Teaser: Dawson and Joey's loft, New York .

The camera pans out from a window to a bed, where an open rucksack is placed. We can see Joey packing some clothes, getting ready to spend the day in Capeside. She's folding carefully one of her T-shirts when she stops to look at her wristwatch and shows a worried face, sighing. At that same moment, we can hear the main door of the loft open and close. Joey looks at the dorm door as Dawson appears and coming next to her pulls her gently against him, kissing her.

“Hi there”, he says softly. “Ready to leave?”

“You're late. Really late. You said you would go to the office and be back in time but you're late” she scolds him as she creeps out from his embrace and keeps packing “Next time I'm gonna leave without you”

“Liar”, Dawson replies playfully, smiling knowingly and raising an eyebrow while he opens the wardrobe, where he takes his rucksack and starts to pick up some clothes. "And it's funny to hear that from you, when it took me forever to wake you up this morning. 'Just five more minute Dawson , just five more minutes' " he says, mocking her, what earns him a dirty look.

"That was then, and I'm talking about now" Joey replies, putting some more things in the suitcase.

“I really needed to go because I forgot to pick up some of the lightings and other stuff for today” Dawson explains.

“There really is a security mentality in you that makes you think you always know what I think and I'll always be waiting for you, isn't there?” Joey turns to him and frowns, narrowing her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.

Dawson starts to place quickly some clothes in his own rucksack. “Yes to the first question, without any doubt. And, about the second...” he says, turning and standing in front of her with his arms crossed as well, pondering the question whose answer he knows perfectly well. “Yes to the second too”, he says only to bother her, smiling charmingly and then turning back to the closet.

“Don't tempt me, Dawson Leery.” Joey says shaking her finger at him before turning as well, missing the look Dawson throws her over his shoulder. “The most logical things are not always the most probable. I'm not that predictable”, says Joey smiling.

"You're not?" Dawson says, arching his brows.

"No, I'm not. Just wait and see Dawson Leery".

"Can't wait for you to surprise me" he replies, wiggling his brows and Joey throws him a pair a socks that he avoids graciously while laughing.

Smiling, Joey goes back to fold the same T-shirt in her own unique way. Dawson turns to the wardrobe to pick his last things and when he notices, he can't help but smile and shake his head amused.

“Jo, fold the T-shirt once and for all, for God's sake. We're late and sure you've been 5 minutes trying to find the perfect angle in your sleeve. It's just a T-shirt”, says turning his head to her.

Knowing that's true, she throws the T-shirt onto the bed and places it disordered in her rucksack. “Argh!”, mutters Joey.

“See? It's not that difficult. T-shirt-rucksack, rucksack-Joey, Joey-washing machine: a natural non complicated process”, he says while gesturing with his hands.

“I hate you. With all my heart”, she says, knitting her brow.

“Lying again? You're really incorrigible”, says Dawson taking his rucksack and leaving the room, not before giving her a quick playful kiss and a look that says 'See? I am ready already' that Joey ignores.

Joey takes her rucksack too, but before she leaves the room she can't avoid but opening it again and try to fold properly the T-shirt. Then, Dawson 's voice is heard from downstairs.

“Jo, please, can you pack the T-shirt? We're already late...!”, cries Dawson .

(Music of the credits starts playing in the background)

“I'm not...argh!”, Joey says as she shows a desperate expression in her face and places the T-shirt in its place again. Disordered, but it's in its place. And then mutters again looking to the door: “I-hate-you.”

“And don't say you hate me again!”, says Dawson from the living room.

Joey, open-mouthed, opens wide her eyes and then narrows her eyes and shakes her head while holds her rucksack: “How can he...? Whatever”, she says smiling as she's leaving the bedroom.

(CREDITS)

Boston , Massachusetts .

The scene opens with a wide-angled overhead shot of a large grassy area and parking lot bustling with activity as a carnival is being set up. In the background, we see a small courtyard next to a back entrance to a large building. It is late morning. Picnic tables, food stands, game-booths and a few small carnival rides are being set up everywhere with great activity. Swing-sets and an airbag jumping room are already in use by some children. We hear some hammering and see a small stage being constructed. People carrying decorations and balloons are scurrying everywhere; people are shouting directions and comments to one another, almost bumping into each other as they work to get everything ready for the afternoon.

In the midst of what can only be described as colorful and controlled chaos, Andie is standing with her arms akimbo, hands on her hips, surveying the activity around her with a pleased and satisfied look on her face. She is smiling with satisfaction.

Behind her in the background we see a sign that says Boston General Hospital above the building's back entrance.

The camera zooms closer in on Andie as she suddenly notices something amiss. Her brow furrows as she gets a look of concern. “Oh, no, George, the face-painting booth goes next to the clown corral!” she calls out in her best take-charge voice, motioning with wide sweeps of her arms to another part of the yard. “Near the ice-cream stand” she further instructs a man with arms full of colorful bags. Andie anxiously watches to make sure that George is finding his way to the right booth. Her expression clears and her face once again relaxes into a smile. All is well again.

After a few more quick looks around the yard, Andie walks over to a small card-table and picks up a clipboard and pencil. Her entire concentration focuses on the paper clipped on top the clipboard. “Carnival rides… check,” she says crisply to herself, smartly checking off the first item on the list with her pencil. “Popcorn machine… check, balloons….check, prizes… check” she says happily as she checks off these items. “And, check, check, check, and …check” she says gaily as she quickly and efficiently checks off all remaining items on the list. She smiles a pleased and slightly smug smile. “Do you still have it McPhee or do you still have it?” she asks herself smugly with a little waggle of her head. She looks out again at the scene where the makings of a carnival are quickly taking shape. “Yup. McPhee, you still have it,” she says softly to herself with a pleased smile.

The camera leaves Andie and goes to Pacey in the restaurant. We see large unopened boxes stacked in the entryway and around the dining area. Other boxes are open, and set out on the counters. The tables are bare.

Pacey is at the restaurant's dining room, moving benches and chairs around in the dining area, making room for the party. There are about five people helping him to move the furniture while others are opening up boxes and taking out candles and other decorative items.

Pacey glances at a large clock on the wall several times distractedly while he is working. One of the other workers notices.

“Heavy date?” the worker asks Pacey jokingly as they grab the ends of another large table to move.

Pacey smiles. “Just expecting a phone-call” he replies briefly, glancing at the clock again with anticipation.

“Must be important” the worker comments.

“No, just a certain blond doctor of the female persuasion,” Pacey says good-naturedly with a smile.

“Ahh, a dame” the worker says knowingly.

Pacey flushes a little. “It's not like that,” he says a little uncomfortable.

The worker just gives Pacey a long and amused look. “If you say so,” the worker says lightly, clearly not meaning it.

“Um… I'm just going to go make a phone call now,” Pacey says with feigned casualness as he edges toward the kitchen.

“Whatever you say,” the worker says again with an amused grin, as he watches Pacey jog happily into the kitchen.

The camera goes back to Andie at the carnival set-up.

Andie is helping herself to some coffee from a large urn. A handsome older woman with silver hair comes over to talk to her. The woman is dressed in a nice suit, with a tag on her jacket that reads “Mrs. Burns, Volunteer, Project Angel Smile”.

“Andie, dear, I can't tell you how pleased I am about this carnival. It is such a wonderful idea and I am sure it will raise all kinds of money for the new children's recreation area to be built right on this very spot!. It's long overdue, and it's about time someone took charge of raising some money.” Mrs. Burns stops to look around, pleased. “I know the hospital has a committee for things like that, but it seems that all a committee accomplishes is a lot of talk.” Mrs. Burns gives a short laugh. “It's good to see a person who's more than just talk” she says as she looks approvingly at Andie.

Andie smiles, hugging the clipboard to her chest. “Thanks, it feels good to do something I have more control over than I usually do. Patients have a way of being so unpredictable. No matter how many times I order them to get better, they just seem to get better… or not… on their own schedule” Andie jokes with a wry smile. “Sometimes I feel like I am competing with Mother Nature, fate or even God” Andie says with a smile, but also furrowing her brows as she thinks about it. “That is one thing I have really had to learn in order to be a good doctor. To do the best I can to control whatever I can control, do whatever I can to help, and leave the rest to whatever Powers That Be make the final decision. { a beat} It took me a long time to learn to let go, but I wouldn't change being a doctor for anything. It is so rewarding to help people, I love it!” Andie smiles broadly.

“Well, it certainly is lucky for us to have you as a doctor here, and doing such a fine job with planning this carnival” Mrs. Burns beams. “I don't know how you did it so quickly”

Andie is pleased by the compliments.

“Luckily I've been planning this for months, using every spare moment I had, or I never could have gotten this done in time” Andie explains. “I only had to take a little time from work to finish pulling everything all together, and so far, everything is going perfectly! “ Andie glows with well-deserved accomplishment.

“Everything looks marvelous” Mrs. Burns agrees, happily looking around. “And what a great idea you had to have a benefit party too. That will certainly be a successful event too. { a beat }. It was so kind too of your friend to help out by hosting the dinner party at his restaurant… and he isn't even an employee or patient at the hospital!” Mrs. Burns exclaims with pleasure.

A look of dismay suddenly crosses Andie's face. “Oh my god, I totally forgot about Pacey!” she exclaims. “How could I do that” she berates herself, putting her palm on her forehead in dismay. “I was supposed to call to see if he needed more people at the restaurant to help him set up, and I just got so busy I just forgot” she says as she starts to walk away.

“I'm sure he'll understand dear, you are trying to organize and oversee an entire benefit and charity event, and doing a fine job might I add. You still have the entire afternoon to get the dinner party ready” the woman says reassuringly.

“Well, not exactly” Andie admits, turning to the woman. “Dinner isn't until seven, but the party starts at four o'clock and everything but dinner needs to be ready by then. Dinner should be in the oven soon too. That doesn't leave much time” she comments, worried, with a frown.

Just then, Andie's cell phone rings. Andie snatches it out of her pocket and hits the button as fast as humanly possibly, quickly bringing the phone to her ear. “Pacey?” she says anxiously into the phone.

Back at the restaurant. We hear Pacey's side of the telephone conversation only

Pacey is standing where we last saw him, the phone to his ear.

“How'd you know it was me, Andie?” he asks in amusement. “You didn't even say hello first”.

He pauses while listening to Andie's reply before speaking again.

“True, we do sometimes manage to share the same wavelength, but this time I think it probably has more to do with the fact that it is after eleven o'clock in the morning, and I am standing here surrounded by multitudes of unpacked boxes of tableware settings and summer decorations, and a kitchen full of half-prepared food,” Pacey says, clearly happy to be talking to Andie. She sounds a little stressed and he loves to tease her in situations like that. He listens to Andie's response amused. “Everything's fine Andie, couldn't be better, I was just kidding” Pacey smiles and then burst out laughing at Andie's response in the other side of the phone. “Andie McPhee, you should be ashamed, there are kids that could be listening, you never talked like that before“ he jokes. “Just send a few more people if you can spare them. I could use a little more help. Rome wasn't conquered in a day, that's all.” Pacey jokes before saying goodbye and hanging up with a big grin on his face.

Back at the carnival set-up.

Andie closes her cell-phone with a thoughtful smile and puts it away. “Speak of the devil” she says brightly to the woman besides her, who can't help but notice the spark in her eyes and the light blush in her cheeks. Andie quickly glances at her watch. “Ok, so it's almost eleven forty-five, and the ice-cream and hot dogs are due to be delivered any minute, and I really need to go over to Pacey's and see what still needs to be done. So if you'll excuse me Mrs. Burns, I need to dash”, and with a brief wave of her hand and a jaunty smile, Andie is off at a quick and determined pace to the delivery dock, where a truck with Sander's Ice-Cream painted in candy-pink on the side is just pulling up to the curb.

Later that morning, Capeside.

Dawson is driving up to his childhood home with Joey. Coming back home always brings back so many memories, some of them better than others, but all of them worthy, and that is why Dawson and Joey both smile at each other as they pull into the driveway.

“ ‘There's no place like home' ", Joey quotes from “The Wizard of Oz” as Dawson turns off the engine and she takes off her seatbelt.

Dawson gives a slight chuckle as he exits the car "That's what I've heard" he says.

Joey imitates him and walks out of the car as well.

They take part of their stuff out the car and walk up to the house carrying it when Dawson 's sister, Lily, runs out to greet them, excited to see Dawson, her big brother.

‘Hey, Lily, how you doing?' Dawson asks her as he drops his bags to the floor to embrace her in a hug.

‘I'm so happy to see you, Dawson. I have so much to show you,' Lily replies as they pull back from the hug.

‘And I can't wait to see it all,' Dawson responds, smiling at his little sister. He hasn't been in Capeside in the last few weeks, and even though they talk regularly on the phone, he knows Lily loves spending time with him at home. He does too.

