A/N: I know I have another story "There Can Be Miracles" and that one I am still working on, but this story popped into mind and I just had to write. I hope you enjoy the read!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody".

Move Along – chapter four: Start of Something New

Kurt had arranged his schedule so he didn't have to start up travelling again until after Christmas break was over for the boys. The twins' 17th birthday was a week away and what a vacation they had had. They'd just got back from London, England, with the aid of Kurt's saved up money and spent a fortnight over there. They had had a blast!

The week to the twins' birthday flew by. Now, August 4th, the identical young men sat opening their birthday gifts. Cody and Zack both got new skateboards from their mom, and both received $300 from their dad.

"Mom?"

"Yeah Cody?"

"Can Zack and I go to the movies… awone?"

Carey and Kurt glanced at one another; silently having a conversation via ESP.

"Yes, but you must see something rated PG," instructed Carey.

"And Zack, look after Cody."

"Why PG?" questioned Zack.

"PG-13's scawy," replied Cody. "I be fwaid."

Zack fought against the urge to roll his eyes and offered a fake, understanding smile.

"I mean it, Zack. PG rated."

"I know, mom."

The twins left.

"Are you mad, Zack?" Cody asked as they walked down Main Street to the downtown movie theatre.

"No. I understand. PG-13's too scary and violent for you."

"When I aww betta, we see PG-13."

"Sounds like a plan, buddy."

"What we seeing?"

"Garfield?"

"Ooo, the cat?"

Zack couldn't help but laugh at the enthusiasm. "Yes, the cat."

Carey, Kurt, and Zack sat in the family room as they began a serious conversation. Cody was back in his and Zack's room. He was supposed to be playing video games but instead eavesdropped in on the conversation about school.

"Now Cody's going back to school come the first day. He's going to be in the special-needs class."

"Do you want me to show him where it is the first day?"

"No. Well yes – but we want you to take him there everyday so no trouble is caused."

"You're afraid of bullies picking on him," concluded Zack.

"Zack, if you saw someone who once was the most brilliant student and is now one of the most mentally challenged students – Wouldn't you want to say something hurtful?" tested Kurt.

Zack looked away, bowing his head. "Yeah I guess."

"That's why we've placed Cody in your gym and art class, in your study hall and lunch. During those times you have to be there for Cody. Put him on your gym team. Eat with him at lunch. Help him during art class. And be there with him during study hall. He's going to be relying on you, Zack."

"I know that, mom. But why – never mind. I promise I'll do this. I won't let you guys down again."

Cody who'd been listening from his room turned from the door and headed back to his bed where he sat, and put his head in his hands and cried. His parents thought him stupid and incapable of handling things on his own… he was a burden. He cried himself to sleep.

"Hey Cody, wake up. It's time for dinner."

Cody stirred and stretched his legs out. He looked at his brother with gloomy eyes.

"Hey what's wrong?"

"Am I weally a bwuden?"

"Why would you think that?" asked Zack, oblivious.

"What you, mom, and dad said."

"You heard?" Zack said with guilt.

Cody nodded.

"Listen to me, Cody. We don't think you a burden – We're worried how the other kids will treat you. We want you to be safe."

"But you in charge of me. And you don't like that."

"I may have wanted some alone time, but you're my brother, and I want you kept safe and unharmed."

Cody smiled. "I sorry."

"It's fine. Now come on – I'm starving."

The first day of school came and Carey was having a difficult time letting Cody go.

"Come on, Carey. They'll be late for school."

"Cody, please listen to your teachers and be nice to everyone."

"I know mom."

"Be safe buddy."

"Yes dad."

"Zack, take care of your brother."

"And don't forget our conversation."

The twins nodded and left for school.

"How do you think Cody's going to hold up?"

"He'll be fine, Carey. Our boy is strong-willed."

Carey nodded and collapsed on the chair in the lobby.

"Cody off to school?" asked Mr. Moseby.

"Yeah, first time since the incident."

"Don't worry about him, Carey. He's tough; he'll be fine."

"Thanks."

The boys entered school and the second people saw them, they began pointing at Cody and whispering behind their backs.

"Just ignore them, Cody."

"Will this ever stop?"

"In time, hopefully. Now here's your classroom. When it comes time for gym, art, study hall, or lunch I will come and get you. Do not leave until I am here. Understand?"

Cody nodded.

"Now have fun, and I will see you in a few hours."

"Bye Zack!"

Cody was sitting in his classroom when he felt the urge to pee. He raised his hand.

