Then and Now

Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical or anything associated with the franchise. It's all fiction.

AN: Wow. Computer viruses are the biggest pain in the ass. I got a major one on my computer and I thought I had lost all my documents for a minute there. Thank God my friend was able to rescue them and put them then put them on my new computer. I think I would have cried buckets had I not gotten them back. This story is quickly becoming my favs and if I had lost it ugh, I would have been beyond pissed and sad...anyway...I got them back and now I can update regularly. None the less, Im sooo sorry for the delay. I really hope people are still reading this and enjoying it. For those who are. Thanks sooooo very much for sticking with me.

Enjoy

Chapter 7

Gabriella stumbled down the stairs wiping the sleep from her eyes with the backs of her hands. She mumbled a greeting to her grandmother before she pulled the refrigerator open and grabbed the container of juice. She silently went to the cabinet and took out a long slender glass and filled it to the brim. Closing the door she peered over her shoulder, "You want some more to add to your vodka" she asked giving her a silly smirk.

Sophia clicked her tongue, "it's a little early for vodka dear…its champagne"

Gabriella laughed, "my mistake…do you want some more for your champagne?"

Sophia shook her head and waved her off with her finely manicured fingers, "nah, it's just the way I like it"

Gabriella grinned and gave her a nod before she opened the fridge and put the juice back where it belonged. She took a seat in the high back chair across from her grandmother, giving her a soft smile. She took a long sip of the pulpy fluid and then leaned back in the chair, "what are your plans for the day?" she asked, attempting to make small talk.

Sophia shook her head as she laughed loudly.

Gabriella's brow curved inward, "what?"

Sophia circled the mouth of the flute with the tip of her finger, "you do know I will lie for you and will always have your side, right?"

Gabriella cocked a brow in confusion as she held the gulp she had just taken in her mouth. She cleared her throat and then she finally swallowed, "um…I guess…okay"

"You caused a little uproar last night didn't you?" She asked with a knowing grin.

Gabriella's sighed, "How did you hear about that? Surely it hasn't reached epic proportions already. It's barely 10 in the morning"

Sophia chuckled, "John called and asked if Rocky had woken up yet. I put two and two together."

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "it was nothing. Just some bitch running her mouth and I reacted. It was stupid"

"Hmm…well, it couldn't have been that stupid for you to act the way I suspect you did. You've got some spunk my love, but when you get yourself into these little predicaments I seem to recall your emotions have always been genuine"

Gabriella shrugged and then took another drink of her juice, placing it back on the table, "whatever…it's done…I'm over it"

Sophia studied her with a scrutinizing stare while drumming her nails along the dark wooden surface, "well, for the record I don't think you're over it, but I'll go along with you being over it if you want to claim you're over it, but know, I'll be here when you want to admit that I was right and you aren't over it and then I'll sit with you and we can plot on how you can really get over what you claim you are already over, but really aren't ...over"

Gabriella sat silent for a moment as she turned a studying eye on the older woman. When she was satisfied that the rosy tint to her cheeks wasn't an ass load of blush she reached across the table and pulled the half filled glass from her and smiled, "I think you've had enough"

Sophia smirked, "taking my drink isn't going to change the facts my darling. You got in a confrontation over a boy. A boy, who I might add, certainly is worthy of getting in an altercation over, but for you my dear, it's always had an underlying meaning or reason. I'm just curious what that is, more so for you than for my own batty curiosity"

Gabriella curtly raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms along her chest in defense, "how do you know it was over a boy? We could have gotten into a heated discussion over world politics and I personally found her view point unethical and with a few drinks acted on my aggression for her stupidity"

Sophia laughed as she stood from the table and went to stand behind the chair Gabriella currently occupied. She placed a loving hand on her shoulder, "its summer baby, it's always over a boy" she continued to snicker as she went to leave the room, "not to mention, 90 percent of the teenage population that inhabits these parts wouldn't know what was going on in the world unless it was printed on the back of a pack Marlboro Lights or a Miller Light bottle" she stated matter fact, a grin covering her satisfied face, "have a good day Gabriella"

Her grandmother was far too perceptive for her own good. The remainder of the morning and into the early afternoon had consisted of knowing glances, numerous head shakes and random mumblings of her past that somehow mirrored Gabriella's current existence. None of which had been spoken in true conversation towards her, but directed to the glass full of God knows what or to the plants and sky beside and above her, but always when Gabriella was in ear shot.

The thing was though, she was right.

