Pieces of a Puzzle

* * * * *

"Any extravagent plans tonight?" Pacey walks up to Joey from behind in the hallway.

Joey shakes her head, "Nah, just hearing Alex crying and Bessie being bossy. Why?"

"Well, the actual reason I came to the Icehouse last night was because I'm flunking Peterson's class. Well, you've heard me complain about. I was thinking that maybe you could possibly help a man in dire need. Of course, if you weren't busy now, we could just get this over with."

Joey rolls her eyes, "I can't believe this. No flowers or grand gestures?"

"I don't think so, Potter. I'm not Darth Vader, either, so you should welcome the change."

Jen approaches them, "Hey, Pace, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Pacey glances at Joey, begging for an answer with his eyes. Such lovely eyes too, Joey observes. Time to get out of the trance, "Sure, I'll do you this one favor. I'll see you at lunch?"

Jen interrupts, "Actually, he won't be able to. I sort of lied when I said a minute. It will definitely take longer."

Pacey turns in Jen's direction and notices she seems flustered, "On that note, is tonight fine?"

Joey exclaimed, "Fine." She waves her arms in disgust, then storms off.

Jen smiles, "So I gather you have, in fact, started making a move."

"You could call it that. You know, underneath the pleasantries, it is clear that this is not what you intended to discuss. So spill it Lindley."

Jen drags him outside. Pacey exclaims, "What are you doing?"

"Too many witnesses. Come o-o-o-on." They stumble toward a tree and directs Pacey to sit down. Once he does, she rests her backpack next to him, then sits down herself.

Pacey waits for Jen to start the discussion. While Jen is trying to find the right words, he cuts her off, "You realize that Parker will find you shortly."

"This has nothing to do with romantic entanglements. In fact, this will probably be news to you."

"Ah, so it doesn't involve you and me, either." He raises an eyebrow haughtily. Jen shoves her backpack hard into his hip, then proceeds to pull out a sheet of paper.

Pacey peers over at the paper, then asks, "Why are you showing me a copy of an online chat? I've told you, the people that frequent those places are completely crazy."

"Shut up. Let me explain what this is about." Jen takes a deep breath, then explains, "So I'm e-mailing Frank last night, he had this problem involving a co-worker he's pretending to be interested in."

"Pretending to be? I don't get this at all. Why would anyone pretend that? Then again, he's probably pretending anyway because those are the kind of preverts that do that. I can't believe you'd take any of this seriously." Pacey begins to get up, but Jen pulls at his leg and gets him to sit back down.

"Again Pacey, shut up. He confided something to me that was heavy-duty serious. He has absolutely nothing he could achieve from this particular confession, so I'm certain it was the truth."

Pacey shakes his head in defeat, "You're not going to stop, are you?" He pulls out a textbook from his backpack and pretends it's the most interesting subject possible.

Jen blurts out, "Pacey, he admitted he was gay." Pacey drops the book and gazes up at her, finally giving her his complete attention, "On top of that, I was the first person he felt comfortable telling."

Pacey rationalizes, "I'm unclear as to exactly why you're telling me this. This sounds like a serious matter that should stay between you two."

"I would except I never really thought of a way to approach him on the subject. He went offline before I had the chance. I thought I'd ask you for advice."

Pacey takes a deep breath, "I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but I think you should discuss this with the guidance counselor. It's not exactly a subject I know much about."

"Do you really think I'm going to tell Mitch that?"

"Mitch is no longer the counselor. You forget, they reinstated Mr. Milo. Therefore, it makes more sense."

A perky voice interrupts them, "Hey, guys. Thought you'd seek shelter out here?" They both look up to see Andie McPhee hovering over them.

"Good afternoon, McPhee." Pacey greets her.

"Don't worry, I won't tell Henry you're out here canoodling." Andie giggles, "Then again, maybe I should. At least then, you'd have some peace."

Jen rose to her feet, "There is nothing between me and," points to Pacey with a mockingly disgusted tone to her voice, "him."

Andie waves her hands around, "Whatever. I was just curious what was the point of the pills in the box."

Jen sighs, "Oh, I forgot about that. Listen, Andie, there was a mix-up in boxes. That was actually a gift from Drue Valentine I was trying to throw in his face but it didn't work exactly right..."

She interrupts, "Say no more. At least that piece of crap got something positive out of it. Henry doesn't know the ring wasn't in the box."

