AN: DISCLAIMER: I do not own High School Musical.
But anyway...New chapter! Full author's note at the bottom, so feel free to enjoy!

RECAP:

"Sharpay please. Don't do this, you don't mean it." He whispered and she knew she didn't, but she was too committed to her character and only scoffed in response.

"You've always been so naive Zeke. Of course I mean it. So there you go. You are free from any bindings to this place. Go to New York and leave me alone." With that Sharpay opened her door motioning for him to leave and, though it took him a while, he finally shuffled out. She slammed the door behind him, wincing at the sound and wondering if she had cracked the door under the sheer force of it, but soon enough she didn't care. Instead she fell to her knees and was wracked with sobs.


It had not been a pretty night. Not one of her shining moments, but...it was in the past; had happened years ago and she couldn't take it back no matter how much she wished she could. They were both different people now, both had lived their lives separately and had been successful since they split ways so there was no sense in trying to rewind the clock. Like she had said all those years ago to Zeke, she told herself, 'Stop being stupid.'

Finally she stepped into the gym, her eyes trained on him as he continued to shoot from the three point like, and she was impressed. He still had game. Finding her nerve she started to clap, "Wow." She said, earning his attention and taking in the full frontal view of his athletic physique. "You know, for someone who's life is sweets you're incredibly well built." He chuckled and shrugged, grabbing the basketball that had begun rolling back towards him and walked towards his shirt that was on the floor.

"Well, the way I see it, if this is how my life is going to be, best not get diabetes this early on right?"

She giggled as well as he pulled the shirt over his head and nodded, "Good reasoning."

There was a moment between them where their eyes met and she felt her heart swell with a feeling she had missed over the years, but she shook it off and coughed uncomfortably, "So, um..." She dropped her gaze, "What are you doing here?"

Zeke began to spin the ball on his finger and sighed, "Well, I couldn't sleep so I decided to come for a work out. And I was afraid I wouldn't get the chance to visit East High so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. What about you? What are you doing here?"

Sharpay brushed back her hair, "I wanted to make sure I got in my run before the wedding because it's bound to be stressful and...well it brought me here. I haven't had the chance to pass by either."

Zeke nodded, "So you still run every morning?"

Sharpay mentally kicked herself. She had forgotten that it was because of Zeke that she had started running in the first place. "Yeah," She chuckled nervously, "Some things never change." Another tense moment, 'God he looks good.' Sharpay thought, biting her lip as she noticed his eyes rake over her body quickly. She then became aware that she was dressed in a thin white wife beater and short track shorts and felt herself blush. She had to shake herself out of it. Sharpay Evans did not blush.

"So," She started awkwardly bringing his attention back to her eyes, his gaze burned through her so she quickly checked her watch, "Um, I guess I'm going to get going. It's almost seven and Taylor and Gabriella will be waking up soon."

Zeke nodded, "Um, yeah, I was gonna head back too, I've got a few things to get done."

"Yeah, okay," Sharpay said with a sigh, "I'll see you...at the wedding then."

"Yeah, definitely."

As she turned to leave she felt his eyes follow her and felt like she needed to get away, close proximity to him being increasingly lethal. But just as she was about to take off in a run she heard her name, "Sharpay! Wait."

Turning back Zeke walked towards her, "Um, Do you want a ride? I brought my car."

"Oh." She met his gaze and ran a hand through her hair, "Um, no, it's alright, I'll just--"

"Please." He said, "I insist."

Sharpay raised her brow at him, noticing that he had taken a step towards her and smiled somewhat smugly, "A bit forceful aren't we Mr. Baylor?" He only smirked back, which intrigued Sharpay so much that she felt her breath hitch, "I've learned not to take no for an answer."

After that Sharpay didn't quite remember what happened, just that she was suddenly in Zeke Baylor's car on the way back to her parents' house. 'How did he do that?' She thought to herself, 'And when did he become so...domineering?' The idea of Zeke having that kind of ability over her intimidated her, but none the less she played it cool. She wouldn't be beat.

"So, Zeke." She said, breaking their silence again, "How have you been? We hadn't had much time to talk."

He smiled "I'm good. The restaurant is doing well and we seem to be getting more and more buzz. La Petit might not be so Petit after a few years." They both chuckled at the joke.

"That's great Zeke. Really, that's great."

He shrugged humbly, "It's nothing really in comparison to what you've been up to. I saw your last movie, it was fantastic." She rolled her eyes, "Oh gosh, that movie. To be honest I wasn't very proud of it."

At this Zeke raised his brow, "What? But the movie was great."

