Previously on Dawson's Creek
Who's Tim?
Andie and Jack's older brother.
He goes to Columbia.
Tim died, he's dead, okay?
Is your mother getting any help?
You've been everything to me,
and it's a nice place for you.
But for me, it's scary.
Because I realize that aside from you,
I don't have anything.
You've got to get beyond your own ego
and just forgive her. Fix this family.
I'm sorry, Jack.
There's obviously a lot more to you than pratfalls.
Well, Joey.
You ain't seen nothing yet.
Oh, my god. I love Footloose.
Don't you guys love to dance?
I am so excited about the homecoming dance
next weekend.
The homecoming dance?
Oh, my god. We're hanging out with marcia Brady.
I don't understand. What's wrong with the school dance?
I think what Pacey's just saying
is we're not exactly the school dance type.
Yeah, we'd rather watch a movie about a high school dance
than actually set foot inside an over-decorated gym.
In fact, this indictment of high school conventions
isn't really just limited to dances.
It kind of covers the whole spectrum
of school-sponsored events.
Case in point--
Joey, how many high school football games have you been to?
None. Mm-hmm.
And Dawson, how many pep rallies
have you loyally attended?
Zero. Mm-hmm.
You guys are a bunch of cynics, you know that?
What kind of high school memories
are you guys going to have,
if all you did in high school
is bitch and moan about everything?
Bitching memories. Moaning memories.
You guys are completely sabotaging
your high school experience.
Guilty as charged. Now, Dawson,
if you don't mind, would you turn the video back on?
I really want to see who's responsible for Kevin bacon's
roguish, devil-may-care hairdo.
You mean you would rather watch a movie about something
than doing it yourselves?
Correct.
Okay, what about sex?
I mean, you guys are missing a major opportunity here.
Why else do you think the Bible-thumpers in Footloose
were so adamant about outlawing dancing?
They believed it to be sinful.
Are you saying dancing equals sex?
No. I'm saying dancing
could possibly be really great foreplay.
I love the way you think.
So, who's coming with me on Saturday?
Okay...
We're here. You gonna get out?
I was thinking...
What is it this morning?
General teen angst or something specific?
Bessie, if I tell you something,
you promise to respond with nothing
but sisterly advice -and/ -or concern?
Of course.
Okay...
Jack kissed me.
Ha ha ha ha! Oh, my god!
I don't think cackling qualifies
as concern or advice.
I'm sorry, Joey, but Jack?
Chore boy down at the Ice House?
Yes.
He kissed you?
It was nothing, really.
I mean, it happened and then it was over and--
So what's the problem then?
Dawson?
You didn't tell him, did you?
No!
I mean, here's the thing.
I mean, this is a classic example
of what I would tell Dawson the friend,
but since Dawson the friend became Dawson the boyfriend,
the concept of newsworthy events
has become a little blurry, and...
Well, now, look, here's the way I see it.
Jack kissed you, right?
It was a one-way kiss, right?
Yeah.
Surprise maneuver.
Completely uninvited, all in all, no big deal.
So you didn't do anything wrong.
Don't beat yourself up over it.
Really, Joey, if you want my advice,
just put it behind you, concentrate on Dawson,
pretend like it didn't happen.
Like what didn't happen?
Exactly. Ha ha ha.
Thanks, Bess.
See you. Okay.
No way those are real.
What, you think those are manmade?
Jen, please.
Physical enhancement caters not only to size.
It can improve shape, direction,
perk factor.
That girl's had some work done.
Well, Brett sure doesn't seem to mind.
Oh, please.
Brett Tompkins is a dim bulb
with good hair and tight pants.
A classic himbo.
In other words, perfect.
Well, if that's your type.
Oh, what's the matter, Jen?
Brett's too much man,
not enough touchy-feely film auteur?
Well, mark it down.
Come Saturday night, Brett and Christy
will be history.
Saturday, Brett will be mine.
Abby, that's pathetic.
