Disclaimer: The characters of the HSM series were created by another, and therefore yield me no profit of monetary value. I do, however, gain tremendous satisfaction from continuing the amazing story of the two main characters I fell in Love with.
A/N: I was in the armed services and am well aware that BDU's are no longer the standard uniform, but when I joined these were the uniforms and I have a soft spot for them. ACU's are so hot and stuffy, but very necessary for the desert weather. And it is very possible to join the forces with a serious surgery in the past, as long as you have maintained and can control the existing injury. Please read and if you have suggestions review.
Much Love, JA
Prologue.
Streamers spread all over the auditorium. Red and White gowns lay strewn across cloth covered seats as their owners giggled and patted and laughed and cried. East High had been good to them, prepared them for the next level of life, and created friendships that the students swore to keep forever. Troy Bolton had stood among them a God. Deemed destined for great things by teachers, most attractive by the ladies, and basketball champion to his homies. On the day, standing in the midst of admirers Troy could not have fathomed the discourse shuttling his way. He smiled and reveled in naivety. The war began for Troy in the summer, in the sun, after high school. This was a war he had never taken seriously. He'd never involved himself in politics. A young floppy haired kid of eighteen, his plan had been to gain acceptance into a college athletics program that would allow him to keep his favorite activity, educate him, and also give him time to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. He'd been awarded the scholarship, but an unfortunate car accident had caused the university to abandon the young hoops star. They needed a healthy kid when the semester started; a star who could take them to the next level in school ranking. They revoked their offer when news of the replacement knee reached their ears, offering in its place the shallowest of deepest apologies and well wishes. He'd spent weeks depressed as his friends dismissed him one by one as they looked to blossoming futures of college life. His knee began to heal. Walks around the hospital ward turned into sprints home. He spent his time in rehab, running, and praying. A morning run led him to the Armory. Unprepared and unsure steps led him into the recruiters office. Black ink signed him over to the United States. Upon return to his home he informed both parents of the transaction. His father, though shocked with his only sons actions, applauded him for making strides as a man. Troy had always been respectful and goal oriented, but Jack was positive being a soldier was never on his list of occupations. His mother was less impressed. Tears became a constant in her presence. Troy avoided her mostly. On the day of departure, he'd allowed her to cry. Standing in front of the terminal she'd dabbed at her make-up with tissue and hugged him until she was to overwhelmed; another kiss and she'd retreated to the car. His father had stood sturdy,stoic exchanging a pat on the back as Troy picked up his long bag and extended his hand. One more gripped shake and his young man squared his shoulders, pointing his piercing blue eyes towards the automatic doors, and walked into his future.
Chapter 1.
Fort Bliss sat among the mountains, streams, and wildlife making its name the most appropriate of any Army base. In the morning, cadences were hummed to the beat of rushing water. At night, green men burrowed in the soil running drills and providing security. The irony, however, was that the servicemen working at the location saw it as anything, but blissful. Fort Bliss was also named for the amount of officers among the crew. It was said by an enemy force that if the well armed base could be taken, they would have effectively wiped out the most important characters in this war, thus controlling the western civilization. In reality, enemies had yet to figure out a way through the fire power and the soldiers were determined to keep it that way by constantly bringing in the best their sister battalions had to offer. This morning a trumpet sounded through the intercom signaling the end of one career. The metal bird overhead announced the beginning of another.
