Disclaimer: HSM is not mine.

"It's hard to believe that this truck has only seen us at our worst," Troy stated, opening the passenger door for Gabriella.

Climbing inside, she replied, "I know. But, we'll be on our best behavior today, right?"

"Agreed," he confirmed, getting in the driver's seat.

"Hey, Troy?" Gabriella started sweetly as he started the truck. "Do you think maybe sometime you can teach me how to drive your truck?"

Troy looked at her in mock horror. "You...wanna drive...this piece of junk?"

Gabriella laughed. "I have a driver's license! I've had it since I was sixteen!"

"When was the last time you drove?" he asked her.

"That's...not the point." She huffed in defeat. "It's a stick shift so I would need you to help me, anyway. It's not like you won't be in here with me."

Troy pretended to think it over. "Hm...would I ever let a very pretty girl drive my truck? I don't think so, but I'll make an exception since she's the Queen of pretty." Gabriella smiled wildly as he continued. "But, wait until I take you home because there will be less traffic and less of a chance of you wrecking."

"You think I'm gonna wreck?" she questioned, taking slight offense.

"No, it's just that, I'm afraid of something happening. There are no air bags in this thing, so we have to be extra cautious. I'm not worried about me, but I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Oh," she said, slinking back in her seat as they started out of the parking lot. She hadn't really given much thought about safety. She had been put through Hell for so long and survived, and so she would find it ironic if she were to die in a car accident, especially when that was how her mother left....

Maria. Gabriella swallowed the lump in her throat as her name rang through her mind. She hadn't thought about her since Saturday night, when she thought she was going to die. Her mother steered her in the right direction. She felt guilty, for the only times Maria ever seemed to cross her mind was when she was having problems, and even they seemed to only be when Troy wasn't there for comfort.

"Troy," she started suddenly, her eyes watering. "Wh-when we get to your place, I-I really want to talk to you about something."

"What might that be?" he asked, hoping to be able to mentally prepare himself for what could potentially come into conversation. There were still certain topics of discussion that he secretly wasn't prepared to talk about. It was still difficult for his mind to wrap around the fact that she was a victim of abuse, let alone everything else.

"I-it's my mom," she answered. "A-a year ago Saturday, she died. I-I miss her, a-a lot."

"How about this," he started, relieved that this was something he felt comfortable talking about. "We'll go to my place for a few hours, and then we can go to the cemetery together." Nodding, she allowed a single tear to glide down her cheek, but instantly, without looking at her, his finger caught it. "I know you miss your mom," he said. "I know my being an idiot didn't help that...."

"You're not an idiot," she argued. "But, I guess I did start to miss her more when you started...you know...."

"Abusing you?" he finished. She winced, for she tried not to classify what he did as abuse. "Just admit it. I was an abusive jerk."

"I don't like thinking of it that way," she said. "I don't like thinking about it period."

"I don't either, but it's constantly on my mind," he agreed. "But, it's slowly getting better because we are getting better. But, I think my obsession with you is getting worse."

Gabriella giggled. "Do you have naughty thoughts about me that you would like to share with me?"

"Like I would tell you," he answered, unable to hide his grin. "Let's just say that I'm a guy and you are a very alluring and attractive woman."

"Tell me what dirty thought you're thinking now," she prompted.

"I'm not thinking any right now," he denied.

"Then what are you thinking?" she asked curiously.

"I'm thinking about what I'm going to do to you once we get back to my place," he said, smirking.

"I don't like the sound of that," she said, scooting over further away from him on the seat. "What are you thinking about doing to me?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out," he replied, winking at her, making her heart skip a beat.

"That's so unfair," she complained.

"It's also not fair that you are so beautiful that it's impossible for me to resist you....for too long," he said.

She pouted. "You resisted me earlier when you wouldn't kiss me."

"Like I said, I can't resist you for too long," he said, pulling into the driveway. "Stay put," he instructed, climbing out of the trunk. Confused, she watched as he got out and went around the truck to her side. He opened the door, but instead of letting her climb out, he grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" she shrieked as he started walking away, his arm wrapped securely around her knees. "Put me down!"

"I don't want to," he said, walking up to the front door. "Don't worry, I won't drop you." Gabriella giggled, looking at what was directly below her, knowing she could have fun with this. "What's so funny?" he asked her, confused.

"Oh nothing," she answered innocently. "I just have a nice view of your butt."

Troy was thankful that she couldn't see his face, for he felt himself starting to go red. However, he would get her. Slowly, the hand that held her knees slid upward until it rested on hers.

