A/N: I'm having a little writer's block with this chapter…not sure why but its driving me insane! So forgive me if this chapter isn't up to its usual standards; I'm really not feeling too confident about it's quality. So please reviews will be a real confidence booster!

Dedication: The use of the word "Smashing" is dedicated to SillverMedal for daring me to use it in Secrets next chapter. Haha here it is!

I own nothing.

Chapter 4

What are Brothers for?

Cody couldn't help but feel sorrow as he stepped out of the Mercedes and into the looming shadow of The House, as he was coming to call it these days. Zack stood in stunned silence beside him gazing up in amazement at the gleaming, streak free windows reflecting the setting sun in each pane of glass. A gentle breeze caressed Cody's head, flattening his blond hair to his forehead. With impatience he shook his bangs out of his eyes and turned away from The House, unable to look at it no longer. He had seen it before, knew every detail from the deep red bricks to each perfectly cut blade of grass. It was all old hat to him.

Carey came behind them and hugged Zack to her, beaming. "Welcome home sweety."

She kissed the top of his head and looked expectantly at Cody waiting for him to chime in too.

Cody forced a lopsided grin and tried to find it within himself to at least feel welcoming for Zack's sake but he couldn't do it. How was he supposed to be welcoming about a house he didn't even consider home? This cold manor held no love for him. It was all glitz and glam without the customary warmth and protection a family home was supposed to provide.

So instead he spoke aloud the first bitter thing that popped into his head.

"Believe me its not as glamorous as it appears. The novelty will wear off and you'll come to hate it with time," he said harshly. He involuntarily winced. Ouch. When had he become such a heartless and bitter grump? Guilt bubbled in his stomach as he watched the awe die from his twin's face replaced with disappointment.

"Cody!" Carey scolded, shocked at his tone. Zack flinched under her arm the excited spark gone from his eyes. He seemed to shrink uncomfortably into himself as he nervously picked at his fingernails. He shrugged away from Carey as though he was the one being scolded and slunk closer to the car like he was planning a quick get away.

"Oh no, Zack! I'm so sorry Honey. I didn't mean…," Carey trailed away miserably as Zack adverted her arms. She shot an accusatory look at Cody that clearly read, We'll talk later, and fished in her pocket for the keys to the front door.

Cody moved apologetically over to Zack who was watching Kurt parallel park his car with an intense interest. Cody glanced at his father who seemed to be encountering difficulties in trying to maneuver his little Cavalier behind the Mercedes and in front of Harvey's Kia. Cody sighed guiltily and pushed his hair back once more and faced Zack.

"Look man I'm sorry about being a pain. This house really isn't that bad. It's just…different. That's all. I honestly don't know why I said that."

"I know why."

"Huh?" Cody frowned, studying his twin curiously. Zack hesitantly met his eyes before speaking.

"Because its not the Tipton," he answered simply.

Cody broke into a true grin and slung a careful arm around Zack's thin shoulders, steering him towards the maple door.

"Too right you are," he laughed playfully, a slow grin spreading across Zack's lips.

Together they stepped over the threshold with a disgruntled Kurt who had finally given up the unmanageable, trailing behind them.

The waxed oak floor reflected the tan painted walls and the red embroidered chairs ending in polished clawed feet. A spiraling stair case led to the upper floors and an open door way to the left led to the dining room and kitchen while another door way opened to the spacious family room and Harvey's office. Several paintings aligned the walls adding an aristocratic character to the plainness of the paint. The ceiling gently sloped upwards in the center making the house seem more immense than it actually was.

Zack gaped, flabbergasted. Hazel eyes wide he slowly revolved on the spot taking in every intricate detail. Beside him Kurt gave a slow whistle.

"Wow…absolutely smashing," he mumbled enviously.

Cody shot his father a raised brow look. Kurt shrugged dismissively as he answered Cody's unasked question.

"It's a word I picked up from Johnny. He's Australian and thinks everything in America is bloody smashing," he said dryly, referring to his bass player in their band.

"Interesting," Cody replied his voice implying that it was anything but. Kurt luckily remained oblivious.

"So what do you think?" Carey asked softly, tentatively grabbing Zack's cold hand in the warmth of hers.

"…Wow," was all that he could work past the lodged lump in his esophagus. Though it was not the Tipton it was still just as grand. He sniffed before tears could emerge and squeezed Carey's hand.

Carey beamed in spite of the one syllable word used to describe a house that was more than just a simple "wow." The sheen of tears in her scarred son's eyes spoke of a million words.

------------------------------------------

"And this," Cody threw open the heavy oak door. "Is our room," he bowed exaggeratingly out of the way so his twin could step forth.

Once again Zack found himself completely and utterly blown away.

"This is our room?"

Cody nodded happily and skipped over the threshold. He motioned to one of the twin beds set at opposite ends of the large rectangular room. The indicated bed had a series of rather dusty boxes sitting upon the green camouflage comforter that Zack recognized to be his old one.

Feeling as though he was trespassing upon some one else's property and nosing through their business, Zack rummaged uncertainly through one of the boxes disturbing a cloud of dust that had settled over it's contents. Cody meandered up beside him a slow grin spreading across his cheeks.

With a disbelieving gasp, Zack pulled out an old rather scratched skateboard. Blowing dust off the faded bottom he tested each wheel for mobility, grinning ear to ear as each wheel turned as if the last time they had hit the street together was only yesterday. He was suddenly overwhelmed with memories of hanging at the skate park and skidding down rails and ramps and disrupting passersby on the sidewalk with his kick flips. Was it really two and a half (nearly three) years since he had last been on a skateboard? He frowned thoughtfully as he fingered a loose screw.

"I kept everything of yours after well-you know…," Cody said his voice suddenly strained. "It didn't seem right to throw anything away in case you did come back. Mom wanted to get rid of some of your old things but I didn't let her. I couldn't let her,"

Zack was silent as he replaced the board in its box and turned to his brother.

"Thanks man. For everything. I didn't realize how much you did for me until it was too late. I kept thinking of all the messes you pulled me out of and all the homework and projects you helped me with and I remembered I never once thanked you. It's funny how your mind works when you think your gonna to die. You go back and you think of all the wrongs that you've done and all the people you've hurt and you wish…you wish you could go back and fix it and correct your mistakes and apologize to all the people in your life you had taken for granted. I was such an ungrateful ass to you and Mom and I'm sorry for all the crap that I put you through Cody. I really am," Zack said sincerely rubbing at his eyes.

Tears fell unchecked down Cody's cheeks as he grinned forgivingly at his brother.

"Its alright Zack. I forgave you along time ago. After all, what are brothers for? We were meant to piss each other off. It only makes our alliance and our loyalties stronger."

Zack laughed jokingly through the tears. "I have no idea what you just said but I hear ya,"

And as the two brothers sat laughing at a humor only they could see, past horrors and binding promises were temporarily forgotten, forced into the cobwebs of the brain until called upon in a moment of panic, memories and a deadly foe.

To be continued…

Whew, am I glad to have finally finished this chapter! You have no idea how much of a struggle it was. So please show some appreciation and Review!