Thanks again for the reviews don't worry Gabriella's ok (for now dun dun dun) I can't believe my story was recommended to someone, wow! I never had that happen before Thanks!

Butterflygoodbye…. I wouldn't date a guy named Ashcroft either but my friend thinks it's a cool name (go figure) so I called him that as a little tribute…

HauntedWhisper… Your reviews always always give me a good laugh (but please don't hurt Ashcroft haha)

Anyone else who reviewed Thanks, encouragement always appreciated kinda in a block with this story so it keeps me motivated…

Please Enjoy! Disclaimer: Plot is not entirely my own

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Gabriella smiled at Ashcroft politely as he babbled on about his work as an accountant but her thoughts drifted back to Troy… She smiled genuinely as she thought of Troy pretending to gag as Ashcroft spoke…

She looked up at Ashcroft as his voice stopped, "am I boring you Gabriella…"

Yes… YES She shouted to herself but she shook her head and said, "No of course not."

Ashcroft awkwardly placed Gabriella's hand around his arm as he lead her towards a free swing set… Gabriella tried her best not to sigh, every second she was with Ashcroft she felt more and more like she was spending time with Richard (an: ex fiancé I mentioned briefly I will explain more later). Now that she knew Troy she was used to more excitement in her life…

Gabriella turned and took a spot on the swing as Ashcroft tried to smoothly walk behind her and begin to push…

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Troy's POV

Troy ducked behind a tree as his cousin gripped Gabriella's arm and led her towards a swing set… Troy could feel a growl come up from his throat as he watched Gabriella laugh at something Ashcroft said….

He watched, his anger melting slightly as Gabriella continued to laugh, "Well at least she's having a little fun…" he said aloud…

It was then Troy noticed a man walking towards the swing set, unlike other park visitors he was walking like he had a purpose, ducking behind trees when Ashcroft or Gabriella looked off in that direction… Troy moved towards the man as he moved towards the couple; a bird rustled leaves causing Gabriella and Ashcroft to glance their way, Troy darted behind a bush and the man crouched low behind a park bench… it was then Troy saw a glint of the silver gun tucked into the waistband of the man's jeans…

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Gabriella shot a look towards a rustling off in the distance then tried to focus back on what Ashcroft was saying just as she was about to answer the question, "So how do you like living with my cousin?" She heard shouts…

She stood and followed Ashcroft who was already running towards the noise… pushing through a bush she was stopped by Ashcroft who had come to a stop at the top of a slight hill Gabriella looked over the edge and gasped… There lying in a mud/slush puddle was Troy… Ignoring Ashcroft's warning she slid down the slope to Troy…

Leaning down she brushed her thumb over the bruising that was starting around Troy's left eye, "Bolton what did you do?" she mumbled as Ashcroft slid down after her… He stood over them and asked, "Is he ok?"

Gabriella sat back on her heels, "Seems like it I think he just hit his head…"

Ashcroft muttered, "The jealous oaf…" under his breath and then groaned, "We'd better get him back to the house he might have some kind of concussion."

Gabriella nodded and turned back to Troy, "Troy…" she stopped, "Troy you idiot can you hear me?"

Troy's eyes fluttered open briefly and seeing Gabriella he smiled and let out an "Angel…"

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Yah Yah…" as Troy's eyes closed again…

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

With Gabriella and Ashcroft's help Troy eventually made his way back to the house… Gabriella released his arm to unlock the door and together they made their way to his couch upstairs…sitting him down Ashcroft stood, "We should probably call a doctor…"

Gabriella smiled, "You go ahead, and I'll stay up and watch him till one can get here…"

Ashcroft reluctantly nodded and wandered back down the stairs, Gabriella turned in time to see Troy sliding off the couch she jumped, eased her arm under him and muttered, "Easy big boy…"

As he lay back on the couch Troy's eyes fluttered open at Gabriella's voice, "Gabi" he grinned and pulled her to him….

Gabriella gasped and tried to pull away, "stop it Bolton you moron and don't call me Gabi" She stood and began to walk away…

Troy still in a daze slid off the couch laid on the floor and gripped her ankle as she tried to leave Gabriella froze and turned to stare down at him, he groaned, "Please stay with me…"

Gabriella had to laugh at his pitiful expression she walked backed to him and helped him back onto the couch for the second time…

Staring into his eyes she asked, "So what happened?"

