A/N: I've been working on this story for over a year now and it's weird. It's almost like I started this story just the other day or something. Anyway, I hope ya'll had a good Halloween and I'm not sure when the next update will be because I'm going out of town until Tuesday and then leaving again on Friday and not coming back until next Sunday. These chapters are getting harder and harder to write these days. I've been working on this chapter since the day I posted the last chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The visitors slept in the other rooms in the mansion, and since everyone ended up staying up pretty late, they went to bed before Lizzie and Gordo had a chance to talk. This didn't worry Lizzie, as she figured since there was something going on, she would not be leaving tomorrow, but she knew the more time that passed meant that more time was spent doing pointless thinking.

Gordo wasn't too worried about leaving the next day, but still wanted to talk. He enjoyed talking to Ethan and Parker. It was nice seeing old faces...something he hadn't ever seen.

The next morning, Lizzie woke up first and decided instead of going back to sleep, as she might miss something, she decided to go ahead and take a shower and fix breakfast. She wanted more time to think about what she learned the day before and piece it together. She also wondered if Gordo knew anything more than he was letting on. She knew he was suspicious a couple of days earlier, but he didn't talk about it anymore. He might know something, Lizzie thought. After she took her shower, got dressed, and fixed some cereal and fruit, she thought about the possibilities of the day. It was weird, but it was like ever since yesterday occurred, Lizzie had an entirely different outlook on this situation. It was like knowing that Miranda knew about this made it easier. Knowing that Miranda had something to do with this all happening like it did made it even better. She didn't know how her cousin got involved, but it was weird. All of this was planned for her and Gordo. Everyone was in on the secret except for them. She didn't know how she didn't see it in the first place, because it would take more than a coincidence to have her and Gordo in the same place, but at the time, she never thought it was more. She bought into the coincidence as much as she thought Gordo did.

Right as she was finishing breakfast, she heard Gordo get up in the next room. "Lizzie?" he called, in a tired and mumbling sort of way.

Lizzie froze. She had no idea what she was going to say to Gordo. They hadn't really talked since the day before yesterday, yet they had time to kill before the day started.

"Lizzie?" He called again, "Liz, are you up?"

"Yeah," she called back, putting her spoon in her bowl and getting up to the sink, "I'm in the kitchen."

"Oh," he said, and seconds later he entered, scratching his stomach and yawning, "What's for breakfast?"

Lizzie smiled as she cleaned her bowl. She was beginning to feel like she had lived with Gordo all her life, "Whatever you make."

"Oh," he said, walking over to the refrigerator and opening it up.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes," he said, still trying get used to this state...of being awake, that is. "It was kind of cool seeing Ethan and Parker last night. Did you have fun with Parker?"

"I had a lot of fun," Lizzie said, "Parker is an interesting person."

Gordo nodded, "Yeah, so is Ethan. I forgot how much I liked him."

Lizzie looked at Gordo suspiciously, "When did you ever really like Ethan?"

Gordo thought about this for a minute, "When you started dating me, I guess."

"Hmm," Lizzie said, "Interesting."

"So, what did you and Parker talk about?"

"Well, mostly you, but not really."

"What?" Gordo asked, confused at what Lizzie just said.

"Well," Lizzie started, "First of all, she insisted that you and her never went out, but you told me that, so that wasn't an issue. Once she realized that wasn't an issue, we caught up a little more about our lives. Like I said, Parker is an interesting person. She likes to talk about herself a lot."

"Ha! Tell me about it! When we hung out in high school, all we talked about was her. It was kind of funny, in a way, but at the same time, I kind of felt sorry for her."

Lizzie smiled sympathetically, "So, what did you and Ethan talk about?"

"You, but not really," Gordo smirked.

Lizzie rolled her eyes, "Oh, fine. If that's the way you want to be, you can be annoying."

How was he supposed to describe what he and Ethan talked about the night before? For him, it was humiliating! He didn't want to make it sound as if he was still jealous. "Well, we didn't have much to say at first, but once we started talking, it was pretty cool. I was so used to being mad at Ethan that it was hard to adjust to being nice to him. He really is a good guy, though, and I do wish him the best."

"So do I. What happened with his father was very unfortunate, but I think it changed him. He's a good guy. If he wasn't, I wouldn't be friends with him."

"Well," he said, trying to say something that would mean something and bring some sort of closure to the matter, "from what he said, it sounds like you were a great friend to him. The world really does need more people like you. You really have a great heart, Lizzie."

Lizzie smiled. She was touched. She had to fight hard to keep from crying.

Before things could get any more emotional, there was a knock at the door. Lizzie and Gordo looked at each other, and Gordo went to the bedroom to get ready for the day while Lizzie went to answer the door. On the other side were Ethan and Parker. "Come in," she told them, and they came into the Love Hut.

