Rumors Part 3 Written By: LeeryAndPotter at LeeryAndPotter@hotmail.com Disclaimer: Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen, Andie, and Jack are the property of Kevin Williamson and the WB network. I don’t own them, so please don’t sue. Category: Season 1 D/J Rating: PG-13, basically, if you can watch the show, you can read this. Spoilers: Pacey confronts Joey about her feelings regarding the rumor, and convinces her to try and "teach Dawson a lesson". But will the cure be worse than the disease. Meanwhile, we meet Andie’s brother, a football player named Jack, who has become public enemy # 1 for Grant Bodine (from "The Breakfast Club"). Editors Note: While reading this, remember, this isn’t the same Jack McPhee you all know. This is how Jack would be portrayed if he’d been introduced in season 1. Hope everyone likes my banner. I made it myself. Cut to football field. VOICE: TOUCHDOWN!!! Several football players are cheering for themselves near the goal. One of them takes off his helmet. We see the name "McPhee" printed on the back of his uniform. CLIFF: Hey Jack! Jack looks up, and we see his face for the first time. Cliff Elliot is walking towards him. JACK: Hey Cliff. Sorry if I upstaged you back there.CLIFF: If anything, you upstaged Bodie. Well, speak of the devil. Grant Bodie starts walking towards them. GRANT: Hey, McPhee. You must think your big, right? Well, I’m top player around here. You’re just new blood, it’ll wear off in about a week. CLIFF: Hey Grant. Get beat up by any girls lately. A bunch of the other players start laughing. GRANT: Funny, Elliot. Don’t push me, okay. Unless you want to spend the rest of the semester in a cast. Grant looks towards the benches. GRANT: Hey, check that out. We see Andie and Pacey arrive. GRANT: Seems like Pacey moves fast, don’t it. Who can blame him. That’s a cute little… JACK: That’s my sister. Grant smiles. GRANT: Really? You’ll have to introduce us sometime. Anyway, I think Witter needed to keep himself occupied. Considering his geek pals, Joey and Dawson, are a little too…occupied themselves lately. If you know what I mean. Grant walks off. JACK: Jerk. CLIFF: Don’t let him get to you. You’re competition, and he knows it. JACK: So who are these guys? Dawson and Joseph? Cliff starts laughing. CLIFF: Joey Potter’s a girl. As a matter of fact, she the one who beat up Grant. JACK: Owch. That must of bruised his ego. Big time. CLIFF: I don’t really know her that well. Dawson, on the other hand… JACK: What? CLIFF: Ah…he’s okay. We had a little fight awhile ago over a girl, but he’s not so bad. JACK: You fought over Joey? CLIFF: Different girl. Jen Lindley. Up until now I’ve been under the impression that him and Joey were just friends. Then this rumor about them spending the night together shows up. JACK: Just ignore it. If it’s true, it’s none of our business. Now the important thing…is Pacey the kind of person I want around my sister, or should I just beat him to a pulp right now. CLIFF: He’s not exactly harmless, but he’s not Grant Bodine either. I wouldn’t worry too much. Cut to the bench. PACEY: Wait a minute? Jack McPhee is your brother? You’re kidding. ANDIE: Nope. PACEY: Okay, the Minutemen’s new miracle worker is related to you. Why does everyone but me have cool relatives. Jack walks over. JACK: Hi Andie…Pacey. PACEY: Your sister tell you about me? JACK: Actually it was Cliff Elliot. We were arguing over a rumor about a few of your friends. PACEY: Man, these things do travel fast. ANDIE: I met them Jack, they’re pretty nice. The whole thing’s just made up. JACK: Well, it’s none of my business really. Pacey gets up to leave. ANDIE: Where are you going? PACEY: Sorry to bail, McPhee. I’ve got something I’ve been meaning to do. Nice meeting you, Jack. JACK: See you later. Jack sits down next to Andie. JACK: So…you like him? Andie looks flustered. ANDIE: Jack! I mean…we just met, and… Jack just looks at her. ANDIE: (quietly) Kind of. Jack grins. Cut to the Icehouse. Joey’s serving tables when she sees Pacey sitting down. PACEY: Hey, can I have some service over here? Joey sits down at his table. JOEY: I ought to just throw you out right now. PACEY: Relax, Potter. I come in peace. I’m just here to talk. JOEY: About what? PACEY: Dawson. Joey starts to look sad. PACEY: And I’m guessing that’s still a sore spot. Suddenly, they overhear a couple talking at a table nearby. BOY: Hey, isn’t that Pacey Witter? You know, Leery’s side-kick. GIRL: Dawson probably sent