Jen is taken aback by Andie's statement, "You know? Then why are you.."

"Because this way is much easier to handle. It is for me."

Pacey's eyes light up in surprise, "You mean you are interested in him?" He rises up from his position.

Andie blushes slightly, "No, of course not. No, well, yes, slightly."

"Wonderful," Pacey corrects himself, "I mean, for Jen, for Jen it's wonderful. You of course realize that we'd be more than willing to help you out here. If Henry asks, you can always say you were putting a good word in to Jen."

Jen and Pacey grab their backpacks and the three of them walk back into the school building. None of them notice a piece of paper blowing away.
* * * * *


By the end of school, the mysterious paper has turned into a hundred pieces of paper which are displayed throughout the hallways.

Jen is coming out of class when she spots a copy. She skims the first couple of lines, then proceeds to rip it down.

Dawson heads in her direction, holding another copy. "Hey, Jen. Did you see this? I just found this by my locker."

"Yeah, Dawson, I can see it prominently placed everywhere." Jen replies dryly.

"Do you have any idea who the two people are?"

Jen retorts, "Why would I care?"

Dawson pulls out a notepad, "I was thinking this would actually make a good movie script. A mystery surrounding the identities of Laney and Frank."

Pacey approaches from behind, "I'm not so sure Frank would appreciate that. If he sees this, he would probably be mortified."

Dawson replies indignantly, "I know that, Pacey. I don't mean that the chat would be about coming out of the closet. I was referring to a romantic on-line chat."

"Oh, that's, er, intriguing, Dawson. You go along with that idea." Dawson smiles then leaves, jotting notes for the movie idea on the pad.

Pacey rolls his eyes, "I think that guy needs to withdraw from film for awhile."

"The funny is, how much you want to bet that he tries the idea on an unwitting Kate?" Both look at each other and begin nodding in agreement.

"Seriously, Lindley. This is a mess."

"I think I know who's responsible for the decorating job," Jen pushed her hair away from her face, "Abby Morgan."

He smirks, "That wouldn't be a surprise. Frank doesn't attend Capeside, right? So this is just a foolish prank intended to entertain? I wouldn't want him to be hurt by this."

Jen thought about it for a moment, "Well, I remember we met based on living in the same dead-end area of Massachusetts. I'd guess he lives in the area because he knew certain Capeside landmarks, but also discussed places in neighboring towns."

"For both of your sakes, I'd hope he isn't in Capeside."

* * * * *


"Jack," Joey spots him exiting a classroom and races to catch up, "would you be able to close the Icehouse tonight? I'm tutoring Pacey in English but I forgot I was scheduled to work. I can stay until 7 but.. "

Jack interrupts, "Sure Jo, no problem. So, you and Pacey spending an evening together.."

Joey makes a gagging sound, "You're trying to force me to lose my lunch?"

The two are walking towards her locker when a sheet of paper is waved in her face. Joey turns around to find Abby.

"I thought you'd like a copy of the most popular publication among the Capeside elite. Even so, I spared one for you."

Joey leans against a locker and reads the paper, "Is this one of your jokes?"

Abby smiles broadly, "Surprisingly, no. I happened to find this and thought I'd share the wealth." Abby gallops away.

"This is disgusting." Joey rolls it up in a ball and dumps it in the trash.

Jack smirks, "What'd she do, show you her poetry?"

Joey ignores Jack's comment, "If this is true, she will have tarnished someone's reputation. The weird thing is she doesn't even know who she's ruining. Anyway, I've gotta get home. I'll see you later." She heads off in the opposite direction.

Jack shrugs then heads off to his locker. He finds another one of the papers and picks it up from the ground. Instantly recognizing it, he tries to hide his disdain as he leaves the building.

Andie tries to get his attention but he doesn't turn around. In her haste to catch him, she runs smack dab into Pacey.

"Hey, McPhee, watch where you're going."

Jen notices the concerned expression on Andie's face, "Is something wrong?"

"Sorry," finally notices who she encountered, "Hi, Jen, Pacey. I'm glad I crashed into you guys. I was wondering if maybe we could meet tonight and brainstorm ideas for your little plan."

Jen replies, "Sure, sounds like a fun idea."

"I'd like to but I'm meeting someone tonight for some much-needed tutoring." Jen oohs at the idea, Pacey throwing his arm in the air in defeat.

