Teaser - Capeside cemetery

Fallen leaves cover the ground and a group of people walk forward, going somewhere. Slowly, they circle a headstone.

("Somewhere over the rainbow", from Finding Forrester OST starts playing in the background)

Jack is holding Amy, who is holding some pretty little flowers in her hands. Slowly, Jack gets down on one knee and holding Amy’s hand, he motions her to leave them on the grave. Amy gives a couple of tentative steps and so she does, with a serious expression on her face. Then her gaze returns to Jack, who pulls her lovingly into his embrace and kisses her forehead slowly under the gaze of the rest of the group.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby

As he takes a step back to stand in the circle, Andie steps forward to leave some more flowers on the grave, which bares the inscription, 'Jennifer Lindley (1984 - 2008)'. She then returns to her position, by Pacey's side, with a calm but sad smile on her face. She remembers the wild girl that Jen used to be. She sees her so clearly. Short, spiky blond hair and a provocative attitude. And her big, big heart. She remembers that night they went skating with Joey - Jen racing all over the rink. And that’s the way she will always remember her... young and free.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true

By her side is Pacey. His face is somber and his mind seems to be light years away. He thinks back on the day they hopped in his boat and got caught in the storm. He remembers how scared she was and the conversation they had. He remembers Jen trying to look brave even though she was terrified. So was he. But they had helped each other get through it as they sat there, in a friendly and comfortable embrace. A slow smile curls his lips. Jen, always the brave one. Probably the only one in the group who was brave enough to live life to its full potential, with the good and the bad, till the very end. ‘Hey Jen,’ he thinks, ‘don’t forget us.’

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that’s where you'll find me

Standing next to him is Grams. Her face is maybe the most serene of them all. She knows that Jen is happy now and watching over them from above. She looks up to the sky as she remembers Jen’s laughter, her soft voice. She remembers Jen’s defiant ways when she arrived to Capeside. "I’ll go to church when you say penis."

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I?

A small laugh escapes Grams’ throat but no one else notices, all of them lost in their own memories. She puts a hand over her heart and looks at the grave again with a smile lingering in her lips as another image comes to her mind when her gaze diverts to Jack and Amy: the sweet picture of her granddaughter and her newborn baby. Her flushed but radiant face, her enormous grin as she introduced Amy to her in the hospital room with tears in her eyes. ‘Oh, my darling, I miss you so…’ she thinks, tears welling in her eyes.

Well I see trees of green and
Red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Next in the circle is Dawson. He stands with his hands in his pockets. He appears contemplative and doesn’t even notice the soft wind blowing, moving the leaves around, caressing the stone. His mind goes back to that day, years ago, when he and Jen said their goodbyes in front of her door. For some reason, this memory comes to him at that moment.
"You got five minutes?" he had asked.
"For you? Always," she had grinned.
And then they had hugged. He couldn’t help but smile. As the memory of the two them brushing their teeth in front of a mirror hits him, he puts his hands deeper in his pockets and smiles even more widely. Jen. His crazy, sweet, shameless and strong Jen. His gaze goes now from the grave to the people surrounding it. He feels she’s there with them and after noticing the breeze on his face, he suddenly knows she is.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you

Joey is by his side, her hands in her pockets as well, but her eyes, unlike the rest of the people in the group, are full of tears. She seems to be about to cry. Her memories are not so much of the teenager Jen, whom she hated for a long time, but the young woman that was her friend. They met in New York quite frequently and she remembers Jen taking her all over town, laughing and showing her the New York life, introducing her to the city she loved with all of her heart. Everything she knew about New York was because of Jen. She had probably been, besides Audrey, her only true girlfriend. Given how everything had turned out, she regrets that they drifted apart so much in the past few years.
And now Jen was gone. Just then, Amy makes a noise and Joey looks over at her. She notices her blonde hair, so much like her mother’s. "I like your hair. What number is that?" She smiles while a tear rolls down her cheek. And as she watches Amy, she knows Jen is there.

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more
Than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Jack rocks Amy lightly in his arms, still looking at Jen’s grave. But Amy shifts in his arms, uneasy. He notices her pointing to something behind his back. Jack turns around and looks over his shoulder, searching for Doug, whom Amy is probably reaching for.

But he stands rooted in his spot when, instead of spotting his boyfriend, he sees a blond young woman leaning against a tree. She’s wearing jeans and a flowing yellow blouse that, combined with her blond hair, gives her an ethereal presence. She has her arms crossed over her chest and is smiling at him. He notices Amy babbling some words and reaching her arms out in the same direction. “Jen?” he breathes.

Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top that's where you'll find me

But as quickly as she appeared, she is gone. Jack breathes slow and deep, still stunned. He sees Doug walking towards them and a slow smile curls his lips. Looking over at Amy, he sees her still gazing at the same spot as before, sucking on her thumb. Jack closes his eyes and kisses the top of her head, still smiling.

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I?

CREDITS

Still at the cemetery....

"You coming?" Pacey starts to back away, playing with his car keys, his eyes fixed on Dawson and Joey, who are not moving backwards but forwards, deeper into the cemetery. He can see clearly that Joey is holding Dawson’s hand behind her back. Andie and Audrey are walking back to the car, arm in arm. Jack and Doug are swinging Amy between them, heading toward their car. Grams follows quietly.

Dawson turns around to explain but Pacey already knows and Dawson doesn’t need to say a word. He puts his hand up, and smiles, understanding. "See you guys later."

Dawson just nods and Joey sends Pacey a look of gratitude. She then tugs on Dawson’s hand and they walk south past the Capeside Cemetery flower garden to where Lillian Potter and Mitch Leery are buried.

"Oh look, flowers," Joey points to her mother’s grave. Indeed, there is a bouquet of tulips lying next to the etched words. Joey guesses Bessie put them there before leaving on her honeymoon with Bodie.

"They look like flowers from Bessie’s garden," Dawson says quietly.

"Yeah," Joey smiles fondly. "She comes here once a month, at least. She has for the past…God…fifteen years."

"It's funny how fast time flies, isn’t it?" Dawson asks thoughtfully. He still remembers the night Joey’s mom died. He remembers the confused and hurt look on Joey’s face when the doctor gave them the definitive news. How she left the room practically running and how he went after her.

Joey is staring at her mother’s grave, almost mesmerized. "Thank God for photographs," she looks up at Dawson. "Otherwise I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to remember exactly what she looked like…I mainly remember what she smelled when she hugged me."

"What did she smell like?" Dawson gazes at Joey. He can see Lillian in some of Joey’s features. Although he had only been thirteen when Lillian had died, he too had pictures and a solid, though faded, memory of Joey’s mother. And even though it was Bessie that looked more like her, Joey also had her mother in her.

"Something…earthy. You know how your mom smells like musky perfume...like, Opium? My mother smelled…natural, like clean laundry or something."

Dawson smiles at her description. He then says, "Has anyone ever told you that you have your mom’s cheekbones?"

Joey is surprised by Dawson’s observation but she's pleased that he remembered, and it shows. Her face glows and her eyes light up. "Really?"

"Yeah. And her hair." He reaches out, and brushes his hand gently, gingerly over her hair, which is loosely pinned back. Strands escape and fly around her face and for a moment she is trapped in his gaze.

"Do you mind if…I talk to mom alone for a moment?" Joey then asks, shyly. She knows she shouldn’t but she feels funny talking to a gravestone in front of someone, even if that someone is Dawson.

"Of course." Dawson offers her a smile and pulls away from her, walking off to the side, towards a large maple tree. There are some other gravestones under the tree, dating back to 1809. Death is all around them. Dawson is both rapt with this thought and moved by the gentle sound of Joey talking to her mother. He turns to see her, and sees her bending over and placing a few zinnias next to the tulips, moving her hands as she speaks. He wonders what she is saying, but doesn’t want to eavesdrop. So he just leans against the tree, his hands in his pockets, just watching her. He likes seeing her face so animated and wistful.

"Your favorites," she says as she places the flowers carefully on the ground. Then she looks around her. "Today is such a beautiful day," she says, contently, before she says what she really wants to say. "Dad is back, you know? And I think this time is for real. I want to believe that it’s for real anyway," she continues.

"I’m still living in New York mom. I love it there.” She smiles sweetly “My job is great, although, I’m starting to feel the need to do something else. I want to get back to some of the things I used to enjoy. Or maybe search for something new. I don’t know. I still haven’t found what I’m looking for, I guess. I’ll know when I do. That’s how it always works, doesn’t it? And sometimes, you just realize that it had always been right there in front of you." She pauses again. "I miss you and I need you so much, Mom. I wonder so often lately how different my life would be had you not died. Would I be the mess I am? The mess I used to be?" She glances around as she ponders her thoughts.

"Bessie is a great sister but I really need your advice, mostly in this crazy thing people call love. Because I keep messing it up and hurt people in the process… and I’m so tired of doing that." She pauses for a moment, her gaze now transfixed on the headstone in front of her. "And your words keep coming back to me, Mom. Keep the ones from your childhood close to you, for no one will ever love you the way they do." She looks over her shoulder at Dawson, who is watching her pensively. "And it's true. Thank you," she finally whispers, her voice charged with emotion.

After a few more moments, Joey straightens up, brushing off her knees. She kisses her fingers and touches the headstone for a moment. She turns and breathes deeply, before smiling brilliantly at Dawson and holding her arm out. "Let’s go."
Returning her smile, they link arms and head for Mitch Leery's grave.

