A few days later, Gabriella was being released from the hospital and Troy and Lucille were there to take her home while Jack and her siblings were at school. Doctor Miller came into the room. "Alright Gabriella, your release papers have been signed so you're free to go. You shouldn't have any permanent scarring and you shouldn't feel any large amounts of pain – though you may be sore for the next few days – but if you do, come back and I'll see you immediately. I'm sure you've been informed about the basics of your cast – no getting it wet, etc – so we'll see you in six weeks to get it taken off. I'm sorry about your experience Dear, a sweet girl like you doesn't deserve it. I wish you the best."

"Thank you Doctor Miller, for everything."

After Abigail left, Troy and Lucille took Gabriella back to their house. Lucille turned to the teens when they walked into the house and inwardly smiled as she saw Troy's arm wrapped around the girl's waist and Gabriella leaning into his embrace. "Ok guys, I'm going to go do some work in my room. Gabriella, will you be ok without Troy tomorrow or will you be going to school?"

"Umm I'll go to school."

"Ok Dear, I'll see you guys later."

With Lucille out of the room, Troy took Gabriella over to the lounge and pulled her onto his lap. "Do you want to watch a movie?" She nodded. "Do you want to watch Annie? I know it's your favourite."

"You remembered?"

He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Of course I remembered Baby. So would you like to watch it or something else?"

"Can we watch it?"

"Of course we can." He got up and turned the movie on before returning to his spot on the couch. He placed a cushion on his lap and moved Gabriella so her head was resting on the cushion, placing his hand on her head, playing with her hair as they watched the movie. About halfway through, he looked down and found her sleeping. He kissed the top of her head and turned the movie down so it wouldn't wake her, continuing his previous actions.

A few hours later, Gabriella woke up and buried her face into his chest. He chuckled and ran his fingers through her hair. "Good sleep Baby?" She nodded in response and he continued his actions, knowing it would take a while before she was properly awake.

"Are my brothers and sisters home yet?"

"They're out in the backyard. Dad's playing basketball with your brothers while the girls are playing in the treehouse, we thought it was best to let you sleep a bit longer."

"Thank you."

He shook his head. "No thank yous, you didn't get a lot of sleep at the hospital."

After a bit of silence, she spoke. "Troy, can you do something for me?" He nodded for her to continue. "I feel disgusting and I really need to have a shower."

"Of course Sweetheart, do you want me to ask my mom to help you?"

"Actually." She said, a light blush covering her cheeks. "umm can you help me?"

Troy exhaled. "Brie I - are you sure you're comfortable with that? Wouldn't you rather my mom help you 'cause she's a girl?"

Gabriella slowly shook her head. "I'm not really comfortable with anyone seeing me but if someone has to, I'd rather it be you."

He kissed her forehead. "Would it make you feel more comfortable to wear your swimmers?" She nodded shyly. "Alright then Baby, you wear your swimmers and I'll help you, but only if you're comfortable with it."

"That makes me more comfortable."

"What makes you more comfortable?" They turn at Chad's voice to see him entering the room.

"Well um I wanted to have a shower but I'm still kind of sore so Troy was going -"

"No absolutely not." He saw his sister about to interrupt. "No Gabriella, it's not happening and I don't care what excuse you try to use. You were just assaulted and there's no way in hell he's allowed to see you like that, someone else can help you."

"I know I was assaulted Chad, I'm not stupid and who's supposed to help me, you? Because there's no way in hell I'm letting you see me."

Troy spoke up. "Chad, she'll be wearing a swim suit, so I won't see anything I'm not supposed to and I know she's underage."

"And what about you huh? She'll be covered up but what about you?" Gabriella looked at Troy nervously, not having considered that thought.

"I'll be wearing mine too, who do you think I am?" Troy looked over at Chad and sighed. "Look Dude, I get it, I'm feeling the same way you are. You feel like a failure for Gabriella getting hurt and not being able to protect her so you feel like you have to protect her from everyone except Locky, Jas and Imi but I'm not gonna hurt her. I love her Man, I love her so much and it kills me that she was hurt and I wasn't able to protect her but I'd never hurt her Chad, you have to know that."

