Part 1
Dirty Dancing
Disclaimer: Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen and all other Dawson's Creek characters are the proporty of Kevin Williamson and the WB. I don't own them, so please don't sue.
Rating: PG-13. If you can watch the show, you can read this.
Spoilers: You know what happened in season 1 of Dawson's Creek. Of how Dawson Leery was oblivious to the fact that his long-time best friend, Joey Potter, was in love with him. You know of how Dawson dated Jen Lindley, while his other friend Pacey pursued his English teacher, Tamara Jacobs. But what if some avents had happened differently? I am the Watcher(KIDDING…lol…sorry, in-joke, nevermind). Anyway, in this story, something happened at the end of the pilot episode to change the course of the entire series. What happened? Just wait and see.
Editors Note: I'm trying something different this time around. I usually write in script format, but I thought I'd try narrative this time. It's a little experiment for a fic I might co-write in the future. Hope you like it.
The film was almost completed now. As Dawson Leery watched the movie on his TV...the movie he himself made...he could not help but smile at his handiwork.
On the screen, Joey and Pacey were talking. Granted, this wasn't really Joey and Pacey. They were now characters that Dawson wrote.
And here's where it screws up Dawson thinks to himself.
"Look," Joey's character said to Pacey's, panicly "I know what I saw. It was big and it was ugly and it attacked me and it's still out there just waiting."
"I may not believe you, Stephanie but I believe in you." Pacey's character responds, then they start to kiss. Quickly, Joey pulls away from him in disgust.
"Wooooooo." She yells, disgusted "Ugh."
"What?" said Pacey, acting innocently "What? Come on."
"Cut." Dawson yelled.
Back in reality, Joey is laying on Dawson's on bed. She flips the tape off and looks over at Dawson at his desk. He is working on a model of her head
" Sorry, Dawson" Joey tells him "but he is just too repelling"
"Joey, you're going to have to kiss him." He argues.
"I cannot and will not kiss that cretin" she tells him, defiantly.
"It's a movie," he says, defending himself "you're playing a character. It's not Pacey you're kissing."
"So he's a sea serpent from the deep." She responds "What's the difference?"
"But you're not aware of his evil alter-ego." He argues again "You're in love."
"Forget it." she says, defiantly. They start to argue
"The movie doesn't work without a kiss, Joey, it's a love story."
"It's a horror movie, Dawson."
"It's a homage with a heavy alegoratic slant."
"But he's so un-kiss-worthy"
Dawson grins at her.
" Sorry, Jo." He says, jokingly "But the director isn't aloud to star in his own movie."
Joey gets a very sad expression. Almost immediately, Dawson becomes remorseful.
Oh, that was smooth, he thinks. Why don't I just rub some more salt in that open wound. I swear, sometimes I can be the most insensitive person on the planet.
"Joey, I didn't mean...I'm sorry." He apologizes "I guess we're not at the stage where we can joke about it, huh?"
"I'm just a little jumpy, that's all." She admits to him "I sort of had this dream about you last night."
Dawson's eyes grow wide with embarrassment. Didn't need to hear that, Jo, he thinks.
"You did?"
"I'm not saying leather straps and Crisco," she says "it was just about a kiss."
"But still..." he begins, but then trails off. Dawson then quickly changes the subject "What are we going to do about this?"
"I vote for an extensive rewrite." Joey says.
"You're stubborn, you know that?" he tells her. "You know, Joey, you can always just close your eyes and think of somebody else."
Dawson pauses for a moment, then turns back to her.
"Joey?"
"Yeah?" she asks.
"Explain to me, the Crisco." He asks her.
*****
"I'm serious, D-Man." Pacey Witter tells his friend "She kissed me."
"Your English teacher?" Dawson asks, not really believing it.
"Yeah." Pacey answers.
"That's a little far-fetched, isn't it Pace?" Dawson questions him.
"Far-fetched or not," he defends himself "it happened."
Dawson pauses for a moment. He then turns to Pacey
"Pacey." He asks "I need some advice. And you have to promise not to make a big deal of this. You promise?"
"Shoot." He answers
"Okay," Dawson continues "what would you do if, say, you found out someone had a crush on you?"
"Are we talking 8-year-old, or..." Pacey starts to ask, but Dawson cuts him off.
"Same age."
A grin appears on Pacey's face.
"You lucky man, you." He tells him "Is she cute?"
"Well, um...she's Joey." Dawson admits.
Pacey's jaw drops and his eyes bulge out. Excuse me?, he thinks.
"Joey?"
"Yeah." Dawson answers.
"Joey Potter?" Pacey asks again.
"Yep"
"Joey 'won't-kiss-me-on-screen-pessimist-annoying-icequeen-stubborn-and-tomboy' Potter?" Pacey asks once again.
Dawson begins to become annoyed.
"Pacey..."
"You poor, poor man." Pacey tells him, jokingly "Although, considering she sleeps in your bed, this could be the ideal chance for you to get..."
"PACEY?!" Dawson yells "Could you be serious about this? It's really freaking me out, and I don't know what to do about it. I mean, Joey's...well...Joey. It really puts a stop to my plans with Jen."
"Hold the phone, Leery." Pacey interrupts him "There's no need to do that."
Dawson becomes confused.
