[Disclaimer: I don't own the episode , I don't own Lizzie McGuire, and I don't own the company , either. But that'd be pretty cool, wouldn't it? Yeah, then I could have Jell-O constantly stocked in my refrigerator and eat it whenever I want...um, back to the disclaimer. What do I own? I own Gordo's thoughts and any events/dialogue you don't recognize from the episode.]

-------------------------------

I tip-toed up the staircase, careful not to make too much noise. If I made too much noise, someone might follow me. If someone followed me, they could steal my clues. If someone stole my clues, they could figure out the mystery before me. And if I've said it once, I've said it a million times--I'm going to figure out this mystery if it's the last thing I do.

Wow, it's kind of sad--I've never been this determined about anything before. Does Lizzie really mean that much to me? What'll happen if I don't figure it out? I'll be disappointed, yeah, but how disappointed are we talking about here? I really need to get to know myself a little better. I know Lizzie better than I know myself. But I guess that's what happens when you start liking someone at the same period of your life when you're supposed to be figuring out who you are. At least, that's what my parents said I should be worried about. It's kind of sad, really. Most parents are always telling their kids to put others' feelings before their own. Mine taught me to be selfish. It's supposedly the best way to live your life, but luckily, I was smart enough to realize that I can forge my own path, if I really wanted to. And I did. If I followed their advice, I'd probably be some friendless, antisocial whack job--probably one of my parent's own patients. Maybe that's the psychology they use: give people bad advice so they end up even screwier than before, so then they come back for more.

Okay, focus, Gordon. You're here to win, not to ponder about your parent's business tactics. Since the downstairs is more open, there'd be less places to hide clues, right? So I'll go upstairs. No, wait, all those rooms are off limits. So I'll check the living room..yeah, that's it. I'll check the living room.

Luckily, everyone was outside on the porch. Is it just me, or am I the only one trying to figure this one out?

Ooh! I found a clue! I heard Lizzie squeal from the kitchen. Er, nevermind...

Oh yeah. She's trying to figure it out. To impress Ethan, of course. Did Lizzie ever do anything for herself, for her own pleasure? I'm such a hypocrite. But she liked Ethan because he was a pretty face, whereas I liked Lizzie becau--

Are you standing there for any particular reason? Mr. McGuire asked, snapping me out of my trance. He was lounging in the recliner, watching Iron Chef, as promised. I didn't even notice his presence, and I probably looked like an idiot, standing there completely still for several minutes. At least this was Mr. McGuire, someone I'd known my whole life, and not someone like Kate, who would insult me to no end had she seen me like this.

I was doing it again. Overthinking. I'm never going to get this mystery solved if I keep thinking like this. Wait, that came out wrong...

I said, blankly. He just shook his head at me, disapprovingly. I started to search around the shelves for a clue. If Mr. McGuire wasn't there, I'd be frantically throwing the books around. But since he was, I had to straighten up after myself, likes putting books and frames back in their proper place. In the middle of my quest through the living room, Mr. McGuire spoke up again.

If you're looking for clues, Gordo, this isn't the best place to be looking, he stated. I should've been gracious for the help, but instead, I felt annoyed. Maybe I wanted to do a thorough search. Maybe I wanted to look here.

You know, chap, you're being quite a kibitzer, don't you know? I said, bitterly, but still smiling and using the same friendly English accent. Then I stormed out of the room.

If that were any other adult, I'd be grounded already. But me and Mr. McGuire...we're tight. Like brothers. Oh, who am I kidding? He probably already hates my guts. Let's just hope he doesn't know what a is.

I wasn't sure if the upstairs really were off-limits. I decided to check with Matt, who I suspected was in his room. But when I reached the foyer, I saw Lizzie standing there with a hanky and a ticket in her hand, and, by the looks of it, accusing the maid (Mrs. McGuire, that is).

...Or perhaps you just need to leave the country until the heat dies down, Lizzie affirmed. I didn't even need to hear the whole conversation. I knew what she was trying to insinuate--that the maid had murdered Lord McGuffin and was going to flee. But I knew the truth.

As Mrs. McGuire burst into another sob, I hopped up the steps next to Lizzie.

