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Note: Written to "2-1" by Imogen Heap. Thanks to all readers and reviewers.

Things are not always, things are not always how they seem

-Imogen Heap

She knew she should not have gotten up that day. Really. There had been signs.

First -London smashed her Cock-a-Doodle-Do Clock with a diamond the size of her fist… it had been really scary. London gave this little evil laugh as she decimated poor Mr. Chicken. Of course, London claimed that she had been provoked, that Mr. Chicken had it coming…ever since that girl got back from her emergency hair treatment she's been in this terrible mood.

Second- She couldn't find her favorite socks- the ones with the wheelbarrows and kittens on them. Again, she suspected London's involvement….not that the heiress would ever admit to anything.

And now…now this.

"Cody," she said, opening the door to her room.

"Hi Bailey…can...can we talk?"

Well. Here he was.

On the Sky Deck. Alone.

Again.

Really, this was starting to be a nightly ritual. Just him and stars… It wasn't that bad, actually.

It was a cloudless warm night. A breeze gently danced across his skin, making the hairs on his arms stand up. The bright glimmers of the stars blinked in and out, there distance from him seeming small…like he could grasp one if he jumped…diamonds just for the taking. A full moon glowed bright, valiantly fighting off the dark.

But somehow… the moon… seemed lonely tonight. Even surrounded by all those stars.

He didn't know why.

"Hey," a voice behind him said quietly.

…He knew that voice, cursed it, dreamed of it… loved it.

"I didn't think I'd live to see the day you sneaked out after curfew Miss Pickett", he said lightly, not bothering to turn around, still gazing upwards toward the sky.

"Yeah, well. Never say never," she said in the same light tone he had used.

"So. To what do we owe the pleasure of your appearance tonight? Having trouble sleeping? I can conjure up some hot chocolate for us from the kitche-" he was cut off.

"Zack. Look at me, please," Bailey ordered softly.

He turned.

"What? Is there…anything wrong?" he questioned, finally looking at her in the eye.

"No, ah ,yes..I…maybe," Bailey stuttered out, eyebrows furrowed and eyes filled with some emotion Zack could not place.

He immediately tensed. He knew Bailey- had memorized all of her expressions, suspected he knew her better than she knew herself. But he did not know this look haunting her eyes. And it scared him.

"..Bailey? " he questioned softly, moving towards her slightly, worry evident in his voice.

"Codytalkedtometonight," Bailey burst out, her words melding together in a rush. She let out a sigh, like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"Oh?" Zack said neutrally, raising his eyebrows in careful surprise.

"Yes. He… asked me a question," she paused again, breaking eye contact with him and glancing down at the floor. She appeared to be… mentally preparing for something?... Zack recognized this expression, and felt tension in his body leave as he identified the emotion. Good. He still knew her.

"I was hoping you could help me answer the question," she whispered, looking up and locking her eyes with his.

She took a step towards him, slowly and deliberately

"uh, sure..I'd be happy to…help" Zack said, growing nervous.

… There was that look in her eyes again. The one that he didn't know. And a strange tension hummed in the air around them, making his heart beat a little faster, and the rush of adrenaline pump through his veins… For some reason a mental image of a female lioness stalking her prey flashed in his head and he had to suppress the urge to move away from her.

She took another step.

What is she doing? Did Cody not apologize the right way and she seeks revenge on all males? What…

She took another step.

Why..why …was he scared?

And then she was inches from him. He could feel her hot breath against his skin, smell the strawberry shampoo she used and she still had that look in her eyes. He could feel himself stiffening, and a slight tremble ripped through his body.

He couldn't move. He felt trapped… trapped by her and her glowing eyes and strawberry sent and shinny hair and…

..She hugged him. Snaking her arms around his back, she molded herself to him, pressing her face into his chest. Sighing slightly, she moved her face against the fabric of his shirt, like a cat.

... and did she just smell him?

He still hadn't moved, his arms lying like weights at his sides. Against his commands, his arms slowly moved on their own, lightly wrapping around her. He felt strangely lightheaded, watching as if from a third perspective as his hands started drawing patterns on her back.

She made a small noise (was she purring?) and somehow seemed to melt even more into him.

And still moving treacherously against his will, his fingers caught a strand of her hair, twisting and sliding it playfully against his skin…so soft… like silk, always thought it thought it would be like silk…

"…Zack…" the angel murmured into his chest. He looked down at her, dimly realizing that her lips were lifted upwards in a soft smile.

She looked up at him. And what he saw reflected in her brown eyes shocked him, filled his veins with ice and a cold dead broke over him.

Love.

Jumping back from her, he almost ran backwards behind what he vaguely realized was the towel station counter.

"..Bailey?" he gasped, eyes frozen in shock and a terrible, terrible cold seemed to grip his heart.

"Zack! I..I…" Bailey looked small suddenly, hugging her arms around herself in a defensive gesture.

Zack shook his head, trying to fight down the urge to throw up.

No. Nononono. That was not love in her eyes… not in the eyes of his brother's women. This wasn't happening. This was a nightmare and he was going to wake up…

He slapped himself across the cheek, tying to wake himself.

"Zack. You're not dreaming," the brunette said sternly. She looked annoyed. Taking a breath in to steady herself, she strode over to the towel counter.

Zack tensed.

"Relax Zack. I'm not going to jump you. I just needed an answer to the question Cody asked me…which I got…" Bailey said softly.

" And what question was that?" Zack yelled, confused and shocked.

"Cody…Cody asked me if I… liked…you," she said, biting her lips nervously.

"He asked WHAT?" the blonde said, eyes wide in disbelief.

"And… I guess I have my answer…" Bailey paused, her gaze trailing over him until her bright brown eyes caught his.

"My answer is yes...I. Like. You. Zack. Martin. " she said softly, her words echoing through the night air.

Du-Du-Duuuu! Didn't see this one coming, huh? What do you think happened in that conversation between Cody and Bailey? Reviewers receive hugs and cyber snowflake sugar cookies.