Synopsis of Late
Written by Tamara Jaron
Dawson's parents are getting ready for a night out on the town -- what may be their last for a while since Gail is two weeks overdue. Mitch is getting impatient waiting for her to primp herself, but when she finally gets down the stairs she's got a surprise. She's gone into labor. In a flurry they are out the door leaving a shocked and excited Dawson and Gretchen behind.
Later, at the hospital, the doctor breaks the news -- Gail is experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions, or false labor. She is not going to give birth that night and may not give birth for a few more days. Not only that, but the doctor is concerned that with Gail's age they may be forced to induce or even perform an emergency c-section. This frightens the whole family, including Dawson who has showed up to console his mother. The doctor reassures them that there is nothing to worry about, and when she learns that the baby has no name, she instructs her to go home, relax, and name her baby.
Jack is still volunteering with Tobey at the afterschool program for disadvantaged youths. Only Tobey's noticed that Jack has a little problem with tardiness. When Jack arrives late, Tobey pokes fun of him. Jack handles it in his usual good-natured way. It's clear that they've finally become friends.
At the Potter household, all is not well. Joey is frantically trying to reach Pacey, but he is nowhere to be found. When Bessie accuses Joey of being a neurotic girlfriend, it's apparent that something is bothering her. She is concerned that she can't reach him even though she knows that he's on a fishing trip with his brother. Bessie brushes aside her concerns and pulls her in the house to show off the baby outfit she bought for Gail's baby shower. Joey suddenly decides she has to take drastic action and runs out the door to Pacey's house. A surprised Bessie calls out after her.
Dawson has returned home from the hospital and he and Gretchen are cleaning up the house. They're discussing his mother's baby shower -- turns out that everyone has to come with a name for the baby. The shower is tomorrow afternoon and Dawson wants to know if she can make it.
Gretchen says she can and then shares with him the news that she has an interview the following day in Boston. She's applied to be a magazine editor.
Dawson is a little bit surprised. "Wow," he says.
"Speak your subtext boy," says Gretchen, coming over to him.
"I didn't know you were applying for a job," is all he can say.
"Well, I recently made the decision," answer Gretchen, "I was hoping that you would be psyched for me."
"I am psyched for you," he says, half meaning it. "It's an incredible job, I think you'd be great at it."
"But, suddenly this tacit little issue that's been floating in the back of our minds has become real." Boy Gretchen is not one to beat around the bush.
"We have to talk about it eventually. It referring to the eventual continent between us."
"Okay, how do you feel about long distance relationships?" asks Gretchen.
"Historically I don't have the best track record, but..."
"But, we could be that one couple."
"Absolutely," says Dawson.
"One of us could also join the other," suggests Gretchen, unable to look Dawson in the eye.
"How could I ask you to come to California?" asks Dawson.
"How could I ask you to come to Boston," replies Gretchen.
"What's going on here, last week we were declaring our love for each other, now it sounds like we're breaking up."
"Well, I just think we're dealing with reality," she says.
"Which is what?" he asks.
"Right now, it's dinner by candlelight, with the man I love."
Conversation over.
Back at the afterschool program, Jack insists that Tobey leave early since Jack arrived late. Tobey at first declines, but after seeing that Jack has things under control, he gratefully agrees.
As Tobey heads out, he passes by a man in a sweatsuit who stops and looks him up and down as he walks by. When Tobey gets to the bus stop, there is another man sitting at the bench. Tobey tries to make small talk and smiles at the man sitting down. Suddenly the man is on his feet, and Tobey's smile is wiped away.
Joey arrives at Gretchen and Pacey's house. Joey asks Gretchen when Pacey will be back, and Gretchen can't help but spill the beans about the real reason for Pacey's trip. She tells Joey about his run-in with the law while she was away in New York, and explains that Doug took him camping in order to get him thinking straight again.
Gretchen then dives into a speech about how intense a time it is for Pacey and how it's in everyone's best interest to support him and to not heap all kinds of problems on him. She doesn't see how visibly upset Joey is and she continues by saying that Joey has to promise not to put any additional pressure on Pacey.
