Carey was greatly relieved when London told her that she'd found Cody. She was also grateful that London had managed to comfort him.

The two women went back to Mr. Moseby's office and informed everyone that Cody was no longer missing. Zack called his father again to let him know not to worry, and then went upstairs to join his brother. Carey and London went up to the Tipton penthouse to talk privately.

"I still feel horrible about what happened," Carey admitted. "I want to talk to Cody, but I should wait until morning. I've put him through enough tonight."

"It wasn't your fault," London insisted. "You couldn't have seen it coming. I didn't."

"I'm going to have to figure out what to tell him." Carey sat down as she tried to mull over the right approach she should take with her son. "Your story about the allergy medication was a good start. You know...you're a lot smarter than you realize."

Cheered by the compliment, London sat down next to Carey. "So what do you think you should say to him in the morning?"

"Whatever I tell him, he's going to think you're the one he's talking to."

London nodded. "Well, then you should tell him, that I was out of my mind yesterday and that was the only reason I acted like I did. And tell him that he's one of my best friends, and I care about him a lot...and..." The heiress let her words trail off. She put her elbows on her knees and then raised her forearms up so that her chin could rest on her hands.

Carey could tell the younger woman was considering something. "There's something else you think I should tell him?" she asked.

London turned to face her. "I think you should tell him...that we should go out."

"Out? You mean on a date?"

London nodded again.

Carey looked worried. "I appreciate what you're trying to do. But I don't think it's a good idea. You shouldn't go out with Cody just because you feel bad about what happened."

"That's not the reason," London replied. "I do feel bad about what happened, but like I said, I care about Cody a lot. And now that I know he's got some feelings for me...maybe..." She trailed off again.

Judging from the look in her eyes, Carey could tell London was serious. However, she was still not sure if it would be wise for Cody to go out with her.

"I think you're a very nice girl," she told the heiress. "But Cody is in a vulnerable place right now. And also, you're older than him."

"I know. And I'd usually never date a younger guy. But Cody is mature for his age." London smiled. "And lots of people have told me I'm immature...so it should balance out."

Carey smiled slightly herself, but was still unconvinced. "It's just that Cody hasn't dated as much as you have," she said hesitantly, trying to choose her words carefully. "You might be...more than he's ready for."

London's eyes widened as she figured out Carey's meaning. "Oh...no, don't worry about that. I know there are lot of stories about me in the tabloids, but they're not true. I have dated a lot of different guys, but I'm a good girl. I swear. Second base is the farthest I've ever let a guy go with me."

"Actually, that's as far as I would've have guessed you've gone," Carey said. "I know you're a good girl. I don't believe that junk that's written about you." She gave London's shoulder a friendly pat. "But still, I think you're a little too...advanced for Cody."

Now London was confused. "Really?" The heiress started to speak hesitantly herself. "Um...you know, I don't want to upset you, but I'm sure Cody's been to second base a few times. I mean...come on, he and Barbara went out for over a year."

Carey started to disagree, but then a thought struck her. "London...what do you consider second base to be?"

The heiress told her, and Carey's jaw dropped. "That's it?!"

"Yeah," London answered. "What did you think it was?"

Carey proceeded to tell what 'going to second base' consisted of when she was a teenager.

"Ohmigod!" the heiress exclaimed as her own jaw dropped. "I mean...whoa! I've never done that." She gave Carey a questioning look. "I thought kids were supposed to be wilder today than they were back then. People say that all the time. But it sounds like people of your generation were animals."

Carey couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "To tell the truth, I did sort of hang out with a wild group when I was your age. I guess I was judging you and Cody by my experiences."

Feeling curious, London asked how first base, third base and a home run had been defined back in Carey's youth.

"That's really not important," she answered as she looked toward the floor.

"Okay, you don't have to tell me. But when you were my age...how far had you gone?"

"So, about you and Cody going out," Carey said, avoiding the question. "Are you sure you want to?"

"Yes," London answered. "One date at least. Don't worry, I'm going to be careful. I don't want to hurt his feelings and I don't want to screw up our friendship...and I'll tell him that. It's just that after all that's happened, I think he and I need to figure out if we're just friends...or if we could be more."

Carey was still worried about her son, but she did trust London. She told the heiress that she wouldn't object to her and Cody going out.

After talking a little more, it was decided that London would go down and spend the night in the Martin family's suite. That way everything would seem normal to Zack and Cody. Carey wished that she could sleep down there as well, but knew that was impossible.

Once Carey was alone in the penthouse, she lay down on London's huge bed and stared at the ceiling, wishing that she could be closer to her boys.

The next morning, Carey was awoken early by the ringing of the penthouse doorbell. When she went to open the door, she found a very-pleased looking Arwin.

"You'd better be here with good news," Carey said in a crabby tone. "I am not a morning person."

"I've got great news. You see I was online last night on the amateur inventor's message board. That's my favorite message board...besides the hotel engineers of Boston board, and the new hardware and hand tool review board...oh, and the Jedi fans of Massachusetts board, of course.

"Arwin!" Carey snapped. "Do you have a point?"

"Oh yeah. Yes, I do. I found a guy right outside of Boston who had a spare X-9 circuit board he was willing to trade. So I went last night and...TA-DAA!" With a theatrical flourish, he pulled a circuit board out of the paper bag he was holding.

"Does this mean you can fix your machine now?" Carey asked hopefully.

"That's right. No more waiting until Monday now. I can switch you and London back today!"

To be continued...

author's note: Please comment.