What, you're actually
just gonna go to the homecoming dance
to hit on somebody else's boyfriend?
Well, my guidance counselor
is always telling me to set goals for myself.
You're on your own.
Fine. Suit yourself.
Stay at home and read scripture with grandma.
Brett and I will drop you a line from Vegas.
God!
Don't pull me away
like I'm some stupid dog on a leash.
Well, how about acknowledging me
when you see me outside, huh?
Don't start with me.
God!
Promise me we will never air our relational crises
in surround sound like that.
I-- can't think of anything more embarrassing or immature.
Deal. Okay.
Good morning.
Now, remind me again
how Andie McPhee convinced us to go to this homecoming dance.
Um, I think by promising us
that dancing always ends in tawdry smut action?
Oh.
Could that possibly be our first mention of sex
since we've been together?
Possibly.
Why is that?
When we were friends,
we talked about sex all the time.
I think because we wanted to ease into the subject
in order to make the transition
from friend to lover unconfusing.
Oh. Well, if-- if we are confused
about the transition from friend to lover,
um, I can only think of one thing
that would truly cinch it.
What do you suggest?
That you put on your dancing shoes.
Hey, guys.
Hey, Jen.
Oh, wipe the drool, Dawson.
Uh, I don't like the two of them
being so chummy.
I mean, Abby is not
a good influence for Jen.
Ha ha. Is this genuine concern I'm hearing
for Jen Lindley?
Well, I just feel bad for her.
I mean, she's had a hard time.
Her grandpa just died.
Maybe we should invite her to the dance.
I mean, we're going as a group.
It might be fun for her.
Joey Potter, I applaud you.
You earn major humanity points for this.
Um, but don't you think
we might make her feel worse
than she already does?
I don't know.
I mean, all I know is
that it is really hard to lose a family member,
and--and I just think it might be fun for her.
It--it's up to you. Your call.
I'll see you later.
Bye.
So, since I'm in charge of transportation
on Saturday,
can I pick you up at your house,
or do you want to meet somewhere else?
Let's meet somewhere.
Cool.
How's your mom doing, anyway?
She's having a good week.
You know, Andie, if there's ever
anything I can do, you just...
Just ask me, all right?
So, Witter...
I hope you have your moves polished and ready,
because I plan on making a dancing fool out of you.
Sorry. No can do, McPhee. I don't dance.
What do you mean, you don't dance?
Well, it's simple. I don't like it,
and I'm really not any good at it.
It's bad enough that I'm just going.
So don't expect me to get out there
and start busting a move,
because it's just not gonna happen.
You are beyond immature. Well, you're overbearing.
Boring. Hypersensitive.
Vulgar. Pick you up at 7:00?
Great. Okay.
Are you two having a spat?
No. It's just our usual passive-aggressive banter.
No. Actually,
we were just talking about the dance,
and, hey, if you guys don't mind,
I'd really like to invite my brother, Jack, to come along.
You know, he's kind of a loner,
and I think it'd be good for him.
Actually, why don't we also invite Jen Lindley?
Jack and Jen--a setup.
I mean, I'm not sure they're a perfect match,
but they're both single.
I like it. I like it a lot.
No. No, guys. This is a bad idea.
You never know. It could work.
A possible love connection. Let's do it.
No, don't. No. Come on.
Whenever you fix up two people who don't even know each other,
it's just a recipe for disaster.
Okay? This can only end badly, I promise you. Please?
I'll set it up.
Great.
Bye-bye.
Am I invisible?
Hi.
Dawson, have a seat.
Okay.
What's going on?
Well... I know things got a little out of hand
the other night,
and, uh, well,
I'm not sure what the segue is here,
but your mother and I, after much talk,
after much consideration...
Have decided--
Um...honey, sometimes...
You focus so hard on the solution...
That when you step away, when you pull back,
only then does the solution truly appear.
Yes...right, and...
As improbable as this approach might seem,
sometimes it's the only one left,
and, uh...in this case... It's the only one left.
