Gabriella felt vaguely sick as she quickly made her way down the steps of her house, nothing in her world had remained in its place since she'd gotten home. Suddenly her stomach twisted and she hunched over as bile made its way back up and out of her system.

"Shit," the sound of Jason voice broke through her hacking. Before she knew what was happening he was at her side holding her hair up and out of her way. "You okay?"

"No," she gasped, wiping at her mouth with the back of her hand. "You're a son of a bitch."

Jason raised a brow as he stood up straight and let go of her hair. "What the-"

"I invited you into my home. I trusted you and you thinks okay to just date my baby sister without so much as a 'hey I'm interested in your sister.'"

"Hold on-"

"Fuck you, if I were a guy right now I'd be more than justified to beat the shit out of you." Gabriella gave him a shove. "She's seventeen years old you piece of shit."

"Gabriella-"

She shoved again, "If you haven't figured it out, I fucking hate you."

"Hey now," Jason said bracing himself for another shove and hold both her hands. "I never meant for anything to happen. It just did."

"Nothing should have happened. You were my friend and I trusted you. I trusted you." Her voice broke and she struggled against him trying to get free.

"What the hell?" Troy arms wrapped around her and pulled her off Jason. "Are you out of your mind?"

"She started it."

"And I'm ending it." Troy glared at him in bewilderment. "Honestly I don't have faintest idea about what's going through your head right now."

"Get off me," Gabriella pushed away from Troy.

"Whatever," Jason held up his hands. "You two have other shit to work out. I'm out of here."

"Fantastic," Troy muttered as he turned to look at Gabriella. "Are you alright?" he said quietly reaching for her then stopping when she pulled away.

"Don't touch me."

"Okay," Troy held up his hands.

Thunder rumbled in the distance and she looked up at him for moment with disbelief on her face. "Why did you lie to me?"

"Because you have enough crap on your plate right now don't you think?"

"How bad is it?" she asked him. "And don't lie, I'll know."

Troy nodded, "Okay, alright." He bright a hand up to the back of his head, ruffling his already mused hair. "The bullets to close to my heart and the surgery is too risky."

"What happened?"

Troy let out a long shaky breath, "I was leading a group of men across what we thought was a friendly town. Unfortunately we were ambushed, they opened fire at us and there were two under guys on my team, just kids fresh of basic." Troy paused as if the story had suddenly came to life before his eyes. "I didn't even think about it. I was there leader and I wasn't going to let them die."

Gabriella hand landed hard across his face.

Troy eyes blinked rapidly as he placed a hand on his check. The sting vibrating from his cheek though his entire face. He shook his head and reached to take her hand.

"No," she said pulling away from him. "How could you not tell me?"

Troy felt the tension growing between them. "Brie,"

"Forget it," she hurried back up to the house.

Troy was right behind her, and caught her on the porch. He grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him.

She tried to pull away, but it didn't work. She wasn't sure how it happened, but he had her trapped against the wall, one hand planted on the wall beside her shoulder and his body preventing her from moving.

"Let go of me," she gasped, squirming slightly. She was still angry, but she was more than that now. Her mind was spinning like crazy, bombarded with intense sensations from his body so close to her, the strangely passionate look in his eyes. "My parents are right inside."

"I don't care if they're home." He spoke in a guttural tone that sent shivers down her spine. "We need to talk about this."

"We already talked. Don't you remember at your welcome home party, after we had sex when I asked very clearly what was wrong? You lied to me. I can't believe you're one of those men."

He grew very still, the expression on his face changing almost imperceptibly. "What kind is that?"

"The kind of man who will say anything to get laid," she whispered harshly.

"You really think I'm one of those men?"

"I never did before." Her voice cracked, and she had to clear her throat to continue. She was shaking all over. She was never this way. She had no idea what was happening to her. "But you just… you just..."

"Brie I wasn't manipulating you for sex." His voice was even, but there was an underlying edge that made her wonder if she'd hurt his feelings. That idea upset her even more.

"It's not that. It's not about that."

"Then what is this about?" he was still far too close to her. His face was only inches from hers.

"You've never lied to me before." She heard her voice broke. "So things must me a lot more serious than I was afraid of."

"Brie," his face softened. "I'm so sorry about this whole thing. I just had it in my head that it would be a good idea to wait before telling you. I didn't want to spoil your Christmas and I just couldn't stand the thought of worrying you."

She took a shaky breath, so relieved she was about to lose it. She was behaving ridiculously, but she couldn't seem to snap out of it. "Troy," she whispered. "I can't lose you."

Troy reached down to pick up her left hand and brought it up to his lips placing a soft kiss there and then he twined the fingers of his left hand into hers. "I'm not going anywhere."

For some reason, the words, and the reality that they were true, were the last straw for her already battered emotions. A single tear slipped down her cheek. "I know."

He wiped the tear away with his right hand, very gently. "So we're okay?"

"Yeah. We're okay."

"Good. I'm not use to you being made at me. I don't like it."

