Dawson Leery quotes from Dawson's Creek

Gretchen

You have no idea what you're doing, do you?

Dawson

No.

Gretchen

Good, keep it that way. Because the second you become aware of just how charming you are, you're going to use your powers for evil.

Gretchen

Just promise me something.

Dawson

Anything.

Gretchen

That you'll always be as honest with me as you were last night. Cause that's the hardest part about having a relationship. It's so much harder than sex. And trusting someone is like this gigantic act of faith. You put it out there and you can never really be sure if you're gonna get it back. Sex... sex is just mechanical.

Dawson

I want to apologize.

Joey

For what?

Dawson

For that question I asked you a couple weeks ago. That very personal question. I should have never asked you. I don't know why I did. It was some masochistic side of me that I haven't explored yet. Probably the same side of me that's sabotaging my relationship with Gretchen.

Joey

You think you're sabotaging your relationship?

Dawson

Well, mentioning you every 30 seconds, I'm sure it doesn't help.

Dawson

Worthington is what you want, right?

Joey

It doesn't matter what I want, Dawson.

Dawson

Yes or no?

Joey

Yes.

Dawson

Then I want you to have Mr. Brooks' money.

Joey

Dawson, are you insane? I can't.

Dawson

Joey, I... I've watched you go through so much pain in your life. I mean, even before your mom got sick and your dad...

Joey

Don't do this. Don't feel sorry for me, Dawson.

Dawson

I don't. That's not what this is about. Jo, all the pain I've watched you go through, I've never been able to fix it before. And this I can fix. All I need you to do is let me.

Dawson

What you felt the other night at the movie theater, that something was finally right between us... I felt that, too. And nothing will ever change that... not going to school on different coasts. Not meeting people who we're meant to love forever... nothing. And I want you to have this [Hands her an envelope with a check in it]

Joey

But, Dawson...

Dawson

I don't know how I feel about you sleeping with Pacey. I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow or next week or next year for that matter, but I'm absolutely certain that giving you this is the right thing to do. Because I'm certain about us... and what we mean to each other. And I think you are, too.

Gretchen

I want to make love to you so much. So much. And I really believe that that was why we came here, but it's not. I guess just as much as I want you and I love you, we're not gonna do this.

Dawson

Why not?

Gretchen

Because when we go there, it's not gonna be because you have something to prove to yourself. It's gonna be because we love each other, and because we're prepared to show each other what that really means.

Dawson

I still have my distortions and my delusions. I still think that everything should be perfect, and that Joey and I should have slept together for the first time. What I realized is that I gotta let go. You know, it's time. And there's so much ahead of me. I mean, there's college, there's... there's this new baby... and there's you.

Gretchen

So what are you saying?

Dawson

I'm in love with you, and I no longer remember what we're waiting for.

Gretchen

Neither do I.

Dawson

Have you and Pacey talked about him being near Worthington next year?

Joey

[laughs] Uh, Pacey and I haven't really discussed the future too much lately.

Dawson

You should. It has a peculiar way of unexpectedly becoming the present.

Dawson

I was just gonna say, you know, given everything that's happened in the twelve months since last year's prom -- I'm glad we ended up here.

Joey

Me too, Dawson.

Dawson

God, we're so healthy, it makes me wanna puke.

Joey

I know. It is kinda sickening.

Mitch

I can't get over how much he reminded me of you.

Dawson

I remind you of him?

Mitch

Well, that part where he talks about that girl? How she jumped over the counter, they went off to California together, they didn't even know each other? Who does that?

Dawson

Hitchhikers.

Mitch

Risk takers. Dreamers. People who understand that every once in a while, an opportunity presents itself. And whatever they decide to do in that moment will change the rest of their lives forever. Brooks could have told that girl to get lost. He could have gone off to California alone like he planned, but he didn't.

Dawson

No, he didn't.

Mitch

Because he knew. Very few men are lucky enough to actually see those moments, Dawson.

Joey

You know, I was just gonna... keep my mouth shut and let you go... but...[Sighs]... It's not me. That's some Merchant Ivory movie, you know, where people suffer in silence, and you're supposed to be so impressed by their restraint. Well... you know... sorry, but screw that. My best friend in the whole world is leaving tomorrow, and a big part of me wants him to stay... so I hope you don't hate me.

Dawson

I could never hate you, Joey... and not for lack of trying, either.

Joey

These past couple of years, it's been one big soap opera. I wouldn't take it back. I wouldn't... take any of it back, but... I'm glad that it's over. 'Cause I like the way things are now. My life being the cruel joke that it is, now that things are so nice... you're leaving.

Dawson

Jo... if I thought for one second it was the right thing to do, I would stay, but it's time to go. It's time for me to get out of this room, and it's time for you to discover who you are without us. This chapter's over, Jo. I can feel it.

Joey

[With tears running down her cheeks] Do you believe in magic? I never used to. I mean, how could I? 13, your mom dies. You hope against hope for--for magic, something to make it all better. It never comes, and, you know, you look to your father who's unable to overcome all of his tragic flaws. Well, no abracadabra there. And then there's Pacey. Well... any magic that was there, that ran out, didn't it? But, uh, then there's you. There's proof that someone out there is thinking of me... my friend who was with me always. It's pure magic. I guess this is pretty much just a long-winded way of saying that, um... I'm gonna miss you, Dawson.

Dawson

I'm gonna miss you, too, Joey.

Jen

[sighs] Come here. [They hug] Mm. Ok. Go. Get the Hell out of here. Walk across that lawn, have a great life, and don't ever call me again.

Dawson

What? So I can confirm your worst fears about men?

Jen

Yes, exactly. Oh, wait, I forgot. We never slept together.

Dawson

You got 5 minutes?

Jen

For you? Always.

Pacey

So how is she?

Dawson

She's, um... you know, she's doing the same thing you are, Pace. She's keepin' busy. (Sighs) She doesn't say much, but, um... you know, I get the feeling that she thinks about you every 10 seconds or so. I know she'd appreciate a call.

Pacey

Uh, you know, I just don't think that's a place I'm ready to go quite yet, Dawson.

Pacey

I just... I realized that you're the only person in Capeside that I actually regret not saying good-bye to, because, you know, for a long time there, Dawson, being your best friend was all I really cared about in my life. I just wanted you to hear from me that despite everything that's happened between us and the miles that may be between us right now, you know, I still think about the way things were.

Dawson

Back when we were just a couple dorks wondering if and when a girl would ever look our way?

Pacey

Ha, ha, well, speak for yourself, huh?

Dawson

[laughs] Yeah, Pace, I'm... I'm really glad you called, because the worst thing about not saying good-bye was I didn't get a chance to tell you something I wanted so badly to tell you.

Pacey

What's that?

Dawson

I'm proud of you, Pacey.

Pacey

Thanks, Dawson.

Dawson

Good luck out there.

Pacey

Yeah, you too.