"DAWSON'S CREEK" and other related entities are owned, (TM) and © by Procter & Gamble Productions (PGP) and Outbank Entertainment in association with Columbia TriStar/Sony Pictures Television. All Rights Reserved. This transcript is posted here without their permission, approval, authorization or endorsement. Any reproduction, duplication, distribution or display of this material in any form or by any means is expressly prohibited. It is absolutely forbidden to use it for commercial gain.For Entertainment and Educational purposes only. No infringement intended. ==========================
TRANSCRIPT:
==========================

(Capeside High - Jen and Dawson are walking through school together.)

Jen: Genetic inevitability is what it is.

Dawson: What's what it is?

Jen: The fact that I'm turning into my mother. Take this whole Homecoming Queen debacle.

Dawson: Your mom was an HQ?

Jen: Ah, she was Miss Cape Cod, same difference… who graduated from swimsuit competition to a life of cucumber sandwiches, high teas and junior league.

Dawson: Point being?

Jen: It's just, despite all my best efforts, I too have managed to reach the very pinnacle of Capeside popular culture. Dawson, I have sold my soul. I have become that false character who just follows their name around.

Dawson: Beat yourself up much, Jen?

Jen: Only when I deserve it. Just another happy character flaw brought to you directly from Mommy Dearest.

Dawson: You know, I think you've got it backwards. I don't think anyone voted for you because you're like your mom. I think they voted for you because you're different.

Jen: They voted for me because I'm blonde and I fill out my sweater.

Dawson: That too, but I think, what… no, when kids voted for you they voted for an outsider, you know? A provocateur. Messiah to lead them from the mainstream.

(The two run into Mr. Milo.)

Mr. Milo: There she is. Miss Lindley, may we interrupt?

Jen: With good news, I hope, Mr. Milo.

Mr. Milo: Allow me to introduce you to Capeside High's finest. You are looking at half a century of Homecoming Queens. Ladies, may I present Miss Jennifer Lindley. 1999's proud addition to your number.

Miss Freckling: My name is Constance Freckling of the Mayflower Frecklings, famous Freckilng's Candies. I'm the oldest living HQ. Now Jennifer, if you'll extend your index finger along the inside of my wrist like this. (She takes Jen's hand) Congratulations. You've learned the secret handshake. Welcome to the club. I've heard all about you.

(Jen gives a half smile as all the ladies began to gush on. Dawson just smirks. Potter Residence - Bessie, Joey, and Pacey are outside as men work around the house.)

Bessie: Guys, it's all so exciting. Now, tell me, whose brilliant idea was this again?

Pacey and Joey: Mine.

Pacey: Okay, it was your sister's idea to craft this place into a bed and breakfast, but I'm the one who told her how she could do it for next to nothing.

Bessie: Oh, and Pacey, be sure and thank your Dad again for getting us the help.

Pacey: Ah, please, I finally figured out what the police auxiliary in this town is for. (pouring coffee for himself and Joey) Take it black?

Joey: Yeah.

Pacey: Ok, Potter, what's up?

Joey: Well, considering that a lot of our insurance money is going to be swallowed up in this, I just hope it all works out.

Pacey: It'll work.

Joey: It better. I can't go back to the marina gig.

Pacey: Yeah, whatever happened with that creep anyhow?

Joey: Long story. He was going on a date with, ah, somebody that I know, and I was concerned about her and I tried to warn her and, as a result he fired me the next day.

Pacey: Oh what a charmer. So who was the girl?

Joey: (avoiding eye contact) No one you know.

Pacey: Really?

Joey: Yep…

Pacey: Yeah, Potter, do yourself a favor. Never go into politics. You're constitutionally incapable of lying with a straight face. So who was she? (Joey just looks at him uncomfortable and Pacey figures it out) Oh.

Joey: Sorry. I wasn't going to tell you, Pacey.

Pacey: Why do I feel like I just got hit with a sledge-hammer?

