A/N: Finally, the 4th chapter, sorry it took almost long as the third chapter to post. Still as slow as ever with the typing, but X-mas also halted my progress. I got the Twilight series and haven't put the books down since last week : ) I do apologise if some of the interactions between Maddie and Zack do become a little Bella and Edward-ish from here on out, I was inspired ; ) Enjoy the jokes and scheming.
Chapter 4 – Let The Games Begin
"Okay, you all know why I called you here this morning," Zack began his rehearsed speech while pacing the room. In front of Zack stood Cody, Tape-Worm, Bob, Lance, Esteban and Mr. Moseby looking disgruntled and bleary-eyed. Perhaps it was on account of Zack organizing a meeting at 5am in his and Cody's room. "Now this is not easy to say, so I'm just gonna come right out and say it." Zack continued gravely. "Gentlemen, our integrity has been called into question. Gentlemen, our very identity has been called into question." Zack stated vehemently.
"Zack, what the hell are you talking about?" Cody demanded waspishly while rubbing his eyes. "I'll tell you what I'm talking about Cody. Maddie, that two-faced-Benedict-Arnold has dared to challenge me, Zackary Cornelius Martin to a battle of the sexes." Zack responded coolly, giving each of them a fixed stare. "How?" Bob asked stupidly while yawning. "How Bob? How, how, how! I'll tell you how. That arrogant pup insinuated that she could organise a better bachelorette party for my sweet innocent mother than I a bachelor party for my dear soon-to-be step father Arwin. I will not allow such blasphemy. Maddie will pay for this outrage." Zack spat venomously.
"Maddie has not only insulted me, but each one of us. As brethren, we must not let this act of treachery go unpunished." Zack concluded passionately. "Zack, that was a very stirring speech. But couldn't you have rather left it on my answering machine instead of summoning me out of bed?" Mr. Moseby demanded crisply, still wearing his blue nightshirt with matching night hat. "Yo Mr. Moseby, maybe you'd be less cranky if you wore something different to bed. Personally, I go commando myself." Lance pointed out stoically. "Dude, I really didn't need to know that." Tape Worm retorted reproachfully.
"Moving on from Lance's sleep wear," Esteban interjected carefully, expertly steering the conversation forward. "How are we going to purge ourselves of this – what did you call it Zack – treachery? What's your big plan?" Esteban asked carefully while folding his arms. "I'm glad you asked Esteban. My plan is simple: annihilation. We've got to plan a bachelor party that Arwin will never forget. Now, we should rendezvous around noon again to brainstorm ideas for a kick-ass party. I'll text you all with further details right before the time. This verbal message will self-destruct in 5 seconds." Zack concluded conspiratorially. "Oh why didn't I listen to Mother when she told me to work in the Foreign Service? I wouldn't even be in Boston right now." Mr. Moseby wailed aloud. "I wish I were an only child." Cody murmured sardonically to himself.
"Maddie, what's the big emergency? I was in the middle of a dream about Taye Diggs." Agnes complained groggily while rubbing her eyes. It was 5:15am and Agnes, London, Max, Barbara, Bailey and Maddie were assembled in their pyjamas in London's suite. "Yeah Maddie, this takes the term 'morning person' to new levels of crazy." Max agreed irritably. "Girls, I wouldn't have woken you all up if it weren't an emergency. Zack and I had a fight." Maddie explained cryptically. "That's it, I'm going back to bed." London stated dramatically, making to leave the dining room. "Now wait a minute ladies. Maddie has a problem and I think we should hear her out. Now Maddie, what happened with Zack?" Bailey asked soothingly, patting Maddie's arm sympathetically. "Zack implied that I was a boring prude and further insinuated that I couldn't plan a kick-ass party. So I made a wager with him that whoever organized the best party for Carey and Arwin wins the bet." Maddie rattled off rapidly, only drawing breath at the end of her narrative." I'm going back to bed." Bailey remarked dryly, making to leave the room when Barbara caught her arm.
"Now hold on Bailey. Zack actually said that??" Barbara asked in an indignant tone. "Pretty much, but I interpreted his words accordingly." Maddie stated in a dignified tone. "Sounds like Zack, he can be a real ass at the best of times." Max remarked coolly. "Tell me about it: Zack once agreed to go to second base with me if I put a brown bag over my head." Agnes agreed lightly. "Okay ew Agnes. Why do you care what Zack thinks anyway Maddie?" London demanded.
"Because London, what he said really hurt me. But then I realized that Zack didn't just insult me, he insulted all of us. Zack insinuated that guys are better at having fun than girls." Maddie explained in a soft voice. "You're right Maddie. I mean, Zack once told me that he was a better dancer than me! I mean, get real! He never saw that nipple-cripple coming." Max responded roguishly with a nostalgic grin on her face. "Exactly Max. I don't know about you girls, but I'm tired of guys pushing me around and rubbing 2000 years of sexist history in my face." Maddie went on passionately.
"So what do we do?" Bailey asked curiously while folding her arms. "We fight back. I say we show Zack and his entourage of sissies just how cool girls can be. Ladies, the battle of the sexes has begun." Maddie replied with a devilish grin. "Yeah, let's do it!" Agnes cheered. "Yeah, make 'em pay!" Max agreed. "Yeah, let's kill 'em!" Barbara shrieked in a manic tone pulsing with vehement rage. "Okay, dial down a little on the death threats Barbara. But I like your enthusiasm." Maddie stated graciously. "What do you say London? Are you in too?" Maddie asked pointedly of London who was painting her nails. "Huh? Oh sure, girls vs. the boys and all that jazz, got it." London replied distractedly. "Is Maddie always this competitive?" Bailey asked Agnes in alarm. "Where Zack and any other egotistical guy is concerned, then definitely." Agnes responded nonchalantly. "I say we throw Carey a Kabbalah/tupper-ware party!" Barbara exclaimed vehemently. "I say we keep brainstorming…" Maddie remarked sarcastically with a yawn.
"Of all the places to meet…well I never." Mr. Moseby huffed indignantly, looking around him distractedly. "Chill out Mr. Moseby, it's just a McDonald's." Bob pointed out reasonably. "We could've met on the rooftop at the Tipton pool." Lance put in. "No good, I saw the ladies up there right before we left. They're probably doing what we're doing." Esteban interjected knowingly. "I wish we were poolside with the ladies right now instead of here." Tape Worm murmured wistfully. "Well there's no good hoping and wishing Tape Worm. We're here because Zack insists on playing espionage." Cody stated in a bored tone. "Well, where is that brother of yours? I'm beginning to feel claustrophobic." Mr. Moseby remonstrated anxiously, staring at the crowd around the counter. "Over there with the numerous trays of food." Cody pointed out with his finger.
