Early morning, Dawson and Joey loft at New York City.

Open in Dawson and Joey’s apartment, sunlight streaming in through the windows and the sound of coffee being made in the morning, Joey rushing around in the background, hoping to get ready on time as Dawson comfortably sits at a table, looking at his laptop, hearing dialogue softly in the background.

“I’m going to be so late,” she says to no one in particular, scurrying around, shoving documents and manuscripts in her bag.

“I told you not hit the snooze button again, but you said ‘only five more minutes,’” he laughs, and sees her shoot him a dirty look.

“Yes well I was wrong, I was up late last night too working, some of us don’t get to watch movies on their laptop as part of their work,” she teases, seeing him smile and shrug his shoulders.

“You were up a bit later than usual for a weeknight, what were you reading?” he asked, hitting pause on his computer.

“I got a rush assignment yesterday, you know, just one more manuscript for me to work on, forgetting that I already have about five that I’m balancing. Anyhow, I can’t say too much about it now but it’s a love story, with a bit of sappiness and a bit of epic romance, that happens in one of those time spaces that you’re not very sure if it is the past or the future. The descriptive of the places is amazing. The dialogues by far are pretty good… I just couldn’t stop reading it last night,” she says, shuffling through her briefcase for her phone.

“Oh, so it is the book you read me a few passages last night?”

“Yeah, that one, but that was only the beginning. As the story goes on, it gets even better.”

“Joey, I don’t doubt your word, but epic romance? Hmm I think I’ve seen enough and lived enough of that,” Dawson laughs softly, leaning on the chair, and hooked on Joey’s explanation.

“But it’s not only about that. It is much more than that. Because you know, as I kept reading and reading, I could picture everything so perfectly in my mind. I think it might make an interesting movie, with the right direction and actors playing the lead roles,” Joey says, looking up to see Dawson staring at her with interest.

(Credits start playing)

“Just listen,” she says firmly, opening up a page to begin reading.

“I thought you were going to be late,” he smiles, seeing her blush a bit.

“I am, but I’ll stay till later today or whatever, since I know you won’t come back home early anyway,” she says, glaring at him and Dawson takes a sip of his coffee pretending he didn’t catch that tone. Clearing her throat, Joey begins to read. “Anyway, the beginning, remember? ‘What a corny line to start this story, but it’s really true. Once upon a time…’”

CREDITS

Jack’s house, Capeside.

We see three silhouettes through the window, sitting around a table in the kitchen. The camera goes closer, through the window and we can see Jack and Grams sitting side by side, Drue sitting in front of them. Grams is serving some tea as they are listening to Drue with attention.

“She didn’t even recognized me at first,” Drue half laughs as he takes a sip of his tea and then places the cup on the table. “This is delicious Mrs. Ryan” he smiles at her and Grams nods her head with a little smile. She remembers this young man sitting in front of them. She remembers the way Jen used to talk about him: annoyed but with tenderness at times, as days went by. He came back to her life out of nowhere that year before college and then he left. Just like it seems he did years later again.

“It was late at night, I was going out with some friends, just having a fun night in town,” he looks at Grams as apologizing and she nods her head once again in an ‘everything is ok’ gesture. “We were in this kind of mega disco, and suddenly there she was. Jen. Blond curls, sparkling make up, and these sweet eyes…”

For a moment Drue seems to get lost in the memory, almost dreamy, and Jack and Grams exchange a wondering look.

“She was with some guy, so I doubted if to go and greet her or not. You know Jen, for the greatest part of the time, I wasn’t exactly her fave person,” he shakes his head, as if that was a funny thought. “Then I realized that they were arguing, so I headed over there. Just as I was getting closer, the guy left as Jen yelled something after him.”

There is a somehow tense pause as Drue is turning around and around the cup in between his hands, trying to put into the right words what happened after that that night.

“So I kinda appeared right behind her after that and she was annoyed as hell – Sorry” he gulps down looking at Grams, and the old lady can’t help but to smile indulgently at his discomfort. “So she kinda went like “WHAT!!!?” and I was like ‘Jen?’ Remember me? Drue.”

Drue smiles as he remembers and so does Jack. She can almost picture it: the way she frowned her eyebrows when she was annoyed, and the way her mouth would pout and she would just look at you with narrowed eyes.

“She was so cute when she was annoyed, wasn’t her?” Drue asks him, and Jack nods his head.

“Yeah, all cuteness,” Grams rolls her eyes and the three of them laugh affectionately at the image.

Grams takes a sip of her tea as Drue keeps talking.

“At first, as every time I would reappear in her life, she was hesitant, and even harsh at me. But after a few minutes, she let her guard down and I invited her to spend the rest of the night with me and my friends. She agreed and she mingled well with them. With me.”

Drue keeps talking under the attention of Jack and Grams.

“So we spent the rest of the night together: talking, laughing, dancing. Like we had never done before, except in that very same city, when we were so much younger and…when we shouldn’t have made it at all. But this time it was also somehow different. I took her for a walk and at some point she asked me something. She asked me…” at this point, his gaze is off to the space and his face softens as he keeps remembering. “Remember that night at prom when you wanted to save me? When you didn’t want me to jump? Would you do that for me tonight Drue? Will you save me tonight?”

He looks down at his hands, swallowing hard.

“So I did the only thing I thought I could do. I kissed her. I kissed her and we ended up at my apartment. And… well…” He gestures with his hands, then looking at Jack and Grams embarrassed.

Grams coughs and Jack leans back on his chair.

“And well, I’ve never been very good at maths, but it looks possible to me that from that night…”

“So you never saw her again? What happened after that night?” Jack asks, and Drue shrugs his shoulders.

“She left before I woke up, early in the morning. Leaving no phone number, no note. Nothing. She just left me.” his voice gets lower as he speaks and his eyes get darker.

Silence fills the room as they three remain sitting there, together.

Pacey´s new restaurant in Boston, late morning.

Pacey is standing in the middle of his new restaurant watching all of the activity that surrounds him; two men are painting as the electrician installs new light fixtures in the ceiling. He goes over to the two men that are painting.

“Looks like you missed a spot,” he says light-heartedly as the two men laugh.

“Mr. Witter we’ve been painting for over 30 years, we don’t miss anything,” the man answers Pacey in a thick Bostonian accent as they all share a light laugh before they go back to work.

Pacey continues to watch all of the activity revelling in the fact that he is, once again, creating somewhat of a Phoenix from the ashes with this new restaurant.

“I’m getting some practice at this,” he murmurs to himself, satisfied. Him, Pacey Witter, who never thought of himself as someone capable of doing anything worth it, is once again, creating something of the nothing. And it feels… good.

“That color is all wrong for that wall,” a female voice states behind him, interrupting his train of thoughts and causing Pacey to smile and then turn around.

“And you would know this how?” He asks the person and she comes more in to view.

“Oh please everyone knows that you don’t mix those cushions on those chairs over there with that color of paint.”

“Well, then I guess I’ll just have to fire my interior decorator and hire you Audrey,” Pacey cajoles getting Audrey to smile.

“You know I would so do a better job than her, it is a her right?”

Pacey lightly laughs, “Actually...”

“Never mind, whoever they are, they need lessons in basic decorating.” Audrey reaches her hand out and touches his arm in a friendly way and they both turn around to watch the painters for a moment.

(“Blue sky”, by Patty Griffin starts playing in the background)

“So when is Andie coming?” Pacey asks curious, telling himself that he is not impatient to see her at all. Well, maybe he is. But it is normal. She is his a good friend, after all.

The farther I come the farther I fall
Whatever I knew it was nothing at all
Nothing at all, just making me small
Smaller and smaller
I fall back

“Well, geez, can’t we pretend at last a little here? I mean, your old girlfriend who is still friends with you after all we’ve been through, and that’s all I get? When is Andie coming?” Audrey asks, pretending to be annoyed.

“I’m sorry” Pacey laughs, hugging her “I just thought you two would come together since you have been staying at her place the last couple of days.”

“Never mind, I was just kidding, It is actually cute,” she gives him a knowingly smile, but Pacey just glares at her as if he doesn’t know what she is talking about.

Sooner or later with a view from the ground
Chasing the race and the races run you down
Sooner or later with a view from the ground
And a tear in your eye

“So, you hungry?” he asks enthusiastically, rubbing his hands. “I can’t promise a world class meal but I do think that I have some sandwiches in the fridge.” Pacey motions towards the kitchen.

“Isn’t it a little early for lunch?” She asks peering over Pacey´s shoulder just in time to see one of the men put his foot in the paint holder.

She laughs causing Pacey to turn around to see what she is watching.

“Looks like you’ve got an Abbott and Costello there,” she says just as they both watch the other painter swing around with a paint roller barely missing the other one.

You say baby why can’t we fly
Into the blue sky
High
Into the blue sky

Pacey turns back around, “They were fine until you walked in. Your beauty is just to stunning for them,” he laughs causing Audrey to swat him on the arm.

“Well, then I guess we’d better get out of here so we can let them go back to work.”

Audrey and Pacey walk in to the kitchen and stay in silence as Pacey goes around preparing some sandwiches.

