A/N: Here's the first chapter of the sequel to my other story "Breakup in Paris." Remember, reviews are awesome and motivate me to write more and faster.
Also, I do not own the Suite Life or any associated character.
It had been three days since Cody and Bailey had broken up in Paris and madeup, sort of, on the S.S. Tipton. Both Cody and Bailey were handling their new situation well, both were respecting the decisions they had made and were friendly enough. Their friends, however, saw things a little differently. Zack, Woody, Marcus, and London saw the occasional glance and smile Cody and Bailey sent at the other to not be so innocent, the 'accidental' brushing of hands and arms to not be so accidental, and the friendly talking to not be so friendly. Frankly, everyone could see that Bailey and Cody still liked each other and everyone was at a lost as to what exactly they should do.
Zack was the first of the four to actually take action, waiting for Cody to be alone in his room; mainly because Zack had bribed Woody with all the smoothies he could drink while Zack paid the tab and took the opportunity to talk with his little brother. Cody wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of talking with Zack alone, but he didn't have it in him to refuse, especially since he had an idea of what Zack wanted to talk about and the fact that Zack was taking the time to talk with him did mean something to Cody.
"So, you still like Bailey." Zack began abruptly, knowing that Cody would just deny it if he tried to be subtle about the whole situation, Zack figured it would be better to just say it. "But, you two aren't dating. Codester, you gotta explain this one to me."
"Zack…." Cody began only to be interrupted before he could explain.
"I mean, I know you two had that fight on the Eiffel Tower, but London said you two talked it out. And now, it almost looks like you two are flirting. So why aren't you dating her again?" Zack continued in exasperation while really trying to understand what could possibly be going through his brother's mind.
"Look, we did talk it out, and it was decided that we shouldn't be together right now. We both have to work on some stuff so what happened in Paris doesn't happen again." Cody explained simply, having decided that the truth would be easier to explain than some made up story.
"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard! Dude, it's obvious that you two still like each other so why don't you just say something!" Zack exclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air as he paced the room and looked at Cody.
"Zack…" Cody began again only to be interrupted once more.
"Dude, what exactly did you and Bailey talk about. London said you two were arguing before she went into the room the first time and the second time you two were all friendly and flirty. Explain!" Zack demanded, pausing in his pacing so he could turn and focus on Cody.
"We just talked about what happened. I explained why I did the practice date, why I got so jealous, and that what London had told her was true. She explained why she got jealous, what she did wrong, we both said what needed to change, and then we both said what the other meant to us." Cody explained simply. "That's all."
"What does she mean to you, Codes?" Zack asked curiously, his ears perking up at hearing the last part of his brother's confession. "Was the L word used?"
"Look, Zack, all we did was say that the other was more than we could ask for. That's it." Cody stated bluntly, beginning to get annoyed with Zack's questions and interruptions.
"Was the L word used?" Zack asked again, stressing the L word when he spoke.
Cody sighed before answering. "Not directly. She asked if I loved her and I said I still do…." Cody answered honestly while dreading Zack's response.
"DUDE!" Zack exclaimed while looking at Cody stupidly. "Why would you say that and then agree to this separation! Sometimes, I swear you're not my brother!"
"Zack…." Cody started again only to be interrupted again.
"Seriously why would you…" Zack began but stared in silence once Cody interrupted him and began to shout.
"You think I like how this is! You think I wouldn't give anything to be able to hold her close again, to be able to say she's my girlfriend, to kiss her again? Zack, I'd give anything, anything, to have her back with me! But I know I can't until she's ready! So I just go along with whatever she's comfortable doing, whether it's talking, barely touching, or just looking at one another! I'd never give any of that up because without it….. I just….. don't know what I'd do….." Cody began fiercely but softened his tone as he began to finish. "I just can't put myself on the line with her because I don't know what I'd do if she said she doesn't want me anymore or she doesn't think we should ever be a couple again….." Cody continued sincerely, shutting his eyes tightly as the thought of that happening began to make tears form.
"Codes…." Zack began after taking a few minutes to think about what he'd say next. "You can't keep doing this to yourself. You're just gonna break down if you don't talk to her and try to figure out where you both stand. Besides, if you both need to change, wouldn't it be better to do it together?"
"I can't Zack, I just can't….. I'm just over thinking it. I'll be ok…." Cody said softly, still obviously upset about the revelation he had revealed to Zack.
"Cody, there's a difference between over thinking and having a panic attack. You need to talk to her." Zack replied calmly. He could see what Cody was going through and decided not to yell or make it worse.
Outside of Cody's room, Bailey was standing with Marcus and London, Marcus and London listening in through the small crack Zack had left in the door and looking at each other knowingly while Bailey stood behind them looking shocked. "Told ya, Bailey. So are you gonna do something or just let him keep stressing himself out until something really does happen?" Marcus asked in a whisper, turning to face Bailey as London did the same.
