Hi everyone. I'm so sorry it's been like 2 and a half months since I've updated! I've been really busy with school and some personal stuff...But I'm back and I have the next chapter for you!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Suite life or any of the characters.

So here it is! The long awaited chapter 14! :D Enjoy!

Zack walked into the kitchen of his suite in Boston. He looked around and immediately felt relaxed and happy. He was so glad to be home. After a long 4 months, it was nice to see his mom again. "Well, why don't you all get settled and I'll make lunch. Bailey and Maya you two can room together," Carey said, coming in the door after him.

"Thank you, Mrs. Martin," Bailey said politely.

Carey smiled. She turned to Zack. "Don't worry, Zack we'll get you nice and fed before you go back to the boat. Cody tells me that you're eating, but I just don't see it."

Cody sighed and rolled his eyes. "Mom, he's not starving himself."

"Thank you, mom. I appreciate it," Zack said chuckling.

"Come on, Zack," Cody said, leading them to their room.

Zack watched Maya and Bailey enter the extra bedroom next to theirs. Maya didn't look pleased and neither did Bailey. He knew that there was something going on. Maya probably thought that Bailey had slept with Holden, too. Cody and Zack walked into their room. Cody frowned. "I thought you told mom that you cleaned before we left."

Zack dropped his bags and flopped on his bed. "I did clean up."

Cody shook his head and sat on his bed. Zack wasn't sure what of to say. While he was glad to be away from school, the extended period of being around Maya would only make him more nervous. He turned to Cody. He was gazing at the floor, but his eyes were unfocused. "Codes, are you okay?"

He blinked several times and looked up at him. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine." He didn't look at him for too long. Zack knew his brother so well that it only took one look in the eyes for him to know what was really going on. There was a sort of uncomfortable silence that wedged between them, but a knock at the door defused it.

"Come in," Cody said, still avoiding Zack's eyes.

The door opened and Bailey walked through. She smiled slightly. "Thought I'd come in here. Maya wants to take a nap."

"A nap?" Cody asked. Bailey closed the door and sat next to Zack. Zack noticed Cody frown a bit.

"Well, I think she just wants to be alone more than anything else. You saw how she was on the car ride here. She hardly said a word," Bailey explained.

"I didn't think she would take things this badly. Bob must mean a lot to her," Cody said quietly.

Zack could not stand the shame eating his insides. He stood up. "I'm gonna go see if she's okay."

"Maybe you should just let her be," Cody said.

"I'm not going to bother her. I just want to see if she needs anything," Zack said. He didn't give them time to respond. He walked to her room and exhaled deeply before knocking on the door. There was no answer. He knocked again. "Maya, come on, it's me," he said softly.

He could hear her bed creak. She opened the door slowly. Zack had been around Maya since he was fifteen, but looking at her still affected him. She was so beautiful. "Do you need something?" she asked in a small voice.

"No, I wanted to see if you needed anything," he answered.

She ran a hand through her hair and the brown strands flowed back into her face. "No, I'm okay, thanks."

Zack sighed. "Maya, I just want to help. I know you are upset. You don't have to act so strong all the time."

She laughed dryly and opened the door so he could come in. "That's a bit rich, coming from you."

"Thanks," he said sarcastically, walking in. He leaned against the small dresser.

Maya sat on the bed and hugged a pillow. "So, is there something in particular that you want to talk about?"

Zack shrugged. "Not really, well, maybe…" She looked at him as if asking him to continue. He cleared his throat. "Well, I guess about the breakup."

She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it and especially with you."

He gaped at her. "What is that supposed to mean?"

She didn't look at him. "I can't talk about Bob with you. You won't care."

Zack walked over to her and sat next to her. She moved away slightly and turned away. "Why wouldn't I care? Of course I care, Maya. You're my friend. Maya…look at me."

Maya turned back to him. Her eyes were wet. "What, Zack?"

"We are friends, aren't we?" he asked.

She sniffed and rubbed her nose on her sleeve. "Of course we are."

"Then why won't you let me be here for you? Why are you shutting Bailey and me out?" He asked.

Maya rolled her eyes. "Like I can learn anything from Bailey right now. She's got her own issues."

