AN: Hello again! First and for most I would like to thank all those who have reviewed and continue to favorite/follow my story. I really appreciate that. It kept me motived so thank you! You guys rock! From that motivation I have another update for you! I have to admit that even I am very pleased with this chapter. By far one of my favorites. I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. A bit of a warning, there is no Jacey in this chapter. This chapter is mainly about Dawson.
Guest: (You know who you are). Thank you so much for your reply. I am very happy to hear that you are hooked on my story. Thanks so much for the wonderful comment.
1trueluv: As always, I appreciate your comment. I didn't take too long to update this one ;)
Spelling/Grammar/Vocabulary: Please forgive any of these mistakes since I am not very good at this. Not really good at punctuations and use of vocabulary but please just bare with me.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dawson's Creek it belongs to the WB and Kevin Williamson.
Episode 4: Discovery
Dawson is sitting in his room watching a video he had shot of Jen. After their date night, he couldn't stop thinking about her. The way she moves, how her hair flows through the wind, and that kiss. It was the first kiss he ever had and it was perfect. Everything about her is perfect. If he could describe one person on this planet that is perfect - it would be Jen Lindley. His perfect girlfriend. With that thought he smiled to himself. He, Dawson Leery, have the perfect girlfriend.
Sighing to himself as he continue watching her on screen. "God, she's perfect."
"Perfect?" Joey said with disbelief. She was standing over at Dawson's desk looking through his things. "Dawson, you disappoint me," she said.
Ignoring that statement he went on, "Look at her. Those eyes that hair."
Joey stopped what she was doing as she looked over at Dawson. She watched as he sat there staring ideally at Jen on his TV screen. She don't get it. She doesn't see anything perfect about that girl. The only thing that Joey sees is how good of a hold Jen has on Dawson. I mean look at him; with his infatuation towards her. It's insane! And it's really starting to get on her nerves! She hope one day Dawson would see Jen who she really is. No one's perfect. Not even her.
"I mean I grant you that the girl may have some physical attributes, but nothing so original or mysterious to warrant her perfection," Joey said.
Dawson couldn't believe his ears right now. "Okay, easy there."
Joey didn't hesitate. She was on the roll. "I mean the face like that leaves nothing to the imagination. Well maintain good looks of an upper middle class from New York, there is no mystery in that. I can see her entire future in that face."
"Really," Dawson asked intruded.
"Yes, really," Joey retort back. "In three years her above average from her SAT score will grant her an admission to a small liberal arts college - somewhere in New England - where she will major in a art history. Before returning to New York marrying a bond trader she met some Saturday afternoon. Within a year they move to Connecticut in a farm house raising three children."
While he was just sitting there listening to all this, he couldn't help but to shake his head at Joey's insane theories. "You have put quiet a bit of thought into this."
Shrugging she said, "Not really. It's just so obvious." She snatched the remote from Dawson and turn off the tape of Jen he was watching. She is so sick of seeing her and talking about her. His life doesn't always have to evolve around Jen. Little miss perfect my ass, she thought as she took the tape out of the VCR.
"Hey, Jo, I was watching that!" Dawson exclaim while pointing at the now blank screen on TV.
"Sorry, Dawson, but it's time to watch something else."
"Fine," he conceded. "By the way I need your suggestion on what to get my parents for heir 20th anniversary wedding gift. I am at a total lost. I mean what do you get for two people who spend twenty years together?"
Joey was at a lost at the moment. She never told Dawson what she saw that night at the festival. She felt it wasn't her secret to tell. She love Mrs. Leery as if she was her own mother, but what she is doing is unforgivable. I mean how could she do this to Dawson and Mr. Leery? The only person who have to come clean about her infidelity is Mrs. Leery herself.
"Um, only thing I can think of is giving them something for vacation," she said feeling bad for both Dawson and Mr. Leery. If anything they may need a vacation alone together. Might help with whatever problem their going through.
Which reminds her, what she doesn't seem to get is why would Mrs. Leery sought out to cheat on Mr. Leery when their sex life seem to be in tact? From what she see of them they were always all over each other. So what gives? Why would Mrs. Leery risk giving it all away? And on account of what? Losing her family after twenty years of marriage?
"I don't know. Vacations cost a lot," Dawson said after considering her suggestion. Then suddenly a light bulb lit up in his head. "Hey, I know! I could make them a video! A remembrance of them over the past twenty years."
"That's beautiful, Dawson. I'm sure they're gonna love it," Joey said as her heart sank.
Mitch and Gail were in the living room cozy up together on the couch. They were discussing how fast the years went by as their 20th anniversary is coming up. It has been twenty years and Mitch is starting to feel like he is getting old. Just last week he had found a mole on his face. A mole! It kind of freaked him out a little. He had confronted Gail about it but she claim that she doesn't see anything.
Getting up from his spot on the couch, Mitch walked over to the mirror hanging on the wall. He took a closer look at his mole on the side of his chin. Gail glance over at Mitch as she shook her head at her husband.
"Honey, how could you never see that before," Mitch asked.
"I've never see that before. I swear to God," Gail said calmly on the couch.
"You're kidding," Mitch said as he looked at his wife through the mirror. "I mean after twenty years of marriage you'd think you would notice something like this on my face."
"Yes, but you have to understand moles grow over time. That mole was never there before, I swear." Gail try to defend herself. She already feel bad enough that she didn't notice that one little thing about her husband.