Joey turns to Gretchen with an angry look and says, "Do you or do you not know how I can get in touch with him?"
"Did you just hear what I said?" asks Gretchen.
"No, I can't promise you that," says Joey.
"How could you possibly be that selfish?" asks Gretchen.
"I'm late," says Joey.
Realization hits Gretchen and she tries to apologizes. Joey does not want to take her apology, but Gretchen's attitude completely changes. She wants to be helpful to Joey and feels terrible about the things she said. She tries to tell Joey that she needs to take a test to confirm she's pregnant, but Joey insists she's fine and starts to walk off. As she's leaving, Gretchen tells her that she's welcome to come back and talk if she needs to. Joey leaves in tears.
It's time for Gail's baby shower and she is definitely not acting like a woman who is two weeks overdue. She's organized the entire thing herself, done all the cooking, and still has the energy to dash inside for a phone call.
Meanwhile, Dawson is trying to play the supportive boyfriend. When Gretchen shows up to the party, he tells her that he read the magazine she wants to work for, and he likes it. Gretchen admits that she's nervous about the interview, but before they can finish their conversation, Gail rushes by and Joey walks up. Joey looks out of place and nervous, and once again Gretchen offers her help. Bessie walks up (still clueless about Joey's troubles), and reminds Joey of how foolish she's being.
The shower begins and the men are sent off as tradition demands.
Jack is back for another day of volunteer teaching, and once again he's late. Only this time Tobey is not there to tease him. The classroom is in disarray and the kids are running around as though they were just let loose from prison. Jack asks one kid if he's seen Tobey, but the answer is no.
Back at the shower, happiness abounds -- except for Joey, who is still in a funk. Then the naming begins. Each person suggests a girl's name and a boy's name. Bessie offers Sophie and Satchell.
Dawson and Mitch are hanging out in the treehouse after being banished from the celebration. Mitch gives Dawson a cigar (which of course neither of them smoke), and they begin to talk about fatherhood and why they haven't picked out a name for the kid yet.
"Want to know the truth?" asks his father. "Having a newborn in your life is pure, unadulterated hell."
"It can't be that bad," says Dawson.
"Oh, but it is. Unless you have a breast. A man doesn't really love a baby the way a woman does -- well not at first. A man loves the idea of a baby."
"That changes, right?" asks Dawson.
"One night you're standing in a dark room, exhausted, reaching for diapers and answers on a shelf you can't see. And this little person calls out to you, 'Daddy.' That's when you get it. And you feel your heart expand in a way you never knew was possible. And you love this little person so much that you actually ache." He stops and looks at Dawson to gauge his reaction. Dawson looks somewhat quizzical.
"I can't explain it any better," says Mitch.
"I think the reason you guys are waiting," says Dawson, "is because you don't want to just slap a name on this idea. I think you want to get a sense of who this new member of our family is. And I think when you meet him, you'll know."
"You're a pretty smart kid, Dawson."
More names. Jen suggests Emma and Jackson Pollack. Gretchen picks Isabella and Kurt. Grams chooses Rose and Thomas.
Dawson shares his fears about Gretchen with his father. He doesn't know what to do about the whole long distance relationship. His father says that no matter what happens if it was meant to be, it will happen -- even if it doesn't happen right away.
Now it's Joey's turn. She doesn't have any names, but she's brought a present, a necklace.
After Joey sits down, they begin to recount labor horror stories. Bessie gave birth in a hurricane, but she admits that the worst was definitely her mother's labor with Joey. It lasted over thirty-four hours, but it wasn't until her mother started calling her name that Joey finally came out into the world.
Well, this story is just a little too much for Joey to handle. She hastily excuses herself from the party and runs inside. Bessie follows her.
Jack goes to Tobey's house to check on him. Tobey won't let him in, claiming he has a contagious flu, but Jack won't let him get off that easy. When Tobey opens the door, he is on crutches. His face is pretty beaten up and he has a black eye. Jack wants to know what happened and Tobey lies and says he was mugged. Turns out he didn't report it to the cops, and Jack wants to change that. Tobey is frightened and hurt and sends Jack away.
