No Time to Waste
by TheRealXenocide
`
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, settings, or anything else you recognize from the show Lizzie McGuire. The plot, at it's base, has been around since Homer, and this variant since Henry Ford. However, this is the first I've seen it applied to Lizzie.
`
A/N: Chapter 11 was this story's most reviewed chapter so far. Of course, the previous mark was three reviews, so it wasn't that tough. "Gee, I wonder how that happened?" he asks with tongue firmly in cheek. Don't hurt me Emma, that was a joke!
Seriously, though, there are a couple of points I want to address.
1: I am a firm believer in the fact that a well handled Main Character Death can be as telling as the rest of the work. For those who haven't seen this at work, I recommend the play 'Inherit the Wind'. There is an MCD near the end of it, and the way in which the other main characters respond is very telling into their personalities. The problem is that I'm not sure if I'm good enough to pull it off. While that doesn't mean I won't try, it does mean that it is unlikely.
2: While Matt may seem OOC for the TV show, as I tried to explain in the note at the beginning of Chapter 2, everyone, including Matt, is older here then they are on the show. This means that he has done some natural maturing. Also, I'm making two assumptions, that this is his first crisis situation, and that this is his first real love. I've seen first hand how radically people change in a crisis, especially their first. While most of these changes are temporary, some will remain. Add to that this being his first real love, and believe me while I say that Matt's changes are NOTHING compared to what I could have done and still been based on the changes in real people.
`
Chapter 12
News of a Phoenix.
`
Once Gordo was moved to CICU (A/N: For anyone who doesn't know, that stands for Cardiac Intensive Care Unit), his father called his mother to tell her the good part of the news. He then asked her to come to the girls' room as so possible for "some details" that he wanted to give to everyone, and in person. She agreed, clearly worried.
~~~~~~~~
"Well, Miranda, your test results are in, and everything checks out. As soon as your parents finish a little paperwork, you can go home."
Matt, who was sitting next to Miranda, smiled at her. "See. Everything's fine, you're going home."
Dr. Gardner, being someone of a mischievous nature, couldn't resist a barb. "I didn't say everything was fine, but I believe we have a good explanation for her slightly accelerated heart rate, wouldn't you agree?" She looked directly at Matt when she said the last.
Matt, feeling more like himself than he had all week, wasn't about to let this ADULT out barb him. Wearing a smug smile, he replied "Faltered as I am, I'm a one woman man now, so you can stop looking at me like that."
The mothers were momentarily shocked by this. Before they recovered, both girls AND Dr. Gardner were laughing heartily. "See, Miranda," said Lizzie between laughs, "no matter how he might change, he's still Matt."
"Young man, that retort was a classic." Dr. Gardner said after collecting herself. Matt smiled at the compliment. "But I think I'll go and get those papers and bring them here. Meanwhile, I suggest you help your lady start to pack."
"Pack?!? It's not like I planed for this. The only things I'm taking home could fit in a plastic bag, and most of those he is not touching." The obvious reference made Matt blush, and the others giggle. Miranda couldn't resist adding a tag. "Yet."
"MIRANDA!"
There was a knock on the door. Everyone turned to see the Gordons standing there. Lizzie's face suddenly froze. "May we come in?"
Dr. Gardner saw something in the man's face. "I'll be back later" she said, and left the room.
Mrs. Gordon took the last chair in the room, next to Lizzie. Jo was on the opposite side of her. Mrs. Sanchez sat by Miranda opposite Matt.
Mr. Gordon saw Lizzie's face. "He's alive, Lizzie." Lizzie relaxed some. "But there is something you should know, all of you." Everyone could see as he braced himself. "They almost lost him."
"WHAT!?!"
Jo tried to calm her daughter. "Lizzie, please honey, relax. He just told you he's alive."
"Almost . . . lost"
"What happened, sir?" Matt asked. He was clearly torn between his love for Miranda, whom he could tell had become extremely tense, and his concern for Lizzie. The look on his sister's face, her body language, and her voice reminded him too strongly of when she first awoke.
"It was his heart. It's too early to tell exactly why yet, but for about 20 seconds near the end of the operation, his heart stopped."
