A/N: Okay, Godfather references are mine though the Godfather characters are NOT! I just am a little fascinated w/ the whole "thunderbolt" reference and all, hence the meaning of the story. Anyway, R&R and enjoy the show!

Chapter Two: Adventures in Video Renting

"Matt? Matt? Where are you, you little weasel?"

"Lizzie! What did I tell you about calling your brother names?" She heard her mother reprimand her. Lizzie turned around, caught her mother giving her this look, then sighed. "Sorry, mom... it's just that, Matt took my A*Teens CD again! I swear, he's becoming more and more obsessed with Marie!"

"And who's Marie again?"

"The tall blonde." Lizzie simply answered before heading towards Matt's room in search of her CD.

"Wait," Jo McGuire grasped her daughter's shoulder, halting her in her place. "Isn't that the group that sings those old Abba songs?"

"Yeah, mom... that's why they're called the A*Teens... Abba for the next generation."

"Oh!" Nonchalantly, "You're father has that CD."

Lizzie gave her mother this look, opened her mouth as if to say something, then thought twice about it. "Never mind... uh, where is it now?" She paused, then, "Don't tell me that he--"

"Has it with him..." Jo finished for her daughter. "Yeah,"

Her arms crossed and a smirk on her young face, "Has he fallen for Marie too?"

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Jo smiled back at Lizzie. She patted Lizzie's arm, then walked back down to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Lizzie followed her mom, half wondering if she should help her and half wondering if she should just grab a quick snack and head back to her room. Anything to keep her mind off of the book assignment that was given today at school.

When she reached the refridgerator, Jo was already preparing the salad. "So how was school today, sweetie?"

Lizzie groaned, giving Jo a distinct hint that either something bad happened to her daughter socially or academically.

"Mom," Lizzie grabbed a soda can, then walked towards the counter, propping her elbows up. "Whoever invented 'the book report' better be dead and buried or else someone is gonna be in a lot of pain."

"Ouch," Jo mock winced, then cast her daughter a sympathetic smile.

"Mom, can I borrow your car tonight?" Lizzie asked thoughtfully.

"Sure honey. You going out with David and Miranda tonight?"

"Actually... I'm going to go out and rent a movie." She reached into the salad bowl, grabbing a carrot stick.

"Really? Which one?"

Lizzie paused, suddenly regretting opening her mouth and saying what she was about to say. "Uh, A Walk to remember."

Jo regarded her daughter carefully. "Wasn't there a book by Nicholas Sparks called A Walk to remember?"

She took another bite of the carrot stick, chewing slowly. Lizzie gulped and softly, "Uh, yeah..."

"Lizzie," Jo spoke in that motherly tone of voice that Lizzie knew so well.

"But mom! Look at it this way, most movies nowadays are based on books! I figured that I might as well save some time, learn the story in less than three hours, and concentrate the rest of the time on rehearsing my presentation!"

Jo gave Lizzie this look that said she wasn't going to get away with it that easily. Lizzie groaned and placed her head down. "There are no more interesting enough books left in this whole planet that wasn't made into a movie!"

"Lizzie, I didn't say that you can't find a book that wasn't made into a movie." Jo began, though she was interrupted.

Lizzie perked her head up, smiling. "So that means you'll let me go out and rent it?"

"Of course I'll let you go out and rent it... but not as a short cut for your assignment." She stated matter of frankly.

"Oh." Lizzie's face fell, dejected once again.

"Look, sweetie, sometimes not all of the movies are better than the books they were based on. Sometimes a book has more details than the movie could ever show. I tell you what, why don't you and Matt go out, rent a movie, but while you're there, look for a movie based on a book and read the book instead." Jo walked over to her purse, got out her car keys, and handed them to Lizzie. "And if you really enjoyed the book, then you may go out and rent the movie."

Lizzie pouted, though she had to admit that her mom had a good point. "Mom, that just totally defeats the purpose of renting a movie based on a novel!" She paused, "But... as long as I have the key to your car, I might as well make the use of it!"

@ ~ ~ ~ @ ~ ~ ~ @

"How 'bout Black Hawk Down?" David Gordon reached for the DVD box, thoughtfully holding it out for Lizzie.

On the way over to the movie rentals, Lizzie stopped on over at David's house and asked him, practically pleaded with him, to follow her. Lizzie didn't trust herself in taking care of Matt... especially if he ever drove her to the edge of strangling him! She knew that her mutant brother and her Gordo got along, which still amazes her! As long as Gordo was with her, helping her keep an eye on Matt, then this little movie renting outing would go by smoothly.

"That was based on a book?" Lizzie grabbed the Hartnett covered box, surprised.

David on the other hand just stared at his favorite girl in amazement, "Yes it was, Liz. Don't tell me you were too busy fawning over pretty boy to realize it was based on a true story?"

She gave David this look, then slyly said, "Jealous much, Gordo?"

David returned the look, "Ha ha. Funny, McGuire."

"Hey! Lizzie!" A young man that was only an inch shorter than Lizzie, nearly ran into her and knocked her over. His energy level still as high as ever before. "This one! Let's rent this movie!"