“You know, actually I came in sooner than Andie because I wanted to tell you something. I just wanted to say <a pause> thank you.”

Be my singing lesson
Be my song
When I tell you I'm falling
You tell me I'm strong

Pacey looks up from making their lunch, surprised “For what?”

“For starters for being such a great ex-boyfriend.” They smile at each other.

“Haven’t heard that one very often” Pacey jokes.

“And then, because of that call we got some time ago, remember?” Pacey nods his head. “I got calls from everyone afterwards, boy you work fast.”

“God Audrey, that was like almost a month ago” Pacey laughs.

You say trees have grown tall
birds have flown high
Higher and higher
Goodbye goodbye goodbye
I'll fly over a rainbow
I'll be sun kissed
Sail around the planet Venus
And send a long letter
Way back home

“Yeah, yeah, I now” she says, waving her hands in the air and rolling her eyes. “I’m a little late, but whatever.”

Pacey laughs. “So everybody called you?”

That says all that I know
All that I know is the blue sky
High in the blue sky

“Yup, I didn’t even get off my cell phone with one of them before another one was cutting in with call waiting. They were all afraid that I would turn to the bottle again,” she laughs, “But that so isn’t going to happen. When I talked to Joey she even apologized for not coming to see me when I was in rehab back in college,” her voice is soft and trails off.

“I’m glad that everyone called you. Face it Audrey, you’re part of the group and we care about you,” he brings their sandwiches over to the makeshift table in the kitchen then goes back to get the drinks.

They both sit down to each lunch but before they start.

The farther I come the farther I fall
Whatever I knew it was nothing at all
Trees have grown tall, birds have flown high

“I propose a toast,” he says raising his glass catching Audrey a bit off guard and making her laugh, “To Audrey Liddell, a person who makes our lives more interesting and who is an amazing woman,” Pacey grins as he watches Audrey beam under the appreciation when they clink glasses.

Pacey glances at his watch and Audrey chuckles very low, but Pacey can still hear her.

“Audrey…” he says.

Higher and higher

“What? There’s nothing wrong. I told you. It is actually cute”.

“Whatever,” Pacey says, biting his sandwich and Audrey smiles, biting hers as well.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

Capeside police department, early morning.

Jack slowly walks in, taking each step carefully, almost ready to back out at any second. Seeing Doug across the room, having breakfast at his desk, Jack stops and takes a deep breath, nervous about seeing his former boyfriend, but hoping he will support him. Knocking gently on his door, Doug seems surprised to see Jack at that time of the day, checking his watch quickly to see what time it was.

“Surprised?” Jack laughs.

“Sort of, shouldn’t you be at school by now?” Doug says, causing Jack to laugh again.

“Took the first class off, I hope my students haven’t killed their sub by the time I get back,” Jack says, sitting down across from Doug’s desk.

“What’s up? You look nervous about something,” Doug says, leaning back in his chair.

“How can you tell?” Jack asks, shifting nervously.

“I’m a cop, I know,” he says, offering Jack some of his sandwich.

“I got a visit from Drue Valentine, an old flame of Jen’s. Apparently he seems to think he’s Amy’s father,” Jack sighs, seeing Doug’s eyes widen.

“Really?” he asks, shocked.

“Yeah I guess they had this fling before Jen found out she was pregnant and he seems pretty sure that he’s the dad,” Jack sighs again, having a hard time believing his own words.

“And you? Do you think he’s Amy’s dad?” Doug asks.

“I don’t know,” Jack says softly, fidgeting with his pant leg. “I honestly don’t know anymore what is true and what isn’t. Jen was pretty secretive about the whole pregnancy thing, she never mentioned Drue or who could have really been Amy’s father. Part of me never wanted to know because at the time it didn’t matter, but now…seeing how different things are…”

“It’s understandable,” Doug says kindly. “You’re in shock, this is a big thing to be dealing with in addition to the court issues and Amy living with Bessie and Bodie.”

“Thanks,” Jack smiles.

“So what now?” Doug asks, taking a deep breath.

“Paternity tests in New York,” Jack sighs. “We’re going together and then find out for sure what’s going on.”

“What do you hope the test shows?” Doug asked curiously.

“I haven’t even really thought about it,” Jack says. “There’s just so much to process and think about. Part of me wants to know who Amy’s father is, but part of me doesn’t, because I think I’m that person, even though it’s not biological. I think I’m afraid that if Drue is her dad, he could take her away to spite me.”

“You are Amy’s dad, even if it’s not biological,” Doug says, leaning forward to pat his arm. “Just because it’s not by blood, doesn’t mean your feelings for her and what you felt for Jen are diminished in any way.”

“Thanks, I think I just needed to get it all out, hear myself say it,” he sighs.

“Well if you need anything before or after the test, regardless of the results, please let me know,” Doug says, causing Jack’s head to rise.

“Thanks,” he smiles.

“I’m serious, just because we’re not…together…that doesn’t mean that I don’t still care about you and Amy,” he says quietly.

“Same here,” Jack says. “Well I should go, Bessie and Bodie are meeting me for lunch with Amy.”

“Yeah no problem, just give me a call either way okay?” Doug smiles encouragingly at him.

“No problem. And thanks again, I really do appreciate it Doug,” Jack says, sharing a look with Doug before leaving, a large smile on his face.

Doug, in the other hand, is left with a pensive face, almost a guilty face, pushing his sandwich off his reach and leaning back on his chair.

Cemetery, Capeside, at that very same moment.

The sun is shedding its golden rays on Capeside as a car pulls in to the front gate of the cemetery. It winds its way slowly around the narrow road and comes to a stop. We see the driver is Drue, and next to him is sitting Grams. Drue sits in the car for a moment his heart beating fast a physical feeling that surprises him, but then again Jen had always seemed to have that affect on him.

Smiling weak, he turns to Grams.

“Thanks for letting me know where she is” he says politely and warmly. “Are you… are you coming with me?”

Grams just looks at him with a sympathetic smile, placing her hand over on of his on the steering wheel.

“I think I will just wait here. I got so many more days to come here and visit her. Or so I hope” she laughs almost inwardly.
Drue nods his head and his attention goes back to the direction where Jen’s grandmother told him she was lain. Grams watches him closely before speaking again.

“I have the feeling this is very important for you. This is your goodbye, isn’t it?” she asks gently.

Drue leans his head back against the car seat and inhales deeply trying to calm his nerves then reaches up to wipe the small amount of sweat that has gathered on his temple. She is right. This will be his goodbye, even though he is unable to fathom that she is gone. He had wondered the streets of New York for a while after he had talked to Jack then made the decision to drive all night to Capeside to visit her grave.

“Yes, I guess it is. Unless…”

Suddenly aware of whom he was talking to, he didn’t finish his phrase. But Grams is way too old for that.

“Unless Amy is your daughter.” she finishes softly for him.

Drue can only nods his head.

“Would you take her away from us, from Jack and me, if she is?” she asks tentatively.

Drue seems to think about it.

“Jen’s last wish was for her to be with Jack.”

That’s all he says, and Grams knows exactly what he means. Patting his hand tenderly, she smiles and watches him as he unfastens his seat belt, his hands shaking slightly. She watches him and she wonders who is this guy, if he could have made her Jennifer happy if she had given him the chance. She can’t stop asking herself questions as the dark haired young man gets out of the car.

("Fallen", by Sarah McLachlan starts playing in the background)

Shutting the door, Drue begins to look around this place that Jen now calls “Home.” The feelings that overwhelm him are of sadness that someone so full of life had to lose theirs at such a young age.

In a way he was surprised that she had a grave, Jen was always such a free spirit in so many ways but then again she always yearned for a place to truly call home where she felt loved and accepted and there would be no other place but Capeside that made her feel that way.

Heaven bent to take my hand
And lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight

A tear trickles down his cheek remembering the last time that he saw her, their parting while nothing special had left a whole in his heart that he felt most everyday. When he saw her in New York again after so many years, it was a bit awkward but they seemed to click in an odd but comforting sort of way again. He walks slowly continuing to take deep breaths almost turning around and aborting his mission of talking to Jen one last time.

During his drive to Capeside the day before, he wondered why no one called him. Granted he was no longer residing in Capeside and hadn’t for sometime but he liked to think of these people, Jen’s friends, as his own friends how ever strange that might sound. When he had asked Jack about a death/funeral announcement in the paper, Jack had shaken his head stating that Jen hadn’t wanted that.

His thoughts come back to the present as he now begins to count the numbers and stops abruptly seeing that he is no more than ten feet away from her grave, his feet falter and he can’t move any further. Drue begins to hear a voice deep inside his mind, “Come closer,” is all it says and it sounds a lot like Jen. Smiling at the sound of her voice, no doubt a memory, he continues to walk the few steps and stands at the foot of her grave staring at the inscription not quite focusing on exactly what it says.

Truth be told I've tried my best
But somewhere along the way
I got caught up in all there was to offer
And the cost was so much more than I could bear

He stares at the headstone and the words and dates on it along with Jen’s name.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way Jenny was it?” He asks almost expecting a reply from beyond. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here sooner but I just found out and I have to tell you that makes me mad.”

