A/N: Well it seems people are having a hard time understanding my story. I'm confusing like...everyone? Not what I intended to do with this story, believe you me. But I can't go back and change things, at least not now, so I'll just try and explain here. This story is my rip off of FAMILY MAN. So when you're reading and you don't understand why Gordo is where he is or what is going on, just remember Family Man. He got transported to a life where he would be if he had made different desicions, remember? That's Gordo's deal in this story. Remember the EP where he went to Highschool but came back? In my story he never came back. He went, graduated early, became a director, never saw his 'ol pals again. Until he got sent to a place where he didn't choose to go to highschool, ok? Got it? I'm sorry for confusing everyone.
On another not, this chapter and the last chapter are, to be quite honest, stall chapters. And I'm very sorry for that because you guys deserve more, and I pormise that this story will start to progress a lot quicker once the semester ends (2 weeks). Studying for finals, finishing up 3 different papers, getting ready for my vaca trip to Orlando, and trying to pop this story out really has my head spinning. And I'm afraid my dear sweet readers are paying for it. I'm so sorry. I promise that when I get back from FL I will have a fresh new chapter that will explain some things and really move things along, I promise. If I don't you can hang me, or burn me at the stake, or something : )
Next weekend there will be no post seeing as I will be out of town, so hopefully I will get a chapter up no later than the 10th of Dec, ok? Thanks muchos for your love and reviews people, love you love you love you! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: You know the story. Nothing is mine.
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Ch. 5 - No Air Supply
Miranda weaved in and out of traffic and pushed her foot further down on the gas pedal when Gordo groaned behind her. She glanced over her shoulder quickly, getting a fleeting glimpse of Lizzie rubbing comforting circles on Gordo's back as he struggled for air.
"Is he breathing any easier?" She asked as she glanced into her rear view mirror and changed lanes quickly.
Gordo tried to breath in again, but the tightness preventing him from obtaining air was still there, and he shook his head back and forth, gasping out a raspy 'N...no.' Lizzie and Miranda locked eyes in the rear view mirror, and Miranda immediately read Lizzie's silent plea. She laid her hand on the horn and sighed impatiently when the person in front of her finally changed lanes.
"We're almost there." She said as she exited the freeway and sped up a little more.
"I don't want to go...to the...hospital. I'm...fine." Gordo gasped for the tenth time since they had left their apartment. He looked pleadingly at Lizzie who, despite her fear and worry, gave him a dirty look.
"Oh right, Gordo, you look perfectly content over there. Let me just tell you that that particular shade of blue looks really hot on you, it really makes your eyes shine through. Oh no, wait, that's just your eyes BULGING from the PRESSURE! Shut UP Gordo, and focus on your breathing, we're almost there and then you can whine to the doctors about how 'fine' you are." She huffed a sigh and turned her head away from his apologetic eyes, hiding the tears that stung at her eyes. She didn't mean to be cruel and sound so angry, but she didn't want him to see how scared she was, she had to be strong for him. If something was really wrong...She shook her head and breathed deeply. Nothing was wrong, Gordo was going to be fine.
Gordo turned his head towards the window and opened it, trying to allow the cool California air into his lungs, but it didn't work. His chest was too tight, and he was beginning to feel scared for his life.
"I'm...I'm...scared." He whispered painfully. His heart squeezed when he turned his head back to Lizzie, whom he was still thinking of as a stranger, and saw the tears fall from her eyes to her cheeks. He hated seeing her cry, even if he didn't know her anymore, he had always hated seeing her cry. He hated watching her glowing brown eyes fade into sadness. He watched as she took a deep breath and wiped her tears away quickly, and then pulled him closer to her. He tried to ignore the way his heart quickened, and the feeling of safety and comfort he felt radiating from her. As he breathed in short quick huffs, he wrapped his arms around her shyly and held on to the safe feeling and warmth that flowed from her to him.