Joey: If it's any consolation, it won't last. I mean, Andie's way too smart to fall for that jerk's act…

Pacey: Hey, it's okay. Whatever makes her happy, right?

(Leery Residence - Dawson walks into the kitchen.)

Dawson: Hey Dad, I'm home. Mom?

Gail: Hey.

Dawson: Hey! (giving her a hug)

Gail: Oh Honey, I've missed you so much.

Dawson: What are you doing home?

Gail: What, a mother can't surprise her son?

Dawson: I'm not complaining.

Mitch: (entering kitchen) I can tell you why she's here - this year's HQ gala.

Gail: Your father knows me too well. Being an HQ from a certain undisclosed year in the late seventies, yeah, I thought I'd come home.

Mitch: Late seventies? (Gail laughs) Hello, Gail.

Gail: Hi, Mitch.

Dawson: You know, Jen's planning it.

Gail: The gala? Jen Lindley?

Mitch: Yeah, Capeside's newest Homecoming Queen.

Gail: Well, how on earth did that happen?

Dawson: Nobody's quite sure, although I'm interpreting it as an early sign of the Armageddon.

Gail: Hmm, well at the very least, that should make for a fun time for us. (looking at Dawson)

Dawson: Have you developed a lazy eye or were you actively looking in my direction when you said "us"?

Gail: Honey, I need an escort.

(Dawson looks uncomfortable at Mitch, as does Gail, til he walks out. Capeside High Cafeteria - Joey and Pacey sit together at lunch with Andie walks up and begins to sit down.)

Andie: Hi.

Pacey: (getting up immediately) You know, I just remembered I got some French vocab to study for.

Andie: You don't take French.

Pacey: Well, all the more reason, right? (he leaves)

Andie: You told him.

Joey: It slipped out over breakfast.

Andie: Breakfast?

Joey: Yeah, Pacey's been helping Bessie and me with the addition. You know, the one we're investing every spare cent we have to build so we can hopefully open soon and financially barely scrape by?

Andie: Look, Joey, it wasn't my fault you got fired, and even if it was, which it wasn't, you can't stay mad at me forever.

Joey: Not forever... a few solid months.

Andie: Ok, I don't know what Rob and I are. All I know is I can't help it. I like him.

Joey: For now, but I can promise you this, Andie. You're going to get a big, fat 'I told you so'.

(Freckling Mansion - Jen goes to the door and reading a note on it, walks inside.)

Miss Freckling: (walking in) Don't slouch, young lady. Square your shoulders, and face the world! (motioning towards a dress on a tailoring dummy) What do you think?

Jen: Excuse me?

Miss Freckling: The dress. It's nearly finished. I make a new one every year for tomorrow's gala celebration.

Jen: Oh. See that 's what I wanted to…

Miss Freckling: One must remain modern, after all. I'm thinking of lifting the hem and softening the neckline a little.

Jen: Softening would be good. Listen, Mrs. Freckling…

Miss Freckling: Miss Freckling. I never married.

(Sudden banging on the roof.)

Jen: Oh, what in the (going to say 'hell' but catching herself)… world was that?

Miss Freckling: Hank.

Jen: Hank?

Miss Freckling: My handyboy. Lovely child. Lives right down the road. Presently, he's hanging extra twinkle bulbs on my roof.

Jen: Oh yeah, about that party… I hope that you don't mind, but-well it's just that I've been through all this before with my mother, and she was constantly trying to turn me into a debutante and, and it's just not my thing.

Miss Freckling: Oh, but I do mind. You have a responsibility, young lady, as the newly crowned queen to help me host this event.

Jen: But I never asked for any of this.

Miss Freckling: Nor did I ask for you, Jennifer. Most girls who walk through this door are pleased as punch to be here. They're sweet, upstanding, enthusiastic girls who relish the chance to be role models. They tend to stand up straight, comb their hair and… (glancing down furtively) wear brassieres. Am I making myself clear?

Jen: Crystal.

