Mikayla had just finished an excellent rendition of Pete Townshend's Let My Love Open the Door and her manager was very impressed. She had a good voice and, more importantly, she did a great job of projecting her personality and charisma into her singing. And though Mikayla had her own style, Jim did notice a few mannerisms that were very close to ones he'd seen from Carey in her lounge show the night before.

"Whoever taught her sure knew what they were doing," he commented as he flashed a knowing smile towards Carey.

Before Mikayla could begin another song, Mr. Moseby entered the room.

"I have some news," he said in a serious tone.

Up in the Martin's suite, Zack was heading out to get a bite to eat. He saw his twin sitting on the couch and asked Cody if he wanted to join him.

When Cody didn't respond, Zack moved in front of him. Cody looked up, startled. Zack realized that his brother hadn't heard him or even been aware that he was in the room.

"Dude," Zack said. "What's with the zoning out?"

"Sorry," Cody said apologetically. "I was just thinking about something."

"No kidding," Zack replied with a smirk. But though his attitude was outwardly flippant, he was curious about why his brother was so distracted. "Anything wrong?"

Cody hesitated, wondering if he should talk to Zack about the matter. On the one hand, his twin was sometimes so immature. On the other hand, when it really mattered, Zack always did his best to help. With that in mind, Cody told Zack about what had nearly happened the night before.

"Oh man," the elder twin said. "And Mom almost caught you? Geez, I would've had a heart attack."

"Yeah, that part was…not fun," Cody admitted. "But that's not what's been on my mind." He paused. "I don't know if…what I mean is…if Mom hadn't come to the door…"

Zack stopped his brother. "What you're saying is, you don't know if you and Mikayla should do it. Am I right?"

Cody was surprised at how well his twin was able to cut to the chase. "Yeah."

Zack didn't smirk or make any jokes. He just looked at his brother thoughtfully. "Do you want to? Because it sounds like Mikayla does."

"Yeah, and that took me by surprise," Cody replied.

Zack shook his head. "Everyone acts like guys are always the ones that can't wait to have sex. It's a stereotype. Granted it's true a lot of the time, but it's still just a stereotype." He smiled. "Girls get horny too."

Cody studied his brother's expression. "It sounds like you're speaking from experience."

Zack's smile faded and he looked more serious as he leaned forward slightly. "I am, but…what I tell you now never leaves this room, right?"

Cody nodded.

"I've never actually…I'm still a virgin."

Cody wasn't entirely shocked at this news, but he was surprised that his brother would willingly admit to it.

"But I have done some stuff with a few girls," Zack continued. "More than just making out, you know? And half the time it was the girl's idea. So you shouldn't be freaked out or anything just because Mikayla initiates things.

"That doesn't really freak me out," Cody said. "I like the fact that she wants me. It's just that...I want our first time to be special."

"I get that. Believe me, I get it," Zack said. There was something in his tone that piqued Cody's interest.

"I know it's none of my business, but…how much have you done with London?" Even as he asked the question, Cody felt strange. But part of him really wanted to know.

Zack didn't seem bothered at all by the topic. "You know how it was a big secret at first about me and London? Since Mom didn't know we were a couple, I could go and hang out in London's penthouse all the time. Neither of us wanted to rush anything, but we had all these opportunities to be alone...so we talked about how far we wanted to take things."

"And what did you decide?"

"London wants to wait," Zack answered. "She'd already decided a couple of years ago that she wants her first time to be on her wedding night."

"Really? How'd you react when she told you that?"

Zack paused and, for the first time in the conversation, seemed to be slightly embarrassed. "I told her I'm cool with it. Now if she ever changes her mind, I'm ready to go. I'd love it if London and I were each other's firsts. But I don't know if that's ever going to happen. If we stay together…if someday we end up marrying each other, I know I'll be looking forward to the honeymoon." He laughed, but there were clearly other emotions in his eyes. "The thing is, I know the whole waiting for the wedding idea sounds like some corny fairly tale. But if that's what London wants, then I want her to have her fairy tale…even if I'm not the one who winds up as her prince."

Cody was silent for a moment. For the first time he understood the depths of his brother's feelings for the heiress. "There's something I should have told you a while ago. I haven't because I actually didn't realize it until right now. But it definitely needs to be said." He looked Zack in the eyes. "I am really glad you and London are together. You're my brother and she's someone that I…she means a great deal to me. I'm happy for you both."

Zack answered in a serious tone. "Thank you. I feel the same way about you and Mikayla. Exactly the same."

Both were quiet for a second and then Zack stood up.

"Okay, enough with this brotherly bonding stuff," he declared. "It's almost lunchtime and I'm in serious need of some burgers. You want to come?"

And with that, the twins went out in search of some fast food.

Mikayla stood outside the unfamiliar suite door. At her side were Carey, Jim Lafayette and Mr. Moseby.

"Are you sure you want to do this now?" Carey asked. "If you want to take some time first, we can arrange a meeting later."