"Are you just suggesting that I keep seeing Jen, thereby hurting Joey. I know you don't get along Pacey, but that's just..." Dawson starts to say, but Pacey cuts him off.
"As long as you try to limit Potter's involvement in your relationship, no one gets hurt." Pacey rationalizes "Am I right, or am I right?"
"I don't know." Dawson replies, unsure.
"Well, think about it." Pacey says, then leaves.
*****
Capeside High School. The school hallway is abuzz with students walking to and from their classes. Suddenly, a student announcer begins to speak over the PA.
"Don't forget about the big dance on Saturday to celebrate our victory at the big game on Friday." The voice says "Even if we don't win the big game, the Planning Committee is really optimistic. Get your tickets now."
Dawson is walking towards Mr. Gold's classroom. He takes a deep breath, and prepares for the worst.
Here goes nothing, he thinks to himself.
He walks into the class, where Mr. Gold is sitting.
"Mr. Gold, got a sec?" he asks the teacher.
"What is it, Dawson?" Mr. Gold replies.
"Umm, well," Dawson begins "I've been thinking about what you said. And you were right to not let me into your class."
"I've glad you gave it some thought." He tells him.
"I did." Dawson continues "I am, however, in a bit of a jam. See, I have study hall fifth period in the library and it's really crowded in there. Major overflow, sweaty, unpleasant. I uh,. I talked to Mr. Gibbons about switching study halls and he seemed to think that with your permission I could spend study halls with you."
"Hmmm, Fifth period." He says, suspiciously "That's exactly when film class is."
"That's an uncanny coincidence." Dawson replies, knowing full well that was exactly what he wanted in the first place.
"You will not be part of the class." Mr. Gold says, sternly "You will sit in the back and be quiet. And you will not participate or involve yourself in any..."
Before Mr. Gold can finish, however, Dawson rushes out the door.
"Great, Thank you Mr. Gold." He quickly says "I really, this is a big deal."
*****
Pacey waits by a teacher's desk in a classroom. He's been waiting there for awhile. Then Tamara Jacobs walks in.
"Good morning, Miss Jacobs." Pacey says to her.
"Good morning Pacey." She responds
"Can we talk?" he asks her.
"Ah, you know," she stutters "this isn't your class so uh, I'll see you later."
"No, we really need to talk." He insists.
"But we have nothing to discuss." She denies "Unless it's about a literary question, you can run along."
"There's a lot to discuss." He insists "We can start with the open-mouth kiss if you like."
"I don't know what you're talking about." She says, sternly "And I'm going to have in insist that you leave this classroom immediately."
"Listen, I'm just as confused about this as you are." Pacey admits to her.
The class bell rings, halting them both in their tracks.
"Please?" she begs "Nothing happened. There was no kiss."
"Your tongue was in my mouth." He whispers "You're not being fair."
Pacey leaves the classroom just as Tamara begins her class
"Good morning, everyone." Tamara begins. Neither Pacey nor Tamara notices Jen hiding behind the door
*****
Dawson, Pacey, Jen and Joey are sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch together. Jen is next to Dawson and Pacey is facing Dawson with Joey next to Pacey facing Jen. Pacey is obviously amused by what he knows, but tries to hide it.
"Okay," Dawson begins "I'm not going to be able to count on the film class for support like I was hoping. Which means, we're going to have to work overtime if we want to make the festival deadline. We have to shoot all weekend. Joey, this means, no lip about giving Pacey lip."
"I'm reaching a breaking point with this whole kiss thing." She argues.
"I'm not engorged with this, either." Pacey tells her "It goes both ways."
A large grin appears on Pacey's face.
"Since you would obviously prefer to kiss someone el..."
Underneath the table, Dawson kicks Pacey. Dawson gives him a 'watch it' look. Then his eyes light up.
"Joey, major revelation." He exclaims "Alright. I think I know a way to make you the happiest actress in the world. You know how you die in the end of the movie? How would you like to die sooner? Like tomorrow?"
"What do you mean?" she asks, confused.
"Okay," he starts "your character in a surprise attack is killed violently but your beautiful and bright cousin from New York arrives just in time to find your mutilated body."
"You know, dude." Pacey says, interested "I think you're on to something here."
"Wait a minute." Jen asks, curious "Does this mean..."
"No, no, no." he argues "This nullifies the kiss issue"
Dawson looks over at Joey
"And puts you back behind the camera with me where you belong."
"But, haven't you shot a lot of stuff with Joey's character?" Jen asks him
"It's a easy cover." He admits "It's better this way, it's so unpredictable! The audience is never gonna see it coming! It's like Janet Lee in 'Psycho'."
"Drew Barrymore in 'Scream'." Pacey compares. Joey turns to face him.
"Ah, rip-off of a rip-off."
"I really think that it fits right in line with the whole film piece, don't you think?" Dawson asks them.
"You're right, Dawson." Joey admits "It's perfect."
*****
Pacey is sitting in Tamara's English Class. The class is discussing Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.
"Okay, someone explain to me the state of Catherine's mind as she drove Heathcliff away." She asks her class. One of her female students eventually answers her.
"It was her tragic and dysfunctional way of letting him know she loved him."