"Yes Cody?" called Mrs. Smith.

"I have to go to bathwoom."

"Go on."

Cody nodded and the minute he stepped out into the hallway, he realized he forgot where the bathroom was. He saw a girl he recognized as Gloria Jensen walking down the hall and he decided to ask her where it was.

"Uh Glowy, where's the bathwoom?"

Glory snorted, "Well why don't you learn to say it first, then learn where it's at," and she walked away.

Cody felt hurt. He and Glory had been so close, what happened?

Then he saw his other best friend. "Twent! Can you show me where the bathwoom is?"

Trenton sneered at Cody and replied nastily, "I don't talk to the mentally retarded. Go find it yourself."

Cody felt tears well up in his eyes, and he sighed in defeat. He would just hold it until Zack came and got him. He returned to class.

Another two hours passed, and Cody felt as though his bladder was about to burst. Finally Zack showed up.

"Cody, how's the day going so far?"

Cody shook his head, raw emotions in his eyes, and simply squeaked, "Bathwoom!"

Zack took him immediately to the bathroom. When Cody had finished and washed his hands, he slid down the bathroom wall onto the floor.

"Cody what happened?"

"No one showed by where bathwoom was."

"Did you ask?" Zack's eyebrows were arched in question.

Cody nodded. "No one likes me."

Zack could feel his brother's pain. "Come on, we'll be late for gym."

The twin brothers headed to the gymnasium.

The school year was flying by. Today was the last day before Christmas break. Cody was still lonesome at school and Zack was his hero and best friend. He had made a friend in his special-needs class though, Ryan Diggory. Ryan was paraplegic, but other than that, perfectly normal. Ryan helped Cody whenever Cody got stumped with schoolwork and helped him understand. Zack was thrilled to see Cody enjoying school again.

"Wyan?"

"Yeah Cody?"

"Duwring bweak, wanna come over?"

"I'd love to, but every year my family goes to Paris where all our family is. Sorry."

"It's okay. Were you bowrn in Parwis?"

"No. My dad got transferred to Boston. So I have dual citizenship here in the US and France."

"Is Fwance pwetty?"

"It's beautiful. I'll bring pictures in when I get back."

"Have you always gone 'ere?"

"Yeah."

"I never seen you wround school," Cody stated.

"That's because I've been stuck in here."

"You're not stupid like me. You swoodn't be 'ere."

"That's what my parents keep telling the school, but they insist I stay here."

"That sucks."

"It does. But if I wouldn't have been here, I'd never have met you."

"There's some good then."

"Sure is."

The boys smiled and got back to work. Cody needed lunch money from his coat pocket that was in his locker, so he raised his hand and got permission to go to his locker. His locker was right outside of Zack's physics class and he was hoping he'd get to peek in and see his brother.

"Give me your money, retard!" came an evil voice.

"No," Cody said bravely. "What happened to you, Mawk? You used to be nice."

"I don't talk to retards." Mark pulled Cody into him by his shoulder collars and threatened dangerously, "Give me your money and wallet now or else…"

"Or else what?"

"That's it! I warned you…"

Mark punched Cody in the face and he fell to the floor immediately rubbing his stinging cheek. Mark then kicked him repeatedly in the stomach and Cody heard and felt ribs snapping. Cody heaved in a breath and begged the bully to stop.

"Pwease stop, Mawk. I swy."

"Too late for that now."

"Stop!"

Zack heard that plea for help and recognized Cody's agonized cry afterward. He left class and saw his brother on the ground. Just as he was about to lunge at Mark Richardson, Mark swung his leg back and powerfully kicked Cody in the middle of his head. Zack choked back the vomit that came up his throat as he heard simultaneously the cracking of Cody's skull and Cody's anguished cry before he watched in horror as his brother collapsed limply on the ground.

"You bastard!" Zack screamed as he tackled Mark onto the ground rendering the other boy unconscious.

"Zackary Martin, you'd better have a good explanation for –" Mr. Jackson's voice trailed off as he saw Zack crawling towards his brother.

Zack yelled for help when he saw the blood trickling from the corners of Cody's mouth and the blood dripping from Cody's right ear.

"Call 911 now! And hurry!" The tears leaked out of Zack's eyes as he stared at Cody's unmoving form. Please God, let Cody be okay.

A/N: Well, what did you think? Let me know in your review! The fifth chapter is almost complete so that should be out VERY soon! Expect Chapter 5 Monday or Tuesday! Will review all who review me. Please REVIEW! Thanks, - -Stacey- -