This story takes place when Gary was just eight years old, and having his first crush. Awwwww, how sweet. Anyway, after watching "Two to Tangle," the story just came to me. And big thanks to Dollene for beta reading.

 Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters. Well, I own the ones I made up, but since the stepbrothers are loosely based on my own brothers, the stepbrothers belong to them. But Liz is mine, all MINE! Okay, any other characters belong to CBS and Sony TriStar.

 Spoilers: "Two to Tangle," way at the end of the story.

 Rating: G

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If This Is Love
by Mary Hobson

 Chapter 14

   Liz danced slowly, having a wonderful time. She noticed Renee shooting her a dirty look. Liz stuck her tongue out at her when Gary wasn't looking. 'Ha! She deserved it.' Liz thought.
 
   Gary didn't want the song to end. Luckily, it was a long song.
 
   Bernie had managed to get every boy in Gary's class at one table, rooting for him. The banged on the table, and chanted Gary's name.   Bam, bam! "Gary!" Bam, bam! "Gary!" They went on, Bernie loudest of all.
 
   Gary knew he was blushing. All the noise had attracted the attention of most everybody, including, horror of all horrors, his mom! Gary saw her smiling sweetly at him. 'Oh, boy,' he thought. 'I'm going to get it later.'
 
   "Drawn quite a crowd, huh?" Liz joked, smiling weakly. She was in pure heaven. Gary didn't even smell like the boys back in LA. He showered more than once a year, Liz noticed. He actually smelled good, and he wasn't wearing the terrible cologne some boys were wearing.
 
   "That's my dad for you," Gary replied. "You wanna dance again next slow dance?" Gary asked her.
 
   "Okay. I'd like that," Liz said. The song ended.
 
   "I'll see you next slow dance," she called. She couldn't wait to go rub it in Renee Callahan's face.
 
   "Next slow dance," Gary echoed. Was it possible? Did she like him as much as he liked her?
 
   "Way to go Gar," Bernie said, slapping him on the back.
 
   "Yeah, Gary's a ladies' man," Matt said.
 
   Joey jumped up on a table. "Roses are red, violets are blue, two-lips are what you'll be kissing, woo-woo!" He said in a sing-song voice.
 
   "Thanks a lot Dad. Look at this. Mom's probably discussing baby names with the other chaperones thanks to you and them," Gary grumbled.
 
   "Oh, lighten up. Wait'll you have kids. Then you get to embarrass them all you want!" Bernie said, smiling.
 
   "Goody, goody, gum drops," Gary said. He went back to goofing off with his friends, until the next slow dance came around. He felt less nervous this time around.
 
   "Shall we dance?" Gary asked Liz.
 
   "Certainly," she replied. They began to dance. All the little girls were looking on with pure jealousy.
 
   "Liz, I um, I-I-I, well, I d-d-don't really know how to uh, s-s-say this, but uh, I really um, I really uh, I really l-l-l-like you," Gary finished. He looked down at his feet and blushed.
 
   "I like you too," Liz said.
 
   "Well then, um, uh, will you be my uh, um, well you know, will you be my g-g-girlfriend?" Gary asked.
 
   "Sure. I'd love to be," Liz replied.
 
   "Really? I mean, uh, cool. Wait, I got you something," Gary said. He took one hand away, and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a plastic ring. "It's for you. I got it from a Cracker Jack box. See, when you blow in it, it whistles," Gary said.
 
   "It's beautiful," Liz replied, sliding it on her finger. She wanted to give him a thank-you kiss, but she didn't want his parents to see.
 
   Gary danced slowly, loving every single moment of it. She agreed to be his girlfriend! It was almost too perfect. Gary saw his dad approach, with a devilish twinkle in his eyes 'Please don't embarrass me, please don't embarrass me,' he prayed silently. Too late.
 
   "Hey, you kids, break it up. You're a little close there," Bernie said, with mock sternness.
 
   "Dad, please," Gary pleaded, blushing.
 
   "It's for your own good. For all I know you've been passing gum from mouth-to-mouth. Know how many germs can come from that?" Bernie asked.
 
   "Dad, stop. C'mon," Gary said, glancing around.  Nobody seemed to  notice them, luckily.

   "I don't hear 'please,'" Bernie said.
 
   "Dad. Please. Go," Gary said, gritting his teeth.
 
   "Fine then. I can tell when I'm not wanted," Bernie said. He stuck his tongue out at Gary, and pranced away.
 
   "Sorry about that," Gary apologized. "My dad's a little goofy," he added, blushing.
 
   "That's okay. My dad's immature too," Liz assured him.
 
   "I think as soon as people become parents, their only goal in life is to humiliate their kids," Gary said. Liz laughed.
 
   "I know what you mean. I'm always telling my parents that when I have kids, I'll never treat them like that," Liz replied.
 
   "Same here. Then my dad says that he used to say the same thing, and look how he turned out," Gary said, rolling his eyes.
 
   "My dad looks at me, and he says he pities the future," Liz said.
 
   "If I ever turn into my dad, do my a favor. Slap me upside the head," Gary said.
 
   "It's a deal," Liz replied. "I think all parents are like that," she added.
 
   "I think they have a handbook or something," Gary said, and they both laughed.
 
   The dance ended an hour or so later. Gary walked up to his parents to ask them something. "Mom? Dad? I'm going to walk Liz home okay?" Gary asked. Liz was saying bye to Ruth and Jennifer.
 
   "Okay, sweetheart. We have to clean up here for awhile. We'll be home after." She smiled at him. "You're growing up so fast.. it seems like only yesterday...."
 
   "Yeah, yeah, I know. That I was wearing diapers, and pooping every hour," Gary replied. Lois handed him the key for the back door. "Liz's stepmom wants the recipe for death by chocolate. Get it and give it to Liz," she said.
 
   "I wouldn't trust them in an empty house," Bernie said, waggling his eyebrows.
 
   Gary gave his dad the evil eye. "Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad," he said.
 
   Gary and Liz left together, practically feeling the smiles of Lois and Bernie Hobson.
 
 --------
Chapter 15
 
   Gary and Liz walked out into the warm night.
 
   "The sky looks so pretty," Liz said, gazing up at the star filled sky.
 
   "Look," Gary pointed. "A shooting star." The children both made a wish. Each had wished for a kiss from each other, but neither of them knew it.
 
   "What did you wish for?" Liz asked Gary.
 
   Gary blushed. "I can't tell you that or it won't come true," he explained, smiling shyly. He cleared his throat. "Do you, uh, mind if  um, hold your hand?" Gary asked.
 
   "Not at all. I'd like that," Liz replied. Gary took Liz's hand gently. They had a couple of blocks to walk, but they wanted to take their time, and enjoy each other's company.
 
   "You know," said Liz. "In LA, there was so much pollution and smog, that I could never even see the stars. But here, they look so close, like you could reach up and grab one. It's almost magical," Liz said, dreamily.
 
   "Especially when you share it with someone," Gary said, softly.
 
   "Definitely," Liz replied.
 
   "How do you like it here in Hickory?" Gary asked, surprised at how comfortable he felt around her.
 
   Liz smiled. "I like it. I made some good friends, I now have a super boyfriend, everybody's nice, and it's not very busy. But it's kind of creepy how fast news spreads around here."
 
   "Yeah," Gary said, shaking his head. "Everyone knows you, your cousin Joe, and what you had for lunch last Saturday. It's like a whole town full of nosy neighbors. But, they mean well, so, it's not too bad."
 
   "Here we are," Liz said, gesturing to her house.
 
   "Your mom wants my mom's death by chocolate recipe, so you should come inside while I get it," Gary answered.
 
   "Okay," Liz said, happily. The more time spent with him the better. Gary opened the back door, and let them both inside.
 
   "It should be here somewhere," Gary said, rummaging through a drawer. "Want a can of pop while you wait?" He asked.
 