Lizzie kept her arms wrapped tightly around Gordo, praying to anyone, anywhere that he be ok. She kissed his forehead and whispered 'I love you' over and over into his ear. Finally the car pulled into the hospital parking lot and slowed, finally coming to a complete stop. Miranda leaped from the front seat and in a flurry the three of them ran into the emergency room where Gordo was immediately taken away for examination. As he was gone, Lizzie and Miranda paced around the almost empty waiting room, both too lost in their fear and worry to speak. Lizzie drank enough coffee to last her all week while she waited for word on Gordo's condition. She didn't know what had happened, HOW it had happened. Had he had a bad dream? Was there something wrong with him? Was he sick? Didn't he once tell her that his family had a history of lung cancer? What could be taking so long? Why haven't they heard anything yet?
While Lizzie was battling her own whirlwind of questions, Miranda was fighting with her own. What had gotten into Gordo? What was all that he had said about taking him back? That it was her fault? WHAT was her fault? Everything seemed normal. Well, besides the fact that Gordo couldn't breath, and was at this very moment being poked and probed, possibly VERY sick. No, no, Miranda couldn't think about that. What had happened to him to shake him up so badly that it affected his health this way? Did he have a bad dream? Did she do something to him and not realize it? Maybe he had gone crazy? Snapped in his sleep and just lost it all. Miranda shook her head, she had to do something to get her mind off of all this.
"Liz. Lizzie..." Miranda jumped when Lizzie spun around and faced her, looking shocked as if she had forgotten Miranda was there. Miranda took Lizzie's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I'm gonna go call the Gordon's and fill them in ok? You'll get me when you get any word on his condition, right?" Lizzie nodded and looked away, and Miranda doubted Lizzie had heard anything she had just said. She sighed and squeezed Lizzie's hand one more time before letting it go and walked down the bright white halls to find a pay phone.
Lizzie was now beyond worried and she was going insane not knowing what was happening to Gordo back there but she had to hold on to hope, and not let her fear overtake her. Gordo would be fine. He had to be fine. She needed him.
"David Gordon's friends and family?" Lizzie spun around and rushed to the young nurse standing in the doorway.
"Right here." The nurse smiled and nodded her head, motioning for Lizzie to follow her.
"He's right back here, you can see him now." Lizzie swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, following the nurse impatiently. She walked past several curtains before seeing Gordo sitting on a bed, an oxygen mask covering his pale face. She was glad to see that, even though he was still pale, his coloring was returning and he looked ten times better than the last time she had seen him.
A doctor was standing in front of him talking. "Here's an inhaler, I want you to use it anytime you feel a little short of breath for the next few weeks. If you ever feel any tightness in your chest like you did today and the inhaler isn't working, you need take these pills." He handed over the inhaler and pills and then spotted Lizzie standing awkwardly beside the curtain.
"Hello, are you hear to see him?" Gordo looked up and grinned at Lizzie through the mask and lifted his hand from his lap, giving her a salute like wave.
"Sure am." Lizzie answered softly, smiling tenderly at Gordo. The doctor gave Gordo a pat on the shoulder and walked over to Lizzie, shaking her hand firmly.
"I'm Dr. Stevenson and I've been talking to Gordo about taking it easy, slowing down a little." When Lizzie rolled her eyes, a small grin playing at her lips the doctor chucked lightly.
"Sorry doc, I don't think Gordo knows the meaning of those phrases." Gordo frowned slightly and pulled at the mask to respond, but Lizzie pointed at him and glared jokingly.
"Don't you dare." She threatened, but there was no malice in her words and Gordo couldn't help but smile, glad to see her beautiful brown eyes shining again. He tried not to remember that he hadn't seen her in over 8 years.
"Gordo had what is commonly known as an anxiety attack. It's similar to asthma attack as far as the tightness in his chest, and difficulty breathing are concerned, but these attacks are usually called by stress, or fear, or anxiety instead of inflamed bronchial tubes." Lizzie's eyes flickered from Gordo's face to the doctor and back again.
