Episode 11

"Paybacks and Pay Forwards "

I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.

Wait...In this story, I created some of the characters, so I will actually own them.

Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.

And as to the ones I create, who they are is up to me, so...

Boston

London just kept smiling at them, waiting for Cody and Bailey to say something or come up with some sort of lame excuse. And to their credit, they just looked at each other as if trying to figure out what they could say to get out of the situation they found themselves in. Unable to come up with anything, Bailey finally spoke.

"Ummm...London...we didn't expect you back until tomorrow or rather this afternoon."

London laughed. "I can see that." She just shook her head. "I always heard it was the good ones you had to keep your eyes on..."

That caused Cody to speak. "There was nothing like that going on here! For the past couple of nights, I've been staying up here so Bailey wouldn't be all alone in your penthouse. We just happened to fall asleep while watching some TV..."

London just looked back and forth between the two of them and began laughing again. "Oh, settle down. I could care less if you two fall asleep on the couch or in the guest room together. I know you two love each other and are going to get married someday. I know that despite his pasty skin and how boring Cody is, Bailey loves him. And I know that despite how hideous her clothes are and how dull she is, Cody loves her too." She grinned. "Besides, I have my own relationship now too. Do you two care what I do in it?"

"You have your own relationship now too?"

"Quit trying to avoid the question, Cody..."

Cody paused. "Well...no. At least as long as whoever this is is treating you right."

London grinned. "Oh, he does. He always has. In fact, he's going to be coming with me as my date for Thanksgiving."

Bailey frowned. "Always has? Do we know this person?"

London grinned again. "Guess you'll have to find out on Thursday. Until that time though, if you two are seriously going to wear pajamas like that, stay in the guest room. You'll give Ivana and I nightmares..." She shrugged and looked at Bailey. "At least you've lost the head gear..."

Bailey sighed in relief. "You really don't mind, London?"

She shook her head. "Not in the least. Besides, I should probably get you your own key for this summer. You're going to need it."

Bailey smiled. "Well, I do plan on visiting as often as I can, but that's no reason for me to have my own key. I appreciate the offer though."

London just looked at her in confusion. "Huh?" And then her eyes went wide. "Oh...that's right! I haven't told you that other part yet."

"What other part?"

"Well, this summer, you're both going to be working at the Tipton Clinic over near Fenway..."

This time, it was Cody and Bailey's eyes that went wide and their mouths fell open in shock. "Huh?"

She shrugged. "Well, Daddy wants to make sure you two are well taken care of..."

Cody's head was spinning. "Taken care of? I thought he would be upset at us for essentially blackmailing him for a second time..."

London laughed. "Not really. More impressed actually. He respects that you both did what you had to do to get what you wanted. Plus, there is the fact that you two are actually making him money..."

This time, Bailey spoke up. "How are we doing that? I would say as a charitable tax deduction, but you've said you aren't American for tax reasons..."

London shrugged. "I didn't bother to ask how. That's just what he said. He just said that by paying for you to go to Yale that he was actually making double what he was paying out. I let his accountants handle all of the number crunching..."

Cody and Bailey just looked at each other trying to take in everything that London said. Bailey sighed. "London, I appreciate the offer, but I can't stay here this summer. I mean...I'd love nothing more than that, but I should spend time at home. I mean...I've been away from my family for so long, and the summers are the only time I have to see them."

London rolled her eyes. "You'll get to go home at least once a month. Besides, Daddy's private doctor at the clinic said working there would look really good on your medical school applications."

Cody turned to Bailey. "That is a good point. Work experience in the medical field is a major factor for schools when it comes to making decisions. And the Tipton Clinic is highly regarded. Its almost on par with the Mayo Clinic. Working there would look really, really, really good on our resumes."

Bailey nodded. "That's true..." She paused. "Can you us some time to think about it? I should talk it over with my family first. I would want them to be on board with any decision I make."

"Yeah, that's fine. I know you're going home for Christmas, so you can talk to them then. Just let me know by Moseby's wedding."