Downtown, The Icehouse

Mike Potter is standing in front of the building that was the property of his family years ago. The building he almost burnt down. It seemed like so long ago, yet like yesterday at the same time. Walking to the entrance, he removes his hands from the front pockets of his jacket and pushes the door open. People are filling the place, having the last drink with friends before they head home for Thanksgiving dinner. He spots Pacey behind the bar, talking to a young man, gesturing with his hands as if giving instructions. He had probably just arrived as his coat is still on. Mike walks toward him and it's then that Pacey notices he has arrived.

"Okay Lance, that’s all," Pacey says, patting the waiter’s back. "We’ll talking more later." And with that, and a nod to Mike, Lance leaves.

Pacey takes his coat off while he walks out from behind the bar. He shakes Mike’s hand. "Well, welcome, Mike. Are you ready for the big tour?" he asks brightly, leaving his jacket on the counter.

"Sure, lead the way," Mike replies, smiling at him.

"Well, this is the main dining area, as you can see," Pacey explains as he rubs his hands, walking by Mike’s side. "As you know, we also have some space outside and we utilize it when weather permits. Well, we used to at least. We're still waiting for the permit so we can renovate it," he coughs, knowing full well why they still don't have the damn permit. “Next is the kitchen."

Mike follows him, looking around the restaurant as they walk. He is met with some curious looks but he just nods his head in their direction. Very few people look away. The greatest part of them nod back. Mike knows he is being observed. The convict back in town, finally stepping out of his self-imposed isolation. He squares his shoulders though and decides not to let it bother him. It will take time for people to forget who he once was. That is, if they ever forget. But he knew all this before he came back.

"So…," Pacey is saying as he holds the kitchen door open. "This is the kitchen. I rebuilt it and added the latest equipment. It’s my pride and joy. I love spending time in here." Pacey looks around with a satisfied smile on his face. "Being a chef myself, I think it's important to have the right elements so we can offer some of the best food in town. Along with Gale’s business, of course."

"Yeah, I wanted to talk about that. How is the competition?"

"Well, this is a small town and people here are creatures of habit. It wasn’t that hard to win them back. It seems like they had been missing the Ice House, whether they had been fond of it before or not. So they came back, even if just out of curiosity. Now we have a lot of very regular clients. Plus, this is the meeting point for all the people who watch Dawson’s show and love to see their city represented on TV."

Mike chuckles. "Yeah, the posters plastered all over might have something to do with that."

"Yeah, that was Joey’s idea. So… basically that’s it," Pacey grins as they finish their tour of the kitchen and head to Pacey's office in the back. "Except… well, of course there is something you need to know before you make a decision." He coughs. "We’re having certain problems because… well, I screwed up," he blurts out. "I had an affair with a married woman and her husband, of course, wasn’t happy about it when he found out. So since then, he has been causing trouble with the business and permits because, much to my dismay, he seems to have a few contacts in town. So…"

Mike shakes his head and looks at Pacey, who seems to be waiting for his response.

"Look Pacey, I have no right to judge you. And that is not gonna change my opinion about this place. I’m gonna be honest. Since you asked me about it last week, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. And after what I’ve seen now, I do want to accept your offer. About that guy, don’t worry. I know how to deal with those kind of people. Without creating more trouble, of course," he quickly adds, raising his hands when he sees Pacey's brow furrow a little with concern.

"Okay then. So…"

"So… Pacey Witter, you’ve found your man.”

Pacey breaks into a big grin as they shake hands.


Back at the Capeside cemetery...

Dawson is walking, his hands in his pockets, staring blankly at what looms closer with every step.

"It never gets easier, does it?" he asks Joey. She meets his gaze and rubs his arm. It's the first time she has gone to his father’s grave with him. She can empathize with his pain. Just as he did when he accompanied her so many years ago to her mother’s grave.

"No, it never does," she murmurs softly. Dawson just nods his head.

"I mean, there are days when you are just mad that they’re not here. Mad that they left you and mad because you want them back. Even though you know that’s not possible because they’re gone forever. But at the same time, other days, you can feel them with you and you’re happy. Does that make any sense?" he asks, looking at her.

Joey gives him a sad smile and reaches for one of his hands. "More than you know."

For a moment, their eyes lock, taking comfort from each other. Turning around, Dawson slowly starts to walk away under Joey’s gaze. Their hands still linked as he backs off, their fingers touching until the very last moment as Joey’s eyes follow him. Dawson slowly approaches his father’s grave and takes a deep breath, eyes closed, preparing himself for the inevitable pain and sadness.

After a moment, he opens his eyes and looks up. He smiles for a moment, getting his thoughts together. "Hey, Dad. Happy Thanksgiving. I’m sure part of you is hovering around the house, around us, wishing you could just sit and watch the game on television or wishing you could wrestle the carving knife away from me or Mom. Just so you know, none of us have forgotten about you and you haven’t been replaced."

There’s a brief pause as he tries to put his thoughts into words.

"It’s weird. This isn’t the first Thanksgiving and impending holiday season without you but it just doesn’t seem to get any easier. Fortunately, I have mom and Lily and… friends." When he says this, he looks gently over his shoulder where Joey is watching him, arms crossed, giving him a comforting smile as if she’s sending her support and comfort to him from afar.
"So things are going really well," Dawson stammers, losing his train of thought for a minute, closing his eyes again to regain his composure. Still feeling Joey’s eyes on him, he opens them and begins again, with another nervous smile.

"Work is good. I’m taking a break from L.A. and the show for a bit and actually working on a film with Spielberg in New York. It’s going really well so far, although it seems still like a dream. Like this fantasy that I’ll just wake up from at any moment. My life seems to be just… perfect the way it is. You know...I thought of you when I got the offer. I was wishing I could call and tell you that I got to finally live out a life-long fantasy but I knew you knew. You were there with me, cheering me on, telling me how proud you are of me." He smiles when he says this. "Life in New York is different…thank God for Joey being there to help me make the adjustment. Ever since Jen died…it’s been so amazing to reconnect with her. She’s been so great…I’m really fortunate."

"I feel like I’m at this crossroad again, Dad. My life was so monotonous for so long, just working on the show and getting the show developed. And now it’s like a whole new chapter has opened for me. Now I'm working in New York, working back in film, and working with my childhood idol. I’m nervous about what’ll happen afterwards and if I can go back to the life I had before. Not that it was bad... but that’s another topic for another day. That’s another plus to being on the east coast again. I can come visit more…if you don’t mind. " He pauses for a moment, letting the moment wash over him.
"I should get going. Joey and I have to get back. Happy Thanksgiving, Dad. I miss you and I love you…although, I’m sure you know that." With a sigh and smile, Dawson gingerly touches the headstone, saying one more private goodbye before turning and walking towards Joey.

She reaches her hand out to him and taking her hand, he leans against her. He is happy she is there with him, doing what he didn’t allow her to do when his father died: comfort and support him. She squeezes his hand and they walk out of the cemetery…both at peace.


The old Leery's House

Dinnertime is approaching and it shows in the Leery's kitchen.

"Could you check on the pie?" Gale asks Dawson, holding her hair back from her face, face flushed. She is obviously a little stressed. She just wants everything to be perfect.

"Sure," Dawson answers, hiding a grin.

"Okay, the turkey is in the oven." Gale points to the oven. "The pies are defrosting, the drinks are in the cooler and the table is set outside. It won’t be too cold, will it?" she asks Dawson anxiously.

He replies as he opens the oven to check on the pumpkin pie, which is still cooking. "It should be fine. Everyone has a jacket and the sun is out," he points out. He smiles and puts his hands on his mother’s shoulders, calmly. "It’ll be fine, Mom."

"I know. I know," Gale pats Dawson’s face warmly. "I’m so glad you here. I’ve missed your company," she adds, taking off her apron and putting it to the side. "And the Potters are coming, too, right?"

"Yeah. I asked Joey to invite Mike and Alex. Bessie and Bodie are still on their honeymoon. And don't forget Audrey," Dawson reminds Gale, leaning up against the counter languidly and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Won’t be a dull Thanksgiving, will it?" Gale is about to ask something else when Lily runs into the kitchen, her face and knees smudged with dirt. She has been playing with Alex who enters the kitchen close behind her.

"Look at you," Dawson tugs his sister’s blonde pony tale teasingly. "Been rolling in the mud?"

Lily snorts like a pig, making Gale laugh and Dawson rolls his eyes.

"We’re hungry!" Lily announces, obviously referring to herself and Alex. She tries to get a look at what her mother is cooking.

"You’ll have to wait," Dawson retorts, ruffling her hair. Lily pouts and realizing she’s not going to get any snacks, pulls Alex out of the kitchen.

"She’s a handful," Gale sighs fondly.

"So…Mom…,” Dawson pours himself and his mother a cup of hot coffee. Gale takes it gratefully. "How’s everything?"

"You mean…in general?" Gale laughs, as if the question is preposterous.

"Yeah…married life, still living in Capeside, your job, having me as a son…," Dawson adds with a wink.

"The last one I’m not so sure about sometimes," Gale teases him. "But no, I love married life. It's...its nice," Gale admits. "To have someone around, you know?"

"I do," Dawson says softly.

"I mean...," Gale lowers her voice. "No one will ever replace your father. But I think my husband is a wonderful man. And I do love him."

"Of course you do. It couldn’t have been any other way if you married him.” And there is something in his eyes that Gale can’t quiet describe or decipher. But the moment passes as Dawson speaks again.

