Part 9
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the DC characters. KW is the one that owns these amazing characters.
Type: It's a surprise...have to read and find out!
Rating: PG-13,if even that.
Summary: It's five years into the future. Everyone is invited back for a joyous wedding where feelings will rise again, a tragic secret will be revealed...and a choice will be made that will last a lifetime.
The following day...
Joey is sitting next to Jen's bed editing some recent material her boss had sent to her. Jen is asleep. Grams had asked Joey to stay with Jen while she and Jack went home to gather more clothes. Joey is having a hard time concentrating on her work though. The argument and declarations she had with Dawson the day before still kept running through her mind. Something doesn't feel right.
Joey looks up when she hears Jen starting move around on the bed.
Joey: (smiles) Hey you.
Jen smiles back.
Jen: (softly) Hey.
Joey: I was hoping you'd wake up for a few minutes while I was here.
Joey stares at the "new" Jen.
Joey: You look wonderful! All your color is back. You're practically glowing!
Jen lets out a light laugh.
Jen: I guess that's what happens when you get a new life. (pause) I've been given a second chance. So, I guess that means it's time for me to start getting my priorities straight.
A half smile appears on Joey's face.
Joey: You and me both.
Jen notices the stressed tone in Joey's voice.
Jen: Are you okay?
Joey looks at Jen. This wasn't the time to put her own problems on Jen.
Joey: (lies) Yeah. I'm fine.
Joey laughs it off, but Jen won't back down.
Jen: Joey, come on. I may have been out of it for a while, but now I'm back, better than ever, and I can still figure out when something is up.
Joey: Jen, really. It's nothing. Besides, you don't need all my problems dumped on you. You need to be focusing on yourself.
Jen: I am focusing on myself. And right now the only thing that's going to make me feel better is you telling me what's going on.
Joey sits there in silence, thinking everything over.
Jen: Something happened between you and Dawson.
Joey looks up.
Jen: Didn't it?
Joey sighs and bows her head.
Joey: Sort of.
Jen: So...spill.
Joey takes in a deep breath as she prepares to tell Jen the story.
Joey: Well...remember when you asked me to make that choice? Between Dawson and Pacey?
Jen nods.
Joey: You were right. It was time for me to stop running and face reality. I needed to decide who is was that I really wanted to be with. (pause) It wasn't easy, believe me.
Jen: It's not supposed to be. If it was, then you and I wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation.
Joey: I know. (pause) I just wish it didn't have to end with someone getting hurt.
Jen: Life sucks like that, huh?
Joey lets out a light laugh.
Joey: Yeah.
Jen: So...
Joey: So, this woman shows up out of nowhere confessing her love for Dawson.
Jen: What?!
Joey: Apparently they dated for about three years.
Jen: And you didn't know anything about this?
Joey shakes her head.
Joey: He never mentioned her.
Jen: So what did he tell her?
Joey: I don't know exactly. I kind of bailed.
Jen: Have you talked to Dawson about it?
Joey: Yeah, I guess you could say that. Argue was more like it. (pause) We pretty much had a big argument while taking a walk down "bad" memory lane.
Joey bows her head, remembering the unsettling conversation. Jen continues to observe Joey.
Jen: I hate to be the one to say this, Jo, but I think it's time you and Dawson both just leave the past behind. (pause) Especially you.
Joey looks up.
Joey: What?
Jen: The truth is you can't really hold everything bad that has happened between the two of you against Dawson. What's done is done. You can't change the past, Joey. You can only make the most of the present and make plans for the future. (pause) Until you're able to let go of the past, you'll never resolve your true feelings for Dawson and Pacey.
Joey slowly nods as Jen's words begin to sink in.
Pacey walks into this apartment with some groceries. He sees Doug sitting on the couch surfing through TV channels.
Pacey: Hey, Dougie. No "Felicity" re-runs tonight?
Doug: It's on the "bad hair" season. It's scary.
Pacey laughs.
Pacey: It's good to hear you joking again.
Doug smiles.
Doug: You too little brother.
Doug gets up to help Pacey start sorting through the groceries.
Doug: So, how's Jen?
Pacey: She's doing great! The doc says her new heart is working beautifully.
Doug: And Jack?
Pacey stops putting the groceries away for a moment.
Pacey: He seems to be doing a lot better now that Jen is okay. (pause) You still need to call him.
Doug: (sighs) Pacey...
Pacey: Or at least go visit him.
Pacey continues putting the groceries away.
Doug: Now is not the right time for Jack to be worrying about our relationship or whatever it is we have.
Pacey: But you still need to tell him how you feel.
Doug: Okay. Alright fine. (pause) I'll tell Jack when you tell the woman you love that she's the one.