(Jen leaves the house but on her way down the steps, a figure falls to the ground in front of her.)

Henry: Aaah!

Jen: You're Hank.

Henry: Quick. Bees. Run for your life!

(He grabs her hand and drags her off. Potter Residence - Joey and Pacey are sweeping.)

Joey: Just like the cops to disappear when the going gets tough.

Pacey: Well some of them do have wives and children to get home to. And besides, we're almost done here. And you know, I was thinking… you're gonna need a name for this addition when we do get finished, so a suggestion, if I may? How does the Pacey J. Whitter wing strike you?

Joey: Keep talking, it'll be a memorial dedication.

Pacey: You know, Potter, sometimes your lack of gratefulness, it borders on unappealing.

(Bessie enters with the phone. She hands it to Joey.)

Bessie: Joey, it's for you. Whoever it is, she sounds upset.

Joey: Hello? Hello?

Andie: (crying) Joey?

Joey: Andie, is that you?

Andie: Joey, please help me.

(Rob Logan's House - Andie is outside crouched down with Joey and Pacey

Joey: Andie, what happened?

Andie: (crying) I don't wanna talk about it. I just wanna go home.

Pacey: Andie, you gotta tell us what happened first.

Andie: Pacey, please…

Joey: Andie, what did he do? Did he try to hurt you?

Pacey: Andie, you gotta tell us, what did this guy do to you?

Andie: Um, we were… upstairs in the bedroom… and we were just kissing. And then... he started trying to... and I kept saying 'no' and he kept trying, and then I managed to get away before anything else happened. And that's when I came down and I called Joey and… can we just go now please?

Pacey: Where is he?

Andie: Don't worry about it.

Pacey: Is he in there?

Joey: Pacey, let's just go.

Pacey: I'm not leaving until I talk to that bastard.

Andie: Pacey, no…

(Pacey just walks into Rob's house where he's having a party. He finds Rob in the backyard drinking with friends.)

Rob: (to some friends) But I tell him, it is easy...

Pacey: Rob?

Rob: Yeah?

Pacey: You're with Andie, right?

(Pacey knocks Rob out with a killer punch. The guys around start to hold them apart.)

Pacey: What the hell did you do to her, man?

Rob: I didn't do anything.

Pacey: That's why she's outside bawling her eyes out, for nothing, right?

Rob: Where is she?

Pacey: You're not going anywhere near her.

Rob: (to the guys holding him back) Get off me!

Pacey: If you so much as touch her again, I am going to nail you to a cross.

Rob: Wait a minute, I didn't even lay a hand on her.

Pacey: Save it for the judge, Logan, huh?

Rob: Get out of my house.

(Miss Freckling's greenhouse - Henry and Jen look at all the beautiful flowers.)

Jen: It's really beautiful in here.

Henry: Isn't it? You're looking at over 200 plants. (pointing to one) Bulbophyllum virginalis.

Jen: (laughing) You're making that up.

Henry: No I'm not, I swear. Sometimes they get a little suggestive with the names.

Jen: Okay, give me another one.

Henry: Ok, how about Polystachya Pubescenes or Vanda Vaginatum?

Jen: Ooh, is it hot in here or did you just make me blush?

Henry: Oh…

Jen: Relax, Henry, it'll take a lot more than a flower to offend me. How did you learn so much about these?

Henry: Miss Freckling.

Jen: What's the deal with her?

Henry: What do you mean?

Jen: She's wound so tight, she's like a violin string.

Henry: Nah, she's… she's just sad.

Jen: Sad?

Henry: She's got no one in her life. She never had kids, no relatives. I've lived next door to her for 10 years, I think I'm her best friend.

Jen: I don't know who to feel sorrier for, you or her. (Henry looks a little sad at the comment) Henry, we're gonna have to toughen you up. You keep wearing your heart on your sleeve like that and you're gonna bleed to death.

Henry: It's not me… it's her. You have no idea how much she was looking forward to meeting you.

Jen: She was?