   "Sure," Liz said. Gary handed her a can of pop, and she sat down on the couch, humming to herself.
 
   "Aha! Here it is," Gary said, holding up a note card, with his mother's neat handwriting on it.
 
   "Okay," Liz said. "So, I uh, guess I should go now.." she said.
 
   "No! I mean, you can stay awhile longer. We could, uh, talk or something," Gary suggested nervously.
 
   "O-Okay," Liz agreed, as Gary sat down beside her. She watched a he ran a nervous hand through his hair. 'He is s cute when he's nervous,' Liz thought.
 
   "Can I um, ask you something?" Gary asked.
 
   "Sure, anything," Liz replied.
 
   "Have you ever, um, well, you know, k-k-kissed anyone be-before?" Gary asked.
 
   Liz blushed. "Well, no. Have you?" Liz asked, butterflies in her stomach.
 
   Gary shook his head. "Not by choice at least." He gave a small smile. "Can I um, ask you something else?" He was blushing a dark red, and trying his hardest not to look Liz in the eye.
 
   "Yes," Liz said.
 
   "Um, can I uh, k-k-kiss um, you?" Gary asked. He blushed, and looked at his hands.
 
   "I think I'd enjoy that," Liz said.
 
   Gary prayed a silent prayer that he wouldn't barf all over her right then and there. He moved in a little closer.
 
   Their lips brushed, the slightest bit, and at first, it seemed quite awkward, but after Gary pulled in a little closer, it seemed perfectly natural. Both kids wondered how they ever lived before they kissed each other. They broke apart. Gary felt light headed, and he knew a goofy smile was on his face.
 
   Liz too, gave a goofy smile. She had really enjoyed that, and she hoped Gary had too. "Ummmmm... I kinda liked that," Liz said, giggling.
 
   "Yeah, me too," Gary said softly.
 
   "I should be going," Liz said. "My dad will be wondering where I am."
 
   "Do you want to go for a walk tomorrow?" Gary asked her. "After my first baseball practice. Around two, maybe?"
 
   "I'd love to," Liz said.
 
   "So, I'll uh, see you tomorrow?" Gary said, still dazed by the kiss. He had thoroughly enjoyed it.
 
   "Tomorrow," Liz agreed.
 
   "Wait," Gary said. "Before you go, um, can I kiss you good-bye?" He asked. 'If she says yes,' Gary thought. 'That must mean she liked the first one.'
 
   Liz smiled, happily. If he wanted to kiss again, that must mean he liked the first one. "Okay," Liz said. Gary smiled.
 
   Gary tried to calm his jittery nerves by taking a few deep breaths. He leaned in again, this time with much more confidence. He wanted to stay there forever. "This must be what those old guys mean when they talked about being young and in love,'
 Gary thought. If there was anything better than love, well, Gary doubted there could be.
 
   "So, Gar... Whatcha doin?" Asked a voice. Gary froze, and broke away from Liz. Mom and Dad were home.
 ----------
 Chapter 16
 
   Gary turned around slowly. Was he dreaming? Maybe he'd pinch himself, and awake in a cold sweat. He pinched himself. No, he wasn't dreaming. He wished he had some death by chocolate, so he could drown himself in it. He felt like he wanted to die!
 
   "Uh, um, uh, um, uh, um, I mean, um, hi," Gary said, weakly.
 
   "Oh, don't mind us, Loose Lips," Bernie said. "Carry on. Heck, I'll make myself some popcorn, I sure don't wanna miss this," he said, smiling.
 
   Gary had no idea what to do, and neither did Liz. The kiss was supposed to be special, but now that his parents walked in on him, the magic was gone. Gary's mom looked shocked, but a slow smile was creeping up on her face.
 
   "I uh, should be going home," Liz said. "Um, see ya tomorrow, Gary," she said, and ran out the door, blushing.
 
   Gary turned back to his parents. "Gary and Liz sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.." Bernie sang. He stopped. "So, you've now become a man." He sniffed Gary's hair. "Heck, you smell like a man  How does it feel?" Gary didn't answer.
 
   "I remember when I was your age," Lois gushed. "Oh, and my first kiss. Puppy love, how sweet. My baby is growing up so fast," she said,stroking his hair, not noticing Gary's increasing discomfort.
 
   "How did you know it was his first kiss? Maybe we walked in on their milestone, fiftieth kiss," Bernie said. "Who knows?"
 
   "I only kissed her twice," Gary muttered.
 
   "Woo, woo," Bernie said, in a sing-song voice. "So, did you hold her hand?"
 
   "None of your business," Gary mumbled.
 
   "You should be able to talk to us, sweetie. I didn't spend nine long months in labor with you, as fat as a hippo, so I could raise a silent child," Lois said, crossing her arms.
 
   Gary winced. Ouch. Nobody could guilt him like his own mother. "Fine, fine. I did hold her hand. Now can I go upstairs?" He asked, urgently.
 
   "Uh... no," Bernie said. "We still have more to ask." He changed his voice to high-pitched and girly. "So, are you two, like, like, an exclusive couple, or have you not like, asked her, like out, like yet?" Bernie said, flipping an imaginary ponytail.
 
   Gary blushed. "Um, yeah, I asked her um, out. Now can I go?" He asked, pointing to the stairs.

"This interview with the great ConKISStador, is not quite finished," Bernie said. "So, you kissed her huh?" He batted his eyelashes. "Did you see fireworks? Did sparks fly?" Bernie did a dramatic faint onto the couch. "Was there..... chemistry?"
 
   "You'll be seeing stars in a minute, Buster," Gary warned.
 
   "Oh, don't get your tightie whities in a twist," Bernie said.
 
   "Bernie," Lois said, giving him a warning glance. She looked at Gary. "You have to tell us something, sweetie. We're your parents. We deserve to know."
 
   "Did you look at her?" Bernie asked. "Was she looking at you? Were you... looking at... each other?" Bernie struck a pose.
 
   "Look, I walked her home..." Gary started.
 
   "And held her hand, while your hand, was no doubt, sweating like a pig in Arizona," Bernie cut in.
 
   Gary glared at him. "Then I gave her the recipe.."
 
   "And you kissed her like no man has ever kissed before," Bernie teased.
 
   "Only twice. Then you walked in," Gary said.
 
   "And what a sight you were. You shoulda turned the heater off, it was hot enough in there already," Bernie said winking.
 
   Gary wanted to die of humiliation as he felt himself blushing yet again. "Can I go to bed now?" He asked, exasperated. He was sick of this, and sort of tired. Lois looked at her watch. It was late.
 
   "Fine, go to bed. But we want details tomorrow, details, honey," Lois said. "I love you, Gary, she said, and kissed his forehead.
 
   "Love you. Goodnight," Gary said, and ran upstairs, and sank down on his bed. He took a deep breath, and let it out. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, he could tell.
 
 ----------
 Chapter 17
 
 Gary sat up groggily, after a good night's sleep. Saturday. He could smell his mother's blueberry pancakes cooking already. He needed his energy. His first baseball practice was in a couple hours. Then, his walk with Liz.
 
 He ran downstairs, eager for breakfast. He ran quietly  though. After the past night's fiasco, he didn't want too draw to much attention to himself. He entered the kitchen, his mouth watering at the mere sight of food.
 
 "You, Romeo. How's it going?" Bernie asked, sipping some coffee, and glancing at the funnies.
 
 "I have baseball practice today," Gary muttered, trying to ignore his father's dumb remarks.
 
 "Do you need a ride, honey?" Lois asked.
 
 "Or does the night in shining armor prefer to ride in on his black stallion?" Bernie asked, teasingly.
 
 "I'll walk, thanks," Gary mumbled.
 
 "What about a ride home?" Lois asked.
 
 "That's okay. I have plans after practice," Gary said, taking a giant bite of his pancake. and swallowing a large gulp of orange juice.
 