Pacey stops again and looks at Doug.
Pacey: What are you talking about?
Doug: Oh come on, Pacey. You and I both know that there's a woman you are insanely in love with. The question is when are you going to admit it to yourself and tell her?
Pacey: It's not that easy.
Doug: But this whole thing with Jack and me is?
Pacey: Okay, fine. You're right. It's not easy for anyone. It's just that there's two women in my life that I care about very much and I know that when I make my decision, one of them is going to get hurt.
Doug: You can't be sure of that, Pacey. Yes, there is a chance she will, but what if she doesn't? You're not seventeen anymore, Pacey. It's time you start thinking about yourself and what's good for you. I know that sounds selfish, but sometimes you're given the right to be selfish. This is that time
Pacey: Even so, that doesn't make it any easier to decide what I want.
Doug smiles.
Doug: If you use your brain for once, I think you'll realize that you already know.
Pacey: Oh really?
Doug: It's not rocket science, Pacey. Anyone who really knows you could tell you who you're meant to be with. In fact, I've known ever since the day you met her.
Pacey: Care to clue me in?
Doug gives a sarcastic laugh.
Doug: I'm a good brother, but I'm not that good.
Pacey: Gee, thanks bro.
Doug: Anytime.
Doug starts to leave.
Doug: I'll see you tomorrow. (pause) And don't strain your brain too much. You still need what's left of it.
Pacey: (sarcastically) Oh, thanks, Dougie!
"Letting Go" by Sozzi starts to play.
Doug leaves. Pacey just stands there thinking everything over. It is time to make the biggest decision of his life.
Don't call me
Don't write
Don't show up in the middle of the night
You know that
We needed
Some time and space to breathe in
Dawson is sitting at his desk, trying to type an ending for "The Creek" season finale. All that's on the screen is the blinking cursor. His mind is blank or maybe it's just all the other stuff that's running through his head. Besides the show, Dawson has his own life to figure out.
I still recall the words you said to me
It's what you did not say that sets me free
Now how can I find peace of mind when you keep coming back again?
It's not okay for you to play this game of seesaw with my head
Dru is sitting beside Jen's bed, watching her sleep. If only he could tell her how he feels. Maybe she feels the same way and they could be together for the rest of their lives. He could become Amy's father, next to Jack. Nothing would make him more proud. But then again, what is she doesn't feel the same way? Their friendship would become strained. Nothing would ever be the same again.
Now it hurts too much
And it hits too hard
And I won't play this part
Dru slowly closes his eyes, giving in to sleep. After a few moments, Jen slowly opens her eyes and sees Dru. A look of love, wonder, and uncertainty appears on Jen's face as she watches Dru.
Don't call me
Don't write
Don't show up in the middle of the night
You know that
We needed
Some time and space to breathe in
Andie is sitting at the hotel pool, dangling her feet in the water. A sad smile appears on her face as she starts thinking about what had happened between her and Pacey at his pool not too long ago. She felt safe when she was with him. It was like nothing or no one existed in the world. It was just them. Pacey and Andie. He always makes her feel this way. He lets her believe that everything is going to be okay, if only for a moment. Now she's not sure if everything is going to be okay. Jen is doign great, but it's her own love life that she's concerned about. If Pacey chooses to be with Joey, she will have to learn to let go once more.
So now I say the things I want to say
Sometimes it's better letting go this way
I'll always know
Down in my soul
We really had so far to go
I've given all I had to give
And now it's time for me to live
Joey walks out on her dock and sits down, her feet dangling off the edge. She did this often in her earlier years when she had some thinking to do. This is what she needed now more than ever. Her walk around town helped her a lot. She finally found the courage to let go of the past. Now she just needed to face the present and plan for the future. To do that, she must tell the one she loves how she really feels. And she has to do it soon.
And I won't look back
And I won't regret
Though it hurts like hell
Someday I will forget
Voice: Mind if I join you?
Joey quickly turns around, a little startled. It's Pacey. Joey smiles, feeling comforted by seeing a familiar face.
Joey: No, not at all.
Pacey smiles and sits down beside her. They did this often when they were a couple back in high school. Now they were just two best friends enjoying each other's company.
It's funny how we seem to end up here
I never thought I'd see this soul disappear
Pacey and Joey stare out at the creek in silence for a few moments.
Pacey: So, what's on your mind, Potter?
Joey: How do you know something's on my mind?
Pacey: You do remember we dated for a while right? I mean I wasn't that bad in bed was I?
Joey laughs.
Joey: Don't remind me!
Pacey: Ouch! Sarcasm!
After a few moments it gets silent again. Pacey stares at Joey as she looks out at the creek, obviously thinking.
