The trip on the airplane was long and exhausting, and because the airport was located miles outside of Albuquerque Troy was sitting in a backseat of what had to be the smallest cab in the world. The driver insisted on rambling and Troy questioned his decision not to take a private car; he didn't like to flaunt his wealth. The cab smelled sour as if rain had gathered into the seats and molded. His jacket lay across the other seat and the white t-shirt and jeans were soaked with sweat. Restless he pulled out his cellular phone and decided to return the calls from his parents and Chad, but the bars denied him. In his excitement to leave the cramped apartment as swiftly as possible he'd forgotten to charge the small device. Sighing, he leaned his head back, placed it back into his pocket, and settled in for another thirty minutes of an air conditioner lacking road trip.

Home was home. Albuquerque, Gabriella decided, had been newly shellacked, but retained the essence of what had made her high school days golden (partly). It was like being in a refurbished time warp. The same shops offered bread, coffee, and many more edible delights. A bookstore stood oddly in between a bakery and a shoe store. Gabriella had spent endless hours inside with Taylor and the debate team preparing for trials. She had spent even more time with Troy in the far corner of the shelving on a bean bag that no one else had seemed to notice. She thought about going in, but her feet turned instead down a residential street that intersected at the end of the road. Her legs carried her like they were possessed ending in the exact place she'd been avoiding. A brick house stood boldly with its white shutters decorating the windows. Flowers bloomed across the mowed lawn stretching out to a straw mat in front of a screen door with a hardwood green door behind it. Gabriella had spent so much of her days running in and out of that door. The tree house, like the rest of Albuquerque, appeared the same.

The candles gave the tree house a faint silvery glow, flickering like her stomach. Troy's parents had gone on an emergency run to Colorado visiting Mrs. Bolton's' ailing mother. His parents instructed him that Gabriella was not to be alone in the house with him; it was the wrong thing to say to a seventeen year old boy. Gabriella was not used to breaking the rules, but when he had suggested a romantic dinner in the tree house she couldn't refuse. Her mother was so busy with her caseload that she was elated when Taylor called to ask permission for a sleepover. Taylor was such a romantic and waiting on a report about the dinner. She'd seemed to know more than Gabriella did about the dinner. Empty plates lay on a make shift dining table; a trunk with a table cloth. Troy walked around blowing out most of the wicks, leaving a few for scent. Gabriella smiled at how romantic he'd been tonight. When she arrived a ladder was against the tree she could climb it easier than the rope Troy and Chad used. She was sure Troy had purchased every candle made in town, giving the house a lavender fragrance. He took the time to dress himself handsomely. His hair was freshly cut; he wore a starched blue dress shirt that illuminated his eyes and black slacks that fit nicely. A pair of black loafers was placed at the door and he walked barefoot to great her as she stepped off the ladder. A dinner of Duck l'orange, which happened to be Zeke's signature dish, and chocolate soufflé followed. They had laughed and talked and enjoyed being together so much that at the end of the meal that Gabriella stalled getting back to Taylor's house sitting down, instead, on the blanket spread on the floor and laying back against him so they could gaze at the stars.

"Gabriella," Troy started his eyes piercing into hers, "Tonight has been the most amazing night I've ever had. Thank you for coming."

"Oh, Troy no one has ever put this much into a date night for me. In fact, you're the first guy to put any effort for me," she responded.

"Well, I want you to know that you mean so much to me. I'm so glad to say you're mine. You make me feel like I'm on top of the world," he chuckled out at the cliché.

Gabriella's blush deepened at his words. Her heart was beating over time.

"Troy..," she said unsure of how to respond.

"I love you. I know I've said to you, but I really want you to know how special you are and how much I want to be with you forever," he finished red in the face.

"I love you too, Troy," she replied just as red." We are going to stay together. I just know it."

Troy bent down and she scooted up to place her lips on his. As the kiss became deeper slow warmth made its way through her body. The purple dress she wore seemed paper thin all of a sudden; she could feel him tremble above her as he shifted to lie on top of her. The air escaped her lungs too fast. His lips pressed firmer against hers causing her to sigh into his, allowing his tongue to slip into hers. Her body was on fire. She let her hands fumble with his shirt, pulling it out of his pants and placing them on his skin. His muscles hardened at her touch and he pressed his body into her spreading her legs, wrapping them around his waist. The change in positioned placed him dangerously close to her, causing the faint throbbing to heighten and a frenzy to feel him all over.

"Troy, I want you," she gasped, surprising herself with the declaration and the huskiness in her voice.

Troy thought he was hearing things. Hot and heavy was their norm. A hundred times during the relationship they'd come close, but she'd always needed more time and he wanted her to be ready. Her hands ran through his hair bringing him out of his head.

"Did you hear me?"

"Um…yea. I just…," stuttering as she squirmed below him while her hands still spread all over his chest. "Are you sure baby? I can wait. I promise."

"Troy, I'm sure."

The screen door shook Gabriella out of her reverie. Jack Bolton stood in the doorway grinning a mile wide.

"Gabriella Montez," he exclaimed with a hand over his eyes, as if he couldn't see her clearly, "well I didn't expect to see you around here so soon. When Taylor told me you were headed back to East high I couldn't believe the timing."

Gabriella grinned back, a little confused by what he'd said. What did he mean "soon"?

"You must 'a heard about my retirement," he continued not recognizing the confusion on her face," It was time. A coach has to know when to step down and hand the reigns over. I'm just lucky to be able to have someone who understands how much the game means taking over. Com'on in. Lucille will be thrilled to see you. Don't cry for me little girl, I'm ready for the beaches," he said letting out a boisterous laugh and ushering her inside. "Lucille!"

Mrs. Bolton was only 5'3 and a ball of pure energy. An apron hung around her waist and flour coated her hands. A smile split her face as she spotted the brunette who'd stolen her sons' heart.

"Mmm. I haven't seen you in ages, spin around hon," she said waiting for Gabriella to spin round. When she'd turned in a complete circle Mrs. Bolton clapped her hands together and in an excited giggle said, "A little more curves than when you left."

Gabriella blushed profusely. Lucille had warmed to her immediately, often cooking her dinner and allowing her over every time her own mother needed to jet out of town. She'd seemed just as devastated after the breakup, and Gabriella felt a little ashamed at having not kept contact with the woman who'd been so good to her.

"You're just in time for a batch of lemon bars. You know they are Troy's favorite. He eats them all in one sitting," she relayed turning towards the kitchen fully expecting Gabriella to follow. Jack slipped out of the room.

"Omigosh, Mrs. Bolton, your house hasn't changed one bit. I'm sorry for barging in. I was just going for a jog and couldn't resist coming by. So many memories here…," she faded out.

Mrs. Bolton understanding shook her head in agreement and walked over to the stove to remove the cookies. "You know," she started," we really did miss you around here. I was telling Jack how amazing it was to have you guys coming home."

This time Gabriella hadn't misread the indication. She opened her mouth to speak and …

Ding Dong!