Bailey smiled at her. "Thank you, London. This all has been so generous of you. You're a great friend."

London smiled. "I know." She clapped. "Yay me!" When she stopped, she looked at them again. "Though, in exchange for rent, I will have small jobs for the both of you to do..."

Cody spoke up. "Just name them."

Bailey turned to Cody. "Are you sure? You shouldn't have to do something just so I have a place to stay if I do decide to do this..."

He grinned. "If it means getting to spend my summer with you, I'll do anything. Besides, nothing can be as bad as being a towel boy was..."

She smiled back. "Thanks, Cody Bear..." Bailey turned back to London. "Okay, what are these small jobs?"

London grinned. "Easy. At nights, Bailey, you will be Ivana's personal dog walker. In addition to that, I have several months of insults built up. I need you around so I can get them out of my system. Taping them and sending them to you just isn't the same. I like to see the look on your face when I dish them out."

Bailey laughed. "Deal. I've kind of missed them too."

"And Cody?" She grinned. "With Woody now gone, you're old job has opened up again..."

And that's when it dawned on him what she wanted. Cody turned to look at Bailey. He just smiled. "Consider it done. I've actually missed producing Yay Me! some."

London clapped her hands again. "Excellent! Okay, Ivana and I are going to bed now. And please...use the guest room. I don't want to see those hideous pajamas to be the first things I see when I wake up." As she left the room, she muttered to herself. "I think my magic mirror was wrong. They way those two are going, it won't be nine more years before they get married..."

Cody and Bailey overheard her and just looked at each other. "What did she just say?"

The Offices of London Inns, Inc.

The next morning, it was business as usual at London Inns, Inc. As it was the day before the holiday break, Moseby had relented and allowed it to be a casual Wednesday. And that morning, Moseby found himself sitting in his office with London.

"So, how are things going around here now?"

Moseby smiled. "Like a well oiled machine. Everything is now running smoothly."

"Good. And how is Zack doing handling working and going to school at the same time?"

Moseby paused. "Actually...better than I expected. He's usually here within fifteen minutes of when he's supposed to be, and he's doing everything that I ask. And I have to admit, with him having experience living as a guest of a hotel, he has ideas that I never would have considered."

She grinned. "Excellent. And how is he doing with his studies?"

"Well, finals aren't over yet, but according to all of his professors, he at least has solid B's in everything. I'm actually quite proud of him. I knew he had potential, I just never thought I'd see it come out so soon."

"Good, good. If he keeps that up, part B of my plan should be easy..."

Moseby just looked at her. "I agree that its a good idea in theory, but how exactly are you going to pull that part of it off?"

London laughed. "Oh, come on, Moseby. I'm a Tipton. All I have to do is make a phone call, and it will happen. I just had to make sure Zack would do his part first. And it looks like he is..."

He just shook his head and smiled. "I have to say, London. I extremely proud of you the way you're looking out for your friends..."

She paused. "Well, I had to learn that if I don't care about the people who care about me, I might lose them one day..."

"And just how did you learn that exactly?"

"You remember last Christmas?"

He nodded and sighed. "Of course...I still have to get follow up shots to make sure that squirrel didn't give me rabies..."

London smiled. "Well, I had some help. You see...my mirror showed me the past, present and future. And what I saw surprised me..." Briefly, she explained everything she had seen.

Moseby just looked at her with his eyes open wide. "London...I don't know what to say. That all sounds very Dickensian..."

She frowned. "No way. Silly Moseby, it was like that story with Scrooge McDuck. Anyways, I'm making sure the future is happy for everyone."

He smiled. "Of course...My bad."

"And everything is right on or ahead of my schedule. Something tells me there will be another wedding not long after yours." She sighed. "Moseby, you should have seen it. Even though they were old and wrinkly and Cody looked like Mr. Howell from Gilligan's Island, they still looked at each other like they do now..."

Moseby smiled again. "Its called being in love, London. I know a little something about that myself."

