Thank you so much for all of your reviews everyone, they've really helped me out recently.

Although I don't mention them by name, when I'm talking about Troy and Gabriella's friends, I'm talking about my usual six; Chad, Taylor, Sharpay, Zeke, Ryan and Kelsi.

Crashing Down

Today is Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday, which means it's nearly the weekend, something Troy couldn't be more thankful for. It had been a tough week for Gabriella and although she wouldn't admit it, he could tell she was just about ready to drop.

Although he hadn't been able to stay at the Montez's over night, he'd gone there every night after basketball practise and had helped Gabriella with dinner, even cooking the meal himself some nights, and then they helped with homework and such, before going through bath and bedtime together, some thing Gabriella had been more than grateful for. Lucille had even extended his weeknight curfew to eleven, giving him that little bit more time to be with Gabriella, although most nights that had meant tucking her in bed and laying with her until she fell asleep, things seemed to be catching up with her more and more as the week went by.

It was now nearing the end of free period and while Troy had been with the boys practising, as the girl's sat on the bleachers and watched them, Gabriella had been called to the principle's office and no one was sure exactly why. Sharpay and Ryan had come back to school on Tuesday and although Gabriella and the other girls in their group were good friends, ultimately she and Sharpay were best friends, and so Troy was happy that Gabriella had someone other than himself to talk to, especially when it came to all the girly things he had absolutely no idea about.

Now though, Troy was at his locker getting his books together for his next class, Drama with Ms Darbus. It was an easy class, they had to read a few scenes, occasionally act a few of them out, basically as long as they didn't misbehave and did the work when they were asked, they passed the class. All eight of the gang were in this class and so Troy had arranged to meet Gabriella at his locker five minutes before the bell went, so they could catch up as they made their way to class without having to rush, what he didn't expect to see as he looked up to find Gabriella coming down the corridor, was her crying, hysterically.

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She wasn't sure why the principle wanted to see her or why she had to go alone, but it was just one of those things and the sooner she got it over and done with, the sooner she would be back with the gang.

Entering the principle's office Gabriella found not only the principle, Mr Matsui, but the school's counsellor as well. Mrs McLeary, or Lorna as she liked to be called was a lady in her late forties with a big heart, she tried to remember as many students names as possible and always had her door open for anyone who wanted to pop in for a chat, no matter how big or small their problem was, she was always there to help.

"Gabriella," Principle Matsui greeted her. "Please take a seat." Wearily she took the seat next to Lorna's, in front of the principle's desk, self-consciously wrapping her arms around her waist, something wasn't right, why would Lorna be here if everything was okay?

"I'm afraid we've got some bad news for you, we just received a phone call from a hospital in New York. The nurse was phoning on behalf of your Father, asking us to tell you that a short time ago your Mother passed away, I'm so very sorry to be telling you this Gabriella."

And in that one moment, Gabriella's whole world came crashing down around her.

She had no idea how to react, she had so many questions forming in her mind, but she just couldn't vocalise them, her voice didn't want to play ball. Lorna seemed to pick up on this though and filled Gabriella in on the most obvious question, how?

"She died of cancer Gabi. I'm sorry to be the one telling you this, but it seems your parents thought it was better off that you and your siblings didn't know about her illness. Your parents were in New York on business, like they'd told you, but your Mum's health took a turn for the worse and she passed out, when they admitted her to hospital her body was struggling to cope and so they put her under sedation, but her heart couldn't cope with the strain and it stopped beating, they tried their best to revive her but there was no hope, I'm so sorry sweetheart."

Gabriella felt like she was about to throw up, her Mum had been battling cancer, for who knows how long, and her parents hadn't bothered to tell her. And now, her Mum was dead, gone, she wasn't coming back. She'd never be able to see her again, hug her again, tell her she loved her again. Her head was spinning and she suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe and so…she ran.

She shot up from her seat, shot out of the room and ran, ignoring her struggle to breathe and ignoring the shouts from Lorna, she just ran. She ran as fast as her weakening legs would carry her towards Troy, she just needed Troy.

And she found him, exactly where she thought he would be, he was early, but he was there and couldn't have been more thankful.

