A Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Dawson's Creek Crossover
Episode One - "Brand New Day"
Xander stood at the end of a dock, looking over a seemingly endless creek, and breathed in the fresh air. To him, it felt invigorating and engergizing, despite the fact that Sunnydale wasn't exactly a smog cloud itself.
It just felt incredible to be in a new place, without the baggage he had been carrying back in Sunnydale. That thought suddenly brought him back down. Part of the baggage he had left behind, however unwillingly, was Buffy. He'd never gotten to tell her how deeply he really felt for her.
Willow, his best friend ever, was yet another casualty of his parents bitter punishment. He'd never get to have another late night talk with her, or even one of their childish sleepovers. He sighed deeply.
He shook his head and headed back down the dock to the nearby restaurant. He read the nameplate on it aloud, "The Icehouse. Sounds decent."
He pushed the door open and entered. He glanced around at the shabby, yet strangely endearing state of the place. He opted to take a seat at the bar, and a pretty young lady came over to serve him right away.
"Welcome to the Icehouse... how can I help you?" She said, handing him a menu.
He glanced over the menu, and smiled a little, "Whats the greasiest thing you can legally serve me?"
She raised an eyebrow, but returned the smile a little, "One house special, coming up... anything to drink?"
"Eh... just water, thank you." He handed her back the menu, and she went into the back.
*Timelapse: Xander is finishing his meal.*
He slid the remains of his food away, patting his belly and groaning with satisfaction. His waitress laughed lightly and commented, "You certainly do enjoy your grease, don't you?"
He joked, "Miss... I come from a long line of Germans. Grease is like a whole food group to us." The young woman laughed again, and he decided to continue the conversation, "So, whats a person to do in this burg? I just got shipped to town and I'm looking to pass my time."
"Well... I don't get much time for leisure anymore, but your best bet is Screen Play Video downtown... and a hefty amount of boating. This isn't exactly a booming town for excitement." She relayed.
"Ahh..." He reached into his wallet and pulled out money to pay for his meal, "This is a nice place you have here. Hope everything keeps going good for you."
"Thank you." She smiled, "By the way, whats your name?"
"Xander, Xander Harris." He said, returning the smile, "Yours?"
"Bessie, Bessie Potter." He nodded and left. He looked after him as he left, whispering his name due to its strangeness, "Xander?"
*CUT TO: Screen Play Video. Pacey and Dawson are on duty, watching some movie.*
Pacey glanced at the door as he heard the bell ring. He saw the dark haired young man enter the building, and noticed he had a look about him like he'd been to hell and back, and stood up through it. Pacey mentally shook the thought and stood up to be of service, "Welcome to... well, if you don't know where you are, then you're in a sorry state. How can I be of help?"
"Well... can you tell the new guy in town whats worth watching in here?" He stated plainly.
Pacey saw he looked young, but couldn't actually tell his age, so questioned, "Would your search include the backroom adult selection?"
Xander smiled a lop-sided smile, and shook his head, "Not unless its legal in Massechusetts to view that stuff under the age of 16."
"Ahh... very well then. Dawson, care to guide the man through your picks?" Dawson got up off his chair, and ran through his picks. Pacey took his turn next, taking his sweet time. Xander didn't seem to mind the fact that he'd been in the video store for almost twenty minutes.
"So this is what you're takin'?" Pacey asked, looking at the four boxes on the counter in front of him.
"Yeah... I'm guessing you both know your movies... so I'll go with two of yours, and two of his." He smiled.
"Awesome! You won't be disappointed." He rung up the register, took his money, and handed him his change, "Now those have to be back by Friday."
"Thanks for the help..." He said thankfully, and added tentatively, "Maybe I'll see you guys in school... I'm starting tomorrow."
Pacey wanted to make a friendly gesture, "Well look out for us... we'd be glad to help you past the first day jitters." Dawson only half-heartedly nodded. Xander nodded and headed out the door.
Dawson shook his head and looked at Pacey like he was crazy, "Friendly much, Pace?"
"Oh, relax, D... just trying to help the guy feel not-so out-of-place."
Dawson shook his head, "Theres just something I don't like about that guy."
Pacey rolled his eyes, "Oh get over yourself, Dawson."
*CUT TO: The Bachman residence. Xander comes in through the front door.*
"Alexander? Is that you?" A frail female voice called.
