I was motivated to write this story, as a spin off to season 5, because it always felt weird to me that Dawson was a part of that season as much as he was. It would have made much more sense for him to be somewhere else, separate from the other characters, albeit doing the same stuff. Which is more or less what this story is designed to be. I also realised that Hollywood wasn't the place for him, given the culture shock he would experience from living there, hence the UK setting.

I also decided to keep Oliver, since he was a good foil for Dawson, and film-making partner. Someone who was a bit like Dawson himself, but even more annoying. I realised that since Andie wasn't in this season, this would be a good opportunity to bring her back, without it affecting what was happening in the main story. Finally, the character of Emma, who only shows up in season 6 for a few episodes, I thought would be a good character to introduce, since she was British, and because Oliver and Dawson would need somewhere to stay. Hence why she is Oliver's cousin.

This story will also include the other side of some of the email conversations and phone calls portrayed in the main season 5 story. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend reading that story first, as it will make more sense that way.

As with all my stories, this one has a theme song: Dreams by the Cranberries. Hope you enjoy the story, more notes to come at the end.

Author's Note: the final two chatpers will serve as a prologue. However, if you are familiar with the show, and my previous stories, there won't be much new to you.

Film school and Hollywood were not at all what Dawson expected or hoped they would be. Things got off to a bad start. Upon arriving on campus, Dawson discovered that the student dorms were full, so he was placed in an old, abandoned studio, which had been turned into makeshift living space, by himself. It wasn't the worst place he could have stayed, but he was alone, and the space was very large, and felt very lonely. Also, the bathroom was on the opposite side of the building, and it took him a few minutes to walk there and back.

On top of this, Dawson expected people in Hollywood to be fake, but didn't anticipate how disingenuous, performative and how much of a suck up everyone was. Not to mention everyone's attitudes towards sex and career advancement. It all made Dawson feel jaded and dejected. It also made him miss Capeside, and his old friends. However, he was determined not to contact anyone until he was settled in. He was beginning to wonder if this would ever happen.

It wasn't all bad though. One of his classmates, a young man named Oliver, mocked his love of Spielberg on the first day of class. After class he approached Dawson to say "I hope you didn't take that too personally". The two of them made up, and became fast friends. Dawson would never say this aloud, but at times, Oliver reminded him of a younger (more insufferable) version of himself so much it made him cringe.

It was around this time that Daria Morgendorffer, a girl known for her jadedness, called to let him know she would be passing through on a road trip. She stopped by, and they stayed up all night talking. She helped him gain a new perspective on his situation. She suggested to him that Hollywood was not the only place he could learn the craft of film-making. This got Dawson thinking about what he would do when the summer semester was over.

"Hey Dawson, summer's nearly over" Oliver said

"Yeah, I suppose so" said Dawson

"So, what are you going to do after summer school?" Oliver asked

"I don't know. I suppose I was going to enrol here full time. What about you?"

"Well, there's this art school in London, with a film studies program. Plus I have a cousin in London who will let me stay with her" Oliver explained

"Good luck" Dawson said, with a modicum of envy and disappointment

"You could come too, if you like. I'm sure my cousin wouldn't mind"

"You know what, that actually sounds great" Dawson said

Once summer school came to an end, Dawson flew back to Capeside, to spend a bit of time with his family, including his newborn sister, Lily. He then spent one day in Boston, with his friends, Joey, Pacey, Jen, Jack, Jane, Daria, and the newest addition to their group, Audrey. As they were seeing him off, he kissed Daria, right in front of the security gate, very non-platonically. He then boarded the plane to London, ready for the next phase of his life.

"Dawson, this is my cousin, Emma. Emma, Dawson" Oliver said, greeting Dawson, after his flight arrived.

"So, you're the Speilberg lover, Oliver won't shut up about. Funny, I thought you'd be taller" Emma said, sharply, before turning towards the carpark. "This way, try to keep up, and not get lost"

Once they got into Emma's car, Oliver asked "How was your flight?"

"It was alright. But it was pretty long" Dawson admitted

"Its lucky you got in when you did. You might not be able to fly again for a while" Emma said

"Why is that?" Dawson was confused

"Oh, you haven't heard the news, have you?" Emma realised

"What news?" Dawson asked

"Dawson, terrorists just flew two aircraft into the twin towers in New York. The whole aviation industry is on lock-down" Oliver explained

"Is this a joke, or has your overactive imagination gotten the best of you?" Dawson said, in disbelief

"No, this is real" Emma said, turning on the radio, which had news updates about it

"… and reports are still rolling in that today's attack on the World Trade Center, in New York, may have been linked to Iraq, or possibly Mujahideen militants in Afghanistan"

"Okay, I get the point" Dawson said

Emma lead the two boys up the elevator to her apartment, switched on the light, and showed them in.

"Sorry about the mess. I'm not used to having guests" She said, and then made up a bed for Dawson on the sofa, next to the one Oliver had been using.

"Fridge is over there" she pointed "help yourself to anything, except my booze. Touch that and you can find yourself a new place to live. We'll talk about money tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything, but for now, I'm going to bed. See you in the morning" and then she turned off the lights, and Dawson and Oliver got into their makeshift sofa beds.

"Hey Dawson, I'm really glad you're here" Oliver said

"I'm glad I'm here too" Dawson said

"Hey Dawson, do you think we should get like, part time jobs, to pay back Emma"

"I think we should talk about that tomorrow"

"Hey Dawson, do you maybe want to make a movie together sometime?"

"Oliver, I'm too tired to think about it right now"

"Hey Dawson?"

"Oliver, I swear to god, if the next words out of your mouth aren't Goodnight, Dawson, I'm going to take this pillow and smother you with it"

"Goodnight, Dawson"

"Goodnight, Oliver"