Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the High School Musical world, which is trademarked by Disney. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of High School Musical. The story I tell here about Troy and Gabriella is my own invention, and it is not supported or believed to be part of Disney story canon. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line.

"It's supposed to be a work dinner," Hailey said.

"Mr. Cross will be there, but there will be other people there too." Hannah added.

"I see?" Troy said keeping his eyes on his cards. "Do we know where they're going?"

"We don't know," Hailey answered.

"We're going to Spencer's," Gabriella said fastening her earring in place as she looked from the twins to Troy. Troy had come right from work. He was fit and attractive, with sandy brown hair, well chiseled features, and an infuriating sense humor. He looked tired, but he had ever since she'd known him.

They'd met when she was still in college in Albuquerque, her home town. They'd been set up by mutual friends, and hit it off and married within the year. Soon they were setting roots in Georgia where Troy had been raised. Troy had started his business and she'd been a happy, quiet little housewife.

At first she'd tried really hard not to begrudge him. He'd lived in the area for most of his life, expect the few years he' been working in Albuquerque, and he'd grown up with most of the men on his crew. Naturally when they were looking for work they all gravitated toward him.

Then things began to change after the twins. She kept hoping things would change when his work slowed down. His work as a contractor was stressful and consuming, no doubt about that, but it had slowly become the priority in his life. She found herself night after night thinking, maybe after the next project, maybe after he finished with the next job. But nothing ever seemed go back to the way things had been.

His career had been more important than anything she and the twins seemed to need form him. He make jokes, become fun dad when she was trying to discipline the girls. And worst of all he'd refused to acknowledge she might even have a reason to be upset.

"You girls be good for your daddy," she said before shifting her attention to Troy. "Bed time is eight thirty."

"No problem," Troy smirked as he pulled out a card from his hand and placed it on the table.

"I fold," Hannah sighed as she put her cards down.

Gabriella eyes widen, "Are you playing poker?"

"Relax, we're playing for Lego pieces," Troy murmured.

Gabriella rolled her eyes as she walked towards the kitchen in tiny apartment. The separation had been bitter since Troy had refused to accept it or even understand why Gabriella wanted it at all. Part of her had been absolutely convinced that divorce was the only option left for them. But she'd also been reluctant to give up on the marriage completely, so she'd agreed to wait a year before making any decisions.

However, six months into their agreement they also agreed that it might be better to take a break so they could rest and recover from the emotion exhaustion that went along with working on their marriage.

Her eyes paused when she glimpsed a picture of them on the refrigerator. It was taking at party right after the announcement of her pregnancy. Troy had been a little skinner then, not yet fully filled out with the muscles and callus hands that come from the job, but he mostly looked the same. Her eyes lingered on his familiar face and the affectionate, almost protective look in his eyes.

She wanted him to look at her that way again. She wanted to feel the way she had that day, believing she could trust him completely, give herself to him completely, know that he would never let her down. Back then she'd been so convinced that there was no other man in the world as brilliant and funny and wonderful as he was.

She still believed it. Now if only they could live together.

She walked back into the living room, "I shouldn't be too late." She smiled at him then looked back at her twins. "They have really good French silk pie at Spencer's, so maybe I'll bring home some dessert for tomorrow."

Both girls celebrated.

Gabriella looked back towards Troy. He'd never wanted her to take this job to begin with. He hadn't even wanted her to work outside the home, although he'd said he wouldn't stand in her way. He hadn't seem to resent it so much lately though.

"How was work?" Gabriella asked trying to study his face this time. He looked more tired than normal. He'd hurt himself a few years back on the job when he'd and some of his crew had fallen through the second floor of one of his restoration jobs. His back sometimes gave him trouble because of it, but he'd always put up a strong front. Despite everything They'd gone through, she still couldn't help but want to take care of him.

"It was okay."

When she peered at him closely, after a moment he seemed to understand and his expression softened. "Really Brie, I'm fine."

"Well, thank you again for coming over last minute. The sitter canceled and I didn't know what else to do." She shifted through her clutch making sure she had everything. Her brow winkled as she thought over all her possessions.

"Do you have your keys?" Troy murmured.

"Shit," she whispered as she turned to see him motion to her keys laying on the coffee table.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Troy watched her carefully as she fluttered about making sure everything was in place. The green fabric of her dress fitted to her curves. She was beautiful. Breathtakingly so and his hands itched to pulled her to him.

This stupid break was seriously beginning to make him dizzy. He wanted his wife back. He wanted her back at home where she belonged. In their bed. His eyes darted over his cards towards his two daughters who were carefully looking at Hailey's hand of cards and collaborating together to run him out of the pink Lego collection he'd managed to acquire during his last game.