"Yes, Aunt Edith... I'm home from my tour of Capeside." He called from the foyer. He walked quietly into the living room and set the videotapes down next to the television.
"Good, I was just making dinner... its your favorite, grilled cheese and tomato soup." She called from the kitchen.
Xander rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Maybe back when I was five..." He sighed, knowing she still thought of him as a little boy. In reality, he didn't mind being treated that way. It was a refreshing change from his life in Sunnydale, where he was forced to grow up too fast. Once again his mind slipped back to memories of his old hometown. For all the frightening and hopelessly sad ones, there were an equal number of positive memories.
He made his way to the small kitchen, reliving his favorite memories. Unfortunately, his reverie brought back not only good thoughts, but his tears. His aunt noticed immediately, and spoke, "Alexander? Are you alright?"
Xander was snapped out of his daze and nodded, "Yeah, yeah... just, uh, rehashing the past."
She smiled sadly at him, "I know it will be hard for you to adjust... but Capeside is a good place... I'm sure you'll start collecting yourself some good memories here in no time."
He nodded and sat down at the counter. She places a plate in front of him, with a large bowl of tomato soup in the center, surrouned by a grilled cheese sandwich, cut into quarters. He thanked her and ate his dinner quietly.
His Aunt Edith lived by herself in a small, but quaint house. Her husband had passed away of a heart attack a few years before, and she'd opted not to return to the dating game. She seemed happy enough on her own, and even moreso now that Xander had come to live with her. He was glad to bring a little brightness to her life, considering how well he understood what living alone was like. His homelife wasn't exactly ideal, so parental bonding wasn't an option. He was already feeling better just being there. His Aunt was immeasurably appreciative of his presence.
After he finished his sandwich, he ran his dishes through the sink and excused himself to the living room. His aunt liked to go to bed early, so he had peace and quiet to watch at least a couple of his movies in.
*CUT TO: Capeside High School, the next morning.*
Xander stood outside the front of CHS, and looked it over oddly, "What is this place, Independance Hall?" He was put off a little by the columns and other architectural oddities the building had. He shook his head and proceeded inward. He had to get to the main office and get his schedule before the day began.
He observed the hallways of Capeside High with even more discomfort. The place seemed too bright and cheery for him. It was also much more cramped than Sunnydale's campus. He supposed that had to do with the location. Sunnydale was in California... and Californians liked things big. He shrugged and continued on, until he realized one important thing, "Um... just where the heck is the office?"
He turned his head for only a moment, to look for any signs reading "Office", when he slammed into a tall brunette. They collided roughly, and both went sprawling to the floor. He was immediately back on his feet, helping her up.
She snapped at him angrilly, "Would you watch where you're going?"
He was staggered, and stuttered, "I'm sorry... uh, I'm new here... can you tell me... where the... uh, office is?"
Her eyes narrowed as she examined him, "Around that corner and straight down... you can't really miss it."
He nodded, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "Uh... than... thanks." He started to go off, but turned around and caught her attention, "You're okay, right? I'm really sorry about not paying attention."
Her expression softened, but she didn't completely give in to her sympathetic wave, "I'm fine... just be more careful, okay?"
He smiled faintly, "Will do." He turned around to walk away, and planted himself right into a wall. He shook it off and went around the corner and off. She was left staring after him strangely.
*CUT TO: Time-lapse. Xander has gotten his schedule, and gone through his first class. He's still feeling quite awkward, and he can't get his encounter with the brunette(Joey) out of his head.*
Xander approached his locker slowly, looking at the number on his schedule to make sure it was the right one. He tried the combination, which luckily worked. He stuffed his jacket and anything else he didn't need into the locker and closed it. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and started walking away.
On his way down the hall, he spotted what seemed like a familiar face... or head of hair, anyway. He tried his best to pull up a name, and tried his luck, "Dawson?"
The head of hair turned and it was, indeed, the same person he'd met in the video store. Dawson looked at him oddly, "Yes?"
"Uh... remember me? From the video store yesterday?" Xander hoped.
Dawson looked at him scrutinizingly, "Oh, yeah... um, did you want something?"
Xander was relieved, "Just a little help... do you know which way room 115 is?"
Dawson rolled his eyes a little, and replied, "Algebra with Ms. Samson? I'm going there too..."
Xander smiled faintly, "Would you mind if I tagged along?"
Dawson thought about it, "I guess not." He closed his locker and headed off, with Xander en tow.