"Yes, that's the oblivious interpretion of the moment." She lectures "However, I think it goes deeper than that. For some reason, this story is regarded as some great love story. But the reality is, that Heathcliff and Catherine never really belonged together. They never should have been together. Catherine was essentially a mess, it was basically a decent guy who had a lot to learn about life and was apparently better off without some whimpering, mentally, unstable wet-rag following him around. The whole thing was wrong. It should never have happened. Bronte should have saved her anger."
The bell rings signaling the end of class. Pacey gets up and leaves with a puzzled look on his face.
Oh, so that's how it is, huh? Pacey thinks to himself. Looks to me like Dawson ain't the only one with the 'fiction equals real life' theories, huh?
*****
Mr. Gold's film class. Dawson is sitting in the back of the class listening to the conversations of the students.
"So, we'll have to move fast if we want to enter the Film Festival." Mr. Gold tells his class.
"We can make it." Cliff tells him "The script is done, the movie is boarded. And we did a lot of the work over the summer."
"Then let's move onto the story." He continues "Have you solved our third act problem?"
"Mr. Gold?" Dawson speaks up. The class turns towards him.
"Yes, Dawson?" Mr. Gold answers.
"Would that be the Boston Film Festival?" he asks again, curiously.
"Yes, that would be." He answers "They have a junior video level competition."
"Okay, Third act." Cliff continues "I've just been injured in the big game with Tyler. My throwing arm crushed. The bone broken in 3 places. But I refuse to tell the coach, because he won't let me play at Homecoming if I do. Remember, we want the audience asking 'Can he do it? Will the team win the big game?' Remember, this is autobiographical, so if anybody has any questions, I was there. I lived it. Come talk to me, alright?"
*****
Dawson is throwing his books into his locker while Joey is next to him talking to him.
"'Helmets of Glory.' Chronicles last year's football season." Dawson admits, mockingly "And get this, Mr. Cliff Quarterback himself is writing, directing and starring in it."
"Oh, a Streisand." Joey jokes.
"This is serious, Jo." Dawson admits "They're entering it in the film festival. My film festival. This is like immediate competition."
"And it's a sports film." Joey says.
"A thin and pedestrian sports film." Dawson replies, bitterly.
"Ah, the epitome of everything you're against." Joey admits "Could life be more cruel?"
Dawson sees Cliff walk up to Jen in the hallway. Dawson and Joey stand next to Dawson's locker watching the conversation between Cliff and Jen
*****
Jen and Cliff are in the hallway talking
"Hi, I'm Cliff." He tells her, introducing himself.
"Hi, Jen." She replies.
Over in the corner, Dawson begins to panic.
"This isn't happening."
"I know being the new kid can be kind of traumatic but if there's anything I can do to take the edge off." Cliff asks her "Introduce you around, take you out?"
"That's, that's really sweet of you." She admits "Umm, can I let you know? I mean, I'm still just getting settled in."
"Sure, sure." He tells her "absolutely. It was nice to meet you Jen, short for Jennifer."
"You too, Cliff, short for Clifford." She jokes.
Cliff leaves and walks past Dawson and Joey. Dawson and Joey are shown again, with Dawson having a confused look on his face.
"Welcome to my world" Joey tells him.
*****
Mitch is sitting at a table working on some things. Dawson comes flying down the stairs carrying the head model of Joey
"Dad, hey Dad." Dawson yells at Mitch, trying to get his attention "Have you seen my camcorder?"
"Filming today?" Mitch asks him.
"Yeah, Joey gets decapitated today." Dawson admits.
"It's, uh, in my bedroom, on the night table, on your mother's side." Mitch says, nervously "You might want to take the tape out."
"You can get arrested for that in some states." He tells him, then pauses for a moment.
"Umm, I have a question. It's kind of a girl slash relationship question. And I don't want it to go to your head that I'm soliciting fatherly advice or anything. But I clearly don't condone yours and Mom's perverse sex life but I'm not too proud to admit that my own inexperience is hindering my current female relations."
"Well, what's the question?" Mitch asks him.
"What do I do if someone is interested in me, but I'm not interested in her?" Dawson responds.
"Why?" Mitch asks "Is she ugly?"
"NO!" he yells, flustered.
"Then what's the problem?" Mitch responds, not really understanding.
"It's...complicated." Dawson admits "Not to mention the fact that I have absolutely no experience with girls or dating, with the exception of the disaster with Jen last week, that is."
"How can I help?" Mitch asks.
Dawson sits down next to his father. Meanwhile, Joey is seen walking to the Leery house and to the ladder leading up to Dawson's room.
*****
"So, how do I go about this?" Dawson asks his father "What's the right 'technique'?"
"Well, there is no technique, Dawson." Mitch admits "Do you get along well with this girl?"
"Yeah." He answers.
"Really well?"
"Is there a point to this?" Dawson asks
"If you get along with this girl, and she's not ugly, then all you're missing is the kissing part." Mitch tells him, and smiles in triumph.
"Uh uh, no way." Dawson insists "Not interested, remember?"
"If that were true, you wouldn't be asking me." Mitch tells him, still confident.
"Even if I gave this any credence, which I don't, I...I don't even know how to kiss." Dawson says, obviously flustered.
"You just put your lips together and go." Mitch tells him "The first time I kissed your mother..."
Quickly, Dawson interrupts him.
"Now don't get too detailed."
"And we were out on a boat." He continues "And your mother's lips were chapped from the sun and she asked if she could borrow my chapstick."