 "With Liz?" Lois asked, smiling.
 
 "We're going for walk," Gary said softly.
 
 "Yeah, to Makeout Point," Bernie said, snickering.
 
 "Bernie!" Lois exclaimed, giving him a LOOK.
 
 "Daaaaaad," Gary moaned. "Please."
 
 "Eight is a little young for kissing. What do you think Bernie?" Lois asked.
 
 'Oh, God. Dig me a grave, and set up a coffin, 'cause I think I'm going to die,' Gary thought. 'I can just see the headlines. "Boy Dies of Parental Humiliation."
 
 Gary slid down in his seat.
 
 "Let the boy have his fun," Bernie said. Gary blushed.
 
 Could it get any worse?
 
 "Well, young emotions are tricky things," Lois said. "You don't know what might happen. I don't want my little boy's heart broken."
 
  Gary blushed. He wanted to  dig a hole in the ground and bury himself.
 
 Bernie shook his head. "Gary's a guy. He likes things in that fast lane," Bernie said, grinning devilishly.
 
 Gary wished his parents would stop talking about him like he wasn't even in the room. Better yet, he should just leave the room. He stuffed the rest of the pancake in his mouth, and stood up.
 
  "I'm getting ready for practice," he said.
 
 "See ya, Dr. Love," Bernie said, winking.
 
 Gary ran upstairs, his face burning red. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. He tucked a White Sox hat on his head, and smiled. He was ready. He hunted through his mess of a closet until he found his  ball glove, and wooden bat. Gary always loved the start of a season. Last year, he had had the highest batting average in the league. He played catcher mostly, but also pitcher and center field. As long he was on the field, he was happy.
 
 There were two hours before practice began, and the last thing Gary wanted to do was spend them at home. He decided to visit Ted at the auto body shop. Ted had a lot of girls who liked him, so maybe he knew a thing or two about them.
 
 Ted had thick, dark, almost cherry colored hair. Gary had never seen hair that color, and it made Ted seem interesting, and different. His steel gray eyes, that held almost no emotion, his square jaw, and his motorcycle, all made him seem tough to Gary and all the other boys of Hickory. He did smoke, and drink too, but tried not to in front of Gary. He knew Gary was a good kid, who had potential, and he always told him not to end up like he had, a dropout.
 
 Gary liked Ted so much because he never treated him like a little kid, and they shared the same love of cars, and motorcycles. Some people said he was a thug, but Gary knew he really was a nice guy.
 
 "See ya, guys," Gary called to his parents, and ran out the door, slamming the screen door behind him. He smiled as he saw Liz's house. He wondered what she was  thinking about. He wondered if she thought about him as much as he thought of her. He sighed. He sure hoped  so.

 -------

 Chapter 18
 
 Gary ran the two blocks to the auto body shop. He couldn't wait to see Ted. He was like the older brother Gary never had and always wanted.
 
 "Hey Ted," he said, to the figure under the car.
 
 Ted rolled out from under the car. He had a cigarette dangling from one side of his mouth, and a wrench in his hand. He took a quick puff of his cigarette. "Hey Hobson. How's it going?"
 
 "Not bad, man," Gary said. "What about you?"
 
 "I'm okay, kid. Your mom still going hyper about the stink bomb you threw at that picnic?"
 
 "Nah," Gary said. "She got over it. My dad understood. He told me that was the best part of that dumb picnic."
 
 "Cool," Ted said. "You just give her that little boy look of yours, and you'll get along fine," he teased.
 
 "Hey, Ted. Can I ask you something?" Gary asked, hands jammed in his pockets.
 
 "Sure kid. Just hand me that piece right over there, and spill it," Ted said. Gary handed him the part.
 
 "Well, see... there's this girl..." Gary started.
 
 "And you like her," Ted said, smiling. "Does she like you?"
 
 "We're going out," Gary admitted.
 
 "Wow! Short Stuff works fast," Ted said, smiling at the private joke. Gary was anything but short, but compared to Ted's 6'6 height, Gary seemed a lot shorter. "So, you got the girl, huh? What do you need me for?"
 
 "Well, what do girls like? I'm taking her for a walk today. I've never had a girlfriend before. I don't know what to do," Gary said, blushing.
 
 Ted gave a little chuckle. "Just be yourself kid. Crack those jokes you used on me before. You're real funny, show her that. Girls don't like me just because I've got that Harley, you know?" Ted said. "Some like me for my sparkling personality."
 
 "Oh," Gary said. "I had this idea. I read it in a book once. Do you think she'd like it if I carved our names in a tree, like, inside a heart?" Gary asked.
 
 "So books really  can help," Ted said. "If she's a girl, she'll love it. They all love mushy stuff like that. But don't get too mushy, I still need my burping partner. Who else but us too can burp "Row, Row, Row, Your Boat?" Ted asked.
 
 "I wouldn't worry about that. No girl can ever change my burping habits," Gary joked. Ted laughed and ruffled Gary's hair.
 
 "You got the pocketknife I gave you for Christmas right?" Ted asked. Gary nodded.
 
 "I take it with me everywhere. Do you like the toolbox I got you?" Gary asked.
 
 "Love it, man. Who'd a thunk it? Me, organized?" Ted said, shaking his head. He took another puff of his cigarette, then threw it to the ground. He stomped on it, and squished it beneath his sneakers. "You're all set now, kid," Ted said.
 
 "Smoking's bad for you," Gary said quietly.
 
 "I don't worry about it. I have the stamina of a horse," Ted said. "I've been smoking so long, it'd be too hard to even try to stop." He slid back under the car, shaking his head, regretfully. "I regret that," Ted said, sighing.
 
 Gary nodded. He knew better than to smoke, and Ted knew that. He handed Ted tools and parts as he asked for them.
 
 Gary hung out with Ted until it was time for his baseball practice. "Gotta go, Ted. See you around," Gary said. Ted wiped the grease off his hands and onto his white, grease covered t-shirt. Gary shook it.
 
 "Good luck with your girl, Hobson. Just be yourself," Ted called after Gary, as he ran down the street.
 
 "Thanks, Ted," he called. "Myself," Gary said, and nodded. He was going to be himself.
 
-----

 Chapter 19
 
 Gary took a short lead off third base. His scrimmage team was down by one, and he was the deciding run. He had had a pphenomenal game, with a home run, a sacrifice bunt, and a triple. Now all he needed was to get to home plate. The pitcher, a tall kid, Bill Anders, got in his wind up. Gary led off a little more. The pitch was thrown.
 
 Boom! The ball sailed over the catcher's head, and slammed aagainstthe backstop. Gary made his move, not wasting a second. He sprinted as fast as he could, and
 did a headfirst dive into home.
 
 "Safe!" Called Coach ZZellnick Gary stood up, dusting the dirt of his jeans, and smiling triumphantly as his team cheered. "Nice slide, Hobson," Coach said. "Okay,
 boys. Practice is over. Go take a shower, you all stink," he added, waving his hand around.
 
 "So Gary... where you goin' with your girlfriend?" Coach ZZellnickasked. Gary looked at him surprised. How had he known? Seeing his surprise, Coach chuckled.
 "Your dad told me all about it, CCasanova He also said you were kissing the gal, huh?" He arched one eyebrow, and smiled.
 
 Gary blushed. Leave it to his father to tell the coach of those pprivatemoments. Gary gave a little grunt. "Ummmmmm.. yeah," he said finally.
 
 "Awwwwww, a real lady killer," Coach said, grabbing Gary's head and giving Gary a noogie. "So, how do you get women? I've been trying for so long too. Is it the
 puppy dog eyes? Or do you write her love poems and whisper sweet nothings in her ear?" He asked, grinning like a smug tomcat.
 
 "You're almost as bad as my father," Gary muttered.
 
 "We all have a little Bernie Hobson in us, huh?" Coach asked.
 
