Hello, all my wonderful readers! I'm back!! This is a very short chapter (It is just about 2000 words), but I think it's pretty good. There's actually no CodyMaddie moment in this one (shocker! What has happened to me?!), but instead delves into Emily's character a little bit. I've had so much work for my classes with exams and projects that *head explosion* I finally found time to write the next part of this story. Enjoy and review! (because your reviews are awesome and I love you for writing them) :)

Chapter 10 ~ Sister Schism and Spy Friends

(Omniscient)

Emily had a routine that she executed everyday after school. Since she had moved to New York City, Emily had gotten used to doing her work with the constant noise of cars honking and other various ambiances of the big apple. She is able to work in any environment, but in order to minimize her distractions (walking over to the window see what's happening on the street, for example), she always plugs herself into her mp3 player.

As soon as her music starts playing, it's as if the rest of the world does not exist. Not one to deviate from her routine, if not necessary, Emily continued this regimen now that she's back in Boston. While Maddie, Cody, Zack, and London went off to their rooms and to the candy counter, Emily plopped herself down on one of the Tipton's deluxe couches with her backpack, placed her headphones in her ears, and turned up her music.

For a moment, she poked her head over the top of the couch to see Maddie organizing the candy behind the counter. Same old, Maddie… always the organizer, Emily thought as she shook her head, smiling knowingly before resuming her previous position: on her back, propped slightly up against the pillows, knees bent with her notebook laying on top of them.

Emily worked through all of her subjects, leaving only the easiest work to be done when she and Maddie returned home that night. She sat up to put her books back into her bag when something caught her eye to the left over the top of the couch.

Why is Maddie sitting, crouching down in front of the candy counter? Emily thought, confusion evident on her face. How long was I working? Well… I did get through a lot of songs… oh! Maddie is crying! What?!

Emily dropped her notebook on the cushion of the couch and rushed around to put an arm around Maddie for she knew Maddie would do the same for her.

"Maddie," Emily said concerned, "What's wrong? What happened?" She softened her face and frowned as she looked into her sister's face, who's tears, had she been wearing lots of eye makeup, would have left a black smudge, but instead just watery tracks.

Maddie brought her head down to a normal position from previously leaning it back against the counter taking notice of her sister's presence. Her cheeks had a few stains from the tears that escaped so she quickly wiped underneath her eyes to get rid of the tight, almost sticky feeling that the salty tears left on her skin.

"It's nothing, Em, please don't worry about it," Maddie tried to say reassuringly, her heart pounding. I can't tell her the real reason. How am I supposed to explain to her that Cody, her may-be-boyfriend, likes me and that I messed everything up royally with my damn jump to conclusions! Cody's one of my closest friends, I hate fighting with him… have we ever fought?

"Nothing?" Emily watched her sister skeptically, "I may have been in New York for a few years, but I still know when you're lying, Mads," Emily said knowingly, her hand still on Maddie's back.

Maddie let out a sigh. "I just… I wish I can tell you, Em!" she said finally, "But I can't and I'm sorry, it's just… complicated."

"I'm your sister! You can tell me anything! We used to tell each other everything," Emily exclaimed loudly then ending softer, betrayal evident in her voice. Maddie jumped slightly at Emily's small outburst and immediately felt guilty. It's not like she wanted to keep this from her sister, if anything, Maddie needed to tell her, anyone at all, before it eats her away, but she didn't know how without worrying about her feelings.

"Oh, Emmy," Maddie said consolingly as she placed her hand on Emily's shoulder as the hand on her own back was lifted. "You are still the one who I turn to, who I will always turn to when I need to talk and share my problems. Don't forget that, okay?" Maddie rubbed small circles with her thumb on Emily's shoulder.

"You've just got to trust me when I say that I have everything under control right now, alright?" Control? Yeah…right.

Emily nodded. She looked into her sister's eyes, searching for any sign of what was going on, "If you say so," Emily said skeptically. Something is bothering Maddie. Since she won't tell me, I'm going to find out for myself if it's the last thing I do.

When Maddie decided to go to the bathroom to wash her face of her tears, Emily walked purposefully toward the elevators. She pressed the upward arrow and when one of the elevator doors opened, she stepped inside, determined to get to the bottom of everything. First, she needed to get assistance.

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Slouching further into the couch, Zack lazily lifted his arm that held the remote and clicked the arrow button to change the channel. He had been watching TV for about an hour and he was getting bored with what was currently showing. He started to flip through all of the channels quickly.