Sure enough, Zack could be seen at the back of the restaurant in a spacious booth surrounded by screwed up bits of paper, empty McDonald's wrappers and unopened parcels. The guys sauntered over to Zack. "Oh great, you guys are here. Let's get started." Zack began hurriedly, shifting some of the trays over. "Zack, props man for ordering ahead for all of us," Bob congratulated, reaching for an untouched Quarter-Pounder with Cheese. "Whoa, drop that hamburger Bob. That's my pre-meeting snack." Zack warned before snatching the burger out of Bob's hands. "You ordered all this food for yourself??" Esteban asked in alarm. "What? I get hungry when I'm stressed out." Zack responded defensively before sinking his teeth into the hamburger. Everyone except Cody seemed perturbed by this announcement. Mr. Moseby brought out a handkerchief and began wiping down the leather sofa incessantly.
After everyone had ordered their food, they finally got down to business. "Okay, let's start brainstorming. Now who has any ideas?" Zack asked curiously of the group. "Ooh, Karaoke Night." Tape Worm called out excitedly. "Boring." Zack replied instantly with a yawn. "Hey, what about tickets to the Red Sox game at Fenway Park?" Bob asked casually. "Bob, that's just a normal Saturday night for you." Zack remarked dryly. "We could do brunch at the Riviera Country Club." Cody suggested. "Too lame…and gay." Zack retorted callously. "Hey, here's an idea: we should all just stay at the Tipton and forget the whole thing!" Mr. Moseby exclaimed cheerily. "Guys, come on! We need to think outside the box here!" Zack retorted reproachfully. "Let's have a pool party!" Lance suggested with a wide smile. "Lance, you own a pool shop franchise in LA. Aren't you sick of pools?" Cody demanded wearily. "No wait, hear me out. We could do a whole equestrian theme with synchronized swimming and mermaids." Lance went on passionately. "Did you say mermaids? Lance, that's brilliant! A babe pool! Why didn't I think of that? Cody, write that down!" Zack instructed hurriedly. "Well I would've suggested strippers, but Carey already said no." Esteban put in mildly. "But she didn't say no to exotic dancers." Zack intercepted in a cunning voice. "Exotic dancers are strippers Zack." Cody put in knowingly. "Yeah, but Arwin doesn't know that. He'll just think they're women making balloon animals. Wait a second, write that down Cody! That way, Mom can't get mad at us for hiring female entertainment." Zack remarked devilishly. "Whatever you need to believe Zack." Cody quipped dryly. "Guys, I really believe we can do this! Now Lance, talk to me about those mermaids." Zack went on with a cunning twinkle in his eye.
"Okay girls, let's start brainstorming." Maddie began. The ladies were exactly where Esteban said they were: lounging comfortably in the Tipton's pool (save for Barbara with her laptop on a deckchair) coming up with ideas for the perfect bachelorette party. So far, the best idea had been Barbara's Kabbalah/tupper-ware party. "What if we go see a Chippendales show?" Agnes suggested in a seedy voice. "Because I think that would fall under Carey's prohibition on strippers for the party." Maddie interjected firmly. "Chippendales aren't strippers, they're entertainers." Agnes responded defensively. "Yeah, entertainers that just happen to strip." Max quipped sarcastically. "Maddie's right, we can't go see the Chippendales. Besides, they changed their show schedule to Baltimore." Barbara put in knowingly. "I'm not even gonna ask how you knew that." Bailey quipped dryly to Barbara. "Okay, so the tupper-ware party and the Chippendales are out. Now for my idea: I was thinking we take Carey for a spa treatment in the morning, have tea and brunch at the Riviera Country Club and then have dinner at her favourite restaurant." Maddie concluded airily, blowing imaginary dust off her fingers. "I like the idea of a tea party. It's intimate, yet still enjoyable." Barbara agreed readily, typing it onto her laptop. "Exactly. Plus, we're in Boston. It'll be like the Boston Tea Party, get it?" Maddie asked with a giggle and a smile. "Uh, but with the Boston Tea Party, the American revolutionists dumped crates of British tea overboard into the sea." Bailey pointed out. "Well then if I could, I would dump Maddie, Barbara and their idea overboard too. It's lame." London responded callously.
"Lame?!" Maddie spluttered indignantly, her face turning red. "My idea is not lame London. Carey will love it. It will be a perfect way to spend the day." Maddie added more calmly this time. "Which is how she can spend any other regular day. She's getting married Maddie, this is a time for Carey to spread her wings and do one last crazy thing before the big day." London replied knowingly. "I'll say it again: we are not hiring strippers." Maddie put in fiercely. "Did I say anything about strippers Madeline? I'm talking about pure unadulterated fun. In other words, a par-tay." London remarked softly, grinning from ear to ear. "Ooh, I've got an idea: For the night time, we could take Carey to Inertia." Max suggested excitedly. Both Agnes and London responded eagerly to this idea. "What's Inertia?" Maddie asked quizzically. "Only like the hottest club scene in Boston. Where have you been for the past 4 years?" Max demanded. "In New York, trying to make a living." Maddie pointed out sardonically.
"Well then I guess Carey's not the only one who needs to loosen up and have some fun." London mused with a small smile on her face. Her smile dropped however, when she saw Maddie frown. "What now?" London asked indignantly. "Don't get me wrong: hitting a hot club just us girls is a great idea. But we also need something cool and imaginative. Something daring, something we don't usually do. Something I hedge out Zack with." Maddie stated, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Boy, Zack's really getting to you huh?" Bailey asked Maddie sympathetically. "He has that effect on most women, whether you like him or not." Max stated matter-of-factly, pursing her lips together.
"Well then Maddie, you're in luck. I have a plan." London stated, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Alright, let's hear it." Agnes rejoined eagerly. "Zack may be able to throw a killer party, but he doesn't have the connections that I do." London mused thoughtfully. "Such as?' Barbara asked skeptically, closing her laptop with a loud click. "Such as royalty and celebrities. I just happen to know that a certain popular girl-group is in town currently filming their latest music video who might be able to make Carey's party bitchin'." London remarked jovially. "The Pussycat Dolls?" Max asked excitedly. "No, Danity Kane." London replied airily, enjoying their astonished expressions. "Shut up! The Danity Kane? Oh my gosh, are you saying we could spend the entire day with them?!" Agnes demanded hysterically, clapping her hands together.