 "Don't be too sure that that's a good thing," Gary said, smiling slightly. Coach chuckled.
 
 "Good luck kid," he called to Gary.
 
 "So, Gar. Where are you going with your 'significant other,'" Tommy asked, chucking his glove at Gary's back.
 
 "Somewhere where I can't smell your foul stench," Gary said.
 
 "Ah, you mean somewhere where you can make out without hearing our catcalls?" Tommy asked, grinning. Gary blushed, but then laughed a little.
 
 "I'm going to get you butt wipe," he called.
 
 "You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man," Tommy sang, laughing, and running away. Gary caught up, and tackled him to the grass. They were both out of
 breath, panting, and laughing.
 
 "How do you like that, toilet head?" He asked, giving Tommy a light whack on the side of the head, as he stood up.
 
 "Very dignified tackle, turd breath," Tommy shot back.
 
 "Eat my shorts," Gary said, in mock seriousness.
 
 "Gladly," Tommy said, smiling. And they both laughed. Best friends are like that.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 Gary rang the doorbell to Liz's house. He still had his practice clothes on, but he figured Liz wouldn't mind. He wasn't too dirty. Just some grass and dirt stains on his jeans, and a little dirt on his face. He finger combed his hair quickly, hoping it looked okay. He wiped his sweaty palms off on his jeans. He was nervous.
 
 Mike answered the door. "Hey shrimp, your boyfriend's here," he called. He took a swig of pop, and belched loudly. "And don't get any wise ideas, Romeo," he warned.
 
 "I won't," Gary assured him, trying to stop the blus that was slowly creeping up his face.
 
 Liz strolled down the stairs, and smiled sweetly at Gary. "Hi, Gary," she said softly. He looked so adorable with the dirt smudged on his face, so boyish and cute. And the way that he smiled at her made her want to run up and kiss him right there. Instead shewalked up to him. "I'm ready," she said softly.
 
 Gary felt his heart melt. She was so beautiful. He could spend an hour just gazing into her baby blue eyes. He loved being in love. He snapped out of his trance. "Um, yeah, okay. Let's go. You um, look real nice today," he said, holding the door open for her.
 
 "Thank you. You look nice too," Liz replied. Mikesnickered and walked out of the room. Gary shut the door behind him.
 
 "I was going to change, but I didn't have much time, and I didn't want to be late," Gary explained.
 
 "That's okay. You look good. You always do," Liz said, and she blushed. She smiled again, as Gary blushed. 'He's so cute when he blushes,' she thought.
 
 Gary was going to take her to the woods behind his backyard and then go to a small  creek there. Then,he planned to find the biggest, tallest, strongest trees,
 and carve both their names in a heart. He hoped she would like that. They walked through the woods, truly enjoying themselves.

 -----

 Chapter 20
 
 Gary and Liz walked hand in hand, into the woods. Gary hoped Liz didn't notice how sweaty his palms were.
 
 "It sure is a nice day," Liz said.
 
 "Yeah, perfect for a walk," Gary replied. After a little while of walking they stopped at a creek. It was the creek Gary went to when he wanted to be alone.
 But, at that moment the last thing he wanted was to be alone. "Why don't we sit down?" Gary asked her, gesturing to two 'chairs,' that were actually tree stumps.
 
 "This place is cool," Liz said, looking around.
 
 "I go here a lot," Gary replied. "Mostly when I want to think."
 
 "It's a good place to go when you want privacy," Liz said. She blushed, wondering what Gary was thinking.
 
 Gary didn't seem to notice. "You know what I think I'd like to do?" He asked.
 
 Liz hoped it was more kissing. 'Hey, a girl can dream,' she thought. "No idea. What?"
 
 Gary pulled out his pocket knife. "I think I'll carve our names into this tree," he said, pointing to the biggest tree in the woods.
 
 Liz smiled. "I'd like that. Then it would be here forever." Her heart beat a little faster. 'He is so romantic,' Liz thought. Gary began carving the shape of a heart. Liz watched him, love struck.
 
 "It'll look real nice when I'm done," Gary said.
 
 "Then everybody will know we're together," Liz said, sighing, dreamily.
 
 Gary chuckled. "It's a small town, and my dad lives here. I think the whole town already knows." Liz laughed.
 
 "Probably," she replied.
 
 "How long has your father been married to your stepmother?" Gary asked. He was struggling with the knife, but he didn't care if it meant making Liz smile.
 
 "Four years. My real mom died when I was a baby," Liz said.
 
 "Oh, I'm sorry," Gary said, voice full of sympathy.
 
 "That's okay," Liz said. "My stepmother is nice, though I can't say the same about Mike and Pat. When my dad remarried I was four years old. They went away to Paris for a honeymoon, and I stayed with my uncle Marion in Chicago." Liz twirled a leaf with her fingers. "When you get married, where would you go on a honeymoon. I think I might like Paris."
 
 "Disney Land," Gary replied. "I'd buy Mickey Mouse ears, and ride all the roller coasters until I puked. I hate heights, but for some reason I love roller coasters. And my wife would have to go on all the rides with me." He smiled. "And I'd buy her Micke Mouse ears too."
 
 Liz chuckled. "That sounds cool," she said. For the next two hours or so, they talked about school, sports, parents, and anything else they could think of.
 
 When he finally finished, Gary stepped back to admire his handiwork. He stepped back to show Liz. Inside a heart was G.H. + L.S.
 
 "It looks really good," Liz said.
 
 "You think?" Gary asked, but he knew. The smile she gave could melt the coldest heart.
 
 "Perfect. We could hang out here sometimes," she suggested.
 
 "Yeah," Gary said, giving a goofy grin.
 
 Gary heard a familiar door slam, and then his mother's voice. "Gary! Dinner time!"
 
 "Wow, we were here longer than I thought," Gary said.
 
 "It sure was fun though," Liz said. "Well, I'll see you," she said, standing up, and brushing the leaves off her pants. Seeing that he wasn't going to male a move, she did. She kissed his cheek. "I had a great time," she said, shocked at how bold she was.
 
 "Yeah, it, uuuuuuuuu, ummmmmmm, sure was," Gary said, blushing crimson. He flashed Liz the smile that made Liz's stomach do flip-flops.
 
 "I'll see you," Liz said, sweetly.
 
 "Bye," Gary said, and then he kissed her cheek. He was shocked he had had the guts to.
 
 "Bye," Liz said, smiling as he ran to his house. She stayed back for a few minutes. She ran her fingers over the carving. G.H. + L.S. She smiled a little wider. It would be there forever.

 ------

 Chapter 21
 
 2 YEARS LATER....
 
 Gary lay on his bed, trying to ignore the pangs of nausea creeping up on him. He couldn't get sick. 'Not tonight,' he thought. Tomorrow was Liz's birthday party. He wasn't going to miss the chance of giving her the locket he had bought her.
 
 It wasn't an expensive locket, but it was nice looking, and it was all Gary could afford. They had after all been a couple for two years. Gary's dad always joked that they seemed like a married couple, even though they were both just ten years old.
 
 Gary felt horrible, and at the exact wrong time too. His head hurt, his stomach hurt, he felt hot all over, the room seemed to spin around him, his throat was dry, and he felt like he could puke at any minute. But, he couldn't miss the party the next day. He couldn't.
 
 "Gary! Dinner!" Lois, his mother called up the stairs. Gary groaned. The last thing he wanted to even think about was food. He dragged himself up, and walked downstairs. He was surprised he didn't fall headfirst, the way he was feeling.
 
 "Hey kiddo, what's up?" Bernie asked, as Gary made his entrance.
 
 "Not much," Gary said. He wasn't able to control his voice, and it came out low and raspy.
 
 Bernie looked at him carefully. "You alright Gar? You don't look so hot," he said.
 
 "Fine," Gary muttered. Lois set a plate of fried chicken in the center of the table, and glanced at him.
 