Dawson was just passing through when his father had stopped him. "Hey, Dawson, wait a minute. Listen to this. Your mother just told me only moments ago that she never seen this mole on my chin before. Can you believe that?"
"You mean that same mole you've had for over a year now," Dawson said.
"Yes!" Mitch said and then stopped when he realized what his son had just said. "Wait a minute. Really?"
Dawson chuckled a little. "Yeah. Dad you had that mole for over a year now."
"I can't believe it," Mitch said. He had had that mole on his chin for over a year? How is it possible that he didn't even noticed it? "Thank you, Dawson. You see that? Even our son knows my face better than you." Mitch didn't want to admit that he even feel guilty for not knowing that it was there for that long.
Walking over towards Gail he said, "Maybe you should start coming home early. See my face in the daylight for a change." Then he lean down so he could give her a kiss.
As soon as he saw his parents start kissing, Dawson felt disgusted as he said, "Don't bother. I'll show myself out." Then he ran upstairs to his room.
The whole house was quite and empty. To her surprise, Dawson wasn't in his room when she arrived. She was suppose to meet with him so they could go shopping for some gifts for his parents 20th wedding anniversary. She promised him that she would tag along. Even though he had a great idea to make a video for them, he also wanted to something else. So she agreed to help out finding something special for them.
When she enter Dawson's room from his window, she looked around and realize that he was no where in site. On her way over she'd notice that Mr. Leery's truck wasn't in the drive. Since the whole house seem to be empty, she figure that the whole family went out somewhere. Deciding to stick around to wait for Dawson, Joey had made herself at home when she laid on his bed. Closing her eyes as she imagine Dawson kissing her, Joey abruptly sat up in his bed when she heard a noise coming from the hallway. Frozen from her spot on his bed, Joey sat there for a few minutes as she listened for the sound again. She could barely hear a faint noise coming from somewhere in the hallway. Curious to know what the sound is, Joey quickly got off of Dawson's bed as she headed out into the hallway.
Hearing a noise coming from her left, Joey quickly noticed a phone line leading all the way over to the storage closet. Walking quietly to the closet, Joey stood by the closed door as she listened. It was Mrs. Leery having an intimate conversation on the phone with someone other than her husband. Joey stood there as she heard Mrs. Leery giggling and making kissing noises. Listening to this was making her sick.
The door quickly flew open as Joey jumped back. Startled, Gail jumped out of her skin as well when she noticed Joey standing there.
"Oh my God, Joey! What are you doing?" She said as she try to compose herself. Closing the door as she step out in the hallway to join her.
"Uh, Dawson asked me to come over so we could go shopping. We're trying to find a perfect anniversary gift for you and Mr. Leery," she said pointedly.
"Oh, well, that's nice," Gail said not quite getting the point that Joey was trying to make. "Well, Dawson's not in right now but he should be coming home soon."
"Yeah, I know. I kind of figure I should wait," she said. She was about to head back into Dawson's room when she stop and turn back around. "Mrs. Leery?"
Gail was busy putting the telephone back in it's place when she heard Joey call out to her. "Hum?"
Joey stood there as she gave Mrs. Leery a wary look. "I know," she said.
Gail stood still shocked as she looked on at Joey. She didn't know what to say. Her breathing had picked up. Not knowing what to do, because she knows that she had been caught, Gail decide to just stay quiet. Maybe she knows about something else; not what she thinks she knows.
Wanting to get her point across, Joey decide to go on. "Do you remember my mom, Mrs. Leery?"
"Yes. Of course I do," she said not sure where she is going with this.
"Then you should know that my mom was the best," she said smiling bitterly as she thought of her mother. "She was an incredible women. My dad, however, didn't always see that. He cheated on her for as long as I could remember and it tore her apart. Tearing down their relationship and nearly destroying the entire family."
Gail couldn't take it anymore. She didn't want to have any lecture from a fifteen year old. "Joey, why are you telling me this?"
"Because your actions effect others," she said aggressively. "They bleed in the lives of those around you and -"
"You don't understand," Gail interrupted.
"No, you don't understand. My mom got cancer and died, so you do the math," she interjected. "You know your reasons for doing what you are doing. It can't possibly out weigh the everlasting damage that you are creating."
Sighing, Gail asked, "Are you gonna tell Dawson?"
"No. But I think you should," Joey said sternly as she turn back around and headed straight into Dawson's room.
They've been walking around town for two straight hours looking into little shops to find the perfect alternate anniversary gift for his parents. He won't stop until he find something that both his parents would love and cherish. He don't know why this anniversary is so important to him. All he knows is that he want to do something special for them. Give them something that they could have and remember for the rest of their lives. Thank God he have Joey with him. He don't know what to do if she wasn't around. Joey is as much a part of his family and it is important to him that she tag along and help him find the perfect gift together. They are now currently heading to the last shop in Capeside, and he still don't know what else to get his parents.
"You could get them some candle sticks," Joey said trying to come up with some idea on what to get. "Or maybe some nice picture frame."
"Do you really think that they would like something like that," Dawson asked incredulous.
"Dawson, you parents are middle aged white suburbanites. They live for folk art," Joey teased.
They continue to walk in to the shop as they look around. There were nothing but art crafts and paintings. Something that Joey had to laugh about but nothing really of interest for his taste. He was starting to think that maybe he should just stick to his video idea. That is a perfect gift to have and it would last for many more anniversaries to come.