Now it was Maddie's turn to be skeptical. "That sounds great London, but how are you going to convince them to spend an entire day with us mere mortals? I'm sure their schedule must be airtight if they're shooting on location." Maddie pointed out dejectedly. "Leave it to me girls. Besides, Aubrey owes me after I saved her from a potentially embarrassing situation involving Sisco Adler and Taylor Swift as the last GQ Party." London remarked matter-of-factly. "I don't know London, I'm still kinda sold on my tea party." Maddie answered glumly. "Yeah, I like Maddie's tea party idea too, Danity Kane just seems way too big." Barbara agreed quietly. "Well then, let's put it to a vote." London suggested wisely. "Celebrity club-hopping?" London asked genially. London, Max and Agnes raised their hands eagerly for this suggestion. "Boston Tea Party?" Maddie asked tentatively, hers and Barbara's hands raised for this idea. Then they all looked at Bailey, who hadn't raised her hand for any suggestion. "Bailey, what's your vote?" Maddie asked suspiciously, watching Bailey cringe under the pressure. "Aw guys, I really don't wanna have to vote on either one." Bailey retorted shamefacedly. "Well do you have a better idea?" London asked directly. "No." Bailey answered flatly. "Then you gotta pick something. What's it gonna be? Yours is the deciding vote." Agnes put in pointedly. "No it's not Agnes. If I vote with Maddie and Barbara, the votes will still be tied." Bailey pointed out knowingly. "Then vote with us and it'll be an outright win." London suggested persuasively. It took Bailey over a minute to make her decision. "Maddie, you need to win this bet with Zack. And right now, London's idea seems less lame. Sorry." Bailey apologised sheepishly while being embraced by London's quarry. "Fine, we'll do it London's way. Here's to a bitchin' bachelorette party ladies." Maddie stated graciously while they all clinked their glasses of champagne together.
"Well I have to say, the trip to McDonald's wasn't altogether pointless." Cody admitted softly as the fellas0 re-entered the Tipton's revolving doors. "I agree. I actually convinced one of the cashiers to quiet her job and enroll into hotel management." Mr. Moseby agreed smugly. "I meant about the meeting Mr. Moseby. Zack actually had some good ideas." Cody remarked stoically. "Yes, but Zack's good ideas usually mean chaos and destruction in my hotel." Mr. Moseby replied morosely. "Man, after that super-sized meal I had, I'm gonna have to take a nap." Tape Worm groaned while rubbing his stomach. Bob meanwhile was talking animatedly to Esteban. "So let me get this straight: you played a baseball season with the [Japanese baseball team], you're making ten times more money as a pilot with Virgin Atlantic and you're dating a beautiful airhostess named Sofia who was a former runner-up for Miss Venezuela?" Bob asked in awe. "Yip, pretty much." Esteban remarked lightly. "Esteban, you are my hero!" Bob praised, clapping Esteban enthusiastically on the back. "What can I say? Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya De La Rosa Ramirez knows how to treat a lady." Esteban remarked airily while blowing on his fingers. "And speaking of ladies, here come Maddie and Co." Esteban continued in a more serious tone. Zack snapped to attention and his eyes narrowed as he spotted Maddie and the girls exiting the lift.
"Oh man, they just came from the pool." Tape Worm wailed morosely while staring unabashedly at the girls clad in bikinis and towels wrapped around their waists. "Cool," Cody stated happily as he made to walk away. "Hey hey, where do you think you're going?" Zack demanded indignantly. "To go talk to Bailey, my girlfriend." Cody pointed out helpfully. "Fine, but keep it clean. And do not, under any circumstances, mention the meeting and what we talked about." Zack instructed severely. "O-kay." Cody replied dryly and went over to Bailey. Zack and Maddie on the other hand walked around in a circle with hands outstretched in what was supposed to be some sort of challenge. "What are those two doing? Are they about to break out into in angry dance-off?" London asked Max quizzically, watching Maddie and Zack with interest. "Even if they were, there's no way they could pull that off." Max retorted with a laugh.
"Hey, where were you earlier?" Bailey asked quizzically while giving Cody a quick kiss. "Oh, just down at McDonald's around the corner brainstorming ideas for Arwin's bachelor party." Cody replied nonchalantly. "Come up with anything?" Bailey asked casually while running her fingers through Cody's hair. "Yes and no. But I've been sworn to secrecy by Zack." Cody replied dryly. "Yeah, Maddie didn't make us put a hand on the Bible or anything, but it was definitely implied." Bailey said with a smirk. Cody smiled at this. "What about you? How was the skull session at the pool?" he queried curiously. "Hmm, pretty much the same as yours. There were some good ideas and some very weird ideas, most of them coming from your ex-girlfriend Barbara." Bailey answered sardonically. "I can only imagine." Cody stated wearily. "You never told me that Barbara was such a…superfreak." Bailey remarked quietly. "Yeah, Barbara always had a wild streak, even when we were kids." Cody remarked idly. "So that's what you like huh? Wild girls with large craniums?" Bailey demanded in a tone unmistakably tinged with jealousy. "Used to Bailey. When I was with Barbara, everything was too meticulous and predictable. We had way too much in common and that was ultimately the problem. Eventually, Barbara and I grew apart. Two smart people together are never a good equation." Cody stated reasonably. "But I'm smart too and really to Science!" Bailey exclaimed anxiously. "Of course you're smart, beautiful, funny, compassionate; you're also the complete opposite of me. You keep me focused and grounded. And you bring out my wild side." Cody remarked in a low murmur in Bailey's ear. Bailey sighed contentedly and wrapped her arms around Cody's muscular back. "You know I love you right?" She asked him softly in his ear. "That was inevitable." Cody stated airily, which earned him a punch in the arm by Bailey.
"So you girls were lounging poolside huh?" Tape Worm inquired nervously of London. "Why are you talking to me?" London demanded imperiously of Tape Worm, giving him the brush-off. "Did you ladies check the pH balance of the pool before you got in? It's important to ensure that you're not swimming in a pool with an acidic level of more than 7." Lance stated knowingly. Everyone turned to look at Lance. "Seriously Lance, you have got to stop drinking the pool water." Maddie quipped maliciously. "I can't believe I once dated Lance Fishman. I don't know what I was thinking." London remarked in awe. "You and me both." Maddie agreed wearily. "Say Agnes, would you like to go to a bar with me tonight?" Bob asked of Agnes amicably. "Well that depends, what are you gonna do for me?" Agnes asked in a sultry voice. "Well, what do you want?" Bob asked quizzically. "I'll have a drink with you tonight if you tell me what you boys are doing for Arwin's bachelor party." Agnes replied sweetly.
"Hold your horses there Helen of Troy. Do you think we're stupid? Don't fall for that phony act Bob, Agnes is just trying yo trick you." Zack interrupted heatedly, pushing Agnes aside. "What about Bob? How do we know he wasn't trying to weasel information out of Agnes over a drink on your instructions?" Barbara accused loudly. "He doesn't have to, I don't have to cheat to get what I want." Zack answered smugly. This was met with a derisive laugh from Maddie who cocked her head back. "Oh please, that is such a crock. You once tried to sabotage your own brother's chances at a class election with a smear campaign which outed Mr. Blankie." Maddie retorted callously. "What smear campaign? That was the truth! What kind of loser still has a security blanket at the age of 14?" Zack demanded maliciously. "I'm still standing here Zack." Cody called out a few feet away.
