Author's Note: So I'm going to do this fun thing where I answer your reviews! Because I haven't gotten this much reader support on a fic since, well, ever. And I deeply appreciate it.

DoggiesRule147: Glad you enjoyed that little exchange! I really wanted to make Connie so fed up with this relationship, that she wants to get it across.

Spikeyhairgood: Need I thank you for your constant support and understanding of my craziness? Anyway, yes, the Ducks were a little mean to Scot weren't they? But I think they had a right to be.

Nikkiloola: I know you read High Society, because you said you did...so you know that Scot's confidence is one of the things that attracted Julie to him, but yeah, he's being a little assish. But he was under attack, cut him a little slack.

AngelEllie: It's OK, I pathetically update it everyday...I appreciate your fanaticism.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 5: Abby's Return

Portman stood on a pier that he had found, it was a pretty spot, he didn't know how long it had been since he left Dawson's. A few hours probably, it sounded cliché, but without Julie there was no time, just an endless blob of emptiness. God, what was wrong with him, he didn't think like this. The first few Julie free weeks, had been fine, he had gone on a girl binge, just hooking up with whoever would have him. He didn't sleep with them, he didn't want any of them like that. Not that it mattered, he had the stud reputation anyway, he didn't confirm or deny it. To be truthful, if anyone should have that reputation, it was Luis, who basically screwed a new girl every weekend. He laughed thinking about how it would blow everyone's minds that Dean Portman Eden Hall Stud was actually a virgin pining away for his ex. As the time went on though, and as he watched Julie get more serious with Scot the more depressed he got, and the less willing to hook up with random girls.

"Well, well, well," He sighed and dropped his head at the familiar voice. "We look happy,"

"Hi Abby," he said turning around. "I didn't realize you were going to be here."

"Surprise!" She laughed. "She called me."

"That I should have realized," he shook his head. "So then you know all about all of it."

"Pretty much," Abby said, "She loves you too you know."

"She shows it real well," He sniffed.

"She tried to tell you once," Abby said, "And she found you in your dorm with some skinny little Muffy."

"Wait, Alexis?" He said, that was the only one he could think of that Julie had found him with, "But that was the day after,"

"Yeah," Abby said, "The day after Little Julianne became a woman. She totally regretted that night, Portman. She came to my hotel room crying."

"Abby," he looked at her, "Who the hell are you?"

"Me?" She laughed, "I'm the reason you're here kid." He looked at her questioningly, "You really think Julie the good daughter would have kissed you, if she didn't know that there are boundaries that can be crossed?"

"We kissed each other," He said, "It was mutual,"

"Whatever." Abby laughed.

Dean walked out of the locker room and saw her sitting there. Hadn't taken him long to notice Julie, about ten seconds really. But he doubted she saw him. From what he could gather she was his exact opposite in every way. He looked at her.

"Are you crying?" He leaned down.

"No," she wiped her eyes.

"I saw you," he laughed, "What's up?"

"I come all this way," she sighed, "And I'm not even going to get to play. It sucks. I had plans this summer, stuff I wanted to do," she sounded like a child throwing a fit, "it's just not fair."

"Life's not fair, babe." He shrugged and stood up.

"Do you like embodying a stereotype?" She said, this was the first time he saw her face red with rage, "God, you are exactly who I thought you were." She stood up and started to walk away from him

"Yeah well it beats being a spoiled brat who always does what her Mommy and Daddy expect her to, and cries when things don't go her way." He said, stopping her. She turned around dropped her bag and walked towards him, he was expecting to get slapped. Instead she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pulled away.

"Did you expect that Portman?" She said in a huff and walked away.

"Well," Abby said, "Whatever happened, you blew it."

"Yeah," He said, "I know, I didn't tell her."

"Well that," Abby said, "And you didn't fight for her."

"She told me to stop!" He protested. "She said that she chose and that was that."

"Yeah," Abby nodded, "She did." She took a breath, "Come on, you're the only person I know that can get me to this Leery kid's house."

"I can't go back there," Portman shook his head.

"You of all people know better than to fight a Gaffney girl!" She smiled, and started walking.

"True," he laughed and followed after her. Now that he thought about it, maybe Abby was his last chance.

"This is what I was afraid of," Scot said, walking out onto to Dawson's dock where Julie was sitting at the edge. "I know how you get when you're around him. I hate seeing you like this." He sat down next to her and put his arm around her. "So how's Abby?"

"How did you know I talked to Abby?" She looked at him.

"Come on Gaffney," he laughed, "Give me some credit, I do know you. You get mildly emotional, you reach for a phone." She smiled. "What happened Julie?"

"He told me he missed me," she said, "and that he," she stopped, no, he didn't need to know that part, "he wants me back." She left it at that. "And then he tried to kiss me." Scot nodded, she saw him trying to hide his anger, "I didn't let him."

"I know," Scot said, and kissed her hair, "But I still wish you'd stay away from him, for your sake."

