A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to add. My Dad's been admitted to hospital so, my times' been taken up by that. Thanks for the reviews though!

It had been over a week since Gabriella had last seen and spoken to Troy, the time almost highlighting the prospect that their steamy make-out session had been one of her many dreams on the subject rather than reality. She had been at the community centre every night since hoping to run into him again on one of his many intended working hours however, Troy hadn't shown and no-one could offer an explaination why. Gabriella's Mum had had to call the authorities to inform them of the situation, and if they decided to pursue it Troy could face the prospect of being sent to a young offenders institute or even doubling his community service but, even that didn't seem to deter Troy's absence. Gabriella herself, had tried to get in contact with him but, either his phone was switched off or her texts were ignored- she didn't want to send too many in case she appeared over eager and whilst she was- she couldn't let him know that, he'd have the upper hand.

"Dad!" Troy pleaded trying to stop the mayhem that had been unleashed within the building, one of many Jack Bolton owned in the city. This building in particular was a bar and pools club. Jack Bolton switched his attention to his son, who was being restrained by his right hand man Steve obviously not wanting to be there.

"Quiet kid," Steve hissed tightening his grip so Troy winced.

Jack Bolton took another swig of his cigarette before he stepped back and kicked the guy on the floor one more time. As far as Troy knew, this was just a guy off the street that owed his father 50 and yet the treatment would say otherwise.

"Come here," Jack commanded.

His croonies looked amongst themselves wondering who he was referring to, and desperate not to get that wrong because in could mean switching places with the guy on the floor or in extreme cases death depending on Jack's mood, he was vicious by nature.

"Troy..." Jack finished glaring at his son.

Steve released him and Troy hesitated.

"Now!" Jack barked. Troy slowly walked over there, unable to take his eyes off the middle aged guy on the floor.

"Please help... Me..." The guy pleaded.

Troy stepped over the blood puddle that was forming and his father grabbed him, yanking him closer.

"I want you to have a first row seat," Jack whispered dropping the cigarette on the floor and stamping it out before he held Troy around the waist against his own body, trapping his arms and applying pressure to some of the previous bruising Troy had substained so, he knew not to struggle. Troy was silent as Steve and fellow crew member Marlon moved across the badly lit room and resumed the guy's beating whilst Troy could do nothing but, watch.

"That will teach Fred here," Jack laughed hollowly as the guy's body was kicked to the side.

Troy knew he was dead.

"Marlon, clear up here- river should be a good graveyard," Jack Bolton commanded.

"Yes sir," Marlon responded.

Jack's grip reduced on Troy, instead of trapping his whole body Jack kept a firm grip on Troy's wrist and pulled him out of the club shoving him in the waiting car and climbing in himself leaving Steve to drive.

"Like the show?" Jack questionned.

Troy didn't answer, preferring to keep his attention to the world going by- sick to the stomach. It turned out Jack didn't need an answer and wasn't looking for one as Troy's lack of response went unchallenged. Troy was soon thrown in one of the empty rooms in the mansion, neither painted or decorated it served as a remainder the line Troy trod was thin between victim and spectator, one wrong action on his part would mean he would get a beating and possibly more due to his father's strict discipline. The door slammed shut behind him and Troy knew better than to try it, knowing it was locked from the outside and the only key would be with his father who was probably on his way to a drinking session right now. Troy walked to the furthest end of the room and slid down the plastered wall, bringing his legs up to his chest and staring into the abyss well aware it would be a few hours at least before Jack even considered releasing him.

"Spending time with a Montez?!" Jack snapped, both Steve and Marlon physically took a step back as Colin reluctantly nodded his head. "That won't do... Who approached who?"

"Montez, approached Troy sir," Colin answered keeping his eyeline to the ground.

"I bet her mother isn't happy about the idea," Jack smirked taking a drag from his cigarette.

Colin hesitated wondering whether Jack required a response but, inevitably he didn't.

"I'll take him to do this pathetic community service," Jack concluded.

"Yes sir," Colin replied.

"See how Gina Montez likes that..."

Gabriella's eyes lit up when she saw Troy stumbing through the community doors the next day but, her happiness quickly faded when she realised who had pushed him into the room- Jack Bolton. Although Gabriella had never met Troy's father in person, she was confident that was who Troy was with due to the amount of reading she'd decided to upon first encountering Troy and her Mum showing her his bulging file. Jack Bolton and Troy were still not alone though, a small petite blonde girl wandered in after them wearing tight fitting jeans with a plain pink t-shirt and white jacket. She walked up behind Troy who, was standing in his father's shadow, and linked her hand loosely with his. Gabriella's heart sank as she turned to go back to helping someone.

"Troy Bolton, glad you could make it..." Gina Montez exclaimed approaching them. "May I ask where you've been?"

Troy opened his mouth to speak but, Jack cut across.

"It's none of your business," He informed her aggressively. "He's here now and that's all that matters..."

"A surprise to see you here," Gina continued undetered. One to always stand her ground.

"Thought I'd come check this dump out," Jack smirked squeezing Troy's shoulder. He winced at the pressure applied but, still remained silent exchanging a glance with Sharpay behind him.

"Sharpay here, needs to stay with him."

"I'm not sure..." Gina started.

"Excellent!" Jack interrupted. "I'll pick you up at 5."

He strode away before Gina could respond, she scowled at him before her attention diverted to Troy.

"You know what to do," She murmured walking away.

"So we're painting?" Sharpay frowned glancing at her manicured nails.

Troy's eyes scanned the large hall for Gabriella, having missed her presence over the lastweek and a half despite the fact they barely knew each other Gabriella had this remarkable talent to make him feel at ease in her company.