Dawson walked over to Joey where she was currently looking at some sculpture. It reminded him of his parents - which was a bit disturbing.
"You should have seen my parents lately. They are disgusting. It's like half the time they are making out or dry humping in the living room. It's pretty sad because I'm like actually jealous of my parents sex life."
"What do you mean? Blondie isn't giving you any. I thought that by now you would of a ..." Joey stopped mid sentence only half joking and half serious. Challenging him to spill if he had done the dirty deed or not.
"Your a real romantic aren't you, Joey?" Dawson asked as he looked at her.
Joey shrugged playfully as she said, "Well personally I don't think that you would get anywhere unless you off the wicked grandmother."
They continue to walk around until Dawson had spotted his mother with who looks to be Bob. They look kind of cozy together. Which was kind of odd. He's not use to seeing his mother with another man like that. Wanting to see what's up, Dawson thought best to confront them.
Meanwhile, all the while, Joey's heart was starting to race as she saw Mrs. Leery with that home wrecker Bob. After the conversation they had, she still decide to continue seeing him. And out in public at that! What the hell is wrong with her? Why is she doing this? Does she want to get caught? She meant what she said. Mrs. Leery should talk to Dawson and her husband.
"Mom?"
"Dawson! Hello," Gail said surprise to see her son. "And Joey. What are you two doing ...," she stop short when she remember that Joey had mention earlier that they were going shopping for her anniversary gift. "Well, this is a surprise," she said.
Joey just kept glaring on at Mrs. Leery and Bob who seem to be acting as if nothing is going on here.
"Joey and I were just shopping for some gifts," Dawson said oblivious to what is happening in front of him.
"Oh. Oh, I'm sorry, Dawson, this is ..."
"Bob Collinsworth," Bob said sticking out his hand to shake Dawson's.
"Yeah," Dawson said as he took his hand to shake. "Six eleven, right?"
"Right."
"And this is Joey," Gail introduce.
"Hi," Bob said again lending his hand to shake Joey's.
"Real thrilled," Joey deadpanned.
"Uh, listen your mom was just helping me out with a little wardrobe problem. It seems the station research has indicated that viewers like me, well, they hate my sport coats," Bob said trying to lighten up the mood.
All the while, Joey was giving Mrs. Leery the death glare of the century.
"Anyway, it's wonderful to finally meet you, Dawson. Your mother had told me all about your interest in films. She also mention that you are working on one now. I would like to take a look at it if you don't mind?"
"Sure," Dawson said oblivious. All the while his mother is smiling proudly. While Joey is feeling really disgusted by Mrs. Leery's behavior. And poor Dawson has no clue as to what is going on.
Looking at her watch, Gail said, "Uh, Bob, we really should get back to the station."
"Uh, yeah she's right," Bob said as he put on his jacket. "Dawson, you, uh, take care. It's a pleasure to meet you both," he said.
Joey didn't try to hide her disapproval as she openly roll her eyes at the both of them.
Ignoring the glares Joey was throwing their way, Gail went up to Dawson as she plant a kiss on his cheek. "See you at home, honey," she said.
"Bye, mom," said Dawson.
Gail turn to Joey as she said her goodbye, still ignoring the look she was giving her. She then turn back to Bob as they headed out of the store.
As soon as they were out of site, Dawson went on to say, "You know what's funny? When I first saw Bob on television I thought he was a real tool but ... I don't know. Now that I've seen him in person, he doesn't seem bad. What do you think?" he asked as he turn to Joey.
"I think you had it right the first time," Joey said.
"Jennifer, where are you going?" Evelyn was in the kitchen making dinner when she notice her granddaughter rushing to the front door.
Ever since she and Dawson started dating her Grams has been on her case. Always want to know what she's been doing, what she is up to. Now in this case, it's where is she going and with whom? She could never catch a break. Sure she could lie and say that she's meeting up with some friends in school but she knows that her Grams is smarter than that. For starters, she never even once bring a friend over to hang out and meet her grandmother. And when her Grams did ask her why she never bring her friends over to the house, she would come up with some lame excuse as to why they couldn't come.
The only thing she could think of now is to tell her Grams the truth. What harm could it do? It's about time that she come clean about her relationship with Dawson.
Jen walk into the kitchen so she can face her grandmother. "I was on my way to meet Dawson," she looked at her grandmother challengingly.
"Oh?"
"Grams, I love you but I think I'm entitled to meet with my boyfriend whenever I want."
Evelyn stopped stirring as she looked at her granddaughter. "Boyfriend, huh? So you are seeing him?"
"Yes."
Evelyn put the wooden spoon down as she put the stove on low. "Jennifer, need I remind you why your parents sent you here to stay with me?"
"Grams, with all do respect you can save it. Okay, I know what I'm doing."
"Do you, now? Jennifer, your actions takes consequences."
"Spare me the lecture, Grams. What Dawson and I are doing is just harmless fun."
"Really? You sneaking off and lying to me about where you are going and who you're with is just harmless fun?"
"We're not doing anything but hanging out."
"Oh? Is that what you kids are calling it these days? 'Hanging out?' Don't think for a minute that I don't know what's been going on in that boy's mind. And that Potter girl is no different. Climbing into his bedroom doing God knows what."
"It's not like that, Grams," Jen sighed.