He begins to speak, gesturing with his hands at the tombstone and then turns around to face away somehow hoping that it will lessen the pain. Taking in a deep breath, he turns around to once again face her headstone and memories of Jen. He places the flowers that he had bought at a roadside gas station at the base of the headstone.

“I brought you flowers. I know these aren’t your favorite but I had short notice,” he speaks softly.

Though I've tried, I've fallen...
I have sunk so low
I have messed up
Better I should know
So don't come round here
And tell me I told you so...

He sits down next to her, his eyes wandering around at the other graves around her and then up to the sky. Twisting small blades of grass through his fingers, he beings to talk again.

“You were the only one that I let get close to me, the only one. I know that we went through a lot growing up and that I wasn’t the best guy for you to have in your life, at times, but I like to think that maybe you felt something deeper for me than just friendship. I just wish you had come to me and told me about this,” he motions over the grave. “But then Jack said that no one knew except Grams.”

He jumps slightly as he hears a noise not too far in the distance. Looking up, he sees that a car has pulled up and people are getting out walking to another grave.

We all begin with good intent
Love was raw and young
We believed that we could change ourselves
The past could be undone
But we carry on our backs the burden

“I see that you have a daughter now, Amy. I wonder if she’s mine since we had that night, you know the one,” his voice trails off and he half smiles remembering how it had been with them. “I know I was kind of a jerk, okay maybe more than kind of, when we were younger but I want you to know that I loved you in my own way. I just wish that we would have had more time, that you would have given me more time, especially after that night. I would have tried, I would have really tried to make you happy,” he claims wistfully.

Drue begins to stand once again. His hand traces the smoothness of the headstone, his fingers going along the curves and edges.

Time always reveals
The lonely light of morning
The wound that would not heal
It's the bitter taste of losing everything
That I have held so dear.

“Goodbye my Jenny. I’m sure that you are helping people wherever you are and I hope that you are happy, really happy because that’s the way that you make me feel even though you’re no longer here. Whenever I remember you, I want to believe that there’s someone out there that truly appreciated me for me and that’s saying a lot.”

I've fallen...
I have sunk so low
I have messed up
Better I should know
So don't come round here
And tell me I told you so...

He stands there for another moment before he kisses his fingers and places them on the headstone.

Heaven bent to take my hand
Nowhere left to turn
I'm lost to those I thought were friends
To everyone I know

“I hope I see you again someday,” and with that he turns and begins to walk away but not before turning around one more time.

Oh they turned their heads embarassed
Pretend that they don't see
But it's one missed step
You'll slip before you know it
And there doesn't seem a way to be redeemed

He sees the sun’s rays light up her tombstone and as he walks away, he hums a tune, a tune that he and Jen had danced to all those years ago and it eased the pain slightly, but he couldn’t help but to relish in living in some of the pain, a pain that brings him closer to Jen.

Though I've tried, I've fallen...
I have sunk so low
I have messed up
Better I should know
So don't come round here
And tell me I told you so...

Restaurant in New York City, lunchtime.

We see a crowed restaurant and the camera moves around when it finally comes to a stop and we can see Joey sitting in a table, trying to catch one of the maitre’s attention.

“Excuse me,” she says as he passes her by, not even looking at her.

Joey sighs and rolls her eyes and she is trying better luck with another one when the cell phone that is lying in the table rings. It is Dawson’s cell, and she picks up the call without second thoughts as she keeps trying to get one of the waitress’ attention.

“Joey Leery speaking.”

“Joey Leery? I didn’t know Dawson was married,” a queered voice says at the other side of the phone.

“Sorry! Joey Leery?? No, no, this is Joey Potter,” she says, weirded out, not knowing what the guy is talking about.

“You just said Joey Leery.”

“I did?” Joey asks, her eyes wide and not quite believing it. “Sorry, but who is calling? You can either leave a message for Dawson through the home phone number or call back in five minutes.”

“I’m Steven, just wanted to…”

“Steven? As in Steven Spielberg?” Joey exclaims, her eyes now even wider than before, when she sees Dawson walking back from the restrooms to the table. “Hold on a minute please,” Joey says and she hands the phone to Dawson as if it burns as soon as he arrives to the table.

Dawson takes the phone looking odd at Joey, wondering what is wrong.

“Hi, Dawson Leery speaking.”

“Oh hi Steven.”

“Yes, she is my girlfriend,” he says, looking at Joey bemused, while she is trying to keep her dignity and finally gets someone to bring them the bill. “Too much coffee,” he adds funnily causing Joey to know that he is talking about her, who, in return, throws him a devil stare, which only amuses Dawson even more.

“Sure, we’ll be there, as promised. We haven’t forgotten about it.” Dawson smiles as he takes the credit card out of his wallet and hands it to Joey, who hands the credit card to the waitress.

“Ok, see you there then. Thank you for calling.” and he laughs at something Steven says in the other side of the line.

The waitress hands him the bill to sign and he does, still smiling.

“Thanks,” he says, handing it back to her.

“Dawson Leery,” Joey, with her arms crossed over her chest, says seriously to him. Dawson looks at her playing innocent.

“Yeah?”

“Erase that goofy smile off your face if you don’t want me to wipe it off myself,” she menaces him pretending to be mad.

Dawson bursts out laughing and finally Joey gives up and buries her face in his hands, groaning.

“I bet now he thinks I’m retarded,” she complains and Dawson moves closer to her, placing his arm around her shoulders.

“No, he doesn’t. He just thought it was funny,” he says, kissing the top of her head. “And you know what’s funny? Those were the very same words I told him the very first time I talked to him. Remember? I told you that night, in front of the Potter B&B.” Dawson says, his lips caressing her hair near her ear, smiling.

Joey’s face perks up, and she is smiling as well.

“That’s true,” she laughs. “And my hands kinda started shaking as well,” she says as she places them over the table, in front of her. Dawson takes them lovingly and Joey rests her forehead on his shoulder for a moment before she starts speaking again.

“This is so amazing Dawson. I mean, I just talked with Spielberg on the phone. The one who created the magic. ‘E.T, come homeeee’” she says in her best ET impersonate voice, making Dawson laugh. “All those days and nights spent at your room, watching movies… But ET was the first one.” she smiles sweetly at him.

Dawson looks at her, at her sparkling eyes, at her wide and sincere smile, at her brown hair. Lovingly, he puts a strand of hair behind her ear, like he always did, like he always will.

“God, I love you,” he barely murmurs as he nears his lips to hers. Joey closes her eyes slowly as she watches him approach. Their lips meet softy and their eyes close as their lips start to dance.

Pacey´s new restaurant in Boston

Andie stands in the doorway watching the sight in front of her; Audrey and Pacey are in the main part of the restaurant.
Audrey is widely gesturing at a particular wall as Pacey laughs at her and points to something specific. He stops for a moment, feeling that someone else has entered the space and can just feel who it is. Softly smiling, he looks away from the wall and around Audrey to see Andie standing in the doorway. Taking in the sight of her, he inhales slowly then exhales as their eyes lock and she softly smiles at him leaning her head to one side. They look at one another from across the room for no more than a moment, eventually hearing someone’s voice, Audrey’s.

“You two are as bad as those other two,” Audrey exclaims then rolls her eyes.

“What’d you say Audrey,” Pacey asks still looking at Andie. Audrey whispers to Pacey, “What, are you afraid to touch her, afraid she’ll disappear. Go over there!”

("Today", by Smashing Pumpkins starts playing in the background)

Pacey lightly chuckles then whispers, “This is half the fun,” he answers as he passes by Audrey and goes over to give Andie a hug.

Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow,
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out

They both smile as they hug, letting it linger for a moment before pulling apart.

“So you want my opinion about some things?” She questions but Pacey is still lost in the moment, his thumb caressing her cheek. “Pacey,” Andie says slowly.

He snaps out of his thoughts, “What did you say?”

“You said you wanted me to come down here to ask my opinion about some things,” she repeats and Pacey nods.
Audrey watches the exchange from a distance, smiling at the happiness that Pacey has gained with Andie, wondering what it is that still keeps them apart. Everything is so… obvious. They just needed a little quality time together and POOF! It happened. She so knew it.

Taking Andie’s hand, they walk over the where Audrey is standing, not noticing her bemusement.

“Well, I don’t know why you are so surprised that I have asked you to come and help me. Haven’t I been doing that for the last three weeks? This is a little your place as well.”

“True,” Andie laughs, and Pacey smiles at her, then looks around the restaurant.

Before I get out
I wanted more
Than life could ever grant me
Bored by the chore
Of saving face

I’m having some trouble figuring out a theme for this place.”

“Have you decided what it is going to be yet,” Andie asks still holding his hand, very aware that his thumb is stroking the palm of her hand.

“I don’t know. You two are probably more up to what people are interested in today. With Audrey and all of those fashion magazines that she reads and you with your ever so refined tastes, I thought you two might be able to tell me what to do with this place.”

Audrey looks around the main room that they are standing in, “Informal, yet nice,” she suggests then looks at Andie.

Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I'll tear my heart out
Before I get out

“Well,” she begins slowly, “you are close to a lot of businesses and of course, the hospital,” she smiles. “I would think that you would want someplace that feels warm and friendly for people to get together after work but then you would also want a place where people can come where it is more formal.” Andie looks from Pacey´s face to Audrey’s.

Pacey nods his head, “There are two rooms here and the bar is the in the middle so how about one area where people could get together and socialize why another area is more for people that want the fine dining type of experience.”
Both women nod their heads.

“And I see that you have two entrances too, so people could go in whatever door they wanted,” Audrey adds.

“The area in here,” Andie begins “could be more casual, using old antique things to adorn the walls and keep the colours neutral. Then in the other area, you could use fancier lighting and rich, expensive looking colours, the jewel tones for the tablecloths, seat cushions. You could serve gourmet meals over there and hamburgers over her,” she continues on.

Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings

Pacey looks at her for moment, “Okay you’ve been thinking about this,” he asks looking in to her eyes.

“Well, yes I have, considering I’m going to be spending time here,” she squeezes his hand.

“What about the patio area?” Audrey asks. “A combination of the both?” She adds.

“That would be possible,” Andie looks out the windows to the patio area. “You could even do a buffet out there and brunch on Sundays”

Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day

Andie drops Pacey´s hand to go look at the patio area causing them to follow her.

“You both got this all figured out,” Pacey asks as he stands in between the two women.

“Don’t we usually,” Audrey answers.

He lets out a short laugh, “I guess you do.”

He opens up the doors that go out to the patio and they all go out.

I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you

“There are so many things you could do with this place,” Andie takes his hand once again, “And I’m sure it will be a great success,” she adds looking in to his eyes smiling.

Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day

Audrey calls them over to the edge of the patio, pointing at something as they all continue to talk about all of the things that can be done to this place, Pacey´s new restaurant.

Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known

Later that day, Jack’s house at Capeside.

Jack is killing time at home, unable to focus on his book, thinking only of Amy and the uncertainty of her paternity. Sighing, Jack closes the book and then re-opens it, unable to really focus on what he’s doing. Hearing a car door slam, he looks up to see Drue walking up to his door, his hands on his pockets.

Jack stands up and goes to his encounter, opening the door before he even gets to ring the bell.

“Hey there,” he says, waving one of his hand lightly when he arrives at the door.

“Where is Grams?” Jack asks, trying to see if she is coming behind Drue.

“She decided to stay for a little longer at the B&B. How long have you been here?” Drue asks, wanting to do small talk before sifting to the big one.

“About 20 minutes. I preferred to come here and not to… interrupt your moment” Jack says, and he feels so weird talking about that.

“She’s beautiful,” Drue says, meaning Amy, who he went to meet earlier that evening. His daughter or not, he wanted to know Jen’s little baby.

“What’s up Drue?” Jack says, seeing Drue cough nervously.

“Well I wanted to talk to you about the…you know…how to determine if I’m Amy’s dad,” he says, shuffling his feet. Any of them have actually moved from the door. Jack hasn’t even closed it.

“The paternity test?” Jack says, taking a deep breath.

“Yeah,” Drue says, shrugging unsurely. “Aren’t you… nervous about it?” Drue asks, looking at him, asking for the truth.

Jack finally closes the door and Drue follows him to the kitchen.

“Yes, of course I am, although I am trying not to think too hard about it, you know? That won’t change anything. And with the court date coming up, things are going to get busy pretty soon,” Jack says, rubbing his neck.

“Well, I can’t help but to think about it. What if I am the father? Even if you are the one raising her, it would still be a responsibility, you know? And well, it is…”

“Scary?” Jack finishes the line for him and Drue nods his head. “Tell me about it. I’ve been there”

The two men stand in the kitchen until Jack speaks again.

“You’re not going to try anything, right? This isn’t a trick of some kind?” Jack asks hesitantly all of a sudden.

Drue can’t help but feeling a little hurt about the question.

“Look I know why would you would be cautious but this is no joke. Why would I get into the trouble of coming here, talking to you, to Jen’s grandma, meeting Amy… and all for a joke. Trust me Jack. I’m not that kind of a guy. I might seem like a jerk. Ok, and I was a jerk in the past. But with this? Never. Ever. You can have my word,” Drue says, extending his hand as a sign of peace.

“Okay,” Jack says, believing his words. Ever since he told them about his encounter with Jen in the kitchen earlier that day, he has felt as if he could trust him. What a thought: trusting Drue Valentine. But he did. He does.

“So the tests are early tomorrow in the morning?” Drue asks.

“Yeah, I talked to my lawyer and he got us an urgent appointment, seeing how all of this can be truly relevant to the trial”

“So we’re leaving tonight as we said, right?”

“Yes, we are. Why?”

“Well, because before we go… do you have any…pictures of Jen or Amy that I could look through, you know just for curiosity,” Drue asks, seeing Jack smile lightly.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Jack says, taking him to the living room and pulling out an album from one of the shelves. “This album is the best one. You’ll just see,” he smiles, since he knows by heart each and every picture on it. He has watched them so many times he can’t even recall how many.

“Great,” Drue smiles, as they sit and Jack opens the album.

The camera pans out as they are flipping through pages.

Next day, early morning. Dawson’s Office in New York.

Walking around his office, Dawson is mumbling something as he looks down at his project notes. The new show seems to be going well. The entire eight episodes are written, with only the last three need to be filmed. The premiere is being this week and everybody is going around excited, stressed, nervous and overall, satisfied with the work they’re doing.

Dawson sits behind his desk and writes some notes when his eyes adverts to the copy of the manuscript Joey gave him early that morning. ‘Sssssh, don’t tell anyone I did this, in theory I can’t do this. But I really want you to have a look at it and think abut it.’ That’s what she has told him before they parted their ways, in the kitchen, when he was about to leave.
A whole new history. A whole new project. A new start.

Dawson takes the manuscript and clips through it.

‘I think it could make a great movie.’

Joey’s words keep going around his head as he reads some of the paragraphs, the idea growing more and more on him. The pros and the cons.

He looks around, and then back to the manuscript, then he stares off space.

He is in a good position now: as a producer of one of the most successful shows in TV in decades; as a producer in cooperation with Spielberg in his latest project. He likes it. He is happy and proud about all that. But it’s not like he *loves* it or he is *ecstatic* about it, the way he used to be at fifteen when he would take a camera and film whatever that was on his heart and mind at that moment. There is something missing. He misses being behind the camera, filming, directing the actors, on the set immersed in the chaos, giving instructions, demanding feelings, emotions. He misses building the whole movie on his own. Of course, at the level he is working now, ala Hollywood, is just not the same. You just can’t be in charge of everything. But who says it has to be in Hollywood? Who says it has to be a huge production? Maybe something more… intimate.

Something he can feel as totally… his.

He thinks about ‘The Creek’ and how he could easily keep it going for a couple of years more if he wanted to. Even if the storylines became repetitive and tiring (because, let’s face it, his life and Joey’s and even Pacey´s was like a big bad soap opera with the same storylines over and over again) people would more than likely keep watching just to see what happens. But he refuses to go there. He thinks that the best thing you can do is end something when it is still good, so you leave people wanting more instead of feeling like they wasted their time. Either way, he is done with it. Finishing the Spielberg’s project, leaving the show, starting from zero with a new project, all on his own, going back to his roots… It would be a risk. But what is wrong with that? Dawson thinks about Pacey, who is building his third restaurant by now. He was never afraid to take risks, why should he?

Going through some more of the pages, he thinks that it could be done. He would only need the permission of the writer. He would write the adapted script. Joey could help him. Yes, it could be perfectly well done. The setting of the movie though would probably be in…

A beep interrupts his thoughts, “Mr. Leery, Miss Potter is on the line should I put her through?” Doris, his secretary’s replacement, asks.

“You know the rules Doris, anytime Miss Potter calls put her through,” he answers then picks up the phone.

“Hey,” he says softly in to the phone, still looking to the manuscript.

“Hey,” she echoes back her voice sounding the same as his, soft and sweet. “So how’s your day going?”

“Good, just… thinking over some things” Dawson says, throwing the novel to the table and getting comfortable on his chair.

“About the novel?” Joey asks, a smile on her face.

Dawson smiles as well.

“How do you know that?”

“I saw the look in your eyes this morning. You want me to tell you when I knew I got you?”

“Please,” Dawson smiles even bigger, loving that she is able to read him like that, and loving her for it as well. No one else can do that. Not even his mother.

“It was when I got to that part of the castle, and the battle going on and the heroine fighting like a lion and the hero fighting to get to where she was. I could see you picturing it in your mind.“ Dawson laughs half ashamed and Joey laughs out loud. “You’re still such the hopeless romantic Dawson,” she says, loving that.

“Ok, so sue me Ms. Potter.”

Joey laughs.

“So how what’s your day?” he asks.

“It could be better,” she answers her voice sounding a bit worried now.

“Jo, what’s wrong?” Dawson sits up straight in his chair.

“I went to pick up my dress this morning at the cleaners while I was on my break and they ruined it,” she begins to complain. “What am I going to wear tonight Dawson?”

