Disclaimer: Contrary to (un)popular belief, I do not own the Lizzie McGuire show, movie, characters, anything. Have a nice day!

A/N: I don't know why I thought of this, but in case anyone was wondering about the title of this story, I thought that I should tell you. So, (drum roll please) I stole it from an Incubus song entitled "Echo". It's a truly beautiful and compassionate song that if you haven't already heard, I strongly suggest that you download it and listen to it. The song also reminds me of what, in my mind, Lizzie and Gordo's relationship is. Anyways, thanks for the reviews and on with the show (since I know you're all DYING to find out. :D)

Chapter Eighteen:

Lizzie's Viewpoint:

I was pressed up against the kitchen counter, which Ronnie gripping me tightly. I still had a glass in my hand because he had interrupted me from getting drinks for me and Miranda. I was panicking, while still trying to keep my cool. I struggled to get free, but Ronnie just held tighter. Boy, was he strong!

"Ronnie! What are you doing!?" I said in a slight whisper. He slammed my body against the counter and kissed me.

"I told you.. I want you, Lizzie." He breathed. "And I'm going to have you. Whatever it takes I WILL have you." He had fire in his eyes and it terrified me. I tried once again to struggle free, but he just pushed me against the counter even hard with his hips. I could feel his stiffness against my thighs, which sickened me. He kissed me again, and this time I couldn't taste any alcohol on his breath. 'Oh Gosh' I thought to myself. 'He really means this.'

"Please, Ronnie! I don't want any of this! Please, let me go!" I pleaded. He slammed me against the counter again. I dropped the glass I had been holding and it smashed on the floor.

"I don't care if you want it or not. I'll get you. You'll be mine." He said and then kissed me again. Just then I saw Miranda and Gordo running into the kitchen.

"Lizzie, we heard a glass shatter…and---" Miranda said as her face changed from concern to confusion and hurt. "W-What's going on?" Her lip quivered.

"I..I..Miranda…" I began, but Ronnie slapped me across the face.

"Shut up, bitch. Let ME handle this." He said.

"Hey!" Gordo shouted. "You don't hit Lizzie like that…" he said, as he walked towards us. Ronnie elbowed him in the stomach and Gordo stepped backwards while bent over.

"Step away, little man. I want Lizzie and I'm going to have her. She's going to be mine and you can't stop that."

"What makes you think I can't stop it?" Gordo asked. I noticed Miranda had left and I panicked (more so then I already had been) because I thought she'd left because she was angry with me. Suddenly, she and my mom came running through the back doors.

"What is going on here?" Mom yelled. Ronnie let go of me and stepped back, he let out a grunt because he had stepped on broken glass.

"This creep is trying to hurt Lizzie!" Gordo said while pointing at Ronnie. Ronnie tried to play dumb and act like he didn't know what was going on.

"Well," Mom began, "My advice to you, young man, is that you leave my home this instant before the police are called." How did my mom manage to stay calm in all of this? Tears were streaming down my face and my heart was pounding. I still didn't process what had happened. It was all so confusing. Ronnie began to back out of the kitchen. He turned around before he left the house.

"This won't be the last of me!" He shouted. "I'll get the bitch, I will. Lizzie, you WILL be mine." He left the kitchen and I slid down the counter until I hit the ground and sat. Gordo rushed over to me, avoiding the glass on the floor and cradled me in his arms. I looked up at my mom and gave her a look telling her I wanted to be alone with Gordo. She looked towards Miranda, who was also crying.

"Listen, Honey," She said to her. "It looks like you need someone to talk to, how about we go into the living room?" Miranda nodded and they left. When they were out of the room, I looked up at Gordo. I sobbed into his chest as he hugged me.

"Let's get you out of this mess." He said and then pulled me and we carefully walked to the kitchen table. I sat down in a chair and he pulled one up close to me so he could take me into his arms again. We sat like that for a long time until I finally broke the silence.

"Gordo? Remember at the restaurant, when I freaked out and we left?" I asked.

"How could I forget? That's been racking my brain since it happened. I've been dying to know what hurt you so much, but never asked to respect your decisions. I have a premonition that it has to do with Ronnie now, though."

"Yeah.." I started. "Well, when I went to the bathroom and Ronnie came… he pushed me into the mens' bathroom. And…he.." I began to cry harder.

"Come on, Lizzie, you can tell me."

"He pushed me up against the wall and wouldn't let me go. He kissed me and told me that he wanted me and that he'd have me. I didn't know what to do… so I kneed him and ran out and got you…" I sobbed.

"Lizzie," He began, "if he did those things to you then why'd you let him come over here today? And why couldn't you tell me? If I had known sooner, we could have stopped this from happening completely."

"Well, when he kissed me… I tasted alcohol and thought maybe he was drunk and that maybe it didn't mean anything. I thought maybe he wasn't acting himself." I looked up at Gordo. "And, I didn't tell you because… I was afraid you'd get mad and me and I was afraid to lose you. You've been so good to me and I couldn't bare the thought of not having you as a boyfriend or a friend."

"Lizzie!" He said, looking outraged. "There is nothing, NOTHING, that would ever cause me to leave you. You're the most important person in my life and I have every intention of forever with you. I couldn't imagine life without you. I will do everything in my power to keep Ronnie away from you from now on." His eyes were filled with sincerity and they sent shivers down my spine. He was comforting, but I was still really scared about the whole situation. I buried my face in his chest once again as I cried. "Lizzie, it's going to be okay.. come on, talk to me.." Gordo begged.

"David, I-" I breathed. "David, I'm scared. I'm terrified." She sobbed harder.

"Lizzie, don't worry, we'll take care of this and—and… you called me David…" He said.

"I…I know."

"I know this isn't the best time to be asking this, but… why?"

"I..don't know. It just felt right." I choked out. He rubbed my back and squeezed me tightly.

"I like it when you call me David." He said sweetly and then kissed my forehead.

"What if Ronnie tries to hurt me? What if he tries to hurt you? What if Miranda hates me forever? What if-" I was panicking again and he cut me off.

"Shhhh. I won't let Ronnie hurt you or myself, and Miranda won't hate you. It's not you're fault that Ronnie's a crazy psychopath." He brought his fingers to my chin and brought my face to his. "Lizzie, everything will be under control, I won't let anything happen to you – ANYTHING. You mean far too much to me and I love you too much." He kissed me then and I melted into his arms.

"Y-you love me?" I asked after the kiss broke.

"With all my heart." He said, "don't worry about returning the sentiment, Lizzie. I know that I love you because I've loved you forever. I don't want you to say the words to me just because I said them to you. When you tell me you love me, I want it to be because you know you do. The reward makes the wait worthwhile." I kissed him when he finished speaking, and then rested my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that for a long time. It was just like last weekend outside the restaurant.

A/N: I figured a nice, long chapter like that might keep you happy for a while. Hope you enjoyed. : )