Four Down, Three to Go- December 18th

The Dummies book wasn't on the coffee table where he'd left it when Troy woke the next morning, nor was it on the floor. He'd finished chapter 12 - Spicing Up Your Sex Life - and had been looking forward to reading the next chapter at some point that day while Gabriella was taking her final.

With Gabriella in the shower - after he'd snuck in first so he was clean before work - he undertook a search of his apartment. His bedroom, kitchen and living room turned up nothing - and he wasn't about to search the bathroom with his naked girlfriend standing under the spray! That was a temptation he wasn't quite ready to brave just yet. The water turned off several minutes later, giving him the chance to talk to her.

"Gabriella, do you know what happened to my book?"

"Your what?"

He turned towards the partially open bathroom door to see her doing her hair, the brush caught in those silken tresses. "My book. Have you seen it?"

She shook her head and turned back to the mirror. "Not since you put it back in your pocket yesterday. Where'd you have it last?"

"On the coffee table." He'd started to drift off while reading and had to put it down. Which was a shame since the next fascinating chapter was on Oral Sex. The matter-of-fact tone of the book was like reading a text book - but better. Plus there was the advantage of not having some judgmental teacher hanging over your shoulder. "I think anyway."

"You think?" Gabriella emerged from the washroom as she was pulling her hair back from her face into a ponytail. Jeans and a deep v-necked black t-shirt complimented by a wide silver belt riding low on her hips caught and held his attention. "Maybe you left it with your clothes when you came to bed."

"I already checked." Tearing his gaze away, he began lifting the pillows on the couch as he reluctantly returned to his search. He'd rather have continued to watch her. "Are you sure you haven't seen it?"

"Positive." Checking the time, she looked pointedly at the door. "I've got to get going, Troy; and so do you if you don't want to be late for work. You can find it when you get home."

She had a point. Abandoning his search, he grabbed his jacket and joined her, slipping his shoes on. Gabriella was reaching for the door when Troy wrapped his arms about her waist and pulled her back against his chest.

"Good morning."

She tilted her face up and back and Troy obligingly brushed his lips across hers, lingering for a moment. They separated with small smiles and Gabriella lifted one hand to caress his cheek. "Good morning."

"It is now." Troy squeezed once before releasing her, opening the door so she could precede him through before locking it behind them. "Can I give you a ride?"

"You'll be late if you do," she told him with a shake of her head. "Don't forget, we're going to dinner at mom's tonight."

The fact she hadn't said at her place didn't go unnoticed, but Troy chose not to comment on it. "I've got practice after work and I promised coach I'd be there."

"Until when?"

"Seven, I think - which means I won't be able to get there until almost eight." He caught her hand as they headed downstairs. "Is that too late?"

"I'll just tell mom you'll be a little later than expected," she squeezed his hand. "I'm sure a late dinner won't matter. She just wants to see us before you move me out on tomorrow."

Troy squeezed her fingers. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I know you will." They exited into the morning sunlight, Gabriella going to the bike rack in front of the building where she kept her bike locked when visiting Troy. "She just wanted me to make sure you'd be there."

"I will. Good luck today."

"Thanks," she leaned in to brush a kiss across his cheek, balancing her bike to the side. "Have fun at work and practice."

Troy lifted one hand in farewell as she climbed on her bike and pedaled away. Watching her go, he smiled faintly and shook his head. He'd forgotten about dinner with her mother tonight, anticipating coming home from practice to just her. Dinner with Ms. Montez was always tricky and the thought of having that last minute conversation about her 'little girl' moving in with him made his stomach twist. It was no secret that Gabriella shared his bed when she was over - no matter how platonically it was - and he knew Ms. Montez wasn't expecting it to stay that way.

She hadn't, yet, said anything to him about taking that step with Gabriella, but after Gabriella's birthday gift, he was half expecting 'the talk' from her. Not that she'd be out of line in giving it, but it was just a touch nerve wracking to think about talking with Ms. Montez with regards to Gabriella that way. He shook it off, knowing there was little he could do if Gabriella's mother insisted on bringing up the subject.

Heading for his truck, he headed in the opposite direction Gabriella had gone and off to work.

---------

Locker room - pre practice

"Hey Bolton! You haven't been around much."

Troy tugged his shirt over his head and tossed it into his locker as he reached for his practice jersey. "I've been busy," he returned, nodding to Kamp. "Sorry I couldn't be at the last few games, but it doesn't look like you guys needed me."

Randle joined them, "How's that show going, Bolton? They pick you up for Broadway yet?"