Andie rambles on, "That's great. We'll meet at my house. Maybe get some studying done in the process. It's so rare that either one of us deals with the same sex these days."

Pacey scoffs, which amuses Jen, "You should have seen Pacey in the Miss Windjammer competition."

Pacey cringes at the memory. Andie covers her hands over her ears, then places her arms back to their sides, "I don't want to know. Anyway, I'll see you tonight." Andie trots off. Joey heads back to her house. She is surprised to see Pacey waiting outside with his books.

"Since when did you get so studious? Not to mention punctual."

Pacey glances at his watch, "Since when did you start running late for everything?"

"Since Jack was making an effort to stay as invisible as possible, Bessie pegged me to deal with serving Abby Morgan's parents."

He looks on surprised, "You met the people that spawned her?!"

Joey grins, "Yeah, they are unbelievably normal. Let's get in the house." She opens the door and they both enter.

* * * * *


Andie is looking for a bowl in the cabinet when the doorbell rings. She bounces to the door to find Jen. Andie ushers her into the kitchen. Jen trudges along behind her.

"So, Jen, I was thinking that maybe you could send some signals Henry's way regarding me. It is entirely possible that he'd listen to you."

Jen cuts her off, "Right now, I'm not really in the mood to interfere in other people's lives."

Andie glances at her and finally notices she seems rather upset, "I'm sorry, Jen. Is it something you'd like to talk about with me? I know, we're not yet the closest of friends but I wouldn't mind changing that."

Jen shifts her eyes around, "Is there anyone else in the house?"

"No, Jack's at work and my dad is on business. Why?" She goes for a bag of popcorn and places it in the microwave.

Jen takes a deep breath, "You know about that letter that was travelling around school this afternoon?"

Andie wracks her brain, "You mean the confessional?" She takes the bowl off the counter and moves it next to the microwave.

"Yeah," Jen pauses before continuing, "What if I told you that I was Laney?" Andie stops what she's doing and faces Jen.

"You know who the guy is?"

Jen replies, "No, but I did figure out that he definitely attends our high school. He sent me this short letter that he doesn't want to talk to me ever again."

Andie shrugs, "So, I guess you move on to another on-line buddy."

Jen gets up from her chair, "You don't understand. Frank, or whoever this guy really is, and I had this special bond. I don't think the guy has many friends in town because he admits even in the letter that he doesn't trust anyone enough to say it. And then the one person he does trust ends up making a public display of it. I'm really just worried that something serious could happen."

Andie considers the problem, trying to think of some reassurance. DIIINNNNGGG. The sound of the microwave cuts through the silence. Jen drops her head down onto the table. Andie gets flustered and retrieves the popcorn to buy some more time. She dumps the bag into the bowl and offers it to Jen. With her head still on the table, she grabs a handful.

* * * * *


Back at the Potter residence, Pacey is sitting on the couch, watching Joey feed her nephew Alexander. He doesn't realize how long until Joey waves her hands around to get his attention.

"Pacey, if you could stop your Victoria Secret fantasies for a sec, can you help me here. Alex is being so stubborn about eating his vegetables."

Pacey gets up and walks over to her, "Exactly what do you want me to do?"

Joey points Pacey to a chair. He obliges and sits down.

"Okay, Alex. I'm going to show you that veggies are very good for you." Holding the fork in the air with some broccoli on it, she surprises Pacey by stuffing it in his mouth. "See, uncle Pacey likes it. Don't you?"

Pacey protests, "You know I can't stand.." Stops himself, then smiles at Alex, "You know I can't stand it when you feed me. Especially when I know you secretly enjoy it."

He takes a broccoli spear in his hand and tries to do the same move on Joey. She moves her head just enough for Pacey to miss. Pacey glances up to see Joey has resumed paying attention to feeding Alex. He mutters under his breath and places the piece in his mouth.
After finishing feeding Alex, Joey returns to the living room.

"Look, Witter, probably the best thing to do is glance over the chapters. Just as a review. Then we'll do some Q&A's."

So that's how he has his nose buried in the book. Joey is sitting on the couch next to him, lost in thought when she is startled by Pacey's voice.

"Did Alex spit food in my face?"

Joey blinks, "No, why you ask?"

"Because you've been staring at me for, by my estimate, about five minutes. I was waiting to see what nonwitty remark you had prepared but you've been silent."

