(A/N) The ending of this chapter is somewhat intense. See note at the end.

Chapter 2: In This Farewell

"Hey Cody, pass it here!" Thirteen year old Zack Martin called to his twin brother. Sweat dripped down his face as Zack ran to stay slightly ahead of him. A second later, Cody flung the basketball into Zack's hands, shortly after which, Zack shot it at the basket.

SWISH! As if guided by a laser, the ball flew through the air on a precise track to the net and fell through the netting without ever touching the rim. Zack smiled as he and his brother ran back to half court.

"Nice shot," Cody said pounding his brother's fist.

"All in the wrist," Zack replied grinning.

The twins got down into a ready stance, but instead of dribbling out, their friend, Max picked up the ball and walked towards them. "You guys ready to call it a day?" she asked.

"Guess so," Cody replied, as he stood up and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "We play like this…that championship is in the bag."

"Yea," Zack said grinning, as he flung his hair out of his face. "And maybe your reputation will finally be outta the gutter." He laughed and went to high fived Max, but she just shook her head.

"Very funny," Cody replied rolling his eyes.

"Guess it was huh?" Zack said.

"Yea so's this," Cody responded as he flung the ball at Zack, hard. Zack flinched to protect himself, causing Max to roll her eyes again.

"Cut it out guys," she said dully. "Anyway, tomorrow's New Years, so practice again on Tuesday?"

"Sounds good," Zack said.

"All right," Cody added. "So Max, what are you doing for New Year's?"

"Dunno yet," she replied with a sigh.

"It's New Years Eve and you still don't know what you're doing?" Zack said. "Figures, typical girl." Max punched him in the arm. "Oww, what was that for?" Zack finished, massaging his arm.

"Hey I got an idea," Cody said. "How about you come over and watch the ball drop?"

"Nah," Max said. "Besides Tapeworm's going to Times Square. He said that his parents had an extra ticket so I think I'll do that."

"Really?" Zack said, somewhat disappointed.

"Yea," Max replied as she walked over and picked up her bag. The twins followed her over and gathered their stuff as well. "See ya guys next year," she joked before heading outside.

"See ya," the twins chorused.

Cody was about to finish packing his things along with the ball when Zack stopped him. "One more round of one on one?" Zack asked.

"Sure," Cody agreed as he passed Zack the ball.

After they got back to their home, the Tipton Hotel, the twins took a shower and changed, before helping their mother, Carey finish with getting ready for New Years. After a while there was a knock at the door. Zack walked over to answer it. Standing on the other side of the door way was a somewhat tall man with short black hair and an earring. He wore a black leather jacket, black t-shirt and jeans.

"DAD!" The twins yelled as they ran over. Each leapt into his arms.

"Boys!"

"Hey Kurt," Carey said walking over. "See your flight got in ok."

"Yep," Kurt replied. "Nice and smooth…just the way I like em." He winked at Zack and Cody who laughed.

"Ahem," Carey said, raising her eyebrow.

"Um, you know," Kurt said stuttering and trying force a smile. "No turbulence. Got in ontime."

"That's good," Carey said, her eyebrow still raised. "Then you're on time to help me cook dinner."

"NO!" The twins yelled.

"How about a pizza and wings?" Kurt suggested. "They got this last minute special at Joe's Wings, 10pm-12 party sized pizza and 50 wings for ten bucks."

"THAT WORKS!" The twins yelled again in unison.

"We'll go pick it up!" Zack said with pleading eyes.

"I don't know-" Carey began.

"Come on mom," Zack continued. "We're thirteen now! Stop treating us like kids!"

"Man's got a point," Kurt added, getting another look from Carey.

"Besides mom, it's only like one or two blocks away," Cody reasoned. "You can see us from the window the whole time."

"Um…" Carey said.

"PLEASE!" The twins and Kurt said in unison. After that there was a silence that seemed to last forever.

"Fine," Carey said finally. "But call me when you get there."

"Yes!" Zack said, pulling his arms back.

Cody smiled. "Don't worry."

Carey picked up the phone to order, while Kurt helped put out bowls of chips and pretzels. Over the course of the next few hours, the twins covered the suite with New Year's decorations. The Martins' guests also arrived every few minutes, who included, Maddie, the hotel's candy counter girl, London, Mr. Tipton's daughter, and Mr. Moseby, the hotel manager. Arwin, the hotel maintenance man, also stopped by.

"This is the best show they've ever had!" Zack said as he and his brother watched the concert the station always played as part of their New Years show, which went all night, right up to the ball drop.

