A/N: Woo! I got this up before Christmas! (And because of that, I did not thoroughly edit this chapter, please excuse any mistakes) Also, I really appreciate the reviews I've gotten; it totally inspires me to write more! YAY! Enjoy...

Disclaimer: Refer to chapter 1

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Chapter 4: Can't be bothered doing chapter titles (lol) – this is the last chapter title

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It surprised London that backstage was just as smoky, if not smokier than the club itself, and not to mention more crowded than the dance floor. It was filled with females from questionable teens to middle-aged women.

Despite the squeeze, London pushed and pulled her way through the crowd – after receiving a few sneers for cutting in line, eventually she learned to tune it all out. Who knew those years of lining up in front of shops, hoping to get to the newest item first, would actually help her out later in life.

When she made it to the front she was greeted by a laminated piece of paper that read "Dressing Room: Zack Martin." It was all going to plan; she was going to lock herself in the instant he opened the door and talk to him about the accident.

Too bad, London's plans, as of late, rarely worked out. The moment the door was opened she was trampled by at least a dozen women rushing to see their star.

When she regained some sense of consciousness, London got up from the grimy floor and pushed through the swarm of girls towards Zack – again!

One metre away... it was where all the action was taking place – where the screams were louder and higher pitched...

Oh! Gasp! London thought as she finally saw Zack clearly, this boy NEVER changed!

In front of London stood Zack, hugging each and everyone one of his adoring fans. "Easy, girls," he said smugly, "there's plenty of Zack to go around!" And at that point, more girls hurried in and London was spit out to the back like a measly watermelon seed.

Fantastic! He's a hugger, she sarcastically thought, now I'm going to have to wait here until -... wait a minute! No I don't... I'm – Well, I'm London Tipton!

"MOVE," London pushed, "Move, move, move." London shoved the people around her, her chin up high and walking like she did in the past. "Outta my way, people, London Tipton coming through."

Somehow – unbelievably -London made it to the front. I can't believe that I just did that, London was so amazed at what she was able to do and felt nostalgic as she remembered her old life.

"London! Hey, it's you!" Zack's voice snapped her out of her day dream. "Excuse me girls, my old friend is here to visit me... come by tomorrow, remember there's plenty of Zack to go around!" Zack winked towards the crowd and the two security guards from the front herded the rest back to the dance floor. A few cries and insults were thrown, but it neither fazed nor intimidated Zack or London.

"You just couldn't resist me, couldn't you London," Zack smiled. London's eye brow went up and she stared at him.

"Ok, ok, I was just joking... so... what brings you here?" Zack raised his hands in defeat.

"Actually," London resumed, "I just wanted to ask you if you were ok... not hurt or anything... not going to sue?" She said this in a tiny voice.

"What! Ha! Sue? Very funny, London!" Zack walked off and slung his guitar case on his back. London followed him through to the back door exit.

"So are you suing... or not?" London said cautiously.

"Of course..." Zack paused in fake thought. London's mouth dropped and her skin turned pale. "Of course not! Ha, ha, ha, just as gullible as before! Man, I haven't laughed this much for a while..." Zack continued walking while laughing, London followed him closely.

"So... you're not going to sue, for sure?" London asked again, just to confirm she heard right.

"Sure, I'm sure! I mean, I can't afford to rent and I barely survive on my stingy salary. You think I have time to waste on getting a lawyer and going to court?" Zack laughed forcefully. Zack shook his head and tried to change the subject, "Why don't we have a drink and catch up, uh, I know a place..."

Zack took London through a zig zag of alleys, past bright lights and creepy stretches of road. They arrived at a quaint little bar. One which London would have never found.

It was a clean place but still had remnants of smell from the smokers who came by during the afternoon. Zack found a seat in the corner, which was close to the rest of the crowd but far enough so they could talk in private. Once they were seated Zack ordered the drinks.

"Just the usual, thanks, Matt," Zack called out. He turned his attention back to his old friend. "So how are you London?"

Zack asked her so casually; she was caught off guard and didn't know how to reply. She couldn't say "good", because she wasn't... but she wasn't "bad" either, or at least she thought. She was many things and she knew a simple answer would not even come close to describing her feelings. London opted for the simplest and most dull reply, "I'm ok," and she shrugged her shoulders and looked down.

Zack looked at her in pity, he thought either she's as dumb as before or she really has some problems. "Well, I haven't seen you since graduation," Zack tried to break the layer of ice growing between them, "and might I say, you haven't aged a day."

Same old Zack, employing his lady killer tactics, London thought. She smiled at him and said, "Well, I've definitely matured! Up here!" London pointed at her head, "I've gained quite a few smarticles!"

Suddenly an awkward silence grew between them. London didn't know what to say and Zack was too lost in thoughts about the past, ah, the good old sweet life on the SS Tipton...

The he stopped thinking and looked at London. "Hey, don't be shy around me... it's weird when you treat me so nicely. Where's the snobby London I know all too well?" He grabbed her hands, which caught London by surprise. "Hey... I know about the Tipton tumble and you lost all your money. Don't worry... We're friends – if you ever need any help... I'm here!" Zack let go of her hands and smiled at her.

"Gasp! When did you get so sensitive?" London smiled.

"They don't call me a lady's man for nothing," Zack laughed, "Now let's drink and get rid of all you're sorrows!"

5 minutes later...

They drank until they were tipsy... London and Zack rarely ever got drunk because they were usually the designated drivers, so one little shot caused them both to feel the effects of the alcohol.

The slightly stumbled out of the bar and slung each other's hands around each other's shoulders and began to walk.

"So Zack," London sang, "You haven't mentioned your family tonight, how are they? How are Carey and Cody?" She swayed her head to face him.