"Wow," Parker said, "This is really small!"

"I know. I've gotten used to it, though...for the most part."

"Is Gordo awake?"

Just then, they could hear the shower turn on, to answer Parker's question. "Sit down," Lizzie offered, "Have you had any breakfast?"

"Yeah, there was breakfast in the mansion," Ethan said.

"Yeah, we kept waiting for you two to show up, but I guess having every meal together isn't required here," Parker added.

"Well, would you like some coffee?"

"No thanks," Parker said, "I don't drink caffeine."

"No, thank you," Ethan said.

Lizzie sat down with her old friends. They chatted for a few minutes until Gordo appeared, dressed and ready for the day. He smiled at Ethan and Gordo and joined them at the kitchen table.

"Do you guys know what we are doing today?" Lizzie asked, directing the question towards Ethan and Parker.

Both shrugged, "They didn't tell us anything, really, except that Lizzie and I will be working together and Parker and Gordo are working with each other. Apparently, one couple is being eliminated today," Ethan said.

"I know," Lizzie said.

"Are you worried that it's going to be you two?" he asked.

Lizzie shrugged. She knew that they weren't going home, but didn't want to give anything away, "Anything could happen."

"Yeah, you can never really tell around here," Gordo added, "I mean last time, it was weird because we didn't know what was going to happen and all the sudden they were gone and this time, I just can't tell. Who knows?"

Gordo wasn't too worried, either, mostly because he didn't care what happened. If they left, he would be forced to talk to her and that was good and if they didn't leave, he'd have more time here with her. It made sense to him either way. He had her contact information and he decided if he didn't talk to her here, he could be romantic and somehow show up at her doorstep or something. He didn't want it to happen this way, but he was preparing just in case they sprung something else on them.

"I'll tell you one thing," Parker said, "I've met everyone here and even if I didn't know you, I'd still want you to win. Even if these personalities were real, you two are the only ones who have potential chemistry."

Lizzie and Gordo both blushed slightly, glancing at each other.

"I agree," Ethan chimed in, "I mean, everyone seems cool, but during breakfast when we were down there with Elizabeth and that James guy, I was thinking...whoa...this is your competition? If you leave today, this show is hopeless."

"Thanks," Lizzie said, "I guess I'll take that as a compliment."

A few minutes later, they decided it was time to head off to the meeting area and check out what they were supposed to do for the day. The room where they usually met that usually seemed like it was too big suddenly seemed too small as for every person that was in there, there was another person, and also the producers were crammed in there as well as the camera people. They saw people that they'd never seen before and it was weird, because they never realized this much work was involved in a fake reality TV show.

Greg, Gracie, and Ted, who Lizzie decided as they walked in that they were sneaky little bastard, presented what was going to "go down" in the Little Land of Confusion, or better known as this reality show.

"Today is a big day," Greg announced, "For those of you who have never been in here, I have bad news for you. This reality show is, how you say, slightly influenced, by what we say. Some of these people are actresses and actors while others needed the money. This is basically a test season, to see how the ratings go. For example, remember the first season of The Bachelor and how big it was? Well, it wasn't as influenced as this, but sources have evidence that some things wouldn't have happened if it were totally up to that Alex guy, if you know what I mean. Anyway, these people have gotten used to it and since you signed that secrecy contract, you are not permitted to say anything about this meeting or make any implications."

"Anyway, now that that's said, let's talk about today's agenda, because today's goal is to induce drama upon some people in the house...and even if drama has sort of been building up to this point, we really want it to explode today. So, we actually want to have some tension before the competition because now you know that people are leaving and naturally, no one wants to leave. So, before the competition, which will happen at some point after lunch, I think Elizabeth should sort of bitch her way into Tory and Mary's minds and get on their nerves and talk about the third person behind their back. Elizabeth, this is where you need to really get in there and be a bitch. You've been flirting around with your character for a few days, but this has to be when people watching realize "wow, she was sort of annoying before, but now...she's a first class bitch. "Got it?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"Good," Greg continued, "so, basically, this is going to be the ultimate day for the girls. The guys will vaguely be aware with what is happening and talk about it amongst themselves, and the guests will sort of talk about it with the guys and be observers, but some people will clearly appear upset by the time the competition starts. Guys, especially Daniel, who is going to be the ultimate lovesick puppy, stick up for Tory and be on Tory's side. George, you can, say, remain a pretty neutral character, and James, you are just a little torn because you know how Elizabeth can get and you sort of understand her. Anyway, this will happen during lunch and then afterwards, you will learn your new competition, and whoever loses, is going to go home. You control that, but the main idea of the day is after whoever has to go leaves, the other two couples realize that the game is officially on. More details will follow is necessary. You have about three hours before lunch. Have a wonderful day and I hope to see you tomorrow."

