Dig

Chapter 5: The Game

A/N: It really is too bad that I'm not to the bad part yet. I'm in one of the worst moods I've ever been in. Dunno if you guys've heard, but one of my favorite professional wrestlers Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son, Daniel were found dead in their home Monday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia. And that's not even the worst of it. The police assume that Chris is the one who killed Nancy and Daniel, and then commited suicide. I just couldn't ever see him doing that, and I am just in shock. It's all over the news, and I'm just pissed off because it's all so confusing.

A/N That's Actually Related To The Story: Yeah, sorry about going off up there. This chapter will mostly be a Maddie X Zack one. There's some slight Cody X London at the beginning, but that's it.

Disclaimer: I don't own any Suite Life characters.

Date Written: 6/16/2007

Chapter Summary: London sees her self-proclaimed family again. Will they be happy to see her?

!#$&()+

London's POV

I haven't seen that place in over a year.

My old favorite restaurant, MazĂ´n Robeirt. Old being the operative word. I'm much more conservative and domestic now. I'd be happy with fast food anyday. Cody and I had taken the scenic route on our way to the Tipton, on my whim. I just wanted to soak up as much of this place as I could before going back to New York.

"What are you thinking?" Cody asked me.

"Everything," I chuckled. It wasn't far from the truth. I was just wondering why my life had turned out the way it did and if it was much of a good thing. Sure, I'd become increasingly normal over the past year, despite the opinions of the stupid jocks back at school. But I'd hurt so many people in that process that being normal seemed only like a consolation prize.

"London? We're here," Cody told me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I swear. My thoughts are like dreams. It's like I'm asleep. It's hard to stop them once they start swirling around in my head.

I stopped just outside the tall building with green trimmings so to speak. I gazed up at it's height, the golden sun reflecting off it's windows. The only thing more valuable than this building itself were the memories that lurked inside, which were sure to find me the moment I stepped through the door.

Cody spun the revolving door around after I stepped in. It touched me to know he remembered how much fun he and I would have spinning each other around in it. The minute I actually got inside, I heard a yell. I knew that yell. I had heard it often during my childhood.

The next thing I knew, there were arms around me. I saw Moseby's warm smile as he pulled away from our hug and I started to cry.

"London! I'm so happy that you're here!" He said, getting a bit teary eyed as well. Cody stood back, watching the sentimental moment.

"I'm so sorry," I said instantly, sobbing into his shoulder. Coming in here didn't only make me feel good. It made me feel guilty as hell.

"You've nothing to apologize for, besides bringing him back in here," Moseby replied, adding a chuckle when referring to Cody. He faked a hurt look. I laughed at them both.

"We were gonna all go out to dinner to celebrate London and Maddie coming back, so grab Esteban and let's vamoose!" Cody informed the gleeful hotel manager.

"Ah, Madeline's back as well? Then, let's get going," Moseby laughed, going off to search for Esteban. Esteban's face lit up when he saw me.

"Miss London, welcome home," Esteban said, giving me a quick hug. I smiled when he said 'home'.

"Please. No more 'Miss' London. Just London. It's great to see you again, Esteban," I told him.

"Let's go, then," Moseby said, happily.

Meanwhile

Maddie's POV

This chatter is nice, but there's really one thing I want to know, and it's awfully hard to ask...

Zack and I walked joyously down Riverman Boulevard, recounting past experiences on this very road.

"So, what have you been up to, lately?" I asked Zack quietly.

"Trying to get through high school mostly," Zack laughed.

"Oh stop, I'm sure you're doing fine," I insisted, rolling my eyes playfully.

"You wouldn't be so sure if you saw my report card," he said, not joking.

"So, how's Lauren?" I asked, with a bit of bitterness in my voice. I had always resented her. She was Zack's girlfriend a year ago. I don't know if she still is, but I sure hope not. She didn't exactly thrive on morals, and she was very mean. London had tried to convince me before we left Boston last year that even though Zack was with Lauren, he still loved me like he did when he was 12. I stopped believing her after a while.

"I don't know. She moved to New Haven last year, and I haven't talked to her since. I'm pretty sure you already know this, but she was a slut," Zack informed me, causing my curiosity to diminish. I gaped at him, as he'd called her a slut, but danced inwardly, knowing he and Lauren no longer had a relationship.

"There's something I want to ask you," I said suddenly, and a bit nervously. I stopped walking completely, and he turned to look at me.

"Ask away," he replied.

"It's kind of difficult to say, and it might sound a little weird," I said with a shy smile.

"You can ask me anything," Zack laughed. reassuringly laying a hand on my shoulder.

"Um, I was just kind of wondering...you know that crush you had on me when we were younger?" I began cautiously, wondering how he'd react. He nodded.

"Well...I 'll just come right out and ask. Do you...still love me?" I blurted out. I instantly regretted it. He was smirking. OH NO, he was going to laugh at me and chastize me for thinking such a thing. He must've seen my feelings within the look on my face, because he turned serious.

"Before I answer, why do you ask?" He retaliated. Oh great. His real personality was showing. He was going to turn this into a game. Little did he know, I was gonna win. He thought he was going to cause me to blurt out that I had feelings for him. Which I didn't. Okay, maybe I did. Maybe it was more than just feelings. Maybe it was love. Isn't that where you leave a person for one year, never stop thinking about them, dream about wrapping your arms around them and kissing them and- whoa. Getting way off track here.

"Just wondering. London reminded me of the crush on the way over here when we were reminiscing," I answered, lying my ass off of course. London didn't have to remind me of the crush. I'd thought about it non-stop over the past year.

"Really, now..." Zack said, avoiding the question, because he knew answering it right away would assure a victory for me in this little game we were playing.

"Yeah," I responded, still awaiting his answer.

"Well, we're at your mom's. You wanna go get her?" Zack chuckled, giving me a devious smirk. Damn him. He wins this round, but it isn't over yet. But right now, I'm melting from his smile. I slowly backed up the steps, giving him a playful glare, signifying that we would continue this discussion at a later date.

Zack's POV

I win.

Maddie knows I won. She knew it was a game the moment she asked me that. I love this game. We used to play games like this when we were younger. I'm not gonna give her an answer yet. I'm gonna wait until the right time.

When Maddie left for New York, I was heart broken. Sure, I had a girl friend, but Maddie was the only girl I was ever in love with. She didn't even say goodbye. I've been so mad at her, but the minute I saw her face at the airport, all that anger was replaced with those old feelings I used to have. Maddie might not know it yet, but yes...I'm still deeply in love with her. In fact, I thought about just going to New York and showing up on her door step. Actually, I got as far as the airport once. But that was the closest I ever got.

I watched as Maddie exited the house with her tearful mother in tow. They shared several hugs. I felt kind of awkward and almost like I was intruding on them, but Maddie soon jogged down the porch to rejoin me. She and her mother walked ahead of me a bit. Maddie turned around and gave me a sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry. You must feel like you've been following me the whole time I've been here, feel free to walk ahead," Maddie said with a chuckle.

"It's okay," I replied.

It's okay, Maddie. I'd follow you anywhere.

"You guys go ahead to the restaurant. I'll go get my mom," I told them. They nodded, but Maddie gave me one last hug before she and her mom took off. I did not want to let go of her, but I had to if I wanted to win the game.

A/N: I'm sorry for not updating this sooner. But I just haven't been in a very Suite Life-y mood lately. Luckily, that has changed, and I am now back full-force! Love you guys! Ciao!z