May 2010
New York, New York
Joey and Pacey were sitting on the couch together, watching TV. Pacey seemed his usual aloof self, but something was clearly bothering her.
"Here we go, it's starting!"
Ever have one of those days you wish you could live all over again?
"Oh, God, not this episode."
Joey shushed Pacey as a scene of Sam and Petey's friends at the dock gave way to the two of them passionately making out in the boathouse. Petey asked Sam for one day, just one day to tell Colby about their relationship, and then the opening credits played.
"Did you figure out the thing with your dad yet?"
"No. I was going to ask Bessie, but that didn't feel right, either. I don't know, Pace."
"You could always ask Dawson, I'm sure he'd do it."
"Oh, you'd just love that! One last little ego trip, one last victory over Dawson before we get married. How typical."
"Jo?"
"Sorry. I didn't mean that. I know your heart is in the right place, I shouldn't have snapped at you. The wedding stress is just starting to get to me, and I've barely made any progress on my novel."
"I understand. This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, don't let this ruin it for you."
"And it's not the happiest day of your life?"
"All the happiest days of my life involve you, Jo. The night you kissed me at Aunt Gwen's house, the day you jumped on the boat, the night at the ski lodge, the night we got locked in K-Mart, the day you told me your heart would always belong to me, the day you said yes. I couldn't possibly choose one day."
Joey turned up the corner of her lip into a half smile, and the show came back on before they could continue the discussion.
About 45 minutes later
The episode had proceeded in the manner of the movie Go, the day being portrayed three times, from the perspectives of Petey, Sam, and Colby. It reached the climax after Colby let Petey and Sam know that he already knew about them before they had a chance to tell him. Colby ran back inside his house and Sam climbed up the ladder. Allie was berating Petey.
Petey, how could you be so stupid? You're going to throw away your whole friendship with Colby, and you're going to lose everything! You're just going to get hurt! She is never going love you like she loves him, you have to know that, don't you? He is her first love, Petey! HER FIRST LOVE.
The show cut to commercial, and Pacey stood up from the couch.
"I can't watch this anymore."
"We can turn it off if you want."
"No, I know you want to watch it, I'm just going to head out. I'll be back later."
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know, the restaurant, I guess."
"Isn't this your night off?"
"Yeah, but, Jo, that was one of the worst days of my life, I just want to be anywhere but here. Besides, De Niro should around tonight, he's been bugging me to finalize the plans for the new restaurant. I'll try to find him."
"You sure this is okay?"
"Positive. Love you, bye."
Pacey waited in the doorway for her to say goodbye back, but she never did, her mind was in a million other places. The show came back on after he left. Colby was lying face down on his bed his face buried in the pillow, crying uncontrollably. Sam kneeled on the bed, leaning over him.
I meant to tell you, Colby.
When, Sam, when? When you were watching that movie here with me? I already knew then, and I was giving you the chance to come clean. You blew it. You both did.
We're not together anymore, Colby, and we haven't been for a year.
So, this is your way of punishing me? For not getting back together with you in the fall?
No!
Then, what is it?
Petey makes me happy. I love him.
Do you love him the way you love me?
Don't do this, Colby. She started stroking his hair and was crying herself now. I need you to be okay with this. You can't tell me how I'm allowed to feel.
That's rich coming from you, because it sounds an awful lot like you're telling me right now how I'm allowed to feel.
Tears started to well up in Joey's eyes as she watched. She knew this wasn't exactly how it played out, but somehow it felt more accurate than how it actually did.
You can't tell me who I'm allowed to love as the price for our friendship.
What friendship?
Colby, don't do this. Please don't do this.
Do you still love me, Sam?
Of course, I do, Colby.
It's him or me, Sam. It can't be both of us. This is your choice, not mine, I won't tell you how to feel, and don't you tell me how to feel either.
Sam was sobbing uncontrollably now, as was Joey.
Why do I have to choose, Colby?
Because we're growing up, Sam, and I'm going to tell you the same thing you told me last spring. There are certain circumstances that love cannot overcome.
Don't use those words against me. It's not fair, Colby.
Life isn't fair, Sam.
What do you want me to say, then? I'll say whatever you want. Just don't hate me, Colby. Please.