Dawson breathes a sigh of relief.

“Ok, I thought it was something grave”.

“Oh, looks who’s talking,” she exclaims, scandalized. “Who’s the one that called me at least three times to ask me what he should wear the day you met him!”

“Well, that was because you planted that fear in my head with your ‘what are you gonna wear’ question!” he exclaims back.

“Ha! Now put the blame on me,” Joey says, rolling her eyes.

“Ok, ok, fine. Back on topic please,” and by the groan he hears in the other side of the phone he assumes Joey agrees to that. “Jo that isn’t the only dress you own,” he adds trying to pacify her.

“It is the only one that I would consider wearing to this kind of meeting. I want to make a good impression, it’s the first time he is going to meet me. And after my… great performance on the phone the other day,” Joey rolls her eyes once again and Dawson laughs, to what she has no choice but smile as well. It was kinda funny actually, when you thought about it. ”I just want to… fit in, you know?”

“Joey, of course you will fit in. And not because of the dress you’re wearing, but just because you’re smart, and elegant and polite and friendly and can give good conversation and... actually, I think the rest of the people is the one who are not gonna fit in with you,” he laughs, making her smile once again.

“You think?” she asks, wanting him to stroke her ego a little more.

“Of course I do.”

“I still wanna look fine though.” she insists, and Dawson sighs.

“Ok, so you don’t have anything else you could wear?”

“Dawson I’m not exactly a movie star here. People don’t just throw clothes at me to wear to things like this,” she says, ironically.

Dawson thinks for a moment.

“What time do you get off work today?”

“I’m getting off earlier than usual to get ready for tonight,” she answers wondering what he is up to. By the tone of his voice she can tell she’s gonna like it though.

“I’ve got an idea. Hang on a sec Jo,” he says then buzzes his secretary. “Doris what is the name of that company that loans out dresses to people for awards shows and such?”

Doris looks through her Rolodex then gives the name and contact information to Dawson.

“Jo you still there?”

“Yesss, I am,” she says suspiciously, but enjoying immensely whatever she knows he is planning.

“How about if you get to have one of those dresses that the movie stars wear?” He smiles widely. “There’s a place here in town that loans out dresses for awards shows, parties and all that and I’ve got the contact information. I’m sure they can find you something.”

Joey thinks for only a second, “I bet they don’t have anything in my size.”

“Joey you’re a size what 4 or 6 right? I’m sure they do.” He hears a pause, “So?”

“Okay, I’ll give them a call” so Dawson gives her the information. “This ought to be interesting.” Joey adds rolling her eyes.

“It’ll be fun, exciting. I won’t know what you’re going to wear then.” He says, raising his eyebrows and smiling mischievously.

“Don’t get your hopes up to high Dawson. I guess I’ll go give them a call right now,” she adds looking at the time.

“And Jo, if everything else fails, you could always wear your birthday suit,” he laughs.

“Very funny Dawson but I don’t think Spielberg would appreciate that as much as you would. I’ll make you a deal though,” she says, her voice turning seductively, “I’ll give you a private fashion show when we get home. Bye,” and the phone goes dead, leaving Dawson staring at it, then a slow smile curling up his lips.

Hospital at New York, still early in the morning.

Jack stands up as Drue walks out of the room at the hospital.

“Well, it’s done.” Drue says, sighing, half relieved, half anxiously, the tension about the whole thing showing on his face.

“Yes, it is,” Jack says, his expression as tense as Drue’s.

For a moment they both stand there, facing each other, not knowing exactly what to say. They both are tired of driving part of the night to get to New York and not getting much sleep, thinking about the test for the next day.

Drue is about to speak when Jack’s cell phone rings. Both men exhale an imperceptible sigh of relief, thankful that something broke the uncomfortable silence.

“Hi there Sister,” Jack greets cheerfully, trying to cover his anxiety.

“Jack, are you at the hospital already?” and we can see Andie in a corner of some place that looks familiar, but we don’t know yet where it is.

“Yes we are. We are here,” Jack says, glancing at Drue, who is getting a latte from the machine in the aisle. “Drue and me. He just took the test.”

“I see,” Andie says and we see her nodding at someone’s direction. “How long will it take to get the results? Did they tell you?” she asks as Pacey appears by her side with a concerned face. Him, like everybody else, is shocked and worried about this possible turn of events.

“Well, considering that it is coming with a judicial order, I guess it will take the shortest it can,” Jack says. “They said they would try to have them by today, and if not, have it by tomorrow.”

“Well, so we’ll know by tomorrow maximum,” she says, and neither of them speaks for a moment, pondering what could happen the next day is the tests say that Drue Valentine is Amy’s father. “Wait a minute, Pacey wants to speak with you,” Andie says as Pacey gestures her to pass him the phone.

“Hi Jack, how is it going man?” Pacey asks as Andie stands next to him, listening to the conversation.

“Well, let’s just say that it is going. What about you? Andie can only tell me good things about that new restaurant of yours.” Jack smiles.

“She does?” Pacey beams, looking at Andie who smiles back and shrugs her shoulders. “The restaurant is going well. We think we’re gonna make it on time for the opening date we announced,” Pacey adds confident.

“We? You and who else?” Jack asks, knowingly, and Pacey seems to be caught in the act. Andie just walks away pretending she has something to do.

“Me. Me and you know, just the people that are involved on it. I have been hiring a few persons already. Everything is almost ready,” Pacey says, getting back on track.

“I’m glad to hear that Pacey. I’m afraid I gotta go now though. Talk to you two later, ok?”

“Ok, keep us updated,” Pacey says.

“I will,” Jack replies, and hangs the phone.

For a moment, he stares at the phone and starts thinking about Andie. About Andie and Pacey, and that conversation he had that day with Pacey in the car, about him and Andie. Jack realizes he has been so caught up in his own melodrama that he hasn’t been paying much attention to the things going on around him, although Audrey has made a good job keeping him updated, but it hasn’t been until now that he has realized that things might have gone a little faster and further than he expected them to go. Is he surprised? Not really. Is he upset about it? Upset that her sister is spending so much time with her first love, the guy that made her chose him over her dead brother and walk out of that bathroom when he had lost all hope. The only guy that could break her heart all over again. One of his best friends.

‘Things are complicated for all of us in their own way’ he reflects. ‘But I hope that for some of us, things turn out fine. I really hope so,’ he thinks, looking once again to the cell on his hand.

Slowly, he walks back to where Drue is sitting.

(Some New York images fading to one another)

Lunchtime, restaurant in New York

The now familiar restaurant is crowed, as always. It’s lunchtime, the time to meet, if ever briefly, with the people that you can barely talk to for the rest of the day. The camera pans across the place and we see people talking with people, people talking on their cell phones, people sitting alone and reading… until we reach a table where we can see the back of a young blond woman gesturing and making the people sitting with her laugh. We see that that people are no less than Joey sitting to her right, whose hand is under the table, joining Dawson’s, who is sitting next to her. Then Jack, and finally, Drue Valentine. The camera moves full circle and finally see that the woman speaking was no one but Audrey.

“So there he was, trying to move the furniture without knowing that it was glued to the wall. Andie told him not to keep pushing, but Pacey was obstinate on moving it,” Audrey laughs and Joey shakes her head, amused.

“Typical,” Joey says.

“And what were you doing while all that was happening?” Drue asks, slyly.

“What else?” Audrey asks, winking an eye to him as she takes some food to her mouth. “Watching the show.”

Drue shakes his head, a smile on his face. The girl is funny, and she got to take his mind off his troubles. Everybody’s minds for that matter.

“So Drue, right?” Audrey asks, and he nods his head. “So I think I entered the picture of this dysfunctional group – and no offence, I’m talking about the past, you all have gotten much better since then,” Audrey says, making eye contact with the three of them only to be met by a sigh, rolling eyes and Dawson throwing her some bread that she dodges graciously as she laughs.

“So you entered the picture…” Drue props her to finish her sentence with a gesture of his hand in the air.

“Yeah, I was saying: I think I entered the picture right after you left. So we had never met before. A pity, I must say,” she finishes, pouting her lips playfully.

Jack looks up shaking his head, pretending to be exasperated but secretly rejoicing in the whole situation. Audrey and Drue. Go figure.

“Yeah,” Joey says, “seems like there is someone up there after all, with a plan for all of us. Because the two of you together, at the same time and space, I don’t think that we could have taken it.” she jokes, earning a glare from her friend and a laugh from Jack.

“Are you kidding?” Dawson says, looking at her, a funny expression on his face just thinking of the possibility. “It would have been very entertaining,” he adds, what earns him to get back the bread he threw to Audrey before, making him chuckle.

“Oh yes, sure. Mostly when the greatest part of you couldn’t even stand me,” Drue says, taking a sip of his drink.

“Stand you Drue?” Joey asks, leaning on the table to stare at him. “We hated you,” she laughs, remembering the days.

“And you know why was that?” Drue asks.

“Because you, even though indirectly, gave drugs to my sister?” Jack asks, pretending to be considering if it could have really been because of that.

