The Hotel Monaco is a real place in San Francisco.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Xavier still belongs to me. The song, "Wuthering Heights" is by Hayley Westenra and from her album, "Pure." Anything from Wuthering Heights was paraphrased from the book by Emily Bonte.

Chapter Three

Wuthering Heights

Maddie and Xavier strolled into the lobby of the glamorous San Francisco Hotel Monaco. While on the plane, Xavier had told Maddie about all the comforts and styles that the Hotel Monaco had to offer.

Maddie admired the French-inspired architecture and sensually rich décor as she followed Xavier to the front desk.

"Ah, Monsier Alford!" exclaimed the man at the desk. "Welcome to the Hotel Monaco. Who is this?" he nodded at Maddie.

"This is Madeline Fitzpatrick," said Xavier, with a tender smile at Maddie. "She is to be my co star in the new Broadway musical."

"Spledied!" said the man. "I will check you in."

As the man checked them in, Maddie took a few minutes to gaze at her surroundings. Even the Tipton couldn't compare with the Monaco! It was lovely!

Xavier tugged on Maddie's arm and she followed him up the staircase. Her suite was on the top floor.

"I'm right across the hall," he said. "If you need anything, just call me." He gave her his suite number.

"Okay," said Maddie. "What about my suitcases?"

"I'll have the limo driver bring them up," said Xavier, pulling out his cell phone. He talked to Alexander for a few minutes and then hung up. "He'll be up derectly."

Maddie felt like saying something, but no words could discribe how she felt at that moment. She simply smiled and inserted the hotel key into the door.

Never in her life had Maddie Fitzpatrick ever stayed in such a room as she stayed at the Hotel Monaco. It was so beautiful.

Maddie flopped down on the canopy bed. This was Heaven on Earth!

There was a knock at the door.

Now who could that be? thought Maddie. She opened it. Xavier stood there.

"I brought this for you," he said, handing her a wrapped box. "It use to be my Mom's. I keep it with me because it reminds me of her."

"What happened to your Mom?" asked Maddie.

Xavier looked down.

"She was thrown over the side of a cruise ship when I was seven," he said, hoarsely. "My Dad believed that it was murder because several people had been mysteriously vanishing off of cruise ships."

"That's terrible," said Maddie, sympathetically. "I'm so sorry."

Xavier gave her a small smile.

"It's alright now. I just have to believe that she's somehow in a better place."

They stood there in silence for a moment or two before Xavier said, "I really should go. I'll give your room a ring when it's time to go down for dinner."

"I'll be waiting."

Maddie cupped the base of the snow globe that Xavier had given her and turned it upside down. Tiny bits of sparkling glitter drifted around the city inside of the snow globe. She gave a half smile and watched the confetti "snow" fall around New York City. Xavier had said that the snow globe had once belonged to his mother and he had always kept it with him because it reminded him of her. Maddie couldn't understand how Xavier could cope with his mother's death. If it had been her, she surly would have gone insane. It didn't matter that her parents always fought and sometimes her Dad would hurt her, at the end of the day they always loved each other. And that was what was important.

Maddie continued to watch the bits of glitter snow fall. Somehow it made her feel happy, yet sad inside.

Then, she heard him. She heard his sweet voice that lifted her hopes every time she heard it. The voice that had always made her happy. A sound that she knew meant she would soon feel safe and secure, and the only thing that could truly break her from the prison she was in at the moment was the boy from whom this peaceful, soothing voice was coming from.

She turned towards a bright white light. It shown so bright that it almost blinded her eyes. A figure stepped forth from the light. Calling her name.

"Maddie. . .Maddie. . ." said the voice, softly.

The figure looked so familiar. Could it be a figment. . .from her past? As her eyes adjusted to the light, she recognized the form. Could it be him? She dared not hope, then again. . .

"Esteban?" she asked. "Is that you?"

As if by sudden impulse, the figure of who the voice belong to disapeared.

Maddie cried. She cried for herself and for Esteban. The man she loved.

Someone softly knocked on the door.

"Go away!" shouted Maddie, and then more quietly, "I want to be alone."

"Maddie, please, let me in," pleaded Xavier.

Maddie knew she couldn't refuse him. She got up and unlocked the door.

Xavier walked in and took a seat on Maddie's bed.

"I'm here for you Maddie," he said. "I know your hurting."

Maddie sniffled.

"Does it show?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, gravely. "I'm afraid it is. What's on your mind?"

"My parents. . .my—" she caught herself just in time. "My family."

"What about them?"

"Dad. . ." she said, tears running down her cheeks, "He sometimes hits me if I do something wrong. It's normally due to the fact that he's drunk. Mom wants to divorce him, but we can't afford it. Beside, I think she's holding off on it because she still loves him. I do to, sometimes."

Xavier put his arm around Maddie's shoulders.

"It's alright to cry, Maddie," he said, softly. "Just let your feelings out."

Maddie cried for the next ten minutes before standing up.

"Look at me," she said. "I must be a sight." She caught her reflection in a mirror. Maddie's mascara was a mess and her eyes were all red and puffy.