 "No, your father's right honey. You don't look too good. Are you feeling okay?" Lois asked. Gary got up to get a spoon, and get out of his mother's 'sick ray
 vision,' as he called it. She always knew when he wasn't feeling good.
 
 "I'm.... o... I'm.... o..." Gary stopped. The room was spinning in front of his very eyes. "I'm.... o...." and then everything went black.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
 
 Gary blinked wearily. Where was he? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that he felt horrible. He felt something cold on his forehead, and heard soft voices murmuring around him.
 
 "I think he's coming to," a gentle voice said. Gary's eyes focused a little clearer. It was his mother.
 
 "M... M.... Mom?" Gary asked.
 
 "Yes honey, it's Mom," Lois said softly. "And Dad's here too."
 
 "Hey son, how are you feeling?" Bernie asked.
 
 Gary finally knew where he was. In his room, on his bed. "Wha.. wha... what happened?" Gary asked, feeling a shot of pain in his throat.
 
 "You fainted sweetheart," Lois said. "You should have told us you weren't feeling good," she added, pressing a cool cloth to his forehead. "I called the doctor, he'll be here soon."
 
 Gary groaned. He hated doctors. "Why didn't you tell us you were sick?" Bernie asked.
 
 "I..... um...... did.... didn't want..... to...unnnnnnnn," Gary groaned. "Liz's... p... party," he said softly.
 
 "Oh great. Another male making an ass of himself for a woman. Why am I not surprised?" Bernie asked. Lois elbowed him.
 
 "Sweetie, you can see Liz when you're feeling better, okay? Even if you miss the party, you can still give her her present," Lois said, shooting a glare at Bernie.
 
 "Hey, Sport," the doctor said, opening Gary's bedroom door, and carefully stepping over Gary's toy cars.  Nobody in Hickory bothered to use doorbells, or even knock on the door. Everyone just walked right in, as nobody locked the doors either.
 
 After a quick examination, the doctor proclaimed that Gary had a very bad virus, and could be sick from one to two weeks. Gary groaned. No party.
 
 "Just make sure he gets plenty of rest, and take his temperature every few hours. If there's a large increase or decrease of temperature, call me. If it gets too bad, Gary might have to go to the hospital, but that's only if it gets really bad," the doctor said. "Make sure he doesn't get up too much either. This virus is a nasty one." He scribbled a prescription on a pad of paper, and handed it to Lois. "This should help his throat," he assured her.
 
 Lois nodded, and the doctor left, after saying he'd send the bill later. "Well, sweetie, it looks like you'll be here awhile," Lois said.
 
 Gary swallowed thickly. His mind had started to glaze over. The room seemed even more blurry. He tried to find his mother or father in the haze but it was impossible.
 
 "I think it'll be a long while before your lips are ready to kiss again," Bernie said, jokingly.
 
 Gary wished that he had the strength to sock his dad, but he couldn't even find him.
 
 "Gary? Honey?" Gary tried to focus his eyes on the voice, and found his mother.
 
 "Hi," he croaked, feeling his stomach lurch forward.
 
 "Yeah, it'll be a looooooooooong time," Bernie said, sighing.

 ----------------

 Chapter 22
 
 Bernie woke up to find Gary curled up next to him. He gave a little smile. "Poor kid," he muttered, and stroked Gary's hair a little.
 
 He was a poor kid. He had been sick for five days straight, and he didn't seem to be getting better.  Most times, he had no idea where he was, or even who his parents were. He missed his girlfriend's birthday party too, and hadn't even had the chance to give her her present yet.
 
 Bernie kissed  Gary's forehead gently. He was sleeping, more or less. He tossed and turned, restlessly. Bernie noted how pale his face was, and sighed. It didn't look like he'd ever get better.
 
 "...No.. no, go away...." Gary muttered in his sleep. He must have been having a nightmare.
 
 "Shhh... buddy, it's okay," Bernie said softly. "It's alright." He tried to calm Gary down. "You're okay. You're with Daddy, okay?" Bernie's voice seemed to calm Gary's nerves, and he settled down in his father's warm embrace.
 
 "Awwwww, the Hobson men," Lois said, entering the room. "I made breakfast. I know Gary couldn't stomach any, but I fixed us some bacon and eggs, okay?"
 
 Bernie nodded. "I'll be down in a little while, I want to stay with Gary a little longer," he added.
 
 Lois smiled, knowingly. "Okay, Daddy. But come down soon or your food will get cold. How's Gary doing?"
 
 Bernie sighed. "About the same."
 
 "Poor thing," Lois said. She moved to Gary, and put her hand to his forehead. "He feels really hot. I should take his temperature."
 
 "I'll do it," Bernie said. "Anything for my little buddy."

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``````
 
 The next day Liz walked up to Gary's house. She wondered if she could do this. Gary had been so sick, she didn't want to upset him with it. But, she was leaving soon.
 
 Moving. The word rang in her ears. Not just moving, moving far. Moving to Maine. Of all the places, Maine. Why did her dad have to get transferred? Why was
 everyone okay with it except her? Maybe because of Gary. She liked him so much, maybe even loved.
 
 They had been a couple for so long, and they hung out so much, Liz didn't want to believe they'd be split apart. But they would be. Maine was too far away. Gary
 would know that too, Liz knew. Gary was smart, he'd figure it out.
 
 She felt nervous. What if he was still too sick to talk to? But they were moving in three days, and she couldn't just pack up and leave without telling him. She rang the doorbell. She still wasn't comfortable with just walking into other people's houses without at least knocking on the door.
 
 Lois answered. "Oh, hello, Liz. How are you today?"
 Lois noticed that Liz seemed upset. "Gary's still really sick. I don't know if you should go see him."
 
 Liz nodded. "Have you told him I'm moving?" She asked quietly.
 
 "No, not yet. I figured you should be the one to tell him. Bernie doesn't even know. I'm sorry that you have to move," Lois said. She knew it would break Gary's heart when he heard. She didn't want her baby boy's heart broken, but there was nothing she could do.
 
 "Me too," Liz said. She wanted to cry. She had cried, when she heard the news.
 
 "When are you leaving?" Lois asked her.
 
 "Three days," Liz replied. "My dad has to report to his job immediately. I'll really miss you all," she added.
 
 "We'll miss you too, Liz. Gary the most."
 
 "He's not going to take this well, is he?" Liz asked, sighing.
 
 "No, I don't think so," Lois said, sadly.
 
 "Well, I better go home now," Liz said.
 
 "Drop by tomorrow," Lois called after her. "You can talk to Gary then. He'll still be sick, but what can you do?" She asked, giving a little shrug. Liz nodded and walked towards her house.
 
 Lois sighed. Gary was not going to be happy, Lois knew. She noticed the way he looked at Liz, she noticed how his face lit up at the mere mention of her. He was so sensitive too.
 
 Lois passed by Gary's room, where he was sleeping restlessly. He was muttering something, and rolling around. She walked quietly into his room. He looked so
 much younger when he was sleeping. Like a little lost puppy, that'd been left out in the rain. Like a vulnerable little boy. She frowned, and put her hand to his forehead. His fever had  gone up.
 
 Bernie walked in with the thermometer. "Has he been muttering like that the whole time?" Bernie asked.
 
 "Since I got here," Lois replied. She kissed his forehead gently, and watched him for another minute. He twisted around, and kicked off his blankets. Lois gently out them back on top of him, tucking him in.
 
 Gary looked so young when he was sleeping. So young and vulnerable, and easily hurt. Lois sighed. It wasn't going to be easy for Gary to deal with Liz moving. Not at all.
 
 -------------------

 Chapter 23

 Gary awoke to a sweet voice, saying his name softly. He turned over slowly. He strained his eyes. It was Liz. She looked beautiful.
 
 "...Hey.." Gary managed to choke out.
 