"He’s…," Dawson searches for the right word. "Got certain attributes…"

"Oh stop!" Gale playfully hits her son with a dishrag. "My job is wonderful, too," Gale continues. Dawson cocks his head, interested. "I love managing the restaurant. It gives me energy and strength and a vitality for life that I would have otherwise lost." Gale smiles and starts to put some ingredients back into the fridge.

"That’s great, Mom," Dawson says genuinely.

"There is something that keeps bothering me, though. Not bothering, but something that makes my actual life seem to be a little displaced."

"What do you mean?" Dawson asks curious.

"If only I knew, honey. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out," she jokes and Dawson smiles at her, although he seems to be a little concerned by her comment.

"So how about you?" Gale says, changing the subject, not wanting him to get worried about her. "I mean, I’m thrilled you’re in New York. What do you think?" Gale asks.

"I love it," Dawson says simply. "I love the city. I love being close to home. I love the project,.I love working with Samantha and the whole crew I’m recruiting around the city. And I love being so close to J…to friends," he covers quickly.

"Ah!" Gale didn’t miss his slip and a victorious smile appears on her face. "So…you and Joey?" she broaches.

"Joey and I are…," Dawson starts, and then he stops, and thinks. He’s not sure after that almost kiss at Bodie and Bessie’s wedding. It didn’t happen, but… it almost did. Does that make any difference to what they are? They have been there so many times before, and it never changed what they are, did it?

"Just friends?" Gale says for him, since he is not replying.

"Yes," Dawson says decisively. "No," he adds quickly. "We’re more than that, but we’re not what you think we are. We’ve finally figured it out and we’re happy with the way things are now." He gives up. It's just not possible for him to put into words what he and Joey are.

"Right." Gale isn’t convinced.

"Mom…" Dawson warns her.

"I know, I know, I’m sorry…you hate it when I meddle. I hardly do, however. But let me say this: I saw sparks between you two at that wedding, genuine sparks." She puts emphasis on ‘sparks’ and points her dishrag at him.

"Sparks are not enough to sustain a relationship, Mom," Dawson says in a matter of fact tone. He knows it well. Natasha, Natalie, Rebecca... even Samantha, they all come to mind.

"Oh, don’t be silly. Of course they’re not. But you two have much more than that. But they’re important too, you know. And I saw them."

"Okay, I’m leaving now." Dawson backs out of the kitchen, one eyebrow raised at his mother.

Gale rolls her eyes and mutters, "I saw sparks, I did. Whether you admit it or not…”

"Are you talking to yourself?" Gale’s husband walks into the kitchen with a bag of groceries.

"No," Gale smiles brightly as she gives him a quick kiss on the lips, smiling. Then she watches him place the groceries on the shelves and she furrows her brows, pensive.


The Leery's House backyard

The Potter truck pulls up to the Leery house. Joey and Mike exit the truck, taking their time, collecting things from the car as Alexander runs to them from behind the house, followed close by Lily.

"Grandpa!" he says, taking a bag from him after a quick hug. Joey watches them and a part of her wishes she could have had that carefree relationship with her dad. For Alex it's easy to have his grandpa back in his life. For her, it's still a delicate situation. Even though she is trying to open up to him despite the risks.

"Come on Grandpa, Aunt Joey!" he calls from a far, playfully shouting at them to hurry up, looking at them over the bag while Lily is trying to drag him inside the house. With a laugh, Mike waves him on and Alex disappears into the house as Joey and Mike slowly follow him.

"So how are things with you and Pacey? I saw you two talking at your sister’s wedding," Mike asks, casting a side-glance at his daughter, who has been a bit quiet since she returned with Dawson from New York a couple of days ago.

"I haven’t really talked to him since then but you already knew that,” she laughs, giving him her trademark half smile and wondering why is he so interested in Pacey all of a sudden when his usual chant is 'Dawson this, Dawson that.’

"That’s right. So anything else new with you? Before she left, Bessie said you’ve been kind of quiet about things outside of work for a while," Mike says, trying again to start and maintain a real conversation with her. Things are better between them, but he still gets most of his info on Joey through Bessie. And since she returned to New York the day after the wedding, they really didn’t have much time to catch up, despite their good intentions.

"Not really, actually. You know about the promotion and the party," Joey says, obviously distracted a bit, but trying to meet him halfway. "Things have been a bit dull outside of that."

"Sometimes it seems as if life is all about your job, right? And everyday is just like the one before?" Mike asks, as they climb the few steps that lead to the Leery's front door.

"Yeah, something like that," Joey answers, pensive and Mike can see an inner sadness.

"Joey," he says, placing a hand in her arm. "Honey, I’m here. If you need to talk, if you need someone to talk to that is not your therapist." Joey smiles. "I’m here. Just give me a chance and I promise to listen. I know I’m not Bessie or even your mother, and my advice, to be honest, might not be the best. But I know how to listen, I really do," he says, his eyes boring into hers.

Joey’s eyes get misty and she can see he is being sincere.

"Thanks, Dad," she says, giving him a light hug. Mike is taken aback a bit at first, but he smiles widely and he savours the moment, which is unintentionally interrupted by Dawson, who comes onto porch.

"Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt," he apologizes, noticing them hugging.

"No, it’s okay. I should make sure your mother has things under control in the kitchen," Mike replies, still reeling a bit from the sign of affection from Joey. He leaves her and Dawson alone as he enters the house.

"It’s okay, Dawson, really," Joey laughs, noticing the still stricken and apologetic look on his face. Giving him a playful push, she walks inside the house and Dawson relaxes, entering the house after her. Taking her coat, which earns him a grateful smile from her, he leads her into the quiet family room.

"So...Happy Thanksgiving," Dawson jokes, pulling in for a long hug.

"You too," Joey snorts, squeezing him tightly back. "You realize they’re going to start officially playing Christmas music the minute the meal is over. They’ll push us right into Christmas, which I’m not prepared for at all, despite our lame attempt last week to start with the Christmas shopping."

"Me either, to tell truth. Hopefully this year, though, I’ll get all my shopping done before Christmas Eve and save myself the horrific costs of last minute shopping," Dawson laughs, guiding her to sit with him on the couch.

"In New York, Dawson, you have to start like tomorrow. The crowds, the lines, the nightmares," Joey sighs dramatically, gesturing with her hands, causing him to laugh a bit. "I’m not kidding."

"Well, if so, maybe we’ll have to take an entire day off and just do everything. You and me taking on Saks, FAO Schwartz, Bloomingdale’s... you name it," he says, wondering if she’s kidding about the lines, the crowds.

"Wow, you’re such a snob!" she jokes.

"Or we can go to K-Mart or something. Talk about being classy," he retorts back.

"No, that’s okay. I’ve had enough of K-Mart for a lifetime. Bloomingdales will do," she laughs. "You’ve got yourself a date, Mr. Leery." Then her eyes light up, "Or we could do some shopping, dinner and movie night on Friday and then hit the streets early Saturday for everything else," Joey suggests.

"Ouch! Talk about shaking up our usual weekend routine." Dawson gasps in fake shock. "I don’t know if I can handle breaking our long standing tradition."

"This is a special time of year, Dawson, and we should be there to help one another out through the horror of holiday shopping," Joey says, shoving him. "And if you’re lucky, I just might help you wrap gifts!"

"Oh no! Not more time together!" Dawson groans, getting another shove.

"You love it," she snaps playfully.

"Yeah…yeah, I do," he smiles, pulling in her for another hug. Resting her head on his shoulder, she looks up at him with a big grin on her face and they stay like that for a while, making plans for the upcoming days once they return to the city.


The Witter’s house

Grams, Jack and Mrs Witter are putting the plates on the big table in the living room. Andie comes from the kitchen with some drinks as Mr Witter just walks around, not knowing what to do. From time to time, he glances at Jack. It is the first official meeting the Witter’s have had with Jack and Doug as a couple and he doesn’t really know how to act. Pacey is watching from afar while keeping Amy entertained so that everyone can deal with their Thanksgiving duties.

"I think the blue one goes… here," Pacey says as Amy offers him a small blue cube that she doesn’t know how it fits in her puzzle.

His attention wanders back to the activity around him and this time he sees Jack and his dad almost collide while trying to place the napkins. His dad flinches as if he had been burned and Jack clearly notices how uncomfortable he is. He apologizes stoically and Pacey's dad just nods his head and walks in the opposite direction. Grams, who has also realized what is happening, looks concerned and her eyes wander from Mr. Witter to Jack before she sighs quietly and heads back to the kitchen to help Andie and Mrs. Witter with the food.

"What a show, huh?" Doug says quietly. Startled, Pacey realizes that he is standing at his side. Amy immediately hands him a red triangle that Doug places in the right place.

"Hey, Dougie," he says as his brother sits on the floor with the two of them. "Yeah, even a blind man could see that things are a little… tense around here," Pacey says gesturing with his chin to the table where Jack and Mr. Witter have been left alone. They are just standing there, in an awkward silence, waiting for the women to return.

"You know what? I usually was the one to stay right where you are, watching you and dad go into these awkward situations where you could hardly carry on a civilized conversation. And I gotta say that sometimes I even enjoyed them." Pacey looks at him surprised by this confession but Doug’s eyes are still fixed on the table, where it now seems as if Jack is trying to make some small conversation. "But they’re not funny at all. And now I finally know what it must have felt like to be you. Now you’re the one with a business, moving on with your life and someone that dad accepts and I’m the black sheep of the family. And I wouldn’t mind except it's not only me but also Jack that he treats this way."