"Is it dangerous?" She asked as she held Gordo's gaze.
"It can be just as dangerous as any asthma attack if it is left untreated. I was just telling Gordo that he needs to get some extra rest for a day or two and take things easy for awhile. I understand that he is in his final year of college, and it can get rather stressful and hectic, but he needs to just take a step back every once in a while and find ways to relax. I don't know if talking works for him, but maybe going for a walk and talking his problems out with a close friend or family member might work miracles. He just needs something to let the stress out every so often or this will happen again, and it can be worse." Lizzie raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow and smirked at Gordo, who again tried to remove his mask and comment but was stopped, once again, by Lizzie.
"Talking a little more is something we're gonna have to work on, I guess. Don't worry doc, I'll take care of him. I'm thinking some weekly de-stress time from now on, what do you say Gordo?" Gordo sighed quietly and broke the gaze he had been holding with Lizzie. What a perfect time to need to talk things out more, when everything happening to him made no sense and COULDN'T be talked about without getting sent straight to the loony bin. The doctor left a few papers on the bed that Gordo needed to sign in order to be able to leave the hospital before walking away from them and on to his next patient. He felt Lizzie move closer to him and soon she was kneeling right in front of him, her head tilted slightly as she looked at him in mild concern.
"How are you feeling?" She whispered as she smiled softly and brushed her fingers through the curls that fell over Gordo's forehead. Gordo pulled the mask away from his face and took a deep breath.
"A lot better. I'm sorry I scared you." Lizzie shook her head and put the mask back over his face.
"Don't apologize. You ready to head home?" Gordo nodded slowly as Lizzie grabbed his hand and pulled him up with her. He smiled tightly and let her lead him to the ER desk where he signed and left his papers and they met with Miranda. Miranda stayed silent and just smiled when she saw Gordo on his feet and looking a hell of a lot better, the three of them silently walked out the ER doors and to the car, ready to get out of the hospital and back home.
This time Lizzie drove, with Gordo in the passenger seat and Miranda sleeping in the back. For most of the ride they were quiet, all of them reflecting on the fearful morning with different questions and worries. Gordo didn't know what to do, he didn't know where he was, what he did, what he and Lizzie were, what had happened with his life for the past 8 years, how he gotten here. He basically knew nothing. He kind of figured that him and Lizzie were...what? A couple? Very close, and Lizzie seemed to be very protective of him. He had to explain to her what was going on, she deserved to know, he just hoped she believed him.
"Liz-" Lizzie shook her head and brought a finger to her lips to shush him.
"You're supposed to be resting." She whispered, keeping her eyes fixed on the road in front of her.
"There's something I have to tell you..." Again Lizzie shook her head, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
"It can wait, you need to follow the doctors advice and get some rest. Let me take care of you for once, Gordo." She looked at him quickly and gave him a wink and a smile that caused his heart to flutter. He stayed quiet, trying think of how he would explain to her that he wasn't really Gordo, he was David, and he hadn't seen her in 8 years but somehow he woke up in bed with her after getting a visit from Illusion-Miranda the Chance Giver. He sighed quietly as he felt Lizzie tighten her fingers around his and he looked down and smiled when her fingers slid around his wrist to check his pulse for the twelfth or thirteenth time. His eyes traveled up her arm until they rested on her face and he stared in awe at how much she had grown. She hummed along to the music the radio was quietly playing and Gordo watched as her lips would move with the lyrics every now and then. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her as the wind played softly through her golden blonde hair, or her soft and serious brown eyes glowed. He could tell that she was in deep thought, he had always been able to read her eyes like a book, ever since he could remember, and it comforted him to know that even after 8 years he still could.
"Lizzie..." He whispered, trying again to get her to let him speak
"No Gordo, rest and relaxation. Rest and relaxation." She whispered soothingly.
"I thought the doctor said I'm supposed to talk about my stresses and problems?" Lizzie sighed this time and took her eyes off the road to look at him.