"Okay, that's invasion now," she complained, her face burning. He had touched her there on only a few occasions, those being from when he was acting like a jerk. She could tell he only meant it out of fun this time, but she couldn't help but to be a little wary.

"Too bad you're not wearing a skirt," he said, smirking. "I'd have more fun."

Without giving it much thought, she smacked him as hard as she could, only to hear him chuckle.

"You call that punishment, I call it reward," he said, although his hand slid back down to her knees as he opened the door. He walked into the kitchen and found Cindy making dinner. Upon seeing the two, she couldn't help but to laugh.

"I got the body now what should I do with it?" he joked as Gabriella started playfully kicking him. He used his other hand to try to tame her feet, which wasn't working too well.

"You got a feisty one," she replied. "By the way, where were you this morning?"

"Gabi asked me to come over," he answered. "She needed to be the first to see my totally awesome and handsome face before the rest of the world."

Gabriella kicked him harder for that comment. "Ow!" he wined. "Okay, okay, I'll put you down once we get to my room."

Cindy laughed as Troy, with Gabriella in tow, left the room. She was glad to see that everything was right with her son now, and she was happy to see that Gabriella was back in his life, which she hoped was for good.

When they got to his room, Troy tossed Gabriella down on his bed, tossing their bags aside. Troy climbed on top of her, trapping her legs between his own. The rest of his body lie inches from being directly on her, supported by his arms which were on either side of her head. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Love you," he said, placing another kiss upon her forehead.

"I love you, too," she replied, returning the kisses with a peck on the cheek. "Even though you carry me to your room without my permission."

"I just wanted to know how it felt to kidnap you, that's all," he said, smiling innocently.

Raising her eyebrow, she said, "So then, what's next on your list?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," he answered, moving so he was lying next to her. Grinning, he continued, "I'm just going to torment you into doing my homework."

"Oh, so now I get why you want me. You think I'm smart," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Well, that's your job. I have enough of my own."

"You can work on your homework," he said, smirking. "And I'll do my job of distracting you while you do it."

"I'll do it tonight," she said. "I just want to spend some time with you. That's why I'm here."

"If you can stand me for that long," he replied.

"You're really changing, you know," she told him, resting her head on his chest. "You're still the same sweet, romantic, caring guy I fell in love with, but you're also being not as uptight and serious all the time. You're learning how to have fun again."

"It's a good change, right?" he asked.

"Of course," she said. "If you're more laid back, then you're less likely to get mad and much less become violent."

"I swear, Ella, if it means never hurting you again I will chop off my hands," he stated.

"You need your hands to hold me," she argued, taking his hand and placing it on the small of her back as she snuggled deeper into his chest.

"Among other things..." he said. "Like kidnapping a hot girl such as yourself."

"I wouldn't call it kidnapping if I was willing," she argued, a blush creeping up on her cheeks.

"You were just a willing victim," he replied. "But, of course, what girl wouldn't want me to kidnap them?"

"Oh, so you're saying I'm not your first victim?" she questioned.

"That's for me to know and you to never find out," he said, smiling innocently.

A knock on the door startled the two. "Come in," Troy said, rolling his eyes, causing Gabriella to laugh as Cindy walked in.

"Dinner's ready," she said, looking at their position. They were still lying next to each other on the bed, Gabriella's head resting against his arm. It was cute how, despite everything, they were still just as close as though nothing had happened. However, this was also what worried her.

"We'll be out in a minute," he said, looking over at Gabriella as his mother left. "Afterwards, I'll take you to the cemetery if you still want to go."

She nodded as they stood up, feeling slightly apprehensive. The last time she went there didn't turn out to be a pleasant experience, and she wasn't sure if history would repeat itself.

After dinner, Troy and Gabriella took their leave and headed to his truck. Gabriella climbed in the driver's seat as he sat in the middle. He went over the clutch pedal, the gears and whatever else came to mind. She felt nervous as she took mental notes, unsure if she could remember everything.

"Don't worry too much," he said once he was finished going over the basics. "If you forget anything I'll just say it again. I'm not the mean driver's ed teacher."

Gabriella laughed as she put her seatbelt on. "I hope your truck is in one piece by the time I'm done."

"I just hope that you come out in one piece," he said. "A truck can be replaced, but you can never be."

"Okay, so what now?" she asked, inserting the key in the ignition.

"Put it in reverse," he answered. She nodded and pressed down on the clutch and gear stick until it reached her target.

"Now, push down on the clutch again and start it," he continued. "Then, let it up slowly."

"Okay," she replied, doing as instructed. "Next?"