"That reminds me. Arturo wants to see you and Tut on Friday for fittings..."

"We'll be there."

"Oh, and Moseby?"

"Yes, London?"

"Don't you dare think about leaving here for that big hotel in the sky anytime soon! I need you around here more!"

The Boston Tipton

In the penthouse, Cody and Bailey were up and ready to begin preparing everything for the next day. And since Carey had the the morning and afternoon off, she was up there helping them. The turkey was still defrosting, so it would be a little while before Cody had to begin work on it, so they began working on some of the side dishes. And in preparation, Cody once again got out his new apron. And when Carey saw it, she began laughing.

"Awww...That's the most adorable thing I've ever seen. When did you get that?"

Cody smiled. "It was a birthday gift from Bailey. I love it."

"That was very sweet of you, Bailey."

Bailey just smiled. "Well, I also wanted people to know who this cook belonged to."

"I can understand that. Alright, Chef Cody, what do you want me to do first?"

Cody paused. He needed to think of something his mother could do that there was little chance of her screwing up. And then he saw it. "Mom, see that bag of potatoes? I need you to peel those for me before we mash them. And when your done with those, peel the sweet potatoes and apples too."

Carey nodded and got to work immediately. Next, it was Bailey's turn. "Okay, what do you need me to do?"

He paused again to think. "Okay, you remember that big block of cheese we got? I need you to cut it in half and then used the cheese shredder to make two piles of shredded cheese. One will be for the macaroni and cheese and the other will be used for the tossed salad."

Bailey nodded. "Okay, I can do that. What will you be doing?"

"I'll be chopping the vegetables for the salad and the dressing."

Everyone got to work, and Cody had lined up all the vegetables by size getting ready to begin chopping them. He then paused and smiled to himself.

"Bails, can you hand me the French knife?"

She nodded and turned to the block of knives. And that's when she realized she had no idea which one was the French knife. So, taking a guess, she pulled one out and handed it to Cody. Still smiling to himself, he looked over at her.

"Seriously? This is a paring knife..."

Bailey looked at him and tried to apologize when she saw the grin break out on his face. She just rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Okay, okay...I don't know cutlery..."

Cody kept smiling. "Its okay, Bails. I just couldn't resist the urge to turn the tables on you."

She began laughing. "Okay, its settled. You don't know tools and I don't know cooking utensils. As long as one of us knows each, we'll be fine..."

Cody was about to say something when both heard Carey laughing. Both turned to her to see her smiling at them both.

"Sorry, its just kind of funny. Its like you two have swapped the usual roles of men and women."

Bailey smiled. "Well, I guess that's true. We definitely don't conform to the traditional gender roles, but I think that's actually a good thing. Where one of us has a strength, the other has a weakness and vice versa. But that's why we work so well together."

Cody smiled too. "And I can think of no one I'd rather teach me about how to use tools. In fact, Berkeley College actually has a wood shop in it. Bailey's been teaching me somethings. And she's a much better teacher than my old teacher." He leaned down to kiss her cheek. "And a whole lot cuter too."

The rest of the day continued on with the three of them preparing side dishes and deserts. By the time Carey had to get ready to head to rehearsal, Cody and Bailey were preparing the turkey and the ham. And as they did that, London arrived back at her penthouse. When Carey saw her walk in, she smiled.

"London! You're finally home."

London just looked at her. "Finally? I got home late last night..."

When she said that, she noticed the look Cody and Bailey were giving her. So, quickly, she continued. "And I saw Cody asleep on the couch, so I didn't bother waking him up."

Carey nodded. "Well, I guess Cody can head back down to our suite now. It'll be good to have both my boys under the same roof with me again."

"Actually, I liked knowing he was here. That way, if someone broke in, they would have to deal with Cody first giving me time to escape..."

Both Carey and Cody just looked at her again in surprise.

"I mean...ummm...that I know he wouldn't let anything happen to Bailey, so it was reassuring having him here..."

Carey paused. "Oh. I guess I can see that."