"You can talk later. First we get you all settled and comfy at home, ok? I should have known this would happen. You've been so stressed out over that new film you're doing, and that internship, and midterms coming up, and I've been so busy with the magazine and classes. I haven't been a good shoulder to cry on, we've both been so busy." Gordo's fingers entwined tighter with Lizzie's and he unconsciously began to run his thumb in soothing circles over the back of her thumb.
"Hey, this isn't your fault. We've just gotten busy, college gets that way, it gets stressful. It isn't your fault I take on too many things and don't know how to take it easy. This was caused by me and only me. It's just that...there are things that you don't..." He felt her fingers squeeze his and he looked up at her from her had been watching his thumb rub her hand.
"Don't talk about it just yet, ok? You just need to forget about it for now and tell me when you're ready."
"I am ready, Lizzie, see I got this call from-" He stopped when Lizzie took a few deep breaths and he watched her carefully, afraid he may have pissed her off.
"Gordo I'm not ready to hear it just yet. I know that sounds awful, especially after just talking about how I haven't been a good shoulder to cry on lately, but you really scared the hell out of me this morning. So, honestly, unless you want to be making a big U-turn and carting me off into the ER not breathing, please, let's just put this off until my nerves settle some. Can we do that, Gordo, please?" She turned to him, her eyes brimming with tears and pleading. He swallowed roughly and nodded his head, not wanting to make her cry again.
"Ok, ok. I'm sorry for worrying you so much, Liz, I'll just...I'll just shut up until we get home, ok?" He smiled at her softly and she returned the favor, concentrating once again on driving home. Ten minutes later the three of them were inside the apartment Gordo had woken up in that morning. Lizzie and Miranda had decided they would both skip classes that day to be with Gordo and were currently pulling their blankets and pillows into the living room. The three of them piled together in front of the TV, Gordo stretched out comfortably on the couch and Lizzie and Miranda looking very comfortable in a big mess of blankets on the floor in front of the couch. They popped in the new Josh Hartnett flick (Miranda's choice) and soon into the movie Gordo was fast asleep as Lizzie and Miranda giggled and sighed quietly each time Josh came on the screen.
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See ya in a few weeks folks! Please please please review and give me your honest opinions, but not too harshly honest :) OH! And if you know of any really really good Newsies Slash fics, let me know of 'em ok? I've become a huge fan ; )
On another not, this chapter and the last chapter are, to be quite honest, stall chapters. And I'm very sorry for that because you guys deserve more, and I pormise that this story will start to progress a lot quicker once the semester ends (2 weeks). Studying for finals, finishing up 3 different papers, getting ready for my vaca trip to Orlando, and trying to pop this story out really has my head spinning. And I'm afraid my dear sweet readers are paying for it. I'm so sorry. I promise that when I get back from FL I will have a fresh new chapter that will explain some things and really move things along, I promise. If I don't you can hang me, or burn me at the stake, or something : )
Next weekend there will be no post seeing as I will be out of town, so hopefully I will get a chapter up no later than the 10th of Dec, ok? Thanks muchos for your love and reviews people, love you love you love you! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: You know the story. Nothing is mine.
---
Ch. 5 - No Air Supply
Miranda weaved in and out of traffic and pushed her foot further down on the gas pedal when Gordo groaned behind her. She glanced over her shoulder quickly, getting a fleeting glimpse of Lizzie rubbing comforting circles on Gordo's back as he struggled for air.
"Is he breathing any easier?" She asked as she glanced into her rear view mirror and changed lanes quickly.
Gordo tried to breath in again, but the tightness preventing him from obtaining air was still there, and he shook his head back and forth, gasping out a raspy 'N...no.' Lizzie and Miranda locked eyes in the rear view mirror, and Miranda immediately read Lizzie's silent plea. She laid her hand on the horn and sighed impatiently when the person in front of her finally changed lanes.
"We're almost there." She said as she exited the freeway and sped up a little more.
