At The Beginning

by: LunarEclipse360

Disclaimer: not mine

A/N: thanks for the awesome reviews :)

Chapter 14

She was crying. It was coming in rather faintly, but she could still hear it. Rosalina was crying…for her.

Gabriella wanted to tend to her child, but every muscle in her body protested any movement. Her night had been spent becoming reacquainted to her father's hands, feet and other body parts. It was like he was making up for the past few months in which she was absent from. Either way, she couldn't move. He had made sure of that.

"Gabi," Michelle whispered as she walked into the room. "Gabi, are you awake?" Gabriella groaned to tell her sister that she was. "Rose is crying. I think she's hungry."

Determined to go take care of her daughter, she forced herself up and into a sitting position. Michelle took that as a hint to bring the starving child to her. Seconds later, she reentered the room with the baby in her arms, gently handing her to Gabriella. Removing clothing wasn't necessary since she was still naked from hours before.

"Do…do you want me to run you a bath?"

Nodding, Gabriella didn't take her eyes off of Rosalina. Michelle ran into the bathroom and started the water. When Rosalina was finished feeding, she yawned loudly and that brought a smile to Gabriella's face. Despite the horror that she was being put through, she still had this precious angel and nothing would take her away.

"It's ready."

Gabriella handed Rosalina back to Michelle and slowly made her way to the bathroom. Every muscle and every bone screamed with every step she took. When she reached the bathroom, she lowered herself into the warm water and cringed when she felt it touch her wounds. She leaned her head against the back wall and stared up at the ceiling.

She wondered where Troy was at that moment. Had he returned to Kelsi's? Did he care that she was gone? Was he mad? Was he upset? Was he thinking about her? Tears slid down her face as she continued to think of him. What had she done? They could have worked something out. They could have come up with another way to save her sister. He promised her he would.

"Gabi." She looked up and noticed Michelle standing in the doorway. "Feel better?"

She nodded and smiled. "A little bit."

Sighing, Michelle crossed over and sat on the edge of the tub. "Why did you come back?"

"To protect you. To let you have a normal life."

"You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did. I'm your sister. I'm supposed to protect you, even if it is from Daddy."

"But you had such a great life."

She scoffed. "If I had such a great life, then Troy wouldn't have left."

"You know he loves you."

"Then why didn't he come back?"

"I don't know, but I do know he loves you more than life itself."

"He sure knows how to show it."

"Gabi…"

"Can we change the subject? I…I don't want to think about him."

Michelle nodded. "You didn't have to bring Rose into this mess, you know?"

"I couldn't leave her behind. She needs me."

"When are you gonna tell him?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I don't want to, but I know I have to. Why does he deserve to know that that little girl is his daughter?"

"Because it's right."

"What he's doing to me isn't right."

"Despite that, he's her real father and he needs to know."

Gabriella sighed. She knew Michelle was right. As much as she hated her father, he needed to know the truth. Minutes later, Michelle left and closed the door on her way out. Neither knew what time their father was getting home and they couldn't take any chances of him finding her in the bathroom. Staring at the wall in front of her, Gabriella took a deep breath and submerged her head under the water.

-

-

He hadn't eaten, he hadn't slept, he hadn't done much of anything since he found out that Gabriella had gone back to her father, taking Rosalina with her. He spent the night cooped up in their room, staring out the window, wishing that she would appear out of nowhere. Now he knew how she felt when he had disappeared. It hurt not knowing if she was okay or if she was even still alive. Out of the silence came the sound of his phone ringing. He quickly shot across the room to grab it and answered it.

"Gabriella?" he asked, hopeful.

"No, it's me, Michelle."

"Oh. Hey."

"Troy…you need to come over and see her. She needs you."

"Just tell me when."

"Now, if possible."

He nodded. "Okay, I'll be over in a few."

"Thank you."

He just smiled before ending the call. He didn't bother to grab his car keys. He didn't want to run the risk of being caught by her father so taking the car wasn't a good idea.

"Be back in a few!" he yelled before exiting the house.

