Gabriella.

Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 30.

Thanks for the reviews everyone, I'm mean I know but I just had to do it. I'm dedicating this chapter to Sam1 for all the help she has given me and for just being the amazing person she is.

Chapter 37: Saying I Love You

Tate approached Gabby's apartment block and was shocked to see Miranda exiting the building. He knew it was unlikely that she knew anyone around here so he guessed she had been up to see Gabby. He jogged over to her hoping he was wrong.

"What are you doing here Miranda?" he asked with cool politeness.

"Tate darling. What a pleasure it is to see you," she replied with a smile.

"I'll ask you again. What are you doing here?"

"Visiting an old friend of mine."

"Why don't I believe you?" he asked angrily.

"Well as much as I would love to stand here and argue with you because lets face it you look sexy when you're mad. I have to go. See you soon," she replied giving him another grin before walking off.

Tate ran up the stairs to Gabby's apartment. He opened the door and cautiously entered the room. He could see Gabby standing in the lounge with her back to him. She turned to face him and he could see the anger in her beautiful brown eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she asked angrily.

"Gabby I don't know what she said to you but she was lying," he said moving towards her.

"Why should I believe you?"

"Why do you believe her? You barely even know her."

"But that's just it Tate, I don't know that. I don't know anyone," she said walking away from him and over to the window.

"What did she say to you Gabby?" he asked moving to sit down on the couch.

"She told me that you and I broke up a few weeks ago and that you and she had got back together not long after."

"So why was I having dinner with you the night of the accident then?" he asked feeling irritated that Miranda had lied.

"You wanted to let me know in person that you had proposed to Miranda," she retorted glaring at him angrily. How could he have done this to her?

"What!" yelled Tate standing up and pacing the floor angrily. "How dare she lie like that about me. I cannot believe she is using your amnesia to win me back. How the hell did she find out anyway," he ranted as he paced.

Gabby watched feeling a little worried about how mad he suddenly seemed. What if he was right and Miranda had been lying? She now felt more confused then ever and it was really making her head hurt. Why did life have to be so complicated?

"Gabby it's not true none of it. If I were dating her then why would I have spent the last few days with you? Why would I have come all the way to your dad's island," he said approaching her.

"Apparently the doctors mistook you for my boyfriend so you played along so as not to confuse me," she said softly. She had to admit that it did seem a little unlikely that he would come all the way to the Island with her if he wasn't really her boyfriend.

"I swear to you that she is lying Gabby," he said and then picked up a photo from off the fireplace. It wasn't in a frame but Tate knew Gabby planned to have it framed. "This was taken at your brother's wedding just a couple of weeks ago," he said handing her the photo.

She studied the photo closely. They appeared to be dancing and neither one was looking at the camera. They were too wrapped up in each other to even notice.

"Do I look like a guy who is in love with someone else?" he asked moving to stand in front of her.

"No," replied Gabby softly.

"Because I'm not. I never loved Miranda when I was dating her and I certainly don't love her now."

"I wish I could believe you Tate I really do but I just don't know that," she said sadly. She could feel the tears welling and didn't want to cry in front of him so she left the room.

Tate watched her leave, desperately wanting to go after her but knowing she didn't want him too.

Jeff entered his daughter's apartment an hour later to see Tate sat on the couch. He looked sad but there was anger in his eyes too. He approached the young man who hadn't yet spotted him.

"Tate is everything ok?"

"No," replied the young man standing up. "Gabby thinks I have been lying to her this whole time and that I am actually dating Miranda."

"Your ex Miranda?"

"Yes somehow she found out about Gabby's amnesia and came round here to cause trouble."

"Is Gabby ok?" he asked feeling worried that she wasn't in the room.

"I don't know she has been in her room for the last hour," he replied.

"I better go see how she is then," said Jeff taking off his suit jacket.

"I'll leave you guys alone for a while then. I wanted to call dad anyway," said Tate standing up.

"Don't give up on her Tate. She does care for you," said Jeff hoping that Tate wasn't about to walk out of her life for good.

"I hope so," he said quietly as he exited the apartment.

Jeff approached his daughter's bedroom and knocked once before opening it.

"Can I come in honey?" he asked gently.

"Yeah," said Gabby softly sitting up.

Jeff could see that his daughter had puffy, red eyes so he knew she had been crying. He moved over and sat down on the bed beside her.

"Was he telling the truth?" she asked turning to look at him properly.

"Yes he was honey. He is not dating Miranda. She lied to you because she wants him back and for some reason, she thought this would be the best way," replied Jeff.

"Have I ever met her before? She made out that we were close."

"You have only met her once. At a birthday party, she told you then that she and Tate had spent the previous weekend together."

"Did I believe her then?" she asked curiously.

"No not even for a second. You believed him when he told you it was a lie," he replied. Gabby just nodded but said nothing so Jeff spoke again. "I know it's hard for you to trust any of us honey," he began.

