A/N: Thanx everyone for the kind reviews! I welcome constructive criticism and thoughtful observation, as well as ideas on where to go from here. Yes, realxenocide, it's me, the guy who's kept your Yahoo! group going singlehandedly ;-) Yes, loopylou1, I did split my first chapter into two; I had a hard time getting the hang of the uploading process. Without further ado, here is chapter 3.

$$$$$$(with apologies to soulcatcher20)$$$$$$

"Wha--?" Lizzie started to wake up, wondering how long she'd slept. She'd
tried to move her arms before she opened her eyes, and was puzzled at the
resistance. She saw Gordo's hands clasped together. After a nanosecond of
surprise, she smiled dreamily. He was holding her! Her feet moved,
sliding along Gordo's leg easily, as both were wearing shorts. "Good thing
for Gordo's skin that I'm barefoot," she thought.

Gordo's nap was interrupted by Lizzie's movements. "Uhh--"

"Hey, Gordo," Lizzie said, a little less brightly than usual.

"Huh? Lizzie?" He unclasped his hands and blushed a little.

"Looks like we fell asleep in this hammock."

"Uh-oh." Gordo looked as if he weren't sure if he should feel embarrassed
or not.

"No, it's OK. It felt good to wake up in your arms." He could hear her
smile in her voice. "But let's get out of this thing and go inside. I'm
thirsty."

"Good idea, McG. I'm kinda stiff anyway."

Lizzie stifled a giggle; it sounded something like a hiccup. She got out
of the hammock, then held it steady for him to get out. It seemed natural
to him to put his hands on her shoulders to steady himself as he got out,
and it seemed natural to both of them to kiss, as their heads were so close
together anyway.

"Now, let's go inside and see what's in the fridge," Lizzie said, taking
Gordo's hand in hers and walking toward the back door. "The grass feels
warm and soft."

Lizzie and Gordo greeted Mrs McGuire and were surprised to see Miranda.

"Hey, you guys!" Miranda greeted her best friends. "Sleep well?"

Miranda had been so deadpan and straight-faced that it took Lizzie and
Gordo a moment to register what she'd said. "Uh--well--"

"Are those new pictures on the table?" Gordo asked, figuring he was saving
Lizzie from embarrassment.

"Oh, yeah, I was just looking at these." Miranda handed a small stack to
Lizzie. "These are some of your mom's best, don't you agree?"

"Let's see." Miranda had been careful to put an innocuous photo on top.
Lizzie passed it to Gordo, then noticed that the next photo was of her and
Gordo in the hammock. "Wha--Mom--Miranda?"

Miranda couldn't keep it in anymore and started laughing at the looks on
Lizzie and Gordo's faces and the sounds that were coming out of their
mouths.

"Busted," said Gordo. Jo joined Miranda in good-natured laughter, and
Lizzie and Gordo did too--after blushing.