With summer vacation just around the corner, I'll finally be able to work on my writing. Only having to work a summer job, I can spend more time worrying about my stories and not worrying about when my next paper is due! Which is why I haven't updated in a while. Anyway, There will probably be only 2 more chapters after this one, because I have the outlines done, and I'm gonna stick to it (and I'm very excited about the end; hopefully I can write it well enough for you all). Plus, that idea for another Suite Life story that I was talking about..the one that was brewing when I wrote chapter 7? It is now completely full blown. No hints yet, but it will be here soon.

Onto more exciting things, like chapter 10. I know it's not very long, but it wasn't intended to be. But it has brotherly love. I know how you all like that, especially Sketchy Ghost ;). I still hope you enjoy!

--I have a horrible earache that I can't seem to get rid of. Please bare with me, and thanks for waiting so patiently for my update.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Suite Life characters. However, I do own the characters you probably don't recognize, because I made them up.

At the hospital...

Carey was outside her son's hospital room with Kurt, Moseby, and London. They were all waiting for the nurse to let them know when it was alright for them to see Cody. Carey was nervously pacing back and forth in front of the hospital room door when Maddie and Zack came walking slowly down the hall. Zack looked at his mother for a second, then quickly turned his head. Obviously, he was still feeling betrayed by Carey, since she never told him that Cody needed to have a second surgery. And Carey knew it, so she decided not to push it. She would wait until he came around.

Kurt, on the other hand, felt that Zack owed his mother an apology for blowing up at her and was about to voice his opinion when the nurse walked out of Cody's room. Everyone's head snapped in her direction and they waited to hear the news.

"Are you all here for Cody?" the nurse asked politely.

"YES!" everyone yelled in unison. The nurse took a small step back and put her hand on her chest.

"Well, now, we all must be anxious. Alright, let me just say a few things first. Cody is still not responding to light, touch, or sound. This doesn't mean he's going to be unresponsive forever. I just don't want anyone to get upset when you go in there. Also," the nurse went on, "remember to keep a positive attitude around him. It's a proven fact that positive reinforcement from loved ones help paitents to recover more quickly. Anyone have questions?"

Zack was shuffling impaitently from one foot to the other. "Why won't she just shut up and let us in?" he thought to himself.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, the nurse said, "Follow me, please." And with that, everyone piled into Cody's hospital room.

Zack stood back and took it all in. There was his brother, lying helpless in that hospital bed, with machines beeping all around him. There was tape around his mouth, holding in a tube down his throat. The tube was hooked up to a machine. Small ticking sounds were coming from that machine each time Cody's chest rose and fell. Zack guessed that was the respirator. The machine breathing for his brother, because Cody was too weak to do it on his own. Zack's head began to spin again, but he told himself to stay strong. "Mom would go nuts if I passed out again," he said to himself.

For the next hour, everyone took their turn holding Cody's hands and telling him they loved him. Everyone except Zack. He felt uncomfortable with everyone in the room, so he stayed in a seat close to the window. When everyone had finished, they decided to go down to the cafeteria to grab some dinner, since it was getting late.

"Zack, you hungry?" Carey asked hesitantly. Zack just shook his head vigorously and folded his arms. Carey nodded.

"Ok, honey, we're going to get some food. Why don't you stay here with Cody?" she said, trying to look him in the eye. Zack just nodded, still refusing to make eye contact with his mother.

Carey turned to leave with everyone when Kurt looked at her. "Carey.." he said, but Carey just shook her head.

"Not now, Kurt. Let's just get something to eat," she said, taking him by the arm and walking out the door behind Moseby, London and Maddie.

Zack was now alone with his brother. "Finally," he said out loud. He stood up and walked cautiously over to his twin. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to Cody, taking Cody's hand in his.

"Hey, little bro. I don't know if you can hear me right now, but I'm here. I've been here the whole time. And I brought something for you," Zack said, pulling blankie off his shoulder and covering Cody with it.

Zack took in a deep breath as the knot in his throat started to tighten. "I know you're probably scared right now, but it's ok. There are these really great doctors here, and they're taking really good care of you," Zack said as the tears welling up in his eyes started to spill over. He wiped them away in frustration.

"Look, Cody, I didn't mean what I said back at the hotel," Zack cried desperately. "I would never want you to disappear! You're my other half; you're my twin, and I can't live without you! And I know I'm not the best brother in the world, but I love you so much, and I really need you. You have to wake up, ok? I'm so sorry for what I said. I don't know if you'll ever forgive me, but I'm really sorry. I didn't mean it." As Zack choked out the last sentence with a broken voice, he felt someone squeeze his hand. He shot his head down and saw Cody's hand clasped in his own. He looked back at his brother and let out a small sob, putting his head down on his brother's hand and letting his tears fall freely onto it. Then he climbed into the hospital bed next to Cody and embraced his brother tightly.

"I'll never leave you, Cody," he whispered into his twin's ear. After wiping his tears from his face, Zack kissed the top of Cody's head. Sniffling a little, he curled up against his brother's body, wrapped his arms around Cody's neck, and fell asleep.

30 minutes later...

Carey came walking towards Cody's room with a bag of food in her hand. She thought Zack might be hungry, and she knew that he wouldn't leave Cody's side. When she walked in the room, she stopped. There was Zack, snuggled against his brother, asleep. She put her hand to her mouth and stifled a small cry. She smiled a little as she walked over and kissed both her boys gently. After one last look, Carey said, "Goodnight, my angels." And with that, she walked out of the room and closed the door.

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Liked it? Hated it? Think I'm the coolest writer ever? Think I'm the worst writer ever? Voice your opinion! Review!

And do you have any unanswered questions? Don't worry. They will all be answered in the end.

edit: would have had this up earlier, but the site wasn't cooperating. some kind of processing error.