Again, I own nothing from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, nor do i know any of the actors/production staff (though any reading this story are encouraged to give me their feedback)

Cody's heart skipped a beat at the wonderful news from his mother, he felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders, Cody knew Zack wasn't entirely out of the woods, but for the time being he was filled with an infinite happiness simply because of Zack still being alive.

Maddie had similar feelings to Cody, she had been so worried that Zack would die without her ever being able to tell him her real feelings, although she was confused as to weather she wanted a relationship with Zack or not, it was one of the other things she hadn't been able to bring herself to talk over with Cody. Even harder for Maddie was the fact that the only person she would normally have spoken about her relationships to was London. Maddie was nonetheless ecstatic that Zack had survived the surgery, but like Cody, it was cautious optimism because there was always the chance Zack would not be the same, these thoughts plagued everyone's minds, but there was nothing to be gained from speaking out about it.

"The surgery went well I think, Zack was such a little trooper, he just kept going" Carey was saying to the now relieved bunch.

Kurt went over and gave Carey a big hug, which drew a scowl from Moesby, who's mind wasn't fully on the good news that had just been delivered, there were a million thoughts racing through his head about what had just happened between him and Carey, but they were not thoughts appropriate to be expressed and discussed at that particular juncture. Luckily no one had noticed Moesby's scowl at Kurt's hug for Carey

"I'm so glad he's alright Carey, we all are" Kurt said

"I knew Zack would do it, we promised each other, and I can't wait to see him up and about" Cody said

"Now Cody, you need to understand, Zack isn't out of the woods yet, but the signs are good, we won't know if he's got any brain damage until he wakes up" Carey reminded him, not wanting Cody's hopes to get too high up only to have them dashed.

"I Know Mom" Cody said, slightly depressed.

Maddie was trying to be a happy as possible, she was glad Zack was still alive, but without London being there it was impossible for her to feel any genuine happiness. Maddie hoped when Zack awoke she would be able to find some comfort in his presence, that by seeing him, she hoped she would be in some small way saved from the black hole of emotion London's death had taken Maddie into.

Pretty soon Zack was wheeled into the ICU on his bed, surrounded by doctors, Zack was still unconscious. Cody was slightly upset when he realised Zack was unconscious still, even though he knew it was probably not a realistic expectation, Cody had hoped Zack would be awake when he got back.

Zack lay motionless in the bed, now without a shirt on, and with bandages over his stitches, and still with his head bandaged as before. Maddie found herself thinking how cute Zack looked, how sweet his damaged face looked, but this made her sad, it had taken Zack nearly dying for her to realise her real feelings.

Cody was just glad to see Zack again, he desperately tried to get out of bed to be able to hold Zack's hands, but his plastered and suspended leg made that impossible.

Carey and Kurt stood by Zack's bed as the doctors reattached all the tubes before, with one exception, they did not reattach Zack's ventilator, and the machine was wheeled out of the way, kept there in case it was needed.

"He's been breathing on his own since we finished the surgery, just with the mask on, I think we can leave him without it for now, but make sure someone closely monitors his O2 saturation, just to make sure" Said one of the doctors. This made everyone very happy; none of them knew that much about medicine, but it was plainly obvious that Zack being able to breath on his own was a good sign.
Cody was doing better with his breathing at this stage now, he still kept the mast on so his lung could heal, but he was able to talk for longer periods without difficulty breathing which was good.

"Ok, Mr and Mrs Martin, could I ask anyone not family to leave for a few moments whilst we discuss Zack's progress" Said the main doctor as he approached Carey and Kurt. Maddie, Moesby and Esteban stepped out of the room, Moesby was glad, he wanted to get away from Carey, there was a great deal of awkwardness in the air, but he didn't want to make it obvious to anyone. Esteban and Maddie had both noticed something was up when Moesby had been almost too eagre to leave the room, but they didn't want to bring it up, both accepted that now was neither the time nor the place.

The doctors and nurses began to address Carey, Kurt and Cody on Zacks condition.

"well, as I'm sure you realise, the surgery went very well, better than we expected, its almost as if there is some kind of stronger force that stopped Zack from giving up" Cody smiled to himself, he knew it was the connection he and Zack shared, it was now feeling as strong as ever, but it was a different kind of bond, Zack had saved Cody's life, and they had promised they would both be alright, and in Cody's mind he was sure this was what had given Zack the strength to go on, but Cody stayed silent as the doctors continued their assessment.

"Zack is making astounding progress, tests have showed that his brain is functioning at almost normal levels" Continued the doctor, Cody even managed a weak chuckle when he joked to himself about Zacks normal brain function being lower than what he would consider normal. Cody's chuckle went unnoticed and the doctor continued

"We've begun to take Zack off the drugs that were keeping him in the Coma, there are enough to keep him free of pain, but not comatose, he's out now because of the anaesthetic, but he should start to wake up within the next few hours, and we will conduct more full tests for brain damage then" concluded the doctor. This was the best news Carey, Cody and Kurt could have heard, all three were happy that Zack was likely to wake up again about 24 hours after the first explosion. In Cody's mind everything would be alright when he was reunited with his twin.

"And as for you Mr. Martin" Said the doctor looking to Cody, you are making good progress too, we'll need to assess your broken leg better in a week or two and you may need surgery, but as for your other injuries you'll probably only need to stay in here for a few more days, and by morning we'll move you out of the ICU, hopefully we can organise for a twin room for you and Zack". Cody was very happy at this news and his demeanour was noticeably improving.

Out in the hallway Esteban, Maddie and Moesby had just been told they could go back in when Moesby's preyers were answered, but he soon realised that the lord had a twisted sense of humour. The phone call was from Mr. Tipton, informing Moesby he had arrived in Boston, and that Moesby was to go meet with him immediately.

"Esteban, we have to go, Mr. Tipton has arrived" Moesby said, happy to be away from the awkwardness of Carey, but very displeased at finally having to face Mr. Tipton.

"OK Sir, we shall go" Replied Esteban

"Wait, I'll go too" Maddie cut is as Esteban and Moesby left, "I have something to say to Mr. Tipton" she continued. And so Maddie, Esteban and Moesby, sending their apologies with a nurse who told Carey, Cody and Kurt of their departure to face the infamous Mr. Tipton.

OK, there we go, I'm well and truely off the fence (I think) with Zack at least. But there are many more trials and tribulations which await our heros in the next installment of Friendship Survives Everything! so tune in next time! and of course, keep Reading and Reviewing, i welcome any feedback!