Gabriella was an only child and to an extent had all the tendencies that an only child tended to manifest. She never had to compete with others for the attention of her parents, which now, really was more of a hindrance than a want. She usually was given the best of everything and hardly, if ever wanted for anything. However, the want to have the best and be the best in all forms of its definition had grown to be part of her character. She strived to be at the top of her class, to win every track meet, to be well liked in order to be named homecoming queen or prom queen, but it wasn't a vanity issue, it was a need to always be the paramount of all she threw herself into because she was an only child. There was no comparison in her parent's eyes and their expectations were always high. The older she got the more her personality developed and she took that raging ability to conquer and molded it to fit her needs and desires, no matter what those were. She was a very passionate person about her ideals and wants, but as the years went on those passions grew further and further from the understanding of her parents. One thing remained though; there was a reason for everything she did, even if recollections of the monumental motivations took a while to mark itself in her conscious thoughts. When she reacted, it was because something deep inside sparked and told her it was necessary.

She slipped on slim navy tee and a pair of distressed skinny jeans along with her brown gladiator sandals before running her fingers through her mass of curls and applying a hint of lip gloss. She grabbed the tan oversized bag and quickly ran down the stairs and out the backdoor before anyone could question where she was going. She desperately wanted to get out of the house. Normally hanging with her grandmother was a good time, especially when her parents were out for the day, but she was getting on her last nerve. She needed some away time.

She figured her grandmother wouldn't mind her borrowing her car, so she jumped into the driver's seat of the almost new black BMW and backed quickly down the long drive and pulled out onto the beach front road, deciding to let it take her wherever it saw fit.

Apparently it saw fit to drive her straight to her uncle's office.

About three to five minutes into her pursuit to go somewhere Troy had entered her mind and a silly smile, a twinge to her gut and a plaguing need bolded her urge to see him. Gabriella, being one to act on impulse let that desire steer her.

She exited the car and noted as she surveyed the area around her that there were still a number of cars immobile in the parking lot. She threw her hair off her shoulder and entered the building deciding that she didn't really care. She wanted to see him.

She entered the office giving a few of the patients a sloppy grin before she walked straight to the door that led to the back of the office and pulled it open. A young woman quickly headed her off as she attempted to tread further down the hall, "excuse me, but you are aren't supposed to be back here" she said with wide eyes and a shake of her head.

Gabriella let out short chuckle, "sure I am"

The woman's face turned to shock at the blunt response, "uh"

"Gabriella?" a familiar nerve tingling voice called out.

Gabriella grinned, "Hey Troy" She gave the woman a quick look over with a pleased smirk before she approached him.

Troy leaned an arm against the nurse station as he peered down at her with confusion. He tossed his head to the side, shaking the falling strands from his striking blues, "what are you doing here?"

Gabriella raised her lids in question, "aren't I allowed?" she asked with flirty innocence, her eyes darting over his face.

Troy smiled, "of course you are. I just…I'm not done here for a little while and… I wasn't expecting you. You surprised me is all."

A gleeful smirk instantly curled her lips as she took a foot forward and tickled the fabric covering his chest, "I thought you liked my surprises"

Troy teasingly rolled his eyes, "and that hasn't changed, but I also know that with every surprise comes a reason and usually that reason isn't all that general or simple, at least when you're concerned"

"Hmm" she puckered her lips," I'm that easy to read am I?" She asked looking away with a shrugged to her shoulders.

Troy nodded, his eyes surveying every crevice of her pristine features, "usually"

Gabriella drew her gaze back to him and grinned with intent, "I'll give it to you today. So, is there a free room that doesn't have someone coughing or vomiting or complaining that it burns when they pee that we could go into?"

Troy narrowed his eyes, studying her. She was up to something, but at the moment he was far too curious and she was far to invigorating to make him question the logic behind escaping to an empty room alone, "I think 7 is open"

Gabriella smiled proudly, "awesome…7 is my lucky number" she stated with gleam and then brushed past him to entered the spoken of room.

Troy turned and let his eyes follow her down the hall. He shook his head in self scolding as he took a deep breath. He knew professionally he would probably regret this, but something else was leading his decisions, so he followed the spunky goddess down the hallway and into the room that was her lucky number.

Gabriella had been looking at a poster on the wall that labeled every bone in the body when she heard the door shut. She slowly turned around and smiled, "you really do look hot in scrubs" she stated as her pleased eyes inspected every inch of him.

Troy laughed, "so I've been told"

Gabriella lifted herself onto the exam table, looking down at the table paper as it crinkled underneath her. A giggle fell from her lips and then she looked up into Troy's watching blues, "this looks like new paper. Its new paper isn't it?"

Troy shifted his weight so that his shoulder rested against the door "yes, it's new"

Gabriella let out a relieved sigh. She took a deep breath and then ran her tongue along the backs of her teeth as she looked at him, "you probably think I'm just some childish teenager after last night" she blurted out.

Troy pushed off the door and took a step towards her, "Gabriella"

She shook her head in order to halt him, "no. I want to say this, so please listen to it all before you say anything."