"Besides Maddie, you're the one that's gonna have to cheat in order to stay ahead of the game." Zack went on snidely with a smirk. "Puh-lease Zack. I won't cheat and I'll still wipe the floor with you." Maddie returned vehemently. "Well I've come up with a fool-proof way to ensure that." Zack replied jovially. "Really? And what is this brilliant plan of yours?" Maddie asked skeptically while folding her arms. "I think each team should be given a camcorder to record all their efforts with. At the end of the day, we'll sit Arwin and my Mom down and get them to watch the videos. Then they can decide who threw the coolest party." Zack explained calmly. "Fine by me. I can capture your humiliation in high-definition when you lose the bet. Then my victory will be complete." Maddie retorted snidely. Just then Brett came down the stairs in a tracksuit and a towel around his neck. "Hey guys, what did I miss?" he asked cheerily, staring between the two groups. "Oh, we've just been discussing the bachelor party. I tried to get hold of you earlier, but you weren't in your room. I'll have to brief you with the details later buddy." Zack responded amicably, clapping Brett warmly on the back. "Oh sorry about that man, I had to take an important business call earlier. After I was finished, I decided to hit the gym. But hey man, whatever I can do to help, let me know." Brett offered with a sincere smile. "What the heck is going on here? When did my boyfriend and Zack get so buddy-buddy between now and last night?" Maddie thought suspiciously to herself, staring between the two of them.
Zack couldn't stop himself from throwing Maddie a satisfied smirk which sent her into a quick rage. "Would you all excuse me? Zack's egomania makes it hard to breathe in the same airspace." Maddie quipped maliciously before stalking off. Zack looked immediately remorseful and Brett picked up on it. "Don't worry about it Zack, she'll cool down eventually. She's not really mad at you, she's just got a lot going on right now." Brett remarked wisely, patting Zack's shoulder. "Like what?" Zack asked curiously, looking at Brett. "Well for starters, there's Maddie's book. She's submitted about three chapters to her editor so far, but she's suffering from major writer's block." Brett explained softly. "Writer's block? What's her book about?" Zack asked quizzically. "I'm not sure exactly. All Maddie's ever said about it is that it's supposed to be semi-autobiographical. She wants to include some of her experiences from her childhood in Boston, but she just can't find any inspiration." Brett went on anxiously. "So Maddie's having trouble with her book eh? Interesting…" Zack murmured with a knowing look in his eye.
Brett returned to his room a few minutes later to find Maddie sprawled on his bed, covering her face with a pillow. "Been screaming into the pillow again?" Brett asked with an amused look on his face as he sat down next to her. "Was I that obvious?" Maddie asked dejectedly, taking the pillow away from her face. "Don't you think you're taking this bet with Zack a little too far?" Brett asked Maddie softly. "He started it! Zack always has to get a rise out of me. It's like he enjoys making me miserable." Maddie stated heatedly. "I'm sure that's not true Maddie. I mean, Zack's just graduated from college. Us guys do have a habit of maturing a lot more slowly than girls. Besides, you guys have been friends for such a long time." Brett replied wisely. "Not the whole time, we've barely spoken in these last four years. I feel like I don't know him anymore." Maddie retorted sadly. "Maybe so, but you still care about him. And I can see that he still cares about you. I can see why you like him so much." Brett remarked stoically. "Oh sure, what's not to like? He's funny, charismatic, adventurous, loyal and caring when he feels like it. But he's also rude, obnoxious, self-centred, a womanizer and stubborn." Maddie put in heatedly. "Well there's something you two have in common: you're both caring and stubborn." Brett remarked with a smile.
"Speaking of caring, you and Zack seemed pretty friendly earlier." Maddie stated defensively, changing the subject abruptly. "Yeah, Zack asked me to help out with the bachelor party at breakfast this morning. He's a really cool guy once you get to know him. Does that bother you, us getting along?" Brett asked worriedly. "I just don't get it, that's all." Maddie responded suspiciously. "Well maybe he's trying to make amends for not being welcoming to me. I think he's just overprotective of you. I think it's nice that you have someone to look out for you, especially when I'm not around." Brett stated sincerely. "What do you mean?" Maddie asked him quizzically. Before Brett could answer, his cell phone rang shrilly in his shirt pocket. "Hold that thought," Brett commanded softly while checking his cellphone screen. "Oh, it's from work. I have to take this. I'll be right back." Brett stated quickly, giving Maddie a small smile. Maddie watched Brett quit his room at a rapid pace, shutting the door behind him softly, his voice answering his phone in a low rumble, wondering why his smile had seemed said for a split second.
Maddie, however, didn't worry about Brett's strange behaviour for too long as the party planning really began and the animosity between her and Zack increased. Not just between them, but with everyone involved, save for a few who kept their sanity throughout. Zack began the first round by prank-calling the girls in their respective rooms. "For the last time, my name is not Lola and I don't have any naughty girlfriends named Greedy and Geroni-ho!" Max exclaimed furiously over the phone one night. "Wait, is Greedy spelt with one 'e' or two ee's? I think I might know her." London mused to no one in particular. "Gimme the phone." Maddie commanded gently, beckoning for the phone. "Zack, don't you have anything better to do with your time like tasing yourself? Get off the phone!" Maddie bellowed loudly. "Wait Maddie, don't go yet! What are you wearing?" Maddie rolled her eyes and hung up the phone with a loud click. The girls upped the stakes by sending Barbara in to the boys' rooms for some first class middle school camp side pranks: filling Bob's b boxers with itchy powder, sticking Tape Worm's hand in warm water while he was fast asleep, blackening the inside of the lens on Cody's telescope. "If you wanna beef with me Barbara, that's fine. But don't take it out on my telescope. What did Rosalita ever do to you?" Cody whimpered in dismay, referring to his telescope. The guys got their own back by hiding London's most prized jewellery, cutting holes in Maddie's t-shirt around the chest area. But the final straw came with Agnes on Wednesday morning [17 June] when she exited the shower to find…
"Bob?! What are you doing outside my window?" Agnes shrieked, clad only in a towel covering her wet body. Bob was indeed standing outside Agnes' window in a window washer, smiling his usual toothy and sheepish grin. "Okay, so Zack sent me to spy on your plans, but I'm actually just spying on you. So when you think about it, I'm a double-agent really." Bob stated sheepishly. Just then Maddie entered and hurriedly closed the curtains in Bob's face. "This is seriously getting out of hand." Maddie murmured more to herself, ignoring Agnes' expression of horror for the meanwhile. Just then Brett tapped softly on Agnes' door. Besides Carey and Arwin, Brett hadn't participated in any of the immature pranks happening throughout the Tipton. In fact, Maddie had seen very little of Brett since he's arrived in Boston.
