D: So, I take it that it wasn't a 24 hour bug?

J (shrugging): Guess not. But I really *was* feeling okay this last weekend. I guess I just got too active too soon, or something, cause this morning . . .

D: Spare me the details, please.

J (continuing anyway): It wasn't so bad. I only threw up once, but I was just *really* tired. I could barely drag myself out of bed to answer the door. And I'm achy . . .

D (looking concerned): Sounds like the flu to me. Or maybe Mono?

J (looks at him skeptically): *Mono?* Yeah, right, Dawson. The only person I've kissed recently is *you*.

D (shrugging): Maybe I didn't have it. Maybe I was a carrier, and I passed it on to you.

J: But who- Ah, Little Miss New York. Who knows what kind of diseases she's carrying.

D: Joey!

J: I'm *kidding.* Anyway, it's probably just the flu or something. I'll be fine. Now get back to school. I don't want you missing class on account of me.

D: Okay. Is there anything I can do for you? Bring you some stuff after school from the store? (she shakes her head) Are you sure you don't need anything? A sponge bath, perhaps?

J (smiling, rolling her eyes): *Dawson.*

D (smiling as well, fake innocence): What?

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

[OPEN: Pacey and Dawson at the empty video store, sitting behind the counter]

DAWSON: So, you had to skip lunch yesterday because seeing her made you *that* upset? Why didn't you just go talk to her?

PACEY (sarcastically): Oh, yeah, that would have been *real* smart. As if the administrators weren't suspicious enough. Walking in the office goin 'hey Tamara, what's up?' woulda just pushed em over the edge.

D (frowning): I didn't think about that.

P: You know, Dawson, my man, you only have one flaw, but it's a big one. You either think too much or you don't think *enough*.

D: Yeah, I know, I-

[He pauses when the door dings and someone walks in. It's Tamara]

D (whispering): Speak of the devil.

TAMARA (smiling): Hello, Pacey.

P (smiling): Hey, Tamara. Uh, I thought you'd already be gone.

T: Don't be silly. I told you I'd come to see you before I left.

[Pacey walks around the counter, over to her. He pulls her closer, and they walk away from the counter, leaving Dawson perplexed]

P: Listen, Tamara, what are you doing at about nine o'clock?

T: *Pacey* . . .

P: No, no, nothing like that. I just, I want to talk to you. I sorta need some advice. (she looks concerned) I can't exactly talk to my friends about it, cause . . . well, it's a long story. But maybe we could go to a restaurant in Providence?

T (looks a little worried): Well, uh . . . yeah. (smiles) Sure, Pacey. Pick you up here at nine?

P: Yeah. Thanks, Tamara.

[She just smiles and quickly walks out of the store. Pacey walks back over to Dawson, who is putting some videos away. He looks at Pacey questioningly]

D: What was that all about?

P (shrugging): Nothing.

D (sarcastically): *Right.*

[He goes back to putting away videos, and Pacey helps. We hear Tamara's voice off-stage.]

T (OS): Oh my, Pacey.

[Scene cuts to her and Pacey, sitting at a table inside a dimly-lit restaurant]

T: That's, uh . . . wow. I don't know what to tell you, Pacey.

P: That's okay. I just had to tell *someone,* y' know? (she nods in agreement) There's one more thing. Uh, Jen? She's, uh, she's not a virgin, either.

T (jokingly): Well, not *now.*

P: You know what I mean. So, besides the pregnancy issue, we're a little worried about STDs.

T (nods): I see what you mean.

P: What I wanted to ask you was, do you, I mean, I don't wanna sound rude, but-

T: No, Pacey, it's entirely understandable. I'm pretty sure I don't have anything. I've never shown any kind of symptoms.

P: But what about-

T: AIDS? I got tested after I went to my 15-year highschool reunion and found out a former good friend of mine had passed away from it.

P: So, that was what? About two years ago?

T: Something like that.

P: Well, don't you think you should go in again? (she shakes her head, Pacey is frustrated) Why not?!

T: Pacey! Shhh. Because, there hasn't been anyone since then but you.

P (sheepishly): Oh. (pauses, suddenly remembering something) Hey, Tamara, yesterday morning, I saw you in the office at school. What-

T: Oh, I was just picking up some things I had forgotten when I left.