*CUT TO: Another class, Joey and Jen. Joey is working on something for one of her later classes, and Jen is just piddling around. (a study hall, aparently)*
Jen was glancing around the room, and she saw a purple mark on Joey's arm. She scooted over and asked quietly, "Joey... where'd that bruise come from?"
Joey was startled by the fact Jen was even talking to her, but sheepishly answered, "Oh, some guy ran into me earlier, literally. It doesn't hurt... much."
Jen smiled a little, "Oh..." She paused a moment, "Was he cute?"
Joey's eyes widened, and she turned a little red, "Not that it matters... but yes."
"Ahh... then the battle scar is worth it."
Joey rolled her eyes, but remained bright red, "Oh please."
Jen smiled even more, "Did you at least catch his name?"
"He wasn't exactly wearing a big 'Hello, My Name Is...' badge, Jen... and he seemed to be in a hurry to get to the office."
Jen seemed to smile even more, if it was physically possible, "Oooo... a bad boy?"
"Not even... he said he was a new kid... he was probably going to get his schedule and stuff."
"You should point him out to me the next time you see him." She was grinning now.
Joey's eyes rolled again, "And feed him to the vulture? I think not." Jen's smile was gone.
*CUT TO: Another study hall, next period. Xander is idly doodling in his notebook, and Pacey is napping a few seats away.*
Xander didn't realize it, because he was too zoned out, but he was idly doodling vampire related object on a page in his notebook. He had a stake, a cross, a vampire itself, as well as a poor drawing of Buffy. He sighed and reached down to unzip his bookbag.
The noise from Xander's old, old bookbag unzipping was enough to break Pacey out of his nap. He yawned openly, and glanced back to see the source of the noise. He smiled as he recognized the guy, but didn't know his name.
"Hey!" He called quietly.
Xander's head flew up, and he recognized who was looking at him, "Hey. Whats up?"
Pacey smiled, "Unfortunately the usual... absolutely nothing." He got up quietly and moved back a couple of seats, to sit next to Xander, "Whats your name, anyway?"
"Xander, Xander Harris." He relayed.
Pacey smiled, "Pacey, Pacey Witter." He laughed a little, "How Bond of us." Xander shrugged, smiling as well. "Xander, huh? That short for something?"
"Yeah... Alexander... thats just too long of a name for a kid. Pacey short for anything?"
"Nope. So what brings you into town?"
"Disgruntled parents." He sighed, "They weren't too happy with my bad grades and constant curfew breaking... so they shipped me here to live with my aunt. I'm sort of glad it happened, though... I, uh, wasn't exactly in happy home back there... at least my aunt appreciates my presence."
Pacey sighed as well. He knew what it was like to be in an unhappy home, "Well... I don't exactly have the best family life either... I'm the self-deemed black sheep of the family... and it appears its not likely to change anytime soon, with the quarter coming to a close soon. More disappointing grades."
Xander smiled sadly, "Well, I guess thats cause enough to be friends, huh? The 'Life Is Hell' club we can call it."
Pacey smiled a little, "We can include my friend Joey too."
"Joey? Who is he?"
Pacey couldn't help but laugh, "Not *he*... *she.*"
"A girl named Joey? That'll be a sight to see."
"The name holds no bearing on her looks, my friend... she's a knockout." Pacey said fondly.
The teacher up front coughed loudly, expressing her knowledge of their conversation. Without further word, they both silenced themselves. Pacey glanced over at Xander's notebook and saw the strange things he had drawn. A stake, a cross, a vampire, and a girl. Pacey shrugged and excused it as just a creative mind.
*CUT TO: Lunch. Joey, Dawson, and Pacey are gathered around a table. Jen is absent for this particular lunch.*
"So this guy just plowed right into me... he said he was sorry and everything..." She dipped some fries in ketchup before speaking again, "But I tell you, we need to do something to raise the average IQ of people around here... too many are just walking basketballs." She stuffed the fries in her mouth and grunted.
"Thank you for the comentary, Ms. Congeniality." Pacey said dryly. He turned to Dawson, "Hey, D... do you remember that guy we saw at Screen Play last night? Well he's in my study hall, and I finally know his name. Xander Harris."
"I have him in second hour Algebra, and I already knew that." Dawson said, finishing his supposed salisbury steak.
