenger seat window.

Her discomfort grew rapidly, which Ben quickly noticed. "Sorry," he muttered. "I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Forgiven," she said quietly.

"Okay, back to what you'll get in return for doing me that favor," he switched topics, a wise move.

She continued to stare out the window, but after a while, brought her eyes back to him. "Well...I really hate walking to school...and from school...basically walking wherever, whenever...and I don't get to test for my license until my birthday comes up in a few months..."

Ben sighed. "For how long?"

"One month?"

He contemplated it for a moment. "Sounds fair."

"Gee, if I had known that you would have caved in _that_ easily, I would have asked for two," Nina said as a smile slowly returned to her face.

Ben pulled the car into an empty parking spot in front of the Diner, Capeside's teen hangout. "Too late. I already agreed to a month." The Cadillac jolted to a stop. "Thanks, Nina."

"No problem." She unbuckled her seatbelt. "Besides, I was going to the party anyway."

A look of surprise.

"Don't look so shocked," Nina said. "I _do_ have a social life."

"I just...assumed you weren't a real party person," he said honestly.

"I'm not," she admitted. "Max invited me. I've been trying to be civil with her."

"That's good. Because for a while there, I thought I'd have to alert the UN."

Nina chuckled. "That bad, huh?"

"Well, it wasn't _horrible_. Your resentment toward her was totally understandable. But it wasn't like you had any _real_ competition."

Before Nina could ask what he meant by that, her older sister, Samantha, the Diner's manager, came out into the parking lot. "Nina Marie Connley, get your sorry little behind in there."

Nina rolled her eyes as she stepped out of the car. "Thanks for the ride."

"I'll call you later about Friday," he said before he left.

Samantha grinned as she handed Nina her apron. "So what's on Friday?"

"Nothing," she answered, fastening the apron around her waist.

"Are you keeping secrets from me, little sister?" she said teasingly. When Nina didn't respond, she continued. "I was wondering when your hormones would override that scientifically splendid brain of yours."

Her face reddened, and she muttered, "Shut up."

To be continued...