Henry: I told her all about you. See, the thing is, she has exactly two events on her social calendar. The W.O.C. in Miami every spring…

Jen: The W.O.C.?

Henry: The World Orchid Conference. And in the fall, the Homecoming Queen gala. It's what she lives for. Without them, she's got nothing at all.

(Potter Residence - Joey, Pacey and Andie sit around a table.)

Joey: Look, um, you need to go to the station tonight.

Andie: Uh-uh, I can't go to the station.

Joey: Andie, you have to… you have to talk to the police.

Andie: Joey, it's not like he actually did anything.

Joey: Well, then why don't you stay here. I mean, I really don't think you should be alone tonight.

Andie: Thanks, but I can't.

Pacey: I can take care of this, Jo.

Joey: You sure?

Pacey: Yeah.

Joey: Ok.

Miss Freckling's house - As she sews, Jen and Henry come inside, but she doesn't notice.)

Henry: Miss Freckling? Constance? (to Jen) She's got her aid turned off.

Jen: Aid?

Henry: Hearing aid. Sometimes she likes to tune out the world.

(Henry touches Miss Freckling and she jumps.)

Miss Freckling: Oh, Hank you startled me. (she turns her hearing aid on)

Henry: I, um, I ran into Jen outside.

Jen: Miss Freckling, I know that we got off on the wrong foot and I… just wanted to see if we could start over.

Miss Freckling: He is persuasive when he wants to be, isn't he?

Jen: O, well, I… I… I'm just getting to know him.

Miss Freckling: Well, if he likes you, you can't be all bad.

Jen: You know, I was just thinking the same thing about you.

Henry: So, should we wait for the waters to calm or just dive right into the party planning?

Jen: I say, dive right in.

Miss Freckling: Very well. Entertainment or food, take your pick.

Jen: Um... entertainment?

Miss Freckling: Ah surprise, surprise. Now, since it's my house, there are some rules.

Jen: Surprise, surprise.

Miss Freckling: No mimes, no magicians, no Barry Manilow, no Elvis look-alikes, no motivational speakers, no comedy troupes, no break-dancing, no gangster rap, no animal tricks…

Jen: Okay, no nothing that you might possibly see on Letterman.

Miss Freckling: What's Letterman?

Jen: How does a string quartet playing Mozart strike you?

Miss Freckling: Perfect.

Jen: Ok, I'll split the difference.

Miss Freckling: I'm sure you will.

Jen: Oh, and there's one more thing.

Miss Freckling: What's that?

Jen: Well, uh, he doesn't know it yet, but Hank here is going as my date.

(Pacey's Boat - Andie is sitting down when she notices his plaque.)

Andie: (reading the plaque) True Love, that's ironic.

Pacey: Yeah, well I figured since it didn't exist, I'd try and create it for myself.

Andie: Why did you bring me here?

Pacey: Because, well, you said you wanted to go some place quiet.

Andie: There's lots of quiet places, Pacey.

Pacey: Yeah, I guess there are. Um, I guess I just wanted to show you I've been okay, since we ended things. I've found a way to turn what's killing me into something potentially beautiful.

Andie: I haven't, Pacey. I'm not over you.

Pacey: You will be, McPhee.

Andie: See, even that, just you calling me by my last name. Do you know how long I've waited to hear that?

Pacey: You've been through a lot tonight, Andie. Let's not go there, huh?

Andie: If it took what happened tonight to bring us together, so be it.

Pacey: We're not together. I mean, I'm here for you, but we're not together.

Andie: If we're not together, then I'm not sitting beside you, staring into your eyes… and kissing you.

(She leans in to kiss him, but Pacey turns away.)

Pacey: Andie…

Andie: Sorry.

Pacey: We just can't. We can't for so many reasons, we can't.

Andie: I'm not asking you what we can't do, Pacey. I'm asking you what you want to do.

Pacey: I want to know that you're okay. That's all that matters to me now.

Andie: That's a shame, because you still matter to me in every way. I want to be with you, Pacey.