Just leave, Sam.
She dried her eyes and climbed out the window as Colby went back to sobbing in his pillow. He stayed that way until Jill walked in.
Joey was in a complete daze. Maybe Pacey had the right idea. Some days are better not to live over again. The last thing she remembered hearing was Petey asking Sam if it was over and Sam telling Petey he wouldn't be asking if he didn't already know the answer. She started crying all over again as the screen flashed Executive Producer Dawson Leery. Pacey found her collapsed in a ball on the couch an hour or so later. She had lost track of time.
"I think you had the right idea, I shouldn't have watched it."
"You had to, Jo."
"I guess I did."
"Would it make you feel better if we called Dawson now?"
"No, not now. I'll call him tomorrow."
"You okay, Jo?"
"No, of course not! Do I look like I'm okay?"
"Tell me what I can do."
"Just sit here with me."
"I think I can manage that."
The next day
Burbank, California
Dawson was in the writer's room, and everyone was heatedly arguing how to end the season. Dawson knew he'd have to settle the debate in the end, but, for now, he was in his usually listening position with his head buried in his arms on the conference table.
"Colby needs to tell Sam to go with Petey. It's the only way the audience will forgive him. He was a jerk to Sam when he found out. No offense, Dawson."
"No, no, no. It was Sam and Petey who screwed up. They were so scared of hurting him, they wound up hurting him even worse. And what right did Sam have to tell Colby that he had to be okay with it? Raise your hand, would anyone in this room have been okay with that, at least at that age?
Everyone looked at each other, but no one raised their hands.
At that moment, Dawson's assistant walked in. He knew who it was. She wouldn't have disturbed him otherwise. This time there were no snide remarks from his fellow writers.
"Just keep brainstorming. I'll make a final decision when I come back."
"Ask Sam! Maybe she has an idea."
He didn't respond as he walked to his office.
"Hey, Jo."
Hey, Dawson.
"What's wrong? Something seems off."
I don't know.
"It's me, Jo, you know you can always tell me anything."
I know. It's just, last night's episode was rough to watch.
"It wasn't exactly easy to write. How do you broadcast the worst day of your life to millions of viewers?"
Was that really the worst day of your life?
"Let's see, there was the day I found out you kissed Jack. The day you broke up with me the first time. The day you broke up with me the second time. The day you got on the boat. The day you broke up with me the third time. Did we have a fourth break up? Sometimes I lose count."
Okay, Dawson, I get it. All the worst days of your life involve me. It's funny because all the best days of Pacey's life involve me.
"I'd hazard a guess that most of the worst days of his life also involve you."
And the best days of your life? Do most of them involve me too?
"All of them, Joey, except the ones involving my career."
Exactly. You never were as passionate about me as you are about your career.
"Why are we having this conversation? If I didn't know better, it would seem like we're just trying to hurt each other for no good reason."
No, I didn't mean to do that. Let's talk about something else. Anything else.
"Okay, the writing staff wants me to ask you how you think the season should end."
Doesn't Sam get on the boat with Petey? You're not considering editing that, are you?
"That's the big debate. Should it end like it really did, with Colby telling Sam that she's free, or should we do something else?"
What was that thing you said in your Best Man speech at your parents' second wedding?
"I said, 'l think that's what love really means. That you can forgive anything.'"
Right, what if Sam were to tell Colby, firmly, that she's going with Petey and that she hopes he'll find a way to be okay with it. And then Colby says that line?
"Ooh, that's brilliant."
Dawson, I need to ask you a favor.
"Anything. You already know that."
I think you should hear this before you say yes.
"When was the last time I said no to you?"
That's not the point.
"I bet it's been close to ten years, that's entirely the point."
No, Dawson, this is different. It's huge, not just some casual favor.
"Bigger than telling you to get on the boat? Bigger than writing your college letter? BIGGER THAN PAYING FOR YOUR TUITION?"
Yes, I don't know, maybe.
"Well, what is it, Jo?"
I want to ask you in person. Do you know when you'll be in New York next?
"Uh, upfronts are in two weeks."
What's that?
"It's when the networks bring in their talent to preview the new fall season for the advertisers. I was planning to go to Capeside afterwards so I can start working on the new screenplay. I can stay an extra day in New York."