"Xander Harris? Why is that name so suddenly familiar?" Joey thought out loud. It dawned on her, "Oh, god... Bessie was talking on and on about this guy named Xander Harris who stopped by the Icehouse last night. The way she was talking, it sounded like she wanted to try and fix me up with him." She rolled her eyes.
"Don't sound so disappointed... from what I've seen and heard of him, he's an okay guy." Pacey related.
Joey rolled her eyes even more exaggeratedly, "Oh yeah, like *you* are a good judge of character, Pace."
"Hey, the Witter charm draws the heat from both sides... its irresistable." He grinned, "In fact, right now you're probably imagining the many ways you could take Pacey Witter in the school building alone."
Joey was scowling, "Bite me, Pacey."
Pacey opened his mouth to comment, but another voice filled in for him, "Tempting offer there, Pacey... mind if I substitute for you?" They all looked off to the side to see Xander standing there holding a lunch tray. He saw their blank stares and he looked down at himself, "What, do you have something spilled on me?"
"Hey, X." Pacey said, giving Xander a nickname already.
"Uh, hey Xander." Dawson said nervously.
"You're Xander?" Joey cried.
"And you're Joey." He replied calmly.
"Here to give me a few more bruises?" She commented sarcastically.
Xander saw an opportunity, grinning a lop-sided grin, "If you've got the time and the energy." Pacey and Dawson laughed loudly. Joey turned bright red and shot up out of her seat, taking off. His grin turned into a frown, "Okay... that was unplanned."
Pacey was stunned, "She's never cracked that fast before... we can usually go on and on..." He got up out of his chair at the same time Dawson did. He looked at Dawson seriously, "I'll take this one, D." Dawson looked very reluctant, but agreed. Xander sat down at the table, feeling very regretful for what he said.
*CUT TO: Outside the cafeteria. Joey is crouched in a corner rocking back and forth. Pacey walks up cautiously.*
"Jo. Jo? Are you okay?" Pacey asked with genuine concern.
"Go away, Pacey." Her voice wasn't shaky, simply annoyed.
"No, Joey. I'm worried about this outburst. Is something wrong?" He lurked above her.
She scoffed, "Like you care."
He crouched down next to her, "I do care, Jo. And I want to know whats bothering you, so I can either help you with it... or just help you figure out what you can do about it, okay?" He said softly.
She looked at him, and he saw she bore no tears, simply wide, frightened eyes. He sat down on the floor and helped her down to it as well. She answered is question slowly, "I don't know, Pacey. There's just something about that Xander guy. When joked at me from where he was... I suddenly got this really creepy feeling all over. The room felt like it dropped twenty degrees in a second... and I swear." She scoffed again, this time at herself.
"What, Jo?"
"I got all these weird images in my head... and it felt like they had something to do with him."
Pacey put his arm around Jo's shoulder, "Do you think he's a bad person or a creep? Because Dawson and I can keep him away from you."
Joey shook her head wildly, "No, no... It was..." She looked up at him with skeptical eyes, "I know this will sound crazy... but it looked like I was seeing his past... and he wasn't the creep... he was the guy beating up the creeps."
Pacey pushed any doubts he had aside, "It doesn't sound crazy at all, Jo. A little weird, yeah, but not crazy. Maybe you're just under a lot of stress and you finally cracked. Who knows... but one thing you are not, Josephine Potter, is crazy. Now do you think you're going to be okay, or should I take you home to get some rest?"
As an answer, she stood up, giving him a thankful glance, and made her way back to the cafeteria.
*CUT TO: The Cafeteria, perspective behind Dawson and Xander, facing the cafeteria doors. They both see Joey re-enter, followed by Pacey, and stand up. They both have worried expressions on their faces.*
She sat down, her composure regained, and apologized, "Sorry about that, guys... I've just had a stressful time lately and it sort of exploded... sorry to worry you like that." She half-lied. Her week *had* been stressful, but it was no where near bad enough to cause a breakdown.
"I'm, uh, sorry too... I hope I didn't start it or anything." Xander apologized as well.
"No, no... I don't really know *what* caused it... but its over now."
"Do you need to go home? Shouldn't you go get some rest or something?" Dawson suggested.
"No thanks, Dawson. I'm just fine, okay? Right, Pacey?" She looked at him pointedly. He nodded weakly. Lunch continued on with no more incidents.
*CUT TO: Pacey and Xander driving around in the Witter truck.*
Xander was staring out the passenger side window blankly. He was obviously experiencing even more of his old memories.