Pacey: I know that's how you're feeling right now, but tomorrow could be an entirely different story.

Andie: I'm not talking about tomorrow. I'm talking about right now. Tonight. You and me together, under the stars, just like it used to be. I'm talking about a kiss. That's all I'm asking. Don't you want to?

(Andie goes in to kiss Pacey again, but this time he doesn't stop her. Andie's House - the following day. Pacey drives Andie home.)

Andie: Thanks for taking care of me.

Pacey: Right back at you, Andie.

Andie: I just wanna say, for the record, about last night. Whatever did or did not happen between us happened for a reason, and I, for one, am 100% okay with it. And you know, wherever it may lead, whatever new status may result, it's totally…

Pacey: Andie?

Andie: I'm rambling.

Pacey: Yeah.

Andie: Well, it's an awkward moment and I'm scared, and in scared moments I ramble. I mean, some people do that sometimes, I mean, sometimes they even ramble when they're…

Pacey: Andie?

Andie: Rambling again, right? I guess I just wanna know that you're feeling what I'm feeling.

Pacey: I am.

Andie: That makes me so happy. (kissing him on the cheek) Okay.

(She gets out of the car and waves goodbye. As she disappears into the house, Pacey closes his eyes, obviously realizing what a mistake it was. Potter Residence - Rob is at the door when Joey opens it.)

Joey: Didn't you read the sign? No known sex offenders within 200 yards of my property.

(She starts to close the door but he stops her.)

Rob: I didn't do it.

Joey: Not bad. You could use a little work on the delivery, however. I suggest a less forceful interpretation.

(She tries to close the door again, and again he stops her.)

Rob: Joey please, tell me... (grabbing her hand) tell me she hasn't gone to the police.

Joey: (ripping her hand away from him) You touch me again and I will scream faster than you can say William Kennedy Smith, you got it?

Rob: Look. Joey, she was the one that wanted to go upstairs, okay? She… she practically dragged me up to that room... and when we started kissing, I swear, she just… she just freaked out.

Joey: Know what, Rob, you do not have a lot of credibility with me right now.

Rob: Fine, I admit it, okay? But there is a difference between an inappropriate workplace flirtation and…

Joey: And sexual assault? You draw your own line in the sand, Rob, they're both against the law.

(Hr grabs for her arm again as she tries to close the door.)

Rob: I have never forced myself on anyone.

Joey: If you say so.

Rob: It's no secret that she's unstable. No secret that she spent some time in a mental hospital.

Joey: I'm going to pretend that you never said that.

(She closes the door in his face.)

Rob: (yelling through the door) Then why would she do this, huh? That's all I wanna know. For what possible reason?

(Joey begins to think about what Rob just said. That night at the Gala - Miss Freckling surveys the party.)

Miss Freckling: Splendid. Splendid.

(Dawson and Gail sit together at a table.)

Dawson: I wonder where Jen is.

Gail: Oh, don't look now, here comes Marilyn Mendrick and her husband. I haven't seen them in years.

Dawson: I can't stand that woman.

(The two get up and try to dart out of the room, but are caught.)

Marilyn: Oh, Gail, Dawson.

Gail: Neil, Marilyn.

Marilyn: I heard all about Philadelphia.

Gail: I'm sure you did. Excuse us, we were just going to get a drink.

Dawson: Actually, I'm quite proud of my Mom.

Marilyn: Oh, we all are, even if Philadelphia didn't quite agree with her. Honestly, I think it's perfectly absurd to fire an anchor because the public felt she was too old to identify with. You wouldn't hear them saying that about Diane Sawyer.

Neil: Gail, I speak for the whole county when I say you'd be welcome back on our airwaves anytime.

Gail: Thank you, Neil.

Neil: (to Marilyn) Shall we? (they walk off)

Dawson: Mom, is there something you want to tell me?

(Jen and Henry walk in wearing some weird outfits which are completely inappropriate for the gala.)