"Oh, sorry, must have drifted off. I'm just gonna head to the kitchen and, er, clean up." Joey dazily gets up and heads into the kitchen.

Joey mutters, "What the hell happened in there? I could not have been gazing at Pacey Witter. I could not have been. He's just the tagalong friend of Dawson's. He's the pest that pops up at inappropriate times just to harrass me. Then again, he's gotten mighty fine lately." Looks around the room, "Where the hell did that come from?"

* * * * *


After Jen finishes explaining the situation, Andie thinks about a sensible solution. "Okay, maybe Frank wouldn't listen to you. But what if you somehow convinced him that he should talk to his sister about the situation. I'm sure she's aware of the scene at school. Hell, maybe she already knows the truth."

Jen ponders this thought, "He hadn't even mentioned her in the note. Then again, maybe she's confronting him now. Although he said otherwise, Terri seems like the type of level-headed sister who would be supportive of whatever decision he'd make."

"My brother Jack knows a thing or two about those chat rooms. Maybe you could ask him. He's supposed to get off work soon."

"Andie, I don't think so. No offense, but I feel a little weird about you knowing the truth. I think I met your brother once and that was because of Joey."

"Good point and I do promise to keep my mouth shut about that."

"Keep your mouth shut? I'd be curious to see how long that would last." Jack replies as he enters the house.

Andie glances up as he enters the kitchen. "I can keep a secret."

"Oh, that's what you were talking about," Jack forces a smile, "I assumed it was related to how much you say." He notices Jen sitting at the table, "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt a girl chat. I'll leave you two alone."

Andie gets up and drags Jack over to the table, "Come on, it wouldn't be a gal gossip session without you."

"Meaning?" Jack harshly releases Andie's grip from him. Andie looks on in bewilderment.

"I just meant that you could join us."

"No thanks, I'd rather be alone right now. It's been one of those days I hope I just wake up tomorrow to find it is all a horrible dream." He leaves the room and trudges up the stairs.

Jen looks on in confusion, "What was that all about?"

"Oh, don't mind him. He's been acting really moody ever since we left Providence. Always been one of those listening to the beat of a different drummer."

"He actually seemed upset about something. Like he doesn't have a friend in the world. Aren't you the least bit worried?"

Andie gets irritated, "What is it with you people? First Henry, now you. Don't you think I'd know if there was a serious problem? He isn't that much different from the person I've always known and I have no reason to get completely worked up over nothing."

"I thought you and him were so close." Jen mutters under her breath.

Andie huffs, "I think I'll handle my own problems. I don't really need your help after all."

Jen sighs and leaves the house. As she is walking away, she looks back at the house and finds herself staring at Jack's room. She sees him staring at the computer screen, debating whether to type something, then changes his mind and moves out of her view.

Why had the way Andie acted bug her so much? Jen thought. It wasn't as if she was friends with Jack and was directly insulted by her indifference. No, it wasn't that. It was Frank. It was hoping that he'd come around, somehow. But it had to be without Laney.

If I couldn't help Frank, I could at least try to understand Andie's brother. She suddenly finds herself throwing pebbles, trying to hit the window. After a couple of attempts, Jen gives up and walks back to her house.

* * * * *


The next day, Pacey is walking home from school when he decides to pay Dawson a visit. He knocks on the door but nobody answers. He walks around to the other side of the house and spots the ladder. The same ladder that Joey once used whenever entering the house.

Pacey climbs the ladder to find that Dawson is there, writing notes down by his computer. He clumsily enters through the window and plops on the bed.

"Hey, D-man."

Dawson is typing furiously on his laptop and doesn't even notice his arrival.

"Mr. Leery, I'm paging you to the set," Pacey bellows.

Dawson acknowledges him with a slight wave then resumes his work. Schoolwork didn't usually keep Dawson so engrossed as to basically ignore him, which left only one possibility..

"Pounding out a new script?"

"Gotta get down this idea. I guess it can be best described as a takeoff on You've Got Mail.."

Pacey groans and buries his head in his hands. "Oh dear god, not the on-line chat. You're not actually doing that, are you?"

Dawson replies indignantly, "It's a pretty good idea for a screenplay. I see Joey playing the lonely heart who feels there's something missing in her life and enters a chat room. Instead, she finds this guy who opens his heart to her and makes her feel important."