Bessie wants to know what is up with Joey. Joey is defensive until Bessie finally figures out what the problem is.
"Joey," she asks, "are you pregnant?"
"What are you talking about?" asks Joey, walking away.
"I can't believe this. What happened?"
"I am not having this conversation with you."
"Hey you better watch it," says Bessie, "because if something is wrong, you're going to need me."
"Why, so I can sit through another series of endless lectures?"
"So you can straighten out your life."
"And have one more like yours," says Joey.
"You think you're better than me?" asks Bessie. "Look at you, you're just like mom, you're just like me."
"No I'm not," says Joey, getting emotional. "Because I assure you Bessie that no matter what happens, my life will be different."
"Is that right? Because at least I have someone in my life who knows how to take care of himself, not to mention a family, do you?"
At that moment, there is a commotion outside. Gail has gone into labor again.
Once again the Leery family rushes to the hospital in joyous anticipation.
Jack shows up at Jen's house to share his concerns about Tobey. When he breaks the news about Tobey's condition, Jen is worried as well. Jack admits that he thinks Tobey got attacked because he is gay, but he's wondering if he's being paranoid. Jen thinks he's probably right about Tobey and wants to know what he's going to do about it. She thinks he should tell the police since Tobey is too afraid to do it himself. Jack agrees.
Dawson picks up a bottle of Pepto-Bismol for his father. He and Gretchen get into another conversation about their future. Part of him wants to beg her to come with him to LA, and the other part of him is trying to be smart enough to let her go. Gretchen seems to agree that may be the best option.
"Can I ask you something?" asks Dawson. "Maybe I'm misinterpreting things, but, I really thought you wanted to sleep with me. Something seemed to change your mind that night on the beach."
"It just wasn't the right time," says Gretchen.
"Is there ever going to be a right time?" he asks.
"Dawson, if I go to Boston and you go to LA, getting closer is just going to make things more painful."
"What made you decide to apply for a job in Boston?" he asks.
"You're leaving," she says. "And I am so unbelievably happy for you, but look, I can't take that next step, opening myself up like that, just to be left. I just can't do that. You know, I gotta get on with my own life."
Just then, Dawson's dad walks up to break the news -- another false alarm. Gail is not in labor. He grabs the bottle of Pepto and walks off.
Joey shows up at Gretchen's house. She says she doesn't have anywhere else to go.
"How are you holding up?" asks Gretchen.
"Well, considering that I'm turning into this crazy person that I don't even recognize, great." She starts to cry. "God," she says, putting her head in her hand, "I can't believe how ill-prepared I am for this."
"You fell in love, you had sex. Even if you take every precaution, it's bound to change your world completely."
"Could you imagine Pacey with a baby?" asks Joey.
"You know, it's funny," says Gretchen. "Because I think Pacey would actually like the idea of a baby. He's great with kids, attentive to women -- the problem with the scenario is that Pacey can't deal with Pacey."
"I know, and the last thing I want to do is make his life more difficult. I really need him right now, Gretchen."
"Have you told Bessie?"
"Pretty much. Right after I told her that her life disgusts me."
"Look, make amends with your sister Joey. I mean being pregnant, whether you choose to stay that way or note, is ultimately about family. Trust me, you're going to want that support system around you."
"You sound like you're pretty familiar with the situation," says Joey.
"Last year in college I miscarried," she admits.
"I'm sorry."
"That's why I came back here," says Gretchen. "To deal with everything. Everything that you're dealing with now."
"You've been successful. New boyfriend, maybe a new job. Is Dawson going to go to Boston with you?"
"No, Dawson and I are in very different places in our lives," says Gretchen.
"Gretchen, you do know that Dawson would lasso the moon for you, right?"
"I know. But how can I let someone do that who's about to leave?"
"Well you don't shut him out of your life," says Joey. "And you cherish that big part of him that he always wants you to have. No matter what happens, you never forget him."
Gretchen starts to cry.