"I don't want to go...to the...hospital. I'm...fine." Gordo gasped for the tenth time since they had left their apartment. He looked pleadingly at Lizzie who, despite her fear and worry, gave him a dirty look.
"Oh right, Gordo, you look perfectly content over there. Let me just tell you that that particular shade of blue looks really hot on you, it really makes your eyes shine through. Oh no, wait, that's just your eyes BULGING from the PRESSURE! Shut UP Gordo, and focus on your breathing, we're almost there and then you can whine to the doctors about how 'fine' you are." She huffed a sigh and turned her head away from his apologetic eyes, hiding the tears that stung at her eyes. She didn't mean to be cruel and sound so angry, but she didn't want him to see how scared she was, she had to be strong for him. If something was really wrong...She shook her head and breathed deeply. Nothing was wrong, Gordo was going to be fine.
Gordo turned his head towards the window and opened it, trying to allow the cool California air into his lungs, but it didn't work. His chest was too tight, and he was beginning to feel scared for his life.
"I'm...I'm...scared." He whispered painfully. His heart squeezed when he turned his head back to Lizzie, whom he was still thinking of as a stranger, and saw the tears fall from her eyes to her cheeks. He hated seeing her cry, even if he didn't know her anymore, he had always hated seeing her cry. He hated watching her glowing brown eyes fade into sadness. He watched as she took a deep breath and wiped her tears away quickly, and then pulled him closer to her. He tried to ignore the way his heart quickened, and the feeling of safety and comfort he felt radiating from her. As he breathed in short quick huffs, he wrapped his arms around her shyly and held on to the safe feeling and warmth that flowed from her to him.
Lizzie kept her arms wrapped tightly around Gordo, praying to anyone, anywhere that he be ok. She kissed his forehead and whispered 'I love you' over and over into his ear. Finally the car pulled into the hospital parking lot and slowed, finally coming to a complete stop. Miranda leaped from the front seat and in a flurry the three of them ran into the emergency room where Gordo was immediately taken away for examination. As he was gone, Lizzie and Miranda paced around the almost empty waiting room, both too lost in their fear and worry to speak. Lizzie drank enough coffee to last her all week while she waited for word on Gordo's condition. She didn't know what had happened, HOW it had happened. Had he had a bad dream? Was there something wrong with him? Was he sick? Didn't he once tell her that his family had a history of lung cancer? What could be taking so long? Why haven't they heard anything yet?
While Lizzie was battling her own whirlwind of questions, Miranda was fighting with her own. What had gotten into Gordo? What was all that he had said about taking him back? That it was her fault? WHAT was her fault? Everything seemed normal. Well, besides the fact that Gordo couldn't breath, and was at this very moment being poked and probed, possibly VERY sick. No, no, Miranda couldn't think about that. What had happened to him to shake him up so badly that it affected his health this way? Did he have a bad dream? Did she do something to him and not realize it? Maybe he had gone crazy? Snapped in his sleep and just lost it all. Miranda shook her head, she had to do something to get her mind off of all this.
"Liz. Lizzie..." Miranda jumped when Lizzie spun around and faced her, looking shocked as if she had forgotten Miranda was there. Miranda took Lizzie's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I'm gonna go call the Gordon's and fill them in ok? You'll get me when you get any word on his condition, right?" Lizzie nodded and looked away, and Miranda doubted Lizzie had heard anything she had just said. She sighed and squeezed Lizzie's hand one more time before letting it go and walked down the bright white halls to find a pay phone.
Lizzie was now beyond worried and she was going insane not knowing what was happening to Gordo back there but she had to hold on to hope, and not let her fear overtake her. Gordo would be fine. He had to be fine. She needed him.
"David Gordon's friends and family?" Lizzie spun around and rushed to the young nurse standing in the doorway.
"Right here." The nurse smiled and nodded her head, motioning for Lizzie to follow her.
"He's right back here, you can see him now." Lizzie swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, following the nurse impatiently. She walked past several curtains before seeing Gordo sitting on a bed, an oxygen mask covering his pale face. She was glad to see that, even though he was still pale, his coloring was returning and he looked ten times better than the last time she had seen him.