Troy's eyes fluttered close and Gabriella moved towards him putting both hands on his shoulders to shake him awake, Troy's eyes came open again and he pulled Gabriella into a hug, sinking down to lay on the couch, his body pinning her under him

"Troy" Gabriella squawked out but her only answer was, "Zzzzz"

Gabriella tried to pull herself free and after what seemed like a life time she too slowly drifted off…

It was there Ashcroft found them, Troy his arms wrapped around Gabriella; a smile playing around Gabriella's lips…Ashcroft realized then he stood very little chance with his cousin's border…

"Goodnight Gabriella" he whispered as he left locking them in as he went.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Gabriella was the first to wake as sunlight streamed into Troy's living room, her eyes opened and as she slowly remembered the day before she sat up and pushed Troy's arms off of her, wedging out from her warm spot on the couch she slipped downstairs and showered and changed before she padded back up the stairs…

Gabriella smirked at the trail of drool on Troy's chin as she kneeled by his head, "Wake up sleeping beauty…"

Troy's eyes opened at her voice and he instantly grinned when he saw her sitting up to quickly he winced and held his hand to his head, "Why is it since I met you I wake up to headaches?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes and took a seat next to him, "Never mind that, tell me what happened"

Troy leaned back against the couch and Gabriella glanced away to hide her blush at Troy's bare chest…

Troy spoke, "There was a man, he was coming after you…he had a gun Gabriella"

Gabriella stared back at him, "Oh really?"

Troy nodded, "Really…"

Gabriella slid her feet out of her slippers and flexed her toes, "And?"

Troy let out a breath, "he was following you and I was following him, he went for the gun so I attacked him from behind…"

Gabriella bit her lip to keep from laughing as Troy went on, "we rolled down the hill I slugged him and I don't remember much else…"

Gabriella spoke, "did he say anything…"

Troy shrugged only, "Where's the Montez money"

Gabriella groaned, "So he's one of Parks men?"

Troy shrugged again, "Probably…"

Gabriella stood and believing his story she began to pace, "What do I do?"

Troy rubbed some dried blood off his forehead, "I don't know"

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Troy worked from home the next few days, keeping a watchful eye on Gabriella; Ashcroft called a few times and Troy would strain to listen as Gabriella made polite small talk…

One afternoon as Troy was napping on the couch in the living room Gabriella grabbed a cup of coffee and flipped through the pages of the newspaper left on the island in the middle of the kitchen…

She had to flip back when her eyes glanced over a byline,

Parks visits to donate to local Nursing Home

Jonathan Parks the III is successful businessman and future CEO of Parks Industries is planning on donating over a quarter of a million dollars into renovating the Lazy Acres Nursing and Retirement Home on the outskirts of the Manhattan Area, the first act of charity from any member of the Parks family; he will be visiting the home on Thursday Dec.6 to visit with the staff and residents.

The article went on to mention Jon Parks the I and his connection to the Montez Quartet…

Gabriella stood quickly and clutching the newspaper she ran to the living room and shook Troy… "Troy, Troy wake up you have to look at this…"

Troy's eyes slowly opened and he grumbled something like, "dang women…" before his eyes drifted to the newspaper article…

After reading his eyes turned to Gabriella who was waiting impatiently for him to finish reading, Gabriella could see caution in Troy's eyes…

Gabriella let out a quiet, "what's wrong?"

Troy gulped and stood adjusting his jeans and sweatshirt and made a move to the door, "We have to get to that nursing home…" he paused when Gabriella didn't move, "Now"

He walked forward and gripped Gabriella's arm but Gabriella stiffened, "What is this about Troy…"

Troy lowered his head, "Your great aunt is in danger…"

Gabriella laughed, "What? I have no family…"

Troy said nothing but his gaze intensified… Gabriella's mood shifted, "Really?"

Troy nodded and hurried Gabriella to the door, "Let's go…"

Gabriella rushed down the stairs after him and slid her feet into a pair of sneakers next to the front door; Troy grabbed a coat off the rack and shoved it at her as they ran out barely locking the door behind them… Troy jumped down the stairs and Gabriella hurried after him as Troy called out and waved, "Taxi!"

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

oooffttt, that took a lot out of me and I don't know why…this story is taking a weird turn for me; still based on wherever I got the plot from but it's getting weird… do you like it? Do you hate it? What would make it better? more fluff? Any opinions welcome! Thanks again for the interest