(Epilogue version)

Daria had graduated from Lawndale High. It was over. The next part of her life, college, didn't start for another few months. So she had some time to kill. She decided to take a trip to Capeside, this time by herself. She told her family, but she didn't tell anyone in Capeside because she wanted to surprise them. Funnily enough, she was actually looking forward to catching up with Joey, and maybe Dawson and a couple of the others. She couldn't remember the last time she had looked forward to anything.

From the bus station, she walked to Joey's house. When she knocked on the door, it seemed unusually quiet. Bessie answered the door. She looked somewhat annoyed.

"Joey's not home right now. She's at the Leery's for the wedding"

Apparently Dawson's parents were getting remarried or something. That was just what this trip needed. Daria hated weddings. But by the time she rowed up to the Leery family dock (in an actual rowboat), it was over. The aftermath was still visible from the decorations to the half empty glasses of champagne, but everyone was gone. Daria decided to climb up to Dawson's window via the ladder. After all, that's what it was there for (honestly, does no one ever get robbed in this town, Daria thought as she ascended the ladder). When Daria climbed into Dawson's room, there was no one there. It was slightly unnerving to be in someone's room, without them there. Daria silently observed how different the room looked compared with the last time she was there. Gone were the movie posters. Instead, the walls were mostly blank, save for an artistic poster Jane would've gotten a kick out of, were she there. Daria wondered if she should have invited Jane to join her on this journey, when two bodies came crashing through the door. It was Dawson and Jen and they were kissing, quite passionately. So passionately in fact, they didn't notice Daria immediately. It wasn't until they threw themselves onto the bed, they even realised they weren't alone. They then craned their heads around to notice her standing there, silently.

After several uncomfortable seconds, Daria finally said "Well, this is awkward"

Jen raced out of the room, mortified at what had just taken place. Dawson, meanwhile stood up and faced Daria, while trying to contain his embarrassment. Finally he spoke.

"So, what brings you back to Capeside?"

"I just graduated from high school and figured a trip was in order. I didn't think I needed an invitation"

"You don't, but you're timing was..."

"Terrible?" Daria offered

"Inconvenient" Dawson replied diplomatically

"Do you want to tell me what I just walked in on?"

"Its a long story" Dawson said, stalling

"I have all summer, if need be" Daria replied firmly

"Alright, remember our road trip to Lawndale, and how awkward Joey and I were around each other?"

"Go on..." Daria probed

Dawson relayed a condensed version of the past year's events to Daria. How Pacey and Joey had developed feelings for one another. How they had (in his mind) carried on an affair behind his and Andie's backs for the past few weeks. How it had all blown up at the Anti-Prom and things had spiralled out of control from there. Finally, how he had told her to go after Pacey and the two of them had sailed off into the sunset together, and a heartbroken Dawson and Jen had found each other and started kissing, probably not for very good reasons.

"… and I think that's where you came in" He concluded

Daria absorbed everything Dawson had just said

"Well, what do you think?" Dawson finally said, impatiently

"Dawson, I have three things to tell you and you're not going to like them"

"I take it this is going to involve your signature brutal honesty"

"First off, Joey is a grown woman. She's not a prize to be won or stolen..."

"I know that. I just..."

"Don't always act like it" Daria suggested

Dawson couldn't think of how to respond, so Daria continued

"Second, how long have the three of you known each other?"

"Well, I've known Pacey for about ten years, and Joey for a few more years than that"

"And are you sure you want to throw away that many years of friendship over petty jealousy?"

After a few seconds, Dawson finally said "I don't know"

"Luckily, you have until the end of summer to decide. Which brings me to my final point. I was once on the other side of this equation. I kinda, sorta, started seeing this guy, while he was still seeing Jane. That side sucks too. No one sets out to hurt anyone and there's a lot of guilt and shame that comes along with feelings that seem to betray a friendship. But if you can get past it, have some empathy for the two of them, and give them your blessing, it would go a long way"

"I don't think I'm ready to..."

"As I said, you have time. Now, I'm going to have a chat with my number one fan. You have a lot to think about."

As Daria walked out, she saw someone, but struggled to remember his name.

"Daria?" he said

"Jane" she replied jokingly

"It's Jack actually"

"Of course it is" she said sarcastically, and walked out

Jack then entered Dawson's bedroom

"Was that…?" he began

"The misery chick herself" Dawson declared

"What did you guys talk about?"

"Well, after she stopped me and Jen from doing anything silly, she honestly and succinctly summed up my current situation."

"So, are you feeling better?"

"Not really, but I am thinking a bit more clearly and..." Dawson stopped as he noticed something on his desk. It was a still camera his parents had bought him for Christmas a few years ago. He went to pick it up.