him to check on his "girl". Talk about pathetic. PACEY: Okay, that’s it. Now I’m starting to get dragged into this. Can we go somewhere else. Cut to outside, a few moments later. PACEY: Listen, for once I’m being sincere. How much is this thing bothering you? JOEY: You? Sincere? What reality are we in? PACEY: Come on. Making jokes to avoid the subject is my forte. I’m serious, are you okay about this. JOEY: No Pacey, I’m not okay with this. I’m upset. My name and reputation is once again being dragged through the mud simply because Dawson want to get Miss New York back. PACEY: You know it’s more that that. Quit denying it, you’re a lot more upset because of what the rumor’s about than what the reaction is. JOEY: Listen, you cretin. I don’t know how much you think you know, and I really don’t care. But my feelings are my business, no one else’s. PACEY: Well, excuse me if I feel sorry for you. Joey calms down. They sit down on the bench. PACEY: Relax, I promise I won’t tell anyone. JOEY: Okay, you want to know the truth, here it is. I’m confused, I’m upset, and I don’t know what to do about it. PACEY: I’m sorry. JOEY: You’re sorry? What? Run out of smart remarks? PACEY: Contrary to popular belief, I can be serious once and awhile. JOEY: Okay, answer me this Pacey. Why are you trying to help me? PACEY: You I may hate, but Dawson’s my friend. And he’d be better off with you than with someone like Jen. JOEY: Now you’re the one who’s in denial. PACEY: Huh? JOEY: Dawson considers me as a friend, nothing more, nothing less. PACEY: How are you sure about that? Have you ever asked him? JOEY: Yes. PACEY: You mean to tell me that you sat him down, told him how you felt, and made absolutely sure he had no romantic inclinations towards you whatsoever? JOEY: (quietly) No. PACEY: I didn’t think so. JOEY: I know this is a little mean-spirited, but I just wish there was a way to make him feel even a small percentage as bad as this is making me feel. Pacey’s face changes, indicating he has an idea. PACEY: Maybe there is. JOEY: What do you have in mind? A grin appears on Pacey’s face. Cut to Joey in a room making Xeroxes when Abby walks by the room. ABBY: Well, well if it isn't Mrs Dawson Leery. JOEY: So you know? ABBY: It is news and this is high school. I’m the first one who found out. Joey turns her back briefly and starts to cry. All very dramatic. JOEY: He swore we’d keep this to ourselves, he told me he loved me. ABBY: The Hundred Thousand pyramid, things guys say in the backseat. JOEY: You can add "you don't need protection" to that list. ABBY: What? JOEY: I am so stupid. ABBY: What are you saying? JOEY: Dawson’s always been so sweet, you know. And responsible. After Jen dumped him, he was saying "It’s about time I just did what I wanted without worrying about the consequences. ABBY: Dawson Leery said that? The guy’s always come across as overly responsible. You know, like you’d expect him to apologize for being 5 seconds late. JOEY: That was before the pee strip turned blue. ABBY: Blue? Do you know what that means? JOEY: Yes I do. ABBY: You're pregnant. JOEY: I know. ABBY: Does he know? JOEY: Oh yeah. Imagine my surprise when that scumbag, Pacey Witter, showed up at the icehouse, commenting on it. Apparently Dawson’s gone back to his over-analyzing self already. I wish he’d done it before it was too late. Abby leaves in a huff. Joey breaks down crying. As soon as Abby’s out of sight, Joey’s crying becomes laughter. Suddenly, Pacey pops up from behind the Xerox machine. PACEY: That was perfect, Potter. I had no idea you were that good of an actress. JOEY: I guess all those years of hanging around Dawson paid off. PACEY: I just wish I could see his face when he finds out about this. I swear, he’s gonna kill the both of us. JOEY: I can’t believe I actually did that. Hopefully this will teach Dawson not to help spread rumors. PACEY: One question, Potter: was the "scumbag" comment really necessary? JOEY: Yep. Cut to the hallway. Jen’s standing by her locker when Dawson shows up. DAWSON: Hey Jen. Sorry for acting like such a jerk earlier. I had no idea you knew about…well…you know… JEN: You and Joey? DAWSON: Apparently Abby saw us and put 2 and 2 together. I didn’t find out until later that half the school knows about it now. JEN: Tough break, huh Dawson. You know, I meant what I said the other day, about that I’d miss you. But I guess I always knew you loved Joey more than me. Dawson gets a confused look on his face. DAWSON: What are