"Funny," Troy tugged the jersey over his head, stripping off the chain and his class ring to put them in his locker before reaching for his shorts. "I'm just glad it's almost over."

"Too stressful?" the tease was good natured as Randle changed into his practice uniform. "I hear they keep you guys breathless."

"Never try and run around a stage and sing at the same time - it's worse than suicide drills."

The guys laughed and Troy changed into his shorts, leaving his jersey un-tucked. It was only practice and he was more comfortable that way.

"So the ball and chain finally marked you, huh?" Kamp tugged the chain with the ring around it from his locker with one finger - and Troy snatched it back before the center could get a good look at it. "Easy, Bolton, I just want to see."

"None of your business, Kamp," Troy told him firmly, closing and locking his locker. "Any idea what kind of starting lineup is coach looking at since Christopher's out and Boykin's away for the holidays?"

Patrick Christopher had been reinjured and, as a consequence, coach had been alternating the guys in his position - though Seeley was the favorite to take his place until the injury healed. Eddie Miller and Taylor Harrison had been scouted by the NBA leaving them two short - though neither was a starter, they'd had enough play time to make impressions on the Suns and Kings. Their choice to leave the team didn't leave them in a lurch, but Troy knew both players and suspected they'd do well where they were headed.

"Who knows?" Randle closed his locker and bent to tie his shoes. "Coach might just give you a shot at Christopher's starting position."

Putting Troy in direct competition with Seeley - it wasn't something he wanted to really contemplate. Seeley was a great guy and their little games on the court by his place had shown they worked better together than as substitutes for one another. "I guess we'll see."

That ended the short conversation as Coach Montgomery left his office and made it clear practice was starting. Their banter and questions were put on hold. Despite that, as they were put through their paces, the guys teased one another good-naturedly; with the holidays around the corner, and some of the guys being stuck in the dorm, were talking about spending it together.

Others, who had family within an hour's drive ensure those that didn't want to get together with the guys, were invited out. Kamp made a point of asking Troy - and Troy simply smiled with a shake of his head, telling him he had other plans.

It resulted in a bout of teasing that continued through the last half of practice and back into the dressing room after coach had announced the starting lineup for their next game. Troy, much to his surprise, found himself starting in Christopher's position with Seeley starting as a forward. It was the reverse of what Troy'd been expecting - even on the outside - and Seeley pulled their coach aside once the team returned to the locker rooms to discuss the new set up.

By the end of practice, the guys were pumped for the game that Saturday and Troy... Troy was worried about his new starting position. The coach, before taking Seeley into his office, had simply smiled and nodded when Troy had tried to catch his eye. Whatever the reason, his coach had decided to put him in as a starter despite the fact he hadn't earned it with his recent absences.

"Starting at Shooting Guard," Kamp slapped Troy on the shoulder as they headed back into the locker room. "I'm surprised Coach didn't point you in s Point guard and throw Randal back into Shooting."

"Ha!" Randall joined them with a laugh as they stripped down. "What position does it matter, you guys listen to Troy on the court more than you listen to me anyway. This way he just might get some net time."

"Hey, I'm not out there to take control," Troy protested as they grabbed their towels and head for the showers. "I'm just here to play some ball like the rest of you."

"Sure," Kamp scoffed with a laugh. The towels were left on hooks and a quick spin of the taps turned the showers on. "You can't help it, Troy; you naturally take control when things hit a tough spot."

"You guys don't have to listen."

Laughing, Randall snapped his towel at Troy, leaving a welt on the bare skin of his backside as he stepped into the shower. Troy yelped as some of the other guys laughed, the spray hitting him full in the face.

"You're right, we don't have to listen."

"I'd like to listen to that little hottie who's head of the dance squad this year," Liss, one of the Juniors commented.

"I wouldn't recommend it man, she doesn't have anything interesting to say."

"Who said I wanted to listen to her talk?"

There was more laughter as the subject changed from Troy's tendency to take over - where everyone had a good laugh at his expense - to the women they were currently involved with. It jumped back and forth, getting progressively more vulgar with every comment - until they turned on Troy who'd been suspiciously silent.

"Hey, Bolton, how about that brunette you were with in November, what's her name?"

"Gabriella," Kamp supplied.

Troy shook his head as he lathered up his hair. "None of your business, Gutierrez."

"Come on, Bolton, spill," Knezevic urged. "She must be a good lay if you're still with her."

"Not to mention let her mark you."

Thrusting his head back under the spray, Troy ignored the comments to wash the soap out. Randle said something but the beat of the water blocked it out. Clean, Troy twisted the taps closed and grabbed his towel, shaking his head when they made one last push.