"Hey, I've been looking all over for you. Do you have a minute? I need to talk to you." Brett greeted quietly. "Sure. Agnes, you'd better dry yourself off before Bob starts peeping again." Maddie remarked quickly before leaving with Brett. Somehow the two of them ended up on the rooftop poolside and overlooking the city. "So what's on your mind?" Maddie asked curiously, looking at Brett. "Okay, now don't get mad," Brett began nervously, cupping her face with his hands. "That depends on what you're gonna say. Is it about work?" Maddie asked shrewdly, watching his eyes. "Yes it is." Brett replied simply, watching Maddie's expression. "Is that why I haven't seen you around lately?" Maddie queried curiously. "Yeah it is. One of the Knicks' short-stops is facing a disciplinary hearing on the 26 June. My boss wants me to start preparing right away." Brett stated quietly. "You have to go back to New York." Maddie demanded loudly. "As soon as I can get a flight out." Brett answered softly. "Brett, no! Why do you have to leave so soon? You said we'd have this time together. What about the wedding?!" Maddie demanded indignantly. "The wedding's on the 27th right? The hearing's at 11am. I can fly back to Boston in time for the wedding. I'm really sorry about this Maddie. Please don't hate me." Brett pleaded softly, putting his hands on her waist. "I don't hate you Brett, I'm just disappointed." Maddie admitted sadly. "I know sweetheart. I'd rather be here with you than preparing for some stupid hearing. But it's my job." Brett stated softly. "I know, married to our jobs right?" Maddie asked teasingly, her head against Brett's chest while he hugged her. "Right, but we've still got tonight together." Brett murmured in Maddie's ear while he smelt Maddie's hair. "Yeah, just for tonight then." Maddie murmured softly more to herself this time.
"It was Thursday afternoon [18 June], a brilliant sunny day enveloping the whole of Boston. Brett has left on the earliest flight in the morning and Maddie now found herself lounging by herself at the Tipton pool on a recliner, deep in thought. Maddie was lounging lazily against the back of the recliner, sunglasses on, closing her eyes and listening to the children playing the kiddies splash pool. "Well well, what do we have here?" a snide voice asked Maddie. Maddie opened her eyes slowly and glared. Zack was standing above her, clad only in a long red board shorts and grinning in a seedy way. "What do you want Zack?" Maddie asked wearily, staring up at him. "I just came out to do some laps in the pool. I saw you from the entrance, thought I'd come over and say hello." Zack explained courteously. "Okay, you said hello. Now goodbye." Maddie retorted curtly, turning the pages of a book idly. "Isn't there something else you should be doing right now?" Zack asked Maddie pointedly. "Like what, talking to you?" Maddie demanded sarcastically. "No, like planning your super-cool bachelorette party or writing your super-cool novel." Zack replied smoothly with a grin. Maddie put down her book abruptly on the table and stared hard at Zack. "How did you know about my novel?" she demanded furiously. "Brett told me." Zack stated quickly. "Right. Well did he also tell you I'm suffering from severe writer's block?" Maddie asked more dejectedly. "It came up." Zack admitted softly. Maddie rolled her eyes and lay back down. Zack couldn't suppress a grin as he stared down at Maddie. He had noticed her before he even approached the poolside. Zack stood by the entrance just 5 minutes prior watching Maddie while she appeared to not notice anyone else. He couldn't help but marvel at her perfect statuesque body, supple and bronzed in the sunlight. She was wearing a sexy white bikini with matching white-rimmed sunglasses, her long blonde hair cascading across her shoulders. Maddie was Zack's dream girl a thousand times over: she was breathtakingly stunning. That body, that laugh, that smile, that heart. But man, that body…Baby's still got it goin' on…
"Zack, helloo?" Maddie asked loudly, staring at him in annoyance. Zack snapped out of his reverie abruptly and began staring intently at her shoulders instead. "What now?" Maddie demanded impatiently. "Maddie, your shoulders look a little burnt." Zack pointed out softly. "Nice try." Maddie snorted. "I'm serious, your shoulders look a little pink." Zack stated earnestly. "Really?" Maddie asked in alarm. "Yeah, really. Did you put any sun block on?" Zack asked curiously. "Sure, just not on my shoulders…or my back." Maddie answered sheepishly, turning red in the cheeks from Zack's disapproving glance. "Okay, turn around." Zack commanded gently. "What? Why?" Maddie asked suspiciously. "So I can put some sun block on your back." Zack responded calmly. "No way." Maddie remarked heatedly. "Okay, suit yourself. I'll see you in the hospital in 6 months when you find a suspicious-looking mole on your skin." Zack stated dramatically. "Okay, fine. I loathe the idea of skin cancer more than I loathe you." Maddie grumbled dryly. "Atta girl." Zack praised, watching with delight as Maddie lay on her stomach.
"What are you doing?" Maddie demanded suspiciously.
"Untying your bikini top."
"Why?"
"Better access."
"I'll bet."
"I meant for the sun block."
"Fine, let's just get this over with."
Almost as if saying a silent prayer, Zack rubbed his sun-blocked hands together and gently placed them on Maddie's back. A tingling sensation shot up Maddie's spine at Zack's touch. "It's just the cold feeling of the sun block." Maddie thought to herself quickly. But she couldn't ignore the butterflies in her stomach the more Zack touched her. His hands gently caressed the curves and sensitive areas on her back with such ease and attention. Maddie smiled and winced into the recliner when Zack found her funny bone at the base of her back just millimeters from the tip of her bikini shorts, almost as if he were daring himself to slip his hands underneath teasingly. Maddie had to stop herself from gasping aloud at the goose bumps erupting on her flesh kneaded by Zack's hands. Zack's hands were not supposed to be doing this to her, making her queasy, giddy and tingly all over. "Are you hot Maddie?" Zack asked. "What?" Maddie stammered, snapping out of her reverie. "Are you hot?" Zack repeated innocently. "The sun is beating down on you," he continued patiently. "No, I'm fine. Thanks for asking." Maddie replied softly. "I don't get you at all." Maddie stated abruptly. "You say it like it's a bad thing." Zack mused teasingly. "Well maybe it is. I mean, one minute you're attacking my boyfriend and I. The next minute you're befriending my boyfriend and keeping me from getting…overheated." Maddie murmured thoughtfully. "What can I say? I'm a complex guy." Zack stated airily. "Whatever you say Don Juan." Maddie muttered sardonically. "You know, I think I like you better like this when you're being honest." Zack went on smoothly, restrapping Maddie's bikini top back on. "I thought you liked it better when I was alone." Maddie returned pointedly. "Well in that case, it's a good thing Brett left town already. How fortuitous." Zack replied airily, a wide smile on his face. "Were you always this funny when we were kids?" Maddie asked of Zack sarcastically. "Yes, but not always so wise when it came to matters of the heart." Zack concluded pensively. "I'm gonna do my laps now and leave you in peace. Try not to shrivel up into a raisin while I'm gone." Zack retorted by way of greeting. Maddie gave Zack a mock salute while she watched him walk away.