you talking about? First Pacey, now you. Why on earth does everybody think I have feelings for Joey Potter? JEN: Maybe the fact that you slept with her clued them in. DAWSON: That’s just the point, Jen. I didn’t. Jen looks surprised. JEN: What? DAWSON: It’s just a rumor Abby started. There’s no truth to it whatsoever. Jen starts to get mad. JEN: So let me get this straight. You just deliberately lied to me in order to get me to think you were over me? DAWSON: Umm… JEN: You know what, don’t answer that. Just listen to me, okay. I’m from New York City, the rumors we have there would make this one seem small. But there is one thing I’ve figured out about rumors, Dawson. For any rumor to continue to exist, there has to be a small shred of truth to it. Jen walks away, leaving Dawson standing there. Thinking about what she said. Cut to the cafeteria. Dawson, thinking, is sitting at a table when a group of boys come and sit next to him. BOY # 1: Hey. You’re Dawson Leery, aren’t you? DAWSON: Yeah. BOY #1: So tell me, Dawson. Joey Potter, how was she? Dawson begins to get mad. DAWSON: I don’t see as how that’s any of your business. BOY #1: Sorry, I’m just curious. I was just thinking, if you’re done with her… DAWSON: Don’t even go there. She’s not your type, trust me. BOY #2: That’s right, we forgot. Her type is the boring, movie-obsessed wimps who can’t get anyone else, right? Under the table, Dawson’s hand becomes a fist, but then relaxes. Dawson takes a drink of his Coca-Cola. BOY #3: Hey guys, if I were you I’d stay away from Potter. She’s got too much baggage. BOY #1: What do you mean? BOY #2: You haven’t heard? Apparently she takes after her sister way too much. BOY #3: Yeah, Leery here got her pregnant. When he hears this, Dawson’s eyes snap wide open in shock. He then spits out his drink, then starts coughing. BOY #1: You’re kidding. BOY #3: Nope. Abby told us. BOY #1: And you believe her? Didn’t Abby also say Pacey was Joey’s long-lost brother? BOY #3: Yeah, well, Pacey confirmed it. He’s pretty much the most reliable source on the two of them. Dawson eyes narrow. He gets up and starts walking away. DAWSON: (muttering)Should of known. Cut to the other side of the cafeteria. Pacey is siting down at a table. DAWSON: PACEY! Pacey turns around to see Dawson storming towards him. PACEY: Well, well. If it isn’t the proud father-to-be. DAWSON: Ha ha. Not funny, Pace. What do you think you’re doing? PACEY: (acting innocent) Whatever do you mean? DAWSON: Don’t play dumb. This has your signature written all over it. Joey arrives and sits down at the table. JOEY: Hey, if either of you are done with your lunches, can I finish them off? I am eating for two. DAWSON: Not you too? Do you realize that half the school thinks this is true. JOEY: What’s the matter, Dawson. You can dish it out, but you can’t take it? I didn’t like rumors about me being spread around either, remember. You thought you could use me to get Jen back without thinking about how it would effect me. DAWSON: I’m sorry Jo. You’re right. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of your friendship like that. If it makes you feel any better, the rumor made sure anything between me and Jen is over for good now. Poetic justice, I guess. Joey still has an angry look on her face. DAWSON: Forgive me? A smile creeps across Joey’s face. JOEY: Always. Pause. DAWSON: Still friends? Pause. JOEY: The best. Joey hugs him. BOY #3: (from across the cafeteria) HEY! GET A ROOM! PACEY: (to boy #3) GET A LIFE! (to Dawson) So, what do now? DAWSON: Pacey…squash this rumor like a bug, please. PACEY: My pleasure. Pacey runs off. Cut to the next day. Dawson and Joey are walking towards the front of the school. JOEY: Hopefully now things can get back to normal. DAWSON: I don’t know, Joey. Something Jen said to me yesterday is sort of bothering me. JOEY: What? DAWSON: I’d rather not say. You’d think it was stupid. JOEY: No, I… Suddenly, Pacey runs up to them, panting. DAWSON: Pacey? What is it? PACEY: We…we…we’ve got a problem. JOEY: What? PACEY: They didn’t believe me. Both Dawson and Joey get "you’ve got to be kidding me" looks on their faces. DAWSON&JOEY: What? CUT TO COMMERCIAL Great, now what do they do? Next, the rumor starts to get worse, as both the teachers, as well as Mitch, Gale, and Bessie hear, and believe, it. Pacey has a long talk with Dawson concerning Joey, while Dawson questions him about Andie. Also, Jen meets Jack McPhee. Send feedback to LeeryAndPotter@hotmail.com