Homeward Bound Part 12

THE ROAD BACK Part XI Written By: LeeryAndPotter at LeeryAndPotter@hotmail.com Disclaimer: Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen, Andie, and Jack property of Kevin Williamson and the WB network. The song ‘Broken Road’ is owned by Melodie Crittenden. I don’t own any of them, so please don’t sue. Category: D/J, and a little P/A. Rating: PG-13, basically, if you can watch the show, you can read this. Spoilers: Dawson gets an offer to move to LA, but will he take it. How does Joey react to the possibility of him leaving. Pacey comes to a conclusion about his relationship with Andie. And Mitch tries to help Mike deal with his past mistakes. Editors Note: Well, the story is almost over, so I thought I’d make this part a homage to ‘Breaking Away’. This part of the story takes place 3 months into senior year, early to mid December. Just like (if you believe what Joey said) the 1st season took place during the first 3 months of sophomore year. Hope you enjoy. Episode # 411 Forever Young Cut to Dawson’s room. Mike Potter is there, sitting on the bed. ‘Forever Young’ is running on the TV. Mitch comes in. MITCH: Hey Mike. Breaking into Dawson’s movie collection? MIKE: I spent a total of 4 years in a jail cell, Leery. They don’t let you watch too much television there. MITCH: So you decided to make up for lost time, huh. Not surprising, Dawson has a more extensive collection than screenplay. MIKE: Actually, your wife told me Joey was in the Miss Windjammer pageant a few years ago. I wanted to see that. MITCH: So that was where the laughter was coming from. You saw Pacey’s ‘Braveheart’ imitation, didn’t you? MIKE: You have to give the kid credit, he knows how to get the audience’s attention. MITCH: So, that’s the reason you wanted to see the Mel Gibson movie. I would of expected you to go for the Lethal Weapon tapes. MIKE: This was the last movie I saw. MITCH: It was made in 1992, you were sent to prison a couple years after that. MIKE: (sadly) No…this was the last movie I saw with Lillian. Mike closes his eyes. MITCH: You still miss her, don’t you? MIKE: Yeah. It’s been a long time, but the hurt’s still there. MITCH: When was the last time you went to visit her gravesite? MIKE: I’ve never seen it. I don’t even know what kind of gravestone they gave her. Was it a headstone or one of those license plate things. MITCH: License plate thing. MIKE: Figures. No one wants to pay much attention to the convict’s dead wife, do they? Mitch takes out a tape. It has no label on it, so he doesn’t know what it is. He puts it in the VCR. MITCH: Maybe you should go there. I mean, maybe if you get this out of your system it won’t hurt as much? MIKE: I don’t know, Mitch. It’s just… Mike stares and points at the TV. MIKE: Is that Pacey kissing a 40-year-old woman? THEME SONG BEGINS Mitch looks at the television screen. His jaw drops open. MITCH: That’s his 10th grade English teacher. MIKE: We should shut this off. MITCH: Good idea. Neither of them move. They just stand there, staring. Just then, Dawson and Joey climb in through the window. DAWSON: Hey dad. What are you watch… Dawson and Joey see the TV and stare at it, open-mouthed. JOEY: I thought you threw this out. DAWSON: I thought I did too. JOEY: We should shut this off. DAWSON: Good idea. You do that. JOEY: In a minute. Neither of them move, the four of them just stare at the screen. Just then Pacey comes through the door. PACEY: Hey, D-Man. Don’t tell me you’re back to the TV already. Pacey notices what’s on the TV. PACEY: AHHHH! Pacey runs up and shuts it off. He then ejects the tape and tosses it in a drawer. Mitch and Mike stare at him. PACEY: That wasn’t funny. CREDITS BEGIN Cut to the school. Dawson and Pacey are sitting in the cafeteria.. PACEY: Ok, this morning was embarrassing. DAWSON: Pacey, I swear I had absolutely no idea I still had that tape. I assure you that I will tape over it the first chance that I get. PACEY: Thanks man. But there’s something else I need to talk to you about. DAWSON: What’s that, Pacey? PACEY: It’s about Andie. What happened in New Rawley… DAWSON: Was a simple mistake, and it’s over now. PACEY: I’m not so sure about that. I mean, that’s twice now she’s done this to me. DAWSON: What happened with Will is a lot different than what happened with Mark, Pacey. She loves you, you love her, that’s what’s important. PACEY: You know, Dawson. You should take your own advice. DAWSON: Don’t start this again, Pace. PACEY: Why not? It’s pretty obvious that playing matchmaker with Scout and Bella