‘Hi Joey!' Lily turns to greet Joey, hugging her as well. She knows Joey is not only Alex's aunt, but also her brother's girlfriend, and that made her like her immediately even though she doesn't know her that well yet. Her brother and Joey can't spend as much time at Capeside as she would like them to, but oh well.

‘Hey, Lily, you're getting tall!' Joey says to Lily, smiling affectingly. Besides being Dawson 's sister and Alex's best friend, she likes Lily just because. They haven't spent as much time together as she would have liked, but in Halloween and Christmas, but she can see clearly that Lily is a smart little girl that might turn into an amazing woman if given the chance.

‘I know, I've been eating my vegetables that Mom tells me to eat,' Lily responds proudly,

‘Well, that's good. It's paying off,' Joey remarks as Lily is taking one of Dawson's smaller bags without waiting for permission for it and leading the way to the house. Resuming their way, the couple exchanges an amused look behind the girl's back.

Gale is already waiting on the porch, waiting to greet them as well.

"You're finally here!" she exclaims, opening her arms as Dawson smiles and dropping his bags he walks into his mother's open arms. "It took you forever to get here, what happened?"

"Some trouble with a stubborn T-shirt" Dawson says, leaving her mother confused.

Joey just rolls her eyes as she takes her turn hugging Gale.

"Don't listen to him. He had to go to the set to take some stuff he forgot but now he puts the blame on me" she complains as Gale breaks the hug and rubs her arm, understanding.

"Typical. Don't let it bother you honey. They're just men" she adds, murmuring.

Joey laughs and Dawson protests.

"Mum, I can hear you" he says, sternly.

Gale laughs and puts her arm over Joey's shoulders.

‘It's so good to see you again,' Gale beams at them, taking them inside the house.

‘Hi, Dawson, Joey. How you doing?' John greets both Dawson and Joey with a big and warm smile as he comes outside the living room to see them, taking the bag Lily is carrying.

‘Good, John, and you?' Dawson asks back politely.

"I'm great," John responds warmly, shaking his hand.

He exchanges greetings with Joey as well.

"So, shall we go in?" John suggests and they all walk into the living room and leave the bags in a side on the floor.

As always, the feeling of home and familiarity come over Dawson as he enters and look around. Everything still looked the same except for a few minor changes. However, the room in the house that meant the most to him (and Joey) has always been Dawson 's room. He looks up the staircase to his room and smiles for a moment, then turning to see Joey who turns to him with a smile that mirrors him after looking up as well. Now only does the room memories of their childhood and (angsty full) teenage years, but recent memories as well, as that Christmas day when everything changed once again.

" Dawson , you have to see my room. I got the DVDs you sent me and I got some more new collectibles I want to show you," Lily immediately tells Dawson, starting to take his hand to lead him up to her room and interrupting without knowing the intimate look between Joey and her brother.

"I knew you would like them," Dawson responds, following her after one last look at Joey. She smiles as Gale laces her arm with hers and leads her to the sofa where John is already sitting.

As Dawson enters Lily's room, he sees all the movie posters on her walls; even some of them used to be his and were now passed on to Lily, including his E.T. poster. Even though it is a movie she considers a little 'cheesy', she keeps it there because that was the first movie ever that she watched with her brother and knows how special it is for him.

"Wow, your room is just like mine when I was younger. And you've made a few changes since the last time I was here, right?. It looks amazing," Dawson remarks to Lily with a smile.

‘Thanks, Dawson . I'm glad you like it" Lily beams at her big brother. "Look at the DVDs I got now,' Lily says, showing him her collection.

"Cool, I think that's even bigger than my video collection I had as a kid. And I always thought that that would be quite difficult," Dawson says to her, seeing over 70 DVDs in her collection including Anne Hall and lots of the classics like Prelude To A Kiss, Gone With The Wind, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Singing In The Rain.

"Yeah, I do love movies, and John buys me a lot of them. It's going to be a lot of work to move all my stuff to a new house though," Lily says, slipping out the news.

"What new house?" Dawson asks, very shocked.

"The house is being sold. We're going to move and live in a new place now," Lily informs him kind of somberly, not knowing the impact the news are having on him, but watching curiously as he frowns and a look of confusion shows on his face.

Just then Gale opens the bedroom door and sticks her head in.

"Hey, we're going to have a little snack before lunch so come on downstairs," Gale tells them, her face still showing how happy she is for having her son at home and not noticing Dawson's seriousness.

"Ok," Lily says as she goes downstairs. Gale extends her hand to Dawson , motioning him to go with her downstairs as well and he moves as to exit the room after her but then stops on his tracks.

"‘So what's this I hear about the house being sold?".

‘Oh, I wanted to tell you once you were done with the Jack's filming' Gale says, realizing Lily must have told him, ‘Well honey, the house is being sold because John has a new job on the other side of town. The house is too far from his new workplace and it's more convenient to live closer to where he works. That's why we're moving.'

‘Well, why can't he commute to work? It can't be that far,' Dawson protests.

‘John's new job is several miles away and it's just more convenient to be closer now.' Gale tells to him carefully, realizing that there is something wrong. She had had the feeling that maybe Dawson wouldn't like the idea, and she seems to be proven right if she knows her son at all.

Despite Dawson 's strong feelings, he manages to show no emotion at all.

‘We better go downstairs for a snack before they start worrying about us,' is all Dawson could say as he goes downstairs and Gale follows him, becoming worried.

Pacey's restaurant, Boston .

It is early afternoon at Pacey's restaurant. Opened boxes and place setting and colorful tablecloths are stacked in the entry and dining room area. Large table-candles and vases and wine glasses are scattered about. Pacey is sitting on a bench, opening even more boxes, while a few other people are setting tables with Mediterranean styled tableware and hanging lanterns and bucolic paintings on the walls. Large hand-painted fruit bowls adorn one wall, and a variety of unopened wine bottles is displayed attractively on a lace-topped mahogany sidetable. The room is still in disarray, but the look of an Italian cafe is starting to emerge. Everyone is busy.

Pacey sets down the box of napkins he was unpacking and glances concerned at the kitchen. “I gotta go check on the food, guys” he says, getting up and brushing cardboard dust off his shirt.

Just then the door opens and Andie walks in. She looks around briefly, but then her gaze goes straight to Pacey. She smiles and walks right over to him. “I'm so sorry Pacey, I got so caught up with the carnival I guess I kind of forgot about you” she says with a sweet apologetic smile. Then she looks around the room and her face lights up. “Oh Pacey, it is going to look gorgeous” she breaths with delight. “I knew an Italian theme would be just the thing!” she exclaims enthusiastically.

“Well, Andie, I wasn't sure about it when you suggested it, but I gotta admit that it is looking mighty fine” he smiles at her. “A truly inspired idea” he adds, grinning.

Andie beams and then goes over and picks up one of the hand-painted bowls and looks at it with pleasure.

“Oh, I'm so glad my aunt in Italy could get a hold of these- it's the little touches that make all the difference” she notes with a satisfied smile. Then she notices all the people busy putting everything together. “Where did all these people come from?” she asks, surprised.

“I pulled in some favors and hired a few people to help too “ Pacey replies, getting serious. “It's going to be a little close if you ask me, but barring any disasters, and with a little bit of luck, La Trattoria Witter will be open and ready for business in time for the party.”

“I am sorry I didn't call” Andie looks regretful.

“No problem like I said on the phone McPhee. I've been in this business a long time and I can handle anything that comes my way, no problem. Everything should be fine but I'm behind schedule and I'll just have to catch up” Pacey states, a little edgy, picking up a box of dessert glasses and walking toward the kitchen.

Andie follows him.

Pacey glances at Andie and his expression lightens. “You know, McPhee, this isn't any way to treat a person, who out of the kindness of his heart, shuts down his entire restaurant and spends all day, on his day off, mind you, to help out another friend, and this is the kind of thanks I get” he grouses, but his eyes are smiling. “I'm up to my neck in lasagna, my freezer is full of some kind of frosty Italian desert, and my entire cosmopolitan restaurant is being redecorated in a style not of my original choosing” he continues his mock grumbles, the expression on his face clearly showing he doesn't mean it. He is happy to be with Andie and happy to please her, despite any inconvenience. “And on top of that, I've still got vegetables to prepare and a million other things to attend to if I don't want to get a reputation for running a substandard establishment.”

“Okay, okay, I admit that changing the décor last minute may not have been the best idea, but you have to admit it is going to look great!” Andie enthuses. “I wanted a warm and inviting atmosphere with a touch of elegance, and I think the Italian theme will be perfect!” Andie states cheerfully as she makes room on a kitchen worktable for Pacey to set the box down. “You know that any minor inconvenience to your décor is well worth it,” she adds.

Then she fixes Pacey with a knowing and amused look “Besides, you love helping out and getting to be a hero for the kids, so don't play the martyr with me, Pacey Witter!” Andie playfully admonishes him, poking him lightly in the chest with a grin.

Pacey smiles a cute ‘you-got-me' smile and looks a little sheepish for a moment.

“You're right as usual McPhee. You know me too well. Hosting this benefit party is one of the most worthwhile things I've done in a long time” he admits. “After serving overpriced fancy food to rich people, it's a refreshing change of pace.”

Andie's face gets that cute smug know-it-all look she gets, and her eyes are warm and happy. “See, I knew you were just grumbling for attention. Admit it, Pace, you love being with the kids almost as much as they love being with you. And you love being the center of attention here at the restaurant. This benefit will help you as much as it helps the kids!”

“But that's not why I'm doing it” Pacey is quick to point out, as they start taking the glasses out of the box. “Ever since I started visiting the kids at the hospital, I find myself thinking about them and worrying about them and wanting to see them smile. I love playing and joking around with them, and they really seem to appreciate it.” He stops a moment to stir the ravioli sauce simmering on the stove before continuing. “I wish I had more time to go over there or volunteer, but the restaurant is just up and running, and I still have to put in a lot of long hours. At least this way, I know the money we raise will go to help build a play area that I am sure will help get the kids to enjoy themselves and act like kids again.”

“And don't forget that some of the money is going to go for some medical equipment for third world children” Andie adds.

Pacey smiles broadly. “No, I didn't forget. That is part of the reason I agreed. I love children… at least the ones who don't call me Pissy”, he jokingly adds.

“Sometimes I think you're just a kid yourself” Andie smiles. “Maybe that's why you're so good with them and why they love you so much,” she adds sweetly, throwing him a look which might be described as flirtatious.

Pacey grins as well, with an accepting shrug of his shoulders. “Yeah, well, I've been called worse” he comments with a smile, as he takes out a bowl of dough from the refrigerator. Then he appears thoughtful and his expression clouds as he gets serious. “Sometimes I feel guilty, though, you know? When I'm at the hospital and they're so sick and I'm walking around perfectly healthy as far as I know, and the worse thing I have to worry about is if my marinara sauce is going to go bad before I get a chance to serve it, and if the health inspector is going to find roaches behind the freezer….which they aren't!” He pauses in thought, and starts to roll the pasta dough out with a rolling pin. “They're just little kids, Andie, and they have to deal with pain and discomfort, sometime life and death. And even the ones who don't have to deal with that still have to deal with an awful lot. It really helps put things in perspective!” Pacey suddenly stops talking and looks up from rolling the dough, a little embarrassed by his emotions.

“You care” Andie says simply, leaning on the counter. She states it as a fact.

“Yeah, I do care…. but….. but I still feel guilty that I am glad that I am not in their shoes, that I'm not sick.” Pacey confesses. “Do you think that's wrong?”

“Of course not” Andie replies promptly. “We all feel that way sometimes. I don't think we could function or be of much help if we didn't. I like to think of it as bringing our positive life force and energy to them. I think that would be hard to do if we spent all our time and energy feeling sorry for them or thinking about how it is unfair that they got sick and not us. I think it is natural and healthy for us to be glad that we aren't sick. { a beat }. It isn't like we have much say in the matter anyway, ” she adds softly and a little sadly. She sighs deeply. “It isn't like Jen had much of a choice”.

Pacey is quiet a moment at the mention of Jen. “Well, I know we all wanted Jen to have the best care in the hospital, so I'll be glad if this charity party helps others” he says quietly.

Andie regards Pacey with a serious and deep look. Then she smiles. “You're a good man Pacey Witter” she states seriously with obvious sincerity…” despite rumors to the contrary” she adds with a gleam in her eye, as she pops a washed berry in her mouth from a small bowl drying on the counter. “I always knew you weren't a slacker, despite what anyone else said” she teases him mischievously.

“Watch it McPhee” Pacey warns. “I can do more than just roll out dough with this rolling pin” he mock threatens her.

“Oh, I'm shaking in my boots” Andie replies casually, completely unconcerned, as she begins to eat the berries in earnest.