Gabby spoke before he could continue. "From the first time you walked into that hospital room, I have felt like I can trust you. I don't know why but I just know you would never hurt me and something tells me I have been really hurt in the past."

"Yes, you had a boyfriend a while back who hurt you a lot," said Jeff not wanting to go into too much detail. She didn't need to be reminded of that just yet. He felt happy though that she trusted him.

Gabby nodded, she had already guessed that someone had hurt her in the past and she was in no hurry to get those memories back. She had enough bad memories circling in her hand as it was.

"Do you believe me about Tate now then?" asked Jeff.

"Yeah I guess I do. Does he hate me for doubting him?"

"Of course he doesn't honey. He cares about you too much."

"I hate this," she said as tears filled her eyes again. "I hate not remembering you all and I hate that it's hurting you all too," she added as a few of the tears escaped.

Jeff couldn't bear to see her so sad so he did the only thing he could and wrapped his arms around her. Gabby tensed for a second and then her arms crept around him too as best they could when you have one arm in a cast. Suddenly she was hit with another flash back.

Gabby looked around to find herself on what appeared to be a hospital room. She looked down to see bruises all over her arms. She watched as the door opened and a doctor stepped in. The doctor moved to the side allowing some more people to enter. It was her family with her dad at the front. The tears were pouring down her face as she uttered just one word

"Dad."

He came straight over to her and pulled her gently into his arms holding her as tight as he could without hurting her.

She opened her eyes, smiled, and then uttered the four words Jeff desperately wanted to hear. "I love you dad."

"What?" he asked stunned by the declaration.

"I still don't remember much but I do know that I love you," she said pulling back so she could see his face.

Jeff had to fight back his tears but managed a smile. He had wanted to hear that for so long and it was amazing how much those four little words meant to him.

"I love you too baby girl," he said and hugged her tight again.

Gabby looked over at the clock and sighed. It had been four hours since Tate had gone off and she was beginning to wonder if he was ever coming back. Her dad was on the phone to the Island checking up on everything. They had spent the afternoon just chatting and it had been amazing.

"Hey," said a voice from the doorway.

Gabby spun round to see Tate leaning against the doorframe. "Hi," she said softly.

"You ok?" he asked going to move towards her but he changed his mind and stopped.

"Yeah. I'm sorry about earlier Tate. I should have trusted you and known you weren't lying to me."

"It's ok Gabs," he replied.

"No it's not ok. You have barely left my side since the accident and have been so understanding yet I threw it all back in your face by not even believing you," she said looking down at the floor.

This time Tate moved over to her and gently lifted her chin up so she was looking at him. "It doesn't matter Gabby. All that matters is that you believe me now, which you do right?" he asked suddenly feeling nervous. She smiled and nodded at him.

"Good," he said getting lost in her eyes again.

All he had to do was lower his head slightly and his lips would meet hers. He knew he should be pulling away from her but he couldn't. Suddenly a phone rang breaking into their moment. They both moved away reluctantly and Gabby picked up the phone from the counter. It was her father's cell so she took it into the lounge for him. He had finished talking to the family now so he took the phone and wandered into the bedroom.

"Shall we go get some dinner?" asked Jeff re-entering the room.

"Sounds great dad," said Gabby and Tate nodded in agreement.

A couple of hours later and they were all sitting in a local restaurant chatting. Gabby seemed a lot happier now and she was full of smiles. Everyone had always commented on how much Gabby looked like her mother but sitting here right now, Jeff could see the subtle differences between them. Gabby's eyes were a much richer brown then Lucy's and thanks to spending so much time on the island, her hair now had blonde highlights running through it. She was beautiful in her own right and he could tell that Tate thought so too. The young man clearly adored her and Jeff hoped they would be able to work things out. Tate suddenly groaned.

"What's the matter?" asked Gabby worriedly.

"Miranda is here," he replied gesturing to the bar.

"She better not come over here," said Jeff.

"She won't, not with you here," replied Tate.

"Let's just forget about her and not let her ruin our night," said Gabby. Both men nodded at her and she smiled. Tate wrapped his arm around her pulling her a little closer to him. Gabby noticing that Miranda was watching snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

Whilst Jeff was paying, Gabby nipped to the bathroom. As she came back out a young man bumped into her.

"Oh my. I am so sorry," he said smiling apologetically at her.

"It's ok," she replied with a smile.

"Are you ok though. I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked moving closer.

"Oh no, I'm fine," replied Gabby stepping back slightly. This guy was a little scary and she didn't like the way he kept getting closer to her.

"Are you sure let me take a look at you," he said advancing on her.

Gabby stepped back again. "No it's fine really. I should be going," she said trying to move step round him but he stepped across blocking her exit.

"You really are beautiful," he said advancing on her again, forcing her to back up once more.

She finally hit the wall and knew she was trapped. "I really must be going now. My boyfriend is waiting for me," she said trying to side step him again but he placed his hands on the wall on either side of her head so she couldn't.

