A/N: My story is based on an original fan-fiction story that I found on the website www dot fanlib dot com (the website was shut down 4 years ago) called "Friendship on Fire". To the author of this story, whoever you are, thank you so much. Your story inspired me a great deal.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to or characters of the Suite Life series.

ZACK

"The future is now. Take hold and don't look back."

These words kept echoing in my head constantly throughout the day. It was the closing statement from a speech made by our valedictorian, Susan Eckles. I can't remember the beginning of the speech, two many hard words I couldn't repeat even if I tried. Plus, that babe pool and keg competition from last week's frat party kept coming to mind during the speech.

Anyway, the point is that I didn't like Susan Eckles, never had. The girl took herself way too seriously: Straight-A student, member of every geeky club imaginable at Boston U, dressed like a total dork. Come to think of it, she's the female version of Cody, way creepy.

But then before the end of her speech, Susan looks at the entire auditorium and says, "The future is now, take hold and don't look back."

Suddenly I'm awake and I'm actually listening to what she's saying. The future is now…don't look back. For the first time ever, Susan was speaking my lingo.

Life is about taking action, not sitting around in your room 24-7 reading boring and meaningless books on how to live your life. You have to step outside yourself, think outside the box, grab life by the balls. When I was a kid, nothing phased me. I did and went wherever I wanted. I was king of the world, King Midas if you will.

And now I'm standing in what will soon be my former dorm room, packing up my life and beginning my real journey. Some of my keg buddies keep dashing into my room in-between intervals and bum-rushing me for the hell of it, just like old times. Four years at Boston University; all the parties, basketball games, road trips and just wiling out.

But I did my time, I got my degree, Mechanical Engineering thank you very much. Nobody thought I could do it, especially Cody. But I showed them. I've always been good with my hands. After all these years, Mom still kept that wooden cuckoo clock I made for her back in middle school. I wish I had made Maddie something with my hands. Then again, it's not like I didn't leave her with something to remember me by.

Like that time I kissed her outside her hotel room at the Tipton.

Okay, so my head was kinda screwed up from Prom Night not having a date and all (and Cody with one!), wishing against all hope and reason that Maddie would show up out of the blue to be my date just like she'd promised all those years ago.

And whaddya know? Maddie actually came. She always liked to keep me guessing.

We laughed and we danced just like old times. And then I walked her back to her hotel room; she was only back in Boston for the night and due back at Brown University in the morning where she had studied journalism.

She came back for one night to be with me. Words can't even describe how that made me feel.

Maddie was just standing there in front of me, the hallway lights flickering in her hazel-brown eyes. And that's when I leant in and kissed her.

I didn't plan any of it, I just kinda let nature take its course. Maddie didn't object, but let me kiss her briefly, our lips grazing ever so slightly. And then Maddie in typical fashion asked me what I thought I was doing. She didn't seem angry, offended or even disgusted for that matter, just curious.

And that's when I repeated mom's wise words: "Love is like friendship on fire. And that's how I feel about you Maddie, I always have."

Maddie paused to take in what I'd just said. And then she said those words that were permanently seared into my brain, a coy and seductive smile playing on her lips. "Well then, go on and light the match."

It wasn't exactly Maddie's most poetic moment, but I didn't need much convincing when she placed her lips on mine and pulled me closer.

I could still feel the warmth of her body in my arms as my hands found their way down to her shapely hips. Her hands were in my hair, her breath coming out in short blissful gasps against my mouth. I was in heaven, at least for those few minutes. When I started, it felt like I would never stop.

And then, just as if it had all happened in a heartbeat, Maddie left my life yet again. From there on out, I knew only one irreversible truth: it didn't matter how many girls I'd had since then, none of them would ever come close to Maddie Fitzpatrick, the girl who had forever had my heart since I was 12 years old.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"Hello, earth to Zack! Come in, we're losing him…" Cody's voice rang out in a distant echo.

Zack snapped abruptly out of his reverie at the sound of a shrill whistle shrieking in the distance. Then he remembered where he was: sitting across from Cody in a luxury train compartment heading back to Watertown, Boston.

Home.

Throughout college, both Zack and Cody had maintained strict identities and lives, only seeing each other at their birthdays and major holidays with their mom, Carey.

In all that time, Zack had never let on how much he had actually missed his twin brother in 4 years. So when he'd gone to pick Cody up from his dorm at Harvard, he couldn't hold himself back from hugging his only brother and expressing his sincere happiness at seeing him again for the first time in a long time.

But then it was all back to business as usual when Zack remembered all of Cody's annoying quirks which he hadn't missed for four years.

"It'll be great going back to Watertown at this time of the year since we're nearing the summer solstice. I can get a head start on my star gazing, I just hope Mom hasn't thrown out my old telescope though," Cody rambled on in an excited tone.