“Hey, those berries are for the dessert” Pacey complains.

“Well, then put me to work. I know I'm not much for kitchen duty but even I could help roll out dough, I think.”

“No, I've got everything under control” Pacey declines her offer. “Most the prep work is already done, and I've got extra staff coming in a little while to help put everything together. Besides, for your information, there is great skill and technique involved in rolling out pasta dough, despite what you may think….the consistency of the dough, the temperature, just the right pressure of the pin on the dough…..”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get the picture. I'll stick to medicine and leave the cooking to you” Andie cheerfully agrees, unfazed.

“If you really want to help, why don't you go check to make sure that those guys in the dining room aren't making too much of a mess with the new decorations.” he suggests.

“Nah, I have to get back to the hospital” Andie states bluntly while setting down the berry bowl with finality, as if she didn't just offer to help Pacey in the kitchen. “I'm sure the decorations will look fine” she says airily, “after all, I did pick them out. “

Pacey gives Andie a strange look.

“Well, if you had to get back to the hospital, then why did you just offer to help me cook?” Pacey inquires, confused.

Andie blushes a deep red. “Um… well… you know” she mumbles not looking at him.

Pacey gets a clue.

“So, you aren't just here to check up on the welfare of the ravioli, I take it McPhee” he comments lightly, and wisely.

Andie ignores his comment. “So if you only agreed to do this benefit dinner partly because of the kids and partly because of Jen, what was the other part of your reason?” she asks boldly, countering his inquiry.

Pacey looks deeply into her eyes for a moment and neither of them speak. “I think you know the answer to that one,” he says quietly. Then he looks away from her and goes over to the pantry to get some onions. “Friendship, McPhee, ultimately doesn't it all come down to that? Friends looking out for one another” he explains casually, but we know from the look he just shared with her that there is more than just friendship going on between them even if neither of them is ready to admit it yet.

“Sure…. friendship” Andie agrees, but for a moment a disappointed expression passes over her face and her face falls. But by the time Pacey turns back from the pantry, she is all business again.

“I'd love to stay and chat, Pace, but I've delegated a lot of things to other people in order to come here and I can't afford to chit-chat anymore. I'll be back before the dinner starts and before Audrey comes. Just keep feeding the guests party snacks when they arrive like we agreed, play some sophisticated dinner-party music, and keep the wine flowing… but not too much, and I'm sure everything will be fine until I return. Let them wander around on the patio if things get slow… or too crowded” she instructs Pacey. “I'll be bringing some extra tables to set up so there should be plenty of places to sit”

Andie pauses and goes out to check on the dining room décor. She looks around a moment, but everything seems to be progressing nicely. She's back in the kitchen again in a flash.

“The dining room looks fine. Call me if you have any emergencies, otherwise, I'll see you about six o'clock along with Audrey's entertainment and the rest of the serving crew. And don't forget that the carnival is on all tomorrow too and I need you to help with the raffle and some of the booths. We also might need some extra help setting up the band equipment for Audrey, and we have an auction too. { a beat } People donated some fabulous prizes, even a week sailing excursion, and I think that'll be a big money maker and a lot of fun too!“ she exclaims, her face lighting up with excitement.

“Hey, hold on a minute there Andie,” Pacey protests in a cute put-out ‘who-am-I-your-husband?' tone of voice. “I never said anything about helping out at the carnival. I have this whole dinner party benefit charity thing to do, Audrey's singing here tonight too and I have to help get that ready, and I'm going to be up till all hours of the night as it is. I've already been on my feet all day, and I sure as heck am not going to be wanting to drag my tired old bones to your Mary Poppins idea of a full day of family fun. No way, McPhee, you've got enough out of me already” he states emphatically but uselessly. He's Andie's now and resistance is futile!

Andie completely ignores his protest. “I'll see you about nine tomorrow morning, at the carnival” Andie says sweetly. “You can sleep in,” she says with feigned innocence, a smile twitching at the corner of her lips.

Pacey tries to look annoyed, but a smile twitches his lips too, and soon he breaks out in a big grin. He clearly is happy to please her. “The things I do for you, McPhee” he says wonderingly, shaking his head. “Sometimes when I am around you, I wonder if my will is even my own.”

Andie just smiles as she prepares to leave. “Thanks for helping” she says nicely.

“You're welcome” Pacey grins, pleased.

“And by the way,” Pacey adds, “it is antipasto or hors devours, not snacks, we're playing Frank Sinatra big band music, and there will be dancing. I am not serving them twinkies and pop music McPhee” he lectures her, half joking, half serious.

“Whatever” Andie replies with a grin and heads for the door.

“Hey, McPhee, how come you forgot to call this morning?” Pacey asks casually before Andie leaves. “I missed you” he confesses, as little embarrassed.

Andie pauses thoughtfully and turns to him. “I guess you always seem to have everything under control and I guess I never was really worried that you would need much help” she answers him candidly before shrugging. “And you didn't” she adds with a big smile.

Since she just paid him a big compliment, Pacey can hardly complain.

“And Pacey, some of the guests invited tonight are rich, so make sure everyone is on their best behavior. Happy guests are donating guests.”

“That's okay” Pacey says.” I once knew this certain blond overachiever rich girl in high school but it turned out she was okay…. and then it turned out that she wasn't even rich anymore…. and I myself for a brief moment was rich and I can't say it was too much of a burden… and since customers with money pay for this restaurant…“ He looks around appreciatively, “I guess I can tolerate some rich people, especially if it helps the kids” he concludes with a smile.

“I guess it's good not to bite the hand that feeds you” Andie agrees solemnly. “And if they want to donate some of their wealth to a good cause… well, I for one certainly am not going to stop them.” Andie declares with a big smile. Then her face grows somber.

“Just be nice to everyone and treat everyone equally” Andie suddenly advises Pacey with total seriousness. “Not everyone coming has a lot of money, some people are recovered patients and can't afford to donate. This isn't just about the money,” she adds.

“I know” Pacey says somberly. Andie relaxes when she sees that he understands.

She gives him a warm and genuine smile. “As usual, we make a great team, Witter”

“Well, we do, now, McPhee” Pacey agrees, “although we've certainly had our rough patches”

“Doesn't everyone?” Andie asks simply, leaving him with a parting sweet smile.

At that very same moment, a grocery store in Capeside.

Jack is in the Capeside grocery store buying some bread. As he looks at the assortment of breads on the shelf, Jack remembers Doug likes wheat bread instead of white bread. Jack takes a loaf of wheat bread and looks up as a woman nearby is chatting loudly with a friend.

“Oh, my god. Really? That is unbelievable!” The woman exclaims, engrossed in gossiping with her lady friend.

“I know! Anyway, did you hear that Mr. Radcliff has a new friend? You know, he's never been the faithful type,” her friend says, continuing to gossip with the woman.

“Poor Marianne. The things she has to put up with,” the woman replies in a carelessly nonchalant manner.

We see Jack shaking his head with a funny face. ‘This is what happens in small towns like this one' he thinks to himself

“If I was her,” the woman continues “I would have left him a long time ago,” her friend remarks to the woman.

“Same here. I don't know why she doesn't leave him,” the woman says assertively as Jack is done with his shopping and is about to walk further from them.

“Well, at least the gay men in this town seem to be doing well. Have you seen Officer Witter with his new gentleman friend?” her friend asks, changing the subject.

At this question, Jack listens more intently to the woman's gossiping, pretending he is still doing more shopping. He seems to be in a complete shock. Could Doug be with someone else that is not him? That possibility never crossed his mind when he decided to break up with him.

“Oh yes, I have. He is quite handsome. Him and Officer Witter seem to be having lots of fun together,” the woman says delightfully.

“Hmm, what kind of gay fun do you think they're having?” her friend says, implying there may be a sexual relationship going on.

“Oh dear, I don't know, but it's so amusing to watch them together. So interesting to see. Officer Witter is very lucky he is gay,” the woman remarks thoughtfully.

A worried look appears on Jack's face. ‘So that is why he has been so distant and even cold to me lately? Rejecting my attempts to go out together to the movies or anything else,' Jack thinks to himself. As he ponders over this, the women turn around and start walking by Jack. Jack immediately spots them and gives his back to them, so they can't see him. For Jack's dismay, they start talking again about Doug and how happy he seemed to be as they walk off.

Jack sets his groceries down in disgust and leaves the store, looking truly affected by the news as he reaches the outside. He stares down the street in the direction of the sheriff's office like he may want to go confront Doug with the new news but instead, all he does is sigh in resignation. Does he have any right to do that? So what if Doug is seeing someone else? It's not his business. It stopped being his business the moment he asked him for some space.

Jack walks to his car and gets in, but instead of turning it on, he just sits there, thinking.

And why did he ask him for space in the first place? Because he wasn't ready for a full commitment. So how can he be with another man, when it was so hard for him to make Doug admit he was gay? All the troubles they had because of it, and now… this.

Jack takes a deep breath and stares out the window for a moment. Then he turns back to the front and looks at the steering wheel that he is still clutching in his hands. He relaxes and ready to leave and cool off, he starts his car and is about to pull away from the grocery store when his cell phone rings.

“Hey Jack!” a cheerful Joey greets him from the other side. We see her in Gale's kitchen, everybody with her there as well and they all working on having lunch ready.

“Joey! Are you already here?” Jack says, checking his watch.

“Yeah, Dawson and I arrived a while ago. We're at Gale's right now. Is everything ok for this evening as we planned?”

“Yes, I'm… I'm on it.” He says, clearly still distracted, looking at the grocery store where he left the bag with the groceries. ‘Damn' , he thinks.

“Jack, are you ok?” Joey asks, noticing his distraction.

“Yeah, I'm ok. I'm just thinking about something”

“OK, hold on a minute, Dawson 's here and he wants to speak with you” she says as she passes him the phone and a serious Dawson speaks.

“Jack? Is something wrong?”

“No, no, is fine, I was just buying everything for today. At 4 at my house, right?”

“Yeah, fine. I got everything in here, we'll be visiting Bessie and then heading to your house”

“Great, great. Grams is really looking forward to see you guys. It's been a long time since you came to Capeside” Jack observes.

“Yeah, I know, life gets in the way sometimes”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. The two lovebirds want to enjoy their weekends alone, huh? Will the honeymoon ever end?”

“The honey-moon, my friend, has not even started” Dawson jokes, glancing at Joey who is listening to the conversation with her arms around his neck and she smiles at hearing that comment from him. “And you can sign that” she adds, making Dawson smile.

“I hate you both” Jack says, smiling despite his dark mood sooner.

“How is Amy by the way?. I can't wait to see her” Joey says.

“Beautiful. She is beautiful, just like her mother. And I can't wait for this nightmare to end and have her back with me”

“That's the attitude” Dawson encourages him.

“Yeah. Well, I better go if I want to have everything ready later, or Grams will kill me”

“K, see you later then” Dawson says.

“See you” Joey adds as Dawson hangs up the phone.

Jack hits the end conversation button and looks back to the grocery store, reflective. ‘I've got more important things to think about anyway' he says to himself as he parks again and walks out of the car, back to the store to pick up the groceries again.

Boston , Pacey's restaurant a little later.

We see Audrey entering the restaurant. She sees the band members preparing the equipment for the performance and then turns her head looking for Pacey and Andie as we can see some people still preparing the restaurant. From behind her we see Pacey showing up with a smile, his arms crossed over his chest, and looking to the stage, where the band members have been getting everything ready for more than half an hour.

“Do you know the concept “work ethic”? I've been told it's a way of life in Japan ”.

Audrey pouts in the cute way she usually does and then half smiles. “Let's have a peaceful coexistence, Pacey. I warn you that I'm not in a good mood. And, for your information, I didn't do it intentionally. I was stuck in a traffic jam inside a taxi cab with a talkative taxi driver, which it would have been delightfully enjoyable in any other circumstance... but he was polish. Did you know that polish people groan and shout in polish? Odd language, by the way”, adds Audrey as a curious afterthought to what she just said.

“I had the little suspicion”, replies Pacey amused.

“Where is Andie?”, Audrey asks, looking around for her friend.

“That's actually a difficult answer to define. She's been coming in and out for the whole morning, getting everything ready and driving me crazy at the same time", he sighs, pretending to be annoyed but Audrey knows better.

Audrey, keeping the charade, rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I can perfectly picture that little Ms. Controller of us, so annoying, right?” she asks, looking at Pacey pretending to play the understanding and supportive friend, but Pacey knows she is mocking him so he glares at her.

In that moment, Andie appears and her face lights up when she spots Audrey there.

“Hey Audrey! You're here at last”, she says, showing certain relief in her voice. “Have you decided what songs are gonna be sung?”, she asks as she hugs her briefly.

