It had been three weeks since Dawson had agreed to be Pacey's best man, and Dawson found himself at LAX, waiting to board the plane that would take him home to watch his childhood best friends get married. He sat at the gate, reading the latest copy of a new magazine called The Backlot. He was supposed to have an interview with one of their columnists today, but he'd had to cancel it the day he made his travel reservations. He finished the article he was currently reading, on the adoption rate of digital projection technologies in the countries theatres, and looked at the byline to see who had written it. He wanted to make sure he complimented the writer when he met with that columnist next week. To say he was shocked by what he saw was an understatement.

"Gretchen Witter." Dawson whispered to himself, putting the magazine down in his lap. What came next was even more of a shock. He looked across the waiting area to see Gretchen standing there, looking around for a place to sit.

She saw him at almost the exact same moment, and smile spread across her face. She crossed over to him and he stood to give her a hug. She was the first one to speak, "Oh my gosh, what a surprise to see you here. You going home for the wedding, too?"

"Yeah, I guess you are too," Dawson responded, with a great big grin on his face. "I didn't even know you were living out here. How long have you been in town?"

"Only about four weeks. Actually, more like one, I've been on the road, checking out theatres around the country." They were both still holding each others' arms.

"I know. I just finished reading your article. It was great." He reached down for the copy of Backlot that was in his chair. "So you did it, you became a writer."

"Yeah, and I hear you haven't done to bad for yourself either, Mr. Bigshot, Producer/Director." Gretchen laughed at her own comment, watching the expression on Dawson's face. "Can't say I've seen your show, personally. Before I got this new job, I had one that worked me nearly sixty hours a week. Can't say that I had tie for TV."

"No, I'd guess not." Dawson sat down and invited Gretchen to join him. "Man, I can't believe your actually living in LA now. How weird is that?"

"I know. I was convinced I'd never make it out of Massachusets, let alone the East Coast." She paused for a moment before continuing. "But I always new you would."

"I don't know that I would have, if it hadn't been for you and Mr. Brooks. The two of you got me making movies again, restored my faith in my own creativity." Dawson paused. "Then when my father entered my documentary on Brooks in a film festival in New Hampshire just before he died."

Gretchen interrupted him, "I was really sorry to hear about your dad. I'm sorry that I never called you. I'm sorry that we didn't keep in touch more after I left. It just seemed like."

This time it was Dawson's turn to interrupt, ".like it would hurt too much. Yeah, I think so too. We needed time to grow, take our separate paths. I'll tell you this though, I think I could have used your ever-present optimism during a few stretches there."

"Yeah, there were a few time I could have used your vast life-knowledge and understanding as well." She reached into her purse and pulled out her boarding pass. "So, where are you sitting on the plane?"

"Well, I'm in first class, Row 3, Seat D." He watched as a smile spread across Gretchen's face. "What's so funny."

"Oh nothing, it's just that it looks like we're going to have to put up with each other for the entire flight." She showed him her boarding pass- Row 3, Seat C. "Think you can handle that, Mr. Leery?"

"I'm sure I'll manage." The both laughed as a voice announced that it was time for their flight to start boarding. First Class passengers were first, so the two of them grabbed their carry-on bags and made their way to the gate.

Once they got on the plane, they did some more catching up, replaying the past seven years of their lives apart, at least the more interesting parts. Gretchen had finished school around the same time that Dawson was finishing his movie that all his friends helped him make, and that allowed him to boss Todd around for a change. From there, she went to work the newspaper that she'd been working for up until just a little over a month earlier. She was doing some writing for the entertainment section when Linda approached her about working for Backlot. It didn't take long for the two of them to figure out that It was Dawson who Gretchen was supposed to be interviewing, and that made both of them laugh. Not long after takeoff, Dawson asked Gretchen if she wanted to see some Creek episodes. She said sure, and he fired up his G6 powerbook and the two of them spent the rest of the flight watching and laughing at the actors attempting to portray things they both remembered vividly.

About four hours later they were on the ground in Boston, and decided it would make more sense just to get one rental car, since they were going to the same place and would be returning at the same time. On the way to Capeside, they talked about what Gretchen thought of the show so far, and Dawson recapped where things were heading in the second season. By the time they reached Dawson's mom's house, they were already brainstorming into seasons three and four. Dawson had called home to let his mom know when he was going to be arriving and told her about Gretchen. Then his mom informed him about the plans that she and Joey had decided on, to have Gretchen and him stay at her house since the B&B was going to be full with Joey and Pacey and Andy and Tom. When they pulled in at the house, Joey and Pacey were sitting on front porch, waiting for them.

They both greeted Dawson and Gretchen, Pacey choosing to speak first. "I see you guys decided carpool."

Gretchen laughed a little, and smiled. "Yeah, we didn't see any sense in renting two cars. Besides, between the flight and the drive, I think we've managed to completely catch up."

"Yeah," agreed Dawson. "Besides, it's not everyday that I get to ride in a car with a beautiful woman."

Gretchen turned to look at him. "Yeah, right. I'm sure you've got tons of girls falling all over themselves to go out with you."

Dawson started to reply, but Joey beat him to it. "Actually, Dawson told me just a couple weeks ago, that it's become incredibly difficult to find a decent date since The Creek has become such a success."

Dawson just nodded in agreement.

"So, you guys want some help carrying your stuff. I figured after we got you all settle in here at Chateau Leery, we'd head on over the Ice House for a bite to eat." Pacey walked over the rental car and started to unload the luggage. An hour later, the four of them were at the Ice House having dinner at catching up. They made plans to meet the next day so that Dawson could get fitted for his tux and Gretchen for her dress, and then said goodnight and then parted ways, Pacey and Joey returning to the Potter B&B and Gretchen and Dawson to Dawson's mom's.

When Gretchen and Dawson reached the house, they decided to go up to Dawson's room and finish watching episodes of the Creek. However, neither of them made it all the way through and ended up falling asleep on Dawson's bed, Gretchen's head on Dawson's shoulder.