"You think that she slept with Holden, don't you?" Zack asked.

"I really don't care what she did. All I know is that Cody is completely broken up about it," she explained.

Zack wanted to smile. Maya tended to give Cody a hard time, but he knew they were still good friends. "Well, don't you think that Bailey could have felt the same way about things?"

She shrugged. "Don't give me that, Zack. I'm not stupid. I know that Cody likes her and she has a thing for him, no matter who she dates. It's obvious that she's toying with his feelings and I don't like it. You're his brother, why aren't you defending him? I mean Cody is…Cody. He's smart, but he can miss little details like this, but I expect more from her."

"I guess you're right," Zack said.

Maya smiled. "Is this really what we're going to do? Are we going to argue about Cody and Bailey?"

"No, I don't want to argue about them. I don't want to fight about anything. I just want you to be okay," he said. He placed a hand on hers.

She pulled away. "Please don't."

"Why?" Harry asked.

Maya turned away again. "I just-I don't want it. It's great that you care but stop."

He felt frustration boil. He had no idea what Maya wanted and what she felt. "Maya, I can't just stop caring. You came to me remember? You came running into my arms and cried that night."

She stood up. "I'm fully aware, okay? I know that I came crying to you. I know that once again, poor pathetic Maya Bennett could only be consoled by Zack Martin."

"That's not what I meant," he tried.

"I don't care what you meant. Look, I just want to be alone. I-I need to think okay? Can you let me think?" she asked.

Zack turned away from her. After everything that they have been through together, he thought it would bring them closer and make them stronger, but it didn't seem to be that way at all. He couldn't reach her. He got up. "Fine, I'll leave, but just know that you can't use that line on me." He walked to the door and turned back to her. "I'm not Bob, Maya. Stop treating me like I am." He opened the door and walked out, feeling defeated.

Lunch was terrible. Zack only ate because he knew that Carey wanted him to. He picked at his sandwich and swallowed painfully. His entire body ached. He was unhappy. Maya was unhappy. Cody was unhappy, and Bailey was unhappy, and it all seemed to be because of him. It was his idea. He pushed for him and Bailey to do something, and their actions seemed to cause even more pain.

"What is with you guys? I'd think that being away from school would brighten up your day," Carey said.

"Mrs. Martin, can I be excused? I'm not that hungry," Maya said softly.

Carey looked at her in such a concerned way. "Of course you may, sweetheart." Maya got up from the table and walked into her room. "What is wrong with her?"

"Mom, why don't I help you clean up? I'll tell you about it," Cody said, getting up from the table.

"I can help clean up, too," Bailey offered.

"No, Bailey, it's okay," Carey said distracted. She quickly got up and followed Cody into the kitchen. Zack got up from the table as well and followed Bailey into his and Cody's room.

"I can't take this," Bailey said, taking a seat on Cody's bed and holding one of his pillows. "What did Maya say to you when you went to talk to her?"

"Nothing really. I don't think she wants to be here," Zack confessed.

"I don't think she wants me here, either. She's barely spoken to me since we got here," she said.

He looked at his best friend. Bailey's face was so pained. He wanted to help her, but he couldn't even help himself. He hated feeling so powerless. "She thinks that you slept with Holden."

"I didn't and I don't know how many more times I have to say it! Why does she care anyway? She told me that she thought I should get out more," Bailey defended.

"Yeah, but in her eyes you betrayed Cody. She's more angry that Cody's upset than anything else." Zack had to smile at that. Maya's loyalty was one of the many reasons why he loved her so much.

"Well, Cody hasn't said much, either. He can barely look at me. Ugh! It's so frustrating. I know that what I did was wrong, but I really didn't do anything. They won't believe me. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't mean to make Cody or Maya hate me. Maybe I should just go home." Bailey wiped her eyes and held Cody's pillow tighter. Zack walked over and sat next to her.

"Hey, hey, I know that you didn't mean to hurt anyone, and Cody doesn't hate you. He could never hate you. You know how he gets about things like this. Maya also doesn't hate you," Zack said, squeezing her shoulder.

Bailey turned to him and sniffed gently. "And what about you, Zack? Do you hate me?"

He grinned. "I might consider it if you leave. I need you here. We have to figure this out together."