Pacey glanced over and noticed Xander's overall sad demeanor, and tried to break him from it, "So, whats your impression of Capeside so far?"
Xander looked from the passenger's side window, to the front windshield, and answered quietly, "It's a nice place. I like the quiet."
"You *like* the quiet? Man, somebody must have done some major brainwashing on you."
"Nah... just my life back in Sunnydale was, well, put simply, a lot more hectic... this place is really nice with all the quiet... I don't have to worry about all the baddies of the night chasing down my mood." Xander had to resist throwing his hand up over his mouth to cover his gasp. He had just said a little too much.
Pacey looked at him strangely from the corner of his eye, and thought back to what Joey had been saying earlier in the day. He shook his head and dismissed it, "Everybody has their demons, man... but thats no excuse to shell yourself up."
"Yeah... I guess. I'm kind of tired... y'think you could take me home?" Xander requested.
Pacey glanced at his watch, seeing it was only eight o'clock. He sighed, "Its a Friday night, man... not a care in the world... heck, we even returned those videos you rented. We can hang out until midnight."
Xander shook his head, "I don't want to fall into the same habits again, Pacey... the one's that got me kicked out of my house and all the way across the country. I just want a little peace and quiet."
Pacey was at a loss for words, "Alright, alright."
*CUT TO: The Bachman House. Living room. Xander is entering, while his Aunt is sitting and watching TV.*
"Alexander? You're home already?"
"Yeah... its pretty dead around here. I think I'm just going to go up to bed." He said tiredly.
"Well, alright..." He started towards his room, "What about your friends back in Sunnydale? I thought you said you were going to give them a call sometime."
Xander stopped walking and lowered his head, "Yeah, I was..."
"Well, are you going to do it?"
He sighed, "Yeah... Tomorrow is Saturday, I'll do it in the morning... Goodnight, Aunt Edith."
"Goodnight, dear."
*Commercial break*
*FADE TO: An empty section of park, lights glimmering in the background. A vampire's disgusting visage suddenly jumps up into the shot, snarling and hissing.*
*CUT TO: Slightly wider shot, as the vampire receives a swift spinning/roundhouse kick to the jaw, sending it spinning as well.*
*CUT TO: Even wider shot, as the vampire hits the ground with a thud. Standing over it is none-other than the Slayer. She doesn't have a happy face, as she closes in for the kill. She draws her stake, and descends on the vamp.*
The vampire rolled out of the way of her stake just in time and started running off further into the park. She hopped to her feet, "MEN! They're ALL the same!" She growled as she took off after him.
The vampire didn't get far before she caught up to it. She ran up into it, knocking it off the path and into a nearby tree. It didn't get any type of rest, as she pounced on it landing punches and kicks like a woman possessed (no sort of pun intended).
She appeared to be taking out her aggression on it, and after landing a rather fierce rising backward kick to its jaw, finally readied her stake. She gave it one last roundhouse kick, which incidentally sent it flying backwards into a tree, impaling itself through the heart on a branch. It growled in agony before dusting into the wind.
She growled again and threw down her stake, "Dammit! You can't even let me kill you, can you?"
"Kill who?" She nearly jumped out of her shoes at the calm voice of Angel, "Because something tells me you didn't really have anything against that guy."
She rolled her eyes and went to pick up her stake, "I'm starting to see why he hated that trick of yours so much."
"He who?" He had a slightly amused look on his face, "Something tells me your deathwish and fond memory are related to the same guy, am I right?"
"He ran away!" She screamed, "He did what he did, and then he ran away!"
Angel's expression changed a little, towards something more defensive, "What did he do?"
She turned bright red, at the fact that she had to admit this to HIM of all people... err... things, "He kissed me. Xander kissed me." She remembered it quite fondly, but suddenly changed her stance, "And then he ran off like a coward to god knows where!"
Angel paled even further than he already was, "He kissed you?"
Buffy knew he would not like this news, even though things with them had staled, "Yes... he gave this deep admonishion of caring, kissed me, and then disappeared into his house. Then he just plain disappeared."
Angel shook his head, "But from what Giles told me, his leaving wasn't exactly by choice. And it seems completely unrelated to what went on between you. So why are you so mad?"
She turned red once again, knowing Angel wouldn't like hearing this either, "Because... I liked it."
She was suprised as Angel gave a little chuckle, "I was wondering how long it would take."
"What do you mean?"
