I was going to do one more chapter after this, but then all these ideas just rushed into my head! So who knows how long this'll be?

Chapter 7. The Calm In the Middle

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Troy awoke the next morning still laying on Gabriella's bed. As he looked down at his bandaged chest and arms, and then at Gabriella still sleeping on his chest, the memories of last night came flooding back into his throbbing head. The fight, running for his life, Gabriella tending to his wounds, falling asleep safe bedside her.

His attention was again drawn back to the sleeping Gabriella beside him as she stirred in her sleep. He reached up and started stroking her cheeks. 'Wow, she looks so beautiful!' was his only thought as he continued to stroke her face. She then slowly opened her eyes.

"Good morning, beautiful." Troy said whispered smiling.

"Good morning yourself." Gabriella said reaching her hand up and placing it on Troy's.

"Thanks for everything last night. I don't know what I would have done." Troy said still looking into Gabriella's dark brown eyes.

"Don't mention it. As long as your safe now." Gabriella replied before giving him a soft lingering kiss.. "Let's just be thankful it's a Saturday!" Gabriella said after she saw how long they had slept in.

When then finally started to make their way down stairs, it took a little longer for Troy considering he had to limp the whole way. When they finally got into the kitchen they found a note,

Gabriella and Troy,

Went to work early. Hope everything's alright. Troy, I saw the bandages and hope your ok. If you want to talk, I'll be home latter on this afternoon. Make your self at home and take a shower if you want to.

Jackie

"You know what? That shower sounds pretty good!" Troy said after they finished reading the note.

"You can borrow some of my brother's old clothes. He moved out a couple of years ago." Gabriella said before leading the way to a hallway closet and dragging out a box.

When she had handed him a shirt and pants he looked up the staircase, sighed at the bottom, and started the long journey up again. Gabriella immediately cracked up and almost fell on the floor in tears at how big of a deal he was making out of it.

"What? You think it's funny? If I wasn't so hurt, I'd show you funny!" Troy said jokingly before smiling again and starting back up.

"I'm sorry. I'll have breakfast made by the time your out." Gabriella sais wiping away the tears that were still running down her face.

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"I have never been so thankful for showers until now." Troy said making his way down the stairs again.

"Good to hear. I made pancakes." Gabriella said putting two plates on the table.

"Thanks. I'm starving! I didn't even have dinner last night." Troy said immediately sitting down and taking a big bite.

"Well, I hope you don't mind that that was the first time I've ever made pancakes." Gabriella said sitting down.

Troy stopped in mid chew and just stared in front of him.

"Tricked ya!" Gabriella said after a little while.

"You are so dead!" Troy said before getting up and tickling her.

"Hey! Stop!" Gabriella running into the living room with Troy close behind.

"Make me!" Troy said pinning her down on the couch.

"Fine!" Gabriella said before reaching over to his one spot of weakness that only she knew. The knee.

"No! No, no, no! That's not fair!" Troy said laughing so hard he was crying as Gabriella continued to tickle his knee.

"Say your sorry!" Gabriella said still tickling him.

"Alright! Alright! I'm sorry!" Troy shouted before Gabriella stopped.

"Ow! I think I just irritated a bruise!" Troy said laying back down and holding his shoulder.

"Sorry, Troy. Want me to kiss it and make it all better?" Gabriella said in a kid-like voice.

"Please?" Troy said like a little kid also.

Gabriella then leaned down and kissed his shoulder a couple of times. Then she moved up a little, leaving a trail of kisses from Troy's shoulder to his mouth. When she got to his mouth, she kissed him long and hard. Only stopping for air. They continued on with this until a loud bang at the door sent them flying apart.

"I thought you said your dad didn't know where I live." Gabriella whispered.

"Ditto." Troy whispered back