A/N Before you start reading the story I'm going to tell you how updates are going work. I'll try to be consistent and as well-developed as possible. Characters will be as in-character as I can make them while working with my plot. (Set during Season 3, other main character will be added to story description when finished. Happy reading. =D

Disclaimer: I don't own the original works, only what I create.

How did things go so bad? Cody wondered as he sat down on the steps. He was still on top of the tower he planned for his and Bailey's one-year anniversary. He thought everything was perfect, that he could make this the night that he and Bailey wanted. The anniversary of all anniversaries ever for couples. He had the flowers, the dinner, the attire, the present, and hell, even the guy who just stands in the background and plays the music. Not only that, but the added bonus of being under a clear night in Paris, the City of Love. Hmm. City of Love. Not for me, though. Cody thought. Tonight was supposed to be great. Now I might as well not have bothered. It hurt to think that because to him, Bailey was worth doing anything for. Sure they had gotten into fights, but nothing like this. Nothing that came to heated crossfire in which even when the flame died out, one person was still burning inside. Not the good burning passion, that had started dying before the argument came. It was burning pain. What hurt more was that he could've stopped it. Cody could've realized what he was doing and stopped. All that happened now, would never had been so if he had the mind to drop the issue. But he chose not to, and now he had to deal with his choice. He trusted his accusation over Bailey. There was nothing he could do right now.

Well you know what they say, Cody thought bitterly. 'There's no use crying over spilled milk,' he sighed. He looked up into the sky. He wondered why it went this way. And it's so ironic. Cody added. It was in Paris, of all places. Cody eventually started to calm down. He got up and left going downstairs. He didn't say anything until he was walking down toward the S.S. Tipton.

At least I know now, rather than later. He felt a twinge of pain when realized he was echoing Bailey's words from the baby project. But then, he did have a chance to fix what he screwed up. This time he couldn't make better what he made bad. Well that's life, how tough. Cody thought sourly. Come on Cody, straighten up. You're smart enough, you know you can, you have to- have to-, he started tearing up when he realized what he was thinking. He was having a silent, personal fight inside him as his emotions conflicted. He didn't want to say what had to do, but it was already in consideration. Even if he wanted to stop it, he knew it was going nag at him until he accepted it. It is over. Cody thought painfully. I let it happen. There's nothing else I can do, except, he breathed in deeply before accepting facts. It was worse and possibly dangerous to be in denial.

I have to move on, Cody accepted. There's nothing left if I stay here. He made it on board the ship. There was no one there, or at least no one he could see. It didn't matter to Cody though, he just needed the silence and nature to help numb over the pain. He knew it wouldn't be so easy to die away, though. Love isn't easy, Cody thought, but with a bit more control now though. Thing were going to play out how they would. He looked over the railing one last time. Oddly there was only one star he could see. It was small, but it was still there. Weird, Cody thought. It's like that star matches me exactly right now. He walked away toward his room. Everyone was sleeping which he was glad for. There were no other encounters he would have to deal with until morning.

Hope, if you can hear me, I just want some way that I can recover, Cody said in his mind. He got dressed into a light blue short-sleeve and shorts. He looked at the top of his drawer. There was a picture of Bailey. As pained as he was now, he still felt some feelings for her. But now he felt Zack. He felt a bit more sympathy for him too. Maddie always rejected Zack so many times, despite whatever he tried. He did get a kiss from her before but that was a one-time thing. Although unlike Zack, he couldn't get over everything like that in a few days. Cody smiled a bit out of amusement.

It's one of the few things Zack has that I want. The ability to recover so well and so easily, Cody thought. Well, tomorrow's just another day. Let's hope it's better.

What Cody didn't know was that 'better' came from unlikely sources.

2 1/2 months later

"So anyway, Cody broke down in the middle of the date, and I was trying to keep the sanity. And yet somehow, he still manages to pull it off!" Zack exclaimed to Maya, his girlfriend of the past few weeks. He was retelling the story of when he and Cody met two English twins at the Tipton. Jessica and Janice came to the hotel during a twin convention, and Zack and Cody saw them in school and other places from time to time afterwards.

"I don't know what Cody has that I don't, but he got comforted by both twins! I mean, Janice was supposed to be my date! Still to this day, I don't know how Cody does it," Zack finished. This were one few things Cody had that he wanted.

"Well, some girls like a sensitive, emotional guy," Maya suggested. She smiled. "He's also very nice and not as crude as you, Zack."

