Pieces of a Puzzle

* * * * *


Henry was the first to react and he was puzzled, "You mean pen-pal Laney?" Pointing to Jen, "That's you?"

Andie tries to hide a smile as she realizes she got the desired reaction, "Can you believe it? You think you know the girl so well and then something like that happens."

Jen exclaims, "That's sick. You said that with the express purpose of gaining a reaction from him?"

Henry mutters, glaring at Andie, "Looks more like she has a vendetta against you. What the hell are you doing because I don't like the sick joke you've started."

"Wait a second! Henry, that's not what's going on!"

Jen snickers, "That's absolutely correct. That's not the game McPhee is trying to play. Henry, there is something you should know about your precious friend Andie. She's incredibly jealous of all the attention you lavish on me. She secretly wishes she was in my position in your eyes."

Henry turns to Andie who is glaring at Jen. He turns to find Jen exchanging the same look. Henry shakes his head, "Am I supposed to believe that both of these accusations are true? As I understand it, Andie, you were trying to trash Jen's good name so that you'd end up on top? Exactly how would my knowing that Jen is Laney affect anything anyway?"

Jen is relieved at Henry's reaction, "Because I specifically told her to be quiet. Plus you've seen everything that's happened at school ever since that e-mail came out."

Jack mutters, "It also exhibits what a lousy friend she can be."

Andie and Jen both detach from their ice stares and turn to Jack. Andie exclaims, "No, wait Jack. What Henry said was correct. This has nothing to do with you and Jen. I'm glad you two are friends, just dislike everything else about her character."

Henry shouts, "You're just trying to dig this ditch deeper, aren't you McPhee? I'm going to save you a lot of trouble. You won't have to watch the whole saga unfold because I won't be bothering you with it anymore."

He grabs his coat and leaves the house. Andie tries to catch up to him.

Jen remarks, "I've never been prouder of the pest."

Turning back to Jack, who is focusing his attention to the ground, "Okay, listen. If you knew the entire situation, you wouldn't think this is as terrible as Andie made it sound. Yes, I'm sure you read the e-mail and having the school know about Frank isn't one of my shining moments. But I didn't mean any harm.."

Jack doesn't answer her. Instead, he grabs his jacket and heads for the door.

"Are you even gonna let me explain?" She grabs onto his jacket sleeve.

He shakes her away, his voice trembling, "Now is not the time because I'm not sure I want to confide in you ever again. About anything! I'm not even sure what I really want to say to you right now. I'd think it's best if you just left me alone. Everything was so much easier without you around."

Jen looks at him with a mix of shock and sadness. She slinks out of the house and happens to run into Andie, returning home after her failed attempt at catching up to Henry.

"You have no idea the pain you caused with that stupid confession, Andie. That was so incredibly vengeful yet dumb you'd think you were auditioning for Melrose Place back there."

Andie looks on confused, "What? What pain I caused? I wasn't the one who just wrecked the relationship I had with my closest friend in Capeside."

Jen corrects her, "Actually, yes you were. Because your brother is just as upset about this as I am. And if my suspicion about why he's so mad at me is correct and he gets in some serious trouble, you will wish that I did some bodily harm to you right now." Jen storms away before Andie has a chance to reply.

* * * * *


Finally, the big day had arrived.

The scene Pacey had been both anticipating and dreading for days. Joey was haggling Dawson about yet another contrived moment in the script.

Maybe she was just prolonging shooting the same scene. She had been quite vocal earlier in production about the kiss.

Pacey spots Jen sitting next to Dawson's supplies. Although she was physically present, her mind was obviously elsewhere. He walks over to the table and sits next to her.

"You seem especially talkative today."

Jen replies disinterestedly, "Oh, I'm fine. Just dandy."

"Your acting ability astounds me, Lindley. But I won't pry if you don't want me to. Even though it's pretty clear that you and Jack must have had a fight or else he'd be here now. He's still annoyed over what happened yesterday?"

She wonders aloud, "How did one e-mail turn into such a revolutionary event? That stupid thing has managed to become the basis for a script, the direct cause of two destroyed friendships, the possible trigger for a couple of romances. Or it will once Dawson can make up his mind about the set-up scene."

"You really shouldn't be here. Trust me, this could possibly become the most embarrassing experience of my life.."

"Weren't you trying to convince me of a reason why I should leave?" Jen kiddingly questions.

Pacey smiles, "Okay, fine, you win. Just one question. Since you mentioned the email trail, I thought it'd be worth asking if you ever tried Frank again."

"Pacey, isn't that basically a lost cause?"