Everyone got out and when Ethan and Lizzie, who ended up sitting next to each other in the meeting, were out of the room, Ethan asked Lizzie if he could see her for a minute alone.

Lizzie, a little thrown off by the request, simply because it never dawned on her to speak to Ethan alone nodded and found Gordo. She told him what she was doing and that she'd meet him back in the hut whenever they were finished. Gordo agreed and asked Parker if she wanted to walk around outside for a minute...just for the heck of it.

They parted and Ethan asked Lizzie where they could go where no one could bother them. Lizzie suggested the game room and led him there. They sat down on the couch and Lizzie sighed, smiling at her old friend, "So..." she said, "having fun yet?"

"Oh, you know it," Ethan said, with a slight hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

He became a little serious as he looked at Lizzie, "Lizzie, you helped me a lot while my father was dying and I will always appreciate that and while I hope that everyone in your life is healthy, I hope that one day I can return the favor."

Lizzie smiled, "Aww, thanks, Ethan!" she said, and she gave her friend a hug, "That means a lot to me."

Ethan continued, "I don't want you to be mad at me for what I am about to tell you, but since I think I remember you saying something about hating surprises, I want to tell you something. I think I owe you this much."

Lizzie gulped. She had a feeling it had something to do with the show, but Ethan always seemed full of surprises.

"Lizzie," he said, in a softer tone, "this is all a hoax."

"Really?" Lizzie said, acting surprised, "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he went on, "This is a set up."

Lizzie shifted in the chair to get a little more comfortable, "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Ethan said, "Your cousin, Miranda, and Gordo's roommate planned this out and this show was meant to bring you two together. She called Parker and me the other day and told us everything. I was worried that you two weren't getting along, but I'm glad that you two seem to be friends again. I can tell that he still likes you, Liz. You like him, don't you?"

"...Yeah," Lizzie said, still trying to take in what he was saying and trying to make it all come together, "wait, so you are saying this is rigged, right? I mean, like, the chances of Gordo and me going home today are like the chances of...hell freezing over?"

Ethan nodded his head, "Yeah, this is all about getting you and Gordo back together since you two have apparently been so miserable for the past five years."

"This is crazy," Lizzie said, mostly to herself.

"Yeah, well I just thought you might want to know."

"Oh, I'm glad you told me," Lizzie said, "I knew something was up, but now I know exactly what is going on I feel sane. I wonder if Gordo knows anything about this," Lizzie was basically talking to herself at this point, thinking aloud.

"I don't think he knows everything I told you," he said, "I mean, when I talked to him last night, he seemed pretty stressed out to begin with to tell you the truth. Liz, I'm a little worried about the guy, not that you mention it. If someone doesn't say something soon, I'm worried that you will leave here all 'unresolved' and stuff. I mean, don't you want to tell him how you feel?"

"Well, yeah," Lizzie said, "but I don't want to make a fool out of myself."

"Well, what do you think is worse...being a fool or never knowing what its like to be in a fool's shoes?"

Lizzie looked at Ethan, confused, "What?"

"You know what I mean," Ethan said, "Do unto others before they do unto you."

"Ethan..." Lizzie said, "Um, first of all, It's 'do unto others AS they would do unto you,' and second of all, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Liz, take the translation however you want to, but you should definitely consider telling him whether than waiting for him, because, I hate to admit it, but the guy isn't going to say anything without you giving him some sort of sign. I mean, have you two even talked about it?"

"Well," Lizzie said, thinking about the other night when they almost kissed...twice, "we've sort of talked about it and we almost kissed the other day."

"What stopped you?"

"We had to be somewhere."

Ethan stood up, flailing his arms, "Lizzie, you are hopeless! You two are stuck here for, like, two weeks, and as you two are getting closer and closer to each other, all you do is look for excuses! How did you two date in the first place?"

Lizzie shrugged, "I'm going to tell him," she said in defense, "I mean, I know I have to tell him, but I keep waiting for a perfect moment when I know for sure that I'm going to live happily ever after with him."

"Lizzie," Ethan said, sitting back down and looking right into Lizzie's eyes, "Take it from someone who waited months to think of the perfect thing to someone he loved and by the time he was ready it was too late: the sooner the better. In fact, as soon as we leave this afternoon, tell him. Just make sure something is said is too late. I'm counting on you. If I find out from Miranda or someone that you and Gordo don't have any plans for the future, I'm definitely intervening. You are a good girl who deserves great things. Don't miss this opportunity that sleeps next to you every night."

Lizzie smiled. It was almost like Ethan was telling her what her conscience was telling her, only since it was her conscience, she'd never said it out loud, and since she'd never said it, she'd never heard it, but now that she heard what she'd been telling herself all along, it gave her a little more confidence. She was going to wait as long as possible before telling him, but hearing Ethan talk just made her want to tell him as soon as possible, at least at that moment, anyway.