A doctor was standing in front of him talking. "Here's an inhaler, I want you to use it anytime you feel a little short of breath for the next few weeks. If you ever feel any tightness in your chest like you did today and the inhaler isn't working, you need take these pills." He handed over the inhaler and pills and then spotted Lizzie standing awkwardly beside the curtain.
"Hello, are you hear to see him?" Gordo looked up and grinned at Lizzie through the mask and lifted his hand from his lap, giving her a salute like wave.
"Sure am." Lizzie answered softly, smiling tenderly at Gordo. The doctor gave Gordo a pat on the shoulder and walked over to Lizzie, shaking her hand firmly.
"I'm Dr. Stevenson and I've been talking to Gordo about taking it easy, slowing down a little." When Lizzie rolled her eyes, a small grin playing at her lips the doctor chucked lightly.
"Sorry doc, I don't think Gordo knows the meaning of those phrases." Gordo frowned slightly and pulled at the mask to respond, but Lizzie pointed at him and glared jokingly.
"Don't you dare." She threatened, but there was no malice in her words and Gordo couldn't help but smile, glad to see her beautiful brown eyes shining again. He tried not to remember that he hadn't seen her in over 8 years.
"Gordo had what is commonly known as an anxiety attack. It's similar to asthma attack as far as the tightness in his chest, and difficulty breathing are concerned, but these attacks are usually called by stress, or fear, or anxiety instead of inflamed bronchial tubes." Lizzie's eyes flickered from Gordo's face to the doctor and back again.
"Is it dangerous?" She asked as she held Gordo's gaze.
"It can be just as dangerous as any asthma attack if it is left untreated. I was just telling Gordo that he needs to get some extra rest for a day or two and take things easy for awhile. I understand that he is in his final year of college, and it can get rather stressful and hectic, but he needs to just take a step back every once in a while and find ways to relax. I don't know if talking works for him, but maybe going for a walk and talking his problems out with a close friend or family member might work miracles. He just needs something to let the stress out every so often or this will happen again, and it can be worse." Lizzie raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow and smirked at Gordo, who again tried to remove his mask and comment but was stopped, once again, by Lizzie.
"Talking a little more is something we're gonna have to work on, I guess. Don't worry doc, I'll take care of him. I'm thinking some weekly de-stress time from now on, what do you say Gordo?" Gordo sighed quietly and broke the gaze he had been holding with Lizzie. What a perfect time to need to talk things out more, when everything happening to him made no sense and COULDN'T be talked about without getting sent straight to the loony bin. The doctor left a few papers on the bed that Gordo needed to sign in order to be able to leave the hospital before walking away from them and on to his next patient. He felt Lizzie move closer to him and soon she was kneeling right in front of him, her head tilted slightly as she looked at him in mild concern.
"How are you feeling?" She whispered as she smiled softly and brushed her fingers through the curls that fell over Gordo's forehead. Gordo pulled the mask away from his face and took a deep breath.
"A lot better. I'm sorry I scared you." Lizzie shook her head and put the mask back over his face.
"Don't apologize. You ready to head home?" Gordo nodded slowly as Lizzie grabbed his hand and pulled him up with her. He smiled tightly and let her lead him to the ER desk where he signed and left his papers and they met with Miranda. Miranda stayed silent and just smiled when she saw Gordo on his feet and looking a hell of a lot better, the three of them silently walked out the ER doors and to the car, ready to get out of the hospital and back home.
This time Lizzie drove, with Gordo in the passenger seat and Miranda sleeping in the back. For most of the ride they were quiet, all of them reflecting on the fearful morning with different questions and worries. Gordo didn't know what to do, he didn't know where he was, what he did, what he and Lizzie were, what had happened with his life for the past 8 years, how he gotten here. He basically knew nothing. He kind of figured that him and Lizzie were...what? A couple? Very close, and Lizzie seemed to be very protective of him. He had to explain to her what was going on, she deserved to know, he just hoped she believed him.
