Wow, never did I expect to get 13 reviews for one chapter. Thank you!

A/N: This story WILL be a Troypay, I promise; I just have to do some background stuff on everyone first!

A/N #2: Don't worry; I'm cooking up some thoughts for a sequel to "Just Like Us." Yes, you all talked me into it. I would just like to thank each and every one of you who has given me an idea so far; I have literally written them down on paper. Seriously! Anyway, give me a few days on that one.

Disclaimer: Same as always.

P.S. – Mild language alert, kind of like the last chapter; nothing major though.


Going Home, Ch. 2

Next Morning…

Sharpay carried Elizabeth downstairs to where Ryan was. "Thanks again for letting us stay here," she said with a yawn as she walked into the kitchen. It had taken 2 hours to get her to finally fall asleep the previous night.

"Shar, you're my sister; you know that I would never turn you down. Plus I'm your older brother. If that creep comes back, I want you to know that I'm here for you." He smiled at his niece.

She smiled softly as she sat down at the table. "Well I don't think that he'll be coming here anytime soon; to be honest, I am pretty sure that he…" She took a deep breath, "…That he was having an affair," she said softly as she wiped her eyes. "Even when he still had his job, he was never around and never paid attention to Lizzie." She shook her head. "But…you really didn't have to do this…I mean; I know things between you and Gabi are starting to heat up and…"

He shook his head, "Hey, she completely understands and…"

"Wait, you told her? I thought you said you didn't tell anyone!" She got up and started to walk out of the room.

Ryan took her arm and stopped her, "I have been dating her for a year, Sharpay. She is one of your best friends and frankly I'm surprised you haven't told her. Anyway, she said she wouldn't tell anyone…I made her promise, all right?"

She nodded, "I…I guess. Maybe I should call her…"

"No need," he said as he walked into the living room, Sharpay following him.

"What do you mean, 'no need'? What are you…?" She was stopped by the doorbell, "Ryan!"

He simply opened the door. On the other side stood Gabriella Montez, one of Sharpay's now closest friends; she had confided in her when things got tough at home, but never really gave her any of the details. Gabi hurried over to Sharpay and hugged her, "How are you doing," she asked.

Sharpay smiled and hugged her back, "Gee, never better," she said as more tears made their way down her cheeks.

"I still can't believe that jerk did that to you…and to Lizzie. How is she anyway," Gabi asked after Sharpay had explained what had happened.

She shrugged, "Let's just say she's uh…well if I leave the room to go to the bathroom or something, she gets very scared," she said, feeling fresh tears beginning to fall down her face. "All she really knows is that we're here right now; I don't really feel like telling her the truth yet…she's only 2," she said. "Only 2, Gabi! A child that age shouldn't have to go through the…crap that I have put up with!" She cried; glad to finally let her anger at Mark out.

Gabi nodded, wiping a tear of her own that had escaped, "I'm so sorry," she said softly as she inched closer to Ryan. "I wish I could say I can imagine what you must be feeling, but I'd be lying."

"It's all right, Gabi; I know what you mean," Sharpay said as she took a deep breath. She looked at the two and smiled softly, "You guys really do make a great couple…I'm just sorry that I'm cramping your lives…"

"Don't start," Ryan warned her. "You're not cramping anyone's lives or inconveniencing us," he said. "I'm just glad you're out of that house."

"Thanks," she said softly. "So um…just what is Troy up to these days," she asked, wanting to change the subject to something lighter; plus hearing about Troy never bored Sharpay.

Gabi smiled, "Well for starters, he's still single," she said, winking at Sharpay. "And he has asked about how you're doing; I mean can you blame the guy? He's only human."

"Guess not," Sharpay said as she looked at the phone, hoping Gabi didn't…too late.

"You want to call him and tell him don't you," she asked, getting up to get the phone.

She shook her head, "Gabi, no, please," she pleaded. "I…I can't."