“AC/DC and Iggy Pop for the big opening. The band is especially inspired in the punk-style, though, so we can always play some punk songs in the end”, says Audrey firmly when the embrace is broken.

Pacey bites his lip containing the laughter when he sees Andie open-mouthed for a second until Audrey speaks again.

“Just kidding Andie!. Just kidding. No AC/DC. No Iggy Pop. And nothing that could shock the delicate sensibilities of Bostonians”, says Audrey while Andie keep on staring at her with a worried look. “I swear!” Audrey laughs as she approaches the stage.

Pacey and Andie follow her and Pacey laughs, placing an arm around Andie's shoulders and squeezing it lightly, "Relax McPhee".

A big smile appear on her face. She looks at him then lowers her look half shyly, looking back at Pacey who removes his arm from her shoulders realizing how close they are, but they both are smiling.

Audrey, who has witnessed the exchange over her shoulder, smiles to herself.

“Yes, relax Andie! You can trust me”, she cries and Andie turns her head to Pacey with a 'I really hope so' look. "I promise no more jokes from now on"

Then Pacey speaks as he places his arm gently over Andie's shoulders again, this time Andie doesn't shy away, she just places her arm around his waist as casual as he does with her.

“I'm afraid that's a lost cause. Before Audrey shuts up the entire continent will have disappeared beneath a new ice age”, says Pacey and Andie laughs, throwing her head back and leaning it on his shoulder.

“Ha ha, Witter”, Audrey turns to them after climbing to the stage. “Let me tell you something, my friend. If that ever happens, you can be sure I'll be the only survivor of a ruined civilization!”, she says theatrically, waving her hand in the air then laughing.

“Aw, stop it, guys. All these apocalyptic metaphors are getting on my nerves” Andie laments and the other two laugh.

Pacey goes at the request of some of the waiters and Andie watches Audrey giving some instructions to the members of the band that are already in the stage before she speaks again when Audrey is done.

"Why aren't you the one singing tonight Audrey?" she asks softly as she sits on the edge of the stage and looks at her friend.

Audrey places the microphone in the right place before sitting by her side and answering her question solemnly.

“I think I'm on the verge of a definitive resolution about my life, which has to be good after all. I'm just trying some new things, a different perspective. Anyway, lies are never a good substitute for deception. I was trying to avoid the truth. Well, you know how they say that everything happens for a reason... and I guess I just had to figure out why what had been happening to me was… well, happening to me.”

“It was worth the try?”

“Yeah, I think so. The first step to get what you want must be necessarily to know what you want... I guess. That's the only sensible thing I've ever heard my mother say, by the way”, she says comically.

“So is everything ok then? Are you feeling better?”

“Oh yes, I am. I am on my way there. Still a little lost, but working on it. I've realized that I like being backstage, taking care of everything and making sure things are perfect. Well, as perfect as they can be at least."

"Well, if so, then you can understand how I feel with all this organization chaos, right?"

"Yes, I understand Andie. But I still think you worry waaaay too much" Audrey says, eyes open wide while balancing her legs over the edge of the stage. I envy you though. You know exactly what you want.”

“I know. I worry too much”, Andie sighs. “Sometimes I'm afraid I haven't changed that much”, she laughs lightly as she says that.

“I didn't know you before, so I can't tell. But I don't think that can be so wrong, because people that knew you before really loved you the way you were” Audrey says, throwing a glance to Pacey and giving a knowingly smile at her.

“Anyway, you don't have the slightest reason to be worried. Look at this!”, Audrey exclaims opening her arms and gesturing to the place around her.

“Thanks Audrey. But you can save the biggest compliments for the man on the corner. He's taken care of everything”, says looking at Pacey, who is giving some instructions to the waiter. Pacey notices the two girls smiling at his direction and he smiles back at them.

“Yes, I know. His charm increases dramatically when he gets overprotective with the girls he loves though, doesn't it?”, says Audrey wittily. Andie is surprised about that sentence. Audrey doesn't talk about her romantic past with Pacey normally. She knows it happened, and she knows they love each other a lot as friends, but suddenly she doesn't feel that comfortable hearing about it, even indirectly. Maybe is a stupid feeling. It is a silly feeling actually, but she is surprised to realize that she can't help it. She changes the subject, which makes Audrey smile with great delight. ‘A little of jealousy is never that bad. Wake up McPhee!'

“Anyway, it wasn't that complicated after all. In fact, I had everything almost planned out when I presented the idea to the hospital, so they agreed to do it instantaneously. I've had my work schedule at the hospital reduced temporally for weeks, so I've been able to use my time off organising everything. Besides, it's always good to have the chance to spend more time with friends”, says Andie as she gives Pacey a glance, a detail that once again, doesn't escape Audrey's observation.

“Of course. Spending time with friends is great. Mostly with those kind of friends that will always be... friends”, tells Audrey delivering the last word with her eyes wide open as she plays with a strand of her hair.

In that moment, Pacey goes closer to the stage with some stuff in his hands and whispers in Andie's ear.

"Well, what do I see here? It doesn't surprise me of you Audrey, but you McPhee? What are you doing sitting here with all the things you got to do and not bossing people around?"

Audrey stands up and goes back to the micro and Andie stands on her feet as well.

"Ok, so I'm a control freak, but that doesn't mean I love bossing around. I just like to have things... under control"

“Now that was a nice and absolutely euphemistic way to put it. But you should call it by its rightful name: dominative tendencies. And they're scary, believe me”.

“Whatever Pacey”, says Andie pretending to be offended, while Audrey mutters staring at Pacey from behind Andie. “Not that you would mind being dominated by the girl”. Pacey can read her lips and he gives her a dirty look, to which Audrey responds with an intentionally innocent look.

Andie raises her eyebrows, not really knowing what happened. Not really sure she wants to know what happened.

Capeside, at that very same moment. Jack's house.

The scene opens with Jack and Grams sitting around their kitchen table, having some coffee and a snack. They both look serious, as they talk about the upcoming trial.

“You need to prepare yourself, Grams, for anything they might say” Jack advises Grams. “I know she's your daughter, but this could turn out to be an all-out war, no prisoners taken”.

“I just can't believe that my own daughter could be so… unloving….” Grams shakes her head sadly. “And so hostile to you!” Grams adds with a tone of surprised dismay in her voice. “After all, we all lived with her in perfect harmony in New York … well, almost perfect harmony, five years ago when I was having my cancer treatment. I certainly wouldn't have expected this of her, now” Grams shakes her head again in sad wonder at the state of things.

“Well, she's fighting for Amy just like we are. The situation is different now, things have changed, times have changed. {beat} Jen died “Jack adds softly.

Grams sighs deeply. “I know, but it is an ungodly thing to pit mother against child, and friend against friend,” she says sadly.

“I agree, but that's what it looks like it is just going to have to be. So we need to be prepared for anything she, or her lawyer, might say to try to take Amy away from us.” Jack says, getting down to business. “Even if it hurts,” Jack adds.

The two pause thinking about what bad things could be said about them.

“I'm too old” Grams states bluntly. Jack looks a little shocked.

“Don't say that Grams, you are definitely not too old to take care of Amy!” Jack exclaims, taken aback.

Grams waves her hand in a dismissive gesture and frowns.

“I know that, but that certainly should be the top thing on their list of things to say against me….against us. I'm old and getting frail and forgetful and I left that window open because I am a forgetful old lady and can't be trusted to take care of an active child.” Grams states matter-of-factly. She sighs again “And to top it off, I had cancer, may still have it…. one never knows for sure about those things” She adds a little sadly, lightly touching her chest. Her expression changes and she looks discouraged and sad.

“Perhaps it is true, Jack, perhaps I am too old. I know that it was just an accident that the window was open right when the weather changed and got cold, but I am almost seventy five and I can't get around exactly the same that I used to.” Grams reaches over the table and lays her hand on top of Jack's hand. “I don't want you to lose Amy because of me, Jack.” she says pleadingly. “I don't want to be a burden to you or Amy, or see Amy go to my daughter because we told the judge we were a team, a package deal. Cut me off if you have to Jack. I have some money put away for a rainy day from the sale of my house in Capeside. We can hire a nanny or babysitter to be in the house with me and Amy, if it comes to that. I just don't want to be the reason why you lose Amy.” Grams says urgently.

Jack is touched by her words. “Oh Grams, I don't think it will come to that.” Jack says, covering her hand with his. “You took good care of Amy, picking her up, feeding her, changing her, and everyone knows that. I'm not worried about that” Jack reassures her.

“But just promise that if it does come to that, that you will cut me loose, make me into the doting great-grandmother and not the caretaker of Amy while you're at school” Grams says solemnly, holding Jack's gaze. “I won't take it personally, Jack, and no matter what happens, I'll still be Amy's great-grandmother. Nothing can change that.” She pauses, thinking with lips pursed. “And if at all possible I would like to come out of this with some familial relationship with Helen still intact. I would hate to lose both Amy and my daughter,” she adds quietly.

“We won't lose Amy” Jack says reassuringly. “I'm sure you'll be mopping up spilled applesauce by this time next month” He adds with a small smile, wanting to believe his own words but unsure that they are true.

Jack and Grams part their joined hands and each reach for a muffin at the same time, bumping hands, and laugh a little awkwardly, showing their nervous discomfort over the topic of conversation.

Besides, if we need to get a nanny, I can afford that.” Ja

ck states calmly. “My sports car is history. I'm selling it now before Helen can use it against me. I don't want anyone to say that I care more about spending money on a sports car than I do on my own daughter, even though I bought it long before I got Amy. If we need to get a nanny to please the court, then that's already a done deal as far as I am concerned. But I'm not cutting you out Grams. Both Amy and I need you.” Jack says with finality.

( “Resolve” by Beth Gibbons starts playing in the background)

“You know I'll always be here for you and Amy, Jack.” Grams reassures Jack. “But if the court says that I am too old or whatever to be taking care of Amy, then let's just accept that and move on. I can still be a wonderful great-grandmother to her without taking care of her. “

Jack nods, not wanting to discuss it further.

Time rolls
As days go by
And now I've figured
That I ain't gonna last

“The main problem is with me being a single father, and a gay one at that. A double whammy I guess you could say” Jack says wryly. “Also not being related to Amy” he adds. “A triple whammy” he comments with a twisted smile. He sighs deeply and leans forward in his chair earnestly. “They will say that Amy needs a mother, a feminine influence and the care that only a mother can give. Someone who has been a mother before and has the experience and energy to raise a child, and the money and the resources to give Amy a good life and everything she could want, the best schools, the culture of New York, a beautiful house.” He pauses. “A parent who is not gay and living in the boondocks.” he adds somewhat bitterly. He sighs and struggles with himself to get over the bitterness. “And of course, Helen is the closest living relative to Jen, as well as being Amy's grandmother. Number one with a bullet, I'd say” Jack suddenly looks completely discouraged. He scrubs his hands through his hair in frustration.

Grams looks sad too. “Oh, Jack my dear. Don't give up now. You've been so strong, so willing to fight. Even if this turns out to be a lost cause, we can't just give up now. There is too much at stake.”

Jack rubs his hands over his face as if waking up from a bad dream. “You're right, Grams, as usual.” Jack pauses, remembering something. “Jen used to say that to me. ‘Keep fighting for your lost causes, Jack,' she used to say, ‘you never know when your luck might change.' ” he smiles sadly.

Summer skies
Are leaving me behind

“There, you see?” Grams exclaims, cheered. “We aren't in this alone. We know that Jennifer wants you to have Amy and we'll do everything in our power to make sure that that happens. Forget about everything they will probably say about us. Those are just words. Don't let it stop you from going after what you want… what we both want… Amy here at home with us where she belongs.”

“I wish I could Grams, but they are more than just words. They are the way to take Amy from us.”

“Pish! Actions speak louder than words, and love has more power than the universe can even imagine “

“I hope that you are right” Jack comments, unsure.

So resolve your loving said all
I'll be lost when you're gone
Blind me from keep
Blind me

“We must have faith” Grams declares with growing confidence. “The love and care we have for Amy will make such a loud noise that Helen's words will be made small and weak. Our Lord will give us the strength to fight for Amy in the face of whatever they may say about us” She pauses emotionally. “I will fight for Amy but I will also fight for Jen,.” she says with quiet dignity and absolute seriousness. “And I have faith” Grams adds quietly, her face transforming for a moment by the beauty of her faith as she closes her eyes in communion with her Lord.

Jack smiles lovingly and somewhat amused at Grams, used to her communions with God, but he is still doubtful

“I appreciate the sentiment, Grams, I really do, but I'm afraid we will need more than just faith and love for Amy. For that reason alone I am so glad we have that tape that Dawson made of Jen before she died, I think that that is really going to show how Amy should be with us in Jen's whishes mean anything at all. And Dawson making this new documentary to show that there is life for the children of gay parents here in Capeside is going to help even more. I wouldn't want the judge to think that Amy would just be ridiculed and treated as an outsider here because she has a gay father. That just isn't true.” Jack says with conviction and a bit of anger.