"Thanks," she said, and she gave her friend a hug. After that, they stood up, deciding that is was time they head back to the love hut.

"So," Ethan said, almost in a whisper, "do you think you're going to tell Gordo what I told you about this show?"

Lizzie shook her head, "I don't think so," she said, "I mean, no use in making the situation even more awkward than it is now."

When they reached the Love Hut, Gordo and Parker were sitting in the kitchen talking, even though they stopped talking once Lizzie and Ethan came into the room. Obviously, they were talking about Lizzie. Lizzie didn't realize that she and Ethan were gone for almost an hour.

"Hey," Lizzie said, disappearing into the bedroom to change her shirt, "what have you two been up to?"

"Oh, I showed Parker around the place a little," Gordo said. Ethan sat down, "We got back a while ago, and were just sitting here talking about...life. What about you and Ethan?" It was almost as if Ethan and Parker weren't even in the room.

"Oh," Lizzie said, appearing in the kitchen with a new shirt. She sat down next to Gordo, "Ethan and I were just catching up. I guess we lost track of time or something."

"Yeah, lunch is in a few minutes," Parker chipped in, looking at he watch, "maybe we should head over."

Gordo shrugged, "Okay," he said, "Ethan, Parker? Why don't you two go ahead and head over there? I just want to talk to Lizzie really quickly about something."

Lizzie and Ethan exchanged surprised looks and it was apparent that Parker was a little bit surprised and puzzled herself. "Okay," Ethan said, getting up, "come on, Parker, let's get good seats."

Parker got up and seconds later Parker and Ethan were gone and Lizzie and Gordo were left alone in the kitchen. Both sat there quietly for a few seconds and when Lizzie looked at Gordo, waiting for him to say something, he noticed he was starring at the table, only he looked like he was about to smile. But he wasn't saying anything.

Lizzie finally cleared her throat, because the quietness was killing her, "So..." she said, hoping that he would say something.

Gordo blinked at looked at Lizzie, "So..." he said, nervously, ""You know, Lizzie, if we go home today, I was thinking about it, and we might never see each other again."

Lizzie pursed her lips, nodding her head, and she took a deep breath, "I know."

"You do?" Gordo asked, waiting for her to say something, "Well, how do you feel about that?"

It was the million dollar question. It was awkward and the timing was far from perfect, but if Lizzie didn't say something, she knew that she would only be confusing Gordo even more. She'd been doing a lot of that lately...sending mixed signals. She knew how she felt, but she wanted to say something meaningful. It was her opportunity to tell him how she felt.

She waited a few seconds, maybe minutes, before she said something. She looked right into Gordo's eyes, and could tell that he was desperate for answers that only she could tell him. "I feel..." Lizzie started trying to think of how to tell him something suave in the few minutes they had until lunch. She knew they weren't leaving that day, but she tried to think of how she would feel if they were. She'd feel sad, she knew that much. She also knew that she didn't want to leave him no matter what. She knew that if they left without sharing their feelings, she would never have the closure she needed or marry her soul mate.

"Lizzie..." Gordo said, reaching out his hand to touch hers, hoping it would help her, but she still seemed a little lost. He smiled, even though she didn't say anything that gave him answers, "Please know that no matter what happens today, I haven't given up on you, okay? If we have to leave today and go back to LA and Chicago, I won't forget about you okay?" Gordo got up and looked at Lizzie, who still wasn't saying anything, even though a tear dropped from her cheek. He started to open the door, still looking at her, "Lizzie, just know this: we are not leaving each other without some type of...understanding."

Gordo waited a few more seconds before left, closing the door on his way out. He shook his head as he walked to lunch, knowing what he said didn't make anything better. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but wanted the timing to be perfect and when he saw her start to cry, he chickened out.

As soon as the door closed, Lizzie sighed, "I love you, Gordo," she said aloud. She knew that he couldn't hear her now, but hoped that they would leave with that same understanding.

(TBC)

A/N: Ooh...what's going to happen now? When will these two stop obsessing over their feelings and speak up? Who will speak up first? Will they be parting as friends or more?

I don't usually give hints to anyone, but here are a few hints for the next chapter or two:

Just when things are starting to look up, chaos ensues and as a result, at least one of the beloved persons in the love hut wonders if they were not meant to be after all. This is so big, controversial, and unpredictable, neither Greg, Gracie, nor Ted could come up with this, and some of you might question if this is the beginning of the end; if all hope is lost; if I, the Queen, have gone mad; or If I'm just preparing for a sequel...anything is possible with this monarchy.

I'm telling you this also because you should know this next chapter might take a little longer than expected and to have patience in these next few weeks. Thanks and quack out!