"Yeah. It’s got to be hard for him, too," Pacey says, supportive. Despite all his problems with Doug in the past and his merciless jokes about his sexuality before and even after he came out of the closet, he never wished him any harm.

"He’s overwhelmed," Doug says, referring to Jack. "Because it's just not possible for me to be there every time he needs me…with the Amy’s situation, and now with this. He was always afraid of not fitting in and Dad is not helping, let me tell you. And I’m… I’m afraid this all is gonna explode at some point," he ends, with Amy leaning on him as she chews on one of the pieces of the puzzle that Doug gently takes away from her mouth, much to her frustration.

"What do you mean?" Pacey inquires.

"He’s drifting apart from me. More and more each day. I’ve been trying not to overreact, pretending that it's not happening and just being with him as we used to be. But it's not working. I know something is wrong but I don’t know what else I can do about it if he doesn’t open up to me."

"It's just something genetic for the Witter brothers.... glossing over their problems," Pacey jokes. "Well, bro, the only piece of advice I can give you is the same advice someone gave me some time ago. Talk to him. Tell him how you feel." Doug smiles at him as he can recognize his own words in Pacey's. "I only hope it turns out better for you than for me," Pacey laughs.

Just then, Mrs. Witter, Andie and Grams exit the kitchen with their hands full of food.

"Okay everybody, dinner is ready!" Mrs Witter says, trying to sound cheerful and throwing a look at the table, where her husband and Jack were waiting.

"Well, time to eat," Pacey says, picking up Amy. "And trust me, Doug, no matter what, the best thing you can do is talk to him," he says as he walks away with Amy in his arms.

Doug contemplates his words and then he stands up and joins his family at the table.

The Leery's kitchen

The kitchen is a mess as napkins cover the table and dirty knifes and forks are lying scattered about.
"Stupid bird! How long can one turkey take to cook?" Gale says, annoyed, slamming the oven door and throwing her oven mitts on the kitchen bench.

"It’s okay, honey. We can wait a little longer. I promise, no one is devouring anyone in the living room just yet," John jokes, but Gale just looks annoyed.

"I knew it was too big!" Gale then decides and she sighs, leaning against the fridge, worried this won’t be the Thanksgiving she planned after all. John approaches her and envelops her in hug. She smiles against his chest as the doorbell rings.

"That’s the door," she says. "I’ll see who it is. And in the meantime, you watch that stupid turkey."

With that, she wiped her hands on her apron and walked out of the kitchen, hearing John say after her, in a mocking tone, "Yes sir." She just smiles and shakes her head, opening the door.

"Mrs Leery! Hi!" a bubbly, blonde Audrey stands in front of Gale wearing a becoming red coat, holding a plate. "I’m sorry I’m late. I just drove in from New York. And I’ll be sober tonight, Mrs Leery so don’t worry about me driving through any walls…"

"Audrey, come inside," Gale says in good nature, laughing and patting Audrey reassuringly on the back. "We all have our…moments, honey. Don’t worry about that."

"I’ve had several, to tell you the truth," Audrey says earnestly, shrugging her jacket off. "Now, where is that handsome son of yours?"

"Somewhere in the house, causing emotional chaos I’m sure," Gale ushers Audrey further into the hallway and takes the plate from her. "Joey and her father are here, too."

"Good! By the way, it’s a chocolate cake," she says, pointing to the plate Gale is holding. "I didn’t make it, though. That would have been a disaster." Audrey laughs and Gale joins her. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious. "Its from this wonderful bakery on 7th Avenue and…"

Gale’s husband wanders into the front hall, curious at laughter drifting into the kitchen.

"Hey!" he says, noticing the blond young woman in the hall.

"Oh...this is Audrey," Gale introduces the two. "She was at Bessie’s wedding, but I don't think you two got a chance to talk. Audrey, this is my husband, John. Audrey was Joey’s college roommate. And the star in one of Dawson’s movies."

"Hi! Yeah, that was me. Thank you for inviting me to dinner." Audrey shakes his hand gracefully before sweeping past them and into the living room. She bumps into Lily, which causes Alex to bump into Lily, too, since he was following her. "Oh, look at you two. How are you doing, guys?" she asks cheerfully, and Lily and Alex look up at her with big grins in their faces.

“Audrey!!” Lily squeals happily as Audrey hugs her. Any of them, not her, not Alex, have forgotten the great time they had at Halloween with her. Neither at the Bessie and Boddie's wedding.

"She’s not the one who…," John leans down and starts to say in his wife’s ear, and Gale interrupts wryly, "Uh-huh."

She reaches for Audrey’s jacket. "I’ll take her keys. You keep her away from Pacey…oh wait, thank goodness he’s not here. But we’ll need to keep her away from the alcohol, just in case."

Gale hangs the coat on the hook as she hurries into the kitchen once again and hears Audrey loudly greeting Dawson and Joey in the living room. John follows her back into the kitchen with an amused expression on his face.

The Witter’s house, dinning room

Everyone sits in awkward silence at the Witter dinner table. Everyone focuses solely on their food, hoping someone will say something to break the palpable silence that fills the room. Amy giggles occasionally to break the silence but everyone throws side-glances at each other, hoping someone will say something.

"This is really good, Mrs. Witter. The turkey is delicious," Andie says finally, causing everyone to look up, look at one another and then slowly return back to their food.

"Thank you, Andie. That’s very kind," Mrs. Witter smiles, thanking her silently with her eyes. Andie meets Pacey's eyes after that and he smiles at her, also thanking her. She smiles back. The silence seems getting louder by the moment. Finally, just as Pacey is about to say something, there is a knock at the door and everyone stops eating. After a moment, the door opens and everyone spins around to see who’s there.

"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!" Gretchen squeals, smiling broadly. "What happened? What did I miss?" She finally notices the tension in the room and her smile fades.

"Nothing, Gretch. But if I know you, the party will be picking up now," Pacey calls, jumping from his chair and hugging her tightly, grateful she’s home and grateful that someone broke up the tense moment.

Doug follows his brother’s lead immediately.

"Hey there, little brother. No hogging," Doug laughs, pulling Pacey away from Gretchen and hugging her tightly as well, thankful she could join them. "This is definitely a surprise."

"A good one, I hope," she says with a sly smile, waiting for Doug’s reaction. "So where’s the miracle worker?"

"Miracle worker?" Pacey asks, slightly confused.

"Yes. The man that brought our brother out of the closet and forced him to embrace his sexual identity, something that Pacey and I have been telling him to do for years I might add," Gretchen laughs, removing her coat and giving Doug a playful shove. All three laugh and Gretchen glances over Doug’s shoulder, seeing Jack watching from a distance.

Jack, who has also been watching her, smiles at her. They didn’t get to know each other that much the year she spent in Capeside, but they have talked a couple of times on the phone and he really likes Doug’s older sister. Noticing that she’s looking at him and silently asking him to join them, he does.

"Jack!" she exclaims, as she hugs him tight.

"Hey, Gretchen. It's so good to see you! It’s been years, hasn’t it?"

"Time sure flies! But you look good. You both look good," she says as she glances at Jack and then her brother and then back to Jack, casting an approving glance at both of them. Pacey just laughs as he takes Gretchen's coat and throws it kind of unceremoniously on a chair.

"Well, Jack, there’s only one thing I can tell you," she says, patting his back. "Well, make that two, actually. Welcome to the family and good luck. You might need it."

"Trust me, Gretchen, I’ve already figured that one out," Jack laughs, somewhat bitterly, but laughing just the same.

"So, Jack, now that my brother is officially out of the closet is he still as anal retentive and neurotic as he was when he was ‘straight'?" she asks, pulling Jack close to her and putting her arm around him. "You can tell me, straight woman to gay man."

"I’m afraid he is, but I’m working on it…I’m afraid it might take some time, though, to break some of his ‘heterosexual’ tendencies," Jack laughs, giving Doug a playful look as Pacey breaks into laughter once again.

"So you’re okay with this?" Doug asks nervously, almost afraid of what she might say.

"Hell yes, I am. This is fabulous and I couldn’t be happier, for both of my brothers," Gretchen says, giving Pacey a punch in the side.

"Are you people going to return to the table before dinner is over?" Mr. Witter calls from his seat as Mrs Witter is fixing another plate for Gretchen. Andie and Grams just smile at her, welcoming her without words, leaving the greetings for a better moment. Gretchen just sighs.

"As sweet as ever," she sighs.

"You bet," Pacey replies.

"Okay, let’s go then." And she links her arm with Jack. "So, Jack, I need some tips on redecorating my living room. I watch that Queer Eye show but I think something is still missing. Walk with me," she whispers in a conspiracy tone to him as they walk to the table.

"Are you kidding?" Jack groans, incredulous at the fact that Gretchen is even considering the possibility that just because he is gay, he will be able to help her redecorate anything. Gretchen just laughs.

"Thank goodness she’s cool with it," Pacey says, exhaling a deep sigh of relief.

"You’re telling me," Doug laughs, putting his arm around Pacey and leading him back to the group.

The Leery's house

Both Mr Potter and Dawson are chatting animatedly in a corner when Joey comes in. Actually, more like rushing in. A clip holds half of her hair on top of her head. She is wearing bright red lipstick and you can see someone got crazy with some eyeliner. She hides behind her father’s back to the guys’ amusement.