"I won't make the mistake of seeking him out again," Julie sighed, "I hate that you were right about this."

"To be fair," he said, "I didn't really want to be right about this."

"I know you didn't," she said, "I love you," She said and kissed him.

"I love you too," He said, "You wanna go?"

"We have to wait for Abby," she said.

"Abby?" He asked. "Abby's here?"

"She's coming," Julie said, "You know Abby, she gets an idea and there's no talking her out of anything."

"Right," he smiled, "OK, Jules, why don't you come inside? Watching Connie and Pacey try to flirt is getting pretty funny."

"So Dawson," Fulton said looking around the room. "You uh, you like movies?"

"Dawson doesn't like movies," Pacey laughed, "He is passionate about them."

"He's going to be the great filmmaker of our generation," Joey smiled proudly.

"Guys don't get ahead of yourselves," Dawson laughed, "I haven't even started shooting my first film yet."

"But that's what they're here for," Pacey smiled.

"Yeah," Connie agreed. "What's this movie about anyway?"

"It's a semi ironic homage to the B movie horror genre." Dawson said. The Ducks looked at him confused. "It's a monster movie, but sort of sarcastically." He simplified.

"Ohh," They nodded.

"The beautiful heroine meets a boy and is attacked by a monster in the same day," He began.

"Let me guess," Charlie said, "They're the same person?"

"Bingo," Dawson said, "Joey is our heroine, Pacey's the monster. You guys are the crew and also probably victims. Julie and Scot too id they decide to stick around."

"Doubtful," Connie sighed.

"What's doubtful?" Julie said walking in, Scot's arm around her shoulder.

"Uh," Connie said looking around for an answer.

"You and Connie would agree to be killed in Dawson's movie while in the throws of a passionate girl on girl kiss," Pacey covered, Julie gave him a "nice try" look. "It was just a suggestion. Can't a man dream?" He winked at Connie, who shot him a grateful smile

"You OK Cat?" Adam looked at her. She smiled, they had always understood each other. She nodded.

"My sister's coming," She said to Dawson. "I hope that's OK,"

"Yeah," he said, nonchalant, "The more the merrier."

"Great," She smiled. "Thanks. So, we're going to be in your movie?"

"Pacey's going to kill us," Charlie laughed."

"Not if I beat him to it." Julie teased.

"Does this mean we're off the hook?" Fulton asked hopefully.

"Not entirely," she said cautiously, "But I can't stay mad at you long. You know that Fulton." He smiled and went over and enveloped her in a bear hug.

"Welcome back Cat Lady!" He said putter her down. Scot shifted on his feet uncomfortably.

"So," Pacey said, "Now that we're one big happy family, let's get this show on the road. I am operating on a midnight curfew here."

"Right," Dawson laughed, "The movies." He picked up his remote and pressed play. Julie and Scot settled on the floor, her behind between his legs and her back against his chest. He put his arms around her shoulders. She loved it when he held her.

"You've mellowed a lot," Abby said as she and Portman walked.

"Yeah," he said kicking a rock out in front of him. "It's not like Zen or anything, I'm just pretty much bummed out most of the time."

"Wow, that's pathetic," She said.

"Well, so's screwing a fifteen year old." He pointed out. She laughed.

"Oh, you know about that?" She said, "Yes, my night with Mendoza was not one of my proudest moments."

"I meant him," Portman stopped, "Although it was double ended huh?"

"Are you waiting for her?" Abby stopped, realizing something. "Portman are you telling me that all those girls that Julie thought you were with actually escaped with their virtue intact?"

"It's not something I broadcast," he mumbled, "But yes, I've found myself unable to close the deal, because I would like the first time I have sex to be with someone I have actual feelings for."

"You have to tell her!" Abby said. "She thinks you're like, the king of the one night stand, it's one of the ways she justifies not being with you!"

"The other being that she's in love with someone else?" He asked.

"Well, yeah," Abby said, "But that's questionable. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like Scot, he's a great guy, and we had some really killer times back when we were rebellious freshmen together. But I don't know that he's right for her."

"And you think I am?" He said.

"I think you might be," Abby said, "Look I don't like new nicely behaved, perfect Mom and Dad approved Julie any more than you guys do. She's boring, and quietly disapproving."

"You're her hero," he said, "She would never disapprove of you."

"Yeah," Abby laughed, "But she's getting there."

"Well," he said, "We're here. See you later." He turned around. She grabbed his arm.

"No, no, no," Abby said, "You have to go in there, and you have to talk to her."

"Yeah, because that went so well the last time," He rolled his eyes. "I told her I loved her and I got stunned silence. I tell her that in fact I haven't been fucking tons of random girls which was the way she was justifying sleeping with someone else, I'm thinking she never speaks to me again. I make another move on her, I die."

"Which would you prefer?" Abby looked at him, "Life without her, or death knowing you gave it a shot?"

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