Miss Freckling: You're late. The entertainment still isn't here, and that wardrobe is far from appropriate attire. I demand you go home and change this instant. I can understand why she would turn this into a travesty, but why you, Henry?

Jen: Relax, okay? I put him up to it and you haven't seen anything yet.

Amanda: (off-camera) I swear it's hotter than a French prostitute in this place.

(A bunch of drag queens enter. Miss Freckling's mouth drops.)

Christy: What you need, Amanda, is a long tall stiff one.

Amanda: On the rocks.

Summer: You said it, Sugar.

Miss Freckling: Who and what are they?

Jen: 'They' are the entertainment.

Miss Freckling: I need to sit down.

(McPhee Residence - Andie is cooking at the stove as Joey chops a tomato.)

Joey: Andie, have you told your dad?

Andie: Why should I? I mean, it's only gonna upset him and it's not like anything cataclysmic happened.

Joey: Andie, this guy could have hurt you.

Andie: You don't know that, Joey, and maybe I overreacted.

Joey: Do you think you overreacted?

Andie: Well, I didn't cry wolf, if that's what you're saying.

Joey: No, that's not what I'm saying.

Andie: Then what are you saying?

Joey: I have to tell you something.

Andie: What?

Joey: Rob stopped by my house this morning. He told me his side of the story and he basically got down on his knees pleading his innocence.

Andie: (defensively) So that's why you're here. You of all people are gonna believe that.

Joey: I didn't say I believed him.

Andie: No? You just stopped by for a friendly little chat?

Joey: No, I stopped by to make sure we were doing the right thing, Andie. Look, I should've reported the guy myself about his behavior towards me. I mean maybe I could've prevented this whole thing. (referring to the pot on the stove) I think your water's boiling.

Andie: Listen, Joey, maybe all of this happened for a reason. I mean, maybe something good came out of it.

Joey: What do you mean?

Andie: As of last night, Pacey and I are back together and I can't tell you how happy I am. Because now everything can just go back to the way it was.

(Joey now seriously thinks that Andie may have faked it. At the Gala - Jen's on stage introducing the entertainment.]

Jen: Ladies and gentlemen, the moment that you've all been waiting for. Please help me in welcoming the awesome talents of Amanda Wreckinwith, Summer Clearance, Megan Whoope and Ms. Christie Anity.

(They begin to sing "It's Raining Men". Jen works her way back to Henry.)

Henry: Don't… don't tell anyone, but I think I got the hots for Christie.

Jen: (laughs) I always knew you had excellent taste in women.

Henry: Constance is gonna kill me.

Jen: Don't be so sure. Down deep buried somewhere, I think she gets it.

Henry: Gets what?

Jen: Homecoming Queens, Drag Queens, what's the difference? They're all just people dressing up, pretending to be something they're not. Playing a role. (grabbing Henry's hand) Come on.

Henry: What… what are we doing?

Jen: Dancing, Henry, in hopes of performing a miracle and awakening the dead.

(They begin to dance and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Miss Freckling keeps her cool but under the table she taps her foot to the music.)

(Pacey's Boat - Andie shows up with a basket as Pacey works on the boat.)

Andie: I come bearing gifts.

Pacey: Hey, Andie.

Andie: Hey, I thought that, uh, True Love could use a woman's touch. What do you think?

Pacey: Well, to tell you the truth, what she could use is a new rudder and a keel.

Andie: Ok, would you settle for a skipper's cap and a pair of my Dad's old topsiders? (Pacey puts the hat on) Very nice.

Pacey: Andie, to be honest, I… I'm really starting to wonder whether I'm ever gonna finish her at all.

Andie: Why do you say that?

Pacey: Well, because sometimes it's… it's harder to rebuild something than it is to just start from scratch.

Andie: Why?

Pacey: That picture that you have in your mind of the way something was… it's never gonna be that way again.

Andie: (realizing that maybe Pacey isn't reffering to the boat) Yeah, but it… it could be better.