"Joey, what are you doing?" Mike asks as Dawson laughs, knowing perfectly well what she is doing. He was a witness to what happened when the two of them were talking and Audrey and Lily dragged Joey out, with the excuse of having some "girl fun".

"What do you think?" she says, peering over his shoulder. "I’m hiding from the `Audrey and Lily Beauty School,'" she says pointing to Audrey and Lily, who as if on cue, enter the room. Lily has her hands on her hips and Audrey, a mischievous smile on her lips. Joey can only groan. It's not that often that she has the chance to spend time with her family and friends, since her life is centered mostly around work first, fun later.

Just then, Lily spots Joey and points her out to Audrey, who then says something to makes the girl laugh. In sych, the two girls walk toward Joey’s hiding place.

"Oh, no!" Joey laughs.

"Joey, I wasn’t finished yet!" Lily says, shaking her finger at her.

"Lily, give her a break," Dawson scolds her gently.

Lily just looks at him and sighs. "Oh well. You’re next, then," she says, taking Mike’s hand.

"What?" he exclaims, horror written all over his face. Joey laughs and pats his back, glad she’s free.

"Good luck out there, Dad," she says as Lily and Audrey drag him toward Lily’s bedroom.

"Should I stop her?" Dawson asks concerned.

"Nah," Joey replies amused. "He’ll have the time of his life." She laughs and tugs the clips out of her hair.

"You’re so bad," Dawson says, smiling at her with a spark in his eyes. Joey just laughs once more and shrugs her shoulders.

"Anyway, I’m gonna remove all of this," she says, gesturing to the make-up on her face. "Be right back." She heads toward the bathroom. After a moment, Dawson follows her. She notices as she goes up the stairs and looks at him over her shoulder.
"Are you hiding, too, just in case?" she laughs.

"Something like that," he says, grinning at her as they reach the bathroom. Dawson leans in the doorframe as Joey searches for some cream to take off the make-up which she is sure Gale has somewhere.

"You know what?" she asks as she opens and closes different doors. "I told her when she was a baby: Don’t let them dress you in pink, don’t let them make you do all that girly stuff." She finally finds the cream. "But did she listen to me? No, of course not!" she exclaims, gesturing with her hands and looking at Dawson as he laughs. "A few hours with Audrey and everything I taught her, forgotten. And that is why I refused to buy anything remotely girly for Lily when we were doing some of our Christmas shopping last week."

"I see. Smart decision, I must say," Dawson laughs some more as he sees Joey applying the cream like a true expert. "And same goes for Amy, I guess. That’s why you almost knocked out that guy at the mall that was standing in your way of the children’s books, wasn’t it?" he asks amused, remembering that moment and the guy's stunned expression. It had been really hard for him not to burst out laughing when it happened.

Joey tries to look all-innocent. "Me, knocking out who?" Dawson just gives her a look. "Okay, okay! That was the last book by M. Williams left and she is one of the best writers of children’s book. I just had to get it," she explains. Dawson chuckles and Joey joins him. "See? That is what New York City can do to a sweet girl like me," she says, batting her eyelashes mockingly.

"Oh, please!" Dawson exclaims. "I still remember that time you hit that guy in high school with your lunch tray. Not to mention that scary girl’s boyfriend at my Friday the 13th party that you almost beat to death with a frying pan. You can’t blame New York for that," he says, raising his eyebrows and walking into the bathroom as she washs her face.

Joey just snickers. "Well, they deserved it, didn’t they?" she says as she turns the water off and reaches for the towel to dry her face. Dawson hands it to her and without even thinking, as she is wiping her face, he reaches for the end of the towel and dries the end of her nose playfully, smiling at her. Joey’s grin fades as she gazes into his eyes and before he knows what is happening, she is kissing him.

Witter’s house, after dinner

Andie is getting herself a cup of warm cocoa when she sees Mr. Witter sitting on his chair in the TV room, drinking a beer, looking slightly uncomfortable. Her comfort instincts kick in and she wanders over to him and, smiling tentatively, sits down. He looks over at her and smiles a little, shifting in his chair. Ever since he had that phone conversation with the girl so many years ago, he’s always been taken with Andie McPhee. He never understood why she and his wayward son never managed to stay together. He never really liked any of Pacey's other girlfriends. That is, the very few ones he got to know. Not even that brunette one from high school.

"That was a good dinner," Andie chirps, sipping her cocoa. "Your wife is an excellent cook."

"Yeah, she is," Mr. Witter agrees.” I guess that's where Pacey gets his ability from."

"And everyone is having a nice time. It's great to see Gretchen again. You have a wonderful family," Andie says warmly.
Mr. Witter smiles again, this time it is more genuine. "Thank you, Andie."

"But," Andie cocks her head to one side, studying him. "I can tell you’re not exactly… comfortable with a certain situation between your son and my brother."

He looks at her, surprised she is broaching the subject so openly. Then he remembers he is not dealing with a fifteen year old anymore.

"That’s putting it mildly," Mr. Witter snorts.

"I know that it may seem a little weird but it's your son’s happiness," Andie breathes and is about to continue but Mr. Witter interrupts.

"You think you know someone. You think your son is this…perfect, masculine role model and suddenly he tells you he’s gay. He was lying to us all along," Mr. Witter says, closing his eyes for a moment. Andie is surprised but pleased at this outburst. So Mr. Witter is human after all.

"I remember when I found out Jack was gay," Andie says, leaning back in her chair and sighing at the memory. "I was shocked. And I must say, I’m not proud of my first reaction at all. I just rejected him. I wanted him to forget about it. As if that was possible, you know? All I could think about was how it would affect my life. I was worrying about my life instead of his, not realizing that for him it was ten thousand times harder than it was for me. I also had all of these questions in my head, over and over again. Did the fact that he was gay mean he was different? Would he change?" Andie shakes her head. "But he didn’t change. He was…he is…Jack McPhee. Loyal, kind, smart, strong, with a preference for guys," she added with a little laugh. "But still the same guy. Still my brother."

Mr. Witter stares at his beer.

"I think the ones who suffer the hardest in all of this are Doug and Jack. Because coming out and telling everyone that you’re gay, that you’re ‘different’, has to be the hardest thing you can do," she finishes softly. She doesn’t mean to preach. She’s telling him what’s in her heart.

Mr. Witter finally looks up from his beer and gazes at her, thoughtfully, affectionately. Andie realizes he has Pacey's eyes.

"You know…remember how we talked…back when you and Pacey were…well," he hesitated. "When you were fifteen or so?"

"I remember," Andie says softly.

"Well, I liked you already. I could tell you were a good sort. You were good for my boy. You *are* good for him," he adds slightly slyly. This is a side of the imposing Mr. Witter Andie isn’t used to. She giggles and shakes off his hint with a brush of her hand. Whatever.

"I'm just surprised you remember that phone conversation at all. I guess that’s where Pacey's amazing memory comes from." Mr. Witter smiles gently. "I know Doug is good for Jack and I just know that my brother is good for Doug, too," she says hopefully.

Mr. Witter just leaned back, takes a swig of his beer and shrugs slightly. "We’ll see." Andie knows it will take time for him to get used to. And that’s okay.

Back to the bathroom at the Leery's house.

As Joey’s hand reaches to cup Dawson’s cheek, the kiss turns into a deeper one and she realizes he’s kissing her back. Her heart is beating out of control and suddenly the light goes on in her head. Dawson is kissing her back because *she* is kissing him. With a start, she breaks the kiss and the two of them stare at each other breathlessly.

Dawson looks at her, his lips swollen and an incredulous expression on his face. He’s about to say something but Joey’s feelings are swirling out of control inside of her and she doesn’t think she can handle analyzing anything just now. So she just puts a finger to his lips and looks at him with pleading eyes. They stare at each other for a moment before she turns and quickly walks out of the bathroom, practically bumping into Audrey.

"Hey, Bunny! I was looking for you and Dawson. Dinner is…," but she falls silent when she realizes Joey hasn’t even stopped to talk to her. Curious, she heads to the bathroom, so she doesn’t see Joey leaning on the wall by the stairs, her eyes closed and her hand resting on her chest, which is rising and falling quickly.

Meanwhile, Dawson is still in the bathroom, leaning on the sink, staring off into space, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time. Audrey walks into the bathroom and just leans on the sink next to him. She crosses her arms over her chest and raises an eyebrow. Dawson just lets out a long sigh and runs a hand through his hair, his heart still thundering in his ears.

"So… I would ask you what’s on your mind, Dawson, but given the way I’ve seen Joey running from here and knowing what I know about you two guys, I think I know," Audrey says, giving him a shove. He nods for a minute and turns to look at her.

"You women are so confusing, Audrey," Dawson sighs, noticing the look of fake shock on her face.

"Hey! Not all of us are as confused as the woman you might be referring to," Audrey exclaimed. "I love Joey. You know that. She’s awesome and one of my closest friends but that girl has issues."

"Really? You’re kidding? Not Joey!" Dawson gasps, looking surprised.

"Yeah, Joey,” Audrey laughs. Dawson manages to let out a throaty laugh. "We both know and love her but she confuses and surprises us at every corner," Audrey says, deep in thought for a moment.

