Cut to Capeside, at Potter’s B&B.
Joey wanders into the kitchen, yawning. Waiting there is Bodie, frying pad at the ready.
BODIE: Morning, Joey. How’s my future sister-in-law? You sleep well?
JOEY: Nah, not really. I was up all night talking with dad.
Bodie looks at her curiously.
BODIE: Really? About what?
She pauses.
JOEY: Everything mostly. Harley, my grades, Paris, Dawson & Pacey, our little spat last week. I don’t think we’ve ever talked that much. Not even when mom was alive. Bodie, can I ask you a question?
BODIE: Sure. What’s up?
JOEY: What do you think of me? I mean, am I a good person? Am I an honest person? What?
He smiles.
BODIE: What’s this about?
She sighs.
JOEY: It’s recently came to my attention that I haven’t really changed. Not in any significant way. Last week I was watching Dawson film his movie, and I suddenly realized just how far he’s gone. He went from being this insecure boy I had a crush on to a self-confidant man who knows exactly what he wants. It’s not just him, either. Pacey’s made a life for himself and moved beyond the slacker image his parents stuck him with. Andie’s travelled the world. Audrey taken on this performer thing. Jen’s getting along with her parents again, and Jack accepts himself finally. You and Bessie are finally getting your lives on track, and dad’s not only free but in a relationship. I, on the other hand, am still in the exact same place I was five years ago. I’ve gone to college, but that’s about it!
BODIE: Don’t be so hard on yourself, Joey. You’ll find what you’re looking for.
JOEY: I’m starting to get worried that I never will. I mean, I jump from relationship to relationship, and it never goes anywhere. I make a mistake or I go too far, and I end up at the exact same place I started.
She sighs
JOEY: I just don’t know what to do anymore.
BODIE: Some people spend their entire lives trying to ‘find themselves’, you know? For some people it’s a career, for others it’s a person…but I don’t think it’s ever really either of those things. It’s not about finding something but realizing something.
JOEY: What?
BODIE: A purpose. Finding out what makes you yourself. What leads to your decisions.
JOEY: I don’t get it, though. All my decisions are always based on how they effect the people around me.
BODIE: Well, there you go. You want to help people.
Joey thinks about that.
JOEY: One of things I used to hate was how everyone in this town either pitied me or mocked me. I think that the one thing I’ve always wanted to do his help people going through the same thing to know they’re not alone. That they shouldn’t give up.
She smiles.
JOEY: I liked art because it helped to express myself in a way other people could see. Writing lets me do the same thing. I like it. I like being able to reach people that way.
He smiles.
JOEY: Thanks, Bodie.
BODIE: Don’t mention it.
*****
Cut to Boston, at Worthington University. Andie quickly skips across the front lawn, as happy as can be. Heading off-campus, Dawson tries to get her attention.
DAWSON: Good morning to you, too! What are you so happy about?
Andie giggles.
ANDIE: Isn’t it obvious?
DAWSON: Not really.
She scoffs.
ANDIE: Oh, Pacey probably didn’t get the chance to tell you yet.
DAWSON: Tell me what?
ANDIE: As of last night, he and I are officially back together.
Dawson freezes.
DAWSON: Um…come again?
ANDIE: I know, I’m shocked too. I so did not see this coming. I thought he was going to be hung up on Joey for a lot longer, but guess I’m luckier than I thought. Isn’t this great?
DAWSON: Great? Oh…yeah, that’s wonderful, Andie. I’m really, really happy for you.
Andie smiles.
ANDIE: Oh, I gotta pick something up at the book store. I’ll see you later. Bye.
She walks away. Dawson slowly regains his senses, going in the opposite direction
DAWSON: (muttering) Pacey, you’ve got a lot of explaining to do.
*****
Cut to the front of Leery’s Fresh Fish.
Joey’s truck pulls up in front, as Gale comes out to meet her.
JOEY: Just wanted to stop and say goodbye before I headed back.
Gale hugs her.
GALE: Say hi to that son of mine, will you?
JOEY: I will. We’ll see you around Christmas.
Over Gale’s shoulder, Joey sees inside the front window. Mike and Gretchen are inside, talking.
GALE: Are you ok?
Joey nods.
JOEY: Actually, I am. I can’t really explain it, but I’m perfectly fine. Gotta be a sign of the apocalypse?
Gale smirks.
GALE: Or maybe it’s a sign that you’re growing up?
Joey laughs.
JOEY: Yeah, maybe.
She gets in the truck.
