Disclaimer: Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen, and ideas that provided the basis for this story are the property of Kevin Williamson and the WB. I do not own any of it.
-Lyrics to all the songs are at the end of the story-
*This opens right where the "Breaking Away" (the last episode of last season) left off*
[OPEN: Dawson and Joey pull away from each other. "Heaven in Your Eyes" by Loverboy is playing lightly in the background]
DAWSON: Joey-
JOEY(simultaneously): Dawson-
[nervous laughter from both]
J: go ahead.
D: Well, to tell you the truth, Jo, I really don't know what to say. I feel
really . . . really weird right now. Everything's changing. You've been my
best friend since before I can remember, and all of the sudden, just like
that, (snaps his fingers) you're not anymore.
[he walks over to his bed and sits down]
J: Whoa, Dawson. I'm still your best friend. Just because you kissed me,
doesn't mean-
D(interrupting): Yeah it *does*, Jo. Don't you see? There are two ways to
go from here; neither of which consists of us being what we were twenty
minutes ago.
J(exasperated): Dawson, you're being ridiculous. I knew you couldn't handle
this.
[she turns to leave for a second time]
D: Joey! (gets up from his bed, she turns around) Who said I couldn't
handle it? I'm just stating the facts here. I think we should know what
we're getting ourselves into before we (takes a breath, looks around
nervously, then back at Joey) get into it.
J: Alright, Dawson. (crosses her arms) Tell me what we're getting into.
[Dawson opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out]
J: See? You don't even know! It was a *kiss*, Dawson. We're not engaged.
For once, can't you just let things happen how they happen?
[Dawson has a confused, hurt look on his face]
J: Let me put it terms you'd understand. There's no point in
fast-forwarding the beginning of the movie to the end, cause you'd miss all
the stuff in the middle. And the middle-
D(finishes her sentence): is the best part.
[they smile at each other. Dawson puts his hand on the back of her neck]
J: Knowing the ending takes all the fun out of it.
D: You're right. But I've never felt like this before, about *anyone*. And
the fact that it's you makes it even more strange and exciting and
nerve-wrecking, and I just . . . I'm scared, Jo.
J: I'm scared, too.
[they hug each other, and Dawson holds Joey for a few seconds before he tips
up her chin with his hand and kisses her again, just as Pacey climbs in the
window. Pacey clears his throat. Dawson and Joey stop kissing, and turn to
see Pacey standing by the window]
P(smiles): Hey Dawson, Joey. I see my work here is done.
D: Hey, Pace. What's up?
P: Well, I just came by to see if you found Joey, but, uh, I guess you did a
little more than just find her, eh?
J(blushes and smiles): Listen, Dawson, it's late. I'm gonna go.
D: Wait, Jo. Why don't you stay the night?
J: I don't think that's such a good idea. Besides, I still have a lot to
think about.
D: You're not still thinking about France, are you?
J: (starts climbing out the window, turns and smiles) Dawson, have you ever
known me to turn off a movie halfway through?
D(smiles): See ya, Jo.
[Pacey puts a hand on Dawson's shoulder, who's still staring out the window,
watching Joey leave]
P: Alright, Dawson! Congratulations, man!
D: (shuts his window, and turns to Pacey) I tell ya, Pacey, I feel like I'm
walking on air.
P: Okay, I want serious details here.
[OPENING THEME, COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[OPEN: Joey walking to the water. Jen is sitting on the docks.]
JOEY: Hey Jen.
JEN: Oh, hey Joey. What's up?
JOEY: (sits down next to her) Nothin'. Whatcha doin'?
JEN: Just sittin' here. I can't go in that house. Not yet. It's too much
to handle.
JOEY: Why? What happened?
JEN: (sighs) My grandfather died.
JOEY: Oh wow.
JEN: Yeah.
JOEY: Listen, Jen, I know I've been a royal bitch to you since you got here,
but I really am sorry about your grandpa. Is there anything I can do?
JEN: Nah . . .
JOEY: No really, after what your grandma did for Bessie . . . (she trails
off) Well, we'll be glad to help in any way we can.
JEN: Thanks Joey. That means a lot.
[short silence]
JEN: So, you and Dawson are a thing now?
