Disclaimer: I only own my original characters!

Chapter 7 - Stronger Than You Think

Jack was told he must stay in the hospital, making Lucille very disappointed, she wanted his final days to be at home. Seeing how upset his mom looked Troy decided to talk to the doctor, see if there was any way his dad could be looked after at home.

"Troy I just don't see how it is possible"

"But my mom is really upset, it's the one thing that might make this bearable for her, they need to be together when it happens" Troy explained.

"Well, she can be here, at the hospital"

"What if he goes when visiting hours aren't open? What would that do to my mom? Please let him come home" Troy pleaded to his father's doctor.

"I will see if I can see a way of it working, but I am making no promises Troy"

"Thank you" he sighed and walked back to his fathers room.

He entered and saw his mom sat silently in her thoughts while his dad slept. He moved his chair next to her and hugged her. Lucille gripped his T-Shirt in her hands and sobbed.

"It will be ok mom, I'm going to be here for you"

"He can't die Troy, I haven't lived a day without him for over 25 years, what am I going to do without him?"

"I know mom, I know it's hard but me and Brie will be here for you, I promise" he held her tighter and felt his own eyes fill with tears. He hated this whole thing, he hated his mom crying, his dad being so weak he just hated it.

He heard the door open and saw Gabriella with some coffees'. She noticed the moment and motioned she'd be outside. He mouthed a thank you and she nodded before leaving. After ten minutes or so Lucille composed herself and sat up as Jack started to stir from his sleep.

"Lucy" he gasped.

"I'm here Jack, right here" she took his hand and squeezed it. "Troy is here too"

"Tr-Troy?"

"Hey old man, glad to see you awake for once" he joked, trying to keep things light. Jack let out a sound which was his version of a laugh.

"G-Gab..." he trailed off, not being able to say her name.

"Gabriella has just gone for coffees, Troy why don't you go get her?"

"Ok, don't go back to sleep dad" he teased walking outside to see Gabriella sitting on one of the chairs outside the room.

"Is your mom ok?" She asked standing up.

"Yeah, she just can't imagine life without him, they have been with each other since high school Brie, what will she do without him?"

"She'll survive because she has the best son in the world to look after her" Gabriella reassured him hugging him close to her.

They stood there hugging for what seemed forever until Jack's Doctor walked over and cleared his throat. Troy turned, his arm still around Gabriella's waist and had hopeful eyes.

"I have thought it through Troy and it is do-able"

"Really?"

"Yes, you will need a qualified nurse living with you though and I will be making two visits a day to check on him"

"Yeah ok, anything, thank you so much"

"Go tell your mother, cheer her up a bit" Troy smiled and quickly entered the room, Gabriella right behind him.

"Guess what mom?"

"What is it Troy?"

"I have managed to persuade Dr Green to let dad come home" Lucille stood up and smiled big.

"Really?"

"As long as a nurse is there all times and Dr Green comes twice a day to check him over he can come home"

"Oh Troy" she hugged him and then turned to Jack. "Did you hear that love, your coming home" Jack smiled faintly and squeezed Lucille's hand.

Oh, Brie dad requested you here" she smiled and walked around to his other side.

"Hey Jack, how you feeling today?"

"O-Ok" she smiled and kissed his cheek. He smiled and Troy stood by Gabriella's side, holding her hand.

"When can he come home?" Lucille asked.

"This afternoon" came Dr Greens reply, they all turned around and saw him standing at the door.

"So soon?"

"Yes, I will run some tests and introduce you to the nurse who will be living with you and offering you help and support then you are free to take him" he smiled and Lucille ran over to hug him.

"Thank you so much Dr Green"

"No problem, now I will be back in ten minutes to run the tests" and with that he left.

Lucille went and sat with Jack, whispering things to him and holding his hand. Gabriella looked at Troy and smiled, he was so amazing and caring towards his family. Troy looked down and noticed Gabriella smiling.

"What?"

"You are just so amazing Troy" she expressed her feelings.

"Why?"

"The way you did all that just to see your mom smile again, you thought about her needs before what you want and I am proud of you" she hugged him. They went to sit outside, giving his parents some privacy.