"One moment girls," he got up from his seat on the couch and followed Gabriella as she made her way towards the front door.

"I put the number of the restaurant on the fridge if you need me."

"You know, I was there when you delivered them right?" he said with a playful smirk. "I've been there for the scratched knees, late night tummy aches and even a few really bad school plays."

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm aware."

"So I can handle one Tuesday night," he said with a smile as he reached out his hand to gentle slide a finger over her right shoulder. "You look nice."

Gabriella nodded, "I have to go."

"Me too, I'm about to lose the shirt off my back to your two little hustlers."

"Is it too much to ask to just play something age appropriate for once like… I don't know …Go Fish?"

"There is nothing wrong with poker."

"There's also nothing wrong with Go Fish, Old Maid, Uno or Candy Land… they're ten years old Troy."

"Hey," he said lifting a finger. "Don't talk about Candy Land, one day I will rule that land with an iron fist."

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Right, I forget. Everything's a joke to you." She pulled the door the open and stepped outside. "Just make sure they're asleep by eight thirty."

Troy nodded as he chewed on the inside of his cheek to keep from frowning. "You bet."

When the door closed Troy let out a small slur of curse words under his breath. He felt a familiar swell of guilt and defensiveness, both at the same time. He'd felt like that way every time he and Gabriella argued. It started off small enough, first it was it about small chores, then about the garage, then the girls.

It all just seemed to snowball until all they could do was argue. Troy made his way back into the small open floor living room/kitchen. Hailey and Hannah were giggling to themselves as they sat on the floor in front of the coffee table. He forced himself to smile. He didn't get to spend as much time as he wanted to with his girls and when he did have the opportunity he didn't want to brood over his lost.

"Who wants to watch the Little Mermaid?"

"Is this because you're losing?" Hannah asked with a small frown.

"Hey," Troy winced. "What kind of poker face it that?" he hurried to his seat. "I'm not losing."

"Yes you are daddy," Hannah smiled with excitement. Hailey smiled as she placed her cards on the table revealing a full house.

"Pay up."

Troy let out his a breath as he looked down at his hand. "I got to start playing with people my own age." Leaning back in his chair he let out a long breath.

Later that night Troy sat up with both girls reading aloud from one of their designated bedtime story books that Gabriella had left out for him. He read about four pages in when he let out a sigh and looked down at both girls in agony.

"This book doesn't even have pictures," he huffed. He flipped the book over and looked at the cover. "Are you guys even enjoying this?"

"Sometimes it's confusing," Hannah explained as she shifted underneath the covers. "Mommy explains it."

"Mommy says that writers today are lazy and that people use to be able write better," Hailey supplied.

Troy raised a brow as he looked back at the book in question. "Right," he said putting the book aside for now. "So what about that Ariel?" Troy let out a breath.

"Daddy do you still love mommy?" Hailey asked quietly.

Troy nodded slowly. "Of course I do," he was almost of breath by the confession.

"Then why did you let her go out with Mr. Cross?" Hannah followed up.

Troy shook his head, "Now you girls know that not what this is," he got out of his chair that sat between the two beds and sat at the edge of Hannah's little pink bed. "Are you girls upset about tonight? About mommy going out to dinner?"

"No," the girls said.

Troy nodded, "Sometimes mommy has to go to dinner with her work friends. It's part of her job as a Historic Preservation Specialist. She needs to find people who want their homes restored so that daddy can fix them."

"How come you don't go to dinner's daddy?" Hannah asked reaching for Troy's hand.

"Well, that's because daddy spends his day putting stuff together so he's always dirty and smelly. Besides I have to stay onsite. Uncle Chad loses his tools all the time, who knows where he'd be if I wasn't there to order new ones."

"So you're the boss?" Hailey nodded with a small smile.

"Sure, if you want to put that way." Troy nodded gently rubbing Hannah little hand in his with the pad of his thumb. "Is there anything you want to ask me about my job?"

"You're like a doctor aren't you?" Hannah gasped.

"Yeah," Hailey added excitedly. "You look at all the sick houses and make them better."

Troy nodded as he chuckled to himself. "Yes, I guess that's one way to put it."

"We love you daddy," Hailey whispered.

"We wished we could live with you," Hannah added, "Like how it use to be."

Troy felt his inside rip down the center as he looked back and forth between the two girls. "Things are going to be okay," he got up and placed a kiss on both foreheads. "You girls be good and get some sleep okay."