So what, um, we're trying to say is that...
Is that...
Your mother and I...
Have decided to spend some time apart.
Well...
It sounds like you two
have given this quite a bit of careful thought.
Yes, honey, we have.
Right.
And so for me to suggest that you go back to counseling
wouldn't make any difference.
We've tried it.
I guess it would do no good to suggest
that you make a more concerted effort
at trying to find a solution--
improve communication, possibly,
more family outings, truth serum...
Dawson...
Your opinion is important to us,
and we love you,
but we're not open to suggestions
on this one.
Now, this is a conclusion,
a conclusion... That we've reached.
Yeah.
Well, I conclude that your conclusion sucks.
Why didn't we just let Pacey pick us up at the house?
You know why, Jack.
I know.
Remember to strap Mom in for the evening?
Not funny!
She's not getting any better, you know.
You know, Jack, I'd like a night off, okay?
Just one night off, one attempt at fun.
Can we do that, please?
Well, then maybe I shouldn't be around.
I'll just bring you down, Andie.
I hate dances.
I just--I don't do well at these things.
Don't be silly. It'll be fun, okay?
Besides, it's time we got you out
and met some of Capeside's cuties.
Heh heh. And who knows?
You might meet the woman of your dreams tonight.
Maybe.
Maybe I already have.
Oh, good. Here's Pacey.
Squad car?
Yeah, it's his dad's.
They have a, uh, complex relationship.
Look, I...
I should get going.
Gale, this is just a trial, okay?
It's only temporary.
Absolutely. Only temporary.
Um, look...
Um...are there rules?
I mean, can we talk to each other?
Of course we can talk to each other.
You can call me whenever you need to.
Go.
Goodbye, Gale.
Mom, are you all right?
Uh, yeah, Dawson. I'm fine.
Really, I'm fine.
It's, uh... It's just the onions.
You know, Mom, I don't have to go to this dance.
I can stay--I'll stay home if you want me to.
No, don't be silly, honey.
Um, everything's fine. I'm--I'm fine.
Will you turn around and tell me that?
Um...why don't you go pick up Joey, honey...
So you're not late for the dance.
Go on.
The light was clearly red, Pacey.
Oh, no. It was turning red. There's a difference.
I agree with you.
Red means stop, but a light that's turning red,
that's an invitation to hit the gas.
What? No!
It is!
Dawson, Joey, hey.
Um, Dawson, you know my brother, Jack, right?
Yeah, we've met.
Uh, kind of unofficially.
And, of course, -you know , -Joey.
Yeah, yeah, of course.
So... Jen.
Hey.
Dawson--oh, wow. Everybody.
Hey, Jen. This is Jack, my brother.
Hi, Jack, Andie's brother.
It's just Jack, actually.
So shall we?
Let's go.
Ready? Yeah.
So, you decided to slum it after all.
Hey, Abby.
I have to tell you, I love your dress.
In fact, I have the same one.
In a smaller size.
Whoop!
Oh! Oh!
Sorry.
No. It's my fault. Sorry.
Aha. This is more my speed.
One minute.
Jen, I have an idea.
Why don't you dance with my brother Jack?
Hi...brother Jack.
Heh. It's actually
just plain Jack.
Ooh. Oh, okay.
Look, let me ask you something, then,
just plain Jack.
Do you get the feeling that we're being set up here?
Oh, yeah? What makes you say that?
Well, I mean, she's cute. She's nice.
She's cute. He's cute. They've never met before.
They're completely opposites,
and it's gonna be ugly in about, oh, 20 minutes.
Uh-uh. Uh-huh.
So then my dad drove off
left my mom crying over the kitchen sink.
God, what I wouldn't give now for them
to go back to their coffee table sex antics.
I'm sorry, Dawson.
You know, I'm just gonna let them
work out their adolescent traumas on their own.
Steer clear.
Besides, there is a bright side.
Oh, yeah? Mm-hmm.
What's that?
The coffee table is now available.