JOEY: Well, not exactly a *thing*, but- wait, how did you know?
JEN: Well, I figured you must have worked things out, since you're being so
nice to me. (she pauses) That, and I saw your shadows in his window.
[they both laugh]
JOEY: Well, I don't know where it's going to lead. We're just taking it
slow, y' know?
JEN: Yeah . . . I guess this means no more sleepovers at Dawson's. For
either of us.
[they laugh together again, and Joey stands up]
JOEY: Well, I should get going.
JEN: Good night, Joey.
JOEY: 'Night Jen. (she gets into her boat) Uh, Jen?
JEN: Yeah?
JOEY: Well, I'm kinda of an expert on losing family members, so if you ever
wanna talk, Dawson has my number.
JEN: Thanks, Joey.
[Joey rows away, as a single tear falls down Jen's cheek]
[Scene cuts to inside the high school the next day. Dawson is getting some things out of his locker as Joey walks up to him]
D: Hey Jo.
J: Hey Dawson.
[Dawson leans over as if to kiss her, but stops suddenly]
J: What? Are you too embarrassed to kiss me at school, Dawson?
D: No, I just . . . well, Jo, you know if I do, someone standing over there
will tell someone else, who in turn will tell 15 of their best friends, and
by the end of the day, we'll be the topic of conversation throughout the
school.
J: Yeah, Dawson, I'm used to it. Besides, do you really care? I mean, by
noon tomorrow, they'll all be on to something new. (pauses when he doesn't
look convinced) But, hey, if you're not ready to deal-
["Always Tomorrow" by Gloria Estefan starts playing softly as Dawson
interrupts her by kissing her passionately for everyone to see, including
Jen. The music gets louder as the camera pans over to where she is standing
across the hall. She has a sad look in her eyes as she watches them for a
few seconds before walking to class]
[Scene cuts to Dawson in Science class. His lab partner is a good looking guy wearing a letterman's jacket]
D: Hey, Mike, do you have the questions we're supposed to answer?
M: Yeah, they're right here. (He pulls some papers out of his binder.)
Listen, Dawson, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.
[Dawson looks at him with a raised eyebrow, but says nothing]
M: Well, you and Joey are, like, *together* now, right?
D(slowly): Yeah . . .
M: So, that means that you and Jen, like, aren't, right?
D(not seeing where this is going): Yeah . . .
M: So, I mean, would you mind if I, you know, like, asked her out sometime?
D: Jen? No, not at all. Go for it, man.
M(smiles): Cool. Thanks, man.
[The two go back to working on their project in silence for a few seconds.]
M: Hey Dawson?
D(writing some things down): Yeah?
M: You think she'd actually go out with me?
[Dawson stops writing, has an odd look on his face. He looks at Mike,
wide-eyed, and shrugs]
[Scene cuts to Joey, in some class with Pacey. He is sitting behind her. She is writing something down.]
P(leaning over): So, Joey, Dawson told me all the intimate details of your
situation last night after you left.
J(continues working): Sorry, Pace. You can't annoy me today. I'm in too
good of a mood. (pauses, and turns around) Besides, there *aren't* any
details to tell. You pretty much saw it all.
P: Aww . . . you're no fun. (pauses) So, if this thing with Dawson goes
well, you'll be in a good mood, like all the time, right?
J(goes back to working): Yeah, probably.
P: So, does that mean you won't be your usual bitchy self anymore, and our
endless exchange of insults will cease?
J: Yep.
P: I won't have to be constantly thinking of a good comeback to one of your
snappy remarks?
J: Nope.
P: So, are you saying we can be civil to each other from now on?
J: Yeah, basically.
P(sits down in his seat): Damn.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[OPEN: Outside a classroom, Jen walks out the door. Dawson follows behind her]
D: Hey, Jen! Wait up!
[She stops and turns around]
J(crosses her arms): Look, Dawson, if this is about yesterday, I'm sorry. I
know I was completely out of line. I just . . . I needed someone, y' know?
[They start walking towards Dawson's locker]
D(smiling): Don't worry about it, Jen. Actually, I had pretty much
forgotten about it. Joey and I worked everything out, so it was a happy
ending after all.
