This just kind of dawned on me. I watched Titanic again recently and I just love the scene where Jack tells Rose to never let go of her promise. I just wondered what I could do with that and decided it would be fun to try it with the Suite Life on Deck. We don't see enough brotherly love on that show.
If you haven't watched the Suite Life Movie, I suggest you do before reading this story. It is set right after the movie, which means to me that Zack and Cody can still communicate with their minds. Which is pretty cool, tell you what. Yes, I understand that it wore off eventually because they didn't place any more reference on it in the later episodes.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Nothing. These characters are borrowed for our own enjoyment and that includes any lines from any movie/show/etc.
Anything in italics are Cody and Zack communicating through their minds.
*Zack's POV*
I can't remember a time I ever felt this weak, tired or utterly helpless.
I don't think it ever happened.
Until now.
My brother supported me, keeping my head above the water as he swam towards the life boats. The water hurt. It was so cold and felt as if I was being stabbed with thousands of tiny knives. The roar of the fire on the burning ship was behind us and someone was shouting our names.
The next thing I knew, I was lying in a small wooden boat that rolled with the waves. There were voices all around, hands upon me and someone was holding me. Cody. I recognized his touch. It was his arms the supported me and held me close. But the fog in my head made it impossible to make out what anyone was saying.
There was another pair of hands touching my face. These were different than the rest. Different from Cody. If my brother was holding me, then who…?
I managed to open my eyes to find the person who was touching my face and holding a cloth against the cut on my forehead. Her hair was wet and plastered to her face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and her eyes widened in surprise to see me looking back at her.
Her?
Bailey? She's alive!
Yes, Zack. She's alive. All thanks to you…
Cody?
My brother appeared in my limited line of sight, looking just as wet and as miserable as Bailey. I'm here. Don't move. You're hurt.
His words seemed to bring reality crashing back down. I closed my eyes against the pain as the boat dipped with the waves. A moan – halfway between a growl and a scream – escaped me. Cody said nothing between our link and only pulled me closer, until I was halfway in his lap.
What happened?
You saved Bailey. Although you pushed her overboard, that still got her out of the way of another explosion. You took the brute of it, Zack. There's glass embedded in your side.
That would explain the feeling of being thrown in the oven. Not to mention the piercing agony in my side. I groaned as Bailey applied pressure to the large cut on the side of my face. That hurt, a lot.
Yes. And then you saved me. I opened my eyes to look at him. There were tears on Cody's face. I could feel that he was regretting was he was about to say next because it would cause me more pain. Haven't I been through enough already?
Zack, it has to come out.
No! Leave it alone!
Zack, it has to come out. It could pierce one of your vital organs if you don't let Moseby remove it.
I could feel that he was right. Knowing that this wasn't going to be at all pleasant, I buried my face in his shirt. Cody tightened his arms around me.
Relax, Zack. Calm down. The pain will be worse if you work yourself up like this.
I tried, but I couldn't. I was freezing and it was beginning to hurt to even breathe. Even with my brother's arms around me and his comfort, I felt trapped with all these hands weighing me down. Cody said something above my head and they released me, backing away until I could only sense his and Bailey's presence.
Zack. Look at me. Please?
My brother dislodged the grip I had on his shirt and forced me to turn my face. I blinked against the dizziness and eventually the blob hovering above me turned into Cody's face. The only thing I noticed was his eyes. My little brother's eyes were full of tears, fear, hope and love. They became my anchor to life and reminded me to never let go of the promise we had made to each other so long ago, even as the pain became more unbearable.
You'll be alright, Zack. I promise. Never let go. Remember?
*Flashback*
We both waved goodbye to Mom as she made her way down the gangplank, back to shore. The S.S. Tipton sounded its horn one last time before the ship began to move. We silently waved goodbye to the crowds below, just going along with the flow of things as everyone else on the ship seemed to be doing that.
"Well, I guess it's up to us now."
I turned to face my little brother, surprised to hear such fear in his voice.
"What do you mean?"
Cody shrugged, leaning against the rail. "Since Mom isn't here anymore, we'll have to look out for each other more often now. Anything can happen on a ship in the middle of the ocean, Zack. More so the world, being so far away from home as we will be."
