SUMMARY: A story about Gretchen Witter before she arrives in Capeside. Set before Season 4. DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything to do with Dawson's Creek. I just love writing & I love Dawson's Creek. AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please read & review. This is the one of the first fan fiction that I wrote about Dawson's Creek.

PART ONE

Gretchen Witter kept her eyes tightly closed as she held a stick in her left hand. She didn't want to look for fear of what the result would be. She didn't want to know how her life was going to be changed or the reaction of her boyfriend, Nick.

The piercing ring of the telephone in the other room distracted Gretchen slightly. She ignored it as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked down.

It was pink.

Her life was over. ________________________________________________________________________

Gretchen paced back and forth in the kitchen of her best friend Katherine's apartment. Everyone in the living room was having a blast at their regular movie night.

"Hey babe," Nick said, coming into the kitchen. "What's wrong? You've been out of it all night."

Gretchen shrugged, "Nothing, Nick. I don't really want to talk about it."

Nick looked at Gretchen closely. She was usually so happy and carefree. Something was seriously wrong.

"Well, we're having shooter contests in a second. You do want to defend your title, don't ya?" Nick asked.

Gretchen gave Nick a look then strode out of the room.

"There are more important things in life than drinking," Gretchen said as she slammed Katherine's apartment door behind her.

Gretchen walked across the road, back to campus. She took a shortcut through the damp dark oval. As she walked she fumed at Nick's treatment of her.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the noise behind her. She didn't even have time to react as someone grabbed her from behind and forced her to the ground.

"Noo!" she exclaimed before a gloved hand was clapped across her mouth.

The person quickly pulled up her long skirt and pulled down his pants. Then he quickly raped her as Gretchen whimpered under his hand.

When he was done, he grabbed her bag and took of into the night.

Gretchen lay on the ground crying bitterly. ________________________________________________________________________ "How is she?" Nick asked as he saw a doctor walking by.

"Both Gretchen and the baby are fine. They both had a lucky escape. You have a strong family. You're welcome to go and see her," the doctor said.

Nick had a stunned look on his face as the doctor continued on.

"Baby?" he said to himself. "He must be talking about someone else."

Nick walked over to Gretchen's room and pushed open the door. She was sitting up and looking very delicate in her hospital gown.

"Hey babe," Nick greeted, sitting next to her. "How are ya?"

"Okay," Gretchen said.

"Hey, the doctor said something really weird to me but he must have been talking about someone else," Nick said. "He said you and the baby were fine."

Nick laughed expecting Gretchen to laugh with him.

"Why aren't you laughing?" Nick asked.

Gretchen looked down at her hands. "I'm pregnant Nick."

"From the rape?" Nick asked, dumbfounded.

"No, you jerk, from you!" Gretchen exclaimed.

Nick stared at Gretchen. He couldn't believe what she was saying.

"Please tell me you're joking," Nick said seriously.

"I'm not joking. We're having a baby," Gretchen said.

She was already starting to feel a little excited. She loved Nick and hoped that maybe the baby would encourage him to propose to her.

Nick continued to stare at Gretchen.

"Well, you know what you need to do, right?" Nick asked.

Gretchen tilted her head to one side. "No I don't."

"Abortion," Nick said. "It's the only thing to do."

"Are you serious?" Gretchen exclaimed. "Our baby just survived this rape. I'm not going to abort it. It's a defenseless baby!"

Nick snorted. "Gretchen, it doesn't even resemble a baby. It's just an embryo. Gretch, you know we can't have a baby. We're still in college. You work part time, I don't have a job."

Gretchen felt tears come to her eyes. "Nick I want this baby."

"Well you're going to have to do it without me," Nick said standing up. "I want nothing to do with it."

"Nick, please, I love you. Don't you love me?" Gretchen asked tearfully, reaching for him.

Nick leaned closer. "When you've taken care of it, come and see me."

Gretchen stared at Nick as he walked to the door.

"And don't even think of telling anyone it's mine. I'll deny it. I'll tell them it was from the rape," Nick said.

Gretchen felt tears well in her eyes. She burst into tears as Nick closed the door behind him. ________________________________________________________________________

Gretchen wandered along the edge of the shore. It had been a week since her encounter with Nick and she was trying to put it behind her. She had definitely decided to keep the baby. She wasn't going to allow Nick to dictate what she should do to her body.

Gretchen stopped as a breeze blew in. She wasn't sure what she was going to do but she still wanted to finish college.

She knew there was no way she could count on her parents. Her dad was going to blow his stack when he found out. Gretchen had no plans to tell anyone yet. It was still early and it would give her a chance to figure out what she would do.

Gretchen turned around and walked back to her towel and shoes. She picked them up and headed for the parking lot. As she stepped onto the asphalt she saw a car that looked familiar. She checked the plates. It said "HOTT1". Nick's car.

Gretchen looked around but couldn't see him. She wondered if he was with a girl. She knew he would be. He was never without a girl.

Gretchen suddenly decided to go visit her best friend Katherine. She always knew what to say to cheer her up. Gretchen suddenly missed her. She hadn't spoken to her since the rape.

Gretchen briefly wondered if Katherine was avoiding her.

'Nah' she thought as she jumped in her car and headed for Katherine's. ________________________________________________________________________

"Thanks," Gretchen said as Katherine passed her a steaming mug of coffee.

"So you're all well now?" Katherine asked.

"Yeah," Gretchen said. "I feel great physically. But I can't sleep at night. Every time I close my eyes, I see him," Gretchen said.

Katherine sat down next to Gretchen. "You didn't recognize him?"

Gretchen shook her head. "No. I gave a description to the police but it was really dark and he was wearing gloves and a face mask."

Katherine sighed. "That's really scary. Do you think it could be one of the students?"

Gretchen shrugged. "Who knows?"

"Nick told me you guys broke up," Katherine said, nonchalantly.

"Did he?" Gretchen said, her eyebrows rising. "Did he say why?"

"Just that you told him you didn't want anything to do with him," Katherine answered. "Why Gretch? Wouldn't he be a great support to you now?"

Gretchen decided to go along with it. "Nick and I weren't getting along anyway."

"He seems to think everything was fine. He doesn't know why you'd break up with him."

Gretchen snorted. She couldn't believe the number Nick had pulled.

"Kath, Nick knows exactly why. I'd rather not get into it right now," Gretchen said.

Katherine nodded. "Okay. But you should know that Nick asked me out. We're seeing a movie tomorrow night."

Gretchen looked at Katherine. "How could you?" she exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Katherine asked. "You broke up with Nick. You don't want him anymore."

Gretchen stood up. "You're taking my leftovers? What happened to Robert?"

Katherine stood up as well. "Gretchen why are you so upset? You're acting as if you still love Nick."

Gretchen shook her head as she walked to the front door. "You have no idea, Kath. No idea."

Gretchen slammed the door on her way out, feeling more alone than ever.