Times told
These days go by
I still ponder this old question why
But now I know
There's no time to decide

A troubled expression passes over Jack's face before he starts speaking again, a little dejected.

“But nothing is going to change the fact that I am not related to Amy in any way, and that I am a gay unrelated father living in a relatively small town on a decent but not spectacular income, with a seventy four year old woman as the primary caretaker while I'm at work during the day. {beat} Even that sounds bad to me” he admits with a frown.

“Oh, but that is only one way of looking at it, Jack!.” Grams exclaims. “You are also a most loving and doting and responsible father, living in a lovely community where Amy will, and does, belong, just like Jen wanted. That has to count for something”

Jack actually smiles a small but real smile.

“Actually, it does, Grams. My attorney told me that Jen's custody agreement giving me custody of Amy carries a lot of weight with the court, and that the judge can't take custody away from me unless it is for a very good reason. I have to prove that I am a good father, and that it is best for Amy to be living with me rather than Helen. Jen's wishes count too, but I still have to prove that I am a good and responsible father. {beat} I hope that I can get a few people to come to court to testify that I am… that I am a good father and the right parent for Amy.” Jack's expression becomes pained. “I know I am a good father,” he says quietly, with a touch of anger, unhappy that he has to prove it to strangers.

“Of course you are, Jackers” Grams says briskly. “That won't be a problem. You have many friends who know what a good father you are and how much you love Amy. And I am sure that many, many more people will come to the custody hearing to support you. There are so many people already happy and willing to help, and more every day. People even come up to me in the streets and ask what they can do to help.” Grams smiles.

So resolve your loving said all
I'll be lost when you're gone
Blind me from keep
Blind me

Jack smiles briefly for a moment but he still looks troubled. His eyes get a far-away-look and he is clearly distracted and bothered about something. Grams regards him a few moments in silence.

“You might as well tell me what is bothering you, Jack,” Grams finally says. “I know that the trial isn't the only thing that has been on your mind. Something else has been on your mind too, and it has been bothering you all day. Can't you tell me what it is?” she probes gently.

Jack sighs, discouraged.

“I heard that Doug is seeing someone else” Jack finally admits, reluctantly. “But I don't even know if it is true. When I first heard about it, I was going to go to Doug's house and confront him about it, but then I realized I had no right to do that. I was the one who broke it off with him, or at least I'm the one who wanted to be apart for now. I can hardly go over there and act the wounded boyfriend when we haven't been a couple in months.” Jack pauses, unhappy with his thoughts. “But it still hurts” he says softly.

And daylight knows
How my eyes have tired
Like the circles
Like the evermore will bear

Grams looks sympathetic and gets up from the table to stand next to him and lay a hand on his shoulder. Jack looks up at her, pained.

“Why don't you just go over and talk to him, as a friend.” Grams suggests “See what he has to say about it all. Rumors have a nasty way of spreading in small communities like ours, and it might be just that, a rumor.”

“And if it's not?” Jack asks, while Grams goes back to her chair and sits down, picking up her coffee mug.

“And if it's not, at least you'll know and then you can think about how that makes you feel, one way or another.” Grams says wisely. “You've hardly spent any time with your friends anyway since this stress over Amy started. It is no wonder Doug feels left out. Perhaps it is about time you go mend some fences. { beat} A lot of good can come from a well-mended fence” Grams says with a knowing look at Jack, smiling at him over the rim of her coffee cup as she takes a sip.

So resolve your loving said all
I'll be lost when you're gone

Jack looks thoughtful, obviously thinking about taking Gram's advice.

Blind me from keep
Blind me

The scene ends with a shot of the two of them companionably sipping their coffee, quietly contemplating everything they have been talking about.  

Just then, at the old Leery's house. Capeside.

The scene opens with Dawson walking through the house, a bag on his hand. As he walks down the stairs, he watches some pictures hanging on the wall. Familiar portraits. Some of them are old ones that have Mitch in them, others have been replaced by new ones. The greatest part, actually, and in all of them you can see Gale and John or Gale, John and Lily. As he comes downstairs, his glance passes quickly over the furniture, books and other things bought after John became part of Gale's life. Dawson 's face is serious, and the more he looks at things, the grimmer his expression becomes.

He picks up a framed photograph from a bookshelf, and stares at it a few moments. It is a photograph of his dad standing happily at the side of the house with Joey and Dawson as children standing in front of him, the ladder Joey used to climb into Dawson 's window so many years ago clearly visible in the background. That is like the only picture left of Mitch in the room, besides the one in the stairs. Dawson clenches his jaw and abruptly, he sets the picture down with a slight clatter before leaving the room.

The image fades to...

Tight-lipped, Dawson walks into the kitchen, where Gale is washing some dishes, her back to him.

“What is it mom that makes you so unable to live in this house that you and dad first lived in?” he asks quietly but with controlled anger. “First you changed all the furniture and gave away almost everything else, except for a few small…. mementos… of your life with Mitch, and then you put them and pictures of Dad in the farthest corners of the house, where they can hardly be seen. Lily only knows John as her father already, and now you want to sell the house altogether? The one place that ties her to her own father? And for no real reason at all! Maybe you want to act like he never existed! Maybe that would be easiest for you” Dawson accuses her, frustrated and angry.

Gale slowly wipes her hands on a kitchen towel and turns to face him, hanging her head in sadness at her son's accusations.

“But he did exist mom, He did exist” Dawson almost pledges to his mother, as if he begs her to admit it.

"You know that isn't true Dawson ” she starts to explain patiently. “I loved your father very much and I would never forget him or ever want to forget him. All I have to do is look at you and Lily and I remember him”.

“Then why do you want to sell the house, and the memories?” Dawson asks, pleadingly once again.

“Oh honey, I don't need a house for the memories.” Gale says gently. “I keep them all here” she touches her forehead, “and here” and she touches her heart. “Selling this house isn't going to change my memories or change how I feel about your father. But life goes on, and new things happen and new memories are made, but that doesn't mean that I don't cherish my memories of your father and think about him every day.” Gale pauses but at the lack of response of her son, she looks Dawson in the eye and speaks clearly.

“But I have a new life too and I need to do what is best for my family now, and Mitch would understand that. And my family includes John. It's been hard enough for John to have to become part of my family… our family… in these circumstances. It isn't fair for him to have to live in Mitch's shadow with Mitch's presence everywhere as a constant reminder that he came second. John is a wonderful man like your father was, and he deserves better than that. ( a beat) I've actually been thinking of moving for a long time, and John's new job gives us the perfect opportunity.”

“So, what? You decide now to erase Dad just to save John some drive time to work?” Dawson asks with derision. He is still upset.

Gale frowns. Dawson is trying her patience, but she wants him to understand.

“Of course not, and if you'd been listening to me you would know that isn't it at all.” She replies, a little edgy.

"And if you would have talked to me openly about this I wouldn't have the feeling that you were hiding it from me because deep inside you think there is something wrong in all of this".

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner about this honey, but days passed and you're always so busy and I just thought it would be a good idea to wait until I could tell you face to face".

When Dawson doesn't speak, Gale continues trying to make Dawson understand what it has been like for her and John.

“John doesn't deserve to be second best, Dawson , just being in our family to fill a void. Because he isn't. He's here to be my husband and a step-father to Lily, just like Mitch was here to be my husband and a father to you. But he isn't here to be Mitch” Gale sighs and after a moment, she wearily sits down at the kitchen table. Dawson hasn't said anything, but he has been listening intently, his expression guarded. After a moment of indecision, he sits down too.

Gale continues talking calmly. “He doesn't say anything about it, but I know it's been hard for him living in this house. And it's been hard for me too. Not because of any desire to get away from your father or my memories of him, but because it is hard to make a new life with new memories when the old ones are so strongly held by this house and are around us every minute we are here.” She pauses a moment and stares off into space, before looking at Dawson again.

“I promised myself after your father died that I wouldn't live in the past. I promised myself that I would go forward with my life and seek new experience, and new people, and not stop living because your father died. And you know something? Mitch would have wanted it that way. And I always thought you wanted it too” Gale looks at him sternly. “Your father was a big one for living life and not being afraid, and I think your success is partly a result of that.” she says now with a soft voice, a smile tugging the corner of her lisp, covering Dawson's hand with hers. Dawson remains for the most part expressionless, but he looks less angry, and he is listening to her.

When she begins speaking again, she speaks firmly and unapologetically.

“But I can't go on with my life, not really, not the way I want to, and not the way your father would have wanted me to, if I stay in this house. I've tried, but I can't do it. In a way, it is like being two people in the same body, and I'm never really free just to be with John, and that isn't fair to either of us.”

“So you are trying to escape his memory” Dawson says quietly.

Gale looks surprised. “No, not at all. It isn't the memory of your father; it's the constant reminder of the memory of your father. They aren't the same thing, nor should they be.”

Dawson is silent, thinking about Gale's words, which are starting to make sense to him.

“This house is wonderful and lovely and dear and I love it very much, but I love my husband too and I want a good marriage and a new life with him. I can love your father and remember him and treasure him without living in this house. But I can't live in this house and have the kind of life and marriage and happy husband I want now. Not just want, but need and deserve. And so does John”

“I guess it is different for you, wanting a new life with John” Dawson remarks tensely after a few moments of silence. “To me, this house is like a part of Dad, and nothing can change that, and he's always going to be my Dad. The constant reminders of him -as you call it- comfort me, and I like knowing that he is here even if it is only in my memory.”

“But you're a grown man now too, Dawson , making your own life and your own home and your own memories” Gale remind him gently. “Shouldn't I have the right to do that too? We can't sacrifice what is in our present lives to try to keep the past alive. I'm sure you can see that.”

Dawson is realizing more and more that Gale is making sense, and that she isn't selling the house with disregard of Mitch. He can hear the words, rationalize them, but he can't feel them.

He asks more calmly “What about what is best for Lily?”

Gale smiles “Lily will be fine. She can still visit her friends often, and she has two parents who love her dearly. Besides, you know she isn't shy, and she'll make new friends wherever she goes. And we've already found a house I am sure she will grow to like, and if that falls through, we'll just make sure to buy another house she likes. She'll be fine” Gale assures him.

Gale gets up from the table as if she is going to leave, but she lingers, silently debating with herself whether she should say more to Dawson . At that moment, Joey enters the house looking for Dawson, who left to look for a lens for the camera and is still MIA. As soon as she walks in the room, she realizes there is something going on, so she stays in the doorframe unsure if she should go or stay when Gale nods her to stay where she is. Joey is part of the family, the women his son has always loved one way or another. If someone can help him understand, that's her.

“Sometimes it's time to move on Dawson , but that doesn't mean we leave the past completely behind, and I don't want you to think for a minute that I won't keep talking about your Dad to Lily, or making him a normal part of our life. And I stress the word normal, Dawson . The past being part of our life is one thing, but it doesn't do anybody any good to try to live in the past. {a beat}. Isn't that what you are trying to do in your own way? Wanting to keep everything as near the same as it was when your father died? But that won't bring him back, honey; nothing we can do will do that.”

Dawson remains seated, still looking glum.

“I know what you're saying is right mom, but how come I still don't want you to sell the house?” Dawson asks, not moving.

“I know that this isn't just about Lily or John or where I keep your father's pictures.” Gale says softly. “I know this is about you too. You had your childhood here, and you fell in love with Joey in this house, and your dad loved you in this house, and I know this hurts you too. But just remember that nothing I do or could ever do can take away your memories. They stay alive in your heart and mind, and you don't need four walls and some very old carpeting to keep them alive” Gale says lovingly, before kissing Dawson on the forehead. “You'll be okay, Dawson . I promise” She smiles at him and kisses him again. “I love you” she says warmly before she leaves the kitchen.

When she is gone, Joey enters the kitchen and places a hand over Dawson 's as she sits next to him.

“Wanna talk about it?” she asks softly to him. Dawson sighs and leans his forehead against her shoulder, and they both stay like that, in silence, as the camera pans out.

Back to Boston 's, Pacey's Witter Restaurant.

The party has started at Pacey's restaurant. People are still arriving, but a large crowd is already gathered. Audrey approaches Andie and Pacey, who are in the back of the room observing the guests talking, eating cheese and breadsticks, drinking and having a good time. Dinner will be served in a little while.

