*I do not own High School Musical or its characters.

Prologue

There was something about the blue and red lights shining in her hair that brought out the freedom and danger in her eyes. He couldn't put his finger on why exactly he let a girl like Gabriella bring him down to the old Miller's place. It had been a bad idea to start, driving passed the no trespassing sign and sneaking in. All because dangerous places made her feel romantic.

Troy pulled his eyes away from her and looked at the gate in front of him. They were sitting in the back seat of his father's squad car. The last place on earth he ever wanted to be, and he was there because of a girl. Not just any girl, Gabriella Montez. The daughter of a convicted man, who was a killer. Troy dropped his head back on the back seat as he crossed his arms, at least his father hadn't cuffed them. A favor, Troy was more than sure.

"Oh come on," Her voice teased as she nudged him playfully, "You can't say that wasn't memorable?"

Troy narrowed his eyes as he glanced over at her, "This is insane."

Her smile grew and she leaned in motioning to the door left slightly ajar, "You're right, let's make a run for it."

"Are you crazy?" Troy said sitting upright, "My father is going to kill me."

Just then she leaned forward and covered his lips with hers, the adrenaline pumping through his veins from the fear and nerves made him jerk from the sudden surprise action. After a moment his hand lifted and was tangled in her dark mass of curls as he pushed forward kissing her back. Tasting the slight hint of gummy worms from earlier she'd been eating in the front seat of his truck.

Their bodies shifted closer, almost magnetic, beyond his control. Her hands were pressed against his chest grasping at his shirt. There a rushing noise in his ears, a tingle under his palm as he rested his hand on her thigh, a dull ache inside him as he felt the strong urge to be closer to her. A moan vibrated against his lips and nothing on earth had felt better in his entire existence than being the reason she made that noise.

Suddenly another noise made them spring apart and Troy looked up at his father who looking into backseat at the two teenagers.

"Troy, why don't you go on home while I take Miss Montez home?"

Troy nodded as he looked back at Gabriella who just shrugged her shoulders as she leaned back in her seat. He thought of something to say, his eyes drifting back to his father who was staring at him with disappointment. Deciding it'd be better to not say anything at all he shifted to his far left and pushed the door open so he could get out.

He heard the other door close from the other side and knew without a doubt that he was about be lectured. Coming around the car he stood in front of his father who held out his keys.

"What on earth were you thinking?"

Troy let out a sigh as he looked around at the vacant scenery, the other cop car was gone. Troy looked down at the ground shifting some of the dirt around with his shoe before looking back up at his father. "I wasn't thinking."

"Troy of all the girls in this town, what the hell are you doing with her?"

The question made his hands tense, despite all the rumors and things happening Gabriella had been strong through it all. Something that Troy would never be able to do if he'd been in her situation. She was brave, a little reckless, but every moment he was with her he felt more alive than he had ever felt. "Dad, she's a really nice girl."

"Oh really, getting you arrested for trespassing doesn't make her very nice in my book."

"It wasn't entirely her fault."

His father held up a hand stopping Troy before he could continue, "Her father in jail for murder, and her mother is nowhere to be found. She's not going to be staying with the Nielson's forever."

Troy stilled, Gabriella although she didn't want to admit it, knew there was a chance that her mother was gone for good. There were days he could hear it in her voice, that hope she held onto that her mother might come back for her was slipping. But Troy still believed. He had too, how could he believe that a mother could just turn her back on her own child? Her mother had to come back.

"The judge has decided to take action."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Troy's father placed his hands on hips as a stern expression came over his face, "It means her social worker thinks they found a foster family for her. In Chicago."

Troy's face fell as he looked back into the backseat of his father's car. "She's leaving Highland Meadows?"

"Yes, and I highly suggest that whatever's going on here stops now."

Troy was quiet as he looked back towards his father, "Dad," he said quietly, "that's not fair."

"It's for your own good Troy. You have a lot riding on this scholarship. I will not watch you destroy your reputation by hitching your wagon onto hers."

"But I Lov-"

"You're only seventeen," his father cut him off, "you have no idea what that word is about yet."

"But Dad…"

"Go home Troy. Take out the trash and for the next two weeks you're grounded. School and back, no exceptions. Are we clear?"

His father stern tone made it clear that they were clear even if Troy didn't fully agree. "Crystal."

"Good, tell your mother I'll be home before midnight."

"Yes sir."