Well, well, well.
I dare say they like each other.
Jack and Jen? Yeah.
Andie and I sort of played matchmaker tonight.
Why would you do that, Dawson?
I mean, that's, like,
the worst thing I've ever heard of.
What? They both need to meet new people.
They're both single.
Yeah, but Jack is this nice, sweet guy,
and Jen is this barracuda.
It'll never work.
Why are you getting so worked up about this?
I'm not getting worked up, Dawson.
I just--I have an opinion, that's all.
Well, alert the media.
Come on, Pacey, what do you say?
Do you want to dance?
I'm sorry. I told you, McPhee, I don't dance.
I don't believe you.
I think that you're holding out on me
in some power move
to keep control on this relationship.
What relationship?
Hmm.
Come on. Please? Just a slow dance?
I told you, McPhee, I don't dance.
That includes dances of all speeds,
of all types, from all cultures,
including, but not limited to,
slow dances, fast dances,
and whatever it was
that Patrick Swayze was doing in dirty dancing.
You know, Pacey, you can be so stubborn sometimes.
Fine. If you don't want to dance with me,
I'll just find someone who will.
Just don't hurt the poor guy, would you?
Okay. Time to switch partners.
Uh, actually, um, I think I'm gonna go outside
and get some air,
but thanks for the dance, Jack.
Yeah, sure. Anytime, Jen.
Okay, Dawson, I guess it's just you and me,
because I do not intend
to spend the entire evening
dancing with my brother.
So, Jack, sweep your boss off her feet.
Ahem.
Boss, um...
Yeah?
Look, Joey, I know you've been avoiding me--
I haven't been avoiding you, Jack.
No, no. It's all right,
because I just want you to know
that I take full responsibility.
Full responsibility?
For kissing you.
You know, I apologize. I crossed the line.
Yeah, you did, Jack,
because I have a boyfriend, and you knew that,
and now, thanks to you,
I feel guilty every time I look at him, over nothing.
In fact, I don't even think
we should be having this conversation right now.
Uh--
Did I mention that you weren't supposed to follow me?
I just want to apologize, Joey. That's all I want to do.
Fine. You apologized.
Noted. See you later.
Wait a minute. Wait.
What are you so angry about?
Why am I so angry?
I am angry because you didn't respect me
or my relationship.
What you did was so rude and inappropriate that--
I think there's something else going on here.
What?
It's all this anger that you're expressing.
It doesn't make any sense, okay? It doesn't add up.
What are you talking about?
I don't think you're angry with me for kissing you.
I think you're angry with yourself
for kissing me back.
You know what I admire most about you, Brett?
That you work all of your muscle groups equally.
I wanted to say thanks for inviting me tonight
and everything.
Actually, I had
a surprisingly good time, but--
Had? Why are you speaking in the past tense?
I mean, the party's still going.
I--I think it's about over for me.
I'm--I'm just sort of beat,
so if you don't mind, I'm gonna head home.
M-Mind? Of course I mind.
I mean, we were just in the middle
of a very interesting conversation.
We were sharing and getting to know each other,
and now you just want to leave?
Andie, I'm gonna take off.
Oh, perfect! Then you can walk Jen home.
Yeah, well, you wanna go?
Jack, what the hell happened?
Look, you really should talk to Joey about this.
Yeah, well, I'm asking you.
Look, it was a weird night,
the moon was full-- it just happened.
So you kissed my girlfriend.
Yeah, I did.
I'm not gonna apologize for it, man,
because the truth is, I'd do it again,
so let's just not make this
into some high school rumble, all right?
Because neither of us are the type.
Oh, my god! Jack!
Dawson, what are you doing?
I'm fine. I'm fine.
Heh. Nice punch, champ.
Ooh. Who knew he had so much testosterone?
Uh...
Hey, Christy.
What are you doing out here all by yourself?
Just thinking. You know.
About what?
The usual--
Why my boyfriend will flirt with anything in a short skirt,
and why I lack the self-esteem to stop him.