"Hey, I got you to date me right?"

"Something him and I wondered how you managed," Maya teased.

"Natural talent and boyish charm, babe. It's all me," Zack responded conceitedly.

"Oh, Zack. You have so much to learn. I guess that's why I'm dating you, Maya teased more.

Zack looked indignant. "I don't need help on how to make a relationship work."

Maya smiled. "Yet Cody got both twins, and from what I hear, did you go to him for help when you failed trying to hit on me?" She said pryingly.

"I didn't go to him for help... I asked him what he would do," Zack said. Even though he sounded serious, it was unconvincing.

"Right. You didn't ask him for help. Then what was the mulch festival about? Especially with the 'hay'?" She smirked.

"I was experimenting with a change of scenery," Zack replied. "And the 'hay' reminds me of a horse we had at the Tipton," he said, inventing on the spot.

"Uh huh. And you didn't go into Cody's room, searching for I don't know, a certain plan he had hidden away? Nothing like that right?" she knew she got him at this point. It was still very amusing watching his antics.

"Nope. The only thing I did was trying to impress you," he said sincerely, which was rare, but she had done a lot of work on him, and Zack was changing for the better. She smiled at him deciding to press the matter another time.

"It's very cute watching you be in denial," Maya said pointing out what he didn't want to be pointed out. But he still resisted.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Zack said before quickly changing the subject. "Hey let's just ease up and relax together taking a stroll around the ship,"

"Oh very clever, Zack," Maya said. Zack may know how to evade but nothing was getting away from her.

"Yeah it is, let's go now," he said pulling her along before she could say anything else.

Cody walked out onto the Sky Deck. He sighed. Eveyday seemed similar in some way no matter what happened or how he looked at it. He did feel better though, for after 2 and a half months some progress had to have been made.

He was thinking about the past 2 months. After the night he got back to the ship right after the breakup, he started thinking about what would happen. Now that he was single again, possibilities were open to him. To forget what had happened he started by asking Zack for help. Yes, he had become that damaged that he asked Zack. Maya of course, helped as well, and to make sure Zack didn't introduce any of his ideas to Cody about how to forget a girl dumped you. That was only half right, though, for he Cody had contributed to that. Zack's advice and help wasn't half bad. But then, Cody had decipher the gist of what Zack meant because he and Zack had very different viewpoints. It was lucky Maya was there, as she could put what Zack said in a more refined way for Cody to understand.

Flashback

"The first thing you do is to get back out there. You can't mope around forever, Cody," Zack started. "But first of all, change your wardrobe."

"What's wrong with the way I dress?" Cody asked confused.

Zack rolled his eyes. "You want to attract girls, not drive them away. Isn't that much obvious?"

Cody frowned. "That's very subtle, Zack," he said sarcastically.

"Well it's not about being subtle. It's about flamboyance." Zack said getting to the point. Cody blinked.

"Did you just use decent vocabulary correctly?" He had low expectations for Zack.

"Hey, anything that has to do with chicks, I know," he said flamboyantly.

'Now if only you could that with academics,' Cody thought.

"Anyways, once you're done with the clothing, we'll practice on charming the ladies. And remember: Always go out with style," he said nodding solemnly. "It works real well. You wouldn't believe it."

"No wonder you're so dramatic. And I bet I could believe it," Cody said, remembering many incidents at the Tipton Hotel. Then Maya came at the counter.

"What are you guys talking about?" she asked. A conversation between Zack and Cody could be very interesting. Or awkward, but she had gotten used to the twins and their, unique traits.

"Long story short, Cody needs help in dating again," Zack answered.

"What does he need help in?" Cody was going to answer but-

"Everything. The guy is hopeless. He's not even wearing the right clothes."

"Clothes?" a new voice said. "Oh I love clothes! Especially when they're all sparkly and exclusive!" Obviously that was London who just happened to be around.

"Are we talking my clothes?"

"No, we're talking about Cody's," Zack said. London looked at them.

"You guys need help if you want to talk about good clothes. Cody what you're wearing looks recycled."

Zack as expected, didn't have the decency to mind snickering at London's comment. Cody looked at him with disdain. "Oh thanks, you're so supportive." He turned to Maya.

"Maya, they're not that bad, right?"

She considered before answering. "Well they are a bit dull." Zack interrupted.

"That's a girl's way of saying they're terrible."

Cody sighed. "I'm getting no help from you guys." Then Woody came towards them.

