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Quality Time With The Grateful Death

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty," Scarlett said making Dawson groan.

He put his pillow over his head in protest.

She snatched his blanket away from him and placed it on the other side of the room.

He threw his pillow at her.

He opened one eye to see a smiling Scarlett.

She was dressed in her favorite sun dress.

It was green, like her eyes, and her hair was up with chopsticks, curls falling perfectly around her face.

Dawson stood up and stretched trying to adjust his eyes to the light.

"You're a pain in the ass you know that," he stated frowning and walking past her to his bathroom.

"Only for you Dawson," she said smiling and he glared.

"Come down for breakfast when you're done," she said over her shoulder as she hurried down the stairs.

Scarlett went in the fridge and pulled out a coffee mug right as Jen walked in.

"Morning gorgeous," Scarlett said smiling as her and Jen exchanged a hug.

She was also wearing a sundress too but, it was red

They had planned it the week before.

"Look who's talking," Jen said smiling back.

"Are you having breakfast?" Scarlett asked but, Jen declined.

"Gram made this huge breakfast so I actually gotta go back over.

"I came to see if I could..."

Scarlett pulled out her cherry red gloss, Jen's favorite.

"Keep it," Scarlett said making Jen laugh.

"It's crazy how well you know me," she said.

"Later doll face," Jen said kissing her on the cheek and heading for the front door.

"Later," Scarlett said.

Dawson came down the stairs.

"Did I just hear Jen?"

"Yeah, she couldn't stay Grams made breakfast," she responded and Dawson grabbed a glass.

"Guess it's just the two of us."

Dawson smiled and Scarlett smiled back.

"Yeah guess so."

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"Good morning Mr. Stoneheard," Scarlett yelled smiling a little bit too hard as her and Dawson crossed the parking lot to school.

Craig Stoneheard waved as he got into his garbage truck.

"So apparently Mr. Stoneheard is losing it," she said and Dawson glanced at her confused.

"And you've come to this conclusion how?"

"Well he's started seeking psychological help, specifically from Don Carter who runs the athletic store on twenty first. Who knew he'd also have a masters in psychology and cognitive science. Not to mention the fact that Mrs. Stoneheard has been spending quite a lot of time in salsa and yoga if you know what I mean," she said suggestively with a wink.

Dawson opened the door to school and they both entered.

All he could do was give her a look of shock.

"I put my money on Jake Conahey, the yoga instructor but, that's just speculation," she continued.

"How do you know this?" Dawson laughed out but, she just sighed sarcastically linking arms with him.

"Oh Dawson, Dawson, Dawson, you have so much to learn. But, if you're good I might just teach you my Yoda influenced ways," she said and he laughed.

"Why thank you master. I am forever in your favor," he responded amused at how she knew even more about his fellow Capeside residents than he did.

"You sure know how to sweet talk a woman," she smirked and he laughed again.

There laughter halted as they reached the doorway of their class.

Blocking the doorway was none other than Pacey and Joey kissing each other's faces off.

After an awkward pause Scarlett tightens her hold on Dawson.

"Mmm mmm," she said feigning a cough.

The couple jumped apart quickly, noticing their audience.

"Hi, we haven't met. I'm Scarlett," she said looking at Pacey.

"Um...hi...I'm Pacey," he said clearly uncomfortable.

"I know. It's nice to meet you. Morning Joey," Scarlett said giving her award winning smile before pushing her way through, pulling Dawson behind her.

"That wasn't awkward at all," Dawson muttered under his breath.

He took the corner seat in the front at the far end of the classroom.

Scarlett sat behind him and shrugged.

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about," Scarlett said giving her best lost face.

Dawson turned his head as the bell rang.

"It'll be ok Dawson," she whispered squeezing his shoulder in comfort.

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"See, don't you feel your love for it just filling you up," Scarlett said smiling widely.

Dawson shrugged in an unsure way making her shake her head in disappointment.

Mitch came up the stairs and opened the door to his son's room.

Scarlett laid back next to Dawson on his bed.

"Hey," Dawson said.

"Hey Mr. Leery," Scarlett said as well.

Mitch's eyes crinkled in wonder.

"Do I detect something vaguely of my generation?" he inquired.

"Yeah, I've been giving that Grateful Dead album you and mom gave me a second chance. I don't get it. I still don't have the slightest inclination to drop acid or start using hemp products or incorporate anything remotely tie-dyed into my wardrobe," Dawson responded looking at the cd with desire to understand.

Scarlett sighed.

"Your son is a disappointment," she said and Mitch smiled.

"Well, Dawson... The Dead were a phenomenon to be experienced live. Thousands of nomadic fans, the endless jams... That's never gonna come through those headphones."

"But I sure can attempt," Scarlett said nodding her head to the music and singing.

Scarlett turned to Dawson and began to sing, playfully.

"Mississippi river so big and wide," she sang with an air microphone to her mouth

Mitch laughed and joined in.

"Blond haired woman on the other side, " Mitch sang doing his best to channel the seventies.

Dawson looked between the two in awe.

"Now she's gone, gone, gone and I don't worry cause Im sitting on top of the world," they sang together and then smiled at a shocked Dawson.

"Do you ever just get the feeling that you and mom are maybe a little cooler than I am?" Dawson asked rhetorically.

"It's a burden, but we cope," Mitch responded amused.

Scarlett smiled.

"Good to know," Dawson replied smiling as well.

"I saw Pacey at school today," Mitch said changing the atmosphere.

Scarlett stood.

"Wow I'm suddenly very thirsty," she said shooting past Mitch and Dawson rolled his eyes.

"Oh, yeah? Me, too," Dawson responded blandly.