"How about it, Bolton? Are those lips as good as they look when they su-"

"Hey!" Troy's stern tone sliced across the shower room, and silence descended as he turned his head to glare at his teammate. "Crack at me all you want, but leave her out of it. I don't care who you guys talk about when it comes to who you're doing or seeing, I won't. Gabriella is off limits; got it?"

The sound of the water hitting naked bodies and tiled floors was the only thing audible as Troy looked from one face to the next. Seeing there wasn't going to be any kind of retaliation while he was looking at them almost murderously, he headed for his locker. Behind him there was silence before the echo of the general sentiment made its way to him.

"So whipped."

There was snickering - except Troy didn't dignify the comment with a reply. He'd made his point, whatever they thought about his relationship with Gabriella he really didn't care. Providing of course they didn't talk about her, at least in his presence. Ignoring them, he toweled off as he opened his locker once more and pulled clean clothes from his bag. While the guys finishing in the showers, Troy dressed and within moments was gone.

Whatever, if anything, they had to say about it, he didn't know and he didn't care. Let them think whatever they wanted; Gabriella was off limits and that was how it would stay.

---------

Gabriella helped her mom in the kitchen as they whipped up dinner together, mashing the potatoes that would go with the roast that was in the oven. "So, how was your trip?"

"Enlightening," she replied with a smile, checking on the tenderness of the main course. "I was introduced to the client and was shown several furnished apartments the company wants me to pick from."

"Furnished?" Gabriella added milk to her mixture before resuming her mashing. "I thought you were moving, or has that changed?"

"There's been a slight change in plans, yes," Ms. Montez closed the oven and removed her oven mitts. "But it won't affect the arrangement between you and Troy."

"In other words this isn't a dinner to let us know I'm not moving in with him?"

Laughing softly, Ms. Montez shook her head. "No; nothing like that."

Exhaling softly so her mom wouldn't know just how glad she was that wasn't the case, Gabriella changed the subject. "Did you enjoy your time in Seattle at least?"

"It was informative, but there wasn't much time to do anything beyond looking at apartments, a quick business meeting and checking in with my new office." Her tone turned teasing, "Without having to check on schools, I was able to meet everyone for drinks beforehand too."

"Ha ha, funny mom." Finished with her task, Gabriella put the lid back on the potatoes and placed them back on the stove. "Meet anyone interesting?"

"There was this one man..."

"Mom!"

"I'm thirty seven, I'm not dead," her mother returned with a teasing grin. "Don't worry, Gabi, it was only business drinks. I wouldn't think of abandoning you here no matter how handsome the temptation."

Gabriella made a noise in the back of her throat and turned back to the stove. "Don't let me hold you back. Troy will take care of me just fine."

"I'm sure he will; he always does. How late did he say he'd be?"

"When practice is over - but he should be on the road right now."

Her phone rang at that moment and Ms Montez arched her eyebrows, the ring tone making it obvious as to whom it was. "Speak of the devil."

"Oh mom..." Pulling her phone from her hip pocket, Gabriella accepted the call with a smile. "Hey! Mom and I were just talking about you!"

"Nothing bad I hope."

Her mother waved her away, and Gabriella took her leave, heading upstairs to her room - a room where boxes were scattered about in her half-finished packing attempts. "No, nothing bad. She was just telling me about her trip."

"Did she enjoy herself?"

"So she says. Where are you?"

"Parked outside the supermarket. Did you need me to get anything before I come over?"

"I think we're good. Mom said she just wanted your company today."

"Are you sure?"

"How far away are you, Troy?"

"About twenty minutes. Did you need me to stop by our place and bring anything for you?"

His not so subtle way of asking if she had the feminine supplies she needed. "No," she told him laughing. "I still have a few supplies here. I'll see you in twenty, Wildcat."

Tossing her phone on her bed, she took a look about the room, an unconscious smile on her lips. He was sweet, and she couldn't wait to see him. To occupy herself, she set about packing her clothing away into the plastic moving bins she'd had for years. Her mother left her alone, putting around downstairs, and Gabriella found herself immersed in her job. As she did every time she moved, she went through each drawer methodically and made two different piles.

Keep and donate.

The keep pile was usually smaller for practical reasons, except this time she didn't feel the need to discard anything she liked simply because it was necessary. True, there were things she never wore - which she tossed in one pile along with the damaged articles - but there were things she didn't have to get rid of this time. That little freedom was almost as novel as the idea that she was moving in with Troy the following day.