Sharpay shook her head, "It was also very reminiscent of Rumor Mill and those are years I would not like to revisit."

Zeke laughed, "You know my ex-girlfriend Tanya loved that show. In fact she loved you, she was probably your number one fan."

Sharpay felt herself go rigid. Of course Zeke would have had girlfriends over the years, it had been nearly ten years since they had been together, but hearing him say it stirred something within her. Like a mountain lion roaring ferociously at the very idea of any woman coming near Zeke. "Oh, well, that's nice. Why'd you break up?"

He didn't look at her, just shrugged, "We didn't have much in common other than being major fans. It was sad really."

Sharpay raised a brow, "You were a major fan of Rumor Mill?"

He turned to her and shook her head, "No, not of the show. Of yours. I was a major fan of yours. It's actually why Tanya and I broke up. I was a bigger fan than she was."

She gazed at him wide-eyed, the response catching her off-guard, "Oh."

But he only smiled at her, looking somewhat amused, "Still am, you know. A very. big. fan."

She looked at him and could barely wrap her mind around what he was saying, his words echoing loudly through her head. All she could do was tear her gaze away and shake her head, feeling her resolve begin to crumble as she crossed her arms, "You are a piece of work Zeke Baylor. You really are."

He chuckled again, "So they tell me."

They pulled up to the lavish home of the Evans' and Zeke pulled into the drive way, putting the car into park before sitting back, "So here we are." He said, taking in the sight of the house, "Wow, this place hasn't changed."

Sharpay nodded, "I don't even know why my parents keep this house, they're barely here. But I think they're hoping Ryan or I will want it."

Zeke turned to her, "You wouldn't want this house? It's the one you lived in the longest, plus the place has so many memories."

But Sharpay only shrugged, "I guess but, all that is history now, and life is moving forward. My parents have to learn that sooner or later you've got to let go of the past."

Zeke shook his head and reached over to pat Sharpay on the hand mockingly, causing an electric spark to rush through her body at contact, "Oh Shar, when are you gonna learn that sometimes you don't have to let the past go, sometimes you can just take it with you?"

She looked at his hand that still enveloped hers and felt her breathing stop. He gripped it affectionately and when she met his gaze here was a moment of silence as they held each it, finding a swirl of tension fill the car. Sharpay felt herself being drawn him by some invisible force but pulled away.

She couldn't do this. She just couldn't because, in all honesty, she didn't trust herself with him anymore. So in a flash she pulled her hand back and slid further from him. "Okay--I'll--uh...I'll see you at the wedding Zeke." She opened the door and stepped out, "Thanks for the ride."

In a flash she took off toward the house, scrambling for her keys without looking back. She breathed heavily willing herself not to turn around, but, felt like she was fighting a losing battle. Every moment her key didn't fit into the lock was a moment she felt the pull to go back and kiss Zeke Baylor senseless. But thankfully she was able to successfully unlock the door go inside. Resting her back against the closed hardwood Sharpay sighed and closed her eyes, conscious of her heart beating at a horribly alarming rate. The memory of Zeke's brown eyes, his laugh and his words brought a groan from her gut and she shook her head, turning her gaze to the high ceiling, as if to look for understanding..

She couldn't help but think that maybe coming back to Albuquerque wasn't such a good idea.

Gabriella took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror. She took in the sight of the strapless a-line beaded lace bodice with tiered lace trim skirt and fingered the veil that was attached to the tiara she wore, feeling like the luckiest girl in the entire world. Today she was getting married, today she was getting married to the only man she had ever loved and would forever be Mrs. Gabriella Bolton. She could never tire of saying it.

"Mrs. Gabriella Bolton."

Letting out a giggle she hugged her arms to herself and smiled because today was going to be the happiest day of her life. Just as she sighed Taylor entered the room from the bathroom and stood in awe, catching Gabriella's attention, "Tay?" She said, turning around to face her best friend, "Are you alright?"

Taylor nodded, "Yeah, it's just...wow Gabs. You look so amazing."

Gabriella smiled, "Thanks Tay." She turned back to the mirror before letting out an excited squeal, "Can you believe it?! I'm getting married today!"

Taylor laughed and nodded, "I know." She took a seat next to her friend and smiled, "Okay, so everything is taken care of, the limo is outside waiting to head to the church when you're ready. This is it girl, you are two hours away from being tied to Troy Bolton forever and ever. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Gabriella chuckled and nodded, "I'm sure. Oh gosh Taylor, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done. You and Chad have really gone above and beyond for me and Troy. I owe you."