"Jack, do you feel like going for a drive?"

"Sure, where to?"

"Memory lane"

Daria knocked on the front door, and a familiar face opened the door. She knew this woman was Jen's grandmother, but didn't knew her name"

"Mrs Lindley, is it?"

"Ryan, dear"

"Your name is Ryan Lindley?" Daria said, somewhat surprised

"My name is Evelyn Ryan" Daria was slightly embarrassed

"I take it you're here to see Jennifer. She's upstairs"

Mrs Ryan then showed Daria inside and pointed her in the direction of Jen's bedroom.

"Jennifer, you have a visitor" she yelled upstairs

"Thank you, Grams" she yelled back

Daria heard music coming from the bedroom. The song was Seether by Veruca Salt.

When Daria opened the door to Jen's bedroom, she was shocked to see what Jen was wearing.

A yellow t-shirt, a green hoodie, a black mini-skirt (non-pleated), fishnet stockings and black boots.

It wasn't identical to Daria's trademark outfit, which she was currently wearing, but it was close enough.

"I thought you were done copying me" Daria said in her usual monotone. But the accusation in her voice was clear.

"Me too, mostly. But I couldn't resist"

"Do you know why I dress this way?" Daria asked her

"Not really" Jen admitted

"To be unique. But if you dress the same way, it somewhat defeats the purpose, doesn't it?"

"I see your point, I'll change" Jen conceded, adding "I can change the music, if you like"

"No, the music is fine. Actually, I like it" Daria said

Daria helped Jen remove her boots, then turned around.

"Now, then..." Daria asked, while Jen was changing "Do you want to explain what I walked in on just now?"

"You can turn around now" Jen said. When Daria did so, she saw Jen wearing a white T-shirt and Jeans. Daria gave a half smile of approval.

Jen then began explaining the events of the past year to Daria.

Dawson and Pacey's old fort was now in the middle of a construction site. However, it was a weekend, so there was no construction work happening that day. Jack pulled up just outside it.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Dawson?" Jack asked

"C'mon, Jack" Dawson said, snapping photos with the camera in his hands "There's no one here. There's no fence, no warning sign. Worst case scenario, security catch us and ask us to leave"

They entered the work site and finally found the fort. It hadn't been paved over, yet. Dawson took as many photos as he could.

Then the found a tree that Dawson, Pacey and Will had carved their initials into years ago. Instead of taking a picture of it, Dawson traced his hand over it. He then slumped down and started crying.

Jack crouched down next to Dawson and placed his hand on Dawson's shoulder, comforting him.

Dawson then composed himself

"According to Daria, I'm being selfish. I think she has a point"

"Dawson" Jack began, taking a breath "Your feelings are completely understandable, under the circumstances"

"But..." Dawson asked, tentatively

"But you'll eventually have to figure out if you want Pacey and Joey in your life, and if so, how. Luckily, you have the summer to figure it out"

"What about you, Andie, and Jen?"

"What about us?" Jack didn't understand

"Are you going to take sides, once they get back?"

"Dawson, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm not going to take sides, and I can't imagine Jen would either. Andie on the other hand..."

"She's kind of automatically on my side. By virtue of how things went down" Dawson realised

"But she did give them her blessing, before they left"

"And is the implication that I should too?" Dawson asked, realizing this conversation was going in much the same direction as the last one.

"I can't decide that for you. You'll have to figure that out for yourself. But whatever you decide, I'll still be your friend. But I'll also be theirs" Jack said matter-of-factually

"Fair enough" Dawson said, contemplating the implications of such a statement

Jack then decided to change the subject.

"So, we should probably get going. I need to put in an appearance this evening, and you should too"

"Why, what's so special about tonight?" Dawson asked

"Oh, that's right. I forgot to tell you. Jen's mom is paying a visit. It'll probably be awkward, so the more people there, the better"

"Fair enough. It'll probably help take my mind of things"

Andie knocked on the door. Grams answered.

"Jennifer is upstairs, with another friend. Remind her that her mother is coming tonight and I expect her to be ready"

"Yes, Grams" Andie replied, and then walked up to Jen's room

Andie could hear music coming from Jen's bedroom. The song was Volcano Girls by Veruca Salt

As Andie entered the bedroom, someone other than Jen was talking.

"Polyamory is actually normal in a lot of cultures. Ours, however, isn't one of them. I see no reason why it couldn't work" It was Daria that was speaking

"Other than he said no" Jen reminded her

"Other than that" Daria replied

"Oh my god, Daria. Long time no see. How are you?" Andie said, excitedly and went to hug her, but then withdrew, upon remembering Daria didn't hug.