"I had to sit down with him about his schedule this year," Mitch went on.

"Uh-huh."

"He's in trouble, Dawson," Mitch said hoping for some type of concern from his son.

Dawson wasn't letting up.

"And that concerns me how?"

"Well, look, I know that Pacey isn't your favorite person right now, but trust me, you're not always going to feel like that," Mitch said almost pleadingly.

Dawson shrugged.

"I don't know, dad. I can maybe see this one standing the test of time."

"Hear me out. Pacey has gotten himself in some real academic trouble. Without the support of his friends, he might not graduate high school."

"Well, what do you expect me to do about it? "

Dawson was getting irritated and just wanted the conversation to end.

"I don't know. But I've always taken pride in the fact my son is someone his friends can turn to when they need him."

Dawson sat up in his bed.

"Ok, dad, I... I realize this might seem a little hyper-dramatic from the cool, calm perspective of an adult, but this is my world, ok? My life. My quote-unquote best friend pursued a relationship with a girl that I've loved in one way or another for as long as I can remember. And that hurts so much that sometimes I can't sit still."

Dawson paused to compose himself.

"Now, I think I've done a pretty good job of trying to move forward, but that doesn't mean that Pacey gets to go on reaping the benefits of my friendship. All right? He's on his own. I can't help him."

Mitch nodded, "Well, maybe you know someone who can."

Dawson was silent but, Mitch felt the unspoken understanding.

"Oh and Dawson," Mitch said before walking out.

"I'd feel much better if you would leave the door open when you have company," Mitch said evenly.

Dawson rolled his eyes and smiled.

"When I have company over or when I have Scarlett over?" Dawson asked already knowing the answer.

"However you would like to interpret it is fine with me," Mitch said as if he was clueless.

"Dad, come on. We're friends," Dawson said.

"And we've seen how fast that can change," Mitch said knowingly and Dawson shook his head.

"Dad, there has been a whole summer where you and mom have been working nonstop hours. This translates into an exponential amount of alone time with Scarlett. So technically you'd be a little late in the overprotective father role," Dawson said and Mitch crossed his arms.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Mitch asked with a slight smile.

"I don't know. Ask me again in six months," Dawson said and Mitch narrowed his eyes.

"You're not funny."

"I do believe I am," Dawson said laughing as Scarlett came in.

"What'd I miss," she said plopping on the bed.

"We're just talking about our long and sweltering summer days," Dawson said smiling.

"You mean our erotic afternoon of closed doors and endless blasting of the Grateful Dead to muffle our sins and transgressions?" Scarlett countered.

"You're making me rethink the acid dye already," Dawson laughed.

Mitch cracked a smile.

"Dawson stops it. Your dad is here," she said jokingly, hitting him lightly on the shoulder.

"Thanks for shooting down my attempt at good parenting," Mitch said closing the door.

"Anytime," Scarlett and Dawson yelled at the same time before bursting into laughter.

"So how'd you get from Pacey to our nonexistent sexual exploits?" Scarlett asked.

"My dear dad was just telling me about Pacey's possible inability to graduate high school," Dawson said smoothly.

Scarlett's eyes widened and she sat up.

"What? Why not?"

"Apparently he's had some grade issues. It's not such a shocker once you know him," Dawson said uninterested.

"Oh wow, that's tough," Scarlett said sympathetically.

"Yeah, it is but, it's also not my problem. And my dad seems to think it is," Dawson said clearly annoyed.

"Well, is it?" Scarlett asked and Dawson looked up with furrowed eyebrows.

"Excuse..."

Scarlett interrupted.

"Wait, hear me out. You and Pacey have been best friends for how long now? I understand that you guys aren't talking right now but, bottom line is who else can talk to Joey. I don't know Pacey but, I know guys and I don't expect him to tell her."

"But..."

"No buts. You can be hurt and pretend that Pacey doesn't exist but, don't act like you don't care because you do," she finished and he laid back in defeat staring at the ceiling.

"You suck," Dawson said groaning.

Scarlett smiled.

"So our nonexistent sexual exploits fit in there how?" she said trying to lighten the mood.

"My dad doesn't want me closing the door when you're over and I was explaining to him if his thoughts were accurate he's three months late."

Scarlett laughed.

"There are many other things that can happen with the door open. He'd do better banning me all together," she said smiling.

"Other things?" Dawson asked curiously.

Scarlett smirked.

"Another yoda lesson for the future," she said and he laughed.

Dawson stood up and walked to the door.

He looked under the door and then stood up after he saw a shadow.

"What are you doing?" Scarlett asked.

"Giving my dad a heart attack," Dawson said chuckling and sitting back down.

"Scarlett cut it out my dad is downstairs," Dawson said just loud enough so that he knew his dad would hear in the hallway.

"Sorry...it's just so...hot in here," she said playing along.

they could both just see Mitch pushed up with his ear against the door.

"You think you could help me get out of these clothes. I'll be quiet I promise," Scarlett said feigning seduction.

Dawson and Scarlett tried to muffle their laughter to no avail as Mitch pushed through the door.

Mitch took a breath as he saw the two fully clothed teens laughing at their joke.

"Not funny Dawson," Mitch said frowning hard and turning and walking out, leaving the door wide open.

Scarlett covered her mouth and chucked a pillow at Dawson.

"Your parents are never going to let me come over again," she said laughing.

"You think for April Fools we can tell him you're pregnant?" Dawson said and he laughed harder.

Scarlett pushed him off the bed.

"You're horrible," she said and he smirked.

She got up and grabbed her bag.

"Goodbye jerkface," she said shaking her head with a smirk on her face as she headed out the door.

"Goodbye mother of my unborn child," he said loudly hoping his dad would hear.

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