Disclaimer: All characters belong to Kevin Williamson and WB.
Part one
EXT – Capeside – Day.
A sunny Capeside day is viewed in a series of establishing shots - familiar sites of the creek, main street, pier, and finally Capeside Highschool. Hung above the main door is a garish banner reading 'Welcome Back Class of 2001'.
Fade to same shot - evening. People are entering through the main doors of the school. Moving into the halls, old friends are greeting each other, other ex-students are milling about. A group of large men, the old football team, hand around a hip flask in a clandestine manner. The gesture is reminiscently juvenile.
INT – Capeside Highschool Gymnasium – Night.
The gym is decorated festively for the reunion. Tables are set up around the room and there is a dance floor and band at one end. As more friends are reunited, the camera closes in on the gym doors. After a beat DAWSON LEERY enters, stops in the doorway and surveys the room with a small smile.
He is 28 and still has a youthful glimmer in his eyes that belies his age. He is dressed sedately but elegantly in a tan suit and a white shirt without a tie. Taking in the scene before him, his mind awash with memories, Dawson does not move immediately from the doorway.
V.O.
(impatient)
Excuse me? You're holding up the line.
Dawson sees BARBARA JOHNS seated behind a registration table covered in name tags. She looks uncannily like she did in highschool, as if she never left.
BARBARA
(impersonally reciting a line)
Welcome to the Class of 2001 Reunion.
DAWSON
Barbara, it’s nice to see you as always.
BARBARA
(she has no idea who he is)
Hi… Darren?
DAWSON
Dawson Leery.
BARBARA
Oh, Dawson, of course. We were in the same gym class, right?
DAWSON
For three years, yes. Same home room too.
BARBARA
(dismissively, she remembers him and his friends now)
Yeah, right. Here's your name tag.
DAWSON
Thanks.
Dawson scans the remaining name tags for his friends'. As he is doing so, he hears a voice behind him.
V.O.
Dawson!
He turns to see ANDIE McPHEE coming towards him, a hug smile on her face.
DAWSON
Andie!
They embrace warmly.
DAWSON
I didn't even think you were in the country!
ANDIE
How could I miss our highschool reunion? Besides, Jack threatened to find a new sister if I didn't come and visit him.
DAWSON
You look great. You cut your hair.
ANDIE
And you look dashing as always.
DAWSON
How's Florence?
ANDIE
(eyes shining)
Beautiful!
DAWSON
Did Benito come with you?
ANDIE
No, he had to work. But we're coming back for Christmas this year.
(she smiles coyly)
So, did you bring anyone?
DAWSON
Ah, no… It's a long story.
ANDIE
(not to be put off, her excitement undiminished)
Well, Jack and Jen are already here, come on.
She drags him to a table and they get swallowed up in the large crowd at the Capeside Highschool reunion.
INT – Capeside Highschool Gymnasium – Night.
Dawson and Andie approach a table where JACK McPHEE and JEN LINDLEY are deep in conversation. They are excited to see their old friend and a few minutes of hellos and hugs ensue.
JEN
So, the prodigal documentary maker returns. California too rough for you?
DAWSON
(smiling)
How could I resist the opportunity to witness self indulgent adolescent reminiscing at its best? I have to draw inspiration from somewhere. How are you, Jen?
JEN
Not drunk enough. I still can't believe Jack dragged me to this.
JACK
It's only taken me a month of cajoling, bribery and threats.
JEN
I always swore I wouldn't be caught dead at one of these things… but there you go.
(to Jack)
What can I say, I'm such your bitch.
JACK
(laughing)
Yeah, like you weren't secretly curious to see what's happened to all your cheerleading cronies, Miss Homecoming Queen.
JEN
Ugh, don't remind me. It's taken me this long to forget those horrific days.
ANDIE
I don't understand you - I loved highschool.
JEN
(she takes a large swig of her drink)
More power to you.
(she turns her attention to Dawson)
So, did you bring anyone?