Pacey: Yeah, it could be... depending on how badly damaged it was in the first place.

Andie: (hesitantly) How badly damaged was it?

Pacey: It was pretty much totaled.

Andie: Ok, Pacey, could we please stop beating this metaphor to death and just talk about what we're actually talking about.

Pacey: I made a mistake last night, Andie. We both made a mistake.

Andie: What did we do? Nothing.

Pacey: All I can tell you is how it made me feel.

Andie: How?

Pacey: Like I went against what I know is right.

Andie: That's funny because… today is actually the first day that I've felt really happy since I left the hospital.

Pacey: That is funny. You know, there used to be a time when you and I were so in sync in everything that we did, just connected. And look at us now ! We have the opposite reaction to the exact same event.

Andie: Pacey, please don't do this. Not now. Don't break up with me.

Pacey: I never wanted to break up with you, Andie. Never. I mean, all those months just waiting, secretly hoping...

Andie: You're just… you're just punishing me, that's what this is about and you just need to stop being angry with me.

Pacey: I'm not punishing you, Andie. Punishment implies that you did something wrong.

Andie: I slept with another guy six months ago. I knew it was wrong when I did it. I keep trying to tell you this and make you understand it. How many times do I have to say it?

Pacey: Andie, if you wanted to sleep with him, if even just for a second, then maybe it wasn't wrong.

Andie: It was…

Pacey: Maybe... maybe that was just your heart's way of telling you that I'm not the one. Cause that's what my heart's telling me right now. It's telling me that you're not the one.

Andie: (crying) You don't mean that, Pacey. Pacey, you can't mean that.

Pacey: Andie, I'm sorry.

Andie: No, just… just forget it.

(She leaves. At the Gala - a conga line has formed. Everyone is having a great time. Miss Freckling and Jen sit together talking.)

Miss Freckling: Well, Jennifer, the evening wasn't a total disaster. I will say one thing, they sure do know how to dance.

Jen: That they do. You know, Miss Freckling, I believe that I owe you an apology.

Miss Freckling: Whatever for? Besides the obvious, that is.

Jen: Well the… the truth is that I intended to shock you tonight, but something unexpected happened. For the first time, I was able to see past the cliche and I actually enjoyed being a Homecoming Queen.

Miss Freckling: Which brings us to one small, unresolved item. Hank. He adores you, you know.

Jen: It's just a crush, it's completely harmless.

Miss Freckling: It's more than that. He talks about you non-stop. Your presence in his life has awakened him somehow. It's quite special. Though my concern is the sentiment's not mutual?

Jen: That would be correct.

Miss Freckling: I had a beau, once. Heir to a mattress fortune. Beautiful man. I was 17. got down on one knee, it was at his mother's grave site on the anniversary of her death.

Jen: What, he proposed to you at a cemetery?

Miss Freckling: (nodding) Looking back, I… I should've run from there screaming like a woman from a burning house.

Jen: But you didn't.

Miss Freckling: No, I didn't. But the wedding never happened anyway. He led me on, Jennifer. Played me for a fool. And then he ran off to California with the girl who'd sold him his Cadillac. But the point is, the heart is a fragile thing. Break it too badly, and it might well never recover.

(Miss Freckling's greenhouse - Henry is showing Jen a particular orchid.)

Henry: She calls it the Spotted Heart. It's her most sacred blossom. Took her over 15 years to breed it correctly.

Jen: It's older than you are.

Henry: The world's most beautiful things are.

(He goes to kiss her, but she stops him.)

Jen: Henry…

Henry: I thought we were having fun?

Jen: We are, but not like that.

Henry: You asked me to come with you tonight.

Jen: Yes I did.

Henry: Doesn't that count for something?

Jen: It counts for us becoming friends.

Henry: Jen, I'm… I think I'm in love with you.

Jen: Henry, you're not in love with me.

Henry: You can't say that. How do you know what I feel?

Jen: You don't even know me, how could you possibly be in love with me?