"Zack, Cody!" Carey called over the TV.

"What mom?" Cody asked with a sigh.

"What is it?" Zack added without looking up.

"Well, excuse me, little men," Carey said. "But it's time to go pick up the food." She pulled a twenty out of her pocket, Zack's eyes glistened at the sight of the money, so she handed it to Cody. "Pick up some more Pepsi and Sierra Mist also, we're almost out."

"Ok," Cody said as he and Zack put on their jackets and hats.

Carey walked over and kissed each on the head.

"MOM!" The twins protested, pushing her away.

"Ok ok," Carey said sighing. "Hurry back. Love you."

"Love you!" The twins repeated in unison before closing the door behind them.

"Can you believe it?" Zack asked Cody as he hit the elevator call button.

"What?" Cody asked. The elevator doors opened and the twins walked in.

"She still thinks we're like five or something," Zack said, rolling his eyes. Suddenly something caused his nose to wrinkle.

"Only cause she cares," Cody responded rolling his eyes. He blinked. "Zack? You smell that?" He asked.

"Whoever smelt it dealt it," Zack replied, chuckling.

Cody rolled his eyes before making a face of confusion. "Not that! What is that…I know what that smell is I can't put my finger on it…"

"Maybe-" Zack began but the elevator bell cut him off, causing him to lose his train of thought. "Hey race ya there," he continued before bolting for the door, Cody close on his heels. "Excuse us!" Zack yelled again, nearly bumping into a guests.

The twins exited the hotel and turned down the street towards the pizza shop. After two steps, Cody stopped. "ZACK! Wait! I know what that smell was!" He yelled, there was a tone of fear in his voice.

Zack stopped and turned around. "What?"

"It was…" Cody began.

Suddenly there was a massive explosion. Before Zack, Cody, or anyone in the area knew what hit them, a powerful blast of hot air knocked them to the ground. Each screamed as they flew off their feet and landed flat on their back.

Time seemed to slow down. Cody groaned, as he opened one eye back up. A second later, he wished he hadn't. The Tipton, his home, was a blazing ball of intense flames. Cody's eyes continued to take in the horrible picture. Black smoke and large orange flames poured out the windows and seemed to merge with the hotel's walls. Suddenly a second explosion rocked the hotel, splitting it in two, and blasting Cody, his brother, and everyone nearby with another wave of hot air. Cody screamed as it happened.

Through his own voice, Cody could also hear other people screaming.

"SOMEONE CALL 9-1-1!"

"GET THESE PEOPLE OUT OF HERE!"

Sirens blared in the distance.

"No…" Cody mouthed, as someone pulled him back. Then he found his voice. "NOO! MY MOM AND DAD ARE IN THERE!" He tried to jerk himself away, but it was useless. The more he fought, the further he was pulled away. "NO!" Cody yelled. "YOU DON'T GET IT! MY PARENTS ARE IN THERE! WE HAVE TO SAVE THEM! NO! STOP! MOMMY! DADDY!"

"GET HIM BACK!"

Sounds blurred, screams, sirens, people crying, everything. It all seemed to blur together into one long drone. Everything moved in slow motion. Cody watched in horror as what was left of the building became little more than a huge orange and yellow tower, capped by endless black smoke that eventually blended with the night sky. Dust and debris clouded the area further.

"MOMMY!" DADDY!" Cody yelled. He glanced over to his right, and saw Zack, also being pulled away from the scene. Zack was also fighting to get back to the building, but like Cody, his effort was also futile. Cody's eyes began to glisten as tears flowed freely. "MOMMY! DADDY! MOMMY!" DADDY!" He yelled and fought until his voice and energy were gone.

Too tired to open his eyes or fight any longer, Cody felt himself suddenly get hit by a rush of cool air. Also somewhere in the background he could hear music. Since it was barely audible the lyrics were hard for him to make out.

I'll face myself,
To cross out what I've become
Erase myself
And let go of what I've done

The sound continued to reach his ears until finally he lost consciousness and sank into darkness.

Please Read and Review.

(A/N) As the characters find out in the next chapter (I figured I should note this) the cause of the explosion is a gas leak. A chain reaction causes the second. Also I tried to keep the graphic details toned down, however if this still too intense (the story is T rated for this reason and for some later events) and I'll send you an "overview" of what happens without the details. A final note, the ending of this chapter is COMPLETELY UNRELATED to 9/11. Anyway, look for the next chapter soon and again please review.