"Hey guys, what 'cha doin'? Hey, Cody, didn't you wear that last week? What do you do, recycle your clothes?" Woody said.

Everyone else smirked while Woody was oblivious to the meaning in his sentence. He took the wrong interpretation of what they were smirking at.

"Is something on me? Is it my mismatched socks?" he said checking them.

"No, your socks match, someone here doesn't match though," Zack said smirkingly.

"Is it Maya?" Woody said guessing. Maya looked offended. "Hey, how do I not-"

"Is it Bailey?" he kept on guessing. Cody felt a bit down hearing that name. 'I thought she was my match.'

"No? Uh, London! No, she has the world's entire wardrobe. Zack? No, otherwise chicks wouldn't dig you. Then it must be-"

"I'm going to do my homework! See ya guys later!" Cody said trying a quick escape. Zack grabbed his arm before he could leave.

"Oh no you don't. You still counseling needed, dear brother," Zack said evilly. Cody looked like he was doomed. Then he got an idea.

"Hey, Zack, who's that cute blonde over there?"

"Where?" he turned excitedly quick. Cody took this opportunity to sneak away. Meanwhile Maya slapped him on the arm.

"Ow!"

"I thought I taught you better than that, Zack."

"Sorry, force of habit," he said truthfully. "But hey, I might like checking them out from afar, but that's all it'll ever be. I'll always have my eye on you," he said slyly. Maya rolled her eyes but smiled. Maybe he learned something from Cody.

"Nice save. You guys stay here. I'll talk to Cody," she said. She kissed Zack for a second and then pulled away.

'Cody's going to need some help before he can recover.' she thought with slight worry.

She caught up to him in his room. He wasn't doing homework, though. Instead he was looking at pictures in this one particular book. She assumed she knew which book.

"Is that the book Zack 'borrowed' for help?"

Cody looked over smiling a little bit. "Yeah, I had to paste a page back."

"Well I think it's only fair for me to help you now."

Cody turned away. "I'm alright." But he knew that was a lie.

"Cody, it's really bad to keep things bottled up. You should let it out," Maya said sincerely. He turned back with a smile.

"That's what Jessica and Janice said. Do you know them?"

"Zack mentions them every now and then," she said knowingly. "He still can't believe you got both of their attentions, though. It's even harder to accept that you have something he doesn't."

"Sounds like Zack," Cody said smiling a bit.

"Anyways, Cody. Just don't mull over back then. You still have so much going for you, so don't forget that. Or I'll have Zack remind you," she threatened, but in a deeply concerned way. He felt reassured enough.

"Thanks for understanding, Maya. You're a great friend, and in a few years sister." Maya blushed. "I would double-check though, before the wedding. Zack might forget the ring." She smiled. "Glad I could help," and then left.

Cody eased up a bit. He tried to take all their advices to heart. Even the one about the clothes. In a few weeks the ship was going back to Boston for a while. There he could plan out what he was going do and start over again. 'Well,' he thought. 'I guess I'm on the road to recovery... and redecorating according to London. I still like my wardrobe...'

End of Flashback

The ship had just docked at Boston. A few students had some people there to visit. Others had plans to go out and check out the city. Cody stood looking at the city until Zack called him over.

"Cody! I need to talk to you about Galactic Gladiators," Zack said. Cody should've expected this. With Zack, any kind of subject could be brought up.

"Now we're doing really well, especially you since you toughened up somehow. Your sternum's okay, right?" he said referring to the last game before they fought against the undefeated Australian team. They had chest bumped and Cody just had to point out his sternum.

"Actually, yes it's-"

"Good to hear, because we're going to have weekly training exercises. Which means I need you to dedicate yourself to the game. Hear that, Cody? The game," he said. Honestly all he wanted to know was that Cody was game-ready. Cody had improved dramatically in gameplay because was following everyone's advice. But then he adopted some his own ideas. He started to act more like Zack while retaining his personality traits. Or at least, the 'good ones' as Zack said.

"I get it, Zack," he said.

"This is no time to slack off, Cody we need to win the International Global Galaxy Domination Rumble. I can't just hear you say you're ready. I want to know you're ready." This sounded very odd to hear this from Zack. Usually it was the other way around.

"I'm ready, Zack. And since you're going to ask again, I'm ready."

"Good," he said. There was a silence in which Maya shook her head at Zack but smiled for him being him. "So what's up?" Zack said casually as if he didn't just thoroughly debrief Cody. That didn't catch him off gaurd, though. Zack did the same thing with their old friend Bob when he broke the news to him about Irma.