Bailey returned his smile. "Thanks, Zack, you're absolutely right. I can't run from this. We have to figure something out." She hugged him.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know you two were…um." Zack and Bailey looked up. Cody was standing at the door with his eyes wide.

Zack immediately moved away. "We were just talking, Cody. How's mom?"

He nodded in a skeptical way and sat on Zack's bed. "She was pretty upset after I told her. She asked me if Bob had done something."

"And what did you say?" Bailey asked.

He rolled his eyes. "I told her that I wasn't sure, but I think that it was a mutual decision. They haven't really gotten on in ages. Then she asked how things were going with Barbara." He looked away and rubbed his cheek.

"And what did you say to that?" Zack asked.

Cody didn't seem to hear him at first. "Things are fine," he said quietly, not turning to them. The three of them were quiet and lost in their own thoughts.

"Well, I hope you don't mind if I stay with y'all. I don't want to disturb Maya," Bailey said.

"Bailey, when have you ever asked permission to do something?" Zack asked.

"Yeah, no matter what we say, you'll just barge in anyway," Cody added cheekily.

Bailey threw the pillow at Cody and lightly swatted Zack's arm. "Both of you can shut up."

Zack and Cody burst into laughter. "Okay, Cody, get the games out," Zack said, trying to lighten the mood.

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing games and trying to ignore all the problems that the three of them had. It was bittersweet for Zack. He enjoyed being with them more than anything, but he was worried about Maya. He hated the fact that she was in her room, alone and upset. He wanted to protect and keep her safe. He always had. There was something about Maya that made Zack want to take care of her and make her happy. He couldn't feel complete knowing that she wasn't okay.

"Do you think dinner is ready?" Cody asked hours later. He was sprawled out on the floor. They were worn out from chess and cards.

"I'm not sure. Doesn't you nose usually tell us?" Zack asked. Cody kicked him.

"What time is your dad getting here, guys?" Bailey asked from Cody's bed. She was laying on her stomach, and her head was near the edge of the mattress. She couldn't keep her eyes off Cody.

Cody, of course, didn't seem to notice. He shrugged. "Not sure. I know he's working later and later these days. Being on tour all over the world is a lot of work."

"He can handle it. Our dad is the only one for the job," Zack said with a smile.

He chuckled. "Yeah, you should see all of the guitars he has in the garage. Some of them are really unique, but most of them are pretty boring."

"Maybe you should have taken guitar lessons," Bailey said.

Cody frowned. "I'm not very musically talented. Besides, don't you know how to play guitar? Anytime I need to know something, I'll just ask you."

"That's very independent of you, Cody," she said sarcastically, but Zack knew that on the inside she was thrilled.

He turned to her and smiled. "Thank you, Bailey."

"Oh, I wasn't being serious," she answered back.

Cody crawled over to her and got real close to her face. "I finally got a cell phone, didn't I?"

Bailey became very red and covered her mouth as she laughed. "Yeah, and you were one of the last people on Earth to not have one when you did."

He smirked and shrugged. "Hey, what are you gonna do with me?" he asked quietly.

Her cheeks went faintly pink again. "I'm not sure yet."

They continued to grin and stare at each other. Zack watched awkwardly as they flirted and made lustful eyes at one another. They were so obvious with their feelings but somehow they just didn't connect them together. He slowly and quietly got up and cleared his throat. "Hmm, um, well, I think I will go see if dinner is ready."

"Okay, thanks, Zack," Cody said, not taking his eyes off Bailey.

"Yep," Zack answered, walking backwards to the door. He grinned. It was the first time in a while that Cody and Bailey both looked happy. It was not a coincidence that it was because they were together. He left the room and was sure that they were still staring at each other.

Before going to the kitchen, he stopped outside Maya's door. He didn't knock, but he put his ear up to the door to see if he could hear her crying. There was silence. He figured that she must have been sleeping. He walked down the rest of the stairs and heard his mom's voice. He smiled and began to walk into the kitchen to say hello.

"Is that what Cody told you?" Kurt asked. Zack immediately held back and rested against the wall to listen.

"He said it was probably mutual, but I know better," Carey said.

"Oh, God," Kurt said.