Zack looked at him and snorted loudly. "Are you serious? You're getting all hot and bothered over an old telescope? Nobody told me that Jessica Simpson was riding on an asteroid belt in Oreo's Belt." He murmured sarcastically.

"That's Orion's Belt, and star gazing's no laughing matter, Zack. Aren't you the least bit curious about Einstein's theories regarding relativity and the fact that the universe is gradually expanding?" Cody asked in awe.

"No. And while you're at it, would you consider buying some time shares in another dimension? This conversation has made me lose the will to live." Zack quipped irritably.

"Well excuse me for caring about the universe. Pray tell, what will you be doing before you start your new job?" Cody asked Zack with forced calm.

"First off, I'm catching up on some Z's, it's been a rough final semester." Zack replied groggily.

"Yes I can imagine: in-between stringing girls along shamelessly and drinking yourself into a coma, it must've been a living nightmare." Cody remarked dryly.

"Tut-tut, Codery, the green-eyed monster is so unbecoming of you. At least I had a life. What were you doing: starting yet another society on campus that nobody cares about?" Zack demanded in a nonchalant tone.

"For your information, Zachery, I spent the majority of the semester commuting between Harvard and Yale to see Bailey." Cody announced smugly.

Zack looked mildly impressed by this statement. "Nice work, bro, maybe there's hope for you yet. Sneaking in after dorm curfew for a little afternoon delight, huh?" He teased airily.

Cody raised an eyebrow at his twin brother's impertinent suggestion. "Ew, like I'd ever tell you intimate details about my love life, Zack. The truth is, Bailey and I have been fighting a lot recently. I think the long-distance relationship is finally taking its toll. Which is why I'm glad we'll get to see each other in a few days' time, so that I can suggest couples therapy."

Zack's mouth dropped and his eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Couples therapy?" he repeated in horror.

"Yes, Zack, couples therapy. I think it's important for both Bailey and I to be able to express our feelings openly and honestly in a safe and healthy environment devoid of judgment." Cody explained.

"Oh my bad, I didn't realize you and Bailey were a gay couple now," Zack quipped sarcastically with a grin on his face.

"This may be hard for you to comprehend, given that your longest relationship with a girl has only lasted for about five minutes. But a healthy relationship requires commitment and lots of communication, two qualities that have so far evaded you." Cody returned sarcastically.

"Hey, I'm all for a heart-felt dashboard confessional. But couples therapy is a whole new low, even for your usual standards." Zack stated with a laugh.

An hour later, Cody and Zack's conversation had switched to the present festivities happening in Boston.

"So pray tell, Cody, when do you begin your internship at the ever celebrated law firm of Mendelsohn and Prewitt?" Zack questioned, batting his eyelids for full effect.

"Zack, I'm impressed. You remembered the full name of the law firm I may one day be working for. As for my internship, it doesn't officially start till next month. Which means that I'll have plenty of time to help Mom with the wedding," Cody announced proudly.

"Lucky you, my new boss wants me to start training in two weeks' time. But even if my new job didn't start until next month, it's still hard for me to psych myself up for this wedding." Zack admitted.

"Psych yourself up? But, Zack, aren't you happy for Mom?" Cody asked Zack in a voice filled with both curiosity and anxiety.

"It's not that, bro. I'm over the moon for Mom, really. It's just that…well, Mom's marrying… Arwin," Zack finished off, his tone etched with a combination of awe, amusement and horror all in one.

CODY

"Mom's marrying…Arwin."

It was at times like these where I knew for certain that Zack and I were definitely brothers.

As happy as I was that Mom was finally getting remarried, I somehow couldn't overlook who she was actually marrying: Arwin Hawkheiser, the maintenance (now ex) engineer at the Tipton Hotel.

Arwin, the guy who once placed a life-size cardboard cut-out of my mother in the basement at the Tipton which used to be his office, just so he could practice his courtship skills. Arwin, the guy who had once given my mother a bouquet of wrenches instead of flowers. Arwin, the guy who always fainted whenever mom said hello to him, kissed him on the cheek or just basically breathed in the same air space as him.

I mean, how did this happen?

One minute, Mom was politely brushing Arwin off with doing another show as an excuse. The next minute, she's getting ready to say "I do" to the same guy.

Talk about living in The Twilight Zone.

Don't get me wrong, I actually like Arwin.

As goofy as he is, he's smart, sincere and an all-round good guy. Plus, he treats mom really well. Heck, he'd put her on a pedestal made out of one of his crazy inventions.

While I was growing up, I always hoped that my parents would get back together again. But I realized pretty quickly that there were some people in the world who just weren't meant to be together, and unfortunately those two people happened to be my parents. But I got over it and I even got used to Mom being single indefinitely.