Joey is seen entering Dawson's room and into the upstairs hallway. She looks over the balcony and sees Dawson and Mitch talking. She stands where she is and listens to them.
"So I took it out and I put some on my lips and then I leaned over and kissed her." Mitch continues with the story "The chapstick was really smooth. It slid onto her lips, the sensation was amazing. The chemistry was already there, you know but it was just one of those things that cemented it, you know. It was unforgettable and most importantly, romantic."
"And here, I thought you were all about sex." Dawson admits.
"Oh, we still jumped each other." Mitch mentions, spoiling the mood "But you got to have romance. It's all about romance. And chapstick."
Joey sits down by the balcony continuing to watch Dawson and Mitch
"Here" Mitch tells him, and holds up the head of Joey.
"You give it a try."
"NO!" Dawson says, defiantly.
"Oh, come on." Mitch begs "This is a big father/son moment here. You asked for it."
"Alright" Dawson agrees, and takes the head from Mitch
Nothing to worry about. I'm just kissing a plastic dummy head. It just so happens that it's fashioned in the image of a girl who's got a crush on me. Man, this is creepy.
"Now moisten your lips and go for it." Mitch instructs him.
"Dad, this is ridiculous." Dawson tells him "This is way ridiculous."
"The bottom lip." Mitch continues "You got to keep it relaxed. You want to let it have a mind of its own. You want it to dance with hers"
Mitch touches Dawson's bottom lip. Up on the balcony, Joey moistens her lips.
"Close your eyes." Mitch continues.
Dawson holds the head up, closes his eyes and kisses it.
Joey, up on the balcony, closes her eyes when Dawson kisses the dummy head.
"That was good." Mitch says, congratulating him.
"Yeah?" Dawson asks
"Yeah." He admits.
"Cool." Dawson admits "Umm, forget this ever happened."
"Alright." He answers.
"Thanks." Dawson says. He gets up, grabs the head and leaves the house
*****
Joey gets up and starts to walk downstairs. She hears Gale's voice and finds that Gale is in a room whispering to someone on the phone. Joey stands by the door listening to her.
"Yeah, Alright." Gale says into the phone "No, no, okay, then I'm hanging up"
Gale makes kissing noises into the phone
"I promise, I promise." She continues "Good-bye."
Gail hangs up the phone and opens the door to the hallway. She sees Joey standing there.
"Ahhh, Joey." She exclaims "What are you doing?"
"Ah, I was just looking for Dawson." She tells her "We're filming today."
"Oh, that's nice." Gale tells her.
"Yeah, I'm going to get killed today." She admits
"Oh, that's nice." She says "Ah, Be careful out in the sun. It's hot today. Wear sunblock."
"Ah, see you, Mrs. Leery." Joey says.
"You too Joey." Gale answers.
Joey starts to walk away, but then turns back towards her.
"Mrs. Leery?"
"Ummm?" Gale asks
"I know." Joey admits. Then she exits, leaving Gale with a shocked expression on her face.
*****
The filming of the movie on the pier. Joey is shown walking down the pier.
"Steven?" she calls out "Steven? "
Pacey, dressed as the Creature, appears and starts chasing Joey around the dock. Joey is heard screaming and runs behind a old boat. The head model of Joey is held up and Joey's head is chopped off with fake blood running down.
"And cut." Dawson exclaims "Beautiful."
Dawson changes the film and Jen begins to help him out with the equipment.
"Guys," she says "that was really good."
"Perfect." Dawson responds "That could not have gone any better."
Pacey takes the head off of the Creature suit
"Joey, you die so well!" he tells her, then turns towards Dawson
"Dawson, can we get another one of those? Cause I so love that image."
"No, we're behind schedule." he answers "Moving on."
*****
Joey goes into Dawson's house and begins to change out of her bathing suit. Jen enters and goes over to her
"Hey, Joey," she asks "let me help you get that blood off."
"It's okay." Joey replies "I can get it."
"No, come on." she insists "I don't mind at all. It's not a problem. Ewww, it looks like it's really stuck on there."
Joey starts to become embarassed.
"I--I can get it."
She takes off her bikinni
*****
Outside the house, Dawson and Pacey are looking over the script.
"Hey Dawson?" Pacey asks him. "You know what they're doing in there?"
"I think that's fairly obvious" he responds.
"I'm just wondering if you're considering, you know..." Pacey grins "...peeking"
Dawson becomes bright red and flustered.
"PACEY!!!"
They both kneel down to avoid being seen through the window.
"I swear, one of these days that hormonal attitude of yours is going to get us all in trouble." Dawson whispers.
"Don't tell me you're not the least bit curious?" Pacey asks
"It's Joey, remember?" he responds.
"Don't think of her as 'Joey', think of her as 'a girl'" Pacey instructs him. "Consider this a learning experience"
Pacey grins, and Dawson pushes him in the shoulder. Pacey falls to the floor laughing.
"I still can't believe it" Pacey comments. "Joey Potter likes you. YOU. How surreal is it to have the most un-female female lust after you?"
"She doesn't 'lust' after me, okay." Dawson says, as they sneek away.