Well, if you need a boost, you came to the right place,
because I personally know about 800 guys
who would line up to replace Brett
if he ever exited the picture,
and that's just in this school.
If you added the neighboring school districts,
we could triple that number.
Right.
Come on, Christy, are you joking?
Listen, I may not hang out
with the beautiful people of Capeside,
but I'd like to think
I have my finger on the pulse of the common man,
and, believe me, that pulse quickens considerably
when you walk by.
You're embarrassing me, Pacey.
I'm sorry. I just thought you should know.
Well, have a good night, Christy.
Pacey?
Yeah?
Are you one of them?
Excuse me?
I was just wondering
if you were one of those quick pulses.
Uh...
Yeah. Of course I am.
I think you're incredible, Christy.
Uh...
You already knew that.
You know, as lame as these school dances can be...
There's always that one moment
that seems to make it all worthwhile.
So, uh...
What do you say, Pacey?
Will you dance with me?
Yeah.
Hello.
Hello?
Would you believe
I now have access to the home shopping network
24 hours a day?
Hi.
How are you?
We have... A big house.
I never realized just how big our house was
before tonight.
I, um...
I can still call it "our house," can't I?
Yes, it is our house.
I don't know, Mitch. I don't know if I can do this.
Yes, you can.
Because you have to.
But why?
Why do I have to?
Because no matter how big our house is,
right now, it's far too small for the two of us.
Well...just remember, Mitch,
um, the door to this house, it's always open.
I will.
Have a good night, Gale.
Bye.
You guys gonna be able to get home okay?
Yeah, we'll be fine.
Your ex-boyfriend can punch.
So I see.
Yeah. Well, you'd better get out of here
before he wants a rematch.
Come on.
Hey, uh, Andie...
I'm sorry.
You take care of him, okay?
You got it. Come on.
Dawson!
Dawson, where are you going?
Home.
No. I want to talk about this.
First you run away. Now you want to talk.
No. Look, about the kiss-- I know all about the kiss.
No, you don't! Joey, you kissed somebody else!
What else is there to know? It wasn't like that.
He kissed me, and I just didn't...
Stop him.
Look, I'm sorry, Dawson, okay?
It was a mistake, a poor error in judgment,
and that's it! And for you to blow this
into some earth-shattering scene of cinematic proportions...
Wait a minute. You're not gonna do that to me.
Do what? Use who I am against me
to divert from the fact that you screwed up.
I said I was sorry!
What else do you want me to say?
There's nothing you can say, Joey!
There's no justifiable reason
why the girl who spent the last 15 years of her life
pretending I was the only thing she wanted
ended up kissing some other guy
and lying about it!
Look, I didn't lie to you, Dawson!
That kiss was not my doing.
Not your doing? No!
Did you metaphysically leave your body
the exact second your lips touched his?
Don't do this! Don't punish me to make yourself feel better.
Oh, so I'm the bad guy.
Yeah! I guess you are.
You cheat on me, and I'm the bad guy!
Yes! Don't you get it?
This isn't about some stupid kiss, Dawson!
No. It's about us.
No! It's about me!
For once, it's about me, Dawson!
That's what I've been trying to tell you.
Well...this is-- this is my stop.
All right. Um...
My god, it's really starting to swell.
Oh, yeah.
Well, I probably deserved it.
I made a scene when I should have just left things alone.
You really like her, don't you?
Joey?
What makes you say that?
Well, I don't think I know of a guy
who would take a punch like that
for a girl he doesn't like.
Well, I don't know, maybe I have no chance,
but, you know, I've always been sort of a sucker
for lost causes, I guess.
No, not a sucker, a romantic,
and there's nothing wrong with that.
Romantic? I mean, that's like a nice word
for...loser.
Oh! Ice.
You should really get some ice on that.
Yeah.
And...I...
Should go... Go...
Inside.
Yeah.
Hey, you know, Jack, um...
I had a really good time tonight, um,
and I think I've got you to thank for that.