"Well, shouldn't he know that there's a distinct possibility that everyone will find out that you're Laney and that it's now only a matter of time before he's found out as well."

"I think that if Frank hears about it and actually wants to talk to me, fine. But I firmly believe he's not about to change his mind."

* * * * *


Andie enters Jack's bedroom where she finds him sitting at the computer, staring blankly at the screen.

"Jack. You shouldn't be mad at Jen."

"Andie, don't tell me what I should and should not be."

"I think you deserve to know the rest of the story before you judge her. Now, you remember how I'd act towards Parker's musings, as a jealous bitch?"

"You mean the same way you acted earlier?"

Andie replies sheepishly, "Yeah, that was pretty much it. What I'd completely forgotten about at the moment was Jen's original intentions were good. She had intended to try to get Frank to open up and was planning to talk to the guidance counselor for advice. It kills her that Frank found the letter plastered around school, as you could well imagine. She'd very much like to fix what happened between them but it's probably a lost cause unless he seeks her out. I didn't mean for you to get caught in the middle of this."

"Abby Morgan strikes at mysterious times," Jack replies halfheartedly.

"Okay, fine, I deserve that. Maybe she's gotten into satanic possession. That would explain a lot of what's been happening. But try not to hold that against Jen."

* * * * *


Dawson heads over to Pacey and Jen. "Time to return to the set, Pace. Hey, Jen, could you do me a favor? I left my laptop in my bedroom. I believe I left the window open. Could you go get it?"

Pacey pleads, "Do we really need the laptop in this scene? I thought it was supposed to be one of Evan and Hannah's face to face meetings."

Dawson replies, "Actually, I wanted to reshoot a previous scene. I was thinking of this zoom out technique that might look really intriguing between scenes. Jen? Could you? Just save the file I was working on first, that's all I ask."

Jen nods absentmindedly and heads over to Dawson's. She spots the familiar ladder that Joey always used when they were younger and climbs up to the second-floor window.

She searches around the room until she spots the laptop. Sure enough, there was a document open. Jen catches the first two words "To Kate" and immediately closes the file. As if there wasn't enough nosiness in this group, I really don't need to be nauseated with a love letter from the Daydream Believer.

As she's about to shut down the computer, she decides to check her email. "Dawson won't mind," Jen mutters.

She waits as the connection starts up. Finally, she is able to get on-line and goes to check her email. She scans through the messages, which were a mix of chain letters, junk mail, and old love letters from Henry. Until the last email. Jen's eyes grow wide as she can't believe what she's actually seeing.

An email from Frank.

Do I want to read this now or later? He probably already knows the truth about me since why would Andie keep her mouth shut? Probably going to bitch me out.

"Screw him. I don't need to hear it." She places the mouse over the Delete button is about to press it when she changes her mind. She closes the connection and shuts down the computer, with the intent of reading it later.
* * * * *


"Dawson, you are so Hollywood," Joey complains, "You are too concerned with the money shot. Here's a news flash: nobody really cares about the segue between scenes..." She stops speaking, realizing that Dawson's attention is now focused on Jen, who has just returned.

"Jen! What took you so long?!" Dawson exclaims, rushing over to her and retrieving the laptop from her hands, "I'm going to need your help to attain the perfect shot. Now let's see if this arrangement will work.." He walks over to the picnic blanket, which is covered with equipment.

Jen mouths to Joey, "Help me." Joey mouths back, "No chance." Jen slouches her shoulder and holds her head down as she follows him.

Joey walks over to Dawson's director's chair, where she finds Pacey dozing off.

She pokes him, "It's time for me to sleep."

Pacey replies with his eyes still closed, "Potter, in the immortal words of the Home Alone kid," shakes his head quickly, "I don't think so."

"Pleeeease, Pacey. I've spent the last hour talking to Dawson and it's pretty exhausting. I think I actually convinced him to not have us work on Sunday. You owe me at least the seat."

Pacey retorts, "On the contrary. I don't think you've given a suitable reason." He folds his arms across his chest, waiting for a response.

Joey rolls her eyes determined at first not to let down her guard. Then she comes up with a better idea. She stands over him, letting her too-tall frame seem imposing.

Pacey tilts his head, clearly confused, "Am I supposed to fear you, Nurse Ratched?"

She smirks then plops down on his lap, startling him. "Jo!" He yelps out.

"I told you I'd get this seat." Joey insists. Pacey tries to get up but Joey has a better idea. She wraps her arms around Pacey's neck. "If you leave, you're carrying me with you."

Pacey replies, "I could learn to be quite comfortable in this position."

Joey turns her head sharply toward him, "Eww, you are trying to gross me out."

