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| Okay, so, I'm, for the most part, a P/Jer but that doesn't mean I haven't wondered about how a D/J could work. There are countless scenarios we've all thought of, but now, I've decided to give a short fanfic on how this D/J ending becomes a reality, while we leave Pacey happy.
This first scene, below, fits in sometime before Jen's death. Assume that none of the main parts of the story have been changes. Jen is dying. Gale is remarried. Pacey has the Icehouse. Dawson has The Creek.
It's not going to be long, but I'm looking forward to what I can do with it.
Enjoy. |
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| FADE IN:
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY
Dawson and Pacey are sitting in the hospital waiting room alone. They are each drinking coffee and wearing solemn expressions.
PACEY
Dawson, what do you think’s going on in Jen’s head right now?
DAWSON
There’s no telling. Even attempting to fathom the scenarios formulating in her head right now would floor me.
PACEY
Well, we’re in the right place if you do drop over.
Dawson forces a small laugh.
PACEY
Not funny, I know. I’m sorry.
DAWSON
No, that’s what I need. I need something to keep me smiling. I don’t smile a lot these days.
PACEY
The show’s not going well? I thought you guys were setting WB records.
DAWSON
We are. It’s not that. It’s everything. Just everything: the fact that I don’t see my family anymore. The fact that I don’t see my friends anymore. The fact that I don’t see…Joey anymore.
PACEY (with a smile)
She’s got a way of ruining things, doesn’t she?
DAWSON
You better believe it.
PACEY
I wouldn’t trade her, though.
DAWSON
I wouldn’t either. She’s made me a lot of money recently. It’s wonderful.
PACEY
Hey, Petey’s part of the success, too. Don’t ever forget that. Actually, I read an article in TV Guide where they said that it’s Petey’s charm, wit, and undeniable good looks that have kept the show going.
DAWSON
You realize that calling Petey good looking, you’re not complimenting yourself, but rather a B-list actor from a few bad Disney movies, correct? It actually makes you sound somewhat, how do I say this…gay.
PACEY
Jack’s done okay for himself.
DAWSON
Point taken.
PACEY
I love her, Dawson.
DAWSON
I do too. I always have.
PACEY
Do you think it’ll always be this way? This triangle?
DAWSON
I don’t know. I hope not.
PACEY
Should we, like, ask her to choose?
DAWSON
Who’s to say she wants either of us?
PACEY
I guess you’re right. Who’s to say we deserve her?
DAWSON
I don’t even know if it’s really her choice.
PACEY
What do you mean?
DAWSON
I mean that maybe it’s our choice. Maybe one of us has to agree to step back. For good.
Pacey glares at Dawson.
PACEY
Are you willing to do that?
DAWSON
No. At least, I don’t think so. I don’t know.
PACEY
Right. Well, I’m not either.
There’s a silence and then Dawson chuckles.
DAWSON
I swear to God, Pacey, sometimes I’m so self-absorbed I want to hurt myself. I mean, Jen’s lying in that hospital room, dying, and I’m out here ready to have a thumb war with you over Joey.
PACEY
If you don’t think that’s what Jen wants, then you really should kill yourself.
DAWSON
You think Jen wants to see a thumb war?
PACEY
No, no, I mean, she wants you distracted. She doesn’t want anything to change. Just live life, Dawson and if reviving this doomed triangle helps us do that, then so be it.
Dawson and Pacey stare at each other. There’s no animosity, only a genuine and shared love for the same woman. |
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| EXT. ICEHOUSE – DAY
Jen is dead and family and friends have gathered at the Icehouse. The story moves the same way it does on TV as we move to…
INT. ICEHOUSE KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS
Pacey enters the kitchen to find JOEY rummaging through things.
PACEY
Hey.
JOEY
I’m looking for serving spoons.
PACEY
Um, they’re probably in the bin.
JOEY
Now come on, how do you expect to run a restaurant if you can’t remember where the spoons are?
PACEY
Well, I haven’t had time to get my thoughts together today.
JOEY
I know. (Beat) How are you?
PACEY
Um, I’m hanging in there. It’s what we have to do. It’s what Jen would want.
JOEY
Don’t use her name.
PACEY
Why not?
JOEY
Because, when I hear it, I want to turn around and look for her and she’s not going to be there.
PACEY
What should we call her?
JOEY
Let’s call her, “The Bitch from New York.”
PACEY
Yeah, that’s how we can preserve her memory.
JOEY
Well, it just takes me back to when I hated her. It’d be a lot easier right now if I thought I hated her, so let’s just pretend. (Beat) Do you remember when she first moved here?
PACEY (grinning)
Sea Creatures. I definitely do. That was the first time I ever grabbed your ass, you know.
JOEY
You said I didn’t have one.
PACEY
Well, not a good one. It’s there though.
Joey punches Pacey on the arm.
JOEY
Don’t make me laugh.
PACEY
Don’t make me cry.
There’s a pause as they look at the ground.
JOEY
We’ve come a long way since that movie.
PACEY
Yeah, we have.
JOEY
Especially you.
PACEY
You’re doing okay for yourself, too.
JOEY
Yeah, but without sounding arrogant, people told me I would. Pacey, you overcame adversity. You overcame every thing thrown at you. And look at you now.
PACEY
It was a team effort, Joe.
JOEY
No, maybe it was a team effort in the beginning. Maybe it was Dawson, Andie, and I who pushed you but it was up to you not to fight back. And you didn’t.
PACEY
I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, though.