"Your a beautiful sight," said Xavier. "Don't let anyone ever tell you differently."

Maddie smiled.

"Thanks, Xavier. I don't think I could ask for a better friend then you."

"Then as a friend I'll leave so you can get ready for dinner. I'll meet you in fifteen minutes right outside your suite door."

"I'll be there," Maddie promised.

As the months passed, Maddie felt that she had become Cathy. In an almost strange way, it seemed as if Xavier had been transformed into Heathcliff. For several days he was moody and in bad sprits. Maddie wasn't sure what was troubling him but guessed that it was possible that it had something to do with Esteban.

Maddie stared into Esteban's face for several seconds before asking, "What did you want to ask me?"

Esteban drew in a deep, ragged breath before putting both hands on Maddie's shoulders.

"Maddie, I want to be the one. I want to be the one you see when you close your eyes. I want to be your deepest kiss, the anwser to your every wish. All you ever need."

"And you are," whispered Maddie. "And I want you to need me like the air you breath. I want you to feel me in everything thing. Oh Esteban, I want you to need me like I need you." Maddie laid her head against his strong chest as Esteban pulled her into a tight embrace.

As Esteban bet down to kiss her, Maddie suddenly began to float away, as if she was being pulled by a powerful, magnetic force. Esteban looked up in horror to see Xavier in the distance. A horrifying grin placed on his face.

Esteban awoke with a start. Sweat poured down his face. I had just been a dream, and nothing more. Sighing, Esteban snuggled back under his covers. The image of Xavier's face never left his mind.

The following morning, Esteban spotted Zack and Cody in the Tipton lobby. They were on their way outside.

"Wait, little blonde peoples," said Esteban, stepping in front of them. "I need to speak with you."

"About what?" asked Cody.

"It's about Maddie."

"What about Maddie?" asked Zack, almost angrily.

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes," said the twins.

Esteban leaned over and spoke in a whisper.

"I'm in love," he said.

Zack's eyes widened in horror. "You can't be in love with Maddie!" he exclaimed. "I'm in love with her!"

"You only think you love Maddie," said Cody. Then he turned to Esteban. "So what do you want us to do about your love problem?"

"I just haven't had the chance to tell her I love her," said Esteban, looking down at his feet. "I know she can see it, but—"

"You just want to make sure that her eyes aren't deceiving you," finished Cody.

Esteban nodded.

"Then go see Wuthering Heights. You can meet her back stage after the performance and confess your love to her."

"What a great idea! Gratias, Cody," said Esteban, smiling.

The theater was packed with people from all over. It seemed as if all of Boston and New York City was here. Esteban quietly followed London, Zack and Cody to their front row seats.

"Thanks for taking us, London," said Zack, taking his seat. "I was almost afraid Mom wouldn't let us come with you."

"It's because Esteban came along that we were aloud to go," whispered Cody to his brother. "Mom doesn't think London is responsible enough."

"Shh," hissed Esteban. "It's starting."

A slow, dark melody filled the theater as the curtain was raised. Esteban watched in fascination as the first scene unfolded. But it wasn't until "Mr. Lockwood" was taken to his room did Esteban truly get interested. For here, Lockwood heard a voice outside his window and looked out. Maddie walked across the stage, singing softly.

Out on the wiley, windy moors

We'd roll and fall in green.

You had a temper like my jealousy:

Too hot, too greedy.

How could you leave me,

When I needed to possess you?

I hated you. I loved you, too.

Bad dreams in the night.

They told me I was going to lose the fight,

Leave behind my wuthering, wuthering

Wuthering Heights.

Heathcliff, it's me-Cathy.

Come home. I'm so cold!

Let me in-a-your window.

Heathcliff, it's me-Cathy.

Come home. I'm so cold!

Let me in-a-your window.

Ooh, it gets dark! It gets lonely,

On the other side from you.

I pine a lot. I find the lot

Falls through without you.

I'm coming back, love.

Cruel Heathcliff, my one dream,

My only master.

Too long I roam in the night.

I'm coming back to his side, to put it right.

I'm coming home to wuthering, wuthering,

Wuthering Heights,

Heathcliff, it's me-Cathy.

Come home. I'm so cold!

Let me in-a-your window.

Heathcliff, it's me-Cathy.

Come home. I'm so cold!

Let me in-a-your window.

Ooh! Let me have it.

Let me grab your soul away.

Ooh! Let me have it.

Let me grab your soul away.

You know it's me-Cathy!

Heathcliff, it's me-Cathy.

Come home. I'm so cold!

Let me in-a-your window.

Heathcliff, it's me-Cathy.

Come home. I'm so cold!

Let me in-a-your window.

Heathcliff, it's me-Cathy.

Come home. I'm so cold!

Maddie continued to walk towards the window until she stood directly outside it. Her face was pale as death as Lockwood stuck his arm out to seize a branch of a tree. Instead, his fingers closed around Maddie's ice-cold hand. He tried to pull back his arm, but Maddie clung to it, and in the most melancholy voice sobbed,

"Let me in -- let me in!"

"Who are you?" Lockwood asked, meanwhile trying to disengage myself.