The funny thing about Arwin is that despite my Mom never returning his feelings all those years ago, he never stopped caring about me or Zack. During his busy schedule, he always made time for us, whether it was playing with us in the hotel lobby, helping us with our homework or just giving us advice. In many ways, Arwin has practically been like a surrogate father to the two f us all this time.

So when you think about it, it was pretty perfect that Mom and Arwin had finally gotten it right after all this time. I guess second chances do really exist. I just hope Arwin eventually quits breaking out into an opera falsetto every time Mom kisses him, 'cause that's just plain embarrassing.

ccccccccccccccccccccc

"So you never know what to expect with Arwin, but he's a good guy and he really loves Mom. She's happy, so that's what counts." Cody finally said after a long time.

"I guess you're right. And Mom is strangely content with Arwin. So why ruin a good thing? I just hope he quits breaking out into song every time Mom kisses him, 'cause that's just plain embarrassing." Zack replied in a knowing voice.

Cody had to suppress a chuckle at this last comment.

And before the twins knew it, the cab had dropped them off in front of the Tipton. Without planning to, they stood outside for a few seconds and just stared up at the majestic building for close to a minute, its gold and green rooftop silhouetted against the Boston skyline.

They were finally home.

They passed Norman the Doorman at the revolving front entrance. "Hey, Norman!" Zack and Cody's voices rang out in transports of delight.

"Yip, things are still the same as always," Cody remarked quietly.

"Hey look, Moseby still keeps his favourite vase as a centre piece for the lobby." Zack murmured thoughtfully.

"I wouldn't count on it. How many times did we knock that vase over in our time?" Cody questioned.

"I guess some things never change," Zack stated with a smirk.

"Well, I can think of one thing that's definitely changed: there's a new candy counter girl in this lobby." Cody replied, a sly glint in his eye.

"Cody, if you like how your nose looks, then zip it." Zack muttered crisply.

"Well if it isn't the most handsome young men in all of Boston," a demure voice announced cordially.

Zack and Cody turned around and their faces erupted into big smiles. A good-looking woman in her early forties descended from the elevator, her once short blonde hair now neck-length and dark brown. She wore a summer dress down to her knees and stiletto heels which propelled her shapely legs forward.

"Mom!" the twins yelled in unison as they ran forward to hug their mother.

"My little men," Carey Martin crooned while embracing her sons in a bear hug.

"Mom, we're glad to see you too, but you're crushing us." Cody whimpered in muffled breaths.

"Yeah, Mom, you're crushing my biceps." Zack agreed vehemently.

Cody would've laughed, but knew better after Zack's previous threat concerning his nose.

"Oh hush, you two. It doesn't matter how old you get, you'll always be my little boys. And you're never too old for hugs either." Carey stated with a smile. "I've missed you so much," she whispered as she pulled away.

"We've missed you too, Mom." Cody admitted softly, staring lovingly at his mother.

"Yeah, Mom, we have. You look great by the way." Zack complimented sincerely with a slight grimace.

"Why thank you, Zack. And thank you, Cody. It means so much to me that you're gonna be here for the wedding." Carey stated, a lump rising in her throat.

"We wouldn't have missed it for the world." Cody remarked truthfully, grinning from ear to ear.

"No hugging in the lobby!" A nasal voice shrieked from the manager's desk.

All three Martins looked up and had to keep from rolling their eyes at the short bald-headed black man in a crisp charcoal suit walking towards them, his green and gold Tipton Hotel tie flapping tirelessly behind him.

"What is this fascination with children trying to destroy my hotel?" Mr. Moseby asked himself wearily, preparing to mount an assault on what he deemed as yet another attack on his favourite vase by yet another menagerie of hooligans.

Then he realized who was actually standing in his lobby.

MR. MOSEBY

Why do the gods hate me?.

It's not that I regret ever having hired Carey Martin to be the Tipton's new cabaret singer all those years ago. Carey's an exceptional singer: hospitable towards the guests, vivacious, witty.

But then there were her twins: Laurel and Hardy Grim and Evil.

Zack and Cody Martin made the 7 Horses of Pestilence in the Book of Revelations look like characters out of My Little Pony.

Since the twins' arrival at the Tipton nearly 9 years ago, they'd done nothing but wreak havoc on both my hotel and my reputation with their total and complete disregard for the rules.

Oh God, has it only been 4 years of blissful peace?

As happy as I am about Carey and Arwin's wedding, I can't wait till the nuptials are over so I can get back to running my hotel. I'm gonna need to have my wits about me with America's Least Wanted besmirching the lobby.

Right along with a stiff brandy and a pep-talk from Mother.

mmmmmmmmmmm

"Well if it isn't America's Least Wanted. Were tickets sold out for a journey 20,000 leagues under the sea?" Mr. Moseby asked with a sardonic smile.

