A/N: This is both a prequel and a sequel to 'Tis Better to Give. However, I think I've provided enough of a recap that reading that story isn't required (though I would encourage you to do so.)

Without further ado...

Gift of a Friend

By

James Doyle

Chapter One: The Past

North Atlantic

June 2010

Cody sat alone with his thoughts as his roommate Woody donned his tuxedo in preparation for prom. His brother Zack arrived a few minutes later, already dressed to kill.

"Hey doofus," greeted Zack. "Better get into your monkey suit. Bailey's chopper will be landing any minute now."

"The chopper's landing,"clarified Cody. "But Bailey's not on it."

"Really? I thought her dad was on the mend."

"He took a turn for worse last night and passed away this morning," informed Cody. "She says her family really needs her right now. She's not coming back."

"Well, then you'd better get moving," urged Zack. "I'm sure London would be willing to fly you to Kansas for the funeral."

"She already offered," explained Cody, "But Bailey said it would be a lot less painful in the long run if she and I made a clean break now."

"I wouldn't worry about it," consoled Zack. "She's grieving, so she's probably confused about a lot of things. Give her a call in a few days. I'm sure everything will be fine."

"No, Zack," argued Cody. "She's right. Even if she did come back, she wouldn't be able to think about anything except her mother and her sisters. And forget about a international long-distance relationship. The strain of that and taking care of her family would tear her apart. Loathe as I am to admit it, this is the way it has to be."

Zack nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But one thing's clear in all of this: She wants you to be happy. And I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that means having fun at the prom."

Cody sighed. "I don't know, Zack."

"Come on," goaded Zack. "When did sitting around moping ever help?"

Cody stood up. "You're right. Help me into my tux and we'll go and trip the light fantastic."

Zack laughed at his brother's archaic attempt at being classy.

The three of them accompanied Woody to the girls' dorms to pick up Addison, and the four of them proceeded from thence to the ballroom.

"Where's your date?" asked Cody, surprised to see Zack without one.

"She's meeting me there," replied Zack.

They arrived in the ballroom, where the twins immediately spotted Maddie Fitzpatrick, clad in the same dress she'd worn to her prom.

"I'll be damned," marveled Cody. "She kept her promise."

Zack smiled and nodded. "Who do you think was on that chopper?"

Without another word, Zack parted company with Cody and Woody, and ran up to Maddie and threw his arms around her.

"Ladies and gentleman," announced Marion Moseby, the cruise director. "Welcome to the first annual Seven Seas High Junior-Senior Prom. I'll spare you the customary announcements so we can proceed forthwith to the festivities. Serenading us this evening is an up and coming talent who is currently recording her debut album. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mitchie Torres."

The crowd applauded as the young Hispanic girl took the stage.

"Thank you, Mr. Moseby," began Mitchie. "How's everybody doing tonight?"

Everyone cheered except Cody.

"Awesome! Tonight you'll hear some of my new songs, and a whole lot of your old favorites. So let's 'Pump up the party!'"

The crowd cheered and started dancing as Mitchie started the prom with her cover of Hannah Montana's "Pump up the Party."

Cody wandered about the ballroom throughout the rest of the evening, an observer rather than a participant. Even though Mitchie was still singing fast songs, Zack and Maddie danced dangerously close to one another. As she transitioned into some hip-hop, Cody spied Woody and Addison, bumping and grinding like there was no tomorrow. A year ago, such a sight would've turned Cody's stomach. Now, after all they'd been through, Cody couldn't help but be happy for his roommate. He suspected there would be some serious curfew violations tonight.

For reasons he didn't yet grasp, Cody's attention kept turning to London. He spotted her each time dancing with a different guy. Near as he could tell, none of them was her date. He began to contemplate the sort of twisted universe he lived in which someone like London Tipton couldn't get a boy to take her to the dance.

As the music slowed down, Cody realized that the last dance would soon be upon them. It suddenly dawned on him that it might be his last chance ever to dance with London. Through the magic of legacy admissions and a few well-greased palms, London would be attending Harvard in the fall. Cody still had another year at Seven Seas High, and he was sure London would be far too busy to keep in touch. Even if, by some miracle, he managed to return to Boston and attend MIT (his second choice,) London would have made new friends and completely forgotten about him.

Cody didn't understand why this was bothering him so much. After all, London was just a friend. They seemed to have bonded when he started producing her web-show, but firing him from the project had seemed to undo all of that. By the time they'd arrived aboard the S.S. Tipton, she would barely give him the time of day. Still, London was still his friend, and he still cared about her, and he wanted to say goodbye properly. He made his way quickly across the dance floor and cut off Holden just as he was about to ask her.

"May I have this dance?" requested Cody, holding his hand out for London.

London giggled. "Well, I suppose I can't say no to a guy who would knock somebody over for me," she said, taking Cody's hand.

The last number proved to be a musical delight, with flute and string section.

"I don't know how to waltz," lamented London.

Cody smiled. "Just follow my lead. You'll do fine."

As they danced, London realized it'd been quite awhile since she'd taken a serious look at Cody. He was taller than her now, his voice had gone from a boy alto to a low tenor, and his hair had grown darker. Though she thought he could stand to bulk up a bit, she had to admit her friend had become quite the looker.

"I hope you weren't offended that I didn't invite you to my graduation party," apologized London, something that took Cody by surprise.

"Don't give it another thought," assured Cody. "It'll be good to spend some quality time with your dad."

London chuckled. "Yeah, especially since he's between wives this time."

"Yeah," agreed Cody. "He does seem to get married a lot."

"Not me," declared London. "Getting married is something I'm only doing once. If it doesn't work out, I'm done!"

"Well, in that case, you should be discriminating about who you marry," suggested Cody.

"Why do you think I don't have a date," noted London. "Seriously, I'm done playing around. I'm holding out for a guy I can go the distance with."

"Do you, perhaps, know a guy who might be a good candidate?" asked Cody.

London smiled. "I'm not sure. I'll have to think about that."

"Well, I guess this is goodbye," said Cody as the last few bars of the song played.

London chuckled. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

The following Monday, the Tipton pulled into the Boston harbor. The students and their families proceeded to the Tipton hotel, where a small, brief commencement ceremony was held for the handful of students graduating.

Afterward, a number of people lined up to congratulate the graduates. London shook hands with a number of people before coming to Zack and Cody, each of whom she hugged.

"Thank you," whispered London into Cody's ear, something he'd seldom heard from her.

"For what?" asked Cody.

"For always being my friend."

End of Chapter Two

If you'd like, you can set this story aside and read Tis Better to Give. It'll help pass the time while you're waiting for chapter two. However, as I said, it's not strictly necessary. Stay tuned!