"What is it like, then? Enlighten me. Convince me that what you are doing with that boy is innocent," Evelyn said challengingly.
"You know what, I don't have time for this," Jen said as she rush back to the living room.
"Jennifer! If you walk out that door, so help me God, don't expect to come back!"
Turning around to face her grandmother, Jen looked at her with tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe her Grams at the moment. She is sure that she didn't mean it. That she is just upset. What she did back home made her Grams not to trust and believe in her. Coming here to Capeside did change her. And she do want to do better. She want to start a clean slate. The old Jen Lindley has left New York. She is trying for the new and improved Jen Lindley. The one she knows she can be.
"Grams, I just wish that you would have a little faith in me," she said softly as she walked out the door.
After leaving her Grams, Jen wasn't in a very good mood but she hid her feelings from Dawson as she watched him working hard in his mother's News cast studio. Dawson had asked her to come and help him with the sound system for his latest film he was working on. Wanting to help and take a part in working with him on his film, she agreed. But she couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Grams. What if her Grams is right? What if she couldn't change? What would Dawson think of her, then?
Noticing the smile on his face as he worked, she could tell that he is happy. Too happy for her discomfort. All she could think about is how much she is going to ruin his happiness. All because of a secret she's been keeping from him. A secret about her that he doesn't know. A secret that could possibly ruin their relationship. A secret that she is not proud of. She was in a dark place and even though she is not very religious, she hoped to God that Dawson would understand when she do decide to tell him. She had to tell him the truth. She couldn't keep the secret from him any longer. Her Grams may be right about her but she was wrong about Dawson. He is one of the good ones and he deserve better.
Looking over at him now, she decide to tell him about what she's been keeping from him when they finish with this project. They have to start off their relationship with no secrets.
Noticing him getting up, Dawson turned to Jen. "Let's take a break."
Standing in front of the vending machine, Dawson reached down as he grab the diet pepsi for Jen. Taking the pepsi from him, she pop the can open as she took a sip. Her heart was racing as she kept thinking about how he is going to react when she tell him her secret. She just knew that he is going to explode. And she wouldn't blame him if he wouldn't forgive her. But he have to forgive her! It was all in the past and she want to put it all behind her. Move on with her life and start fresh.
Dawson knew that something has been bugging Jen. She has been quiet ever since they came to the studio. He didn't question her because he didn't want to push her. He figure that he would wait until she is ready to tell him what's been on her mind. But now he is starting to grow impatient. Seeing her looking upset and distress is killing him! Not knowing what is causing her to be this way is frustrating and he can't do anything about it! Something big must of had happened when she left her grandmother's house to meet up with him. He wonder if this has something to do with her grandmother? He wonder if Mrs. Ryan had somehow found out about them? If she have, he wouldn't be surprise. Mrs. Ryan is a smart old lady. Nothing could get past her. Still, he wonder if Mrs. Ryan forbid Jen from seeing him again? Maybe that's the reason why she's been distance. Maybe he should talk to Mrs. Ryan himself. Clear the air. Show her that he could be a gentlemen. That she has nothing to worry about. Jen is in good hands. He couldn't think of doing anything to hurt her. Why would he? She is the best thing that ever happen to him.
"Are you ok? If something's wrong you can tell me," Dawson said cautiously.
Her heart melt at his concern for her. She felt really guilty for keeping this from him. Maybe this is her chance to come clean now before it's too late.
As soon as she was about to confess her secret, she noticed Mrs. Leery coming out of one of the studio doors. "Oh, hey, Dawson. Isn't that your mom?"
Dawson turned quickly as he looked to where Jen was looking. Sure enough there stood down the hall was his mother. Just when he was about to greet her, he stopped short when he noticed Bob walking out the door and grab a hold of his mother and started kissing her. He couldn't believe his eyes at first as he continue watching them from afar. His mother didn't seem to notice him because she was too busy shoving her tongue down Bob's throat! It disgust him as he continue to watch the show being display in front of him. The nerve! He didn't know what to think or what to do as he watch his mother leave with that man.
Jen was in just as much shock as Dawson was. Mrs. Leery cheating on Mr. Leery? That couldn't be possible. But here they are as they watch Mrs. Leery kissing someone other than her husband. Looking over at Dawson, Jen couldn't help the pain she feel for him. Maybe she could hold off from telling him her secret after all.
Standing in front of her door, Dawson knocked vigorously. He really needed someone to talk to and she was the first person to come to his mind. He waited as he saw Joey coming to the door.
"I need to talk to you," he said as soon as she opened the door.
Not giving her a chance to respond, he turn quickly and walk in her yard and took a seat on the bench. He was bouncing his right leg up and down rapidly as he waited for Joey to join him. He couldn't stop replaying the image in his head of his mother kissing Bob. After that incident, Jen had offer if he needed someone to talk to she is there for him. He as thankful for her offer, don't get him wrong, but he feel that he needed to talk to his best friend about this.
One look at Dawson and she knew that somehow he had found out. Maybe Gail decide to come clean after all, she thought as she slowly walk up to Dawson and hesitantly took a seat next to him on the bench. She said nothing as she waited for him to start talking, which didn't took very long. She just sat there as she listen to him rant about what he had saw earlier. Without interrupting, she listened as he vent all his emotions out to her.
As soon as he calm down, he couldn't help but to think of his father. He has to know. He need to know the truth about what his wife were doing behind his back. God, and they were going to celebrate their 20th anniversary! What is he going to do now?