They murmured their good nights and Troy switched their night light on before switching off their bedroom light. Once he was out in the hall he let out a long breath and ran a hand through his hair. Making his way into the living room he began cleaning up after their movie night. He been washing the dishes when he heard her come in through the front door.

"Oh my god," she muttered removing her heals immediately. "My feet are killing me."

"I don't understand why you wear those shoes," he said quietly watching her begin to remove the pins from her hair. Watching her get comfortable had always been one of his favorite things to do when they were together. Her curls fell around her shoulders as she shook them out. Just the image of chestnut curls were enough to make him shift in his jeans for comfort. The woman honestly had no idea how crazy this little separation was driving him.

"Did the girls eat?"

"Almost all of that meatloaf you left for them," Troy lips flatten. "You know I can cook, I don't need premade meals."

Gabriella fell back onto the couch, "Mac and Cheese is not a food group Troy."

Troy rolled his eyes as he placed the dish rag off to the side. "Anyway," he let out a sigh as he came around the kitchen table took a seat on the arm of the easy chair in front of her. "You might want to talk to the girls about Mr. Cross."

"Why?" Gabriella stilled. "What did you tell them?"

Troy shook his head, "Me? Not a word. But them," he paused ducking his head a bit as he shrugged his shoulders. "They have questions."

Gabriella leaned back on the couch so she was staring up at the ceiling. "Great."

"You know there wouldn't be so much confusion if you didn't demand separate living arrangements. It's not like I beat you or anything. We would have been just fine in the same house."

"Troy," Gabriella said bring a hand to her head as she rubbed the temple there. "Don't put this on me. You know we needed a break."

"A break, yes. Another set of utility bills, no."

Gabriella eyes narrowed as she looked at him from across the coffee table distance between them. "I think you should leave."

Troy got up from his seat and instead of heading to the door he walked towards her coming down to her level so they were eye to eye. "We're down to the last month of this break thing and we're no better than were we started."

"And whose fault is that?" she said looking at him in frustration. "You can never take anything seriously, you were the one who didn't want to go to the counseling sessions anymore."

"Because I don't want to sit on a couch for an hour and a half while you complain about all the stuff I can't do," Troy countered standing upright.

"That's because you don't want to take accountability." Gabriella whispered harshly.

"I am taking accountability. I want my wife," he said reaching for her and lifting her off the couch and bringing his lip down to hers. She might just push him away, slap him or hell give him another stitch like she had the day she announced she was moving out.

But she didn't pull back. After a moment of freezing with what felt like surprise, she made a little sound in the back of her throat and reached around to cling to his neck with her arms, her entire body responding to his kiss.

Pleasure and satisfaction now roared in his head with hunger, and he pulled her more tightly against him, wanting to feel all of her pressed against his body. His eyes blurred and his ears buzzed and his groin throbbed as he plunged into her mouth with his tongue.

When the kiss finally broke he still couldn't pull away. He pressed little kisses across her face and jaw as she panted desperately.

"Sex was never our problem," she whispered, as if she were just as possessed by this force as he was. "This is why we can't live together Troy."

She pushed him away gently and his insides clenched as he loosened his hold and forced himself to take a step back.

"There's still good stuff here," he murmured.

"How would you know?" Gabriella said wrapping her arms around herself. "It's been a year and we haven't made any progress. All we do is fight."

"Because that's our thing, we fight. That's just what we do. I love you," he said clenching his fist at his sides. "I know you still love me too."

"Of course I do," she said with a shrug. "But we've already been through this. The girls and I need someone we can count on, not another child to take care of."

Troy let out a long breath as he tried to get himself under control. "Fine," he said quietly. "IF you want to keep arguing about the same thing over and over, go ahead but this is the very definition of insanity."

"Oh so now I'm crazy."

He wasn't used to feeling this way. Not towards her. "Yeah, I guess I'm calling you crazy."

"Get out, "she lurched forward and gave him a shove towards the door. "Get out, get out get out."

"I was already leaving," he murmured quickly grabbing his keys from the small table as he made his way to the door.

The next morning after Gabriella had taken the girls to school, she drove by the latest restoration site. Gabriella let out a long breath as she spotted Troy big white truck parked by a small of lot of other vehicles. The crew was already working on the old bed and breakfast, investors were coming out in a week and owner was already three shades of frustrated.

Most of the men greeted her politely as she walked towards the building. She knew most of them by name, knew their families and children. She'd even had a few of them over from time to time when and Troy were living together. She knew most of them were watching her as she made her way inside.