JOEY
I haven’t been here for five years, Pace. And yet, we’re at your restaurant in your kitchen looking for your serving spoons. Don’t sell yourself short, Pacey. You’re here because of you. Your life is where it is because of you. You’re not the black sheep of the Witter family anymore. You’re not the failure you thought you were. You’re none of that. You’ve gotten everything you’ve wanted.
Pacey stares at her for a moment. He smiles and drops his head then turns around. He rummages through a drawer and pulls out serving spoons. He hands them to Joey.
PACEY
Here ya go, Joe. Thanks.
They hug and Joey exits leaving Pacey looking confused. |
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| EXT. THE CREEK PIER – DAY
Dawson is sitting on the pier with a notepad and pencil. He’s staring off into space. Joey walks down the pier and sits beside him.
JOEY
Hey there, Hollywood.
DAWSON
Hey Joe.
JOEY
What are you doing?
DAWSON
Writing.
JOEY
With a pencil?
DAWSON
I’m old fashioned, I guess. The pencil seems less threatening than the Powerbook, too. Plus, this way, I can’t be bombarded with vicious instant messages.
JOEY
Getting anywhere?
DAWSON
Not really. Curse of the unwritten ending, I guess.
JOEY
Don’t make it anything sad. Please. Make it happy. I can’t take anymore life or death situations.
DAWSON
You know, it’s funny. People use those words like they’re opposites, but birth is the opposite of death. Life has no opposite.
JOEY
Never thought of that.
DAWSON
Leave it to me to over-think it.
JOEY
You are the writer. What are you stuck on?
DAWSON
The ending. Everything’s built up to this one moment and I don’t know how to finish it.
JOEY
If you think it’s tough on you, think about poor Sam.
Dawson laughs and then jots something down.
JOEY
What was that?
DAWSON
Well, it might be a cop-out, but maybe I can end it like that for now. Where she’s so confused that she chooses herself.
JOEY
I think they did that on 90210.
DAWSON
90210 did everything first. The best you can hope for is that you do it better.
JOEY
Don’t you wish life was like that?
DAWSON
Better than 90210?
JOEY
No, nothing could beat a Mega Burger. I mean, don’t you wish that if you couldn’t make up your mind, you didn’t have to choose? You could just take a summer break.
DAWSON
Joe, I’m not trying to pressure you into anything. I’m not asking that you choose. I’m not asking for anything. I’m just writing a script.
JOEY
I know. But the truth is Dawson, the truth is that I want to choose. And I know who it should be. I’ve always known. I’m just afraid that I’ll hurt the other. Maybe that’s pretentious, but it’s true. I don’t want this to be like the end of junior year.
DAWSON
We’ve come a long way since then, Joe.
JOEY
I’d like to think that, but sometimes, I feel like I’m even younger.
Joey stares out at the water and Dawson watches her. He follows her gaze and they seem transfixed.
PACEY (O.S.)
Hey you two.
Dawson and Joey turn around to see Pacey walking up. He sits down beside Joey.
JOEY
Hey Pace.
DAWSON
Pacey. Welcome.
JOEY
What brings you here?
PACEY
I wanted to talk. To both of you.
JOEY
What is it?
PACEY
(To Dawson) Dawson, I’m sorry for everything. For everything I did to impair our friendship. For everything that ever caused you any pain, I’m sorry.
DAWSON
Pace, I’m just as much at fault as you, if not more.
PACEY
Hold on. Not now. (To Joey) Joey, you’re off the hook.
JOEY
Off the what?
PACEY
I love you Joey. I really do. But, I’ve learned that it’s purely platonic now. We were in love a long time ago, yes, and God, I cherish that year. Regardless of how it began or how it ended, it was perfect. But, Joey, one of the best parts of our relationship was that you made me better. You challenged me and you asked me to step up. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. And, when I look at everything I have now, I’m eternally grateful. My car, my house, my restaurant, that’s all because of you, whether you admit it or not. For the first time in my life, I feel comfortable on my own. I loved loving you Joey and I need you in my life, but I don’t need you the way I once did. There was a time when I was scared to be alone, but not anymore. Not anymore. So, what I’m saying Joey, is that regardless of where our lives take us, regardless of who ends up with who, that I’m going to be okay.
Joey wipes a tear from her eye and Dawson swallows hard. Then, he looks out at the water.
JOEY
Oh my God, Pacey.
DAWSON
Wow, Pace. Would you like a job? I could use someone like you.
Pacey smiles and then stands up. The other two follow.
PACEY
I think I’ll be okay.
Pacey looks at Joey and mouths, “Thank you,” and then kisses her on her forehead. He reaches out and shakes Dawson’s hand.
PACEY
Thank you, Dawson.
DAWSON
Thank you, Pacey.
Pacey walks off leaving Dawson and Joey by themselves.
JOEY
Well, that was something.
DAWSON
Yeah, it was.
JOEY
But, it’s what I wanted to hear.
DAWSON
What?
JOEY
For me, it’s always been you, Dawson. Every move that I ever made, I made with you in mind. Every part of my life has been somehow connected to you. And I want every move I make from here on out to be with you and for you.
DAWSON
Really?
JOEY
You’re not a consolation prize, Dawson. Don’t think that. Please.
DAWSON
Are you sure you’re ready to do this? To make this commitment. We’ve never been able to make this work, you know.
JOEY
And no one can say that we’ll be able to make it work now. But, I want to try. I want to give it my all. Just you and me.
DAWSON
You and me?
JOEY
Always.
They embrace.
FADE OUT. |
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