Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Characters belong to Disney. Song belongs to Bruce Springsteen.

A/N: I've noticed there's a sudden influx of war-related fics on the site, so I decided to add my own. This is about the East High boys coming home after a draft and a three-year deployment. It's more about the effects the war has on them than about anything else. The song is Bruce Springsteen's "Shut Out the Light."


This story is dedicated to all the soldiers who have lost their lives in the Iraq war, and to all those still overseas serving. Thank you for your dedicated service and bravery, and your continued fight to protect our freedoms.

Come home safely.


"The runway rushed up at him as he felt the wheels touch down
He stood out on the blacktop and took a taxi into town
He got out down on Main Street and went into a local bar
He bought a drink and found a seat in a corner of the dark"

Jason Cross rested his head against the cool glass of the cab he was in. He watched the scenery rush past the car, his eyes unable to focus on any one object.

"Where to?" the cab driver asked, turning around in his seat. He looked critically at Jason, taking in the standard-issue military uniform. He hadn't objected when the clearly exhausted soldier had gotten in his car, but now he was annoyed. They had been driving for fifteen minutes without a destination.

Jason looked up, his thoughts interrupted. Sighing, he turned back to the window.

"Just drop me off downtown somewhere," he softly, ignoring the angry groan of the cabbie.

Fifteen minutes later, the cab pulled to a stop in front of a bar, and Jason got out. He fished two twenties out of his pocket, handing them to the cab driver. As the taxi pulled away, Jason looked up at the sign above his head. Making up his mind, he stepped forward, opening the door.

As he entered the darkened bar, he didn't miss the stares and whispers of the other patrons. Ignoring them, he walked up to the bartender and ordered a beer. Taking his drink to a corner table, Jason sat down, taking a long swig of the alcohol.

Pulling out a picture of Kelsi Nielson, he flipped it over in his fingers, before tossing it to the side. Kelsi was part of his old life. In his new life, he wanted nothing to do with high school

Well she called up her mama to make sure the kids were out of the house
She checked herself out in the dining room mirror
And undid an extra button on her blouse
He felt her lying next to him, the clock said 4:00 am
He was staring at the ceiling
He couldn't move his hands

Gabriella Montez flew down the steps, checking things off in her head. As she reached the bottom, she nearly ran into Alexi, her smallest child.

"Momma, what's going on?" Alexi asked, tugging at Gabriella's skirt.

Smiling, Gabriella bent to pick up her three year old daughter.

"You and Andy are going to Grandma's house," she said, kissing her daughter on the cheek.

"Why, momma?"

"Daddy's coming home," Gabriella nearly whispered, unable to believe it herself. Shaking her head, she put Alexi down, sending her to get her older brother. Two hours later, Gabriella had the house to herself. She began to pace in front of the door, her hands shaking with nervous anticipation.

As soon as she heard the lock turn, she ran to the door, flinging it open and throwing herself into the arms of her husband.

"Troy!" she cried, kissing him passionately as he twirled her around.

"I've missed you so much," he whispered, dropping his bags as he caught his wife. "You have no idea how hard it's been."

Later that night, as Troy lay awake in bed, barely aware of Gabriella curled against his side, he thought of all he had seen over three years. He had been gone so long he hadn't even recognized his own children, let alone his wife.

Sighing, Troy pulled Gabriella closer, kissing her forehead as he tried to drift to sleep.

Oh mama mama mama come quick
I've got the shakes and I'm gonna be sick
Throw your arms around me in the cold dark night
Hey now mama don't shut out the light

Ryan Evans stepped into the busy airport, immediately bombarded with stares, whispers, and random people thanking him for his service to the country. Ignoring them all, he made his way to the baggage claim. Sighing, he located his bags, pulling them off the carousel.

No one had come to pick him up, not even Sharpay. She was anxiously waiting at home for Zeke, hoping and praying he had come back with the others. Ryan sighed again as he flagged a taxi, throwing his things into the trunk.

"Where to?"

"25 Sycamore Street," Ryan replied in a near whisper, giving the address of his sister's apartment.

The three years had hardened them all, but perhaps none more than Ryan. He had seen death, destruction, pain-everything he had never hoped to see in his life. He had had comrades die in his arms, friends and brothers blown apart in front of him. He silently wondered if the others were this affected.

The thing that bothered him most, though, was the news he was bringing to Sharpay. He didn't want to see her reaction, he didn't want to be there when she collapsed to the ground in tears.

Taking a deep breath as they pulled up to the curb, Ryan got out of the car, walking up the front steps. He pressed the doorbell, waiting patiently for Sharpay to answer.