“You and Pacey have done a great job decorating this place, Andie. It's amazing!” Audrey says enthusiastically, looking around in admiration. “And how cool is it that you have an aunt in Italy to help you”

“My aunt is so cool, you don't know the half of it.” Andie says with feeling. “I had the best time in Italy , I am so glad my dad convinced me to go” Andie says, excited. “Well, of course, it was hard to leave you guys” she adds, wistfully, glancing at Pacey from the corner of her eye. “But it was worth it.“ she smiles. “I helped my aunt with her antique shop, and I learned almost everything there is to know about Italian, French and American antique furniture. That's how I got such a great side-table” Andie says, indicating the beautiful wood table with the wine bottles on top. “I learned passable Italian and a little French, and for two whole months I backpacked with my cousin. It was amazing. I even went skydiving once. Talk about being totally out of control!“ Andie laughs.

Pacey looks at Andie somewhat shocked to learn that Andie has done something that risky.

“You must have had a great time too, Audrey” Andie says. “You were there four years. You must have backpacked all over too.”

“If you can call peering out of the grimy windows of an old tour bus, backpacking”. Audrey laughs. “Let's just say I've seen Europe in a more unconventional way.”

“But you still saw it” Andie says. “That's the important thing.”

“Everyone should jell in Europe at least once before they turn twenty-five, that's what I think” Audrey agrees. “It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience, even if for me it was more like half my life than one experience! But I was a back-up singer in a great band, so I don't regret it. And when the music stopped, well, there was always waitressing…” Audrey shrugs. “I got to know a lot of cities well by being a waitress, nanny, store clerk, whatever, before I knew my ex over there”

Andie and Pacey both burst out laughing.

“You a nanny? A store clerk?” Pacey says laughing and incredulous. “I'd have to see it to believe it. Why didn't you ask your parents to send you some money?”

“Well, because I got my pride buckaroo. Dreams don't come cheap. A woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do. It stinks, but there you go. Sometimes life has a way of being... real. Just a reality of life, I guess.” Audrey shrugs with a smile. ‘Sides, it was good for me, once I got over the shock of being “financially liberated” {she makes air quotes} from my parents. Helped make a real woman out of me, not of course, sexually speaking, because, well, that ship already sailed like forever ago, but God, speaking of sex, some of those Italian men….” Audrey makes an appreciative sound, with a funny and naughty look.

“Oh I know!” Andie almost squeals, and the two girls laugh and share a look.

Pacey frowns a little, not liking the turn the conversation has taken,

“So el dulce amore hit you too, Miss McPhee?” Audrey asks, not without trying to catch Pacey's reaction to her question, and more important, to the answer.

Andie sighs. “Oh, he was beautiful, but bad. Had me all twisted up in knots and waiting with anticipation for his every word, but alas, it was not meant to be.”

“And why is that?” Audrey asks bluntly.

“His ex-girlfriend got pregnant, he was el papa and that was the end of that” Andie says wryly but without anger.

“Everyone needs a bad boy at least once in her life” Audrey says with satisfaction, looking at Pacey out the corner of her eyes once again.

“Oh, that he was” Andie laughs.

Pacey looks a little crestfallen.

“I thought I was your bad boy” he says, a little bugged, to Andie, and Audrey has to contain herself not to laugh.

Andie's face softens a little. “You were many things but not my bad boy” she says, looking like she would like to reach out and touch him, but she doesn't.

“Don't despair, I think you were Joey's bad boy and no doubt a truck-load of others from what I hear on the grapevine” Audrey says cheerfully. “So don't despair. Nobody here can accuse you of being a stuffed shirt. Your legendary prowess with the ladies and reputation precedes you.” Audrey states, amused.

Pacey notices Andie looking at him a little strangely, a little sad, and suddenly we see him growing uncomfortable.

“Is that all you want to be? Somebody's bad boy?” Andie asks, not believing it.

“No, I'm not. Being a bad boy isn't all that it's cracked up to be” he mumbles, wanting to change the subject . “I'm on the straight and narrow now” he says, giving Andie a shy look.

“Yeah, me too, at least I'm trying.” Audrey says with gusto. “I can't be touring around in the back of a bus forever. Time to get a bit more settled in one place. And I missed you guys too” Audrey says sincerely, putting her arms around them for a moment with a cute pout. “I really jumped at the chance to come back to the good old U.S. of A to do some gigs and maybe a recording. Then things change,” she adds a little more serious, but c'est la vie , and I'm still really glad to be home” Audrey says with great sincerity.

“We're glad that you're here too” Pacey says with a smile.

“Speaking of Joey, when is she getting here? I miss that girl too!” Audrey declares. “Or should I say DawJo?” Audrey laughs.

“They couldn't make it” Andie says, disappointed. Then she brightens up. “But they are working on the documentary for Jack's custody hearing, and I think that is wonderful! I know how happy Jack is just to have them trying to help. Pacey and me already taped our speech and sent them to Dawson by internet. It was funny the way Pacey would fight with the webcam” Andie laughs and looks at him fondly.

“Aw, is true. I'm sorry they can't be here though” Audrey complains.

“Is ok. They've been more than generous, paying for the food tonight, and Dawson even donated a tour of the set of Spielberg's next movie” Andie announces, proud. “

“Well, you haven't heard my band sing yet tonight” Audrey teases. “You'll all be feeling the love tonight. Let's get this party started!” Audrey says with enthusiasm, motioning to the band and heading to the stage, as Andie and Pacey stand next to each other, a little shy and awkward, completely aware of each other, but trying to pretend like they aren't .

Capeside, the old Leery's house. After lunch.

Gale is sitting in the sunroom, just staring out the window as Dawson and Joey are playing in the front yard with Lily. John enters the room and sits by her side, contemplating the scene with as he speaks.

“I'm done with the kitchen” he announces proudly, trying to lighten his wife's melancholic mood. “I didn't know it was going to be such a traumatic experience” he adds after a moment of silence, sighing frustrated.

He doesn't like seeing Gale like this. It took him forever that she noticed him as something more than a client of the restaurant; as more than a friend once he gained her trust, not to mention that it took him forever to get the courage to ask her out in a date, and was surprised and delirious when she accepted. Since then he had known she was the one he wanted to share his life with from then on. And now that they were finally together, it seemed unfair to him that Dawson was so against it. He never had the impression that he was at all.

Gale realizes the impatient tone of his voice and places a hand over one of his knees.

“You gotta understand him John. He hardly knows you. Mitch is all the father he knew, and after our divorce, he lost him almost at the same time that he had got him back.”

“I know Gale, I know the whole history. And I know he doesn't know me. And you know why that is? Because he hasn't given me the chance. Yes, he is always polite to me. We have had casual conversations in the days we have met: some birthdays or Christmas days… That is, when he has had the time to come and visit us. But I have never really talked to him. Not even the day of our wedding. I had this long and sincere speech ready to give him man to man about how much I love you and Lily and all you mean to me and well…” Gale squeezes his hand lovingly with a sad expression on her eyes “… everything happened and it just wasn't the moment. But maybe if I talk to him now…”

“John, I know my son. Please, leave it alone for a while. He can be… stubborn, but he will understand sooner or later.”

Just as she says that, Joey enters the room almost breathless looking for something and smiles shyly when she sees Gale and John in what is obviously a personal moment. Gale just smiles at her warmly.

“Hi honey” Gale says as John stands up with as pensive face after looking at Gale, Joey and then back to Gale.

“I'm sorry if I interrupted, I can…” Joey gestures to the kitchen at her back, meaning she can come back later. But her retreat is cut by John as he stands up from the sofa.

“No problem Joey. I'm taking a walk, I need to walk everyday or my knees resent it” he says smiling although his eyes are still kind of sad.

“Ok” Joey says, smiling back at him with a knowing expression. She can't help but feel bad for him.

“I just came looking for something Lily asked for” she offers an explanation to Gale and she nods her head, absent.

Joey sits by her side.

“Hey, are you ok?”.

“Yes, I am. I am just… tired. Is gonna be a long day” Gale says, sinking further in the big sofa.

“I know the feeling” Joey half smiles, leaning on the sofa like Gale just did.

"I'm worried about Dawson and I don't know what to do. I know how he feels, but I also knows how John feels and I feel like trapped between the two of them but don't know what to do not to hurt anyone, you know what I mean? I don't know why he's acting like this," Gale answers, expressing her feelings.

Joey sighs and a sad smile lifts up the corner of her lips.

"Once again, I know how that feels. Trapped between two people knowing that they have to get to an understanding and some acceptance, or irremediably, one of them will be hurt” <a beat> “But I can tell you this: I know Dawson and he can be a little childish. And egocentric. Sometimes, he doesn't make any sense and he will put you against the wall, but he'll come around sooner or later. And when he does, he won't change his mind and will do anything on his power to help fix the situation," Joey tells Gale, hoping it would make her feel better.

"Yeah, I know you're right. He's always been like that, since he was a child, and I guess nothing will change that now, right?” Joey just smiles and shrugs her shoulders. “But we love him just the same, don't we?”

Gale laughs, “Yes, we do” A beat “But maybe… maybe you can help him see my reasons for selling the house. Help him see why. He will listen to you"

Joey realizes how desperate Gale is and finally she agrees.

“Ok, I will once this whole Jack documentary is done.”

“Thank you so much honey,” Gale says, placing her hand over Joey's.

"I'm actually sad about you selling the house too because, somehow, this house has been like my house as well. All the memories I've made here, you know?" Joey tells Gale, reminiscing as she starts thinking of some of the memories she shared in the house, and so do Gale.

"Yes, of course. This house has been like your second home when you were younger. All those movie nights in Dawson 's room and all the sleepovers," Gale remembers, smiling. She was thinking of Dawson and Joey as little kids then teenagers.

"I remember climbing up that ladder to Dawson 's room so many times," Joey remarks thoughtfully. That ladder was very special. Sharing all those times with Dawson in his room were some of the best times of Joey's life.  

"I didn't really think about how much you've experienced in our house when we decided to sell it. I mean, your sister had her baby here and we all stayed here through that awful hurricane..." Gale says.

"Yes, this house has definitely been like a second home to me," Joey admits, remembering every event Gale mentioned. "I'm really gonna miss it." She says, looking around appreciatively.

"Somehow, I look at you and Dawson and I think to myself it's amazing how much you and Dawson have grown. Time sure does fly. And I'm sorry to play the mother-in-law card, but…” Gale stops her talking when she realizes the smile in Joey's face as she lower her eyes. “I mean, I know I'm not your mother-in-law just yet, but I also know that you were always a part of this family, and now that things seem to be going so well between you and Dawson…”

“That's fine. I really like how it sounds: mother-in-law”, Joey repeats, smiling. “Since New Year, can you believe it? Nine months and counting”, she beams at Gale.

“My son is very private with his love life, and he hasn't told me specifically how happy he is, but he doesn't need to. I can see it in his eyes. The way he looks at you, the way he smiles at you. And I wanna thank you Joey. It had been years since he had had that smile, and I'm glad that once all is said and done, you two made it through.”

“I'm just amazed you never hated me. I hurt him so much”

“Well, he hurt you too. It never made me hate you, it only made me sad that you two couldn't see what was right on front of you”.

“I know. And I'm happy too that things are the way they are now. In the end, things always work out. That's the way it's got to be” <a beat> “ Dawson will come around”, Joey says as she stands up and picked up what she came to look for in the first place. “But I will talk to him just the same, mother in law” she beams at Gale as she exits the room.

Jack's house, Capeside, at that very same moment.

We see a police car entering the property, and Jack, who is sitting in the porch, stand up. Doug parks the car and exits as jack goes down the stairs in the porch and walks toward him.

“I didn't expect to see you here today,” Jack says rather coolly to Doug.

Doug is taken aback and flushes a little.

“Just because I'm no longer your boyfriend doesn't mean I don't care about you or Amy anymore.” Doug says a little defensively, but calmly.

“You could have fooled me,” Jack says coldly, obviously a little angry.

At this, Doug flushes even more, and clearly is controlling himself from retorting.

“I didn't come here to fight, Jack. I just came to tell you that I will go to the B&B later. I know you're under a lot of stress right now, and I don't want to add to it, so I'll just be on my way.”

Doug turns to leave, but Jack puts out a hand to stop him.

“Wait, Doug, you're right. I am under a lot of stress, but that is no excuse. I didn't mean to snap at you.”

Doug looks uncertainly at Jack, not wanting to get involved in any further unpleasantness. But there is something on Doug's mind, and he struggles a moment with himself whether to say anything or not. But finally he feels compelled to speak.

“Look, Jack, I'd have liked to be there more for you, but, frankly, you didn't let me. You've been so wrapped up with Amy that you could hardly spare me a second glance. And when I did try to be there for you, it was never enough. {beat} . You're a high maintenance kind of guy, Jack, at least where Amy is concerned, and I don't think I can deal with that. You need a lot of attention and just the right kind of attention, and I don't think I'm the one to give it to you right now.”

Jack starts getting upset as Doug speaks. “You could have said something about this last week Doug, when I came over to your house to talk to you. Why bring this whole thing up now? Just because you have found a new man?” he sees satisfied the look of surprise in Doug's face.