A knock on her window brought her head up and the smile that crossed her face was teasing. Troy stood on the balcony, one hand in a pocket, the other still lightly touching the frame of the door. Pushing to her feet, she crossed and unlocked the doors.

"Indulging in your obsession with trees?"

"I couldn't resist what might possibly be my last chance to enter through your balcony doors," he returned with a grin, "I have too many good memories of climbing up to see you to surrender another."

Gabriella slid her arms about his neck, going up on tip toe. "Is that so?"

Troy pulled her closer with a grin, ducking his head to hers. "I knew I'd have another good one to add."

"Gabriella?"

"It never ends." He groaned, his forehead touching hers when their lips hadn't. "I swear it's a curse."

"I think everyone took lessons from Chad - though no one can ruin a moment quite like he can." Raising her voice, she answered her mother. "Yeah, mom?"

"Tell Troy next time he's to use the front door. I don't want him falling out of that tree."

They shared a look and burst out laughing. Troy looped his arm about her shoulders and steered her towards the door. "Don't worry, Ms. Montez," he called back. "I've an affinity for trees."

----------

Troy and Gabriella set the table as Ms. Montez put the last finishing touches on dinner, and then the three of them settled in and dished out the food. Mashed potatoes, gravy, pot roast, beans, corn, carrots and cauliflower made their way around until their plates were practically overflowing with food.

"Wow, this is a feast!"

"And there's dessert," Gabriella teased as Troy ladled gravy over his potatoes. "So save some room."

"I always have room for desert."

Ms. Montez lifted her glass, drawing their attention. "I would like to propose a toast."

Setting aside the serving utensils, Troy and Gabriella lifted their glasses and waited. Obligingly, Ms. Montez didn't keep them waiting long.

"To new opportunities and life experiences that enrich us and let us grow."

They touched their glasses together with a slight ting and drank, Gabriella slanting a smile at Troy. "Was that what you wanted to tell us mom?"

Laughing softly, Ms. Montez shook her head as she placed her glass back on the table and collected her utensils. "Not exactly. I won't be selling the house."

Troy almost dropped his fork. "What?"

"I'm not selling the house." Adding some spice to her meal, Ms. Montez then mixed the gravy in with her potatoes. "Once this deal is finished I'm intending to return to Palo Alto."

"Does...that mean I don't need to move out?" Gabriella's question was hesitant - and a little strained. She was looking forward to living with Troy - and not just to be technically on their own.

"Not exactly." Her mother laughed at the blatant relief in both of their expressions. "Though if I said yes, I suspect that wouldn't change your decision."

"It would mean discussing it," she returned, sharing a look with Troy. "I don't understand, mom."

"When my company found out I was intending to return here, at least until you've graduated, they suggested it. As they pay for my relocation, this is being treated instead like... an expensive working holiday. Rather than buy an apartment or house, I'll be renting with my company footing the bill."

"They're very accommodating."

"I wouldn't go any other way," Ms. Montez took a sip of her drink. "But leaving the house empty or with just Gabriella in it doesn't appeal to me."

"I'd be fine, mom."

"I know you would be, but I also know you'd be spending very little time here; this last quarter proved it."

"So what are you going to do if you're not going to sell it? Rent it out?"

"I have two suggestions." Placing her glass back on the table, Ms. Montez met their gazes squarely. "The first, is that Troy moves in here."

"I don't want to seem-"

She held up her hand, cutting off his protest. "Let me finish."

He fell silent, and Gabriella's hand found his under the table, squeezing.

Ms. Montez continued. "If it makes you feel more comfortable I would follow the same agreement you've made with Gabriella at the current rate - minus utilities. Half rent, no utilities and you can use the drive way for your truck. The rest of your expenses, whatever the two of you incur, would be your own to cover."

"And the other suggestion, mom?"

"I rent the house out for the year I'll be gone."

"But what if you're finished early?" Ever sensible, Gabriella was already thinking of the possibilities of both options. "You said ten months, but what if it's nine? Where are you going to stay when you get back?"

"It's a bridge I'd have to cross if it happened. If I rent the house out to strangers, then other arrangements would need to be made. If Troy moves in here, with you, it gives me a little more flexibility."

"We'd have to talk about it," Troy hedged. "Since it allows for a different kind of arrangement than what we've already discussed."

"Both scenarios will have their advantages and disadvantages," acknowledged Ms. Montez. "I know you were going to move Gabriella over tomorrow, but I'd like you to completely consider your options. You'd both be doing me a favor."

"We'll talk about it," Gabriella promised, feeling Troy's firm squeeze.

