Scene: Friday in school. Pacey and Joey are walking down the hallway, arm in arm.
Joey: This is so nice. Being able to walk down the hallway without being greeted by Dawson's looks.
Pacey: I have to admit, it is really strange. Did you know that yesterday, he actually offered an invite to his house Sunday morning?
Joey: Me too. That is really strange. Or should I say, familiar yet strange.
Pacey: I like this Cheryl girl. She's really good for him.
Joey: It's funny. Outside of that night at the Coffee Cup, I haven't seen the two together. Yet I know she has a movie date with him tomorrow night.
Pacey: (noticing the concerned look on Joey's face) You don't think she's not interested anymore, do you?
Joey: I know this girl well enough to be a little bit suspicious.
Pacey: (annoyed) Potter, let it go. You were twelve years old!
Dawson: (comes up from behind, puts his arm on Pacey's shoulder) Hey there, so you still up for Sunday morning?
Pacey: Okay, what happened to the person that is annoyed by our presence together? (moves Dawson's arm) Because I don't know about this happy person I see before me.
Dawson: I can't explain it. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It allows for having my old friends back without the slightest bit of tension.
Joey: (unsure) Well, that's good for you.
Scene: At other end of hallway, Jack and Jen are walking to class.
Jack: Are you going to honestly tell me that you haven't thought about asking Ryan out? I mean, since the opening, you've been hanging out with him almost as often as with me. Not that I mind, but well, what are you waiting for?
Jen: (annoyed) Do you mind? He is a nice guy to have become friends with. But it is possible to be friends with a guy without it becoming romantic.
Jack: (drolly) I think I would know about that.
Jen: Dammit, that's not what I meant. I think we are beyond the friends stage, don't you.
Jack: Yeah, but I don't understand what the problem exactly is.
Jen: Neither do I. But I'm not ruining a decent friendship to find out.
Scene: Ryan is taking books out of his locker when Cheryl pushes him into an empty classroom. Ryan tries to balance the textbooks in his arms, then gives up and drops them on a desk.
Ryan: What is your problem?
Cheryl: You're a goddamn liar. You told me you made progress with Jen Lindley. I see nothing.
Ryan: Maybe you should get away from the cafe. Or get your mind off of Dawson Leery for awhile.
Cheryl: I don't think about Dawson that much. In fact, we've barely talked since the opening.
Ryan: Because you've been planning the perfect date with him.
Cheryl: Sort of true. Not entirely. I called you in here with an idea. Why not a double date?
Ryan: Because then I have to be around you and Dawson all night and I'm not sure which one of you is more tolerable at the moment.
Cheryl: I've got an idea. As a friend invite Jen to a movie. Have Pacey and Joey join us. You can avoid me all night if you wish. Otherwise, we're just all there.
Ryan: Cheryl, you do realize this is pretty pathetic. You want me on your date with Dawson? The guy has his weak points but he's not some serial killer. This is a night for you two to get to know each other.
Cheryl: Farrell, this has to do with seeing you happy with Jen. Got that?
Ryan: (mutters) I'd rather see you in the morning when you come to the conclusion that this Dawson chase wasn't worth it.
Cheryl: (glares) We can't all bumble our way into a relationship. Some people need to put a little effort into it.
Ryan: I'm sorry for not plotting my interactions with people as well as you do.
Cheryl: Are you implying that I'm a phony?
Ryan: I'm sorry, was I implying it? Because I thought I said it pretty damn clearly. Every word you say to the customers in the restaurant is rehearsed. And basically everything you say to Dawson has been too.
Cheryl: I can't deal with petty kindergarten kids right now. When you become a little bit more mature, you know where to reach me.
With that, Cheryl walks out the door and notices the stares from Jen and Jack.
Cheryl: You two are something else! (stomps angrily away)
Jen: (confused) What the hell was that?
Jack: Bet she's annoyed at Dawson about something.
Jen: (cocks her head) Is that your answer to everything?
Jack: It is if he's the object of her affection.
Jen: (looks in classroom) Wrong call. (walks in) Hey, Ryan.
Ryan was gathering the books off the desk but loses control of the pile and a couple fall back on the desk.
Ryan: (distracted) Hi guys.
Jen: Did you two have a fight?
Ryan: Yeah.
Jen: Laid all the cards on the table? (Ryan nods) And?
Ryan: As per usual, she storms off without a reply. Which is actually not so terrible of a thing since at least she didn't put on a pretty face and pull out her old begging routine.
Jen: I guess that's good news. (places her hand on top of his) I think having a break from each other couldn't hurt.
Jack is confused by their conversation, but shakes his head.
Jack: Hey, Jen, I'm coming over tonight, okay? I need to discuss Christmas plans with you.(heads for the door)
Jen: (forgetting he was there) That's good. Hey, you know, why don't the three of us meet tonight? An official meeting of the Lonely Hearts Club.
Ryan: (looks up at her) You're right, the single people of Capeside should unite.