"Release the parking brake," he replied. "Don't gas it just yet, though. Ride the clutch a little until you're used to it." Gabriella nodded, letting the truck drift backwards. It had been a while since she had driven any vehicle, and so she felt more nervous than ever. However, she trusted Troy to not let anything too serious happen. If he didn't think she was capable, she was sure he wouldn't let her drive.

Looking out the back window, Troy watched to make sure everything was clear. "Okay, clutch again and put it in neutral," he instructed, glad to see the street was free of moving vehicles and children.

"Um, when do I apply the gas pedal?" she asked nervously.

"Soon. Just get used to this first," he stated. "Luckily, the cemetery is only about an eight minute drive from here, so it won't hurt if you want to go slower."

Nodding, Gabriella bit her bottom lip, mentally preparing not only for the trip, but also for her first visit to her mother's grave since she was raped. Although, this time was different. This time, she had Troy by her side, and she felt confident in knowing that he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her.

It was nearly half an hour later that the couple arrived at the cemetery. Troy made Gabriella drive below the speed limit and do a few laps around several back streets before letting her drive to their destination. She had forgotten what it was like to drive, and it felt like it was her first time driving, period.

Pulling into one of the empty parking spaces, Gabriella pressed the clutch and put it in park. "That was...interesting."

He chuckled. "You know, if you want to give Taylor a heart attack you can drive to her house."

"Um, no. We've had too many people in the hospital for one week. Taylor does not need to be added to that list," she said, getting out of the car. Glancing around, she felt tremors going up and down her spine as she recalled the events of her previous trip here. She recalled running to her mother for solace after Troy told her that he didn't love her. The pain she felt that day still lingered in the back of her mind, and it was the single worst moment of her life. Lance raping her was no comparison, for she thought then that Troy would still love her.

"I-I can't be here, Troy," she said, wiping her eyes as she started walking away. Troy, however, had other plans. Grabbing her wrist, he pulled her into a comforting embrace.

"You can do this," he murmured.

"I-I c-can't," she stuttered, tears flowing freely from her eyes. "T-too ma-many me-memories."

With one arm, Troy rubbed her back while using the other to wipe her eyes. "You need to be strong, Gabriella. I know you well enough to know that you can."

"Ri-right there," she said, pointing at a tree a few yards away. "Th-that's wh-where th-they raped me."

Troy didn't look away from her to where she pointed. Instead, he kissed her forehead and spoke again, "Just don't think about it."

"H-how can I not?" she cried, now pointing towards her mother's gravestone. "Th-that's where you left me the last time! H-how do I-I know it w-won't happen again?"

"I'm not going to leave you," he said, gently pulling her forward. "I'll never leave you again, and I'll prove it to you."

"How are you---"

"Just come with me," he said, loosening the hug as he pulled her through the graveyard.

Silently, Gabriella did as she was told, knowing that she wouldn't win the argument, anyway. He directed her to Maria's grave, stopping directly in front of it.

For a long minute, Troy looked to the sky as if searching for answers. Could Maria hear them? He hoped so, or else everything he was about to say would go to waste. "Maria," Troy started, looking to the grave. "Maria, I don't know if you can hear me, but I just want to say I'm sorry for ever hurting your beautiful, precious daughter. I know that night in the hospital, you asked that I take care of her when you couldn't, so, from now on, Gabriella will never be alone. I swear to it."

Slowly, Troy leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "I promise you that, Gabriella. No more broken promises, either."

Nodding, Gabriella hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she stated, tears glimmering in her eyes. "I really needed that."

"I know, the last time we were here, I did some things I wasn't proud of," he started. "None are forgivable, but I want to make your second trip here more pleasurable." Unexpectedly, he leaned forward, his lips centimeters from hers. When she realized what he was doing, she closed her eyes, anxiously anticipating his lips on hers. They met only briefly, just enough to know it was a kiss, before Troy pulled back. She frowned slightly, expecting more than that. She still didn't understand why he wouldn't just kiss her. It wasn't like she was begging for sex. "That was for getting us here in one piece, too," he said, grinning.

"Mama," Gabriella started, looking to Maria's gravestone. "Tell this stubborn boy that he better give me a real kiss."

"Please tell this stubborn girl that if I can survive then so can she," he retorted.

Sighing, she gingerly took a step toward him as he instinctively wrapped his arms around her stomach, holding her back to his chest. "I miss you, mom, and I really wish you could be here, in person. A lot has been happening, and I really wish you could've been here with me, then maybe I wouldn't have been so scared."

Subconsciously, Troy's grip tightened as he nestled his face into her hair, breathing in her scent. He didn't like hearing about her being afraid. He wanted her to never have to fear anything. He guessed that was what all people believed of their loved one, that they should never have a reason to fear anything, that nothing should ever upset them.