"I don't like it either."

"Let's not do it again."

"Sounds good to me."

He was still holding her left hand as he leaned down to very softly press his lips against hers. It felt so good that, as he drew back, she leaned forward enough to claim his mouth again. She was just about to wrap her arms around his neck when she realized what she was doing. She pulled away with a gasp. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," he smiled. "I'm not complaining."

"Still," Gabriella placed a hand over her lips.

"Why don't I head home and you go inside and spend some time with your family."

Gabriella nodded slowly almost memorized by him.

"We'll talk more tomorrow."

She bit the bottom corner of her lip as she watch him pull away and begin to make his way down the steps.

Gabriella made her way back inside and her mother and father had moved to the living room with Griselda. Michelle appeared at her side as they quietly stood in the doorway looking in on the scene.

"Did you really spit in my food?" Michelle asked quietly.

Gabriella raised a brow. "No," she let out a soft sigh, "I wouldn't spit in your food."

Michelle face twisted a little as she looked back at her sister. "That's so gross."

"What on earth do you see in him anyway?" Gabriella asked since they were alone at the moment.

Michelle was quiet for a moment as she crossed her arms over her chest. "He doesn't treat me like a little kid."

Gabriella did her best not to let her opinion come through on her face. She always been really close to her sister. Despite all of the family drama and bickering back and forth her relationship with Michelle had not strayed too far from the norm. "Do you actually like him?"

"Yeah," Michelle shrugged. "He's really nice and he's super smart, he invited me to this tattoo party one of his cousins are throwing."

Gabriella stiffened, "Michelle you can't go to that?" Gabriella ducked a little to catch Michelle eyes. "I know Jason's cousins. They're not always the greatest news."

"I am going," Michelle said obviously put off but Gabriella reaction. "It's not like I'm going to do something stupid and Jason's going to be there."

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Yeah and Jason always let's his cousins drag him into the stupidest ideas."

"He's not like that."

Gabriella frowned, "Michelle I've known Jason for years. I know what he's like. He was always hosting the parties with beer back in high school. His dad let him get away with anything."

"Maybe he's changed." Michelle defended. "You don't always know everything."

Gabriella frowned. "Neither do you."

"Girls," Their father voice was loud as he addressed them both. They'd barely noticed that everyone was staring at them.

Michelle made a tisk sound with her tongue as she crossed her arms even tighter across her chest and made her way into the living room. Gabriella took a deep breath as she did her best to put the frustration inside her on pause and followed Michelle.

"You girls shouldn't fight over boys," Griselda informed them as they sat down. "You're sisters."

"We're not fighting over a boy," Michelle said leaning back on the sofa. "We're arguing because Gabriella is judgmental asshole."

"Actually no," Gabriella said pointedly. "We're arguing because my seventeen year old sister wants to go to a tattoo party with a guy who everyone knows is a screw up."

"Now Gabriella," Maria said as politely as possible. "You don't want us judging your friends that way."

Gabriella let out an exasperated breath. "You have got to be kidding me?" she looked at her father. "Freshman year of college, I went to a concert with Taylor and you both accused me of going to some orgy with the guys. And if I remember correctly Jason was one of those guys."

"Gabriella this is not the time," her father said in a stern tone. "We have guest."

Gabriella looked over at Griselda, "That's really funny because I swear on my life you were just asking me to behave like all this was normal. You know back when you wanted me to treat her like family." Gabriella stood up, no longer able to stomach the family time. "Well welcome to the family. Hope it was everything you dreamed of."

The next morning the house was quieter than usual, Gabriella stood at the coffee machine making herself a cup of coffee for the day. She hadn't slept very well. There was too much to think about to sleep.

Her mother came into the kitchen quietly. Her bathrobe tided tightly at the waist as she stopped at the edge of the counter. "What's going on between you and Troy?"

Gabriella sighed at her mother question as she wiped the kitchen counter with a damp paper towel and picked up her coffee mug.

"We're just friends." She'd been hoping that everyone with just wake up and ignore each other like every other time one of them lost their temper. Apparently that wasn't going to happen this morning.

Her mother was quiet as she walked over to the cabinet and retrieved a coffee mug for herself. "That's not what I'm talking about."

Gabriella threw away the paper towel, "Then what are you talking about?"

"His condition."

Gabriella let out another long breath as she lifted her mug and shrugged her shoulders. "There's nothing I can do."

"And you're okay with that?"

Gabriella made a face as she looked up at her mother, a jump in her heart. "Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"I'm just worried about you being around him so much and devoting so much time at that bar of his. I mean are you sure it's a good idea? For you I mean?"

Gabriella's shoulders stiffened as she realized the reasons for the question. Her mom had always had her assumptions about her and Troy. And given all her recent failures who knew where her head was anymore. She placed her mug down, "I know I need to work mom and I am. Just because I'm helping him in my free time doesn't mean I've given up on what I want for myself."

"What do you want for yourself?" she asked pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Right now? To get a job and move out."