 "Hi, Gary," Liz said. She sighed. "I don't know  how to say this... frankly, it's almost impossible for me to say...." she paused. "Gary, I'm moving. I'm moving to Maine."
 
 Gary's eyes widened. Was he dreaming?
 
 Maybe his sickness was making him delirious.
 
 He looked at Liz. She was crying.
 
 "....Why?..." Gary asked.
 
 "My dad was transferred. I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. I'm sorry. I tried to tell you, but  you were sick, and your mom wouldn't let me see you," Liz said.
 
 "Please don't hate me."
 
 "...I.. I could never.. hate you," Gary said softly.
 
  He felt like screaming, and he felt like crying.
 
 He could do neither. He had to be strong for Liz. It could never work out. "Go, go, get the.... get the box... um... on my dresser," Gary said quietly, fighting his urge to cry.
 
 Liz wiped a tear from her eye, and picked up the box.
 
 "It-it's for.. it's for you," Gary said softly.
 
 Liz looked at his face closely. She could tell he  was as upset as she was. She opened the box slowly. She took one look at the locket, and ran away crying.
 
 It wasn't that she didn't like the locket, the locket was perfect. It was the perfect gift from the perfect guy. That was the problem. It would have been so much easier
 if Gary had been a jerk. If he had screamed at her, and told her he hated her for leaving. It would've been so much easier to actually move.
 
 But he was too sweet. He gave the locket to her anyway. Inside he had put a picture of them  together.
 
 Liz brushed away a tear. She was at the creek, the place where Gary had carved their names into the big oak tree. She looked at the heart, so crudelycarved, but
 still special to her, and she wanted to weep even more.
 
 She heard a rustle of leaves around the  area.
 
 Gary?
 
 No, that wasn't possible. He was too weak to even move that much. So, who was it?
 
 Gary was startled as she ran away. His heart had broken into tiny pieces. He liked Liz, loved her even.
 
 She had been a big part of his life for so long... two years. He got up, shakily. He was dizzy, and hot, and he could barely walk, but he had to go after her.
 
 He had to find out what he'd done wrong. He grabbed his green baseball
 coat as an afterthought, and stumbled down the stairs.
 
 "Gary, what are you doing out of bed?" A voice asked.
 
 His father. He hadn't seen Liz. He didn't know.
 
 Gary struggled to remain standing. He pushed the front door open, aware that his dad was going after him. He didn't care. He had to go see her. He hadn't seen where she went, but he knew wher she'd be. Their place.
 
 He walked as fast as possible, which wasn't very fast.
 
 He felt even weaker than he had felt when he had first gotten sick, but he didn't care. He almost collapsed before he reached the creek, but he made it.
 
 "Gary!" Liz gasped. She helped him to the log  chair.
 
 "Why didn't... you... like it?" Gary asked.
 
 "Gary, I loved it," Liz said sadly. "That was the problem. It'd be so much easier to leave if you weren't so nice. If you hated me for leaving then I wouldn't have to
 worry about going. I could have stamped you as 'not worth it,' and got on with my life, but I couldn't." She shivered, and Gary draped his coat over her shoulders.
 
 "It's......it's... it's not your fault,"Gary said  softly. He felt something wet run down his face.
 
 He hoped it was rain. It wasn't.
 
 "I don't wanna move," Liz said. "I wanna stay  here in Hickory, with you, and everything else I love."
 
 "Love?" Gary asked weakly.
 
 "Yes, Gary, love." Gary nodded. "I'm going to  miss you so much," she said, and gave him a huge hug.
 
 Gary gave a weak smile. Then he kissed her, and neither of them worried about Liz getting sick. Neither of them cared. The kiss lasted  longer than any of their's ever had. It had more meaning.
 
 "I... well... I probably won't be um, let out of the house.... after this..." Gary said, breaking it off.
 
 "I know," Liz said. "You won't be able to see me off. But, I'll wear the locket okay? I'll wear the locket, and I'll think about you," Liz said.

 Gary nodded slightly.
 
 "Gary!" He heard his father call. He ran up to  him.
 
 "Why'd you take off like that?" He glanced at Liz.
 "Oh. Well, I better get you home. Your mom is worried to death." He picked up Gary, and started to walk to the house.
 
 "Liz?" Gary asked, just loud enough so Liz could hear him. "I love you too." And for once, Bernie didn't make a joke. He sensed how Gary was feeling, and he felt his heart break as he saw his son crying softly.
 
 Liz let the words ring in her ears. She  loved him, and he loved her. Why didn't that make things work out?
 
 She traced her fingers over the carving in the tree.
 
 'G.H. + L.S. She sighed, and realized she still had his jacket.
 
 "Maybe forever isn't as long as it should be," she said softly.
 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 YEAR 2001- TRAIN STATION
 
 Liz got off the train, hoping to catch a glimpse of her uncle Marion Crumb. He was her favorite uncle, no matter how gruff he seemed. He was a police officer after all.
 
 "Lizzie!" Someone called. Liz smiled. It was her uncle. He was the onlyone who called her Lizzie.
 
 "Uncle Marion," she called, hugging him.
 
 "Good to see you again, Lizzie," he said, smiling.
 
 "Good to see you too. How's it been going?"
 
 "Pretty good," he replied. They started walking.
 
 "My car is just a little farther down the way," he said. Liz nodded and smiled. It was good to see him.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 Gary glanced at his watch, and ran a little faster. 'Retired Cop, and Niece Killed by Falling Piano.' He had one more block to cover. In that one block, he'd have to come up with a plausible excuse about how he knew, what he knew. The hard part would be making one  that Crumb would buy.
 
 Turning the corner, he saw Crumb and a young woman, walking down the street. Then he saw the piano, which was being lifted out of an apartment. Gary sprinted towards them.  In one leaping dive, he pushed Crumb and his niece out of the way, just as the piano smashed to the ground beside them.
 
 Crumb leapt up off the ground, and turned to Gary. "Hobson! What the heck are you doing here?" He held up his hands. "Wait. Never mind. I don't wanna know, Hobson."
 
 Liz felt her heart stop. Hobson?! She clutched her locket, the one given to her by Gary Hobson, so long ago. It was impossible, wasn't it? She turned to look at the man, and she almost fainted.
 
 "G--Gary H-H-Hobson?" She asked, faintly.

 "You know this yahoo, Lizzie?" Crumb asked, gesturing to Gary.
 
 Gary stopped. She looked so familiar. Lizzie? Was it possible? Could it be?
 
 "L--L-L-Liz Sanders?" He asked softly. Liz nodded slowly. "It's been a long time," he said softly.
 
 "Too long," Liz said. He was still as gorgeous as ever.
 
 "Does somebody wanna fill me in on any of this?" Crumb asked, arms crossed.
 
 "It's a long story," Liz said.
 
 "How about we both tell him about it over lunch?" Gary suggested, never taking his eyes off her.
 
 "Okay," Liz replied.
 
 "I think I'm going to be sick," Crumb muttered.

----------------

 Chapter 24
 
 Gary, Crumb and Liz began walking. "Where do you want to go for lunch?" Liz asked Gary. She couldn't believe it was really him. And he was still gorgeous!
 
 "Well, I uh, own a bar," Gary said, smiling shyly at her.
 
 "Really? I'm impressed," Liz replied. Crumb rolled his eyes.
 
 After a little more walking they reached McGinty's. "Wow, this place is nice," Liz said.
 
 "At least from the outside," Crumb grumbled.
 
 Gary winced. He was obviously very protective of Liz. Remembering his manners, Gary held open the door for Liz. She smiled.
 
 "Thank you," she said. Her hand brushed his.
 
 They smiled. Sparks were definetly flying.
 
 "Why don't you go find a table, Lizzie," Crumb suggested. "I'm going to have a little word with Hobson here. After Liz found a seat, Crumb turned back to Gary. Gary's gaze was still transfixed on Liz. "Get your tongue back in your mouth, Hobson!" Crumb barked.
 
