Here you guys go, after a decent amount of waiting. Nice and long again. Enjoy.

"There they are!" Zack called out, his face breaking into a huge smile as he saw two women walking through the doors of Logan Airport.

"LONDON!"

London barely had time to register as mob of people rushed towards her. She grabbed her suitcase, brushed her long and currently curly locks to the side, and ran towards the swarm, smiling. "Hi everybody!"

They all surrounded her before she even knew who was there. "Guys, guys, one at a time, you're killing her!" Zack said, laughing.

"Zack!" squealed Amy, as she pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.

"Wow, I can't believe all of you wanted to come pick us up from the airport." London said, looking around at the massive group of people. Moseby, Queen Tut, or should she say Mrs. Moseby, Carey, Cody, Bailey, Woody, Addison, and Maddie. London suddenly had this warm, fuzzy feeling in her stomach. They all care about me, she thought.

"Are you kidding me?" Zack said, as he escaped Amy's hug. "I had to rent a frickin' van! And I had to say no to letting a bunch of other people from the hotel come because there would be no room for you or your mom."

"Was everything fine?" Moseby asked nervously, looking around London. "With your mothe- I mean, moving, and the flight, and all?" Clearly, he had been worried about London, and about her living under Amy's care, though he didn't want to seem like he was butting in.

"I was fine." London said quickly, before her mother could hear. "Trust me."

"You're back with your girls!" Bailey said excitedly.

"Promise me you'll never say that again." London said, though she was smiling.

"Don't forget about your boys. We'll take those." Cody said, as he grabbed Amy's suitcases. "Woody, you take London's."

"But…" Woody complained.

"Woody, stop being a doofus and take her bags!"

"Hurtful."

Carey gave London a hug. "It's so nice to have you back London."

"Thanks, Carey." London said, smiling at her.

"Carey, I have some stuff for you from Paris!" Amy said. They both rushed off towards the van.

"Well, girlies," Maddie said to Addison and Bailey, "We better get in the car."

"You're right. I do not want to get stuck sitting next to Woody and his gas attacks again." Said Bailey.

"In his defense, the road food we got was bound to cause it. In fact, even I felt a little bit on the queasy side, even though I didn't have the same thing, which may or may not have been better…" Maddie and Bailey grabbed Addison and headed towards the van.

London found herself just giggling at the overall scene. The whole gang kind of did that to you, no matter whom you were. She turned towards Zack. "Are you coming?"

He loudly cleared his throat. "I think you're forgetting something."

London's eyes opened wide. "Oh no! Did I forget my stuff on the plane? Or did I forget that there was a test or something like that?"

Zack laughed. "No, London, I think you forgot to hug somebody."

London flew into his arms. She snuggled her face against his chest. "I feel like I just belong here." She looked up at him. "In Boston, I mean."

"You do." He pulled her in tighter. "Welcome home, London."

X

"Stop numero dos, la casa de Moseby." Zack said, as he slowed the van in front of a nice apartment building. They had already dropped Maddie off at her place.

"Alrighty, I'm going to get dinner started." Emma said, getting out of the car.

"Yes!" said Woody, as he got out.

"Why are Woody and Addison leaving?" London asked Zack.

"Oh, they're staying with Moseby." Zack whispered. "They're a little low on funds right now, and he didn't want them giving their money to, umm… Mister… Tipton." It was no secret that Moseby hated Tipton now, after everything he had done, from ruining the graduation ceremony to disowning London. However, it was still awkward for Zack to tell London about it.

London nodded her head sadly. "But everybody else is still at the hotel!" Zack quickly added.

London's eyes grew wide. "But where am I staying?"

"Right there." Zack assured. "Your mom was fine with staying in a hotel room there for a while. That's what Cody and Bailey are doing. And Esteban is totally cool about stuff like this."

"But I can't." London said, her bottom lip quivering. "Daddy said…"

"Hey, hey, hey! If that bastard even tries to kick you out, he'll have to go through me." Zack said firmly. "We're here."

Everyone got out at the hotel, and headed towards the elevators.

"Does anyone want to come to our room and have a late night snack?" Carey asked.