Gabriella watched from the back seat as Troy turned to walk back to his truck leaving her behind in the backseat of his father's cop car. Not that either of them had a choice. She watched as Troy's father watched Troy's white pickup truck take off down the road then turn off in the direction of town.

When his father got back in the car she let a low sigh as she leaned back further into her seat. The car was quiet except for the voices on his radio, calling in domestic disturbances and cats stuck up in trees. After all, not much happened in a small town. Other than her family.

"You don't like me, do you?" she said loud enough to be head.

"Not true."

"If I were Sharpay Evans or Taylor Mckessie you would have given us a slap on the wrist and told us to go straight home. I wouldn't be getting the blue light special drive home."

He was quiet for a moment as his eyes shifted in the mirror from her to the road. "He has a scholarship, plans, a future to work hard for."

"And I don't."

"You're lives are just very different Miss Montez."

Gabriella crossed her arms as she watched the scenery go by. "Because my father was accused of killing someone and my mother ran off with her drug dealer."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Isn't it." Gabriella countered, "After all what would people think of the Sherif's son running around with some known convicted felon's daughter."

He didn't respond.

"You're son's an awesome kid, but not for the reasons you think."

"You're just a kid yourself."

"No, I'm an orphan Officer Bolton. I grew up a long time ago."

15 years later.

Gabriella stared at the road in front of her as she drove through the night. Her eyes continually looking up in the review mirror looking for anyone that might be following her. Every once in a while her eyes shifted to the seat beside her where her son sat sleeping soundly. These days that all she ever did look out for followers, keep her eyes focused on the road in front of them and make sure she had her son with her at all times.

Returning back to Highland Meadows, New Mexico was a last resort. She needed somewhere to hide for a while so she could save up some money. Somewhere he'd never find her and she knew for a fact that Highland Meadows Population 624 was a place he'd never think to look. Gabriella reached up as she wiped a stray tear from her eye. She couldn't even begin to process how much her life had changed in the last few years. Looking up she watched as the Welcome to Highland Meadows sign passed them. She'd have to make this work, she was running out of options.

She'd never talked about where she came from with anyone. Never mentioned her parents or her life before she became a Catania. What was the point? Ever since she first entered the system 15 years ago she quickly learned that the less you told people about yourself the less they could use it against you. The less they would care about you, meant the less they could hurt you.

So she never told. Never told anyone about her father, who was rotting away in a prison cell, never told anyone about her mother who was found dead from a drug over dose at a truck stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Never told anyone about the place she use to call home all those years ago.

Driving into town she passed through all the old memories of her childhood, falling into them one by one. Listening to the low hum of the radio as echoes of happier times called to her. Times before she was on her own. Times before all the bad things became too big. When her parents were parents, working their day jobs, taking her to the fairs and picnics in town's square.

Back when she knew she could have a little faith in the world and that things would always work out for the better. Turning into a small street she drove down the block before stopping in front of her old house. Looking out of her window she looked up at the house that had once molded her entire life. Her eyes took in all the familiarity of it, sending tingles of warmth through her as she thought about every time she ran through the yard, every time she looked out the window from the living room peeking at the world outside.

All those nights in her own bed safe and sound. A shaky breath escaped her lips as she looked away from the house and at her steering wheel. Those days were gone. Coming back to Highland Meadows was only temporary and sooner she was out of her the better she'd feel about all these memories. Looking over at her son she reached over and lifted her sweater over him a little further. She needed to find some place to stay for the night. Someplace that accepted cash and someplace close to town where she could possibly find some work.

The next morning Troy came into the station and made a beeline for his office as he tried to avoid Martha freshly made donuts.

"You sure Sheriff?"

"I'm positive," Troy said as he quickly shut the door behind him, shutting her and her box of donuts on the other side. Troy removed his hat and placed it on the rack along with his jacket. Coming around to his desk he took a seat and reached a folder from his desk.

Ever since his father retired last year getting used to being the new Sheriff Bolton was a little unnerving. It was almost like he lost half his identity. People were calling him Sheriff Bolton like Sheriff had been his first name since birth. Granted taking over after his father hadn't been a surprise. He'd gone to West Point College, enlisted in the Marines for 8 years and had been working in the station for the last three years.

Troy put the folder down in front him, another vandalism case. Damn teenagers had nothing better to do but deface public property. There was a knock on the door and Troy let out a breath, "What now?"