"Yeah, his smarticles are the only thing he has going for him and even that's barely holding up now." London said in a hush, speaking surprisingly wisely even if she had just used the term 'smarticles'.
Bailey didn't say anything to either of them. It'd be more accurate to say she couldn't say anything after hearing Cody's confession but Bailey wasn't concerned about Marcus or London's comments at the moment. All she cared about was getting away from Cody's cabin as fast as possible, which she did, leaving a confused Marcus and a London who stopped Marcus from going after her. "Give the farm girl some space." London said wisely. "And come with me so we can get rid of all her ugly clothes," she continued, pulling Marcus along behind her as Woody passed the pair. He looked back in slight confusion but decided not to question it and instead go into his room, stopping once he saw Zack and Cody, the latter looking like he was about to break down right there.
"Dang it…" Woody whined. "I thought you said we were doing this tomorrow…."
"Doing what….?" Cody asked worriedly, suddenly beginning to fear he was caught up in another one of Zack's schemes.
"Well, didn't you, Zack, London, Marcus, and Bailey finally sit down and talk? I mean, Bailey looked pretty upset and I passed her coming here and saw London and Marcus leaving from our door…." Woody answered honestly; unaware of what had really happened.
"Woody!" Zack yelled too late as Cody glared at him before running out the door in search of Bailey.
"Oh, here's your bill." Woody said, handing a piece of paper to Zack, which he looked at and made his eyes bug out.
"Woody! How did you spend this much? You were gone fifteen minutes!" Zack shouted while looking at his friend in disbelief.
"I was thirsty….." Woody answered simply.
Bailey found herself on the sky deck several minutes after she had left Cody's cabin. Currently, she was at the rail, looking down at the sea and thinking about what she had overheard. Wow… was all Bailey could think. She had been taken completely by surprise by Cody's outburst and confession to Zack that Bailey didn't know what to think, so she chose to just stare down at the sea and wait for her mind to process everything she had heard.
Mr. Moseby was also on the sky deck, currently hosting a limbo competition. "No, raise the bar! Raise it!" He shouted right before a loud crack was heard and a collective groan of pain came from the crowd. "Right, so that concludes our limbo competition." He said with a smile. "Someone take Mr. Murray to the infirmary…." Moseby continued as he turned and caught sight of Bailey, quickly growing worried over her position and how obviously upset she was. With another sigh he walked over to her. "Penny for your thoughts."
Bailey jumped slightly when she heard Moseby speak from behind her, quickly turning around to look at him in confusion. "Huh?"
"You look like you're thinking about something. Need someone to talk to?" Moseby asked sincerely, smiling reassuringly at Bailey while waiting for her reply.
"Oh, no thanks Mr. Moseby…." Bailey replied quietly while turning back around to resume her previous pose.
"You know, Bailey, I've known Cody for a long time. He may make mistakes. Lots and lots and lots of mistakes, but he means well. And the way he acts when he's with you, I've never seen him as content as when he can just spend time with you." Mr. Moseby began calmly; having flashbacks of the times he and Cody had spent together while a look of dread began to creep onto his face. "And, please Bailey, I can't deal with him and Zack causing trouble! Take him back!" Moseby screamed, the very thought of Zack and Cody causing pranks again causing a shiver to run up his spine as he dropped to his knees and grabbed hold of Bailey's legs.
"Mr. Moseby…?" Bailey questioned in surprise, fighting to keep her balance when he grabbed her legs and somehow managing to not fall over.
"He's right, Bails." Cody's voice said softly as he walked closer towards Bailey and Mr. Moseby, having heard everything Moseby said since he had ran after Bailey. "Mr. Moseby, can we have some alone time?" Cody asked gently, his gaze dropping to look at Moseby. Mr. Moseby just nodded in agreement as he rose from the floor of the sky deck and attempted to straighten his uniform before walking away, looking back to mouth 'take him back' at Bailey before disappearing down the steps of the sky deck. "You heard what I said to Zack, right…?"
"Yeah." Bailey answered softly while turning to look at Cody her gaze falling immediately onto his eyes. "Is it true that you really care about any glance I give you?" Bailey asked softly while taking several steps closer to him. "That every time I touch you it makes you that happy?" Bailey continued to question, her hand reaching out to take Cody's. "That when we talk it means that much to you?" Bailey asked her last question as she closed the distance between Cody so there was only inches between their two bodies, Bailey's eyes remaining on Cody's as she squeezed his hand gently. Cody was left breathless by Bailey's actions so all he could do was nod, which he did repeatedly. "Then, maybe we shouldn't see each other anymore…..." Bailey continued softly as her gaze fell to the floor and her grip on Cody's hand loosened. All Cody could do was look at her in shock while trying to catch his breath and say something, which was becoming harder and harder each second since he was beginning to hyperventilate.