“How do you know?”

“When were you going to tell me?” Jack asks harshly.

“I didn't know how to do it.” < a beat> “I hate seeing the resentment in your eyes, but it was you who wanted to break up with me Jack, not the other way around. I wanted to be there for you. I wanted to be there for Amy. Don't you think I'd like to be Amy's father too, and have us be a family?” Doug asks with feeling. “But how can I do that when you pushed me away?”

“I didn't push you away” Jack argues defensively.

“Shutting me out is the same thing, Jack. Refusing to let me help you. Look, Jack, I know I could have been more sensitive to you, but I'm just not one so much for the drama. I get enough of that at the station and as an officer... and with my family.”

“I wasn't aware you thought of my situation as drama.” Jack says a little rudely.

“ To me it does” Doug responds. “I'm more a straightforward kind of guy, and I'll bring you tea and rub your back and be a shoulder to cry on when things go wrong, but I'm not going to hold your hand all day over it or chase after you with a box of Kleenex tissues every time there is a bump in the road of life.” Doug adds, a little angry.

Jack is stunned for a moment. "You think of Amy as just a bump in my life?!?" He asks in disbelief, his voice rising in anger. But Doug doesn't reply. He knew Jack would take it the wrong way. “You compare Amy to a bump in life?” Jack asks angrily through gritted teeth.

“Of course not” Doug says patiently but also annoyed. “It was just a figure of speech, but your emotional reaction just proves my point that you and I have different sensitivity needs and it can't be just about me accommodating your needs.”

“What the hell are you talking about? You sound like Dr. friggin Phil” Jack bursts out. “That's why you have a new boyfriend now?” Jack insists.

“That's not what we are discussing now. Jack, I've been trying to figure out what makes our relationship work and what doesn't, that's all” Doug explains, trying to remain calm. “I'm trying to grow and evolve, Jack, not just stumble blindly through life. I wasn't even out of the closet until I was twenty-five. I just don't want to get caught in a blind alley again. If we're meant to work out, fine, but if we aren't, I don't want to waste time thrashing around in the wrong relationship. And yes, maybe that includes trying new ones”

“Well, excuse me for caring” Jack says sarcastic and bitter.

Doug's expression softens. “I care about you too Jack, a lot. I'd even say I love you. I'm just saying that maybe you would be better off finding someone more.... sensitive.”

Jack is at a loss for words for a moment, still mad, but realizing too that Doug is speaking from his heart.

“I'm trying to have an adult discussion with you, Jack. I didn't come here to fight. You have enough on your mind with Amy.” Doug says softly, and the fight goes out of Jack. “And this really isn't the time or the place for this anyway.” Doug continues. “When everything is over here and the dust settles, you come over to my place and we'll talk.” Doug says kindly.

“And until then, you will talk to your new friend, Steve”

“I…I needed someone to talk to. It's nice to know that we aren't the only gay men in Capeside“

Jack looks uncertainly at Doug. “What did you need to talk to him about?” he asks cautiously, realizing that he doesn't know at all what is going on in Doug's life.

“Maybe I would have liked to have talked to you Jack or share with you things that were happening in my life too.” Doug says softly. “Maybe I don't feel the need to make such a big deal over it but that doesn't mean that it isn't a big deal.”

“Tell me what happened” Jack says, realizing that something has happened to trouble Doug.

Doug looks away for a few moments, distressed, then looks back at Jack. He hesitates then rapidly answers. “A friend of mine who went to police academy training with me got shot by a stray bullet a few weeks ago. He got really sick. He needed an operation and almost died. Thank goodness he didn't, and he's recovering now. {beat} I was with him at the hospital before his operation, and it was really touch and go there for awhile.” Doug pauses, still emotional over the incident. “I wanted to talk to you about it, but with all your brooding over Amy, you weren't there for me to talk to.” Doug says evenly but can't help a slight tone of accusation from creeping into his voice.

Jack looks a little shocked and a little guilty. “I… I had no idea”.

“Relationships are a two-way street, Jack” Doug says softly. Jack tightens his lips but doesn't reply. Doug looks compassionately at Jack a few moments before continuing.

“Anyway, when I went to go to New York to visit my friend in the hospital, I met this other gay man and realized that there is life outside of Capeside, including gay life. This guy in New York hooked me up with Steve, and right now, we're just friends… getting to know each other. I love you, Jack, but that doesn't mean that we were meant to be a couple forever. You're my first boyfriend and the first gay man I was ever with, so maybe I just need to play the field a little before I settle down. Same thing with you, Jack, I think. I know you've met a lot of gay fathers and maybe one of them would have more in common with you than I do.”

“I don't want someone I have a lot in common with. I want someone I love” Jack grouses, annoyed.

Doug studies Jack quietly a few moments.

“But that's the thing, Jack, I know what you really want, and what you want is Jen” Doug states. “You want with me what you had with Jen. That connection. That understanding. {beat} But I'm not Jen and I'll never be. No man will be. You can't find with us what you found with Jen.” Doug pauses, uncomfortable, but confident that he is speaking the truth. “I can't be Jen or compete with her, Jack, no one can. And I won't.” Doug states emphatically. “I think I have a lot to bring to the table in a relationship, and if you can't appreciate that, then I'll find someone who will. If you're looking for a gay male version of Jen, you've come to the wrong place.” Doug states, a little hurt and annoyed, before walking away and getting into the car then driving away.

Potter B&B, Capeside, around 4pm.

We see Gale, John and Lily arriving at the Potter B&B. Dawson and Joey are already there with Bessie and Bodie. They all are in the backyard as Dawson is setting up the camera equipment. At the arrival of his best friend, Alex comes out of the house where he had been making some drawings and greets Lily, although you can see that their greeting is not as cheerful as it always is.

“Hi Lily”

“Hi Alex”, says Lily as Joey caresses her hair.

“She's still not taking the news very well?” Bessie whispers to Gale as they salute each other with a peek in the cheek, but Lily can hear it just the same and replies to her.

“I'm upset Bessie”.

“Why, hon?” replies Bessie, exchanging a look with Gale as John sighs almost imperceptibly.

“Because I won't live near Alex anymore”, Lily says with wet eyes.

Everyone looks at her with concern, especially when Alex approaches her and hugs her sadly.

“I'm upset too, Lily. I don't want you to live far from here”.

Now it's Bodie who caresses his son's hair and Bessie, kneeling down, takes one Alex's hands and one of Lily's and speaks with patience.

“We have already talked about this, kids. You don't have to worry; it isn't gonna be that bad. You'll go to visit each other often and Lily can even stay here at the weekends if she wishes”

“But it won't be the same” Lily complains and then she takes Dawson 's hand. “And I know my brother doesn't want to sell the house neither, right Dawson ?” she says, looking at him with pledging eyes for support.

Feeling that he is the centre of attention and not knowing what to say (agreeing with his sister and making it harder for her, or agreeing with his mother and making it harder for Lily just the same?), feeling the conflict with his own thoughts and feelings.

“Lily honey…” Gale intercedes, noticing everybody's discomfort.

“Excuse me” Dawson says, squeezing his sister's hand with a lingering smile before he walks away.

Bessie looks at Joey with a worried expression and Joey smiles to the group of people before she goes to look for him.

She finds him sitting on the pier, engrossed on his thoughts, looking at nowhere. Joey approaches him silently and sits next to him.

“Hey stranger”, says Joey.

“Hey”, replies Dawson .

“I know how you're feeling right now --”, tells Joey. But before she can even finish the sentence, Dawson cuts her cold.

“I don't think you know it”, replies a little harshly Dawson .

Joey bites her lower lip and turns her face to the other side, a little taken aback by his tone, folding her arms over her chest. She feels obviously hurt by his words. For a moment, she thinks about leaving him alone and trying to speak to him later, when he's calmer, but changes her mind. She's always tried to speak honestly to him, even if that meant to hurt him. And now she knows he's suffering yet somehow her heart tells her she has to make him understand he's mistaking his mother's intentions and his behaviour is totally unreasonable and selfish. That's what love's about, after all: not running anymore, not taking the easy way out.

So she turns her head again over Dawson 's direction and speaks, this time sarcastically.

“Yeah, sure Dawson . How would I possibly know what it's like losing the one person in the world who taught you all the things that life had in store for you, protected you from all the things that would have caused you pain and loved you unconditionally no matter what?”

Dawson realizes he's gone too far and regrets his words. “Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you...”.

“ Dawson , you need to stop this” and now it's Joey who is upset. “You're not only hurting your mother, but you're boycotting her happiness as well”

“And she's boycotting not only mine, but Lily's as well” he says stubbornly.

“Lily is only a kid, everything is a big drama for her. But you Dawson… I don't mind if you're too stubborn to hear me, but you're certainly mortifying your family.” Now she changes her tone knowing that with or without reason, Dawson is having a hard time with all of this, so she speaks softly. “I can't understand why you adopt this attitude. You've got too much to lose, Dawson . And I mean so much. She's only doing what she thinks is the best for all of you”

“Great. So my mother decides what's the best for the family and I guess her erasing my father off of our lives fits in that category?”

“If she's doing so, it is actually not for you to determine. You have given her the chance to explain her reasons, but have you given yourself the chance to understand them?”

“I have, and this is not fair. She's deciding for us without asking how we feel about it. God, Lily didn't even meet him. How is she gonna know who my father was if we lose the house?”. He passes his hands through his hair and shakes his head. Then he sighs and says: “Why do things have to be the way they are? Just when everything seemed to be better than ever”

“Sometimes things are the way they are because... they can't be any other way. And you have no choice but to accept them and try to understand them, Dawson”

“I can't, Jo”, says Dawson with a low voice. He's not angry anymore. He's simply sad. Joey can feel the anguish roaming his mind.

“ Dawson , when it comes to your family, you're still living in the past tense” says Joey. Then she sighs, looks at him and tells him softly: "Do you want to know what Shakespeare said about the past?”

“You're gonna tell me anyway, aren't you? So I guess I have no alternative, right?”, says Dawson with a little smile on his face.

Joey rolls her eyes and smiles.

“Shakespeare said that the past is just a prologue. Now you can interpret it however you want. I think that what he meant is that the past may be just a tiny part of your life but, contrary to popular belief, it's probably the most important part in a story. It depends on how the prologue is set, on its foundations, that every following thing might or might not be one way or another. It's the part that conditions the others next. Depending on every little thing that you've lived and experienced and every person that shared something with you, that's the way you'll write the next chapters. Let the memory of your father, everything that he taught you, be the prologue of your life, a place where you can always look back to reassure you in who you are but not a place that stops you –or stops the others surrounding you, for that matter- to evolve, to keep on with your life. This doesn't mean that you need to hide your feelings for him in a drawer that you'll never open again, so that your memories are just silent and individual and won't bother the others. This just means that you have to live without the weight of his memory upon your shoulders, but with the strength of his memory by your side”.

Dawson looks at her thinking how lucky he is of having her after all.

“You really have a way with words Joey. You shouldn't be wasting your time editing, but writing your own novels”.

“Maybe one day” she smiles flattered, shrugging her shoulders.

Suddenly, Dawson remembers something and smiles softly. Joey stares at him amused, with an odd expression, and gives him her famous all teeth grin.

“Huh?”, she says, raising her eyebrows and waiting.

(Instrumental piece “Father always” starts playing in the background)

“I was thinking about something that my father told me the night before I left for USC”, says Dawson while Joey gazes at him. “I had left you at your house and came back home and he was waiting for me in the kitchen. He tried to give me his latest advice, you know, he was feeling lost with the project of his life about to leave the nest. He asked me how our good-bye had been. And... well, I was obviously devastated, and even though I pretended not to, he knew” he says looking at his girlfriend with a smile. “Then he stared at me seriously and told me ‘It ain't over ‘till it's over' with a grave voice”, tells Dawson and laughs while Joey shakes her head with amusement and smiles. “I told him ‘Dad, is that all your advice? A trite, hackneyed cliché?' and he said that this was all he could think of. It never occurred to me that such a sentence could have the relevance that it really showed in the end. ‘Cause, being as much the all-time dumbest advice that a father could give his son as it was, after all, he was simply asking me to keep the faith about you and me, which was the same as telling me that I should always remain the tireless believer I had always been... and that he liked me that way”. Joey looks at him, smiles and caresses lovingly his hand before lacing her fingers with his. Then, she takes his hand between both of hers and presses it softly. “It's the full meaning of leaving the house that hits me, because I'm afraid that if that ever happens I'll lose this memory, and all the memories that I have from him with me”, he states with teary eyes. “I mean, since I left for college I spent less and less time in that house with him and my family. And then he died. What I mean is that I hardly know this house without the presence of my father. His life, for me, is tied up to these walls. I guess for my mother it's different. She has spent the last years after his death, making the house her own place without him. But I haven't. You know what I mean?” he asks, turning to Joey expectantly, hoping for a little of understanding.