"I'm glad I have Troy now," she continued, snapping him out of his thoughts. "He's there for me, and he's the only one who makes me feel whole and complete. I'd be lost without him." Troy smiled but didn't say anything. She spoke of him as though he wasn't there, and he silently hoped there was more. "I finally see in him what you saw in him that night in the hospital. You said you could tell that he truly loves me, and I see that now. I only hope that we can have the ever-lasting love and devotion that you had with daddy. Not many couples do these days, but I want us to be different, like you guys." Gabriella paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before continuing, "Tell daddy I miss him, too. I love both of you, and I only wish that you both could be here with me still."

Abruptly, she turned in his arms. He expected her to start crying, as he figured she would under these circumstances. However, she looked up at him without the slightest indication that she would break. "It's getting darker. We should...leave." Nodding, he released her from his grip, opting to hold her hand instead. "Bye mama. I'll be back again soon. I promise."

Pulling into the driveway of the McKessie's home, Troy nor Gabriella were surprised to see Chad's car parked in the driveway. Smirking, Troy got out and opened Gabriella's door. "Wonder what they're up to," he said. "I say we get them."

Rolling her eyes, she replied, "You are so childish."

"Oh, c'mon. It'll be funny," he argued. When she remained silent, he made his way to the front door, her a few steps behind. "Ladies first," he said, motioning her forward. Reluctantly, she opened the door, finding the lights dimmed and the television on. She first noticed Chad and Taylor snuggled up on the couch.

"Oh, isn't this nice," Troy stated, snickering. Gabriella elbowed him in the ribs, ceasing his laughter. Red-faced, the couple turned to them.

"And, just how many times have we walked in on the two of you?" Taylor questioned.

"Enough," Gabriella answered, turning to Troy. "Now, time for you to leave, mister. I have homework to do."

"But-"

"No buts," she said. "I have three days worth to do."

Sighing, he caved, "Fine, fine."

Giving him a quick peck on the cheek, she said, "I'll see you in the morning."

He nodded, returning the kiss. "Goodnight," he said. " I love you."

"I love you, too," she replied. "Stay safe. No wrecks."

"No guarantee," he said as he walked away. Sighing, she shook her head. He had a habit of worrying her, but she assumed that was the way with all men, and so she would have to deal with it.

"Speaking of that," Taylor said, turning to Chad. "I have to help her, so you're being booted out, too."

Chad pouted. "Aw, but--"

"No buts," she replied, mimicking Gabriella. "Now, goodnight."

Gabriella averted her gaze as the couple shared a goodnight kiss. She hated it when people stared whenever she and Troy kissed, and so she felt she was doing them a favor.

Once Chad was gone, Taylor led Gabriella up to her room. With their books and paper sprawled out everywhere, Taylor decided to cut to the chase with what she really wanted to know, "What'd you get into tonight?"

A slight blush spread across Gabriella's face as she recalled the night's events. "You first," she stated.

Taylor shrugged. "We went to his place for a bit, then he took me out to dinner and we came back here and watched a movie. Now you."

Gabriella smiled slightly. "Well," she started. "We went to Troy's and hung out a while. His mom made dinner, then he taught me how to drive his truck because I asked, then we went to my mom's grave site."

"Nothing traumatic this time, right?" Taylor said.

She shook her head. "No. Troy was really sweet. He actually promised my mom that he would take better care of me from now on."

"We all knew he would," she replied. "I mean, we've all seen how he was without you, like a walking zombie. And, when you're mad at him, it makes him feel even worse. I can tell that he never wants to lose you again. And, since he made that promise, he'll most likely be giving you the princess treatment until you die."

"He always make me feel like a princess," she stated, smiling slightly. He made her feel like more than a princess, as though princesses should be jealous of her. They could have their Prince Charming or whoever they wanted, but no guy could possibly love a girl more than Troy loved her. Sure, he wasn't perfect, and he had a temper. However, he loved her enough that he wanted to change that, and he wanted to make it up to her, not because he had to.

"Let's just hope he continues to act like a prince," Taylor stated, snapping her from her thoughts.

"He will," she defended, digging through her bag. "Let's start with calculus..."

AN: Once again, everything I wanted to put in this chapter didn't fit or else it would've been 15 pages instead of 10, so I'll try to squeeze it in the next chapter. And, if all goes as planned for the next chapter, things get a little intense again, and one final fight is in store, one of which some of you might have been anticipating....So, stay tuned and thanks for reviewing!