*****
"Here, let's get you covered up" Jen says, as she puts a towel around Joey's chest area
"You have nice breasts." Jen comments "I mean, don't get the wrong idea. I'm completely hetero, alright. I'm just commenting girl to girl. You have a really nice body. "
"I'm too tall." Joey complains.
"No, you're not at all. You're commanding." Jen corrects her "Hey, come on, I wish I had your stature and your long legs. My body's a mess. I'm too short, my hips do this weird thing and my face is shaped like a duck. Oh, and I hate my breasts."
"Are you serious?" Joey asks her.
"Yeah, I mean, it's usually normal to hate the way you look." she tells her.
"You don't look like a duck." Joey admits
"You know, that's the nicest thing you've said to me since we've met." Jen tells her
She turns to leave, then pauses and turns back to Joey
"Joey, I plan on making it hard for you not to like me."
Jen leaves Dawson's house, leaving Joey with a perplexed expression on her face.
*****
Dawson and Joey are outside, filming the next scene. Pacey and Jen are on the pier together, playing their parts.
"Don't worry." Pacey reassures her "I'll help you find your cousin."
"That's so sweet of you." Jen admits "I can never thank you, I know."
Pacey leans over and kisses Jen. After a few seconds, Pacey tries to pull away but Jen won't let him.
"Wooooh." Dawson exclaims "Cut. Cut. Pacey, what the hell are you doing?"
"Me?" Pacey asks "Why don't you ask 'vacume mouth' here?"
"Sure Pace" Dawson says, not believing him.
He then looks towards Jen
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine." she answers, a little winded.
"It's just a kiss, Dawson." Joey tells him.
"We can try it again, if you think..." Pacey begins, but Dawson cuts him off.
"No. No. No kiss. I'm cutting the kiss. It's out. "
"Wait a second, you can't cut the kiss. " Joey argues.
"Yes I can." Dawson disagrees "I just did. Alright? It's not working. It doesn't make sense to have our new character to be kissing her dead cousin's boyfriend. Alright? The kiss is officially out."
"Alright." Pacey exclaims "So, then is that a wrap cuz I got plans tonight, you know."
"Yeah, it's a wrap." Dawson admits.
"Yeah, I probably should be going too." Jen tells them "Bye guys."
Jen starts to walk off, but Dawson quickly follows after her.
"Hey, Jen, wait up." he says
Pacey and Joey are left standing next to each other
"And what are you up to this evening?" she asks him.
"Well, it just so happens that the woman of my dreams is going to be at the school dance tonight and I plan on attending." he informs her.
"Lucky her." Joey says, sarcastically.
*****
Jen is walking by the fence leading up to her house. When she sees Dawson trying to catch up to her, she stops and waits for him
"So, in honor of the school dance, I've rented Saturday Night Fever, Stayin Alive and Grease." He says, obviously happy with himself.
"In lieu of going?" Jen asks him.
"Yeah, It's going to be a John Travolta night of interpretative expression." Dawson admits "See, this way, we can dance and our feet never have to move."
"I can't Dawson." She tells him "I'm sorry."
"What?" he asks "You have more enticing plans?"
"Actually I'm going to the school dance" she admits
"Oh." Dawson exclaims, surprised at this.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you wanted to do the whole movie night thing." She tells him.
"It's okay." He admits "Are you going alone?"
"No, actually Cliff Elliott asked me." She answers "He thought it would be a good way to meet some new people."
"Okay." Dawson says, somberly.
"Come on, don't look so down." She encourages him "It's not like it's a date or anything. He just asked me if I wanted to go and I said yes."
"Ok, well, call me confused but that's the definition of a date, Jen." He says, obviously upset "Isn't it?"
"I know." She admits "You're right. I just wanted to go, you know. I mean, I'm new here and it just sounded like fun. Why don't you drop by and we can dance?"
"No, I got a date with Travolta." He refuses "I wouldn't want to disappoint him."
They reach the gate to Jen's house, and she opens it.
"Well, see you later."
"Ok, see you." Dawson says, sadly.
"Bye." Jen says, and enters her yard.
*****
"Dawson, I need your help." Pacey tells him.
"Not in the mood." Dawson responds, bitterly.
"Come on." Pacey begs "Please."
Dawson sighs.
"What is it?"
"I need you to come to the school dance with me." Pacey asks him.
"Sorry, Pace. You're not my type." Dawson says, jokingly.
"Ha, ha, very funny." Pacey responds "No, I need someone to go with me so it doesn't look like I'm stalking someone."
"Which is exactly what you're doing, right?" Dawson asks him.
"That's beside the point." Pacey responds, defending himself.
"I don't know, Pacey." Dawson admits, unsure "I sort of already told Joey we were going to have a Travolta-fest tonight."
"Then bring her with us." Pacey tells him.
WHATT? Dawson thinks.
"Are you crazy? Did you forget my dilemma already?"
"Oh, give it a rest." Pacey tells him "I'm not telling you to ask her out."
"No, you're just telling me to ask her to a dance." Dawson responds "Which is, correct me if I'm wrong, roughly the same thing."
"You are so paranoid." Pacey accuses him.
"There is no way in hell you're talking me into doing this." Dawson tells him.
He's not making me do this. He's not making me do this. He's not making me do this.
*****
"Umm...Joey, can I ask you something?" Dawson asks Joey.
"Sure, what?" Joey responds.
