Disclaimer: insert pseudo-witty comment about how I don't own Lizzie McGuire or anything in relation to it here

Chapter Twenty-two:

Lizzie's Viewpoint:

"Mom, I really need Gordo…." I sobbed and then looked up at her. She nodded solemnly and gave me a look that asked if I'd be okay without her. I nodded in response, telling her I'd be all right. When she left the room, I pulled my knees up to my chest, hugging them and rocked back and forth. After a few minutes, my mom came back to my room.

"Honey, I called Gordo and he's on his way. Why don't you go downstairs and wait for him? I'll make you some hot chocolate, too." She said. I got up and walked towards the door, where my mom hugged me and kissed my forehead. I walked downstairs and flopped myself onto the couch where I waited for Gordo.

"Thanks, mom." I sniffled as she handed me a cup of hot chocolate. "I don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled and me as I took a sip, and then the doorbell rang. She started towards the doorway, but I got up and stopped her. "I can do this myself. I-I just need some time alone?" I asked. She nodded, approving.

I opened the door, thinking that I'd calmed down since the incident and I'd be calm when I talked about it with Gordo. But, I saw him standing there, looking worried and I felt my heart crash. I threw my arms around him and immediately began sobbing again.

"Oh, Gordo!" I cried. He hesitantly put his arms around me, probably confused.

"L-Lizzie.. what happened? I got this call from your mom saying you needed me. Are you okay? What's wrong?" I continued to cry into his shoulder. "Maybe we should go inside." I took myself off of him and stumbled over towards the couch, leading him with my hand. We sat and he pulled me into his arms. I was silent. "Hey, come on, Lizzie. You can tell me." He said.

"Gordo.. after you hung up the phone, it was hot and I opened my window and I went to sleep thinking I was fine, but then Ronnie climbed through the window and kissed me and told me not to scream, and he started unbuttoning my shirt, saying he was finally going to "have me" and I screamed even though he said not to and he slapped me, and then my parents came in and he left out the window and I'm so sorry, Gordo."

"Whoa….whoa," He said, looking stunned. I realized then that I what I had just said probably wasn't understandable, but he continued speaking. "Everything was comprehensible until Ronnie showed up. Let me see if I can piece this together: it was hot, so you opened the window?" I nodded. "Then, after you had fallen asleep, Ronnie entered your room through your window?" I nodded again. "And, basically, he tried to rape you?" I bit my lip, and my tears streamed down my cheeks again.

"Gordo, I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"What are you sorry about? You didn't do anything. Lizzie, you're the victim in this situation. I mean, he came into YOUR window, and he's the one who's been trying pressurize you into things you don't want. None of this is your liability."

"I just.. I-I wish it had never happened. I feel so stupid because I hadn't opened the window, none of this would have happened. I feel so… so… dirty. Don't you think I'm dirty?"

"No. Never. Lizzie, you didn't do anything. And… the window thing? Simple human nature. How were you supposed to know that a crazy psychopath was going to break into your house and attempt raping you?"

"I guess you're right."

"Besides, it's that kind of thing that makes like interesting. Maybe not this precise situation, but not having the capability to know what's going to happen as a consequence to what you're doing now makes life appealing." He said, and I laughed slightly.

"You know, leave it to you to turn a situation like this into something thoughtful." I turned my body so that I could wrap my arms up above his neck. My tears were almost dry, but I could tell that my eyes were red and puffy, and my nose was still a bit runny.

"There's that smile I love." He smiled, too. I kissed him softly, and after we pulled away, he spoke. "You know, Lizzie, I can't help but feel a bit guilty because of what happened earlier today. You know…  It's just so ironic that this occurred right after our episode."

"Hey, you said it yourself. How were you supposed to know?" I smiled at him.

"I guess you're right. It's just so uncharacteristic."

"Don't worry about it, you weren't trying to force me into anything and Ronnie was."

"You're right. So… are you okay?"

"Well, I'm not healed, I mean something like this is really traumatizing, but I'm feeling better."

"S-So, do you think that I should go? I mean, I don't want to crowd you or anything. This is difficult and being so close might bother you."

"No, please don't. I want you to stay and hold me so I'll feel safe. Just stay here and hold me tonight." I repositioned myself and rested against his body.

"I-…O-Okay." He stuttered. He, too, repositioned himself on the couch so he was lying on his side, and then pulled my body against his and held his arms around my waist. He brought his mouth to my ear and whispered, "I love you, McGuire."  Then kissed my cheek.

"I love you, too." I said back, and then we were silent until we both fell asleep.

A/N: Sorry it's been so long, I've been busy and stuff. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and expect more soon. For those of you wondering, yes I'm planning on writing a sequel, but I need to wrap up what happens in this one first. Thanks, guys!