"Why are you worrying so much? We're not alone. We've got Moseby here and London and who knows how many crew members…"
"But Moseby and London don't know you like I do, Zack!"
I paused, taken aback by his sudden outburst. "You do have a point there, Cody. They don't know you like I do, too."
"Zack, promise me that no matter what happens or how hopeless the future may seem, we'll always stick together and that we'll never let go of each other. Have you seen what we can accomplish when we work together? Please, promise me now, Zack."
I gazed at my little brother for a long moment. It dawned on me during his little speech that even though we were surrounded by friends, I was all he had and vice versa. There may be times where we had fought and said things that had hurt each other, but we always managed to come through for one another.
I threw an arm around him, pulling him close. We rarely had moments like this, but with Cody being my only brother and sibling, it just felt right. "I promise, Codes. I'll never let go of that promise. Not even death can tear us apart. You're my brother and I love you.
"Never let go?" Cody looked up at me, his eyes shining with tears.
"Never let go." I repeated, my voice coming out in a whisper.
Cody threw his arms around me in a hug. "I love you too, Zack."
*End Flashback*
I squeezed my eyes shut. A moan escaped me as the pain claimed me once again, leaving me shaking and gasping in the arms of my brother.
I remember. I never thought a day would come where it would be so hard to keep that promise.
I could feel my brother crying. He was shaking from holding back sobs and I could feel his tears on my face.
It will be alright, Zack. You'll make it.
I opened my eyes, locking with his. I'll never let go. I promise. I reached for him and he grabbed my hand, pulling me closer. Make it quick.
He said something because his lips moved, but I couldn't hear a word. I didn't make a sound as hands gripped my legs again, pinning me down to the bottom of the boat. Bailey just sat close, a welcome comfort as she kept wiping the blood from my face. I ignored the rest of them. I had eyes only for my brother. He held my gaze steadily, offering love and comfort.
Then came the pain. It felt white hot and would not stop.
I screamed in agony, thrashing against the hands that held me. I bucked and kicked, trying to make them release me. To find a release from this pain that would not stop. That only caused them to hold me tighter. I gave up, sagging in Cody's grip and shivering from the pain and shock. There was a sudden, horrible pressure to my side. It wouldn't let up and I realized that someone was wrapping my wound. I felt light-headed.
Zack? Zack! Answer me. You have to remember to breathe. Breathe, Zack!
What?
Don't make me kiss you, Zack!
That did it. My eyes snapped open and I gasped for air. I glared up at Cody, daring him to even try it. He smiled down at me.
Good. Now I won't have to.
Cody? I'm so cold…
The smile vanished from his face as quickly as it had come. He turned out of my line of sight, appearing again after I had been wrapped in several blankets. Bailey tried to smile at me, but I knew what both of them were thinking.
Better?
I turned my head towards him. In all honesty, the cold was becoming worse. It was worse than being in the freezing Atlantic Ocean. It was even worse than jumping into snow with only your underpants on. It numbed the pain, but became a deep hurt itself. I didn't understand the feeling but it dawned on me what it could mean. Was I dying?
I looked into Cody's eyes and told him what he was dreading to hear. I could feel his fear, his hopelessness.
No.
Cody paled. Tears coursed down his face. Oh God, Zack. Don't die. You can't. Not here. Not this night.
The edges of my vision were darkening. I didn't know how much longer I could stay awake.
I did make a promise. Didn't I? Codes? Never let go. You can't either. Don't let go of hope, Cody. I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere.
But you could! Don't go where I can't follow! Please.
I'd never leave you. I'm so tired…why can't you let me sleep?
I didn't understand why my brother was crying even harder now. A dreadful silence had fallen over the little lifeboat. I could feel the rest of the survivors watching me, as if they were waiting for me to do something.
Cody? What's happening?
The agony was coming off my little brother in waves. Something had seriously upset him and I wanted to give whatever that was a piece of my mind. If only I could find my strength, but it was gone. It was draining away from me.
Cody's voice echoed in my head, his tone sounding strange as if he was choked with tears and speaking aloud instead.
You're dying, Zack. And there's nothing else I can do to help you.
To Be Continued...
No flames, please! Please read and review. Feel free to rant, though. Next chapter will be from Cody's view.