"Matt!" Lizzie growled, "Run into me a little harder and it would have been your butt hitting the ground after mines!"

Thirteen year old Matt McGuire rolled his eyes, then shoved the DVD box into Lizzie's hand.

Lizzie read the title, David scanned it as well over Liz's shoulder. Both then glanced at each other, then at Matt, eye brows raised as they both spoke, "Lilo and Stitch?"

Matt looked at them both, a bit surprised himself by their reactions. "What? Hey, I happen to relate to Stitch on an emotional level! He and I are both extremely underestimated and under-appreciated." Matt pretended to shed a tear, putting his acting skills to the test.

However, Lizzie crossed her arms, "It says here that there's additional features that include the A*Teens music video for the movie."

Matt's bright smile faltered a bit until his true intentions shone through. Sighing, "Okay, fine! I'm in it for Marie in a grass skirt! You happy?!"

Before Lizzie could triumphantely declare victory, David grabbed the box from Lizzie, then turned to Matt. "You mean the hot blond? In a grass skirt?"

"Men!" Lizzie exclaimed, shaking her head and throwing her hands up in disbelief. She walked away from them, needing to continue her search for a descent enough storyline.

Lizzie continued down the aisles, hoping for something to catch her eye. She had stumbled upon a bunch of films, but she had no idea if it was based on a novel.

After his brief Marie discussion with Matt, David finally joined Lizzie on her search. "Anything yet, m'lady?"

A smile played on her lips at David's affectionate nickname for her. She knew that the nickname was his little way of apologizing for his behavior a moment ago. Lizzie allowed him to place his arm around her waist, never leaving her side.

When you've been with someone for so long, practically your whole life, sometimes little things like that came natural and without question. Sure it was those little displays of affection that helped added fuel to the fire of rumors, but to Lizzie and David, it didn't matter what the world thought. What mattered to them was how it made them feel, and at this moment, Lizzie felt at peace with her Gordo.

Lizzie rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes looking up thoughtfully at the many movies before her. "Nope. Nothing yet."

He placed a soft reassuring kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, you'll find something."

"What about you? What book are you reading for the assignment?"

Gently, David walked Lizzie over to the drama section of the store. Pointing to a movie, "That." He watched as she picked up the video box. "I'm reading Mario Puzo's The Last Don. Ever since I watched The Godfather and Road to Perdition, I've been finding myself on this mobster high..."

Lizzie glanced at David, giving him a soft smile. "You know, you would look good in a fedora..." She giggled at his smirk.

Mimicking with an accent, "All I need now is'a tommy gun, a getaway car, and maybe a quickie with my best gal, eh?" He winked at Lizzie, causing her to laugh harder and slap his arm.

Suddenly, David's face lit up. "Hey, why don't you read The Godfather? You'll like it!"

Lizzie wrinkled her nose, "I don't think so, Gordo. I mean, me and a Mafia book?" She placed the box back, "Guns? Blood? Violence... y'know I'm not into that kind of stuff."

Giving her a sly look, "Not into violence? Wasn't it just a week ago you threatened to kick the crap out of Kate for wrongfully acusing you of swiping Mr. Waterson's grade book?"

She bit her lower lip, averted David's gaze, then sighed. "Hey, I almost got suspended for something I didn't do! I wasn't about to let Kate get away with that! Especially since we all know she hired one of her lackeys to do it."

"At least consider it, McGuire." He reached for The Godfather Part I video box. "Alright, I'll make you an offer you can't refuse." David smiled, "I have the DVD collection at home. This weekend, watch part one with me and if you like it, I'll let you borrow my copy of the book."

Again, Lizzie wrinkled her nose, "Gordo... I don't know..." Images of bullets flying, guys getting massacred with bullets, blood everywhere... images that just didn't appeal to Lizzie. In fact, she was quite disgusted with it.

Taking the video box from David, "What is with guys and The Godfather?"

"Oh! The Godfather!" Matt whizzed towards them, snatching the box from Lizzie. "This is an awesome movie!" Being quite the young actor, Matt tried to mirror the facial image of Marlon Brando's character, Don Vito Corleone. "I coulda been a contender..."

David and Lizzie exchanged glances. She rolled her eyes at her drama king of a brother, while David just chuckled and placed a big brother arm on him. "Uh, Matt? Wrong character, man... wrong movie, infact."

Matt paused at what David said, then smiled. "Oops! My bad!"

David slipped back into an Italian accent--Godfather style. "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."

Lizzie just shook her head in amusement, while Matt high-fived David. "Dude," He laughed, "The Don rocks!"

"Don't forget Sonny!" David paused, then bowed his head as if to pay reverence. "Damn guy... riddled."

"I'll say." Matt somberly agreed.

"Sonny? Riddled?" Lizzie glanced at her Gordo, however he continued talking with Matt: man-to-man, *grunt* guy to *grunt* guy. "What is it with men and The Godfather?!" She murmured to herself.

