Carey anxiously waited for Cody to be brought in by one of the guards. Her heart was pounding and she was trying to control her shaking hands. She took deep breaths to try and stop her heart from beating so fast. She was looking down at her hands as she dwindled with her fingers. She didn't even hear Cody approach.

"Mom?" He said as he stood in disbelief.

Her head popped up, "Cody! H... Hi." She was shocked by his appearance. He didn't even look like the same boy anymore. He was so pale, so scrawny, so... different.

Cody slowly sat down, not taking his eyes off of his mom, "Hi... I... I didn't think you would be the one here."

"I couldn't stay away any longer." Carey smiled, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"I'm... I'm glad you're here."

"Really?" She asked, her eyes filling with tears.

Cody nodded, "I've missed you."

Carey couldn't hold back her tears, "I've missed you too. I'm so sorry I didn't come sooner, honey. I was afraid you'd hate me and wouldn't want me here."

"Hate you? How could I hate you? I'm the idiot."

"But I'm your Mom. I'm supposed to protect you. I'm supposed to teach you how to be responsible. I didn't do my job."

Cody couldn't believe what he was hearing, "Mom, the only thing you ever did wrong was put salt in your home made applesauce." They both laughed for a moment, then Cody sighed, "What I did... That was my decision. Mine. You shouldn't think for a second that any of this is your fault."

"...Cody, I can't believe you are in prison and you're giving me a pep talk."

Cody smiled and for a second, just for a second, Carey saw the the little boy she always knew. Her Cody who couldn't wait for her hugs. Who made casseroles for her so she wouldn't have to cook. Who ran to her when he got hurt, whether it was a tiny scrape or a broken arm. Now he was locked behind bars. He couldn't run to her when he was in pain. She couldn't hug him...

"Mom. Mom? You okay?"

Carey was brought out of her thoughts, "Oh. I'm fine... How are you?"

"I'm... I'm okay." That was probably the biggest lie he ever told. He was anything but "okay". "I have something I need to tell you though. I didn't want to before, but now that you've come to see me... You should know."

"Okay."

"I could... In six months I... I could get out."

Carey's eyes widened, "What? Are you serious?"

"That's what Jerica told me. She said because of my good behavior I could get released early."

"That's great!... Why weren't you going to tell me before?"

"Well, how you thought I'd hate you... I thought you'd hate me. I figured you wouldn't want me to come home."

"Of course I want you home," Carey replied, "I want that more than anything else."

Cody smiled, "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, sweetie."

They kept talking for a few more minutes until the guard returned to take Cody back to his cell.

Carey entered the hotel carrying a couple bags of groceries, "Hi, honey," She said to Zack, who was sitting on the couch.

"Hey Mom. Where have you been?"

"Shopping."

"For this long?"

Carey smiled, "I had to make a pit stop... I saw Cody."

Zack couldn't believe it, "You... You what?"

"I saw Cody."

"And... And you're smiling? Are you sure you saw the right kid?"

Carey walked over to the couch and sat down. The smile had now faded. "I'm sure. I can see what you were so worried about. He does not look... like himself anymore. But, I am happy. Maybe not the happiest person alive, but I'm happy."

"Why?"

"Cody doesn't hate me. He knows I don't hate him. And in six months you could be sharing a room again."

"What... What do you mean? Are... Are you pregnant?" There was a look of disgust on Zack's face that Carey couldn't help but laugh at.

"No, no I'm not. Cody may be able to come home in six months."

"You're kidding?"

Carey shook her head, "I thought it was a joke at first too. It's true though."

Zack smiled, "That's great!"

"I know... Zack, I want to thank you for giving me the strength to go see Cody."

"What do you mean?"

"If it wasn't for you letting me know how selfish I was being, I wouldn't have gone to see him. He wouldn't have told me he would be coming home, and he would probably end up out on the streets somewhere. Thank you."

"No problem."

Cody laid down in his bed. It was the first night since he had arrived at the prison that he felt... relaxed. He didn't feel great, or happy, or comfortable. Just relaxed... Maybe not the "lay back in the recliner and take a nap" relaxed, but he was able to breathe a little better. He knew that once he got out of prison he would have a place to go. He knew that his Mom didn't hate him... However, that didn't stop him from hating himself.

I killed someone. I shouldn't get freedom. How am I supposed to just go on with my life when Bailey can never do that?... This is wrong.

Small chapter, but that's how I intended it to be... Next chapter jumps ahead.
Thank you guys for the reviews! I love them :) If I could, I would write a special song for all of you just to show my thanks... But I'm not going to, so I'll just quote Barney, "I love you. You love me. We're best friends like friends should be. With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you. Won't you say you love me too?"
Okay, you don't have to tell me you love me, but still you should review ;)