"I thought since we're back in town, we could visit Mom and everyone at the hotel. Then we could just go around doing stuff. I still have to change my wardrobe, so I'll be out for a bit."

"Good idea. As for the wardrobe, well..." Zack started. Cody did start improving his fashion. More people did think he looked like him more. Over 2 months Cody had made major to minor changes in his lifestyle. His hair style was more sharp than curved, and his clothing was more normal and matching.

"You look better than I ever saw you at the hotel," he said in a joking but sincere manner.

"Well should we go yet?"

"Why not? Maya, ready to met everyone?" She turned and smiled.

"I've waited long enough."

They walked down the ship's docking steps and walked to the hotel. Everyone else went their way to either shopping, exploring, visiting, or just staying on the ship for a while. Mr. Moseby stayed back on the ship to attend matters. As Cody, Zack and Maya walked to the hotel, they laughed about how Mr. Moseby was probably grateful that they were going to be off the ship for four weeks. They were going to stay at the hotel with a few makeshifts in the twin's old room. Cody felt comfortable to be back at home. His recovery was starting off well.

A girl with long brown hair was walking down the street. She heard that the S.S. Tipton was docking today wanted to see the ship for herself. She had applied from her former school to attend the ship's Seven Seas High for her last year before graduation. She was able to do so due to someone who had to get transferred out. There was a competition posted downtown for a lucky student to apply if they mailed in an admission essay, which was to be judged by the mayor and city officials of whose was the best. She had really wanted to come aboard so she spent an all-nighter perfecting her essay. Back then she wouldn't have tried so hard but times change. Inside she was mostly the same and part of the reason why she wanted to get admitted was to meet up with Zack and Cody. It had been a while. 2 years and few months. If you haven't guessed by now, her name was Max. Her full name was Maxine Alyson Stoner, however most people just left out the -ine.

On her way down to the docks, she passed by a group of three busy talking. Then she turned back seeing two heads of blond hair.

"Zack? Cody? Is that you guys?"

The said two turned around. They didn't recognize her at first but then Cody did.

"Max! It's so good to see you!" he slightly overexclaimed and hugged her. She felt warmness on her cheeks as he instantly greeted her. But then Cody wasn't afraid to display his emotions and all his mom-hugs must've rubbed off on him. She hugged back before greeting the rest of the group.

"So whose your lady friend?"

"Actually she's Zack's lady friend," Cody responded. Zack smirked.

"I'm Maya Bennett," Maya said and shook Max's hand.

"I'm pretty sure Zack remembers me. I'm Max Stoner," she said. "I'm surprised," she added.

"About what?" Cody asked. Max smirked.

"Zack settling for one girl? That sounds quite suspicious..."

"It was eventually going to happen, I guess..." Cody said. Zack rolled his eyes.

"Sooo... How's it like dating Zack?" Max asked.

"Well, he's gotten better, but not as good as Cody is at maintaining a relationship. Particularly one time when had to attend an urgent matter..." Maya said teasingly. Zack felt defensive.

"Hey, it was urgent. Do you know how serious a tournament for the title of Supreme Invaders is?" Zack asked.

"Yes, it's very serious. It could change the world..." Cody said, not hiding his sarcasm. Zack looked at him disappointedly.

"Cody. When you're the captain, you'll understand. And for that comment, 5 extra drills."

"Extra drills?" Max asked confused.

"They're doing it again. It's another urgent matter," Maya said falsely serious. Max smiled though.

"Good to know you're still the same, Zack. Play before work. At least you've cleaned up your act enough for Maya. She's a keeper," Max said. Maya smiled at her.

"Thanks. He actually does know how to date now," Maya said. Zack smiled before realizing what she said.

"What do you mean I couldn't date?" he asked surprised. Maya smiled and kissed him for 3 seconds. "Don't worry. I've taught you well." Zack was still defensive.

"I didn't need to be taught... just corrected," he mumbled on the last part.

"Would you have rather Cody corrected you?" Maya asked raising an eyebrow. Zack shuddered.

"No way in hell. He has done things no man would ever dream to do... or should do..."

"Well it takes a real man to do it. Cody's always was and always is caring and sensitive to others. Especially when it comes to emotions... then he's psychiatrist..." Max said smiling at Cody. He smiled back, feeling as if his heart had lifted temporarily.