"Ever since I met the guy, he's been head-over-heels, ass-backwards in love with you... and I figured it was only a matter of time before the feeling was mutual."
"I don't love him!" She cried defensively, "I can't... I never had time to explore anything..."
"You can't pick who you love, Buffy... life picks it for you." He smiled reassuringly, "But relax... maybe you don't... maybe you just really like him a lot... but no matter the case, you're pretty irked that he kissed and ran, metaphorically."
She nodded guiltily, "But there isn't much I can do about it now."
He nodded, and cleared his throat, "Umm... I think its about time to get back to the library... the sun'll be up in a few." She nodded again and walked off with him.
*CUT TO: Dawson's Creek & Buffy The Vampire Slayer combined credits*
*FADE TO: The Library. Willow and Giles are already there. The phone starts ringing as Buffy and Angel enter. They both ignore it, but Giles makes his way over and picks it up.*
"Sunnydale High School Library, how may I help you?" He answered.
"G-man! Hows it hangin'?" Xander exclaimed over the phone.
Giles' face was a mixture of emotions, but he hesitated only a moment, "My god... Xander." Willow, Buffy, and even Angel's heads shot up at the sound of that name, "H-h-how are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Giles. What, did you think the va..." He paused, a noise in the background that sounded like the bustling of people made him hesitate, "...goth rockers got me? No way... I'm just chillin' on the eastern seaboard."
Buffy had shot up out of her seat, and unceremoniously ripped the phone from Giles' hand, "Xander! Where the HELL are you?"
"Whoa, whoa... did you leave Giles at least a piece of his ear there?" He sighed, "Look, Buffy, I think its better for both of us if you don't know where I am."
"You had no right to leave like you did, Xander." Her voice broke, but remained stern.
His voice was sounding sadder and sadder by the second, "Don't you think I know that? But please realize that I didn't have a choice in the matter."
Giles was trying to dissuage Buffy's relentless anger, but it was no good. She was venting and there was no stopping it, "Thats a poor excuse, Harris. You could have just moved in with one of us, or something else. But you had no right to just up and leave on us like that."
"I didn't put up a fight because I figured you didn't want me around anyway. That was the reasoning behind taking me off patrol, wasn't it?" He began to realize he was unleashing his pent-up anger as well, and put it to a halt, "Look, I was just calling to let you all know I'm alright... but this was obviously a big mistake. Bye."
Buffy visibly winced as the phone was hung up loudly, broadcast straight into her ear. She calmly put the receiver back on the base as everyone else gathered around.
Willow gently put a hand on her shoulder, "What just happened, Buffy?"
"I... don't know..." She looked at the floor in shame for her outburst, "...but it was bad."
*CUT TO: The other end of the previous phone conversation. Xander staring at the phone in his aunt's living room.*
His hands were shaking, and his heart was racing a mile a minute. He sighed deeply and sat back in the chair he was in.
"Did you talk to your friends, Alex?" His aunt asked from the kitchen. They'd worked on an agreement. She refused to call him Xander, and he refused to accept Alexander. A compromise was reached.
"Yeah... yeah I did."
"How are they doing?"
"Ohh... same old, same old, y'know? Its hectic for them without me." He said the last part half-cockily. But he was in no mood to be cocky.
She came out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee, knowing full-well he was too young to be drinking it, "Well... its always tough to deal with the loss of a friend, to death or to moving. They'll adjust, Alex... but you have to make sure to keep in touch with them."
He nodded weakly and began sipping his coffee, "Yeah, I know."
*CUT TO: Pacey and Xander eating lunch in the back of Pacey's truck, near the creek.*
Xander had a mouth half-full of sandwich, but he still chose to apologize, "I'm sorry I was in such a grumpy mood last night... this whole move has me torn in two directions."
"Nah... its no problem... takes everybody a while to get used to the slowdown of Capeside." Pacey looked at him closely, "But you still appear to be in the same funk as yesterday... Any reason?"
Xander sighed, "I talked with some of my old friends from Sunnydale this morning... there weren't too happy with my completely unannounced departure." He took another bite of sandwich, "But I didn't really have a choice in the matter, y'know?"
"Yeah... it'll just take them a while to get used to it as well... but hey, at least you're not dead, right?"
Xander spat out the sandwich in his mouth at Pacey's comment, but tried to recover, "Thougt I was choking, yikes... yeah, at least I'm not dead." They finished the rest of their lunch in silence, before Xander spoke up, "Have you talked to Joey lately? I kind of got worried with her whole breakdown on Thursday."