"Why," she asked. "He cares about you, Sharpay. And if he hears about what happened to you, do you know how quickly he'd get over here to be by your side?"

"I'm not a pity case! And I wouldn't want to…burden him," she said, gesturing to her daughter. "He's probably wrapped up in his own life…"

Ryan shook his head, "Actually I know exactly where he'd be right about now. Why don't we at least go say hi…you don't have to tell him the real reason as to why you're here."

She sighed, "Well…"

"Great," Gabi said, "He's at this new coffee place that just opened up not far from here," she said as she stood up.

"Okay," Sharpay said slowly, not really sure if she wanted to see Troy after 4 years. 4 years of not keeping in touch…at least not very well.


Troy walked into the coffee shop and sat down at his usual table like he did on most Saturday mornings. He picked up the paper that he brought with him and started to read it, not noticing who was walking through the door.

Gabi pointed to him, "See, I told you he'd be here," she said to Sharpay who was carrying a fussy Elizabeth.

Sharpay just stood there, watching him for a moment. She was about to walk over when she felt herself stop, "I can't," she said as she walked to the door to leave.

He took this moment to look up. He had to do a double take when he saw…her. "S-Sharpay," he said, a small smile creeping onto his face.

She cursed herself when she heard him say her name. "Troy," she said, pretending to act surprised, "What a coincidence! I didn't know you liked coffee," she said, wishing she hadn't just said those words. I didn't know you liked coffee? What kind of idiot am I, she thought to herself.

He gestured for her, Gabi, and Ryan to come over to where he was sitting. As they did, he got up and hugged Sharpay after a strange moment of hesitation. She was married after all…with a child. "So um, how have you been," he asked as they sat down.

"Ryan I think that I want to get something," Gabi said.

"But you said that…"

"I changed my mind," she said through clenched teeth, gesturing to the other two.

He nodded, "Oh…right…I mean, okay." He got up and rolled his eyes as Gabi gave him an earful about how Troy and Sharpay needed to be alone.

Sharpay chuckled at Ryan and Gabi; the two were meant for each other. Anyone who knew them knew that. She turned back to Troy, "I've been…pretty good," she said, hoping he wouldn't catch her lie. She wasn't very good at it, after all. "How is everything with you? Ryan tells me that you're now the head coach at the high school."

He nodded, "Yeah…so why are you really here?"

Uh oh, he had caught her. "What do you mean," she asked. "Can't a girl come and visit her brother every now and again," she asked nervously.

"Sure, but normally she brings her husband with her, especially when she has her daughter," he said, gesturing to the fussy little girl in Sharpay's lap. He looked at her, "What's going on, Sharpay," he asked when he saw her wipe her eyes.

She shook her head, "N-Nothing. I have allergies."

"Sharpay. You're a horrible liar." He looked at her again, "Something happened, didn't it?"

She just looked at him. Should she tell him the truth? What would he think of her? After a few moments, she finally nodded, "Yes," she said quietly, "Something did happen."

He lifted her chin so she was looking directly at him. That's when he saw the mark on her face, "Sharpay did he…did he…" He paused, "Hit you?"

That was it; she couldn't hold it in anymore. She could feel the tears once again fall down her face as she started to cry again.

Ryan, feeling his brotherly over protectiveness kicking in, hurried over to her and looked at Troy, "What did you do to her," he asked as he wrapped his arms around his sister.

"Nothing I…I just asked if something happened and then I saw that," he said, pointing to the bruise on her cheek.

"It's okay Ryan," she said as she wiped her eyes and handed Elizabeth to him. "Yes Troy, something did happen," she said, only hoping that he would understand.


So is he going to understand? I got this idea when one of my co-workers was telling us about what an idiot her ex-husband is and how he pretty much ignores their daughter (he doesn't hit her or anything like that). We (her co-workers) have been there for her, so I sort of incorporated that into this. Anyway, please leave a review, suggestion/idea, or something like that, LOL. And yes, the chapters are going to be shorter…for now anyway.