“Because you made my life hell at the yacht club?” Joey pretends to be pondering her own question.

“Because you were always trying to make trouble between Pacey, Joey, and me?” Dawson asks, looking around and seeing Joey and Jack nod their hand in agreement.

“Wow,” Audrey laughs.

“Oh come on you guys! It wasn’t that bad,” he says, only to be met by sceptical looks. “The only reason why you couldn’t stand me was because I always talked the truth. And some of you really had some troubles these days facing it. Jen was the one that could really understand me, if even a little.”

As he says that a silence falls over the table.

“At least that is what I like to think,” Drue jokes, trying to dissipate the palpable tension.

“So how did the tests go?” Dawson asks, glad that finally he found a moment to ask about it.

“They’ll have the results later today or tomorrow,” Jack answers his question, “since they could be relevant for the trial.”

“I see,” Dawson mutters and Joey squeezes his hand under the table.

“And what are you gonna do if…?” Joey asks, making the question Jack hadn’t had the courage yet to ask, and making his heart skip a beat.

“I wouldn’t go against Jen’s will, but of course I would like to…” Drue adds, turning to Jack.

Jack nods his head, relieved to hear what he just heard.

“Of course you would.”

“Cool,” Drue smiles weakly and silence fall upon them once again.

“Drue Valentine, you might not be as bad as we always thought. That, or sure time can make people change,” Joey says, her voice a mixture of surprise and mock, but also warm. This could be, after all, Amy’s father. Who could have thought, huh?

“Well guys, I better go. Duty calls,” Dawson says, getting up as he glances at his watch, followed by Joey.

“Same here,” Joey says, putting her hair up in a ponytail. “I still got a whole manuscript to go through, and a dress to pick up,” she says, throwing a glance to Dawson, “among other things. Plus an appointment I just can’t miss,” she says, grabbing Dawson’s hand as they start to move towards the door.

“Talk to you later,” Dawson says to Jack and Joey waves her free hand to them.

With somehow a mischievous smile on his face, Drue can’t help one last comment.

“See? I told you Dawson. It was just a bad boy phase,” leaving everybody in the table wondering what he is talking about.

Dawson turns to him, rolling his eyes. Joey just frowns, not knowing what this is about neither.

“You know how you said that time can change people?” Dawson asks to Joey, and she nods her head, still frowning. “Well, maybe it doesn’t after all.” he adds, leaving her as clueless as before although he knows she will go over it over and over again until he caves in and tell her where the joke is.

But Drue laughs and Dawson smiles as him and Joey walk away together hand by hand.

Joey’s therapist.

We see Joey sitting in a chair from behind an armchair where we can only see the back of a woman sitting there, facing Joey. The camera comes closer to Joey as she keeps on talking, looking to her therapist, gesticulating with her hands from time to time. She looks way much comfortable than the first time we saw her sitting there.

(“Narrow daylight” by Diana Krall starts playing in the background)

Narrow daylight entered my room
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over
Summer is near
Are we stronger than we believe?

“I was a young, angry girl. I hated the world around me; I hated my circumstances, anger boiling inside of me the greatest part of the time, always ready to explode. Feeling betrayed, tired and bitter. Wanting, wishing to be another person, to have another life. But there was him you know? And as the song says, ‘I took peace in the eyes of the boy,’” Joey says, smiling softly, lovingly, as she recalls the feelings Dawson made her feel when everything was young and new. “Dawson was my refuge, my solace, my own god. His laugh my breath, his room the sanctuary I would always run to and hide in from the rest of the world. And all I wanted, all I dreamed with, was him. With the innocent heart of a child, I thought he would be the one to save me and make my life perfect. Better. But he didn’t. He didn’t because no one can do that, but you. The rest of the people can help you in the process, they can make you complete and happy and a better person once you have done it yourself before. They can help you in the process, but never fix you.”

The camera goes around Joey slowly as she stares of the space with her brow furrowed to the floor, deep in thought.

“And that was what made me run from him. I was afraid that if I stayed with him, I would cling myself to him too tight, I would lose myself in him, nullifying myself on my co-dependence on him. But isn’t that what we always do to some extent with all our relationships? We take, but we give as well. And we change and grow, and learn. But I didn’t know that back then. All I knew was that I have to learn to stand by myself. I wanted to be strong. I wanted to be the strong one. And maybe that is because after him, I would always chose the guys that needed me more desperately.”

“So you could be the strong one?” the therapist asks calmly.

Joey seems to be thinking about it as she nods her head slowly.

“Yeah.”

I walked through halls of reputation
Among the infamous too
As the camera clings to the common thread
Beyond all vanity
Into a gaze to shoot you through

For a moment, they remain silent before Joey speaks again.

“It was that, and at the same time it was also hard to open up at him completely. I mean, he knew me better than anyone else. He knew my dreams, he knew me inside out. I told him he didn’t once, when we were dating, but I was lying; he did. To certain point, I think that he knew me even better than myself, and that was hard to take, because I felt as if I were naked around him all the time. You can’t pretend or hide anything, you’re always exposed. And if you’re not ready, that can be kinda... exhausting. And I guess that was what made me go with the guys that knew me the least. Guys that actually, would know anything about me or about what was going on inside of my head, and much less, inside of my soul.”

Is the kindness we count upon
Hidden in everyone?

“And what has changed now? What makes it different now that makes you think it could work between you and Dawson?”

I stepped out in a sunlit grove
Although deep down I wished it would rain
Washing away all the sadness and tears
That will never fall so heavily again

Joey bites her bottom lip before answering.

Is the kindness we count upon
Hidden in everyone?

“Because I’ve changed. I grew up. We both did. I was always putting the blame on him for his Peter Pan complex, but it was really me, the one who was always afraid to go ahead and try new things. Going to college was the first step, but everything still got confused there. I think the first time I truly felt good with myself, the moment that started the growing process, was when I finally realized my dream of going to Paris. That felt so incredibly good! Even though we al had parted ways after that when I came back home, or even precisely because of that, I felt whole on my own for the first time. But then time passed by, feelings got pushed to the back, and when we all met again, and Jen dying… It was a wake up call that I interpreted the wrong way. I tried to go back to a place I knew, trying to escape from a relationship that meant nothing anymore to me, back to the arms of an old flame and getting my soul mate back into my life like I always had him: just making me feel better for the mere fact of being there. We all know how that ended though. I was wrong once again, and who could have said that accepting love, real love, was so hard? But now I’m ready. And is not that I think it can work, but that it is actually working. Sure, we have our good and bad days, just like everybody else. But that is the point: to make it through the bad as well, what is something that Dawson and I needed some practice at. And I don’t mean having a fight and then just covering it up with sweet words and loving kisses, like I used to do with the rest of the guys. I could never do that with Dawson. We just have to sit, and talk about it, and see what’s wrong and how to fix it. If I think he works too much, if he thinks I am too stressful at times… we talk about it. I mean what I want to say is… what I’ve realized is that it is easy to fall in love, but not that easy to keep the love alive. It needs trust, understanding, and deep knowing of each other. You need to know what the other person is feeling and needing, so you can give it to them, and it has to work the other way around as well. It needs daily support and care, and someone you can connect with in every level. Dawson is that person. He has always been,” she ends, crocking a sweet half smile. “I’m just sorry that it took me all this time to accept it,” she finishes, looking at her hands intertwined in her lap.

After a pause, she keeps talking.

“You know, I was having lunch with some friends today, just an hour ago. One of them, Audrey, talked about two other friends of mine. Pacey and Andie. Pacey is my ex,” Joey says, and the therapist nods her head, letting her know that she remembers the history. “And Andie is his ex, from high school that it was where they broke up, right before Pacey and me get together for the first time, are you following me?” Joey asks, and the therapist nods her head once again. “Ok, so Audrey has told us how in the few times she has visited them since Pacey moved there just a month ago, they seem to be closer and closer each time. And when I hear that, all can think is: ‘yeah, finally. Is as if everything is finally… they way it should have always been’. And all I can feel is this… peace” she gestures with her hands “inside of me. Like we all finally arrived to where we had to arrive. Or at least, we are in our way there. And I had… had never felt like this before.” she smiles, realizing how truth is that.

I stood there in the salt spray air
Felt wind sweeping over my face
I ran up through the rocks to the old
wooden cross
It's a place where I can find some peace

“You talk about you as a group. But what about you as an individual. Do you really think you are heading to where you always wanted to go?”

“Yes, I am,” Joey replies without hesitation. “I am starting to work on my art again, and it is so exciting. It makes me feel alive, shining, and expressive. When I work in the publishing firm, I like the control I have over the manuscripts, how I can change this or that to make it better, how I can take something that is good and make it into something excellent. I know I can do my job well. But art is like… being free. Like flying. Like leaving your mind blank and allowing feelings light, colors to invade you, and you just… leave everything out, and it feels… so genuine. When you finish a painting or a sculpture and look at it and it is exactly what you wanted to do… it’s overwhelming.”

“What about your family Joey?”