P (somewhat disappointed): Oh.

T: Thought I was coming back for good?

P: Maybe just hoping.

T: Oh, Pacey. You have enough troubles without me around making it worse.

P (sighs): Ain't that the truth.

[Scene cuts to Pacey, Jen, Joey, and Dawson sitting at their lunch table. Joey and Jen are poking at their food. Dawson is watching Joey, worried, and Pacey is watching Jen, worried.]

PACEY (attempting to make conversation at the quiet table): So, uh, Joey, you're feeling better?

JOEY: Yeah, a little. I'm still a little achy, and I'm really tired, but at least I haven't thrown up for a couple days.

P: So, you missed, what? Four days of school?

JOEY: Yeah. I have an unbelievable amount of homework.

P (nodding): I can imagine. At least it's Friday. You have all weekend to make it up.

[They are all silent for a few seconds]

JOEY: So, Jen, are your parents still here?

JEN (looking up as if she hadn't been paying attention): Huh? Oh, yeah. They're leaving tomorrow. (pauses) Actually, they're trying to get me to go with them.

P, D, and JOEY: What?!

P: You're not, uh . . .

JEN: Are kidding? Not a chance in hell.

[They all relax, and Pacey breathes a long sigh of relief. The bell rings, and they get up from the table. Dawson and Joey start one way, while Jen and Pacey start another.]

P: See you guys later.

D: Yeah, bye.

[Camera cuts back to Pacey and Jen, walking down a hall]

P: So, are you going to take a test today?

JEN: Test?

P: C' mon Jen, you said yourself you were two days late.

J: Oh, *that* kind of test. Yeah, Pacey, two days is nothing. It can fluctuate that much normally.

P (sighs): Jen, I don't know about you, but I would just like to get this over with. Don't you want to know?

J: Actually, Pacey, I'm a little scared.

P: Look, I told you. I'm here to help. I'm not going anywhere, okay? And Jen, I know it sounds good right now, but you can't keep putting it off. The longer you do, the harder it'll get.

J: God, you sound like an after-school special. (sighs) Okay, I'll take one this weekend, as soon as I find myself home alone.

P: Good. Just call me whenever, and I'll-

J: No, Pacey, I'll do it myself. I mean, thanks and everything, but this is something I need to do on my own.

P: Jen, are you sure? I mean-

[They stop walking in front of a classroom]

J: I'm sure, but thanks.

P: Alright, but you know my number. I mean, for when you know the answer.

J (smiling): Of course.

[She turns and goes into a classroom. Pacey watches her for a few seconds, looking worried before turning away himself]

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

[OPEN: Exterior shot of the drug store. It is daytime. Once again, the sun is out, but we can tell it is cold. There are lots of people out walking around, but they are all dressed in warm clothing. "Black and White" by Sarah McLachlan is playing. The camera cuts to the inside of the store. Joey is wearing sunglasses, and a baseball cap. She walks down an aisle, pulling up her jacket as she nears her destination. The camera cuts to Jen, looking very tired. She has her hair back in a ponytail, and is wearing almost no make-up. She walks down an aisle, then turns, walking up the same one Joey is in. She heads for the same area, but doesn't recognize Joey right away. Jen reaches for a home pregnancy test. Joey sees her and looks up]

JOEY (incredulously): *Jen?*

JEN (turning to the owner of the voice): *Joey?* (she sees that Joey has one in her hand, too) Joey, are you-

JOEY: I don't know. *Duh.* That's obviously why I'm here. (she bites her lip, immediately feeling bad for being rude) Jen, I'm s-

JEN: Don't worry about it. So, the *flu* was just lasting a little too long, huh?

JOEY: Yeah, I guess so.

JEN: Wait, though, I thought you were on-

JOEY: Not for the first time. So, you and Mike, huh?

JEN: Um . . . yeah.

JOEY and JEN (simultaneously): Why didn't you tell me?

[They laugh nervously]

JEN: Look, you wanna come back to my house? My parents left earlier this morning, and Grams is at church.

JOEY: Uh, sure.

JEN: That way you have easy access to Dawson's house to tell him the news. Which, I'm sure will be good. I bet you have the flu and nothing else.

