I haven't done a Suite Life story yet, so here goes. Hope you like it. Please review and let me know. If there isn't any interest I probably won't bother continuing it.

*I don't own Suite Life or it's characters, just my story.*

Chapter 1

This starts off in a place I know many of you would never expect Zack Martin to wind up, the University's Library. This is his sophomore year and, on this particular night, he is hunched over an open book at one of the larger tables towards the back. A small assortment of books lay scattered around him on the table and an open notebook with half written notes is beneath his elbow. A pen is tapping lightly against full lips as he concentrates. His dark blond hair, still a bit on the shaggy side, is charmingly ruffled up from running his fingers through it repeatedly.

So intent is he that he barely notices when another student slides into the seat at the opposite end of the table from him. He hears a soft, feminine voice mumbling to herself as she digs through her black backpack, but ignores it. Zack scribbles down some more notes and looks up at the shelves of books, deep in thought, before adding more. He doesn't realize that the other student is now staring at him, her mouth open in shocked recognition and barely hears her when she finally whispers. "Zack?"

"Yeah?" He answers, not bothering to look up.

"Zack? Is that really you?" Her voice finally registers with him. It's familiarity bringing a whole host of treasured memories, some happy and some heart wrenching.

"Maddie?" He looks over at the petite girl with the long, flowing hair. Her hair is darker now but it is definitely the same girl he had loved with all his youthful heart.

Maddie jumps up from her chair with a glad cry and races around the table to him. "Zack!" He gets up just in time to catch her as she launches herself into his arms for a hug. Zack buries his face into her hair, inhaling the summery scent, as he hugs her close. They part, smiling at each other, soaking in every new detail.

"When did you get so tall?" Maddie asks a little annoyed.

"It has been about four years." Zack rolls his eyes at her. "When did you get so brunette?"

"When I stopped lightening it three years ago." Maddie rolls her eyes back at him. She walks over and pulls her stuff over next to his. "God, it really has been that long since we've seen each other. I can't hardly believe it."

"We just never seem to be home at the same time." Zack shrugs, not adding that he made sure of that. He had decided after that disastrous visit with her at sea school when she almost married the eight year old prince. Maddie had finally kissed him to give him the confidence to win the duel but then later told him that she didn't want to be with him. He was too young and she knew him too well. Zack did not want to endure that pain again so figured it would be easier to deal with if he didn't have to see her. "What are you doing here? I thought you went to New York for school."

"I'm doing my graduate studies here." Maddie smiles at him and glances away towards the front of the library. Her smile fades and is replaced with something akin to panic. She looks up at Zack with wide, pleading eyes. "Zack, please do me a favor?"

"Sure. What's wrong Maddie?" Zack stares at her.

"Pretend you love me." With that, Maddie wraps her hands around the back of Zack's head and pulls him down to crash her lips on his. Zack, surprised by the action, takes a moment to respond but catches up quickly. Whatever this is, he's going to go with it. He wraps his hands around her waist and pulls her fully against him, angling his head and softening the kiss at the same time. Maddie's panic fades a little and she finds herself enjoying the kiss… really enjoying the kiss. Her hands, which had been holding his head in place, are tangling in his hair, egging him on to deepen the kiss further.

"Ah hem." A deep, male voice intrudes. They break apart, dazed, looking over at the new arrival. "Maddie? Who the hell is this?"

Maddie looks up at Zack, an apologetic smile curving her lips and a plea in her eyes. She faces the newcomer and wraps a snug arm around Zack's waist. "This is Zack. My boyfriend." Zack, to give him credit, didn't bat an eye. He looks down at Maddie with a huge grin. "I will never get tired of hearing you say that." He teases her.

"Boyfriend?" The guy's brown eyes about bug out of his head as he goggles at the couple. He's handsome in a bookish kind of way with short brown hair, wire-rimmed glasses and a wiry build. To be honest, the guy dresses like Zack's brother, Cody, used to dress when they were in Junior High. Right down to the sweater vest. "I've never heard anything about a boyfriend. What'd you do just pick up some random guy?"

"I'm not caring for your tone 'friend'." Zack says with menace in his voice.

"Zack." Maddie lays a hand on his forearm in reassurance before facing their uninvited intruder. "Greg, you don't know everything there is to know about me. I like to keep my private life just that, private. As for Zack, I've known him for about eight years, so he is not just some random guy. I think it is time for you to go."

"You haven't heard the last of this Madeleine." Greg gives Zack a nasty look before turning on his heal and marching straight out the library.

Maddie drops down into the seat next to Zack with a deep sigh.

"Maddie, I know you probably have an excellent explanation for what just happened…" Zack checks the black sports watch on his wrist "but I have to go. Grab your stuff, I can't be late." He packs away his mess as she watches, confused.

"What?"

"Grab your stuff and lets go." Zack packs away the few items she had gotten out into her bag and wraps the strap over her arm. "You need to tell me what's going on along the way." Maddie follows him out of the building and down to a midnight blue jeep in the parking lot. They stow their bags in the back before climbing into the front seats.

"Where are we going?" Maddie asks, looking around as they drive off campus and into the city.

"I have a gig downtown." Zack answers dismissively. "Now, tell me what that scene back there was about. Who is Greg?"

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