got you and Jo thinking about the two of you. DAWSON: Pacey, don’t. I’ve tried everything I can come up with and I’ve just about given up. I think it would be best for all involved if I could just start over, you know. Move on with my life. You said it yourself, I’m stuck in the same vicious circle, and I’ve got to get out of it before it destroys me. Cut to Joey’s house. Joey comes home, where Bessie is waiting for her. BESSIE: Hey sis, how was school? Not to mention your week-long trip. JOEY: Well, interesting to say the least. It really got me thinking about some things. BESSIE: Let me guess, Dawson right? JOEY: How did you know? BESSIE: You have this habit of looking very small when your thinking about Dawson. JOEY: You see, there were these two people in New Rawley and they reminded me a little of us. You know, the circumstances all against them. And I started thinking ‘If they can do it, why can’t I’. I mean, all I have to do is go up to Dawson and ask him out. No over-analyzing it, no heart-wrenching declarations, just a simple question. BESSIE: As simple as that? JOEY: (quietly) Year, as soon as my hands stop shaking. Cut to the Leery’s house. Mitch and Gale are sitting at the kitchen table. MITCH: Can I talk to you about something, honey? GALE: Sure. MITCH: Well, it’s about Mike Potter. GALE: He’s not in trouble is he? Did something happen at the restaurant today? MITCH: No, nothing like that. I found him in Dawson’s room today. He’s been thinking about his wife a lot lately. I think it’s starting to get to him. Gail smiles. GALE: Remember when we were teenagers. We were all so close back then. MITCH: Yeah. You, me, Mike, Lillian, and John. Of course then John had to go and disown all of us. GALE: He was hurt, Mitch. MITCH: And he would have probably killed Mike if I hadn’t of stopped him. Ever since, he treated you and me with little or no respect and he completely despises Mike. GALE: I guess sometimes people just can’t forget some things. DAWSON: (behind them) Forget what things? Mitch and Gale turn around to face him. MITCH: Oh, uh, nothing Dawson. How are you? DAWSON: Fine, I guess. Mitch reaches over to the side and pulls out an envelope. MITCH: Here. This came in the mail for you. Dawson looks at it. DAWSON: ‘Tristar’? Why would I get mail from… Dawson opens the envelope and looks at the letter. A giant, shocked, smile comes over his face. Cut to Joey working the Leery’s Fresh Fish. Pacey is sitting at a table, pounding his fork against it. PACEY: Hey, can we get some service over here? Joey walks over to him, obviously angry at his actions. JOEY: Could you mind not being a moron. PACEY: I prefer to call it ‘being assertive’. JOEY: Well, ‘assert’ yourself somewhere else. I’ve got too much on my mind right now. PACEY: Let me guess. One of those things would be a certain blonde would-be filmmaker, right? JOEY: Bite me, Pacey. PACEY: Look, all I’m saying is if you’re going to do something, it better be soon. Cause something tells me you’re running out of time. JOEY: What do you mean? Before Pacey can continue, Dawson runs through the door, carrying a piece of paper. DAWSON: JOEY! PACEY! PACEY: Whoa, slow down there, Leery. What’s going on. DAWSON: I got a letter from Tri-Star. JOEY: Why would they send you a letter? DAWSON: That was what I wondered, get a load of this: Dawson reads the letter. DAWSON: ‘Mr. Dawson Leery. One of our writing staff, a Miss. Kennedy, was in possession of something of yours. The amateur film ‘Creek Daze’, which she had attempted to pass off as her own, but forgot to delete the credits. Even though it had it’s faults, it still had enormous potential. Therefore we would like to offer you the opportunity for an internship at our Los Angeles studio’ Dawson puts the letter down. DAWSON: Did you hear that? Me, working at a studio, in LA. I mean, this is too good to be true. They said I could start by next week. PACEY: This is great. But that would mean… Dawson’s face falls a little. DAWSON: That I would have to move to LA. JOEY: What about school? There’s still another 5 months left. DAWSON: They said that they could transfer my records to a nearby high school in the area and I could finish the year there. Joey starts to get upset, but Dawson doesn’t notice. Pacey does, however. PACEY: So, are you gonna go? DAWSON: I’m not sure. Why not? I mean, there’s nothing to keep me here, is there? I think I need to go for a walk. Dawson leaves. PACEY: You want to go and talk to him, don’t you? JOEY: Yeah, could you… PACEY: Take over, no sweat. Even though