"Besides, he has to get up early to cook. Here, he can do it without waking anyone up. Down in your suite, he would definitely wake you up. And Carey, you need as much beauty sleep as possible..."

Carey sighed. "Gee...London...Thanks. But you do bring up a good point. Oh well, I need to head on downstairs. See you all later."

And as she left, the other three all sighed in relief.

And Thursday morning, Cody was indeed up early putting things in the oven. And right next to him helping him was Bailey. Since the turkey needed five hours to cook, it was in half of London's double oven at about six that morning. And cooking just below it in the other half was the ham. Since they then had several hours to waste, they decided to go out for breakfast before they returned back to watch the parade.

By early that afternoon, everyone had arrived at London's penthouse. Moseby, Arwin, Esteban and Zack were sitting around watching the Packers and Lions while Cody and Bailey continued in the kitchen putting the next round of dishes in the oven. Carey, Tut, Francesca and Mother Ramirez were sitting around a table having coffee laughing about how they were glad they didn't have to cook anything. And London? Well, she had left the penthouse to head downstairs to meet her guest for the meal.

Tut got up to get herself another cup of coffee when she tentatively approached Cody.

"Ummm...Cody. As the former Seven Seas High Principal, I just wanted to say how sorry I was about the whole transcript fiasco. I..."

He interrupted her. "Everything worked out in the end, so don't worry about it."

Tut smiled. "Thanks." She sighed. "I should have known it was a bad idea to put Mr. Blanket in charge of doing that, but he was the guidance counselor..."

Cody looked at her in surprise. "That was Blanket's fault? That's strike three for him! First, making me dress like a banana. Then the terrible advice he gave me. And now this? I'll...I'll...I'll..."

Bailey rubbed his back to soothe him. "Its okay, Sweetie. Just let it go. Like you said, everything worked out the way it was supposed to, and we'll never have to deal with him ever again."

He took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right..."

She grinned. "So, what was this about a banana?"

Before Cody could answer, the door the penthouse swung open with London standing there smiling. And when she walked into the penthouse arm in arm with Todd St. Mark, more than a few eyebrows were raised. Bailey whispered to Cody.

"Who's that?"

He whispered back. "You remember me telling you about Todd St. Mark?"

She nodded. "Yeah. The son of the guy we almost used to blackmail Mr. Tipton."

"Well, that's him."

Bailey paused and smiled. "Good for her." She looked around at everyone there. "Is it just me, or does everyone here have someone except for Zack?"

"What about my Mom and Arwin?"

She just gave him a look. "Oh please. Even I can tell he's crazy about your Mom..."

He smiled. "I know, but its been almost seven years, and Mom still isn't convinced. And if I've learned anything, its not to get involved in other people's personal lives."

"You helped Woody get together with Addison..."

"Because those two were crazy about each other but too afraid to tell the other. If I thought my Mom returned the kind of feelings Arwin has for her, I might step in and do something."

She nodded. "That's true." She wrapper her arm around his waist. "What about Zack though?"

"I don't know. I don't think there is anything anyone can do until he figures out what he's going to do with the whole Maya situation. And that's something only he can do. Once he knows what he's going to do, then we can help him out."

She nodded again. "I guess so." She sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm just so happy I have you."

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Me too. And that is what I am most thankful for this year."

"Same here."

Dinner was delicious, and everyone definitely ate too much. As the evening progressed, it seemed like everyone took a nap at one point or another. And by the time the holiday television specials were over, everyone was ready to call it a night. Carey and Zack were ready to head downstairs, and she looked over at Cody. But as he and Bailey were up before everyone else, they were both fast asleep on the couch curled up next to each other.

London just laughed. "Let them sleep. After that meal, they've earned it."

Carey could only nod. While part of her was happy to see her youngest look so happy, part of her also felt sad to see him now so grown up. But she had to remind herself that Cody and Bailey were both very responsible young adults...emphasis on the word adults. So, she and Zack headed on back downstairs.