"What say we, uh, forget about watching movies tonight?" Dawson manages to stumble out.
"Why?" she asks "What else is there to do?"
"I was wondering if, well, you'd like to, ah, go to the school dance." He asks her. Suddenly, Joey does a double take. Then a surprised smile appears on her face.
Did he just say what I think he said? Joey thinks He just asked me to go to a dance. A DANCE. Somebody pinch me because I think I'm dreaming again.
"Don't take this the wrong way, Jo." Dawson tells her "Pacey wants us to go with him so he doesn't look like a stalker."
"And what'll he be doing there?" Joey asks him, still in a happy mood.
"Stalking." Dawson admits.
"Naturally." Joey says, with a smirk on her face.
"I just thought it would be better than staying around here all night." Dawson says, trying to rationalize himself.
"Oh, I understand." Joey agrees "Absolutely."
Joey heads downstairs. Once out of Dawson's sight, she rubs her hands together and squeals in delight.
*****
Mitch and Gale are talking in the kitchen
"We probably won't discuss this until after the dinner itself." She tells him "I might be late."
Gale leans over and kisses him.
"We'll shoot for tonight." She tells him.
Gale exits the kitchen and heads for the front door. She is interrupted by a giddy Joey running into her. Suddenly, Joey's mood starts to change.
"Hi Mrs. Leery" she says, somberly.
"Joey, you scared me." She says, surprised. "Ah, look we need to talk."
"Do you remember my mom, Mrs. Leery?" Joey asks her.
"I just want to clear up this morning." Gale says, straight to the point.
"My mom was the best." Joey claims "She was a incredible woman. My dad, however, didn't always see that. He cheated on her for as long as I can remember and it tore her apart. Crippling their relationship and nearly destroying the entire family."
"Why are you telling me this, Joey?" Gale asks her.
"Because your actions affect others." She admits "They bleed into the lives of those around you and..."
"You don't understand" Gale cuts her off.
"No, you don't understand." Joey exclaims. "My mom got cancer and died so you do the math. You know, your reasons for doing what you're doing. They can't possibly outweigh the lasting damage you're creating."
"Does Dawson know?" she asks, worried.
Just then, Dawson comes down the stairs.
"Know what?" Dawson asks them.
"Know how to dance." Joey lies, with a smile on her face "I told her we were going."
"I know how to dance" Dawson admits, and kisses Gale on the cheek.
"Yeah, right." Joey says, mockingly "See you. Have fun tonight, Mrs. Leery."
*****
The school dance at Capeside High. Jen and Cliff are standing next to a table drinking punch.
"Fortunately, this is a victory dance" Cliff says, smiling.
"Ah, did you make the winning play?" Jen asks him.
"Well, you're here aren't you?" he replies.
"You know, that could have been my exit cue but you somehow pulled it off." Jen admits.
"I sold it?" Cliff says, surprised.
"Yeah, so you're smooth and unassuming." Jen tells him "It's very enduring. Is there anything you're not good at?"
"Yeah. Dancing." Cliff admits to her "I'm rhythmically challenged."
"Prove it." Jen exclaims.
Jen and Cliff head off to go dance
*****
Tamara is chaperoning the dance. Pacey sees her and goes over to her
"Good evening, Ms. Jacobs." Pacey greets her.
"Hello, Pacey." She says in return "How are you this evening?"
"Confused, perplexed, bewildered, mystified." Pacey lists "The source of emotion."
"You know, I'm the chaperone and I should make the rounds" she tells him.
"Would you like to dance Tamara?" Pacey asks her.
"That's not a good idea, Pacey." She admits.
"Of course it's not a good idea." He admits "If things were different, would you?"
"I have." She answers "I have to go."
With that, she leaves.
*****
Dawson and Joey arrive at the dance and see Jen and Cliff dancing.
"Isn't this cheery" Joey says. For some reason, she is in a better mood than usual.
Dawson looks at Jen and Cliff, but doesn't let on to it.
Yeah, Dawson thinks. --just cheery. The girl I want wants someone else, while I'm here with someone who wants me, but I don't want myself. Sometimes, my life is too complicated.
Suddenly, Dawson gets an idea.
Wait a minute. Maybe my whole 'Joey dilemma' might actually come in handy. Jealousy is definitely a two way street.
"Do you dance?" Dawson asks Joey.
"No." is her answer.
"Now you do." Dawson insists "C'mon."
Dawson drags her onto the dance floor.
"Dawson, this is certifiable." She exclaims.
"It's easy." Dawson admits to her "You just move around, shake your ass back and forth."
Dawson grabs Joey's hand and pulls her onto the dance floor. Just then, the song ends and a slow song comes on. Dawson and Joey look at each other until they both just put their arms around each other and slow dance together.
"We lost them" Dawson mutters to himself. Fortunately for him, Joey doesn't hear him clearly.
"Huh?"
"Nothing" he lies.
Jen and Cliff dance up right next to them
"You're pretty good at this." Dawson admits to her.
And she is, too. God what is wrong with me?
I'm dreaming, Joey thinks I must be dreaming. I'm dancing with Dawson Leery. Oh man, what's he thinking?
What's she thinking? Dawson thinks For all I know, she probably considers me her personal prince charming.
He's like my personal prince charming, Joey thinks God, that sounds so lame. And yet, this is just perfect. It's what I always wanted. If only he would...