Henry: Because I just… I am.

Jen: I wish it was that simple.

Henry: It is that simple. If it's our age you're worried about, we're not… we're not even two years apart. It's nothing.

Jen: Right now, it's everything, Henry. Do you know how much is gonna happen to you in the next two years if you do them right? Your heart is gonna swell and break a hundred times before you turn 16.

Henry: And how does that make me any less ready for you now? I can still care about you more than anyone ever has.

Jen: No offense, but that's not saying much.

Henry: Then give me a shot. What do you have to lose?

Jen: Listen, Henry, what you need right now, is somebody who can not only understand what you're going through, but who can also go through it with you. Believe me, everything that you haven't done, I have.

Henry: Except fall in love. You haven't done that, or else you'd have someone. But you don't, which leads me to believe that everything you think you know about love is questionable. And as long as it is, you can't tell me I'm not the one for you.

Jen: Henry, what you need to know about me, and it's something that I'm just beginning to understand, is that until I can look at myself without judgment or condemnation, I'm not ready for anyone. Let alone you.

Henry: You know, what you just said, about my heart breaking 100 times? Well, there goes number one. (He leaves. Back inside the gala - Dawson and Gail sit together. Gail has just explained losing her job in Philly.)

Dawson: I'm just sorry you didn't feel you could tell me.

Gail: How does a mother tell a son, whom she's supposed to be teaching to dream, that she failed at her own?

Dawson: Mom, alright, first of all, you didn't fail. And second of all, you don't look old. You look great.

Gail: Thank you, Honey.

Dawson: Now, as for coming home...

Gail: Sweetheart, I have my reasons why I don't want to race back to Capeside.

Dawson: And that's between you and Dad and I don't want to get in the middle, but…

Gail: But you think that I should talk to him, don't you?

Dawson: I just think you could use a friend like him now.

Gail: That's not too easy, Dawson. There's way too much history there.

Dawson: But there's no law saying that you can't, you know, lean on him a little. Just, tell him the truth, Mom. What's the worst that could happen?

Gail: He could help me. We could become friends again.

Dawson: Ha. God help us.

(Joey's porch - Andie shows up yelling.)

Andie: You lied to me. You told me one thing to my face and then you went right behind my back. I thought you were supposed to be my friend.

Joey: I am, Andie.

Andie: Oh, and you have such deep feelings for me that you went straight to Pacey and sabotaged everything.

Joey: Pacey? I haven't even talked to Pacey since you guys dropped me off.

Andie: And I'm supposed to believe that?

Joey: Well, it's the truth.

Andie: Oh, okay, so it's just a coincidence that one minute we're together and the next he never wants to see me again.

Joey: When did this happen?

Andie: Tonight. An hour ago. Right after you went and told him that I made up the entire story about Rob just to get him back.

Joey: Look, okay, Andie. I admit, it… it did cross my mind, but I didn't believe it. Not for a minute.

Andie: Is that right?

Joey: Look, I know you. I… I know that you're a good person. You… you would never do anything so hurtful and plainly wrong. (Andie looks sad) What? What did I say?

Andie: (crying) Nothing.

Joey: You can tell me, Andie.

Andie: Look, you don't know me, Joey, okay? You don't know what I'm capable of when I set my sights on something.

Joey: Andie, you're a stubborn and determined person. There's nothing wrong with that.

Andie: No, it's… it's more. It's like I've got blinders on and all I can see is what's right in front of me, what I'm after. And everything on the edges just gets blocked out, somehow.

Joey: What are you talking about?

Andie: I'm talking about Pacey. I love him and I need him... and the truth is... I don't know what the truth is any more.

Joey: It's Ok.

(The next scene shifts between different places with only the sound of the song playing. Jen walks back into the gala and finds Miss Freckling sitting and laughing with all the drag queens. On the docks Henry walks alone. On Dawson's porch, Gail and Mitch sit talking. Pacey works on his boat. Joey sits with Andie, trying to comfort her. End credits.)