"He . . . he died?" Came Lizzie's shaky voice. Tears were starting to form.
"And came back." Mr. Gordon reminded her.
There was a tense pause, then Matt said thoughtfully "Like a phoenix."
Some of Miranda's tension slid from her. "A phoenix? That's a strange comparison."
"But . . . but it fits," came Lizzie's small voice, "doesn't it? He was dead, then came back."
Nobody had an answer for that. Then Matt half-sang "Believe and you will find your way."
Everyone but the Gordons nodded their agreement. "Did I miss something?" Mrs. Gordon asked.
~~~~~~~~
As the meeting about Gordo's condition wound down, Dr. Gardner returned. She knocked on the door. "Is it okay to come in?"
"Yes." Lizzie replied.
"I have the paperwork for Miranda's release." She turned to Mrs. Sanchez. "Would you like to handle this here?"
"That would be fine, thank you."
"Going home, I see." Mr. Gordon commented.
Miranda suddenly stiffened. Matt caught it. "Sir, Miranda needs to know something from you," he nodded toward Mrs. Gordon, "both of you. The truth, do you blame her for Gordo's condition?"
"Of course not, how could we." Mr. Gordon started automatically, then made the connection. "Miranda, have you been blaming yourself?" Miranda nodded. Mr. Gordon went into Dr. Gordon mode. "While it is natural to feel that way, you have no reason to. Not unless you were driving the truck. That fool left his lights off, then fell asleep. Whatever you've been thinking, it wasn't your fault."
Mrs. Gordon added "I know my son, just as you do. He won't lay blame until he hears the facts. After that, I have no doubt he'll agree with us, and you shouldn't doubt that either."
"Thank you." Miranda said.
"Yes, thank you." Matt said as he patted Miranda's hand.
~~~~~~~~
"Me'lady's carriage awaits." Matt said as he manned the wheelchair Miranda was to use to get to her parents' car.
"Who dreamed up this need for a wheelchair to the door anyway?" Miranda's exasperation was clear.
"Lawyers" was the reply from Dr. Gardner.
Mrs. Sanchez entered the room. "Is everything ready here?"
"Yes. Between Mrs. McGuire and Matt, I had to triple check." Miranda replied.
"Are you sure it's you don't mind Matt going with you?" Jo asked.
"It will be fine. You can pick him up on your way home tonight. Besides, Matt is the one whom I expect will be uncomfortable." She then looked at Matt. "I believe there is a, how did you say it, father-suitor talk, overdue."
Matt paled. "I can't want" he said with clear irony.
~~~~~~~~
When they arrived at the Sanchez home, Matt insisted on helping Miranda to the door. Miranda bristled at that. "I'm NOT completely helpless, Matt."
"And how much walking have you done in the past week?"
"That's not the point."
"That IS the point. I'm not asking to CARRY you, just hold your arm while you walk. Is that really asking so much?"
Mr. Sanchez ended the argument. "Miranda, either he does it, or I do. Choose."
Trapped, Miranda growled in frustration. "Oh, all right. Matt can help. But don't think this means I like this."
Two too fast steps later, she lost her balance, and would have fallen if Matt hadn't had her arm. Miranda glared at him. "Not a word." Matt didn't need to say anything, as his 'I told you so' face said it all.
~~~~~~~~
When Lizzie and her mother were alone, the dam burst. Everything she had been holding back from Miranda, Matt, and the Gordons; the fear, the worry, the self-recrimination, all came out in a sobbing, incoherent flood. Jo tried desperately to comfort her daughter, but it was over an hour before she could do anything but hold Lizzie and let her cry herself out.
Finally, Lizzie was able to speak in an understandable, if hoarse voice. "Why have I been such a fool about him?!?"
"Oh, honey," Jo replied in as soothing a voice as she could manage, "you haven't been a fool, you were just afraid. That's natural when it comes to love, especially young love."
"But WHY? Why was I afraid of him? If Miranda and Matt are right, we've both been obvious to everyone but each other. If that's true, why didn't we see it?"
"Because the phrase 'love is blind' is so well known for a reason. In your case, you two have been friends for so long that when each of you started to see the other as more, you couldn't accept it. Add to that the fear of ruining your friendship, and I think it's natural for you two to deny your feeling for each other, even to yourselves. I admit I've been hoping you two would find each other, but . . ."