He frowns, "That actually wasn't supposed to be a lame come-on. You said that you were negotiating with Dawson and... arghhhh Are we supposed to be back on the set?"

"No. He enlisted Jen to do some real work."

"What a pity. I lose some actual companionship. You know, with a human being."

Joey smirks, "You could always walk your dog. I hear that Dawson enjoys using Katie Couric as an inspiration.."

"Did you have to incorporate him into an otherwise tolerable euphemism?" Pacey whines.

"I love to watch you squirm. Can I help it that is possible with a Dawson-and-sex quip?"

"Only you could say that. Did Dawson modify the script to your liking, Miss Potter?"

"I was able to convince him to cut three sentences from my character's monologue. Can you believe the speech is still two-and-a-half minutes long? Nobody talks like that!"

Pacey corrects her, "Except our pal Dawson the scriptwriter. You weren't able to delete the kiss as you wished?"

"Actually, I've been training myself for it. I have garnered enough images in my head to give you one fake, insignificant smooch. After all, if Dawson and I could be together and he's like a brother, then you'll be a snap."

"Thanks for putting those visuals in my head. You really know how to kill the mood."

Joey smiles, "All in a day's work. Seriously, you haven't mentioned anything about the kiss itself. You're treasuring this opportunity, aren't you? Or are you intending to stick a whole onion in your mouth before the scene?"

Pacey snipes, "The way you talk about it, it's as though I was a terrible person to work alongside."

Joey is taken aback by Pacey's tone, "What are you talking about? Do you really think that there is somebody else I'd rather do this scene with?"

"I could think of a list of candidates. There's Dawson, then Drue if you ever felt the urge to make out with Darth Vader again, or .."

"Bite me," Joey snaps.

Pacey continues, ".. the cook that's filling in for Bodie this week. Oh wait, I've got a good one. How about Jen's stalker? He'd be a wonderful.."

Pacey is interrupted by Joey's lips covering over his mouth. He is so shocked that he isn't quite certain how to react. Joey pulls away from him after about five seconds.

"Do you have any idea the monumental implications of that meaningless little impulse? The ripple effect that it could create on our small, but fragile universe?"

Joey backs away, "Forgive me for thinking a kiss is just a kiss." She gets up off of his lap and stands in front of him.

Pacey laughs at her manner, "It's just that a guy prefers to have some kind of clue that it's coming."

She looks on, confused, "So was this a positive event or a negative event?"

He gets up from the chair and stands in front of her, "I could always use a little rehearsal before Dawson shoots the next scene." Pacey moves in towards Joey and kisses her. This time, it is reciprocated.

* * * * *


Dawson is still rambling on to Jen when he notices she is no longer paying attention. He turns around to see his leading actors kissing.

"This is certainly a strange turn of events. I thought they would never realize they were meant to be. My two best friends kissing. What could be better than that?"

Jen turns to Dawson, surprised, "I thought you, of all people, would be against this."

"Why should I? It's not as though she and I are dating anymore. I'd like to think that I'm a little more mature than that. Am I supposed to claim her as mine because I saw her first?"

Jen laughs, "Okay, when you put it that way, it sounds rather stupid. I think neither one admitted it because you are their best friend and it is a little weird."

"We could really screw up this group and start dating, you know."

"Dawson, no offense, but there is no possibility of that ever happening. It's bad enough that there's this Andie and Henry fallout."

"When was there ever romantic tension between them? And since when was Henry in our group anyway? In order for there to be romantic tension, wouldn't he have to be part of our crew."

"Our crew?" Jen considers this, "I don't know. Just seems like he's always hanging around us. Or is that me? I'm not sure. Besides, you're dating Kate. No reason to dump her for me."

"Good point. I know, I know, we could try to get Jack to date you."

"Why don't we just stick to people outside of our little world?" Jen snaps.

"That could work too." Dawson grins.
* * * * *


The following day, Jen returns home to find Grams at the kitchen table sipping tea with Henry.

Damn, I thought this was over. Not even Andie McPhee could kill his obsession.

Grams spots her first, "Why, hello Jennifer." Henry turns around and gives a quick wave.

Jen stands there, waiting impatiently for an explanation. Grams rises from her chair, "I think I will let you and Mr. Parker be alone." and leaves the room.

"What exactly do you want?" Jen demands.

Henry asks hesistantly, "Were you trying to fix us up?"

"Yes, but I'm sure that you don't understand the situation. Andie's intentions were basically positive. Until two days ago, of course."

"Let me see if I grasp the situation and you can correct me. While I was scheming with her to get a date with you, she was scheming with you to get a date with me. Does that sound right?"