DAWSON
No.
JEN
Neither did we. Nice to know that some of us are secure enough not to drag along our partners just so people we didn't give a crap about in highschool don't think we're still single.
DAWSON
(beat, amused)
So, you're not seeing anyone either?
JEN
Nope. Who needs men?
JACK
Amen, sister.
Jack and Jen clink their glasses together.
ANDIE
Listen to you two, you're as bad as each other.
JACK
You should see us in single's bars in New York.
ANDIE
So cynical… Just wait until you fall in love and get married…
JEN
(rolling her eyes)
We're not all built like you, Andie.
JACK
Some of us are bitter and twisted about relationships.
ANDIE
All I'm saying is, you'll be singing a different tune when you meet the right one. It does occasionally work out.
JEN
Yeah, Andie, you've been married, what? Six months? You're still practically on your honeymoon.
ANDIE
I'm not the only one who got married.
JEN
(glancing at Dawson)
Subtle, Andie.
Silence follows. Everyone around the table is thinking the same thought.
JEN
(to Dawson)
They're not here yet.
DAWSON
I know, I saw their name tags.
ANDIE
Do you think they'll show?
DAWSON
I don't know, I haven't seen them in years.
JACK
Neither have we. Not since…
(he trails off, noticing Dawson's controlled discomfort)
ANDIE
No.
(beat)
I hope they make it. It would be nice to have the whole gang back together again.
Silence falls again. Jen is acutely aware of Dawson's every reaction. They both recognise the naiveté of Andie's choice of words.
JEN
(with a sigh to break the mood that has descended on the group)
Who wants a drink?
EXT – Capeside Highschool Carpark – Night.
A dark sedan pulls to a stop. After a moment, JOEY POTTER emerges from the passenger side. After smoothing her black dress, she tugs nervously at a few loose strands of her long hair that has been tied up. While she is composing herself, PACEY WITTER gets out of the car and locks it. He is in a dark suit and tie. They are the same age as Dawson, but Pacey looks older. His short brown hair is peppered slightly with gray.
Joey attempts to smile at him as he moves to join her on her side of the car. She tries to appear calm, but doesn't quite succeed. She looks at Pacey, waiting for something. Smoothing her dress again, she waits for him to comment on her appearance. Though she is still beautiful, this evening prompted special effort and she wants him to notice. When it is obvious he is not going to compliment her or make a humorous remark to lighten the mood, her face falls slightly from the disappointment. Pacey does not even look at her.
PACEY
We'd better not stay too late.
JOEY
(dully)
Of course not.
PACEY
(sigh)
Well, let's do it.
Joey smiles grimly, practicing for when they get inside. She places her hand on Pacey's arm as they enter the school doors.
INT – Capeside Highschool Gymnasium – Night.
Pacey and Joey enter behind another couple and stop at Barbara John's table. Barbara does not notice them at first because she is busy comparing engagement rings with another woman. Amidst their squeals of excitement, Joey shifts her weight from one foot to the other impatiently. After a while she clears her throat noisily.
Barbara looks up with a large smile which fades slightly when she doesn't recognise Joey and Pacey. Two more people who weren't from her social group in highschool.
JOEY
(sweetly sarcastic)
Hello, Barbara.
BARBARA
Oh, hi…
(she tries to think of their names but can't)
JOEY
Joey and Pacey Witter.
BARBARA
Of course, Joey… and Pacey. Well, who would have thought it?
Joey gives her a false smile and accepts their name tags.
BARBARA
Your friends are here somewhere.
PACEY
(abruptly, already moving away from the registration table)
Thanks.
They pause a few feet inside the gym and Joey attaches Pacey's name tag to his suit. He watches her intently as she concentrates on fastening the pin, her face close to his. When she is finished she raises her eyes to find him staring at her. Confused for a split second, she doesn't know where to look.
Pacey breaks the strangely tense moment by taking Joey's name tag from her hand and returning the favor. He smiles faintly as he does so, reading his surname on her tag. In his eyes is a look of surprise rather than pride.