"Wait." Lizzie interrupted. "You knew? Why didn't you say anything?!?"
Jo knew better than to react to her daughter's tone. Keeping a steady voice, she replied, "would you have believed me? Or if you believed, would you admit to me what you've denied to yourself?"
"But . . ."
"We all believed that you two needed to find this for yourselves. Nobody expected something like the crash to happen. But if any good can come from this, it's that my kids both know their hearts now."
"What was it Matt said, 'No time to waste'? Who would have guessed that I'd be getting romance advice from my kid brother?"
"I really don't think we can call him a kid anymore. He has been so adult at times this past week it's unnerving. Like when he carried you to see Gordo. We were all amazed by him. But even that only happened because of the crash. And has he told you what he put himself through at first?"
"Yeah. When he and Miranda told me about them being together. But, mom, they spent a lot of that visit trying to get me to admit to my feelings for Gordo, and I still denied them. Why is it Matt knew his feelings then, and I couldn't see mine until . . . until Gordo died?" Jo looked like she was going to object. "And he did die. He came back, but he did die. Why did it take THAT for me to see?"
"Probably because you had years of self-denial to break through. Matt didn't have that to deal with."
"I guess. Mom, I have to tell him. No matter what the risk, I have to tell him."
"I know. But can I ask you to wait for something first?"
"I know he needs to wake up first."
Jo gave a slight smile. "Well, there is that. But, why don't we let Matt and Miranda talk to him first. I think we can let his reaction to them guide you in how to handle this." Jo paused, trying not to give away too much. "Besides, I have a hunch that those two have decided to play matchmaker for you two."
"WHAT?!? You have got to be joking. Why, I . . ."
"I think it's sweet, and rather cute. They really do care about you. Why not let them think they had a part in this?"
Now was Lizzie's turn for a slight smile. "They already have. But I see your point. Alright, I'll wait. But not long. I can't afford to wait too long."
"I understand."
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Next chapter: Moms and Dads and Lectures, oh my!
by TheRealXenocide
`
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, settings, or anything else you recognize from the show Lizzie McGuire. The plot, at it's base, has been around since Homer, and this variant since Henry Ford. However, this is the first I've seen it applied to Lizzie.
`
A/N: Chapter 11 was this story's most reviewed chapter so far. Of course, the previous mark was three reviews, so it wasn't that tough. "Gee, I wonder how that happened?" he asks with tongue firmly in cheek. Don't hurt me Emma, that was a joke!
Seriously, though, there are a couple of points I want to address.
1: I am a firm believer in the fact that a well handled Main Character Death can be as telling as the rest of the work. For those who haven't seen this at work, I recommend the play 'Inherit the Wind'. There is an MCD near the end of it, and the way in which the other main characters respond is very telling into their personalities. The problem is that I'm not sure if I'm good enough to pull it off. While that doesn't mean I won't try, it does mean that it is unlikely.
2: While Matt may seem OOC for the TV show, as I tried to explain in the note at the beginning of Chapter 2, everyone, including Matt, is older here then they are on the show. This means that he has done some natural maturing. Also, I'm making two assumptions, that this is his first crisis situation, and that this is his first real love. I've seen first hand how radically people change in a crisis, especially their first. While most of these changes are temporary, some will remain. Add to that this being his first real love, and believe me while I say that Matt's changes are NOTHING compared to what I could have done and still been based on the changes in real people.
`
Chapter 12
News of a Phoenix.
`
Once Gordo was moved to CICU (A/N: For anyone who doesn't know, that stands for Cardiac Intensive Care Unit), his father called his mother to tell her the good part of the news. He then asked her to come to the girls' room as so possible for "some details" that he wanted to give to everyone, and in person. She agreed, clearly worried.
~~~~~~~~
"Well, Miranda, your test results are in, and everything checks out. As soon as your parents finish a little paperwork, you can go home."
Matt, who was sitting next to Miranda, smiled at her. "See. Everything's fine, you're going home."
