Well, yes so I started a system. And hopefully it'll work from here on out. Anyway, I don't have Chapter Three written yet. So please, please, please be patient in me getting that up. Because it could take a while. So. I hope you enjoy this. And I sincerely hope you don't have to wait for forever for me to update. I know, I'm horrible at updating. Enjoy. :)

the second chapter.

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

John Howard Payne

Cody's entire body tensed. His heart began to thud heavily in his chest and his hands shook violently. He trembled under Carey's hands as she gently led him to the car. Cody hesitantly seated himself and jumped when Zack slammed the door shut.

He gripped the edges of the seat tightly and faced the window, avoiding any visual assurance of the car he was now riding in. The hospital was quickly sliding out of his line of vision. He tried to swivel around and watch out the rear window, but found that it hurt his knee to do this and stopped.

His face was white as his eyes flitted around the interior of the car. Old magazines and maps were tossed carelessly onto the floor. A half-empty coke bottle rested in the cup holder, rocking back and forth, the dark drink swishing and Cody suddenly felt nauseous.

He gripped the edge of the seat tighter, his knuckles turning white, and closed his eyes, squishing them shut.

Cody's eyes flew open just in time to spot two large yellow circles of light coming at them; coming at them fast.

"DAD!" Cody screamed, "Dad, move!"

Cody's eyes flew open, heart racing, his breathing heavy. Carey peered at him through the rear-view mirror.

"You, okay baby?"

Cody jerked his head up and nodded shyly,

"Fine," He croaked.

Cody's lungs emptied with relief as the car finally pulled up to the Tipton, not five minutes later. His shaking hands calmed as Carey killed the engine. Zack whirled around and grinned at him,

"Welcome home, little brother."

But Cody was too busy staring at the enormous hotel looming before them to take note. He was home; for the first time in six weeks he was home.

Carey's smile was painted on and from ear to ear as she helped him from the car. He limped, leaning on his cane, up the few steps. Unable to contain his excitement, he rushed (as much as physically possible) ahead of his mother and brother his eyes dancing as he pushed through the revolving doors.

"SURPRISE!"

Cody, startled, jumped and stopped abruptly. The elegant lobby was filled with Tipton employees, including Mr. Moseby, Esteban, Maddie, Norman, and all the others, various friends and a whole bunch of other people Cody wasn't even sure he knew.

Overwhelmed, Cody hesitantly stepped backwards slowly. Carey gently wrapped her arms around him, still wearing her smile. Cody slowly looked up at her. His eyes were no longer dancing.

Zack rushed up to his brother, grinning widely as he grabbed his brother's hand,

"C'mon!"

Cody nearly fell trying to keep up with his brother as they made their way into the large crowd.

"Be careful!" Carey shouted after them. Cody glanced behind him at her, eyes pleading though she remained oblivious.

Zack and Cody snaked their way through the crowd, Zack stopping to talk to random people, who, naturally, only wanted to talk to Cody, who didn't want to talk to anyone.

"Hey guys!" Maddie called. Cody shrank next to his brother.

"Hi!" Zack shouted back, pulling a reluctant Cody through the crowd towards her.

Maddie smiled at the pair, "How're you, Cody?"

Cody fingered the rubber handle of the cane he was leaning on, "Fine."

Maddie and Zack exchanged a glance. Cody seemed distracted and distant. He was busy staring at the room, eyes landing on random people and not swaying his gaze for long amounts of time.

"So, uhm, how's your dad?" Maddie asked Zack in an undertone.

"Same," Zack murmured. "He was pretty bent out of shape about leaving," he nodded towards his twin.

Maddie raised an eyebrow, "Seriously? You'd have thought he'd have been thrilled."

Zack shook his head, "He's not."

Maddie attempted a smile, "He'll come around."

Zack nodded, "Yeah. I think so. I think they poisoned him with that hospital junk."

Maddie laughed, "It's not that bad."

Zack shrugged.

Cody sat down in one of the plush chairs, banging his cane off of the floor. His knee had begun to hurt a little. His gaze slowly drifted to the beautiful hotel doors, but more importantly, past them to the car resting on the curb in the sun. Cody knew, sooner or later, Carey would lazily venture outside to move it. But for now it stayed where it was. A cold chill fell down his spine at just the thought of another horrendous ride in that thing.

"Welcome home, little blonde people!"

Cody turned slowly to find Esteban, the hotel's cheery bell hop standing behind him grinning.

Cody attempted to smile at him.

"Hi Esteban," He said softly.

Esteban extended the tray he held towards him.

Cody shook his head quickly, "No thanks."

Esteban smiled again before heading off with the would-have-looked-delicious-on-any-other-day treats.

Cody bit his lip as he watched the bell hop walk away. Part of him wished he could just enjoy himself today. The other half wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

"Hey buddy!" Zack's voice snapped Cody to attention, "They're gunna cut the cake! C'mon!"

Part of Cody would have willingly jumped up and hurried after his brother, eager for a piece of cake. But the other half would do what Cody really did: follow his brother sullenly without so much as a smile.

Carey unlocked suite 2330. The boys had headed upstairs about an hour previously. She'd stayed to help clean up, even though Moseby had insisted that she needn't do that. The suite was quiet. The TV was off and no music was blaring from the boys' room. But before she had a chance to get creeped out she noticed the figure sleeping peacefully on the couch, and the reason for the quiet.

A smile spread across Carey's face and tears filled her gentle eyes. She tip-toed across the hard tile floor, quietly grabbing the red blanket from the chair.

She wiped her eyes as she spread the blanket over her youngest son.

"Welcome home, baby," She whispered as she gently kissed his innocent face and stroked his soft, blonde hair, "Welcome home."

Review Replies

(chapter one)

whobringsforththewind: hmm, well I hope this answered your question ha :)

WKDVIP2: aren't we all? and I hope this cleared up your observations too :)

jesse-summerlandgirl: haha, I love cliffhangers :)

Shy of Silence: Thanks:)

smallvillegirl92: Yes, he is quite sad, isn't he:)

Future Mrs Cole Sprouse jk lol: aww, don't cry! I'm glad you like it:)