Dawson and Mitch are getting ready to watch a movie. Gail walks in, in labor again. This time, Dawson and Mitch don't take it too seriously. Finally, Gail has to pull Mitch off the couch by his ear in order to get him to take her to the hospital.
Jack goes back to Tobey's house -- this time with a police officer in tow. Tobey is upset and scared and does not want to talk. He is angry with Jack and belligerent. After the cop speaks up, he and Jack are able to convince Tobey that it's okay to talk about it. Jack offers his friendship as support.
Tobey tells the story. He was at the bus stop and he smiled at the guy waiting on the bench. The guy yelled, "faggot" and then a second guy came up from behind. They both attacked Tobey and beat him up.
Dawson and Mitch are in the hospital waiting for news. The labor is not going well and they are both worried. Gail calls out his name and Mitch runs back into the delivery room.
Joey returns home to find Bessie drinking a cup of coffee in the kitchen. Joey explains that she spent the night at Gretchen's house. Bessie talks about the responsibility of raising Joey and her own baby. Joey admits that Bessie did a great job of raising the family and that she hopes she can do as well for herself.
Bessie gets up and grabs a pregnancy test that she picked up for Joey. She tells Joey that she loves her and that she's here for her. She leaves the kitchen when she hears the baby cry, and Joey is left to her tears.
Jack picks up Tobey at home the next morning. He wants Tobey to go to volunteer and to stop moping around the house. Tobey is like a different person, but he wants to know why Jack has suddenly become the activist. Jack admits that the two of them are not too different -- that he has the same fears and dreams as Tobey and he would want to feel safe expressing them.
Tobey is thankful for Jack's friendship.
Joey takes the pregnancy test -- it's negative. She is more than relieved.
Grams, Jen, Bessie, and Joey show up at the hospital to check on Dawson's mom. They find a very stressed out Dawson who is concerned because the pregnancy is not progressing. He excuses himself from the group and Joey follows. They reflect on the past year and how high the stakes have gotten for both of them.
Dawson asks Joey is she and Pacey have talked about what will happen once they head off to Worthington. Joey admits that they haven't discussed anything. Dawson brings up his troubles with Gretchen. Joey assures him that Gretchen loves him and that he should try harder to make it work. Dawson doesn't know how.
"Dawson," says Joey. "It's not what I thought it was going to be."
"What's that?" he asks.
"Sex. Isn't that what you're talking about?"
"Joe..."
"I want you to know something," she interrupts. "Sex doesn't necessarily bring people closer together. It's just a magnifying glass. I mean, if there's a problem, it gets bigger. If there's closeness, you get closer. As far as you and Gretchen are concerned, you guys are probably a lot closer than a lot of people who are having sex."
A nurse interrupts with the news that his mom has delivered.
It's a girl! The whole gang is gathered and they are all in awe of the tiny little thing in Gail's arms. Gail them that she had to call out the baby's name in order to get her to come out -- just like Joey's mother had done with Joey. And her name? Lillian, the name of Joey's mother.
Dawson holds his new sister in his arms and says hello to her.
Later, Joey is back at home and the phone is ringing. She answers it -- it's Pacey.
"Gretchen told me I had to call immediately," he says, "what's wrong?"
"Actually nothing," says Joey. "I thought I had a huge problem, but 'um, I was wrong."
"What kind of problem did you think you had?" he asks.
"Nothing you should worry about," she answers. "The important thing is that you focus on yourself." She hints at the real reason for his trip, trying to get him to talk to her.
"Where are you?" she asks.
"I told you, I'm fishing with Douggie," he lies. Joey's face falls. "We're having the time of our lives out here," he continues. "Caught a ninety pound Marlin yesterday -- we're living the high life Joey. The high life. You and I gotta get out here sometime."
"Yeah we will," says Joey. "We'll have to do that real soon."
"Yeah," says Pacey, feeling guilty about his lie. "I miss you."
"I miss you, Pace," she says, disappointed in him.
Dawson gets home to find Gretchen waiting for him. She missed her train to wait for him. They share a passionate kiss. Then another, and another.
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