"She's not over Zack, and it's eating away at her. Kurt, I'm worried. I know it's not Zack's fault, but Maya has to learn to move on. I don't know how much longer I can take her being like this." Zack didn't have to see his mother's face to know she was upset.

"Maya's a strong person. She will bounce back from this. Besides, it's not too late for her and Zack. Remember, it took me three years after meeting you to finally get the nerve to ask you out on a date," Kurt said.

Carey chuckled. "I was beginning to think that I'd have to do it myself. It must be where Cody gets it. Bailey has a lot more patience than I would've had."

Zack had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Bailey would turn purple when she found out about this. He heard a loud sniff coming from the sitting room. He turned around and saw Maya on the couch. Once again, she seemed to be crying. She gazed at the floor as tears streamed down her face. She was such a tough person and rarely showed her fear and sadness. Now, it seemed as if she couldn't keep it in no matter what she did. He didn't want to disturb her, but he couldn't stand seeing her so upset and not help.

"Maya," he said quietly.

She jumped and looked up. "Oh, Zack, how long have you been there?" She wiped her eyes and sniffed loudly.

"Just a second or two. Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," he said.

"No, it's okay. Come and sit down," she said. Zack smiled gently and took a seat next to her. She continued to wipe and sniff. Her eyes were so puffy and red. "Look, I want to apologize for how I acted earlier. You're right. You're not Bob, and I shouldn't push you away."

"Hey, don't feel like you need to apologize. You're going through a lot right now. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. I care a lot about you, Maya." Zack had to turn away from her eyes. He didn't know how long he would last.

Maya smiled and wiped her eyes. "I just feel really bad. I have ever since it happened."

Zack turned back to her. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She took a breath. "It's funny really. Everyone thinks that it was something mutual or that he did something to me because I'm crying all over the place and he seems to be okay."

"He's not okay," he cut in.

Maya frowned. "I know that, and it's my fault. Bob didn't do anything to me, and it was not mutual. I-I broke up with him."

Zack's heart seemed to pound against his chest. "Why?" he asked.

She pulled at a loose string on the pillow cushion. "He wanted to stay together. I…didn't. I need time and space from him. I know that it sounds selfish, but it's honest. I didn't think that it would be so hard, though. I miss him, and I do really care for him."

Zack tried his hardest to look interested and supportive. "I know you do, Maya. He does, too."

She stared at him. "That night after I broke up with him, I ran off. I-I went looking for you, Zack. You were the one that I wanted to see and talk to first. I don't know why. I just did, but I couldn't find you. You ended up finding me. You always find me whenever I need you." She smiled at him.

Zack's insides melted. Her smile was so beautiful. Her brown eyes were soft, and her mouth was perfect. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to tell her that he loved her. He wanted so much, but he was too afraid to go for it. He was too terrified of losing her. He swallowed hard. "I'll always find you, Maya. I'm not going anywhere."

Her face flushed with color. She licked her lips, and Zack watched in a trance. "Good, I don't want you to leave," she whispered.

Zack was sure that his body was soaked with sweat. He moved closer to her. Maya put her forehead against his. Zack touched her face and ran his thumb across her cheek. She leaned into his chest and rested against his neck. He held her tightly. He took in her smell and her warmth. He truly felt at home. He didn't want to let her go. There were too many emotions going through him. He couldn't keep them all in. "I love you, Maya," he said before he could stop himself. Zack's heart stopped, and his head seemed to cave in. He held his breath, waiting for her response.

She only held on to him tighter. "I love you, too, Zack."

Zack closed his eyes and held on to her as tight as he could. He felt dizzy. Her words kept swimming in his head. He wanted to know if her meaning of love matched his. He wanted to know if she meant as the friend she needed or as the girlfriend he wanted her to be, but that could wait.

All that mattered at the moment to Zack and Maya.

Aww! 3 Zaya c': Again, I'm REALLY sorry for the long wait! It won't happen again! Sorry there wasn't a lot of Cailey in this chapter, but I wanted to get Zaya together first. Unfortunately, it's still gonna be a few chapters before Cailey actually happens…:c Barbara's still here remember, but things will start to happen don't worry! Please review and the next chapter will be up ASAP!