"But you don't have to move out. We're happy to have you here. You could stay as long as you need too."

"No," Gabriella lifting her coffee mug, "Just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should. I'm twenty-eight. I don't want to live with my parents."

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. It wasn't your fault about the budget cuts at the hospital. You're father doesn't always show it but he is proud of you and he just wants what's best for you. No one thinks less of you for having to come home."

"I think less of me," Gabriella mumbled.

"But you shouldn't." Her mother's voice was getting urgent. "There is no reason for you to feel bad about your situation."

"Really?" Gabriella said leaning against the counter. "I wasted all that time and money on a degree, and now I'm babysitting a bunch kids and asking if people want coffee. And I can't even afford to fix my car."

Immediately distracted, her mom asked. "Is something wrong with your car?"

"No. It's fine." Troy had gotten it running again but he told her it was only temporary. She wasn't about to tell her mother that. Her mom would waste no time in telling her dad, who would take it upon himself to take it to the garage and pay for the repairs. "It was just an example of how pitiful I am."

"You aren't pitiful. You're having a hard time right now, but it's not because of anything you did wrong. Things will turn around. They always do."

If only they would. Gabriella thought to herself as she lifted her coffee mug for another sip.

Later that day Gabriella was at the cash register ringing up the table at the far end of the diner when his voice made her jump.

"How's the car?" Troy murmured as he took seat at the counter.

"It started," Gabriella huffed as she closed the register.

"You're going to have to junk her soon."

Gabriella let out a sign, "Could we just not have this conversation."

Troy smirked as he flipped over his coffee mug and reached over the counter for a menu. "What's wrong now?"

Gabriella hurried over filling his cup with coffee and setting up his spot. "Don't reach behind counter. It makes me look bad."

"That's impossible," Troy smiled as he motioned for his coffee when she'd poured enough, "You could never look bad."

Gabriella felt a smile pull at her lips even though she really didn't want to smile at him right now. "Believe it or not this is not a constant perfection."

Troy was quiet for a moment, "Do you want to get away later?"

Gabriella stilled, lowering the coffee pot until it was flat on the counter top. "What?"

"I can pick you up after work, we can go get some dinner?"

Gabriella arched a brow, "Why?"

"Because I want to feed you."

"Miss?" The table whose check she still had in her apron pocket called for her and she nodded quickly making her way over to them and leaving Troy on his own for a moment.

"I'm so sorry about that." When she came back to the counter Troy was sipping his coffee. She attempted to change the topic. "Should you even be having coffee?" she shook her head. "How many cups have you had."

"Stop it. That's exactly what I didn't want you to do."

"Do what? Be considerate."

"Try to control me, like I'm a task on some list of yours."

Gabriella stilled. "I don't do that anymore."

"Yeah," Troy raised a brow. "Sure you don't. Look, the doctors said to take it easy for a few days. I did. The surgery is still risky but we're gonna take it as it goes."

Gabriella stared blankly at him.

"Stop it."

Gabriella let out short sigh. "How's the bar?"

"Doing just great. Where do you want to eat tonight?"

Gabriella let out a sigh as she reached for her towel and began wiping the counter. "I don't think it's a good idea for us to do that."

Troy let out a small laugh, "What, eat together?"

Gabriella stood up straighter, "You're not just asking if we can eat together. You're asking me on a date."

Troy placed his mug down on the counter, "It's not a date."

Jamie came from the back room with the day's fresh pie and Gabriella looked down at the counter as she wiped it clean. "Apple pie on the menu today," he smiled as he placed it on the counter and opened the glass display.

"A classic," Gabriella smiled timidly.

"Hey did you get your car running again?" Jamie asked obviously unaware of her ongoing conversation with Troy.

"Um," Gabriella eyed Troy as he returned to his cup of coffee. "It's running for now."

"I can take a look at it after my shift."

Gabriella turned away from Troy following Jamie towards the register, not entirely sure why she felt so frazzled. There was nothing going on between her and Troy. There was also nothing going on between her and Jamie either. "It's okay, I had a friend look at it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Gabriella nodded, "I'm sure."

Jamie seemed to accept this without further comment and he went about his usual scribbling on the notepad by the register. She bit the corner of her lip before turning back around and coming over to Troy with her notepad out and pen ready.

"Do you know what you want or do you need more time?"

"The coffee was just fine." Troy reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "I'll pick you up at eight tonight," he mumbled as he took out a five from his wallet and placed it on the counter top.

"Troy,"

Before she could finish the sentence his lips crashed down onto hers. She'd told him very plainly that she didn't want their relationship to change. But she didn't pull back. If she'd been able to think at all, if he'd been anyone else she might have pulled back and slapped him.

After a moment of surprise she made a little sound in the back of her throat and she felt his arm wrap around her waist pulling her in closer. The kiss didn't go very much further but the message he set out to make had been received load and clear.

Pulling away she felt her body suddenly shiver from the cold he left behind. "Any yeah," Troy said a little short of breath as he tucked his wallet away. "It's a date."