Jack: Lonely Hearts? (looking first at Jen, then at Ryan, then sighs) Sure, I'm in.
Scene: Cheryl storms down the hallway, not even seeing Dawson, Pacey and Joey.
Pacey: Okay, what's that about? (looking straight at Dawson)
Dawson: Why do you assume that I have something to do with it? I've been here with you guys.
Pacey: Sorry, reflex.
Dawson: (double take) What? (sheepishly) You know me well. She was talking about the whole nonexistant Jen and Ryan situation. So I suggested the idea of a double date.
Joey: You did what? Why? Why would you do that, Dawson?
Dawson: I wanted to see Jen happy.
Pacey: Uh-uh. Not buying it.
Dawson: And throw the fact that I was on a date with her in Ryan's face.
Joey: (annoyed) Are you actually interested in her, or are you trying to rile up Ryan?
Dawson: Well, the date is real, there's no doubt about that. I just wanted to throw in an added bonus.
Joey gives a pleading-eyes expression to Pacey. He nods. She slaps Dawson in the arm.
Dawson: Ow. That hurt. Besides I don't think that has anything to do with her being upset. I'm going to go talk to her.
Pacey: (holds him back) I think you've done enough meddling today. I hear Mr. Preston brought the director's cut of 1941 to school.
Dawson: I know you're lying. (looking at Pacey) You are right? (Pacey has same expression on his face) I've gotta go. (runs off in opposite direction)
Joey: You are good, Witter. (gives him a peck on the cheek)
Pacey: You learn a couple of distraction techniques over the years of friendship we had.
Scene: Friday evening at Jen's. Jen is in the kitchen when Jack pops in.
Jack: So, you're still holding down the fort alone?
Jen: Grams is returning tomorrow. Aunt Nancy is getting back to her ever-cranky self.
Jack: (looks around) So, is your knight in shining armor here?
Jen: (glares) No, and FYI, stop insinuating we're a couple.
Jack: I thought I was the one supposed to chicken out of the dating scene, not you. It's a strange position I didn't expect to be in.
Jen: Don't worry, I will very, very shortly resume those duties if you insist on continuing this.
Jack: (holds hands up in the air) I give. Anyway, I have to ask a favor. See, my dad is going to visit Andie and my aunt for a Christmas in Italy and I was wondering...
Jen: I have no problem with you staying here. You can be pretty certain Grams won't mind having her grandson here either.
Jack: Thanks, Jen. Okay, I rented a couple of movies for tonight. (holds them out to her)
Jen: (looks at the first tape and raises an eyebrow) While You Were Sleeping?
Jack: Hey, they had a pretty weak selection. Sorry about that.
Jen: It'll do.
There is a knock at the door. Jack lets Ryan in.
Ryan: Are you sure I'm not interrupting some weekly ritual?
Jen: Sorry, you've got the wrong people. That's Dawson who's into using routines.
Ryan: Oh, okay, didn't know that. Didn't care to either.
Jack: Our routine involves getting coffee in the morning.
Ryan: Do you guys go to the Coffee Cup? Out of curiosity.
Jack: Well, I live too far away to actually reasonably do that in the morning. That's not a bad thing because then I'd turn into the caffeine addict you see before us.
Jen: I am not that bad. Yes, I go in there in the morning, okay. That doesn't lead to any conclusion.
Jack: No, it doesn't, but the empty bottles of Coke and Sprite state otherwise.
Jen: Yes, you've discovered that I'm hiding six-packs in my room. That I drink alone. Oh, yeah, and I'm selling myself on the street for iced tea. Sheesh.
Jack: I'm glad you admitted it.
Ryan: So, what'd you have in mind?
Jen: (suddenly remembering he was there) Oh, we rented a few movies. Is that cool? (opens cabinet)
Ryan: Sounds fine.
Jack grabs a bag of popcorn from the shelf and puts it in the microwave while Jen gets a bottle of soda from the fridge. The three land on the couch with a plop.
Jen: I'm glad this week is over.
Jack and Ryan nod in agreement. Jen gets up to put the tape in the vcr.
Scene: A couple of hours later. Jen is asleep on Ryan's shoulder.
Jack: (gets up) I've gotta stretch out.
Ryan: (looks at Jen) If you can somehow manage to stretch for me too, I need it.
Jack grins, then walks into the kitchen.
Ryan: (whispers) Such an angelic face. This is rather stupid. Why can't I just ask her on a simple date? She seems to be interested so, this is so stupid.
He moves Jen's head to lean against the couch.
Ryan: I can't take this any longer.
He leans in and kisses her. Jen kisses him back quite passionately. Ryan is initially startled but then decides to continue, even though she's still asleep.
Jen: (breaks away from the kiss) Worth the wait?
She places her arm around Ryan's neck to bring him closer.
Ryan: Yeah. (kisses her neck slowly) I'm glad we finally did something about it.
Jen: Me too, Jack.
Ryan breaks away from her.
Ryan: What?!