"No thanks, Mom. It's already way past my self-prescribed bedtime." Said Cody.

"But thank you for asking." Said Bailey.

"Amy, London?" Carey turned towards them.

London turned towards her mother. "Mom, you wanna?" She noticed Amy was staring at Zack with a strange expression. "Mommy!"

Amy shook her head. "What? Oh, yes, of course Carey. We'd love to."

They all got off on the twenty-third floor. Cody and Bailey headed down the opposite hallway, and the rest of the group went into the Martins' suite.

"Well, do you want me to whip you up a treat?" Carey said.

"Err…" said London, remembering Carey's cooking. "How about we just have hot chocolate?"

"Good call." Zack whispered in her ear. They both giggled quietly.

They went in and Carey quickly made the mugs of hot chocolate. "I don't want to seem like an awful host but I'm actually exhausted."

"Mom, just go to bed. I'll take over as host." Zack gave her a cheeky smile.

Carey groaned. "I'd rather you didn't. Anyway, the couch is my bed."

"Oh no Carey," London said, as she began drinking her hot chocolate quickly, "We'll get out of here. Right, mom?"

"Right." Amy nodded, "And perhaps Zack would like to show us to our room?"

Zack smiled and shrugged. "Sure."

As they walked down the hallway, Zack and London fell in step together as Amy slowed down to watch them from behind.

"We should go shopping tomorrow." Zack said absent-mindedly.

"You want to go shopping?" London said. She sounded confused but her eyes lit up.

"No. I want you to go shopping. And this probably means I will end up going as well."

She poked him playfully in the stomach. "You are correct."

They both laughed. "Ok, this is your room." They all plopped the bags on the ground.

"Mommy, which one has my night stuff?" Amy pointed at one of the bags, and London opened it up, and grabbed some things like pajamas and a toothbrush.

"Alright, night London." Zack said.

London hugged him and then kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, Zack." She collected her things and walked into the bathroom.

"Night, Ms. T." Zack said. He noticed his voice squeaked a little. He could only blame London.

"Wait, Zack." Ms. Tipton said, as they heard the shower turn on. "I want to talk to you."

"What about?" He asked, confused.

"This is the first time in a while that I've seen London so happy. You really seem to care about her. But London really was at her happiest when she was married. I want to see London be with a man again, be loved again. That's where you come in."

Zack's mouth dropped open. "You mean… you want me… and London… to be… like… together?" He exclaimed.

"No! Of course not!" Amy shook her head. "What kind of mother would want their daughter to end up with a guy like you? No job, no wealth, a player, irresponsible, childish."

"Yeah." Zack said. He was relieved she didn't want him wooing London, but he couldn't pretend those comments didn't sting a little. But they were all completely true.

"I want London to be with someone in her old league. Someone wealthy, smart, and talented. And preferably famous, so she can fit right back in with her old celebrity status. It's just, you know London so well, and you really care about her. Plus, I know you have had access to all sorts of people around the world. I want you to help me find a boy like that for London. What do you say?"

"Gosh, Ms. T., I'm not really known for being the best matchmaker." Zack said awkwardly. He had ruined more than a few potential romances for his friends over the years.

"Oh, please Zack!" Amy fluttered her eyes at him. "London would be SO happy."

Zack sighed. "Yeah, she probably would be. But where am I going to find a rich smart talented famous guy who's nice and would be nuts about London?"

X

"Marcus, thanks for driving up here so quickly."

Marcus smiled at Zack. "Man, if I can't be there when a friend needs me, then what does that say about me? And, umm, I believe you said you had a surprise for me."

Marcus Little had stayed in New York long after Retainer Baby the Musical was taken off Broadway. His Broadway career had really taken off, and he had starred in multiple roles. There had been several rumors about a movie deal swirling around, and he had begun independently releasing some singles, which were all reasonable successes. Needless to say, Lil' Little was back on top.

He was perfect. Okay, maybe not perfect, but under the circumstances, he was exactly whom Zack had needed to find. Marcus was very rich and successful, and he was still friends with many celebrities. He was a lot more mature and grounded than Zack, and, best of all, he was crazy about London.