"You're right and I'm sorry Captain. It's just - she's my little sister and she's always the one that's gotten hurt and I hate it."

Gabriella stood from her place beside Troy and hugged her brother. "It's not your fault Chad and I get that you want to protect me, but Troy's not the one you need to protect me from."

"I know G, I know... I'm gonna go check on the girls, I love you Sis."

"I love you too." With that, Chad walked away and Gabriella turned to Troy. "So could we..."

Troy stood up and took her hands. "Of course, come on." He guided her up the stairs and into his room which had a bathroom attached. "I'll let you get into your swimmers, come in whenever you're ready." She nodded and he kissed her forehead before entering the bathroom, leaving Gabriella to changed. When she finished, she knocked on the door. "Come in."

She opened the door and closed it behind her but froze as she looked into the mirror right in front of her. She had bruises and marks all around her chest and on her thighs. Her eyes filled with tears as Troy came up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he kissed her shoulder. "I'm disgusting."

Troy turned her in his arms. "No you're not Baby, you're beautiful."

"Austin was right, I - I am damaged." She sobbed and Troy pulled her tighter into his embrace, cradling her head into his chest.

"Don't believe a thing he said to you Sweetheart. He may have hurt you but you're not damaged, you're perfect. I love you Brie."

"I love you." She lifted her head and wiped her tears. "Can we shower now? I want to get the feeling of him off me." Troy nodded and held her close as he turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm up. He covered her cast so it wouldn't get wet before they both got in, Troy keeping her leaning against him. He kept his arms around her waist as her head settled in the crook of his shoulder. "Baby, do you want me to help you?" He felt her nod and grabbed the wash cloth and soaping it up. He gently rubbed the soapy cloth over her body and felt as she relaxed against him. He rinsed the soap from the wash cloth and wet it to remove the soap from her body. He wrapped his arms back around her waist. "Ok all clean, does that feel better?"

She nodded against him. "Thank you." He kissed her temple in response. "I - um I, can you help me get dressed when we get out. I can do my bra and underwear but I have trouble with my top and pants because of my cast."

"Of course I'll help you." He turned off the water and wrapped her in a towel before wrapping one around his waist. When they got out, he uncovered her cast and got changed while she changed into her undergarments in his room. When he finished, he knocked on the door. "Brie, tell me when you're ready for me to come out."

"You can come out now." Troy came into the room and smiled, he didn't mean to look at her but she looked cute in her grey sports bra and black bike pants. He grabbed a pair of her sweat pants and helped her into them.

"Do you want to wear my hoodie?" He chuckled at the smile that covered her face as she nodded excitedly. It was the first time she'd truly smiled in the last few days. He grabbed his favourite hoodie: my East High hoodie with my name and number on the back. She bit her lip and smiled as she saw it. I slipped it over her head and it was baggy on her, he thought she looked so cute. He took her back into his arms and his heart melted as she nuzzled her head into his chest.

A few minutes passed before Gabriella spoke hesitantly. "Do you not like me anymore?"

Troy pulled back. "What are you talking about? Of I course I still like you."

"You haven't kissed me since everything... happened."

He pulled her over to his bed and onto his lap. "Is that why you've been so hesitant, because you think I don't like you anymore?" He sighed when she nodded slowly. "I love you Baby, the only reason I haven't kissed you is because I didn't know if you were comfortable with it and I didn't want to push you."

"You aren't."

He leant his forehead against hers and his eyes locked with hers for permission, silently asking if she was sure. When she nodded, he gently pressed his lips to hers and brought his hand up to caress her cheek. When they pulled away, he noticed the slight blush on her cheeks and smiled. "I love you Brie."

"I love you Troy." She said, cuddling into his chest.