Taylor could only chuckle, "Well, I'll let you return the favor if I get married okay?"

"If?" Gabriella said in disbelief, "What do you mean "if"? WHEN Taylor. When you and Chad get married I will repay you totally in kind."

"Woah now," Taylor said holding her hands up in surrender, "We're a far cry from that Gabs. A very far cry." But Gabriella could only roll her eyes.

"Why fight it Tay? You know that you and Chad are meant to be together forever and that this wedding is just going to make you realize just how much you want to spend the rest of your life as Mrs. Chad Danforth. There is no denying it, so quit trying to."

"Okay, I'm just going to chock up your naivety to sheer wedding madness and just ignore everything you just said. How does that sound?"

Taylor seemed to be poking fun just as she was, but Gabriella knew her friend well enough to recognize the look in her eyes. Suddenly all fun was gone, "Tay? Is there something bothering you?" Years of faithful friendship had made Gabriella an expert when it came to Taylor. Even though the distance was staggering between them and they sometimes didn't get to see each other for months at a time Gabriella and Taylor could always tell when there was something wrong with the other, learning a long time ago that it was something that would never change.

With a sigh Taylor dropped her gaze and shook her head, "It's silly really but...I've been wondering if..." She trailed off, losing nerve, which was uncharacteristic, causing Gabriella to raise a brow at her friend.

"If...what?"

"If," Taylor began again, "If this whole Chad thing just came about because of the fact that we were helping you and Troy with the wedding and once the wedding is done...then...we'll be done."

Gabriella looked at her friend it utter shock, "WHAT?! Taylor are you crazy?! Chad is bonkers for you! He always has been! What would make you think that the end of the wedding would change anything?"

Taylor sighed, "I don't know! It's just...your wedding was an excuse to be together. We had to be together all the time and it made me realize just how much I want to be with him all the time. But once it's over and we go back to our lives...will it be as easy? I mean, we'll go back to Boston together, but once my work in Boston is done, Congresswoman Johnson is going to pull me back to D.C. Then what do we do? Basketball season will come around once again and then he'll be gone all the time. This is really not shaping up to be any kind of solid foundation."

She began to shake her head in frustration, almost as if the whole thing gave her a giant headache but Gabriella laid a hand on her friend's shoulder and spoke comfortingly, "Taylor, stop thinking so much." Her friend turned to her, slightly confused but Gabriella only smiled, "Listen, I don't have all the answers, but what I can tell you is that you're thinking way too much with your head and not enough with your heart. I mean, yeah, it'll be hard all relationships are, but you've got to have trust in the fact that Chad is set on not losing you again. He loves you doesn't he?"

Taylor sighed, "Yeah. Yeah he does."

"And you love him right?"

She nodded with a smile, "I think I really do."

"Well then good." Gabriella said with a triumphant smirk, "Then that's all that matters."

Taylor smiled at her friend and shook her head, "Thanks Gabriella." She said as she wrapped her arms around her friend, "You're amazing."

Her friend giggled, "I know."

Suddenly the door opened and the two friends turned around to see Mrs. Montez walk through the door. She caught sight of her daughter and suddenly the whole world seemed to shift in attention back to Gabriella, "Oh sweetheart! Look at you!" Mrs. Montez hurried to her daughter's side as the two friends let go of their embrace and she brought a hand affectionately to Gabriella's cheek, "I can't believe this day is finally here. My baby is growing up!"

"Oh mom." Gabriella cooed back, her voice breaking, "Don't cry! You'll make me cry!"

And with that Taylor chose the moment to slowly slip out. She closed the door behind her and smiled happily thinking of the scene she had just left, only to be surprised by a pair of arms snaking around her waist as she turned the corner, "And where are you off to?"

Taylor couldn't stifle the giggle, "Just going downstairs to wait for Gabriella, she and her mom are having a mother daughter moment." She turned in the arms to meet Chad's eyes and smiled at his crooked tie, fixing it before fiddling with the handkerchief in his coat pocket.

"Well that's sweet." He said, his low voice causing Taylor to shiver slightly as she met his gaze.

"Yes it is."

He knew the affect he had on her, mostly because she seemed to have the same affect on him, but he couldn't hide the smirk, "So do you think we have time to--"

"No Chad." She said firmly, yet slightly amused, "I'm sorry to say we do not have time for any of your hanky-panky."

He chuckled, "Hanky-panky? Taylor what era are we in? The 50's?"

She only shook her head, "Don't poke fun." She slowly pulled his arms off of her, but kept his hand firmly in her own as she pulled him with her down the stairs, "Did you learn the song?"