"Catherine Linton," said Maddie, shiveringly. "I'm come home. I had lost my way on the moor." As she spoke, Maddie pressed her face closer to the window. She soon began to wail.

"Let me in!" Maddie cried, keeping a tenacious gripe on Lockwood's arm.

"How can I?" asked Lockwood. "Let me go, if you want me to let you in!"

Reluctantly, Maddie let go.

"Begone!" cried Lockwood. "I'll never let you in! Not even if you begged me for twenty years."

"It has been twenty years," moaned Maddie. "Twenty years have I waited. Twenty years!"

As footsteps approached, Maddie disappeared.

Xavier stood at the entrance of the room, holding a candle. Lockwood explained to him about his meeting with Catherine.

"Always at nine in winter, and rise at four," said Xavier. "Mr. Lockwood, please leave the room. You may use mine. I'll be with you in a few minutes."

As Lockwood hurried off the stage, Xavier ran to the window with uncontrollable passion of tears.

"Come in! come in!" he sobbed. "Cathy, do come! Oh, do -- once more! Oh, my heart's darling! Hear me this time, Catherine, at last!"

The crowed murmured and Esteban thought that he could see real tears in Xavier's eyes.

As the final note died away, the crowd went wild with applause. Esteban stood and whistled at Maddie as she came on stage with the rest of the cast to take their bow. He could have sworn that he saw her smile at him.

As the crowd began to leave, Esteban made his way backstage.

"Maddie, you were wonderful!" exclaimed Xavier. "Are you excited about preforming Wuthering Heights again tomorrow?"

"Of course!" said Maddie. "There's nothing quit like the feeling when your on stage. I loved every minute of it."

"Then you won't mind that you and I will be preforming this for several more weeks."

"Weeks?" cried Maddie. "I don't think Mr. Moseby can spare me for that long. Plus, school will be starting up again. I know Sister Dominic won't be happy if I'm not there. She was counting on me to show up again."

"Maddie," said Xavier, taking her by the hand and leading her outdoors. "Why not give up that life and come and stay with me?"

"I just— I just. . .can't," said Maddie, dropping her gaze. "I have friends, family, fellow employees that I care very much about. . ."

Xavier's eyes darkened.

"You mean like that bellboy, what's-his-name?"

"His name is Esteban," said Maddie.

"Sure, whatev. Do you like Esteban?"

Maddie looked away.

Xavier gently turned her face towards his.

"Maddie," he said, softly, "Esteban is too old for you. He's a man and your a young teenage girl of fifteen. Someone like that will strip you of all your childlike innocence and will cast you away like a dirty rag. He's dangerous, Maddie. He doesn't care for you, so it would be better if you stayed away from him. He will ruin you."

Maddie was shocked. Would Esteban really do those horrible things to her? Maddie shuddered. Something in her mind wouldn't allow her to thing that the sweet, innocent bellboy would hurt her in the way Xavier said he would. Right?

Esteban walked backstage but there was no sign of Maddie. A fellow cast member said that she had seen Maddie and Xavier walk outside. Esteban thanked her and hurried outside.

Silently Esteban walked outside.

The cool night air made him feel rather happy. He hoped if Maddie still loved him. He had to know. His dark eyes stared darkly into the equally dark night. The clouds hid the moon and stars.

There she is, thought Esteban, as he heard Maddie's voice. He moved towards the sound of her voice. Maddie's blonde hair hung loosely around her face and her eyes sparkled with questions. Esteban's hands began to shake at the very sight of her. Such beauty.

She is truly an angel, he thought to himself. Maddie had completely captured his attention until he heard footsteps coming up behind Maddie. Xavier rushed up to Maddie and turned her around to face him. He whispered something in her ear.

Maddie smiled and put her hands into Xavier's. They began to walk down the sidewalk together. Esteban fumed. He began to squeeze the life out of his hands as he gritted his teeth. Yet he still watched. Esteban gasped for breath, trying to still his racing heart.

Finally, he mustered the courage to move. Placing his fingers on the side of the theater, he peered around. She was gone. Of course she was gone! Why would she stay? A deep growl issued from his throat. Esteban was furious.

How could I have been so ignorant? He thought, wrathfully. I'm so stupid. In a fit or rage, Esteban slammed his hands against the building. I had her! She was right there! And what did I do? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

Esteban's hands trembled hitting the theater. He turned to walk away, but then heard voice. She was coming back? Was Xavier with her? Yes. Esteban heard his unmistakable voice.

Maddie was sobbing and Xavier was trying to comfort her. Why was she crying? Had Xavier hurt her in some way? If he had, Esteban would kill him.

"I'll do it," Maddie said, finally. "No matter how painful it is."

"Good for you," said Xavier, pulling her into his arms. "You'll be better off without him."

Maddie smiled as Xavier's lips came in contact with her own. They continued for a moment or two, before they broke away.

Esteban's eyes flashed as he watched them. His heart broke in half as Maddie smiled at Xavier. A seething and consuming rage filled every ounce of his body.

Maddie would pay.

So what do you think of that? What will Esteban do now? Will he ever get Maddie to love him or will she always love Xavier? Will update soon!