The door opened and Martha came in with a notepad and pen, "Got your messages Sheriff."

Troy brow creased as he folded his hands on his desk, "And?"

Martha frowned before releasing he was waiting on her to continue. "Oh," she gasped as she raced the for seat in front of him. "Miss. Murphy called to complain about something living under her front porch. Says her dog been trying get at it for days and she's been hearing some hissing, I told her you're not in charge of animal control but she'd insisting you come out when you can."

Troy nodded as he as took a deep breath, "I take a look."

"And Kelsi called about career day, wants to know if you're coming in to talk to her first graders?"

Troy winced, "Seriously? What am I going to tell a bunch a little kids about being a cop? Can't you get someone else?"

"She's asking for you."

Troy let out another sigh, "What time?"

"30 minutes from now sir."

Troy cringed at the mention of the word sir, "Martha, please don't call me Sir."

"Yes Sir," she flinched, "I mean Sheriff."

"Troy." He offered getting up from his desk, "Is that everything?"

Martha stood up as well, "Mr. Paxton called he said he had a new check in late last night, said you might be interested in this one."

"Was that all he said?"

Martha nodded with small shrug, "I don't understand why he calls half the time about who check in and out. I mean it's almost always someone just passing through."

Troy frowned a little as he reached for his hat, "Well, I'd like to keep it that way. If anyone does have the idea of sticking around I'm want to make damn sure they're not stirring up trouble."

Martha nodded, "Yes sir-I mean Sheriff Troy."

Troy let out a breath and put his hat on his head without saying another word. Martha followed him out into the main office of the station as people walked around busy with their work and chowing down on doughnuts from Martha's desk. The one thing about Highland Meadows was that it was quiet and reliable. Everyone did the same thing every morning and everyone was inside their homes by 8pm every night.

As a kid he'd taken it for granted, the safety of coming up in place like this. He'd been one of the lucky ones. A lot of his buddies in the Marines had come up on the streets of Detroit, Washington, Chicago, New York and countless other places. He'd heard so many stories of growing up in places like that. Seen so much in his 8 years on duty.

One day he wanted to raise a family of his very own, and knew exactly what kind of life style he wanted to give his family. A good old fashion small town life. Problem was the picking around Highland Meadows wasn't exactly blossoming the way it use too. Troy had his fair share of offers, in fact, most of his late night calls were half dressed women claiming there was some stranger trying to get into their houses.

To be frank, Highland Meadows was not in short supply of women desperate to be the sheriff little wife. Highland Meadows was just short of a brown eyed woman with wild curls that made his plus race and his heart hammer inside his chest. Fifteen years ago he looked into her brown eyes and knew he was done for. Gabriella Montez was a just a junior in High School when they met his senior year. She still had a lot of growing up to do but she had an attitude on her that could make nun swear.

There was nothing about that girl he could ever forget, the freedom in her eyes, the taste of gummy worms on her breath. The way she'd be waiting on him after a game, leaning on his truck, her long brown hair in soft curls hanging over her shoulders. Fifteen years and not one detail seemed fuzzy to him, every kiss, every laugh, and every daring mischievous thing she'd gotten them into. That woman was like Fireball Whiskey, warm, sharp, and leaving nothing but tingles running through your blood.

Through the years he constantly wondered where she was, if she was alright, if she was driving some other man as crazy as she drove him. Troy pulled into the Highland Meadow's Elementary School parking lot. He had his hopes, that one day he'd meet someone that would make him forget his first love. Had hopes that he might settle down, have a couple kids and maybe get a dog. It wasn't like he hadn't been trying all these years. Heck it wasn't until recently when he took the job as Sheriff that pulled back on his quest to find a wife. Right now he just needed to make good with reality.

Gabriella was long gone, he was the new Sheriff of Highland Meadows and his life for all intensive purposes revolved around getting raccoons out from under Miss Murphy porch and talking to first graders about how great it was to be Sheriff. And when he wasn't doing his job he was checking in on his parents and making sure his father wasn't scaring the neighbors with his new taxidermy hobby.

Eliot looked out the window of the diner and then back over at his mother as she filled out some forms. They'd been sitting at the diner for what seemed like forever and the smell of food was beginning to make his stomach growl. This morning when he work up at the hotel she'd given him a granola bar to eat.

"Mom, I'm hungry."

"Hush," she said quietly, "We need to get job."

"Why?"

"So I can feed you."