PACEY
(taking a step back after finishing fastening her name tag)
Still not too late to get out of this, you know.
JOEY
(beat – she has been put off momentarily by their previous proximity)
We may as well, now that we're here.
PACEY
(shaking his head)
I still don't see why, after all this time…
JOEY
It's our reunion, Pacey. We had to come.
(she sighs, tiredness etched in her features)
Can't we at least try and have a good time tonight? We haven't seen anyone in so long.
PACEY
My point exactly. We haven't so much as contacted any of our friends since…
JOEY
We had to sometime. Might as well be now.
Joey and Pacey look away from each other, miserable and annoyed respectively. After a moment they resume their walk into the gym but do not get very far. Suddenly a small squeal is heard. Andie rushes up to them, having spotted them from across the room.
ANDIE
(very excited)
You guys, you came! I'm so happy!
Andie embraces them both in a hug, and Joey and Pacey can't help but smile.
PACEY
Hi, Andie.
Andie barely pauses and starts dragging them towards the bar where Jen, Jack and Dawson are drinking margaritas.
ANDIE
(triumphantly)
I told you they'd come!
Dawson swallows a mouthful of cocktail and waits as Jack and Jen greet Pacey and Joey. Then it is his turn.
DAWSON
Hey, you two.
He hugs Joey, acutely aware of how beautiful, if a little tired, she looks. He lets her go and then hugs Pacey, more awkwardly this time.
DAWSON
It's been a long time.
PACEY
Five years.
DAWSON
Six.
He and Pacey share a small smile. Pacey is glad Dawson remembered correctly.
JOEY
You look well.
DAWSON
I am.
(nervous laugh)
I mean, so do you.
The small talk is strained and suddenly neither Joey, Pacey or Dawson have anything to say. Andie is almost beside herself with excitement.
ANDIE
So, come on, where is he?
Joey smiles, a little embarrassed, but does not answer.
PACEY
He's at Bessie's. We're staying at the B&B for the weekend.
ANDIE
Did you bring a picture?
Pacey glances at Joey but she purposely avoids his eyes. He pulls out a photograph from his suit pocket.
PACEY
This was taken about a month ago.
Everyone crowds around Andie to get a look at the picture, including Dawson. It is of a young boy with dark hair and eyes. He looks like Joey but the shape of his face is unmistakably Pacey's.
ANDIE
So this is Liam… Oh my God, he's an angel! How old is he now?
JOEY
He's five. Five and a half next month.
ANDIE
You must be so proud!
JOEY
We are.
JACK
Why haven't we seen you before this? New York's not too far from Washington.
JOEY
(making a feeble attempt at an excuse)
We've actually been in Miami the last few years…
Joey doesn't know what else to say, and finds no help from Pacey. She is relieved when Andie jumps in instead.
ANDIE
Jack, they're parents. They don't have time to socialize all over the country.
JEN
God, you said the 'P' word. I can't believe you guys are parents. It's sickeningly grown up of you. I can barely keep a houseplant alive, let alone a kid.
PACEY
(light heartedly)
They look after themselves after a while.
Joey does not laugh along with the others. She turns to Dawson..
JOEY
What are you drinking?
DAWSON
Margaritas.
JOEY
Sounds good.
She steps over to the bar with him before the conversation can continue.
INT – Capeside Highschool Gymnasium – Night.
It is later in the evening. The dance floor is crowded with couples while the group is seated together at a table near the wall, not talking to anyone else. Jack and Jen are the center of attention.
JACK
(mid-conversation)
So then we finally pooled our money for a deposit on this bookstore…
JEN
You'd think a store specializing in gay and feminist literature wouldn't have much competition but this is New York, so… One of these years we're convinced we'll make a profit.
JOEY
I can't believe you have your own business. I think it's great.
JEN
Yeah, nothing beats a healthy overdraft.
JOEY
Anything has to beat working in an office 10 hours a day.