"You're not going anywhere darling," he said with an evil smile.

"Are you sure about that?" asked another voice from behind.

Gabby knew the voice and smiled with relief. The man turned around to see Tate standing behind him. The man then lowered one of his hands so they were gripped onto Gabby's shoulder. She winced at the pressure and a flash of anger appeared in Tate's eyes.

"If you're smart you will remove your hand from my girlfriend's shoulder," said Tate calmly but there was a deadly overtone to his voice.

"And if I don't?" asked the man.

"Then I'll do it."

The man glared at Tate for a moment and then released his hold on Gabby. She sank to the floor in relief rubbing her shoulder. Tate watched the other man quickly walk off before turning to his attention to Gabby.

"You ok honey," he asked kneeling down in front of her.

"Yeah just a little shocked that's all," she replied with a weak smile.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked as he pulled them both back up.

"My shoulder is a little sore," she admitted.

Tate swept her hair off it so he could take a look. "You are going to have a nice bruise there in the morning."

"Thanks for coming to my rescue," he said with a smile.

"Anytime. Shall we get back to your dad before he starts to worry?" asked Tate.

Gabby nodded and they headed back over to where Jeff was waiting. Tate had wrapped his arm around her and she smiled at how right it felt. They found Jeff waiting by the entrance.

"Everything ok?" he asked sensing something had happened.

"Some creep tried it on with you daughter," replied Tate.

"What?" asked Jeff angrily.

"It's ok dad. Tate was there before he could do anything and I'm fine," answered Gabby reassuringly. She didn't mention the bruise to her dad for fear of making him angrier. She then realized something. "Oh shoot, I left my shrug in the bathroom. I'll be right back," she said before nipping back into the restaurant.

She slipped her shrug back on and was about to leave when a voice stopped her in her tracks.

"You know he is only with you because you are rich."

Gabby turned to see Miranda standing behind her. "No he isn't," replied Gabby.

"Oh please, you really think he would still be with you if you were poor?"

"Yes I do and I know what you are trying to do so you can give it up," she said defiantly.

"Oh and what am I trying to do?" she asked moving closer.

"You're trying to get me to break up with Tate in some vain attempt to win him back. Well tough it won't work."

"What on earth does he see in you?"

"I don't know but it was clearly more then what he saw in you," she replied cheekily.

"How dare you say that to me. Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Someone who is fed up of having her life screwed up because you can't get over your ex," she paused for a second and then spoke again. "Tate is over you. You have to let it go Miranda."

"And if I don't?" she asked with a sneer.

"Then you are just going to keep getting hurt."

"What makes you think he doesn't want me?" asked Miranda.

Gabby groaned inwardly how dumb was she? "Because he is here with me not you and because he told me so."

"And you believed him?"

"Yes because I have no reason not to. He has been by my side constantly since the accident, helping me, talking to me and above all else showing me how much I mean to him. So just get over it already," she said walking to the door.

Miranda saw red and advanced on Gabby ready to grab her. Gabby spotted her in the mirror and spun round.

"Lay one finger on me and I will sue you for everything you are worth and then I'll destroy you," she said before turning and walking out of the bathroom. Miranda would have to be a total idiot to come after her now. After all she was the daughter of one of the richest men in the world, it would be so easy to destroy her.

"You took your time. Is everything ok?" asked Jeff as she walked back over.

"Yeah just ran into Miranda," she replied casually.

"What?" asked Tate.

"Are you ok honey?" asked Jeff.

"Yeah I'm fine," she said with a smile.

"Really?" asked Tate.

"Yep, I'm not letting her get to me anymore."

"Good, shall we go then," said Jeff feeling relieved.

"Yep," replied Gabby and they began walking.

Tate wrapped his arm round her and spoke softly in her ear. "What did she say to you?"

"That you were hers and only dating me for my money."

"It's not true."

Gabby looked up into his emerald eyes. "I know and that's what I told her. Oh and if she tried to touch me, I would destroy her."

"Now that sounds like the Gabby we know," he replied with a grin. Gabby just smiled at him and they continued walking.

Miranda came out fuming and glared at their retreating back. How dare she speak to her like that? She was too angry too even notice the approaching reporter. He was out trying to get some photos of the Tracy Family.

"You don't look too happy to see them," he said.

"Well of course I wouldn't, she stole my boyfriend," retorted Miranda angrily.

"Gabriella Tracy stole your boyfriend?" he asked an evil gleam appearing on my face.

"Yes she did," replied Miranda before storming off.

The reporter grinned knowing he had a brilliant story for tomorrow's paper.

Authors Note: How will the family react to the story when it hits the papers and will Gabby and John work things out.

Sorry, for the huge delay but Christmas is always a busy time. Plus this was our first Christmas without dad so it was really hard. Happy New Year to you all. Hope 2009 is brilliant for you.