His feet led him down the sidewalk to the Montez household. He went around the back to where her balcony stood and climbed up the tree. The doors were wide open and he wondered if Michelle knew he would get in that way. Sure enough, she was waiting by the door when he swung his legs over the banister.

"Thanks for coming," she said, her lips in a soft smile.

"It's for her."

She nodded and motioned him inside. "I'll go get her."

Michelle went to the bathroom and knocked. When no answer came, she walked in and gasped when she saw her sister's head underwater. She quickly crossed over to the tub and pulled her up. Gabriella gasped for air and coughed violently.

"What are you trying to do?" Michelle asked hysterically.

She shook her head refusing to answer.

"Are you trying to leave the people you love the most and who love you back, behind?"

She shook her head once more. Grabbing the nearest towel, Michelle held it out and watched her sister stand up. Gabriella took the towel from her and wrapped it around her body before letting the water go down the drain. She reluctantly followed her sister back into her room, going into total shock when she saw the person sitting on her bed.

"Troy?" He looked up and smiled before standing. She crossed the room slowly, not believing he was actually standing in front of her. She reached up and brushed her fingers over the skin of his cheek. He was real. Anger took over and she slapped him hard. "You're such a jackass, Troy Bolton. How could you leave me like that?" she questioned as she began hitting his chest. "Huh? How could you?" He pulled her to him, crushing her body against his. "No. Let me go! Let me go!" By the end of it all, she was crying, her forehead lying against his chest.

"It's okay, Brie," he whispered as his hand ran up and down her spine.

She fisted his shirt and pulled herself as close to him as she possibly could. He kissed her temple and continued to calm her down. When she was completely calm, he pulled back slightly and looked down at her tear stained face.

"I'm sorry." She looked up into his blue eyes before leaning up and capturing his lips.

She missed him. Michelle came into the room with Rosalina in her arms. Troy smiled when he saw her and held out his arms for her. Michelle handed her to him and the two sisters watched as his face lit up in delight at seeing the baby.

"She missed you, too," Gabriella whispered to him. He looked over at her, his eyes displaying every emotion he was feeling. She smiled and kissed him again.

Eventually, Michelle had taken Rosalina into her room to let Troy and Gabriella have some privacy. Gabriella had insisted on getting dressed, despite Troy's protests. He, however, didn't fail to notice the new bruises that adorned her body. Rage welled up inside of him for the man that dared leave such contusions on her. Gabriella could see his clear blue eyes turning darker with every second and she knew he wanted to kill her father.

"Baby," she said as she straddled him. She made him look into her eyes before kissing him senseless. His fists unraveled and he placed his hands on her waist. All evidence of anger left his body, leaving his veins coursing with the lust of wanting her.

"I want you," he whispered when she pulled away.

She smiled sadly. "I do, too, but I don't know what time he'll be home."

He reached up and pushed her hair out of her face. "I'll find a way to get you and Michelle out of this."

"Promise?"

He kissed her. "I promise."

"Gabi," Michelle said, bursting through the door, out of breath. "Daddy's home."

Gabriella got off of Troy and he stood. Before she could move to leave, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back, kissing her lips once more.

"I'll be back."

"When?" she asked, her eyes searching his.

"When he leaves again." She nodded and he pressed his lips to her forehead. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Troy."

His heart soared hearing her say those words. He thought he'd lost her love the moment he insulted her, but apparently he was wrong.

"Gabriella!"

Her eyes widened. "Go."

He nodded and escaped via her balcony. She watched him, her heart leaving with him. Heavy footsteps were heard approaching her room and she turned around just as he appeared in the doorway. His dark eyes glanced over her clothed form and he walked over to her.

"Who, the fuck, said you could get dressed?" he snarled as he grasped her wrist painfully.

"I…I…I was cold, so I…"

"You are only allowed to dress when I tell you. Got it?" She nodded. "Now strip. I'm stressed and I need a good fuck."

She sighed inwardly as she began to take off her clothing. She refused to look at him while she did it. She didn't want to see the look in his eyes as he watched her. After she was completely naked, he closed the door and began to fondle her. Gabriella escaped to the far reaches of her mind where nothing bad happened, where she existed happily with her sister, her mother, her daughter and Troy.