Dr. Gardner, being someone of a mischievous nature, couldn't resist a barb. "I didn't say everything was fine, but I believe we have a good explanation for her slightly accelerated heart rate, wouldn't you agree?" She looked directly at Matt when she said the last.
Matt, feeling more like himself than he had all week, wasn't about to let this ADULT out barb him. Wearing a smug smile, he replied "Faltered as I am, I'm a one woman man now, so you can stop looking at me like that."
The mothers were momentarily shocked by this. Before they recovered, both girls AND Dr. Gardner were laughing heartily. "See, Miranda," said Lizzie between laughs, "no matter how he might change, he's still Matt."
"Young man, that retort was a classic." Dr. Gardner said after collecting herself. Matt smiled at the compliment. "But I think I'll go and get those papers and bring them here. Meanwhile, I suggest you help your lady start to pack."
"Pack?!? It's not like I planed for this. The only things I'm taking home could fit in a plastic bag, and most of those he is not touching." The obvious reference made Matt blush, and the others giggle. Miranda couldn't resist adding a tag. "Yet."
"MIRANDA!"
There was a knock on the door. Everyone turned to see the Gordons standing there. Lizzie's face suddenly froze. "May we come in?"
Dr. Gardner saw something in the man's face. "I'll be back later" she said, and left the room.
Mrs. Gordon took the last chair in the room, next to Lizzie. Jo was on the opposite side of her. Mrs. Sanchez sat by Miranda opposite Matt.
Mr. Gordon saw Lizzie's face. "He's alive, Lizzie." Lizzie relaxed some. "But there is something you should know, all of you." Everyone could see as he braced himself. "They almost lost him."
"WHAT!?!"
Jo tried to calm her daughter. "Lizzie, please honey, relax. He just told you he's alive."
"Almost . . . lost"
"What happened, sir?" Matt asked. He was clearly torn between his love for Miranda, whom he could tell had become extremely tense, and his concern for Lizzie. The look on his sister's face, her body language, and her voice reminded him too strongly of when she first awoke.
"It was his heart. It's too early to tell exactly why yet, but for about 20 seconds near the end of the operation, his heart stopped."
"He . . . he died?" Came Lizzie's shaky voice. Tears were starting to form.
"And came back." Mr. Gordon reminded her.
There was a tense pause, then Matt said thoughtfully "Like a phoenix."
Some of Miranda's tension slid from her. "A phoenix? That's a strange comparison."
"But . . . but it fits," came Lizzie's small voice, "doesn't it? He was dead, then came back."
Nobody had an answer for that. Then Matt half-sang "Believe and you will find your way."
Everyone but the Gordons nodded their agreement. "Did I miss something?" Mrs. Gordon asked.
~~~~~~~~
As the meeting about Gordo's condition wound down, Dr. Gardner returned. She knocked on the door. "Is it okay to come in?"
"Yes." Lizzie replied.
"I have the paperwork for Miranda's release." She turned to Mrs. Sanchez. "Would you like to handle this here?"
"That would be fine, thank you."
"Going home, I see." Mr. Gordon commented.
Miranda suddenly stiffened. Matt caught it. "Sir, Miranda needs to know something from you," he nodded toward Mrs. Gordon, "both of you. The truth, do you blame her for Gordo's condition?"
"Of course not, how could we." Mr. Gordon started automatically, then made the connection. "Miranda, have you been blaming yourself?" Miranda nodded. Mr. Gordon went into Dr. Gordon mode. "While it is natural to feel that way, you have no reason to. Not unless you were driving the truck. That fool left his lights off, then fell asleep. Whatever you've been thinking, it wasn't your fault."
Mrs. Gordon added "I know my son, just as you do. He won't lay blame until he hears the facts. After that, I have no doubt he'll agree with us, and you shouldn't doubt that either."
"Thank you." Miranda said.
"Yes, thank you." Matt said as he patted Miranda's hand.
~~~~~~~~
"Me'lady's carriage awaits." Matt said as he manned the wheelchair Miranda was to use to get to her parents' car.
"Who dreamed up this need for a wheelchair to the door anyway?" Miranda's exasperation was clear.
"Lawyers" was the reply from Dr. Gardner.
Mrs. Sanchez entered the room. "Is everything ready here?"