"And naturally, you see me as the Tom Hanks type," Pacey sighs.

Dawson shrugs, "Who else would do it?"

"I'm sorry, it's just.. in light of the inspiration for this project, I can't say that it doesn't exactly appeal to me."

"You can't determine what events trigger a response."

"Did you not see the war zone the school has become?! Accusations are flying everywhere as to the source of that chat."

"By the time this movie is done, I think this incident will be a mere memory. Trust me when I say that this project will be nowhere near that."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that. This is a small town. People won't suddenly forget. Besides, I guess I figured when you initially mentioned this idea that it would be involving you and Kate."

Dawson mumbles, "She rejected it."

"Wise girl. But I have to work with Joey?" Pacey whines.

"I thought the same thing. Problem is that Jen was even more adamantly against it than you are. I have no idea why."

Pacey lies, "I guess she wanted to torture me by working with Potter."

* * * * *


Jen enters the Icehouse to find Joey serving some customers. Joey waves her over to an empty table.

"I'll be serving you shortly."

"Thanks, but I'm not here as a customer."

Joey gestures toward the kitchen door, where Bessie is standing, "The only way you'll tell me what you want today is if I wait on you."

"Which would be fine except I came here to give a message to someone else."

Joey looks up expectantly, "Consider me the go-between."

"It's about Jack. I wanted to talk to him about something and .."

Joey smiles, "I get it. You want me to fix you two up on a date. Can't say I blame you."

"No, that's not exactly," Jen pauses, realizing this might work better, "Yes, you've got me. That was exactly what I wanted."

"Good taste. The guy could use a date. Well, he's working kitchen duty for awhile." Joey snaps her fingers, "I've even got a plan for this. How about you meet here Friday night? I could rearrange the schedule so he's off. When he realizes he's not working, you could show up and go off for a night on the town." She looks genuinely pleased with herself.

"Since when do you play matchmaker?" Jen looks at her quizzically.

"I thought I'd help two friends in need, that's all. If sparks fly, I'll gladly take the credit." Jen smirks as a reply and gets up to leave.

* * * * *
* * * * *

Dawson has his video camera in his hand, watching Joey as she reads over her lines.

Joey squeals "I have to kiss Pacey?"

"It's just one kiss. Every romance has to have one."

Joey mutters, "I really wish you hadn't ventured into the world of romantic comedies. And Pacey agreed to this?"

"He hasn't actually read the script yet. I don't see why he wouldn't be interested."

"He's a typical teenager who would treasure the opportunity to slip his tongue down my throat. Yeah, I somehow figure that Pacey would be interested."

"It was hard enough to convince him to act in it, given the mess in high school. You'd think he was responsible for it or something." Dawson sets up the camera, "We're gonna do the scene where Hannah first corresponds with him."

"Outside. On the dock. With the laptop? Yeah, I'm sure that people check their email like that all the time. Come on, Dawson, this is just a feeble attempt at getting a pristine shot of the water."

"And your point being?" He moves around to get the perfect camera angle.

Joey changes gears, "He was concerned about the e-mail trail?"

"Kind of. It's a strained topic whenever I mention it to Jen and it probably carried over to Pacey."

"Why would it bother Jen?"

Dawson shrugs, "Maybe the Abby Morgan connection. After all, she's having the time of her life trying to get the inside story. Jen and Abby haven't been on the best of terms ever since Jen stopped partying. Could be connected."

Joey sighs, "Maybe so," then replies excitely, "Oh, did I tell you? As we speak, Jen is out on a date."

"With who?"

"Jack. It took a little conniving but I was able to get the two of them together."

Dawson replies doubtfully, "I'm sure this will work."

* * * * *


"Am I the only one who gets the feeling Joey set this up to get us out of our depressing moods?" Jen asks between bites of pizza.

"It would be pretty difficult not to realize that." Jack's eyes wander around the pizzeria. "But she also told said that you wanted to talk to me about something. So you'd better spill it."

Jen replies, "Joey kind of over-dramatized what I said. I had only intended to just get together, in light of what happened the night I was at your house."

"Oh. I see. You know, that wasn't a big deal. Had a lousy day at work, a round of insults from the customers. Basically, nothing."

She realizes she's not getting anywhere. Why should I? He barely knows who I am. "It just sounded to me as if you and Andie are on two completely different pages."