JOEY: Could you just keep an eye on him? Make sure nothing bad happens to him?
GALE: My pleasure. Just as long as you do the same.
Joey smiles.
JOEY: Deal.
She drives off, leaving Capeside behind once again.
*****
Cut to inside the house, back in Boston.
Dawson opens the front door wide, and steps inside.
DAWSON: PACEY!!!
*****
Upstairs, lying on bed the, Pacey groans.
PACEY: (muttering) Here it comes…
He gets up, just in time for Dawson to barge in his room.
PACEY: You bellowed?
Dawson chuckles.
DAWSON: Are you completely insane?
PACEY: Define ‘insane’.
DAWSON: You know perfectly well what I’m talking about, Pacey. Apparently there are two women who are both convinced they’re going out with you. Now, I’m not exactly well-versed in local dating practices, but for some reason I doubt this in the case.
Pacey bites his lip.
PACEY: Yeah. Dawson, I goofed!
DAWSON: That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one.
PACEY: I didn’t exactly plan this, Dawson! I went to see Audrey perform, and she just kissed me out of the blue. Andie didn’t seem to be interested in me the slightest, so I didn’t say anything. Then, that night, I was helping Andie out with the editing thing, and one thing led to another…it’s just gotten a little out of control.
DAWSON: Pacey, you can’t just kiss one girl while you’re with another!
PACEY: You did.
A beat.
DAWSON: That was different.
PACEY: Hey, at least kissing is all I did! Looks like I have a bit more self control than captain abstinence here, huh?
DAWSON: You so do not want to go there! As you recall, that little episode ended with Joey not speaking to me for months. Is that what you want, Pacey? For them to hate you?
Pacey’s face falls, as he begins to acknowledge the seriousness of his situation.
*****
Cut to outside. Joey’s truck pulls into the driveway, just as Audrey walks towards the house.
AUDREY: Hey, bunny! Enjoy your trip?
Joey climbs out of the truck.
JOEY: Hey, Audrey. Yeah, it was…fun.
AUDREY: Just ‘fun’? Come on…what scandals are happening on the old homestead?
Pacey chuckles.
JOEY: You wouldn’t believe me if I told you! So, what are you doing here?
AUDREY: Oh, just thought I’d surprise Pacey. Something happened between us yesterday.
Joey raises an eyebrow.
JOEY: Something?
AUDREY: You’re not upset or anything, right?
Joey scoffs.
JOEY: Of course not. I’m…I’m happy for you.
Audrey grins.
AUDREY: Come on…I wanna surprise him.
They head inside.
*****
Cut to inside. Dawson and Pacey wander downstairs. Much to their surprise, Andie is there waiting for them.
ANDIE: Hey.
She smirks at Pacey, who smiles nervously.
PACEY: Hey, McPhee.
Dawson bites his lip.
DAWSON: We were just talking about you.
She walks up to Pacey and wraps her arms around his neck.
ANDIE: You don’t say?
Dawson’s eyes wander upstairs. He looks as if he’d rather be anywhere else.
DAWSON: Well, you obviously don’t need me hanging around, so…
However, before he can do anything, Joey and Audrey come through the front door.
AUDREY: Guess who…?
She freezes upon seeing the image in front of her. Andie McPhee, with her arms around Pacey.
ANDIE: Um…hi.
Pacey squirms out of Andie’s arms, collecting himself.
PACEY: Audrey? Uh…
AUDREY: I came here to surprise you. Big surprise…huh?
There’s a pause. Until…
ANDIE & AUDREY: What’s going on?
Joey sighs.
JOEY: I think that’s obvious.
PACEY: I can explain.
Joey scoffs.
JOEY: Can’t wait to hear this one.
Dawson gives her a look.
DAWSON: Joey…don’t, ok?
Andie stares at Pacey, horrified.
ANDIE: (muttering) Should have known…
She runs towards the door. Almost immediately, Pacey takes off after her.
PACEY: Andie, wait…
Pacey grabs her arm, turning her around.
PACEY: This isn’t what you think!
ANDIE: Why should I believe you, Pacey? How could I possibly believe anything you say now?
PACEY: Because I meant everything I said last night. Andie, please…
She closes her eyes sadly.
ANDIE: (whispering) It’s too late.
She storms out. Pacey turns around, only to see that Audrey’s disappeared as well. Joey gives him a cold look. She walks past him, shoving him out of the way.
Pacey sighs, hanging his head. He looks back and Dawson, before heading up to his room.