Miranda and Lizzie stood anxiously waiting for Gordo and Larry to arrive at the airport. They never believed that they would have been so homesick for one lousy week but they were. When they arrived home the night before at midnight from the recording studio they had gone straight to their bedrooms but although they were dead tired, they couldn't sleep. They ended up on Miranda's balcony debating on which star they thought was the brightest and talking about the boys.

The week had been long, and trying. They never thought that it was so difficult. Not even Miranda was prepared for the large amount of work in spite of recording six songs before. She realized that making a CD for your own private memories and making one to market to a demanding public were two incredibly different things.

On top of recording they had to meet with writers for ideas for other songs as well as image consultants who were supposed to take care of the girls'public persona and photographers who were responsible for the girls'portfolio. By Friday the were desperate for a little fun. They had to go to the studio still, but Gordo and Larry were going with them and they were only recording until 6pm that day. The had the whole night and the day after free. They did have a photo shoot on Sunday as well as a taping for Disney Channel's Express Yourself segments but even that was less hectic than what they had experienced already. Both their thoughts were interrupted with the announcement of the flight arrival from Hillridge and the appearance of two brown haired boys in the gateway. Gordo and Larry had arrived.

"Gordo!"Lizzie screamed and sprinted towards him.

"We missed you guys so much!" Miranda was right behind her. Larry wrapped his arms aroung her waist and spun her around. He was rewardedwith a small scream. She looked over at the other two only to realize that Lizzie was crying.

"Lizzie are you ok?" Miranda asked. Gordo was at his wits end trying to comfort her but was also confused as to the cause of her tears.

"I... I'm sorry but this week had been so hard.... and I really missed you Gordo. " Lizzie whispered between sniffles. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

"I'm here now." Was the simple reply. He gave her another small kiss and wiped away her tears. She smiled weakly and hugged him closer. She would be ok.

At that moment Jo returned from the coffee shop with a double latte and a box of doughnuts for everyone. "Hi guys. Iheard that your plane had arrived but I didn'think that you would be out so soon. We have a whole two hours before we have to get to the studio at 12 what do you want to do?"

"Let's just go back home. We could do with some real rest before the grind begins again." Miranda looked at Lizzie with a small smile. She knew that her friend was not up to any sightseeing and she also thought that a little time alone with Gordo would do her some good. She knew that the week was stressful but she had no idea that Lizzie had been taking it that hard until now.

"I think that's a great idea. I dont really like flying but I dont like barfing in a paper bag either. My stomach could do with a little non- movement right about now." Larry had no problems whatsoever flying but he understood what Miranda was trying to do and considered it his duty to help her out.

"Ok let's go then. You're luck that the apartment is only five minutes away from the airport, Larry. We can't have getting sick in a company car." Jo knew that something was up but had decided to let the kids handle this one.

The ride home was as expected brief and wordless. The girls rushed to show their rooms to their guests and dispute over who would have to give thiers up for the boys. Scissors cut paper. Miranda won and Lizzie moved in with her for the rest of the week. She was out on the balcony with Larry at the moment not saying anything, just holding him and staring out at the park across the street. Lizzie and Gordo were in her, Lizzie's, bedroom. They too were holding each other not saying a word until Lizzie broke the silence.

"Gordo, I don't think I can do this. This is nothing like Rome. It's hard. Really hard. "

"Do you like it? Even though its hard....Do you like it?"

"That's the wierd thing Gordo, I love it. I'm just so scared."

"Lizzie... Do you remember that time when I asked you to hand in my project on the brain because I didn't want to get another B? Well this is exactly like that. These people are demanding all you have to give from you and you're afraid to do it. You're afraid of getting rejected if you do give your all. You're afraid that all of this effort would worth nothing. Am I right?"

"Y..yeah." He was being surprisingly accurate.

"Take the risk Lizzie. You don't know what you would be missing if you don't. You can't give up now. You could miss out on a lifetime of opportunites. Look at us. I wasted months not telling you how I truly felt about you and denying that the feelings actaully existed. This is the happiest I have ever been in my life Elizabeth Brooke McGuire but it would have never happened if we didn't take the chance. I'm not saying that things will be perfect but I do assure I'll be here for you. Always. With tha he kissed her. Softly at first but it soon deepened. It was no longer an expression of endearment, this kiss had transformed in to one ove need and passion. His lips travelled downwards to the curve in her neck, to her collarbone and then to the swell of her breast. He looked up for approval but her eyes were closed. He slid the spaghetti strap off her shoulder......

So tell me..... what do you think will happen next. I know. Do you?