"That's really not a surprise. Andie is wrapped up in being Miss Perfect."

"You mean pretending that she's helping Henry get a date with me when she really wants him for herself?"

Jack gives a quick smile, "She said that?"

"Why do you think I was at your house? Well, besides an attempt at friendship."

"If you watch their little drama unfold, it becomes pretty close to a cheesy sit-com that tries to play the will-they-won't-they card for too many years."

Jen laughs, "I've never really noticed the two together but I could certainly believe it. You know Pacey, right?"

"You're about to make a comment about Joey and Pacey belonging together, aren't you?" Jack sips from his Coke can.

"Now wait a second, how would you know that? You're not even friends with Pacey!"

Jack's eyes grow wide, "So it's true?! I just thought it was on Joey's side."

"I should have shut up. Hold on, Joey too?"

"Well, no, not exactly. She's the Rachel to Pacey's Ross. In other words, she's Mrs. Oblivious."

"Funny, I always thought that Dawson was Mr. Oblivious. If there's any truth to the two being soulmates, that would do it."

Jack shakes his head, "Oh please god don't tell me that Dawson and Joey were ever an item."

"Okay then I won't tell you." Jen grins, "Yeah, those two were together. Joey pined after him while Dawson was more attracted to blondes who just moved into Capeside, i.e. me. Eventually, the two got together only to break up when Dawson ratted out Joey's dad."

"Joey isn't still attracted to Dawson, correct?"

"When Dawson returned from summer vacation before junior year, he had found a new blonde, namely Eve. Supposedly, she's my sister but I couldn't tell you for certain. Both of them moved on. Now Dawson's dating this girl Kate from Providence..."

".. who happens to also be an old girlfriend of mine. I ran into her at that party Andie forced me to attend."

Jen's mouth drops, "Oh my god, so you actually do fit into this twisted soap opera. In an outside way, but still, I guarantee if you tried to map out the past relationships of this group, it would become completely incestuous." She snickers, "And here I thought Kate had absolutely lousy taste in guys. I stand corrected."

"Thanks, I guess. What's your side to this? What's causing your depressing mood?"

"Hey, wait! You conveniently never answered my question!" Jen pouts.

Jack smirks, "Tough. So?"

"There's this friend that.." Be careful, you have no idea how Jack would react. Just because Andie was supportive.. "I guess I kind of betrayed. I hadn't meant to, but I inadvertantly.. said some things that were in strict confidence."

"You mean in the same way that you spilled about Pacey's crush on Joey?" Jack points out.

"No, this was much different. See, what I revealed was something this friend wasn't ready to have everyone know and now hates me for it."

"Oh, I see. Well, I think that if this friend is important enough to you, then you must figure out some way to get their attention."

"You mean like a Henry Parker-type manuever?"

"No no no, that would be positively sickening. I mean a more significant gesture. Not one that is glaringly obvious to every person in the world. Just significant between you and your friend."
* * * * *

"Hannah, I just thought I'd see how you were before your family's business goes down the drain," Pacey reads from the script.

"Oh please Evan. You just want to rub it in my face that you're taking over. I don't need people like you in my life." Joey recites then turns around and walks three steps away.

Pacey looks longingly at her and mutters, "If you only knew."

Joey spins around and blasts him, "Evan, I don't need people like you in my life. There was a time when I'd let people like you get to me. Well, no more. I found someone that is interested in me for who I am."

"Yeah, a person you've never met from an on-line chatroom. That is so healthy, Hannah." Pacey replies as snidely as he can muster.

Joey stumbles over the next sentence, "I'll have you know that.. MityDuk is the epi.. epitome of guys, something you'll never.." Shakes her head, "Dawson, this script is riddled with cliches. And who the hell would use the word epitome in the middle of a tirade?"

Pacey breaks character, "Also, it is unnecessary to incorporate the characters' names in every sentence, Dawson. What happened to you man? You seem to have lost your touch."

Joey looks at Pacey dumbfounded, "I can't believe I'm saying this but I agree with Pacey."

Pacey bows down, "Why thank you, Josephine."

Joey gives him a death stare. Pacey grumbles, "She giveth then she taketh away." To Dawson, "Seriously, what happened here?"

Dawson shakes his head, "I dunno. Maybe it's a bad thing that I'm actually in a healthy relationship. Anyway, you're right, I need to fix up this script."