I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. JOEY: Thanks. Joey leaves. Pacey looks over and sees Andie siting at another table. A guy comes over and starts hitting on her. Andie appears to be uncomfortable with it, and leaves. Pacey looks angry, but then walks over to the table. GUY: Hey, waiter? Did you get a load of her? PACEY: Um…yeah. She looked a little upset. GUY: I could fix that, no problem. Just give me five minutes alone with her. Pacey clenches his fists. PACEY: What can I get you to eat? GUY: Just some fries. Pacey goes over to the order booth, where Bodie is. PACEY: Bodie, can you do me a favor? BODIE: Sure, Pacey. PACEY: The guy at table five is talking trash about my girlfriend. What’s the most hideous fish you’ve got back there? Bodie smiles micheviously. Cut to table five. GUY: What’s say you and me blow this joint and go someplace a little more comfortable. JEN: What’s say we don’t. GUY: Come on, you won’t regret it. JEN: Something tells me I would. One of the waiters brings a plate over. It’s a huge squid, with the eyes still intact. The guy turns his head and looks it straight it the face. GUY: AHHHHHH! Cut to Pacey, who has a giant grin plastered to his face. Cut to the docks. Joey and Dawson are talking. JOEY: So, have you decided what you’re going to do? DAWSON: I don’t know. I mean, all my life I’ve wanted to be a filmmaker, and now here’s my chance. It’s what I’ve always wanted. JOEY: Yeah, but it was handed to you on a silver platter. You didn’t earn it, it was just luck. DAWSON: Are you saying I don’t deserve it? JOEY: No, I’m just saying that wouldn’t it be better if you got where you wanted to be because of something you did? DAWSON: Joey, if I don’t go I might never get another chance like this again. JOEY: What about your parents? What do they think of this? DAWSON: I already talked with them. They’re okay with it. JOEY: What about your friends? DAWSON: I’ll miss them, of course. I would miss Jen, and Jack, and Andie. And, hard to believe even Pacey. And I’d miss… A light goes on in Dawson’s head. DAWSON: What about you, Joey? Do you want me to go? JOEY: It doesn’t matter what I think. DAWSON: Not what you think. How do you feel about me leaving. Do you want to leave? JOEY: I can’t answer that. DAWSON: Why not? JOEY: Because it would affect your decision. Because you would take it the wrong way. DAWSON: Well, what way should I take it? Joey doesn’t answer. DAWSON: You know what? Maybe I should just leave. There’s absolutely no reason for me to stay here, anyway. Joey bites her lip. JOEY: Fine. Go. Run away. See if I care. Joey turns around and leaves. Dawson stands there, looking at the creek and sighing. Cut to the McPhee house. Dawson arrives and knocks on the door. JOSEPH: Hello, Dawson. DAWSON: Hi, Mr. McPhee. Are Andie and Jack here? Cut to Andie’s room. DAWSON: …so that’s the story. JACK: Wow, LA. ANDIE: So, are you going to go? DAWSON: I’m not sure. I’ve got two voices in my head arguing over it. JACK: Well, whatever you decide, good luck. I know we haven’t gotten along that well in the past, but you’re a good friend. DAWSON: Thanks Jack. Jack leaves. DAWSON: You know Andie, there’s something about you that I’ve always found strange. ANDIE: What’s that? DAWSON: Pacey. I mean, you and him are as different as two people can be, but you both fell for each other like a ton of bricks. Why is that? ANDIE: You don’t choose who you fall in love with, Dawson. It just happens, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t shut those feelings off, and you can’t ignore them. DAWSON: Just do me a favor, okay. Talk to Pacey. ANDIE: Okay. By the way, I finished editing your script for you. You only have the ending to write now. Andie picks up a computer disk off the desk and hands it to Dawson. ANDIE: Any idea how it’s going to end. DAWSON: Not yet. But I’ll let you know when I do. They shake hands. Dawson then leaves. Cut to Leery’s Fresh Fish. Mike is sitting in the back room, when Mitch comes in. MITCH: I just remembered why we never hired Pacey. It took us half-an-hour to revive the guy at table five. Mike doesn’t answer. MITCH: You okay? MIKE: Just thinking. MITCH: About what? MIKE: About how much I’ve screwed up my life. MITCH: What are you talking about? Sure you’ve made some mistakes, but you’re starting to bounce back from them. You’re getting you’re life back. MIKE: But I’m not getting Lillian back, am I? She’s dead, so she’s never coming back. That’s one mistake that’s irreversible. MITCH: It’s not your fault she dies, you know. MIKE: How can you be so sure. She was always a fighter, and she handled herself so well. I actually thought for a moment that she might beat it, that she would pull through. But after I cheated on her, she seemed to give up. Like she had nothing left to fight for. God, it’s almost like I killed her myself. MITCH: Don’t ever say that. MIKE: What do you know, Leery? You and Gale have the perfect marriage, I hardly ever see the two of you fight. The two of you are ideal. Mitch starts laughing. MIKE: What’s so funny? MITCH: ‘Ideal’? Tell me, Mike. When you were out for about a month, why do you think me and Gale came to that wedding you catered separately? MIKE: So, you actually had a fight? MITCH: No, we actually had a divorce. Mike looks shocked. MIKE: What? You? How? MITCH: She cheated on me with her co-anchor. Earlier that year. We tried to work it out, used unconventional methods, and then Dawson called us out on it. We decided to go our separate ways. And by the time you got sent to prison again, she’d accepted a job in Philly. MIKE: What happened? MITCH: The job didn’t work out, and she moved back to Capeside. Believe it or not, Leery’s Fresh Fish was her idea. Something I had planned for years, and she was the one who made it a reality. Well, Dawson convinced me to help her out, we became friends again, and managed to forgive each other. MIKE: Well, that’s the difference, Mitch. I never got the chance to say that I was sorry. MITCH: What’s stopping you now? Mike looks at him, confused. Cut to the docks. Pacey is standing there when Dawson walks up to him. DAWSON: Eight months ago. There we were, boat racing, trying to kill each other for the affections of the same woman. PACEY: And now neither of us wants her. Me, because I’m in love with someone else. I’m not too sure about your reasons, though. DAWSON: I’ve made my decision. I’m going to accept that job in LA. PACEY: Think about what you’re saying here, D-Man. DAWSON: I have. And, to quote Joey herself ‘I think a geographical change is just what I need’. PACEY: The real question is, can you leave everything behind? DAWSON: Capeside? Pacey, we all have to leave this town at some point. I just have to opportunity to leave earlier. And you know I’ll miss all of you. PACEY: I’m not talking about Capeside, or about me, or Jen, or your parents, or anybody else. I’m talking about Joey Potter. I don’t think you can just leave her behind. DAWSON: The sooner I leave, the sooner we can both get on with our lives. PACEY: Do you actually believe that? Do you actually believe you can just forget about her like that? Well let me tell you something, Dawson Leery. You go, and you blow your last chance with her. You think she’s broken your heart before? If you leave, it will hurt and hundred times more for her than anything she’s ever done to you. And trust me, you will feel guilty about it every single day. Because every time you look up at the sky, you’ll see her face. Dawson doesn’t know what to say. DAWSON: Listen Pacey, this may be my last chance to say this, so I’m just going to say it. No matter what’s happened, you were a good friend. Even though it didn’t seem that way sometimes. PACEY: Thanks man. They shake hands. PACEY: Just be sure to mention me in the Oscar speech, okay. Dawson smirks, then leaves. Cut to Jen’s front porch. She is siting on a bench when Dawson shows up. JEN: Hi Dawson. You here to say ‘so long’? DAWSON: How did you know about that? JEN: Jack told me about it over the phone. Don’t tell me that you’re actually considering going? DAWSON: Why not? Jen gets up and starts to walk out onto her front lawn. JEN: Come with me. Dawson follows her. JEN: Listen Dawson. Ever since I moved to Capeside I’ve had one unexpected thing happen to me after another. My month long relationship with you, Gramps dying, Abby, Henry… After everything I’ve been through, you would think my outlook on life would get even worse than it already had. But you know what? It hasn’t. If anything, it’s gotten better. DAWSON: Why? JEN: Because of you and Joey. Dawson is surprised by this. DAWSON: How on earth could me and Joey’s nightmare of a friendship/relationship possibly make you feel better about your life? JEN: Because it gave me something to hope for. Because I saw something up close that I always thought only existed in fairy tales and sappy movies. Two people who, despite the other possible suitors, despite the worst circumstances imaginable, never stopped loving each other. DAWSON: Jen she doesn’t… Jen interrupts him. JEN: How can you be so sure