"It seems we are destined to keep repeating the same choices until we finally get things right. But every choice has consequences and I’m starting to think that maybe following your heart isn’t always what’s best," Dawson says, thinking back to the kiss they just shared. Even though Joey initiated it, it wasn’t difficult for him at all to kiss her back. It was too easy, actually. And he felt something. Something he didn't expect and something that will probably always be there.

"Come on, Dawson. You know that’s not true. You, like everyone else can’t help how you feel. You should always follow your heart," Audrey consoles, knowing he’s confused.

"But aren’t you constantly setting yourself up for heartache if you keep going back, knowing that you will most likely get hurt as a result of acting or doing something about those feelings?" Dawson asks honestly, wondering what her response will be. Audrey thinks for a minute before answering, knowing that her answer will weigh on him heavily.

"No, it’s not. Because maybe this time, or next time or whenever the time is right, things will be different. Unless there is nothing to come back for. If so, yes, it would be stupid. But I don’t think this is the case. Is it?" Audrey smiles, seeing his face soften, thinking about her answer, as he hears a voice from the past.

'How many times are you gonna keep coming back?'
'Until there's nothing to come back for.'

And between him and Joey... there would always be something to come back for.

‘You and me... always.'

His thoughts are interrupted by Audrey. "You know what, Dawson? I don't believe in last chances. I think for some people, there are places, conversations...opportunities that don't happen just once. They repeat endlessly, until they get it right. That way, the things that are meant to find you...find you. And you don’t want to give up that chance, no matter what, right?"

Dawson sighs, but then he just looks at her. "Thanks," he finally says.

"You’re my friend too, Dawson. No matter what. And I wouldn’t be your friend if I didn’t say this," she takes a deep breath "I love Joey, I really do. But be careful. Because despite everything I’ve told you, I don’t want to see you get hurt," Audrey says softly, rubbing his back softly. "And if she does hurt you, I’ll kick her ass," she adds, in a mocking fierce tone. Dawson chuckles.

"I appreciate it, Audrey. I just wish things were simpler sometimes because I’m not sure I can do this anymore," he mutters.

"Hey! Who says things won’t be simple eventually?" Audrey cries. "And besides, if things were always easy, they wouldn’t be as worthwhile in the end."

"That’s what I’ve heard. Well, I don’t know about you but I’m starving," Dawson smiles as he smells the sweet smell of dinner drifting up from the kitchen.

"Me too. I came all the way up here to get you two. So...care to escort a girl to dinner?" Audrey asks slyly, offering him her arm. With a friendly nod, he links his with hers, leading her toward the dining room.

Back to the Witter’s house....

Still sitting on the couch, Andie has finished her cocoa. She puts it on the table next to her and relaxes, folding her arms. She’s reflecting on the situation. Her pretty face is alight and soft with hope and buoyancy.

"Working your magic, McPhee?" Pacey is standing above her, looking down at her appreciatively.

Andie just smiles slyly, "Maybe."

Pacey flops down next to her, spreading his legs out and letting his stomach stick out, a testament of the big meal.

"Seems like you have that magic touch when it comes to the Witter men." Pacey nods at his father, who is helping himself to dessert. "I saw you two having a heart-to-heart…"

Andie laughs, "I guess you could call it that." She pushes his leg a little. "You’ve gained ten pounds since the first course," she jokes. He groans and leans on her, heavier. She playfully tries to push him off but they end up leaning against each other anyway.

After a beat, he says, "My father is such an asshole sometimes. He’s so…unpredictable." Andie just listens. "It seems like we always come to some sort of truce...an understanding. And then boom, it’s gone. It never lasts." He slaps his knee for emphasis.

"He’s just confused, I think," Andie says helpfully. She brushes some lint off his shirt, and straightens his jacket. Pacey watches her, amused.

Both of them turn their heads and watch Mr. Witter approach Doug. He is smiling yet obviously hesitant one. Doug scratches his neck, nervously. Mr. Witter starts to talk about the rowdy party that Doug and his co-workers had broken up the week before. And what a good job they had done. “Those damn kids deserved to be thrown in the slammer.” Doug nods, and a smile starts to form on his face. It’s a little awkward, but Mr. Witter is obviously trying.

"Wow. He’s actually talking to his homosexual cop son," Pacey says sarcastically.

"Be patient," Andie says seriously, jabbing him in the chest gently. "Give him time. He’s trying. You were always so great about Jack being gay, even when I wasn’t, remember?" Pacey nods his head in silence. "And you were comfortable…and gloated, I might add, about Doug," she says throwing him a glare that is met by a smirk. "But, your father comes from a different era."

"Maybe," Pacey says gruffly. He sends his father and brother another curious glance, and then looks back at Andie. "So, you think they will come to an understanding sooner or later?"

"Well, I hope so. How sad it would be if they didn’t?" she asks, staring at them pensive. Pacey just smiles at her.

"What?" she asks, laughing, noticing his stare.

"Nothing. It’s just…," he straights up to look at her better in the eyes. Andie just looks at him suspiciously, wondering what it is he is about to say. "You’re somewhere inside there, aren’t you?" he asks, as if looking for something right into her eyes, playfully.

"What?" Andie laughs openly this time, as if he had turned crazy.

"You. That Andie that always expected the best from people and would never give up a fight to make someone a better person."

Andie just shakes her head with an embarrassed smile.

"You're silly," she says, smiling at him. Pacey grins back.

"Yeah, she’s still in there somewhere," she says. And for a moment they just stare at each other.

"Come on. Let's go get some dessert," he says, standing up and offering his hand to her, that she gladly takes with a smile on her face.

Later at the Leery's...

Dawson is standing on the Leery porch, taking in the scene in front of him and sipping from a coffee mug. His mind is wandering, so he continues to breathe deeply, hoping it will ease his mind and let him enjoy this time with his family and friends. Friends that he has been exchanging looks with over the table throughout the entire dinner. Understanding but amused looks from Audrey and awkward looks from Joey.

He sighs and is so lost in his thoughts that he doesn’t even hear Mike come out onto the porch, shutting the door quietly. Mike joins him, enjoying the same view that has captured Dawson’s attention.

"Well, what do you think, Dawson? I think I’m ready for the runways in New York," Mike laughs, looking behind him at his own reflection, laughing at the clips and hair moved all over his head. He has been caught again since Alex was complaining he had lost out on all the fun with his grandpa the first time around.

"Joey was right to hide from them and I would advise you to do the same…you’re a marked man," Mike jokes as he turns back to him, noticing Dawson giving him a sympathetic smile, but obviously his attention elsewhere.

"Well, Mike, I think you look darn handsome but I’m not sure that lipstick is your color,” Dawson dryly jokes.

"Ha! That grandson of mine said it was when Lily put it on." Dawson just smiles at him.

For a moment, the two of them stand there in a comfortable silence.

"You know, Dawson, I remember telling you years ago, on that horribly disastrous Christmas dinner at this house, how proud I was of you for working as the assistant director on that movie. And I want you to know again that I’m very proud of you and what you’ve become," Mike says honestly, trying to lighten the mood, since Dawson seems to be worried about something. He also knows Dawson is an important presence in his daughter’s life and he wants to make sure everything is okay.

"Thanks, Mike, but it’s only a television show. It’s just teen angst and melodrama that a few people happen to enjoy," Dawson sighs, shrugging his shoulders, not really wanting to get into all that. The fact that it’s his heart that he exposes every week for the whole world to see.

"Dawson, I would hardly call one of the most inspiring and influential looks at modern teen life just something a few people enjoy," Mike laughs.

"Well, it’s not exactly what I dreamt of years ago but parts of it have been therapeutic. You know, to re-live some of the most formative years of my life," Dawson says honestly.

"Believe it or not, Dawson, you’ve accomplished a lot. Perhaps it’s not exactly what you thought it would be but it’s something. Something important," Mike assures him, squeezing his shoulder. "And I know someone in particular, besides your mother, that is very proud of you as well."

"Ah, yes! The girl from down the creek," Dawson sighs, taking a deep breath, realizing where the conversation is going.

"Tell me about her, Dawson. Tell me about my daughter, because I really wanna do things right this time. And I know that if anyone can help me do that, it's you," Mike says, causing Dawson to glance at him in surprise. "She looks up to you. You’re like this perfect person to her. She trusts you. If you told her she could fly, she would probably believe it."

Dawson thinks about Mike’s words and his heart starts to beat erratically in his chest. Is that true? Is he really all those things to her? He knows he is. Because she is all those things to him.

"You’ve watched my show, right?"

Mike nods his head.

"Then, tell me something. There was this moment, probably one of the hardest moments in my entire life. I had to tell my girlfriend that her father was dealing drugs again and that she had to turn him in to the police. How do you think I should portray that?" he says, looking at Mike seriously.

"Just the way it was. You did the right thing. I’m just sorry Joey didn’t see it that way."

Dawson nods his head gravely at his response. "I don’t know if I have the right to ask this, but... Are you serious this time, Mike? Because, you know, you have the key to destroy her. If she finally opens up to you, just to have her heart broken again… she will need much more than a therapist to overcome that," Dawson confesses and he can’t help but show a light menace in the tone of his voice, his protective instincts for Joey kicking in.

But Mike holds his gaze firmly. "I’m just waiting for enough time to pass by to prove to everybody that I am here to stay. I won’t leave my family again."

After one more intense look is exchanged between the two of them, Dawson starts to talk.