Well on his porch they stretched a banner that said "Johnny Welcome Home"
Bobby pulled his Ford out of the garage and they polished up the chrome
His mama said "Johnny oh Johnny, I'm so glad to have you back with me"
His pa said he was sure they'd give him his job back down at the factory

Chad Danforth pulled into his driveway, shocked to see his parents and younger brother waiting for him on the front porch. Even Taylor was standing there, her face lighting up as started to get out of the car.

"Chad!" she cried, running into his arms. He dropped his things, holding her tightly to him as they kissed. His parents came over as well, his mother crying openly as she embraced her son.

"Oh, baby, I'm so glad to have you back," she whispered, kissing his cheek. "It's been so hard."

"It's good to see you too, Mom," Chad replied, hugging her tightly. He hugged his father next, breathing in the familiar smell of cigar smoke and cologne.

"I've missed you, too, Dad," he said, breaking away from his father. He held his arms out to his little brother, Michael, who immediately ran to hug him.

"We're so glad you're back, Chad," Taylor said, wrapping an arm around his waist. "We're glad you're back, and you're safe."

He smiled slightly, kissing his girlfriend again as they all walked into the house.

Oh mama, mama, mama come quick
I've got the shakes and I'm gonna be sick
Throw your arms around me in the cold dark night
Hey now mama don't shut out the light

Sharpay Evans opened the door to her apartment, expecting to see Zeke Baylor standing there, waiting for her. She was surprised, however, to see her twin.

"Ryan? When did you get back? Where's-where's Zeke?"

"Shar, there's something I have to tell you," Ryan began, stepping into the hall and putting his hands on Sharpay's shoulders. "It's about Zeke."

"No," Sharpay whispered, shaking her head. "No."

"Shar, I'm-I'm sorry. There was an ambush, his humvee was hit."

"No!" Sharpay cried out, pulling away from her brother and running to the couch. She fell onto it, burying her face in her hands. "No, you're lying."

"Shar, I'm so, so sorry," Ryan whispered, his own tears streaming down his cheeks as he sat next to her, hugging her tightly.

"No, he's not-he can't be-" Sharpay whispered, burying her face in Ryan's shirt. "He was supposed to come home."

"It was an accident, Sharpay, there was nothing we could've done."

"Oh, God," Sharpay whispered, shaking her head. "This isn't happening."

"I'm sorry," Ryan repeated, holding her even closer as she cried harder. "I'm so sorry."

He felt his tears falling harder as his eyes traveled to Sharpay's left ring finger, the diamond solitaire glinting in the soft moonlight. Their wedding day was a week away.

Well deep in a dark forest, a forest filled with rain
Beyond a stretch of Maryland pines there's a river without a name
In the cold black water Johnson Lineir stands
He stares across the lights of the city and dreams of where he's been

Jason shut the car door, staring out at the cemetery in front of him. He saw Chad and Troy already walking toward the site, and ran to catch up with them. As they reached the grave site, they saw Zeke's family already there, Sharpay sitting next to his mother as Ryan hugged her tightly.

"This isn't real," Chad whispered, shaking her head. "This can't be happening."

They walked silently toward the others, filing past the flag-covered coffin. Military officers were already there, standing at attention as the ceremony was about to begin.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Baylor," Troy whispered, hugging Zeke's mother. The others did the same, also hugging Sharpay.

"He loved you boys, he always did," Mrs. Baylor said quietly, holding a tissue to her mouth as she struggled to keep from crying. "He always wrote about how brave you all were. I was so proud of him."

"Zeke was a great soldier," Chad said, nodding at Mrs. Baylor's comments.

"He was an even greater friend," Jason added, his own tears pricking his eyes.

Two hours later, as they slowly filed out of the cemetery, the four men stood together, remembering their fallen friend. Each had suffered his own horrors during the war, each had his own scars and stories. As they parted ways, Troy looked back to the coffin, sending a silent message to his friend.

"Watch out for us, Zeke," he whispered mentally. "Keep us safe."

With that they all walked away, back to their separate lives and private hells, back to the post-war world that they wanted no part in.

Oh mama mama mama come quick
I've got the shakes and I'm gonna be sick
Throw your arms around me in the cold dark night
Hey now mama don't shut out the light"


A/N: That was fairly depressing. I hope no one was upset/offended/etc by this story. It is not a commentary on war, or anything like that. It is simply a story about friendship and trials.

P.S.: I've posted three trailers at the end. Check them out!