about that? You couldn’t tell that she was in love with you 2 years ago, how can you be so sure she doesn’t now? Dawson doesn’t have an answer. DAWSON: (quietly) I can’t. JEN: Okay, then never mind how Joey feels. Lets worry about how you feel. She pauses. JEN: Do you still love her? Dawson slowly nods his head ‘yes’ in response. JEN: Then you’d better go tell her that. Because if you leave, you’ll probably never get another chance. If you’re going to leave this town forever, you’d better be sure you’re not leaving anything unfinished. Dawson nods his head again and turns to leave. Before going, he says one last thing to Jen. DAWSON: Jen…in case I don’t get the chance, thank you. For everything. He leaves. Cut to Joey’s house. Pacey knocks on the front door and Joey answers it. JOEY: What do you want? PACEY: Do you think we can talk for a minute? Joey comes out and closes the door. PACEY: You see, it’s about Andie. I really don’t know how to explain this. JOEY: Could you for once skip the jokes and the banter and the transparent excuses and just come out with it. I’m really not in the mood right now. PACEY: Okay, about Andie. I’m in love with her. JOEY: (sarcastically) This is unbelievable, I never expected it, I mean you only beat up one of your oldest friends because they kissed her and stood in front of maniac with a shotgun. PACEY: Cute, Potter. Real cute. No, I mean I’m really in love with her. You see, all my life I’ve had to live with the fact that I was always going to be alone. That everyone I was with was going to leave me eventually. Or that I would come to hate them, that they would betray me and I would want nothing to do with them. But the thing is, Andie hurt me twice, and for some reason I still feel the same way about her as I always have. The more I’m around her, the more I want to be around her. I know this probably sounds silly… JOEY: No. Trust me, Pacey. It doesn’t sound silly at all. PACEY: But I really think I want to spend the rest of life with her. God, I sound like something out of a sappy movie, but I actually mean it. JOEY: Listen Pacey. If you really feel like this about her, then you shouldn’t worry about it. I mean, one of us deserves to be happy, and it looks like it’s going to be you. I’m happy for you. PACEY: I take it Dawson told you he was leaving, huh? JOEY: I…I’m losing him for good this time. It’s not like him going to Philly, or me going to Florida. This time it’s for keeps. Joey looks like she’s about to cry. JOEY: Just promise me one thing, Pacey. PACEY: Name it. JOEY: Don’t let Andie go this time. Hold on to her as hard as you can. Because it’s like I said before. If you don’t, it can be gone sooner than you know it. Pacey gives her a hug. Cut to a few feet from the house. Dawson approaches Joey’s house, but sees the two of them hugging. He misinterprets it, and looks as though he’s about to cry. He starts backing away, mortified, and very upset. Before he can leave, however, Joey looks up and sees him. JOEY: (whispering) Oh god. Dawson turns around and starts running. Joey starts running after him, just as Pacey sees him. JOEY: Dawson, wait. PACEY: Oh, good going Witter. You’ve managed to screw up things once again. Only this time you weren’t even trying. Joey looses him at the docks. He’s disappeared. JOEY: Dawson? DAWSON? Pacey shows up behind her. PACEY: Where’d he go? JOEY: I don’t know, but I’ve got to stop him. Joey runs off. ‘BROKEN ROAD’ BEGINS TO PLAY I set out on a narrow way, Many years ago, (Cut to Joey running past the docks. She looks across the water, looking for Dawson) Hoping I would find true love Along the broken road. (Cut to Dawson in his room. He is rapidly packing a bag, very much in a hurry. He leaves through the door once he’s done.) But I got lost a time or two, Wiped my brow, kept pushing through, (Right after he leaves, Joey shows up at the window. Seeing that Dawson isn’t there, she leaves as well) I couldn't see how every sign Pointed straight to you. Every long lost dream Led me to where you are (Cut to Leery’s Fresh Fish. Joey runs up to Gale and starts to talk to her. Apparently Gale doesn’t know where Dawson is either, so Joey leaves.) Others who broke my heart They were just northern stars (Cut to Dawson, sitting at the ruins. He surveys the area, getting one last look. Then he leaves.) Pointing me on my way Into your loving arms. (Cut to Joey walking along the docks, still looking for Dawson) This much I know is true (Cut to Dawson walking through the streets of Capeside, past the Rialto) (That) God