Perfect. Do you want me to ask Pacey to get us a table at Corton?
"Sure, I'd like that. Just how big of a favor is this?"
Huge.
"Well, I'll see how the old goat is at making tiny food as you ask me this mysterious huge favor."
Don't make fun, Dawson.
"Sorry, it was just a joke. We good?"
Always.
"Love you."
Love you, too.
As confused as he was, he had no time to give it any further thought. He went straight back to the writer's room to tell them the ending Joey had suggested.
Two weeks later, early Friday evening
New York, York
Dawson knocked on Joey's apartment door. He was dressed in a business suit and had a small suitcase along with a garment bag. Pacey answered the door.
"Thanks for letting me stay here this weekend. I could have stayed at a hotel."
"Well, seeing as you're the one doing Joey a favor, it wouldn't right to make you spend your own money on a hotel."
"Thanks, Pace."
"So, do you have any idea what this mysterious favor is?"
"I do. In fact, I was the one who suggested she ask you, but it's not my place to tell you."
"Okay…"
"Anyway, I have a favor of my own to ask you, and I want to do it before she finishes getting ready."
"Is this another huge, mysterious favor?" Dawson smiled wryly.
"No, but it is important," Pacey laughed as he said it.
"Do tell."
"I want you to plan the Bachelor Party. Next Saturday, it'll be Memorial Day Weekend, so no one will have any excuse not to come."
"Sounds good. Whom are we inviting?"
"You, me, of course, Doug and Jack, I guess. Who else?"
"Anyone from the restaurant you want to invite? Maybe your old friend Will?"
"Yeah, do you have Will's number?"
"I think I can find it."
"Okay, and I'll spread the word at the restaurant."
"Can I invite Todd?"
"Todd? Who's that?"
"Todd Carr, my mentor. Not sure if he'd want to go out that late, though."
"Don't think I've met him."
"You'll like him."
"Sure."
"So, the whole nine yards? Kegs, strippers,…"
As if on cue, Joey walked out, wearing a ravishing red dress, the same one she wore to the Oscars.
"You look beautiful."
"God, woman, you look amazing."
"Thanks, boys. What's this about strippers?"
It was Pacey who answered.
"Strippers? No, no one said anything about strippers. Shippers, that's what we said."
Dawson had to stop himself from laughing, and he knew Joey was going to have way too much fun with this.
"Like, cargo ships? Why would you be talking about that?"
"Uh, yes, we're having some delays at the restaurant, and it's causing us to have to make some changes to the menu."
"Pacey, why are you lying? We can tell her the truth. She won't think any less of us."
Pacey was mortified, but he knew better than to argue.
"I was telling Pacey about how the viewership is divided into 'Cam' and 'Pam' 'shippers,' based on whether they think Sam should choose Colby or Petey."
"Yes, exactly, like with Twilight, they have Team Edward and Team Jacob, based on which character they ship Bella with."
"But why is it called shipping?"
"I don't know, Jo, Dawson was about to get to that part."
"It's short for relationship."
"Oh, that makes sense. All right, ready to go, Dawson?"
"Yup."
"I'll stop by the restaurant later, should be a bottle of wine waiting for you on the table."
"Love you, Pacey, see you tonight."
"Love you, too, Jo. Dawson, remember, no strippers, just some old friends and family having a little whiskey and maybe cigars or something."
"You got it, pal." Dawson winked at Pacey, who shifted uncomfortably.
Joey and Dawson started cracking up hysterically the moment they got in the elevator.
"That was amazing."
"I know! I don't care if he has strippers, besides, I want to have male strippers at my bachelorette party."
"I'll make sure he does."
When they got to the bottom of the elevator, Joey grabbed Dawson's arm, and they walked like that to the restaurant. The hostess greeted them as soon as they walked in.
"Ms. Potter, Mr. Leery, we're honored to have you with us tonight. There's a bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild waiting for you on the table with Mr. DeNiro's compliments, but if you'd prefer a drink at the bar, first, that could be arranged."
Dawson looked at Joey, who answered, "I think we'll just go straight to the table."