Narrow daylight entered my room
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over

“My father is back, this time for good. He is now in charge of the family restaurant, which is back to our family. We talk on the phone almost everyday, he has even come to New York to visit us. He is happy, genuinely happy, and now that I can trust him and that I have allowed him in, he has brought me something I didn’t expect: my mother. He brought my mother back.” Joey smiles. “Last time we went to Capeside, just a few days ago it would have been my mother’s birthday. We, Dawson, Bessie, Bodie and I, just sat in there in the porch with him and listened to him talking about her. I never thought he had really loved her, because of… you know, everything that happened in the past. But he did. He did really love her; I could see by the way his eyes shinned and the smile on his lips. And when everybody went to sleep and the two of us stayed there, I asked him for more histories, and I… I cried in his arms for the first time for her. And I… I was comforted by my father. My father was there for me,” she smiles sweetly, remembering the moment.

Summer is near

“So now, if you close your eyes and think of your future, what do you see? Where and how do you see yourself Joey?”

Joey closes her eyes and a slow, lazy, and happy smile creeps to her lips.

Are we stronger than we believe?

(Montage of images of the city of New York as the day passes by)

The Four Seasons Hotel, New York City. Evening.

“Joey you look beautiful,” Dawson smiles looking sideways at her while he drives.

“Thank you, I’m just glad that they had something for me,” Joey says while playing with the black, beaded necklace around her neck.

“I would definitely say that they had more than something for you,” he kids with her as they arrive at the front gate of the hotel and stop in there.

("Dreams" by Cranberries, starts playing in the background)

He softly touches Joey’s hand, taking it, and bringing it to his lips to kiss her hand. They lock eyes as she moves her hand to his face, caressing his cheek with her finger causing him to close his eyes revelling in the feeling of her touch. Dawson lets out a breath.

Oh, my life is changing everyday,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams, it's never quiet as it seems,
Never quiet as it seems.

“Wow, we’re really here, together. I can’t imagine not sharing this with you,” he admits.

Joey leans over and kisses him softly, both of them oblivious to the fact that the valet waiting next to the car door.

“Sir?” The man repeats several times.

Joey breaks the kiss, “Dawson,” she points towards the window and Dawson blushes slightly, chuckling “I think someone wants to talk to you.”

“Welcome Ms., Sir,” the valet says, nodding his head ceremoniously to both of them as he speaks and opening the door for Joey as Dawson gets out of the driver’s side.

I know I've felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more,
Because it came from you.
And then I open up and see the person falling here is me,
A different way to be.

Joey seems to be a little overwhelmed, as she looks around the big hotel, so glamorous and so impressive. Dawson notices and he takes her hand.

“First times are always amazing. Aren’t they?”

“I was more likely thinking about the night we’re gonna spend here afterwards. I can’t believe you rented the main suite,” she smiles at him at the same time she bites he bottom lip, excited at the thought.

“Well, I guess I’m not Captain Hum Drum anymore, right?” he jokes, remembering that day in high school, in their first month anniversary after reuniting.

“Of course you’re not, you fool,” Joey beams at him, nearing her face to his. “I always knew you would grow up to be one of the good ones.”

Dawson beams back and kisses before they start walking up the steps to the front door. They go through the revolving door together and get to the reception desk.

I want more imposible to ignore,
Impossible to ignore.
And they'll come true, impossible not to do,
Impossible not to do.

“Mr. And Mrs.,” Dawson pauses for a moment knowing what he was about to say, “Uh, Mr. Leery and Miss Potter to see Mr. Spielberg,” he continues blushing ever so slightly which does not go unnoticed by Joey, who smiles and looks at the ground for a moment, squeezing his hand and letting him know that it is okay.

“Right this way Sir, “ and the couple are ushered in to the big hall, leading them to an elevator that opens in the attic. Soft, classical music is playing in the background and the aroma of food permeates the house.

“This is so ‘Pretty Woman,’” Joey whispers in Dawson’s ear, amused and Dawson laughs out loud at her remark.

“Julia Roberts never looked as good as you though,” he says, making her smile in delight as he always does when he tells her those kinds of things.

“Can I take your wrap Miss Potter,” the butler asks, interrupting the moment and Joey slips it off of her shoulders and on to his arm.

“Thank you,” she says smiling once again taking Dawson’s hand.

“You’re to go on in,” the butler points towards the main living room of the suite, where they hear several voices talking and lightly laughing.

Standing in the doorway, Dawson and Joey spot Ethan and Samantha right away, going over to them.

“We were beginning to wonder when you two were going to get here,” Samantha says as the waiter comes by offering his tray of appetizers to them.

“I’m sure they have a perfectly good excuse why it took them longer to get here than us,” Ethan says winking at Joey.

“You know we’re always on time when we go out together.”

“Yeah, like when we went to that baseball game,” Ethan says, cocking his eyebrow mockingly.

“That was…” Joey starts.

“… an accident” Dawson finishes, and the four laugh.

“And what time did you two get here anyway?” Joey asks light-heartedly causing Sam to wink an eye to her and Ethan to clear his throat.

“Right before you, we got here right before you,” Sam elbows Ethan almost causing him to drop his glass.

Joey’s eyebrow goes up and Dawson half laughs.

“So what guys? Did we have fun last week at that baseball game or what?” Ethan asks, and Dawson laughs.

“Oh yes, best time of my life,” he says, joking.

“Well, we know that you’re not the biggest sporty men out there, but the game was good any way,” Sam says knowingly. She has always loved sports.

“I’m not the sporty kind of girl neither, but it was ok. Something different from what we used to do anyway,” Joey says, wrinkling her nose to Dawson.

“Well, that’s for sure,” he winks at her and she laughs. Then he snakes his arm around Joey’s waist, pulling her close to him.
“Want to come with me?” He whispers in her ear, she smiles nodding her head. “Excuse us for a little bit.”

“Sure,” Ethan and Sam both say at the same time.

Dawson opens the door and leads her out on to the balcony. She stands at the edge as he stands behind her.

And now I tell you openly, you have my heart so don't hurt me.
You're what I couldn't find.
A totally amazing mind, so understanding and so kind;
You're everything to me.

“What are we doing?” She asks as he puts down his champagne glass and puts his arms around her waist.

“Fulfilling a fantasy,” he states plainly.

“A fantasy huh?” She puts her champagne glass down as well as his lips gingerly kiss her neck and she closes her eyes.
She blissfully sighs.

Oh, my life,
Is changing every day,
In every possible way.

“I’ve always dreamed of you being by my side when this happened, but my dreams pale in comparison to the reality of being in love with you and having this happen tonight.”

Joey turns around as Dawson keeps his hands on the railing, “I always knew this would happen someday,” leaning in to kiss him then resting their foreheads together, both of them just enjoying being in the moment.

“I think we better go back in now,” Joey attempts to move but doesn’t succeed.

“Dawson what are you doing?” She asks as he kisses her one more time.

“I love you,” he says looking in to her eyes then takes his hands off of the railing to grab her glass and hands it to her, “Here’s to us,” he says raising his champagne glass clinking it with hers.

“Here’s to us,” she echoes.

And oh, my dreams,
It's never quiet as it seems,
'Cause you're a dream to me,
Dream to me.

They both take a sip before Dawson takes her hand once again going back in the suite.

Since they left, the party is now in full swing with many of the people that Dawson will be working with on the project. He goes over and introduces Joey to as many as he can before Steven appears in the doorway.

“Welcome everyone,” he begins, “I’m sorry I’m a bit late to my own party but duty calls.” Steven walks in to the living room, quickly spotting Dawson and Joey and walks through the crowd, shaking people’s hands and thanking them for coming.

“Dawson, and you must be Joey, right?”

Joey nods her head and shakes his hand firmly, no trace of nervousness at all, deciding to make it better this time.

“Joey Potter, nice to meet you Mr. Spielberg. And sorry about the other day,” she bites her bottom lip and smiles slightly embarrassed.

“No problem, is kinda flattering to see that an old man like me caused a reaction like that to such a beautiful and young lady,” he jokes. “It’s nice to meet you,” he says as he shakes Dawson’s hand and kisses Joey on the cheek. “You two doing alright?” He asks as they both share the same look.

“We’re doing just fine.” Joey answers squeezing Dawson’s hand.

“Great. Well, I’m going to go mingle. Enjoy yourselves. And Dawson, we’ll talk later,” he smiles then walks away going to shake hands and talk to the rest of the guests.

Ethan and Sam find their way over to Dawson and Joey once again and the foursome begins to chat and laugh as the evening continues.

'Cause you're a dream to me,
Dream to me.

New York’s hospital, at that very same moment.

Drue and Jack sit quietly in the hospital waiting room, each doing what he can do pass the time before the nurse comes out with the test results. Jack is staring aimlessly at the TV, not even paying attention to what is on the screen while Drue flips blindly through a magazine, gazing at pictures of little babies, wondering if Amy could really be his.

“So, are you done with the magazine?” Drue asks, signaling to the Parent magazine sitting in Jack’s lap.

“Yeah, I wasn’t really reading it anyhow,” Jack says with a sigh.

“Me either, but I guess it’s better than…” Drue starts, seeing Jack nod.

“I know what you mean,” he says, both sharing an awkward smile.