Jen nods slowly.

"I see. And your feelings for me are similar to my feelings for her." More like racing into a building on fire to avoid you., Jen muses. "You could at least humor me and say yes, Jen Lindley." Jen grins slightly. "Andie is on damage control as we speak. Trying to come up with any possible way to make everything right again."

"What exactly does 'making everything right' mean?" Jen questions.

"She's hoping that I'll forgive her enough to speak to her again. Which I basically have. She was planning to talk to Jack after school about the way he reacted and how she hadn't meant for him to get mixed up in this bizarre love triangle."

Jen was utterly confused, "Something sounds wrong about the way you're talking."

"That's because I realize that I've been nothing but an inconvenience to you. I can't force you to go out with me. Seeing Andie proved that."

"That's.. good, I suppose."

"I'll leave you alone. I'm sure you'd rather talk to anyone else right now."

"I don't mean to be rude but there's actually..."

Henry holds his hand up, "Don't worry about it. I'm on my way. Don't get me wrong, I still think you're the most beautiful woman around. I will eventually recover from this setback and I hope Andie can as well." He walks out of the house.

Jen sits back, surprised. If this had happened before, there was a decent chance she would have dated him. After all, anything was better than that sex pact with Pacey.

She walks upstairs to her bedroom and lies down on her bed, musing over the events of the past couple of weeks.

Pacey and Joey belong together. I'm sure that the two of them will analyze the kiss to death. After all, they were friends with Dawson. Ewww, still grossed out by Dawson's weird suggestion about a relationship with him. Fortunately, he's dating someone else and he was only joking.

Andie mending the mess she created. I suppose Andie was one of us now. She had confided in Pacey about this little crush thing as well - he was there that day. Hell, I don't think I'd mind too much if Henry was part of the deal. Just as long as he keeps his hands to himself.

"That day!" Jen exclaims suddenly and starts up her computer. Frank's email! As much as she didn't want to read whatever hateful names he'd call her, it was imperative that she find out the truth. She had put it off long enough.

She logs into her account and saw the email. She opens it with her hand over her eyes. To her surprise, she finds a rather short message:

Jen, I'm sorry for the way I acted.


"Jen?!" Jen yells, "Jen?! Andie promised she wouldn't tell! She couldn't have just betrayed me after claiming to Henry that she had changed. Damn it!"

She races out of her room, determined to set Little Miss Perky straight.

When she gets to the McPhee house, she bangs on the door. Jack answers and is surprised to see the angry expression on Jen's face, "Jen? Is there something wrong?"

"I know she's your sister but the bitch deserves to die. Where is she?"

Jack pulls Jen over to the couch, "Is this about revealing your secret identity?"

"This is about the fact that she has such a vendetta against me that she told Frank my secret identity."

Jack raises an eyebrow, "I'm certain she wouldn't know the person to tell."

"Fine. How else would you explain the email I received from him? He knows I'm Laney. This can't be good."

He replies softly, "There is a very good reason why he sent you that email..."

Andie walks into the living room and is surprised by what she sees, "Well, if it isn't a person who I should be apologizing to."

Jen's eyes darken, "Did you tell anyone else about the email?"

Andie raises her hands in the air, "What are you talking about? This is a peace offering. I wouldn't dare reveal that to anyone else. Why are you asking?"

"Somehow Frank knows. I guess I should be relieved that he offered an apology, although I'm not clear as to why."

"He knew that you were hurting as much as he was." Jack says, speaking barely above a whisper.

Andie and Jen look at each other, baffled. Andie asks, "You mean that you told the whole school?"

Jack stammers, "No-no, of course not. I didn't do that.. It's just that, well, I sent you the email in question."

"So it was you, not Frank, that was apologizing?" Jen questions, then shakes her head, "Wait, that's impossible, I know the email address and it.."

"..was mine. I'm sorry, the whole situation was nothing short of a disaster. I should have told you when Andie said it but, I don't know, I just couldn't."

Andie says softly, "You're not gay."

Jen glares sharply at Andie and whispers, "Would you keep quiet?" To Jack, "What are you saying?"

Jack replies, "I'm saying that I don't have the faintest clue what's going on."

Jen fixes her stare at Andie. Andie twists her face, "Stop that, Jen. We are talking about a hypothetical situation that is completely unfathomable."

Jen talks over Andie, "You're saying you're Frank."

Jack nods slowly, burying his head in his hands. Jen turns back to Andie, "I'm beginning to see how this started. Can you please leave the room right now before I remark on the last thing you said?"

Andie turns around and leaves the room, muttering under her breath.

