Thank you all for waiting paitently for chapter 10. I was going to have it up last saturday, right before I went on vacation, but I got knocked out by this wicked stomach virus last friday that I couldn't even move. But I wrote a lot on my vacation, so I'll get it all typed up as quickly as I can. I know you're all anxious to know what's going on with John.

Disclaimer: I don't own TSL.

Chapter 10

Zack and Cody had been walking alongside the river for over an hour, and the scenery hadn't changed at all.

"If we follow the flow of the river, we're going to hit the beach. We have to, because the river has to end up there," Cody had deduced. But there was still no sign of civilization as the two boys walked and talked.

"How many girlfriends have you had this year?" Cody asked Zack, plucking petals off a flower that he had in his hand.

Zack strained his face in thought. "How many girls have I liked? Plenty. How many girlfriends? Just one, really. Maggie," Zack said with a nod. "But we broke up a few weeks before school let out."

"Oh, I thought you...well, nothing," Cody said with a hint of surprise in his voice.

Zack eyed Cody with suspicion. "What? You thought I what?"

"Nothing. It's just that you sort of have a bit of a reputation."

"What kind of reputation?"

"Just forget I said anything."

Zack walked silently next to his brother for a few moments, trying to understand what Cody had just said. He didn't know he had a reputation, and he didn't know how he had earned one. It was starting to bug him.

"Really, what kind of reputation are we talking here? Please?" he begged, looking at Cody with puppy dog eyes. He knew that neither brother could resist the puppy dog eyes, and sure enough, Cody gave in.

"Well, you've got sort of a playboy reputation at school," Cody said, watching the ground as he walked.

"How!" Zack yelled, outraged. Now he was mad.

"Drew was talking one day, saying that you made out with Laney, Steph, Shawna, and Felicia all in the same month. He said you told him you did," Cody said sheepishly.

"Drew? He was mad because Maggie liked me better than him! That rotten jerk," Zack said as a flash of anger washed over his face. He started walking faster, causing Cody to run to keep up with him.

"I didn't know, Zack, I'm sorry!" Cody said earnestly.

"When was he saying this?" Zack said, violently pushing branches out of his way.

"A few weeks ago, after Gym class, in the locker room," Cody said, slightly out of breath.

"I can't believe he would spread that around. That's why all those girls were giving me dirty looks and calling me a liar...and Maggie! She got all weird, and we broke up!" Zack complained. "That's real low, even for Drew. And saying it all right in front of my own brother! Wait.." Zack stopped and turned to Cody, who averted his eyes back to the ground. Zack's blood began to boil. "Why didn't you stick up for me?"

Cody was shifting his weight from one foot to the other, nervously. "I was going to," he started. "But Drew didn't even know I was there. Those guys never notice me, anyway," Cody said sadly, swallowing hard. Zack felt a little sick to his stomach when he saw his brother's pained expression, and lost the anger he was harboring for him just a moment before.

"I've always noticed you, Cody. I know I did a bad job showing it sometimes, but I do notice you," Zack said with a sigh.

"I know, it's just that...like, with you...if you...ugh!" Cody said as Zack watched him twisting the side of his shirt around his thumb. He knew Cody always did that when he was frustrated.

"I what? You can tell me," Zack said, trying to sound encouraging.

"If Drew were spreading rumors about me, you would have stood up for me," Cody said, curling up his lip. Zack looked off to the side. He knew his brother was right.

"I just stood there, listening to him lie about you. I didn't defend you...I even thought it might be true," Cody said, avoiding Zack's eyes. Zack was a little stunned. He would have jumped in and started a fight with Drew if he heard him spreading rumors about Cody. But Zack knew Cody was different. He was more reserved; he thought before he acted. Zack was more spur of the moment. Though it still hurt him to hear that Cody believed what Drew said about him.

"It's really ok, Cody," Zack said, hiding the hurt in his voice.

"No, it's not ok. You've been apologizing to me for the past two days, saying you haven't been making enough of an effort to be a part of my life..But did I really make any effort to be a part of yours? This is my fault just as much as it is yours, and I'm gonna make it up to you," Cody said sincerely.

Zack stood still, taking in every word Cody was saying. Suddenly, he wasn't disappointed anymore. Hearing those words come from Cody's mouth meant more to him than just about anything at that moment.

"You know what, bro? Zack said, wrapping his arm around Cody's shoulder as the two started to walk along the river again. "No more apologizing. We were stupid, but it's in the past," he said, smiling at Cody. Cody nodded his head.

"Besides, we can beat the crap out of Drew when we get home," Zack added, causing his brother to snort.

They walked for a minute before Cody spoke up. "Do you think we'll get back?" he asked fearfully.

"I promised you, didn't I?" Zack said, looking up at the sky, which was growing darker by the minute.

"Zack?" Cody asked, wiping his nose on the end of his sleeve. He was sniffling and sounded like he was getting a cold, which made Zack worry a little. "I think we need to stop and find a place to stay for the night," he added, sounding defeated.

As much as he hated to admit it, Zack knew Cody was right. He agreed, and the two found a fallen tree, close to the river, which acted as a nice shelter for them to sleep under. As they lay down, Zack realized the clouds that looked so threatening earlier had passed, leaving a night sky which was full of bright, blazing white stars.

"Things are gonna be different when we get back, I promise," Cody said, nodding his head and sniffling.

Zack smiled; he liked the sound of that. "I promise too, buddy," he said, as the two drifted off to sleep under the stars.

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A little Zack and Cody for you all. Next chapter is more John and Carey. I'll type it up as soon as I can. Expect it later tonight or early tomorrow.

Cheers!