By the time he turned to look at her, she was hysterical and seriously struggling to breathe, but somehow her legs carried her that little way further, as Troy met her half way down the corridor, where she found the safety of his arms and collapsed into them, her breaths short and sharp.

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As she collapsed in his arms, Troy could feel Gabriella's rapid heart beat and hear her short, sharps breaths as she cried, he had absolutely no idea what had gotten her into this state, all he knew was that he needed to regulate her breathing…and fast.

"Gabriella, look at me sweetheart, look straight at me angel please," Troy held Gabriella at arms length, keeping a firm grip on her shoulders to steady her, while making sure she kept eye contact. "That's it sweetheart, now I need you to take some deep breaths for me, in and out, slow and steady, that's it, good girl." As Gabriella followed Troy's instructions and her breathing began to regulate, he felt relief wash over him, he'd never seen her in that state before and he didn't want to see her in that state, everagain.

Although her breathing had calmed down, Gabriella's tears were still coming on thick and fast and at a loss of what else to do, Troy simply held her against him and let her cry, there was no way he was going to get anything out of her in this state.

"Troy, thank goodness she found you," looking up Troy found Lorna walking briskly in their direction.

"I don't understand, Mrs McLeary, why is she in such a state? What's going on?"

"She's just had some devastating news Troy, bring her to my office and I'll explain everything to you because there's still some stuff Gabriella herself hasn't heard, she left before we could tell her." Troy nodded fearfully and picked Gabriella up bridal style, he'd left all his books in his locker when he'd first seen her and so he cradled her against him, shushing her once he began to feel her tears soak his t-shirt.

He'd never seen her in this state before, ever, something seriously bad had happened and Troy was already fearing the worst.

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Troy had been right to fear the worst, only his worst wasn't theworst.

Gabriella had stopped crying by the time they reached Lorna's office, but she wouldn't leave Troy's side, she needed the comfort only he could give. She also hadn't spoken and that worried him the most, he needed to know what she was thinking, especially now, but she wouldn't talk to him or look him in the eye. He was hoping she just needed time, if anyone; he'd be the only person she would speak to, but if she wouldn't speak to him, then Troy didn't know what to do.

He was completely lost for words when Lorna told him the news, he couldn't understand how they could keep something from their children, okay so many the younger three wouldn't understand, but surely Josh and Gabriella had the right to know, to be prepared for the worst. But they hadn't been, and that's why the news had knocked Gabriella for six, she had no idea what so ever that this was coming her way and that's why the state she was in when she found Troy was completely justified.

Lorna had gone on to tell them that Carlos would be flying back on Friday, as planned, but that Maria's body would be transferred to the hospital in Albuquerque later tonight. She had then moved onto the stuff Gabriella hadn't heard, explaining that due to the nature of the situation it was no longer fair for Gabriella to be in charge of her siblings and that they would move in with the Bolton's. With Jack being a teacher at the school, they'd easily been able to get hold of him and after a quick call home to Lucille, it was decided that the Montez children would stay with them for the unforeseeable future. The only thing that Carlos had specified in his message from the hospital was that Gabriella would be the one to tell her siblings. Gabriella hadn't had any response to this, other than a small nod in understanding, but Troy knew that it wouldn't be easy for her, especially when it came to telling Josh.

After talking for just over half an hour and making sure that Gabriella and Troy both understood what was going on, Lorna told them they had permission to leave the school and that Gabriella wasn't expected in school tomorrow. So, after a quick trip to their lockers, Troy silently led Gabriella out to his car, where he helped her to settle in and just before he shut the door, leant in to give her a kiss.

"Troy?" Gabriella's voice was quiet and hoarse, but Troy heard her none the less.

"What's up sweetie?"

"I love you."

"I love you too angel, so so much," Troy found it hard to keep his emotions in check, as he leant in and kissed Gabriella on the forehead, before shutting the car door. As he walked round to the drivers side of the car, he took a few deep breaths, today was going to be a long day, a really long day.

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As Troy pulled into the Montez's driveway, he found his Mum standing on the front porch and suddenly he felt that little bit better, with her around things were always that little bit better.

"Hey Mum," He greeted her as he rounded the car and Lucille came down the porch steps to greet him with a hug.

"Hey sweetie, how's she doing?" Troy looked to where Gabriella was still curled up in the car.