"Why can't we just call daddy and have him send us some money?"

Her smiled shifted into a frown, "We can't."

"How come?"

"We just can't Eliot," she placed both her hands on the table and let out a low breath, "Please just be a good boy for mommy and stay right here until I finish with the lady."

Gabriella got up from the booth and walked over to the counter, "Hello, it's me again I finished the application," she said with her best smile as she slid the slip of paper over towards the lady. She'd tied her hair back as best she could and tired to make best of her light green button up blouse and blue jeans she had hand washed in the motel bathroom this morning.

The older woman picked it up and examined Gabriella in a full once over almost dismissing her on site and making her feel three sizes smaller than she was before looking back at the information on the page, "Gabriella Montez," she read aloud before looking up at Gabriella again.

Hearing her maiden name said aloud after all this time was like the final nail in the coffin. Granted she been on the run for the last two weeks she'd yet to stop somewhere long enough to have an actual conversation with another adult. It'd had just been her and Eliot in the car, and even then they most often times drove in silence.

"For place of residence you listed Paxton's Motel?"

"I'm new in town. I haven't been able to find a place for rent yet, so it's either the motel or my car," Gabriella said jokingly.

"Right." The woman remained not amused as she continued to read over the document, "There's no call back number? How am I supposed to reach you?"

Gabriella frowned, "Well I figured I'd drop back in tomorrow see what you think? Like I said I'm new in town so I'm still settling in."

"There's also this new invention called a cell phone."

Gabriella let out a breath. "Look," Gabriella lowered her voice as she leaned over the counter a little. "I just left my husband of 10 years and he wasn't the tender loving kind if you know what I mean, so when I ran out in the middle of the night with my child and the clothes on my back I didn't really find it important enough to grab my cell phone. I have been driving for two weeks scared out of my mind and I've pawned my wedding ring, earrings, and my good for nothing mother's gold chain for one grand that I'm suppose to live off until I can get a job and get on my feet. My son is hungry; I'm tired and if you're not going to hire me then let's move this on."

The woman eyebrows shot up as she stood up straighter. "10 years," she said quietly, "How long before he went mean?"

"Seven."

The woman looked over at the booth where Eliot sat building a pyramid out of half and half's, "That your boy?"

"Yes."

"You should go register him at Highland Meadows Elementary, my grandson goes there. When you come back I'll have your uniform and we'll talk about finding you a decent place to live. That motel ain't no place to have a little boy."

Gabriella was quiet for a moment before old woman's words registered, "Oh thank you god! I didn't know where else to go."

"Get a move on before I change my mind."

"Thank you!" Gabriella turned to make her way over to the table.

"Hold on,"

Gabriella stopped and turned back to the older woman who reached in to the glass case and took out a doughnut. "For your son, tomorrow bring him in early and we'll make sure he eating a real meal before school."

"Thank you." Gabriella said taking the doughnut and making her way back over to Eliot.

Troy pulled into the diner on his way to Miss Murphy's house. Getting out of the car he noted that the help wanted sign that had been in the window for the last few days had been taken down. When he came in he greeted by the smell of pancakes, bacon, and maple syrup all the kind of things that could drive a man crazy at this time a morning.

"Hey Sheriff," Betty, the older woman from behind counter called out as she held up a coffee cup. "I've been expecting you."

"I had some business as the elementary school," he said coming up to the counter.

"Oh my, I hope Jake and Kelsi are alright?"

Troy smiled as he took the offered cup, "There just fine," he said kindly, "I was there to speak about being a Sheriff. Give the whole don't talk to strangers speech, nothing serious."

"Sounds honorable."

"I noticed your help wanted sign isn't in the window, does that mean I can expect that someone is going to be screwing up my coffee for the next few weeks?"

"Well I hope not," Betty said with sigh, "She seems like a good girl, she's had it a bit rough. She needs a break so I gave it to her."

"A bit rough?"

"Husband with a mean streak."

Troy frowned, "Betty."

"Relax, she's a run away. She's been driving for two weeks and she decided to stop here. She's got no address, no phone and she's toting around a little boy. You know no one's going to hire her. People round here don't like strangers."

"And if this guy shows up looking for his wife."

"Your numbers on my speed dial."

"I'll be by to check on you ladies anyway just for my peace of mind," Troy added as he tipped his coffee cup in thanks.

"Wouldn't expect anything less from you Troy," she said with a laugh.