"I'd say you'd be better off throwing it into the fireplace," Joey chimes. "I'm heading out. Gotta help Bessie. She had this weird idea to sell the Icehouse and start up a Bed & Breakfast. I have no clue where she'd get such a stupid idea from."

Joey walks away from the dock. Pacey looks longingly at her.

Dawson rambles, "Do you think it's the idea or the direction of the script that needs more work? I was thinking that maybe Hannah could.." He notices that Pacey is paying more attention to Joey's retreating form.

"So how long have you been attracted to her?"

Pacey blinks himself out of the daze, "To who?"

"Kate Hudson. Who do you think I mean? A certain girl named Joey of course."

"What?! Potter?! Are you kidding? Of course not!"

"Serious case of denial, I see. Or are you more concerned because I once dated her?"

Pacey rants, "There is not a single subject on the face of the planet that she doesn't have an opinion about. It's mind boggling."

Dawson grins, "I didn't ask that. But if I'm correct, I thought I'd let you know that you don't have to ask for my permission. I think you two would make a better couple than Joey and I ever did." He looks around confused, "Where did that come from?"

Pacey looks at Dawson increduously then shakes his head, "Oh nevermind. But it's good to know should that bizarre circumstance occurs. That's about as likely as Abby Morgan drowning in the creek."

* * * * *
* * * * *


There is a knock at the door. Andie stops searching for a decent tv show on cable to find Jen standing there. Andie looks concerned to see her since they hadn't talked since she blew up at Jen a week earlier.

Jen looks genuinely surprised to see Andie. It had been fun visiting Jack the last couple of days, without dealing with her. "Oh, hi, this is.."

"I'm not sure this is a great time, Jen.. I don't mean to be rude.."

Jen reassures her, "I actually came to see your brother.."

"Andie! Have you got any more of those chocolate chip cookies?" Henry wanders into the living room with a glass of milk, "Jen! What are you doing here?"

"Sweet Jesus!" Jen exclaims. In the excitement of hanging out with Jack, not to mention calming Pacey's nerves about an impending kissing scene with Joey in Dawson's new script, she had forgotten about the lapdog.

Actually, he's been pretty quiet since the box mix-up. Maybe he knows the truth. Handling it remarkably maturely, given his previous actions. Hey, if Dawson was able to act rationally, then there could even be hope for Henry.

Andie stammers, "I know what this looks like.."

Jen's eyes gleam as she realizes what this means. I've never felt such an urge to dance in the streets as I do at this moment. Slaps self. Damn Parker.

Jen remarks, "I hope it is what it looks like," winking in Andie's direction.

Andie averts the gaze but Henry catches the look. He glances from Andie to Jen and back again, "Is this a secret code understood only by the female gender?"

Andie sneers at Jen, "I don't think so since I don't understand what she's referring to."

"Oh, it's just that it appears to be a couple of friends looking for a movie to watch. I should know, it's a common Dawson and Joey maneuver."

Andie rolls her eyes.

"You're a lousy liar," Jack exclaims as he enters the living room. Jen grins upon seeing him. "I'm thinking that we should get out of here. I don't think I could standing the non-mushyness around here."

Andie glares at him, "Cut it out, Jackie. Why don't you two just date already so I don't have to listen to your childish remarks."

Henry turns to Andie, "Why would you possibly say that?"

"I'm just trying to tick off Jack. I don't mean that I really want him to date.. argh, I'll explain it to you later, Parker," turns to Jack, "So why don't you?"

"Jen and I will never date. I'm pretty certain of that. And don't ever call me Jackie again."

Henry is looking on in confusion, "Now wait a sec. Andie, do you really think that Jack is more likely to date her than I am. Because if that's so, you are delusional."

Jen sighs, "I thought I was off the hook finally," and sits down on the couch to watch them fighting.

Andie waves her arms around frantically, "No. Listen to me. That is not what I think."

Jack mutters, "No, it's more like that's what you want to happen."

"Are you talking about for my sake or yours?"

"I'm not doing this game. Come on, Jen, let's go." Jack holds out his hand for Jen, who accepts as she rises from the couch.

They are almost out of the house when Andie sputters, "Yeah, why don't you and Laney go off on your merry way. Enjoy yourselves."

Jack and Jen spin completely around, "What?!"

Part 3
Index