“Mr. Valentine, Mr. McPhee?” a woman calls, causing both of them to stop immediately and look at one another, knowing it’s time.

("Face the truth", by Rufio starts playing in the background)

“Yes,” Jack stammers, walking with her quickly to a side room, Drue hot on his heels.

You take a look around.
You don't like what you see.
There's people you don't know.
But you know they care.

“We have the DNA test results you requested on Amy Lindley McPhee,” she says, not noticing the men’s anxiety.

“And?” Drue asks, wringing his hands.

“The male DNA sample tested against Amy came up negative, he wasn’t the father,” she says, looking up finally to see Jack take a breath of relief and Drue’s head to fall.

It's been so long since you've heard the hurting words.
I care for you, and it's right this time.
Forget your past, and see what is now.
Even if you don't want to, you gotta face the truth.
You gotta face the truth.

“I know this is needed over at the court, but I’ll make a photocopy for you to look over and courier it to the courthouse immediately,” she says softly, leaving them alone in the room.

“Wow, that’s it,” Jack says softly, not believing all his worrying is over like that. Expecting to see a relived look on Drue’s face, Jack is surprised to see him almost in tears.

“Are you okay?” he asks, patting Drue’s shoulder.

“Yeah just a bit…disappointed and surprised,” he says softly.

“Disappointed?” Jack repeats, surprised.

You wait to say good-bye.
"Someday" may come along.
Not thinking of reality.
You make the most of your lies.
A broken heart comes crashing down.
From your stab from behind.
Not willing to admit the truth?
Just face the truth.

“Yeah, I really thought…all the pieces seemed to fit together, when Jen and I were together, then Amy’s birthday, etc.” he sighs.

“You wanted her to be yours?” Jack asks.

“Part of me did yes, part of me wanted to look at her, see her mother and know that I helped give her the greatest joy she knew and give me something now to remember her by,” Drue sighs.

“Just because you’re not her dad, that doesn’t mean she can’t still be your link to Jen,” Jack says softly.

You wait to say good-bye.
"Someday" may come along.
Not thinking of reality.
You make the most of your lies.
A broken heart comes crashing down.
From your stab from behind.
Not willing to admit the truth?
Just face the truth.

“I miss her, more than I let on, and part of me wanted Amy to look at me the way I looked at Jen, wishing that I could make up for my mistakes,” he says, looking straight in front of him.

“You still can,” Jack says, seeing Drue’s head rise. “Amy is the link we all still have to Jen, she is what keeps her alive for us. That doesn’t mean she can’t be that to you too. She could always use another uncle, someone to help her later on keep her mother’s memory alive.”

“You’d really let me do that? After all the crap in high school you all mentioned at lunch?” Drue asks, surprised.

You wait to say good-bye.
"Someday" may come along.
Not thinking of reality.
You make the most of your lies.

“Of course, what happened in high school stays in high school, we were just kidding,” Jack laughs. “Besides I don’t think you’re the same person I remember from then, otherwise I wouldn’t offer.”

“Thanks,” Drue says, tentatively leaning in for a hug.

“Let’s get out of here, I’ll buy the ice cream,” Jack laughs, seeing Drue finally smile.

“Thanks Dad,” he jokes, seeing Jack punch him softly.

Not willing to admit the truth?
Why don't you care?

The Four Seasons Hotel, still at the Spielberg’s cocktail.

Samantha is chatting animatedly with someone as Ethan in standing by her side, his arm loosely placed around her waist and as he is chatting away with someone else as well. Dawson watches them for a moment as they talk. The way they act around each other, so comfortable, so at ease, and he smiles.

Then he looks around as he takes the glass of wine from the table to his lips. Spielberg is talking with one of the main actors in the show in the far corner, and leaving the cup to the table again, Dawson smiles to himself.

“Someone is feeling good abut himself tonight.”

Dawson turns to Joey with that quiet, serene smile of his and takes her extended hand into his, his thumb caressing her skin. She smiles warmly at him as she sits down in the chair next to him, leaning to him so he can kiss her temple, his eyes closed as he does that.

For a moment, they just stay there, in silence.

("Burn", by Jo Dee Messina starts playing in the background)

“I went to therapy today,” Joey says, still looking ahead of her.

Do you wanna be a poet and write?
Do you wanna be an actor up in lights?
Do you wanna be a soldier and fight for love?
Do you wanna travel the world?

“I know,” Dawson says, looking ahead as well. He is not surprised she talks to him about it. She always does. They always talk about what she said in there and Dawson laughs that that is good because that way he is getting a free therapy as well.

“For the last time,” Joey adds.

Do you wanna be a diver for pearls?
Or climb a mountain and touch the clouds above?
Be anyone you want to be
Bring to life your fantasies
But I want something in return

Dawson looks at her and she turns to him as well, smiling.

“Well, you know, she said there are still things I need to work on,” Joey jokes, pointing to her head with a finger and Dawson laughs. “But she also said that I can do it on my own. That there are things only time can heal though.”

“Like your father?” Dawson asks quietly.

“Like my father coming back. I am happy for it. You know it, and he knows it. And I know that this time is the time. I know it in my heart. But I still need time to prove it, because it is so… incredible to have him back. Everything is so incredible. This,” she says, motioning to the room full of people, “You, me” she adds, turning to him once more.

I want you to burn, burn for me baby
Like a candle in my night
Oh burn
Burn for me
Burn for me

Dawson just smiles at her.

“I know.”

Joey smiles back and then stands up, looking to the balcony behind them. The doors open and inviting to the starry night with the moon shinning up there.

“Let’s dance,” she simply says, extending her hand to him.

Are you gonna be a gambler and deal?
Are you gonna be a doctor and heal?
Or go to heaven and touch God's face?
Are you gonna be a dreamer who sleeps?
Are you gonna be a sinner who weeps?
Or an angel under grace?

Hand by hand, they walk to the large balcony where some people is already having some drinks and just enjoining the warm night. Naturally, Dawson’s arms come around Joey’s waist and her hand goes to his shoulder. They start to dance slowly, lacing their fingers, smiling at each other, their eyes locked, their noses almost touching.

At one point, Dawson looks around and then back at Joey.

“You’re right, this is amazing. Everything happening to us is amazing. You going back to your art; having an exhibition soon; me working with Spielberg. And the most amazing thing: you and me. I was so afraid to grow up when I was a kid. But now I know that is all worth it. And you Joey, you were always my inspiration. You’re still are. You helped me without even knowing. You made me who I am today.”

Joey looks at him with teary eyes, her throat constricted.

I’ll lay down on your bed of goals
Offer up my heart and soul
But in return
I want you to burn
Burn for me baby

“You made me who I am today Dawson.” she softly says.

Like a candle in my night
Oh burn burn for me burn for me

“I’m leaving ‘The Creek’,” Dawson blurts out, leaving Joey slightly shocked. Dawson stares at her and smiles at her shock. “I don’t need it anymore. I’m gonna close the saga. I am closing that book forever. I don’t need to revisit the past and live on it anymore. I got all I want, who I want, right here. And there are so many more things that I can do!” he says, enthusiastically, and Joey smiles at is enthusiasm. “Working with Steven has also opened my eyes: I want to direct again. Make an adaptation to that novel you talked to me about. I was reading the copy you gave me and it could be good. I mean, this is just talk, but I think I could do that. And then I want to finish Jack’s documentary so it can be done before the trial. I wanna embark on some new projects and… I finally have found my motivation. My inspiration.” He finishes, smiling at her.

“What is the network going to say?”

I want you to burn baby ooh
Laugh for me
Cry for me

“I don’t know. I don’t care,” Dawson says, shrugging his shoulders. “Maybe this is the right time to be a little irresponsible and not to think about consequences.”

Joey just looks at him, sceptic, and Dawson laughs.

“Ok, there was a part in the contract where I said that if at some point I was leaving, they could continue with the show, as long as they follow the instructions I would leave.”

“That’s what I thought” Joey smiles at him, knowingly. “And do you trust them? I mean, do you think they will make justice to the history?”

Pray for me
Lie for me
Live for me
Die for us

Dawson smiles at her.

“As I told you once, fiction is just fiction Joey. We make our history everyday. Everyday I wake up to find you by my side. Every time I come back home and you’re there. Every time I make love to you,” he says, getting closer to her as their bodies still swing to the music. “That is real. Whatever happens to our alter egos in the little screen is not that important anymore.”

I want you to burn
Burn for me baby
Like a candle in my night
Oh burn burn for me burn for me
Yeah

“I guess your therapy is done as well,” she jokes lightly, looking longinly at his lips.

“I guess,” Dawson jokes back, tilting his head to catch her lips in between his.

Ah yeah
I want you to burn
I want you to burn for me baby
Ohh yeah

As the music keeps on playing, the camera pans out and we see Spielberg entering the balcony and announcing something, kind of gesturing everybody to get inside the suite. Everybody does so, and Dawson and Joey leave the balcony last. Spielberg pats Dawson’s shoulder lightly as they walk inside with him, Joey’s arm linked with Dawson’s.

Burn for me
Yeah
I want you to burn...

CREDITS.