Dear Sharpay,

Life goes on.

And it has to. It can't stop. We can't freeze time for even a moment and we can't go back to happy times no matter how much we want to. The only way we can grow and learn is to go on and live our lives to the fullest extent possible. We make mistakes. We become people we never meant to be. We lose ourselves and sometimes we lose the people around us. But there is always a chance to recover. I've learned this much, and I think it's what I carry most importantly with me. Life goes on and we have to go with it . If it didn't and if we tried to go back we'd never want to go forward, and I want to go forward more than anything else. I hope you want to as well. The next time I see you I want to know that you've gone on with your life and that you're happy.

I don't know how much you knew about Teddy's condition when you left, (and don't you think for one moment I'm letting you off the hook with that disappearing act) but he's doing a lot better now. For a while it was touch and go, and he was in critical condition, but that kid is just amazing. A few surgeries later and the swelling in his brain is all but gone. He's still in a coma, but the doctors are optimistic that he will wake up, and when he does that the damage will be minimal. Shar, when he does wake up he's going to want to see you. He won't understand why you had to go away, so please make some attempt to contact him. You don't have to leave your name. He'll know. He thinks of you as his big sister. You mean a lot to him.

Things are going better for me, too. I'm almost completely recovered . Getting shot is no pretty thing, but my physical therapy is cool. I almost feel like a kid again with all this personal time I'm getting and I think I need it. I'm starting over and I'd like to think you'd be proud of me for giving it all another go, because I gotta tell you for a while I was thinking of throwing in the towel.

I became a different person when you and Teddy were in danger. I don't regret anything, though, don't think I do. I did what I had to, and maybe that wasn't the right mindset or maybe that was me being a man for the first time in my life and actually doing something meaningful. I don't really know. What I do know is that it changed me in good and bad ways, but especially a lot of bad ways. I want you to know I'm getting help for that. I'm dealing. Doing bad things doesn't make me a bad person. I used to say that to myself but I never really believed it until now. Now I'm sure.

Things have gotten a bit better at school. Chad and I aren't nearly as close as we used to be, but we're friends again. It isn't because you went away. Don't think that. We just talked. I feel like that's all I'm doing lately, but it helped. We got a lot of feelings out in the open and when our friendship really does recover, we're going to be closer than ever. And Shar, he knows he owes you an apology. He says it took him a long while to realize you were making me grow up, and we were pulling apart because he wasn't. He's got a lot to say to you, positive, of course, and I really think you guys will get along a lot better the next time around.

Basketball is still good. I couldn't play in the championship and we came in third in the division, but the new season starts up soon. It's hard to believe the entire season has passed and it's a new year, but I'm ready to have a championship my junior year. I wish you were there to cheer me on in the stands, but I understand. You never liked basketball much anyway.

Gabriella and I are okay. I guess that's the best way to put it. We talk and we have a fragile friendship, but the way she looks at me sometimes makes me feel really guilty. I know I wronged her. She knows I never meant to, though, and that helps. And at least she got Taylor and Kelsi off my back. The group is back together, even if we're really careful with how we talk to each other and what we do talk about.

I know Sam has been a lot more dutiful as a boyfriend than I have as far as the letters go. He's sent a dozen of them to the mail address so far, and this is my first. I'm sorry, but hurt takes a long time to heal, and not the physical kind. I needed to be ready for what I'd say in this letter and I wasn't until now. I started it during my hospital stay though. Does that count for something?

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that Sam really misses Ryan. I'm sure Ryan knows that, and Sam is a million times better than me at expressing himself, but I thought he should hear it from someone else. Sam's been loyal, too. I mean granted, he's pretty picky to begin with, but he hasn't so much as looked at another person. He really believes Ryan is going to come back to him and he'll wait as long as he needs to. I admire that. Shar, I'm not straying either, I love you, but Sam just deals with the separation a lot better than me. He's optimistic. I think I'm just realistic. So, tell Ryan that Sam's holding out for him.

I'm holding out for you, too.

I'm going to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life and have lots of kids with you. I want to grow old with you, and love you just as much when we're teenagers as when we're old and have grandkids. I think my dad still finds that creepy, but what can I say. I'm sixteen now. I'm growing up. I know what I want. I'm not going to settle for anything less than perfection. You're the one.