DAWSON
You left the gallery?
JOEY
(blushing slightly)
Art restoration's interesting work, Dawson, but it doesn't add up to much of a career.
DAWSON
But at college you were all set to do your Masters in Art History…
JOEY
(uncomfortable now)
Yeah, well, priorities change I guess.
It takes a moment for Dawson to realize what she's talking about, and he is the last to remember that Joey was pregnant before she was able to start her Masters degree. An awkward silence descends upon the group.
ANDIE
(a little too brightly)
What about you, Pacey? What are you up to these days?
PACEY
Uh, I'm actually taking some correspondence courses right now.
Joey drops her head immediately and reaches for her drink. No one quite knows what to say. Aware that Joey is embarrassed by this line of questioning, Jen changes the subject abruptly.
JEN
(nodding to the dancing couples and then downing a drink quickly)
Okay, I think I'm sufficiently plastered to give that a try. Jackers?
JACK
(equally keen to leave the table)
As long as you promise not to step on my feet, Ginger.
They get up and move to the dance floor. After slight hesitation and a puzzled glance at Pacey and Joey, Dawson stands and offers his hand to Andie who gratefully accepts.
ANDIE
(To Joey and Pacey)
We'd better keep an eye on Jack and Jen, I guess.
Pacey and Joey are left alone at the table. Neither speaks for several moments, they simply watch the others dancing.
JOEY
Well, that was awkward.
PACEY
You're not embarrassed of your unemployed husband, are you?
JOEY
(sighing)
Of course not.
Pacey shakes his head slightly, not believing her. A long pause follows.
JOEY
(growing increasingly agitated)
Pacey, we just can't sit here.
PACEY
Why not?
JOEY
It'll look suspicious.
PACEY
I think it's perfectly natural. I mean, we've been married for years, Jo. People wouldn't expect us to dance together.
Joey is not amused by his flippant comment. She grows nervous when she notices Dawson and Andie looking back at them from the dance floor. She can see them talking and can only assume it is about she and Pacey.
Pacey notices her demeanor and after a pause he stands and holds out his hand to her.
PACEY
But then again, who am I to conform with normal behavior?
Joey takes his hand, relieved, and they move a short distance from the table to dance. The song is slow and they move together with a familiarity and grace that they are not aware of themselves. Joey is reminded of their junior prom and the one dance they shared together back then. The memory makes her smile, but it is a sad smile.
JOEY
This was always one thing we did well together.
PACEY
(beat)
This, and argue.
JOEY
There's none better.
There is a long pause.
PACEY
It's great to see everyone again. I've missed our friends.
JOEY
Me too.
PACEY
Do you think they look at us and envy what we have? A happy marriage… a beautiful son?
JOEY
(the deep sadness in her eyes is hidden as she keeps her cheek pressed against Pacey's shoulder)
I'm sure they do… Just like we envy them.
PACEY
(he swallows hard, contemplating the truth in her words)
Who would have thought we'd be this couple, huh Jo?
JOEY
Not me.
Pacey pulls away from her slightly so he can look into her eyes.
PACEY
Guess it’s lucky it's all an illusion, isn't it?
Joey looks away, her chest tight. Anger begins to replace her sadness, but then it's gone.
Dawson and Andie dance up beside them.
DAWSON
Can I cut in?
PACEY
(smiling at their friends as if nothing is wrong, he gives Dawson Joey's hand)
Only if you promise to have her back before midnight.
Joey shoots him a quick look but neither Dawson or Andie notice it. As Pacey begins to dance with Andie, he watches Joey move away with Dawson. There is regret in his eyes.
EXT – Capeside Highschool – Night.
Everyone is leaving the reunion. Jack and Jen are happily drunk, wearing decorations stolen from the table. Andie tries to bundle them into her car in order to drive them back to Grams's house where they are staying. She gives up as Jack and Jen laugh hysterically as they try to administer sobriety tests on each other. Pacey, Joey and Dawson watch on, amused.