[Jen stifles a laugh]
D: What?
J(smiling): Nothing, Dawson. Sometimes you talk about your life as if it
was a movie without even realizing it, that's all. It can be rather
amusing.
D: I know. I told you. I reject reality. I used to anyway, but lately,
things have surprisingly been going my way.
J: I'm happy for you, Dawson.
D: Thanks, Jen. That means a lot. (They approach Dawson's locker, he opens
it) Actually, the reason I wanted to talk to you was because Joey told me
about your grandfather.
[Jen shifts her feet, and looks around anxiously]
D(while putting some things away): I'm really sorry Jen. (pauses) I know
you're probably sick of hearing that. Is there anything I can do? I mean,
if you need someone to talk to, I'm right next door.
["I'll Be There For You" by the Rembrandts starts playing softly]
J: Thanks, Dawson. (crosses her arms) Actually, there is something you can
do.
D(shuts his locker): Yeah? Anything, Jen. I know this is a tough time for
you. I watched Joey go through it awhile back. I'm a little rusty, but if
you need a shoulder to cry on-
J(interrupting): I do, Dawson, but it was wrong of me to go to you. Joey's
the one I should be talking to. Actually, last night she told me to get
her number from you if I needed it, so . . .
D(catching on): Oh, sure, Jen. No problem. (pulls a pen out of his pocket)
Got a piece of paper?
[Jen holds out her hand, palm up]
D(nods his head): That'll work.
[Pacey walks up to them as Dawson is writing down Joey's number]
P: Hey guys! Is it a beautiful day, or what?
J and D(in unison): Hey, Pacey.
[Jen and Dawson look at each other and share a smile]
P(furrowing his brow): Okay . . . (his face brightens up) anyway, did you
guys have a good day?
J and D (in unision): It was okay.
[They look at each other again, and all three friends have puzzled
expressions on their faces. Jen and Dawson shrug it off and smile]
P: You guys gotta stop that. So, where's Joey?
[Jen's expression immediately changes]
D: She should be here any minute. What's up, Pace? Why are you in such a
good mood?
P: Because we only have one week left of school. (Joey is walking up to
them) *And* I have a date for Friday.
D, JEN, and JOEY: Who??
P(to Dawson and Jen): Man, do either of you have a thought of your own?
(Joey looks confused) Anyway, it's with a *student* this time, heh, heh.
(the three friends pretend this is extremely abnormal, and jokingly act as
if they're quite surprised)
JEN: Well, don't keep us in suspense! Who is it?
P: Kate Goldstone.
D(in awe): wow . . . (Joey elbows him) oof.
JEN: She's in my math class . . . real nice girl.
D(looks pointedly at Joey): That's what I was saying! She's . . . nice.
(Joey crosses her arms, and gives him a look) What?
["I'll Be There For You" is still playing, and gets louder as Joey shoves
Dawson playfully, and he retaliates by wrapping her in a big bear hug, and
kissing her gently on the forehead, and then on the lips. Jen is talking to
Pacey about what he has planned for the big night, but we can't really hear.
The camera pans out, and their voices fade away]
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[OPEN: Dawson walking into the S.S. Icehouse, while Joey is waiting on a customer. She catches Dawson's eye and smiles. She mouths "last customer" and points to the man whose order she just took before going into the kitchen. "The Way You Look Tonight" by Tony Bennett plays as Dawson takes a seat at the counter and waits. The scene cuts to Pacey, fixing his hair in a mirror in his bathroom. He adds a little water to it, and shuts off the light. He walks downstairs, grabs keys off the counter and yells to his mother that he's taking the jeep. There is no response from her. He walks out the door. Scene cuts to Joey, taking off her apron, while Dawson watches her, entranced. Her hair is in a bun that's falling out, and she's wearing faded jeans and a tight spaghetti strap tank top under her apron. She takes out the bun, shakes her hair out, walks around the counter and stands next to Dawson]
J: So, what are we doing tonight?
D(standing up): I don't know. I didn't really have anything planned.
Except maybe . . .