"What I should really do is tell my dad," he voiced out loud. "Dad the women you about to celebrate your 20th blissful marriage too is sleeping with Bob."
"I think we both know that's not the best idea, Dawson," she agree Mr. Leery needs to know. But not that way.
Sighing, Dawson stood up as he was starting to feel fed up. "Joey, I joked about them having an affair but I never once thought that my mother would actually do something so irrational!" Feeling frustrated he ran his fingers through his hair. "What is up with people with adultery in this town? Your parents, my parents. It's like this whole town is brainwash into committing infidelity."
Joey couldn't say a word. She was already starting to feel guilty for not saying anything to him when she first found out.
"Do you think that people already know?" He asked as he looked at Joey.
Joey shrugged as she said, "People always know."
Crossing his arms, Dawson focus his eyes on Joey. "Well, we didn't." Then he noticed the guilty look Joey was sporting. "Right? Joey? I didn't know. Did you?"
Shifting her eyes she couldn't look at him anymore.
"Unbelievable! Joey, you knew and you didn't say anything?!"
"Why? So you can hate me for telling you because you know that's what's gonna happen."
Dawson laughed bitterly as he couldn't believe this. His best friend, the one he trusted the most has been keeping a big secret from him. She knew all along and she didn't say anything to him!
"I can't believe this! How long have you known?"
"It doesn't matter."
"It does to me! Joey ... you better tell me right now. How long have you known?"
Feeling so ashamed, she cast her eyes downward. She knew that he may not forgive her once she tell him. She couldn't stand the fact that he is angry with her. She don't want to lose him. He is the best thing that ever happen to her. She can't bare it if he would hate her forever. Tears were starting to sting her eyes. She knew as soon as she tell him how long she have known he would be gone.
"Since the night at the festival," she said softly.
Blood was boiling through his veins. "Three weeks! Joey, you knew for three weeks and you didn't tell me?!"
"I'm sorry! Okay. I thought I was doing the right thing."
Dawson chuckled bitterly as he said, "Yeah, by not telling me. Well, newsflash you didn't do the right thing. The right thing would've been for you to come to me! It shows how much you value our friendship," he said bitterly.
Tears were coming down her eyes as she slowly look up at him. She never seen him so angry and disappointed in her, in her life. She really screw this one up. She never meant to hurt him. She really did thought that she was doing the right thing. She never meant to keep this from him for so long. Mrs. Leery was suppose to come clean and then all of this was suppose to go away. She wasn't suppose to carry this burden around for so long all because Mrs. Leery chose to continue on with her infidelity. Why should she be punished for Mrs. Leery's mistakes? It's not fair. Her finding out wasn't fair. None of this was fair.
"So what now, Dawson? Are you gonna hate me forever all because I didn't tell you?"
"Joey, the only reason why I would be mad at you is because you brought this upon yourself. You should have told me. And now ... I don't know. I just need some time," he said as he turn and walked away.
Leaving Joey sitting there alone as she burst into tears.
After leaving Dawson, Jen wasn't sure that Grams would let her back into the house. But to her surprise she did. She apologize to her grandmother and assure her that nothing is going on between her and Dawson. She admit that they kiss but that is all. Her Grams seem to believe her and admitted that she may have overreacted. She also told Jen that she want to be able to believe in her and that she will try to put her trust in her. That was all Jen wanted to hear. Cause if her Grams believe in her then she would too. Which is why she would have to come clean to Dawson.
oOo
Dawson came knocking at her door when her Grams call for her letting her know that she had company. She was surprise to see him standing there when she came downstairs. Knowing that he wanted to talk about what they saw earlier, she led him outside so they could talk privately.
She was glad that he decide to come to talk to her. She was starting to worry that he wouldn't confide in her. When she had offer him to talk to her if he need someone to talk too; he just say thanks and excuse himself saying that he needed to be alone for a while. So she decide to give him some space. Hoping that eventually he will come to her. And now here he is relying on her.
"I'm not boring you, am I?" He asked her.
"No, not at all."
"I think I'm starting to bore myself," he sighed.
"Listen, Dawson, I'm glad you decide to come and talk to me. I must admit I was a little hurt when you didn't want to talk to me earlier. I was sure that you would have ran to pour your heart out to Joey," she said.
"Well, I won't make that mistake again," he paused for a moment. "Do me a favor, Jen. Will you promise to always be up front and honest with me?"
"Okay," she said. Heart racing as the moment of truth was about to be revealed.
"It's just that I'm starting to believe that secrets destroy relationships. I really want us to have a chance."
Okay he is really starting to make this hard for her to come clean.
"So that's the new rule. No secrets between us ever."
This is starting to get scary. The more he talk the guiltier she is starting to feel. And the harder she want to tell him the truth. But he is right. In order for her to make this work she have to tell him. She have to tell him everything.
"Yeah, your right, Dawson. But don't you think that in certain situation there are things that people just don't want to know?"
He thought about it for a moment. "No, cause even if my mom would fall completely out of love with my dad she should have told him."
"I'm not talking about your parents," she interrupted. "I mean don't you ever wonder why two months ago I suddenly came to live up here?"
"You told me that your parents thought it would be good for you to live with your grandmother."
"Yes, but did you ever wonder why they thought that?"
Dawson just shook his head.
"Okay, here it goes," she said under her breath. "My parents sent me out here because the clichés about teenagers in the big city are true."