Today, she was wearing jeans and a simple t-shirt. She never dressed provocatively or even showed a lot of skin. but guys tended to look at women when they passed by, no matter what they wore, so she was used to them looking at her.

At least Troy didn't appear to be around. Maybe should make it through the day without running into him at all.

"Hey," Sharpay voice greeted her from the stairs where she was working on the wood for the staircase. The staircase must have been a masterpiece when it was carved a hundred and sixty years ago, but these days it was a little more dilapidated and broken.

Sharpay had received the honors of getting it back to its former glory in only one week and by the looks of it there seemed to be a small reason to panic.

"This week deadline is kind of a rush isn't it," Gabriella said placing a hand on her hip and examining the banister.

"For this kind of work, it's pushing it," Sharpay frown as she wiped her brow. Sharpay was one of the nicer females on Troy's payroll, she was also the best woodworker in North Georgia. At first sight you'd hardly notice she worked with men all day. With her blond braided pig tails and bright pink cotton t-shirts, she looked more so like a lost cheerleader than a strong, plain-spoken, no nonsense kind of woman that she was.

"I know." Gabriella took a quick glance around, "the owner moved up the timetable, and things have been really crazy. Do you think you can do the best you can with the time?"

"Sure thing," Sharpay shrugged. "What's the hurry anyway?"

"The investor us coming to visit this weekend, I get the owner wants to show them as much progress as possible."

Sharpay nodded as she watched with a knowing smile as Gabriella did another quick pass through the house. "He's not in here."

"What?" Gabriella raised her brow as she looked back at Sharpay worried she may have missed something about the staircase.

"A certain blue eyed contractor," Sharpay smiled, "He's out back."

"Oh I wasn't," Gabriella let out a sigh as she dropped her head back. "Shit. How obvious am I on a scale of one to ten."

"Ten." Sharpay smirk as she as she stood up from her spot and came down to stand beside her. "If it helps, men are stupid. I'm probably the only one that noticed."

Gabriella nodded, "Good lord that man drives me crazy."

"You know, you could just … I don't pull him into a room somewhere and have your wicked way with him. You are still married."

Gabriella let out a breath, "Don't get me started on how bad that idea is."

"You know he has the saddest sweet little smile when someone mentions you," Sharpay murmured. "Anytime he hears a female on site his little ears perk up like he's waiting to hear your voice."

Gabriella bit down on the inside of her cheek just to stop herself from smiling in delight at this little piece of information. "You know what I have to go out front and wait for Mrs. Turner. She's going to go over the landscaping one more time with me so I have everything down packed for this weekend's meeting. "

"Whatever you say," Sharpay smiled as she went back to the staircase.

Gabriella stepped outside onto the wraparound porch her nerves needing a good rush of fresh air. Just as she was getting her barring on her emotions, she heard a familiar chuckle. "Let me guess? You don't trust me to get the entry hall completed by the end of the week so you're here scoping out the progress."

Gabriella shrugged her shoulders. "It's ambitious but doable. Your guys are making good progress on the outside."

Troy smiled as his eyes traveled up and down her body in a slow appreciation. "I'll make sure the compliment makes its way around."

She nodded, shifting a little uncomfortably as she checked her watch.

"Who is this guy we're supposed to be showing off for anyway?"

"Peterson Prescott, he's the one of the son to the Prescott Hotels. He wants to branch off into old fashion hotels, says he want to invest in the history and roots of the community."

"How the hell did you wrangle up a Prescott?"

"Believe it or not I am actually good at my job," Gabriella murmured. "You should know better than to assume anything about anyone competence."

"I know," Troy came up the stairs until he was standing right beside her. "But hey I use to never believe someone as little and pretty as you would like working in construction."

"And I'd never believe someone as obnoxious as you could maintain employees longer than a couple of months, so I guess we should both work on our assumptions."

To someone else, the words might have been mean, Troy obviously didn't take anything about her seriously. He didn't look offended. He looked amused.

She had to put up a good defense with him or he would just walk all over her.

"Good one," he said, laughter in his eyes, "But what you find obnoxious, others might see as having a good sense of humor."

Gabriella shook her head, trying not to respond to the warm amusement. He always did maker her laugh, which annoyed her even more. "Guess that shows how clueless some people are."

He chuckled and lifted his hand, for a moment looking like he would touch her face or her hair. But then he dropped it quickly and straighten up.

"Anyway I've got work to do, I'll get the girls after school. Promised I'd take them out for pizza."

Gabriella nodded as she watched him go. She sighed in relief and maybe in the slightest bit of disappointment.