Marcus had never given up on his crazy fantasy that he could end up with London. In fact, the topic was one that Zack had tried so hard to avoid every time they had hung out since high school. He wasn't sure why, but ever since Marcus had confidently stated that he loved London way back then, the thought of them actually getting together just irked Zack. He wasn't sure why. It still bothered him. However, Marcus was totally right for London, according to her mother's specifications.

"Oh, yeah, your surprise. Well, it's right in the lobby, waiting for you."

Marcus smiled widely. "Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let's go downstairs!" The elevator loudly dinged, and they walked in, leaving Marcus' floor. "I'm really excited. I mean, seeing the whole gang again was awesome, but I knew my ol' roomie would have something special for me!"

Zack chuckled nervously. "Yeah. Just remember, I called you here for a favor." The doors opened to the lobby. "Ok, ready for your surprise."

"I've been ready for like, hours, Zack." Marcus heard a familiar voice say. A gorgeous girl wearing a tortoiseshell dress with red high heels and a matching red ribbon in her silky straight black ponytail skipped over to Zack. She didn't seem to notice Marcus as she searched around Zack. "Where is it? What is it?"

Zack was laughing. "Down, girl. This is your surprise." He grasped London's shoulders and turned her towards Marcus. "London, Marcus. Marcus, London."

The goofy, excitable attitude London had when she thought she was just hanging with Zack went away. "Hey… Marcus." She chuckled awkwardly. "Long time no see."

Oh no, Zack had been afraid of this. London was putting her walls up again. He turned towards Marcus, who seemed ecstatic.

"London! I can't believe it. It's been so long. You look even prettier than you did in high school." He said.

"Well, I, umm, thank you." She fiddled her thumbs together. She suddenly noticed Amy coming into the lobby. "Oh, Marcus, this is my mother." She said, desperate for something to talk about.

"How do you do?" Marcus said.

"Why, hello." She replied. "And you are?"

"I'm one of London and Zack's old friends, Marcus Little."

She smiled at him. "What do you do Marcus?"

Marcus put on a cocky smile, as he bopped his head around a little. "Oh, I'm a musician. You might have heard of my younger alter ego self, Lil' Little. I also have several singles out, and I'm a lead actor on Broadway. Not to mention several potential movie deals."

Amy seemed intrigued. She gently pulled Zack to the side. "Is this the boy you picked for London?"

"Yes." He said quietly. "We're all friends, he's a great guy, super rich, celebrity connections, and he's had a crush on London since he was sixteen."

"He sounds perfect!" She said.

"Yeah," said Zack. "Now I just need to tell Marcus about it."

He turned back towards Marcus and London. She was fiddling through her purse, trying to keep her face away from him, while he was gazing at her.

"London, darling, let's go." Amy said.

"But Zack and I…" She turned back towards him.

Zack smiled. "No worries, London. We'll hang out later."

Marcus popped his head up. "Yeah, we'll all hang out."

"Great." London said awkwardly, as she turned around to leave Zack and Marcus alone together in the lobby.

As soon as she was gone, Marcus swiveled around towards Zack. "Dude, if I didn't know any better, I would be thinking that you've been trying to move in on my lady while I was in New York."

Zack bit his tongue to keep back all the snarky comments he had inside about London never liking Marcus. Because getting London to like Marcus was his entire goal here! "Well, obviously, you don't know any better. London and I are JUST FRIENDS. That's all we've ever been and that's all we'll ever be. Remember how I said I called you here for a favor?" Zack grimaced. "I… want… you… to… end up with London."

Marcus smiled huge. "For real? I never thought you would."

Zack was pretty sure his eye was twitching. "Y…yes, well, now I do. London's mom and I think she needs a loving boyfriend again. I really want her to be happy."

"Zack, if you care so much about London, why aren't you filling that role?"

Zack rolled his eyes. "London could never go for a guy like me. I've already told you, she's really picky about the guys she dates. I want London to be with a guy who's a rich successful somebody, not a poor player immature nobody. And we're JUST FRIENDS."

"Well, I'm London's friend." Marcus countered.