"What clichés?"
"Well, one is that they, uh, grow up too fast. Stay out too late and hang out with the wrong kind of people. Have sex too young."
"So your parents wanted to get you away from kids like that?"
"No, Dawson, I was one of those kids." There it is. She finally came clean.
"Wait ... the sex part?"
"Yeah."
"With a boyfriend, right?"
"Yeah, but not just him."
What the hell is going on here? Everything he thought of Jen had just shattered. She is not the perfect girlfriend he had envision her to be. And the worst part of it all is she lied to him! She lied! What is wrong with the women in Capeside? Are all of them are just as deceptive or only just the ones he knows?
"So all that talk about you being a virgin is a lie?"
"Yeah, but Dawson -"
"Save it!" He shouted which cause her to jump. "I thought I knew you. I guess I was wrong," he said with disgust as he backed away.
"No, Dawson, wait. Please! Just listen to me," she tried to attempt to stop him from walking away but he brushed her off.
"I don't have to listen to you. I'm done." Then he was gone.
He was angry. This past few days has been a living hell. First he discover his mom having an affair. Then to find out that his best friend Joey has known about it and didn't bother to even tell him. Only to find out that his girlfriend been keeping a huge secret of her own. Life was just full of surprises.
In order from keeping him to explode he had to avoid three women he had cared about in his life. One he was living with and it was pretty hard to avoid her. Every time he looked at her he had to pretend that everything is okay. That he didn't know what he knew. When he looks at her, he look at her differently now. It was so hard to keep his opinions to himself. There were times when he was alone with his father he wanted to blur out that his wife is out there cheating on you! But he kept quiet and never say anything. He hate his mom. He hate what she is doing to him. Most of all, he hate this charade by keeping her secret.
Then there is Joey. It was easy to avoid her. He made sure not to be places where he know she will be. He also made it clear to her that he didn't want to see her. He hid the ladder that she use to climb into his bedroom and he made sure to lock his window just in case she happen to find the ladder. He also told his dad that he didn't want to be bothered by anyone, and that include Jen. His father didn't question him about it which he was thankful for. He didn't want to try to come up with some lame excuse as to why he didn't want to see either of them.
Which bring him to Jen. She may live next door, which was a bit of a challenge to avoid her, also. But somehow he had managed. It took all his well power not to go over next door to see her. He still couldn't believe that Jen, his Jen, is not a virgin.
So now here he is at the Video Store working with his other best friend Pacey. He hasn't seen Pacey much in the past few weeks, so it was nice to hang out with someone he could trust. Needing someone to talk to, Dawson pour his heart out to Pacey about Jen. He didn't dare talk to him about his mom and Joey. He wasn't sure he was ready to discuss about them yet, not wanting to put his mom infidelity out there. The less people know the better.
"So it wouldn't bother you to find out that your girlfriend had been sleeping around with other guys?"
"Why would it bother me?" Pacey asked.
"Because she's not a virgin and she had sex with other guys," he said incredulous.
"You see this is what I don't understand about you, Dawson. If the women that I was hot for came up to me in some confessional way and told me she wasn't a virgin. Don't you see what she's doing for you?"
"No," Dawson said as he was busy putting away videos.
"You don't see it?" Pacey ask disbelieving.
"No, I really don't," Dawson said.
"She's giving you an in, Dawson. She's saying 'look I understand you're a little nervous about making the first move on me because your a romantic and you may have me on a pedestal, but I'm gonna give you the greatest gift any desirable women can give to a sexually inexperience guy.'"
Dawson had to stop working as he looked at his crazy friend. Only Pacey would come up with something stupid to say. He always take things as a joke. Never the one to be serious.
"An in?"
"Exactly. She's saying she wants it just as bad as you do, man."
"Yes, but it's not about sex, Pacey. It's about romance. You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
Feeling a bit offended, Pacey do know exactly what he is talking about. He was just trying to help and now Dawson was taking it a bit too far.
"Yeah, I do."
"No you don't. Because what I was gonna say before this world of hornet Pacey speech, is that this has nothing to do with getting Jen in the sack it has to do with one thing -"
"Yeah, the fact that you are scared. Listen, Dawson. The image that you created of Jen Lindley does not entirely exist, okay. In your movies, she could be whatever you want. But in real life, the scripts got thrown off."
"So it seems," he said as he went back to work.
"Dawson, all I can say is try to find it in your heart to forgive her. Life have some unexpected benefits."
"Yeah, you're right. Life do have some unexpected plots and twist. The virginal girlfriend -"
"Is not exactly a virgin," Pacey finished.
Then they carry on joking around as they continue on with their work.
Staring at the clam peaceful water ahead of him, Dawson sat by the pond of the estate where he took Jen on their first date. He thought about what all had happened this past few days. How quickly everything have changed. One minute he was happy and everything was all fine and well; then the next everything had come crashing down. His parents aren't as happy as he thought. His so-called best friend isn't really much of a friend as he thought she was. And if that wasn't enough, his "girlfriend" goes and tells him that she isn't a virgin! He had made a lot of discovery this past few days and none of them were good. How could all this happen? Why did it all have to come down to this?