"Could we please stop comparing Cody to me? It's very discouraging..." Zack said looking overly depressed. Maya rolled her eyes but complied.

"Fine, we'll head back to your place. Coming Cody?" Maya asked. Cody pondered his answer, but unknown to him his emotions answered before his mind did.

"Actually, I think I'll catch up with Max a bit more, if you guys don't mind," Cody said trying to sound indifferent. Zack and Maya instantly thought something was up but it was Zack who had to say something.

"Alright, Cody! Looking to get back in the game! See, Maya? That's someone whose been taught well..." he added suggestively hinting at Cody and Max. Max and Cody turned away to hide their flushed faces. Instead they had eye contact and turned away again this time with slightly red faces. Zack caught this and wolf-whistled. This didn't help. Cody thought of a counter though.

"Hey, Zack, who's that beautiful brunette over there?"

"Where?" he turned too quick for Maya's liking, who slapped him on the arm again.

"Ow!" Zack said like last time. Zack narrowed his eyes at Cody.

"I hope you know I'm going to get you for that..." he said and turned away.

"Good luck with that..." Cody said in a passable Mr. Moseby voice. Zack spun wildly around.

"Moseby?" Cody grabbed Max's left hand and pulled her away towards the docks. She felt heat rush to her face at the sudden contact. Zack was left walking away with Maya fuming. "Oh, he's good..." he mumbled.

"So that's the ship... looks like what I expected. I can't wait to get aboard," Max said staring at the S.S. Tipton.

"I can't either..." Cody said out loud. Max turned to stare at him. He almost betrayed himself but quickly recovered.

"What I mean is, it'd be great to have you on board... Zack and I've missed you..."

Max smiled endearingly. "I can tell... but I bet Zack forgot about me half the time..."

"You're not that easy to forget..." Cody said honestly. She raised her eyebrow. He then quickly added, "In a good way."

"Oh, Cody," she said shaking her head laughing inside and smiling on the outside. "You're still the same too... except now you're smarter, taller and you look a bit different from Zack."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," he admitted.

"Well, anything else you wanna do?" she asked.

"I do have to get a new wardrobe, so I guess shopping..." Cody said. She smiled teasingly.

"I doubt you'll need a girl's advice though, right?" she teased. He looked a bit embarassed. But she spoke again before he did.

"I do notice that you look different though. You're not wearing vests anymore, that's for sure. What'd you do? Lose a bet to Zack?"

"Actually, I just felt a need for change. A lot has been happening..." he said his heart sinking slightly. She looked curious, if not a bit concerned by the tone of his voice.

"Try me," she said simply. He looked taken aback.

"What?"

"Cody, you're not exactly one that's an expert at keeping things bottled up. Because I can see through the glass that's keeping your secrets inside," she said straightly. "So again, try me."

Cody hesitated but decided to tell her. They both sat down on a bench and Cody poured out everything.

He told Max about his breakup and what happened afterwards. His friends gave him advice on what to do. Zack thought he needed to get back out there, which explained all those comments. Back on the ship Cody had changed in a few ways. In the first few days Cody avoided his ex as much as possible while carrying around his depression on his sleeves. He slowly started to recover and tried multiple ways to kill away the stress in his heart. He became more active in sports and even indulged himself into 'Zack's' world, which included late nights, video games, junk food, and even checking out girls. Though he still felt that hole in his heart and decided to put on a false act of normality while keeping his thoughts to himself. When he finished Max looked sympathetic. That helped Cody just a bit.

"Wow. I've missed so much," Max said blowing out a breath. She smiled at something though. Cody raised his eyebrows.

"What are you smiling at?"

"You," she said, but this time she was smirking. "I never thought you would do all that to feel less depressed... I mean, sports? Video games? And eating all that junk food? Didn't you stop and think?"

"Well, I was only really thinking about the same thing over and over," Cody said.

"Fair point. Well... How about a game?" Max asked in a slightly challenging tone. Cody looked surprised. Max spoke again before he did.

"One round of basketball. Come on, it'll be fun. Honestly when you're depressed, it makes me depressed, so you owe me," she said raising her eyebrow questioning him if he was going to argue. Cody sighed before smiling.

"Okay. You win." She smiled mischievously.

"Oh, I will. You better hope practicing with your friends has helped you. You'll need all the help you can get..."

"I wouldn't be that confident. I'm not the same Cody you remember," he added smirking.

"We'll see," Max said. They walked to her house across the street on the east from the hotel to pick up a basketball and headed to the court a bit further out downward.