"Yes, but you've always had a creepy unfriendly crush on her." Zack said, brushing Marcus' point to the side. "Dude, I know you're dying to go out with London. This plan will work out perfectly. But, you have to make sure to never tell London any of this ever."

"Sure. So now what?"

Just then, the Zack's phone rang. "It's London." He said. "Answer it."

"Me?" said Marcus. "Why? It's your phone!"

"Just answer, and ask her out."

Marcus put the phone up to his ear. "Hey, Zack!" He heard London say. "Sorry about my mom ruining today. Why don't we go out to lunch tomorrow?"

"Actually, it's Marcus, London." He said nervously. "I… would like to go to lunch tomorrow. With you."

"Oh. Okay. I guess I'll see you and Zack tomorrow then."

"Wait, London, I meant just me and…" But it was too late; she had already hung up.

"So?" Zack tilted his head at his friend.

"She wants to go to lunch with me AND you." Marcus wailed.

Zack shrugged. "Not a problem, buddy. I'll fix it."

X

London stood outside the Tipton, in the sunshine. She peeked her head back into the hotel, then down both sides of the road. Where were the guys? Suddenly, she saw an extremely posh silver convertible sports car pull up in front of the hotel. Wow. London had normally used limos or private jets when she was rich, but that didn't mean she couldn't appreciate an expensive car.

The car's window opened, and inside was none other than Marcus Little. "Hey, girl."

"Marcus? Cool car." She said.

"Yeah, I'm renting it while I'm here. Ready to go to lunch?" He said.

"Ok!" She eagerly got in the car. "Wow, it's so cool! Does it come in pink? Or sparkly?"

Marcus laughed. "It does if you want it to."

"Well, now we just need Zack." But right as she said those words, she noticed the car was moving.

"London, I forgot to tell you, Zack couldn't make it. He has some work to do." Marcus said.

London stared at him in dismay. "What? What work could Zack possibly have to do?"

Marcus shrugged. "I don't know. I think he's writing or something."

London slid down in her seat. "Oh."

They drove for a few minutes in silence. Trying to break it, Marcus said, "Where do you want to go to eat? Last time my tour bus stopped in Boston, we went to the best fish place."

"Umm, I'm not really in the mood for fish." She said quietly.

"Well, then, where do you want to go?" He said, turning to her.

"Actually, I just remembered, Mommy said she was making something special for me for lunch today, so would you mind just taking me back to the hotel?" London asked.

"Oh. Okay, London. Whatever you want." Marcus said, sounding kind of down.

The car stopped in front of the hotel. "Thanks Marcus." London said as she got out of the car. She rocked back and forth on her flats, not knowing what else to say. "Uh, bye." She said very quickly, as she ran inside.

Marcus groaned to himself. Man, he thought. Zack's not gonna be happy.

X

"I am not pleased with your work, Marcus." Zack said, glowering over Marcus, who was sitting on his sofa. "You've been here for a whole week already, and you haven't made any progress at all!"

"Hey!" Marcus said. "It isn't so easy."

"What? I would have made twice as much progress as you!"

Marcus sneered at him. "Is progress with girls code for sleeping with them in your book?"

Zack glared at him. Ok, yeah, so Zack had been with a couple, or more than a couple, girls. But he didn't have to turn that into an insult. The thought of Marcus getting to that level with London was laughable, revolting, yet, needed, if this was going to go anywhere. The thought made Zack sick. Whatever, that was a bridge he'd cross when he got there! "You've only managed to get London out twice, and both times she cut the date short. I thought you had a way with the ladies, man!"

"Well, it's hard to be when the selected lady only cares about hanging out with one man; her buddy Zack Martin!" Marcus said.

Zack stared at him, confused. "So London doesn't want to hang out with you unless she is with me?"

"Yes!" Marcus groaned. "She's so stu-"

"Shut up." Zack suddenly growled. "Don't you call her stupid." He said defensively.

"Sorry." Marcus said, taken aback.

"You should be. Now, if I can only get you two together when I'm around, there's only one solution! A double date."

"Who are you going to go with then?" Marcus asked.

"Oh, I'll find somebody. There's probably a billion of my desperate ex-girlfriends who would die for another crack at the Zack."