Vibrations from the propellers shook the only passenger in the cab awake, the voices in his head phones growing dimmer as the pilot grabbed the speaker to inform him of their descent. Sgt. Troy Bolton blinked and stretched regaining his composure, after what had been a thirteen hour flight from his previous station. Fort Bliss smelling of gun powder and dust engulfed the tiny air craft. There was little doubt that this was an active base. Skittles, a name given to the air traffic directors clad in neon vest, rushed from every direction to greet and search the helicopter. A camouflaged decorated vehicle sped towards the runway. The wind of the winding down whirling blades barely ruffled Troy's uniform as he stepped down to the ground pleased at the condition of his perfectly starched Battle Dress. Five years had taught him precision in wearing the garb properly. The green and browns covered his body equally until ending in the supremely shined boots. The rank gleamed on his collar. Rigorous training and a diet of eggs and Army potatoes helped fill out his muscles into a more masculine look than his eighteen year old self. The glassy blue eyes and jagged pink scar on his knee were the only remainder of childhood on the Sargent. As he half walked, half marched to the vehicle the back door opened revealing a cocoa skinned man with a broad smile, extended hand, and rank identifying him as a Major, a very young officer. Wondering how someone that young had achieved such rank, Troy stopped ten paces short and saluted him swiftly. Major Danforth accepted shaking his hand afterward and ushering him into the transportation.
"Good Morning, Sgt. Bolton," the Major's bass filled voice echoed in the backseat. " We are excited to add you to our arsenal here at the Bliss. I've reviewed your file and am personally holding you responsible for improving upon our securities. I see that in five years of service the opportunity has been extended for you to be promoted. Why haven't you moved up, son?"
"Sir, I should begin by letting you know how excited I am to have been awarded this opportunity. Being head security officer here, at my age, is certainly not the normal progression. I decided to stay in my position, because five years ago I was one of those lost kids who joined not knowing what I was signing up for. The Army has completely changed my life and I want to be able to enhance the young soldiers on this base."
"Well said. We expect nothing less of you. You'll report to me after chow at 1600 hours," Major Danforth ordered as they infirmary building materialized. The vehicle sped off just as quickly as it had appeared. Troy grunted silently. This was one of his least favorite parts of the entire transfer process. A private walked towards him, released a salute, and informed Troy that he was to take his bags to his private quarters. A chill hit him as he proceeded into the medical building. A clipboard was shoved in his hands by the attendant who never looked up as she issued paperwork to every new face in the ward. A dark skinned woman with wire rimmed glasses in a nurses outfit pointed him into an office.
"Thank you, nurse McKessie," a soft voice spoke. The office was neat. Books covered every inch of shelving. At least a hundred pens and pencils squeezed together in the holder on the mahogany desk. Behind the desk a young, brunette blinked at him wondering why he seemed frozen. Troy felt light headed. She was dazzling. Her lips were glossed and small and perfect. Her eyes reminded him of melted Hershey's kisses. Dimples encased her smile. Her hair was long and luscious, almost seeming to shiver on an unseen breeze. The room was spinning as he lost military bearing, plopping into the cushions of the couch along the wall.
Standing up and walking around the desk, Dr. Gabriella Montez sat on the edge of her desk concerned about the catatonic officer. When he had walked in she'd afforded herself an overlook under the pretense of patient evaluation, but the truth was she was stunned by his handsomeness. How could eyes be that blue? There seemed to be something wrong, she thought, as he stumbled backwards onto the couch.
"Sgt. Bolton?"
She was speaking to him. His heart panicked. What could he say?
"Sgt. Bolton, my name is Gabriella Montez. I will be in charge of your medical condition throughout the extension of your stay with us at Fort Bliss. If you should need any medication, referrals, or psychiatric help my numbers are located on the inside of your agenda book. Please, refrain from unnecessary calls or using my personal numbers outside of dire emergencies. Do you have any questions?"
" No, ma'am," Troy finally reigning in his conscious.
" Good. I will be performing your entrance exam today. We need to get you all cleared for duty on this base. Please, follow nurse McKessie into the examination room and strip down. I will be with you shortly."
The young, black woman appeared again out of nowhere to show him down the hall. Ushering him in to a cool room with a sink and long exam bed, she instructed him to strip down. Troy had never been a shy man. The Army rid men quickly of insecurities of nudity. For the first time he hesitated before disrobing; leaving just his dog tags and socks in place. The minutes ticked slowly and he stood waiting with his hands crossed over the area between his legs.