Mikayla shook her head. When Mr. Moseby had informed her that Hannah was in the hotel and wanted to talk to her, she'd decided that there was no point in delaying the inevitable.

And yet, she couldn't quite bring herself to knock on the door.

"Don't worry," Jim told the girl. "We're right here with you." He winked at the girl. "If I have to, I'm pretty sure I can take down Hannah. As long as she doesn't get a good kick at my right knee. Old football injury."

Her manager's attempt at lightening the mood was successful and Mikayla let out a small laugh. "Hopefully it won't come to that." Then she knocked at the door.

As they waited for a response, Carey turned to Jim. She appreciated how supportive he was being towards the young singer.

"Football injury, huh?" she asked. "Was it bad?"

"Horrible," he answered in a deadpan voice. "It was years ago. I banged my knee on the coffee table while watching Super Bowl XX."

Carey had to smile. "You're funny."

"One of my many good qualities," he replied.

When Robbie Ray heard the knock at the door he went to answer it, but didn't open it right away.

"Who is it?" he called out.

"It's Mikayla," came the answer.

Robbie Ray turned back to look at his daughter and Lily. Fortunately Miley still was dressed as Hannah. Lily had taken off her own wig, but it only took her a moment to put it back on and turn into Lola.

"You ready?" Robbie Ray asked the girls.

Hannah stepped forward and nodded.

When Mikayla and her companions stepped inside some coolly polite introductions were made for those that had never met. Neither Mikayla nor Hannah said much until after Robbie Ray invited everyone to sit down. Hannah remained standing and faced Mikayla.

"I know you might not believe this, and I wouldn't blame you," she said. "But I'm really sorry about what I said on that tape. I was only venting because…I was angry and jealous. Right after I said it, my best friend pointed out how petty I was." She glanced to Lola. "And she was right. The tape didn't show that. But I swear it's the truth."

"Yeah, that's exactly how it happened," Lola chimed in. "She was sorry about it right then and there. And we didn't have any idea we were being taped."

"I was planning to call you and see if you really wanted to make peace like I'd heard," Hannah continued. "But then that tape came out and…you know." She paused. "I don't know what else to say."

Mikayla looked at her rival, noting Hannah's dejected expression.

"So you were jealous of me?" she finally said. "After being one of the biggest stars in the world all this time, you were jealous of me? Over what? One awards show performance?"

Hannah swallowed hard. It seemed that Mikayla wasn't going to make things any easier.

"You were so good that night," she said. "They had to cut my finale because the audience only wanted you. I've never had anything like that happen before. And after all that's happened in the past…I couldn't stand being upstaged by you."

"But I wasn't trying to," Mikayla replied. "That never even entered my mind."

Hannah frowned. While she knew she owed her rival an apology, Mikayla's words were hard to believe.

"The first time we met you told me you hated me," the pop star shot back. "And you bragged that you'd steal all my fans at that benefit concert in Florida. You seriously expect me to believe you didn't enjoy upstaging me?'

Mikayla stood up, a flash of anger in her eyes. "That was then," she said loudly. "And yeah, I used to be rotten to you. I know that. But a lot of things have happened since then. I had a lot of things to think about that night and trying to show you up was not on my mind."

Hannah opened her mouth to respond but caught a meaningful glance from her father. She took a deep breath to remain calm. "Yeah, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I have no idea what you were thinking that night. And that's not the point anyway. The point is I needed to apologize to you. So like I said, I'm sorry."

Mikayla took a few deep breaths herself. "Alright. I accept your apology."

A small smile of surprise came to Hannah's face. "You do?"

"I just found it hard to believe you were jealous of me," Mikayla admitted. "I was always jealous of you. That's why I treated you so badly. You were a huge star with all those hits and millions of fans. The critics liked you and…you were so much better than me."

Hannah's eyes widened. "You always thought I was better than you?"

"You were better than me," Mikayla repeated. "I knew that." She paused and smirked. "Of course, that was back then. I'm way better now."

Hannah's jaw dropped but then she noticed the twinkle in her rival's eyes. She could barely believe it, but Mikayla was actually attempting to kid around with her…as if they were friends.

"You are better," Hannah finally said and then grinned. "Better than you used to be, that is. No way are you better than me."

Mikayla laughed, Hannah joined in, and a collective sigh of relief filled the room. It was if a huge weight that had been bearing down on everyone had suddenly vanished.

"Well, I cannot tell y'all how glad I am that this dang feud is finally over," Robbie Ray spoke up.

"I'm glad too," Mikayla said. Hannah nodded in agreement.

"It's very good news," Mr. Moseby added. "Now maybe some of that crowd outside the hotel will finally go home." He glanced to Robbie Ray and then Jim. "Would you like to arrange a press conference here at the Tipton? You can announce that all is well between your two stars."

Jim lifted one hand up and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I hate to put a damper on things," he said. "But that might be a problem."

To be continued...

author's note: So how did this chapter compare with the last? I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts on Zack and Cody's talk, and of Mikayla and Hannah's long anticipated meeting.