Don't call me
Don't write
Don't show up in the middle of the night
You know that
We needed
Some time and space to breathe in
Pacey: Seriously, Jo. What's going on in that head of yours?
Joey: Why don't you tell me? You're the one that's psychic.
Pacey: Okay. (pause) Um, you realized that you're getting fat because you're pregnant.
Joey playfully pushes Pacey.
Joey: Bite me, Pacey!
Pacey: With pleasure.
Joey gives Pacey an evil grin. Pacey smiles.
Pacey: Okay, fine. (pause) You really want me to try and guess?
Joey glances at Pacey from the corner of her eyes.
Pacey: I just have this funny feeling that you're thinking about you and Dawson.
The music gets softer.
Joey looks at Pacey.
Pacey: Or something that happened between you and Dawson. (pause) I saw that look on your face today, Joey. The one you had when you and Dawson returned from that long walk of yours.
Joey: Let's just say that there were some things said that should've been said a long time ago.
Pacey: But it wasn't really what either of you wanted to hear right?
Joey bows her head, unsure if she should tell Pacey how the conversation ended.
Pacey: Jo?
Joey looks at Pacey.
Joey: I told Dawson that I wanted to be with you.
Pacey just stares at Joey, dumbfounded. Those were the last words he had expected to hear.
Pacey: (softly) What?
For so long, these were the words Pacey had longed to hear from Joey. She had just said she wanted to be with him. He thought nothing could ever make him happier. But, something isn't right. The words don't have the affect on him that he thought they would have. Instead of feeling incredible and alive, Pacey felt confused and regretful.
Joey's eyes become glazed with tears that are starting to form. This gives Pacey a little hope because he realizes something.
Pacey: You didn't mean it. (pause) Did you?
Joey quickly turns away and wipes away the tears that have started to fall. After a few moments of silence, Pacey speaks again.
Pacey: You really want to be with Dawson.
After a few moments of bowing her head, Joey slowly nods.
Pacey stares out at the water.
Pacey: Wow.
Silence overcomes them once more, but is quickly broken when Pacey starts laughing.
Joey looks at him as if she can't believe it.
Joey: What's so funny?
Pacey: I'm sorry. It's just...I'm having a hard time understanding something. (pause) Why in the world would you tell Dawson that you wanted to be with me...when you really want to be with him?!
Joey: Because i was angry, Pacey! (pause) Dawson had just said some things that were mean, uncalled for, and...and...
Pacey: True?
Joey sighs.
Joey: Yes. (pause) But the thing is, he said he wanted to be with Marie.
Pacey: Who?
Joey: Never mind. Long story.
Pacey: Well, whoever Marie is, do you honestly believe he really wants to be with her? I mean come on, Joey. Dawson gets angry too and likes to throw things out like that. What makes you think he just didn't get defensive like you did?
Joey lets out a big sigh and rests her head in her hands.
Joey: God, Pacey! What am I going to do? I just lied to Dawson and I may have lost him forever. I mean he's my best friend...my soulmate. (pause) He's...he's everything.
Pacey: You have to tell him, Jo.
Joey looks at Pacey.
Pacey: You have to tell him everything you just told me.
Joey looks back out at the water.
Joey: I know.
Pacey sighs.
Pacey: Just like I have to tell Andie.
Joey looks at Pacey with raised eyebrows.
A smirk appears on Pacey's face.
Pacey: I know, I know. Everyone knew but me. (pause) But at least I know now. I hate that it took me so long to figure it out. I mean, now that she's back I can't imagine ever losing her again. I feel like if I lost her, I would lose a part of myself.
Joey smiles.
Joey: I'm happy for you, Pace.
Pacey: Thanks, Potter.
They begin to stare out at the water once more in silence.
Joey: Do you think it's too late?
Pacey looks at Joey.
Pacey: It's never too late, Jo.
A sad smile appears on Joey's face. Pacey puts his arm around her and pulls her in close. They are just two souls trying to figure out where to go next and wondering if their true loves will still be there once they reach their destinations.
And this is letting go
This is letting go
Dawson walks slowly up to a hotel door. He stands there a few moments just staring at it. He takes in a deep breath and knocks. After a few moments, the door opens. It's Marie.
Marie: Dawson!
The expression on her face shows she is surprised to see him, but happy at the same time.
Dawson smiles.
Dawson: Hey, Marie. (pause) We need to talk.
Marie: Okay. Come in.
Dawson walks past her into the room. Marie smiles as she closes the door.
And this is letting go
This is letting go
This is letting go
This is letting go
TO BE CONTINUED...
Coming Up: Pacey and Joey decide to tell Andie and Dawson their true feelings, but their plans are put on hold when a shocking announcement is made.