 Gary straightened up, and blushed. "Huh? What?" He broke his gaze from Liz to glance at Crumb.
 
 "You heard me. Quit drooling," Crumb said.
 
 "What are you talking about?" Gary asked, indignantly.
 
 "I see the way you two look at each other Hobson. Like two lovesick puppies. Now, I don't know why I'm doing this, but I'm going to warn you, Hobson. Got me? If you break her heart, Hobson, I swear to God, I will take your neck and snap it in two!" Crumb said, raising his voice slightly. He got a few curious stares from bar patrons, but Crumb didn't seem to notice.
 
 "You read me?"
 
 "Um, yeah," Gary said.
 
 "Now, let's go enjoy a nice meal," Crumb said, calming down. "Why don't you ask Marissa to join us?" He asked.
 
 "O-Okay," Gary said, nodding. He walked over to Marissa, who was sitting at the bar. "Hi, Marissa. Um, would you like to join me, Crumb, and a um, friend for lunch?" He asked.
 
 "Ohhhh, what kind of friend?" Marissa teased. She could tell from Gary's tone of voice what kind of friend he meant.
 
 "A friend from Hickory," Gary said, dreamily.
 
 "Okay," Marissa said. Gary took Marissa's arm and led her to the table where Crumb and Liz were sitting. Gary went to sit next to Liz, but Crumb caught his eye, and shook his head. He held out the seat for Marissa instead. Crumb nodded in approval.
 
 "So, how is it that you two know each other?" Crumb asked. Gary felt instantly nervous. He knew the interrogation was about to begin. It reminded him of his mother and father's questioning after he went out on his first date.
 
 After some introductions, and to Liz's relief, spotting no wedding rings on either of them, she began talking.
 
 "We met when we were eight years old," Liz replied, staring into Gary's muddy green eyes. "And I was new in the neighborhood..." and she told Crumb and Marissa the whole story.
 
 Marissa smiled at hearing all of young Gary's romantic actions. Crumb just raised a skeptical eyebrow, but he cracked a smile when Liz told of how Bernie got them dancing. He chuckled a little.
 
 "You were quite the young Romeo, eh, Hobson?" Crumb asked, looking quite amused as he watched the young man squirm embarrassed by the attention.
 
 "He was a sweetie," Liz said, sighing dreamily.
 
 "Yeah, a real sweetie pie," Crumb said. He was very much enjoying the blush on Gary's face.
 
 "How come I never heard this story?" Marissa asked Gary, smiling.
 
 "I uh... erm... I um, it never came up," Gary said lamely.
 
 "He was always the shy one too," Liz said.
 
 Crumb's beeper suddenly went off. He checked it. "Oh, boy. Work calls. I better go. I'll see you later at home," Crumb said, kissing Liz on the top of the head. "And as for you Hobson, just remember what I told you."
 
 Gary nodded, and swallowed a lump in his throat. Crumb stood up, and after shooting another warning glance at Gary, he walked out.  "Well, I think I have some work to do in the office," Marissa said with a knowing smile. "I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do," she added, trying to stifle a chuckle.
 
 "Um, okay," Gary said, as Marissa walked off.
 
 "Marissa's really nice," Liz said.
 
 "Yeah, she's one of my best friends," Gary said. He shifted in his seat. She looked so beautiful.
 
 Liz noticed he looked distracted. "If you want me to leave...." she started.
 
 "No! I mean that's okay. We could talk for longer,"
 Gary said.
 
 Liz giggled. "Isn't that what you said to me before you kissed me for the first time?" She asked.
 
 "Maybe it is," Gary said. "Would you look to do it again?" He asked, surprised he had the nerve.
 
 "Do what?" Liz asked, knowing the answer. He was almost too perfect to be true.
 
 "Kiss..." Gary said, and he leaned in slowly.
 
 Their lips meet, and he drew her closer.  He put a lot into it. Everything. All his emotions from the time Marcia threw a suitcase full of his stuff out of the window, from Merideth Carson moving to Washington D.C, from Emma dumping him for Marco, from the big mistake known as Erica. All his fears of rejection were pushed
 aside. He just had this feeling. She was the one. Fate had brought them together. Gary hoped fate would make it last.
 
 Liz kissed a little longer. She had never had a meaningful relationship since her divorce. She had barely dated after Mark. She had always been afraid of the same rejection Mark had showed her. She was afraid of it happening again. But, she got a feeling about Gary. He was the one.
 
 Meanwhile at the bar, Marissa was talking with Alex, a bartender.
 
 "Say, Alex. What is Gary doing?" Marissa asked suddenly.
 
 Alex gave a whistle. "That guy does not have any reservations about PDA," he said.
 
 "What?" Marissa asked.
 
 "Mr. H and some woman are really kissing," Alex said. "And everyone's staring at them, but they don't seem to notice, or care."
 
 Marissa raised an eyebrow. This didn't sound like Gary.
 
 "But whoever he's with, she sure is a looker," Alex added.
 
 Marissa smiled. "Good," she said. Gary deserved happiness.
 
 ----------
 

 Chapter 25
 
 Gary broke off from the kiss, looking Liz straight in the eye. 'So this is love, huh?' Gary thought. He liked it. All the failed relationships seemed to be building up to this.
 
 "So, I guess you're not married," Liz said weakly. He was still a damn good kisser. She smiled.
 
 "Then I suppose you're not either," Gary said.
 
 Liz sighed. "Divorced. It wasn't meant to be anyway. I've got a break up horror story you wouldn't believe," she said.
 
 "I've got one too," Gary replied. "Very bad."
 
 "How about we share them?" Liz asked.
 
 "Okay," Gary said smiling. Anything to hear her voice. The paper was pretty much clear. There was a mugging at nine, but it was only three anyway.
 
 "I'll go first," Liz said, smiling shyly. "His name was Mark, and he was like, the picture perfect J. Crew boy. Blonde hair, that never seemed to fall out of place, and a smirk that was forever planted on his face. A spotlight seemed to follow him around everywhere. He wasn't as handsome as you, or as romantic," Liz added.
 
 "We met in college, through friends, and started dating. He was nice, but a little too buried in his work. We got married almost as soon as we graduated. At the time, I thought he wanted everything I wanted. Kids, a nice house with a big backyard, a dog. Turns out, that wasn't it at all. He became a workaholic, I hardly even saw him. He could never relax, we could never just talk, we had to be doing something.
 So, a few days after our anniversary, he did the most cowardly thing a man could do," Liz said.
 
 "What's that?" Gary asked. He couldn't imagine anyone divorcing a beautiful, intelligent, wonderful woman like Liz.
 
 "Get this. I walked out to get the mail one day, and there was a letter for me. I sat down on the porch, like I always did, to read it. Guess what it was? Divorce papers. He mailed me the papers. Then I turn around, and find my suitcase on the steps. God, I wanted to strangle him. Since Mark, I haven't really dated anyone seriously. A few week long relationships, but nothing that would ever last. Now, what about
 you?" Liz asked, leaning closer.
 
 "Okay, well, her name was Marcia. She was one of those Daddy's girls, the kind that always had to please their fathers. She was pretty, I guess, and nice too. I just don't think we were right for each other. Her dad thought I was a Fruit Loop, and disapproved of me. Marcia didn't listen, and married me anyway. Four years into the marriage, she decided I'm not ambitious enough for her. I wanted children, and was comfortable in jeans, and a t-shirt. She, on the other hand, was a power hungry
 lawyer, who hated kids, and was comfortable in power suits. Of course at the time, she had told me she wanted a house full of little Garys, but either she was lying, or she changed her mind," Gary said, shaking his head.
 
 "I was coming home from my job as a stockbroker, which I took so she could get through law school. I found that the locks were changed. I call up to her to open the window, and she tosses all my stuff out the window in a suitcase. On our anniversary no less. Then, some guy gives me the divorce paper when I'm in a bar."
 