If you're implying that my poor maid here did my old friend McGuffin, perhaps you can explain to me why she had his handkerchief. I picked up the hanky. See the monogram? If that's not finesse, I have no clue what it is.

Lizzie read. Spencer McGuffin. She felt silly, and I could feel it. It gave me a sick pleasure, somehow, seeing her like that. Yeah, it's cool that she's become more confident in the last couple years, but for me, that was a burden. Now she was more assertive...particularly, with guys. But losing this game brought down her morale, and she became more and more vulernable. I almost felt bad. Almost being the operative word.

I don't think that this young lady harmed Lord McGuffin. I think that she was going to France with him. Isn't that right, my dear? I said, smiling at Mrs. McGuire. But she just began to bawl again.

Cheer up, old pet. Things will get better, you'll see. Think of singing blue jays and rainbows, Kate chirped gleefully. Then she shuddered. Okay, I'm creeping myself out here!

You're not the only one,' I thought as I shot her a disturbed look. I turned back to Lizzie.

Carry on, but do try harder. I play-punched her in the shoulder. There's a good girl. I hopped back down the steps.

I knew I was annoying her, but--I can't believe I'm saying this--she's kinda cute when she's mad.

I walked around the kitchen for a few minutes. This was tedious. I wanted to win, but I wasn't any closer to winning than when I began. Giving up was not even an option. But I wanted so bad to just find the final clue, have Lizzie being impressed me with me, ask her out, and be done with this night.

I opened the refrigerator, looking for anything to eat. I hadn't eaten dinner and now my hunger was catching up with me. But as soon as I went to reach for a cup of cherry Jell-O, the sound of an angry voice came up behind me.

I know what you're up to, Gordon, it said to me. I turned around to face none other than Kate Sanders, with her hands on her hips. And I have to say, I didn't know you had it in you.

Taking the cup of Jell-O and grabbing a spoon out of the drawer, I said to her, I really don't know what you're talking about. But if you want some Jell-O, feel free. It's on the second shel--

Gordo, you know exactly what I'm talking about, she snapped. Why you're so determined to win this thing.

Oh, you finally found me out Kate---I actually don't want to just sit around and socialize all night like the rest of you lemmings. I'm sorry for wanting to partcipate in the reason that we're all here tonight, I said, sarcastically.

You know you just want to figure this thing out to impress Lizzie, she stated plainly. Argh, how does Kate always figure these things out? I figured Miranda knew, but Kate? Was it that obvious? I really needed to stop staring at Lizzie so often, or by the end of the year, the whole school'll know. Except maybe Lizzie. She'd still be off in her fantasy land where Ethan Craft actually thinks of her as more than just a friend. I had to fight fire with fire--I'd just act nonchalant. I could play this off fine...hopefully.

Even if I knew what you were talking about, I probably still wouldn't know what to say, I said as I began to shovel the gelatin into my mouth.

What I'm talking about is that you're totally in love with Lizzie, and you think that if you figure this mystery out, she'll be impressed, and you'll be able to make your move, she said, taking a seat.

See, there's one reason I really never liked Kate much. She wasn't afraid of confrontation. Yeah, Miranda wasn't, either, but I knew she knew I liked Lizzie, yet she's never been straightforward about it. Kate, on the other hand, had no problem embarrassing me.

Yep, you sure figured me out, Kate. I put my empty cup in the sink. If you have any other brilliant realizations tonight, just let me know. I'll be around.

I saw her roll her eyes and I passed by her at the island table. I played it off pretty well, in my opinion, but I couldn't help but wonder for the next hour or so...

Is my crush on Lizzie that obvious?

--------------------------------
[A/N: Yes, Gordo, it is. Heheh, just kidding. I sure do love Gordo. And I love all of you reviewers! 28 reviews for only 2 chapters, that's bloody amazing. This story will only have 2 more chapters, yes. Sad, I know, but the episode only lasts half an hour. And I can only add so much to it before it becomes too much, you know? Yes, you know.

Ah, so here I am, is about to premiere in about 10 minutes and I am rather excited. I gotta go get ready so I'll make this brief.

The next story to be updated: The Trials and Tribulations of David Zephyr Gordon. (My personal fave!).

Lemme know what you think: pleaseee review. Thanks!]