Maddie couldn't help but glance at Zack out of the corner of her eye as he stood at the edge of the pool. He still walked with that old swagger of his, but he was much taller than he used to be, more statuesque. Gone was the baby far around his cheeks in his youth, replaced with a chiseled jaw line. His once chubby body was now completely streamlined; powerful shoulders, strong arm muscles and a 6-pack. The only things that remained of the old Zack were his eyes, his long wavy blonde hair and that oh-so-wicked smile. Maddie sighed with reluctant resignation at the simple truth of it all: Zack was gorgeous. Any female, young and old, would have jumped his bones by now and he knew it too. Maddie watched in awe as Zack dove gracefully into the pool and swam in measured lengths, the sunlight dancing off the drops of water on his body, making him shimmer in the blue. "Damn," Maddie sighed aloud, watching Zack make his strides within seconds to the other side of the pool. "This is so wrong." Maddie murmured wistfully. "What is?" London asked behind Maddie. After Maddie had jumped at least 2 feet in the air from fright at London's sudden appearance at her side, she recovered herself instantly. "It's wrong how Zack can get me overheated without even touching me." Maddie answered waspishly.
And after this rather surreal detour from reality, it was business as usual with just 2 days to go before the wedding parties. The pool party was a go and Danity Kane had given the thumbs-up for Saturday. Now, all that was left to do was plan the night's frivolities. Unbeknown to either Zack or Maddie, they were both making numerous phone calls to the same man: Jake McKenzie, the proprietor of Inertia. And both were doing everything in their power to get their own way. "Zack, I'd love to help you out. But what about the last time you entered my club?" Jake demanded indignantly on the other end of the line. "An unpredictable case of teenage girls who had too much to drink." Zack remarked, nonplussed. "True, but how do you explain the flamingoes?" Jake asked snidely. "The zoo needs better security?" Zack asked sheepishly. "Very funny Zack, no way." Jake stated firmly. "Come on Jakey-boy, lighten up. Think of all the parties I've planned for you in the past. All the nights I should've used to study for midterms that were used instead to increase your annual revenue." Zack went on in a winning voice. "What exactly do you want Zack?" Jake asked wearily while pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just the VIP room this Saturday night. I won't bring any flamingoes with me this time." Zack remonstrated in an innocent voice. "Fine, but don't bring up the flamingoes ever again." Jake instructed curtly. "Deal." Zack agreed with a smile and hung up the phone.
"So Ms. Fitzpatrick," Jake began uncertainly. "Please call me Maddie." Maddie instructed sweetly on the other end of the phone. "Uh okay Maddie. I understand you want to review my club?" Jake asked doubtfully. "That's correct. My girlfriends and I would like to come this Saturday night and frequent say, the VIP room?" Maddie asked casually while biting her lip, hoping he'd go for it. "I don't know Maddie, I've never done this before." Jake admitted uneasily. "You've never had a publication review your club before? I find that very hard to believe." Maddie replied knowingly. "Well of course I've had reviews about my club. But they've all come from Boston editorials. It's a little unusual for a journalist like yourself to review my club for the New York Times." Jake responded pointedly. "But Jake, can I call ya Jake? You're approaching this from the wrong angle. I may be a New York journalist, but I'm reviewing some of the best club scenes across the East Coast. According to the ordinary civilians I've spoken to, your club ranks in the top 5." Maddie stated dramatically. "Really? The Top 5?" Jake asked eagerly, all shreds of anxiety gone. "Yes, the Top 5. Now call it journalistic inquiry, but I am intrigued. I'm analyzing the context of the East Coast's urban culture for the new millennium. Inertia would be the perfect foreground for a profile piece." Maddie stated vehemently, throwing down her royal flush. "Well I do already have another party reservation for this Saturday night in the VIP room. But there's more than enough room for your girlfriends, if you don't mind sharing." Jake remarked uncertainly. "I love sharing." Maddie replied demurely. "You've got yourself a deal Jake. See you Saturday night." Maddie greeted sweetly before hanging up her phone. "Damn Maddie, you sure know how to bullshit the bullshit." London praised. "What can I say? I'm a bad ass." Maddie remarked airily, smiling devilishly to herself.
And finally Saturday [20 June] arrived in full force. Morning and breakfast were tranquil affairs for both parties compared to what the afternoon held. "Boys, what is the meaning of all this?" Arwin demanded beneath the blindfold over his eyes. "And why did I have to wear my swimming trunks?" Arwin asked impatiently. "Because Arwin," Zack began slowly, taking the blindfold off Arwin's eyes while Cody opened the door to the rooftop, "you're having a pool party." Zack finished off smoothly. "Oh my good God," Arwin breathed while staring in awe around him. It was the Tipton pool, but ten times better. Colourful bauble lights were strewn across the poolside, a make-shift bar stood next to the hot tub. A make-shift waterfall had been erected with a slide protruding into the pool. "You got synchronized swimmers??" Arwin asked in disbelief of the twins. "Lance's connections." Zack explained airily. "Happy bachelor party Arwin." Cody congratulated heartily while clapping Arwin hard on the back. "Oh sweet niblets, balloons!" Arwin screeched, dashing forward towards an attractive woman at the poolside making balloon animals. "Zack, you've really outdone yourself." Cody mused, patting a hand around Zack's shoulder. "I know. Bob, go get the camera." Zack commanded gently, grinning into the distance. "You got it Chief." Bob called out, scooting over to the bar to retrieve the camcorder. The twins looked at each other one last time, screamed out "showtime!" and then dove into the pool with the rest of the party goers.
"Okay ladies, where the hell are we?" Carey demanded lightly, staring at her surroundings in puzzlement. The ladies were about a 15 minute walk from the Tipton in downtown Boston in an unknown dance studio. "I told you Carey, we're meeting some people here." Maddie explained mysteriously, glancing at her watch. "What if they changed their minds? What if they're not coming?" Barbara asked frantically while biting her nails. "Barbara relax, they'll be here soon." London chided gently. "What are you two whispering about?" Carey demanded impatiently. Everyone stopped their muttering when they heard several footsteps clanging against the wooden floors behind them. They each turned around and saw the five women walking towards them: three with dark hair and two with blonde hair. Each was wearing the season's most fashionable summer outfits. They walked with such force and confidence, their high heels and boots propelling them forwards, it would've been impossible to not look at them. They were beautiful, talented, famous. They were –
"Danity Kane!" Agnes shrieked excitedly, going into cardiac arrest.
"Hi everyone, sorry we're late London. You must be Carey and Maddie." Aundrea greeted, walking forward and shaking their hands vigorously with a smile.
"Oh my gosh, this is so unexpected. London, Maddie, I can't believe you did this." Carey said in wonder.
"Think nothing of it Carey. We had some free time and London told us you were getting married next week." Dawn stated graciously with a dazzling smile.
"And London promised she wouldn't mention my drunken faux pas with Sisco Adler if we did her a favour." Aubrey added with a knowing look in London's direction.