Jen brushes her hand against Jack's shoulder. He looks up at her, "I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I'm glad I am here now and relieved that you finally told me."

"It was a mistake. I'm sure of that. So there's really nothing to concern yourself with." He tried to assure himself.

"Jack, you're forgetting who you're talking to. This is Laney, remember? The same person who listened to you go through this confusion that night in the chat room." She pulls him in closer to her.

"Jen, would you just stop this? Please, just stop this," Jack shouts though his voice is getting choked up, "Just don't do this. Please?"

"Staying away from civilization isn't going to make the problem disappear. You must confront this."

"Do you realize how much will change with those two words?"

Jen nods, "I know. Which is why I'm not forcing you to admit anything right now. Just talk to someone. Laney is still available with her services."

Jack laughs slightly then looks away from her, "I guess Frank could use that."

Jen pulls Jack into a hug, "You can't be the one holding everything together in this family."

"Thank you for being there for me." Jack grips onto her tighter and sobs quietly on Jen's shoulder.
* * * * *


Joey approaches the ladder leading up to Dawson's bedroom. It had been practically habit for her to enter this way.

i]He makes me feel like I'm 15 again. Damn, why couldn't he act a little more annoyed about catching me kissing Pacey. I had been denying my feelings for Pacey because of Dawson. He doesn't have the right to act all Mr. Perfect Friend. I've definitely been agonizing too much over this. See, I can still blame Dawson for something.

I told Pacey about why I waited. He thought I was joking. I challenged him to admit the truth for waiting. He claimed that he feared my reaction and that Dawson was uninvolved. I know Pacey has always felt like he had to compete with him so he's just saying that to relieve my fears.[/i]

She climbs the ladder and finds the window locked. That's never happened before. Joey taps on the glass and peers through to find Dawson watching footage of Message Received (the tentative title for his film)

He is startled from his trance and opens the window.

"Sorry about that. Dad had tried to fix it. Apparently, he wasn't very successful. Anything new?"

"Not really. So how's the film coming together?"

"Okay. I heard this rumor that Jen is part of the on-line chat. The real one."

"Dawson! You know that Abby loves to tell tall tales. Implicating Jen is ideal for her."

Dawson nods. "Pacey was here earlier so I'm guessing this is round two."

"Is he freaking out as well?"

"A little. He's concerned that you were only rehearsing and didn't mean anything behind the kiss. If that's the case, I have to commend you on your acting ability because you certainly fooled me."

Joey's eyes grow wide, "He thinks it wasn't real? I mean, the first kiss was at least partially a joke, I agree with that. The second kiss, however, was definitely real. I could feel the intensity on his end and was more than willing to accept.."

Dawson interrupts, "I know I said I was okay with this but I really don't want a play-by-play of your sexual urges."

Joey grins, "Fair enough."

"Why don't you get out of here and straighten this guy out?" Dawson shoos her toward the window, "I can't take myself away from this," scribbles on his notepad. Joey sighs and heads back out the window.

* * * * *


"Pacey! You are being paranoid!" Jen shouts at him, "Exactly what possible excuse could Joey have?"

"She was acting the part."

Jen shakes Pacey, "Would you cut it out? I saw the kiss and let me tell you, there is no reason for you to say that. She was more than willing. Would you just talk to her already?"

"You seem to be in a much better mood. Are you planning to spill it out?"

"Well, I'll tell you part of it. Henry can be surprisingly tolerable at times. I suspect that he and Andie have made up."

"Don't tell me that after everything he's done, you're actually falling for the guy."

Jen laughs, "I don't think so. If he tries to make another move, I'm planning to push him to Andie with hurricane-level force. But, rest assured, I'll practice that technique on you and Joey first if necessary."

Joey pops up from behind, catching Jen's attention. Joey places a finger to her mouth to shush her.

Pacey replies, "It is easier thinking that it was a game. A way to catch me offguard. I don't know what I'd do if she discovered that I have been in love with her for so long. She doesn't think that way about me. That much has been perfectly clear."

Jen tries to hold back a smile. "You never know what Joey is thinking unless you ask her. There is no turning back now, Pace. Why don't you just speak the question out loud? That way it'd be easier when you say it."

Joey interrupts, "You don't even have to ask."

Pacey spins around, shocked to see her. "Jo? What is.."

"I think I'm in love with you."

"You think or you know?"

"I know." She wraps her arms around him. "There is no script telling us to kiss as if it was a movie. Just a little improvising." Joey smiles.

Pacey leans in to softly brush his lips against hers. "I could get used to this rewrite."

Epilogue
Index