I'm driving now. I've got my license and everything. I think my parents got me my car out of guilt of me nearly dying and them hardly noticing. It's nothing special but it suits me. Whenever I see you next I'm going to take you for a ride in it. I'll even let you pick the music.

Shar, I am happy. I want you to know that. You made me happy. I was living in a little bubble. You popped it and you were right to do so. We went through our trials and tribulations. We proved ourselves. You made me happy and I hope I made you as well. I'll be really upset with you if the next time I see you I don't see a smile on your face. You're the prettiest when you're smiling.

Also, I'm not sure if you know, but her name is Stephanie. She's a junior at a University in Nevada. She's fine, too. No explosions. She's none the wiser that her life almost ended. That doesn't make it right, obviously, but it's something.

I know you can't contact me, and who knows how many other people are ready to step in and take Pao's place. I know you're still in danger and I wouldn't ever ask you to compromise yourself, but I do miss you. I can't say it enough. I guess I'll see you when I see you, and that'll have to be enough for now.

I love you.

-Troy.

Oh, before I forget, feel free to laugh, I actually signed up for the next musical. Tryouts aren't until the end of next week, so I've got plenty of time to practice, but I'm really nervous. The guys on the team aren't big on the idea, but they understand and they're encouraging. I can tell they're trying to be extra supportive. They promised to come to the first show and everything, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. Either way, things really are better now. I'm not content. I'm happy. Thank you.

Troy looked down at the letter that had taken him the better part of a year to write. The rest of his sophomore year had come and gone, and summer had passed in a blur, all without Sharpay at his side. He'd started his junior year unable to put into words what he needed to say to her, but halfway in he'd finally found his footing. His system of support was just that, and the letter had come to him all at once during a drive home from school.

He knew the words were only words, but he hoped when she read it she understood why it had been so delayed. He hoped she knew that he'd needed to find himself before he could even think of anyone else.

He mailed it with that in mind, hoping, but not knowing completely if it was even going to reach her. Sam said there was no guarantee that any of his had made it to Ryan, but he also had stated that he had a good feeling. And Troy could admit, Sam's feelings were hardly ever wrong.

Time passed slowly after the mailing of the letter. He wondered if it was symbolic of something. Before he'd confronted his demons and really gone personally where he'd needed to, the time had flown by, but now every moment after seemed excruciatingly slow. And maybe it was because the slower time moved the more time he had to fuss over the idea of actually being in a musical and chancing making a fool of himself in front of the entire student population.

When the day did arrive, Troy was extremely surprised to find Sam by his side.

"No offence," Troy said, smiling at his friend. "But you don't exactly seem the musical type to me."

Sam threw a raised eyebrow at him. "Neither do you."

Troy crossed his arms. "Sharpay liked musicals, and when I'm completely honest with myself, so do I. What's your excuse?"

Sam patted him on the back playfully. "That's so sweet. She'd be proud of you."

"No need to be so cynical," Troy snapped. "I'm always nervous enough as it. How about you don't help me with your words of praise."

Sam's face softened. "Yeah, sorry. I know this is a big thing for you."

"You're not trying out, are you?" Troy asked suspiciously.

"No way," Sam said. "Musicals are an Evans thing, not a Sam thing. I'm here for--dubious reasons."

"Dubious reasons? What's that supposed to mean? You're here to heckle me?"

"Not even," Sam said, rolling his eyes. "I'm just going to sit in the back like a good little boy and wait patiently."

"You're acting incredibly suspicious," Troy remarked. "What's going on?"

Sam held up his hands defensively. "I'm just here to cheer my buddy on. And this is the reception I get. Thanks, Troy."

"You have a math class during this period," Troy told him flatly. "And you're one of the rare breeds of teenager who actually likes that subject."

"Just get on stage," Sam said, pushing him towards it.

"Ah, Mr. Bolton," Ms. Darbus said as she spotted him. "I have to say it certainly is a surprise to see you here, but a welcomed one, so long as you take this very seriously. Now, if you'll just take your place we can get started."

Troy gulped hard, looking at the other people who planned to try out in the audience. "First? You want me to go first?" He'd always assumed he'd get to see a few other people go first, to see the way in which auditions were really done, as he doubted A Course Line was an accurate example.