The smile wiped off of Zack's face... he let go of London and like a ghost, disappeared into the night.

London pouted and stood there for a minute, confused that Zack would leave just like that. She shook the thought out of her head, that's right, I can't look back to the past... to painful... it's late anyway, I should get back to Sheridan and Kate! Better Zack left now than later when I'd want him to stay...

London dizzily walked around the corner; she was lost of course but thought if she followed the sound of honking horns and police sirens, she would make it to the main road.

Just as London made it to the next corner, a big green bush was shoved into her face and she squealed.

She heard laughter coming from behind the bushed so she pushed the plant away. It shocked London to see Zack holding out lettuce he pulled off the ground, roots and all still attached.

"Flowers, for my lady?" Zack crooned. London was too happy to see him again, "Why thank-you kind gentleman." She curtsied and accepted the flowers. They both laughed but just as Zack was about to put his arm around her again London blocked it.

"Sorry Zack! I have to get going now," London forced herself to say, even though she desperately wanted to stay, "my friends are waiting."

London began walking while Zack stood there just looking at her back for about 30 seconds. Then he made a decision that would change his life – although he didn't know it just yet. He followed her.

London couldn't hear Zack behind so as she walked around in circles, Zack stalked behind her.

Zack was getting bored of following her after about 10 minutes, but he couldn't just leave his friend alone. He decided to let her know he was following her.

He started singing, "London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down..."

"Ahhhhhh" London screamed as she turned around, "Zack! What are you doing here?"

Zack simply continued, "London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady..."

London couldn't think of a Zack song so she poked out her tongue and said "Zackaroni Macaroni." She burst into a sprint and it seemed like her luck had turned because she found herself at same street she left Kate and Sheridan.

London took out her phone and dialled Sheridan, "Hey where are you guys? I'm here... Zack's ok and he's not going to sue! Yay us!"

In the background she could hear Kate, "Sheridan you didn't tell her!"

"Didn't tell me what?" London asked.

"Uh, Umm..," Sheridan mumbled, "there was a sort of university emergency... we realised we had an exam tomorrow.. so we kind of... left... Sorry, London, sorry!"

Tears started flowing from London's eyes. "It's ok, it's fine, you have to go, I'll find my way home," she sniffed. London ended the call and threw the phone in her bag. I could have come with them... if I was still in uni... The alcohol still in her system, she dropped on the floor and cried her heart out.

Not a moment too soon Zack appeared in front of London. "Need a hug?" He said as he stretched his arms open.

"Not from a serial hugger and self confessed lady's man, I don't," London cried. She felt bad that she said those words.

"Ah, see what we have here? My old London Tipton coming out..." Zack picked her up and hugged her tightly.

"See?" He let go of her when her crying softened, "Doesn't that feel better? Nothing's better than a big bear hug from a close friend!"

Zack grabbed London on the shoulders. "Hey, London, stop crying – shhhh - I know how you feel."

"How would you know?" London sniffed again.

"Umm... I just told you," Zack tilted her head, she is still that old London, "remember I'm dirt poor... ring any bells... can't afford lawyers, yada, yada, yada... you know I started college too, but I had to stop because of... well some problems. I do want to go back, but I can't right now... So I know how you feel."

"Wait a minute," London stepped back, "How do you know I'm not going to college?"

"It may surprise you," Zack stepped closer, "but I put my head next to yours while you were talking on the phone! Yep... that's right, my prankster ways have taught me well!" Zack crossed his arms in amusement.

London just stared at him like he was a weirdo. She started walking and Zack ran up next to her.

"You know, I still see some old London in you, but a lot of you has changed... a lot!" Zack said smiling.

"You too Zack," London said, her voice still croaky from crying, "You're kind of the same but different... and it's turning out to be a good thing." London perked up.

I really feel like I can be care-free around you, I haven't felt that in a while, London thought.

I feel like I'm back on the SS Tipton, you kind of feel like home, Zack said in his mind.

The Next day...

London woke up on the hard wooden floor of her apartment. Phew! I made it home safe, London thought. As she stretched she looked around.

"Huh?" She said out loud. She stood up to inspect an item that stood out in her empty house. She walked pass a mirror that was glued onto the wall... still wearing the same clothes from yesterday, Ewww, I've really let my sense of fashion go, she thought.

"Oh No! Zack's guitar case! I must have taken it home!" London sighed, "I'll have to give it back to him..." She smelled herself, "...After I have a shower!" London stepped into the bathroom.

Out of nowhere, Zack unrolled from the blanket which concealed his body. No one would have picked it up, he was wrapped up so well it looked just like a pile of sheets. He got up slightly baffled and looked around. Then he stood up and walked into another room to check the place out.

At the exact same moment, London stepped out of the bathroom and headed outside to grab any mail that Mr Moseby had picked up.

Zack wondered into the bathroom and seeing as it was empty, decided to wash up.

There wasn't much mail, mainly overdue bills and warnings. London sighed, she could already see herself slaving away the rest of her life, just to pay 1% of the debt Wilfred owed the banks.

As she entered the apartment, she heard singing from the bathroom. London's heart raced and her eyes were filled with panic.

Fight or flight? Fight or flight... What have I got to lose? Fight it is... London grabbed Zack's guitar and positioned herself so that she could smash the intruder when he came out.

The shower stopped and London gulped. It was all too cliché, the door knob was turning slowly and everything was eerily quiet.

As soon as Zack opened the door, London went for the smash...

But he was able to grab the case just in time.

"London," he smiled, "do you have any conditioner?"

"AAAAAaaaahhhHHHH!" London screamed...

A/N: Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas Everyone! Until next time...