He seemed as reluctant as she did about it; not because they would mind living in the house just the two of them, but because it was her mother's house. Troy didn't have to say it for her to understand. At least at his place there were no lingering reminders of parents to make things awkward.

"Good. Now, the other reason I asked you both over tonight. Who do I contact to get tickets to this show of yours? Gabriella tells me it's better than anything we saw in High School."

Conversation from that point onwards was light, with Ms. Montez catching up with them both about finals and extracting a promise from Troy over desert to get her tickets for the next showing of his play. Troy, as with all the players, had several reserved just for them and handed them over to her delight. Gabriella had simply watched, silently laughing at his anticipation of the subject.

Later, when Ms. Montez had taken her leave and left them to clean up her kitchen while she checked her e-mail and set the move to Seattle in motion, Gabriella commented on it.

"That was a little convenient. How'd you know my mom wanted to see your play?"

"I didn't," Troy placed the stack of plates and glasses he was carrying on the counter before returning to help her clear away the rest of the serving utensils. "I just figured I should keep them on hand just in case."

"Six tickets 'on hand'? I know you better than that."

He smiled sheepishly, caught. "I guess I was kind of hoping mom and dad would make it out for one of the last shows."

"And bring a certain Redhawk with them?"

"If he wanted. Chad's not going anywhere for Christmas."

"But why would he come here when his family's all in Albuquerque?" Gabriella opened the dishwasher and began stacking the plates in. "Not to mention you're not the only one with games over the holidays I'm sure."

"Good point," Troy sighed. "I guess I just miss him."

"I'm not enough for you, Wildcat?" Her tone was teasing, except she stopped what she was doing to wrap her arms about his waist. "I guess this is the first Christmas away from your family, huh?"

"It feels a little strange. Did you know that Chad and I used to alternate crashing at each other's houses over Christmas and New Years so we could ambush our parents?"

"Did you get to celebrate Christmas twice that way?"

He blinked and then laughed. "I never thought of it like that, but you've got a point. There were always presents for me under his tree, and presents for him under ours."

"Twice the presents, twice the fun?"

"Twice the experience," Troy corrected, hugging her. "We got to be there for everything being opened."

"I bet you guys compared what your parents bought each of you."

"Of course we did! But we always got ball stuff for the two of us. I remember the one year my dad had Redhawks uniforms made with our names on them. I think we were eight or something; we wore holes through them inside of six months pretending to be on the team or players of the current one." His smile faded.

"You have some pretty good memories, Troy." She squeezed him tightly. "Did you know what my present was most years?"

"What, did you get the same thing?"

Gabriella nodded. "I did. Bet you can't guess."

"Clothes?"

"Everyone gets clothes. Think bigger."

"A new bed?"

"Every year?" she laughed. "Bigger."

"Uh..." He frowned. "I don't have a clue."

"A new house."

"A new... oh."

"Yeah. East High was my Fourth High school in two years. Usually Christmas meant having to pack, or celebrating on the move. It's pretty special to be able to celebrate this one with you."

"You were with me last year." His own melancholy forgotten. "Wasn't that special?"

"It was," she assured him quickly. "But this year will be waking up to you on Christmas morning, not just your picture on my cell phone when you called to wish me a Merry Christmas."

"I hadn't thought of that."

"Still miss Chad?"

He laughed, hugging her tightly and spinning her around once before putting her back on her feet. "You know, not quite so much."

"Are you two finished yet?" They looked up guiltily to see Ms. Montez standing in the doorway into the kitchen with a grin on her face. "Of course if you'd spend more time cleaning..."

Both of them flushed and Gabriella turned back to loading the dishwasher, Troy scraping off the dishes and handing them to her. "Sorry mom."

Ms. Montez waved it away. "Don't apologize, it does me good to see both of you so happy. I'm going to turn in; it's been a long day."

"Good night Ms. Montez."

"Good night Troy."

Gabriella detached herself long enough to give her mother a hug. Whatever her mother thought about her relationship with Troy, tonight she'd demonstrated that she not only trusted them both, but she accepted it. The invisible pressures that had been present before she'd gone to Seattle were gone.

"Good night mom. Are... you taking me to that appointment tomorrow or should I have Troy drive me?"

"I'll take you," Pressing a soft kiss to her daughter's cheek, she let her go. "If Troy's moving your bedroom to his place, he'll be a little busy."

"We haven't talked about it yet - but we will."

"I know you will." She turned to leave and then paused. "Oh, and Troy?"

"Yeah?"

"I won't have Gabriella falling and breaking her neck; remember to use the front door when you leave."