"What did you mean in there about putting her needs before what I want?"

"I know you would prefer him to be here, I can tell by your face"

"Is it wrong of me? Am I a bad person because I would rather him be here when it happens?"

"No, you just don't want your family home to have them kind of memories in, I understand Troy I'm sure your mom would too..." she trailed off and he shook his head.

"No, she needs this to have closure when it happens, I am fine with it really I would just prefer it not to happen this way"

"Well, I still think you should talk to her, she wouldn't want you unhappy"

"I am fine, as long as you stay with me I'll be ok" Gabriella smiled and hugged him. She rested her head on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head.

They stayed like this for ages, just holding each other and thinking their own thoughts. To an outsider they would look like lovers comforting each other at a tragic time, it looked like they had been together for years. Gabriella sighed and squeezed closer to Troy. She hadn't known Jack long but even this was upsetting her, he seemed like a nice, caring man and it was just so upsetting to think he may not be here in a couple of days.

She made a promise to herself to be there for Troy and Lucille while they need her. She meant what she said about school, if they wouldn't extend her leave then she would let them expel her. Troy pulled away from the embrace and Gabriella looked up.

"How long did school give you off?"

"Two weeks"

"So you may not be here for the funeral, if the doctors are wrong and he stays longer?"

"I will tell them I am staying longer"

"You need to rehearse though, for your shows?"

"You are more important to me than some stupid show Troy" She exclaimed, softly stroking his cheek, causing him to close his eyes. He kissed her wrist and she saw tears fall down his cheeks. "Oh Troy" she gasped hugging him. "It's ok, I'm here ok? I will always be here" she soothed him.

"I just don't wanna lose him Brie, he isn't old enough to go, he is only 45"

"I know, life isn't fair but you will get through it"

"What if I can't get through it?"

"You will, you are strong and can deal anything life throws at you, and I'll be here"

"You Promise?" He asked, looking in her eyes.

"I promise you Troy Bolton, I am here" he nodded and they kissed softly. She ran her hands through is hair as he lifted her slightly off the ground. When they pulled apart they rested their foreheads together.

"Thank you"

"Anytime" he pecked her lips again and then placed her on the ground.

3pm that afternoon

Jack had just been settled into his own bed again and Lucille said she wanted to stay with him. His nurse went to make him some food whilst Lucille and Jack had a moment.

Troy and Gabriella went out for a walk along the beach, he needed to clear his head and as selfish as it sounds he wanted to get away from his dad for a bit. He wasn't used to taking care of someone and being depended on so much and it was a little overwhelming for him.

As they strolled along the beach, hands loosely wrapped together Gabriella's cell rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Gabriella, it's James"

"Oh hi James, what's up?"

"I have some bad news"

"What is it?"

"I have been diagnosed with laryngitis, the doctor says my voice will be back by the show but it could damage my vocal box if I sing in the show, I am so sorry"

"Oh, it's ok, I will sort something out, I hope you get better soon"

"Thanks, I am really sorry Gabs"

"Seriously don't stress out, just get better yeah?"

"Ok, bye"

"See you" she hung up and sighed.

"What's up Brie?"

"James can't sing in the show, what am I going to do? I can't find a replacement in a month and teach them the song, it just isn't possible"

"I'm sure there is something you can do, does no one else know the song?"

"No, only you and James" she then looked hopeful and he shook his head.

"Oh no, no Gabriella"

"Please Troy, you are so good at that song, you help so much when I need to practice, you will be even better than James"

"Brie, I can't get on stage and sing in front of people"

"Please, I will be there, you won't be alone, I need you Troy"

"Brie..." he groaned, knowing she was slowly breaking through his walls.

"Troy, please, I will do anything"

"Anything?"

"Yes"

"Let me take you on a date when we get back to LA, a real one as more than friends"

"Troy"

"Gabriella, we both know something is happening with us, why are you fighting it so much?"

"Because I'm scared"

"Of what?"