"She hasn't said much, just told me she loved me, I'm hoping she'll open up a bit before the others come home."

"Lorna just phoned me, how is she after her near on panic attack?"

"Better, much better, she'd stopped crying before we got to Lorna's office and she hasn't cried since, I'm not sure whether that's good or bad, but as long as she doesn't get into the state she was in earlier, I think I can cope."

"Well when I spoke to your Dad earlier, he said he'd go and pick up Alfie and Alex and so I phoned the nursery and they said as long as he has I.D. with him he's fine to pick them up and he has his driving license on him so he's fine and the boys know him so they'll go with him. Now, if you get Gabi out of the car, we'll have a chat and help her decide how she wants to tell the others, then once they're all home and have been told, we'll pack them some stuff and head back to ours, alright?" Troy nodded and made his way back over to the car, which Gabriella was already getting out of.

"I'm sorry I've been so quiet," She didn't look as pale as she had earlier and for that Troy was grateful.

"Its fine beautiful, I wasn't expecting you to be talkative," Troy pulled Gabriella into a hug and she happily settled into his embrace. "How do you wanna do this sweetheart? You wanna talk about how you're feeling? 'Cause you really should you know."

"I know and I will, just not yet, I need to work out how I'm going to tell the others and get through that first, then I'll tell you how I'm feeling, maybe when we're at yours later. Have you gotto go to school tomorrow?"

"Probably sweetheart yeah, but I'll be in contact with you as much as I can and Mum will be home with you and you get on well with her so it'll be okay."

"Yeah I know, just your hugs are the best." Troy chuckled and buried his face in Gabriella's hair for a minute, just holding her and giving her the comfort she needed. "Do you think your Mum will give me a 'Mum' hug? I could really use one right now."

"I'd say so, you go and say hi and I'll get our bags from the car," Gabriella nodded and tiptoed up to kiss Troy, before heading over to Lucille who was now back on the porch.

"Hey Lucy," her voice was quiet, almost a whisper.

"Hey sweetheart, come here," Lucille held her arms open in invitation and Gabriella didn't hesitate to walk into them, revelling in the comfort only Mum's could give. "Why don't we head inside and chat about what's going to be happening for the rest of the day and we'll work out how you're going to tell the others." Gabriella nodded to this and let Lucille lead her inside, closely followed by Troy, who was now really pleased that his Mum was here. Gabriella could get through this with his support and he could get through it with Lucille's.

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"I want to tell them all together at the same time, I'll tell them Mum won't be coming home and that she's an angel up in the sky now, I think that's simple enough for the twins and Poppy to understand and I'm sure Josh will get the message, I'll talk to him a bit more about it later on as well. Do you think that's the right way to do it?"

"If it feels like the right way to you honey, then it's the right way," Lucille assured her with a gentle pat to the knee, as Gabriella sat curled up on Troy's lap, not ready to leave the safety and comfort of his arms.

"Is it right that I'm really angry at them right now? Especially Dad, I mean it feels wrong to be angry at Mum, but I still am and I felt like I'm being selfish because I am."

"I'd say it's perfectly reasonable Gabi, I don't agree with a lot of things your parents have been doing recently, especially how they've hidden your Mum's illness from you, but now's not the right time to talk to your Dad about it, he's just lost his wife, he's just as upset as you are sweetie."

"I know Lucy, I just wish that they'd at least told me about the cancer, then I could've been prepared for anything that might have happened because of it, not necessarily her dying, but I could've just been ready for it, just in case…UGH, I can't do this Troy, I really can't."

"You can beautiful, you really can, your Dad specifically asked for you to tell them and I think they'll accept it more if it comes from you. I'll be here with you if that's what you're worried about, I'm not gonna leave your side at all sweetness…unless you want me to that is."

Gabriella shook her head. "I don't want you to go anywhere Troy, please don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere sweet lady, I promise."

In just a few short hours Gabriella's world had come crashing down around her, but how she was going to actually explain that to her siblings…she had no idea. It would break their hearts, but she would be there for them, all of them because now…she really was their 'Little Mummy.'

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I know it's kinda short, but that's the point, to make an impact, to make it dramatic…and cause I wanted to update.

Happy belated Birthday Zac!

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