Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue.
A/N: That was a fun cliffhanger. Not. :D I'm sorry to tell you all that this story had ceased, from this point on, to be happy. In the words of New Found Glory, it's "all downhill from here." Yes folks, it is a sad story now. Not too many lighthearted moments left.
That said, I'm glad a lot of you are sticking with me through this story. I think I've only got a few more chapters left in me. I'm aiming for somewhere near 20-25 chapters. Your reviews are what keep me going. Without them, I think this story would have been abandoned long ago. So, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you to all my loyal readers and reviewers.
Enjoy!
"Troy!" Gabriella screamed, sinking to the floor with her boyfriend in her arms. The noise surrounding them overpowered her voice, and Gabriella seemed to be the only one who had noticed Troy's collapse.
"Chad, Taylor, call an ambulance" she shouted, finally catching the attention of her two friends. She was bending over Troy, her fingers on his neck to feel for a pulse.
"What happened?" Chad asked frantically, kneeling next to her and looking at Troy.
"I don't know, we were standing there and he just collapsed. I don't know what's wrong," Gabriella said, upset. Chad dug in his pocket for his cell, pulling it out and dialing 911. Taylor had knelt next to Gabriella and was taking off her sweater to put over Troy to keep him from going into shock. By then several people had noticed the small group gathered around Troy's prone body. Some were standing with their hands over their mouths, shocked, while others crowded in to see what was going on.
"The ambulance is coming in a few minutes," Chad said, turning to the crowd of people. "Everybody, back up! Give him some room!"
Some of the people complied, but others pressed closer. Sharpay and Ryan pushed through the crowd to Troy, their faces white with worry. Jason, Kelsi, and Zeke all found their way over as well.
"What's going on?" Sharpay asked, leaning over Gabriella to see Troy.
"He passed out, I don't-" Gabriella's reply was cut off as the paramedics forced a path through the crowd.
"Over here!" Chad shouted, waving them over. Two paramedics pulled a gurney toward Troy, a black medical bag lying on top.
"Alright, everybody clear out!" the younger of the two called, moving people away as he took a stethoscope from the bag and kneeling next to Gabriella. "I need you guys to move away so we can work on him."
Chad and Taylor stood up, going to stand next to the others. Gabriella refused to move, however, tightly holding onto Troy's hand. The older paramedic was setting up a blood pressure cuff on Troy's left arm while her partner took Troy's pulse and checked his breathing.
"Miss, it would really help us if you'd move away," the guy said, taking a pulse ox clip and attaching it to Troy's finger.
"He's my boyfriend," Gabriella said quietly, refusing to let go of Troy's hand.
The medic shook his head, continuing to look over Troy. He turned to his partner.
"His pulse ox is on the low side, 94. I'm gonna start him on oxygen and put in a second line," he said, informing her of his plan of action.
"BP is 100/70, and his pulse is 70. Run in two liters of normal saline, wide open, and let's get him prepped for transport." She turned to Gabriella. "Are you riding along?"
Gabriella nodded, continuing to clutch Troy's hand as the two paramedics rolled Troy onto a backboard and lifted him onto the gurney. She walked alongside as they went out to the ambulance. The others followed, watching as Troy was loaded into the ambulance. Gabriella jumped in and took her place next to Troy and across from the younger medic.
"We'll meet you at the hospital," Chad called after them as the other medic shut the doors and closed Troy and Gabriella off from them.
"What've we got?" the ER doctor asked, walking up to the doors of the ambulance as the paramedic threw the open and helped his partner unload the gurney. Gabriella jumped out and walked alongside, continuing to hold Troy's hand.
"Troy Bolton, 18, collapsed at a party. He has leukemia, he's been receiving treatments for the last six months or so. BP has stayed steady at 100/70, pulse at 70. Pulse ox is 04, we put him on oxygen. Two lines started in the field."
They moved Troy onto the waiting gurney in the treatment room, and the paramedics left, taking their gurney with them. Gabriella was left in the room with Troy, the doctor, an intern, and a nurse.
"Are you his girlfriend?"
Gabriella nodded, tightening her grip on Troy's hand. The doctor looked up at her.
"Miss-'
"Montez," Gabriella supplied, looking up from Troy for a moment.
"Miss Montez. I'm going to have to ask you to wait outside so we can work."
"But-"
"Please, we'll be able to help him faster if we can work."