It was Pacey turn to start acting nervous, "Last I heard from her, she's fine. She's, uh, taking some anti-stress lessons from this book she got in the library."
"Ahh... good."
"So, what you doin' tonight?" Pacey asked non-chalantly.
"Other than eating dinner with my aunt? I didn't have that much planned."
"Then why don't you come by movie night?"
"Movie night?"
Pacey smiled, "Its a little tradition me, Dawson, Joey, and our other friend Jen have had going for a while now. Every Saturday night we get together at Dawson's house and watch movies until we're about to fall asleep."
"Sounds... interesting. But I wouldn't want to intrude on your guys' tradition."
Pacey smiled, "Don't worry... Jen only got here a short while ago as well, and Dawson brought her 'into the fold,' so to speak, and it was no trouble."
"Sure... I guess I'll come then."
"Great! Do you know where Dawson lives?"
"Not a clue." Xander answered.
"Okay, I'll come pick you up then."
"Sounds cool."
*CUT TO: Dawson's house, evening. Dawson, Joey, and Jen were all sitting around the room as Pacey and Xander entered.*
"Hope you don't mind... I invited Xander along."
Dawson and Joey looked noticeably nervous in his presence, but he and Jen had yet to meet.
Jen extended her hand and greeted him, "Hi, I'm Jen."
"Ahh..." He nodded, shaking her hand, "Xander." He pointed at himself, smiling a little.
"So whats on the schedule tonight, D?"
Dawson looked over the tape boxes he had nearby, "We've got a horror/comedy/action theme tonight. Teen Wolf, From Dusk Til Dawn, and classic Dracula."
"Tag 'cheesy' onto that theme statement if you will, please, Dawson... I mean, Teen Wolf?" Pacey said, laughing. Xander was silent, and even more nervous than when he came in.
*CUT TO: Time-lapse. In the middle of 'From Dusk Til Dawn', after someone simply gets scratched by one of the vampires and becomes one.*
"Oh, that is SO not realistic!" Xander exclaimed, drawing looks from everybody. He noticed their looks, as Dawson paused the movie, "What? I've read some stuff on vampire lore. Y'know, some kids have sports, others have toys... I had a library full of old, old books."
Dawson threw in a comment, "There are lots of different histories of vampires... depending on the region."
Xander turned a little red, "None of the books I read had any mention of 'infection by scratch'..."
Dawson's eyes narrowed, "And thats were creative license comes into play... Tarantino is notorious for his bending interpretations of everything."
"Point taken." He said simply. He didn't notice the intense look that Pacey and Joey were sharing. They were both reminded of her little outburst at lunch on Thursday.
"Can we get back to the movie?" Jen declared, noticing the tension in the room getting thick. Dawson nodded and started the video again.
*CUT TO: Anonymous dock, daytime (assumed to be Sunday morning/afternoon). Xander sitting on the edge of a dock near the Icehouse.*
"Don't tell me you've taken up the habit of contemplating on docks, too?" Jen asked from behind him. He jumped, nearly falling off, but he turned around and squinted at her.
"Jen, right?" She nodded, "I guess I have... its just really peaceful here."
She walked up and sat down next to him, "It's a nice change from the hustle and bustle of where you used to live, isn't it?" He looked at her quizically. She raised her hand and scrunched her face, "Former New Yorker. I know Sunnydale might not compare to it... but I can understand what its like to move."
"I don't think you'd understand the life that I came from."
"You'd be suprised, I bet."
"I have been before. But my life back in Sunnydale was indescribable. Night in and night out fighting demons." He halted his words, realizing his slip-up again.
Jen was unphased, "Well, everybody has their own demons to face every day. But you've gotta learn to forget them and move on."
Xander sighed with relief as she didn't pick up on it. He nodded, and then thought of something, "Do you know of any good self-defense classes around here?"
Jen eyed him strangely, "You don't look like the sort of guy who need self-defense classes."
"Well, you'd be suprised." He joked, "Besides... I never had any time back in Sunnydale to learn how to protect myself. I spent to much time protecting others."
"A natural hero, eh? Well, I'm actually attending one on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. How about you tag along with me?"
"Deal. Now can we go get some food? I'm starving." She smiled, and he returned it. They got up and headed back into the Icehouse.
*FADE OUT*