"Yes, first, Mr. Bolton," she snapped at him. "Your father made it very clear to me that your precious basketball season is beginning soon and you're needed for practice."

Sighing deeply Troy nodded and climbed on stage, accepting a microphone from a stage hand.

"Kelsi will play the song, and you'll sing it to the best of your ability," Darbus explained. "I hope you've got your lines memorize, Mr. Bolton. Here in the theater we take the arts very seriously."

"Don't worry," Kelsi told him, brushing past him on her way to the piano. "You'll do just fine. You studied the script and all the songs, right?"

Troy nodded. He'd only been required to learn one act and the lead male's song, but he'd gone over nearly the entire musical and learned all the songs. He could take being told he couldn't sing, or that he had no talent for acting, but it was going to be on his terms. He was going to have exactly what he needed memorized. His friends had teased him endlessly about his dedication to the songs.

He looked over to Kelsi, giving her the affirmation that he was ready, and brought the microphone up to his mouth.

He froze when she began playing the song he wasn't auditioning for. He knew it well enough, identifying it as the second act's closing duet between the lead male and female, but he didn't have a partner. He wasn't sure how to proceed. The lead male didn't even have the first line.

When she came out on the other side of the stage, voice ringing out softly but evenly, he thought his eyes were deceiving him. There was simply no possible way in his rational mind that Sharpay Evans was standing adjacent to him--singing with him.

He tore his eyes away from her looking out suddenly into the audience into the back seat where he saw Sam waving at him with his left hand, right arm thrown around Ryan's shoulders. Both men shared a wide smile.

Sharpay cleared her throat, and as it echoed over the speakers it drew his attention back to her. It was his turn for a line, he realized, and he delivered it as strongly as he could, locking eyes with her.

He wasn't quite sure how, but he managed to finish the audition, hanging on almost desperately to the angelic vision Sharpay made.

Afterwards he scurried off stage, Sharpay's wrist caught tightly in his grasp. He knew he was almost dragging her offstage, but she put up no struggle and made no sound of complaint.

"You're dead," Troy hissed to Sam as he passed by the male and Ryan, still pulling Sharpay out of the theater with him.

"Just go kiss your girl," Sam told his retreating form.

Out in the nearly deserted hallway Troy trapped her against the lockers with his hands placed on either side of her head.

"You're back," he said, voice filled with relief.

She leaned forward and captured his lips in a kiss. She brought up a hand and placed it around the back of his neck while her other went around his waist.

"I'm back," she confirmed, leaning against his strong shoulder.

"How?"

"There's time for that later," she brushed off, kissing him again. "More kissing now."

He mumbled an agreement and leaned in to brush his lips against hers. He pulled her in as deep as he could manage, feeling more alive than ever before.

"It's good to have you back, Shar," he said.

She smiled at him then, and he knew he had been right. She was the prettiest when she smiled.

-----------------------------------

Ah, and so my friends, this concludes this fic. I've enjoyed writing it mostly, though I admit this didn't end entirely the way it was supposed to. Originally Harrison wasn't even a factor in the reveal of Sharpay and her brother. In fact, the entire ending was supposed to be different aside from the epilogue, which I wrote first and only then made the right changes to. I had initially intended for Troy and Ryan and Sharpay to have to pull a MacGyver and escape the bad guys, and it was Gabriella who gave the Evans away, though unintentionally, and meh, it just didn't flow properly, and that impaired my ability to finish the fic quickly. And ultimately I liked Troy Bolton as Jack Bauer much better.

There is, like I promised, a sequel of sorts in the works. As it stands, and I've got it outlined, it should be about five chapters, taking a look at Troy and Sharpay's relationship in the aftermath of this fic. And it's also a good opportunity to throw some good teenage angst in. I'm not exactly sure when the parts should start going up, but estimating it could be a soon as early December, but more realistically it will probably be somewhere in the mid to late time of that month. Look for loose ends to be tied up, including how Sharpay and Ryan are back, the conditions of Harrison, Henry and Fulton, whether Teddy improves or not, and if Sharpay and Troy can truly make their relationship work (though with me the answer to that question is pretty obvious).

Thank you all so much for reading this and enjoying it along with me.