All that time his parents were all over each other was a lie. Well, it was at least on his mother part. How could she do that to his father? With everything they been through and she just going to throw it all away. He may have been sick of seeing them all over each other but deep down he was happy. He was happy because he knew how much they had loved each other. No matter how many times he had complain about catching them on the act, he felt a sense of secure that his parents would be alright. Sure he joked about his mom possibly having an affair with Bob, but he never thought that she would actually do it. Not with the way she was all over his father lately.
What is he going to do now? Their anniversary is tomorrow and he haven't finish the video he was working on for them. Not that they deserve such a gift. His father needs to know. Either he confront his mom or he tells his dad. One way or another, the truth will have to come out.
Then there's other issues he have to deal with. Joey and Jen. The two girls that meant so much to him had betray him, also. It is just too much for him to take. None of the things that happen this past few days made sense. It was as if he had step into a twilight zone. Like this isn't his life. None of this is real. It was as if he is living in a bad dream that he couldn't wake up from. His life have become a one big fat nightmare. And he's drowning into a whole mess of deception that no one can save him from. It was as if he had created his own nightmare. Living in his own reality horror movie. A movie full of lies and deceit.
So this is what become of his life?
He was startled when he heard someone creeping up behind him. Turning to see who it was, he couldn't stop the rage that was building up when he looked at her.
"What are you doing here, Joey?" He asked sharply.
She flinched a little at his tone but continue to walk toward him cautiously. "Jen, told me that you might be here," she simply said.
He didn't say anything as he smirked bitterly.
Joey took a seat next to him as he stare ahead. He couldn't even look at her. Seeing him acting so cold toward her is so heartbreaking. If she would have known that keeping quiet about Mrs. Leery indiscretion would cause him to act this way toward her - she would have come to him sooner. Maybe then they wouldn't be in this situation.
No one said a word as they continue to sit there quietly. The setting was so beautiful. She wonder why Dawson had never told her about this place? It hurt for her to find out that Jen knew about his secret place and she didn't. Then she couldn't help but to laugh bitterly about the irony of it all.
Dawson look over at her curiously. "What is it?"
She shook her head as she said, "It's nothing."
Feeling a surge of disappointment, he scoffed, "Of course it's nothing."
Ignoring his tone, Joey took a deep breath as she sigh. "What happen between you and Jen?"
"Why, did she say anything?"
"Only the fact that you two aren't exactly in speaking terms."
He chuckled bitterly.
"So what happened?" she asked again when she realize he wasn't going to say anything else.
"I don't think it's any of your business, Joey," Dawson snapped.
"Why not? We're friends -"
"Are we?!" He interrupted. "Because lately it sure as hell doesn't seem like it. To be honest, I'm not sure we ever really were friends."
"Don't say that, Dawson. I am still your friend."
"Well, I'm not sure if I want to be," he said.
"Okay, Dawson, if you want to be mad at me go ahead. But don't break up a long term friendship on account of me not telling you what your mother been doing. It was her place to tell you, not mine. Besides, I thought you would have figured it out by now," she said.
He looked at her bewildered. "Why would you figure that?"
"You said it yourself, Dawson. You had suspicions."
"Yes, but I didn't mean them."
"You seem very convincing to me," she said.
"Well, I wasn't." Was all he could say.
"Dawson ... please tell me what happen between you and Jen," she pressed on.
He looked at her. "Why? She asked you to come here to talk to me?"
"We're both worried about you, Dawson. And I thought things were going great with you two. I knew you needed someone to talk to, only to find out that you two aren't in speaking terms."
"She lied to me, Joey," he conceited. "Now doesn't that sound familiar? The two girls in my life that I trusted the most have been keeping secrets from me."
"What? What secret did she kept from you?"
"She's not a virgin," he sighed.
Joey blew out a breath with that revelation. "Wow. So I take it that little miss perfect isn't so perfect after all."
Dawson looked at her with disgust. "Why do you do that?"
"Do what?" she asked confused.
"Being down on her like that! You have been belittling her since the day she move to Capeside. Why is that?" He was furious now.
Joey was starting to get upset as well. After everything he still get mad at her while he stick up for Jen? This is crazy!
"Are you sticking up for her? After the fact that she lied to you?"
"Joey, you are in no position to talk, given that you have kept something from me, as well," he said angrily.
"Oh my God! How long are you going to held this over my head? I said I was sorry. What more do you want from me?"
"Nothing! I guess I want nothing but for you to leave me alone," he shouted at her.
Tears swell up as she said, "Fine. If that's what you want. I'll leave you alone, Dawson."
She walked away from him only to turn back around to look at him from behind. She couldn't believe that they would end this way. She refuse to believe that they would end this way. She's not going to give up on him, she thought as she continue to walk away from him.
When Dawson arrived home, he was surprise to see the house empty. He knew where his mother was and who she is with but he wondered where his father could be? After Joey had left, he had time to think things through. He realize that he needed to speak with him father. He couldn't keep something like this from him and his father had the right to know what his wife has been doing behind his back. He had plan on waiting till after their wedding anniversary to tell him but he couldn't wait any longer. It has to be tonight. Even if his mom get home - he have to confront the both of them. He have to settle this once and for all.
Dawson was sitting in the kitchen staring into space as he try to figure out how to approach his parents. He hate to do this to them on the night before their anniversary. But his mother brought it upon herself. All of this is her fault. If only she would have been faithful then they wouldn't have to go through this.