Kiss her? Dawson thinks. That's probably what she wants me to do. But she's my friend. My best friend. Best friends don't kiss each other. It's a rule. But still, Joey's had a hard life. This is probably the first time since...
...my mom died that I've actually been happy. Joey thinks. It's like I'm trapped in a movie.
And everybody knows that movies are what I'm good at. Dawson thinks. Maybe I can just give her this one 'fantasy' for now. A gift to a friend. That's it, just follow the script.
They continue dancing for awhile, but eventually Dawson forgets who it is he's dancing with.
He becomes lost in it, 'the script', and doesn't stop to think about what he's doing.
The perfect setting. She's looking at him with tender eyes, and he looks back. They move closer.
Almost as if he's following his own stage directions, Dawson moves his face closer to Joey's. He starts to tilt his head to the side.
"You got to keep it relaxed. You want to let it have a mind of its own. You want it to dance with hers"
Joey moistens her lips. Then they both close their eyes, and move closer until their lips are practically touching. And then...
"Hey, you guys"
The moment is ruined. TheY move apart very quickly.
WHAT AM I DOING?! Dawson thinks.
"Hi"
"You made it" Jen congratulates them.
"Yeah" Dawson admits.
"I'm glad." She says, and turns to Joey "Hi Joey."
"Hi" Joey responds.
"Hi." Cliff says to Dawson "We have film class right?"
"Not exactly." Dawson answers "It's my study hall base."
"But Dawson is a very talented filmmaker" Jen says, defending him.
"Oh yeah?" Cliff asks "You're into movies?"
"I dab" Dawson admits, modestly.
"Who's that?" Jen asks, pointing to where Pacey is trying to talk to Tamara.
"Who?" Dawson asks.
"That woman Pacey was talking to?" Jen says.
"Tamara Jacobs." Cliff answers "Why?"
"Just curious." Jen lies.
"She's the English teacher." Dawson tells her.
Jen and Cliff leave. Dawson watches them, confused.
*****
"Just what is going on here?" Joey demands Dawson.
"Huh?" Dawson asks, confused.
"Don't act dumb, Dawson." She tells him "You know what I mean."
"Give me a break, okay Jo." Dawson pleads with her "I'm not really in the best mood right now."
Joey becomes confused.
What is he talking about, Joey thinks. Doesn't he realize what would have happened if Jen hadn't...
Just then, she comes to a sudden revelation.
"Oh, I see what's going on." She says, angrily.
"What do you mean?" Dawson asks, confused.
"How stupid do you think I am?" Joey asks him, her eyes beginning to tear up.
"Excuse me?"
"Did you or didn't you come here to see Jen?" she demands him. Dawson didn't have an answer.
"Joey, I didn't mean to..." he pleads with her, but Joey interrupts him.
"'Didn't mean to' what, Dawson? Use me? Because, from where I'm standing, that's exactly what you did."
"Jo..." he whispers at her.
"Don't worry about me." She yells at him "Go...talk to her. Think about yourself. That's what you're good at."
Joey sits down at a table with a clearly upset look on her face as Dawson leaves.
*****
"Hey, Jen." Dawson greets her.
"Hey." Jen answers back.
"Where's Cliff?" he asks.
"Had to go home early." Jen tells him "Said he had to work on some sort of film class project. Guess you two have something in common after all, huh?"
Dawson laughs.
"And...I sort of told him that I wasn't interested." Jen admits.
Dawson becomes confused.
"I said I was sort of interested in someone else." She finishes.
Wait a second, Dawson thinks she's not interested in him. She's not interested in him. This is great...this is...
Dawson smiles, but then looks over at Joey's table. She's no longer there.
What are you doing, Leery? Sure, you get the girl, but your best friend in the world is probably wandering back home, in tears, because of it. I'm really a piece of work, aren't I?
"Um...Jen." Dawson tells her "I think there's something we need to talk about."
"Yeah?" Jen asks, curious.
"I...uh...have a lot of things to deal with right now." Dawson admits "My movie, among other things. And...I can't believe I'm actually saying this...I really don't think it would be a good idea for us to have a relationship at the present moment. I'm sorry."
Jen looks confused.
"So...I'd better leave before I embarrass myself even more." Dawson says, and then leaves.
But I wasn't talking about you, Jen thinks, as she watches him go.
*****
Dawson and Pacey are walking down the street next to the pier
"This could be the single most embarrassing night of my life." Dawson admits to Pacey "How could I let you talk me into this?"
"Sorry, man." Pacey apologizes "I would've helped, but I was otherwise engaged."
"Any luck on your part?" Dawson asks him.
"Unfortunately, no." Pacey answers, disappointed "The mystery woman remains a mystery even to me."
"Any ideas?" Dawson asks, again.
"Sorry D-Man." Pacey admits "This is my stop."
Pacey leaves and heads down towards the pier. Dawson continues walking down the street.
*****
Mitch is sitting at the kitchen table when Gale walks in carrying a doggie bag of food from the restaurant.
"Hi" she greets him.
"Hi hon." He responds "How'd it go?"
"Okay." She answers "I brought you a doggie bag. Oh, is Dawson home yet?"
"I think our son is a little busy tonight." He answers "Ummm, remember our first kiss?"