 "I think Marcia and Mark should meet each other," Liz said.
 
 "I don't think either one of them was right for us," Gary said. "I need someone..."
 
 "Who wants to have kids," Liz finished. Gary nodded.
 "And who's comfortable with themself, and doesn't have to pretend to be something
 they're not."
 
 "Took the words right out of my mouth," Gary said.
 
 "I guess we want the same things," Liz said. "I always missed you up in Maine."
 
 "And it was lonely wihout you in Hickory," Gary said. He smiled. "Who else could keep Renee Callahan in line?"
 
 "God, don't tell me you remember the whoopee cushin!" Liz exclaimed.
 
 "Remember? I was laughing so hard I thought I'd pop a lung," Gary said. "The look on her face wheh she sat down," he said shaking his head seemingly forgetting that he had dated her a few years before.
 
 "Okay, so that was a little funny," Liz said chuckling. She noticed a stage in McGinty's. "What's that for?" She asked.
 
 "Oh, don't remind me. It's Karaoke Night," Gary said.
 
 "That could be fun," Liz said, smiling. "Why don't you sing something?" She suggested, her eyes twinkling.
 
 "Like what?" Gary asked.
 
 "How about, 'Too Sexy,'" Liz suggested, biting back a grin.
 
 Gary blushed. "Yeah as long as you sing, 'Do Ya Think I'm Sexy,'" he teased.
 
 "Only if you think I am," Liz said, smiling.
 
 Gary felt himself blushing. "Maybe I'll tell you later," he said, smiling. He was surprised he even remembered how to flirt.
 
 Cat hopped up in Gary's lap.
 
 "Ohhhh, he's cute," Liz said stroking Cat's fur.
 
 Cat purred softly. Gary smiled.
 
 "He likes you. That's weird, he usually hates every woman I'm attracted to." Realizing what he had just said, he squirmed in his seat.
 
 "Maybe he knows things about us," Liz suggested, trying not to jump on the table and scream with joy.
 
 "What could the little fella know?" Gary asked.
 
 "Maybe he knows I'm attracted to you too," Liz said, grinning coyly. Gary blushed.
 
 "You wanna go out sometime?" Gary asked, dropping his head a little.
 
 "I thought you'd never ask," Liz said. "I'd like that."
 
 Gary smiled. "Great."
 
 Liz smiled again. "You have that something that Mark never had. You live for the moment, you seize the day. With Mark, he'd have to pencil me in his planner. 'Monday, poker with the boys, Tuesday work 'til nine, Wednesday, say hi to your wife."
 
 "A guy like that would never deserve you," Gary said softly. "How about we catch a movie sometime. I could rent one, and we could watch it up in my loft," he said softly.
 
 "I'd love to," Liz said. "Whenever you want me to." She stroked the cat again. She noticed the paper in Gary's back pocket. She froze up.
 
 "Gary, can I uh, can I ask you a question? And promise me to answer seriously please," she said.
 
 "Ask anything," Gary said. Her eyes were puzzled.
 
 "Do you get tomorrow's newspaper today?" Liz asked, her voice trembling.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 "Alex?" Marissa said.
 
 "Yes, Ms. Clark," Alex asked. Alex was very handsome with short black hair, soft brown eyes, and sparkling white teeth. He seemed oblivious though, to the looks that the women at McGinty's were giving him.
 
 "You're a good singer, right?" Marissa asked.
 
 "Hey, I'm the next Ricky Martin," Alex said.
 
 "Only better looking," he joked.
 
 Marissa smiled. "Then can I ask a favor?"
 
 ------------------

 Chapter 26
 
 Gary looked at Liz, shocked.
 
 "How did, you, um, why did, um....." Gary couldn't seem to find the right words to say.
 
 "You do, don't you," Liz said. It wasn't a question.
 
 "How did you know?" Gary asked, sheepishly.
 
 "It's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?" Liz asked.
 
 "I'm sure," Gary replied, awestruck.
 
 "Okay well, the summer that I was ten, right after I moved away from Hickory, one of my grandfathers got sick and died. My dad thought I was too sensitive to go to the funeral, I was very close to him. So my stepmom sent me to stay with her father while she, my dad, and my stepbrothers went to the funeral. My grandpa was a
 great man. I met his best friend, named Lucius Snow," Liz said.

 Gary's eyes widened. "S-Snow?" He asked softly.
 
 "Yes, Snow. My Grandpa Charlie was a nice guy, but very busy. He'd put me in the care of Lucius all day. Lucius was like a father to me. Grandpa said he had always wanted children, and I was sort of like his daughter for awhile. One day, just by accident, I found out about him getting tomorrow's newspaper today. He didn't even
 care that much that I found out. He'd call me his "Paper Girl," and sometimes let me come with him on his saves." Liz smiled, remembering Snow.

 "When he died, I couldn't bear to come for the funeral. We kept in close contact after I went back to Maine. Grandpa called me, and told me. I was so devastated. I cried my eyes out for two days. He was so nice to me, and I loved him so much. He was a tease too. He used to tell me I'd meet the perfect man some day, and he even told me how he'd look. He described you. I thought it was funny, because as
 soon as he said it, I thought of you," Liz said, smiling.
 
 "I, um, I do get the paper," Gary said. "I never knew too much about Snow, just a little bit of his background. I couldn't find anything past his job, and that he lived alone. And that he saved my life when I was 12," Gary said. "I almost got hit by a car."
 
 "Really? When I was 12 he told me all about the man I'd marry, as if maybe he knew I'd see you again," Liz said blushing slightly.
 
 "Maybe he did," Gary said, softly. "He told me I'd have to live my life. Between the pages of the newspaper, I'd have to live my life," he said softly.
 
 "So, are you going to?" Liz asked.
 
 "As long as you help me live it," Gary replied.
 
 "Hello.. is this thing on?" Alex stood up on the stage, below the banner proclaiming, 'Karaoke Night.' "Well, uh, anyway. This song goes out to Gary and Liz. May you find love in each other once again. That's it, right Ms. Clark?"
 
 Marissa nodded, and smiled the slightest bit. Alex sure was a character.
 
 "Okay, people, here goes," Alex said.
 
 "Do you want to dance?" Gary asked, Liz, blushing as everyone turned their heads towards the couple.
 
 Liz giggled. "I'd love to. So, where's your dad, pushing us together?"
 She asked, as she put her arms around his neck.
 
 Gary felt very comfortable where he was. "Well, he's not chaperoning us. Thank God," he added.
 
 Alex began singing.
 
 She rolls the window down,
 And she talks over the sound,
 Of the cars that pass us by
 And I don't know why
 But she changed my life
 
 "You're beautiful," Gary said.
 
 Liz smiled. "I still have that ring, you know? The one you gave me from the Cracker Jack box."
 
 Gary gave a half smile. "You kept it all these years?"
 
 "Yeah," Liz said. Gary smiled. That made him happy.
 
 Would you look at her,
 She looks at me
 She's got me thinking about her constantly
 But she don't know how I feel
 And as she carries on without a doubt,
 I wonder if she's figured out,
 I'm crazy for this girl.
 
 "This is a great song," Liz said.
 
 "Our song," Gary said smiling.
 
 She was the one to hold me
 The night the sky fell down,
 And what was I thinking when
 The world didn't end
 Why don't I know what I know now.
 
 "I'm so glad we found each other," Liz said.
 
 And right now
 Face to face, all my fears
 Pushed aside and right now
 I'm ready to spend the rest of my life
 With you.
 
 "Thank the cat," Gary said.
 
             THE END
 
 Stay tuned for the sequel, "Crazy For This Girl," coming soon to a fanfic list near you! The song lyrics belong to Evan and Jaron. I don't own them.
 ------------
 
 

Email the author: Mary Hobson
 
 

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