"Michael was the man!" David exclaimed. "Next to Vito and Sonny, of course." He winked.

"Of course!"

Then, both Matt and David paused, as if thinking the same thought, a sly smile appearing on their faces. "Apollonia..."

Confused now more than ever, "Who?" Lizzie glanced from her Gordo to her brother. "Who's Apollonia?"

"A total babe..." Matt sighed, a glazed look in his eyes.

"Definitely!" David agreed.

"Great body!" Matt drooled.

"One hell of a body!"

"The wedding night?" Matt glanced at David knowingly.

"The wedding night..." He nodded approvingly.

"Okay," Lizzie raised her hand, "Anyone else as confused as I am? Hello?" She looked around and sighed, "Yep. Only one clueless."

Both of her boys then looked at each other, yet again sharing one same thought. This little "two minds sharing one thought" act began to scare Lizzie. Scare her a lot!

With goofy grins, "The thunderbolt..."

Lizzie shook her head, "Lovely... great, just great!" She stalked up to them, snatching the video box from their grasp. "We are renting this baby so that I can at least know who and what the hell you two are talking about!" Glaring at her two boys, "And the fact that I want to know... well, frankly, it scares me."

She began to make her way to the video check-out counter, but David's hand grasped onto her arm. "Liz, wait."

"Yeah," Matt shoved the Lilo & Stitch box in her hand. "Don't forget this!"

"Uh, Matt?" David glanced at his girl's brother. "May I speak to Lizzie alone, please?"

Matt looked from both David to Lizzie, as if trying to see something that obviously wasn't in front of him. Finally, he nodded as if in understanding. "Oh... okay," He winked at them, "Gotcha! I got no problem with leaving you two alone to discuss your marital business."

Lizzie just stared at her brother, wide-eyed. "Excuse me?"

As if ignoring Lizzie's startled reaction to his words. "I'll just head on over to the video section behind the red curtain. Holler if you need me!" He waved good-bye and turned on his heel to leave.

Lizzie sighed and shook her head in disbelief at her brother. David remained silent, which would have bothered Lizzie if she wasn't so focused on ways to strangle her brother. She finally turned to her Gordo, "Okay, what did you wanted to talk to me about?"

David regarded Lizzie, opened his mouth, but suddenly his eyes seemed to come alive with a sudden revelation. He turned to where Matt disappeared on them, then turned back to Lizzie. "Uh, Liz... did Matt say 'video section behind the red curtain'?"

She gave her Gordo this confused look, "Huh?" Pausing to think about it, "Uh, yeah... why?"

An angry voice broke through the air, causing everyone, Lizzie and David included, to turn to the video section behind the red curtain... that had a sign above it flashing Adult Video Section, and a cardboard sign below it reading No minors allowed

"Hey kid! I thought I told you a few minutes ago to stay the hell out of there!"

"Matt?!" Lizzie exclaimed, shock and yet quietly amused to discover a dirty side to her runt of a brother.

"Damn..." David softly swore, equally stunned and amused, yet mildly impressed.

Lizzie and David watched as Matt ran straight out of the adult section and out the video store. Even more amazing to Lizzie and David was following right behind Matt...

"Lanny?!" They both exclaimed as Matt's best silent friend, Lanny, ran after Matt.

"Did you pick him up and forgot to tell me?" David turned to Lizzie, but she shook her head.

"No, I didn't! I mean, I know Lanny's a bit... well, silent... but he's not invisible. And he certainly knows how to make his presence known. I don't know, Gordo! Maybe he snuck inside when I walked up to your house?"

"While, anyway... he and Matt are waiting outside for us." David snatched the video box back, leaving Lizzie bewildered yet again.

"Gordo! What are you doing?"

"You are watching this movie with me at my house, Liz. Remember? I have the DVD... I don't want you to waste a couple of bills to rent a movie that I could just loan out to you for free."

"Oh..."

As they made their way to the counter to rent out Lilo & Stitch for Matt, David cast a mischievous glint Lizzie's way. He nudged and winked at her, causing her to sigh and laugh. "What, Gordo?"

He leaned in close enough for him to smell her sweet scent of flowers and candles, his whispers tickling her ears as he half jokingly said, "Then again, I could always charge a kiss..."

Lizzie knew that this was still all a little game between them. It was natural sometimes for them to flirt like they do, yet still remain very good friends... so why was her heart racing and her breath quickened the moment her Gordo whispered into her ears? Why this exact moment? Her Gordo had whispered to her before, but why only now?

Her heart quickened again as a new thought popped into her head. Lizzie and David shared a kiss off and on. A little peck on the cheek here, on the forehead there, and even sometimes, yet rare, softly on the lips. If his whispers caused her to panic this much, what about this next time that they do kiss?

Before Lizzie could grasp control and focus, she felt him nudge her again. She glanced at him, noticing his little smirk. "What?" She managed to say without her voice coming off as a squeek.

And before Lizzie could react, David quickly and gracefully leaned in, kissed her softly on the lips, and turned to the video counter with the video tape taken from Lizzie's hand.