[He wraps his arms around her, and they kiss passionately for a few seconds,
until Bessie interrupts them]
BESSIE(walking out of the kitchen): Joey, did you- (stops when she sees Joey
and Dawson kissing. they pull away quickly) Oh, hi Dawson.
D(embarrassed): Hi.
J(annoyed): What, Bessie?
B(still in awe): Oh, nothing. Never mind. Um, are you coming home tonight?
J(looks at Dawson, then back at Bessie): Yeah, probably.
B: If it's after twelve, don't bother. I don't want to be woken up. Alex
wakes up at the crack of dawn. I need as much sleep as I can get.
J: Okay.
B: Well, you kids have fun. (pauses as Joey and Dawson walk away)
Joey!
J(turns around): Yeah?
B: Please, be careful!
[Joey rolls her eyes, and her and Dawson look at each other and giggle
nervously]
[Scene cuts to Pacey, pulling up a driveway. He gets out of his jeep and knocks on the door of the house. A cute brunette, about 5'6", answers the door.]
KATE: Hey, Pacey!
P: Hey, I know I'm a little early, but-
K(interrupting and smiling): Don't worry about it. I'm ready anyway.
Besides, we're sure to get good seats now.
P(smiling): Yeah.
[Pacey holds open Kate's door, and shuts it for her. He walks around to the
driver's side, gets in, and starts the car]
K(turning sideways after a few seconds of silence): I'm really glad you
asked me out, Pacey.
P: Yeah? Me too. Until we started talking last week in History, I always
thought you hated me, like Abby and Nellie.
K: Well, they're good friends of mine, but they don't always know what
they're talking about. In my opinion, a lot of people in this town don't.
You get too much slack from everyone.
P: Yeah, no kidding.
K: Well, *I* don't think you're the screw-up they all say you are. I think
they just don't know you.
P(looks at her affectionately): Thanks for having faith in me. You're
probably the only one, but thanks.
[Kate looks in his eyes with a sense of pity for him, smiles, and turns
forward.]
[Scene cuts to Dawson and Joey, lying on his bed, watching a movie.]
J(teasing): I can't believe we're spending our first weekend together
watching "Raiders of the Lost Arc."
D(taking her seriously): Jo! You said this is what you wanted to do!
J: Dawson! Take a joke! I'm just commenting on the irony of the situation.
I guess it's true what they say.
D: What do they say?
J: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
[Dawson nods his head in silent agreement , then turns and leans over her]
D(slyly, with a smile): Not *everything* has to stay the same.
[I'd Be Broken" by Sophie Zelmani starts playing as Dawson kisses her
gently, but it quickly becomes deeper. He is no longer lying on his side.
He rolls over and lets himself fall on top of Joey. The camera stays on
them, zooming out very slowly. The kissing becomes more intense, and
eventually, the camera is showing all of Dawson's room, and the music fades
with the image of Dawson and Joey.]
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[OPEN: Pacey and Kate walking out of the movie theater. They are laughing, but we hardly hear them. The camera zooms in closer, and we understand their words.]
K(still giggling a little): Oh, Pacey, you crack me up. I wish everyone
could see this side of you.
P(smiling): Well, I guess that just one more thing that makes you special.
[Kate smiles back, and they share a moment. Pacey seems nervous and changes
the subject.]
P: So, you never said if you liked the movie . . .
K: I thought it was great! Did you like it?
P: Yeah . . . but . . . well, I've already seen it.
K(shoves him playfully): Pacey! Why didn't you take me to a different movie
instead?
P: I don't know! There wasn't anything else I wanted to see. Besides, I
heard you tell Molly how much you wanted to see this one, so . . .
[They reach the car, and , again, Pacey opens and shuts her door for her.
Kate smiles and shakes her head while waiting for Pacey to come around the
other side.]
K: Pacey, you're too much.
P(teasing): I know. That's what everyone keeps tellin' me.
[Scene cuts to Dawson and Joey, still going hot and heavy. We can hear the TV going, and "Raiders of the Lost Arc" is no longer on. Instead, it's some sort of infommercial. Both Dawson and Joey are barefooted, and Joey's tank top is in a ball on the floor by her shoes. Dawson's shorts are next to it. His boxers, however, are still on. He is kissing Joey's neck and chest, and her eyes are closed. All of the sudden, her eyes shoot open]
J(whispering loudly): Dawson!