As they walked, Dawson noticed a wall with various newspaper cutouts, restaurant reviews, and awards, including the red plaque from the Michelin Guide with two stars on it. He also saw last month's Vanity Fair, with Dawson and Joey taking up most of the cover. He paused to take it all in.
INSIDE: A MODERN HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY
We sit down with Hollywood's new power couple*, the self-proclaimed soulmates behind the Oscar-winning screenplay of Peter and Wendy.
*The catch? They're not actually a couple, not in the romantic sense, at least.
They sat down, and Dawson looked confused.
"What's wrong?"
"I was just wondering where the menu was."
"Oh, they don't bring menus."
"How do we know what to order then?"
"It's what they call a tasting menu."
"What's that?"
"It means that everyone gets the same dishes, and you get a lot of them, different tastes of the kitchen."
"That's easy."
"Yeah." Joey's mind was somewhere else. Dawson looked at the bottle of wine.
"How much do you think this cost?"
"For us, free. Not polite to ask how much free things cost."
"True."
The waiter came by to explain the format of the meal, much the same as Joey just did, asking if they had any food allergies or dietary restrictions, which they did not. He then opened the bottle of wine and allowed Dawson a taste. He looked quizzically at Joey, who took the glass from him and performed a flawless wine tasting.
"Is it to your liking, Ms. Potter?"
"It is quite lovely, thank you, Mark."
"I'll decant it for you and then be back with the first bites." He floated away.
"Do you know all the waiters on a first name basis, here?"
"Most of them."
"God, Joey, I love seeing you like this, how you've evolved from that skittish little girl that was afraid of the entire world except the one that existed in the four walls of my bedroom."
Joey turned the corner of her mouth up into something that was more scowl than smile, but it was gone as soon as it appeared.
"I think when I was more scared of your bedroom than the world that existed outside of it, that's when I learned to grow up."
"I'm not sure if I should be insulted by that."
"No, I just mean, for most of my childhood, you were my whole world. It was a nice fantasy, but it wasn't real, it wasn't sustainable. I was scared of losing that fantasy, but I was more scared of getting trapped in the pursuit of that fantasy."
"We can't stay in Neverland forever, Peter."
"Exactly. I just think I sorted out those feelings a lot quicker than you did."
"I have, Jo."
"Have what?"
"Sorted out those feelings."
"No, you haven't. You're close, but you're not there yet, and that's kind of what this is all about."
Dawson was confused. What could she possibly be asking him that was so important? The waiter appeared with two small plates.
"This is sea urchin with caviar in our own ponzu sauce."
He handed them tiny spoons. Dawson looked at Joey befuddled, but he followed her lead when she used the spoon to eat it like she was eating a small pudding cup. It was much better than he expected. No sooner had they finished the dish than the waiter whisked away the empty plates. Joey hemmed and hawed a bit, but Dawson kept the conversation going.
"Well, that was quite an interesting dish."
"Yeah, it was. It's one of Pacey's recipes. Okay, I'm just going to say it."
She hesitated.
"Go ahead. I'm listening."
"Dawson, I want you to walk me down the aisle. I don't want my father to be the one to give me away. It's such a dated tradition, and he wasn't there for me growing up, not the way you were. It would mean the world to me, and it would erase the last of my lingering doubts. Watching that episode two weeks ago, it really solidified my feelings about this. I know I don't need your permission, and I'm not asking for it. Even if you say no, I'm still going to marry Pacey, even if you tell me you can't go to the wedding, but, please, for the sake of your love for me, just do this for me."
Dawson's reaction was the last one that Joey expected. He started laughing.
"Dawson, don't make fun, this is serious! Ohhh, this was a stupid idea."
"No, Joey, it's just, I expected this to be something bigger, since you hyped it up so much."
"It is big! What could be bigger than this? This is the most important part of my wedding to me."
Dawson grabbed Joey's hand across the table with both of his, and she calmed down.
"You're right, Joey. This is huge."
"Do you need some time to think about it? Take as much time as you need."
"I don't need to take any time."
"So, you already know?"
Dawson smiled his mischievous grin at Joey, still holding her hand, which had gotten clammy by this point.
"It would be my honor."
Joey's entire face beamed into a smile. This time, it didn't fade away.