Why? I didn't really do anything.
No, no. You did.
When you were with me,
you did a really good job of pretending
that you didn't want to be with somebody else.
Good night.
Good night, Jen.
Hey, Jack?
Yeah.
Keep fighting for your lost causes.
You never know when your luck might change.
I thought you didn't dance, Pacey.
You know, I've been looking for you.
In fact, I've been looking everywhere for you.
You said you didn't dance, Pacey.
Well, did you see me out there?
Come on, you could hardly call that dancing.
No. I'd call it foreplay.
But then again, we don't owe any explanations
to each other, do we?
I mean, we're just sparring partners, right?
We don't mean anything more to each other than that.
That's not true.
You know that's not true, Andie.
I was--I was having
a wonderful time with you tonight.
I was!
It's just--when I ran into Christy,
I don't know--I just--
I got swept up in the moment.
Yeah, well, it's too bad
that I'm not the kind of girl
who can sweep you away.
Come on, Andie. Andie.
Come on. You know that's not what I meant.
It's just--
I don't know-- Christy, she's...
She's--she's like a fantasy.
And, come on, you can't tell me
you haven't wanted to act out a fantasy,
I mean, even if just for a moment.
Even if you knew it was wrong.
I was trying to act out a fantasy all night, Pacey.
Why do you like me?
What?
Why do you like me?
I'm a screwup, Andie.
I'm thoughtless. I'm insecure,
and for the life of me,
I just can't understand why a woman like you
would bother to care about me.
God, I don't know, Pacey.
Because you're funny, and you're kind,
and you don't judge people,
and you make me feel good about myself.
I mean, you didn't run screaming the other day
from my house
when you met my crazy old mother.
And you're smart.
I mean, I don't know
where you get this whole loser complex, Pacey,
because you are so smart.
I mean, you spar better with me than anyone.
And...you're sharp.
And you're witty.
And you're brilliant.
And this is more than you deserve right now.
I know. I know.
Andie...I know.
I'm really, truly sorry.
I am. I'm sorrier than I've been in a long time.
The moment that I spent with Christy,
that one moment
that was gonna make the whole night worthwhile...
I was with the wrong person.
I want to spend that moment with you.
Well, we're certainly having one now, aren't we?
Would you please dance with me, Miss McPhee?
I'd love to.
Sharp, witty, and brilliant, huh?
Anything you'd care to add to that?
If you think I find this charming, Pacey,
you're majorly deluded.
Of course. How could you? I'm a witless bore.
Oafish clod. Major cad.
Kiss me?
Thought you'd never ask.
Joey.
Dawson...
I am so sorry.
What happened, Joey?
I told you, Jack kissed me and--
No, it's not Jack. This isn't about Jack.
I mean, with us.
What is going on between us?
I don't know, Dawson.
I mean, I--
Joey, ever since we got together,
you've been pulling away from me.
I thought this was what you wanted.
You know?
I thought I was what you wanted.
You are.
Am I?
You're what I'm going to want, Dawson.
What does that mean?
For so long, all I've thought about was you.
I mean, all I dreamed about was you.
What happened?
I got my dream.
And...and now I feel like... I don't have anything else.
I mean, you have your future
so perfectly planned, Dawson.
You know exactly what you want to do,
what you want to accomplish,
and...and me, I--
don't even know who I am,
let alone, you know,
what I want to be and accomplish.
I...I guess I--I...
I need to figure that out, and...
I need to find my something.
So we'll find it.
It can't include you, Dawson.
It has to be my doing and mine alone.
You make me so happy.
You know? I...I--
but I have to make myself happy first.
And that's... Probably...
The one thing in this whole world
that you can't do for me.
So what are you saying?
Joey?
Joey, no--Joey!
I love you.
I love you too, Dawson.
Wai--w-wait!
B-But how can it be over?
We--we can't just say "I love you"
for the first time and have it be over.
I have to go, Dawson.
Good night.
Wai--