At this Chad sighed, "That was why I was looking for you, there is no way I'll be able to learn it. I mean, Kelsi played it for me a few times, but I can't read music, and I certainly can't learn this song in one night."

Taylor nodded, "I had a little trouble too. But what are we going to do? This song has to be perfect, it's her wedding gift."

"Who's wedding gift?"

The two turned in surprise to see Ryan walking toward them and Chad quickly coughed as he tried to think of a way to answer, knowing that he couldn't tell anyone else that Kelsi was here, "Erm, one of the guests, a friend of Troy, wrote a song for their first dance."

Ryan pulled at his coat sleeves and met their gaze in surprise, "Oh, well that innovative, I wonder why I didn't think of that."

"Think of what?"

Again the group turned, this time to see Sharpay making her way from the kitchen, brushing a hand through her hair. "Writing a song as a wedding gift for Gabriella and Troy, apparently someone else did it."

Sharpay nodded, "That is a good idea. Seeing as everything that ever brought them together always started with a song." The group chuckled in agreement, but it was in that moment that Taylor took in the sight of the Evans twins and an idea came to mind.

"Hey, you guys, this guest gave Chad and I the song to learn and sing at the reception, but to be honest, you know us, we aren't singers. But you two, you two would be perfect, and you're more capable of learning a song in a few hours than Chad and I are."

Chad caught on to his girlfriend's idea and smiled, "Yeah," He agreed, "What do you say guys? We've got the song with us, do you think you could learn it by the reception?"

Sharpay eyed Taylor and Chad suspiciously, wondering why there was a nagging feeling that she was being tricked into something in the pit of her stomach but Ryan spoke before she could voice them. "Sure," He said, "Anything for Troy and Gabriella, let me see the song."

Taylor clapped her hands excitedly and quickly pulled out the song from inside her purse handing it over to Ryan as Sharpay looked over his shoulder. "Can I Have This Dance," She said, humming the melody under her breath, "Wow this is really good."

Ryan's eyes widened as he saw the name at the top of the score and pointed it out to Sharpay, "Troy knows Paige Aker?"

Chad remembered that he said something about Kelsi's pseudonym and nodded without a beat, "Yup, she's a close friend of his; someone he knows from way back when."

"Impressive," Ryan said, "I can't even count how many hit songs she's written over the years. Will she be at the wedding? Maybe I can get her to collaborate on a song with me."

Chad and Taylor looked at each other briefly before Taylor answered, "Um, yeah, she'll be there at the reception. Not sure about the wedding." Sharpay seemed to grow more suspicious, knowing full and well that Taylor had been blowing a fit only a week ago about people who had yet to RSVP to the ceremony, but Ryan seemed to accept this answer and went back to the song.

"So Shar," He said, turning to his sister, "Do you want to go to the music room and go over this really quick?"

She turned her attention back to her brother and sighed, pushing her suspicions to the back of her mind, "Sure, okay, call us when it's time to leave." Taylor nodded and watched as the twins went off toward the Evans' music room, already singing the song as they went.

"Brilliant plan Ms. McKessie, I don't know why we didn't think to ask Sharpay and Ryan to sing before, I mean, they seem like such an obvious choice now."

Taylor nodded, "Yes well, we'll call it a stroke of luck, making the almost-song disaster, a disaster well avoided. Today is going to be perfect now don't you think?."

Chad nodded, "I think so. Perfectly perfect."

AN: Oh how very wrong you are my dear friends. So...VERY VERY WRONG. okay, well, not that wrong...but come on! "Perfectly perfect"? Not when they totally, granted: inadvertently, put the Playmaker and her muse together on stage after years of separation! This should be interesting. *sigh* But I digress. The well-awaited reunion of Ryan and Kelsi is fast approaching ladies and gentlemen and should be up within a week or so...but...I'm debating whether or not to wait for a certain number of reviews before posting. Hmm...mayhaps we shall see. mayhaps you should review just in case...mayhaps i should stop saying mayhaps...

yeah. ok.

Anyway, I really do hope you enjoy this chapter. PLEASE REVIEW! PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE?!? Let me know what you think, let me know what you know, let me see what you see, so I can continue to grow...woah. did not mean to rhyme. I feel like a Dr. Seuss book...and I really should be listening to my Gov. Professor lecture. hmm. Oh, that's nice the Articles of Confederation...well, anyway I've moved off topic, so I'll let you go. PLEASE REVIEW!

Later days,
scribbling wordsmith