"She’s a great person, a hard worker, and a very talented editor. She has worked hard to get where she is now. She has some flaws, mind you, but her virtues more than balance them out. None of us are perfect, right? Sometimes, I feel like we share one brain," Dawson laughs softly, "and we definitely share one soul. We think alike, we act alike and we know what the other person is thinking or doing before the other even knows. Which is weird, because we've hardly seen each other in the last five years. But after spending a few months hanging out together… it's as if that gap in time never happened. It’s been so easy to reconnect with her. Because we have always had this kind of… connection. A bond that nothing and no one was ever able to break. Not even ourselves, despite all our mistakes and all the pain we have caused each other." He pauses for a moment. "Even though she's the person that has hurt me the most, she's also the only person that could ever help me heal my wounds. She’s like the ying to my yang. I could go on with my life without her but without her, it’s not really much of a life. She’s still the honest, stubborn and loyal girl she was when we first met. And I still see that girl in her heart, fighting to get out. I see her soul and what she wants to be.”

“But then there are times when I look at her and I wonder if I truly understand her. She won’t tell me things. She has all these feelings of hesitation and fear that still rule her life and hold her back. And I can’t always reach her...but I hear her. Even after all these years, I see her and she’s still my best friend, my soulmate, my inspiration, my…"

"Everything?"

Dawson looks at him, feeling like he had stepped back in time. Mr. Potter laughs softly and nods.

"Well, Dawson, I can’t offer you much advice on my daughter because she still confuses and mystifies even me. But I can tell you this... Joey is a lot like her mother," Mr. Potter says softly, remembering Lillian for a moment. "One minute you love her and the next, you want to strangle her because she’s so damn frustrating. But she is also a lot like me, I’m afraid. When she gets mad or when she plays it tough and hides her feelings. Or even when she says things she doesn’t mean to hurt people before they hurt her, sometimes even without knowing she is doing so… and believe me, she regrets that later. I know I did every time I let my emotions get the best off me, like she usually does. So, while there are moments that are maddening and confusing… and times when she pulls away...don’t let her. I believe that’s when her soul is reaching out the most." He is the one who is looking now in front of him with his eyes transfixed at some point beyond the creek. "She may fight you, Dawson, but you can’t let that get in your way…not like I did. It may take time, but don’t lose your inspiration. Nothing that you try to replace it with is ever the same and you deserve more than that."

Dawson sighs, nodding his head.

"Women," Mike starts, smirking a bit. "Can’t live with them..."

"Can’t live without them," Dawson finishes, smirking back. Both men look at each other and nod before breaking out into laughter.

The Witter’s house

Finally, everybody seems to be engaged in some kind of conversation in the living room. Grams is holding Amy in her lap, with Pacey and Andie sitting by her side. The Witters are sitting in front of them with Gretchen in the middle of her parents. Jack is standing in a corner, just watching them, when someone approaches him from behind.

"Hey," Doug says. Jack turns to him, hands in his pockets.

"Hey," he replies.

For a moment, nothing more needs to be said and they just smile at each other. Jack’s smile is sad, and Doug’s smile is too. Doug clears his throat and starts to speak.

"Look, Jack. This might not be the best moment, but there is something I need to tell you. We really should talk," he says, waiting for Jack’s reaction, but he just nods his head. Doug nods back, suddenly not knowing where to start.

"Okay, so just let me start by asking you a question. Do you still love me?"

Jack is surprised by the question, but he nods his head in response.

"Well, if so, why are we drifting apart? And don’t tell me we’re not, because we are," Doug says, getting closer to him. Jack just sighs. "And I can’t for the life of me figure out the reason. I feel powerless to stop it. And believe me, that is not a nice feeling."

"It's not you, Doug. It's me. I am under a lot of pressure right now. I am worried about my job because I can hardly concentrate. All my thoughts go to Amy and what I can do to keep her. I am worried so much about her. I am worried about what might happen to Grams if we lose her. I get the feeling that little girl is the only thing that keeps her here. I am worried about us, too. Because I know what you’re talking about. I’ve felt the distance, too."

He looks at Doug with a sad expression in his face. "I know I’m asking too much from you but I can’t help it. I’m becoming this clingy person that wants you to be with me all the time. And trust me, I don’t like being like that. And I’m sorry if I am giving you a hard time."

"Jack, I’m not looking for an apology, I wanna know what I can do. Tell me what you need…"

"You can't do anything, Doug," Jack states blankly. "This is not about you. Didn’t you hear me? It’s me. Me and the way things are in my life right now, and... this," he gestures with his hand to the group of people gathering in the living room around the table. "The position I put you in by coming here tonight. The way your father has been looking at me all night - as if I had committed a crime or something. And I just can’t take it right now. If I hadn’t had any other worries in my life at this moment, I could have fought against him. I would have tried to talk to him and tell him that we are what we are and that no matter what he thinks, that’s how it is. But I can’t right now," Jack says, closing his eyes and rubbing them with his fingers.

"What do you mean you can’t? You don’t need to fight. Screw my father!" Doug says fiercely, approaching his face to him so anyone else can hear. "This is about you and me. I don’t need anyone’s approval to be with you."

"I know, but I don’t want you to lose your family because of me. Maybe… maybe it's just too soon for this."

And with that he walks out of the room, leaving a very puzzled Doug behind. What just happened? He feels even more confused now than he was before.

The Leery's porch

Dawson wanders out the front door onto the porch. Joey is sitting on the porch lounge chair, staring off into the distance. He coughs nervously, then shoves his hands in his pockets and joins her on the lounge. Joey looks at him, her expression a mix of anticipation and anxiousness. She was just trying to gather the courage to go inside and talk to him. It seems like Dawson found that courage already.

("Stranded" by Plumb, starts playing in the background)

"I think we need to talk," Dawson says seriously.

"Yes, I think we do…" She’s about to say something, but Dawson interrupts, quickly. He needs to say this before she says anything else or before he says something he might regret later.

You know it breaks my heart
To see you standing in the dark
Alone waiting there for me to come back
I'm too afraid to show

"Okay, so we kissed in the bathroom. And it was a nice kiss. But, the situation here is that you were…I mean, I know why we kissed," he added hastily, hoping his heart isn’t beating too fast.

Joey waits, dubious. "You do?" she crosses her arms.

"Yeah," he confirms.

"Enlighten me," she flickers an eyebrow, as if to challenge him. Dawson takes a deep breath.

If it's coming over you
Like it's coming over me
I'm crashing like a tidal wave
That drags me out to sea

"You’re still feeling vulnerable, upset, and all that comes with a break up of that magnitude… maybe had a little too much spiked eggnog and we were just caught up in the moment. I mean, I know you didn’t mean to kiss me. It just…happened. But you don’t need to give me an explanation about it or anything because I already know."

"You do?" she asks, still not knowing how to interpret his words.

I want to be with you
If you want to be with me
Crashing like a tidal wave
I don't want to be
Stranded
So baby come back to me {Stranded}

"I mean, we are so close. Closer than close," he keeps on talking. "It’s not surprising we get our lines crossed sometimes," Dawson chuckles. "That’s what we always did, didn’t we? I mean, how long did we play that game? Years. For as long as I can remember, anyway. So I guess it might take us some time to get used to it. To this 'just friendship' thing we've got going on." He throws her a somehow anxious look, just like the one she gave to him when he walked onto the porch.

I can only take so much
These tears are turning me to rust
I know you're waiting there for me to come back
I'm too afraid to show

She ponders his words for a moment. She wants to climb into his room, pull down the blinds, and pour her heart out to him. To talk to her best friend about how confused she is, about all the questions, the doubts, the…dreams. She feels like that girl in detention that had all of these emotions inside and didn't know how to confide them to the only person they were all about, even though she wanted to do that so much.

I miss you
I miss you
Without you
I'm stranded

But just one look in his eyes tells her that he is not ready to deal with all that again. And maybe she isn’t, either. Maybe it all will go downhill again if she tells him everything. Because she knows what happens whenever their feelings are out in the open and one of them is unable to bare the intensity of it... they walk away. And if there is one thing she couldn't bare right now, it's the thought of Dawson walking away from her.

I love you
So come back
I'm not afraid to show

"Of course, you’re right," Joey agrees a little forcefully, nodding and smiling at him biting her lips in a tense smile. Dawson nods too.

"Yeah, I hope so…" He relaxes back onto the chair and sighs a sigh of relief.

Crashing like a tidal wave
Drags me out to sea
I want to be with you

Joey remains taut, however. Her hands are in her lap and her knees are together, as if she can’t bare to touch him right now, for fear of what might happen if she does.

You want to be with me
Crashing like a tidal wave
I don't want to be
Stranded

"So," Dawson says as he angles his head towards Joey. "What are you gonna get me for Christmas?" he asks brightly, returning to a neutral ground, glad that they resolved things.

"Forget it. I’m not telling you. You’ll have to wait a few weeks," Joey says awkwardly.

"Awwwww," Dawson whines.

"Anyway, I got some ideas on my mind but I haven’t really made a decision. Besides, you know I’ve been way too busy this last week," Joey sighs, venturing her gaze over to him again.

"Yeah I know. And I can totally relate to that," Dawson says, nodding in agreement. He grins slyly, and points at her with his finger. "Although, I've got to say, I know perfectly well what I’m gonna buy you. And I’m not telling. Unless…we can make a deal," he says and lifts his chin. "If you tell me, I’ll…"

"No," Joey interrupts bluntly.

(Last part of "Stranded " starts playing in the background)

"Fine. I’ll be keeping my eyes on you when we go shopping. I’ll figure it out. We’re still going shopping together next week, right?" he asks hopefully.