He sighed, crossing his arms along his chest, "okay"

"It was kind of sudden, my fighting reaction that is. I admit that, but I was acting on my emotions and sometimes that doesn't always end well, at least in some people's eyes. I probably stepped over the line going after that bitch, but I just felt this need. At first I was kind of just fucking with her because I knew she was lying and trying to look like hot shit in front of her equally skanky friends, but" she rolled her eyes as she bit the inside of her cheek, " the second she saw that you had actually arrived I knew that she was going to attempt to make the fantasies in her helium filled head a reality and… I reacted." She wet her lips, taking a breath, "I knew you were coming and I should have known she was going to do the predictable thing, but when she actually did it, I just felt this strong urge to stop her effort, I wanted her as far away from you as possible so I attempted to beat her ass." she stated frankly, "I admit the actions were wrong, but the reason was genuine. I know you said you don't want me fighting over you and I wasn't. I was fighting for me and what I want and what I want is you" she grinned, "and I get a little possessive when that is jeopardized. So, there you have it. I told you last night that I wouldn't do it again and I will try to adhere to that, but I'm not going to promise because I don't want to lie to you. I've always been led by my emotions and sometimes that gets me in shit, but that's who I am and I can only hope you're okay with it. I do promise though, to try and think things through a little more so that my tendencies don't get too out of hand"

Troy was silent as he processed everything she had said. He of course didn't like that she was fighting. It was childish and unnecessary. However, he knew she hadn't gone looking for it either. The spontaneous, spunky and wildness that made up part of her personality was the enticing element that drew him in from the beginning, but the raw honesty, intellect and the underlying vulnerability that she rarely showed was what cemented his want and had him pleading to look past the immaturity. He knew that she could be volatile at times and attempting to pursue her could result in not so positive outcomes, but the nagging tug in his gut and chest forged him forward despite the vast logical sense he had. Maybe he was too smart for his own good, because just about every fiber in his being wanted nothing more than to discover every element of her entire existence.

Gabriella chuckled somewhat nervously, "aren't you going to say something?"

And that was what decided it. The nervous picking at her nails that she attempted to conceal and the mild shaking in her laugh sent a jolt to his heart. A jolt that made him respond the way he was. His face remained straight as he diminished the air between them. He placed a hand on the table beside each of her thighs and he clicked his tongue once as his cyan stare bore into her brown. He let his gaze fall for a moment to the tightness in her jaw and then quickly brought it back to its previous station. He swallowed with ease as a slow smirk curled at one side of his mouth, "I want you too"

He smiled fully when he saw her eyes light up, "and I like that you act on your emotions. It makes you real. It makes you genuine. However, there's this part of you that you keep locked up and your emotions don't drive. They actually do everything in their power to mask it. I want to see that side too Gabriella not just the blazing fire that you're known for. While it's hot as hell, what I see underneath is what has me itching and counting down till I get to see you again." He paused for a moment, " On the fighting, I spoke my feelings to you on that issue last night, so I don't feel they need repeating."

Gabriella could feel her heart pounding outside her chest. His words were so straightforward and honest and his stare was confident and desired filled. He was going to accept to her, all of her; every crazy detail and hidden fault. She hoped she could show it to him. She hoped that he would stay true to his word, but right now and probably for the weeks to come she was going to take his words as whole honest truth and try because it was apparent that he was too.

She lightly traced the V of scrub top as her dark eyes stayed entranced with his, "do you really count down until you will see me again?"

Troy let out a throaty chuckle as he cupped her knees in his hands and eased her legs to part. He smirked as he moved between them, "yes…that's what you want to hear isn't it?"

Gabriella's hand drifted north to weave around his neck as one of her legs curled around his backside, "if you mean it"

Troy's hands slid up her thighs and over the outside of her hips, pulling her center to brush his as his mouth drifted closer to her glossy lips, "I mean it"

Gabriella wrapped her other leg around his backside as she clutched the fabric of his top between her fingers and tugged his body closer, "I'm a counter too" she whispered hotly against his mouth, letting her tongue dart out shortly to pluck his half way parted lips.

Troy moved in, sweeping inside her mouth with a satisfied moan escaping the depths of his throat. His palm cupped the underneath of her thigh, lifting it higher up his waist as he eased her weight back slightly. His left hand grazed underneath her t-shirt, embracing the smooth firmness leading to her breast while his dick twitched in need and excitement.

Gabriella's fingers alternated between clawing desperately at his back and weaving forcefully into his soft strands as her legs clutched tighter around his middle. Incessant mewls fell from her lips as his hands inched closer and closer to her heaving breast forcing her core to increase its perpetual throb. She lightly grinded her pelvis against his as their kisses turned deeper and harsher and her want to feel something, anything from him to ease her aching intensified.

Troy pulled away breathing heavy, "Gabriella" he said in desperation and growing defeat before dropping his forehead to rest against hers.

She grinned and pulled the strings of his pants, releasing the bow that held them tightly in place. Her gaze drifted to the right and then came back to his dark blue, "the door has a lock, baby. Get to it."