tormented soul – Thanks for beta reading this for me and the tip on the dialogue.

To my reviewers – Thank you, I'm glad people are enjoying my stories. Here's the end of Moments in Time. Next up will be the sequel to Real Life Fairytale, which should be up soon.

Voting – L/G 4, M/G 1, K/G 0 : Looks like after the sequel its going to be a L/G.

A/N – "Thoughts" , Set morning after the movie

Chapter 4 – Dreams Do Come True

Gordo stood against the stone balcony of the rooftop of their hotel, looking out at the view of Rome. It was early in the morning and he was so restless that he couldn't sleep. His mind wouldn't stop spinning. Every time he closed his eyes, he would see her. "Why the hell did she have to kiss me?"

Gordo had planned on telling Lizzie how he felt about her but that plan backfired in his face almost immediately. In one of their first days in Rome, they had met Paolo. When she ran off with him, it was like someone sucker punched him.

He still wasn't sure why he covered for her and let himself get kicked off the trip or even still try and save her butt by finding and bringing Isabella to the show.

Than after the show, back at the hotel, the paparazzi were all over the place. He decided to go to the roof to get some air and next thing he knew, Lizzie snuck in just as the door was closing.

Up on the roof, she tried apologizing. Gordo knew he had every right to be more than angry with her, but he couldn't. No matter how far she pushed him, Gordo would always watch her back. Then she surprised the hell out of him.

They were sitting in silence, both not really sure what to say. Next thing he knew, they were kissing. It wasn't long but it was incredible. He wasn't sure if there were actually fireworks or they were in his head. A small smile tugged at his lips as he remembered what her lips felt like.

Before the kiss, he was trying hard to bury any romantic feelings he had for her. He was willing to just be friends; it wasn't like Lizzie was the only girl he could ever get.

He had dated Brooke last year and ever since Parker had apologized for calling him short, she had been flirting heavily with him. But he pushed it all aside for a chance with Lizzie.

Now the morning after, everything was up in the air.

He didn't even know what the kiss meant. The last time she kissed him, on the cheek during the class picture, he asked her why. She said it was just a thank you.

Heck, he wasn't even sure if Lizzie was actually interested in him.

But the biggest question was, was he willing to put his heart on the line again. Gordo wasn't sure if he could take it if she found another Paolo.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, he ran a hand through his hair. Looking out at the view, he smiled slightly as the city seemed to glow in the morning sunlight.

Gordo was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear someone else approach behind him.

"Gordo?"

"Hey," he responded. He didn't even have to look to know who it was.

"Couldn't sleep?" Lizzie asked, as she slowly walked up next to him.

"I've got a lot on my mind."

Lizzie looked down at the ground; she hated it when Gordo was mad at her. "I'm sorry I ruined your trip," she said softly.

Gordo just shrugged it off. "I already told you, its alright."

"No its not. I made this big deal about us having an adventure and then I blow you off for some jerk."

At the moment, Gordo really didn't want to hear this. "Lizzie, is there a reason why you came up here?" he asked rather coldly.

Lizzie looked over at him, a little hurt. "I guess. I…I'll leave you alone." Hanging her head, she started to walk away. "What the hell did you expect McGuire? You hurt him and you just expect him to forgive you like that."

"Lizzie, wait."

She froze at his words. Slowly turning around, she stared at his back. He let out a deep sigh and rubbed his hand over his face.

Gordo still facing the view, suddenly asked, "Why?"

Lizzie swallowed the lump in her throat. "Why what?"

"Everything. Ethan, Paolo, the school picture…the kiss."

Lizzie bit her lip, "It's now or never." "I was scared."

Gordo slowly looked over at her, a bit surprised at her answer. "Scared?"

"Its scary when you realize you've fallen for your best friend," she answered, slowly walking back towards him.

Gordo tried to hide the surprise on his face. "You've what?" he tried to ask calmly but his voice cracked.

Taking a deep breath, Lizzie looked up into his eyes. "I like you. I mean I really like you."

Lizzie watched as Gordo grinned slightly. Even though she knew he liked her, there was still a little doubt. But now, she knew it was true. She also knew know, that she liked him.

"Lizzie. Would…you like to…umm…go out…sometime? Maybe." When it came to girls he was interested in, Gordo's self-confidence just seemed to slip away.

"I'd love to."

As soon as she said those words, he quickly leaned in and kissed her. The kiss last night was short and sweet; this one was a little longer and a bit more passionate.

As they pulled back, Lizzie was dazed. "Wha…Why?" she stuttered.

Gordo smiled. "I followed your advice. I followed my heart."

Lizzie titled her head and looked at him confused. "My advice?" Suddenly it fell together. "I think I may like my best friend as more than a friend." "It was you! You're confused guy!"

Gordo snickered and blushed slightly. "Yea."

Lizzie slowly and tentatively stepped forward against Gordo. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she kissed his lips softly.

Gordo wrapped his arms around her; he remembered how many times he had dreamed of this.

"Thank you Gordo," she whispered in his ear.

"For what?"

Lizzie lips slowly curled into a smile and she laid her head against his shoulder. "For always having my back, even when I don't deserve it."

Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. At first it was a little weird for her, but she liked it. It was like the rest of the world had slipped away and she was safe in his arms. Like nothing could get to her.

Gordo just held her. He could feel her breathing slow and get more rhythmic, like she was falling asleep. Reluctantly, he looked at his watch, "8:00am. Damn." "Lizzie," he said softly.

"Mmm?" she responded tiredly.

"We gotta get back downstairs. We don't need to get into anymore trouble."

Lizzie slowly opened her eyes and untangled herself from Gordo. "When we come back, I'll make it up to you."

"Come back?"

"I was reading one of those travel books. It said the real legend of the Trevi Fountain is if you throw a coin over your shoulder and into the fountain you're assured to come back to Rome and the fountain." As she finished they smiled at each other. "I also heard that if you throw a second coin in you are going to fall in love with an Italian," she joked.

Gordo looked at her with a lopsided grin. "How many coins did you throw in?"

"Only one," Lizzie said as she started to walk towards the elevator. Stopping, she reached into a pocket and pulled out a coin. Looking over her shoulder at Gordo, "By the way you're part Italian right?"

Gordo looked at her puzzled. "Yea. Italian, Scot, and Irish. Why?" Then it clicked as he saw her seductive smile. He laughed softly and walked up to her. "Come on," he said reaching out his hand out to her.

Lizzie took his hand and slowly intertwined her fingers with his. Slowly taking one last look around at the view from their rooftop, she looked back at Gordo. "My frog finally turned into a prince."

Gordo looked at her confused but Lizzie just smiled. "The fairytale the Frog Prince. The Princess kisses a frog and he turns into a handsome prince."

Gordo snickered, "So I'm a frog now?"

"Yup." She squeezed his hand and leaned in a few inches from his face. "But you're my frog." She told him then gently kissed him.

"And don't you forget it my Princess," he said softly as she lead them towards the elevator and back downstairs.