Joey nods her head and smiles at him. "As if I would let you get out of that one so easily!"

"Good then." He smiles at her and hops up off the chair. He feels the urge to touch her and his hand reaches out to her, to touch her face, neck, or ear. But unsure, he doesn’t, and his hand just sways in the vicinity of the curve of her neck. Despite not being touched, Joey shivers anyway and looks down quickly at her knees.

It's coming over you {Stranded}
It's coming over you {Stranded}
It's coming over you {Stranded}

"I’ll see you inside," Dawson says softly and then goes back towards the house. Joey’s expression gives away everything she is feeling. She’s relieved he can’t see her emotions written across her face. Exhausted from the intense feelings, she drops her head into her hands.

So baby come back to me {Stranded}
So baby come back to me {Stranded}

As Dawson rounds the corner, he leans on the wall, pondering his words to her and asking himself how sincere those words were. He closes his eyes and lays his head back, resting it against the wall.

Coming over you
Coming over me

Still sitting on the porch, Joey casts a glance in the direction of where Dawson has disappeared.

So baby come back to me
So baby come back to me

The Witter’s house

Gretchen is carrying Amy, tickling her sides and laying soft kisses on her cheek as she walks into the Witter living room. The dishes are finally finished. She pauses for a moment and takes in the scene before her, smiling to herself. There is Doug and her father, sitting side by side and chatting, trying to move past the uneasiness and the awkwardness that was there earlier. They are getting along better than they were an hour ago, she thinks.

Looking over to the side, she notices Jack, Grams and Mrs. Witter chatting, going through old photo albums, no doubt so that Jack can embarrass Doug later on. However, the smile on Jack’s face seems to be a sad one and when she catches him throwing glances at Doug, she wonders what is going on.

Watching them for a moment, she shifts her gaze again and notices Pacey and Andie sitting on the loveseat, chatting and laughing like old friends. Contemplating whom she should join, Gretchen catches Pacey's eye and he motions silently for her to join them, even pulling a chair up for her. For a moment, the entire Witter family is getting along and not fighting or arguing about something. Which so rarely happens.

"Here, Gretchen. Take a load off and join in the game of ‘Pass The Baby’." Pacey laughs, making a funny face at Amy, who giggles happily.

"Oh, it’s my turn for that," Andie giggles, taking Amy from Gretchen even though Pacey had stretched his arms to take her.

"You’ve been with her the entire evening. So now, it's my turn," she says, getting a dirty look from Pacey that she graciously ignores. She lightly bounces Amy on her lap. "You are such a pretty baby girl, aren’t you?" she comments. Amy continues to giggle and touch Andie’s face lightly.

"Be careful, Andie! Think about how much that little princess ate for dinner. How imagine how much spit up could end up on that cashmere sweater on yours," Pacey laughs, noticing Andie stop immediately and she laughs slightly.

"Well then, I think I should make sure that doesn’t happen," Andie says softly, raising her eyebrows and steadying Amy in her arms before walking quickly back into the kitchen to get a towel.

"I like her. Although the memories I have of her are not that good. You know, the whole ecstasy thing," Gretchen says, watching Pacey's expression. He groans.

"God, what an awful night that was. She scared the hell out of me and even made me feel… guilty," he says, with a contemplative look in his face.

"And why was that?" Gretchen inquires.

"I don’t know. Because I was with Joey. Because she was alone," Pacey says while waving one his hands in the air, not really knowing how to express it. "Looking back, I know she made the right decision when she decided to leave." There is a pause as he thinks over this. "And yeah, I guess in some aspects, she’s still the same old Andie. But in other aspects, she seems to have changed a lot. But haven’t we all?" Pacey sighs, catching his sister's gaze. "So, big sis, are you going to tell me, your favorite brother, why you’re here? Or do I get to play 20 questions?"

"It’s the holidays, Pacey. And this dysfunctional group, for better or worse, is our family. And the two, they kind of go together," Gretchen says, half lying.

"Really? Well if that’s true that’s super, Gretch. But I thought it might have had something to do with a phone call I got while I was in New York not too long ago," Pacey inquires, watching intently the look on her face to see if he’s right.

"Well, you’re partially right there, little brother. But it’s the holidays and I don’t really want to get into it right now, if you don’t mind," Gretchen says softly, looking around to make sure no one else has heard them.

"Okay. I won’t push but I want you to know that what you tell me stays with me. I’m not going to run off to Mom, Dad or Doug and rat you out," Pacey whispers, seeing her nod quickly.

"I just want a bit of peace. Just for now," Gretchen sighs.

"You definitely came to the wrong place if you want that," Pacey laughs, leaning back in his chair. "See, you’re fortunate enough be surrounded by one of the craziest families I know. So if you’re looking to ease your mind, I would go elsewhere."

"Well, they’ve seen me and I’ve eaten with them so I think escaping right now isn’t an option," Gretchen says, trying not to laugh.

"True, true. You’re in the Witter ‘inner circle’ now. Run away as fast as you can!" Pacey jokes, enjoying the sound of his sister’s laugh.

"Speaking of personal issues, how are you, little brother? How’s life without a certain brunette?" Gretchen asks hesitantly, not wanting to disrupt the peace in the Witter household.

"Ah, fine. Good, actually...professionally speaking," Pacey smiles. "Work is good, busy and exciting. I just offered Mike Potter a job, actually."

"Really? Any subtext in that move?" Gretchen asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope, strictly business…well, mostly business," Pacey admits. "It has nothing to do with Joey or wanting to get back with her. It’s just reaching out to help someone who could use a break and deserves a chance."

"Well, that’s very noble of you, Pacey," Gretchen says with affection, patting his shoulder.

"Yeah, well, I do nice things every once in awhile," he smiles, watching his sister roll her eyes.

"Typical Pacey," she sighs, taking in the peaceful sight again in front of her. "This is kind of nice, though, isn’t it?" she asks.

"Yeah, for once, it really is. No fighting, yelling or people being pissed off. I think I could get used to this!" Pacey exclaims with a satisfied smile.

"Me too," Gretchen whispers, looking over at Pacey, who extends his hand to her and she accepts, just sitting in the moment together, enjoying the tranquil family setting.


A montage of different images…

And so…another chaotic, eventful (but not boring) Thanksgiving ends.

(‘I Don’t Know Why’, by Norah Jones starts playing in the background)

Grams is thanking Mrs. Witter for the invitation as Andie kisses Mr. Witter on the cheek, and he smiles, dumbfounded. Pacey laughs and gathers her up in a bear hug, smiling broadly into her shoulder. Andie is wearing the exact same expression.
Jack and Doug leave the house, walking close together, although they’re not talking. They suddenly turn back as someone is calling for them. Gretchen throws her arms around both of them from behind and smiles at them as they walk to their car. Pacey and Andie leave arm-in-arm with Grams, who is cradling an almost asleep Amy against her chest.

I waited 'til I saw the sun
I don't know why I didn't come
I left you by the house of fun
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come

At the Leery's, Audrey is the first one out the door, fluffing her hair out over her scarf, then walking out to her car. Gale calls out and Audrey turns around, catching her car keys that Gale throws. She shrugs and John laughs.
Lily waves enthusiastically from the doorframe and looks up adoringly at her brother, who smiles down at her and puts his hand on her head for a moment.

Alex and Mike walk towards Mike’s truck, but not before Mike thanks Gale with a quick peck on the cheek and shakes John’s hand. Alex shyly waves. Joey hugs Gale, Lily, even John briefly, and then smiles quickly at Dawson before standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. As she moves away, they stare at each other and slow smiles spread in their faces.

When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand

As Joey walks out to the family car, the front door closes, to shield the family from the cold wind. Joey looks back at the house before getting into the truck. Her expression is one of almost expecting something, or someone, to come outside, to tell her…what? Nothing. She hugs herself with one arm and unlocks the truck door, sliding inside next to Alex and blowing on her hands. The weather suddenly changed in the evening, and now it was rather cold.

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever

At that very moment, Dawson swings open the door, his face almost identical to Joey’s. He wants to say something, too. But what? She is already inside the truck and Mike has already turned on the engine. The moment is gone. Dawson slowly shuts the front door.

Joey slides her forehead against the door window. Always running. Always unfinished. She thought their tumultuous history had finished that day on the picnic table. But now, less than a year later, it felt like it was starting all over again.

Mike pats her shoulder gently and she looks up at him, smiling weakly. Time to go home. Time to go back to New York, to her job. So she could forget, if just for one day, about this whole, confusing situation. Of course, that was just until she saw him again.

Out across the endless sea
I would die in ecstasy
But I'll be a bag of bones
Driving down the road alone

The Potter’s truck backs out onto the road and as Mike drives away, Dawson stands at his old bedroom window and watches her leave. Gazing upward, he sees snow starting to gently fall. "Gotta make a wish on the first snowfall," he reminisces softly to his reflection. The scene spans away from the Leery house, just as the first snowflake falls onto the grass.

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever
Something has to make you run
I don't know why I didn't come
I feel as empty as a drum

Joey turns around in her seat to have a last look at the Leery house. Her face is blank but there is something in her eyes. A regret, an unfinished thought… unspoken words. Just then, she looks up at the sky and realizes it's snowing, which makes a sad smile spread across her face. The first snowfall. She watches two snowflakes land side-by-side on the window… together. Always together.

I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come

CREDITS