Very early the following morning (middle of the night).

Dawson had been tossing and turning all night. He wasn't sure if he had slept at all. All he could think about was his fight with Andie. He finally got out of bed and walked to the guest room. He knocked on the door lightly. No response. He walked in. Andie was laying on her side and looked at him when he entered.

"Can't sleep, either?" she asked.

"No. I feel awful."

"So do I. Look at me, stupid Andie, I had to go and ruin a good thing."

"Don't say that Andie. You didn't ruin anything. And you're not stupid. If anyone's stupid, it's me. God, look at me, I'm probably the only boy in the history of teenagers to turn down not just one, but two beautiful women who wanted to sleep with him in the span of a year."

"You think I'm beautiful?" She sat upright, and her entire face had lit up. Dawson was relieved that that was the one aspect of this situation she chose to focus on.

"Yes, very much so."

"Then how come you never asked me out? We have fun hanging out together. We're both attracted to each other. We'd have made a great couple."

"I don't know, Andie. I guess the timing never was right. I was dating Joey when we first met, and then you started dating Pacey, and Joey was with Jack. After you and Pacey broke up, I was with Eve, and then you dated Joey's creepy boss. Then the whole thing happened with the PSAT, and then there was Nikki, and you dated Will, and then I got back with Joey, and now here we are."

"And what about now?"

"Now it wouldn't be healthy for either of us, we'd just be channeling our frustrations in the wrong way."

"So, uh, can we pretend this whole thing didn't happen?"

"Yes, please."

"Can I come back to bed? I understand if it would be too awkward."

"That's why I'm here."

She rested her head on his shoulder as they walked back to his room and got back into his bed, and she curled up next to him.

"You think I'm beautiful," she said to him smiling. It wasn't a question this time.

Dawson just smiled back at her. She really was. She was asleep in minutes, and he couldn't help but think how peaceful she looked lying next to him. As he fell asleep, he started to wonder if he had made the wrong decision.

Later that morning.

"Morning, sunshine," Andie said brightly as soon as Dawson opened his eyes.

She was already wearing her sundress, which was as yellow as the sun. He smiled as soon as he saw her. The memory of their interaction came rushing back to him, but he was glad they decided to pretend it didn't happen. In a twisted way, having an argument with Andie that didn't directly involve Joey or Pacey, helped take his mind off whatever was happening on the boat. He wondered if they had made it to North Carolina yet. They were probably at least as far as Virginia.

"I think you're all the sunshine I need with that dress."

She beamed at him and did a little twirl.

"Okay, get dressed, and I'll make breakfast. I told Jack we'd go to the beach this afternoon. I hope that's okay."

"Yeah, of course."

She raced downstairs, and Dawson thought about how good it was to keep busy. She was really making an effort to minimize the time he had to mope. He got ready for the day and went down to join her. She had made scrambled eggs and French toast.

"French food two meals in a row?" Dawson said wryly.

"I can't stop thinking about that meal, Dawson. All the food was amazing. Thank you so much for taking me out."

"It's the least I can do for you, after everything you've done for me."

"That's what best friends are for. Now, sit down."

He did, and she set down two plates, along with coffee. He hated to admit it, but she was a much better cook than his mother.

"This is great."

She ignored the compliment. Something else was on her mind.

"Dawson, I'm going to say something, and I know you don't want to hear it, but it's time."

He steeled himself.

"Time for what?"

"We should stop by Jen's house before we go to the beach. We don't have to stay long, but you need to talk to her. She lives across the street from you, and you haven't even called her since the day I moved in."

"I don't know, Andie."

"Well, I do know. If you won't do it for her, do it for me. Jack keeps telling me how upset Jen is about how she left things with you. Just talk to her, that's all I'm asking."

"Okay," he sighed, "I'll talk to her."

That afternoon.

Andie held Dawson's shoulder as they walked across the yard to Jen's house. He was entirely apprehensive, but Andie's prodding helped him make it the whole way. They knocked on the door. Grams was the one who answered.

"Oh, Dawson, I'm so sorry about everything. Jennifer told me what you did. I just feel awful. I was taking Jennifer and Jack to live out their dreams, while you were letting yours sail away."

"Thanks, Grams, sometimes I just wish I could take it back."

"No, you don't. You know full well how miserable you and Joey would have been this summer if she stayed with you." She looked up towards the sky. "Besides, if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I have full faith that Joey will wind up with the person she's meant to be with."

"I hope you're right."

"You know, I was wrong about you."

"How's that, Grams?"

"When Jennifer first moved in, I told her to stay away from you. I saw Joey climbing in your window for ten years and came to all the wrong conclusions. What I didn't see was how much you two loved each other, how much what you each wanted, more than anything, was for the other person to be happy. Jennifer loves you the same way, you know. You have no idea how bad she felt when she told you about Joey and Pacey."

Dawson hesitated, and Andie squeezed his shoulder, which gave him the courage to respond.

"That's why I'm here. I want to make things right with her."

"Let's go inside then."

Andie smiled at Dawson as they walked inside.

"Jennifer! Dawson is here. He wants to talk to you."

They heard a loud crash followed by quickened footsteps. Jen looked at Dawson from the stairwell and hesitated. He was equally hesitant as he returned the look.

"I'm so sorry," they both said at the same time. She ran towards him, and they embraced without any further words. Dawson rubbed Jen's back as she started to cry. They didn't need to go into detail about why they were sorry. It didn't matter.

"Aww, I love you both so much," Andie cooed, hugging them both.

"We love you, too, Andie," Jen replied.

Dawson put his arm around Andie before breaking up the group hug.

"Uh, so, Jen, would you like to come to the beach with us?" Dawson asked. "We were about to go pick up Jack."

She looked at Grams, who nodded.

"I'd really like that. Let me go get changed." She raced back up the stairs.

"You know, Grams, Jen told me all about that blue-eyed boy of yours." Dawson said as he smiled mischievously. "I think I have a newfound respect for you."

Grams smiled at Dawson with pursed lips.

"There's nothing like being young and in love, Dawson. Don't let your youth go to waste." She looked pointedly at Andie when she said that. "You know, the old me would have a had a lot to say about the two of you living together in the same house with your parents away on their honeymoon."

Andie started to blush.

"It's not like that, Grams," Dawson said sharply.

"I was going to say that the new me would say it's none of my business."

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

"I'm trying, Dawson, give me that much at least."

"Fair enough."

Jen came down ready for a day at the beach and looked over at Grams and Dawson. She looked like she was about to say something.

"Let's go. We need to make the best out of this summer. All of us."

"A-greed!" Andie said with exaggerated effect.

"Have fun, you kids," Gram called out as they left. They responded with their goodbyes.