Dawson let out a frustrated sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair. He lift up his head quickly as he heard someone entering through the front door. Realizing this is the moment of truth - there is no time for backing out. He knew that this is going to be a long night. Listening as he heard someone heading straight toward the kitchen, to his surprise, it turn out to be his mother instead of his father. He didn't expect to see her home so soon. Usually she don't get home till like close to midnight. Looking at her now, he couldn't contain his anger as heat started to rush through him.
Gail walked into the kitchen as she saw her son sitting at the table. Walking past him as she made it to the cupboard to grab a glass, she said over her shoulder, "Hi, honey."
Dawson didn't say a word as he continue to stare off in space.
Reaching in the fridge to grab a carton of orange juice, Gail stopped in her tracks as she notice that Dawson didn't reply back. Turning towards her son, she notice him staring off. It was starting to scare her.
"Sweetheart, is there something wrong?" Lately she haven't seen much of her son. He was usually out or locked up in his room. She don't know what has gotten into him lately but she hope that she could get to the bottom of it.
Dawson didn't say anything for a long moment. His heart was racing and he was shaking with anger. He was afraid if he say something he would explode. He never thought that he could hate his mother as much as he do right now. He couldn't even look at her.
Gail took a seat across the table from him. She hate to see her son like this; not willing to open up to her. She just wish that whatever he is going through, she want him to know that she is here for him. She reached out across the table to grab a hold of his hand, but Dawson quickly move his hand back away from her. She shook at the blazing look Dawson was currently giving her.
"Why did you do it?" He finally spoke. Deadly calm.
Gail swallow a lump in her throat as she continue to look at her son. No, she thought, he couldn't possibly know. Not wanting to out herself, she want to make sure that he isn't talking about what she think he is talking about. For all she know it could be about something else.
"Do what, sweetie?"
He shook his head as he continue to glare at her. "You know what," he simply said.
Still trying to convince herself that he isn't talking about the affair, she wasn't ready to crack just yet. "Look, Dawson, I don't know what you're implying -"
"Don't lie to me!" He shouted as he bang his fist on the table.
That act made her jump in her seat as she saw hatred in her son's eyes. At that moment she knew that he knew. Her heart was racing as she fought back tears from her eyes.
"H-How did you know? Did Joey tell you?" she stammered.
Dawson was shock at the mention of Joey. "Joey?"
Gail looked at her son as she notice the puzzled look on his face. "Yeah. She confronted me about it the day when you both ran into Bob and me at the store."
Dawson laughed bitterly as he shook his head. Now it all made sense. "Oh, this is just rich," he said sarcastically.
"Look, Dawson, I know we need to talk about this."
"The only person you need to talk to is dad. He needs to know that his wife - the one he shared twenty years of marriage with - has been sleeping with Bob!"
"What?!"
They both jumped as they turn to look at the entrance way of the kitchen. Stunned as they saw a very looking pissed off Mitch.
AN: Wow! I know right? What a cliffy. All I have to say is that I never really liked Dawson. In the show I always thought he was needy and all about him. Like he could do no wrong and expect everyone else to be like him. In this case, I can understand why he would be upset seeing his mother with another man, but to take it out on Joey! I know I know, in the show his actions were very different from the way I wrote him here in my story, lol. I just wanted to show how irritating Dawson can be. And he really does irritate me a lot on the show. So I just wrote how I feel with these characters. They may seem a bit OOC but they are still the same characters in my eyes. I just happen to enjoy writing the drama!
I also wanted to keep Pacey out of this chapter as much as I can. I didn't plan on having him in this chapter at first but stop to think that I've never really wrote Dawson and Pacey together. So I thought that one scene would be perfect for them. Plus it was on the actual show and I happen to like that scene. Anyways, the reason why I wanted to keep Pacey out of this is because of the title. This is the discovery episode and I wanted it all to be about Dawson finding out things. If I add Pacey in the mix, people will discover his feelings for Joey. I didn't want that to happen just yet. In the show, his big revelation is of him sleeping with his teacher. Since I cut that storyline off, the only other option is of them finding out that he is in love with Joey.
But don't worry, the next chapter will have plenty of Jacey! I already have in mind on how I'm going to do the next chapter. I just hope I will have the time to get working on it.
EPISODE RECAP:
Dawson/Joey: They have been spending time together since the incident on the last chapter. But to Joey, Jen will always be in the way. She is jealous of how much Dawson is into Jen that she can't help the smart remarks she throw out about her. She also agree to help Dawson with finding a gift for his parents wedding anniversary. In which, they happen to run into Gail and Bob. Only leaving Joey with a secret she had kept from Dawson about his mother. Dawson had found out about it and became angry with her. So now he is not in much of a forgiving mood at the moment.
Dawson/Jen: Jen has been hiding a secret of her own from Dawson. Wanting to come clean, she finally told him that she is not a virgin. Which cause him to be upset and break things off between them. But she didn't have the chance to tell him the whole story. Which will be revealed in the next chapter.
Mitch/Gail: So Gail is having an affair. She had been careful up until Joey had confronted her. Then she runs into Joey and Dawson at the store. Little did she know, Dawson had saw her at the station with Jen. Dawson confronted her and little did they know, Mitch was standing there and heard it all. Uh oh!
Evelyn/Jen: Jen's grandmother is the only one who knew about Jen's past. So when she found out about Jen dating Dawson, she was concern for her granddaughter. She was afraid that she is going to go back to doing the same thing that she did back in New York. They are trying to work out with trusting one another.