"Yes. Between Mrs. McGuire and Matt, I had to triple check." Miranda replied.
"Are you sure it's you don't mind Matt going with you?" Jo asked.
"It will be fine. You can pick him up on your way home tonight. Besides, Matt is the one whom I expect will be uncomfortable." She then looked at Matt. "I believe there is a, how did you say it, father-suitor talk, overdue."
Matt paled. "I can't want" he said with clear irony.
~~~~~~~~
When they arrived at the Sanchez home, Matt insisted on helping Miranda to the door. Miranda bristled at that. "I'm NOT completely helpless, Matt."
"And how much walking have you done in the past week?"
"That's not the point."
"That IS the point. I'm not asking to CARRY you, just hold your arm while you walk. Is that really asking so much?"
Mr. Sanchez ended the argument. "Miranda, either he does it, or I do. Choose."
Trapped, Miranda growled in frustration. "Oh, all right. Matt can help. But don't think this means I like this."
Two too fast steps later, she lost her balance, and would have fallen if Matt hadn't had her arm. Miranda glared at him. "Not a word." Matt didn't need to say anything, as his 'I told you so' face said it all.
~~~~~~~~
When Lizzie and her mother were alone, the dam burst. Everything she had been holding back from Miranda, Matt, and the Gordons; the fear, the worry, the self-recrimination, all came out in a sobbing, incoherent flood. Jo tried desperately to comfort her daughter, but it was over an hour before she could do anything but hold Lizzie and let her cry herself out.
Finally, Lizzie was able to speak in an understandable, if hoarse voice. "Why have I been such a fool about him?!?"
"Oh, honey," Jo replied in as soothing a voice as she could manage, "you haven't been a fool, you were just afraid. That's natural when it comes to love, especially young love."
"But WHY? Why was I afraid of him? If Miranda and Matt are right, we've both been obvious to everyone but each other. If that's true, why didn't we see it?"
"Because the phrase 'love is blind' is so well known for a reason. In your case, you two have been friends for so long that when each of you started to see the other as more, you couldn't accept it. Add to that the fear of ruining your friendship, and I think it's natural for you two to deny your feeling for each other, even to yourselves. I admit I've been hoping you two would find each other, but . . ."
"Wait." Lizzie interrupted. "You knew? Why didn't you say anything?!?"
Jo knew better than to react to her daughter's tone. Keeping a steady voice, she replied, "would you have believed me? Or if you believed, would you admit to me what you've denied to yourself?"
"But . . ."
"We all believed that you two needed to find this for yourselves. Nobody expected something like the crash to happen. But if any good can come from this, it's that my kids both know their hearts now."
"What was it Matt said, 'No time to waste'? Who would have guessed that I'd be getting romance advice from my kid brother?"
"I really don't think we can call him a kid anymore. He has been so adult at times this past week it's unnerving. Like when he carried you to see Gordo. We were all amazed by him. But even that only happened because of the crash. And has he told you what he put himself through at first?"
"Yeah. When he and Miranda told me about them being together. But, mom, they spent a lot of that visit trying to get me to admit to my feelings for Gordo, and I still denied them. Why is it Matt knew his feelings then, and I couldn't see mine until . . . until Gordo died?" Jo looked like she was going to object. "And he did die. He came back, but he did die. Why did it take THAT for me to see?"
"Probably because you had years of self-denial to break through. Matt didn't have that to deal with."
"I guess. Mom, I have to tell him. No matter what the risk, I have to tell him."
"I know. But can I ask you to wait for something first?"
"I know he needs to wake up first."
Jo gave a slight smile. "Well, there is that. But, why don't we let Matt and Miranda talk to him first. I think we can let his reaction to them guide you in how to handle this." Jo paused, trying not to give away too much. "Besides, I have a hunch that those two have decided to play matchmaker for you two."
"WHAT?!? You have got to be joking. Why, I . . ."
"I think it's sweet, and rather cute. They really do care about you. Why not let them think they had a part in this?"
Now was Lizzie's turn for a slight smile. "They already have. But I see your point. Alright, I'll wait. But not long. I can't afford to wait too long."
"I understand."
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Next chapter: Moms and Dads and Lectures, oh my!