"What we could turn in to, it's already so intense Troy and I'm scared that I will fall in love with you and then you will realise I am not worth it"

"Gabriella, that won't ever happen, I..."

"What?"

"I already think I am falling in love with you"

"Wh-what?"

"All I know is that what I am feeling is so much more than I have ever felt towards someone before and I am liking it so far, because it's you"

"Ok" she sighed. "You sing in the show and I will give us a shot"

"Yes!" He did a fist pump as she giggled.

"This is blackmail you know?"

"Nah, it's us doing each other favours, best friends do that right?"

"I guess"

"So, what song is it again?"

"Where you are by Nick Lacey and Jessica Simpson"

"Such a girlie song"

"A lovely song" she corrected him.

They continued to walk until the sun started to go down and they sat on the sand to watch it set. The sky looked beautiful, orange and reds colouring the sky. Gabriella smiled at the scene in front of her and then looked up at Troy. When he didn't look down she took his chin in her hand and brought his lips to hers. She then climbed in his lap and pushed him back on the sand.

She touched his hard abs with her finger tips and he groaned into her mouth. She then played with his hair as his hands rubbed her hips softly. When air became a need they pulled apart and looked in each others eyes.

"Wow" Troy got out through a breath.

"I thought I'd try it out"

"And?"

"Your right, there is something there, maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to try us out"

"Really?"

"Yeah, so were are you taking me when we get back to LA?"

"I will think of something don't you worry"

"Nothing fancy Troy"

"Why not?"

"I just want to be able to spend quality time with you to talk, as long as we're together that's all that matters right?"

"Ok, but the second date I get to make a fuss"

"Who says there will be a second date?" She teased.

"Trust me, once you've had one date with Troy Bolton you won't be able to resist" he said cockily as she slapped him.

"Ok ego boy, let's head back" he chuckled and she got up then took his hand. They walked back holding hands and stealing sweet lingering kisses.

They arrived back at about 7:30pm and saw the nurse in the kitchen.

"Hey Lara" Gabriella said.

"Oh hey guys, you have a nice walk?"

"Yeah, it was good to get away from all this for a while" Troy answered.

"I bet, well your mom is sat with your dad, he fell asleep a while ago but she won't leave his side"

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I just think you need to watch her, if she gets to attached it may be harder when the time comes to say goodbye and let him go"

"Ok, thanks Lara, why don't you go to bed I bet your tired"

"Yeah I will check in on your father first though"

"Did mom show you your room?"

"Yeah, thanks, goodnight you two"

"Night" they both said in unison.

Once Lara had checked on Jack she went to her room and went straight to bed. Troy and Gabriella walked upstairs and peeked in the room to see Lucille curled up next to Jack. Gabriella smiled at how sweet and romantic it looked, like a movie scene.

Troy said goodnight to Gabriella at her door, they shared a soft kiss before she went in her room and Troy entered his. Gabriella got changed into her night gown and climbed into bed. She was so exhausted and wanted to sleep forever. She was so glad Troy agreed to sing with her, now all she had to do was persuade the principal to let him.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a knock on the door.

"Come in"

"Hi"

"Troy? What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep"

"Come here" she pulled back her covers and Troy walked over to the bed, slipping in beside her and hugging her.

"Can I stay with you again?"

"Of course Troy, why can't you sleep?"

"I keep thinking about mom, she won't handle this well at all, I was fooling myself to think bringing him home may help, I think it will just make it harder for her to let go"

"Well we'll just keep an eye on her and of it gets to much we will talk to her"

"We?" He asked. "Isn't this my problem?"

"It isn't a problem, and like I said I am here, I want to help"

"Thank you, I really don't think I could do this without you"

"You could, you need to have faith in yourself Troy, your stronger than you give yourself credit for"

"You think so?"

"I know so, now try and sleep"

"Ok, night Brie"

"Night Troy" she rested her head on his chest and snuggled as close as possible to him.

"I love you best friend" she smiled.

"I love you too BF" she murmured.

So next chapter is up:-) I'm glad you all liked the two I put up yesterday:-)

Please continue to review:-) I really appreciate your feedback!

xxx Paige xxx