D(still nuzzling her neck): mmm?
J: What time is it?
D(gets up and rolls over to the other side of bed where his alarm clock is):
five till.
J(panicked): five till what?
D: Twelve.
J(starts getting up): Dawson, I have to go.
D(softly): No, Jo, crash here tonight. There's no way you're gonna make it
home in five minutes.
J: Dawson, I can't do that, and you know it.
D: Why not?
J: Well, because . . . Dawson please don't tell me you don't know.
D: Don't know what?
J(sighing): I am *so* not in the mood to have this talk with you right now.
D: What? Jo? What talk?
J: The sex talk, Dawson.
D: Joey, you think that just because you're staying the night, sex becomes
an issue?
J: Well, in case you haven't noticed, we are slowly losing our innocence
here. Sleeping in the same bed won't really be the same anymore. It will
be tempting, y' know? I don't really want to subject myself to that.
Besides, what will your parents think?
D: Are you kidding? They don't know about us! And even if they did, you
know my dad. At the slightest hint of sex, he pats me on the back and hands
me a couple condoms.
[The two laugh quietly at that]
D: And as for Bessie, not to be rude, Jo, but she doesn't really have any
right to be upset about it. That would be extremely hypocritical of her.
She was where we are not too long ago.
J: And look what happened to her.
D: Exactly. (pauses) Oh, I see your point.
J: She's just looking out for me.
D: Yeah, but Jo, don't you think she'd rather get a good night's sleep than
have you home tonight?
J(smiles): Okay, you got me there. I'll stay.
D(smiling back): Good. (pauses) Look, Jo, you can stay in the guest room
if you like. I mean, if you really don't trust me-
J(interrupting): I trust you Dawson! I just don't trust myself sometimes.
(Dawson looks taken aback by that comment, while Joey ponders her options)
oh, what the hell. I'll stay in here. (she smiles and jokes) You owe me
one, Dawson.
D: Oh, come on Jo. It won't be *that* bad.
J: Just don't try to kiss me with morning breath.
[Scene cuts to Jen, walking up her driveway to her porch with Mike. "Fairytale" by Trisha Yearwood plays throughout the next scene. It is a scene with double shots. One set consists of Jen and Mike, and the other consists of Pacey and Kate. It's cuts back and forth, with the characters often finishing each other's sentences.]
MIKE: I know it was short notice, but I'm really glad you could come with
me, Jen.
J: Well, thanks for inviting me, Mike. I had a lot of fun.
[Scene cuts to Kate and Pacey, in the same positions on her porch.]
P: Well, I'm glad you had a good time. I did, too.
K: I know we didn't know each other that well before tonight, but I'm glad
we do now. It's just too bad we wasted so much time. You seem like such a
great person.
P(in awe): Wow, that's-
[Scene cuts back to Mike and Jen]
M: -one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.
[Jen smiles, not knowing what to say. Cut to Kate and Pacey. ]
P: And I couldn't have asked for a better person to say it.
K(blushing): Oh, stop.
P: No, really, I mean it. I've never been out with anyone like you before.
Somehow, you see me-
[Cut to Jen and Mike]
J: -in a different light.
M: Well, I feel very privileged to do so.
[Mike takes his hand and puts it on the side of Jen's face, as she moves
closer to him. He leans down and kisses her. The camera pans up to the
stars, and when it pans back down, Pacey is kissing Kate]
["Fairytale" is still playing when the scene cuts to a long shot of Dawson
and Joey, trying to fall asleep in his bed. He has his arm around her, and
her head is resting on his bare chest. The camera zooms in to them on the
bed, and Dawson opens his eyes slightly]
D: Jo?
J(she keeps her eyes closed): Mmm?
D: You still awake?
J: Mmm . . . barely.
[Dawson leans down and kisses the top of her forehead]
D: I love you, Jo.
J(still not moving): I love you, too, Dawson.
[The camera zooms out to the original long shot. We see Dawson reach over
and turn off the light. As he does this, the screen goes black]
[END CREDITS, COMMERCIAL BREAK]
*******************************************************************