ANDIE
(to her sober friends)
We're all meeting up for lunch, right? Angelo's at one?
DAWSON
Sure.
PACEY
We'll be there.
ANDIE
And bring Liam – we want to meet him properly.
Joey and Pacey share a look.
JOEY
We'll see.
ANDIE
I mean it, guys. I think it's high time your son met his Aunt Andie.
PACEY
See you tomorrow, Andie. Take care of those two.
JOEY
(to Dawson)
Do you need a ride to the hotel?
DAWSON
Thanks, I've got a hire car.
PACEY
Well, I guess we should head off.
DAWSON
Yeah, see you at the restaurant.
Joey smiles, seemingly reluctant to go. Pacey puts his arm around her, but it is mostly for Dawson's benefit.
They start to move away but stop when they see BESSIE POTTER drive quickly into the carpark. Both Pacey and Joey's expressions register panic. Bessie's car comes to an abrupt stop right in front of them, while Dawson and Andie also look on.
Bessie gets out of the car hurriedly, her face both apologetic and worried at the same time.
BESSIE
I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do.
PACEY
(fearful)
What is it?
Before Bessie can answer, screaming is heard from the back of the car. She looks at them, distraught.
BESSIE
It started an hour ago and no matter what I do I can't get him to stop. I tried to call you but your cell phone was switched off.
Pacey quickly opens the back door of her car and the screams are suddenly extremely loud. Jack and Jen's antics are sobered by the noise and they move over to see what the commotion is.
Everyone looks on in a shocked silence as Pacey tries to comfort a child huddled in the back of the car. It is LIAM WITTER.
Liam's screams are high pitched and frightened and Pacey squats in the open car door, murmuring to the boy but not touching him. Joey stands a few feet away, helpless.
ANDIE
(To Joey, upset)
Is he okay?
Joey does not even hear her. She steps towards the car.
JOEY
Pacey…
PACEY
(snapping)
Leave him alone, he'll be okay. Just leave him alone.
Pacey continues to murmur to Liam – it is one line from a nursery rhyme, repeated over and over. Dawson looks at Joey in confusion but she is close to tears. She shrugs off his arm when he tries to comfort her.
After a few tense minutes Liam's screams quieten to low moans and he rocks himself for comfort. Pacey stands up tiredly and looks over the roof of the car to Bessie who is wiping tears from her face.
PACEY
He's okay… it's our fault. We shouldn't have left him in a strange place.
BESSIE
I didn't know what to do…
PACEY
It's okay, Bess, thanks for bringing him.
Pacey turns around to face Joey, who looks mortified, and his friends who are still staring in shock. Pacey's face hardens.
ANDIE
(whispering)
Pacey, what is it?
Pacey moves over to stand beside Joey, but they offer no comfort to each other. When he realizes she isn't go to say anything, he is forced to explain.
PACEY
Liam was diagnosed autistic three years ago. He sometimes has these episodes… He doesn't handle changes in environment very well.
(he gives up trying to explain – this is not easy)
I should get him back to the B&B.
JOEY
I'll come too.
PACEY
(authoritatively)
No, you bring our car back. Take your time so I can get him settled.
Fresh tears form in Joey's eyes as she takes Pacey's words as a rebuke. Passing her the car keys, he looks apologetically at their friends rather than his wife, and then gets into the back seat of Bessie's car.
Everyone watches them drive away. No one is sure what to say.
ANDIE
Joey, I'm so sorry, I had no idea.
Joey turns away from the group so they don't see the tears escape her eyes. She wipes her face quickly.
DAWSON
Andie, why don't you guys head home. We'll see you in the morning.
Andie looks reluctant to leave, and it is Jack who nudges her towards the car. Joey does not say goodbye to any of them and begins to walk towards the school playing field rather than her car.
JEN
(pausing before she gets into Andie's car)
Look after her, Dawson.
Dawson nods, then pauses a moment before starting after Joey.