"Mr. Moseby, I thought you said you would try to be nice to the boys." Carey replied reproachfully.

"You're absolutely right, Carey, I apologize. I'm sorry too, boys, how was your trip?" Mr. Moseby asked the twins with forced politeness.

"It was fine, it's just great to be home again. It's nice to see you too, Mr. Moseby." Cody remarked gaily.

"Yeah, your head looks…shiny." Zack put in uncomfortably.

"Thank you." Mr. Moseby replied in an uncertain voice. "Carey, I actually came over to tell you that an adjoining room has been prepared for Zack and Cody on the 23rd floor just a few feet away from you and Arwin. I'll have your luggage sent up for you." He added smoothly.

"Mr. Moseby, I really appreciate all the trouble you've gone to helping with the wedding and the boys' stay. I really can't thank you enough." Carey gushed with overflowing gratitude.

"Pish-posh, think nothing of it. I just want yours and Arwin's special day to be as memorable as possible." Mr. Moseby replied genuinely.

Just then the four of them heard a violent crash behind them and raucous peals of laughter and delight coming towards them.

"And then Arwin entered the room…" Mr. Moseby muttered under his breath.

"Zack! Cody! You're finally here!" Arwin greeted the twins heartily as he too pulled them into a bear hug.

"Arwin…can't breathe…again," Zack mumbled, his face turning red.

"It's great to see you too, Arwin. We can still call you that, right?" Cody asked uneasily.

"Of course you can. Heck, you can call me whatever you like. Although, my preferred choice would be Mr. Carey Martin." Arwin giggled in a high-pitched tone.

Mr. Moseby and the twins stared at Arwin in apprehension while Carey looked misty-eyed.

"So how was your trip? Was the train ride okay? Has Mr. Moseby already organized your rooms?" Arwin asked paternally all in one breath.

"Arwin, one question at a time. The boys are fine and Mr. Moseby has already taken care of everything. Everything's fine." Carey replied warmly, slipping her arms around his neck. "But I do love how you worry about me and the boys," she whispered demurely in his ear.

"Well, I like how you love that I worry about you and the boys," Arwin replied smoothly before planting a full kiss on Carey's lips in front of all.

The twins and Mr. Moseby stared in a mixture of awe and horror at this new public display of affection between Carey and Arwin.

"Wow, this is gonna take some getting used to," the twins chorused in unison.

"I think I just lost my appetite." Mr. Moseby murmured in a queasy voice.

ARWIN

Yes! Yahoo! I did it, I finally did it! I'm marrying Carey Martin, the most beautiful woman in the entire world!

She's the funniest, the kindest and the smartest woman I've ever met.

Did I mention she was beautiful?

And Zack and Cody are like, gonna be my sons, I'm gonna be their step-dad. They're good kids, I've always loved them as if they were my own. And now we're gonna be a family. I just hope they'll come to accept my marriage to their Mom. I know how protective they are of her.

And to think Mother always said I would never amount to anything but a maintenance janitor in a 5-star hotel on the East Coast. Well all that practicing my courtship skills on my Carey cut-out in the Tipton basement finally paid off.

Who's laughing now, Mother?

Not only that, but when I finally realized that Carey and I were never gonna be anything more than friends, I started to go on more dates and actually talk to women. After a while, I stopped being shy and even stopped fainting.

I mean, I'm still quirky and goofy, but I know what I want now. I'm not afraid to go after it anymore. And I did.

Whaddya think of that, Mother?

I'm the Little Engineer That Could, and will come June 27, the day of the wedding.

I wonder if I can convince Carey to carry a wedding bouquet of wrenches for old time's sake…

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

"Finally, some peace and quiet!" Zack exclaimed jubilantly, tossing himself onto the nearest bed.

He and Cody had finally shrugged their Mom, Arwin and Mr. Moseby off and made their way up to their room.

"Ditto, I could use some shut-eye." Cody agreed blearily as he took off his blazer and opened up his suitcase. "It's kinda weird being back on the 23rd floor, huh?" He asked pensively of his brother.

He received a grunt in response from Zack, who had buried his head under a pillow.

"Everyone should've gotten their invitations and RSVP's by now." Cody said more to himself.

To his surprise, Zack's head reappeared from under the pillow, a strange look in his eye. "Probably. After all, this is the 'window period'." He remarked thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Cody asked curiously while rinsing his hands in the bathroom.

"You know, the 'window period' for people to accept or decline their invitations." Zack replied in a casual tone.

"I guess you're right. So who do you think will come from the old crowd?" Cody enquired conversationally, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

"Don't know. But whatever happens, this little vacation away from reality is gonna be worth remembering," Zack stated mysteriously, worrying only about one person in particular whom he desperately hoped would tick 'yes' on her RSVP…