(A\N: Hello all! I hope you guys haven't forgotten about me. As always, I apologize about the wait. Now that I'm done with the other story I was working on I should be getting the last few chapters for this one out much sooner. Anyway, I really hope you like this chapter. Please review, thanks. ~Ellivia22~)

Discovering Love

Chapter 10 Zack's Letter

Bailey

I open the door to Zack's hospital room, preparing myself to see the frightening sight once more. It was so horrible last night seeing Zack lying there, motionless. Cody nearly passed out seeing his brother like that. I don't blame him. Today I'm going to force myself to remain strong. I have to be there for Cody and his mom no matter what.

Instead of seeing Cody and his mom by Zack's bedside, I only see London. She's sitting beside his unconscious form. By the look on her face as she meets my gaze I can tell that she's not happy to see me. I swallow the lump in my throat. I hope that I didn't interrupt anything. Our relationship is strained enough at the moment.

After a moment, I find my voice. "How is he," I ask nervously.

"Still unconscious," London says shortly. "Cody and Carey are in the cafeteria if you're looking for them."

I wince at her cold tone. She has every right to be angry with me, but I want the chance to apologize, the chance to make things right. Since I already ruined whatever moment that might have occurred, I figure it's worth a shot.

I give her a pleading look. "London, can we please talk? I know you're still really angry, but I would like the opportunity to apologize and explain to you why I did what I did. Please?"

London stares at me for a long minute. Then after giving Zack a small kiss on the cheek, she stands and grabs me by the arm. She pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. She folds her arms, her eyes glancing at Zack, whom we can see through the window. "I'm listening," she says finally.

"Okay, here it goes," I avoid looking at her. "This entire mess is all my fault. I never meant for any of this to happen. Most importantly, I didn't mean to betray you or hurt you in any way."

"Then why did you lie to me?"

My eyes train fixedly on the ground. "Because I could see how the entire conflict between you and Zack was taking its toll on the both of you. I had never seen either of you this upset. Cody and I had both been through a heartbreak and we didn't want you guys to go through it too. We wanted to help you and Zack work it out."

I could feel London's glare on me. "But you know how much Zack had hurt me. You know what he did to me. Why would you try to make me forgive someone who has hurt me so much?"

"I know you think Zack betrayed you, but he didn't. I talked to him and he told me the truth: he and Maya are just friends. She helped him realize that he's in love with you instead, and he kissed her cheek in gratitude. I was skeptical at first, but once I saw the way his face lights up when he talks about you, I believe him. Besides, you should've seen how upset he was when you turned him away last week. According to Cody, Zack refused to leave his room for a while."

I take a deep breath, then continue. "Cody and I knew we had to do something to make things better. You two are our best friends and we wanted to help. We felt that if you two just talked everything would work out, so we set up the blind date. I had to lie to you, because if I told you it was Zack, I knew you wouldn't go. So I alerted the press in an attempt to keep you from fleeing. But you surprised me by doing it anyway. It's my fault you got hurt, and it's my fault Zack is in the hospital. I'm so sorry, London. Please forgive me."

I finally meet her gaze. She's still staring at me, but the hardness in her brown eyes have softened a little. "I'll think about it."

I give her a weak smile. It's better than nothing. "Thank you. I'm going to find Cody." I feel my face heat up slightly. "I wasn't kidding when I said that I wanted to work things out with him. I want that more than anything in the world. I think I'll go tell him that." I reach into my purse and pull out a piece of paper, then hand it to London. "This was found inside Zack's pocket after the accident. It's addressed to you."

I turn and make my way to the cafeteria, leaving London alone in the hallway. I quicken my pace. I can't wait to see Cody again. It may sound stupid, but I missed him, even though it's only been 12 hours since I've seen him. As the elevator brings me to the first level I am determined to tell Cody that I still love him and at the same time, buy London some more alone time with Zack.

London

I heave a deep sigh as I sit beside Zack once more. Fortunately and unfortunately there has been no change in his condition. I stroke his unmoving face briefly, then take his warm hand into my own. In my other hand is the letter Bailey just gave me. For a while, all I can do is stare at it.

I have always known Zack to be more sensitive than he cares to show, but I never thought he'd be a letter writing type. My heart pounds hard against my chest. This letter could either mend my broken heart or continue to bruise it. I know that if I don't read it, I will always wonder what it says. My hand trembling, I open the letter and begin to read.

Dear London,

If you are reading this right now I can only assume that Cody and Bailey's plan has failed and I didn't get the chance to say what I need to say. I know this doesn't seem at all like me and I know you don't want to listen. You think I betrayed you, but I beg of you to please hear me out.

I don't blame you for not trusting me. I have been a selfish player ever since you known me. You have no idea how much I regret my past actions. You have no idea how much it kills me because I've hurt you so much. All I want to do now is make up for everything I've done and let you know how I really feel.

I wasn't lying to you when I told you that I loved you. The truth is, you're all I've been able to think about ever since you kissed me all those weeks ago. It was just denial at first, but when I was finally having dinner with Maya, she helped me open my eyes. I promise you, the kiss you saw was my gratitude to Maya for helping me realize my feelings. You're the one I'm madly in love with, London, and I think I always have been.

I love everything about you. I love how you are so sweet and caring, even though you hardly ever show it. I love the way your brown eyes twinkle whenever you talk about fashion or hairstyles. Best of all, I love the way you make me feel whenever you are close to me. You are my entire world and I would do anything for you.

I understand if you don't feel that way anymore. All I ask is for you to consider forgiving me and be my friend again. I don't think I can stand not talking to you again.

I love you!

Zack

The letter slips from my hand and onto the floor, but I barely notice. The words in the letter ring in my ears just as loud as my pounding heart.

I'm in love with you, London, and I think I always have been

Finally I feel all the anguish I had been feeling for a while dissolve. For the first time in weeks I smile, the biggest smile I've ever had. Zack loves me, he truly loves me. "I can't believe it," I whisper to myself.

"Believe it. I meant every word."

"Zack!" I get out of my chair so fast, the chair slides back to the wall of the hospital. Zack is staring at me with his deep blue eyes, an almost dreamy smile on his face. I squeeze his hand to reassure myself that this is real. He squeezes back. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit with a truck," he says honestly.

"Well, it wasn't a truck but a blue car." I smile at him tenderly. "Thank you for saving my life."

Zack reaches up and strokes my face. That simple touch makes me tingle all over. "I love you, London. I'd do anything for you."

A tear falls down my cheek. This time, it's a happy one. "Y-you love me," I repeat without a hint of suspicion. I lean closer until my face is barely inches from his.

His expression changes. He looks completely serious-the most serious expression I've ever seen him wear. "With all my heart."

"I love you, too."

Our lips meet in our first real kiss. Zack lips are warm and taste perfect. I kiss him hungrily and he responds enthusiastically. I feel his hands run through my dark hair as I clutch onto the fabric of his hospital shirt. When air becomes a necessity, we pull away.

Zack grins at me and I let a giggle escape. I lean in to kiss him again. For once I feel true happiness. Now that I finally have the man of my dreams, I might be able to forgive Cody and Bailey after all.

Thanks for reading. Please review :)