"Say your prayers, because this match is all mine," Max said smirkingly.

"All I need is physics and science to calculate my victory," Cody responded confidently. "How about you start with the ball?"

"Aw, you're so generous."

Max started out easy trying fake a move on Cody. Then she got serious and crossed over him making a 2-pointer.

"You can quit now," she said teasingly.

"Not yet," Cody said back.

Cody dribbled slowly to the basket with Max backing up as well. When he was close enough, he took a shot for a 3. Max watched the ball fly over and hit board. However, it dropped onto the inside of the rim and spun down.

"Not bad. But then, I had low expectations," Max said teasingly.

For the rest of the game, the points went back and forth. Max was surprised by Cody's new resourcefulness. He seemed to calculate the odds of every shot and made 90% of them. Cody had forgetten how good Max was and had to keep up to her speed and strategy. They decided to play 50 and Cody finished the game at 51 with a 3. It was 5:27 when they stopped with sun almost gone.

"We should head back," Max said. They started walking and for while they didn't say anything. Then Cody broke the silence.

"Hey, Max," Cody started. She stopped and looked at him.

"What, Cody?"

"Thanks, for- for being you," he stuttered a bit. She smiled suggestively.

"And what exactly am I?" she wondered innocently. He responded quite openly.

"A great friend, and more than that, a sweet, caring, strong girl that I'm glad I know..." Cody said sincerely.

Max was silent but inside she was touched and started wondering. But she said something else.

"Are you flirting with me?" She accused jokingly. Cody wanted to say something but said something else.

"Was I? But either way, I meant what I said. You're okay with that, right?" he asked sounding... hopeful?

Max continued playing with him. She as far as to hold his hand.

"You know, Cody, you could always just ask the girl out..." she suggestively. He almost blushed.

"Maybe... But I like to be elaborate," he played along. She laughed and Cody suddenly wondered why he never noticed how nice she looked or sounded when she did.

"I'm just messing with you. Come on let's go," she said. Cody followed thinking silently about what just happened recently.

I don't know if she was serious or just being a friend. He sighed inside. Well, I have nothing to lose. I should try at least...

They arrived at her house. It 2 stories high and painted with light blue. They walked up the steps and Max turned around to say goodbye.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Max," Cody said disappointedly. She caught this and decided to play with his emotions.

"Aww. Don't sound so disappointed... you're going to make me cry..." she teased. He smiled at what she was doing.

"You know you tease me an awful lot."

"Well, you're not saying anything about it. What could you possibly be hiding..." she asked wonderingly. He was mentally fighting his emotions inside. Again his emotions won over him.

"Max... could I sleep over?" he asked masking his nervousness. Max wasn't so surprised. Her statement was true that Cody couldn't really keep his emotions bottled up. She also wondered about her own emotions, and decided to indulge them.

"Why not? But if you don't mind me asking, why?" she asked innocently. Cody searched for and excuse and found one quick.

"Well, I'd deal with what Zack has to say tomorrow then today," Cody said honestly.

Not the answer I wanted, but I bet he's still trying to hold out. Oh well. We'll see where things go...

"Come on in. My parents are out for 3 weeks, so feel free to be at home. Enjoy it while it lasts..." she added smiling. Then she said, "Don't try anything..." she smirked.

Cody had to blush there.

"You're mistaking me for Zack. I'd never do that, especially to you..." he said. She turned away to hide her blush. She checked the clock. 6:49.

"Wash up. We'll eat and then talk," Max said.

"You're cooking?" Cody asked. Max smiled back.

"Who said I didn't?"

Cody smiled. "You impress me more by the second..."

Max rolled her eyes but inside she felt touched and kept smiling. Then Cody suddenly raised a hand to brush a stray hair on face back in place. She raised her eyebrows. He answered quickly.

"It covers your face. I'd rather be able to see it than hide it." She blushed lightly. Then she shoved him upstairs.

"Stop stalling. Do you want to eat or not?"

Cody complied without argument. This left Max alone in the kitchen taking out ingredients and turned on the stove. While she was doing she thought about Cody.

Great. First Zack now Cody. She smiled though. But I doubt Cody would screw things up.

Upstairs Cody was washing his hands and face while thinking about Max.

She's changed a bit. But I like her more than ever. Maybe we do have something more. One thing's for sure. He smiled to himself. I think I should ask her out.

There! The end of a long chapter. Please R & R. Constructive criticism accepted. No flamers.