"Liz-" Lizzie shook her head and brought a finger to her lips to shush him.
"You're supposed to be resting." She whispered, keeping her eyes fixed on the road in front of her.
"There's something I have to tell you..." Again Lizzie shook her head, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
"It can wait, you need to follow the doctors advice and get some rest. Let me take care of you for once, Gordo." She looked at him quickly and gave him a wink and a smile that caused his heart to flutter. He stayed quiet, trying think of how he would explain to her that he wasn't really Gordo, he was David, and he hadn't seen her in 8 years but somehow he woke up in bed with her after getting a visit from Illusion-Miranda the Chance Giver. He sighed quietly as he felt Lizzie tighten her fingers around his and he looked down and smiled when her fingers slid around his wrist to check his pulse for the twelfth or thirteenth time. His eyes traveled up her arm until they rested on her face and he stared in awe at how much she had grown. She hummed along to the music the radio was quietly playing and Gordo watched as her lips would move with the lyrics every now and then. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her as the wind played softly through her golden blonde hair, or her soft and serious brown eyes glowed. He could tell that she was in deep thought, he had always been able to read her eyes like a book, ever since he could remember, and it comforted him to know that even after 8 years he still could.
"Lizzie..." He whispered, trying again to get her to let him speak
"No Gordo, rest and relaxation. Rest and relaxation." She whispered soothingly.
"I thought the doctor said I'm supposed to talk about my stresses and problems?" Lizzie sighed this time and took her eyes off the road to look at him.
"You can talk later. First we get you all settled and comfy at home, ok? I should have known this would happen. You've been so stressed out over that new film you're doing, and that internship, and midterms coming up, and I've been so busy with the magazine and classes. I haven't been a good shoulder to cry on, we've both been so busy." Gordo's fingers entwined tighter with Lizzie's and he unconsciously began to run his thumb in soothing circles over the back of her thumb.
"Hey, this isn't your fault. We've just gotten busy, college gets that way, it gets stressful. It isn't your fault I take on too many things and don't know how to take it easy. This was caused by me and only me. It's just that...there are things that you don't..." He felt her fingers squeeze his and he looked up at her from her had been watching his thumb rub her hand.
"Don't talk about it just yet, ok? You just need to forget about it for now and tell me when you're ready."
"I am ready, Lizzie, see I got this call from-" He stopped when Lizzie took a few deep breaths and he watched her carefully, afraid he may have pissed her off.
"Gordo I'm not ready to hear it just yet. I know that sounds awful, especially after just talking about how I haven't been a good shoulder to cry on lately, but you really scared the hell out of me this morning. So, honestly, unless you want to be making a big U-turn and carting me off into the ER not breathing, please, let's just put this off until my nerves settle some. Can we do that, Gordo, please?" She turned to him, her eyes brimming with tears and pleading. He swallowed roughly and nodded his head, not wanting to make her cry again.
"Ok, ok. I'm sorry for worrying you so much, Liz, I'll just...I'll just shut up until we get home, ok?" He smiled at her softly and she returned the favor, concentrating once again on driving home. Ten minutes later the three of them were inside the apartment Gordo had woken up in that morning. Lizzie and Miranda had decided they would both skip classes that day to be with Gordo and were currently pulling their blankets and pillows into the living room. The three of them piled together in front of the TV, Gordo stretched out comfortably on the couch and Lizzie and Miranda looking very comfortable in a big mess of blankets on the floor in front of the couch. They popped in the new Josh Hartnett flick (Miranda's choice) and soon into the movie Gordo was fast asleep as Lizzie and Miranda giggled and sighed quietly each time Josh came on the screen.
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See ya in a few weeks folks! Please please please review and give me your honest opinions, but not too harshly honest :) OH! And if you know of any really really good Newsies Slash fics, let me know of 'em ok? I've become a huge fan ; )