For most in this section L/G is the norm, for me it's a change of pace. I just got the urge to write some L/G fluff. The tormented soul fluff warning (inside joke) is in effect for the whole story, so be careful. Lol.

Disclaimer – Disney owns Lizzie McGuire.

A/N – "Thoughts", Lizzie and Gordo are 25

Chapter 1 – An Old Friend

Lizzie practically dragged herself down the hall of her apartment building. "That's the last time I let Suzy drag me to a singles bar." Lizzie had just spent, or in her opinion, wasted, her Thursday night with her friend at a cheesy singles bar. As she fished for her keys in her bag, "We weren't there for less than five minutes before the weasels started using their lame lines on us."

Finally finding her keys, she unlocked her apartment door and quickly walked inside. After shutting the door, she leaned back against it and took off her pointed toe heels. Letting out a sigh, she felt her feet slowly relax. "Just once I'd like to meet a nice guy."

As soon as she thought it, she let out a sarcastic and bitter laugh, "You did and you really fucked that up." Pushing that aside, Lizzie slowly looked around her apartment. It was a small but cozy little apartment; it was basically a bedroom, a living room and kitchenette, and a bathroom. In New York City, especially Manhattan, with all apartments being expensive, it was the best place Lizzie could afford. She didn't mind though, she loved her little apartment..

With her heels in one hand and gently rubbing her lower back with her free hand, she walked over to the coffee table where her phone was. Sitting on the arm of the couch, she pressed the button on the phone for the answering machine to play her messages.

The mechanical female voice responded, "Two messages."

As the first message played, it was her mom, Lizzie rolled her eyes and laughed a little at her mother's over protective nature. Mrs. McGuire absolutely hated the fact that her daughter was on the other coast alone.

As he mom finished, the second one started playing. "Hey Liz."

As soon as she heard the voice, Lizzie heart skipped a beat, the way it always did when she heard from him.

"I guess you're not in. Anyway, I've gotta fly into New York Sunday for a meeting with my publishers on Monday." While Gordo was still trying to be a director, he had been given the chance to try his hand at turning one of the screenplays he had written into a non-fiction story. The story took off and was a big success, now there was talk about him writing a sequel.

"If you got the time, I'd like to hang out and you can show me the sights. If you don't, maybe we can have dinner or something."

"Even if I didn't have time, I'd make time for you," Lizzie said as she found herself answering the message.

"Anyway, I gotta go. Give me a call when you get in or tomorrow. I guess I'll talk to you later. Bye."

Lizzie immediately dropped her heels and grabbing the phone from its cradle, dove across the coach. Turning onto her back and adjusting her skirt, she quickly hit one on her speed dial. "Gordo's cell phone."

After two rings, "Hello."

"Like I wouldn't make time for you," was all she said and hearing Gordo laugh on the other end made her smile.

"What time is it in the big city?"

Lizzie glanced at the small clock she had on top of the TV. "Umm, a little before one. How's the weather in good old Hill Ridge?" Lizzie joked.

"Sunny and low 60s. Gotta love winter in California. How about you?" Gordo shot back with a laugh. It was the end of the first week of December.

"Shut up. Its cold but at least its not snowing yet," she said as she looked out the window. "When do you come in Sunday?"

"Umm. I think around five or so in the afternoon. I'll probably make it to my hotel at about seven."

"Like hell," Lizzie said interrupting him. "There's no way I'm letting you stay in some dumpy hotel and letting you eat room service. You'll stay with me," she told him.

"I get no say in the matter?" he teased.

The smile that had never Lizzie's face, widened. "No."

"Okay McG. My flight gets in about five, so I guess I'll meet you in baggage claim?"

"You gotta it," she said and then without realizing it, let out a big yawn.

"Tired?"

"Kinda. A friend of mine dragged me to a singles bar and I just got back before I called you. I'm a little beat."

Gordo laughed a little, "Meet anyone?"

"Yea right. If they didn't try a corny line, they were either a slime ball or gay." They both laughed again.

"I've missed this," Gordo said suddenly.

"Missed what?" she asked as she slowly calmed down.

"Just us talking, laughing. I've missed you."

"Aww," she teased him. "You do care about me."

"Yea, just don't tell anyone, it's a secret," Gordo teased again but as Lizzie tried to laugh too, she yawned instead. "Why don't you go to bed? We can catch up when I get there."

"Ok," Lizzie said a little defeated. She didn't want to stop talking to him, she missed talking to him too. She hadn't been back in Hill Ridge since last summer; for Thanksgiving, she had met her parents and Matt at her grandmother's house in Walla Walla. Lizzie slowly rolled off the couch and got to her feet, "I'll talk to ya later Gordo. Night."

"Goodnight McGuire," Gordo said before hanging up.

Lizzie did the same and put the phone back in cradle. Even though she was exhausted, she was happy. Gordo always seemed to have that affect on her; whenever she was upset about anything, he was there to cheer her up. "How the hell did I let him go?" she thought as she shook her head and picked up her shoes from the floor.

Walking into her bedroom, she thought about the trip to Rome. She had kissed him their last night but when they returned home, she freaked and told him that it was nothing more than a thank you. "Stupid, stupid, stupid." It was the most regrettable moment in her life.

When she finally realized her mistake, it was too late. Gordo was with someone else; Parker hadn't wasted any time swooping in. While they only lasted a few months, Lizzie knew she had missed her chance.

Now a little upset as she changed into her pajamas, she tried to push those thoughts out of her mind. Lying down on her bed, she curled up under the covers and looked at a small picture on her nightstand. It was a picture of Miranda, Gordo, and her on their last night together before going to college.

Miranda had gone to Stanford, Gordo to USC, and Lizzie to NYU. It was weird not actually seeing each other everyday and usually talking constantly over instant messenger. After college, Miranda and Gordo had stayed in California, while she had stayed in New York.

Gordo was still trying to be a director and his writing career was starting to pick up. He lived back in Hill Ridge and usually commuted to Los Angeles for directing jobs and meetings.

Miranda was still at Stanford, finishing up her law degree and working for a prestigious law firm in San Francisco.

After graduating from NYU with a degree in marketing, Lizzie had stayed in New York and was working as a part of the marketing department for Caberas Enterprises.

Finally, after a few minutes of looking at the picture, Lizzie finally closed her eyes and fell asleep; looking forward to Gordo's visit but a small part of her was incredibly nervous.