“I know what you mean Dawson ” she agrees softly. “It's just the way I felt when the IceHouse burned down. It wasn't just the building, it was… what it represented: my hope to have a normal family, my family, back. And well, considering how I behaved then, I might not be the best person to give you advice about how to behave. But I was 16 then Dawson. You are 26” .

Joey lifts her hand to his face and wipes the tears from his eyes, speaking with a trembling voice.

“And about what your father told you, I'm also gonna need you to use a great deal of that faith now. Just like I got my family now, things will settle for you too. Look, I don't know why and I don't know how, but it just happens that some things in your life you are just never gonna forget”. She stops for a moment as she remembers something. Dawson realizes and stares at her with a soft smile. “When I was 3 or 4, I can't remember, I was messing around my mother when she was painting in the backyard. She never allowed us to see any of her paintings until she was finished. But that day she called me and asked me what I thought about the painting. I can't remember what I told her nor how the painting was. But, if I close my eyes, I can see her smiling and I can clearly see how her face was glowing when she was showing me her work...and I have the feeling that she was giving me something more private than anyone had ever given me before. And that's something I'm never gonna forget. And you're not gonna forget either. I can guarantee it”, she finishes with teary eyes.

Suddenly, a noise coming from behind them is heard and they both turn their heads to see what's going on. Everybody is still in the backyard, enjoining the unexpected sunny day for being the latest days of September. They can see John lying on the lawn, where he's just fallen down, Amy clapping her hands amused by the fall and Lily offering her step dad help to stand up while laughing at him.

Dawson and Joey look at each other and laugh. After the intense moment filled with memories they wipe the tears of each other eyes and touch foreheads.

“Dawson, your father is not only a memory stuck to this house. Your father is in every breath you take, in the way you move; it's a part of you. A part of you that's gonna remain forever”, says Joey warmly.

“Thanks, Jo”, replies Dawson staring into her eyes.

Joey stands up and Dawson imitates her.

“What am I gonna do with you, huh?” she says playfully as she hugs him, her chin resting on his shoulder.

“Forgive me?” Dawson says, raising an eyebrow and placing an arm around her shoulders as he presses his face against her hair.

“You don't even have to ask. And if it makes you feel better, you could never keep up with my family's moral degeneration in a million years”, says comically Joey, pulling him away.

“That's true” Dawson replies, taking her hand as they start walking down to the yard.

“Hey, be careful what you say!” Joey says, hitting him with her shoulder, making him chuckle “Don't forget I'm proud of my family anyway. I finished my therapy, remember?”

“Yes, I know, and your emotional superiority's phase is unbearable”

“Don't be jealous. I can always teach you some good techniques”

“Really? ‘Cause it seems I'm needing them more than expected at my age”, says Dawson looking down and sighing.

Joey rolls her eyes and replies, “Drama king” and he laughs.

“And now come on, time to get back to work” She says as she places her arm around his neck and kiss him on the cheek, as they keep walking together.

Pacey's Restaurant, Boston once more.

The benefit party is at full swing, and Audrey is all cheerful talking to everybody while Andie and Pacey stares at her from a corner.

“Does she ever stop to surprise you?” Andie asks.

“Audrey? Nah. With Audrey surprises are the rule, not the exception. Someday you'll think that you truly know her but, finally, you'll realize you won't be able to do it at all. Because once you start to know her, you soon see there's always another Audrey to discover”, replies Pacey.

“You really got to love her, didn't you?”

Pacey seems to ponder her question.

“She conquered me with her crazy, wild ways. When I was with her though, I realized they were too much for me. I started to love her in a different and better way when we broke up. Does that sound weird?” he says, turning to her.

Andie smiles, “Nah, not really. That happens sometimes” and before she can't say anything else she's greeted by someone coming towards him.

“Hey Andie”, says Patrick.

“Hey Patrick. I'm glad you finally made it”, says Andie as they hug.

“You've really made a great job Andie. This benefit is gonna be a success, that's for sure”, says Patrick politely and with a sincere smile.

“Thank you. That means a lot”, replies Andie gratefully.

Pacey is looking at him with an odd expression. He remembers Patrick perfectly: he's the guy Andie dated for over two years. The same one they met certain days in the Boston Memorial Hospital . Audrey's observing the scene from the distance, noticing as Pacey's more than curious look and she raises an eyebrow while she mutters “Oh, oh”, knowing what's going to happen next as he shakes Patrick's hand firmly.

“Pacey Witter”

“Patrick Jackson”

“Yeah, I know who you are. We met some months ago at the Boston Memorial Hospital ”

“Yes, I think so, but I'm sorry, I don't remember it very well”, Patrick says while giving Andie an “I'm sorry” look.

“Don't worry. We weren't properly introduced that time. Just like now, I'm afraid”, Pacey says, looking at Andie and waiting for the formal introduction.

Andie smiles nervously, not really understanding what happened to Pacey and why he looks like he's... jealous? But can it possibly be that?

“Andie?” Patrick demands softly, looking at her as well.

So the awkward silence is broken by Andie's explanation about who is Pacey and his role in the benefit.

“Pacey's an old friend of mine from high school. He's actually the owner of this restaurant and he's managed to prepare everything. I couldn't have done it without his help”, says Andie while we see Audrey observing them from a distance.

“Well, knowing how bossy you are, I'm sure he didn't have much to say anyway”, states Patrick teasing Andie in a funny manner, starting to laugh as Andie hits him in his arm saying “Ha ha.”

Pacey doesn't smile. He doesn't like that he knows that Andie is bossy. He doesn't like that he knows Andie. And he doesn't like Patrick. Period. He feels ridiculous for it, because there is no reason for him not to like this guy, who has been nothing but polite and friendly. But the thing is, he dated Andie and… well, he dated Andie as well, didn't he?

“No, not at all. She didn't need to boss me around because we're a great team.” He smiles charmingly. “We've always been actually, since our times dating in high school, right Andie?”

Andie looks at Pacey confused. Is he trying to settle his territory or something or is she going crazy?. But before she can speak, Patrick does.

“Really? What a bizarre coincidence. Andie and me dated for over two years. She never mentioned you, though”. It wasn't his intention to hurt Pacey, but just like Andie, he has noticed Pacey's angriness and now he can't help but provoking him a little, curious to know where this could go. His male pride can't avoid responding to him. Andie looks at Patrick angrily though. She knows he has noticed and she expected him not to continue the (nonsense) verbal fight.

“Well, you know, one must lie under certain circumstances. To be compared by a woman to her first love is not an easy thing to deal with. Believe me, I've been there. And ultimately, I lost the battle.” When he says this, Andie looks at him with a dark expression at the indirect mention of Joey. And for some reason, that he does that, (mention her, even if indirectly), sadness and upsets her at the same time. “But hey, never let the past disturb you. You can't change it anyway”, states Pacey ironically.

Patrick looks at him while he replies. “That's true, you can't” he agrees with a lingering nod of his head.

Pacey shakes his head as well and is about to add something else when Audrey, who's been witnessing all the scene and anticipating dramatic consequences, joins the group and says one of her typical funny comments.

“Hey Pacey, I haven't seen my name on the poster of the benefit. Call me suspicious if you want, but I'm starting to think you suppressed it out of envy“, says comically Audrey. Both men look at her, Patrick with amusement, Pacey with a blank expression, but none of them replies her comment. Instead, Patrick decides to reply Pacey's comment.

“Do you know what? Even if you can't quite overcome your underlying insecurities, you have to try unless you want strangers to think you're a complete moron, which might be the case this time. But, don't worry too much, insecurity is a constant in life”, says Patrick with a nice smile that contradicts the meaning of his words.

“Thank you for the advice. This is for sure a strong confirmation of the goodness and kindness of... common people. Next time I'll try to think before acting”, says sarcastically Pacey.

“You must. My inner voice tells me you act fast, but you think slowly”, replies Patrick, and he follows “Nothing that time and experience can't heal, luckily for us”.

Pacey stares at him in defiance but doesn't speak a word. Andie and Audrey remain speechless. Audrey shows an odd expression in her face, as if she's seeing the exchange with great interest, while Andie looks like she's getting more and more angry with each passing moment.

Suddenly, Audrey whispers to Andie's ear: “We can learn a useful lesson of all this: jealousy can be a powerful catalyst to reveal the most unexpected feelings, don't you think?”

Andie just looks at her upset and shakes her head. Both men overhear Audrey's words and turn their heads to her, Patrick showing a victorious smile. Then Andie stares at Pacey and decides to leave them alone, but not without saying something before she does.

“I'm happy that you two are enjoying so much the conversation but, excuse me, I can't bear testosterone demonstrations”, replies bitterly Andie looking at Patrick and later at Pacey, who avoids her eyes, obviously ashamed but still angry at Patrick and the whole situation.

Andie leaves the three of them and gathers a group of colleagues from the hospital. She's upset and surprised, not only because she can't quite believe Pacey was actually jealous but she's also surprised that she actually, very very deep inside of her, likes the idea of Pacey being jealous... and what it means.

Pacey looks at her with an anxious look on his face as Patrick walks away and Audrey stares at Pacey, raising an eyebrow.

“What?!”, says Pacey when he notices Audrey's expression.

“Pacey, Pacey. Having a row with the ex boyfriend of the woman you're in love with is always a high-risk behaviour”

“I haven't said I'm in love with her”

“It's not what you said, but what you didn't say”

Pacey closes his eyes and bites his low lip while he shakes his hand: “It wasn't my best performance, huh? Why do I always act as a troglodyte in these kinds of situations? ”

“Well, they say the first step is to admit it, so now that you said it out loud, might be you're ready to work on it and not to do it ever again.” She tries to scold him, but he is so afflicted that she can't help but try to cheer him up. “Ok, let's keep a positive attitude here. She must be blind if she didn't realize you're in love with her again. Now we only need her to love you back. That, let me tell you, I don't think might be that difficult”, Audrey says opening wide her eyes and trying to make him laugh.

“It's not funny. Andie is one of my best friends... And I never said I was in love with her anyway”, he repeats as if trying to convince himself he didn't lose that much by fighting with Patrick in front of her.

“That reminds me that we are more oblivious than we think we are”, says Audrey while Pacey sighs. “Haven't you learnt anything from our friends Dawson and Joey?” that only makes Pacey look at her with a scared face.

 The Potter B&B, Capeside.

The scene starts with Dawson and Joey on the front lawn of the Potter B&B. There is filming equipment set up: a large film camera on a tripod, a floodlight and a white reflecting panel off to the side, leather bags of camera equipment on the ground here and there. There is also a smaller camera for still pictures set up as well. Dawson is leaning over looking through the camera, which is pointed across the lawn toward Jen's old house. The sun is starting to shine low through the treetops. It is mid afternoon. Joey is standing a few feet away watching Dawson .

“The light is perfect!” Dawson exclaims. “Or at least it will be in about fifteen minutes. I couldn't ask for a better day!” he says happily.

Then he takes his eye away from the camera and straightens up. A small frown crosses his face when he spots his family, including John, getting ready for the filming.

Joey sighs. “Don't think about it right now Dawson . You'll have the time to talk with them later. This is supposed to be about Jen and Amy, remember? Why don't we concentrate on that now?” she says encouragingly.

Dawson smiles a crooked smile, a little abashed, but still annoyed about the house being sold.

“You're right, Jo. But it's still a little hard to put it out of my mind” Dawson says seriously as he struggles with the lens of the camera.

Joey walks over to him and puts her arms around his neck and gives him a sweet but also hot kiss.

“Does that help?” she smiles.

“Always” Dawson smiles back at her, putting his arms casually around her lower back and touching her nose with his, leaning in for another kiss.

“Okay, back to work lover-boy” Joey teases, breaking the kiss. “The time is passing and the sun won't last forever”

With a dramatic sigh that makes her laugh, Dawson breaks their embrace.

“As much as I want to make this video and help Jack, and Amy, it still is hard to do, you know?” He pauses and looks out over the lawn thoughtfully before continuing, serious.

“It's so odd to think that Jen has been gone for almost a year… so strange. Even after all this time, I expect to look up and see her smiling face walking toward me with that sassy walk she liked to walk sometimes”

“Hi there you two” Jack says as he approaches them, holding Amy in his arms. “How are things doing?”

“Jack!” Joey exclaims, going to hug him, Amy included.

“Jack”, Dawson says warmly, shaking his hand and patting his shoulder. “We didn't hear you come”

“I know, you were too busy with the smooching and the camera. The more things change, the more they remain the same” he laughs.

“You can say that again” Joey says smiling at Dawson and playing with Amy's little hand in hers.

Jack looks intensely at th