"Wait, that was you?!" Barbara asked bewilderedly.
"We've got the whole day to dissect that one." Shannon replied with a grin.
"Oh my gosh, Agnes just passed out!" Bailey exclaimed in horror.
"Oh no, should we call a doctor or something?" Aundrea asked in alarm.
"Don't sweat it Aundrea, I got this." London intervened, kneeling beside Agnes.
"Ouch! London, you just slapped me!" Agnes exclaimed furiously, clasping her red cheek.
"Guess that rules Agnes out as cameraman. Barbara, you take the camcorder instead. Come on Agnes, we haven't got all day." London instructed irritably.
"Okay ladies, let's put some of that energy into some dancing." D-Woods intervened calmly, breaking up the fight.
"Dancing? We're gonna be dancing?" Carey asked quizzically.
"We sure are, we're gonna teach you some of our moves. Now Max, London tells me you can dance really well. Think you can keep up?" D-Woods challenged slyly.
"You bet I can." Max returned, matching her tone.
"Alright, let's see what you've got. Shannon, press play. 1, 2, 3, 4…"
And by the time they were finished, no one could move a muscle. "I can't feel my legs." Maddie murmured hoarsely. "I think I dislocated my spleen." Bailey muttered despairingly, hunched over. "I haven't danced this intensely since my audition for Cats! nearly 20 years ago." Carey admitted sheepishly. "Well I hope you're not too exhausted wedding woman. The day's not over yet." Shannon remarked slyly. "There's more??" Carey asked in disbelief. "You betcha. Now hit the shower ladies, we're heading over to the recording studio." Dawn instructed quickly with a smile. "Wow, who knew this much fun could be so much work?" Carey muttered sarcastically. "Cheer up Carey, I guarantee you this is one day you won't forget." London stated encouragingly, pulling Carey off of the floor.
"Man, what a party!" Esteban exclaimed vehemently while drying his hair off with a towel. Almost all of the party goers had finally gotten out of the pool. "Yeah Zack, that DJ you hired was off the hook!" Bob agreed heartily, slapping high-fives with Zack. "All the women! I've never seen so many beautiful women in one place at the same time." Tape Worm wheezed with exhilaration. "Tape Worm, maybe you should cool yourself down under the fake waterfall." Zack suggested snidely. "The synchronized swimmers were just so talented. They were just so coordinated and graceful." Cody murmured aloud. "If I didn't know you had a girlfriend, I'd say you were gay." Zack retorted maliciously, which earned him a glare from Cody. "Guys, the party was so great! Do you think we can hire the balloon woman for the wedding reception?" Arwin asked eagerly of the twins. "Well don't get too excited about the wedding Arwin, the party's far from over." Zack replied casually. "What do you mean? There's more?" Arwin asked in disbelief. "You bet there is. Next stop: Inertia." Zack announced smugly. Tape Worm, Bob and Lance advanced towards Arwin. "Wait, isn't that a club? I don't do clubs!" Arwin protested vehemently when they picked him up. "I always look like a moron when I dance. Why do you think I never take Carey dancing?" Arwin asked despairingly. "Don't worry Arwin, there'll be tons of other people dancing around you. Besides, Mom won't be there to see you look like a moron." Cody put in helpfully. "Come on Arwin, you're getting married next week! Where's your sense of daring?" Zack asked pointedly. "Boys, you're right! Now less talking and more action. Let's do this!" Arwin bellowed while the boys led him out. "Okay, wonderful. You all have a fabulous time at the club. I'll just hang back here at the Tipt-" Mr. Moseby stammered when Cody, Zack and Esteban lifted him off his feet. "Wait, wait, wait, put me down this instant! I don't want to leave the Tipton!" Mr. Moseby shrieked as they all trooped out of the hotel with all the guests staring at them.
"Wow, this day has been amazing so far. Thanks girls." Carey murmured while staring out the window. The ladies were now riding through downtown in a combination of a limousine and a tour bus. Carey, Maddie, Barbara, Agnes and Bailey gawked at every part of the vehicle's interior. The only girls who didn't seem phased by this lap of luxury were Danity Kane, London and Max for some reason. "This limo is beyond cool. Max, how can you not even bat an eyelid at this?" Agnes demanded lightly. "I once rode in Missy Elliot's limo." Max replied nonchalantly, which earned her stares of amazement from everyone in the limo. "D, Shannon, Dawn, Aundrea, Aubrey, thanks for a wonderful day. And thank you for the trip to the recording studio, I love my demo CD." Carey thanked graciously, clutching her newly recorded CD to her chest. "You're welcome Carey. Now we can at test it out on some speakers with heavy bass." D-Woods suggested casually. "What did you have in mind?" Carey asked curiously. "Tonight Carey, you and your demo CD are going to Inertia, the hottest club in downtown Boston." Aubrey announced happily. "We're going clubbing? Wow, I haven't been to a night club since…" "Let me guess: since college when you went on a beer run to Kansas City with your best who stole your boyfriend." Maddie interrupted snidely. "How did you that was coming?" Carey asked suspiciously. "Wild guess." Maddie returned teasingly, thinking of the times Zack and Cody had told her about their mom's 'youthful escapades'. "Well you're right, it's been a long time since I've done anything really fun like that. I mean, between raising Zack and Cody and working 'round the clock…" "Well, tonight's your lucky night. Just take a break and enjoy your life. Life's too important to be taken seriously. Let down your hair home-girl." Dawn crooned with an easy smile. "You're absolutely right Dawn. Okay girls, lets it krunked…or you know, whatever." Carey amended sheepishly when everyone stared at her in confusion.
The guys finally arrived at Inertia around 8pm with one reluctant Mr. Moseby. They stepped inside the club with Zack leading the way. "Wow," they all chorused, staring at the translucent strobe lights exuding every colour imaginable across the dance floor, the bar and the VIP room. Zack gave Jake a casual nod from the entrance which was returned. "Okay boys, let's head to the VIP room." Zack announced airily, ascending the stairs. He noticed Cody's bewildered expression out of the corner of his eye. "What?" he asked quizzically. "Nothing, it's just that…this song playing in the background sounds a hell of a lot like Mom." Cody replied. "We need to get you a drink." Zack retorted chidingly, clapping Cody hard on the back. Just as they were about to enter, they heard several female voices laughing uproariously from inside the VIP room. "Whoa, it sounds like a lot of ladies in here." Esteban remarked pointedly. "Uh-huh, a lot of hot ladies by the sound of it." Tape Worm agreed in a seedy voice. "Tape Worm, are you permanently overheated?" Bob asked sarcastically. "Pretty much." Tape Worm responded casually. "Well fellas, let's not deprive them of our company any longer." Zack intervened stoically while opening the door. Zack jumped back almost immediately when he saw who was already inside.
"Maddie?!" Zack asked quizzically.