"Well, High School is over. College is a few months away. I have some time to kill"

"I take it you guys were discussing the Will and Jack situation"

"Something like that" Daria retorted

"Well, Grams asked me to remind you that your mother is coming for dinner and you need to get ready"

"Did she say when?" Jen asked, clearly uncomfortable at the idea of seeing her mother.

Just then, they heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. A shiver went down Jen's spine.

Fortunately, the car was not her mother's, but Jack's. Dawson was with him. As the two of them got out of the car, they saw Grams setting up the outdoor furniture for dinner. The weather was so nice and this was to be a special dinner, so Grams figured it should be outside. Andie, Jen and Daria then ventured downstairs to help, once they saw what was happening out of Jen's window. However, before they got the chance, Jen caught sight of her mother. The two of them locked eyes and started at each other for what seemed like an eternity. They were so engrossed, they didn't notice Grams returning inside the house to recruit Daria and Andie to help set things up. Grams figured she could catch up with her daughter later. Right now, she and Jen needed to talk.

Just as everyone was sitting down to eat (Dawson, Jack, Andie, Jen, Grams, Helen (Jen's mother) and Daria), a strange young woman approached the yard. Jen and Helen were about to sit down, but before they could, the woman approached them. The woman was tall, blonde, about a couple of years older than the teens and had a sultry and mysterious quality.

"Are you Evelyn Ryan" she asked Helen, in a curious, if slightly playful tone

"I'm her daughter" she said

"I'm Evelyn" Grams said

"Then you must be Helen" the women said, her voice equally vulnerable and intriguing

"And that would make you…?" Jen asked

"I, I think I'm, your daughter" She said to Helen

That I Would Be Good by Alanis Morrisette plays

Everyone's jaws hit the floor, except Daria, whose eyes rolled. She thought about getting up to leave. Realising this, Andie grabbed her arm to prevent her escape.

"Then I guess that would make you my sister" Jen said

"Eve Whitman" she said, finally introducing herself. She shook Jen's hand, thus creating a bond between the two of them.

At this point, Dawson stood up and said something no one expected

"Wait, don't I know you from somewhere?"

"Does that line usually work?" Eve said, seductively, practically leaning over him

"No, I'm sure of it. You were a hitchhiker in New Jersey, last fall. Pacey and I picked you up and drove you for a while. You were heading to New York, so we dropped you off as close as we could. Why were you heading to New..." Dawson finally realised, as did everyone else and all eyes turned to Helen. She stood up as everyone sat down and she took a deep breath. She tried to hide the shame in her eyes, but it was quite obvious to Grams and Jen at least.

"It was a couple of years before your father and I met. I was in my final year of college. One day, I felt sick, so I took a home pregnancy test and it was positive. I was only 20 and no where near ready to raise a child. Once my boyfriend found out, he disappeared. I'm sorry I should have told you mom, but I was so ashamed..." She stopped short of crying, but took a moment to compose herself.

"So I did the only thing I could think of. I put you up for adoption. But the birth records were sealed, so I don't understand how..."

"I broke into the registrar's office and stole the records"

Everyone looked at Eve disapprovingly, except Dawson and Daria, who were somewhat impressed.

After several awkward seconds, Dawson decided to break the tension, by asking a question.

"So Eve, what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a dancer. I was working at a club in Atlantic City, but then I got fired. So I hitched a ride to New York and got a job there, but then I had a little trouble with the law, as I mentioned, so now I'm sorta between things"

"What kind of Dancer?" Jack asked, not having spoken for a while

"The kind you need to be over 18 to see" Eve said seductively

Several more seconds of awkward silence

"Well, you're more than welcome to stay with me and Jennifer until you get back on your feet" Grams said, in a tone that indicated disapproval for her profession, but not her as a person.

"You can stay in my room" Jen offered, genuinely excited about the prospect of having a sister.

"So, Daria..." Andie began, shifting the focus of the conversation

"You've finished High School, right?"

"That's right" she replied, succinctly

"Did you get into College?" Jack asked

"Yeah, Raft" she answered

"That's a pretty prestigious school, congratulations" Andie said, and she meant it

"And your boyfriend?" Dawson asked, nosily

"That pretty much ran its course"

"I'm sorry" Dawson said, sympathetically

"I'm not" Daria replied half-hardheartedly

After dinner, they were all putting the dishes in the kitchen. Daria pulled Andie aside to ask her a question.

"Hey Andie. So, Jen has a new sister, and that's great and all. And Dawson is..."

"Brooding? sulking? crying?" She offered

"Yeah, that, plus reminding me of..."

"Of what?"

"Its not important. The point is, I can't stay with him while this is going on, or Jen and Joey isn't home right now, so..."

"Of course you can stay with me" Andie replied "I'm sure my Dad won't mind