X

"Dinner for four. This is nice." Marcus said, sitting across from London. She looked really pretty, in a floaty white and silver dress.

"Yeah. And this is a nice restaurant." London commented. It was a big place with a dance floor and an eating area. "Umm, any idea when Zack will get here?" It was still extremely awkward for London when she was alone with Marcus.

"Actually, I think he's here." He said, as a blond man wearing a black dress shirt came over to them.

"Hey guys!" Zack said chirpily.

"Hi Zack." London said, sounding genuinely happy for the first time all night.

"Zack, where's your date?" Marcus asked.

"Oh. Yeah." Zack moaned.

Just then, a tall, chubby woman with big curly hair and glasses came marching up behind Zack in very high heels. "There you are. I was beginning to think you forgot about me, Zackykins!"

Zack was trying to hide such a disturbing face from her. "Guys," He said, as he winced. "This is Agnes. Agnes, London and Marcus."

"Hi!" Marcus said, eagerly. He pulled the chair from beside him out. "Won't you sit down, Agnes?"

"Thank you." She said. Zack stared at both of them, confused. He took the final chair next to London.

"What a catch." London whispered sarcastically to him.

"I know. But she was the only girl I knew who would definitely come." He whispered back.

"Marcus, I can't help feeling like I know you from somewhere." Agnes said, smiling to Marcus.

"Well, are you a Lil' Little fan?" He asked her.

"YES! I slept on him every night! He was my first crush! I loved him so much!" She exclaimed.

"Well, I'm… him."

"No way! Oh my, now I'm star struck!" She said. "I'm going to have to warn you, I can be a crazy admirer!"

"Ain't that the truth." Zack said under his breath. London giggled.

"That's okay." Marcus said, smiling. "I like my crazy fans. And I like getting to know them. Especially when they're as beautiful as you."

Zack mimed barfing, as London giggled again.

"Oh stop it, honey-bunny. You're making me blush." Agnes said, although they could all tell she adored the attention.

As their food arrived, a song came blaring through the speakers.

"God, what a stupid song." London said aloud, as Zack nodded.

"What!" Agnes cried. "I love this song!"

"Yeah, this song actually helped inspire me to become a musician." Marcus said.

Agnes smiled at him. "Marcus, you are so CUTE. Come dance with me!" They both got up and made their way over to the dance floor.

Zack was staring at them, dumbfounded. "What just happened?"

London tilted her head as she watched them dance. "They like each other. Couldn't you tell?" She said, softly smiling as she watched.

"But, but…" Zack stammered. Marcus was supposed to like London. Not Agnes. Who in their right mind would like Agnes? "I mean, Marcus and Agnes? That couple makes no sense!"

"Why doesn't it make sense?" London said, turning towards him.

"Well, they have nothing in common!" He exclaimed.

"That is the perfect couple." London said. "Opposites attract."

"No, what about Cody and Bailey? They're like the same person!"

"Well," London squinted. "They are opposite, in a way. Cody's a city boy, while Bailey is straight out of the country. Bailey's tough while Cody's wimpy. A couple needs to have some things in common, like, intelligence and personality, but some things different, like behavior."

Zack thought about what she said. If that was true, then she would need, hmm, a guy who wasn't great in school, but was smart in other ways. He'd be poor, the opposite of her being rich, and he'd be a real guy, opposite of her girliness. But he would have to be fun, childlike, devious, and secretly a sweet person, just like London. For some reason, Zack felt that sounded a little too familiar.

"Ok, well," Zack said, "How can they be in love already? They literally just met!"

London shrugged. "Every love story is different. Sometimes, it's love at first sight." She glanced over at Agnes and Marcus, slow dancing. "But sometimes, it takes years of friendship and a million meetings."

Zack couldn't help turning to stare at London when she said that. She was still watching Marcus and Agnes. Years of friendship and a million meetings? But, Zack thought, that sounds just like… us.

"Whatever!" Zack said, to both London and himself. "I'm sure this whole 'Agnes and Marcus' thing isn't going to last."

Well, is it going to last? Agnes+Marcus= weirdest pairing I've written so far. And how accurate is Zack's claim that he's JUST FRIENDS with London? Remember to review!