"Zack?!" Maddie exclaimed in shock, having already spat her cocktail out of her mouth.
"Whoa, major reunion." Lance drawled in awe.
"What are you doing here?!" Maddie and Zack cried out in unison, pointing at each other.
"I asked you first?!" they both exclaimed in frustration.
"I reserved the VIP room for the bachelorette party!" Maddie fumed indignantly. "Well I must've reserved it first!" Zack bellowed. "How do you know that?" Bailey asked defensively from the other end of the room. "Because when I made my reservation, Jake said there was another party. But I had no idea he meant you of all people." Maddie answered calmly, dawning comprehension on her face. "Believe me, I'm not thrilled about this either. Come on guys, let's go somewhere less crowded." Zack instructed firmly. "What, we're leaving?!" Bob asked in disbelief. "Now hold on a minute fellas. Surely we can all hang out here and have a good time. After all, it's a club and a party's still a party." Aundrea intercepted smoothly, calming the tense atmosphere effectively. "Oh my gosh, Danity Kane's here!!!" Tape Worm shrieked in a high-pitched voice. "Mama-Mia, he's right!" Esteban agreed in awe.
"Danity Kane's here? But, how?" Cody stammered stupidly. "London and Maddie invited us." Shannon answered simply. "How did you swing that?" Zack demanded coolly of Maddie. I'm guess I'm just super-cool after all." Maddie answered airily. "Listen guys, are we staying? I don't know about the rest of you, but I think it's kinda nice that we're all here together." Arwin remarked earnestly. "Yeah, Arwin's right girls. Why don't we all party together?" Carey suggested calmly. "I'm down with that. What about you Zack?" Maddie asked quietly. Zack, who had remained speechless throughout Danity Kane's introduction finally answered. "Aundrea's right, a party's still a party. So let's party!" Zack exclaimed with more excitement. "Hey cutie, wanna dance?" Aubrey purred at Lance. "Sure." Lance agreed eagerly, taking her hand. "I'm Aubrey, what's your name?" Aubrey asked curiously. "I'm Lance. I'm a part-time lifeguard." Lance introduced smoothly. "Sweet." Aubrey remarked enthusiastically as they began dancing.
After that, everyone pretty much loosened up and actually began to have some fun. D-Woods dragged Mr. Moseby onto the dance floor when the DJ slowed the music down; for a split second, Mr. Moseby looked like he was enjoying himself (perhaps a trick of the light?). Maddie and Zack were standing on the balcony, overlooking the crowd below with polite scrutiny. "Well it looks like everyone's having a good time." Maddie mused softly. "Yip, they sure do. I'm glad we stayed." Zack admitted quietly, looking at Maddie for the first time in an hour. "I'm glad you stayed too. Otherwise I would've missed out on Lance and Aubrey bumpin' and grindin' on the dance floor." Maddie replied teasingly with a smile. "There's an image I want seared into my memory." Zack muttered dryly. "Hey Maddie, I'm sorry about insinuating that you couldn't throw a great party for Mom. But the looks of it, you did just that." Zack admitted earnestly, looking Maddie dead in the eyes. "You're forgiven. I'm sorry too Zack for how I've been treating you lately. I know I've been a bitch." Maddie admitted uncomfortably. "Nah, just feisty. And I kinda liked it to be honest." Zack responded intimately, which made Maddie laugh. "Isn't it nice?" Maddie asked quietly, referring to Carey and Arwin slow-dancing in the centre of the club. Carey was resting her head in the crook of Arwin's neck while they swayed to the music, his arms protectively wrapped around her frame. "Yeah it is, they're a class act." Zack agreed, watching them intently. "They look so happy together." Maddie stated sincerely and wistfully all at once. "Yeah, they sure do…you wanna go get them for the final tallies?" Zack asked quickly. "Yes please!" Maddie agreed heartily as they leapt from the stairs.
In 5 minutes, Zack and Maddie had gathered everyone (including Danity Kane and Jake McKenzie) in Jake's office sitting around a TV and a VCR. "Okay, the moment of truth had arrived. Mom, Arwin, it's time to make a decision. Choose wisely." Zack stated dramatically. "We have each documented our efforts. The rest is up to you." Maddie put in gravely. After 20 minutes allotted per video (which Mr. Moseby lessened considerably by fast-forwarding through the irrelevant parts), it was finally time for a decision. "I don't know which one to choose, they were both well organized by the looks of it." Arwin stated earnestly. "Well besides Arwin begging the balloon woman to give him a blow…" Carey began heatedly. "I meant the balloons!" Arwin exclaimed indignantly. "It looks like the boys did a great job with planning the bachelor party." Carey concluded fairly. "But the girls got Danity Kane! I mean, wow…" Arwin interrupted excitedly, gazing at the 5 celebrities. "Arwin's right, this is too hard. I mean, I had a wonderful day. Jake, you pick." Carey remonstrated.
Jake looked the part of someone who had been put on the spot. "Uh me? Well okay. Maddie and the girls did plan a really entertaining day and Carey enjoyed herself thoroughly. However, if I'm going on who planned the best party, I'm gonna have to go with Zack. His party was entertaining, inexpensive and surprisingly tasteful." Jake concluded quietly. This announcement was met with cheering and whooping by the guys and outrage by the girls. "That's crazy…completely sexist and biased…we had Danity Kane for crying out loud…let's kill 'em!" "Girls, that's enough! Look, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but Jake's right. Zack's party was better than mine, he's a total pro. Zack wins the bet." Maddie stated softly, looking away. "no I don't, I thought your party was really cool," Zack stammered defensively. "Zack, don't sweat it. Just bask in the glow of your victory." Maddie replied simply, giving him a small smile.
Danity Kane were the first to leave, much to Tape Worm's disappointment. They greeted and hugged everyone and departed once more into their limo/tour bus. Maddie waited another 30 minutes before excusing herself from the group. While everyone else chattered and partied away, Zack watched her leave the club as if the entire world had melted away in an instant. Maddie called a cab and got in slowly and deliberately. The cab lingered for a few seconds before driving in the Tipton's direction. "Sweet dreams Maddie, I'll make it up to you." Zack murmured to the night sky. He took a deep breath, inhaled the cold Boston air and walked back into the fluorescent ambience Inertia had to offer.
A/N: Phew, I think I broke a record by writing a chapter longer than chapter 3! Hope you all liked the cameo appearance by Danity Kane. I toyed with the idea of the Pussycat Dolls, but I still haven't forgiven Nicole Scherzinger for moving in with Lewis Hamilton ; ) I do apologise about my lack of skill with describing characters and their hot bodies, I'm not a seasoned writer like Danielle Steele : ) Hopefully, the saucy moments between characters will get better with time. I'll try and make chapter 5 a third smaller than this one. Thanks to all the people who reviewed chapter 3, especially from reney116. Thanks for sticking with the story guys, I feel really honoured : )