"There is absolutely nothing on at all!" Zack said aloud although no one else was in the suite. He stretched his arms above his head as he let out a bored yawn, "I'm actually thinking of doing homework… where is Cody? How long does it possibly take to get a candy bar?"

Zack looked at the door, "he needs to get back here soon and get started on our work."

No sooner has he voiced his opinion to himself, there was a knock on the door. Ah, right on time!

"Don't you have a key, Cody?" Zack increased the volume of his voice so the person outside the door can hear.

A quick, silent pause for a moment then a girl's voice was heard through the door, "Cody? This is Emily. I'm looking for Cody."

Zack lifted himself from his seated position to walk to the door. He pushed down on the handle and pulled it open to reveal Emily standing in the hallway.

"Hey, Emily!" Zack greeted, holding the door as she walked inside, "Cody's not here at the moment. What's up?"

"Oh, not much, I just wanted to ask Cody something," said Emily, turning to face Zack.

"Well, he said he went to the lobby to get a candy bar. I don't know why he isn't back by now, it doesn't take that long buy chocolate and my homework needs to get done." Zack explained lightly.

Emily let out a giggle. Zack would have his brother do his homework for him. She contorted her face and asked incredulously, "He went to get a candy bar? But I was just with Maddie at the candy counter… and Cody wasn't there. In fact, Maddie was crying and she rarely cries. She wouldn't even tell me what was wrong!"

Zack straightened up immediately, shoulders back, chin held high. "Maddie's crying?! I must go comfort her!" Zack started to run to the door with a new-found purpose. No one made his girl cry when Zack Martin was town. Not now, not ever! I must see Madd—

Before Zack could reach the door handle, he was yanked back, albeit gently, but to Zack who was storming in the other direction, the force was amplified. Emily grabbed his arm before he could go further and he turned around sharply.

"What are you doing?" Zack glared at Emily as he was still on his mission, "I need to go see Maddie."

Emily, who moved her head back a little when she saw Zack's expression, did not let Zack's attitude faze her. She leaned forward slightly as well and matched his glare with her own, "No, you don't. If Maddie wouldn't tell me what was bothering her, than she definitely will not tell you! I'm her sister! You're just… you're just…"

Emily's voice began to waver and her bottom lip trembled. She held her eyes wide open, willing herself not to blink for if she does the tears will fall and there's no telling how long until they cease. She looked into Zack's gaze, loosing count of the seconds that were ticking on the clock in the kitchen area.

She couldn't hold it any longer. Emily released the tension of the water building up in her eyes with a blink, causing a successive blink… and the stream of tears began to release down her face.

Zack softened his expression when he saw how distraught, although not the description Zack thought of in his head, look on Emily. He didn't like it when girls cried. He didn't know how to go about comforting them, unless they were in a movie theater, then he can just put an arm around her and pat her arm a few times to show he was there. Would that work now?

"What's wrong? I didn't mean to make you upset," Zack said uncharacteristically sweet. He reached his arm across, awkwardly, to Emily's shoulder and patted it a few times while sporting a frown.

"It's not you," Emily said wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, "You didn't do anything. It's stupid, really. I just wish Maddie would tell me what was bothering her. I don't think she wants to confide in me anymore."

"That's not stupid," Zack consoled before showing off a wide smile, "and trust me, I know stupid. Just ask Cody." Emily broke her mouth into a stained, yet satisfied smile as she chuckled at Zack's comment. "You have every right to be upset, I think. Because like you said, you're her sister and siblings look out for each other." Zack patted her shoulder a few more times for good measure and pulled his hand back, giving Emily a sincere smile that is rarely seen on a prankster like Zack.

"Thanks," Emily said softly, "That really made me feel better. I'm sorry I got so upset." Zack nodded, silently saying, 'No problem, anytime.'

A few seconds passed and Emily's eyes brightened as she stood up straighter, "Would you like to help me find out what's bothering Maddie? And while we're doing that, we can find out why you don't know why Cody has not come back yet?

Zack leaned back, turning his mouth upwards slightly, showing off his smirk. First sneaking up on Maddie, now, spying? This girl's impressive.

"Alright, I'm in," he said holding out his hand. Emily smiled and took his hand in hers, shaking it firmly,

"Excellent."

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AN: Well, how are you liking the story so far? Are you still interested? Review with comments, please!

The next chapter will be longer, I promise. I have already started writing it so it will be great!

You're reviews make me smile, so please take the time to do so.

Thank you!

Update coming soon,
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