Later that night, early the next morning, Cody and Bailey were woken up by hearing voices. Knowing London was home, they ordinarily wouldn't have thought anything of it. But while they recognized one of the voices as London's, they didn't recognize the other one. And after talking with Todd that day, they knew it wasn't his. They looked at each other in confusion and decided to get up to investigate. Looking around the penthouse, they finally found the source of the voices. And what they found shocked them both – London was talking to her full length mirror.

"What the..."

London turned and saw them standing there. And the same time, her magic mirror spoke again. "Uh oh...Looks like its their turn to bust you, London!"

Bailey just looked back and forth between them. "Your mirror talks to you?"

London just smiled. "Uh huh. He does more than that..."

Cody spoke up. "Like what?"

"Sit down, and I'll tell you."

And when they did, she told them about her adventures the past Christmas.

Bailey shook her head. "But that's...that's...that's crazy!"

London smirked. "Then how did I know Moseby got attacked by a squirrel when I wasn't there when it happened?"

Bailey paused. "I...I don't know, but..."

"And is it any crazier than you getting possessed by the spirit of an evil queen?"

Bailey paused again to think. "Well...I guess not."

Cody turned to her. "I admit its a little out there too, but after what happened to me while we passed the international dateline and at the Gemini Project, I can't really say anything."

"True..." She turned to London. "So, is that why you were so different that next day?"

London nodded. "Yeah. I realized that I have to let my friends know how much they mean to me. That's why I stood up and blackmailed Daddy when he tried to take away your family farm. I knew if the situation was different, you would have done the same for me."

Bailey smiled. "Thank you again for that, London."

She smiled. "Well, I realized that the two of you have done a lot for me over the years. I had to do something so you two wouldn't get separated again once you two finally stopped being dummies. And when I saw what happened to Zack, I knew I had to do something there too." She paused. "At the time, I wondered why he was on your couch and not with Maya. I guess I know now..."

Cody nodded. "Yeah, that does make sense now. But you're trying to light a fire underneath him so that doesn't happen?"

London nodded. "Yeah, I am. And that's why I looked up Todd again. I didn't want to end up alone either."

Bailey smiled at her. "London, you would never have been alone. No matter what, you'll always have us..."

Cody smiled. "Exactly. If you want, I'll still produce Yay Me! when we we're all living in a nursing home..."

She laughed. "I'll think about it." She paused. "Though, we'll have to remember to get your eyes lasered and you a top of the line hearing aid. And Cody...the mustache was not a good look on you..."

His eyes widened, and he smiled. "I'll finally grow facial hair?"

"Yeah...you grow hair there while Zack loses the hair on the top of his head. Remind me to get him some Rogaine soon."

Cody laughed. "Alright. Thanks for telling us all of this, London."

"No problem. And Bailey? I have two words for you...moisturizer and botox!"

Cody and Bailey left London's room and headed back to the guest room. Both took turns changing for bed before climbing in together. Bailey laid her head on his shoulder again. But she could tell he was thinking about something.

"Cody?"

"Penny for your thoughts?"

He paused. "I was just thinking that I hope it won't be nine more years before we get married..."

Bailey looked up at him and smiled. "It won't be."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I am. You remember in Back to the Future, George McFly finally stood up to Biff, and when Marty got back to his time, things were very different."

"Yeah..."

"Well, things have changed here too. When London saw what she saw, we were still being stupid. We finally got back together, and when the time came, we worked to get you in to Yale so we wouldn't be separated again. Those two occurrences had to change the course of the future that she saw."

"You really think so?"

She smiled again. "I know so. While the past can't be changed...well until someone figures out time travel, the future hasn't been written in stone. It will be whatever we decide to make of it."

Cody smiled. "Yeah, you're right." He leaned down to kiss her. "And as long as we're together, I'm in no hurry to find out what all it has in store for us now."

Bailey smiled at him. "Me either. And Cody?"

"Yeah, Bails?"

"For future reference, Zack is NOT going on any anniversary trips of ours ever..."

To be Continued...