JOEY: Let's hope so. Wait, though, you're not sick.

JEN: Nope, just late.

JOEY: Almost worse.

JEN: No kidding.

[They start walking towards the check-out stand]

JOEY: Actually, Jen, I haven't told Dawson. I didn't want to worry him until I knew for sure.

JEN: I don't blame you.

JOEY: Did you tell Mike?

JEN: Uh, Joey, there's something I should probably tell you about that . . .

[Scene cuts to Joey and Jen, walking outside, each carrying a paper bag]

JOEY (incredulous): You're kidding. You've got to be kidding. *Please* tell me you're kidding. (Jen doesn't say anything) *Pacey?* Oh man, that's . . . So have you told him about . . . ? (Jen nods a silent 'yes') And . . . ?

JEN: And, surprisingly, he's okay with it. He was the one who told me to get a test. See, it happened New Year's Eve. After you and Dawson left the party, we both had a little too much to drink- (pauses) okay, a *lot* too much to drink. Anyway, we didn't, uh, we didn't use a condom.

JOEY (sympathetically): Oh, Jen.

JEN: I know. I was too drunk to realize how stupid it was. I hate myself for that night.

JOEY: Don't. It'll be okay. I know it will.

JEN: And if it's not, there *is* a bright side.

JOEY: And that is?

JEN: Wouldn't it be cool if our kids have the same birthday?

[Joey has to giggle softly at this. The two girls continue walking in silence. The scene cuts to Dawson, sitting on his bed. Pacey is on the floor.]

DAWSON: I know this going to sound absolutely ludicrous, but do you think she could be pregnant?

PACEY (nervously): Who?

D (exasperated): Joey!

P: Joey? I don't know, man, don't you think she'd tell you?

D: Yeah, but maybe she doesn't know. I mean, she's been having these ups and downs for a week now. I've never seen a flu like this.

P: Well, at least you used protection. If you hadn't, pregnancy would be almost certain.

D: Yeah . . . But what kind of an idiot doesn't use protection? (Pacey raises his hand slightly) Pacey? Just once, right?

P: Yeah.

D: With Ms. Jacobs?

P: Uh, no.

D: *Kate?*

P: Uh, strike two?

D: Pacey, who then?

P: Dawson, I don't exactly know how to tell you this . . .

[Scene cuts to Joey and Jen, sitting outside Jen's bathroom]

JOEY: So now what?

JEN (setting the timer on the stove): Now we wait.

JOEY: We *wait*? For how long?

JEN: Three minutes.

JOEY: The longest three minutes of our lives.

JEN: Yep. And this is my second time through.

JOEY: Yeah?

JEN: C' mon, Joey, don't act surprised, cause you know you aren't.

[Joey doesn't respond, she just looks away, embarrassed]

[Scene cuts to Dawson and Pacey, in the same positions. The camera zooms in on Dawson, who has a look of absolute astonishment on his face]

DAWSON (very softly): *Jen?*

PACEY (looking up tenderly): Are you mad?

D: No. No, not at all, I just- It's quite a shocker, Pace.

P: You're tellin' me. I guess I'll go over there in a few minutes, to see if she's taken the test yet.

D (still in shock): Oh, yeah, you should. So, what, uh- God, Pacey, I don't even know what I'm supposed to say! *Good luck?*

P (nodding): Something like that.

[Scene cuts to Jen and Joey, sitting in silence. They both jump when the buzzer goes off. Jen walks over to turn it off. Joey stands up.]

JOEY: Listen, Jen, could you just tell me mine for me? I can't do it. My entire future is sitting in that bathroom.

JEN: *Joey-*

JOEY (interrupting): Please?

[Jen walks into the bathroom]

JEN (OS, shaky voice): Joey, when you finished, did you set it on the right of the kleenex box, or the left?

JOEY: Uh, I can't remember. Why?

JEN (OS, almost frantic): I don't remember which one is mine, either!

JOEY (frowning): Why does it matter?

JEN (walking out of the bathroom, faces Joey, looking like she's seen a ghost): Because one's negative and one's positive.

[Joey looks completely horrified as the scene fades to black]

[END CREDITS, COMMERCIAL BREAK]

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