Disclaimer: Don't own Lizzie McGuire, or the song used.

A/N: Wow, thanks for all the reviews! Glad you guys all like it so much. Well, here's the third and final chapter. This one was a lot harder to write than the first two, it focuses more on Lizzie's emotions. If you've heard the song used for this chapter, than you can probably guess what's gonna happen. And if not, you'll soon find out!

Take Your Sweet Time

It had been almost a month since Gordo declared his love to Lizzie, almost month since they had started going out. Few were surprised when they showed up at school the next Monday holding hands, most had been expecting it for years. Gordo was proud to finally have Lizzie as his girlfriend, to walk down the hall hand in hand with her. Lizzie, though, was surprised at how many people had been expecting it. How could they all have seen it coming, when she herself had no idea? Was she really the only one who'd been in the dark to Gordo's feelings the past three years?

The day before their one month anniversary, for which they were going out to dinner, Lizzie and Miranda were window shopping at the mall. Miranda could tell that Lizzie had something on her mind, and was determined to find out what it was.

"What's wrong?" she asked, getting straight to the point as always.

"Nothing," Lizzie said, looking at a skirt. "Why do you ask?"

Miranda rolled her eyes.

"Please girl, I've known you since first grade, you honestly think I can't tell when you're preoccupied? Spill, what's up?"

"I was just…thinking about Gordo," Lizzie said, turning away from the skirt, and moving to a rack of blouses.

"Ah, your one month anniversary tomorrow night? So things are going pretty good between you guys?"

"Well we've been together a month, haven't we?" Lizzie said, giving a noncommittal answer.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Sorry, they're worth more than a penny," said Lizzie as they left the store.

"Fine, cookie for your thoughts?" Miranda asked, motioning towards the nearby snack bar that sold large cookies of all types.

"I think that will cover it," Lizzie said with a grin as she led the way.

Miranda paid for a cookie for each of them and a drink to share, then they sat down at a small table to eat and talk.

"So, there's the cookie, now you uphold your part of the deal," said Miranda.

"Fine." Lizzie paused, picking at a M&M in her cookie, before continuing. "Things aren't exactly going perfectly with Gordo. It's not that we're fighting or anything, no problems there. It's just that he's so sure he wants to be with me, he keeps telling me he loves me, you know? And I don't love him that way. As a best friend, sure, I love him lots. As a boyfriend, I really like him. But I don't love him in the same romantic way that he loves me."

Miranda frowned.

"Sorry, but I don't quite see the problem. You've got a boyfriend who would do anything for you, despite the fact you don't love him as much as he loves you, and there's something wrong with that?"

"The fact that he loves me so much is the problem. I'm almost afraid he's going to ask me to marry him soon or something, it's all so intense. He keeps saying he loves me, and I can't say it back because I know it wouldn't be true. And if after a month I'm still as unsure about the whole thing as when we started going out, doesn't that say something? If I've known him all my life, have gone out with him for a month, and still don't have those stronger feelings for him, doesn't that mean he's not the one for me?"

"Wow, your thoughts really are more than a penny's worth…" Miranda said, trying to think of a way to help her friend. "Well then what are you going to do, break up with him?"

"I don't know," Lizzie said miserably. "This past month really has been wonderful, Gordo is definitely the sweetest boyfriend I've ever had. And we get along great, but we've always gotten along great, ever since we were little kids, so that's nothing new. I really do like being his girlfriend, he makes me feel so special, goes out of his way to do little things for me… It's just, it's all moving so fast, I don't want a super serious relationship right now. I think I just need some time apart, take a break from each other as a couple for a while, so I can have some time to thing through some things."

"You know that will make things really weird," said Miranda carefully. "It won't be like you can go right back to just being friends, since you'll still be thinking about if you will want to get back together, and Gordo will probably be doing all he can to try to get you to come back to him."

Lizzie took a big bite of her cookie and chewed it slowly, deep in thought. Miranda decided while she was at it, she might as well give her something else to think about.

"When are you planning on telling Gordo this? You can't tell him at dinner tomorrow, it's just plain evil to break up with someone on an anniversary. But you don't want to wait too long before you tell him, or it will hurt him even more."

"I know, I've already thought about that," said Lizzie. "I think I'm going to tell him tonight. It's too bad that it's right before our one month anniversary, but telling him right after would probably be harder."

Miranda sighed.

"Good luck, I'd hate to tell someone that in love with me I want a break."

"Oh, thanks for the support Miranda," Lizzie said sarcastically.

That night Lizzie called Gordo.

"Hey, is it ok if I come over?"

"Yeah, of course. Any particular reason?"

"Just to talk," Lizzie said vaguely. "I'll be over soon."