Gabriella protested, even as the nurse gently put her hands on Gabriella's shoulders and led her toward the door.
"Wait," Gabriella pleaded, walking back to Troy. She leaned in close to his ear, whispering. "I love you, Troy. Please stay strong, you'll be okay." She gently kissed his forehead, closing her eyes for a moment before allowing herself to be led away by the nurse.
"Where is he?" Chad asked, walking into the waiting room and immediately spotting Gabriella. Taylor, Ryan, Sharpay, Zeke, Kelsi, and Jason filled in behind him as Gabriella stood up to meet them.
"They're treating him now, I haven't seen him since we got here."
Chad cursed under his breath, running a hand through his still-pink hair.
"He'll be okay," Taylor said assertively, wrapping an arm around Gabriella's shoulders to comfort her.
"How do you know that?" Gabriella asked, tears filling her eyes.
"Gabriella, this isn't what Troy needs," Kelsi said gently, stepping closer to her friend. "He needs us to be strong."
"He's going to be okay," Taylor repeated, looking up at Chad as Gabriella buried her face in Taylor's shirt and began to sob.
"I'm gonna go call his parents," Chad said quietly, walking over to the pay phone on the wall as the others took seats around Gabriella, prepared to wait as long as it took. A few minutes later he walked back over, sitting next to Taylor and resting his hand on Gabriella's shoulder to help comfort her.
"Troy Bolton?"
The group looked up, and saw the doctor who had treated Troy. He spotted the group and walked over, holding Troy's chart in his hands.
"Are his parents here?"
"Um, I just called them they'll be here in a little bit," Chad said, standing up to see eye to eye with the doctor. ""How is Troy?"
"I really can't release any information regarding his condition to anyone but family," the doctor said tentatively, shifting slightly from one foot to the other.
"Please, can you at least tell us if he's okay?" Taylor asked, looking up as Gabriella wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
"I really-it's against hospital policy."
"Please," Gabriella pleaded quietly, speaking for the first time in awhile. The doctor looked uncomfortable. Just then, Troy's parents hurried into the waiting room, walking quickly over to the group.
"Are you the doctor treating Troy?" Kellie asked, her voice betraying her anxiety.
"Mrs. Bolton?" Kellie nodded. The doctor sighed with relief. "Yes. I'm Troy's doctor."
"How is he? What's wrong?"
The doctor sat across from the small group, motioning for Kellie and Jack to sit opposite him.
"Troy's collapse was caused by weakness that resulted from the cancer. The systems of his body have started to shut down because the chemo treatments aren't working as they should be. We've paged Dr. Michaels, who'll be able to further examine Troy and come up with a definite diagnosis and treatment plan. I have to tell you, though, that I think we may be looking at something as serious as a bone marrow transplant."
Gabriella walked quietly into Troy's room, greeting Kellie, who was sitting by the bed. They were still waiting for Dr. Michaels. Mr. and Mrs. Bolton had sent everyone else home, but Gabriella had refused. Now she asked Troy's mother for a moment alone with her boyfriend. Kellie complied, kissing Troy's forehead before leaving the room.
Gabriella sat next to him, gently picking up his hand. She leaned forward, kissing his cheek before laying her head next to his.
"I love you, Troy," she whispered, gently stroking his hair. "Please don't leave me. Please stay strong."
As she watched, Troy's eyes fluttered open and he looked inquisitively at Gabriella.
"Gabi? What happened? Why-why am I in the hospital?"
"Troy, you passed out. The paramedics brought you here."
"What's wrong?"
"They've called Dr. Michaels for a consult," Gabriella said quietly, running her hand through Troy's hair.
"Gabi? What-what's wrong?"
"Troy, they think-they think this might be it. I don't want to lose you."
Troy closed his eyes, letting her words sink in. "Have they given me a time yet?"
Gabriella shook her head. "They're waiting for Dr. Michaels. The ER doctor thinks that we could still try a few more options."
Troy let out a quiet breath, calming himself. He pulled Gabriella closer.
"I love you, Gabi," he whispered. "You're not going to lose me. I'm not ready to go yet."
A/N: That was kind of upsetting. Sorry. Sorry for the wait as well. Reviews greatly appreciated, as always! Not sure how accurate some of the medical stuff was, but I used stuff I've hear on ER mostly, so forgive me if it isn't right :D
Coming in Chapter 17: What does Dr. Michaels say? Is this the end for Troy? Maybe? Am I that mean?