blessed the broken road, That lead me straight to you. (Cut to Joey siting on the dock in front of Dawson’s house) I look back on the years I spent Just passing through (Cut to Dawson sitting on the swing set where he and Joey had their ‘second kiss’ back in season 2) I'd like to take the time I lost And give it back to you. (Cut to Joey at the ruins, still looking for Dawson) But you just smile and take my hand. (Cut to Dawson walking towards home) You've been there, you understand, (Cut to Joey walking towards Screenplay) It's all part of a grander plan That is coming true. (Cut to Dawson standing in his rowboat in the middle of the creek, looking at the sun setting) Every long lost dream Led me to where you are (Cut to Joey in Screenplay, looking in the window) Others who broke my heart They were just northern stars (Cut to Dawson looking up at his window, sighing, then leaving) Pointing me on my way Into your loving arms. (Just as Dawson leaves, Joey arrives. She climbs up the ladder) This much I know is true (That) God blessed the broken road, That lead me straight to you. (Cut to Joey climbing in Dawson’s window, picking up the stuffed ‘Jaws’, and collapsing on the bed.) Straight to you. (Cut to scenes of Dawson taking one last look at Capeside. Passing by the school, Leery’s Fresh Fish, and the docks.) Now I'm just rolling home Into my lover's arms. (Cut to Joey on Dawson’s bed.) This much I know... I know it's true (Close-up of Joey’s face. There are tears in her eyes. She falls back against the bed, clutching the stuffed shark and crying) (That) God blessed the broken road, And led me straight to you. (Cut to Dawson entering the train station and taking one last look at Capeside.) (Yes) God blessed the broken road, And led me straight to you. SONG ENDS Cut to the docks. Andie is siting on a bench when Pacey goes up to her. PACEY: Hey. I thought I might find you here. ANDIE: Hi Pacey. PACEY: Um, listen. We have to talk. Can I sit down. Andie moves to the side so that she can sit down. PACEY: I really hate this bench, you know. The last time we were here was when I dumped you. Andie looks downward, remembering that time. PACEY: And I’m pretty convinced that was the worst mistake of my life. And let me tell you, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. ANDIE: Pacey, if you’re here to tell me you’re sorry, it’s okay. PACEY: I’m not here to say I’m sorry, Andie. I’m here to let you know why. ANDIE: Why what? PACEY: Why I did what I did. ANDIE: You did what you did because I cheated on you. PACEY: That’s only part of the reason. Pacey stands up and grabs Andie’s hands, helping her up as well. PACEY: Andie, all my life I’ve never really known what it’s like to have people who really care about me. My family, my dad especially, couldn’t care less about me. So I’ve always disguised myself as someone I’m not. The class clown, the loyal friend, the knight in shining armor, the pseudo-Dawson. I did this because I didn’t think anyone would want anything to do with me if I was just myself, because my dad told me I was worthless so much that I started to believe it myself. Andie looks up at him, starting to smile. PACEY: But you, for some inconceivable reason, like me for who I am. I don’t know why, but for some reason you do. And I love you. And I’m not just saying that because I don’t want to lose you. I really love you. So much so that I cannot imagine a future for me that you’re not in. ANDIE: I guess that answers your question, huh? PACEY: About what? ANDIE: Why I feel the way I do about you. You can’t choose who you fall in love with, Pacey. It just happens. And I love you too. They kiss. Cut to the train station. Dawson is siting on a bench waiting for the train to arrive. He sees two kids siting behind him, a boy and a girl. They look around 15 years old. GIRL: I swear, I’ll just be glad when this trip is over. BOY: Why? I mean, you should be glad to see this guy. He’s your father. GIRL: I hate him. BOY: Hate’s a pretty strong word. GIRL: It applies. BOY: Listen, I’m going to get us some cokes. Don’t leave without me. The boy leaves. The girl turns around and sees Dawson looking at her. GIRL: What do you want? DAWSON: Sorry, it’s just that you reminded me of someone I used to know. GIRL: S’okay. DAWSON: Umm, I heard you talking about your father. GIRL: Yeah, he divorced my mom a few years back. Left all of us to fend for ourselves, and he wants me to visit him. Can you believe that? DAWSON: You’ve got your friend to come with you though. The girl smiles. GIRL: Yeah, friend. DAWSON: You like him, don’t you? GIRL: What? Yeah, of course I like him, he’s my best friend. DAWSON: You know what I mean. GIRL: Listen, I don’t know who you are, or what you think you know, but please don’t pry into my life, okay. DAWSON: I’m not trying to pry, it’s just that, well… GIRL: You want to help? DAWSON: Yeah, I guess. Listen, I know from personal experience that if you don’t act on what you feel, it can eat you up inside. GIRL: Tell me, if you were in my position, would you? I know all about you seniors. You think your so knowledgeable about relationships and everything, but the truth is you’re just as clueless as the rest of us. Dawson thinks about this for a moment. Cut to outside the cemetery. Mitch and Mike arrive in a car. MIKE: Could you stay here? I want to do this by myself, okay? MITCH: Okay. Mike walks into the cemetery. He goes up to the grave that says ‘Lillian Josephine Potter’ on it, and kneels down beside it. MIKE: Hey, um, I’m really not too good at this, you know. I mean, talking to a gravestone, I’m not even sure if you can hear me. Well, I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry for what I did to you. Maybe if I had acted a little more noble, a little more loyal, you’d still be here. The girls are doing great, especially Joey. She’s an artist you know, just like you. You would have been proud of her. I know I am. Wherever you are, I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Mike kisses two fingers then places them on the gravestone. MIKE: (whispers) I love you. Mike then walks back to the car. Cut to Dawson’s room. Joey is asleep in the bed. Suddenly, the door slowly opens. We cannot see who it is, but the figure slowly moves towards the bed and puts its hand on Joey’s shoulder. She turns around and slowly opens her eyes to see who it is. It’s Dawson. JOEY: (sleepily) Dawson? DAWSON: Yeah? Joey jumps up and hugs him. JOEY: Dawson! I can’t believe it, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I thought you… She pulls away. JOEY: Listen, I know what you think you saw. But nothing is happening between Pacey and me. He was worried about him and Andie and asked for my advice, and then… DAWSON: Slow down, Jo. I understand, really. Joey stands up and she and Dawson go over to the window seal. JOEY: So, are you here to say goodbye. DAWSON: I’m not going. JOEY: What? Why? DAWSON: I don’t really know. I think it’s because of what you said earlier. I’ve been trying to be a filmmaker all my life, it’s my dream. If I want to accomplish it, I can’t just have it given to me on a silver platter, I have to earn it. And then there was something else. JOEY: What? DAWSON: This is my home. I grew up here. Sure, I’ve got a lot of unpleasant memories here, but with them are all the good ones as well. This year may well be the last one I spend here, so I don’t want to leave before its done. JOEY: Yeah, but in LA you could have actually been involved in making movies again. DAWSON: Yeah, but it wouldn’t have been worth it to leave everything behind. Especially you. Joey looks up at him. DAWSON: Look. I know I don’t say this too often, but even after all that’s happened, you’re still very important to me. Sometimes, our friendship is the only thing that makes any sense at all. Joey half-smiles at him. Dawson takes out the computer disk that Andie gave him earlier. DAWSON: Besides, who says I can’t make movies in good old Capeside. JOEY: What’s that? DAWSON: My script. You remember, I told you about it on that road trip we went on a couple of months back. This time though, I think I’d rather have my original producer help with it. JOEY: Only if she can get a peek at the script. DAWSON: You’re on. Dawson unpacks his laptop from his bag and him and Joey turn it on. The camera pans out the window, watching as they sit down in front of the computer screen. Fade To Black End Credits THE END OF PART XI Coming up next, the exciting conclusion. That’s right, part 12 is the final part of ‘The Road Back’. Everyone gets invited to the Leery’s for Christmas, for a holiday they’ll never forget. Pacey conspires to give Dawson and Joey a very special Christmas present. Andie and Jack get a surprise visit from someone. Mitch and Mike actually outdo Chevy Chase at holiday over-compensation. Plus, some unexpected guest-stars pay a visit. And last but not least, a surprise that everybody has been waiting for. Stay tuned for part 12, ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Send me feedback, please Send it to: LeeryAndPotter@Hotmail.com Thank You.