"Of course I do." She reassures him "It was our first date. You took me to the movies, the one where Mary Tyler Moore was just this horrendous mother."
"Ordinary People." Mitch recalls
"That was it." She agrees
"No, that wasn't it." He corrects her "That was our second date."
"Wait." She halts him "It was in your car at a stoplight. I remember you leaned over and you kissed me."
"No" Mitch argues.
"Yes, it was." She argues back.
"I can't believe you don't remember our first kiss." Mitch says in disbelief.
"I remember." She corrects him "I don't think you remember."
"No, I remember every moment." He admits "It was the single most vivid moment of my life thus far."
"Honey, I'm sorry." She apologizes "It's late and I've had a long night."
"And there I was giving our son advice on how to deliver the most memorable kiss only to discover that I'm a utter failure." Mitch concludes, bitterly.
Gale takes out chapstick and puts it on her lips.
"Ummm, I know." She announces "We went for pizza. It was that terrible restaurant where you rubbed the red pepper into your eye."
"Third date." Mitch corrects, once again "You know, you just need to quit."
Gail walks over to Mitch and kisses him
"How's the lips?" she asks "Still chapped?"
"They need a little more." He responds, with a smile on his face.
*****
Pacey is walking down by where the ships are when he spots Tamara on the pier.
"This cannot be happening." He mutters to himself.
He walks over to where Tamara is standing and begins to talk to her.
"Ms. Jacobs?"
"Hi, Pacey." She greets him.
"You know, I feel this strange familiarity creeping over me." He tells her.
"I thought it might be appropriate." She comments.
"Give us a chance to do it all over?" Pacey asks her.
"Only change I would make." She admits "I'm sorry, Pacey, about my behavior. I mean, this is without question, the most absurd thing I've ever done. Not to mention punishable in a court of law."
"It was just a kiss." He assures her.
"No. It was more than that." she tells him "What I did was deadly wrong and I could stand here and try to explain to you my hopelessly troubled state of mind. Because you do deserve an explanation for my behavior but well, instead of giving you ten years of therapy, I was hoping that maybe I could get by with a single apology. And hope that I haven't left any permanent scars. I am sorry, Pacey. What I did was wrong and I am sorry."
"Now, where do you get off taking all the responsibilities for this." He demands her "I may just be fifteen, but I'm well beyond the age of accountability. Maybe not within the confines of the judicial system, but for me. My lips kissed back. Right? I kissed back."
"Fair enough" she agrees.
"And you know what?" he asks her "I don't regret that at all and you shouldn't either."
"But this can't happen again." She tells him, making it absolutely clear "From now on, our relationship is strictly teacher/student. I want that clear."
"And if I were to object?" he asks her.
"That's not up to discussion." She tells him "You know, it has to be this way, Pacey, for all the oblivious and non-oblivious reasons."
"This is so unfair." Pacey complains "I'm not good with girls and I finally meet someone."
"Don't worry, Pacey." Tamara assures him "That will change. Trust me. Good night."
Pacey reaches and grabs her arm as she tries to leave and kisses her
They continue kissing as Jen watches them from behind a tree with a sad expression on her face.
*****
Dawson sees Joey standing at the pier. He walks up to her.
"Jo, mind if I talk to you about something?" Dawson pleads with her.
"I'm really mad at you right now, Dawson." She says, bitterly "So whatever it is, it better be good."
"Want to know what I've learned from tonight's 90210 evening?" he asks.
"That we should always stay home on a Saturday night and watch movies because the rewind on the remote of life does not work." She replies "You just can't 'take back' things that you do...or say."
"No. You can't...can you?" Dawson mutters.
"So, what happened?" Joey asks him "With Jen, I mean?"
"I told her I wasn't quite ready for a relationship yet." Dawson admits.
Joey looks at him, confused.
"Why?"
"I don't know." He says, confused "I guess I feel like the monster from my movie. There's something inside me that I can't control. It's like it's out of balance. Everything's either high or low, hot or cold, black or white. It's like there's no middle ground, anymore. I mean, nothing's just okay. You were right before, Joey. I was thinking about myself. For some reason, I didn't care about you or anybody else, just as long as I 'got the girl'. And for what it's worth...I'm sorry."
Joey smiles at him.
"Do me a favor?" he asks "If I get like this again, and I'm sure I will, before this adolescent growth process is over, well next time just chain me to my bed and wait for my moment of clarity to come."
"Can I use leather straps?" she jokes.
"Not until you explain the Crisco." Dawson replies.
They both laugh.
They head on home.
What happened to me back there? Dawson thinks to himself as they leave the pier. One minute, Jen's like the perfect person, the next, I choose my best friend over her.
And it's not just that either. When we were dancing, I was trying to give Joey a 'night to remember'. It wasn't real, I was just playing a part. But for one moment, I forgot I was just following a script. I forgot that...
"You okay" Joey asks him.
"Yeah" he replies "Yeah, I'm fine"
What is happening to me?
Coming soon: Part II…Prelude To A Kiss
When Anderson Crawford shows up in Capeside, Joey falls head over heals for him. And that's what Dawson wants, isn't it? Joey getting over him so he can go after Jen. So, why does Anderson spending time with Joey bother him so much.
Speaking of Jen, she's busy trying to stop Pacey from making the biggest mistake of his life.
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