True to her word, Lizzie arrived within ten minutes. During that time Gordo had become increasingly more nervous, wondering what it was that Lizzie wanted to talk about. It was something important enough that she didn't want to say it over the phone, and by her tone of voice it didn't sound like it was good news.

"Hey," Gordo said when he opened the front door, giving Lizzie a large smile. He couldn't help but smile whenever he saw her, despite the circumstance.

"Hi," Lizzie said, unable to return a grin. Gordo stepped aside to let her in, and leaned in to kiss her when she was next to him. Lizzie kissed him back, remembering how good it was to kiss him, but she remembered why she was there and quickly pulled away. The smile on Gordo's face faded.

"We need to talk," Lizzie said, instantly regretting her words. Those were the same words Ronnie had said to her years ago right before he broke her heart, and now she was about to do the same to Gordo…

She waited for Gordo to say something, but he was waiting for her to continue. Sighing she sat down on the living room couch, and Gordo sat down next to her, taking her hand in his.

"We need to talk," Lizzie repeated, "about us."

"What about us?"

"Well, we've been going out for almost a month now, right?"

Gordo nodded silently, and Lizzie went on.

"When you first told me you liked me, I said I'd like to give it a try between us. And the past month I've realized that I really do like you, but it's still not close to the intensity of love that you keep saying you have for me. And it just makes me wonder if I'll ever feel that way about you."

"So exactly what is it that you're saying?" Gordo asked softly.

Lizzie looked up and found herself lost in his blue eyes. From years of knowing Gordo she had discovered that sometimes she could tell how he was feeling by his eyes, and through the past month she'd become more and more aware of the emotions his eyes displayed. Right now he was confused, but she could still see the love for her in his eyes. She broke the eye contact, knowing that it would be impossible to say what she had to say with his eyes drilling into hers.

"I need a break from us as a couple," Lizzie said, surprised at how hard it was to say when she'd been rehearsing it in her mind all day. She could almost feel her heart tearing in two, and she was the one breaking up with him! "I just need some time to think about us, time by myself to go over some things."

She looked back up at Gordo, and was surprised to see him nodding. Lizzie dared a glance into his eyes, but found they had clouded over, and were harder to read.

It isn't a crime to want

A little space to breath

But you will be fine

The sun again will shine on you

Whatever you do

"No argument, no nothing, you're fine with this?" Lizzie asked, wondering why Gordo wasn't putting up a fight.

Gordo sighed and took a moment to collect his thoughts before replying.

"It's not that I'm fine with this… it kills me that you want a break. But I know that it won't do any good to argue and beg you to stay with me, as you've obviously thought this through. You know I love you, and I'm willing to wait for you as long as it takes for you to sort everything out."

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will be here when you change your mind

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will here for you baby

Anytime

Lizzie tried to think of a way to respond to that, but Gordo had more to say.

"It's not like this was a complete shock to me. The past week I noticed you weren't as comfortable with me as you were when we first started giving this a try, you've been detached. But just because it wasn't a surprise doesn't mean it takes away the pain that you're unsure about us."

I'm feeling you pull away

'cause letting go isn't easy for me

"How can you be so sure about us?" Lizzie asked, still at a loss on his seemingly unconditional love for her.

"I just know how I feel about you," Gordo said, massaging her hand that he was still holding. "I love you so much, I can't even think of the possibility that we're not meant to be."

But you'll never fly

With someone else's wings, I know

Wherever you go

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will be here when you change your mind

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will here for you baby

Anytime

"What if I ultimately decide that I don't think you're the one for me?" Lizzie asked, looking down at her hand in his. Deep inside she hoped that wouldn't be the decision she'd come to, but she had to hear Gordo's answer.

I will never stand in your way

Wherever you heart may lead you

I will love you the same

And I will be your comfort every day

Do you hear the words I say?

"You would break my heart, but I'd respect your decision," Gordo said tenderly. "If you truly felt in your heart that I'm not the one for you, then I wouldn't pursue a relationship that you don't want. I'll still always be here for you, no matter what you decide. I won't ever let you walk completely out of my life."

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will be here when you change your mind

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will here for you baby

Lizzie felt her eyes fill with tears. What did she ever do to deserve such a good friend like Gordo?

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will be here when you change your mind

Take your sweet, sweet time

I will here for you baby

Anytime

"I made you a promise a month ago, and I intend to keep it," Gordo said, still rubbing Lizzie's hand. "Now I'd just like you to make me a promise. Promise me that I'll be the first one you tell once you make a decision."

Lizzie wiped away her tears with her free hand, glad that was a promise she knew she'd be able to keep.

"I promise."

A/N: Yay, the end of my first chaptered story! lol Only three chapters, but still.... Please review and let me know what you thought! Thank you! : )